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green design : christmas light conundrum

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I love the holiday season. You get to buy gifts for loved ones. It’s acceptable to eat cookies everyday. People seem to be friendlier everywhere you go. Now that the season has officially begun– as signaled by the arrival of the Peppermint Mocha— I can openly listen to those Christmas jingles I’ve been streaming in secret all year long.

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Unfortunately this year presents a special challenge for me. I have a new home and really want to decorate with lights but… is it wrong? Am I a wasteful consumer if I run lights with no utility? How am I to decide between my head and my heart?

Justification ensues, options are weighed, chaplain consulted (not really)… And the lights are a go. I decide that if I use LED lights my guilt-ridden (read: neurotic) brain should be able to rest easy. So I shopped and shopped and bought and returned and re-bought until I found just the right ones: LED C-7 Colorite lights by GE. They are Energy Star rated AND look just like the ones Mammaw and Pappaw used.

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The reason that I love the Holidays so very much is the nostalgia that comes with them. I think about my dad and my grandparents and special friends that are no longer with me. I remember the pumpkin pie and family gatherings and homemade decorations of my childhood.

  

This time of year is about reworking those special memories of my past into my for-real life in the present. It adds a special contentment that only comes for a couple of months at a time; so
I hope that you can do the same in your home. May your days be merry… and bright.

green design : tips for entertaining in small spaces

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Our resident green design blogger Lyndsey Lewis is back to share some great party prep ideas when entertaining in a small space. As the owner of the 900-square-foot Little House in Little Rock, Lyndsey knows a thing or two about making a small space work for her needs. You can read more about the Little House on the At Home website, or follow the building process of her green home on the At Home blog here. Happy 2013 At Home readers! I’m so excited about the new year, as it will be the first full calendar year in the Little House. In 2012, I hosted several gatherings at the house, including an Open House, a slumber party for my girlfriends from college, a Halloween party, a baby shower, and several smaller dinner parties.  I’m already anticipating all the fun events I’d like to host this year!

‘Grannie’ and ‘Crazy Cat Lady’ Halloween 2012

. With that being said, I thought it might be helpful if I shared my strategy for ‘creating’ space for large gatherings in small places. So far, my 600 square feet haven’t let me down… even with a guest list of 90 people. My secret: furniture that is great at multitasking. One easy (and cheap) way to make your furniture just as hardworking as mine, is to add rolling casters to tables or other large items. My kitchen is equipped with a small island for extra counter space and storage; my dining area, a round table with seating for 6 guests.

Kitchen (above) and dining area (below) in their natural states
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Both the cart and my dining table both are mounted on wheels. (I added the casters to the dining table myself using a set of four from Home Depot, $11.96.) When it’s time for a get-together, these rolling pieces quickly change the space into an open area for seating and serving.
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Dining table becomes a serving buffet and bench seat is open for better traffic flow
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I can also move a small chair and table from the entryway, and the kitchen cart turns my ‘foyer’ into the perfect spot for gifts, party favors, or a guest book. It also means there’s no need for me to haul the cart out to the garage for temporary storage.
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Everyday foyer (above) and party-ready foyer (below)
 

I’ve found that having people gather in a smaller spaces tends to make the event seem intimate and more casual. I end up sitting closer to other guests, talking to people as they slide past to grab another drink, and reliving that feeling of a spontaneous house party from my college days. In fact, the space has never felt small to me… just cozy.

new blog series! at home with green design

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Today marks the first day of a new ongoing series on the At Home blog! We take you inside the construction and interior design of a Certified Green Home underway in Little Rock–all from the perspective of its young owner, Lyndsey Lewis!

Little Rock readers, you might recognize Lyndsey’s new house in progress on the corner of Van Buren and Lee in Hillcrest. Check back here weekly for an inside look at its planning, construction and interior design, plus ideas for how to adopt green principles in your own homes.

Read below for a little introduction from Lyndsey, and stay tuned for more!

Whidbey Front View, a photo by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company on Flickr.
This is the design of my new home. It won’t be the same colors, but you get the idea.

I grew up in a small house (approx. 900 sq-ft) in L.A. (Lower Arkansas) with my parents and older sister. As a kid, I dreamed of a big house and nice cars and 2 kids. But then life happened… and I wasn’t so sure anymore.

Last fall, I faced a challenge. My life hadn’t quite turned out how I’d planned. I was 28, married but separated, and facing the holidays. Ugh.

