Emmanuel Fonte | Music | Art | Leadership
If music be the food of love, play on. Emmanuel Fonte website is about music, art, real estate, architecture, design and decor. Occasionally, I talk about my other passion, hockey.
Make that alcove more inviting with
fresh art, new pillows or a good tidying up
Nooks are one of those features that often become a favorite place in the house. But they can leave us puzzling over exactly what to do with them. If you have a nice nook to work with, lucky you! But
if yours isn’t that inviting, it’s time for a revamp. One or two of these
designer ideas could be just the thing to inspire a reinvention.
It’s a classic spot for a work of art, but what are the design rules for getting it right?When it comes to hanging art above a mantel, what are the dos and don’ts? How high should you hang the work? Is one piece enough, and what’s the right color scheme? Read on for expert tips.
The short answer: It dependsOne of the most common questions I get during exterior color consultations is whether the window trim should be painted the same color as the sash. It’s a good question. And the answer is frustratingly complicated. But before we dive into it, let’s start with a quick primer on a couple of key terms used to describe the exterior of a window.
Hardworking furnishings, accessories and built-ins will keep your
sanctuary tidy and calm
Keeping a bedroom organized and uncluttered maintains a serene feeling. Every inch counts in a tiny bedroom, so a space-saving strategy is a must. If you’re dealing with a small room, consider some of these clever space savers. They may inspire you to shuffle around a few pieces of furniture or complete a weekend DIY project. If you know you’ll be in your compact bedroom for the long haul, you may even invest in hiring a carpenter.
Find fresh inspiration from 13 unconventional bathroom vanities that are as functional as the real dealA bathroom vanity needn’t be straight out of the shop or supplied by a manufacturer or cabinetmaker. Indeed, thinking outside the square can turn up a one-of-a-kind vanity with character and function to boot. Sideboards, desks and cabinets — whether new or used — can all be repurposed to provide storage and surface space. Here are 13 pieces of furniture that have been cleaned up and repurposed as stylish bathroom vanities.
Though some think that the pace of the housing recovery
is unsustainable. However, Jonathan Smoke, the Chief Economist of realtor.com explains the basic difference between 2005 and today:
“The havoc during the last cycle was the result of building too many homes and of speculation fueled by loose credit. That’s the exact opposite of what we have today.”
If we look at the number of new single family housing starts over the last 30 years, we can see that the numbers of housing starts during the current recovery (2012-Today) are still way below historic averages, and
are far less than the numbers built during the run-up to the housing bubble (2002-2006).
A single family housing start is defined as “the number of permits issued for construction of new single family housing units. Housing starts are an important economic indicator
due to its extensive spill over benefits for the other sectors of the economy (retail, manufacturing, utilities).”
Current demand for housing actually calls for more new construction to be built – not less. We should at least return to historically normal levels.
You might think to add white and provide adequate lighting, but you might not know about these other ways to lighten up a spaceIf you’re looking to brighten up a room that feels more like a cave (or even just a little on the dim side), try this mix of beginner tips and advanced ideas for bringing in more light and maximizing what you already have.
Need a gentle nudge to clear the decks? Join the ‘less is more’ tribe and pare back your clothing and shoesAn excessive number of jackets, shoes and clothes in general is a prime culprit for messy bedrooms, hallways and closets. A collapsing, heaving wall-mounted coat rack was my own personal sign that I needed to aim for a more minimal wardrobe, but your reasons may be different. Perhaps you’re moving and want to streamline your belongings? Maybe you’re curious about Marie Kondo’s KonMari organizing method after having chats with converted friends? Or perhaps you’re just sick of taking forever to choose your clothes and get dressed in the morning. Paring down your wardrobe is a cleansing and liberating experience. Plus it creates more space. Give the following steps a try this weekend to kick-start a simpler outlook on life.
