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The Best Design Ideas from the 2010 Parade of Homes

Jun 28, 2010

I spent Friday afternoon driving around following the red arrows to several of the entries in the 2010 Home Builders' Association of Grand Traverse Area Parade of Homes. It's always fun to see how home trends make their way into real life in Northern Michigan. I saw lots of distressed hardwood, shake siding, glass mosaic tile, and multiple finishes on kitchen cabinets. And I guess granite is still the king of countertop materials, despite my personal aversion to it!

I found lots of inspiring ideas that even homeowners with a average budgets could use, whether their house is new, remodeled, or in a state of constant decor flux. There were good ideas at even the most modest houses on the tour, and ideas at the ultra-luxurious homes that anyone could realistically apply. Here are my picks!

The Best DESIGN DEtAILS FROM the 2010 HBAGTA Parade of Homes TOUR

DESIGN STANDOUT: Using expensive materials in small doses in an affordable house. This strip of tile behind the sink is the only tile in this small bathroom, but it's enough to add a little flair to a spec house that normally wouldn't include materials like this. Shown: Prestige Construction Group.

DESIGN STANDOUT: Windows in walk-in closets. I saw a lot of these. It makes a closet feel more like a dressing room. Added benefits are the ability to air out the space, and coordinating colors in natural light. Shown: Meiste Builders.

DESIGN STANDOUT: Thoughtful layout in a small house. I noticed more attention to entry areas and separation of public and private spaces, even in the smaller houses.

DESIGN STANDOUT: Attention to ceilings. Cove lighting, beams, and touches like this built-up chandelier "frame" make a house look more finished. Shown: Pathway Homes.

DESIGN STANDOUT: Unique touches in a spec home. This unusual slate tile design makes a nice first impression. Shown: Schultz Construction.

DESIGN STANDOUT: Integrated support posts in a basement. This architectural treatment, along with a variation in ceiling height, turns an awkward support post into a space-defining element. Shown: Pathway Homes.

DESIGN STANDOUT: Unexpected decorating. This grid of hand-painted canvases by Reeniebeans adds a unique design element to this bedroom. (Budget tip: Headboard not required!) Shown: Bay Area Contracting.

DESIGN STANDOUT: Adventurous tile choices. In open spaces like a kitchen, it's easy to wimp out and go neutral, but this tile backsplash is the design focal point amongst the neutral cabinetry. Shown: Lakeshore Custom Homes.

And I can't resist mentioning a few design missteps I saw more than once…

DESIGN OOPS: Poorly coordinated materials. Seen: Rustic slate tile, glossy white subway tile, and sparkly black granite all used in the same shower. Arrange samples together before installation and edit them down.

DESIGN OOPS: Cheap hardware. Seen: White plastic knobs on closet doors in the entryway. All it takes is a few minutes and a few dollars to upgrade each knob.

DESIGN OOPS: Lack of style cohesion. Seen: Old World cast-iron stair railing with cottagey beadboard and Mission-style light fixtures. Pick a style and commit.

DESIGN OOPS: Failure to think through function. Seen: Individual reading lights in a bunk room for eight, all wired to one switch.

DESIGN OOPS: Too much of a good thing. Seen: Bathrooms with oil-rubbed bronze faucets, towel bars, TP holder, flush handle, showerhead, and drawer knobs. A little skillful mixing makes a space look less out-of-the-box.

DESIGN OOPS: Front doors that are out of character with the rest of the house. Seen: Rustic, cottage-inspired architecture with a very traditional floral cut-glass door.

Are you building or remodeling? Overwhelmed by choices? I can help. A few hours of my time can save you money on expensive, deadline-busting change orders during construction, and result in a home that reflects your personality instead of the latest trends. I can help you choose materials that will flow seamlessly while still giving each space its own look. Just email me! —Diane

TAGS: grand traverse home builders association hba gthba parade of homes house tour 2010 traverse city leelanau design critique design ideas tips budget decor inspiration from luxury model homes

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File this under "I wish I'd thought of that first."

Jun 28, 2010

Take a mailbox full of home catalogs with over-zealous stylists, add a couple of sarcastic bloggers, and you get this:

Catalog Living

You'll laugh, I promise. It's even better than Unhappy Hipsters. —Diane

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Easy DIY: Change the color of your countertops!

Jun 24, 2010

A while back I wrote about Modern Masters Countertop Transformations for giving old laminate counters a stone look (check out that post here). And yesterday I discovered an even easier and more affordable way to change the color of worn or dated countertops. I was at Lowe's looking for the perfect spray paints for an upcoming project, and I noticed a new(ish) product: Rustoleum Specialty Countertop Coating.

Rustoleum Specialty Countertop Coating in Cobblestone. I like that this paint produces a true satin finish, unlike the old method involving 4-5 coats of polyurethane.

It's a rollable/brushable base that can be tinted to one of 16 colors. Application involves thorough cleaning and drying (but not sanding), then rolling two coats of the paint, using a brush for small areas, and allowing it to dry 3 days before use. Sounds simple. A quart can costs $19.97 at Lowe's and covers about 25 linear feet of counters.

There are always doubts about the durability of paint treatments on laminate. Online reviews for this product are mixed. A smart strategy would be to try it on a laminate scrap (probably available for free from a countertop dealer), or try it in a bathroom first, where it won't get as much wear and tear as a kitchen, and it's a smaller area should you need to redo or replace it.

