roomplanners magazine - Jan/Feb '11

roomplanners JANUARY—FEBRUARY 2011

www.roomplanners.com

an organized kitchen in one day!

drop zones

every entry needs one!

carrie's closets from the set of Sex and the City… get ideas for your own closet makeover

old world meets

new world

a wine country furniture collection that’s as smart as it is stylish

inside

_________________________

3

Paris home fashion trends

5

carrie's closets

3 news

8

Home staging tip!

Style trends Paint color wheel Home office idea!

Sleep well tonight House decorating Idea!

DIY decorating

5

carrier's closets

Her wardrobe inspired us to dream about our own closet makeover.

See Carrie Bradshaw’s famous SATC closets for ideas!

2

JAN / FEB 2011

room of the month

on the cover Carrie’s shared closet with Mr. Big on the set of Sex and the City 2 was a showstopper. Go inside her single- and marriedgirl closets for ideas and inspiration!

11 18

plan your closet makeover The new rules about closet design!

13

rooms of the month

Your favorite kitchen and bath… and how to recreate them.

16

the drop zone

Front or back… every door needs one.

www.roomplanners.com

Find us online at:

old world meets new world 18

old world meets new world Napa’s wine country inspires a furniture collection high on fashion… and function.

32

one day to an organized kitchen The results will last all year!

33

microwavable lasagna

WEB SITE

www.roomplanners.com

TWITTER

www.twitter.com/roomplanners

FACEBOOK

www.facebook/ roomplanners.com

BLOG

www.blog.roomplanners.com

Editor-in-Chief Loreen Epp Contributing writers Wendi Hiebert Dominique Waters All written information herein is copyright ©2011 Room Planners Incorporated. All rights reserved.

No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from RoomPlanners Inc..

___________________________

news

www.blog.roomplanners.com

style trend:

rustic elegance at Paris shows Recent Paris home fashion shows reveal a trend to both the organic and the luxurious!

home staging tip:

angle the furniture to enlarge the room If you want to make a small (or narrow) room look bigger, use angled lines to visually push the walls apart!

Raw and refined are mixing, with rugged woods, industrial metals, nubby linens, faux fur and sweater textures applied to simpler shapes that show them off.

A slight angle is all that’s needed, but angle all the key pieces together rather than just 1 or 2 pieces. If you don't have room to angle furniture, eliminate a piece of furniture, or angle just an area rug.

Washed, bleached or antiqued finishes Wire-brushed, rustic in chic, grayish hues woods look like they are freely mixed in were reclaimed from a room or on one old wood buildings, piece of furniture. while industrial scrap Textured fabrics metals, cast iron and look softened by galvanized steel are years of laundering. seen on table tops, shelving and cabinet The look mixes French country and doors.

industrial urban styles, with salvaged objects (rather than period styles) becoming the most soughtafter antiques!

See if you agree that the angled furniture makes the room on the right look wider then the room on the left!

To read more about Paris home trends, click on the link below!

http://blog.roomplanners.com/blog/home-design-furniture-and-color-tips/rustic-elegance-seen-in-paris-home-style-

paint color wheel:

clear, modern colors discourage clutter!

Can wall colors make a room look less cluttered?

Yes! Especially those clear colors used to package detergent, toothpaste, soap and air fresheners. Because we associate these hues with clean

water and fresh air, they feel modern, cool and expansive, making a room

look both bigger and tidier!

In addition to white,

Get more information on our RoomColors paint system at:

http://store.roomplanners.simplehelix.com/interior-color-style-system.html

the modern paint wheel colors (far left) show the most popular of these head-clearing hues for interiors.

White cabinets with a seaglass-colored backsplash (from the modern wheel), make the point! www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 3

home office idea:

writing desks can go anywhere If you don't have need (or room!) for a full -fledged home office, a writing desk is a great solution.

Narrower than a typical desk and on tall legs rather than a pedestal base, writing desks don't take much room, easily fitting against a wall, in front of a window or behind a sofa. Shallow drawers are handy for storing writing utensils, cell phones, paperwork or a lap-top computer.

DREXEL HERITAGE FURNITURE

sleep well tonight:

separate beds = a better marriage?

Couples' preferences for separate sinks and closets may soon include a preference for separate beds too.

Reportedly 25% of couples already sleep in separate beds...and even bedrooms.

Some marriage experts insist that sleeping in the same bed is an important sign of togetherness.

