OUT AND ABOUT IN MCKINNEY, TEXAS

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />MCKINNEY, TEXAS - such a fun place to shop</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOJ1swunEaJ-CUV215DwzY9jKSKoWfYAzrSY-CR3pjNXje-x59AHoF-5rk5PrjHDqJrDwa1QaC7ba2Mia7XFSbhsfJOT4SdP4K1z3cxXXBREYd-_DJ3YlMfFzMVkVHYaloSvjHBTaCR4/s1600/dallas+mckinney+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOJ1swunEaJ-CUV215DwzY9jKSKoWfYAzrSY-CR3pjNXje-x59AHoF-5rk5PrjHDqJrDwa1QaC7ba2Mia7XFSbhsfJOT4SdP4K1z3cxXXBREYd-_DJ3YlMfFzMVkVHYaloSvjHBTaCR4/s1600/dallas+mckinney+3.jpg" width="442"></a></div><br /><br><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Lunch first....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />with my friend Steph and her beautiful daughter Jenna</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdCqBIdDKDxo6EYAkiZspAxN2V1iDfleC3e8IRnC-FXL4-8xj7QbH15JCzPk_ilaqC5KYSk00uhmQ1haNDX9dCATPIbM9HWR72VTKMpY8NkQGLh5x6FlSLHRbmEk4LsI6w4DjayewD7A/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdCqBIdDKDxo6EYAkiZspAxN2V1iDfleC3e8IRnC-FXL4-8xj7QbH15JCzPk_ilaqC5KYSk00uhmQ1haNDX9dCATPIbM9HWR72VTKMpY8NkQGLh5x6FlSLHRbmEk4LsI6w4DjayewD7A/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" width="480"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />This little cafe had the most amazing sandwiches</div><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/07/out-and-about.html#more">Read more »</a>

OUT AND ABOUT IN MCKINNEY, TEXAS

MCKINNEY, TEXAS - such a fun place to shop Lunch first.... with my friend Steph and her beautiful daughter Jenna This little cafe had the mo...

