Posted by PC Design on Jun 8, 2011 in
Interior Design...D.I.Y 
There’s a line from the comedy, Ghost World, where an 18-year-old Scarlett Johansson says to her best friend, Thora Birch, “This reminds me of your little old lady phase.” She was referring to an eccentric non-conformist’s brief stint wearing clothes meant for women four times her age. The character didn’t care that others considered her style of dress lame, silly or little-old-lady; she thought it was cool and rocked it out.
Take a look at these pieces once deemed old but show no signs of their secret past thanks to some clever reinvention.
Since the heavy, bulky size of larger pieces such as dressers or consoles can command a ton of attention and dominate the room, going bold with color, isn’t always, the best option unless you want the pieces to be the star of the space. Black and white are pretty much always a safe bet.
For that new lease on life, they dropped it off at an auto body shop and had it sprayed with fire engine red auto paint. How the hell did they do that? Well, it’s not very complicated: You pick up the phone, ask a local auto body shop if they accept furniture, then drop it off. As far as pricing goes, shops usually charge by the booth, not the piece. So, you can drop off several pieces and have them all sprayed the same color for one set price.
For those of you without DIY skills, here’s an update you can handle: Juxtapose traditional style furniture with modern fabrics. In this bedroom, 60-year-old traditional beds, then dressed them with graphic, modern textiles. It keeps the integrity of the original piece but makes it a lot more hip.
If you need help transforming a piece of furniture…. or just need advice on where to find items or how to do it…. Contact: pcdesign@mac.com
Tags: Advice, Decorate on a budget, Home makeover, Interior Design Tips
Posted by PC Design on Feb 1, 2011 in
design Ever notice that everyone gathers in your kitchen when you’re cooking? Modern kitchens feature energy efficient and time saving appliances as well as beautiful textures and surfaces. Is your kitchen outdated?
Updating your kitchen can be rewarding for you and your home. Did you know that in a national study, it was found that 70 percent of those kitchen remodeling costs are recouped upon resale?!
Maybe you’re an aspiring chef or you just love cooking? Maybe you just need more space and looking to update your home! Kitchen remodeling and kitchen renovation with modern kitchen appliances and faucets, clean, beautiful countertops, a new sink or backsplash! Redesign your kitchen layout and organization by adding an island or more cabinets.
In order to remodel your kitchen space without having to spend so much, you might want to consider these helpful tips: identify existing needs; set your priorities; work on a specific budget; decide on whether to hire a professional or to do the job yourself.
The kitchen is one of the best places inside your house. It takes a great deal of effort and even money in attaining a kitchen that is superb in functionality and in aesthetics. A renovation or remodeling is a major need in order to maintain the attractiveness and usefulness of your kitchen. However, you shouldn’t worry much on the costs that might be incurred during the process. You can minimize repair and remodeling expense by simply following these advices:
Identify existing needs
First and foremost, assess the condition of your kitchen for you to be able to identify its current and most pressing needs. Check on your cupboards, drawers, and cabinets for any repair requirement. Check on your wall too if it needs some repainting. Consider also the condition of your kitchen appliances and tools. Another important aspect of your kitchen are the fixtures such as your plumbing system particularly your sink. Check on that one too. Basically, you need to be very meticulous in making an assessment of every detail as well as the entirety of your kitchen. Doing so would make things easy for you in setting your priorities.
Set your priorities
After evaluating on the status of your kitchen, come up with a priority outline. This will aid you in coming to a decision as to the extent of your project. Figure out which part of the kitchen would need a complete makeover. And, which items that need some replacement or just some minor repair.
Work on a specific budget
Match your needs and priorities with your available budget. Carefully go over your budget to make sure that before pushing through with the remodeling, you won’t go beyond the funds that you prepared for this particular project.
Decide on whether to hire a professional or to simply do the job yourself
After going over the financial side, decide whether your budget as well as the remodeling scope of your kitchen would need a professional or would doing it yourself be enough for you to complete everything. Employing the services of a professional entails higher cost, yet, if the remodeling need is a major one, then might as well go for it. Rather than doing the job yourself that might turn out to be a mess later on. But, if the renovation requirement is but minimal, then you can perform the redecoration, cleaning and repair yourself. Maybe get some help from family members and friends too.
