Designing Smart and Healthy Spaces: COVID19

All of us have been affected by COVID19 and before this pandemic time design requirements looked a little bit different.  Hospitals and medical settings were on the forefront of sanitizing and preventing spread of germs in interior design. That importance is spreading into everyday design for residential, office and restaurant/hospitality design. A majority of my design work is residential but occasionally a small office or hair salon make it into my design work.

Keeping surfaces clean is making its way to being top priority for everything aspect of life. This can start with interior designers doing their part when sourcing materials for projects. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has been doing it's part in recognizing designs that take it's impact on the world seriously and making better design choices for the greater good. I am happy to see that I see more LEED residential projects each year and this is what we need as a society. Better materials, smarter design and overall less negative impact on us.

To touch on a few key points, clean-ability, durability and sourcing local have always been important in my design selections for clients. Now these will still remain important but now we add another up and coming important element in material selections, killing bacteria! There are materials out there that have anti-microbial elements to help kill and keep surfaces cleaner and less likely to spread diseases. Some materials commonly in hour home that could have a healthier option to a traditional material. Countertops, tile and paint are all good places to start when designing a kitchen or bathroom in your home.  Silestone is one of those manufacturers who design their material to help keep bacteria away and not penetrate into the surface.

Another company that takes killing germs seriously is Sherwin Williams, they have formulated a paint called paint shield that is seen mostly in hospitals for it's ability to kill surface bacteria quickly. I think we will see that product in homes more often since COVID19.

Tile is also one of those materials that can be formatted to be easier to clean and resist bacteria to grow on it's surface. Natural stone tiles isn't always the best choice as something like a porcelain might be better suited for a certain application. Interceramic is another manufacturer who is taking "green" design seriously in not only commercial spaces but applying that into residential spaces. Having safer, smarter and cleaning materials will improve our quality of life and reduce our chances of spreading germs.

Sometimes these materials might be more costly than it's less health conscious option nut in the long run your health is important and these materials with these technologies can last you longer therefore remodeling as often might not be needed. When thinking of your next design project, remember there are healthier material optinos and you should ask your designer for these if this is an important thing for you.

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

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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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City Home Fit for a New Family!

This family with a newborn was in the market for a new home: their very first house, in fact! Since taking care of a brand new human is task enough, this family didn't want to totally start from scratch. With a few ideas in mind of what they wanted, we didn't need to gut the whole place- just update it a bit. The kitchen was the focal point of the design update, and the rest of the home flowed from there. We were even able to incorporate a lot of their existing furniture into this mid-century modern home. The family wanted to start living in their new home right away with an updated, modern style they always wanted. Take a look at how we achieved a budget-friendly home face lift!

Where light is sparse, it's imperative that you amplify the available light by using colors and sleek appliances that allow sunlight to dance around. This kitchen has a decent-sized window at the sink area as well as a glass double-door that lets enough light in. To keep the light growing, the back splash was finished with limestone tiles.

A great cost-saving measure is to keep your cabinetry and just change the doors and hardware. Here, we just replaced the plain cabinet doors with new textured glass doors. We painted the cabinets light gray to modernize it from the old oak that aged and darkened the kitchen before. The cabinets also got brand new brushed steel hardware to complete this new, modern look.

I know it's hard, but please stop staring at this gorgeous counter top. Look up! We installed a new pot rack that fits perfectly over the enormous island. No need to hide your pots, pans, spatulas, or ladles- put your tools on display! This makes for very easy access and increases your amount of storage.

One of the most fabulous upgrades to this kitchen is the sparkling quartz counter top! This shiny surface looks especially amazing on the brand-new extended peninsula. This is like going from being stranded on a desolate Florida Key isle to partying on the mainland peninsula: it's not a far or difficult trip, and it's definitely well worth it.

 

"Seeing red" doesn't always mean getting angry. Rather, it often just means getting energized! This couple wanted to use red as an accent color throughout their home, which otherwise maintains a soothing, calming palette. The red accent rugs in the kitchen and beneath the dining room set give warm, joyful pops of color that can be found throughout the house.