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Contrasting Kitchen Islands

<div align="center">Sometimes kitchens can look a little bland and boring all in one color or finish.  On some of my kitchen remodels I recommend making the island a contrasting finish so that it stands out as a piece of furniture or relieves some of the monotony of the cabinetry.  When I do that I often find I need to change the counter there too.  The kitchens then become sort of a two tone scheme, where there is a light counter on the dark cabinet and vice versa.  This design is not for every situation but it does work well in many instances.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWS_THL-Efc85lZCAT8HJ11daVwfz8lFIR_wAVJipNSgvNvRpqKlWZAmWqotO4KUo5NK_WSwSINrNuIyRm6H7q88pgOSrUmroXuryf55T15q1xRZgJZbnWZEUBR85BLEaVB0MD11jP4tu/s1600/CA+2011+McD+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWS_THL-Efc85lZCAT8HJ11daVwfz8lFIR_wAVJipNSgvNvRpqKlWZAmWqotO4KUo5NK_WSwSINrNuIyRm6H7q88pgOSrUmroXuryf55T15q1xRZgJZbnWZEUBR85BLEaVB0MD11jP4tu/s640/CA+2011+McD+008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><a href="http://designinthewoods.blogspot.com/2011/11/project-reveal.html">Aston Design Studio remodel</a></em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">In the remodel above, the island really becomes the centerpiece of the kitchen with a beautiful wood finish and details like turned legs.  The counter is a textural limestone, coral reef, that brings more interest and brings everyone to the "table" of the kitchen.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbxvziD8uPL-TYDj2tSdr_xCz70ZW2T9PAPh2Pu7o3ViX-CQ-bU5d_W99ODi2jZIyNLQFNKfDRFNtqmd-fvi7SukvNPsrPTJC6cmm-0bBu8PUM3f2gH5_B6f5a_UmzS_oxIqDQ4dEv99E/s1600/After+Kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbxvziD8uPL-TYDj2tSdr_xCz70ZW2T9PAPh2Pu7o3ViX-CQ-bU5d_W99ODi2jZIyNLQFNKfDRFNtqmd-fvi7SukvNPsrPTJC6cmm-0bBu8PUM3f2gH5_B6f5a_UmzS_oxIqDQ4dEv99E/s400/After+Kitchen.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://designinthewoods.blogspot.com/2012/02/before-and-after-kitchen.html">Aston Design Studio remodel</a></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A two tone scheme here was created, white counter on dark island and dark counter on white perimeter cabinets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprWANt-5FlA-Q9DlY_MVtbSIGbHcbhXeB-yoB_51ZLnTCc765rMRW8JaRyPrsJc7cVOGtZUoSM8-o3E5hb8dNatJ4GiS0DZgcKKsZGP9NfX5yD6cb0_dTDicWRGGkKIlJPQs4yvJe6B8s/s1600/CRP0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprWANt-5FlA-Q9DlY_MVtbSIGbHcbhXeB-yoB_51ZLnTCc765rMRW8JaRyPrsJc7cVOGtZUoSM8-o3E5hb8dNatJ4GiS0DZgcKKsZGP9NfX5yD6cb0_dTDicWRGGkKIlJPQs4yvJe6B8s/s400/CRP0011.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://designinthewoods.blogspot.com/2012/01/kitchen-remodel-before-and-after.html">Aston Design Studio remodel</a></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A new stained wood island becomes an added quality feature in this remodeled kitchen.  Again, light counter on darker island, dark counter on light perimeter cabinets. I'm doing a kitchen now where we have wood perimeter cabinets and a painted island.  Still contrasting, just the other way around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ebW1ZxqOR77Pme8PPG8IypqHTtC21WCjiE_x2VJ16BB5BG-q1gXiQZyuZ9gIUqwVcqTjYgE44huTLMQQs-OjDRmkNgA3tMzidYu2A8EtEI5rqn4OhKGnC2b0ZmIiaAK9pt3Yj73_5E3_/s1600/143+N+Linton+Ridge+Cir+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ebW1ZxqOR77Pme8PPG8IypqHTtC21WCjiE_x2VJ16BB5BG-q1gXiQZyuZ9gIUqwVcqTjYgE44huTLMQQs-OjDRmkNgA3tMzidYu2A8EtEI5rqn4OhKGnC2b0ZmIiaAK9pt3Yj73_5E3_/s400/143+N+Linton+Ridge+Cir+009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://designinthewoods.blogspot.com/2009/11/recently-completed-kitchen-remodel-here.html">Aston Design Studio remodel</a></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see what I mean.  On both of these last two, we kept the existing floors for budget purposes. The floors were so light that going with the contrasting island really helps give some definition in the spaces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The following designers also utilized a contrasting island to add interest and break up the space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlz1Z66DITiwY0gC77rMHj9DXUyNqinSgspECJQUwfBtqOWLjmDa_zPxZPEz2JGAZnEG6JgR3tWTCJ05MCEKdQsuYSUNwzUuFVOTxmfAhQ_OEHspO7i_44fhq4IHF5OyH6Jhzy6CC0QBI/s1600/Jim+Howard+hb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlz1Z66DITiwY0gC77rMHj9DXUyNqinSgspECJQUwfBtqOWLjmDa_zPxZPEz2JGAZnEG6JgR3tWTCJ05MCEKdQsuYSUNwzUuFVOTxmfAhQ_OEHspO7i_44fhq4IHF5OyH6Jhzy6CC0QBI/s400/Jim+Howard+hb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Jim Howard - House Beautiful</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2GakyVpLL6rIrzS5fROUiOeyYKrAK2SOGZQ_rRbjEiMnfU2-zqs7oPWz1Ql9qe8jIKG1R1MmhFmCDZp4oHX4b7s-9UC5WzAJtNVJtiXyD-5GDNfIslzQfudc1Ndne7FOhK8Onwa59-8P/s1600/Suzanne+Lantz+TH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2GakyVpLL6rIrzS5fROUiOeyYKrAK2SOGZQ_rRbjEiMnfU2-zqs7oPWz1Ql9qe8jIKG1R1MmhFmCDZp4oHX4b7s-9UC5WzAJtNVJtiXyD-5GDNfIslzQfudc1Ndne7FOhK8Onwa59-8P/s400/Suzanne+Lantz+TH.