As you can see, a chandelier can really add some visual appeal.  A few areas to consider hanging a chandelier is either in the center of the room, above the tub, or over the vanities.  If your ceiling is lower, and you feel a chandelier might be too big, you can consider a semi-flush mount fixture.

I have a few master bathroom design & remodels going on here in the Cincinnati area, so you will be sure to see some chandeliers in those bathrooms…  stay tuned!

The common questions my clients have are:  “Is it ok to mix brass, and other finishes?”  &  “Is brass coming back in style?”   The answer to both of these questions is, YES!  Now, the shiny yellow brass is something most people are trying to get rid of, however there is a new style of brass that is gaining popularity.  This new style is a weathered and antiqued brass.  Check it out for yourself!:

 As mentioned above you can absolutely mix your outdated brass fixtures with other finishes to give your home an updated look, without breaking the bank.  My favorite option, is mixing bronze or black with the brass.   Luckily a lot of bronze and black finishes will have an antiqued look which incorporates some gold hues that pull in the brass element.   Both of these options are going to be more of a traditional or transitional look, so if this is your style, then you should have no problem finding black, bronze & brass items to coordinate.  Here are a few ideas for both options:

Brass & Black

Brass & Bronze

For those of you wanting a modern look, using modern finishes such as chrome, or brushed nickel can be tricky to mix with brass.  Brass itself is a formal finish; the obvious reason for this is the use of gold finishes and gilding for the last few thousand years on ornate furniture and architecture!   You may have seen the 2 tone fixtures with brass and chrome, but unfortunately manufacturers do not sell it much at all… and the 2 toned finish itself is more outdated than brass.    However, you can still mix the chrome and brass as individual elements.  In this instance I would stay away from the antique brass, and embrace the very shiny brass.  Even adding modern chrome fixtures, and updated shiny brass items will create a happy union between the two finishes:

Brass & Chrome

Brushed nickel has a darker and a warmer hue than chrome.  Plus, you can find finishes that are a mix of silvers/golds that are a beautiful mediator between the 2 finishes.   When looking for a goldish-silver, try looking for the phrase ‘silver leaf’, or even ‘mercury glass’.  I love this look because it is traditional, with a modern elegant twist!:  

Brass & Brushed Nickel

As you can see, you have options and mixing finishes can turn out quite stunning!

I currently am working with a client who is upgrading her home, but we are keeping some of her brass elements and adding bronze/black accents and fixtures.  Her project is actually what inspired me to write this blog!   Her home is going to look beautiful when everything is complete, and I cannot wait to see how everything turns out.  Not to mention she is a great client, and it has been such a joy to work with.  I will keep you updated and post before and after pictures!!

Those are Dura Supreme’s new gray paint colors…  Using their inspiration, below you will find some kitchens floating around the internet that use the grays to create a dream kitchen.

Subtlety is key in this kitchen, the cabinetry is a light gray… where it looks like an off shade of white.  Marble tops in kitchens are so classic, and accent the gray cabinets beautifully!!!

Darker can be dramatic.  Again, the gray is paired with marble countertops, and a shimmery marble mosaic backsplash.

Mixing a dark gray , with a creamy white is a perfect way to balance cool & warm tones.  I absolutely love everything about this kitchen, the marble counters & backsplash, dark wood floors, custom stone hood, creamy yellow wall color… and the glass details such as the hanging pendants & gothic mullions on the glass cabinet doors.  How perfect is the fabric on the chairs?

Hello traditional, meet industrial.  Lighter gray cabinets & dark soapstone counters are the perfect canvas for the early American steel chairs & classical light fixtures.

Another kitchen I am in love with that uses a light gray cabinet & marble counter.  Cannot go wrong there.  I dream about having a kitchen with that many windows that overlook trees or a back garden, honestly!!  Also… I am not much of a person for sweets, and I don’t eat gluten…. However, those cupcakes on the island look decadent!

If modern is your cup of tea, dark gray is the perfect choice in colors.  While still traditional with a marble countertop (again!), their use of a simple doorstyle, plain glass doors, and stainless hardware help to modernize the look.

Oh how this kitchen makes me want to cook.  I feel like I would have everything I need in here.  Plus, I am a huge fan of any cabinets that look built in.  Notice how they have the same gray cabinet color as a beadboard back on the backsplash.  You guessed it, more marble countertops… except this time its mixed by mammoth stainless steel sink & extended steel countertop, and the island has a few maple butcher blocks built in.