Doing a kitchen remodeling is exciting and fun. But, it requires a lot of planning. The kitchen is a vital part of your house and it deserves your best care.
For help on your kitchen remodeling needs, contact PC Design llc to set up an appointment today!
PC Design LLC
Tags: Advice, Budget Design, design trends, Home Improvements, Home makeover, ideas for kitchens, Interior Design Tips
A home looks beautiful when it is constructed and decorated tastefully, keeping in mind all the minor details, which if overlooked, can visually annoy you while living in that house. Therefore, it is up to you to put in some effort and common sense while furnishing and shopping for your home. Continue reading to hear some interior design ideas for what to do and not to do in your home!
For a novice homeowner, it is quite difficult to decide what to do and what not to buy. Understanding the dynamics of your house and selecting proper furniture for your habitat is surely not rocket science. Anybody who wishes to live in a beautiful home can easily manage it by avoiding some very common mistakes that can ruin the collective look of the house.
DON’TS of Interior Designing
- The most common mistake that people might end up making is cluttering their house with tons of furniture. Always try not to crowd any of your rooms. Crowding the room will not allow you to enjoy a broad vision, and it wonít leave you with ample walking space. Always remember the popular rule of ìLess is Moreî – the lesser you stuff your home with fixtures and furniture, the more sophisticated your dÈcor will appear.
- Avoid dark paints for your walls. Many people believe that colors like black and purple add character to their rooms. Wrong! Dark colors will only make your room appear smaller in size and inadequate lighting will always remain an issue. You can use dark shades on one of the four walls in a room to make it appear trendy.
- The worst mistake you can make while decorating your house is getting furniture without keeping room dimensions in mind. If you end up buying huge furniture items for a relatively small room, it will look packed and cheap. The same is the case with getting compact furniture set for a huge room. The whole appearance will turn dull and shabby, and your house might earn a lot of critical comments instead of praises.
- Every room can appear good in the dark, but what happens when you turn the lights on? As you design your interior, donít forget to keep in mind one of the most important features of a room. Lighting is the cause of sensation of the room. You donít want the room to be so bright that youíd feel like youíre stuck in a lightning bolt, but at the same time little lighting will cause the area to have a depressing feel. There is a grand variety of lighting fixtures to choose from like chandeliers, pendant lighting, wall sconces, and more so donít be afraid of a little exploration.
Do’s of Interior Designing
- Windows can be one of the best things to enhance the beauty of any room. French design in windows has been quite popular. If you have a lot of windows in the house, you will be getting a lot of natural light and some fresh air during summers. Windows can also make your rooms appear big and lively by helping you bring in the outside sights and sounds.
- Pay a lot of attention to your flooring. Clean and shiny floors can earn you a lot of praises. Try to get marble or wooden flooring for the living area at your place and completely ditch carpets. The flooring should match with the aura of room and must not appear uneven.
- Pick a particular style or theme for every room.†Gather a few kitchen design ideas or†bedroom design ideas first.†If you are buying a vintage bed set, you must not simply pair a very contemporary set of chairs with it. This will make your room look unorganized and uncomfortable. Also choose the lighting according to the theme. Remember, everything should match!
Making your house a habitat of dreams is not a very tough or tricky job. Just keep in mind the above mentioned tips and your house will turn into an ultimate destination.
Content provided by Design Shuffle which is a social media site filled with interior design ideas from top tier design talent around the world. Best of all, registration is completely free.
Guest Blogger……
Tags: Advice, cincinnati, design shuffle, Design Styles, Do's & Don'ts, Home makeover, Interior Design, Interior Design Tips, paige castellini, pc design llc
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Tags: Advice, affordable interior design, Budget Design, Decorate on a budget, Home makeover, Interior Design, wouldurather
Posted by PC Design on Jun 3, 2010 in
Interior Design Trends 2010,
design,
styles Old meets New……AGAIN!
Many styles are reworked every few decades. Does the 80’s sound familiar? Think; ruffled “Pirate” shirts (or Seinfeld’s “Puffy Shirt” episode). What was popular 30 years ago…. is back again, in a more updated form.
The same goes with Designing around the Home.
