Closet Chameleon

A messy catchall becomes an organized home office.


Think you don’t have room in your house for a home office? Take a look in unexpected places. This part-time public relations consultant and full-time mother created a smart little office in a guestroom closet that was cluttered with documents and more. “It’s perfect now,” she says of her new, efficient work area. “It’s really all the space I need.” And because she can close up shop with a curtain (tied back using a ribbon secured with a cup hook) the room still can function as a guest bedroom as well.

The homeowner painted a dining chair and added a cushion to raise the seat for the desk height. The custom-built desk is slightly taller than standard height to fit between the existing shelves. The desk legs can be cut to the desired size.


Keep your work life balanced with these suggestions for your home office.

• Designate two boxes as “In” and “Out” for daily mail.

• For office spaces without desk drawers, use baskets or bins to store loose items.

• Organize work baskets in order of priority, so you always have the most important items on hand.

• Use a separate wastebasket to collect paper for recycling.

• Small planters and paint cans are hard workers when it comes to holding pencils, pens, and other office supplies.

Work Smarter

1 Shed some light on your office area. The suspended lampshade was created with a swag kit. A desk lamp provides additional task lighting.

2 Embrace dark colors. Using rich shades actually can add warmth to a small space. This cozy chocolate-colored backdrop makes the white shelves and desk pop.

3 Display important notes and reminders. Magnetic primer applied to the back wall creates a giant memo board.

4 Use stackable storage. A three-tier shelving unit houses a printer and office supplies.

5 Build on what you have. The original shelving was a great starting point for adding this desk. A sheet of plywood was mounted to the existing 1 x 2 that’s screwed into the wall. Moulding was affixed to the plywood edges using wood glue and brads. Two table legs were attached to the plywood with mounting brackets.


PAINT
walls (Valspar Ultra Premium, Deep Walnut 2004-9A, satin)
desk (Valspar Ultra Premium, Bistro White 7006-4, semi-gloss)
magnetic primer (Rust-Oleum, #115535)
spray paint (American Accents, Aqua, #35940)

LIGHTING
pendant swag kit (#235340)
lampshade (Portfolio, #235543)
desk lamp (Portfolio, #33105)

DESK PROJECT
Parsons table legs (28-inch, #839)
straight-top mounting plates (#838)
1 (8-foot-long) piece of 3/4- x 1/4-inch screen moulding†
1 (24- x 48-inch) sheet of 3/4-inch plywood††
1 (4-foot-long) 1 x 2††
1 package of (2-inch) screws
1 package of 4d finishing nails
wood glue (Titebond II, #41217)
1 package (#18 x 3/4-inch) brads

STORAGE
3-tier stacker (Shelving by Design, #71485)
fabric drawers (blue, #154859)
wicker baskets (#201836)

DRAPERY
tension rod (48- x 84-inch, #86184)
curtain panels (84-inch, Andorra, taupe, #214064)

* Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.
**Does not include lead time for special-order materials.
† Available by special order in some stores.

††Availability varies by market.

Glowing Style

CREATE A MANTEL THAT ATTRACTS ATTENTION TO MORE THAN JUST THE FIRE.

Fireplaces not only can provide cozy spots to warm up chilly nights, but they also are musthave design elements in living and great rooms, and even bedrooms and kitchens. If a hearth in your home needs a style update, try sprucing it up with a new mantel.Whether your taste is traditional or contemporary, the two examples here will spark your interest.


Classic Approach


In more spacious areas, a large fireplace with a raised hearth can become the focal point for a cozy gathering. Here, a new full-surround mantel frames a gas firebox. The mantel’s mission style is timeless, and the ivory color enhances its design. You can paint a mantel in any shade that coordinates with your decor.

1. Use classic tumbled-stone tiles to frame the firebox and to create a welcoming raised hearth.

2. Add a glaze, such as the light chocolate used here, to give the white paint a warm glow and to draw attention to the craftsmanship of the mantel.

3. Continue the mission style above the hearth by adding decorative moulding. Ours received the same treatment as the mantel—white paint topped with a chocolate-colored glaze—for a seamless look.




Play It Safe

Don’t forget these helpful tips from the Home Safety Council to keep everyone safe around
your home’s fireplace.

