The New Normal in Home Fashion
I can still recall the day not so many years ago when everything had to match in your home when it came to decorating or remodeling it. It was a no-no to mix white and off white in the same room. I also remember the different eras where bold colors like avocado green, harvest gold and bright oranges dominated our kitchens. When you look back at it, were those colors much different than today with their bold statements? Bold color introductions will always come and go in different palettes. Purple seems to be on the rise these days. Different shades…
Do it the First Time, Do it Right
How many times in your life did it take to realize the truth in my title for today’s blog? Somehow, we all can get caught up with the grand old thought of saving time or money. My mother was good with hitting me with that saying old: A penny wise, a pound foolish. In my many years, I have realized over and over that I never really have a money problem, what I have is an idea problem. When it comes down to it, we need to be happy with our choice that we make in our lives. I have…
Kitchen Storage Ideas (Is it One Size Fits All?)
There is a fine line in remodeling your kitchen when it comes to function and looks. I love to cook so function is the #1 thought when I’m designing someone’s kitchen. Looks are also important to me but never more important than how I will be working around in my space. Every person has their own preferences so that is usually my suggestion that I like to stress to a newer client that has given me their trust in guiding them through the many mazes of choices and decisions. I’m amazed at some of the opinions that I see throughout…
Where Do I Start? Kitchen and Bath Remodeling 101
In life, one of the biggest thrills that we can experience is to be needed by another human being. I think that is where all mothers get their motivation from to put in the long hours that it takes caring for their children in those development years. I can tell you that it is the same in the work world. I get the best feeling when a client comes into our showroom with that “deer in the headlight” look and asks, “Where do I start?” These are the clients that I most definitely have the most fun with and in…
The Small Kitchen
Your kitchen may have limited workspace and square footage, but you still long for the cooking and entertaining capabilities of a much larger space. Your mind races as you envision yourself in that glorious large culinary space, cooking and creating those recipes from those unused cook books sitting in some drawer or cabinet. Your stove, fridge, dishwasher and microwave are from pre-Flintstone era and you can already feel those new appliances fitting in this god-awful space that you call your kitchen. Does this sound familiar? I’m asked by many of our clients that walk into our showroom with “what is…
Replacing Your Old Counter Tops in Your Kitchen
It never fails that in the first months of the year, we all get the itch to do a project or two in our home. In the beginning of the year, we have many clients walking into our showroom to add an island, a vanity or replace their kitchen counters. You can count on it like the seasons. Counters are the #1 item that they want to do. With all the options of different materials these days, it’s no wonder the first words asked are: “what is the best choice for me”? This is where Dreaming First and the listening…
Dream First
I don’t know about you but the first few weeks after the holidays, my mind is racing around thinking of the better weather coming and all of the things that I want to get accomplished in my home this coming year. It can be overwhelming with the ideas and parties that I would like to host for friends and family. A good place to start is to write down all of the real important thoughts and put them in the order to what makes better sense for you in the coming year both financially and practically. There are many rooms…
Dream a Little Dream (Dream First)
I don’t know about you but the first few weeks after the holidays, my mind is racing around thinking of the better weather coming and all of the things that I want to get accomplished in my home this coming year. It can be overwhelming with the ideas and parties that I would like to host for friends and family. A good place to start is to write down all of the real important thoughts and put them in the order to what makes better sense for you in the coming year both financially and practically. There are many rooms…
Auld Lang Syne
Many of my friends ask me the same question on the last day of the year; “why do you always work instead of staying home with your family?” That’s always a question that I have to try to figure out myself. I guess it’s who I am and who I have become over the years. I always like to spend the last afternoon of New Years Eve day in my office and look back at the year we are about to leave behind. I guess it makes me feel comfortable that I am in control of my future and at…
Cooking for the Fall in Your Kitchen
It’s that time of year again, around the time of the World Series where you start to get the urge to cook more again. Days are getting cooler and the dark of night is coming sooner and you find you have more time on your hands to cook. There is something about this time of year when pies, soup, big meals and getting back to the basics of cooking perks up in my mind and soul. Comfort food becomes the new theme before the holidays. My kitchen comes alive again and the wonderful smells of these foods fills the air….