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Suzanne Lantz - Traditional Home</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVJQ_dkj6Y1mfggHvAZpuXyLd59fN__mdhfEojU1qqT5CeCBIpixYAUi_UW-ogpgGLdn7yvoSe2VNOo0zlJjGXvDu4cxarzr8UEf_KF_BEadwX2-bZPnqlpQo5tZiHEm5y83jjEFf94U2/s1600/Healing+Barsanti+HB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVJQ_dkj6Y1mfggHvAZpuXyLd59fN__mdhfEojU1qqT5CeCBIpixYAUi_UW-ogpgGLdn7yvoSe2VNOo0zlJjGXvDu4cxarzr8UEf_KF_BEadwX2-bZPnqlpQo5tZiHEm5y83jjEFf94U2/s400/Healing+Barsanti+HB.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Healing Barsanti - House Beautiful</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><br /></em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YpuSFp1c6fYMJnUkgR_aXNTixn11fObLHTOIW93RlNcQVt2VqZU5V-2kpwOHVMoy4mUv6EYdgW41VPPPE-E5By5tClnqI1bMZxe5Ugl2LnQ0MLrLhULAmEaWOs3-QAQgZvYMqoJcIswL/s1600/TH+Joan+Nemirow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YpuSFp1c6fYMJnUkgR_aXNTixn11fObLHTOIW93RlNcQVt2VqZU5V-2kpwOHVMoy4mUv6EYdgW41VPPPE-E5By5tClnqI1bMZxe5Ugl2LnQ0MLrLhULAmEaWOs3-QAQgZvYMqoJcIswL/s320/TH+Joan+Nemirow.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Joan Nemirow - Traditional Home</em><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6Vz2YLktp_Jwviu9uJWbkiTGp9bGsxesGww3eOQEsEzFCjgcKLNwIEei_i74pLdz7LD8E-NiVf0uUk2y6wnOyRo0pC6QNfeH_Pcm06Rw1_AIR1e3qLqT4d9s_Z7_g02JoITUXYdrXfOD/s1600/M.+Elle+Design+ED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6Vz2YLktp_Jwviu9uJWbkiTGp9bGsxesGww3eOQEsEzFCjgcKLNwIEei_i74pLdz7LD8E-NiVf0uUk2y6wnOyRo0pC6QNfeH_Pcm06Rw1_AIR1e3qLqT4d9s_Z7_g02JoITUXYdrXfOD/s320/M.+Elle+Design+ED.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><em>M. Elle Design - Elle Decor</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><em></em><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUkPbWU8Bisnn4oIUXIDkE8e97oxv7Dgw26aUm7iCNt9fuGOkrvSw8e9URyIHtgO9wKVOebriYPPo-3UKzf0HEo30Onk14mY8C-BjkBIwfkHvNK_xguQz0tlaj2xKAUG6AZIJrtdTiuFI/s1600/Christopher+Peacock+HB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUkPbWU8Bisnn4oIUXIDkE8e97oxv7Dgw26aUm7iCNt9fuGOkrvSw8e9URyIHtgO9wKVOebriYPPo-3UKzf0HEo30Onk14mY8C-BjkBIwfkHvNK_xguQz0tlaj2xKAUG6AZIJrtdTiuFI/s400/Christopher+Peacock+HB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Christopher Peacock - House Beautiful</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Xi8kmWCjVm93tvb0r6CKEgX7jx9kn1MdYcdKE17oHL9rryGSDv5sWcDMXRBp2IHkXY8Y0BL4q6nQeFepmuwXLUd8PuA4z6WKhkJ95Z8daPFCxFZ3BeWmeprJfbG30C61GhhRtAFE0O_/s1600/Dee+Dee+Taylor+Eustace+TH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Xi8kmWCjVm93tvb0r6CKEgX7jx9kn1MdYcdKE17oHL9rryGSDv5sWcDMXRBp2IHkXY8Y0BL4q6nQeFepmuwXLUd8PuA4z6WKhkJ95Z8daPFCxFZ3BeWmeprJfbG30C61GhhRtAFE0O_/s400/Dee+Dee+Taylor+Eustace+TH.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Dee Dee Taylor Eustace - Traditional Home</em></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J-AlQRKirtDnsAlmN49wUdmcFXl22EcsyAEycoR9a7t0E9C2XbPCLpwFLbrenhd7C2b4_U6q7v4QO09IVLBqd8jwhyphenhyphenAHmPBAP6RB7n_4KsWw3Cb7Se1J7Lz6wh9T6k3beiocKDje2bTm/s1600/Nancy+Boszhardt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J-AlQRKirtDnsAlmN49wUdmcFXl22EcsyAEycoR9a7t0E9C2XbPCLpwFLbrenhd7C2b4_U6q7v4QO09IVLBqd8jwhyphenhyphenAHmPBAP6RB7n_4KsWw3Cb7Se1J7Lz6wh9T6k3beiocKDje2bTm/s400/Nancy+Boszhardt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Nancy Bozhardt - House Beautiful</em></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj2WUj9EWRuhsa8UozDkh43KXOXlyj35YsVbXEQ9JSUyPP1hWm1pBMyUjLM0VGrXuSzWBNc9zA8dPFY_uTgtwp5zpGNYIjDOBGqlNyx7bzEuTlP-Q3DlF2pqD_YMZaL-PwniCy308bdDY/s1600/Stanley+Hura+TH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj2WUj9EWRuhsa8UozDkh43KXOXlyj35YsVbXEQ9JSUyPP1hWm1pBMyUjLM0VGrXuSzWBNc9zA8dPFY_uTgtwp5zpGNYIjDOBGqlNyx7bzEuTlP-Q3DlF2pqD_YMZaL-PwniCy308bdDY/s320/Stanley+Hura+TH.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><em>Stanley Hura - Traditional Home</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TvCeACCVi2uXV3HOYNv4-jtHF-sas1L0QgdTymXK3EdGFXMsK7U6eJqefBWjbOjK1k3y3Ys9h_0aLsLhYFecVIzutY-aFnUTOwiuHfBLP9TcxYJw8GIj3qdNaEEVNXIVIDAExC6tBIjU/s1600/barry+dixon+hb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TvCeACCVi2uXV3HOYNv4-jtHF-sas1L0QgdTymXK3EdGFXMsK7U6eJqefBWjbOjK1k3y3Ys9h_0aLsLhYFecVIzutY-aFnUTOwiuHfBLP9TcxYJw8GIj3qdNaEEVNXIVIDAExC6tBIjU/s400/barry+dixon+hb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Barry Dixon - House Beautiful</em></div><br /><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gtIYxhLrgwE5XwupsslkobErojPo-VobaZ48J74aTdsocYQBSbs0bIoryGWaegCCckt85_rT0UwKbLC2CJJ2Y5r4LHPeu46OBHQVkKmEf9CR6VzjrWzq2uhPw2fh2VFq-2USuXsMdS8X/s1600/3_1327679217_ray_booth_ed12_2011_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gtIYxhLrgwE5XwupsslkobErojPo-VobaZ48J74aTdsocYQBSbs0bIoryGWaegCCckt85_rT0UwKbLC2CJJ2Y5r4LHPeu46OBHQVkKmEf9CR6VzjrWzq2uhPw2fh2VFq-2USuXsMdS8X/s400/3_1327679217_ray_booth_ed12_2011_04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><em>Ray Booth - Elle Decor</em></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Loving some contrast in the kitchen!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Contrasting Kitchen Islands

