A Statement of Intent | Ben Pentreath Ltd. I got home on Friday evening to find an unusual letter from someone who'd read the article in the Saturday Telegraph about the Old Parsonage a few weeks ago. I don't often write about architecture on this blog, or what we do in the office, but I thought you might be interested this exchange.
And you might have noticed in the last few weeks that we've reorganised our website so that the master planning, architecture, and interiors branches of our small and close-knit team here in London are now all on show in the same place. It's a strange mix of things; I suspect that there aren't that many urban designers who spend some of their time interior decorating, or many decorators who get involved (as I do from day to day) in the finer details of roads, kerbs, bin stores, drainage runs and street lighting! A bit unusual; but I guess it's a question, for me, of thinking about things in the round. As you will see a lot of our work is quite traditional in appearance.
Dear Mr Drury, Regards, Good things for your home - Ben Pentreath Ltd. Empire State of Pen Patrick Vale. Dollhouse Alternative: Tiny Travel Trailer. Vintage travel trailers have been back in vogue for some time now, serving as everything from a complete residence to kitschy office spaces. Why not let your kids in on the action with this adorable wooden miniature travel trailer? Greenleaf Dollhouses were "inspired by a simple, less hectic time and a desire to preserve vintage Americana" in designing the trailer. They've even included supplies to turn one of the windows into a serving counter, so you can construct your very own food truck. The trailer comes unassembled, and once you put it together you can paint it and furnish it any way you like.
Best of all, the $19.95 price tag makes it super affordable. More Info: Greenleaf Dollhouses MORE DOLLHOUSES ON APARTMENT THERAPY: • A Modern Dollhouse That Made Us Flip • Modern Doll House and Furniture • DIY Modern Dollhouse (Image: Greenleaf Dollhouses ) Escape Style: Using Maps as Decor House Tour Roundup. Previous image Next image My boyfriend and I have spent a number of evenings charting vacations (both real and dream) across the face of our living room map. I've learned more about geography since purchasing the map than I care to admit. These are just two small perks of using maps as decor.Here, from our house tours, are a few inspiring examples of maps as decor.
TOP ROW:1. Deborah sliced a world map into three panels and mounted it on boards to display in her son Dragon's Lovely Lair. This is a great way to get a large paper map to lay flat, elevating it from a poster to artwork, with just a few simple steps. 2. 3. 4. 5. BOTTOM ROW:6. 7. 8. (Images: as credited above.) Going Coastal: How To Achieve a Beach House Look In a City Home A Conversation With Tim Clarke. Get the Chip It! Button: Turn Your Inspiration Photos into a Paint Palette Sherwin-Williams Chip It!
DIY House Lanterns Fellow Fellow. Maps Vintage 30 Page Pack Vintage Paper Maps by nutmegartsupplies. 5 Unique & Useful Ways to Store Jewelry | Apartment Therapy DC. Neighborhood Dreams: Build Your Block Pillows | Apartment Therapy San Francisco. Gift Guide: 10 Perfect Presents for Small Space Dwellers | Apartment Therapy Chicago. Annie's "Maine Shoreline" Room | Room for Color 2011. Typographic Maps: Sleek, Stylish & Sentimental | Apartment Therapy San Francisco. Previous image Next image I think I might be developing a map obsession. Maps are such an elegant way to display affection for your hometown, the city where you fell in love, or an unforgettable trip. (Not to mention, maps are just flat out cool.)
Next to vintage, typographic maps are my absolute favorite. We have this awesome typographic map of San Francisco in our office-turned-mostly-playroom and I LOVE it. Best $22 we ever spent. These unique word weavings seem to convey so much through an exquisite display of the power of type. Top Row:1. Bottom Row:6. Images: As linked above.
Lauren's Quintessential San Francisco Studio House Call | Apartment Therapy San Francisco. This Month's Architectural Record is an Ode to NYC | Apartment Therapy New York. Set Pieces: Kate Beckett's new loft look in 'Castle' Season 4. Fans of "Castle" will have something new to explore on Monday: New York police Det. Kate Beckett's reimagined loft. When the ABC drama kicked off Season 4 on Monday, Beckett was near death from a gunshot wound and it was to this loft that she retreated after her apartment had been blown up at the end of Season 2. The gung-ho cop returns this season a changed woman -- and the vibe of her newly redecorated 1,200-square-foot home reflects that.
"There’s a lot about the space that I think indicates a shift in the character," said actress Stana Katic, who plays Beckett. "Castle" production designer Alfred Sole said Beckett’s new loft had been constructed to reflect that she was in a bad place emotionally. Sole has painted the brick walls and exposed beams with putty-colored Benjamin Moore paint, a color called Indian River, and added faux metal door and window trims in Steel Gray paint from Modern Masters. "I really enjoy the industrial feel," Katic said. "I love the painting," Katic said. How To DIY a Wool Blanket Curtain ReadyMade | Apartment Therapy DC. 10 Sewing Projects for Every Room in Your Home | Apartment Therapy DC. Sewing in a straight line: book giveaway winners + DIY video. Sewing 101: zippered throw pillows. Next up in our learn-to-sew series: throw pillows!
