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Home on the Range is currently working on a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home designed by Architect Joe Patrick Robbins, AIA in Houston,Texas and we will be sharing details from the home throughout the construction process.  Wright’s appreciation for natural materials and the landscape make his Prairie Style homes timeless.  I am constantly amazed by the details he used 100 years ago that are currently popular in contemporary design.

Few individuals in history have had the honor of creating an architectural style. Frank Lloyd Wright changed the American landscape with Prairie Style, which he developed at the turn of the 20th century. The first Prairie Style structures were designed to “reflect the  long, low horizontal prairie on which they sat with low-pitched roofs (and) deep overhangs,” according to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.  The other transformation attributed to the Prairie Style was the change from dark chopped-up rooms to open interior spaces with more light.   Below is one of the first Prairie Style residences, Wright’s Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago (1908).

Robie House

Robie House image via gowright.org

The home’s understatement and harmony with the landscape is quintessentially American. Another Prairie Style home with these characteristics is the Avery Coonley Housein Riverside, Illinois (1907). The landscape designer Frederick Law Olmstead did a wonderful job of further integrating the home into its surroundings.

Coonley Gardens

Coonley Garden

 

 

We find an overlap in style between Arts and Crafst style, Mission and Prairie style and will be using elements of all three in the Houston home.  Below are pictures of some of the inspirations we are using for cabinet design.

Arts and Crafts style shoji sideboard

Prairie style sideboard design

Prairie style sideboard designCraftsman Ceramic Tile Alchemy tileYamagiwa light fixture

Hardware example

 

Yamagiwa light fixture from Oak Park Home and Hardware

Examples of the Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style homes can be found throughout the United States.

Be sure to watch for the following key Prairie Style elements in our future posts on the Houston house.

  • Low-pitched roof
  • Overhanging eaves
  • Horizontal lines
  • Central chimney
  • Open floor plan
  • Clerestory windows

Attics have captured the imagination of children for centuries due to their cozy scale and intriguing character – did you ever go on a treasure hunt in an attic when you were young, or play hide and seek under the eaves?  Here are images which demonstrate how attics continue to inspire us with their nooks and crannies even as adults.

  • RUSTIC – from western to shabby chic, the rustic spaces below delight the senses with the patina of the reclaimed wood ceilings, the interesting textures and the charming furnishings:
rustic attic

Image via Archilook

 

rustic attic 2

Image via Arcilook

 

rustic attic

Image via Arcilook

 

rustic attic

Image via Arcilook

CLEAN-LINED.  The attic rooms below have a cleaner, lighter, more modern look which is achieved by using either white painted wood or white bedding.  The addition of architectural detail or wood elements keeps them from looking too stark and maintains a hint of “rustic”.

attic bedroom

Image via Arcilook

 

attic bedroom

Image via Arcilook

 

attic bedroom

Image via Arcilook

Attics provide not only a bonus room but also an escape. Though there may not be a treasure chest hidden in these spaces, they are still quite rewarding.


Image source: Archilook

Albert Hadley says;

“….the designer must be able to see – make a concentrated effort to absorb the essence of the project. Seeing is a very difficult thing to do. Most people “look” at a lot of thing but never “see” anything. Looking is emotional; seeing is an intellectual process.”

Few things in life are as enriching as creating a warm haven for your family. Partnering with a caring, experienced designer lets you focus on your overarching vision while ensuring that the process runs smoothly and the details are thought out in advance.   It is your home, where your memories will be made, and you want to be able to enjoy the creative process instead of being stressed by constant decisions and deadlines.  An interior designer provides a blend of technical problem solving skills and creativity, providing you with support, making your life easier, creating a home that is everything you dreamed of, and helping you to save money in the process!

 

Below are some of the key  services an interior designer can provide:

Space planning – helping you determine the best placement of your furniture after careful research into your lifestyle and the way you would like each room to function.  This advance planning will help avoid costly change orders.  A designer will take into consideration scale, proportion, balance and composition when planning your spaces.

