ways to dress your windows
February 22, 2012
Have you ever wondered how you can dress your large, two-story windows? There are a couple different ways to do it. We have seen our share of window challenges over the past 10 years…
Here are some of the solutions we have come up with…

These tall windows are dressed with flowy sheer panels. We added a detail of shell trim towards the top to bring your eye up. The family wanted privacy but wanted light to still be able to filter through so we selected this subtle striped trevira sheer - it's beautiful AND durable to stand the beating sun.

This large two story hearth room needed some privacy and sophistication. We designed silk panels that open in the center, so the clients can take advantage of the great views. By bringing the panels down to the second tier of windows it makes the room seem more cozy. Since the fabric is silk, we had the panels interlined so the silk fibers will be protected.

In this large two story living room, the client wanted a way to soften the windows and still have privacy. We designed and installed four stationary panels on a long rod along with some honeycomb Hunter Douglas shades. By mounting the rod under the 1st set of windows, we brought the visual ceiling of the space down to make the tall space seem more cozy. The stationary panels feature an exotic pattern to bring in some attitude.
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Tags: bench, custom chair, custom window treatments, decorating tips, design, draperies, furniture, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, how-to, interior design, interior design blog, lennar, living room design, living room furniture, living room plan, master bedroom design, pinch pleates, re-design, remodel, shell trim, silk drapes, trevira, two story windows, window bench, window panels, window solutions, window treatments, window trim, windows
tips for your home office
February 8, 2012
These tips are good to keep in mind for your desk in your home office or even your desk at work. They are tips and guides from the principles of feng shui. Over many, many years fen shui has helped to create balance and restore creativity, wealth, relationships and more.
Use these tips and guides to re-engergize your workspace:
- Sit in your chair and look at your desk. What do you see? The objects that you see should be inspiring and not cluttering. The top of your desk is the key to your creativity.
- De-clutter; if pictures of family and friends inspire you take one picture and set it on your desk. You can rotate it out with others, but multiple pictures on your desk can cause distractions instead of inspirations.
- Instead of piling things; file things! This might be easier said than done, but filed items are out of your way and they clear space on your desk and your mind.
- Look at your desk through the eyes of a special client. Have only purposeful and inspiring objects on your desk that speak to you and to the people that will meet you at your office.

Pay attention to the wealth corner of your desk. Take a look at the feng shui map above. All spaces in feng shui are set up and managed according to this map. It applies to whole houses, to rooms, even to pieces of furniture. If you're sitting at your desk; the top left corner would be your wealth corner. Make sure to put purposeful things in each section. For example; you wouldn't want an old plant or dirty coffee cups cluttering up your wealth corner.
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Tags: bagua, Clutter, decorating tips, design my home office, desk, feng shui, feng shui elements, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, home office, home office design, how to decorate, interior decorating blog, interior design, interior design blog, office design, space planning
kitchenette design
January 30, 2012
The upstairs of this new garage wanted to become something special. And since our clients entertain we knew just what to give them. Dan and Cindy knew they wanted a wall of storage an some appliances in their new kitchenette so we designed one to suit their needs and their style with a dishwasher, sink, a one-burner cook top, microwave drawer, and mini fridge.
Kitchenette details:
- We specified cherry cabinets to coordinate with their cherry bathroom that is connected to the space.
- The upper cabinets have mesh doors for sound to flow through the already built in speakers.
- The long shelf will display their Starbucks mug collection.
- Cambria counters were installed since they are virtually no-maintence and the color, Halstead, worked great with the mosaic wall tile.
- Over time, the cherry cabinets will darken and will pop nicely off of the hickory floors.
- We chose a single dishwasher drawer to save on space. Drawers can be very efficient if you have small loads to wash!
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Tags: backsplash, before and after, cambria, cambria counters, decorating tips, design, dishwasher drawer, halstead cambria, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, interior design, interior design blog, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, microwave drawer, re-design, remodel, space planning, starbucks, starbucks mugs, tile backsplash
kitchen design solutions
January 25, 2012
Here is a snippet of one of our kitchen remodel projects. Our clients came to us to re-work their kitchen after we worked on their master suite a while back. They had moved into this parade home in the 90s and were in need of some updating.
