I have a Board on Pinterest entitled Brilliant which I think fits most of these ideas. They are a "why didn't I think of that" type of thing. Some of them are so simple it drives you nuts!!! But not so nuts that you aren't going to totally copy them and let your friends think you are that brilliant. Am I right?
Today let's start in the kitchen because I am working on a kitchen reno and a new construction job so I'm looking for brilliant ideas that I can call my own.
Trash and recycling shoot...
This is a magainze rack...
If you want more details on these ideas, go follow me on Pinterest. Not really sure how you find me? Try searching my name Sidney Wagner. Then block off the next six hours of your day...
I am working with my carpenter on turning some old corbels into a wall mounted console table for a client. I LOVE using old architectural elements in modern day decor! So unique and interesting. Here are some images to inspire you to do the same...
If all goes according to plan (cue evil laugh) these bad boys will soon be a one-of-a-kind-table!
I saw this over on The Zhush. It is a secret passageway between two daughter's bedrooms! How stinkin' cute is that?!?! It reminded me of another secret passageway I saved from a few years back in Coastal Living.
What is cooler for a kid's space? I had a client who bought a home in the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant and in the teenage daughter's room there was a secret space behind her closet (I think it was originally for a dumbwaiter) and I helped her decorate this teeny spot just for her. I had to get in touch with the "teenage Sidney"...it wasn't hard. I am not sure who had more fun me, or my client's daughter!
Sharing some eye candy with you as I prepare for my presentation at The ACBA. It was a BEAUTIFUL weekend in Charleston! Loved, loved, loved being outside. And the winner of my lil' contest is Holly Howard! She will be receiving a copy of a beautiful book, For The Love of Old. Thanks so much for those that participated!
The American College of the Building Arts (ACBA) is decicated to educating the next generation of building artisans and to preserving the building arts in a manner never before seen in America. Under the direction of our experienced faculty, students have the opportunity to recieve a quality liberal arts education while they learn to skills required to excel in their chosen field. This combination of education, training and access to highly experienced faculty is available nowhere else in the United States. The departments of study include: Stone, Carpentry, Forged Architectural Ironwork, Plaster Working, Preserved Masonry and Timber Framing.
I am speaking at their event on March 19 on how to incorporate custom details such as ironwork, woodwork, stone and plaster into interior design as well as how to repurpose old architectural pieces and elements into current interiors.
But I need help! I want to have as many visuals as I can to show the people that attend the event so I am asking for you to submit to me any photos of either interesting architectural details that you have used in your home or design projects OR old architectural pieces/elements that you have incorporated into your home or design projects. I will be featuring your photos on my blog (with your permission) and selecting a winner at random to receive one of my favorite books, For The Love of Old by Mary Randolph Carter. Please submit all photos to me sidney@eclectic-idg.com by Friday, March 11. Let me know if you have any questions! Here are some ideas to get you inspired!
[I feel like Carrie Bradshaw sometimes with these bad puns.]
I am working on finding the perfect old shutters/doors for a client's bedroom. I love that you can take this...
And do this...
via decorpad
Cottage Living
via loftandcottage blog
via cotedetexas blog
via willowdecor blog
via eclecticrevisited blog
Don't forget to take a moment and answer my survey for a chance to win a fabulous prize! I have already received SUCH good (and thank God positive) feedback! Thank you!!!
I often use old architectural pieces in design jobs. However, I also often get flack from the husbands who say something like "you want me to pay how much for that old chunk of wood?" I get where they are coming from...but I just think these pieces have so much character! Typically, they are one-of-a-kind and come with layers and layers of old paint and chipped pieces that make you wonder about their history. Call me a romantic but I see much more than "an old chunk of wood!" What about you...old chunks of wood or salvaged gems?
I kinda feel bad for all of the homeless armoires out there since the invention of the flat screen TV. But I am happy to have more design freedom than revolving a room around a large TV cabinet. And it has been interesting to witness the design world adapt to the change in technology. As you might guess, I am more interested in the creative and customized solutions than the standard issue stock variety but each has its place in society so here goes...
Me Likey!
I really like the idea of using architectural pieces like this.
I don't know if the owners hid a TV behind those old doors or not but it would be a lot cooler if they did!
And these smart folks used the space under the stairs to do some built-in cabinets that when closed, gives the illusion of a flat wall with amazing architectural detail. Kudos!
Ok, these are the standard stock issue variety I was referring to earlier...still smart, just more obvious. There is a frame surrounding the flat screen and the art actually rolls down to conceal the television. You can choose from their art or submit your own artwork. Additionally, there is a mirror option where you can see the TV picture when it is on but you just see the mirror when it is off.
via homeimprovementsdepot.com
Eh. A little to Star Trek-ish for me.
via homeimprovementsdepot.com
Check out this craziness...it lifts out from under the bed! I am thinking the person that buys this also has a recliner with a built-in cooler.
If building or remodeling, use the architectural element in it's original form. (oh, how I covet these circles!)
As I have probably mentioned (many times before) I love to use old architectural pieces in new and exciting ways. Living in Charleston, old items like windows, shutters, doors, etc. are pretty prevalent. As I sold the window from my online store Objects yesterday, I got inspired to post all these images I have collected of interesting architectural elements used in an updated manner. I hated to see the little guy go but I am excited to see how my friend uses it in her new home!
~Images: 1) Unknown 2) Traditional Home 3) Traditional Home May 2006 4) House Beautiful March 2008 5) Coastal Living 6) via shelter blog 7) Cottage Living September 2008 8) Coastal Living 9) Southern Accents July/Aug 2007
The additon of the oval detailing in these typical french doors is just BRILLIANT! I had my carpenter install an oval design in the transom of a client's home. I think he wanted to kill me with all the math involved in making them but I think they turned out great!
~Images: 1) Designer Diamond Baratta 2) My Portfolio
I love the idea of using old corbels and brackets in an interesting way. As I have mentioned before, I am obsessed with circles and found these great rusty, old iron brackets that I used to help delineate between my dining and living room.
Like them? Then you might like this too...
~Images: 1 and 2) Unknown 3) Designer Sara Robinson 4) Better Homes & Gardens March 2009 5) My Portfolio
