The Home Blog

Colors can affect your mood... so use them

"My how colorful," is the first thing my wife and I want people to say or think when they enter our house. In our Las Vegas house we decorated the main floor in the colors of Mickey Mouse and the second floor in the colors of Winnie the Pooh (and Doctor Suess for the tike). In our Orlando house we've shifted our pallate a bit, we have less canvas to work on, but the color effect is still there.

We didn't do this just to be bold in our design, although that's part of it, we did it because color affects one's mood. We've known this for years, but only recently has it started to seep its way into interior design.

The NY Times has an article on some designers who 'design happiness' through colors. Check out the great slide show for examples of how you might impliment a little (or a lot) color into your next remodel.

Bainbridge Island Eco-Craftsman

Out on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle WA, a lovely Eco-Craftsman was recently up on the market. That's a lovely part of the country and a great place to be green.

The materials used in the construction and finish of the Eco-House were chosen to create a beautiful home that is environmentally friendly, low-maintenance, allergy safe and will last for generations.

The house's web site is full of beautiful pictures of the house and its architecture. I wouldn't mind living there for sure. Alas, it's too late for me or you to stake your claim on this one. It sold for $720,000. But the architect appears to be in the process of building at least one more similar home. (via Hewn and Hammered)

An anti-pre-fab house for less than $57/sq ft

Looking to buy a modular or pre-fab house and shocked at the price per square foot, usually around $200-$250? Would you be interested to know that you can still build houses for less than $60 a square foot? Well Urs Peter Flueckiger has something to show you in Texas.

Flueckiger has built a house using Corrugated Steel and other industrial materials.

to prove that it was possible to create an affordable, durable house that was beautiful and interesting to live in. He began envisioning his design as an alternative to modernist prefabs, many of which sell for about $250 a square foot. Mr. Flueckiger knew he could design a family home for considerably less, without compromising the design.

As it turns out a lot of compromises were made along the way, but they did it and saved a significant sum. Now they have a beautiful functional living space that rivals anything you can get for $250 a square foot.

[ Tags: home, homes, design, pre-fab, modernist, modernism, industrial+design, living, home+living, home+building ]

Winning Dream Home Not Always A Dream

MSNBC takes a look at the HGTV 'Dream Home' contest and the effect it has had on the lives of the past 9 winners. Here's a clue, only two have even attempted to live in the dream home. Taxes and upkeep are just too much for the average contest winner.

Nevertheless, I'm entering every day. How about you?

[ Tags: home, dream+home, hgtv, contest, winner, lotto, lottery, taxes ]

The Blaferships: Home Construction Blog

The Blaferships are building their dreamhome and lucky for us they've decided to chronicle the progress on a blog. The home is going up in a subdivision outside of Jacksonville, FL. It's an interesting look at what a family of six goes through to get things done.

Trendir

Trendir is a great blog that tracks the hot trends in modern living accessories. It's mostly high-end luxury products (ah, that must be where the blogging money is), but you may find yourself inspired by the designs anyway. So check it out.

Solar a Key Component for Home Reconstruction

TreeHugger has a great story on how Habitat for Humanity has begun to integrate Solar Energy Collection Panels into their new homes. This is a great idea for any reconstruction that is to take place along the gulf-coast after Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

If we tax payers are going to footing the bill for part of this reconstruction, I feel we should at least get sustainable energy policy out of the deal. Plus it will reduce bills for the home owners. A win for all, if you ask me.

Postmodern Furniture for Spot and Fluffy

Just when I thought I'd seen everything when it came to furniture along comes Postmodern Pets. But I guess it makes sense, if the rest of your house is filled with designer mod or postmodern furniture, shouldn't your pet's spaces reflect that ethic too?

I particularly like the Racetrack Fish Bowl (pictured) and the Highrise Cat Tower.

[ Technorati Tags: home, homeblog, pets, postmodern, design, retail, shopping, store, dog, cat, fish, fishbowl  ]

Futuro House on BoingBoing

For the ultimate in home kitsch be sure to visit the Futuro House a fiberglass and polyester dream home.

Recycled Ferry Houseboat

Growing up in Portland Oregon afforded me the chance to see how life on a houseboat works. Although I've never lived in one, I always wanted to. That is until I saw a 100 year flood pick up and carry those million dollar floating dreams down river to their doom.

I do find this converted Ferry Houseboat to be a new vision and with it my old dreams have been rekindled.