The 5 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make In Your Kitchen

I know, it sounds so stern and so potentially detrimental... but that's because it can be! Your kitchen is still the biggest selling feature of your home and one of the most expensive spaces to renovate. The choices you make in this room can dramatically affect your property value, and whether you are planning on selling next year or ten years from now, wouldn't you rather make changes that affect your home's value in a positive manner? Perhaps you'll seek a home equity loan, maybe you'll end up selling sooner than you realize, or just maybe you are making  changes to beautify your space for yourself; there's a way to make smart remodeling choices in your kitchen, and that begins with educating yourself on what NOT to do!

1. Not adding hardware to your cabinets- On the West Coast, it's a very common thing for new homes to come with kitchen cabinets that do not have hardware. These cabinets are the standard cabinets you can buy anywhere and are actually made to accept knobs and pulls. They simply don't add them because they are a very subjective item. They can also cost anywhere from $2.00 for a basic knob to over $30.00 per ornate pull; but that doesn't mean you should skip them. It's always funny to me that people just get use to opening their cabinet doors and drawers by tugging them open on the tops and sides. Wood is porous and although your cabinets have a finish, the stain is still susceptible to oils, which can slowly affect the finish over time. Knobs and pulls can add class or even change the look of your kitchen. Think of it like dressing up without wearing jewelry. Your look is just not complete without it, and neither are your cabinets.

Imagine trying to open these drawers without a pull... Sheesh! My nails hurt just thinking about it!

2. White or Off White Appliances- I once heard a client several years ago say, "I like white appliances because they are clean"; as though other colors appear dirty. That's like the old thought that white paint in a room is cleaner than colors. It simply isn't true and in your kitchen, it creates a dated look. Kitchen appliances always go through a transitional phase of colors and styles. If these didn't change, we'd all still have sunny yellow or avocado green stoves. In the 80's and early 90's white, bone and biscuit appliances ruled the land and slowly behind it began a new revolution of black being the "in" color trend for those who chose to upgrade. One decade later began a new trend toward futuristic metals, which have now become a mainstay in the kitchen and black, still a nice choice, becoming the default. There is even a happy medium, with a price-point literally in the middle, of black and stainless steel combination appliances. As a designer, who continues to ensure that my clients optimize the value of their homes, I have never had a client who has said, "White appliances, yay! Let's keep them!" They are always the first things to go. When selling a home, they are an immediate value depreciator. I cannot stress this enough- stainless, stainless, stainless. It has become an appliance trend that knows no bounds, comfortable in a country kitchen, a Tuscan kitchen and a contemporary. It's a trend that will last for decades and a worthy investment for your space. 

3. Making your backsplash look like an afterthought- It always boggles my mind when I see kitchen displays that show a really great tile backsplash... sitting on top of a 4" granite, quartz or solid surface backsplash. Why would you do that? Some will say that they didn't know you could remove the little counter splash, some are worried about the added expense to do so and some just think that's the way you do it. A backsplash is meant to be a seamless piece of decorative art behind your counter. (It also serves a menial little utilitarian function of waterproofing...lol) Your normal counter backsplash can and should be removed to install your new tile, going up the full 18" from the top of your counter, to the bottom of your wall cabinets. It looks clean, well thought out and adds value to your space. If you are already investing in upgrading your kitchen with tile, removing your old splash should cost you no more than an extra $50- $200 (depending on how much they must remove) and may slightly damage the wall behind your splash. If removed carefully, by scouring the old caulk and then lightly prying it off with the appropriate tools, it may leave little to no damage. If damage does occur, it takes nothing more than a light spackle and sand and then you are off to the races with a full tile splash. It seems like such a small oversight, but it really goes a long way to perfecting your clean, updated look.

Do you see how this granite backsplash chops up the space? Look at the next picture.

This homeowner did it correctly. This glass tile looks seamless and open. It's gorgeous!

4. Granite or other tile countertops- Grout looks great on a backsplash, but is dreadful when you have to regularly wipe it down on a countertop. Granite has long been the star of the stage for counters, but granite tile is not the same as having a granite slab countertop. I've written about this several times and will continue to fight the good fight! Putting granite tile in your kitchen is like having a gold plated ring with a diamond setting- there's just no value in it. The value of the "gem" is lost in the cheapness of the product. Granite tile is made of discarded left over granite slab. That's not what devalues it. The fact that it has become tile, versus a continuous slab is where it loses it's appeal. The look is not as seamless nor attractive. The fact that you have to invest $2,000 to do a granite tile top is even worse. It's just because it's granite and required diamond blades to cut the tile and the product itself can average between $7.00- $20.00 a square foot in material. Granite throughout the years has lowered dramatically in price. There's an old adage that says, "If you're gonna do it, do it right!" This could not be truer when it comes to granite. Any tile installed as a countertop is a BAD choice for countertops because oil, grease and chemicals get into your grout, sealed or not and discolor it, darken it, desanitizes it and it requires maintenance that is not worth it. So, unless you live in a historic home where the old fashioned look of yesteryear needs to be preserved, please use a slab countertop on your cabinets. Anything else is a waste of money.