Below you’ll see the before and after pictures and our problems and design solutions.
a. problem: The clients were tired of their white cabinets and wanted something new. The existing cabinets weren’t constructed very well and didn’t seem to function the way that they needed them to. solution: We designed new cabinets and stained them espresso and outfitted them with pretty french brass hardware.
b. problem: The existing granite and cook top were still in great shape and the clients wanted to keep them. solution: We kept the floor plan the same to accommodate for the existing granite. The cook top stayed in the same place as well.
c. problem: The upper cabinets were only 15″ off of the counter top and this made working under the cabinets hard. solution: Since we raised the cabinets up to 18″ off the counter we selected new back splash tile. Now the counter top can be used to it’s full potential.
d. problem: the microwave was only 14″ from the cook top so cooking in a tall stock pot was out of the question – it simply didn’t fit! solution: We relocated the microwave and designed a custom hood for proper space above the cooktop and the right ventilation.
e. problem: The current set up didn’t allow for adequate ventilation for the gas cook top. solution: The newly designed hood works great for venting and aesthetically fits into the new cabinetry since we framed it in the same wood as the cabinets.
f. problem: The glass cabinets made the existing kitchen feel too busy. solution: We designed paneled doors for most of the upper cabinets to create a more cohesive, clean feel.
g. problem: Once we took the microwave out from above the cook top, it needed a home out of the sight line. solution: We placed a new drawer microwave in the base cabinet to the right of the cook top to keep it in the work triangle, but to keep it out of the sight line.
h. problem: We felt that the base cabinets needed some details. solution: We added legs to the cooktop cabinet and the left and right of the sink. This breaks up the long, linear lines of the base cabinets and adds a custom feel to the new kitchen.
Filed in asid designer, design, hauthaus, interior design, Interior Design Chicago, Interior Design Minneapolis, Interior Design St. Paul
Tags: ASID, backsplash, before and after, black cabinets, brass hardware, cooktop, dark kitchen cabinets, decorating tips, design, design problems, design solutions, drawer microwave, granite, granite counters, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, how-to, interior design, interior design blog, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, master bathroom, master bedroom design, re-design, remodel, space planning, tile backsplash, white kitchen
backsplash tile: before & after
January 13, 2012
Tile can add another layer of interest and texture to any space; bathrooms, mudrooms, kitchens, etc.
Below, you’ll see some Before and After pictures of a kitchen our clients’ condo Downtown Minneapolis where we added some pizzazz by adding in a tile back splash. When we were sourcing the tile we needed to keep in mind that it needed to work with the existing granite counter tops and it also had to be neutral enough to work with the flow of the main living space of the condo since it features an open floor plan where the dining room, home office and living room area all connected.
We ended up selecting a beautiful handcrafted tile made with 70% recycled glass in a brick pattern from Fantasia Showrooms at IMS for this project.
The finished result is quite beautiful!
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Tags: back splash, before and after, condo, decorating tips, design, easy decorating, fantasia, fantasia showroom, fantasia tile, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, ims, interior design, interior design blog, international market square, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, minneapolis, minneapolis condo, pictures of kitchens, re-design, recycled tile, remodel, tile, tile backsplash
kitchen organization
January 11, 2012
One of your New Year’s Resolutions might be to get more organized. It seems we all say this at least once a year… “if only I was more organized then…”
Well we’re going to show you an example of a hauthaus kitchen design and organization notes. Below you can see a floor plan of a kitchen; we met withe client and used our imagination to ‘take out’ all of the pieces in her current kitchen and ‘put them away’ into her new kitchen. We wanted to make sure that the new kitchen will be well organized and that it will work for her and how she specifically uses her kitchen.
A few notes about the plan:
- You can see that we kept a large storage space for her kids’ school stuff; papers, lunch bags, supplies, etc. They are stored away in baskets on adjustable shelves. Each kid has their own basket.
- The Wolf range is located on the center of the left wall. Since the client is right handed, we put her cooking utensils and spices on the right. The upper cabinets to the left of the range are hinged so that you can access them both from the range without having to maneuver around open doors.
- We designed a specific spot for the KitchenAid mixer to always sit on the counter. The upper corner cabinet will continue all the way down to the counter top and act as a mixer ‘garage’. Her baking utensils and mixing bowls are located in that corner as well on the lazy susan.
- There is a designated breakfast prep spot on the right side of the kitchen. This will allow the kids to make their own breakfast while staying out of the kitchen work triangle (the space between the sink, range and fridge).
Here is a drawing of the wall with the range; you can see how we called out where the pieces will be ‘put away’.
Will you be re-designing your kitchen in 2012? If so, hauthaus can help! Give us a ring!
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Tags: before and after, breakfast nook, decorating tips, eat in kitchen, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, how to organize, how-to, interior design, interior design blog, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, kitchen floor plan, kitchen island, kitchen organization, kitchen remodel, organization, organizing your kitchen, pantry, space planning, sub zero, subzero, wolf range
year in review: july – december 2011
January 9, 2012
And to round out our highlights from the past year of blogging, here are some of the entries we picked to share again from the last six months of the year…
For July we shared a blog about a cabin remodel on Clearwater Lake that we designed. The project included a new mudroom addition, re-designed kitchen with custom cabinetry, and handmade tile. It turned out to be a great place to spend the warm and sunny summer days and nights!
