Craftopia-Your Dream Workspace Awaits

Craftopia-Your Dream Workspace Awaits

Hot & Trendy - an Atlantic Design Center bi-monthly newsletter

at Atlantic Design Center ~ A Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Craftopia-Your Dream Workspace Awaits

By Juanita Reed, guest contributor

full size craft room with sink

Buttons, glue, fancy papers, rubber stamps, ribbons, spools of htread and omre…what do you do with them all? This is truly a crafter’s dilemma!

Have ou ever wished you had a workspace where you could do your painting, sewing or scrapbooking? Are you tired of having your supplies stacked in boxes in a spare room and spending more time setting up a “make-shift” workspace than actually crafting?

Whether you are an artist, craftsperson, seamstress or parent/grandparent that really enjoys inspiring children to create, here is the perfect solution!

Cabinets and Countertops…Not Just for Kitchens Anymore!

With the addition of a few cabinets and a countertop, any room can easily be transformed into the perfect craft work area. If you have the space, you may even choose to include a small utility sink for ease of project clean-up, washing out brushes or maybe to do a bit of potting or flower arranging.

Another consideration may be a pull-out unit which will give you an additional work surface; perfect for a sewing machine, paper cutter or easel, with plenty of extra storage space below. Conveniently, the pull-out work surface rolls back into place and looks like another cabinet when not in use.

You Can Never Have Enough Storage Space

The design experts at Atlantic Design Center can also help customize your work area with specially sectioned drawer inserts, roll-down storage nooks and fabulous slat walls with hardware that allows for all sorts of storage flexibility.

Stop by and check out our craft room and put your imagination to work!

craft organizing wall, cart, drawers, counter
craft drawers
Nancy Bither

Nancy Bither has a total of 29 years experience in the building supply business. For 21 of those years, she has specialized in kitchen and bath design and sales. As the Director of Design at Atlantic Design Center, Nancy oversees the design standards and project details for each designer. She is certified by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) for both Kitchen and Bath Design and was a founding member of the NKABA Main chapter. Nancy’s designs have been featured in national publications, in addition to an array of local designer show houses. As a designer, Nancy enjoys the challenge of making each kitchen unique to each homeowner. She especially loves designing other rooms in the home, such as laundry rooms, entertainment centers and home offices.

slat wall organizer for craft supplies

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TRASH – Doesn’t Have to be a Dirty Word!

TRASH – Doesn’t Have to be a Dirty Word!

Hot & Trendy - an Atlantic Design Center bi-monthly newsletter

at Atlantic Design Center ~ A Bi-Monthly Newsletter

TRASH – Doesn’t Have to be a Dirty Word!

You have spent countless hours planning and making decisions about your upcoming kitchen or bath remodeling project. The contractor has been hired, the design is complete and the products have been selected. Now, you can sit back and watch it happen.

BUT WAIT! Do you have a plan for the disposal of the items to be removed?

Things that may no longer be of use to you may still have a lot of life in them. They may be very useful to someone else. The adage “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” could apply to the appliances, cabinets and fixtures you are about to part with.

One Man’s Trash is
Another Man’s Treasure

The easy solution is to load everything in the big yellow Eldredge dumpster sitting in your yard, then wave goodbye as it heads towards the scrap yard. Much of the materials will be sorted and then recycled into other products. This is a good thing.

There are also many other ways to find a good home for that “old stuff ”. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is one of the better known organizations that accepts donations of useable items in good condition. They sell the items to generate revenues to build Habitat Homes. You feel good that your “trash” is making someone else happy. And you may be able to claim a tax deduction. Don’t take your broken pieces of sheetrock to them, as they won’t take everything. Call or check online for items they will accept.

Don’t forget about the many other non-profit organizations in your communit, such as Goodwill Industries, schools, animal shelters, Red Cross, churches, etc. Someone may be in need of a couple of cabinets or a piece of countertop; used furniture in good condition; windows or doors.

Maybe you want to have a yard sale? There may be someone in your community whose house had a fire or water damage and could use a helping hand.

Perhaps a neighbor, friend or relative would be interested in a few of your “castaways”.

The larger point here is that the more we recycle and re-use, the healthier we and the planet become. You don’t have to be an extreme eco-person; just know that every little bit helps.

Now, you can sit back and feel good as your remodeling project becomes a reality.

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Jim Milligan

Jim Milligan

Jim was a real find for us here at Atlantic Design Center. Jim owned and operated his own Kitchen Center in southern Maine for 12 years. With a grand total of 22 years experience as a kitchen designer, Jim brings with him a wealth of practical experience. His calm and steady approach and easygoing nature makes him a pleasure to work with. Jim’s ability to listen to the customer and quickly determine what their needs are, is a testimony to his years of experience. He also has a loyal following of customers and contractors that appreciate his attention to detail and his commitment to deliver great service.

