Beautiful Habitat Wins at NKBA Peak Awards!

Tennille Wood takes home a 2014 Peak Award for Kitchen Design!

The NKBA Peak Award Gala was held last night (June 26, 2014) at the Mile High Station in Denver. Tennille Wood of Beautiful Habitat took home a peak award in the Small to Medium Kitchen category for a design  “Ascending Style and Inspiration.”

The Winning Design

The winning kitchen design is part of a complete townhome gut and remodel in Boulder, Colorado. This 1300 sqft townhome was built in 1976. It was in “original” condition when purchased by the clients. That equated to a kitchen that was dark and dated, very small and with limited function.  The project goals were to create a light, bright, inviting kitchen and maximize functionality within the small footprint. The primary challenge in this kitchen was the lack of space; both storage and work space.  The original kitchen measured only 80 sqft and lacked flow and efficiency. Tennille set out to overcome these challenges, with a number of creative solutions.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

 

Several foundational changes were made in the new space. The interior wall was moved 4.5 inches to the left. This precious space allowed symmetry along the back wall where the range is located. This created enough space to move the refrigerator away from the range, thereby improving the work triangle and adding prep space between the refrigerator and range.  The soffit was removed, making the kitchen feel more spacious and allowed for taller wall cabinets and increased storage. A peninsula was added, which extends down the hallway to create a beverage area. The result is a kitchen that feels doubled in size. The peninsula creates seating, along with much needed countertop work space. The bar area creates additional storage in base and wall cabinets. The glass fronted cabinets keep the former hallway feeling open and bright.

Additional space increasing elements were incorporated. Frameless cabinets were chosen, which provide an average of 15% additional storage space over face-framed cabinets. Many of the cabinet dimensions were modified to squeeze every last quarter inch of space from this kitchen.

The Peak Awards

The Peak Awards honor those in Colorado who have achieved excellence in Kitchen & Bath Design. Recognizing talent, creativity, and commitment to design, the Peak Awards is a distinctive opportunity to highlight and acknowledge work that ascends style and inspiration.

The NKBA

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has been the premier association for kitchen and bath professionals working in North America since its founding in 1963. The Association has over 40,000 members in 11 industry segments throughout the U.S. and CanadaBeautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Open Plan Kitchens

The majority of kitchens in America are "open plan", meaning the kitchen opens onto at least one other room in the home - dining room, family room, etc. Some home designs are very open, where the main living space is nearly one continuous open room. Others have more boundaries between spaces. We are each comfortable with a certain level of this openness and certain boundaries.

 I had not given Open Plan Kitchens a lot of thought until I moved to London nearly 10 years ago. I was used to Colorado and the American West - big open spaces and big open floor plans. Most English homes and apartments have a very different way of living - each room is it's own separate box with 4 walls and a door. This is often because the buildings are older and were originally built this way. However, even newer buildings follow this plan, primarily because it is a comfort level for the British. Just as I am more comfortable in wide open spaces, they are often more comfortable in enclosed, cozy spaces. It's what we've always known. But I didn't know this when we first moved. Let's just say my first hour of house hunting was quite an eye opener! And I learned a lot about myself and how much I crave open spaces in my home. We did find a beautiful flat with an open Kitchen, Dining Room and Living Room. It was perfect. We were happy!

Many in England have started to embrace more open floor plans, particularly around the kitchen, but they are still a smaller percentage of the housing market. There is a possibility that my family and Beautiful Habitat will find ourselves back in London again, so I'm dreaming of open, open, open kitchens. Here are some inspirational interiors featuring very open kitchen designs and ways to include features from each to create your masterpiece.

via Comfree Ontario

via Homedit

via Rugdots.com

via Trendzona

via creative-furniture

Get the Look : 1. Wooden bar stools from Cymax 2. Chalkboard Paint DIY Tutorial on The Handmade Home 3. Metal Basket (Set of 4) from Wayfair 4. Hanging Lamps from Shades of Light 5. Pull Down Faucet from Home Depot 6. Iron Wall Clock from Lamps Plus 7. Le Creuset Cookery in Dune can be found at Cutlery and More 8. Wooden Countertops and Islands from John Boos

Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

2014 | A Year of Living Awesomely

 The year of living awesomely... I love it! I've spent time reviewing 2013 and creating intentions for 2014.

The intentions boil down to a few fundamental desires: enjoy life, have fun and adventure, create, run a world-class interior design business. In order to run that world-class interior design business, I intend to make changes for 2014. Beautiful Habitat will be expanding! I've come to realize that I really can't do it all and, more importantly, I don't want to. I want to focus on designing solutions and amazingly beautiful rooms and spending time with my clients. In reality, I also spend a lot of time tracking products and bogged down in administrative work. It's time to add an assistant and expediter -extraordinaire to the Beautiful Habitat team.

