Glencoe Glam
Who says that functional needs to be ugly or boring? When you are working with professionals, you can have function AND beauty. Take a look at this beautiful project by Michael Menn Ltd.! We were tapped to provide our Siteline cabinets for a streamlined, budget-friendly solution!
As you can see, function is a priority. Michael’s team provided lighting in the toe-kick area for illumination at night, a zero-height threshold in the shower, shower seat that folds up, and a number of grab bars that aren’t institutional looking. We also provided a tall storage cabinet with roll-out shelves at a height that makes them easy to access and a storage bench where the owners can rest while toweling off after their shower. This bathroom is calm, beautiful AND provides a haven for the owners to enjoy for many years. Thank you, Michael, it’s always great to partner with you!
Photo credit: Dennis Jourdan Photography, Inc.
See the full project on our Houzz page.
What Will Cabinets be Wearing in 2021?
In our last post we showed you some of the new and exciting door styles in our Greenfield line. You might be asking, “but what about the finishes? Is a white kitchen still the standard by which all others are judged?” The answer to that is no. Clients all over the country are showing their individuality and desire to connect with nature. While white is still prominent and classic, here are some other woods and finishes that you’ll be spotting in homes and magazines.
What’s old is new again: Remember last week I talked about Oak making a comeback? Does the thought of white-washed Oak from the 80’s make you cringe? Well, good news – you don’t have to cringe with these new Oak stains. There’s everything from a rustic finish grey Oak for those looking for that farmhouse aesthetic to the Scandinavian influence of natural finish White Oak to classic darker brown finishes that accentuate the natural grain patterns.
Choices in grain pattern: Without going into too much detail about how wood is cut, know that there are three types of cuts that give you different looks:
- Flat cut: You see the familiar pattern of Oak (think of Oak floors with the definite arch patterns)
- Rift cut: A way of cutting the tree to create a more uniform, straight grain
- Quarter Sawn: Think of Arts and Crafts pieces of furniture done in Oak. You don’t see the arch patterns (cathedrals) but you do see a straighter grain with some flecks in it.
Our new offerings consist of White Oak in Flat Cut, Random Plank (sizes of the plank varies, just like in flooring) and Rift Cut
New colors: While grey is still on-trend, we’re seeing some fresher natural finishes as well. Take a look at these greys; they’re softer and more transparent.
Ready for rustic? While it isn’t for everyone, this rough-cut, limed finish could be a gorgeous partner to a high-gloss acrylic or even white painted cabinets.
Stay tuned throughout the year for new introductions!
A Trio of New Door Styles!
Welcome to 2021! A brand-new year with some fresh offerings from our Greenfield Cabinet line!
You may know that we have partnered for several years with the Corsi Group to offer our clients quality cabinets and a streamlined, custom experience. Corsi’s Greenfield and Siteline cabinets are made here in the U.S. (in Indianapolis and West Virginia), offer quality construction, details and options and a great value. But what I am most proud of is the level of service that I receive from the factory. Everyone at the factory, from line workers, to finishers, to the customer service team works together and are proud to deliver their best always. They also stay on the cutting edge of cabinet trends throughout the country! Here are some new offerings that I think are inspiring. Stay tuned to see new finishes offered next week!
One thing you’ll notice about these 3 new styles: They all have a flat center panel and a raised edge all the way around the door. Flat center-paneled cabinets have been on-trend for a number of years, and the most popular door style has been the Shaker style. These three offerings riff on the Shaker style and take it up a notch to be slightly more modern and organic. All three styles can be used either in a more contemporary or clean traditional setting. They’d make an awesome statement in a library, office, or dining room too! Here’s our runway line-up! (Ok, imagine a fashion runway complete with flashing lights and sexy-voiced MC…)
First up is the Quaid, shown here in a Hybrid Rift-Cut White Oak veneer, sporting a beautiful mitre-cut frame. Oak is definitely on-trend this year and you’ll be seeing more of its beefy, brawny grain that imparts a feel for nature.
