Spring Fever & New Projects

I guess this year will go down in the history books as the winter that wasn't! On one hand,I was incredibly disappointed over the lack of snow, and on the other hand relieved we didn't end up with another crazy blizzard like the last 2 years. I'm such a seasonal person, I can help feeling a little cheated, even though I'm looking forward to spring!

And, it seems this lack of winter and unseasonalbly warm temperatures are pushing people into spring mode and that means focusing on updates around the house, both inside and out! So where have I been? Helping clients with interiors and exteriors, big projects and small!

I'll share a little preview of what's been consuming my thoughts and time:


This client is a longtime friend.  They have just completed a massive renovation to the entire first floor of the house.



The client already had this wonderful rug and it will be the starting point for the dining room.

We are on the hunt for blue & white pieces for the dining room and kitchen.

We plan to incorporate some blue & white pieces, such as this ginger jar into the kitchen window.

The kitchen was gutted and now has beautiful cabinetry. The clients chose a huge island for the way they like to entertain. I'll be adding the finishing touches such a lantern for end of the island, fabric and shades for the windows, bar stools, accessories and...

some fantastic hardware!  The knob on the left and the handle are in nickel and the other is in chrome. My client initially planned to use chrome or brushed nickel hardware that was more casual. While I like all metals, I really felt polished nickel was the best choice in this case. It's more elegant than brushed and warmer than chrome. So, I took my client on hardware shopping trip and while their were many great options, these in my mind, were a standout. And, even though they were an added expense, we both agreed the backplate on the knob was to die for! It's also practical as it will keep the wood on the cabinets cleaner, especially since there is so many painted white cabinets!

  Jewelry for the kitchen!!!



I am also working on a master bedroom for another client. Everything is this photo is being replaced.This client came to me by way of my friend, Renae of Renae Moore Designs. Renae used to live in Northern Virginia, but now lives in Atlanta. Before she moved she did some really beautiful work in this client's living room and dining room. Currently, I'm working on the master bedroom and hope to make Renae proud and the client happy! I am also helping this client with exterior items such as paint colors, door hardware, lighting, french doors and a new garage door!
Thank you Renae for such as wonderful referral!

If anyone knows a source for beautiful barstools that swivel with no backs, please let me know! It's for the kitchen island pictured above. I've looked at many and so has my client. We thought we found a good option from Frontgate, it came in...the husband didn't like it...it's going back. We are trying to avoid anything custom since it's not in the budget!


Tuesday Tip

Ding dong. Hello, come in. Please excuse the cheap plastic doorbell, I've been meaning to replace it.
Sound familiar? Or perhaps you're like the majority of people, and the thought of changing out your doorbell has simply never  occurred to you!

Tradtional 

Last weekend, we went to a friend/neighbor's house for cocktails and to see their new deck. They have a beautiful home inside and out. Their backyard, in particular, is to die for. It feels like you could be in Charleston and far, far away from suburbia. When you arrive, you are greeted by a beautiful landscape, lush grass and flowers spilling from elegant urns and a 17 year old plastic doorbell, courtesy of the builder.




French flourish

 We've all heard time and time again how important curb appeal is to the beauty of our neighborhoods and subsequently the value it adds to our homes. We landscape, we hardscape, we buy the perfect urns or pots, we change our house numbers, paint our front doors and put on beautiful new hardware. Then we leave the ugly cheap plastic doorbell. Why???!!!



Classic 



It's a really easy fix. I've had 3 different doorbells since we owned our house. Recently, I saw two interesting styles, so of course given the fact that I am hardware obsessed, I went on the hunt to see what else is out there. Trust me, there is a shape and style for everyone!

This is my current (3 years old) doorbell. It's the same one featured in the first image above from Baldwin brass.
I loved the round shape and the oil rubbed bronze with brass beading coordinates with the lanterns and door hardware.
 If you look closely, you can see the outline of the old one. It was rectangle and brass.
 The house is getting repainted, hopefully, next month. Is a new bell in order?

I went on the hunt to see what's out there and I found plenty to choose from, most are around $25-$30 and only a few over $50.  It's the perfect budget friendly and quick little fall spruce up. So, don't be a ding dong, find the perfect doorbell for your house!



Gothic



Mid-century







Victorian



Modern



Transitional



Elegant and stately! 



Switch Plates and Vents

It may not be close to my hardware obsession, but I do spend time thinking about things like floor vents, switch plates and outlet covers. Or maybe I should say I spend time thinking about how these things bother me because they are mostly so unattractive.


In my powder room.

Switch plates: I try to gang plate switches whenever possible. Not only does it look better, it keeps you from running around the room trying to remember which switch turns on which light source. Generally, I go with plain white unless the room is wallpapered, then I have the plates covered and love how they disappear.

