Month: December 2018

Distinctive Edwardian 'Design Lab'

The house which designer Jay Jeffers shares his spouse, Michael Purdy, serves a double purpose: It is part escape and part design laboratory, nurturing creativity for Jeffers’ interior design business along with the pair’s San Francisco atelier, Cavalier. “Our house has mirrored my style evolution throughout the years,” says Jeffers, whose clients are often drawn to his vibrant, playful design touches. Architecturally, the house is tucked in a row of “handsome small Edwardians,” he states. But inside, it makes a daring departure from the remainder of the block.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Jay Jeffers and Michael Purdy
Location: Eureka Valley, San Francisco, California
Size: 2,500 square feet

JayJeffers

One of the first design lessons Jeffers provides his clients is that colour does not always mean vivid, splashy hues. “It is about creating new, unexpected pairings,” he states. “We just finished a gorgeous modern penthouse at a palette of grays and creams.”

Vintage tufted chairs in rich blue Holland & Sherry fabric complement the persimmon-stained walls.

JayJeffers

A floral lampshade with metallic trim almost looks like a framed watercolor bit next to an etching by Christopher Brown.

Wheel book weight: vintage, Coup d’Etat; wall paint: Persimmon, Benjamin Moore

JayJeffers

Gray trim highlights the molding in the dining area and provides a neutral complement into the bolder orange tones in the upholstery, decor and wall treatments. “I totally love the dining room,” Jeffers says. “It has a handsome, quirky appearance, with a gallery wall of portrait paintings”

Molding paint: Bear Creek, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Pittsfield Buff, Benjamin Moore; dining table: vintage, Monteverdi Young; chandelier: vintage, Maitland Smith

JayJeffers

A Forrest Williams oil painting makes an alluring dialogue piece, including the illusion of another window within this living room sitting room. The settee is a custom piece by Jeffers.

Area rug: habit by Jay Jeffers & Kelly Hohla

JayJeffers

The kitchen was the only room in the home that really needed work — but that which designer stops following renovating just one room? Jeffers put into a tartan tile backsplash “à la Burberry,” he states , and custom cabinets with back-painted glass.

“it is a cliché to say, however, we are living in our kitchen,” he states. “The floor plan is circular, so that you can observe the kitchen from the dining area and living area, and guests always collect there. It is the ideal place for cooking — beef bourguignon, preferably — kicking back with a cocktail and glancing out in our view of the city”

JayJeffers

Like everything in Jeffers’ house, this tabletop vignette is meticulously curated.

“I’ve just started my first store, Cavalier, together with my spouse, and our focus with it’s on those kinds of carefully curated bits using a masculine edge,” says Jeffers.

JayJeffers

“I really put my stamp on the home. I believe the colour palette is what sets it apart and gives it its own distinct style notice,” he states.

JayJeffers

The guest area is swathed in acidity green wallpaper. “I am not sure anybody else on the block includes a sexy pink portrait of Abraham Lincoln,” Jeffers says.

Wallpaper: Studio Printworks; Abraham Lincoln screen-print: Natalie Ammirato

JayJeffers

This bedroom vignette combines handsome bits with quirkier things: An ornately framed mirror hangs over a vintage dresser, a sculptural bust adds gravitas into the corner and styled artwork stipulates a dash of whimsy.

JayJeffers

“This residence is my design laboratory,” says Jeffers. “It is where I crisscrossed pink and orange grosgrain ribbon in my master bedroom walls at one stage and hand-stencilled the drapes with my monogram in homage to Sir David Hicks.”

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4 Herb Container Gardens for Fabulous Global Cuisine

Do you have a flair for Asian cuisine? Or do your tastes lean Italian? Make cooking your favorite food easy by mixing the herbs that you use frequently in 1 container or a group of pots. Having fresh herbs to season dishes will make your dishes even more amazing.

Many varieties of herbs work flawlessly in containers. These handy kitchen gardens may be obtained, letting you pick a handful of your bounty as the whim arises.

Aloe Designs

First Things First: Pick the proper Pot

The roots will require ample room for expansion, so I advise starting with a pot that is at least 12 inches in diameter and at least 8 inches deep. Any substance or shape will work; only remember that alloy and dark-colored pots warm up more quickly than others.

Terra-cotta containers work nicely for blossoms, as most favor the soil to be on the other side. You may need to water plants in these pots a bit more if you reside in a really dry climate. Small pots will require more frequent attention than bigger pots.

Glenna Partridge Garden Design

To know the number of plants to put in 1 pot, it is ideal to check the mature size of this plant. If that is not feasible, you can follow these guidelines using 4-inch starter plants:

• three to five plants for a 12-inch-diameter pot
• Six to eight plants for an 18-inch-diameter marijuana

The majority of herbs such as well-draining soil, so it is vital to use potting mix (not garden soil) specially created for this.