This beautiful dining room set was seamlessly transplanted into this upgraded mid-century modern home. Pro tip: chairs with larger, higher backs sometimes section off a space. To keep a 'flowing feeling,' set a bench at the side of the table adjacent to a walkway. That way, nothing 'visually blocks' a pathway to another room, which even makes the dining area even more inviting.

A home with kids doesn't have to be void of all 'adult' forms of entertainment. This four-tiered wine rack and minibar flushed against the wall is incredibly convenient when entertaining guests. Just out of reach of children, but perfectly placed for adults to open a bottle of wine, relax and easily spend time with their friends.

The living room features a gray scale color palette with pops of red in textiles. The art above the couch brings in a bit more color while keeping in line with the streamlined, modern look of the house. 

For mid-century modern houses, bringing outside elements inside the home is quintessential. For example, natural brick is generally associated with the facade of a house, but here it is featured in the family room.

 

The 'cozy' is strong with this one. A genuine fire place nestled inside a brick cladding makes you just want to cuddle up, doesn't it?! Here, photos of this loving family are displayed on the wooden mantle in sleek white frames.

This reading nook for two is modern yet cozy, flowing naturally from the living room. The shelving in this home library is perfect for putting books on display, or whatever else you'd like. I love the woven ottoman here! It is modern, playful, and functional (and fairly reminiscent of a giant hacky sack, which is probably the real reason I love it so much).

 

And last (though usually first) is the entry way! This first impression of your home is an important one. Organized and minimalist, the first few steps you take through the door are sure to give you a good idea of what else is in store. In this case, you're sure to find a blend of modernity and comfort in a neutral color scheme with pops of energizing color, fit for a new family's home.

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 Details: 5 Tips for a Perfect Kitchen

When designing a kitchen there is a lot that goes into it. Things that you may have never thought about until your designer brought them to your attention. Things like what counter top edge or a handle or knob for your cabinets do you prefer. These are things that can bring your kitchen together and make it reflect you.  Whether you are doing a few small kitchen upgrades or gutting and starting over these are some good things to keep in mind. Enjoy!

Tile: Stone? Glass? Ceramic? Think about how you cook, do you splatter occasionally or are you as neat as can be? These make a difference when selecting a tile for your back splash and even your floor.  Stone is a natural product which many people like but if not sealed properly it can be prone to stains and if the stone tile is heavily textured it could get food particles stuck in the crevices. Glass is pretty easy to clean,  not usually a good idea for floors. Now it can show fingerprints and water spots but those disappear once you wipe it off. Ceramic tile is a good inexpensive option and durable.  Ceramic comes in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes so if you are looking for ceramic you will can easily find something you like.

Lighting: Overhead and Task Lighting is important in a working kitchen. Usually when doing a remodel recessed lights are a great choice but don't forget about task lighting. Under cabinet lighting is a great choice fr task lighting. Overhead light can be blocked by your shadow when doing tasks like cutting veggies. Make sure not to overlook this important detail that can make cooking in your kitchen more functional. 

Counter Tops: Granite? Concrete? Wood? Granite has reigned champion for many years now and yes it is durable, its a rock. But there are other options and regardless what material you choose think about the finished edge of your counter top. Bull nose is commonly used in more traditional designs or a rounded bevel edge but think beyond your neighbors kitchen. If you are going for a more modern look then maybe a 90 degree edge is best.  Granite is abundant but who knows how long we will be able to source it. Keep in mind granite does need to be sealed and every year or so you could reseal it to keep it looking great. Concrete, this versatile man-made material is making a splash in the residential interior design world.  Concrete counter top fabricators can make exactly what you want; you can get any color you want by staining it and you can also get additional materials set in the concrete. I have done a concrete with recycled glass set in it and it turned out great! So no it doesn't have to be just grey. Wood Counter tops are making a comeback! For people who do a lot of prep work (chopping) a wood counter could be your own built in butcher block! But some prefer only doing a certain section of their counters in wood. Also wood can be used as an interesting bar material. A slab of wood with a live edge can be a great accent in a kitchen and even a conversation piece. 

