House Zig-Zags to Fit Oddly-Shaped Footprint

Zig-Zag-HouseHow would you like it if someone took the tiny amount of free space between your home and the neighbors’ and crammed an absurdly-shaped structure into it, filling virtually every square inch? That might seem rude in many places, but in Japan, where residential plots are tiny and houses are built to the very edges to maximize the space, it’s not unusual to see neighborhoods where nobody really has a ‘yard’ at all. In this case, Kyoto-based architecture firm Alphaville came up with a very creative solution to an awkwardly shaped plot of land between existing homes.

 

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The zig-zagging ‘House Twisted’ features a narrow design that snakes between several traditional homes. You might think this would result in everybody staring awkwardly into each others’ windows, but the home was designed to place windows and doors only in spaces where they wouldn’t look directly onto neighboring residences.

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Three openings at the porch, kitchen and courtyard are oriented to face the interior at 45 degree angles to let in light without sacrificing privacy. Skylights flood the all-white interior with daylight. As narrow as the home appears from the outside, the interior has a surprisingly spacious feel thanks to a minimalist approach and high ceilings.

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The three main staggered shapes that make up the house leave just enough room for two outdoor spaces facing the windowless walls of the neighboring houses, resulting in a feeling of privacy and sanctuary despite the cramped conditions.

Read more: http://dornob.com/twisting-house-zig-zags-to-fit-oddly-shaped-footprint/#ixzz2xH4HHZYJ

Honda Smart Home US

 

Pure Genius Hardwood Flooring: Purifies Your Air

pure geniusThe trappings of modern home life tend to come with some rather distasteful side effects, like the carcinogens that can be released from certain synthetic materials for the entire life of the products. Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring has come up with a seriously genius way to make our homes safer: floors that act as air purifiers.

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lauzon air purifying hardwood floors

Many of us already have purifiers in our homes, but they can be noisy, intrusive, and downright ugly. The Pure Genius line of purifying hardwood floors is activated by light and actively filters out harmful elements to turn them into harmless molecules. According to the manufacturers, the smart flooring can make indoor air up to 85% cleaner.

air purifying flooring

The intelligent flooring works using a patented system involving titanium dioxide. The flooring takes in molecules of mold, airborne viruses and bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), then releases them as harmless, breathable air. After just 30 days with Pure Genius flooring, a home’s formaldehyde levels can be reduced to six times lower than the typical home.

Read more: http://dornob.com/hardwood-flooring-purifies-your-air-beautifies-your-home/#ixzz2wzGF4tdx

Spectacular Seth Navarrete House

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The house was built for a young couple. It has a distinctive geometric layout and is neither big, nor small and measures no more than 200 square meters. The residence features two floors. While there are living and dining rooms with a private bathroom on the first floor, the second holds the bedrooms and additional bathrooms as well as walk-in closets. The house is compact as the designers Agraz Arquitectos made use of every inch of free space to provide the most comfortable living experience possible.

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Bathroom Workbook: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?

Screen Shot 2014-03-10 at 7.29.37 AMLearn what features to expect for $3,000 to $100,000-plus, to help you plan your bathroom remodel

If you’re planning to remodel your bathroom, you want to update the look, increase resale value, add functionality, amenities and storage or a combination of all or some of these. Simple enough.

But the scope of the project depends on a variety factors — most of all budget, but also how long you’ve been in the house and how long you plan to stay there. As with most things, there are three levels of bathroom remodeling: good, better and best, says Leslie Molloy, a design consultant at Normandy Remodeling. In this new series, we’ll take you through the planning and execution process for remodeling your main bathroom.

Of course, the costs below are all relative and will depend on a variety of factors, including where you live, how old your home is and what kind of renovations have already been done. Remodeling a bathroom from the 1990s is a lot different than overhauling one built in the 1920s with mud-set floors and galvanized plumbing. “Older houses likely have had a series of previous remodels that we usually have to peel back the layers and see what’s there,” says Brad Little, president of Case Remodeling in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Kitchen ideas, bathroom ideas, and more ∨Before you throw your next party, browse a wide selection of bar ware, bar glassware and serving platters.
From wallcovering to a stencil, fabric to room dividers, design doesn’t stop at construction.

