Are you still stressing about that bathroom renovation? There's no shame in asking for help. A specialty designer can help you simplify the process and communicate with your subcontractors and installers to be sure you get exactly what you want. Nobody likes an "uh-oh moment" after the grout has set.
If your bathroom is on its last leg and you're dreading the remodel, you're not alone! Nobody loves the idea of tearing into walls, smashing tile, and yanking out those leaky pipes. First the mess, then the stress. There are so many choices out there - it can be mind boggling. You can simplify the process by creating mood boards and browsing the tile shops. I tend to stay away from anything too specific, and stick with classic finishes and colors. There are a lot of elements in a bathroom that are costly and not easily replaced: tile, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, & countertops.
Remember, you can always add a fun paint color to the walls, buy fresh towels, change hardware, and accessorize with art and fabrics to change up the look.
If your guest bath plays double duty as the kids bath, this is a smart choice! My daughter would die to have a super girly pink bathroom, but I prefer to buy loads of pink towels than install pink tile that nobody over the age of 5 will enjoy.
I am so excited to offer a line of beautiful, fully custom, luxury cabinetry to the Houston area! Say Hello to Pennville Cabinets. I can't wait to help make some dreams come true!
If you have a family on the run, you probably grab a lot of quick meals at kitchen bar.
A counter bar is at the same height as the countertop (36 inches high). "The Rules" recommend giving each person 24 inches width and 15 inches depth minimum to eat comfortably. I'm not big on minimums, so I prefer to add 3 inches to both those because there’s often other stuff happening like surfing the web on your laptop or doing a bit of homework.
Read MoreBrass, like men, gets better looking with age. I love the strong comeback brass has made in the past few years. It pops out in the sea of chrome and brushed nickel washing over most interiors.
Brass can be found on most anything, from hardware to furnishings. You can easily add brassy accessories like picture frames or candle holders to bookshelves and mantles.
Be daring.
I mentioned last week that I'm ready to pack away the heavy blankets and slide into summer. When you open the linen closet to swap those flannel sheets for crisp cotton, are you threatened by a mound of linens ready to topple out? Is it a struggle to find a matching set of sheets? If so, then it’s time to reorganize your linen closet!
PURGE: Take inventory of what's in there and toss incomplete or mismatched sets, worn-out or stained linens and anything you no longer use. I like to have two sets of sheets per bed – one for the bed, one for the laundry. After purchasing this amazing flannel set for our bed, I'd love to splurge on a extra set for every bed! Three sets of bath sheets (towels, hand towels and washcloths) for each person in your house and a couple extra sets for guests is adequate. As for blankets or duvets, one for summer and a couple for winter is plenty.
SORT: Next, divide linens you regularly use by room: sheets for bedrooms and towels for bathrooms. Set aside extra pillows, out-of-season bedding and any bulkier, less frequently used items for separate storage. You won’t be reaching for these on a regular basis.
DESIGNATE STORAGE SPACE: Where you keep your everyday linens really depends on the closet space in your home. If you don’t have a central linen closet, then you may store linens right where you use them in each room. For bedrooms, consider storing linens in a closet or a storage bench (I do this in the beach bedrooms, so it's easy for guests to strip and remake beds before leaving). An open shelf vanity or an attractive woven basket can provide towel storage in bathrooms.
ORGANIZE: Plan to store your everyday linens front and center. How you fold and organize them is equally important for convenient putting away and taking out. If you have anyone in your house that claims they can't fold sheets:
Using two different cabinetry colors is a trend that became popular and isn't going away. First, that alternate color was seen most on kitchen islands, but the two color cabinetry look is expanding. Now the two tone look is seen above and below. Choosing lighter cabinets above gives the illusion of less weight while the darker color on the base cabinets feels grounded. This is a modern and stylish way to mix tones, and a great way to give an older, single-color kitchen a fresh look.
You're not a 1960's housewife and your kitchen was probably designed for one by a builder trying to get the best looking kitchen for the least amount of money. Typically, there was little or no thought given to ergonomics, workflow, lighting or storage. If for no other reason than this, you should consider hiring a kitchen designer to help you plan the best possible new kitchen.
A new kitchen is more than installing cabinets and modern appliances. Although the core functions of a kitchen have not changed that much, the things inside the kitchen have changed a lot. In fact, improvements in materials and technology change substantially every couple decades. Without the help of an expert, you're likely to omit some key elements from your plan, without even knowing it.
A kitchen designer's focus is making a kitchen beautiful and work efficiently. Kitchen designers know about what works and what doesn't. Designers learn from new and past clients what they do and don't like about their old kitchens. We can help you to choose and incorporate features that are right for your particular needs and how to avoid pitfalls in kitchen design. A kitchen designer will draw plans that help you to better visualize the space and provide necessary documents to obtain a permit and plans for your contractor to work from.
How Much Does a Kitchen Designer Cost? There are many different ways to hire a kitchen designer, and fees will range from "no charge" to $150 per hour. The expense depends mostly upon whether they are selling you their design service or if the service is bundled with something else, for instance your kitchen cabinet purchase. Personally, I like to separate my design fees from my product cost so all numbers are transparent for my client.
An architect may seem like the obvious choice, but may not be your best option for kitchen work. Architects have excellent technical abilities, but not all have the specific knowledge to help you achieve kitchen nirvana. Most architects do not keep up on kitchen products and trends, nor do most have the critical insights offered by a specialist in kitchen design.
Whatever the cost of your kitchen designer, they may very well end up saving you money by helping you get the very best prices on the cabinets, appliances and contractor services.
Open Shelving / Bistro Style has surged in popularity over the past few years and while many have questioned whether it’s timeless (including me) it’s a look that so many of us embrace and ranks high on many a homeowner’s list as an opportunity to showcase pretty dishes or glass containers within easy reach.
Tile to the Ceiling is one of my favorite looks. These "wow walls" of tile and texture go straight up to the ceiling and/or wrap around windows. Sure it’s an added expense and unnecessary for function, but what a statement it makes!
The right lighting can make an average space sparkle - but you'll need to be adventurous and, unless you find a treasure at the bottom of a junk pile, be ready to spend some bucks.
Since I am a big fan of not paying retail (are you?), I am prepared to search and bargain for something special. I found my island lights for the beach kitchen for only $100 each at Round Top. For the over 12 ft. island - I needed something big. With some spray paint, synthetic rope and left over wire, I added a substantial design element to the space.
If you you like this look, you're in luck! Industrial and Vintage style lights are trending big, so you can find them almost anywhere. Check our your local big box store, online, ebay and craigslist. If your're in the Houston Area, wait for the Round Top Antiques Fair. You won't be disappointed. Check here for upcoming dates and lodging information.
I'm working with some repeat clients who happen to also be easy-going, creative, and realistic. They are remodeling a mid-century beauty in Houston (this is their third MCM reno!). The kitchen is my focus on this project and I've got tons of inspiration that I want to inject. I love when clients have a strong direction!
I'd love to add the black field stone tiles in the ground level of the beach house, but in a more traditional installation. Something like this, perhaps?
