Search results for "People decide" in Home Design Ideas
Tiffany Brooks, HGTV Host & Interior DesignerInquire About Our Design Services
When we first started talking in the spring of 2015, I was impressed. She was witty, realistic, and understood that as much as she loves my shows on HGTV, design does not does not happen in 43 minutes! She told me about her space, and how she felt that her bedroom seemed “blah” to her. She had no retreat. Molly desperately longed for a place that she could spend time in, read in, play in and above all, relax in.
What we did:
Many people are terrified of hiring a designer. Rightfully so, they are investing a pretty penny in their homes. They want to make sure that everything, down to the last floral arrangement, is to their liking, because they will have to live it (and pay for it). Unfortunately, a client can unintentionally stifle a designer’s creativity through micro-management. This can produce lackluster results and ultimately cause more time (and money) to be spent on a project than is really necessary.
With Molly, that was never an issue. Before she even showed me the room in question, she said that I could have full creative license to do what I needed to do to her bedroom. SAY WHAAH!?
With Molly giving me complete creative freedom, I planned everything out and got down to business. The result: Bite-your-bottom-lip sexy. I don’t get jealous of too many of my clients’ spaces, but this one still takes my breath away every time I look at the pics!
The craziest part was that by adding more furniture, it actually made the space feel larger.
Molly and her husband Patrick loved the finished space, and promised me I will be back to finish the rest of the house!
Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project:
I came up with a space plan with three options.
Next, we reviewed mood boards and fabric schemes that would work for both Molly and her hubby Patrick.
We started with the bed. My goal was to add edge to its otherwise traditional style.
We decided to spice things up by painting the trim work in the room black.
We built in layers of lighting with dimmers. In a bedroom everything should be on dimmers, right? Right.
We designed and customized bedding, chairs and window treatments.
Together with Molly, we selected the most perfect wallpaper. This geometric “grasscloth” adds so much depth and dimension that was just missing before.
What I love:
That light fixture. I mean it is really, really amazing in person.
The porcupine mirror. This thing came packaged like it was the hope diamond, and everyone was terrified to handle it. But it really became a highlight of the room.
Sweet Smiling Landscape DesignThis project was do in collaboration with my friends at Sweetwater Collaborative. Sweetwater Collaborative is a non-profit organization that work to educate the public about water wise and regenerative landscape practices.
Funded by the City of Santa Barbara as well as several other business and agency Sweetwater Collaborative and I worked to installed this project with the help of volunteers. In a hands-on work shop we explained principles of water wise gardening and demonstrated best practices when installing sustainable landscapes.
When the owner of this property decided to build an ADU ( Auxiliary Dwelling Unit) in their back yard they expanded the roof line of their property. In order to be in compliance with new California building the project required that a portion of the rain water coming onto this property must be stored on the property. That is where we came into help. Directing down spouts into basins, or swales in the soil is one of the most efficient and cost-effective way to capture and store rain water on a piece of land.
Calculations were done to determine the volume of water coming of the roof line in a given rain event from the ADU. The calculations go: square footage of roofline times .62 times 1, for 1” of rain. That total gives you the amount of water in gallons. Then divide the number in gallons by 7.48 find the cubic feet in that number of gallons. Then a basin with that holding capacity was designed into the landscape. Then the plantings were chosen. In this project we went with an 100% California Native Plant palette. We did this to help educate people about all the benefits of growing natives and to show case some of the beautiful plants native to Southern California. Sothern California is how to some of the greatest biodiversity of plants in the world. Native Plants are best adapted to thrive conditions from which they are natively found plus they help provide forage to the native fauna such as birds and insects.
Now the tenants in the ADU can look out and enjoy this colorful garden without the home owners needing to pay a huge water bill.
Hearthstone IncScott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history.
In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his.
“We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc.
“When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.”
The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.
Find the right local pro for your project
Fiorito Interior DesignIn the early days of the global pandemic of 2021, my client decided to leave a more densely populated city environment in favor of a more suburban atmosphere with fewer people, where things are less crowded. They found a Tudor-style home built in the 1980s and set about updating it to make it their own. When my client contacted me, one of her top priorities in the home was a complete kitchen renovation for which she already had some very clear ideas. She came to the project with colors and overall feel so it was a delight to collaborate with her to bring her vision to life.
