Designs and Trends »

New Orleans and KBIS

Apr 252013

new-orleans-kbis
The trip to this year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in New Orleans, LA was a learning experience in three ways: the changing show over the years, presenting at the show for the first time, and visiting New Orleans itself.

Changing KBIS – From Inspirational to Analytical

I have been to three KBIS conferences through the years. The other two that I went to were so much larger. There were huge booths designed by appliance companies that displayed their new appliances and appliance prototypes. It was sort of like the Detroit Auto Show for the kitchen world. One show I went to featured one of the appliance companies baking cupcakes that you could add a variety of sprinkles that were all around their lavishly decorated booth. The other show, mind you a few years back, had Ty Pennington in the booth shooting a commercial and talking with guest. During these events were also several other, less distinguished, celebrities doing little performances or shows. This year’s show was more down to business.
riverwalk-kbis

This year seemed more like a learning experience than a chance to be awed and impressed. The booths were still large, but featured companies with utility items such as hardware, sinks, cabinet workflow items, and faucets. The majority of the beauty items at this year’s show focused on cabinets and countertops. Then there were probably 80 different sessions and keynote topics you could attend. Making this year’s KBIS – very analytical not inspirational.

Presenting at the Show

kbis-voice-of-the-industry
The sessions were new this year and called “Voices of the Industry.” At the show I ran a session called “Using Metal in the Kitchen.” It was a great experience and I would recommend signing-up for a session if they offer this again next year. I only heard good things about them, but they were not well attended. I think if they offer them again, the attendance will improve. Sometimes new things don’t take off right away.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a great place and has many sides. Here is a tour of New Orleans through pictures:

Beignets for breakfast

(or lunch, dinner… Cafe du Monde is open 24 hours a day)The coffee here is almost as good as the beignets.

beignets

The Jazz

This is the Palm Court Jazz Club. They have great food and music, but like most places be sure to make a reservation.
jazz-new-orleans

The Ghost Stories

We did a ghost tour of New Orleans and learned a lot about the lore of the city.
Andrew-jackson-hotel

Bourbon Street

My favorite place on Bourbon Street was Pat O’Briens and I loved their Fire and Water fountain.
fire-and-water-new-orleans

The Swamp

We went on a boat down the Pearl and Dead River in Honey Island Swamp. The swamp was beautiful. It was a sunny day but the water was still a bit chilly. Those conditions bring the wildlife out to soak in the sun.

swamp-new-orleans

The Wildlife

Turtles walking along logs.
turtles

Tons of snakes in trees trying to get warm.
snakes-new-orleans

Best of all an alligator sunning herself on a log. The baby was nearby still in the water but gathering sun on his back.
alligator-new-orleans

And a beautiful blue heron.
blue-heron

If you went to KBIS this year, what were your thought on the show? And if you have ever been to New Orleans or want to go, share those thoughts too.

Choosing Cabinets

Feb 212013

Whether building a new home or remodeling, choosing cabinetry is a major decision. Cabinets are a large portion of the kitchen or bath budget and a long term investment and commitment. After determining your layout, the next steps are selecting custom or stock cabinets, wood species, finish, door style and features. Let’s take a look at the five areas you will need to consider.

cabinets3

Custom, semi-custom or stock?

custom cabinets – can be made in any configuration, any design, and any size; highest cost
semi-custom cabinets - built when ordered so have the ability to make minor adjustments on standard cabinets including height and depth; universal sizes, more colors and finish options than stock; cost may be comparable to higher end stock choices
stock cabinets - as name implies, in stock to take home today; good quality, many style options; fewer features; affordable

cabinets2 cabinets1

Wood Species
The most common choices of wood are maple, cherry, oak, birch, and hickory, though other options are available as shown below.

Maple – light to medium color; smooth, even grain
Cherry - red tint; fine grain
Oak – color variations from red or white oak; strong grain pattern
Birch – light color; smooth grain
Hickory – contrast of light and dark color with knots; straight to wavy grain

Finishes Want maple cabinets a little darker? Think about stains. Want lighter cabinets that are not quite so stark? Try a glaze. Want to bring out the details of the woodwork? Stains and glazes are both options. Kitchen cabinets are trending to darker finishes such as walnut, mahogany or chestnut but it really is your personal preference. Here’s an overview:

Stain – base color, covers evenly
Glaze – meant to settle in crevices and corners to accentuate styling features; can be used over stain or paint
Paint – white is the most popular color but other colors can create a very custom space
Mixed finishes – use of multiple finishes, such as stained and painted cabinets, in one room

glazed_cabinets painted_cabinet2

Door Styles
The door style creates the feel of the room: smooth fronts for contemporary or transitional, arched and raised panels for traditional or transitional, beadboard for transitional or country, etc. Specific wood species and finishes can also lend themselves to door styles, especially with the application of the above finishes, though there are no hard rules.

