What's in a name?

Is it worth paying for a name brand when there are so many options available today? Should you shop for designer fabric instead of visiting your local discount store?  Are mid-priced appliances as good as top-of-the-line?   Can a home improvement store brand faucet deliver the same function and aesthetic as a famous name faucet?

Yes and no to all of the above....and many more.  Let's use fabrics as our first example. You find a pretty upholstery fabric at local discount store, yet you've also hired a designer to help with re-covering your sofa. Which do you select; the former  (Eva) is $20 per yard, the latter (Mist) is $85 per yard?  Style, hand, dimensional stability and durability are KEY to selecting the right one.  Both may be chenille, but is there a rating for durability on the "Eva"? What is the fiber content? Can you tell the difference in the hand? Is the weave apparent and some idea of stability visible? "Mist" offers a tighter weave and has a high durability rating.  How much yardage will you need based on the width? Finally, is the texture, color and overall appearance right for you? There IS a difference between low cost and designer fabrics in all of the above elements.  The use guides the selection of fabrics. From years of experience, the value in selecting the best quality and best durability, including the right style leads me to the designer fabric 95% of the time; using with the right fabric does save time and money. Check out  fabulous fabrics with great value at Kravet.

Appliances have multiple elements to consider; function, style, energy consumption, size, warranty, and cost.  I have recommended mid-priced appliance suites with features that meet a client's needs and budget perfectly, rather than have them place all branded appliances in their kitchen. Function and style are often tied to cost; high-end appliances do offer wonderful features and do cost more. If you are using panels to cover some of your appliances, brand name may be less of a factor since function and not style will be your primary concern. If a manufacturer offers a short warranty, it may reflect their confidence in that appliance.  While I love high-end appliances for the specific features and style they provide, I do recommend other brands based on how they work in individual kitchens, baths and laundry rooms. Don't forget that you can mix suites and brands.  If the design of the appliance and how it looks in your space drives your decision, then absolutely get that La Cornue range!

Faucets and sinks are offered by brand name manufacturers and privately labeled ones. Function and longevity are very important since these items are used multiple times daily.  What is the finish and how durable is it?  How easy is it to maintain the finish? Does the spout have the reach you need? Does the style offer function for you (single or double handle style, levers, pull-out sprayers)? Where and how is the product made?  Body construction and internal construction (cast or tubular brass base material, and compression, ball, cartridge or ceramic disk valves, lead free interior, etc..) should all be examined.  A good valve will ensure that water temperature will be consistent during use, and scald guard will be critical in baths and showers. Does the faucet meet 2.5 gallon/minute mandated flow rates? Style and design are very important elements. Consider your counters and sinks, since the faucet should be paired with both to work well. For example, a 4" deck mounted faucet is not appropriate for a 36" under-mounted kitchen sink, but could be ideal for a powder room sink. From ultra-modern stainless to traditional oil-rubbed finishes, there is a tremendous variety in faucetry for every room and you can purchase a high-style faucet and not pay top dollar.
 

Contractor courtesies

So, you're hiring a contractor for a large scale remodel, what should you expect? 

Every contractor that works in your home should be licensed, bonded and insured. When they present a proposal or contract to sign, that information should be contained within.  You should verify the accuracy of the information.  Every contractor should respect your home, the contents, your privacy and take steps to ensure that you feel that they DO. Since you will be experiencing some degree of upheaval, they should provide suggestions on how to get through the demolition and construction, and be sensitive to your situtation. Here are some general things to address and some common courtesies that all contractors should extend for the duration of your project:

Get it in writing. From the cost, to the duration, to corrective action, to changes, to payments, have them put it into a written contract.

Create groundrules. For entry to your home, cleaning up, progress and problem-solving meetings etc,. you should establish parameters at the start of your project. Will you be home? Should they have keys? How do issues get resolved? 

Be on time. What is the work scehdule?  If there is a delay, you should know about it.

Be attentive. There should not be distractions like personal and non-urgent phone calls, loud radios and yelling amongst the crew. When you are there, your questions and concerns should be their focus.

