My Design Secrets

This apron front sink from QualityBath.com allows you to see so much more of the beautiful finish. And this classic faucet is the perfect complement.

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When you’re renovating your kitchen, the sink and faucet you choose really say a lot about your sense of style. We all spend way too much time at the kitchen sink, so why not show a little personality?  There are loads of great options out there so I want to narrow it down for you a bit.  Here’s how:

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Finish & Style

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Hardware: If you are using more modern or cool tones, opt for simple and sleek.  Either brushed or polished chrome.  More traditional?  Brushed or polished brass, chrome and bronze finishes also look great.  Avoid white faucets, they are too utilitarian and look best in the laundry room.

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Sinks: Modern kitchens look great with with stainless sinks.   Traditional kitchens look best with farm sinks, and copper sinks. Fireclay and cast iron can work for both.

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High quality stainless steel is a timeless choice every time. The pot-filler faucet is a bonus for pasta lovers!

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Function

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Hardware: Faucets that feature a pull-out spray are super useful for cleaning the sink.  But if you are are after a more traditional look, choose something shapely and get a separate spray on the side.  Also, levers are easier to operate than handles when your hands are full or soapy.

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Sinks: Make sure the sink suits your cooking needs no matter what style you choose.  Will you be able to wash your roasting pan?  Do you like to have the drying rack in the second basin?

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Price

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Hardware: This is probably one of the most highly used pieces of hardware in your house so keep that in mind and invest what you can financially.  Not only do the higher end brands last longer but if you do need a replacement part or have a warranty claim, they are generally faster to help.

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Sinks: This is also a place worth making the investment.  Stainless sinks:  go for at least and 18 or 20 gauge sink.  The lower the number, the thicker and better quality the sink.  For more information on sinks, check out this post.  Cast iron, fireclay and copper are all very durable as well.

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Links to Sinks

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1st Photo: Elkay Harmony Undermount Antique Hammered Copper Finish Double Bowl Apron Sink - ECUF3319ACH

2nd Photo: Vigo Double Bowl Undermount Sink - VG2918

A good example of taking the tile all the way up to the ceiling. It frames the hood and opens the space.

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Well, when I asked you to help me choose some topics for the blog,  it seems that backsplashes were a popular item. Whether you’re doing a total renovation in your kitchen or just going for a fresh face-lift, backsplashes are an important element. Yes, countertops are lovely (and expensive) but just like other vertical elements of a room (draperies, artwork) backsplashes are often the first thing you notice!

There are a variety of backsplashes including tile, wood, stainless, tin, stone and glass. But did you realize all these materials could be incorporated into Mosaic Tile?  I have gathered so many fantastic sources for mosaic tile lately that I am certain there will be something to please everyone and I will be sure to give you all those precious links.  But first, let’s review some of the most important things to consider.

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The Wide Hex Twist shown in two colors - Canvas & Vanilla Bean (from Dwell) - shows how a geometric tile (hexagon) can look soft and organic depending on the color pattern.

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Mosaic Tile Basics!

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Selection & Design

• Total overhaul?  If you really have your heart set on a certain mosaic tile, then choose that before the countertop material.  Mosaics can be very busy which may lead you to a more subtle countertop.  Once you have invested a couple of thousand dollars (at least) on countertop material, you don’t want to force a mosaic that will make it look too busy.
• Just renovating?  If you already have a countertop with a lot of action (granite or a solid surface), you can still go with a mosaic, just consider keeping the colors in the same family instead of adding a lot of contrast.
• Metal, glossy, bright and contrasting colors are going to give you a brighter, busier, more modern feel.  Stone, monochromatic schemes, eco-friendly and matte finishes are going to give you a more classic or earthy feel.
• Smaller mosaics (with more grout lines) are going to appear busier on the wall.
• If you want to brighten up the space, choose gloss tiles in light colors.
• Consider adding under-counter lighting to highlight your new design element.
• Decide if your electrical outlets could be in a better location.  Make sure you have one every four feet (your electrician will know the code in your area).  If you are renovating, the inspectors will check.  Even if you don’t ask them to!

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The warm combination of jewel-like finishes in this Emily Jablon Tile would work well with a warm granite or limestone countertop.

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Purchasing

• Don’t purchase anything without getting a sample.  The online vendors are usually very fair with the sample costs.  Also, make sure they are giving a sample from the same dye lot that you are purchasing from.
• Let the tile installer help you calculate the amount of tile.  It’s not the same same as measuring for flooring and you need to incorporate certain aspects of the design.
• After you measure how many square feet you need, add at least 10% to that for breakage (these tiles can be tricky to cut) and for filling in the edges.  If you pick a running pattern that ends in a jagged edge, you will have to find pieces to fill in to the corner.
• If you are on the fence about purchasing another square foot or another box, do it.  You never know when you are going to need that extra tile.  People make mistakes (break things), pipes burst, life happens.  When it does, you want to make sure you have extra tile from the same dye lot or run.

