 Spring
is in the air, so it’s the perfect time to think about freshening up
your home. We have four of the latest ideas in home design for your
consideration. While some projects are best left to the professionals,
others you can tackle yourself. M talked to the pros to see which
projects you can do and for which you should call in the experts.
Dream Closet
Regardless of whether she’s taking a
closet design project from inception to completion, or consulting with
a DIY customer, "the client needs to be part of the
process," emphasizes Barb Friedman, owner of Organize It in
Bayside. Either way, Friedman maintains there are a number of steps to
be followed to ensure a successful outcome.
First, determine any limitations with
your closet (e.g., its size). Then look at the space and decide on its
best purpose. (Is it best suited for linens, clothes, or photo
albums?) Once the purpose is identified, be sure the closet is near
its closest point of use (e.g., don’t store dining room table linens
in an upstairs’ bedroom closet). Next, consolidate all the items you
plan to keep in that closet. Once you’ve got everything in one
place, then you can figure out what types of storage pieces you need.
Most big box retailers carry everything from shelving units to
baskets. "You can also be creative with everyday objects from
around the house," Friedman says. "For example, checkbook
boxes are great for holding lipsticks or buttons."
Most importantly, she notes, "you
want to containerize each thing. Everything has a home where it can be
put back. Also, be sure the things you use most are the easiest to
reach."
Stone Fireplace
If you insist on bragging rights to
install a stone fireplace, Kristine Schmidt, of Halquist Stone Co., in
Sussex, can help. "There are a number of masons we usually
recommend, but lately we’re seeing a lot of ‘weekend warriors,’"
she says.
While Schmidt encourages hiring an
expert for large projects, such as a tall fireplace, smaller
fireplaces like those in basement rec rooms are probably all right for
a nonprofessional to undertake. Education and planning are critical,
though. "We’ve got DVDs I’d encourage a novice to watch
before getting started. Also, always lay out your design on the floor
over a cardboard cutout before installing. Once the stone is up, you
can’t change it, so be sure to plan it out. Our ‘drystak’ method
is especially manageable for a first-timer. It’s a stacked stone
that lays up tight."
 Drop
Zone
What exactly is a drop zone? Located in
mudrooms, laundry rooms and areas just inside the back or side
entrance to a house, a drop zone is a spot where family members can
drop off backpacks, purses, briefcases, baby bags, sports equipment,
coats, keys, shoes and other everyday gear. Perfect for busy families,
each family member is designated a locker, cubbies, shelves, baskets
and other storage to use as soon as they come in the house.
Architect Rory Palubiski of Mequon’s
Fein Design has many clients asking for drop zones. "Each client
has unique requests. For that reason, it’s best to work with a
professional designer." Palubiski’s firm has done everything
from a simple drop zone that included a message board along with
lockers and cubbies, to a zone with a TV so family members could check
sports scores and stocks as soon as they walked in the door. Storage
for recycling bins as well as cell phone and i-Pod charging stations
are also popular options.
Russ Waters of the Wisconsin Kitchen
Mart in Milwaukee, has seen a surge of drop zones in older homes that
are being remodeled. Charging stations as well as lots of cubbies,
hooks, shelves and locker systems without doors are popular.
"Since many people don’t use their laundry room sinks, we are
also finding storage space where the sink used to be. Even the ‘junk
drawer’ is finding its way into the drop zone."
 Concrete
Countertops
Stylish and durable, concrete can be
used in the kitchen, to top bathroom vanities, in the mudroom or
laundry area. Manufactured in any number of colors, concrete
countertops can be coordinated with just about any interior palette.
To create patterns and designs, pieces of glass, fossils, recycled
elements or other aggregates are added. Finishes range from matte to
high gloss; chips are relatively easy to repair. "Because they
can be made to look most any style, from rustic to highly finished, or
transitional to contemporary, concrete countertops take many design
directions," notes Greg Holm, lead interior designer at Peabody
Interiors in Whitefish Bay.
Aaron Hoenisch, owner of iNViDiA DESIGN
in Milwaukee, has done multiple installations of concrete countertops.
"There are so many uses and directions, you’re only limited by
your imagination," he says. Concrete looks easy to install,
tempting some homeowners to try to do it themselves. However, Hoenisch
cautions not to oversimplify the process. "There are so many
aspects that need to be considered. It’s not a project you should
expect to finish in an afternoon. Also, it’s expensive to rent the
machinery and equipment, so your cost-savings may not be what you
think."
Alas, if your budget doesn’t allow
for custom work or your do-it-yourself skills aren’t sophisticated
enough, iNViDiA stocks a line of "semi custom" prefabricated
concrete counters. Hoenisch and his team have coordinated with big box
retailers to design and manufacture concrete countertops and sinks to
fit easily onto standard kitchen and bath cabinetry. Get the look
without the expense or labor of custom work. M
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