Tag Archives: granite

Counter Tops for Classy Kitchens

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Katie | Leave a comment

When you renovate your kitchen, everyone always seems to notice the counters. Choose granite and your friends will ooh and ahh, “You got granite, nice!” Choose one of those newfangled manmade products and people are sure to marvel at the creativity and ingenuity, “Wow, that’s made of recycled sporks? No way!”

With so many products, color choices, and price points, how do you make a smart decision? And will this decision affect your ability to sell your house down the road?

“It seems everyone is doing granite of some kind now, but do what you like,” says local realtor Jen Walker. “Countertops are very personal and space specific.” If you are worried about potential resale, she adds, “The choice of countertops will not stop the sale of a home.” Phew!

Liz and Cameron went with white Caesarstone, an extremely durable manmade product which boasts a lot of color choices and styles. Even though it’s bright white, caesarstone is known for being stain-resistant. Not to worry about spilling that red sauce in this crisp and clean kitchen, it’s klutz- and kid-friendly.

Karen also chose Caesarstone, but put black on the island and white along the wall, a little ying and yang in her peaceful modern home.

Installing granite counter tops is like digging out a hearty chunk of earth and styling it into a magnificent piece of art. Durable, natural, and with various pricing options, it’s a solid and very popular choice. David’s granite offers prep and serving options galore along his kitchen peninsula.

It was love at first sight when Elin spotted this slab of granite (Red Dragon is its name). When it was misplaced at the lumber yard, she would not stop searching until it was found. She even told the fabricators exactly where she wanted the granite cut based on its design.

Mary also selected granite, an elegant Cashmere white with hints of gray and brown, pulling in the colors of her cabinets, appliances, and fixtures. Surely those specs mask a rogue crumb here and there.

Though we have yet to find stainless steel in Del Ray (I know it’s there somewhere, so speak up if you have some!), this reader in Oregon shared her story of DIYing these super cool counters. Also of interest, the butcher block on the kitchen cart in the foreground. Both products can be purchased at IKEA.

Classic butcher block is a renewable and economical choice. Though they require caution and some maintenance, Jen and Sam’s counters look stunning with that modern mosaic-tiled backsplash, white cabinets, and chrome hardware.

Another durable manmade product we see frequently is silestone. Danielle chose the same gray color for the counters on the island and along the wall, but contrasted the finishes of the wood cabinets for a more visually interesting design.

The light sage green hue of Sherrie and Virginia’s silestone maintains a vintage look for the modern product in their restored Del Ray bungalow.

But this is only the tip of iceberg. According to Alexandria Interior Designer Katie Moore of Olios Design, “There are a lot of counter top options available in a variety of price points. The type of counter top material you choose depends greatly on the use and type of space. Some great products I would love to try in a future design project include Paperstone, poured concrete, and Icestone.”

I’m intriqued by Icestone as well — it’s made from recycled glass. And Paperstone, well the name says it all, it’s made from paper. (Just please don’t used soylent green counters, we all know what those are made out of.)

And who’s to say you can’t keep your original counter tops during a reno. Michelle’s were in good condition and she saved money by fixing them up and embracing her retro-inspired kitchen.

Countertops are expensive and some vendors require a minimum square footage that mocks the miniscule amount we often need for small kitchens. But if you are looking for a bargain, check out salvage yards like Community Forklift where you can purchase a slab and have it cut to size by a fabricator.

What products have you used in your home?

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Posted in Interior Design, Kitchens

Tagged butcher block. caesarstone, counter tops, granite, kitchen

A Home Tour Worthy Basement Renovation

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Katie | 1 Comment

Barbara’s house was featured on the 2010 Del Ray House and Garden Tour, each room carefully and thoughtfully designed and decorated, like every fabulous home on the bi-annual tour always is. But there was one area of the house that wasn’t on the tour, the basement. Unfinished and unloved, it was not a happy place.

Barbara loves to entertain, and she really wanted more space for out-of-town guests to feel at home. She enlisted the help of relatives from New York, who just so happen to be contractors (always great to have a skilled contractor in the family!). They spent several months off and on to meticulously finish the project, making sure the work was done right and done well. And their hard work shows.

The finished room has that unbasement-like quality we all want. Even without loads of natural light, you don’t feel like you’re partially underground. The first thing you notice when you head downstairs is Barbara’s choice of color.

The sectional from West Elm adds a brilliant pop of red, complemented throughout the room with blacks, whites, and chrome finishes. The black coffee table is a custom piece from Rajack Designs and the black and white animal print rug (which we also saw on this home tour) comes from IKEA. The sectional turns into two twin-sized beds, perfect for overnight guests.

Along the far wall is a fully functioning wet bar with white cabinets (from Home Depot) and black granite counter tops (from Granite Man) that blend seamlessly into a black chalkboard-painted backsplash. (I have a soft spot for chalkboard paint since I used it on one of my kitchen walls.)

Above the bar is one of many odes to Barbara’s beloved dachshund.

One way to make a basement seem less like a basement is through lighting. Barbara chose a creamy off-white for the walls that reflects the light from multiple sources such as table lamps and recessed ceiling lights.

This terrarium trio on the chrome and glass console table behind the sofa is a great way to add a little air-purifying greenery, even in low-light locations.