Sometimes kitchens can look a little bland and boring all in one color or finish.  On some of my kitchen remodels I recommend making the isl...

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Before and After Kitchen

<div align="center">A before and after kitchen/breakfast room remodel of mine from a few  + years ago.  The 1990 dated finishes had to go.  Glossy small tile, dated wallcovering and window treatments, tired cabinetry, mauve solid surface counters and splash were out.  The homeowner wanted a more sophisticated, neutral palette with a traditional look.  </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tR8_wRcVXVXqZ1_14-krD0eQ1azfaZZMqeN4JpJAEKEeIFbzlQ38njTDbNJQz3Cw3Wi6HtFTHlSVziAQ3M2omPMyKiJBZWdgKv6sUlXnyLkb-L8J7pSlUH6jDQrJOv2KSX-3LW2rI0fJ/s1600/1+Before+-+Overall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tR8_wRcVXVXqZ1_14-krD0eQ1azfaZZMqeN4JpJAEKEeIFbzlQ38njTDbNJQz3Cw3Wi6HtFTHlSVziAQ3M2omPMyKiJBZWdgKv6sUlXnyLkb-L8J7pSlUH6jDQrJOv2KSX-3LW2rI0fJ/s400/1+Before+-+Overall.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>Before</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zvOZuykOeW18tJsEaCd9Hxp0bB_dS0sLHFLcQBPjfJmMDTus0F5QbVyb9Gk4ww5YTzGgWF7WxGkI8oBbW0S5yyRKPpnRwGPBPJo5zRr19_4yAE8_hZJkT4yu1wbrTZCSonCpjro-sXhl/s1600/2+After+Overall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zvOZuykOeW18tJsEaCd9Hxp0bB_dS0sLHFLcQBPjfJmMDTus0F5QbVyb9Gk4ww5YTzGgWF7WxGkI8oBbW0S5yyRKPpnRwGPBPJo5zRr19_4yAE8_hZJkT4yu1wbrTZCSonCpjro-sXhl/s640/2+After+Overall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>After</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt the big space needed some contrast.  The homeowner had selected the dark granite when she came to me so I chose a paint color in a similar value for some contrast in the cabinetry.  All cabinetry was existing, we added some traditional details like legs and paneling to the island and brackets and seed glass panels to some of the upper cabinets.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFox8_NoWWPm7aed8kEm94KYOCsTfngCeXO8WdOen4YztrhQS_wY7YY68CUFUv9hzALjZJWRxDZZeKLMeamqtoP_NN1qGryCOJo8mHxSJETvzsn22ZMD2UgMezEpArKvYIyNvuDmZF3ECk/s1600/6+Before-Corner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFox8_NoWWPm7aed8kEm94KYOCsTfngCeXO8WdOen4YztrhQS_wY7YY68CUFUv9hzALjZJWRxDZZeKLMeamqtoP_NN1qGryCOJo8mHxSJETvzsn22ZMD2UgMezEpArKvYIyNvuDmZF3ECk/s400/6+Before-Corner.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Before</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF3liGbaqn5cRFZYfAtpLaITn2TTMo9IXWhfxp_VmWbgfzjcPVYY8ziuSlidpfAvFmXEjCka3HqjGtjg4lD7dnWGTwx3ASsVko_7FxsK8RtjaYultj9ZsG_L6bgYYovKRIl1ACnDqQwvn/s1600/7+After+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF3liGbaqn5cRFZYfAtpLaITn2TTMo9IXWhfxp_VmWbgfzjcPVYY8ziuSlidpfAvFmXEjCka3HqjGtjg4lD7dnWGTwx3ASsVko_7FxsK8RtjaYultj9ZsG_L6bgYYovKRIl1ACnDqQwvn/s640/7+After+corner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>After</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the delicatus granite on the island.  Doing a contrasting granite here took some convincing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1QmI9iW55GKWlG6x4VIBGc6uvAZCSyYfjRYGhcWDNjRal_ffBzB4lsGYa_TILix-9osm_3SIKji_-6c7pTvOKmpLeibd2wi8YwXALKQ6BgzUDVe9Sdcs_Q-37ajbT6jkx6dxeTnHuDNT/s1600/4+Before-Sink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1QmI9iW55GKWlG6x4VIBGc6uvAZCSyYfjRYGhcWDNjRal_ffBzB4lsGYa_TILix-9osm_3SIKji_-6c7pTvOKmpLeibd2wi8YwXALKQ6BgzUDVe9Sdcs_Q-37ajbT6jkx6dxeTnHuDNT/s400/4+Before-Sink.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>before</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at that awkward backsplash.  We spent some money relocating outlets and switches as best we could (with remodels sometimes that's all you can do) and I did a low backsplash that would blend with the counters.  The switches that still showed were done in a Lutron color to match the wall color to minimize the visual clutter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj8cpqt2z1J1d4TDpkUIJuLmgMsJslBXGKG8tuJbHo5Su3uZpa32posAy3X9vPQSjKx63rr6358Svxf0x2BhxRilc0WnCVNncT25SyxGd2UbcVuCuoSfOR0iiV-2pTFGCRjupU7z02pI2/s1600/5+After+sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj8cpqt2z1J1d4TDpkUIJuLmgMsJslBXGKG8tuJbHo5Su3uZpa32posAy3X9vPQSjKx63rr6358Svxf0x2BhxRilc0WnCVNncT25SyxGd2UbcVuCuoSfOR0iiV-2pTFGCRjupU7z02pI2/s640/5+After+sink.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>After</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cTCgrRjIQvauTmsvCvI665AKtHR0m5IKAOamQ86XhvW8RvO5RDM1BPgKar_Cj0m6U1cO2tP0_5Rv3eesArcU-luQx5UivNa71AUY_bl0huOuvQtBP2pGRAu3Ivt76PH4teJ3UfuWqdul/s1600/10+Before+-+Fireplace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cTCgrRjIQvauTmsvCvI665AKtHR0m5IKAOamQ86XhvW8RvO5RDM1BPgKar_Cj0m6U1cO2tP0_5Rv3eesArcU-luQx5UivNa71AUY_bl0huOuvQtBP2pGRAu3Ivt76PH4teJ3UfuWqdul/s400/10+Before+-+Fireplace.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Before</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A corner fireplace that you really never noticed when you walked around the corner into the kitchen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CBYXD38ixTpatr3YhdkFRDUbwra_pzuUnBcqVZG7HgFw_pMfJnwl2neTpmoeBVko2ozIoRBzrvzSGjuLM2zTE-DYZXfAtj6q4-aUOfaNbzBcJ3yLk1t25hIu0DgEWLBh_1fUU5j8IYU-/s1600/11+After+Fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CBYXD38ixTpatr3YhdkFRDUbwra_pzuUnBcqVZG7HgFw_pMfJnwl2neTpmoeBVko2ozIoRBzrvzSGjuLM2zTE-DYZXfAtj6q4-aUOfaNbzBcJ3yLk1t25hIu0DgEWLBh_1fUU5j8IYU-/s640/11+After+Fireplace.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>After</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went floor to ceiling tumbled travertine and furred out a bit to make that corner fireplace a star.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqnTqWkg3xdizfeZ5AZPzDBHuJeB55bmnAXsXfqZhXEpRFgRp1uNH3DuEEusq-oU_0Ug61WgRLq8jcsNRehmaY38dmlBOEg5P04-xd3ULdDXipJUTNBuDu5-hv3_64MhgCvf5WXR5LYA-/s1600/15+Befpre-Bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqnTqWkg3xdizfeZ5AZPzDBHuJeB55bmnAXsXfqZhXEpRFgRp1uNH3DuEEusq-oU_0Ug61WgRLq8jcsNRehmaY38dmlBOEg5P04-xd3ULdDXipJUTNBuDu5-hv3_64MhgCvf5WXR5LYA-/s400/15+Befpre-Bar.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><em></em><br /><div align="center"><em>wet bar before</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6SZispwVK4kM7z73eaaOv4zwCFTd1JV9ij1Fgzwlz5wt1aoHr1MpA0yYyAnaExgsONObZC6xTFrbAeRrj5D_MDuDksInuxfo4KWiMB9B2hziowZC9RHsRGf8VzWUqDx9F9j_G47lImtr/s1600/16+After+Bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6SZispwVK4kM7z73eaaOv4zwCFTd1JV9ij1Fgzwlz5wt1aoHr1MpA0yYyAnaExgsONObZC6xTFrbAeRrj5D_MDuDksInuxfo4KWiMB9B2hziowZC9RHsRGf8VzWUqDx9F9j_G47lImtr/s640/16+After+Bar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>after</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjNfM44jKsr9cJlxIP6cLgdEkmD3CYbw0GdnQSUajhGzbsakepQvHLVw4LxdSuXcCQPRIyJGf-kn0IeJ0F_W3pxpVFpakZakcrJiOzIbIOUQuVuzEbAFzMdwcRKQbwLobhbJuyzKricqk/s1600/8+Before+-+Brkfst+Rm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjNfM44jKsr9cJlxIP6cLgdEkmD3CYbw0GdnQSUajhGzbsakepQvHLVw4LxdSuXcCQPRIyJGf-kn0IeJ0F_W3pxpVFpakZakcrJiOzIbIOUQuVuzEbAFzMdwcRKQbwLobhbJuyzKricqk/s400/8+Before+-+Brkfst+Rm.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Before - looking through to the breakfast room and view from the kitchen</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRmkACiVw6w5BVZbDOniEjPscxvKg2qPtGB3of_17DSZWVQ3jze2scV-qxIzYN9QMGP5CsyA2DRZ5Q5qaU7YSq9dRxF1HzEYnNSTsfvl0XqoNGllHBhgpFTiqynkhQZVB0Co3M6-QDqzb/s1600/9+After+Brkfst+Rm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRmkACiVw6w5BVZbDOniEjPscxvKg2qPtGB3of_17DSZWVQ3jze2scV-qxIzYN9QMGP5CsyA2DRZ5Q5qaU7YSq9dRxF1HzEYnNSTsfvl0XqoNGllHBhgpFTiqynkhQZVB0Co3M6-QDqzb/s640/9+After+Brkfst+Rm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>After Breakfast Room</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">What a beautiful view they have.  We highlighted it by framing the windows in a contrasting color to blend with the black window frames.  All her furniture was reused and reupholstered.  We even just ended up painting her bar stools and reusing them.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Done some 5 years ago, I think it's stood the test of time.  These clients were such a delight to work with.  I went back a few years later and redid their master bedroom and bath.  Repeat clients are the holy grail of an interior design business.  You don't have to prove yourself again!  </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><em>All After photos by Cliff Roe</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Join me at the</em> <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2012/03/open-house-party.html">Open House Party at No Minimalist Here</a></div>

Before and After Kitchen

A before and after kitchen/breakfast room remodel of mine from a few  + years ago.  The 1990 dated finishes had to go.  Glossy small tile, d...

