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My Houzz: A Creative host family in north London

My Houzz: A Creative host family in north London - Ikea hacking , maximizing storage, upcycling and DIY projects: Barbara's house and François is certainly creative. It is a treasure trove of ideas to steal, low-cost engineering blows dictated by the modern taste, and knowledge of different raw materials.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

Houzz a glance eye
Who lives here Barbara Toscani and François Martens, both architects, and their two children, Matthew, 4, and Maximus, 2
Location Hackney , northeast of London
renovation Year 2015
Architects Barbara Toscani and François Martens
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms bathroom
budget Around £ 35,000

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Amelia Hallsworth Photography

the aroma of coffee invitation, bread homemade porridge announces the day at the home of Barbara (Italian), François (Belgian) and their two children. Here, three different languages are spoken fluently - Italian, French and English. This variety of cultures and flavors is also evident in the design of the apartment, which is bright, colorful and very personalized.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

cooking is a good example of Ikea hacking: the basic units were purchased in the Swedish and later customized megastore. leather drawer handles have been added - "Perhaps more than the kitchen itself," laughed Barbara - with a worktop made of against-plated, finished with door trim and cement paste coated

Before photo

Barbara and Francis n 't just come up with the design, they also have most of the furniture, using plywood in particular. They needed help of skilled workers for the work of masonry and installation of electrical, plumbing and gas.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

storage space is a recurring theme throughout the apartment, and this against-plated bench, made by Francis, is a good example of well-used space. One compartment contains garbage, another wine store bottles, and there are many corners for books. In the center, there is an office for children.

Be inspired by 11 most creative storage solutions in the world

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

A sheet of pegboard wall holds all cups kitchen roll and key, all easily within reach. Most of the domestic life of the family lived in the kitchen, and François enjoys experimenting here as much as it benefits from improvement projects home.

See more creative uses for pegboard

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

the big black pipe that passes through the living room wall and the ceiling is the vent on the roof and showcases origins of construction.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

The couple decided to live without a sofa. "I realized I needed a wheelchair when I'm breastfeeding, Barbara said. "For the rest of the furniture we have chosen poufs, which are extremely versatile and can easily be moved. Children are always on the floor anyway ... "

Strandmon chair Ikea.

Before photo

the living room during renovations.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

There is no TV in the apartment, so the family to find other forms of entertainment. Barbara plays the piano and having a home is an absolute necessity for it. And instead of a central ceiling light, there is a disco ball, so that the family can activate it in the evening and dance!

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

Raskog truck, Ikea.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

the large barn door was recycled and reinforced by a cross.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

Barbara also became very interested in the realization of its own DIY projects. For example, it reupholstered the chair with a carpet sample.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

The pin table legs were bought on Etsy. The plateau, again made against-plated, is extensible.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

headboard in the master bedroom was recycled from the original floor in the apartment and decorated by Barbara.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

children's room was painted in a crisp blue.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

ground floor, next to the entrance, a small area serves as both an additional bathroom and a boot room. Bicycle and buggy are carefully hung on the wall.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

in the shower, there is an interesting feature: lime green Plexiglas instead of regular glass. There is a good mood and solution children.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

This shoe rack was created by recycling pieces of Ikea furniture, "which already falling apart" and adding long industrial rubber bands.

Amelia Hallsworth Photography

The floor is covered with raw plywood, which is normally only used as a base for other flooring.

radically transform a property on a small budget is not an easy feat. Barbara and Francis could do it using a low cost and recycled materials, reinvented with simple ideas, smart. They had fun, like architects, creating a home with their own hands that reflects their personality and taste. For anyone who sees this house, it is a treasure of brilliant ideas to maximize and customize the space.

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What do you think of this character house? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

My Houzz: A Creative host family in north London My Houzz: A Creative host family in north London

My Houzz: Casual Comfort in Highgate Home

Fa2hayyil

My Houzz: Casual Comfort in Highgate Home - When Michael and Courtney Adamo bought their classic Victorian home, he was in a terrible state. Water was leaking in the house when it rained, ivy was growing on the interior walls, and dirt had stained the black interior. But something about the house seemed irresistible for the couple, and they knew it was the right home for their family of six.

It took seven months of redecorating to get the home ready for them. The couple had budgeted £ 150,000 for work but like most projects do, it ran on the budget that repairs discovered more important than they had anticipated problems. Rotten floor, inadequate foundation and other structural problems have ended up costing more than they had expected. After trying to self-monitor the project, they finally sought the help of an architect, Matthew Woodthorpe, to navigate the architectural plans and structural work on the house.

The converted house is now in good condition, with a relaxed and welcoming that comes courtesy of vintage finds and personal touch.

Houzz at a glance
who lives here Michael and Courtney Adamo and their children, Easton (10 years), Quin (8), Ivy (6) and Marlow ( 13 months)
Location Highgate, north London
Size 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

in the kitchen Michael and Courtney opted for the Shaker style cabinets and backsplash subway tiles, instead of the more modern elements. "He just felt like he installed in the house, said Courtney.

