BJs kitchen is all planned out. After reviewing my mockups, we chose specific colors in the space, tweaking from the virtual as we felt necessary. BJ is a super shopper and has been a very hands-on client, finding a great deal on discontinued Marmoleum (we opted for a cream and terracotta checkerboard as opposed to the plainer looking cork floor).
Colors: For the base cabinets we chose BM Knoxville Gray, which has undertones of blue and green and should really pop against the warmer tones of the floor. Upper cabinets, walls and ceiling will be BM Lancaster Whitewash, which I love because it is a warm, creamy off-white that looks like old white furniture that's aged over time. For subtle contrast, we chose BM White Dove for the trim and tin backsplash/wainscoting. In an under-used alcove of the kitchen, we decided to use off-the-rack base cabinets that are the same style as the rest of the cabinets in the room. This will give the family a place to store countertop appliances and with 5 extra feet of base cabinets, lots more storage and prep space. Bjs contractor will scribe them to fit in the space perfectly, and they will be painted to match the rest of the base cabinets.
All of these changes are not that expensive but will really improve the look and function of the space. I can't wait to see it transformed! Construction starts in less than two weeks!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Virtually Yours
It's very easy for me to tell a client what I think will work, but sometimes it can be difficult for them to visualize. My clients trust me, but being able to show them realistic virtual mockups really helps things click. As a designer, I like to take a few risks to keep things interesting. Being able to show a client a new idea in a virtual mockup helps them take the leap of faith.
BJ's Kitchen Plan Part 1
To make the space feel brighter, larger and more cohesive I made the upper cabinets and walls a creamy white. Base cabinets in midnight blue help the black appliances disappear visually. Tin ceiling panels can be applied over the existing tile backsplash but also used as wainscoting in the alcove to help unite the two spaces and make the small kitchen feel larger. Wood counters finished with tung oil are food safe and can be fabricated fairly inexpensively. They also warm up the room. Cork flooring is one possibility, though BJ would like to see the floor done with a checkerboard linoleum—another option we discussed. To add more light, I found simple iron lanterns that will work in the main part of the kitchen and the alcove in two different sizes. Bronze knobs and a new, yet classic, faucet feel more current and add a finishing touch.
BJ's Kitchen Plan Part 1
To make the space feel brighter, larger and more cohesive I made the upper cabinets and walls a creamy white. Base cabinets in midnight blue help the black appliances disappear visually. Tin ceiling panels can be applied over the existing tile backsplash but also used as wainscoting in the alcove to help unite the two spaces and make the small kitchen feel larger. Wood counters finished with tung oil are food safe and can be fabricated fairly inexpensively. They also warm up the room. Cork flooring is one possibility, though BJ would like to see the floor done with a checkerboard linoleum—another option we discussed. To add more light, I found simple iron lanterns that will work in the main part of the kitchen and the alcove in two different sizes. Bronze knobs and a new, yet classic, faucet feel more current and add a finishing touch.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Refresher Course
My client BJ contacted me last week about some issues in her home. Without doing major construction, she wanted to update her space. Could I help? Of course! This is one of my favorite kinds of projects. With permission, I will document some of my ideas here.
The kitchen in a 'nutshell'
Several years ago the walls and cabinets were painted. The cabinets are structurally sound and the overall layout works for the family, though there are some storage issues we need to resolve. With some shelves added to a tall cabinet flanking the refrigerator we can create more functional pantry storage or get recycling hidden from view. The kitchen is somewhat dark. Peanut butter colored walls and bright cobalt blue cabinets—the color of painter's tape—(BJ originally chose an aubergine color but her painters didn't like the color and wanted to use a blue!) show personality, but are not exactly cohesive.
Finding inspiration on a shelf
Initially I looked at some fabric valances in the space and considered pulling colors from there, but we determined those will go to the attic. BJ said she likes distressed black cabinety, and with the black appliances this is certainly an option, but my concern is it will seem to dark and heavy in this small space. Perhaps we could choose a darker color for the base cabinets but keep the uppers lighter and brighter? BJ loves the color combination of blue and white and has a few pieces of pottery with these colors, so my thought is to choose a medium-dark color in the blue family for the base cabinets but do the uppers in a white or off-white.
I will also look into new light fixtures, new flooring, a freestanding storage piece/buffet, window treatments and new countertops.
I took some photographs and my next step will be to present BJ with some virtual mockups showing some different color options.
