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14. Incorporate Sliding Panels
Sliding doors are popular for fully opening up interiors to outdoor spaces, but the concept can just as easily be applied to interior spaces.
In this San Francisco home, sliding panels can completely shut off or open up a workspace to the main living areas.
For this arrangement, you need bulkheads or another system for supporting the tracks from which the panels hang. If tracks are going in the floor, that’s something that will require extra thought and planning. Also, keep in mind that some setups might be more difficult to clean than others, so it’s worth doing your homework. If the panels permanently overlap, for example, it can be hard to clean the space between them. If the tracks are on the floor, dirt and other debris can settle in the nooks.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
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In 2011, design-build pro Jared Lewis and his wife, Katherine, moved into their 1962 traditional-style home in Scotts Valley, California. Over the years, the couple updated the house in phases to create more of a coastal cottage style. In 2017, they built an 8-foot addition for a new open-concept kitchen and dining room.
But after living with the kitchen for a number of years, they felt that while many of the elements looked and functioned fine, the bright white cabinets and blue island base dated the space. Seeking more warmth and a current look, they teamed up with designer Kerry Gillette, who used Houzz Pro software, for a refresh.
Now creamy white cabinets and a soft beige paint on the island base create a warm and inviting style. New rustic wood ceiling beams and wood-look flooring add more warmth. The flooring material and stools upholstered in performance fabric introduce durable details that stand up to frequent guests.
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When this Canadian family started to outgrow its home, the last thing it wanted to do was leave behind its beloved neighborhood in Victoria, British Columbia. “This is a fantastic neighborhood that’s walkable to shops, restaurants and the beach,” Robbyn McDonald of MAC Reno Design Build says. “We finished the attic to create space for a primary suite and living room. They’d never had an en suite bathroom before, so they were really excited.” The new, light-filled bathroom is a fresh take on midcentury modern style.
Photos by Dasha Armstrong Photography
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Size: 118 square feet (11 square meters)
Designer-builder: MAC Reno Design Build
The new bathroom includes a double vanity, a generous shower stall, a freestanding bathtub and a private toilet alcove behind the plumbing wall in the shower. The shower has a long bench with a handheld shower wand above it. The shower stall is curbless, so the floor slopes imperceptibly to direct water to a linear drain next to the bench.
To increase the attic space, the firm removed the home’s existing hipped pyramid roof. It framed the walls a few feet higher, then added a new cross-gable roof.
Find a local design-build firm on Houzz
“The jumping-off point for the room was the clients’ wooden towel stand,” McDonald says. “We echoed it in the vertical-grain walnut floating double vanity.” The vanity sets a midcentury-modern-inspired tone, emphasized by brushed gold fixtures.
Simple mirrors with rounded edges maintain the clean look. The room has a lot of straight lines, so the subtle curves of the mirror frames add softness.
The vanity has three large drawers in the center for efficient storage. There’s motion-activated lighting under the vanity. This makes navigating to the toilet alcove easy at night without turning on a bright light.
The countertop is a porcelain slab that looks like marble. The designers used the same porcelain on the shower bench. The bench is heated and serves as a toasty seat in the shower.
Browse vanities in the Houzz Shop
The flooring is also porcelain, composed of large-format tiles. The open door offers a glimpse into the primary bedroom. Heated floors keep the bathroom nice and warm.
The shower has a partial enclosure, which keeps the water inside. Tight insulation and energy-efficient glass on the windows and skylight help prevent drafts.
One of the challenges in an attic renovation is addressing lower ceilings. Placing the tub beneath the sloped ceiling and adding the skylight was a good layout strategy here. It’s easy to get in and out of the tub without hitting the ceiling.
“The vaulted ceiling added height and visual interest, creating a cozy and inviting tub area,” McDonald says. “Positioning the skylight above the tub brought natural light throughout the room, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.”
Shop for a bathtub
Midcentury modern style also inspired the sumptuous green tiles in the shower. Their vertical composition nods to the era. The tiles are glossy, with 3D beveled edges — a fresh update on the style. Tiles from the era would have been flat, while these have a lot of dimensionality.
Shower tile: Flauti in Sage Gloss, Ceramic Tileworks
The tucked-away toilet area behind the shower wall has privacy and light from a window. The green tiles and brushed gold accessories keep the space cohesive with the rest of the bathroom.
