Homeowners David Hart and Demaris Wehr wanted to make a sanctuary overlooking scenic views of a valley and farm in Vermont. Getting that prized view meant working with a north-facing slope. They requested Milford Cushman of this Cushman Design Group to operate around the challenging landscape and make a small home incorporating the natural space around it.

“David, a psychologist, spent his life researching fairy tales, and that played a key role in the design of the house,” Cushman says. “It is a particular place, and even with the site’s challenges, it’s hard not to feel the spiritual and sociological aspects of the house. David and Demaris were quite thoughtful about all of the things they desired in their property.”

at a Glance
Who lives here: Demaris Wehr and David Hart
Location: Calais, Vermont
Size: 1,850 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
That’s intriguing: all of the natural timber surfaces interior are custom constructed with locally harvested Eastern white pine.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

Three narrow amounts are stacked on a fundamental 16-foot by 38-foot footprint to create use of the sloping site and to join all of habitable rooms into the views and natural daylight in each direction. Simple roof forms with broad overhangs provide summer shading and long-term protection of this timber siding whilst serving to floor the construction as a broad cap.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

Wehr and Hart’s goals were to make a rich and peaceful residence where guests could be exposed. The religious connection to the property was significant. The designer stuffed the house with light and environmentally friendly finishes, thoughtfully designing each detail.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

All the natural wood surfaces are treated using polymerized tung oil (PTO) and without any oil-based urethanes, making it an exceptionally sustainable living space. PTO is more environmentally secure than other penetrating oils.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

The built-ins, thoughtful stuff and massive windows that allow plenty of light into the open-room space were all lifestyle choices to the homeowners. They desired to feel like being in meditation.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

The ceiling is shiplap design using local white pine. The European-style freestanding wood stove by Scan 60 is energy efficient, with direct air link to the exterior.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

All the natural wood surfaces — such as floors, windows, door casings, running trim and stair treads — are custom constructed with locally harvested Eastern white pine. The countertops are made of heart pine in standing dead trees.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

The natural-form theme runs throughout the home. Wehr and Hart desired the substances in the house to be attached to something living at one time, especially local timber, a renewable source. The dining room table is one of Wehr’s preferred places to write.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

Wehr enjoys the intimate connection of this central place of the kitchen into the dining space and the living room. All the windows fill the kitchen with direct and indirect lighting. She also appreciates that along with the white pine cabinets and the center pine counters, all of the wood surfaces in the kitchen are finished with various sheens of tung oil rather than polyurethane, varnish or lacquer.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

Thoughtful details are located throughout the house, to allow spaces to leak into one another. The easy kitchen cabinetry layout has glass doors and local artisan components.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

All the built-in cabinetry from the bedroom, including the dresser, shelves and bath vanity, is made from locally harvestedEastern white pine.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

Wehr and Hart revealed Cushman an image of a fairy home in Wales for design inspiration. They also showed an image of a natural home tucked into a hillside in gnarls and corners of roots. In every season, this house feels just like a fairy tale.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

A screened-in porch off the dining area and a deck off the living room extend the house’s connection to the website.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

Wehr and Hart shared time here together as a couple and with friends, and it was really a sanctuary for them. Hart passed away at the house in November 2011.

The hillside house now serves as a personal grounding for Wehr’s sojourns from her house on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. As a fitting tribute, Wehr has commissioned a different small fairy home using a meadow and a grove of trees that match off the west end of the home. The fairy home will be about 36 inches tall, 18 inches wide and 22 inches long. Wehr has committed the small structure for a party of Hart’s life study of the significance of fairy tales in storytelling and in Jungian psychology.

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You often hear about a house being really well constructed, and that was definitely the case with this remodeled 1908 Craftsman. However, “well constructed” and “nicely laid out” are two completely different things. “The entire way it had been set up prevented you from getting any link to the view over Ballard, a really adorable neighborhood in Seattle,” says designer and architect Charlene Wilson, of Portal Design, “or any link whatsoever to the backyard.”

Wilson states that Lots of the inspiration for the house came from the lifestyle in Palm Springs, California. The homeowners have a holiday house there, and Wilson spent some time with them in the desert and went to occasions during the city’s yearly Modernism Week.

