Good design is more than just a pretty face. Combining beauty and function into all your home’s decor and design schemes creates a more cozy and accessible environment for every member of your family. Innovative design features geared towards both comfort and convenience will also increase your home’s overall value. Here are a few tips to consider for your home renovations to ensure daily life more streamlined.

• Easy Reach: Bending, stooping, pulling and pushing — adding these needs to simple tasks like cooking is inefficient and not very ergonomic. Features like pull-out drawers, eye-level shelves and custom closets make things not only more functional, but less cluttered and more visually appealing. Easy accessibility is key.

• Motion-Sensitive Lights: Stumbling around for a light-switch is a pain, especially when your hands are full. Installing motion-sensitive switches will not only save time looking for a way to turn on the light, but save energy as the lights shut off automatically when the room is empty.

• Mood lighting: On the topic of lights, replacing traditional toggle switches with more effective mood lighting will also save time and energy. Dimmer switches are easier to control and offer more energy-efficient options when you need a small dose of light. Introducing overlapping pools of light will create the most beautiful atmosphere within a space – large or small.

• Bathtub and Shower: Many bathrooms come with standard features that may not be useful to you, like the bathtub and shower combination common in most homes. If you find that you never use your bathtub, consider upgrading to a shower with improved features and controls….from steam to multiple sprays and get the spa feel you’ve been dreaming of.

• Door Handles: Door handles are a nuisance when your hands are slippery and you need to get in a room. Remove old doorknobs in favor of more elegant handles that offer increased functionality and are more aesthetically pleasing.

Every home presents unique opportunities for streamlined and elegant design tailored to your lifestyle and needs. If you need some tips on how to add comfort and convenience to your home renovations, I’d love to help! Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. for more information.

Stay Inspired! 

Photo Credits:

1.+2.) Houzz

3.) Pinterest

In this week’s World Tour of Design, lets hop over the pond to the Emerald Isle to take a look at the beautiful design and architecture of Ireland.

Ireland bursts with loads of tradition and culture with an architectural interior design that encompasses many warm and expressive decors. From the quaint thatched roof cottages to the large churches, castles, forts, school houses and even converted lighthouses, Irish design is characterized by an almost whimsical connection to their rich history and a practical grounded connection to the land. With the Gaelic and Celtic cultures, homage is naturally extended to wholesome expressions and strains of Irish religion.

Traditional Celtic knotwork and Irish interlace stand as basic symbols of decor in many Irish homes. The designs are intricate and flow fully around picture frames with traditional pictures of history and family.

Irish linen consists of sophisticated, usually reversible patterns regarded world over for its fine weaves. The unique Jacquard and Damask weaves represent outstanding craftwork found in pillow cases, bed sheets and duvet covers.

Today’s modern country styles rest on rustic backgrounds of the lush, green “Emerald Island” concepts that have characterized rustic Irish life.

The Irish House and Home architectural interior design magazine promotes a look of feminine textures and layered neutrals augmented by emerald green – this year’s shade picked by Pantone. Calm color palettes include whites, neutral grays and soft lavenders with colorful stripes extended to accessories. Kitchen designs appear with urban retro looks that engage vintage furniture and ornate candelabras with attractive untreated wood surfaces.

Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 for help designing your own home with Irish flair.

Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) Realtor.com

2 + 3.) Irish House and Home

4.) Houzz

Last post, I talked about the KBIS and NKBA’s 50th anniversary, but today I’d like to go a little deeper into my actual involvement with the show.  While at KBIS, I gave two presentation, joined a panel discussion, and was even on a radio interview.  It was a busy show, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

My two presentations were organized to introduce the revolutionary new showroom technology from QueX.  This technology allows users to interact with a virtual showroom and virtual home designs to help designers and clients work more efficiently together when planning and creating a design project. It takes out much of the guesswork and the chance for miscommunications by providing a “virtual” face to face between the designer, client and any  major supplier or GC – enhancing the collaboration process.

I was thrilled to be among one of eight designers selected to interpret a home space for different generations; my design assignment was the GenX Kitchen.  We created drawings, concept boards and virtual 3D’s of our designs which were then loaded on to the QueX platform –  allowing us to interact with our audience using the multi-touch display screens.

