I’ve been chugging along on the Hood Canal Cottage design – I know I am SO overdue for an update for you, but when you’re in the throes of design deadlines it can be really hard to find a moment to pause and recap everything. But I swear, it’s coming slowly. In recent weeks I’ve moved on from major architectural design and finish decisions into the interior design side of things. It’s been a tad overwhelming, as I haven’t decorated a space from scratch since we moved to San Francisco nearly 10 years ago (did you ever catch the tour of my first place in SF? I’m almost embarrassed to share it, but I was SO proud of it at the time).
Designing the Hood Canal Cottage is a unique situation to be in for a hobby designer like me. Usually, you move and take pieces with you, but since the cottage won’t serve as a full-time residence, I’m starting from a literal blank slate.
My focus this week has been on the dining room – or in this case dining space as the dining area sits within a great room that also houses the kitchen and living room. I’ve been shopping around like a madwoman trying to hone in on the look and feel I want to bring to life in the dining area. I want it to feel distinct and anchored – its own little zone within the larger room. And the idea I keep coming back to again and again is banquette seating.
Banquettes and built-ins have been having a moment for a while now, but I would argue for very good reason. A built-in banquette is a great space saver in a smaller space and increases the capacity around a dining table. Since I envision the Hood Canal Cottage as our hub for future Thanksgiving dinners and holiday gatherings, I definitely want to be able to cram as many people around the table as possible.
Like many of the examples you see here in this post, our dining table will also run parallel to a long wall, rather than float in the middle of the room. This actually limits the ability to pull back a dining chair. I would probably have to use a bench on that side of the table, but a banquette will allow the table to sit a little closer to the wall and not have legs you have to work around, saving precious floor space.
I also love how a banquette offers the opportunity to add big long seat cushions, back pillows, or both! Adding cushy upholstery to a dining space softens areas often dominated by hard surfaces. I love how that brings a sense of coziness, inviting you to sit and linger over your morning coffee, or pour that last little bit of wine and stay up talking. I want this home to encourage anyone who stays there to slow down and enjoy the little moments. Kinda like you’re living on vacation. That is the goal.
Adding a major upholstered piece at the dining table will also help me bridge the living room space and kitchen.
While I am obviously leaning toward jumping on the banquette bandwagon, I do have some convincing to do. Not everyone in my household is into the idea of a banquette. To add to that resistance, I’m not finding any good off-the-shelf options so it’s likely I’d have to go custom to create my vision. Custom is certainly not the most affordable of options.
So what say you? Do you happen to have a banquette in your home?? Do you like it? Have you found it comfy? Useful? Are there downsides you’ve dealt with? I think I’m pretty committed to this design choice at this point, but I would love to hear what you think! Please share in the comments section.
Catch up on the Hood Canal Cottage HERE.
Check out more design ideas HERE.
images vincent van duysen | home designing | mr & mrs white | danthree | amber interiors shoppe / larritt-evans design | poppy talk | nicole franzen | decus interiors /Â
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To arrive in Venice for the first time is to be transported into a completely unique worldâa city of gothic buildings floating on water, where grand palaces and churches stand above the ubiquitous canals, and an array of building materials is on permanent display. From the dusty-rose clay bricks that can be found on the exteriors of houses, palaces and churches, to the dazzling white Istrian stone that typifies many of the grander Venetian establishments, and the marble mosaics that adorn surfaces throughout the city, Venice is a city of contrasting textures and stylesâand this is something that is reflected in one of its most famous exports: terrazzo flooring.
You might know it as that speckly concrete from government buildings of the 1970s and â80s, but this hybrid flooring material was actually created in the 15th century. Venetian mosaic workers would gather up offcuts of marble and repurpose them, combining them with clay and other materials to use for flooring in their own residences. The workers would grind the stone down for an even walking surface, but without being coated, the color of the aggregate flecks would not emerge; terrazzo was merely a convenient and utilitarian choice for flooring.
The flooring style gained popularity when workers refined the process of installation by creating a grinding stone called a galeto to even out the surface, and discovering that a coating of goat milk would bring out the color and sheen of the stone. Since then, technology has advanced (and coatings other than goat milk have been developed), and terrazzo has established itself as a durable and attractive flooring material, first in Italy, and then across the globe.
