Kitchen Design Tips to Consider

So you have been dreaming about your less than inspiring kitchen you cook in daily. The time has finally come to make that dream kitchen come to life and join you and your home together again! 

A kitchen is much more than a pretty space to look at. It is first and foremost about function. That's right, it can look gorgeous and by all means make you feel happy when you are in there but there are design elements that go deeper than just the pattern of your backsplash tile. 

 

Layout - the floorplan, the footprint and how you walk and stand in the space is important. Do you have a weird existing layout you have been "just living with" for years?  Or that galley kitchen that could have a second entrance into the kitchen or pull the peninsula away from the wall to make room for a fully functioning island you have always wanted?

Maybe these are issues in your kitchen we need to address or at least think about in your new design. 

Perhaps there are too many entrances into your kitchen from more than 3 rooms, maybe the previous homeowner wanted to knock down as many walls as possible forgetting that sometimes you do need walls for elements like a tall pantry cabinet with fully extending interior drawers to see can you have available not just the ones in the front of the shelf.

Open Shelves, Glass Doors or Closed Cabinets - Lately we have all see the lovely photos of kitchen with open shelving. While this is a great idea to give the space a lighter more open space while still giving you storage, it also opens some people open to collect clutter. I have always said if there is a surface some one will put as much as they can on that surface because it us there to be used. This all depends on the individual, some people prone to do this others are not so the amount of open shelves should be considered based on what works for your storage needs.

    

 

All the Cabinets - More isn't always better. More efficient is. That 16 foot span of wall cabinets may not be needed if we utilized the base cabinets to be more efficient with deep drawers or pull outs for specialty appliances. Having a home for everything you need to access in the kitchen is the most important thing. if you have 3 crock-pots and want to keep them all, we need to find a home for all those in the new design.

Materials - Easy to clean. That is my first priority in a kitchen. Everyone who cooks can be messy at some point. Oh you really like that white carrara marble but use turmeric (stains a lot of materials even if sealed) a lot in your cooking? That is probably not the best material for you then. Using a material like quartz or something that achieves the look you want but also giving you the functional counter so you don't worry about the bottle of red wine you left on the counter and left a ring that you cant get out easily.

These are just a few things to consider when thinking of remodeling a kitchen. A designer should be able to guide you in making the best decisions for your kitchen you are planning to spend a decent amount of money on. We want it to last for years so selections are important as far as quality, function and aesthetics. 

If you have a project in mind but just don't know where to start, we can help! Contact us! 

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S Squared Design

The Heights Oasis

When two people live under one roof for the first time, compromise is key. Thankfully for this couple of young professionals, there was little compromising to be had. Their home in the Heights was designed with the bigger picture in mind: achieving harmony and balance. From living room, dining room, to bed room, a continuity runs through much like a serene river delivering peace and calm to each space. Deep, rich walnut offers structure to the neutral hues of gray and blue, with accented silver like reflections of sunrays off water.

 

 The living room serves as the center of the home, complete with fireplace and piano to make it a truly warm and inviting space. Because the fireplace is tucked away in a corner, it can’t exactly serve as a focal point in this living room despite matching the color and textures of the flooring and furniture. This presented an interesting design challenge, but strategic placement of furnishings, artwork, and other important pieces is crucial to overcoming this obstacle. For example, L-shaped sectional helps to close off a space where guests can enjoy the warmth from the fire in the comfort of the low, streamlined sofa that opens up the entire room. 

 

Two living room must-haves: pooch-proof furniture and a piano. Imagine snuggling up with your pup, humming along to a sweet melody played by your significant other. This couple wanted just that: furniture that was comfortable, durable, and stylish where they could relax with their dog and guests alike.

This living room lends a relaxed mid-century modern feel with geometric patters accenting the neutral colors and natural woods. The furnishings feature crisp lines that offer straightforward functionality and organization to the room.

Old fashionistas may tell you that black and brown can simply never, ever go together- but that rule is simply outdated! While we can’t escape the black plastic of today’s entertainment technology necessities, we can definitely embrace it. No need to hide these sleekly engineered gadgets: placing an equally sleek, black leather seat does the job to incorporate all these tech items nicely into the rich array of browns featured in the natural wood floor and cabinets. 

Flowing from the living room is the dining area. The deep wood and subtle curves of the chairs complement the straight cuts of the table. Notice the angle of the chair and table legs: about 30 degrees off center, rather than jutting at a harsh 90 degree angle. This seemingly minute detail vastly changes the room and creates a much more open, inviting atmosphere that is typical of the mid-century modern design. 

 

White lacquer: so sleek, so chic! This ‘dry bar’ table is one of the most beautiful, simple, and sophisticated pieces added to the house. Though small enough to flush against a wall, this narrow two-tiered table is incredibly functional and streamlined, just as mid-century modern designers intended. Setting rich, polished wooden dishes on this white lacquer table catches the eye: an intriguing juxtaposition.

 

Think this home could get any more serene? Enter: the master bedroom. This room was designed to achieve ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation. White bed linens symbolize purity that allow you to begin and end each day with a clean slate. The white bedding and walls also serve to keep the room looking fresh and clean, while the subtle blues and grays in geometric patterns give shape and interest to the room.

As we’ve explained before, part of the mid-century modern look was bringing the outside, in. The decorations featured above the headboard are custom-made driftwood art, reminiscent of birds’ nests or even sea urchins! Up for interpretation, these beautifully unique pieces are meant to remind the inside onlooker of the wonderful world outside.

