House interior
In general, Freeman recommends fans that are Energy Star-rated and have a CFM (the amount of air movement measured in cubic feet per minute) of 80 or higher. “I like specifying the Broan-NuTone light-and-fan combo units — as a combo it provides a cleaner look in the ceiling, especially in small bathrooms,” she says.
Lest you think I decorate only with bright colors, here’s my latest favorite dark neutral. I have previously leaned heavily on dark gray and navy, but many homeowners are now clamoring for warmer hues in their homes. True black could be a bit harsh here. A brown-black brings the drama but also creates a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Here’s another go-to hue in the arsenal I use as a color consultant. Urbane Bronze is a rich and elegant hybrid of brown and dark gray, of dark wood and metal tones. It’s the ultimate earth tone, the color of the fertile soil in the Midwestern farming town where I grew up. It’s also solid and comforting, a terrific accent or trim color that can be paired with warm or cool hues. When it’s combined with plenty of warm whites, as shown in this bedroom, the result is dramatic yet soothing.
The biggest mistake I see people make with their laundries is specifying countertops that are too narrow. As a result, their undercounter washing machine and dryer stick out, which makes the laundry look messy and unsightly. I would recommend a minimum countertop depth of 26 inches to ensure that appliances can fit neatly underneath.
Navajo White by Sherwin-Williams “I always use Navajo White for a base anytime I am doing a texture with the glaze on top,” says North Carolina-based interior designer Pam McKay. “It is a neutral and warm option for the lighting in our high country projects. It works well with white trim or a stained wood trim.” The quality of natural light varies greatly around the country, and this affects paint choices. McKay opts for warmer tones in the mountains of North Carolina, while she chooses brighter, clearer colors when she’s working on projects in Florida. “The light is so different,” she says. Side note: Here’s a little more from McKay about the unique texture on the walls in the photo above: “The texture is applied with drywall mud to resemble plaster. The wall is painted with an eggshell paint sheen so the glaze sits on top; I use the Navajo White. An oil-based glaze is applied or wiped on the surface and wiped off. The tinted glaze hangs up in the crevices of the texture. It is like a plaster. The Navajo White gives me a warm base but allows me interest on the wall without doing dark and heavy
Interior designer Charmean Neithart works on a lot of Spanish Colonial homes in Southern California, which are often full of warm wood architectural details and a mix of textures on the walls. “I use Elmira White a lot, especially in Spanish houses. It looks good with smooth and textured walls,” she says. “It has no yellow or pink undertones, so it looks beautiful with neutrals.”
Love this floor
The team covered the back patio with precast hexagonal pavers made of concrete, a durable, attractive material that the homeowner says feels like a modern take on the terra-cotta pavers popular in Santa Barbara.
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