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

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!

TLC

It's November!!

Fall is always one of the busiest times of the year for me - both with work - and with life in general!  Somehow I have found some time to catch my breath and reflect  on a few projects.  I head out to cabinetry training in Canada next week to learn the latest and greatest in frameless cabinetry design and then have a few wild weeks so here's a few blogs to wrap up this month- in advance!

Like I always say... I LOVE my clients - and here's just another example of a project that I have completed for an awesome family!!

This home was not even quite purchased when I started this project.  The family was moving in town from out in the country and had me come in and take a look at the home before it was purchased to make sure it had potential - and it totally did!  It was a very simple home that was basically just a little out dated - it just needed a little TLC and a swap out of most of the interior materials.

Since the job was a while out of town I set them up with a local contractor to take care of construction, putting in a sliding glass door for a new deck that will be installed this coming spring and coordinating plumbing, electrical, moving and so much more - and he did great!!

The design was very simple - keeping things light, warm, cozy and neutral so they could get moved in and then spend time putting their own touch on the home with their new furniture & accessories along with a few existing pieces they were brining with.  I have seen photos since with furniture and they did a great job with their selections!!

 

In the bathroom we tore out the existing acrylic tub/shower and gold door - which was so gorgeous - but I just could not bear to let it stay!  Warm tile with a soft accent was added and touched off with a stunning glass & oil rubbed bronze door - with of course a clear shield finish to shed water deposits and keep the glass crystal clear!!

Of course accessories were added - a bench & shelving for storage.  A mosaic allows a bit of contrast between the floor & wall tile.  The bathroom floor is a vinyl tile so that it adds a little warmth for feet.  We kept the existing cabinetry in the home because it was in good condition but added new lighting, plumbing & HD laminate tops with under mount sinks.

 

Through the rest of the house we did a fresh coat of paint, new carpet, new vinyl tile in the other bathroom & added a few updates in the kitchen and dining room.  A new chandelier was added for over the dining table in the foyer.

In the kitchen we did a custom stain & door match and added a desk area to the kitchen.  We also replaced the plumbing and added this great faucet - I love the design AND it has a magnet where the sprayer is recessed so that over time it doesn't start to droop.  New HD laminate tops and an under mount sink were also added. 

A travertine backsplash polishes off the kitchen.  I adore the classic look of travertine & the harlequin pattern is PERFECT for this kitchen! 

Wood flooring and a new chandelier was another addition - the floor is GORGEOUS!!  It is a rustic hickory and was the perfect option to contrast with the existing trim, doors & cabinetry.  It added just enough character and looks great with their new furniture that is now in the space!

Another design inspired - by another wonderful client - another renovation successfully COMPLETE!

Simple Changes Can Make a Big Difference!

I am here to tell you today that you do not need to completely gut and re-arrange a space to give it an updated look.  Although many of the photos you have seen on this blog have been drastically renovated a large fraction of the projects I work on are not as invasive.

The photos below show a bathroom in which I made very simple changes in order to create the look of a brand new space. 

The existing bathroom had oak cabinetry in a dated design (where the sink cabinet is set back), gold fixtures, sheet vinyl flooring & the clients really wanted to add a new color scheme to the space. 

I used some of the most cost-effective and simple tricks in my book to make a big difference with minimal construction.  We swaped out to existing vanity with a new one with a more modern look to it along with new laminate tops with a textured finish.  We also took down the old plate glass mirror and had it cut down and framed to coordinate with the new vanity.  A crisp white sink creates contrast and the modern square shape really brings this bathroom up to date.  Brushed nickel fixtures were added to coordinate with the updates we did the previous year in the kitchen.  You can never go wrong with a fresh coat of paint!!  We used a dark color to contrast with the other materials in the space and add a punch of color - the beautiful thing about it is to create a completely different look in the future they can just swap out the color.  Vinyl tile flooring was the final piece to be changed - it gives a realistic tile look with less cost and construction while also being warmer and softer on feet!

 

 

You can make some of these simple changes in your home too in order to revolutionize your space with minimal construction and within a reasonable budget.  Here are some ideas:

-Freshen up your space with a new coat of paint
-Swap out a dated sink with a fun shape & new fixtures
-Try a new laminate top to update your counter - textured finishes and 100's of colors are available
-Luxury vinyl tile is a great tile alternative - it can typically go over your existing flooring resulting in less demolition
-Swaping out your vanity cabinet - you can even do a different style or finish than the rest of your home to create a unique look for that space
-Swap out your cabinetry hardware - a small change that makes a HUGE difference

Contractor: Dan Savageau Construction
Cabinetry: Merillat Cabinetry by Floor to Ceiling
Flooring: Armstrong Vinyl Tile by Floor to Ceiling
Fixtures: Northern Plumbing Fargo
Top: Wilsonart HD Laminate
Lighting: The Lighthouse Fargo

More next time...

Lesson 1: Quarter Sawn Oak

I would have to say that one of my favorite wood species is quarter sawn oak.  MMmmmm...it always looks gorgeous and beautiful!

