Build cubbies from floor to ceiling.
An active family relies on a mudroom with enough capacity for coats, bags and shoes—which might mean using every inch of vertical space. The result is a tidy appearance and no searching for necessary items on the way to work or school. You can also add a pop of color to enhance the space.
Install a farmhouse-style plate rack.
To maximize natural light in this Craftsman home, they ditched traditional upper cabinets. “With the plate rack, they were able to gain vertical storage without losing light while keeping the millwork and cabinetry details consistent with the rest of the house.
Conceal kitchen essentials.
A microwave and a coffee maker are hidden in a cabinet to prevent visual clutter. It gives the kitchen a nice clean look. A family that enjoys entertaining uses a drawer for plates and bowls (below). The dishes are secure and easy to access for daily use.
Make organized spaces beautiful.
Don’t treat your pantry like a drab supply closet. Think of your dishes and cutting boards as accessories instead of just items you’re hiding away. Mix in some small framed artwork and flowers. It has to be functional, but it can still look beautiful, because you end up spending a lot of time going in and out of there.
Arrange books by color…
The color palette for this room is white. Therefore, an organized shelving unit with books in rainbow colors make a bright and fun statement while also being functional.
Go monochromatic in a large dining room.
Illuminated with picture lights, tone-on-tone built-ins create an instant focal point in this high-ceilinged dining space. The bookcases house an evolving array of books, found and gifted objects, relics and personal silliness, all meant to serve as a reminder of what makes the homeowners happy.
Frame a pass-through with shelves.
To bring visual appeal to the space between two teenagers’ rooms, they installed shelves of different widths and heights for books, flea market finds and family photos. This is creates depth in a space that is normally unused and dull.
Tuscan kitchens can transport you to the Italian countryside with their natural materials, earth tones, and embrace of color.
You might remember that famous line from William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Juliet is expressing her frustration that their love is hindered by their feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, who are opposed to their relationship based solely on their names. She offers "That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." Juliet is pleading with her family to see past Romeo’s given name and appreciate his true heart and character.
