Month: December 2018

Cool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Lettuce

Lettuce is over the iceberg range of diner dinner salads. In reality, even iceberg lettuce (also known as crisphead) is no longer that recognizable. The family is huge and rapidly growing. Lettuce itself is still a standard for salads, but it may also be added to sandwiches, used as a wrapping for a filling or cooked. (Look for darker leaves to get the most nutrition from the leaves) And despite its incidence in summertime salads, it is an actual cool-season harvest.

Lettuces are generally divided into four distinct kinds:
Leaf lettuces are easy to grow and quick to mature; you might have greens as early as a month after planting. They’re also pretty in the garden, with leaves varying in color from bronze to red to dark green. Butterhead lettuces are little and cream coloured, with a delicate flavor. Romaine or cos lettuce forms are vertical instead of round and dispersing. Crisphead lettuces are the recognizable iceberg types and Batavian lettuces, which resemble a mix of iceberg and leaf lettuces. They withstand heat the very best, but iceberg types specifically can bolt quickly.Within all these groups, there are different rates of maturity and degrees of heat tolerance. Start looking for lettuces that will do well in your climate.

Amy Renea

When to plant: For spring crops, sow seeds set out seedlings in early spring. (See thinning recommendations for spacing.) Continue to sow or transplant each couple of weeks so you’ll have a constant crop, remembering that unless the garden is shaded, temperatures above about 75 degrees will lead to lettuce plants to bolt (flower and set seed). Start up again in late summer or fall, when the soil temperature has cooled. In cold-winter climates, plan your crop so you’ll have lettuce until the first frost. In mild-winter climates, you can continue to sow or transplant through the winter.

Days to maturity: 30 to 90

Light requirement: Sun to partial shade; to prevent it from bolting ancient, plant in which other plants can color it.

Water necessity: Provide regular, consistent water; the dirt should stay moist.

Favorites:
Batavian: Cherokee, Nevada, SierraButterhead: Bibb, Buttercrunch, Deer’ s Tongue, Marvel of Four Seasons, Rouge d’Hiver, Sangria, Tom Thumb, Winter MarvelCos: Blushed Butter Cos, Crisp Mint, Little Gem (a rainbow variety), Parris Island, Parris WhiteCrisphead: Great Lakes, Red Iceberg, Reine de Glace, SummertimeLeaf: Australian Yellow, Black Seeded Simpson, Lolla Rossa, Oak Leaf, Red Sails, Red Salad Bowl, Salad Bowl

Barbara Pintozzi

Planting and maintenance: Sow seeds in rows about 1/8 into 1/4 inch heavy or simply by broadcasting; cover lightly with soil. Thin leaf lettuces to about 1/4 to 3/4 of a foot apart. Butterhead and romaine lettuces should be 6 to 8 inches apart. Crispheads want the most space; let at least a foot.

Fertilize the soil once you plant and around a month and a half afterwards. Maintain the soil consistently moist and weed carefully around the plants. Pests and diseases are usually not a issue, but a number of the typical suspects aphids, leaf miners, snails, mildew and wilt — along with birds, deer and rabbits may make inroads on your harvest.

Randy Thueme Design Inc. – Landscape Architecture

Harvest: Though you usually view heads of lettuce for sale in grocery stores and in the markets, you can harvest individual leaves of leaf, romaine and Batavian lettuces. In reality, a common way is to sow a mix of those seeds, enable them to grow, then cut leaves about 1/2 inch above the crown. They’ll quickly regenerate, and you’ll have an ongoing source for lettuce. It is also possible to consume the thinnings and young leaves of butterhead and iceberg lettuce, then wait until the entire head forms and harvest the entire plant.

More:
The way to grow arugula and other salad greens

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Great Design Plant: Oakleaf Hydrangea

If you think of hydrangeas, you probably imagine blue or pink snowball-shape blooms. However, there’s another type of hydrangea you might be missing out on, and it is a stunner. The oakleaf hydrangea blooms with big white panicles for most of the summer, along with the big leaves have a shape very similar to those of this oak tree. Even before the white blossoms bloom and after, their big spires add texture and interest to the landscape. The plant is a large shrub that’s indigenous to the southeastern United States, grows rapidly and has a more organic woodland appearance than its ornamental relatives.

