Monthly Archives: November 2018

Renovation Detail: Arts and Crafts Interior Trim

The practical task of door and window trim is to hide the gap between the rough opening at the wall and the door or door frame. Beyond the practical, trim is an aesthetic choice, letting you express your own personal style or pay homage to your home’s history.

My husband and I purchased our historical Arts and Crafts house over a year before, and our goal is to bring every doorway and return to its origins with Arts and Crafts–design trim. Even though a few of the original rough openings were blessed with well-executed, historical trim, we have had to make a lot of it from scratch. Inspired by the original, present design in our house, our Arts and Crafts trim features square section casing with ornamentation at the top. A cornice, bed molding and applied bead unite to create the conventional trim design.

Trim of almost any design behaves a focal point, highlighting fine craftsmanship and top-notch materials.

We assembled the trim round this doorway in my house from scratch to match the window’s existing Arts and Crafts casing. It works with our five-panel doors.

Alix Bragg Interior Design

A space can never have too much Arts and Crafts–style trim. Here it is installed around loft doors and a dormer window.

RW Anderson Homes

Arts and Crafts–style trim pairs beautifully with additional architectural features. In this Washington state house, wainscoting and crown molding are easily added into the mix.

TRG Home Concepts

I spy with my little eye crafts and crafts–style trim. Notice the close-up perspective of this bead and cornice at the top.

Dresser Homes

Featuring Prairie-style muntins and Arts and Crafts–style trim, these four master bath casement windows are architectural showstoppers.

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

This New Hampshire doorway comes with a simple Arts and Crafts–style trim installed round the mudroom’s pocket door.

Frederick + Frederick Architects

Natural trim finishes look best when the trim parts are matched for color and grain grip, as exhibited in this South Carolina dining nook.

Aquidneck Properties

Having a cornice, bed molding, head decoration and bead above this transom window, it turns into the dining room’s focal point.

Home & Harmony

Even with a matryoshka doll set featured from the window, one still sees the striking Arts and Crafts–style trim.

In my house we honor the Arts and Crafts aesthetic. What is your taste? Let us know in the Remarks section.

More:
So Your Style is: Arts and Crafts

Leah and Kris’ 1922 Arts and Crafts Renovation

See related

Coffee Bars Energize Any Room

A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent. If you agree with this saying, you’re part of the coffee state. Folks are serious in their morning joe. Whether they’re in designer coffee shops or the workplace split, coffee drinkers everywhere are combined in this ritual.

Brew on this tidbit from Wikipedia: More than 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed in the world daily. It’s the second most traded commodity after petroleum, just on earth. It’s no real surprise that with numbers like that a trend is for prep regions and individual coffee bars in style. Check out how designers are perking up kitchens, butler’s pantries and bathrooms with coffee.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

This ultimate setup for a nice pot of coffee comprises a coffeemaker, a sink and an under-counter fridge. The sink is easily accessible for filling and rinsing, while the fridge is handy for keeping lotion. Coffee cups are saved stylishly on the countertop.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

This prep area looks like it was built around this massive brewing powerhouse. My guess is it can make espresso, coffee, foamed milk and filter the oil from your vehicle! Just kidding about the petroleum, but what a thing of beauty. Note the coffee grinders point left and also the prep sink for new water.

Charmean Neithart Interiors

This coffee prep area can be found in the butler’s pantry, a great alternative location if the kitchen has been maxed out. There is a simple plug-in coffee maker with a wall-mounted faucet and storage above and below for coffee cups.

NW Home Designers

This cosy little coffee nook is positioned between two 24-inch pantries on the rear wall. This space is roughly two feet in diameter. A coffee prep does not have to be big. Everything you would need is here: coffeemaker, mugs with sink and fridge close by.

Renewal Design-Build

How about a coffee corner? Coffee, mugs and creamer all complete this vintage-inspired prep channel. Notice the way the painted backs of these cabinets underline the coffee service items.

Venegas and Company

The Miele Coffee System is a built-in alternative for coffee making. This unit is available with a water reservoir or plumbed-in option. Features include a coffee-bean container, integrated LED lighting plus a prebrew system. This particular kitchen has the discretionary bowl and cup warmer installed only below.