This home in the Heights serves as an urban oasis for this young, professional couple to escape from bustling city life with their beloved dog. Incorporating natural elements and hazy gray-blue tones with clean, crisp lines and white lacquer achieve the mid-century modern look with sophistication, ease, and simplicity. 

 

If you have a project in mind but just don't know where to start, we can help! Contact us! 

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S Squared Design

Bathroom: What is Mid-Century Modern? (A short summary)

Not sure exactly what kind of interior design classifies as 'mid-century modern?' Well, you gon' learn today! If you've been a loyal follower of S Squared Design, you've probably seen this term tossed around to describe many projects and pieces. So, what exactly is mid-century modern? 

Obviously, there's an apparent, overarching theme among mid-century modern interiors, but the exact definition of this term is slightly more elusive since styles in this genre can vary so greatly.

 

Mid-century modern design in America developed roughly from the 1930s through 1960s when the middle class attitudes about wilderness, nature, technology, mobility, and city life began to materialize in interior design. To demonstrate, this remodeled master bathroom employs essential aspects of mid-century modern style from monumental design to minute details. (Hint: keep an eye out for tiling, fixtures, patterns, and appliances that bring elements of nature into a highly functional space!)

  

Ceramic, ceramic, ceramic!
With its sleek curves and shiny glaze that disperse light throughout a space, it's no wonder that ceramic is a material of choice for mid-century modern designs. (Look up Heath Ceramics founded in 1948!)

Geometry in Nature

Ever seen honey comb in a bee hive? This tessellation of hexagons patterns the floor in this master bathroom with dark grout and bright white tiles. This contrast emphasizes the shape as found in nature, but the small size of the tiles allows this pattern to subtly complement the rest of the bathroom's design.  

Vintage and the Elements

The white ceramic and silver appliances are of course reminiscent of the 1950s. This vintage design juxtaposed with slate stone tiles is another wonderful example of mid-century modern design: natural elements with the 'latest' technology. 

So, there you have it! A quick run-down of mid-century modern style: where nature meets technology in a sleek, 1950s-esque design!

If you have a project in mind but just don't know where to start, we can help! Contact us! 

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Design Tip: Adding Accent Colors to a Neutral Palette

Color is a difficult thing for many people when designing a space. They know what they like just maybe not the right shade or don't know how much to use.  It is your home, so do what makes you happy but for those of you who don't know exactly how to pull together a space with what makes you happy, here are some pointers! Enjoy!

 Let there be one dominate accent color. Lots of blue on the wall and a single object in red.

 Don't want too much color? Try a neutral palette with a few pieces in a bright colors. Also this makes it easy to change your color scheme when you feel the need.

Bright white is always a great choice when adding really bold colors in a room. It lets the accents speak up. 

 Want to use more than two colors? Of course you can!  Make sure they have enough contrast and are given a neutral background.

Bold wallpaper is always a great way to introduce a color. Make sure to leave the rest of the room neutral enough so the wallpaper is the focus and nothing will compete with it.

If you have a project in mind but just don't know where to start, we can help! Contact us! 

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Picture Perfection in Your Own Home

Why do we share more pictures on the internet than we do in our own home? Let your home share your story! These wall displays make your photos cohesive so you can tell your story in a way that is just as unique as your own life. Enjoy!

 No one wants a 'hole-in-the wall' place! This unique photo rack lets you display many pictures without putting more holes in the wall. Show off your sensibility and sophistication with this sleek setup. 

This arrangement reminds me of mountains and their reflected image from a still lake. I love the visual line that splits the upper and lower photos in the display- it lengthens the wall in a creative and subtle way. 

 Mix and match! This display definitely took a lot of advice from my previous 'Mix and Match' post. Notice how the photos seem random, yet cohesive? It's important to keep even spacing between frames, otherwise this could affect the display's balance and flow. 

Don't let your photos go haywire! Instead, hang them on the wire! This display allows you to easily swap photos and slide frames to keep your memories fresh and fun.

   Life is one big balancing act, and it shows on your wall! Even though this wall is not covered entirely by picture frames, the panoramic photos maintain balanced by symmetry. Again, I love the classic nostalgia that black and white photos give!

  Keep your photos in line! This display is simple yet sophisticated. The clean lines offer order while the black and white photographs portray timeless charm and class.

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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The Eames Lounge Chair.

 The first chair created by American design couple Charles and Ray Eames.  Over the last 6 decades this chair has evolved with the interiors it has been place so carefully in.  This is great design, something that is well-known for over half a century. One day I will own one myself, but for now I dream. I just wanted to share these wonderful interiors.  Enjoy!

Too Cute...Pets on Furniture!

There is something so cute about pets getting on our furniture. We all have done it, try not to let them up on your sofa or chair for various reasons. Maybe it the pet hair, or their nails, or maybe that they weigh just as much as a human and should not be jumping on the furniture. Regardless of why you may or may not let them get their paws on your precious furniture these selected few were too cute! How could you tell that face, No! Enjoy!

  It is safe in here! 

 Who me move?! You want to sit here? 

  What a nice sofa! And it all mine.....until you get home....

  Who you calling lazy? Pretty sure i fit here just fine!

  It looked bigger than it really is....oh well i still kind of fit! 

 This is my spot!

  Play time? Car ride? Outside? YES! 

  This is what i do allllllllll day while you are at work! 

  I am really well behaved at the dinner table and see I can even sit like you!

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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