Interior Design Concepts by Dr. Decorator

Every home has a kitchen, but not every home has a kitchen that works. We have all seen kitchens that look or function like something out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Cabinets crammed with dishes and food stuffs, counters with no counter space, and cooktops brimming with pots are just some of the realities in many homes, but this does not have to be the case. Everyone deserves a great kitchen and there are so many goodies to choose from that a wonderful kitchen can be a reality for everyone.

Function is first in kitchen design.

Today’s world of kitchen design offers more choices than ever before. The options are endless. There are multitudes of choices in cabinetry, flooring, countertops, appliances, finishes and fixtures. Aesthetic options are equally diverse. In today’s design world there are a vast variety of decorative styles from which to choose. There is no longer a single accepted norm in kitchen décor. From space age modern to country cozy, every style works as long as it fits into the design dictates of an individual home.

There is, however, one rule that applies to every kitchen and every décor – the space must function well. Speak to any kitchen design professional and they will tell you that function is first. Judith Reidel, a seasoned kitchen designer known as The Kitchen Lady, says, “I come from a very functional and practical background in regard to kitchens. My clients want the pretty look but I tell them that the most important thing is that it has to be functional.” It is not only important that the kitchen looks good. Even more important is that the space works well.

A highly functional kitchen will not necessarily improve the quality of the cook but it will definitely improve the quality of their cooking time. A well organized space will offer an easier cooking space. When designing a kitchen, the floor plan plays a pivotal role in how the space will function. A flexible floor plan allows for the comings and goings of an active family. The floor plan makes sure that there is room for everything. It creates the traffic pattern and directs the work flow.

The classic work triangle is the tried and true concept of kitchen space planning. Essentially, the triangle creates an area in which the three major work centers – the range, refrigerator, and the sink – are placed at the three points of the triangle. In the classic work triangle, the distance between the three centers should be no longer than nine feet and no less than four feet. In addition, the total of all three legs of the triangle should be a minimum of 12 feet. The goal of this arrangement is to save wear and tear on the cook. Some kitchens are so large that a busy cook might need roller skates in order to maneuver the space.

To get some more insight into how to create the optimum cooking space, I decided to consult a professional who knows the most about hours spent in the kitchen – a professional chef. Award winning chef Zorko-Zoran Glavin says that he does not always agree with the concept of the work triangle. He feels that this is functional when there is one person working in the kitchen. But, when there is more than one cook, Chef Zorko prefers an L-shaped layout or a galley kitchen. A long run of counter space provides work areas for several cooks. Chef Zorko recommends that homeowners adapt the professional kitchen practice of dividing the space into zones.

Food prep, cooking, refrigeration, cleanup, coffee and beverage bar –these dedicated zones add to the flow and efficiency of cooking and kitchen work. Chef Zorko works in restaurants where he and his crew are responsible for 100 or more dinners within an evening. In order to maintain the proper work flow, the kitchen space must function with the efficiency of a scientific laboratory. Every extra step in the kitchen is time wasted. In a busy restaurant, time lost is money lost. Translated to the home, we can say that time lost is energy lost.

Professional style features have become a popular element in residential kitchen design. This is true in both traditional and modern décor. Stainless steel appliances are a very desirable decorative element for appliances and sinks. Stainless is also sometimes used on countertops, backsplashes, and even cabinets. Stainless is an instant update for the look of any kitchen. It is a beautiful element to add to a kitchen décor. The negative is that some people complain about smudges and scratches.

Wolf and SubZero are tastemakers in the world of Pro-Style appliances. They offer top of the line options in pro style cooking and refrigeration. Six burner stoves, griddle sections, and extra deep ovens are just a few of the superior cooking features. The Sub Zero refrigerators offer a wide variety of choices including refrigerator drawers, see through refrigerators, top and bottom design options, and custom sizing selections.

Plumbing choices in the kitchen are also plentiful. Sinks can come in all sizes, shapes, and materials. They can be undermounted into stone tops and become almost invisible. Conversely, farm sinks are very large with an exposed apron and make a very strong design statement. Faucets are very important. A sleek modern kitchen will need a sleek and modern faucet. A traditional country style kitchen requires a more rustic style faucet. Their function, however, is the same. Features to look for include pull out spouts, retractable sprayers, and hot and cold water dispensers. A very popularplumbing feature adapted from commercial kitchens is the pot filler. Installed in the cooktop area, the pot filler is the water source of choice for filling those huge pasta pots.

It is often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. What is left unsaid is that the kitchen is the hardest working area of the home. It also represents the largest financial investment in the home. Our kitchens have to work well, look good, and last. This can be a tough recipe to create.

