Decadence at its best!! Who dat? New Orleans...

New Orleans Saints, fleur-de'lis, & french architecture everywhere! Who dat?? All I know is that New Orleans is a lot of fun!!! It's not just plastic beads, obscene t-shirts and hurricane glasses... I was lucky enough to get to go with my husband, for the 3rd time, while he had classes to attend, to this beautiful city! It does not disappoint...we had to come home just to rest and detox after taking in the entertainment!

This trip was much different from the last one 3 years ago. It was 18 months post Katrina and visibly different. Then you could still see water lines on the restaurant walls, cement bridge supports and buildings. Quite a few businesses were still closed. This trip the restaurants and buildings had been repainted or somehow removed the water lines, the weather had faded or removed the lines from the bridge supports and it appeared that the stores were reopened.

It is renowned for it's variety of music and in the 7 or 8 blocks of Bourbon Street the choices are not disappointing. We listened to jazz, blues, rock, karaoke, and a funny dueling piano act.

What I love the most is the French architecture and interior design of the whole French Quarter. The vivid colors that represent Europe and iron balconies(where they do still throw beads and try to entice the women to show their stuff) are everywhere. The courthouse' whole first level is made of white marble. Jackson Square is gated with ornate decorations and street vendors selling artwork. Horse drawn carriages await to take you on various tours of historic homes or the bayou. I bought a poster with pictures of the various entry doors that hang in the French Quarter. Royale Street (runs parallel to Bourbon Street) was home to many different kinds of shops, from antique stores to French linen and décor items.. There are also novelty shops that sell alligator heads, claws, and all sorts of curios and souvenirs.

On one of my previous trips, I attended a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. We started by making roux, the gravy-like base of gumbo and jumbalaya, then pralines. The best part was eating the goodies and learning insider tips for making the items. There are a number of places that host cooking classes and offer different cajun fare. This was one event that is worth repeating.

Brennan's is a world renowned restaurant on Royale Street where the dessert called bananas foster was invented because the owner would receive large quantities of bananas on the boats and needed to use them somehow. The owners of Brennan's also owns the Red Fish Grill restaurant on Bourbon Street that makes awesome po-boys and other seafood dishes. Our other favorite restaurant is G.W. Finns, located just off Bourbon Street.

Out looking around, I found a new home furnishing store named "home and garden" in the mall. They were showing very light, white-washed woods, aquas, and natural linens to create a restful and elegant decor. Check them out at http://www.handg.com/ . Big , elegant furnishings that didn't look as heavy because it WAS painted lighter colors.

Have I enticed you yet? Take a trip to New Orleans for a fun, fun time!

Remodel update: Knobs should not be that hard of a choice, but in my case it is! I love knobs and know just how much they can transform a space…the choices and prices are limitless. I had ordered some knobs (actually handles) from the kitchen department at Johnson Madison Lumber, but knew I wanted some more generic knobs for the laundry room cabinets, so I went to IKEA for those.

Design quote of the week: “Beauty is the quality of harmonious relationships. A formula to produce it does not exist."- Frank A. Parsons

It's Beginning to look alot like...

Dare I say it??? It's beginning to look a lot like... New Years. I know you were thinking “Christmas”, but I am too late for that…this year was a bit different with the decorations as I had a new floor plan to work with.
When planning the remodel I purposely included built-in shelves next to the fireplace, AND ordered extra shelves to display my 30-some Department 56 North Pole collection houses and figurines. I also included electrical plug-ins to light them or any other lighted decoration. My mantel is not quite as deep as the old one so it too, had to have a new decoration plan. It was definitely fun to re-do things…I tried not to buy much, just “re-place”(kinda like reduce reuse recycle).

I do try to tie the color of the Christmas decorations in with the rest of the home décor. I added blue/aqua to my palette this year.

Now is the time to watch for clearance items for next year..and I don’t just mean decorations, I mean timers, LED lights, remote controls, etc. the convenience products that will make your life easier. But it is a good time to stock up on a new style of decorations, gift wrap, ribbon, etc. for next year.

This year I received a thank you gift of a set of LED candles that run on a battery, flicker, and have a remote control! (My husband loves them because no worries about burning anything down and I can stand in one place to “light” them all!)

Other items I cannot live without are remote controls and lighting that don't need to be plugged in...and how about the timers that will automatically turn lights on and off at specified times. They can also turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn if you want them too! Be sure to watch that you only use them for their intended purpose such as the interior or exterior. *** I actually use timers all year around to light the lamps inside the house if we are gone. Another fun thing to do for the whole year is wrap lights on garden accessories for the summer. These timers and remotes can be purchased at Target, Home Depot, Ace Hardware or most anywhere that sells Christmas decorations.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with many happy memories and decorations.



Design Quote of the week: "Fill your house with flowers. Once a week, I head to the flower market and get lots of freesias, hydrangeas, lilacs, forsythia, tulips, or whatever's in season. Using tin cans and Mason jars for vases, my husband and I make arrangements for every room." Kristen Brant, Interior Designer


Inspiration of the week: I found a wonderful furniture company called Maine Cottage- they make a rainbow of solid fabrics (indoor/outdoor) upholstery as well as bright beautiful prints. These fabrics never cease to lift my mood! (Check them out at http://www.mainecottage.com/) On one of the flash sale websites that I frequent, called Haute(http://www.hautelook.com/) , some of Maine Cottages fabric was offered at about 1/2 price and of course, I couldn't pass it up, and bought 4 shades of blues and greens to slipcover the 4 of the dining chairs. The remaining chairs may be covered in a natural linen. (We don't have grandkids yet, so no worries about stains. And when there are grandkids I will coat the fabric with protectant.)