Although it was a difficult time, it was also an opportunity to think about my life and how it could be different if I chose to live it simply and with purpose. Now let me stress here: I am not a spiritual or environmental guru. I go to Starbucks; I wear a uniform to work; I use disposable forks sometimes; I’m totally average. I was just ready to do what felt right rather than what I thought was normal.

Building site at the corner of Lee and Van Buren as of August 2011

So began my love affair with building a small house. After hearing a segment on KUAR about Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, I was ready to start over and go back to when things didn’t matter so much. I wanted a life that was more about people and doing, rather than collecting stuff.

After finding a list of Green Built Partners (www.hbaglr.com/green-built-arkansas/GREEN-BUILT-Partners), my search led me to Bret and Jennifer Franks of Bret Franks Construction. They are passionate about green building, and you’ll get to know them better as the story of my home unfolds.

 

Bret and me on ground-breaking day: August 22, 2011

I also had to select a location for my new home. A major hurdle in building a small or tiny home is zoning regulations, including minimum square footage requirements. After some searching, I found the perfect lot in Hillcrest at the corner of Lee and Van Buren. A rental house burned and was demolished on the site, making it build-ready.

If you’re thinking of building a tiny home (small enough to mount on wheels), zoning regulations can often be creatively bypassed. Example: Jay Shafer, founder of Tumbleweed, simply parallel parked his home on a public street until he found a permanent spot for his home!

Now comes the fun part: I also started an “Idea Book” that contains clippings and notes from any and all sources. I organized it into sections of my home (bedrooms, living room, etc.) and collected ideas on everything from paint colors to furniture arrangement. It has become my obsession, and I love every minute.

My project will span 14 months (building but mostly planning) or more and culminate next spring in a 708 sq-ft home. Every inch will have been planned and choreographed; each detail will have purpose or meaning. I invite you to join me in this process and learn (along with me) from my successes and my failures.

 

Bathroom and bedroom clipping from my Idea Book. I am incorporating some of these designs, but not all. I use many of the clippings as a concept rather than an absolute guideline.

More from the Idea Book: These pages display the unfinished look of the hardwood floors I hope to achieve, as well as bead board walls and hand-drawn kitchen layout designed by Jennifer Franks.

I’m using the idea of the bench seat and dining area to save space as well as the concept of layering white paint colors. However, the “laundry in the box” idea didn’t make the cut due to space concerns.

 

green design: time to get growing

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Our resident green design blogger Lyndsey Lewis is back to share a few thoughts for getting a jump on spring planting. As the owner of the 900-square-foot Little House in Little Rock, Lyndsey knows a thing or two about making a small space work for her needs. You can read more about the Little House on the At Home website, or trace the building process of her green home on the At Home blog here. February: quite possibly the most perfect time of the year. The end of winter is the time to start all over… for me, it just doesn’t get better than this.

For those of us optimist fools who planted bulbs last fall, the payoff is coming. Tom and I planted about 300 bulbs around the yard, so we’re excited to see what nature will do with our day of playing the the dirt last November.

I already see many of the flowers peeking out of the soil. Plus the pansies are still looking amazing! Starting seeds is one of the most amazing things in the world to me. It’s simply miraculous how you take what sometimes looks like little more than pebbles weighing about a gram, cover them in dirt, add water, and–POOF–there are beautiful herbs, flowers, vegetables.

If you have a black thumb, starting seeds can still be successful. Packets of seeds should cost less than $2.00. You can use any container with ample drainage (a cheap terracotta pot or even a large mixing bowl with gravel in the bottom will work) and generic potting soil.

Honestly, the packet of seeds will tell you exactly how, when, where to plant. But say you forget about it and the little plant dies, so what? Your self-esteem will recover, you only lost $10 total, and you’ve learned something new.

Happy February! I’ll be celebrating in the yard, working on my latest projects. I hope that you find this month as magical as it can be.

 

at home with green design: creating a game plan

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Homeowner Lyndsey Lewis of Little House in Little Rock is back for the second installment of her ongoing blog series with At Home in Arkansas! We’re giving you the inside scoop on her journey of building a certified green home in Little Rock, from planning to building to interior design. Check our her first post here, and read on for today’s lesson on getting a green home game plan together.

Whidbey Front View, a photo by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company on Flickr.
This is the design of my new home.