Next up we have Quentin with a mid-sized frame, shown in a painted finish. Yes, paint (especially whites mixed with darker tones like slate and navy) are still hot hot hot!
Last but not least is the Quincy, sporting the ultra-thin edge frame. Quincy is for those who want a clean, sleek look but shy away from a straight slab door. It’s elegantly dressed in a Hybrid Walnut veneer which appeals to those Mid-Century Mad Men.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little kick-off ‘fashion” show! We will be featuring more in the days and months to come!
Looking Ahead to 2021
Yes, it has been a challenging year. We have all had our lives, families and businesses impacted by the pandemic, election, and social movements across the country. While many of us have found things to be grateful for, there is no denying that most of us are looking to put 2020 in the rearview mirror.
Here at Catherine Schager Designs, we are looking forward to bringing you new services and products to make your home the haven it should be. In the coming weeks I’ll be attending a major trade show for the kitchen and bath industry and a large conference with industry and trade partners- all virtually. While I am enjoying not having to travel, I miss the happenstance meeting of new people, the exchange of ideas and the inspiration that comes from being in-person. Here are some of our goals for the New Year:
- To find new ways to bring beauty and function to our clients’ homes by staying on top of new vendor offerings and industry trends.
- Connecting with you more often on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn, and welcoming your thoughts and opinions.
- Finding work-life balance through travel (Sweden to visit our kids!), gatherings with family, friends and valued business partners, life-enriching pursuits geared toward health (exercise, a Spartan Race, and cooking) and creativity (learning Swedish, watercolor and color pencil classes).
Our wish for you is a 2021 filled with new adventures, challenges (they help us grow), love and laughter. We look forward to hugging. Happy New Year! … or Gott Nytt År! See, I’m learning a bit of Swedish already 😉
Houzz Bathroom Trends
Last week we talked about some of the results of Houzz’ Bathroom Trend report, in which they polled around 1500 users from across the country to find out what trends are shaping choices for bathrooms. Here are some more trends we’re seeing which can assist you in considering what’s important to you for your remodel or new build.
- You have a love-hate relationship with tubs. They’re either eliminated entirely for a larger shower or they become a star in the bathroom in the form of free-standing, flat-bottomed tubs, or deeper soaking tubs. Gone (for the most part) are the Jacuzzi tubs of old. Sometimes clients have old tubs that seem to take over the whole room and don’t get me started on the tiled stairs leading to it!
- Floating vanities are becoming more popular! I find that you can still have great storage without the heaviness of cabinets sitting on the ground. This trend also speaks to the tilting towards a more “Modern” design aesthetic.
- Premium features worth the splurge. Remodels and new construction always have trade-offs between splurges and saves. I assist my clients in finding the right balance between getting the best products and also the best look for the investment. Sometimes we scale back in one place to allow for a to-die-for element somewhere else. Here are the items that respondents felt were worth the splurge (and I agree);
- One piece toilets with dual flush and bidet seats -in some respects this choice actually saves money because you don’t need to buy a toilet and bidet and being able to reduce water usage per flush saves on the water bill.
- Rainfall shower heads and dual showers – many of my clients are taking advantage of these along with body sprays and hand-held wands for a full water experience!
- Soaking tubs – we touched on this earlier and last week as well. There are so many fabulous tubs out there that can become focal points of a spectacular bath while allowing you to have a “Calgon take me away!” moment. For those of you too young to get that, google “Calgon, take me away!”
While these trend reports can help guide you in creating the bath of your dreams, professional assistance from designers, contractors and architects are the absolute best way to protect your investment and ensure your dreams don’t become nightmares!
Houzz 2020 Trend Report for Bathrooms
So, what’s the latest and greatest in Bathroom design? Houzz surveyed over 1500 users across the country during the months of June and July this year, and this is what people are saying about what they want in their bathrooms – food for thought if you’re contemplating making a change for yourself in the near future!
