Housetrends

Grilling in Style

Posted Thursday, May 28, 2009 by Christi Kleiner

Lynx Outdoor Kitchen

Memorial Day typically signifies the unofficial start of summer. Grills were fired up over the holiday weekend as people headed outside to enjoy the great outdoors. Right now is the best time to step back and take an inventory of your grilling arsenal. If you are looking for the basics then all you'll need is a grill and a few grilling utensils. When considering what size grill to buy, make sure to keep in mind how often you entertain so that you have enough grilling space for large parties.

If you're looking to create the ultimate outdoor kitchen atmosphere you need to consider more than just the grill. Side burners, sinks, refrigerators and warming drawers are just a few of the options available. Go to Housetrends.com for even more great outdoor entertaining ideas.

Water Features

Posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009 by Danielle Krouse

Landscaping improvements can be simple. A water feature is a great way to go because there is something out there for everyone's taste, you just have to know where to look. Water features look great if you're looking to add some hardscaping for your landscape or just an addition to your garden. Water features can be the center of your landscaping design or just a casual element in the background. Here are some great places to gather inspiration for the perfect water feature.

Horchow is great place to find elegant and beautiful water features - here are some of my favorites!

With summer in full bloom, don't forget to check out Housetrends.com for the latest and greatest summer designs.

Works of Art: Vessel Sinks

Posted Friday, May 15, 2009 by Christi Kleiner

Looking for a way to spruce up your boring powder room? Bathroom design has come a long way. Creating a unique design used to be limited to plumbing fixtures and tile. But now, when considering a bathroom renovation, there are many options, including the addition of a vessel bowl sink.

By adding a unique vessel bowl sink, you can create a focal point or add a splash of bold color to a small space. Vessel bowl sinks are available in a variety of shapes, colors, designs and sizes.
Kohler offers several unique vessel sinks, including the traditional Imperial Blue and sleek Reve bowls. Go to Housetrends.com for even more ideas bathroom remodeling ideas.

Kohler Reve Vessel

Kohler Imperial Blue

Veggie Tales & Tips

Posted Tuesday, April 7, 2009 by Sarah Dills

Looking for unique garden landscaping ideas for the summer? Why not get back to basics with a vegetable garden. Not only will this task create a fun project where you can get your hands dirty, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that a vegetable garden yields $1,000 worth of produce for every $100 invested.
In these tough economic times, it makes sense to green-up your landscape and your wallet with home-grown veggies like tomatoes, beans and peppers. I'm fortunate enough to live in a rural area, close to my sister and brother-in-law's farm. We (mostly my brother-in-law I should clarify) grow a huge garden full of corn, cucumbers, tomatoes and green beans every summer. There is nothing better than a vine-ripe tomato!
You don't have to live on a farm to enjoy this tasty summer treat though. Any back yard can be turned into a garden with a few simple tips.

First, make sure your garden is in a sunny location. Most veggies like at least 8 hours of sunlight a day.
Second, try to house your garden in a sheltered or fenced area to avoid feeding your profits to deer, rabbits or other native animals. This can be done with wiring or fencing.
Third, Feed your plants well with a combination of high-quality soil, fertilizer and water (about one inch a week is adequate.)

Watch this informative video for more information on planting tomatoes. Visit Housetrends.com for articles on gardening and including herbs in your garden.

Keep Pesky Allergens At Bay This Spring

Posted Tuesday, April 7, 2009 by Sarah Dills

One of the best home improvement projects is replacing old windows. Windows are not the most glamorous place to invest money in your home, but old windows can literally suck money out of your wallet through wasted air conditioning and heating.
While replacing your windows, look into PollenTec screens to filter pollens. During the cooler spring and summer days, you can leave windows open to not only save energy but let fresh air into your home. Allergy sufferers don't have to worry about pollen getting inside anymore.

Throw a Shrimp on the Barbie!

Posted Tuesday, April 7, 2009 by Sarah Dills

Spring is Here! Finally.... While some us are still experiencing the last cold temperatures before summer, it is a wonderful time to prepare our outdoor retreats for the perfect backyard barbecue.
I prefer cooking on a gas grill, like this Weber Genesis E-310 from Lowe's, because of the ease of prep time and clean-up. However, some die-hard grill masters prefer cooking over charcoal for the unmatched flavor it provides. Lowe's also offers a wide variety of charcoal grills.

