#gray distressed kitchen cabinets

[benconradart]

Traditional Kitchen - Kitchen Open concept kitchen - large traditional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

[firewoks]

Cincinnati Dining Kitchen Inspiration for a large timeless galley dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

[veganmisanthrope]

Cincinnati Kitchen Ideas for a large, traditional galley kitchen remodel with a dark wood floor and a brown floor, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, a multicolored backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and an island.

[pseudxcode]

Cincinnati Great Room Kitchen Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

[becomingathena]

Kitchen - Enclosed With a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and two islands, this spacious transitional galley kitchen has a light wood floor and gray floor.

[unfortunatelyderek]

San Diego Pantry Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor kitchen pantry remodel with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

[notsureaboutnameyet]

Kitchen (Manchester)

[misstel]

Traditional Bathroom - Kids

[junsnow]

Great Room - Rustic Kitchen

[moonstruckme]

hi!!! i love all ur marauders works they’re seriously so cute and i love how you write them!! idk if you’ve done this one already and if you have just ignore this lol but could you do remus having a nightmare and reader comforting him? ik you’ve done the reverse but i wanna know what he’s like lmao. i need to see more confer remus i can’t get enough

Thank you lovely <3

Remus Lupin x fem!reader ♡ 1k words

It’s already graying outside the window when you wake. Remus has been having some agitated nights lately, and the dim lighting of the bedroom lets you see that this has been another one. 

You’ve probably woken from the cold, all your sheets and blankets kicked mercilessly to the end of the bed. Remus’ face is twisted up tight, his hands twitching like they’re trying to grab for something, and he’s making soft, distressed little sounds that threaten to crack your heart clean in two. You hate to think how long he’s been like this without you waking. 

“Rem,” you start soft, reaching for his hand as you’ve learned to do. Touch his shoulder or any other part of him and he’s likely to wake jolting, your offending hand gripped cruelly by the wrist. Once, before you’d learned your lesson, he’d kicked himself fully out of bed from the start you gave him. You’d sat in the living room with a hot pack on his tailbone, murmuring apologies back and forth until the sun came up. 

You needle your fingers underneath his gently. “Remus, honey, you’re okay. You’re home.” His fingers twitch closer around yours, and you’re careful not to grab him back even though you want to, running the pads of your fingers down the length of his to loosen them. “You’re safe. You’re at home.” His eyes start to move faster behind his lids. “Rem.” 

That last whisper does it. He doesn’t startle, which is always a victory, but Remus still inhales sharply as he wakes. His muscles seize as though they mean to propel him somewhere, then relax shudderingly. 

You entwine your fingers with his, stay quiet. You know he knows you’re here but he won’t look at you just yet, hiding away the most frantic parts of himself before he’ll let himself turn towards you. You don’t love that he does it. You know better than to push him, though. It unnerves him worse when you try to jimmy your way into his thoughts while he’s still raw like this. 

“Sorry,” he says on an exhale. 

“Don’t be.” You start to stroke up his wrist, but Remus pulls his hand from yours, slipping out of bed and walking from the room. 

You tail him. This is part of your routine, too. You think he likes to give you the option of going back to sleep, though you can’t imagine he’d actually feel any better if you did. He’s fooling himself. (It’s okay; you’re a fool for him sometimes, too.) 

Remus isn’t surprised when you wrap your arms around his middle in the kitchen, resting your cheek against his back. He’s already got the kettle going. 

“How are you?” you ask, though you think you have some idea. He’s still trembling gently under your hands. 

“Alright.” He sets one hand over your two clasped around his front. “You should go back to sleep.” 

You almost smile at his predictability. Remus isn’t usually so stiff around you, but even he has admitted he reverts back to a younger, terser self when he’s feeling vulnerable. You could tell him that you’d have been waking up soon anyway, or that you wouldn’t be able to sleep if you knew you’d left him like this, but you go with the truth that you know you’d want to hear. 

“I want to be with you,” you say simply. 

Remus turns in your arms, resting his lips on top of your head. “Thanks, dove.” 

You hum like For what? and step around him as the kettle finishes boiling, grabbing his favorite mug from the cabinet above. Remus lets you take care of him this little bit, but he doesn’t go to sit down in the living room until you’re headed that way too. 

You curl up against him on the couch, your knees tipped over his thighs while his legs bridge the gap between the sofa and the coffee table. He blows the steam off his mug. 

“Do you remember what the dream was about?” 

“Bits and pieces.” Remus’ voice is still a bit raspy with sleep, and you know exactly what he’s thinking when his lips twitch: you’ve told him more than a few times how attractive you find it like this. “I don’t think it’s worth talking about.” 

“Okay,” you say. You’re both speaking softly, like the house itself is still slumbering as morning creeps up on the outside world. After Remus’ nightmare, you imagine he appreciates the peace anyway.

