Buying Guide...Change Your Flooring

In case you're like me and you'd rather just skip the DIY and buy the darn thing, here are some tiles that can be substituted for yesterday's "change your flooring" post. Buyer beware, though. This will cost you more than pennies.

The Options:

Image from CoolTiles.com 

Source: CoolTiles.Com

Illusion Glass Tile, Nickels Mosiac in Antique Copper

$35/sq. ft.

Buy it here

Image from GlassTileStore.com

Source: GlassTileStore.com

Metal Stainless Steel Penny Rounds in Copper

$17/sq. ft.

Buy it here

Image from GlassTileStore.com

Source: GlassTileStore.com

Metal Stainless Steel Penny Rounds in Silver

$17/sq. ft.

Buy it here

 If you remember...

At the end of yesterday's post I listed a few other DIY flooring ideas. One of them was recycled wine corks. Well, if you loved that idea...you're in luck. You can buy those, too.

 Image from ModWalls.com

And can I just say that I love ModWalls? They have the coolest tiles around for prices that can compete with your big box home improvement stores. (Yes, I'm look at you Lowe's and Home Depot).

These beauties are the CorkDotz Mosaic Penny Rounds and cost $16.95/sq. ft. Buy them here

Obviously if you opt to buy these instead of DIYing with you own corks your floor won't be covered in memories of bottles shared. But, if you aren't sentimenal, I say, "Go for it!"

Sources:

Antique Copper Nickel Rounds from CoolTiles.com. Get more info and pictures at http://www.cooltiles.com/ubc525005.html

Copper Stainless Steel Penny Rounds from GlassTileStore.com. Get more info and pictures at http://www.glasstilestore.com/shop-by-colors-now/copper/metal-copper-stainless-steel-3-5-penny-round-tiles.html

Silver Stainless Steel Penny Rounds from GlassTileStore.com. Get more info and pictures at http://www.glasstilestore.com/collection/metal-tiles/metal-silver-stainless-steel-3-5-penny-round-tiles.html

Cork Penny Rounds from ModWalls.com. Get more info and pictures at http://www.modwalls.com/corkdotzpre-sealedcorkmosaictile.aspx

Weekend Project...Change your flooring

Image Source: Apartment Therapy, "Penny Tile at the Standard Hotel"

"Change" your flooring! 

Get it?  Lame, I know. 

This idea has been floating around Pinterest boards lately, but it's not a new concept. It's been around for a while, but that doesn't make it any less cool. This project is definitely for a very dedicated home owner on a budget (or not) and one with a LOT of time on their hands. This will probably take more than a weekend and your hands will have that dirty money smell for days. But, look at the results! Totally worth it.

How To

If you've ever tiled before, this will be a breeze. If not, no worries. It won't be that hard. You don't even have to rent a tile cutter for this one. There's two basic ways to approach this project.

1) Lay each and every penny directly on the floor

2) Save your back and adhere them to 12 x 12 mesh sheets before installing.

Either way, apply the pennies to the floor with an epoxy-based clear adhesive or thin-set concrete (depending on which instructions you read). Make sure you've removed all baseboards and trim before you do this. If you really wanted to, you could install this over existing tile or flooring, but I wouldn't suggest it if it can be avoided. Allow it to dry completely and then grout the entire floor. The excess will wipe off easily. 

Choosing a darker color won't show as much dirt over time.

Image Source: Apartment Therapy, "Penny Tile at the Standard Hotel"

Be sure to seal the pennies with a hefty epoxy sealer. If you like the variation of color, leave them as you found them. For a cohesive bright copper finish, polish your pennies with copper cleaner first. It will be too late after you apply the sealer. 

For something a little different...

Use a different coin. I know, that's more expensive. But I love the way nickels look for a more modern space. The pennies are great in a cozy room, but these nickels look so sleek in this bathroom!

Image Source: Apartment Therapy: "Nickel Tile Floor! A DIY Bathroom Renovation"

Just as a point of reference, you can purchase metal or ceramic mosaic tiles to get this same look. The style is called "penny rounds", appropriately. They were popular in pastel colors in the retro era. It will cost you more, obviously, but it will save you a headache if you like the general look but aren't a big DIYer..