One of the things that they enjoy about Palm Springs is the capacity to live inside and outside, not something you can do in Seattle. “The sense of being able to stream from inside to outside was one of the chief drivers in renovating this house,” states Wilson.

at a Glance
Who lives here: 2 engineers
Location: Seattle
Size: 2,100 square feet on two floors, and a 180-square-foot attic; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
That is interesting: The Ballard neighborhood of Seattle was full of tiny homes, because the region is very sloped and the lots are rather narrow.

Portal Design Inc

The house includes a reverse floor plan, with the bedrooms and baths on the first floor and an open kitchen, living room and dining space, and a half bath, on the second degree.

For your second floor, Wilson purposefully remained with fundamental finishes that could be timeless — walnut flooring, white kitchen cabinets along with a marble kitchen island. “But we also wanted to introduce some whimsy to the plan,” she says. “We implemented wallpaper over the credenza from the sofa, but to a small area so that it is easily changed later on.”

The aquamarine-blue touches reminded Wilson and her clients of Palm Springs. “It had been one of those things we saw on a lot of house tours, and it just stuck,” says Wilson, “combined with the usage of timber on ceilings.”

Gray couch: EQ3; round glass table: classic, Eileen Gray; cushions: Waverly Small Talk Accent; carpeting: Andalusia, West Elm; dining table: handmade by Amish furniture makers in Ontario, Canada; Shell Chairs: Eames; yellow seats: classic, Area 51; white couch: classic; acrylic tables: Gus Timber; hanging light fixture: black Tom Dixon Beat Light Broad; credenza: custom design by Charlene Wilson, fabricated by 7 Hills Design; background: Flavor Paper Scrubs on Gold Pony Skin Foil; wall sconces over credenza, (on background): SuperOrdinate Antler Sconce, Design Within Reach

Portal Design Inc

The look of the front elevation was influenced by the website’s sloping nature. “We created a pop-out over the garage that’s clad in metal and balances that facet of the house,” states Wilson. She also added quite a few new windows to allow as much light as you possibly can.

The green part of the facade is Hardie board panels, and the gray is Hardie board siding. The existing porch has been torn down and replaced with one with a ceiling made of cedar car decking — a component that’s also used inside the house on some of the ceiling on the second floor — along with a stainless steel door.

“Since the lot is so intense,” Wilson says, “we had to create quite a few transitions to get from the driveway upward, from the sidewalk up, and have that link to have the ability to go across the side of the house to the backyard.”

Portal Design Inc

The stairs are in the same place as they were in the first house, but inside their previous incarnation they have been completely submerged. “What we decided to do in an effort to not completely demolish the house, and do too many structural alterations, was to utilize a steel frame after the walls have been eliminated,” states Wilson. “By doing that we were able to keep the members much smaller.”

She adds, “We also really liked the modern aesthetic of the painted steel with timber offsets.” The stair treads are parallel strand lumber, and the railing, using stainless steel wires, was custom made by Portal Design and fabricated by its own builder.

Portal Design Inc

The kitchen island is topped with marble and clad in gray lacquer over medium-density fiberboard (MDF). The timber toe kick is walnut, to match the ground. The art is from Shag from Palm Springs.

Bar stools: CB2; pendants: Tech Lighting Pele Pendants; refrigerator: Architect Series, KitchenAid

Portal Design Inc

The walnut wrap around the left side of the refrigerator frames from the white cabinets. “The idea was to create a furniture type of appearance, where there’s a border of walnut revealing, and offsetting that with the white lacquer,” states Wilson.

The little cupboard over the sink is tied to the cupboard to its left and then jumps up to create an enclosure to the stove hood. “The exhaust tube that comes out of the stove hood is unsightly, but on account of the roof slope we weren’t able to highlight it how you normally would using a stainless steel hood,” states Wilson.

She adds, “So that box was produced to hide the hood, along with the squarish cupboard to the right is its counterbalance. It was just one of those things born of necessity.” The stairs to the right lead up to the attic office.

Range: 30-inch gas, Wolf; countertops: Caesarstone

Portal Design Inc

The plan of the master bedroom again reflects Wilson’s effort to keep things that were going to be permanent as impartial as possible. “There’s a lot of light in the house, and about the headboard wall we wanted a great neutral to dark color,” states Wilson. “We decided that hot gray partly because it’s a simple color to decorate with as a backdrop. You can throw anything against it, and it’s going to look fantastic.”

Since the master bathroom is buried a bit in the center of the house, Wilson used a frosted glass panel from the shower allowing more daylight to creep into the bathroom.

