Kitchen Design Archives

Today we are giving you the inside scoop on some of the up-and-coming interior design trends. We are welcoming the new – the latest on home office spaces, wood-grained and touch-open cabinetry, soft cozy fabrics, and touch-less faucets. These design trends range from the oldest material known to man, all the way to the latest in modern technology.

Dedicated home office or multi-use space.

With all that has been going on in the world, many of us have experienced bringing our work home. In doing so, we need a dedicated space to work, which has inspired many of us to create a home office – either upgrading the space we already have or transforming a room into an office.

Things to consider when creating a home office space (or a multi-use space for your kids and husband to also work from home):

* Computer – It may be time for an upgrade. Your laptop needs to meet your daily demands.
* Dedicated desk space – Whether a table or an actual desk, you need a place to spread out. Standing desks are growing in popularity.
* An ergonomic chair – Give your back some love.
* A reliable wireless router – You need a trustworthy Wi-Fi connection, because this is your livelihood.
* Equipment – Good lighting, headset, microphone, a second (or third!) monitor, ergonomic keyboard, wireless mouse, charging accessories, a hyper drive (to plug in all of the extra USB connections), etc.

*Optional: A room with a window for natural lighting, a friendly plant to add color and keep you company, your favorite scented candle, and optional… pants. 😊

Wood grain and natural finish cabinetry.

Natural wood cabinetry in kitchens, bathrooms, and offices have a beauty that adds warmth and luxury. Alder, cherry, hickory, maple, oak, and walnut are the recommended types of wood for high-traffic areas. The trend is still hot to bring a touch of nature inside.

When cabinetry is finished with a natural stain, it highlights the wood’s grain to bring out its unique personality and style. This individual texture can then complement the additional features, decorations, and accessories in the room. In fact, choosing natural cabinetry allows for both a simple and elegant or a more modern and drastic backsplash or flooring.

Soft, textural cozy fabrics.

Who doesn’t take pleasure in running their palm over an exquisite fabric like velvet, mohair, soft bouclé, or hair on hide. We want design that not only makes us feel good but also feels good to touch.

When choosing material for a couch, try a rich, deep shade of luxurious velvet or the knobby, warm comfort of a soft bouclé. Pillows also are perfect covered in these gorgeous materials. I am dreaming right now of cuddling up with a velvet pillow.

One of the first Interior Design materials ever, continues on in a modern way. It is Hair on Hide. We’ve written more about that here, to share that even side tables can be covered with hide. You have to see the gorgeous pieces!
Touch-open cabinetry to replace hardware.

Cabinet doors without handles use a mechanical opening feature which allows you to simply push the door front to open it. It works with face frame or frameless, overlay, and inset cabinetry to open and close perfectly every time. It provides a unique solution for upper doors in that it opens upward and is out of the way. This application is perfect for drawers too, and you don’t even need any additional space in the cabinetry to install it.

Gaining a lot of traction now for kitchens and remodels is a very handy electronic system that allows users to open bottom cabinetry with a wave of their foot. These are perfect for trash cans, recycling bins, or, really, any bottom cabinetry. There is no need to touch the cabinet door to open.

Some systems have a ‘wave of the foot’ mechanism located in the kick board below the cabinet. This triggers then release and open the cabinet or drawer. There are other systems that have more of a ‘kick-and-go foot pedal’ automatic hands-free opening systems. These devices are perfect when needing to throw items away without getting germs on the cabinet door or for any bottom drawer or cabinet when putting heavy pans or multiple dishes. Pop the mechanism with your foot and watch it open.
Technology touch-less faucets.

Motion sensor faucets are not just for the public restrooms anymore. It’s not only logical and more cleanly, but also elegant and modern. There are two features to look for. The single sensor is at the foot of the faucet that detects your hand or a container to initiate the water. It turns the water on when you place your hands under the faucet and turns the water off when you take your hands out. The double-sensor has one extra wave sensor on the neck of the faucet. You get to control the flow of water with a wave of your hand.

Three main reasons to choose a touchless faucet (when you’re needing replacement) are:

It’s so clean and safe. No touching the handle getting everything under the sun on the handle, washing, rinsing, and then touching the handle again. It’s so much more ‘germ-free’.
It’s very quick and easy. From kids to great grandma, all you have to do is hold your hands under the faucet and it works. Anyone can do it.
It’s so futuristic. You and your guests are going to love how so very modern it is, every time you use it.

