Top Kitchen Ideas

Kitchens are always the heart of the home but they're not always done in traditional styles and don't always look like a kitchen. Whether you go for a sleek, modern space or a warm, transitional one, there are some new ideas that are long-lasting, add to function and aesthetics, and save money long-term.  My picks for the best ideas for kitchens are the following:

1) Mix it up.  Along with standard finishes, incorporate unique elements like a wooden counter, floor-to-ceiling glass, textured tiles and the like. Keep a sense of YOU in the space.


2) Hide it. Keeping the fridge under wraps, unless it's a gorgeous glass door unit, makes the kitchen feel more finished. Stainless fridges are still popular, but letting your cabinets be the star, rather than appliances, is a design idea for the long-term. 


3) Light it right. Energy saving lighting isn't just good for the power company and to meet local codes. You save money on operating lighting that is energy efficient, and with the right layout, get better function while you also help the environment.

4) Contrast it.  When selecting finishes for flooring, cabinets and other surfaces, try to add contrast. Deep toned cabinetry is gorgeous, but when paired with a light backsplash, stands out even more.  I love sleek exotic veneers for transitional kitchens, but paired with a textured glass backsplash, make a fabulous statement. New textured veneers make cabinetry dramatic when mixed with smooth stone or concrete counters. Islands in differing colors or finishes from the rest of the cabinetry helps define the overall kitchen style.




5) Scale it up.  When selecting the details for counter edging, beef it up.  Stone and quartz slabs are narrow. Don't limit your edge to the laminated bull nose or even a simple ogee. Add some thickness or weight to give a substantial looking edge that will wow you every time you use your kitchen.  

6) Vary the level.  Does every counter need to be at the same level? Can appliances be lower or higher than standard? You bet. For ease of use, visual interest, best function for universal design, and many other reasons, changing the heights at which you place cabinets, counters and appliances is essential.

7) Details matter. When creating a kitchen with lots of character, the details on the cabinets will make them unique and stand out. Furniture details like turned legs, rope moldings, and thick crown molding are ideal for traditional kitchens.


8) Keep it smart.  Smart kitchens don't just give you a competitive edge when selling your home, they make life better with convenience and ease of use. Imaging walking in with groceries and not having to fumble with a light switch to see where you're going. Wake up to information and news. Having lighting, security and audio controls in a central location gives superior functionality. 

5 Elegant Decorating Ideas for Halloween

If you have children who love the festivity of Halloween, but don't want to get chintzy with your decor, try these fun, interesting, yet elegant ideas.





1) Use fall colors rather than just orange to set tables. Add natural or faux foliage, candles, napkins and place mats, and other accessories in hues of brown, brick, gold, cream, and even white.

2) Use natural materials. Resin and other plastic related pumpkins look fake, so why not use natural materials like ceramic, wooden and glass. The pumpkins look great but won't spoil and you can store and re-use them for many years. They'll make a great centerpiece for Thanksgiving as well.



















3) White is always right. Having a Halloween bash? Bring out your white dinnerware, or buy inexpensive white china that you can dress up for other occasions.The black and orange desserts and candy will really stand out, and you can add fall colored napkins, candles, and other decor to dress up the table.















4) Use glass to decorate. Place glass candlesticks on your kitchen island, table tops, mantle, and wherever you want to create a spooky vignette.  Weave in polyester spider webs, Spanish moss, and plastic spiders draped among black and orange candles, you'll have wonderful drama but can use those candlesticks everywhere else, all year long.

5) Add lights for decor. String lights and candles are great for a spooky but long-lasting mood.  You can use clear or orange lights and drape them inside - on tabletops, mantles - our outside on walkways, bushes and trees and in any space for a Halloween party. Votive candles in glass holders, placed in simple brown bags with cut out designs, make fabulous luminaries for outdoor and indoor steps. Flame less or battery operated candles are ideal for use anywhere....even underwater!

Inspiration for warm fall decor.

Using several of the ideas from the blog, this room
went from summery and light to winter warm.

As we move into cooler weather, it's nice to visually warm your interior spaces.  Here are some ideas to add to your decor for fall.

1) Hang wreaths made of fall 'findings' on your doors, from shelves, and use as centerpieces on tables and kitchen islands.




