functionality is as important as
cabinet and floor colors, so he
always asks how a space will
be used. "Do they have dogs?
Kids? What are their ages? We
figure out how they live, how
they cook, and design a space
to work best for them," he says.
New cabinets: check. Better
layout: check. Optimal traffic
flow: check. Not everything
was new, however. All of the
brick in the new space was
salvaged from the old space,
says Robin Burrill, ASID, CAPS,
Curb Appeal's interior designer.
"Where needed, we found
matching brick and added two
faux columns. The old flooring
was tile which was replaced with
wood. The windows and doors
are all new. The fireplace existed
but features a new mantel. The
cabinets on either side of the
fireplace are new, too."
The remodeled space remains
light and airy despite ample use
of dark wood and plenty of brick,
a feat accomplished by careful
placement of each material. For
example, brick exists on a few
columns as opposed to an entire
wall, to provide the visual effect
of brick without the heaviness.
The design of this space
intentionally does not include
a focal point. "You walk into this
space and you feel, 'Ahhhh …
comfortable,'" Burrill says.
Removing the former wet bar
in the kitchen helped to open
up the space, Burrill says, but
not every decision went as she
advised. "I was surprised with
the black distressed cabinets
the clients chose for next to the
fireplace. That finish was not my
first choice. But, because it's our
job we showed them options and
they fell in love with that one.
Many times I'm not crazy about
what clients do, but this time it
turned out great," she adds.
The ceiling in this new space
turned out well, too, Burrill says.
"The varying ceiling heights
were included for visual interest
and to add height in certain
spaces. Either dropping the
ceiling down or raising it up to
add interest also added a level of
elegance that if not there would
have looked a lot different," she
explains.
Varying height wasn't the
only feature of the ceiling. The
Curb Appeal team added accent
lighting, as a surprise to the
homeowners. "The ceiling light-
ing is my favorite part of this
project. It adds ambience and
a 'wow' factor when the lights
are low and the ceiling is lit up,"
she says. QR
For more information circle 40
The tie rods and turnbuckle
shown here allowed one half of
the home to hang off the more
structurally sound half.
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