Tres McKinney Design The seating area shown in this image is about 480 square feet. (24 ft' wide x 20' long. The actual size of the the great room is more like 750 square ft. from the front of the kitchen island to the sliding glass windows. The area behind the sofa pictured hear includes a dining table, bay window with a desk and a row of bar stools at the island. There are more images of this room on the Houzz site.

McKinney Photography You can find out the wall color from Tres McKinney Interior Design: tresmckinney@sbcglobal.net

Tres McKinney Design The walls were done in a custom mix color but check out Farro and Ball "BOOK ROOM RED" #50, "TERRE D'EGYPTE" # 247, Benjamin Moore "Colonial Brick" # 2093-30 and Kelly Moore "Vegas Red rock" KM4127-3.
The color is a very earthy (brown) red/ terra cotta color. Depending on flooring fabrics etc. you may want to go with a more orange or pink based terra cotta. It is a tricky color so try several shades with all the elements of your room.

Tres McKinney Design The counter tops are Emperador light marble. The floor is Ann Sacks Smoke Wicker mosaic AS2396-1. The shower wals are Ann Sacks St. Petersburg 3" x6" limestone , color V1437.

susanf12 looks like Emperador Light to me

Tres McKinney Design Yes the marble is Emperador light.

Tres McKinney Design This discussion is inordinately long with plenty of good recommendations. Maybe some one already mentioned this but just pick an area rug you like and that is big enough for at least the front legs of the chairs and sofa to sit on in order to unify the seating group and tighten up the distance between the chairs and sofa. The existing coffee table is useless as it is too far from either the sofa or chairs to sit a drink down on. You need a much larger coffee table to unify the seating group. Add a small table between the two chairs. No room is comfortable without tables near each seat. Just tighten up the furniture grouping add a large rug, art and side tables.

daylightca Haha!

anne dee Are you there yet?

olldroo I love the antique look of your kitchen and it obviously fits your home. The red will be so out of place and quite frankly I think it could look cheap. Go with your gut instincts - if it ain't broke don't fix it!!!!

Sometimes we just need someone else to validate our instincts though - I know that feeling well.

Tres McKinney Design I think there is some confusion regarding the images you posted. My understanding is that the first image of the off white kitchen is the dream kitchen you are proposing and the second image is your existing kitchen. Your question is which color should you paint the island. I would recommend the taupe/ gray color over a red island if you want a contrast color on the island. There are other opportunities to add red accents with accessories. The little flecks of red are so small as to be almost unnoticeable in the big picture. A red island would overwhelm the rest of the kitchen. I think I would also eliminate the tile rug as well unless you make it much longer and have a border all around it as a real rug would have otherwise it will look skimpy.

Tres McKinney Design First of all I would like to say that the South has it all over the rest of the country for great design and creating welcoming spaces people want to gather in. Some of the best examples of mixing old with new and creating exciting vibrant interiors is by Southern designers and homeowners. The wall color of your dining room is warm and unpredictable. You could enhance the wall color by painting the ceiling more of a cream color and keep the off white trim. The challenge I see is that the chair fabric looks weak next to the area rug. I would recover the seats in a bold taupe and off white stripe which would give the chairs a more crisp updated look and compliment the more contemporary animal print rug. Then I think the blue and white ginger jars would work. I would incorporate more blue and white china into the china cabinet to make more of a statement. Add another element between the two ginger jars if you leave them atop the china cabinet such as a plate in a plate stand or beautiful bowl. Alternatively put the two ginger jars on the dinng table when the table is not in use with a bowel of fruit between. If you have a buffet or side table in the room place a pair of large blue and white lamps at each end to add to the blue and white porcelain scheme. China cabnets don't need to always house china. You could store books, collecions or a mix of objects instead of china.

pearlmelba @babbom..... Many thanks...... I always carry a pen and pad around with me
I enjoy doing them
I did this one in about 2mins
They just pop into my head
And I write them down
So glad you enjoyed it
And yes I think it's so Hozz.....

bevballew Fascinating thread and great suggestions. Need to read all posts.