Be clean:  Demonstrate respect your home by cleaning up at the end of each day. Wearing shoe covers if flooring is involved, and washing hands to reduce soil or germ transfer.

Be presentable. If supervisors move from project to project, they should be presentable when working in your home. A simple change of shirts demonstrates respect for you.

Protect surfaces. When tools and equipment are used, a drop cloth should be placed under them, regardless of whether they are on a floor or counter.

Check work done. At the end of the day, review what has been done and that it was done correctly. Your contractor should be involved in multiple work-week reviews to ensure that you move forward and do not repeatedly re-do work.

Punch it. Create 'punch lists' periodically and present them during reviews. These lists address things you feel are not complete or need to be corrected. A written list is better than a verbal one.

The more planning you do up-front, the more easily your project can be managed. You are embarking on this path to make a life-altering change and to enjoy your home.

Light up your life....

Good lighting is essential for any space, whether you work, play or rest there.  

Layered lighting in an open-plan home.

There are three types of lighting: ambient or general, task, and accent. General lighting is essential to your lighting plan. It illuminates the space to see and move about. Common fixtures used are recessed lights, chandeliers, wall mounted fixtures, and track lighting. Task lighting does what it sounds like...illuminates the area for specific tasks including cooking, reading, homework and office work, sewing, etc.  Typical fixtures include portable lamps, spot lights, and hanging fixtures focusing on the work area. For drama, to highlight an area, and for visual interest, accent lighting is used. Picture lights, pendants, spot lights from track and recessed fixtures, and those concealed in architectural details, are elements for accent lighting,

The technical side of lighting includes terms such as foot candles, beam spreads, color indexes, work planes and color rendering index, and they are used to design effective lighting plans.  When you have sufficient light, you don't think about it....without it, using and working in any space is limiting.

Good task, accent and ambient light in a country kitchen.

Since good lighting can "make or break" a room, especially kitchens and baths, and create beautiful atmosphere in any room, it's well worth bringing in an expert when you're updating or remodeling.

More on kitchens - storage is king.

The reason many people remodel or update their kitchens is to gain storage. Think this through carefully.  Be sure you list each item that you have or want for your new kitchen, and identify where it will go in the new cabinets. It would be a shame not to have easy use of a new mixer or blender because the new cabinet space was too small.  Consider your long-term needs as well. Do you plan to retire in this home? Do you or a member of your family need low access to dishes, pots, glassware etc?   Is there a special hobby or activity that you work on in the kitchen (baking, crafting, art) that needs appropriate storage space? Don't just use standard drawers and doors. With cabinet door lift systems, full extension pull-outs, toe-kick storage, roll out and pull out fittings, how you design the interior of your cabinets can be limitless. Check out these ideas!

Green is gorgeous

Take a look at the luxurious appointments to this small space kitchen. The challenge was to transform a dark galley kitchen into a transitionally styled, “green” space - adding extra appliances, seating, and storage - using only the existing footprint.  Daylight now floods a well-positioned U-shaped work center by adding a dual-paned glass door and window, and removing the wall adjoining the dining room.  Occupancy sensors were added to LED and low voltage fixtures, which add clear task and ambient light with energy savings.  The client states, "Between the great LED under counter fixtures and pendants, and all the new daylight in my kitchen, I hardly ever turn on the overheads." The glamorous recycled glass back splash and pendants reflect light onto low VOC sealed granite counters, and back into the room.  A wall of energy-saving appliances enables cooking efficiency; tucking appliances into cabinets offers function without compromising style.  The client gained her special baking center and a microwave without reducing counter space or losing storage.  Clean lined cabinetry from FSC certified wood is outfitted with ergonomic pullouts.  Balancing the cabinetry is a neutral colored, sustainable porcelain tile - with radiant heat for energy-conscious warmth – in a running brick pattern.  Framing the pass-through with light cabinetry adds  new pantry storage and display space while maintaining openness in the 11' x 16' space. The result: an enduring kitchen with superb function, luxury aesthetics and sustainability.

