TheDesignFile

Home tour: A modern British beauty

I’m taking a quick break from our Christmas decorating series to look at a stunning modern house in the United Kingdom.

I found this home on the Light Locations website, which has images of gorgeous locations that are available for photo shoots.

I love most of the Light Locations homes but the one I’ve picked to show you today is particularly appealing to me because it’s modern and open, the kind of house you might choose if you were sure that no neighbors could ever see in.

It should be no surprise to regular readers that I like this house given that it has an Eames lounger, which is my favorite!

I also like these cool modern dining chairs.

Architects tour offered peek at great spaces

Did any of you get to attend this weekend’s home tour by the Indiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects? I didn’t get to go and I’m so bummed. What I was able to glimpse of the homes on the tour website looked fantastic.

The kitchen above is from a condo at the Adagio building on North Pennsylvania in downtown Indy. The architect was Chris Short of Haus.

“It’s hard not to take your eyes off the views once inside this ninth-floor loft that overlooks the American Legion Mall, and where from the dinner table, you’re eye-to-eye with the Indiana War Memorial,” the tour’s website says of this space. “The vaulted flowing ceiling of a satin-lacquered shiplap cedar helps shape the graceful space, while taking
advantage of the downtown panoramas.”

Below is another kitchen from the tour.

Home tours: Beautiful rooms and some kitties

I’ve been so wrapped up in some upholstery and other projects at my house that I’ve not taken time to do much writing or sharing of things I’ve liked.

But I was inspired today to share a few recent home tours I’ve seen.

I’ll start with one that popped into my inbox today from Apartment Therapy. I love this simple, vintage-style townhome in Denver where Jaime Jennings & Matthew Brown, Looper, Lucy, and Sebastian.

I’m not sure what I like best – the décor or the kitties! You can’t really go wrong with either one.

I saw this next home tour at the Better Homes and Gardens website and I liked it because it featured so much storage in a smaller space. Plus, there’s another cat!

Hundreds of books are stored in this 1,100 square foot home – but there are cool collectibles too, including these globes.

“Creative storage solutions keep this home organized and provide a place for everything,” BHG says. “Collections, such as the homeowner's scores of colorful books, can be used as decorative elements while still staying organized with built-in shelves.”

Finally, Elle Décor has a slide show of photos from Reese Witherspoon’s home near Los Angeles.

The home is not quite my style but I love some of the upholstery pieces.

And while I didn’t spy any cats, you do get to see some pix of Reese’s adorable nieces!

Model home in Columbus has Midwestern style

I don’t often write about new homes. I’m generally an older house kind of gal.

But I was interested to get an email from the folks at M/I Homes Indianapolis about a new model home they’re opening in the Tipton Lakes community in Columbus, a community about 45 miles south of Indianapolis.

M/I Homes Indianapolis has enlisted the help of Chicago-based interior architecture and design firm Mary Cook Associates to make sure the design and décor of the model home is “a true fit for Midwestern families.”

The goal, the M/I Homes folks said, is to create homes that “are on trend, functional and inspiring to guests.”

The company is having a grand opening celebration for the new model in Columbus from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday (July 28).

I can’t attend but the company was kind enough to send me some photos so I – and you – could get a sneak peek.

This is the company’s Gardenia plan.

The living room is gorgeous. The color scheme is soothing, but thanks to the patterns on the chairs, the pillows and the rug – in addition to the fantastic stone fireplace – there’s enough texture to keep it from becoming boring.

There’s built-in cabinetry in several rooms, including in this den. I can’t tell if this is a desk that folds up – but it would be so convenient if it did!

If you like a white kitchen, you’ll love this one. It’s quite classic. My favorite part is those dark floors.

And the pendants – cool and modern.

The bedroom, below, is very pretty, although a little matchy for me and it has those odd little partial curtain rods that I don’t understand (at least fake it with a full rod…).

Still, I love the lamps and the color scheme.

Modern beach house has trendy color scheme

I caught a great slideshow of a modern beach house on the Better Homes and Gardens website today and wanted to share a few of the photos with you.

I absolutely love the color scheme – the pinks, aquas, greens and soft blues.

It’s so beautiful.

In this living room, the pale walls and sofa serve as the backdrop for beautiful accessories.

The vibrant art sets the tone for the gorgeous color scheme and the soft pillows.

I love the pink pillow with the design in the corner. Very inspiring.

