Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

We had some great feedback last week on the recycled glass countertops featured in our blog on earth friendly design so this week we decided to explore the wonderful world of countertops! For the kitchen or bath, few things have more impact both visually and from a usability standpoint than countertops. The materials used, color and functionality all play into making the right choice and while granite is often the first one that comes to mind it’s not the only option available to you anymore. At Design Connection, we do a lot of kitchen remodeling and design, so we are always on the lookout for that perfect combination of form and function so this week we are bringing you some countertop choices that are off the beaten path!

Baja countertop from Caesarstone

Real Quartz Made Better!
Manufactured stone countertops have been around for quite some time, but these are something special.  Made from crushed quartz, they have the beauty of stone countertops but with more consistent coloring, durability and need we say how pretty they look? With a multitude of colors to choose from, these countertops will easily match any decor.

Stainless Steel patterned bar top from Handcrafted Metal

Steel yourself! This will look gorgeous in your kitchen…

While it can sometimes be a bit on the industrial side, the fact is that stainless steel is a wonderfully neutral (gray) and affordable addition to any kitchen. Natural antibacterial properties due to the non-porous nature of the metal mean happy times for you and your food prep, plus easy cleanup with soap and water make this material one you can’t help but adore.

Award-winning concrete countertop design from Reaching Quiet

Did you say that was concrete?
You wouldn’t believe the possibilities with concrete countertops these days and if you don’t believe me, you have to click on the picture and browse the residential portfolio from Reaching Quiet. Truly stunning, concrete is like the chameleon of countertops. It can be embedded with details and accents like shells and stones or stained to resemble a slab of natural stone, polished to an ultra modern sheen, textured and formed. I really could go on and on here…

End Grain Carbonized Bamboo Countertop from Grothouse Lumber

Wood = Good
When you yearn for a countertop that is natural and warm, it’s hard to go wrong with wood.  A huge variety of standard and exotic hardwoods are available now and many are eco-friendly. Consider reclaimed wood or even a distressed finish to give your kitchen a design boost!

ThinkGlass by Mailhot Backlit Glass Countertop

A Brilliant Idea!
Combine glass with light and what a delight you’ll find at night!  OK so maybe we’re channeling our inner Dr. Seuss,  but seriously, who wouldn’t be dazzled by this stunning and simple glass countertop?

Concetto by Caesarstone Puro Countertop

Leave No Stone Unturned…
In your quest for a one-of-a-kind countertop that is made of natural stone, you have to check out Concetto by Caesarstone.  From Amethyst to Petrified Wood, you’ll find something to like. Semi-precious stones are individually cut to create these gorgeous countertops.  A small sampling of options are on the photo above, plus some of them can be cut thinly enough to allow light to shine through. Gorgeous!

While I love to look at materials that are definitely not mundane, most of my clients do need some advice when it comes to practicality. When you choose a surface material for your countertops, be sure to consider your lifestyle and the amount of use those counters will get.  Some of the more porous materials may be prone to stains while some of the non-porous ones could suffer from scratches. Research is key so that you can make a wise choice that will merge seamlessly with your design style as well as live up to normal everyday use. As always if you are looking to remodel your kitchen or do any other design work around the house that needs a bit of contemporary flair, I hope you’ll contact me.  I would like to invite you to join the Design Connection discussions on Facebook and Twitter.  I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Caesarstone, ThinkGlass, Grothouse Lumber, Reaching Quiet, Handcrafted Metal

Earth Day. What’s not to love about this big, beautiful planet?
What could be better than a day celebrating this marvelous planet we all call home. While Earth Day 2010 has recently come and gone, the fact remains that green, earth, or eco-friendly design is definitely getting a lot more attention these days.  And why not?  With the fabulous offerings that are available anymore, scarcity and price are becoming less of an obstacle for homeowners and designers alike. With such a blog worthy topic, we decided to share a little fun from Design Connection’s earthy inspiration files.  Enjoy and remember to show the earth a little love both inside and outside of your home!