Kitchen Ideas

Ready to update your kitchen? Consider these ideas to incorporate something new.

Raise your counters.  Rather than standard 36" high counters, try 38". The extra 2" can mean better ergonomics. Can't do that? Try a thicker edge to modernize their look.

Update your storage.  Cabinet manufacturers have added wonderful new pantry pull and roll outs, corner units that access the former 'dead' spaces, drawer fittings for flatware and knives, and multiple accessories for organizing food, dry goods, trash and recycling, and even composting.

Go pro.  Can your budget and kitchen accommodate professional quality appliances? GE makes appliances that cooks and bakers love for their high performance. For top-of-the-line there is Wolf and Viking.

LED in this entrance is elegant and earth-friendly.

Be eco-friendly. With new counter, cabinet and surface materials, you can have a beautiful and earth friendly kitchen. Select Water Sense faucets and Energy Star appliances. Don't forget the lighting! LED and compact fluorescent fixtures - installed in the right places - will save energy and provide great task, accent and ambient light.

An integrated dishwasher drawer system.

Add a dishwasher drawer.  Did you know that dishwashers save more water than hand washing?   For small kitchens, fewer occupants, and quick meals, the drawer dishwashers are space-saving, quiet, and efficient. Try a refrigerator drawer in a  kid-friendly kitchen that will save energy too.

A Miele built-in for coffee, tea and cocoa.

Create work zones. Carve out space for a coffee-bar, bake center, wine service and tasting, and even a pizza prep center for lasting function and enjoyment.

Incorporate electronics.  With access to information on the Internet so easy, create a space for a laptop, TV/Internet screen, or other devices that will enable a 'smart home'. Shopping, lighting control, audio-visual, security, and many other functions can be controlled with hard wiring or wireless if you plan in advance.

The best advice for a major upgrade is to hire a professional - at minimum for a consultation. Don't make mistakes, and add the important features and functions BEFORE you start.

Designing with art

When you add artwork to your decor, it adds more than just a finishing touch, it is a reflection of your personality and style.  Using art can also resolve design dilemmas, particularly those where the perception of space can be changed by the art that is used.  Some of the most oft asked questions for using art are addressed here.

1) Does my art have to match the colors of my room?  Not at all. If you have multiple pieces to hang, it's preferable to select the one that most complements the decor. Keep in mind that a bold contemporary piece will work in a traditional room, as will a plein air painting in a modern space. When you are custom framing a piece for a particular room, select mat colors that complement the room.

A piece hung low to balance the chest and accessories.

2) How high should I hang my art?  This largely depends upon the scale of the piece, the wall height, and what is nearby.  For example, a 14 foot wall may require a large piece, but hanging it at "eye level" may be too low. If you are under 5' tall and your family is over 6' then eye-level differs. A general rule is to hang art so the CENTER of the art is 60-65" from the floor. Use the center of a grouping as the measuring point. This measurement is also relative to the nearby furniture and architectural elements - a sofa, a table, a stairwell. Do what appears pleasing rather than be limited by an actual measurement.

3) What size art hangs where? The scale of the wall where you will hang art is important. A narrow wall area is best with smaller art, that fits the scale, whereas a larger wall area is best balanced with larger art or a grouping of pieces. Be sure to relate the size of your art to the furniture around it. The best balance is for pieces to be smaller, not larger, than the furniture.

4) Is one direction better than another for hanging art?  In general, if you are hanging art over a horizontal piece, hanging the art the same direction is best. Horizontal lines tend to visually expand a space and are great for small areas.  In hallways, vertical lines help elongate the floor-to-ceiling line.  All pieces hanging the same direction in the same space may be too repetitive so don't line your living room with only horizontal pieces, break up the direction by hanging some groupings and/or a vertical piece. 

Symmetric art hanging. Balanced by architectural moldings.

5) Symmetry or not?  When art is hung in symmetrical arrangements flanking fireplaces, sconces, etc...it is more traditional in feel. Asymmetry is considered more casual and definitely eye-catching.


