Feb 5, 2015
The national craze for home makeover programs shows no sign of letting up. The problem is that these shows fail to give the viewer a true sense of both time and budget.
I am here to share some design tips, and show you where to save money by avoiding some common pitfalls.
By avoiding the common products and looking beyond the easy answers, you can create beautiful spaces that reflect your personality and be cost effective.
Let’s get started.
Bathrooms
Photo courtesy of NBC/American Dream Builders
Vintage Vanity with lots of drawers and white marble counter create an all white bathroom by Dann Foley.
My preference is always for white. It is timeless, classic, and clean. It can be traditional or contemporary.
• One of my favorites is the white and grey marble basket weave at Home Depot.
I always choose gooseneck faucets for the vanity. Their height makes it easier to wash your face and brush your teeth.
• Visit www.build.com for ideas. Huge selection, discount prices, and free shipping!
I prefer a bathroom sink to be rectangular and deep. They create less splash on the counter and mirror.
• Try Kohler’s website. Also Lowe’s and Home Depot.
photo courtesy of NBc/American Dream Builders
Shaped counter & backsplash with off-set faucet create a vintage vanity, by Dann Foley.
The height of a vanity is best at counter height of 36 inches.
• There are many ready-made vanities with marble or granite tips ready to take home from Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Drawers! As many as possible in the bathroom vanity.
• Do a Google search and see just how many with drawers can be delivered right to your home.
For pure luxury: I add outlets to the back of drawers to keep appliances plugged in and ready to go.
• No more tangled cords or digging out your hair dryer from under the cabinet.
Kitchens
photo courtesy of NBc/American Dream Builders
Ready-made cabinetry customized to create an original kitchen by Erinn Valencich.
Single bowl sink! It’s my biggest peeve in new construction. A kitchen sink should be wide and deep, big enough to wash a roasting pan or serving tray.
• A gooseneck faucet is mandatory! That goes for a spray as well. It can be a “pull down” or a separate spray nozzle; either way they make clean up easier and filing pots and flower vases a snap.
• I prefer wood flooring for the kitchen because it easier on the legs when cooking and standing for long periods. It is also more forgiving when you drop breakables.
photo courtesy California Home & Design Magazine
All custom contemporary kitchen with zebra wood cabinets by Dann Foley. • Lighting is paramount in any kitchen. Under cabinet lights, can lights, pendant lights, natural lighting. The combination of any or all of these elements creates the prefect work space.
• For cooking the duel fuel range is your best choice. A gas cooktop for boiling and sautéing and an electric oven for even baking and roasting. For pure luxury: Nothing beats the pot filler spigot. Filling or topping off a large pot on the range top without having to lift it out of the sink is the stuff of Top Chef!
I promise to continue this discussion and take you beyond the kitchen and bathroom in the months ahead.
My goal is widen your vision, bring out your creativity, and help you to live better, today! Dann Foley, Allied ASID, has been a Palm Springs interior designer for more than 20 years. Dann was featured earlier this year on NBC’s American Dream Builders. His monthly column will focus on trends, what’s hot and design specific to the desert lifestyle. Visit www.danninc.com for more information.
Find Dann Foley on Twitter: @DesignerDann