Also, not going away in faucet design are the black finishes and brushed gold, but a new shiny updated antique brass is here too.

We are using these design trends daily in our Interior Design, Dallas-based business all while maintaining a classic timeless overall design for our clients. If you’d like to see more, follow us on Instagram at @bgidesigner.

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Every home has a story, with plot twists and character development and a history. But sometimes the characters outgrow their story and a new chapter has to start. Approaching a remodel in this way can be helpful. The house has the same bones it always has; a remodel simply adds new life to an old story and gives it a new beginning. When starting a remodel, it’s important to look at the bones of the house, and the people who live there. These are the foundations from which the new design should derive from.

As the original owners of this house that sits right on a golf course, it was important to the client that the space be made more efficient and open to take advantage of the beautiful view and create the functionality that the space was lacking. As seen in the before pictures below, the kitchen and sitting room were both cramped. The wall between he sitting room and the kitchen left the kitchen dark since a lot of light came into the sitting room.

Taking out the walls around the old sitting room was the first thing to address! Removing the walls made this house feel so different, and things were barely getting started!

With an open floor plan, the next thing to think about was what to do with all that space. Adding in a large island, with room for seating, framed the kitchen area nicely without closing it in. And the space that used to be the sitting room is now open to become a beautiful new dining space.

The plan is to add bench beneath the window and a large table with plenty of chairs. This great room will be a great place for entertaining. The outdated look of the old kitchen will be a thing of the past as flat modern cabinets take their place. The island was outfitted with a quartzite countertop that is both beautiful and durable. Quartz counters were added to the perimeter of the kitchen to coordinate with the island. This remodel is already breathing new life into an old, cherished home and a new chapter for these homeowners is beginning!

Keep an eye on our social media accounts for an update on this project!

If you want help with your kitchen, bathroom or other remodel and feel overwhelmed with making the right decision, reach out to BGI to guide you in your decisions!

A backsplash can be the pièce de résistance to a kitchen design. It’s often the first thing that draws the eye of guests or potential buyers. And this can be both a good and a bad thing. A tile that is too flashy may only suit certain tastes, whereas a backlash that lacks luster can be just as distracting and boring. Let’s tale a look at the hottest trends and timeless classics that could make selecting the perfect backpsplash a little easier!

More often, slabs of stone are being used as backsplashes. This gives a seamless look from the counter to the backsplash, and is arguably the easiest to clean since there are no grout lines to grab onto those pesky food particles. It also checks one more thing off of your list of things to select. A win-win!

Akin to the slab style, large scale tiles are another up and coming trend! It doesn’t take a lot of tiles to fill all that is needed in a space, and there are also very little to no grout lines with this style. Large tiles are also a much more wallet friendly option compared to a full slab backsplash.

Slab and large format tile are one of our favorite trends. In fact, we currently have projects that we are implementing this sleek design into and can’t wait to show you how it turns out!

Subway tile is probably the most classic tile that appeases to almost anyone. It’s especially trendy in elongated styles that are laid out straight or in herringbone or chevron patterns instead of off center like the more “traditional” look. This design is also seeing more materials aside from the typical white or flat colors that are often expected, such as the silver leaf shown in the images above!

Another classic style are hand-made tiles that are painted or stamped, such as cement tile. The encaustic tile shown above is a beautiful example of this trend! Hand-made tiles often offer a more unique or customizable design. Anything that demonstrates a handmade or artisan feel is coming in hot right now!

Last, but certainly not least, grout color! The grout color can be as important as the tile as it can take away or add to the overall look. Make sure to specify 1/16″ grout lines when possible. Some tiles prohibit grout lines this small, but it is the best result if it’s possible!

So tell us…What’s your favorite trend or classic style?

If you want help with your kitchen remodel and feel overwhelmed with making the right decision, reach out to BGI to guide you in your decisions!

“The kitchen is the heart of the home” is an old saying, but its truth has never been questioned. When people gather, there is always food. A kitchen counter is the place where all those special family meals are made. A place where friends and family stand and chat around all the finger foods. For some it’s the place where coloring books and crayons stay sprawled out for hours as a masterpiece is made. The kitchen counter can be one of the most used surfaces in a home. It needs to last, and it needs to be a place people keep coming back to.