Builder Bret Franks and me on ground-breaking day: August 22, 2011

Since I decided to build, many people have expressed excitement and interest in the project. Consequently, I have become accustomed to strange looks and interesting questions about my house. Commonly heard? “Wow, that’s really small… will you be able to live in there? Why don’t you just make the [kitchen, bedroom, etc.] larger? So it’s a ‘Green House’… what’s that supposed to mean?”

If you’re thinking of building a tiny home of your own, be prepared for both. Having a detailed and organized game plan will make it easy to shake off negative vibes that may come your way.

Planning is the longest and most crucial stage in building. I first toyed with the idea of building a Tumbleweed House in December of 2010, but almost nine months passed before I was actually ready to break ground in August of this year. It took time to figure out:

1) How much space do I need?

2) Who will build it?

3) Where will I build my house?

4) Who will finance my project?

5) What materials will I use?

It is really important to spend ample time planning how much space you’ll need– doubly true in a small house. You have to think of every inch of the house and think, “What will I be doing in this spot?”

I also examined my belongings. I asked myself, “Do I need this? And if so, “Where should I put it?” This helped me to pare down my things while creating an organized living space. Keep in mind: form has to coincide with function in order to make small living work.

Next, it was time to find a builder. I researched the Arkansas Home Builders Association web site, read profiles online, talked to my friends, and finally sat down to chat with prospective contractors. In the end, the most important attribute in a builder is a shared vision.

Financing a small house can be tricky since the value of a home is based on comparing it to similar properties. (Good luck with that one…) So if you go to a bank for financing, be prepared for a hefty down payment. Many people, like this high school student building a Tumbleweed himself, choose to pay-as-they-build because of this.

Throughout all of these phases, I hunted and collected supplies for my home. I was seeking unique, beautiful, responsible materials. I found new, used, and (basically) ‘trash’ goods that fit the bill. It took time, but I enjoyed the process.

Now that construction is underway, I have made most of my decisions… which means less stress, less budget surprises, and more of getting the house I need.

Do you know the average height of a pair of shoes? Okay, if you answered yes, you either (a) really need to get out more or (b) must be building a 708 sq-ft house. After my period of personal inventory, I went about shedding my extraneous belongings. The final step was to simply measure what was left and make sure that I have a place for it in my house, with the help of Bret and Jen Franks. These are Jen’s drawings of my closet plan, completely customized to hold everything that I plan to store in it.

This wall sconce from Restoration Hardware will be used instead of a bedside lamp, saving space on a small night stand.

I found this magazine stand at an antique/flea market in El Dorado, AR. It will be used as my TV console in addition to a magazine rack. (In the background you can see other materials, etc. currently stored in my garage.)

 

These 5’x5’ granite slabs were salvaged from a building being renovated in downtown Little Rock. Now they will serve as countertops in my kitchen.

 

This vintage phone niche was purchased at Fabulous Finds in Little Rock. Instead of housing a traditional phone, it will serve as a docking station for my iPhone, iPod, and Garmin watch.

 

at home with green design : kitchen storage

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No one can appreciate counter space like those of us with small kitchens. Recently, I found a perfect solution to utensil storage at The Container Store. It’s called the Polytherm Grid System, and it really is a steal at $3.99-$9.99 per accessory.

Obviously, these storage grids can be used anywhere in your house, but they were just right for getting my spoons, spatulas, whisks, etc. organized and easily accessible.

 
 

I started off with a small grid, which included hardware for installation. I chose to drill the storage unit permanently into my tile back splash. If you choose to mount the grid to your tile or granite surface, you’ll need to invest in a drill bit designed to penetrate those materials, around $5.00 at any hardware store. But if you’re afraid of committing, Command Brand adhesive could work as well.

Next, I installed my accessories: a small shelf, tall basket and s-hooks for hanging. There are many more parts and configurations, so you can make the grid exactly what you need for your space. All of them are held in place with simple hooks, so it’s a snap to change up the design.

The final step was adding my collection of utensils, spices, and pot holders that I use on a regular basis. Now there’s not more hunting for the salt or potato masher while I’m busy at the stove!

 

at home with green design: how to create stylish small spaces

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For anybody who thinks salvaged materials don’t make for stylish interiors, homeowner Lyndsey Lewis of Little House in Little Rock is here to set the story straight! She’s been sharing the story of certified green home, being built by Bret Franks Construction in Little Rock, in a series called At Home with Green Design. Check out her first two posts (here) for more info about the construction, because today she’s getting down to specifics with sinks, hardware and wallpaper!

