Resolution: In the Coming Year, Get Inspiration from Designer Houses

(Westchester Dream Home, 2012)Janet Ramin - Hudson Harbor Development invited interior designers Susan Anthony and Marianna Olanow to design an American dream home for a newly built carriage house in Tarrytown, located in Westchester New York. The Hudson Harbor homes have views of nearby Hudson River and access to a marina. 

(Westchester Dream Home, 2012)With the river views in mind, Anthony envisioned a nautical style for the open two-story living room space in a blue and white color scheme with subtle touches of brick red. Olanow thought of combining vintage accessories with new furniture from Ethan Allen to create a lived-in atmosphere.

The living room is open to the kitchen and breakfast nook, great for entertaining family and guests. Its floor-to-ceiling windows look out to the terrace with views of the courtyard and the river. 

(Westchester Dream Home, 2012)The kitchen is equipped with a Wolf 6-burner stove and Sub-Zero refrigerator. The cream maple-wood cabinets by Majestic Kitchens and Baths stand out against the nautical blue backsplash, Grove Brickworks by Waterworks. On one side of the kitchen is a custom-designed display cabinet, showing off vintage pieces and china and providing a dramatic focus to the room. 

(Westchester Dream Home 2012)

(Westchester Dream Home, 2012)Upstairs, we have a second living space - a warm and comfortable family room with French doors opening to its own balcony and sweeping views. The cosy chairs are covered in Lee Jofa chenille, matching the cinnamon painted walls. Off the family room is the master bedroom suite furnished in Ethan Allen furniture. The huge walk-in closet from California Closets boasts a built-in vanity and bench and plenty of drawers. 

(Westchester Dream Home, 2012)Beyond the master closet is a very hi-tech and modern bathroom. The mirror contains an inset LCD screen that plays your favorite videos or podcasts via Bluetooth. The lighted bathtub from Kohler will also play your favorite music as you relax in the bath. From Consolidated Plumbing Supply, we have a Kohler electronic toilet, the Numi, with special features. The crowning touch is a wonderful chandelier in recycled aluminum from Klaff.  

(Westchester Dream Home, 2012)

There are many designer homes around the country, in most municipalities and communities. Take advantage of them, and collect great ideas for decorating your own home!

Take a look at Sheffield School's Complete Course in Interior Design. At Sheffield, you will learn how to transform a space, create color schemes, and select furniture, lighting, and accessories.  

Resolution: Try Exotic Wood Furniture in My Home

Twist Table from Thai Handmade GiftsJanet Ramin - When one thinks of wood, usually the popular ones come to mind: oak, maple, walnut, cherry, and mahogany. Other cheaper woods such as birch, poplar, and beech have become more prominent in the market due to deforestation. But have you heard of the following exotic woods? You might want to set a design resolution this spring to explore adding one or more of these fine woods into your home, adding beauty and utility to your decor. 

Acacia is a beautiful hardwood found in Australia and Hawaii that has a wide range of appearances and hence can fit in a variety of interiors – from sophisticated to rustic. Acacia has a warm color, varying from light to dark tones, as shown in the photos above and below. The wood also shows off a highly-figured grain, as seen in the Twist Table above. A darker version with a less wavy grain is seen in the Rustic Table from West Elm. 

Rustic Acacia table from West ElmMango wood is a popular hardwood from Thailand and the Philippines that is eco-friendly. Mango wood is cut from the mango fruit tree once the tree has finished bearing fruit. Since these trees have to be chopped down anyway in order to make way for new trees that bear fruit, the resulting timber is recycled to other uses such as furniture and accessories. Mango wood has a yellow-orange tone as seen in the sideboard and the ball table below. 

Mango wood sideboardMango wood Ball Table by Thai Handmade GiftsSapele is a hardwood similar to mahogany with a light grain. It can be stained from a medium orangey-red to a deeper reddish-brown, as seen in this gorgeous chest of drawers designed by

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