You Said It: ‘Be Imaginative, Adaptable and Daring’ and More Quotables

This week on Houzz, I took a quiz (I’m a red Florence Knoll armchair), found out why there was a kid in a net hanging over an architect’s office and saw a parking lot turned into a paradise. I bookmarked ideabooks on how to remove wallpaper, choose hardware and navigate a short sale. Did you bookmark any ideabooks on Houzz this week?

“The garden shed had a loft space, which Browne wanted to include in the design — until a friend sent over a photo of a lofted net. Browne took one look and thought, ‘This is going to be cheaper’ — not to mention more fun.” — Annie Thornton

Thank you so much, Annie! When I saw this photo, I wondered, “What’s that kid doing up in a net near the ceiling?” This makes me want a lofted net somewhere in my house.

Full story: See Why This Architect’s Office Has a Built-In Safety Net


“But onsite research by Architectural Global Aid (AGA) — made up of architects Andrea Gonzalez, Rike Tanaka and Yuko Ono — has found that refugees also hoped for the fulfillment of another essential need: privacy.” — Matthew Ankeny

This is a story of ingenuity, compassion and clever problem solving that helps people during the worst times in their lives. These architects are helping victims of natural disasters maintain dignity and stability while they put the pieces of their lives back together.

Full story: Shelter in a Storm: Architects Improve Global Disaster Relief


“Great test! It did choose a chair I like but what I like most of all is how it defined me. I am going to print out the results, use PaintShop Pro to make a small art poster of the results. Have it matted and framed so I can hang it in my studio. I can only strive to live up to such a great identifier!” — Houzz user Sauve, in the Comments

I love a good quiz to distract me from what I’m really supposed to be doing. Anyway, I love Sauve’s idea to work up a poster that includes the chair and what it says about a person. I hope you share it with us when you are done, Sauve.

P.S.: Here’s what the results said about Sauve:

Charles and Ray Eames Dowel Leg Armchair: You’re quirky, creative, artistic, colorful and a bit playful at times. You most likely work in a creative field or have several interesting hobbies and side projects going at a time. You love art, especially modern, and have your own unique idea of what’s funny.

Take the quiz yourself: Which Midcentury Modern Chair Are You?


“The designer painted the walls Benjamin Moore’s Peony, a shade of pink so deep, it safely sidesteps any associations with Barbie or bubble gum.” — Fred Albert

First of all, this is a fantastic way to describe a color; kudos, Fred. Second, this room is a great example of going bold or going home. A blah home office was simply not working for interior designer Jamie Hernandez. She gave the room designer style on a budget, using mass-produced furniture arranged to look custom and a dynamic and reasonably priced rug from Ikea, and fashioning her own Lindsey Adelman–style lamp. (I think it’s the coolest thing that Adelman actually has a tutorial on how to copy her work on her website.)

Full story: Room of the Day: Proudly Pink in San Antonio


“Right then I thought of creating a guest room in a box and got to it.” — Alison Hodgson

Tired of losing designated guest linens to dog beds and other uses around the house, Hodgson decided to take control and keep them corralled in a designated bin. Said bin will be pulled out and opened only for guests. She started fresh, picking up new sheets, towels, washcloths, pillows and a coverlet and keeping them in a designated spot. You can emulate this idea by shopping your own linen closet and filling in any missing pieces.

Full story: Genius Home Prep: A Guest Room in a Box


“Tapping into her more than 20 years of experience in horticulture, Ockerlander transformed a concrete parking lot into a lush oasis that envelops her house and reflects her deep appreciation of plant life.” — Kimberly Bryan

Joni Mitchell and fans, rejoice. This horticulturalist has eighty-sixed the parking lot and planted a paradise. I’m teasing you with the before shot, because I love a dramatic reveal and want to tempt you to read the ideabook and enjoy the garden in its entirety.

Full story: From Concrete Lot to Gracious Organic Garden in Seattle


“ … it’s crucial for buyers to go in with their eyes wide open.” — Christine Tusher

One thing that came out of the recession is that “short sale” has become part of our lexicon. But do we really understand what’s involved in scooping up a potential bargain? Tusher’s article will help you figure out what you’re getting into, listing potential problems that may arise and leading you through how to address them.

Full story: 5 Risks in Buying a Short-Sale Home — and How to Handle Them


“Remember, you’ll be looking at and touching your kitchen cabinet knobs every single day. So you want to make the right choice.” — Joni Hilton

Sometimes the smallest details can pack the biggest punch, and can also give you too much anxiety to make a choice. Hilton helps you figure out which knobs to choose for a variety of scenarios, including resale-minded design (right now, she advises going for satin nickel, chrome or bronze). She also discusses considering your faucet finish and style, the style and color of your cabinets, the width of your drawers, the period of your home and more. Bookmark it for the next time you feel paralyzed by this decision.

Full story: Get a Grip on Kitchen Cabinets With the Right Knobs and Pulls


“Be imaginative, adaptable and daring. It can produce wonderful surprises.” — Maryline Lambelin, as told to Laura Garner

Challenges arose during remodeling her basement, but Lambelin (seen here) handled them like a pro. For instance, she transformed a load-bearing post that stood smack in the middle of her original design into useful built-ins.

Full story: My Houzz: Creative Solutions Transform a Tricky Basement Studio


“Whatever the reason, the paper has to come down. And we’re here to hold your hand while you do it.” — Christine Tusher

Ugh, wallpaper removal — just the thought of trying to do it, especially for those who have attempted and failed in the past, can be overwhelming. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep, centering breath, give this a read and bookmark it for when you get up the nerve to finally rip down those ’70s metallic stripes or that Strawberry Shortcake wallpaper in your adult offspring’s childhood room. Tusher helps you prep, figure out when to call in the pros and estimate how much time and money you’ll spend.

Full story: Is It Time to Take Down That Wallpaper?

Did a quotation resonate with you this week? Did a photo get your creative juices flowing? Please share your own finds with us in the Comments section.

URL: You Said It: ‘Be Imaginative, Adaptable and Daring’ and More Quotables http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-23820.html