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
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
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.
- Musee National Picasso – Paris Picasso’s estate, in lieu of taxes, donated many paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics and prints to. It is always insightful to observe an artist’s most personal possessions.
- Paris Discovers Picasso is a personal tour on YouTube.
- MoMa – Has a video showing his earlier work that he sold showcasing Cubism.
- Museu Picasso – Barcelona is also on YouTube.
- The Picasso Museum in Antibes’ Experience France video will further your understanding of the artist.
- Next travel to Musee National Picasso in Vallauris to explore later paintings.
- Go Spain TV via YouTube offers another collection.
- Museo Picasso Malaga in the city where he was born.
- Dialogues With Picasso explores 80 years of Picasso’s career.
Miss traveling, culture, learning something new? Have an adventure!
Part of this information came from the Wall Street Journal, Monday, August 24, 2020.
Transitioning Decorations to Valentine’s Day
We made it through the holidays! This year we had time to sort and showcase our decorations to their best advantage, eliminate dated or tired items and maybe add something new.
So now red can stay out (my favorite color). Eliminate the holiday decor but leave the candles and basics that will transition to Valentine’s Day and gradually add hearts! You don’t have to work so hard to put everything away at once. Enjoy all things red for December, January and February! Set a special place for coffee or tea while you have time to get out your favorites!
Backsplashes Offer a New Look for Your Kitchen
Are you ready for a new look in your kitchen in the new year? A great backsplash can give the entire kitchen an updated look! Your eye goes to a contrast in color so if you want pop then add a backsplash that is colorful. The entire area from the base cabinets to the uppers can be updated. Covering the wall up to the exhaust fan over the stove is also a good idea.
It can be paint in your favorite color or a pattern you find that you love. DIY down and dirty option – use chalk paint for color and you can write on it!
You can use tile or tile banded by narrower tiles of the same or coordinating colors to achieve the desirable height. (Put the cut tiles where they show the least if you can’t use all full tiles.) Ceramic or glass tile will have many options.
Glass, mirror, stainless or copper are a totally different look and again can be combined with tiles or used in specific areas. The smooth surface requires more cleaning so use accordingly.
You can use natural stone or quartz. Either the same surface as the countertop or a contrasting solid color. Backsplashes made from slab can be cut to fit the space in squares, rectangles or slab. We had black galaxy granite on the countertops and the backsplash of our last home. Natural stone does not have to be sealed every year as you often read. It varies from stone to stone. We never resealed the black granite backsplash and regularly need to reseal our current limestone.
Don’t know a kitchen remodeling contractor? The supplier will! Or ask your interior designer!
Looking for inspiration? Visit my Pinterest Kitchen board or the Countertops board.
New Year’s Eve Decor
Baby it’s cold outside so it’s a great time to utilize your holiday decor as you transition from Christmas to New Year’s! Silver and glittery is perfect for a festive table. Fresh flowers added in to baby’s breath, silver ball lights, lighted garland and candles create a New Year’s Eve look that can start in the afternoon and go right on through until midnight! The small battery lighting adds to tabletops – perfect for drama in the dark. To round out your evening, add movies, music, quick pick up food or home gourmet cuisine. Having time to enjoy the small details has some rewards!
Have a Happy New Year!
Filling in an Area with Steps
A home on our street is for sale and I thought the current owner might be a flipper. The home originally had natural stone in the master bath. Although composites are less maintenance, my clients are continuing to use natural stone if it has the characteristics or colors they want. The new owner left the natural stone, improved the landscaping and pool area. But they didn’t make the living room floor level with the surrounding entry, hall and dining areas. Step-downs are a safety hazard and one of the first things noticed when real estate agents are entering the space. People fall at parties or trip during daily use. Filling in a floor requires wheelbarrowing in concrete, having the cement truck funnel in for larger spaces or building a sub floor. It is one of those messy sounding jobs that a lot of people don’t want to get into. However, the return is worth the time. The key is, of course, a contractor that is used to doing it. Most floorcovering professionals can recommend experienced, licensed contractors for your use prior to the installation of new material. All areas should have the same material that are adjoining. In kitchens you want to keep the visual flow intact. Baths are easier because there is a natural break at the door. Wood is the most popular floor covering currently. Using stone or porcelain tile in kitchens and baths allows some variety. So here’s to improvements for 2021! If you are going to be home, it might as well be as good as it can get! Hire a professional for best results!
The Special Beauty of Murano Glass
Since we’re not traveling, I’ll take you on a journey! While working for Barrow’s Furniture witnessing the incoming merchandise was an educational experience! Becoming familiar with the different furniture companies gave me a hands on view of quality. Trying upholstery from various manufacturers allowed a new appreciation for vendors with long standing reputations for quality. But the owners traveled to find accessories from all over the world.
Murano glass (existing since the Middle Ages and moved to the island in 1291 to prevent fires) was a mystery. Some very contemporary designs from an old world origin. It is a particularly European look that integrates the two. The first Murano glass I purchased was in Murano was 20 years ago. We traveled to the island from Venice and listened to a presentation, viewed the facility and the studio. My son loved the champagne flutes. I wanted a carafe. My husband wanted the wine glasses. At least we all liked the same pattern! It is expensive to shop with those two! My next purchase of Murano glass was from an LA showroom – two red hand blown pendants. The remainder of Murano I own is from HomeGoods! If you watch the stickers, you will become accustomed to the Made in Murano style and learn to identify them. Add beauty to your life!
Watch this video showing how a glass is created!
