My virtual living room: Setting up a social VR space in the house

The author shares her experience designing an outdoor dining area for the Living by Design Virtual Showhouse, an innovative, interactive, and shoppable online experience aimed at inspiring new ideas and products in home design. As one of the invited designers, alongside notable figures like Bobby Berk and Brigette Romanek, the author was tasked with creating a virtual outdoor dining space without the practical constraints typically associated with physical showhouses. This allowed for creative freedom to showcase emerging trends and products. The inspiration for the design was drawn from a West Coast setting in Brentwood, California, embracing a California-meets-Mediterranean aesthetic. This style was achieved through the incorporation of materials such as terra cotta, textural stucco, warm wood, and tiles throughout the space. The overarching goal was to create an inviting environment perfect for intimate gatherings and shared meals. The central feature of the outdoor dining area is a large, farmhouse-style dining table chosen for its timeless appeal and suitability for communal dining. Complementing this, the table setting includes earthy, casual pieces from Casa Zuma. Instead of a linen tablecloth, woven placemats and handmade ceramic dinnerware were selected to highlight the natural beauty of the wood table while adding texture. In addition to the dining area, the design incorporates a casual lounge space adjacent to the dining room. This cozy lounge is designed around a stucco fireplace, featuring built-in seating and low, comfortable chairs, creating an ideal zone for relaxation, conversation, and reading outdoors. A key, and personal, addition to the outdoor space is a luxurious pizza oven. This feature is intended for pizza enthusiasts, capable of producing authentic wood-fired pizzas. The pizza oven area is enhanced with decorative tiles for a polished look and concrete counters to hold toppings, tools, and fresh herbs. The article highlights several products used in the design, including the Summer Classics Paige Teak Rectangular Dining Table, Summer Classics Pointe Dining Arm Chair, Casa Zuma Tropical Woven Placemat, Casa Zuma Playa Dinner Plates, Casa Zuma Oversized Linen Napkin, Casa Zuma Sabre Teak Flatware, Summer Classics Croquet Teak Round Coffee Table, and the Ann Sacks Old World Stone Field Tile, and Terrain Antique Terracotta Planters. The author encourages readers to explore the Living by Design Showhouse website for a full virtual tour and to participate in a sweepstakes for a chance to win $5,000 to upgrade their own homes. The project was made possible through the collaboration with and sponsorship from several brands, including AHF, Ann Sacks, California Closets, Dunn-Edwards DURA, Kohler, Lamps Plus, Minted, Summer Classics, and YouSee, who helped bring the 3D visualization to life. #OutdoorDining #VirtualShowhouse #HomeDesign #CaliforniaMediterraneanStyle #InteriorDesignTrends #OutdoorLiving #FurnitureDesign #HomeDecor #KitchenAndDining

Hosting a gathering at home requires more than just invitations and refreshments; it demands adapting your living room layout to create a welcoming and functional space for guests. Interior designers emphasize that the typical, everyday furniture arrangement may not be suitable for social occasions, regardless of the room's size. The core principle revolves around enhancing circulation and promoting comfortable interaction among guests. One key strategy involves 'going with the flow' by avoiding the instinct to push all furniture against the walls. While this might seem to create more open space, it often leads to guests congregating around the room's perimeter or feeling lost in the center. Instead, pulling furniture slightly away from the walls allows for natural walkways, enabling guests to move freely and circulate through the space without bottlenecks. This approach transforms the room into a more open and rhythmic environment, making it feel more intuitive and welcoming for entertaining. Another essential tip focuses on 'finding the right angles' for seating arrangements. Straight lines of sofas and chairs can feel formal and hinder conversation. Interior designers recommend angling seating to foster more convivial interaction. This creates intimate zones for those seated while maintaining an open and inviting atmosphere for guests moving between areas. Opening up sightlines encourages mingling and prevents the space from feeling crowded or closed off, with the center of the room ideally kept open to facilitate easy movement. To address potential seating shortages, designers suggest 'begging, borrowing, and stealing' furniture from other rooms. This doesn't mean compromising on comfort or style; rather, incorporating pieces like a chaise from a bedroom into the living room can be a strategic move. To make these temporary arrangements feel more integrated, anchoring them with side tables for drinks and adding cushions from other sofas can create a cohesive look, making it less obvious that the seating isn't a permanent part of the living room setup. 'Using your corners' is an effective way to prevent congestion and distribute guests throughout the space. By setting up drinks stations or mini-bars in underutilized corners or along the sidelines of seating areas, hosts can encourage guests to spread out. Creating multiple points for refreshments avoids a single bottleneck and allows guests to engage in conversation more comfortably without feeling confined to one area. Organizing these stations with essentials like coasters and garnishes also empowers guests to serve themselves, easing the host's duties. Finally, 'getting in the zone(s)' involves arranging furniture to create multiple social clusters. Instead of forcing everyone into one large gathering, establishing distinct areas for conversation allows guests to socialize more comfortably. This could mean turning an armchair to face another way or using rugs to define separate zones. Such an approach provides guests with various options, from more formal sitting areas to relaxed corners for quieter moments, ensuring the space feels inviting and adaptable rather than stiff or overly formal. These strategies collectively help transform any living room into an ideal setting for hosting, regardless of its size or existing layout. #LivingRoomLayout #InteriorDesign #HomeEntertaining #FurnitureArrangement #SpacePlanning #SocialGatherings #HomeDecor #HostingTips