Jennifer Ashton, Allied ASID

Herbs need at least of four hours of sunlight, and several need six to eight. If your plan is to maintain your kitchen garden indoors, make certain the pots are placed where they will get direct sun for the appropriate amount of time.

Kim Gamel

As soon as you’ve your containers ready, you can plant herbs that work together for a specific food or type of cuisine. Listed below are four of my favorites.

1. Italian Herb Garden

Basil
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
USDA zones: N/A; treat as an Yearly
Water requirement: moderate to moist, well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Complete sun
Mature size: 18 to 24 inches high and wide

Missouri Botanical Garden

Oregano
Botanical name: Origanum vulgare
USDA zones: 4 to 9
Water requirement: moderate to dry, well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Complete sun
Mature dimensions: 12 to 18 inches high and wide

Missouri Botanical Garden

Italian (Flat-Leaf) Parsley
Botanical name: Petroselinum crispum
USDA zones: N/A; treat as an Yearly
Water requirement: moderate to moist, well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 9 to 12 inches high and wide

Andrea Meyers

Thyme
Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris
USDA zones: 5 to 9
Water requirement: moderate to dry, well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Complete sun
Mature dimensions: 6 to 12 inches high and wide

Missouri Botanical Garden

2. Asian Herb Garden

Lemongrass

Botanical name: Cymbopogon citratus
USDA zones: 10 into 11
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Full sun; tolerates light color
Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide

Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

Spearmint
Botanical name: Mentha spicata
USDA zones: 5 to 9
Water requirement: moderate to moist, well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet high and wide
Planting note: This plant can be invasive, so it is ideal for containers.

Missouri Botanical Garden

Cilantro
Botanical name: Coriandrum sativum
USDA zones: N/A; treat as an Yearly
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: as Many as 2 feet high and 1 1/2 feet wide

Missouri Botanical Garden

Chives
Botanical name: Allium schoenoprasum
USDA zones: 4 to 8
Water requirement: Medium moisture; well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches high and wide

Missouri Botanical Garden

3. Mexican Herb Garden

Marjoram
Botanical name: Origanum majorana
USDA Zones: N/A; treat as an yearly
Water requirement: moderate to dry, well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Complete sun
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide

Add tsp, spearmint and oregano to a Mexican herb garden too, paying attention to their own needs as recorded in the Asian and Italian herb gardens above.

Missouri Botanical Garden

4. French Herb Garden

Tarragon
Botanical name: Artemisia dracunculus
USDA zones: 5 to 8
Water requirement: moderate to dry, well-drained soil
Light requirement: Complete sun
Mature dimensions: 1 1/2 to 3 feet tall and 1 1/2 to 2 feet wide

Rosemary
Botanical name: Rosmarinus officinalis
USDA zones: 8 to 10
Water requirement: moderate to dry, well-drained soil
moderate requirement: Complete sun
Mature dimensions: 3 to 6 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide

Include Italian parsley and simmer on your French herb garden, paying attention to their own needs as recorded in the Italian herb segment.

How do you combine your herbs? Feel free to leave me a comment below. Happy gardening!

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Little Homes Surprise With Comfort and Performance

Recently New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a contest to come up with a building with so-called “micro units” — apartments of around 250 to 300 square feet. Presently the city’s codes do not permit apartments under 400 square feet. The rivalry is in response to changing demographics in the city, largely the increase in a single- and – two-person families; 1.8 million individuals fit this demographic, but just 1 million apartments serve their requirements. By supplying smaller components, the town hopes to make it even more affordable for couples and singles. San Francisco is also considering shrinking the minimum dimensions of rental apartments to 220 square feet.

Update: See the winner of the New York contest

But how can one or two people adequately live in 300 square feet or less? My first flat in Chicago was roughly 200 square feet (known as an efficiency apartment — basically one room serving as living and kitchen area, using a walk-in-closet and a bath), but I lived there just one year, and then I could afford a bigger area. In new york, rents are so high that individuals may live from the micro components, once realized and allowed by law, to get a little longer. Making the flat perform a lot in a small space is so important. This ideabook looks at a few smallish apartments to see what lessons can be learned for micro living.

General Assembly

This home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was remodeled with General Assembly for a household not ready to enlarge. The small living area works for cooking, eating and lounging. These functions are clearly demarcated from the L-shaped space, however the bounds between are available. This is not unique to small homes, but it’s carried out rather efficiently here.

On the left is the relaxing area with a couch, a coffee table, a seat and storage, while the small kitchen is on the right, helping the dining area (shown in the next photograph). The kitchen is crucial, since it’s accessible on either side and contains storage that’s also accessible from different sides. (Note the shallow shelves onto the staircase in the ideal foreground.)

General Assembly

This view appears from the seating area supporting the dining area, which includes built-in seats before a bay window. Note how the stepped ceiling additionally will help demarcate various zones, including some height into the living room.