Ziering Interiors
57 Hillside Avenue
Manhasset, New York 11030
516-869-1049
www.zieringinteriors.com

Designing a room or space is similar to crafting a painting. The designer makes a picture in his or her head and then works to bring this creative vision to reality. The difference between painting and designing is that that the painter works with colors and brushes and the designer works with furniture, fabrics, and decorative objects. The other difference is that a painting has no functional requirements. It hangs on a wall as a thing of beauty to be admired. A room or decorative space has to be both functional and beautiful.

Before – The room was devoid of any architectural interest or character.

Another important factor in design is that the space should be visually and historically consistent. Designers strive to create spaces that are historically correct. When creating a room which derives from a particular era, designers are usually careful to choose elements that are consistent with the period that is being recreated. This is important regardless of whether the designer is crafting a classical French salon, an English country house sitting room, or a Tuscan villa. Decorative elements derive from history and they should be utilized with historic accuracy. The opposite of this rule is often utilized for decorative “shock” value. For example, if a primitive African sculpture is placed on a heavily carved French pedestal, the inconsistency catches the eye because the viewer perceives that this is historically incorrect. There is one style era, however, in which there are so many decorative elements that it almost seems like “anything goes.” This decorative style is called Art Deco.

Art Deco utilizes a number of disparate motifs. It is both modern and traditional, sleek and primitive, sophisticated and innovative. The multifaceted Art Deco style developed during the years between 1910 and 1939. The name is derived from the 1925 Paris World’s Fair called “Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. This great exhibition was the debut of a new style which heralded modernism, the jazz age, ocean liners, cinema, skyscrapers, flappers and all the exciting elements which came to define the 20th century. The introduction of the Art Deco style and its ensuing popularity were the hallmark of change. It was symbolic of the changing of times in the Post World War 1 era to an economy of technological development and mass production. Many things of beauty were translated from expensive materials to the newly popular plastics and being introduced to a populace which was anxious for change.

From its rich Parisian beginnings, Art Deco has come to be viewed as the most exciting and diverse decorative style of the century. It includes Oriental and African influences, cubism and geometrics, tubular steel, decorative iron work, rich lacquered woods and ebony veneers, and a vast variety of decorative elements. There were a multitude of influences in the Art Deco movement. The exoticism of the Ballet Russes, Jazz Age performers such as Josephine Baker, and Egyptian and Asian styling motifs were all combined with an emphasis on sleek and innovative design.

Art Deco remains an immensely popular style in today’s décor. Art Deco design bridges the gap between traditional and modern design. The use of the art deco motif in today’s homes will help to create a space which features the clean lines of contemporary design yet still maintains an aura of classical elegance. Just a few touches of Art Deco styling will give a room an aura of instant sophistication.

After – The glamorous space created by Ziering Interiors features Art Deco styling. The color scheme is a classical black and crème mix with a flash or red for drama.

The room photographed here utilizes Art Deco motifs to create a space where the emphasis is on color and form. The sitting room created by Ziering Interiors shows how the use of moldings and color and furnishings can take a space from barren to beautiful. The designers first worked on the shell of the room. Custom moldings were installed. The ceiling crown molding features a step motif crafted to complement the geometric lines of deco styling. The wall covering is a tone on tone rendition of the swirling lines of deco décor. The square cut carpet from Stanton Carpet adds another geometric motif to the decorative mix. The concept of the space was to create an intricate geometric medley in the combination of furniture, fabrics, window, wall and floor coverings. The objective was to craft a background which is subtle in tone but richly textured in pattern.

Art Deco furniture runs the gamut from severe clean and geometric lines to swirling and richly textured motifs. The elements used in this room illustrate this diversity. The mix of materials contrasts richly polished woods with glass and metal craftsmanship. Fabrics from Kravet Fabrics feature a textural mix in the combination of silk draperies, swirling geometric on the chair and window valances, and nubby textured circles on the chaise.

The color mix of classical black and cream with a strong dose of red for drama are featured in the graceful chaise and rope motif chair and ottoman from Andre Originals.

Art work in the room adds a definite touch of drama. Over the chaise hangs a painting in the style of Tamara de Lempica, a famous artist whose work depicted the glamorous figures of the Deco era of the Roaring Twenties. Oriental art is another popular option for Deco spaces. According to Michael Ayervais, a well known collector and dealer of Asian art, the rich colorations and undulating movements of Chinese and Japanese screens are a perfect complement to Deco décor. “A beautiful wall hung kimono,” says Michael, “is the perfect way to enrich the tailored lines of Deco furnishings.”

The Deco era was the catalyst of the concept of the “total look” in interior design. It was the goal of Deco design that an interior and its furnishings work together to create a cohesive unit which was also meant for functional living. The designers and artisans of that era have created timeless designs and concepts that will enrich the design world forever.