The author shares his experience of designing a new living room from scratch during the COVID-19 quarantine, having moved into a new apartment with no furniture. He utilized the online interior design service Havenly to create a personalized space. The process began with him having a completely bare living room, presenting an opportunity for a fresh start. He discovered Havenly through word of mouth and decided to undertake a home makeover. The author was matched with an interior designer named Ella, who fostered a collaborative design approach. The initial steps involved taking a style quiz, which revealed his preference for mid-century modern aesthetics, and curating a Pinterest board for inspiration. Ella then presented three distinct design concepts: 'Warm Patterns,' 'Cozy Mid-Century Modern,' and 'Soft Blues.' The 'Warm Patterns' concept, while vibrant, was deemed too bold for his preference for a chill, relaxed environment. The 'Cozy Mid-Century Modern' concept was appreciated for its furniture style but considered too bland due to its neutral gray palette, lacking the visual stimulation desired for a prolonged work-from-home setup. The 'Soft Blues' concept, incorporating blues, cozy textures, and a 'beachy chic' vibe, resonated most with the author's bi-coastal identity and was ultimately chosen. Following his feedback, Ella developed a concept board that blended mid-century modern elements with pops of color and wood textures, aiming for a space that felt "both modern and beachy, young and pulled together." The author then made specific furniture selections, opting for a less expensive but aesthetically pleasing rug to manage costs. Havenly provided 3D renderings of the proposed living room, which deeply impressed the author and made the design feel tangible. The ordering process was streamlined through Havenly, allowing for a single online order despite sourcing from multiple vendors. However, this resulted in a significant credit card bill, which the author viewed as an investment. Upon delivery, the author faced the challenge of assembling all the furniture himself due to quarantine restrictions and the absence of delivery assembly services. This involved maneuvering large packages, assembling a dining room table, and a particularly arduous process of assembling a china cabinet for his grandmother's heirloom china. He also assembled a mid-century modern TV stand, working late into the night. Throughout the assembly process, he learned the importance of throw blankets in enhancing decor. A minor setback occurred when the first set of curtains was too short, necessitating an exchange for a longer pair after realizing he hadn't measured the window height accurately. The arrival of a new navy blue sectional couch with a pull-out bed further completed the room, despite collecting lint and dust. He also incorporated plants from a local nursery to add life to the space. Key takeaways from his experience include the affordability of Havenly's services (ranging from $79 for updates to $129 for a complete makeover), the collaborative nature of the design process, the unexpected costs of shipping, the necessity of hands-on furniture assembly, and the recommendation to enlist help for heavy lifting. The author emphasizes that investing in a home makeover can be a positive distraction and a creative outlet during challenging times. Havenly also provided a photorealistic 3D rendering of the completed space, showcasing the potential for flexible furniture arrangements. The article concludes with a disclosure that BuzzFeed may earn a share of sales from linked products.

The recent stay-at-home mandates have highlighted the need for optimized home organization, particularly concerning closet space. Traditional closet solutions, often limited to a single rod and a few shelves, typically do not meet the storage requirements for most individuals. The challenge of engaging professional closet designers for in-home consultations, especially during periods of restricted movement, has led to a demand for alternative services. In response to this demand, The Container Store launched its virtual closet design program in April, offering a convenient and effective solution for individuals seeking to enhance their closet organization. This service provides a comparable, and in some aspects, superior experience to in-person consultations, leveraging technology to bridge geographical and logistical gaps. The company had previously established its Custom Closets retail locations in Los Angeles and Dallas in 2019, where customers could access complimentary in-store consultations with designers. The virtual service extends this accessibility, allowing clients to connect with designers remotely. Eva Gordon, Executive Vice President of Stores and Services at The Container Store, noted that the virtual design service was introduced to offer an alternative to in-store and in-home options while physical stores were closed and customers were spending more time at home. The primary objective was to deliver the same high level of service that customers would expect from an in-person consultation for custom closets and other home spaces. Feedback on the virtual program has been largely positive, leading The Container Store to commit to continuing the service even as its physical stores reopen. The virtual design process is designed to be user-friendly and efficient. Customers are advised to begin by taking detailed measurements of their closet space, utilizing a provided worksheet that outlines all necessary dimensions, including both obvious metrics like length and width, and more specific details such as crown molding height. Following the measurement phase, customers can schedule an appointment and connect with a designer via Zoom, using a phone, tablet, or computer. This virtual approach offers a distinct advantage by allowing designers to visually assess the actual space, which can be particularly beneficial for closets with irregular shapes or sloped ceilings. It also fosters a more collaborative environment between the designer and the client, as the designer can provide expert guidance on product lines and space utilization, such as recommending shelves over drawers for narrow closets. Beyond convenience, the virtual consultation service also serves as an effective tool for budget management. Designers are proficient in identifying cost-saving strategies, such as utilizing basic finishes and simpler designs. The Container Store's Elfa system, for instance, is presented as a cost-effective option that offers significant long-term value due to its adaptability. The system can be installed once and subsequently modified as storage needs evolve, a feature particularly useful for children's rooms where hanging bars can be adjusted as children grow. Elfa is also noted for its renter-friendly design, allowing components to be removed and reconfigured for different locations, thereby reducing furniture waste. While the Elfa system is more budget-friendly, virtual consultations are also available for the higher-end Avera and Laren systems, which feature more sophisticated aesthetics, lighting, angled shoe shelves, and custom islands. For customers who prefer a do-it-yourself approach or wish to avoid virtual meetings, The Container Store offers an online closet design tool for its Elfa and Elfa Décor systems. This tool is suitable for basic walk-in or reach-in closets and allows users to input space dimensions and answer a few questions to create and visualize their closet design with a 3D model and floor plan, customizing styles, finishes, hardware, and accessories. Regarding installation, The Container Store aims to simplify the process. The Elfa system is designed for easy self-installation, with custom instructions and video guides provided. This self-installation option is particularly valuable for individuals under stay-at-home orders or those opting for self-quarantine. Products can be shipped directly to customers, or customers can choose in-store or curbside pickup where available. The Laren and Avera systems, however, require professional installation, which can be arranged through The Container Store or an independent contractor. This provides flexibility for customers who may wish to design their closet now and schedule installation for a later date. #VirtualClosetDesign #HomeOrganization #TheContainerStore #ElfaSystem #CustomClosets #HomeImprovement #InteriorDesign #RemoteServices