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and a carbon monoxide detector in at least one area. Test these devices once a month.
Open the flue completely before building a fire.
Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet out of children’s reach.
Use a screen over the fireplace opening to prevent hot ash and sparks from escaping.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, use only dry, seasoned wood.
Keep decorations and accessories that could ignite far away from the fireplace.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Create a home escape plan, and be sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

List
• full-surround mantel (Foster, Franklin, Model W41P, special order)
• hearth and surround tile (4-inch, Rialto white, #115512)
• mantel paint (American Tradition by Valspar, Sawyer White #7002-16, semi-gloss)
• glaze (American Tradition by Valspar, mocha, #94825)
• ventless firebox (26-inch, Brookhill Natural Gas, #44471*) or liquid propane firebox (#44676*)
• 3 (8-foot-long) pieces of 1/4- x 3/4-inch screen moulding (#96377)
• 2 (8-foot-long) pieces of 5/8- x 31/4-inch fluted casing (#160965**)
• 1 (48-inch-square) sheet of 1/4-inch-thick birch plywood†
• 1 box 6d finishing nails
• 1 box (#17 x 1-inch) wire brads
• white grout


Make It Modern


This project is perfect for a renovation in a smaller space, such as a loft or a condo. With a contemporary look, the mantel reflects an urban lifestyle while featuring space-saving design elements, including a flat, sleek hearth.

1. This shelf is a simple, practical piece that easily can adapt with your room’s decor. Here, the copper fenceposts are used as accents that coordinate with the black and copper surround tile.

2. This electrical outlet provides a convenient power source and reduces unsightly cords from lamps or decorations.

3. A bright cobalt-blue tile surround adds a stylish punch of color to the fireplace.


Lumber*
• 2 (6-foot-long) 1 x 2s, poplar
• 2 (6-foot-long) 1 x 6s, pine
• 1 (8-foot-long) 1 x 8, pine
• 2 (8-foot-long) 1 x 10s, pine
• 1 (24-inch-square) sheet of 1/4-inch-thick birch plywood

Materials and hardware
• hearth and surround tile (2-inch, cobalt blue mosaic, #7882)
• accent tile (Emsir, black and copper, special order)
• fencepost point caps (4-inch, copper, #74378)
• black grout
• shelf paint (American Tradition by Valspar, Lincoln Cottage Black #4009-2, semi-gloss)
• ventless firebox (32-inch, Classic Electric, #219619*)
• 1 box 6d finishing nails
• 1 box (#18 x 3/4-inch) wire brads
• stainable wood filler
• wood glue

New Kitchen Now

Although she liked the basic layout of her kitchen, this homeowner desired a fresh look for the cabinetry. “I envisioned a design that had more character than my white cabinets, neutral floor, and tan walls,” she says. The homeowner also had stipulations—a limited budget and a before-the-holidays deadline. She chose an option called cabinet refacing, which saved her time and money. According to the refacing process, she applied a veneer to her existing cabinets and then replaced the doors and the drawer fronts to match the veneer. Another goal for the homeowner was to gain storage space. She added custom-built cabinets above her existing ones, making them extend to the ceiling, and she installed a pantry made with in-stock cabinets from Lowe’s. She refaced all of the additional cabinets so that the entire kitchen—new and old—would look uniform. Topped off by chic decorative touches and new appliances with a metallic-nickel finish, the kitchen is transformed into a brighter, more organized area for holiday entertaining.





Kitchen Solutions

1 In-cabinet organizers, such as this folding spice rack, solve many storage challenges.

2 New appliances, including this side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, have a sleek metallic-nickel finish that adds to the kitchen’s fresh look.

3 A champagne color with a mocha glaze was selected for the homeowner’s cabinet refacing project.

4 The backsplash, made up of 6-inch beige tiles, protects against splashes.

5 A new pantry, constructed from in-stock cabinetry and then refaced to match the rest of the cabinetry, houses canned goods and cookware. The turquoise wall color is offset by chocolate brown crown moulding.





1 The freestanding range features two ovens that can accommodate any large holiday meal. The new microwave/hood combination offers even cooking results as well as a stainless interior for easy cleanup.

2 The new dishwasher’s AquaSurge technology allows it to match the exact water pressure to the items in the load. The dishwasher also has a stain-resistant GraniteGrey interior tub and a SpeedClean cycle that washes and dries in one hour.

3 Featuring a water filtration system and optional cubed or crushed ice, the new refrigerator is perfect for large gatherings. The counter-depth racks can accommodate large items, such as an 18-inch platter.


Spotless Convenience

A new stainless steel pullout faucet and a hot-water dispenser add functionality to the kitchen’s updated look. Solid-surface countertops in a rich brown coordinate with the cabinetry moulding. Because the homeowner chose cabinet refacing instead of installing brandnew cabinets, the countertops could be measured immediately, without having to wait for new cabinetry to be ordered and installed.

