July 2018

It often feels like the world is crazier than ever, which makes it all the more important to infuse your home with good vibes and peaceful energy so that you have a welcoming retreat from the chaos. And, lucky for you, it just so happens to be pretty easy to create interior harmony provided you follow a few simple principles.

Feng shui, an ancient Chinese practice designed to bring peace and harmony to the home, has long elevated interiors to more tranquil heights. And what a lot of people don’t realize is that you don’t need to be an expert in this practice and its history to take advantage of its myriad benefits. The primary tenets of feng shui are actually incredibly simple and inexpensive to integrate and they’ll instantly make your home feel more

Image source: thehandandeye.com

A-Frame Architecture History

Simple, striking, and entirely unique, A-Frame style architecture is nothing if not unforgettable.

Prior to becoming popular in the United States, A-Frame houses could be found throughout Europe, China, and the South Pacific Islands where they were designed to be purely utilitarian structures, coveted for their low-maintenance and durable design. Then, in 1934, architect Rudolf Schindler built the first modern take on an A-Frame vacation home for costume designer, Gisela Bennati, bringing the unique style to the states.

However, it wasn’t until the 1950s and ‘60s that the style really took off. The post-WWII economic boom afforded disposal income to many, with the wages for an

Image source: mccallsmeatandfish.com

Back in the day, butcher shops were a staple on many people’s errand to-do lists: pick up the laundry, stop by the post office, and head to the local butcher, who likely already knows your name, to pick up a quality meat selection for dinner. With the astronomical rise of supermarkets, though, many butcher shops around the country shut their doors as consumers opted for the convenience of buying their meat at the same place they get the rest of their groceries. However, such a convenience, like many in life, comes at a cost.

When it comes to supermarket meat, it can be mighty difficult to discern from where the meat is sourced, how it was treated prior to slaughter, and the health of the animal before it made its

Image source: latimes.com

Other than the 4th of July and its associated festivities, the month of July also happens to hold one of our favorite architect’s birthdays. Born on July 8th in 1906, Philip C. Johnson is a Harvard-educated architect best known for his own residence, dubbed The Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut. Before entering the world of architecture, Johnson studied philosophy as an undergrad at Harvard. Upon graduation, he ventured to Europe where he observed many landmarks of classical and Gothic architecture and eventually met German architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who would become one of his greatest influences.

Just a few years after his formative European excursions, Johnson joined the New York Museum of Modern Art’s

From striking Eichler-inspired dwellings to bird-friendly Malcolm Leland designs, a growing number of home design enthusiasts are extending their love of beautiful homes to the beautiful birds outside their windows.

If you haven’t seen many modern birdhouses before, you’re in for a treat. These homes are so stunning and elaborately designed, you’ll wish you could shrink yourself down and nest in them yourself. No matter your aesthetic and unique style sensibilities, you’re sure to find a stunning complement to your exterior with one (or several) of the unforgettable birdhouses below.

Sunnyvale Birdhouse ($299.99)

Featuring bamboo wood and viewing windows accented with geometric metal screens, this stunner was designed by Douglas Barnhard with

Image source: Wikimedia.org

History of Tudor Architecture

Dating back to 15th-century England, Tudor style architecture is historically transitional, incorporating elements of Gothic and Renaissance architecture to create a style uniquely its own. The name Tudor comes from the fact that this style was initially developed during the reign of Tudor monarchs like King Henry VIII. This period was particularly peaceful and prosperous for England, affording many landowners the opportunity to construct additions to their estates and build brand new manor houses in the style. By the mid-16th century, though, Tudor architecture largely fell out of popularity with Elizabethian architecture taking its place.

Tudor Revival

Image

Image Source: The Patch.com

Considered by many to be one of the hippest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, the LA Arts District is overflowing with galleries, restaurants, and boutiques to delight creatives and professionals alike. But it’s tough to fully appreciate this ‘hood without knowing a bit about its history.

Back in the 1970s, the LA Arts District was essentially an industrial wasteland that was overtaken by visual artists, musicians, writers, and other creatives looking to capitalize on the cheap rent and greater personal freedom that comes with it. However, with lower housing costs also came squalid living conditions and sparse amenities.

In the decades since then, young professionals and transplants increasingly fell in love with the

Summer is officially in full swing, which means plenty of backyard barbecues, long days lounging by the water, and new and uplifting interior design trends to refresh your space for the season.

Summer interior trends tend to be brighter, bolder, and more uplifting than their seasonal counterparts, and this season is definitely no exception. From botanical accents to breezy color combinations, if you integrate the following ideas into your aesthetic, your home is sure to be a whole lot happier this summer.

Botanical Prints

Plants have a special knack for infusing life and movement into a design, but if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, they can be a pain to care for. Enter: the botanical print trend.

From bedspreads to wall art to