Throw pillows are another fantastic way to incorporate cute textiles and DIY flair into your home without a great investment of time or money. If you’ve ever gone into a fabric store and wanted to buy everything because it’s just all so gorgeous, then pillows are a great way to put those fabrics to work in your decor. Bold or loud prints that would be too much used in large scale (like in curtains) can be just right for a little pillow pop on a sofa or bed. I’m going to show you how to make a zippered pillow cover, which is easier than it sounds, I promise. The best part? CLICK HERE for the full zippered throw pillow how-to after the jump! A Word on Zippers Ok, I know you’re not going to believe me when I say this, but installing a zipper is REALLY EASY. What You’ll Need ½ yard fabric (if your pillow is larger than 16”, you’ll need more fabric) 1 pillow form (buy this at a craft store or upholstery shop) Thread to match your fabric Seam ripper.
Sewing 101: making a duvet cover. I don’t know about you, but I never cease to be shocked at the price of bedding. And nothing sets off my “I could make that myself so much cheaper and better” instincts like duvet covers. It’s just a big flat case of fabric, yet even the simplest options easily soar into the three digits—but all it takes to make your own is a bunch of fabric, a few straight seams, and a spare afternoon. Not only will going DIY with your duvet cover save you some cash, it’ll also allow you to custom-make exactly what you are looking for. What’s better than that? Let’s go! –Brett Bara *if you missed any of brett’s sewing 101 columns this month, check out her archives: curtains, zippered throw pillows, ottoman slip cover CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump!
What You’ll Need Approximately 10 yards fabric (see below to calculate exact amount; I suggest buying extra just in case) Yard stick, long quilter’s ruler or tape measure Sharp scissors Straight pins Sewing machine Iron and ironing board Fabric Tips. Tips for Buying & Using Your First Sewing Machine | Apartment Therapy DC. If you've never owned one, sewing machines can seem daunting. Here are a few suggestions for finding one suitable to a beginner skill level and for getting comfortable with how it works.Don't let uncertainty keep you from getting started on all those sewing projects you've thought about.
These days, you can easily find a user-friendly machine in a reasonable price range. Using it is a matter of pacing yourself, reading directions, and knowing when to get help. Consult a reputable source — be it your sewing-savvy mom or a community-driven site such as BurdaStyle — to learn terminology, have support, and get reviews. Amazon can give you good prices and a lot of user feedback on new machines — Brother brand is popular, and sew/vac shops can give you expertise and a deal on a refurbished machine. Keep it simple. Use your machine as soon as you get it. Go slowly. A few online resources:Burda StyleThreads magazineSew, Mama, Sew! Image: Kristin Lubbe for Apartment Therapy. Fashion Meets Decor: Outfits to Rooms | Apartment Therapy DC. Previous image Next image It's all about fashion today, which makes it the perfect time to revisit one of my favorite columns, from one of my most beloved reads, of the past.
Yes, the magazine I'm speaking of would be Domino and the regular column was, “Turn This Outfit into a Room”. While I have yet to turn an outfit into a room myself, the blogosphere is proof that the column (and magazine!) , left its mark on more than just me alone. Here are some of my fave outfits-turned-rooms for your viewing pleasure! This outfit from Anthropologie inspired Momtastic blogger, Liz Stanley to create the room below. A bedroom combining stripes, metallics, florals and neutrals that's neither overly feminine or trendy.
This gorgeous and bold outfit from fashion blog, Atlantic-Pacific, was the inspiration for the living room below. Elements of Style blogger, Erin Gates, is continually inspired by the fashion from Atlantic-Pacific. The City Sage: Outfit to Room. 'Round about this time of year I start to long for an escape, and my daydreams inevitably lead me to the beach. I don't care where in the world I land, so long as there is surf, sun and sand. Give me a gauzy sundress, a skimpy bikini, and some SPF 500, and I am golden (well, pasty white, but you get the idea). Bonus points if there's an airy beach house for midday naps. Seaside stripes get a girly tweak with a ruffled tank. Crisp white linens--whether in the form of a man's button down or freshly washed sheets--flutter in the breeze. I always wear sunglasses outdoors, but with the equinox drawing near, I sometimes take them off and revel in the squinty quality of the sun.
Blue and white are not the only maritime colors this girl can get behind. Another unexpected twist! Turquoise and coral versus periwinkle and peach. One of my favorite summers was spent in Nice before my final year of high school. Image Credits: 1, 9. Chatelaine Bedroom Makeover Reveal The Marion House Book | Apartment Therapy New York. Sneak Peek: The Perfectly Imperfect Home | Apartment Therapy New York. Signature Style of Great Cities: New YorkAmerican Style | Apartment Therapy New York. Every block in New York displays a wild jumble of styles, a melding of past and present Alistair Cooke once described New York City as "the biggest collection of villages in the world.
