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.

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.

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...

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)!