Rex Ray's Joyous Collages Come to the House

Decorating Guides
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Rex Ray’s work is everywhere. Even when you’re unfamiliar with his name yet, chances are that you have seen his art on posters, record covers, fabrics and accessories. Ray’s appearance is unmistakable — and it’s hard not to fall in love with his vibrant and psychedelic-like work. The bright tones and lively nature of his pieces have a special and imaginative undertone which Ray was bringing to his artwork since he was rather young. “I knew I needed to become an artist when I was 11,” Ray says. “I think a lot of children have that urge. It is only a matter of if you can sustain it into maturity.”

Affordable versions of his artwork have always been important to him, and in 2011 he launched Rex Ray Studio and R2 Lab to produce stationery, home décor products and much more.

The art pieces in this story are gallery samples of Ray’s work.

Rex Ray

Art Is for Everyone

Ray has always believed commercial artwork often display the same level of talent since museum-quality good art. “I fell right into a loony set of Marxist, intellectual gays at Colorado in the 1970s,” Ray says, laughing. “They had a very democratic method of art, where they believed that all art forms were the same. Fine was just as good as commercial.” When Ray attended the San Francisco Art Institute in the 1980s, his view was legitimized under teachers Angela Davis and Ray Mondini. To him, art wasn’t about who had been looking at it, it was about how it had been making people feel.
This bit:”Untitled 3562″

Rex Ray

Music as Inspiration

After graduating, Ray started a freelance graphic design firm and worked for music, literary and art groups all around the city. Much of his first work comprised flyers for nightclubs and bands. “Odds are, if you went to any San Francisco nightclub from the’80s, then you noticed some of my work,” he states.

Ray had always been fascinated with record covers. In high school, he made his own photo sleeves for his 45s employing a camera, his own art, and a Xerox machine. “I’ve really carried the speech of graphic arts with me,” he states.

This bit: “Delcon”

Rex Ray

Since Ray racked up clients like City Lights Bookstore and Bill Graham Presents, his company grew, and his work was everywhere. “Originally, I had been prepared to forfeit high cover for imaginative freedom,” he states. “However, as I became more well known, there were more restrictions in my work.” As his clients became more prestigious, he found that he was working with more marketing firms, and the requirements were getting more specific.

In 1997, Ray started doing package designs for David Bowie. It was exhausting — and thrilling. “I sort of guessed that was my pinnacle from the audio world,” he states.

This bit: “Opaliane”

Rex Ray

Creating Art Only for Himself

At the point, however, Ray started looking for a means to escape from graphic design. “I had been getting so frustrated with so many hands in my work,” he states. “You emotionally internalize this criticism. When you’re an artist, then you become your own worst enemy in this sense. I truly needed to just get back to fundamentals and indulge in simple creativity.”

This bit: “Lasallia”

Rex Ray

While he was still grinding away at his graphic design day job, Ray started working on collages at night. He’d cut out large images with a great deal of white space from hoarded W and Rolling Stone magazines and paste them together. “It was very liberating to do this purely for myself,” he states. “It was all about the process rather than the final piece. I would let them dry, put them in a drawer and didn’t really look at them again.”

This bit: “Untitled 0797”

Rex Ray

Pretty soon, he’d countless collages piled up. On a whim, he put them all up on a wall at his San Francisco attic, which gave him a sort of revelation. “All of a sudden I realized that others might actually like these,” Ray says. “It was just like I’d invented a speech, and it was time to tell a story with it.”

This collagelike design is among the things Ray is famous for today. His vibrant and graphic pieces can easily be understood and loved by people with a variety of styles and tastes.

This bit: “Untitled 0032”

Rex Ray

Bringing His Function into Home Design

While much of Ray’s work was exhibited in galleries and museums nationwide, he wished to implement his view that art is for everybody. “I didn’t want to simply do museum-like artwork. This was artwork for individuals,” Ray says. “I needed people to buy it off the wall and hang it in their home — no frame ”

This bit: “Pleopcialis”

Rex Ray

When Metropolitan Home did a feature on Ray’s home, designer Jonathan Adler saw the piece. After falling in love with all the collages, he called Ray up to market originals in his store. Although Ray had licensed his work out before, this was a foray into a completely different kind of work. It was the launch pad for a lot more collaborations.

This bit: “Cirrosa”

Rex Ray

“What has been appeal to me about licensing is that this notion of having my work out there, of having everybody get to see it,” says Ray. “Working with various companies permits people to get my work who may not be able to afford one of my paintings.”

This bit: “Dabinett”

Rex Ray

The Future of Rex Ray Studio

Regardless of his deeply held conviction on the democratization of art, Ray, like many other artists now, still worries about his journey back to commercial art. “I am still very torn about licensing,” he states. “It is a big experiment for me.”

DODOcase

Rex Ray DODOcase to get iPad2 – $89.95

Today, Rex Ray Studio and R2 Lab continue to attract Ray’s diverse and vibrant work into the home. From stationery to iPad cases, messenger bags and a new line of shopping bags with Blue Q, Ray’s work has made the leap from your museum wall to the normal home.

This iPad2 case from DODOCase is a great way to get Ray’s work into your own hands. Bold and abstract, the case is made from black Moroccan fabric and is bound with conventional book-binding techniques.

Blik

Blik Wall Decals: Vibrant Velocity by Rex Ray – $50

Ray’s cooperation on Blik wall stickers was especially popular. If you would like to find some of Ray’s work on your walls, then this is a clever and customizable option. “I love making the work,” he states. “That’s my joy. I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate.”