2) Swap your bright table linens for rich hues of cranberry, brick, taupe or hunter green.

3) Add wall decals to a focal wall in the entry, bedroom, or bath.


4) Drape greens, leaves, and branches from your dining room light fixture for a festive fall look. 

5) Place a knitted throw on your sofa, lounge chair or bed. These from A Touch of Tradition are beautiful and cost-effective. 


6) Hang a mirror over a table or dresser to reflect light from a window or table lamp.


















7) Use area rugs in your family or living room to join seating and visually warm the space.


8) Flameless candles are safe and the new versions are waxy with realistic wicks. Add them to table-scapes, mantles, inside hurricanes filled with fall colored items, and in wall and floor-mounted candelabras.

9) Fill hurricanes or large scale apothecary urns with seasonal items including greens, gourds, acorns, leaves, and other free 'findings'. For and elegant look add moss covered balls, glass ornaments in fall colors, clear and even mercury glass.  

10) Add fabric to your windows. Even if you already have blinds, using side panels or a top treatment can add warmth and texture, and even help stop cold drafts from windows.  Simple no-sew panels from inexpensive upholstery fabric can make your rooms look elegant and dramatic.  With functional Roman Shades for spring and summer, these windows are rich and warm even with white fabric by adding a fixed panel to the sides for fall and winter. The reverse holds true as well.  If you have panels and something is missing, add a great woven blind or wood blinds in the color of your trim to add texture and dimension.

Your remodel- Do you start over or rework?

It’s a common problem. You want to move. Your home's elevation has curb appeal, but the floor plan behind it has grown stale and will ultimately turn buyers away. Do you have to scrap the entire design and start over? The expense, the challenges with permits and the length of time needed will all be factors. To save time and work within a strict budget, a more economical approach would be to redefine the existing plan within the same (or close to the same) footprint. Going this route allows you to keep the part of the program that’s working and maintain a construction approach that is more or less familiar. Looking at the home below you can see what doesn't work and how it was modified in the same footprint, saving over $120,000 from a plan to tear down and restart. The floor plan has too many jogs and corners, a small and inefficient kitchen, and a master suite that fails to exploit views of the backyard, and a poorly designed entrance, but the overall space works for the property.  It's too divided - the spaces aren’t conducive to togetherness. Some other details to note: Because the laundry is a cut-through from the garage, its functional work surfaces are limited.  The patio is shallow and tough to furnish, and access to the interior living spaces is awkward.  A corner closet makes the master bath difficult for two people to use at the same time.  Having a master bedroom that is visible from the foyer isn't ideal for privacy.  By rethinking this plan’s master suite and communal areas it will improve the home on several levels. A revised plan creates view corridors, frees up space for a larger, more usable rear patio, and trades an isolated formal living room for a multipurpose area in the heart of the home. Located just off the kitchen, this new space provides a room for laundry, homework, computing, and art projects. It can be public or private.

Before

After

The resulting floor plan opens the home, making it appear much larger. Using the same roof structure yet creating an outdoor porch really helped in reducing costs. That freed up dollars for exterior upgrades and nicer finishes thoughout the home. It's always best to spend money where it can be truly appreciated. The finer points of the plan:

• Focusing more on workstations than a work triangle, the revamped kitchen provides room for several cooks at once. Its cleanup area is out of the main flow of traffic.
• The original laundry is replaced with a mudroom between kitchen and garage for dropping off groceries, jackets, and school bags. It also contains pantry space and electronics chargers.
• Courtyards and patios must be large enough to be furnished outside the primary circulation path. This one now accommodates a seating area.
• A laundry/hobby room encourages shared chores and family bonding. When bedrooms are too private and well-appointed, kids never want to come out.
• The new master bath trades the big tub for an oversized shower and a better defined dressing area. The closet has room for a dresser.

Great products that give an update to traditional styling.

While contemporary design is emerging in furnishings and fixtures everywhere - just pick up a magazine or store catalog to see the trends -  most of the US loves traditional product design.  Chrome finishes, white tiles, and beige paint are the norm. When undergoing updates or remodels, it's nice to add products and finishes that while classic, have a fresh new look.  Not only do you gain technology - water efficiency and environmental friendliness - you often gain function with better scale, finishes, and performance.  I've found a few that I classify as transitional since they feature classical design style but a sleeker look that may appeal to hard-core traditionalists as well as those who want to add modern flair to their homes.