How to Give Your Driveway and Front Walk More Curb Appeal

Screen Shot 2014-03-10 at 7.25.54 AMPrevent injuries and tire damage while making a great first impression by replacing or repairing front paths

They’re the first thing visitors see when approaching your home (even before they get to the front door), which makes the driveway and front walk the keys to maximizing curb appeal. Here we’ll give you all the details on updating your front walk and driveway, from material choices to costs.

Kitchen ideas, bathroom ideas, and more ∨Consider a versatile murphy bed when looking for a guest bed, find home office chairs, and work with a contractor in your area to create a fun yet functional home office.
Browse top designers interior portfolios, from high-quality bakeware and decorative plates to ideas for remodeling bath and kitchen.

Make A Big Splash: Custom Glass Back Splashes

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Kitchen back splashes are typically not the focal point of the room. But these made-to-order custom glass back splashes will steal the show in the heart of any home.
 london glass splashback

pug glass splashback

The British company Glass Splashbacks makes stunning back splashes featuring whatever color, shape or picture you desire. You also choose the thickness of the glass. The colors or pictures are printed directly onto the glass, giving the back splashes a vivid and bright appearance.

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The glass used to create these bespoke works of art is toughened to make it able to withstand kitchen temperatures up to 220 degrees C (428 F), so there’s no worrying that the meal you’re cooking is going to crack the custom work of art.

new york glass splashback

Although they are undeniably beautiful, the products from Glass Splashbacks strike us as just a bit impractical. Unless you are accustomed to giving everything a thorough scrubbing after every meal you cook (and we aren’t), grease and other normal kitchen debris would accumulate quickly.

Read more: http://dornob.com/leave-your-mark-in-the-kitchen-custom-glass-back-splashes/#ixzz2v0dQuhpA

A Study In Patterns: Mixed Prints Home Interiors

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Overuse of patterns in a single room can give the space a chaotic feel, but somehow, despite layer upon layer of mismatched prints, this apartment interior is peaceful and harmonious. Maybe that’s because developing beautiful prints is a full-time job for Marcel Wanders, a Dutch designer best known for his striking wallpaper patterns. This private home in Amsterdam is a virtual showroom of Wanders’ talents, with patterns integrated in ways both bold and subtle.

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Hexagonal ceiling tiles in monochromatic white reflect a similar, more high-contrast design on the floor. Sculptures and chair backs bear lace-like scrolls, leaves and flowers, while the sofas are anchored by high-impact wallpaper layered with at least three different designs in one.

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The overall mix balances intricate nature-based designs and graphic geometric shapes. This delicate balance continues into the bedroom and bathroom, where a large floral print adorns a mosaic wall just across from a textured wall in glossy black.

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Careful use of color is definitely the key here. If all of these prints were multi-colored, the effect would be dramatically different. Strong lines and subtle one-color patterns draw the eye to the more colorful and complex while periodic pattern-free areas give the eye somewhere to rest.

Read more: http://dornob.com/pattern-study-home-interiors-brimming-with-mixed-prints/#ixzz2uvXtQr3e

Practical New Uses for 23 Old Things

Screen Shot 2014-02-28 at 7.42.07 AMJunk? What junk? Those things cluttering up your storage space are home solutions waiting to happen

In the market for a new bookshelf? If you have an old ladder lying around, you might not need to hit the store. In fact, there are countless ways you can turn old objects into amazingly practical solutions for storing, displaying and organizing your stuff. Here are some of my favorites.

Architects, interior designers, and more ∨From Shabby Chic home decor to contemporary furniture and mirrors, browse thousands of decorating ideas to inspire your next home project.
As you revamp your house, browse photos for inspiration on everything from fireplace mantels to crown molding and wainscoting.