 

My entire career has been blessed with wonderful clients, with whom I am able to develop a friendship and deeper relationship than that of client and service provider. I want to continue to build those types of relationships. In the process, I've been able to work on a wide variety of projects. However, a few projects have not crossed my path and I would love to face those new challenges in 2014. In particular, I'd like to work on a loft space, historical property, a modern kitchen and design more custom furniture.

Traditional Living Room by Spring Lake Design-Build Firms Degnan Design Group + Degnan Design Build

Industrial Living Room by Amagansett Interior Designers & Decorators Reiko Feng Shui Interior Design

Modern Kitchen by San Francisco Architects & Designers John Maniscalco Architecture

I also have several intentions for the design of our new house. I've made quite a bit of progress since our move in June, but there is more to be done in 2014. I have some beautiful visions to turn into reality and I'll be sharing those here. Perhaps a blue-lacquered library is in the works...
 

via

My other intentions are things that many of us need: more self-care, even when I feel I am too busy. That means always making time for my health (physical and mental) and time with family and friends. Too often these items are crossed off the list as soon as we become busy with work and responsibility. However, we've got to feed that well of creativity and passion to continue to be productive in this world. Two dates on the calendar that I am particularly bad about canceling:

Modern Kitchen by San Francisco Architects & Designers John Maniscalco Architecture

What are your intentions to make your 2014 awesome?Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Make You Home More Functional With Universal Design Principals

Last week I wrote about Aging in Place and Universal Design Principals. Today I have easy suggestions for you to incorporate these principals in your home. No matter the current state of your home - new, older, recently renovated, in need of renovation, or the dream home that you are planning to build - there are easy changes that you can make to increase functionality and longevity.

Handles Instead of Knobs

This applies to doors, cabinets, and faucets. A handle is much easier for users of all ages and abilities, whether it is a toddler just learning to turn on the faucet, or experienced arthritic hands.

Or, if your budget allows, upgrade to "touch" technology. It's a luxurious upgrade for users of all ages and abilities.
 
On that same thought, light switches can be changed out for easier to use versions. The rocker-style switch is easier on hands than the traditional light switch.



Or upgrade to very cool touch technology light switches.

 If you will be building a new home or renovating an existing home, now is the time to make changes you'll appreciate now and later. These changes will not only help you to age more easily in your own home, they are luxurious upgrades before you "need" them.

In the Bathroom

Comfort height toilets and vanities Blocking in the walls to support the addition of grab bars at a later date Zero-threshold showers/Continuous shower floors

 

In the Kitchen:

Rollouts and pan drawers in base cabinets
 

Task lighting onto countertops and work spaces
 

 Drawer-based appliances such as microwaves and dishwashers

Throughout the Home

Wider hallways and doorways Lower thresholds Minimal flooring transitions For more ideas on increasing the functionality and longevity of your home, talk to an Interior Design expert today.

Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Enjoy the Comfort of Your Home for Years to Come with Aging-In-Place and Universal Design

Today’s aging-in-place philosophy and universal design practices work together to enable homeowners to stay safely and comfortably in their own homes throughout their lives. When homes are designed for “all-ages, all-abilities,” the need for expensive moves and remodels due to illness or aging is eliminated. Furthermore, adapting these principles in your home can be done can be done elegantly, without looking institutional.

via Homes for Easy Living

Despite the similarities between aging-in-place and universal design, the two are not interchangeable. A National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) article explains, “Universal design is useful to meet the needs of many, from a multigenerational family to first time home owners. It is also becoming more popular among clients of custom and even some production builders as a way of meeting current and future needs.


An additional tenet of universal design is adaptability. While aging-in-place remodeling may call for grab bar installation in bathrooms based on need, universal design would include blocking inside the walls so that a grab bar can be easily added at a future date.” As a designer, I love to educate my clients on the many benefits of aging-in-place and universal design which I believe has a modern elegance to it that is invisible and non-stigmatizing. I also urge clients to think about and incorporate these principal when undertaking any renovation, and well before they "need" these adaptations.

via Kohler

To give you an idea of what’s involved I’ve outlined the principles of universal design below. It may seem like a lot to consider, but having a home design professional who understands and can use these principles effectively in your home will give you the confidence to face the future and be assured the dignity of an aging-in-place lifestyle. The Principles of Universal Design

1. Equitable use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
2. Flexibility in use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.
3. Simple and intuitive: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
4. Perceptible information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
5. Tolerance for error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
6. Low physical effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.
7. Size and space for approach and use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

While many baby boomers are embracing both concepts and practices, it is often difficult for younger homeowners to realize the immediate value of designing for the future. However, designers and builders are seeing a shift in willingness to consider incorporating aging-in-place concepts and universal design into the overall home plan.

