living space

Interior Design For Multi-Generational Households

October 14, 2019

With the rising costs of living – not to mention senior communities – multi-generational households are coming back in style. According to Pew Research, the number of people living in multi-generational houses has doubled over the past three decades, and that trend isn’t expected to change anytime soon.

Multi-Generational Households Require Livable Home Designs

A while back, I read a design article that referenced the phrase “livable designs.” The idea was that accessible or universal design tenets weren’t just for the old or handicapped; rather, they were design features that made a living space more livable for everyone – be they young, old, small, tall, using a walker or not.

I love this idea and feel like the best interior designers work to create livable designs in every home they meet. Here are some of the livable design features that make the most sense for families, retirees, those who plan to age in place and/or those who plan to live with extended family members.

Design a private suite or two

When I was a child, I was so envious of my friends who had bedrooms with attached bathrooms. These master suites felt so luxurious – and they are. If you plan to live with parents or in-laws, or your kids plan to move in with you when you are in your golden years, it makes sense to design a private suite or two so everyone has their own space.

These master suites can be quite simple – large enough to accommodate a bedroom and sitting area, as well as a bathroom. Or, they can be more complex, including the addition of a small living area, kitchenette, and/or patio space. The more independent the suite is, while still being accessible to those with mobility aids, the more functional it will be. These living spaces are also convenient should you ever need to hire an in-home caregiver.

Make it easy to get around

Increasing the number of residents in a household makes navigation more of a concern. Leave ample space in hallways and along walkways, so it’s easy for people to pass each other, walk two-by-two or manipulate a walker or wheelchair. Install ADA accessible doorways from the get-go. Leave plenty of room around tables and chairs, as well as other seating areas, so the walking and functional flow aren’t obstructed when family and friends are gathered in eating and communal areas. Think about transitions between different flooring materials as well as entrance/exit thresholds so they are smooth and trip-resistant.

Flooring materials should be anti-slip and low-profile so they’re easier to get around on in a wheelchair or walker. The benefit of all of this is that you and your kids will be so appreciative when a sprained ankle or unanticipated surgery requires that you use crutches, canes or other mobility aids.

Think about safety

After the “getting around” pointers, I recommend taking a good look at your lighting plan. Focus on ample daylighting by way of expanded windows, skylights and solar tubes. This makes electric lighting superfluous until just before sunset. You will also want to include more task lighting since older eyes have a harder time seeing. By setting everything on dimmers, each space can be illuminated to suit the current occupant’s needs.

Under cabinet lighting in both the kitchen and the bathroom is a welcome addition during the nighttime hours and can keep falling and post-sunset accidents to a minimum. Gentle night-lighting will also prevent little ones and elders from being disoriented or fearful in the dark.

Balance an open floor plan with private space

Open floor plans are certainly accessible. However, in a household with multiple generations in residence, it can also feel like there’s no place to call your own. Be thoughtful about creating different zones within the central area so there is room for those watching TV as well as those who want to curl up and read a book or focus on their homework. Your interior designer can assist you in using area rugs, pony walls, furniture arrangements and other tricks of the trade so there are plenty of areas for your family members to feel at home.

Not only will your home benefit from livable design features, it will also be more appealing for future homebuyers.

Egg Dying: Food Coloring And BEYOND

October 12, 2019

Easter egg dying is a spring time given in our home. Like pumpkin carving or gingerbread houses, it’s a tradition that has passed down through the generations. Growing up – and then when my kids were younger – dying eggs meant purchasing a PAAS kit and getting down to business.

As time progressed, and kids got older, we itched to do something different and new. That urge spawned all kinds of experimentation and research so we could create eggs that went beyond the water, vinegar and food coloring.

Beyond Food Coloring and Into the Eggs-Traodrinary

Here are some of our favorite techniques for creating dyed eggs that can become serious works of art.

Blown or hardboiled?

For years and years, I followed in the footsteps of my mother, hard-boiling dozens of eggs for egg dying day. This yields dozens of hardboiled eggs that are eventually eaten as snacks, in salads, and as egg salad sandwiches.

Then, I wised up. Blowing eggs yields permanent fixtures that can be boxed up carefully and displayed year after year. So, I highly recommend blowing a good third or half of your eggs (using the blown contents for scrambled eggs, frittatas and quiches. If sealed well, they will remain fresh in the fridge for up to a week or more) and then hard-boiling the others.

