Model Selections

It seems to be model home season! Currently I am working on model homes for a few builders that I work with.  Check out the finishes that may possibly end up in one of the latest ones I have been working on.  It seems that opaque finishes on cabinetry are all the rage and I have to agree - they are awesome! By opaque, I mean painted finishes.  White painted cabinetry adds a crisp, light and elegant feeling to any space.  I just love the contrast between the deep gray flooring and hardware against the crisp white cabinetry and marble.

Another day of drafting...

Lately many of my projects seem to be in the framing stage - which means ensuring that all is well in the framing world and that everything getting framed up correctly.  Typically this leads to drafting out finals for custom pieces in the home - which is what I am doing today for one of my builders. These are for a custom fireplace design - I can't take all the credit as my client had a great source of inspiration but can't wait to see the completed product. We don't have CAD drafting so it is back to my old tricks with scales & triangles. Yes my fingers hurt and my brain is fried but it is going to look GORGEOUS and that's what counts! ;)

The Nitty Gritty

Being a designer is rarely about picking out the perfect color.  Today is all about focusing on the details to get a few projects signed off on and rolling.  A day of technical drawings, specifications, and details & notes galore!  Each space I work on shifts between a focus on style and color to  a focus on function, budget, correct applications of materials, technical drawings, and detailing out every little piece in order to be ready for the next step -  a final site measure and ordering!

Small Spaces

Small spaces are the most fun to work with - like I have said before powder rooms are one of my favorite spots to put my touch on!  My other favorite is a bar - take a peek at this bar we just finished for a parade home in Fargo for Qin Construction. 

This home was designed to have a modern feel and for the basement to feel light and bright even though you are in the lower level.  A space was needed for both entertaining and light snack and beverage preparation.

Cabinetry is by our Décor cabinetry line which is a frameless construction that lends itself beautiful towards modern design since it has clean, crisp, tight lines without a face frame.  A large scale subway tile adds a little bit of a classic twist in a modern size.  A floating shelf adds a spot for a little décor or display of liquor bottles. 

As always, I think that lighting is a major player in any design - notice the layers of light in this space.  Natural light from the window, ambient light from the recessed lighting, accent lighting over the island in form of pendants and in the upper glass cabinets (which lift up by the way - love!).

 

 

Board Building

One of my favorite parts of design studio in college was constructing presentation boards.  Check out this board ready to roll for a contractor to pick up for a proposal for a new worship location in town.  I never know what type of feedback I will get when sending my boards off to be presented to people I have not yet met but look forward to finding out!  The goal was to create a warm, neutral space that will be timeless and budget friendly.  I think we nailed it!

Renovating in Place

Just because you choose to renovate doesn't mean you need a hammer to start busting down walls! Check out this adorable kitchen in town I did where we stayed in the exact same footprint as the original kitchen. 

The species is Cherry in a nice dark, rich stain.  We used quartz for the countertops - the perfect finish for this active family!  A fun tiled splash added just the right amount of detail without going overboard.  New hardwood floors added warmth throughout the home and kept an element of character in the space.  Also - notice the side of the fridge, we used paneling that creates the illusion of a door which is a nice custom element. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Throw Back

This post is a throw back to a project I finished a couple years ago but is just so timeless that I feel it can still be shared!  If there is one space that I LOVE to work on it is a powder room! 

The reasons:
-You aren't in there often so you can do something fun and you won't get tired of it
-Your guests use it so it is the perfect place to show off a little bit
-The space is small so unique finishes that might be cost prohibitive in larger space can be used

 

For this lovely little space we used lighting to really take the space up a notch.  Crystal pendants were selected that cast an incredible faux finish onto the walls and emit just enough light for the powder room to be usable but still make a statement with mood lighting.  Quartz tops and a stunning hammered nickel sink are the finishing touches along with a uniquely shaped mirror.  Still one of my favorite spaces.

 



Today's Focus

Check out this spread for a new company office I am working on that will be built soon!  This is the second office location I have worked on for them and am so excited to start on it.  We are using rich warm colors to create an upscale yet comfortable space for employees and their clients.  Not too long before it is time to select lighting fixtures which will really put the finishing touch on this space!

Christmas in May

We just LOVE getting presents in the mail! And what we mean by presents are new samples.  It is like opening a holiday gift..so exciting!  Below are the three doors and colors that we are using in an upcoming renovation from our Dynasty cabinetry line by Omega that just arrived on my desk this morning..  The stunning mitered Loring door in three colors.  Painted Pearl, Painted Pearl with a Pewter glaze & Pumice.  Later this summer I should have photos of the finished project.

Sign Off

We just completed sign offs for this project - so exciting!
Check out the material selections for this project.  Warm, inviting and a hint of craftsman.
Sign offs are a bitter sweet time for us.  It means that the design process is done (sad) but also that the completed project is not far behind (exciting!).  Now we bite the bullet and get down to the nitty gritty - ordering time!

Draft Day...

Last week was all about drafting up tile drawings for some pretty awesome clients!  Later this fall photos will follow showing how this fun project turned out.  Tile sketches help to give you an idea of what you can expect with your tile installation - although not exact - they give you a pretty good indication of how your tile will be set. 

Drafting like this brings me back to my studio days! Hard to believe it has been 6 years!

Today's Focus

Each day we have a project that we are focusing on - lately more that one each day as the spring gets busier and busier.  Today we are working on a fun classic design with a country feel.  This project walks the line of the trends we have been seeing come to the area.  Classic pieces such as this marble backsplash paired with contemporary elements such as the dark cabinetry and rounded out with a rustic element - in this case a rustic oak look laminate floor.  All together this will be a bright and fresh country kitchen!

Spring Flurry

It has been a while since I have posted being that life has been so crazy with both work and my personal life!  I have had the opportunity to work on some amazing projects over the last few months since getting back from maternity leave and have even more coming up in the near future!!

We were on a job site yesterday...needed a breath of fresh air.  This house looks over the beautiful (but flat) space around Fargo - but soon will be filled with many new homes.