5. Dated plants and decor above your cabinets- I could say "Yuck, enough said", yet I must elaborate for some, so I will. As we progress further in the world of design and decor, we have gone further away from the use of artificial plants and more toward the natural beauty of real plant life. Now, that doesn't mean that you should put real plants above your cabinets either! Nor should you line up your entire area above your cabinetry with tons of collections like little soldiers. The look that is most desired now is one of clean and sparse decor. Try highlighting just a few areas. Group in small bundles of three or five and create an interesting theme with your items- old pottery with coordinating plates, vases with interesting shapes mixed with a few boxes. Do not feel you must fill your entire space or place something above every

cabinet either. You can have some gaps to help it look cleaner and well planned. Consider two things as well: 1. These should not be squished into place. Make sure your space isn't too close to the ceiling. If it is, it's really not adequate visually to add decor. 2. These items should be cleaned occasionally. Some people simply set em then forget em and end up with hairy ferns that seem to become mutant in appearance. The less you have above, the faster you can keep them clean and well cared for. 

By avoiding these five HUGE mistakes, you can work towards a more livable and valuable kitchen that you and others can enjoy! 

More sporadically placed decor shows cleaner than piling your space with clutter.

Sustainable furnishings make a statement in Phoenix exhibit

Last night I had the pleasure of attending my first design event of the new year at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. The exhibit entitled "Design For A living World" showcased some of the world's premier clothing and furniture designers using raw, sustainable materials in creative ways. 

One of the most impressive displays was a creative interpretation of storage units and electrical fixtures comprised of tall bamboo reeds.

A daring example of simplistic form meets utilitarian function... organic, interesting and raw!

My designer friend and I so wanted to test this one out for comfort. The texture of the orbs is pleasing.

Here we have a speaker system (right) and a clothes hanger (left). Although they may not look best in your home, picture an island paradise, a tropical retreat... being on an episode of Lost and hoping the designer was on the plane!

From left to right- a speaker system, a bar caddy and a bookcase reinvented.

Another great piece to examine was this "bungee chair" made of Chilean rosewood. I love the exposed edges on the wood. Despite the thought, I have sat on replicas of this chair and they are quite comfortable.

In addition to furniture, the exhibit showed you materials in their raw form and explained the origins and processes used by various manufacturers that enlist the creative labor of family farms and communities all over the world. It was a small but nevertheless impact- full display.

I love mixing organic elements full of textural interest with sleek, modern finds in my room designs. This end table I recently used in a remodel is made from several types of discarded wood chunks from multiple woodworkers in CA. It has a fun shape and was an unexpectedly affordable option, under $200. I'm sure that as time goes on, sustainable products will increase in popularity and decrease in price.

The imperfect spacing of this end table makes it a mini statement piece in any room.

What does furniture cost?

It NEVER ceases to amaze me that this question still exists... after all, how often does the average person remodel their home? Well, the answer is once every seven to ten years, so no wonder most homeowners get sticker shock when they hire a designer to plan their room and we present the breakdown of material costs.

There are many levels or "tiers" of pricing when it comes to a home remodel. Interior designers are sworn to deliver a level of quality and finish that may be above what the average homeowner would seek for themselves. It's not because we choose to make you pay more or because we want to make more money. The truth is, we'll make the same percentage whether we select a $2,000 coffee table or a $600 coffee table (yes, those are real prices ((notice I didn't say $200 coffee table because one shouldn't exist in your life in most circumstances- more on that later))). Designers, when doing their job well, consider the quality of craftsmanship, form, scale, function and finish of that coffee table, in addition to trying to fit it into a decent budget. The construction of something that will get heavy use, like a coffee table, should be one of your main focuses when buying one, as it is as important, or even more so, than the aesthetic.

Back to pricing levels. Some designers are most comfortable with one level of pricing and it's where they live to select pieces for every client. A great designer can find something of quality at every price point and considers the budget of a client, but there is something called the "Not Gonna Happen" budget. Unfortunately,  many homeowner's projects begin in that category. It's not your fault, you truly have NO IDEA what things cost...How could you possibly compute that when you put it altogether, the average family room can range from $8,000- $22,000, depending on how much you are doing? I break the different tiers down by quality and price. Obviously, the general rule of thumb is the better quality, the more you pay. After a few levels up, however, there reaches a point where the quality is no better than other lower prices comparable pieces; you're merely paying for the name!

