A Vintage Bedroom Makeover

May 29, 2011, 6:05 am

≫ Next: Summer House Inspiration For Your Bedroom

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Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Projects

A lot of makeovers make an old room look brand new. This one takes the opposite approach, and we love the vintage-inspired result.

A Well Dressed Home

There's nothing wrong with this master bedroom. Sweet, pin-tucked bedding, basic furniture and a hint of the vintage look that the homeowner, Jennifer Vaughn of Memento-Designs, was after. But it was when she teamed up with designer Emily Hewitt of A Well Dressed Home that the room transformed into an elegant, put-together space.

A Well Dressed Home

The biggest change in this room was actually the least expensive -- the loosely decoupaged wall. Pages from old books lend the space history, texture and a lovely neutral palette. Playing off of the light colors, the mint and peach bedding and ruffled pillows are old-fashioned without being dowdy. And the lamps and mirrors flanking the bed make the space look much more thought-out than before. No more mirror on the floor!

A Well Dressed Home

Recognize that shelf from the "before?" Love that it now fits into the space and is accented by accessories that match the old world vibe.

Ready for more makeovers? Check out:
Kitchen Makeover: From Empty to Inviting
Minute Makeover: Neutral Bedrooms Go Graphic
A Kitchen Makeover Via Black, White and...Roosters?

 

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Summer House Inspiration For Your Bedroom

May 30, 2011, 9:29 pm

≫ Next: What Plants Grow in Full Shade?

≪ Previous: A Vintage Bedroom Makeover

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Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home

Even if you don't have a separate summer house you can use these easy ideas to give your year-round home seasonal spirit.

We're so excited to get a peek inside the new book "Terry John Woods' Summer House." Text by Terry John Woods; Photography by Kindra Clineff; Published by Abrams.

The only thing better than a good night's sleep is several good nights' sleep -- with a nap thrown in for good measure! Summer-house bedrooms are places of peaceful rejuvenation. A day in the fresh air and the overall process of winding down may leave us drowsy and quietly anticipating a restful sleep. I'm not certain whether the beds are infinitely more comfortable at the summer house, or whether our quieted minds are just more ready to embrace each nuance of comfort and rush to surrender; perhaps both are equally true.

This brightly colored bedroom earns its charm by the use of repurposed fabrics. The chair is slipcovered from vintage tablecloths, which complement the vibrant sheets and pillows on the bed. You can slipcover chairs very inexpensively by using vintage fabrics. Make sure the fabrics have strong fibers and the colors have not faded. Photo: (C) Kindra Clineff for Abrams.

The summer-house bed has offered comfort long-distance as the memory of those quiet times is sometimes enough to redirect thoughts and stir emotions of tranquility and longing during the times when we need it the most. If Dorothy had ever spent a night under a down-filled comforter somewhere on the rocky coast of Maine, I have no doubt that she'd be clicking her heels and repeating "There's no place like summer house"!

A vintage bamboo headboard and night table adds to the casual feel of this room. A small oil painting, vintage lamp, and round storage box were all found at local flea markets. For a different look, try adding small collectibles to your bedside table that can easily be changed when new ones are found. Photo: (C) Kindra Clineff.

As with the rest of the summer house, accessories and furnishings in the bedrooms should be kept simple. In my mind, clutter and anxiety are synonymous. Large, yielding pillows and an extra comforter or blanket for chilly nights are essentials. Window coverings may be necessary to regulate temperature during the warmest days of summer as well as to maintain warmth during the off-season when we are relying on the fireplace rather than the sun to keep us comfortable.

An old stripped-pine mantel propped against the wall is now a makeshift headboard in the summer house. I have used old paneled doors, tin ceiling panels, and windowpanes for headboards in the past. Easily changed from season to season for a new look, salvaged items add a creative one-of-a-kind touch to any room. Photo: (C) Kindra Clineff.