Faucets: Watermark makes this widespread faucet with classic styling but longer spouts, lever handles to comply with the principles of universal design, and a durable chrome finish. It would look at home on a pedestal sink or in a master bath suite. They offer multiple finishes and an array of styles in products for kitchen and bath. 

Moen has a wall-mounted faucet in three finishes, for traditionalists that love vessel style sinks but not the tall deck versions. A softly curving spout, updated lever handles, and beautiful porcelain inlays, make this the perfect blend of old and new. Available in three finishes and inlay options.

Bathroom vanities:  The shaped legs, rich wood, and marble top on this Kalista vanity are traditional features that are updated by the slim lines. A larger counter surface is balanced by a nicely scaled sink. In a small bathroom this is dynamite when paired with marble hexagonal or subway style tiles on flooring and walls.

Xylem also has some vanities that cross the boundary between Craftsman and Modern. Their Capri vanity in a deep espresso finish has nice finish details that offer a nice transitional style.

Lighting: The Massena pendant is Hudson Valley Lighting’s contemporary update to a classic schoolhouse light fixture.  Available in two sizes, the light features a metal shade and a metal frame, with a round ceiling canopy. Pendants can be specified in old bronze, polished nickel, satin nickel, and white glass with polished nickel accents.

In an updated brushed nickel finish, this wall sconce by Brass Lighting Gallery is a fine example of a more linear, modern edge for a bath sconce. Wonderful for a powder room or guest bath - in pairs - and the lines can be perceived as Deco and Retro if you're aiming for period style.

Sinks: The Shaw farmhouse sink by Rohl is another great example of better technology applied to classically styled kitchen sink. Its fireclay material resists scratches, thermal shock, alkaline and acids, and maintains radiant appearance. 

Hardware:  Baldwin has added a fabulous style search to its website. You can identify your preferred style by room photos and hardware finishes.  Their line of Classic Hardware has everything from embellished to simple knobs, levers and pulls and you can find some wonderful transitional styles for your project. 

Bring in the light as days are shortened.

As we lose daylight due to the onset of winter and the start of daylight savings,  here is a reminder of my quick tips to bring light back into your spaces:

1. Hang a mirror to reflect light from your brightest window. Opposites work well, or try hanging in a dark area to reflect some  light and view.
2. Place a lamp (if possible) in front of a wall or floor mirror. A floor lamp works as well as a table lamp on a dresser.  The idea is to maximize the light in a dark space.
3. Add an up-light in a corner of a room. For under $10 you can get a free-standing light unit that - when you add an automatic timer - goes on JUST when you need it. Behind a great piece of furniture the light will accent the details,and behind a plant will throw lovely shadows.
4. Place floor or table lamps in dark spaces and use plug-in timers or light sensors (www.lutron.com)  to turn on and off at dusk and dawn. Using compact fluorescent or LED bulbs you'll have light, energy savings, and might use those rooms more often!
5. Re-arrange furniture so reading chairs sit closer to windows. Not as easy for some...so try to place furniture in seating groups where each seat has a lamp beside it.
6. Add candlelight at your focal point whether it is a fireplace, A/V unit or other furniture. The new flame less candles are great for nearly any application and 'burn' many hours of flickering light on a wafer thin battery, Some are waxy with realistic wicks, and others have a setting (usually those with 2 AA batteries) that allow you to turn them on for 6 hours EVERY 24 hour cycle.  LOVE those in wall candelabras, on stairways, and in rooms where fabrics, children and pets can't be harmed!
7. Hang a lighted wall sconce for accent light. Flame less tea light candles are a safe option although a votive or tea light nestled into a glass holder is OK when watched.
8. Add LED lighting in niches, curios and other unusual places. Rope, strips, pucks and other styles are often available as plug-and-go. Low energy usage, long life and a GREAT look.

A weekend update for your kitchen.

We all love to renew our homes and do so on a budget, in a timely manner. Here are TEN do-it-yourself ideas to re-new your kitchen in one weekend.

From drab oak wood to fresh ivory paint.

1) If your wooden cabinets are in great shape but your kitchen looks dated or tired, new paint is the answer. I recommend Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams paints and primers. 


