2016 Kitchen Trends

Here are the 2016 Kitchen Trends from Houzz.  

Kitchen Confidential: 9 Trends to Watch for in 2016

BATHROOM REMODEL IDEAS

In my house growing up, we had a half bathroom. My mother would change the decor every 5 years or so.  I remember one time it had wall paper that looked like a forest and another time she painted the walls deep red and used black towels and rugs for accent.

Looking back, I believe that this bathroom was her creative outlet that she could redecorate at minimal cost and without my dad's input.

Today, I love putting bold prints or colors in small spaces - "Thanks Mom".  Here are some ideas I found for a half bath ideas.

Wainscoting does not have to be white.  Love the grey and bold wallpaper.

  This wall paper seems to shimmer - bold but calming

                        Hot pink and black - Why Not

                  Here is a more masculine style bath

  I think of a cottage with this green inspired bathroom. 
                          Love the detail on the mirror  

 You can put a bathroom anywhere as long as you have
   a water hook-up.  Great black and white design with
                                  warm wood floor.

Small spaces give you a chance to experiment with color and pattern without a huge commitment (because they are small).  Look at your home and see where you can redesign a space and get out of your comfort zone.

CERAMIC TILE

When I see loft spaces in old buildings, I always love how the exterior brick is part of the design.  Your decor can be modern or traditional and the exposed brick always seems to look "just right".  

If you are lucky enough to have one of these industrial loft spaces - Congratulations. But for the rest of us, we can achieve the look.  

Rodine has a product line called London Brick.  This is a ceramic material that is inspired by early 20th century brick. 




It comes in 3 sizes - - 6x25, 13x25 and 30.5x60.5 - in a colour range featuring earthy shades: multicolor, sunset, beige, charcoal, fog and the new brown, obtained by mixing black, cream and brown.

This is a beautiful line and I can't wait to use it somewhere in my home.

 

9-11 - Never Forget

Floor Tile

There are many options for your floor; wood, vinyl, tile.  Once you make a decision on what type of flooring, you have to make more decisions of color, style, etc.  

The entire process can be overwhelming.  Choosing what type of floor is important and you want to make sure you "Get It Right".

Tile flooring seems to have endless possibilities on size, color, texture, style.  In the last few years, ceramic tile that resembles wood has been very popular.  You have the wood "look" with the durability of tile.  The early versions seemed to be a more of a painted on wood grain.  As always, new technology prevails and some of today's wood line ceramic tile is beautiful, realistic with the durability of tile.  Olympia Tile has a line Charmwood.  This tile comes in 6" x 36" lengths and has a rustic look to it.  When you see it, you almost have to feel it to confirm that is it in fact Tile.   

Some do not like tile because it is cold.  An easy fix is to have a custom underfloor heating mat (prices do vary depending on room layout, but should not break the bank).  Any tile store can price out and it is an easy installation for a tile installer or the experienced homeowner.

This is just one example of many for floor tile.  Visit a tile store in your area and be prepared to be overwhelmed but enjoy the journey of updating your home.

Design With The Color Blue

In honor of the Blue Moon here are some ideas to include the color blue in your home.

Blue is a great color to work with.  It is very neutral and can be added to most color schemes. 

Adding color can be as simple as a dash of blue in accessories to make your room Pop, paint one wall a shade of blue, upcycle a piece of furniture with the color blue or take the plunge and go for it - make your whole room BLUE.  Want a retro look in your kitchen - add some blue appliances.  

If you are hesitant, but want to add color to your decor, Blue is a great color to start with.  It is calming and depending on the shade, it can be very "safe".

Below are some pictures I found.  See how you can add blue to your room.

Kitchen Design - Your Sink

When you think of kitchen design, do you think to add color to your sink?  Well Houzer has.  Their porcelain enamel sinks come in a variety of colors and styles.

Here are a few colors and their styles:

These under-mount sinks are part of the Porcela series and are double baked at 1500 degrees F.                     

Their non-porous surface can resist chips, stains and scratches.

Choosing a sink other than White or Stainless may seem

"not practical", but Why Not?  Most kitchen designs are too neutral and need color desperately.  Having an all white kitchen and installing a turquoise sink would be beautiful and unique.   So Why Not - add some color to your sink:)                  

Simple 4th of July Decorations

I am having some friends over for the holiday and want my house to look festive.  I found these simple 4th of July decorations on the web.  

Color rice with food coloring, put in jar and add a candle.

Glue festive paper on a tin can and add flowers.  

Paint canning jars to hold silverware.

BEST DISPLAY - THE AMERICAN FLAG

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

COLOR TRENDS

Trends, Trends, Trends - It seems there is always an article on what trend is "In".  It can be a kitchen trend, color trend, furniture trend, etc.  Just when you think you have your home the way you like it, you read an article about a trend which may lead you to second guess yourself.

I personally try not to follow trends.  I am a firm believer that "If You Like It" that is all that matters.  You live in your home, not other people and their opinion.

With that said, being the in the business of home remodeling, I do have to keep up with the trends for knowledge and when a client asks the question "What is considered in style"  I will tell them what is trendy, but always follow up with "What are your likes and how you function in your home".

I was on the Sherwin Williams website with their color of the year for 2015.  I am currently in the middle of a major overhaul in my own home.  I am painting all my stained trim white (I have always had stained trim, and really wanted a change - not trying to be trendy).  The color I had picked for my walls is Sherwin Williams Rye Grass which happens to be a "trend" color to coordinate with Sherwin Williams color ot the year Coral Reef .  I had planned on using a coral color as accent with accessories.  One may think I am following the paint trends - I picked out these colors last spring.  

I picked colors that I liked, not what some article told me I should like.   I am carefully choosing fabric and accessories that I know I will like for a long time because frankly when I am done with this home project - I Am Done!

Sherwin Williams Rye Grass Color - my wall color

 Sherwin WillIams Coral Reef - not sure yet but will use for accessories

Open Shelves in your Kitchen

Open shelves in your kitchen - do you love it or hate it?
The trend for kitchens is getting rid of upper cabinets and having open shelves for dishes, pots, pans and any kitchen gadget you have. 

 Looking on the web for pictures, I have found that all these kitchens are "staged" very well and the open shelves look Great!  How would these shelves look in the real life of a kitchen?  Most people do not have perfect coordinating dishes, pots and pans.  Would you have the time to make sure the shelves look good each and every day?  What happens to these dishes out in the open with dust, kitchen grease or any other airborne particle?  

Here are some pictures I found on Google.

PERFECT COORDINATION WITH THESE SHELVES

SOME OPEN SHELVES CAN APPEAR MESSY

There is a place for open shelves in a kitchen, I am just not sure if they should replace all your upper cabinetry.

A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN OPEN SHELVES AND UPPER CABINETRY

CUSTOM WOOD DOOR

Our CPA had a dilemma with one of their small offices in their space.  This office had a metal security door that had to stay, but looked terrible in the space. 

Our solution:  We put a solid wood panel on the interior side of the door.  This panel matchs the style and color of the cabinetry in the office.  We used black metal decorative brackets to attach the wood the metal door.  We also built a matching wood panel to cover the metal service panel in the space.  

Now this office has the security of metal door with the look of a wood door.  Very happy client.

                            OUTSIDE VIEW OF DOOR

                              VIEW LOOKING INSIDE

             INSIDE VIEW OF DOOR AND SERVICE PANEL

CUSTOM PICTURE FRAME

I had purchased this great photo from Esty that would look perfect above my fireplace.  When I hung it up the scale was Wayyy off, but I was determined to find a solution.  Quick answer - build a frame.  

I wanted a simple frame in rustic wood.  When constructing this frame, we made sure to include the knots in the wood. Once completed, the picture looks even better and in the proper scale.

BEFORE THE FRAME

PICTURE WITH FRAME

KITCHEN REMODEL - SOUTH ROCKWOOD

In this kitchen, cabinetry was mixed light and dark.  This created interest that would otherwise be too "light" or too "dark".  White kitchens have been the norm for some time, but it is time to bring back the stained cabinets.  The counters are also two different colors.  Kitchens do not have to be "matchy-matchy".  Go ahead and mix it up.

Overall View of Kitchen

Glass cabinets with interior lights to display dishes

Farm-style sink, glass drawer fronts 

 

  Added wainscoting and shelf supports to dress up back of island

  

 Pot filler for convenience, white subway tile with a metal deco strip to add interest.