Dreamy Whites

A coffee prep area does not have to be complex. This quaint and beautiful area is really straightforward and effective. You’d require a small table, a coffeemaker, mugs, sugar and cream… and a friend over for a Dancing with the Stars recap.

Mark pinkerton – vi360 photography

Coffee from the toilet? Sure, why not? The Miele Coffee System allows for slick and easy installation almost everywhere.

Debra Toney, AIA Assoc.

Even 1 step further is the morning bar within this master bathroom. Usually this setup includes coffee service, a sink and sometimes a minifridge. The idea is to have your first cup of coffee when getting ready in the morning without needing to leave the restroom. Now that’s Four Seasons convenience.

CAROLE MEYER

This gorgeous kitchen with a fireplace on either side of the island is a superb area for lazy mornings and also reading the newspaper with your freshly brewed cup of coffee.

How can you take your coffee? Allow me to know in the Remarks section.

More:
Mini Kitchen: A Touch of Luxury from the Guest Suite

Coffee Pots at Home Decorating

See related

Great Design Plant: Ornamental Allium

Landscapes on recently have put onions in my head — and I’m not considering edible gardening. Relative to the edible onion, the decorative allium is a longtime cottage garden companion, but it can embellish gardens of all sizes and styles. Bordering on cartoonish, allium’s globular blossoms add a new shape to the landscape.

WA Design Architects

Botanical name: Allium spp
Common names: Allium, decorative onion
USDA zones: 3 to 9, based on species
Water requirement:Regular water whilst blooming
moderate requirement: Entire sun
Mature size: Varies by species
Tolerances/environmental advantages:Drought tolerant, deer and pest resistant

Each spring and summer, orbed clusters of pink, white, purple, crimson, yellow and blue blossoms appear on the tops allium’s tall, leafless stalks, which makes the backyard a living party. Floral lollipops poke their heads over encircling foliage and provide a friendly backyard welcome. I feel like these blossoms are smiling if they can.

With over 500 species to choose from, it can be tough to pin down which allium is right for you. For the time being, here are three highly rated and popular allium species.

The New York Botanical Garden

Among the tallest of this genus, Allium ‘Globemaster’ (zones 4 to 9) can develop 3 to 4 feet tall. Lavender clusters 6 to 8 inches blossom in late spring and persist into summer. Described as one of the easiest alliums to grow, Globemaster is a go-to choice for floral design.

The New York Botanical Garden

Coming at a litte smaller is Allium hollandicum‘Purple Sensation’ (zones 4 to 8). Over 2 feet tall, it generates 2- to 4-inch blossoms. Along this walk in The New York Botanical Garden, the dark purple blossoms of Purple Sensation appear to float over the tops of its foliage, directing visitors along an ethereal pathway.

The New York Botanical Garden

The giant onion Allium giganteum‘White Giant’ (zones 5 to 9), can develop 5 feet tall. Its bright lilac blossoms lighten the backyard, and its height makes it good for background planting.

How to utilize it. For such a huge plant, allium’s tall flower stems create the vast majority of its volume. The architectural stalks lead the eye up into the vertical plane whilst occupying a more compact footprint, which makes it great for smaller gardens or other narrow planting areas — borders, planters or containers.

Plant alliums at one species mass or intermixed with other folks. Shown in the gardens of Edith Wharton’s property, lower growing plants surround the alliums and will hide their dying foliage once they’ve finished blooming for the season.

Structures Building Company

As cut flowers, alliums make quite the statement-making floral arrangement. Whether dried or fresh, they bring a sumptuous piece of the garden inside.

Little Miracles Designs

Planting notes. I’ve heard alliums called the perfect low-maintenance perennial bulb. They’re sturdy, easy-to-grow, magnificent bloomers that return every year. Plant bulbs in fall, in well-drained, sandy land. Amend the soil with organic matter prior to planting.

Alliums flower in summer and spring. As soon as they’ve finished flowering, you can cut back on watering — yellowing foliage is going to be your cue. The foliage will die to the ground in most climates, and you can just allow it to be.

Your alliums will continue to blossom in subsequent years. Clumps can be split once the beds begin to crowd or when you want to disperse alliums to other parts of the backyard.

