My Project
Raised washer and dryer. The owners of this Cincinnati, Ohio, home complained about having to bend over to load and unload their machines, so designer Candice Mayhall at Sunday Home Interiors devised a plan for the front-load washer and dryer both to be raised. Beneath the two machines is storage. And yes — this setup required some extra work to guard against potential leaks. Mayhall made sure the storage cabinets underneath the washer and dryer were not attached to the rest of the cabinets, making replacement easier should those cabinets get damaged. Mayhall also left a few inches around the appliances to make things easier if and when the machines need to be moved.
Overhead clothesline. This laundry room in Stockholm, Sweden, contains a feature that is very practical for winter weather: clotheslines placed overhead to enable several rows of clothing to air-dry. This overhead line setup is common in Sweden and Switzerland. Clotheslines typically hang down from the ceiling low enough so you can reach the line and attach clothespins to secure laundry. Alternatively, you can place items on the lines using hangers, as this image shows. The radiator on the left, under the window, can blast some heat to help clothes dry faster. Some homes even have fans mounted to help the air circulate.
Moen, for example, debuted its Aromatherapy hand shower, pictured, which allows the user to insert pods or capsules of essential oils into the shower head to infuse the spray with, for example, lavender, tea tree and vanilla oils to create a calming experience. If you want a more energizing shower, swap in a capsule filled with essential oils of lemon, Scots pine and cistus (an aromatic flowering shrub). You can adjust a dilution setting to increase or decrease the amount of oil released into the spray. The fragrance capsules will be made in France and the essential oils curated by master perfumer Jean-Charles Sommerard. “Scents play a powerful role in our mental state and impact our emotional well-being, from relaxation to reinvigoration, and each of these fragrances have been specially composed to provide specific sensory experiences,” Sommerard said in a press release from Moen. “Warm water dilates the pores, allowing you to enjoy the various benefits of the essential oils both on the body and through inhalation. After the shower, you can linger a little longer in the olfactory bubble that will persist in the bathroom to continue this moment of luxury.” The company says the ca...
One of Kohler’s bigger announcements, though, was the debut of six new lighting collections. They include 200 products, with plans to double that number by the end of the year. The six collections — Artifacts, Memoirs, Damask, Simpalo, Components and Modern Farm — feature modern, transitional and classic sconces, pendants, flush-mount fixtures and chandeliers. The lighting collections allow homeowners to choose from a range of styles in finishes that will match and complement existing Kohler product finishes, such as on sinks and shower fixtures. ** I like the lights to the side of the mirror instead of over, which creates odd shadows and makes it difficult to see when close to the mirror
This home is nestled into the trees and was already gorgeous, except for the kitchen. It was this dark corner of the house,” interior designer Tamar Kestenbaum says. While the layout was functional and the size was adequate, extensive upper cabinets blocked any chance of maximizing the leafy views. Kestenbaum removed the cabinets to make room for expansive windows, which opened up the kitchen to beautiful views of the trees.
The floating shelves also serve as an upper cabinet substitute. Reasons to forgo some upper cabinets: To create a focal wall To extend a beautiful backsplash up to the ceiling To make room for windows To provide a more open and airy feel Ways to make up for lost storage space include: Outfitting the kitchen with hardworking lower cabinet inserts Concentrating storage and some larger appliances on one wall Installing open shelves Moving areas like a coffee or wine bar into an adjacent room Working a pantry into the kitchen footprint Doing a thorough kitchen cleanout and purge. Seldom-used or seasonal items can be moved to other storage areas in the house.
Pulls and knobs. The most common kitchen cabinet hardware types are pulls and knobs, but deciding where to use them and where to forgo them can make a dramatic difference in the overall look of the space. “I usually suggest pulls for all drawers, and knobs for doors,” says Esslinger, the Chicago designer. “Except when it comes to taller doors, like pantry doors, I like to use longer pulls.” Esslinger used this combination of pulls for drawers, knobs for doors and longer pulls for pantry doors in this recent kitchen renovation, with great success.
