If you are planning to remodel a kitchen you might want some ideas for designing an island and here are some great ones to give you inspiration. An island can become the functional centerpiece of the room.
1. This island is perfect for a galley kitchen such as this. Using a mix of materials makes the island interesting. The glass eating counter is curved and supported with wood posts for an artful display that is dramatic but visually light weight.
2. A stainless steel counterstop makes this island a real winner and is easily cleaned. The gentle curve at the end is just right for two stools and the cooktop in the island offers a great view out the windows.
3. This large island offers tremendous counter space, an eating bar and display space! The countertop is concrete on the elevated part and a light colored stone or quartz on the lower sink level. The elevated section breaks up the view into the kitchen so messy counters aren't visible from the adjoining rooms. (source Houzz)
4. Sometimes two islands instead of one is the answer so keep an open mind and consider traffic flow.
5. If you have a support post in the middle of the room you can incorporate it into your island and add a fake one on the other end of the island. It will look like it was part of the design without the post being a distraction. You can use shaped columns for more traditional or classical kitchens or simple ones like these in contemporary or shaker kitchens.
6. For an industrial look why not use a rolling cart like this? If you have tight spaces small islands on wheels can also be used and rolled out of the way when you need more room.
Link to previous blogs here
I am a Certified Kitchen Designer and would be happy to help with your remodel.
Please call for help with your Interior Design projects!
408-369-9801 or email me
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ, IDG
Good interior design includes properly designed window coverings. They are the finishing touches or jewelery to the room and once they are installed you will wonder why you didn't always have them!
1. A beautifully shaped and trimmed cornice board may be all that's needed to finish off the room. The tassels here draw your eye to the sculptural shape of the cornice. Without this treatment the room would have been incomplete.
2. These simple stationary panels with subtle banding are installed all the way to the ceiling for extra height and the grass shades beneath them can be closed for privacy and/or sun protection when needed or left partially or fully open.
3. This three layer treatment for French doors is elegant but also functional. The roman shade can be lowered when needed but the full length drapery panels stay to the sides allowing to door to be functional.
4. The motorized shades in this light filled room can be easily operated when needed and don't take away from the views. When down the view is still visible through the sunscreen shade.
5. Motorized drapes are another solution for very large windows. These have the hardware hidden into a recess in the ceiling. Motorized treatments are often used in media rooms too - just one more thing you can operate with your remote, your iphone or ipad.
6. Sliding panels work great in a contemporary room. They come in many widths and fabrics. They are able to be opened and closed as needed with minimum visual impact.
7. Sheer panels can complete the look without looking heavy and add a soft glow when they are closed. Interestingly they work for both traditional and contemporary interiors.
There is probably nothing clients resist more than window treatments and yet it is one of the most important parts of the project. Whatever your window problem is there is a solution so don't be afraid to ask for help from a professional.
Link to previous blogs here
Please call if I can be of any help with your design project!
408-369-9801 or email me
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ, IDG
Every profession has it's own special language and Interior Design, Architecture and Construction are no different.
Each week I will be giving you definitions for different letters of the alphabet and will continue through the alphabet until we are done with all the letters.
Here are some definitions beginning with the letter "U"
Universal Design:
Valance:
Verdure:
Vitruvian Scroll:
VOCs:
Volute:
Next week I will give you definitons for the letter "W" - my last defintions blog. I hope you have found this a handy reference.
Link to previous blogs here
Please call me if I can help you with your design projects!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ, IDG
I just got back from a five week trip to India where I volunteered at the Jhamtse Gatsal Children's Community. It was a truly amazing experience and helped me put my life in perspective and be thankful for the life I live and the opportunities these children are getting.
This is a wonderful community that could use your support and if you would like to learn more go to www.Jhamtseinternational.org.
This is me with Sanjay Kumar, my very special friend and personal project at Jhamtse Gatsal.
We were high up in the Himalayan Mountains in Northeastern India where the highest pass we went through was at 13,700 ft. We were only a few miles from where India, Bhutan and Tibet (China) come together.
"Jhamtse Gatsal" mean "Garden of Love and Compassion" and it is truly evident here. There are currenly 82 orphanded and abandoned children living here along with the staff and teachers.
Getting to and from this part of India is not easy and takes a long time The switchback roads were everywhere and very rough riding because the roads are in very poor condition in many places. Land slides could block the only roads for several days but it was all part of the adventure.
Many village families work on the road crews all year round breaking up rock and making gravel to support themselves.
Pema, one of the girls at Jhamtse Gatsal, making gravel for a new building they are constructing.
Venerable Lobsang Phuntsok, a Buddist monk, started this community 6 years ago to help orphaned and abandoned children from the local villages escape the crushing poverty, poor sanitation and illiterate conditons they lived in and give them a chance at an education and survival so they could thrive in the World at large.
The local villagers are very poor.
The village children have little hope of escaping the fate of their families and many are orphaned or abandoned because their parents can't take care of them. Many also die young because of the lack of sanitation.
The 82 children who live at Jhamtse Gatsal learn valuable vocational skills by helping out with all aspects of running the community, including construction, gardening, washing clothes, cooking and cleaning.