Others believe independent sleeping arrangements can remove a cause of marital stress— improving the odds that couples will sleep better, especially if one of them suffers from restless leg syn-

drome, snoring or different morning schedules.

What do couples themselves say?

Most believe that if they sleep better, they're more likely to be happier and kinder to each other in the morning.

Some partners admit it feels good to sprawl out when one partner is out of town for a night or two.

If space allows, some couples opt for a king-sized bed; an increasingly popular compromise.

STANLEY FURNITURE, Shelter Island

house decorating idea:

do-it-yourself decorating:

Electric fireplaces are easy to install, silent, odor-free and affordable. They can lower home heating bills and go virtually anywhere.

Experts at the 2011 International Home Builders Show still cite Mediterranean wine country style as a popular choice among new home owners.

a wall-mounted electric fireplace!

We’re also happy to report that they’re becoming more fashionable... with chic, wall-mounted versions available for urban settings!

4

JAN / FEB 2011

wine country style

The look’s warmth and rich color make it an undying favorite, though furniture and rooms designed in this popular style will scale back a little for to smaller homes.

Wiltham, by Burley

www.roomplanners.com

Get expert tips on how to bring the Old World, sun-washed warmth of this style home in our RoomCue: Mediterranean. http://store.roomplanners.simplehelix.com/room-cues/tuscany-ep-8-4.html

SEX AND THE CITY 2 © WV Films IV LLC and Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The soft lighting, those luxurious garment stalls, that runway aisle…

Carrie Bradshaw’s closets on the set of

Sex and the City

inspired us to dream big about transforming our own clothing quarters.

Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker.

carrie’s closets

We grew attached to that walk-through closet in Carrie’s Upper East Side brownstone. But on first sight of her shared closet with Mr. Big, we raised the bar (...er, clothing rod) on our own perfect closet.

Perhaps the most coveted clothing quarters of all time, Carrie Bradshaw’s closets are worth probing for great ideas you could model in your own home.

Here’s a closer look at the closets featured in both movies. www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 5

SEX AND THE CITY 2 © WV Films IV LLC and Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

what we love! 

vertical partitions that effortlessly organize hung clothing.



open shelves that keep storage flexible and easy to see.



a built-in dresser with fullextension drawers (and even a lamp)!



hooks on the wall—perfect for storing scarves, handbags, belts, dry-cleaning and more.



the muted blue walls. Who says a closet has to be beige?

6 JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

...all hers It was the first SATC closet and we were smitten. True, Carrie’s single-girl closet wasn’t really a closet. More of a dressing room, really, we imagined how easily we’d pull together our own outfit, surrounded by our wardrobe treasures and a runway-style aisle begging us to model our Manolo’s.

allocated to hanging clothes, leaving a lot of room for shelves, drawers and hooks.

What makes this closet work?

Notice that only a portion is

And it doesn’t get better than a private bathroom adjacent to the closet!

Gone is the long hanging rod, too. By sectioning off shorter hanging rod sections, we feel more organized. Even at our most tousled or uncombed, this closet encourages order.

what we love! 

vertical partitions that effortlessly organize hung clothing.



storage drawers at floor level, eliminating wasted floor space.



a lighted shoe display cabinet!



hooks to hang a favorite outfit.



spotlights above men’s shirts and suits to help distinguish black from navy!



dark and light paint colors to mark his and hers sides

...his and hers Carrie’s shared closet with Mr. Big in SATC2 had similarities to the original: the adjacent bathroom, the runway style shape, the soft lighting and the carefully partitioned storage.

The ambiance resembles a high-end clothing store—always a great source of closet storage ideas! Clothing is artfully stored behind glass-front cabinets and on hooks in our line of sight.

But the upgrades are serious... from the sheer size of the closet to the fancy wood molding, sophisticated storage systems, dramatic lighting and rich, luxurious flooring.

Carefully-placed spotlights bring fabric textures and colors to life.

Storage drawers at floor level cleverly reinvent this dark space where shoes otherwise go to die (or get dismembered).

www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 7

planning your

closet makeover When every item in our closet is easy to find (and even easier to put away), there won’t be any clothing left to drape over the treadmill: the true sign of a well-functioning closet!

Sadly, many closets don’t make it easy to get organized. Too many of us live with one long hanging rod that’s woefully inadequate for the more relaxed lifestyles and casual Friday wardrobes we live with today.

A variety of storage types—from rods and shelves to cubbies and bins keep a closet flexible and easy to work with.