In palaces and buildings throughout Venice, terrazzo is omnipresent, having been chosen for its aesthetic appeal and durability. In the centuries since its invention, the surface has made its way around the world, and recently, it has enjoyed a resurgence as a style statement in modern architecture and design.
David Filippi, Vice President of American Terrazzo Co., has a long family history with terrazzo, beginning with his great-grandfather Antonioâs emigration from Italy to the United States. Antonio Filippi set out for the United States from a small town called Casasola, not far from Venice, in the early 1900s. After an arduous journey and years of hardship as a foreigner in a strange land, Antonio established what is now American Terrazzo Co.
âLike so many Italian immigrants, my great grandfather left behind a wife and young child to board a ship and set sail for the country of his dreams,â Filippi says. âSome seven years after arriving in America, he called for his young family to join him and eventually secured a piece of property where he built his shop and home next door. Relatives and friends from the âold countryâ joined my great-grandfather, and together they earned a reputation for performing the finest in terrazzo and masonry work.â
Filippiâs family is dedicated to the continuation of the business, which is a testament to Italian ingenuity and Filippiâs great-grandfatherâs hard work. âOver the years, terrazzo has had its ups and downs,â Filippi says. âToday, it is very popular.
Historically, you would have seen terrazzo mostly in airports and hospitals, and in the lobbies of large commercial buildings. Now, it has expanded to retail stores, universities and high-end homes.â As with many design and architectural trends, terrazzo has come in and out of style, but one of the enduring benefits of the materialâand what makes architects and designers come back to it again and againâis that it is durable and versatile.
âGenerally, of all building types, airports have the most foot traffic,â Filippi says. âOne of the main reasons that terrazzo is so widely used in airports is that it is extremely durable.â Itâs because of this that, even though the initial financial outlay for terrazzo might be greater than a simpler form of flooring, terrazzo is considered to be the most cost-effective flooring that there isâbecause it will never wear out. Fifty years from installation, a terrazzo floor will look as fresh as if it were installed yesterday.
Another major benefit of terrazzo flooring is its uniqueness, and the ability to customize its look to suit any setting. âIt has many options,â Filippi says. âThere is a wide spectrum of available colors, as well as many aggregate sizes and colors.â In recent years, terrazzo has been embraced as a wildly versatile material that can be used as a refined surface in professional buildings; for a fun and colorful addition to a retail space; and as a personality-laden feature in a beautiful home.
Because terrazzo is poured during installation, a fluid, unbroken surface can be achieved, providing continuity and connection between spaces in your home, which most other flooring and wall surfaces are unable to achieve. And designers are now experimenting with precast terrazzo, opening up a whole new channel for design experimentationâitâs no longer limited to just flooring and walls.
âOver the years, we have fabricated terrazzo sinks, bathtubs, tables, chairs and even sculptures,â Filippi says. âTerrazzo can be placed anywhere and everywhere. It has no limitations.â This expansion from building surfaces to accessories and decor is indicative of the strength of terrazzo in todayâs design palette. Modern design outlets jumped on board, with Anthropologie selling a range of terrazzo-inspired bath accessories, West Elm doing a collection of melamine terrazzo-style dishes, and multitudes of furniture and fabric designers incorporating the materialâs aesthetic into their products.
If youâre considering terrazzo for your home, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Consider your time line, because terrazzo is still laid by hand, and is considered artistic and artisanal work. If youâre going with traditional cementitious terrazzo, be prepared for it to take more than a month to install. Epoxy, on the other hand, can usually be completed within one to two weeks.
Cost varies, starting from $30 per square foot for installation. If youâre looking for intricate designs or installations in challenging areas, the cost will increase. But remember, the long-term maintenance costs of terrazzo are virtually nonexistent compared with other types of flooring.
Lastly, when youâre choosing the color and aggregates for your terrazzo features, make sure that youâre making a choice based on personal preference rather than trend, because this surface, with its virtual indestructibility, will be with you permanently.
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I don’t know about you, but for me, a bathroom goes well beyond its practical uses; within the past years, I’ve come to think about it as a sanctuary of sorts, that room of the house that’s dedicated to pampering, relaxing, and deconnecting — a place where I can enjoy some alone time and use that alone time to take care of my skin, hair, body, and mind.