They get a broad education and exposure to all parts of the World through the visitors and volunteer teachers from all over the World.
Interacting with visitors from around the World helps them better understand the rest of the World and it's people and reinforce their language skills.
They speak 4 languages, including English and their native Monpa, as well as have classes in sciences, social studies, math, dance, art, music and even the use of computers
Clothing is provided through donations from individuals and from corporations (like these tennis shoes).
They get three healthy meals a day and a snack in the afternoon. Much of the food is grown organically in their own gardens. The children are assigned kitchen helping and clean up duties on a rotating basis.
Clothes are washed every day and the children help with all aspects of it.
The children are eager to learn and here they are playing subtraction bingo during their free time.
Many of the older children have lived here the entire six years and have formed close bonds.
Maintaining the local customs is also an important part of their education and they learn the songs and dances of their heritage so they can be passed on to future generations. They spend months practicing for important Buddhist festivals and are quite impressive.
These are some of the sweetest, most polite and happiest children I have ever met
They are truly the lucky ones from their part of the World!
I hope you enjoyed these pictures. I am currently knitting 82 hats for the children this winter. Contact me at accentondesign@yahoo.com if you would like to help.
If you can help keep Jhamtse Gatsal funded that is always appreciated too as there are many more children needing and wanting help but there is not enough money to accept them at this time. Any amount is appreciated. You can learn all about Jhamtse Gatsal at the website www.jhamjhamtseinternationsal.org
We all truly have a lot to be thankful for and it is very fulfilling to be able to help others. Have a wonderful day,
Live, Love, Laugh,
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ
Every profession has it's own special language and Interior Design, Architecture and Construction are no different.
Each week I will be giving you definitions for words beginning with different letters of the alphabet and will continue until we are done with all the letters.
Here are some more definitions with the letter "T" continued from last week.
Trompe L'Oeil
Trompe L'Oeil is a French word for fool the eye or fake. It is a technique used to make the flat surface look three dimensional through the use of scale and shadows. It is often quite realistic and actually does "fool the eye".
Trumeau or Trumeaux
Trumeau mirrors are widely used today and are usually reproductions of the original French mirrors on a board with elaborate carving or a painting on the upper portion. In old architecture it is that elaborately carved and decorated portion above a doorway.
Tufted
The term tufting is used in making carpets that are made by a machine that pulls "tufts" (small twisted pieces or strings of yarn) of yarn through the backing material. Afterwards it can be cut or left in loops or a combination of the two for the finished surface of the carpet.
Tulle
Tulle is that beautifully feminine soft net fabric used for wedding dresses, tutus and decorating. It drapes beautifully and has a diaphanous look to it.
Tuxedo
Tuxedo sofas have the same height arms and back. They come in all sizes, styles and shapes but have that one thing in common.
Link to previous blogs here
Please call me if I can be of any service!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ
When designing a bathroom remember that a stunning tile or stone bathroom floor can pull the whole room together. Here are some examples:
1. This dramatic floor is made of 3 colors of marble with the brown one being polished and the other two honed. This creates not only color drama but textual drama as well and grounds the large room.
2. Black and white floors are always a favorite and these are enhanced by the 4 inch black tile border. Although the interior of the shower floor changes to a different shape it is subtle because there is not black contrast.
3. The traditional black and white checkerboard floor is stately in this bathroom. This design can be used in any room of the house and look right!
4. Taking the pattern of the floor to a whole new level adds a lot of interest to this bathroom and the intricate pattern is large enough scale to nicely accent the room without being too much.
5. The stark simplicity of this white bathroom is balanced with the chevron patterned marble floor. I love that it continues into the shower. If it had been a curbless shower it could have continued without interruption.
6. This is a slightly different version of a chevron pattern that is created by using slab strips of a linear marble to create a softer but very interesting design. I love the nailheads on the upholstered doors as you enter this bathroom too!
7. It is possible to create a rug look with stone or tile by inlaying the designed portion into a plain field. This one has an argyle pattern.
8. This is another example of a patterned marble floor in a plain white bathroom being used for some texture and subtle design. Although these types of designs come ready cut and put together for easier installation they are on the costlier side. I think it's well worth it, don't you?
9. The designer here used pebble tiles in a meandering manner reminiscent of a stream to add interest to the bathroom. Not only is the design creative but the texture of the pebbles on bare feel is exquisite.
10. The beautiful marble mosaic on the wall here is the star but the creative use of the green marble on the floor ties the space together. It just takes a little and that makes a big difference!
Link to previous blogs here.
Please call me for Interior Design help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ, IDG
It seems everyone has a shoe fetish these days and needs a place to store them. Once you have them neatly arranged you will find it is much easier to find the ones you want and you won't forget what you have.
1. You can arrange your shoes in pairs if you have plenty of shelf space. Organizing by color and style makes it easier to find what you are looking for. Notice the boots are hung on the bottom.
2. If you store them on shelves with the front and back alternating you can see at a glance what they look like and you can also fit more on the shelves! This person has lots of black shoes with red soles which is striking but makes it harder to select the ones you want at a glance.
3. These shelves are very roomy so there is more than enough room to see what shoes you have. I love the purse shelves on the end too.