He sighs, looking at you almost sheepishly. “Sorry I’ve been waking you so much lately.” 

“Sorry you’ve been sleeping so horribly lately,” you counter. 

Remus smiles ruefully. “I think it’s all this stuff going on at work. Rude of it to fuck with me even when I’m sleeping, though.” 

You hum, tracing a scar near his elbow with your finger. “I didn’t realize you were so stressed. I’m sorry.” 

“I’ve hardly realized it myself,” he admits. 

You frown, and Remus looks back into his mug, shying from your scrutiny. “Do you think it might help if we relaxed a bit more here?” you ask him. “We could start reading that book together again.” 

His eyes are soft when they meet yours, the color of honey and just as sweet. “That sounds really nice,” he says. 

You smile. It feels good to have a plan. “Hug?” you ask him. 

Remus sets down his tea to make room for you, and you straddle his lap, wrapping your arms around his neck. His hands spread out on your back, tentative at first and then firmer as you snuggle up to him. 

“I’ll make cheese toasties and soup tonight,” you say softly. Remus sounds almost like he could purr as you start playing with the hair at his nape. He gives your hips a little tug, getting you closer. “And we can read or watch something or do a puzzle, whatever you feel like when you get home. We could talk about the work stuff, if you wanted to.” You say this last part hesitantly, but Remus hums his approval. 

“You’re so good to me, do you know that?” 

You grin. “I do my best.” 

He huffs a laugh, the sound gruff and heart-squeezing. You lapse into a thin silence, each listening to the other breathe but feeling the beginning of the new day pressing at your windows. 

“We have some time before we’d normally start to get ready,” you try. “Want to stay like this for a bit?” 

“Yeah,” Remus sighs, settling his arms around you more securely. “Yeah, good idea.”

[hometoursandotherstuff]

This 1889 home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the consummate Gothic Victorian. A lot of the decor is uniquely DIY, which makes it interesting, to say the least. 3bds, 3ba, $439,900.

The original doors in the entrance hall were given a couple of coats of shiny black paint.

The stairs were trimmed in gray and it looks like they stripped and refinished the railings.

This reception room has an original fireplace and pocket doors.

I can't say that the built-in cabinet it original, b/c it's a very different style. It looks like an old farm piece and the owners used a crackle paint finish to make it look chippy.

This middle room is 2 stories high, has a balcony, and the owners added some architectural salvage molding pieces. It also appears that the stone on the corner fireplace was replaced.

This is the ceiling in the room.

Old pocket doors missing hardware were given a distressed finish and the dining room ceiling is like a bronze/brown.

The kitchen reno is completely DIY, made with architectural salvage pieces.

Look at all the things.

It's very creative and look at how they fit the ovens into that green piece.

In the powder room they found a very different style door to fit the pocket.

On the 2nd floor, I'm not sure if this open room is supposed to be a bedroom, but it does look like one.

The hole in the ceiling exposing the window above may be the result of a new ceiling. That gives it a very unique feature.

There's a washer/dryer up here, and a kitchenette unit. Notice all the ceiling light fixtures.

I like the color scheme of this bedroom and the wall was taken down to make an open en-suite.

Interesting arched ceiling in the bath and that's some piece they chose for the sink.

So much in this home has been reconfigured. You can tell that the walls are new. So, this is the turret.

At the base of the rear stairs there's a newly configured nook.

This open room has been turned into a bath with a sauna.

This is quite the large bath.

It actually looks like most of the attic is bathroom.

At first glance I thought that this was a hot tub, but it appears to be some sort of platform or stage.

The basement's very big, has some creepy-ish gray stone walls, and lots of fun potential.

The exterior gothic architecture on this house is stunning.

The yard is fenced, but it needs landscaping. 4,791 sq. ft. lot

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3402-W-Saint-Paul-Ave-Milwaukee-WI-53208/40470662_zpid/?

[ajgrey9647]

....no idea if you reblogged this on purpose, but nothing ventured, nothing gained:

Giant/Tiny AU -- In which a character or the entire cast are giants or tiny folks. Either they’re naturally born that way and live alongside with humans, have accidently been shrink down or enlarged because of magic or a device (which may or may not be temporary). When it’s the latter, the AU story mostly focuses on a mini version of the characters existing, usually for the purpose of a pocket-sized companion or ‘pet’. Related to this is Bitty AU (also known as Bittybones AU), which is popular in the Undertale fandom.

+ Small Tommy and/or Drakkon~

lol I must not have scrolled down all the way. Didn't intend for prompt request but I always entertain them. So here ya go!

Precious Little Things

“Jesus Christ, Thomas,” Drakkon drawled, a smirk on his patrician lips as he lifted a brow at the diminutive White Ranger. “You make a rather lovely Thumbelina.”