- Style- “Modern” has edged out “Transitional” by about 2%. You might be asking what “Modern” is or afraid that it means sterile and white. “Modern” can be best described by clean lines, but with the warmth of color, texture and sometimes whimsy. Take a look at these:
Believe it or not, the “Farmhouse” style once so popular thanks to Chip and Joanna comes in dead last in the Houzz survey.
- Almost half of respondents are looking for a relaxing experience in the shower or tub. Incidentally, many are removing tubs altogether for a larger shower. I’ve been seeing that trend for a few years with my clients.
- Accent walls and lighting are important design elements. I love accent walls, which can be created in a number of ways. From a stellar tile enveloping an entire wall, to an interesting paint color or even mural there are many ways to create a “wow” effect. When it comes to lighting, LED fixtures allow for bright light and low energy consumption, not to mention so many beautiful designs!
Next week we’ll talk about some other trends from the Houzz report!
Planning for Your Luxury Home Remodel
As many of you are now considering areas in your home that need some changes, we thought we’d re-issue these tips for the planning phase of your project.
For some of us, there may be the extra excitement of planning for a remodel in the new year. Congratulations! In our blog Tackle Home Design with a Star Lineup, we brought you some guidelines on building your team: the architect, the contractor, and the designer. Planning a luxury home build is a huge endeavor with spectacular results. Planning is essential.
Where do you turn to get information about budgeting for your remodel or new home? Take a look at the Home Trust International’s guidelines. They are leaders in the luxury home industry and a great resource to help you figure out your luxury home investment. Here’s a brief summary of their article:
1. Budget up to 35% of the value of the finished home for interior design services, project management and furnishings.
2. Interior design firms generally earn one third of the total investment.
3. Variables include renovations, art or furniture you may be bringing from another home.
Catherine Schager, AKBA, ASID Allied Member
A good designer can guide you through this process to help you figure out where to splurge and where to save. I offer a great outline of my process on my FAQs page and you can quickly schedule an initial phone meeting with me from my Contact Us page if you are ready to explore further.
The most important goal is to end the process with a gorgeous new home that feels like HOME SWEET HOME to you and your family. You can best reach that goal with good planning and realistic budgeting guided by a team of professionals who want to help you with your achieve your dream. Happy new home dreaming!
Earth Day – Everyday
I was 10 for the first “Earth Day” and I remember it well. Our entire school went outside, and we planted a tree and talked about the environment and what we could do to keep it clean. I went home and created a little flyer that I distributed up and down my neighborhood that was titled “STP – Stop Treacherous Pollution!”. A little nerdy, but I was a convert. Fast-forward 50 years and I am in an industry that is working to not only uphold the ideals established on that first Earth Day, but actually is finding ways to be even more conscious of our resources and environment. Here are just 5 things you can consider when remodeling or building that will not only be healthier for you – but for our environment as well.
Choose no or low VOC paints – this protects the environment inside your home from the off-gassing of harmful ingredients. It’s not just for the initial painting, but on-going health for your home.
Choose locally sourced materials – and support local artisans who are using reclaimed or re-purposed materials. You’d be surprised at their beauty. They’re not just for hippies anymore!
Choose cabinetry that is made by companies participating the Forest Stewardship Council. They are environmentally considerate when sourcing their products.
When doing a remodel that involves a considerable amount of demolition, consider donating your wood flooring, cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets and appliances as well as other construction materials. There are several companies that will take them and what a great way to help out others AND keep construction waste out of landfills! Two that I like are Renovation Angel and Recyclean.
Select materials like ceramic tile that not only has a long life-span but may include recycled elements and flooring like Tarkett’s laminate and sheet vinyl flooring. Tarkett not only has many products that are asthma and allergy friendly, but as a company they are committed to producing sustainable products.
Last, but certainly not least- if you’re in need of a good desk chair to support you comfortably while we work from home, take a look at Humanscale’s Smart Ocean Chair. It’s made with nearly 2 lbs. of recycled fishing net material.
Yes, this year’s Earth Day will definitely be a different one. Maybe our current experience will remind us of the impact we all have on each other for the health and well-being of all. Click here for a pinterest board of ideas for sustainable products for your home. Happy Earth Day.