Wanting to make your closet look good too can inspire storage ideas and motivate you to keep it tidy. The opportunity to appreciate the colors and textures of your wardrobe, rather than hide them away or crowd them together, is the ultimate in closet perfection!

ROD & SHELF HEIGHTS 58”- 64” dresses, coats, robes

38” shirts, jackets, belts 30” folded pants 15”-18” boots

6” shoes

8

JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

the new rules about closet design CREATE A GRID. Whatever your closet size or style, divide it up with a mix of vertical stalls, shelves and drawers; it’ll help you use every inch of your space.

ADJUST YOUR CLOSET ROD. Any adjustment is better than one long rod at one height.

Raise the rod and fit a low cabinet below, or hang several rods at a variety of heights.

Shorter hanging rod stalls make it easier to create his-and-her sections, or to hang clothing by color or type (blouses in one section, skirts in another). Vertical dividers on long shelves will eliminate teetering piles of clothes that tend to land on your head.

USE WOOD HANGERS Contoured wooden hangers protect a garments shape and reduce hanger snags and marks. They also mimic the posh, orderly look of upscale clothing stores!

HANG LESS. Most of us are in the habit of hanging clothes that would be better folded.

Folded items take less space and keep their shape… plus there are more places and ways to store them— in drawers, bins or on shelves.

Gather together the clothing you want to hang (dresses, suits, blouses, trousers skirts), then measure how much closet rod you need. Install shelves, drawers and hooks in the remaining space.

ADD SHELVES Sweaters, t-shirts, shoes, purses, hats, scarves, blankets and pillows all belong on shelves whether stored between partitions or in a row of bins or baskets. Labeling shelves or bins helps keep order.

As a rule, the more shelves the better.

Also, deeper isn’t always better— shelves as shallow as 11” work better for some items, including shoes.

STORE BY TYPE Store similar clothes together—dresses, shirts, skirts and

pants. They’ll be easier to find, select and coordinate.

Also, same clothing types are usually similar in height.

Storing them as one section frees up space below for a cabinet or second rod.

STORE BY COLOR After storing clothes by type, sort them again by color, from light to dark. Break up navy and black with brown between them. A flow of color instantly adds order and makes finding things easier!

THINK DISPLAY Modern closets are as beautiful as they are efficient. Shoes, hats, handbags, scarves, belts and other attractive items can be stored in open view, behind glass or in fabric or woven bins.

Observe retail stores for ideas on how to display ties, scarves, shoes and shoes, and how to fold shirts and sweaters (arms tucked under)!

LIGHT IT UP Add a ceiling light or battery-operated light inside your closet. It’s handy and luxurious!

make the most of your closet type REACH - IN

There’s no need to bemoan this type of closet; the key is to use every inch, from floor to ceiling.

Get creative by partitioning off your closet with a mix of shelves, cubbies and hanging storage. A bank of tall shelves, for example, can separate hisand-hers sections, or be used to attach rods at varying heights on either side.

WALK - IN

It’s no wonder a walk-in closet is the ideal… it becomes a private dressing area, with everything in one place.

If space allows, add a full length mirror and a place to sit. An island, small table, chaise or plush ottoman makes an indulgent center!. A small spare bedroom can also work well as a dressing room. www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 9

7

closet mistakes

1 2 3

to avoid

too much stuff.

1

A cramped closet is just plain frustrating. Store just the clothes you wear; it opens up many more storage options.

wasted space.

Hanging short and long clothes together wastes the space below the short items. Group similar items together, then place cabinets or a second rod wherever there’s a big enough gap.

all hanging storage.

Shelves and drawers are as important as rods for our casual lifestyle and wardrobe.

wire hangers.

There’s a reason drycleaners give them away for free and clothing stores avoid them like the plague.

Wire hangers bend, can’t hold much weight and leave marks.

4 10

JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

sliding closet doors.

5 6

A closet will never be efficient if only half of its clothing can be seen at a time. Replace sliding doors with hinged doors or even curtains.

shelves without dividers.

The long shelf above most closet rods invites messy piles of clothing or handbags that tangle or topple over. Use clip-on shelf dividers or add a row of bins or boxes to create order.

no floor strategy.

Anything stored on the floor is likely to get walked on, tangled or damaged by the vacuum cleaner! Plus it looks messy. Add floor cabinets, shoe cubbies or bins to create order and keep pairs together.

7

7

closet tips

from the pros!

Use solid-surface shelving.

… wire shelves leave lines on folded clothes and allow small objects to fall through.

Store shoes with toes pointed out ...they’re easier to identify.