The kitchen in a 'nutshell'
Several years ago the walls and cabinets were painted. The cabinets are structurally sound and the overall layout works for the family, though there are some storage issues we need to resolve. With some shelves added to a tall cabinet flanking the refrigerator we can create more functional pantry storage or get recycling hidden from view. The kitchen is somewhat dark. Peanut butter colored walls and bright cobalt blue cabinets—the color of painter's tape—(BJ originally chose an aubergine color but her painters didn't like the color and wanted to use a blue!) show personality, but are not exactly cohesive.
Finding inspiration on a shelf
Initially I looked at some fabric valances in the space and considered pulling colors from there, but we determined those will go to the attic. BJ said she likes distressed black cabinety, and with the black appliances this is certainly an option, but my concern is it will seem to dark and heavy in this small space. Perhaps we could choose a darker color for the base cabinets but keep the uppers lighter and brighter? BJ loves the color combination of blue and white and has a few pieces of pottery with these colors, so my thought is to choose a medium-dark color in the blue family for the base cabinets but do the uppers in a white or off-white.
I will also look into new light fixtures, new flooring, a freestanding storage piece/buffet, window treatments and new countertops.
I took some photographs and my next step will be to present BJ with some virtual mockups showing some different color options.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Once in a Blue Room
Though blue is not necessarily one of my favorite paint colors, I am inspired by House Beautiful's March 2010 "All About Blue" Issue. Don't get me wrong...I love blue. Blue eyes, blue jeans and blue skies. I think I mentioned my "Bordello Blue" bedroom below ("Looking Up" post)...so it's not as though I haven't experimented with blue. As a matter of fact, I do find myself being drawn to certain deep blues. Here are some ideas:
Blue cabinetry: in my daughters' bathroom, I chose a deep blue gray color for the custom built-in vanity. We went with Benjamin Moore Affinity color Flint, but I was inspired by the Farrow and Ball color Down Pipe. There is a great stained glass window in there and I considered using a lime green instead, but thought this would fit the character of the house and feel more neutral. With all the crisp white tile, carrara marble and "French gray" grout, the end result is VERY neutral but in no way boring. The walls and trim are all painted a very soft warm gray (Restoration Hardware Ash) so there is plenty of contrast, but the end result is still soothing and spa-like.
Blue walls: The right blue can be a perfect complement to wood tones. For a room with lots of wood trim and built-ins I chose Benjamin Moore Quarry Rock. It is a murky blue/green/gray color. Imagine the color of the ocean at night when you are on a cruise. It doesn't scream "blue" but it works really well with warmer colors, black, all different metal finishes and wood tones from light to dark. It evokes "sea" enough to use it as an accent in a beach house (especially in a room used at night). A similar color is Restoration Hardware's Blue Sage, and another Benjamin Moore deep blue I love is Knoxville Gray.
A friend recently asked me what color to paint her media room. Instead of the typical deep red, I suggested Restoration Hardware's Dusk. Similar to the colors mentioned above, it has enough gray in it and it works really well with wood/leather, all browns, grays, blacks and yes, even red accents. Want to brighten it up? Use a creamy white or very pale gray trim. Because it's a cool color, it will recede and make the space feel larger.
Any of these blues mentioned can work in a more masculine room with wood and leather, or be brightened with whites, creams and soft grays.
Come to think of it, maybe blue IS one of my favorite colors. It just needs to be the right blue!
Blue cabinetry: in my daughters' bathroom, I chose a deep blue gray color for the custom built-in vanity. We went with Benjamin Moore Affinity color Flint, but I was inspired by the Farrow and Ball color Down Pipe. There is a great stained glass window in there and I considered using a lime green instead, but thought this would fit the character of the house and feel more neutral. With all the crisp white tile, carrara marble and "French gray" grout, the end result is VERY neutral but in no way boring. The walls and trim are all painted a very soft warm gray (Restoration Hardware Ash) so there is plenty of contrast, but the end result is still soothing and spa-like. Blue walls: The right blue can be a perfect complement to wood tones. For a room with lots of wood trim and built-ins I chose Benjamin Moore Quarry Rock. It is a murky blue/green/gray color. Imagine the color of the ocean at night when you are on a cruise. It doesn't scream "blue" but it works really well with warmer colors, black, all different metal finishes and wood tones from light to dark. It evokes "sea" enough to use it as an accent in a beach house (especially in a room used at night). A similar color is Restoration Hardware's Blue Sage, and another Benjamin Moore deep blue I love is Knoxville Gray.
