As a lover of architecture and interior design, I recently took a little trip to Spring Green, Wisconsin to see the home of Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Taliesin is a journey back in time, with a look to the future.

Frank Lloyd Wright - The Perpetual Home Renovator
This home was built in 1911 and added on to and remodeled many times over the years. Because he could! I love his experimental courage, always innovating. True to his Organic Design philosophy, all of the building materials were sourced locally.  Sadly, the soft sandstone is beginning to deteriorate.
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The photos can not possible capture the spirit and beauty of the place, so I encourage you to visit and donate to the preservation of this national treasure. Check it out  www.taliesinpreservation.org

ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE Frank Lloyd Wright loved the land, he integrated his structures into the surrounding nature, and surrounded the home in lovely gardens.

​He experimented with his use of windows and doors in unexpected shapes and ways.

You can see the influence of Japanesse architecture, the roof lines mimic the hills of the surrounding countryside.

In some places the ceilings were very low, apparently Frank was a short man.
The kitchen was the smallest room in the house, I thought it was a butler pantry and didn't even take a photo.
The furniture was not designed for comfort, as he believed we should not spend our time sitting around.
His book collection was truly amazing. I would like to spend 6 months in his library.
He designed tea cups to camouflage women's lipstick marks. A man of function and good taste!
His apprentices were highly involved in the construction and building.
Plywood was used in everything from flooring to light fixtures.
He was highly influenced by Japanese design and had an extensive collection of Japanese artifacts.

Looking for kitchen remodeling ideas? The most economical way to remodel a kitchen, is to keep the footprint the same. Moving plumbing and electric can add costs to your remodel. If your kitchen functions properly, using the typical triangle, including plenty of counter space where you need it, you can affordably update your old tile counter top, dated back splash or add additional decorative lighting to give your kitchen a fresh new look. My client was ready to get rid of the tired wallpaper and border. The black appliances were in great shape, so I tied them into the design with black accent tile and a black under-mount sink.

Oversized white subway tile gets jazzed up with a black border and a large scale mosaic pattern. An airy shade of silvery blue paint, softens the contrast and pops the wood tones, for a bright and airy freshness.

Black is a crisp neutral, giving definition and contrast to a space. The classic black and white theme of the hard surfaces will easily support new color choices, including appliances, paint or accessories. The new black light fixtures and barstools tie the entire look together.

I love finding the perfect lighting solutions! Using rainglass diffuses the light while adding interest and dimension to the large space. Not only is new lighting a great upgrade to functionality, it's the best jewelry for your space, adding beauty and mood. Previously, this kitchen was shadowy and dark with can lights on the high ceilings. By adding three new pendants over the bar, we have defined the space and featured the vertical depth in a long horizontal space.

Now that you've had extra time around the house to purge the clutter during the Covid19 lock down, you're probably tired of looking at the same walls and dream about adding some style to your space.

Several of my clients were anxious to transform their space during quarantine and we did remote consultations via Facetime and Zoom. Even before Covid hit, I've provided many remote color consultations and design services nationwide from Phoenix to Fargo.

One interesting remote design project was for clients in Sweden, who were turning their historic Denver landmark into an AirBnB. I helped them with space planning, lighting, paint colors, furniture and art sourcing and selection, and installation coordination and final styling. The home was originally owned by Buffalo Bills' sister and where he ultimately took his final breath. It was fun to research and add touches of the history in the home. Even though the clients were an ocean away, they were involved in the process and thrilled with the results!

Click to see the before and after pictures here.

Imagine building a new home, three states away with so many details to attend to. When it came to design choices and materials, my clients Jan & Mark relied on me to guide the vision and source products to create a custom home beyond boring builder grade.

Thanks to technology and a process built on communication, client service and creative design, we start with a phone conversation about your challenges, design goals, style preferences and your lifestyle. I'll ask you to send me a few pics and we'll set up a time to have a virtual consultation.

If you're having trouble choosing paint colors, we look at swatches together and create your custom color plan and palette.  I'll work with you to identify undertones that are compatible with your flooring, trim, existing hard surfaces and furnishings. I'll make recommendations to bring out the features of your architecture and create flow from room to room.
TIP: Buy paint samples, paint them on foam core and move them around your space during different times of day and lighting conditions. 

Remodeling and redecorating projects are more involved than a color consultation, but many choices in materials, fixtures and furnishings are done via email and digital concept boards that we review together. 

Staging and space planning can be done remotely as well. Some clients need help rearranging their existing furniture and we can create a new look and flow that will make you feel like you are living in a fresh new house! If you are considering selling your home, you'll get top dollar with professional staging recommendations.

