Hicksville, NY — Sometimes, some of the best projects start with a complex story. Such was the case with this recent renovation, which involved a tear down and rebuild of the Northport, NY home sited on the shores of Long Island Sound.

The homeowner and builder (Jato Builders) had visited several firms looking for a collaborative kitchen designer who could help bring to fruition the client’s vision for an elegant residence with a coastal design vibe.

“She’s very particular and she just wasn’t making a connection with anyone,” recalls Ellen Lopez, CMKBD/founder/principal designer, EL Design Studio, in Hicksville, NY. “That’s when I received a phone call from a friend and fellow designer who asked if I would be interested in the project. The homeowner came to my studio and we hit it off immediately.”

Focus on the Waterfront

One of the challenges in finding the right designer was finding someone who could navigate the challenges associated with the relatively large space and the homeowner’s wishes. Specifically, she wanted a kitchen that was unique – i.e., nothing ‘cookie cutter’ – with a functional layout. She also wanted a focus on the waterfront and elegant materials and finishes – including those that would play off of the reflective and shimmery chandelier she had already selected to float above the adjacent eating area.

“The whole design concept actually started with the light fixture,” she says. “We wanted to keep everything elegant to live up to it, yet keep it toned down a bit so it wouldn’t be overpowering.”

The breathtaking vista of the Long Island Sound also played a significant role in the design.

“The view is the focal point,” she relates, adding that the home’s location is very peaceful and serene. “We didn’t want to detract from it.”

To accommodate, a wall of windows and patio doors with transoms and arched mullions stretch the length of the kitchen and into the adjacent dining room. The color palette and material selection also pay homage to the view.

“We wanted to bring the North Shore of Long Island’s color palette into the house, which we achieved with a variety of materials and wood tones,” Lopez explains. The resulting mix of soft, natural tones is accentuated with a perfect balance of accent colors to provide definition and detail.

For example, Cambria Skara Brae quartz countertops and accent walls, which are tucked behind wooden floating shelves, feature dramatic earth-toned veins set against a bone white background that draw the eye around the room and capture the ebb and flow of the water beyond the windows. Its light and dark tones are repeated in the custom EL Design Studio cabinetry, which is accented with Rocky Mountain Hardware and walnut interiors. The former color tone is represented by the perimeter cabinets and the latter is echoed in the island, which is sheathed in a custom finish that reflects the colors and textures of rocks and pebbles outside. To visually minimize its large dimension, Lopez topped the island with a combination of quartz and custom-figured maple. The wood, from Grothouse, is stained dark and rich to add elegance, depth and strength.

“In a sense, the combination of materials tricks the eye,” she states, adding that elevating the wood eases the transition between the surfaces and gives the wood an impressive and stately appearance. “I didn’t want just one giant piece of stone. Instead, the mix of materials, and the light versus dark, is more interesting and inviting.”

Lopez incorporated plenty of seating, a prep sink and the Thermador range into the island. Hovering above, the ventilation hood – built collectively by Birchcraft Kitchens and Grothouse – also includes antiqued mirrors that reflect the water.

The Importance of Work Flow

Because Lopez’s client loves to cook, creating a functional layout was critical…and challenging, given the fact that she had an extensive appliance wish list that included two wall ovens and a 36″ range, two dishwashers, a microwave drawer and a built-in coffee machine. Plus, she wanted a walk-in pantry with entry provided from within the kitchen.

“It took three iterations to find the perfect layout that established a good work flow in an aesthetically pleasing space,” she indicates.

With one wall dedicated to the view, and therefore unavailable for wall or tall cabinetry, the designer focused on creating rhythm and flow with a small work triangle consisting of the Kohler Whitehaven Cashmere farmhouse sink and Thermador range and refrigerator. Tucked within is the Miele coffee machine and a Thermador microwave drawer.

A separate Thermador column freezer is a few steps away on the opposite side of the arched entrance into the great room. Turning the corner, Lopez placed two additional ovens. Across from another arched entrance, this time into the formal dining room, she included a television, countertop with additional storage and the entrance into the hidden pantry, which sits behind the wall. To add interest, Lopez accented the door with antiqued mirrors.

“I created the entry to look like a tall cabinet, rather than a door,” she explains. “Plus, the mirror offers a reflection of the water so everyone, including those seated at the nearby banquette with their backs to the window, can see the view.”

Inside the pantry, Lopez included several unexpected details, including glass/wire mesh upper cabinets, open shelves and another Grothouse wood countertop.

The post Creating an Elegant Waterfront Dream appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

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Flower gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby, especially if you know how to do it right. You can use beautiful flower garden ideas to create an amazing backyard oasis that will impress everyone who sees it. These beautiful flowers help you express yourself in ways you never thought possible. All it takes is a little creativity to show your personality through these amazing flower garden ideas. Here are some ideas that can help you start this amazing hobby.

1. Consider Large Garden Areas

Many flower garden ideas are perfect for smaller spaces, but consider planting something other than flowers if you have a large backyard area. If you’re looking for an easy way to create an impressive look that’s also functional, go with ornamental grasses or evergreen trees. These plants are great year-round and require very little maintenance over time.

Choose two contrasting colors and one color family, such as purple or pink. You can then add perennial flowering plants in groups of three to five, and you’ll have an eye-catching flower. Make sure you carry out regular weeding because today’s weed might be tomorrow’s weed patch.

2. Create an Edible Flower Garden

If your goal is to create a garden as an outdoor kitchen, consider making a dedicated flower bed for herbs and vegetables. If possible, flower gardens should be beautiful and delicious. Vegetables will get a huge boost in productivity with the flowers available when pollinators are drawn to nectar-rich planting beds.

