Atlanta Home Improvement Interview: Behind the Scenes in Our Famous Green Kitchen
We were thrilled to be an Atlanta Home Improvement’s 2020 Kitchen & Bath Contest finalist for our update of our dear friend and photographer, Cati Teague’s, kitchen and bath, and even happier to be interviewed about how we worked our magic.
Read on, why don’t you? And see what we said…
The Kitchen
How long have you been designing kitchens and baths?
We’ve been doing residential design for 8 years now.
What is your general design philosophy when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms?
Kitchens and bathrooms should clearly function for how you want to live. Always start there. After that, let’s have fun! If I have to err on “bland/looks like everyone else’s” or “personality/makes you happy”, we are going to push you toward happiness all day long.
What is a common mistake homeowners make when redesigning their kitchen or bath?
Not doing their homework. I have all my clients create idea boards of spaces they love on Houzz or Pinterest or Instagram so I can see what common elements they love. If 80% of the kitchens on your board have warm wood cabinets, then it’s a no-brainer that you should go that direction. So get creative and have fun!
What was the most challenging part of the kitchen design?
We needed it to make a statement, and we believed it was all about finding the right tile for the feature wall. Needless to say, we’re very happy with the final result!
What were the client’s needs for her kitchen and, in the end, her favorite feature(s) of your design?
The kitchen needed new, better functioning cabinets, and it needed to be a standout, aesthetically. In the end, the cabinets, countertops, and an island were just what she needed — and of course, the tile was the real showstopper. The other design elements were a great nod to the main event: A perfect blend of style and function!
Did you have a special look, feeling, or feature in mind when crafting this space? What was your inspiration?
For this kitchen’s design inspiration, my client pulled things from her house — succulents, black-and-white needlework in a wood frame, a copper timer, and a brass penny dish — as inspiration. Those elements all looked so beautiful together that they became the basis of this design.
Please list four manufacturers of pieces in your kitchen design (lighting, cabinets, tile, vanity, etc).
Here, we used Seneca Tiles from Traditions in Tile, Dove Studio Cabinets, Schoolhouse hardware, and Silestone perimeter countertops (and a custom cement island).
Can you give homeowners three tips to help create a similar kitchen design?
If you want to do a tile wall like this one, it will look best if there’s a clear accent wall and enough space to do it justice. If you have those elements, then go for it! Find a color or pattern that makes you happy and let that take center stage. Then, keep the other aspects on the neutral side and play with different types of metals (yes, you can mix and match).
The Bathroom
What was the most challenging part of the bathroom design?
We wanted it to feel restful and artistic. Overall, finding the right colors, wall coverings, art, and rugs were a huge part of this project.
What were the client’s needs for her bath and, in the end, her favorite feature(s) of your design?
This bathroom started with the gorgeous bathtub — the steel-skirted tub was the real impetus of that room. We took out an old vanity that spanned an entire wall and put in two sinks and a gorgeous new vanity on the other side, leaving room for this incredible bathtub experience.
Did you have a special look, feeling, or feature in mind when crafting this space? What was your inspiration?
After starting with that stunning bathtub, we went with a great textural wallpaper and paint color and added wainscoting to accent. Then, we brought in simple warm accents like art, rugs, and that fabulous lighting and vanity, which really dressed it up.
Please list four manufacturers of pieces in this bathroom design (lighting, cabinets, tile, vanity, etc).
We used a Three Rivers Trading Bathtub, Innovations Wallpaper, Farrow & Ball Paint, and Oly Lighting.
Can you give homeowners three tips to help create a similar bathroom design?
In bathrooms,“spa-like” does not have to mean white. Find a color or wallpaper you love and lean into it. Soft elements, such as window treatments, rugs, and even towels, can make the space feel cozy. And never forget art! I love great art in a bathroom — it can be so unexpected!