Rex Ray’s work has been included at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the San Jose Museum of Modern Art, the Crocker Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver. Find more home décor goods at RexRay.com.

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Take a Salvaged Sink

Eclectic Homes
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It’s wonderful to see so many salvaged sinks around lately. When it’s a large cast iron sink in a mudroom, a vintage kitchen sink full with dish drainer or an industrial bowl used at home, a salvaged sink could include unique flair to your kitchen, kitchen, mudroom or laundry area. Following is a look at how architects, architects, designers and writers are integrating these vintage fixtures into houses.

Joanne Palmisano, Salvage Keys

This image is derived from Joanne Palmisano’s publication, Salvage Secrets. The sink came out of an old factory building and is adding character to the beautiful kitchen in its next life.

Between Naps on the Porch

A fantastic potting seat within this Georgia townhome’s lawn involves a working salvaged sink, complete with dish drainer.

Dona Rosene Interiors

I’ve always admired this vintage sink and contacted interior designer Dona Rosene to find out more about it. Here is what she told me

“It’s a funny story because the sink was first to the house, that was constructed in 1926. The customer is about to upgrade the kitchen… and deciding if it goes or stays. It was in excellent condition once the owner took possession of the house and we managed to just use it since it had been for now.

The operator’s love for it has overcome the sacrifices she must create for ita)No garbage disposal along with several”experts” do not think it could be fitted for one. She hasn’t given up hope so we’re still searching for alternatives. B ) She’d really like to get a sprayer however, your choices for taps are extremely limited and pricey. C ) The sink is not as deep as a typical one and requires custom cabinetry underneath and around it to look right. Thus, you need to forfeit some cupboard space.

It is definitely a bit people have strong feelings about — they generally either love it or hate it. When the customer tells people she is considering a kitchen remodel that the first thing they ask is,’What about the sink?””

Home & Harmony

Rie, the blogger behind Home and Harmony, along with her husband have been pros at using salvaged sinks. For their kitchen they discovered a 4-foot-long old surgeon sink on Craigslist for $100, then spent 300 having it professionally reglazed. It’s a remarkably practical farmhouse-style sink that cost less than newer variants.

Home & Harmony

Rie’s laundry area comprises another used sink found on Craigslist. This time her husband painted it with outside high-gloss metallic paint, with a paint sprayer. They discovered that the taps on eBay.

Rie’s guidance for sink searching and salvaging success? “I feel that the trick to finding gems on Craigslist is trying out different search-engine stipulations. Different people explain their stuff in different ways, so the more potential searches you’re doing, the more options you’ll find. To find our antique sinks, I utilized various terms while hunting: old sink, antique sink, farm sink, farmhouse sink. My other suggestion is hunting frequently. I have been proven to search a few times per day for months before we find something that works.”

Gaspar’s Structure

This lucky homeowner already had this 100-year-old sink in the house; the builders were able to save it and flaunt its beauty during a renovation.

The vintage-style faucet is by Kohler.

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

This whole kitchen has been created around this oversized salvaged sink, which the homeowner was saving in her barn for several years. The counter tops and windows had to be worked around it, and it had been well worth the effort.

The wall-mounted faucet is by Rohl.

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

The same homeowner was saving this soapstone basin for her renovation, and it works wonderfully in her craft area. The architect, Pi Smith, designed a custom base to hold it.

See the rest of the home

DeForest Architects

This bathroom sink has a long history, both with all the homeowners (experienced salvaged fixture users) and before they discovered it. Here is their story:

“We purchased the sink many years ago from The Salvage Barn in Iowa City, Iowa. We were advised by a volunteer this may have been reclaimed from a remodeling of the University of Iowa’s Biology Building, but don’t have any means of verifying that. We didn’t yet own the Yum Yum Farm, so this sink dwelt in our back yard in Iowa City, growing different plants annually — herbs or yearly flowers.

It was well to the design phase of the Yum Yum Farm house that we ran a photograph of the sink by architect John DeForest to determine if he believed it would be a fantastic match for our residence. John agreed. Then we had the sink along with its own first metal stand refinished. The sink has been refinished by a ceramic fix guy, the metallic stand was refinished in an auto body shop.

We like the way the sink has a’counter’ built in. We also like the depth of this basin- it comprises splashes. We think the sturdy type of the sink adds to the farmhouse aesthetic.”

HARDROCK CONSTRUCTION

A salvaged cast-iron double sink is a fantastic match for this particular functional laundry room.

NowI feel compelled to share the flip side of using a salvaged sink: along with the drawbacks Dona Rosene outlined, there can be challenges for everybody involved in the installation procedure.

Be sure to be really nice to your architect, plumber and contractor when pushing for one. When I wanted to find out more about using them, I phoned my brother Clark (a general contractor) to determine if he’d experience with these (he didn’t ).

After he stopped telling me just how a lot of his customers are using , he said”Oh , I hope none of them read this salvage sink narrative and want me to do this for them. It sounds like a total nightmare.”

More:
Console Sinks for a Vintage Style Bath
10 Vintage Touches for Your Toilet
Your Kitchen: Farmhouse Sinks
Kitchen of the Week: A Warm and Eco-Friendly Update

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Get Organized: Easy DIY Mason Jar Storage

DIY Projects
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This DIY Mason jar cupboard is one of those effortless storage fixes that operate in many rooms in your residence. Heather Anderson of Post Road Vintage thought this idea up as a means to generate use of her antique Mason jars to stay dry goods handy. But this nifty trick might be used in any room that requires a bit of assistance, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, craft rooms, offices and garages.