Crossing his arms over his chest in unconscious embarrassment, Tommy glared up at the smug asshole and heaved a dainty, bird-like huff.

“It’s not like I did this on purpose, dickhead!”

Red crouched beside the coffee table, nudging the instigator aside with his hip as he did so. His dark eye was wide and full of concern.

“Are you alright, kiddo? You didn’t get hurt, did you?” he murmured gently so as not to rattle the already distressed younger partner, who had begun stalking up and down the length of the glossy wooden surface.

The long-haired man before them was roughly the size of a McDonald’s Happy Meal action figure, his expression surly as he sulked in his self-pity.

“Physically I’m fine, Tommy grumbled. “Jason’s the one who had his thigh laid open trying to get me away from Lord Zedd’s stupid monster.”

Drakkon and Red exchanged wrathful glances though their fury was impotent without Grid energy to back it up. They both were keenly aware of the dangers their doppelgangers faced as Rangers but knew that neither the White Ranger nor the Omega would willingly bow out of this intergalactic war.

At the mention of his name, Jason hobbled from the kitchen, balancing precariously on one crutch, the flesh of his upper thigh wrapped in layer upon layer of white gauzy material. His enlarged pupils made his already dark eyes appear nearly as black as Drakkon’s had once upon a time.

“Sweet merciful fuck, duckling!” the tyrant hissed, bounding across the room in long strides. “What the hell are you even doing walking?”

He bodily lifted the Omega into his arms, mindful to keep the injured right leg away from his chest as he carried Jason like a swooning damsel.

“I was thirsty, and Tommy can’t get down off the table by himself,” he argued feebly, voice slurring. “Or reach the cups in the cabinet.”

Drakkon laid him across the couch cushions while Red snagged the colorful quilt from over its back.

“Why didn’t you call us?” the former pet softly scolded, tucking his younger ‘self’ in snuggly. “I know I’m terrible at keeping a phone charged, but you know Drakkon always has his on him. Or at least in the same room…if we’re ‘busy.’”

Tommy walked to the edge of the coffee table closest to the Omega, worrying at his inner cheek like a fiend.

“You know how Jason is, Red. Stubborn as a fucking ox,” he sighed. “We heard you two in there…getting busy.”

Drakkon rolled his eyes.

“In this particular situation, I won’t tear your head off for interrupting…”

“That’s right,” the gray-haired man chastised, carefully plucking Tommy from where he stood and bringing him nearer to Jason’s pale face. “He has no business being up moving around and I’ll not have you taking a header to the floor or getting stepped on or tossed in with the washing.”

The White Ranger said nothing, merely leaning out of the former pet’s scarred palm to brush a light kiss to his partner’s clammy cheek.

“I’m going to guess that stubbornness is the reason the two of you showed up back here in your current states instead of planting your asses at the Command Center until Billy whipped up some cure for you,” Drakkon accused, his hazel eyes then gliding over to where Jason blinked up at him in a semi-lucid dullness, “and while your Ranger healing stitched you together more completely.”

“I’m…not a…child…” the Omega tried to retort, but the words came out in a mish-mashed jumble.

“Goddamn, what do they have you on? Billy might be a tech genius, but he’s not a doctor… You’re laying here drooling all over yourself!”

Tommy piped up, his answer so low that they almost didn’t hear him.

“Are you serious?” Red gaped. “No wonder he can barely stay awake! You young ones have no business playing around with shit like that!”

The White Ranger narrowed his eyes.

“Didn’t you two do a little…you know…dabbling? And it was wilder shit than this. Like cocaine, Adderall, molly…stronger pain medication than what Jason took…”

Using his fingertip, the lithe man sternly prodded Tommy’s shoulder until he turned around to face him. It wasn’t often that Red became angry even if it wasn’t close to the psychotic level he used to get to in the Coinless world.

“Kiddo, Drakkon and I were dumb as fuck for messing those substances! And we weren’t in our right minds back then! Believe me when I say we know what we’re talking about when it comes to stuff like this…”

Tommy wilted, crumping into the former pet’s hand and sniffling like a sick kitten.

“I’m sorry, Red. I shouldn’t have brought that up. It’s not fair to you guys. I’m just so…so…tired…and…and…”

Even Drakkon’s ire lessened somewhat with the younger man’s tearful whimpering.

“Of course you’re worn to a nub, Thomas… You’re much smaller than you used to be. It wouldn’t take much to tucker you out.”

When the White Ranger turned an indignant face his way, the former dictator chuckled kindly.

“I don’t say that to be insulting this time. You’ve both had a big day.”

He hauled himself to his feet and started towards his bedroom.

“One moment and I’ll have you fixed right up…”

Red nuzzled Tommy close to the warmth of his chest as he continued to weep, curled up into himself in a protective ball like a young child.