Gang plate that controls all the family room lights. I prefer the screws to all be vertical.
Men don't seem to notice such details. Guess I'll be the one to fix it!



The  switch plates of my dreams! Clear with a toggle switch, made by a British company.
The perfect solution for both painted and papered surfaces as well as panelled walls.

I am usually not a fan of decorative or painted switch plates. Here's why: painted plates always scratch and end up looking dirty and covered in fingerprints. Try scrubbing them and the paint will come off over time. Decorative plates just become a big distraction on the wall. Something that is necessary and utilitarian becomes a feature instead of blending into the background. Especially avoid decorative plates if the walls have paneled molding or wainscoting. Nothing worse than having a beautiful architectural element ruined with a  blemish that your eye will automatically rest on!  And, decorative plates (specifically outlets) are really not a good idea for kids rooms. Putting something colorful, that may also look like a toy, on the wall provides an invitation for a toddler to play with the object or at least investigate it. Scary, considering it has the potential to harm. Same with kitchy night lights, better just to avoid them, especially in kids rooms.

I have two friends that have faux finished switch plates in their kitchens. One space does present "the look" better since the walls are rich tan and the room has a nod towards Tuscan design. However, in my other friends kitchen, they just look dirty on her light colored walls. Don't worry, I am smart enough to keep such observations to myself! But, if either were to ask my opinion, I'd be honest and suggest plain ol' white.

Outlet covers: No question they are ugly. All I can say is that if you have the opportunity during construction to select  locations that are as convenient and unobtrusive as possible, do it! And, consider yourself very, very lucky to have had a say! I prefer to have them low. I would love to have them all close to the floor, because it cuts down on dangling cords. Electricians hate doing this because it's a pain and depending on where you live, not to code. I recently learned the codes in my state for new construction are changing for switch plate heights to conform to handicap standards. And, that the outlet which is controlled by the wall switch will now be installed upside down. In other words, it won't smile!

Floor Vents & Wall Vents: If your lucky enough to live in an old or historic house, chances are your vents are beautiful.  I just love the artistry and design that once went into creating them and will be forever sad that home builders don't see the value in incorporating such details into newer construction. I for one would pay extra for a beautiful option. A lot extra! I've collected a few vents from salvage yards and one in particular may one day be the template to have my wall vents re-designed.


Your basic white vent wallpapered.



My favorite pattern from the vintage vents I have collected. I would love to have this copied for all my wall vents. Growing up, my grandmother had a big old house in upstate NY. During summer visits, I would sneak out of bed
and lay on the cool wood floor of the guest bedroom peering through an open vent much like this...
 listening to the conversations in the kitchen below and spying on the grown-ups! 

 One of things that was at the top of my list when we refinished the hardwood floors was incorporating flush mount vents.  Most floor vents in the US are drop in and have a raised edge whether they are metal or wood. In Europe you see generally see flush mount applications.

A room from an estate on the Dutch border. The original farmhouse was circa 1876. Veranda-March 2011
This is a very large floor vent.  If it were a raised vent, the sofa and floor lamp would need to come forward
and the curtains would not hang evenly. The flush mount vent solves all these issues. 

In my house, most of the floor vents are between windows or just under windows. It's absolutely maddening as it restricts furniture placement greatly.  I was determined to finally cross this item off the list of house "parts" that irk me! I had a total of 6 vents cut to fit flush on the first floor. They were costly, but not a budget buster, since it was only one floor. I received a few emails inquiring about them from this post, so hopefully this will answer your questions about the process.

Here's how it works:


Before: vent sits on top of the floor with a raised edge.



Next: floors are stipped of old stain and wood is cut to receive the frame and new vent.



After: The frame and vent are stained to match and are now flush with the floor. What a difference!



Door Knobs and Hinges

For reasons I can't not comprehend, there is rarely a mention of door hardware in design. Not on any of the design shows I've seen (except for This Old House) in fact, I am always surprised, perplexed and so disappointed at the end of a show when I see the builder grade hardware still present for the big reveal! Another reason I rarely watch these shows. Rarely, is it mentioned in design books. And, other than advertisements for hardware companies, it's not really a topic in any shelter magazines. And finally, when I did a Google search...nothing on the blogs! Now I do realize this may not be a full blown obsession for most, but nothing??? 

Polished nickel door knob. Gorgeous and one of my favorite finishes.



I always love a square hinge, but also have radius in my house.


Well then, let me be the first to say hardware is an important element in the design of a space. For those of you who may be thinking...is she serious? Who cares about something so small when trying to furnish an entire room... a house? Anyone who's renovated an old house and wanted to be historically correct or at least period accurate, is likely nodding with understanding.



A recent find when out shopping with a friend.

