| DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION ARTICLES KITCHEN BED & BATH
Storage for a Small Kitchen When the kitchen is highly visible, concerns over small storage and usability areas disappear when imagination kicks in. After all, when there is no way to hide the mess in the kitchen the only answer is to make the "mess" look decorated-here's how.-
Whenever the cold drafts of old man winter are upon us WARMTH is on everybody's mind. Here are a few pointers on keeping warm this season in "Style". Consider a bed ensemble featuring a Goose Down comforter. Because a down comforter is nature's finest it will do DOUBLE DUTY by keeping you toasty in the winter and offer a light breathable layer in warmer months. But comfort and durability is not cheap. Quality comforters Quality comforters start at around $100.00 and go up so like any costly investment, there are a few questions you should ask yourself before you buy; here's a few. HOW DOES YOUR BED LOOK IN THE MORNING? If all of the covers are bunched on the floor then I'd suggest you look at a traditional size comforter sewn with a SQUARE STITCH. This will keep the down from shifting and causing a heavy build-up at the foot of the bed. If one side of the bed is "hogging" the morning covers, then I'd suggest you look for a supersize RING STITCH comforter filled to EXTRA WARMTH level. This will allow the down to be shifted to the side where it's needed the most for warmth without disturbing the lay of the total cover. If the bed covers are only slightly mussed, then you'll need to invest in the KARO STITCH using an average warmth level. This will allow the option to adjust the loft or fluff height of the comforter. HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO CARE FOR THIS INVESTMENT? …not an extra second let alone time to make a fussy bed? Then be sure to pick up a good quality DUVET COVER. This is a big pillowcase for the comforter, which protects and adds color (down comforters are generally off-white) MAYBE 10 MINUTES PER YEAR? That's all it will take to air it outside to maintain freshness and loft. HOW MUCH CAN I AFFORD TO SPEND? If the answer is under $100.00 try this. Buy a cheap comforter and stuff it into a duvet cover. It won't be as warm as a real Goose Down comforter, but it will look the same especially if you buy one size larger than your bed size. If you budget will allow the average cost of $400.00 then I'd suggest you look to the comforter, which offers the higher FILL POWER. This is an industry-measuring guide to rate the down's ability to retain warmth and resilience. The higher the fill power- (the more stuff in the down) the better the down traps air and this is what really keeps you warm while creating that light and fluffy look. HOW DOES YOUR BED LOOK IN THE MORNING? If all of the covers are bunched on the floor then I'd suggest you look at a traditional size comforter sewn with a SQUARE STITCH. This will keep the down from shifting and causing a heavy build-up at the foot of the bed. If one side of the bed is "hogging" the morning covers, then I'd suggest you look for a supersize RING STITCH comforter filled to EXTRA WARMTH level. This will allow the down to be shifted to the side where it's needed the most for warmth without disturbing the lay of the total cover. If the bed covers are only slightly mussed, then you'll need to invest in the KARO STITCH using an average warmth level. This will allow the option to adjust the loft or fluff height of the comforter. HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO CARE FOR THIS INVESTMENT? …not an extra second let alone time to make a fussy bed? Then be sure to pick up a good quality DUVET COVER. This is a big pillowcase for the comforter, which protects and adds color (down comforters are generally off-white) MAYBE 10 MINUTES PER YEAR? That's all it will take to air it outside to maintain freshness and loft. HOW MUCH CAN I AFFORD TO SPEND? If the answer is under $100.00 try this. Buy a cheap comforter and stuff it into a duvet cover. It won't be as warm as a real Goose Down comforter, but it will look the same especially if you buy one size larger than your bed size. If you budget will allow the average cost of $400.00 then I'd suggest you look to the comforter, which offers the higher FILL POWER. This is an industry-measuring guide to rate the down's ability to retain warmth and resilience. The higher the fill power- (the more stuff in the down) the better the down traps air and this is what really keeps you warm while creating that light and fluffy look.© copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Selecting a cabinet color Question: I am trying to make a decision regarding options for our new home in Florida. I am struggling with the decision to use white, soft white, or pearl cabinets. A number of people have told me they are trendy and will not be popular long term. Would a nutmeg or mocha cabinet kitchen be a better pick? Wow what a frustrating situation … everywhere you turn you see white cabinets but deep down inside you know in your heart that wood toned cabinetry is the best choice…or is it?So many folks are facing the same situation as yourself and rest assured that there is no right or wrong answer, however wooden cabinetry is always a good choice for a home that will remain comfortable and up to date from several years to come . Now with that said, here's the low down on white and pearl toned cabinetry: ever popular, the lighter colored cabinetry has been trendy for several years because it offered a much needed switch from the heavier richly stained woods of the jewel toned era . However, just as with all trends that has reached the end of their time , the lighter cabinetry is now starting to give way to the much more interesting wooden cabinetry with applied glazing finish . With this current finish option you can have the best of both worlds; the lighter look of the white cabinets but the long range sustainability and ever popular choice of solid wood. With that in mind, I would recommend that a warm nutmeg or mocha glaze over cherry or maple cabinets would be a better choice over the white or pearl toned cabinetry. © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top #1 Rule of Decorating...There is NO Rule! Question: I have dark brown kitchen tile, light brown cabinets and dark silverstone counter tops .I am trying to decide what color wicker furniture to get? Should I get dark to match the floor ( there will be a rug in the area) or light to go with cabinets. The kitchen table is a dark wood with a light bamboo rug underneath? When trying to decide what coloration to go with for secondary furnishings such as your wicker items , the number one rule of decorating always applies…. There is NO rule !.... it's all based on the room's existing lighting and other colorations within the space and without knowing what those items and areas are, I'm at a loss . So to answer your question as to what tone your wicker items should carry, my recommendation is to go with the darker range since that is the color of your table. By selecting a wicker seating group in a dark color range, you will be completing the darker color range you have established within your kitchen "permanents" … by that I mean the countertops and flooring. Once your darker wicker items are installed, then I'd further recommend that you accent that group with a fabric that contains the same lighter brown color as found in your cabinets- cushions, throw pillows and knit throws. © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Play Up Your Modern Kitchen Question:I am building a new house with white kitchen cabinets and black impala granite counter tops. I am considering stainless/black appliances, a white sink and full backsplash using the same granite. What do you think about the appliances, sink and backsplash I am considering? I look forward to your reply. Yes… sleek and modern with just a touch of comfortable country! And to really play up your soon- to- be great looking kitchen, be sure to furnish the space with warm toned distressed woods and heavily textured fabrics… and be sure to invite me over for lunch! © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Coordinating Kitchen Ceramic Tile Question: My husband and I are building a new home and trying to select upgrades to enhance each room. I'm having a difficult time deciding what color ceramic tile floor to put down in my kitchen. This room is quite large and I want to go with an 18 x 18 or 20 x 20 inch tile. My cabinets are a nutmeg color, my granite counter top is called Amazon Uba Tuba and my appliances are stainless and black. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you very much. It sounds like you will be creating a wonderfully design savvy space…love the UBA TUBA granite and black appliances…really classy! Since your floor will also play an important role in the overall look of your newly remodeled space, be sure to select a tile that is NOT white or even OFF WHITE! Instead go for a deep toned green based natural slate with copper highlights. When you couple this floor treatment with a black or brown grout , and the tiles laid on a diagonal rather that a straight running bond pattern , you will have created a space that will rival any design magazine layout … be sure to send me a finished picture! © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Question: I have dark brown kitchen tile, light brown cabinets and dark silverstone counter tops .I am trying to decide what color wicker furniture to get? Should I get dark to match the floor ( there will be a rug in the area) or light to go with cabinets. The kitchen table is a dark wood with a light bamboo rug underneath? When trying to decide what coloration to go with for secondary furnishings such as your wicker items , the number one rule of decorating always applies…. There is NO rule !.... it's all based on the room's existing lighting and other colorations within the space and without knowing what those items and areas are, I'm at a loss . So to answer your question as to what tone your wicker items should carry, my recommendation is to go with the darker range since that is the color of your table. By selecting a wicker seating group in a dark color range, you will be completing the darker color range you have established within your kitchen "permanents" … by that I mean the countertops and flooring. Once your darker wicker items are installed, then I'd further recommend that you accent that group with a fabric that