Knowing what brings you personal comfort is the key to designing a bedroom or quiet space that meets your needs. You'll know that you have accomplished your goal and assembled the perfect personal space for yourself when amid the hustle of your everyday life you find your mind wandering to that restful place you have created. Know that the summer house is as much a place in your heart as on the map, so it really is with you all the time.

If you're left craving more summer house inspiration, pick up a copy of "Artists' Handmade Houses"!

 

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What Plants Grow in Full Shade?

May 30, 2011, 9:29 pm

≫ Next: How to Soundproof a Room: 3 Stylish Options

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Filed under: Gardening, Flowers, How-To

If you thought that the answer was "none", read on. We're spotlighting four plants that prefer to stay out of the sun.

Whether you've got a plot that's shaded by trees or tall buildings, there are a surprising number of perennials that can thrive in the area and bring grace and beauty to places that seem doomed to be barren.

Here are four of my go-to plants for deep shade situations.

Smilacia racemosa. Photo: Marie Viljoen

1. Smilacina racemosa, known as smilax. This is a native of Eastern woods and grows happily under full leaf cover. The green buds open to fluffy white plumes around late spring, and by fall have turned into attractive berries. Hardy to USDA Zone 3.

Polygonatum biflorum. Photo: Marie Viljoen

2. Polygonatum biflorum -- Solomon's seal. This woodland native forms lush colonies over time. These tall, arched stems drip with little green bell flowers in mid-spring. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.

Speirantha convallarioides. Photo: Marie Viljoen

3. Speirantha convallarioides -- false lily of the valley. An unusual plant with strappy, orchid-like leaves (which are semi-evergreen), its pretty bottle brush flowers bloom in full shade. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.

Convallaria majalis. Photo: Marie Viljoen

4. Convallaria majalis -- real lily of the valley! Now, some may disapprove, because lily of the valley can be invasive, but I find it hard to resist their deep scent and gorgeous flowers. Plant within a sunken barrier to prevent their spread, and they will flower in deep shade. Hardy USDA Zone 2.

For more plants that will flourish in shade read my previous article about shade-loving native plants.

 

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How to Soundproof a Room: 3 Stylish Options

May 31, 2011, 2:18 am

≫ Next: Ellen Degeneres & Portia DeRossi's House For Sale

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Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Living Room, Projects

Easy soundproofing ideas that (bonus!) make a room look better, too.

Check out this genius home rescue from our friends at CasaSugar!


Neighbors are a fact of life, but if you live in tight quarters or a noisy area, it can sometimes feel like they're ruining your life. While there are plenty of soundproofing options out there, many of them are, shall we say, less than chic. But even if you share space with a musician or live next door to the neighborhood bar, you don't have to sacrifice style to get a little peace and quiet. Here are five ways to soundproof your space that are so discreet, no one will even realize you've done it. Except you, as you're snoozing blissfully.



How to Soundproof: Build a Barrier
If the offending sound is coming from a shared wall, create a barrier along that wall. Install floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and fill them up, or if you really want to fight back, consider building a wall of speakers like this room from the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse.

How to Soundproof: Create a Second Wall
If you're renting, you probably can't install a permanent extra layer of Sheetrock or drywall to further insulate your space, but you can create a more temporary solution. Pick up a few large plywood panels - enough to cover an entire wall. Cover them in fiberfill, and then wrap the whole thing in a fabric you love. Hang or lean the panels from the wall, and simply take them down when you move out.

How to Soundproof: Soften Things Up
When you're talking about noise-proofing, every little bit helps. In rooms like your living room or bedroom, try to soften up the space with as many noise-absorbing materials as possible: extra throw pillows, cushy ottomans or floor cushions, and soft throws will all do their part.

Get three more ideas from CasaSugar! And check out these other great stories:
Coveted Crib: Jason Statham's Glass House
Cary Grant's Tiny House Is Back on the Market

Or watch this video about soundproofing:

 

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Ellen Degeneres & Portia DeRossi's House For Sale

May 31, 2011, 2:18 am

≫ Next: Boutique of the Week: Michele Varian

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Rumor has it that the couple's Beverly Hills house is on the market for $49 million.