Remodel update: All door trim is finished, the mantel is assembled, stained and decorated, closet and entry doors are painted a wonderful shade called SUITABLE BROWN. The color is a brown with green and gray tones. I recently spent an entire week of free time filling nail holes, sanding and painting the trim. The 4 dining chairs are slipcovered...and I will change these slipcovers seasonally. Yet to be decided are the window coverings: natural woven blinds vs. my own hand-sewn roman shades...

See you in 2011!

Designer Looks for Less

This week I thought I would talk about getting a designer look for less. I found some awesome wine barrel side table in the Restoration Hardware catalogue, but alas they were $695.00, so I put the thought on hold and continued to look. One day at Target I spotted a similar table for a whole lot less. These were regularly $79.99 and on sale for $59.99. I bought 2 of them as I know that end tables usually don’t take a lot of wear and tear- other than setting your drink down on a coaster. I am always trying to find a bargain and have great success putting items together that I have bought because they were on sale. I keep a list of sizes, if my space is limited, and am always looking for that special piece…on sale…hopefully!
**I do want to say that if the item will get quite a bit of use, like a sofa, recliner or dining chair, I would get a better quality piece and spend more money on it.
I guess the point here is that if you look around you may find something close to the original for alot less. Maybe constructing your own(like the ottoman) can be an option as well.






Can you tell which one is the Restoration Hardware item? (It is the one on top.) Slight difference, but the general shape is great. If I wanted the Target table to look closer to the other, I could paint it.



Another tip I have used to get a designer look for less is to rethink how an item can be repurposed. For example, I was going to donate a suede skirt, but then decided to save it to cut up and make a table runner or pillow cover. Several years ago I bought a black vintage dress that looked as if Jackie O should have worn it, the zipper was broken, and a few beads were missing, but I knew it would make a beautiful pillow someday. It is still waiting for the perfect interior to go into.
A few years ago, I needed an ottoman for my recreation room, but didn’t want to pay an arm and a leg. Therefore, I recruited my husband to help me build one the perfect size for my furniture and room size. It has leopard print upholstery, tufting, and a long hinge on 1 side that allows for storage inside. Note to potential ottoman builders: An automatic staple gun and the long upholstery needles were essential for covering this box! I did pay a local upholstery shop to cover my buttons (for strength), but found instructions online on how to tuft. And yes, I have upholstered my own couch and chairs, but had not tried tufting before this project. We are still using this ottoman today and it has withstood the test of kids and dogs who like to sleep on it.



Above: first ottoman I ever made. It is still in use today!

An inspiration came from: dry stack rock on castles of long ago…My new rock (from Harlowton, MT), was laid or put up on the side of the house and fireplace in the same pattern you would see on a castle from centuries ago. I like the newer look of the stacked stones but I felt that the date that the rock was installed could be figured out just by how they were laid. Another tip about rock- don’t let anyone you like use the cultured stone as it will fade drastically within about 10 years. Yes, it does cost less for cultured rock, but the savings will show when the color is faded. Real rock does not fade and is even enhanced with a sealer every 5 years or so. The other pet peeve I have about some of the cultured stones available is they have a shinyness to them..like fool’s gold?!?!?





The top picture is the old "fake" fireplace before the remodel. The middle picture is the drystack style of stone I thought I wanted, and the bottom picture is the stone style inspiration from castles.

Remodel update: Knobs should not be that hard of a choice, but in my case it is! I love knobs and know just how much they can transform a space…the choices and prices are limitless. I had ordered some knobs (actually handles) from the kitchen department at Johnson Madison Lumber, but knew I wanted some more generic knobs for the laundry room cabinets, so I went to IKEA for those.
Design quote of the week: “Beauty is the quality of harmonious relationships. A formula to produce it does not exist."- Frank A. Parsons

FLASH SALES and an INSPIRATION

Are you always looking for a deal? I wanted to talk about “flash sale” websites such as www.HauteLook.com or www.OneKingsLane.com. If I cannot find an item in Great Falls, I will watch these websites for various items. These websites offer retailers a place to sell their wares at (sometimes huge) discounts for a very limited amount of time and are free for us to join. The time period can be just that day or 4 days, counting on impulse buying I am sure! But you may not have 4 days to make a purchase as items can and do sell out fast! The websites are updated frequently and sometimes list items that are on hold or in another shoppers’ cart. (For instance, the shopper only puts the item in their cart, but doesn’t decide to purchase, so you still have a chance.) Both of these websites will send an email on Sunday or ahead of time to alert you to the brands they will be offering that week. The purchase is actually made from the company itself, not the website. Like I said, if you are interested in an item, you had better act fast as they can be “SOLD OUT” in minutes. Some items I have perused were Seven for All Mankind jeans, rugs, and home accessories. The rug that got away for me would have been perfect, but alas I did not act in time and the sale expired.
So what if you see something, don’t buy it, then regret it later? If you remember the company offering the item, you can usually go directly to their website or you can google it. Keep in mind that it may not be on their website as it was a closeout and the price is almost guaranteed to be higher. I find this very helpful as amazon.com or nextag.com may show items you’re interested in. Put as much information as you can in the search box and it will pull up anything close. I used google.com to find my new house number plaque.
Another hint for getting a discount or free shipping is to sign up for email notifications from your favorite companies. They sometimes send out email only discounts or specials. Many times I will have my eye on an item and will watch to see if it goes on clearance or will wait for an email discount or sale. You do run the risk of the item getting sold out by the time a discount or sale comes along.
Whether you buy from these “flash sale” websites or not, they are fun to peruse and even just wish from.

