Showing posts with label Woodwork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Woodwork. Show all posts

Birch Wood Becoming Bold

Traditionally, the wood stain or color of choice would have been dark ... bold, rich, and heavy.

While beautiful in it's own way ... a newer, brighter, lighter wood is making an appearance!

BIRCH WOOD.

Are you wondering what you should do in YOUR house?? 
Here are a few tips of why a lighter appearance might be the way to go!!

1: A natural, organic feel is what is accomplished when we put this type of 
wood to the test.
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2: It can help to tie together other contemporary features throughout a space. In this home, it is spread throughout the kitchen in the floor, countertops, and cabinets for a cohesive look.
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3: By using birch wood, you can create a "rustic" look without becoming too "rustic". 
More of a modern rustic
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4: If you use birch wood to its full potential, you can almost create art pieces by making new wall divisions.
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5: Contrast can be accentuated with birch wood as the 
beauty of this wood is the light color.
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6: Lastly, a completely different type of use ... using it in the raw. 
Birch branches as accents and art.
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How will YOU make BIRCH ... BOLD?
Thursday, May 7, 2015 Comments: 0
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Wood Balusters - How to Create a Fresh Staircase

A clean take on staircase balusters -- 
with a little wood and a coat of paint: 
Read ON!!!
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In this area of Texas we see a lot of THIS when it comes to staircases and balusters:

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But we prefer not to make a staircase busy with lots of curves and wrought iron. 

Why not use a material that is even MORE readily available 
and create something new and unique??

 A new favorite is to create geometric symmetry with wooden balusters. No longer are "wood staircases" a thing of the past, or a "cheap" alternative to iron.

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Use the imagination to create squares, patterns and shapes from the wood and make your banister something to be talked about!

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Even just the simplest of shapes -- a square baluster, can create such a clean "craftsman" style look that is easily combined with a transitional design.

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In some situations you could even carve alternating
 patterns in the wood for a custom touch.

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This look has been used many times in the northeast US in design, but we are revamping it and bringing it to Texas for a new and refreshing taste!

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Will YOU step outside the box??

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Thursday, September 4, 2014 Comments: 0
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Wood Storage for Contemporary Spaces

Thinking of a unique way to store your firewood this season?? We are designing a beautiful 
home full of very different architectural details in a minimalistic space. This "log wall" will 
hopefully serve as both useful and as a piece of art.

The texture and depth that is created by the stacked logs in a contemporary space is unique 
and needed when the space is void of such characteristics.


It creates its own architectural feature when built into a part of the space.


This really does take the place of art above the mantel...and it is useful!


The asymmetrical balance of the light window and the textured logs is the main
 interest catcher of this wonderful, modern space.


What do you think? Trying the wooden log idea in your future??
Thursday, October 4, 2012 Comments: 1
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Best Deal in Town: In Home Design Consultation


One of my most popular design services is the hourly design consultation. This is where
I come into your home and suggest any thing you'd like related to design:

PAINT COLORS (most requested!), window treatment ideas, furniture arrangement,
remodel product selections, room layout, finish choices, accessory options,
move in services, and the list goes on...

Most of the time, we knock it out in one hour!

A custom home builder, Neil Blanchard, called me to give a little direction to his clients 
who are in the process of a MAJOR remodel in Dallas.

The kicker... authentic Arts and Crafts... as far as design style-

A bit different from the norm, but I loved it!


My clients had thoroughly done their homework but were stuck on a few things...
 wood finishes and paint color.

They were headed in this direction and we tweaked 
the wood finish to go a bit darker.


Sort of like this:


The main concern was:

How do we make all the wood surfaces work together?

As you can see in the above photo, the wood tone on the paneling and beams are consistent,
the furniture is also and everything contrasts the floor.
Winner, winner...

We did the same:


Darkened up the finish color which will contrast their Stickley
furniture that sits on the lighter hardwood floor. 

Take a peek at the custom backsplash above
and authentic lighting... love it!

We also chose cabinet hardware and a lighter cream paint color for the kitchen ceiling 
(instead of yellow) to accentuate the beams.



To give some flavor to the front part of the house, we chose
Sherwin Williams Mannered Gold to go with the 
warm amber pendants in the kitchen- it all flows!



Here are the drawings for the fireplace design:
GORGEOUS!

Hiding that flat screen:)


I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Perry Pair and
wish them luck with the rest of the remodel!

I know it will turn out as beautiful as these rooms:






We accomplished a ton in an hour and a half:)

Until next time,



*Images via: Moi, Google Images
Saturday, June 4, 2011 Comments: 0
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Wash away your Milkwash Cabinets!


Rule #1 

Never mix a white cat with wet brown stain...

uh oh, a permanent new streak on top of her head!

At least her beautiful green eyes draw the most attention!

Rule #2

If you have pickled woodwork in your house,
listen to me!

Here's a bad Iphone picture of my client's family room before:


and after:


For a fraction of the cost of new moldings and paneling, 
a new look is on the way!

Isn't is beautiful??

Here's the process:
(with a few skipped steps!)

1. Pickled wood is painted this creamy color
2. Glaze applied magically

Yes, my friends... paint and glaze- not stain...
no sanding, no stripping




The photo below shows the inside of the pickled drawer on the island
and the beginning of the end- we then added some dark glaze for shadowing effect



Love how the glaze is applied heavier on the details of the moldings


Family room woodwork as well as crown and base moldings are being darkened 
while the kitchen gets a fresh coat of tea stained blue!

The color?

None other than the sister of my Sherwin William's Oyster Bay...
Comfort Gray
*just a bit lighter*


Testing the technique right on the wall- do not try this at home!

We were deciding whether to add the umber glaze or not,
and we decided a light coat was in order...
working the way up:)


So there is a fix to disguising your milkwash cabinets...
especially those of you who have the Plano Pink variety!

Call me and we'll get rid of it forever, since I 
don't think they will be coming back!

Until next time,
Sunday, March 27, 2011 Comments: 3
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