Accenting the ceiling with unique materials: Part 2

July 18, 2013 admin

Let's peek into the kitchen of our luxury Chicago bachelor pad. And like last time, we're focusing on the ceiling. (Clearly, we love ceilings around here!)

We chose to replace the hood with an updraft (which can do the job just as well and, in this home of a bachelor with little interest in cooking, the 'gourmet kitchen' didn't fit with his lifestyle) surrounded by a soffit and inset lighting that shows off this beautiful antique carved panel.

Just like a chandelier over a dining table, this panel grounds the space...plus the slight drop of the soffit and the warm detail of the panel creates a more intimate feeling space, a special nook rather than just kitchen overflow.

It's architectural detail, visual art and functionality all in one! Ceilings can be wonderful things!

Home Improvements: That Will Pay-Off for Resale

January 10, 2012 admin

If you are getting ready to sell your home, or will sell your home in the future here are some great tips. Maintenance to your home and some upgrades will greatly improve your resale value as well as saleability. Having a updated home is crucial in the current real estate market, especially since we are still in a recovery state. "2012 shows signs of an improving housing market as the U.S. economy continues its forward-moving yet slow road to recovery. Although there are economists projecting housing prices will decline further, aided by distressed property sales that sell at a greater discount, these prices are expected to rebound considerably later in the year and continue into 2013." - Keller Williams Realty

Here are some suggested improvements from Real Simple magazine that do & don't pay off for resale.

Improvements that do pay-off:

Painting (Interior & Exterior)
Adding Siding
Building a deck or patio
Updating a kitchen
Replacing windows
Modifying a bathroom
Landscaping
Installing central-air
Remodeling a basement

Home Improvements that DO NOT pay off:

Home office (if you convert a bedroom to an office)
Concrete patio
Bold counter-tops (such as green marble or granite)
Tennis & basketball courts
Wall-to-wall carpeting

Please contact us at Deb Reinhart Interior Design Group for advise on your home remodeling project. Having a trained professional will help get the most out of your remodeling project.

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling - Bigger Does not Have to be Better

August 26, 2011 admin

This vanity which includes a sink, faucet and countertop is high style-very compact solution for the smallest of bathrooms.

In the rehabbing of our clients homes, we often utilize odd areas for powder rooms. Converting a small space under stair wells, carving out a bathroom from a closet, or creating a powder room from a former mud room is often challenging space planning for the fixtures. Once the plumbing issues are solved [waste stack and water] ,this vanity would make a design statement which is unique as it is functional. Parietal is a sink-faucet and towel rack in a mere 17" x 10"“ size.

Color pops each model red, blue, lime, yellow, black and white.

Easy maintenance-high style and terrific impact for the compact remodeling of a small powder room, this item is a winner for decorating.

Retractable Kitchen Island - Controlled by iPhone

August 3, 2011 admin

This kitchen island designed by Tim Thaler who wanted more open usable space in his kitchen. The designer used Ikea boxes for the island and custom walnut front cabinets to give it a completely custom feel. The electronics & movement of the island is are completely controlled by a iPhone.

"A hydraulic scissor lift is at bolted to the cement, and then a small frame is built on top of the scissor lift table. On top of that is a subfloor, flooring, and then the island. The cabinet doors are on the other side, and have safety push button switches that kill the electricity from the Smart Home Insteon switches, and prevent it from moving when the doors are not fully closed. This lift can easily lift over 1,500lbs, so it was an important safety feature!"

- Tim Thaler, designer

See the entire youtube video here.

Better Homes & Gardens' Annual Survey: Consumers' Home Priorities

February 21, 2011 admin

This blog post features an interesting article from Better Homes and Gardens' featuring their annual survey which "shows shrinking interest in smaller homes and continued emphasis on affordability and energy efficiency". Click her to read the full article from Better Homes and Gardens' .

According to BHG's survey, the top-ranking features that consumers want in their next home include:

High-efficiency heating and cooling systems (89%)
High-efficiency appliances (85 %)
Deck or patio (84%)
Low-maintenance exteriors (79%)

Although square footages may be slowly creeping upward again, consumers are still prioritizing living spaces. For their next homes, the survey found consumers most want: