Friday
17
Feb
We know that planning your outdoor living space can be a daunting task, so the planning can be pushed back and pushed back again. Then, just like last year, we find ourselves at midsummer, and we begin kicking ourselves for not pulling the trigger earlier (usually while we’re at that one friend’s outdoor oasis who has a perfect balance of function and aesthetics). Well, good...
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
I’ve been keeping a book of patterns lately. They seem so, well, delightful after all the p This tile design, “Cambridge,” is from Stone Impressions. It has the look of engraving, with fine lines & shading. Artistic Tile has great tile patterns, precision cut, with glass, stone, ceramic, and mirror all mixed together. And I’ve always loved Walker-Zanger’s La...
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
As a designer, I am often the first contact for a homeowner who wants to remodel their master bathroom. And no matter where we start the conversation, it comes around to that uncomfortable question of cost. Usually it’s preceded by the word “just,” as in “I just want to flip the shower and the closet,” or “I just want to add a bump-out under the...
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
As a designer, I get asked this question all the time. What’s better (or more in style, or what do most people expect), stained cabinets or painted cabinets? You would think that the answer would reflect my knowledge of the industry, or some profound professional insight. Strangely, though, the answer has more to do with the color of a clients’ existing cabinets. That is, if you...
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
In the design industry, there are certain things that we hear from our clients every day. Some are compliments (“That marble countertop is so beautiful!”) Some are fears (“I’m afraid that I’m going to pick the wrong color and the kitchen will look terrible.”) And some are code for saying something entirely different. Here are 5 of my favorite things that...
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
Here in San Diego you can find recessed can lights in almost every home. Although they are not always the best light source (because of the downward, cone-shaped light), contractors, home-builders, and home-owners all like and use them because they are inexpensive and unobtrusive. Unfortunately, the same qualities that make them popular also make them somewhat, well, boring. Recently a client...
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
I SEE. (Also, “Okay.”) Usually your designer says this right after you’ve told them about your REALLY GOOD IDEA. And–as you may have already figured out–it usually means that they don’t like your really good idea. (They will be explaining this to you later, when you are tired and they think you are less likely to argue.) NO PROBLEM. When your contractor...
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
There is something poignant about the things that disappear during our lifetimes. I don’t care so much about the gadgets (the cordless phones, broken fax machines, and sad digital watches that end up in the nobody-wants-this-stuff-bin at the Goodwill). I’m thinking more about the friendly, personality-driven, neighborhood stuff that somehow looks different on every street....
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
While we may think that there are big gaps in the needs of Baby Boomers and Millennials the research shows that these two groups are looking for pretty much the same things when it comes to their homes. • an open floor plan • a home for entertaining • modern touches Baby Boomers are looking for smaller yards that require less up keep and allow them to use their leisure time for travel and...
Read MoreSaturday
31
Mar
According to the 2016 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Survey, the majority of homeowners who are updating their kitchen cabinets are incorporating specialty storage. And why wouldn’t they? Storage is HOT. With so many great choices offered by Design Moe Kitchen & Bath, it’s a pleasure to plan the details of a new space. Here are a few to consider for your new kitchen. THE CHARGING DRAWER Store...
Read MoreThursday
29
Mar
We love working with our clients when it comes to choosing their appliances. One reason is that all of the high-end appliance companies have such great options when it comes to what’s available. Today I had a need to go to Sub-Zero / Wolf to determine the size and configuration of refrigerator. The specs were there, they were easy to find and see what my ± numbers were. I might normally...
Read MoreThursday
29
Mar
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Read MoreThursday
29
Mar
When it comes to the enjoyment homeowner’s gain from projects, a new pool comes in at number one, receiving a perfect Joy Score of 10; Joy Scores range between 1 and 10 and higher figures indicate greater joy from the project. Ninety-five percent of homeowners who completed a pool project said they have a greater desire to be at home, 90 percent felt a major sense of accomplishment, and 80...
Read MoreThursday
29
Mar
Recently I tried cooking on an induction cooktop, I loved it. The look still made me think of those old glass top electric ranges, and I hated those for so many reasons. However, Wolf is onto something with these Professional & Transitional induction ranges. Wolf Induction Ranges Now they have: … an exciting new alternative to gas. The Wolf induction range gives you a cooktop with...
Read MoreThursday
29
Mar
Like most designers, I could really use a magic wand. Then I would perform some simple miracles: First I would change all residential sliding glass doors into French doors. Then I would change all those new French doors into OUTSWING doors. (Why does that point always come up after the installation?) And then, 10 years from now (when we’ve all gone contemporary), I would change all those...
Read MoreThursday
29
Mar
I’ve been hearing a lot of barking lately about using marble on kitchen countertops., please talk to your stone fabricators about the challenges of living with marble countertops in the kitchen before deciding on surfaces such as these. 15 hours ago elleneric thanked you elleneric I hear everything from, “They’ve been using them in Europe for hundreds of years with no problems in...
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