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Kitchen Remodel - Before and After

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCftjhn1HxVZkZez9hwCmYzb3hHQi2RlRPr51mf23-J9a6j1CHMFaax2ENsyqVoC7Cs8EWh_sTxRoQ3m_WUwJJSTs_fEnDO5C1-hOdhkqiA2csE8JpNR8CXAq6FHBiQSmwL_1DrT6Ry9ep/s1600/CRP0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCftjhn1HxVZkZez9hwCmYzb3hHQi2RlRPr51mf23-J9a6j1CHMFaax2ENsyqVoC7Cs8EWh_sTxRoQ3m_WUwJJSTs_fEnDO5C1-hOdhkqiA2csE8JpNR8CXAq6FHBiQSmwL_1DrT6Ry9ep/s640/CRP0011.JPG" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A kitchen remodel project of mine, done about five years ago.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4SSKbi4oeqGnk4gYxEToYSHE5jcDoF00G7Xr11BmMRMnDKBvVHbl2q_l51OEZtmXzwONV81eudwZMu3K_K_UzudEpntdXxVW41WodrtDieSWsey__xyZYB5_rwPV6-qIIfnGPpuyTeUy/s1600/IMG_4575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4SSKbi4oeqGnk4gYxEToYSHE5jcDoF00G7Xr11BmMRMnDKBvVHbl2q_l51OEZtmXzwONV81eudwZMu3K_K_UzudEpntdXxVW41WodrtDieSWsey__xyZYB5_rwPV6-qIIfnGPpuyTeUy/s400/IMG_4575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before - dated cabinetry, appliances, tile, counters, and a small island</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRamAxQgUpO46W3E-enJLHJGrL0qgrkdQT53ryEWo9f9mkqvKn7SzY3jDy3nYjHkk05vLffjImY489pwf9-NXyXkAAes-g2S6GjGbFKa05v3pxdXfJLJa0bhwt9N4oTApFFB9rElz23rqY/s1600/CRP0008skew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRamAxQgUpO46W3E-enJLHJGrL0qgrkdQT53ryEWo9f9mkqvKn7SzY3jDy3nYjHkk05vLffjImY489pwf9-NXyXkAAes-g2S6GjGbFKa05v3pxdXfJLJa0bhwt9N4oTApFFB9rElz23rqY/s640/CRP0008skew.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We painted the cabinets, added new counters in contrasting stones, a new island, appliances, backsplash, and a little detail with the curvy lighting. The flooring remained for cost considerations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83-BoMZo8CZLiTj2ipYwgwaG0-ujCVoJIsdqeeGjgzkPKLT0cONL9NRxi91cSzhOh95eQxgZQW_enHiXKctcEoS-gQFSOvMBccJiuPg5aZ_jrOwg1TondCBM7XwFMr1oskjumi9TehJ1C/s1600/IMG_4581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83-BoMZo8CZLiTj2ipYwgwaG0-ujCVoJIsdqeeGjgzkPKLT0cONL9NRxi91cSzhOh95eQxgZQW_enHiXKctcEoS-gQFSOvMBccJiuPg5aZ_jrOwg1TondCBM7XwFMr1oskjumi9TehJ1C/s400/IMG_4581.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ1WkKwfozmsPE9mX4KW7n1bjMtLjmrlbQbOdkY34mCzGU5HpFRunlPyfO54QYEHBIkML8yQNGvGmn5sl9pAbxmmyn8f0OzJJfNyISjXy9ROD_tNn0rR3_m5Vxyh6IoZzhX0QMNVwajJV/s1600/CRP0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ1WkKwfozmsPE9mX4KW7n1bjMtLjmrlbQbOdkY34mCzGU5HpFRunlPyfO54QYEHBIkML8yQNGvGmn5sl9pAbxmmyn8f0OzJJfNyISjXy9ROD_tNn0rR3_m5Vxyh6IoZzhX0QMNVwajJV/s640/CRP0014.JPG" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think my favorite thing we did was replace the standard issue upper cabinet by the sink to something custom built for that narrow space.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUHFD3_iURI4snmKb0PIMLvfe9iO26wY68y-x3qUd5SgriPyp3R-5_zPKdDANVtDneifgFCysMcatUYRtE8AZWsmLHlvmvHXuA4AMD96uwFsaZ3KZWUVHB94LbFszeaeVlDHndj92auO2/s1600/Frch+Country+curtains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUHFD3_iURI4snmKb0PIMLvfe9iO26wY68y-x3qUd5SgriPyp3R-5_zPKdDANVtDneifgFCysMcatUYRtE8AZWsmLHlvmvHXuA4AMD96uwFsaZ3KZWUVHB94LbFszeaeVlDHndj92auO2/s400/Frch+Country+curtains.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also liked the curtains we did.  She wanted a French country look, so I went with a tone on tone pattern, not too busy, framing the view nicely and making for a cozy eating nook.  No drapes to the floor in the breakfast room here, they would just get in the way too much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm working on some great new projects I can't wait to share soon.  Check out my conference table today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-FAatvWKFI35d6WELrky8I8Hxsj6mJJ0hCOjmx1OedFFySbqmDsSAccOTicAXbHVY_EWhyphenhyphenxnN3kiqHtCxDaWskmKuyj1_XTYiwMYrEEPFXNgWwbIGp2XzxcodU0nobZfUy3JyTZTQB8P/s1600/fabrics.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-FAatvWKFI35d6WELrky8I8Hxsj6mJJ0hCOjmx1OedFFySbqmDsSAccOTicAXbHVY_EWhyphenhyphenxnN3kiqHtCxDaWskmKuyj1_XTYiwMYrEEPFXNgWwbIGp2XzxcodU0nobZfUy3JyTZTQB8P/s400/fabrics.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Work in progress.  (Don't worry, it's not all going in the same room!)  A house with a neutral taupe environment using some strong contrast and bright spots of color. This one is really fun! </div></div>

Kitchen Remodel - Before and After

A kitchen remodel project of mine, done about five years ago.  Before - dated cabinetry, appliances, tile, counters, and a small island We p...

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Project Reveal

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some projects have one element of design that takes charge and is the boss of the project.  In other words, where every decision you make about the design is based on featuring and applying one chosen element to that decision.  That element with <i>this</i> project was<i> texture.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was really the driving force behind all the material selections, the way the materials were combined, and something we indeed wanted to feature.  It was something we revisited with the design of every room....how does <i>texture</i> play a part in this space?  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9xLDtDKCqbn1gpvWJmYQPV0V9BAITkVTzEe-69RfWj63jPjyrr5JVLX7G7422kaVfcynJ7r5j9QHGABxWxAqXWLB3JGhGjFU2QKtGlR2sT_38C0Ci-mOQFfLryEBx8PmB98rzXhqqvah/s1600/MacDougal+Pros+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9xLDtDKCqbn1gpvWJmYQPV0V9BAITkVTzEe-69RfWj63jPjyrr5JVLX7G7422kaVfcynJ7r5j9QHGABxWxAqXWLB3JGhGjFU2QKtGlR2sT_38C0Ci-mOQFfLryEBx8PmB98rzXhqqvah/s640/MacDougal+Pros+021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>After - Kitchen</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of my photos are complete on this remodel project.  I still have another photo day to schedule in, but I thought I'd share a few of the areas today.  I've got before and afters of the kitchen and family room.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSE3R-jV3dLEuv602wYsfKgUFMl8Hzw0w16SCOYXcNZ70AgSYbOAcjGRUO7rs9UNIY5QsD_QBAcBauo7bGg0RVEhsywpBQGPyzt1lJWjWPGtGowp58xE0lFnUehb5TSDc1KW5DsIAeaNZl/s1600/Before+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSE3R-jV3dLEuv602wYsfKgUFMl8Hzw0w16SCOYXcNZ70AgSYbOAcjGRUO7rs9UNIY5QsD_QBAcBauo7bGg0RVEhsywpBQGPyzt1lJWjWPGtGowp58xE0lFnUehb5TSDc1KW5DsIAeaNZl/s640/Before+kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>Before - Kitchen</em></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I shared a bit about this project <a href="http://designinthewoods.blogspot.com/2011/11/house-designed-around-passion.html">HERE</a> in a previous post.  The homeowner had all of the furnishings, art, rugs, etc. and I was challenged to remodel the home to feature all of her wonderful things and show them off in their best light.  She wanted the same warm, comfortable feel that many of her antiques and collected pieces possessed.  As an artist, working in textile and jewelry design, she has quite an eye for detail and most of her things had been acquired while living overseas in Pakistan and Kazakstan.  She has collected the things she loves..... antique textiles, beadwork, woven tapestries, and rugs.  The items this homeowner had were all about <i>texture</i>.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The house was built in the early 90's and the whole thing was mauve, paint, tile, counters, exterior, everything, except for the cabinets which had turned orange over the years.  She definitely wanted a warmer, more <i>rustic </i>feel.  New wood floors throughout warmed up the space as did the warm white paint color that was used on everything, walls, ceiling, mouldings, and cabinetry.  I wanted a gallery-like backdrop for her colorful, <i>textural</i> pieces and the wood floor grounded everything.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5htqE1VGcOdRuiABNNEyDEkHaWx0IIDbCHnwVsF41k98YcNddmjCuQx5DRVDXT22thpSEYVmeyr4f0hZyxnnJgHlMNSMjhlf5LrMYvu25WqooXHHUBDhjUGk4sBYtWlJWyRGq7G9dXEc/s1600/MacDougal+Pros+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5htqE1VGcOdRuiABNNEyDEkHaWx0IIDbCHnwVsF41k98YcNddmjCuQx5DRVDXT22thpSEYVmeyr4f0hZyxnnJgHlMNSMjhlf5LrMYvu25WqooXHHUBDhjUGk4sBYtWlJWyRGq7G9dXEc/s640/MacDougal+Pros+024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>After - Kitchen</em></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">The kitchen was very dated, with an oddly shaped island. I wanted to get rid of the raised bar counter. It served to divide the kitchen and felt like one side was a corridor and the other the kitchen. With the island at one level, it encourages everyone to come to the center "table". We kept the perimeter cabinets and painted them the color of the envelope to minimize them and draw attention to the new, beautiful wood island.  The antiqued limestone counter on the island has an<i> interesting texture </i>with fossils and shells embedded and just feels wonderful to the touch.  Those slabs came from<a href="http://www.mcasystems.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-mca.tpl&product_id=791&category_id=73&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1"> MCA</a> in Houston and they are called coral reef. The bone limestone backsplash, material also from MCA, blends with the envelope and repeats the material.  I love the way the Visual Comfort <a href="http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=1385">Goodman</a> hanging lamps punctuate the light colored space with their simple shape.  We purchased those through <a href="http://www.circalighting.com/index.aspx">Circa </a>in Houston. The <a href="http://www.rohlhome.com/Kitchen/Products.aspx?CollectionName='Country%20Kitchen'">Rohl faucets</a> add so much to the kitchen too.  They're in the Tuscan brass finish, a living finish, that will age over time.  Again, some <i>visual texture</i>.  </div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DyfF24k3CnF0pj2UxeMaQkeIqD4U_pNn3KSl-3-QUawBJfDZosPGuhITx2SzJMY0j-dHfu9a5_f8Nqu7gknHVbuH9vxChq6mgmlROKkjIj0Z_YtxOiJU0dvzuGYt7f7gvN4qJ1Hz3R_v/s1600/MacDougal+Pros+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="612" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DyfF24k3CnF0pj2UxeMaQkeIqD4U_pNn3KSl-3-QUawBJfDZosPGuhITx2SzJMY0j-dHfu9a5_f8Nqu7gknHVbuH9vxChq6mgmlROKkjIj0Z_YtxOiJU0dvzuGYt7f7gvN4qJ1Hz3R_v/s640/MacDougal+Pros+023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>After - Kitchen</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiwQaCO7kAG8bTY86n8mP1VsP2FAR4UkbkRPXOdf8HBRvwzRbKCZegULNW6f9yRwZkI-Y0m3Eki2GcKQURhZuTpYk0LMzAml7gOslcFCYCxd83rbRxT5jPBbRspqxKPlxRcRfecPeKuU4/s1600/before+kitchen+island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiwQaCO7kAG8bTY86n8mP1VsP2FAR4UkbkRPXOdf8HBRvwzRbKCZegULNW6f9yRwZkI-Y0m3Eki2GcKQURhZuTpYk0LMzAml7gOslcFCYCxd83rbRxT5jPBbRspqxKPlxRcRfecPeKuU4/s400/before+kitchen+island.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Before - Kitchen island</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOgLJSkJ2nq3W1VWxapbY2I9YZFpmHla1C-1sMlIXAEINAbf8uZHNcugp_DUZVknbjs1VU73oXfn-ESkffTfALnpi05mw8mXQZo6aRbuvS7IGhc2mCnfCTVjtaIFrcmR0B6f9mOnLYML5/s1600/408919979005_135464685005_1060_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOgLJSkJ2nq3W1VWxapbY2I9YZFpmHla1C-1sMlIXAEINAbf8uZHNcugp_DUZVknbjs1VU73oXfn-ESkffTfALnpi05mw8mXQZo6aRbuvS7IGhc2mCnfCTVjtaIFrcmR0B6f9mOnLYML5/s400/408919979005_135464685005_1060_0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Before - Island</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was definitely time to remodel.  Could the finishes be any more dated??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKPPbyeri3PtBpYWVtg44hcT9AG4yVr5QfVFFGR3INwDW_3EFuJHbp34lRlDmIdOochI3mUYnfpi03uddb2uBOJMA3VYwXH8jLcZnjLP3FFpxZJqbrEogk8K7wf3F5HvIrfcRXH9f79jC/s1600/MacDougal+Pros+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKPPbyeri3PtBpYWVtg44hcT9AG4yVr5QfVFFGR3INwDW_3EFuJHbp34lRlDmIdOochI3mUYnfpi03uddb2uBOJMA3VYwXH8jLcZnjLP3FFpxZJqbrEogk8K7wf3F5HvIrfcRXH9f79jC/s640/MacDougal+Pros+025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">After - Family Room</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">This is the family room, beyond the kitchen.  You can really see her collections here. That suzani tapestry is an antique and she's had it for years.  She didn't do this because it was trendy!</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">We continued all the finishes in to this space and ripped out the old entertainment center built-in.  I felt it needed the richness and <i>texture </i>of the wood here, so the floor material came up on the wall and provided a stopping place for your eye.  The wood grille panels in the cabinet doors were custom made to repeat some of the <i>texture</i> in the room.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMco8kwai1FZhFku18fWbdeadWJzL5nLQ8-d6QSmmv24nkt-exoxcaU0Gi5cCBdwiRsor2iE1R_ctGokezOBfthY59p-FJ5qjefOC5PXDZ3GOWipKJKP0mrKTiuU_ILyiYjOWR_yoN8Iu/s1600/MacDougal+Pros+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="499" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMco8kwai1FZhFku18fWbdeadWJzL5nLQ8-d6QSmmv24nkt-exoxcaU0Gi5cCBdwiRsor2iE1R_ctGokezOBfthY59p-FJ5qjefOC5PXDZ3GOWipKJKP0mrKTiuU_ILyiYjOWR_yoN8Iu/s640/MacDougal+Pros+026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Family Room Entertainment Center</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvH9r6u-ywmAjJgniZUv8S-HjTek1XjDIsHN5AWJsS9nRliJlKNXPGThQO5tMqASaLaDdJQqpn58uYamM5hiF_lbwqLzj9QGKiZUHT5SEz-OjMzve-A3dbHoCemdDfXUNGk72P6zRVE1-/s1600/Before+Fam+Rm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvH9r6u-ywmAjJgniZUv8S-HjTek1XjDIsHN5AWJsS9nRliJlKNXPGThQO5tMqASaLaDdJQqpn58uYamM5hiF_lbwqLzj9QGKiZUHT5SEz-OjMzve-A3dbHoCemdDfXUNGk72P6zRVE1-/s400/Before+Fam+Rm.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Before - Family Room</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the grillework on the cabinet doors below.  Great for airflow to the equipment inside and adds so much interest to the large built-in cabinet.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6-3PvnuBbijFznRraEQVsGNUuDr1_tLNuyurXfLN46VwuijfCPrQFzhnqpM2Jjf1f8ktF61viFB30Vcx1RTm03VMTJDVwsj9NkruPFUK8CxB8bWmQb0nKj4hXSc9z0q1vAiRsyX7WrUr/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6-3PvnuBbijFznRraEQVsGNUuDr1_tLNuyurXfLN46VwuijfCPrQFzhnqpM2Jjf1f8ktF61viFB30Vcx1RTm03VMTJDVwsj9NkruPFUK8CxB8bWmQb0nKj4hXSc9z0q1vAiRsyX7WrUr/s400/photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em> cabinetry under construction</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The counterstools were custom made, really the only new furniture item.  See the worn, <i>textural</i>, comfortable feel they have?  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuZbAR_Fxj4sWUEE9gYU3bd0pc5IQnAB_G-sNI6dE-5x_D7Rku-_iEf8csgUw5REB2mYYV-99vZ_MRqXqfu34xD2G2E1m3KFDBRdMotXHQ6d-9hQlGVnglDh-YWeZNsVKFNBBj4xhHdcd/s1600/barstools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuZbAR_Fxj4sWUEE9gYU3bd0pc5IQnAB_G-sNI6dE-5x_D7Rku-_iEf8csgUw5REB2mYYV-99vZ_MRqXqfu34xD2G2E1m3KFDBRdMotXHQ6d-9hQlGVnglDh-YWeZNsVKFNBBj4xhHdcd/s400/barstools.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll save the living room and master bath for another post.  The homeowner has a couple of cats that we did not ignore. You should see the special place we made for them! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the most important ways to get continuity in a project is to have that single purpose, style, goal, <i>element </i>always at the crux of your decision making.  When you wander off, distracted by something new and pretty.....revisit that purpose.  It will steer you in the right direction every time. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>All after photos by Miro Dvorscak</em></div>