Maintain at least 6” of unused space on hanging rods.

… if you’ve got less than that, your closet is too full!

Use shoe cubbies rather than slanted racks. … shoe racks with steel rods may not be sized for your shoes—and shoes without heels heels will slide off.

Use hooks...and lots of them.! … they’re space efficient, inexpensive and versatile.

Avoid large mirrored doors. … they become the focal point and can overwhelm a room.

Use matching hangers. … they look so much better than a hodgepodge of colored plastic, wire and wood hangers.

Notice how much neater the lower closet rod looks.

Using the same wood hanger style, rather than a mix of plastic and wire styles, looks less cluttered.

no budget? no space? no problem!

Store shoes in their original boxes. Cut a window at the end of the box to identify them.

Use a strong chain to hang a lower closet rod from an upper closet rod; it

instantly creates two-tiered storage.

Use office and desk supplies to organize jewelry and small items.

Invest in racks, hooks or hangers you can attach to a

rod, wall or door; they’re ideal for storing ties, belts, pants and scarves.

Add a row of hooks inside or outside the closet.

Hang skirts, pants and shirts vertically

on layered, folddown racks.

over a door or from a rod.

Hang shower curtain hooks from a closet rod to hold belts or bags.

Place a row of wood shoe cubbies on the floor under hanging shirts or skirts. It uses every inch of space and creates a shelf above the cubbies.

Hang a pocketed shoe bag (plastic, mesh or canvas)

www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2010 11

organizing idea

calling all the hobby-happy (...have we got a cabinet for you!)

Whether you scrapbook, sew or just dream of the perfect place to wrap gifts, a hobby cabinet will keep all your treasures in one place—organized, ready to use and easy to admire.

With everything in its place, you’ll never again lose the little things, or waste time sorting them out!

you can

you can

store!

create!

The base cabinet will keep your supplies out of sight.

You’ll find a compartment for organizing everything, no matter what the size!

The hutch will prevent crushing or creasing of paper, ribbons or fabric swatches while keeping them in open view!

Two over-sized drawers are ideal for papers and projects that need to be stored flat. Optional drawer dividers section off the space.

Easy-to-remove dowels hold favorite gift wrap, packing paper and ribbons. Bulletin boards are handy for notes; upper shelf will fit bins.

Hobby Station, by Hooker Furniture

The artist’s dream! Lower drawers are divided into a myriad of larger and smaller cubbies; perfect for storing and sorting buttons, beads, sewing supplies, stickers, stamps, fasteners, felties, paint brushes, pencil crayons and much, much more!

roomplanners +

A full-extension pull-out shelf with an opening for wires is ideal for storing bottles or glue guns.

A hinged, fold-out shelf doubles the working area. Pull up a stool and you’ll turn this cabinet into an artist’s studio!

= ideas you can use

http://www.hookerfurniture.com/index.cfm/furniture/furniture-catalog.show-medium-photos/home-furniture/491/hobby-station.cfm

+bath

kitchen

ROOMS OF THE MONTH

A KITCHEN WITH THE SUNWASHED WARMTH OF A MEDITERRANEAN VILLA

A BATHROOM WITH ELEGANCE AND SIMPLICITY IN EQUAL MEASURE.

THEY’RE YOUR FAVORITES! You gave these rooms high marks for their design and color scheme. Ahead, we take a closer look at why they’re so likable and what makes them work.

If you’d like us to crack the code on other rooms, visit our room search library to rate your favorites. We’ll select your top picks and analyze them next issue.

Here’s the link!

http://roomplanners.com/get_ideas.html www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 13

room of the month

KITCHEN

A KITCHEN WITH THE OLD-WORLD, SUN-WASHED WARMTH OF A MEDITERRANEAN VILLA.

WHY IT WORKS!  ocher-colored walls...

warm and appetizing!

 rich wood cabinets at

varying heights… add depth and texture.

 lots of hanging pendant

lights… visually bring the tall ceiling down.

 rubbed bronze metal

pendants and faucets... recall Mediterranean ironwork.  textured stone floor and

counter… what else to suggest Old World warmth?

 stainless steel

oil rubbed bronze hardware

appliances… a modern twist!  color continuity...

parchment wall clock

appliances

kitchen and dining area feel like one room.