Use Colorful Permanent Markers

If you want to keep things simple, but different, start with permanent markers. Our favorites are Sharpie because you can get lots of them for a reasonable price (don’t forget the gold and silver) and they come in both medium, fine and ultra-fine points so artists can get as intricate as they want to.

We also have a tradition of personalizing dyed eggs for each member of the family, and the extended family if we’re going to see them for Easter brunch or a household egg hunt, and this is much easier with Sharpies than with clear wax crayons! To make it more artistic, we’ll cleverly weave their names into our artwork.

Glue and glitter or confetti

Some kids (and adults) are crazy for glitter and eggs are a perfect medium for it. While you can dye eggs first if you want, this is also a simple way to skip all that and use your white (or brown, or Arcana green) eggs au naturel. With a little glue stick or glue tape (traditional craft glue can be too messy if you’re trying to glitter designs, rather than the entire egg), and baggies of different colored glitter (confetti creates a fun effect too), you can make beautiful eggs with all kinds of different looks.

Temporary Tattoos

Have tweens? Purchase sheets of temporary tattoos and let them go to town (plan on having a temporary tattooed child after this one since it’s hard to resist). The eggs look fantastic and the motifs can vary from princess to hardcore rocker, which lends itself to all kinds of personal expression. If the tattoos don’t adhere perfectly, that’s just fine – it adds a retro, distressed look.

Twine or colored string

You can use hemp or natural fiber twine for a country or rustic look, or you can purchase baker’s twine in all kinds of colors or striped patterns. Use craft glue on a third of the egg at a time (I have found it best to move from the wide end to the narrow end of the egg), and carefully wind the twine around the egg. If you want to switch colors, simply cut the end of the twine you’re using and press it down into the glue, then start the new color by overlapping the end just a bit over the finished one. When you get to the top of the egg, dab another dot of glue at the tip of the string end and press gently to prevent the string from fraying or unraveling.

Washi tape

You can use colored or patterned washi tape by the strip, or you can cut them into geometric pieces to create a mosaic. You can even cut out hearts, stars, flowers and other shapes and mix washi tape décor with the marker, dye or other decorating methods for a mixed-media effect.

Modge Podge and anything

Modge Podge and anything (rhinestones, glitter, magazine cutouts, pressed flowers, etc.) will result in awesome eggs. If you’re going to go through all the trouble, use this idea on your blown eggs so the results are permanent and you can put them on display in your home next year, and the next.

Egg decorating is a wonderful bonding ritual and a fun way to get the creative juices flowing no matter what age you are. Have you and your family come up with eggs-traordinary designs?

Vegetable Gardening For The Beginner

October 7, 2019

Our household has grown vegetables in some way, shape or form for years now. Some seasons, our garden has been very simple and others have been more elaborate – depending on who was inspired and what our summertime activity levels were. Tomatoes are a given, as are zucchini and summer squash. I’ve delighted in the years we’ve grown beans and butternuts, carrots and beets – and there is nothing more satisfying than making dinner and realizing the majority of the produce was grown and harvested right from your own yard.

If you’re feeling the itch to grow vegetables, dive in. You can start small and add more year by year, or you can work with a landscaping company to help you go the full Monty the first time around.

Tips For Beginning Gardeners

Here are some tips for getting your garden started.

Get your priorities straight

There are certain must-haves if you want to grow a garden that bears fruit. These are:

Plenty of sunlight. Most vegetables, especially those harvested in late summer and fall like lots and lots of light. Six hours per day would be the minimum and eight to ten is even better – especially if you love juicy tomatoes.
High-quality soil. Soil is more than just a bunch of dirt. Healthy soil is a microcosm in its own right – full of rich, drainable soil that has plenty of minerals, decaying organic material, worms, microbes, fungus (mycorrhizae), and other energizing properties. If you’ve already started a compost pile, great – you’ll be able to incorporate fully composted materials into your soil beds. If not, you’ll want to spend time in your local nursery – bring in a soil sample from your garden area if you’re planning to use your own soil. Employees will help you figure out how much soil and/or soil amendments you’ll need for this year – and they can also help you with planting and spacing tips.
Compost. If you don’t compost yet, it’s time to start. While it’s too late in the game for this year, next year’s garden will thrive as a result of your efforts. Read Composting At Home to learn more. You’ll be amazed at how much organic materials you produce each week – and now they’ll all be invested into future food stores.
Access to water – not too little, not too much. Another reason soil quality is so important is that it must be loamy enough to retain a bit of water, but not too sandy (or it drains too much) or clay-rich (where water sits and rots the roots). If at all possible, I recommend installing a drip system equipped with a timer as this makes watering way easier.