Remember my new section on inspirations?
An inspiration came from… a trip to Seattle I saw a baby item with a giraffe skin print, so I decided I needed 3 giraffe skin paintings for my own home, after all I had a 12 ½ foot long wall and knew it would be awhile before I could afford a landscape by a local artist that I love(James Bason.) After looking on the internet for patterns I painted my own in 3 different colors: teal/aqua blue, gold and green. I wanted a little bit of a surprise and a “oh…I get it” from visitors and I think I get that… I have included a picture of them.

Remodel update: I am still searching for the perfect arrangement of furnishings, driving my husband crazy by asking him to help if any of it is too heavy for me to move myself. Second, we finally have house numbers on the front of the house. I shopped online for a mission style plaque and found one on www.etsy.com from georgiegirlstudios. I am also working a custom doorbell. Pictures will follow when that is complete.

Design quote of the week: “Nothing is passé if you really love it.”—Interior designer/antiques dealer Rose Tarlow, June/July 94

Introducing a new addition to my blog...and Parade of Homes Attributes

The new addition to my blog is a piece on WHAT INSPIRES ME when I am in the middle of designing my own space or someone elses. This week it was the fall Ballard Design cataloque and their use of finishes ad fabrics that evoke an antique, lived-in feel. I was inspired to go to my stash of metal ceiling tiles and cabinets to create artwork and and endtable(still in progress.)

End table in the making???

old ceiling tile w/ aqua paint

metal border tile in olive

It was well worth the $7 ticket price if you attended the 10th Annual Parade of Homes this past weekend in Great Falls! The homes represented all price points, from a NeighborWorks home built for financially qualified owners AND built by our very own high school students, to a million dollar plus priced home. Several design styles were represented- craftsman details, formal with lots of millwork, modern cable rails on the stairways with stained concrete floors, to tray ceilings in a master closet. This home also had a beautifully tiled wall in the shape of an arc and a soaking tub situated in front of some gorgeous picture windows overlooking the Missouri River!
If you are just looking to see what is new in the home building industry or want to get ideas for a remodel or new construction project-the Parade of Homes is the open house of all open houses! A couple of things caught my eye: the Neighbor Works house was staged by the current senior class of interior designers at MSU-COT as well as one other middle priced home was staged by a local interior designer. (I was asked to help in the project by choosing a room, but we had prior commitments and I felt that the time constraints were too tight to do a show my style properly.) Staging a home can only enhance its attributes and maybe even help sell them for you- or just give you ideas for your own home.
Another high point for me was the Whispering Ridge Hallmark home. It was a mix of contemporary/modern and traditional design ideas. The moldings were simple with a basic 1 X 6 (???), the windows were not trimmed with a traditional molding, they just had sheetrock bull-nosed (a rounded edge) up to the window sill. The basement floor was stained concrete- and yes, the floor did show some cracking , but it felt like it was part of the staining. The designer of this home had a clear idea of what he wanted to do and it was very appealing to me with no clutter, simple lines, fresh contemporary, dark cabinets, some curvy floor design to designate the living area from the kitchen/dining area. The stair rails were made of metal and cables. The walkout basement bathroom, where bedrooms were located, had an extra sink outside of the full bath along with extra storage. I liked this detail especially if your kids need the bathroom at the same time in the morning, etc. Modern design seems to be slow in acceptance for most Montanans but this was tastefully done.
I also wanted to comment on the Wilkinson’s Craftsmen style home out in the Spring Tree area: gorgeous! A private water feature out front drew you into the home.. Unique items were the travertine tile floors cut in random shapes and sizes…I mean up to about 3’ by 5’ pieces that was also used as the stair treads. Glass tiles were used on the basement fireplace, master bath details, kitchen backsplash. (This was the home mentioned above with the tray ceiling in the master closet and the arc wall adn soaker tub in fron tof the windows.) Windows everywhere!! Of course with the best views…my only drawback was the possibility of snakes getting to my dogs or me!
In years past the parade of Homes has had at least 1 remodeled home that the owner used to display her high-end bath products and tile. It was fun to see how the creativity using glass tiles, metal island support, and cool sinks really updated this generic home. I have been thinking about using my own homes remodel as an entry into the Parade of Homes to highlight my interior design talents. (Of course we would wait until phase 3 of the remodel is complete..master suite, backyard, kitchen replaced.) What do you think? Many people go through in a couple of days…

CONCRETE COUNTERS

Remodel update: I am including a couple of pictures of the concrete countertops that we had installed next to the fireplace. The colors may not be a true representation of their beauty. I chose a deep bronze, charcoal and sand coloring to pull out these colors from other areas of the remodel design. I also wanted a matte finish and slightly rustic so any kind of pock mark or blemish was okay by me. If any of you are interested in my contractor or wants to see the tops themselves just give me a call. We have decided to wait on the kitchen cabinets-I am looking for a certain type of upper cabinet and will relish the extra time to make sure it is just right! We have a lot more space to change it up.

Design quote of the week: “To take an edge off a white ceiling, always add 10% of the wall color to the ceiling paint.” -Sandra Nunnerly in Architectural Digest

Autumn trends

DESIGN QUOTE of the WEEK:
“Rent a Dumpster and prune, prune, prune! If you take a day and actually look at the things in your house, you’ll realize that a million of them can be tossed.” Jonathon Adler, Designer
REMODEL UPDATE:
Well, what an end to summer we have had. We started in July with the first of 5 weddings to attend and just now finished with that. We traveled to Port Orchard to watch our oldest McCall participate in her first triathlon AND took our son Chris along for an old-fashioned family vacation. The only disagreements were about the music playing on Sirius radio…he finally plugged in his iPod for the “good stuff”. (At least there were no speeding tickets this trip.) Another highlight was the Sage Fly Rod factory tour on Bainbridge Island. If anyone reading this is a fly-fisher person you would appreciate the tour just to see how it’s done.
As far as the remodel goes, we have the details left: latch on the pocket door, trim the back door, build a mantel, install the surround sound, and whole house music components, and phase 1 will be done!!!! Yes, I said phase 1…we have decided to wait to do the kitchen cabinets, along with some of the siding, and maybe the back patio until next year. Phase 3 will be the master suite and extra bath in the daylight basement. No new pictures this month..next time!

