Ibdltd's Blog

Higher elevations offer many challenges to home design.  In the Rocky Mountain region, passive solar keeps temperatures warm in the winter as well as conserving energy.  The accentuated angle of the sun at high altitude plays a critical role when planning an interior space.  Homes in high altitude areas in particular should be designed to maximize and retain heat in the winter while minimizing heat gain and too much radiation from the sun in the summer.

The interior flooring, walls, and window treatments can be selected to absorb heat and radiate warmth throughout the home during the cool months.  Fewer windows on north walls, well insulated windows, and window treatments with high R-value keep temperatures comfortable when it’s cold outside.  Heavier fabrics and darker colors create a feeling of warmth.  Maximizing natural air flow and reflecting the sun’s rays with proper window treatments can properly regulate the temperature during hotter months.  Ceiling fans promote proper air circulation in both summer and winter months to regulate temperatures.

Lack of humidity is another environmental hazard in the Rocky Mountains.  Unique problems such as wood shrinkage and cracking, loose wood joints, and masonry or drywall cracks are common in dry climates.  Professionals familiar with these challenges can help since they know the products and techniques used to combat these problems.

Materials that fit our unique region with its varying climates make a huge impact on creating comfortable living environments.  Working with a local interior designer can help you to identify products and finishes that are best suited for the Rocky Mountain region.  For more information, please call us at Interiors by Design in Breckenridge, Colorado.  We have been designing Rocky Mountain interiors since 1984.  We know how to help you create an amazing and comfortable home.   

(970) 453-9020

www.ibdltd.net

Living green is not only good for the environment but good in the long-term for your family and your pocketbook.  Some simple changes around the house can create a greener environment and save you money at the same time.

1. Change old thermostats to programmable thermostats.  You can save on your heating and cooling costs by setting your thermostat back when you are not at home or while you are sleeping.  Set your thermostat to 78 degrees F or higher in the summer and 62 degrees F or lower in the winter.  This will reduce energy usage and the cost.  Remember it takes in floor heat longer to transition between temperature settings.
2. Switch out incandescent light bulbs with CFL’s (compact fluorescent light bulbs).  By switching 5 incandescent bulbs with CFL’s you can save $100 a year.  Once the long-life CFL’s finally burn out, be prepared to recycle them responsibly.
3. Replace older appliances with ENERGY STAR appliances.  Replacing appliances, water heaters, furnaces or air-conditioners with ENERGY STAR rated products can save you anywhere from 10-30% on your energy costs.
4. Select products that are low-VOC (volatile organic compounds)  or organic.  Paint and carpeting are two products that are now available with no or lower VOC”s.  Carpeting made from recycled materials and fully recyclable is now available also, or choose a laminate wood flooring if it is suited for your lifestyle.  There are also new and improved green cleaning products with no chemicals added that can safely clean your home and laundry.
5. Replace older shower heads, faucets and toilets with newer low-flow models.   Just switching out your shower heads can save a family of 4 up to $285 per year on water costs and will conserve water supplies.
6. Replace windows and install energy-efficient window treatments that work to insulate your home both in the winter and summer months.  Hunter Douglas brand window treatments are rated for energy efficiency and Interiors by Design can help you select the style most suitable for your home and environment.
7. Recycle waste.  The easiest way to stay on top of this is to create a space in your kitchen that makes it easy for you to separate recycled materials.  If you are getting ready to remodel your kitchen, consider built-in recycled bins for your cabinets by the kitchen sink or pantry.

At Interiors by Design, we can help you decide the best place to start.  If you are planning to remodel your home, this is an excellent time to begin to incorporate green changes into your environment that will promote the health of our environment, your health and the health of your wallet!  Please call us at 970-453-9020 for more information on how to make your home greener. 

www.pathnet.org, www.makeyourhomegreen.vic.gov.au

There are so many different flooring options available that it can be overwhelming.  When considering what to choose, keep in mind these things:

1. Which room(s) are you considering new flooring for? What functions does this space perform?  Kitchens and baths are candidates for tile.  Bedrooms, living and dining areas might work better for carpeting.
2. Consider your family’s lifestyle – do you have children, what are their ages, are there elderly or disabled members in the household, are there pets to consider?  Children and pets may mean more wear on your flooring.  Grout lines, thresholds and some types of carpeting may be harder for an elderly or disabled person to maneuver.
3. Determine what your budget is.  Many products are offered in a variety of price ranges.  Consider for example, laminate wood vs. hand-scrapped wood or ceramic tile vs. natural stone.