Edible plants such as tomato, squash, and cucumber will blossom in such flower garden beds. In addition, the beneficial insects that rely on floral nectaries will help control vegetable pests, thus, reducing the use of pesticides.  You can get ideas on types of squash to grow here so you know which one can work for your flower garden.

3. Plant Flowering Plants on Trellis

Trellises and topiary create focal points in the garden, especially when consistent color and style. When creating an edible flower garden, place trellises along walkways and at the edges of beds to lead visitors through the garden and to help keep plants upright as they grow. Make sure you define borders against which to plant flowers of varying heights.

They provide support for climbing vines such as morning glory, cucumber, and sweet potato, and vertical growing flowers such as clematis. Trellises also provide structure for flowering vines that may not need support, like the passion vine. You may also trellis-filling vine in one season from seed with morning glory and moon vine.

The passion vine can climb up an arbor or trellis to create a lush canopy of green leaves. Passion flower blooms are attractive to bees, which adds to the benefit of an edible garden. Gloxinias, petunias, and their foliage can also bring beauty to your trellis.

4. Combination of Bogs and Rain Gardens

Brighten that soggy spot in your backyard with a rain garden or bog garden. And when planning a bog garden, consider plants that love both full sun and wet soil. Flowering plants that thrive in bog gardens include candelabra primrose, cardinal flower, and yellow iris and leopard plants.

You can also introduce fun and funky in your wet by including carnivorous pitcher plants. Make sure your garden rain never dries out. A natural bog garden will be replenished by rainfall, but a dry spell hits; ensure you help it out with a hose. 

If you see frogs, salamanders and turtles, know that a bog environment is present, so use it to plant some rain garden plants. If you don’t have a natural depression that collects water, create your own by sinking a plastic kiddie into the ground. You can use pond liner to create a bog garden as long as you disguise the edges with rocks and fill the bottom with peat moss and sand.

5. Consider Flower Garden Paths

When you think of your garden, do you see only the flowers that need to be planted? A flower garden is perfect for an area where you can walk through and view the various blooms. If your current yard doesn’t have one existing place, design a path with bricks or stones, so everyone has easy access.

But keep in mind that you’ll need to choose flowers that can handle foot traffic. A flower garden path should comfortably accommodate a wheelbarrow and a cart with room to turn around. Make sure you mulch your plant beds as much as possible to keep them flourishing.

6. Butterfly Flower Garden Ideas

The butterfly garden works especially well near a porch or patio area. Butterflies love water, so add a small pond, and you’ll be treated to the sight of not only butterflies but frogs and lizards as well. However, some beautiful flowers may fall flat when it comes to attracting butterflies. 

Some butterflies are designed to extract nectar from particular flower shapes, meaning that some blooms sound like the dinner bell while others miss the mark. Even though butterflies love bright colors, it’s important to include flowers with rich nectar stores easily accessible in shallow flowers. 

Butterflies and other pollinators will stay in your garden throughout summer as long as you include seasonal blooms in your garden. This is because their food sources are usually most plentiful when the weather is hottest, and most plants bloom during springtime or summer.

Butterflies will truly thrive with a combination of butterfly-friendly flowers, annuals, and perennials, which they can land on for rest periods between nectar-feeding sessions.

7. Combining Tulips with Annuals and Perennials

Create a harmonious arrangement with this amazing flower garden idea. Extend your garden blooms with tulips, annuals, and perennials that will come back each year with less maintenance. Make sure you space out your flowers so that tulips stand taller than your shorter, low-growing annuals and perennials. 

When winters are cold, your tulips will return for several years but won’t survive when grown in warmer, moist climates. A flower garden bed with a blend of red and yellow tulips will make the whole bed look amazing. 

Create that festive effect in a mixed flower bed by planting clear, primary tulips. Daylily, catnap, salvia, and bells of Ireland are some of the great tulip companions, and once you should reconsider when recreating a gorgeous full flower garden bed.

8. Pallet Flower Garden Ideas

Flowers that provide color with the way you want the artwork to appear are a good start for any design. For example, mixed white and yellow flowers will provide interest for your garden whether you want a spring or summer look. The tulips will be particularly appealing in beds where most flowers are filled with one particular shade.

If you have a lot of flowers of the same style, plants with distinctive features will draw attention. Choose something really small tulip for this circumstance. Chives will certainly give you an option to create a variety of patterns by simply including or eliminating plants from your flower bed.

9. Recycled Rubber Tires Flower Garden Ideas

You can never go wrong with turning your old tires into a garden ornament. Rubber tires are tough and long-lasting, making them fantastic materials for your yard or business’s landscape design. This reclaimed rubber tire flower garden idea is a great way to recycle old tires while beautifying the area at the same moment.

If you have an old bike lying around, make use of its tire as well. If you have some scrap tires lying around, turn them into a flower garden. This will not only make your lawn look good but will also help you avoid worrying about tires taking your space or disposing of them.

10. Potted Flower Garden Ideas 

There’s nothing more pleasant than a stunning potted flower garden in the backyard. So take your time and plan it well so you can enjoy it for many years to come. When it comes to convenience, nothing beats flowers planted in clay pots and half buried in a bed of gravel.

It doesn’t have to be complicated – using a simple pot will also do the trick. You can also bring in some hanging baskets if you have a nice outdoor space for them. To achieve a harmonious and colorful look, choose a different flower for each pot. Round your flower bed with pots.

A circle of purple, white, red, and white striped Bizzy lizzies spread out from the pine ringed by stonecrop, moss, and pots of pink and white Bizzy lizzies. And if you want to enjoy the view from your home or balcony, consider adding some cascading plants, vines, or grasses, which will make it look like an entry from fairy tales. Add in some wooden trellis and little lights too to complete the look.