Need some curb appeal? Your outdoor spaces add value to your life and your property. Let's create a vision and make a plan. Even if you are a do-it-yourselfer, having a trained eye can help you to stay on course to create an inviting home. Exterior color is an important decision, so if you are ready for new landscaping, roofing, siding or paint, let's talk. I want to help you protect your investment. 

Of course I always love meeting people in their homes, but I'm also effective at working with you remotely, as much of my work for larger projects is done via photos, emails, and phone calls anyway. 

Most of the stores are open now, so you can actually lounge on the sofa before you buy it. Samples and swatches are easier to obtain and contractors are ready to roll.
So what's stopping you?
Let's Get 'Er Done!

Call Me!
Sheri Kaz
414-897-7741 Office

Why do certain colors trend? Have you noticed, that you haven't been able to find a pair of hot pink pumps for decades? Want to replace that eggplant bath rug, but can't find that color anywhere anymore?  Color forecasting is done in advance and the entire manufacturing industry jumps on board, from fashion, to home decor, to print advertising.

Pantone is recognized worldwide, designers pay attention, The color forecasters gather and talk color, until they come up with the "Color of the Year". Decision by committee. Personally, I feel that the new blue is a bit heavy and depressing for the dawn of a new decade. Yes, we need to feel peaceful, but we also need to feel hopeful. If I was on the international color forecasting board I would block this conservative decision ;) More on Pantone

This 60 year old ranch has had wallpaper in the kitchen since the beginning of time.  When I moved in I knew this was going to be a project. I was encouraged when the top layer came off easily, but the liner was glued on tight. After some trial and error, using steam and various toxic products, I would steam, scrape and peel, still leaving behind a sticky gluey mess. I decided to work with more natural products like baking soda & vinegar to get the paste off. It was very tedious and time consuming. This was going to be an extra tough job.
I had to find a better way...

This is a messy job. I found that old Amazon boxes worked better than ruining my drop cloths to absorb the water and paste and could be easily moved as I worked around the room. You have to be careful using steam as to avoid saturating the drywall too much.

Finally, I stumbled upon the tip of using FABRIC SOFTENER. Whaaaat? Certainly more pleasant than DEP or industrial chemicals.  I put it in a spray bottle, steamed the area, squirted on the fabric softener, let it sit a while a then worked with the steamer and a wide putty knife to scrap the gooey paste off the wall. It worked like Magic!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO STRIP WALLPAPER
Cardboard floor protection
Steamer
Fabric Softener in a spray bottle
Wide putty knife
Old rags or newspaper to clean the goo off of the putty knife
Scotchbright Scrubbing  pad
TSP or Spic & Span (use rubber gloves)
A bucket or two

WASH BEFORE PAINTING
Once you have the glue scrapped off, you'll want to wash the walls with Spic and Span, TSP, or baking soda to get the residue off so the primer/paint will adhere. I used a blue scotch bright pad and gently scrubbed, and follow up with another spic and span wash with a clean cloth.  I touch each area while it is still damp to see if its sticky and go over it again, until it is clean.

MORE TIPS To Make Wallpaper Removal Faster.
Work a small area at a time. The process will go much faster with 2 or 3 people. One to steam, one to scrape and one to freshen the buckets and provide refreshments.
Make sure the walls are completely dry before priming. I wait 48 hours.
Avoid plumbing problems, beware of dumping gluey water down the drain. 
From start to finish, this small kitchen took well over 60 (wo)man hours, so plan accordingly.

With fall approaching we all scramble to enjoy those final warm days and before you know it you'll be planning your holiday festivities. Now is the time to start thinking about your interior home improvements, before the hectic holidays. Autumn is the perfect time to refresh your home. If you are considering adding a fresh coat of paint, why not consider a new color palette?  Too overwhelming? I can help. Time to remodel, reorganize, rearrange or shop for furniture? Let me help you get your home ready for the holidays, now!

​Well, I did it!
I made the move from Denver to Wisconsin. It was a very Merry Christmas with family and friends, to be followed by a long stretch of bitter cold that has not ended. I’m happy to look for houses while sitting by the fireplace. Thank God for Zillow, Realtor.com and hot tea!
 
Of course I am excited to dive into the interior design community here in the Milwaukee area and start to get acquainted with new people, suppliers and vendors. In the meantime, as I browse through the real estate listings, I see that realtors and homeowners in the area could be greatly helped with a two-hour interior design consultation.
 
People generally think that interior designers are only for the extremely wealthy. Not true!  A $250 consultation can dramatically change the look of your space, and save you money. ​Many people prefer to do it themselves, but need ideas, guidelines and

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As I have been in the preparing to put my house up for sale, the purging and packing process has been much more than I anticipated. Just when you think you’ve accomplished a great deal, you open another cabinet, drawer or storage bin to find things you haven’t dealt with in years.
 
