A guide for a dining room chandelier is to hang it 60-66″ from the floor. Bathroom sconces are typically 66″ from the finished floor. If you have a console table in your design, add the outlet 28″ high from the finished floor to eliminate cords showing. Light switches placed 1-1/2″ – 2″ from the door casing won’t interfere with art.
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!
This primary bedroom is an example of why designers end up doing construction! We often have to cover up others’ errors!
The wall you see when you enter any space is a natural focal point. In bedrooms, the bed should be on this wall. If the architect or contractor adds windows to this wall, it complicates the design. This large Maitland-Smith screen has been used in two other primary suites against plain walls with fabric panels that matched the coverlet for more color. I prefer it to a headboard. My next choice would be artwork that is nearly as wide as the bed.
But in this house, the window creates an awkward layout. Eliminating half of the window would also be an option but that requires work on the outside of the house as well as remodeling on the inside. Covering half of the window with the screen was a compromise.
The French doors and half open window bookend the screen to create balance. It’s not perfect but livable!
I was able to re-use the rug and Marge Carson bedside chests. It’s home!
The kitchen had potential – nice quality cabinets, a view, and space to improve.
So I made improvements:
Some longtime clients elected to return to Scottsdale after several homes here and in southern California. They had lived in the Kierland area previously. The grandkids are off to school and now is the time for a casual lifestyle with dining and shopping within walking distance. The grandchildren enjoy the same amenities while visiting!
We started the project just as the first COVID vaccinations were available and prior to the furniture scarcity that was to come. We were within a block of a great furniture store that had inventory to deliver!
The entry to the apartment was dark. We lightened the walls with a wash, added a Century console table, Marge Carson triple mirrors and vibrant Visual Comfort lamps achieve the light and bright look we wanted.
The first fabric we chose to work with is picture 4770. The blues in the fabric picked up the surrounding blue sky, the neutrals of the desert with the lush green golf course grounding the palette. The fabric was used for two pillows in the chairs with the view beyond. With a deadline looming and company descending, we chose neutral upholstery and a hand knotted rug to anchor the seating. The natural feel of the cocktail table pulls in nature from the view. The draperies add warmth with the view commanding top priority. Custom art by Betty Hahn and a metal sculpture by John Gleason coordinate with the dining/ living area.
All of the cabinetry was painted a soft gray. The adjoining kitchen had travertine floors. A long runner with gray and taupe was custom sized to blend the colors for the kitchen.
We purchased a dining table and added simple chairs and a new chandelier. The area has its own sparkle while still adding continuity.
Both the primary bedroom and the media area are also visible from the entertainment area. The primary bedroom has an upholstered high headboard, matching bedside chests with mirrors and lamps. The media room’s large contemporary painting adds color to the entire living area.
The guest bedroom and bath feature a bright blue accent color in the fabrics, a chest and bath wallpaper.
Sconces and a beaded valance to frame the view were added to the powder room along with art and a new wash on the walls.
Textured white wool carpet was added to the rooms adjoining the main entertainment area. The end result is light, welcoming and comfortable. A place to relax and venture out to Scottsdale amenities or snuggle in for the next vacay!
It is so tempting to purchase a new piece of art, get it back to your home and wonder where it will fit in. During my design career I have purchased hundreds of pieces of art! Typically, if the client likes a particular style, the art follows through with their likes. My favorite method is selecting art first! The more open the areas of the home are the more necessary it is for the pieces to complement each other. As you get further into collecting, you consider what location the new piece will occupy and if others will need to be rearranged. Within an area, there should be a main focal point – the outside view, fireplace or a piece of art. While staying at the Peabody in Memphis, our room had a mirror with a scene painted on it in neutral tones. What a discovery! A space needs only one landscape, one floral, etc.
Here is yet another medium to add to the mix. While on my vacation, the client I was working with decided to part with the older bedroom furniture and complete the newer contemporary look. A large mirror was above the pop up TV chest. I suggested we use it in the living room. My miraculous painter added the tree and voila! We had completed the area!
One more option with variety over redundancy!
These are clients I have worked with for many years. They need an update from time to time! It is so gratifying to work with returning clients as the results get better and better. The living area in this remodel has a new rug, two chairs, a small round table and ottoman. Look at the difference! Stay tuned for new additions.
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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