Category: Projects

The “Cottage” Estate At Little Hills

Stone Steps, Wood Decorative Glass Entry Door, Black Canvas Awning
~ laurelbledsoe ~ Leave a comment

IS IT POSSIBLE TO LOVE A HOUSE  TOO MUCH?

“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Our design firm is “old”.  Years ago a very young feature writer called us “an established design firm with years of experience”.  What this really means to us is that we have built relationships that are important to us.  We continue to be blessed with clients who allow us to come into their homes and become part of their families.   We have as many memories of their homes as they do.  When it’s time to pass “our” home onto the next family it can be bittersweet.

Little Hills Is One Of These Properties. 

imagereader-1.aspx.jpeg

Continue reading “The “Cottage” Estate At Little Hills” →

Is It Time For Back To School Already? Is Your Homework Area Ready?

~ laurelbledsoe ~ 6 Comments

5 PROS OF SETTING UP A HOMEWORK STATION

UNIVERSITY PRESS.jpg

Photos  via Pinterest

Let’s face it, the thought of homework does not conjure up warm and fuzzy feelings for kids or parents.  In reality the memories are more likely of lost assignments, mad dashes to Walgreens, crowded dinner tables ladled with supplies, frustrated kids who don’t “get this” and the bedtime clock looming in the background.  What if we could count on our homes to help make homework time better?

Continue reading “Is It Time For Back To School Already? Is Your Homework Area Ready?” →

Do You Need A Designer?

~ kristenmbritt ~ 5 Comments

HOW TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S HOUSE YOUR HOME

The real estate agent has done a bang up job of finding a house in the neighborhood you love.  The mechanics of the house are strong.  The previous owners have kept up nicely with maintenance.  Yet, something is still not as you imagined.  You want to make this house your home.

Can you do this alone or should you hire a designer?

images.png

 

Continue reading “Do You Need A Designer?” →

Living Large in Under 1000′

~ kristenmbritt ~ 2 Comments

ANOTHER LOOK AT WHAT MINIMALISM DECOR LOOKS LIKE

ISq5heblhfus3o1000000000.jpg

Converted warehouses and commercial buildings are another type of building where a minimal decor works very well.  These structures are loaded with architectural details and have an abundance of light from oversize windows. The developers of these conversions do all they can to preserve as many of the original finishes as possible.  What is appealing to so many, however, can be daunting when thinking about creating a comfortable lifestyle….even for the most seasoned minimalist.  Designers, like me, love the possibilities!

Continue reading “Living Large in Under 1000′” →

Living Large in Under 2000′

~ laurelbledsoe ~ 2 Comments

ANOTHER LOOK AT WHAT A MINIMALISM DECOR LOOKS LIKE

154 Bella Vista Terrace-large-058-63-154BellaVista 8681-1500x994-72dpi.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing with another example of how minimalism in decor looks and functions, is a 1751′ condo that started out as a basic builder grade, new build.  Not unlike other areas in the country, communities are emerging everywhere that offer limited floorpans and selections.  If you view the concept of having “less” as minimalism,  these homes qualify because they  really have “nothing” in terms of architectural features.  Wasn’t that one of our must haves for making minimalism work?  Yes it was.

 

Continue reading “Living Large in Under 2000′” →

Never Ask A Gal Her Age

~ laurelbledsoe ~ 10 Comments

THIS IS WHAT TIMELESS ARCHITECTURE AND DECOR LOOKS LIKE

unspecified-47.jpg

unspecified-32.jpg

unspecified.jpg

You know where these houses gather. You know the kind of neighborhoods we are talking about.  Tree lined streets artistically lit at dawn and dusk, mature and manicured lawns that fill the air with new grass aroma.  Homes with flagstone walkways and entries with just the right amount of moss. Dogwoods and azaleas so perfect in the spring they look like paintings.  These are the neighborhoods of more than one generation. These are the homes we want to peak inside.

Continue reading “Never Ask A Gal Her Age” →

Pass the Cream Please

~ laurelbledsoe ~ 1 Comment

A BETTER WAY TO USE A WIRE SHELVED PANTRY

1521 San Ysidro Way Venice FL-large-040-39-1521SanYsidro 0616-1500x994-72dpi

 

There is one constant item in ALL Florida vacation homes that isn’t very attractive or user friendly.  It’s that coated white shelving!  Every builder uses it.  I know this is why places like Lowe’s and Home Depot stay in business.  IT IS UGLY.  In Florida after about one week, it get’s a sticky residue that is like pulling gum off your shoe for anything sitting on it.  In other climates it gets “hairy”. So what does this have to do with cream…..

Continue reading “Pass the Cream Please” →

Old Guys and Online Shopping Rule

~ laurelbledsoe ~ 4 Comments

Waterford_7634.jpg

When you get to be, say in your mid fifties, you start to think about the rest of your life.  Not in a morbid way, that it’s more over than not, but in a way that perhaps you could make some changes.  We start to evaluate the decisions we’ve made up until now.  Do we have a career we like, do we want to keep doing this or consider a change. Have we planned for the next steps in our lives, whatever they will be. Are our kids starting to need us less and are we happy about that.  How big of a home do we need? None of these questions have the same answers for everyone nor are they clear cut. So many of us postpone the decisions until…say about our mid sixties.  Then we panic and think we have to do something fast!  Part of this comes from the national push to “downsize”.  To many the idea of downsizing is not only overwhelming, but somewhat depressing.  We don’t want to go “down”! Choosing to make a change in your home can be fun and very liberating.  Lets look at one inspiring example.

Continue reading “Old Guys and Online Shopping Rule” →