 In my opinion, paying attention to this type of detail is what elevates a space from something attractive to something really, really special. Many have homes that were outfitted in builders grade hardware, meaning soft metal (some even feels like tin and dents easily) fake brass round knobs and 3.5 radius hinges. Especially suburban homes built in the last 30 years. These make me cringe. I must admit, they are one of the first things I notice when I visit someones house for the first time.



These are from Lowes and are in our basement. When the contractor showed up with all the fake brass junk, I looked
at him and said "don't even think about putting any of those in my house." I went out and bought all the hardware
and even new cleats in brushed nickel for the staircase railings. My contractor confessed to me that he went
out later that day and bought all the same door knobs and hinges for his own basement media room! 


Two years ago, my husband and I went to look at some million+ homes. Not because we are in the market for a mansion, or ever will be, but simply for fun and to take a scenic drive. These particular homes were on a hilltop and the property had spectacular panoramic views. The house was nice. It was not remotely special. All the light fixtures and door hardware were so mediocre and even dismal. I have seen equal or better choices at Lowes and Home Depot. The floor vents, another serious pet peeve of mine, were the typical hideous muddy brown. The choice almost all builders provide.


French styled lever on a client's pantry door. Tres chic!

 Upon leaving, the sales person asked me what I thought?  I said the views are the only thing that make these homes unique. He was a 30 something guy and instead of trying to "sell"  me on everything the house had to offer or being annoyed with my candor, he said what would you change? And, I told him starting with the sun room we were standing in. The white tile was bad enough, but as you may have guessed,  the perimeter of the room was littered with the mud colored vents. Against that vast sea of white, I wanted to say for a million dollars...WTF? Turns out he was related to the builder and offered me a job on the spot to re-source all the hardware, etc...Sorry, we were just out for a drive trying to decompress during our own renovation along with other factors that made the timing all wrong. I never got around to going back to see if they changed things and/or sold the home. I certainly hope so.


Acorn tipped brass square hinge at the A&A house that
 I promised to do a follow-up post from here!

 No matter what size the budget or the space I am hired to work on, I always bring up hardware. The fact is, most people do not think about their door hardware. I have been witness to many surprised looks when I approach the subject. Some people, no matter my enthusiasm and push to change it, simply do not care nor are they willing to allocate a portion of the budget to it. Which can be anywhere from several hundred for one room to thousands for a whole house. While I understand it, I would prefer in certain situations to postpone a purchase of something large to incorporate new hardware. My only exception is bathrooms. I insist on new hardware as part of the overall design plan.  That may even extend to something fabulous for the glass shower door.



This stunning double handle is one I had flagged for my own master bath renovation, yet to be
done, but I knew it would be perfect for this client. This master bath renovation I did in 2008
and is one of my favorite projects to date.

 I always say: change the hardware, change the space. And, it truly does.  Occasionally, I get the opportunity to work with someone who is willing and even excited to change their hardware.  Recently, I had a friend hire me to help her choose new door hardware. Months earlier she had purchased all new door knobs, but decided they didn't seem right and she returned everything. She also said the hinge sizes and types were all too confusing. For me this is definitely enjoyable and for others, seems like an agonizing process.


I helped a client select these gorgeous knobs and they are now throughout her house.
 The doors have matching bronze hinges, but photographing hardware with a basic
 digital camera is a bit difficult and all the other images came out too blurry.

 In my own home, because of my obsession, I experiment a lot more than I should or would ever recommend to a client. I do think you should choose a finish and stick with it, at least by floor. I fully admit to not doing this. But, where there has been a change, the doors are not in view of others with a different finish. So in the case of hardware, do as I say, not as I do!

Polished nickel 4" square hinge in my power room.

My favorite egg knobs. Simple and they look good in both modern and traditional spaces.

Also as much as I like beautiful hardware, I certainly don't think that means one must give up a sense of humor about design, which is probably why I knew I had to have this sign for my power room. It lets people know when the room is occupied in French and when it is vacant! It came in other languages, but this made sense for us. I imagine the rich and famous probably have something similar for the doors to the loo of their poshly appointed private jets!

No more asking if someone's in the loo.

If you can afford to replace your doors, do it. But, don't think just because your doors are hollow core builder's basic they are not worthy of beautiful hardware. Quite the opposite, these doors need attention the most. And, it is far cheaper to replace the door hardware than the doors. And, don't be afraid to change the hinges to something larger or square. I hired a skilled carpenter to chisel many of the frames in my own home to accept the new hinges (and Mr. A&A did a few) and I just can't say enough about what a difference it makes!




Go ahead in...it's available for you to check out the hardware now!

 All images except the first two (which are from a vender source) were provided by A&A and may not be copied without permission.