This bathroom is the epitome of relaxation. | Photo: Ashley Capp
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Apartment bathrooms
Apartment bathrooms can be notoriously dark from a lack of windows, but this Montreal space uses pot lights, sconces and plenty of inset-mirrors to liven up the space. | Design: Steven Shadowitz Photo: André Rider
The classic red, whi
The classic red, white and blue palette works wonders in this preppy Toronto row house. | Design: Jennifer Wright Photo: Virginia Macdonald
The guest bathroom o
The guest bathroom of editor-in-chief Suzanne Dimma is bright and airy thanks to the subtle wallpaper pattern. | Design: Suzanne Dimma and Arriz Hassam of arriz + co. Photo: Angus Fergusson
The unusual purple v
The unusual purple veining of the Breccia Capraia marble in this principal ensuite plays off the dramatic free-standing blue tub and red tile. | Design: James Davie Photo: Angus Fergusson
The wall of wood is
The wall of wood is actually a cleverly hidden bank of wardrobes, offering sleek storage. | Design: Jill Kantelberg Photo: Alex Lukey
This bathroom is sim
This bathroom is simplicity at its finest. | Design: Sloan Mauran Photo: Virginia Macdonald
It’s a study in cont
It’s a study in contrasts — a baroque mirror, in all its gilded glory, a modern wood vanity, left raw, and a crisp, white bathtub. | Design: Nicholas Lewin Photo: Janet Kimber
In the 2015 Princess
In the 2015 Princess Margaret Showhome’s spa-like bathroom, faux finish walls offer a subtle hit of texture. | Design: Brian Gluckstein Photo: Angus Fergusson
Large pieces of furn
Large pieces of furniture, like this cabinet, are a unique solution to bathroom storage. Design: Karen Cole Photo: Alex Lukey
Yurt Life with Mollie and Sean Busby
Mollie Busby and her husband, Sean live in a yurt in Montana and when they tell people about it they get all kind of reactions.
Such reactions are questions like what is yurt? They have no clue what they are. Another reaction is disbelief as most people associate yurts with a summer camp, glamping or ski warming huts in the mountains.
Then there are those people who are very much aware of it and would like to do the same thing. They want to know how they can live this dream as well.
Mollie and Sean have a website that you can follow and learn more about how they made their own dream come true. Plus all the challenges and learning experiences along the way. Check out this video and get to know them a little.
Follow Sean and Mollie on Instagram at @SeanBusby and @TwoSticksAndABoard, or through their website: http://TwoSticksAndABoard.com. Questions about Yurt Life? Shoot them an email at twosticksandaboard@gmail.com.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Round out your holid
Round out your holiday feast with some fast and easy bites to serve before the main course. Photo: Angus Fergusson
This gorgeous 600-sq
This gorgeous 600-square-foot condo is small on space but big on design. Designer Ashley Davidson of Ashley Davidson Design shares how she created a relaxed, airy and bright interior.
The living room is a
The living room is a study in symmetry — pairs of sofas, ottomans and stools have a pleasing geometry. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
In the open-concept
In the open-concept principal bedroom, the views are the most important design element. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
This landing is the
This landing is the perfect spot to enjoy the spectacular views, thanks to a bench topped with cozy fur accessories. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
Quirky additions, li
Quirky additions, like a tiny painting of a cow, add a youthful note. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
A subtly patterned r
A subtly patterned rug and pouf soften the space’s lines. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
Adjacent to the dini
Adjacent to the dining area, the kitchen’s generous island makes moving a dinner party from standing appetizers to a full-course meal to after-dinner cocktails a snap. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
In the grand center
In the grand center hall, two angular stools are a mod counterpoint to the rustic reclaimed-wood harvest table, which can do double duty as a buffet or bar in a pinch. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
A two-sided fireplac
A two-sided fireplace separates the principal bedroom from the ensuite bath. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
Striking pieces from
Striking pieces from the homeowners’ art collection are given pride of place throughout the home. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
A huge, diamond-patt
A huge, diamond-patterned rug connects the living and dining spaces. | Photo: André Rider Design: Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers
Surviving And Thriving In Cold Weather Camping
When thinking about camping one usually thinks about long, warm days and rich, reddish sunsets. They think of nighttime campfires and crisp mornings. The smell of hot dogs over the grill and the salt of trail mix usually tempt the tastebuds. Mixed in with a healthy dose of loathing the mosquitos and keeping caution against bears, camping is an American pastime. But when the days get darker sooner and the moon illuminates the snow-draped forest floor as well as the retreat of the typical summertime camper, most tents get packed away and state parks are traded in for the cushion of the Hampton Inn. Plan accordingly though and cold weather camping affords you plenty of space to yourself, the real warmth of a campfire, and the joy of “Boy Scout Stew” in the embers of this mornings split wood.
A winter camping trip requires a little more thought and planning that the average summer excursion though. Much like building a tiny house for the Northeast region as opposed to the deep South, there are a number of tips that should be observed and taken into consideration in order to successfully navigate the cold-weather conditions.
