Design Adaptations

This happens all the time in home remodels/new construction; items get placed on back order, get lost or even worse - discontinued or arrive damaged.  In Lunada's most recent project, a bath tub of ours was delivered 3 weeks late and with so much damage to the exterior enamel that we had to reject it at delivery!  This was an especially sad realization because this tub is what sparked an entire bathroom remodel for our client.  The tub I am speaking of is the Kohler Highbridge, a beautiful fixture.  It has a finished apron recessed about 6" improving the accessibility of the tub by allowing the user to step closer to the basin or the space can be used for custom cabinetry, which is what Lunada decided to do. Lunada planned to highlight the tub's finished apron (let's get the most bang for the buck since the tub is pricier than a regular drop-in) by building an open shelf where the client could place decorative soaps, towels, what have you.

 

 This design was so thought out and happily embraced by our client, it was heartbreaking to think that we would have to reselect another tub that really wasn't comparable to the Highbridge. (You might be thinking to yourself, "Why not just order another one?" Well, lead time on a new Highbridge was 28 days, and we certainly couldn't allow our client to wait that long after the original 3 week delay.  This project should have been finishing up by now!!) Eventually the damaged tub was installed and the design was changed eliminating the open shelf and adding cabinets all the way across similar to this image:

Another option: tiling the front of the tub takes advantage of the 6" under the ledge increasing accessibility to the tub.

My point is, that even when there are setbacks within of home remodels and design, it isn't the end of the world. Good designers are all about adapting to situations that are out of their control and still producing beautiful design that their clients will love.  It's also about having good plumbing reps who will take care of you in times of minor crises like this. Check our website www.lunadaconsulting.com for progress pictures!

Last Minute Tax Credits!

All of the great tax credits that we have been hearing about are going to expire at the end of the year which is why it is a great time to take advantage of these projects now and not later.  All of these changes will pay for themselves over time, you will literally be paying less for energy with these changes and the govt. will most likely cover almost 30% of the costs!!! 

1. Get an energy audit - this can target problem areas and sometimes are required in order to take advantage of certain energy audits.
2. Re-Insulate - help keep cool air in and hot air out.....or vice versa depending on the time of year.  If you use insulation approved by the Energy Conservation Code the you can have 30% or up to $1,500 off 2010 taxes.
3. Replace old windows & doors - same as insulation, keep what you want in and what you don't wan out. This is a more expensive project but think of it as adding to your home's aesthetics as well as your pocket book.
4. Replace old appliances - Cash for clunkers isn't just for your old cars, check for these deals and always buy Energy Star Rated Appliances.  New energy saving appliances can qualify for a tax credit that is equal to 30% of the cost up to $1,500.
5. Re-Roof - a new roof is one of the best investments you can make for your home. In addition to appliances, there are also Energy Star rated metal roofs.  These roofs have "cooling granules" that help reflect the sun's heat rather than absorb it. 
6. Plan to install a solar water heater - Solar credits were extended to 2016, so if you can't afford it now, don't worry but don't put it off either! 
7. Install a smart meter - By showing you data in real time, you can monitor your usage more effectively.  This will also tell you when it is the best time to run certain appliances when the cost of electricity is low. 

Read a more comprehensive summary on The Daily Green.

Lunada's Favorites

I just found my new favorite Green design blog! The Daily Green is a website dedicated to the latest green news, products and trends that I just spent the last hour on and could have stayed on for another!  I just read this great article about Natural Swimming Pools, here is an excerpt from their article:

"Chlorine's damaging effects on hair are well known, but few people realize that a number of studies have linked inhalation of the chemical by swimmers to increased asthma rates (in fact a new Irish study published this April reported a significant link between the number of years a boy had been swimming and the likelihood of the child being wheezy in the past year.) A Norwegian study also documented an increased risk of wheezing among children who swim in pools before 6 months of age. Further, in an unpleasant reaction, pee and sweat in water can react with chlorine to form toxic breakdown products known as chloramines.