In August, one of our entries highlighted different projects we worked on with different color schemes. There is one for every color of the rainbow. Revisit the blog for inspiration for your own home.
Cambria came out with new colors this year and in September, we highlighted the new Waterstone Collection. This new collection was the most buzzed about yet – the colors and patterns are so pretty and innovative!
In October we shared an article and video from ABC that talked all about a project in Montana where EVERYTHING going into building the house was made in the USA. The interview is interesting and comes with some eye-opening facts.
During November, we polled our readers to see what color was their favorite and orange won. In this blog entry we posted products that we love in orange… what fun!
In December, we shared pictures and drawings of a master bathroom project we worked on in Edina. With its cozy heated marble floors, shiny Kohler fixtures, and fresh paint, this bathroom is definitely work checking out.
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Tags: before and after, benjamin moore, cabin, cabin design, cabin remodel, cambria, cambria colors, color plans, color scheme, color schemes, color trends, custom cabin, custom cabinets, custom kitchen, decorating tips, design, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, in floor heat, interior design, interior design blog, kohler, made in minnesota, made in the usa, made in us, master bathroom, master bathroom design, orange, re-design, remodel, waterstone
resolutions: for your home
January 3, 2012
This time of year nearly everyone is thinking about how they can make 2012 better than 2011. Some people join a gym or commit to a new exercise routine, they vow to eat healthier and make more ‘me’ time. Some people say they will get around to all of the household projects that were on last year’s list.
Well here are some suggestions for resolutions your can make for your home:
- Get Organized! Stores are going to have all of their organizing bins, baskets, and boxes on sale or clearance now thru the next two weeks. Be sure to grab up a bunch and organize a closet or storage room. Having a rhyme and reason to your storage spaces really helps put your mind at ease… and not to mention, it’s great to know exactly where to look when you’re trying to find something!
- Save on energy bills. Now is a great time to switch out your bulbs for energy-savers, turn down your water heater a degree or two, and program your thermostat. These little changes don’t seem like much, but over time, they are a great way to save a little green!
- Clear out the clutter. Set aside an afternoon and sort through your clutter. There are lots of places around the Twin Cities that accept donations; Bridging can pick up your donations, while Goodwill locations, Arc Value Village locations, The Reuse Center all accept drop offs. Clear out your cabinets and closets and help make a difference to someone less fortunate!
- Refresh your linens. New sheets and towels make a world of difference. After you donate or recycle your gently used items, stock up on new linens. A crisp set of white sheets and some fluffy towels might be all your bedroom and bathroom needs to feel refreshed!
- Get out your paint brush. New color on the walls breathes new life into a space. Color theory is an interesting thing – you can control the feel and energy of the room just by the color on the walls.
What other resolutions are on your list for 2012?
Filed in hauthaus, Interior Design Chicago, Interior Design Minneapolis, Interior Design St. Paul, lifestyle
Tags: 2012, 2012 resolutions, clear out clutter, decorating tips, energy bill saving, energy savings, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, how-to, new sheets, new year 2012, new years resolutions, paint colors, refresh linens, resolutions
kitchen window treatment installation
December 19, 2011
This summer we transformed our clients’ standard white kitchen to a va-va, deep espresso place to cook, bake and gather. The clients wanted to update their kitchen cabinets while keeping their granite. We saved the pretty granite and paired it with espresso stained cabinets, Tuscan bronze hardware, crackled ceramic back splash tiles, and a new paint job.
Filed in asid designer, design, hauthaus, interior design, Interior Design Chicago, Interior Design Minneapolis, Interior Design St. Paul
Tags: ASID, before and after, black kitchen, ceramin backsplash, crackle tile, custom window treatments, decorating blog, decorating tips, design, design blog, espresso cabinets, granite, granite counters, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, interior decorating, interior design, interior design blog, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, re-design, space planning, white kitchen, white kitchen cabinets, window panels
izzy’s bathroom progress
November 30, 2011
Izzy is a stylish little girl who is not afraid of color… and boy oh boy does her bathroom have it!
Check out this behind-the-scenes look at how her very own bathroom is turning out!
Filed in asid designer, design, hauthaus, interior design, Interior Design Chicago, Interior Design Minneapolis, Interior Design St. Paul
Tags: bancroft, bathroom design, bathroom lighting, bathroom mirror, before and after, benjamin moore paint, color plans, color scheme, color trends, decorating tips, design, dill pickle, edina, edina designer, edina interior designer, glass shower, granite, green, green bathroom, haut haus, haut haus blog, hauthaus, hauthaus blog, interior design, kids bathroom, kohler, kohler bancroft, re-design, remodel, shower, shower door, space planning, subway tile, tile floor, tile wall, white ice