Today’s popular home decorating style is Baroque. According to Wikipedia…. Italian Baroque interior design refers to high-style furnishing and interior decorating carried out in Italy, during the Baroque period, which lasted from the early 17th to the mid 18th century. Rococo (less commonly roccoco; pronounced /rəˈkoʊkoʊ/, /roʊkəˈkoʊ/) also referred to as “Late Baroque” is an 18th century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly more ornate, florid, and playful. Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings.
Modern, Baroque furnishings, design elements and accessories are available everywhere and you might even find that you have something in your home and didn’t know it.
Target, has a whole line DwellStudio at Target geared towards this style; affordable for everyone.
Rugs
Mirrors
Fabric
Lighting
Feminine Baroque
Create a soft feminine bedroom with this combination of Modern and antique Baroque style.
Traditional style Baroque Design
Traditional style Living Room with gilding and heavily ornate furnishings (characteristic of the Italian Baroque style)
Modern Style Baroque Design
Hard graphic prints designed with classic Baroque style and clean edges.
Baroque With a Southwest Flair
Mixing in traditional southwest colors with the classic yet simple Baroque style shown below.
For more information on this and any other style or design….
Contact PC Design llc or email pcdesign@mac.com.
Tags: Budget Design, decorating styles, home decorating, Home makeover, Interior design style, pc design, styles
If someone asked you to name the kind of decor you like, could you do it? Or would you stumble and mumble, mention a few stores, and look off into the distance in search of the right adjectives? You’re not alone.
But the thing is, articulating your style is the key to creating a room that really reflects it. If this sounds esoteric, have no fear: We’ve have some simple steps to help you identify the look you crave, a few visual tutorials to make you a mini expert on design, and dozens of sources to let you shop your style and bring it home. So whether you’re overhauling a mishmash of furniture bit by bit or doing a rapid-fire redecoration, you’ll learn how to make great choices and get cohesive results that you’ll love.
3 STEPS TO NAMING YOUR STYLE
Decorating is an extension of your personal style, but so much better, because it comes without the concerns of sizing and fit. That should make it fun, but for a lot of us it’s incredibly stressful — a too-blank canvas that involves big commitments and potentially pricey mistakes. Aside from the money part, choosing a sofa is not all that different from picking a pair of shoes: It’s all about who you are and what you like on a gut level.
Finding your decorating groove depends on getting in touch with that; We’ve created a plan geared toward home decorating. Here’s what to do.
1. Tour your home, and really look at your furniture.
With a pad in hand, walk from room to room examining your belongings and make two truthful lists: “Love It” and “Wish I Could Replace It. Catalog everything you can, including art — and be real, even if it’s difficult. It’s all based on how things make you feel. Maybe you come across a piece of art that bugs you, but you’ve kept it around because it was your grandmother’s. Pay attention to that — and categorize accordingly. You can also photograph the room, print out a copy of the photo and cross out what you don’t like and circle what you do. You can think of that photo, as a bouncing off point and use it as reference when shopping or getting advice.
2. Pull together small items you love, including clothes.
Check the top of your dresser, your mantel, your bookshelves, your china cabinet. Sift through collections and mementos. Make a pile of favorites on your bed. Then pull special clothes from your closet. Focus on the items that make you feel beautiful and joyful, the ones that inspire you to stand tall. Take the same eye to your jewelry and accessories. Open your closet doors and see what colors pop out the most. You can see which color dominates and use that as a reference point for the “colors” that you are drawn to.
3. Tap your memory and your imagination.
Get comfortable, then close your eyes and think about places you love to be and why you love them — from a local cafe to a faraway beach. Recall paintings, movies, and books that have stuck with you for some reason. Then go into fantasy mode. Imagine that real-world constraints don’t apply. Picture your dream home. If you could live anywhere in the world, would you choose a loft in New York? An English manor? A tree house in the tropics? Then think outside of home: If you were invited to the Oscars, what would you wear? Include jewelry and shoes. This moves you beyond the limitations of your own lifestyle and budget and into a new realm of creativity. Jot down your answers.
Now for the hard part. Look for common threads — design, colors, shapes, materials, vibe — among the things you love. You may find yourself attracted to a blend of styles rather than just one. Notice which features appeal to you and which don’t. This will help you translate your taste into smart decorating choices.