Counters vary considerably in style, cost, color and durability. The most popular trends for counters in 2019 include having a thicker profile and using a waterfall edge (both shown in the image above). White, black or grey counters are showing the most popularity. Statement island counters that use more colorful stones or poured concrete are also on trend.

Selecting a counter can be a challenge for any homeowner. Especially when, in a lot of cases, you can’t have it all. Let’s break down the most common counter choices and their pros and cons:

Granite:

Pros
- Middle price range
- Wide variety of colors
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Chips easily
- Not available in a fluid-like look such as marble or quartz

Marble:

Pros
- Bright whites that are unavailable in other materials
- Elegant and clean
Cons
- High price range
- High maintenance
- Needs to be sealed
- Stains and scratches easily

Quartz:

Pros
- Variety of price ranges
- Low maintenance
- Non-porous, does not need to be sealed
- Unlikely to chip
- Wide variety of colors
Cons
- Affected by heat and acidic foods

Quartzite:

Pros
- Looks like marble
- More durable than marble
- Low maintenance
Cons
- High price range
- Affected by heat
- Limited variety of colors

Laminate:

Pros
- Low price range
- Wide variety of colors
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Can be affected by sharp objects or chip easily
- Lower end of quality

Of course, there are a plethora of other counter material options such as poured concrete, travertine, stainless steel, recycled glass, butcher’s block… the list goes on and on! The most popular choice of counter material this year are quartz and quartzite. One major distinction between these two materials is that quartz is a man-made material whereas quartzite is naturally occurring.

If you want help with your kitchen remodel and feel overwhelmed with making the right decision, reach out to BGI to guide you in your decisions!

Do you remember seeing photos of this North Dallas dining room BEFORE we got ahold of it? Check out the BEFORE below….

In this room we designed the following….

Opened up to the adjacent kitchen
Replaced the carpet with engineered wood flooring to continue to the adjacent rooms
Took out the crown molding to keep the ceiling from appearing lower than it actually is (TIP for lower ceilings – skip the crown!)
Selected a fabulous wallpaper for the focal wall
Found a beautiful chandelier to add some sparkle
Selected a clean paint palette as a crisp backdrop
Custom window treatments with texture and added tape detail
Custom furniture selections
Custom artwork to make a bold colorful statement!

Now take a look at the family room and kitchen from the SAME project!

Project Reveal: Soft Modern Interior Design | Dallas Interior Designer | Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Where to begin? So much changed in this part of the house!….

Continued engineered wood flooring
All new custom furniture
REMOVED outdated wood paneling
REMOVED wall between family room and kitchen for a large peninsula working and serving surface!
Custom original artwork
Updated tile fireplace
Continued beam and ceiling into kitchen that was previously only an 8′ ceiling
Updated lighting to cleaner layout and LED fixtures
Selected vent hood in ceiling that would not hinder the openness factor
Selected a fun backsplash complimented by a monotone paint palette
Custom window treatments

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Remodeling Realities: How to Choose an Interior Designer | Dallas Interior Designer | Barbara Gilbert Interiors

A lot of great design changes brought this kitchen up to date and more efficient!

We took in 4′ from the adjacent oversized dining room to make the kitchen larger.
Updated appliances and plumbing fixtures
Larger, reconfigured island
Updated color palette with new cabinets, marble backsplash tile, monotone paint colors
Selected accent pendants for the island and updated, efficient LED lighting
Stress free quartz countertops for a very busy family!

This is a recent BGI project in Farmers Branch that we haven’t photographed yet but couldn’t help but share the BEFORE & AFTER! Take a look and see if you can find all the remodeling changes as well as the aesthetic updates!!

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SNEAK PEAK OF A CURRENT #PROJECTMANCAVE BEFORE & SELECTIONS!

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What do you think about some of our favorite BEFORE & AFTERS? Would you like to see more in the future??

This is the fourth post in a series called Remodeling Realities. We’re looking at all the moving parts of a home remodel, from how to choose an interior designer and general contractor to picking tile treatments and finishing touches. Read the last post in the series here and stay tuned for all of them!