On to the real reason you read this and that is for the design content….right!?!?
How about autumn trends? I haven’t thought much about autumn trends myself, but I came across articles with information that you may want or absolutely need. Take note that these trends will probably last far into the future just like all of the other trends/changes in design. Some of you may have already picked up on this from your catalogues or magazines: the less is more strategy(i.e. de-cluttering) is very prominent, along with the use of neutrals and natural materials.
Some of the trends mentioned included the use of vintage accents such as French-burlap, aged or color-washed wood accessories, and even oversized accents. Linen is also being used for draperies as they are simpler and available in many colors-no more heavy or overdone window treatments!
Fall designs are showing neutral color for walls and the basic furniture but bolder colors to add visual interest for the accents. For variety, these brightly colored accessories can be changed out with the seasons.
Another trend involves rugs: any size, shape, or color you can imagine is available. Layering them with an area rug on top of wall-to-wall carpeting. These also can be changed out with the season as well.
Did I mention wallpaper? Yes, it is back! Actually, I am not sure if it ever actually totally went away...I visited a home on an open house 1 sunday a few months back-it had been flipped, but the owners chose to keep the grass cloth from lots of years prior-it just looked so traditional, yet, modern. I knew I had to have some and feel that it will last alot of years as well. Oversized designs, easy to apply and remove glues are the newest innovations. And yes, I did just put up some grass cloth above the fireplace for a textural look. Oh, and there is even eggplant colored grass cloth that is to die for!! And, grass cloth with printed designs on them, like damask. See the pictures of the fireplace in the August 1st blog entry.
Artwork should be something you love- it doesn’t have to be expensive, just has meaning for you or your family. Think a serene peaceful landscape of the French countryside because you visited there or of the ocean or forest because of your travels or cabin.
I have read about trends in design changing with the economy and tend to believe we maybe subconsciously DO just that. It could be the design companies who are influencing this as they seem to be promoting the less is more and recycled look for items. (Restoration Hardware.com and Ballard Designs.com are 2 examples.) I for example had been accessorizing like crazy, up until this remodel, and now want a fresh start, less clutter and visual junk. I now am de-cluttering like crazy with the surviving accessories being collectibles like my antique oil lamps, copper containers, and glass collection of spheres and vases, ceiling tin pieces, and stained glass windows remaining.
Less is more in the bedding department. Use neutral basics again with a simple duvet and top blanket. If you must, maybe only use 2 pillows in front of each sham.
Speaking of pillows…these budget friendly accessories can be changed out with the seasons…have a set for fall, Christmas, spring, etc.
And I save the best for last, remember brass? Well, now they are antiqued and are showing up on everything from drapery rods to knobs and figurines. Gold is a very warm color (as it is close to yellow- you knew that!) I just don’t know if I can give up my oil-rubbed bronze and copper stuff!!
Well, have a great day…until next time!

I Love to Paint!

I have been thinking a lot about paint these past couple of weeks, mainly because I have had to choose for my own house remodel. I should preface this blog with the statement that I LOVE to paint. It is very rewarding and not that hard to do. I can be fussy with the preparation and tools used- I definitely have my favorites!
As most of you know, you used to have to choose between latex or oil-based paints. At least in the past, the oil based was more of an option; one that I chose more often than not. Now it seems the paint companies are doing away with oil-based because of its’ environmental impact. In addition, they are combining paint with primer and lowering the VOC’s for their current offerings. VOC’s are volatile organic compounds, and are the stinky part of paint. I am very pleased with this new development as I have sinus problems with the smell of paint and chemicals.
In the past, if I was painting cabinets, trim, in a bathroom or somewhere that would require frequent washing, I always chose oil based paints. Now the companies have changed even their latex paints, omitting the oils almost exclusively- so choosing semi-gloss latex is just as washable as any oil-based paint was in the past.
Back to one of the newer developments- paint with primer combination. I have tried 2 brands and have really liked what I have used. They cover well, usually in 1 coat, but have had to use 2 coats most of the time as I was covering a really dark color or was painting on bare sheetrock. I cannot say there is no need for primers anymore, as you must consider what you are painting over. Also, consider the rule that you may not cover oil-based paint with latex because it will not stick. My example is a laundry room that was painted well over 8 years ago (and did not really need to be repainted but we added some sheetrock that was taped and mudded) with an oil based paint, so in my opinion, the walls must first be primed. The paint sticks better when primed properly.
A note about picking paint for your home: try to create a “flow” from room to room. I mean to carry a color or theme from room to room. If you carry a color throughout, it does not have to be the same color, they could blend or an accent color is repeated from room to room. I try to keep the colors intensity the same; 1 room is not bright and the rest of the rooms are subdued. Even keeping the trim color, the same throughout the home can help create this “flow”.

Update on the house remodel: We have the direct-vent fireplace installed with a designer view surround (picture frame style) and glass instead of logs. The glass is bronze in color and looks very cool- AND there is a remote to start and stop the flame! The cabinets for each side of the fireplace were delayed (some salespersons tell you what they think you want to hear), which in turn dela

yed the concrete countertops and rock for front of the house and fireplace. But, they just finished with all of that last week…no more contractors and having to be glued to the house! Grass cloth was hung above the mantel area by myself…and I survived…we are currently tiling the half bath and laundry room, staining the columns out front, waiting on copper caps for the columns, and finishing the details…before phase two?!?!? Yes, there will be a phase two...kitchen cabinets…then master bath, more siding, patio, 4th bath to be finished (finally, after 17 years of living here)…Of course I have no prediction when the list will be completed(hopefully before they carry us out of here!) Stay tuned...

