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Five Ideas for an Organized and Stress-free Closet

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Let us face it. Our closet is one of the things that most of us face every day. Wouldn’t it be great if it were organized so you don’t encounter a stress filled morning rummaging through all the stuff inside your closet? There is hope!

Here are five ideas for an organized and stress-free closet.

  1. Declutter. Look through all the clothes in your closet and decide which goes and which stays. You can even donate these extra clothes to charity. Your trash can be someone else’s treasure. If you grab a garment and don’t feel amazing – get rid of it.
  2. Categorize. Group your clothes together so you can allocate certain areas of your closet for certain items. For example, group all of your t-shirts, blouses, coats, underwear, etc, and then allocate a certain space for each group. By doing this, you can find things easily as each group of clothes are together.
  3. Organize your clothes per season. You will not wear your winter jacket during summertime, right? So organize your clothes per season and store in your closet only those clothes that you can wear for that season and keep the out of season clothes in a separate closet. This can also help create extra room in your closet.
  4. Customize. A customized closet will save you time, energy and change the way you start and end your day. Get inspired with our closet partners Organized Living!
  5. Start a habit. Once you are done organizing your closet, make it a habit to at least check and re-organize your closet at least three or four times a year. Otherwise, it will just pile up again with new clothes that you have acquired during the year and you will end up with a chaotic closet again.

Your closet is a very useful storage space and it can help make your life easy if you implement an effective closet organization.

Trend Spotting: Modern Hexagon Patterns

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The current passion for hexagon designs in interior design can be traced back to the British designer, David Hicks (1929-1998) who was known for his modern geometric patterns.  Look for hexagonal patterns on walls, furnishings, accessories and floors. The hexagon can be spotted on carpets, area rugs, curtains, pillows, wallpapers and fabrics.  Even stencils for painted walls and fabrics are popping up on design blogs for DIY patterns.

The hexagon is also a classic pattern in tiles. White hexagonal tiles for a bathroom floor are still a classic choice. Mixing in the occasional black or colored tile in with the white is also a classic combination for hexagonal floor tiles.  Hexagonal patterns have evolved beyond the classic style into sexy and sophisticated.

Hexagons can be used in all different sizes for delicate or bold patterns. The bigger the hexagon, the more intense the areas of color will be, and therefore the stronger the pattern. Tone on tone hexagonal patterns can be more subtle.  Large patterns for walls and linens make a bold statement in a room.

Like the chevron pattern, hexagonal patterns are a hot trend right now; one that the design world has seen before. The design world is very similar to the world of fashion; what is old is new again with vintage-inspired patterns and colors making a comeback. This time, the look has been elevated to suit a range of styles anywhere from classic to modern. As with all trends, the style will not always be trending, but rest assured the look will have longevity as it originates from a timeless shape. Where could you see this shape in your space?

Priorities, Priorities

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As more and more homeowners in Indianapolis continue to work from home, they realize that their home is not working for them as well as they would like or need. As your family spends more time at home, the kitchen has taken on a more prominent role as a multifunctional space.

We’ve received numerous calls from homeowners in Indianapolis interested in updating what currently exists. Certain elements of a dream kitchen should be at the top of everyone’s priority list regardless of space and budget. At the top of the list should be a combination of beauty, aesthetics and superb functionality. You should smile every time you cross the threshold, and every time you use your kitchen to prepare meals, eat, help with homework, chat with friends and neighbors or simply spend a few minutes for yourself.

The key priorities for any new kitchen should include:

  • Adequate storage
  • The right light
  • Appliances that cater to the families’ desires and lifestyle
  • Proper ventilation
  • Island or peninsula
  • Everything else, including the kitchen sink

Adequate Storage

A superbly designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. There is a direct connection between storage capabilities and functionality. That’s why when we design a new kitchen, we ask homeowners in Indianapolis to inventory everything that they currently store in their kitchen, curate duplicative items, and identify items they use rarely as opposed to those that are employed daily. Knowing the utensils, dishes, small appliances, glassware, cooking accessories and other items you use in your kitchen enables a kitchen designer to develop a customized storage solution for your unique needs and desires.