Material and finish selection and coordination – narrowing down selections for everything from your flooring to your cabinet hardware, ensuring that all of the components are well thought out and work together to create a whole that is more than the sum of its parts, and then communicating the decisions to the builder and subcontractors.

Color selection – analyzing the interplay of light in the rooms at different times of the day;  color theory and understanding your color preferences will also enter into color selection.  The environment in which the house will be located also plays a large role in your color scheme.

Designer resources –you will enjoy the advantage of carefully nurtured relationships with the finest artisans who will add custom elements to your home. If you hire an experienced designer you will also have access to furniture and fabric sources that have been developed from years traveling to markets in the US and abroad.

Fine art, rug and custom accessory selection and placement – the finishing touches!

Management of delivery & installation and standing behind the products – this service will make the final hectic days of your process much less stressful for you.  At Home on the Range we even make the beds and install the towels!

 

In conclusion:

An interior designer is a professional who is qualified to ensure that the finishes and furnishings in your home stand the test of time. Interior designers bring a passion for good design and a creative flair to your project.   Using a designer helps you avoid costly mistakes and, more importantly, helps you to create a home you will enjoy with family and friend for years to come!

For more resources and to find the interior designer who will be the right fit for you, visit:

ASID – find a designer

Mountain Living Magazine – Luxury Resource Guide

DCD Home – Interior Designers

Mountain Living Magazine Top Architects and Designers

And of course, contact us at Home on the Range and give us the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your vision.  We are based in the Rocky Mountain area but have also worked with  clients in states ranging from Texas to Massachusetts!

 

 

 

I always feel as if simply setting your table outdoors turns any meal into a festive event!    In our past posts on al fresco dining we have shown examples of  outdoor dining spaces, great outdoor tabletop ideas, our top patio furniture picks and stunning outdoor living spaces.  The next  important component of outdoor dining we would like to highlight is the kitchen, along with the appliances for outdoor kitchens that have evolved to the point where your outdoor kitchens can be every bit as functional as your indoor kitchen!  Just think about not having to traipse back and forth to the kitchen but to have everything right at your fingertips!

From the simple rustic fire pit where you can roast marshmallows or grill hot dogs, to the refined outdoor kitchen and dining space complete with flat screen television, there are outdoor kitchen designs to suit every lifestyle and budget.  Below are some great examples of creative outdoor kitchens that reflect a variety of entertaining styles and fit into a wide array of environments.

In this  kitchen by Urrutia Designs the walls fold back to turn an indoor space into an outdoor space in a matter of minutes.  What a great way to prolong your outdoor dining season!

Outdoor Kitchens

The integration of the cook top and refrigerator in the low wall of this rooftop patio kitchen by Chicago Green Design, Inc. maximizes patio space, maintains a flow around the perimeter and maintains the stunning view of the Chicago skyline. 

Outdoor Kitchens

The kitchen on this covered porch by Cornerstone Architects is beautifully finished with wood cabinets and fireplace surround, giving  it a feeling of luxury and taking advantage of the spectacular surroundings.

Outdoor Kitchens

An age old, time-tested kitchen – a great take by Design Associates on the simple fire pit concept to grill meats and cook marshmallows!

Outdoor Kitchens

Spinnaker Development’s  outdoor kitchen design comes complete with television!

Outdoor Kitchens
And then of course, you can’t forget the products that make outdoor dining a success… Be sure to take a look at the great tips for selecting outdoor appliances from House Logic

Outdoor Kitchen Appliances

An outdoor gas grill from Subzero/Wolff

Outdoor Kitchen Appliances 

An outdoor pizza oven

There are also a lot of resources for outdoor kitchen cabinets and you will see some great examples at Kitchens.com

Hopefully we have given you some good ideas to  help you create a wonderful outdoor kitchen, geared to your lifestyle and primed and ready for those special summer evenings. For more  information about how to build an outdoor kitchen of your own just push the  “like what you see” button, or click here to  contact Home on the Range. 