The increasing prevalence of remote work has led to a common challenge: integrating a home office into a living room without compromising the latter's restful and relaxing ambiance. This article, featuring insights from interior designers, offers ten strategies to effectively blend these two distinct functional areas. One fundamental principle is organization. Interior designer Megan Molten emphasizes the importance of designated storage for office supplies to maintain a clutter-free environment. This includes utilizing consoles, storage baskets, and maximizing drawer and cabinet space with stylish, home-complementary elements. Keeping desk accessories minimal and selecting finishes that align with the living space's aesthetic are also key recommendations for seamless integration. A clever design approach involves creating a 'hidden gem' workspace, such as a console desk positioned behind a sofa with ottomans tucked underneath. Jennifer Jones of Niche Interiors suggests this method for temporary laptop use, or for a more permanent setup, zoning a larger desk near a window. Crucially, any furniture used in a dual-purpose space should be aesthetically pleasing from all angles, especially if it's not placed against a wall. Ample storage is paramount to ensure work items are out of sight and out of mind at the end of the workday. Irene Gunter of Gunter & Co Interiors highlights the value of bespoke storage solutions that are both practical and beautiful, tailored to personal organizational styles. She suggests incorporating 'docking drawers' for charging electronic devices, emphasizing the need for forward planning to determine what should be hidden away or displayed. For open-plan spaces, a distinct divide between the living and working areas is recommended to aid mental compartmentalization. This can be achieved using decorative elements like folding screens or room dividers, which offer flexibility and retain a sense of flow while providing visual separation. Such dividers have seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly as more people work from home. Biophilic design, which connects indoor spaces with nature, is another valuable strategy. Irene Gunter explains that incorporating elements like inspiring views with greenery, large houseplants, and potted desk plants can positively impact well-being. Additionally, painting walls in natural colors, using nature-inspired artworks, and maximizing natural light contribute to a calming and productive atmosphere. Utilizing existing architectural features like nooks and alcoves is an effective way to create a recessed home office. Katie Glaister of K&H Design describes how such spaces, even awkward ones, can be transformed with bespoke shelving and mirrored surfaces to enhance the sense of space and provide integrated storage. Furthermore, soundproofing is crucial in shared living spaces, with recommendations to avoid placing the office near noisy areas and to use glass or Crittall doors for privacy while maintaining connectivity. Strategic use of color can help define zones within a living room. Interior designer Noorein Kapoor suggests using a panel of color to visually separate the workspace from the living area, especially when leveraging natural niches. This technique helps in blending spaces while retaining their distinct functions. Maintaining a clear pathway within the room and incorporating multifunctional furniture are also emphasized. Pieces like ottomans with storage, coffee tables with drawers, or console tables that double as desks are ideal for maximizing utility and keeping the space organized and streamlined, ensuring all elements harmonize with the existing decor. Finally, careful consideration of lighting is vital to prevent fatigue and eye strain. Interior designer Marie Flanigan advises positioning the home office near natural light sources, such as windows, or ensuring adequate overhead and task lighting. A key rule for maintaining work-life balance is to pack away all work necessities at the end of the day, transforming the living room back into a dedicated space for relaxation.