Behr #310C-3

Backsplash

 dark-stained window

and door frames... white would have been way too stark!  antique wall clock…

cabinets

walls leather bar stools stone countertops & floor

14

JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

Roman numerals, parchment face, perfect!

 bar stools with a dark

leather seat… timeless.

room of the month

BATHROOM AN UPSCALE BATHROOM WITH CLASSIC ELEGANCE AND CHIC SIMPLICITY IN EQUAL MEASURE.

WHY IT WORKS...  solid-colored black granite counters…

SO sophisticated with the dark cherry cabinet.

 that champagne color... ultra-elegant, but muted enough to go metro.

 same-colored walls

and floor… cozy and luxurious.

 a framed mirror above

the vanity… it’s a piece of artwork!

 gilded frame finish... pure classic elegance (and so warm)!

 gold and silver metals

gilded bronze mirror frame

mixed... a bold choice inspired by elegant jewelry!

 glass shower walls... sleek, expansive!

 wall sconces on either side of the mirror… such perfect symmetry is perfectly classical!

Plus it’s more sculptural (not to mention more flattering) than lighting placed above a mirror.

satin nickel faucets

granite counters Behr #760 A-1

walls

cabinet polished granite floors

towels

www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 15

WELCOME TO...

the drop

Whether a simple coat tree or a wall of built-in cubbies, every home needs a landing pad near the door for all that stuff that comes into (and goes out of) our home every day.

Enter the drop zone, a new term for the wise, old practice of providing a spot to put down, store and organize the portable things of our lives... coats, gloves, keys, handbags, cell phones, backpacks and more.

A little effort and planning goes a long way when it comes to thinking about this hard-working area of our home.

Even when space is tight (...especially when space is tight), an efficient place to transition from indoor to outdoor spaces can dramatically decrease our stress and increase our efficiency.

We’ve got some ideas to inspire you!

front entrance

In apartments and a good number of homes, the front foyer isn’t just for guests. Many of us use our front door everyday, requiring this hard-working entry to be efficient and attractive!

To avoid your home’s first impression being one of disorganization, reduce clutter with functional solutions that are also fashionable.

Options      

a hall tree or coat rack a narrow console table (with drawers or shelf) and mirror a bench with shelf or drawers below a chest of drawers a hanging shelf with mirror a bank of shelves inside the front closet, with removable bins for smaller items

private entrance It’s usually easier to add storage to a rear, garage or mud room door than to a front door. But messy clutter is even more likely to gather in this informal, behind-the-scenes location.

Hearty storage solutions are needed to avoid complete chaos. Open storage can be the easiest to manage; it may be worth taking the doors off the closet and turning the space into a hardworking mix of hanging and shelf storage.

Options     

16

JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

a hall tree or coat rack cubby-style lockers a bench with hooks above a chest of drawers a row of shelves with labeled pull-out bins

zone COAT TREES are ideal in a small entry (even if there’s also a closet).

They make often-used coats, handbags, backpacks and umbrellas, easy to grab.

A CONSOLE TABLE is an elegant, easy place to drop small items. The shelf below holds attractive storage bins.

A table with drawers would store small items. PHOTO:

A TRUNK WITH HOOKS AND A SHELF above instantly creates a drop zone anywhere.

Add a coat tree for extra storage!

A ROW OF HOOKS gets things off the floor faster than anything else! Easier (and more likely to be used) than hangers, they’re ideal for informal areas.

American Drew

A BACKLESS BENCH is a modern drop zone solution.

The generous top is handy for putting things down, or sitting down to put on boots.

Shoes and boots can easily be stored below.

LOCKER-STYLE CUBBIES keep each family member’s items in order and easy to find. A built -in bench is handy!

A CHEST OF DRAWERS safely and tidily stows away shoes, gloves, umbrellas and handbags.

A power bar inserted into one of the drawers could recharge cell phones!

A HALL TREE with built-in bench, hooks, shelves and drawers offer the best of all storage worlds!

There’s no excuse for losing anything and objects are easy to reach, retrieve and return.

www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 17

OLD WORLD

MEETS NEW WORLD

If your home wasn’t born with fancy closet systems, clever built-ins or other smart places to store your stuff, take heart.

The right furniture will provide the modern efficiencies you need, along with the warmth and charm you needn’t live without.

W

WHAT IF FURNITURE WAS MORE LIKE APPLIANCES – saving us time or easing our workload? Imagine if a nightstand could recharge our cell phone, a buffet could keep our food warm and a drawer chest could keep our necklaces untangled?

Imagine no more. Savvy 21st century manufacturers have begun building furniture with the kind of organization abilities we wish our homes (or we) were born with! The new measure of good storage, in fact, is moving from quantity to quality, from a mere place to put things to a life-changing organization of those things.