Weber Gas Grill available at Lowe's

If you really want to step your outdoor cooking experience up a notch, you could buy an outdoor wood burning oven. These units are the best for giving that authentic taste to any dish from pizza to fish. Visit www.indoors2out.com to see a variety of units from Quintessential Outdoor Living Company.

Single Shelf, Outdoor Wood Fired Oven

No matter what you choose, your outdoor cooking experience isn't complete without some great recipes. Visit grilling-recipes.com for some great ideas. Enjoy!
For more ideas on creating an outdoor kitchen in your own back yard, visit the projects page at Housetrends.com.

Chair Transformation

Posted Wednesday, April 1, 2009 by Christi Kleiner

A unique chair can make all the difference in a room, transforming it from drab to exciting in one easy step. Horchow creates many visually stunning pieces that are sure to to get your guests talking that next time you have a dinner party.

Sunflower Zebra Chair

The Sunflower Zebra chair takes the traditional winged accent chair to the next level thanks to a yellow and white zebra pattern. Match it up with a coordinating accent rug to create a bright and cheerful atmosphere.

Lillian Chaise

If you are looking for that dramatic piece to set the tone of a room, look no further than the Lillian chaise. The chaise features handcrafted silk upholstery and a dark finish.

Check out Housetrends.com for even more great decorating ideas.

The Power of Light

Posted Wednesday, April 1, 2009 by Christi Kleiner

I have a weakness for interesting lighting. It is hard to believe how something as simple as a light can change the atmosphere of an entire room. So, when I came across the Risa during my search for unique home and garden accessories, I wanted to make sure that I shared it with you.

Risa pendant light

The Risa is a brushed metal nickel pendant light that features a sleek, contemporary shape. It comes with three silk dupioni lamp shades, allowing you to switch up the look when you are in the mood for a change.

Luminous Vessels

Posted Wednesday, April 1, 2009 by Christi Kleiner

You can find glass vases just about anywhere, but Artful Home carries several unique vessels that can brighten any end table or book shelf.
The Murrine Foglio is a one-of-a-kind piece by David Patchen. Blown glass in rich hues of aquamarine, citron and apricot make it one of our favorites.

Patchen also created the Red/Orange Parabola, with bold stripes of amazon green, marigold and crimson.

For other decorating ideas, be sure to log on to our website, Housetrends.com.

Blu Dot Furnishings

Posted Friday, March 27, 2009 by Christi Kleiner

Each issue of Housetrends includes a section called Fresh Finds, where we showcase hot home and garden products. Since it is impossible to include all of the products we come across in the magazine I plan to share some of my favorites with you, starting with a few furniture pieces from Blu Dot.

Three college friends started Blu Dot back in 1997. Their goal is to create pieces that are both unique in design and fully functional.

The Swept sofa features slightly flared arms and a sleek stainless steel base. It is available in two colors, slate gray or white leather alternative upholstery, both of which allow the sofa to serve as the perfect backdrop for showcasing elaborately decorated accent pillows.

The Couchoid lounge chair is another great piece. Its interesting angles makes it the perfect chair to fill in open space in any room.

From Bin to Backyard

Posted Tuesday, March 24, 2009 by Sarah Dills

Ever wonder what happens to all those milk jugs you are teaching your children to recycle? Well, show them that they are actually making a difference by purchasing some new patio furniture.
What? You ask...
There is wonderful company called By The Yard that is helping to make a difference for the environment while making beautiful furnishings to adorn our outdoor entertaining areas. All of their outdoor furniture is constructed of 94 percent recycled milk and water jugs. Not only are these products great for landscape improvements, they are great for our environment.
Check them out before purchasing your next patio table.

