HomeWorks by Kelly

04/10/2020

T2021 Lighting Design Trends -Part 2: 🌟

We've been exploring the different lighting choices you'll see appearing in stores and in homes next year.

Organic Materials - lights featuring natural materials bring warmth and authenticity into your space. Expect to see more fixtures made of bamboo, wicker, glass and marble.

Circle Spheres - welcome back! Globe shaped lighting makes an appearance about every 20 years or so, and it's trending to become one of the biggest design trends in 2021. What makes this familiar shape new are the materials they are made of. We're seeing high-shine metals and metallic glass.

Statement Fixtures - bold designs and bright colors are appearing in lighting showrooms on the larger, statement fixtures we're seeing. Pro tip: when choosing a large statement fixture, start by measuring the length and width of the room in feet. Add these two measurements together. This is the approximate width your chandelier should be, in inches. For instance, if your room is 10 feet wide and 12 feet long, your chandelier should be about 22 inches across.

02/10/2020

2021 Lighting Design Trends: 💡

Changing out your lighting is a simple way to freshen up your space without the hassle and expense of a full remodel. Here's what we're hearing from the top design professionals about lighting fixture trends for 2021.

1) Geometric Shapes - fixtures with clear lines and refined forms help update your home and create that minimal, organized look.

2) Free Form Abstract Shapes - Twists and curves are perfect for interiors where simplicity is the focus. They stand out without overpowering the space.

3) Soft Metallic Finishes - They're back! Dome pendants and more in soft, matte metallics are all over the design magazines as we head into the new year. The finish makes even the most affordable fixture look elegant and expensive.

4) Combining Materials & Textures - This one's going to be big. Look for wood + metal or steel + ceramic to be everywhere next year. They bring a sense of creativity and artistry to your space.

30/09/2020

We'll be talking about light fixture trends you can expect to see in 2021 next month. As a primer, check out this video that explains the best light fixtures for various areas around your home. Designer Julie Khuu has a YouTube channel full of these educational videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bOR7xn1KG4&feature=youtu.be

Please subscribe for my latest in interior design, organization, and style tips: https://bit.ly/2RcwIla Anyone here in need of an upgrade to your regular ol’...

30/09/2020

If you've spent the past several months, inside, at home, you might want a fresh start before the weather turns dark and cold. Take a cue from the color experts at Sherwin-Williams, who just released their 2021 theme "Rhythm of Color - 40 trendy colors, broken up into four palettes.

#1 Warm, Nature-Inspired Neutrals - the Sanctuary palette emphasizes wellness and rest with warm, plucked-from-nature colors.

#2 Rich Earth Tones - The Encounter collection also pulls colors from nature with earth tones for a modern bohemian aesthetic.

#3 Fresh Modern Hues - the Continuum palette features bright, punchy colors and cool neutrals.

#4 Happy Jewel Tones - the Tapestry palette is made up of brilliant pinks, blues, and greens. It embraces a modern maximalist look.

Explore the whole collection at the Sherwin Williams site: https://zcu.io/IMxN

29/09/2020

How do you know who is a "good" GC if you've never looked for one before? Here are the questions I would expect to hear if I was in the running for your renovation:

1. Are you licensed? Ask for a copy and check that it's up-to-date and they are registered in your state.

2. Do you have insurance? This question is a MUST. Next make sure you know what KIND of insurance and how much coverage they carry.

3. How long have you been running your own crew? Are they a one-person show or do they have 20 people working for them? Manpower and availability affect their ability to get things done.

4. May I see your references? Get the list and ask to visit an in-process job. Check out how the crew works together and how the job site looks.

5. Will you use subcontractors? Most general contractors have subcontractors. It's still best to ask how it all operates.

6. Do you give written warranties? Ask what happens if something goes wrong. If the answer is “We’ll go back in and fix it”, then you’re all set. Get this in writing in the contract. If you get a bad feeling here, look elsewhere.

7. Have you ever declared bankruptcy? A quick online background check confirms this easily, and shows any disciplinary actions. Personal issues can get in the way of finishing your job.

8. What's the most complicated job you have done? This speaks to experience and helps you know if they're a good fit for the scope of your project. You don't want to be paying someone to learn on your job.

9. How do you communicate? Ask; “How often should I expect to hear from you and in what way?" If they say, “I’ll call you daily or email you weekly or we can do a job site visit each week or I'll text you photo updates”, those are all pretty good answers. Ask first and don’t lead with the answer that you are hoping to hear.

10. How do you clean up? Trust and verify. Make that site visit first and see how it looks. If it’s a mess, that's a future liability for you and looks bad to the neighbors.

Ask: “How do you end the day and the whole job? ” Evaluate the answer and then make your decision.