For the sake of clarifying simple objects, let's take a sofa, a coffee table and a nightstand and use them as our examples to explain the many levels of price.

I'll start with a good a place as any for homeowners- Pier 1. This is the low average tier. You can find a few decent quality pieces at Pier 1 and fantastic decor and accents. A sofa at Pier 1 is hit or miss. Again, you have very little variety- only 2 sofas currently, little to no options of fabric or style. Because the quality of construction is still not superb, I cannot attest to how it survive over the years. This sofa costs just $799.00 and is somewhat comfortable but you can also feel coils if you shift around at different angles.
On their website, they list NOTHING for construction of the product and it's basically because the average homeowner doesn't understand it nor search for the info, they buy by sight and sit. If it seems comfy at the time, they will buy and not think about how it will wear down the road. No doubt this sofa has a simple coil base, minimum padding and screwed and nailed corner construction. You can get a coffee table like this one for just $299.00 and it's another basic, plain, uninteresting table, but
it appears well made. The finish will not be stupendous, listed as a" hand applied multi-layer finish". (Translation- stain, stain, top coat). The drawers have no glides, it's wood on wood, so don't pull them out too much or they'll just tilt and fall!

You can also get a nighstand at Pier 1. Here's a nice looking one for $299.00 that boasts "old fashioned quality". (Translation- more wood on wood drawers, no glides). The drawers are dovetailed (which everyone feels means quality- and it use to, but now it's just a buzzword). As pieces go, though, it's a nice looking piece. Your drawer bottoms are thin. The drawers will fall out if you pull them too far. The inside is not finished, so your clothing may snag if caught on the bottom. But the piece looks nice.

For added information- I lump Ashley's Furniture and The Roomstore into this same category of quality. They are just OK. As a designer, I will not usually select main pieces of furniture from Pier 1, but I will use their accent furniture, such as their chairs and some tables, etc.

The there's a small jump up from this level to the Z Gallerie Tier. I LOVE Z Gallerie and many famous designers use their products in their client's homes... such as David Bromstad, who recently did a whole couple's home in their stuff. As quality goes, they are fair to great. To me, this is where the average begins, but so many homeowners who have never shopped for quality furnishings may find them to be too expensive, without understanding what they are getting in return.

A sofa at Z can cost you anywhere from $999.00 for a small, narrow apartment style/ size sofa to $5,000 depending on what fabric and piece you select. This is where you begin to get value, variety and you can begin to customize your look with less limitation. As a designer, this is important for me when trying to put together a unique space. I'll just pluck a sofa off the website. I like too many to go into detail!
I used this one at a friend's home and she's had it for over two years now and it still looks good, even with two active boys. She has it in a steely, charcoal gray.  It cost her $1,200 in that fabric and she has two. It was a great buy, for not going custom. They are very stylish.

A coffee table can vary in price between $299.00 and $799.00. The quality of each is good to fantastic and again, you can get creative. Check out this Moroccan inspired table for just $599.00.
It is made of solid wood and metal plating. Look at the inside of the drawers finished with the look of old maps. Brilliant and detail oriented.

For a nightstand, how about this beauty for just $329.00. Others can range from $249.00 to $499.00.
This one has ball bearing side metal glides and felt lined drawers to protect your clothing from being snagged. Drawers and cabinet are glued, screwed and corner blocked for stability and the exterior is made of cherry wood veneer over kiln dried solid wood. The drawer fronts are concave, which involves good craftsmanship to create. It's a sexy piece. Variety abounds for nightstands, with three full pages online to choose from.

Beyond this tier is full custom. It can range to...well, any price point. A custom sofa can be, what's called in the industry C.O.M, meaning that we can select any fabric from anywhere and use it on their sofa design. We can add fringes, welting, different types of fill to make the piece exactly how we want it and that comes with a hefty price tag. The price of a custom sofa can begin around $2,800 and stretch to an average of $4,000-$6,000 (or as much as $12,000+). The average coffee table in this category hovers right around $1,200- $2,000 and a nightstand, depending on the style, can average between $800- $2,000. Custom is definitely a better quality product than the previous two tiers. Even just one piece in a room, mixed with other less expensive pieces, can make a room seem luxurious and expensively done!

NOW... let's put it into perspective for shock value. Let's say you are redoing your family room. What will we need? Let's use a simple list with approximate values based on our Z Gallerie (my average) Tier.

