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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: minimalist

Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids

05 Saturday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Jim Klossner, The Home

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Tags

baskets, ceiling light, children, coloring, craft, desk, diy, Funky Furniture, glass globe, hanging shelves, home, homework area, interior design, Jim Klossner, kids, Lego inspired, minimalist, modern, Natural Sunlight, open shelving, pegboard, polka dot chair, reading, Storage, study, Study Space, supplies

Designing the perfect study space for kids can be the key to getting them to focus and finally get good grades. It’s a bit of an art and science: striking the right balance between creating a space that’s bright enough to stimulate them without being so busy it distracts them.

Smart Storage
I loved the following idea of using a colorful pegboard to store supplies for my children. They will have everything they need right in reach and we can also hang up their artwork to inspire them during study time. This idea will help eliminate the inevitable, “Mom, can you help me find this?” question that I seem to hear all too often.

The wide, two-seat table is also a great idea that will fit into our small den space where I’m planning the new homework area. It’s a good idea to consider whether your children work better independently or as a team when designing your study space.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: Houzz

Free hanging shelves and boxes can also be used to create a highly personalized and practical design.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: Rexohome

Another great idea that I stumbled across in my search incorporated baskets and open shelving into the design. This space is much larger than ours, but I loved all of the storage space and the personalized chairs added a special touch.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: Linxwest

Funky Furniture
Another fun touch that gives color and energy to a space is interesting furniture.  Ideally, pieces that are kid-sized!

A minimalist desk combines with an inexpensive futon for reading, coloring, and other activities.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: The Lux Home

Simple touches such as a polka dot chair to match a rug and artwork can give a study space an interesting visual feel.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids

An ultra-sleek and modern look combines chic lines with an uncluttered workspace for a lot of productivity.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: Home in Cast

Natural Sunlight (or the Next Best Thing)
One of the greatest benefits of our new study space is that it has two large windows that let in the afternoon sunlight. Let’s face it, we all feel a little more inspired when we’re working in a space immersed in natural light.

If you have the opportunity to take advantage of the sunlight when you are planning your design, you may find that your child is more motivated because they will be in a better mood and be able to feel the fresh air as they do their work.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: PB Teen

If you can’t get a lot of natural light, here are some interesting choices.

This DIY craft approach converts an old glass globe into a scholarly light.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: Wired

Drum shades give a distinct look and feel to any boring old ceiling light.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: Shades of Light

These Lego inspired LED lamps will be loved by the budding engineers and scientists in your family.
Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids
Photo Credit: Inhabitots

The first step in designing a study space for your kids is putting their needs first. Think about their work styles and what inspires them to do their best work. Whether your children would be best suited in an environment where they can work together or if they’d thrive in a space that would allow them to work independently, there are a number of functional and beautiful design options available that would meet the needs of family study space!

Jim Klossner is a home improvement professional and single father of 2. He has enjoyed putting his skills to use, crafting the ideal study environment for his sons’ success. Click here for info on the study materials he recommends!

Piping Hot Design Trends

03 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Liz Alton, The Home

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Tags

bathroom, bedframe, bookshelves, country, exposed duct, historic, Industrial, Liz Alton, loft, minimalist, pipes, recycling, shelving, steel pipes, Storage, upcycling, urban, vintage, wine rack

One of the beautiful things about working in a historic mill building is the gorgeous exposed piping and ductwork. Combined with the brick walls and the high ceilings, it’s one of the selling points of the space. When I was coming up with some creative ways to accessorize the space, I found some visually striking examples of designs that integrated pipes along the ceiling or in accent pieces. If you love this look and aren’t currently calling a loft home, there’s some creative designer and DYI pieces on the market that you can use – from shelving to lighting fixtures.

Exposed Duct Works, Redux
Exposed ductwork is a hot look in a lot of urban apartment and office buildings right now, especially the ones that used to be factories, mills, or big commercial facilities.  These lofts go for big bucks, and have tremendous character that you can work with. Lots of natural light, exposed bright, and rich woods permeate the space.

Piping Hot Design Trends

But not all exposed ductwork is urban. This beautiful country example of an exposed duct takes a really practical turn as place to hang pots and pans!
Piping Hot Design Trends
Photo Credit: Trilogy Builds

A colorful paint job makes this design a standout for a fun take on exposed pipes in a kids’ bathroom.
Piping Hot Design Trends
Photo Credit: Houzz

Hanging Storage Solutions
Who doesn’t love a creative storage solution? DIY crafters are rock stars at recycling and upcycling, and these pipe shelves are a great way of using steel pipes and even a bellowsflex hose to create unique shelves and bookcases that can adapt to almost any arrangement.

Here pipes double as both the supports and the mechanism for attaching the shelves to the wall.
Piping Hot Design Trends
Photo Credit: Interior Result

With pipes’ structural integrity, it’s really possible to combine shelves into ultra-creative configurations.
Piping Hot Design Trends
Photo Credit: Yellow Pelow

Hanging bookshelves in particular are a hot item, where shelves can double as both the supports and the bookends. This lighted version is great to illuminate a reading nook.
Piping Hot Design Trends
Photo Credit: Gear Culture

Industrial fittings are used in this one to give it even more character.
Piping Hot Design Trends

Pipe Shelves Scaled
If you love the pipe shelf look but need more than just a foot or so of shelf space provided by the hanging shelves, there are some great examples of floor shelves constructed of pipe. The key qualities translate over: a very artistic and modern industrial look with a highly configurable potential design.

Pipe and wood combine to a really unusual shape in this one – this would be a great idea for working with specific display needs or around an oddly shaped wall feature.
Piping Hot Design Trends

The pipes on this corner shelving unit help anchor the whole thing, while allowing it to fit into a tight space between window and door. Look at all the room you get for books, knickknacks and more.
Piping Hot Design Trends
Photo Credit: Modern Meals for Two

Funky Furniture
There’s also some really fun pipe and hose furniture. This vintage wheel cart combines pipes and antique box wood.
Piping Hot Design Trends

This pipe and wood wine rack is absolutely to die for.
Piping Hot Design Trends
Photo Credit: Manhattan Cleanline

It also makes a sturdy, minimalist bedframe.
Piping Hot Design Trends
Photo Credit: Design Fabulous

A lot of these items are commercially available, but they are all very doable as custom commissions or DIY projects. I think it’s time to sign my husband up for a welding class!

Written By Liz Alton

Shop of the Month: West Elm

01 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Shop of the Month

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

art, design, furniture, Inspiration, minimalist, modern, natural, photography, shop of the month, shopping, style, west elm

This is the first post in a new series where every month I will showcase my favorite shop and some of the items I love. This is also a great opportunity to get inspired by the beautiful photographs each of them show to present the items they sell. So make sure you check back on the first of every month for new shop of the month!

West Elm has always been a love of mine. Their products are modern, fresh and natural. Their minimalist style shown through the design of their products as well as their photography is like a breath of fresh air. You can find lots of inspiration in their catalogs, which are also smartly designed. I recommend you sign up for their mailing list.

{click on images to visit item page & get more information}

Cabriole Leg Desk $349

Vases & Planters

Washed Hexagonal Tile Printed Dhurrie

Decorative Objects

Boerum Bedroom Collection

Vases & Planters

Honesty Flocked Window Panel

Candles

Narrow Leg 6 Drawer Dresser

Bath Accessories

Ambi & Khadi Blockprint Panels

Pillows

Stria Storage Collection

Dinnerware

Marquis Rug

Gifts

Bedding Sets

{For color inspiration check out the SHOP PALETTES page for some palettes inspired by items in this shop}

color in films sound in color art inpsired palettes
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