More excellent design blossoms:
Canna Lily | Catmint | Golden Creeping Jenny | Pacific Coast Iris | Plumbago
Red Kangaroo Paw | Sally Holmes Rose | Slipper Plant | Snake Flower

Great design trees:
Dove Tree | Bald Cypress | Chinese Witch Hazel | Western Maple | Manzanita | Persian Ironwood | Smoke Tree | Texas Mountain Laurel | Tree Aloe

Great design plants:
Euphorbia | Red-Leafed Mukdenia | Blue Chalk Sticks | Hens-and-Chicks | Redtwig Dogwood | Toyon

Great design grasses:
Black Mondo Grass | Cape Rush | Feather Reed Grass | New Zealand Wind Grass

See related

10 Home Fixes That Require a Pro

We are all for enabling homeowners to choose on their own improvements. You save money, gain confidence and receive the gratification of custom tailoring your home with your own two hands. But when it comes to certain jobs — plumbing, for instance — we draw the line. Even though these 10 jobs might be inside the range of a very knowledgeable owner, for most of us, they require help from somebody who handles them for a living.

Marcus Gleysteen Architects

1. Foundation repair. If your foundation is in trouble, so is the rest of your house. Wall cracks, sagging ceilings or floors, lopsided doorways and other red flags add up to one alternative: a call into your foundation contractor. It’s well worth investing in professional help to make certain your house remains on sure footing.

186 Lighting Design Group – Gregg Mackell

2. Electrical wiring. We haven’t yet met a builder who believes that wiring is a DIY job. That doesn’t mean that you can’t replace an old fashioned fan or set up a new garage door opener — we are talking about serious, behind-the-walls electrical work. Not only does one need thorough knowledge of their very updated building codes, but the worst-case scenarios are really, actually bad (house fire, injury, death). Hire a licensed electrician for your own safety and peace of mind.

Erin Hoopes

3. Elimination of a load-bearing wall. Knocking a wall out sounds simple, right? Well, if it is load bearing, meaning it conveys and distributes weight, things get a lot more complicated. Eliminating this type of wall wipes out support for those ceilings, floors and other structural elements that break on it and that can have disastrous consequences for your whole home. Additionally, the wall could comprise wiring or ductwork which you don’t need to disturb. Leave this catchy and time-consuming task into your remodeling contractor.

Poor House Interior Design

4. Major plumbing. Two words: water damage. You are likely to set up a new faucet, a showerhead or possibly a bathroom, but when it comes to the larger stuff, expert is the way to go. Pipe connections and other trouble spots could spring leaks which could cost you dearly in the long term. Here’s a good rule of thumb: When it involves work behind the walls, don’t attempt to manage it all on your own.

5. Natural gas lines. Remember the worst-case scenarios with electric work? Same with gas. It may sound simple to conduct a gas line directly to a grill or fire pit, however it is not. Call the gas company and thank us later.

Lizette Marie Interior Design

6. Tile and tub resurfacing. Although this can be an inexpensive alternative to ripping out and replacing dated tile or an old tub, don’t hesitate to save even more by trying it yourself. From the compounds used to strip off the old end to the delicate technique of applying a new one, it is a specialized job which calls for specialized help.

TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design

7. Roofing. Besides the fact that roofing goofs can wreak havoc if they flow, balancing on a steep incline of shingles using a toolbox is harmful, particularly if you’re not properly trained. Employ a roofing expert to make confident that the task gets done correctly and that you won’t confront a treacherous fall.

Windsor Companies

8. Tree removal. Smaller trees (say, 10 or 15 feet high) are OK to decrease your own, but whatever larger should have you rate dialing the tree service. To begin with, amateurs and chainsaws rarely mix well. Then there’s the artwork of gauging where the tree will collapse — miss the mark, and it could strike a power line or crush a wing of your residence. And seeking to balance up high while you saw limbs off is an ER trip waiting to happen.

Dreamy Whites

9. Stripping old paint. Don’t take a chance with this one. Paint which goes from the late 1970s or earlier could include direct, and breathing in the dust since you scrape it off may lead to health issues. Protect yourself and your loved ones by turning the task over to a certified lead-abatement contractor.

