Bungalow Home

WSJ Wednesday

2012-02-15T11:59:00.001-06:00

A few posts ago I showed you this image of my desk in its current state

Stacks of newspapers my sweet dad gives me almost every day were piled up--all containing articles he believes I need to read. "You really need to know about this" he says or "This is a very interesting article on _______ " insert Murphy Beds, French parenting vs. American parenting or a story about a new restaurant opening in Chicago ( because he says one day I might be hungry in Chicago--I am not kidding.)

I usually read the articles and toss in trash but thought in his honor I would do a little post on a current article he thought I would find interesting...The title: "A Gadget for the Home Learns by Degrees"

I am speaking of the super stylish programmable thermostat called the Nest.

The founders of Nest, Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers—who spearheaded the design and engineering of the iPod, respectively found it "unacceptable... that the device that controls 10 percent of all energy consumed in the U.S. hadn't kept up with advancements in technology and design." So they put pen to paper and came up with a thermostat like no other.

The Nest ($249) is really unlike any other thermostat in the market today. You set it at whatever temperature is most comfortable for you via a very simple dial and color-screen interface and the device adapts to your schedule, just like that. Within a week, it starts tuning your home’s temperature on its own. The Nest also has several sensors that determine if you are in the house and active; if you’re not, then it will automatically switch to Auto-Away or the nighttime mode.
It has a proximity sensor, so its screen lights up only when you are near by—a clever energy saver. And when you do interact with the Nest thermometer, it gives you very useful and helpful feedback. For example, when you decide to adjust the system, it will estimate the required time to reach the specified temperature. The Nest doesn't just learn, it also teaches: The Nest Leaf appears when you set a temperature that saves you energy—and money. The Leaf guides you in the right direction and helps you be energy-efficient.

The Nest can be connected to your Wi-Fi router and can be accessed via a Web portal or on iPhone or Droid so you can keep an eye on the temperature or change the temperature in your home from afar.

If you would like to learn more about The Nest click here. They are currently sold out of the stylish thermostat but you can sign up on a list for a first come first serve availability.

A Little Red

2012-02-14T12:35:00.000-06:00

Definitely goes a long way. Some RED items I am loving this Valentines Day.

1. The only red I ever wear on my nails. Opi's Big Apple Red. A classic red.

2. A great flat for summer, and at such a great price you can order all colors.

3. The perfect stool for spring cleaning.

4. I bought this top to wear in Spain and it is so comfortable and great for layering.

I wear it at least once a week.

5. When I visit my best friend in NYC we always stop in here for glass of champagne after a long day of shopping in SoHo. The cookbook has wonderful bistro classics.

6. A beach towel that will make people turn their heads. A definite splurge--I love the color and pattern combination.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bricks & Mortar

2012-02-13T15:23:00.001-06:00

For the past few months I have been working with a young couple who are building a new home. They came to me with their architectural plans and asked me to help them start to finish. I happily accepted and we immediately started selecting the exterior finishes. Tops on our list--applying a mortar wash to brick exterior.


Architectural Front Elevations (Taken with iPhone)

I recommended doing away with the stone accents and bricking the entire home. We also removed the three decorative copper finials on roof. After waiting patiently for builders to frame the home, the brick was laid and wash applied. The clients are thrilled with the results.


Home before brick and mortar wash

My clients were very specific in wanting the exterior to have a more authentic "old world" feel which is why we chose applying the mortar wash by hand. It is more expensive then purchasing a prefab whitewash brick but the overall results are well worth it. Over time the mortar will lighten and develop a worn appearance reminiscent of English country homes my client's admire.

Inside it is slowly starting to look like a home.


Looking at front doors from Family Room


Kitchen into Family Room


Dining Room

Custom Doors in Family Room leading to Outdoors

New Digs

2012-02-09T15:29:00.000-06:00

So I moved my design business 6 months ago from Bank Street to Grant Street and realized I never posted pictures of my new office space. I said good-bye to the retail portion of BHI and hello to a proper design studio.

New Office Space--The natural light that pours in each day is the best!

Back in May I jumped at the chance to move my business to Progress Tower. I was able to tear out walls, add lighting & carpet and then give everything a fresh coat of paint. Now I have separate work areas: computer desk, drafting table, and conference table. Plus space to be "creative" or messy depending on who you talk to.

My favorite IKEA table became a great place to lay out floorplans and fabrics for presentations

My Resource Library--holds magazine subscriptions and books from design school.

My storage closet keeps fabric books and supplies organized

woven IKEA baskets keep my fabric memos stacked neatly. They are separated by color and pattern.

Furniture fabrics and large memos have their own area.

I have found that if my workspace is organized I am a much happier person. Does it stay this way constantly--NO! This is my drafting table today...

Covered in paperwork, newspaper articles from WSJ my sweet dad saves for me to read (more on this weekly delivery later!) and tile samples. Cough drops and hot tea seem to be a permanent fixture around here lately as well.

Bungalow Home Interiors New Blog

2011-12-08T15:59:00.001-06:00

Check back soon for some design posts from Bungalow Home Interiors