New Trends in Kitchen Appliances......everything is digital!!

Interior Design: New Trends in Kitchen Appliances
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New trends in kitchen appliances continue to thrill me. Everything is digitalized, sleek and designer yet functional. I know many professional cooks would disagree with some of the appliances I think are really cool for 2010, but keep in mind: the average person isn't a professional cook. Plus, these are appliances that will add to the value of your home, function amazingly well for the average cook and they help keep the style to the kitchen.

1. The ATAG induction stove (below): You are probably not too familiar with this digital stove top but it's ok it's from the UK. I put this in here because we will get it here in the USA in a little while, but this is a really cool stove to keep in mind. Not only is it digital, it's made of black vitroceramic glass, including powerful 3.7 kW zone, two 3.0 kW zones and auxiliary 2.2 kW zone. Main benefits and features include modern slide controls, automatic programmable cooking options, residual heat indicators for each zone, timers, child lock, pot/pan detectors and optional stainless steel trim.

2. The Whirlpool Combination Microwave SpeedCook Oven GH7208XRS (below):  Again, another ingenious appliance. With this combo microwave oven you can literally bake a cake, cook a steak, and steam food. This microwave is called a SpeedCook oven. It is a true convection oven, G2Max SpeedCook oven, microwave and steamer.

3. The Counter-Depth Side-By-Side Refrigerator with ave-Touch Controls (below): This is a great example of a upgraded refrigerator. This model has Wave-Touch controls (the digital display will fade once you are done setting the controls), Chill Zone Drawer (chilled air is vented directly into the drawer), glass shelves, Luxury-Glide Crispers (drawers that have controlled humidity to keep produce fresh), digital temperature controls, 9" tall water/ice dispenser (so there is plenty of room for you large containers and pitchers), Fast Ice option (produces ice extremely quickly), storage, air filters, water filters, and an alarm system that lets you know if you left the door open, the power went out, etc.

5. The EdgeStar 18 Bottle Wine Cooler Stores Different Varietals Within One Unit (below): A wine cooler is always a great extra in a kitchen if you have the room. This particular model is an 18 bottle dual zone wine cooler with thermoelectric cooling that keeps both red and white wine at optimal temperatures in separate compartments. It's also quiet, energy efficient, digital and about $194 USD.

These are just a few ideas of trends in kitchens for 2010. Always think of things you might like to find in a brand new kitchen. You can always add coffee makers, rice steamers, deep fryers, luxury stove hoods, and highly efficient dishwashers. Just keep in mind that people are looking for energy saving, sleek, new, and easy to use appliances that will last when redoing your kitchen.

Gorgeous New Orleans Homes....Now what's that architectural style called??

Architecture Moment: Gorgeous New Orleans Homes....Now what's that architectural style called?
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Every time I visit New Orleans I fall in love with the city. It is a huge place that is comprised of organized blocks with picture perfect historic southern homes, live music and great local restaurants that echo friendly people and diverse crowds. The trolley on St. Charles (and throughout the city) only adds to the comfortable and easy feel of New Orleans.

But I really, really love the architecture in New Orleans. I wanted to know the specific styles in the various houses and neighborhoods so I did a little research and thanks to prcno I found a little guide to get everything straight. So, let's get started!

1. The Creole Cottage (below): Usually a single story home set at or near ground level. Symmetrical four-opening facade wall, usually sat on the front of the property line (so no yard). Brick or wood exterior, steeply pitched roof. Built 1790-1850. Found in Vieux-Carre, Faubourg Marigny, New Marigny, Esplanade Ridge and a few other neighborhoods.

2. American Townhouse (below): Narrow three story home set near ground level and close to the front of the property line. Two windows with the front door to left or right. Balcony is very common on second floor. Found in the Central Business District and Lower Garden District Brick or stuccoed exterior. Built as urban residences 1820-1850s.

3. Raised Center Hall Cottage (below): One and a half story raised two to eight feet above ground on brick piers. Full width front porch (gallery) usually supported by 6 columns. There are 5 openings (usually 2 windows on each side with the door in the very middle). Side gabled roof usually with a dormer in the center and usually made of wood. Located in Bywater, Garden District, Uptown, Esplanade Ridge, and Carrollton. Built until 1870.