It creates a feeling of warmth within any home and always seems to have a sense of history.  In the above bathroom I used quarter sawn oak to create a Arts & Crafts style bathroom.  I paired it with a stunning granite top, oil rubbed bronze fixtures and to complete the look a stone & glass backsplash that spills out around the mirror. 

What is quarter sawn oak?

Oak and quarter sawn oak are the same wood species but the difference is in the way that they are cut from the log.  Quarter sawn oak is cut at a 90 degree angle from the growth rings.  The chart below shows how they determine the cuts that will come from the log.  Quarter sawn oak is typically an upgrade because it is less efficient to cut the wood comparted to a standard sawn material and there is more waste when you cut the log as shown below.  Quarter sawn oak is famous for it's warm feel, silver graining (the little white streaks) and ability to stain beautifuly. 

www.workshopcompanion.com

The photo below from my cabinet line, Omega Cabinetry shows the graning typical of a quarter sawn oak.  As you can see it stains beautifully and has a warm & rich look to it.

Here are a few more photos of the above bathroom I designed using the quarter sawn oak.

Bathroom vanity & linen.  You can also see the new shower in the background.

Vanity sink & shower

A hand held shower is an option to consider in a custom shower.  Becuase it can detach the shower head can make it extermely easy to clean the shower as you can just spray down the entire space.



Dan Savageau was the contractor on this job and did an AMAZING job with the doors!  Check out the awesome details the incorporated.

I enjoy incorporating small details into my designs!  It is the little things that count and can make a huge difference in the overall completed space such as this tile border that wraps around the room.

North Dakota Country Living

I am proud to say that this space I designed was featured in our ad for this month's "Inspired Home" magazine!!  Below is the awesome ad that was put together to feature our store's work for all of Fargo to see!

This project was a huge undertaking and it really pushed me as a designer because it was the largest scope of work that I have had for a client.  Myself and a salesperson at our store named Brian worked on this project for months to create a truly unique space for this family.

This is a renovation of an existing home along with an addition.  Basically a home was built around an existing home and our goal was to keep as much as the existing space while creating a seamless transition to the new spaces in the home. 

Finishes were selected to create a space with a feeling of warmth (which is important with our chilly winters) and a timeless design with a fun twist on country & traditional design elements.  Rustic furniture with traditional travertine & contemporary appliances blended styles that the clients liked to create a look unique to them.

Kitchen & eat in dining space

 

Kitchen range wall & island

  Kitchen island & HUGE pantry - I would cook much more often if I had all of that storage!  I try to use baskets or drawers on the bottom of pantry cabinetry so you have to bend down and dig less to get items from the lower spaces.

Dining Room

Custom entry bench & laundry room

Entry into the master bathroom shower

Aaah...Spa! Master bathroom shower

Master bath custom wood tub surround - perfect for both access for plumbing and a custom look!

Master bath vanities - Each has a linen on the end with a central storage cabinet in the center.

Custom rustic alder fireplace mantle

 

Custom built in cabinetry in the mud room & my FAVORITE accessories! This pull out goes in a vanity cabinet and provides a safe place to store hot irons and curling irons when you are finished using them and need to get going with your day!  There are also storage bins below the stainless iron storage spaces.  This piece is worth every penny and provides easy and accessible storage!

Accessible bathroom

 

Retro Country Kitchen

I have to say that this may be one of the most adorable kitchens that I have designed so far!

It can be a difficult to create the feel of character in a home when using new materials - but I do always say that I enjoy a challenge so this was another perfect one for me!  In this kitchen we had the perfect blend of distressed cabinetry, a floor with a cool retro feel and a classic subway tile splash to create the look and feel my client desired.

Because this was a small kitchen storage was key.  We tried to utilize every bit of space while keeping walk ways clear and closing in the space as little as possible.  The peninsula upper cabinetry had to stay for storage however we shortened up the cabinetry to open up the space towards the kitchen and added glass to enable more light to shine through them and into the kitchen.

It is hard to see in the photos but a wall covering with a vintage floral look was selected for the rest of the kitchen & dining room walls.  I LOVE working with wall coverings and fabrics.  At the design center I work at we do not carry those products so when I get to select them I always jump at the chance!

I adore this kitchen - so cute & comfortable!!

Custom Details Make The Difference!

Check out these awesome custom stain glass panels I designed for a client! My clients wanted a custom piece in their kitchen that would reflect their contemporary style that was blended with warm wood tones and unique pieces of furniture throughout their home.

My clients LOVED bright fun colors such as lime green which became the inspiration for the color scheme! We decided on an Onyx stone backsplash and used that as our base for the stain glass colors pulling out rich gold, green, and white colors found in the gorgeous stone.

After drawing up plans I had the stain glass panels custom made for each cabinet and they were the last finishing touch on this kitchen renovation.  New stainless appliances, custom black painted accent moldings, custom cherry cabinets and a streamline Corian Witch Hazel top rounded out this kitchen to create a contemporary but warm space for the family to enjoy.