The increasing popularity of home DIY projects highlights a growing need for technological assistance in visualizing and planning home design. While physical stores remain crucial for assessing furniture comfort and dimensions, a range of applications now offers virtual tools to aid in redecorating and designing spaces without the immediate need for physical changes or expert consultation. These apps cater to various aspects of home design, from full-room reconfigurations to specific tasks like testing wall colors or creating floor plans. Modsy, for instance, serves as an online interior designer and furniture shopper. Users complete a style quiz and submit photos of rooms they wish to redecorate. The app then suggests furniture and décor from its extensive virtual catalog, comprising items from over a hundred retailers, and generates photo-realistic renderings of the rooms with improved layouts. This comprehensive service starts at $99 per room, offering a complete virtual design experience. For those seeking more hands-on DIY décor, several apps provide tools for experimentation. Homestyler Interior Design allows users to create a 3D model of a room from a picture, adding measurements to establish a foundation for creative zoning. It enables experimenting with various furnishings, accessories, and lighting configurations. The app also offers a 'Design Stream' for inspiration from other users' projects and professional tutorials, and a directory to browse local designers' portfolios. Amikasa 3D offers a different approach, letting users draw room outlines from scratch or select existing shapes. It facilitates the placement of furniture and accessories from its database, along with doors, windows, and wall colors, viewed in top-down or 3D perspectives. While it includes a feature to visualize furniture in a current room, its primary strength lies in sketching design ideas, particularly due to its less comprehensive furniture range, which notably excludes kitchen items. Testing wall colors is made easier with apps like Paint Tester and Dulux Visualizer. Paint Tester allows users to snap a photo of a wall and instantly apply various paint colors. It features a virtual masking tape to delineate accent walls and accounts for shadows to produce more realistic renderings. While not suitable for precise color matching, it offers a good visual estimate. Dulux Visualizer, designed to promote Dulux paints, provides a streamlined experience similar to Paint Tester, with masking tape, good digital paint application, and color matching/suggestion features. Its unique live visualizer function allows users to point their camera at a wall and see colors applied in real-time, and it conveniently allows ordering paint testers directly. For major overhauls, floor plan creation is simplified with apps like RoomScan Pro and MagicPlan. RoomScan Pro quickly generates floor plans by having users walk around a room and touch walls with their iPhone or iPad. It uses the device's GPS and gyroscope to measure wall lengths and room shapes, including doors, with sufficient accuracy for furniture placement and redesign sketches. MagicPlan is favored by real estate and renovation professionals for its speed in creating floor plans. Users point the app at room corners to build a plan, including entire homes by combining individual room scans. Its accuracy is best in empty rooms, as obstructions can affect corner detection. Beyond these, Houzz serves as a rich source of inspiration, showcasing professionally designed spaces with story collections and design examples across various settings, from small Tokyo flats to Victorian updates and kitchen revamps. For outdoor spaces, iScape Lite helps in planning and designing gardens. Users can take a picture of their garden and use digital layers to add trees, plants, water features, and textures like gravel or grass. The free version offers limited selections, with premium features and a full database available through subscription. Finally, practical tools for DIYers include digital spirit levels found in smartphone compass apps (iOS) or dedicated apps like Bubble Level (Android), and unit conversion apps such as Convert Any Unit Free (iOS) and Unit Converter (Android), which are essential for precise measurements and conversions. #DIYHomeDesign #HomeImprovement #InteriorDesignApps #FloorPlanning #VirtualVisualization #HomeRenovation #DecoratingIdeas #OutdoorDesign #TechForHome

The article chronicles Isabelle Dimang's approach to continually refreshing her living room space in her 1920s Art Deco-style apartment in Los Angeles, California. Dimang, a photo director for Nordstrom, regularly rearranges her furniture every few months to find new inspiration and a renewed appreciation for her belongings, all without incurring any additional cost. This practice evolved during the pandemic, forcing her to consider both aesthetics and functionality in her arrangements. The piece details six different living room configurations, highlighting the successful and unsuccessful aspects of each setup. The first configuration, titled “The One With the Dreamy Light,” involved placing two black chairs in front of arched windows and the sofa across the room. This arrangement effectively showcased the natural light entering the corner, which Dimang found appealing, especially in the mornings. However, a significant drawback was the inability to view the outside from the chairs, limiting their practical use for enjoying the exterior. Next, “The One on a Diagonal,” was inspired by Pinterest trends and featured a corner couch setup with an added rug. While this arrangement created a conducive environment for socializing, with chairs framing the couch and facing each other, it resulted in an unbalanced look. It obstructed views of the windows and a prominent bookshelf, which Dimang considered key features of her living space. “The One That Ignored the TV” aimed to de-emphasize the television by relocating it to a different wall and centering the living room around seating. This setup allowed the sofa to be beautifully positioned between two windows. Despite its aesthetic appeal, it proved impractical for watching television, causing discomfort due to neck craning from the seating arrangement. The fourth setup, “The One With Lots of Negative Space,” involved using a black marble column, originally a dining table base, as a decorative element between the two windows, separating the two black chairs. This arrangement effectively highlighted the bookshelf and lamp corner. However, it created an excessive amount of unused space at the back of the room, which Dimang was attempting to fill with a desk but had not yet finalized, leading to an incomplete feeling. “The One With a WFH Setup” represented Dimang's second attempt at integrating a home office. She used a round table and two chairs from another room as a workspace, complemented by an easel for creative activities during quarantine. This setup offered an excellent natural Zoom background from the bookcase and abundant natural light. Yet, Dimang found it aesthetically unappealing, as her living room was intended for relaxation, not work, despite its improved functionality during remote work conditions. The final described configuration, “The One With the Greenery,” emerged when remote work became permanent. Dimang rearranged the table and couch to create distinct professional and lounge areas. This version benefited from the inclusion of various plants, such as eucalyptus, hydrangeas, peace lilies, and a pothos, to enhance the vibrancy of her home. However, Dimang was not entirely satisfied with the sofa obstructing her window view, indicating her continuous search for the ideal arrangement. The article concludes by encouraging readers to subscribe for more design insights, including a feature on Ayesha Curry’s home, underscoring how design can influence one's environment.