Pictures: Rock just finished on fireplace, sea grass up on mantle, rock on front of house.

DESIGN QUOTE of the WEEK:
“A house has to evolve and change.”—Furniture designer Julian Chichester, November 06

MORE lighting?!?!? Never enough...

MORE LIGHTING?!?!?
More lighting?!?!? Think you have had enough? I just don’t want any of my friends, family or clients to forget the lighting….and of course I will only cover these topics briefly, so ask me for more details or find an expert in your area. (If you live in Great Falls, Mt, remember that Scott at City Lights is pretty awesome.)

Last blog, I gave a rule for determining the size of a chandelier and I will add these 2 rules: the diameter can be determined by adding the width and length of the room in which it will be placed(12' +14'=26')-convert this sum into inches (26") for the diameter of the fixture. In a dining room with the fixture to be hung over a table, the chandelier should be about 12" less than the table width.

Last week’s blog was about lighting and I want to follow-up with a few mistakes homeowners can and have made with lighting.

1. Not taking advantage of dimmers with halogen and incandescent bulbs as this will lengthen the bulb’s life and use less energy. A dimmer is available for low-voltage lighting, but is more expensive.

2. Don’t forget to have side –lights, such as sconces, and not just a down light at a bath vanity. It is more flattering and realistic to have lighting at the top and sides.

3. Don’t forget to use the 3 types of lighting, ambient, task and accent, in your space. Ambient is the general lighting for moving around and talking. Task lighting is for a more concentrated task such as chopping veggies or reading. The accent lighting is to highlight artwork or tile you’ve chosen.

4. Installing recessed down lights everywhere is one of the most common mistakes lighting designers see. Usually the recessed cans are inexpensive contractor grade and are not very efficient at shedding light on vertical surfaces. Remember that installing these recessed down lights in a high ceiling can leave your space feeling dark as they do not have enough “oomph” to get the lumens to the areas you need it in. In other words, the light will spread and not be sufficient to light what you need lighted.

5. Don’t forget task lighting in the kitchen. These can be xenon, LED, or fluorescent and be installed right under the wall cabinet. IN ADDITION, buy bulbs with a better CRI (remember this term from last week?) for a more pleasing light.

6. Remember to have separate controls for the different types of lighting in the space. You can do this with switches, or more advanced systems that allow you to control the lighting from your laptop or a programmable wall box.

7. Use more lighting sources or more wattage in your lighting if choosing darker surfaces for the space as darker surfaces absorb more of the light/lumens in the room.

8. Choosing light fixtures just because they “look good” or “match” can end up wasting energy or getting poor light output. There are so many different lighting manufacturers that there is bound to be a fixture with the perfect options for your space.

*** Remember, to avoid these mistakes be sure to consult a designer or lighting specialist to help make choices.

DESIGN QUOTE of the WEEK: (My husband hates this one!LOL)
“A house has to evolve and change.”—Furniture designer Julian Chichester, November 06

Pictures: Siding off-new cabinets next to fireplace-new siding

Remodel update: Last week we finished the floor, starting to install trims, cabinets have arrived with the bases installed, the concrete countertops have been templated and I am trying to put closets, décor and cabinet contents back in order. I am picking out tile for the ½ bath and laundry room. Siding should resume tomorrow, with a new walk-in garage door added. We are certainly looking for the end! And, we will have another trip to the dump...although I have donated everything possible, some items were just too dilapidated to keep in circulation.

Lighting, Lochsa, and "laws" for good lighting...

Remodel Update: Front door is stained a deep cherry stain (and we are getting alot of positive comments from passerby-ers, neighbors, and friends) and some of the front siding is up. (I know it is hard to see from this picture.) New flooring is being installed by my wonderful hubby-it too is a beautiful warm color; you can see we are about half way...it should be done by this weekend! YES!!! Trim is next...

The three L's...lighting, Lochsa and "laws" of lighting...

Happy second week of June! Last week I was fortunate enough to whitewater raft on the Lochsa(LockSaw) River(with 9' of water) with my family and now am getting down to work. This week I wanted to talk about lighting. During our remodel we moved or replaced 14 light fixtures. I was able to add some low-voltage lighting above some cabinetry that will just set it off! I have been searching for a pendant for above my dining table that is part-modern, part-rustic, part-traditional...some would just say "transitional". I have found some interesting sites with totally customizable shades and am including a couple of examples of colors I chose...I am matching them to an amber glass pendant for above the new island. Of course, I have found some awesome lighting that is very modern, just not quite right. I truly believe that someone will design the perfect light for me at a reasonable price-in the mean time I can play with the custom sites. So far the prices have ranged from $800 to $299...whew!

Check out the http://www.lampsplus.com/ website, as well as the http://www.stonegatedesigns.com/ website, and http://www.alluminaire.com/ where you can design your own drum shade versions, wallpapers and fabrics, all to match.. LampsPlus.com Design Your Own Custom Lighting: "I created my own lighting design ... check it out!"

Not sure how to size your lights(light fixtures)? or how about choosing a light bulb(lamp)?

The size of your dining light/chandelier is dependant on the size of the room: measure diagonal across the room, take that measurement and convert it into inches. For example, if the room is 24' wide diagonally, the light fixture should be about 24" diameter. How high do I hang the dining light above the table? Usually 30" above the table top or roughly 5' AFF.

A couple of words about low-voltage lighting versus high-voltage lighting: first, the low-voltage fixtures cannot have any insulation touch them, so they must be protected. In my case, the fixture is 4 3/8" round, but the box that surrounds it is about 12" x 18". Sound like overkill?!?! They will be accent and task lighting for cabinet areas. Now, how about dimming them?