Traditional – maple, cherry, oak
Transitional – maple, cherry, oak
Contemporary – birch, cherry, paint
Rustic/country – oak, hickory, paint

cabinet_styles

Features
Once you have chosen what the outside of the cabinetry will look like, it’s time to turn your attention to the functionality on the inside. There are so many storage solutions to consider but options will vary with custom, semi-custom or stock and also the brand of cabinets. Below is a partial list. If you want it, it’s probably available.

roll out trays
organizer inserts for drawers
drawer and cabinet dividers
pantry units
trash units
pots and pans organizer
plate racks
spice racks
wine racks
inside door organizers for cleaning supplies
lazy susan trays
bookcases
office files
vanity organizers

cabinet_spice_rack

Decisions
After reviewing all the above areas, it’s time to make decisions. Making your selection can be confusing but working through each of these steps will help ease the process.

Special thanks to Stacey Krieg, Interior Designer, for sharing her time and expertise.

Choosing Cabinet Pulls

Designs and Trends, Kitchen Remodeling and Installation Tips No Responses »

Feb 132013

Cabinet Pull

Cabinet pulls are jewelry for your cabinetry. Changing hardware can give your kitchen or bath a completely different look. As a personal preference, many people elect to have no hardware but hardware can save the wear and tear on your cabinets and is another area to express your style. Technically, cabinet hardware includes hinges but this discussion centers on what shows – pulls and knobs.

Colors and Finish
The first decision is to determine what color and finish you want. Colors include copper, brass, chrome, and nickel. Next determine which finish you like. For instance, nickel finishes include bright, brushed, satin and weathered. The variations make a big difference so check them out.

Style
What’s the feeling of your space: old world, French country, mission, art deco, modern, rustic? Your hardware selection is another opportunity to add to the style of the room. There are numerous hardware choices to fit every possible style. Big box stores have many options but custom styles can be found on-line and at specialty home stores.

Cabinet Pull

Handle vs. Knob
The next step is determining type. Will a pull or knob function better? Knobs work great for drawers but can look undersized and awkward on larger drawers and cabinets. Use the style of your cabinets to determine the size of the hardware. For example, a longer span pull or a handle that runs the entire length of the door or drawer creates a contemporary look. More detailed knobs lend themselves to an old world style.

Restoration Hardware Dakota Square Knob

Trends
The newest trends are for cleaner lines and fewer details in both pulls and knobs. Another trend is for darker finishes including black, oil rubbed bronze, and antique copper. Weathered nickel is replacing brushed nickel as a favored finish though brushed nickel is still strong. To help make your selection, eliminate what doesn’t fit your style and then take a few pulls or knobs home to assure they work in your space. The two most important elements to coordinate are your cabinets and countertop, then backsplash and flooring. If you are updating your existing cabinets, you may want to install your selections on one or two cabinets for comparison. Using the steps above will make sure the jewelry for your cabinets complements the style of your kitchen or bath.

Countertops – Choices, Choices

Designs and Trends, Kitchen Remodeling and Installation Tips No Responses »

Jan 302013

There are so many material options, not to mention colors, that it’s hard to make a decision on the perfect countertop for either a kitchen or bath. You can choose from granite, quartz, laminates, solid surface, ceramic tile, butcher block or wood, stainless steel, marble and concrete. The decision can be tough and includes many factors such as personal style, color options, durability, maintenance, and cost. Let’s explore the four most popular choices.

Granite is the #1 choice for new kitchens and remodeling projects. The highly polished surface contributes to its natural beauty and can become the signature feature in your room. Granite colors range from black, gray, and white to shades of brown, blue, green and red. This natural stone is very durable and will last a lifetime if maintained. It resists heat and scratches but requires sealing once a year for stain resistance. Granite countertops are priced according to thickness and size and are becoming more affordable with starting prices at $65/sq. ft. installed.

