Out With the Old in With the…Blue?

Out with the white in with the… blue? Colored kitchen cabinets are back in a bold way! With an influx of new color schemes from last year, homeowners, and designers alike are taking the plunge and are incorporating color into the mix. Although, many still grow weary at the sound of “painted cabinets”, what’s trending for 2015 is far from the colored cabinets of yesteryear.  Considerably diverse from your mother’s kitchen, this year’s kitchen cabinet color trends are sure to add timeless character.
That being said let’s begin with answering a few of your questions regarding colored cabinets:
“ When is a good time to incorporate colored cabinets into my kitchen? I like the design I have now and don’t want a complete remodel.”

• Now is a great time! If you have had the same kitchen design for years and have grown fond of it, painted cabinets is the ideal option for you. Not to mention it is one of the most  cost effective ways to achieve the revamp you are craving without the financial strain of a complete remodel.

“ What if I’m not sold on the whole ‘“color trend”? What are my alternatives to traditional white cabinets then?”

• There are many alternative options to committing to the bold statement that painted cabinets can sometimes make. If you’re looking for a more subdued yet updated look for your kitchen there are various wood stains that can add the right amount of style for your taste. Your design options for staining are not limited in the least, as shown below, staining can be done to achieve anything from a clean contemporary look to a rustic weathered finish. In addition staining can add color to your cabinets while keeping the appeal and integrity of the wood.

  “I am remodeling, first time homeowner, and I am ready to make some bold color statements with my cabinets! How do I know I won’t get tired of the color I pick?”

• The short answer is there is no guarantee that in ten + years you won’t your won’t change your mind. However, that being said there are are a few simple steps you can take while choosing your color scheme to ensure you’re creating a look that is timeless rather than temporary.

• Step 1. Do your research! Don’t pick the first color scheme you see. Take your time, find various color schemes that spark your interest and narrow it down from there. Visit sites like pinterest and houzz to get design ideas.

• Step 2. Pick a color scheme that you feel most at home with. Often times, clients of mine get excited with bold hues and statements they see in shows like HGTV and in plush interior design magazines, that when translated into their home has them second guessing their decision. Make sure its a color YOU can live with not just a color you like the idea of.

• Step 3. Professional designer’s are your design guru’s use them! Chances are if your designer has been in the industry as long as I have, they have seen it all! After narrowing down your choices consult your designer and work together to create the perfect medium of aesthetic appeal and functionality, that will keep your kitchen trendy and timeless.

Stains & Glazes

Stain Vs Glaze

Colorful Kitchens:

Comment below! I’d love to hear your thoughts on colored kitchens.
Love it? Hate it? 

How to: Bring the Bahamas Home

Winter is around the corner, which means one thing; time for a vacation! Whether you own your own tropical getaway, are in the market for one, or just want to bring more than just sand home from the beach this summer, I have compiled 6 easy steps that will help give your dated kitchen the sun kissed tropical face lift you’ve been yearning for.

Let’s begin:
 1. Get inspired: let your vacation be your muse. Let’s face it, what’s more inspiring than actually having time to stop and smell the roses?

2. Gather color combinations: while on your vacation be observant keep an eye out for which colors excite you the most take a quick snapshot with your phone or camera to reference later. More of a lounge by the pool/beach vacationer? Pull out your phone/tablet and visit our pinterest for endless ideas.

3. Pick a color scheme: after you have narrowed your choices down pick the color scheme you feel most confident with i.e. the one that scares you the least. After all, your goal is to create a space you enjoy living in, not just looking at.

(color scheme used listed below)

Costal Design

 

5. Consult a designer: “here she goes again with consult a designer”…I know I may sound redundant at times but I can’t stress enough how much more successful, enjoyable, and stress free any kitchen project becomes when you let your designer do the heavy lifting for you. After all this is supposed to be a vacation themed renovation right?

6. Add your personal taste:While your designer is busying doing the heavy lifting it’s your turn to add the finishing touches to your oasis inspired kitchen. I have compiled a few of my favorite tropical design decor essentials below.

Below I have provided you with my personal decor guide that I hope will inspire and guide you while you are mapping out your finishing touches.

I decided to save the best for last : Before and After

Thank you for reading and subscribing! I would love to hear your feedback, please comment below.

Making a Header

 The process of making a header for this site posed the challenge of making the image look as if it hadn’t been altered. I knew before starting what I wanted the final image to look like however it took a few variations to get the color scheme where it was most complimentary. I went on adobe stock photo and found a kitchen to work with, then I found the marble design I wanted for the counter on google images. Lastly, I found a tile pattern that I wanted to use as a backsplash for the kitchen. I then opened the image of the kitchen and locked it as the background. Looking at the image I decided that I wanted to have more of a contrast for the color of the countertop to make it stand out more. In order to do this I had to start by trying out different colors of potential countertops in Photoshop. I did this by selecting the countertop section by section from the background and then trying out different colors, opacities and fills. I finally decided on a deep blue almost black color. I then tried out different tile patterns for the backsplash. This was difficult because it took around four different tile patterns to decide on the one that wasn’t the most contrasting but rather complementary. I finally decided on the mosaic style pattern that I have in the image now. However, I had to resize the tile image several times to finally decide on the right size for the image and backsplash. I wanted to find a size that had the same clarity of the rest of the image as well as the appropriate lighting. Once the backsplash was the right size and color, I went in and added shading under the overhang of the cabinet to make the tile inlay look more realistic. All in all, I find when you are editing images that it is best if you pay attention to the small details because those are the ones that often assist in making the image appear the most realistic.

This image was borrowed and remixed with images from adobe stock, blog and another blog.

Before:

After:

Marble, it’s beautiful…but is it worth it?

This very question is one that designers, contractors, and homeowners mule over when deciding whether or not to use the timeless beauty that is marble. Marble has been used for centuries as the medium for many historically renowned art pieces. But does it translate as gracefully into ones home, seems to be the hot topic of debate. The answer to that varies from person to person. The decision to choose marble over other natural stones center’s around the individuals lifestyle rather than personal taste. For example as a homeowner you could love the idea of marble but end up resenting the upkeep that it requires. On the other hand you could enjoy the aging process that gives marble its distinguished character. In order to best inform you and answer all your must-know’s about marble I have broken a large quantity of information into a quick reference.
Being that price is almost always a deciding factor when it comes to design lets start there.

Cost: Marble is known as for its luxurious appeal. That being said marble is one of the most expensive natural stones used in kitchen and bathroom design.

Marble Countertops range from $125- $250 per square-foot
Wearability: The durability of marble depends on each individual’s lifestyle. There are protectant treatments that can be applied to the stone for the more on-the-go fast paced lifestyle consumer. One thing to keep in mind is that marble has been used for ages in grandiose locations, such as corporate buildings, that generate much more foot traffic and wear than a typical domestic kitchen or bathroom will ever see in its lifetime. Even so, it is still the first choice of many. What can be expected however are minor:
• Scratching – Marble can scratch easily, especially when touched for a long period of time by something acidic. A slice of lemon laid down on a polished countertop overnight can leave a mark in the shape of the lemon slice, duller than the surface around it.

• Staining – Marble can also stain; red wine and some fruits are infamous for leaving indelible stains on the marble.
Maintenance: When choosing a marble if maintenance is a concern for you consider polished vs. honed. A polished marble is a little more resistant to staining, whereas a honed surface is a bit more absorbent. Many people choose a polished marble countertop for that reason.

I hope this quick reference eases your fears and answers your burning questions about choosing marble for your home!

If you currently have marble or have an experience to share please comment and let us know if marble was the right choice for you!