The jars will hang from their caps, screwed into the bottom of your plate or cupboard. Like the best thoughts, this one came to Anderson while she was attempting to arrange her kitchen. She already had a fantastic assortment of gloomy Mason jars on hand, and this seemed like an ideal way to get some of the chaotic mess from her kitchen shelves.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
• Large jars with lids
• Power drill
• Metal drill bit
• 3/4″ screws (make sure that these are shorter compared to the timber you are drilling into)
• Tape measure
• Cupboard or shelf

Anderson utilized her set of pint- and quart size antique jars to create this observable pantry as trendy as you can. These antique jars can be found in thrift stores and websites — attempt Etsy, Amazon, or eBay.

Directions

1. First, wash and wash the jars completely, and make sure that the lids fit properly.

2. Locate a fantastic work surface to drill on, and drill two holes about an inch apart from every lid.

3. Using the tape measure, mark and measure in your cabinet or shelf in which the lids will be connected. Make sure that each line of jars is and that there’s enough room between each one to reach through to unscrew them.

4. Put the 3/4″ screws to each one of the pre-drilled holes, and screw every lid to the marked spot under your cupboard or shelf.

5. Fill the jars with everything you wish to keep handy. Do not worry a lot about it — that the contents are simple to modify. But do believe where these jars are hanging — it’s ideal to keep them away from a heat source.

That is it! Your items now are conveniently stored and available with a few quick spins. This is likewise be a great solution if you’re looking for a room to store laundry soap, dryer sheets and other laundry requirements, or when you would like an easy way to sort through the supplies on your craft room.

Read the Complete post on Post Road Vintage.

More organizing thoughts:
Get Organized: Rethink the Silverware Drawer
21 Great Ways to Store Your Shoes
Organizing Tips That Really Work: Pantry at a Drawer

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Layout Calendar: January 6 – 31, 2012

Decorating Guides
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Treat yourself to a museum this month! Grab an exhibit exploring the work of German architect Jürgen Mayer H. in Chicago, or of architectural historian Esther McCoy in Los Angeles. Visit the Met in New York and marvel at the works of master cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe, or visit the Huntington Library in Southern California and watch furniture from mid sized craftsman Sam Maloof. If you’re looking for ways to become inspired or simply enjoy getting out amid other layout lovers, this really is our listing of things to do around the nation this month.

filipdujardin.be

EXHIBIT — Through Jan. 22, 2012
Jürgen Mayer H.: Wirrwarr
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL

Explore among the lesser famous obsessions of Berlin-based architect Jürgen Mayer H.: Keywords and amounts encrypted into patterns. On display through the month is an exhibit showcasing pages from his limited-edition large-format volume Wirrwarr (which means”chaos” in German). For more than a decade, Mayer H. has thoughtfully collected hundreds of envelopes lined with intricately patterned information sheets which conceal its contents. For the builder, the patterns have formed a continued curiosity into the connection between design, communications and new technology. Mayer H. is famous for his sculptural, honeycomb-like buildings, including the Court of Justice in Hasselt, Belgium (pictured). The building’s decorative façade used computer-generated patterns as the basis for a perforated steel layout, bridging the demand for private space, and transparency.

huntington.org

EXHIBIT — Through Jan. 30, 2012
The House which Sam Constructed: Sam Maloof and Art from the Pomona Valley, 1945–1985
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA

Working with the 1950s Alta Loma, Calif., home of Sam Maloof (1916-2009) as a central metaphor, watch how the furniture of this mid-century craftsman has led to the development of art in Southern California. The exhibition comprises more than 100 works that shed light on the development of a creative community of painters, sculptors, ceramists, enamelists, fiber artists and many others in L.A. County’s Pomona Valley. Highlights include Maloof’s iconic handmade furniture including a radically abstract”string” seat, along with his take on the classic rocking seat. Maloof was leader in the American studio furniture movement constituting the aesthetics of handmade over mass production; his works shine as superbly designed sculptural forms.

PANEL — 7 p.m. Jan. 12, 2012
Blurring The Lines: Between Art, Architecture, and Design
The Theater at Museum of Arts and Design
2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY

Combine four creative panelists as they discuss how young American designers’ professions are being introduced in galleries instead of showrooms. The dialog will include how collectors are commissioning interiors and furnishings to match their artwork collections. Panelists include Minneapolis-based designer Matt Olson of RO/LU, New York-based architect Rafael de Cárdenas, Rauschenberg Foundation’s Executive Director Christy MacLear, and collector Adam Lindemann.

The panel will be moderated by Felix Burrichter, creator and editor of PIN–UP Magazine. $12 general / $10 members and students. Buy tickets on the web, or telephone -LRB-800-RRB- 838-3006.

EXHIBIT — During January 29, 2012
Sympathetic Seeing: Esther McCoy along with the Heart of American Modernist Architecture and Design
MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House
835 North Kings Road, West Hollywood, CA

On display at the end of this month at the MAK Center is an exhibition highlighting the extraordinary Assortment of work by architectural historian Esther McCoy (1904–1989).