“I’m sorry...”

“I’m not mad at you, love,” the gray-haired man murmured. “I’m mad at the situation that landed you both in this condition. And I’m worried as hell about you and Jason. I know you said what you did out of weariness and frustration so don’t fret over it.”

Jason had drifted off into a drugged slumber by this point, his chest rising and falling in slow rhythmic waves that were much reassuring.

“Drakkon will watch over him and I’ll care for you until the Blue Ranger comes up with a solution,” he continued.

A muffled snort caused them both to jump. The tyrant was sweeping back into the room with something in his hands.

“That’s right. My darling knows how to tend to tiny creatures such as yourself as I am well versed in dealing with devastating physical injuries,” he advised, plopping down on the rug by Red’s knee. “I am quite good at bringing someone back around, right, darling?”

Tommy sniffed back a ball of running snot and lifted his middle finger at the fucker while the other man nodded as if it were the most logical thing he’d ever heard.

“Awww…that’s rude. And here I’ve brought you a little nest.”

He proudly plunked a small, cardboard shipping box onto the coffee table. Inside was a soft layering of fabrics, one of which the White Ranger recognized as one of Drakkon’s emerald green kerchiefs he’d squirreled away with the other resources he’d stashed from the Coinless realm. It was one of many types of old-fashioned paraphernalia he’d saw fit to bring along to the Prime universe for whatever reason.

“Why don’t you settle him in here, darling, then get him a snack? I might not know as much as you about small animals but don’t they burn more energy than larger ones? You’d know before I would…”

Red nodded, sliding Tommy from his palm and into the plush mass of the box.

“Yes, generally smaller animals lose body heat faster so they burn up more calories to keep themselves warm. They generally have faster heart and respiratory rates.”

He tilted his shaggy head as he stared over his glasses at the White Ranger who only stared sadly back.

“Though I’m not sure when it comes to human physiology being suddenly shrunk down…”

Come to think of it, when Red mentioned body heat, Tommy realized that he was feeling a little on the chilly side; he’d only gotten himself too worked up to notice it. He hunkered down in the wad of handkerchiefs while he waited to see what would happen next.

“I do think the best thing to do is to get some food in you, kiddo,” the older man advised. “You’ll probably need to eat several meals a day until we get you fixed.”

Red tapped his chin thoughtfully before pulling himself up right and trotting off towards the kitchen.

“Is Jase alright?” Tommy ventured, swiveling his head over to where Drakkon sat at the side of the couch.

“I’m sure the duckling will live to see another day, Thumbelina,” the tyrant teased. “That’s the plus side to having an obnoxious, hardheadedness about him. Fighters like him tend to pull through.”

He carded his long fingers through the Omega’s dark hair, brushing the locks back from his sweaty forehead.

“You know I won’t let anything happen to him, rest assured.”

Red wasn’t gone for all that long. He briskly returned to where Tommy lay in the shipping box.

“Here you go, love. Eat up. This stuff will help you get those calories.”

Inquisitively, the White Ranger sat up and peered at the paper plate laying on the table beside his ‘nest’.  He reached over and picked up a large white ball that had a weird slimy texture.

“What is this? A ball of milk?”

Red chuckled and even Drakkon started to bray like a donkey, causing Jason to grumble in his sleep.

“It’s cottage cheese. And there’s also some flakes of breakfast cereal, a left over hard boiled egg, and bacon crumbles…”

Tommy stared at the odd assortment of food.

“I can’t eat all of this!”

Drakkon groaned.

“Then just eat what you can so you can zip it and take a nap. Knowing Billy he’ll have you right as rain in no time. My darling and I will have to deal with your bitching until does…so again…eat and take a snooze, for fuck’s sake…”

He was too tired to argue with the asshole. And besides, Jason was trying to sleep off the overwhelming energy suck of his Ranger healing coupled with some potent pain medication. Tommy reached down and collected a lapful of food particles. To his surprise, he managed to get all of it down and Red tenderly handed him more without being asked.

“Little thing’s got quite the appetite,” Drakkon chortled.

Again, Tommy flipped him the bird.

“I guess you never had any embarrassing bullshit happen to you as all powerful dictator,” he choked out between bites.

Red snorted with laughter while the tyrant pulled a prissy pout.

“I wouldn’t go that far, kiddo,” the former pet laughed. “If you consider being held in Promethea with Grace Sterling, getting your ass handed to you by your younger self and his friends on more than one occasion, having half your hair torched by a cosmic entity, being ran out of his palace in the dead of night with pitchforks, lighted torches, tar, and feathers…”

“Alright, alright!” Drakkon snapped. “Whatever… even I’ve done the walk of shame.”

Tommy favored him with a snotty, shit-eating grin before heaving a yawn large enough that he toppled over, ruining his self-righteous preening.

