Home Design Find

No Comments »

A Mild Curry: Faintly Sustainable Design in India

The Green House is an unassumingly sustainable home in the Indian city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, by Hiren Patel Architects.

The house features open air ventilation and screened exteriors for a mildly green flavor.

An outdoor room creates a sacred space that gives the sense of a little distance from the neighbours.

The tranquil gaze of the Buddha moderates appetites from the head of the table in the indoor/outdoor dining room.

A certain sweetness marks the typically Indian design.

The design interprets contemporary and clean modern lines – but with a traditionally Indian charm that recollects a quiet past.

Bedrooms are places of serenity and rest.

The house is designed for a large family to enjoy shared spaces and private places too.

A series of indoor-outdoor loggias offers the promise of breezy outdoor evenings, scented by frangipani.

The green features include the virtues of exterior shutters for screening the heat in tropical climates without air conditioning.

No Comments »

Design Dilemma: Classic Kitchen Style

Although sleek contemporary kitchens have been in vogue the last few years, we still have a soft spot in our hearts for the classic kitchen. Why? Well, there’s simply no place cozier for preparing a good hearty meal.  Classic kitchens beckon when it’s time to settle in with a pot of coffee for a long talk with a good friend. Classic kitchens embrace us for big family celebrations replete with spaghetti, meatballs and a big chocolate cake. And classic kitchens can also be a romantic setting for a dinner for two. Yes, modern kitchens can certainly look fabulous but let’s face it, they usually lack that homey quality that makes a hearth a home.

Are you interested in going classic in your next kitchen remodel? Here’s what you need to keep in mind so you don’t go off track:

Classic kitchens rely on a series of timeless finishes that never go out of style. You’ll spot a few of them in the first picture in this post. Here are a couple of other classic kitchens:

And this:

Can you spot the commonalities among these kitchens that keeps them in the classic zone?

• They often use white or cream cabinets. A light, bright palette keeps the classic kitchen feeling fresh, open and welcoming.  When classic kitchens diverge from this palette, it’s usually not dramatically so — soft grays and greens are sometimes used.
• Door styles are not too ornate (no curlicues or curved edges) but not too modern (no flat paneled, high gloss cabinets). The simple door style is precisely what makes the look so timeless, allowing it to transition easily into a slightly more modern look, or a more traditional look, depending on a homeowner’s taste. Door pulls are usually simple as well.
• Countertops use timeless materials, such as carrara or calacatta marble. In fact, the marble (not necessarily the most practical choice for cooks) is usually the focal point in a classic kitchen. When marble isn’t used, classicists often opt for black granite, soapstone or quartz.
• Subway tile is standard. Of course, subway tile is not the only way to go, but nothing beats this type of style for its classic character. When classicists are looking for something just a little bit different, they might opt for a subway tile in a different color, like below:

Wooden floors are common. You’ll notice in almost all of these photos that the kitchens use wood, rather than tile floors. Wood floors may not necessarily be the most practical choice, but they do contribute to the sense of warmth that the classic kitchen exudes.  Check out the kitchen below:

So there you have it, a few essential elements of the classic kitchen. If you opt for a classic style, you will never be disappointed. Not only will your kitchen withstand the test of time, but you’ll find that you can easily tweak the look, making it more modern or traditional simply by changing out light fixtures , faucets, appliances and accessories.

No Comments »

Luxurious Family Retreat on Lake Coeur D’Alene

Cool northern sunlight gently blesses a tranquil space overlooking a lake in North Idaho.

It exemplifies the massive, solid, durable luxuriousness of the Pacific Northwest design vernacular.

The region is close to Canada where the light quality is cool and contemplative, and the house graciously encompasses a view of gorgeous Lake Coeur D’Alene.

The house is designed to go with the flow, literally; bridging the gap where an underground stream flows naturally.

This far north, summer’s days are long, and the last of the light bounces off the cool lake, well into the long evenings.

Uptic Studios designed the luxury cabin for a large extended family. Where the clients, their children and their grandchildren can enjoy the wonderful natural offerings of the region.

Here, grandkids can be passed a healthy glass of water without tracking mud indoors.

And parents and grandparents in the large and close knit family can reminisce long into the gentle nights. Read the rest of this entry »