Chaotic Understanding

"Don’t be constrained with references and ideas. Let your mind wander."
—Dickie Bannenberg, Bannenberg & Rowell Design

Yes but don't go crazy either! This is what my favorite sister-n-law would call a HOT MESS. If it wasn't for the center collage no one would understand what the idea was. Choosing 6 colors to play with, was a bit much for this adult room. Then to throw in a coral chair and a burgundy zig-zag pillow, well I'm shock that this was one of Architectural Digest suggestion as a "Top 100 Design Tip". Maybe, as a do not! Stick to a max of three colors and find pieces to decorate in the same color family either darker or lighter shades

Contemporary Dwelling

Nestled near Diamond Head this house seems to know precisely how fortunate it is to be sited on one of the most magnificent swaths of coastline in the world, taking full advantage of the unsurpassed views and gentle breezes that have drawn people to Hawaii for centuries. The taste in furnishings and art might be described as Asian Transitional— pieces that reference Japan, Indonesia and other Asian locales but that do so casually. The views are of the sort that dreams and travel brochures are made, with the living room’s glass-paneled walls—all 32 feet of them—slide and disappear into unobtrusive pockets making the adjacent lanai part of the living room, its boundary are indistinguishable, It’s functional and fantastic, solid and ethereal at the same time. Paradise on earth, a house allows its inhabitants to experience paradise fully, freely.

Architecture by Donold Botsai/Interior Design by Jacques Saint Dizier,ASID

Achieve this look by painting walls rich creme or yellow tones, and picking a Japanese or Asian influenced art piece as your focal point on one wall. Use copper and/or wicker pieces with the same influence to spread round. Any color couches will be great in this room from dark blue, purple, red
(hopefully not all at one time) because of the dim lighting.

Living Walls

Roof and wall gardens are becoming a new trend(if you can afford it)but what a great alternative. The look on the walls can vary and you can create Zen gardens on your roof. Which if you live in the city and you don't have a front or back yard then to the roof you should go if you would like a peaceful area of grass to take your shoes off walk on.

Elt Living Walls
The Benefits of Green Roofs and Living Walls
Green roofs and living walls provide a number of private and public benefits that reduce the impact of urbanization and contribute to the sustainability of ecosystem services and energy conservation in large cities around the world.

Depending on the plants and depth of growing medium, these benefits can include:
1. Decreasing Storm Water Runoff
Capable of retaining 60 to 100% of water during a rain event
2. Improving Thermal Performance
Heat flow through the roofing system is reduced by 70-90% in the summer and 10-30% in the winter.
3. Increasing Sound Insulation, And Protection of the Roof Membranes
Vegetation, growth medium, and trapped air can increase the effectiveness of building sound insulation by absorbing or reflecting sound frequencies.
4. Increasing Aesthetics, Public Relations and Recreational Green Space
Are an easy and effective way of beautifying the built environment, increasing aesthetic value and functionality. The sight, sounds, smells, colors, and movement of plants contribute considerably to human health and well being, reducing stress and elicits a relaxed state of mind
5. Reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI)
Vegetation mitigates the UHI but by warming the air less; vegetation reflects solar radiation that would otherwise be absorbed by roof surfaces. If only 6% of Toronto’s roofs were covered with a green roof would reduce regional energy demand by up to 5-10%, saving more than $1 million in annual energy costs
6. Improving Air Quality and Reducing Airborne Particulates
Green plants capture airborne pollution in two ways: absorption or by adhering to the leaf or stem surface. Green roofs and living walls can complement, and in some cases, almost equal the capacity of removing pollutants as existing trees. Increasing soil depth and plant coverage influence the amount of CO2 and other airborne particulates captured; intensive green roofs reduce pollution more than extensive green roofs.
7. Sustaining Biodiversity
Urban wildlife and insects use and inhabit Green Roofs and Living Walls in the urban landscape; promoting important ecological functions such as pollination, decomposition, and pest control.

Rain Forest in Your Home

Even if you aren’t a fan of foliage, this interior forest is impressive and makes one curious about seeing it in person. The Elot house by Architect Chang Young Ter with an enchanted forest feel Ter managed to create while keeping it minimal.

The layout and utilization of plant and water elements maintain a cool micro climate within the house, reducing the need for air-conditioning and artificial lighting.

Clean Crisp White! A do not!

Don't do it! Normally white would not be the direction I would head into when recommending hues, for a kitchen no less! The photographer too, needed some direction in this photo, that horrible window glare yuk! Would have rather have had this scene in the evening or the photographer should have adjusted something. A yellow sunlight or the down lights turned on as dusk head in, but I'm not the eye behind the lens. The setting thou i can critic, prep island with breakfast bar, mahogany wood tone stools, paneling on ceiling and walls, down lighting, very crisp clean this could only be a narcissist kitchen.  This takes a lot of guts and cleaning to maintain and pull off, so if you have kids stay a way.  This design is only A GOOD PICTURE but for any one who just loves to cook i don't think so! Plus I think its boring and sterile. Only recommendation   I have is to use a lil more of that two tone they used in the drawer handles in the cabinetry paneling and made the stove hood  the same stainless steel as the fridge. Please let me add that the designer was rated top 100, maybe for layout but its on my bottom 100 for design and style. Sorry!

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes

Country Comfort- Contemporary Style

Set  in the Colorado Rocky Mountains this home with its alpine setting, river front views and western aesthetics has a contemporary twist on the interiors.

Built in a log cabin idiom the house features modern leather-clad furniture, high volted-shingled ceilings, stainless steel light fixtures and also wool and silk rug. The stones for the chimney are from china, which I found odd that they imported when the setting took place in the mountains. Yet this was an elegant variation on the theme of reclaiming materials. To achieve this look in your home here are a few easy tips...

1. Take the curtains or blinds off the windows opening up your view to the outside world. Add a few plants in front of window if the view you see isn't as country living as this home
2. Unclutter or simplify the decor to a few focal points pieces. Unique rustic vases, art works displayed in odd number variations
3. A chenille area rug
4. Install ceiling light fixtures or a modern ceiling fan with lighting
5. The color palette is also important so pick deep earth (mahogany, brown leather, rust,stone)tones if you decide to invest in furniture or add texture to your walls

Architectural & Interior Design by Studio Sofield/ Landscape Design by Madderlake Designs/ Photographs by David O. Marlow

Recycled Art

Don't toss those old cans, turn them into funky flowers that add a colorful touch to any garden. Recycling has never looked so good.

Materials and Tools:

utility scissors or tin snips

colorful aluminum beverage cans

envelope clasps

awl
hammer

metal rods or small wooden dowels

non-permanent marker
steel wool
hot glue gun
thin-gauge wire

Steps:

1. Wash empty cans and allow them to dry. Use utility scissors or tin snips to remove top and bottom of cans to create a rectangular sheet of aluminum.

2. Lay aluminum sheets flat and on the plain metal side (inside of can) draw two basic flower shapes, one larger than the other. Cut out flower shapes and rub edges with steel wool to remove burrs or sharp edges.

3. Stack the graduated flower shapes and punch a hole through the center of both layers with an awl and hammer. Insert envelope clasp through hole, open prongs and attach them to the back of flower with hot glue. Bend or curl flower petals to create a fanciful shape.

4. Attach flower to a metal rod or wooden dowel by feeding thin-gauge wire through envelope clasp and wrapping wire around end of dowel.

This is an easy craft you can do with your kids this summer. Don't be afraid to think big if your the kid hearted. This is a more elaborate designs, but just as easy.

http://aluminouspublishing.com/