2) New hardware for the cabinets make a tremendous difference so swap your old knobs and pulls for a new style and finish. If you're painting cabinets, you can fill holes and go from knobs to pulls.

3) Add or change your backsplash.  If you have only drywall, adding a backsplash is easy.  Many big box home centers have weekend classes on installing tile.  You can remove the dated ceramic tile and install new, or try beadboard for a new look.

New pendants and under cabinet lighting.

4) Update your lighting.  Try www.lampsplus.com for well-priced kitchen pendants and flush-mounted fixtures. Install  under-cabinet lighting.












5) Swap some cabinet door panels with glass for a great style. Use reeded glass - have  a glass pro cut to the right size - for some obscurity, and clear when you want to display what's inside the cabinet. Can't cut out the panel? Cover with fabric, a great decal, or other creative idea.








6) Remove some doors and expose the shelves.

7) Swap your faucet for a new style. Take out your old chrome faucet and install a new stainless one with a spray head for under $100. Check out the prices and styles at your local big box hardware store.



8) Paint. For a really quick change, just paint your walls. A bit braver, paint the floor instead of replacing it. You can even cover old ceramic tile with the right paint.


9) Remove a cabinet or two.  If you have a joined family/kitchen space, you may have ceiling mounted cabinets dividing the two areas. Taking them down will open both spaces, adding pendant lighting will make the space task-oriented and gorgeous...just be sure you can remove the storage.

10) Add a furniture touch.   Adding moldings, legs, corbels and other furniture details can transform existing cabinets.

How to paint a room

When it's time to make a color change to your walls, or create and accent wall or design (see blog archives for How To Choose The Right Paint Color and Selecting the Right Paint Sheen), you can do it like a professional. Follow these tips and then stand back and admire the results.

Paint supplies: 

1) good quality paint brushes.  Get at least one angled sash brush 1-2" wide for trim

2) paint edger and refill pads

3) painters' tape (not masking tape)

4) paint rollers and a paint roller frame - select the right nap for your walls

5) an extension pole for the frame

6) paint trays - metal or plastic. 

7) drop cloths

8) Putty knife - I love the 5-in-one tool which has multiple uses in a painting project

9) Spackle compound to fill holes and cracks - or a tube of painters nail hole filler

10) Sandpaper to smooth 

11) Caulk and caulk gun to fill cracks between trim and walls

12) Wall cleaner  like TSP - tri-sodium phosphate

Some shortcuts you can use:  

If you have metal trays, you can use plastic liners and your tray stays clean. I don't recommend throwing liners away since it's not necessary to add to a landfill, so get the recyclable ones and rinse off the paint.  

Paint rollers and brushes can also be stored with paint on them as long as they are completed sealed in an airtight plastic bag in the refrigerator or freezer.

Control paint splatter with a paint roller shield. The right nap roller also resolves this issue.They simply snap onto the roller frame and partially cover the roller.

Preparation:

Preparation is a necessity that will make the overall project much easier and the results better. Place drop cloths on floors and furniture.  I love fabric cloths since they can be re-used nearly endlessly, and don't waste plastic or paper; I wash mine periodically and they have been a great investment for many other uses. Remove outlet and switch plate covers in the room. Use a clear zipper storage bag or lay them out on newspaper; I almost always paint them the wall color.  If the walls are very greasy or dirty, use TSP - with rubber gloves - and wash the walls following the manufacturer's directions. Rinse the walls with clear water. When the walls are dry and then it's time to tape, patch and prime as needed. If the new paint color is a stark contrast to the old paint you will use fewer coats of paint if you put on a coat of primer first. Have your paint store tint the standard white primer for you  to make it closer to your paint color. The walls will also need a coat of primer if your paint type is changing from a oil-based paint to latex (water-based) paint. If there are severe stains on the walls, a stain blocking primer like KILZ will be your best friend. No matter how many coats of paint that are put on the wall, many stains will continue bleeding through the paint unless a primer is applied. Tape off trim, windows, and other areas that will not be painted. Use blue tape meant for easy removal; masking tape is NOT the right product.