Cabinet Hardware: Handle or Knob? Think how you grab to open a drawer or cabinet. This will help you make a comfortable decision.  Some prefer knobs that are easy to grab others prefer pulls or a handle style. If you have a tendency to brush against the cabinets and snag your clothes then something with a smooth edge or doesn't stick out too far is probably what you want to keep in mind when looking for new cabinet hardware.  Also placement on the drawer or cabinet can make a difference in ease of use.

Cabinet Finish:Gloss or Matte Think about the other elements in your kitchen. Did you go with a glossy glass back splash or high gloss counters? You want some variety in your materials. Try to not make every surface the same gloss level. If you have high shine on back splash and/or counters then consider doing a more matte finish on cabinets. If you go with a natural stone that has a matte finish then high gloss cabinets can be a good choice to create more interest. 

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Working With an Interior Designer: What to Know

When most people are looking to hire an interior designer, they usually think of the finishes: what colors or textures they want and forget there is so much before that point to achieve the aesthetic a client is looking for. An interior designer goes beyond whats on the surface and begins focus on the space itself.  How a person uses, travels through, and envisions the space as whole unit.  Want to learn more? Then read on!

What an interior designer does:  For starters, an interior designer has an education and professional experience.  Interior designers consult with you to help determine project goals and objectives, generate ideas for the functional and aesthetic possibilities of the space, create illustrations and renderings, develop documents and specifications relative to interior spaces in compliance with, allocate, organize and arrange a space to suit its function, manage construction and installation of design, select and specify fixtures, furnishings, products, materials and colors, purchase products and fixtures.  When to hire one: When you are too busy to do it all yourself.  A designer will help you save time and money. If you spend vast amounts of time flipping through design magazines or websites looking for design ideas. When you are open to suggestions. An interior designer will do the work for you and get it right the first time.

What it will cost: Some designers work on hourly, flat, cost plus fees. In my experience my clients like to know what they are paying up front.  After our initial design consultation, I work up a flat fee for the project and provide you with details about the project. This ensures you truly will be happy with our design.

Be sure the designer is a good match for your style.  Look through their website, take a look at past projects and find reviews of them. These will give you a better idea of their work and if you think they would be a good fit for you.

Collect samples.  Have photos of interiors or products you like. These help the designer get a visual of what you like. There are great websites for ideas such as houzz and pinterest. 

Decide in advance which pieces must stay.  Sometimes you want to get rid of everything and start over, and that can be done, but think about what you like. You purchased items in your home because you liked them. So go through your home or room and pick out what you want to be re-worked into the design. If you truly want to start with a clean slate, that works too but keep in mind a realistic budget when doing so.

Involve the designer as early as possible in the building process. The earlier the better. This will prevent moving backwards or having to re-do something. If you are building a new home and have the option to select your flooring, cabinets, counter tops, fixtures and paint this is when a designer should be brought in.  They can make sure all of the selections work with each other and then move into the next design phase.

Try to have all household members present at the outset. Whoever is using the space it is best to have them present in the decision making. This ensures the proper design elements are present and happiness in the design will be achieved. Ask the designer to clarify billing procedures.  Make sure everyone is on the same page with billing. This is something to be discussed early in the project to ensure a smooth progress throughout the design process.

Keep an open mind.  An interior designer will have other ideas that you may have not considered. You want your home to reflect you and be unique. There might be things your designer shows you that you love but had never heard of before and that is what will make you truly happy with the finished space.

Look toward refreshing down the road. Interior design is always evolving which means your needs and/or taste may change over the years and that is ok. Let your interior change with you.  It is living art, embrace it.

If you are ready to make your house a dream home please contact us, we would love to help make that happen!

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