To Fan Or Not To Fan - That Is The Question

Posted Tuesday, March 24, 2009 by Sarah Dills

There is a discussion (aka a heated debate) occurring in my bedroom. No, it's nothing too personal, but it is VERY serious! My husband and I are in the midst of a compromise on taking down my charming, shabby-chic chandelier that goes lovely with our home decor to replace it with his bulky, ugly ceiling fan.
We have lived with my choice of lighting for almost two years, and he makes a solid argument that our bedroom does get warm in the summer. Our vaulted ceilings makes too much square footage for our two air-conditioning vents to cool, and we loose cool air out our attic door. Given the time, money and hassle it would take to complete a home improvement project including new ventilation - I'm willing to compromise.
Luckily, ceiling fans have made great strides in the aesthetic department.
There are a couple of ground rules my husband had to agree to before I was willing to compromise.
First, the ceiling fan has to match the other home decor in our room. Therefore, it will have an oil bronze finish.
Second, it cannot have a light. We really didn't use the light from the chandelier as much as the can lighting and lamps, so it wasn't too much to ask. I think ceiling fans are less bulky when they don't have a light attached.
Finally, it had to hang off a long rod - giving it a tiny amount of character.
Here is what I have in mind.

Lighting Solutions

Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Christi Kleiner

Last week the Housetrends editorial staff made a trip to IKEA in West Chester, Ohio, to help celebrate its one year anniversary. The store had so much to offer but the highlight for me was the lighting section. I haven’t purchased a lamp or chandelier since I bought my house five years ago, so I haven’t paid much attention to all of the lighting options available. Bold colors and various shapes seem to be big trends right now.

IKEA’s Ljusas Ysby is about as bold as it comes. The round black base is topped with a black and white striped shade, which could add a hip element to any living room or guest bedroom.

IKEA Dudero

The Dudero floor lamp is made of steel, concrete and paper. It can fit perfectly into a tight corner and provides soft mood lighting.

Arteriors Home also has some great lighting options.
The Abel Matte Black Wood Disc Lamp combines a unique round base with a rectangular lamp shade.

The traditional lamp undergoes a transformation with the Brent Jade

Green Reactive Glaze Porcelain Lamp. This rectangular lamp could be the perfect addition to your home office.

Show Her You Care - Buy Your House Some Jewelry

Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Sarah Dills

Just like I love setting an outfit off with the perfect piece of jewelry, houses crave accent pieces. These can come in a variety of home decor items, but nothing sparkles like lighting. From table lamps to track lighting, they come in a variety of options to fit any interior design.
If lighting is the jewelry of the home, pendant lights are the earrings. They dangle and sparkle while showcasing the beautiful elements of the home.
Tech Lighting offers a wide variety of pendant lighting options, and one of my new favorites is the Essex Pendant.

This fixture has contemporary lines, yet the materials and design give the appearance of a lantern; so this fixture could be incorporated into transitional home decor.
Visit us on the web at www.housetrends.com to get more great decorating ideas.

Noise Proof Your Home Office, Even if You Can't Quiet The Kids

Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Sarah Dills

I am so excited!
After two-and-a-half years in my house, I have FINALLY convinced my husband to give-up his "man room" in order for me to have a home office. (Now, I don't want to upset any men out there. It would be different if my husband had actually finished his man room, but it has been a pile of drywall dust and tools since we moved.)
Like an increasing number of Americans, I have the luxury of working from home a few days a week. I have a new baby and two teen boys who keep me busy, so I love being able to juggle work and home. However, with the benefit of working from home comes the challenge of staying focused and on task. Two rowdy boys don't make for the most optimal work space.
I have recently come across a product that I am disappointed I won't be able to try (because my office has already been dry walled.) It is Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound, and it is an eco-friendly visoelastic compound that is easily applied between layers of drywall to ensure soundproofing at a low cost. The company suggests that a 20x20 room would only cost an extra $350 to sound proof with this solution, and it decreases the sound transmission by up to 90 percent. Check it out if your home office is in the early stages of construction.
I can't complain about not getting to try it though. I'm just luck to have four walls and a door! Keep reading my blog to see how we check Decorating Home Office off our To Do List.