Start Small and Grow Your Garden Each Year

Unless you have professional help, it’s best to start small. Gardening is an evolving process so if you go too big the first year, you might wind up with a whole lotta nothing, or more zucchini than you ever wanted to see in your lifetime.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac – a good “starter” garden for a family of four would measure 10-feet x 16-feet, with vegetable rows running north-south. That’s a pretty decent plot so if you’re a couple or your kids are really little, feel free to start smaller. You can also purchase portable raised beds – or build your own – that can be set up on top of existing soil and filled in.

Some of the veggies worth considering are:

Tomatoes
Green beans (add stakes or climbing cones)
Radishes
Carrots
Beats
Zucchini or summer squash (no more than four plants – they’re prolific)
Peppers
Corn (space accordingly so they don’t block other plants from the sun)
Kale or chard
Lettuce
Marigolds – bordering gardens with marigolds helps to deter certain pests, including rabbits

Once your summer harvest is over, you can continue planting a new round of greens that will keep your kitchen leafy rich through the winter and early spring.

I recommend buying organic seeds and starting them inside – those should be started now, OR purchase small, organic starters at a local nursery to give yourself a head start when you plant. Use the Almanac’s Planting Dates Calculator to determine when to begin planting in your neck of the Bay Area. Planting zones are tricky around here because of all the coastal/mountain variations.

Consider Container Gardening in Smaller Spaces

If you just want to get your feet wet this year, or don’t have much room to work with – container gardening is the way to go. With this method, you use appropriately sized containers – no less than 7-inches and typically no more than 12-inches deep – filled with soilless fill that retains water and has nutrients included.

You can grow almost anything in a container if you choose the right container and planting mix. Read, Urban Gardening With Vegetables, to learn more.

Cultivating your own vegetables is addictive and it’s a healthy, outdoor activity. Your children – or grandchildren – will love to help you plant, tend and harvest. Happy growing!

Making The Most Of Your Open Floor Plan

October 1, 2019

I’ll be honest; I’m particularly fond of the open floor plan trend that just keeps on trending. To be sure, there are advantages to compartmentalization – especially when it comes to privacy and/or hiding the mess from guests. However, in my experience, the pros of open floor plans far outweigh the cons.

Ideas For Getting the Most Out of Your Open Floor Plan

Open floor plans offer several advantages: they are spacious or can provide the idea of space in smaller homes, they are great for families – allowing parents to keep their eyes and ears on children of all ages – and open floor plans are the best idea for serial entertainers.

With all of those benefits in mind, the following ideas will help you to enjoy an open floor plan design to its fullest and will make future redecorating easier.

