This spring, I had a chance to spend some quality time with an energy-efficiency consultant, who also happens to be my brother-in-law. But that’s neither here nor there. Anyway, I was able to pick his expert mind about what average homeowners can do to make their homes more energy-efficient. First, contrary to what many homeowners […]
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Posted inFeatured, Home
Let There Be Light
Light, be it natural or artificial, impacts productivity, safety, moods, as well as the sense of aesthetics. You can design a beautiful home or landscaped yard but if it is not properly illuminated, it may all be for not. The following is an overview of basic lighting design, types of fixtures and the different types […]
Posted inHome
Pantone Color of the Year 2014 — Radiant Orchid
According to the color experts at pantone, Radiant Orchid is uplifting and bold without being overpowering, re-energizing almost any color palette and providing a unifying element for diverse spaces. They recommend sprucing up interior spaces by incorporating
Posted inFeatured, Home
Timeless or Trendy?
Trendy has gotten a bad rap of late. My design clients and readers of my blog (www.SanctuaryAndStyle.com) often tell me that they can think for themselves. “I know what I like and I don’t need to follow trends,” they declare. Does that sound familiar? Here’s my rule of thumb. If you are designing for your […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
The Fundamentals of Residential Cabinetry
Pretty colors and fancy trim aside, a well-designed room exudes a subtle beauty. The essence of that beauty is in the placement of cabinetry, fixtures and furnishings. People derive a sense of comfort and purpose when they can walk into a room and intuitively know how they are going to navigate it and perform specific […]
Posted inGarden
Greening The Indoors
Gardeners can still get their plant fix during the winter months. It’s a great time to explore the world of indoor houseplants. It’s also a time to purchase a few usually outdoor culinary plants to brighten up a sunny windowsill or kitchen counter. Culinary Herbs Thyme, basil, rosemary, sage and mint are a few herbs […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Outdoor Living Manette Style
The buzz phrase in landscape design these days is outdoor living — creating garden “rooms” that effectively extend living space beyond the home. The Clarks have mastered this concept in the redesign of their yard, a project started a decade ago. This is a garden the whole family and community enjoys. Jean, Darin and their […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
Out with the Old, In with Serenity — Everything in Its Place
Spring is the season of renewal and fresh beginnings so it makes sense that this would be a perfect time to tackle those parts of your home that are chaotic, so you can create some serenity for yourself in your surroundings. It can often be a painful process, especially for those who have some pack-rat […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
Remodeling for the Dream Kitchen
Jerry and Dolly Coss have lived in their Silverdale home since 1997, undertaking a few remodels to update various areas. And while they’ve already remodeled their kitchen once, last year they decided to gut it out and start over. “I like to entertain but the living room got tight when you tried to put a […]