INTERIOR DESIGN | Professional Design Tips
The design of your home interior design can be a highly subjective matter. You may have a new home, or maybe you're selling your house, in any case the interior is often the most viewed, and analysed, part of the home.
For new home owners trying to increase the comfort of your new house, here are a few tips that will help maximise the living space. For those selling a property, these simple design tips will help sell, and potentially increase the value of the property you have on the market.
Of course, for more in-depth design assistance, we would love to come out and assist in the design of your home decor. Feeling a bit cramped in your house? Want to maximise the space you have? Want to have a house unique to your style? I will help to realise your dream with breathtaking designs to impress the most discerning client.
Please feel free to take advantage of the tips below, and get in touch if you find them useful. Remember, our aim is to help turn your house into a home!
An Island Paradise
A contemporary kitchen remodel combines a multifunctional workspace with a warm gathering point. To complement such a space, when remodelling your kitchen an island or a peninsula is a stylish focal point that can serve a variety of objectives in a compact kitchen. If you desire such an addition to your home, keep in mind that the width of your space needs to be adequate and that islands work best in rooms that are formed as L, U, or
G shapes. To add extra flair to your kitchen, focus on the purpose of the island and the materials to be utilized. Ample counter space, supplemental storage, and an area for eating and socializing are potential objectives to consider. The placement and structure of this new focal point will help determine the choice of materials and the position of paint, furniture, and accessories.
 Often, the kitchen is the place where friends and family congregate while a meal is being prepared. The perfect kitchen island can transform the area into an oasis encouraging conversation and relaxation.
In the kitchen remodel shown here, we removed a pantry and four feet of wall. We added a new beam above for roof support. This opened up the galley kitchen to the living area. The warm maple spice cabinetry adds color. The new 5 1/2 foot peninsula and cabinets add storage and provide eating, visiting and social space. The Madura Gold granite slab countertops are a pleasure for any task.
Backsplash Panache
Classical kitchen backsplashes were composed of ceramic tiles, unembellished and absent of personality. These traditional backsplashes served a single purpose, to work as a protective barrier for the wall against moisture and grease. Presently, the modern backsplash is multifunctional, serving as a protection for the wall, an outlet for expression, and a piece of artwork for the kitchen. Various materials can be utilized to assemble an elegant backsplash. Nevertheless, remember to use caution when choosing a material. Granite needs to be sealed twice yearly to prevent moisture damage, marble absorbs dirt and grease, and glass is difficult to cut and the grout is visible through the pieces. Ceramic, metal, and stone are easy to work with and are available in a variety of colors and shapes, making each a superlative choice to adorn your wall.
When crafting your unique backsplash pattern, do not be afraid to combine an assortment of materials in your design. A customized design reflects the personality of the home and its residents. To make sure your design lives up to your expectations, hire an experienced tile contractor. A superb tile artist will lay out the design you imagined while adding his or her personal knowledge and expertise, instantly turning your backsplash design into a piece of impressive artwork on display in your kitchen.
Top Ten Countertops
There are lots of options on the market for kitchen countertops. Our list of top picks gives the pros and cons of the top 10 choices so that you can make an educated choice when
you remodel your kitchen. Follow the links to more information about each countertop material.
Granite is the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about - like money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.
Pros: holds up to heat; comes in beautiful colors; looks permanent and substantial.
Cons: very expensive, requires lots of maintenance, including periodic sealing; absorbs stains; can crack; limited range of colors available.
Engineered stone is composed of quartz particals. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It's easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Brands on the market are DuPont Zodiaq(R),
Cambria Quartz, and Silestone.
Pros: resistant to stain and acid; easy care.
Cons: Expensive.
Because solid surface counters are just what they're called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications by companies such as Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.
Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns; seamless; stain resistant.
Cons: vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface; can be moderately expensive.
Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that inexpensive and you've got a really good choice for countertops for the average home. Because it's installed a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful homeowners.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean; wide range of price, color, texture and design.
Cons: counter surface is uneven; tiles can easily chip or crack; grout lines become stained;
custom-designed tiles are very expensive.
Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They're made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.
Pros: you can buy laminates in lots of colors; easy to maintain; durable; inexpensive.
Cons: scratches and chips are almost impossible to repair; seans show; end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.
Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Hardwoods such as maple and oak are most often used as countertop woods.
Pros: easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed as needed.
Cons: can be damaged by water and stains over time; scratches must be oiled or sealed according to manufacturer's instructions.
For a really contemporary and industrial look for your kitchen, stainless steel is a good choice. They are heat resistant and durable. Because they're constructed to your
specifications, you can have a seamless countertop.
Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean.
Cons: Expensive; noisy; may dent; fabrication is expensive; you can't cut on it.
Soapstone is generally dark gray in color and has a smooth feel. It is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop and sink material.
Pros: rich, deep color; smooth feel; somewhat stain resistant.
Cons: requires regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil; may crack and darken over time.
Because of it's extremely high price tag, marble is not often seen on the countertops of whole kitchens. To get the luxurious look, use it on an island or as an inset at a baking center. Marble requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains. Some new sealers retard staining.
Pros: waterproof; heatproof; beautiful.
Cons: expensive; porous; stains easily unless professionally sealed; can scratch; may need resealing periodically as per manufacturer.
If you have countertops in unusual shapes, concrete may be a good choice, as they're often cast right in your kitchen. The high price tag may be beyond most people's budget.
Pros: heat and scratch resistant; can be color-tinted; looks exotic and unusual; new treatments eliminate cracking; additives reduce porosity; new finishes are more decorative.
Cons: mid to high range on cost due to custom work; cracking is possible; can look somewhat industrial; porous but can be sealed.
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