A friend recently asked me what color to paint her media room. Instead of the typical deep red, I suggested Restoration Hardware's Dusk. Similar to the colors mentioned above, it has enough gray in it and it works really well with wood/leather, all browns, grays, blacks and yes, even red accents. Want to brighten it up? Use a creamy white or very pale gray trim. Because it's a cool color, it will recede and make the space feel larger.
Any of these blues mentioned can work in a more masculine room with wood and leather, or be brightened with whites, creams and soft grays.
Come to think of it, maybe blue IS one of my favorite colors. It just needs to be the right blue!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Keep It Together
I am one of those people who actually enjoys organizing. I find the more useful storage I have, the easier it is for me to stay neat. It's not effortless, but if everything has a place and you use it, it works.
The problem: Awhile back I was frustrated by a messy drawer in our dining room table. What started off as a few pens and pencils became a chaotic junk drawer. It makes sense to keep some office supplies there, since the kids often do homework at this table. The drawer is shallow, and none of the store bought baskets and bins I had purchased would work. I looked into customizable options, but they can be quite expensive. I wanted this to be a DIY project.
The solution: Thinking of the supplies we had around the house I came up with two options; trimming a plexiglass sheet into 1 1/2 inch high strips at various lengths and using silicon cement to bond them, or using some leftover wood trim and basic white glue and/or thin nails. I opted to use the wood trim.
The method: First, I dumped out the contents of the drawer. I sorted all the items, and limited the contents, storing extra markers, crayons, etc. in a dedicated craft storage area in the basement. I measured out compartments for the supplies and trimmed a few pieces of wood to size. I positioned them and using white glue, put them in place. Eventually I may need to nail them into the drawer, but for now this solution is a huge improvement. Had I not had this extra 1x2 trim on hand I would have bought narrower strips from the hardware store.
Total cost: FREE! Wood scraps and glue we already had on hand, and an hour or so of my time. Much better than buying custom drawer inserts from a place like The Container Store or Bed, Bath & Beyond.
I hope this idea inspires you to organize a cluttered drawer. Homework time is already less chaotic because pencils, pens, rulers and supplies are much easier to find. If you need suggestions or tips on an easy, inexpensive way to organize a space in your house, just ask. I am happy to share ideas!
The problem: Awhile back I was frustrated by a messy drawer in our dining room table. What started off as a few pens and pencils became a chaotic junk drawer. It makes sense to keep some office supplies there, since the kids often do homework at this table. The drawer is shallow, and none of the store bought baskets and bins I had purchased would work. I looked into customizable options, but they can be quite expensive. I wanted this to be a DIY project.
The solution: Thinking of the supplies we had around the house I came up with two options; trimming a plexiglass sheet into 1 1/2 inch high strips at various lengths and using silicon cement to bond them, or using some leftover wood trim and basic white glue and/or thin nails. I opted to use the wood trim.
The method: First, I dumped out the contents of the drawer. I sorted all the items, and limited the contents, storing extra markers, crayons, etc. in a dedicated craft storage area in the basement. I measured out compartments for the supplies and trimmed a few pieces of wood to size. I positioned them and using white glue, put them in place. Eventually I may need to nail them into the drawer, but for now this solution is a huge improvement. Had I not had this extra 1x2 trim on hand I would have bought narrower strips from the hardware store.
Total cost: FREE! Wood scraps and glue we already had on hand, and an hour or so of my time. Much better than buying custom drawer inserts from a place like The Container Store or Bed, Bath & Beyond.
I hope this idea inspires you to organize a cluttered drawer. Homework time is already less chaotic because pencils, pens, rulers and supplies are much easier to find. If you need suggestions or tips on an easy, inexpensive way to organize a space in your house, just ask. I am happy to share ideas!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Use It Wisely
I am a big fan of reinventing spaces. In every place I've ever lived (or considered living) I shifted rooms around to accommodate our needs. Here in the NYC area, many of us don't have space to waste. Big screen televisions end up in rooms that once served at formal living rooms, dining rooms double as libraries and offices.
Do you use all the rooms in your home? I grew up in a home with a living room/dining room used only for entertaining. My Mom would know if I sneaked in to read a book or magazine by the window because of the footprints in the carpet.