Yes, you can dim low-voltage fixtuers, but they must have a special dimmer that is magnetized, and therefore more expensive, of course. High-voltage fixtures are actually what most of us had in our houses all along, they run on "normal" wires and use incandescent bulbs. What you may not know is that eventually it will be against the law to use incandescent bulbs, (2012 I think) and you will switch to CFL, which is short for Compact FlourescentLighting. I usually cringe just thinking about CFL bulbs as I remember the old bulbs with the cool, washed-out look. But we can already get CFL's with a better CRI(color rendition index) than the early CFL's, you may just pay more for them until the demand is better. And, of course I can't forget to mention the LED's (light emitting diodes) bulbs and the fact that they are being developed for uses in lots of places. Even televisions are using LED lighting. I predict their cost will go down as well.

Have a great week!

DESIGN QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“The drama of this interior doesn’t come from the obvious; it comes from the strength of the point of view. The rooms are sets—not for theater, but for living.”—Interior designer Vicente Wolf, August/September 01

Faucets, Faucets, and more Faucets

I started researching kitchen faucets for my own kitchen and found quite a lot of interesting information that I will share with you. (Keep in mind that vessel sinks require special faucets.) And..I was told by a plumbing parts store that a sink is a sink, but don't skimp on the faucet!
1. Handle options: should feel good, be easy to maneuver and solid when in action.
2. Solid brass construction: Brass is tough with extreme temperatures and will outlast any plastic internal component faucet.
3. On the Wall: frees up the countertop and does not get the grime that sink-mount faucets can get.
4. Easier how-to: Now one of the simpler DIY projects as some models have snap connectors and that eliminates the need for a wrench and plumber’s tape.
5. People’s choice: Polished chrome is still the favorite!
6. Cleaner water: Get peace of mind with a faucet that filters high % of lead, chlorine, and other contaminants. They can also change from filtered to unfiltered easily.
7. Compression faucets: These kinds rely on rubber washers to stop the flow of water, are prone to leakage and need frequent repair-so beware.
8. Ceramic-disk valve: Reliable because 2 disks form an airtight seal when locked together. One disk stays in 1 spot, the other moves to block or open water flow.
9. Instant tea: Choose a faucet with an instant hot water feature and it allows users to get it for tea or whatever quicker.
10. PVD technology: Physical Vapor Disposition is process that protects metal surfaces from wear and corrosion. It binds coatings to metal to give faucets the always-untarnished look.
11. Go for the old: If looking for vintage faucets you can search antique stores or architectural salvage stores-just be careful to inspect for metal integrity and working mechanisms. The other choice is brand new castings that look old.
12. Pullouts: The trend is to get a faucet with a hose that will spray off dishes and get rid of the old style side-spray attachments.
13. Professional equipment: Toe switches for hands free washing or restaurant style faucets with long, metal-clad hoses are for the serious dishwashers.
14. Secondary sinks: Two sinks require 2 faucets. Try to keep the styles the same or similar.
15. Pot fillers: These are mounted on the wall behind the cook top and should reach both front and rear burners.
16. Price of admission: Prices range from $50 up to $500 plus with polished chrome being the least expensive.
17. Old world: Oil-rubbed bronze, wrought iron and hammered copper are popular choices for a vintage look.
18. Precious metals: Stain-less steel, brushed nickel, and satin finishes are becoming more popular and hide water spots and are very stylish.
19. Matte chrome finish: This mimics aluminum and is gaining popularity.
20. Escutcheon plate: These plates can cover unused faucets holes if you are replacing a 2-handle faucet with a single-lever model.
21. Call in the pros: If you need new countertops, trust professionals to drill the holes for the faucet.
22. Have it your way: Choose the shape of the faucet first, then the finish. There are a lot of choices!
23. Epoxy finishes: Colored nonmetallic finishes are available in white, almond, black, and other colors.
24. Brassy: This choice is upscale, but hard to keep shiny, so look for a model that’s guaranteed not to corrode, tarnish, or discolor.
And last but not least!....
25. Never forget: Turn the water off first if replacing it.
I hope you find this list to be a lot of good, concise information. There are so many wonderful choices—fun, fun, fun!!! I love this weeks’ design quote as we are remodeling and thought our house was generic enough to just change cosmetic things..like finishes(paints, carpets, etc.) over the years, and now realize how making certain changes can really change your life. An example is that we have taken down a 32' wall that will allow our guests to mingle with space to move around. Now, it seems like the space never ends…
Design Quote of the Week: “Too often when we’re buying or building a house, we do not consider each room. We are carried away by one charming feature and are blind to details that will give us trouble later on.” Dorothy Draper

More remodel pics...the brick coming down! We are getting ready for some of the siding to go up and then after that the (real) rock from Montana. Beautiful stuff!