Delightful Details
Sometimes it’s all about the bling. Sparkling recycled glass in eye catching colors make these drawer/cabinet pulls something you can feel good about using in your home everyday.

Flowered eco-friendly chair from Crate & Barrel

Purdy as a Posey
This fantastic floral chair comes with a serious eco-pedigree! Click on the pic if you want to see specifics but let’s just say these flowers will always be in bloom and in style!

Recycled Flip-Flop Doormat from Re:modern

Don’t Flip Flop on recycled goods!
Those flip flop sandals you wore all summer then sadly had to kiss goodbye after a blowout have been  given a second chance at life! This time as a fantastic, colorful doormat made of recycled shoe bits.

A seriously earth loving Love Seat from PURE Inspired Design

I Love This Seat.
Design that’s almost good enough to eat! With soy based foam cushion options and your choice of either organic canvas or eco-leather, these custom handcrafted pieces of furniture are as in love with the earth as we are.

Recycled glass countertop from Vetrazzo

Shiny as Glass
Can’t do an article on earth friendly design without having a look at some lovely recycled glass installations. Old bottles and glass emerge as a durable and delightful countertop!

Bamboo Truss bench/coffee table from Re:modern

Do You Truss Me?
Bamboo-la-la…say hello to a multipurpose bench/coffee table made with (you guessed it) environmentally friendly materials and processes. Beautiful and functional!

100% Bamboo Sheets from SleepBamboo.com

Sleep Tight.  Don’t let the bed bugs bite!
100% Bamboo sheets not only regulate heat, they repel bugs too! Double duty luxury and style for your bedroom.

We can all do our part to contribute to the health of our planet by making wise choices when it comes to our homes, their construction and the things we put into them to make them lovely. By consciously seeking items that are sustainable, we will make green mainstream. If you are wanting environmentally friendly furniture, fabrics and accents… well you know where to find me and the Design Connection Team.  Together we can hug this planet and still make everything look simply out of this world!

Renewable resources are a hot topic in design these days which is why we are dedicating a series of articles to exploring options in green design.  Our first installation is on flooring.  One of the most dramatic ways to affect a room’s design is with flooring. In recent years flooring options have changed from the standards of wood, carpet and tile to include a variety of materials including cork. Now, most people think of cork as something they see on their bulletin board or perhaps with their favorite bottle of wine but the truth is that it’s a wonderful and versatile choice in flooring as well.

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Did you see the article about cork flooring in the Sunday House and Home section of the Kansas City Star? My opinion on cork is that it is a wonderful green alternative material. But… it must be used in the right room with the right conditions. Cork is perfect for a fun playroom because it is soft and durable. However, if you have a traditional kitchen, the casual look of cork would probably not work. It works best with transitional or modern designs. I suggest consulting an interior designer before you make major home improvement decisions. You might be focusing on the qualities of the material, while we can see how it will impact the look of your home. www.designconnectioninc.com

Design Tip: Cork is a flexible material and can be cut into a variety of sizes. We can create interesting borders or patterns just like we would with tile or wood.

I am getting requests for kitchen face lifts. Many of my clients are choosing to darker their cabinets, change hardware, update their appliances, change countertops and back splash. This could easily make the budget around $15,000 or higher. To gut a kitchen and reinstall all of the above will run $35,000 to over $100,000. It is clearly less expensive to have the face lift.

I am of the opinion that when my client’s go to sell their homes they will get their money back from a kitchen face lift. With the market as competitive as it is, home buyers are optioning for the homes that have updated kitchens and are willing to pay a higher dollar for them.

I tell my perspective clients be aware. There are very few faux painters that can repaint kitchens cabinets and have them look nice after a year or two. They are not willing to take the time to strip and sand the cabinets back to the original surface. I am hooked up with painters that I personally over see to  make sure that the prep work is done and completed correctly before the paint or stain is applied.

