Aging in Place

A recent AARP survey showed that more than 90% of people 65 or over indicate that they would prefer to stay in their current residence as long as they live and 4 out of 5 persons in that age bracket believe that their current residence is where they will always live. If people intend to stay in their homes as long as possible, what are some things they should consider as plan for the future?

1.      Grab bars-the dreaded word. No, adding grab bars to your shower doesn’t mean you are old. How many young people have had to have foot surgery and their balance is compromised? I believe every person would benefit from having grab bars in their shower. Manufacturers make very attractive grab bars that match your other faucets and add to the aesthetic of the shower rather than taking away from it. Many manufacturers also make combo grab bar/toilet paper holders or grab bar/towel bars. Two functions in one without compromising on the look of the space.

2.      Better light-It’s no secret that we need more light as we age. Consider changing your light bulbs out with brighter LED bulbs, adding undercabinet lighting in your kitchen or even adding a motion sensor light to your toilet seat for those late night runs.

3.      A bench in the shower-whether it’s a tiled bench you can add, a fold down teak bench mounted to the wall or an attractive stand alone teak bench that you can bring in and out of the shower as needed, this can be very helpful.

These are the most common items we see clients needing and adding to their homes to facilitate them living there as long as possible. Is there anything you think needs to be added to the list? Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

Wallpaper-Stay or Go?

Many projects we walk into, there is wallpaper on the walls and most of the time client wants to paint the walls. The question is always-remove the wallpaper or paint over the wallpaper? Today we will explore the pros and cons of each decision.

How do you decide if the wallpaper needs to come down? The best telltale sign of if it should come down is if the seams are coming apart and peeling. Are there air pockets underneath the wallpaper or does the wallpaper have a texture? Those will only be magnified once it is painted. Below are our recommended steps if you decide to paint over the wallpaper.

1.      Prime over the wallpaper with a quality primer.

2.      Any imperfections will be visible once you have primed the walls.

3.      Skim with sheetrock mud all seams, holes and imperfections.

4.      Sand smooth

5.      Remud and sand as needed

6.      Prime

7.      Paint

If care and attention is given to these steps, you will not be able to tell you have just painted over wallpaper. The most common mistake I see is people not mudding over the seams but rather just painting over the wallpaper. The seams are only magnified once the paint is on the wall. Take the extra time and expense that this step requires. You won’t regret it.

If you decide the wallpaper is not in good enough shape and needs to come down, consult a local paint store on the type of wallpaper you have and what the best way is to remove it. Once the wallpaper is off the walls, you will likely need to skim the walls with sheetrock mud and sand before priming and painting the walls.

Have you tried painting over wallpaper? Did you have good success? I’d love to hear how your project went. Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

2017 Color Trends

It’s that time of year when the major paint manufacturers are releasing their “Color of the Year” selections. Today we will explore a couple of manufacturers and their choices.

Sherwin Williams: “Poised Taupe” SW 6039. They say this color brings together warm and cool tones for another great neutral. This color is described as a “weathered, woodsy neutral bringing a sense of coziness and harmony.” It is a warm, brown color with a hint of purple in the undertones. Sherwin Williams made this selection based on their research of trends where the trendy grays are transitioning into a warmer neutral, more taupes and browns.

Benjamin Moore: “Shadow” 2117-30. Described as a little bit rock and roll. It’s the color of the galaxy but also the color of a beautiful fig. It’s passion, it’s bravery, but it’s also silence. It can be electrified or softened. “Shadow” is a deep purple. Not a Barney purple, but a rich, royal amethyst that can fade into the soft lilac-grey of distant mountains or morph into lustrous coal.

Farrow & Ball: “Peignoir”. Created by giving the lightest pink color a big dose of gray, this dusty pink color can feel modern yet traditional at the same time. There is a trend of using blush as a neutral, and this color selection is further promoting that idea.

What do you think of these color selections? Do you already have some of these shades in your home or closet? If not, will you try to incorporate it somehow? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send me an email at jessica@webbercoleman.com.

2017 Pantone Color of the Year

The interiors and fashion worlds wait expectantly every year for Pantone’s color announcement. Pantone announced their 2017 Color of the Year as Greenery. Touted as a refreshing and revitalizing shade, Greenery is symbolic of new beginnings. It is a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew. The fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.  A life-affirming shade, Greenery is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.

“Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the hope we collectively yearn for amid a complex social and political landscape. Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate, revitalize and unite, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.” Says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

I’ve always wondered who gets the interesting job of choosing names for paint colors and who actually has the authority to choose the Color of the Year for the world. The entire world of fashion, automobiles and interiors takes their cue from this company. They don’t take their job lightly. The color of the year is a symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude. Thousands of hours of research and filtering are done to determine what the color of the year will be. Pantone has been the world's color authority for nearly 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. They are the provider of professional color standards for the design industries. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers paint and designer-inspired products and services for consumers.

What do you think of this color selection? Do you already have some of this shade in your home or closet? If not, will you try to incorporate it somehow? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send me an email at jessica@webbercoleman.com.

Finding Extra Storage in Stud Spaces

Have you ever looked at the space between wall studs and thought “There’s got to be a way to use that space!” More and more projects these days are utilizing the space between studs for storage. See the picture below for a recent project we completed. This tall linen cabinet was only about 8” deep, but recessed into the wall. It is perfect storage for all of those lotions and potions people keep in the bathroom.

Empty stud space is not just for short medicine cabinets. Utilize an empty wall and the tall space for more storage. You may not be able to fit towels in this cabinet, but it is a great place to keep medicines, shampoo bottles and other small items.

Take a look around your space, do you have some free space on a wall that you can utilize better? I love this free, found space for more storage-and who couldn’t use more storage space?! Do you have a good idea for found storage space? I’d love to hear. Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

Standard Cabinet Heights & Depths

One question I am frequently asked is what the standard heights and depths of cabinets these days are. Let’s explore that today. *Note: Some of these dimensions are our standards after some trial and error and repeated client requests*

Kitchen

Base Cabinets: 35 ¼” height x 24” deep

Upper Cabinets: 12” deep

Inset Construction Upper Cabinets: 13” deep (with the door inset into the frame of the cabinet, you decrease the interior shelf size by ¾”. Because dinner plates are made larger and larger today, it’s important to have a 12” interior shelf)

Tall Oven or Refrigerator Cabinets: 26” deep-this allows a 24”deep base cabinet beside it to have a 1-1 ½” countertop overhang and the countertop to not stick out past the face of the oven or refrigerator cabinet

Bathroom

Base Cabinets: 35 ¼” height x 21” deep

Bookcases

12” deep

Because we build custom cabinets, we have the flexibility and ability to make cabinets whatever height, width or depth we need or want to. We build everything down to the 1/16^th of an inch allowing us to forgo fillers and maximize storage space. If you are getting custom cabinets for your space, carefully consider what will be going in each cabinet and have them built the depth you need accordingly. This will allow the best use of the cabinets.

Do you have a specific question regarding cabinet heights or depths? Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com

Cork Floors 101: Part 3

The last couple of columns we have explored where cork comes from and some of the attributes and benefits of it. Today we will explore how it specifically translates to flooring and what you can expect.

Most cork flooring comes in tiles or planks. The most common is an engineered laminate-style application which is installed using a glue down or floating installation process. As with any floor, make sure proper attention is given to the subfloor before installing it to get the best long term results. Many cork fans love its natural variations in tone and texture and like with most natural products, it has a richness and depth that manufacturers cannot replicate. Cork can be dyed or stained in a myriad of colors to fit any design aesthetic.

Cork is a natural product and with any natural product there is some maintenance. Sweep or vacuum it on a weekly basis to keep dirt and crumbs from permanently marring the surface. Some cork flooring comes prefinished and some manufacturers recommend waxing or applying clear polyurethane. Just like hardwoods or carpet, sunlight can fade it over time.

Ok, ok-I’ve convinced you to use cork for your flooring. But how much does it cost? A good budget number is about $12 per square foot which includes installation. Be careful skimping on the quality of the material. Lower density cork flooring won’t hold up very long in the long run. 

Like when selecting any flooring material, consider the other spaces and materials around it before deciding on color or style so that it blends in with the rest of your aesthetic. We’ve installed cork flooring several times and every customer has loved it! If you decide to use it, I’d love to see pictures of your finished space. Email them to me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com