In this instance we choose to keep the corbels supporting the fireplace mantle thus determining the spacing and scale. The terra cotta marble was replaced with travertine tying in the nearby front entry flooring. Plants and existing art work complete the new look!
Colors go through cycles. Gray has been in for many years now – maybe 10 or more. In the cycle of design that is a long time! Many of my clients had a warm base of wood or stone and therefore NEVER wanted gray.
I just finished a renovation at the end of the year. Existing warmer tones and updating numerous baths and counter-tops led to material searches that were not easy. Gray was the dominant color and not integrating it would create a lack of continuity throughout the home. From six sources, there were three options for replacing the dated wall tile in the tub and shower areas. The materials used – included wood, carpet, three different quartz colors for counter-tops, bath wall tiles and porcelain bath floors – were all compatible but hints of gray were there.
On a recent home tour I attended, the master shower was gray and the remainder of the home was warm tones. The shower looked out of context.
So, no doubt, gray has to be going as its been the longest gray run we have ever had. If you’re selecting for a new build or renovation, work harder for a newer look so your project is not dated upon completion! Don’t go for easy, go for the most return on your investment.
How attached are you to your furniture? When I paid $1000 each for Kindle Queen Anne dining chairs in the ‘80s I expected them to be with me forever! But the next house had 12-15’ ceilings and they looked like dollhouse furniture. Our son moved back to Arizona and the problem was temporarily solved as his new home had low ceilings! I found the perfect chairs for my new move at a great price during the recession and now we’re into contemporary! Maybe the younger generation has the best idea – inexpensive furniture that gets dumped every time you move! Or if you furnish the home perfectly the new owner may want to purchase the furniture.
AND what about the family pieces that have memories? I had to part with the Bentwood rocker my husband gave me before we were married, but no one had ever sat in it – too deep!
So what is your goal? A breathtaking space that is perfect or room full of memories?
Today’s “in” look is a free standing tub but if one wants to age-in-place, a lower tub is a better option. You can specify the tub you want. Most showrooms have tubs you can try for comfort. The back slant and length are important. If the tub is to have a deck so you can use it to sit, put your shoes on, lotion up or swing your legs into the tub, the distance from the tub rim to the edge detail can be close to 10”. This is sufficient for sitting and easier cleaning than a deeper deck. A separate spray located on the outer side will allow for rinsing the tub. The height of the deck should be chair height – 17” so adjust the flooring under the tub for this height and tie in any windowsills with back-splash material. Specify a honed finish on the floor and a soft rug to step on with your wet feet! The comforts of home!
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Remodeling with someone that knows what they are doing makes all the difference. After thirty years in interior design, the input on this last project used all of my resources combined experience!
We left the travertine in the large entry because it had a beautiful inlaid pattern.
All of the other floor coverings were changed. Wood connected the kitchen and family room (two partial walls were removed that had separated the space). The large living room was difficult to configure with area rugs so we added new carpet there and in the master. The office to the side of the entry has new wood. 6” base was added everywhere we added new flooring and painted white to match the existing doors.
The old fireplace was updated with travertine to tie back in to the entry.
A powder room adjoins the entry. A new cabinet, pendent and hexagon tile updated that area.
New countertops were added in all of the baths and laundry. All are quartz. The lower maintenance of quartz made sense and it was difficult to find travertine slabs. The new bath floors are all porcelain in 24” squares. The home was built in the 80s and it was necessary to replace the sinks and lav sets. The bath bars were added in all the baths except the new master that received pendants and additional ceiling cans. One shower and one tub area now have new large format tiles in a linen pattern replacing small tiles with flashing.
A new tub in the master replaces the jetted one that was uncomfortable.
The previously remodeled kitchen has a new backsplash and hand painted herbs on the soffit.
Several months of coordinating materials and the house is ready for another 10-20 years. Is it stunning? No, it comfortable and current!
Home offices range from a collection spot to dark paneled walls lined with books, an enormous desk and an executive chair! Perhaps your home has several functional work spaces to separate personal from business. At High Point Market, I saw cabinets doubling or looking like bars with drop-down lids concealing a laptop and cubbies. So work spaces take on many looks. Select the spaces where you will be comfortable enough to get the work done.
• A comfortable chair and good lighting are top priorities! Love my Aeron chair! The working height and chair adjustments are critical for your body alignment. Typical height is 30” but typing space may be lower. Arms should be horizontal. One chair suffices for both areas if it swivels.
• Lighting, view and privacy all enter in to the equation.
• With built-ins against the wall, a knee hole space between cabinetry file drawers and an additional desk in front, you create two work spaces. Desk and countertops provide space for sorting and stacks.
• Wood? Higher maintenance than a harder surface.
• Want to leave the mess? Locate the work area out of public sight or with doors.
• Electrical may need to be added along with a whole-house surge protector.
• Having files in an area and a workspace in another allows for more movement.
• A smartspeaker can add motivating music or something fun to dance to for an exercise break!
Want some inspiration? Visit my Pinterest board – Home Office
We’ve all been in the white wall phase for a few years now and it’s time to add some contrast! The new photos on my Paint and Wall Finishes board on Pinterest will give you inspiration to add a dark wall -charcoal, navy, purple? You may need a second opinion (like a great interior designer!) as not every area will be enhanced by this addition, but in the right place it adds the wow! Add it to unify space in the hall with the great pop of color at the end. Powder rooms are often conducive to a dark contrast. Bedrooms become cozy incubators. And there is always the man-cave / office with an alternative to dark wood. Take a look at your spaces and go from boring to brilliant!
