Heartfelt Happy Holidays!

A front porch view from Milwaukee Interior Designer and Color Consultant, Sheri Kaz.

414-897-7741

Craving a cozy corner? Ready to warm up a decade of grey? Time for a change?
Wisconsin winters can feel dreary and cold, but you don't have to feel like you are living in an igloo.

See how this cool blue room instantly becomes inviting with Arizona Tan by Benjamin Moore. Like the glow of candle light, these comforting tones warm the space.

As a Milwaukee Paint Color Consultant and Interior Designer, I'll help you choose the perfect paint color to warm up your room.
This color was chosen to work with the new furniture I found to create a welcoming AirBnB.

Not only did a deeper hue show off the historic crown molding and architectural features, it created a sunny warmth in this Victorian home.
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Sheri Kaz is a trained color specialist in Milwaukee metro, serving Greenfield WI, Greendale WI, Franklin WI, Hales Corners, Oak Creek WI, Muskego, Mukwonago, New Berlin WI, Brookfield WI, Wauwatosa and Waukesha County.
Call 414-897-7741 to book your personal color consultation for your interior design and home renovation projects.

I've been searching for a mid-century style flooring replacement for my Wisconsin 70's linoleum kitchen flooring for some time, This is the closest I've found. Vintage-look vinyl flooring mats at Hudson&Vine. This is basically a washable area rug. The largest size these floorcloths come is 10' x 10'. At $10+ a Sq Ft just unroll it for an instance new look.

They have hundreds of flooring styles, beyond mid-mod. Several would've looked gorgeous in my 1906 kitchen. From Williamsburg 18th Century Joinery to stunning patterns for Deco-style flooring, you can find a style from every decade and color palette. Historic home lovers are sure to find something to compliment their decor. Browse the options and let me know what you think!

I haven't purchased this product, so I don't know about the quality or durability of it.
If you have experience with it, please add to the comments below. We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Warm and comforting, Redend Point invites us to relax.
Click to explore Sherwin-Williams

Cheerful and warm, Raspberry Blush brings depth and boldness to a space.
Check out the Benjamin Moore fun accompanying playlist and color trends.
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​Click read more to see Behr and Glidden Color Trends

The night before Thanksgiving, my best friend Jan hosts a party. This year, the halls were decked out, the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, dining room and of course the great room and even the garage! Festive and magical!

Jan has countless bins to hold her collection! Each year there are new surprises - recent acquisitions from thrift stores, marketplace, end of season sales and gifted family heirlooms passed on, to a woman who cherishes everything about the holidays.
I was inspired to take a couple of pictures to share her joy. Beautiful!

    So many choices...
Quartz, Granite, Soapstone, Concrete, Butcher Block, Laminate, Engineered Surfaces
   
   So many things to consider...
Function, Beauty and Budget

   Some things you may not have considered...
Longevity - durability, maintenance, trends.
Sustainability - Granite, Soapstone, and Marble are mined and shipped. Recyclability. Renewability.
Availability - Supply chains issues, made in America

   Some things that matter...
Fabrication
Ease of installation
Variety

   So what's the best material for countertops for you...
I was recently introduced to Thinscape by Wilsonart and I'm excited to share my new found knowledge about this innovative and sensible option.

I'm grateful to the Wilsonart rep, and snagged these images off of the ASID Thinscape Product Spotlight Presentation. Thank You!
This product is nice to the touch and very impressive. It's sleek and sustainable, pretty and practical. 

Perfect for restaurant tables, kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, conference room tables, and more.
​I have samples that I can show you!

Color has the power to make us feel whether we know it consciously or not.
For instance, for decades I have used this trick - when I’m feeling tired, puny or sick and need to act and look alive, I reach into the closet to find hot pink or fuchsia. You may argue that it’s psychological, and I would have to agree!

The color of art may draw us in like a magnet. Poppies in a field, a calm blue lake, a bold abstract make us feel. Not just the subject matter, but the colors the artist has chosen will either resonate with us, or won’t.