4. When all else fails, call an Interior Designer.
“Style Samples”
SOPHISTICATED CLASSIC
An elegant blend of refined traditional furniture, jewelry-like accessories, and pale hues. Patrician old-world elements pair with cleaner Art Deco shapes. The look evokes a more formal lifestyle. Think Grace Kelly, Tiffany & Co., and Charlotte from “Sex and the City”.
FEATURES
Delicate furniture pieces with feminine lines and tapered legs.
A palette of neutrals and soft colors.
Grand chandeliers.
Luxurious fabrics, like silk and velvet.
Rich dark woods with polished veneers.
Luxe accent materials, including metal, marble, and glass.
Symmetrical floor plans.
COZY CASUAL
A warm, traditional look made for relaxing with family and friends. Draws on English and early-American furniture designs, as well as laid-back country, cottage, and farmhouse styles. Weathered, low-maintenance furnishings are easy, inviting, and built for daily life. Think golden retrievers, fuzzy slippers, and just about any movie by Nancy Meyers.
FEATURES
Plush upholstery, often slip-covered, with roll or square arms and skirts or ball feet.
Indestructible tables with turned legs, trestles, or substantial pedestal bases.
Warm wood tones with rustic or distressed finishes.
Natural fabrics, like cotton and wool.
Solid textiles, simple stripes, or unfussy floral’s in muted colors.
MODERN GRAPHIC
A fresh, fun, contemporary look that combines urban styling (imagine a downtown loft) with edgy, colorful elements and mid-century design. Simple furniture forms balance out bold accents and patterns. Think the Museum of Modern Art, Frank Lloyd Wright, a Rubik’s Cube.
FEATURES
Furniture with clean lines and no extra adornment.
Blocks of saturated color.
Boxy upholstery with plain legs or skirt-less bases.
Lacquered finishes and a mix of woods, both light (birch, oak) and dark (walnut, mahogany).
Geometric or abstract patterns and Pop Art–inspired accessories.
VINTAGE ECLECTIC
A rich, layered look combining flea-market finds, furniture designs from various time periods (including Victorian pieces and 18th-century French styles), and a diverse collection of accessories and artwork. Dusty colors, timeworn or handmade textiles, and collected objects create a lived-in feel. Think Paris flea markets, Granny’s teacups, the film Grey Gardens.
FEATURES
Furniture with shapely, feminine silhouettes, intricate detailing, and weathered finishes.
Jewel tones mixed with washed-out, chalky shades.
Antique and vintage elements interspersed with newer, offbeat items.
A varied mix of fabrics (on pillows, upholstery, and window treatments), including Jacquards, paisleys, ethnic tapestries, folk motifs, botanicals, and florals.
Crystal chandeliers and embellished lamps.
Abundant art and decorative accents on walls and surfaces.
For more information regarding these and other styles, contact pcdesign@mac.com.
Tags: affordable interior design, decorate, decorating styles, design blog, Design Styles, eclectic, Home, Home makeover, interior decorating, Interior Design, Interior design style, Interior Design Tips, modern, msn, paige castellini, pc design, vintage
A very affordable update is to replace your cabinet’s hardware with one of today’s popular options: vintage-look glass, burnished bronze, antiqued copper, pewter and shiny or matte nickel. This simple change can make dated cabinets look new. Tip: To ensure that new pulls and knobs match the existing holes, remove one of each type and take them with you when shopping.
Sink faucets have come a long way in recent years. Current models offer detachable sprayers, hidden soap or lotion dispensers and touch-sensitive, knob-free operation. Faucets also come in a wide variety of finishes and styles, from formal Victorian to ultra modern, making it easy to coordinate the faucet with your home’s decor.
Painting your existing cabinets is an inexpensive update that even a newbie DIYer can handle. Some sandpaper, paintbrushes and a few gallons of primer and paint are all you need to give your kitchen a fresh, new look.
Every kitchen could use more storage. This cleverly concealed drawer provides the perfect place to keep cooking necessities within easy reach of the stove. Built-in storage like this can be a costly addition. To keep costs down, check your local hardware store for pull-out storage kits and drawer organizers that will fit your existing cabinets.
In addition to improving the overall look, the right lighting also makes a kitchen more functional and appear larger. Brighten up by adding under-counter illumination, task lighting above work surfaces and ambient lighting, such as recessed lights. This kitchen uses all three to great effect.