For health, environmental and aesthetic reasons, a lot of people have expressed interest in alternatives to chlorine pools, and luckily there are more and more options to get wet without smelling like cleaning products. A company called TechnoPure offers alternative pool systems that treat water by pumping it through a chamber containing coated titanium plates and copper and zinc ions. The units cost a relatively affordable $5,500. DEL Ozone makes ozone injectors that can reduce the need for chlorine up to 90% -- there's been one installed at the White House for years! Some systems rely on a combination of ozone and copper and silver ions, while others are saline, though saltwater pools result in the formation of chlorine in the water.

Managed properly, natural swimming pools have crystal clear water and require no chemicals to maintain, as they are self-cleaning mini-ecosystems. "You can drink the water if you want to, and you don't necessarily have to take a shower," says Morgan Brown of Idaho-based Whole Water Systems, LLC. The natural pools designer says the systems also have lower maintenance costs than conventional pools, and their installation costs are not much more than standard designs.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/natural-swimming-pools-460908#ixzz0w9AU9oXz

I'm a total city girl and yes, these look just like huge ponds but I would jump into any of them in a heartbeat. Look at these photos!! Beautiful!

For more ideas on green alternatives in your home, schedule a consultation with Lunada or call our offices 310.544.1895!

Lunada Kitchen!

This kitchen was photographed earlier today in Palos Verdes Estates.  The list of special features goes on and on but here are some of my top 5 favorites:

• The custom gray and black finish on the cabinets.
• The fact that there are ZERO upper cabinets.
• The butternut squash colored range hood.
• The wine bar with butcher block top.
• The mix and match cabinet hardware that is pulled together through the antique pewter finish.

Now all that is left is window treatment and those are coming soon!!!!! I can't wait, the fabric selections are so unexpected and fun, you will be surprised that's for sure.

Want ideas or to schedule a consultation with Lunada, visit our website! And don't forget to follow us on Twitter!

Classic Farm Sinks

Trends come and go, but classic fixtures are always in style.  Whether you are going retro, modern, or eclectic, a farm sink can be a beautiful addition to any kitchen, bathroom or laundry room.  Recently, a client of our requested a farm sink to be used in their kitchen.  Of course Lunada went with a familiar brand that had the perfect color match to the already selected countertop.  (Screeching tires) Wait, that sink isn't offered in that perfect color?  Not to worry, it happens and 99% of this business is creative problem solving.  So, I have been scouring the internet and our materials library to find a replacement and along the way found some beautiful sinks and thought I could share the different applications for these classic sinks.

From the Lunada Vault:
Kohler Cast Iron

 A custom Lunada concrete countertop with integrated apron front sink:

Antique inspiration:

Native Trails copper & brushed nickel sinks:

Lavello stainless steel:

Farm and apron sinks come in a variety of materials, finishes and shapes that can fit into almost any kitchen, bar, laundry room or bathroom.  For more ideas on integrating farm sinks into your home or project, schedule a consultation with Lunada or call 310.544.1895.

Lunada Kitchen Storage Solutions

Recently, I was reading an article on Better Homes and Garden's website that gave a lot of great ideas for storing your small kitchen appliances.  Not unlike our Laundry room blog (seen below), your kitchen can be easily customized to fit the way you live without a demolition crew.  Don't get me wrong, custom kitchens, especially Luanda's, are amazing and beautiful, but the practical issue is a full blown kitchen remodel is not always in the budget and sometimes new appliances aren't either. Looking to streamline your kitchen? Need more counter space?  Are you embarrassed by your old or dingy appliances when company comes over? There are quick and easy solutions to your problem, my friends.  Well, first of all, we are going to need space and there is no time like the present to clean out those cupboards and make room for those eyesores.  Tuck away those microwaves into the pantry after you add a sliding shelf.  If you are feeling spontaneous, they now have microwave drawers that come in standard sizes so it is easy to replace an existing drawer in your lower cabinets.  Better Homes and Garden also had some great ideas about creating a snack bar or baking station.  You can group  all of your dry ingredients with your stand mixer that is now on a shelf that can be easily tucked inside a cabinet.  Or, you can group your toaster and coffee maker in a cabinet where you can easily grab a quick bite to eat in the morning.  You can find images of these great solutions below and hopefully they will get your wheels spinning.  Almost all of the hardware you need to convert your cupboards or drawers can be found at your local hardware store, or if you are dreaming a little bigger, Lunada is always here to help.