The original kitchen was wedged between a large two-story entry hall at the front, and a spacious beamed family room at the rear. Dated dark red oak and heavy 1980s cabinetry weighed down the room, and my client desperately wanted light and lightness. Working with Lewis Construction, we took down the walls that closed the kitchen off from the family room and the resulting space allowed for a generous island. We worked together to refine a cabinet color and a wood stain for the custom cabinetry by Schmitz Woodworks, and a tone of countertop material that would be a perfect compliment to our cabinetry choices. And I found lighting that speaks to the Tudor style of the house while bringing a sense of airiness—the seeded glass island pendants are perfect partners to the round wrought-iron fixture with candles in the adjoining dining room. Wood, brass, and abaca kitchen stools at the island bring a sense of history and California cool.
In the adjoining bland family room, my client removed an ugly river stone fireplace and replaced it with a linear gas insert. I designed built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace to give the entire wall more presence. My client fell in love with a piece of dark soapstone and I used it to design a chunky, uniquely beveled surround to ground the fire box.
The entry also got a makeover. We worked with a painter to disguise the ugly 80s red oak on the stairs, and I furnished the area with contemporary pieces that speak to a Tudor sensibility: a “quilted” chest with nail heads; an occasional chair with a quatrefoil back; a wall mirror that looks as if the Wicked Queen in Snow White used it; a rug that has the appearance of a faded heirloom; and a swarm of silver goblets creating a wall art installation that echoes the nail heads on the chest.
Photo: Rick Pharoah
Fiorito Interior DesignIn the early days of the global pandemic of 2021, my client decided to leave a more densely populated city environment in favor of a more suburban atmosphere with fewer people, where things are less crowded. They found a Tudor-style home built in the 1980s and set about updating it to make it their own. When my client contacted me, one of her top priorities in the home was a complete kitchen renovation for which she already had some very clear ideas. She came to the project with colors and overall feel so it was a delight to collaborate with her to bring her vision to life.
The original kitchen was wedged between a large two-story entry hall at the front, and a spacious beamed family room at the rear. Dated dark red oak and heavy 1980s cabinetry weighed down the room, and my client desperately wanted light and lightness. Working with Lewis Construction, we took down the walls that closed the kitchen off from the family room and the resulting space allowed for a generous island. We worked together to refine a cabinet color and a wood stain for the custom cabinetry by Schmitz Woodworks, and a tone of countertop material that would be a perfect compliment to our cabinetry choices. And I found lighting that speaks to the Tudor style of the house while bringing a sense of airiness—the seeded glass island pendants are perfect partners to the round wrought-iron fixture with candles in the adjoining dining room. Wood, brass, and abaca kitchen stools at the island bring a sense of history and California cool.
In the adjoining bland family room, my client removed an ugly river stone fireplace and replaced it with a linear gas insert. I designed built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace to give the entire wall more presence. My client fell in love with a piece of dark soapstone and I used it to design a chunky, uniquely beveled surround to ground the fire box.
The entry also got a makeover. We worked with a painter to disguise the ugly 80s red oak on the stairs, and I furnished the area with contemporary pieces that speak to a Tudor sensibility: a “quilted” chest with nail heads; an occasional chair with a quatrefoil back; a wall mirror that looks as if the Wicked Queen in Snow White used it; a rug that has the appearance of a faded heirloom; and a swarm of silver goblets creating a wall art installation that echoes the nail heads on the chest.
Photo: Rick Pharaoh
Hearthstone IncScott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history.
In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his.
“We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc.
“When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.”
The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH
Hearthstone IncScott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history.
In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his.
“We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc.
“When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.”
The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.