Tres McKinney Design If you like a more transitional style then I would agree with Sam0705's recommendation of gray toned counters and Carrera marble tile back splashes which would be a beautiful compliment to the Venetian plaster walls. No one else has mentioned it but I think the dark brown window casings really are too heavy and out of place with the white cabinets. I would paint them white. Another option would be to paint the window casings (outside trim) white but the mutt-ins (trim around the multi panes) black or gray.

sam0705 I like the wood windows - I think they help to warm it up - once the counter is out from around the window I think they'll look better. I'd even add more wood accents to the room (butcher block or a bowl) to warm up the modern white.
This kitchen is more vintage looking but just for the windows in a relatively white kitchen

Sue Potter I would go with a cream and a slight golden granite veining. There are so many to choose from. The lighter the granite the more expensive it is, beware prices change drastiscially. Marble would look great with gray veining. You can change the handles to change from contemporary find a more traditional handle. I would do FULL granite or what ever you decide to use. Back splash and counters to match no grout to clean, with oils and cooking grout becomes a mess and stained in time.. It's really just a little bit more then tiling it. Usually if the cabinets are white or light you go the opposite color on counters. Dark cabinets, light counters. or white on white would look great, and you could add any accent colors in accessories and change those to completely change the kitchen any time you would like. When you add one color like say, Blue, you have to stick to that color year after year, that would bore me to death :-) I prefer keeping it clean and neutural so I can change it if I'd like in a couple of years without it costing a fortune. Good Luck in your New home!

Tres McKinney Design Filling in the wall with drywall is your best bet. Yes there will be dust but this is just a couple of days job unlike a bath remodel. I think any other option will look contrived like you are just tring to fill in the space. You could frost the glass on the French doors so light will still come through but be more private or you could mount fabric roman shades directly on each door and leave them in the up position when you do not have guests staying in the room.

Fred S Should a French door's drapes match the rug?

LB Interiors Drapes take a cue from the furnishings and other fabrics in the room. They can be solid or printed panels. They are easier to choose. The other elements needed in a room are more difficult to like.

Tres McKinney Design If the built in cabinets are painted the same color as your trim then the room will feel more spacious and light. Mixing a freestanding stained wood desk would be attractive with the painted built ins. If the room is quite large then the built ins could be painted a color other than the trim color such as in the room with the blue cabinets you posted. For a durable surface I have used stone or stained wood on built ins. If you use stone try to pick something that will not make the room look like a kitchen. Depending on the style and color scheme of the room you might consider a honed finished limestone, gray or black granite. I would avoid any stone with a lot of movement.

curlycook The roll top desk is being replaced.... thankfully! The wall with the vertical window will be a built in with closed cabinets and file drawers below, open shelves on each side above, and a kneehole desk below part of the window. A stand alone desk will be in the center so Hubs can spread out paperwork. A reading chair next to the window with a straight chair and small table next to it is planned. Tres McKinney, thanks for your awesome input!

Tres McKinney Design I can not tell from the image what color your walls are. If you choose gold for the curtains it needs to be in the same tone as the walls but a shade or two darker. I think brown curtains could be attractive. Extend the curtain rods as wide as you can and still leave room for the TV. The rods should be mounted just under the crown moulding and then with only about a 1 " break on the floor. Large puddles tend to look messy and are a bit out of date now. I recommend 1" diameter iron rods and rings to compliment your scheme. Because your color scheme is in such deep rich colors I recommend that you paint the new crown moulding, the plantation shutters and all the trim in more of a cream color as it would be more harmonious than white trim.

mdbsktcase Thank you all so much! These were some great ideas! I think I'll go with gold. Not though I can't decide between faux duponi silk or real velvet! The velvet is heavy but I like the idea of it in the media room. :) Thank you again!!

travisinteriors Gold heavy velvet.

Tres McKinney Design I agree the stone would look great. If it is unaffordable then consider plastering or stuccoing the walls and capping with bluestone. Plaster could have integrated color and stucco could be painted a neutral color that would blend with landscaping.

Sharon What about paving that first tier and adding an outdoor seating area with an umbrella?

VizX Design Studios More pictures of the whole area would help give better advise.

Tres McKinney Design I designed the cabinets and they were made by the general contractor on the project Paul Silvestrini of Sivestrini Construction who is also a cabinet maker. If your project is in the California San Francisco Bay Area you could have cabinets made by him. If you are not in this area you would have to locate a local cabinet maker who could make something similar to these for you. Contact me on my website if you have additional questions.

