1st Annual Designer Sample Sale

SAVE THE DATES!

The first annual Designer Sample Sale is in the planning stages.  The dates are confirmed so plan to attend.

Calling all Designers

We will be contacting Central Oregon Interior Designers & Tenant partners in the Design Center to participate.  If you have samples, fabrics, books, mis-orders, shades, model home furnishings etc that you would like to sell please contact me. The more designers we have the better the sale.  We plan to do this at least once a year so let's make the first one a great sale to be anticipated.

If you are a bargain hunter plan to come & bring a friend!

LOCATION

http://www.oregondesigncenter.com/

2127 U.S. 97

Redmond, OR 97756-2635

(541) 548-6900

Installation Day at the Design Center

It was Installation Day at the Design Center in Redmond OR

It was a long day of installing draperies, shutters & shades.  The first window treatment has several layers, including under draperies in silky plaid, and a top layer of tapestry weight fabric panels, lined & interlined.  The cartridge pleats have contrasting buttons out of the fabric used to band the front edges of each panel.  Fabrics are from Fabricut & Norbar Fabric companies. The custom iron hardware from Iron Art by Orion compliments the Tuscan theme of the space. (Wine room & dining room).  The faux iron window panel completes the Tuscan theme. "Tableaux" faux iron, looks like iron but is light weight, versatile, & is a recycled "green" product.  It is completely customizable & can be made in many shapes & sizes.

Installation by Russel Bartz Interior Develpments

Bend OR

Hartmann & Forbes

Award-winning, luxury maker of handwoven shades from sustainable fibers.

Available exclusively through the design trade.

These unique draperies are made from finely woven grasses with a silk bottom border that coordinates with the silk roman shades.  These may be lined or unlined. 

Custom Iron rods Iron Art by Orion.

The pictures can not do this treatment justice.  My camera did not have the light to show this off

Sun Screen for the Outdoor Room

Hunter Douglas Designer Screens are perfect for blocking UV light & glare.  This one is installed in the Outdoor Room at the Design Center

Shades and Shutters

Hunter Douglas Duette Architella shades save energy & look great too.  They come in many colors & are custom made for your windows. You  may qualify for an energy tax credit of up to $1500.  See me for more details.  There are many lift systems to choose from including a top-down bottom-up, a cordless lift (perfect for french doors & rooms where kids and pets can get to cords) . There is also an Easy Rise lift for extra large shades.

Shutters come in faux wood, painted & stained real woods as well as custom finishes. Many configurations are available. We can fit sliders, french doors and arches.

Come by and see the new displays. 

More are coming in the next few months.

http://www.suzannemariesinteriors.com/

A table from wood over 1200 years old!!

Can you imagine! Owning a table made from a single piece of wood that is over 1200 years old.
I found this company online. Beautiful carvings, totems & tables.



Sweetwood Creations Inc. is a company derived from one man’s passion for wood carving, nature and art. James Andison is a carver and sculptor who has been creating wood sculptures for well over a decade. He uses his artistic talents to create totem poles, vertical art, sculptures, masks, tables, doors and mantles. He also offers all forms of architectural carving; such as corbels, finials, arches, or any structural log or timber frame components, from one of nature’s greatest gifts… wood

I have a project coming up that needs a very large table so I inquired about the ones I saw online.  Here was the answer.

 The first table is a big one! Approx. 10 ft. long by 7ft. wide tapering to 5.5 ft, and approx. 6 " thick. $15,000.00 CA. It can seat 10 people easily. All three table tops are one piece. No joinery. They came from a massive tree that was 8ft by 8 ft. in diameter. Almost impossible to find these days and I'm in the business of knowing. This tree was so big I had to have two 966 loaders to load it onto the flat bed and then I had it shipped over 1500 km's to two separate mills that could cut it. To give you an example: this tree was growing before Louise and Clarks first voyage across the America's to the west coast. I lost count after 1200 years on the growth rings. So in short. These are rare collectables these days for the wood buffs and they will appreciate in value as this type of wood is rare or better yet protected species. The next two tables are both in the works right now. The second being the "raindrop" table which will be out fitted with illuminated glass , where the holes are and will have a forged metal fabricate tree trunk holding the table up. This table will not be for sale until June or July and will be featured in many magazines and will retail in the neighborhood of $50,000.00 to $60,000.00 CA. The third table was a table I loaned to Baldface Lodge - a heli-cat ski lodge here in the Kootenays. It has Rainbow trout swimming around it and I am planning to refinish it. It- like the other two is a solid slab and is $ 15,000.00 OBO.