Westside Estate Agency via Curbed / Dan Steinberg, AP.

It's hard to imagine why Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi-Degeneres would want to sell their enormous estate. After buying the 12,000-square-foot house for $29 million in 2007, the pair spent 2008 buying 3 adjacent properties so they could expand their home (and keep it super private). In addition to the $49 million for the house, the entire estate is also supposedly listed for $60 million.

Westside Estate Agency via Curbed

Wondering what that kind of money gets you? The listing doesn't actually go through a room-by-room list but the all-knowing Real Estalker lists a master suite, extensive dressing area, three bedrooms-with-bathrooms, "private nudity-encouraging sunbathing terrace" and an "under-swimming pool" space with fitness center ... among many, many other rooms and amenities (garages for the Porsches, cabanas, the works).

But that's enough talk. What we really want is to just lounge around this place. Perhaps the buyers will be generous and invite us over...

Westside Estate Agency via Curbed

Westside Estate Agency via Curbed

Westside Estate Agency via Curbed

Westside Estate Agency via Curbed

 

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Boutique of the Week: Michele Varian

May 31, 2011, 4:43 am

≫ Next: WIN IT! The Best Pillow For Your Sleep Style

≪ Previous: Ellen Degeneres & Portia DeRossi's House For Sale

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Filed under: Design, etc, News & Trends

Don't let yourself fall into a shopping rut. Instead, explore some of the best boutiques around the country. Today: Michele Varian in Manhattan, New York.

Fashion designer-turned-storeowner Michele Varian fills her Soho shop with industrial furniture, daring artwork and enough home accessories to keep you browsing (and coveting) for an afternoon. Here's a snapshot of how she makes it work, in her own words.

Michele Varian

1. What's your best-selling product?
That seems to change weekly as we get in new product. Lately, we've been selling a lot of vintage pieces. And we always sell a lot of jewelry, pillows and "guy stuff".

Michele Varian

2. What keeps customers coming back?
Besides having a wide range of prices (token gift to life-long commitment), most people walk in and say they want to live here. So they end up bringing a little bit back to their own homes each time.

Michele Varian

3. Fun fact:
The store used to be an iron forgery, so there are still large chains, hooks and rails on the ceiling.

Michele Varian

On ShelterPop's wishlist: Globe Pendant, $298

Michele Varian

Michele Varian is located at 27 Howard Street, New York, NY 10013. Not in New York? You can shop online at michelevarian.com.

Want to nominate our next boutique of the week? Let us know on Twitter!

 

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WIN IT! The Best Pillow For Your Sleep Style

May 31, 2011, 2:13 pm

≫ Next: Can't Stop Clicking: Unhappy Hipsters

≪ Previous: Boutique of the Week: Michele Varian

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Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home

Side sleeper? Snorer? We've got the perfect pillow for you.

Most homewares are fairly one-size-fits-all. Pillows? Not so much. Sleep on the wrong pillow type for your sleep style and your neck will pay in the morning. ShelterPop editor Amy Preiser visited BetterTV to talk all about which pillows will keep you comfortable, well-rested and not cranky the next morning.




Want to pick up one of these for yourself (or any sweaty sleepers in your life?)
Check out this cheat sheet to our picks

Courtesy photos

Clockwise from top left:
Snorers: Anti-Snore Pillow, $100, Brookstone.
Sweaty sleepers: Iso-Cool Pillow, $34, JCPenney.
Readers: Bed Wedge Pillow, $100, Brookstone.
Side sleepers: Iso-Cool Side Sleeper, $23, Amazon.
Back sleepers: Gosa Vide/Karna, $30, IKEA.
Stomach sleepers: Gosa Vadd, $9, IKEA.

