Woodworking Woes

Here's an email message I received:

From: Tracy

Subject: kitchen banquette

A comfortable custom kitchen banquette.

A comfortable custom kitchen banquette.

Message: My woodworker was supposed to make my kitchen banquette 17" high and it ended up being 18.5". Now with my 3" cushions, the seating comes in at 21.5". It looks attractive, but it's higher than I would have liked. I paid a decent buck for the custom banquette and cushions. What do you advise?

Tracy, there are multiple issues in this short email. 

First, does your woodworker acknowledge that there is a mistake? It's understandable that you did not measure it until he was done because, of course, you trust him. 

Second, I'm not sure that that 1 1/2" will make much of a difference. I mean, with these numbers, yes, the lower the better. But, I think it will still feel high. As a comparison, I normally (depending on the cushion) set the height of my banquettes somewhere between 14 and 15", usually around 14-14 1/2", anticipating a 4-5" thick cushion. For a 3" cushion, I'd probably size it somewhere around 15 1/2-16" high. 

Design a brightly colored fabric for your banquette.

Design a brightly colored fabric for your banquette.

Third, this matters if he is not acknowledging an error. Do you have documentation on how high the banquette was to be?

Fourth, if he does acknowledge that it was not accurately sized, and if you decided you wanted it lower than originally planned, ask him to make it lower. 

Fifth, are there any decorative panels on the face of the banquette?

Sixth, are there any other issues such as wallpaper or other moldings or the rear of the banquette if there is one, that is affected?

Those are my preliminary thoughts, knowing nothing more than what you've told me so far. I hope this works out for you. 

It's a rare client who will think to take a tape measure to woodwork that has been installed, nor is it their responsibility to do so. But, in a case like this, where the piece is finished, I do think Tracy deserves to get what she originally paid for, however it has to be worked out by the woodworker. What do you think?

Flooring Trends 2018

A visit I made to one of the premiere design exhibitions in the U.S., KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) is an important venue at which to see major kitchen design elements (besides kitchen cabinetry and appliances) such as flooring. It's a great opportunity to experience complete looks and analyze kitchen design trends. Looking downward was very interesting and fun!

light and dark gray ceramic tile flooring

CONTRAST

is a trend

lights and darks used together was a major flooring trend

Gray flooring for 2018 remains a strong trend. And, it has pleasant tones! Grays with blue shades, lots of warm, muddy tones, even with barely perceptible touches of green in wood and ceramic flooring are prevalent. 

gray herringbone floor

It's interesting how gray flooring can look earthy. Maybe it's a concrete, textured connotation that comes across in some flooring. When gray and brown are mixed in wood flooring, it's an aged look, one that has an authentic element. 

light gray ceramic floor

The lighter shades of gray flooring feature a stylish look. Light gray floors also reflect a sort of soft Scandi and more modern style and you always experience an enhanced feeling of spaciousness with light colors. My own wood floors are painted white in my living room and I love the contrast of lights and darks in the room. 

medium gray ceramic tile

Medium tone gray ceramic tile appear soft and always hide a multitude of problems, spills and other unfortunate mishaps! Not too light, not too dark, the middle tones of any color is always the way to go to put off cleaning for another day or three. 

light gray kitchen flooring

Dreamy, flowy,

 

light grays

Grays can be SO stylish! When you talk about "a designer look", gray floors are a key piece to a room that appears different, unique and definitely has a cool factor. Gray as a foundation for a room's color palette allows one to use warm colors to exploit a warm/cool contrast theme, and, of course, it's a neutral that works with every color for maximum design flexibility.

light gray and brown wood flooring
wood herringbone flooring
light gray ceramic tile

Gray is elegance

soft, authentic, easy to coordinate with any color

These images reflect the latest trends in gray flooring for 2018. Don't forget, the kitchen floor is a critically important design element. You can select flooring first to drive all other colors and finishes or coordinate the color after you have chosen cabinet finishes but always consider surrounding rooms. One word of caution - gray has been a hot neutral for a few years and there is no telling how long the gray train will continue. If you love gray, my advice is to look for a flooring material that has some authenticity to it in texture and color. Best to have materials be trend-invisible!

The Microwave And The Shelf

The microwave, trust me as a kitchen design professional for many years, is an appliance that is very tricky to place in the kitchen. One of the pros of the microwave as opposed to other appliances is that there are quite a wide range of sizes available to either build it into cabinetry or, in the case of the countertop model, simply put it on a shelf. You also want to try to place it near the refrigerator since you commonly take something out of the refrigerator and pop it into the microwave.

The cons begin with microwaves needing extra depth to install, making it difficult to position it above countertop height where it is most easily accessible. Some microwaves have trim kits that allow them to be built into cabinetry and many do not. It takes SO much space to just place it on a countertop and is not the best look. 

The over-the-range microwave serves a purpose, yes, but the cons overwhelm the single pro of it being off the countertop. Ineffective venting and awkward and dangerous access (imagine foods cooking in pots below) make this installation a worst case scenario, sorry to say.

