Friday, January 27, 2012

Organize Your Foyer & Entryway

In an effort to help you organize your homes I will be touring through a typical American home, giving tips on how to organize each space, working to blend form and function and create the perfect home! The entryway is the first room that you see when you enter a house. The entry in each home is configured very differently. This space can range from a large open foyer with a spiral staircase to a modest entry with two simple walls. No matter what you have to work with the entry must be a welcoming place. Here are some tips to get a perfectly efficient and effective entryway:
  • Effective task and ambient lighting
  • A cozy place to sit
  • Umbrella holder
  • Coat hooks and or a closet
  • Baskets, bins and cubbies for small items
  • Command center to organize mail and keys 
  • Area rug or door mat to wipe off wet feet
  • Art work display wall
  • A mirror
This geometric wallpaper is wonderful for the foyer, wrapping the wall paper up onto the ceiling draws the eye up where the pendant light makes a bold design statement.

Pinterest
These cubbies and coat hooks are a great way to maximize storage in a small entryway. Use a bold complimentary color scheme in a small space such as an entry or powder room for big design impact.

House Beautiful
 I love these tangerine lockers for the entry. Added shoe storage maximizes each locker space.
Pinterest
A quick DIY:  Use a metal tray or a large cookie sheet to make clever boot storage. 
Place small pebbles at the bottom of the tray, use as boot storage to drain excess water from rain boots.

Pinterest
 The architecture in this space is outstanding! The skylight brings in much needed natural light to this stone entryway. Simple and functional decor is all you really need for any entryway.

Pinterest
 Create a command center in your entryway using a chalk board, key hooks and mail slots. 
Use this as a drop spot for mail and other necessities until you can sort and file appropriately!
Consider refinishing an antique armoire and using it as storage in your entry.

Pinterest
  This entry has pin boards for leaving notes and pinning important mail items. 
Drawers create storage that can be hidden from view. Always look for a rug that will withstand the elements that come in from the outdoors.

Pinterest
 If you have a large and open entry way use a small round pedestal table in the center of the space to display a fresh bouquet or even an indoor plant such as the one below.

Pinterest
 Provide seating for guests to leisurely put on their shoes, 
these cool chairs act as art in the space and serve a purpose too!

Pinterest
 An entry is the perfect place to add a built-in cubbie and coat system. You can create a custom design or assemble store bought systems to serve this purpose.

Pinterest
 If you have over head cubbie storage consider putting under counter puck lighting to illuminate the space below. Great use for free standing antique furniture pieces and a gorgeous natural fiber runner. I love the look of a wood paneled ceiling in a foyer!

Pinterest
This entry has a little bit of everything you need! A mirror, pendant lighting, basket storage, shoe and coat storage, a cozy place to sit and a striped rug. 

Pinterest

I am accepting design clients for projects beginning in February. I love a good design challenge and believe that beautiful and functional design can be created in any size space.

Email me at Blaiseadkisondesign@gmail.com with all of your design questions and for pricing information! A simple 1 hour consultation could be all you need to turn clutter into function in your home. I look forward to hearing from you, enjoy your weekend!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

House Of Fifty E-Zine is Live...

Good morning, I was so excited to wake up this morning and see that the Spring issue of House Of Fifty is live! The cover makes me smile with anticipation for Spring. This if the time of year to renew and reinvigorate our lives and organize our homes. I will be posting some good home organizational tips later in the week.

I love the the color scheme on the front cover of this e-zine. The golden yellow along with crisp white and light grey is the perfect color scheme for a kitchen or dining room. I absolutely love it!


Make sure you subscribe for free at: House Of Fifty and thank you for stopping by! I would love to hear your comments about House Of Fifty, are you a subscriber and what is your favorite article?
I promise to bring you some great tips later this week,

Monday, January 23, 2012

Dream Home...

Rustic & Refined Napa Dream Home! Architectural Digest describes this designer home "The elegant stucco, wood, and stone residence has three pavilions that are joined by covered breezeways. Wherever possible, the buildings are one room deep to maximize the natural daylight and views. The main structure comprises the central living/dining salon, the kitchen and sun room to its southeast, and the library, master suite, and a guest suite to the west. Each of the two ancillary pavilions contains a garage on the main level. Above one is an office/studio and bath, and below it are a media room and a wine cellar. The other is topped with a two-bedroom suite for visiting friends and family." I think this home is absolutely amazing. I have always been drawn to European inspired designs with inter-locking coridoors and a strong connection between the outside and the interiors.

 The home is composed of three interlocking pavilion-like structures.


The Salon...



These are perfect pendants from Urban Electric Company! 
What a cool idea to have three islands in the kitchen, maximizing storage and work space.



Chalkboard paint was used on the kitchen door that leads from the kitchen to the salon. 
On either sides of the door there are two Thermador appliances.


Open bright and airy sun room, beautiful windows and rustic
natural stone balance the old with the new.


 Stacked Napa stone lines the fireplace and walls. Leather banquette


Rewd-cedar lined panel library.


Master bedroom...


Directly off the master bedroom is an outdoor shower!


Master Bath...


Custom tub in master bath...


Guest suite...


Guest Room...


The child's guest room has a chalet style bed.


Handpicked flag stones line the infinity pool...


Family owned vineyard...perfect!



All photos courtesy of Architectural Digest. Thank you so much for stopping by today! I would love to hear your comments on this rustic Napa style architecture and design,