Sofa-                      $ 1,200
2 chairs-                 $ 1,200 Consider $600 a chair for a decent quality, low variety choice
Coffee table-          $    600
2 end tables-           $   600
Accent rug-            $    300 This is for a machine made, fun, not oriental selection
2 pieces of art-       $    300 Canvas art or fun wood carvings
TV console-           $    900
3 throw pillows-     $    130 At Z Gallerie pillows range from $29.00- $69.00 (Industry average- $160)
Decor, vases, etc.- $    250 This is a low average, considering average accent to be $15-$30 each
4 curtain panels-     $   200  Lower average of $50 per panel
2 Curtain rods-       $     80 These can go anywhere from $20 a piece to over $300 ( $40 on average)


Total                      $5,760.00

This is just your furniture. This does not include your designer, if you hired one. It does not include the delivery of your furnishings, if you are not picking them up yourself. Z Gallerie has white glove delivery and set up. This does not include installation of your curtains, etc. Someone will have to do that. If you are also considering painting, replacing flooring and lighting, which you will no doubt want to do once you see these fantastic new pieces......... TA DA! There you are at no less than $8,000 for your living or family room.

I realize that this article was a bit long but it was SO necessary to give you a full understanding of how quickly a basic refurnishing can add up. Sure, you can go cheap with your furnishings, but considering you'll probably not do this again for another decade- WHY skimp on what can truly last you the duration. Investing in a $2,000 sofa that can last you ten years will only cost you $33 a month when you put it all in perspective. It's worth it in the grand scheme of things and your wallet with thank you when you don't have to replace it in two years from now!

New Year, New Closet!

In a quest to help you make small changes to create a better life, I am starting with a room that is probably the most ignored space in your home- YOUR CLOSET. Not only can making simple changes in this space help with your interior, but you can also make changes that can affect your wardrobe and both will help you organize your life.

First of all- It's not just a closet, it's a room... so, treat it like one.

courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

So, everyone may not see this room- but YOU do, and aren't you important? Of course you are, so why not give yourself something attractive to see while you are selecting your outfits for the day.
     1. Proper lighting is a must- you need good lighting to see what you have in your closet and since it's typically a dark space, it is always a good idea to swap your current fixture out. But while you're doing that anyway, why not make it fun and pretty? A mini chandelier or cool pendant can go a long way and doesn't have to cost a lot of money. If either or these options are not your thing and you have a little more money to spare, how about having a skylight installed or solar tube which will give you natural light during the day?

     2. Don't hate, donate- One of the easiest ways to organize your closet is to go through every piece of clothing you own and truly, and I mean TRULY ask yourself, "Am I ever going to wear this again?" Us women have the hardest time with letting go of our clothes that don't fit or that we rarely wear. We tell ourselves, "I'll get into that again," or "One day I'll have a special event to go to and I'll need that dress." Don't clutter your closet with the past! It's time to break free of your clutter and open your space for new opportunities... AND CLOTHES! It's hard to embrace your new size but keeping smaller clothing will not help you shrink any faster. Think about all of the women who are in need and can benefit from your old clothing that just sits in your closet doing nothing but taking up space. Donate your old clothing to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul or Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization and help those who can really use what you just store! It will make you feel great and that's it's own reward.

     3. Color it up- Since this is a room- give it a coat of paint. What's your favorite color? What's that wild color that you've always wanted to try on your walls but were too scared to do? Use it in your closet!

  Whether a small or large space, a little color will work wonders on your mood, will help accentuate certain colored clothing in your closet and make "shopping" for your outfit that much more fun!

4. Organize your rainbow- One of the most efficient changes you can make to your closet can actually save you time in the morning when searching for your daily outfit. My daughters and I practice this quite anally, I must admit. Organize your closet by color by placing all tops of one color together. I further break down each color by succession of sleeveless, tank, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, then long sleeve top. It makes my life SO simple when searching for an outfit for any season. When it comes to a printed top, place it with the color that makes up most of the top.

I remember living back East when I was younger and then in my young adult life and, having grown up with the tradition of putting away the winter clothing in the summer and vice versa, I never realized how outdated a system that was. A tank can always be worn in the winter under another top or a short sleeve top can be worn with a shrug. The possibilities for creating new outfits are endless when it's all at your fingertips and well organized.