The Right Light

Lighting can make or break how your kitchen looks, feels and functions. Effective lighting illuminates a space in layers using different components and strategies to paint the final picture. Layers of light contribute not only to the functionality of the kitchen but also to its design and beauty. A savvy kitchen designer knows how to employ ambient, task and accent lights to enhance a new kitchen’s beauty and functionality.

Appliances

Appliance selection should match your lifestyle. For homeowners in Indianapolis who like to cook, the cooktop and oven are the two most used and hardest working appliances. Make those two appliances priorities.

Range Hoods

Range hoods serve two valuable roles. Functionally, they remove smoke, grease and odors from the kitchen. Aesthetically, they can provide a focal point that sets the tone for the entire space.

Islands

Islands or peninsulas are requested by 99% of homeowners in Indianapolis and for good reason. Islands provide extra countertop space and storage. Islands can double as dining tables, homework desks, or a place for an additional sink, cooktop, or dishwasher.

The Kitchen Sink

Sinks and sink areas are often an afterthought or minimize their importance. Too often the choice of the sink is left to the countertop fabricator that often agrees to provide a sink at “no charge.” Typically, the fabricator’s selection is the least expensive option available. Why would you want to put a $25 sink into a $50,000 kitchen? Plus, doing so misses multiple opportunities to enhance the functionality of your sink area. Today, manufacturers offer workstations that convert the sink into another space to prepare meals. These workstations include colanders, cutting boards, drying racks, bowls and other meal prep tools and utensils.

How can you identify the top priorities for your dream kitchen? Give us a call or make an appointment to visit our showroom either virtually or in-person at one of our beautiful showrooms.

Five Questions to Ask Yourself When Replacing a Floor

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Ready for new floors, but feeling a bit overwhelmed? When it’s time to replace flooring in your home, the following questions may help make your shopping experience more enjoyable!

1. What purpose does the room have now and what purpose do you anticipate in the future?

Today’s den may be tomorrow’s nursery or once a child leaves home their room may become a guest room. Think about current and future plans for the room.

2. What expectations do you have for the new flooring?

Think about whether qualities like low maintenance and style are important goals to you. Write a list of your expectations in terms of performance and look. Your ICC salesperson can help narrow your search based on this information.

3. Has your taste changed over the years?

Make sure that you choose a flooring that is aligned with your taste that may have evolved or changed through the years. Think about what type of new flooring will allow you to make adjustments to your style in the future.

4. Are there any color requirements or preferences for the room?

Be sure to take into consideration family heirlooms or other items with color that may influence your choice in flooring. If you have new window treatments that you love and don’t forsee replacing, this could be a consideration for the color family of your new flooring.

5. What are your budget goals for replacing your floors?

Go into your shopping experience with a budget range in mind. This information will help your salesperson avoid showing you something out of your price range making you feel like you are settling for a product in your price range. However, you’ll want to keep things like the resale value in mind. You may be willing to spend a bit more if the flooring you choose will enhance the resale value of your home. Having a least a budget range in mind will help your salesperson direct you to the right flooring for your budget.

Finding the answers to these questions will help you be more prepared when it comes time to making your selection. All of these questions will play a part in making your flooring selection easier and more enjoyable.

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Cleanliness Is Next to…

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The kitchen is the most important room in the home because it serves as a central hub for cooking, dining, entertaining, chatting, bill paying, internet-surfing, homework, etc. As the central hub and most used room in most homes in Indianapolis, it is also the room that needs cleaning most often.

We always ask our clients how they plan to use their new kitchen and how often they prepare meals and entertain. We want to know if anyone in the home truly enjoys cooking and if there are any “foodies” or bakers in the family. We want to gain an understanding of how the kitchen will function and how often it will need cleaning.

Many homeowners in Indianapolis are dazzled by smart appliances, quartz and stone countertops, custom cabinetry, statement-making backsplashes, signature lighting, hands-free faucets, and jewelry-like hardware. But, they rarely consider how difficult or easy it is to clean and maintain these dazzling products.  An experienced kitchen designer can direct you to the products that are both attractive and easy to clean.