Bed: Min Bed with Plexi Headboard, Design Within Reach; linens: Ironwork, West Elm; lamp, table at left: classic; lamp on shelf: Tube Top, Design Within Reach; art: Creamsicles print, Crate & Barrel; wall paint: Chelsea Gray HC-168, Benjamin Moore

Portal Design Inc

For the primary toilet, Wilson decided to possess the backsplash go from the top of the counter to the ceiling to accent the alcove. This also plays to the verticality of the mirror, which includes inside lights on either side.

The blue part of the vanity is lacquered MDF, although the timber elements here and about the bathtub surround are walnut.

Backsplash: Seattle Tile Company; countertop: Caesarstone; sink: Vero, Duravit; faucet: Metris, Hansgrohe; bathtub: Paiova, Duravit; rain showerhead: Arzo, Delta; floors: Fiel Obsidian Black (12 by 24), Seattle Tile Company

Portal Design Inc

A deck opens off the main living area and cantilevers over a little addition Wilson added to enlarge the master bedroom. The awning is frosted acrylic and was custom made.

Outdoor fireplace: Modfire

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I have been collecting African artifacts for approximately 15 years. My collection began after a trip to Africa in 1997 with my husband. In the lobby of our hotel was a group of African artifacts, such as masks, textiles and various carved pieces that I will never forget. The appeal was instant: I had been shot with all the geometric nature of the carvings, and the caliber of the artifacts seemed to tell a story with every detail.

I fell in love with all the artifacts of Africa and decided to learn about them and use them in spaces I layout. In addition to their rich significance, they supply visual interest and can be used in modern, transitional and conventional spaces. Take a peek at these designers have imported Africa into these beautiful and curated spaces.

Safari Fusion

Bamileke Feather Headdress (whitened) | Juju Hat – AUD 595

This sleek and modern space includes a fantastic feather headdress out of Cameroon. The feathers worn by chiefs and significant dancers during celebrations symbolize prosperity and emulate the feathers of birds. The feathers have been woven onto a raffia foundation that spray right into a huge circle and look fantastic as wall art. The item is available in many colours but makes a modern and textural statement in white here.

Ken Gutmaker Architectural Photography

The variety of African stools is excellent and diverse. Each style of carving and form represents a particular country, tribe or region. Here the sculptural, hand-carved quality of the stool onto the hearth contrasts the white brick wall. Notice how perfectly paired the stool is with the modern Saarinen Tulip table and chair.

Charmean Neithart Interiors

The Kuba cloth of Zaire is made of raffia palm leaves; among other applications, it is used for skirts during ceremonial occasions. The patterns are generally geometric, with colours derived from local plant resources. This beautiful bit of Kuba cloth was made to a cushion for a bold and colorful pairing with all the geometric lines of this rattan chair.

Willman Interiors / Gina Willman, ASID

Here at the base of the bed is a Senufo stool of the Ivory Coast. Made from one piece of timber, this stool is highly functional in form in addition to getting a graceful, simple profile. These kinds of stools create great benches and end tables.

KuDa Photography

Tribal masks from several areas are combined for an eye-catching screen within this modern, color-filled room. This room feels very sophisticated due to the bold contrast of modern bits against the backdrop of the rustic masks and palaces. The Warren Platner chairs in vibrant yellow appear to mirror the kind of African sculpture.

Sutton Suzuki Architects

These circular types are in the Mbole people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They have been used as currency during significant transactions and create beautiful, sculptural accessories mounted and placed in a small grouping.

Shirley Meisels

Another example of a Juju hat in a vibrant fucshia colour. I really like the way the designer paired this with bold black and white stripes on the wall. This is a good example of how these bits can be utilised in a whimsical and unexpected display to create a transitional look.

Charmean Neithart Interiors

In the foreground a Bamileke king’s stool is used as a table. All these fantastic textural pieces are also known as spider tables. The spider has great relevance to the Bamileke people and, like the king, is believed to possess sacred knowledge and the ability to address problems. The king uses these tables during public ceremonies, but they look fantastic as tables. They’re also available in larger sizes that make great coffee tables.

Carson Poetzl, Inc..

This expansive sculptural part is a Tji-Wara headdress by the Bumbara people of Mali in northwest Africa. All these headdresses are worn with designated farmers at planting period through a ceremonial dance. The headdress and dance are symbolic of an antelope, which can be coveted as a perfect creature. Placed within an entry this bit is a stunning introduction and also a conversation starter.