A beautiful shade of gray cabinets here, and once more………….. marble countertops.  However, I really feel the light fixtures are oversized.  That might have been the designers intention, but the scale to me seems off! It’s  a beautiful design either way.

This cozy kitchen is complete with gray cabinets, that look like they have an antiqued brushed glaze on them.  Top them with, you guessed it… more marble, and complete the look with a contrasting curved corner hutch, and a contrasting dark gray paint color.  The bowl of apples actually adds a nice pop of color…

That completes the shades of gray kitchens!! Soon Dura Supreme will be posting the new colors on their website, so stay tuned.  Also, keep in mind that if you have a hard time visualizing how gray would look in your home, that we have the design software to show you how your kitchen design could look, in color!

I would love to know what you think of the new ‘shades of gray’, and your thoughts on this trend in general.

Before Pics:  We always take before pics and for a couple reasons.  1.  To compare to the after pics, obviously!  2.  Sometimes we see so many kitchen and bathrooms, we like to keep the pictures on file as a reference to our notes we take at the consultation.  These are the before pictures of this kitchen remodel:

As you can see, the kitchen feels crammed in and bland.  The peninsula really closes off the room, and the refrigerator sticking out in the middle of the kitchen makes the room feel small.    The cabinets are outdated, there is little counter space, and the lighting is dim.  My wheels really start turning at the initial walk through with the client as I usually get some immediate ideas in my head at first glance which in turn makes me anxious to start designing.  My initial ideas were to take out that peninsula,  open up the wall to the living room, and relocate the fridge.  I came up with a few concept sketches to present to my clients, as I usually like to have a few options to show so they feel confident on their final decision.  These ideas we decided against…

Option 1: Here I was trying to keep with the similar floorplan.  I shortened up the wall with the fridge, and took down the cabinets over the peninsula.  The problem:  It still made the kitchen feel a little crammed and separated with the peninsula, and fridge in the center of the room:

Option 2:  We opened up the wall completely, and moved the fridge.  The island is in the center of the room.  Problem:  The island looks tiny, and in the middle of the room it doesn’t feel like it gives much walking room…. plus it is nothing unique:

Option 3:  This one was the favorite, as we ended up deciding on this initial concept and layout.  The island is much bigger, giving more counter space for working.  It also gives a larger work space in the kitchen:

Now comes the times for revisions, and tweaks to the final design!  Plus, I usually like to do a colored rendering to help the client visualize how the room will look….  tada!

Bring on the construction process! This is the nerve wracking part as a designer.  I swear I have nightmares of ordering wrong parts, or forgetting to order something.  I have nightmares before cabinet deliveries too that I ordered the wrong doorstyle or finish, and the whole job is messed up.  Luckily, check the orders 3-4 times, and mistakes rarely happen.  However, we are human and we still miss mistakes even when we look over the order 3-4 times.  On this job, I forgot to order the under cabinet light rail molding.  Fortunately, that was the worst of it and it doesn’t hold up the initial installation of the cabinets!!

Cabinets get installed, and no worries…. So I can breathe and relax!  Now we just have to wait for the granite…

Finally, everything is done and it looks beautiful.  The final design is such a transformation from the before pictures.  The room feels much more open, and the lighting is much brighter.  My camera stopped working before I left to take pictures (of course!), so I just took them on my cell phone.  Even the cell phone pics turned out nicely!

A lot goes into a kitchen design, especially when it comes to conceptualizing and executing.  Working with the designer can help you take your boring, outdated kitchen and turn it into something better than you ever imagined.

As you can see, we can work with you from any stage of the remodel process, and walk you through the stages from concept to completion.  Also, if you already have design plans for your kitchen or bath… but are having a hard time visualizing it due to lack of perspectives or color rendering, than please contact us!  Just send us your floorplan, and we can provide you with the colored rendering(s) you need!!  We also work with contractors, cabinetry sales people or even other designers who need our computer aided design help.

We just got back from our huge family vacation at the Outer Banks, NC,  where we always enjoy spending time spending time with each other, and relaxing as much as possible.  Right now, I am in denial that our beach vacation is over for the year!!  In order to mentally extend my vacation, I have decided to blog and keep the beachy feel alive.   Here are some beautiful bathroom design ideas & tips to keep the beach inspired feel alive in your home, no matter where you live, and what time of year it is!!