Tres McKinney Design It looks like you are in a tropical setting with the existing plants pictured on your posting. Don't fret. The brick wall is an asset. I agree that doubling the height of the stone planter might be beneficial. I do not know what you mean by Lilly Pillies but if Laurel grows in your region it would make an attractive evergreen hedge and then you can layer other plantings in front of it. If you are in a more arid climate then I think the Italian cypress would look great. If tropical then consider a non invasive bamboo. You could also stain the wood fence above the brick wall a dark black/green semi transparent stain.

daniellenew Looks like we wont paint the wall. And we will fix that fence and the concrete with staining perhaps. Thanks everyone for that direction. I am liking the idea of a centrepiece or something like that with plants around it or the espalier idea. Would this best suit a sandstone look?

Scott Design, Inc. @daniellenew In answer to your question re cost of metal cutwork screens...They are available in
1. recycled raw copper, aluminum, steel and wood
2. different thicknesses
3. different panel sizes
4. different powder coatings...colors and patinas
5. custom patterns
A standard size 4'x8' panel with a stock pattern starts around $600 each when purchasing three or more plus crating and shipping from Colorado, USA. If you are working with a GC or landscape architect or garden center, they can order the panels for you. www.parasoleil.com

Tres McKinney Design The bronze heuchera that ASVinteriors recommends would compliment the red leafed tree in your garden. White flowering bucoppa would also brighten up the space and compliment the white trim on the house. Both provide color year around in moderate climates. Otherwise change the strip out with annuals in different seasons.

Sigrid Lavender is nice. People like stachys (lamb's ears) for a low-growing edge. Alyssum if you are doing annuals.

hbatarfi Looking at the front, i notice no sun rays reach the lower floor area, i suggest bring light into the house for by moving the green tree in the middle. Honeysuckle or gardenia or basil will add color and essence (or all), low maintenance and water-consumption

Rockin' Fine Finish How much board is there ? look at gunmetal gray from Benjamin Moore

Tres McKinney Design If the fascia boards are to be black then I would make the garage doors black or charcoal gray . Also paint the large gables over the garage and the front of the upper bay window the same gray.

Tres McKinney Design I agree with Here Design and Architecture Well's first comments regarding changing the stair railing and the cap on the guardrail. Consider plane iron railings with an iron or wood handrail which would have a more contemporary or transitional look. Painting the walls a pale washed terra cotta, a warm mocha or gray green would warm up, personalize and compliment your furnishings. Color on the walls will bring down the height of the room and make it feel more intimate. I would paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. Consider plantation shutters on the windows and working, natural linen curtains on a metal rod on the sliding glass doors. If you replace the wood
railing on the stairs with iron, then iron curtain rods would be a compatible element.

judyg I think a contemporary style molding would do great things for the high windows. Give more of a clerestory custom look. Possibly some decorative trusses could be added, also.

aimran Those windows remind me of santorini styled houses :p :)
A nice soft lightest coral on the walls?

Tres McKinney Design I agree with decoenthusiaste regarding th recommendation of roman shades on all the windows. They can be plane or any fabric pattern you like. Then I recommend a pair of working curtain panels on the sliding doors in the same fabric and lined similarly as the shades. You could use a black iron rod and rings for the curtains which would compliment your wood stove. I am not a fan of verticle blinds or any style of pleated shades used in a living room, family room or dining room. They are stark and cold and I hate to say it but look banal with traditional or transitional interior architecture. Fabric adds so much warmth and a sense of invitation to a room. I much prefer solar shades to pleated or verticle blinds if all you need is sun filtration. But if insulation, privacy or light control is an issue then fabric roman shades and curtains is the most aesthetic option.

Cheery Curtains I recommend using Roman Shades. What about Roman Shades in these fabrics?
http://www.cheerycurtains.com/qye223bd.html
http://www.cheerycurtains.com/qye122ab.html
http://www.cheerycurtains.com/qyb251dd.html

tkjs68 Roman shades in a neutral colour so they don't distract from your beautiful view! Flush to inside of window frame.

Tres McKinney Design Chinese Chippendale chairs work in almost any style. I especially like using Cinnabar red or burnt bamboo chairs in projects.