General Assembly

This open-plan living area is so small that the refrigerator and shelves buttocks up against the dining area. Yet what is well worth carrying here is the way the built in seating next to the refrigerator becomes a visual extension of the kitchen cabinets. The extra seating removes what would have been an embarrassing bump-out for the refrigerator, turning the dining and kitchen areas to a unified space.

General Assembly

On the other side of this kitchen is accessibility to the remainder of the home. The open shelves suspended from the ceiling include storage while allowing light and views throughout the space.

Another job by General Assembly focuses on an integrated wall of storage which hides plenty. The custom cabinetry is tailored to the owner’s many possessions, meaning that the sewing machine has its place having a rolling base. The hardware on the left side means something must be hidden behind the surface.

A drop-down desk enables the room to be utilized as a small home office. But that is not all.

Fold the desk up and the space becomes a bedroom. Murphy beds are great for smaller apartments and will probably be a requirement for people moving into New York City’s miniature units.

vgzarquitectura y diseño sc

This flat in Mexico City by vgz(a) does a lot with its square footage. The living area is not small, but it feels larger than it’s since the wall between the living room and the bedroom is visually open. Horizontal slats give a feeling of enclosure while letting light filter from one space to another.

vgzarquitectura y diseño sc

The bedroom is just steps away from the kitchen, but that closeness is readily overcome …

vgzarquitectura y diseño sc

… by sliding the patterned glass wall closed. Like the slatted wall, this sliding wall lets a few light reach the kitchen throughout the bedroom. It also presents an interesting image of character when the viewer is in the kitchen, much removed from the real thing.

vgzarquitectura y diseño sc

Looking out of the bedroom door/wall into the window, one thing stands out: the tall timber cabinetry behind and towards the side of the mattress.

vgzarquitectura y diseño sc

Not a closet, it’s also a Murphy bed. I could see this flat doubling as a home office. The character of this space is fitting for an office in addition to a bedroom.

vgzarquitectura y diseño sc

One final bit in this Mexico City flat would be your swivel stand for your flat-panel tv. I think this is great, meaning just one TV is necessary to serve the living room and the bedroom. In a small flat, one won’t have to see in both chambers at the identical time, therefore this sort of flexibility makes a great deal of sense.

Gut Gut

Last is this flat in Bratislava, Slovakia, by Gut Gut. The character of the existing space is very raw, with painted brick and a scalloped concrete ceiling. The interior design doesn’t try to compete with this specific circumstance, rather fitting as much as possible within the space. Note the shelving to the ideal cut to the brick wall (click picture to see full view).

Gut Gut

The kitchen has a lovely blue countertop under a window. The tall shelves on the left offer plenty of storage yet allow light throughout the space (recall the very first instance doing something like a smaller scale).

See more of this home

More innovative homes of 500 square feet or less:
Efficient Manhattan Studio
500-Square-Foot Charmer in Santa Cruz
Industrial Minihouse in Seattle
Mobile Microliving in Oregon
Tiny Fold-Out Apartment in Barcelona
Ingenious Garage Makeover in Bordeaux

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“Did you ever think your house would burn down?” Eden, my afterward seven-year-old daughter asked me every few days, for months, after an arsonist randomly put our house on fire.

“No,” I’d answer each and every moment.

“I never thought my home would ever burn down,” she would say, shaking her head. Neither did I and, regardless of the fact we only marked the second anniversary, I can not quite believe it did.

There are hundreds of people in Colorado Springs who understand this feeling exactly.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

Last Wednesday (June 27, 2012), since the wildfires raged, while over 35,000 residents who were evacuated waited to figure out if their homes had been destroyed, my mind and my heart were left using them. It had been two years to the day of our very own fire.

Ours was set in the wee hours and we were home and in bed. My husband and I gathered our kids and the puppy and fled with the clothing on our backs. I stopped just to grab my notebook, which was at hand, and ran barefoot to the darkness.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

As we stumbled on the course across the road and watched the flame spread, what surprised me was the absence of pain, even when I knew everything was missing. I was in shock, true, but I was also clearer than I have ever been : “That” (our home and possessions) was things and may be substituted; my loved ones, standing beside me, alive and physically unharmed, was irreplaceable. I could live with no rest.

“We have been through worse.” I said repeatedly in the early days, and we had, but I didn’t understand trauma, and I didn’t understand that the flame was just the start.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

As the months and weeks passed, I couldn’t believe how hard it became. It had been such a surprise that getting somebody set fire to our house and losing all our possessions was not the most terrible part; it had been struggling against bureaucracy and creating each single financial decision — from what spatula to purchase to how big to build the home — while still traumatized and exhausted.