11. Formal Flower Garden Ideas

Of course, the clean lines and tidy layout of a formal garden will provide a respite from the stresses of modernity. Adding some flowers on top of that grass and well-cut boxwood shrubs will be the finishing touch to the garden’s look. You can stick one or two flower varieties in the formal garden.

Lavender, roses, tulips, hydrangeas, and salvia are a few things that you can use in your formal garden. You can mass the flowers around a central fountain, use them to edge paths, and fill in geometric hedge plantings with blooms.

12. Flowering Cottage Flower Garden Ideas

You can turn your cottage garden into plant beds with the help of perennials, ornamental grasses, and flowering shrubs. Roses, lavender, cosmos flowers, lilies, snapdragons, and hydrangeas are among some of the plants that you might use to make up your cottage flower garden. 

Grasses like colorful ornamental rye can be used as a ground cover to fill in spaces between other flowering plants. Perennials like bleeding heart, lupines, black-eyed Susan, and daylilies are among the many types of flowering perennials that you could use for your cottage garden.

FAQs about Beautiful Flower Garden Ideas

How do you lay out a flower bed plant?

Arrange border plants with plants taller than 2 to 3 feet tall, then place them in the back with the mild-size plants from 10 inches to 2 to 3 feet tall in the middle. After that, layout shorter plants in the front of the bed. It’s also best to use groupings and drifts of plants for a natural feel.

How do you plant a flower garden for a beginner?

First, make sure you remove the weeds and amend the soil. If it’s a new bed, put down a layer of landscape fabric to block weeds and top with six inches or more garden soil and topsoil. If your area doesn’t receive much sun, you can consider growing shade-loving flowers as they blossom in such areas.

Final Thought on Beautiful Flower Garden Ideas

Build your corner of paradise by adding different types of flowers in your backyard. You can enjoy your backyard for gardening, spending time with your loved ones, or just relaxing.

 

The post 12 Gorgeous Flower Garden Ideas To Add To Your Home appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.

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Choosing the right backpack can be a difficult task for students, especially in high school or college. It is not easy to pick the best backpack that will suit your needs. With so many options available today, it can be overwhelming and confusing to choose one. Which type of bag should you get? What features do you need?

Below is the list of the best backpacks for college and high school kids in 2021.

1. Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack Herschel

Pop Quiz Supply Co. is an independent designer, distributor, and manufacturer of luxury backpacks, bags, and accessories. One of their best-sellers is the Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack which has everything you need for college. This backpack is spacious, durable, and lightweight.

It offers enough compartments to keep your must-have organized. This bag comes equipped with a padded laptop sleeve, fleece-lined sunglasses, and a few other compartments you can use to store your go-tos. The base of this bag is also lined with a water-resistant faux leather panel that keeps your items safe from spills and puddles.

2. Moleskine Metro Backpack

This backpack is a multi-purpose bag you can use to store all your college essentials. It has several compartments where you can store your laptop, phone, charger, and even your notebooks. It features padded straps that add extra comfort when carrying the pack for hours.

If you’re looking for a sleek, compact backpack that can help you keep your laptop safe from elements, then this is the right choice. This bag is crafted from water-repellent nylon, and it boasts a protective polyurethane base that keeps your electronics safe from spills and puddles. 

3. Everlane Modern Snap Backpack

For minimalist college students, this backpack from Everlane is a good choice. This pack doesn’t have traditional compartments or zippers. Instead, it features a series of pouches and slots that allow you to store your stuff in the most efficient way possible.

Plus, its design allows you to store laptops, notebooks, and other school supplies. It has an exterior side pocket for your water bottle, making it safer for your inside belongings. You can also keep it for the longest time, thanks to its water-resistant cotton twill exterior.

4. The North Face Borealis Backpack

One of the best backpacks for college is this one from The North Face. It has 28 liters of storage space, perfect for carrying your books and notebooks on campus. Additionally, it features a fleece-lined pocket that allows you to keep sunglasses protected when you’re on the go.

If you need a whole lot of space, the Borealis backpack is a perfect choice. Upfront, it has an elastic bungee system. This bag is also comfortable, and there’s also a version that can fit women’s bodies. It comes in various colors, fitting everyone’s preferences.

5. Mokuyobi Flyer Backpack

This is one of the best backpacks for college students because it’s got a huge amount of space. If you want to carry your laptop, tablet, or iPad with you, there are two pockets in the front that can fit most laptops with screen sizes up to 15 inches. You’ll also find several exterior pockets with zipper closures. 

There is an open space that’s perfect for carrying several books. If you’re worried about running out of time, this is for you. It has some space for extra clothes, some make-up or perfume, and a few items.

6. Herschel Heritage Classic Backpack

If you’re looking for a stylish backpack for college, this is your answer. Herschel is a brand that’s known for its affordable and trendy bags and accessories. It has several designs to choose from, so you’ll surely find one that complements your style.

This backpack has a bit more than enough space for most students with 19 x 13.5 x 8 inches. If you also like a light, classy backpack, this may be the best backpack for you. It has a large compartment with a sleeve that can hold a 15-inch laptop and a small media pocket with a headphone port. 

The classic black color with a saddle brown faux leather bottom is one of the 23 designs available. It has an air mesh back padding and cushioned straps that keep you comfortable across the campus.

7. Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack

This is a cool backpack for students who are always on the go. It has one main compartment with dividers to provide easier organizing. The exterior also features two front zippered pockets, one of which is padded to protect your laptop or tablet.

There are three colors available, including dark pink camo, midnight camouflage, and navy blue. For comfort and better back support, the designers made the straps adjustable. It also has the signature feature of Dagne Dover’s backpacks and bags, which is the key leash. 