Dearborn Cabinetry LLC Chinese chippendale stools can work really well for counter stools to add a little zip in a traditional white kitchen, and i love the accent of chippendale style glass on a cabinet front! Nice ideabook.

zanzi1 I still have my parents chinese Chippendale bedroom set which was purchased in 1945. I just can't bear to part with it. It is made with crotch mahogany veneers and made so beautifully that when compared to new furniture it's no contest. What to do, what to do?

Tres McKinney Design Check with a local cabinet shop or store that sells cabinet and door hardware in your region. You might also look on line for Top Knobs and purchase them that way. I have provided you with the collection and style numbers
above. They also have compatible handles for dishwashers, trash compactors and refrigerator doors.

sandymad Thank you so much for responding.

patty947 You have lovely cabinets that will be brighter with almost any color you choose. You have beautiful white molding in the other rooms, so if it were my kitchen, I'd paint the cabinets white. However, I totally understand people not wanting white. I'll pass on my limited experience with that. About 10 years ago, I painted dark cabinets white and have loved the difference it made in my small galley kitchen. However, I took the advice of contractor at the time and went with a white that was not as white as I wished. Since the white appliances were new at the time, they were staying and it always bugged me a bit that there was just the slightest difference in color. I think you might get the same result with an antique white compared with your white molding. I love that you are open to other colors and also like the idea of the grey cabinets that you mentioned. That would go beautifully with white trim and the darker grey you have in the other rooms. Good luck with your project and keep us posted on the results.

Tres McKinney Design I agree that a mushroom color would look great and that cream will not work as well with the white trim throughout your home. Use the diamond element in your backsplash for color direction. I would remove the scalloped wood valance over the window and add a crown moulding on the tops of the cabinets. Change the cabinet hardware to a dark bronze or pewter finish. I would replace the island with something like Crate and Barrels "French Kitchen Island" which has iron legs and a shelf below with a Carrera marble top. it's size is 54 1/2" L x 28"W x 36 1/2" H.
This table would work great with your existing light fixture. Small cabinet islands always look skimpy. A tall table with open shelves will make the space look larger. You can always use large baskets for storage on the shelf below. Eventually change the appliances to stainless. Eventually enclose the refrigerator with paneled sides. Better yet if you can move it to another location out of the passage between the dining room and kitchen. If there is no other place to move the refrigerator then consider diminishing the with of the opening between the two rooms so that the side of the refrigerator is not exposed.

Tres McKinney Design Place a large round or square table (30"-36" square or round) in the corner between the two sofas with a large scaled tall table lamp. You could also add a folding screen behind this table if you like or a large scaled painting or print. Judyg's black curtain rod and curtain recommendation would be great. DON'T be tempted to make a fussy curved window treatment. Mount the rod several inches above the window and don't be skimpy with the panels. You will need at least 4 widths of curtains for this span otherwise single panels will look like droopy rags. Natural linen with black banding on the lead edge or a black and cream graphic fabric pattern or stripe could be fun. With only one picture it is hard to see what is in the rest of the room. But you might consider either a large round or square ottoman or coffee table or two square cubes (24" x 24") in an offset placement in front of the pair of sofas. Depending on what you choose for the coffee table, that should determine whether you use a square or round side table in the corner between the two sofas. if there is room add a semi upholstered chair or armless slipper chair opposite the sofa. Pair it with a small drinks table which will round out the seating/conversation area.

denisepeng Darker-colored curtains are better choice. This pics might give you some ideas. I agree with the ideas: hang a big painting on the next to the window, and put a plant in the corner. The room will become more pretty. For window treatment, visit http://www.cheerycurtains.com/. Hope you can find what you like. :)

Tres McKinney Design This last posted picture seems to be working well but I would replace the red chair with a larger scaled chair similar in color to the sofas and ottomans but in a bold stipe or graphic. Be sure to add a small cocktail table 12"-14" round next to the chair for drinks and a book. By pulling the furniture closer to the fireplace you have a more inviting conversation area. An area rug also warms up the space and anchors the furniture grouping. You might have room for a long narrow dining or library table with a few chairs between the back of the sofa and island.