If you relate the scale of your art to the scale of the room, and hang it in relation to the furniture or architectural details nearby, you will have a great deal of flexibility. Have fun!

Weekend warriors - Bath tips.

Have two days and need to update your bath? Try these 6 tips:

1) Paint the walls and/or cabinets a fresh new color. Go from beige to sage, from white to lavender, from green to latte.  Use eco-friendly paints and prep beforehand.

Wall, floor and cabinet paint, the mirror and
 new towels a bath mat are all that was changed.

2) Add architectural details.  Try adding a chair rail height molding or wainscot. You can paint the lower area one color and the upper wall another.

All stayed the same but for the new tile wainscot & floor,

3) Swap shower curtains.  A big impact can be had with changing your linens...the shower curtain, any window panels, mats or rugs - and of course - towels. Crisp white looks great in many baths but don't hesitate to be creative with pattern selection.

4) Install new tile. Many sinks don't have a backsplash. Add one...easy to install mosaic sheets often require no cuts. Can you swap your linoleum for a large scale tile? Can you remove a small area of tile and replace? GO for it!  

5) Change the theme or style. Go from colorful and busy to neutral and serene or vice versa. Create a brighter space or make a warm cozy space.

Painting the vanity, new knobs and adding trim to the mirror!

6) Add or change lighting. Have a Hollywood style bath bar? Swap it for an updated one. Want a pendant? There are fixtures that simply screw in place of recessed lights..what a great new look. New mirrors also help with lighting as they reflect light throughout the space.

If you are experienced, you can change sinks, toilets and faucets for a major impact, but hire a professional if you harbor any doubts about how to do that.  Below is a great example of a simple de-clutter, new paint on the walls, changing towels and curtains, installing press-on linoleum tile, and swapping accessory colors. Great job!

Fireplace or TV?

The age-old design dilemma, is your fireplace or your TV the focal point of your room?  Why not both? Creative placement and housing of the audio-visual equipment can enable you to enjoy your fireplace seasonally, and your television year-round. How'd they do that?  Call us!

Yes there is a television here!

The television is here as well.

DECOR FOR THE SMALL SET

 Great design should be accessible to all ages. Try these short-term decorating ideas that result in long-term solutions for growing children:

Build a fully integrated bed and storage unit along one wall - or into an available niche. It will serve as storage space forever and can be 'dressed up' into an entertainment center as the child grows. With under-bed pull out drawers, side cabinets or shelves, this unit saves space and keeps rooms organized. Make it colorful and fun your younger child with bedding and toys or sleek and sophisticated with posters, a sofa styled bed and great wall art for teens. Have need for more than one bed per room? Bunk beds work well in this configuration too. 

Children need change as they grow. Keeping floors and storage pieces the same will save money. Change bedding, lamps, window treatments and area rugs for quick and inexpensive updates.

Use peel and stick decals, paints (oops paints are great money savers) and themed bedding to make small changes that have a big impact. We love WALLNUTZ for their creative designs for kids, teens, and even your living room!

   Cabinets and closets should be age appropriate.  Fit bath vanities with pull out drawers in lieu of fixed shelves to encourage putting toiletries and bath toys away. Children like their own drawers especially in shared baths. In closets, lower the rod height by hanging a secondary rod and install easy to pull out drawers and bins. 
     As children grow older, they accumulate more… good storage planning can take them (and you) from infancy to teen years!

Tips for Small Space Design

We all want the best design solutions, especially for small spaces. Try one or more of these tips:

Adding a raised desk keeps the floor area open.

1. Combine spaces if possible. Open (not remove) walls by installing glass, a built-in bookcase with an open back, or just a wide pass-through. Remove doors between rooms and leave the passage open. Be sure structural issues are addressed. Can you raise or lower a floor area? A loft in a bedroom or sinking a living area will create the illusion of a larger room.


2. Mirror, mirror on the wall...placed to reflect light INTO the room. Try a large leaning mirror that doubles as an architectural accent. Mirrored furnishings - a side table, a nightstand, a table top - are creative ways to add reflected light.

A great way to lift clutter in the kitchen.

