Big Box Design Services

Many designers in the industry often talk poorly about big box design services, like Home Depot and Lowe's.  While yes, many times you have a store or location where the design services aren't taken seriously, and the staffing isn't supported, but many times these designers are fully capable.  When selecting a designer, or doing your foot work, it is always best to take advantage of the free design services, just to see if what you want is doable.  Here are some tips when looking for any designer, whether it's an independent, or in a large retail chain:

1. Are they experienced?  Many designers from both backgrounds are experienced.  I would be a little shy if the designer was just put in the position from a cashier or another department, however other designers have been there for 10+ years and are Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers from the NKBA, the same certification program available to independent designers.  
2. References and Referrals?  If your neighbor has a stunning kitchen designed by an independent designer, and your other neighbor has the bathroom of your dreams, designed by a big box designer, then why not interview and meet with both?  Your relationship with your designer is just as important as their experience.  
3. Portfolio:  A portfolio is the showcase o the ideas and product the designer can generate.  If you want something "Outside the Box" but your budget can't afford an independent designer, then find a designer in the big box that has that outside of the box thinking, and the portfolio to prove it.  

Remember, many independent designers started out in the big box.  Especially in today's economy, staying put in a retail design setting is much easier for someone than trying to step out on their own and making the transition from employee to small business owner, or making the transition from a guaranteed paycheck to commission only.  Your designer is your friend, no matter where their actual paycheck comes from.  

The Tiled Fireplace

While trying to find a new home, I keep seeing a white painted fireplaces in many of the homes.  There isn't anything wrong with a white painted fireplace, as long as it's maintained, and kept clean.  Many that I have seen have been used a lot, and not cleaned, so the white paint has black soot above the fireplace.  One of the houses I have an offer on has one of these fireplaces, and I have decided that a great alternative to the white paint, is to tile the fireplace.

This diagram from This Old House shows any DIYer how to tile over their own existing fireplace in order to create their own updated and modern fireplace.  

This fireplace showcases a natural slate tile installed by Rey Brenes of Creative Tiling in San Diego, California.  This style of installation as well as this particular tile can compliment both modern decor as well as something more rustic.     

This stainless steel mosaic tile is a great addition to a fire place as well.  It highly modernizes the design, and gives a great contemporary update to the space.  

This lovely design was installed by T.C. Tile and Stone Services in California, shows how you can take a  brick fireplace and create a new focal point in your room with tile. 

A beautiful glass mosaic tiled fireplace by DIY Network's  Home Crashers. 

Note: I will be sure to put up pictures of my fireplace once I get it done.  Now that you realize that tiling a fireplace is easy, and easy to do on your own, fee free to take some inspiration, and update your own space.  

Finishing with Moldings

Some of my clients don't realize that the finalizing touch on cabinets includes moldings.  Especially when bringing your cabinetry all the way up to the ceiling, molding is an important aspect, and finishes off the space.  Another great place for molding is under the cabinetry, used to hide under cabinet lighting, as well as a finished product. Other places that molding and accents are great for is under the cabinets, using decorative toe kick moldings, as well as decorative legs, corbels, and feet.  

This crown molding by Kraftmaid Cabinetry is a simple installation that finishes off wall cabinets nicely.  You can even place a small insert into this molding, such as a rope molding, dentil, egg and dart, etc.  

This lovely design by Mitre Contracting Inc. shows a rope molding paired with a classic crown molding design, as well as a decorative on-lay over the hood.  On-lays are great for adding interest to a focal point like over the range hood, as well as over the sink or refrigerator.  

This toe space molding by Vigilant Inc. is a great way to finish off the back of an island, or even an entertainment center or other furniture style pieces.  

This under-cabinet molding hides any under-cabinet lighting, as well as finishes off the bottom of the  cabinetry, and this style of molding can also hide the not so pretty bottom of the cabinets.  

And this design, also by Kraftmaid, shows both a decorative toe kick molding and a decorative foot under the cabinet.  

Even if the budget is limited, most moldings aren't going to push you over the top.  When comparing a kitchen with and with out molding, side by side, it's agreed by all of my clients, that the kitchen really does look better with molding.  Even if the budget is tight, a single molding is much better than no molding at all.  

Over the Top Childrens Rooms

As many of you know, I am about to enter the world of mommy-hood, and as a designer and new mom, that nursery needs to be suitable for my little one, and my portfolio!  Of course I have surfed the net for great theme's and inspiration, and I have found a lot of crazy over the top children's rooms, that are a great inspiration for any parent.

Children's rooms aren't just for sleeping, they are for playing, and inspiring creativity.  A place to call their own, and a place to flourish.  From sleeping, to playing, to inspiring creativity, the child's room is a great place to start.  Below are some fun spaces, that accomplish fun and play and creativity.  

This room from MOCO Designs, inspires the play with a slide and rock climbing wall.  While the wall isn't the safest thing for the kids, it's still a fun idea.  The slide would be a fun way to escape a bunk bed, or even as an alternative route into a finished basement.  