And in the early days, the horror of passion was mingled with and nearly covered with the extraordinary outpouring of service, the beautiful and astonishing generosity of our community.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

It started while our home was in flames, together with Paul’s (my husband’s) sister and brother-in-law scooping up us from the side of the road and welcoming us into their home, where we remained six weeks, catching our breath and planning the next step.

Very early, I called one of those pastors, who declared the fire in church. A buddy was given checks and money for us, there on the spot. Friends from college assembled another day to strategize our immediate, midterm and long-term demands. Our house was smoking when a local business was established as a drop-off place for donations.

Paul’s coworkers helped set up an account at our credit union and were collecting donations the following day. Many continued to watch out for us over the long year of rebuilding.

Neighbors, some we barely knew, stopped and handed us money or provided furniture, clothing, even a place to stay.

Friends and family at a distance called, sent care packages and wrote wonderful, adoring cards and mails.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

I asked Paul, more than once, “Does anybody understand we’re well insured? That we’ve got savings?” I didn’t have any idea how slow and hard insurance would be how fast we would go through our economies. It was embarrassing being the focus of much attention and, as strange as it sounds, I found overwhelming generosity — at times — simply overwhelming.

Here’s What Happens, and What You Can Do

Perhaps you have friends who lost their house in Colorado Springs, or one of those other regions affected by wildfires. If that’s the case, you might be longing to do some thing, and I’d really like to offer a couple suggestions.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

Message, text or email them your love and concern. Crisis is so isolating, and hearing that others understand what’s happening and that they care is wonderful. However keep it simple: “I’m so sorry for the loss. I’m so glad you’re alive.” There is actuallyn’t much else to say.

Listen. Everybody is going to have a unique response to this terrible event. Following our passion it seemed I was constantly out of step with all the prescribed story. When folks believed I should despair, I was hopeful. When others assumed things were looking up, I had been tanking. Your buddy, that (in case Colorado Springs) is surrounded by many others going through this exact same catastrophe, will require someone to just listen to how it is for her or him.

Send a test. This is one of the most helpful things you can do. Your friends are going to be spending money every which way, and insurance can take a while to process, even if everything goes smoothly.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

Send a gift certificate. Everybody in our household is a reader, so we have been given many gift certificates. Our books were one of the first things we wanted to replace. You can send a certificate to a favorite restaurant or a grocery shop.

Give clothes or home things. Be really thoughtful here. If they have been insured, your buddies will be given with all the family basics and might not be prepared to sort through a lot of stuff.

Make a meal or bring groceries. Your buddies are probably exhausted and struggling on many levels. Even if they are staying with people briefly, this could aid their hosts.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

If you are local, run a needed errand. Once I went on my very first shopping trip after the flame to obtain a pair of sandals, my regional mall didn’t have the style I wanted, but the mall on the opposite side of town. I was not able to take the opportunity to drive that way, but a friend discovered, purchased them and sent them right to me. It meant a lot better.

Concentrate on the kids. If kids are involved, it is complicated. Losing everything is particularly devastating for these; their belongings mean so much better. If you can, figure out a game or toy a kid is missing especially and get him or her immediately. You will have done a great thing for the entire family.

Consider taking the long term. The procedure after a flame is extended. You might choose to check in during the rebuild and do any of the above a couple of months down the road when they might require it most.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

Do you have friends who had to flee, but their home lived? They’ve been through a terrible ordeal also and are likely feeling wrecked. Pick anything on the listing and I’m positive it will greatly appreciated.

Don’t know anybody personally, but wish to help?

The American Red Cross Disaster Relief does good work. They help people in crisis undergo the first 48 hours after a catastrophe with money for food, shelter and clothing. Find out more at redcross.org or even 1-800-RED-CROSS. Folks can also text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to create a $10 donation.

The Humane Society for the Pikes Peak Region took in hundreds of pets belonging to Colorado Springs evacuees and always needs assistance.

Sandi Gunnett Photography

When we watched our home for the very first time after the fire, I told Paul, “I never need to stop being grateful we lived. I don’t understand how things are going to go with insurance, I am aware that it may get stressful, but I never wish to get past gratitude.”

An argument may be made I did.

But once I think about the goodness of our community, the astounding kindness and overflowing generosity that surrounded and buoyed us I know I didn’t and I never will.

Photographs of the author’s home after the flame by Sandi Gunnett

More: Simple Acts — The Unsung Power of a Fantastic Neighbor

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Summer Living: How to Welcome Weekend Guests

Being a good host is something of a lost art. Assessing the roles of tour guide, innkeeper, cook and friend (while still managing to have fun yourself) could be challenging, to say the very least.

Make seeing family and friends feel at home, and ease the load on your own, this summer with a little extra preparation. Read on for a dozen methods to welcome guests, and also make weekend visits more fun.

Dreamy Whites

Supply a grab-and-go breakfast channel. Maintain fresh fruit, breakfast cereals and other essentials together on the counter for early risers. Give guests a fast kitchen tour the night before so they can get their morning coffee or tea without waiting for you.