Hidden behind the bar is a full bath painted in a beachy blue-gray color, with more accents of black, white and chrome. The tile comes from A & S Granite, the bathroom vanity from overstock.com, and the glimmering mirror is from Home Goods. There’s even a large walk-in shower finished with miniature mosaic tiles that wraps around the back of the door.

I’m so in awe how Barbara transformed that once dingy basement into a warm and comfortable living space that now fits in with the rest of her home. Her smart color and lighting choices and playful yet sophisticated accents give me lots of ideas for improving my own basement. I sense a long-term project on the horizon.

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Posted in Basements, Interior Design, Rooms

Tagged basement, chalkboard paint, granite, renovation

The Scary House Gets a Stunning Kitchen Makeover

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Katie | 2 Comments

When David bought his Del Ray rowhouse 11 years ago, his realtor referred to it as the “scary house.” A run-down rental unit for years, the front bay window was closed off by blankets (nailed in place) and the house was scattered with cat litter boxes and clutter. But David saw through the mess and smell, using his creativity to imagine the hidden potential.

Though major renovations weren’t necessary at the time, David did want to remove an oddly arched faux brick wall in the dining room. During the process, he discovered another relic of 1980s interior design — a wall of mirrors. He hired painters to repair and smooth the damaged walls and apply a clean coat of paint.

Five years after living in the house, David decided it was time to renovate the kitchen — a typical 1950s galley with no storage, no functional cooking area, and no room.

As a former interior designer, David put his skills to work and created a stunning space blending warm earth tones, sleek appliances and fixtures, and a variety of textures and patterns. There is nothing scary about this kitchen.

The renovations took about three months. The entire kitchen was gutted and the wall dividing the kitchen and dining room was removed. The contractor also pushed the nook for the refrigerator about 3 feet into the living area widening access to the basement and creating a much more open kitchen/dining/living room.

David mimicked the look of sand through the granite on the large peninsula, which also features deep drawers and shelves underneath.

This golden honey-colored pendant (there are two) above the peninsula reminds me of a bee hive.

For a backsplash, David chose an opaque glass tile that shimmers in the afternoon light. Depending on how you look at it, you’ll see variations in the color. You can get a taste of it here.

To add more counter space, David moved the sink to the right corner of the back wall (it used to be in the middle of the counter).

A full glass door looks out onto David’s slate patio and garden, which in warmer months becomes a beautiful botanical retreat.

David selected the pattern for the ceramic tile floor to match the pattern of the patio. I love the cohesion.

And speaking of gardens, you can’t help but notice all the indoor plants throughout the home. Around every corner you’ll find lush greenery — soothing, tropical, and oh so good for your chi.

Though the dining room is small, it is not cramped. A friendly stained glass dragonfly pendant hovers over the modest-sized dining table. The sage green walls with crisp white crown molding are fresh and healthy.

The warm, cozy, and sophisticated design elements continue to the rest of the living space on this floor. It’s so inviting, my 2-year-old (who usually clings to my leg while on a house tour) marched right over to the rich brown leather couch and took a seat. I’d like to take a seat for a while too.

Posted by Katie

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Posted in Interior Design, Kitchens, Rooms

Tagged garden, glass tile, granite, kitchen, renovation

For Sale by Owner: An Entertainer’s Delight

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Sara | 1 Comment

Mike and Mindy and their adorable little girl have an amazing Del Ray rowhouse for sale steps away from Mt. Vernon Avenue. It’s a house full of unique add-ons thanks to a well-known Del Ray carpenter who lived there before them.

Walking up to their eye-catching yellow house, you immediately picture yourself lounging on the front porch having lemonade and watching all the happenings of Del Ray. I even pictured myself reading a book while my boys played safely in the great fenced-in front yard.

I’m a sucker for great lighting and Mike and Mindy must share that love. They have done a fantastic job updating the light fixtures with unique pieces such as the one that serves as their entryway light. It complements the great celadon color they used for their light-filled front door.

The main floor of the cozy rowhouse has been completely redone. The hardwood floors gleam when the sun from the large windows hit it. Walking into a house and being able to view all rooms from the front door is a HUGE plus for me. Mike and Mindy did a fantastic job creating a great flow.

The kitchen has some great add-ons that I haven’t seen in any other rowhouse in Del Ray. Let’s start with the built-in wine holder above the walkway into the kitchen to the dining room.

The stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops add to the clean and chic look of the kitchen. The small hook-up ready area for the TV is also a great added touch. I once again imagine myself being the ultimate super mom, making dinner, and watching my kids play in the living room as I catch up on what’s going on in the world. (A girl can dream right?)

The kitchen opens up to one of the most entertainment-friendly backyards on the block. The amazing deck offers great conversation areas and there’s still room for green space below!

Moving on to the upstairs, Mike and Mindy have put in another great light fixture.

The bedrooms are bright and cheery. They did a fantastic job with their daughter’s room choosing paint that is neutral enough for someone who is looking to use that extra room for an office or guest room instead.

Don’t forget about the two generous closets in the master bedroom. For an older house, these closets are huge assets!

And take a look at the original pristine tile work in the bathroom.

Moving down to the basement/office/rec room area, the space is fully renovated with neutral colors on the wall and carpet. it also features built-in shelving.

If you take a peek into the utility/laundry room, you can see the awesome work area that I know my husband would LOVE!

Another great addition is the covered storage area built under the deck. I decided that I would turn that into a kids playhouse or even better, a flower arboretum of sorts.