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!

If you take the time and energy to plan a home renovation, make sure it is designed to last.  While new paint and accessories are a great way to update a space with a fresh new look, more extensive architectural interior design changes should be made with an eye toward the future.

Answering a few important questions about how you really live will help you develop important design decisions and features within your home. Considering your future plans for more children, an aging parent or a returning college student will help guide your design strategy to add functionality, expand, or repurpose rooms. Looking forward and anticipating the long-term needs of your family will help you enjoy your home and neighborhood for years to come.

It goes without saying that home with a bonus room or a basement is the ideal spot for a children’s playroom- but design it with some flexibility in mind.  Once the children have grown out of that “playroom” the space should easily be repurposed and used as a home office for homework and provide those teens (and parents) with a great living space to hang out with family and friends. If that space includes a full bath…then you’re well on the way to transforming it into a suite for returning college students.

Always invest in the highest quality materials and furnishings your budget will allow!. Avoid trendy items and fads that will undoubtedly become outdated. Instead, purchase quality pieces that get better with age. Investing in quality furniture with classic lines will stand the test of time. And when it comes to colors, select a foundation of neutral on the big ticket items which are then be easily updated with interchangeable accessories in highlighting colors and patterns.

Designing a home to last a lifetime can help homeowners create the ideal spaces to raise children and enjoy their retirement years. For more tips for designing a timeless interior, contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. by calling 310-788-0990. I’d also be thrilled to hear about your future plans for your home on Facebook!

 Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) Windsor Smith

2.)  Barbara Barry

3.) Apartment Therapy

One of my current renovation projects is an exciting kitchen renovation.  We will be expanding the size of the kitchen by relocating an adjacent laundry room and utilizing that extra square footage to create a highly functional and extremely beautiful new kitchen.

In order to keep the design feeling focused and purposeful, we had to choose a focal point for the kitchen.  The focal point is the first place to which the eye is drawn when it enters a room, and it acts as an anchor for the rest of the design.  For this kitchen renovation, we are incorporating custom range hood, which will also provide instant character to this space.

 Designer: Linda McDougald                                Photo: Rachael Boling

In recent years, the range hood has evolved from the functional-but-boring feature of the kitchen into a beautifully designed focal point that can really enhance the entire style of the kitchen.  Custom range hoods still provide the very necessary function of  ventilation by removing odors and moisture from the home to improve your air quality, but they do so with an artful touch.  From stainless steel, zinc,  perwter or bronze, these range hoods can be customized to blend seamlessly into any kitchen design, and tend to steal the show by becoming the focal point of the entire kitchen.  This is our goal with this current kitchen renovation project.

Here is the new floor plan for the kitchen renovation:

As you can see, the site lines in this spacious kitchen instantly draw your eyes to the centrally located range.  It is now easily visible from the entryway as well as from the built-in banquette, where the family will spend much of their time gathering and cozying in for those gourmet meals.

Here is an elevation that shows the view of the proposed zinc/stainless barrel shaped range hood:

The size of the range hood will undoubtedly complement the new kitchen design and make an impressive statement in the room.

If you’re interested in adding a custom range hood to your kitchen, there are some excellent resources on both the East and the West coast.  It also helps to have the assistance of a professional designer when making design decisions as big as this one, so please feel free to contact me by calling 310-788-0990 or emailing Lori@InteriorMakeovers.com.

Custom Range Hood Designed by Linda McDougald, Photo by Rachael Boling

When redesigning and redecorating a home, it’s inevitable that certain challenges and restrictions will crop up during the process.  In some ways, designing a home from nothing can be a lot more straightforward than redesigning a home around existing features, especially when the homeowner is particularly attached to one or more of these features.  Solving these challenges is always an exciting exercise in creativity for a designer.