Ziering Interiors – 57 Hillside Avenue, Manhasset, NY 11030 tel 516-869-1049

Email jziering1@yahoo.com website www.zieringinteriors.com

Even in today’s world of declining real estate values, space is still an expensive luxury. Ask anyone who lives in a studio, small apartment or home, and they will say that their most desired decorative element is space.

Yet even though space starved homes present numerous decorating challenges, these challenges are not insurmountable.  As a design industry professional, I know that when starting a project — large or small — I must first measure and understand the space.  I accomplish this by measuring every inch and then creating scaled floor plans which determine how the space will be utilized. This part of the design process is called space planning.

In trying to understand space, it is of paramount importance to learn how the space will be utilized. The person who will be living there often has specific needs which must be addressed.  These will have to be considered when doing the space planning. There are many questions to ask and answer in order to determine the living requirements.

Questions to be answered include the following:

• How many people will be living there?
• What are the ages of the residents?
• How many children are there and what ages?
• How many pets are there and what type?
• Will there be a home office?
• How much entertaining is planned?

The questions are endless and the answers will be extremely variable.

In a studio apartment, it is important to deal with many types of living requirements within a single space. Studio space must be designed to be multi-purpose. The challenge is to create individual living spaces within a single context.  Studio living must provide space for storage, sleeping, eating, lounging and TV watching, socializing, and often has to include a desk or work area. The objective is to accomplish all of this without creating a space that looks like a cluttered mess.

There are many useful design tricks available for studio living. A wonderful furniture invention called the “Murphy Bed” provides hideaway sleeping and multiple use options for studio living. I prefer a Murphy Bed to a sofa sleeper for everyday sleeping because you get to sleep on a real mattress without the folding mechanism required for a sofa sleeper. You can even tuck away your mattress with the bedding still on it so you don’t have to bother dressing the bed when you open it up.  When closed, the space of the bed can be used for everyday living. There are Murphy Beds which incorporate a sofa or a dining table or bookcases or just a nice decorative panel. When designing studio apartments, I often utilize both a Murphy Bed and a sleep sofa so that there is room for a sleepover guest.

Some studio apartments have a sleeping alcove or an area that can be separated from the general living space for private sleeping. There are many ways to divide this sleeping area from the rest of the living space. Some people actually build a wall to create a small bedroom. Another popular solution is a glass and metal door system that sits on a track and slides back and forth to open or enclose the space. For those whose taste is more romantic or exotic, there is always the option of a decorative curtain.

Another challenge in studio living space is finding the room for a work area. Sometimes there is an extra closet that can be converted to a hideaway home office. On other occasions, I tuck a small desk next to the bed or into a window alcove. There are cabinets available called computer armoires which incorporate office needs but look like a cabinet when the doors are closed. When all else fails, I tuck a file cabinet next to the sofa to work as a double duty end table and let the home dweller use their dining table to perform double duty as a work desk.

When designing small rooms or homes, it is good to play up the coziness of the space. Light colored walls will help to make the space seem larger. I prefer a color tone to white because colors create the coziness. Yellow will make the space feel like the sun is always shining. Pale green or pale blue walls create a sense of calm and tranquility. Beige or cream color walls are neutral and a good background for furnishings. Color choices are individual.  Pick the color that makes you happy, and use that in your living environment. A painting trick for small spaces is to paint the ceiling and walls the same color. This creates an aura of spaciousness.

A little known trick for small space decorating is to avoid using small furniture. Groupings of small furniture will make your home look like a doll house. It is more visually effective to use fewer pieces of furniture that are comfortable in scale and fit the spaces. This concept is contrary to popular opinion, but it creates a cleaner and more spacious looking environment.

The sitting room/home office in the photograph utilizes every inch of space but does not look crowded. The high ceiling is decoratively treated with bead board wood planks and contrasting beams. The result in entering the space is that the eye travels upward and has the sense of being in a large room.  Built in cabinetry wraps the angled perimeter of the room. The desk top sits in front of the windows so that you look out to the view rather than into the room when working at the desk.  On the other side of the space is a comfortable seating area with sofa and tables. The cocktail table is glass top so that the viewer looks right through it — another space enhancing trick.

The sofa is a curved shape which tucks into the shape of the room.  Once the space needs were determined, we went to work selecting the decor. This is a home office for a woman, so the goal was to be both utilitarian and decorative. The decorative goal was accomplished with the use of an antique bronze and glass chandelier, antique French end tables, and a Victorian style curved sofa with a collage fabric treatment.  The result is a functional, cozy and feminine working space which doubles as a sitting room.  The message is that small space living does not have to sacrifice function or beauty.