Journey throughout her career through photographs, drawings, texts, videos and music interviews which catch her job as an activist journalist in the 1930s covering honest labor practices and Los Angeles slum clearances, then throughout the Arts & Architecture’s mythical Case Study House program and her firsthand viewpoints of mid-century modernism because it had been created.

Sympathetic Seeing is part of Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945–1980, a cooperation initiated from the Getty of more than 60 cultural institutions from across Southern California to tell the story of the arrival of this L.A. art scene.

EXHIBIT — January 6 — May 6, 2012
Duncan Phyfe: Master Cabinetmaker in New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

Journey via a comprehensive retrospective exhibition celebrating famous Nyc cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe (1770-1854). Organized chronologically, it is possible to see examples of the best-known furniture layouts based on the English design style of Thomas Sheraton, the opulent antique style of the 1820s, along with his sleek, minimalist Grecian Plain designs of the 1830s and 1840s. More than 100 works from private and public collections across the United States will be on screen; highlights include Phyfe’s own instrument chest and furniture produced in his Fulton Street workshops which once stood on the site of the former World Trade Center.

The following free educational programs will be provided on Jan. 22 in connection with the display: Classic Design: Duncan Phyfe and Historical Reproduction; Selling the Style: Business Versions of American Craftsmen; and Live Carving and Sketching Demonstrations.

More layout events: Dec. 9 – Jan. 13, 2011, Dec. 23 – Jan. 27, 2012, 5 Best January Occasions

What’s on your calendar this season? Let us know about your favorite upcoming design events below!

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Simple Luxury at a Retreat

Eclectic Homes
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For many, luxury means opulence — rich carpeting, chandeliers dripping with crystal, and silk cushions. For others, luxury is all about simplicity — with less sometimes means you get to enjoy it more. This home in Österlen, Sweden, is a perfect example of the latter. The home was once an abandoned farmhouse, which the customers found in a terrible condition. However, the location in the summer beach town could not have been better, or so the family recruited Jonas Labbé and Johannes Schotanus of LASC Studio in Copenhagen to redesign the space.

The customers, a couple from Stockholm with 2 kids, were operating with a limited budget, so Labbé and Schotanus chose to stay with a very simple substance palette, re-inventing the farmhouse by opening up the space and blending traditional and modern elements. The end result is clean, minimalistic, and just luxurious.

Here it is before the family moved in with their own furniture, allowing you to focus on the property’s architecture .

LASC Studio

The homes in this area are often built in a style that is robust, using a central courtyard to protect residents from the spacious and subtropical atmosphere. While the customers were aware of what a traditional Österlen house looked like, they wanted something that would permit them to enjoy the outdoors.

LASC Studio

Labbé and Schotanus chose to maintain the original windows and flooring, but they eliminated nearly 2/3 of the walls within the home to open the room and give it a more lofty feel. They also installed more large window openings using window frames that dissolve in the plaster, which makes the glimpses of their outdoors seamless with the rest of the house.

The group at LASC also chose to add a renovated 1960s Danish stove. The gorgeous bit adds a rustic and authentic touch.

LASC Studio

The group chose to maintain the material palette quite minimal. Very little was utilized out of walnut planks, concrete, and white plaster. “We translated this as a struggle to rethink and play the notion of refuge,” Labbé says.

LASC Studio

Although bright pops of bold orange and blue are sprinkled throughout the house, the colors are usually straightforward and bare to replicate the landscape outside. While the pale palette connects with the outdoors, the orange and blue accents throughout the home were created as elements of comfort and nostalgia — they remind the customers of their time they spent living in China and of the summer days they spent in a nearby beach.

LASC Studio

The orange and blue are used mostly in transitional spaces, and seem to peek out and disappear again as you walk throughout the house.

LASC Studio

From the very start, they chose to infuse the 1,130-square-foot house with a look that they described as”immaterial luxury” Simple pine planks line the walls and flooring leading up the bold blue staircase.

“This is a very unpretentious house,” says Labbé. “It attracts the focus of luxury back to being about simplicity and experience.”

LASC Studio

Upstairs, a hidden door lends a playful and unexpected element to some light-filled bedroom . The pine door blends right in with the paneled wall, revealing a burst of neon orange when opened. “We like working in this manner — finding solutions and expressions that seem both familiar and unexpected,” Schotanus says.

LASC Studio

After the door to the bedroom is left open, the main living room downstairs is visible — making the home feel very much like a loft. The main aim for the group was supposed to open up the house as far as you can. While part of the process was removing some portions of this structure, it also involved re-inventing the current house by opening up windows and doors from the original walls.

LASC Studio

True to contemporary style in Sweden, product and decor is kept very straightforward and sparse. However, the area is heated up by natural sunlight pouring onto rustic and cozy pine paneling.

LASC Studio

Among the customers and LASC’s favourite parts about this endeavor was that the washing house connected to the main house. Both structures were created in precisely the exact same manner — a traditional exterior structure that has playful and contemporary ideas mixed into its design.

LASC Studio

The group wanted to make sure that the beauty of this Österlen countryside will be as present from the bath house because it is in the primary house. The shower floor was made from wood so that when the shower is switched on the noise of water falling on timber recalls the natural world outside.

LASC Studio

The tub was put towards the other end of the bath house, in front of a sunlit window. The seat underneath the window is warmed concrete. The easy design puts an emphasis on the view and creates a more blurred transition between the indoors and the outdoors.