This seems like an especially smart option for getting your home ready to sell. If ugly counters are stopping buyers at the kitchen door, give it a try. Then send me before and after photos!

Do you shy away from simple projects like this one because it's too hard to make color decisions? I can help. My online or in-home color consultations are $75 for the first room, $30 for each additional room in the same home. You'll get a complete, customized color palette that fits your home and your personality. It's a guide for every color decision you need to make in the room. Save time, frustration, and the cost of redoing mistakes. Want to get started? Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: rustoleum specialty countertop coating paint review modern masters countertop transformations reviews cheap affordable inexpensive ways to change counters colors staging kitchen home resale selling

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Gettin' it done: Tips for tackling the to-do list.

Jun 22, 2010

If you own a home, chances are you have a to-do list that doubles or triples in length this time of year. I know mine did. Tops on the list was a daunting project: repainting the lower half of our house's exterior. "Lower half" is a bit deceiving. Our house has a walk-out basement, which means that the west side required paint at a height of about 20 feet. The paint job was adequate and holding up, but the stock color from the siding company was never exactly what I'd wanted. And worse, I'd chosen a flat finish that attracted all of nature's dust bunnies and then left marks when I tried to scrub it.

I did the part of every job that I seem to be good at: buying supplies. Four gallons of Sherwin-Williiams Duration in the perfect bluish-black (Blackjack, matched from a Benjamin Moore chip) and a satin finish sat neatly in a box in the garage just waiting for our ambition to blossom. The two of us worked for about 13 hours from Friday through Sunday, and it's done. Crossed off that long list. And you know what? Finishing the biggest job has given me fresh energy to tackle the rest of those smaller, easier projects.

Here's a look at our crisp handiwork, and the daunting west side. Ladders on slopes, what fun.

PHOTOS: Diane Kolak, Dwelement Home Design, LLC.

Here are a few tips that help me get past the concepting, dreaming, supply-buying stage and actually get things done. Here's hoping it helps you shorten your list, too.

How to Get Things Done on the Home To-do List

Set deadlines for each project. Individual deadlines seem easier to accomplish than one big deadline for the whole list.
Schedule the projects on your calendar. And make sure everyone involved does the same. That's how we finally got out the stir sticks with our painting project. We chose a relatively event-free weekend, prayed for good weather, and inked it in.
Make the list do-able. Long lists of things to get done "someday" are overwhelming. Be realistic about what you can accomplish.
Buy the supplies. They will serve as a visual reminder to work on your project. Leave them in a place where they're in the way. You'll be reminded of your financial investment, too.
Break down the job into stages and write them down. Keep a separate list of steps for the current project. The entire project might seem like too much for one rainy Saturday, but maybe you can knock off stages 1 and 2.
Know when to H.I.D. Hire It Done! Some jobs really are best handled by professionals. Consider your time, your skills, and your deadline. The cost often pays for itself when you consider time off of work, equipment rental/purchase, and the cost of redoing things that don't turn out right the first time. Not to mention domestic harmony.
Just do it. Sometimes remembering how good it feels to accomplish something is enough to spur you on for more. It's mental momentum.
Have a party. There's no better reason to finish projects than the prospect of visiting friends, and it's a fitting way to celebrate your accomplishment. Cheers!

Are you a do-it-yourselfer who needs some creative direction? My services are perfect for homeowners who like to complete projects themselves. I'll assess your needs and your personality, then make design plans and recommendations that you can execute on your own time, as you can afford it. Whether you need a complete design plan for a room down to the last detail or just a little advice, there's a way I can work with you on your budget. Check out my variety of interior design services in the Traverse City area and anywhere in the world with eDecor Plans. Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: to-do-list how to complete finish cross off accomplish self-discipline tips when to hire a professional sherwin-williams duration exterior paint benjamin moore blackjack black jack

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Easy DIY: Hose Holder Made with Recycled Wooden Spools

Jun 16, 2010

One outdoor job I really hate is winding the hose after I'm finished using it. (Unwinding it isn't so fun either, after that hog-snake incident a few years ago.) Of course, I could make the job easier with a hose holder. But they always seem to be overly ornate and fancy, calling undue attention to utility. Put a grimy hose on it, and it sort of ruins the effect, right? You've seen the standards, like these:

Or worse yet for hiding critters like snakes:

Photos: Sources unnamed to prevent any of you from buying one of these.

No thanks! I'll take this easy DIY option from the brilliant editors at Sunset Magazine. It barely even calls for instructions.

Photo: David Fenton for Sunset Magazine.

Antique wooden spools are attached to the siding with screws. Wind 'er up, and you're done. You can find spools at antiques stores, flea markets, barn sales, farm auctions, and the like. Or if the search frustrates you, check eBay for plenty of options, most selling in sets for under $20. Click on the Antiques category, then search for "spools." Make sure to check dimensions. These come in all sizes and scale can be deceiving in photos, so if you aren't careful you might end up receiving tiny bobbins. This set fits the bill, complete with chippy red and blue paint, currently at $9.99 and ending tonight. Or check out Traditions in Thyme for a large selection of spools and other original primitive antiques. —Diane

TAGS: primitive antiques projects hose storage winder bracket easy diy recycled upcycled reclaimed vintage antique wooden spools bobbins

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