Sara Bederman Interior Design White shows scuffs more than a high gloss dark paint. Going dark on trim is daring and will really liven up your home.

KShoa The dark trip will make the trims boldly stand out and make everything look boxed in. The white trim typically makes everything blend in.

Depends on what you're looking for in your decor.

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On the Spot Furniture Revival llc I did black trim in my last house. I absolutely loved it but dust was definitely an issue, particularly in the carpeted areas.

Sara Bederman Interior Design The custom cabinetry will have a nicer end look for sure.

HERE Design and Architecture Be careful displaying organic materials such as paper and fabric in a room that gets steam in it. You may find that your collections will be damaged.

tcufrog My current house has ceiling height divided cabinets in the bathrooms, some with built-in hampers underneath. My old house had linen closets in the bathrooms. The linen closets actually were more useful and held more. I would choose for each bathroom based on how much linen and toiletry storage you need for the bathroom and any adjoining bedrooms. I would have a linen closet in at least the guest room bath because you can also store extra bed linens in it. For bathrooms with seldom used showers/baths I would put a bottom cabinet with shelves on top for display and actual linen closets in heavily used bathrooms.

Sara Bederman Interior Design I would put your focus on the windows, definitely darken them to add some punch to the facade. Re-landscaping the front and adding some trees for height by the house would be great as well. The bush on the right could be replaced with something that looks a bit more current and interesting. Try to add a feature tree of some sort, like a japanese maple or a try-color beech perhaps.

hparks74 What about staining the brick?

Young and Borlik Architects, inc. I was also going to suggest some landscape layering, and railings with newels, as in the photos "Century Home" and "Mount Curve" above. The suggestions to ground the home and add texture to the foreground are right on.

Sara Bederman Interior Design As long as the jacuzzi has a wide enough rim around it, you can turn it in to a shower enclosure with frameless glass doors/panels. Make sure you don't take the door full height so that there is room for the moisture to escape while the shower is on. While frameless glass is costly to install, it will look great and it is a low maintenance option-very easy to clean.

KShoa I have a regular sized tub that has pumps built in (I didn't build the place). I use a curtain but it can easily have a shower door.

BTW I never use the jacuzzi feature. Always rushing in/out...

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Sara Bederman Interior Design You could also consider a rich brown countertop to add some contrast in the space. It will also work nicely with the adjacent earthy green walls.

cbaker2879 Thanks for the ideas

achelous There's nothing more impractical to keep looking nice than most stainless steel surfaces. I'm waiting for white with steel handles and details... Some manufactures designed them but people still flock to steel smudge fests,

Sara Bederman Interior Design DMH Design-what a beautiful sketch! I love your ideas to update this home...go for it!

Mychael Drews In the meantime, what color should I paint the garage doors and trim?

DMH DESIGN Dark trim to match the roof, lighter doors to match the hue of the brick.

Sara Bederman Interior Design I think a warm gray would be a nice contrast to the cabinetry.

librarianliz Thanks for all the great suggestions!

kisettle Here's a pic with gray/blue. Warm neutrals are great too. Good luck with your decision.

Btw, I don't ever hire people to work on my properties who are patronizing and condescending, even when they're considered the expert. It's extremely off-putting.

pitbulls I think that the bronze would be pretty and really stand out

Sara Bederman Interior Design Brass is a huge trend in home design at the moment. I think it would be a nice choice. Bronze could work as well but may not have the same luster as brass.

Sara Bederman Interior Design Saturnia definitely ties in better with your flooring. It should wear very well given that it is granite and as far as natural stone goes, it is the most durable and forgiving. The intense veining will also conceal any blemishes that develop.

suepak Thanks! I am leaning toward Saturnia too but have heard that it is much softer stone requiring higher maintenance. I wanted to get the crisp clean look but I am just wondering now with Saturnia, it would look too traditional. But I love the spark (mica) and its color palette.

Sara Bederman Interior Design This home is in desperate need of softening. Consider planting some mature trees close to the home to take the stark edge off. It is a simple, Eco-friendly, accessible solution that will do wonders!

Sara Bederman Interior Design You might consider removing the garden walls by the house and creating larger, more organically shaped beds. I would recommend one or two large trees, like a Kousa dogwood or a tri-color beech. They are both lovely. Hydrangeas are great, they show very well. I feel the home needs overall softening and working with the landscaping would really help.