Many of my clients go through the same thing when remodeling, getting new flooring or simply want to refresh their décor. Yikes! What to do with all this stuff?

Sometimes we need an event like a move, or remodel to motivate us to go through the junk we’ve been collecting and eventually discarding in our basements. It can be overwhelming, but the tremendous sense of freedom is liberating when we can release it!
 
Tip #1  Walk through your space and determine the things you absolutely LOVE. Make a mental note of it. If there was a fire, what would you really, really regret losing. Identify your most precious possessions.
 
Tip #2 Speed purge! Grab a box or a bin and put everything you can easily get rid of without a second thought, and put it in the bin (or multiple bins if you’re really in the mood to purge)!
 

Working with a professional paint color consultant may seem extravagant to some people, until they actually do! I've had many clients who have tried to go it alone, ending up with multiple paint samples scattered all over their walls and call in frustration. Painting your home or office can be a major expense and none of us want to make a mistake.

Sherwin Williams just put out this infographic about paint color. It's no surprise that millennials value the advise of an expert. They want their space to look awesome, and realize that it's tricky to get it right. Color is an art & a science!  Most people don't have the patience, experience or skill to nail it the first time. So why not call in someone who geeks out on color all day, every day?  Ultimately, by investing a few hours of time with a color consultant or interior designer, you can save time and money, and have a beautiful looking designer home that will wow your guests.

So, if you are considering investing in painting your space, I highly recommend investing in your vision first.

Sheri Kaz
Color Consulting and Interior Design

People always ask me, "What are the most popular paint colors?". Interior design trends come and go, taupe, beige, grey, greige. One year white cabinetry is all the rage, next year it will look tired. My advice is to choose colors that work for your home and your spirit. Yes, your spirit!

Color has a magical ability to speak to us. Color influences the products we purchase. Your paint scheme can portray a soft elegance or a vibrant environment. What does your spirit need and what colors are you drawn too?

If you want more energy in your office, consider yellow or orange. If you need your office to be calmer, greens, blues and deeper colors like a shade of brown may be soothing.

When looking for the best room colors you'll want to consider how the light plays in the room. Look at the natural light coming in from your windows as well as the lamps and overheads in your space. What time of day do you use this room, how do you want to "feel" in the space?

Just changing the color temperature of your light bulbs will change the way your paint color looks. A cream colored lampshade will make your paint look different than a white or black lampshade. Oh the magic of color and light!

Color is also affected by the colors surrounding it. In a house with large windows, surrounded by evergreens, any paint will reflect the green during the day. We can make adjustments looking at the undertone of a color to get the effect you ultimately want. (We'll explore more on the subject of metamerism later.)

If you are looking for the best paint colors for your home interior or business, give me a call. Paint color consulting is my specialty! We'll create the perfect palette for you to work, live and play in!

Sheri Kaz
Color and Interior Design

When the Delectable Egg called me to help them design their new restaurant, I was thrilled. The new space boasted a ratty beach vibe. As I began to learn more about the brand, I felt we had a huge opportunity to make the space fun, happy and memorable. I wanted it to sparkle.

This is a breakfast and lunch restaurant. The owners had never worked with an interior designer before, and I had never designed a restaurant before, but I had a vision!

SPARKLE!! From lighting fixtures and furnishings to paint colors and art, I was on a mission to find the perfect finishes that would brighten up their customers' day!

The Delectable Egg loves supporting artists and features rotating installations in the other restaurants. As a result, their walls were badly damaged and occasionally the show was too scary for a breakfast vibe!

I sourced fun artwork for their permanent collection and gave them a dedicated wall with a hanging system for their guest artists convenience.

Have you ever struggled to choose a paint color, or to arrange the furniture for a better flow?
And, what about that photo wall or built in bookcase, far from looking like an after shot from HGTV?

Perhaps you plan to remodel your kitchen, or add an addition. Working with an interior designer can save you time, money and frustration. Most people don't have the time to spend hours searching for the best finishes. You're making an investment in your home, why wouldn't you solicit the help of a professional to ensure that your final result is better than you could have ever imagined?
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My clients have often told me, "hiring you, was the best money I ever spent!". They are pleasantly surprised at how fun I make the process, taking away their stress and the agony of indecision.

We work together, to find their style, create a vision and source the right products to work with their budget. 
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I'm absolutely delighted when my clients say "Wow, I would have never thought of this on my own".

That's my job and my gift...  to see the possibilities, find solutions, and bring a vision to your project.