Our Fabulous Featured Designers: Andie Day, Carmen Christensen, Cheryl Kees Clendenon, Corey Klassen, (me), Meredith Heron, Susan Serra and Tyler Wisler.

Working with QueX technology allows everyone involved to get a full overview of all aspects of the design process, at the same time enhancing the communication between the client and the design team as a whole.

I was also asked by Veronika Miller of Modenus to share some highlights and favorite finds from #BlogTourNYC and the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.  I was joined by other alum from previous Blog Tours: Tamara Stephenson – BlogTour London, Kelly Morisseau – BlogTourNYC, and Brandon Smith – BlogTour Cologne.  They all had some great insights on how to use some of their favorite discoveries as design inspiration.

Finally, I was invited to do a radio interview for MyFixitUpLife.  Mark and Theresa, the hilarious couple behind this helpful website take you on an insiders tour of the home improvement industry.  They hosted three – hour long shows during KBIS and I was lucky enough to get a jam packed 15 minutes with them.  They are so full of life and energy…I could have spoken with them for hours!

I was so glad to have had this opportunity to meet all of these talented people and experience the industry trends and emerging technology.

Stay tuned for more NOLA adventures!

Stay Inspired!

After returning from the exciting #BlogTourNYC event and The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show also known as KBIS, I was able to see some emerging trends and new products in the industry and enjoyed the opportunity to spend time and exchange ideas with the incredibly talented designers.  The National Kitchen and Bath Association, which was also a Sponsor of #BlogTourNYC, has outdone itself with KBIS 2013, and with good reason: this year marks the NKBA’s 50th anniversary - and they are celebrating in NOLA!

NKBA began as the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers in 1963, intended as an organization to help designers, builders, and other industry professionals communicate and learn from each other.  In the past 50 years, they have grown to an organization of nearly 60,000 members while still staying true to their original goal.

In fact, thanks to KBIS and the NKBA I was among eight designers invited to the show to design and present various spaces geared to a specific demographic using a new interactive and experiential platform called QueX Technology.  (More on that in my next post).

Consumer education is a major goal of the NKBA, and one of the points they have stressed through the BlogTour is that they want consumers to understand the true value of working with a design professional.  With the increasingly easy access to design resources like Houzz, HGTV, and even blogs like this one, the DIY trend has blossomed among homeowners who want to create a whole new look for the home.  If you have a strong grasp on color theory and psychology, small home upgrades like painting are pretty straightforward, but there are numerous small and subtle factors that affect what works and what doesn’t work within a space.

The trained design professional, especially one with extensive experience, has encountered these challenges and caveats and knows how to work within a space making it the best it can be.  A picture of your dream kitchen online or in a magazine is incredibly inspiring, but a trained designer will guide and execute all the elements of the project customizing that design – geared specifically for their client.  This ultimately creates a truly successful project -while saving you time-money-and stress!

Stay tuned for more information from the KBIS show and the Design Studio work I did there!

Photo Credits:

1.) KBIS

2.) NKBA

After the breakfast at the Poggenpohl showroom in the beginning of #BlogTourNYC we were able to make our way through the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, Jenn-Air, another sponsor of the tour had a huge presence at the show.

I spent some time in the Jenn-Air booth looking at the variety of top-of-the-line appliances on display, which included some beautiful wall ovens and a stunning, slightly arced stainless steel downdraft hood that retracted back into the countertop when not being used.

The Jenn-Air Accolade downdraft vent combines exquisite style and innovation.  It is constructed of glass and stainless steel, and when operational, the glass panel washes LED lighting over the cooking surface.  The hidden controls help contribute to its sleek and modern design.

Seeing all these luxury Jenn-Air appliances took me back to my childhood for a moment, remembering when my parents remodeled the kitchen of our home back in the mid-70′s.  As a part of the renovation, they installed the Jenn-Air  indoor barbecue.  Not the most popular appliance to add into a kitchen then, but growing up in Winnipeg Canada where the sub zero temperatures  would plummet to 40 degrees below zero on any winter day, I guess you could say that barbecuing indoors was a way for us to extend our very short summer season – or so we believed.