The superior material is made of premium neoprene, making it water-resistant, hand-washable, and one of the most durable backpacks on the market.

8. Modoker Vintage Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port

This is great for any college student. It can fit most laptops up to 15 inches with its slim design, making it perfect for many carrying cases during the day. With two front pockets, one of them with a built-in USB port, this backpack will make it easier for you to access your phone or tablet while on the go. 

This backpack has a roomy main compartment with a padded laptop sleeve and an internal organization panel. There is also a front pocket for your accessories, such as pens, calculators, tablets, phones, and more. This backpack also boasts spacious main compartments, two water bottle pockets, and two compact pockets.

9. Day Owl Backpack

If you want to live a sustainable life on campus, then the qualities of this backpack suit you well. While the bag looks trendy and small with its circular design, the interior of this backpack is very spacious and can hold your laptops, a few books, and other belongings. You can also send this backpack back for repairs to make it last longer.

Also, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly backpack that will suit all your outfits while carrying all your items in it, then you should consider this one. Since the bag is made with non-toxic materials and the company’s claim that every feature in the backpack has an environmental purpose is convincing, I’d say that there is no reason not to buy this for yourself or even friends who are into sustainable living.

10. Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack

Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack is a highly practical and stylish backpack. If you’re looking for a high-quality, durable backpack that does not look like a typical boring one, this should be your choice. In addition to its durability, the Fjallraven Kanken is also waterproof and highly functional.

It comes with a number of pockets and compartments inside and out, which means you can fit everything you need in the backpack, including assorted snacks for your college days. If you’re looking for something trendy but functional, this might be the best choice for you.

The Fjallraven Kanken comes in 17 colors inspired by nature, including acorn forest green and autumn leaf. The ergonomically designed padded shoulder straps also make a comfortable journey between classes.

11. Timbuk2 Spire Laptop Backpack

This is another great choice of student college backpacks. It’s designed to protect all your 15-inch laptops and tablets. With careful details like the Napoleon pocket that makes it easy to quickly access important items, rugged ballistic zips, and a scratch-resistant lining, this bag is just an example of what you can expect from Timbuk2 products.

If you’re going to school in a rainy city, this bag should be one of your options. It’s made out of canvas fabric and waterproof material, enabling it to keep your laptop dry. It also has a laptop compartment and a zip pocket that can hold your phone, wallet, and other small, significant items.

It has multiple storage spaces for pen holders, water bottles, and other school supplies on the inside. Apart from the laptop compartment, the main compartment can carry books, extra jackets, and other essentials. It has incognito back zip access and a secure pocket for valuable items. It also has comfortable straps which are adjustable and come with a sternum strap suitable for travelling.

12. Vera Bradley Signature Cotton Campus Backpack

Vera Bradley is a globally recognized brand with an extensive selection of luggage and backpacks. This backpack comes in 13 different designs, giving you a wide range of options to choose from depending on your style preferences. 

The bag has double carrying options, a short handle, and adjustable shoulder straps. It has a front pocket with a flap and an additional zipped pocket for your valuables. It also has three pen holders. In addition, it has no natural wool fiber, making it perfect for animal lovers.

13. JanSport Right Pack

The Right pack features the signature suede leather bottom, padded laptop sleeve, two front pockets, and a side water bottle pocket. This backpack is also made of durable Cordura fabric and comes with an organizer. The company is also committed to providing durable and reliable products offering you a lifetime guarantee.

If the bag breaks down, you can send it back, and the company will fix or replace it. Additionally, there are many colors and designs you can choose from. For example, you can display your personality in bright, floral, and evergreen tones.

14. Lululemon City Adventurer Backpack

This college student backpack is for you if you’re a sports enthusiast and want academic success and a fit body. It has enough room for your laptop and comes with an expandable pocket that could hold your gym clothes. It has a water repellent fabric and comes in different colors. 

The minimalist design of this college backpack makes it fit well in both class and at the gym. If you want to save time and money, this is the backpack for you.

15. Kenneth Cole Reaction Women’s Chelsea Backpack

If you’re looking for a feminine backpack with enough for all your school essentials, grab this Kenneth Cole Reaction backpack. It has enough room for your laptop and all the other things you need during class, plus it comes with an extra compartment where you can keep your sunglasses safe. It also has interior pockets where you can place your pens, phone and tablet.

16. Herschel Dawson Backpack

Hershel backpacks are very popular. However, this one differs from other backpacks belonging to the same brand through its separate front pockets.

The pocket has a drawstring closure with foam padding for extra protection. Plus, the main compartment has a capacity of 20.5 liters and can hold laptops and notebooks effortlessly.

FAQs on Best Backpacks for College 2021

How do you choose college backpacks?

By the total capacity. It should be spacious enough to carry all your books, laptop, computer accessories, and toiletries.

How do you choose a durable backpack for college?

By its fabric and construction. Good backpacks are made of robust materials like leather and canvas to ensure long-lasting durability.

Final Thought on Best Backpacks for College of 2021

Being a student is already hard enough. Try to make it simple by choosing the right backpack. Remember that a good backpack shouldn’t only have trendy looks and enough space for your things. It will also contribute to your health, and a low-quality backpack can deform your spine and put you in tremendous pain.

 

 

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We all know that interior design is a crucial part of home decor, but it can be hard to decide on the right paint colors. There are so many options out there, and you might find yourself overwhelmed with choice. You may also lack inspiration when trying to pick the perfect color for your walls or furniture. 

Try out these bright, cheerful, muted, and relaxing aqua paint colors. Aqua paint colors are a hot choice right now and work perfectly in homes with modern, contemporary, or even rustic decor. Aquatic paint colors provide fresh feelings and look incredibly stylish. 

This blog post will help you choose from the best aqua paint colors for your home. Each option has its personality and style, which makes it unique in its way. Read on!

