Uncategorized•
on October 14th, 2011•
Clients in the Hill Top neighborhood of Denver, CO wanted to remove an old worn down kitchen addition and build a larger kitchen for the wife who loves to cook daily meals for her family. For their addition, they had previously worked with a prominent Denver builder however, things did not work out. When the clients came to us, it was agreed that we would use the footprint developed by the builder but, we would take it from there and make it spectacular.
We met with the wife to discuss her goals and desires, both functionally and aesthetically. From that point, we developed three floor plan options for the kitchen addition. Option 1 was basically the builder’s kitchen plan but, improved to bring it up to the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) kitchen design standards. This gave the client a very small and almost useless island, not much cabinet space, and an eating area isolated from the rest of the kitchen. The client chose Option 3 which we used as a starting point to create the kitchen of her dreams.
In addition to designing the kitchen addition/remodel, we reconfigured the adjacent powder room. This added space for storage areas outside of the powder room for the client’s children to store their coats and school supplies, when entering the house from the garage.
Next, we worked with the client on the finish and product selections for their spaces. They wanted contemporary spaces that incorporated classic modern design styles such as an Eero Saarinen table and chairs for the eating area of the kitchen. We presented the client with several options each for tile, cabinet finishes, plumbing and lighting fixtures. Once the initial selections were made the design was well on its way.
Powder rooms can be the most challenging room in your home to decorate as they are usually small with no natural light. This is a space that should be opulent & luxurious and it’s an ideal space to step out of the ordinary. This room is a perfect venue to adorn your walls with a tame texture, delicate damask, fun floral or stately striped wallpaper.
I know what your thinking wall paper in a bathroom “not a good idea”, however powder rooms have very little moisture build up due to not having a shower or bathtub. Many of us still remember the curse and horror of peeling and out-dated wallpaper that clung to the walls of our homes. It seemed like such a great solution to add a little pizzazz to your room but, as many good ideas go, wallpaper fell short. This once mainstream wall covering went by the wayside and was thought to be the thing of the past.
However—with innovations in the printing processes and distribution—wallpaper is making a comeback into the market and into our home. With these new wallpaper possibilities many homeowners are reevaluating its many virtues. Wallpaper has the ability to add texture, color and pattern to your walls. No matter what your style is; wallpaper has an option out there ready and waiting to make your walls stand out in a beautiful way.
Wallpaper manufacturers even have an option for the Eco-conscious consumer. Wallpapers are now being printed on recycled or FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified) paper with water-based inks. Some manufacturers are reclaiming old used vinyl wall coverings and using it to produce new wall coverings. Making it easier to have your very own Eco Chic room!
Below are some images of wallpapers from a couple of manufacturers who offer a green wallpaper solution. Along with an image of how Debra spiced up her reception area with her own custom wallpaper.
Reception Area
Graham and Brown’s Eco Collection
Versa – Versa Collection
Bathroom Design•
on October 4th, 2011•
Last week, we had an amazing opportunity to share Debra’s personal home as well as the Debra Toney product with nearly 2,000 community members as part of the Park Hill Home Tour. On a hot September Sunday, seven homeowners opened their doors to the community, and Debra was one of them. Though her home was by far the smallest home on the tour, we think it packed the most punch.
The newly remodeled bungalow is a model for urban living. Debra gutted nearly all the interior walls during the redesign, and the result is an open floor plan perfect for the way we live. The Home Tour’s brochure cited the space’s rich color combinations that create a retro ambiance, the flow and space provided by the layout, and the kitchen-centric design suited for modern living as highlights of the home.
When a home is built with the homeowner’s use in mind, the result can be a highly functional, beautiful space, just like the one Debra created for herself and her family. The front porch with comfortable lounge seating invites regular Sunday guests and the warm whites in the kitchen provide an ideal backdrop for culinary adventures with grandkids. One major plus of this home: the ‘walkability’ of the neighborhood.
It’s just a few blocks from a wine store and a local coffee shop, and the neighborhood is always hosting community-oriented events like the Home Tour, street fairs and block parties.
In order to prepare for the tour, Debra was forced to complete a few final touches on the space, one of which included forgoing the existing traditional blinds on the glass front door in favor of a privacy-creating, but very charming, decal featuring aspen trees and birds.
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