If you would like to set an extra-special table or surprise that a birthday guest, then including a monogrammed mug along with a small arrangement of flowers is lovely and doesn’t require much extra effort.

Tim Cuppett Architects

Establish a casual tone. I’m not saying you should not clean up a bit before guests arrive, but keeping things near the typical state of things around the house will help guests at ease. Newspapers on the coffee table, flip flops piled from the door and music in the background set the stage for comfort.

Jennifer Grey Interiors Design & Color Specialist

Ask ahead about favorites and patterns. Check beforehand to see exactly what your weekend guests typically eat for breakfast, lunch, or if they have any particular food or drink requests or allergies. Picking up a couple of things especially for your guests is a nice touch and isn’t any problem — it just requires thinking ahead a bit.

Katerina Tana Design

Prep your front porch. It is the very first thing guests see, after all, so make sure it is well lit, freshly swept and equipped with fresh cushions and green plants.

Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

Stock bedrooms with essentials. Clean sheets and extra pillows are a no-brainer, but try adding a few of those extras to carry it to another level:
iPod dock with speakers
Small alarm clockVintage house or fashion magazinesAn electric tea kettleSmall basket with sample-size toiletriesLocal travel guide

Make young guests feel at home. Make the stay in a new location easier on small ones by creating their mattress fresh and inviting and stocking their room with some of your favourite childhood toys.

Be sure to request parents of young children beforehand if there is anything you can have ready for them borrowing a top chair from a friend, for example, signifies the grownups can pack lighter.

Witt Construction

Allow for downtime. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of overplanning actions for weekend guests. Possessing a few tentative outings or projects on the schedule can be helpful, but avoid the desire to fill every last minute. Most guests will really enjoy some blocks of unstructured time to unwind, talk, read, rest or perhaps venture out on their own.

Kate

Give guests a project in the kitchen. When dinnertime rolls around, don’t hesitate to have guests toss in with a few simple tasks in the kitchen. Ask them to pour the wine, then choose the songs, prep greens for a salad or set the table, and soon your visitors will be feeling right at home.

A Beach Cottage

Eat alfresco. Eating outside makes meals tastier, conversation livelier and individuals more relaxed. Even in the event that you don’t have an outdoor table, think about carrying your kitchen table out for the day. It will make for a memorable night.

Ellen Kennon Design

Offer old-school entertainment. Together with the oversaturation of high-tech gadgets in our lives these days, it can feel very refreshing (and even indulgent) to unplug for a day. Play board games or cards, perform on a significant mystery, read, speak, go for a stroll, ride bicycles or swim.

Greige

Leather Handled Market Tote – $39

Fill baskets with outing essentials. I love the idea of keeping baskets from the door, ready to go for excursions that are ordinary. You could have a beach basket with sunscreen, towels and spare sunglasses, or even a picnic basket with blankets, cutlery and unbreakable dishes. Just grab the proper tote and head out!

Frederick + Frederick Architects

Reconnect in the end of the day. Even if you and your customers part ways through the day, it can be nice to regroup and reunite together in the end of the day. Make a ritual of snacks and drinks to the backyard or on the porch and sharing stories from your day.

Inform us: How do you prepare for weekend guests? Have any fun activity ideas? Share them in the comments section!

More:
Impress Your Guests: 8 Tips for Gracious Guest Rooms
Creating the Perfect Guest Room
Your Guest Bath: Creating Your Friends Feel Pampered

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Kitchen of the Week: Small

Past the great recipes, Kate Taylor’s adorable blog Cookie + Kate teaches the cook which determination and creativity are the keys to a meal that is fantastic. Although the kitchen at Taylor’s 500-square-foot Oklahoma apartment isn’t anything but fancy, a knack for cooking and a couple of well-chosen tools help her create the simple and tasty recipes to get her blog. Like utilizing planks to make cleanup easier with tips, Taylor offers wisdom for virtually any kitchen.

Kate

Hint: Do not be scared to leave your kitchen for snacks which involve a whole lot of prep. Since Taylor has limited counter space, she often moves to her dining area to place dishes together and picture them for her blog.

Q. What is your neighborhood like?
A. I reside at Central Oklahoma, at a good-sized school town named Norman, 30 minutes south of Oklahoma City. I live near campus, at a comfy neighborhood lined with historic Arts and Crafts–style homes and large trees. It is a nice area to go with my dog, Cookie.

Kate

Hint: Keep oils, drink supplies along with other kitchen things on trays for simple removal and cleanup. Taylor has all of the makings of a great cocktail on this adorable tray, which is picked up from the counter at a flash when she needs more room.

Q. How do you earn cooking in a small kitchen simpler?
A. My biggest challenge is finding adequate counter space, especially since I tend to make a major mess! I love to put my large, cheap cutting boards under prep bowls to help catch a few of my mess, and it definitely helps if I place dishes directly into the dishwasher rather than piling them into the sink.