But, there's another solution!

Sometimes a microwave on a shelf just works. It can be designed to hide in plain sight!

Sometimes a microwave on a shelf just works. It can be designed to hide in plain sight!

It's the shelf. Sometimes, simply putting a microwave on a shelf just works. You have to first check the depth of both the shelf and the microwave to verify it will fit. In the case of the image above, the shelves are 14" in depth and the microwave is 12" deep. The outlet is recessed into the wall so that the microwave fits.

This is actually a microwave that I've been using on my projects for well over 20 years and it's still as popular as ever! It's the GE Profile Countertop microwave and it's in a stylish, nearly invisible Slate color but it comes in a range of colors. 

Hang it from underneath a wall cabinet or place it on a shelf between standard wall cabinets and it will be close in depth to surrounding cabinetry. That's the beauty of this appliance. It even has a turntable and all the most important functions a microwave needs. I just love this stylish, functional, convenient microwave. It works!

 

Let There Be Light In The Kitchen!

The days are getting shorter, and so quickly. The early mornings in the kitchen are dark and late afternoons are feeling more like early evening - which makes me think of, but mostly not take for granted, the value of natural daylight. How can we change things in the kitchen to compensate for this loss for the next 5 or 6 months? I have a few tricks up my sleeve to share.

Windows are a direct connection to spiritual well-being. The bigger, the better.

Windows are a direct connection to spiritual well-being. The bigger, the better.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Remove them entirely to allow more natural light into the kitchen. Even a few inches of a valance extending into the window will have a noticeable difference. Add white sheers if fabric is desired. The absence of a patterned, textured or brightly colored fabric will immediately add a clean, spacious look and will reflect more light into the kitchen.

DECLUTTER

The change of seasons is always a good time to reassess what is clutter and what is needed, especially on the countertops, but also on open shelving around the kitchen. Here's my best tip: look at only one small section at a time, slowly - to clearly see items that can be moved elsewhere, out of view. 

A LITE DECORATIVE LAYER

Do you have a collection of decorative objects in the kitchen? Remove them all from the kitchen! If any objects go back, put them back slowly, one at a time and be aware of the reclaimed negative space, which can also be beautiful, where a number of objects once were.

Light colors enhance a feeling of spaciousness in a room that has lots of visually heavy design elements.

Light colors enhance a feeling of spaciousness in a room that has lots of visually heavy design elements.

LIGHT COLORS

Contrary to what you often see and are told to do in spring and summer design magazines, I propose that it's a better idea to incorporate light colored accessories, dinnerware, serveware, placements, even rugs (of which we have wonderful ones at Scandinavian Made) into the kitchen in the "dark months". Finding the light by using light colors and whites will collectively add more light into the kitchen and will lift your spirits, guar-on-teed! Adding some bright colors can help lift the mood for sure. Think spring and summer style - really!

LIGHTING

While it's not so easy to add light fixtures into the kitchen for seasonal reasons, make sure that adequate natural and artificial lighting is seriously considered in the kitchen planning stage.

Think "light" in all its different manifestations within the kitchen as the days become darker and the opposite will occur - there will be light! 

 

Townsend Faucet By American Standard

The Townsend faucet - American Standard's newest faucet, arrived at my home, compliments of the aforementioned brand. I thought it would be interesting to play with it, solely my own inspiration, to see how this faucet can hold up to some of my creative impulses.

Art Inspiration below

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Scandi Asymmetrical Inspiration below:

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Nature, Texture, Eclectic Inspiration below

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Close Up of Form and Function Below/Minimalist Look With Texture:

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Bling!

Townsend Faucet American Standard

Townsend Faucet American Standard

This what I found right away and what I find most exciting about this Townsend collection - the ability to change the look, in this case of the powder room, allows you to let your creativity loose, to not be bound by one look for all time but rather, to change it at a whim. Change is good!

This faucet in the images is satin nickel. It also comes polished chrome, polished nickel and legacy bronze. Fun fact: The design of the Townsend faucet was inspired by the Manhattan Bridge, thus, it's energy and visual strength. The operation of the handles? Like butter. It also comes with a high arc spout.

The Townsend Faucet, approved by Designhounds www.designhounds.com everywhere, speaks in multiple languages. Is it modern? Traditional? Minimalist? Transitional? Sculptural? It's all that and a bag of chips. To create an eclectic look with disparate design elements and, since I NEED to change my surroundings on a regular basis, I look forward to expressing my creativity, really, whenever the mood strikes.

 

A Design Pro Renovates Her Own Kitchen

A little over a year ago my husband and I bought a house which was love at first sight. The kitchen?  Hate at first sight. This past year we remodeled the kitchen and this is the first of many installments about this kitchen renovation. But first, a brief (not really) back story about how my husband and I ended up buying a house with a closed off kitchen when I've been designing and espousing open plan kitchens since, um, the late 80's AND have never owned a home without an open plan!