And just like any other space in my house, the more beautiful my bathroom is, the more I can enjoy the time I spend in it. But re-designing a bathroom or remodeling it altogether is quite an investment. That’s why today we’re going to look at a few handy ways in which we can improve our bathroom’s design without having to spend a ton of money in the process. Here are some tips to help you maximize your bathroomâs function and style while saving money — both on the short and long run:
For example, solid wood or plywood may not be a good choice for furniture, as it will likely warp and crack (and it can even lead to mold). Instead, a way better — and longer-lasting — choice would be PVC, which is extremely durable, completely waterproof and offers a great look and feel as well for bathroom cabinets. When buying blinds for your bathroom windows, choose waterproof blinds because they are stain and mold resistant, as well as fade-free. When picking appliances, make sure to avoid any metal that might rust, and preferably stay away from plastic; some of your best choices are brass, stainless steel, and zinc (or zinc alloys), as they stand the test of time and add a note of style to your bathroom.
Overall, focus on materials that can withstand humidity and water. This way, you donât have to spend money replacing them and you can rest assured that your bathroom will maintain its clean and brand-new look over the years.
#2 Widen and brighten your space with mirrors
Instead of adding a skylight or a new window to brighten a rather gloomy bathroom (which would call for a pricy renovation), consider using a large mirror, re-painting your walls in a light color, or adding extra light fixtures. These can all help create the illusion of space, making your bathroom look wider and brighter. Obviously, this technique is much more affordable than having to install an additional window to your bathroom space and you’d be surprised at how much of a difference adding a large mirror can make.
If you feel like you don’t have the space to add an additional mirror to your bathroom, consider replacing the mirror above your vanity with a far larger one. Bonus tip: choosing an unusual shape or a unique frame for the vanity mirror (like the one in the image below) can give an impressive look to your bathroom, and act as the centerpiece of the room.
#3 Update by regrouting
If youâre looking to update your bathroom quickly and on a tight budget, consider replacing the existing tile grout. Regrouting is a two-step manual process by which you first remove the hardened old grout from the seams, or joints, between the tiles in your bathroom, then apply fresh new grout to make it seem like you have just installed your tiles (here’s a full walkthrough of the process). You’d be surprised how big of a difference this fairly simple update can make — especially since tiles rarely show signs of wear and tear, but the grout’s initial color fades away, and often gives a sense that it’s dirty, discolored and old.
This idea works best if the tiles in your space are still in great shape, that is, they donât have cracks or missing pieces. Although it may take a bit of work, itâs surely faster and cheaper than a major bathroom overhaul. Fresh grout will make the tiled area look brand new, and you can even apply a new grout color to make a more dramatic change to your bathroom.Â
#4 Get creative with designer tiles
Now, if you’re looking to add a splash of sophistication to your shower or bathroom tiles, but don’t have the budget to splurge on designer tiles, there’s a super easy trick you can turn to: use regular, budget friendly tiles across the walls of your bathroom, then add a pop of design and color in a small area using more expensive designer tiles.Â
Or, you can keep it simple and use classic tiles, but arrange them in an unusual pattern or install them at an angle to create an eye-catching effect. If you’re looking for the maximum effect, create an accent wall (preferably right where either the shower or bathroom vanity go, to highlight that space), like the one pictured below. It won’t cost as much as replacing all of your bathroom tiles, but will definitely give your space a great, updated look.
#5 Try to avoid current trends
We all like to think that we’re aligned with the latest trends and fads. But the truth of the matter is, the best way to waste money is to follow fads that in a couple of years will seem so outdated that youâll feel the need to renovate your bathroom all over again. You can make your design last way longer if youâll use natural finishes and neutral colors.
Classics also tend to be considerably less expensive than their trending counterparts, and they’re much more likely to stand the test of time. See below for a marble-themed bathroom that was all the rage a few years back, but that seems a little out of place in the more minimalist-inclined era that we live in today.