Well Jenn-Air has come a long way since then.

They displayed several luxury specialty appliances at the show, including a wine cooler and their new built-in coffee maker.  Incorporating a few of these innovative appliances into your kitchen renovation will set your kitchen apart from the rest…just like the barbecue my parents installed into our family kitchen just a few years ago.  .

Jenn-Air is a highly respected company for luxury appliances and their products have been featured in many prominent kitchen designs, including the House Beautiful kitchen I mentioned in my last post.  At the show, they not only had their booth, they also showcased their appliances Jenn-Air Master Class Culinary stage, where they sponsored a series of Master Class Studio seminars.  All told, it was an incredible experience to see the new products and innovations coming from Jenn-Air!

Thank you Modenus and the #BlogTourNYC Sponsors Poggenpohl, Blanco, Silestone, Miele, Mr. Steam, Du Verre, Barber Wilsons, Jenn Air, Victoria + Albert Baths, NKBA

Stay Inspired!

Fourth Photo via House Beautiful

If Downton Abbey still has you in its grips, you will love this next #BlogTourNYC Sponsor!  England-based Barber Wilsons & Co. is a creator of fine plumbing fixtures in gorgeous traditional British style.

Barber Wilsons & Co.’s luxury plumbing fixtures are designed for everything from kitchen and bathroom sinks to showers, tubs, and bidets, all in a variety of traditional designs.  To complete the collection, they also have accessories like lever handles and bath plugs to match.  One of their finest features is a Mastercraft styled thermostatic shower valve, which provides the ultimate control over your shower’s temperature.

This company is the oldest water fittings company in the UK, having been around for more than a hundred years.  They have had plenty of time to perfect their craft and design plumbing fixtures fit for a queen– literally!

In addition to a long and prestigious history, Barber Wilsons & Co. holds a Royal warrant from Her Majesty the Queen of England for at least five years of supplying superb goods or services to her.  The tradition of Royal warrants has been around since the Middle Ages to formally recognize excellent service to the Royal family, and it has very strict guidelines that must be met in order for a business to achieve and keep such an honor.

If you love the traditional style and want fixtures fit for a queen, incorporate these exquisite fittings from Barber Wilsons & Co. into your next bathroom renovation project.  Share your thoughts on these beautiful fittings in the comments below!

Image 1: Barber Wilsons & Co.

Image  2:  Elle Decor

Image 3: Modenus

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In my last two posts, I discussed two of the three sponsors present at the media breakfast I enjoyed on my first day on the #BlogtourNYC, which took place in the showroom of our third sponsor: Poggenpohl.  Poggenpohl is a German kitchen design company that has been truly revolutionary in the past 120 years – they’re even responsible for introducing the concept of the kitchen island, proving they are driven by innovation.

Poggenpohl now offers the largest range of color and material choices with an emphasis on natural walnut and ash heartwood  cabinet fronts. Blending these wooden fronts with their new neutrals in colors of white, sand and grey creates a new modern aesthetic proving that modern design can be interesting, warm and inviting.

Recently, Poggenpohl partnered with Hearst Publishing’s Designer Visions Showhouse to create unique kitchens that were designed to reflect the styles of three well-known design magazines: Elle Decor, Veranda, and House Beautiful.  With the help of two other #BlogTourNYC sponsors, Jenn-Air and Silestone, and designers Matthew Patrick Smyth, Antony Todd and David Rockwell, they were able to create three truly dreamy kitchens.  My favorite tile source Ann Sacks were also a partnered in this Showhouse.

In the Elle Decor kitchen, light sand-colored Poggenpohl cabinetry with contemporary pulls contrasts against a large, stormy Ann Sacks tile backsplash and rich gray Silestone countertops.  The effect is modern, sleek, and delicate mixture of masculine and feminine aesthetics.

