Contemporary Style For Beginners

In our hectic world of clutter and noise sometimes it is nice to find a spot where you can unwind and relax the senses. By simply fine tuning your design style – that place could be your home.  In today’s over stressed world, the contemporary style is being favored for its uncluttered easy comfort. The minimalist design allows home owners to surround themselves with the comforts they enjoy without all the clutter.

By focusing on a few of the basics; colors, hardware and furnishings – you can transform your home, a single room or your office into a clutter free relaxation zone.

THE COLORS:

Contemporary interiors often use a tone-on-tone color palettes. The style relies on gentler colors such as taupe, browns, creams or white. Blending taupe and brown or different shades of white with cream results in a monochromatic  calming design. Rooms or even entire homes can be painted in one pallet and accented by color in floor rugs, lamps or art work.

THE HARDWARE:

Contemporary style is all about clean lines and clean finishes. The door levers, cabinet hardware, hinges and other hardware accessories should include both simple lines  and clean finishes. To achieve this, contemporary door hardware finishes are best in a polished chrome or nickel finish.  When choosing the design style of hardware – think minimalistic – straight European bar levers for door handles and European bar pulls for cabinet hardware is always a good choice.

THE FURNISHINGS:

Furniture should feature clean lines and smooth surfaces. When it comes to material for furniture pretty much anything goes – from plastics to marble, light wood to frosted glass, or steel to plywood – contemporary furniture is minimalistic, geometric and comfortable – and of any type of substance.  Comfort and function should be your main consideration when choosing your contemporary furniture.

So, if you are looking for a style that is comfortable and uncluttered focus on the colors, the hardware and the furnishings – making just a few changes can really change how your space looks and maybe how you feel!

 

 

Cabinet Hardware Design Ideas

Updating your cabinet hardware is an easy and inexpensive way to give your kitchen or bathroom a quick spruce up. Many people get caught up in the hows and whats of cabinet and knob matching. Just remember when updating your kitchen or bathroom cabinets – choose what you like. Pretty much anything goes nowadays. If you are still stuck and not sure how to transition your old to new – here are some design ideas.

Modernfantasitc:

For those of us with a kitchen full of dark or dated cabinets, a change of hardware can easily transition them to a contemporary look. Try adding Euro style stainless steel bar pulls and watch the transformation. It is a fantastic look and a very simply and inexpensive way to pull your kitchen out of the dark ages!

Raise A Glass:

The contrast between glass cabinet knobs and wooden cabinets has most seen a popularity boost of late. Handcrafted glass cabinetry is delicate and designer friendly – but it is also durable – which is why it is showing up in kitchens more and more often. The design choices with glass knobs is endless – from hand painted floral designs to intricately cut solid pieces – glass give you tons of choice.

Set A Trend:

The simplest kitchen update can be achieved by mixing modern shapes for upper cabinets with more traditional versions in a similar finish for the lower ones. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the cabinet box here! Try bin pulls matched with thin pulls

, try double knobs instead of a pull. Mix up the style, the finish and the shape of your cabinet knobs and see what a great result you can achieve!

Shimmer and Shine:

Show off your shimmy and shake by bringing some bling to your cabinets and furniture. Glitter infused glass knobs or sparkly gold lament cabinet knobs are perfect in bathrooms and on restored cabinets. The glitter and gold liven up warm wood tones and with a rich shine and really add some vibe to black furniture!

So be inspired, get motivated, take some design chances and spruce up your kitchen and bathroom with new cabinet hardware!

 

 

Inside Lifestyles of the Rich and Extravagant: Some of the most expensive home interiors

One of my favorite older(ish) shows was MTV Cribs. Most of the time I had no idea who the “celebrities” were that they were showcasing – but it was so interesting taking a peek inside their extravagant homes.The over-the-top home interiors, the “must haves” in the kitchen and bathroom were always so amazing. Things I had never heard of or considered in kitchen design seemed standard in most of the houses.
So, the voyeur in me decided to look at a half dozen things that are found in some of the most lavish homes in the world.

Home on the Range

Unfortunately it doesn’t cook for you, but with a price tag of $50,000 – you think it would. The range has both electric and gas ovens, two hot plates, four large brass burners and a stainless steel top. Customizing this baby is not a problem – you can opt for lava rock (I have no idea why), induction plate and even a teppanyaki grill (I assume that’s for Japanese cuisine). Is it me or do you think those that can afford this are likely not doing the family cooking?

Pimp My Fridge!

With 7000 Swarovski crystals embedded on its face – this fridge-freezer combo is sure to catch your attention. One of the most expensive refrigerators in the world at $15,800, this appliance not only cools and freezes – it sparkles! I wonder if milk tastes better when it has been crystal cooled?

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Okay, so this isn’t your mother’s kitchen faucet- in looks or in the price tag. The modern design of this faucet is supposed to mimic the free flow of water – while the price tag of over $45,000 is mind bending. Quick to defend the cost, the manufacturer points out that this is not just a faucet – it is a water system. There is an under the counter water filtration tank that directs hot and cold water from different pipes and other bells and whistles that make it one of the worlds most expensive faucets. Geesh, I didn’t know all that…the $45,000 makes perfect sense now!

Just A Little Something Something for the Broom Closet

Surely even the rich make messes – right? Well what better way to tidy up your expensive mess than with the worlds most expensive vacuum cleaner? You might be thinking…hey I vacuum, how much will this set me back? Well, how about $1,000,000? Yes, you are reading that correctly – six zeros. One Million. That’s in dollars. One million dollars for a vacuum cleaner. One and then six zeros – in dollars.