More Tours:
Hey, Where is the Furniture?
Mobile, Modern Farmhouse
Scandinavian Style with a Twist
DIY Glitz and Glamour in Sweden

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8 Methods to Design a Better Shower

Small Bathroom
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We went off for a long weekend and stayed at a wonderful condo with a view of the Gulf of Mexico. However, as fine as the condo is, the shower layout left lots to be desired. The controls were put in the wrong location, the shower head was set too low to get a taller person, the clunky glass door was all wobbly and unattractive, there wasn’t a location for soap and shampoo, and more. Thus taking a shower wasn’t enjoyable in any way.

What bothered me most about this was, with just a little forethought and no extra price, the shower may have been quite great. There was considerable space and a lot of natural lighting in the bathroom. My guess is that the shower wasn’t nicer simply because the builder and designer did not consider the shower in any way.

Here are 8 tips on how best to prevent this when you choose to remodel your bathroom.

Jamie Herzlinger

1. Right sizing. I hate showers that are too small and therefore are claustrophobic. When we were children, it is like those showers in summer camp. For if I was 10 but not now, Fine. So to get the best size I will ask customers to stand with their arms outstretched and then turn into a circle. This circle will be the minimum size shower the client will want. If you have the area, a good rule of thumb to follow is that the shower ought to be a minimum of 60″ by 36″. Of course the shower can get larger as we include things such as a bench or other feature.

ASID, Christopher A Rose AIA

2. A simple reach to the controls. Another pet peeve is when the shower controls are placed such that I have to walk in the shower to turn the water off or on. That initial burst of ice cold water getting me wet is something we could all do without. Setting the controls at a place that is can be obtained from outside the shower area is simple and well worth the few feet of extra piping.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

3. Bench. Whether this is a place to sit down and relax (especially if it’s at a steam shower) or a prop that enables you to easily shave your legs, benches are essential elements of a well designed tub. This bench, set where the is the least ceiling height, which makes the shower even more usable and fun.

ZeroEnergy Design

And, lest we forget, shower seats could be fun.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

Shower benches can also be made to fold to be from the way too.

Bill Fry Construction – Wm. H. Fry Const. Co..

4. A location for soap and shampoo. A small, recess from the shower wall with a shelf or two works magic when there are numerous bottles of shampoo, conditioner, conditioner and more. Size the niche to accommodate the tallest bottle you’ll use and be sure that you slope the shelf towards the shower to allow it to shed water easily.

MN Builders

5. A deluge of shower heads. From the conventional, wall mounted head into a rain head to body sprays to hand held showers, there’s an amazing wealth of shower heads available today. Just make sure that there’s enough hot water and water pressure to accommodate all of these. Definitely a tankless hot water heater near a shower like this can come in handy once the showering goes for awhile.

Gelotte Hommas Architecture

Or if the handhelds are in conflict.

6. Keep it glowing with natural lighting. Showers don’t have to be in the darkest corner of the bathroom. But when they are, put in the distance to brighten up.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

And use a glass door the light filters into the bathroom.

Neiman Taber Architects

Or just a skylight when there’s no window.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

7. Consider an open shower. You desire another shower and bathtub but you simply have a narrow, tight area. Consider an “open shower” that puts the bathtub after the shower, as revealed here.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

8. Go curbless. A curbless shower is not only for those with difficulty getting around. A curbless shower can turn the whole toilet into a showering room.

More shower layout inspiration:
Your Shower: Make Room for a Bench
Step Into a Refreshing Outdoor Shower
The No-Threshold Shower: Access With Style

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12 Ways to Warm Up Your Patio

Patios
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If there’s one tough point to say goodbye to in the end of summer, it’s outdoor entertaining on the terrace. However, with certain additions, there’s hope for extending your patio usage into late autumn. Some require a larger investment like a roof or heat lamps, others a kinder on the pocket, like candles. Or, if you reside in a warmer climate, a couple of design tricks for “warming up” your terrace for the season also have been included in the following ideabook. Here is to patios no matter weather!

Elizabeth Dinkel

Add a rooftop. Whether you choose a permanent, yearlong structure or a seasonal canopy, a roof over the terrace will help include warmth in the warmer months. If you are able, wire it with lighting to prepare it for fall’s sooner setting sunlight.

Brian Watford Interiors

If you do add a roof, circle it with curtains. You can easily block a breeze once it becomes overly cold, plus, visually, their addition will present your covered terrace a tropical cabana feel.

Build a fireplace. This one is quite obvious, and will alter the way you experience your terrace.

Kirkpatrick Design

If a fireplace is too big an investment, or your terrace just does not have room, light each seating area separately with small, portable candles. You will benefit from comparable warm lighting without shelling out big bucks.

Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

With all the cool gadgets nowadays, you can also create a small firepit directly in your terrace table. Just be careful when reaching for the salt!

Straight Line Landscape

Heating lamps can heat a substantial area, helping your whole patio stay cozy despite dipping temperatures.

Kaufman Homes, Inc..

If standing heat lamps seem to big and daunting, consider a more discrete version, similar to this heater installed in the ceiling.

DuChateau Floors

Though you’d never know from just taking a look at the picture, these wooden floors are heated. Engineered flooring can work wonders for a terrace, keeping your feet and space additional snug.

Baysix Design

If you are one of the lucky ones who resides in a warmer climate, you may not have to worry considerably about cold temperatures invading your terrace. However, you may wish to visually warm up your space for the winter season. Peppering your patio furniture with blankets and cushions can allow it to look extra cozy.