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

10. Wood-burning chimney or stove installation. Fire security is the biggest concern, however this is a very complex job which requires an comprehension of special factors beyond the fireplace itself, such as insulating material. Attempt it yourself, and you are literally playing with fire. And you know what they say about that!

More:
Home Construction: 8 Ways to Stick to Your Budget

News: Remodeling Heats Up

Spruce Up the House With 50 Clever DIY Ideas

See related

Go Global With Kilim Rugs

Kilim. The word, pronounced “ki-LEEM,” conjures visions of exotic nations and tribal traditions, and that’s pretty close to the truth. These handwoven rugs, with their intricate designs and characteristic flat weave, were born thousands of years back in the fields of Turkey (where the best-known kilims include), Kurdistan, Caucasus, Iran and Turkestan. The regional variations, each with its own cultural traditions and symbolism, led to differences in the colours and themes used for the textiles.

Kilims often get lumped in with their Asian and Persian cousins, however, they have a different history and fashion of their own. In technical terms, the most important distinction is the weaving method: Carpets have individually knotted strands bound by wefts to shape the pile, whereas kilims are created by interweaving warps and wefts in an upright loom to create a flat, often reversible design with no pile.

Jenn Hannotte / Hannotte Interiors

Clear as mud? Here’s the takeaway: The flat weave makes kilims light yet sturdy so they can withstand foot traffic better than a traditional rug. And because they’re simpler to create, their price has historically been reduced, though that’s changing as kilims increase in popularity.

Greg Logsdon

Nomadic peoples in these areas crafted kilims in the wool of their sheep they herded and used them in a variety of roles: tent floors, coverlets, screens, sacks, pillows and more. Although kilims for decades were overlooked in favor of pricey Asian and Persian carpets, they’ve caught fire with collectors and homeowners, and they’re moving very quickly from trend to mainstay.

Economy Interiors

Though kilims are ordinarily used as floor coverings, they’re also common in more decorative uses, such as wall hangings or seat upholstery. In this bedroom, a kilim wraps an easy headboard, echoing its partner on the floor. Often, worn or partly disintegrated kilims may be salvaged to work with for smaller pieces, such as throw cushions or seat chairs.

Wish to Inspire

Kilims feature a geometric pattern sometimes complex. That is one reason that they transition so readily from traditional interiors to more contemporary ones: They combine a surprisingly contemporary sensibility with an old-world mien.

Ten June Designs

Since the dyes used for the wool initially came from natural resources, earthy colours — particularly red — are the principle. However, some kilims, particularly newer ones, have a much more limited palette.

Living2Design

Medallions, diamond octagons and shapes appear in several versions. Antique kilim patterns often have special meaning or symbolism, depending upon the rug’s country of origin.

Blackburn Architects, PC

It is not possible to replicate the patina and gravitas of a classic kilim, but recently crafted versions have the same richness of colour and are often less expensive. Locate a respectable dealer in your area who can direct you toward the best purchase for your requirements and price range.

More:
Your Décor: Crazy for Kilim

How to Shop for a Persian Rug

11 Area Rug Rules and How to Break Them

See related

Rugs to Covet: Madeline Weinrib

Approximately four years ago I walked into a small design shop in San Francisco and has been positively bowled over with a pink carpet with silver medallions. It seemed to encompass everything I loved about design, such as a few paradoxes. It was concurrently geometric and natural, lively and elegant, inspired by ancient design and yet completely modern.

Thus began my love affair with the textiles and rugs of Madeline Wienrib. The granddaughter of ABC Carpet & Home creator Max Weinrib, Madeline is famous for layouts inspired by the patterns of India, Morocco and Asia. Until she does a line for Target (a girl can dream) she will stay very, very high on my covet list.

Eclectic Rugs – $875

The chenille Mandala carpet with metallic silver accents. The carpet that started it all.

Yvonne McFadden LLC

The cotton Mandala carpet in Steel. Perhaps it doesn’t take your breath away, but it is definitely marriage material.

Vanessa De Vargas

The cotton Brooke carpet in Chestnut. A modern classic.

Madeline Weinrib

Hot Pink Brooke

The Hot Pink Brooke. Similar, but way hotter.

Niche Interiors

The Brooke carpet in Tibetan wool. Kind of makes you want to get naked and roll around.

