Reference Guide for Standard Heights in Typical Renovations

So many measurement in Design,  while I was building this farm table and writing the how to steps I realized how nice it would be to share a few design tips on standard measurements for a few areas that almost all homeowner who are renovating would need to know. I hope you find this helpful.

Kitchen Area:

Kitchen Counters-- Kitchen counters are typically around 36" finished, including the counter top material.  For taller clients I sometimes set the counters a little taller at 37'- 38".  For a bar height counter island it is typically set at 42"-43".

Kitchen Hoods- Standard hood is between 30"-33" make sure you take into consideration when selecting a hood your height this factor is very important.

Counter depths is typically 24" deep in kitchens and upper cabinets typically hung 16"-18" but I usually like a bit more room more like 19"-20" above counters.

Dishwashers are typically 24" wide

Stoves typically 30" plus I prefer no smaller than 36" and larger if space allows

 

Lighting-- Island Pendants, of course depending not the ceiling height but standard is placing the pendants between 40"-43" above the kitchen island finished counter- depending on the size of the room, ceilings and island size you can place as little as two and as many as 4-5.

Chandelier over Dining room table- of course depending on the scale of the room, the table, the ceiling and the actual chandelier, but typically 36" above the dining table is a god start.

Counter Stools Vs Bar Stools-  Counter stools typically re standard at 24" and bar stools are 30" this is the the measurement from the top of the seat to the floor.  For those styles with arms just double check the arms will fit underneath the counters.

Dining tables. The standard for dining tables are 30" height with dining chairs, stools or benches set at typically 18" but often found between 17"-19"

Bathrooms-- Standard height for bathroom counters is set at 34"-35" 

Bathroom lighting-- I like to use sconces or pendents in bathroom for lighting along with sometime adding a chandelier in the toilet closet or above a bathtub- Sconces set at typically 33"-36" above the sink and pendants between 30"-36" depending on the size and shape of the pendent as well as the height of the person.

Tile in Bathroom-- Typically with using tile as a wainscot or any material for that manner it is installed at a height of 45"-48"

Standard Door  are typically 6'8" x3'

Counter depths is typically 24" deep in kitchens and 22" in bathrooms

 

 

 

Just a Few Kitchen Trends for 2017

Kitchens have always been the heart and soul of the home, and with todays busy families the space is prime property on the floor plan.  It needs to be functional not only for the cook but for the social gathering which naturally happens within and around the kitchen.   I will share more tips on kitchens but today I wanted to throw out a few kitchen trends that I am using and seeing this year.  Cant wait to see what you all create..

Wondering what color the cabinets should be.   While the top selling cabinets is white, grey is the new white for painted cabinets. And like white there are endless sections of grey tones.  You can mix grey with white, for example a grey island with white cabinets, grey pairs nicely with darker rich tones of stained woods.  

Another trend is oversized fixtures as in oversized lighting over the island, although you may think they are out of proportion with the space they actually provide depth and drama in the room.  Adding larger drawer pulls to the cabinets also creates this same feeling.

Double Islands- Yes you heard me right. Double islands are a hot trend for larger kitchens. Adding a second island is replacing the standard dinette table area creating a perfect seating area with more usable storage and counter space, of course the space required to pull this trend off  is not for most kitchens but when you do have the space go for it.

My favorite quartz,  Caesarstone introduced a line of 6 neutrals in the grayish-beige tones "greige" my favorite is "linen" for contemporary designs which is still warm.  Quartz is nonporous and are resistant to heat, spills, scratches, making it a perfect counter choice for busy families. Remember balance cool and warm color tones against the cabinet colors selected to give a little interest and balance.

For the timeless addition to your kitchen design incorporate the Kohler apron front cast-iron sink, giving the farmhouse look.  Kohler offers this sink in a variety of colors to pair with your overall color scheme and adds timeless focal point to the space. I love this sink because it is deep making it very functional for cleaning up large dishes and pots.

 

Tips on Selecting Rug Sizes

Size:  This tends to be a common question and mistake made my clients.   A good rule of thumb is to base your rug size of the smallest wall in the room and subtract 2’.   For example if you have a 10 x 16 room your rug size be no smaller than 8x14.

 

Dining Rooms:  The rule of thumb is the rug should extend at least 18” past the ends and sides of the table to accommodate the chairs when they are pulled out when in use and still remain on the rug.

Large Rooms: Select a rug which works within the overall use of the space, for example a large room may be set up in two separate conversation areas thus rather than one large rug you would place two rugs to appropriate size for the separate spaces although both in one room

Bedrooms: Incorporate runner rugs on each side of the bed or select a larger rug and place it with 1/3 of the rug under the bed.

White is White Right? Tips on choosing the right white for your walls

You want white walls. The easiest color to pick right? That is until you walk into the paint store and see a entire section dedicated to whites and you all the sudden realize white is not white and this is not a easy as you thought.  There are a lot of different hues in the white category: Cream, pearl, snow, vanilla, ivory, bone, linen the list goes on.

One of the hardest colors to choose is white believe it or not. Did you know there is more than 150 shades of white in Benjamin Moore alone, not to mention the hundreds more in the other popular paint lines.

Here are a few tips:

Pure whites tend to often times make you feel very sterile & cold so this is often one that I recommend staying away from.

Whites can be influenced more than other colors by  what the surrounding finishes such as floors, and light. That said, I recommend using a warm white which will bring out the details in the surrounding art and wood work.

 

Always, paint a 2'x2' sample on a board and move around the house at different times of day trust me this little extra step and time will pay off in the end even with whites.

I recommend sticking with a eggshell or flat finish in the white paint, with a few exceptions for rooms which will require easy cleaning.  The reason I recommend these two types of finishes is because white is a cold color you can offset some of the visual effects by using a less reflective sheen which brings a slight level of warmth to the color when the light reflects.  Also, the more sheen the more imperfections you will see in the wall itself.  

 MY GO TO WHITES ARE:

Benjamin Moore-

 Mascapone - A True white when painted on walls but much warmer than the pure white. When put right next to pure white looks a little yellow but alone it is a nice warm white

China White- This is a warm white and often when held up next to pure white looks off0white with grey tones but alone it is a lovely warm white

Decorators White- A great true white that is both warm and modern

 Paper White- This is a color I often use in Bathrooms & Kitchens because it blends nicely with white marbles and the white of sinks, toilet.

Mountain Peak White - A much warmer creamer white used often in older homes, French Inspired Homes or Farmstyle homes

 Swiss Coffee-  The Builders go to white that is sold on the shelves of Home Depot and other home improvement stores.

My favorite Greige color  ( a combination between a grey & Beige) is Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter at a 75% saturation  or the Wise Owl from Kelly Moore at a 75% saturation. These are my two favorite go to neutrals now offset with any of the above whites.