House
GARAGE--Another example of garage that doesn't dominate the design. With its board-and-batten siding, charming lanterns, “X”-motif doors, exposed rafter tails and breezeway, this Bluffton, South Carolina, garage was a shoo-in. Another aspect worth admiring is the way this building is so pleasingly scaled and massed. One stall is stepped back, and elements like the overhang help break up the facade. The roofline also keeps the building from competing with the main house’s proportions.
Wood--If you opt for a variety of woods in a space — wood floors, furniture and ceiling: Think about whether you want the woods to match exactly, or make them very different from one another. If they are somewhat similar but not an exact match, it can look like you tried and failed to make a match. This space uses a variety of wood types and colors, which keeps it from having a monotone look.
Pine Walls--Rooms that effectively feature pine walls today tend to mix them with lighter surfaces. The fireplace was updated with paint in Benjamin Moore’s Palace White, and the walls, doors and trim are in Benjamin Moore White. Cream sofas complete the transformation, helping the pine walls look fresh.
Hammock
Secret door
Book case wall/door
Secret passage
2 swings & a firepole. I want to live here.
Firepole
Firepole
Staircase
Fun!
Flooring Option--cut and fit planks of plywood in lieu of conventional hardwood flooring. The wide-cut planks add vintage ambience to the attic. From http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/54413723?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u1839&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery5
“Opposite the bed is a sitting space just big enough for two people, with a fireplace and some book storage. The fireplace is raised, so it’s visible from the bed. The proportions of the room are about 2:1, which means it’s naturally two spaces. In between the two spaces there is a thick half wall made of cabinets and columns and beams, which is a continuation of a theme used throughout the house. “The room has a gently vaulted ceiling that supports the cozy human scale. The walls and ceilings are made of integral colored plaster, which is also a continuation of the wall finishes used throughout the house. The cabinets, windows, trim and other wood detailing is done in Douglas fir, because that’s our local wood and it has a beautiful color and grain.”
Homeowners’ request: A cozy bedroom with a great view and access to an outdoor room with a comfortable place to sit. This was part of a new home. Architect David Edrington used A Pattern Language
Oiled Flooring--High-gloss varnish not for you? If you prefer a natural, matte surface to your floorboards, try oiling them instead. Oiled floors can be easier to repair if damaged or stained — you can sand down the area that needs touching up and re-oil (rather than having to start from scratch).
Foundation-- Atelier Chen Hung Save Email This is commonly done by extending insulation board outward from the exterior of the building, keeping it hidden below the finished ground surface. For every foot we extend the insulation horizontally, we can reduce the required footing depth by 1 foot, an even exchange. So it follows that 4 feet of horizontal insulation will protect a foundation typically requiring 4 feet of depth.
Like this display of colored glass in a room divider.
Greywater storage as thermal mass--The nine water tanks (with a 3,600-gallon total capacity) beneath the house serve a dual purpose. They store the water collected from the gutters, and the water then serves as a thermal mass for passive climate control.
Backlit shelves borrow light from neighboring space & divide an open floor plan
Screen to close off open floor plan
Borrowed Light--Light tubes. Simple-technology solar tubes channel light to where it’s needed using highly reflective, flexible tubes. They’re especially effective in private spaces or spaces where a lot of glass isn’t desirable.
Borrowed Light--Although short tubes are used in this project, the concept is similar. Six large tubes light this otherwise dark space, a bold and considered element. The choice of multiple solar tubes rather than a single one not only feels more intentional, but as you can see, it’s also exceptionally functional. A grouping of three is usually a good starting point, but the more, the better.
Borrowed Light--transom window which needs a high ceiling. pursue commented--We had the roof raised on daughter's house by adding a full dormer to an upstairs attic space. The ceilings ended up being 9 1/2 ft. high. As an inexpensive way to add a transom window above the bedroom door, we used an in stock hopper window for use in basements. We bought it from one of the big box stores. After it was trimmed out, it looked very nice and was an economical way to let more light in room.
Borrowed Light--This luminous shower is an example of how a light well and skylight can transform a tight space into a pleasant one.
Borrowed Light--This project utilizes a light well of sorts, allowing the lower level to borrow light from the upper skylights. The second floor hovers in the space instead of being extended to the full width of the gable, and the overall effect is lighter and brighter. High gloss paint is more reflective.
Borrowed Light--Skylights. Because the sky dome above is a giant light source, it’s hard to find a more efficient means for borrowing light here than the skylight. On tight urban lots, a skylight can be used in conjunction with an interior atrium or light well and be surrounded by reflective walls to increase its efficiency.
Borrowed Light--Functional reasons aside, interior windows can offer unexpected delight. Why connect a bar and a powder room? I don’t have a good reason, but I don’t need one. I love the idea that the powder room will look different based on what’s on the top shelf and the time of day. In the bar too, the differences that the powder room renders to its backsplash can be appreciated. It’s these connections that make architecture interesting. Linking spaces doesn’t always have to make sense, functionally or otherwise.
Borrowed light through interior windows.
Borrowed Light--The combination of glass guard and white walls has made this stairway a light source for the surrounding rooms. A solid wall used here would have changed this space dramatically.
Borrowed Light-- Stairs. Another option and an efficient vehicle for borrowing light in a home is the stairway. It’s a natural conduit for illuminating an often light-starved lower level. If the stair can be positioned to capture and reflect light from above by either fully glazing it or using a skylight, it’s even more effective.
Borrowed Light--The vaulted ceiling and clerestory take advantage of reflected light from the entire volume of space
Borrowed Light--Rooms look larger with borrowed light.
Borrowed Light--Full-height glass walls offer auditory but not visual privacy. When there’s limited access to exterior window space, they’re an obvious choice.
Borrowed Light--Translucency can be achieved in a variety of ways. Glass can be sandblasted, acid etched, textured or laminated.
Borrowed Light--Because translucent materials reflect, absorb and scatter light, they make great walls for borrowing light.
Borrowed Light--the other side of this wall.
Borrowing Light--from the next room hrough top of the wall windows
Nice small (860 sq ft) floorplan. No dead space. Use square between garage & house for patio.
Hallway--Add an art & storage niche.
Hallway--If your hall is wide enough, you may still be able to add a built-in desk, even if it can’t be fully recessed.
Hallway--A wall-mounted plate rack can provide overflow storage for dishes and platters, and can take the place of wall art.
Hallway--If your hall has windows, consider using the space below for built-in window seats, with or without hidden storage. Slender bookcases between the windows can be outfitted with sconces to provide light, making the hall an inviting reading spot.
Hallway--Siting a book collection in the hall makes for great storage possibilities and easy perusing. From simple ready-made shelves to a custom design solution, bookshelves are one of the most versatile yet straightforward hallway upgrades.
Hallway--Why: Add storage with slim cabinets without building into the wall. Unlike ceiling-height storage, wall-mounted cabinets allow room to hang artwork on the wall above and allow a bit more breathing space in a narrow passageway.
Light filled room
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