Michelle Brown Your house is beautiful. Perhaps paint the small wall in the front of the house white and plant a hedge in front of the windows. I would paint the front door black. Place 2 tall black planters on either side of the garage. New black outdoor lights above the planters would look good too. Keep it classic.

curryj I would add some trees to shade things up. River Birch trees are wonderful. Ive attatched pictures of what I love for your house. I also would paint the door black. I love Michelle Brown's ideas. Be careful and make sure you landscape with evergreen shrubs like holly and boxwoods. If you do not during winter the house will look bare. I love flowering shrubs but they need to be in front of evergreens so you will have interest during winter months (especially with a white house) I love the house it is classy

decoenthusiaste Post by attaching images under a comment box on this thread when installed.

Sara Bederman Interior Design This is a nice fixture. Does it have a regular incandescent bulb or a filament bulb? The filament looks nice from underneath. It should be hung approx. 18"-22" above the table height.

Carolyn Albert-Kincl Design I prefer an art piece to be slightly smaller than the console under it, but I must say that I've seen some delightful rooms that didn't follow that stricture. As long as there is plenty of wall on both sides, I probably would be okay with your 76" art over the 72" console....well as long as I like your art!
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

Sara Bederman Interior Design I definitely recommend the art be smaller than the console. Unless it is an ultra modern, minimalist home.

Sara Bederman Interior Design Black for sure

aniluap2 Huge difference! Much, much, better.

Margaret B Fabulous job, looks wonderful.

Dullea and Associates Inc. Your house is beautiful! I really like the current color palette.

Sara Bederman Interior Design I think you should pull dark blues and grays from the slate roof for a bit more contrast. Beige is a nice safe choice but the home is large and can take a more dramatic color.

Sara Bederman Interior Design Windows in a shower run the risk of mold build up. The moisture from steam will also leave a film on the window that will need frequent cleaning,

Ironwood Builders Ed, Windows and doors are designed to be water RESISTANT from the outside. We go through huge machinations to flash and waterproof the framed openings. I've done windows in showers and look over my shoulder every once in awhile to see if the lawyers have found my trail (even though we went through three times as many machinations). A few things can help. Don't do it in the first place. Use a skylight at the top of a tall shaft. Actually a watering can shower head on a long arm will splash less. I think it is just a liability waiting to happen.

Ed ASV, David, thanks. For my place, the main shower came with a window, although the window is pretty high up. I didn't know about this problem before the remodel.

Sara Bederman Interior Design California shutters would be an ideal choice on both windows. Easy to maintain and a good clean look.

Ed Hi Marva, have you considered honey comb shades ? --

marvalune No I haven't. I suspect they might be much more budget friendly than the plantation shades. Thanks for the idea Ed.

Sara Bederman Interior Design Pottery barn teen has fab bedding and great accessories. Keep it simple and add pops of color since the teens change their tastes so quickly. That way you can freshen up the look without redoing the room.

Ed

Sara Bederman Interior Design A perfect collection of images, I am dying to attend in 2014! The shagreen and Mongolian fur pieces are divine!!

corinhadesign Fabulous! Thank you for sharing!
-Karen from Corinha Design

Eva Kiran When is the right time to go to High Point N. Carolina to get some good deals on furniture.

Lena Kroupnik Interiors Charmean, thank you for the article. Construction of the upholstery pieces and attention to the details separate high end upholstery from the rest... and that furniture will last for generations! This is a recent chair (crafted by Bentley Churchill). Look at the wood finish, contrast welting details..

La Lune Collection Thank you, Charmean, for this instructive ideabook. Fine upholstery has almost become a lost art, hasn't it? We place such HIGH importance on this, and our upholsterers are true artisans - several examples for consideration:
#1172 Armless Club Chair - box cushions/meticulously matched stripes/self-welt pillows
http://www.lalunecollection.com/collection/seating/club-chair/armless-1172/
#1030 Sofa - beautiful back and seat tufting
http://www.lalunecollection.com/collection/seating/sofa-1026-1030/
#4245 Bed - exceptionally upholstered leather headboard, footboard, and sides
http://www.lalunecollection.com/collection/beds/bed-4239-4245/

Sara Bederman Interior Design Color is Benjamin Moore CC-720, Night Train

Sara Bederman Interior Design Walls are Benjamin Moore OC-11, mixed 25% lighter than regular color. Floor was a custom stain

Sara Bederman Interior Design This rug is from Elte Carpets and Home in Toronto

Sara Bederman Interior Design Oscar from Toronto relaxes on a cozy custom Dwell Studio beanbag, lucky dog!

Xrene Wong Lucky Our English Bulldog is our own personal Supervisor... He loves to watch humans work n even follow them around to watch their progress. To be more comfy while Supervising he also pulled his own bed n sit there to supervise...

Mollymorgan Jones My gunner!