Thought you might like to see them.

Kitchen Islands

Since  I am talking about kitchens this month, (see post dated 11-24) I can not help but talk about kitchen islands.  Islands can come in many sizes, purposes & styles. It is is true that an island can be a simple box cabinet with a top to be functional but what fun would that be. How much better to get  a little creative & create a truly beautiful addition to you home  Here are a few pointers about islands.

First, if the island is an addition to your existing kitchen, figure out what functions the new island will be handeling. Will it be providing extra storage, housing new appliances or sinks, providing additonal eating space or will it be a work space only?  Depending on your answers, you will need to consider how to provide lighting, plumbing & electrical service to the area..

Second, you need to define the amount of space dedicated to the island.  If the island is being added to an existing kitchen remember that 36" is the absolute minimum space you should have between existing cabinetry & the front edge of your island.  I like about a 48"  or even more myself. You will also want to take into consideration whether a dishwasher or oven door will be opening downward in front of the island.  This is really important to think out because you don't want to create an "accident" zone.  Determine whether the oven door could be too close to other cabinetry & cause a tripping situation.  You can see how this would be a problem area if it is too close with no room to get around it.  Same thing with a dishwasher door. You will get a lot of bruises if there is not enough space to get around the door when it is in the down position.  Changing the placement of the dishwasher or oven will need to be considred if adequate space is not available

Third, you also need to determine an appropriate length for the island.  Too short & it will look like a chopping block (which is great if that is what you need) but not so great if it is out of proportion to the rest of the kitchen.  You will also want to consider how far you want to walk to get around to the other side of the island.  I have done longer islands that were up to15 feet long at the request of the client but in my opinion that is pushing it for overall length.  It is at least an  8.5 foot walk to get to either side from the center (you also need to add in the 3-6 feet of depth of the island ) The complete kitchen design will determine what is best to the eye & good planning will be the key to a successfull project..  You must do a layout on graph paper or have your kitchen designer provide a cabinet layout prior to any work being started.

Fourth, you will need to determine the proper height of the island.  Working height will usually be 36". However, there are instances where that may not be the best choice.  If the kitchen is being remodeled or custom built for wheelchair accessability, heights will vary as to function.  Space requirements between and around cabinets would also change to accomodate wheel chair or walker turn around space.  A professional designer will be able to help with the proper heights etc.

If the island is to have an eating bar on one side, a split height might be chosen.  This is also often done if you want to hide a sink or cooktop from view.  A 12" eating bar overhang is usually adequate for bar stools to slide under but more may be added to accomadate  more leg space etc.

I will be talking more about islands in my next post.  Materials, functions, counter tops, legs, styles etc.  Check back.

This is an example of a free standing island that has many functions incorporated into it.  I will talk about this island in my next post.

http://www.suzannemariesinteriors.com/
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I LOVE Kitchens. Induction Cooktops

It seems that in the fall my kitchen takes on a new place in my life.  Summer time cooking is usually outside or on the run but fall and winter kitchens are the best.  Kitchens can be a gathering place for family and friends, a learning place for our children, an exciting place for the family cook to try out new recipies. and a really warm and happy place to be.  Its no wonder that so many people who want to upgrade their home decide to start with the kitchen.

Whether it is going to be a complete remodel or just a simple face lift it will be money and time well spent.  In future posts I am going to focus on kitchens since I really love them and the function they perform for our families.  I will be sharing  great ideas large and small  so keep posted.

Today I am going to include some interesting information on induction cook tops.  Is that a new one for you?  Well, it's not really so new.  Induction cooking has been used in Europe for decades by professionals and homeowners demanding the best in performance. Induction cooking is so efficient that it out-performs gas and electric cooktops. There is no wasted heat because energy is supplied directly to the cooking vessel. Info from www.wolfappliance.com

How Does an Induction Cooktop Work?

