The elegant, relaxing spa-like bathroom of your dreams is within reach. Creating a place to escape, relax and recharge in your Madison WI home promotes good health and well-being.

Not every home has a large master bathroom, not does every home have room to build one. But, luxury can come in small spaces, too. A selection of classic materials and a soothing color scheme sets the stage. An interior designer’s finishing touches pulls it all together. When it’s all done you want a space that engages and delights the senses, right?

A bathroom to spa makeover can be simple or complicated. It depends upon your dream vision. When you think of a spa what comes to mind? Soft lighting, warm towels and total relaxation? Design details that include natural elements like earth-tone colors, wood, stone and running water are relaxing.

Set the tone for your personal bathroom spa by paying attention to these basics:

• Colors – walls, ceilings and floors. Paint and tile selections provide the backdrop.
• Fixtures – plan to upgrade fixtures for sinks, tubs and showers
• Lighting – a spa is a soft, warm, inviting place devoid of harsh shades and bright lights
• Countertops and cabinetry – the complete experience blends must-have features with deluxe accessories
• Furnishing – a spa has appealing places to sit and relax

Create A Plan for Your Spa-like Bathroom

What do you want in your new personal spa? A unique soaking tub or a large, walk-in shower? As with every remodeling project, start with lists:

• Elements “I must have”
• Features “I really want to have”
• Everything that “must go”
• Anything that “must stay”

Refer again to the basics as you form your plan:

• Colors – soothing colors set the mood. Neutral colors like white, off-white, beige, soft grays and earth tones like browns and mild greens work well. Color defines the space and with the right choice you begin to relax with one glance. Subtle accents come in via art work, countertops, furnishings and décor.
• Plumbing fixtures – a nationally-known designer tells us to “think of plumbing fixtures as jewelry.” Faucets adorning tubs and sinks make a statement. Your selection of tubs, toilets and sinks adds to the ambiance. The shower is the focal point of the spa room – make it as “decadent” as possible. Add rainfall show heads or perhaps a steam shower.
• Lighting – if there’s space, create an extravagant image with a chandelier. If not, create drama with decorative wall sconces. Recessed lighting adds mood without shadows. The challenge is to provide soft, luxurious lighting with enough focus for applying makeup, etc. A trick to remember: use dimmer switches so you can adjust how bright the lights are according to your mood. With attention to detail you can go from perfect countertop lighting to the effect of candlelight.
• Countertops and cabinetry – a bathroom countertop is a stylish complement to the overall design. Beyond complementary colors the goal is to remove clutter. A spa is a clean, organized space. Keep bathroom essentials handy, but provide neat storage space.

Bathrooms Designed Around A Walk-in Shower

Walk-in showers are the No. 1 requested feature in bathroom renovations. They’re spacious, elegant and accessible. And, well-designed, they fit even in smaller bathrooms. The range of options for a walk-in shower for your spa-like bathroom includes everything from basic shower heads, rainfall shower heads, multiple shower heads and hand-held sprays to steam baths.

Beyond easy access, the benefits of a shower you simply walk into include;

• Easy to clean – the worst part of shower cleaning is on and around shower doors and associated hardware. There’s no shower curtain to contend with. Air circulation helps to keep mildew and dirt from building up on tile and grout.
• Sized to fit – the shower design fits your space you don’t have to create space to hold the shower. No room is too small and no shape to unusual.
• Blends with décor – because the shower is open to the room you don’t cut the space into sections. Use the same tile everywhere if you like. An open shower keeps the mood harmonious and the design continuous. And, a “harmonious” room appear larger.
• Accessibility – don’t underestimate the value of easy access. If you plan to stay in your home as you age, being able to walk in (or enter in a wheelchair) is a great advantage. No ledge to step over or doors to negotiate makes the shower safer, too. Would-be buyers take notice – a walk-in shower adds to resale value.

The only disadvantage many people cite is that open showers allow cold air in. To offset that possibility, consider an often overlooked accessory for your personal spa: under-floor heating. A new tile floor is a perfect conductor of the warmth of heat from below. Walking on a warm, welcoming floor early on a January morning sounds great, right?

There’s A Spa-like Bathroom To Fit You

Once you move beyond the basic elements, a master bathroom spa is all about personality. There’s a design style to fit whatever comes to mind. Spa-like creations don’t come “off the shelf.” They are customized to your vision and fit everywhere from a classic country farmhouse to an ultramodern urban residence or an “uptown” industrial renovation.

Once you decide you want to pamper yourself with spa treatments every day, there are decisions to make and plans to put on paper. You have plenty of resources for ideas in popular media. But, when you’ve done your research it can all be overwhelming. You find so many options and so many choices. You welcome guidance from a professional, right?

The experienced designers at DC Interiors understand your dilemma. They help clients make these decisions every day, walking them through all the possibilities. When you’re ready to remake your bathroom or want to discuss the potential, give us a call or email us. DC Interiors is ready to help you make dreams come true. Add our online portfolio to your research for inspiration. We’re proud of our work. We’re ready to join with you to create a spa-like bathroom to pamper your Madison WI family.

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Create A Spa-like Bathroom – Your Deserve It!

The warmth and richness of wooden kitchen accents seamlessly blend trendy farmhouse styling with elegant, urban efficiency. The use of wood is both dramatic and simple. Combine crisp colors with wood tones to make a personal statement in your new Madison WI kitchen.

Combined with today’s popular colors wood – real or man-made reproductions – adds both style and function to your kitchen. Wooden accents work from floor to ceiling.

The texture and pattern of wood grains combined with the wide range of color options make it an easy material to work with. It’s versatility makes it ideal for customized designs. From wood-look tile planks on the floor to beamed ceiling, there’s a way to use wood in almost any kitchen design.

Begin With Basic Wooden Kitchen Accents

Where do you start in your plan to bring the warmth of wood into your remodeling plans? Consider the basic building blocks of a kitchen:

• Kitchen Cabinets – Once considered “old school,” wooden kitchen cabinetry is a modern blend of traditional design with contemporary flare. With dozens of woods to choose from, there’s a style to fit almost any kitchen design goal. Dark-stained wood brings out the color and grain of marble and granite countertops. Lighter stains contribute to a warm, sunny feeling. And, they work extremely well with black or dark gray counters and black or stainless steel appliances.
• Hardwood floors – there are so many types of wood available today, finding one that’s durable enough to use in the kitchen is easier than ever.
• Modern tile – wood-look tiles are ideal for kitchen floors. They stand up to traffic and repel water. For a really rustic look, try wood-look tiles as a kitchen backsplash.
• Doors and windows – decorative wooden doors on pantries, for example, add an interesting design element. Frosted glass windows are a true touch of country chic. Wooden door and window frames are elegant ways to add wood’s charm while framing the space.
• Exposed surfaces – to complete a cottage or farmhouse kitchen style, exposed ceiling beams add a touch of realism. To highlight storage space around a neutral backdrop, exposed shelves of stained or natural wood work well.
• Specialty treatments – appliances can contribute to the wood-look in your new kitchen. Wooden inserts on refrigerator and dishwasher doors help them to blend with cabinetry. Add to the “wow” factor with a wood-clad range hood surrounded by floor to ceiling subway tile.

