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LuxeSpecs

LuxeSpecs

A Beautiful and Practical Design Solution

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On a current project in an apartment complex, the client just wasn’t happy with the existing dark brown accent tiles in the master bathroom. Of course, whenever there is contrast your eye goes to the dark color.  So you don’t use contrast unless it is the intended focal point! Up 5 floors, down a long hallway and over new white carpet is not the most ideal tear-out.  And let’s not forget that grout is made of sand and water! I called one of the detail painters I have used for thirty+ years as we have done many custom backsplashes. Would the same paints work to just paint the existing dark tile to a lighter color? Yes! With all of her past experience painting columns to look like stone, blending the new paint with the existing stone would look seamless. Voila! We saved the client time, money and achieved the end result we all wanted!

Art to the Rescue!

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Here is another example of the power of custom detailing! Unsightly AC access doors were in the hall between the main living area and the master bedroom. They were right beside the powder room. From my art file I selected a couple of photos for inspiration. The end result looks nothing like either! The point isn’t to copy; it’s inspiration! The former owner had found a painting large enough to cover the space – a primary colored horse. But the painting needed space to be viewed properly and it had a heavy frame which cluttered the narrow hall space. Dawn Bowman, one of my all-time favorite artists, had a canvas stretched for a perfect fit and painted this neutral piece that carries the eye down the hall to the grey toned master. Interior design professionals have artisans they have worked with for years to call on who can bring the project together!

Filed Under: Art

Cool Vibes for Warm Weather

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When the temperature goes up, we are ready for the beach! No matter the location or price range, a cool color palette of cream, sand, and blues creates a soothing space. With the most popular wood floor a sandy/grey neutral, the next step is upholstery with a casual inviting look. All of these elements can be quickly changed to some holiday pops of color, but for now will continue on with a cool look for summer. Art with sky and or water will carry the feel throughout. Accent pillows pick up the tones. Many options of upholstered chairs have swivel options and do not look like Grandma’s chairs! Rugs with neutrals and blues pull the seating areas together or add a bedroom accent. White is a great bedroom look and again bring in the blue accents. Get the breezy feel whether you are in the desert or on the shore! 

A Perspective on the Real Estate Market

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With a white-hot real estate market, the time to transition to different digs is here! Sell high, buy high. More options should become available as boomers sell the family home or first empty nest home. Where should we go? Adult community with activities and others to socialize with? Near family? Your favorite locale? Certainly, with the changes we have made in the past year we have reflected on what is truly important to us. My clients have decided on comfortable chairs and ergonomic workspaces no matter what age! Swivel rockers and reclining chairs from contemporary to traditional are in demand! AND if you want it all perfect you may be building a new home in your old age! Why compromise in the years when you will be at home the most and may have special needs? Find a good team and create the best age-in-place environment for healthier living.

Happy St Patrick’s Day

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Get out the green! It has been the best year to use what you have!

  • A cream tablecloth
  • A square of shamrock fabric in the center of the table
  • Plastic green plates usually used outdoors
  • Napkins used for other holidays
  • Antique Japanese plates my mother-in-law gave me
  • Guinness all around
  • Reuben sandwiches either purchased or easily made with corned beef or other meats and cheeses as long as you add the sauerkraut!
  • Shamrock cookies for dessert

 

Voila!  You have a festive gathering with very little work!  Don’t you love themed parties!

Interior Baseboards

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Tip of the day!  The Dunn Edwards Evershield Exterior paint is the best for interior baseboards! Who knew? I became more involved with paint selections while choosing colors for my projects only to discover that the painter typically had an account at one store and no matter what company I specified they got a color match from the store with their account. AND it was often the least expensive option. That was one of the reasons I started LuxeSpecs.com. Now I specify color, company and finish. Sherwin Williams is the largest paint company. Behr and Benjamin Moore are also great companies. However, I believe Dunn Edwards makes great exterior paints for our intense heat. Developed originally for southern California and Disneyland, their lab is on the west side of Phoenix. Evershield is such a superior paint that they recommend its use for interior baseboards. Available in a variety of finishes, it has great clean-ability and spread-ability. Every day in design is totally different, while not usually at the paint store, it happens!  Coming Next – an experiment with Farrow and Ball paint to see how much difference there really is! Stay tuned!

Getting cozy

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Many times when my clients move they just want to settle in so we make the most of what they have. Later when they are ready to make improvements, we do upgrades. Most of my clients want the home to be refreshed every few years.

First you see the move in shot. We had a small rug under the cocktail table and could have used one or two chairs between the fireplace and piano. Now well into settling in, homeowners want to be comfortable and aren’t moving anytime soon. Reading and television viewing are priorities.  You’ll see in the after shot, we added a rectangular rug with the curved sofa and fireplace to pull the new chairs together with the curved sectional. The bold black curves in the custom rug pull the television, hearth and piano together. A round black ottoman and round table between the chairs complete the new look.

Do you need a refresh? On most projects the timing is a little slower but my vendors are working hard to be safe while also maintaining their businesses.

Virtual Travel

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We are on the short side of all this down time with vaccine roll out and one thing you might enjoy after Netflix, podcasts, etc. is visiting world famous museums! I have been to many of them. I have managed to go to the most significant on my travels but unless you read a guide, listen to one or have headphone dialogue you may not realize the significance of what you are viewing. Many times we are having a great time with friends or family and art history is not the top priority.

 

 

Miss traveling, culture, learning something new? Have an adventure!

 

Part of this information came from the Wall Street Journal, Monday, August 24, 2020.

Filed Under: Art