Other things to think about:

• Do any of the family members have allergies or respiratory conditions?
• How much time do you have to spend on cleaning and maintenance?
• What are your personal preferences regarding type of flooring and why is it important to you?

Some flooring materials that are available for you to choose from include:

• Vinyl
• Laminate
• Wood
• Linoleum
• Cork
• Carpeting
• Tile
• Concrete
• Stone
• Bamboo

Always ask your Interior Designer for help with selecting a flooring type.   They can sort out the different options available to you and provide a recommendation based on function, lifestyle and budget.  Working with a professional interior designer takes the confusion out of the decision process.

Call us at Interiors by Design to schedule an appointment about your flooring needs or any other design project for your home.

In general, there are four types of lighting that should be incorporated into any kitchen design.  We call this layered lighting:

1. Task lighting – lighting used to perform tasks in the kitchen like prep work, cooking, dishwashing.  This type of lighting is either under cabinet lighting or lighting located over a sink or island.
2. Ambient lighting – general illumination of the space offering a warm, indirect light with minimal shadowing.  This type of lighting is typically a ceiling mounted fixture or can lighting.
3. Accent lighting – use accent lighting to spot light certain aspects of your kitchen such as above cabinets or in cabinets with glass doors to accent pottery or glassware.
4. Decorative lighting – use pendants or chandeliers above counter spaces to create lighting for eating, conversation or serving food.

There are three things to remember when deciding what type of lighting is best suited for your kitchen:

1. What is the size and shape of the kitchen, (including ceiling height)?
2. Is there an island or bar/eating area?
3. Is there a source of natural light?

Putting it all together…

If you have a large kitchen or high ceilings, cans used as ambient lighting can provide the right amount of light for an uncluttered look.  Islands and bar areas are a nice place for hanging pendants and chandeliers and provide decorative lighting.  Whenever possible, using natural light in a work space such as a kitchen will enhance the feel and appeal of the space.  It will provide a green source of energy and creates a warm and inviting space.  Natural light also can enhance the look and feel of your artificial lighting.

One last thing to consider…

Incorporate dimmer switches in your kitchen lighting plan.  Bright light is required for tasks but during meal time, entertaining or conversation a dimmer light might be more appropriate.

Asking a designer for advice is a smart choice to make when trying to create a lighting design for your kitchen or any space.  You are making a financial investment in your purchase of lighting fixtures and labor for installation.  It is also common to spend a large amount of time in the kitchen and you want it to be as comfortable and efficient as possible.  A designer can offer additional tips and suggestions that are specific to your kitchen configuration as well as selecting the right fixtures for your design and budget.

Call us at Interiors by Design for more kitchen lighting design options.  970-453-9020, or visit our website at www.ibdltd.net

Sources: Interiors by Design, Staff

www.hgtv.com/kitchens/shedding-light-on-kitchen-lighting/index.html

JJS Lighting, Denver Design Center

We’re excited to announce another completed project in Silverthorne, Colorado.  With spectacular views of the Gore Range, this stunning design captures both the beauty of the area and the contemporary style.

Working with BHH Partners, Planners and Architects (www.bhhpartners.com) and Myriam Enterprises (www.myriam.com) general contractors, we teamed up to turn out a home the clients love.

To see more photos or receive more information about this project, go to our website at www.ibdltd.net or call us at 970-453-9020.

Interiors by Design is proud to announce the completion of another remodeling project in Breckenridge. 

The project owners listed their home for sale and the feedback from prospective buyers said the home was outdated and tired.  It was time for a face lift!

To update the home we worked on staging the home for better flow and adding a fresh coat of paint.  We also reviewed changed needed to the kitchen and master bath.

The end product includes newly painted interior walls throughout the home and a kitchen that has new granite countertops, updated lighting, appliances, plumbing fixtures and cabinet hardware.  It also includes upgrades in the master bath such as a beautiful jetted tub with a travertine tile surround, glass enclosed walk in shower with bench and grab bar for extra assistance, new cabinets, granite countertops, plumbing fixtures and lighting.

The clients removed personal items and clutter, they added new furniture and we rearranged existing pieces in order to showcase certain aspects of the home.

The result has been positive feedback and multiple showings – hopefully resulting in a sale!

For help with your remodeling project please contact Interiors by Design at 970-453-9020 or www.ibdltd.net

Ask any investor these days and you will likely get complete agreement that these are tricky times for finances, assets, and investments.  What’s a person to do?