christenj Wow- you guys have such great ideas. I so appreciate the kind words and the thought you all put into this. I think we are going to try to move it back just a bit and add two more chairs that coordinate. I agree the red chair needs to maybe come out.
Also the recessed arches do have lights and yes, there is a dedicated dining room over to the side that you cannot see in these pics. (And leelee, it's not a marble fireplace- just stone)

We decided to live with it the way it is right now. Partly because we like having a cozier feel by the fireplace- but probably too because we're feeling too lazy to move it back right now. Ha
I do think I could get used to it like this tho! We are going to shop for more chairs. We'll see!!
Thank you again. You guys are the best!!

decoenthusiaste Think about a family game/snack table in the open area once you settle on the exact spot for the sofa. Next time you take pix turn the lights on in the recesses so you don't keep getting suggestions about needing them. Make moving easy by making furniture sliders from the bottoms of plastic milk or juice cartons - no excuses! LOL

ldhgoodman Where can birch ledgestone be purchased?

Tres McKinney Design eventually paint the garage door the same color as the siding.

Tres McKinney Design Thanks for the kind words and following my work. Keep in touch and post pictures of the finished kitchen.

laurene49 It's a gorgeous kitchen. Maybe you can update the other rooms if you feel it's overdone. It would be cheaper and less work too. Sometimes we just want to personalize a home so it feels like our own. Painting helps.

Tres McKinney Design I designed the sofa and had it custom made by my upholsterer to fit the space between the bookcases. The tufted back is similar to chesterfield sofas by restoration hardware and Mitchell and Gold.

Tres McKinney Design I definitely think the addition of a hearth in the same stone would enhance the fireplace. You could also add a thick shelf or timber mantel in a dark stain. I would also pull the chairs out about a ft. further into the room.

LB Interiors okay, Can you post any new dilemmas for each new project, as it gets very confusing for us houzzers and the threads can be very long. Is this what you meant anyway?

marynboyz Yes, LB. That is what I intend to do. New project, new thread. I agree, when threads take on other focuses, it is hard to follow and less helpful. So this thread remains on the fireplace;)

Tres McKinney Design I am not crazy about accent walls. I would either paint all the walls gray or all the walls Teal. Look for a white bedside table or chest and white ceramic bedside lamp that will contrast with the wall color and tie in the white woodwork. The lamp base could also be a third accent color that is found in the duvet print fabric or bench fabric.
The bedding can be also predominately white or white and gray or a pattern with the teal. With that low headboard keep the pillows simple. A pair of sleeping pillows lying flat and one long neck roll or rectangular pillow in a pattern set in front of the sleeping pillows or shams. If there is room at the foot of the bed then add a pair of benches or one long bench in a complimentary print or if room a chair in a corner of the room.

Nancy Reese Redesign With the right set of linens and accessories, your existing bedroom wall colors will be lovely. If you keep your color palette narrow (blues, greens, teals), you will have a more restful room.

LB Interiors I agree with Nancy. If you want soothing, she's right. If you want the spark of another color then small doses will work.

Tres McKinney Design Paint all the trim cream or white or leave it all natural wood. The wood has most likely been varnished so you can't stain it without stripping it. Stripping and gray washing would be an attractive option but most likely time consuming and costly. I recently consulted on a similar project that had fir beams and trim and pine ceilings. I specified Benjamin Moore Full spectrum color "Shiitacke mushroom" for all the walls and it transcended the room. The color is s greenish/taupe that diminishes the contrast of the existing reddish wood and white walls and makes for a very sophisticated back drop. The color is like something you would see painted on art museum gallery walls. Art, furniture and people all look fantastic against this color.

HERE Design and Architecture FWIW, I would remove the header trim everywhere and consider painting some of the interior walls light grey. I think that that might diminish the amount of contrast and make the space feel more modern.

lpichach Thanks for all the great feedback and thoughts. I definitely plan to change the top trim to a straight. And the other plan is to pick a more neutral contrasting color for the walls so it doesn't look completely washed, but light so that it doeSnt become a cave. Thanks again!! Il definitely have to post some before and after photos