Design Kitchens With Color, Texture

The popular trend in colors for the kitchen has been staying neutral. White has been the go-to color. Recently, white has given way to shades of gray. Hardly a bold new approach. But, both are idea complements for the introduction of wood tones.

On the other extreme, contemporary kitchen designers are looking to bold colors like Navy blue, terra-cotta and hunter green. No matter your color preference, the goal is to create a comfortable, efficient working space, right?

Colors and accents allow your personality to shine and make the space yours. Do you want an ultra-modern contemporary kitchen? There are wooden accents to make it sing. If you want an old-fashioned country kitchen, there’s wood that’s perfect. And, wooden accents help blur the lines between styles. The right style for you is whatever you like.

With a background of subtle, neutral colors wood and wood-look materials bring texture to the room. Anywhere you want an eye-catching feature, consider wood. Including:

• Wooden kitchen countertops
• Architectural accents like ceiling beams
• Wainscoting
• Crown molding
• Window and door treatments
• Exposed shelving
• Furniture

Kitchen Lighting Adds Luster

Colors are often discussed in terms of temperature: cool blues or warm reds. Interior design professionals talk about the “warmth of wood.” Wood with more of a reddish tint is considered “warmer” than lighter species with white or yellow highlights.

No matter the wood you choose, how you light it makes a big difference in its appeal. Natural lighting is ideal, so consider expanding windows in your kitchen remodel if you can. With an abundance of natural light, darker woods and darker colors dominate the space. Bright backsplash tiles project gleaming images. In smaller kitchens or those with few window options, lighting fixtures do the trick. Suspended pendant fixtures light surfaces without taking up much visual space. Many add color and an artistic flare to the room. The more light the bigger and roomier the new kitchen feels.

If you’re one who hates working in shadows and cannot have too much light in a busy kitchen, under-cabinet lights are ideal. They’re efficient and elegant. They serve a purpose and look good doing it. A combination you want in your new kitchen, right?

Choosing Wooden Kitchen Accents

There’s a lot to think about putting together a kitchen renovation plan. What do you need? What do you want? Are there things that must go or things that must stay? Do you want to recreate a classic country farmhouse kitchen? Or do you want to expand you horizon with a bold contemporary look?

Bringing real or wood-look creations into the new kitchen makes a strong statement any way you go. The natural appeal of wood blends old and new. It’s rustic and elegant at the same time. It all depends on how it’s applied to your plans and how it fits your lifestyle.

DC Interiors understands all the decisions you face. We’ve walked clients through all the possibilities. Are you ready for a change? Give us a call or email us. DC Interiors is ready to create a plan for your future kitchen. Review our portfolio on line as you search for inspiration. We’re proud of our work. When the time is right we’ll show you how wooden kitchen accents make new kitchens special in Madison WI.

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Wooden Kitchen Accents Blend Country Charm and Urban Chic

Traditional bathroom design doesn’t necessarily mean you’re recreating a historic space. In fact, in the modern world it is a blend of proven traditional elements and contemporary styling. When looking to add luxury, elegance and a bit of romance to a Madison WI home’s bathroom, a traditional approach makes sense. Combining traditional with modern creates a distinctive personal space. Inspiration often comes from Victorian and colonial architecture – styles that abound in the Madison area. But traditional need not connect to any specific era. Define traditional by what it is not – it isn’t sleek or “glitzy.”

Overall, traditional interior design often reflects the following:

• Detailed woodwork and molding
• Graceful lines with sturdy furniture and cabinetry
• Free-standing bathtubs and vanities
• Highlights like framed wall decorations and fabric window treatments
• Neutral colors with brighter color left to accents

If there is another thing today’s traditional bathroom renovation is not that would be predictable. Your personality shines in creating a traditional bathroom plan. Traditional design is said to represent order and symmetry. However, traditional does not mean boring. It is a realm where timeless elements like clawfoot bathtubs, marble countertops, crown molding and gold hardware share the spotlight.

Embrace Traditional Bathroom Design

Another way to think of a traditional approach is to call it “classic design.” It reflects simple, proven combinations of element like marble tile, creamy-white paint and decorative fixtures – think brass, gold or black for lighting. For faucets and shower heads look at the era-inspired iron, copper and rubber bronze finishes. Vintage-inspired ceramic or porcelain tiles and wood accents complete the scene.

While the neutral palette is “in” for walls, bold color is never “out.” There are many colors carrying a history in design and decorating. Royal Blue got its name for a reason. Bold, bright colors add depth and accent to small rooms. They can be reflected in accessories, paint and tile. The many unique tiles available today promote everything from a jewel-like surface to mirrors and metal.

The free-standing bathtub is replacing built-in versions. The age-old clawfoot tub has been reborn in many styles. Never really out of style, modern reproductions are in demand. Modern versions come in colors. If you’re making a statement with accents, does a black tub fit in?

Tile plays a huge role in modernizing a traditional look. It’s low maintenance and comes in a style to fit every taste. Texture in a traditional setting adds to the uniqueness of the design. Mosaic tile on the floor, hexagonal shaped tiles, penny tiles and hand-painted tiles are a few choices.

Classic Bathroom Elegance

Sophistication and old-world elegance is obvious in basic traditional styling. Bathroom vanities made to look like classic furniture – a dresser with a sink, etc. – are great choices. Who can argue with good looks plus excellent storage? In addition, vanities that appear to be free-standing provide extra room for more accents.

A hundred year ago there would be a pitcher and bowl set atop that dresser making it a wash stand. Today there are exceptionally high-end bowl-like sinks doing the same thing coupled with high-tech faucets. You can bring back a bygone era with a hammered copper patina or a porcelain-like sink. When adding furnishings remember, there is beauty in contrast. Dark-stained wood offset with white accents for example. Little things like the hardware on cabinet doors and drawers made to look like vintage glass sets a mood.

Lighting is important. Wood-framed windows are classic representations of early homes and natural light is very important. Adding the touch of stained glass to a window brings back old-times.

In a new classic, traditional bathroom, large or small, simplicity is the key to success. A custom vanity topped with white marble, a wall-mounted “medicine cabinet,” a wood-framed mirror and subtle paint colors are the basics.

