Affordable Interior Designers » Lighting

To Remodel or Not…The steps to ask yourself before you take on your kitchen.

PC Design — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:24:12 +0000

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.

What Style Kitchen are you?

PC Design — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:25:51 +0000

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.

Hot Items for Summer…

PC Design — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:35:07 +0000

PSST….

I wanted to share some great new items HomePortfolio is showing off for “Outdoor Living”.

 ****Remember....Your backyard/frontyard/porch/patio/etc...

are all area's to consider when decorating in and around your home.

Tandem Outdoor Furniture from Ego Paris	Floating Moonlight from Moonlight	Cocoon Hammock from Henry Hall Designs
Complete Outdoor Kitchen from Viking	Aqua Adagio from Jaclo Industries	Frame Chaise Lounge from Paola Lenti
Outdoor Dining from Kelly Deck Design	Saturn Fire Pit from Stone Forest	Slim Line from Dedon
Backyard BBQ Area from The Green Scene	Pool House from Amdega Machin	Outdoor Wine Refrigerator from Marvel
View more outdoor ideas Homeportfolio.com.

Check out HomePortfolio.com to see more great items.

We Got Lites……Yes we do….

PC Design — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:54:36 +0000

I just happened upon this incredible site that offers AMAZING lighting options at UNBELIEVABLE prices.

What a great wall sconce to add to a powder room on both sides of a etched glass mirror.

The price of the sconce is to die for… only $105.20.

Check it out at: www.wegotlites.net

This mirror is available from CSN Mirrors for $209.

Check it out at: http://www.csnmirrors.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=RD2408&refid=XT33-RD2408

Add a new coat of paint to the walls….

and now you have an updated, low cost, glamourous looking Powder Room.

Interior Lighting…….. Steps to a properly lit room.

PC Design — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:33:04 +0000

What does lighting do…besides the obvious?

Lighting adds style, function, and mood to a space.

How do you know if your Interior is lit properly? Glad you asked!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. Can you walk thru a room without tripping over anything?

2. Does light bounce off surfaces creating a soft glow?

3. Can you read the newspaper in your favorite chair? In bed?

4. Does the fixture ENHANCE your home’s Interior?

The first thing you need to do before you add any lighting…is to define the PURPOSE of the room.

The second, is to establish the area’s main lighting needs.

And, Third, is to create Lighting “Layers”.

Types of lighting:

Overhead lighting: Chandelier & Recessed

Task: Reading lamp & Desk lamp

Ambient (Accent): Floor lamps, Table Lamps (for enhancing the overall mood)

**Quick & easy Lighting change.**

Change the shades on your Dining Room Buffet Lamps.

Take the old, drab, outdated shades off the fixture (should be very easy and slide right off) and add new, updated shades with a punch of color or beaded design.

Examples of lighting

Table Lamp Floor Lamps Buffet Lamps

Pendants

(traditional) (non-traditional)

Chandeliers

Wall Sconces

Uplight Recessed

Track Cable/ Tech Lights

The key to lighting is making sure you have enough; and still be able to create a variety of moods, through the different lighting layers.