Technology has changed our lives in numerous ways. Instead of talking, many of us are texting and tweeting. Instead of calling or writing, most of us are emailing. Instead of reading newspapers and magazines, many of us are getting the headlines on-line or on our iphones. Instead of reading books, some of us are flipping pages on our iPads or Kindles. Times are definitely changing and our habits are changing along with the times.

These changes are also inherent in how we live and how we work. The advent of technology has made home working easier and more efficient than ever before. Armed with computers, faxes, smart phones, and other devices, legions of home workers have found that it is easier than ever to maintain a professional work space within their homes.

For a variety of reasons, more people are working from home than ever before. Some of these work space changes are fallout from the economic changes of recent years. Many people have lost their jobs and have reinvented themselves as consultants in their varying fields. Some people accepted severance and buyout packages and continued their careers from home offices. Other people are working within cottage industries that can function from their homes. All of these home based workers benefit from massively lower operating costs. Many are even eligible for significant tax savings. The benefits of working from home are numerous. Lower overhead, no payments to the landlord, less time spent commuting, and better hours are just a few of the perks.

The biggest challenge for many home based businesses is finding and creating a viable work space within the home environment. Some people are fortunate enough to have a large space such as a basement, garage, or carriage house that can be converted into a dedicated work area. If there are employees, the homeowner will have to create multiple desks or work stations to accommodate them. Computers, phones, and fax lines will have to be set up. Storage and filing areas will have to be created. It is important that the work space have a professional atmosphere, especially if clients are expected to visit.

For other smaller home ventures, office needs can be satisfied in smaller and more creative ways. The homeowner will need to convert existing living spaces into user friendly home offices. It is also important that these home work spaces not interfere with daily living needs. The negative of the home office concept is that it sometimes deteriorates into living in a space that is cluttered with never ending paperwork. Picture the former corporate exec sitting in his PJs at the kitchen table with his laptop taking center stage. It happens — more often than not.

Plaid papered library features book oriented memorabilia. The mix of leather, paisley fabric, oriental rug and rich woodwork impart the feel of an English country home. Design by Ziering Interiors

Many people are incorporating libraries into their home décor. These libraries are attractive and comfortable and can double as home office spaces. Libraries have become an important facet in today’s home design. Many people have converted “living rooms” into libraries. These homeowners have found that they “live” in the kitchen and family room rather than in the old fashioned “living room.” Using this space for a combo library and home office maximizes the usage of a home’s square footage. It also offers the opportunity for more realistic and functional use of the spaces within the home.

The home library can be a multi-purpose space to suit many needs. The desk provides much needed work space. The sofa area offers a comfortable seating space where someone can curl up and read their favorite book. If the sofa is a sleeper, it can also accommodate an occasional sleep over guest. It is a single room that can lead many lives and serve many functions.

The plaid papered library show here is in a traditional home. It features built in shelves for favorite books and memorabilia. The cozy leather sofa is a comfortable retreat. “It’s my veg out room,” says the homeowner. The trophies from dog shows recall her days as a dog breeder. It is a very personal and very comforting space designed by Ziering Interiors.

Most home based workers are not fortunate enough to have the space for libraries or large office areas. Despair not, wonderful work spaces can be created from extra bedrooms. We have converted many extra bedrooms into combo home office and guest rooms. The décor can be classic or contemporary, but the usage remains the same. In a recent project in a New York city loft, we created a sleek home office guest room combo. A desk was built into the window alcove so that the homeworker was looking out at his view rather than into the small room. An armless sleep sofa is flanked by built in storage which can accommodate filing needs and well as guest needs. The wall hung plasma television allows the room to function as a small den. Many uses carved out of a small space.

For those not fortunate enough to have an extra bedroom, don’t give up on the idea of working from home. All you need is an extra closet. When there is no extra closet, we have even built closets for the purpose of using it as a home office. For traditional décor, we have created a wall of French doors behind which hides a functional work space. The same concept can have a modern look when treated with sleek sliding doors made of metal and sandblasted glass.

This extra closet was converted into a home office that hides behind beautiful molded doors. Design by Ziering Interiors.

 

In the photo shown here, we see a large closet that is in the foyer of a pre-war apartment building in New York City. The homeowner needed a place to do paperwork but did not want that space to be visible when she was entertaining. Voila. We created a small home office for her from a little used closet. The space is decorated with some of her favorite antiques. When company arrives, she just closes the doors and does not have to worry if she was unable to file her paperwork. It is hiding behind the beautiful double doors of the closet.

There are many creative solutions for the dilemma of how to work at home. Have an open mind and you will find the solution that best suits you. One important caution. Remember to treat your home work space as you did your business space. Get dressed and go to your desk as you did to your office. Try to keep your day organized with clearly delineated work times and leisure times. Don’t fall into the appealing trap of becoming that man or woman who spends all day in PJs. You’ll end up wistfully thinking of the good old days from which you had tried to escape.