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Design Dog talks about marble countertop
March 29, 2018

Design Dog talks about marble countertop

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 bakeries, restaurants and homes," to "They stain and scratch and are a nightmare." What's the truth?? 15 hours …
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Remove & replace
March 29, 2018

Remove & replace

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 French doors back to sliding glass doors. Because, of course, the problem with quick & easy chang…
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Induction Ranges their not the old Electric Range at all.
March 29, 2018

Induction Ranges their not the old Electric Range at all.

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 incredible speed and control – boils water faster than gas, yet gives you precise high end to low…
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The joy score of doing a home project
March 29, 2018

The joy score of doing a home project

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 percent have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home. However, Realtors estimate tha…
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Our New App Contest win a Wine
March 29, 2018

Our New App Contest win a Wine

Or click on this link: Design Moe Card Tap App…
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March 29, 2018

High-end Appliances

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 find the email that was sent to my inbox 5 minutes later intrusive. But I am on their mailing list, s…
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STORAGE OPTIONS IN DESIGN PROCESS
March 31, 2018

STORAGE OPTIONS IN DESIGN PROCESS

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 more with this charging station drawer. Ideal for all your devices. PULL-OUT SPICE STORAGE …
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BABY BOOMERS V. MILLENNIALS …AND THEIR DESIRES
March 31, 2018

BABY BOOMERS V. MILLENNIALS …AND THEIR DESIRES

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 downtime. Millennials are interested in things that give them living that is hip, sexy and chic. …
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IF I WERE 5″ TALL I WOULD LIVE IN A MAILBOX
March 31, 2018

IF I WERE 5″ TALL I WOULD LIVE IN A MAILBOX

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. Mailboxes, for example: I know that they're not always the best-dressed item on the block. They start off straight and…
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March 31, 2018

NO PROBLEM: THINGS CONTRACTORS & DESIGNERS SAY THAT MEAN SOMETHING ELSE

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 says, "Sure, we can do that. No problem," he doesn't mean that he is going to do it for free. What he means is that whatever project or upg…
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TARTING UP YOUR HOME’S RECESSED CAN LIGHTS
March 31, 2018

TARTING UP YOUR HOME’S RECESSED CAN LIGHTS

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 asked for suggestions on how to improve the look of the many can lights that marched across her ceili…
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March 31, 2018

HOW HARD CAN IT BE? FIVE THINGS CLIENTS SAY THAT MEAN SOMETHING ELSE

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 clients say that really mean something else: 1. How hard can it be? Although this looks like a question, it's not. It's a warning, tellin…
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BATHROOM CABINETS: STAINED OR PAINTED?
March 31, 2018

BATHROOM CABINETS: STAINED OR PAINTED?

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 currently have stained wood cabinets, then you probably want to rip out those dark, heavy cabinets and replac…
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March 31, 2018

$40K? YIKES, HOW CAN A BATHROOM COST THAT MUCH?

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 overhang," or "I just want a higher ceiling in that one area." Because someone, somewhere, has said (for whatever reason), that the job shouldn't …
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COOL PATTERNS & NOT SO COOL PATTERNS
March 31, 2018

COOL PATTERNS & NOT SO COOL PATTERNS

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 Fleur Pattern. There's something about light-colored flowers on a black field that feels both unexpected and perfect. S…
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