This article details the design process and intentions behind creating a media room in a Malibu beach house renovation, emphasizing togetherness and intentional living over excessive technology. The renovation project is currently in an exciting phase, with concrete poured and framing underway, marking significant progress five years after the initial concept. The media room is envisioned as a cozy family space for movie nights, board games, and shared moments. A key design decision involved vaulting the ceiling to address the previously cramped feel of the space. This architectural change aims to create an expansive and airy atmosphere without increasing the room's footprint. Visualizations illustrate the dramatic transformation from the original low ceilings to the proposed vaulted design. The centerpiece of the media room will be a full wall of built-ins, incorporating open shelving, drawers, and a Frame TV. This setup intentionally limits the number of televisions in the house, promoting outdoor activities, communal dining, and slow mornings. The built-ins are designed to be both functional for storage, accommodating items like board games, blankets, and devices, and aesthetically pleasing for displaying books, sculptural pieces, and collected finds. The goal is to integrate the built-ins seamlessly into the home's overall design, avoiding a purely utilitarian look. A design dilemma emerged regarding the choice of cabinet fronts for the built-ins: solid oak versus cane panels. While cane offered texture, solid oak was ultimately selected for its simplicity and timelessness, aligning with the desire for a warm, welcoming, and enduring aesthetic that would not quickly go out of style. Visualizations of both options were considered during this decision-making process. Another architectural enhancement involves replacing a standard doorway with an arch between the Great Room and the Media Room. This small modification adds character, architectural interest, and a custom feel, with the curve softening the transition between spaces and echoing the Mediterranean influences present throughout the home. To maximize indoor-outdoor flow, a central theme in the home's design, two sets of glass pocket doors from Marvin are being installed. These doors will fully open to the backyard and ocean view, creating a large, unified indoor-outdoor space. Floor-to-ceiling drapery from Graber, with recessed tracks, will be added to soften the natural light and maintain a seamless architectural appearance. The ultimate aim for the media room is to transcend a purely functional or technology-driven space. The design choices, from the vaulted ceilings to the curated built-ins and the Japandi Beach House aesthetic, are all geared towards fostering comfort, intention, and creating lasting family memories through shared experiences like movie nights and board game tournaments. The project is focused on crafting a space that feels design-driven and supports a lifestyle centered on togetherness. #MalibuRenovation #MediaRoomDesign #InteriorDesign #FamilyLiving #VaultedCeilings #BuiltInCabinetry #OakWoodwork #ArchedDoorways #IndoorOutdoorFlow #JapandiStyle

This Nashville home, initially a speculative build by Build Nashville, transformed into a personalized "Zen Abode" for co-owner Jamie Duncan, drawing inspiration from her experiences in Costa Rica. During the frame stage, Duncan decided to purchase the house, collaborating with interior designer Elena DeSoto while adding her own custom touches. The design prioritizes a blend of modernity and softness, achieved through the careful selection of textures, greenery, and art. Duncan's personal customizations primarily focused on the backyard, where she integrated a sunken fire pit, an outdoor shower, mondo grass, and a cabana. Inside, she introduced beams in the living room and basket lights in both the dining room and stairwell. The overarching inspiration for these elements, and indeed much of the home's aesthetic, stemmed from her profound appreciation for Costa Rica, particularly a luxury resort experience. She sought to replicate the finishes and textures observed there, incorporating details like polycarbonate panels with bamboo reeds in the cabana's skylights and the outdoor shower's design, echoing the resort's architectural features. The home's design philosophy emphasizes a minimal color scheme, which is then enriched by diverse textures to create a welcoming and serene atmosphere. Duncan views texture as a key element, allowing for a modern house to feel soft and organic rather than harsh or cold. This is evident in the juxtaposition of materials such as concrete for showers and floors with solid wood beams in the living room, showcasing a thoughtful layering of different elements. Beyond its architectural and textural considerations, the residence functions as a personal art gallery. Duncan highlights the 27-foot wall in the dining room, specifically designed to showcase a custom piece by local Nashville artist Cory Basil. She maintains a commitment to featuring art exclusively from local Nashville artists or those with whom she has a personal connection, or pieces acquired during her travels. This curated collection further enhances the home's unique character and personal significance. Ultimately, the home serves as Build Nashville's model house, demonstrating to potential clients the possibilities for creating their ideal living spaces. It exemplifies how thoughtful design, personal inspiration, and a focus on texture and natural elements can converge to produce a breathtaking and inviting environment that feels both contemporary and deeply personal. #homeDesign #interiorDesign #nashvilleHomes #costaRicanInfluence #zenLiving #modernSoftness #architecturalDesign #localArt #textureInDesign