Here at Interiors by Design, Ltd, we are positioning ourselves for the better times ahead.  It’s a different world than it was pre 9/11 as well as pre Goldman Sachs.  We see two new foci:  (1) price is king, and (2) green is good.  These may seem like oversimplifications, but they open up a whole new array of possibilities for us.

Price is king:  We are promoting bargains, bargains, and bargains galore!  We are shopping for value priced merchandise.  We are milking all of our suppliers for additional discounts, We are doing more with less.  We are scrutinizing our supply chain to make sure they offer the lowest prices in the market.  The low price is what our clients are clamoring for and that’s what we have foremost in our minds as we search out products.

Green is good:  Isn’t it a win/win when you discover a product that is actually better, cheaper and greener than its predecessor?  That’s the case with a new carpet technology called SmartStrand.  We are one of the few that have this product and are selling this revolutionary new carpet for only $12.99/yard.  It’s tougher than the old nylon and actually offers a LIFETIME stain protection warranty!  Plus, it contains 37% renewable product – corn sugar!

So, that’s what we are up to these days.  Buying more for less and doing all we can to support the environment.

What is Universal design and how is it incorporated into residential design?

Universal design is a design approach that incorporates the needs of a variety of people regardless of size, age, ability or situation.  It ensures that the environment and products selected are useable and applicable to all groups of people without separate or special design requirements.  Barrier-Free design or Lifespan design are other terms used to describe Universal design.  Universal design does not relate only to accessibility standards; instead it is integrated into the overall design resulting in a better outcome.

The design approach stems from the belief that human ability is always special and not ordinary or as you could say “cookie cutter.”  It is meant to accommodate people who have disabilities, the aging population, children and others who are “non-average.”  This design provides more comfort and easier use for all to enjoy.

Principals for Universal design as published by the Center for Universal Design in 1997 are:                                                                                                             

1. Equitable
2. Flexible
3. Simple and intuitive
4. Perceptible and informative
5. Tolerant to errors
6. Low physical effort
7. Size and space approach and use

Some of the ways to easily incorporate Universal design into a residential setting include:

• Wide interior doors and hallways
• Lever handles for doors instead of twisting knobs
• Light switches with large flat panels instead of small toggle switches
• Bright, appropriate lighting for each space
• Smooth ground surfaces of entranceways, without stairs
• Changing the height of counters and upper cabinets
• Contrasting controls on visual output
• Floors and bathtubs with non-slip surfaces
• Thresholds flush with floors

Universal Design

AARP

Universal Design Education Online

Institute for Human Centered Design

Do you like to follow the trends?  Are you always updating your personal style as well as your personal space?  If so we have some color trend information for you!

The company ICI, (owners of brands like Glidden, Ralph Lauren, Dulux, and DeVoe Paints) named “Icy Blue” color of the year for 2010.  Another company, Pantone, named Turquoise the color of the year for 2010.  If that isn’t enough House Beautiful named several hues of blues and green popular in 2010 for both home and runway design.

Hues of blue can make you feel secure, grounded, happy and relaxed.  Certain hues of green can leave you with a sense of growth and flexibility, energy and trust.  Turquoise with its combined blue/green color creates both a calming and invigorating effect.  What a great benefit to being on trend!

If blues and greens are not what you are looking for, even if it is trendy, don’t despair!  Another color that is popular for spring is vibrant or high energy yellows.  They make a bold statement of happiness!  We can all use that!

Soure:  House Beautiful

It seems that everyone is on edge about the slow economy these days.  However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to let it get you down.  Just as it always has, the stock market will go up and down, just to go up again.  The cycles are stronger than a raging river and not to be directed even by the most powerful amongst us. 

Since we are all subjected to the reality of a slow economy at the present, why not step back and “smell the roses”?  Take some deep breaths and enjoy the extra time on your hands.  Worrying won’t improve the situation.  Decorating can lift your spirits, so get creative with what you have and get busy!

Why not spend some time at home.  It’s your comfort zone, so make it the best place in the world just for you.  Even in this tough economy, you can probably save enough to buy a gallon of paint.  A pale yellow or soft sage green color will do wonders to lift your spirits the next time you walk into that bedroom or bath!  Some new toss pillows to jazz up a tired sofa can also change the look and feel of the living room.  Splurge on 2 or 3 of the newest downy-soft bamboo towels in a chocolate brown or burnt orange.  Light an aromatherapy candle near your bath tub.  Don’t be shy when it comes to windows!  Be bold and make a statement with bright fabric panels on a trendy rod with finials!

Decorating is medicine for the soul!  It can be lots of fun and the feeling of accomplishment is satisfying after a job well done.

Soooo, DECORATE!  (you will feel better)