| Q |
When building or remodeling a home, what elements do you recommend adding that will create the "wow" factor and avoid the "cookie cutter" home look? |
| A |
When building or remodeling, there is always the danger that your home will look like others' homes since builders often use the same floor plans and because we draw our design ideas from what we see in friends' and neighbors' homes or from magazines. However, even if your home has the same layout or structural elements, what you incorporate into the design of your home will make it stand out. Be sure to make your home a manifestation of you.
Paint colors are a perfect way to reflect your personality, so choose new colors that you love. In addition, be sure to focus on the smaller elements, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. These rooms are where you spend the most time, so make them uniquely you. Choose elements that fit your lifestyle, so that it functions for you. Find elements that work together and then mix and match. Try unique combinations, such as very contemporary-styled faucet and cabinet hardware with very traditional-style cabinets. By choosing real reflections of you, rather than what is in your neighbors' home or a magazine, your home will avoid a cookie cutter look.
|
| Q |
Is it possible to spray paint countertops? If so, is it safe? |
| A |
Yes, specialty paints are available for painting countertops, however this is not something that I personally recommend. Countertops are the workhorse of the kitchen, thus their functional purpose must be considered before all else. This is the area where you will prepare and serve your food, so it is crucial that this area have a clean, sanitary surface. I don't feel that paint is the best recommendation for such a well-used surface.
|
| Q |
I really don't like the look of the big mirror that is in my bathroom. Will there be wall damage if I removed the mirror? What do you recommend for a more stylish alternative? |
| A |
I agree. . . I am not a fan of the large bathroom mirrors. Much like a vanity should be looked at as a piece of furniture that holds your sink, a mirror should also be viewed as a wall decoration. I personally love the look of framed mirrors and today there are so many options available. View your mirror as artwork and choose an interesting shape, such as oval or round. When shopping for your new mirror, don't limit yourself to the bathroom section of the store. Look in any home decorating section, or you can even have a specialty size or shape made for you. The key is to make your mirror original and beautiful.
Much like removing anything from a wall, there is the potential for wall damage depending on how the mirror was hung. It is likely that there will be minimal damage if hung correctly, but also remember to be very careful when removing the mirror since it is a large piece of glass.
|
| Q |
Years ago it was popular for bathroom vanities to extend over the toilet area to provide extra counter space. Is this out of style? If so, what else can you do to create added bathroom counterspace? |
| A |
Yes, the extended vanity is no longer popular for bathrooms. However, if you are interested in creating more storage space, today's vanities are available in a variety of different sizes, so choose a larger vanity for added surface area. However, if space is an issue, don't forget to utilize your wall space as a great resource for storage that would be on the counter. Glass shelving that coordinates with faucets and other bathroom accessories is an excellent way to add more storage area. The glass material is not as visibly intrusive as a large vanity, yet still offers functional storage space. In addition, wall hung cabinets above the toilet provide a decorative element that functions for your storage needs.
|
| Q |
It is often recommended to paint one wall a different color as an accent. With that in mind, how can you choose the different coordinating colors? Do they have to be monochromatic? Can the room have more than two colors? |
| A |
When choosing colors for a room, especially when you'd like more than one color, you must first look at how much space you have to work with. In a space-challenged area, a monochromatic color scheme will work better since it will help you expand the visual plane. Paint swatches make it easy to choose monochromatic paint schemes since they usually show hues ranging from the most to least saturated of the same color, allowing you to choose two colors from the same family.
However, when dealing with larger spaces, you have more options to expand the color palette adding one or two additional accent colors. I often choose one accent wall to splash with a bolder color and then choose a more neutral color for the surrounding walls. By only using one wall as an accent it draws the eye to one area. Too many bold colored walls may be distracting since they eye can't locate the focal point of the room.
|
| Q |
When designing a kitchen, what are your thoughts on putting the sink in the island area? Is there any rule of thumb on where the kitchen sink should be located? |
| A |
The rule of thumb for kitchen sink placement is where it is going to be functional for you. I like to make sure that the sink is near the refrigerator and storage area. A sink in the kitchen island may be an ideal location, especially since it will allow you to prepare food or wash dishes while having your family or guests around you.
If you do choose to place the sink in the island area, remember that it is now on showcase in the center of your kitchen. Be sure to pay more attention to the aesthetics-especially the faucet. You may want to include a beautiful high-arc faucet or other decorative fixtures available today.
|
| Q |
I am planning on tiling both the floor and walls in my bathroom. Will tiling the entire room make it look or feel smaller? Should I tile to the ceiling or only part of the way up the wall? |
| A |
Tile is a great material for bathrooms since it meets both the aesthetic and functional needs of the most abused room of the home. When working in a small bathroom, choose tile that is the same color. It will not make the room look any smaller than it is already. In addition, you may want to choose a larger tile on the floor with a smaller tile on the walls to make it look larger. It is up to your own personal preferences if you would like the tile to extend to the ceiling or if you would like to stop at the wainscot level.
Since tile adds a very hard look to your bathroom, be sure to add accents to soften the space. Add a fabric shower curtain or fluffy towels for a contrast to bring the room together.
|
| Q |
I would like to add natural lighting into my kitchen, however, my only window faces a common area in my community. Do you have any recommendations for stylish window treatments that would allow some light to come in, while also providing privacy? |
| A |
My recommendation for any window is two-inch wood blinds since they offer privacy while still allowing natural light to seep through. These are relatively inexpensive and are available in a variety of wood colors or white. Pick a color that matches with the trim around the window so that it blends and disappears. For added decoration, you may also add a stylish curtain to soften the window area.
|
| Q |
It is very difficult to focus on style when you have many children in your household. Do you have any recommendations for ways to add style that would also withstand the constant abuse of small children? |
| A |
Just because you have children or pets doesn't mean you have to abandon style. Some of the most beautiful fabrics are pet- and child-proof. Suede and leather are both very beautiful and stylish and withstand the abuse of kids. Consider pieces of furniture that will provide you with addition storage to maintain a tidy room. Perhaps a coffee table that opens to store blankets, pillows or kids' toys. Also, choose pieces of furniture that you won't mind people putting their feet up on. Although it might be more challenging to find, having style and children is very achievable.
|
| Q |
We've purchased a very old home and would like to add our own personality, while maintaining the antique charm of the home. How can we update the home, while not infringing on what makes the home unique? |
| A |
One of the wonderful things about design today is that you do not have to stick with one particular style-it is perfectly acceptable to mix and match styles and periods. To maintain the personality of your older home, consider adding antiques that fit the time period in which your home was built, while also utilizing updated accents such as a contemporary stainless faucet and appliances. Many times older homes feature beautiful dark toned wood accents. Keeping these same wood tones, while accenting the walls with newer updated colors will mix the old with the new, while also making your home more unique than today's newly built homes.
|
| Q |
I really like the style of hardware that is on my cabinets, but some of it is tarnished and I would like to update the finish. Can I paint the hardware or is there anything else that will make these look newer? |
| A |
Since the knobs and hinges are the hardest working parts of your cabinets, I would not recommend painting them. The constant touching and moving would quickly result in the paint wearing away and the old finish to show through. Luckily, today there is a plethora of unique knobs and cabinet hardware available to meet your needs. However, if you are set on keeping your existing hardware, there are people who specialize in restoring hardware.
|
