AbbeyK — On Interior Design

Progress in the kitchen, anyone?

Cambridge Renovation

Moving right along!
We thought wall cabinets would confine the space and we wanted to keep the budget in check, so we added some open shelving.

(Click on the images for a larger view.)

Color for Paint Trim

I have to admit, I am a big fan of white trim. It's bright, adds nice contrast to the wall color and let's in the light.

Then every once and a while, the space seems to want something different.

(Click the photo for a larger image.)

In this small bath, we had a custom shower curtain made.

We left the top parts of the walls a crisp, crisp white. I had them add extra titanium for a super white.

The tan below the chair rail is Brookline Beige by Benjamin Moore. The trim is 50% Brookline Beige and 50% white.

The door is the same color as the shower curtain.

A lot of colors for a very small bath, but it looked great.

Finally there's plumbing

Cambridge Renovation

Progress makes me happy!

(Click on the image for a larger view.)

Choosing Fabrics for Window Treatments

How do you know what fabric is the best choice for window treatments?
It's simple: tape options to the wall and see how it feels.

We chose the middle one. As Goldilocks says: it was just right! It's a fabulous silk from Beacon Hill.
(The bottom was too formal and the top didn't have enough pop.)
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Accessorize!

Here's some bookcases I recently did for a client's yoga room. We sorted through their collection of items and opted for earthy feeling materials with interesting shapes: baskets, plates, bowls, pottery, and books.

Then we played around with how the shapes looked with each other, paying close attention to the negative space between items. We didn't want it too crowded so we left room to breathe between items.

We left bottom shelves open for yoga props. Namaste!

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What to do with the Window

Cambridge Renovation

Here's a tip: when you have a window in the bathroom, use slab, or solid pieces of stone for the window surrounds. This takes away the issue of repainting wood trim, mold on the wood, or wood rot. Plus it just looks good!

The slab on the threshold should be pitched.

Local granite and marble suppliers can cut you remnants that are 3/4" thick.

(Click on the image for a larger view.)

Defining a Design Style

A really good designer works in any style, I think. If you love French country, do you need a designer who specializes in French country? Not necessarily.

If you only love modern furniture, meaning what most people think it means, Italian, really clean lines, contemporary high style, no.

Some people feel that you need a designer who only works in the style that you like, but you can actually get a more creative vision when someone just listens and is creative. But every project I have looks different. That’s interesting to me. That’s where the thought process goes through. You have to think and try to solve the problem.

Bath, almost done

Cambridge Renovation

We are almost there... we were shipped the wrong sink and the toilet tank was missing the screws, but it's taking shape. Please do note that we tiled to the ceiling. In a small bathroom, this makes the bathroom look bigger. There's no tile line ending at chair rail height (typically around 42" to 48" in a bath) for your eye to follow around. The cost difference in a small bath is not huge and no it won't look industrial. Try it, you'll like it.

Erin Adams Mosaic Madness

These mosaics by Erin Adams are avail at Ann Sacks. How amazing are these? I have a thing for birds......Note: thie brand is not free (translation: they are very expensive). Well, you do get what you pay for.

P.S. I am crazy about birds.

The lights are just fabulous.

LOVE THEM!

Green furniture?

There are some manufacturer's making great furniture that is kind to the environment, too.

Domino and Treehugger have come out with a list of Green Furniture.

They include pieces from Q collection

They talk about a sofa from Lee Industries with soy filler. I am all for formaldehyde free and other sustainable measures, but I am not so sure about soy as a fill for a sofa.