TKS Design Group
Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW
This client wanted a complete update of their kitchen and came to us with several objectives. They wanted a larger island and easier access to the dining room. They also wanted to eliminate the existing cooktop location from the island and make the island larger. Because the existing space was not able to accommodate all those requests, we decided to eliminate the breakfast area and incorporate that space into the kitchen. By eliminating an existing bay window and making the kitchen sink window larger, we were able to make the new layout work without sacrificing any natural light. A French door to the newly added and adjoining sunroom and casual outdoor dining spot still allows for multiple dining options. And by enlarging the opening to the dining room, it allows for easier access to this space on a daily basis versus for special occasions only.
The client already had a large desk in the kitchen and spends a lot of time at this area. We were able to make the new desk even larger by moving the refrigerator to another area. The refrigerator is covered in decorative panels so that it blends nicely into the furniture look of the room. The larger island can now seat several people comfortably.
The room’s traditional feel was achieved by providing different finishes on the perimeter, island and desk cabinetry. Handmade gray backsplash tile, a combination of soapstone and Carrera marble give the space a classic appeal. Details provide interest – custom glass mullions, decorative wood hood and bronze hardware give the space character and charm.
Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD
Interior Design by: Rachel Alcorn
Architect: Rick Rearick
Contractor: KJN Renovations
Photography by: Mike Kaskel
For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com
Hearthstone IncScott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history.
In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his.
“We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc.
“When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.”
The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.
Fiorito Interior DesignFinding a home is not easy in a seller’s market, but when my clients discovered one—even though it needed a bit of work—in a beautiful area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, they decided to jump in. Surrounded by old-growth redwood trees and a sense of old-time history, the house’s location informed the design brief for their desired remodel work. Yet I needed to balance this with my client’s preference for clean-lined, modern style.
Suffering from a previous remodel, the galley-like bathroom in the master suite was long and dank. My clients were willing to completely redesign the layout of the suite, so the bathroom became the walk-in closet. We borrowed space from the bedroom to create a new, larger master bathroom which now includes a separate tub and shower.
The look of the room nods to nature with organic elements like a pebbled shower floor and vertical accent tiles of honed green slate. A custom vanity of blue weathered wood and a ceiling that recalls the look of pressed tin evoke a time long ago when people settled this mountain region. At the same time, the hardware in the room looks to the future with sleek, modular shapes in a chic matte black finish. Harmonious, serene, with personality: just what my clients wanted.
Photo: Bernardo Grijalva
Fiorito Interior DesignIn the early days of the global pandemic of 2021, my client decided to leave a more densely populated city environment in favor of a more suburban atmosphere with fewer people, where things are less crowded. They found a Tudor-style home built in the 1980s and set about updating it to make it their own. When my client contacted me, one of her top priorities in the home was a complete kitchen renovation for which she already had some very clear ideas. She came to the project with colors and overall feel so it was a delight to collaborate with her to bring her vision to life.
The original kitchen was wedged between a large two-story entry hall at the front, and a spacious beamed family room at the rear. Dated dark red oak and heavy 1980s cabinetry weighed down the room, and my client desperately wanted light and lightness. Working with Lewis Construction, we took down the walls that closed the kitchen off from the family room and the resulting space allowed for a generous island. We worked together to refine a cabinet color and a wood stain for the custom cabinetry by Schmitz Woodworks, and a tone of countertop material that would be a perfect compliment to our cabinetry choices. And I found lighting that speaks to the Tudor style of the house while bringing a sense of airiness—the seeded glass island pendants are perfect partners to the round wrought-iron fixture with candles in the adjoining dining room. Wood, brass, and abaca kitchen stools at the island bring a sense of history and California cool.
In the adjoining bland family room, my client removed an ugly river stone fireplace and replaced it with a linear gas insert. I designed built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace to give the entire wall more presence. My client fell in love with a piece of dark soapstone and I used it to design a chunky, uniquely beveled surround to ground the fire box.
The entry also got a makeover. We worked with a painter to disguise the ugly 80s red oak on the stairs, and I furnished the area with contemporary pieces that speak to a Tudor sensibility: a “quilted” chest with nail heads; an occasional chair with a quatrefoil back; a wall mirror that looks as if the Wicked Queen in Snow White used it; a rug that has the appearance of a faded heirloom; and a swarm of silver goblets creating a wall art installation that echoes the nail heads on the chest.