1. Sherwin Williams Sea Salt

This shade of aqua is the most popular option right now, with its freshness and brightness. It can be used on walls or furniture to provide a contemporary feel to your interior design. It looks great paired with browns, blacks, greys, and whites.

If you’re looking for the best light aqua paint, Sherwin Williams sea salt is the right choice. With its rich colored accents, the green undertones in this light aqua paint shine through. Sea salt aqua paint color is perfect for any room, including bedroom, living spaces, and kitchens.

2. Benjamin Moore Jamaican Aqua

Jamaican Aqua paint color is one of the most popular aqua colors right now. With rich, bright blue undertones, this green aqua color will brighten up your living space instantly. Jamaican Aqua looks great when paired with white accent pieces and fabrics. This is a truly saturated color. 

This shade of greenish aqua is the best choice for painting kitchen cabinets hardware, furniture, and the front door. Jamaican aqua is balanced perfectly between blue and green. Despite being vibrant and striking, Benjamin Moore Jamaican aqua is also relaxing and tranquil. It’s a good choice for bathrooms and cheery laundry. Plus, it’s the perfect blend of green and blue.

3. Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray

Comfort gray paint is one of the best aquamarine colors. This aqua paint color is made up of a gray undertone, making it the perfect shade for any room in your home. This aqua color is not too dark or heavy but also not too bright and vibrant. What makes this shade so unique are its warm gray undertones that make the aqua pop.

4. Behr Marina Isle

If you’re looking for the best dusty aqua paint colors, you’ve just found it. This color is perfect for a bathroom or laundry room to create a relaxing and restorative atmosphere. The best part about this shade is its ability to make the entire room feel more spacious, thanks to its blue-green undertones. 

This aqua paint pairs well with other muted tones such as beige and olive green. It works well in both large and small living rooms. Make sure you pick the bolder green accents to make this aqua hue pop.

5. Sherwin Williams Aquatint

A soft, light blue aqua paint color that makes your home feel clean and calm. This shade is perfect for a powder room, mudrooms, or even an accent wall behind the bed. This sea foam green shade would be beautiful in a guest room or master bedroom where you want to create a relaxing retreat space.

Pair it with white woodwork and a white tile shower for a crisp feeling. Sherwin Williams Aquatint is a versatile blue-based aqua suited for nurseries because of its cheerful nature. Light wood and crisp white trim would be perfect with aquatint for a contemporary bathroom and master bedroom.

6. Glidden Deepest Aqua

If you’re not afraid of trying deep bold colors, glidden deepest aqua is the right choice. This color is an excellent choice for almost every room. This rich, mermaid-inspired aqua is perfect for a playroom and an accent wall. Plus, it can pair well with other bright colors such as coral and pink.

7. Sherwin Williams Waterscape

Sherwin Williams’s waterscape is a soothing gray-aqua that is perfect for any living space. This color would be great in the bedroom or bath, because of its calm and serene nature. Adding watery blue curtains or an aqua rug could enhance this shade to tie the room together. 

This refreshing aqua paint color works perfectly well in the home office and a kid’s bedroom. It is a great color for any room you want to add some youthful energy and calming feeling to it at the same time.

8. Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue

Palladian blue is a soft, muted aqua with blue undertones that works beautifully in airy, sunny living spaces and bathrooms. If you’re looking for a perfect blend of gray and blue with a calming effect, Palladian blue is your perfect combination.

 Add some little pigment to that small space using these aqua paint colors from Benjamin Moore. This soft aqua can add a little personality without becoming too intense.

9. Sherwin Williams Interesting Aqua

Sherwin Williams Interesting Aqua is bright with a little green in it. It’s like a bright teal and can be the perfect paint color for your kid’s room. It gives an impression of water, which makes it calm and soothing.

With its gray and green undertones, this unique aqua shade is a great choice of color for entryways, kitchen cabinets, and bedrooms. Interesting aqua adds the perfect dose of color without feeling juvenile and outdated.

10. Valspar Beach Blanket

Valspar Beach Blanket has gray and blue undertones, which means it is soothing like water and calming like the ocean. It’s probably not the best choice for your kid’s rooms, although you might want to try it, it can be great in bathrooms since they are usually small spaces that need something light and calm. 

If you love green and beach-inspired vibe that much, then this aqua hue is a great choice. It’s a warmer aqua than others, making it a great paint to pair with neutral beiges and yellows.

11. Sherwin Williams Tame Teal

Sherwin Williams Tame Teal is one of the many sophisticated hues that come in this shade family. It has brownish undertones, which means it’s calming and cozy like the ocean at sunset. When paired with lighter tones, painting your bedroom and office space makes your room feel modern and updated. 

Make a modern, contemporary girls’ room with a feature wall painted in tame teal and decorated with golden circles. This beautiful green, blue aqua paint looks excellent in the front door, kitchen cabinets, and tray ceiling as well.

12. Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments

Quiet moments from Benjamin Moore is an aqua paint color that leans more toward the green side of things with a good bit of gray undertone to it. If you’re looking for aqua paint colors to incorporate in your kitchen and dining room, Benjamin Moore quiet moment is one of those aqua paint colors you should never let go of.

13. Benjamin Moore Caribbean Breeze

Benjamin Moore Caribbean Breeze is a cool aqua hue. It’s a romantic color paired with warm colors like oranges and yellows to create a fun girls’ room painting. This soft aqua is also a wonderful choice for a space that has less than ample natural light. With its inner glow, the Caribbean breeze can light up a room regardless of its size.

FAQs on Ten Best Aqua Paint Colors for Your Home

Is aqua warm or cool?

Aqua is a color that lies somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. It’s best to think of aqua as its category and not associate it with any particular warm or cool family.

