Ceiling fans (Casablanca, Hunter) like air registers and garage doors (Lodi and Bullfrog) may not need to be the focal point.
What is your focal point-art, the view? Keep this in mind and colorize accordingly with these items.
Design
Kitchen Renovations
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 photo and now anchors the island. State-of-the-art Miele appliances allow the typical old kitchen look to disappear and the new integrated kitchen to emerge. What was a separate dining room and living room are now combined into one open space. Visual space with freedom for homeowners and guests to interact is the new norm. An original door to the exterior (There were already sliding doors.) was eliminated and a flat screen TV that can be viewed from the island and dining area was added.
If you can’t find the appliances, we have achieved our goal! The seamless cooktop in black surrounded by black granite with the granite, marble, mirror and metal combination mosaic as the new focal point of the wall. The hood is directly above the cooktop – another new option! The island has a quartz seamless top. Suspended lighting in modules completes the look with added cans above. This is the third kitchen this team has created and even with visuals to assist homeowners with the “new” look a trust factor between team members allows for more creativity. Let the tear out begin!
Including Asian Accessories in Your Home
When “Crazy Rich Asians” was #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 the diversity and personalization of your interior. It has been interesting in my own travels to discover a piece at Giverny that Monet admired.
My Pinterest board – Asian Vibe has examples of pieces that most of us take for granted as a part of American interiors. Pictured: Chinese apothecary chest with contemporary accents, sculpture of sailing woman with THE umbrella, antique mandolin, hand painted silk kimono next to an antique female memory board, a contemporary brass sculpture with the vibrant Chinese red charger, a paper mache fish on a red leather box with shell and quartz log backdrop. Mix it up and enjoy your treasures!
Need a new look for fall? Bring in old and new additions from this wonderfully artistic culture.
My Very Own Age-In-Place Bathroom
After many years of design-new builds and remodels, it was time to create an updated bath for our own home! I kept two parts: the tub (rarely used) and the glass door! Originally there was an angled wall facing the entrance for privacy in the shower but baths are more open now. The restriction was exterior walls on two sides. There was not enough drop for a side drain but we could move the shower to the one outside wall and the door allows for full access to the shower area if needed. The new quartzite Taj Mahal tub surround is deep enough to sit on two sides. Great for sitting while facing the shower or applying lotion after. It’s also a safety feature as you can sit on the surround, pivot and lift your legs into the tub. The limestone floor and shower walls combine with the spa rock, natural stone deco band and Porcelanosa tub facing. The Toto Washlet has been an excellent experience. Shower shelves, hand held spray and grab bar complete the new look. The bath looks much more spacious and inviting plus the new materials are easier to clean.
Porcelanosa Tile
And the remodeling continues! Gray remains the dominant color. For a recent shower remodel, after an extensive search, it was back to natural materials: cream limestone and Taj Majal quartzite for the tub surround with Porcelanosa tiles on the tub skirt. Maybe the Sherwin Williams forecast of sand tones will soon filter to tile for more options!
Walking the streets of Paris a week later, we saw a Porcelanosa showroom! They have a veneer with a photo finish of real marble that is an improvement over quartz. Great company with great products! Check their website for ideas and products. Porcelanosa is available locally at Facings of America in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Pillow Impact
Recently a client of many years wanted to revamp her home to possibly accommodate live-in help. She thought she wanted to open the kitchen to the living room and bar seating for television viewing. However, we decided that expanding the kitchen would have taken too much of the living room space and the existing fireplace would have been less attractive with a television incorporated. Instead we put the television on the wall common with the kitchen. Then added a new sofa, two lounge chairs as well as a table and four chairs for bridge. We changed the draperies from dark to light and used a rug she already owned. The updated look is a refreshing change but the biggest impact was from the pillows! The client had an old, worn rug with perfect colors. The upholsterer based the pillow sizes on the pattern so they are varied. They are the most interesting accent and pull together the room colors. Instead of pairs or common sizes we used varying sizes. What was the media area is now the office and the former office an en suite for a live-in!
Let’s hear it for Traditional!!
Are you a hold out for a more traditional interior even though all we’ve seen and heard for years “now” is contemporary?
Current TV programming such as Bridgerton and Outlander make all of your favorite treasures come to life again! Check the shows for inspiration and dare to incorporate your own spin on integrating your favorite pieces.
After years in design working on so many second homes, I admit it is fun to see these interiors with the continuity you just can’t get from an eclectic look. The brand new pieces fit the spaces exactly and the finishes and fabrics blend from room to room.
However, nothing says home like your favorite furnishings surrounding you! So don’t hold yourself back! If you love the traditional style with an eclectic mix of colors, woods and finishes, make it your own and enjoy!
Color Makes Big Impact
From dark to light is the least expensive way to make changes to your décor whether it be wall color or cabinetry. In this home, the client selected a gray tone even though my color choice was slightly closer to the travertine color on the floors. The rugs in the kitchen with both colors pulled the palette together. A new lighting fixture replaced the ceiling fan. An updated lighter look!