Include Convenience In Bathroom Remodel

You may want a traditional bathroom design but that does not mean you have to leave out modern technology. A hand-held shower head or overhead rain shower head and easy-to-maintain shower tiles give you modern touches. You’ll find them in finishes to complement your design goals, too.

Modern technology makes it easier than ever to recreate vintage appearances with the latest materials. Would you ever consider lining the walls of your walk-in shower with reclaimed barn boards? Of course not, they’d be destroyed in weeks. But you can get the same impact with plank-like wood-look tile. You can add wainscoting, pedestal sinks and retro fixtures to get the vintage image without sacrificing technology.

You’re creating a timeless, simple yet functional space with a stylish look. There’s no reason to leave out modern conveniences, is there?

Bathroom Tile Plays A Special Role

Tile in the bathroom was an afterthought in days gone by. It was assumed there would be tile. Usually, something like the style now called “subway” tile. Square or rectangular. There might be small square tiles on the floor, too. Today tile is an artistic accent as well as a functional basic in the bathroom.

White subway tiles remain popular and are easily enhanced by contrasting wall paint, countertops and windows. A growing trend is to include black-framed windows in traditional bathrooms. White has long been a popular choice but newer colors are creeping in – gray is hot as are darker shades of blue and green. Glass tiles and painted cement tiles also find a place in classic recreations.

Combining traditional tile patterns and colors adds a cheerfulness to the bathroom. Yellow has always been a classic “bathroom color.” Adding texture and matte finishes gives the old style a contemporary flare.

Put Your Mark On Traditional Bathroom Design

You can create a traditional bathroom that is really “you.” There is no absolutely right or wrong when it comes to picking elements you like. Don’t be afraid to put your unique twist on things. It’s your bathroom, right? Then it should be what you want!

A traditional design reflects a timeless appeal and looks back to simpler times. Can you incorporate the KEEP IT SIMPLE concept in your bathroom plans? DC Interiors can. We understand what it takes to blend the demands of daily living with a dream interior design. When you are ready to upgrade or change, give us a call or email us.  DC Interiors is ready to create a plan for your bathroom, large or small. Looking for inspiration, view our portfolio on line. We’re proud of our work. Let’s plan to create a perfect traditional bathroom design for your Madison WI home.

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What Is A Traditional Bathroom Design – How Can I Get One?

People all over the country are staying at home early in 2020. But that’s no reason to put room design and home remodeling plans on permanent hold. To the contrary spending more time in your Madison WI home provides insight into spaces that need everything from a refresher to a complete makeover. Now is a great time to make plans to get the most from your existing home.

If this extended time at home teaches anything it underlines the importance of having a comfortable, efficient home you enjoy.

Create Professional Room Design Long Distance

The link between homeowners and creative interior designers is strained by the imposed distancing, but modern technology bridges the gap. You can work with a skilled design team without leaving your home. You can even provide a digital tour of the space you’d like to change.

Technology, from video conferencing to 3D graphics enables designers to provide quality plans without face-to-face meetings. Getting comfortable with these remote tools is the key to project success. People skills are more important than ever when attempting a remote planning process. The key is completely clear communications. After initial contact with the interior designer of choice, include the following in your process:

• Determine how you’ll interact on regular basis – Skype, phone, text, email, social media? Explore all the options available. For timely, clear communications more than one avenue makes sense.
• How much “facetime” do you want/need – do you need to have video conferences for all your “meetings” or with phone calls and written communications work as well?
• How often will you and your designers “meet?”
• Are there appropriate times during the day for direct communications?

For any remodeling or renovation project communication between homeowner, designer and contractors is essential. Working long-distance makes it even more critical. The fact that the DC Interiors team includes professional interior designers and licensed contractors smooths the process. And it ensures a timely, smooth completion when restrictions ease.

Remote communications puts more emphasis on designer creativity and technical resources. With programs like Zoom and Skype homeowners and designers are able to make eye contact and read each other’s body language even when mile apart. And when choosing light fixtures, tiles and other décor elements live examples are a great combination with images on a website.

Attention To Floor Plan Details

Working from afar puts more emphasis on exacting details.  And more pressure on homeowners to provide them. For the best long-distance experience, homeowners must take precise measurements and photos of the room or rooms ready for a remodel. Normally designers handle these details on a daily basis but the restrictions on routine business restrict access to your home. It is often hard to translate years of experience and instinct to easy-follow directions. Be patient.

Begin the process with a drawing of the overall floor plan. It is vital that the dimensions be exactly right. Start with the outside walls then build in smaller dimensions around counters, cabinetry, kitchen  islands and other details.

Taking digital photos is much easier. However, it takes a practiced eye. The goal is to show the design team the space from every conceivable angle. A tip from a professional photographer is to stand in one corner and target every square foot – working around the room to where you get back to the first corner. That way you’ll get every angle so the whole room comes together. A good digital camera is ideal but a modern smart phone camera works, too. Pay specific attention to providing good light for every scene.

Explore All Your Design Resources

Inspiration for your future design comes from many places. It might reflect an elegant hotel or restaurant you like, or a spread from a popular publication. Apply your personality to the space. Now is the time to make your home truly yours.

Potential resources include:

• Pinterest
• Houzz
• Dozens of home design and decorating magazines
• Manufacturer’s websites
• Videos

Create a collection or file of things you really like. Gather inspirational images from everywhere you can. Organize them in a way that best suits you – by colors, design style, sources, etc.

Tapping A Room Design Crystal Ball

The crystal ball of 2020 includes hard drives, photo printers and large, flat screen. It isn’t magic. It combines an artist’s eye with the latest technical science. Once photos are available and the detailed floor plan is complete a 3D rendering of the space allows you to visualize the space to come. If you’re a person who “knows it when I see it,” this advanced technology is ideal. You literally “see” your new room long before construction begins. You see the new space, colors, textures and styles.

A 3D interior design rendering is a scale drawing of the proposed design plan. It shows you what is possible. It shows structural components, furnishings, appliances and décor ideas. When compared with completed project photos you’ll see it is impressively accurate.

The 3D images provide a virtual walk-through any room before any real work begins. They save time and money. Making changes to a digital image is fast and efficient – costing way less than changing your mind halfway through a remodel.

DC Interiors understands what it takes to create comfortable living space. After spending more than your usual time at home and realizing the need for a change, give us a call or email us.  DC Interiors is ready to work with you today to create a plan for the near future. View our portfolio on line as part of your search for inspiration. We’re proud of our work. We combine digital 3D designs with hands-on jobsite experience to provide exactly what you need.  When the time is right, we’ll create the perfect room design for your Madison WI home.