Fernhill Landscapes

Botanical name: Hydrangea quercifolia
Common name: Oakleaf hydrangea
USDA zones: 5 to 9
Water necessity: Medium
moderate condition: Grows in sun or shade; sunlight is advocated in the northern zones, while daytime color is ideal in southern zones.
Mature dimension: 4 to 8 feet high and 10 to 12 feet wide, depending on variety
Tolerances: demands fertile, well-drained soil to prevent root rot. In zone 5, wrap newly planted shrubs in burlap for the winter.
Seasonal interest: This tree has year-round interest, with big leaves, long-lasting blooms, fall color and exfoliating rich brownish winter bark.
Best time to plant: Fall or summer

Liquidscapes

Distinguishing attributes. The showy white racemes have a spire shape and are filled with delicate white blossoms. They develop anywhere from 4 to 12 inches.

The leaves are big and shaped like oak leaves (hence the name; oakleaf hydrangeas are not related to oak trees). In the fall they change into a variety of rich colors, such as red, bronze, burgundy and purple.

The New York Botanical Garden

Before full blossom, the light green spires add structural and textural interest; following the peak bloom, the flowers fade from white to purplish-brown and pinkish-brown hues, hanging on until fall. These make them a favorite dried-flower option.

The New York Botanical Garden

How to use it. These shrubs have a tendency to escape from you in dimension, so if you’re planting near a home, make sure they will not be covering too much of your chimney at full height. They’re fantastic for massing, for loose woodland border hedges and woodland gardens.

The tree is deciduous, but as it ages its bark peels back and reveals rich brownish tones, including winter interest.

Planting notes. Plant oakleaf hydrangeas at the fall, late spring or early summer. The most important aspect of the soil is the fact that it’s well drained and fertile. While these are native understory woodland plants, they can withstand a lot of sunshine in the north and need only partial shade in the south (for best results, find day shade for them in the south). If you’re in zone 5, wrap your freshly implanted oakleaf hydrangeas in burlap for the winter.

1. Dig a hole three times the circumference of the container and about precisely the same height as the container. Remove the plant gently.
2. Add enough soil to hold the plant in place, fill the hole with water and let the plant absorb the water. If your soil appears too dense and heavy, add tree-bark mulch to the mix. Fill in the rest of the hole with soil and tamp it down.
3. Add mulch atop the ground to maintain the moisture, then spreading it all around the planting area without allowing it to touch the foundation. Water it but be sure not to overwater. You do not want this region to remain soggy, just consistently moist.

More:
See more guides to good design plants

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What Can You Do With an Extra Room?

Let’s pretend for a minute. Say you’ve got an extra room in your house and you can do anything with it. Pretend you do not require the space for that extra child or that collection of merry-go-round horses. It is just extra and you can do anything with it.

It could be your salsa dancing room or your indoor basketball court. Maybe it’s a meditation room, a home gym or a household room.

In fact we could all use an extra room. Once we are all set and the kitchen, baths and common rooms have been taken care of, there appears to always be a demand for just a little extra space. A fantasy room.

I’m trying to chose between a comfy, comfortable library and also a playroom for the kids. Not that there’s any hurry for my decision.

CCS ARCHITECTURE

A game area? A billiard dining table, board games, possibly even a built-in bar. It is like a playroom for adults.

SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

There’s no reason a game room can’t be stylish, no matter what your style is. This shed (OK, deluxe shed) is a bright, open-air take on the dark, leather-and-beer-signs version of the living room.

Jennifer Bevan Interiors

A screening room? Otherwise called a media room. This one goes out using supercomfy chairs and cocktail tables. I’ve been wanting to see all of the Harry Potter movies in a row. This room are the place to get it done.

Read thousands of media room designs

John Willis Homes

A screening room does not have to have particular architecture. A big screen and a lot of comfortable seating are actually all you need (oh, and blackout shades).

Krieger + Associates Architects, Inc..

A home library? Is your book set in teetering piles against the wall? Is your idea of a fantastic time a few hours of quiet solitude with a fantastic novel? Floor-to-ceiliing built-ins, a sliding ladder and a fantastic reading seat would do well.