Tres McKinney Design Whoever designed your house could not decide where the entry should be on a corner lot. Where is the patio in the image you posted? Are you talking about the concrete entry pad? I think the fence really distracts from this front/side of your house. I would move it further to the left to create a more balanced and
Inviting entry. Post more pictures. It might work to start the fence just past the second tall narrow window in the single story area of the house. it looks like you have two entry doors because you are on a corner lot. One door facing out in the image (is this into the garage) and the other facing the other street under the porch. If the door facing out in this image is to the garage then paint it the same color as the siding and paint the actual front door a contrast color to distinguish it from the other door and announce that it is indeed the entry door. The walkway and stone wall make it look like this side of the house is the primary entrance. The walkway part of the driveway confuses where the entrance is. Moving the fence and landscaping will help define the entrance and create more curb appeal. Consult with a local landscape designer for input. You will not regret it. Don't waste money trying to do a "do it yourself project".

lefty47 HI -- Sanoj -- You will actually have more Privacy with the new fence that will be built at a proper height . Your old fence doesn't give you very much privacy at all the way it is now with the way the boards are now and the lattice on the top . I know it sounds costly but it will pay for it self in the long run. Price it out from several places and maybe it could be done several sections at a time . I know vinyl fencing is very popular in BC because it will last a long time looks great and will last longer than most woods . As you know living in BC - cedar wood is not like it use to be. Where are you in BC ? I am from Calgary Alberta .

Sanoj Mathews I am from Victoria. Bc..I will upload more photos tomorrow..

Tres McKinney Design Hire a good team from the onset. An architect, interior designer and contractor that can all work together to make your dream house. Give them lots of input: pictures of what you love and hate, your wish list and budget. If you have a dream team you will get what you need and more of your wants than you ever dreamed.

GIRSH DEVELOPMENT INC Here are some questions that you should ask the home builders you interview:
1. Are there other homes with similar scope of work (size, finish level, price point) that you have built?
2. If not, what makes you qualified to build my home? (there are many instances where a good builder did not build a similar home to yours, but they could still be the best builder for you based on their previous projects and experience).
3. Review their basic contract during the interview process. Your contract will be tailored to your particular project, but many of the terms will be consistent throughout all their contracts. These include payment terms, what happens if completion date is missed, etc. Its possible that you go through the entire interview process, select your builder and then not be able to agree to the terms.
4. Ask them how their selection process works. Do you go to one design center and select all your finishes or do they send you to various showrooms?
5. What system do they have in place for changes made during the construction process? They should have a clear change order process where you get to review the change and its price, sign off on it, BEFORE its made. This way everyone is on the same page.
6. Ask them if they have a preferred architect that they work with? This may enable you to package the design and construction together.
7. Ask them how they strike a balance between building to your expectations and you not being too micro-managerial? When a client starts micromanaging, the project never turns out well and both parties are not happy at the end. However, your standards will also need to be adhered to. How do they accomplish this task?
8. How ofter will you be allowed on site? How many official inspections do you get (where the builder walks the house with you), how many unofficial ones?

There are many more questions and items that need to be addressed when interviewing a prospective builder. I hope the several questions above are helpful to you.

Linda Go look at an actual house that the contractor has built. Look at the quality of the workmanship...does it meet your expectations? Ask the builder what is wrong with the house...if he says there aren't any issues with the house, don't believe him! The point of the question is not to find out exactly what the problem is, but rather to discover how he deals with problems. I've never seen a custom project yet that was built entirely to the plans without running into some field changes, problems, design issues etc.

Revolutionary Gardens Wow, that's a lot of function for a small space! Make use of Houzz to search for a local landscape designer. Even a one-hour consultation may help you sort your priorities and determine how to get the most from the space, and a master plan will help you stack functions and really nail the space planning. Designing for a small space is like designing the interior of an ocean-going boat: everything needs to fit perfectly!

Tres McKinney Design I second revolutionary gardens recommendation. You will never regret consulting with a landscape or garden
designer to help you make the most of your space.

Tres McKinney Design I second libradesigneyes recommendations.

ReSquare Architecture + Construction Before you do anything you need to have a pro sort out for you what the moisture source is for the failing brick and the heaving. If it's systemic and you don't deal with it now, you'll just be doing this all again in a few years.
Avoid painting over brick, especially in a masonry veneer wall with no drainage plane unless you have had someone analyze the vapor profile of the wall and know what permeability paint you should have on the outer plane. If you use a paint with the wrong permeability you risk even greater moisture damage.
Ask the same architect if they can provide some building science consultation for you instead of pretty pictures. If they can't, find one that can. A few $K on expert advice will save you 10x that down the road if you don't do things right.