 5. Give your closet a personality- Have fun with this little hidden space. Decorate it. Print it up with wallpaper. Give it a crazy area rug. Add purple see thru shoe boxes. Go nuts! Be bold! After all, it's your space. Make it yours with a little pizazz. 

courtesy of marylandpinkandgreen.com

     6. Have an extra closet? Convert it- Are you lacking an much needed work area in your home? Consider using your closet. Measure the space for a desk, task lighting and the necessary organizational tools you'll require. If you are planning on using your desktop in here, have the nearest electrical outlet rerouted to your closet or easily use a laptop. If your closet currently has sliding doors, replace them with standard double doors and utilize the doors for additional storage like in the photo below.

courtesy of countryliving.com

This bright room above is one of my most favorite closet remodels because the otherwise dull, white room gets the biggest "HELLO" with this fantastic aqua print wallpaper and matching painted desk. They really had fun with this space and that's what this year should be all about! How can you not smile every time you work in this space? 

Small changes in the things you see can make large changes in the way you think and feel. Start with your closet and see where it can lead...

New You, New Room!

How many times have we heard it already..."new year, new you?" It's amazing to me that so many still continue to make resolutions, and I guess it's because you want something to believe in and that is always a great goal, but we tend to make so many goals that become unattainable because life gets in the way! We say we're going to lose 30 lbs. or take up yoga or become more organized. We get a gym membership, enroll in the classes and go out and spend $200 on containers and organizer tools with all of the pockets and gadgets to help you whip yourself and your schedule into shape. For the first few weeks the gyms are jam packed and you can see the steam coming from the regular's ears when they can't get on the elliptical machine for two hours. But they know that in just a few more weeks, the newbies start giving up. You begin having scheduling conflicts, begin eating a bit more of the good stuff and a bit less of the healthy stuff. You miss one yoga class, then another. You forget your binder, misplace bills and then go back to being your unorganized self. Life happens and then your life falls apart and you consider yourself a failure at completing those resolutions. You're not a failure, you've just set yourself up with way too much all at one time and there's a better system to slowly create lasting changes in your life. 

What always makes me excited about the new year are the new possibilities for design in my life and the life of my clients. I am always continuing my education and researching the newest styles in design, fabrics, furnishings and decor, allowing me to offer the most variety and innovation to my clients, because of our field is ever changing. The new year means the first major event in the design world is fast approaching- The World Market Show in Las Vegas. This year it falls a few days earlier than normal, beginning the last week of January and running til February 3rd. As always, I'll bring you all the hottest trends in the industry and ways to work the new trends into your current decor, so stay tuned!

The new year also brings the opportunity for a clean slate. It's usually the time of year that I begin looking around my home and start hating my decor because I'm itching to try something new. (It's the hazard of being your own designer, it never ends!) I can easily tell you all that it's time to throw out everything you own and redo your your entire home, but that's just not practical for most people and although it would be nice for some, is not necessary for most. Sure, you may have some outdated decor or furnishings, but how about this year we take it slowly? Let's make the most dramatic changes that give us the most impact, but let's do it with slow finesse and savor the changes (us Puerto Ricans call it suave). So often we say "out with the old and in with the new" and it happens so quickly that we forget to enjoy the transformation. The end result is the reward but the journey is what makes it meaningful. The weight loss is your ultimate end result, but knowing how hard you worked to achieve it (truly taking the time to reflect on that work you put in) makes it that much more meaningful and allows you to process just how much you want to maintain it so you don't have to go through that hard work again. 

Savor the changes slowly and you will be happier. Take the time to feel more positively about your life.  Do something fun and exciting that you will see everyday and make you smile. Sometimes the smallest change can create such happiness! Take your weight loss goals 5 lbs. at a time and reward yourself mentally for every small goal you accomplish because you deserve it! Change your hair color to something more vibrant! Buy a new shade of lipstick. Paint just one feature wall a bold color and coordinate just three accent pieces with that color into your room and give yourself an entire new look (I'll show you how in an upcoming post). Tackle one small area of your world that needs organization. 

For instance, buy an expandable file holder to put your bills in each day that they come in the mail. Label the first four tabs- 1st Week, 2nd Week, 3rd Week, 4th Week and the tab immediately after that label Next. As each bill comes in check the date that it is due and place it in the corresponding week that you must pay the bill. Try this trick to make sure you are never late- place the bill in the file one week earlier than it is due! When bills come in that are not due within the first month they arrive, place them in the Next folder and on the last day of the month, take all of those bills out of that folder and re-sort for the coming month. It's only one small change, but, if you commit to it for the month, you've just created one new habit and that's how dramatic changes start! That new hair color will change the way you look at yourself every day and cause you to want to do more. That new wall color will brighten your day every time you pass it by and cause you to want to make more changes that make you happy. A series of tiny changes can transform your life and if I have any resolution for the year, it's to help you SAVOR YOUR LIFE one small change at a time! Happy New Year!