The next seven days were the longest of their lives, both older men worrying themselves sick over the other two. Drakkon got next to no sleep as he sat up beside the couch where Jason was camped out, up every couple hours to check his breathing, change his dressings, help him to the bathroom, make him a meal, give him pain medication that he personally oversaw, bathe him and change his clothes.

Red was equally consumed with feeding Tommy every few hours, ensuring he was warm, crafting a few handsewn shirts and bottoms, bathing him in a bowl of warm, soapy water, combing his hair with a blunted toothpick, and hovering over the young man like a hawk as he moved about the cabin.

Unlike the Omega, who was too injured and medicated to concern himself with his cock, the White Ranger frequently was in a state of heightened arousal, whining and erect and leaking through the pants Red made faster than the former pet could launder them.

“It’s part of his…uh…make-up or what have you right now,” the gray-haired man whispered to Drakkon while Tommy called up at him from the rug.

“And I thought I was bad…Thomas is worse than a goddamn rabbit,” the tyrant laughed. “Well, give him some relief. It shouldn’t take much when he’s this worked up.”

So, Red thoughtfully (and carefully) took the tiny Ranger to his lips and allowed him to hump, grind, slobber, bite, and suck his lips and tongue…and somehow that was usually enough. They never made it below the belt which the older man was relieved but only out of concern for inadvertently harming Tommy.

And when the week from hell was over, when Billy messaged Jason over his communicator that he had a cure, when the Omega’s leg was almost completely unblemished… Drakkon turned to Red and huffed a deep sigh of relief.

“Can you imagine what we’d had to put up with if I WERE able to impregnate you, darling? Having children is vastly overrated…I’m ready to pull out what’s left of my hair.”

Red grinned.

“Aww…it wasn’t that bad. You’re just salty you haven’t gotten to fuck me or Jason for a whole week.”

“Well, brace yourself, Snoopy. Because I’m about to make up for that…”

[shelbydelrey]

WIP Wednesday

Thank you for the tag @emotionalcadaver This story here is for @runnning-outof-time 3K Celebration but i have no idea when it's going to be ready 😅 So here's a sneak peek 😁

warnings: nightmare, ptsd, WW2 and distress in general. It's not edited either.

1946 He walked through the abandoned trenches and listened to the ashy gray floor sizzle under his boots in the absence of other sounds. No bird flew around cooing or cackling. Not even vultures. But why would they? There were no trees for them to land on and no bodies to feast. Only a desolate field that extended for kilometers, creating the impression that none of his steps mattered because there wasn't a beggining let alone an end. "You're never going to leave here," She said and he didn't have to turn his head to see that his little sister started to walk beside him. "Go home, Ruby," He replied, clutching the gun that was buckled on his shoulder. "I don't have a home silly." Oh yeah, that's right. Their father had exploded the house they grew in to the ground. He had always found that mesmerizing. In one minute there was Arrow House and the other there was no more. "And neither do you," Ruby added. He finally turned in her direction, wanting to scream at her provocation but the words died on his tongue. Instead of irises and pupils, her eyes were now two black orbs and out of them oozed a thick charcoal liquid that descended down her face and dripped to the floor. "Stay here with me, Charlie," She pleaded and the same unnatural blood spilled out of her mouth, "I'm so lonely."

Without startlement, Charlie opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, feeling the rage of his heartbeat spread throughout his body. Should he classify that as a nightmare or one of his sister's visits? Sometimes they blended into one another, carrying the same eerie atmosphere. Not that it mattered if they were apart at the end of the day. He was still left as a complete mess incapable of having good dreams. He writhed in bed, knowing too well that it was to no avail, and sighed defeated. Standing up he took the care to open the door softly as to not summon its creaks and went down the stairs adamant in assaulting the kitchen's cabinets after some alcohol. But he stopped on his tracks remembering what Aunt Ada had said: "No spirits in the house!" His shoulders slumbered and he sighed once more, thirsty for a drink that would dry his mouth and burn his throat. A relief, that was all that be wanted. A relief from the terrible night that he was having. Turning around he contemplated going back to bed, but staring at the wall sounded as agonizing as using a rifle in the battlefield. An idea popped to rescue him from his musings and he tip toed his way out to the attic. Aunt Ada had been complaining all week that the place needed be organized and now it was the perfect time to keep his hands busy. He coughed once the stale air invaded his lungs and watched through squinted lids the shadow of boxes and piles of books scattered throughout the place. A streak of moonlight, coming from the ceiling window, helped him walk around without bumping into anything and revealed particles of dust dancing in the air. Charlie reached for the lightbulb and pulled it's little chord. Before the yellow gleam lit up the room he went to a corner choosen at random and began to scavange the mess. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" For his own shame he hesitated and the last image of the nightmare came rushing back in. Ruby smiling and flashing her teeth smudged with dark blood. "Go away, Ruby." He pleaded once he recomposed. The following silence could trick a fool into thinking that she met his desire, but he was too long into that game to fall for it. She would haunt him until she grew bored of it. "Charlie?" Ruby cooed. Her voice had an edge to it, as if layered by another sound similar to a razor blade scraping a crow's vocal cords. "Charlie?" She repeated, reaching a hand to his shoulder. He immediately jerked away and screamed a "Leave me the fuck alone, Ruby!", but his heart stopped when he saw that the girl who occupied the space in front of him wasn't his dead sister, but his very alive and frightened cousin Beth.

