Kristin Drohan Interior Design

Free Advice Friday-Window Treatment Dilemma

I received this email last week from a reader:

Hello Kristin:

Curtains or no curtains?? That is my dilemma for my living room.  I love your stylish design and was hoping to get your advice. 

 

I have (3) three 72" x 36" windows and one large picture window that will be replaced with french doors leading to an outdoor deck.  The problem as you will notice in the pictures attached is 2 of the side by side windows have beams on either side which makes it difficult to hang drapery rods.  The two side by side windows also face the side of the neighbors house so I never open the blinds all the way.  The one window in between the floor mirrors faces the front of the house.

 

Thank you so much.

 

Kind regards,

Rose

I know why Rose is having a problem.  Hey, note to all the builders out there.  Don't try this at home. It is lovely to have beams, but cutting them in around the window frame is curious.  Unfortunately, curtains are not an option.  Some gorgeous silk Parisian pleat panels would have been a beautiful addition to an already gorgeous room. There just isn't a way to hang them.  Here is my solution.  Find a really rich neutral fabric with a some shimmer and have roman shades made with the Highland Court greek key tape along the edges.  They have both the Pear and the Amethyst color ways that Rose has used as accents in her room. 

 

It never ceases to amaze me, the various difficult design challenges created by builders (not all of them, I know there are great ones).  Another favorite of mine, is when they add a bay window to a space and then not adjust the electrical location for the chandelier.  What builder imposed dilemas have you faced?  I'll be joinging Paula Grace for Timeless Tuesday.  Join us.
 

Summer Fruitini and rooftop decks

I just got back this weekend from working in DC last week, and it finally feels like summer is around the corner in Boston.  I'm not gonna lie to you,  no matter how mentally and physically prepared I tried to be, the weather in Boston has been... challenging.   With warmer weather in mind, I thought I'd share my latest martini recipe with you.  It tastes like summer. 

Summer Fruitini (But you can drink it all year round)

1 part Lemon Vodka

1 part Raspberry Vodka

1 part X Rated Pink Fusion (the best creation ever)

1 part Rose's Lime Juice or homemade lemon lime simple syrup

Rim glass with raspberry sugar and garnish with a lemon candy slice

 

I have a really good friend who likes to make stuff from scratch.  She even made her own baby food.  I can totally appreciate that, and wish I was that kind of Mom.  Sadly, I am not.  While giving her this recipe the other day, she told me that it could possibly be improved by using homemade lemon lime simple syrup instead of the Rose's Lime.  She is probably right.  I have not tried this recipe, (shocking) but I'm sure it is awesome.  Those of you who take this extra step, need to let me know if it is worth it.  I'm only going there if it is truly better and worth the extra step.  Let me know. 

Homemade Lemon Lime Simple Syrup

2 Cups Water

1 Cup Sugar or Agave Nectar

1 Cup fresh lime juice

1 Cup lemon juice

Bring the juices and water to a boil.  Turn off water and stir in sugar until it dissolves. 

I have to make this relevant to a design blog.  Where to drink this? How about a rooftop garden.  While my husband and I were visiting my SIL and her family in Paris last spring, we took these pics from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.   I wonder who these people are.  What do they do?  I want to drink my martini here.

 

One of my favorite new TV shows to watch is Selling NY.  I am smitten.  When these likable real estate agents are showing 2 bedroom condos to a 30 something couple in the price range of 2-3 million, it just fascinates me.  They have shown some pretty amazing rooftop/outdoor spaces on the show.  One even had a pool.  I think the price tag was somewhere in the 25-30 million range for that property.   I couldn't find any outdoor pics from the show but I did find some NYC representation.

Are you ready for summer?  I'm joining Paula Grace for Timeless Tuesday.  We both worked too much last week but we did have some fun. 

Free Advice Friday-kitchen counter tops

A reader writes:

Hi, Re-doing kitchen to include new cabinets, gunstock oak flooring, stainless appliances. What color countertop do you recommend? Should I get something med/dk brown quartz or keep it lighter. The kitchen cabinets are Maple--Cream Glaze (Cream colored or off-white with just an almost invisible lighter cream/white glaze). The flooring, unless you talk me out of real hard wood for a kitchen floor, will be gunstock oak-see attached. I've had people tell me not to put real wood in a kitchen, so...that's still up in the air based of further advice. Wall color and dinette color/material, I will try to figure out once I get a handle of what to do for counter top. Thank you so much! 

I will definitely not talk you out of real wood flooring.  I prefer it to be eco friendly... made of reclaimed wood or wood that has been sustainably forested.  I have test driven every type of  kitchen flooring  in my 8 military moves.   I love wood the best.   On to the counters.  I like to keep the counters neutral and devoid of any specific color, especially if you are considering a move in the future.  FYI, the inquirer, prefers Black to Brown.  With that in mind,  I have given her a few options.

In the classic options, I've given her a Sensa granite and marble.  Sensa Granite has a long term stain protection built into it so that it doesn't have to be sealed. When I choose granite, I look for the color of the elements going into the kitchen within the stone.  For example,  I look for the tone of any wood or the color of the appliances.  I like it to have a little silver shimmer if the appliances are stainless.   Marble is a classic, sophisticated choice.  Beware, however,  marble does stain rather easy.  Some like the patina this creates over time.  I currently have marble in my kitchen.  If it is sealed, you can get most stains out.  I don't mind the character.  If you have little kids or lean type A, this is not the counter surface for you. 

There are some really awesome new eco friendly options out there too.  I have shown two Ceasarstone options which are made from 17 - 35 percent recycled glass and quartz.  For performance and function is doesn't get any better than quartz.  It is stain resistant and doesn't require sealing.  It is heat, scratch and chip resistant too.  The last option is a high constrast, surface from Eco.  This is made from 75 percent post-industrial recycled raw materials.  It too has all the attributes of the Ceasarstone.  The Black makes this a dramatic choice.  My three favorites are the Marble, Chocolate Truffle and the Black.  The marble is dressy and beautiful.  The Chocolate Truffle has every color element of the kitchen in it.  It has Silver for the appliances, a warm Russet for the tone of the wood, Cream for the cabinets, and a hint of Black.  You just can't go wrong with Black counters and Cream cabinets.  It isn't for everyone, but I like the drama.  I  can't wait to see what the reader chooses.  What would you pick?  I'll be joining Paula Grace for Timeless Tuesday and then for real martinis Thursday night. 

 

Minutes Matter Before and After

Some of the designers that read my blog have asked what software program I use for my renderings.  I have even had calls in regards to the software.  I use Minutes Matter Studio.  I have even used it to design my furniture pieces.  For the past 6 weeks I have been taking an advanced class in the midst of all the craziness of High Point.  It has been overwelming.  I turned in my project yesterday and wanted to share with you my progress after taking the class. 

Here is the before.  As you can see, I had a little trouble importing images and removing the backgrounds.  There are other issues too, but those are the most obvious.  I'm actually a little bit embarrassed by this attempt, now that I know what I'm doing.

 Now the after. I learned how to use perspective and shadows.  It is so much better.  Both my E Decorating and full service clients will benefit from these newly acquired skills.

 What a difference.  I think it turned out really nice.  I used Bungalow 5 bedside chests,  Arteriors lighting, Robert Allen fabrics, and a Gucci bag.  You can go crazy with this software.   I am so glad I invested in this class.  BTW, you know I don't get anything for endorsing stuff on my blog.  I'm joining BNOTP for Met Monday and Paula Grace for Timeless Tuesday.  Hop on over to their great blog party's.