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By candace kramer, June 17, 2011 11:34 am

Happy Friday!

So…ever heard of a dacha? Well, neither had I until I came across a story in Food & Wine magazine. A dacha is a Russian summer cottage and they are widely seen through out the country. Most of these homes were built during the Soviet era and had size restrictions – a majority of them under 270 sq. ft! Oh yes – gorgeous, downsized homes that are abundant with charming character and summer spirit! I knew I had to share their beauty with you…

So blissful right? I could definitely spend my summer at one of these!

Where is your favorite place to be in the summer?

Have a lovely weekend!

Images via here and here.

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By candace kramer, May 19, 2011 3:05 pm

The last couple of days here in Portland have been absolutely gorgeous! Sunny with a light breeze – it’s the prefect conditions for a spin on the bike! Cyclists are always seen in Portland but as the rain begins to stop, more and more people hit the streets on their bikes – including me! While it can be hard to pass up my charged up little Vespa, nothing beats a ride around the lake on my beloved bicycle.

Like most bike enthusiasts, I always have my eye on the latest and greatest bikes on the market…this one is drool worthy and so sleek…don’t you think?

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Meet the Vanmoof! Fun to say and even more fun to ride this sexy urban bike is aiming to be the “car” of the future and might end up on my Christmas list…

Oh, and did you know that tomorrow is the official Bike to Work Day? Yup…so now you really have a good excuse to dig that bike out of the garage!

Here is a little sunshine & bike inspiration round up…

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Hope the sun is shining in your city!

p.s. If you are a local and want more info on biking in Pdx check out this.

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By candace kramer, May 17, 2011 3:23 pm

As many of you know Aging in Place is a big focus of my work (see definition below) and having this knowledge truly helps my clients make their lifestyle one that will last!

Aging in place refers to living where you have lived for years, typically not in a health care environment, using products, services, and conveniences which allow you to remain home as circumstances change.

This Saturday, the local remodeling firm, Neil Kelly will be hosting a wonderful event:

The “Home for a Lifetime” Fair…

Click below to download the flyer for more info:

Home for a Lifetime Poster

Should be a fantastic, informative and inspiring day!

For more information about Aging in Place go here.

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By candace kramer, May 13, 2011 2:45 pm

Just because you are downsizing doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your favorite antique pieces! With a little creative thinking and good space planning those beloved hutches, chests, secretaries and bookcases can come along with you. They often provide ample storage, which is key in a downsized home and they almost certainly hold memories and special meaning – so bring them along! Let’s peek into the home one of my own “downsizers” and see how she incorporates her much loved, large scale pieces into her 1,800 sq. ft. abode.

Oozing with European style and opulence, this client plays with scale and challenges her space by not being shy about large pieces. Balancing light and dark prevents the room from feeling heavy. High ceilings and ample natural light makes the space appear larger.

An antique silver tray adds sparkle to this tufted leather ottoman…

By creating stylish vignettes, she tells a story and creates layers of personal interest with her collections.

This majestic hutch is right at home in this open floor plan.

And who would have guessed that this painted bookshelf would fit perfectly into this hallway! A great place to grab a good book and smile at family photos on the way to bed.

An eclectic sitting room is full of antique finds. The different styles blend effortlessly, resulting in a room full of character and warmth.

So, don’t get rid of all your favorite pieces, thinking you must go buy a complete set of small-scale furniture for your new downsized home. Mix it up, keep what you love, get rid of what doesn’t work, play with scale and create balance within your new rightsized lifestyle.

Need help? I’m here for you!

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By candace kramer, April 15, 2011 4:30 pm

Green building, as you know is something I love. Recycled, re-purposed, re-used, I can’t get enough! So, when I found this fantastic California based, green, pre-fab home company – Logical Homes, I had to share some of their plans with you. Sleek and modern, they pride themselves on filling their structures with light, clean lines and plenty of feel good, earth friendly building materials.

With a huge range of plans, there is a home suitable for everyone. These structures also make great secondary buildings such as an office, studio or guest house!

This first plan (The Kara) is a sweet 320 square feet…with a lovely expanse of outdoor living (an additional 270 sq. ft.)…

This next one (The Aegean) provides a little more wiggle room coming in at 640 sq. ft. and I just love that strong cantilevered roof!

And the big sister to the Kara is the Kara 1512, providing 1512 sq. ft of living space on two levels. Check out the translucent walls of the staircase – so cool!Pre-fab fabulous, right? To check out all their plans, visit their website here.

Could you live in one of these? I think I could!

All images via logicalhomes.com