Pinterest? Houzz? Evernote? Looking for recommendations...

Hey guys, I’m going to be starting a townhouse renovation in the coming months and I’m looking for input on the best way to collect ideas for it. Anyone have a preference between pinterest, houzz, evernote, or any other apps/sites that make the whole process of gathering ideas more streamlined? Thanks in advance!

chipito

in Brownstoner Renovation 11 years and 6 months ago

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leeboilerline | 10 years and 1 month ago

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Got a booklets printing of home improvement and designs about Avaliving.com, they came from direct mail service, the print materials were suggested to be fro [http://www.digitekprinting.com/booklets-black-white](http://www.digitekprinting.com/booklets-black-white ), because the print quality details as well as the unique design printed.

cityrat | 11 years and 6 months ago

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I’m in a similar situation and I’ve been finding the following useful for saving reno ideas: 1\. Pinterest (ease of use, can grab images from most places) 2\. Houzz (also great but only within the Houzz environment) 3\. I also have a bookmark folder within my browser (google chrome) for reno ideas. On the print side of things, I cut up sheets of paper into 6 inch long or so thin (bookmark-sized) strips and I keep them handy. Whenever I’m looking at a book or magazine and I see a pic I like I jot down the relevant thing (“kitchen” or whatever) and drop it on the page so I can go back and know what I was interested in. I also keep manila folders named accordingly (kitchens, decks, reno general, etc.) and I tear out pages from mags when I get rid of them and file them accordingly. Magazines: I have for decades found British (UK) Elle Decoration to be an amazing resource for home design (the american version is mainly ads and the usual) It’s very modernist in aesthetic, but European, so the homes featured are very old, often older than most BK brownstones. They have great ideas from small low budget upgrade suggestions like wallpaper accents and dishes to incredible homes around the world. I also like Dwell for kitchens but it has a completely modernist angle. Books that I have found to be good resources (all avl from amazon): Restoring a House in the City Design Brooklyn Remodelista Brooklyn Modern good luck!

chipito | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Hey guys, thanks for the ideas. I’m kind of trying them all right now to see what sticks. It seems like each site/app has some value. I’ll add springpad to the list, too. If I come up with a good system in the next few months I’ll report back. Part of my criteria is wanting the ability for my saved items to be private but sharable if I choose.

marie-helene | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Another source of inspiration (to find interesting looks for your own board) is Domino. The print magazine is dead, but they have just moved all their archives to their website, organized by themes. http://domino.com/galleries

marie-helene | 11 years and 6 months ago

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I have accounts with Pinterest and Houzz, and they’re both great sites, but I think Pinterest has the edge in terms of simplicity and visual clarity.

cate | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Pinterest is great to collect photos in one place and scroll and sort through them easily. Some of it I find on Pinterest, but just as often I pin it from elsewhere — on this site, real estate listings, Remodelista, magazines such as Elle Decor, architect and interior design firm sites, photographers sites, and lots of small home dec blogs that I follow. Offline, books such as Conran’s The House Book, Restoring a House in the City, Bungalow Kitchens, English Decoration by Ben Pentreath, Design Brooklyn, etc., have been very helpful. I also use Pinterest to find and decide on things like rugs, wallpaper, electronics, and lighting. Almost everything I’ve bought for the house in the last few years I’ve pinned first.