Kate

Hint: Spice racks are lifesavers in small kitchens. Rather than letting these bottles pile up in drawers or shelves and take up precious space, put in a rack on the wall to keep them organized and at hand.

Q. What do you love about your kitchen?
A. I really like the pullout shelves for bulky pots and pans. In addition, I appreciate my spice shelves that are built-in.

Kate

Hint: Simple furniture with clean lines helps Taylor’s dining room feel bigger than it actually is. Choose furniture that’s easy to wash — especially if your table doubles as a prep station.

Q. Your go-to dish for a dinner party?
A. I don’t entertain a good deal, but once I do, I attempt to make something simple so I can relax and spend time with my guests. Homemade pizza is enjoyable. Provided that the dough is prepared in advance, the rest is simple. Drink ample beer and wine to it, and everyone’s happy.

Hint: Shade makes a difference in small spaces, and also a kitchen is no exception. Then work it, if you are cooking in a kitchen! Utilize a bold wall color to give it life.

Q. Just how large is your kitchen?
A. My kitchen is really small — smaller than it appears in the photographs. Fortunately, it has just enough cupboard space to hold all of my cooking equipment and photography props. My flat is over 500 square feet, but it feels really spacious thanks.

Kate

Hint: Fancy drawer dividers and dish racks aren’t always a choice in rental kitchens. Keep things organized storing them and by stacking like things.

Q. What is a Fantastic space-saving secret?
A. Well, I really don’t have one magical trick, but I like stacking mixing bowls since they take up less cabinet space. Additionally, storage containers that are rectangular take less space in the fridge up than ones.

Kate

Hint: Clear containers help make the most out of limited kitchen storage. Utilize Mason jars Weck canning jars or glass containers to store goods. This way you’ll know without needing to dig about in a pantry exactly what you’re catching.

Taylor’s intellect: Cord clutter is the bane of my existence, so I attempt to keep my cords under control using twist ties. I go through my kitchen at least one time annually and give away the equipment I am not using, and I try to just buy what I really, truly need … although that is coming from a girl who possesses a waffle iron along with an Ice Removal Services Little Rock cream maker.

Kate

Above, Cookie the dog watches Taylor whip up a noodle that is ancestral.

Q. Three kitchen necessities you use the most often?
A. I really like my Wusthof santoku knife, 10-inch cast iron pan and stacking glass mixing bowls.

Q. What exactly are three kitchen luxuries you really adore?
A. I am quite attached to my waffle maker, Ice Removal Services Dover cream maker and Le Creuset French ovens.

Kate

Q.: And last but not least — what exactly are you making in these pictures? It looks delicious!
A. I improvised a Southwest-style salad to your photo shoot, but it was so nicely that I might need to make a post of it. The salad consisted of mixed greens, red onions, fresh tomatillo salsa, toasted corn tortilla strips and lime-cilantro tahini dressing.

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Flat Roof

A flat roof is flat and has a minimum amount of slope to permit for drainage. Flat roofs have trouble bearing the burden of Commercial Snow Removal Boise, have been supported by ceiling joists and don’t have any rafters.

Hanrahan Meyers Architects

Flat roofs require a small slope to keep water from pooling, along with a waterproof membrane and extra flashing to keep them from leaking.

Feldman Architecture, Inc..

No pets or kids will tramp through this rooftop garden, made possible by the horizontal roof.

Bernard Andre Photography

A flat roof actually contrasts and showcases the landscape around it.

Dumican Mosey Architects

There are no eaves on this apartment roof. Roofs work best in ponds with rain. Though called”flat”, technically they need a slope of 1 inch each 8 feet.

Feldman Architecture, Inc..

Rooftop gardens give many energy efficiencies They shop rainwater in their foliage and also have sound-dampening and thermal properties.

Vanguard Studio Inc..

The reduced surface area of a horizontal roof restricts how much a home will heat up throughout the daytime, also reflects the sun’s beams.

Browse more horizontal roof photographs

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Backyard Bliss: Conjure a Worldwide Oasis Outdoors

Enjoy your lawn like you would like a hotel this summer. If you can not manage to get to Thailand or Spain, transform your backyard to bring those countries to you. A small backyard, patio, loggia, porch, balcony or deck could all take on an international appearance. Here are three ways.
Close your eyes, spin the planet and stop it with your finger. If it lands somewhere like Antarctica, spin again.Take out the photos from a favourite excursion and remember which components made you feel as if you were on vacation. Decide whether any of the outdoor spaces below hit your fancy and replicate what you like about these.

Supon Phornirunlit / Nude Decor

Designer Supon Phornirunlit looks for inspiration on his world travels. A Thai resort lobby’s reflecting pool inspired him to lose his high-maintenance plant set on his deck in Washington, D.C., and substitute it with a pool. He made a relaxing Far East air by amassing inexpensive umbrellas, chairs and elephants out of Pier 1 Imports and Ikea.