Beckwith Interiors

The Otto carpet in Grape. Inside this room it is the focal point, but it also lends itself to layering and lots of rich design.

Zoe Feldman Design, Inc..

A runner in wool. This design can no longer be accessible, but it is gorgeous to look at.

Madeline Weinrib

Pink Suzi Tibetan Wool Rug

The Pink Suzi. Oh. My. God. I wish you can feel it. It’s like walking on the rear of a very small lamb fed just strawberries and cream.

Madeline Weinrib

Pink Sommers Suzani Bags

Did I mention that she makes evening bags? You know, in case you want one to match your amazing Tibetan wool runner.

Madeline Weinrib

Madeline Weinrib Empire Coat

Or maybe an ikat empire-waist coat to decide on your pillows, rugs and bedding?

Madeline Weinrib

Multi-Plum Ikat Pillow from Madeline Weinrib Atelier

One of many ikat cushions.

Madeline Weinrib

Blue Collins Ikat Bedspread

Custom-made bedding. Also available in other colours.

More:
Guest Picks: Exotic Textiles for the Home

Textile Traditions: Applying Suzanis on Your Décor

11 Area Rug Rules and How to Break Them

See related

Guest Groups: A Man Cave a Woman Could Love

We’re in the middle of March Madness around here, which means basketball 24/7. This has me thinking how fine it would be if I could create my husband his own individual cave. Both of these words make most women cringe, but I feel the ideal mix of pieces can be found to design a manly area that even we girls could feel joyful about. Here are 20 “masculine” products I would love to utilize to design a man cave within our house.
— Emily from Emily A. Clarke

Home Decorators Collection

Gordon Tufted Sofa, Blue Leather – $999

A timeless Chesterfield couch in blue for under $1,000? At this cost, it may be fun to organize your room with some of these beauties.

Etsy

Mustache Quote Printing Typography Poster A3 From handz – $19

Every man cave should have a bit of humor. The mustache craze continues with this adorable poster.

Lumens

Series 11 Six-Drawer Console by Blu Dot – $1,999

Considering that the TV is normally the focus of any man cave, shouldn’t it have a beautiful console on which to sit (or hang above)? This one is the best union of modern and rustic — and provides ample storage for DVDs, games and whatever else you want to hide out.

Geometric – $249.95

A huge bit of colorful artwork is a fantastic addition to any man cave. It gives you a wonderful color palette to work from and will blend well with more personal momentos, sports posters, etc..

Restoration Hardware

Grand Leather Bean Bag Chair – $845

Yes, bean bag chairs are for grown-ups too! Great for lounging and additional chairs, this one comes at a beautiful worn leather.

Arch Floor Lamp – $399.95

I really like the sleek, modern look of the floor lamp. And, its metallic finish gives it a wonderful industrial feel.

Jayson Home

Natural Cowhide – $795

What says “manly” just like a cowhide rug? It can also add a good deal of texture into a room and looks great layered over a natural area rug.

Vanguard Furniture

Tate Recliner

Isn’t it a requirement that every man cave possess a recliner (or two)? That being the case, this sleek variation would make a lovely — and comfy along with your space.

Ballard Designs

Upholstered Cube – $147

These little cubes are so flexible, and look great in a bold pattern. I would use two or even four to serve as an impromptu cocktail table or as additional seating for the big game.

DwellStudio

Axel Round Dining Table – $2,160

I would add a round table for game night, cards, etc.. This one just happens to have a midcentury design with gold legs.

DwellStudio

Sven Leather Dining Chair – $1,500

A set of those chairs would be great around a round game table. They are sleek and masculine at the same moment.

Shades of Light

De Vine Wood Ball Chandelier – $479

This light is made of woven twisted vines and is certain to be a fantastic conversation piece. It might add a ton of feel and is certainly not a girly chandelier!

Z Gallerie

Everglades Square Wood Tray 24″ x 24″ – $57.95

This big square menu could be perfect to use for drinks or snacks, particularly sitting on a cocktail ottoman.

Shop Ten 25

Tangerine Ziggy Pillows – $150

Even a man cave deserves a little color. I would add some of those abstract chevron pillows in tangerine.

Restoration Hardware

Fishing Weights – $79

I really like the vintage appeal of those fishing weights. They are perfect as door stops, paper weights or for accessorizing tabletops and bookshelves.

Home Decorators Collection

Cottage Accent Table – $99

End tables are essential for drinks (and remotes). This one is small enough to be tucked into a tight place. Additionally, it is in a fun color and costs less than $100!

Lamps Plus

Cinni Textured Bronze Desk Fan – $319.91

Guys love their fans, and this one has a great deal of vintage charm. It’s a great way to accessorize a console table and keep cool all at one time.

Jayson Home

Sepia Throw, Feather – $250

A striped throw is a good (rather than overly-feminine) method to add pattern to any couch or chair. And, it is going to keep you warm — if he ever invites you to watch TV in his man cave.

Z Gallerie

Faux Deer Antlers – $39.95

These faux deer antlers in silver are perfect for accessorizing your guy’s space. I would use them on a TV console to get a fantastic sculptural element.

Cost Plus World Market

Campaign Desk – $229.99

This casual desk could double as a sofa table and work space. I enjoy the industrial sense that it might add to a masculine space.

Next: 8 Ways to Design Up the Man Cave

See related

Ideabook 911: Enhance a Galley Kitchen

“Can there be a way to make a galley kitchen special?” Asks user Cynd123 about the questions board. The answer is”absolutely!” Just as your kitchen is narrow and long, there is no reason it must feel like a tunnel. While not always perfect for more than 1 chef, galley kitchens are efficient space savers where the job triangle works just fine, and they deserve large style. See how to produce a galley kitchen layout special with artwork, pattern, flooring, lighting and a little shine.

elegueller arquitetos

When there’s a solid wall in the end, make it stand out with wallpaper or tile.

Erdreich Architecture, P.C.

An even better way to take care of that wall, even if possible, is a floor-to-ceiling perspective outdoors. Note how the route beyond the door appears to be an extension of the galley. If you do not have space for something this big, even just a small window can help.

Gary Hutton Design

Talking of lighting, add a skylight when possible. Note how this glossy planked ceiling reflects the lighting.

Supon Phornirunlit / Naked Decor

If opening the wall with a door or window outside isn’t feasible, place an eye-catching piece of artwork, like this picture black and white subway sign, in the end of the galley.

Supon Phornirunlit / Naked Decor

This homeowner had the option of opening one side of the galley to another area, but he didn’t want to sacrifice the upper cupboard storage. To compensate for the absence of natural lighting, he made sure to keep everything reflective and light by means of a glass tile backsplash and lighted cabinets with glass doors.

Feldman Architecture, Inc..

If you have sufficient storage space, punch through a galley wall to borrow visual space from another room. This may be via a pass-through hole or a half wall.

Amoroso Design

You might even be able to remove the wall completely and separate the kitchen out of a living or dining area via an island like this one.

Vanni Archive/Architectural Photography

Decide on a floor you adore. Among the pros of a galley kitchen is you won’t need very many square feet of the substance, which means that you can afford to splurge.

Hufft Projects

Adopt the long proportions by highlighting them with a rhythmic rug.

MN Builders

If you’re renovating or building, see if you can produce the galley wide enough for two cooks to match past each other with lots of space to spare.

David Churchill – Architectural Photographer

Don’t control your desire for style; there is no rule that says that a galley kitchen must be stripped and white down. No one will care that space is a little tight when a kitchen is as glossy and glamorous as this particular one.

Schwartz and Architecture

Borrow natural lighting from different rooms. Using open shelves rather than a wall for division on the left side of the kitchen opens up it making it lighter.

Kitchens by Design

Use particular cabinets. All these zebra wood cabinets stand out, and also the lengthy drawer handles emphasize the flat.

Jessica Kelly Design

If you can, max out the storage in your cabinets and forgo as many upper cabinets as you can.

Get some smart ideas for maxing out the space in the cabinets
Get a closer look in the window seat in this kitchen

Isler Homes

A chairs corner is really nice to have at the end of a galley. It allows the chef to have company without people getting in the way.

Isler Homes

Pay particular attention to light and take advantage of light under shelves and cabinets.

Archipelago Hawaii Luxury Home Designs

Boost the ceiling. Adding height vertically makes this space feel much bigger than it is.