Blue Tangerine Art

This comfy guest bedroom has multiple cultural artifacts, developing a well-traveled look. On the couch are cushions made from Kasai velvet, yet another creation of the Kuba people in the Republic of the Congo. Inside this fabric a level stem-stitch embroidery is used between heap areas for contrast. The result is a velvety, geometric group of neutrals that makes a fantastic transitional style.

Do you have any African pieces into your home? Allow me to know in the Comments section.

More:
Give Your House A Few Worldwide Style

Refresh Your Space With Exotic Decor

Guest Picks: Handicrafts from Rwanda

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Sharon Radovich of all Panache Interiors was occupied renovating four bathrooms in Herb and Nan Schwetman’s home when she got a call from Nan. Nan advised Sharon to quit working on the bathrooms because a whole lot the few had wanted for years finally came in the marketplace. The Schwetmans purchased the whole lot immediately and collect a team of award-winning designers such as Barley & Pfeiffer Architects, Panache Interiors and Botanical Concerns Landscaping.

The Schwetmans told that the design team they wanted something modern, but with natural components to tie their residence to the gorgeous panoramic views. With a strong focus on the topography, the architect created a linear house with tall north-facing windows to bring in cool light, shield the home’s south-facing walls, and protect it from exposure to sunlight.

Once the architects finished the design, Radovich came to the plate with an array of organic materials to promote the ambiance of the home’s setting. The Schwetmans could not be happier. As it pertains to working with design professionals, Nan says,”We believe we understand what we enjoy, but sometimes you just need a little nudging in the right direction.”

in a Glance
Who lives here: Herb and Nan Schwetman
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 4,000-square-foot, two-story home with 4 bedrooms

The architects in Barley & Pfeiffer made an open floor plan for the primary living area, employing the lot’s natural incline to conceal all secondary living spaces. Detaching the garage and placing the deck and screened-in porch on the south side protects the house from harsh winds. The design team further highlighted the property’s energy efficiency by employing premium non-degrading exterior materials.

Two bridges connect the futon into the home, allowing entrance to the home through the primary entrance or through the kitchen and utility area.

Barley & Pfeiffer utilized stone, wood and steel in the property’s exterior to make a contemporary aesthetic while allowing the home to blend with the surrounding landscape.

Panache Interiors used Mesquite wood floors in the major area of the home. Horizontal wood panels counter the casing fossil limestone fireplace surround. Radovich chose grey for the walls. Sliding doors lead from the living area on to the deck, showcasing the home’s spectacular perspective of the Austin Hill Country.

All furniture and rugs rugs came from Room & Board. Nan says,”We simply love this store. Their pieces are contemporary but still seem comfy and they’re really reasonably priced. It was perfect for us”

Radovich selected Verde Marinace as the material for the kitchen island countertop. The Marinace is constituted of large colored river rocks fused together. “Everyone is always asking me what this stone is. It is quite unique,” Nan says.

Ayers green granite has been placed on all of the remaining kitchen counters along with the kitchen backsplash has been covered in a combination of horizontal limestone and glass mosaic tiles. Green-gray cabinetry in Sherwin Williams Rare Gray 6199 further emphasizes the home’s contemporary look.

While the floor plan encourages energy efficiency, it also serves as a great way for Herb and Nan to entertain friends and family.

A custom booth built into the kitchen give the pair a place to enjoy their morning coffee. A Varaluz recycled steel and glass chandelier adds contemporary sparkle.

SLIC Interiors

The decks are made of sustainable Ipe walnut hardwood. “Among my favorite things about this home is its normal setting,” Nan says. “We attempted to bring as much of the setting indoors with our choice of colors and with some of the artwork we used.”

SLIC Interiors

A screened-in porch outside the dining area enables Herb and Nan to enjoy the outdoors without being completely exposed to the outdoor conditions.

A nook on the screened-in porch gives the couple a spot to enjoy the view and meals by the fireplace.

Outdoor furniture: Room & Board

In the master bath, Radovich combined honed seagrass stone with mosaic bamboo flooring for the floor. “The bamboo is warmer to the foot when Nan and Herb step out of the shower, they are not stepping on cold tiles,” Radovich says.

From the master bedroom, a glass mosaic backsplash provides visual interest to the room. It also adds a dash of natural color that works well with another stone in the restroom.