Remodeling or redesigning your kitchen can be quite costly, but many Dallas homeowners find it well worth the effort. A new kitchen can significantly raise the value of a house, and families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are able to recoup an average of 84 percent of the cost of a remodel. If you’re thinking about redesigning your kitchen, here are a couple of expert tips on what to keep in mind when drafting your plan.

Don’t forget kitchen storage

When remodeling your kitchen, it’s easy to get swept up in island setups and new appliances. Too often, homeowners fail to account for storage and end up wasting valuable counter space on rarely used items. Make sure that you include plenty of cabinets and drawers in your new kitchen plan to store all of your dishes, cutlery, cookware, and more. It’s also a good idea to include a pantry with ample space for nonperishables.

Consider a smart setup

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, you may be thinking about upgrading old appliances. If so, it’s a good idea to consider adding a smart home setup to your kitchen. You can coordinate devices, making it easier to cook, clean, and even remember the shopping. A smart fridge, for example, can help you keep track of ingredients and leftovers, while a smart oven can remember cooking settings and operate under remote control. To clean dishes automatically, you can even find smart dishwashers that can be turned on and off with a button on your smartphone, anytime, anywhere.

Include plenty of counter space

As a chef, you can never have too much counter space. Your kitchen design should include ample room for you to spread out as you prepare and cook your meals. If you don’t have the wall space for counters, you may want to consider including an island in your kitchen. You can also find mobile and collapsible prep counters if you’re short on space.

Keep the room bright

A kitchen needs plenty of light so that you can safely work with hazards such as knives and boiling water. Make sure that you include plenty of light fixtures in your kitchen, especially near prep areas and over the stove. If possible, you may also want to add a window or two to let in natural light during the day. Just make sure that you use insulated glass to save on your energy bill and help reduce carbon emissions.

A new kitchen will not only make your life easier but may also add value to your home. When redesigning your kitchen, make sure that you account for storage, counter space, lighting, and appliances. Taking care during the planning stage can save you from both financial and emotional stress later on down the road as you carry out your remodel.

What do you think of our tops on remodeling or redesigning a kitchen? Leave a comment below or on Facebook or Twitter.

We’ve got years of experience creating inspired, gorgeous homes — contact the team at Barbara Gilbert Interiors today at 214-641-7897 or via the website contact form. We offer DFW interior design services in Preston Hollow, North Dallas, Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, and many more parts of North Texas — please see the list of the areas we serve.

Here are the other 6 Remodeling Realities posts in case you missed them!

#7 – Add Style,Value with Home Gym

#6 – How to Choose Flooring

#5 – How to Have a Pet-friendly Home Remodel

#3 – 5 Space Planning Tips for Good Home Design

#2 – Picking a General Contractor

#1 – How to Pick an Interior Designer

Transitional interior design is all about the clean-lined aesthetic of soft contemporary with some more traditional elements to reveal a highly livable — and always beautiful — look.
Last week, I shared part of my project reveal, bespoke, bright transitional design in a Dallas home renovation. This week, part two. My team and I were called in to refresh a dull and dated ranch-style house. The owner is a widow who has made many wonderful memories there but wasn’t thrilled with the floorplan or older interior vibe. She loves to cook and entertain, especially family, and the house just wasn’t cutting it! This was particularly true of the kitchen, a closed-off galley space without good flow or function (see my “before” photos below for proof!).
Our solution? Take down the wall between the living room and kitchen and build a peninsula with seating and storage on both sides. We took some square footage from her oversized laundry room to create a butler’s pantry and the new kitchen is so much more conducive to hosting gatherings and being able to visit with people in the living room while preparing meals.
One aspect of this design stands out in my mind and I’m proud of our solution to a vexing problem. The family room ceiling is vaulted, so when we took out the wall dividing it from the kitchen, we had a real problem butting in a vent. Had we used a standard one that hung from the ceiling, it would have been off center. So with research and diligence, we found a ceiling vent from Best Hoods that draws up smoke and odors amazingly well — props to Thaddeus from Thaddeus Drew Remodeling who scouted the hood and did a wonderful job during this project.

Project Reveal: Bespoke and Bright Transitional Design | Dallas Interior Designer | Barbara Gilbert Interiors

The oversized breakfast bar created seating for four. In the ceiling, you can see the overhead vent hood, which works beautifully. Such great technology! The fabric on the bar chairs is from Crypton and is stain-, odor-, and moisture-resistant.

