Pine Flooring in a Nutshell

Well, now that I have a new job at a flooring showroom, I thought I would spend some time and educate you as I learn about flooring.


                 And there is so much to learn...


The options in solid hardwood flooring are numerous. I always wondered about  the hardness of woods and where you would use a really hard wood versus a softer wood.


To start, I'm just going to focus on one wood at a time.

So pine, which is, in certain varieties, a softer wood, is a character wood. It has pin holes and knots and the color can be the type which brings you back 150 years into the dense forest in a comfy log cabin. Because of its softness, it can be difficult to keep looking new. 


                                 Just adding to its character...

However, the hardness varies with the species of pine used.


Antique heartwood is cut from the heart of the pine tree. It is the darkest and hardest wood in the tree. This makes this wood resist dents and deep scratches. Heartwood pine has a natural reddish-gold tone and are usually treated with a clear topcoat to reflect the beauty of the wood. These floors last a very long time as they patina over time.

Antique Heartwood Pine

Eastern white pine is another hard pine. It is also significantly wider than a heart-pine can be. These varieties hold stain colors very well and are usually less expensive than heart-pine floors. 

Eastern White Pine

Another way to get the beauty of pine is by using reclaimed pine. It is abundant and often used in homes. This tends to be softer and subject to dents, but the beauty and warmth of this type of flooring brings history and character into any decor.

Plank sizes in pine run anywhere from 2-1/4" to 20". 

Depending on the look you are trying to create, pine can run from very traditional to contemporary.

I hope you learned something about pine flooring. Please feel free to post any questions or comments about pine flooring. 

What wood flooring are you most interested in?

Organize Your Closet, Organize Your Life

Have you ever walked into your closet looking for something and tripped over something else you placed there in a hurry? Or tried insanely to find something you know is in your closet but can't quite place it because there are so many things EVERYWHERE? I am a very organized person, but this has happened to me many times.

This is the time for you to take control of your closet. In the process, you will take control of your time, your sanity, your life.

I recently worked with a family who is expecting a child. The child will be in the same bedroom as their 3-year old son.  A 3-year old has much different needs than a baby, so this family really needed to get their spaces defined.

As children enter a family, space is a premium. Their "things" grow proportionately as they grow. Not only this, but this particular closet for the children is also a catch-all for other household items, such as old CDs, extra wires, large framed pictures not in use, amps, extra toys and baby play things. You  get the picture--a real conglomeration of items in need of a home.

The first thing we did was measure the existing space and make a list of what current items needed storing. Then I gave the homeowner some homework to make a list of all items which will remain after the baby is born and finished using. They don't plan on having more children and after the swing and walker and mobile are past the child's use, they will be able to discard or donate them. Also, a list was assembled of household items which will need to be stored.

This is a great time to purge the old to make way for the new. This can be an emotional process. I find having a neutral third party helps to put things in perspective. My daughter helped me purge my closet and we got rid of an extra 10 bags after I went through it myself. I can honestly say I don't miss a thing we donated. Spouses are usually opposites and one is usually the pack rat, while the other holds no emotional attachment to "things." If you can agree on what needs to go and what needs to stay, you can really make some room for the future.

I then went to my favorite closet organizer. In this case it was the Container Store because budget was an issue. There are many closet space planning systems and budget must be considered when choosing where to shop.

The Container Store is a great place to shop. Their sales people are professionals and know their systems inside and out. They have done this many times before and have interesting ideas for storing items. We literally went through each item to be stored and found a place for it. When we were finished, every item on the homeowner's list had a home and extra spaces remain for future items.

Most closet organizers will install for a price, but really take a look at what needs to happen for installation. In this case, there were more drawer systems which are quite simple to put together. Just a couple of hanging brackets mean very little measuring and screwing. We opted not to have installation here, but I recommend that if you are adding quite a bit of tracks and are not really handy, installation will save a day's time and a lot of aggravation. Again, their installers are professionals and do this every day.

After discussion with the homeowner, a plan was put in place to create this new space so that when this closet is finished, there will be a home for everything and new baby will be a welcome site, along with all his paraphernalia.

Stay tuned for pictures of this family's remodeled closet which will change how they live every day, as this busy mom will be entering that closet several times a day.

As a neutral third-party, I can help you save time and turn a chaotic closet into a sanctuary of organization. Call me today to take the first step in organizing your life.

Working with a Designer

How many times have you started a project, changed your mind halfway through, and then lost all interest when you got so confused you didn't know what to do next to fix it? Or have you ever invested hours and hours into a project, finished and were unhappy with the results? Or do you just not have the time or ambition to implement such an ordeal?