The colors remain incredibly soft and pretty in the dining room and kitchen as well.

The colors on the wall provide just enough contrast to help the white trim stand out but they remain neutrals.

And I like the way the tone for the room is set as soon as visitors walk through the door.

The rustic, aqua colored bench – accented with matching pillows and a pink throw – makes a pretty vignette.

Want to see more?

Check out the complete beach cottage slideshow at the BHG website.

Small, DIY'd house is fun spot on home tour

This is my third and final preview post for this weekend’s Meridian Kessler Home & Garden Tour and I’m excited that this one is a much smaller house – and one that’s had lots of DIY love.

Just to recap, the annual home tour runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and offers up seven houses for your perusal.

I gave you previews of a couple of them on Tuesday and Wednesday. But in the end, this one is actually my favorite because it’s the kind of home I might actually own.

The 55th Street bungalow – owned by Laura and Andy Schmelz – is just a few blocks from where my husband lived when I met him.

And this place is just 1,300 square feet, which is just a little bit bigger than my house now and about the same size as my husband’s former place.

Traditional home will be on weekend tour

Yesterday I showed you a really fantastic modern house that will be part of this weekend’s Meridian Kessler Home & Garden Tour in Indianapolis.

And I’m so pleased that the organizers of this great event have been kind enough to provide photos of a couple more of these beautiful homes. I’ll show you one more place today and the third later this week.

The home tour takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Presale Home & Garden tickets can be purchased in advance at the following retail locations through Friday:

• The Fresh Market (54th & College)
• G. Thrapp Jewelers (56th & Illinois)
• The National Bank of Indianapolis (all locations)
• Cafe Patachou / Petite Chou (all locations)

Presale tickets are $12. Tickets will be $15 the weekend of the tour and will only be available at tour homes.

The home we’ll look at today is in many ways an opposite of the brand new Cape Code we explored yesterday.

This Pennsylvania Street home – owned by Kim Thomas – is a traditional Tudor style. Kim bought it in part due to her fondness for older homes.

Here’s the what the tour folks say about the home:

New, modern home part of this weekend's historic neighborhood home tour

One of the most popular home events in Indianapolis is the annual Meridian Kessler Home & Garden Tour, which takes place this weekend.

Visitors can tour seven homes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday – including some that may not be typical for this historic Indy neighborhood.

Take the home of Kathie and Adam Gibson and its stunning, modern interiors.

Originally this Carrollton Avenue home was a ranch built in 1956 in the Forest Hills area. But after the couple purchased it in 2003 – and were unable because of foundation issues to add a second floor – the Gibsons tour down the 1,800-square foot home.

HGTV Green Home is bright and open

I’m always fascinated to see the HGTV Green Home and get a glimpse of the newest trends and technology.

This year’s home may not be my favorite – but there’s still lots to love.

The house is located just outside Atlanta in Serenbe, a community in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia.

HGTV will offer viewers an insider’s peek at the residence in the HGTV Green Home 2012 special on Friday, April 13, at 9 p.m. But you get to see some of the photos here today!

I really like the kitchen and dining area – particularly the rustic table and benches but also the pretty cabinetry. Plus, the rustic floors are fantastic.

The house was designed by Kemp Hall Studio and constructed by FrontPorch Builders. It’s a sort of modern, farmhouse style with a design inspired by Southeastern culture and regional architecture, HGTV says.

I love the pinkish-red accents in what’s called the Georgia room.

The home features an open floor plan with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

It’s meant to showcase “21^st-century responsible living” with design and construction elements that include solar panels and concrete countertops as well as recycled and recyclable rugs.

"We want our viewers to discover how they can live harmoniously with nature but still have a connection to contemporary architecture and the latest in eco-friendly products and practices,” said Kathleen Finch, general manager, HGTV.

Above is the the pretty living room. I love the color scheme.

Tiny house full of spacing-saving designs

Yesterday I told you how much I love Murphy beds and today I wanted to show you a video from Dwell magazine and the Nate Berkus Show that incorporates one into a small 650-square-foot design.

The video is from the show’s House Proud series, in which homeowners show off their own designs. This one has lots of tiny-space ideas. Enjoy!

The home belongs to Rosa and Robert Garneau, architects whose place was featured in Dwell's March issue, We Love New York.

Do you have some great space-saving ideas? If so, share them…