Interested in winning? Here's how you enter:

To enter click below to tweet and tell us which friends you'll invite to your picnic. Don't forget to follow @ShelterPop and add #PerfectPillow so we can find your tweet.

Tweet

o. If you're not a Twitter fanatic like us, leave a comment below telling us what kind of sleeper you are.

o. Your comment or tweet must be left before midnight on Tuesday, June 7th and you may enter only once.

o. 6 winners -- one for each pillow type -- will be randomly selected to win one of the following: Anti-Snore Pillow ($100 value), Iso-Cool Pillow ($34 value), Bed Wedge Pillow ($100 value), Iso-Cool Side Sleeper ($23 value), Gosa Vide/Karna ($30 value),
Gosa Vadd ($9 value).

o. The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

* Click here for complete Official Rules. Winners will be notified by email, so be sure to provide a valid email address!

And don't forget - we're also giving away a Sony laptop over on Facebook!

 

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Can't Stop Clicking: Unhappy Hipsters

June 1, 2011, 7:04 am

≫ Next: House of Worship: Ruschmeyer's Hotel

≪ Previous: WIN IT! The Best Pillow For Your Sleep Style

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Filed under: Fun Stuff

Expand your list of must-read sites with our weekly site spotlight. Today, perfectly-styled homes are cut down to size by the hilarious Unhappy Hipsters.

Unhappy Hipsters

The Site: Unhappy Hipsters
The Draw: Laugh-out-loud comments on the most ridiculous photos from shelter magazines.

Unhappy Hipsters

Who's Behind It: They'll never tell! But they did grant us this interview...

What makes YOU laugh?

Drunk babies using obscene language get us every time. See: The landlord.

What's the biggest mistake you see in interior photos?

Using an extreme wide angle lens to make a project seem more expansive.

Who are the biggest offenders?

Architects, amateurs.

How can I style my home to make sure you wouldn't make fun of it?

There will always be a need for Unhappy Hipsters as long "styling" is involved.

Thanks, mysterious, entertaining friends! Now read on for some of our favorite Unhappy Hipsters moments.

Unhappy Hipsters

Unhappy Hipsters

Before you go: Are you a fan of ShelterPop on Facebook? Head over now and you could win a laptop!

 

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House of Worship: Ruschmeyer's Hotel

June 1, 2011, 7:04 am

≫ Next: Design Pin-Ups: Malene B

≪ Previous: Can't Stop Clicking: Unhappy Hipsters

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Filed under: Design, etc, House Tours, News & Trends

The Hamptons' newest hotel blends high-end resort style with cozy, quirky summer camp nostalgia. And we've got the first look.

After seeing photos of Ruschmeyer's, the new hotel/bar/restaurant/nightspot from the minds behind Surf Lodge, I quickly added "hammock" to my list of dream house must-haves.

Joe Termini

See what I mean?

And that's not the only draw of these rooms. A neutral palette gets a boost from carefully placed patterns and one shocking hue, while still maintaining the beachy, relaxed vibe.

Want a closer look? Click through the slideshow for shots of the lobby, beer garden and more inside the rooms (hint: You'll be seeing that electric yellow again in a big way).

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http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Ruschmeyers Hotel

Bunking with a friend never looked so good.

Ruschmeyers Hotel

Or better yet, invite over friends to enjoy your room's ample seating.

Ruschmeyers Hotel

Imagine waking up and looking right at that hammock.

Ruschmeyers Hotel

But first, eat that candy!

Ruschmeyers Hotel

Bored with the sofas? Take a seat at the modern table.

Ruschmeyers Hotel

A well-curated mix of plants, books and curiosities.

Ruschmeyers Hotel

Even checking in is chic.

Ruschmeyers Hotel

Like summer camp for cool kids.

Ruschmeyers Hotel

A look inside Ruschmeyer's disco.