CABINETRY
cabinet refacing (Quality Doors, DL Covington, Champagne with Mocha Glaze, special order)
pantry cabinets (white, #58744)
hardware (Amerock, satin nickel, #16062)
pull-down spice rack (Rubbermaid, #141670)
2-tray slider (ClosetMaid, #224073)

COUNTERTOPS AND BACKSPLASH
countertops (Corian, Suede, special order)
under-mounted sink (Corian, Bone, Model 850, special order)
backsplash tile (6-inch, American Olean, Avenida Desert Mist, #73667)
ivory grout

APPLIANCES
(Frigidaire Elements, metallic nickel)†

refrigerator (Model LECR23EFE, #33399)
dishwasher (Model LEDB500FEE, #243385)
gas range (Model LEGFM389FE, #243394)
microwave/hood combo (Model LEVM30FE, #243406)

FLOORING
plank hardwood (3-inch-wide, Pergo, Espresso, special order)

PLUMBING
faucet (Price Pfister, Contempra, stainless steel, #140398)
hot-water dispenser (In-Sink-Erator, #56432)
garbage disposal (In-Sink-Erator, Evolution Excel, #240431)

LIGHTING
3 recessed lights
9 under-mounted
cabinet lights
ceiling fixture (2-light, Portfolio, brushed steel, #20867)

PAINT
wall (American Tradition by Valspar, Lake Country #5003-5C, eggshell)
trim (American Tradition by Valspar, Sumatra Blend #2008-9A, semi-gloss)
ceiling (American Tradition by Valspar, Courtyard Tan #7002-13, flat)

MOULDING
crown moulding (35/8-inch)
window casing (31/4-inch)

ACCESSORIES
wood blinds (2-inch, Levolor, white, special order)

* Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.
**Does not include lead time for special-order materials.
† Available by special order in some stores.

TRIM A TREE

Spice up your home’s holiday attire with fresh ideas and colorful, stylish products. Recruit friends and family to trim the tree and home, and feel the joy of this festive season.


1 CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

CREATE A traditional Christmas tree with shades of red, gold, and green. Here, decorative ornaments are accented with berry branches and gold- and red-dusted pinecones. The redbow tree topper is enhanced with metallic gold spirals and ting tings, tied together with tree wire.

tree (#55986**)
ting tings (#243029**)
metallic gold spirals
(#190417**)
pinecones (#179115**)
berry branches (#140975**)
ornaments** (gold crosses, #179241; assorted, #73303; large gold, #169306; crisscross glitters, #168245)
bow (#15977**)
red ribbon (#241349**)

* Does not include applicable taxes, which vary by market.
**Availability varies by market.




2 WINTER WHITE

A SCHEME OF white, silver, and gold creates the ambience of a gentle dusting of snow reflected in the light. This tree is decorated with silver and gold ornaments, and then crowned with a gold star. A cascading waterfall of silver ribbon completes the look.


tree (#55986**)
gold star (#241346**)
ornaments** (large gold, #169306; medium gold,
#168315; small gold,
#143727; gold ornaments with writing,
#143698; silver angels,
#161077; silver studded balls,
#169956; silver crosses,
#161064; gold glitter balls,
#143750)
silver ribbon (#241353**)
garland (#44744**)

* Does not include applicable taxes, which vary by market.
**Availability varies by market.

A Personal Touch

Looking for ways to spark your holiday decor this year? While your approach is likely anchored in traditions—both your own as well as classic looks you’ve been influenced by —adding new stylish twists can make the season even brighter.

• This year, two key trends can provide inspiration. The most important thing is to have fun and create a look that reflects what the season means to you.

A return to all things natural

Many of us revel in the beauty and simplicity of the outdoors, and it’s especially nice to capture those flavors and quiet colors indoors during crisp winter months. Grapevine, berry sprigs, and pinecones are perfect complements to the warm subtle shine and low-luster sparkle of gold tones mixed with shades of plum and green—just right if you love muted expressions.


A little more flash and dash


Lean into the holiday trend that borrows inspiration from the fashion runway. Experience tactile elegance with textures and materials such as velvet, crystal beading, damask, silk, feathers, and even fur. Create visual excitement in shimmering silver and gold mixed with bolder tones of garnet, spruce, and vivid blue.

