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!

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.

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.