How to Find the Balance Between Timeless and Trendy Interior Design
A common concern we hear from our clients is how they can make selections for their remodel that will not go out of style in the next few years. Selecting finishes and fixtures for your home can be daunting and potentially confusing, especially if you’re worried about making smart and timeless choices. Interior finishes and fixtures are like a wardrobe for your house. Imagine if you had to wear the same outfit every day. What would you pick? I bet it wouldn’t be the bright orange and white striped T-shirt, the hot pink shoes, or the sequin sweater. Even if you love those items of clothing individually, that doesn’t mean they’d look good together, or that you’d love them day after day for 10-30+ years. You might, however, consider adding a bold necklace or bright red socks that add little hints of character to a more neutral backdrop. It’s all about balance. Browsing for Inspiration It’s easy to swoon over inspiration photos – we’ve all been there. Something catches your eye and you find yourself daydreaming about living in that space. The aesthetic might be something you haven’t seen before - it might showcase some crazy chandelier or have a bold paint color on the walls. Not to mention, everything in the photo is tidy and organized, brand new, and the budget was incredibly high. Try to see past the shine and notice what it is specifically that you’d like to see in your new space. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when reviewing inspiration photos: Is there a specific thing in the photo you like OR do you like it’s whole vibe? Is this a style you admire but feels out of your comfort zone? How would your furniture look dropped into this space (if you’re keeping it)? Does it feel like you? Can you see yourself and your household living there? Also, if you’ve been working on a Pinterest board or Houzz ideabook over a long period of time, you may notice that you don’t even like some of the older posts on the page that you were once obsessed with. This is why it’s important to check in with yourself and make sure that what you’ve started liking after spending more time browsing online is still in line with your general style, and not just the latest new thing. Emphasis is Key Find areas where you can have a little fun! Emphasis is key to good design. Rather than picking all unique, brightly colored tiles for the bathroom, use a unique tile just for the backsplash or shower niche against a neutral palette so that it pops. Here are some examples of where it is safer to take risks; most of these items can be swapped out somewhat easily or inexpensively in a few years if you remodel or decide to sell: Cabinet pulls/knobs Paint colors Light fixtures Faucets and shower trim Door levers/knobs Here are examples of where to stick with neutral colors and classic designs: Cabinetry Tile (unless in small quantities) Doors Hardwood flooring Reality Check It might be helpful to contemplate your current or past residences – what did you like or dislike about the design style or selections? Also, think about the logistics of how long you plan to stay in the house. I am all for selecting products that you’re in love with, but consider what the next buyer might think and maybe go more subtle. Most importantly – stick to what feels true to you because it is, after all, your home. Written by: Lauren Groth, Interior Designer with H2D Architecture + Design
Historic Homes in a Modern Age: Remodels and Additions
Edmonds historic home The Northwest and greater Seattle area encompasses many historic buildings from the late 1800s and onward in styles ranging from traditional to international and mid-century. These buildings represent the identity and history of a town and its development, and sometimes pay homage to a particular person, architect, or cultural event. H2D has had the pleasure of working on a couple of registered historic houses and is currently exploring an addition project on a home listed in Edmonds. With the relevancy of this project, we are excited to delve into the guidelines and intentions we consider when rehabilitating historic properties. With most remodels and additions, we are looking at achieving a final project that is three things: Respectful. The new work, whether interior alterations or exterior additions, should be sympathetic to the historic building so as not to overwhelm the significant historic features. The project can be just as fresh and exciting even with a thoughtful and modest approach. Paying closer attention at the beginning to making sure the massing, details, and finishes are compatible with the original is well worth the effort. Contextual. On that note, new finishes, materials, and scale should look to the context of the original building for inspiration. This will not only help to blend the style of the new work with the original compatibly, but it will also help with future modifications and resale; a cohesive house with a nod to its historic elements will be timeless and won’t need to keep up with trends. Functional. Historic homes are updated for a reason: we want more from them to live our lives comfortably. This can mean updating the systems of the home: mechanical, plumbing and electrical; installing insulation in the basement, crawlspace or attic; or installing renewable energy systems like solar collectors. Other areas of the home can be more complex; walls of historic homes were built to breathe and adding insulation or a vapor barrier can sometimes cause issues if done improperly. Windows are usually considered one of the most significant features of a historic home and either the repair or the addition of storm windows is strongly encouraged prior to replacement. More information on windows and how to “green-ify” a historic home can be found on the National Trust blog here and here. Updating historic buildings properly and effectively is important to us! One of the main aspects of the historic house that we consider before beginning a design is its “historic significance”. When a house or building is listed on a historic register, there will be a list of the elements of the house that are considered significant to its history in the nomination. If these elements were to be removed, the house would no longer be considered historic. In most cases this will refer to the exterior of the home which includes the roof shape, windows, siding and trim, and porches or other original features. Understanding which elements are significant helps us to determine what can and cannot change in the new project. To do this, we will review the historic nomination for the house and also take a look at the house’s history from records or even simply walking through the building. This research can point out alterations from a later era that should be evaluated before the new project starts. A thorough approach would look to apply the same level of quality and craftsmanship from the original home and consider removing existing alterations that were designed or constructed poorly. Sympathetic additions may also exist and actually add to the house’s history. Most importantly, new and modern elements should be implemented with the utmost care. New additions shouldn’t destroy or cover historic material or areas considered significant to the history of the house. We look to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Treatment for Historic Properties for our projects which explain these points in much greater depth. If you are considering a renovation on your historic home, we would be happy to consult with you on the project! Ref. https://savingplaces.org/stories/tips-tools-starter-kit-historic-home-renovation#.XS92qehKiUl Written by: Nicole McKernan, Architectural Designer