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

You do not need built-ins (rows of matching Billy bookcases out of Ikea can do the trick), but they do look good, do not they? And books are their own form of decoration, adding colour, texture and personality to an area (and to a person, for that matter).

Habitar Design

An audio room? Just picture the epic jam sessions with your buddies to be had here. You may never be the Rolling Stones, but if you’ve got your own private music room you’ll be able to pretend you’re.

Bruce Palmer Interior Design

Soundproofing does not have to be egg cartons stapled into the garage door. Support you mini Mozart with soundproofed, vinyl-covered walls. It can double as a padded room for all the thrashing.

Globus Builder

A craft room? Indulge your inner Martha. Imagine what sort of amazing and beautiful things you could make if you had the surface region and the storage room to accompany your imagination.

It does not have to be fancy. A fantastic craft room just must be organized and provide a tiny surface space. A painted pegboard and a number of containers are a fantastic start.

See how to set up a workshop

Kate Jackson Design

A playroom? It is fun for the kids and fun for the grown-ups (the kids have somewhere to go to raise a ruckus). It does not have to have to be an architect-designed tree house. Indoor swings, beanbags and some shelving for toys. There you have it.

Obviously it’s possible to go full-on forest (or whatever) fantasy and turn your playroom into a themed romp through the land of make believe.

Wendi Young Design

A perfect guest room. A designated guest room is always ready, nicely decorated and cozy. Nobody must sleep on a blow-up under your desk. How relaxing to not have to go digging for the extra sheets each time Aunt Agnes visits.

David Howell Design

A guest room can reflect your personality and design quirks as much as any other room. Use it to create an aesthetic dream room where clutter isn’t welcome.

Judith Balis Interiors

A home office. Whether you’re a writer, a bookkeeper or a homemaker, you deserve your personal space.

Sett Studio

This backyard prefab cottage is the best home office — off but close. Tiny but just big enough.

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Designer's Touch: 10 Luxurious Libraries

Even with iPads and e-books, few things beat sitting down with a fantastic book in a cozy space. Don’t let your books languish from your attic or garage — place them on display on your home library. Even in case you don’t have the space these libraries have, then you are still able to design a reading corner that retains your favorites on hand. Embrace these top-notch designer tips to create your own ultimate house library.

Lizette Marie Interior Design

1. High-end library. A vacant wall is all you must build a library. If your space has vaulted ceilings, show them off by stretching the wall of publications to the exact top.

Belsey & Mahla Architects

2. Wall of built-ins. Flank your fireplace and gratify your space with oversize built-in bookshelves. They’ll make a visual statement and behave as art.

3. Study hall. For those who have a hallway that’s wide enough, then create a handy library by lining it with freestanding bookshelves from end to end. Utilize the space to store all of your favorite magazines and books that you’ll want to catch on the go.

See more smart uses for your hallway

Glenn Gissler Design

4. Library beneath the stairs. Utilize the superb space beneath your staircase as the ideal cozy library space. Add shelving, a comfortable bench along with a reading lamp to create a reading hideaway.

Susan Jay Design

5. Book nook. Transform a closet into a library oasis by installing wall shelves to store your favorite notes. Tuck a bench and cushions inside for comfort while reading.

6. Floating library. Wall-mounted and suspended bookshelves are great for sleek and modern libraries. This simple solution makes sweeping easy also.

PLACE architect ltd..

7. Urban trendy library. If you’re convinced you do not have a place for a library, then try this fix: Put shelving on the back wall of your stair landings. If you reside in a small condo or loft, this is a terrific way to make use of every inch.

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

8. Powder room reading. A built-in bookshelf might be the perfect custom alternative to the usual bathroom magazine stand. Put books of your choice onto the shelves along with some accessories for a miniature and decorative bathroom library.

9. Art wall. Install a slat wall anywhere in your house and place floating shelves onto the slats to carry books and other memorabilia. Make your own shelving layout or purchase one that’s ready to assemble.

Denise DeCoster Architect

10. Bedtime story. Having books directly by the bedside is handy for bedtime readers. With built-in shelving for books and a corner desk for diary writing, this chamber is a literature lover’s fantasy.