Photo: Rick Pharaoh
Tiffany Brooks, HGTV Host & Interior DesignerInquire About Our Design Services
When we first started talking in the spring of 2015, I was impressed. She was witty, realistic, and understood that as much as she loves my shows on HGTV, design does not does not happen in 43 minutes! She told me about her space, and how she felt that her bedroom seemed “blah” to her. She had no retreat. Molly desperately longed for a place that she could spend time in, read in, play in and above all, relax in.
What we did:
Many people are terrified of hiring a designer. Rightfully so, they are investing a pretty penny in their homes. They want to make sure that everything, down to the last floral arrangement, is to their liking, because they will have to live it (and pay for it). Unfortunately, a client can unintentionally stifle a designer’s creativity through micro-management. This can produce lackluster results and ultimately cause more time (and money) to be spent on a project than is really necessary.
With Molly, that was never an issue. Before she even showed me the room in question, she said that I could have full creative license to do what I needed to do to her bedroom. SAY WHAAH!?
With Molly giving me complete creative freedom, I planned everything out and got down to business. The result: Bite-your-bottom-lip sexy. I don’t get jealous of too many of my clients’ spaces, but this one still takes my breath away every time I look at the pics!
The craziest part was that by adding more furniture, it actually made the space feel larger.
Molly and her husband Patrick loved the finished space, and promised me I will be back to finish the rest of the house!
Here’s the highlights of the rest of the project:
I came up with a space plan with three options.
Next, we reviewed mood boards and fabric schemes that would work for both Molly and her hubby Patrick.
We started with the bed. My goal was to add edge to its otherwise traditional style.
We decided to spice things up by painting the trim work in the room black.
We built in layers of lighting with dimmers. In a bedroom everything should be on dimmers, right? Right.
We designed and customized bedding, chairs and window treatments.
Together with Molly, we selected the most perfect wallpaper. This geometric “grasscloth” adds so much depth and dimension that was just missing before.
What I love:
That light fixture. I mean it is really, really amazing in person.
The porcupine mirror. This thing came packaged like it was the hope diamond, and everyone was terrified to handle it. But it really became a highlight of the room.
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Wannemacher Interiors
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH
Sweet Smiling Landscape DesignThis project was do in collaboration with my friends at Sweetwater Collaborative. Sweetwater Collaborative is a non-profit organization that work to educate the public about water wise and regenerative landscape practices.
Funded by the City of Santa Barbara as well as several other business and agency Sweetwater Collaborative and I worked to installed this project with the help of volunteers. In a hands-on work shop we explained principles of water wise gardening and demonstrated best practices when installing sustainable landscapes.
When the owner of this property decided to build an ADU ( Auxiliary Dwelling Unit) in their back yard they expanded the roof line of their property. In order to be in compliance with new California building the project required that a portion of the rain water coming onto this property must be stored on the property. That is where we came into help. Directing down spouts into basins, or swales in the soil is one of the most efficient and cost-effective way to capture and store rain water on a piece of land.
Calculations were done to determine the volume of water coming of the roof line in a given rain event from the ADU. The calculations go: square footage of roofline times .62 times 1, for 1” of rain. That total gives you the amount of water in gallons. Then divide the number in gallons by 7.48 find the cubic feet in that number of gallons. Then a basin with that holding capacity was designed into the landscape. Then the plantings were chosen. In this project we went with an 100% California Native Plant palette. We did this to help educate people about all the benefits of growing natives and to show case some of the beautiful plants native to Southern California. Sothern California is how to some of the greatest biodiversity of plants in the world. Native Plants are best adapted to thrive conditions from which they are natively found plus they help provide forage to the native fauna such as birds and insects.
Now the tenants in the ADU can look out and enjoy this colorful garden without the home owners needing to pay a huge water bill.
Fiorito Interior DesignIn the early days of the global pandemic of 2021, my client decided to leave a more densely populated city environment in favor of a more suburban atmosphere with fewer people, where things are less crowded. They found a Tudor-style home built in the 1980s and set about updating it to make it their own. When my client contacted me, one of her top priorities in the home was a complete kitchen renovation for which she already had some very clear ideas. She came to the project with colors and overall feel so it was a delight to collaborate with her to bring her vision to life.
