According to interior designer Cortney Bishop, the most common kitchen layouts for residential builds are U-shaped, L-shaped and one wall. The U-shaped design surrounds the user on three sides, while L-shaped has two adjoining walls. Both permit plenty of space for counters and cabinets. One wall (a.k.a. single wall) places the countertops, cabinets and appliances all on the same side. If large … [Read more...]

Bathrooms are a place where people are spending a lot more of their time. It is spent relaxing and kicking back. It's because of this that lighting is important, but it's important to remember not to go overboard with the lighting. Dimmers are useful to make the bathroom more of a relaxing place instead of becoming too bright. Lighting above the bathtub to make the bathroom a fixture is pleasant … [Read more...]

María Cecilia Páez Montero and her husband live with their young daughter in an apartment in the city center of Madrid. She describes the place as "a perfect combination for us." The family spends most of its time in the living room, which is also the lightest room in the 1,054 square foot apartment. María loves the “Cestita” lamp her husband bought for her birthday. Her advice to others is create … [Read more...]

In home renovations bathrooms often aren't given enough attention. They should be a priority, but unfortunately, bathroom renovation can be complicated. To ease the process, start by making a to do list of activities and expenses. Next, plan the layout, keeping in mind that the tub and toilet are the most prominent fixtures. Be sure to apply ergonomic principles to your plans, such as making sure … [Read more...]

There is a method to the madness when it comes to redoing the kitchen. You can do a lot of the work yourself or you can choose to hire a contractor. So once you get that decision made, time to make plans! Get your remodel planned and then - tear out the old! Putting in the new should be started from the bottom up. So, the plumbing and electrical would come first, then items such as drywall, … [Read more...]

Many people view their bathrooms in purely functional terms, but conducting your morning routine in an aesthetically pleasing room can brighten your mood for the day. If you have the space, a stand along bathtub can add an artistic touch to your bathroom. For smaller bathrooms, look to the showerhead as way to add decoration. The vanities are often the centerpiece which ties the room design … [Read more...]

Artist Johanna Sprague describes her home as a "bright modern rustic artist sanctuary." An 1,100 square foot apartment in Lake Merritt, Oakland, Sprague's place is filled with artisan-made and sustainable items. It's also a laboratory for Feng Shui techniques. Sprague says that a person's home should be a "visual journal of their story." Only acquire things you love, she suggests, and take the … [Read more...]

The ambiance associated with Northwest Portland is perfectly depicted in a remodeled home known as NW Johnson Street. The home was originally constructed back in 1907 as a Craftsman-style abode. The folks at Jessica Helgerson Interior Design were hired to renovate the interior of the home into a more modern and functional space. The kitchen was once entirely too crowded, and the floors had an … [Read more...]

This can be pretty time consuming, but will be worth it. It takes a lot of team work, but it is manageable. First you want to paint, this will help you with coming up with ideas of what to do next. The decorative scones on the wall match perfectly with the colored paint we chose. A lot of time was spent on the flooring, this was the most consuming part. It was worked on every night for a while … [Read more...]

Before you hire a professional painter to coat the walls of your home, asking them a few initial questions can help you determine whether or not they're the right contractor for the job. Your first question should inquire about their prepping process. Every skilled, experienced painter knows the importance of proper prep work, and they should be able to explain their prepping process to you when … [Read more...]