BBH I appreciate the thoughts and ideas! @ReSquare, the spalling brick near the drainpipe occurred because the pipe was knocked off from time to time and melting ice would pool in that area, hence the damage due to the freeze thaw cycle.
The planter box heaved because its plants were routinely watered, but it is not lined. Apparently they used to line them with lead in the old days, but ours has no lining.
We are not planning on painting, but considering staining - www.permatint.com

Tres McKinney Design a caramel brown color on the walls would tie in the floor and compliment the cabinets. pick up the color from the mid to darker shades in the floor.

Darzy Tres MicKinney's color selection is perfect! Here is a visual of the caramel color for kitchen walls...

Quickchangeartist CA East Bay Check out the HGTV color palettes from Sherwin Williams ... Pick one you like and use two or three of the colors for contrast. My favorite is Color Pizazz.

Tres McKinney Design Dearest Alison, Thanks for sharing that these simple acts are about mindfulness and not judgement.

JAN MOYER There's a lot of "NNO" posts indeed!! I'm not certain any form of organization, from not at all, to all buttoned up!! , comes naturally. I think it may possibly be the kind of thing the brain remembers from habit. From tasks performed so frequently they are completely automatic. We don't think twice as to where the key goes to start the car.........so why the hunt for the very keys to accomplish that task? One would have to guess it is because there's only ONE place for the ignition key and sixty zillion places to set down a key ring. Hence...... : ) put them in the same place each and every time lol. As with most stuff in your home, there it will be when you need it. Illnesses and all unfortunate disabilities excepted, it's mostly brain training, incredibly similar to driving the car......and unfortunately yours is the only brain you can control. Kids and hubbies need incentives, or ...who knows what!!

bonnieinflorida I think being organized has a lot to do with forming habits. Habits are built through repetition, and you can make that work for you. If you always put your keys in the same place when you walk in the door, it becomes a habit and you never have to remember where they belong. You can apply the same principle in a lot of ways, such as always turning off a burner before removing the pan from it and turning off the oven before taking anything out of it.

Useful habits are every bit as easy to create as bad habits, it just takes a bit of attention at the beginning, and with every repetition you become more organized, less likely to waste time, and more in control of your life.

Tres McKinney Design The image is of a living room in a home I designed in the Pacific heights district of San Francisco CA. Are you enquiring about the chair, sofa or pillow fabrics?

Tres McKinney Design Thank you for your interest in the pillows. The pillows are not available in retail stores. I selected the fabric and tassel trims specifically for this room and had them made by my custom work room. The striped pillows are mitered to creat the pattern. The tassel trim on the pillows is handmade and thus costly. The fill is 50 percent down and 50 percent feather which gives them a luxurious look but also is very comfortable to sink into unlike poly fill pillows that are stiff and often require moving to sit comfortably. This interior and the sofa pillows were designed to be timeless and not expected to be changed out In the short term. Please contact me on my website if you are interested in a quote for similar pillows.

Tres McKinney Design They are tacked top double pleat curtains made by a custom workroom. They are lined linen with a decorative tape on the lead edge. They are not available through retail sources.

Tres McKinney Design Very dark black/green or black. Paint all the trim the same color as the doors. It will really feature the leaded windows. hat eve color you choose paint all the trim and doors the same color for maximum impact. The pillars, porch ceiling and trim on the house can stay white if you like.

joansahmed Dark blue

mforr I agree with creative garden spaces and olddbobbi, a rust, paprika, burnt orange color or even a brownish red would be daring and exciting. Black is great if your door is prominent and gets some light. If its inset, under a deep overhang or porch, it just looks like a cave or a hole in your house. I hope you'll consider a bit of color.

Keerthi Naidu Hi luisdelgado, just saw you posted this! What'd you end up doing with your porch?

Tres McKinney Design I hope an architect will join this discussion. It would be helpful to see an image of the in tire front of the house. You might consider a wood arbor to extend across the windows in the same scale as the posts at your entrance. I would eliminate the wood strips between the windows and paint the brick the same color as the stucco. Extend a concrete pad or brick patio from the entry across under the windows. You may need to extend the front entry out to incorporate it with the side patio. Plant vines on the arbor. you can either add a low hedge or stucco wall ( 24" to 30" high) to give the space more privacy. Don't make the patio too skimpy. Be sure there is enough room for a comfortable seating arrangement for conversation.