Quartz countertops are an engineered product comprised of about 90% quartz particles and are the 2nd choice for countertops. Because it is a manufactured product, more color choices are available than with granite. Quartz countertops require the least amount of maintenance of any material. Its nonporous surface resists scratches and does not require an annual sealing like natural stone. The price for a quartz countertop starts at $75/sq. ft. installed.

Solid Surface counters are made of 100% acrylic, 100% polyester or a combination of both. There are many edge profiles to choose from and seams are almost invisible. Solid surface countertops come in a variety of colors and patterns, many resembling natural stone. Hot pans can damage the surface and they can stain. However, because they are a solid material, scratches and burns can be sanded out. Solid surface counters are priced midway between stone and laminates at about $55/sq. ft.

Laminate counters are made of plastic-coated synthetics providing a durable surface. This durability and price contribute to their continued popularity as laminates tie with quartz for second choice. Laminates come in hundreds of colors and many textures with newer options resembling quartz or granite. Laminates wear well with proper care and do not require any sealing. However, scratches and chips are extremely hard to repair. Updated profiles help to eliminate edge lines. Laminates are fairly inexpensive with prices starting at $20/sq. ft.

Make sure you take home samples to assure the countertop complements your cabinetry and flooring choices. It may take several trips to the showroom to make your selection or you may decide quickly what fits your decorating style and budget. A designer can help in the decision process too. Your ultimate decision reflects your personal taste and style to make your house your home.

Which one is your dream countertop?

Backsplash Bang – Bookcase to Wine Cabinet

Backsplash Designs, Designs and Trends, Give-A-Way, Contests, and Consumer Insights 2 Responses »

Jan 092013

before-after I have been wanting a wine rack for my house for a while now, and just haven’t been able to find one that I like. So when I got my Funature in the mail, I of course imagined a wine cabinet. I laid out all the pieces and looked at what could be done with the bookcase. I tested to see if the shelves would be deep enough for a wine bottle and they were.

With a leftover Art Nouveau backsplash panel and some scrap wood, my bookcase went from ho-hum to hooray! See how…

bookcase

As I was putting the bookcase together, I started drafting my specific plans. I was going to leave the door off and use it differently. The height of the case needed increased so I decided to add legs and a tray to the top for making and carrying drinks to your guests. The tray needed to have an inset on the bottom so that it would sit securely on the cabinet. Can I do this for $25? I searched the garage and basement. I had paint, glue and plenty of scrap wood. I will need legs and a wine glass holder.

Bookcase -putting together
I got to work. I added an extra piece of wood to the bottom of the cabinet. A little piece of trim finished this off perfectly so you couldn’t see the wood at the bottom. Then I screwed in the metal pieces that hold the legs. I tested it to make sure it was stable. The legs were a great addition, and super easy to do. The legs I bought fit my budget, but I was imagining chunkier feet. Those were about $7-8 a piece – that was out of my range. I ended up really liking the ones I got though.

wine cabinet tray
Next, I worked on the tray for the top of the wine cabinet. You can tell from the pictures this is REALLY scrap wood. I would have liked a slightly smaller height for the tray, but this was the wood I had sitting around.

After the tray was all nailed together (just made a rectangle and used a trim brad pneumatic nail gun to put it together), I used a jigsaw and a drill bit to cut out the handles. I sanded it up a bit to smooth out any rough edges. At this point, I had made my final decision to paint the wine cabinet black. I went ahead and finished off the tray by painting it and adding the backsplash panel to the bottom and a little strip on the front.

Adding backsplash panels

To add the panels, I measured the inside of the tray and used a t-square and a utility knife to cut the panel. I scored the panel six times with the utility knife for each cut. Then turned it over and bent it to break. It worked great. I also planned to use some of the panel for the back of the cabinet so I went ahead and measured and cut that piece too. I used Liquid Nails to apply the panels in both cases (for the back of the cabinet you need to apply pressure by laying it on its back for an hour until the glue dries).

wine-cabinet-6
Time to make the space for the wine itself. I used a W shape – this holds 5 bottles. It is also very hard to paint. If you decide to use this shape, paint the boards before installing them. This too was put together using a nail gun. wine cabinet painted Lastly, time to paint. I used a black primer and then a glossy black paint as the second layer. When it was dry I added the backsplash panel I had cut earlier and the wine glass holder. The only piece left was the leftover door. I didn’t want to cover my glasses – so I made the door so it was permanently open.