3. Connect with the outdoors. On a wall with only windows to the outside, try a wall color and window coverings that appear like the outside colors and textures. If your doorway opens to a usable outdoor space, treat it to flooring and furnishings that look like your interior. Clean your windows since grime will cut down incoming light.

4. Get organized. Clutter can make smaller spaces feel cramped and uncomfortable. Make a plan and place for everyday items. Upgrade closets with built-in organization systems rather than just rods. Digitize music and video collections and remove the boxes from view. Add pre-made desk units, storage cabinets and items that will help hide but make work and stored items readily available. In the kitchen, add shelving and store items above the visual plane.

5. Let in the light. Install windows above or below cabinets to brighten and make it feel larger. High, narrow windows let in light while maintaining privacy. Transoms on interior bedroom walls or over doorways are great to bring light into rooms. Change window coverings to open weave blinds and fabrics and keep the colors lighter.  Translucence adds privacy but allows light in. Install fabric panels beyond the window frame to make the window look larger.  Can't add windows, try adding 'light boxes', up-light cans behind furniture and plants, and rope type strips under shelves, cabinets and moldings. 

Sheers  at the window bathe this apartment in light.

6. Change the arrangement of furniture. Pieces set away from - in lieu of lining - the walls, does make spaces appear larger. Remove pieces that are not useful. If needed, add TALL pieces to bring the eye up.


Good color choices are another great solution. Sharing colors in adjoining rooms can visually connect and expand them.  Send along your photos and we'll give you on-the-spot solutions for your small space challenges!
 

Perfect panels are tops!

Update your windows with drapery panels and select a header or top detail that makes a great design statement. Use fabric panels as a decorative addition to other coverings - like shades and blinds - or as the sole window treatment in your room.  Gain elegance, glamour and modern sophistication by using one of these three gorgeous header styles:

Parisian pleat

1) Parisian or pencil pleat - A decorative header that can look casual with a cotton print fabric or modern - as shown - in a dark linen textured panel over a roll-up shade. Less formal look than many other pleat styles, but clean and tailored.

2) Goblet pleat - This elegant and dramatic look is fabulous in traditional interiors as well as with transitionally styled decor. Add glamour with dupioni silk fabric and be sure to line each panel to give it heft.

Grommet top

Goblet pleat

3) Grommet top - An updated top that is right with every style from country to contemporary. The fabric selection drives the fit into your decor but the top is a new classic....updated and sophisticated.

Whether you buy panels pre-made, sew them yourself (check for how-to's at E HOW) or have them custom sewn by a workroom, the impact to your room with these wonderful header details will be dynamic!

Painting - You or a Pro?

It's time to paint your home. The color on your walls is a bit faded or white, the ceilings look dingy, or you're finally ready to add the colors you love. Is this a job for a professional or can you do it yourself?

One of the main considerations is time; do you have enough? A good paint job starts with good preparation and then patience in applying the paint.  More on prep to follow. The other major consideration is the ability to safely reach all of the areas to be painted; ask yourself if you have any hesitation using ladders or scaffolding.  If you can answer YES to having time and YES to the ability to safely reach all areas, then YES you can do the painting yourself. 

A rich brown top coat over a tinted primer.

Preparation is key to a good paint job. Properly cleaning and priming the surfaces to be painted - walls, trim, doors, ceilings, cabinets, etc..- will ensure that the paint will adhere well. Masking off areas that get different colors or types of paint (windows, trim, etc...) will save you time during the job and eliminate major touch-ups. 

The better your brushes and rollers, the better the paint job will be.  Using the right nap roller, and the correct bristle type, angle, and size of brush WILL give you better application. The same is true for the paint. A good quality paint will apply easily, cover well, and dry to the right color. Selecting the correct product and sheen for the room will make it easy to maintain.

If you elect to hire a professional, be sure that the bid includes the paint you like and not a lower quality brand.  Check licenses and insurance before you start work.  