contains the same lighter brown color as found in your cabinets- cushions, throw pillows and knit throws. © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Kitchen Compromise Question: We are thinking of building a new home and my husband wants to have one of those stone stoves that take up the whole counter. I am nervous about how to keep the stone clean (food splatters, etc.) Is it easy to clean stone, or is there something you can recommend for a compromise? When it comes to cooking, I am defiantly NOT the person to ask! However , as for the concern on the maintenance of a stone stove my advise is to consider this: when in doubt go for the tried and true design option of a standard stove top and granite countertop. With so many wonderful maintenance free design options available today, why take a chance on a relatively new product that is only featured in homes where cooking is an ART and not an everyday necessity. © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Cabinet Color Options Question: We are building a new home and just purchased new bisque colored appliances. In the kitchen we know we want ceramic tile in a tan/natural color and I would like painted trim. I am having trouble deciding on a cabinet wood that flows with this scheme. Any ideas would be much appreciated! Today's cabinet color options are endless, especially with the modern and affordable techniques utilizing glazes and brush treatments. To keep your kitchen's overall color scheme in the light family, I'd recommend that you consider cabinets in a lightly brown stained maple cabinet with a warm creamy glaze applied over the top for a frosted but yet natural look. Coupled with brushed nickel hardware or even knobs and pulls in an antiqued bronze finish, your cabinets will radiate charm and vitality all- the -while exuding a light and fresh ambience to your new kitchen. © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Powder Room Pizzazz! Whether you are redecorating or just starting from scratch with a new house, a great place to try out a new color scheme or design style, is the powder room or guest bathroom. This is one of the easiest rooms to redecorate due to its small size and lack of everyday use. The only problem most folks find when tackling this room is workspace; there is none, especially if you're trying to paint or hang wallpaper. Here's a safety tip… I know it's commonly used as a ladder and stepping stool, but for safety sake, avoid standing on the commode and sink countertop; you really want to avoid any crashes and be around to enjoy the finished project! Instead of improvising, try using one of those nifty little metal stepladders. They have an extra tall safety bar and the distance it expands between rails is much shorter than a traditional ladder. This touch of "safety-while-you-work" can be found in most discount stores for under $30.00. Once you've selected the colors and design style and then thought about your choices, be sure to coordinated them with the selections found in the rest of the house, But most importantly, don't forget to pick a paint color for the ceiling. I've said it before, but a ceiling which is a color other than gray white, really does make a big difference in the overall appearance of a room. And that's the area I'm going to detail first. Here's a design recipe for a great looking powder room, contemporary style. CEILING Paint the ceiling using a dark blackish brown latex satin. It's okay to use an exterior paint just as long as you provide plenty of ventilation to allow for extra drying time. Next, add a large wooden crown molding. Even if you bath ceiling height is only 8ft. use at least a 5 ½" crown molding. This may seem like overkill, but the results will be dramatic! Small crown molding already installed? That's okay; just hang the much larger molding right over the top of the existing! WALLS Try your hand at creating your own wallcoverings. For the contemporary styling, this PALLADIAN style homemade paper works great! Using regular 36" wide brown wrapping paper, (the kind with which you wrap packages) simply crush and wrinkle the paper over the entire surface. Then hang as you would hang any other wallpaper, only be sure to use a non-vinyl cellulose wallpaper paste. When the paper has dried completely, apply one heavy coat of POLY-SHADES by MINWAX. This is an alkyd stain and polyurethane product mixed together. Try the PECAN color for that "instant aged contemporary look". Proud of your work? Why not send me a photo, I'd love to see your handiwork! © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Mattress Insights Most newlyweds face a multitude of problems and challenges their first few months together. And some of these "decision-provoking situations" can be viewed differently by both the husband and the wife. I'm speaking of the first major furniture purchase the new couple will make together. Usually the female bases her selection on the style and appearance while the man's most interested in the cheapest price. With this frustrating difference in mind, they usually set out to make their first purchase either a sofa or a bed; both of which pose a massive challenge with diverse style, color, and price options. That's great; but I'd like to recommend that they