The Final Reveal – Bang! My Wine Cabinet

Look #1 – Lounging in your library with a good book.
finished-wine-cabinet-2

Look #2 – Entertaining Friends or Family (you can use a dry erase marker to make a personal note on the tray).
finished-wine-cabinet

wine-rack
I had a good time making my wine cabinet and I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Now to decide whether I want to use it for look #1 or #2. Where do you think it looks best?

Using Metal in Decorating – Sprucing up a Boring Corner

Designs and Trends 4 Responses »

Dec 142012

I have a corner in my library that is very bland and really needed some sprucing up. The room has a huge wooden bookcase so I didn’t want anymore wood items.

Here is a before peek at the really boring corner.

Here is a look at the finished corner. There are more images below.

The perfect thing to turn to was fabric and metal.The first thing I did was add some matching pillows to the bench seat. For the wall we needed metal artwork using the 1005 Design Metal Backsplashes.

I decided I wanted to use my 3 favorite designs: Art Nouveau, mosaic, and brush. The backsplash panels have 6 inch square designs. I didn’t want to have any cut up designs so I decided to use 12 inch squares. I was inspired to overlap the squares by a picture frame collage that I purchased. So I just moved the squares around until I liked the design.

Supplies for the Metal Artwork

5 – 12×12 wood squares
5 – 12×12 decorative metal backsplash panels cut to size
glossy paint
small paint roller
construction adhesive
screws
drill and drill bit
screwdriver

Steps for making the Metal Artwork:

1. There are unlimited possibilities as to how you layout your design. I selected to use five 12x12x1/2 in pieces of wood for mounting. I was able to get these cut at Lowes for like $3.00.

2. I painted each square a with a Gloss Black latex enamel. Then let these dry overnight, and gave them all a second coat.

3. Using a utility knife and a ruler I made 5 matching squares of decorative metal to mount on the painted wood. I selected 2 Art Nouveau squares, 2 mosaic square, and 1 plain brush for the middle.

4. After the second coat of paint had dried overnight, I glued each of the metal pieces to the wood. I used Locktite construction adhesive to mount the metal. For best results, the adhesive also needs to dry overnight.

5. Now it is time to layout the design and get ready to attach all the pieces. Start with the three middle pieces of the artwork (diamond, square, diamond, square, diamond). On the back draw a straight line from corner to corner. Use that line to match-up the other “diamond” positioned squares. Have the points touch in the back to keep the spacing the same.

6. Now that you have the middle three panels arranged correctly it is time to screw them together. Start by using a drill bit to make the pilot holes. Mark the pilot holes while the artwork is laid out. Then starting from the back go through to the metal just enough to make a mark. Now turn over the panel and with the drill bit drill through the metal. You will know where by the mark you just left. We made three holes for each connection so that there wouldn’t be any movement. Once all the holes are made screw the panels together. Repeat until all the panels are connected.

Using metal throughout the home as an accent is becoming very popular. It is not just for contemporary or industrial design looks. You can see from this corner, you can have a warm comfortable area that brings in a spark of distinction.

metal backsplash

Before and after image with backsplash art

What’s New at the 2012 Remodeling Show

Designs and Trends 4 Responses »

Oct 192012

Baltimore, MD 2012 Remodeling Show 1005 design backsplash booth This year 1005 Design exhibited at the 2012 Remodeling Show in Baltimore, Maryland. It was a lot of fun and great to meet a bunch of people from the industry.

Upon entering the Remodeling Show you are ready to see all the great new products and ideas that have come around since last year. A world of booths that feature windows, sinks, countertop ideas, decking, doors, and great decorative products like our decorative metal backsplashes.

If you are like us, you are always looking for the next great idea and designs to spruce up your house or at least bring in something new. Although the show is for professional remodelers, there are still a lot of DIY ideas and products that can be used.

So for those of you that didn’t get a chance to go to the show – here are some of the new products that are great for DIYers, and are available out there today.

3 great DIY Products that bring the outside in

Stunning Stone

Stunning Stone is a great way to bring the outdoors into your home. This stone (it is made of actual stone) is so thinly cut that it can wrap around pillars or kitchen islands. So that also makes it extremely light and easier to handle. The stone panels come in two sizes 2ft x 4ft and 4ft x 8ft. From their information, it seems that this stone product can be installed almost anywhere, outside, on the floor, on the wall, fireplaces and over old tiles. They say you can cut it with scissors even, but I have not actually worked with this product myself so no promises. Their website isn’t the greatest, but there are some great application images.