Unwind & Design Gift Bags

Here it is, our latest installment of Unwind & Design—your excuse to set aside time for being creative and getting together with friends.Whether you make projects for wedding gifts, baby showers, teacher favors, home decor, or any other reason, the Unwind & Design experience is really about giving a present to yourself. In every issue of this magazine, we’ll provide you with project ideas, instructions, shopping lists, and tips for hosting a project party.You also can go online to find monthly project ideas as well as Unwind & Design extras. Just in time for the holidays—launch your first Unwind & Design party with the gift-bag project shown here.You only need a few materials and good friends to join you. In a short, relaxing time, you and your guests will have personalized wrappings for wine bottles, baked goods, or any small gifts.And you’ll have so much fun that you will want to make Unwind & Design a monthly affair.





Step 1: Cut a 13- x 18-inch piece of drop cloth to fit around a wine or oil bottle. (Adjust the size depending on the item you’re wrapping.)

Step 2: Paint designs or the recipient’s initials on the cloth. (We used tape to box off squares for painting, and felt pads were used as stencils to create polka dots.) Allow paint to dry.

Step 3: Align the top of the bottle with the top edge of the cloth. Fold the bottom
portion of the cloth over the bottom of the bottle.Then fold one side of the cloth, and roll the bottle so that the cloth wraps around it.

Step 4: Cinch the neck of the bottle, and wrap wire around it.Twist the ends of the wire to secure.

Step 5: Curl the ends of the wire if desired.Add accents such as mirror rosettes found in the hardware department, twine, or fan pulls.

canvas drop cloth (#126317)**
copper wire (#62938)**
galvanized wire (#62934)**
twine (#66510)**
paint**
foam brushes**
felt pads (#53406)
masking tape**
mirror rosettes (#61003)
fan pulls (#180508; #75874)

* Approximately half of this cost is for supplies that can be kept in your hostess tool kit. Does not include applicable taxes, which vary by market.

**Add these items to your Unwind & Design hostess tool kit.

Festive Front Doors

1. Elegant Blue

Subtle shimmer creates this look with silver and blue glass balls that decorate the tree branches, garland, and wreath. Frosted snowflakes on the sapphire-colored balls enhance the wintry theme. A beaded silver ornament hanging from the center of the wreath adds a special touch. Silver ribbons outline the trees to make them more visible from the street.

If you love this door, look for Therma-Tru Classic Craft, American Style Collection, available by special order at Lowe’s.

2 (4-foot) pre-lit potted trees (#60598**)
1 pre-lit wreath (#42434**) garland (#44744**)
2 rolls silver ribbon (#241353**)
2 boxes blue, silver, and snowflake ornaments (#33963**)
2 boxes assorted blue and silver ornaments (#7890**) silver studded ball (#169956**)

* Does not include applicable taxes, which vary by market.
**Availability varies by market.


2. Fun Color



Chic and playful decorations put a spin on this holiday display. Glittering glass and sequin-studded balls adorn the wreath and the two trees. Spiraling sprigs (called ting tings) in pink, green, and blue are interspersed throughout the tree branches and around a pre-lit wreath for
added sparkle. Icicle-shaped ornaments on the wreath top off this twinkling scene.

2 (4-foot) pre-lit potted trees (#69653**)
1 pre-lit wreath (#42434**)
6 packages assorted ting tings (pink, green, blue, #243029**)
2 (40-piece) boxes assorted small glitter balls (#173595**)
1 (28-piece) box assorted wish-glass balls (#120951**)
14 sequin-studded balls (pink, blue, purple, #172952**)
3 boxes whimsical glass ornaments (orange and red balls, blue and green drops, #144345**)

* Does not include applicable taxes, which vary by market.

**Availability varies by market.


3.Welcoming Red




Timeless forms and a classic holiday palette of red, green, and gold give these topiaries elegant appeal. Bright glass balls add glimmer from the curb. Faux poinsettias lend a natural touch and will outlast the season. Sprigs of gold beads and a bow made of poinsettia ribbon embellish a ready-made holly wreath, completing this welcoming look.

2 (41/2-foot) potted topiaries (#67386**)
1 (24-inch) holly wreath (#243018**)
20 faux poinsettias (#140945**)
10 red-and-gold beads (#140975**)
1 roll poinsettia wire ribbon (#158815**)
2 boxes assorted balls (red and red with gold trim, #10116**)
2 boxes small gold balls (#73303**)
2 large gold balls (#169306**)

* Does not include applicable taxes, which vary by market.

**Availability varies by market.

Let There Be Light

AND DEPTH TO YOUR LANDSCAPE WITH OUTDOOR LIGHTING.