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I like the combination of soft shapes and cool stainless in this design.

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Installation

• Mosaic glass tile can crack when exposed to heat or cold or if your house shifts.  While it’s not likely it will happen, it’s good to err on the side of caution.  By installing tile with a crack suppression membrane, it absorbs some of these shifts and protects against the cracks.  Ask the tile company or your installer about this.
• Make sure your tile installer has factored in the cost of using new, high-quality blades on his saw for your job.  These blades can be costly but they are essential to get a clean edge and will greatly reduce the risk of cracking.

Grout

• Please select non-staining grout, especially if you like to cook anything with anything that stains…wine, tomatoes, oil…etc.
• Check out my friend Annie’s blog post about choosing a grout color.  She has some great examples showing you how grout color can either disappear or become part of the design.
• Mosaics that have rounded pebbles add substantially to the labor because the grout has to be pushed into the spaces by hand.

So feel free to jump into the mosaic-loving crowd and don’t worry about people who say it will go out of style.  Everything goes in and out of style eventually but in the meantime you will have a lovely backsplash that makes you smile and expresses your creative nature!

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Some of My Favorite Mosaic Tile Sources:

Eden Mosaic Tile - Metal, Glass, Steel, Aluminum and Copper Mosaic Tile  My Favorite? Eden Mosaic Tile Silver And Chocolate Brick Mixed Aluminum Mosaic Tile

Home Depot – A large variety of affordable styles that can get you comfortable with sizes and shapes.  But, compare their selection to online stores that don’t have the large overhead.  My Favorite? Solistone Indonesian Mosaic Jakarta Moon

Heath Ceramics - All tile made in Sausalito, California featuring some really subtle retro patterns.  In-stock and custom options.  My Favorite? The New Patterns Created for Dwell Magazine

Design For Less -Lots of cool glass tile and easy sample ordering.  They also have recycled leather tiles for something different!  My Favorite? Bengal Glass Tile

ModWalls – Great selection of glass tile in many colors and finishes.  You can customize your own blend and see it online, grout color and all!  Plus they have a huge gallery of photos where you can see many styles installed.  My Favorite?  Lush 1/2×2 Blend Big Sur

Susan Jablon Mosaics – A HUGE selection of glass tile.  You could spend hours surfing this site.  She has a great section all about grout too! My Favorite? Emily Jablon Designs Retro Mint

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This beautiful hand-painted mural sells for $139. Enter below to win!

Congratulations to Lynnette V. from Melvin, Michigan for winnng the Jerusalem Pottery giveaway!

Brothers Stepan and Berge Karakashian, and Hagop Karakashian, are a family on a mission: Bring gorgeous, hand-painted tiles to the world.  The craftsmanship they offer goes back to 1919 when the brothers’ father, Megherdich Karakashian, and several other Armenian potters were brought to Jerusalem from Kutahia, Turkey.  These craftsmen were appointed to repair the tiles covering the external walls of a treasured cultural landmark, the Dome of the Rock.  To escape persecution, which many Armenians experienced in Turkey during this time period, they settled in Jerusalem.  Today, the family tradition continues and has extended its reach to the United States.  They still craft tiles that are prominently featured on the street signs throughout the Old City, but lucky for us they are also creating gorgeous accent tiles and backsplash tiles that we can purchase for our own homes!

An example of the street sign tile the brothers have created

Their shop is a sunny space in the Old City filled with unique plates, bowls, candlesticks, mugs, and tiles in many shapes and sizes.  These tiles are a unique way to add a splash of color to your kitchen tile or bathroom wall; with motifs of peacocks, trees, flowers, and animals.  The designs are graceful and the colors are vibrant and rich.  They can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, gardens, fireplaces, or for table tops.

A joyful colorful garden scene - a pomegranate tree with peacocks. This tile mural is hand painted on 12 six inch tiles.

All the decoration is done by hand.  The tile murals are first designed on paper with pencil, and then they are hand painted on the tiles, glazed and fired using traditional methods.  The colors are still mixed according to the same recipes that their father used fifty years ago.   The Karakashians take great pride in their work (it shows) and in maintaining their standard of craftsmanship.  They look to the future with the hope that Karakashians will continue to supply their unique pottery for generations to come.

Would you like to win this Hand Painted Tile Mural?

To Enter Simply…

1. Visit Jeruselum Pottery and browse around.

2. Leave me one comment below telling me what item you would use to help create your Dream Kitchen, Bathroom, Fireplace, etc…

If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, November 18th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

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If you are going to remodel your kitchen and would like to do it in an eco-friendly fashion, consider using the following materials in your new design.

Appliances- Certified with an Energy Star label.  Use a convection oven versus a conventional oven to save energy. 

