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Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover... & Elements of Style Blog

If you drove by this house in Bedford, NY renovated by Alisberg Parker Architects you’d probably expect the interior to be chock full of traditional classics, right? I really do enjoy a home that has a traditional architectural exterior (and interior- notice all thought molding and trim painted over glossy white) paired with really modern furniture. It’s so unexpected. And that pool house? I die. But I alos love that this design team is capable of doing funky traditional decor as well.

All-in-One Modular Fold Out Living Room Furniture Set This incredible all-in-one furniture set from Matroshka is still looking for funding – so if you want to have one you might need to become an investor. Named after Russian nesting dolls, this remarkable furniture collection packs down to just 13 square feet but includes: bookshelves, a double bed, corner couch, dinner table, four stools, working space, drawers, a wardrobe and additional storage. Whether or not these are ever mass-produced this great step-by-step furniture photo shoot should at least inspire do-it-yourselfers to think about how you can create your own highly portable and yet remarkably simple modular furniture sets to suit your own spatial needs:

Inspiration for artists from Wildfox Couture - I LOVE WILDFOX - Gwyneth Paltrows Apt, Tribeca (Dont&cry) AHEM* can I be a movie star? Wall Decals inspired by Mother Nature - WALLTAT.com Wall Decals have been creating quite the buzz lately and more and more people are using them to decorate and transform everything from living rooms, kids rooms and nurseries, even bathrooms and glass. The designs are fun and installation is a breeze. However, as you are searching for your perfect design it is important to note that not all wall decals are created equal. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing wall decals online Size of Wall Decal: this seems like an obvious one but be sure to review the dimensions of your product with the picture shown.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design Jessica Helgerson Interior Design | I love Jessica Helgerson’s Interior Design. Her interiors are typically clean and uncluttered. For any project, her goal is to ensure that the fundamental design and the materials are classic, long lasting, and appropriate to the building and its period. This little house is where Jessica and her family have been living for the last several years. The house is an interesting experiment in reduction and reuse not only because it is only 540 square feet or because it was remodeled using nearly exclusively reclaimed materials, but because the building itself is now being recycled for the fourth time. When Jessica and Yianni bought the property in late 2008, they decided to remodel it without adding to the existing footprint. I love Jessica Helgerson’s interior design. Their first step was to redesign the interior for maximum space efficiency. — Melina Divani Melina Divani is the owner and creator of Decoholic.org.

Decorating by Color We scoured the spectrum to find 18 hues that offer you a neutral look that's enhanced by a hint of color -- making them more complex and sophisticated than the usual beige or off-white. Even if you've never been brave with color, you can use one of these paints. They will enliven what's already in your rooms, whether your style is modern or traditional, vibrant or restrained. 1.

Small Attic Loft Apartment In Prague The design of this modern loft conversion located in Prague, Czech Republic uses natural materials such as stone, brick and wood to enhance the flat and angular surfaces. Designed by architect Dalibor Hlavacek, the two-storey attic loft makes good use of limited floor space. The living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom are on the lower floor. The upper gallery, accessible via staircase and a steel footbridge, creates an intimate space for the study, which can also be used as a second bedroom. Via: ArchDaily Current Obsessions: From Icelandic Houses to DIY Planters Older Current Obsessions: From Icelandic Houses to DIY Planters by Remodelista Team Issue 45 · Materials · November 10, 2012 Newer Issue 45 · Materials · November 10, 2012 Here's a roundup of what's piquing our interest this week: • Checking out [N2X] Arquitectos' solar-powered project in Água d'Alto, Portugal. • Both Christine and Meredith have been looking at Brad Pitt's Furniture; finding it strangely compelling, especially the minimalist marble tub for two. Above: Izabella has been reading about this abandoned farmhouse in Kollafjørður, Iceland from Home & Delicious, Issue One. • Sarah is listening to Rodriguez's soundtrack from Searching for Sugar Man. • Margot's heading to New York vintner Passanella and Son for their post-Sandy flood sale; "Perfectly good wine. Above: Checking out Little Full's Pinboard, Craftsmen; featured above is printmaker Cameron Short. • Alexa has been painting her apartment all-white and referring to this simple painting guide. Meanwhile on Gardenista: By Justine Hand

PREFAB FRIDAY: European Influenced Hangar Prefabs We love covering prefab homes here on Inhabitat because we think prefab is an amazingly efficient, promising and innovative way of building houses, and we find this especially true with these Hangar Prefabs from Hangar Design Group. The streamlined and contemporary design makes us believe that our lives could be just that simple and organized, if only we lived in one of these prefabs. Designed by Juan and Sara Matiz, who now live in New York City, but are Colombian and Italian respectively, these three stylish prefab homes can fit just about anyone’s tastes. When it comes to designing a building the Matiz team is focused on flexibility, design, care, research materials and attention to ecology. The Joshua Tree has a high pitched roof that can withstand snow loads in the mountains and has wood paneling for a slightly more rustic feel. + Hangar Design Group + Hangar Prefab Via Re-Nest

Natural Pools or Swimming Ponds Natural Pools or Natural Swimming Ponds (NSPs) Let nature clean the water... Chemical-free water garden and swimming pool. The plant portion, or regeneration zone, is separated from the swimming area by the wall seen a few inches below the water’s surface. www.naturalswimmingpools.com The pools have skimmers and pumps that circulate the water through the regeneration zone and back into the swimming area. There are many options as to design. A gradual slope contains the plants, gravel and loamy sand, a wall keeps them separate from the swimming area. Vacuum but twice a year and tend to the plants as needed. The regeneration zone can be along the perimeter of a natural pool or a pond unto itself but connected to the swimming area. www.gartenart.co.uk For a true natural pool with no help from ultraviolet light or other such technology, the requirement is half swimming area, half regeneration area. www.biotop-natural-pool.com Plants steel the nutrients away from algae. www.gartenart.co.uk

Moss Carpet by Nguyen La Chanh Immaculate Mini Lawn In Your Loo They say walking on fresh grass increases your blood circulation; I can’t vouch for that! Anyways, it is a reason to get going to the nearest park, remove your expensive Jimmy Choo’s and prance around. The Moss Carpet looks at getting the grass to your feet, and that too in your loo! Made from imputrescible foam called plastazote, the mat includes ball moss, island moss and forest moss. The humidity of the bathroom ensures that the mosses thrive. Designer: Nguyen La Chanh

In My Own Style | DIY Home Decorating Blog | Interior Decorating on a Budget Blog | Easy Home Decor and Crafts Miss Design Resource Furniture: 4 Space-Saving Transformers [+Video] | Designs &Ideas on Dornob Per the company’s present in the must-see video below: pictures (static or moving) just don’t do justice to how beautifully functional these multi-purpose transforming furnishings really are. Consider this an introduction, as there are just too many pieces to cover in a single article, to some of the particularly well-publicized successes of Resource Furniture. Doc, a doubled-up pair of bunk beds that folds down into a single, normal-looking sofa, is one of the more impressive magic tricks in their arsenal, as you would never guess in couch form that two secret sleeping units are hiding inside. There bed-to-desk-and-back again sets are also highly impressive, often disguising entire shelving systems behind them, or tucking work surfaces below (that, in some cases, stay level so you can simply leave everything out when heading to bed). Finally, too, they have a ton of tables that turn from tiny low-to-the-ground, on-the-side stands to full-fledged workstations and dinette sets.

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