NKBA Design Trends

Last week I talked about design trends in the kitchen and bath industry, so this week I want to add a couple more that started showing up in the NKBA Design Competition. The NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) is the organization that I have received my accreditation through, and they hold a design competition each year for professionals and students. (Someday I will partake…) They have noticed several trends I didn’t mention or expound upon:
Concealed kitchens: Appliances are being concealed or integrated because houses are being built with more open spaces.
Beverage stations: Coffee pots and beverage coolers are being located together for easier access. Prep sinks can be located near or in the beverage center. These centers are also being located in the master bathrooms to ease the morning rush.
Scaling of Elements: Fixtures, shapes, implied and actual textures, shapes are being used to create a balanced scale. This scale can be achieved whether it is using a tin ceiling, pebbled wall tiles, wood grains or distinctive wall coverings.
Color with energy: Bright, bold blues, purples, greens and yellows that exude energy!
Soft geometry: Rounded organic shapes can be seen in the edge of a counter or island top, an arch over an entryway or cooking hearth, the curved lines of a light fixture, and well-placed, space-defining soffits. They help to soften the traditionally angular, straight edges usually found in kitchens and baths.
Space subtleties: Floating vanities and wall-mounted toilets lend a spacious feel to a bathroom, while appliances can be stacked and positioned within islands to bring tasks into the same area of the kitchen.
Design Framing: Designers are bringing artistic details to new heights. A seemingly simple detail, such as the use of a soffit along the ceiling or a width of wall space surrounding inset cabinetry, can call out the item being framed as a focal point while also providing visual balance to the room. The thickness of a counter top edge outlined by a higher counter top acts to highlight a unique material used in the surface. Balance in design is achieved not only by the use of simply symmetry. Portions of a room can be treated as a piece of art, with a frame indicating its presence
Varying Heights: Greater family interaction can be achieved by varying the heights of island tops, counter tops, and partial walls to be specific to the users. Taller eating bar counter tops, and dishwasher areas, lower prep areas, as well as desk areas are specific to the different tasks being performed on them.
Japanese Influences: Clean lines, open spaces, and a neutral color pallet. Sometimes a bold color thrown into the design for impact.
Art Integration: Design revolving around/from a favorite piece of artwork to personalize the space.
Okay, are you thoroughly confused? If you have any questions please be sure to contact me. These trends are specific to the kitchen and bath design competition, but usually are indicative of what is new or improved in the design industry.
Now for my remodel update: the roof is complete with the new ridge vents that run along the entire peak to better vent the roof in the attic space. They cost a little extra to install, but are supposed to be far better than the traditional 8” square or round vents that you see on most houses. The fireplace is being framed now, with attention to all of the details…like the 2” rock reveal, size of the speakers for surround sound, wiring for the TV, and gas fireplace. The front door has been installed: it is awesome! We spent a fair amount on the door, but researched ahead of time and know that the cost will be offset with one of the energy tax credits! YES!!! Pictures to follow… The first picture is of the new fireplace in progress. The 2nd picture(middle, top row) is of the old front entry, the last 2 are of the new front door. The bottom picture is with the new columns-they will have a natural rock base.

Design Quote of the week: “Crossing too many t’s and dotting too many i’s make a room look overdone and tiresome. One should create something that fires the imagination without overemphasis.” Nancy Lancaster

Kitchen and Bath trends....

Whew! It has been a long time! So much to talk about…the remodel is moving along and some notes from a class I attended in Kalispell. (Of course I realize it is almost half way through the year to be talking about trends for 2010, just keep in mind that these will not be "fads" such as fashion that come and go with the season.)
What are the newest kitchen trends and/or how are some of the older trends holding up? Let’s start with what is hot…**professional appliances or suites of appliances(they all match or are from the same manufacturer and look alike) **glass countertops ** coffered ceilings **wood floors (Did they ever really go out?!?) ** open spaces such as opening up walls between kitchen, living and dining areas **a furniture look to the cabinets (decorative fillers, corbels, island legs, or valances at the toe kick) **wine chillers (YUM!) **concrete countertops… but, remember that they are not very forgiving…Waterford Crystal Company has reported an increase in sales due to counters made of harder materials such as concrete or stone) ** multiple countertops ** walk-in pantries (popular because of Costco and Sam’s Club) ** Islands, especially double islands ** custom hoods above the range or cook top ** a fireplace in the kitchen ** horizontal cabinet doors…they lift up and actually can be very good for the aging population **”green” thinking.
Comments about a couple of these trends: custom hoods are more of a focal point now. Granite is waning a little in popularity, but definitely chosen for the uniqueness of the stone. Wine racks are purchased because they “look good”, but it is actually the wrong place to store wine as the temperature is usually too warm in the kitchen. Bamboo floors can be harder than wood floors but they are not as green as you would think because of their carbon footprint (what it costs to produce them and transportation costs to get them here.) Formal rooms are going by the wayside with “no dining rooms” and comfort in all areas of the house preferred. Two cook kitchens require two sinks. An “entertaining” kitchen is more popular with the kitchen being the restaurant of choice for a lot of people.
Bathroom trends include chrome finishes on the faucets, showerheads, etc. because they “last longer”. The oil rubbed bronze finish is hard to match but still very popular around here. Color of the year for the bathroom is a spring green. Luxuries are still high on wish lists with multiple showerheads, towel warmers and grab bars gaining popularity.
Next week I will cover some color and design trends concerning cabinets for both kitchens and baths and some interesting facts about what different age groups are spending money on.

Design quote of the week: “You can never achieve anything in a house unless you have things that have been passed down and you find a place for them for yourself.” Sister Parish


For those of you looking for pics of the remodel: the new wall to divide the back hall from the living room has sheetrock, the new front step is poured, alot of the lighting has been moved. Today, the new shed roof is added!

BEFORE and DURING.....("After" will come in the next couple of days...)

Home remodeling is a test...

A Home remodel is a test...