This blog post introduces ten free home renovation apps designed to assist individuals in planning and designing their home renovation projects without needing professional interior designers or extensive experience in CAD tools. The featured apps leverage AI, VR, and AR technologies to simplify the design process. The first app, **Floorplanner**, is widely recommended for creating 2D and 3D floor plans. While its free version has limitations on exports and includes watermarks, it is considered sufficient for visualizing layouts and sharing initial ideas with interior designers. Users appreciate its intuitive functions and the ability to decorate spaces in 3D mode. **HomeByMe** offers a game-like experience for 2D and 3D room designs, allowing users to decorate with furniture from real brands and take 360-degree virtual tours. A unique feature is its ability to generate floor plans from decorated rooms. However, the free plan limits users to five projects. **Coohom** is a comprehensive app for floor planning, interior design, kitchen and wardrobe carpentry, and 3D modeling. It provides numerous floor plan templates and uses AI and CGI for realistic visuals and real-time lighting. Although compatible across devices, some features are best utilized on a computer. The free plan restricts users to three projects. **SketchUp**, a 3D modeling software popular among architects and designers, functions similarly to Google Drive, enabling project access and sharing across multiple devices. A 30-day free trial of its Pro version is suggested for enhanced stability. The free web-based version allows direct design without an app, though the full Pro version is subscription-based. **Homeez** is a Singaporean platform aimed at helping homeowners manage renovation costs by guiding them through DIY design processes and offering comparative quotations from various contractors. It is praised for its local focus but is only available online, and users are advised to research vendors independently as Homeez acts as a third-party agent. **Houzz** serves as a comprehensive platform for home design inspiration, similar to Pinterest or Instagram. It categorizes design ideas, allows users to sketch spaces, and connect with vendors. The Singaporean version specifically features design ideas from local properties. Like Homeez, it functions as a third-party agent, requiring users to vet vendors. **Remodel AI** enables users to visualize remodeled versions of their homes by simply uploading a photo. The AI generates new flooring, walls, and furniture. While its pro version is affordable, a limitation is the potential for the AI to misinterpret images or suggest impractical renovations that might violate housing regulations. **Live Home 3D** is an interior design software for detailed floor plans and 3D renderings. It supports adding furniture, accessories, and controlling lighting. The free version allows one project at a time and restricts 3D model exports without a subscription. **Magic Plan** facilitates creating floor plans, measuring rooms, and designing furniture layouts. It can map out floor plans from photos taken with an iPhone, providing accurate measurements and flexible furniture arrangement options. The free starter plan is limited to two projects. Finally, **Planner 5D** is an intuitive app for experimenting with interior design elements like floor plans, room and kitchen layouts, and mood boards. It offers a virtual reality tour feature and allows uploading existing floor plans for customization. Its free plan offers unlimited projects across web and mobile, but restricts access to the full catalog and high-quality renders. #HomeRenovation #DIY #DesignApps #InteriorDesign #FloorPlanning #3DModeling #VirtualReality #AugmentedReality #AIinDesign

The Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG), in collaboration with architects Leyden Lewis and Nina Cooke John, and featuring interiors by 25 BADG creatives, has conceptualized the Obsidian Virtual Concept House. This interactive dwelling, set in California's Oakland Hills in 2025, serves as a manifestation of an Afro-centric futurist vision, aiming to embrace possibility and freedom for a Black family through thoughtful design. The project is a central component of the month-long OBSIDIAN EXPERIENCE, an initiative by BADG to elevate the home as a space for Black imaginations and futures to thrive. Malene Barnett, artist, activist, and founder of BADG, emphasizes that 'home' is both a physical space and a feeling of relaxation, non-judgment, and being surrounded by loved ones. This philosophy underpins the entire Obsidian project, which seeks to create layered spaces that perpetually evoke these feelings. The virtual concept house allows visitors to explore various rooms, learn about the designers' inspirations, and even virtually shop for products and fixtures specified within the designs. This interactive element makes the experience engaging and practical for those seeking inspiration. Architects Leyden Lewis and Nina Cooke John led the visualization of the house, grounding their work in the belief that Black futures can be equitable, sustainable, and liberating. They describe the Obsidian Concept House as a supportive environment for the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of the Black family, fostering expressions of joy and creativity. The architectural design integrates sustainable building practices, including geothermal heating, solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and passive-house systems, highlighting a commitment to environmental responsibility alongside cultural relevance. The interiors of the house are diverse, each informed by the unique family histories and design approaches of the participating BADG members. These spaces are dedicated to spirituality, health, food, art, and nature. Examples include Cheryl Umbles's 'An Abundance of Welcome' entryway, Cheryl R. Riley's softly lit, turquoise meditation room, Everick Brown's transformative recreation room for connection, and Linda Allen's 'I am Good Enough: A Haven for the Black Overachiever,' which functions as an artist studio and garden. Malene Barnett's 'Sankofa-Legacy Wall,' featuring ceramic tiles inscribed with ancestral names, acts as the home's centerpiece, symbolizing Black ingenuity, strength, and perseverance, and serving as a tool for Black liberation and healing. The OBSIDIAN EXPERIENCE is launched during what BADG refers to as 'The American Awakening,' a period identified as an opportunity for a 'reawakening of the Black imagination.' The project aims to demonstrate how domestic spaces can reflect the diverse identities of inhabitants, address environmental injustice, inspire new ways of living, and ultimately pave the way for a more authentic freedom. The initiative is a collaborative effort, supported by media partners such as ELLE Décor, House Beautiful, Town & Country, and VERANDA, with Hearst Magazine's Luxury & Design Collection as the media sponsor. #VirtualHome #BlackDesigners #AfroFuturism #SustainableArchitecture #InteriorDesign #CulturalHeritage #CommunityBuilding #BlackArtistsAndDesignersGuild #DesignInnovation