Scot Meacham Wood Design

In dryer climates, think about adding a rug under your furniture, particularly for stone floors, which is cooler. The carpet is going to likely more comfortable on bare feet and floor the appearance as a whole.

COCOCOZY

Warm up your furniture with upholstered cushions. Blogger Cococozy, who made this terrace, upholstered the cushions in heavy-handed linen backed with Sunbrella to defy the rain and snow of cooler months (she leaves her cushions out all year).

Hint: Cococozy suggests propping outdoor cushions in their sides when not in use: If it rains or snows, the water tends to drain out instead of build up inside the pillow.

Huettl Landscape Architecture

Texture adds visual heat. I really like the smart use of tall grasses facing the cement wall.

Add texture through tablescapes and mantle decorations. Even the look of rattan furniture can help to heat up the room.

Busybee Design

This terrace has it all going on: comfy cushions, a cozy rug, throw pillows galore and plenty of hot texture.

CG&S Design-Build

Of course, the greatest addition to some “collapse” patio? A hot tub. The perfect spot to unwind, star gaze and enjoy a cool, winter evening.

More: Read ideas for outdoor fireplaces

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Guest Groups: Halloween Style for Your Kitchen

Eclectic Homes
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Instead of funny decorations in materials that won’t last beyond Halloween, embed the holiday at the color and style of your everyday. Black and orange and ghostly clear are amazing colors that complement the Halloween theme but still get the job done for the rest of autumn too.
I want some fun during the month of October, and such pieces bring it won’t lose my focus from year to year. A number could become a part of your area indefinitely. I think of Halloween since the beginning of the entertaining season. Invite some folks over for a Halloween dinner to observe the magical transformation going on in your kitchen.
Halloween sometimes comes out kitsch, but these pieces may keep your cooking, dining and entertaining classy all month — and season — long.
— Mariko Jackson from The Little Foodie

Amazon

Kosta Boda Mine Large Black Plate – $40

The wisp of black on this gorgeous serving plate feels like a mist or cloud on a Halloween night sky. This makes a stunning piece for any dinner.

Urban Outfitters

3-D Faux Chandelier – $39

This very simple light decoration makes your dining table haunted and gothic without the massive expense of a true chandelier.

Amazon

Barbuzzo Candle Carver – $6.14

I adore this takes a very simple apple and leaves it a source of light. This may be even be used for smaller pumpkins. I really could find uses for all these candles throughout Christmas.

Crate&Barrel

Vine Pumpkins – $5.95

These beautiful vine pumpkins would sit well on your kitchen island on the dining table as a centerpiece. I enjoy the tone of the vine as contrasted with the standard orange of Halloween pumpkin decorations.

Amazon

Fondue Set, Orange Enameled Pot – $64.95

To get a dinner or dinner, put a cauldron on your desk and get to delicious dipping. Heat chocolate or cheese such as a witches’ brew!

Chef Tools

Le Creuset Braiser Buffet Casserole – $184.95

My favorite cookware is flexible enough to go on the stove top and from the oven. I’d use this for stews, curries, braising meats or any reassuring long-stewed dish you can consider. Inside this color it provides a bright spot to your dinner table.

Crate&Barrel

Spider Cupcake Holders, Set of 6 – $9.95

Display your Halloween cupcakes with dash. These spider cupcake holders add a little spooky to your Halloween celebration. I bet some of these would walk off!

Pottery Barn

Pumpkin Serving Bowls – $32.50

Whether filled with soothing soups or candies for grabbing, I’d make use of this pumpkin serving bowl season long. It has a natural color and grain that I prefer in an autumn setting.

Crate&Barrel

Marimekko Kumina Orange Napkin – $8.95

Stylish table napkins with wrought iron autumn squash blossoms. I adore the arch stalks that cut through the colors of orange.

Fitzsu

Iittala Taika 5 computer. Set in Black and White – $156

The detail on these dishes could sit in well on a fall afternoon tea party. The white and black is tasteful and just slightly spooky as a result of the hooting owl.

InvitationBox

Here are some darling invitations you could use for your Halloween dinner celebration. I love the detail in these types of pumpkins almost as much as I like paper.

Amazon

Riedel Sommeliers Black Tie Bordeaux Grand Cru Glass – $117.95

Just barely accented in black. You might swirl around a fancy drink for striking effect.

Amazon

Halloween Creepy Creatures Glass Markers, Set of 13 – $9.95

These fun suctioning ghouls and goblins will help you find your drinking glass in your next Halloween party — which is, if your kids do not steal them!

Starck

Starck Louis Ghost Chair in Clear

Are you currently sitting or are you floating? Even though the expense places these on a “when you win the lottery” wishlist, a set of these stylish Victorian ghost seats are really fun on Halloween. (Plus, you can get miniature chairs to the kiddie table!)

Etsy

Delicious Nigiri Sushi Baby or Toddler Costume – $60

These sushi infant outfits are great enough to eat in a costume party. The wasabi/ginger headband accent is the sweetest aspect of the ensemble. I’ll take all of them.

Anthropologie

Tea-And-Crumpets Child’s Apron – $24

Bring your little one into your kitchen to get an afternoon of Halloween baking. I wish they had one in my size.

Sur La Table

Tangerine Hand Mixer – $49.95

What better way to add to your cooking style than with this tangerine mixer? The color is inspiring for some Halloween cookie baking.