Induction cooktops have many advantages over other cooking methods, including efficiency, controllability, and safety. These advantages are easily explained by discussing how they work. Each hob contains one or more coils made of ferromagnetic material. When an alternating current is passed through these coils, a magnetic field of the same frequency is produced. If a magnetic-based pan is placed on the hob, the magnetic field induces a current in the pan. The internal resistance of the pan causes heat to be dissipated, following the Joule effect. Thus it is the pan itself, and not the cooktop, that heats up and cooks the food. Once the pan is removed from the cooktop, the energy transfer stops. The result is a flame-less method of cooking in which it is nearly impossible to start a fire by forgetting to turn off the stove.

Parents won't have to worry about their child touching a hot burner because the cooktop surface remains cool. Changing cooking temperatures is achieved quickly because there is no wait for the hob to heat up, only the pan. Since there is no transfer of heat energy between the hob and the pan, less heat is lost into the air, resulting in a more efficient means of cooking, not to mention a more agreeable cooking environment.

How Does an Induction Cooktop Compare to Other Cooktops?

According to CEG Electric Glass Company, a producer of induction cooktops, "power savings of 40-70% are realistically achievable in comparison to conventional cooktops." The following statistics are taken from CookTek Online. For the reasons discussed above, it is not surprising that induction heating results in the highest efficiency.

Efficiency of Cooking Methods
Method Efficiency
Induction 90%
Halogen 58%
Electric 47%
Gas 40%

This information shows that using an induction cooktop can result in reduced power bills. Other tests show that induction cooking is faster than using gas, halogen, or a microwave. As mentioned above, the induction cooktop is extremely safe. There is no risk of fire if food or grease overflows from the pan, no risk of burns from touching the cooktop surface, and no worry about dangerous fumes from gas or other cooking fuels. The ceramic glass surface can be cleaned by simply wiping off the surface with a damp towel. Although induction ranges are currently more expensive than their electric or gas counterparts, when all of these advantages are taken into account, the induction cooktop will definitely pay for itself.

Will You Have to Buy Special Cookware?
Induction cooking can be used with any type of cookware from frying pans to woks. However, the induction cooktop only works when used with magnetic-based materials, such as iron and steel, that will allow an induced current to flow within them. A simple way to find out if a pan is induction compatible is to use the "magnet test;" if a magnet will stick to the surface of the pan, it will work. Many companies produce special cookware specifically for induction cooking. These pans are designed to absorb magnetic energy and spread the heat quickly and evenly, resulting in higher efficiency and reduction of "hot spots," which can cause food to be burned in some areas while still uncooked in others

Why you should choose an Induction Cooktop?

The induction cooktop is a very practical device and can be used for any cooking application. It cooks food just as well as any comparable system but in a safer, more energy efficient manner. Protecting the world's environment and conserving resources is currently an important concern, and the induction cooktop is probably the most environmentally sound cooking device on the market, as it releases no fumes or chemicals into the air and uses no irreplaceable fossil fuels. Anyone thinking of purchasing a new stove should consider investing in an induction cooktop.  (This induction information is reprinted from Messenger Media)

My Personal Comments

I have not personally used an induction cooktop.  I have always loved the way the gas cook tops look & cook so I have always used gas.  I was really surpised by the efficiency data & will certainly consider using this type of cooktop in future projects. I have had one client purchase an induction cooktop .  It looked really nice and clean & she is liking it..

http://www.suzannemariesinteriors.com/

BEAUTIFUL ART & CHINESE STYLE FURNITURE FOR SALE

I love this piece but have no place for it. It was purchased for a model home.  It is hand painted in China by an unknown art student.  Price $300.00.

I also have this really nice chinese style painted desk for sale.  It is located in my office in Salem, OR.  Shipping can be arranged if needed.  From the same model home as the art.. $400.00

This desk is "trapped" in my storage room. I couldn't get a full front view for the photo. Sorry.

Lastly from the same model home I have a chinese wedding chest with authentifiction papers. Purchased from Asian artifacts dealer in Portland. It has been modified inside to accomadate a TV. $900.00. Located at my office in Bend, OR

 email smint@comcast.net
http://www.suzannemariesinteriors.com/

Tableaux by Fauxiron Solutions

I have come across another great resource for my clients called Tableaux. It is a really cool product. It looks like iron but it's not. It is a "faux" iron  product that allows the designer to create beautiful inserts for windows & doors, laid on panels for cabinets,  arches for entries, doors & windows, and cornices and toppers for drapes.. How about a ceiling panel or a medallion for your chandelier? Even exterior grade product is available. This product is much less expensive than real iron & much lighter in weight.  It can be easily installed.