(images from pixabay.com)
NKBA Event with Ellen Cheever February 2020
It was great attending this educational event hosted by Caesarstone at Café La Cave! Ellen Cheever, one of the very first educators in the kitchen and bath industry, an icon and inspiration to me and many other designers is giving her farewell address to the industry. She will be missed but leaves behind a phenomenal legacy to generations of kitchen and bath designers!
Tackle Home Design with a Star Lineup
You’re ready to tackle your new home build or remodel your existing home and your trying to decide if you want to be the team manager, coach, and quarterback. Do you have the time and know-how for planning the strategy, writing the playbook, calling the plays, motivating the team players, hiring and overseeing all the players, and pulling all the details together for the win. More likely, you have an idea about what you want the team uniforms to look like, an excitement to watch the games from the sidelines, and vision of a glorious win at the end of the season. If that sounds more like you, you’ll want to recruit pros for the top team positions – in this case an interior designer, a contractor, and likely an architect. Let’s look at who these pros are and why you want them on your home project:
The Interior Designer
My personal favorite team position. Often, choosing an interior designer is the first hire on your roster. Your designer can assist in putting the team together. A good interior designer can help you express your inner vision, asking questions to discover your dreams, needs, and goals, then help you convey your vision to the architect and contractor, acting as your on-the-field guide and go-between. The designer is a mix of detail oriented and artistic, keeping the endless details of your project in play and the overall vision in sight as well. Your designer coordinates with the contractor and often recommends specific professionals in the various trades to see your home design come together perfectly.
You’ll get the benefit of a trained designer’s eye. Your designer can help you see possibilities you might not have envisioned and steer you away from poor design choices. A designer will also keep you realistic about your budget. Often, your designer knows where to find the best prices and has access to resources only available to design professionals.
Your interior designer can suggest color combinations you might not have imagined on your own, as well as textures and lighting effects. Designers can develop 3D renderings to help you see the design and help you shop for the perfect furnishings and accessories at the best prices. Designers stay on top of design trends and have the training, insight, knowledge and artistic vision to bring that WOW factor to your home design.
If you are only looking to redecorate your home, the designer will be the only pro needed for your project (or will be able to bring in pros from various trades to do installations). But if your undertaking a larger remodel or new build, you’ll need to expand the team to include a contractor and possibly an architect.
The Contractor
The contractor guides you in filling your team with star players, they learn the playbook know how to follow it, they can troubleshoot on the field, and they keep the players in line. Your contractor will bring the architect’s vision to life. They are familiar with all the different trades from plumbers to electricians to carpenters to tile experts and beyond. They know which players to call off the bench at what time, who to overlap and who must go in a specific order, and they have a network of working relationships with professionals in all the trades. They are good troubleshooters and can often head off trouble quickly if they see someone veering away from the playbook. They can also help you with specific goals like going green or being energy efficient. They know what works and what doesn’t through experience and who does it best. This can also save your time, money and stress throughout your project and make sure you achieve the home of your dreams.
The Architect
Architects know the league rulebook forward and backward and they write the team playbook. The architect does more than just draw home plans. Architects are well-versed in building codes and zoning laws. They work effectively with contractors to make sure the design is realized. They are creative problem-solvers, often finding ways to help homeowners get most of their wish-list items included in the budget. They guide homeowners away from awkward functional layouts by visualizing what it would be like to live inside the design. They think of all the details from the placement of electrical outlets and molding to energy-efficient heating and cooling to green building options. They also see the big picture, designing total environments rather than walls, floors and roofs. All this expertise can actually save you money in the long run!
Bringing this team together will undoubtedly save you time and stress. You’ll have trained professionals to help you make decisions and keep your project on time and budget. You’ll have others to track the details, make the phone calls, keep the checklists and monitor the work in process. Sweet relief!
Touchdown!
These kitchen transformations represent a culmination of professional knowledge along with thousands of decisions and details that came together in beautiful final designs. Go team!