Ruschmeyers Hotel

Looking for more inspiring spaces?
House of Worship: Hotel Missoni Kuwait
House of Worship: Erin Fetherston's Closet
House of Worship: Mary McDonald's Store Window
House of Worship: Iris Apfel's Home

And if this has you dreaming about the Hamptons, check out this video:

 

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Design Pin-Ups: Malene B

June 1, 2011, 7:04 am

≫ Next: Plant of the Week: Edible Amelanchier

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True design lovers can't limit their aesthetic crushes to furniture and patterns. So we're spotlighting the designers we can't stop obsessing over. This week: Malene B.

Malene B is the cure for the common carpet. With her inventive patterns and bold palettes, she has a knack for turning the floor into the most envied surface in a room.

Malene B

With inspirations that span the globe from Bangkok to Marrakesh, Malene brings high-concept motifs into easy-to-digest patterns. It's almost like a magic eye: If you pay attention, you see that her "Wolof" design is actually a parade of people -- the Wolofs of Senegal. But from afar, the design looks like a carefully executed blend of shapes and colors.

Malene B

And she turns cowrie shells into a beautiful repeat, mixing it with dots and an elegant neutral palette.

Malene B

But what's even more fantastic about Malene B's work is her passion: This color explosion rug, the "Tap Tap" is not just a tribute to Haiti's artistic culture -- it's a fundraiser. All proceeds from the sale of this rug goes to rebuilding an artisan workshop in Port au Prince.

Malene B

Have a designer to nominate for the next Design Pin-Up? Let us know on Twitter! And check out our previous picks: Parvez Taj , Rafael de Cárdenas and
hOmE's Evan & Oliver Haslegrave.

 

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Plant of the Week: Edible Amelanchier

June 1, 2011, 9:59 am

≫ Next: Decorating With Barbie: How Weird Will You Get?

≪ Previous: Design Pin-Ups: Malene B

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Filed under: Gardening, Flowers

Each week, bring something new to your garden/windowsill/favorite vase -- and impress your friends with your ahead-of-the-curve picks.

Amelanchier berries in June. Photo: Marie Viljoen

The Amelanchier genus of trees and shrubs is native to much of North America. Amelanchier's common names include serviceberry, juneberry and shadblow. The white flowers open when the ground begins to thaw and the small red berries ripen in June. They are edible and delicious, their flavor somewhere in the realm of blueberry meets marzipan. Eat them fresh or put them in pies.

 

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Decorating With Barbie: How Weird Will You Get?

June 2, 2011, 6:08 am

≫ Next: Minute Makeover: Creating a Kid-Friendly Kitchen

≪ Previous: Plant of the Week: Edible Amelanchier

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Filed under: Fun Stuff, Design, etc

We've rounded up Barbie homewares that range from the truly bizarre to the downright tame.

Apartment Therapy; Chloe Ruchon; Kartell

Whether or not you were a Barbie fan growing up, you can't deny the doll's influence. See these crazy (but kind of brilliant) tributes to the 52-year-old gal. Click through our gallery to go from the craziest to the most tame Barbie furniture:

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Barbie Furniture

The recently shuttered Barbie store in Shanghai had the ultimate Barbie home accessories: Barbie walls.

Barbie Furniture

Design student Chloe Ruchon created this $25,000 foosball table in 2009 for a partnership between Mattel and Bonzini. Charlie Sheen supposedly owns one.

Barbie Furniture

(Not meant to be used.)
$30, dejAvoodu, Etsy.

Barbie Furniture

Seen in the 2009 real-life Barbie Dream House, designed by Jonathan Adler.

Barbie Furniture

Apartment Therapy's Lise spotted this doll chandelier out in Portland. Creepy? Or just a great way to display no-longer-needed dolls?

Barbie Furniture

Let Barbie's legs hold onto your favorite jewelry with this quirky, almost-scary piece.
$29, Luxfordst, Etsy.

Barbie Furniture

Only 5,000 of these wool woven rugs were made by Danish manufacturer Ege Taepper.

Barbie Furniture

Special editions of the classic Kartell Ghost chair.
$443, Unica Home.