The original kitchen was wedged between a large two-story entry hall at the front, and a spacious beamed family room at the rear. Dated dark red oak and heavy 1980s cabinetry weighed down the room, and my client desperately wanted light and lightness. Working with Lewis Construction, we took down the walls that closed the kitchen off from the family room and the resulting space allowed for a generous island. We worked together to refine a cabinet color and a wood stain for the custom cabinetry by Schmitz Woodworks, and a tone of countertop material that would be a perfect compliment to our cabinetry choices. And I found lighting that speaks to the Tudor style of the house while bringing a sense of airiness—the seeded glass island pendants are perfect partners to the round wrought-iron fixture with candles in the adjoining dining room. Wood, brass, and abaca kitchen stools at the island bring a sense of history and California cool.
In the adjoining bland family room, my client removed an ugly river stone fireplace and replaced it with a linear gas insert. I designed built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace to give the entire wall more presence. My client fell in love with a piece of dark soapstone and I used it to design a chunky, uniquely beveled surround to ground the fire box.
The entry also got a makeover. We worked with a painter to disguise the ugly 80s red oak on the stairs, and I furnished the area with contemporary pieces that speak to a Tudor sensibility: a “quilted” chest with nail heads; an occasional chair with a quatrefoil back; a wall mirror that looks as if the Wicked Queen in Snow White used it; a rug that has the appearance of a faded heirloom; and a swarm of silver goblets creating a wall art installation that echoes the nail heads on the chest.
Photo: Rick Pharaoh
Fiorito Interior DesignIn the early days of the global pandemic of 2021, my client decided to leave a more densely populated city environment in favor of a more suburban atmosphere with fewer people, where things are less crowded. They found a Tudor-style home built in the 1980s and set about updating it to make it their own. When my client contacted me, one of her top priorities in the home was a complete kitchen renovation for which she already had some very clear ideas. She came to the project with colors and overall feel so it was a delight to collaborate with her to bring her vision to life.
The original kitchen was wedged between a large two-story entry hall at the front, and a spacious beamed family room at the rear. Dated dark red oak and heavy 1980s cabinetry weighed down the room, and my client desperately wanted light and lightness. Working with Lewis Construction, we took down the walls that closed the kitchen off from the family room and the resulting space allowed for a generous island. We worked together to refine a cabinet color and a wood stain for the custom cabinetry by Schmitz Woodworks, and a tone of countertop material that would be a perfect compliment to our cabinetry choices. And I found lighting that speaks to the Tudor style of the house while bringing a sense of airiness—the seeded glass island pendants are perfect partners to the round wrought-iron fixture with candles in the adjoining dining room. Wood, brass, and abaca kitchen stools at the island bring a sense of history and California cool.
In the adjoining bland family room, my client removed an ugly river stone fireplace and replaced it with a linear gas insert. I designed built-in bookcases flanking the fireplace to give the entire wall more presence. My client fell in love with a piece of dark soapstone and I used it to design a chunky, uniquely beveled surround to ground the fire box.
The entry also got a makeover. We worked with a painter to disguise the ugly 80s red oak on the stairs, and I furnished the area with contemporary pieces that speak to a Tudor sensibility: a “quilted” chest with nail heads; an occasional chair with a quatrefoil back; a wall mirror that looks as if the Wicked Queen in Snow White used it; a rug that has the appearance of a faded heirloom; and a swarm of silver goblets creating a wall art installation that echoes the nail heads on the chest.
Photo: Rick Pharaoh
Sweet Smiling Landscape DesignThis project was do in collaboration with my friends at Sweetwater Collaborative. Sweetwater Collaborative is a non-profit organization that work to educate the public about water wise and regenerative landscape practices.
Funded by the City of Santa Barbara as well as several other business and agency Sweetwater Collaborative and I worked to installed this project with the help of volunteers. In a hands-on work shop we explained principles of water wise gardening and demonstrated best practices when installing sustainable landscapes.