Read On

Here are a few great sources to read up on how to do this and get some more inspiration:

Apartment Therapy: "Penny Tile Floor at the Standard Hotel" 

Apartment Therapy: "Nickel Tile Floor! A DIY Bathroom Renovation"

reno210: "A penny saved...is a tile floor"

EHow: "How to Tile a Floor with Pennies"

Other things that would make a beautiful DIY floor:

Recycled corks, sliced into rounds

Scrabble tiles

Sea glass

Crushed glass or shells set into concrete

Sliced sections of old tree trunks

The life of a designer

Work is rough...especially when it's nice outside.

At my day job, we have a lot of clients building large summer homes on the beaches of Rhode Island. I love my job, but it can be pretty rough designing beautiful homes that any normal person will never be able to afford. (On a side note, this is why I enter Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes daily)

So, occasionally we treat ourselves to a lunch out. We just so happened to find a spot for burgers right on the beach (too bad I was wearing riding boots).

I snagged this picture from my seat while waiting for my two 4 oz patty burger topped with mac and cheese to arrive. I'll be spending the rest of the morning at the gym working it off.

So, even though I'll probably never get my own summer beach house, I'll settle for fatty burgers and lunches like this one. What is it about the ocean that just seems to make everything better?

Weekend Project...New Pretty Cabinet Hardware

One of the easiest ways to make a big difference in a kitchen, bathroom, or office is to change out your hardware. This works especially well if you currently have knobs (rather than pulls). If you do have pulls, you'll need to make sure you get new ones that have the same centers for the screws. To find out what size you need, remove the pull from the drawer and measure the distance from the center of one drilled hole to the center of the other. Pulls are sized by these center measurements. (So, 4" pulls have 4" from center to center of the screws, but the piece itself can be wider than that. 4" is not the overall dimension.) 

However, almost any knob you buy will fit into the currently drilled holes. So, swap out those boring satin nickel knobs for something so much prettier. 

Flower Burst Knob Begonia in Coral (also available in orange). $10ea. Image from anthropologie.com. See sources for more info.

 

 We all love Anthropologie for fashion, but I bet it's not the first place you look for cabinet hardware. The truth is, Anthropologie has good quality pieces at prices comparable to other companies of similar quality but with WAY more style.

I'm loving that knob pictured above. For $10 for a bright, unique 2" posy, you could totally afford to revamp a piece in your house. How pretty would these be on vintage white bedside tables or on a simple table in the entryway? 

As a side note- most standard sized knobs run in the 1.25" diameter range. So, before you buy unique knobs like these, be sure they'll fit aesthetically. 3/4 of an inch can make a big difference. Trace a circle out on paper and tape it to your current knobs to be sure you like the size.

Check out the pretties below, too. The top two would be great in smaller applications...maybe a vanity or dresser. The bottom two would be stunning in a full kitchen application.

1. Agate Slice Knob, Cream (also in blue). $14 ea. Agate and brass, 1.5" to 2.5" diameter. Need it now

2. Linen Flower Knob. $12 ea. Stoneware, bronze, and iron, 3" diameter. Gotta have it

3. Mother of Pearl Knob. $14 ea. Mother of pearl and brass, 1.5" diameter. Can't live without it

4. Glass Melon Knob, Copper (also in clear and light blue). $8 ea. Glass and brass, 1.5" diameter. Obsessed already.

 Anthropologie sells their knobs with full 1.75" bolts. So, after you fit it into your door or drawer, you'll have to trim it to size with bolt cutters...and by "you", I mean the biggest, strongest, meanest looking dude on your block.

 

All knobs, specs and images from Anthropologie. 

Sources:

Floral Burst Knob, Begonia in Coral: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/24225096.jsp?color=085

Agate Slice Knob: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-hardware/24146169.jsp

Linen Flower Knob: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-hardware/24224941.jsp

Mother of Pearl Knob: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-hardware/770330.jsp

Glass Melon Knob in Copper: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-hardware/870102.jsp

Be Social...Follow Roost!

Hi friends!

If you aren't following Roost on Facebook, do so now!  

Facebook has made some changes to how your favorited pages interact with your newsfeed. While this keeps spam out, it also keeps out Roost!

So, be sure after you "like" the page, to hover the cursor over the 'like' button and select "Show in Newsfeed".

Be sure to also follow Roost on Twitter for some fun links that don't get shared on the blog.

 Follow @RoostDesign

If you Pinterest, (yes, it's a verb now), you can follow all of my personal boards. 

Meanwhile....

Let's enjoy some eye candy!

Image Source: Artist Designs for Living, ADFL Studio Project. See Sources for more info

This gorgeous office is the studio space for Artist Designs for Living, based in the San Francisco Bay area. Don't you just want to buy an old factory and turn it into something incredible and modern? I know I do!