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5 Awesome Small Maple Trees

There are many “A”s at the alphabet of beloved trees, but for the money, the A+ goes into the genus Acer, more commonly referred to as maples. You understand the form of their leaves, you understand maple syrup, and if you understand plants, you understand big maples like sugar and red maple, as well as smaller, superpopular Japanese maple. But there is a wealth of additional small trees in the pine clan. Here are only a couple — add your favorites in the Comments.

My treasured native maple is snakebark maple (Acer pensylvanicum, zones 3 to 7), which also goes by striped maple, goosefoot maple and moosewood ( here and in first photo). Some time ago I talked about hardy plants that looked tropical, and this is just another one. Its big, rounded leaves grow to 7 inches long, its bark is lined and mottled like snakeskin, and it increases to around 20 feet tall and wide. Fall color (this photo) is fantastic, and cultivar ‘Erythrocladum’ has young stems and branches which are glowing red. This maple is an understory tree, and it requires partial to full shade and cool, damp woodland soil to flourish.

I really like Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), however the Fullmoon maple (Acer shirasawanum, zones 5 to 9) ups the ante with leaves which have up to 13 lobes. This little pine grows 15 to 30 feet tall and wide, and prefers at least light shade, maybe complete shade. The cultivar ‘Aureum’ (shown) is a standout, with spectacular gold foliage. (Yet another gold foliage plant for shade!) It turns stunning shades of red and gold in autumn.

Photo by Wikimedia Commons consumer Abrahami

Maples are not known for fantastic foliage. Even better than snakebark maple, paperbark maple (Acer griseum, zones 4 to 8) is just another little tree with excellent cinnamon-color peeling bark — yet another eye-catching characteristic even in winter. Throughout the growing period, it contrasts with heavy green leaves. Paperbark maple grows to 25 ft high and wide, and so are happy in full sun to part shade.

Photo by Wikimedia Commons consumer Sten

Pacific Northwesterners will soon be familiar with their native vine maple (Acer circinatum, zones 6 to 9), which develops as well in different areas of the country in well-drained land with afternoon shade. This tiny maple grows 20 to 30 ft tall and wide (sometimes more in its home range), and I am especially interested to try some newer cultivars with purple leaves, such as Pacific Purple.

Photo by Wikimedia Commons consumer Walter Siegmund

Looking for all the world like a maple-holly hybrid, evergreen or Cretan maple (Acer sempervirens) hails from Greece, and being a Mediterranean plant, it thrives in ponds with moist winters and droughty summers, as well as poor soil. Additionally, it has incredibly glossy, evergreen to semievergreen foliage, and it is cold hardy as far north as zone 6. I guess this rare walnut’s hardiness is somewhat untested in regions with humid summers — if you live east of the Mississippi and want to attempt it, I propose planting it in a dry place with a great deal of sunlight and lean, fast-draining soil. It increases to roughly 30 feet tall.

Photo by Wikimedia Commons consumer Abrahami

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Bow Front

Bow fronts in design and architecture will be the result of steaming and clamping wood in the form of an external curve. It satisfies many styles of layout. Tall brownstones and row houses can also be called “bow,” which refers to the curved exterior that typically houses bay-style windows.

Jack Backus Architects

A dual vanity in this conventional bathroom with custom cabinetry has bow-front closets.

Charmean Neithart Interiors

This really is a chest of drawers.

Woodmeister Master Builders

Most likely, a wood veneer has been applied to make this bow-front dressing table.

S&W Kitchens

This contemporary kitchen has bow-front kitchen cabinets beneath the hood.

Browse more photographs of bow

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Herringbone

When it’s on cloth, a parquet flooring, the herringbone pattern receives its name in the crisscross form of a herring’s skeleton. Not to be mistaken for a chevron, a herringbone pattern is clearly created from 90-degree angles only. The geometric geometric form of a herringbone arrangement creates extreme strength. It spreads the load over twice as much area, absorbing compression.

FireRock Products

The interlocking bricks of this firebox are laid in a herringbone pattern, that was utilized as early as Roman times for powerful paving units.

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Ann Sacks Stone Mosaics

A legitimate herringbone pattern is comosed of alternating rectangles woven together in a zigzag pattern.

Plantation Hardwood Floors

A chevron pattern (shown here) can also be a zigzag, but the endings are cut at angles which result in long, straight lines in which the planks match.