Storage is the name of the game in this Dallas kitchen redesign! The owner wanted more of it everywhere and we delivered. The countertops are quartz, which I love for durability and look.

Even with a bay window, the old kitchen was dark. No more! This breakfast area shows how sophisticated and bright the space has become. That beautiful light fixture is from Arteriors Dallas. The table is by Stanley Furniture, the chairs are by Vanguard, and the centerpiece bowl is from Global Views.

The Presidio encaustic tile backsplash carries into this built-in cabinetry to the right of the breakfast table. We took about two to three feet from the oversized laundry room next to the kitchen to create this area.

The old kitchen was cramped and dark with limited seating.

That wallpaper and window dressing had to go!

Sometimes a home office looks like an afterthought. Not the case here! We put a lot of care into carrying transitional interior design into this room to make it both functional and fabulous.
In the psychology of color, blue colors tend to be soothing, like other earth colors — this is the color of the sky. Blues make people feel calm. Darker blue, like this are also linked to creativity and intelligence. For a home office, this will keep tempers steady, mood happy, and thinking sharp.
Throughout the house, we’ve used custom upholstered furnishings to create a luxury look. In the office, we did a sitting area with comfortable chair and side table.

In the psychology of color, the deeper the hue, the great the effect. This saturated blue will make the office a relaxing space for our homeowner. That sunburst mirror is designed by Global Views.

The wall art is from Global Views.

Custom upholstery graces this club chair from Vanguard in the home office. Custom art is from La Montage and the side table is designed by Bernhardt Furniture Company.

Now onto the master bedroom, one of the most relaxing and posh spots in the house. This blue will not only promote relaxation, but also calm and clarity. Blue slows heart rate and breathing, perfect to promote meditation or relaxation.
In this room, we mixed several patterns, something that makes a lot of people break out in a cold sweat when they try to do it themselves. With consideration of pattern scale, saturation, and personality, we made it look cohesive and complementary.
A problem we encountered in this room was a large window in the middle of the wall behind the bed. We took fabric and had it “paper-backed” so it could be hung like wallpaper, an option not many people know about. Our window treatment fabricator made a custom shade and matched its pattern layout perfectly with the wall’s fabric. Now when the shade is pulled down you can’t even tell there is a window at all!

The bedroom used to be so dark (see the photo below). Now it feels like a peaceful retreat. What appears to be wallpaper behind the bed is actually fabric from Robert Allen. For the walls, we had it paper-backed and the Roman shades are custom. The bed linens are customized from different vendors.

Using blue in the bedroom promotes serenity and relaxation. The light fixture is from Made Goods and fabric on the left window is by Kravet.

A detail from the master bedroom with a side table from Caracole and a lamp from Robert Abbey.

A custom upholstered sitting chair and gallery wall sit in the corner of the master bedroom. The frames from West Elm.

The master bathroom redesign created a soothing spa-like room for a client who loves to take long, hot baths. As you can see from the “before” photo below, it just looked blah. But the cabinets were in great shape and provided plenty of storage so we repainted them a light cream color, put on new pulls and knobs, and installed recessed lights to brighten up the whole room.
The corner jetted tub was also in great condition, so we kept that and redid the tile surround in a soothing light blue glass tile. On the wall leading up to the tub, you can really see the large-format beige tile we chose for other areas. We also totally reimagined the shower, adding a new glass enclosure, tile, and fixtures to create a flawless, serene look.
New marble countertops, contemporary light fixtures, art prints with mother of pearl frames, and a sliding barn door for the entrance finished off the look.

We kept the cabinets in this master bathroom renovation, repainting them a cream color and using a sliding door for its entrance.

We kept corner jetted tub and retiled the surround and wall leading up to it. The walk-in shower got a new glass enclosure and tile, as well as fixtures.

Good lighting is important everywhere, but especially in the bathroom!

What do you think about our transitional interior design plan for this Dallas house? We had so much fun with this project! Please leave us a comment here or over on Facebook or Twitter.