It is very lightweight & can be carved on one or both sides depending on the application. If you can imagine it, it can be made. It is totally CUSTOM so any size, shape & pattern can be done. There are idea books available but we can also create a custom design. There are a variety of finishes available as well as custom finishes if we need to match something.. Best of all, it is a "Green" product so you can feel good about using it in your next project.

I will have a window panel at the Redmond OR Design Center on Hwy 97 in December. Come out and take a look. If you think this would be great in your home or office we can come & give you an estimate.

http://www.suzannemariesinteriors.com/

An update about the Design Center in Redmond OR

I am happy to say that my venture into the realm of  "Window Treatment " tenent partner at The Design Center in Redmond OR is well underway.  I have fabrics ordered & work rooms working to create some interesting & beautiful window treatments that you will NOT find at a chain store or box store.  I am excited about some of the new things I will be bringing in.  I hope to have some things ready in early December to have installed. One window treatment is by Hartman & Forbes using grass textiles & raw silk fabrics for a refined contemporary look.  Another custom fabric treatment being fabricated will be old-world looking layered fabrics, hand made wrought iron hardware & Fauxiron window inserts. This will fit beautifully in the Tuscan wine room. Please check in later for an update.  If you have not been to the Design Center I hope that you will plan to come out to see what local businesses have put together. It is really impressive.

http://www.suzannemariesinteriors.com/  

Now offering Hartmann and Forbes Portfolio

I am so excited to let you know about the amazing "green" shades & drapes from Hartmann & Forbes. The portfolio is my newest addition to my product lines. I invite you to see these beautiful hand woven fabrics, made from grasses, bamboo, silks, and other "natural "materials. They can be fabricated into roman shades, roller shades, natural & textile draperies, and panel screens. The options & combinations are totally custom. Made for the discriminating homeowner, you will not find these at big box stores or retailers. They are sold exclusively through interior designers & architects.

One of the nice features available with Hartmann & Forbes roman shades is to have the option of a privacy liner behind any of the semi opaque or sheer type weaves to provide privacy & light control when it is needed. When it is not needed it can be pulled up completely behind the roman shade.

I will be showing a completed Harman & Forbes treatment at the Design Center in Redmond Oregon next month. Please call me to see these samples and iidea book in your home or office

Your new window shades may qualify for a tax credit!

HUNTER DOUGLAS "ARCHITELLA" SHADES CERTIFIED FOR FEDERAL TAX CREDITS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY .

DID YOU KNOW? “Uncovered windows can literally be energy holes, depleting a home of up to half of its heating and cooling energy dollars,” said Marv Hopkins, Hunter Douglas President and CEO. “We specifically designed and developed the award-winning, strikingly beautiful Duette Architella shade – our most energy-efficient product and the fastest-growing innovation in the extremely popular cellular category – to address this problem. This takes the air-trapping cellular structure of our original Duette honeycomb shade and makes it even more energy-efficient by placing a cell within a cell.”.

Duette® Architella® Shades: Energy Savings Made Beautiful

Introduced in 2006, Duette Architella shades have insulating R-values as high as 7.86 and solar heat gain coefficients as low as 0.15. Their patented honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design forms more air pockets than traditional honeycomb shades and reduces heat transfer at the window by up to 50 percent when the shades are properly installed – more than doubling the energy efficiency of the window and helping to lower heating and cooling costs.
Calculations, based on a conservative energy-savings methodology that was validated by the Rocky Mountain Institute, show that Duette Architella shades can save up to $2.94 per square foot annually in energy costs and approximately 10 percent of an average household’s carbon footprint. Of course, estimates will vary by region.

Consumers may now have the opportunity to save on their energy bills and their taxes with Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas, North America’s leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window coverings. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, federal tax credits for energy-efficient products are available for 30 percent of the cost of most Duette Architella shades, up to a maximum of $1,500 in total, when purchased and installed through December 31, 2010, provided the expense meets the tax guidelines. Highly insulating Duette Architella shades, which can more than double the energy efficiency of a window, are the first and only window shades to qualify for the tax credit without add-on insulation systems.