Move Your Kitchen Up the Design Ladder

Posted Wednesday, March 11, 2009 by Sarah Dills

If you are anything like me, your kitchen cabinets are a safety hazard when opened. You almost need a spotter to catch Tupperware, bowls and pots that could come tumbling down at the slightest touch. Here's a unique solution to the ever-evolving problem with a lack of storage space in the kitchen.
When completing kitchen cabinet remodeling, talk to your kitchen designer about extending cabinetry all the way to the ceiling. This extends cabinet storage by at least one shelf in kitchens with normal ceiling heights, but it could increase storage by two, three even four shelves if ceilings are higher.
Don't worry about how you are going to access the top shelves. Instead, install a rolling ladder system.

These ladders might be thought of as only being used in libraries or other areas of the home, but they add a wonderful element of home decor in the kitchen.

The ladders come in a variety of styles and finishes, so they can mesh with interior design from traditional to contemporary. Visit www.outwatercatalogs.com to see more options in roller ladder systems.

Mirror, Mirror...On The Countertop?

Posted Wednesday, March 11, 2009 by Sarah Dills

We all know times are tough - especially in the real estate market. One of the best ways to add equity to our homes is through kitchen and bath remodeling projects.
A hot trend in bath remodeling is using freestanding pieces for vanities instead of the traditional, built-in cabinetry.
These pieces can be more custom, and they give homeowners the freedom to make selections that reflect their overall home decor. if you enjoy the clean lines of contemporary design, check out the new vanities by Alchemy Glass & Light.

Their new Integral Sinks feature one of the most unique countertops. The countertop is lifted up off the vanity unit by four chrome rods. The countertop includes a clear, glass basin suspended above a mirror. Not only is this vanity beautiful, a glass sink would prove easy to clean!

Keep visiting Housetrends on the web to read more about trends in bathroom vanities.

Kitchen Cabinetry: Think Outside The Box

Posted Monday, February 16, 2009 by Sarah Dills

If embarking on a kitchen cabinet remodeling project, think outside the typical box design and look at modular cabinetry units. Not only do modular cabinets save money, they provide the flexibility to mix and match products to create the most functional kitchen for each individual.
Modular cabinetry can fit into any interior design, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Some of the latest lines of modular units fit nicely with contemporary home decor.

Tonusa, a cabinet company, has teamed up with designer Fu Tung Chang to create the Elements line of kitchen cabinetry shown above. The modular design gives homeowners the flexibility to pick and choose the pieces desired for each space, and it allows kitchens to have more personality than several cabinets lined up on the walls.

3-Minutes to Office Bliss

Posted Tuesday, February 3, 2009 by Sarah Dills

If you have a desk job or spend a lot of time in your home office, you need to visit Smart Furniture and design your own Aeron Chair.
The Aeron Chair is the best selling office chair in history, and it is even more accessible now that consumers can customize their own chair - in 3 minutes.
I went on-line and customized a chair for myself in less than 3 minutes. (There is even a section that tells you what size chair you need based on your height and weight.)
The chairs are pricey - mine would have been $850 had I actually ordered it - but they are worth the investment. If Decorating Home Office is on your Home Design To Do List, you need to look into making this investment.

Whistle While You Work - From Home

Posted Monday, February 2, 2009 by Sarah Dills

Technology, the economy and increasingly flexible companies are all factors allowing more people to work from home. The benefits are huge - including more time with family and less money spent on fuel and childcare. There are some fall backs though. People who work from home can feel like there is no separation between their professional and personal lives, and they have to be very dedicated and focused so they don't get sidetracked with the chores of daily life.
Therefore, it is extremely important that people have a set schedule and set workspace.
Here are some tips for decorating home offices:
1. Reclaim that guest bedroom that only gets used twice a year. The privacy and space of a separate room is so beneficial to productivity and organization. If you still need a place for guests to sleep, purchase a sleeper sofa. Visit Macy's for some great ideas.

Sleeper Sofa from Macy's

2. If a separate room is not an option, find a low-traffic area of your home to house your desk and storage cabinets. Make sure you have phone and Internet access, and consider building a partial wall for more privacy as an interior home improvement project.
3. Contact storage companies such as California Closets to see their options in customized office designs. No matter the space, they have desks and cabinetry to fit your needs.
4. Organization is key in a successful career from home. The Container Store has a great selection of office supplies to coordinate with your home interior decoration.

Linen Bulletin Board from The Container Store

5. Add elements of interior design to create a calming office environment, and it is time to get to work.

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