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‘Stay At Home’ Doesn’t Stop Room Design, Remodeling Plans

When you like the amenities of the popular rural-oriented design trend but it doesn’t fit your contemporary home, consider creating an urban farmhouse. This evolving style is defined by interior designers as “and edgy-but-natural” look. It offers a chance to blend natural woods, white-wash stains, wrought iron and earth-inspired colors in your Madison WI home.

In a rapidly-changing world the charm of a simple life is attractive. Creating a home that’s efficient and uncomplicated lends itself to modern family life. Combine the latest technology with designs harkening back to a bygone era encompasses the best of all worlds. Your goal isn’t to reproduce a trend, it‘s to make you and your family feel good. The right design envelopes your lifestyle and personality.

An Urban Farmhouse Is More Than A Floorplan

Whether you’re looking to change the ambiance of your kitchen, master bathroom or the whole house, you have to think beyond surface changes. Don’t just think “out of the box,” create your own, personal “box.” Designers suggest working with creative professionals to look beyond the everyday. Look beyond elements like:

• Popular trends – design is a means to an end: a comfortable home. Trends are avenues to that end, not ends unto themselves. If it doesn’t fit your lifestyle, a trend is just a passing fashion. Modern farmhouse aesthetics include plenty of natural light and natural materials. The perfect design grabs the best of your favorites to fit your personal space.
• The concept of style – don’t be swayed by preconceived definitions of style. Create elegance using your own definition and build the home of your dreams. Experiment with woods, colors, surface materials – floors and countertops – as well as window sizes and shapes.
• Everything must be white – white walls, white cabinets and white wood work trim has been the basis for farmhouse designs. That’s not true anymore. In an urban setting experiment with color combinations. Crisp neutral colors work well with natural woods. So do modern pastels. Black accents are a trend to consider. The goal is creating a timeless sophistication in whichever room you design.

Trends create expectations and set boundaries. To achieve a personally attractive space, move beyond conventional boundaries.

Design Space For Your Lifestyle

Designing for your personality often requires blurring the lines between traditional and contemporary themes. In an urban, modern farmhouse the goal is blending rooms seamlessly. Deftly defined space using warmth and subtle accents not only transforms your rooms, it transforms your daily life.

From popular TV the idea of creating a farmhouse in the suburbs leads to thoughts of reclaimed barn wood. While that remains popular, your urban home doesn’t have to be rustic. Introduce refined materials like marble tile and wood-look tile planks along with modern recreations of plumbing and lighting fixtures. Artfully add modern detail in the right proportion for your modern, open floorplan.

If you research the demands of traditional farm life it’s no surprise practicality is the No. 1 trait. More than any other design style, function and efficiency are the watchwords in a farmhouse. To successfully create a comfortable farmhouse-like space in your Madison area home takes planning and attention to detail. It starts with a detailed outline of your personal preferences. That’s followed up with the council of skilled professional interior designers. Among your initial considerations are:

• What you love about your existing home?
• What you absolutely hate about your existing design?
• The flow from room to room you’re looking for.
• Choices of window size, design and style.
• Think amenities – lighting, fixtures, colors and furnishings.

Once you’ve put together your wish list and check sheet, start collecting all the design brochures, magazines and literature you can. Learn about materials, installations and product choices. Concentrate on traffic patterns from room to room and potential storage options. Remember even in the city a farmhouse style centers on efficiency. Furnishings and accents finish the room.

An Urban Farmhouse Fits The City

A rather novel approach to furnishings is the use of industrial-inspired pieces. Their use of metal reflects the rural reliance on machinery. Hanging barn doors are one of the most visible accents coming from recent literature and TV. They have their place but in reality don’t fit many newer homes. The functional designs of bygone eras inspire the creations of today. Professional designers a quick to point out that you’re not trying to rebuild your house as a 100-year-old farm place, you’re striving to make the most of a design that fits today’s family life.

DC Interiors understands all the details that go into creating an elegant space with a rural flair. When you’re ready to bring a country feel into your city life, give us a call, email or visit our nearby Madison showroom. DC Interiors is ready to renovate one room or your entire home. Our showroom has a wide selection of perfect accents for your finishing touches, too. We’re proud of our portfolio and enjoy sharing it. We know exactly what it takes to create an urban farmhouse in Madison WI.

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Urban Farmhouse – A Popular Interior Design Option

Interior design trends come and go but with the right guidance you can create an elegant bathroom in your Madison home no matter your tastes. Recent excitement over farmhouse designs has carried over to the master bathroom. Call it farmhouse, Craftsman, Country, American Arts & Crafts or Traditional there’s a way to blend the latest technology with classic lines.

With the number of 50-, 60- and 70-year-old homes in the Madison area, there are plenty of opportunities for renovation in any bathroom. Hundreds of older homes in Madison represent the area’s rural roots. And with the areas link to world famous designer Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style the design palette is wide open.

Create ‘New Old’ In An Elegant Bathroom

All the traditional designs are marked by emphasis on personal touches, natural beauty and simplicity. However you define your preference, the hallmark is simple lines accented with natural materials. Traditional designs may harken back to a bygone era, but with modern upgrades and technology they fit perfectly into the 21^st century.

Among the most sought-after elements in a traditional bathroom remodel are:

• Richly colored, textured hand-made tiles
• Natural wood moldings and trim
• Earth-tone color palette on walls and floors
• Warm, dark metal fixtures and hardware
• “character” reflected in wood, stone and exotic metals (like copper and brushed brass)

The bottom line for these designs: uncluttered space reflecting natural elements with a refined touch.

Among the modern, contemporary styles you won’t find in a traditional bathroom are:

• Bright colors for walls or countertops
• Shiny, bright metal fixtures – chrome is not the first choice
• Very little glass – walk-in showers opt for “no door” designs rather than large glass doors
• No exotic-looking fixtures, sinks or countertops
• Few curved shapes
• Very little mixing and matching materials and finishes

Accent Bathroom Renovation Details

The way natural materials and accents are blended in a new bathroom make a huge difference in defining the space. The palette colors and basic architecture is derived from natural surroundings. The colors reflect Wisconsin’s heritage of pine trees, rich and fertile earth, a variety of rocks, minerals and sand. Matte finishes are common for tile. Keeping with the natural look, no shine and texture is the

The palette of colors is pulled from that natural surroundings: the colors of pine trees, fall foliage, rich earth, rocks and sand. Matte finishes are common for tile, because they are subtle and subdued. Combined with textures they enhance the overall appearance of the bathroom.

In keeping with the area’s historic interior design heritage, Shaker-style vanities and cabinets are also popular choices. There’s a solid Shaker influence in a lot of Wisconsin-oriented architecture and interior design.

Chosen construction materials in the new bathroom set the stage, then interior design elements provide finishing, elegant touches.