 

Images 1 -5 via Houzz (as linked above), SubZero-Wolf (6),  House Logic (7), Kitchens (8)

Seeing Apartment Therapy’s post on “Rustic Front Doors” got us thinking about the beauty of rustic doors whether in the entryway or an interior space in the home. Here are some great images that show stunning rustic doors in design.

This is one of the doors featured in the Apartment Therapy post, and we think it’s a great statement to come home to each day.

Who says a rustic element can’t be colorful? These weathered green doors aren’t short on style.

Here’s a great sliding door used inside a home.

In this bedroom design, rustic doors make for a unique and beautiful headboard that adds nice contrast to softer elements in the space.

Rustic doors work perfectly in this Western mine-style design by Home on the Range.

What do you think of using rustic doors in design? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts!

Images: 1 via Apartment Therapy; 2 via 28.media.tumblr.com; 3 via Houzz; 4 via Houzz; 5 Interior design by Home on the Range, Photography by Tim Murphy, Architecture by Joe Patrick Robbins

If you thought there was only one use for a sliding barn door, think again. This rustic accent can fit into nearly any interior design style as a unique and interesting feature. From being used as a headboard to separating space within the home, here are some wonderful ideas for bringing sliding barn doors into design:

Here we used sliding barn doors as a twin to king headboard.

This is the bed in a king configuration:

Here there’s a sliding barn door in the background used as a door to the dumbwaiter.

The Houzz photos below are equally inspiring.

We used the concept of the twig 3-form seen below in a sliding barn office door here in Steamboat but framed it out to achieve a less contemporary look.  . It was a perfect way to maintain but get light into the office.

Look how Linea Architects interpreted the sliding barn door in the Historic Telluride District.

This is a contemporary take on the sliding barn door.

These traditional glass doors were made into sliding barn doors.

Here, old doors were transformed into sliding barn doors in a contemporary setting.

Painted sliding barn doors separate these two spaces.

As you can see, there are a myriad of ways to use sliding barn doors in interiors – what would you do with sliding barn doors in your home?

Images: 1-3 Home on the Range; 4-9 via Houzz, as linked above

Ceilings offer wonderful opportunities for adding character and charm to a room.  Below we have highlighted a number of different styles of ceiling treatments, from mountain rustic to contemporary to traditional.  A ceiling can make a contemporary space feel more rustic and a boring space feel more interesting.  A ceiling treatment can add color to a space, bring the height down visually and add textural interest.  There is really no limit to what you can do with ceiling treatments.  Take a look at the nine great ideas from Home on the Range  below and let us know which ones you like the best and why.  If you have a favorite ceiling design, add it to your comment so all of our readers can see it!

Reclaimed wood trusses visually help to bring down a high ceiling.

Reclaimed Amish beams on the rake of a high ceiling tie in with other rustic features in the space for a cohesive look.

The addition of wood adds more intimacy to this contemporary rustic space. 

Reclaimed wood forms a coffered ceiling that’s perfect in this mountain modern recreation room .

A barrel vault ceiling with an American Clay finish adds a nice touch to this powder room.

We also spotted the following ceilings on Houzz and love the looks:

This  sloped corrugated metal adds a rustic feel to this contemporary room.

Here is one of my favorite ceilings – I love the mix of the brick, the curve in the ceiling and the wood “ribs”

Using wallpaper is a great way to add interest to a ceiling, as you can see in this stylish nursery.

Take a look at the way this painted, coffered ceiling completes the overall design of this inviting bedroom.  Can you imagine the room without this ceiling design?

Contact Home on the Range for Interior design for your entire space—ceiling and all. You can visit our website to see more examples of our work.

Images: 1-5 Interior design by Home on the Range; 6-9 via Houzz, as linked above

With Memorial Day upon us, we are getting ready for a day of honoring our veterans by stopping to smell the roses and appreciating the beauty of the outdoors. Whatever your plans are for today, whether you’re going to host family and friends or are simply looking forward to spending quiet time outside, you’ll find ideas in these outdoor-inspired posts from the Home on the Range blog. Look to these for inspiration for Memorial Day weekend—and throughout the summer.