Nordic Ware

Pumpkin Patch Pan – $41.50

I crave pumpkin desserts all the month of October (and let’s face it, way beyond that). These would be ideal for individual pumpkin cakes or breads.

Williams-Sonoma

Kuhn Rikon Pumpkin Knife – $24.95

Carving pumpkins is difficult and dangerous. This knife should help me reduce squash and pumpkin easily, as well as split for Halloween.

Amazon

Totally Bamboo NewBoo Black Silicone Spatula – $11.54

The modern woman’s magical broom. I love the wooden dark-grained handle along with the sleek look of the heat-resistant silicone spatula.

Next: Decorate for autumn and Halloween

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Decide on the Right Carpet Material

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Among the most important elements in choosing carpet is understanding what it’s made of, because distinct carpet fibers have different characteristics. Before you head to the showroom, figure out which type is right for your room’s style and traffic pattern with this handy guide.

PPDS

WOOL

Pros
Hides soil Strong, elastic and resilient; excellent for heavy traffic
Responds very well to cleaning, as moisture leaves the fiber swell and discharge dirtNaturally fire retardantNeutralizes indoor air pollutants and does not reemit themEnvironmentally friendly
DisadvantagesHigh cost
Prone to distortion by excessive agitation
Stains easily, Because of Its absorbency and Simplicity of dyeingVery sensitive to chlorine bleachCost: About $5 to $24 per square foot, installed

Dunlap Design Group

NYLON

Pros
Most commonly used fiber; yet easily available in a Wide Selection of Colours and texturesGood elasticity — very important in heavy traffic areas where furniture can be dragged Throughout the carpetAbrasion resistant, exceeding even woolWear guaranties frequently availableResilient; can be crushed for long periods and regain its initial shapeResponds very well to most professional cleaning methods and treatmentsDisadvantages
Can have problems with waxing, evaporating, urine reactions and thus onSynthetic, so that it off-gases
Cost: $4 per square foot or longer for high quality, best for heavy traffic; $3 to $4 medium grade; $2 to $3 base grade; $2 or less apartment grade

Robert kiejdan

OLEFIN

Pros
Compounds resistantDifficult to stainGreat for outdoor applications (pool, stadium) Substance resistant; most chemicals and bleaches won’t damage it at all Fade resistantLow static
Disadvantages
Not a springy fiber; once crushed it does not regain its original shape easily
Like Comfort, protracted exposure to oil-based soils may become permanentDifficult to dye due to the low absorbency speed; nearly always alternative dyedSynthetic, so it off-gases.
Cost: About $2.25 to $6.50 per square foot, installed

POLYESTER

Pros
Very resistant to bleaching, fading and soil-dye reactionsResistant to water-based stainsDisadvantages
Tough to dye; normally need to be alternative dyed, which restricts the varietyNot resistant to fatty stainsCan mat down fast and Won’t come back the manner nylon doesSynthetic, so it off-gases
Cost: Around $2 to $7 per square foot mounted

ON Design Architects

SISAL

Pros
Can Resist high traffic ; good for stairsGives your room a Fantastic natural look while incorporating textureBiodegradable and nontoxic
Disadvantages
Uncomfortable against bare skinCan be pricey (but usually less so than wool)Susceptible to moisture damageCan be more difficult to clean
Cost: About $4 to $8.50 per square foot mounted

Robert kiejdan

Designer’s suggestion: I usually urge nylon and wool to my customers; both of those choices are going to perform well in most houses.

More flooring guides:
Wood, vinyl, laminates, stone, ceramic and much more

More:
How to Shop for a Persian Rug

How to Choose the Ideal Rug for Your Entryway

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My Houzz: Tudor Meets Contemporary

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The architects at Orren Pickell Builders & Design produced a contemporary Tudor-style home in the suburbs of Chicago for homeowners Ian and Becca Coleman and their two young sons. Ian and Becca originally began conceptualizing this custom-built house from many magazine cutouts. The few wanted an Old World feel, along with the outside of the house was made to replicate the historic architectural design, but with milder detailing. Becca says,”One of our most important goals was to make the exterior appearance as though it had been here for hundreds of years. Hopefully we accomplished that!”

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ian and Becca Coleman, along with both sons Ryder and Casedy
Location: Bannockburn, Illinois (suburb of Chicago)
Size: Two-story home with basement; 5 bedrooms, 6 baths
Architect: Orren Pickell Builders & Design
Designer: Lynn Hertl of LKH Style

Cynthia Lynn Photography

To keep with tradition, the inside of the home is a reflection of the exterior. Designer Lynn Hertl of LKH Design brought together shades of grey and metallic components.

Read photos of traditional-style houses

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The doors of the home open to an opulent staircase and foyer. Becca fell in love with a photo of a staircase in a magazine, also turned to the team at Design Stair to re-create the wrought-iron spindles she loved so much.

To the left of the staircase is Ian’s home office and to the right is a gallery leading to the kitchen and living area.

In addition to the grand staircase is a landing with two French doors that open to a little balcony. Natural light fills the foyer and enriches the broad plank hand-scraped walnut flooring.

Double chandeliers: Currey & Co..

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The foot of the staircase leads to the formal living and dining area. Still in the last stages of design, the two rooms will mostly be used for formal entertaining. An exposed texture was produced to maintain the flow of both rooms. Guests will be able to dine while using a very clear view of the fireplace next to the sofa. Soft draperies, manufactured from Missoni fabric, allow for natural light to enter the room.

