Have you ever thought about design from the perspective of
your lifestyle? It seems like a
reasonable approach but often times we walk into a store and are drawn to a
trendy pillow fabric without realizing it will not stand up to the wear and
tear of our animals. Or, we are lured in
by the beauty of a marble countertop for our kitchen without realizing the
upkeep.
At each stage of our lives our lifestyle can dictate the design
of our living space. Here are some
helpful tips that I’ve learned over the years.
1. Paint Finishes
photo credit - Christina Wedge
One of the most common mistakes I see people make with
regard to their lifestyle is not selecting the appropriate paint finish. A flat paint finish is the most common and
most economical finish for walls. While
initially economical, it can prove very difficult and costly to maintain. Cleaning walls with a flat finish is
virtually impossible because of the marks your cloth or cleaning supplies can
leave. If you have children or pets in
the home always opt for a flat matte or better finish. This allows you the
ability to wipe down the walls with ease.
For even more durability, I always choose an eggshell finish for high
traffic areas like stairs and wet rooms such as baths.
2. Durable Fabrics
photo credit - Christina Wedge
Durable fabric with inherent stain protection qualities used
to be something I saw only in contract and hospitality design. Now, more and more, I’m seeing durable fabric
options coming into mainstream residential design. This is a huge plus for
homeowners with children, animals and any home with high traffic. Most brand name furniture stores like Pottery
Barn, Ballard Designs and Restoration Hardware are offering water proof
indoor/outdoor fabrics for their upholstery that will hold up to most any spill
and can be easily cleaned with water. Crypton and Sunbrella fabrics can also be
purchased at many local home fabric stores.
These fabrics provide outstanding durability and built-in stain
protection that is woven into the fabric rather than applied as a top treatment.
They are also offered in a wide range of colors, patterns and styles.
3. Flooring
Estates at Lochaven | Beazer Homes
Often times I am asked what flooring is right
for a homeowner. That widely depends on the application and how the flooring is
going to be used. The easiest hardwoods to care for have a low sheen on the
surface and are medium in color. Minwax Provincial
and Classic Gray are two of my go-to colors as far as wood stains go. Both have a good medium tone that really
allow the wood grain to pop. Prefinished hardwoods with distressed finishes can
also hide unwanted dings that might show up later on. If your lifestyle allows, light wood floors
and carpet options are very on trend but always opt for a carpet with an
inherent stain protection that will set your mind at ease should you spill a glass
of coffee.
3. Countertops
Cristi Holcombe Interiors
Although very popular, marble countertops sometimes don’t
hold up as well in a kitchen setting as other products. Some homeowners are okay with this and prefer
the look to the maintenance it requires. If you decide marble is the best
choice for you, make sure to select a stone with a honed finish. This will help
hide etching caused from water stains that sit to long or acid from fruits and
drinks. Another countertop option that will give you a look close to marble but
the durability of a granite is a manmade product like quartz. Quartz products
are currently one of the most durable in the countertop industry. There are a wide variety of natural looking
options that mimic the look of marble too.
For a durable countertop option that is also economical stick with
granite but opt for a leathered or antiqued finish that will bring out the
veining and will change the look of the stone to give you a very upscale look.
4. Additional Storage
photo credit - Christina Wedge
One way to organize clutter and create more useable floor
space in a room is by adding custom built-ins.
Adding appropriate closet storage suited for your needs can often
alleviate the need for large dressers which can create more open space in your
bedroom. Built-in shelving can be designed by your local cabinet company and
you can even customize the space with your specific items in mind.
5. Wellness
Vermillion at Escena | Beazer Homes
Green living options, while often not the least expensive
route in design, can do much for the environment and for your wellbeing. Some of these green initiatives are very
simple such as using low VOC paints and replacing lighting with LED style
fixtures. Another growing wellness
practice is installing light therapy in bathrooms which can aid in treating
skin and mood disorders.
Whether you are starting out, starting over, building a
family or living actively in retirement designing for your lifestyle is
something that everyone can benefit from.