[universitypenguin]

Hey Alice :) this is prob a weird question but what kind of car do you think Lloyd drives? We know he’s luxurious so I can see him in something sleek and sporty like an Audi or another European make car

Also how do you envision Lloyd’s house? Is he particular about his decor? Is he the type to be in to antiques or more modern pieces of furniture

I think Lloyd would drive something expensive, but also nondescript. I’m picturing a Mercedes-Benz sedan. It would probably be gray or black. I can see him in a few different models. If he was being conservative, he’d have bought a mid-priced model like a C 300. If he was in a spending mood when he bought the car, he’d have gone for the pricier S 580 4MATIC.

He likes the performance of German engineering and the powerful throttle of the motor. It’s an added bonus that in the D.C. metro, the car blends into the sea of other luxury vehicles. The reason he’d never consider a smaller, sporty model, like an Audi R8 or a BMW M4, is simple. You can’t fit a dead body in the trunk. He’s not planning to commit a crime, but proper preparation prevents poor performance. And when you need to move a dead body there’s no room for error.

Lloyd sticks with a roomy sedan that has plenty of space in the trunk. He keeps it stocked with a shovel and a large box of kitty litter. In the Virginia climate, those items don’t attract much notice. They’re snow storm essentials and he keeps them next to the emergency kit with blankets, water, jumper cables, and a tow chain. But a shovel and kitty litter is good for more than just getting traction in an ice storm, you know? 🫣

For his house, Lloyd lives across the Potomac from D.C. in Old Town Alexandria. He chose the house because it’s less than 30 minutes from the office and the charm of the cobblestone streets appeals to him.

The neighborhood he picks has a brick wall and wrought iron gate facing the street. To get to his house, you have to park in a lot down the street, and then walk down the block to the courtyard gate. The gate isn’t locked but it’s another layer of security - something that would slow down an attacker. Inside the gate is a cobblestone courtyard with Beech trees in the middle. There are five townhouses in the courtyard neighborhood, two on the right and two on the left, with another at the back.

Lloyd owns the inner property on the left side. He likes the location because he’s insulated from every possible angle. The gate protects the front and the courtyard access gives him a view of anyone approaching. Both sides are covered by the other row houses and the brick wall hiding the common area means no one can see much beyond the small gate. The large trees prevents overhead photos and the lack of a garage door further secures the location.

For decor, he paid a decorator to fix the place up. She went for a mix of antiques with modern touches, with a subtle nod towards costal styles in the color palette. The walls are a neutral white, to better showcase the eclectic artwork she chose for his home. She went with the traditional set of wingback chairs, a structured sectional sofa to anchor the room, and a jute rug in the living area. His coffee table is a simple design made of reclaimed elm wood and the end tables are mismatched. One table is made out of distressed gray wood and the other is polished brass.

The decorator gave him plants to tie it all together. He has a fig tree, a Japanese maple, and a ficus. There are potted plants in every room, and he loves how they liven up the place. Looking at them makes him feel like he’s at home. That’s in addition to the herb garden with mint, basil, chives, and tarragon, that she installed in his kitchen window. He has to admit, the herb garden is one of his favorite touches. He uses it almost every day.

The kitchen is thoroughly modern. It has a wide island down the middle and cabinets on both walls. The quartz countertops are durable and crafted to look like marble. Having lived in flats with marble counters in the past, Lloyd has no interest in getting the real thing. They’re too easily scarred. He has a farmhouse sink, with plenty of elbow room to peel potatoes and stack up dishes. On the end of the kitchen is his formal dining room with a table that, when extended, seats fifteen.

His bedroom has one of the best antique pieces in the house. The Italian Renaissance walnut headboard has hand carved Foliate Scrolls and a matching footboard. He has it restored and styles it with a green jacquard bedspread. The decorator finishes the look with antique tea tables for the nightstands, and places an overstuffed chair and a reading lamp in the corner. She installs a wall of floor-to-ceiling black out curtains to prevent the east facing windows from waking him up at dawn. On the windows themselves she adds bamboo shades to bring another texture to the space.