Tuthill architecture

Wide wood planks using a high-gloss finish make this herringbone floor glow. Wood flooring laid in geometric patterns are known as parquet.

Moon Bros Inc

Originally herringbone was utilized to consume compression in horizontal surfaces, but later it was laid vertically for the lovely cosmetic appeal. The beautiful detail of this backsplash distracts the eye in the hood.

Giulietti Schouten Architects

Flashes of red glass accent this herringbone tile flooring.

Elad Gonen

A matte finish allows the lovely herringbone pattern dominate this narrow-plank hardwood flooring. Oils and waxes penetrate the timber deeply, whereas tough coatings placed on top give a thin layer to shield from scatches and dents only.

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Eclectic Eichler at Northern California

After Jennifer Jones, owner of this San Francisco boutique Candy Store Collective, first saw the Eichler home in Oakland, California, which would turn into her house, she was wowed by the viewpoints: a giant expanse of the San Francisco Bay, right behind the swimming pool.

However, Joseph Eichler’s iconic design principles of lighting, air and willingness were the actual selling points for Jones, a classic and midcentury collector having a great eye for pavement treasure.

When she set about filling the chambers, she discovered that she wanted a bit of assistance. There was a lot of space, and every room appeared to appear through the central courtyard onto every other room. She enlisted her friend and designer Nicole Socia, and together they set out to decorate the home, a rental, mostly using the things Jones already needed, adding a couple things and, obviously, keeping it very private.

What they came up with is sort of a modern period piece — a bohemian, artistic pad (should not houses like this always be called pads?) That is both private and iconic. Bonus: It did not cost a lot.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer Jones and Caleb Poterbin
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 4 bedrooms, two bathrooms
That is intriguing: Jones was Searching for furniture on Craigslist when she saw that the Eichler listing. She and Poterbin leased it having no prior plans to proceed.

Eichler epitomized the California modern aesthetic. These are the house’s first light fixtures, ceilings and floors. The majority of Jones’ furniture has been either found on the road or bought cheaply in flea markets.

The large, open living room is kept uncluttered and airy (long, custom shelves along the wall are because of her well-curated ranges ). The lines are mostly midcentury, and the colours are all neutral.

This is one of two classic white chairs Jones scored on Craigslist, alongside a shag beanbag from PB Teen. Plants in every room include a natural appearance and keep the home from feeling overly static.

An aluminum side table reflects the numerous glass walls from the home and plays with the airy feeling. As do the air plants.

You will find plant vignettes that are small everywhere. The majority of them are in white planters, and they add a touch of lively life.

The eat-in kitchen is supplied with a pair of brown acrylic chairs in the’70s. This is indeed swinging.

From the very small den area outside the kitchen, books are stacked by color. Jones calls it her”bookshelf made of books.”

The Frem Røjle Danish modern dining set was bought for”supercheap,” states Jones, in Portland, Oregon. Its bones are pure midcentury modern.

This oil bar was Jones’ first-ever classic purchase. A must for the grooviest cocktail parties.

A classic nassa shell lampshade in the Philippines. Similar ones can be found on eBay or even in beachside trinket stores.

The master bedroom is small (as was the style back then) and supplied in Jones’ trademark simple vintage style (with blossoms, always with crops ). The dresser is a flea market find, and she discovered that the round mirror in a street in San Francisco. Yes, she is lucky, but it is because she keeps her eyes peeled.

The first Eichler sliding glass doors offer an expansive view of the garden along with the San Francisco Bay beyond it. An Ikea sheepskin covers a discovered vintage chair.

Jones enjoys antique paintings of California landscapes. She collects them in flea markets and garage sales.

Next: More Midcentury Tours

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Easy Green: 10 Tiny Homes That Live Big

Regardless of what you call it downsizing, voluntary simplicity, microliving — scaling your home’s size is one simple thing that can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. By living in a bigger than ordinary home, you can use less water and energy, and create less waste. And, clearly, you can save money also.

There are many imaginative ways to approach small-space living. Get tips on living with significantly less from those 10 unique and advanced homes.

Koch Architects, Inc.. Joanne Koch

The Spruce Street Cottage
By: Koch Architects, Joanne Koch
Tip: Maximize loft space.

This cabin makes excellent use of space with a loft reached by a ladder and together with built-in closets, a sink and closets below.

