“I guess it goes to show that you just never know where life will take you. You search for answers. You wonder what it all means. You stumble, and you soar. And, if you’re lucky, you make it to Paris for a while.”― Amy Thomas, Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light
Well, it just so happened that life took one of our clients on a vacation and they were lucky enough to travel to Paris, France. In midst of their trip, they stumbled into a Parisian café where the couple fell in love with the décor, the warm colors, textures and the intricate details in the tile work. They knew instantly that this “look” was exactly what the
y wanted for their kitchen remodel. The client came to Grossmueller’s Design with their their ideas and photos and we made their dream kitchen become a reality.
In Parisian style décor, it conveys heavy emphasis on the details and on the quality of the furnishings, followed by function. Starting on a smaller scale but has major impact, we designed a custom hexagon tile floor. It includes terracotta and cream colored rosettes in the center with a decorative border tying in green and black, on a crisp, white background. Each tile was hand laid, giving the floor that old world feel. Keeping with the artisan touch, Grossmueller’s Design specified custom cabinets with two-toned wooden stains with black painted beading in between the two finishes to add that “furniture-like” feel that is a classic trait in Parisian kitchens. These cabinets create a strong focal point in the kitchen yet allow for the other visual textures and finishes to resonate beautifully together. Balancing off the cabinets is the original, brick fireplace. We updated the brick by painting it a warm, creamy yellow and added custom built-ins with glass doors that complement the kitchen cabinets. This provides functional storage yet allows for the client to beautifully display their art and collectibles at the same time. Style and function!
To keep with the character of the Parisian theme, we paid close attention to the finishes and accessories. From the porcelain farm sink to the white subway tile for the backsplash to the custom hammered hood above the stove to the oxidized copper pendant hanging above the large, working island to the barley engraved, glass pantry door. All these items combined add that old world character that encompasses the Parisian style that our client was greatly looking to achieve. Now they get to experience a Parisian café every day and their fond memories, old and new. We at Grossmueller’s Design encourage you to surround yourself in a home that you love. And if you’re not quite sure how to achieve that, we would be happy to help make your dream home become a reality. Au revoir!
Deciding to Move or Improve
Should we move or should we improve? This age old question is one that ultimately arises when contemplating a renovation. While somewhat protected in the Washington DC market, for the rest of the country, the question becomes even more challenging in today’s economy with lots of factors to consider.
For most, it seems like overnight, the house suddenly feels too small or too large, or your family needs change. Sometimes an older home’s layout doesn’t suit your particular needs, or maybe you have been in the house for a number of years and it’s time for some cosmetic changes. These are just a few of the most common reasons why people consider change.
In meeting with people facing this decision, we advise them to take some time to themselves, sit down with a pad of paper in hand and create a two-column chart. The first column should list all the factors that would play into a decision to move. Personal factors include your neighborhood, schools, and commute. Budget factors include moving costs, real estate commissions, repair costs of your old and new homes, decorating expenses, possible changes in interest rates, and finally the additional cost of the new mortgage. Don’t forget to factor in time—time spent looking for a new home plus time spent selling yours.
In the second column list all the factors that would play into a decision to improve. Many of the personal factors listed above will remain the same, list them. List your likes and dislikes about the house. Determine what it would minimally take to make your home more functional and what would be your most extravagant dream home? How long do you intend on staying in the house? What are your families’s evolving needs going to be? Budget factors will have many variables; how much you are willing to do yourself and how much will the neighborhood bear are starting points to establish a budget that is comfortable for you. Many newsstand home improvement magazines discuss costs of typical projects based on regions of the country. Use these as tools to help determine if the budget you have established for yourself jives with the reality of market cost. What is your borrowing power? What will your involvement be in the process and finally, again, don’t forget to factor in time—time spent selecting a designer/architect, contractor and products, and time spent under construction.
The next step is to assign value to each factor on a scale of 1-10 and then total each column. While it may seem simple, this logical process is only a starting point. It cannot take into account the emotional reactions you will have to either experience. Both moving and improving can be an adventure or a headache, depending on how you look at it. How flexible are you and what your tolerance level is–may actually become factors in your chart. Don’t let the possibilities overwhelm you, use this as a stepping stone to open conversations about what works best for you!
Don’t just take our word for it. Have a look at what other people, magazines, and leading industry professionals are saying about the quality of work and design at Grossmuellers Design Consultants!
http://www.narimetrodc.org/flashback-friday-customized-condo/
Home Advisor
http://www.homeadvisor.com/r/aging-at-home-problems-solutions/#.VyN3JPkrKUl
National Association for the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
blog : NARI Metro DC Chapterhttp://www.narimetrodc.org/category/blog/This basement remodel is fitted with several elements to entertain family and guests in the comfort of the client’s home. First, the curved wood bar with granite top, bar…
COTY Awards : NARI Metro DC Chapterhttp://www.narimetrodc.org/coty-award/The NARI Metro DC Contractor of the Year (Capital CotY) Awards are this area’s most prestigious award in the field of home remodeling, design, creativity and problem solving.…
Qualified Remodeler and Kitchen & Bath Design News
Grossmueller’s Design Consultants in Washington, DC specializes in detail work and the design of kitchen and baths for remodeling. | Kitchen Bath Design Newshttp://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/business/industry-profiles/article/10919075/grossmuellers-design-consultants-in-washington-dc-specializes-in-detail-work-and-the-design-of-kitchen-and-baths-for-remodelingWhen it comes to home remodeling today, the goal is to make a room both beautiful and functional. Room designs need to fit the personality of the homeowner…
DC, MD, VA – Home & Design
The DC Design House Returns | H&D STYLE INSIDER BLOGhttps://homeanddesigndcmdva.wordpress.com/2014/04/11/the-dc-design-house-returns/ On Tuesday—a perfectly crisp and sunny early spring day—the 2014 DC Design House opened its doors to the press. This year, 29 spaces were transformed, and the results are stunning. Many des…
http://www.homeanddesign.com/2014/06/05/show-house-dazzle
Bathroom renovation tips | Stuff.co.nzhttp://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/10053322/Bathroom-renovation-tipsCindy McClure, who works her aesthetic magic at Washington firm Grossmueller’s Design, is one of the US’ top interior designers. Here she answers questions about renovating…