Displaying posts labeled "Reader’s Home"

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you …. that’s you lot… the readers! A few weeks back Chase emailed me.

Chase – I have a new home I’m purchasing and its needs some help! Could you post this house to see what the readers think about ideas!?

Jo – If I put it up as a Design Crew post is there anything in particular you want them to “discuss”? Anything that really has you stumped? Warning though. Some of our readers are starting to play tough and may hurt your feelings 🙂 If you are fine with that then I can’t wait to see what they come up with.

Chase – The front of the house is what I would really like some help with. The inside is pretty much a blank canvas so any ideas for design would be great. Overall, just what readers have in mind. I would like to come back once I’ve finished to show the final product. As far as getting my feelings hurt goes, it’s the Internet… Peoples opinions are all over the place! I appreciate it 🙂

OK you heard Chase. Go for it.

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you …. that’s you lot… the readers! Here’s a good one to sink your teeth into. Danica emailed about her beams.

I am looking for help with my design problem involving exposed beams. I have a 35 yr old Cape Cod that has exposed beams through out the main floor. They are in ceiling in the kitchen, dining room and living room. They are also in the hall and continue down the walls in all these rooms too. Some are stained a 70’s chocolate brown and others are painted the same brown. At first I liked them as they lent a sort of chalet look to the place but now they are just too dark and dreary. They are large beams about a foot thick on all sides. I really don’t want to paint them white and I can’t even think about striping them. We have natural cedar walls everywhere too. I would like to brighten the kitchen by painting the cupboards(green) and the walls(white) in that area. I was also thinking of painting the ceiling a nice blue. But what to do with those beams? I also have a part wall of exposed brick.

I have been trying to come up with a practical solution to all of this for over five years now.  So here are some pics of the kitchen/dining room and living room. Looking at them all I am thinking is “Yikes, that is a lot of wood!”  We live out in the woods in East Coast Canada and have a eclectic style. I love the house but want it a little bit brighter. 

I know how much you love a good reader’s home renovation on Desire to Inspire. So many times you ask for the before shots or more often the after photos. This post should just about satisfy both. Back in February Sonia emailed asking for some recommendations and… wait I’ll just let her explain in her latest email to us.

I’ve got a couple reader’s homes for you today. This first one belongs to Jennifer Sowa, a young German interior and media designer who lives in a tiny 19th century home in Wiesbaden city close to famous Frankfurt am Main. It’s adorable, I love her wood floors (!!!) and she’s got a really pretty backyard. (Check out her website, which she plans to have an English version of soon, and where she will be showcasing her sewing projects and other creative stuff). Thanks Jennifer!

P.S. Bhavna is looking for a new identity/logo for her blog An Indian Summer and in exchange for help is giving away a box of goodies from India! Details HERE.

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don’t know what to do? You’re not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you …. that’s you lot… the readers!

Arnold emailed, “A couple friends and I recently acquired a 700sq/ft beautiful old classroom with original slate blackboards and large windows to use as a design studio space. We realize the space has so much potential to be super amazing but are overwhelmed by the options as we are not experienced with interior design. I would like some ideas from you and from your readers as to what we should do with the space… (we are) mainly looking for ideas in terms of wall treatment?”

Look at those blackboards! Imagine what Dana Tanamachi could do to those! I know you will come up with great ideas for Arnold and his friends. In the meantime I’m heading back to bed. I have put my back out and have orders for 5 days bed rest with lots of drugs. Like the idea of doctor enforced time in bed. Don’t like the idea of the drugs… much 😉