interior design ideas: July 2011

Exquisite Lamps ~ Peacock Gypsy

I've always felt that beautiful lamps are to a room what jewelry is to an outfit. When I came across these glorious lamps on Etsy, I just had to share them with you. The colors and attention to detail are extraordinary. Visit the shop here.

Have a beautiful weekend!

NAHB Predicts New Homes in 2015

We may not know how many new homes will be built in 2015, but we do know what they will look like. The National Home Builders Association’s Economics and Housing Policy recently asked 3,019 builders, designers, architects, manufacturers and marketing specialists in various locations to describe the likely characteristics of the average, new single-family detached home in 2015.

The findings have some surprising, and not-so-surprising, results:

The average new single-family home will be smaller, between 2000 square feet and 2,399 square feet
Needs will outweigh wants in terms of size and features
Universal design will be a key architectural design consideration for new homes
Energy efficiency is one of the top goals for newly constructed homes, and new homes will have more green features, like low-E windows, engineered wood products, and make efficient use of water
Technology will be a top priority in a home built in 2015
Landscaping and outdoor living space will receive more attention as homeowners will utilize their outdoor space more
2-car garages remain high on the list

Specific room priorities:

The formal living room will either be combined with another room in the house, like the music room or library, or completely disappear
Kitchens will feature a double sink, recessed lighting, and table space or a breakfast bar for eating
First-floor master bedrooms with walk-in closets will be a priority

Least-likely features of the 2015 home?

Two master bedroom suites
Sunrooms
Hobby rooms
Formal living rooms

Read the rest of the survey

Whether you’re building or remodeling a home in 2011, 2015, or anytime in between, Bonin Architects has various architectural services to help you design, build, or remodel a home that fits your priorities. We’re located on Main Street in New London, NH. Call or stop by to set up a free consultation!

New Jewelry

Had so much fun making these new pieces! Available for sale on my website. Hope you're all having a good weekend, and staying cool!

The Blonde ~ Alphonse Mucha

Red Vixen ~ love her so much, I made one for myself!

In The Garden

Summer Lake

Classic Red

Purple Gypsy

Photograper Malgorzata Maj ~ Sarachmet

Malgorzata Maj is a Polish photographer (working under the business name Sarachmet) whose work I've long admired. Her mystical, romantic photos have graced book covers, magazines, and other publications worldwide. Find her website here.

Community Outreach: We Build it Forward Update

On June 25, 2011, teams of community members and local businesses met at R.P. Johnson & Son's Andover NH location to kick off a day of giving back, We Build It Forward. Ten projects in seven communities in the Andover – Sunapee area were completed in a day, including fundraisers and yard cleanups, fixing park shelters and painting an entire house.

Team Bonin Architects designed and built a community bulletin board at the Andover transfer station - even some of our clients pitched in!! Other projects included replacing the roof on a mobile home in Sunapee, NH, building a handicap ramp, installing 2 storm doors and doing a yard cleanup in Sutton Mills, cleaning up Wadleigh State Park in North Sutton, remodeling a bathroom, painting and repairing a picket fence at East Andover Preschool, replacing a bulkhead basement door in Andover, and building a 60 foot Allan Block retaining wall.

The Kearsarge Chronicle was on hand to interview volunteers and beneficiaries of this terrific program. Watch their interview and mark your calendar to become a volunteer at next year’s We Build It Forward!

Totes & Bags

How do you like to tote your stuff for summer? As a self-proclaimed "bag lady", I love creative ones, and (natch) handmade is the only way to go. Below are some favorite Etsy finds, with links to buy if you're as smitten as I am!


Vintage Junky Style ~ Etsy

Dahlia Handbags ~ Etsy


Cayenne Peppy Bags ~ Etsy

Janine King Designs ~ Etsy

Pua Wear ~ Etsy

Sew Trendy ~ Etsy

Kiss a Fat Dog ~ Etsy

ErikaPeach ~ Etsy

NH Architects Interviewed About Cottage Renovation

Country Almanac’s Small Room Decorating, a national magazine designed to help homeowners maximize the living space in their small home or cottage, loved the 400 square foot cottage renovation recently completed by Bonin Architects and Associates in New London, NH.

The cottage renovation project had two primary goals: creating an open, efficient space that looks and feels larger than it really is and reusing as much as the original building material as possible.

The result is an efficient use of space, with a new cathedral ceiling and sleeping loft created when the original ceiling was removed. Apartment-sized appliances maximize space in the kitchen.