Adding a tile backsplash, even trendy glass tile, is a relatively simple DIY project. Many home improvement and tile supply stores offer free, hands-on classes to teach you the basics.
New flooring can change the feel of your kitchen. Hardwoods lend a warm, traditional look while natural stone, such as marble or travertine, adds a polished vibe. This kitchen mixes the two for a modern finish.
An island provides additional cabinets, a handy location for a sink or stove and the perfect spot for a casual meal or keeping an eye on the kids while they finish up homework. This cottage-style kitchen beautifully combines vintage-style details with a modern, open-concept layout.
Appliances are more than just your kitchen’s workhorse, they also add to the overall look. Professional-grade stainless steel continues to be the most desirable. Also hot are retro-look appliances from the ’20s – ’50s.
Replacing the kitchen cabinets offers a great opportunity to customize them based on your lifestyle. This built-in hutch and buffet provides an attractive space for displaying treasured dishware in the glass-front cabinets while the countertop below can be used as a buffet when entertaining.
If your budget allows, a complete kitchen remodel is the way to go. New flooring, electrical, cabinets and plumbing allows the opportunity to create a more functional layout. Although it can be costly, removing walls separating the kitchen from adjacent living spaces is a popular option for those desiring an open floor plan.
http://www.hgtv.com/kitchens/kitchen-updates-for-any-budget/pictures/index.html?nl=HGDeco_v065_60
To read more stories related to this article by HGTV.
Tags: budget decorating, Budget Design, Decorate on a budget, design trends, hgtv, Home Improvements, Home makeover, ideas for kitchens, inexpensive tips, Interior Styles, Kitchen Updates, pc design
Are you in the process of trying to decide whether to…
Update or Re-model Your kitchen?
Follow these steps below to find out what your desire is.
Step 1. Find Inspiration for your New Kitchen
Look through magazines, go to trade shows, shop local kitchen design studio’s or even your local Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Create a file to keep all of your images in and throw in some color & fabric swatches, appliance brochures, wood finishes that catch your eye and anything else you can think of that will help round out the process.
Step 2. Plan your Total Remodel Budget.
First, come up with what you CAN spend. Then, as seeing that number isn’t difficult enough, add 10% more on top of that for “over budget” encounters. This always happens! Your job will never come in at that number that you have in your head, and rarely, if ever comes in lower. It’s better to be prepared then shocked at the end, when you hadn’t budgeted in for over-spending.
Step 3. Locate and Hire a professional…Whether it’s a Contractor, Residential or Commercial Designer or a Remodeling Professional.
It’s always good to meet with a few to see who you click with the best. Whether you are just working with a Contractor or a Contractor AND Designer, you want the experience to be a pleasant one and the people that you will be seeing on a daily basis for a few months are bound to get on your nerves, but remember the qualities that drew you to them in the first place.
Also, when hiring just a Contractor to do the job, keep in mind they are trained to “Build”, NOT design. It’s always good to have someone who can pull it all together in a pretty package, rather than using design basics that may or may not go together, or items that look like the job the Contractor just finished up before yours.
Let PC Design llc help you find the right option. Email pcdesign@mac.com or visit www.affordableinteriordesigners.com
Step 4. Determine Your Kitchen Layout
How often do you cook? Where does your water come in? Do you need big workstations for rolling out dough? Are “to-go” dinner’s your norm? How many people will be eating in your kitchen nightly? Do items need to be accessible to small children? Left or Right handed? Do you need to be able to clean out large stock pots in the sink? Porcelain or Stainless? Granite or Corian? Wood or MDF? Look vs. Function? These are just a few questions to ask yourself….. there are more!
Single Line Kitchen
L-Shaped Kitchen
U-Shaped Kitchens
Galley Kitchen
Island Kitchens
Let PC Design llc help you find the right option. Email pcdesign@mac.com or visit www.affordableinteriordesigners.com
Step 5. Choose the Right Flooring Material
Wood, Granite, Vinyl, Stone? There are as many flooring options for the kitchen, as there are for your Foyer. You need to think about how much you will be standing while cooking. Do you need cushioning where you will be doing most of your prep work? What type of flooring surrounds the areas leading to the kitchen? Clean-ability? Is there a door to the exterior that is often used, especially by children, or coming in from the garage/mudroom?