This amazing bed, by Amy Wolf Interiors, LLC shows one of my favorite ideas for kids rooms.  A raised bed with a place to play and be a kid under.  This bunk bed shows the idea of a slide as a way to vacate the bed, inspiring fun and play.  When the child grows older, the bed can even be raised, and a desk area can be placed under.  This idea maximizes floor space, which is good in smaller rooms. 

This room, inspired by Cinderella, is a beautiful and inspiring room for any little princess.  

And now for the truly over the top!  How about a pirate ship for your little pirate?  This is an amazing design by Steve Kuhl, that any kid would love to call their own.  [I think most parents would love to call it their own also!] 

Another well done and over the top design fit for any princess.  

Or how about this indoor tree house?  

Now that you have a little inspiration for a great kids room, it's time to go create that amazing inspiring space.  

Shower Doors 101

When looking to get rid of that gross old shower curtain, or perhaps that outdated existing door, you may be overwhelmed by the choices of shower doors.  Do you want a panel and pivot door or a bi-pass door.  Framed, frameless, or semi frameless?  What thickness of glass do you want?  What style of glass will work best?  Then the next question, do you want it installed professionally, or do you want to install it yourself? 
The Shower Door Types:
There are several different styles of tub and shower enclosures, and the type of door that is best for your installation will depend on the opening itself. 

There is the standard bi-pass door where there are two doors that pass each other on a track. Typically the outer door has a towel bar, where the inner door has a simple knob. These doors are generally recommended for openings wider than 60" however do come available as small as 48", as with this style of door, the clear opening is less than half.  These doors are typically easier for the home owner to install themselves, however they can be very tricky, so keep that in mind.  

There are also several pivot options for shower doors, which is a single panel of glass that opens much like any other door in your house, which is typically up to 36" wide.  Pivot doors can also be paired with panels for openings wider than 36"  Also, when the shower is placed in a corner, the panel and door can be placed at an angel to cover both open sides.  Pivot and panel doors are often used in combination when the shower is next to a tub, and the panel needs to be shorter than the door itself. 

This is an example of a custom pivot door with an in line panel as well as a panel placed at a ninety degree angle, which is over the tub.  This shower door is also installed floor to ceiling, which can be used as a steam shower enclosure.  More on that later. 

Frame Styles and Finishes:

When selecting the frame style, budget is a very large thing to consider.  Many home owners think that a frameless door should be less expensive since they aren't paying for a frame.  In fact, it is typically the opposite.  Since there is no frame to support the glass, typically a thicker glass is used for stability, increasing the price.  Below you will see some of the different styles of shower doors and framing options.

This shower door, from Specialized Shower Door and Mirror out of Sacramento shows a frameless style.  Typically, there are two to three hinges on the pivot side of the door, and a small track that the stationary panel rests in.  As you can see, this frameless door is much different than the framed doors you would have seen in the 1980's.  The through glass handle adds a contemporary look, and is easier to clean around.  When remodeling, frameless styles are more favorable because they are easier to keep clean, and are more updated vs. their framed counterparts.  

This Holcam Semi-Frameless door features a frame around the opening, however the shower door doesn't have the overhead header, which is often bulky and difficult to clean.    Depending on the manufacturer, some don't have a frame around the glass panel at all, just the two sides and bottom of the opening itself. The enclosure pictured above is a standard shower pivot, typically under 36" wide, and can typically be installed by the home owner, however they can be difficult so keep that in mind.  

This last framing style, also by Holcam, shows a fully framed bi-pass shower door.  This shower door will typically have a much thinner glass, which is completely surrounded by a frame, as well as the opening completely surrounded.  While these doors are typically the less expensive option in shower doors, they are often the most difficult to keep clean. 

The finishes of shower doors are similar to the finishes of cabinetry hardware, faucets, etc.  You have the standards of Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze, etc.  Check with your provider to see what options they offer.  Companies like Holcam offer quite a selection of additional finishes like white, black, red, ivory, and so much more.  It is best to coordinate with the decor of the room when selecting the hardware.  If you have brushed nickel faucets, cabinet pulls, and lighting fixtures, then it would probably be best to use the same finish in your shower door hardware. 

Glass Styles:
Glass styles in shower doors are again dependant on the specific manufacturer. There are smooth glass types, and textured glass types, there are etched glass types, and other custom designs.  Typically, the design is placed on the outside of the glass, leaving a smooth and easy to clean surface on the interior of the shower for easy squeegeeing and cleaning if you so choose. 

Clear Glass, the most common of glass types.

Obscure Glass

Reeded Glass

Rain Glass

Flemish Glass

Other Decorative Features:
Other custom features are available like chipped top shower doors, that feature a rough cut top that resembles broken glass.  There are also companies that will create custom sand blasted designs into the shower door.  These options are generally only available through professional installation.  Another custom style of door, that is recommended to have professional installation is for steam showers.  This enclosure is a floor to ceiling enclosure, which features a small transom, or horizontally pivoting panel, that is designed to completely enclose the shower to keep the steam contained.