Posts

Live Beautifully Organized

/in , /by

As a residential holistic design firm, we can help you enhance every area of your home with elegant interior design solutions. A key piece to incorporate in a luxurious living experience is innovative storage and organization methods in your environment. The idea and function of the home has changed in recent months. Are there areas that need a little refresh or that could better serve you and your loved ones? The holiday season will come to a close soon, and how and where you store your décor does not have to be a chore. A New Year full of new plans is about to be underway, and there is no better time than now to evaluate your current home storage situation. Transitioning your home for each season can be seamless and comfortable with custom cabinetry and built-ins.

Fabulously Functional

Custom cabinetry and built-in carpentry can be functional and fabulous. Alleviating your home of clutter will encourage productivity and increase energy to enhance the lives of all who dwell in the space. These types of design elements demand attention. Custom made products and furniture mean more, not just to the people who live in the house but for those who visit–not to mention they also increase the value of your home. Having something made especially for you and your family’s needs is the kind of personalization everyone can appreciate and should enjoy.

Live Beautifully Organized

Showcase what is essential in your life with custom cabinetry. For the kitchen cabinets, it could be your fine china or priceless glassware. In your home office, you could display your collection of books or classic vinyls that help give your interiors personality. Turn what you treasure into a statement piece to be admired.

Fabulously Functional

Two Kinds of Problems

In our experience, we have come across two types of storage problems.

  1. You don’t have as much storage as you would like
  2. The storage available is not working for you as it should

Another side to how and where you keep items tidy could depend on what you use daily versus what you use seasonally. Supplies you and your family utilize daily will need to be easily accessible to where there is little disruption in obtaining them, going about your day, and returning them back to their home. While season décor can be tucked away in a safe place, you won’t need access to every day.

Custom built-ins can add storage to numerous rooms in your home, like your closet or mudroom. They can also make organizing clothing items or other personal articles more visible and accessible. Built-ins can also hide those homey things we know we all use but would instead have tucked away when guests arrive.

Custom Cabinets Home Design

Make Your Storage Work For You

Bringing custom cabinetry and built-ins to your home will bring the necessary storage to your kitchen, closets, laundry room, and garage. With these design elements’ versatility, you can convert any space into a functional and soothing retreat. Carve out the space you need and make it work to maximize your home’s square footage for relaxation and entertaining.

Do you have lower cabinets that are a dark deep abyss where you cannot find or easily reach what you are looking for? You can make those deep wells easier to use with custom pullout shelves and drawers. Creative configuration can also improve ease of use around plumbing or support beams while providing effortless living. Can you feel the Zen mood we are creating here?

Organized Storage Solutions

Change Your Ways

With each change in season comes life anew. Make the transition between the seasons effortless by keeping your belongings things arranged perfectly. Year-round decorating is a breeze with these easy tips. For those larger pieces of furniture and feature items in your home, stay in the neutral zone of color and layer in your décor from there. Having a neutral base to build off of will lend your interiors to all the seasons.

Create a more inviting window seat by placing luxurious pillows and something to read for the next passersby to take a break. If you have a mudroom equipped with cubbies, let your loved ones organize themselves so they can grab and go on their way out the door. If it’s springtime, help them along by keeping their raincoat or rain shoes handy.

For your living room, switch out those dark bulky pillows and throws for items that speak to a lighter and brighter time of year. In the bedroom, remove the cozier blankets for crisp white duvets and linens to keep everyone covered and cool. Replacing curtains and throws to lightweight cotton or linen are quick and easy updates that allow for lighter and breezier air to flow through indoors.

Change the way you see your interiors and especially the storage features of your home. We have the expertise and know-how to make your custom cabinetry and built-ins work for you and your home. Living well in your domain is what it’s all about, after all. Connect with us and let us help you invigorate your interiors with the latest and greatest in storage solutions.

Custom Home Design

Blurred Lines

/in /by

Written by Cristie Schlosser

As I draw close to the completion of my own project, it has never been clearer to me how the industry and disciplines fit together. The past two years, I’ve been both the client and the Interior Designer. Of course, my husband Rodney is the real client, but I’ve chosen to play that role as well. My goal, when Rodney suggested we “build,” was to put together a “team” that could collaborate to design the home we plan to live in for the next phase of our lives together. Not only would this “team” collaborate, but also to have others to bounce my thoughts and ideas off of and get professional feedback was critical. I’ve enjoyed the process. I’m anxious for the completion and the results. I believe my shortcomings have challenged me to change the way I work, to improve my process, and to rise to a new level of expertise. I have come a long way, but have much further to go. I am a perfectionist to some degree – always thinking I can do better.

The blurred lines became apparent to me in multiple ways. Not only am I am the client and the interior designer, but I usually work on behalf of the homeowner to manage the contractor. I am also the project manager placing orders and following up on deliveries – in new construction this in normally done by the contractor. I am used to working with my own trades, many of which in this case our contractor uses. Funny thing is I had no prior experience with the architects or the contractor. In some ways, the blurred lines worked to our advantage. In other ways, it has been more difficult for the architects, the contractor, and me; but most importantly, I really enjoyed designing with this team. Putting all typical home building frustrations aside, I know we will be pleased with the outcome.

For as long as the industry has existed, there have been blurred lines between registered Architects (RA) and registered Interior Designers (RID). Both are creative and have vision. Both create design drawings and stamp drawings for construction purposes. RAs and RIDs can create lighting, plumbing, and electrical plans.

They can space plan and layout the flow and interior non-load barring walls of a structure. Both can specify finish materials, cabinet details, and interior millwork. Both can complete a built space with furniture and decoration.

So what’s the difference? Each discipline specializes in their specific area of expertise, which requires rigorous education, apprentice work, and intensive board testing. An architect’s area of expertise is the building systems and how the structure is melded into the environment. An interior designer’s area of expertise is a psychological examination of human nature and needs as they are affected by the built environment.

So where do contractors and designers (non-registered) fit into the picture? Contractors execute the design vision as it pertains to construction, and designers adorn and beautify spaces that require no building modifications. There is no education requirement, licensing, or maintenance of continuing education. There is no ruling body mandating regulations. There are great contractors who are very responsible and run impressive operations. Generally, these contractors are members of organizations that require CEUs and have certified programs. NARI is an example of such an organization. Some contractors are as naturally talented as some RAs and RIDs. Decorators who call themselves interior designers don’t quite understand the meaning of the term. They aren’t trying to mislead; they simply don’t realize what the big deal is. There are plenty of non-qualified talented designers whose experience counts. However, there are plenty that don’t know what the codes are, or how to resolve construction complications. Their role is to make selections that beautify the interiors. That’s just plain decorating.

So you get the idea now; there are plenty of people vying for your business. How do you know whom to choose? It certainly depends on your project, but the best results come from a collaborative effort. Respect between the disciplines and working together to create your dream home or office. Starting with your design team will lead you down the right path and through the process that flushes out the options and creates a unique space for you.