One of the biggest perks of building my little house it that splurges in design choices pack a major punch without blowing my budget. I’ve planned for extensive trim work (bead board walls, wood planked ceilings, etc.), custom storage units, unique hardware, and many other upgrades that wouldn’t be feasible had I chosen more square footage.

I’ve been collecting furniture, art, accessories, and fabrics throughout the entire planning phase of construction.

My very first purchase was a pair of stained glass windows from Antique Warehouse of Arkansas, in Botkinburg, AR. One pane will be hung inside my kitchen window. The larger glass will be installed on the wall that divides my master closet from the bedroom. It’s difficult to imagine, but this window placement will highlight the design of the closet space.

Imagine the above stained glass installed on one wall of the galley closet pictured… I lose a bit of storage but the awesome factor makes it totally worth it. (Can you tell the closet is my favorite ‘room’ in my house?)

At Architectural Salvage by Ri-Jo in Mena, AR, I found a truckload of amazing salvaged doorknobs. There were ceramic, metal, and glass knobs to choose from… and I ended up buying a few of each.

To be able to utilize the knobs for my interior doors, I had to find mortise locks for the knobs. These locks fit antique spindles and can be found at specialty hardware stores. Unfortunately, each lock cost more than $70. But when you only have 4 interior doors, the cost isn’t really a huge extravagance. Knobs that aren’t used for doors will be mounted to use as hooks for the entry or master closet.

Bathrooms are a great space in any home to add some extra ‘wow.’ Unfortunately, bathrooms are also an area to add LOTS of extra spending.

Luckily for me, I found an amazing corner-mounted sink at Architectural Salvage for only $100! Not only will it save space in my 5’x7’ bathroom, it will also bring a vintage feel to the space. Plus, the allowance in my contract for my bath vanity faucet alone was $145, which I deleted by using the existing hardware on the sink. Free and cute? What’s not to love here? (Note the crack in the front of the sink: I had this checked out by a professional glazer. He told me that the sink is completely usable, but the crack cannot be cosmetically ‘fixed.’ I was actually excited to hear this, since I love the defect. Adds character…)

Wallpaper has really made a comeback since the floral mess that adorned my sister’s bedroom in the early 90s. I’m planning to paper my foyer ceiling with a watercolor-style print I found at Anthropologie. Since most wallpaper sells for over $100 per roll, I’m very thankful for my 5’x5’ entry. Less is so more.

at home with green design : tiny homes

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Scott Stewart is a typical Arkansan: friendly and laid back and willing to sit a spell and chat. He still lives in the small town of Mountain View, where he was raised. So you might be surprised to find that he’s one of the most recognizable names in the “Tiny House Movement,” unless you’re already a tiny house fan.
 

Scott’s homegrown company, Slabtown Customs, has been building and delivering tiny homes for over a decade, since before they were cool. He designs custom homes with individual clients, and then builds them on the site of a former lumber mill owned by his family. He started doing it, and keeps doing it, because he loves it. In the last several years, his company has averaged about 12 homes built per year. Wow.

Thankfully he also loves talking about building and designing tiny homes. So I invited myself to Mountain View for a visit and peek at his latest projects.
 

I fell in love with “The Dubber,” named after Scott’s Dad. It’s an 8′ by 24′ cottage that’s almost ready for delivery… at a price tag of only $27,000, including all appliances!
 

 
 
On entering the house’s living area, you’ll see the (nearly complete) kitchen. It’s elevated to allow for extra storage or even a pull-out bed.
 
 
Turn around to face the front door and the sleeping loft is visible. This particular tiny house was also outfitted with a “cat loft” per the client’s request. Note the tiny double openings in the loft: they open into a small kitty nook, complete with windows to the outdoors!
 

Slabtown builds it’s own custom cabinetry for each house, complete with shelves and storage that utilize all of the micro-space.
 

 

Amenities include a full-sized refrigerator, butcher block counters, a natural wood interior, durable laminate flooring, and washer/dryer combo unit.
 

 
The above washer/dryer is cleverly hidden away with cabinet doors, blending the appliance into the kitchen. I was truly amazed with the use of space.
 