As an example, I am currently working on redesigning a kitchen for a client as a part of an entire home redesign.  The challenge with the kitchen redesign comes from one of its largest features: the countertops.  The client already has gorgeous countertops created from an exotic, distinct, and exclusive granite called Sodalite Blue Granite, and she is understandably very attached to these countertops.  For this reason, the kitchen cannot be entirely re-planned or replaced, and we are limited to the existing framework.

Because the Sodalite Blue Granite countertops are so distinct and colorful, sourcing wood for the new kitchen cabinets that will compliment the counters is our greatest challenge.  To add to the challenge, the client does not like the appearance of molded doors and feels as though flat doors are too plain for her.

To compliment the cool tones of the Sodalite Blue Granite, we are sourcing wood with warm tones in their finishes.  We’ve chosen a range of options for our client to consider, from a bright and cheerful Beech to a deep and elegant Wenge.  The wood chosen for the cabinets can set the tone for the entire kitchen and help guide the remainder of the redesign and redecorating process.

As for the style of the cabinet doors, we are compromising between the more ornate molded doors and a plain flat door by offering the options of adding a slight beveled or routered edge.  This addition will add visual interest to the appearance of the doors while still avoiding the look of molded doors that the client dislikes.

Which wood would you choose to pair with the Sodalite Blue Granite?  We’d love to hear your opinions in the comments!

After weeks of demo and the rough stages we are so thrilled to have finally entered the drywall phase of this renovation.  All the framing, plumbing and electrical revisions have been completed, inspected and approved.  Thankfully we have graduated from the rough stage and are moving on to the finish phase of this master bath renovation.

Things should move along rather quickly from this point forward (or so my client hopes), as the trades prepare for the installation of the exquisite tiles, stone, cabinetry, fixtures and fittings.  Expert preparation on each and every surface is imperative.  We have some unique and specialized materials specified for this nature inspired master bath.  All of which require ideal surface conditions and expert installation techniques to ensure these products shine.

Looking forward to the tile installation coming up next week.

Last post I mentioned our onsite “shear wall” issue and how it seemed to hinder the sizing of our windows and limited the amount of natural light be filtered into the space.  So we “skooched” (a highly technical term) the inner windows slightly to accommodate one more window of equal size – and equally spaced – therefore only needing to re-frame and order one more window of the same size.

 Unfortunately from our last site meeting to this one – the pony wall (which was originally framed 8” too high) was not lowered to the correct height.  Always stay on top of your plans…..have everything documented and double check everything on site!

Here is an exterior view of the beach home with the newly framed windows along the left side.

To Be Continued……..

Stay Inpired!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2012 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

During a renovation take the time and give your home the TLC it REALLY needs…..watch this video and get a better idea of what I mean.

Stay Inspired!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2012 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Many of my clients WISH that a simple add on could be just that.  But the truth is even a small addition requires precision planning.  Take a peek at this video for some insight.

Stay Inspired!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2012 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Creating a functional, inviting and comfortable living experience is easily achieved when decisions are made based on function and quality.  Implementing sensible design principles with a focus on comfort and practicality will win out every time. My best advice…invest in what you really love,  purchase quality pieces and paint your canvas over time.

Stay Inspired!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2012 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

When it comes to your home renovation, addition or remodel, selecting the type and style of windows will be one of the most important architectural details you’ll choose.  Take the time and choose your windows wisely to ensure they work with your home’s architectural style.

Here in California according to the building energy efficiency code (or Title 24) the use of dual pane windows are typically required  not just for new construction but renovations and additions alike.

In this video I share a few simple reasons why you should invest in dual pane windows.  Take a look!

Stay Inspired!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2012 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

We all need a place to decompress and escape from the stresses of the day.  So why not pamper yourself in a luxurious Master Bath Retreat.  Whether your bathroom is extremely spacious or charmingly quaint, adding a little of that hotel luxury could be exactly what the Doctor ordered.    In this video I explain the trend in bathrooms right now. Have you been seeing this as well?

Stay Inspired!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2012 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.