Barbie Furniture

Ah, the tamest of the Barbie goods: A sweet needlepoint pillow.
$165, Jonathan Adler.

Barbie Furniture

And check out more weird design:
Would You Wear Your Furniture on Your Sleeve? (Or Stomach, Or Knuckles?)
Decorate With... Manhole Covers?

 

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Minute Makeover: Creating a Kid-Friendly Kitchen

June 2, 2011, 6:08 am

≫ Next: Bernie Madoff's Brother Lists $6.5 Million House (PHOTOS)

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Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home

"I want to create a place in the kitchen where my kids can do their homework. I'm sick of sacrificing the dining room!" - Patricia Pinto

There's a lot of confusion in the Pinto's kitchen and dining room. The dining room is used as a homework spot, the kitchen is used as a dining spot and nobody has enough room. Solution? Take out the eating nook in the kitchen and instead use that space to create a real homework hub: A high top table that seats all four of the Pinto kids. Add in the wall-mounted computer station and storage (perfect for all that unused wall space) plus a magnetic board to keep track of assignments and display messages and now the family has an entire area devoted to studying -- well within mom Patricia's watchful eye. Bonus: When the kids aren't working, Patricia gets to use their table as extra counter space.

Now, the kitchen's a well-planned, multi-functioning space. And the dining room? Finally, a place for the family to unplug and relax with each other.

Watch our other Minute Makeovers for more great ideas!

 

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Bernie Madoff's Brother Lists $6.5 Million House (PHOTOS)

June 2, 2011, 6:08 am

≫ Next: Get More Closet Space (Today!)

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Filed under: Famous Homes, Celebrity Homes

Peter Madoff has listed his Old Westbury, New York mansion for $6.5 million -- and all of the proceeds go to Ponzi scheme victims.

Rick Maiman, Bloomberg via Getty Images; Zillow

When we first heard that Peter Madoff was selling his 5-bedroom English manor house for over $6 million, we were a little horrified. Who on earth wants to hand over $6.5 million to anyone with the last name Madoff? Then we saw that all proceeds are going to victims of the Ponzi scheme. Does that make buying the house a charitable act? Not quite. But it's a start.

Even if you have no interest in buying, it doesn't hurt to look. Our friends at Zillow sent over photos so we could take a virtual tour. Come on inside...

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Peter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

While the home's decor is a little over-the-top, we actually like the entryway.

ZillowPeter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

A two-tiered island and gorgeous appliances -- we hope whoever buys makes use of this great kitchen. Or at least hires someone else to.

ZillowPeter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

Perfect for casual mornings when the dining room feels too overwhelming.

ZillowPeter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

See what we mean about this being a little overwhelming?

Peter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

One of five. Perhaps the stuffiest of the bunch.

ZillowPeter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

One of the home's six bathrooms.

ZillowPeter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

Just a hint of the home's 4 acres.

ZillowPeter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

One of the many spots for lounging around here.

ZillowPeter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

More lounging.

ZillowPeter Madoffs $6.5 Million Home For Sale

Looking for more scandalous houses? Check out:
Inside Dominique Strauss-Khan's $50K-a-Month TriBeCa Apartment

 

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Get More Closet Space (Today!)

June 2, 2011, 7:40 am

≫ Next: Blast From the Nest: Julian Schnabel's Montauk House

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Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization

We can't build you a bigger closet. But we can introduce you to these hardworking products that will make your closet seem more spacious.



Check out this story from our friends at Real Simple!

Get your home organized with these stylish solutions.

Thomas Loof, Real Simple

10 Pretty Hooks
Compact (only 20 inches wide) and sweet. Great for light jackets and hoodies.
To buy: Umbra Birdseye 10 hook, $27, delphiniumhome.com.

Belt Spinner
Efficient and easy to access, it has grippy ribbed arms that work for scarves, too.
To buy: Friction Spinning Belt Organizer, $20 for four, holdnstorage.com.