Cabinets – FSC-certified plywood, wheatboard, bamboo, formaldehyde-free MDF, reclaimed wood, recycled timber, or recycled steel.

Countertops – Granite, engineered stone, recycled ceramic tile, FSC-certified wood, recycled steel, recycled glass, recycled plastics.

Flooring –  Bamboo, cork, linoleum, stone tiles, recycled glass tiles, recycled metal tiles, reclaimed & sustainable woods.

Lighting – Copper light fixtures, recycled glass, recycled aluminum, recycled steel, sustainably harvested wood, and post-industrial waste products.  Be sure and use energy-saving fluorescent bulbs.

Storage – Store food in glass and ceramic pieces instead of plastic.  They are easier to clean, do not hold odors, and if on display, aesthetically much more pleasing.

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Are you following me on twitter?  You should be!

~ Lorrie

I first saw Vetrazzo countertops on an episode of  Living with Ed .  This amusing and educational show features Ed Bagely Jr. and his family trying to live in the greenest way possible.  Ed is quirky to say the least and his wife, Rachelle Carson, is VERY patient with his endless experiments and constant research on eco-friendly living.  As Hollywood lifestyles go, they live a very modest existence and it’s refreshing to say the least.  Anyway, Rachelle knew is was going to be difficult to convince Ed to purchase new countertops for their kitchen.  But she’s pretty savvy and she found a material that would meet his high standards.  She chose Recycled Glass Countertops from Vetrazzo and they are lovely.  Many people think that when you go green you give up on style and performance but nothing could be further from the truth with this product. 

Alehouse Amber features glass that may have come from your recycling bin.

Features of Vetrazzo Surfacing

• Made from 85% recycled glass, cement, pigment, binder and other recyclable materials.
• Smooth like polished granite.
• It comes in 14 colors.
• It is heat resistant, scratch resistant, and stain resistant.
• It can be used countertops, vanity tops, tabletops, bar tops, hearths/fireplace surrounds and tub decks.

Cobalt Skyy - The vodka makes great cocktails and the bottle makes a beautiful surface.

How do you take care of it?

It’s very durable and most spots can be cleaned with a mild detergent.  You should be polished a couple of times per year and resealed every year or two, which is an easy procedure.

Beyond the material that makes up Vetrazzo, the product is also eco-friendly because its made in the US and does not require petroleum to manufacture.  Many people don’t realize that while stone counter-tops are indeed natural and come from the earth, they are far from eco-friendly.  It requires a tremendous amount of energy to extract stone from the earth and many times this is done in an work environment with unfair wages poor working conditions.  There have also been recent concerns about radon levels in granite.

So if you are in the market for a new countertop, you might want to give Vetrazzo some much deserved consideration.  It’s beautiful, durable and earth and family-friendly to boot!

Visit Vetrazzo to learn more!

Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?

I love the motion of the Dancing Circles bar stool from Horchow. ($599)

Breakfast on the run, snacks after school and dinner in shifts to accommodate the softball, boy scout and PTA meetings.  It’s great if everyone can sit down at the table together but often times it’s just not possible.  Bar and counter stools are some of the most useful pieces of furniture in your home.  First things first, a counter stool is the proper height for a counter and bar stool…well, for a bar!  But how to do you know which is best?  Basically you want your seat to be 12″ below your eating surface.  So here’s the the rundown on the most common measurements:

• A dining table is 30″ high and a dining chair has a seat height of 18″.
• A countertop is 36″ high and a counter stool has a seat height of 24″.
• A bar is usually about 42″ high and a bar stool has a seat height of 30″.

The Series 7 bar stool from Design Within Reach was originally designed in 1955 and remains a modern classic. It comes in 6 colors including lime green. ($677)

The Vintage Oak Wine Barrel Stool from The Wine Enthusiast are made from recycled wood making them antique, eco-friendly and unique! ($199.95)

So now that you have the basics down, it’s time to search for a super cool stool that will take things to a whole new level.  This is an opportunity to pick something really special.  Here are my guidelines:

1. Measure before you shop- Stools with arms take up a lot more space.  You want at least 6″ between stools.  A space that accommodate 3 stools with arms, can usually allow 4 stools without arms.
2. Accent-uate the positive- Consider bringing a new material into the mix with metal, bamboo or plexiglass. Please do not choose the stools that match your dining chairs!
3. Don’t let the fabric distract you- Some bar stools have slip seats so if you love the stool but the fabric is lacking, you can always replace it.
4. Looking back – Most times your are going to be admiring your new stools from behind so the back and leg design should be your priority.  If you want to simplify an already-busy kitchen design, then go backless.

The Malibu Bar and Counter Stools from Cottage and Bungalow are crisp, simple and come in 13 colors including Creme Brulee and Cherry Cobbler. ($716)

La Tour Counter Stool in Semois Red from Pierre Deux has a antique cherry finish and nailhead trim. ($450)

Shop for a your own cool stools in My Secret Database!