Via Oakwood Custom Homes

It all comes down to one question. Would you rather spend your golden years in a nursing home or the comfort of your own home? Next week I'll have some practical and easy tips to incorporate into any remodel you may be doing in the future.

 Form more information: http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=185465&fromGSA=1 http://www.ncsu.edu/project/design-projects/udi/

Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Beautiful Habitat Has Moved | Sneak Peek

We've moved! To a new house, that is. You'll still be able to find Beautiful Habitat right here and on Facebook and Twitter. You may recall my post about the new house and all the photos before renovations began. Well, some renovations are wrapped up, others haven't yet begun, but we are now residing in the new abode. I wish I had photos of the final beautiful rooms to share with you. Alas, we are living like this in more than one room.

Time and hard work will continue to pull this beauty together. And you can rest assured that I'll be sharing with you as soon as it's ready! Until then, here is a sneak peek. Enjoy!

 New Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware

Do I see Open Shelves in the Kitchen??

New Carpet - a custom dyed shade of gray. When they don't have a color you like, custom dye is always an option.

Gold On The Ceiling... Because Gold is staging a comeback and I am embracing it!

New floors - ebony-stained wood with a new graphic rug (and my camera-shy pup/assistant.)

A few finishing touches are in place, but much more work to do. And a coat of new paint - Sherwin Williams "Anew Gray".

To see more about the journey to the new home:

• Designer's Home| Welcome to My New Digs
• Things I Really Love About My House

Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Ideas for Kitchen Lighting | Guest Post

Your kitchen could arguably be called the most important room in your house. It is central to that most important of activities for your daily survival, eating. A well designed and lit kitchen can create a more inviting and harmonious heart for your home. Décor ideas in any room essentially aim for one of two goals, fashion or function. For any design specialist their goals are to achieve a merging of the two goals and hopefully reach the ideal of a room that is both fashionable and functional. With a kitchen you definitely want to choose a lighting scheme that leans towards function, because the last thing you want in the room where all your food is prepared is improper lighting.  

Sunlight
It makes for the cheapest and most environmentally green ways to light a kitchen. Nothing makes light like the sun does. Open up your blinds and let the sun shine. Unfortunately some kitchens are designed with small windows or low levels of exposure that keep sunlight out. There are a few cheats you can do to bring sunlight into a kitchen.


Of course the best way is to just install better windows with a greater amount of exposure. However, this may not be the most cost effective way, as window installation could be a major project and rather expensive. It may also be an option unavailable to you if you are in a rental property. Barring that option, you can try to bring a bit more light in through other ways. Open up windows fully in adjacent rooms, paint walls in light colors, and you can even use large mirrors to try and direct some of that sunlight towards your kitchen.  

Hanging and Overhead Lighting

 The typical kitchen design often includes an overhead light source. These may be overhead light fixtures such as a fluorescent installation, or an arrangement of bulbs. Hanging lamps are another way that offers an attractive design that can offer great functionality in a kitchen.


The ideal placement for any hanging arrangement should be one that descends over and directly lights the important areas of your kitchen. Areas like your sink, food prep counters, and your oven range are all proper candidates where you should install a hanging light arrangement. You’ll want them installed above head level but close enough that the benefit of their light is centered exactly where you need it, such as over a serving counter so you can easily see if those steaks are cooked to your perfect medium rare (or any other preferred doneness). Recessed and Under-Cabinet Lighting One of the most popular trends in home and kitchen lighting design is the use of recessed and under-cabinet lighting schemes. These lighting designs are commonly seen in art galleries, helping to illuminate portraits and sculptures. Their use in home design intends to bring home some of the elegance of an art gallery. They can certainly help a kitchen achieve a very streamlined look, bringing home the feel of a professional restaurant’s kitchen. For the do-it-yourself crowd installing these are often to be considered quite easy to do.

Remember the function
 Remember that the placement of any lights in a kitchen should focus on the functionality of the room and do little to impede it. It’s the reason that most lighting designs use hanging or recessed ceiling lights. The last thing you want in a kitchen is a lamp on your counter, you may accidentally tip the lamp and you certainly don’t want to be serving your food with shards of glass. Of course, how you design a lighting scheme in your home is something that should be catered to your tastes as an individual. Energize your kitchen life and bring a little bit more light into your home, by yourself or with the help of a professional.   Ross Donald is a freelance writer and design expert with the home and outdoor lighting specialists at LightingSale.com. Ross loves working with people to design their ideal home and understands how important it is to feel both safe and comfortable in your four walls.

 Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Two-Toned Kitchens | Love it or Leave it?

Whether it be different colors for Base cabinets and Wall cabinets or switching up the color for the island, kitchens with multiple colors of cabinetry are all around. Do you love it, or would you leave it?
 

via Better Homes & Gardens

via Beautiful Habitat

via Pinterest

via Home Bunch

via Pinterest

via Southern Living

via The Marion House Book

  Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com