The author shares a detailed reveal of her historic home's living room, emphasizing its significance as the heart of her family's home. The open-plan living room and kitchen area was a focal point for their design energy, aiming to create a space that reflects the family's unique identity. The design concept for the living room was a blend of 'Parisian Apartment meets a bit of irreverence,' seeking to achieve an elegant yet fun and youthful atmosphere. This involved combining chic, elevated aesthetics with pops of color and playful elements. The author expresses particular fondness for the juxtaposition of the luxurious Schumacher fabric used for drapery and pillows with vibrant neons and various colorful accents throughout the room. A central feature of the living room is the custom Taylor Burke sofa and chair. The author highlights the sofa's performance velvet fabric, which allows for a light color choice despite having young children, as it cleans easily and has already withstood spills. The chair, in a distinctive acid green (chartreuse-like) hue, is also a favorite, although the author humorously notes the challenge of having a swivel chair with two small children. The overall layout of the room is designed to comfortably accommodate a growing family, with ample space for everyone to gather without feeling cramped. Practical additions like two ottomans hidden under the main console provide extra seating when needed, demonstrating a thoughtful approach to both style and functionality. Technology is seamlessly integrated into the design with a Samsung Frame TV, which the author mentions often goes unnoticed as a television, blending in as a piece of art. The article also mentions a Freddie Mercury photograph, acquired from a rock gallery, as a cherished item. The author collaborated with Prudence Home & Design for the overall design and styling of the room. Key design elements and furnishings are attributed to various sources, including Taylor Burke Home for custom furniture, LM Custom Carpets for the rug, and Woodbridge Furniture for the console table. Decorative details such as the Schumacher Lotus Garden fabric for drapery and pillows, art from Sonder Living, a custom neon sign by Let There Be Neon, and vintage items from Fairfield County Antiques further contribute to the room's unique character. The author encourages reader engagement by asking for comments and feedback on the room's design. #LivingRoomReveal #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #HistoricHome #FamilyLiving #CustomFurniture #DesignInspiration #PerformanceFabric

Transforming a home into a personal screening room offers an escape from everyday reality, combining ample seating and deluxe sound systems with thoughtful interior design. This article explores 17 creative home theater ideas, demonstrating that these spaces can be as aesthetically pleasing as any other room. From Ralph Lauren's rustic Colorado residence to a luxurious film retreat in the US Virgin Islands, these examples showcase how to integrate comfort and style into a home cinema. One prominent idea is the incorporation of velvet curtains, which add a touch of Old Hollywood glamour. For instance, Ralph Lauren's Double RL Ranch features red cotton-velvet curtains around the screen, complemented by exposed wood beams, oversized textiles, and Pendleton and Beacon blankets draped over leather armchairs, creating a pastoral atmosphere. Another suggestion emphasizes matching pillows and blankets to enhance the cozy movie-watching experience. In the US Virgin Islands retreat of designers Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper, coordinated throws and pillows on each seat elevate the comfort level, making the home theater experience superior to a public one. Creating a multipurpose space is also highlighted, where a home cinema can serve dual functions. A Brazilian villa designed by Isay Weinfeld includes a sunken seating area with shelves above the windows, functioning as both a home movie theater by night and an at-home library by day. For those seeking an authentic cinema feel, luxurious leather recliners are recommended. John Cattrell's Texas ranch features a screening room with 36 leather-upholstered, motorized seats, complete with individual cup holders, emphasizing comfort and convenience. Mixing seating options provides versatility and accommodates different viewing preferences. In Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Malibu residence, the screening room boasts club chairs alongside a cushioned daybed suspended from the ceiling, offering varied lounging experiences. Accessorizing with faux fur adds warmth and softness, creating a swaddled cinematic experience, as seen in Khloé Kardashian’s Los Angeles home. This encourages a relaxed environment where falling asleep during a movie is perfectly acceptable. Leaning into a theme can enhance the immersive factor, particularly for family-oriented spaces. A Connecticut home theater, designed by Theo Kalomirakis, evokes a 1950s drive-in, complete with a snack bar and theater seats modeled after vintage cars. For a touch of drama, a speakeasy-style home theater can be hidden behind a secret door. Studio Munroe designed a Bay Area home with a hidden bookshelf door leading to a dedicated home theater, expanding on a cocktail-hour vision that includes a custom wine room and lounge kitchenette. Swathing walls in upholstery improves acoustics and adds textural depth. Samantha Gallacher of IG Workshop designed a theater room as a cocooning retreat with warm neutrals and upholstered wall coverings by Élitis, softening acoustics and creating an enveloping ambiance. Building a bar area within the home theater ensures easy access to drinks and snacks, as demonstrated by Micaela Quinton of Copper Sky Design + Remodel, who transformed a basement into a vibrant media lounge with a thoughtfully designed bar. Going bold with color can make the space inviting and lively. Annsley McAleer’s family-friendly media room in a Boston suburb features soft fabrics and vibrant colors, including Sister Parish wallpaper and a fuchsia throw blanket, offering a cheerful alternative to traditional monochromatic schemes. Bringing the outdoors in, even in windowless basements, can connect the theater room to its surroundings. Rumor Designs’ Anglers Retreat project in Colorado uses neutral tones and cozy textures, combined with a custom wet bar, to make the space feel both comfortable and high-performing. Adding ambient lighting, such as dimmable lights on shelves and media units, infuses subtle personality and aids navigation, as seen in a Miami home theater by House of One, which features vibrant blue suede wallpaper and harmonizes with an outdoor water feature. Finally, stadium seating maximizes space and comfort in larger home theaters. Amy Storm & Company designed a theater with tiered seating, deep sofas, and ottomans, accommodating multiple groups simultaneously. Fabric-wrapped acoustic panels and wool carpeting further enhance the sound experience. Swapping armchairs for daybeds promotes relaxation and shared enjoyment. Banda Studio’s London cinema room, designed for around 20 people, features playful oversized daybeds and sconce lights for a warm, moody ambiance. Reeded wall panels offer a modern, textural element in minimalist home theaters, like one by JFY Designs, which incorporates walnut reeding and double chaises. Creating a hub for movies and memories involves personalizing the space with movie posters and memorabilia, such as the Lego collections in a home theater by New Age Interiors, turning the room into a nostalgic journey. #HomeTheater #InteriorDesign #HomeDecoration #LuxuryLiving #CustomDesign #EntertainmentSpace #CozyInteriors #ModernLiving #ResidentialDesign