Click to Win Great Prizes!

Ask A Design Question!

Painted Solid Pine Island from Ballard Designs gives a more built-in look and also provides additional storage for cookbooks.

The kitchen is the heart and soul of your home.  It’s the place you eat, chat, laugh, cry, quibble and makeup.   It’s a hard working room so it deserves an update every now and then.  It may not be in your budget to renovate right now, but there are certainly affordable options for an exciting upgrade.  If you have an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen, it may be the perfect opportunity to add an island.  Islands offer you much-needed countertop space as well as the opportunity to make a bold style statement.  Here are some of my favorite finds:

With its painted base and butcher block top, this little number is a great focal point and a high quality choice from Sur La Table

This affordable option from Home Decorator's collection is great for apartment living.

With its scalloped apron and distressed finish, this would the perfect addition to a Beach House or Cottage.

My Secret Shopping Tips:

• Only choose tops that are solid surface (Granite, Corian, etc) or solid wood.  Cheaper versions use wood veneers that will deteriorate quickly from moisture and cutting.  Butcher Block is the best.
• Measure your kitchen and make sure you have at least 30″ between countertops.  36″ is optimal but we all know that some kitchens just don’t allow for it.
• The island does not have to “match” your kitchen.  Select a style that is clearly complimentary.  Nothing is worse than a near miss.

Your new island is sure to make meal prep easier and your kitchen a bit more fashionable.  Enjoy!

Shop for Kitchen Islands and other cool stuff for your Kitchen in My Secret Database!

I know it and you know it.  There is something in your home that needs to be caulked; some mildew in the shower, peeling around the sink, and there’s that huge gap in the baseboard.  So after months of avoidance you pull out the huge caulk gun and pray that the 5 tubes of caulk in your garage have an ounce of moisture left in them.  Of course all five tubes are bone dry and the cyle of avoidance continues…

But alas, there is a great alternative that has just made the scene.  General Electric has just introducted Caulk Singles and never before has a boring home fix it tool had such potential to change your life.  They addressed the problems that a caulk job used to present:

• Achy hands? – This nifty little tube is easy to squeeze with one hand and has no air bubbles.
• Messy Application? – Your skill level raises from a “13-year-old girl using liquid eyeliner” to a pro in a snap.
• Leftovers? – One tube will do a sink, 2 tubes for a tub, and so on.  Just buy what you need.

I read through some of the user comments on the site and most people seem quite pleased.  There is even an artist who is using them as art supplies.  They come in white, clear and paintable finishes and are available at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and Tru-Value for about $3.  Or you can sign up for a free sample here.  According to user comments the free sample arrives with instructions in Spanish, and that really seemed to tick people off.  Come on people, if you can take the time to come to the site and complain, you can surely find the instructions on the site!  

Have fun and let me know your experience is like with Caulk Singles! 

Some of the simplest items in our lives make things soooo much easier:  A garbage can that is easy to open when your hands are full, soap that dispenses automatically when your hands are dirty, a paper towel dispenser that knows “when to say when.”  Messy situations like these call for quick solutions.  That’s where Simple Human steps in.

I was in Bed, Bath and Beyond last week looking for a few knick-knacks.  (It’s one of those stores that I enter with the intention of buying coat hangers and exit with a new mixer, bamboo towels and a shower curtain.)  Anyway, I saw all these cool products by Simple Human and was enthralled by their sleek design and utter simplicity.  They offer new solutions to old items such as garbage cans, adjustable shower caddies, and paper towel holders.  Who knew organization could be so enticing?

Their products are durable, innovative and easy to use.  From dish racks made with high grade stainless to quiet closing trash cans with finger and stain proof finishes, I promise that you will find any excuse to buy a few of their nifty products.  Most everything comes with a 5 year warranty.  Sounds like they plan to be around for a while… and that’s a good thing.

Visit Simple Human!

Whether you cook as a profession, hobby, or out of necessity, there is no reason that you have to suffer for your supper.  Wood and tile floors are beautiful, but they can be murder on your back.  So we try different things: rugs, slippers, sneakers or takeout.  Well here’s a stylish solution for you…GelPro Mats. 

These wonderful mats help relieve back pain, foot pain and arthritis by providing you a much-needed mediator between you and the unforgiving floor.  You can use them in so many places: the kitchen, at your work bench, in your bathroom or in the laundry room.  The non-slip mat has a gel core that helps absorb shock and the outside synthetic surface is stain resistant and easy to clean.  They are available in 6 different styles/textures and a multitude of colors with one sure to coordinate with your kitchen.  There are two sizes available – single (20″x36″) or double (20″x72″) and they have a 30-day money back guarantee.  Now you too can cook in comfort!

Visit Gel Pro on My Design Secrets!