And despite his protests, the decorator puts more plants in the bedroom. Lloyd can’t help but leave them there even after she’s gone. They just… work. He’d never have put them there on his own but the morning sunshine makes the Christmas cactus bloom every three months and turns the climbing vine thing into the picture of health within days.

A year later, when it’s time to decorate the guest room and the sun porch, he re-hires the same woman. This time, he hands over his credit card and tells her to follow the same process she did the first time.

[simarjeet12]

Budget-Friendly Luxury: Inexpensive Ways to Upgrade Your House

It doesn't have to be expensive to add a little elegance to your house. You may add elegance and flair to your living area without going over budget by making a few smart adjustments, like adding a chic mosaic table. Here are a few low-cost ideas to improve the appearance of your house and add a touch of elegance.

1. Pay Attention to Lighting Statements

The mood of a space may be totally altered by the lighting. Choose a fashionable floor lamp, pendant light, or reasonably priced chandelier that may act as a focal point. For a contemporary look, look for items with distinctive forms or metallic embellishments. Statement lighting creates an expensive atmosphere without breaking the bank by adding refinement and attracting attention.

2. Use Stylish Mirrors

Mirrors are a flexible method to add light, give a space a more opulent appearance, and enlarge it. Consider putting a big mirror on a prominent wall in your living room, over a console, or in your foyer. Select mirrors with intriguing frames, such as distressed or gilded, to combine traditional elegance with modern appeal.

3. Update Fixtures and Hardware

An affordable method to add a contemporary touch is to replace old light switch covers, drawer pulls, and cabinet knobs. Choose sophisticated finishes including matte black, brass, or brushed nickel. These minor adjustments may have a significant impact on entryways, bathrooms, and kitchens.

4. Make Use of Superior Fabrics

Purchase a few fine linens to add a little more luxury. Seek for drapes, blankets, or toss pillows composed of materials like velvet, linen, or imitation fur. Texture layering adds richness and depth. A soft throw on the couch, for example, may lend a touch of elegance and coziness to a room.

5. Include a Big Artwork or Wall Clock

Any room may be immediately made more elegant with a huge wall clock or a well-chosen piece of art. Whether placed in the dining room, living room, or foyer, a big, striking clock or piece of art adds personality and flair. Select pieces that are timeless in style while also reflecting your personal preferences.

6. Use flowers and greenery to decorate.

Flowers and plants give every space a revitalizing, organic touch that makes it appear more opulent and lively. As your focal point, think about using fresh flowers in a vase or sophisticated houseplants in lovely pots. If low-maintenance choices are more your style, you may also utilize fake greenery.

7. Keep Things Simple and Clutter-Free 

Simplicity and cleanliness are sometimes associated with luxury. Eliminate superfluous clutter and prioritize quality over quantity. Make a simple, clutter-free area where everything has a function or aesthetic appeal. This method gives your room a feeling of openness, airiness, and effortless style.

8. Use paint and accents to update

Any space may be made more elegant with a new coat of paint in subdued or neutral colors. Consider subdued earth tones, whites, or gentle grays that provide an elegant background. Paint an accent wall or apply wallpaper with delicate patterns or textures to offer a touch of elegance.

9. Use metallics as accessories

A place may be instantly elevated with subtle metallic accents. Consider including metallic trays, candlesticks, picture frames, or even a few ornamental books with metallic details. They give the room a touch of glitz and reflect light, which makes it appear lighter and airier.

10. Pay Attention to Ambiance and Fragrance

All the senses are stimulated in a lavish residence. Use candles, essential oil diffusers, or room sprays with delicate, sophisticated fragrances like lavender, vanilla, or sandalwood to add calming odors. These additions not only improve the entire experience but also give the room a lovely scent.

Conclusion

You can add a sense of luxury to your house without breaking the bank with these inexpensive additions. You may create a place that seems both fashionable and cozy by carefully choosing pieces like mirrors, giant wall clocks, or high-quality materials.

[wedezine]

Creating a Modern Industrial Kitchen: Design Tips & Tricks

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home—and for good reason. It’s a space where meals are prepared, families gather, and cherished memories are created. In today’s modern interior design landscape, kitchens have transformed into vibrant canvases for personal expression, showcasing the homeowner's unique style. One of the most captivating trends is the industrial kitchen, characterized by raw materials, minimalist décor, and functional design. This style exudes a sophisticated urban vibe with a hint of rustic charm. At WeDezine, we excel in crafting kitchens that seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality. Here’s your ultimate guide to designing a kitchen with an industrial touch.

Key Features of an Industrial Kitchen

Creating an industrial kitchen involves a careful combination of materials, color schemes, and layouts. Here are the essential elements that define this style:

1. Embrace Raw and Unfinished Materials

An industrial kitchen thrives on the beauty of raw, unfinished materials. Here are the key components:

Exposed Brick Walls: Iconic in industrial design, exposed brick adds texture and character. If your kitchen lacks this feature, consider using brick veneers or faux panels to achieve a similar effect.