The hue of a room has the ability to lift us up, calm us down or depress us. Consider a cloudy day versus a sunny day. Lighting in your space is important to your mood, whether it’s natural or artificial light.

The psychology of color is proven and I can’t help but to wonder... has this glacial trend of gray, dominating the interior design industry, contributed to the depression of a nation?

Having come from a climate with 300 days of sunshine a year to the Midwest, I’m shocked and surprised by how many homeowners jumped on the grey bandwagon, only to create a drab space, without regard to undertones.

My prescription for seasonal depression, is color!
Choosing the right hues and tones can make a huge difference in your outlook and mental health.

What are the best Gray Paint Colors by Benjamin Moore?
Considering using gray in your home? There are things to consider and the best tip I can give you is to look for the  undertones.
You can look at 20 different swatches of gray all in the same tonal value. They are all a little different. The undertones you are seeing is what makes them appear different (unless you are actually colorblind) and you may wonder how they will look on something as large as the walls of your room.
More importantly -  how will it make you feel?

UNDERTONES MATTER
When choosing grays, understanding undertones can help you achieve the feeling you want in your space.
I've chosen examples from Benjamin Moore. Go to your nearest Ace Hardware and pull a few of these swatches to help you decide, as monitor colors may not be true.

Green is trending right now in interior design with so many beautiful options. If you are brave enough to go deep and bold, it will always be soothing.

My clients are art collectors, but the pale walls diminished their amazing pieces. With my  encouragement they understood how a deep shade of green would pop their prized collection.

The rich hues brought an elegant sophistication to the space, showing off their beautiful furniture and art.

Lately I’ve had several clients almost embarrassed to call me for help. Like Vicki and Tom from Oak Creek, Wisconsin. “We moved into our mother’s home after she passed away and want to make it our own. We have a limited budget and want to do it ourselves, but need some guidance.” #affordableinteriordecorator

They were overwhelmed. She needed a vision for her home and didn’t know how or where to begin. Vicki was wise to call an interior designer.

I walked into the typical Southeast Milwaukee suburban ranch home, built in the early 60’s. Mauve carpet and floral drapes with elaborate swags greeted me. The kitchen was painted in a playful shade of pink with matching countertops. The family room had faded paneling and worn carpeting that needed to be replaced.

These empty nesters were ready for a new life. I asked the usual questions about how they use each space, what is working for them, what needs to change. We talked about materials, layouts and colors.

When the host of the VRBO house double-booked our reservation for our trip to the “Garden Bloggers Fling” in Madison, Wisconsin, our only option was to stay in a hotel. Traveling with my dog, Missy, I looked forward to staying in a pet-friendly peaceful home. The stressful scramble to find new accommodations, turned out better than I could have imagined.
VRBO booked us in the Hotel Indigo at 901 E. Washington Street.

I feared this would be a stinky noisy college hotel, filled with party goers that would provoke unwanted barking. The entrance was tucked in the back with a well appointed patio sheltered from the noise of the busy street out front. Missy came bouncing in to meet her new friends whom greeted us with cheerful Midwest hospitality.

What? Wait, where am I?
This is wonderful!
There was a huge paint can on the backdrop of the reception desk. I wasn't sure if we were in the right place. Paint brushes, color swatches and memorabilia from the previous occupants lined the display shelves below creating a mini Mautz museum. Having worked in a paint store, I felt right at home!

Need to add some curb appeal or refresh your exterior paint? It's easy to go with the same palette and you might not be able to imagine anything different. Or maybe you're afraid to try something new. But, will the tried and true be the best choice for your house and neighborhood? 

Here's an example of a client that desperately needed a new paint job. White was her obvious choice for this little house. She just wanted the peeling paint to be restored, she sought my advice and here's how we transformed her exterior to add curb appeal. She was thrilled and so were her neighbors. Hiring a color consultant really can make a huge difference. 

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.

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 in Hartland Wisconsin 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.

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...

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 time consuming and expensive 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

UPDATE: Click to see the 2023 Paint Color Trends

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.