 
Finally, we reach the bathroom: full of light and careful detail. A perfectly small sink from Ikea, found by the home owners, faces a wall of cabinetry. A toilet will be installed under the window. Out of the frame is a full tub/shower insert.
 
Scott’s little houses have me on the look out for the perfect spot for a tiny weekend cottage! With prices ranging from less than $8000 for some of his models, who wouldn’t be tempted?
 
To check out more of Scott’s work, search Slabtown Customs on YouTube.

 

 

certified green home: progress update!

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Go inside the making of Lyndsey Lewis’ certified green home in Little Rock! Through her At Home blog column, Lyndsey invites you into the planning, construction and interior design of her house, as it’s being built by Bret Franks Construction. If you haven’t been following, click here to learn more, and watch as this exciting project unfolds through the eyes of its owner…

The construction of my Whidbey is scheduled to take 6 months total. To date, we are just past the half-way point. So I thought this would be a good week to bring readers up-to-date on the progress.

After grading the lot, framing began in early September. This stage was the first time I was able to walk through the actual-size space where I’ll be living. I had visited rooms with similar dimensions as my rooms, trying to get a feel for the scale. But walking through the framing was pretty exciting.

After the framing was covered in protective sheeting, roofing was underway.

From this rear view of the house, you can see the opening for my backdoor. (Note the bins for scraps and recycling on the job site.)

This picture of my detached garage with carport is taken from my backdoor. There will be a walkway leading from my house to the covered patio. And yes, the garage is almost as big as my house!

I chose to upgrade my design with wood-clad windows. The grids and trim will be painted to complement the house. (These windows also have LowE insulated glass for increased efficiency.)

From the interior, these front windows provide tons of natural light for my guest bedroom. Although the space is only 9×10 feet, the walls of windows keep the room from feeling cramped.

Next, the installation of Hardiboard siding and trim began. (Hardiboard is a cement product manufactured in strips similar to finished lumber.) This stage is a labor-intensive process that involves cutting each piece of board to size and then attaching it to the house. When painted, the Hardiboard will look like wood siding.

And with that, you are up to speed on the little house. In the coming weeks, the interior will start to take shape as the sheetrock is installed and the trim work begins.

This piece of art was a gift for my 30th birthday and will adorn my mantle. It’s an original family portrait by Lewis, my 4-year-old nephew.

at home with green design : Q&A with Ellyse Frazier

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Warm weather is here, which means so are all the local farmer’s markets! I know, you are all thinking: “But I already grow all of my own food…”

Farmer’s markets are more than just fresh produce, however. I’m fortunate enough to live near the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market which boasts of not only perfect produce, but also grass-fed meats, baked good, jellies and jams, plants and flowers, and even local art.
 

I’d like to indroduce Ellyse Frazier, one of the market’s talented artists. She works in pen and ink, watercolor, and (most recently) cement pottery.

LL: How did you get started selling your art at the farmer’s market? 

EF: I began at the Farmers Market helping my brother Ethan sell his heirloom plants (ethansheirloomgardens.blogspot.com).  I thought it would be a good opportunity to sell prints from my artwork since I focus on cottages, garden-scapes, and pictures from old photographs. Many people seem to be interested in having their old heirloom photos re-created in pen and ink watercolor.  They make great gifts for friends and especially for hard to buy for parents and grandparents.

Recently I have been designing and sculpting hand-made pots made of natural materials mixed with cement to showcase Ethan’s heirloom plants. The pots resemble stone but are light weight creating a nice English Country charm.

LL: Can you share some of your favorite pieces with us?

EF:  English County inspired cottage:
 

 
A lighthouse from an old picture found at my grandparents house:

 

Decorative garden bucket perfect for any flowers and a collection of herb planters:
 

 

LL: Why should people spend Saturday mornings at the market?

EF: It has a fun and energetic vibe and a wonderful laid-back atmosphere, which makes it a great social gathering place.

You can read more about Ellyse’s projects at ellysesstudioarts.blogsopt.com. And next time you’re in need of a gift, think of your local market first. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see what you find, and who you’ll meet, when you think outside the box [store].

 

 

 

 

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At Home in Arkansas offers you a look inside the state's most inspiring homes. The magazine features monthly advice from the experts to help you plan your next remodel or redesign, entertain at home, or find Arkansas's best kept secrets. It is your definitive guide to the state's finest homes and gardens, design professionals, fashion and entertaining essentials, and premier shops and showrooms.

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