Color selection can often be challenging. DON'T paint multiple color swatches on your walls. First, the colors you paint side-by-side will affect each other and the final 'read' may not be right. Second, you will need to prime over those swatches so that the final color will be 'true'.  If you have difficulty selecting colors right from fan decks or small swatches,then purchase small amounts of paint (many manufacturers sell a 3 oz size) and paint a piece of drywall or sample board. Pre-cut drywall and paint sample boards are sold at most home improvement stores.  DO carry the sample to different areas of the room since paint colors will change with lighting changes. Once you have selected the color, be sure to ask the paint vendor whether a tinted primer should be applied before the paint.  When in doubt, hire a color specialist who will select the ideal colors for the interior and exterior of your home.

The right shade of rich color adds ambiance to a room.

Aging in Place - 10 things to consider

You're nearing retirement and you LOVE your home. Since you've decided to stay, there are some things you should consider to make your home perfect as you age. Creative application of correct design principles will give you a beautiful home with features that you will NEED to live comfortably and safely.

1. Does every room have sufficient space to move around easily. Kitchens, baths, stairways, doorways and hallways may need to accommodate canes, walkers or wheelchairs.
2. Will the lighting be right over time? Allow for eye changes as well as energy and code compliance especially in areas where you perform tasks; home office, kitchen, bath.
3. Are handles on door, faucets and other fixtures easy to use?  Could you open a door or turn on water with arthritic finger using your left or right hand?
4. Is furniture the right scale, dimension and positioned well?  Can you get up from a sofa easily?
5. Are bathrooms easily accessible? Are shower dams and toilet seats the right height? Can showers be used easily? Are supports in place if they are necessary?
6. Can you reduce maintenance in the home? Add systems or use products to make cleaning minimal or simple. 
7. Are surfaces safe? Can you see/feel steps or curbs? Is the flooring in every room slip resistant?
8. Is it easy to see distances, edges and stairs? Add dimension, color and light.
9. Can the kitchen be set up and/or be modified? Will it be easy to operate appliances, and cook safely? Consider the height of counters, outlets, switches, and all appliances.
10. Consider the exterior spaces as well as the interior, and include access, lighting and energy consumption.

Using a qualified interior specialist like Entirely Design, will help make your lifestyle changes practical, safe and gorgeous.

Style - Lesson on the Louies!

Here's a brief history and style elements from French furniture including Louis XIII to XVI. As with our lesson on English, note the leg styles and motifs to help identify French style!

RENAISSANCE 1515 - 1560:  Also known as Gothic period. Pilasters and columns were accentuated. Cabinets replaced chests, chairs, were padded, and tables were highly sculptured. Characters from antiquity and mythology were the main subjects. Nymphs, satyrs, allegories of the seasons, friezes were popular. 

Louis XIII Cabinet.

LOUIS XIII  1610-1643:  Spiral and bead turning appeared. Furniture characterized by heavy carvings, and monumental in scale. Pieces like the bureau and sideboard featured molded paneling in geometric patterns. The cabinet placed on a stand was a new design for the period.  Other typical design themes were the diamond point, pyramid patterns, and large-bun feet on cabinetry.

Gilded Louis XIV desk.

LOUIS XIV  1642-1715: The period of Versailles. Form was rounded with curved lines. Baroque furniture is associated with this period. Masks, heads of sphinxes and satyrs were all fashionable motifs. Chair backs were made higher and the seat larger for more comfort. Gilded bronze decoration was popular. Faces of gods, bearded fauns, arabesques, nymphs, goddesses, allegories, cornucopia, and foliage abounded. The sun was the royal emblem in French furniture. 

Louis XV armchair with carved shell apron.

LOUIS XV 1723 -1774: Rococo period.  Curved lines and asymmetry became the rule. Elaboration of surface ornament. Rocks and shells with foliage and flowers dominated the theme of the ornament with blossoms, sprays and tendrils, reeds, branches of palm and laurel. Especially fashionable themes were musical instruments,  bows, arrows and torches, and pastoral emblems.  