Step 6. Decide Whether to Replace or Reface Your Cabinets
What kind of budget are you working with? Do you have good sturdy cabinets that just need a face lift. Are your cabinets falling apart, off the wall, moldy, too small???
There is a lot that goes into replacing cabinetry and sometimes people have a good structure and just want to update, or improve them, a little. That’s where refacing comes in.
If you are dealing with cabinets that are too old, moldy from moisture, coming off the wall, the wrong style for the design of the overall home, too small, don’t go all the way to the ceiling, etc… consider replacing your cabinetry.
There are too many options of things you can do to cabinets (painting, re-styling, changing the doors, adding glass, opening up) to go into all the options for refacing.
When replacing cabinets, make sure you buy from a reputable dealer or kitchen supplier and make sure that when they are being installed you follow directions closely or hire someone with expertise in this area.
Step 7. Buy Appliances That Match Your Needs
Stainless, black, white….. Oh my!
These aren’t your only options as you may think.
Do you prefer gas? Electric, double oven, convection, convention, double sided fridge, top bottom fridge, double or single bowl sink, arched faucet, spray faucet, and more…..
Do your homework before you purchase and think what is most effective for your home and not just what is stylish. There is nothing worse than purchasing a major appliance and then not being able to figure out how to use it, or realize, maybe you really didn’t need it all.
Let PC Design llc help you find the right option. Email pcdesign@mac.com or visit www.affordableinteriordesigners.com
Step 8. Pick a Countertop Surface That Fits Your Lifestyle
These days selecting Countertops can take as long as picking out all of your appliances. There are so many choices out there ranging from Eco-friendly to High-End designer looks.
Here are just a few samples of what you are able to choose from:
Keep in mind when making your selections that some surfaces may not be suitable to what your needs may be. If you cook a lot, you might need something that can handle heat, moisture and a lot of abuse like granite or stainless. If you are looking to update with something sleek looking but your budget is middle of the way, a low priced granite that is readily available maybe another option. If you decide you like the wood, or butcher block look, keep in mind the process to keep it in good shape on a yearly basis. Bamboo, Tile, Glass & Marble are all very pretty, but the durability isn’t as good as using a Granite, Corian, or Stainless. This is where your design professional will add great value and alleviate any misconceptions you may have toward one product or another.
Step 9. Select Faucets and Sinks With Style and Utility
There are so many types of faucets you can choose from that you can go crossed eyed from just trying to tell the difference. Here are a few to give you an idea:
Step 10. Complete Your New Kitchen With Proper Lighting
There is nothing more important in your kitchen than proper lighting. This is the only room in the home that can’t have TOO much lighting.
There are three types of lighting you will need:
General: The lighting that is coming from the center (ceiling) of the area offering the overall lighting source for the room.
Accent: Lighting that illuminates cabinetry, creates an “Effect” in the kitchen. Shows of design, creates an almost artistic aspect to your kitchen.
Task: Specific purpose lighting. A light placed strategically over the sink for washing dishes. Lights underneath cabinetry to highlight areas on the counters. Pendant lights are Task lights for an Island where you would generally find that people gather, food is placed, or even to dine under.
If you feel overwhelmed by all the options, selections and details involved in Remodeling your kitchen, contact a professional. In the end, it will likely save you endless hours of worry AND costly mistakes.
Contact pcdesign@mac.com or www.affordableinteriordesigners.com for more information.
Tags: Advice, appliances, bamboo, cabinets, corian, countertops, Do's & Don'ts, granite, Home Improvements, Home makeover, How to renovate kitchen, ideas for kitchens, Interior Design, Interior Design Tips, kitchen Contractor, kitchen designers, Kitchen Remodel, kitchen remodelers, kitchen renovation, Lighting, stainless appliances, wood floors
WHAT’S YOUR KITCHEN PERSONALITY?
Industrial?…Eclectic?…French Country?…Traditional?
Unsure???? Take this quiz to find out more…..Take the Kitchen Style Quiz by HGTV
Does this give you an idea of how your kitchen best suits you? Was it completely opposite of what you thought you would like? Are you still confused?
Take a look at some great Kitchens below and see which one catches your eye. Sometimes, your style isn’t what it seems.