Is aqua paint easy to work with?

Yes, aqua paint is easy to work with as long as you know how to pick the right paint for your space. It’s important to realize that just because a trending color doesn’t mean it will work in every room. Aqua requires a cool or neutral backdrop so it can shine as its statement.

Final Thought on Best Aqua Paint Colors for Your Home

As you can see, aqua paint colors are trending big time. And their popularity is well deserved. Aqua paints are lively, calming, and refreshing all at the same time. Plus, they go with just about any color palette you can think of, so there’s no shortage of options when it comes to decorating with aqua hues. So, if you’re struggling to choose paint colors, aqua paint is for you.

 

 

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Photos: Raquel Langworthy Photography

This renovation in Brooklyn, New York transformed a tired, outdated, traditional kitchen into a modern, sleek, state-of-the-art Kosher kitchen and breakfast area. A desire for a brighter space and improved layout led Amir Ilin, in coordination with the team from Rachel and Rebecca Design in Brooklyn, to remove a peninsula that divided the kitchen and breakfast area and push out the walls for additional square footage. 

Awkward columns in the main space were disguised through the use of clever custom cabinetry by DOCA, with all of the cabinets PEFC certified from sustainably managed forests. Basalt Gray countertops and backsplashes by Neolith tie in with the gray tones found in the woodgrain of the cabinetry, and are comprised of up to 52% recycled raw materials. Waterfall edges wrap the new center island for a distinctively modern look. The wood-tone cabinets are paired with matte white lacquer base cabinets, which allows the wood to stand out.

A small window was closed off, replaced by floor-to-ceiling windows in the breakfast nook. Glass-front cabinets in the space are inserted into dark wood panels and make the area feel larger.

The dark oak back wall that houses the appliances now gets natural light from the breakfast area. The space includes Wolf wall ovens and warming drawer, as well as a Sharp microwave drawer, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Monogram undercounter refrigerator and Bosch dishwasher.

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Designed for a large family that loves to entertain, this kitchen features two large islands, one for prep and one for serving, as well as a full prep kitchen hidden behind the range. In the main space, the homeowners wanted the cabinets to have the appearance of furniture, so that the kitchen would blend seamlessly into the adjacent living spaces. Lauren Tolles, working in conjunction with Marianne Jones LLC, selected custom cabinets manufactured by Quality Custom Cabinetry to achieve this look. 

The wall of tall cabinets features a morning bar with a coffee maker and a toaster, as well as an evening bar with wine and liquor. Both are hidden behind oversized retractable doors on either side of the refrigerator and freezer walnut armoire.  

A prep kitchen was essential for allowing plenty of storage, and a space to prep and cater that is out of sight from the main living areas. An integrated rolling ladder allowed Tolles to maximize the storage up to 12′ high, and antique mirrored doors positioned at the two entrances to the prep kitchen allow for some additional aesthetic appeal while hiding dry goods and small appliances. 

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BRONZE

Formal Farmhouse

HEIDI STEWART, KAYCEE METEKINGI, BROOKE CUDE

Lucca Design, Draper, UT

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Photos: Scott Davis Photography 

This renovation project delivered on the homeowners’ desire for a cozy and livable farmhouse kitchen that avoided any form of overly trendy details. Heidi Stewart, Kaycee Metekingi and Brooke Cude achieved this balance by including timeless elements, such as the farmhouse double bowl sink and fireclay farmhouse apron sink, both manufactured by and paired with faucets from Waterworks, and small bead inset custom cabinets by Christopher Scott finished with Ashley Norton’s Egg knobs. Countertops are by Stone Selection, with the island in Taj Mahal and the prep areas in Soapstone Black. The backsplash is Chalk Dust, part of Brick Design’s Modern Collection. Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances are featured throughout.

The oak ceiling, custom made by Timberline Carpentry, was originally going to be two tone, with a white stain on the tongue-and-groove planks and a rich stain on the oak beams. After struggling to find the perfect colors that would bring the vision to life without detracting from the high-end custom feel, the design team and the homeowners fell in love with the bare oak once it was installed and decided to keep all of the wood uniform and natural. 

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VIEW ALL 2021 KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS

The post 2021 Best Kitchens $150,000–$225,000 appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

While cabinets, counters, fixtures and appliances often anchor a kitchen or bath, it’s the secondary items like tile and hardware that can add the true decorative flair. Tile can carry a neutral design and add calm to the space, or provide bold color and rugged texture to deliver the wow factor.

Stone, glass, porcelain and ceramic are among the myriad elements that can be used to create tile, and all add their own look and feel to a space. Whether the desire is for a nature-inspired look or a glossy, modern appeal, tile can provide just the right accent.

–Subway tile continues to trend, but the classic look is getting an update with an array of colors and smooth texture that looks handmade.

–Shapes go beyond squares and rectangles, encompassing everything from hexagons to triangles to arabesques to chevrons.

–Three-dimensional tiles continue to garner attention, delivering surfaces that feature irregular patterns and an organic look and feel.

–Cement tiles with painted patterns add drama to backsplashes and showers alike, providing a bold addition to overall designs.

–Pastels and neutrals yield a softer hue, while saturated jewel tones and earth-inspired shades add an organic touch to spaces.

–Matte tile surfaces and textures are currently garnering major attention, complementing weathered woods, raw and patinaed metals and matte finishes on faucets, appliances and hardware.

 

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NAZARETH, PA — Kitchen Magic, the Nazareth, PA-based kitchen remodeling/refacing company, has expanded its remodeling services to tackle additional rooms in the home, the company announced.