The kitchen plan for a fully open floorplan was finished...and then we found our dream home!

The kitchen plan for a fully open floorplan was finished...and then we found our dream home!

We weren’t planning on moving in 2014. Until we were. We significantly downsized from one home to another, 2 towns away, in 2008. By 2014, there were multiple upgrades and repairs that were needed and wanted, which all together, would be a serious investment. Trades were called to get estimates and then final selections; I redesigned the 25 year old kitchen and I was ready to select and order materials. Next step was to sign contracts for some of the work. We were nearly underway. 

SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO?

During this planning time and before investing in these projects, we thought it would be smart to see what was out there in our local housing market. Once we put those funds into the remodeling project, that home would surely be our home forever. One part of me was very satisfied with the remodeling plans, but there was another part of me that nudged me to take steps to make sure I was emotionally on board with the prospect of owning this house for the long term. I checked the real estate listings daily while I was in the planning process and occasionally went to open houses.

When Steve, my husband, walked into the kitchen one day in September, 2014, I looked up from the local real estate listing site that was open on my laptop and quietly said, “This house just came on the market today and I think I found our dream home.” We jumped in the car and did a drive-by.

If you look closely, you can see how the cabinetry was cut short above the 8" step. This was built up for sound purposes because the previous owner's mother had her bedroom just below this dining area.

If you look closely, you can see how the cabinetry was cut short above the 8" step. This was built up for sound purposes because the previous owner's mother had her bedroom just below this dining area.

THE DREAM HOME HAS PROBLEMS

The house had features that were the exact opposite of what we wanted. Two sets of stairs connect 3 levels, and each level would be lived in for hours every day. I hate stairs. I was happy to say goodbye to the stairs in our colonial style house when we moved from that house to another in 2008. Ugh.

The kitchen in this dream home I found was cheap, handmade (thrown together), old, and had an 8” step up to the dining area in the middle of it. It was also virtually CLOSED OFF with 3 small passageway openings - I have always disliked a closed off kitchen. Plus, it was smallish at 235 square feet. The room (a nice size room with lots of potential) behind the kitchen had virtually no heat and was closed off from the kitchen by two 12" doors to form a a tiny opening of 24".

But, there were expansive views of the long inlet to the harbor at one end and to LI Sound at the other end. That was it for us, end of story! NOTHING else mattered. Except that the house was in our budget and we felt it was a very fair price. And it looked to be in good condition which an engineer confirmed.
Nice views!

Nice views!

AGING IN PLACE?

At 60 years old, and before finding this house, I looked in the surrounding area for something practical. I didn’t want stairs, which I had NO patience for in a previous house we owned. Plus, the whole aging in place thing had to be considered, right? Also, our current driveway was very steep and treacherous in the cold Long Island winters. We’re not getting any younger so it was wise to make convenience and access the driving factors for the purchase of our next, possibly last, home. And we looked for those features.

MAKING THE OFFER

The day after the house with the views went on the market, we did a walk through with our realtor and while still in the house, we said, “Screw it. Let’s make an offer. We’re not dead yet and it will do us good to move up and down the stairs.” We also talked about putting in a heated driveway one day, an elevator and even moving to the lower level when we’re REALLY ancient and having one of our kids’ families move in the 2 floors above us. There was viable old age living potential in this house.

What we ended up moving to was essentially a 3 floor house with the main floor in the middle, bedrooms on the 3rd floor and the basement (at ground level with front door, large windows, 2 car garage) which served as my office and climate controlled room for my Scandinavian rug collection. Because only the back of the house was underground, the lowest level was very conducive to every day living. 

So, long story short - two staircases utilized multiple times every day, another steep driveway, a larger house then the one we had downsized to only 8 years which will need more maintenance, a new home to make changes to which reflected our tastes and - a kitchen I hated. Oh, and killer views!

Next Chapter: Coming To Terms With A Closed Off Kitchen :(

 

Traditional Home Hamptons Designer Showhouse 2015 - Kitchen

The Traditional Home Hamptons Designer Showhouse was a showstopper this summer and of course, I spent quality time in the kitchen. The kitchen cabinets were already a fixture in the showhouse, but Marlaina Teich, interior designer, employed her vision to transform a room with only cabinets in it into a stylish space with a coastal flair - a look that the Hamptons OWNS!

Traditional Home Hamptons Showhouse Kitchen 2015 with images by Susan Serra, CKD and features the complete kitchen decoration by Marlaina Teich with a beautiful handmade Swedish runner from Scandinavian Made.

Hamptons kitchens are most frequently classic white kitchens. The addition of blue in different hues with chartreuse as an accent, to my eye, adds a feeling of blue skies, blue waters and sunny accents. After all, when you're in your beach house in the Hamptons, don't you want to feel cheerful rather than all somber and serious? 

And don't forget the handmade Swedish runner from Scandinavian Made! True blue!