Because of this, you may be forced to buy new coordinating pieces, too. However, if youâll stick with traditional finishes, it will be simpler for you to create a cohesive look while still sticking to your budget.Â
#7 Re-use old furniture to create a unique look
If you have an old desk, table, dresser, or TV stand, consider using it in your bathroom (provided it can withstand humidity and isn’t easily prone to water damage, as we’ve stated above). Repurposing old furniture will give you a chance to show your personality while adding much-needed bathroom storage. Consider doing this as a DIY project, which can help you save money while also being earth-friendly.Â
Replacing bathroom elements will usually require removing or replacing plumbing fixtures, which comes with additional costs. It can also involve construction changes, demolition work, and new installation. Before deciding on replacing any of these fixtures, determine if they really need replacement. If youâre replacing them for aesthetic reasons, you might have the option to refinish them instead of replacing them altogether.Â
For example, you can refinish your old tub with a nice-looking, protective coating instead of completely replacing it. You can also paint your cabinet anew instead of purchasing a new one — and you can even get creative with the color you use. Check out this elegant bathroom below, whose owners chose to refinish the bathtub and paint it in a slight pinkish hue. Isn’t it just lovely?
Final thoughts
The bathroom is one part of the house that needs some upgrading every now and then, and said upgrades can turn out to be quite expensive. However, with some rather small, but well-thought changes, you can spruce up your bathroom design without spending a pretty penny. And if our suggestions are not to your liking, there’s tons of helpful resources out there that can give you some great ideas to get you started.
More interior design tips
Hereâs Everything You Need to Set Up a Meditation Corner in Your House How to Turn Your Kitchen Into Every Coffee Loverâs Dream Design Trends that Add Extra Flair to Your Fancy Home How to Add a Touch of Luxury to Your Home without a Costly Renovation
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If you’re a die-hard Supernatural fan like us, you’re probably still reeling from the show’s finale and coping with the fact that there won’t be any new Winchester adventures for us to follow. But weâre not here to talk about that, but rather snoop into the private life of one of the series’ leading men. More specifically, Jensen Acklesâ house — which we actually think Dean Winchester would approve of.
The actor starring in CWâs longest running show and his wife Danneel opened up their 7,500-square-foot home in Austin, Texas to Architectural Digest, giving us a rare glimpse into the heartthrob’s home and personal life.
As the story goes, the couple was relocating from Los Angeles and initially considered buying a house down the road when they noticed this property (that wasnât even for sale). But since they fell in love with it, the couple went ahead and asked the previous owners if they’d be willing to sell. And since it’s not easy resisting Jensen Ackles’ charms, they managed to convince the owners so the Acklesâ moved on to the next step â- redecorating the house.
To help out, they hired architect Paul Lamb and interior designer Fern Santini and together they came up with some brilliant ideas on how to best revamp their already-stunning new house.
âIt was imperative that the house express the Ackleses — young, bold, and irreverent,â Lamb told AD.
Jensen Acklesâ house, which boasts five bedrooms, revolves around Danneelâs decorating outlook of âmore is more is more!â There is a lot of color, texture, a lot of wood work going on to make it look like a lake house and endless decorations with some of the coolest background stories.
Let there be music
In Supernatural, Jensen loves music. Remember his spontaneous Eye of a Tiger outtake? Still fun to watch! Thereâs definitely more of where that came from in real life, since Jensen did his best to create an amazing acoustic sound in his house.
The living room is scattered with guitars and all across the shag rug lie comfy and colored floor pillows. All this because the couple loves having friends over, sitting on the floor, singing and playing the guitar.
Jensen was excited to talk about one of his favorite features of the house: âThe hand-scraped wood floors undulate quite heavily, and weâve got these giant beams and wood all around that feel like youâre in the hull of a giant ship.â âWhat that does is it creates an amazing acoustic sound,â he continues. âWeâve always had music in our lives, and we wanted to pass on that tradition.â
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Jeff Wilson for AD
Jensen’s kick-ass bar
Theyâve taken care of the music, and to complete the ambiance they got rid of the formal dining room (that nobody used anyway) and replaced it with a kick-ass bar.
Placed on one end of the large living room, the bar is made out of black walnut with black and white veined marble. The cabinets were specially made to light the expensive bourbons it holds inside.
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Jeff Wilson for AD
The master suite
Thereâs a master bedroom swaddled in Trove wallpaper bearing vintage photography of 1920s opera boxes. The wallpaper is covered in sections by Japanese-inspired barn door panels âbecause sometimes you need an audience and sometimes you donâtâ.