The company’s expanded efforts include solutions for laundry rooms, pantries and storage solutions throughout the home, Kitchen Magic said. To complement this initiative, the company has launched a new line of affordable cabinetry named Barwen. Homeowners will also have access to custom cabinet upgrades, according to Kitchen Magic, which serves Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

“The initiative to apply 40+ years of innovation and experience to rooms beyond the kitchen was put into motion as the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns uncovered emerging client needs aimed at making homes more efficient in the work-from-home era,” said Kitchen Magic President Brett Bacho. “We jumped at the opportunity to create solutions that streamline and declutter the home … as well as introduce Kitchen Magic to a wider group of homeowners seeking remodeling.”

 

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The recipients of the Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence for 2021 were recently named, including 24 winning projects in the Kitchen and Bath categories.

The awards, which were launched in 1994, honor designs in 28 categories of residential and commercial remodeling. Winners are selected for each of four geographical regions of the U.S. The regional winners are then judged to select a national winner for each category.

The competition is open to any professional remodeler or designer, and all of the projects considered for the 2021 awards were completed after January 1, 2018. The winning projects were determined based on overall design, creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original kitchen or bath.

Kitchens Over $150,000

Studio Stratton

This traditional kitchen was newly built to accommodate the needs of a young growing family. The large windows created some challenges with regard to upper cabinets. The designer chose to solve this issue with a unique glass-fronted built-in cabinet in a different gray color with Cremone bolts to highlight the homeowner’s collection of decorative plates and serving pieces.

• National/Regional Award: Studio Stratton, San Diego, CA
• Regional Award: MA Peterson Designbuild, Edina, MN
• Regional Award: Platt Builders, Groton, MA
• Regional Award: dB Atlanta, Alpharetta, GA

Kitchens $75,000-$150,000

Daniel Contelmo Architects

To update the dated aesthetic of the original kitchen, coffered ceilings were added to help scale down the existing tall ceilings, and the color palette was lightened to keep the kitchen bright. The upper cabinets were made larger and the detailing of the moldings was simplified to provide a cleaner look. The chevron pattern of the tiling is simple but adds texture and definition to the space.

• National/Regional Award: Daniel Contelmo Architects, Poughkeepsie, NY with Tiffany Eastman Interiors, LLC, Fairfield, CT
• Regional Award: TreHus
  Architects, Golden Valley, MN
• Regional Award: S&W Kitchens, Longwood, FL
• Regional Award: Slater Interiors, Bothell, WA

Kitchens Under $75,000

Studio Stratton

The homeowners of this contemporary kitchen wanted a high-end appearance on a tight budget, so the designer created a luxurious look using a two-tone cabinetry selection. The kitchen was also opened up to adjoining spaces for a more modern and sophisticated approach. Numerous elements were used throughout the kitchen to create a sleek, contemporary feel.

• National/Regional Award: Studio Stratton, San Diego, CA
• Regional Award: Knutson Residential Design, St. Paul, MN
• Regional Award: RS Mannino Architects + Builders, Rutherford, NJ
• Regional Award: Carriage House Custom Homes & Interiors, Franklin, TN

Baths Over $75,000

Innovative Construction

Functionally, the homeowners wanted a lot of storage. The project included recessed medicine cabinets and scads of cabinetry on the his-and-hers vanity. A countertop cabinet was also included in the space. Drawers were created beneath the cabinets and some of the cabinets contained specialty pull-outs, including one for trash and one for the scale.

• National/Regional Award: Innovative Construction, Peachtree Corners, GA
• Regional Award: Marvista Design + Build, Pittsburgh, PA
• Regional Award: Marrokal Design & Remodeling, San Diego, CA

Baths $50,000-$75,000

S&W Kitchens

In the original bathroom, the client wanted a larger shower area, removal of the tub and more storage space. A rich wood vanity provides plenty of storage via doors and drawers, along with a tall linen cabinet. A white countertop with classic pale gray veining provides a dramatic contrast with the cabinets and an elegant look. The large shower features classic neutral tones against a dramatic tile floor and dark-toned fittings and hardware throughout.

• National/Regional Award: S&W Kitchens, Longwood, FL
• Regional Award: Advance Design Studio, Gilberts, IL
• Regional Award: Carnemark design+build, Bethesda, MD
• Regional Award: Studio Stratton, San Diego, CA

Baths Under $50,000

C&R Remodeling

This farmhouse was typical of a bygone era when the main floor bathroom served the entire house. To improve convenience and family harmony, a second-story bath was added that includes a single vanity in an olive green shade, along with an abundance of white subway tile given a fresh upgrade with gray grout. A wet room includes a rainshower, hand-held shower and soaking tub under skylights.

• National/Regional Award: C&R Remodeling, Salem, OR
• Regional Award: Jaque Bethke Design, Scottsdale, AZ
• Regional Award: OA Design Build, Minneapolis, MN
• Regional Award: Great Northern Builders, South Berwick, ME
• Regional Award: TEW Design Studio, Raleigh, NC

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Under normal circumstances, part of our job is to prepare plans for our clients to prime them for changes to their homes and lifestyles. Unfortunately, the pandemic crumbled remodeling hopes for many homeowners, and it had a serious effect on us as designers. First, we went from comfortably busy to zero in about two months. Then we were stagnant for almost a year. That dormancy was followed by a mind-boggling recovery, one that Eliot Sefrin, editor emeritus of KBDN, referred to as a “tectonic market shift.”

I survived the 2007-2009 recession and decided not to give in to the same negative feelings that plagued me until 2010. Instead, I used the pandemic downtime to work on my business, taking classes that had been on my bucket list for five years or more. At the same time, I read over 75 marketing books and white papers. It was not as gratifying as working with clients, but it was a major accomplishment.