So with the price out of the way, lets review its features. The vacuum offers different modes of cleaning, a wide nozzle, an over-sized vacuum bag for larger messes and powerful motors for maximized airflow! Yup, this 24k gold plated vacuum is yours for the taking. Did I mention it is ONE MILLION DOLLARS?

What The???

Okay, lets play a game. What is this? A bug zapper? A kitchen appliance? A shelf? A device used in torture? Nope, nope, nope and nope! How about the worlds most expensive bed. Yup, that’s right – a bed. Looks cozy doesn’t it? Well this magnetic supported, tethered to the ground platform bed took seven years to design and comes with the whopping price tag of 1.6 million dollars! I’ll take one. Just a quick question – I am going to run to Target for the linens – will I need a king or queen set?

Water Sculpture

This hard to miss bathtub is touted as a bathtub and a water sculpture. The tub was actually carved from one chunk of rock that took almost three months to excavate from the Amazon rainforest – which I think is really cool. I just keep thinking that if I had this tub I would make my friends watch me bathe in my tub and I would discuss the $850,000 price tag of my fine crystal tub. I would tell them how I bought it and they don’t have one and they can never ever own one because mine is one of a kind. I would tell them how my  tub was excavated from the Amazon rainforest and their tub wasn’t and that my tub is the worlds most expensive tub. I would tell them that not only is my tub a tub, it is also a water sculpture in the center of my bathroom!

Okay….wait a second…..maybe I am not cut out for being rich. I might be a bit obnoxious!

Making Cabinets Furniture

 

 

It hasn’t been long since cabinets were only found in the bathroom and kitchen and used simply as a basic necessity to hide our goods and clutter!

Now cabinets have extended all over the house finding their way into dens, offices, laundry rooms, children’s rooms, play areas, hall areas and even replacing traditional dining furniture.  Cabinets have become part of the homes design and not just for function but in many cases cabinets are becoming the room’s focal point.

Drop zone areas in the laundry, hall and entry ways are a great example of marrying function and design. Often these cabinet, bench and shelving areas are designed with function in mind, but become beautiful designer showpieces.

As cabinets become part of the interior design throughout the home, the cabinet consumer has become more knowledgeable about their wants and needs. Cabinet vendors are seeing savvy consumers opt for the furniture grade cabinets which perform at a high level. They want self closing under mount drawer slides, soft close European hinges, and all the other small details that make a cabinet more appealing.

Homeowner really  are seeking more from their cabinets and these demands are being met with options such as slide out towel bars, pull down shelves and pull out waste cans. Hiding toys, refrigerators, recycling and laundry baskets – cabinets are no longer being used for bathroom and kitchen storage they are blending function and design all over the house!

Find your Kitchen Jewels!

Ahhh…the kitchen! Not just the heart of the home, but the pulse, the beat, and often times the backbone. The kitchen is the place where we spend most of our time, the place which gets the most scrutiny from potential buyers and the place where remodeling projects abound!

But remodeling your kitchen can be costly and disruptive. With money tight who can afford a whole new kitchen make over? Well here is an idea…instead of a make over – how about an accessory change?

Think of your cabinet and drawer knobs and pulls as earrings and necklaces for your cabinets! Inexpensive cabinet hardware is easy to replace and just like that perfect necklace or ring…it changes the whole look!

New accessories always make us feel better! So find that perfect handle or knob and update your kitchen…keep its heartbeat going!

Remodeling a Kitchen on a Budget

Paint

Think beyond the norm and go for cutting-edge colors in the kitchen. According to color experts at Sherwin Williams, the number one kitchen color trend is mixing colors for contrast. Nature-themed hues such as green and brown are a popular combination. Ethnic colors such as reds and purples are also popular and a more modern look can be achieved by contrasting earth tones with bright bursts of color. Visit the Pantone website for cutting edge color inspiration. Pantone is the company that sets color trends for fashion and home industries worldwide.

New Fixtures

Premier 120157 Wellington Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet

Adding contemporary fixtures can be a quick and economical way to add style to a dated kitchen without breaking a sweat. Replace old faucets with new, designer versions; for a dramatic effect, choose faucets that come directly out of the walls. Replace your sink basin to match the new fixtures. To make your new faucets even more budget friendly, look for low-flow options, which can help reduce your utility bills by using less water.

New Cabinet Hardware

Century 25505-OB Cabinet Knob, Oil Rubbed Bronze

Because cabinets take up the bulk of space in the kitchen, replacing your cabinet hardware can instantly change the room. Look for inexpensive options that will not bust your budget to add style without spending too much. Adding a simple coat of paint, for example, can make an instant change. You can also consider replacing door hardware, installing fabric panels into the doors, or stenciling patterns on the doors. For a more ambitious project, cut designs into the doors and glue a piece of stained glass to the inside to add depth and a touch of color.

Updated Lighting

Oil Rubbed Bronze 54-4825 Single Bulb Wall Sconce/Bathroom Light

If your kitchen uses an old, fluorescent light fixture, updating the lighting can have an instant effect on the mood of the room. Look for lighting that suits the way you use the kitchen. If you cook, install under-cabinet lighting that will increase brightness on the counter space for mixing and cutting. If you cook on the stove top often, install a recessed pot lighting to make it easier to gauge the state of the food. If your kitchen is used frequently for family or social gatherings, replace the main room lights with soft options that will create a comforting, flattering atmosphere.

Counter-Tops

When you want to add a focal point to your kitchen, start with the counter-tops. Because they are used often and are easily visible, the counter-tops can be an easy and budget-friendly remodeling option. Look for materials that suit the feeling of the room, such as wood, stone or granite. You can also choose engineered stone options, which are cheaper than granite. If you want to replace the counter-tops yourself, choose ceramic tiles, which are easy to install and can handle the heat from hot pans and dishes.