We’ve got years of experience creating inspired, gorgeous interiors — contact Barbara today at 214-641-7897 or via the website contact form. We offer DFW interior design services in Dallas, Preston Hollow, the Park Cities, Frisco, McKinney, Southlake, Westlake, and many more parts of North Texas — please see the list of the areas we serve.

We’re starting a new series, Barbara’s Dallas Kitchen Remodel, following Barbara Gilbert’s renovations in her new home. Today, the first installment looks at the “before” pictures.
My husband and I are empty nesters and purchased a zero-lot-line home last year. While the bones were great, the overall design of the kitchen just didn’t work for us. As a DFW interior designer, I have some pretty specific ideas about what I want in my personal space. I saw room for improvement.
For one thing, the venting system over the cooktop was 48 inches across and hung too low to be able to cook without banging your head. A venting system should always be hung at 30 to 36 inches above the cooktop for maximum efficiency. The other issue with this area is the slide-in range was only 42-inches wide. To create symmetry, I have to replace it with a 48-inch cooktop.
I’m starting this series to share my kitchen renovation as it progresses from the ripped-apart phase (currently happening) to completion. Today, I’d like to show you the “before” pictures, and the initial phases of demo — we started ripping it apart last Monday. We have a hard deadline: my daughter and her family are coming to visit June 17. The countdown begins!

Dallas Kitchen Remodel | Interior Design Dallas | Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Everything about this kitchen will change in the next month!

The new pendant fixtures will be aqua and the counters will be gold Carrera Marble.

Our new refrigerator-freezer will be an oversized built-in from Jenn-air.

The current space includes white cabinets, granite countertops, a center island, white backsplash, and clear glass pendant lights. I’m definitely looking to achieve a more transitional look in the space and use some elements that will be make it sophisticated and somewhat timeless.
For my kitchen remodel, I’ll be replacing the granite with gold Carrera marble for the countertops and I absolutely love it. Marble is as close to timeless design as one can get and it adds some luxury along the way! The backsplash behind the range will be the same marble, but in a diamond pattern, the rest of the backsplash will be a warm gray glass tile.
It’s funny, I swore I would never use marble in my kitchen due to the delicate nature and the upkeep. After talking with quite a few industry professionals, I realized that if I embrace some of the etching that happens to marble and enjoy the patina that will happen as it ages, I will never be unhappy with it. It does have to be sealed once a year, but so does granite and quartzite.
To add color and open up the window, I will remove the shutters and add a colorful flat-fold shade in aqua and orange. It will blend beautifully with artwork in the adjacent dining area. The pendant lights are handblown from Viz Glass and they will be aqua, too. I love color, and although the main kitchen components will be neutral, I will strategically add pops of color.
The cabinets will stay white as a neutral backdrop, but I’m changing out the pulls and knobs to gold — I’ll be mixing metals, actually. The light fixture in dining room adjacent to the kitchen is chrome. But the gold Carrera Marble is so warm, I think the gold knobs will work beautifully.

The vent hood is hung too low, and will be replaced.

I’ll be removing the plantation shutters and replacing them with a colorful flat-front shade.

The cabinets on the island will be painted a medium-to-dark gray.

One of my favorites appliance manufactures is Jenn-air. Last year, they flew me up to their headquarters for a designer summit where they cooked every meal and demonstrated their latest and greatest appliances. That’s when I knew I had to have a Jenn-air steam oven — they cooked creme brûlée and salmon together and there was no flavor transfer. We’ll have a Jenn-air range and build a space for their double ovens, too, one of which will be the steam one I want.

For the sink, I’ll be replacing the stainless steel sink with a farm-style one in Silgranit by Blanco Sinks. It’s a granite composite material and I’ve chosen silver for the color.

The island will stay and be topped with the gold Carrera Marble, but I’ll be painting the cabinets a medium-to-dark gray, which I think will look sharp with the gray glass tile backsplash.

The area where the cabinet is now will be built out to accommodate double ovens.

The kitchen remodel has begun!

I’m so excited to have the demo of our kitchen remodel project underway, and I’ve got a fire under me to finish before my daughter gets here next month. I’ll keep you up to date you as we make progress with more photos and stories of our adventures. I’ll also be sharing photos of my fireplace redesign!
What do you think of my ideas for a kitchen remodel? Leave me a comment, or share your thoughts over on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Are you considering a Dallas kitchen remodel? Contact me at 214-641-7897 or use my website form. We offer interior design in Dallas, Highland Park, McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Coppell, Fort Worth, and many more parts of DFW — please see a comprehensive list of the areas we serve.

