The Case for Hidden Storage

sotrageImagine how much more peaceful your home would feel with cleared surfaces. And that’s just one reason to stow your supplies.

It’s easy to fall in love with beautifully styled open shelves, and to feel swayed by the convenience of keeping frequently used items sitting on the kitchen counter, bathroom sink and desk — but are these methods of storing your belongings really helpful? While there’s certainly nothing wrong with keeping things out in the open, I’ve recently been discovering that making fuller use of hidden storage makes for a cleaner, neater, more peaceful and easier-to-maintain space. Read on and see if you become convinced to give the surfaces in your home a clean sweep.

Lake Lugano House

hoooooome_lake_lugano_house_jacopo_01Lake Lugano House is a private house designed by JM Architecture in Brusino Arsizio, Switzerland. Lying on the slope of a hill, on the shores of Lake Lugano , the villa consists of two volumes organized on different levels due to the particular topography of the site.

A polygonal shaped glass pavilion with rounded edges stands above a linear underground block. The living and dining room, the kitchen and storage spaces are located in the pavilion, while bedrooms, bathrooms and garage are in the lower level. Each level relates itself with independent outdoor spaces, which are closely related with the interiors.

The glass pavilion overlooks two very defined areas: the first, toward the mountain, is a very private zone resulted in the area between the property line and the building setback line according to the local building code. The second is a garden overlooking the lake.

In the same way, the bedrooms face a garden enclosed by the building and the perimeter wall. The ring, obtained between the perimeter wall above and the pavilion, amplifies the interior space, with seems much larger than what it actually is.

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Fantastic Fitzroy Park Home

Stanton Williams Architects has designed Fitzroy Park House in 2014.

This private house is located in North London, UK.

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Spectacular Tribeca Loft

Tribeca Loft is the 3,000 sqf top floor and roof of an 1884 caviar warehouse was designed by Andrew Franz Architect PLLC in 2014.

This chic modern loft is located in NY, USA.

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15 Bright Ideas for Kids’ Bathrooms

Screen Shot 2015-04-20 at 1.05.36 PMSplash on the color and have fun with decor to make a child’s bathroom a cheerful place

Whether you have a dedicated kids’ bathroom or share space with the pint-size set, keeping track of whose soggy towel is whose can be made easier — and more fun — with a few smart design moves and cheerful touches. From double (or triple!) sinks to tub-side seats and rainbow-inspired color palettes, see which of these ideas appeals to you and yours.

How to Fix a Stinky Garbage Disposal

Screen Shot 2015-04-17 at 11.17.01 AMNo plumber’s fee or even a trip to the hardware store is required with these easy solutions

Does this sound familiar? You’ve cleaned your kitchen to spotless hygienic perfection, but you catch a whiff of something rotten every time you pass the sink. There’s a piece of something you threw down there and ground up days ago that’s stuck in the garbage disposal, and the smell only gets worse no matter how many times you run it. Inspired by recent events in my own kitchen, I reached out to three experts to get their advice on how to de-stinkify the garbage disposal.

6 Strategies for Making Color Work for You

Screen Shot 2015-04-17 at 11.14.51 AMColor can play up or play down architecture, create a positive experience and more. Here’s how to put it to work for you

We all want our homes to provide comfort and ease. And something instinctual tells us that color — whether a can of paint, a bright new patterned rug, maybe that sun-drenched painting you saw at the last art opening you attended — can change our world for the better.

Springtime home maintenance offers a new opportunity to add the color we crave. And picking the right colors for our homes is not magic. The process simply requires that we look at the physical qualities of our home’s architecture and apply color that will put the focus where we want it. Here’s how.

9 Tricks to Boost Your Home’s Appeal for Less Than $400

Screen Shot 2015-04-14 at 4.15.33 PMWhether you’re redecorating or just doing a quick update, check out these ways to enhance your home on a budget

Following my story on ways to boost your home for less than $75, I’m upping the ante and exploring some tips and tricks around the $400 mark. Even if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, these touches could help you make a welcome change to your home environment for a relatively low price.

Kitchen Ideas: How to Choose the Perfect Backsplash

Screen Shot 2015-04-14 at 4.13.05 PMBacksplashes not only protect your walls, they also add color, pattern and texture. Find out which material is right for you

The humble backsplash has come a long way. Once upon a time, its purpose was purely functional: a tiled area behind the stove and sink to protect kitchen walls from stains and splashes. Today the availability of all manner of materials in a wide array of finishes means your backsplash can make more of a statement. To help you decide which material would work best for you, we offer expert advice on the 10 most popular backsplash materials.

5 Steps to a Fun and Practical Kids’ Bedroom

Screen Shot 2015-04-14 at 4.10.26 PMThere’s no need to overcomplicate decorating your little one’s bedroom — here’s a simple guide

Designing kids’ bedrooms can be fun. For designers it’s typically the room in which we get to turn the decorating volume up and go a little crazy. At home it’s important to keep in mind practical elements, including storage and future use, while also making sure your little one’s personality shines through. These five steps will help you create a room that is just as rewarding for you as it is for your child.