Watch the first question and post a question of your own

More: Read galley kitchen photographs
Kitchen Layouts: A Vote for your Good Old Galley
Kitchen Solution: The Open Island
The Well-Concealed Kitchen

See related

Unusual Fireplaces: Bright Areas for Average Homes

The typical American home tends to lack signifigant architectural detail. Long, straight rooms of white on white with small molding and builder-grade doors may get old. One of the simplest ways to add a punch would be to add a fire feature. The visual impact of a fireplace may enliven a space, and the heat of the fires can create any space comfy.

Check out these fire attributes included in specific ways — you could just be prompted to bring several fires for your next home improvement project.

California Home + Design

A fireplace may liven up an easy white space. Instead of going with a conventional arrangement, try an asymmetrical one. A thick black mantel provides the feature dimension.

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

White isn’t your style? Try out this arrangement with a rustic stone surround and organic wood mantel. It works flawlessly with the angled line of this ceiling.

Samuel H. Williamson Associates

A fireplace is not simply a boon to indoor spaces; it may liven up an exterior as well. This chimney provides a basic ranch shape more character and lends a cottage feel.

Frederick + Frederick Architects

Perhaps you don’t need a fireplace inside, however an outdoor fireplace will be perfect. Adding a fireplace instantly creates an outdoor space and may expand your living room.

Barbara

If you don’t have a fireplace, you may add a hint of a hearth with a mantelpiece.

Mark English Architects, AIA

Fire has a home in this kitchen via a wood-burning pizza oven. Can there be anything more reassuring than a pepperoni pie baking over open coals?

hatch + ulland owen architects

If a pizza oven is too large of a commitment for you, maybe a conventional fireplace is the best addition to your kitchen and dining room. This fireplace, set behind the dining table, adds interest to the back wall and a homey glow to winter nights.

Built Incorporated

If your appearance is more contemporary, a sleek concrete encircle might be the way to go. This appearance is anything but ordinary.

Alpha Design Group

Here is another surround set to a wall. A gas fireplace lessens the maintenance and cleanup of a conventional fireplace.

However you choose to design the space, a tiny fire or the suggestion of it may incorporate a warm, reassuring touch to your home.

Read thousands of fireplace designs

More:
16 Stunningly Beautiful Fireplaces
The Ideal Built-Ins For Your Fireplace
Painted Fireplace Mantels Add Pizzazz

See related

Mood Indigo: 11 Reasons to Love This Rich Blue

In my fleeting love affairs with color (thanks to the memories, crimson ), there’s one old flame I have never left: indigo. Classic and complicated, it brings a dash of mystique to the comforting familiarity of gloomy. Here are a couple of great ways to coating it into a room.

I could stare at this composition daily. Pure white seems luminous from the soaked indigo walls and floor — it’s an arresting matchup.

Burnham Design

The intricate design with this torso, magnificent both for its color and pattern, seems as though it had been painted with India ink. And the way the image frame brings the color up is a nice touch.

Austin Patterson Disston Architects

This living area appears as crisp and tailored as a blue blazer paired with a white shirt. Pale blue from the kitchen really is a nice reflection of its darker counterpart.

Susan Serra

Blue kitchen cabinets always catch my eye, and those have the faded, textured charm of lace. The blue is a nice middle ground between the white cupboards and dark floor.

Moon Design + Build

Here’s another take on an indigo kitchen — this one considerably sleeker and more modern. The glossy cabinets cool down the blue and give it a mod twist.

Nina Jizhar

Splashes of indigo make this calm white bedroom to life. The natural, freeform art permeates the geometric lines and keeps the distance from appearing overly static.

The Lettered Cottage

Wow — this overscale mural is a eye-popper. The room feels like it’s wrapped in a large, cozy indigo cardigan.

Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

The high-gloss indigo walls are fantastic, but that desk is the crowning touch. The glistening finish comes from auto paint — too cool!

Deep indigo walls make an intense but subtle background for layers of texture in this dining area.

Studio Marcelo Brito

Deep blues and oxblood reds provide a classic color pairing refreshing appeal. I enjoy seeing a sunroom that is not performed in tropical brights or washed-out, beachy colors.

More: How to Pick the Right Blue
Browse more deep-blue spaces

See related