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Powder Rooms with Pizazz

Powder Rooms with Pizazz

Hot & Trendy - an Atlantic Design Center bi-monthly newsletter

at Atlantic Design Center ~ A Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Powder Rooms with Pizazz

It may be the smallest room in the house, but who says it can’t pack a punch?!

Bold paint colors, vessel sinks, glass tile and crystal sconces are just a few design elements to jazz up your bath. That little room tucked under the stairs or along the hall has the power to say, “WOW!”

With a few simple, but well thought out selections, a stylish powder room is well within reach. So, where to being?

blue tile sink
metal sink basin on stone pedestal

Color

If it’s drama you want, a bold paint color makes a strong statement.

  • Painting stripes in a vertical pattern brings height to a low ceiling.
  • Wallpaper and wall covering is making a comeback. A large scale pattern is dramatic in a small space.
  • A richly textured grass cloth lends an organic feel.
  • Highlight only the wall behind the vanity. It could be papered or tiled to complement the countertop and sink, along with the rest of the room.
bath design - sahara

Tile

Tile is a great way to define a particular style.

  • A sleek glass tile behind a gorgeous vessel sink will bring a modern look.
  • Richly textured slate tile behind a stone vessel sink lends an organic feel.
  • An octagon Carrara marble tile on the floor is a traditional style; paired with a bright red vanity with jeweled hardware and you have drama.
white vanity on black pedestal
plum vanity with white inlay

Vanities

  • Can be open below to save space and money.
  • Countertops can go wall to wall to make a narrow space feel wider.
  • Faucets can be wall mounted; always a cool look!
  • Countertops can be natural stone or beautiful grained wood.

Mirrors & Lighting

Mirrors can be sleek or richly ornate. Trim can be painted with high glass paint. Lighting can’t be overlooked. A petite crystal chandelier brings sparkle and elegance. Pendant lights are fun in a small space. There are great light fixtures for every budget and don’t forget they can be placed on the mirror, too.

Accessorize

Accessorize with colorful textured towels! A decorative soap dispenser makes hand washing easier. There are beautiful stone and glass dispensers available.

Mixing styles creates great design. Go big, be brave! Add a little whimsy somewhere, it makes people smile!

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Nancy Bither

Suzie Getman is our Design Consultant in the Tile & Flooring department. She has been working in bath design for over 8 years. Her specialty is tile design. A New Hampshire native, she holds degrees in Human Services and Education. Her love of design began when she purchased an old Cape Cod home many years ago and began furnishing it by attending estate auctions and scouring consignment shops. She has completed course work in Interior Design and Color and is also certified in ADA and Aging in Place design.

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Show Your True Colors

Show Your True Colors

Hot & Trendy - an Atlantic Design Center bi-monthly newsletter

at Atlantic Design Center ~ A Bi-Monthly Newsletter

outdoor patio

Show Your True Colors

NOTE: This is a re-post of a popular newsletter from May 2012.
Be sure to contact one of our designers to see what colors are currently trending.

Sofa, pillows and wallpaper in 'trendy' color, Tangerine

You have waited and waited and waited…and finally you hear, “Yes, it’s a go!” You’ve been watching HGTV and buying magazines for months now. Yeah! You revel in the prospect of starting in to your dream project. So many great ideas! But wait, slowly that feeling of trepidation creeps in. Suddenly it does not seem so easy to commit. We all want something new and hot but it must have staying power. Violets, orange, aquas, citrus…It all looks so right…for other people’s homes. So how do you know that what you pick will not turn out to be the “avocado” of yesteryear?

Recently I attended the “Coverings” Expo in Florida and was fortunate enough to catch the key speaker Leatrice Eisenhart. Her featured topic, “Future Color Trends: Fantasies and Realities” provided many answers to these typical questions. Leatrice is a consultant who has been studying color and trends for years and has written widely on the subject. Which color is the right one to choose? You know if you ask ten individuals you would be lucky to come up with less than ten different answers.

What we do know is that color is the element that we notice immediately. Color sets the tone of the space and can have a positive or negative effect. One tip I can pass along is to study not only home and interior magazines, but to search even wider for future trends. Look to the fashion industry, the automobile industry, the cosmetic industry, the movie industry. They are all on the cutting edge when selecting colors for the season. Manufacturers use color in both product and marketing materials to “coax or cajole, to soothe or astonish us, to renew or replenish” us.

tangerine colored pitcher

During the Second World War, as women took to working in factories, the one luxury they permitted themselves was to buy a hot new lipstick. Color motivates us, makes us feel good. Today the modern equivalent would be to look at nail polish. For the rst time, sales of nail polish outstrips that of lipstick.You will see a wide palette of both hot neons and metallics in burnished gold and silver at any cosmetics counter along with traditional classic pinks and reds. Right now the 2012 color to watch for is “Tangerine Tango”! Lime greens, aqua, oranges are still huge in “pop” culture. Gentile violets, purples and classic claret are all being used in movie sets such as Downton Abbey and others. These trends in other industries definitely cross over into home furnishings and residential products.

stack of pillows in lime and tangerine colors

But besides industry and commerce, just turn to nature. There was a time when mixing more than one shade of green in your home was considered a “no, no” but neutral colors are widely loved in nature. The catch word is that green is “sustainable” and has been shown to promote feelings of good health, helping one to breathe slowly and feel better. Green can be mixed with green. Look outdoors! Mother-nature does it all the time.