A layered lighting plan can significantly affect a home’s curb appeal, ambience, and safety. Take this home, for example. A new terrace and entry staircase provide gracious space at the front exterior, but adding the right lights completes the overall look. The previously dark steps, which were difficult for guests to navigate, are transformed into warm and welcoming stairs. In the evening, the garden beckons with a soft glow. Now the terrace is much more inviting—encouraging relaxation and entertaining throughout the day and in all seasons. For this home, the first step in the plan was to have a contractor build 12-gauge low-voltage wire into the front porch and install electrical boxes in the brick during the renovation. Then the homeowners installed most of the new outdoor lighting featured here—surface lighting, pathway lights, and floodlights—in just one weekend. With a layered approach, the entire effect proves seamless and truly celebrates the space.



1.
Round surface lighting illuminates the porch’s brick columns. These lights also can be mounted high in an arbor and aimed downward for a soft, tranquil glow.


2.
Pathway lights planted in the ground increase safety by brightening the steps and landing pads. Casting circular pools of light, they work best along walkways and around flowerbeds and low shrubs.


3.
Floodlights placed below several trees provide drama in the scene by highlighting the trees and casting the branches’ graceful shadows on the house at night. Aiming a ground-mounted floodlight upward can create a focal point or add visual interest.


4.
Half-brick lighting built into the brick showcases the round shape of the porch and lights the staircase for safer stepping. These fixtures also can be set in the risers of deck stairs for a similar effect.



Do-It-Yourself Low-Voltage Lighting

8 round surface lights (black, #134636)
6 pathway lights (black, #132597)
4 floodlights (black, #133542)
7 half-brick lights (black, #98677)
transformer (300-watt, Power Pack, #135708)
2 packages of outdoor wire (12-gauge, #157919)

GARAGE A PLACE TO SPREAD OUT

This family was running out of room inside the house, so they took a fresh look at their blank-slate garage. The large space was mostly unused for anything beyond parking the car. They evaluated their needs and decided to create a new pet area and a corner for the kids’ toys, helping to keep the indoors cleaner and clutter-free. Now the garage is the perfect spot to bathe the family dog, and the children can play outside of the house, even if it’s rainy, in the bright corner dedicated to storage and safety. Consider your own family’s needs—office, laundry, or craft area. You may have more room than you think.


Personality With Purpose

New products and ideas for the garage make it easy to design comfy spaces that work hard too.

Today’s garage has come a long way from yesterday’s version. What used to be simply a place to store cars, and possibly some garden tools and equipment, has evolved into a multitasking
space customized to fit your needs. Living space can be tight, so it makes sense to ask more of your garage. When the cars are parked outside, a garage can double as a workout room, a crafts area, a space for pet care, or a place to gather for a good game of cards. Think about designing your garage for these multiple uses. For a successful modern garage, storage and safety are two important aspects to consider. Check out products that allow for storage on the walls and even the ceiling. And be sure that anything dangerous to a child or animal is carefully locked away and out of reach.

Once safety concerns are answered, it’s possible to have as much fun planning this space as any room in the house.





CABINETRY
base and wall cabinets (white; two-door base cabinets, #171175; three-drawer base cabinets,
#215819; wall cabinets, #163077)

TILE
backsplash (6- x 8-inch, American Olean, Ice White, #31675, #239383)
mosaic tiles (2-inch, slate, #72126)
tile countertop (12-inch, multicolored slate, #131691)
gray grout

PLUMBING
utility sink (American Shower and Bath, #187945)
faucet (AquaSource, #242498)

LIGHTING
outdoor ceiling fixture (Sea Gull Lighting, Model 8869-98, special order)

PAINT
walls and ceiling (Valspar Ultra Premium, Gravity 4005-1B, eggshell)
floor (Quikrete Epoxy Garage Floor Coating, gray, #224198)

ACCESSORIES
pet door (Ideal Pet Products, medium, #35911)

STORAGE
ClosetMaid MaxLoad Shelving (4-foot x 16-inch shelves, #114846; 40-inch hang tracks, #81166; 84-inch standard track, #117896; 16-inch brackets, #77570; end caps, #116167)
galvanized utility bin (#66661)
wire bins (#241041)
fabric drawers (ClosetMaid, Hunter Green, #161107)
3-tier wire shelf (Shelving By Design, #71485)

LIGHTING
3-light track light (Portfolio, #119700)
airplane pendant (Portfolio, #205842)

PAINT
walls (Valspar Ultra Premium; Blue Eyes 4007-8A; Metropolis 4005-1C; Wellspring 4007-8B;
Anthem White 7006-24; eggshell)
floor (Quikrete Epoxy Garage Floor Coating, gray, #224198)

FLOOR TILES
2-foot-square foam linking mats (#168520)

* Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.
**Does not include lead time for special-order materials.