Hidden Gems

The “less is more” aesthetic is reflected in most of my work. I wouldn’t go so far as deeming myself a minimalist, after all I have a husband and three small kids. Yet I have always loved to hide the components of life that are not frequently used or not visually appealing. In most all my design projects it becomes a challenge to design cabinetry, space and corners that can hide away some of those technological components, kitchen appliances, or toys/games/books that don’t always appeal to the eye.

In the kitchen I will frequently consider space to utilize for hidden cabinet doors and appliance cabinets. There are many conveniences that coincide with hidden design as well. For instance, if you are a coffee snob a small coffee cabinet can provide storage and electrical to allow for your coffee machine and supplies to be used when needed but concealed when not in use. Similarly, in the kitchen the “working pantry” is ever more popular. Consider those hidden walk-in pantry spaces or halls that offer any appliances a home, from dishwasher to microwave. There are even times in wet-bar and kitchen design where integrated appliances allow for such a concealed look that it can be difficult to find.

There are many times in the ever-evolving world of technology that appliances still lead to endless cords, boxes, screens and speakers. When in the early design stages I always try to consider what technology components a client would like to include in the space and then dive into how best can we make it visually appealing and functional. I envision where can we hide all the messy technology pieces. In some most recent projects, we expanded built-ins to conceal upholstered touch to open doors that hide away nearly all electronics. There is no shortage of creativity when it comes to hiding away some of life’s most complex systems.

Never underestimate the hidden doors in a home or the cabinets that purposefully hold the ever important “things” that fill our home and our lives. I love when a home looks lived in but there is also such a reward and appeal to well used space that tucks away some of life’s least pretty but ever important workings.

Devilish Details

The devil is in the details. The design project begins you’re remodeling the kitchen or bathroom you have always dreamed of gutting since you settled into your home. The process begins with a vision board that you have been culminating for months (maybe even years). You have the perfect paint color ready to go, you know the appliances and plumbing fixtures that are just the right amount of splurge and the counter selections are also bookmarked. It always seems so fun as the first stages of the design process arise. However, the project drags as they always seem. Things go amazingly right and just as quickly they go horribly wrong. The stamina you start with weans and suddenly the contractor hands you a final list of items he needed pretty much yesterday. It is no longer the big picture design needs but the cabinetry hardware selections and location. The lighting heights and locations. Do you want the countertops to have a special profile? What paint sheen on the walls? Then it hits, the overwhelm, the exhaustion, the I just want to use my kitchen or bathroom again. Does it really matter where the cabinet pull goes?

cabinetry hardware that patinas and adds depth to a newly renovated kitchen

This is Renovation. This is Design. The process is a creative dream a chance to reflect your own style and to create your own comfort. Yet there is so much more involved than anyone generally knows. I constantly speak with clients and friends about the passion I have for what I do in designing the spaces where people live. However, the greater passion and purpose to what I do is truly in the details. There are so many times a client contacts me halfway or further into the construction process throwing their hands up as they have driven themselves to a point where they can no longer make one more decision. This is not defeat. This is the step that allows me as a designer the opportunity to provide individuals with a deep breath and a push in the direction of decisions that are informed and knowledgable. I always say let me take the pressure of the decisions from you and give you the best end result. Yes, the hardware location matters and lets put that eased edge on the countertop profile. The decisions start to happen and the construction starts to move to completion.

The best part of my job is arguably bringing the smallest parts of the design fully into view and having them function properly. In this era of home renovation I offer this advice. Hire the professional. The sure thing is that in almost all those inspiration pictures you have saved there are hundreds maybe even thousands of “small” but incredibly impactful and thoughtful decisions and selections that equal up to the end result. I will always support the dynamic between client and designer. Generally, the most successful projects are those that the client and designer collaborate well together. So dream the big dream and never underestimate the details that add up to the end result of a well designed space.

Notes//

Some of the Devilish Details that I always suggest to consider…

1. Drapery and cabinetry hardware selection + finish

2. Cabinetry pulls vs. knobs + location

3. Countertop finish + edge profile

4. Paint saturation + sheen

5. Lighting selection + location

counter and cabinetry details // hardware beauty and functional placement