Be proactive and practical. Before you get started choosing colors, furniture and fixtures, you need think about the practical realities of the space you have to work with. What areas do you need to have (food prep, dining, toys, living room, pet areas, etc.). How many people will be using these spaces on a regular basis? What’s the square footage of the available space? Which dimensions need to be respected in terms of moving around the kitchen comfortably, scooting chairs back to eat while leaving enough room for others to pass by, the general walking flow of the space? The more practical you are at the outset, the better use of space, function and flow you will enjoy when the design is complete.
What are you living with now? Changing major structural components like load bearing walls or posts, windows, exterior doors, etc., can be quite costly. Unless you have an unlimited budget, it’s best to identify structural limitations now so you can design an open floor plan that integrates with existing features. An experienced interior designer can be a lifesaver if you are struggling to “make it work,” because she has the ability to picture various configurations in her mind and, odds are the designer has created an open floor plan with similar features or limitations in the past. Even if you don’t plan to hire an interior designer for the long-term, paying for a consultation or two is well-worth the investment.
What are your priorities for the future? Now that you’ve listed your practical reality, it’s time to live in the dream world. What are your priorities for these spaces in the current moment? How will your household change in the next five years? What about the next 10 or 20 years? What type of energy, space, or functional/playful aspects would you like the home’s living spaces to facilitate? Your open floor plan will evolve more fluidly if you design flexibly and in a way that minimizes any modifications or transitions that may arise in the future.
Unified but segregated. Here’s where things get really fun. In an open floor plan, everything is visible and sort of layered against everything else. This means there needs to be a certain level of continuity or agreement between the colors, patterns, textiles and furnishings in the individual spaces. At the same time, clearly defining each area from the rest helps to set the tone and mood. A monochromatic paint scheme is one way to accomplish this, using textiles and furnishings to add a different tone or subtle energy differences to each space. Or, you can choose complementary colors that look great together but set color boundaries between the kitchen and family room, and between the living area and formal dining room.
Focus on transitions. How will the spaces transition from one to the next? One of my favorite ways to do this is to have a unified hard surface flooring material for the entire space. Then, area rugs and even layered area rugs can be used to anchor specific seating areas, to define spaces and to create different moods or tones – soft, warm, cool, contemporary, traditional, cozy, formal, etc.
Layouts and arrangements. Most rooms are laid out or organized along either linear or axial arrangements. Linear arrangements will create zones or living areas that are arranged along a straight line. These are quite flexible and the key is to keep it all in alignment with that invisible guideline so things remain balanced and proportional. Axial organization means arrangements that use two or more differing center-points. For example, the kitchen and dining room are arranged around one line while the family, reading or toy areas are arranged in alignment with another. Axial arrangements can be a bit trickier but work well in larg spaces. The path and access ways between the two become a focal point on their own.

How To Make Choosing The Perfect Wallpaper A Non-Issue

September 22, 2019

Don’t neglect the idea of wallpaper when you’re looking for a way to add color, pattern or visual interest to a living space. Unlike paint, which is typically applied in a single color – or requires significantly accurate measuring and taping to create a perfect pattern – wallpaper is available in a seemingly infinite array of colors, patterns, styles – and even textures.

Tips for Choosing Just-Right Wallpaper For Your Space

Here are tips for selecting the right paper for your walls.

Identify your goal. What is your goal for the space? There are so many stunning prints out there these days, that it’s easy to get swept away by all the possibilities when you’re standing amidst the selections. Instead, identify your main goals so you can focus on the right possibilities when you get there. Are you trying to add texture? Depth? Reflective value? Want to set a tone or tell a story? Would you like to add some wow factor? Bring these goals with you as you shop for wallpaper and cull through the samples.
Did we say paper? Yes, it’s called wallpaper, but we should really use the term wall covering because there are so many different materials out there. Today’s wall coverings are made from a range of materials, like Japanese silk, sisal, cork or grass cloth. They are printed to look like a mural or the finest artistic renderings. You can select wall coverings that are perfectly illustrated and textured to mimic natural stone or wood. Make sure you’ve looked at, felt and imagined all of the above before making your choice.
Sample, sample, sample. Just like carpet, cabinet doors or tiles, you can get wallpaper samples to try out in your home. I highly recommend you do so, putting the samples in place and living with them for a while so you can see how they feel, whether you love them consistently, and how they are affected by changes in light or by the view from other rooms. That brings us to the next tip…
Imagine it from other surroundings. Do you have an open floor plan or is a section of your prospective wall-papered space visible from another room or area? If so, consider all of the surroundings. You may find that the wallpaper you’re planning as an accent wall in your dining or living room doesn’t look so hot when viewed from an adjacent room with a different color or pattern scheme. It might clash, appear over-busy or be visually jarring.
Don’t limit yourself. If you love a busy pattern or a bold color but feel it will be overwhelming, consider creative alternatives. For example, it might make more sense to use the wallpaper on only one wall, as a half wall, or in panels with beautiful wood trim around them. That way you get to have the pattern or color you want, while retaining the ability to tone the effect down a bit using the blank space(s) around it.
Go professional all the way. One of the reasons wallpaper can feel so daunting is that it isn’t as easy to “do-over” when compared to paint. Yes, you can do it on your own, and if you’ve successfully applied wallpaper in the past, then go for it. I, on the other hand, feel that it’s worth every penny to work with a professional wallpaper installer. First, the installer will know exactly how much paper you’ll need, saving you from wasting money on paper you won’t use, or being just a few inches shy of completing the job. Also, the finished job will be done right – patterns properly aligned, no gaps, wrinkles or crooked spots, and the paper will stay put as it’s meant to.