Homeowners’ request. Designer and homeowner Deb Vanderheyden wanted to modernize the kitchen in her 100-year-old house while preserving some of the historic elements. She wanted an open concept with clean lines, lots of functionality and a butler’s pantry baking area that could get messy while the main kitchen area stayed clean. Farmhouse details. Soapstone-look quartz perimeter countertops. Wide-plank shiplap backsplash walls. Reclaimed-wood shelves next to the cooktop. Brass faucet, hardware and lantern-style light fixtures. Designer tip. Design a kitchen to reflect the things you like. For example, Vanderheyden loves to bake, and the walk-in butler’s pantry has all her supplies and baking ingredients. She also likes tea and has a hot water spigot specifically for that, along with a tea drawer near the water spigot.
Farmhouse details. Wood beams. Embossed backsplash tiles. Copper hood. Farmhouse-style copper sink. Subway tile. “The crisp white cabinets (Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore) and the glass pendants above the island play up the contrast,” Peruri says. “The copper element is also repeated in the copper sink to keep things cohesive. The kitchen is a blend of old and new, with cabinetry that conceals all the appliances.” Other special features. “The open shelves in a contrasting finish, similar to the island, is a nice touch,” Peruri says. “It draws more attention in the darker tone. Mixing up the tiles is fun and interesting too. And the hardware is also mixed, with doors getting knobs and drawers getting pulls.” Designer tip. “Building cabinetry to the ceiling draws your eye up and looks seamless,” I like the open shelves, the finish matching that of the window trim and hardware. Also the narrow glass cabinet on the left of the stove.
Vertical shiplap is a simple way to add farmhouse charm without going overboard,” Ocken says. “If you were to look closely at the painted oak cabinetry, you could see an added detail. Painting oak cabinetry allows for you to see the wood grain through the paint. It’s subtle but a strong design element.” Having the shiplap go vertical heightens the space. Also, the schoolhouse lights and wide, short drawers to the left of the oven
A tall glass countertop cabinet adds lightness to the corner. The glass-front upper cabinets have lights inside for highlighting collectibles. The backsplash is white-glazed hand-shaped ceramic subway tiles that show variation and texture. “Adding that charcoal-colored grout gives it character and a bit more dimension with all the white in this kitchen,” Brazier says.
The former kitchen included camel-colored walls, dark granite counters and short cabinets with a raised arch detail on the doors in a color and style the owners disliked. A small island with no overhang sat in the middle of the space, and the dishwasher was located away from the sink in a corner of a small peninsula that barely offered space for two stools.
2. Heated Towel Racks “One tip that we can’t go past is to put heated towel rails in your bathrooms — hydronic where possible,” says Jasmine McClelland, principal designer at Jasmine McClelland Design. “They are a bit more of an outlay initially than non-heated styles, but they offer so many benefits, particularly for family living. Joy Street Design “The most appealing factor is less work: less washing, less drying. Your towels are warm and fresh when it comes time to use them, as is your bath mat,” McClelland says. “This is a lifesaver and such a luxury, particularly when you have kids and feel like you’re constantly washing everything. “It also means your towels can be folded neatly and there will be less moisture and dampness in your bathroom. Your space will look sharp and smell fresh, which is so important — especially when guests are coming over. An added bonus is a toasty warm bathroom on those freezing cold mornings. A heated towel rail truly is a game changer.”
Differing heights.- In a kitchen with many items at different heights, I would still use the bottom of the cabinets as a main stopping point, with possibly a little exception at the range for a taller backsplash up to the hood. Ending at the windows would leave an awkward sliver of space below the cabinets. In more traditional kitchens, sometimes the tile will run even a little above the bottom of the cabinets, which gives a pleasing overlap that feels more relaxed and reduces the need to cut tiles into tiny slivers.
After: Rendon removed the shower-bath combo, vanity and toilet. An open shower, custom vanity and fresh white color palette with black accents gave the bathroom a lighter, airier look. “The little seating area was a way to make the space feel more open,” Rendon says. “She didn’t necessarily need so much storage for this guest bath space, so I came up with the idea to have the vanity be more open with the seating.” A dark charcoal paint (Charcoal Sketch by Dunn-Edwards) on the top half of the wall at left, above a chair rail, gives the space a bit of drama and coordinates with the matte black shower divider, shower fixtures, lighting and mirror frame. A washable, nonwoven wallpaper with a wildflower design covers the bottom half of the lefthand wall and the entire wall opposite it. “The floral design is so pretty,” Rendon says. “It’s subtle but makes an impact. This particular bathroom isn’t used every day, so we weren’t concerned about moisture. We also have an upgraded fan in here.”