Sofa: Custom made by LKH Design
Wallpaper: Stark
Dining Room Table: David Iatesta
Chairs: Roche Bobois
Console: Antique
Chandelier: David Iatesta

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Just on the opposite side of the butler’s pantry/bar is the kitchen. Becca states that the view from the kitchen to the formal dining area is one of her favorites as it generates fluid motion between the rooms while entertaining.

Ian and Becca also had a TV monitor installed in the kitchen to monitor their son while he naps.

Cabinets: Custom-built by Orren Pickell Designers & Builders
Countertops: Calcutta gold marble
Chairs: Custom made by LKH Design

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Around the corner from the kitchen sink would be the cabinet and Becca’s desk. She keeps the pantry products, such as sweet treats, arranged like a general store. Becca says,”Having a 2-year-old however, it doesn’t always stay like that!”

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Connected to the kitchen is the casual dining area with a kitchen table. The archways above the 2 rooms are adorned with exposed recovered wood.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Leading from the dining area is the butler’s pantry/bar that joins to the family room and kitchen. A door on both sides enables separation of the rooms, or a clear view to the kitchen.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Inspired by light, the kitchen table is a wonderful spot to enjoy a family meal. The table and chairs were chosen with the element of durability. With two young boys, picking furniture fit for everyday use was crucial.

Kitchen table: Roche Bobois
Chairs: Tolix classic chairs
Chandelier: Layla Grace

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The casual dining area area flows right into the living room. The exposed wooden archway makes a warm, inviting texture. A Hermès Avalon signature blanket curtains the back of the sofa.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The reclaimed wood in the kitchen area and archways can also be used on overhead beams from the living area. The built-in cabinets are made by Wood-Mode inside their Signature Series. The kid-friendly, comfortable sofa is by Edward Ferrell in Summer Hill fabric.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Light textured draperies permit for the flow of natural light to fill the room. Additionally, the picturesque windows overlook the house’s lush wooded landscape. The television has the option to tuck away from the custom-made cabinet.

Cocktail tables: Holly Hunt
Chairs: Hickory Chair
Window coverings: LKH Design

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The mudroom just behind the kitchen is another of Becca’s favorite rooms. The room offers ample storage room for the boys’ messy products. It also contributes to a room specifically designed for them: A playroom complete with cubby holes that produce great hiding spots.

The mudroom has been a design collaboration between Orren Pickell Designers & Builders and LKH Design. The cabinets and chairs are Brookhaven, and the cushions are made of old potato sacks.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The rear stairway leads up from the mudroom to a little reading room. Running the length of the staircase are four individual reading nooks. The windows offer lots of natural sunlight, creating a cozy place to unwind and read a book.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Casedy’s bedroom is the first area from the top of the staircase. Each the furniture in his area is from Bellini, such as a custom-made seat. Light colours allow for natural light to reflect round the room.

The boys’ rooms are connected by a bathroom.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Ryder’s room (which he chose) has lots of natural light that spills through an arched window, equipped with traditional shutters. Matching lovers from the boys’ rooms are from Matthews’ Fan Co..

Most of the rooms in the house face south, letting lots of light to flow in.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The kind of the master bedroom, on the opposite end of the second floor, keeps together with the standard sense.

Ian and Becca’s bed is located across from a traditional fireplace and a settee sits alongside the bed. Becca envisioned the settee and her designer custom built it for them.

Bed: Christian Liaigre
Settee: custom design by LKH Design, upholstered in Edelman leather

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The master bathroom is supplied with a traditional stand-alone air tub by Hydro Systems. The floor tile is made of Carrera marble. The veining of the marble helps add to the appearance and sturdiness of the stone, masking the ground’s inevitable wear and tear through time. A timeless Singer sewing rack sits across from the tub and family photographs adorn the wall.

Fixtures: Perrin & Rowe

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Orren Pickell Designers & Builders installed these custom-built his and hers sinks and cabinets, along with a shower with dual heads. The master bathroom connects to a dressing room and walk-in cupboard.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The cellar is home to a custom-made bar by Orren Pickell Designers & Builders. The bar countertop is crafted from aged oak wine barrels and trimmed out from antiqued copper. The fully equipped wet bar has a tap built in. A wine cellar sits to the left of the bar, and to the right is a media room and poker table. A ping-pong/pool dining table and classic arcade games help keep guests (and one day that the boys) entertained for hours.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

The cellar is also home to the kids’ craft room. It was specifically designed to sponsor all actions focused around cut, color and glue. Each the furniture in the area was chosen knowing it would endure some wear and tear through time. Becca has aims to one day turn it into her own craft area. The area is conveniently outfitted with a sink to help clean up any artistic or creative messes. Across from the craft area is a home fitness center and an extra playroom for the boys.

Cynthia Lynn Photography

A sunroom that can be used year-round sits just off the family room and kitchen. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow sun to fill the room. A wood-burning fireplace and TV also result in a comfy place to see a movie.

Patio furniture: Janus et Cie

Cynthia Lynn Photography

Ian and Becca recently finished building on a custom-built wood-burning oven. The oven sits in the yard, across from the pergola (soon to be trimmed with ivy) and next to the in-ground swimming pool.

The team at Mariani Landscape designed and built the oven.

More:
Houzz Tour: Tudor Grove
Houzz Tour: Classic Tudor Gets a Modern Update

Next: Tour countless inspirational homes

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