It’s time to redesign your kitchen or bathroom and you’re stuck: Quartz vs granite countertops? There are so many options and people tend to have very strong opinions about these choices.
Each material offers a beautiful look and durability, but they have their advantages and disadvantages, from color selection to long-term maintenance. Here’s a quick guide to making your decision for quartz vs granite countertops.

Quartz countertops

Quartz countertops are a fabricated composite, made from ground natural quartz, as well as glass or metallic flecks, and about 5 percent of a binding material called polymer resins. Together, they create a nonporous, extremely hard surface that is resistant to bacteria and stains, and never needs to be sealed. Cleanup is quick and easy and you’re not likely to damage your quartz countertops with a spilled glass of red wine or a hot pan.
Quartz offers a wide variety of color choices, from natural stone colors, to bold, saturated choices, like a navy blue. The look is uniform, unlike granite, which offers natural pattern variation. Because this is manufactured stone, you can order it in exactly the size you need and it will be manufactured to your specifications.
The cost of quartz ranges from about $80 to $140 per square foot installed.

Granite countertops

Granite is a natural stone quarried from the earth, cut into slabs, and polished to a shine. This is a very hard stone that is resilient, but not as durable as quartz. You need to seal it at installation, and reseal it every year or so. It also is more susceptible staining than quartz, so be careful with your food and drink. But it is scratch and heat resistant, so no worries there.
One of the things people love about granite is its natural color striations, formed as the molten rock cools in the earth. No two slabs are the same, so your selection for your kitchen or bathroom will be one-of-a-kind. You’ll have dozens if not hundreds of slabs to choose from—just make sure the slab you fall in love with will work with your room’s design.
The cost of granite is about $80 to $175 per square foot installed.

Quartz vs granite countertops

So, how to decide? Both quartz and granite offer durability and strength, with granite needing slightly more maintenance. They cost roughly the same, unless you go with a very high-end granite, which is the most expensive. So it probably boils down to an aesthetic choice. What look do you prefer? Leave us a comment with your thoughts on quartz vs granite countertops!

From pumpkins to autumn leaves, orange is all around us this time of year. But why is a color that brings fall foliage tours and smiles to so many faces seldom used in interior design?
Simply put, while most people love color, they’re afraid of choosing the wrong color. So they choose colors they think are “safe.” And while understandable, they’re missing out on the power of color!
Orange is a powerful color, and orange decor can be dazzling. Orange is considered the color of joy, adventure and creativity. It combines the warmth and happiness of yellow with the energy and stimulation of red, and it’s also thought to invoke feelings of optimism.
Here are some of our favorite rooms with orange décor that embrace the power of color.

Home Office

Via Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Home offices don’t have to be all work and no play! Liven up the space with fun patterns and vibrant hues. Orange and fuchsia make for one fun, festive color combination in this family-friendly home office we designed for a busy family that loved cheerful rooms.

Nursery

Via

Forget pink or blue! An orange and white color palette mixed with cheerful yellow and blue accents creates the perfect nursery for a boy or a girl. In this room, it would be hard not to smile evening during those late night feedings!

Guest Room

Via

As complementary colors, orange and blue always bring out the best in one another. Add a bold detail like these large-scale suzani headboards, and you’ve got one showstopper of a room.

Kitchen

Via

Yellow isn’t the only happy color to paint a kitchen. Break with tradition and wow with orange! The color alone sets the mood regardless of the decorating style you choose.

Dining Room

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There’s a reason people flock to see fall foliage. The warm, dusky hues naturally soothe the soul. So what better shade to choose than a deep earthy orange for the dining room – a frequent gathering place for friends and family?

Dedicated home office or multi-use space.

Wood grain and natural finish cabinetry.

Soft, textural cozy fabrics.

Touch-open cabinetry to replace hardware.

Technology touch-less faucets.

Don’t forget kitchen storage

Consider a smart setup

Include plenty of counter space

Keep the room bright

Quartz countertops

Granite countertops

Quartz vs granite countertops

Home Office

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Nursery

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Guest Room

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Kitchen

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Dining Room

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