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Remember, satisfy your soul.

Don’t shy away. Commit to your colors and enjoy them!

Another way to express yourself with color would be to create a base of neutrals, including greens (yes, green is considered a neutral) and create the “magic” by injecting a punch of color. Accessories, such as pillows, drapes, rugs, artwork, can add contrast and excitement without overwhelming the senses. These accents do not have to be perfectly matched, but must be repeated at least twice or more in the space in order to create a cohesive and valanced environment. That way, if your taste changes over time, you can easily make inexpensive changes and still remain current with color.

So whether you choose to use neutrals or draw from multi ethnic themes, Southwest or preppy old school color combinations, with a well balanced palette, any of these can look good in your home. For more on specific color combinations, you can go to ColorExpert where Leatrice has information and links to her Pantone View color palettes.

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Mary Kavanagh

Mary is our consultant specializing in bathroom design. Irish born, she holds honors degrees in both Hotel Mgt. & PR. Years living in Switzerland and the UK fueled her interest in hotel architecture, planning and design. Exposure to both contemporary & classic resorts and properties are reflected in her European sense of style. Her love of art & architecture brought her to Endicott College in Beverly, MA where she pursued her career in Interior Design. She has extensive residential experience working in soft furnishings, drapes & wall coverings, in addition to the bath and tile design she did in Boston and Acton, MA. Mary is now settled in York, Maine with her husband & children. She enjoys sewing & gardening and “dabbles in paint.” Combining her passion for art & color with the skills of drafting & interior design, Mary creates lasting impressions for her clients in tile and stone.

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Surviving a Kitchen Remodel

Surviving a Kitchen Remodel

Hot & Trendy - an Atlantic Design Center bi-monthly newsletter

at Atlantic Design Center ~ A Bi-Monthly Newsletter

kitchen photo - before & after

Surviving a Kitchen Remodel

Timing is everything – so planning the timing of your project is just one of the keys to a successful remodel. Do you wait until the summer so you can do the cooking comfortably outside on the grill? Better yet – how about having the contractor start the tear out, the dirtiest part of the project, while you are at camp? Or do you wait until the fall when the kids have gone off to college and all your summer guests have gone home? I’ve even had clients plan their remodeling project knowing that they would not be ready for Thanksgiving – that way they knew they didn’t have to host it!

Once you’ve decided on a start date, you can now begin to get organized. A large notebook or an expandable file will do. Start choosing all the finishes and items as soon as possible. There is nothing worse than getting a call from your contractor saying, The electrician is arriving tomorrow so we need to know what lighting fixtures

you are using” or “the painter is here – do you have those wall colors picked out?” which means you have to drop everything to go to the store to make hurried decisions.

Plan on putting your refrigerator and microwave in a corner of an undisturbed room to create a makeshift kitchen. This allows you to at least make coffee and breakfast in the morning.

Expect the unexpected!!! If someone tells you it’s a three-week project, plan on six! Whatever you have budgeted for money, set at least ten percent aside to cover any surprises. I promise you will have some!

Please keep the end result in mind to stay polistive. Take “before” shots and lots of interim pictures for prosperity – it will all be worth it!

Counter Top Trends

A popular trend in kitchen remodeling has homeowners incorporating different countertop surfaces, allowing them to create a focal point for an island or a piece of furniture. Most designs include granite or man-made quartz countertops for the majority of the working kitchen surface area and then the complimentary surface is typically a beautiful mahogany or teak wood surface. Occasionally, we will see stainless steel for the more contemporary designs. Other options include gorgeous glass countertops, distressed metal surfaces and colorful concrete. Of course, there are also beautiful laminates available for the budget-conscious consumer which, when partnered with a stone remnant for the island, provides the perfect solution for creating your own unique and more affordable kitchen space.
Nancy Bither

Nancy Bither has a total of 29 years experience in the building supply business. For 21 of those years, she has specialized in kitchen and bath design and sales. As the Director of Design at Atlantic Design Center, Nancy oversees the design standards and project details for each designer. She is certified by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) for both Kitchen and Bath Design and was a founding member of the NKABA Main chapter. Nancy’s designs have been featured in national publications, in addition to an array of local designer show houses. As a designer, Nancy enjoys the challenge of making each kitchen unique to each homeowner. She especially loves designing other rooms in the home, such as laundry rooms, entertainment centers and home offices.

Hot & Trendy Archive

flower tile mosaic

Magnificent Mosaics!

Adding Mosaique Surface to its line of tile vendors brought an array of detailed, exquisite and creative mosaic tiles to the offerings at Atlantic Design Center. Read more →

Save this Article

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