Love how bright and sunny the office is! Going to work every day would be a little easier if you worked here, for sure.

The bright yellow and modern prints pair perfectly with the old brick. And a fireplace in my office? Yes, please. Those client chairs? I'll take 4. 

I could go on and on...but I'll let you gush for yourself over this fabulous working space.

Source:

ADFL Studio Project by Artist Designs for Living, San Francisco, CA. Visit this image and see more of their stunning projects at   http://artisticdesignsforliving.com/

Weekend Project: Rope Railing

I'll be the first to admit: I'm a sucker for anything nautically inspired.

Don't get me wrong, my house isn't filled with wooden seagull statues and fishing nets. But, new ideas and products that are seafaring and great design at the same time? I'm totally game.

Image Source: House Beautiful Online. "!0 Daring Decorating Ideas" Gallery. See Sources below.

This stairway designed by Thom Filicia is fantastic. 

There are two major reasons why I love it so much:

1. Even though it's nautical, it could fit in with so many styles! It will look just as good in your glamorous transitional house as it will in your summer cottage on the Cape. It will even look great with all of that furniture from Restoration Hardware that you've been eye-ing.

2. You can totally do this yourself in a day. Buy some yardage of the thickest rope you can your hands on and hang it with some antique coat hooks or drapery brackets. The sky is really the limit for mounting options. You could even use the mounting brackets for brass foot rails (available at railing and hardware stores for around $20) if you're worried about the rope slipping off of the hooks. 

 I love this. Have I mentioned how much I love this?

Schedule this into your weekend and then send me the pictures so I can be jealous!

helloroost@gmail.com

Sources:

House Beautiful. Design by Thom Filicia. Image from "10 Daring Decorating Ideas" Gallery at 

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/home-makeovers/creative-unique-decorating-ideas-0211?click=pp#slide-8

Fun Find...Pansy Vase

If you're anything like me, you can never seem to find the right vase for your flowers and you never know what to do with it when it's not being used. 

Image Source: Anthropoligie.com. See Sources for additional info.

This pretty little vase from Anthropologie might just solve all of our problems. It's the perfect size (8" H x 5" W) and looks great even without the flowers! You could leave it out of a shelf and no one will even notice that there's nothing in it.

For $28, it's not a bad bargain...considering it does double duty as a piece of artwork.

 Image Source: Anthropologie.com. See Sources for more info.

These four vases are also from Anthropologie. They're all fun (although the grey is my personal favorite) and promise to make your shelves or table look a little more colorful. They won't break the bank either at $18 or $28 a piece depending on size.

Sources: 

Pretty Pansy Vase, Tall from Anthropoligie. $28 each. Buy it at http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/baynote/073882.jsp

Four Vases Image from http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/baynote/073882.jsp

Buy all five vases at anthropologie.com

Elements of Design: Proportion/Scale

Believe it or not, designers don't go around creating rooms all willy nilly. There are concrete principles and elements of design that professionals utilize when working. Although most don't have a physical 'check-list' to make sure that they've satisfied every principle, rest assured that a mental one is used daily. When you understand what the principles/elements are and what they mean, it's easy to see what exactly it is that makes some designs work and others fail. If you have a space that you just can't seem to get right, chances are that one of your basic components is off.

Proportion/Scale

The term 'scale' in the design industry refers to how one or more elements within an object relate to each other. You could say that the ottoman pictured above is in scale because the feet are large enough to appear to support it without looking cartoon-ish. If you ever see an item that looks like a caricature or cartoon, it's scale is probably off. This is why it looks wrong when you put a tiny lampshade on a large lamp: the scale is wrong.

The term 'proportion' refers to how an element within a room relates to other elements within the same room. The large ottoman and mirror are in proportion to other objects and design elements in the room because of their size. A typical ottoman (one that's not the size of a small country) would look teeny in this room. Likewise, standard sized windows would make the space feel dark and cramped.

Knowing how to decode pictures that you find around the internet and in magazines makes it so much easier to apply design ideas you love at home. Look at the space you're working with. If it's a smaller room, chances are smaller pieces of furniture will work best. Likewise, a large room can't handle having dainty pieces unless they're set off by a larger one. Be sure to look at the items in the room on their own and within the space. One can't work without the other. The dining room above benefits from the smaller chandeliers (each of which are in scale...note the size of the shades) and the large painting. In fact, that room would be pretty boring without that painting. 