Traditional
Traditional kitchens lend toward heavily wooded cabinetry & flooring. A Classical or Formal sense ties the design together and incorporates many aspects from other countries depending on your tastes.
Light mixed with darks are used to play off one another. Large scaled items, faux painting (including pastoral scenes) are often found. Leather, patterned heavy weight upholstery and grand lighting are often found as well. Appliances, often stainless (Depending on the budget) are used to give an updated feel to the kitchen.
Contemporary
Think sleek!!! Contemporary Kitchens are very popular in lofts, modern homes and city living homes. They are clean with no visible clutter on cabinetry. Many gadgets are often apart of this design theme, with hidden pop-up storage, slide out appliance stations and invisible lighting. Sleek surfaces (reminiscent) of gourmet Restaurants are used as a base idea incorporating, unique design shapes to the are (space allowing).
Cabinetry is typically white, black or an accent color and made of Formica or other laminate or solid surface. Rarely do they include wood. Think sleek!!!
Urban
Urban kitchens can incorporate many different styles, but always contains an open feel to the design. Surfaces range from stainless, granite, wood, corian or Eco-products. Space is limited, so maximizing storage is key. Stainless is almost always incorporated to give that “urban” feel as well as high-tech accents. Kitchens most often flow into other rooms of the “urban loft” theme so incorporating those elements is key.
Transitional
Think Pottery Barn. Transitional is that middle style that incorporates others. Don’t think eclectic, that would be mixing many styles together and that is not what is represented. Transitional is simple, with design elements that aren’t over the top. Sometimes a simple style, with little accents of character. You will find wood floors, painted or un-painted wood cabinetry, wrought iron, stainless appliances, wicker, little incorporation of a variety of colors and a few well placed greenery to soften the look of the area. There are no cold, or sharp looking items. It is a very welcoming environment with a few whimsical things placed here and there.
Industrial
When you think of industrial, think of any large Restaurant kitchen with stainless appliances and counters, clean, free of accessories, discreet lighting.
Very little things “cluttering” up the design of the area. You may find two colors, possible with a third as an accent.
It does give a very cold feel to the area, but that design is very popular in Contemporary design, or chef’s designing their own kitchens to be reminiscent of the one’s they cook in for a living.
IKEA Kitchen’s ” in-a-box”
Ikea has become a one stop shop for all. When you live in a home and are looking to update the kitchen for a very low cost with a contemporary/modern look…. Ikea is your spot. You can customize your kitchen with what you need and then have them or to save money, you can install this your self. It is a tedious project, but affordable and has many options to create a fun kitchen for your home.
Tags: Advice, Budget Design, cabinetry, contemporary kitchen, countertops, Decorate on a budget, Design Styles, design trends, Do's & Don'ts, hgtv, home depot, Home makeover, ideas for kitchens, ikea kitchen, inexpensive tips, Interior Design, kitchen personality, kitchen styles, Lighting, lowe's, modern kitchen, styles of kitchens, traditional kitchen
Inspiration found through Color.
Part 5…
Trend 5: New Darks
Last year, black was the big colour for interiors. This year, the New Dark’s signal a bold move away from the hard, dull greys and blacks towards a softer, palette that is accented by bright, vibrant hues. Purples, blues and blacks take centre stage but texture is also a consideration. Patent and lacquered finishes contrast with smoky, matte metals and velvety fabrics. What is created is both dramatic and beautiful. Lots of texture and a more subtle scheme than from the above is used.
Living room
Choose a dominant piece of furniture, such as a sofa, in the dark, dramatic shade that encapsulates this look, but use lighter, toning shades for the walls. Not every home or room suits dark colors – and if you spend a lot of time in a room during the day, you might want to choose lighter colors for walls and floors to make the room feel bright and spacious. Ask yourself if you liked to be “hugged” by the room or feel as if you could see for miles???
Bedroom
This look is perfect for a posh bedroom. Rich colors and soft natural fabrics create a cushy feel and warmth to keep you warm at night. Do be careful to not go too dark, unless you have lots of natural light, to make sure the room does not create a “depressing” atmosphere.
In the end, when designing and decorating for your home, decide the overall feel and concept you would like to achieve and pull-out lots of pictures to show your Designer to make sure you are all on the same page.
Happy Decorating!!!!
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