In the Veranda kitchen, the presence of two large windows flooded the kitchen with light, allowing the designer to choose Poggenpohl cabinets in a moody gray with beautiful violet undertones.  Mirrored tile (one of my favorites) from Ann Sacks reflect the light from the windows, helping to create a brighter, larger-looking kitchen.

The House Beautiful kitchen has a lot of energy in its design, largely a result of the distinct horizontal grain in the Poggenpohl cabinetry chosen.  A mid-tone gray tile covers the back wall, while a light neutral Silestone countertop works with the light tones of the cabinets to create an airy and cheerful kitchen space.

Last year, Poggenpohl celebrated its 120th anniversary, making it the oldest kitchen innovator in the world.  They continue their legacy with cutting-edge design and an eye to the future, an approach that is bound to lead them through another successful 120 years!  I want to thank them for their sponsorship at this wonderful event, and I look forward to seeing more innovative design from them!

Many thanks to the  #BlogTourNYC Sponsors Poggenpohl, Silestone and Jenn Air.

Stay Inspired!

Photo credits:

1.) Quintessence

2.) Elle Decor

3.) Veranda

4.) House Beautiful

5.) Lori Gilder

Silestone by Cosentino was another of the generous #BlogTourNYC sponsors who was present at our welcome breakfast on the first day of the tour.  In addition to being a sponsor on the Modenus Blog Tour, Silestone is the manufacturer of a brilliant original compound of the same name, made with natural quartz featuring bacteriostatic protection.  For this reason, Silestone is an ideal material for kitchen countertops and bathrooms thanks to its completely unique antibacterial compound.

At the breakfast we had the chance to enjoy a presentation by the company’s Vice President of Marketing, Lorenzo Marquez.  He was proudly introducing a new line of neutral colors available for the Silestone collection.  Called the “Nebula Series,” this group of six new neutrals is inspired by nebulae, the cosmic clouds of gas from which stars are born.  These colors are beautifully subtle, with quiet veining that creates a sense of depth similar to looking into the night sky, especially the Doradus color.  Each color includes the standard features of Silestone products, including a non-porous, antibacterial surface with a high level of durability.  Take a look at this design featuring the Altair color:

What I was most excited about, however, was the introduction of the new White Zeus Extreme surface.  White countertops have always been a favorite of mine, and I’m not alone- so many of my clients have pined after them too!  White Zeus Extreme takes white countertops to a whole new level, offering the whitest white available on the market.  This surface is ideal for modern, transitional and traditional kitchens and bath designs and compliments stainless appliances beautifully.  Sleek and simple or  or distinctively detailed, just vary the edge style to suit your design aesthetic and you’ll have the perfect surface for your countertops.

When contrasted with black appliances and details, your kitchen takes on instant drama and sophistication: absolutely beautiful!

Some homeowners tend to shy away from white counters fearing they may be more difficult to maintain and keep clean, especially those as bright as White Zeus Extreme.  The joy of Silestone, however, is that its non-porous surface requires very little maintenance to keep its beauty.  In addition to its natural durability and antibacterial properties, Silestone doesn’t require sealant like natural stone countertops.

Between their low-maintenance features and wide variety of colors (in addition to the new neutrals they’ve just released!) the possibilities are endless!  This material is so versatile, I can’t think of a design where I couldn’t use it!

Be sure to stay tuned for more updates from the Blog Tour!

Stay Inspired!

Image 1: Lori Gilder

Images 2,3,4,5 : Silestone

Blog Tour was one of the most incredible and inspiring design experiences I’ve had the privilege to enjoy.

Day 1 began with a welcome breakfast at the Poggenpohl Showroom hosted by #BlogTourNYC sponsors Poggenpohl, Blanco and Silestone.

Blanco, the German manufacturer and leading innovator in luxury sink and faucet design, is known for its elegant and cutting-edge fixtures….which is exactly what we witnessed first hand!  The ALTA^™ Compact faucets were proudly showcased front and center – displaying each new color and finish for all to see.

Color finishes include: Anthracite, Biscotti, Cafe Brown, Cinder, Truffle, White, Chrome and Satin Nickel.