And so, in choosing the furniture to feature in our annual organization issue, we looked for a collection that ranked in the top tier for adding order and ease to our lives. (It goes without saying—it also had to look good!)

Our choice? Napa, by aspenhome®.

Inspired by northern California’s many wine country inns and antiques, there’s a lot to love about this collection’s looks.

Next to its Old World warmth, carved grapevine motifs and elegant ash burl and cherry veneers, you really just need to pour a glass of wine, cook up a plate of pasta and you’re right there, in vineyard country.

More than that, Napa reflects exciting advances in furniture functionality—and the trend to include ease and organization in our definition of a beautiful home!

MUCH MORE THAN A PLACE TO SLEEP; BEDROOMS ARE BECOMING A SECOND LIVING ROOM. Smarter mattress designs today help us snooze in seconds. Smarter closets help us look less wrinkled (and theoretically more coordinated). But if a fancy new closet system isn’t in your budget, the thoughtfully-designed Napa bedroom is a viable alternative. (Plus you can take it with you when you move!)

Napa provides more than just places to

20

JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

LEFT. Hidden, felt-lined drawers behind the base molding on the chesser provide a place to hide valuable items. CENTER. A hinged side door opens to reveal storage for ties, belts, scarves or chains, along with built-in valet shelves above.

RIGHT. Shallow drawers below the mirror store jewelry or cosmetics.

LEFT. A three-way night light at the base of the nightstand creates just enough light to guide the way to the bathroom. CENTER. A recharging drawer is wired to recharge cell phones, iPods, PDAs, cameras and more; cubbies hold them in place. RIGHT. A fold-out breakfast or working tray, stored inside the night stand, can be tilted for reading.

www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 21

put things; it provides right-sized places.

Shallow drawers are sized for cosmetics, undergarments, socks, cosmetics and jewelry…making these small items easier to organize and improving our odds of leaving home with matching pairs of socks and earrings.

Napa’s gentleman’s chest features hinged sides that open to reveal hanging storage for hanging ties, belts, scarves or jewelry, eliminating the hopelessly entangled mess they’re otherwise fated to. Built-in valet compartments keep keys, watches and coins safe and out of the way.

Under-the-bed drawers maximize usable space in the bedroom. A pair of drawers is also cleverly concealed behind the base molding of the chesser (a half dresser, half chest) – perfect for storing all manner of valuables, from pearls to passports and password lists.

But Napa is equally able to support all the other things we’re doing in our bedrooms these dats. With one quarter of us paying bills in bed, even more of us using our laptops and nearly all of us watching TV leaning against our headboard, a wellequipped bedside is becoming a must-have!

Once existing mostly to hold a lamp, night stands are moving up the furniture food chain. Napa’s nightstand, in fact, possess a sort of a command-central status, complete with built-in AC outlet and phone jack (that’s right, crawling along the floor to plug in your laptop will now occur only in hotel rooms) and recharging drawer for cell phones, iPods and PDAs. Another drawer fits a laptop computer, with storage for pencils to write those late night notes to self.

Inside another nightstand drawer is a portable, fold-out bed tray for reading, writing or being served breakfast in bed.

And if you’ve never understood why nightlights are just for kids, you’ll like the 3-way concealed light under the nightstand. No more stubbing your toe on that 3am trek to the bathroom!

There’s also no need to perch the TV precariously on the dresser or to assemble a TV cart. Napa’s media cabinet is designed to coordinate with the rest of the bedroom furniture.

COFFEE TABLES CAN DO SO MUCH MORE THAN HOLD A PLATE OF FOOD. A coffee table that exists only to look pretty, show off a book or hold up a plate of nachos is yesterday’s new in homes where every inch counts, and the goal is to get organized.

Tables with drawers or a shelf are becoming a popular alternative to simple four -legged versions. Tables with drawers and a shelf are the ultimate workhorse, making messy piles of magazines disappear quickly when guests arrive, providing a home for all seventeen remote controls or keeping bills and office supplies in a central place.

At first sight, Napa’s sturdy coffee table scores high for its stately look of permanence. But with an over-sized shelf and set of drawers, it’s as ready to keep order as it is to host a round of merlot.

ABOVE. At a full 103” tall, Napa’s grand wall is sized for tall rooms and packed with storage.

RIGHT. Sturdy coffee tables are built for convenience and storage.