Among the simplest and yet most dramatic accents are paint colors. Colors that fit the modern approach to a traditional update include:

• Warm, rich earth tones – Chestnut, bark, stone sienna and ochre – all paint manufacturers have their own name for the appropriate hues.
• Earthy greens – sage, moss, olive, forest, etc.
• Calming neutral hues – cream, parchment, beige, taupe, etc.

Bathroom Tile Reflects Elegance, Lifestyle

The vast number of tile shapes, sizes, textures and colors make tile one of the hottest elements in every interior design. Whether for new construction or a remodeling project, tile is creative and versatile. Hand-made tiles specifically, reflect a respect for historic design. The hand-crafted nature of these tiles makes them ideal for period restorations. The application of the latest materials and technology provides modern performance. Tiles ideal for an elegant traditional application include:

• Common, basic rectangular and square shapes – keeping the tile application simple
• Using tiles featuring rich, natural earth tone colors
• Appling custom tiles to walls and floors
• Using hand-painted tiles for accents and splashes of color
• Modern tiles with textured or matte finishes to remove the “shine” associated with contemporary styles

Keeping with the natural materials theme, wood is also high on the list of hallmark options. Creative uses for various woods include:

• Vanities, trim and molding stained to accent the room décor
• Medium and dark stains are popular – with trends toward lighter woods finding their way into 2020 bathrooms
• Custom cabinetry and storage units
• Distinctive framing around window, doors and mirror trim

Nothing says “natural” more than using stone or stone-look tiles.  Southern Wisconsin’s landscape features a variety rock formations and rock types. Most of them are available to accent your new bathroom. Stone, in various forms works well for:

• Countertops – granite is not just for kitchens – also slate, quartzite and soapstone
• Floors – slate tiles are rugged and decorative (ideal for under-floor heating, too)
• Wall treatments – a rugged look in walk-in showers

All the natural elements add subtle elegance when teamed with soft, warm lighting.

For another period touch, consider using stained glass – stained glass panels are available for existing windows or for replacement window installations.

Elegant Bathroom Hardware

Plumbing fixtures designed to reflect traditional, farmhouse or Craftsman design are simple. Yet, they are often unique. A pedestal sink, for example, is a common element in guest bathrooms and power rooms. However, popular double sinks also fit the designs.

Chrome fixtures have been the go-to choice for about 100 years. They replaced older materials because they are easier to clean and less expensive. However, modern metal technology makes it possible to recreate all the traditional styles and older designs with new materials and finishes. The new models look old and require less maintenance than ever.

When looking for faucets and showerheads for your new bathroom, consider the following finish choices:

• Nickel – available in brushed, hammered and polished finishes for every options from shiny to matte. A much warmer option than chrome and it goes well with earth tones. Brushed nickel is sometimes called “pewter” which is a common material in historic, country-style homes. Nickel is low maintenance and resists tarnishing, especially in brushed finishes.
• Brass – a traditional metal is works well with modern sinks or for a period restoration. Also available in polished and brushed. A hammered surface treatment adds texture.
• Copper – when you want to make a statement, copper is a good choice. However, it requires a lot more maintenance than other choices. Left untouched it develops a natural green patina as it ages. For some people, that’s part of its attraction. For others, it is corrosion. Your perception makes all the difference.
• Bronze – A very durable metal but an expensive choice. Available as a rubbed or oiled finish. Both are dark, rich and durable. Bronze is on the high-end of the price scale.
• Customize Choices – there are many color choices available in most metals. In addition, fixtures are customized with colored handles and specialized handle materials.

Interior Design Vision Leads To Elegant Bathroom

When you’re remodeling to restore the dignity and elegance of a decades-old home with modern amenities tap the vision of interior design professionals. The right design blends equal portions of elegance and efficiency. It isn’t easy to see the big picture. DC Interiors & Renovations applies decades of experience to combine classic form and function. Interior designers translate concepts to easily understood terms. In addition, they apply the latest in high-tech 3D programming to bring ideas to life.

Explore your bathroom remodeling plan from every possible angle. Give us a call, email or visit our nearby Madison showroom and share it with our award-winning team. We’re proud of our portfolio and are excited to share it with you. We’re on top of the latest interior design materials and trends. Let us show you how an elegant bathroom renovation fits your Madison WI home.

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Create An Elegant Bathroom With A Traditional Feel

The farmhouse style interior design trend has taken the country by storm because it blends comfort and simplicity. There are hundreds of homes in Madison WI and the surround area that fit this traditional styling perfectly. The basis for the design is that traditional layouts make people feel at home. In many cases, the biggest proponents of the farmhouse design trend have never set foot in truly traditional farm house.

High-end designers on the East and West coasts tell us the style is no longer the hot ticket. Maybe for a loft in Manhattan it isn’t. But in southern Wisconsin it is very much alive. If it’s style you enjoy and it fits your lifestyle, it’s right for you.

The key to successfully incorporating a farmhouse design into your 21^st century home is blending a traditional feel with modern amenities. Creating a modern space with classic comfort and elegance reflecting a bygone era.

Where Farmhouse Style Begins

Looking back on the generations of true farm houses and the lifestyles they served it’s obvious that practicality is the theme. No unnecessary frills. Function is the first consideration for everything. As you review your current layout and what you want to accomplish, consider:

• Overall flow of people though the rooms you want to change
• The lighting – natural lights from outside and lighting fixtures throughout the space
• Furnishings – furniture in living spaces, tables for dining, kitchen island possibilities

What is working? What do you want to change? Are there elements to change to make your life more comfortable?

The colors you choose can set the stage. Old-style farm houses had sage green and buttermilk yellow walls. Not in 2020. Neutral colors are the rule. Some designs have gone to white. White everything. That trend is changing, too. Gray has replaced white as the No. 1 choice. But a full palette of neutral colors caters to farm house inspired design. There’s a 60-30-10 rule – 60 percent of the room is one color, 30 percent an accent and 10 percent for details. White or gray is a good choice for the 60 portion. For the other two, popular choices include different shades of gray, tan, brown and other earth tones. The final accent shade is the boldest of them all.

A farmhouse-style kitchen is the most often requested renovation target. But, does a farm-style kitchen fit with the rest of your design plan? A traditional farm house did not have an open floor plan. This in-demand layout concept doesn’t fit with a true farm house. However, carefully blending the farm-style kitchen elements with living spaces provides a unique way to a timeless setting. Modern updates make an appealing transition. Simple elegance meets traditional function.

Open Concept Farmhouse Design

Designing to take advantage of the popularity of farm house décor doesn’t mean a space has to be rustic or “old-fashioned.” People don’t think twice about knocking down walls in turn-of-the-century homes (not the recent century, the one before that!) to create open rooms. A farm house feel incorporated into the new space combines the best of all worlds. Your lifestyle and your preferences dictate how much “farm” and how much “modern” the new rooms are.