Sullivan Building & Design Group

The River Road Cottage
By: Sullivan Building & Design Group
Tip 1: Divide extra space with built-ins.

The beds are based in here, which makes a loft nook work just two bedrooms. Plus, there’s lots of storage for books.

Sullivan Building & Design Group

Tip 2: Forget what you thought you understood about scale.

A guest room from the River Road Cottage utilizes a bed that fills the space nearly wall to wall but manages to appear cozy rather than cramped. Think about it — after you’re tucked in, wouldn’t you be more comfortable in a full bed than a shrimpy twin, even when twin left the room look more spacious?

Sullivan Building & Design Group

Tip 3: Produce”minutes” of spaciousness.

Simply because (or especially since ) you’re working with a small distance does not mean you can not have a room that feels wide open. Think about knocking out a wall or two at the main living room to allow room to breathe.

The Room: From The Upward Bound House
By: Nadia Geller
Tip: Use drapes for more than windows.

For Your Upward Bound House, an emergency shelter for households where designers donated their services to create welcoming environments, Nadia Geller utilized white drapes to section off sleeping areas from the small space.

Curtains are also excellent in place of cupboard doors or for hiding a workspace when not in use.

Photograph by Laure Joliet

Studio Zerbey Architecture + Design

The Chezerbey
By: Lauren and Kyle Zerbey
Tip 1: Maintain possessions nicely edited.

Have a cue from homeowners and architects Lauren and Kyle Zerbey and pare your belongings to what’s necessary but still beautiful. By way of instance, choosing stunning handmade white dishes means that you may leave them on screen and they seem great. Plus, they go with everything, so it is possible to get rid of several sets of meals.

Studio Zerbey Architecture + Design

Tip 2: Use ceiling elevation to create zones.

The few utilized lowered and raised ceilings to impact the disposition throughout the home. A lowered ceiling in the dining area creates a cozy, romantic feel, although the kitchen ceiling makes that conclusion of this room feel spacious and airy.

Dufner Heighes Inc

The New York City townhouse
By: Dufner Heighes
Tip: Package a large punch with a small patio.

This New York City townhouse could have a postage stamp–dimension patio, but it does not mean it lacks style. A Lutyens-style seat in new spring green paired with a petallike table and modern cable chairs makes a lively arrangement nicely suited for the urban outdoors.

FABRE/deMARIEN

The Former garage Bordeaux, France
By: Fabre/deMarien
Tip: Use unforeseen areas for dwelling.

This amazing renovation from French design and architecture company Fabre/deMarien transformed an unused garage into a posh living space.

FABRE/deMARIEN

Light flooding the dining space of the former garage, with simple concrete floors and industrial pendant lighting alluding to the construction’s previous incarnation.

FABRE/deMARIEN

Innovative details such as the built-in workspace and sofa create excellent use of the small space. Sleek finishes and spare, modern furnishings operate nicely with this industrial appearance.

FABRE/deMARIEN

Most of the major features were built into a central cube including the bathroom, the washing machine and storage, as well as the couch and desk on the opposite side.

Ira Lippke

The Industrial minihouse at Seattle
By: Homeowner Michelle de la Vega
Tip 1: Open up to one-room living.

Another garage renovation, now in Seattle, feels much more spacious than its 250 square feet indicate. Light floods in by the French doors and high windows, and keeping the middle of the main room furniture helps maintain an open feel.

Ira Lippke

Tip 2: Do not think small should imply spartan.

The toilet addition to Michelle’s small home (after a permanent residence but now employed as a vacation getaway) is anything but bare bones. A full size claw-foot bathtub is under a skylight and surrounded by stunning stone tile. The crucial lesson here: Contain small luxuries so that moving small does not feel as a sacrifice.

Churreria Photography

The Fold-out apartment in Barcelona
By: Architect Barbara Appolloni
Tip 1: Build in architectural details.

This small 260-square-foot rooftop apartment contains lots of unique folding designs, letting the single room to function as bedroom, dining room and workspace.

Churreria Photography

Here you can see the bed and table tucked away, and also a small dining table was pulled out of the wall. An whole kitchen is constructed into the wall, which looks as a constant, sleek surface when not in use.