I start by making sure my paint is mixed well. I open windows for ventilation, although I highly recommend low odor and NO or LOW VOC (volatile organic compound) paints to eliminate or minimize any chemical off-gassing.  Then I pour paint for rollers into paint trays, and into a small bucket for cutting in. Cutting is is simply painting the areas that cannot be reached with the roller, such as next to the ceiling, trim and in the corners. I do it first since I find that I can 'smooth' the edges by rolling over them.  You don't need to cut in a wide area, just enough to fill where the roller cannot reach. Use a trim brush or the flat pad for that. 

When you're ready to start the walls, start rolling your roller back and forth on the ridged area of the paint tray to evenly distribute the paint on the roller. The roller should be thoroughly covered but not dripping with paint. Begin rolling the paint on the highest part of the wall in a "W" or "M" design and then keep rolling until the area is evenly filled in and the paint is distributed. I go all the way to my 'cut in' line for even coverage on the wall.  This process will be repeated each time the roller needs to be refilled with paint. Usually an area approximately 4' x 4' can be covered with each roller refill. Begin each new "W" beside the previous and then blend the paint edges together while still wet.

You will be pleasantly surprised how quickly a room can be completely. Allow the first coat of paint to dry for about three hours before applying the second coat of paint. The drying time for the paint will depend on the temperature and humidity. As the paint begins to dry, it will be much easier to see any areas that haven't been covered completely and it will be easier to determine how many coats of paint are needed.

Be sure to wait until the paint is dry before removing the drop cloths. Be cautious when removing the paper's tape as well. Good quality paint brushes and rollers are an investment worth taking care of and they will need to be washed thoroughly when the paint job is complete. There are special tools available to even help with the cleaning process of rollers and brushes. It's always a good idea to allow the paint at least a full day to dry before hanging pictures back on the walls.

5 Handmade gifts to start now for holiday giving.

If you love to give something hand-made as a gift and need some ideas...here they are. These are all creative, inspiring and fun to make. These are somewhat intuitive but please e-mail if you need help. Since they take time, you can gather the items and make them now so they're ready for the holidays.

1) Fabric sticks. Depending upon the fabric, great for a country home or added texture in a modern one.  Collect sticks and twigs with some heft to them. Wrap in fabrics - remnants, old scarves, etc. Use craft glue to affix or hide a staple or two.

2) Cruet of flavored oils. Using any salad or cooking oil as your base, add herbs, spices and let marinade at least 6 weeks before giving. Decorative glass cruets can be found at A Touch of Tradition.  You can also make flavored and decorative vinegar to pair with the oil.

3) Filled Jars.  Glass jars of jam, pickled veggies, candles, chutney, bath salts, cookie mix, and more, are easy to make. You can cover the lids with fabrics, paper, ribbons, and glue on unique holiday items.  You will need a recipe for some of these items and Ball jars often come with multiple suggestions. For cookies, don't bake them; instead, layer all of the ingredients for a display-worthy gift. Making candles, bath salts, and other non-baked items is often easier and craft store have components and instructions.  Much of the gift is also how creative you are at decorating the jar.

Baked goods in decorative wrappers.  This can be anything from cookies, breads, muffins, to your favorite baked item. Use wrapping papers, pretty ribbons, a handmade tag or card, and the gift is special just looking at it. Many craft stores have plain boxes and bags that you can embellish with stamps, glitter, and other items. 

Decorate store-bought candles.  For a custom look, you can apply clip-art decals and turn ordinary store-bought pillars into festive gifts. For a pretty package, anchor the candles to glass coasters, pair with a matchbox (cover with the same or complementary designs), and tie them together neatly with a great ribbon.

Designing in an economic slump: Part I

If you’re looking for a silver lining to the housing downturn, look to interior design. As we all strive for ways to cut costs when doing a remodel or an update, and make good design decisions when purchasing a new home, designers and builders need to strip away unnecessary elements yet still provide elegance and simplicity in design.  As a designer, my role is to guide clients through changes that often stay with them forever.  I find the best of what is available, and ensure that the product, the overall design, and the style is enduring, energy conscious, and budget savvy. This four part blog topic will address areas of design where new products, technology, and a focus on problem-solving make them ideal candidates for make-over or change.

