Beyond the Box Relocation & Design

Check out one of our local favorite artists Raye Leith's latest work at the Margaret W. and Joseph L. Fisher Art Gallery in Arlington this weekend!

We love everything that Katherine Salant is suggesting in this article—Small changes to your home now, will save you the hassle later.

Here are our 3 takeaways:
1) Create a “zero-step” entry at the front or back door
2) Plan for stacked closets (Pantry in Kitchen, Walk-In in Master) to be turned into an elevator shaft in the future
3) Raise the dishwasher 10 inches for easier accessibility to those in wheelchairs and those who can’t bend down

http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/accommodations-for-elderly-have-crossover-appeal-for-younger-home-owners/2012/03/29/gIQA8VZnlS_story.html

This is a great article on how you can tie in your home's decor into your children's rooms! If you have older kids, let them help in the concept or design....your kids are probably just as stylish as you!

Stylish kids rooms are possible Experts offer guidance for creating stylish kids rooms.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home-garden/house-calls-turning-the-basement-into-a-gym/2012/07/02/gJQA2o3cIW_story.html

We love the design idea proposed by Rockville designer Kristen Kaplan in House Calls earlier this month of turning an unused basement into a home gym. We just have one thought about it: Nobody we know has an "unused" or empty basement. Unless you're moving into a new house like the couple in the article, there's a gigantic first step you have to take: getting all the boxes of books, old term papers, bags of clothing you hope to someday wear again and excess crap you've inherited over the years out of there. This step usually is more than enough to make you say, "Never mind!"

That's where we come in. Beyond the Box's professional organizers are experts that can help you sort and organize the stuff you really need (notice we didn't say " stuff you really want") and then discard, donate or consign the rest. Think of us as the personal trainers of your organization workout. Who knows? You might even make enough cash from the consignment sales to finance your new set of dumbbells.

Finally while we're at it, we'll also put our design cap on and throw out a couple of suggestions to enhance Kristen's plan:

First, put mats under the benches or install cork over part of the floor so dropped weights don't ding the shiny new surface. Cork also acts as an acoustic buffer and provides a supportive, softer surface that's kinder to your joints.

Second, rather than just using wall shelving, install cabinets with hidden storage like these from CB2. They hold all the small stuff you need but don't want to look at all the time like work out towels, water bottles, protein bars and disinfectant for cleaning the machines after your workout.

Check them out here:

http://www.cb2.com/hyde-white-30-wall-mounted-cabinet/f5313?fromLocation=search

House Calls: Turning the basement into a gym Alexandria newlyweds want to turn their basement into a gym and yoga space.