Thomas Loof, Real Simple

Hangers With Benefits
Accessory bars for scarves or belts let you organize complete outfits.
To buy: Real Simple hangers, $10 for 12, bedbathandbeyond.com.

Peekaboo Shoe Box
The magnetic pull-down door allows you to grab shoes from the front.
To buy: Linen drop-front shoe box, $15, containerstore.com.

Want more space-saving tools? Check out four more ideas over at Real Simple. And be sure to see...
Great Summer Tableware
Stylish Ways to Display Collections

 

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Blast From the Nest: Julian Schnabel's Montauk House

June 3, 2011, 5:35 am

≫ Next: Green Spotlight: A Lily Garden

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Filed under: Design, etc, House Tours

Before the design world mourned Domino, there was Nest: A Quarterly of Interiors. Each Friday, we're posting one of our favorite homes from the late, great magazine.

This is a scanned excerpt from the article "Julian Schnabel, Decorator" from the Spring 2001 issue of Nest.

Speaking to Nest about his house in Montauk, the painter and filmmaker does not seem inclined to rattle on about decorating. Nevertheless he is very imaginative in this department -- so much so that Nest wants to be the first to acclaim Julian Schnabel as a great decorator.

Julian Schnabel for Nest Magazine

His instinct is sure. The palette of colors he has chosen for his Standord White summer house may suit the White era, yet it strikes us as timelessly right. His feeling for playing with proportions, for space and how to accentuate it, for objects and their placements -- all mark him as one of us.

Julian Schnabel for Nest Magazine

Julian Schnabel for Nest Magazine

Julian Schnabel for Nest Magazine

Julian Schnabel for Nest Magazine

Julian Schnabel for Nest Magazine

Julian Schnabel for Nest Magazine

Julian Schnabel for Nest Magazine

 

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Green Spotlight: A Lily Garden

June 3, 2011, 5:35 am

≫ Next: Want to Look Younger? Start With Your Home

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Filed under: Gardening, Flowers, Garden Tours

Like any great room, a great garden needs to balance style and substance. Here, the spaces that do it right.

Lilies on a New York terrace. Photo: Marie Viljoen

This 7th floor New York City terrace is jumping with Asiatic lilies, all open in a June burst of strawberries and cream. Planted in the fall, they overwinter in long wooden planters before breaking their frigid dormancy in March. I designed this garden and know from firsthand experience that the windchill on this exposed floor is severe, and that warmer weather arrives here a couple of weeks later than it does at street level. In early April the lilies are overplanted with spring annuals, and by the time those are fading the green stems and strappy leaves have pushed past them. The catnip pictured reblooms if it is deadheaded, but if I could do it again I would plant less of it, and use some more perennials for variety and sequence of bloom through the year. For that, we must rely on crabapples, spirea and roses planted on other parts of the terrace.

To grow containerized lilies, use a pot that is 16" deep, minimally. The bulbs can be planted in fall or early spring.

Looking for more gardening ideas? Check out:
Plant of the Week: Edible Amelanchier
Elizabeth Taylor's Garden (PHOTOS)
What Plants Grow in Full Shade?

 

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Want to Look Younger? Start With Your Home

June 3, 2011, 5:35 am

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Filed under: Your Home

The bad news: Your decor is aging you. The good news: Redecorating is less painful than botox. Find out which paint color is making you look old and what a grapefruit candle can do to reverse the process.

Agefotostock

There's entire books on clothes and make-up to make you look younger. But what about your house? Even the most carefully considered home is crawling with at least one or two things that can make you look older. Luckily, it's not hard to turn things around. Who wouldn't love to lose a few years everytime you step inside your own home?

We reached out to the New York Design Center's new Access to Design designers to get their thoughts and tips.

What's Aging You: Awkward Furniture
"The first thing that's making you look older? Furniture you can't sit in. Your posture shows your age," says designer Christopher Coleman.