Faucet: Pfister

More Inspiring Tours:

Artful and Efficient at Austin

Minimal and Soothing in Austin

Warm and Modern at Austin

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White chandeliers come in a wide selection of breathtaking styles, from daring new designs, beautiful antiques dripping with crystals, or simple shapes with colors. No matter its design, hang it centre stage and it’s likely to be your area’s showstopper.

I recall my first white chandelier. I was finishing a foyer renovation, and rather than buy a new ceiling light, I sprayed on the light using white paint. It looked like a totally new light, but was exactly what this narrow corridor needed to glow. Read on for more ways to attract the glow and glam of a white chandelier into your home.

Browse white chandeliers

Horchow

White Baroque Chandelier – $1,185

Want the look of a white chandelier without any dripping crystals? Move big and daring, allowing the foundation itself glow. Receive a luxe traditional appearance or more modern feel by adding drum colors or by choosing a chandelier with a rustic foundation in a high-gloss white.

Holly Marder

In the market for a tasteful chandelier with a new texture? A white finish gives any traditional arm light a new clean appearance. Perfect perched over a table that you would like to liven up.

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc..

Want to add a luxurious feel to a kitchen? Instead of hanging a set of pendants over a kitchen islandchoose a chandelier in white to keep it bright and airy.

Occasionally other metallic finishes are just too much for a space. A white chandelier inside this space allows the gorgeous wood ceiling to glow.

Elizabeth Gordon

A sculptural light finished in white adds an eclectic vibe into some space.

This intricately beautiful white chandelier keeps a great equilibrium in this dining area’s mixture of dark wood and white painted finishes.

Horchow

Janice Minor White Coral Chandelier – $1,650

Here’s a closer photo of this chandelier in the previous image. So beautiful!

A white chandelier is so airy and soft when utilized in a mild blue bedroom. If you don’t have a white light, it’s quite easy to find this particular French shabby-chic feel with any mild you find on sale. Using spray paint (for metal), you can change it to white in no time. When thoroughly dry, you can rub it using adhesive to give it a worn, antiqued appearance.

Kasey Buick

White sets the ideal tone for a chandelier with sweet details. The milky finish allows these birds perched with this mild foundation to be seen and admired.

Horchow

White Abbi Chandelier – $675

Insert glam to your room using a white chandelier dripping with beads. This is a really feminine appearance, ideal for a tasteful bedroom or dining room.

Burnham Design

Would you love eclectic design? Insert a shiny finish to bamboo-inspired lighting.

Shoshana Gosselin

A bamboo lantern may be beautiful over a kitchen island.

Elad Gonen

This light looks like leafy branches; just how beautiful it must be to see it overhead because you sit at this table. The white finish keeps the intricate design feel soft. If you are seeking something different but not overwhelming, try out a white finish.

Lightology

Leaves Sus from Lumen Center

Here is another whimsical spin on a leaf-inspired light.

Martha O’Hara Interiors

Small spaces seem unique when a chandelier is inserted. Try one with a white finish to maintain the petite space open and airy. So keep a white chandelier, like this traditional one with crystals, in mind for a home office or walk-in closet.

Can you have a white chandelier? Post a photo below!

More: How to Receive Your Own Pendant Light Right
Browse white chandeliers

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Dana and Joe Sheppard lived in their tiny home in Ocean City, N.J. for at least 20 years until they decided it was time for a large shift. As they outgrew their 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage, they gradually incorporated bigger improvements, but the time came when adding on to their home yet another time simply didn’t make sense. Regardless of the memories their previous home held for them, they decided to tear it down and start from scratch.

The Sheppards collaborated with architect James Chadwick and contractors Fuschillo & Hamilton, and the end result is the envy of the area. It is filled with fresh, geometric details using a color palette inspired by the sea glass Dana gathered on local shores. As a painter and stained-glass artisan, she believed each design decision a manifestation of her creativity. The contemporary home, peppered with her art, serves as Dana’s personal gallery and her proudest bit of work.

Colleen Brett

at a Glance
Who lives here: Dana and Joe Sheppard
Architect: James Chadwick; Builder: Fuschillo & Hamilton
Location: Ocean City, New Jersey
Size: 4,000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bath

Colleen Brett

Joe and Dana Sheppard tore the home they lived in for more than 20 years to make room for their dream home.

Colleen Brett

Geometry is king in this home, as it is possible to see the minute you walk in the doorway. Looking up from the entryway, you are going to see the hexagonal ceiling which frames the very simple light fixture, and a large stained glass window Dana designed.