Tres McKinney Design mallee baths look best painted all the same color. accent walls just make them look smaller. you can trim out the mirror with a wood moulding but be sure to paint the back side of the frame a dark black, brown or gray or you will see the back of the mirror reflected. for the walls consider a sea focal green or mocha brown both of which would compliment your counter.

Mark The wood moulding was put on the mirror with General Electric Silicone ll It is a clear caulking, The moulding was taped to the mirror and wall while the caulking was allowed to dry for about 24 hours. My moulding has not budged at all so that brand of caulking worked fine for me, but if there is something better I am sure someone will post it.

jpoliti Amy - go look at MirrorMates. I framed a 5 x 5 mirror in a matter of minutes. It's on my kitchen wall and looks phenomenal. Watch the video they have on the install and you'll start to tell yourself there isn't another way to do this. Mine went in easier than the video.

Tres McKinney Design I love red dining rooms. I recommend a pair of large scaled blue and white ginger jar styled ceramic lamps with ivory shades on the sideboard. Then look for a blue and white or ivory chinoiserie toile or geometric print fabric for the curtains and stack them wide on each side of the window with the rod just a few inches below the cieling as Kevin suggests. Eliminate the window shade and exchange it for plantation shutters painted white or a woven grass shade in a straw color. Place 2 of your side chairs, one on each side or the window if you have more than 4. You could find a pair of semi upholstered chairs or wing chairs for host and hostes chairs at each end of the table. Upholster the side chair seats in a geometric or striped fabric to compliment the curtains. The host chairs could be in the same fabric as the curtains or match the side chair seats. I think your sconces are too heavy for the 1920's era dining room furniture so I would find another location in your house for them. scaled down candle sconces with candle shades would work better with the scale and style of your furniture. Large scaled framed prints with ivory mats on each side to the window would really pop as another option. you will need a chandelier over the dining table but again avoid a heavy Iron fixture like the sconces which would overpower your furniture.
black iron or antique brass would work well.

ahelton142 Ok lol km not going to act like I understand all if this lol design is not my thing but if you want to talk teeth then I can do that lol, do you have any pics ghat I can see?

Tres McKinney Design If your kitchen is open to the dining room then the kitchen chandelier should compliment the one in the dining room but need not match. Old iron, pewter or antique steel would compliment the stainless appliances, Hardware and old world styling of the kitchen. For the bar stools I recommend stools in a dark finish, not to ornate. you don't want them to compete with the decorative corbels on the island. A dark finish will compliment the darker tones of the stone counters and the light colored cabinets.

travisinteriors Love it. Chandelier in dining. Yes for kitchen like that but toned down. Bar stools. Black wood. With a silver leather seat. No arms.

melodyhsieh I got the slab from Arizona tile, I believe it is called Alaska, but not sure.

Tres McKinney Design if you are planning on building in the banquette then go all the way to the wall, otherwise you will have a dead space at the end. if you are using a free standing bench then it can float. Place a chair in font of the back window, angled window and on the wall opposite the bench. You might have room for a fourth chair facing the window or at least place when you need extra seating. I can't tell from your posted image if that would be interrupting the traffic flow. It looks like you will be able to fit a 42" to 48" round table in the space. When people are seated, the front of the chairs are just at the table edge. Leave enough room so that you can push the chairs all the way in so you can pass between the table and walls to access the two chairs in the back. Be sure to use a center pedestal based table to avoid knees bumping into table legs.

bdaly @Angela one of the photos of that shade has a matching chair. Upholstery benches with the same colors would work nicely, also the window treatments. Otherwise the first one will go with more design directions.

Angela Pascoe bdaly-you are so right, the bench and cushion does match...

pattiegoode Interesting! But I must say that naming the houses will probably sway the vote a bit. Who doesn't want a beach house? lol

astraea @pattiegoode - Excellent point! I remember when I bought my first house, there was one area realtor who referred to all of her listings with superlatives. A small house became a "mini-mansion", a house with a slightly larger lot became a "mini-farm"; more marketing than substance ..