Concrete: Whether used for countertops, floors, or even walls, concrete is a cornerstone of industrial design. Polished concrete surfaces provide a sleek, modern touch while retaining a rugged feel.

Stainless Steel: This durable material is ideal for appliances, backsplashes, and countertops, offering a professional, restaurant-like ambiance.

Wood and Metal: A harmonious mix of wooden elements and metal fixtures adds warmth and depth, softening the starkness typical of industrial design while maintaining its authenticity.

2. Opt for a Neutral and Earthy Color Palette

Industrial kitchens typically feature a muted color scheme that promotes a clean, sophisticated look. Here are some recommended colors:

Grays, Blacks, and Whites: These foundational colors create a timeless, understated environment that complements the industrial aesthetic beautifully.

Earthy Tones: Incorporating soft browns, muted greens, and rust adds warmth and richness to the otherwise stark palette.

Pops of Color: While industrial designs lean minimalist, introducing vibrant accents—such as colorful chairs, tiles, or lighting fixtures—can bring life and vibrancy to the space.

3. Emphasize an Open Layout

Industrial design is synonymous with spaciousness and a sense of airiness. Here’s how to achieve this:

Open Shelving: Replace traditional cabinets with open metal or wooden shelves. This not only enhances the industrial feel but also creates a sense of openness and accessibility.

Large Windows: Maximize natural light with expansive, steel-framed windows that create a bright atmosphere while contributing to the warehouse-like charm.

4. Choose Functional and Minimalist Furniture

In an industrial kitchen, simplicity and functionality reign supreme. Focus on furniture that aligns with these principles:

Sleek Cabinets: Select minimalist cabinets with flat fronts and minimal hardware. Finishes in matte black or gray perfectly complement the industrial aesthetic.

Functional Kitchen Island: A central island made from reclaimed wood or stainless steel serves as a practical food prep area and a casual dining spot.

Industrial Seating: Incorporate metal stools or chairs featuring distressed leather or wooden elements. This mix not only completes the industrial vibe but also ensures comfort.

Lighting: A Vital Component

Lighting plays a crucial role in defining the industrial look. Consider these lighting options:

Pendant Lights: Industrial-style pendant lighting—especially those with exposed bulbs and metal shades—adds character and authenticity to your kitchen.

Track Lighting: Use track lights to accentuate specific areas like the countertop or island, seamlessly combining modern design with practical illumination.

Task Lighting: Focus on functional areas, such as above the stove or sink, to ensure adequate lighting while enhancing the overall design.

Accessories and Finishing Touches

Once the core elements are in place, it’s time to add those finishing touches that will tie your industrial kitchen together:

Metal Fixtures and Hardware: Opt for metal faucets, cabinet pulls, and drawer handles in finishes like black, bronze, or brushed nickel to reinforce the industrial vibe.

Vintage-Inspired Appliances: While modern appliances are essential, consider vintage-inspired designs with brushed metal finishes to elevate the overall aesthetic.

Minimalist Décor: Keep decorations to a minimum to avoid clutter. Vintage signs, industrial clocks, or abstract wall art can infuse personality without overwhelming the space.

Balancing Modern Comforts

While the industrial style embraces raw aesthetics, modern comforts should not be overlooked. Here are ways to incorporate contemporary conveniences:

Smart Appliances: Integrate smart technology into your appliances, such as energy-efficient refrigerators and ovens, while maintaining the industrial look with stainless steel finishes.

Efficient Storage Solutions: Ensure your kitchen remains airy and open with innovative storage options, including pull-out drawers and hidden shelving that keep essentials organized and accessible.

Cozy Seating Areas: Incorporate comfortable seating options, such as cushioned bar stools or a welcoming breakfast nook, to soften the industrial look and enhance livability.

The Advantages of an Industrial-Style Kitchen

Opting for an industrial kitchen design brings several lasting benefits:

Durability: The materials used—like stainless steel and concrete—are exceptionally durable, perfect for the high-traffic nature of kitchens.

Timeless Appeal: The focus on functionality and simplicity ensures that industrial kitchens remain stylish and relevant for years to come.

Easy Maintenance: With surfaces like stainless steel and concrete, cleanup is a breeze, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your kitchen.

Conclusion

At WeDezine, we believe that the kitchen is one of the most vital spaces in your home, embodying your personal style while catering to your needs. If you’re captivated by the bold, raw beauty of industrial design, our team of experts is here to help you realize that vision. With the right materials, layout, and finishing touches, your industrial kitchen can be both functional and strikingly beautiful.

Ready to transform your kitchen into a stunning industrial space? Contact WeDezine today to start your journey toward the perfect industrial kitchen!