Home Improvement

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It's amazing how you can find yourself drawn to design aspects that you never thought that you would be interested in, don't you think? Today's 'Home Improvement' post is not necessarily one that I would really decorate my home with (see: cow tile work), but I certainly think that the image above is inspiring. Green is one of those colors that I think is so often overlooked when it comes to home interiors, and yet, it is one of those colors that pretty much have whichever impact you want it to. Pale greens can be calming and quite pretty, while emeralds and kelly greens are much bolder and make a stronger statement. I find the idea of a green kitchen interesting, in that green is often associated with a state of calmness. In the kitchen, cooking and being with family and friends, should not be a stressful activity. Who knows? By incorporating more greens in the kitchen, and not just on our plates, our general stress levels may even lower. All of the flowers don't hurt, either.

What do you think of green interiors? What about green kitchens?

Check out this green formal room that I would love to daydream in, as well.

Home Improvement

Have you ever seen things differently after you start taking interest in a new trend or activity? When Madewell came out with their 'map view' print, I began taking an interest in maps of all kinds. While we don't really look at traditional paper versions as often as we used to on travel excursions and road trips and turn to the digital iPhone, Mapquest, or GPS version, I think that there is something so intricate and interesting about them. It takes a great amount of skill to layout and organize an entire area of a place. For this week's Home Improvement, the kitchen above with the large wall map in a black, white, and grey palette creates an interesting sort of wallpaper and art piece at the same time. In keeping the furniture to a simple style and neutral, natural colors, the focus is clearly on the wall and doesn't make the rest of the room boring.

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Home Improvement

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One of the most important things that I have learned from dorm living in the past year and a half is that proper space utilization can make a huge difference in not only the feeling of the size of your room (or home), but in the feeling of cleanliness and organization, as well. Both being design students, my roommate and I definitely have our share of stuff. However, it is the little areas in which we discover to house them all, that can make our room feel more like a home, and less like a storage room for our things. In the kitchen above, the room utilizes the sort of awkward curved corner to turn into a dining nook. What once may have been an odd empty space is now transformed into something cozy and unique to the room that also manages to add charm and an interesting appeal. 

What are some of your space utilization techniques? 

Home Improvement

Now, I know that everybody loves a little bit of glitter and shine throughout their days, but this kitchen by architect Emma Templeton and her design team at Templeton, is a whole lotta fabulousness. With such a powerful and sparkly focus of the backsplash behind the counter, the team made sure to balance the room with neutral colors and materials--like variants of brown woods-- to ensure that the space felt special, but not overwhelming. This kitchen is surely a place where enjoying your morning coffee will make sure to start your day off right. 

Would you like some sparkle in your kitchen?

Home Improvement

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Black and white is a classic combination that can almost always do no wrong. Whether applied to clothing, photography, or in this case interior design, it always manages to look polished and amazing. This photograph is from a Manhattan dining room and kitchen featured in the September 2012 issue of Lonny Magazine. Designed by Lilly Bunn Weekes, the black and white is bold enough that it makes a statement and is the feature of the room, but by being applied to the backsplash of the appliances, is not overwhelming for such a common space of the home. 

Would you decorate a room in black and white, or are you a die-hard color fanatic?