Saturday, March 12, 2011

Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Inspiration Newsletter

Link to Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter

Help the People of Japan!+ A Tribute to Japan’s Ingenious Eartquake Engeneering

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 06:53 AM PST

pray for japan Help the People of Japan!+ A Tribute to Japans Ingenious Eartquake EngeneeringWe would like to use Freshome to make a call to action. We know most of you out there would like to help the people in need in Japan, which is why we will count on your belief in solidarity and recommend a link with a few steps you can follow. From helping people reconnect with their loved ones in the area to forwarding a donation, here is where you can start. In order to be in tune with the content of our sire, we found a video filmed during the massive 8,9 earthquake that struck Japan at 2:46 pm on Friday. We were absolutely amazed to see how the buildings move slightly from left to right while in complete balance. It is not everywhere that seeing something like this is possible, which is why we would like to salute Japan’s ingenious earthquake engineering solutions. (photo via BigChief)


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Modern Response to an Architecturally Challenging Site: Monk’s Shadow Residence

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 12:16 AM PST

Monk’s Shadow is a diverse contemporary residence designed by Kendle Design Collaborative and located in Paradise Valley, Arizona. According to the architects, this design of this project answers to the challenges of the existing site: A narrow lot with 60' of vertical elevation combined with a restrictive Hillside Zoning Ordinance made designing a conventional home impossible. In response the home is divided by use: parents zone including master suite, primary family and entertainment functions, the teenager zone including bedrooms, game room, pool access and one of two garages and guest zone including a bed/bath suite and small great room that doubles as the owner's home office. The levels are connected through stairs and each interior has commanding views of the distant mountains and the Valley of the Sun. Its unusual name- Monk’s Shadow- is borrowed from a natural formation located nearby known as the Praying Monk.

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Celebrating 4 Years of Freshome

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 10:59 AM PST

Here is Micle Mihai-Cristian the founder of Freshome.com and I wanted to make a quick announcement. Four years ago ( more exactly 11 March 2007 ) I’ve started Freshome.com …and guess what …today we are 11 March 2011. Today we celebrate our fourth birthday! And we couldn't be happier with the success we've had over the past 4 years. I can’t believe that almost 4 years passed since I’ve started this website. In the beginning this was just a small place where I’ve collected interesting pieces of architecture and interior design …and today almost 2 million unique visitors come to Freshome.com every month. Thanks to each of you who visits Freshome. Wish you all a great friday and weekend my friends!

P.S – Finally please tell us what can we do to make Freshome a better website for you. Thanks !

happy birthday freshome Celebrating 4 Years of Freshome

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Enhancing your Dining Room with a Stunning Sideboard

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 08:45 AM PST

When entertaining in your dining room, are you always wishing there was an area that could give you an extra set of hands, like a staging area? Sideboards do just that. They are a piece of furniture that sits to the side of the dining room table, and enable you to have a display area for food and drink, as well as hold storage of china, flatware and other decorative dining room amenities. If you are looking for a way to enhance your dining room, try adding a beautiful sideboard.

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  • Adding color to your dining room: Sideboards come in a variety of styles, and colors for varying decorative styles. One great way to add color to your dining room is through the sideboard. Historically sideboards were made from wood and only the stain varied the color. Today, there are as many materials for sideboards as cabinetry. From slick European finishes in bold colors to traditional painted wood. Your dining room will love that punch of color to enliven the room and give visual support to the dining room table and chairs.
  • Beautiful display area: Even though sideboards are intended to free up your hands when entertaining and serving meals, they also make beautiful display areas. Because sideboards are meant to compliment the dining room table, they typically are left free of clutter. Add visual interest to your dining room when the sideboard isn't in use for clean lined decorative vases, pottery or small collections. Don't clutter the sideboard with lots of knick knacks or it will lose its visual interest. A few key elements can make your sideboard a beautiful display area.

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  • Don't forget the storage: The ability for sideboards to have incredible storage may be their best hidden secret! Sideboards will typically have doors to hide drawers or shelves behind. Use this area for seasonal table settings, table linens, candles, and other accessories that don't always need to be on display. The sideboard storage area is an ideal place to house matches, and candle lighters – so you don't have to go hunting for them at a dinner party! For dining rooms that need additional storage, consider hanging complimentary wall shelving above the sideboard. Use for storing and displaying family heirlooms and vintage dining room accessories as well.

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  • Creative sideboards: While most sideboards tend to be long and rectilinear, there is no set dimension or style for a sideboard, so be creative and unique. Minimalistic sideboards can be small, and have the ability to only hold a few choice decorative items or dinnerware. While a grand dining room can have multiple sideboards in varying sizes.  Choose a style that suits your decorative style and try to tie it into the surrounding furnishings. Since the dining room table is the main attraction of most dining rooms, decide how pronounced you want your sideboard to be and then go for it!

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Bringing a sideboard into your dining room can enhance the decor, but also add functional storage and display area. For more eclectic dining rooms, use vintage dressers or furniture that served other uses as a sideboard. Repurposing is a great way to reuse furniture, and you never know what you'll find at a garage sale. However you decide to enhance your dining room, bring in a sideboard and see how the possibilities become endless!

Freshome readers do you utilize a sideboard in your dining room? We'd love to know what uses you have for it!

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