Hey y'all, busy as always I see! Let's see if I can run my mouth a bit and get up to speed with everyone's work.
@ Lynley: Very nice, makes me think of Frank Lloyd Wright and prairie style. I think the exterior trims of your windows aren't agreeing with the rest of your exterior palette. Perhaps go for a lighter wood, with a bit less saturation. Going lighter will give it some pop while less saturation will keep it natural and earthy.
After you've fond a nice color for those exterior window trims, you should consider your options for repeating that color in the rest of the architecture. Consider painting the carport columns in this wood would be one option, or painting the cupola on top of the roof in clapboard. Having a secondary color will create some contrast and visual interest in the exterior.
Second suggestion, is I would make the front porch just a little more ornamental, a little less functional. A cook-out space is more of a back yard type deal and you appear to have the room, so I'd move it back there. A seat or two, and maybe one of those planters from world adventure would likely be enough.
final note, perhaps sweep that path of cobblestone to the edge of the driveway.
It's a very nice exterior, it just needs a contrasting element to make it pop. And I must say, lovely interior to boot.
@ Zapkid:The layout here strikes me as just a bit peculiar. Kitchen on the second floor, with an arch into the bedroom, but the dining table downstairs. It isn't very ergonomic. However, each room taken individually, there are some good furniture arrangements and colors. Good use of space in the kitchen and the colors in the bedroom are lovely. Perhaps add a throw rug in the bedroom to create motion through the empty space of the room, and in the kitchen, one or two of those 2x1 mats for a splash of color.
I see you've situated yourself in the modern style pretty comfortably. Modern's a wild ride but once you've versed yourself with all your tools you can really soar. I think you'd benefit from trying for a bit of contrasting elements and being a bit more precise with your glass walls, but that will come with time.
@ Saltypaws: Interesting use of blinds to the partition the room. I like the roaring twenties persuasions in the interior.
I think the problem with the exterior, is its long, single story shape and hipped roof makes it feel like a ranch, which is almost exclusively a residential style of architecture.
What I think we need to do is create a second story with plenty of patio space. Make an L shaped extension to the top in a way that you have a patio to one side, and a smaller patio in the cradle of the L. Then, make a skillion and lean-to roof from this. this will not only give you a stylish roof, but the second floor will give the building a more demanding presence, while open patios with plenty of nice seating and maybe a bar will make it clear from the street that this is the happening place to be.
Gogowars: This house has really come along. I love the kitchen, the tile is a very interesting choice, however I would have limited it to the counters, and used metal for things like the cabinet trims, serving tray and refridgerator. Repeating a pattern can be a very safe and comfortable practice but it can really limit a room's potential. Otherwise, you've done a really good job here. Well done!
FezisFreak:That house has some very powerful curb appeal, especially with three sets of staircases. However, your walk way up to it doesn't have as much strength. A walkway needs to complement a front porch. If it doesn't you'd feel uncomfortable approaching the building. Would the taj mahal be anywhere near as majestic if it stood in front of a dirt road instead of a reflect pool? I'd like to suggest using the same tile you have in the backyard across the entire lawn, from hedge to hedge.
For your windows, try to use three square wide ones when you can. All those little stops in the glass can be distracting. Secondly, I'm noticing a few traditional windows floating about. They contrast with your glass walls in a bad day, I'd replace them with single glass panes. You might also want to go with a more modern looking door.
For your exterior, you have a really nice area surrounding your pool, so I think you should pull some of your furniture into that area. At the moment, it's all kind of assembled just so it's there.
It's all around a nice little building. remodels are a good way to learn, as they can help us get a grip on what shapes and sizes make for good buildings.
@ Natsuko: Everyone here probably thinks I'm a broken record but I gotta say it.
Look very closely at your plants, at pattern of their leaves. you'll notice that they're identical, their branches and leaves going in the exact same direction. when you place two of the same item, the truth of the matter is they're essentially clones of one another. this makes perfect sense with furniture, as furniture can be reproduced by humans to look the same. However, when we're dealing with nature, nature does not repeat itself, and so the plant deja vu can be a little bit distracting. It's very easy to fix however: when you're placing multiple plants, hit the > key each time to make a small turn. The new angle will make the leaf pattern look different. That said, the landscaping is much better. It's complementing the home and creating a sense of motion through the yard.
all around, I have to say this has turned out very well. Few nitpicks, you might do well with a more stylish front door, painted white like the windows. And in the interiors, I'm not super fond of the carpeting and some of your rugs and blankets. You kind of have a battle between modern, boastful, colorful rugs and blankets; and very reserved, classy furniture. I would personally suggest some wood floors, and some simple geometric patterns with vibrant colors.
In your backyard, I'd suggest a walk way from the door to the jacuzzi, and a border around the jacuzzi itself.
All around, you've turned this into an excellent house!