4. Shotgun House (below): Usually one story, but many with second story set at raer of house (camelback). narrow, rectangular structure raised on brick piers. Most have a narrow porch, roof supports by columns and often a Victorian ornamentation. Usually wood exterior and is the predominant house in New Orleans (found everywhere). Built until 1910.

5. Double Gallery House (below): Two story house raised on brick piers. Side gabled or hipped roof. House is set back from property line and has covered porches (galleries) frame (supported) bycolumns. Two windows on each level with door on right or left. Usually the exterior is wood, brick or stuccoed brick. Found in the Lower Garden District, Uptown, and Esplanade Ridge. Built 1820-1850.

So now that you know the names of the styles,
Here are just a few more for fun:

Laissez-les Bon Temps Roulez!!! I am off to Mardi Gras!!

Oh it's about that time again!! It's the last weekend of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and yours truly is off to enjoy the festivities! I am very excited to see the parades, people, and maybe even partake in a masked ball or two!

I will be back on Monday, so until then Laissez-les Bon Temps Roulez!!!!!!!!!!

Vintage Inspired Bathrooms....Oh-La-La! C'est Magnifique!

Interior Design: Vintage and Vintage Inspired Bathrooms

As you well know I love historic homes. I firmly believe as both a designer and as a real estate agent that if you own a historic home the theme should go with the home. After all, why buy an apple if you really wanted an orange to begin with...translation: if you want a modern home, buy a modern loft or modern home - if you want an older home with all of its charm, then buy an older home. There is nothing that kills resell value on a home quite like mismatched interiors. People who are looking for an older home often have very particular things they expect and look for in the house (we call them charm others might call it old stuff).

The entire point of this post is to show you that just because it's vintage inspired, doesn't mean it has to actually be vintage. Check out these bathrooms - all completely renovated and 100% brand new:

It is also really important to pick your flooring carefully. Vintage bathrooms often had intricate tile work like below:

If you need a little more inspiration try looking at actual vintage black and white photographs like the ones below. They will help give you insight into the real vintage decor and what furniture and small accents really made the bathroom come together (notice the tile work on the walls and floors):

Great Ways To Decorate Small Spaces and Indonesian Inspired Rooms....

Interior Design: A simple guide on how to decorate in small spaces
Design Inspiration: Indonesian living never looked so good!
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Interior Design: A simple guide on how to decorate in small spaces

Small spaces....we dread them, we hate them, but ultimately we end up dealing with it. But what if you don't want to just deal with a small space?

Here are a few tips to help you decorate, and utilize, your small spaces.

1. (above) Narrow room with no space for a chest of drawers or other storage unit? Solution: build a light-weight storage wall unit that fits soft case boxes. If you run to your local hardware store and pick up some thin wood rails you can create what we see above in the picture on the wall.

2. (above) The living room is too small for both furniture AND storage. Solution: Custom built-ins. Have your local licensed wood worker measure and build you a storage unit and couch in one. With the use of some comfy cushions and pillows your guests will never be uncomfortable, and you don't have to worry about storage or clutter.

3. (above) I only have room for a shared space. Solution: Give the space a it's own area. Hang curtain rods up and maybe paint that area of the wall a different color. It highlights it's own space while keeping the room open.

4. My furniture is a bit too large for my room. Solution: Use an oversized mirror that is the same width as your couch. This will help balance the room horizonatally but also give the illusion of space (by means of the light reflecting in the mirror).

5. (above) I need to add counter space in my kitchen but just doesn't seem to be any room. Solution: Choose a tall thin refrigerator vs. a regular wide or double door fridge. This helps increase the available counter space and also creates the illusion of height in your kitchen.

6. (above) I need more storage in my living room but my staircase takes up all the space. Solution: Build shelf space into the unused space below the staircase. It's an easy solution that adds value to your home.

7. (above) My kitchen just looks too small, what can I do to make it look bigger. Solution: Elongate the height of the kitchen by using floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets, bright wood, and stainless steel. The above picture was built in only 9 feet of space.

These are just a few ideas for helping you to create space where you might think there is none!

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Design Inspiration: Indonesian living never looked so good!

I am loving Indonesian inspired interiors and designs lately. I love the use of natural materials, bright colors, intricate wood craftsmanship and the open air feeling it exudes even when the decor is in closed spaces. Indonesians also excel at outdoor living space design, but what about the decor inside? Here are a few rooms to help you visualize: