The complete Home Style book [antikvár]

Whether you live in a rambling country house or a small studio apartment, your home is the one space where you can take full control of your surroundings. Once your door is closed to the outside world it is vital for you to be able to completely relax in a comfortable environment that reflects your character and lifestyle. Identifying your needs is the key to achieving a practical layout that works well for you. This book focuses on the function and contents of individual rooms in order to help you plan your home, and to ensure that it is fully integrated. Back to Basics Moving into a new house, or remodeling your current one, involves the challenge of balancing your plans with available budget. Limited finance has one advantage, in that it allows you time to experience the space and develop your ideas before starting expensive improvements. An ideal home does not materialize overnight - the essential elements for even a modest lifestyle take time and effort to assemble. First, invest in the basics of the house, such as structural alterations, heating, rewiring, and plumbing. Break the work down into logical stages to avoid lengthy spells of disruption, while the jobs are being carried out. You need to decide how much you can accomplish yourself, and where you need to ask for professional advice and help from architects and builders. Once finished, the shell of each room will be ready for the plans and ideas you have in store. Individual Style What is style? It conjures up a different image to everyone, so your taste in flirniture and decoration will be individual to you. If you are unsure what will work, leaf through magazines and books for ideas. Although you will want to personalize the decor, these style references can help you decide on a cohesive look. This is usually more satisfying and cheaper in the long run than buying isolated items only to find that they do not work together in a room. The age of the house or shape of the rooms may also dictate or influence your choices. Clarify your ideas and imagine the effect you want to create by planning the layout on paper and making sketches to show the position of main items. Look at how space is allocated, and if it can be adapted to suit your needs. Two small rooms with limited use could be opened out to make a comfortable family living area, with space for seating, studying, and eating. Consider if a small storage room would be better converted into a shower room or study. Ancillary spaces, such as the attic or hallway, can also offer potential room for improvement. They may be able to house audiovisual equipment, home office, or cleaning materials that would otherwise