The LiteRise® TrimKit, which ensures shades are completely fitted to the window frame, may also qualify for the tax credit.

Consumers should consult their tax advisors or visit http://www.irs.gov/ to determine if they qualify and will be required to furnish a Manufacturer's Certificate to apply for the credit.

Homeowners should check the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement available at hunterdouglas.com/taxcredit for a list of qualifying Architella products and restrictions and also consult their tax advisor to determine whether they are eligible for this federal tax credit.

Here is a link to the Architella products page on the Hunter Douglas website. See how beautiful these shades are & be amazed at the energy

efficiency provided by these shades.

http://www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products.jsp?so=tn#/P_53/

Be sure to click BACK on your browser to return to this blog page.

Check out the Energy Star government tax credits link to see what OTHER types of home improvements qualify for the tax credit. www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.

I would love to bring out actual samples of these shades to see in your own home. Now is a perfect time to purchase these shades. .Great REBATES are available right now in addition to the tax credits that you may receive.

 

http://www.suzannemariesinteriors.com/  

Redmond's New Design Center/Devine Color

I had the best time this week. I got to go see Redmond Oregon's new Design Center. It is really a great concept. There are many room settings where a person can view everything from beautiful kitchen tiles & designs, bath rooms & bedrooms to garden room ideas. I saw some very nice "faux" wall finishes, interesting concrete floor finishes & counter tops, unusual contemporary lighting & some really great fireplace inserts. One of the fireplaces had a totally unique bamboo theme. Before it was turned on for me I thought it was some sort of bamboo art installation inset into glass like a an aquarium. I was really delighted when it was turned on & it was actually a functioning gas fireplace. There were lots of interesting color combinations, furnishings, rugs, art & lots of ideas for home owners and their designers to come see. In fact the center was so nice that I think I will be joining as one of the exhibitors.



The part I enjoyed the most on this trip was the great discourse given by Gretchen Schauffler. In case you don't know her, she is the woman behind Devine Color. I have used Devine paints since her company got started some years back & it was fun to hear her speak again. She is very passionate about her theory on color selections. As many years as I have been in the Design business I have to say that some of her ideas on color selection got me to thinking about how I have selected color for clients over the years. She had some interesting things to say & it is always exciting to get a new perspective. I purchased her book "Devine Color, When Color Sings" and sat down to read it in one sitting. I then went to her web site & blog & had a regular "designer learning day". I came away with added knowledge to help my clients and that is always a good thing.

Here is just a small quote from Gretchen. "I say this will all due respect for all the other medium, smaller, and lesser colors—carpet, fabrics, counter tops and flooring—that have to share space with the most immense color: Paint! Paint color is the biggest and most important color in a room and it has the power to change EVERYTHING."


Your paint color really IS important if you are to bring out the best in your home with it's many woods, furnishings & carpets etc. Let me share what I know with you. Together we can create your own personal vision of home.



http://www.suzannemariesinteriors.com/

Energy Conservation Through Window Treatments

Fall & winter will soon be bringing colder weather (of course) and so it's time to think about your own personal energy conservation. A whole lot of your energy & money is going down the drain (or out the windows) if you don't have adequate protection against that transfer of heat & cold. Window treatments can help you so much with your energy costs as well as providing beauty & privacy. There are a variety of window treatments available on the market today but to assure the latest in technology, great new colors & styles & a great warranty you should really check out the latest from Hunter Douglas. http://www.hunterdouglas.com/.

"It's a scientific fact that heat is attracted to cold. In winter months, indoor heating moves toward and escapes through windows to the outdoors, while in summertime, the outside heat flows into your home through these same windows. Many Hunter Douglas window fashions boast high R-values—the measure of a product's ability to resist heat flow—helping reduce energy consumption, save on heating and cooling costs, and creating a more comfortable room setting." quote from Hunter Douglas)

If you have decided that now is the time to look into new or better window treatments Hunter Douglas is offering their Fall & Winter REBATES. I invite you to give me a call for an appointment to see the actual samples in your own home or office.

Call 503-364-4237