22

JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

We also liked Napa’s space-saving chairside table. At just 14” wide, it’s the perfect companion to a favorite club chair, especially where space is tight.

www.roomplanners.com JAN/ FEB 2011 23

OPEN SHELVES, EASY-CARE SERVING SURFACES AND A WINE RACK CREATE AN INVITING, LESS FORMAL DINING ATMOSPHERE.

With plentiful storage and flexible features, Napa’s wall and bookcase units also look ready to bring order to living room walls.

Napa’s grand wall is scaled for big TVs, large book collections, impressive bar supplies or artifact collections. This rather impressive piece provides both the perfect focal point… and a semblance of order in a large room.

BUFFET-STYLE DINING IS A GROWING CHOICE FOR HOSTS. Before tackling the dining room’s role in making our lives easier, it’s worth noting how well Napa’s dining room captures the casual sophistication that is wine country style. The grand table with double pedestal base is reminiscent of a vineyard’s harvest festival table. The counter-height table invites bar-style informality.

Napa’s china and hutch are substantial but informal. Open shelves, rather than formal glass doors look as ready to store leatherbound books as colorful pottery.

Inspired by favorite motifs from ancient Greece and Rome, the lyre-back chair stands out as a modern-day design that could stand up to the best of the chairs that came before it.

But that’s where all things Old World stop.

Napa’s dining room boasts an impressive range of New World efficiencies, easily accommodating the trend to private wine collections, entertaining at home and more buffet-style dining.

LEFT. A server with built-in power bar is handy for plugging in warming trays, blenders or coffee makes. RIGHT. Shelves pull out for easy access to bottles.

LEFT. A bar-style wine rack inside Napa’s china cabinet can be removed if the space is needed for other items. RIGHT. A removable silverware tray saves steps setting the table or unloading the dishwasher.

26

JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

A choice of marble or stone counters on the server offers heat resistance for hot plates and moisture resistance for a wet bar. Two pull-out shelves add serving space to expand the buffet or create a drink station A convenient AC outlet built into the side of the server lets you effortlessly plug in warming trays or a quick-chill wine cooler. Inside, two pull-out shelves for bottles and a built-in stemware rack make mixing up drinks a breeze.

Narrow drawers in both storage pieces are right-sized for candles, napkins, coasters or even office supplies. Removable, felt-lined silverware trays eliminate the need for a

silverware chest.

No wine country home exists without a wine cellar— or at least a rack for bottles from a favorite vineyard. Napa’s wine rack is removable if you prefer a different type of storage, or (can you imagine) the wine supply runs out.

After the party, the table leaves can be safely stored inside the table, reserving valuable closet space for other items.

WE CAN WORK ANYWHERE TODAY, BUT NEED A HOME BASE TO PRINT AND RECHARGE.

LEFT. Access to wires makes equipment set-up or trouble shooting easier.

RIGHT. A dual-sided desk lets you work from either side. Or both!

They’re no longer the reserve of executives, entrepreneurs and workaholics. Today we all want a workspace, if just to recharge our cell phone or print our boarding pass.

We liked Napa’s range of options… from full executive configurations to two-sided work centers or a desk compact enough for a bedroom or living room. With smart storage options and cord management features, there’ll be no need to defend a

LEFT. Access to the power bar is as easy as opening the cabinet door.

RIGHT. A generously-sized keyboard tray converts to a pencil drawer.

Wine country stylingRow makes a handsome choice for an executive-style home office. Professional office amenities are built-in, Watch Regents video at but the warmth of the wood suits a home environment.

http:/

www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 27

PROFESSIONAL-OFFICE THE TUFTED LEATHER SLEIGH FEATURES BEDMAKE LOOKS A INSPIRED DESK WORK

BY AN WELL. OLD WARMTH ENGLISH AND CHESTERFIELD. SUITABILITY MAKE IT WORK AT HOME.

Napa’s working pieces offer professional upgrades not usually found in a home office: a locking file drawer, full-extension drawers, over-sized keyboard drawer, builtin power director for equipment and a USB power hub with Ethernet and phone jack.

But a lack of warmth or style can be the deal-breaker in choosing office furniture for home. Napa’s rich wood details, antique glass cabinet doors and built-in lighting offer that needed home-style ambiance.

With less time and space than ever before, thoughtfully-designed furniture has never been more important. It makes the most of our home—and the time we spend there.

RoomCues®

cluttered desk… or the cluttered mind it’s said to be a sign of!

