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 the diversity and personalization of your interior.  It has been interesting in my own travels to discover a piece at Giverny that Monet admired.

A new board on Pinterest – 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.  

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 that can be individually switched on.
• Drawers in cabinets or banks of drawers make access and visibility easier.  I have three banks of drawers and pull out drawers behind doors, including the recycling drawer, 3 office drawers (It would be better if one of these was a file drawer for kitchen related appliances and recipe info.), spices, baking, pots and pans.  
• A lazy susan in the corner is another convenience.
• Set 48”  paths in kitchen walkways wherever possible.  If there isn’t enough space for 48” on all sides then it is fine to use 36” in combination.  They don’t all have to be the same, ask a designer to help with the balance.
• Lever handles are easier than knobs. Now the touch-activated faucets offer another easy option.
• Grab bars can double as towel bars.  There are pretty options!
• Areas lowered to chair height also work for wheelchairs.

Visit my Ageing In Place board at Pinterest!

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 living area or a new addition.  All of the electrical lines coming from the main breaker box or boxes are extended to the new height and the new duct work added.  During the recent recession, it was typical to “make do” but with the improved economy more homes are being totally remodeled or torn down.  Building permits are needed for this extensive work.  A contractor oversees the work with drawings from an architect or architectural designer.  Interior designers do the best space planning with furnishings in mind and colorization!

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!