28/09/2020

Want to bring a touch of modern to your current space? Here are 4 simple, cost effective ways to do that RIGHT NOW!

1) Get yourself a big MIRROR - An easy way to add some sleek, updated geometry to your space is to find a large mirror and make it the focal point. They’re easy to find and hang. And a large mirror can do wonders in opening up a space, making it a good option for small spaces.

2) Buy geometric LIGHTING fixtures - intricate lighting fixture breathe life into any room. Sleek caged designs with industrial-style exposed bulbs are still popular and retro sunburst designs are making a comeback. Light fixtures are also fairly easy to replace, but they look like you did some major hardware overhauls in your space.

3) Change your ART- An easy way to update a space without doing anything too drastic is changing the art. To set a new tone, try out some abstract art. The bold geometry gives a stark, updated look to a space through its color, raw emotion and eye-grabbing designs. Abstract art can also serve a design purpose. For instance, the piece in the photo above matches the white and blue colors in the rest of the space well.

4) Combine different NEUTRALS - Neutrals on trend in today's updated, contemporary spaces and these relaxed tones won’t go out of style soon. White rugs can balance cream throw pillows. Gray fabric on furniture and wood decor accents adds geometry to the space.

14/09/2020

Remember the small but mighty concrete sink that saved our Capital Hill remodel?
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Here's a look at the finished home.
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As we moved through our plans to create a dressing room, laundry area, updated kitchen and a second powder room, we also discovered a hidden fireplace.
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Now it's both a valuable design feature and a connection to the history of the home.

07/09/2020

This kitchen and bath remodel was the cure for a case of home sicknesses. The owners missed their large home in Idaho, known for stunning landscapes, vast wilderness and plenty of outdoor recreation.
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Our design created more open spaces and incorporated the high end appliances and fixtures you'd expect in a luxury home.
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The kitchen design centered around the handsome natural quartzite countertops which we chose first. It's often mistaken for marble or granite, with its delicate veining and colors. This stone lends a more "natural feel" to the space that also compliments the warm tones in the natural hickory floorboards.
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A completely re-configured bath allowed for a new makeup vanity, expanded shower and strategic placement of the soaking tub next to the large frosted windows. Now they have plenty of space, natural light and privacy.

05/09/2020

Can you believe it's already Labor Day Weekend? It feels like Summer just got here.

While we hope you can enjoy the holiday that honors the laborers who helped build this country, we acknowledge this has been a tough year for lots of Seattle workers.

If you're situation doesn't allow for time off this year or you're facing job insecurity and income loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to say we're so sorry and you deserve better.

You've been more than our clients and colleagues. We've been neighbors for more than 20 years. It's our hope that these unfortunate events will lead to new and better opportunities and we hope that day comes soon.

04/09/2020

This small but mighty concrete sink helped us turn a tiny Capital Hill 1 bed/1 bath apartment into a home with 2 bathrooms, a dressing room and a LAUNDRY ROOM!
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Yeah, we did that!
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You don't need a magician to turn your current space into the home of your dreams. You need a good architect, an experienced general contractor and a professional team to help your realize your plans.
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Schedule a discovery meeting and learn what's possible for your home.
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28/08/2020

What are the mission critical things you should know about a remodel to avoid unnecessary problems and costs?
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#3 - Create a Clear Vision for Your Project
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Tiles, appliances, fixtures - it's a lot to think about but the project goes smoothly when the vision is clear and shared. It's helpful to your designer and general contractor if you come to the meeting with some ideas about what you're hoping to achieve.
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Sharing Pinterest boards, magazine clippings, photos from showroom visits, and/or material samples helps us, help you. Don’t be afraid to start making a vision board for your remodel.

26/08/2020

Every year on August 26, we commemorate the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granting women full and equal voting rights by celebrating National Women’s Equality Day.
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As a woman owned business, and a mother, I celebrate this day and the deep debt of gratitude I owe the women that came before me who worked their buns off to make sure this happened.
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Did you know the holiday might not exist if one representative's mother hadn't convinced him to cast the deciding vote to pass the 19th amendment?
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It all came down to a single vote in the Tennessee legislature on August 18, 1920.
For amendments to pass then, three-fourths of the 48 states at the time needed to ratify it within their own governments. Tennessee, which would've been the 36th state to pass it, was gridlocked.
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Harry T. Burn, a 24-year-old state representative, had planned to vote against the amendment. But in his pocket, he kept a letter from his mother Febb, who'd asked him to "be a good boy" and vote for the amendment that would grant her the right to vote for legislators like her son, according to the National Constitution Center.
So he did. And with his "Aye," the 19th Amendment passed nationwide.
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Rep. Bella Abzug called on Congress to commemorate the date the amendment was passed, and in 1971, "Women's Equality Day" was born.