" There are so many New Yorks contained within this one metropolis — millions of points of view and places of origin. But most New Yorkers are united by the same common elements that bind most Apartment Therapy readers: small spaces, street-smarts, and a passion for being ahead of the curve. Mulberry Street, c. 1900 Manhattan's building styles have changed with the eras, and though the city is constantly being reinvented, you can still see evidence of all these bygone styles, sitting side-by-side on nearly every block.
The grand Beaux-Arts facade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was completed in 1902, a far cry from the bustling tenements of Mulberry Street in the same era Within all this diversity, New York style does have some identifiable characteristics, beyond merely "eclectic. " Previous image. Design Bookshelf: 16 Books on American Style | Apartment Therapy Boston. American style, like our citizens and cuisine, is hardly homogenous. Books on the subject are equally vast and varied — so much so that I bet no two Apartment Therapy writers would have the same list, which would be different than yours. With that in mind, here are 16 books that create a shelf on American style that is both informational and inspirational. Though hardly an exhaustive list, here are a shelf-full of texts on American style to get your library started: American Style by Region • Southern Rooms II: The Timeless Beauty of the American South Southern style is an effortless mix of formal and casual, and this book showcases a variety of rooms below the Mason-Dixon with tips on how to recreate the look in your home. • Southwest Style: A Home-Lover's Guide to Architecture and Design For a New England girl, southwest style is delightfully foreign.
Please add your recommendations and favorite books on American style to the comments below... Images: from Amazon, as linked above. Tips for Sewing Your Own Duvet Cover | Apartment Therapy DC. These days a good-looking duvet cover easily can run you over $100. However, with a sewing machine, fabric, and a little gumption, you can have one that is custom fit to your taste and budget.On Design*Sponge, Brett Bara offers a thorough, well illustrated how-to for sewing a custom duvet cover with fabric yardage.
Never to be outdone, Martha Stewart has very straight-forward instructions for making one with sheets. A third option combines the two ideas: I created a duvet cover with a top made of pieced-together striped fabric and an underside that's a plain, flat sheet from Target. Materials for my custom duvet cover set me back less than $25. (That's over $250 cheaper than the one I'd been eying from Dwell Studio.) While sewing can seem daunting, even a beginner can complete this project in an afternoon. Check out the full posts mentioned above: Design*Sponge | Sewing 101: Making a Duvet Cover Martha Stewart | Coordinating Comforter Image: Brett Bara for Design*Sponge.
Native American Inspired Decor | Apartment Therapy Los Angeles. DIY Headboard from Repurposed Materials A Beautiful Mess | Apartment Therapy Chicago. Studio Solution: Side Storage Beds | Apartment Therapy New York. Beth's Travel Inspired Studio Studio With Style | Apartment Therapy Los Angeles. Create Color Palettes Using Online Images as Inspiration | Apartment Therapy Unplggd. Color Palette: Devine Color and Orchids | Apartment Therapy San Francisco. How To: Make a Pocket Sized Floor Plan | Apartment Therapy Chicago.
If we had to name the best thing in our design arsenal it wouldn't be having our Pantone Book memorized, or knowing the name and year of every piece of furniture. So what's the one trick that helps us more than anything else? Click through the jump to find out! One of the best tricks we have found when designing our living space is proportion. Most of our truly great furniture finds have come from random places while we were out and about... not from when we have "left the house determined to buy a sofa. " Say you are out at a flea market and you come across an amazing French Provincial couch that you think would be the best thing since sliced bread in your living room. Because we've found the best inspiration for our homes is usually found in unsuspecting places, one of the things that has helped us most is to have our house in our back pocket (figuratively of course).
Flickr Finds: Oltremare's Collages | Apartment Therapy Chicago. How To: Turn Your Summer Photos Into A Color Palette | Apartment Therapy Chicago. Have you ever walked into a room that reminded you of somewhere you had already been? Maybe the colors are the same as the hotel you stayed at on your honeymoon, or the room is so bright and airy that it brings back thoughts of your trip to Belize a few summers ago. Click through the jump to see how to design your home around your favorite photographs to make any room in your home memorable. It's no mystery that certain colors evoke different emotions from people. Red rooms are said to bring out the fire and the passion (meow!) , while grey rooms are there to calm us and yellow makes us want to give the whole world a hug. (awww) Taking the time to couple that color theory with your favorite family photos can be a great combination.
Sit down with a collection of photographs from your trips, or the best summer parties or adventures. Using the color selector tool pick up colors that catch your eye first. Be featured on AT and send us pictures of the rooms you design from your photographs! Wall of Shelving by Studiomama | Apartment Therapy Chicago. Look! A Sink In A Drawer | Apartment Therapy Los Angeles. Inspiration: Decorator's Notebooks | Apartment Therapy New York. Color Inspiration from Idée Washington DC | Apartment Therapy New York. Plan Your Escape: World Map Wall MuralBoston | Apartment Therapy Boston. Leaf-shaped Mosaic Tiles from Accents Con Agua | Apartment Therapy New York.