The BEYOME project, a collaborative effort led by Project Consortium and the architects of Enorme Studio, aims to revolutionize traditional housing by integrating flexibility into living spaces. The core objective is to allow dwellings to adapt to the evolving needs and diverse uses of their inhabitants, effectively doubling the functional area within a given footprint. This initiative addresses the contemporary challenge of maximizing living space in an era where dynamic lifestyles demand adaptable home environments. BEYOME introduces a modular system that combines a fixed core with a flexible perimeter, incorporating robotic furniture. This design allows for a significant transformation of spaces, enabling them to serve multiple functions throughout the day. For instance, a single room can seamlessly transition from a bedroom to a living room, a dining area, an office, or even a gym, simply by reconfiguring the modular elements and deploying robotic furniture. The system is designed to be highly customizable, catering to individual preferences and daily routines. Homeowners can program the desired configurations, and the robotic furniture will automatically adjust the space to meet their immediate needs. Key to BEYOME's innovation are its two main components: a central, static module that houses essential utilities like the kitchen, bathroom, and storage, and a dynamic perimeter zone equipped with robotic furniture. The central module provides a stable foundation for the dwelling, while the perimeter, characterized by its transformable nature, allows for the creation of various atmospheres and functionalities. This dynamic interplay ensures that the dwelling can evolve in real-time, offering a personalized and efficient living experience. The modularity extends to the construction process, as the system can be adapted to different structural requirements and building types, making it suitable for both new constructions and renovations. Beyond spatial flexibility, BEYOME also emphasizes sustainability and user experience. The project integrates elements that promote energy efficiency and responsible material use, aligning with modern ecological concerns. The intuitive control system for the robotic furniture ensures ease of use, allowing residents to effortlessly switch between different spatial configurations. This focus on user-centric design aims to enhance the quality of life within urban dwellings, providing solutions for optimizing limited spaces without compromising comfort or aesthetics. The system represents a forward-thinking approach to architectural design, merging advanced technology with practical living solutions to create highly adaptable and responsive homes for the future. #RoboticFurniture #FlexibleLiving #ModularDesign #SpaceOptimization #SmartHome #SustainableHousing #AdaptiveArchitecture #UrbanLiving #EnormeStudio

The author transformed their living room into a movie theater-like experience, focusing on three key elements: display, sound, and smart home integration. This endeavor, while not inexpensive, aimed to replicate the immersive qualities of a cinema without leaving the house. The author notes that this setup is likely the best strategy for most buyers seeking a high-quality home theater, though more premium options exist for those with higher budgets. The first critical component discussed is the display. Instead of a traditional TV, the author recommends an Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector, specifically the Hisense PX3-Pro. This triple-laser projector can project an image up to 150 inches and is Xbox-certified, making it suitable for both movies and gaming. The author also advises pairing it with an Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen, noting that affordable options are available on Amazon, alongside premium VividStorm models. For those who prefer a TV over a projector due to setup complexity or ambient light conditions, the 115-inch TCL QM89 Mini-LED TV or a 97-inch LG G4 OLED TV are suggested. For an unlimited budget, the 136-inch Hisense MicroLED TV is mentioned as the ultimate choice. The second crucial element is the sound system. The author emphasizes the need for powerful, immersive audio that can be felt, likening it to a concert experience or being immersed in a movie scene. The chosen audio system is the Sony Bravia Theater Quad, connected to the Hisense PX3-Pro. Despite previous reservations about Sony's speaker system for other applications, the author finds it particularly well-suited for a projector setup, providing room-filling sound and supporting Dolby Atmos. The system consists of four wireless speakers and offers features like Sound Field Optimization and IMAX Enhanced mode. Alternative sound system recommendations include the Sonos Arc Ultra with E100 surround sound speakers and a Sonos Sub (or two), or the Bose Smart Ultra soundbar home cinema system, which includes two Bose Module 500s and two Surround Speaker 700s. The article highlights that while soundbars are an option, their placement can be challenging with UST projectors due to throw distance requirements. The final aspect of the home cinema transformation involves smart home integration for lighting and ambient light control. Given that many modern TVs and projectors run on Google TV, Matter-enabled devices compatible with Google Home are recommended for a streamlined experience. For lighting, Cync GE A19 Smart LED light bulbs are suggested for their color and white hues, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Home. To manage ambient light, particularly crucial for projector performance, SmartWings motorized light-filtering roller shades are chosen. The author advises opting for a higher blackout percentage than initially considered (e.g., 60%) and ensuring they are Matter-enabled. A smart home controller, such as a Google Nest Hub, is also recommended for centralizing control of these devices, although it's not strictly necessary. The total cost for this elaborate home theater setup is estimated to be over $5,000. The author concludes that while it's a significant investment, the enhanced immersive experience for HDR movies and intense gaming justifies the expense, impressing friends and family during movie nights. The article implies that a more budget-friendly setup might be explored in future discussions, acknowledging that this level of performance isn't for everyone. #HomeTheater #Projectors #SoundSystems #SmartHome #DisplayTechnology #AudioVisual #EntertainmentSetup #USTProjector