You Said It: ‘Pretend You’re in a Swiss Chalet’ and More Houzz Wisdom

During a week when many Houzzers experienced the chilly effects of the polar vortex (don’t you just love dramatic Weather Channel lingo?), we nestled in and explored a wide range of topics. Gung-ho on organizing for the new year and planning home projects, we also ate up suggestions for how to keep ourselves entertained, safe and warm. One of the ways I entertained myself was by reading your comments about cohousing and perusing some truly smashing Houzz Tours — I’m talking a 75-foot-long glass-enclosed pool and a house built around a silo. Here are some of the highlights from Houzz this week.

“But sometimes just looking at our ridiculously long resolutions list gives us a hangover worse than the one on New Year’s Day. Why do we do this to ourselves? Before we’ve dirtied our brand-new gym shoes, we realize we’ve bitten off more than we can chew.” — Jennifer Phelps

So true; planning for New Year’s resolutions while stuffing our faces during the holidays makes us feel gung-ho, but then when checking things off our lists slows to a halt, many of us give up. This ideabook will help motivate you to keep going at a realistic pace.

Full story: Stick to Your Resolutions: Help From a Pro Organizer


Pet Projects: The Animal Knits Bible - $14.25 “Just because they’ve got some built-in insulation doesn’t mean that they’re polar bears.” — Heidi Gustad

Sometimes it’s not just a quotation I need to include. This photo made my week. What do you think these little guys are saying with those faces? I’m not sure, but I think it’s, “Mom, please take these ridiculous earmuffs off us!”

Full story: Guest Picks: Wintertime Comforts for Your Pooch


“Doing right by the environment and keeping more money in your pocket is a definite win-win.” — Bud Dietrich

Dietrich gets us on track for conserving water and keeping dollars in our pockets.

Full story: Water Sense for Big Savings


“But what does refacing involve? As with most construction projects, the answer depends on lots of details.” — Steven Randel

Dramatic before and after shots get me every time, and I cannot believe how some of these kitchens and bathrooms were transformed via cabinet refacing. If you are ready to change the look of your kitchen or bathroom but don’t have the budget for a full remodel, check out Randel’s examples and details, including costs.

Full story: How to Reface Your Old Kitchen Cabinets


“Never keep something simply because it belonged to someone you love.” — Jessica McClendon

During these big January organizational projects, it’s important to look at why you are holding on to things. If you won’t miss a piece when it’s gone and you never use it, it’s time for to pass it on to someone else who will love it.

Full story: Escape the Inheritance Trap: What to Do With Sentimental Pieces


“Why not move your dining table into the living room for the evening? Pretend you’re in a Swiss chalet and cook up a pot of fondue to share while staring into the crackling flames.” — Laura Gaskill

Yum. As I write this, it’s still cold enough for pipes to burst all over Atlanta. It’s a record-breaking weather event, and that fire and fondue combo sounds heavenly.

Full story: Simple Pleasures: Get Cozy on a Cold Day


“We can also understand why all the glass: It beautifully opens up the space to the trees and lake beyond.” — John Hill

The tour of this Kyoto-inspired lakeside pool house in Montana is one of the most spectacular I’ve taken in a while.

Full story: Step Inside a Luxurious Pool House and Spa


“It looks like a retro hamburger joint table.” — homeowner Javier Arrendondo, as told to Sarah Natsumi Moore

This is another photo that makes me smile; I expect the Hamburglar to pop out from behind a potted plant at any moment. The picnic table foreshadows all the funky repurposed and hand-me-down fun that awaits in what Moore describes as “an eclectic, earthy oasis.” Would a hatmaker and a musician-artist in Austin, Texas, have it any other way?

Full story: My Houzz: Funky Charm for a Live-Work Space in Austin


“When Kelli saw [the silo] going up, she decided we should build our main house around it.” — homeowner Mark McDowell, as told to Mary Jo Bowling

This stunning Missouri home balances local rural and contemporary architecture with a grain silo as its core.

Full story: Houzz Tour: Going Against the Grain in a Missouri Silo


“One would be forced to love thy neighbor. I try to stay away from the ones I have now and just be really fake pleasant when I see one of ’em.” — Houzz user bludenz, in the Comments section

This made me guffaw out loud, because I think the idea of cohousing is really interesting and suits some people to a T, but I have a semicurmudgeonly attitude exactly like this one. In fact, I think I would like living next door to this Houzzer — we’d never bug each other for a cup of sugar or feel forced to make small talk. The point is, when a topic elicits love-it-or-hate-it reactions in the Comments section, it’s officially a really interesting topic.

Full story: Togetherness Take 2: Is a Cohousing Community for You?

URL: You Said It: ‘Pretend You’re in a Swiss Chalet’ and More Houzz Wisdom http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-22529.html