LOUIS XVI  1774-1793 Pompeii, was excavated and brought interest in ancient Rome to Paris. Associated with Neoclassical style. Simpler, less ornate furniture design. Straight lines and simplicity are the guiding principles of this period. The most typical feature in the constructional details of Louis XVI furniture is the fluted leg and at the end.  The chair backs are usually oval, rectangular or shield form. Cabriole legs replaced with straight legs, often fluted, imitating the columns of ancient Rome. Typical motifs of this period the lyre and square blocks carved with rosettes at the top of legs, urns and columns.

Louis XVI with fluted straight legs.

Empire chair with bronzed eagle arms.

DIRECTOIRE 1789 - 1804   Designs became simplified, marquetry was abandoned in favor of more austere decorations. Geometric patterns were prevalent but less extravagant than before. Greek designs became popular ornamental designs, with the sphinx, gryphon, and urns. Egyptian motifs emerged.

EMPIRE period (1804-1815)  Furniture made from heavy woods such as mahogany and ebony with dark finishes and decorative bronze mounts. Marble tops were popular as were Egyptian motifs like sphinxes, griffins, urns and eagles and the Napoleonic symbols, the eagle, the bee, the initials "I" and a large "N." 
 
LOUIS  PHILIPPE:1830 - 1848  Pieces take on a rounded shape as machine tools become widespread and allow easy and speedy execution of that shape, thus explaining why these pieces are more widely available and more affordable. The style combined the Gothic, Renaissance, Louis XIII and Louis XV periods. Mahogany and rosewoods were most common and marble tops were also used. The use of gesso (a kind of plaster) allows highly decorative frames to be produced easily then painted or gilded.

NAPOLEON III 1848-1870 . Borrowed elements from all the preceding styles. The furniture production in France moved from highly skilled craft to largely mechanized industry.
 
 

Stone or not? Surface selections.

When selecting surfaces for your floors, walls and counters, also consider the long-term cost of maintenance. With a huge variety of color and size options, the cost to purchase install your surface, as well as costs to maintain should be the determining factors for selection.  Here is a brief guide to surfaces and their care:

 Recommendation from the designer: Porcelain tile and Quartz counters are two of the most durable, easy care, competitive cost alternatives.  For both, the selection of colors, ways to use, and overall performance are fantastic. The options in porcelain tile sizes and styles are ever-increasing, with trim tiles to finish edges. I prefer porcelain and quartz to their natural stone counterparts.

1) Granite: Porous, igneous stone. Tile and slab available. Must be sealed annually in baths, more often in kitchens. Stains and etches. Don't let oils or vinegars sit on surface too long. Great heat resistance. Be aware that some colors have radon. Not impervious to bacteria. Clean with stone cleaner to avoid removing sealer or dulling shine. Don't use acidic products or shine can be dulled.

2) Quartz: (Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone, etc..) Stone-epoxy composite.Tile and slab available. Non-porous so no sealer required.  Heat and stain resistant. High durability. Often embedded with antibacterial compound. Clean with almost any household cleaner.

3) Travertine-limestone-soapstone-marble-slate: These are all porous stone products that can be used on counters, floors and walls. Tile and slab available. They MUST be sealed often so water and products don't penetrate.  All are stainable and prone to scratches. Soapstone has good heat resistance. Require regular cleaning with stone cleaner or neutral non-abrasive cleaner.  Products for ceramic tile may NOT be used on these stones. Soap scum is difficult to remove. Special products are available to help remove stains.

4) Porcelain: A subset of ceramic tile. Highly durable surface for floors, walls, and even counters. Generally through-body color with a glazed surface. No porosity. Clean with nearly any household cleaner. Recommend sealing grout after installation.

5) Ceramic: Made from clay or other inorganic materials, hardened by oven firing and usually coated with some kind of glaze.  Ceramic is easy to clean and doesn't harbor germs.
 




6) Solid surfaces (Corian, Corinthinan, Wilsonart, etc...) : Solid, manufactured with plastic or acrylic. Durable, non-porous, stain and bacteria resistant. Not heat resistant. Through-color and easy to buff scratches or make repairs. Often has integrated sink options. Seams are inconspicuous.