Traditional farm house design is all about simplicity and comfort. A farm house design doesn’t have to look like the inside of a barn – with high, heavily-beamed ceilings. It should be cozy and comfortable. Furnishings that build upon that goal add elegance to even the simplest of room décor. What are some of design features that combine modern with farm house décor:

• Using reclaimed lumber for fireplace surrounds, ceilings and flooring
• Decorative area rugs
• Leather, over-stuffed furniture – natural colors and fabrics
• Exposed stone and wood-look tiles on walls and floors
• Metal light fixtures – anything from antique finishes to industrial styling

There are two elements made extremely popular by the TV production Fixer Upper and its hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines:  hanging barn doors and shiplap.

• Hanging barn doors – these unique additions to your home are found anywhere from separating rooms to covering closets and pantries. The style has taken off to the extent that you will find it available on bathroom vanities and other small cabinetry.
• Shiplap – this term is misused more often than not. True shiplap is a series of overlapping boards nailed in a horizontal pattern. Just nailing boards on the wall is not shiplap. It is a particular form. That doesn’t mean that using wooden planks in a variety of formats isn’t appropriate – it just might not really be shiplap.

Define Your Own Farmhouse Style

In some form, the farm house design style has been around for decades. In its most recent edition it has little in common with great-grandma’s house in rural America. Instead, today’s farm house-inspired design blends equal parts elegance, efficiency and welcoming warmth.

It takes a creative person to see how every-day demands can be served by a layout with its roots well outside the city. Not everyone can see the big picture. DC Interiors & Renovations with its years of experience with all kinds of interior design understands how to combine elegance with efficiency. And our designers know how to translate concepts to terms you can understand and appreciate. Using the latest in high-tech 3D programming our team brings your farm house ideas to life. We explore your project from every possible angle, leaving nothing to chance. Our award-winning team has on-site experience as licensed contractors to make sure everything is according to plan from initial design to final walk-through.

Give us a call, email or visit our nearby Madison showroom to explore the opportunities we offer. We take pride in keeping on top of the latest interior design ideas. Let us introduce a modern farmhouse style into your Madison WI home.

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Farmhouse Style – Blending Simple Elegance And Tradition

The role of a professional designer is to apply interior design principles to your remodeling project. Plainly said, “Interior designers translate hopes and dreams into comfortable living.” When you’ve got a remodeling idea for your Madison WI area home, a skilled interior designer can bring it into focus. You have alternatives from “big box” warehouse stores to local contractors. But do you want to put your vision in the hands of salespeople and workmen?

Interior Design Begins With A ‘Blank Sheet’

The process of designing a well-thought-out plan for your space – a single room, a floor in your home or the entire house – begins with lists. You have a list of “must have” items. And a list of “must go” items. And probably a third list of “would love to have” items. Bringing all the possibilities together into a road map leading to a successfully completed project is what experienced designers do. They work from a blank sheet of paper, filling in the blanks with concepts, ideas and references to their extensive portfolio.

To get the most from every craftsman, specialist and vendor, an interior designer is a part of the process from concept through completion. They create 3D renderings to give scale and substance to ideas. They engage contractors, inspectors and suppliers. And, they are on the jobsite every day making sure reality meets the specifications of the plan.

What benefits do the experienced professionals at DC Interiors & Renovations provide that aren’t readily available elsewhere? There is a long list of value-added services, including:

• Imagination – they’re “Dream Weavers” building upon your thoughts.
• Vision based upon experience – they expand upon your limited perspective with ideas you never knew were possible. They’re not mind readers, but it may appear they are.
• Perception becomes reality – applying decades of experience to bring your visions into focus they turn “what ifs” into reality. DC Interiors’ professionals sift through hundreds of options to capture your personality and interpret your desires.
• Insight – decades of industry experience from clean-sheet design and on-site contractor experience is at your service. Designers apply hours and hours of work to manage your project, bringing new concepts to the plan and finding the right materials at the right price.

Measuring Remodeling Expertise

For any homeowner, but especially one who has never committed to a remodeling project before, it is impossible to put a value on experienced guidance. There are steps in the process the require trust. Trust built upon communications and past performance. The building blocks of a successful project include:

• Commitment – the concept-to-completion team does a lot of unheralded, behind the scenes work on your behalf. A remodeling contractor does what the plan calls for…the DC Interiors team does what’s best for your family.
• Quality Control – interior designers always have the big picture and every detail in mind. And they are always “on duty.” Visiting your site daily, they keep the project on time and on budget. Using well-vetted, well-respected subcontractors and craftsmen job after job they get results.
• Complete integration – Do you know which permits have to be applied for? What the local building codes require? When inspections have to be completed – and which ones can hold up your entire job? As licensed contractors the DC Interiors’ team understands every demand.
• Personal counseling – With hundreds of client contacts the team developed exceptional “people skills” built over decades of customer service. Designers understand and help you work through the stresses of a remodeling project. Your peace of mind is a factor in every phase of the job.
• Satisfaction – “promises made, promises kept.” One of the most common reactions to the final walk-through is: “it is so much better than I ever dreamed it could be!”

Interior Design – Bringing Your Personality Into Play

A qualified remodeling contractor will assemble of crew and do what you ask. A representative of a retail warehouse will “design” for you a space based upon what they sell. The professionals at DC Interiors & Renovations are your advocate every step of the way ensuring the ultimate renovation experience.

What is the most important thing about having an advocate in your corner 24/7? You have someone who knows the process so you can find out what you could be missing… before it is too late!

Whether you want a new kitchen, bigger master bedroom suite or an all-new living area you lifestyle and individual personality are driving forces. Not every planner sees the “big picture.” Nor do most take time to get to know you and your family. Bringing your wants, needs and dreams together into a vision, then making it realty is what DC Interiors & Renovations does. Knowing how to combine elegance with efficiency; to blend glamor with function is an art. Completing a project on time, within budget and well beyond expectations is a mix of experience as interior designers and contractors. We see you project from every possible angle. Our award-winning team has on-site experience as licensed contractors. We leave nothing to chance, following your project from initial design to final walk-through.

Give us a call, email or visit our nearby Madison showroom to explore the opportunities we offer. We take pride in our knowledge of interior design ideas to apply in your Madison WI home.

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Interior Design – Translating Hopes & Dreams Into Real Space

For the last 10 years or so kitchen design ideas have focused on opening up space and blending kitchens and living areas. That is a trend that is strong in Madison WI and throughout the area. The “open concept” has been THE route to a dream kitchen. Looking ahead to the next decade, interior designers and kitchen planners are saying: “Not so much!”