Napa’s professional RoomCues® style guide includes:    

collection highlights recommended paint colors recommended accessories pocket reference guide to Napa’s wood, metal & fabric colors—for easier coordination with other products CLICK ON THE EITHER LINK BELOW TO

VIEW OR PRINT THIS FREE 5-PG STYLE GUIDE.

compliments of www.aspenhome.net

VIEW IN MAGAZINE STYLE: http://issuu.com/roomplanners/docs/roomcue_-_napa_by_aspenhome VIEW AS PDF: http://www.roomplanners.com/pdfs/RoomCue_NAPA_by_aspenhome.pdf

www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011 29

one day to an

organized kitchen!

Organizing your kitchen early in the new year will have lasting effects all year long.

My dream kitchen has a pantry: a walk-in closet lined with shelves to store my appliances, dishes, and bakeware neatly in one place. Large, see-through jars hold my cookie cutter collection and wicker baskets store table linens and napkin rings. There’s even a place for oversize bags of flour and dog food. Everything is organized and within view and easy reach.

Unfortunately, my actual kitchen is small - with limited counter space and not nearly enough cupboards! It takes both effort and ingenuity to keep the room organized and to reserve the counters for food preparation.

But failing to do so results in clutter, chaos and a very inefficient place to cook and eat.

Regular editing, as outlined here, has really helped.

Wendi Hiebert is a food writer living in Kitchener, Ontario.

30

JAN / FEB 2011

www.roomplanners.com

1 2

TAKE STOCK OF YOUR GADGETS.

TAKE STOCK OF YOUR FOOD.

Sort though the gadgets, appliances, dishes... and that stockpile of plastic containers you’ve amassed. Get rid of any items you don’t use or need.

Sort through the food in your cupboards and fridge. Check best before dates to determine freshness. Discard anything that has languished too long and been deemed (1) devoid of any taste, (2) devoid of nutritional value, or worse yet, (3) beyond recognition.

If you’re not quite ready to ditch the food dehydrator, at least store it in the basement or somewhere it doesn’t consume prime kitchen real estate.

Plan a menu around any other food that’s near the end of its shelf life.

Before you begin, review your kitchen’s master plan to make sure similar items and activities are grouped together!

Save your energy for the task at hand! For dinner, serve this simple but hearty lasagna.

Create a food prep zone by storing knives and cutting boards next to where you use them… a cooking zone by keeping pots and pans next to the oven, and a cleaning zone by storing dishes close to where you wash them.

3 4

GROUP SIMILAR FOOD TOGETHER. Group canned food together, sorted by type.

Use small plastic bins or small baskets to hold packages of drink crystals, pudding mixes, dip or spice mixes, jars of herbs and spices, and all those plastic lids!

Add extra wood or wire shelves to store short glasses, mugs, platters, and bowls.

CLEAR YOUR COUNTERS.

Completely clear the countertops, then just put back just what gets used on a daily or near-daily basis. Corral frequently used utensils and tools in a pitcher, jar or other suitable container.

Find storage spots (preferably not the kitchen table!) for any items you seem to have to shuffle every time you want to make a meal.

microwave lasagna ½ lb lean ground beef 1 jar (approx 700 mL) pasta sauce (about 3 cups) ½ cup water 9 lasagna noodles, uncooked 1-½ cups ricotta or cottage cheese 1 egg ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1-½ cups grated Mozzarella cheese Brown ground beef, stirring frequently; drain. Stir in sauce and water. Spoon a bout ½ cup sauce into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish. Lay 3 noodles in the bottom of the dish.

Stir together ricotta or cottage cheese, egg and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Spoon half of the cheese mixture, and one-third of the sauce and Mozzarella cheese.

Repeat the layers using 3 noodles, remaining cheese mixture, one-third of the sauce and Mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining noodles, one-third of the sauce and Mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese on top.

Cover with baking or parchment paper in microwave on High for 8 minutes, then on Medium Low until noodles are tender, about 20 minutes.

Remove from microwave and let stand 5 to 8 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 servings.

www.roomplanners.com JAN / FEB 2011

31

how would you describe your

your style?

Style isn’t a passing fancy or trend. if’s a point of view that guides your decisions and lifestyle. How do you define yours?

To find out which of our nine Environmental Personality Profiles you’re most like, visit http://roomplanners.com/Q-A-1.html

chic modern

organic

rustic

global

nostalgic

traditional

elegant classic EP Profiles®

EPProfiles® are a registered trademark of RoomPlanners Inc. All rights reserved.