My favorite thing about Stunning Stone is you can see through the stone because of the thin cutting method and they look beautiful when you add backlighting.
I plan to order this stone for some projects – so I will give you an update.

Geometrics Windows

This is another products that literally helps you bring the outdoors into your home. Many homes that are built in larger additions follow the same basic cookie cutter plan. This plan typically includes as few windows as possible. Sometimes one whole side of the house may be void of windows. Geometrics Windows has an easy solution to this problem. Windows that fit between your studs and can be arranged in a variety of ways. This product not only gives your house a pop on the outside, but brings in some wanted natural light. This page on the Geometrics Windows website shows all the different configurations you can select. One question that I heard people ask was how they look from the outside. The answer is, “like they belong.” This is because you can paint the trim of the windows to match the other windows of your home. So if you would like a easy, inexpensive fix for your lack of windows check out Geomertics Windows.

Bella Fleur Glass

Bella Fleur Glass has two fun products:

EnsoGlass – These 4ftx8ft panels come in 12 beautiful organic designs. My favorite is Rainforest Leaves. Can’t use scissors here, but the company says you can order them cut to size.

bella fleur glass - ensoglass

BellaBlades – These are louvers that use the same organic designs to replace your current window shades. The process of adding the real organics makes them translucent. The blades can also be used on your deck’s arbor for shade.

While there were a lot of products at the show, these three were the ones that I could see using in my DIY adventures at my home. I was seconded in that notion when a colleague came back with 3 or 4 brochures and pictures which included two of my selected companies. If you see any other new and unique DIY products, let us know – especially if they bring the outside in.

Tattersall-A Grid of Superiority

Designs and Trends, Miscellaneous Topic No Responses »

Apr 242012

This pattern print is a thin and evenly spaced vertical and horizontal stripe. Typically this pattern is made of two yarn colors to create a square shaped cloth pattern. This has been done by the joining of a single piece of yarn, known as the weft, being drawn through the warp. A warp is the weaving of the cloth.

This treasured print was originated in London of 1766 from the Tattersall’s Market. “Old Tatt” better known as Richard Tattersall, was the main auctioneer of race horses in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. This print pattern was used for the blankets on the horses at the market, and how it received its name.

Tattersall’s Market is still in operation today and is still very well known for their prestigious quality of race horses. The name has changed slightly by dropping the apostrophe but horse trading is still at large. The Tattersall print pattern is also still used on shirts such as Flannel s and Polo’s; you may also see it on table clothes, blankets, and other cloth fashions.

Fleuron-The Printers’ Flower

Designs and Trends, Miscellaneous Topic No Responses »

Apr 172012

The term derives from the Old French word floron for flower. Other names for these symbols or ding bats can include ornaments, vignettes, embellishments, frilly bits, and even frippery. These stylized forms of leaves and flowers were created centuries ago for printing presses as a typographic element. These designs were carved of wood or metal. The fleuron design was used beside letters and numbers so that printers could create borders with repeating patterns and was originally used on the title pages of historical books. These ornamental designs have different symbolic meanings in different cultures

Dayglo-A Brighter View on Color

Designs and Trends, Miscellaneous Topic No Responses »

Apr 112012

In the 1930’s two young men Bob and Joe Switzer wanted to make colors brighter so they decided to experiment with different colors and the glowing effect under a black light. They started using their experimental colors in magic shows, movie posters, and stage productions. Since this glowing phenomenon was such a hit they wanted to create colors that could glow in the daylight as well.

In the 1940’s this new invention on color actually absorbs and converts light energy and ultraviolet rays allowing it to glow in the daylight.

Florescent lighting actually glows or reflects 200-300% more than traditional bright colors. This occurs due to the electrons inside of the fluorescent molecules getting excited from absorbing a photon of light (excited state), however the excited electron loose some of its energy to its surroundings (ground state), in order for the electron to transition back to its original state the electron needs to emit the photon of light it has collected, when this occurs the flash of light we see is the fluorescence coloring (emission of the photon). This is the technique that is used to make our colors brighter and more vibrant. These fluorescence colors are used in several different products such as paint, shimmering eye shadows, lipsticks, plastic toys, and furniture.

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