Appliances

Homeowners who don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning their new kitchens should consider appliance surfaces that do not require special cleaning solutions. When looking at ranges, focus on the knobs to determine if there are areas where grease and foodstuffs can get lodged. Consider the spacing. Can you easily use a microfiber between knobs? If not, that range may not be the best choice for your new kitchen. Many of our clients who are avid cooks are attracted to induction cooktops because they are easy to clean and use.

Finishes also need to be considered. Stainless steel appliances are most popular for good reason. They are durable, complement almost any type of cabinet style and color and have long-term staying power. The downside to stainless steel finishes are fingerprints, smudges and the potential for scratches. Some manufacturers offer a smudge-proof option, and black stainless tends to hide fingerprints.

We almost always recommend self-cleaning ovens that use high heat to burn off residue. Steam ovens are also self-cleaning.

Cabinets

Flat-front cabinets are easier to clean than door and drawer fronts adorned with grooves and ridges.

Backsplashes

Tile is one of the most popular materials used for backsplashes. If you are concerned with cleaning, we recommend using larger tiles that minimize the amount of exposed grout. One of the friendliest materials when it comes to cleaning for backsplashes is glass. You can choose almost any color; there’s no grout, and using a standard household glass cleaner is all you will need.

Countertops

Stone, quartz, stainless steel and engineered quartz are durable, nonporous, stainproof and easy to clean.

Trash and Recycling

Most of our clients welcome trash and recycling containers in pull out cabinets underneath the sink or close to the sink where most clean-up occurs.

Open Shelves

Open shelves are increasingly popular because they are budget-friendly, make kitchen space look larger and enable homeowners to showcase collectibles and organize materials. The downside to open shelves is that they are exposed to dust and grime.

What materials, finishes, appliances, and surfaces require the least maintenance? Give us a call or make an appointment to visit one of our showrooms, and we can offer guidance to create the kitchen of your dreams that is also easy to clean.

Designing a Farmhouse Kitchen

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There is a certain nostalgia when cooking in a farmhouse kitchen. It reminds us of growing up and helping our grandmothers in the kitchen. The look continues to remain popular most likely due to it’s simplicity and timelessness.

There are some key elements to remember when designing this increasingly popular themed space.

Select a soft painted cabinet finish. There is an array of painted cabinet finishes to choose from. The colors that work best for this type of space are creams and earth-toned blues and greens. Keep the cabinet door styles relatively simple. Look for clean lines and stay away from highly ornate carvings and decorations. Another cabinet feature that will give you the farmhouse look and feel is seeded glass doors.

Keep the hardware simple as well. Simple pulls and knobs can do the job. If you prefer, select glass knobs and pair them with the simple pulls. Glass knobs were popular in old farmhouse kitchens and they add a bit of whimsy. Library cup pulls (shown above) in any finish pair well with simple knobs or pulls.

Flooring and Backsplash. A nice wide rustic plank floor will help you achieve the farmhouse look and feel. Your floors don’t have to be old wooden planks from an old barn. Instead, get that rustic look with modern engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl plank. For your backsplash, a nice simple subway tile is your best bet. This doesn’t mean it is your only option, but it’s a very popular one!

Incorporate rustic pendant lighting. Look for lighting with metal finishes and a small amount of distressing on the finish. Other features to complete the look can include seeded glass or mason jars.

Decorate with vintage items. Whether your farmhouse kitchen is modern or traditional, adding items with the nostalgic feel will help bring the farmhouse look and feel together. Add flour, sugar and coffee in matching containers on the countertop. This not only makes these items more accessible when cooking, they can add that vintage look that the farmhouse kitchen requires. Ideally, you want the containers to match in style and graduate in sizes from largest to smallest.

Keep the space light and bright. Back in the day these kitchens had natural light from windows and were often painted white or cream. Add pops of color by hanging a cheerful valance over the kitchen sink window.

If you’re thinking about a farmhouse style kitchen and don’t know where to start, ask us for help! Our designers can help bring your vision to reality!