As they develop kitchen floor plans, designers accept that there are times when not separating food preparation and meal cleanup from daily living is too open. It is nice to watch the big screen TV while preparing dinner or cleaning up afterward. And the aromas of roasting turkey or baking bread are stimulating. However, for those trying to watch the Big Game, the sounds of garbage disposals, dishwashers and banging pots and pans in the kitchen is far less attractive. Food you’re cooking smells great. Oven cleaners, cooking spills and burning toast do not.

Homeowners are finding the completely open kitchen and family room design doesn’t work for every lifestyle. The future holds more “transitional” kitchen and living area floor plans. Separation often has advantages.

Trending Kitchen Design Ideas – Space In Transition

Interior designers are creating transitional kitchens to accommodate both changes in kitchen design thinking and décor.

A traditional kitchen blends modern with traditional design elements – from décor selections to floor plans. This approach to kitchen layout is ideal for treating older home architecture to achieve modern day function. It’s a way interior designers add glamor and elegance through well-thought-out renovation. Striking a balance between old and new – and appreciating the benefits of both – is the goal.

Completely open kitchen/living area designs dominate new construction. Or at least they have for the past 10 years or so. New construction design trends are changing, too. In the recent past area devoted to a kitchen floor plan has expanded. Kitchens are the focal point of homes, old and new.

The kitchen is the multi-functional hub of family life and has a direct impact on almost every room in the house. In your kitchen you:

• Prepare and clean up after meals
• You eat meals and snacks
• Entertain family and friends
• Work – on kitchen tasks or daily routines
• Play – a kitchen island is a multipurpose surface

According to a recently released study (Global Kitchen: The Kitchen, The Heart of the Home) kitchens reflect all that’s happening in today’s culture and social structure. They’re the meeting place for families, the planning center and the jumping-off point for work and play. Technology plays an increasing role as devices are used for everything from finding recipes to connecting appliances to users via mobile apps.

In the kitchen planning stage, more than half of all homeowners planning a kitchen makeover report they get inspiration and seek connections to professionals via the Internet and social media.

Create The 2020 Dream Kitchen

The concept of what is an ideal kitchen is evolving with changes in urban lifestyles. The popularity of one style over another is driven by consumer media – publications, videos and TV productions. The dramatic growth in demand for “farm kitchens” and rural-oriented interior design is an excellent example. That style and the open concept kitchen floor plan is not going away. Instead it is be supplemented by new thoughts and new directions.

Most interior design trends are first noted on the coasts and move into the center of the country. What’s happening in New York City is coming to Madison WI.

What is on the horizon for an elegant, glamourous – and efficient – kitchen renovation? From the designers on the East Coast come these suggestions of kitchen design elements to look for:

• Sustainable materials – in a world of environmental awareness consumers want eco-friendly products. Manufacturers understand and are providing cabinetry, flooring and décor items that meet the demand. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has developed an environmental stewardship program to promote eco-awareness. Modern cabinets use unique materials and low-emission coatings, etc.
• Gold hardware – bright brass hardware was extremely popular not long ago, but in coming years gold, especially with muted, matte finish will mix well with other metallic – stainless steel appliances, faucets and fixtures.
• Dark blue cabinetry – the all-while kitchen gives way to darker, richer hues. A navy blue is the color of the year for some paint-makers. Dark blue combined with gold hardware is the choice for luxury kitchens. While predicted to grow in popularity, the dark shades need to be used with professional guidance – they don’t work in small, confined spaces. Keeping pace with the trend, cabinet-makers are including blue finishes as standards in many lines.

More To Kitchen Design Than Colors

With so much of daily life revolving around time spent in and around the kitchen efficiency is a priority. Adding to both style and function are trends like:

• Open shelves – even while decorator cabinetry is hot, the idea of no cabinets is gaining popularity. Using designer cabinets below countertops and open shelves above provides an open feeling. The appeal of open kitchen shelves is traced to the popular farmhouse movement but has a place in many interior design schemes.
• Large, deep drawers – with fewer cabinets there is demand for larger, deeper drawers in lower units. Plates, pots, pans and small appliances must be housed below the countertop. Even pantry items like boxed and canned foods are stored in deep drawers.
• Backspash accents – the backsplash has moved from strictly a functional, limited space to covering entire walls with designer tiles. More durable in a kitchen scene than painted walls backsplashes running countertop to ceiling are popular. Anything from custom tile to metal and one-piece slabs of granite to match countertops are appropriate.
• The warmth of wood – painted cabinets have dominated the kitchen design market for a long time, but dark woods are making a comeback. Dark wood cabinets make a bold statement and work in concert with many accent materials. Dark countertops are also gaining popularity. Walnut, usually considered a wood for high-end furniture, if finding its way into kitchens. Natural walnut ranges in true color from alight, almost white grain to dark brown.

Keep It Simple For Kitchen Floor Plan

A major refinement to already accepted kitchen design ideas is the idea of keeping floor plans and kitchen layouts simple. Work areas must be free of obstacles. Appliances and storage must be easy to get into. Counter space should be open, wide and plentiful. The buzz word is: minimalist. Meaning to keep your kitchen basic and simple. When the overall kitchen floor plan is kept simple, décor and color are brought in via your imagination. Express yourself.

One key element of today’s modern kitchen that will not go away any time soon is the kitchen island. Islands are more popular and versatile than ever. In fact, a popular trend is to expand on the basic island concept and add a second one. Double islands are changing the way kitchen work space transitions into living space. If one island works well to being living and cooking space together why not two? If space allows, a double island is an asset.

Custom Fit Kitchen Design Ideas To Your Lifestyle

When it comes to creating the kitchen of your dreams, matching the perfect kitchen plan to your lifestyle takes skill and experience. Not every kitchen planner sees the “big picture.” Bringing your wants, needs and dreams together into a vision, then making it realty is what DC Interiors & Renovations does. Knowing how to combine elegance with efficiency, to blend glamor with function is an art. Completing a project on time, within budget and well beyond expectations is a mix of experience as interior designers and contractors. We see you project from every possible angle. Our award-winning team has on-site experience as licensed contractors. We leave nothing to chance, following your project from initial design to final walk-through.

Give us a call, email or visit our nearby Madison showroom when you’re ready to explore the opportunities we have for you. We take pride in keeping tabs on all the trending kitchen design ideas to find what’s right for your Madison WI home.

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Kitchen Design Ideas For 2020 – The Kitchen Continues To Evolve

Everywhere you look open concept design is THE hot topic. Believe what appears on TV, the internet and in print and there are no other options for your Madison WI area home. It has been trendy for more than a decade. But, interior designers from coast-to-coast report is may be losing its luster.