4. Angled shoe shelves need some molding at the front edge the keep the shoes from sliding off. It seems that no matter how many shelves you have there are never enough!
5. some people prefer to keep their shoes inside boxes. By putting a picture of them on the end of the box it's much easier to find what you are looking for.
6. Custom made shoe cubbies are a great solution but they don't allow for future purchases. Look how they had to cram a bunch in the last cubbie - always make more than you think you will need!
7. Shoes stored on racks at the back of the closet works well so you can see them easily.
8. Here is a clever idea - make the closet island all shoe racks.
Link here to previous blogs
Call me if I can help with your Interior Design projects!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ, IDG
Every profession has it's own special language and Interior Design, Architecture and Construction are no different.
Each week I will be giving you definitions for different words of the alphabet and will continue through the alphabet until we are done with all the letters.
Here are more definitions of words beginning with T.
Tongue and Groove
Tongue and groove joinery is strong because it has a groove on one side of the board and a "tongue" or projection on the other side which fit together the full length of the boards. This is how flooring is typically made so that row after row fits together easily and tightly. It is also used in furniture and cabinet making at times.
Torchiere
The origin of many Interior Design words is French and this one means torch. Today that is expanded to mean any floor light fixture which gives off indirect light aimed at the ceiling. You can't see the bulb but the shade may be translucent so light comes out the sides. Tall floor candelabras are also called torchieres.
Transom
Transom windows are those windows directly above a doorway. I remember the ones from elementary school that opened for ventilation. Sometimes the term is also used to describe a horizontal piece of wood that sits above a doorway.
Tread
Stair treads are the horizontal part where your foot goes as opposed to the riser which is directly underneath the tread. The size of treads and risers and their relationship is dictated by building codes so that they will fit a normal person's stride. Have you ever wondered why most stairs all feel the same? If the tread is too deep or too shallow or the rise too high or too short the stairs are difficult to manage and may lead to accidents.
Link to previous blogs here
Please call me if I can be of any service!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, IDG, NKBA, NCIDQ
There are so many beautiful flowers in the garden now that they just make me happy. If you have an abundance of flowers by all means bring some in the house to enjoy too but just looking out and seeing them or walking in the garden will bring sunshine to your day.
Here are some of my favorite flowers:
1. If you are lucky enough to live in in climate like I do you will see a lot of these fuschia bouganvillas blooming all through the summer and fall. They come in other colors but these are my very favorite. They make a wonderful shock of color on walls and by doorways.
2. Orchids always look elegant and there are so many species and colors available. If you buy them for inside the house and live in a mild climate you can plant them outside and they will bloom again next year! I'm so lucky to live in California!
3. Even these tiny peacock orchids are gorgeous.
4. Tulips, although short lived, are so graceful and elegant.
5. Lilacs - purple, pink or white - love the smell!
6. English rose - so delicate and feminine!
7. Love all roses - especially the ones that smell good!
8. Sweet peas smell wonderful too and are easy to grow from seed.
9. Daffodils are the first sign of spring and always a delight! something about that bright yellow just fills the house with sunshine in the spring.
10. Poppies are so colorful and the orange California poppies (California State flower) dot the highways and grow wild. Orange adds such a spark of life to other colors, especially green.
11. The gorgeous huge blossoms of rhodendron are enchanting - especially in the Northwest. There are varieties of all sizes and colors. I love azaleas too.
12. Of course wisteria is magical too and gorgeous in either purple or white. Lucky the people who have a trellis or covered patio to grow it on.
Link to previous blogs here.
Please call me if you need Interior Design help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ, IDG
Tile design is used all over the house and even outside. When planning a tile project the Interior Designer must consider many factors including slip resistance, durability, color, finish surface, light reflectance, color combinations, size and shape, etc. Each tile design should be custom selected to compliment the space it is going into.
1. This beautiful fountain was made with custom Fireclay tile. Isn't it stunning?
2. This homeowner designed a beautiful and colorful broken tile backsplash for her kitchen. The abstract and meandering nature of it is one of a kind.
3. These bronze tiles by Crossville add a nice soft reflection to the backsplash. The use of the decorative corner dots add texture.
4. The bold black and tan checkerboard in the backsplash behind the stove creates a strong focal point and a little whimsy. Notice that it is at the back of a niche.
5. Four colors of marble tile were used in this floor and the inlaid "rugs" were created by cutting the tile into borders. This design breaks up the long hallway.
6. Hand painted tile is used for trimming the doors and windows in this Mediterranean home. There is absolutely no doubt where the front door is. It's interesting that the doorway is beveled.
7. Moorish designed tiles are used for the stair risers here. It's so fun to have each riser in a different pattern.
8. Water jet cut medallions are popular in entryways and can be simple designs like this one with contrasting polished and honed stone, mosaics or ..........
9. Very elaborate multi colored water jet tiles which are carefully pieced together for absolutely stunning floors.
10. There are even tile planks today that look like wood. They come in lots of colors, species and sizes. You can have the warm look of wood without the maintenance.
Link to previous blogs here
Please call me for help with your Interior Design project!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NKBA, NCIDQ, IDG