The perception is that interior designers cost way too much money. Let's face it, any home remodel project costs way too much money. But in the long run, working with a designer can often save money. Working with a designer at the beginning of any project helps to create a flow which stands the test of time. Whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, office, closet, basement or just window treatments and color consultation, a designer will work with you to take you through the process as painlessly as possible.


Following are some advantages to working with a designer: 

• Designers will develop an overall plan for the project and visually share that plan so you can picture it in your home.
• Designers' goals, while usually thought to only concern aesthetics, work to achieve a cohesive and functional environment.
• Designers have a knowledge of how to work with contractors to direct them so you don't have to.
• A designer has knowledge on not only the latest trends but what trends have withstood the test of time and are considered time-honored innovations. 
• A designer is familiar with ranges in costs for materials and services, thereby keeping you on budget.
• A designer has many industry contacts to produce the desired result.
• Designers are all about the details.
• Designers can now help you to choose products which are environmentally friendly.
• A designer, will be sure to get to know you so you are pleased with the results. After all, you will be living there much longer than they will.

No matter what your concerns in any remodel, an interior designer is there to listen to your needs and walk you through the overwhelming process of choosing the right product so that the heart of your home becomes a beautiful and functional reflection of you.

Call today to get the help you need to design your home or office space to reflect your unique lifestyle.

Choosing Colors for a kitchen

I found this article very informative for those who are not quite sure of themselves when attempting the overwhelming process of a kitchen remodel. They encapsulate the rules of design anyone can understand and follow.

10 tips for selecting colors for a fab kitchen

By Amy Wax

Choosing the right colors is crucial when you are designing a kitchen, be it for cabinetry, tile, flooring or even hardware. When reviewing cabinet options, for example, not only should you be looking at whether you want a raised or flat panel door style, a durable surface on both  inside and outside, as well as an efficient layout to fully accommodate your client's needs, but you should also be really “fussy” about selecting the perfect hue, shade, tint and/or tone. Creating the right color combination is critical and can mean the difference between a space that is ho-hum and one that is stunning.

Following are some important ideas to keep in mind when designing your new kitchen:
1. If you decide you want two colors for your kitchen cabinetry—one for the wall or perimeter units and another for the island, for example—make sure they’re different enough from each other that your selections look intentional. If not, the result will look like you tried to match the colors and failed.
2. Choose hardware that stands out from the cabinets. A white porcelain knob on a white cabinet will get lost visually, whereas a rubbed bronze knob on the same white cabinets will give you more style.
3. Also, keep in mind the color of your faucet when selecting your hardware. Although they don’t have to be exactly the same, they should be colors/finishes that will work together.
4. Often the hardware on your cabinets is an opportunity to add a little sparkle in the room. For the understated kitchen without a lot of colors or textures, a cut-glass-style knob or a colorful door knob can be the perfect jewelry to accessorize the design.
5. Create a backsplash that lightens your workspace. Going darker will darken work areas and work surfaces, thus requiring more task lighting, while paler colors will add brightness by reflecting light onto countertops.
6. A hard-working component of any kitchen, the kitchen sink demands a color/finish that is as appealing as it is functional. Keep in mind that a sink in a lighter tone or even stainless steel tends to appear clean and bright whereas darker options may blend in with the countertops but will lose that feeling of cleanliness.
7. Take time to evaluate and examine your work surface selection before placing an order. Some people may find a black, shiny countertop hard on their eyes and feel more comfortable living with and working on one in a medium or lighter color.
8. When choosing an island work surface, either opt for a color that differs noticeably from that of the perimeter countertops or go with a completely different material. As an example, you might specify granite for your built-in cabinets and then contrast it with a beautiful wood surface on the island.

9. However, if you do use wood for your island countertop, avoid choosing one in the same color as the cabinetry below.  A dark wood or black island might work better with a lighter wood top and vice versa.
10. Finally, the color of the walls of your kitchen should contrast with that of your cabinets. To really show off the cabinets, make sure they stand out against the color of the room.
Hopefully, you’ll find these color ideas useful. People frequently select a function or style they like when designing their kitchen without remembering that selecting the right color, or depth of color, can make or break a kitchen design.As usual, please contact me if you are attempting any kind of remodel and need help with selecting and procuring product.

2011 Color of the Year

Click on the link to see Pantone's 2011 Color of the year.  Please tell me what you think of this color...

I am wondering where this color would be appropriate and aesthetically pleasing to anyone over the age of 12.

This is the explanation of why this color is so "popular":

Pantone has announced PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle as the color of the year for 2011. The vibrant reddish pink color was chosen for its encouraging and uplifting effect: a hue that can help meet the challenges of everyday life.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going—perfect to ward off the blues,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

Honeysuckle is an eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in apparel, accessories and cosmetics. Interior spaces can be livened up with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Painting a wall in the hue will impart a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, hallway, bath or family room.

“The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages,” said Eiseman. “In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”