The pendant lights are actually recycled glass funnels believed that Courtney is Retrouvious.

The most important part of home renovation led down a rear exterior wall and the addition of an extension for a new kitchen and laundry

Stools: v school stools Intage Trainspotters ;. island custom built by Matthew Smith

the dining table of the family was built by the carpenter of the couple, Matthew Smith, the Adamos engaged to build kitchen cabinets and island. . Casual open shelves display kitchen items

mural: Fort White, Farrow & Ball

'I love modern homes and have always been attracted by the Scandinavian midcentury design, but we bought a Victorian house,' Courtney said. "We wanted to honor the type of house it is and does not want to change too much about it.

The couple tried to keep as many original features of the house as they could, including the front door and trim.

See how to make a thin corridor feel more spacious

The living room has a bay window and a restored yellow sofa which was a hand-me-down from a family friend

mural :. solid white, Farrow & Ball; Ceiling paint: All White Farrow & Ball; Low: Sundance Catalog; cushion on the yellow sofa: Double Cross of yellow velvet, De La Espada; Other cushions Skandium

"We'd like fancy furniture and designer pieces "admits Courtney. "But the truth is that we have four children, and we do not want to be picky about the furniture in our house."

"We chose a large number of gray, black and white, keeping things very simple and let the furniture and decorations add color to the home, "says Courtney. The couple kept simple and unobtrusive range in their room and splurge on appliances and lighting.

Check out some more ways to dazzle with cluster lights

Pendant: Lighting Cluster 4, Kathleen Hills; candlesticks Hector Medium Dome Wall Light, Lighting Questions

sweet, feminine touches are found throughout the common room of girls.

open baskets serve hassle of storage for small accessories such as tights and hair ties. Michael Courtney and added the white floor to match existing floors in the upstairs bedroom of the boys

mural :. white solid, Farrow & Ball; pear print: Pirum Parum Pear Poster by Fine Little Day, Little Baby Company

Eclectic Home Office & Library Adamo Family

home office Courtney is off the stairs from the first floor. She writes and oversees the popular children Babyccino website

The office is a vintage dining table Ercol Windsor

storage locker: .. PS Cabinet Ikea

Easton and Quin, the son of the couple, sharing a room too.

white floors are original to the house.

Lauren Bryan Knight

This hall bathroom offers a treetop view framed by dark walls and accented with white subway tiles extended.

Check rooms more black and white bathroom

The fourth bedroom serves as a playroom for children. Light of sun pouring through the window illuminates the space

mural :. white solid, Farrow & Ball

original architectural elements, like home, remain throughout the house, reflecting the Victorian roots of the house.

'It must be the American in me, "Courtney said, laughing, but I really wanted a proper wash room, not just a machine located somewhere in my kitchen. With four children, I spend so much time doing laundry, I felt as if I had a dedicated space for it.

family relaxes in their spacious backyard, a feature that the attracted at home. Courtney loves the connection between the outside and the kitchen, making it easy for children to come and go.

"My husband and I did not know what we were getting into, 'Courtney said. "Although we were attracted to the idea of fixing it and making it our own."

As this house? Let us know in the comments section below.

My Houzz: Casual Comfort in Highgate Home My Houzz: Casual Comfort in Highgate Home

My Houzz: Calm, Cool and collected in a Canadian apartment

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Fa2hayyil

My Houzz: Calm, Cool and collected in a Canadian apartment - Taylor Russell saw many interiors. After having lived in hotels for six years - his work at an advertising agency has had its movement every four months in places like Kuwait, Pakistan, Spain and Barbados - she knew hundreds of different spaces of life. More than enough to realize that the style was good for her.

I am especially drawn to bright, airy spaces that were open and welcoming, with beautiful and interesting pieces - places where you could curl comfortably on the couch one night and host a cocktail next, "says Russell.

Worn out from his busy schedule, Russell quit his job from a pay phone at Heathrow Airport in 07 during a trip a project in Kuwait to Jamaica. She bought a return ticket home to Toronto and decided on the flight to buy a house. Four days later, she bought an apartment on a map in the King West area of Toronto.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Taylor Russell, entrepreneur, and his Australian mini-shepherd Hayete
Location Toronto, Canada
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Andrew snow Photography

crash globetrotting racing Russell interior design was not the only thing on his side. His parents strongly influenced his new home decoration, too.

Their paintings and sculptures are featured throughout the space, and when the mother of Russell retired as interior designer and owner of BB Bargoon of a well known design store Toronto, Russell (shown here) has inherited many beautiful pieces of his mother that Russell had grown up with. "Our houses were always beautifully decorated, yet comfortable and welcoming, Russell said. "My parents did not want to live in a museum, but wanted to create spaces for us to enjoy with family and entertain friends. The house was always full of wonderful pieces worldwide, each with its own history. "

Russell and Hayete relaxing on the couch, who had his shop mother. A haven for dog owners, the area has six parks nearby and easy access to the waterfront, the duo takes full advantage of

Sofa :. Vintage, BB Bargoon