put their money where they will be spending the greatest amount of time; the mattress. Here they can get a good deal and not have to worry about appearances. (See… already a win/win situation!!) because most mattresses only come in a few colors and patterns. The style choices are few; flat top or lush pillow top. As for the pricing just remember to spend as much as you can afford in buying your first mattress set. Here the price does effect the quality, so don't skimp! remember it's the single most used furnishing item in your home. Yeah that's right! The mattress is the most important item because you'll end up spending the most amount of time there. Do you realize that the average person will spend three of the next ten years in bed sleeping? With this in mind, here are a few pointers on buying the correct mattress: Dress comfortably for the shopping trip whenever selecting a new mattress.. No dresses or tight slacks here; you need to lay down and sprawl out on each and every mattress you are considering. Think of it as a "test rest" and don't forget your partner during this test phase; it takes two to determine whether there's going to be enough room for the both of you to sleep comfortably. Now is not the time to get embarrassed. After all, a furniture salesman sits on his floor samples in order to make a sale so I'm sure your request to "lie down and test the mattress" will not be something new. Sleeping with a partner? Only consider a queen or king size mattress. Do you realize that a full or standard double bed size crams both of you into the same space as a crib mattress? Buy the most expensive set you can afford and don't buy a mismatched set. Most mattresses and box springs were designed to work together. Buy selecting something other than a complete matched set just defeats the design and gives you a bad nights sleep! © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Shower Sizzle! In today's upscale home market, glass walled shower stalls and ceramic steam showers are a real luxury, but the WELL-APPOINTED bathroom is a must! Notice I didn't say a large bathroom, the features and arrangement are what count, not the overall size. I can't begin to tell you the number of botched remodels I've seen over the years, all because the homeowner thought a "luxury" bath meant lots of empty square footage. There's nothing worse than a large room with inconveniently positioned plumbing fixtures and a commode that sits out in the open. After all, no one wants to feel like he's on public display during private time! To avoid this problem and to gain the most design/decorating bang for your buck, I highly recommend consulting a design professional with EXPERIENCE in total bath design. By this I mean someone who understands not only plumbing layouts, but also heat and air systems, electrical, tile work, and basic construction techniques. Most decorators (someone without the extensive training of a registered interior designer and without a current state license in interior design) are equipped only to deal with color and surface recommendations. With advise from a pro (registered interior designer, architect or certified kitchen/bath designer), you can be assured of a bathroom remodel that will not only be ascetically pleasing but highly private and functional. As for your plans to incorporate a glass walled steam shower in the bath, let me start by saying STOP!! It seems that you are confusing two different types of shower stalls. A glass walled shower stall is just that; it usually consists of 2 glass walls, 2 tile walls, ceramic tile floor (the pan) and an open top, which allows direct ventilation to the rest of the room. It can be any size and sometimes, it's even arranged to create one side of a platform whirlpool bathtub. A steam shower is very different in function and appearance. It usually is a tile-enclosed space with a vapor sealing glass door. The ceiling is generally ceramic tile, which has been sloped at 2" per foot for condensation run off, and the exterior sidewalls are heavily insulated. In other words, you are in a small ceramic tile box with a tight fitting glass door while a glass walled shower is open and spacious. Either shower stall can add a touch of luxury and convenience to the bath but only if you recognize the difference and design accordingly. © copyright 2000 DESIGN SERVICE INC. Back to Top Adding Light and Space to a Small Room  Deborah Burnett appears regularly on HGTV, National TV and worldwide radio with design ideas and decorating tips. She is a nationally recognized health and wellness design authority and keynote presenter bridging the gap between science and evidence based epigenetic design which explores how the body and brain are affected by the interior environment. As a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine she specializes in research and design pertaining to how color, light, sound and daylight affect sleep. |
Illuminating the Future
– with Jim Benya, Jennifer Veitch and Susan Szenasyn
Knowledge to Practice: Epigenetic Design and the Built Environment
– VELUX Daylight Symposium
Evidence-Based Lighting Design, Deborah’s new book
– Wiley, Spring 2014!
Daylighting and Its Impact on Infertility
– The Daylight Project, UK Infertility Awareness Week
