“The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.” Le Corbusier – Architect Think about the difference between getting your photo taken in at your local DMV under harsh fluorescent lighting, versus your picture at a sexy, low-lit restaurant. Good lighting is truly everything, but it is oftentimes an afterthought when designing a room. Whether it’s a bright task lamp on your desk to help you stay productive or a sconce by your bedside for cozy late-night reading, lighting is one of the most powerful tools for creating a specific mood. Bringing lighting decisions to the forefront of the design can make all the difference, and we’ll show you how. Layer the Light Lighting, like any great interior design element, should be layered to create contrast. A mix of accent, ambient, natural, and task lighting in the home provides a nice balance of light and dark that grants each room richness and depth: Accent lighting – supplementary light that illuminates dark corners or small spaces. A can light placed above a shower enclosure is one example. Ambient lighting – the general overall light that illuminates the entire space, such as a chandelier in the center of a […]
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If you ask someone, “what is art?” they will usually refer to a painting or a photograph. In reality, art comes in many forms – performance art like dance, music and song, nature, poetry and architecture. Now, just for a moment, imagine a world without any art. Our world would be a very dim and boring place, devoid of imagination. Without art, the banality of reality would be intolerable. To paraphrase Nietzsche, “We have art in order not to parish from the truth.” Why Art? While it feels like a simple question, with an even simpler answer, the truth is that it goes way beyond bringing a little color into a living room. (1) Art breathes life into a space. It allows us to express ourselves, encouraging dialogue and welcoming emotion. It reminds us of what is possible—all to help turn an ordinary house into a home. Art connects us to the past and future. It feeds our curiosity and inspires our imagination. I love this quote from fellow-designer, Tara Bernard, “For me, art is like punctuation to a sentence; it is that all-important ingredient and without it, a space lacks the layers and attitude that a significant piece can […]
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One of our favorite design projects is a kitchen remodel because of the essential role collaboration plays. Beauty and function/efficiency are of utmost importance, and there are some standard rules to consider (like the work triangle) but, how our clients like to work in their kitchens must be accounted for in the design. After all, the kitchen is the central hub of home life and should be planned to mirror lifestyle and taste. We consider how our clients entertain, who they entertain, if they are avid chefs, bakers or holiday hosts, if they cater to four-legged friends, if they like islands or peninsulas, ranges or cooktops, accessories and storage solutions and of course, who they cook with. There is myriad of questions we review with our clients to ensure that the transformation is not only show-stopping but also a reflection of the things our clients love to do, the way they live and the people who are most important in their lives. One of the first questions, and probably the most important one, is “what brand of appliances do you prefer?” Many of our clients have strong opinions about appliances and appliance brands while others provide pricing parameters and a […]
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It’s finally Spring and soon we will be stepping into summer!! I know we all hoped this summer might be different from last year…and that we could return back to “normal.” But, sadly we are still amidst a pandemic, although things seem to be improving. Even though we cannot go out and live our lives the way we used to this summer, we can still have fun at home. So, what better time to spruce up your house than now? Below are some tips to help you get your house ready for summer.
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More and more people are adding a bit of flair to their kitchens by installing the latest in kitchen sinks. There are a variety of types, shapes, designs, materials and colors of sinks to choose from, adding character and personality. 1
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It’s been almost a year since we started to “shelter in place” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year has brought many changes in the way people lead their lives including where and how they work, attend school, stay active and socialize. These changes have profoundly affected design, especially residential design, since people are spending more and more time at home.
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Whether you’re installing brand new kitchen cabinets or looking to refurbish existing ones, the range of available kitchen cabinet styles can seem overwhelming at first. Exploring the most common options and keeping a few helpful pointers in mind will help you choose the style that’s right for your home. (1)
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Choosing paint can be a difficult and daunting task – of the thousand shades of white, one may be too gray, another too green or too yellow. On many occasions, I’ve walked into a client’s home and found small patches of various shades of paint on the walls where colors are being “tested.” But what clients don’t realize is that the paint finish, or sheen, is just as important as the color they’re meticulously debating.
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Homeowners in all stages of life – from first-time buyers to retirees – are seeing the merit of living in less space. Downsizing and consequently de-cluttering or simplifying, has become a popular “less is more” trend.
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Deciding between refinishing or replacing kitchen cabinets is a big decision. (1) In its annual “Cost vs. Value” report for 2019, Remodeling Magazine puts the national average for a mid-range major kitchen remodel at $66,196 and an upscale major kitchen remodel at $131,510. The addition of luxury stone or marble counter tops, high-end faucets and flooring, a commercial-grade range and luxury faucets can all significantly increase the cost of a renovation. (2)
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