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An example of a well designed kitchen. Courtesy photo

The Value of Interior Design – Why Hire a Designer?

Lately I’ve been pondering how to communicate the value of interior design. Defining one’s personal value is more than what service we offer, of course, but it’s good to communicate a lifetime’s wealth of knowledge in order to help others.

One of the most common myths about working with an interior designer is that it will cost too much. While it is true that some designers command high fees, many charge rates that are quite reasonable and Read More

A window wall brings the outside in. Courtesy photo

Smart Design With Suzette

Design that inspires creates emotions that make us feel, make us think and look at the world in a different light. Good design influences us.

It makes us feel peaceful and happy. Good design stimulates the five senses – not all at the same time of course – but deeply.

In America we spend around 90 percent of our time indoors, whether it’s at school, work, home, in shops, cafés, events, museums and galleries. Our environment says a lot about us, and the spaces that we inhabit Read More

Bechtel’s environmental classroom – Smith College A Living Building. Courtesy photo

In reading an article recently about design ideas that matter, I was blown away. All roads lead in the direction of resiliency – not just sustainability, but designing and building for the next hundred years. Architects, designers and developers are creating innovations into the next century. Pretty cool stuff.

Buildings That Produce Their Own Energy

Architect Eric Corey Freed feels that the typical new building is an energy Read More

Light-filled kitchen. Courtesy photo

Smart Design With Suzette

Designing interiors using sustainable practices is important. Indoor air quality, sustainable materials, water efficiency, and energy savings will provide long-term cost savings, comfort, peace of mind and safety.

Sustainable design is a science. Some principles apply across the board, but many measures will depend on your home’s age, construction techniques used, building codes, local climate (temperature and humidity) and the land on which your Read More

Design drawing for a kitchen remodel. Courtesy/Suzette Fox 

Smart Design With Suzette

A kitchen can be filled with beautiful materials and finishes, but if the layout and space doesn’t work well, it’s not a successful design. A good space plan and flow are critical. Anyone who has tried working in a poorly designed kitchen knows this.

Kitchens have become the main gathering area of the house. We want more from our kitchens—we want them to really work for us and, at the same time, be beautiful.

I recommend working with a kitchen Read More

Remodeled kitchen. Courtesy/Suzette Fox

Remodeled kitchen with a modern look. Courtesy/Suzette Fox

Smart Design With Suzette

Using Your Home’s Value

If you’re looking for the best return-on-investment, expect to spend between 6 and 10 percent of your home’s value for a full kitchen renovation. For instance, if your house is worth Read More

A newly renovated kitchen. Courtesy/Suzette Fox

 

A white kitchen. Courtesy/Suzette Fox

Smart Design With Suzette

The kitchen is my favorite room to design. Kitchens represent family, nourishment, friends and laughter. Kitchens are also the most challenging. Huge mistakes can be made. These mistakes have lasting implications as a result of decisions that were not thought through.

This article will be the first in a series on kitchen renovation. I will walk you through getting started, a budget, space planning, layout Read More