DRESS PROPERLY
When cold weather camping you won’t always be mobile and producing warming sweat. There will be moments of inactivity where you will want clothes that keep you warm. When motion stops it is more difficult to maintain a suitable temperature. The trick? Layer up! This is the same when considering a tiny house. Don’t depend just on insulation or your electric heater or your solar array. Be prepared for cold weather and atypical conditions. Just this past year a number of fulltime nomads and tiny housers alike were faced with terribly cold temps. Thankfully many of them had skirted their wheel areas, lined windows with quilts, wore thermal underwear, and used lap blankets.
When cold weather camping start out with a pair of polyester thermal underwear as a base. Choose breathable fleece so that sweat doesn’t accumulate and add to the coldness. It may be good to have a scarf or neck gaiter that is easily taken on and off to help regulate body temps. On top of that should be a lightweight, waterproof, breathable jacket. As for your head and feet, employ a fleece or wool stocking cap. Leave the cotton socks at home as well. Wear wool or wicking polyester designed specifically for hiking. They will allow your feet to breathe and remain dry. Boots should be waterproof or at least water-repellent.
GIVE YOURSELF A HAND
Don’t neglect your feelers. When outside keep polyester glove liners and gloves on adding gauntlets over top when needed. For extra heat use chemical heating pads for quick temperature pick-me-ups.
Several tiny house nights have seen HotHands pockets in the toes of lined slippers to combat the cold floor and exposed skin as well!
FIRE. FIRE.
When you arrive at your campsite the first thought should be to start a fire. Never depend on dry wood or dry kindling in cold weather scenarios either. Have a fire starter of some sort.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SITE
In the summertime it seems only natural to look for a good, shady spot that offers some seclusion and bit of direct sun, and a good, evening breeze. Quite the opposite for cold weather camping though. In winter the early morning sun can be a very welcome visitor not just for its warmth but also to help thaw out your tent and setup as well as vent condensation that may have formed overnight.
When you arrive at your campsite try to take note of where the sun will rise and then position your tent to take advantage of said sun without taking on direct wind.
STAY DRESSED FOR BED
Not the most romantic notion, granted. There was even an old thought that a camper should strip down before getting into a sleeping bag at night. But that doesn’t make much sense. In fact, in cold weather camping one should put on all of their clothing before bed. If the campfire is still going a bit, heated water in a heat-proof water bottle of stainless steel canteen, snuggled into the sleeping bag would be quite comfortable as well.
So are you ready? Can you survive cold weather camping? How can these principles be carried over into the tiny house world?
By Andrew M. Odom for the [Tiny House Blog]
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
A Heritage Home Deck
A Heritage Home Decked Out In Vintage Finds | Design: Susan Burns Photo: Robin Stubbert
Mastering The Mix: A
Mastering The Mix: A Modern-Meets-Vintage Kitchen | Design: Samantha Sacks Photo: Donna Griffith
How To Maximize Spac
How To Maximize Space In A Small Family Home | Photo: Virginia Macdonald Design: My Le Nguyen
Tour A Tudor Home Wi
Tour A Tudor Home With Pattern And Personality | Design: Richard Ouellette Photo: Jason Stickley
See Inside The 2015
See Inside The 2015 Princess Margaret Showhome | Design: Brian Gluckstein Photo: Angus Fergusson
How To Renovate An O
How To Renovate An Old Kitchen | Design: Wikkerink Design Build Photo: Jason Stickley
David’s Tiny House in Victoria Australia
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Guest Post by David Bell
In 2008 I built a tiny house of 100 sqft and lived in it for about six years. You can read the story of this house on Tiny House Blog October 2008. Various mainstream media in Australia including the national broadcaster came across this story on tinyhouseblog and my tiny house became a celebrity.
Alas, the authorities read the stories too and came knocking, wanting to know why I did not have basic facilities and a permit.
It was then that I decided to build a new tiny house. My new house is 350 sqft and works brilliantly as a small affordable space. Unlike most tiny houses which are built on trailers to avoid planning problems my house is built on stumps and has planning permission and a final certificate of occupancy due to the enlightened attituded of local authorities.
As I am growing older I decided that I did not want to climb a ladder to bed so I made sure that the bedroom was at floor level. I also told myself that I wanted a hot bath every night and so I included a full size bath in the design.
The house is a basic rectangle with the bedroom and bathroom occupying the rear half of the building. The front half is a combination kitchen and living area.
I project managed the building and did about half the work myself, but there is no substitute for using qualified tradesmen when you need them. I could never do as good a job as proper plasterers and tilers, and they were not all that expensive.
I also decided to remain off the electricity grid so I constructed a battery shed to house my solar powered batteries and instrumentation. I originally estimated that the house would cost about $30,000 but it ended up costing about $70,000 Australian currently equals $59,000 US. Plans and permits alone cost about $7,000 but I have the comfort of knowing that my house is legal.
I also invested heavily in insulation and a solar-powered roof exhaust fan which means that I have a house that needs very little artificial heating or cooling.
An important part of the design in a hot country like Australia was to make sure that I had windows in the right positions to open up at night to the cooling breezes. In my house the breezes are wonderful and I simply don’t need air-conditioning.
I love my little house.
Monday, December 28, 2015
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