Merkel kept everything in relatively the same place but maximized storage and style. The wall between the shower (top left) and toilet (bottom left) features storage niches on its three sides. Another niche sits to the right of the new single-sink vanity, and a linen closet occupies the bottom right.
These floor plans of the former bathroom show a functional setup, but not the small, frustrating details like poor-quality materials and lack of storage that added up to major frustrations.
To the right of a door leading to the dining room stands a storage center for sorting mail and other items. “I wanted a space designated for odds and ends, sort of like a junk drawer on steroids,” Andrea says. “Just so things don’t look cluttered.”
Soft blue-green cabinets (Rookwood Blue Green by Sherwin-Williams) complement the hickory island base, wood beams and refinished pine floor to create a welcoming style. A mix of Shaker-style cabinet door fronts and flat drawer fronts, along with a hand-painted terra-cotta backsplash tile in a subtle pattern, gives the space some nuanced points of interest. Two wrought iron pendants hang over the island. And open storage on the island end offers display space for pottery and collectibles. “Open shelving is a hallmark of historic kitchens, so this was a nod to that,” Irion says.
Inky charcoal gray wainscoting (Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams). Custom mirror framed in white oak to match the vanity. Designer tip. Keep the space elevated and sophisticated by using classic polished nickel plumbing fixtures, and added in matte black lighting and cabinetry hardware so that it wouldn’t feel too serious or stuffy. For instance, chrome plumbing fixtures are much less than matte black, but you can get the look by using the more expensive finish in areas like cabinetry hardware and light fixtures.”
The linen cabinet in this bathroom by Delphinium Design is tucked into the corner as an extension of the vanity. Note how the exposed end is finished in the same Shaker style as the rest of the cabinetry. The upper door cabinet makes it easy to store towels, while the lower drawers create more space for cosmetics and other things one might keep in a medicine cabinet.
tiled birds on either side of stove
DXV featured its walnut and Carrera marble Belshire collection vanities, which have a clever drawer maximizing storage around the plumbing fixtures.
Häfele has a drawer organization system that it showed at KBIS, though it is not a new product. Here are some of the dividers for deep drawers that are part of Häfele’s Fineline drawer organization system.
Rev-A-Shelf also showed off its new tiered deep drawer for 30- and 36-inch cabinets. It has two storage levels and three compartments.
greenery and lemons
rounded backsplash at faucet chicken wire cabinet doors
In a corner, a bank of glass-front upper cabinets and a rift-sawn white oak shelf offer display space for special glassware and cookware. The tall cabinet on the right conceals ductwork. But Otte designed enough room for shallow storage that holds spices, cooking sauces and boxes of tea. “It allowed us to alphabetize our spices, something we haven’t been able to do before,” Stephanie says.
no need to have bulk head over uppers
lights above the open shelves
detail behind the tv. make a built in around the fireplace and extend it up to the ceiling, incorporating narrow bookshelves so the tree can still be up
shallow upper allows for storage and ease of reaching appliances on the countertop
ipe wood for the shower flooring - highly durable often used on outdoor decking requiring oiling only once a year. could put a large pan, angled towards the existing drain down, then wood on top so the wood could be lifted out for cleaning.
beautiful tile with open shelving...makes a tiny kitchen feel more spacious
Pony wall behind the washer and dryer to hide the exposed and surface-mounts on the wall. This is an outside wall so the pipes couldn't be relocated inside of it.
LOVE the plant!!! Think about scents. Engaging any of the five senses can affect mood. Adding pleasing scents such as fresh eucalyptus or lavender will enhance the way you experience your home. How to Make Your Home Make You Feel Good Think about the goal of feeling good as soon as you walk in your home. Consider how you want your home to look, feel, smell and sound. Remove, fix or put away things that are bothering you, particularly dust-collecting clutter. Make small changes to enhance your mood — light a favorite candle; experiment with different furniture arrangements until it feels right; locate your desk under a window with a favorite view; place a speaker where you want to listen to your favorite music; pot a grocery store basil plant and put it in the kitchen; cozy up a place of respite with a throw blanket; change out a lightbulb that’s not warm enough; put your lights on dimmers.
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