See the rest of this home

Artisan Books

The Moroccan exterior lifestyle is all about sun protection and relaxing. Rich local textiles bring softness and colour to sandy stucco and rattan.

Blasen Landscape Architecture

Earthy colours on the walls and under your feet produce a Tuscan foundation, whereas potted plants, especially citrus trees and blossoms, create an edible container garden. Insert a dining table and chairs and enjoy drinking Italian wine out.

Summerour Architects

There might not be a view of minarets beyond these arches, but the kilim cushions and rugs used during this second-story covered patio whisk visitors away to Turkey.

Leslie Hayes Interiors

Traditional Chinese garden stools in blue and white bring China into Philadelphia. Designer Leslie Hayes has cleverly grouped a trio of these together to form a foundation for a glass-top dining table.

COLECCION ALEXANDRA

Don’t forget to focus on lighting. There is no requirement to have a grand electric system installed; candlelight adds all of the ambience this resortlike lawn needs. If I had a lawn in this way, I would not ever have to travel everywhere.

Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group

Transport yourself to Kyoto by opting for Japanese fashion in your garden. While Japanese gardens seem to be minimal and easy, each rock, sculpture, plant and course was placed with fantastic care. These elements inspire calm meditation when you are sitting and looking out in the garden and provide a very specific experience when you are walking.

Tommy Chambers Interiors, Inc..

Tommy Chambers Interiors paid particular attention to the outdoor spaces surrounding a timeless California Mediterranean home. He imported bright colours, tropical plants and geometries found on Spain’s Mediterranean shore.

Elad Gonen

Deep blue and white will take you away to Mykonos, Greece.

Vanni Archive/Architectural Photography

If your home doesn’t have each the crisp white structures seen in the previous picture, add it through your furnishings to get a relaxed Greek island look.

McDugald-Steele

Attain your French dreams by adding lavender oil, lavender fabrics and café furniture.

More:
Space of the Week: The Supreme Breakfast Patio
Garden Tour: A Colorful Patio Blooms in Arizona

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Layout Calendar: May 3–24

Get inspired on a day trip to the hilltop Rockefeller Estate in Hudson Valley, New York, where you can see art by Picasso, Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder and more in the underground art gallery. Also this month: Explore the sprawling grounds of this updated 1900s Glynallyn castle, learn how to build a backyard barnyard in town and much more.

richardavedon.com

EXHIBIT — May 4–July 6, 2012
Richard Avedon: Murals & Portraits
Gagosian Gallery, 522 W. 21st St., New York City

Known for his powerful and dynamic portraits, the photographer is the field of Richard Avedon: Murals and Portraits, which showcases his iconic murals depicting the cultural cultural and cultural years of 1969 to 1971. The controlling photography installation is developed on panels measuring 20 to 35 feet wide, with subjects such as Andy Warhol and the stars of The Factory (photograph ); the Chicago Seven, the political toxins charged with a conspiracy to incite riots during the 1968 Democratic convention; beat poet Allen Ginsberg and his extended family; and the Mission Council, a group of army and government officials that governed the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War.

The Gagosian Gallery collaborated with the Richard Avedon Foundation for the exhibit, tapping architect David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates to look the streamlined installation. The display design celebrates the craft of architectural choreography through a stunning spatial makeup: Four smaller rooms painted black are created through tiled walls.

Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

friezeartfair.com

FAIR — May 4–7, 2012
Frieze Art Fair
Randall’s Island Park, New York City

With the East River serving as a backdrop, Frieze New York will exhibit the work of more than 1,000 of the world’s leading modern artists for four days. The fair includes an outside shadow theater and a collaborative choral painting inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, and young and old alike can participate in exhibits and discussions. There’ll be a lot of thought-provoking modern art to see and buy, and the festival itself is placed in a bespoke temporary structure designed by SO–IL architects that’s worth checking out. Bonus: The ferry trip over to Randall’s Island Park is included in the entrance price.

Hours: Friday and Saturday, 12–7 p.m.; Sunday and Monday, 12–6 p.m.
Price: Single day $40; discounts for seniors and students; 16 and younger freeTickets available online only

bryanhaeffele.com

TOUR — May 5–Nov. 4, 2012
Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate
381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, New York

Have a day trip out to Kykuit, a hilltop Hudson Valley landmark that was formerly home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Walk through the meticulously maintained rooms of this century-old six-story stone home, such as an impressive underground art gallery with works by Picasso, Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore and lots of others. The estate also features a mentor barn with a group of classic automobiles and horse-drawn carriages. Pick from a menu of five tours. If the weather is fine, the panoramic views of the valley and also well-manicured gardens are particularly beautiful.