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Douglas Friedman for AD
The master bathroom has a beautiful
bathtub sitting in front of a large window that provides a stunning view to the
lake.
The Mr. and Mrs. own two separate counters, because, you know, it just makes things easier in the mornings; and the inspiration for their master bathroom shower came from an Architectural Digest story featuring a steel and glass shower in the home of Neil Patrick Harris.
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Douglas Friedman for AD
Jensen Ackles’ bright, wood-framed home
Thanks to exposed beams, larger expanses of windows, and rich wooden ceilings, the architect managed to simplify and open the spaces. They simply tore down walls to let more natural light into the home.
Jensenâs favorite space is the breezy two-story screened porch that transformed the entire profile of the house; and his favorite piece â a custom long table made using a 2,000-year-old cypress log.
Parents of three
Jensen and Danneel have three beautiful children, so they had to choose the decor and furniture according to their needs as well. It appears that the coupleâs eldest daughter would make a great interior designer once she grows up. The six-year-old girl, JJ, helped pick out all her own bedroom decor.
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Douglas Friedman for AD
Unsurprisingly, the kidsâ favorite toy is a rolling acrylic table from the â50s, placed in the kitchen. Everybody loves a happy kitchen!
Jensen Ackles home in Austin, Texas. Image credit: Douglas Friedman for AD
Jensen Ackles’ home is full of hidden gems
The actorâs house is a personalized, eccentric, yet highly livable place. It was designed to resemble the Laurel Canyon bungalow the couple had once lived in and itâs a testament to the old school, Austin-style lake house.
The space is filled with all kinds of eccentric and eclectic objectsâsome useful, some decorative, some both. The decorations could be found in abundance in Austin during its bohemian period (the Acklesâ are active supporters of local art), as well as in late-60s California.
More beautiful celebrity homes
Rob Loweâs Gorgeous House in Montecito is Back on the Market for $42.5 Million Luxurious Malibu Estate Previously Owned by Kelsey Grammer On the Market for $20M âHunger Gamesâ Actor Josh Hutcherson is Selling His Celebrity-Magnet âTree Houseâ in Hollywood Hills Jessica Albaâs Los Angeles House is a Pinterest-Perfect Dream Home
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Hi friends. So sorry to go completely MIA on you. Between attempting online school with a five-year-old, much of California burning to the ground, and the general state total chaos in which we find ourselves, getting to the computer for any length of time has been a bit of challenge, to put it mildly. And then I blinked and summer is officially over.
But I had to finally get on here as I have big news for you!
They say you shouldn’t make major life decisions during times of extreme stress, right? Well, we decided to throw all caution to the wind and instead have purchased a coastal cottage in Washington State! Apparently a global pandemic, homeschooling a kindergartner and the most consequential presidential election of our lifetime wasn’t enough to keep me busy.
In all seriousness, if the past seven months of Covid have taught us anything, it’s the importance of friends and family and so we decided to create a gathering place that can bring together those we love most for years to come. Nestled within the myriad of inlets and islands that dot the Puget Sound north of Seattle, the cottage enjoys sweeping views of the Olympic mountains and Hood Canal. I consider it my official respite from the impending doom. Sadly it looks nothing like the inspiration images I’ve collected here.
Instead, it is going to take a LOT of work to get our little coastal cottage visitor ready – and in a very short period of time. Over the coming weeks, I plan to take you along on the entire design journey. I will be sharing everything with you – from the cottage’s current state, to all of my design inspiration and through the remodel process. If all goes according to plan, I’ll share a major before and after reveal in time to spend the holiday season with our family rather than more than 800 miles away.
Trust me, we’re going to have plenty to discuss, as I have to pick an entire household’s worth of things – from paint colors and kitchen cabinets down to dishware, bedding and everything in between. No design decision will be left unturned. It’s both exhilarating and incredibly daunting. These mood boards are just part my first ideation session for my dream vibe.
I’m hopeful sharing this process with you will offer you some fresh design ideas and positive inspiration as we all hunker down to weather what will undoubtedly be a stormy fall – be it literally or just politically. It’s been a rather dark year and I feel like this might be a way to share a little bit of light. I know I am very happy for the creative distraction. I hope you are too.
I can’t wait to share more very soon!
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