Project Reveal

Some projects have one element of design that takes charge and is the boss of the project.  In other words, where every decision you make ab...

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Remodeling - Do Your Homework

<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJM5ipmku44kGMg8mhWtab6MbeXWgBww-IhWScqvtmw14vdVNR7xZVwjnDVimSft45pBfV50bE0CZSgnNPioU2zAs1JMIvH5aB1eJk15jLzKBfgAGxg5ZC1Dijcq9a5atYzPU91oOGCe-/s1600/job+site.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJM5ipmku44kGMg8mhWtab6MbeXWgBww-IhWScqvtmw14vdVNR7xZVwjnDVimSft45pBfV50bE0CZSgnNPioU2zAs1JMIvH5aB1eJk15jLzKBfgAGxg5ZC1Dijcq9a5atYzPU91oOGCe-/s400/job+site.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div align="center"></div>I'm doing so many remodel design projects these days.  Our area is full of 20+ year old homes that need some TLC.  If you are thinking about remodeling whether it's kitchen, bathroom, an addition, whatever, this is what you should be doing whether you are hiring a designer or not.<br /><br />1.  We've all heard this....start building a photo file for style ideas so that you can narrow down what you want your end result to look like.  The most important thing to pinpoint here is the atmosphere or feeling about the space.  If you just start to pull things that appeal to you, you will begin to see a pattern.  That pattern will dictate the overall design scheme for your space.  For some clients that translates to a hard binder with categories divided up, or it can also just be some photos found online. I tell all my future clients to go to <a href="http://houzz.com/">houzz.com</a> and build an ideabook with their own annotations.  They just e-mail me the link.  We've gone all paperless now you know!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaFlg5g4kfT6KSahcYg0Fkn_nsUJTHmDsn9whnfyAPrDDm4GtasDCuBktV7tvnnzl4iudgALuGvARgnNU6imUHuVGIrLeLri6xtrA-PnUBJ5uqh84YOcSIG7o7XMsHR7smse79le18s1E/s1600/211185_129309818805_7576882_n.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div>2.  In your file you can also get specific.  If you see some tile or cabinetry or paint colors, etc. that you LOVE and would like to have in your space, save that photo and note what it is you love about it.  I would advise not to get too married to any one <strong>item </strong>you've identified though.  The most important thing is identifying the overall look you want. You might fall in love with a specific item that doesn't really work in that particular design direction you like. I had a client who fell for an onyx harlequin mosaic tile for her bathroom.  She wanted an Asian contemporary bathroom.  Um-hmm....didn't work out so well.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8LQo2etTAJmbGaVepxKJmfX-8epDeNCFlyvNuKksGg87ZPhfUMhQFGWukQOBnJrl8WMh-PO34K89bAFZzZRjiprBveOG8RGnUBsXKlfKBxphRWZFrxgVhhN5Ve1NlxCCN-G-L7Btz2TQ/s1600/tile+listelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8LQo2etTAJmbGaVepxKJmfX-8epDeNCFlyvNuKksGg87ZPhfUMhQFGWukQOBnJrl8WMh-PO34K89bAFZzZRjiprBveOG8RGnUBsXKlfKBxphRWZFrxgVhhN5Ve1NlxCCN-G-L7Btz2TQ/s320/tile+listelle.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br />3.  If you are doing a kitchen, start researching appliances. These are very personal and there is such a wide variety of types and qualities available.  While a designer can advise on style or finish, you will be the one using it, so do your homework and visit some showrooms and start looking at pricing. The biggest part of a kitchen remodel budget outside of cabinetry is usually appliances. Deciding between something like the Kitchenaid Architect's Series or Viking/Subzero will make a huge impact on your budget.  It's also very important to the layout and electrical/water locations.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwSZwMQRDo8HeJwZHSODAzcTPm7gTeSClhKyfyAOYIu5PD91z5t-Ur_XNmIQrT26otxgdFpaWKXNyY3vpBvNNiQyyiFP48-RHPTjGo9dSeLf-W3M6DQ_WsupdF7fugF0U1RkiyM-iDlwb/s1600/CA+5+Greenspan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwSZwMQRDo8HeJwZHSODAzcTPm7gTeSClhKyfyAOYIu5PD91z5t-Ur_XNmIQrT26otxgdFpaWKXNyY3vpBvNNiQyyiFP48-RHPTjGo9dSeLf-W3M6DQ_WsupdF7fugF0U1RkiyM-iDlwb/s400/CA+5+Greenspan.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />4. For a bathroom, start researching plumbing fixtures. Again, these have a huge range of quality and price. It helps to understand how much things cost so that your mouth doesn't fall to the floor when you get your quotes in from the contractor. So you want a Waterworks tub and a car wash shower. Do you know how much that costs?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmZ0AcJlI3RaX6Dy3J5f3ZkSKKUqCCEb44Od0q_8EQOdxU3iV_-e18Mx3TwAgSgoS_NFO1qoxf61Kwcry3ChRV_fefiEPBHIiJrVMs1-CFOBuAWFcjQgsMEP5rL7FIdIoKEwM2FAddOdF/s1600/Faucet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmZ0AcJlI3RaX6Dy3J5f3ZkSKKUqCCEb44Od0q_8EQOdxU3iV_-e18Mx3TwAgSgoS_NFO1qoxf61Kwcry3ChRV_fefiEPBHIiJrVMs1-CFOBuAWFcjQgsMEP5rL7FIdIoKEwM2FAddOdF/s320/Faucet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>5.  Costs.  Think about your budget.  How much can you spend on this space? Is it enough to do what you want?  In a kitchen remodel, if you figured out your appliances and generally know what to budget for that, then you can kind of see how it's stacking up relative to how much you have to spend.  For example, if you have $50,000 for a kitchen remodel and have decided to go all high end on appliances, then you've basically already spent your budget. If you've got $25,000 to spend on a bathroom and you want a $10,000 tub then you will need to make another selection.  I think it's important in any remodel to bring everything up to the same level of quality.  Don't leave something in the room that is going to bring down the rest of your renovation.  I also think you shouldn't spend all your wad on one thing and have everything else be mediocre.  <br />  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$</span></strong></div><div align="center"> </div><br />6.  Allow time.  You need time to plan this properly.  It takes about 2 months at least to get a design for a space with selections done ready for a contractor.  That's me.  All designers are different.  And if you're a homeowner doing it yourself, it may take longer.  Typically, if my client is paying for my services for complete project, then we have a bid packet that will go out.  It contains the floor plan, elevations, details of cabinets and/or how finishes stop and start, electrical plan, finish specifications, and a finish schedule, as well as general construction notes, cabinetry specifications, and then the fixture specifications.  By fixtures I mean, lighting, plumbing, hardware.  If we can get all this tied down and specified, it makes it sooo easy for a contractor to price out and build. It's easier to get multiple bids and compare apples to apples.  <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjWdNztO7qYzemN9KNYfDQNvkW3pSV0WZxp6NICWaMKWnkYEL_chWCBNFS43LvUNNwbR2sbsILDEUevRJolGkuzNyZt0yQUjI3IftFpjJWg_Ba0ic_Txev3bOQr8qLxTHHlmVKmHNHJnv/s1600/Lynn+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjWdNztO7qYzemN9KNYfDQNvkW3pSV0WZxp6NICWaMKWnkYEL_chWCBNFS43LvUNNwbR2sbsILDEUevRJolGkuzNyZt0yQUjI3IftFpjJWg_Ba0ic_Txev3bOQr8qLxTHHlmVKmHNHJnv/s400/Lynn+plan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>Typically people want their homes tidied up and projects finished by Thanksgiving for fall projects and by summer for spring projects.  If you wanted a project done in the fall, you should have started back in the spring or no later than June booking a designer or designing the project yourself.  If you want a project in the spring, <strong><em>now</em> </strong>is a good time to call to book a designer to start the design in October or November, if you want to be ready to start when the kids go back to school in January.  Most busy designers (and if they aren't busy, maybe that should give you pause) have to work projects in with others and need time to plan their schedules.   If you are doing this project yourself, you have to fit in shopping for tile, etc. with your life too.  Remember, you don't have all these suppliers at your fingertips.  You will have to do more running around and spend more time doing research so that you can figure out which supplier has what you want and what products are out there for you to use.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxdQ3wZlOJE6me_pcdEqGQCRjKqyhRC4p8tjOs9BsdBsqyGzqhtWK0HhwrkoTIc9vrOrB3W_-J389OD9AIJZodoBmWNGW32vAMj1NcngUX5hR5pp0cdmN7RtJFyTAiyBK7CT7e5xiR9LU/s1600/3273117-house-plan-blueprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxdQ3wZlOJE6me_pcdEqGQCRjKqyhRC4p8tjOs9BsdBsqyGzqhtWK0HhwrkoTIc9vrOrB3W_-J389OD9AIJZodoBmWNGW32vAMj1NcngUX5hR5pp0cdmN7RtJFyTAiyBK7CT7e5xiR9LU/s1600/3273117-house-plan-blueprints.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now you're ready to start the design.  Be open minded, considerate, realize that going for the cheapest is not always the best, and above all, know that professionals in this field are not trying to take advantage of you or take your money for nothing.  It's in their best interest to make you happy.</div>

Remodeling - Do Your Homework

 I'm doing so many remodel design projects these days.  Our area is full of 20+ year old homes that need some TLC.  If you are thinking...

Read more »