When the owner of this property decided to build an ADU ( Auxiliary Dwelling Unit) in their back yard they expanded the roof line of their property. In order to be in compliance with new California building the project required that a portion of the rain water coming onto this property must be stored on the property. That is where we came into help. Directing down spouts into basins, or swales in the soil is one of the most efficient and cost-effective way to capture and store rain water on a piece of land.
Calculations were done to determine the volume of water coming of the roof line in a given rain event from the ADU. The calculations go: square footage of roofline times .62 times 1, for 1” of rain. That total gives you the amount of water in gallons. Then divide the number in gallons by 7.48 find the cubic feet in that number of gallons. Then a basin with that holding capacity was designed into the landscape. Then the plantings were chosen. In this project we went with an 100% California Native Plant palette. We did this to help educate people about all the benefits of growing natives and to show case some of the beautiful plants native to Southern California. Sothern California is how to some of the greatest biodiversity of plants in the world. Native Plants are best adapted to thrive conditions from which they are natively found plus they help provide forage to the native fauna such as birds and insects.
Now the tenants in the ADU can look out and enjoy this colorful garden without the home owners needing to pay a huge water bill.
Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations
Hearthstone IncScott and Deneen Knisely built their handcrafted log home in Lock Haven Pennsylvania with hope to preserve a piece of their community’s history.
In 2002, the Kniselys lived near a 20-acre property that included the Rocky Point Lodge, a locally known log house dating back more than 70 years. The building was serving as a restaurant at the time, but had taken on many roles over the years—first, and most notably, as a Boy Scout camp. When Scott heard a rumor that the property might be going on the market, he had a word with the owner, expressing his interest in buying it. Six weeks later, the acreage was his.
“We loved the property and the building,” says Deneen, “but it was too damaged to be saved.” So they got to work researching companies to build the new home that would replace the old one. Since so many local people have fond childhood memories of time spent at the lodge, the Kniselys decided that the new structure should resemble the old one as closely as possible, so they looked for a design that would use the same footprint as the original. After a quick trip to Virginia to look at an existing house, they chose a modified version of the “Robinson,” a 3,750-square-foot plan by Hearthstone Inc.
“When the house was being built, I researched things such as period molding depth, wainscoting height and the look of the floors,” says Deneen. Hearthstone even had the logs sandblasted to give them a weathered look. “We just love the rustic, warm feeling of a log home,” Deneen adds. “No other home compares.”
The home is made from large-diameter eastern white pine in a profile from the Bob Timberlake series. “The log is sawn on two sides, then hand-hewn to a 6-inch thickness with varying heights,” says Ernie. To top off the home’s vintage look, Pat Woody of Lynchburg, Virginia, got to work on the chinking. Pat specializes in period reproductions and historical homes. The variations in the chinking are the perfect finishing touch to bring home the 19th-century flavor the Kniselys desired.
TKS Design Group
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This client wanted a complete update of their kitchen and came to us with several objectives. They wanted a larger island and easier access to the dining room. They also wanted to eliminate the existing cooktop location from the island and make the island larger. Because the existing space was not able to accommodate all those requests, we decided to eliminate the breakfast area and incorporate that space into the kitchen. By eliminating an existing bay window and making the kitchen sink window larger, we were able to make the new layout work without sacrificing any natural light. A French door to the newly added and adjoining sunroom and casual outdoor dining spot still allows for multiple dining options. And by enlarging the opening to the dining room, it allows for easier access to this space on a daily basis versus for special occasions only.
The client already had a large desk in the kitchen and spends a lot of time at this area. We were able to make the new desk even larger by moving the refrigerator to another area. The refrigerator is covered in decorative panels so that it blends nicely into the furniture look of the room. The larger island can now seat several people comfortably.
The room’s traditional feel was achieved by providing different finishes on the perimeter, island and desk cabinetry. Handmade gray backsplash tile, a combination of soapstone and Carrera marble give the space a classic appeal. Details provide interest – custom glass mullions, decorative wood hood and bronze hardware give the space character and charm.
Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD
Interior Design by: Rachel Alcorn
Architect: Rick Rearick
Contractor: KJN Renovations
Photography by: Mike Kaskel
For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com
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