Practical Storage System Hidden Understairs

Organize your home with this space saving idea!

Article taken off freshome.com

Practical Storage System Hidden Understairs



Chiswick Woodworking Company completed an interesting and highly practical project consisting of several storage units that can be pulled out from under the stairs. This idea is not new, we presented quite a few similar projects here on Freshome. However, this time the finish is so cleverly executed and the units so well hidden, that we thought we had to share it with you for inspiration. In the photos below you have four different “lockers” and each of them can be accessed individually. We also appreciate the design of the storage devices: each of them futures diverse solutions, for the smallest objects and even large boxes, clothes, shoes and so on. The pulling mechanism is simple; this way anyone can have easy access to the items inside the “stairs” (children too). How do you make the most of your under-stairs space?

11 Modern Minimalist Computer Desks

Still using PC desk at home? Take a look...

Article taken off home-designing.com

11 Modern Minimalist Computer Desks

Recently I set out to find a new desk for my PC to rest on and came across a lot of ideas that I thought were worthy enough to share. Actually the search was tough. I mean, I know there would be a lot of people out there who would be happy with huge desks that house a nook for every peripheral… (like the one below)



…but somehow they just don’t work for me. Design wise, I am more of the minimalist so naturally the ones I tend to like also favour this type of style. These minimalist computer desks we are going to feature are light weight, easy on the eyes and most of them are as sleek as the technology they are designed to hold.

OneLessDesk from Heckler Designs has a 2 deck design and takes up merely 12 inches of space when put away. The company’s pitch for the product actually sounds convincing.

At one time, you needed a desk that could fit a mountain of paper, a two-foot-deep monitor, printer, and a CPU the size of a Labrador. Today, your computer is an inch thick. You have moved forward. It’s time your desk caught up.





If you normally tend to work on a laptop, this floating Ledge desk from Urban Case might be all you need.



Milk‘s computer desk is another minimalist desk concept that is defined by clean lines and in-built compartments for hardware and fish tank!







The Airia Desk From Herman Miller is the latest example of the design giant’s genius. The desk is sleekly modernized version of a drafting table, giving you storage with style.



The Signalement Desk designed by Germany’s Peter Petersen as part of his Tank Collection, and is made entirely of medium density fiberboard and looks like something from the future.





If you are the kind who gets easily distracted, you would love the ReWrite desk by GamFratesi. The half cubicle-half egg design would help you get work done!





The iDesk is as sleek as any iMac, making it a great décor compliment to your computer.





MisoSoup Design’s K Workstation looks like a single piece of material mounted to a wall to provide a workspace, storage and overhead shelving with the aesthetic fluidity of a noodle.





The VU.VU.VU desk by Emmemobili appears to nearly levitate, while providing space for a PC, keyboard and accouterments.



The XYZ desk offers something revolutionary – it integrates the computer right into the desk.



Another computer-desk integration concept. But this Sync Desktop by Gareth Battensby allows you to fold in the monitor too.

Top 10 Ways to Use Expensive Fabric on a Budget

Let's see how you can handle your high end fabric on a budget way...

Article taken off home-designing.com

Top 10 Ways to Use Expensive Fabric on a Budget

So you’ve found a fabric you absolutely love, but it is just too expensive to use everywhere in your room. What to do? Buy less of it and use every inch wisely. Here’s how.

1. Pillow Front
Whether your pillow is a small rectangular accent pillow or a larger bed sham, using expensive fabric on the front of the piece is a terrific way to highlight it. Be sure to center the pattern on the top and make an edge with a plain fabric or even a pleated grosgrain ribbon for a finished look.

2. Flanged Edge on a Pillow
A flanged border is simply a strip of fabric folded in half and sewn into the pillow seam (where the pillow front is stitched to the pillow back). You’ll want to cut a strip of fabric the perimeter of your pillow, plus another 12 inches or so, to allow for pleats or gathering at each corner.

3. Table Runner or Tablecloth
Flat pieces are always easy sewing projects. Even if you don’t sew, you may be able to use an iron-on fusible webbing or even fabric glue to finish the fabric’s raw edges. Be sure to test your preferred hemming technique on a scrap of fabric to make sure you get the look you desire.

4. Valance or Cornice
In past years, valances were traditionally gathered onto curtain rods using lots of gathers (and lots of fabric). Valances and cornices are now much simpler and many styles require only flat panels of fabric which will generally require minimal yardage.

5. Drapery Border
The leading edges (or center split) of a pair of draperies are the vertical edges closest to the center of a window. Dress up this seam with a flat border of expensive fabric, sewn into drapery panels made of less expensive yard goods. A great look, for much less.

6. Border or Hem
Whether you decide on a contrasting hem for a bed skirt, drapery panel, or a tablecloth, borders and hems are another good way to spread an expensive fabric you love around your room.

7. Slipcover an Ottoman
Many ottomans or foot stools are small and rectangular – and thus are easy to slipcover to get a new, fresh look. You might make the slipcover out of your chosen fabric, or just use it on the top section or as a hem around the bottom.

8. Chair Cushion
Sewing a chair cushion may be a more advanced sewing project. However these items are usually small and require about 1/2 yard for every 2 cushions (assuming the back of the cushion is made of a contrasting fabric.)

9. Flat Panel Café Curtain
Forget the fussy gathers and measured pinch pleats. Next time you need to cover the bottom half of a window (for privacy or just for color), consider designing a flat panel curtain. It will not only be easier to sew, you’ll get the full benefit of any pattern, since it won’t get “lost” in the gathers.

10. Fabric Trim or Welting
Though you’ll see very little of a fabric when used in welting or cording, there are some fabrics that will stand out wonderfully in this application. Look for bright colors, small patterns, or elegant stripes that can all make lovely welting.