Hours: Visitors’ centre opens at 9 pm per day; shut Tuesdays
Price: $23–$40; $15–$30 for Historic Hudson Valley and National Trust members
Buy tickets online

davidgruolphotography.com

SHOW HOUSE — May 3–31, 2012
Mansion in May Showhouse and Gardens
Morristown, New Jersey

Spring signs that it is time for show houses, and this season the Women’s Association of Morristown Medical Center secured the historic Glynallyn castle nestled in what was formerly known as”Millionaire’s Row.” The sprawling 32,000-square-foot castle includes authentic English Tudor architecture and will exhibit the layout imaginations of 40 local interior designers, such as Canterbury Design, and 16 landscape architects, such as Susan Cohan. Come ready with comfortable walking shoes, since the mansion tour will take you through 66 rooms and 7.5 acres of terraced gardens. This year’s display home advantages the new Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care Center.

Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 Gamble –3 p.m.; Sunday, 11 Gamble –4 p.m.
Price: $30; seniors $25
Buy tickets online

Lola Nova

WORKSHOP — May 12, 2012
Urban Menagerie: The Way to Raise Food Animals in the City
Oakland, California

In case you’ve ever had the urge to raise your own meat or build your own backyard barnyard, combine SPUR, Kitchen Table Talks and 18 Reasons for a unique workshop and bicycle tour. Led by Esperanza Pallana of Pluck and Feather and Kitty Sharkey of Havenscourt Homestead, the day’s events include a bicycle tour visiting two houses where goats, hens, rabbits and other animals are raised at the garden. You will learn about the viability and legality of raising animals in cities, in addition to get advice on feeding, sheltering and slaughtering. Light snacks will be provided; make your own lunch.

Price: $35; 18 Reasons and SPUR members $25
Hours: 11 a.m.2 p.m.

More layout occasions: April 19–May 20, 2012, April 27–May 17, 2012

What’s on your calendar?Let us know in the Comments.

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Great Design Tree: Australian Tea Tree

I am not going to try to conceal the reverence and adoration I have to the Australian Tea Tree (Leptospermum laevigatum). Wind disregarded and architectural, these trees seem to be formed by hand rather than grown. They sweep wildly across the landscape, and no two trees are ever alike. Growing up in San Diego, I would climb these trees in my favorite beach, only later discovering the name. As it turns out, Australian Tea Trees create for beautiful landscape layout features in more than just my childhood shore.

Ms. Sadie

Botanical name: Leptospermum laevigatum
Common names: Australian Tea Tree, Coast Tea Tree
USDA zones: 9 to 11
Water necessity: Little to none
Light requirement:Total sun
Mature size: 10 to 30 feet tall and wide
Tolerances: Drought; thrives in coastal Problems

Distinguishing attributes. Australian Tea Tree is a showstopping specimen tree that exudes a casual and understated aesthetic. The flaky gray bark and twisting type of the tree’s back are identifiers of the tea tree and that which make it so unlike every other. The trunk and bark just become more sculptural with age.

Fine foliage and petite white flowers softly contrast the coarse back of the tree, creating a balanced juxtaposition. Flowering in spring, the tree creates a dazzling display of small, white flowers throughout the leaves and stalks.

Photograph by Stephen Bain through Wikimedia Commons

Deborah Cowder

How to utilize it. The picturesque appearance of the tea tree, highly ornamental and sculptural, makes it a specimen tree. Given room and time to mature, its limbs will only disperse and twist more, creating a living landscape sculpture and ideal shady landscape spot.

J Brew

Australian Tea Tree can also be trained as a windbreak, a backyard display or a covered walk — revealed here at Lotusland in Santa Barbara, California. Although this treatment of the tree prevents its branching structure from taking form, fine leaves and flowers will still blanket its branches. This usage requires labour.

Ms. Sadie

Planting notes. Native to coastal climates, tea trees flourish in well-drained, somewhat acidic soil. The tree is susceptible to root rot if the soil is too moist. Long term living and quick growing, Australian Tea Tree requires little extra care once established. If you allow it to grow out entirely, you are able to narrow regions to highlight its shape; it requires very little pruning.

More amazing layout trees:
Dove Tree | Bald Cypress | Chinese Witch Hazel | Japanese Maple | Manzanita
Persian Ironwood | Smoke Tree | Texas Mountain Laurel | Tree Aloe

Great layout flowers:
Ornamental Allium | Canna Lily | Catmint | Golden Creeping Jenny | Pacific Coast Iris
Plumbago | Red Kangaroo Paw | Sally Holmes Rose | Slipper Plant | Snake Flower

Great layout crops:

Euphorbia | Red-Leafed Mukdenia | Blue Chalk Sticks | Hens-and-Chicks
Redtwig Dogwood |Toyon

Great layout grasses:
Black Mondo Grass | Cape Rush | Feather Reed Grass | New Zealand Wind Grass

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