Using color and texture is key in creating a beachy feeling room.  The aqua color on the walls, and the sand colored travertine give the organic feeling of the ever moving shoreline

It doesn’t always have to be about blues & aquas.   The feel of the sandy dunes and beach grass is apparent in the room by using neutral colors such as soft greens and light wood tones.  Accent with accessories such as coral, starfish & natural sponges.

Don’t forget about beach glass!  This is where you can get creative and bring a little sparkle and shine into your bathroom.  Aquas, whites, & chrome… are the perfect combo.

For more of a modern approach, use aqua frosted glass & metallic elements.  Warm it up by adding some natural wood tone woven shades!

Sandy… and again, not all about blues and greens!  To get the look of dunes, use a neutral beige or sand color, and bring in elements of vertical beadboard for a coastal feel, and to mimic the vertical lines of the fences on the sand.  You could also bring in weathered wood, or driftwood to elevate the design even further.

A little more vegetation!  I absolutely love the trees and beach grass… which sometimes I feel is under appreciated!  This bath is showing their appreciation by incorporating a green grass cloth wall paper, dark wood floors, and light sandy accents.

Stay tuned for some coastal inspired kitchens!! I may pull in some nautical & tropical elements for those….

Aren’t these some beautiful bathrooms?  Here are a few things to keep in mind when using a bright bold color.  Use the color as your feature wall or focus.  Your eye will naturally be drawn to the bright color, so keep the rest of the room neutral whether it be all white, or neutral earth and wood tones.    You can also use bright colors as an accent  like the picture above… be creative!

Onward to the blog!:

You may not be surprised, but kitchen ceilings are the last place people think could make an impact on your new remodel.  If you look at countless kitchen deign photos, you will notice the majority are white ceilings.  While most kitchen designers and remodelers keep in mind a great lighting plan, sometimes it takes more by just thinking out of the ordinary to elevate your design from wow to WOW!

A coffered ceiling really adds a level of sophistication whether it is simply painted or stained a dark wood tone.

Wooden ceilings have an element of warmth and a little bit of rustic to it.  They are perfect for a lodge, Tuscan, or farmhouse look.  The beauty of a wooden paneled ceiling is that it can be both modern or traditional.

Wallpapering ceilings are a fun way to go.  It is the perfect way to pull in an additional pattern, or pop of color without overwhelming the space.

I am a huge fan of painting ceilings darker or dramatic colors, especially in rooms where there are a lot of neutral elements.  It just gives the overall design a feeling of completeness, that often a white ceiling doesn’t.    I am in love with this white kitchen with the blue/gray painted paneled ceiling and white beams… so clean and classic!

If rustic farmhouse is your style, then an exposed ceiling is for you!  Just painted a clean white, the ceiling adds to the old charm the rest of the kitchen has.

Lastly, a tin ceiling. While often a little more formal, tin ceilings have the embellishment that you need for an elegant design.

So keep in mind when remodeling your next kitchen (or bathroom)  that the ceiling is not a forgotten plane!  Add come color,  molding, and pattern to ramp up your design and make it stand out from the rest!!

I love this powder room in that it is elegant, yet a little modern.  The subtle, metallic wallpaper enhances the simple lines of the vanity. The monochramatic feel of glass, brushed nickel, and creams really elevate this powder room to a luxurious feel.

A modern take on a powder room, with a beautiful mosaic wall behind the vanity.  Tiling a full wall is a great way to make a statement, especially with the square footage of the wall being minimal, you do not have to break the bank to make a dramatic look.

What an elegant powder room.  The furniture inspired vanity blends beautifully with the trim, and neutral wallpaper & tile.  What makes a statement in this room is the fabulous ceiling, and chandelier.

Dark wall paper is very elegant.  Couple that with a classic marble vanity and crystal chandeliers… and you have yourself a powder room that is sure to never go out of style.

A simple approach to a dramatic powder room can be as simple as a paint color.  In this application both the walls and trim are painted a dark gray color adding a bit of drama, and making the plumbing and decorative fixtures stand out.

Lastly, bold wall paper prints are great for a powder room.  As you are not looking to spend much time in the room, the boldness is just enough to grab attention from your guests and family members.

Kitchens can be rich and warm by using an array of features.  You can have chocolate walls, cabinetry, countertops, tile, & fixtures that can all bring in that chocolate feel.  One thing to note is that your kitchen doesn’t have to have dark cabinets, in order for the room to feel this way.   Even a contrasting chocolate island, or wall color will give you the design and feel you want.

 Happy Easter!