Where to Begin?

When beginning a remodeling process the decisions about how to approach your personal style may be overwhelming. I use many tools to help my clients find the palette and design which merges what they like with how it will meet their remodeling needs.

If you are at the initial stages of planning your remodel it is incredibly helpful to the designer to have some samples of things you like. Sometimes these are pictures of rooms that appeal to you; sometimes they can even be a more inspirational piece. I had one client who used a handmade pottery vase as an inspiration for her kitchen design. The color and subtle texture, the curves and softness of its shape, where all features we used to choose cabinet style, fixtures, hardware, countertops and tile. One of my favorite tools is the website Houzz. There the clients and I can create idea books and share pictures of specific things we like. It is wonderful to use for initial inspiration through the final design details.

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http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10854056/thumbs/Asian-Inspired-Bathrooms

Attached are some samples of ideas from Houzz for an Asian style bathroom for a couple who live in Doylestown. We used these pictures as inspiration for their design. After meticulous planning we worked together to design a bathroom that was an award winner for Creative Contracting at the Bucks-Mont NARI 2014 Contractor of the Year awards ceremony. Look for pictures and a description of their project in our next newsletter.

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Please visit us at the Philadelphia Home Show this weekend at the Oaks Convention Center. We would love to see you! If you need tickets -give us a call.

Indoor Gardening.

Winter is a good time to focus a little time and energy on indoor gardening. As someone, who lacks the ability to keep houseplants flourishing – I look for low maintenance ideas. Terrariums have become my new winter garden of choice. I can decorate them, they need little maintenance and they’re a great table top accessory. The choice of containers for small plantings is endless and garden stores carry a wide variety of tiny artful ways to enhance and personalize garden scapes. For the best results, create a base for your terrarium with small stones layered with a thin layer of charcoal to help keep the soil fresh. Add some good quality potting soil and then start planting! Many garden stores are carrying miniature plants perfect for terrariums. Plants can grow quickly and overpower the container – so I tend to replant seasonally or use slow growing plants and moss. I replace flowering plants when they are finished flowering.

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This is a picture of my fall terrarium.

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Terrariums come in a wide variety of styles – express your creativity and add a little greenery to this dreary time of year! I know I’m looking forward to updating my terrarium with some early springtime bulbs.

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