As you approach a remodeling project or renovation plan there are basic considerations. An open floor plan doesn’t work with every architectural style. More importantly, it doesn’t work with every lifestyle. How you live and your family needs define if an open concept space is efficient or just trendy.

Young families with small children and first-time homeowners are smitten with wide open spaces in their home. With plenty of opportunity to keep track of the kids and still watch TV, create meals and relax. Older homeowners, looking to “age in place,” consider wide hallways and fewer doorways a plus when getting around is difficult. For them it is a matter of modernizing with efficient features.

Evaluate your home. Consider:

• Do you feel cramped in your living space? Crowded rooms getting worse as the family grows (in number and stature).
• Is it hard to communicate when family members are separated by walls?
• When friends and family gathers do you break off into small groups – or everyone congregate in a cramped kitchen?

It is all a matter of lifestyle and daily routine. Nobody suggests it is time to make the house seem smaller and congested. Opening things up is the popular way to go.

Ironically, the modern open concept means fewer rooms and fewer walls. When the term was coined it meant rooms with arches and wide openings instead of doors. That’s still true, but now it means “let’s knock out that wall!”

Turn Open Concept Design Into Real Space

For most people looking for an “open concept” they are looking for easy transitions from kitchen to dining area and family space.

You bring dreams and ideas gathered from dozens of sources – most likely, TV, the internet and interior design and decorating magazines – to your concept of an open home. Interior design professionals add an artistic touch and experience in the field to bring details together. Under a skilled interior designer’s guidance, the open “concept” becomes a workable open “floorplan.”

Before deciding without question that a wide open living space is perfect for you, consider all the details. If you enjoy cozy private spaces consider other options. If your family is on the go your lifestyle might be ideal for this makeover. Benefits include:

• Space for active people – a lot can be happening from one end of the house to another without losing touch with each other.
• No claustrophobia here – when you open the floorplan so people move effortlessly there’s no more “closed in” feelings. Your overall square footage of useable space may not change much, but everything feels bigger.
• Let there be light – interior rooms are notorious for little or no natural light. One big space open to outside walls allows natural light to fill the room. Adding new windows is a popular step.
• Let the fun begin – when friends and family gathers for holidays and special events everyone is together even though spread apart. As a rule, gatherings find people congregating in or near the kitchen. Done right, the kitchen in an open plan is in the midst of all the entertaining.

The Kitchen Comes First

The driving force behind opening up space is almost always to update the kitchen. Homeowners feel trapped in a small kitchen surrounded by walls. Preparing meals and cleaning up afterward they consider themselves left out. And they often are. Taking down barriers between living spaces and the kitchen makes communication easier and expands the value of the kitchen. That’s why you should consider the needs of your kitchen from the beginning.

Before making a huge commitment in time and money, consider some of the drawbacks to opening your kitchen to the rest of the house:

• Aromas – there are times when the smells of cooking are terrific. There are times when they are horrific (think when an oven is being cleaned). Even the highest of the high-tech exhaust systems don’t get it all. Walls restrict the flow of air so smells are more confined to the kitchen. Sometime a good thing, sometimes not.
• Noise – a garbage disposal running, mixing a batch of brownies, clanking pots and pans and the usual everyday sounds of kitchen chores are not soothing. Those high-tech range hoods aren’t silent. Walls filter out noise, too.
• Your mess shows – preparing a complete meal, baking or getting ready for guests creates a mess in the kitchen. Without walls whatever you’re doing in the kitchen is on display. It is difficult to “leave until later” dirty dishes that can be seen by everyone. A consolation: you can chat while you clean up (maybe even lure some helpers).

Walls As Design Elements

There are positive features of enclosures. And, there are alternatives to floor-to-ceiling walls. On the positive side more tradition room layouts offer:

• Refuge – have your heard the saying “too many cooks spoil the broth?” For some cooks the kitchen is private space they would just as soon not share with everyone all the time. They prefer to work without interruption and distraction.
• Elegant dining – if you’re a fan of formal dining and entertaining, combining a traditional kitchen and dining room is a plus. Professional interior designers report more people are choosing to create “semi-open” spaces to get the best of both options.
• Less is not more – taking away walls takes away opportunities for cabinets and countertops. Even if there’s room for a spacious kitchen island, storage isn’t the same.

Designers are being asked to provide separation rather than opening up more space. Why would you buck the open concept design trend? There are two very common concerns homeowners express:

• Few quiet places – unless family members retreat to bedrooms or another floor it is hard to find quiet. All the elements that make a large open room ideal for entertaining make it less than ideal for concentrating. TV, video games, movies and children playing are distractions with no place to go. And you have few quiet nooks to relax, read or just take a coffee break.
• Housekeeping – most people work in or around the kitchen. When it is cluttered it gets dirty. Keeping kitchen messes from living areas is important. More importantly keeping dirt and debris tracked in from outdoors and throughout the house out of the kitchen is vital. An easy to navigate traffic pattern means dirt knows no boundaries either.

Walls, No Walls – Open Concept Design Isn’t Absolute

Sharp interior designers are finding ways to open up space in homes without remapping the floorplan or knocking down walls. There are less common areas that led themselves to exciting designs. Interior designers know:

• There is more to glass than windows – glass can be used as railing systems on stairways where half walls otherwise blocked sightlines. Long-time favorites on decks and balconies, glass panels work well indoors, too. For homeowners with small children shatter-proof glass is an ideal replacement for spindles and railings.
• Where there’s a will, there’s a way – some walls cannot be removed because of the way they were built or because the cost is just too high. Especially in older homes. Options include arches, French doors and other unique openings to create open views without disturbing structure.

Seek Guidance For Your ‘Right’ Design

There is so much going on in the world of remodeling and interior design. You cannot watch enough TV, surf enough websites or peruse enough magazines to keep up. Actually, the more resources you dive into on your own, the more confusing it gets. The idea of open concept design is everywhere. When it’s time to consolidate all your thoughts you need a counselor. You need a trained, experienced professional to bring all the elements together and help you define your dream.

Do you understand everything that goes into applying an open concept design to your existing space? Is it workable? Is it worth it – today and in years to come? Trends shift. They come and go. Your family’s needs change. A major renovation to your home is a life altering experience.

Matching homeowners with the living space of their dreams is what DC Interiors & Renovations does every day. Blending elegance with efficiency and function is a challenge. Doing all on time and within a precise budget is too. Our award-winning team includes professional interior design training as well as on-site experience as a licensed general contractor. We create the design and follow it through to the end – on hand every day to make sure it goes as planned.

When you’re ready to explore the possibilities, call, email or visit our Madison showroom. Our skilled interior designers will help you decide if an open concept design is right for your Madison WI home.

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Open Concept design – Does It Fit Your Space