In our home we use our living room as a place to play a board game or do a puzzle (a giant ottoman holds an assortment), read, or just think and relax. Since our kitchen is small, we eat every meal in the dining room and the kids do homework at the big farm table. The entry parlor now has a set of small-scale leather club chairs and small accent table where my husband and I can enjoy our morning coffee or a drink in the evening. Our walk-in "butler's" pantry has become a mini-kitchen, with coffee maker, microwave, toaster oven and beverage refrigerator. Its plentiful cabinetry holds breakfast foods, snacks, a set of dishes, glassware and utensils. What once seemed like a beautiful space with little purpose is now used constantly after a few minor upgrades.
When renovating spaces in your home, think outside the box. With the help of an architect or designer, your rooms can be repurposed—without ruining the "feel" of an older home—while improving the "flow". Furniture can be arranged to help a room serve multi-purposes.
Do you use all the rooms in your home? I grew up in a home with a living room/dining room used only for entertaining. My Mom would know if I sneaked in to read a book or magazine by the window because of the footprints in the carpet.
In our home we use our living room as a place to play a board game or do a puzzle (a giant ottoman holds an assortment), read, or just think and relax. Since our kitchen is small, we eat every meal in the dining room and the kids do homework at the big farm table. The entry parlor now has a set of small-scale leather club chairs and small accent table where my husband and I can enjoy our morning coffee or a drink in the evening. Our walk-in "butler's" pantry has become a mini-kitchen, with coffee maker, microwave, toaster oven and beverage refrigerator. Its plentiful cabinetry holds breakfast foods, snacks, a set of dishes, glassware and utensils. What once seemed like a beautiful space with little purpose is now used constantly after a few minor upgrades.
When renovating spaces in your home, think outside the box. With the help of an architect or designer, your rooms can be repurposed—without ruining the "feel" of an older home—while improving the "flow". Furniture can be arranged to help a room serve multi-purposes.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Things are looking up.
How could I post about area rugs and then not post about ceilings? Let's get one thing straight; have been painting ceilings for as long as I have been painting. Even when I went to school for interior design my instructors (all interior designers themselves) said they NEVER used white paint on ceilings. At the very least they would mix in some of the wall paint. I admit I have taken it too far on occasion. I nicknamed our first home's master bedroom "Bordello Blue" after painting all the walls and the ceiling a navy blue (and then glazing the entire room in a multi-step process). Hey, as they say, "It's only paint."
Some of my favorite rooms have been those in light to mid-tones where the ceiling is painted a contrasting color. If the walls are light, try a deep ceiling color for a dramatic effect (while still keeping the room light). One such bedroom is painted Benjamin Moore Adams Gold HC-18 and the ceiling is an almost-midnight blue, Hudson Bay 1680. If you want to make a room feel expansive, (such as a bathroom or kitchen) and you paint it a light color, do the ceiling in the same color. A bathroom I am working on now will have white tile in the shower and white floor tile. A custom vanity will be painted a sage green to complement some glass mosaic tile. We chose Benjamin Moore Camoulflage 2143-40 for the remaining walls and ceiling. I have done the same thing with Benjamin Moore's Senora Gray and Coastal Fog, and Restoration Hardware's pale gray color Ash, to name a few. All of these colors are "atmospheric"—even though they are not white, they don't exactly read as color.
I have a lot more to say about what happens overhead. But for now, I will just say next time you are painting, consider your ceilings.
Some of my favorite rooms have been those in light to mid-tones where the ceiling is painted a contrasting color. If the walls are light, try a deep ceiling color for a dramatic effect (while still keeping the room light). One such bedroom is painted Benjamin Moore Adams Gold HC-18 and the ceiling is an almost-midnight blue, Hudson Bay 1680. If you want to make a room feel expansive, (such as a bathroom or kitchen) and you paint it a light color, do the ceiling in the same color. A bathroom I am working on now will have white tile in the shower and white floor tile. A custom vanity will be painted a sage green to complement some glass mosaic tile. We chose Benjamin Moore Camoulflage 2143-40 for the remaining walls and ceiling. I have done the same thing with Benjamin Moore's Senora Gray and Coastal Fog, and Restoration Hardware's pale gray color Ash, to name a few. All of these colors are "atmospheric"—even though they are not white, they don't exactly read as color.
I have a lot more to say about what happens overhead. But for now, I will just say next time you are painting, consider your ceilings.
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