Building, maintaining and marketing a unique brand reputation is challenging. There are excellent books and many courses to help us, but your choices need to be carefully considered. I learned the hard way during the recession and ended up wasting time and money on courses that didn’t work. During the pandemic, I avoided repeating the same mistakes.

Two exciting possibilities arose from free webinars recommended by acquaintances. Each marketing coach offered a new direction that sounded promising. One program is $3,500 and requires a commitment of at least six months. The other course costs over $10,000 and involves a year of classes. It’s easy to say “yes” to the compelling reasons the coaches present until we stop to think about our ROI. Curiosity helped me gain clarity to say “No” to the programs. Finally, I said “yes” to another customizable opportunity with great ROI possibilities.

NAVIGATING THE NEW NORMAL

Everyone is now adjusting to a new normal: higher remodeling investments and lower availability of labor and products. Homeowners are anxious to proceed with pandemic-delayed remodeling projects. Our 15-month business famine has become an overflowing feast.

In fact, home remodeling queries on Google went from 38% in March 2020 to 93% in March 2021. The annual Houzz survey verifies that home renovation spending increased 15% in the past year.

But will the trend continue or collapse?

Many variables will affect remodeling in the future, and all we can do as designers is perform our best every day, and stay on top of news reports about the economy, the pandemic and other fluid trends. Being prepared for change helps us cope with it. We can choose our course and correct it before a crisis happens by adapting to change.

The Harvard Business Review offered six tips about adapting to change: 1. Find humor in the situation; 2. Resist talking about your feelings; 3. Don’t stress out about stressing out; 4. Focus on your values instead of your fears; 5. Accept the past (and present) but fight for the future, and 6. Don’t expect stability.

COMPETING AND COMPARING

Competition is as fierce as ever in the design market, with more people entering our profession yearly. For example, 4,199 U.S. students graduated with interior design degrees in 2019. At that time, there were 77,900 interior designers in the nation. The average age of designers is 41 years. We’re all competing to build and maintain our brand reputation, make a living and grow our company (or the company that employs us).

I believe we do better when we compete against ourselves rather than competing against other people. Additionally, we do better when we don’t compare ourselves to others. But, admittedly, this is hard to do in today’s competitive world.

When I was attending design school, every assignment was necessary. I gave each one 115% of my effort, although I believed that others would receive a better grade. I wasn’t competing with them for a grade but rather comparing myself to them.

Before graduation, the faculty and students voted for one student to win the “Student Designer of the Year” award. I was shocked to win because, in my mind, everyone was more qualified than me. The woman who presented the award gave me fantastic advice: “Send press releases to the media.” That established my brand and my reputation, and it attracted clients and referral clients for years.

I continue to give at least 115% to everything I do. Clients’ goals become my goals. I’ve been fortunate to win design awards with this attitude. And while I don’t like to compare myself to other designers, it’s unavoidable. Marketing tools such as SEMRush, UberSuggest, BuzzFeed and Google Analytics provide helpful feedback by comparing me to competitors. It’s uncomfortable but necessary to gather and use this information that mainly relies on keywords we use. But, it’s just as important to not make it the focus of your work. We are each unique, and that should be celebrated!

GAINING THE EDGE

Prospective clients find us using specific keywords or phrases in Google, Bing or Yahoo. Search engines recommend us because we’ve used the same keywords or phrases in our websites, blogs and social media posts. Learning to use the right keywords is an art and a science. It challenges us to comply with specific secretive algorithms. Even Search Engine Optimization experts admit little knowledge about the data. Climbing to #1 of organic searches involves an investment of time and effort.

SEO is a broad subject that I’m still studying, a motivation to revise and write blogs with competitive terms. If your company can afford an SEO specialist, their fee will be $75-$150 per hour, which could add up to $1,500 a month (or more). You can also get monthly SEO services from companies like Fiverr for $14-$345 a month.

How do you know that you’re getting what you want?

Honestly, SEO isn’t a quick process and success isn’t guaranteed. Changes we make now may not show up in search engine results for four to six weeks or longer. To compete effectively, we have to know what keywords our competitors are using to help their ranking in the search engines. Finally, we have to compare ourselves to others who have: A well-known brand, an active website, an up-to-date blog and an active social media presence with good SEO use.

Competing with and comparing ourselves to others in our profession may be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary to adapt if we want to succeed. One of my favorite quotes rings true: “Success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent.” [Nolan Ryan]

Diane Plesset, CMKBD, CAPS, NCIDQ is the principal of D.P. Design in Oregon City, OR and has over 35 years of experience as a kitchen and bath designer. She is the author of the award-winning book, THE Survival Guide: Home Remodeling, and has been the recipient of numerous design awards. Named a 2019 KBDN Innovator, Plesset has taught Western design to students of the Machida Academy in Japan and has a podcast, “Today’s Home.”

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Before

Designer Kelly Guinaugh of Interior Enhancement Group was enlisted for the task of updating a couple’s suburban Chicago kitchen shortly after completing a new kitchen for the same clients in their Florida home. The clients wanted a kitchen that would feel as airy and spacious as their vacation home, with improved workability, increased storage and better traffic flow.

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After

By widening the entryway from the kitchen to the dining room, Guinaugh was able to create a feeling of spaciousness in the 350-sq.-ft. kitchen. New full-height pantries and cabinetry, as well as a wine cellar, were installed in order to provide plenty of storage. Increasing the width and height of the window over the sink also provided plenty of natural light to make the room feel open and fresh, while removing all soffits and installing taller upper cabinetry created the illusion of higher ceilings. A new, narrower island provides improved traffic flow and facilitates entertaining, and also features increased seating facing the scenic back yard. The end result: a fresh transitional space that flows well into the dining room and great room. 

The post Kitchen Displays Fresh, Transitional Style appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

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