Part I:  Lighting Design

One area where products and technology have made huge advances is in lighting design.  Finding the proper strength lighting, with good color temperature, and at reasonable cost, is now much easier. In addition, many states are phasing out the sale of incandescent bulbs in order to help reduce overall energy consumption. State building codes often call out maximum wattage loads for rooms, and define the type of lighting and controls that can be used. Finding and using new sources of lighting is essential.  

Up-lights, LED cove lights and paint colors made this space larger.

With the advent of LED - light emitting diodes - going mainstream, and the new shapes, colors, and applications for fluorescent bulbs, not only have we gained fabulous sources for natural lighting, the costs are competitive and the overall energy savings are significant.  LED's have always been the darlings of architects and designers, but their cost, bluish color temperature, and lack of beam strength, made them best for accent lighting only. The limited availability of fixtures and ready-to use bulbs made it nearly impossible for homeowners to use them. Now that has changed. LED bulbs, strips, pucks, rope and recessed fixtures are available at lighting stores and most big box home improvement stores. 


We generally like a warm glow for ambient lighting, and clean white light for tasks. For LED, refer to the two numbers on the product’s published information: the color temperature and the color-rendering index (CRI) to select the right one   Color temperature, expressed as a Kelvin rating, monitors how blue or pink the light will appear. Standard incandescent lighting measures 2700 Kelvin, which is warm, yellow, while cooler, bluer, daylight is 5000 Kelvin.  Using 3000 Kelvin LED provides great lighting. Be sure all the lights in a room are the same color temperature for balance.

LED, and CFL's create a warm room in this remodel and
highlight art and collectibles perfectly.

Compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) comes in many sizes, shapes, a wide variety of wattage outputs, and have CRI numbers as well.  Many of the new compact fluorescent bulbs output 100 lumens per watt - a commonly used level in incandescent bulbs -  and some last 50,000 hours. You have an option to select the right color temperature, and the cost is a dollar or two more than incandescent versions. Saving energy adds to the reduction in overall cost.

There’s still the issue of where to place your lighting. In an older home, adding the right fixtures and placing them properly can create a significant update. Layering the lighting will create different effects, so that while the space may not change dimensionally, an update with lighting can transform a space. In a new home, using the right type, number and position of fixtures, will enable the best light, the right initial costs, and long-term energy savings.  While the standard seems to be to use down lighting, generally with a recessed fixture,  lighting the vertical surfaces and lighting the walls is efficient and inviting. If just the center of the room is lit - as in can lights in the center of a kitchen or bath - and the walls aren't, it seems a little foreboding and less pleasant. To strike the right balance, pair a central light fixture with additional down lights and illuminate the walls with decorative sconces.  Using LED or CFL you can light a space well, and use less than a third of the energy used by traditional incandescence.  In new homes, central lighting fixtures can’t be placed until a room’s furniture is arranged. To solve that problem, put three looped-together points in a room’s ceiling where a lighting fixture could hang. 

CFL, LED  lighting placed well, makes a kitchen warm and
inviting yet ideal for a gourmet cook.

Bouncing ceiling light onto counters and walls and adding
LED sconces and in-cabinet lighting made this
 small bath bright and open.

The kitchen needs to function with lots of light when for food prep as well as low lighting afterwards or during dinner. Using CFL's above cabinets so that light bounces to the ceiling, providing lots of ambient light, is one solution to maximize prep lighting without using too many fixtures. Knowing the beam spread of each fixture will help with placement as well as number of fixtures. Use under-cabinet and in-cabinet for task and accent lighting, respectively.  LED offers beautiful white task light and often is enough as the sole source for meal prep lighting.

Bathrooms are another area where lighting must be not only beautiful but also highly functional. In the bathroom, you want lighting that makes your face look flattered and sconces the left and right of the mirror, not only  creates a more flattering effect, make things easier while shaving or putting on makeup. 

Lighting control is especially important. Whether you change to energy efficient bulbs or not.  Dimmers lower energy consumption immediately,  especially in rooms where all of the lighting is controlled by a single switch. For tasks that require high light, you just don't use the dimming function. When those tasks are complete, you can lower the lights so the lighting is softer. If you have many fixtures on one switch - common in kitchen ceilings - have an electrician separate them to create usable banks of light instead. Two stacked switches can be used - www.lutron.com - in the space of a single one so no wall repairs are needed. Consider installing occupancy and vacancy sensor switches as well - they'll add function and save money in the long run.