For more ideas on ways to adapt your kitchen, schedule a consultation with Lunada!

Lunada Laundry Rooms

Imagine your laundry room clean, organized and well thought out.  You have a space for everything, and extra space for things you never thought of to keep in your laundry room.  Imagine your laundry room being so beautiful, you didn't have to shut the door when company comes over. This fantasy can come true, it can come true and under budget!!  Here are some great tips to improve your scary laundry room and turn it into a showstopper.

1. Use Pre-fab cabinets.

--You can pick these up at superstores like Home Depot and Lowes, they are inexpensive and although you are limited by size and finish, they can still be very attractive.  No space for lower cabinets?  Add uppers, remember the saying "Out of sight, out of mind".

2. Explore & Take Advantage of Cabinet Organization Solutions!

--When you are considering cabinets, mentally go through your laundry routine.  Think about everything you use in order, everything you touch, and everything that gets in your way.  Now imagine that annoying laundry basket in a pull out drawer, imagine your sink right next to the washer to avoid dripping across the room, imagine a built in pole to hang dry your items out of the way, a ironing board that you don't have to fight, a pull out surface for folding, a window so you don't feel like you work in a closet, a.k.a. Laundry Heaven! These are all things that can be added so easily!

3. Add a Countertop

--No room for cabinets?  Install a countertop above your washer and dryer, this will give you great surface space to fold clothes and prevent your socks from falling in between the machines

4.  Think Built-In

--Built ins always look so custom, but this look can be achieved with pre-fab.  If you are in the market for new laundry appliances, look for cabinet depth appliances, these will fit next to standard cabinets, OR you could pull the cabinets out and just get a deeper countertop to accommodate regular sized appliances. Taking this into consideration, you can get cabinet doors that can be closed over the washer/dryer.  I'll say it again, "Out of sight, out of mind"!

5. Functional Space Planning

--Organize your laundry into 2 categories: wet and dry. Wet locations should have the washer, clothesline and sink, dry locations should have the dryer, folding station, and ironing station.  This will keep you efficient and organized.

6. Don't forget about aesthetic.

--Laundry rooms don't have to be completely utilitarian.  White cabinets seem to be the default when it comes to laundry rooms, why not spice it up with a darker finish or custom treatment?  Farm sinks are great alternatives to the regular utility sinks, they are very large and deep, perfect for soaking and come in a variety of finishes.  Accessorize the space: hang art, use baskets for those items you just can't find a place for, have pretty containers for things like laundry soap, clothes pins, dryer sheets, and hangers, add a rug.  Don't forget to paint the space!! Nothing is more boring than white walls.  Add a backsplash if you have a countertop; introduce color and texture through tile, it will also save your walls from water damage!

Lunada believes in the power of beautiful laundry rooms. If you are interesting in re-vamping your laundry room, visit our website to schedule a consultation: www.lunadaconsulting.com

Lunada's Favorites

This time around, Lunada's favorite pick is David Goldberg Wall coverings!!!  The wall coverings are products of mixed media treatments utilizing glass, plaster, sand, metal, perforated, etched, and tinted frescoes.  These beautiful products can be used in a variety of design aesthetics from the traditional to eclectic to modern.  This isn't your Grandmother's wallpaper.

Wallpaper doesn't have to be scary.  Lunada thinks that it has gotten a bad reputation over the years, but now it can be an affordable way to transform any space without the mess of paint and the commitment of custom wall treatments.  For more ideas on transforming your space, visit our website to set up a consultation: www.lunadaconsulting.com