May 19, 2012

Architecture and Design at it’s Finest

Juan Matiz of Matiz Architecture & Design

 

There is nothing better than great craftsmanship and synergy with great architecture and design.  Case in point is the brilliant Architect: Juan Matiz of Matiz Architecture & Design that is featured on Remodelista Daily's Blog.   I was captivated by the magnificent photos taken by Ty Cole of the masterpiece work created by Juan Matiz for a Tribeca apartment. Once again, Remodelista Daily and their masterful team gave us a captivating article in the featured section: Architect Visits & House Calls with Christine. I had to write a blog post on this inspiring article.

What captivated me the most in the photos is how Juan Matiz integrated the outdoors in his design but gave it a warm and cozy feeling.  This was done nicely with the metal staircase, with hidden storage underneath.  It was a touch of genius to use metal cables for the cantilevered stair, since they also serve as rails simultaneously.  It takes the traditional stairwell and transforms it into the homeowner's personal bridge to the outside.  How very clever!

One thing that is quite apparent in all of the photos is that the craftsmanship and details of all the work was done by true artisans. Take a look at the Zinc shingles that encase the stair enclosure and small openings of alabaster. This must be quite a sight to see at night while enjoying the moonlight on the breathtaking terrace.

I can't stress enough how important it is to hire professionals when doing a kitchen design or other home improvement remodel project.  From the architect, to the Interior Designer, to the Contractor, to the building permits are all essential in getting a brilliant masterpiece that you will enjoy for years to come.

Although we all can't have Tribeca apartments with outside terraces with views that are priceless, we can bring out unique qualities of our home and add personal style and flair with the assistance of a professionals that can masterfully transform architecture into a masterpiece.

Thanks to Juan Matiz of Matiz Architecture & Design and his fabulous team for inspiring us all not to accept mediocrity when it comes to Architecture and Design.  Take a look at some of their other projects on their website, they are truly a unique team. Design has many forms shapes and sizes. It is refreshing to see the integration so masterfully done.

Image Credit: Remodelista Daily – Photographer:Ty Cole

Click on the following to read more: The Architect is In: Juan Matiz of Matiz Architecture & Design – by Christine – Remodelista Daily -

Homeowners Prefer Remodeling Over Moving

National Home Improvement Month

Did you know that May is National Home Improvement Month?

What home improvement project will you do to celebrate? There are so many that come to mind, such as

Did you know that most homeowners are choosing to personalize their homes with a remodel? According to a recent survey by the National Home  Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI),  26 percent of respondents indicated that they are planning to stay in their homes much longer,  due to decreased home values. 

The recession is no secret to anyone in this economy. In 2010, existing and new single-family home sales decreased 5 percent largely in part due to the recession. However, things seem to be getting brighter. I see more cars in the home improvent retailer parking lots and lots of activity in specialty stores. You can't help but notice all of the increased advertsing by stores like Lowes Home Improvement, Home Depot, Sherwin Williams, Ace Hardware and others on the airwaves. I am impressed with all of the sponsorships and contests these companies are doing to stay front and center in the minds of customers.

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Kitchen Cabinets: SieMatic BeauxArts.02

Pompano Beach Kitchen Remodel - SieMatic BeauxArts.02
The SieMatic BeauxArts.02 lets you combine a range of seemingly opposites to create one happy Kitchen Design that works seemlessly together. Feature rich options such as the matte stainless steel fronts with faceted metal borders, glossy finish on the   doors – takes accents to "another level".

The stylish and updated BeauxArts.02 from SieMatic offers new elements, materials, colors, surfaces, and proportions for the kitchen. The BeauxArts 0.2 was designed by the mutli-talented talented Kitchen Designer Mick De Giulio. He is also an author of the well known book: Kitchen Centric, which is a hardcover 258 page book of brilliant kitchen designs. The book has everything you need to know for designing a dream kitchen, regardless of space. If you are into kitchen design or considering a new kitchen remodel, I suggest you grab a copy of Kitchen Centric.  Kitchen Design enthusiasts will definitely enjoy this book.

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Interior Design: Slideshow Coverings 2012

Interior Design Digital Library

Time flies when you are having fun! It has been a few weeks since the Coverings 2012 show in Orlando. A special thanks goes out to the Interior Design team for putting together a fabulous slideshow recap.  It brought back such beautiful memories of the Coverings 2012 Conference.

The slide show on the Interior Design magazine website is POV: Coverings 2012 slide show.   It is a great product roundup featuring 22 magnificent photos from the Coverings 2012 Orlando show.   I am impressed that some of my favs like SICIS and Lenny Kravitz for LEA Ceramiche were included in the Interior Design Slideshow. Please check out this slideshow and several others on the Interior Design website.

Interior Design Trend Tip: Digitally created graphic patterns and natural-inspired textures continue to be the strongest trend, per Interior Design.

Don't forget to check out the Digital Library while you are on the Interior Design website.  It provides a wealth of info on thousands of products conveniently at your fingertips. You don't have to go out searching for things, everything can be found in one place. See for yourself by visiting the Interior Design Digital Library.

A few of the highlighted selections featured in the Slideshow include:

POV: Coverings 2012 - 4f96bd6293b75-Antolinis-multi-layered-display-of-stone-surfacing-.jpg - 2012-04-24 14:49:07 UTC

Antolini's multi-layered display of stone surfacing.
 
 

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Designing for Kids can be Fun

Designing interesting homes and keeping them kid friendly is never an easy task for an interior designer. I totally enjoyed the well written article on blog Design Crisis, Team Wipeable – Designing for Kids, by the multi-talented Erin Williamson.  The article was fun to read, with Erin's great sense of humor and visually stimulating photos. I always enjoy reading the Design Crisis blog, which always provides vivid photos, drawings and witty commentary on interior design.

The Team Wipeable blog post, referenced an article from the amazing publication, TRAD Home – Spring 2012, Blogger Issue, written by Interior Designer, Naomi Stein of  Design Manifest. Naomi wrote the brilliant article "Classically Modern" featuring Mona Ross Berman. It was a real treat to read, especially with the photos that translated the design themes into living masterpieces. Congratulations to Mona Ross Berman and the other talented designers that made "10 Up-And-Coming Designers" named by the Editors of Traditional Home magazine for 2012.

One of my favorite photos from the Team Wipeable article was the banquette with the beautiful laminated fabrics from duralee covers. The colors are so rich and vibrant; It definintely sounds "Kid friendly" and "pet friendy", with this stain resistant material. I look forward to checking this laminated fabric out in person.

Banquette covered in Duralee Fabric - Mona Ross Berman

 

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Interior Paint Color and Your Personality

When homeowners start to renovate, oftentimes the first consideration that comes to mind is paint. The color of the walls and ceiling have a major impact on the overall atmosphere, and can make or break the environment of a room. Don’t make the mistake of buying 10 gallons of paint in a color that gives your room a different, intended effect. Instead, spend some time in the space you intend to paint beforehand. What do you envision in the space? How do you want to feel in the room? Decide how you want to feel in that room, as color will play a major role in setting that mood for you.

There are an endless variety of colors to choose from, each able to evoke a certain emotion or mood. The following are a few examples of the colors available for homeowners, looking to instill their personality into a space:

Red:
Red is a bold color, meant to evoke emotions of passion and excitement. Using this color instills a room with attitude and style, which clearly displays the homeowner’s fiery personality. As a strong color, it may be hard to balance red with other colors. However, lighter, complimentary colors such as white, yellow or gray can tone down the passion that red brings.

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Coverings 2012 – Fabulous conference this year

Congratulations to the Coverings 2012 team for doing such a fabulous job this year on the Orlando Conference. As a first year attendee, I must confess that I did not know what to expect. You never know if the team just has a great marketing arm that designs pretty brochures, great class descriptions and a build up of desire. Coverings 2012 delivered on all fronts, for the attendees and the exhibitors.  Everything was perfect, from the pre-show build up to the actual conference. My only gripe was that I did not stay for the entire show, this is entirely my fault. 

If you have an opportunity to attend a Coverings show, I strongly suggest you attend.  It is nice to see what new products manufacturers are coming out with in the industry.  The educational classes are important also and allows you to learn things from peers around the country. I was impressed with the educational track and some of the awesome speakers like Marc Kushner, world renowned Architect and co-founder of Archetizer.com.  I strongly suggest that you bookmark Archetizer.com and register on the site. It is chock full of great photos and projects. Sorry, I digress, but it is such a stellar site. You have to check it out.

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Stunning Kitchen Countertops & Cabinetry layouts

The look and feel of your kitchen will be determined by the materials you choose to incorporate. In a recent Elle Decor article, successful kitchens combine elegance with efficiency, the writer shares photos that inspire and combine different countertops and cabinetry materials for a look that brings out your inner "Rachel Ray" and includes great design and function.

 

Black granite countertops with wood cabinetry for a warm polished look.

Black Granite Countertop                                                                                                                                Photographer: William Waldron

 

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Roche Bobois: Inspiring 2012 Spring Collection

The Roche Bobois Spring Summer 2012 collection is inspiring with a burst of spring flair!  The various shapes and colors makes you want to sink into one of their ultra comfortable sofas. The European design and quality is magnificent!!

Featured in the Bobois Spring Summer 2012 Brochure is the Perception Sectional in Leather. They offer over 40 colors to choose from to put this masterpiece in your home. The sofa design is by the ever so talented designer, Phillipe Bioux.

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Kitchen Layouts and Kitchen Planning

Common Kitchen Layouts

Finding the right kitchen layout that best completes your dream kitchen design is the first step in your kitchen remodel process.

Sometimes it is hard to imagine that items like your kitchen countertops, kitchen cabinets, kitchen floor or appliance preferences all come after the kitchen layout and kitchen floor plan.

When looking at a kitchen remodel, you must first decide whether you are keeping the existing kitchen floorplan. This will help shape what direction the kitchen designer takes in the new kitchen design. The most common kitchen layouts include the following:

  • L-shaped Kitchen Layout
  • Galley Kitchen Layout
  • U-shaped Kitchen Layout
  • G-shaped Kitchen or Peninsula Kitchen Layout
  • One-wall Kitchen Layout
  • Island Kitchen Layout - (U-shaped Kitchen or L-shaped Kitchen with Island)

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