Design Inspiration: Rustic Outdoor Living Spaces
See beautiful photos of outdoor havens.

Home on the Range’s Top Patio Furniture Picks
Find great furniture options for your Steamboat Springs deck or patio.

Dining Alfresco in Style
Take a look at stylish outdoor dining areas for eating alfresco.

Tabletop Ideas for Dining Outdoors
Look at our list of wonderful outdoor dining accessories.

Amber Glass Orbs from Campo di Fiori

We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend!

Photos: 1 Home on the Range; 2 via Palecek; 3 via Elle Decor; 4 product available at Home on the Range

Rustic style is perfect for the interior design in Colorado cabins, Western lodges and mountain retreats. We loved the tips in a recent Houzz ideabook on “Ways to Get the Rustic Cabin Look,” and we wanted to share a few of our favorite points from the piece. Here are some that we think hit the nail on the head:

Coziness is key. Add elements to make your home look comfortable and lived in such as antique furniture pieces, old textiles and period lighting.

Incorporate different materials. Mix reclaimed wood floors and timbers with aged copper or rusted metal.

Reclaimed pine floors and fir timbers paired with the rusted metal hood give this kitchen a cozy rustic feel.

Make the fireplace a focal point. This tends to be a great place for coming together in the home.

Older is better – the patina of age adds charm and old items often have a story to tell.  When we work on a rustic cabin style home we, along with our clients, start collecting antiques and quirky interesting pieces at the beginning of the construction process so each “find” adds to the story of the house.

Our client found this old dry sink that was perfect for a powder room vanity. We used light fixtures from Lieutenant Moses Willard to keep the period feel.

Mix in elements from different places and time periods.  We love the concept that an old rustic cabin would have been homesteaded by someone from the East Coast who would have brought European Antiques, old quilts and Asian pieces with them on the Wagon train and then added hand-hewn furniture and rustic painted pieces as time went on.

Old quilts and a piece of antique lace at the window add a feeling of age to this cozy chinked timber cabin room

Visit Houzz to read the full article. Which design elements do you think help define comfortable rustic style? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts—we’d be happy to hear from you.

Images: Interior design by Home on the Range; Photos by Tim Murphy; Architecture by Joe Patrick Robbins AIA

Flipping through magazines, reading design blogs and spending time on Pinterest, you’ve probably come across some beautiful pictures of interior spaces that feature stylized tabletop vignettes. There’s no reason you can’t create a beautiful display for your own home.

In her blog,  Colour me Happy ,  Maria Killam has some wonderful examples of beautifully executed vignettes along with some helpful tips on creating an aesthetically pleasing vignette.

Notice the use of books and a mirror in this vignette from Maria Keller

Another beautiful vignette from Maria with great balance and use of shape and color

In her post, Maria explains that;

“A tablescape or vignette should include a minimum of 3 items; flowers, candles, and books, and depending on where it is, a tray.”

When you take a look at Maria’s vignettes you will also notice how she uses color coordinated books to add height to certain objects and to create horizontal lines.

Coffee tables, sideboards and mantles are great places to arrange vignettes and one of the things to pay attention to is keeping if simple and not too cluttered.

There should be one item that grounds the grouping and the colors and textures should balance with other pieces of furniture or fabrics in the room.  At Home on the Range we love to use picture frames with family photos, interesting candle holders with candles that pull colors out of the room, sculptural items and vases in our vignettes.

If you’re searching for accessories for your vignettes, stop by the Home on the Range showroom on Loggers Lane or contact us to have us send you anything you see and like.  Here are some fun ideas we have come across recently.

picture frames are great additions to vignettes - add your own family photos for a more personal touch

 

 

I love finding fun "conversation pieces" to put in vignettes like these vintage airplanes

 

 

These antique French glass bottles will add a great touch to a vignette once they are cleaned up!

 

Candle holders work well on a mantle

 

 

beautiful glass vases add interest to vignettes

Images 1-2 Colour Me Happy

 

Images 3-: Accessories from Home on the Range