This modern and sleekly geometric fixture is ideal for any classic,contemporary or transitional style kitchen.  Its compact design will also work perfectly within a butler’s pantry or for a wet bar, secondary sink or laundry room. This latest collection of faucets is designed with “real living” in mind.  They use less water, are highly durable and easily maintained which has universal appeal,  covering all demographics and lifestyles.

Did I mention that the Alta Faucet swivels 120 degrees and pulls out to provide its dual spray feature?  How’s that for flexibility?

The Alta Faucet isn’t just for compact sinks or spaces however.  Take a look at the image below.  It also compliments the generously sized architectural MODEX kitchen sink workstation – illustrating just how versatile this faucet really is.

From the showroom floor we had the privilege of hearing from Christy Emens, the Social Media Manager of Blanco America. She had plenty of insights to share into the award winning MODEX workstation sink and the new neutrals, specifically – the  SILGRANIT II – color Cinder. With a blend of gray, black and brown this new color integrates seemlessly into any countertop style.  Best of all it is resistant to fading, scratching and staining and will maintain its timeless beauty for years to come. A Modern Classic!

Now, if you want to go bold with a faucet for this sink, the Blanco Culina Semi-Professional clearly makes a statement!  Its tall and elegantly curving design features a flexible coiled steel spring spout, held in place by a magnetic holder.  It also has a dual spray feature and a water saving model available, which is perfect for the professional kitchens and the serious household chef.

Check back for more updates and information about the exciting home design products featured at #BlogtourNYC

To be continued…

Many thanks to the Modenus BlogtourNYC sponsors Poggenpohl, Blanco, Silestone by Cosentino, Miele, Mr. Steam, Du Verre, Victoria + Albert, Barber Wilsons, Jenn Air and NKBA!

Images 1 + 4: Lori Gilder

Images 2+3: Blanco

Stay Inspired!

It’s hard to believe that just over a week ago we were welcomed to BlogTour Sponsor Miele‘s, stunning Manhattan Gallery where they hosted the most fabulous dinner party for Modenus and #BlogTourNYC. The culinary feast was prepared by Chef Joey Campanaro from Little Owl using Miele’s own working kitchen of course.  It was a “brilliant” way to end to our first full day of events and without a doubt was a true highlight of #BlogTourNYC.

A huge thank you to our generous Sponsor for a night to remember.

Now on to the show!

Miele continues to be a leader in both innovation and technology – and most recently launched its Combi-Steam Oven at the Architectural Digest Home Show.  This all-in-one oven brings cooking and baking to a new level by combining the art of steam and convection technology into one powerful appliance.  It is the ideal environment for baking, roasting and broiling –  at the same time adding moisture and enhancing the natural flavors of any recipe.

Miele pioneered steam oven technology over ten years ago and has now perfected it by designing this state-of-the-art combi-oven which effortlessly integrates into any kitchen design style. With a little help from Miele you will become best chef in your neighborhood!

Take a peek at this video to see how it works:

The Miele Booth at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show clearly illustrates how these stainless Combi-Steam appliances can easily blend into a more rustic design aesthetic.

Featured on the opposite side of this display was the the new collection called Brilliant White Plus. While over the years stainless steel appliances have become the new standard appliance in kitchen design, many designers and homeowners alike have been eagerly sourcing new colors and finish trends to implement into their projects – putting their personal stamp on style.

The sleek, stylized and sophisticated Brilliant White Plus Series offers just that.

Miele’s integrated appliance options from crisp white wall ovens to coffee systems have finally made it to this side of the pond. What makes this collection so brilliant and unique is that it is faced with a layer of glass which is impervious to stains, incredibly easy to clean and reflects natural light throughout the space.

White kitchens are crisp, clean and stand the test of time. This Brilliant White Plus Collection will integrate seamlessly in to any transitional, contemporary, modern or industrial kitchen design.  Isn’t it time to incorporate some Brilliant White into your dream kitchen?

Thank you Miele and Modenus for an experience of a lifetime!

Photo Credits:

1. Lori Gilder   2. Courtney Price Photography

3 + 4: Oleg March Photography

5 +6 Miele

Stay Inspired!