Colleen Brett

Plush curtains hang from the ceiling of this lofted staircase to make a slight branch of space in the open floor plan of the floor. Showcased involving the curtains is an elegant wooden dining table, with a sleek, curved standalone. As it turns out, Dana is not the only performer in the family. Her son Justin built and designed this table in his high school wood shop class to mimic a 3,000 table from among his mum’s inspirational magazine clippings.

Colleen Brett

Spilling out of the entryway is the entire first floor: a large and inviting gathering room which flows easily into the kitchen. The walls are the colour of sand, and the furniture, in soft shades of teal and brown, right relates to the sea glass exhibited on countertops and tables.

Couch and chairs: Century Furniture

Colleen Brett

Sea glass is exhibited throughout the home, as it had been the inspiration for both the colour palette and the prosperity of glass details in the home.

Colleen Brett

Joining the two rooms is a curved eating nook. As opposed to go the conventional route using a high countertop and line of bar stools, Dana wished to make a place to eat that was part of both rooms. The fan-backed seat occupies the round glass table and supplies function as a kitchen table, as well as additional seating close to the fireplace.

Colleen Brett

Straddled between the kitchen and family room is a large air conditioning duct, among the significant design issues in this home. In order to hang out a light right above the kitchen table, then it would have been required to go directly through the duct. Dana collaborated with the architect to look this custom fixture fixture. It comes with a round base and thin sheets of textured glass to be built round the duct, preventing any damage to the beam and getting art from a essential light source.

Colleen Brett

Glass is also artfully showcased from the kitchen, among the most gorgeous rooms of the home. The mosaic tile backsplash is reminiscent of sea glass in colour and feel. The tiles have been tied into the delicately backlit geometric contours of this stained glass strip above the cabinets, which Dana created.

Colleen Brett

Even the cabinets are facing textured glass, which divides the contents of each one, but keeps the airy, open feel of this downstairs.

Kitchen design group: Holloway Home Improvement
Cabinetry: Heritage Custom Cabinetry

Colleen Brett

The kitchen is filled with geometric details, from the curved counter of this island to the stained glass above the cabinets. Even the throw rug and hardware on the cabinets honor geometry in this room.

Colleen Brett

Colleen Brett

The fireplace is the focus of this first floor. Dana chose southwestern stones in keeping with her earthy colour palette and enjoy of simple geometric shapes. A massive slate hearth provides warm additional seating on harsh winter days.

Colleen Brett

I had to share a glimpse into Dana’s art studio, hidden from this open floor plan of the first floor. She loves painting the Ocean City sunsets that her husband, Joe, photos. She’s looking forward to an upcoming juried show at the Ocean City Arts Center.

Colleen Brett

Leading up to the second floor is a geometric stair railing, using a Mondrian-like grid at each post. There are also beautiful lighting fixtures set against the backdrop of marble-like faux painting.

Colleen Brett

The master bedroom awaits at the peak of the staircase. They sacrificed space here to let for a private balcony, which feeds in a lot of light, which makes the dark plum fabrics and mahogany furniture texture tasteful without overwhelming the smaller room.

Colleen Brett

Here you get a close look at the cloth installment that Dana created behind the headboard. She originally wanted a window to move above the bed, but when structural limits stopped that, she went directly to her sewing machine.

Colleen Brett

Having built on precisely the same place as their original home, they knew where the light and views were going to be the best. The balcony off the master bedroom provides a lot of sunlight, as well as a view of the house’s beautiful landscaping, and even a glimpse of the bay.

More:
Broad Cottage on the Jersey Shore
Geometry and Art in Chelsea
From Building Blocks to Buildings: Balanced Geometry in Architecture
Modern Icons: X Marks the Spot

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I have always loved global layout. Once I stumbled upon a few plateau baskets created by women in Rwanda, I searched for more of their beautiful handicrafts. I love that every piece is so complicated in detail and they all tell a story in their own culture. These are the types of things that I love bringing into my home: one-of-a-kind statement bits which also tell a story about the entire world. And all these purchases benefit the neighborhood craft — what could be better than that? — Lillian out of Unstitched

Eclectic Baskets – $44

This plateau basket includes such calming colors, and the special swirl shape is indeed eye-catching — it resembles a wave or even a kaleidoscope. This could be perfect used as a bowl or hung on the wall as artwork.