Churreria Photography

Tip 2: Count outdoor space as an extension of your property.

Outdoor is the rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the city, an outdoor bathtub, a day bed and a washer and dryer. Especially in a locale with a mild climate, it is logical to put your outdoor space to work.

Michael K Chen Architecture

The Unfolding apartment in Manhattan
By: Michael Chen and Kari Anderson, Regular Projects
Tip: Be innovative with distance savers.

Another unfolding apartment, this one includes a large cabinet that conceals a bed, a cupboard and a desk. The”wall” partitioning the bed from the living area is truly the cupboard door.

Michael K Chen Architecture

Whenever the Murphy bed is folded up, the large door swings shut, opening up the room into one space again to allow extra room for entertaining.

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

The The Gifford
By: Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

Tip 1: Consider moving really small.

Jay Shafer’s home measures a small 16 feet by 7 feet, and he likes it that way. The creator of this Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, Shafer creates tiny homes like the one you see here, along with 22 other designs, less than 900 square feet (most are less than 300 square feet). A number of those Tumbleweed houses are even portable.

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

Tip 2: Forget about square feet — use every last square inch.

The interiors of the Tumbleweed houses are reminiscent of ships. Desks, shelves and sleeping areas are built seamlessly into the design, fitting together like a jigsaw puzzle.

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Ditch a Door to Open a Space

We are in the middle of renovating a tiny obsolete midcentury ranch. To maximize space and traffic flow, we have decided to eliminate all of the cupboard doors in the 3 bedrooms. By hanging cloth in place of true cupboard doors, we expect to start up the chambers, add texture and encourage business, since shutting the door on cupboard insanity will not be an alternative.

In preparation for our cupboard door removal, I researched other designers’ takes on ditching doors. I discovered several cupboard designs that steer clear of doors, in addition to whole room designs that split away from the beaten path and utilize open shelving and cloth panels in place of doors.

Have a peek at what I discovered, then turn to your home and see if it wouldn’t gain from dropping a door or two. Sometimes less really is.

Studio Zerbey Architecture + Design

Use one wall for clothing storage when cupboard space is at a minimum. Add built-in storage and cloth doors to create a custom “closet.” Especially in a small bedroom, this also optimizes traffic flow.

Dijeau Poage Construction

Into an open cupboard, turn a hall instead of a cupboard. Implementing shelving that is tidy and hanging sticks negates the requirement for doors, which would impede traffic flow.

iheartorganizing

Remove from an existing closet and hang on a vibrant fabric curtain instead. Add a floating desktop and open shelving to reinvent the office concept. For an enjoyable surprise, set up printed background inside the cupboard. Pull up a chair and you’re prepared to get the job done.

Watch more cupboard offices

In a utility room, create a coordinated storage nook by bypassing a door and installing floor-to-ceiling shelving. Keep the appearance neat with baskets, containers and bags.

Tara Seawright Interior Design

Ditching the door doesn’t just apply to cupboard spaces. Forgo doors between rooms when the view is well worth looking at. Here, the view of the adjacent sitting room draws you in from the bedroom. Curtain panels maintain the chambers atmosphere whilst enabling the eye.

Bennion Construction & Carpentry

Avoid smashed fingers by removing doors from closets in kids’ rooms. Not only are cloth doors more easy for children to use, but they also encourage cleaning up.

Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc..

Rather than hanging a good door separating this lovely library in the property’s entrance, the designers hung a single fabric panel in the ceiling. The result is more subtle than a door and very welcoming.

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

An existing hall cupboard receives a custom appearance with built-in drawers and open shelving. Without the extra door, traffic flow is enhanced and two open doors will not bang into each other.

The Shabby Nest

Create a miniature mudroom in a cupboard by removing the door, then adding wall hooks, cushioned seats and open storage beneath an integrated bench. This is a great way to turn an underutilized cupboard to a multifunctional space.

Joan Heaton Architects

This tiny modern cottage makes the most of natural light using as few interior walls as you can. Simple floor-to-ceiling panels separate the bedroom from the home living room at night and permit a lot of sunlight to pour into the bedroom through daylight hours.

Inform us Have you ditched a door? Share a photograph below.

More:
Letting It All Hang Out: The Attractiveness of Open Shelving
Blended Doors for Standout Style

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