“High-quality materials and precise construction techniques ensured the bathroom met industry best practices for sustainability, water conservation and performance,” McDonald says. These include:
Updated plumbing and mechanical systemsWater-conserving shower fixtures Low-E energy-efficient windows that create a tight envelopeHeated flooring that provides even, energy-efficient heatLED lightingPlenty of natural light to reduce use of artificial lighting
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Open-plan kitchens — a single space in which you can cook, eat, relax and socialize — are enduringly popular. They allow family and friends to be together, with no single person isolated in the kitchen, and make good use of the available footprint, reducing the need for circulation space between rooms.
However, the kitchen’s highly visible position within what often becomes the hub of the home means they do require careful planning and there are multiple factors to consider: zoning areas, making the space social, flow and aesthetics. We asked three home professionals to share their design advice.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
2. Aim for Higher Seating
Seating is the heart of any living room and is an area to really focus on. “Higher and firmer seats and armrests really make a difference,” Mullally says.
Becky Storey of Storey Interiors highlights the importance of seating that’s easy to get in and out of, especially for those with mobility difficulties. Seating that’s too low can be problematic, she says. “Or seating that slopes down at the back, because it requires a lot more upper body strength to pull yourself up. The same goes for sofas that have really soft cushions or where the seat is very deep.”
For a lesser change than buying new chairs and sofas, Eva Byrne of houseology suggests that a standard seat height of 18 inches should accommodate yourself and all visitors, and “a raised cushion at your favorite spot will improve accessibility here if needed.”
Vatzeva also highlights the importance of good support for the back to keep it straight, along, potentially, with support for the feet to be lifted. But she also has a word of caution about electric recliners. “Personally, I don’t think they are in our favor,” she says. “They promote less movement and less activity … which can have a negative impact on body, mind and general health.”
It’s not all about sofas and armchairs — consider custom solutions too. Vatzeva suggests that a great spot for adding new seating is within a bay window or alcove. “These are good places to install seating at a suitable height,” she says. “They can be standalone pieces or built-in, and offer a wonderful way of combining the practical with the beautiful while being bespoke for one’s own needs.”
Shop for living room furniture
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9. End With a Call to Action
The end of your newsletter is arguably the most important part as it’s where you’ll encourage clients to engage with your content and your company.
When crafting your call to action, first consider what you want to achieve. Do you just want clients to engage with your content, to take advantage of a special limited-time offer, to reach out about their upcoming remodel or redecoration project? Tailor your message so your customers know exactly what you’d like them to do.
Happy creating and connecting!
Share: What’s the one essential you always include in your end-of-year newsletter? Tell us in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
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5. Avoid Plastic Where Possible
It can be surprising how much plastic we use in the landscape. There are those single-use black pots that garden center plants come in, for example, as well as plastic seed trays, plant labels and twine.
But with a little thought, you can replace these unsustainable items with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Use wooden labels and traditional garden string, and seek out garden centers that will recycle the black plant pots. Also, hunt around for biodegradable seed trays that will break down into the soil when they reach the end of their lifespan.
When you’re planning outdoor structures such as greenhouses, opt for glass instead of plastic if possible. The initial cost may be higher, but a model glass will last a lot longer than a cheaper plastic one.
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2. Designate an Area for Workout Clothes and Equipment
If your goal is to exercise several times a week, consider devoting a section of your dresser or closet to your workout clothes and towels. Keeping everything together will save you time since you won’t need to dig to find your outfits. This is especially helpful if you work out early in the morning and want to savor every last minute of sleep.
Similarly, keep your exercise equipment (yoga mats, weights, exercise balls) in one area (perhaps close to the TV if you stream a workout). I keep all the accessories I need for walking — sunglasses, hat, gloves, earphones, sunscreen — in a drawer in my entryway table. That way I can get out the door without delay. Prepack your gym bag with toiletries, towels and other personal items. After laundering, you can place items right back into the bag or your dedicated gym clothes space.
Find a pro to help you create a home gym
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Rugs can add texture, interest and warmth to a bedroom, but they can be treacherous underfoot, especially for anyone unsteady of body or visually compromised.
“It’s important to note that rugs can be hazardous for the elderly,” Lecoufle-Vinet says. “If someone doesn’t lift their feet as much, they may stumble over rugs and fall. Choosing bare wooden floors or wall-to-wall carpeting can offer a safer alternative.”
Jones suggests that hard surfaces, particularly wood, can be ideal if mobility aides are used. “For those using a wheelchair or walker, carpet or rugs can be difficult to navigate, and carpets can create too much resistance for a wheelchair.”
Linoleum and cork will also provide a warm, soft, insulated floor that’s easier to navigate on wheels, but get expert advice and make sure your chosen flooring is suitable for your situation.
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