| ARCHITECTURAL TRIM: Ornamentation with architectural trim can be ornate or simple. The appropriate trimwork will strengthen the design statement of a room. Columns can add strong vertical lines. An ornate transom can crown the room’s entryway. A box-beam or coffered ceiling will add a touch of elegance. Perhaps you would like to add a fireplace, wood shelving, wall panels, or crown moldings to create a richly detailed look. Arched curve doorways, detailed trim, chair-rails or fabulous door and window casings are all options to discuss with your designer. (more photos...see design details here) |
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FLOORING: Flooring adds a large visual element that should blend with your cabinets and other décor. (For Tile flooring see the “Tile” tab). Wood floors look beautiful in the kitchen and can be very warm. However, wood floors generally look better with painted cabinets in the kitchen. If you use a wood floor and wood cabinet that is similar in color, you take the risk of it looking like the inside of a cigar box. We personally don’t like it for a kitchen. In a den where there is a throw rug, it looks fine, but in a kitchen, we prefer there be a distinction between where the cabinet ends and where the floor starts. Oak, hickory, maple, ash, and other hard wood will hold up better than pine, fir or cherry, which are softer. A wood floor finished with oil or wax will need refinishing each year. A polyurethane finish lasts longer and doesn’t require stripping, waxing, and buffing. Another alternative is high quality prefinished flooring, which can eliminate the time, mess, and fumes of wood floor finishing. If you like wood floors with a lot of character markings, then look at hand-scraped wood flooring, which is hand distressed for a rustic appearance. It looks old, but its finish is up to date and durable. Properly finished wood floors are easy to maintain. |
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SINKS: Choosing the appropriate sink for your kitchen or bathroom space must be functionally appropriate as well as complementary to the décor and design of your space. Here are some materials to consider: Stainless, Other Metals –Nickel, Copper and Brass, Enameled Cast Iron, Solid Surface, Glass, Composite Stone, Cast Acrylic, Fireclay, Soapstone, Porcelain. (See the Kohler sinks to the left here) |
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FAUCETS: There is a wide range of styles, materials, technology, spouts, and other features to think about when deciding on the right faucet for your needs. Finishes typically coordinate with décor, lighting, and other appliances or fixtures. Finishes include stainless, nickel, chrome, brass, and oiled-rubbed bronze. Single handle faucets attach to faucet base and require one or two holes. Double Handle Faucets have separate handles and require three sink holes. They can have a deck plate or be mounted separately. Sprayers are sometimes located on the faucet spout or on the side. Some sprayers are pull out and some are pull down. Side sprayers mount to the side of the faucet and may require a hole in the sink or countertop. Discuss all these options with your designer.
LIGHTING: Lighting design (natural and artificial) is one of the most essential elements to consider in your design. We are experts at finding that perfect balance. In fact, two of our designers teach lighting courses at the college level. A skillful lighting plan can provide sufficient task lighting as well as add a dramatic architectural lighting effect enhancing the mood and atmosphere of the room. To create a warm and inviting environment, you need several layers of lighting that include task, ambient, accent, and decorative. Adding fixtures such as chandeliers, pendants, or sconces give the room unique personality and flair. We are happy to assist you in your selections or you can purchase these on your own. ELECTRIC PLAN: We will create an electricical plan based on your floor plan to determine where everything needs to go according to code. |
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HOME AUTOMATION: We often recommend to our clients the use of home automation keypads. At the touch of a button, you can control lighting scenes. We design these scenes to create the perfect ambiance for your different themes ie. romantic dinner for two, entertaining, homework, pathway lighting, etc. You can take your lighting and/or motorized window treatments to a much higher level if your budget and interest warrants. We work with AMX, Lutron, and Crestron Home Automation systems. |
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