Look younger by... bringing in a high back chair.
It'll force you to sit up straight and look all lithe and youthful.

A high backed chair in one of Coleman's rooms and a similar model available from Brueton. Christopher Coleman / NYDC

What's Aging You: Old-Fashioned Flowers
"The worst offender? Fake flowers!" says designer Tara Seawright. (Other, similar culprits: Musty potpourri that smells quite literally like your grandmother).

Look younger by... updating those florals.
Seawright suggests metal flowers to get the same cheerful look in a sleeker way. And if you want scents in your home, try grapefruit-scented soap or candles. It apparently makes you appear six years younger. Wow!

Metal flowers from Arteriors / Grapefruit candle from Nordstrom

What's Aging You: Beige Paint
"Beige washes you out, color makes you glow," says designer Thomas Burak

Look younger by... surrounding yourself with color.
Try Benjamin Moore's Blue Wave, Ralph Lauren's Baja Orange or any of these paint colors that make you look younger.

One of Marks & Frantz's favorite sconces. Photo: StudioDekor

What's Aging You: Overhead Lighting
It casts more shadows -- not very forgiving way.

Look younger by... bringing in lamps and sconces.
"We can't stress how important this is. Get rid of that overhead lighting and use lamps. Or go with the most flattering light of all: Wall wash lighting," suggests designers Lisa Frantz and Lydia Marks.

What's Aging You: Your Aging House
"Nothing makes a person look older than worn-out fabrics, frayed carpets, and peeling paint," says designer Ed Ku. "If your surroundings look like they need some help and attention, chances are that you do also!"

Look younger by... cleaning and streamlining
Go around your house with three big bags: One for trash, one for donating, one for repairs. If something's looking past its prime and you can do without it, get rid of it. If it can be fixed with paint/needle and thread, get to it!

Looking for more great advice or for a designer for your home? Reach out to accesstodesign@nydc.com.

Looking for more ways to make your house work for you? Check out:
Marianne Williamson's Course in Weight Loss -- for Your Home
How Your House Can Make You Rich

 

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Save $100 This Weekend

June 4, 2011, 2:56 am

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≪ Previous: Want to Look Younger? Start With Your Home

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Filed under: Your Home

Well, $100 off your total purchase price, if you buy these fantastic homewares on sale.

It's not about how much you spend. It's how much you saved after carefully shopping our curated picks. Here, two ways to save $100:

Clockwise from top left:

Brass Travel Candle by Altru, $29 (down from $35), Neiman Marcus
Crane Grellow Desk Lamp, $50 (down from $100), CB2
Big Love Ice Cream Bowl & Spoon by Alessi, $33 (down from $40), Barneys
Omaruru Pillow, Square, $50 (down from $88), Anthropologie

Total saved: $101

Neiman Marcus, CB2, Barneys, Anthropologie.

Or, go with just one piece with a major price cut:

Sutton Sofette, $500 (down from $600), West Elm

Total saved: $100

West Elm

Which one would you choose?

Looking for more great round-ups? Check out..
Get More Closet Space (Today!)
High/Low Picks From a 'Million Dollar Decorator'

 

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A Fashionable Room Inspired by Iman

June 4, 2011, 7:55 am

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Filed under: Fun Stuff

We love the StyleList's "It Happened Last Night." We love decor. So why not put them together in a shoppable, fashion-fueled room?

This Weekend's Pick: Iman

The 55-year-old Somalian supermodel Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid Bowie -- or, you know, just Iman -- donned custom designed Irene Neuwirth earrings and brilliantly pulled off the color-blocking trend with Prabal Gurung Spring 2011. The finishing touch? Strappy black sandals.

It's the perfect inspiration for vibrant decor. And you can get the look in your home: Click on the images below for product details and buying info.






Check in every weekend for another fashionable room. Take a look at last week's Leona Lewis inspiration and past rooms that pay tribute to...
Alexa Chung
Demi Moore
Sarah Jessica Parker
Helen Mirren

 

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