​I absolutely love the richness butcher-block countertops bring to a space!  They are not only beautiful but are extremely useful!  And have been used for centuries!  You can cut directly on the surface, stain it with food and liquid and they are easily brought back to the original beauty time and time again!  That’s tough to beat!

With the popularity of Mid-Century Modern style thriving it’s no wonder butcher blocks are continuing the huge comeback!  You can use them in numerous applications; kitchens, bars, office tables, laundry rooms, really wherever you need a countertop!  The best material to use is maple due to its hardness and its clear grain.  But nearly any wood can be used depending on your application.  In an area with heavy use I recommend selecting a harder wood such as maple, oak, or bamboo.  In an area that will not be utilized for direct cutting, walnut, zebrawood and alder are exquisite

Today I was going through some pictures, procrastinating my writing, and came across a small bar I designed/installed and thought, how great was that!  This compact bar has everything needed for storing and hosting plus it looks considerably more expensive then it is.

When Chris and I moved to Houston from Dickinson we had no clue what area to live in!  Everyone we knew warned us to live in an area where all your essentials are within a mile or two from your house.  The reason was to try and keep your errand running commute as short as possible; traffic in Houston makes the sanest person want to pull their hair out!

Chris is a small-town man!  Before moving to Houston the largest “city” he lived in was Dickinson, ND.  Most of you reading this are probably wondering, where in the heck is that?!  Well, it is a “city” of less then 30,000 and has a tendency to be subzero for weeks at a time!  Needless to say, my poor husband was in for an awakening moving to the fourth largest city in the United States!

​Our first Q & A questions comes from Kari in Midland, TX.
            “What is the difference between an interior designer and interior decorator?”

This is a great question! That I get asked ALL the time!  Honestly, most people do not know the difference!  Many people use “interior designer” and “interior decorator” interchangeably, but the two professions differ in critical ways.
 
When telling people I am an interior designer more times than not, they think interior decorator; furniture, throw pillows, colour palettes, and pretty signs.  Which is the most common misconception and possibly one of the worst things you could say to an Interior Designer.  Many people think that Interior Designers and Interior Decorators are one in the same, but this is just not the case. 
(We are as different as; Architects vs. Structural Engineers or registered nurse vs. nurse practitioner)

​THE WORKING TRIANGLE
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​The kitchen working triangle originally called “circular routing” has been a part of kitchen designs since 1929!  Yes, we have been trying perfect the function of this space for over 90 years!  The kitchen triangle includes three main appliances; the sink, cooktop, and refrigerator.  The concept is to situate these three main appliances to form a straight-lined unobstructed working “triangle” with minimal linear feet between each appliance, and the total linear feet not exceeding 26’.  This theory is still used today but has been adapted to the new customary technologies and appliances kitchens now include.

​​The working triangle was created when the kitchen had only one user: the woman of the house.  At that time no one could have fathomed the kitchen would become such a hot spot in the home.  Kitchens now suit multiple users of all sizes and host gatherings small and large.  With traffic being so high in this tight space working tringles just do not cut it anymore!  

​Its finally here!  Sherwin-Williams 2021 color of the year!  Drum roll…….!  Urban Bronze SW7048! 
This color is rooted in nature - forges a feeling that's grounded to create a calm space that we all are needing this year!

​A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to be a part of Sherwin-Williams ColorMix Forecast Release.  A “normal” year attending would be an anticipated event where interior design colleagues would gather for a presentation release and discuss our opinions about the forecasted color.  We would snack on some finger food and walk around the hosting showroom sipping a glass of wine. 

I am hoping at this point you have explored our website and/or check us out on Facebook and Houzz.  (if you haven’t, please see yourself that way after this learning session!)  Brief company recap: We are a full service #interiordesign firm that excels at all phases of design. 
​Design of what exactly? Residential, commercial and kitchen + Bath projects large and small!  

Our repertoire includes new construction, remodels, and additions which all begin at the same design phase, meeting the client!  Each projects phase order is based on its size and the relationship between designer and client.  Meaning, an individual client with a simple project or an extensive project involving an organizational board.  

It is not a new concept!  In fact, people have been mixing it up in kitchens for years!  Which is why I feel compelled to continue to talk about this! 

I know you have seen them, and more than likely saved them to your Pinterest board.  But for some reason many people are reluctant to move forward with this fun #design.  ​

I LOVE DESIGNING KITCHENS!  Largely because the plethora of design options that exists for this space.  But also, because we all congregate in our kitchens, hello heart of the home!  Kitchens are not just for cooking anymore, they host social gathering, complete kids’ homework, act as a temporary office, accommodate our fur-babies, I mean the list goes on!  So, why would you not take advantage of designing your kitchen to reflect your personality?  
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​I am sure you have noticed that black is having a HUGE moment in #InteriorDesign ! 
Window frames, cabinets, walls, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and appliances! Just to name a few jumping on the color trend wagon.  And we are loving it!

Greenfield Cabinetry

​Its residential soft opening was late 2017 when people decided gold and white needed a BFF.  Little did gold know that black was going to be stealing the show!  Due to its versatility black can be used in many different design styles; modern, transitional, traditional and all that is in-between.  Gold on the other hand only went as far as accent pieces, namely fixtures and hardware.  

James Thomas Interiors

​The first place I noticed blacks unveiling was as a window frame upgrade in the residential world. Not long after that it was being used as the new accent color on pillows, throws, accent lighting and furnishing statement pieces throughout homes.

We are in a design movement my friends!