I have more to do now. Design Connection, Inc. is now on Face book. I will continue to blog on my website for I think that is really important, but also catch us on Facebook for news, photos of projects, and other happenings.

Arlene’s thought for the day. “Do your homework before you have any work done on your home”.

Arlene Ladegaard IIDA

Allied ASID

www.designconnectioninc.com

There are many ways to freshen up areas throughout your home without having a large budget. One area in particular is the kitchen, typically a high traffic area where everyone spends part of their day. As a general rule I would recommend making a list of the things that must go and other things that can be worked with. This is where a professional opinion will always be useful and will allow you to look at your kitchen from a different point of view. Some focus areas to consider updating are: paint color, cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, and appliances. A simple coat of paint can change the feeling of a room, and can guide the color palette of the rest of the area. Cabinets can be given a lift by replacing some traditional doors with seeded glass inserts and adding a small amount of accent lighting. The largest impact will be made by new countertops, whether you select granite or solid surface the color selection is endless. If your countertops are in good condition but you need a little color around your cabinetry the backsplash area can accent any kitchen beautifully. Natural stone or porcelain tile will add texture to and depth to the area. In updating your kitchen not all appliances may need to be replaced, choose the appliances that would make the most impact, such a refrigerator and dishwasher, the wall oven may be updated at a later date. A personal touch can be added to your cabinetry by selecting hardware that fits the style of, your new kitchen.

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Natural stone countertops are an investment and also beautiful to look at. Do you know that a minor kitchen remodel gives you an 83% percent return while a major kitchen remodel may give you only 78% percent return? I suggest to many of my clients to change their countertops to granite because they are a selling tool in today’s market when selling a home.

There are three types of natural stone. They is granite, marble and onyx. Granite is a natural stone, and is strong durable and easy to clean. It is heat, chemical and water resistant. Marble is from shells and is considered soft and can scratch and stain. Onyx, another beautiful stone can be used as an accent to create an edge design.

I feel it is important to select and see your slabs in person. It is best to look for cracks, pits or possible areas where the stone has been filled. You can suggest that the fabricator cut around these areas if you have enough stone to work with.

Wholesalers try to sell stones that have been dyed. If this occurs, sunlight will fade the stone in a matter of months. A reliable stone dealer will make sure that their stones are without color enhancements. There are no deals in natural stones. I believe that it is best to purchase your stone tops through a company that is reputable and not selling cost as the bottom line. Stone is a large investment and to pay a little more for quality is the best in the long run.

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Arlene Ladegaard IIDA

Allied Member ASID

Certified Interior Designer

Design Connection, Inc.

www.designconnectioninc.com

Office  913 851 8776

Countertops can make a huge difference in updating your kitchen. There are many materials besides granite that still give a rich look. When you change out the countertops you will also be required to replace the sink to an under mount style and often change out the faucet. You may use a tile backsplash or like I choose to do in my office a solid slab backsplash to give a more integrated look.

Another instant upgrade is to change out the appliances. I love stainless appliances and I have them in my own home, but they are a lot of upkeep. I still specify black appliances, but I have not used white in about eight years. The new colored appliances are fun, but are they going to look like the avocado and harvest gold of the the seventies.

Paint is about the least expensive of the remodeling and redecorating tips I can recommend. I am always amazed when we change the trim color and the wall color to deeper tones how cozy and wonderful my client’s home will feel. We have also been refinishing the floors to a much deeper tone and that sets off the new deep tones on the walls,

What I love most about my job is that each client’s home is different and every new decorating challenge is fun and certainly not like the last project. Our client’s have all sized budgets and we can accomplish a new look using many of these decorating tips.

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Arlene

Arlene Ladegaard IIDA

Allied Member ASID

Certified Interior Designer

Design Connection, Inc.

www.designconnectioninc.com

Office  913 851 8776

Mobile 913 593 6919