Blog

Contemporary backdrops! Roche Bobois ads illustrate the huge difference between plain drywall with a lonely piece of art compared to a backdrop with significant interest! The settings vary from Asian, Old World, color drops, extensive lighting and some are quite simple. Our current contemporary trend allows for expression or a...

Remember all of those mosaics in the entries of McMansions? Initially those were made in the US with laser jet cutting techniques. Then they started to come in from China and the local market diminished. With the recession behind us the technology is being used for the most beautiful mosaics!...

Personalizing your space may involve photos you love including friends, family trips, favorite mementos and colors that make you feel glad to be home! BUT these can be added in a manner that allows the next owner to make the space personally theirs!

While looking for client tile choices recently, I saw this indoor/outdoor porcelain tile. So European and inviting! It would make a perfect outdoor table top for the patio table with glass that is such a maintenance issue! My regular tile contractor had the new top completed in no time with...

Halloween is fast approaching! The witches and goblins are out. You probably need to have some friends over or just enjoy a few changes in your interior, The friendly witch on the fireplace hearth is standing in front of an antique mortar and pestle filled with the popular headbands that...

What happens when a contractor/owner, award winning interior designer and an experienced showroom owner of European cabinetry walk into a bar-less kitchen?  Investigation ensues!  We are looking for supporting walls to see how much can be removed!  In the kitchen pictured, the supporting wall was on the right in the...

It’s no longer the quick in and out that new appliances with delivery and a plug in used to be!  If the appliances involve wood panels then the cabinet maker typically has to make new ones.  If the sizes vary then additional detailing ensues with molding added, countertop materials ground...

With Crazy Rich Asians #1 at the box office, it gave me pause to appreciate all of the beautiful Asian accessories clients have used over the years.  You can easily integrate with most styles special art objects purchased from travel, items passed down or treasures discovered. You can add to...

Luxury homes and aging in place are very compatible from a design standpoint!  We all want our kitchens to be welcoming gathering spots in our homes.  First address lighting – Use under-cabinet and in-cabinet to highlight details then recessed ceiling cans and pendants over the island to create layered looks...

Make your home more fire resistant if you are building in a location that is fire prone.  These considerations can give you peace of mind if drought or forest fire management continue to be an issue. Stucco walls with no open seams Aluminum doors and windows Class A fire-resistant roof...

These pictures show flexible duct running through the crawl space in a remodel.  If there is enough room for the duct, the low ceiling areas can be raised.  If you want higher ceilings than this allows then the roof in those sections is typically removed. Most homeowners start with the...

Dreaming of a kitchen remodel? And you’re a serious cook? Maybe your caterers need extra space when you’re entertaining? A Wall Street Journal article recently discussed the appliances in three southern California homes. Let's see which ones you need!