Shop 4 Rwanda

Friendship Baubles – GBP 1.25

These friendship baubles are perfect little Christmas gifts. Produced from sisal and sweet grass, each is unique.

Indego Africa

Wine Coasters – $15

Each of those wine coasters, made from conventional Dutch fabric, is closely stitched with foot-powered sewing machines. These would make wonderful presents.

Rwandan Peace Basket

These conventional woven baskets represent that the artisan craft of Rwanda. Made of sisal, they’re sturdy and perfect for storage. I especially love the vivid red — we can all use a bit more reddish in our homes, could not we?

EarthLover

Handwoven Sisal Basket – $48

This basket includes such a bright and happy color blend; it reminds me of sunlight. Each of the colors is dyed obviously by plant or tea leaves. This is likely to make you smile each time you see it.

Indego Africa

Woven Coaster Set – $25

This is the perfect cultural piece to add to some cocktail party. These woven coasters are handmade with needles and conventional threads. My favourite part is you can observe the intricate job that went into creating them.

Indego Africa

Plateau Basket – $44

The soft muted colors of the basket are so calming. Even with all the complex details and patterns, it is still so easy to check at. It is just designed enough that is isn’t loud or overbearing — a great piece to add to some room to get a bit of a global feel.

Indego Africa

Banana Table Runner – $48

This bamboo table runner is the perfect organic touch to any table. I love finding unique ways of bringing the outside in, just like this. Each of them is handmade with strips and needles of banana leaves, therefore no 2 will be the same. The intricate technique employed in creating this makes it a really intriguing piece.

Indego Africa

Agaseke Basket – $40

These agaseke baskets are so distinctively shaped, they would make certain to be a statement piece. These are traditionally created for newlyweds, each distinctly designed to represent something about the bunch. They take five days to make, so that you know they’re quite a gift from the heart.

Indego Africa

Large Woven Platter – $75

Dynamic and cultural, these platters would be the perfect unique piece to spice up a coffee table or display. They would be perfect as a tray to group sculptures together or on their own as art.

Indego Africa

Agaseke Basket Ornament – $11

These tiny agaseke basket ornaments make amazing and socially responsible gifts for the holidays. I love the colors of the one — equally relaxing and bright.

In the color to the print, I love the fabrics used to make these wine bags. Simply made yet still representing the civilization, these would be such unique global housewarming gifts (with a bottle of wine inside, of course).

Shop 4 Rwanda

Violet and Natural Fruit Bowl – GBP 10

Produced from earthen materials (sisal, papyrus, bamboo leaf and sweet bud ), this basket is ideal for holding fruit. I especially love the patterns and colors: checkers and dark purple stripes.

Shop 4 Rwanda

Dark Blue Rwandan Table Cloth – GBP 6

This tablecloth is made from East African fabrics. The bright blue color is so dramatic; it would make any picnic or outdoor meal intriguing.

Shop 4 Rwanda

Set of 5 Placemats – GBP 10

These hardy placemats are not only functional, but also so intriguing to look at. You can observe the carefully woven pattern in every and every one. And they’re so durable, they will surely help shield a tabletop from scratches.

Sundance Catalog

Handwoven Wide Nyanza Baskets – $145

The colors of those beautifully woven baskets are simply stunning, and there is that little dash of detail with every line of color. Like all the other crafts, these baskets are made from organic, earthly materials. It is so inspiring to find that beautiful objects like these can be created from natural materials.

Eclectic Baskets – $40

This ageseke basket reflects a piece of historic significance in Rwanda: the reconciliation of the 1994 genocide. Both lines represent two women walking together hand in hand, stopping to meet a friend before moving ahead. This is a slice of home decor that reflects hope.

The large, bold patterns on the fabric of the wine tote are so intriguing. They make the cloth seem so cultural. Tied on the top with a drawstring, these wine bags are excellent little pouches for storing wine.

Indego Africa

Woven Banana Box – $110

These sturdy baskets are made from banana leaves. I love that the weave produces such a pretty routine alone. These are also quite sturdy — perfect for storage.

Shop 4 Rwanda

Keza (“Beautiful”) Sissal Grass Bowl – GBP 8.50

The brilliant mixture of pink and turquoise in this bowl also make it so beautiful. It is woven with a number of all-natural materials, sweet grass among them. You can still smell the sweet grass, including an aromatic component to the room as well as visual eye candy.

Next: More ideabooks from Lillian

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