A test? Yes, between 2 people who have been married for 27 years last Friday. It definitely tests our patience…with each other! My husband is of the accountant sort that watches every purchase(not that I don’t disagree with it) and I am of the designer sort that knows what looks good and doesn’t always want to wait until we can fit it in the budget! We can wait for certain things if it means

I get just the perfect fireplace or the perfect glass backsplash…

after 27 years(30 if we count dating) we have also learned to

compromise. (He is not much on visualizing without pictures so

I have to provide pictures if I really want something…not a

problem!)
Whew! These past 2 weeks have been busy…we have so far torn

down the 32 foot wall that ran down the center of our main floor,

pulled trim off of windows, hired a contractor, and ordered doors,

raised the sunken living room floor to match the rest of the floor,

and moved the back door. Amazingly, the building permit only

took 8 days to be approved- I was pretty excited as I was told it could take up to a month to get back. Therefore, we are legal

and everything!
I have included pictures of the “expert laborers” (our wonderful

friend Mark and my wonderful brother-in-law Bob- actually I

should be thanking their wives for letting them come play!) These

2 have been invaluable with information, suggestions and tools…

boy, do they have tools! It is unbelievable to me after looking at

their “stashes”, that they still have tools on their wish lists!
I wanted to talk about hiring a contractor a little bit. Some things

to keep in mind: Are they licensed and insured? Have you seen any

of their previous work? What is the main focus of their work- are

they finish carpenters and going to sub out most of the work or are they pretty well rounded with work experience? Are they comfortable

answering your questions? Do they get back to you right away or is it

excuse after excuse? Most of all, are you comfortable with them?

They are going to be in your living space and around your family,

so be careful whom you choose.



Design Quote of the Week: “If you make a compromise- selecting something cheaper than what you really like- it compromises you, because you are never really happy with the result.” Rose Cumming

TOP 2 PHOTOS: 32' wall is out/looking to kitchen & back door

THIRD PHOTO: Looking to living room from end of kitchen

4th Photo: Looking to front door/living room

RIGHT: Sunken living room floor

raised

RIGHT: Back door BEFORE

and AFTER(the hole in the far right photo is the space the door formerly occupied.)

I hope you enjoy the journey with us- next weeks photos should be of the new hallway wall (It will meet up with the new back door placement) and entry to the half bath. Other plans are to add surround sound, a gas fireplace, a music system with different zones(because god forbid we actually have to listen to the same music as the other occupants), and new kitchen.

It all started with a new roof/sounds logical...

It all started with a new roof…
Our home remodel started with the need for a new roof…sort of like the snowball picking up speed as it rolls downhill…(I know you were thinking of another analogy-no R-rated info here!)
· If we replaced the 25 year old roof, we decided to change the front entry as long we were at it. (Should an interior designer live in a “1983-looking” house with vinyl siding? Oh, I think not!)
· If they were putting on new roof, we decided to put in a gas fireplace because it had to be vented through a brand new roof. (And yes, all of these years I have had a fake one in the living room.) I fooled a whole lot of people with the fake one by putting a custom mantle, made by my husband, and painting it. It truly looked like it should have worked.
· If we needed to vent the fireplace, we needed to decide where to put it. Why not take out the 32’ wall that runs down the center of the main floor? It separates the formal dining and living from the kitchen, laundry and ½ bath. Why not???
· If the wall comes down, we now have a “great room”…so, why not move the back door into the laundry room to allow more space for the “great room”…that means the laundry room gets smaller, along with the ½ bath.
· Where do all of the light switches, cold air returns move to?
· Now, we need more lighting in the “great room”. Because in 1983 they only put a fixture above where they thought the dining table would be. Definitely not enough for about 500 square feet of space.
· As long as we are in the attic with new lighting, why not look at putting in Smart home technology for sound or whatever else you desire…intercom, temperature, security, music…it “sounds” like this is the wave of the future!
· To better utilize the space, the kitchen should be remodeled. (We also need to make up for the fact that we are losing some storage space in the laundry room. It is very livable the way it is, but before we put in new flooring for the entire main floor we need the island in its new place.)

It all sounds very logical doesn't it? I will include the before and after floor plans as they are finalized. Wish us luck to be finished in a reasonable amount of time as it will be moving on to the master suite after this!!!!
It all started with a new roof….

DESIGN QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Nothing is in good taste unless it suits the way you live. What’s practical is beautiful…and suitability always overrules fashion.” Billy Baldwin

Remodel...Again Appliances...

I did some “local” research on appliances since I last wrote: induction cook tops come in several shapes and sizes. You really want to look at the watts on them as that will affect how quickly your water will boil! Several choices now: anything from portable, plug-in models to countertop models. They are the wave of the future-so watch for more models, for safeties sake if nothing else as I said last week that the burner must be covered 2/3 of the way before it will heat up. (A child throws a toy onto the burner and as long as it doesn’t cover the burner more than the 2/3, you will be good!)
We, my husband and I, are in the planning process for a big remodel at our house. He is an accountant and does not have much time until after April 15th to help with decisions, so it has fallen to me. Of course, I love it-the whole design process-but now have a budget to deal with. My spouse doesn’t get too deep into the design phase, so when he does voice his opinion I try to listen and incorporate it into the design. I am including some pictures of the “before”. The 32’ wall that runs down the center of the main floor will be removed, a couple of 4’ walls will be removed, an new shed roof over the entry will be added to the front, along with 2 columns. We also will add a gas fireplace, new kitchen, level out the sunken living room floor and move the back door over 3’ into the mud room. All of this will create a great “great room”! I will keep you updated…I am considering concrete, granite, copper, and/or paper countertops. The floors will be tile in the laundry & ½ bath for now, & laminate in the whole main great room with a couple of area rugs for “warmth”. (We have 2 boxers who are tough on floors.)
If you are considering a remodel, I recommend that you get more than 1 bid just to see if you’re in the ballpark. I would also look at some of each of the contractor’s past work, and make sure that all of the bids are comparing apples to apples. Just on a front entry door, my bids were $800 apart. Remember that the bidding will take a while; you are at the mercy of the contractors depending on the time of year. The other obstacle can be the permit process. In Great Falls it can take 2 to 3 weeks to get your permit.
Okay, here are a few BEFORE pics: I will keep you "posted" on the progress!

DESIGN QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Neither good taste or wealth…can transform a house into a home, for a home does not consist in the quality of its architecture or décor, but in the quality of the lives that it expresses.” Philippa Tristam, Living Space