Dear James: Whenever we use our great room fireplace, some smoke comes out into the room. I am going to add one to the master bedroom. How can I keep the new fireplace from being smoky? -- Ron T. Dear Ron: You definitely are not alone with the problem of a smoky wood-burning fireplace. More than half of fireplaces cause some smoky conditions inside homes, and it is difficult … [Read more...] about Here’s How to Build a Wood Burning Fireplace – Minus the Smoke
Home Interior Design
Tablescapes 101
Designing a tablescape for a special dinner should take into account the decor of the home, the occasion, the food to be served and even the guest list. The beauty of setting a table is that you can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish. Every table can tell a tale -- or set the theatrical background for tales to be made. A tablecloth can be considered the foundation … [Read more...] about Tablescapes 101
Searching For an Architectural Soul
Many think that the architecture of Palm Beach is one that never changes -- building in Palm Beach is no easy task. It is but for a fortunate few who can first and foremost afford it, and secondly jump through Architectural reviews, neighbor's approvals and sometimes a lawsuit or two. Architecture is not taken lightly, and while some see the island as a place where things never … [Read more...] about Searching For an Architectural Soul
Design Options for a Flexible Guest Room
There are many ways to create a flexible guest room. You can often grab inspiration from hotel rooms because they operate from the perspective of providing not only the obviously required bed but also a working desk, comfy seating and a TV. Maybe some of the surfaces are too harsh for home use, but you can adapt the basic ideas easily and turn them into the exact level of … [Read more...] about Design Options for a Flexible Guest Room
Designing a Home Interior That is Perfect For You
As a designer, I am often asked whether I like the interiors of the latest restaurant or the lobby of a hyped hotel. And when I am asked, I'm always cautious to answer. Not because I'm afraid to offend anyone, but rather because as a designer, my "likes" will possibly different. Since the 3rd Century BC in Greece, the expression "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" has … [Read more...] about Designing a Home Interior That is Perfect For You
Home Design – The Space Under the Stairs
Sometimes helpful solutions are hiding in plain sight. It is common to become so familiar with our surroundings that we no longer see them clearly. When you pass by something dozens of times a day, it becomes invisible in a way, so we miss opportunities. What if you challenged yourself to find places with extra function? One of my favorite spaces is the area under the … [Read more...] about Home Design – The Space Under the Stairs
Home Design – Traveling is the Best Source of Inspiration
Traveling is the best source of inspiration for almost any design project. Great designers know how to "borrow" an idea from one place and transform it into something quite fresh and new. When traveling throughout the country and around the world, it is almost impossible to notice that certain colors are a kin to certain places. For example, in the southern United States, … [Read more...] about Home Design – Traveling is the Best Source of Inspiration
Small Space Design – Functional, Beautiful Galley Kitchens are Possible
Galley kitchens are common in many older homes. Houses built before World War II often had very simple layouts with in-kitchen dining at the end of a long narrow room. The challenge for those of us living in such houses is that we now want to load up the limited space with modern amenities that weren't part of the planning back in the day, such as dishwashers, pot fillers, … [Read more...] about Small Space Design – Functional, Beautiful Galley Kitchens are Possible
The Art of Design – Santa Fe Style
Yee-Haw! During the 1990s, there was a fascination with the architecture, interiors and designs inspired in the southwest. The decor came in waves by travel and a rediscovery of places such as Sedona, Taos and Santa Fe. The color palette was filled with earth tones born of the adobe architecture peppered by tones seen in the sky at dusk ranging from faint amethyst to cornflower … [Read more...] about The Art of Design – Santa Fe Style
Home Interior Design – Finessing Your Floors
How much time do we spend looking down? People look down in search of lost coins, but do we focus much on what lies beneath our feet in our homes? If you find your floors attractive, there is no issue. But that is not always the case. Newer apartments generally have carpet with a neutral tone, but loads of older places have genuinely awful flooring. The floor is often … [Read more...] about Home Interior Design – Finessing Your Floors