But, that's emphasis...and a completely different topic. 

Sources:

Contemporary Dining Room from December 2010 issue of Elle Decor. Find it here:

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/Dining-Room-Contemporary-Youthful-Glamour-in-New-York-City/id6417

Contemporary Living Room from May 2011 issue of Elle Decor. Find it here:

http://lookbook.elledecor.com/Living-Room-Contemporary-Eclectic-Cool-in-Belgium/id15782

 

 

Fun Find....Solar Lights

Light your patio in style

Add this to your Roost

I found these stylish outdoor lights when Mother's Day shopping and just had to share. 

(Lucky Mom! Guess what she received as a gift!)

 

 Add this to your Roost

These stylish ceramic outdoor solar lights are such a great alternative to candles that blow out in the wind. The two shown above are medium sized and sport a trendy cobalt blue glaze. They're fitted with a small LED light in the top. Sit them out in the sun for as long as you can and the lights will kick on when it gets dark. The battery can last up to 8 hours.

They don't throw a ton of light, but the sure do look good doing it!

The best part? 

You can buy them at Target for $15 to $25 depending on the size. 

Maximum style, minimal investment.

Love it.

Sources:

Top Image- Home (c) Ceramic Tabletop Lantern Medium from Target. $24.99

 http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=ceramic+tabletop+lantern&category=0|All|matchallany|all+categories

Bottom Image- Home (c) Ceramic Tabletop Lantern Oval Lantern from Target. $16.99

 http://www.target.com/p/Home-Ceramic-Tabletop-Oval-Lantern/-/A-13758918

Simple Rules for Colorful Spaces- Issue 2: Neutral Palette

Image Source: Michael Abrams Limited, Interior Design. North Seely Avenue Residence

www.michaelabrams.com

I don't know about you, but I love a good neutral palette.

It's a classic for a reason. It looks good in every style home and is easy to achieve on your own. 

The key to perfecting your neutral space is understanding that 'neutral' does not have to mean boring. In fact, neutral rooms sometimes require more thought than colorful ones in order to avoid looking stark. 

 Here are some tips to planning your perfect (neutral) palette:

- Paint the walls a color, not just white. I love the Benjamin Moore "Shaker Beige" used in the room above

- Avoid using the whitest shade of white that you find at the paint store. Go with a creamier tone for a warmer feeling

- Neutral rooms go great with natural flooring. I love a rustic wood floor in a bedroom or natural stone mosiac in a bath.

-Mix in some metallic accents

- You don't have to just paint the walls! Consider incorporating some paneling (or reclaimed wood planks!) or large patterned wallpaper in some areas.

-Don't be afraid of patterns! Notice how the room above uses bold pattern to add interest. Patterns are easy to add in furniture, rugs, and wallpaper. If you want, start out with bold patterned pillows before you make big ticket purchases or spend a day hanging wallpaper.

-Mix different wood colors. Nothing is more boring than a room with only one species and stain of wood on the floor, furniture and accessories.

- Play up the texture. Neutral rooms benefit in amazing ways from varied texture. Incorporate all types of materials from wood, to linen, to silk to keep it interesting and cozy. The image below is a great example.

Image Source: House of Wentworth by Amy Lambert Lee. "Pearson's Room" See sources for link.

 - You can go as light or as dark as you want in your palette! The top image focuses on beiges and creams. The super cute nursery above focuses on shades of white. 

-Don't rule out greys! Neutral colors that pull towards the cool side of the spectrum can look great, too!

Here's what I love most about the neutral palette:

It's so easy to buy for! Every store that you love will always carry products that will match your neutral room. So, long after your new cherry red washer and dryer go out of style (more on that later), you'll still be loving and buying for your classic neutral palette. Not only that, but you'll love it longer, too. 

Neutral is always in season. 

Glam it up for the holidays with some greenery and metallic ornaments. Make it feel more summery with some rope accents and woven rugs...and maybe a nautically inspired pillow or two.

Neutral palettes are so easy to love and even easier to implement at home. 

Enjoy!

Sources:

Top Image: Michael Abrams, Limited Interior Design. North Seely Avenue Residence. View this image and the rest of Michael Abrams' portfolio at http://www.michaelabrams.com/north-seeley-avenue-chicago-illinois

Bottom Image: House of Wentworth by Amy Lambert Lee. "Pearson's Room" posted Sept. 6, 2010 at http://houseofwentworth.com/2010/09/06/pearsons-room/