The design process:

This cabinet is the largest architectural detail in the room.  Yet, it didn’t stand out as a focal point.  Contrast was the answer.  A faux finish using a wood grain technique (faux bois) was the obvious choice.  Tones were chosen to blend with the hardwood floors and bar stools in the adjoining kitchen.  The painted  illusion of wood was extended out to the drywall on the sides.  Since the new TV was so large, the additional width made it appear more in proportion with the cabinet.

The deep colors of the faux wood grain  flow effortlessly where it meets the flooring.  Then it carries your eye all the way to the tall ceiling to emphasize the height.  This painted cabinet has become the feature attraction of the space.  The addition of the rich faux finish of wood offers warmth and an unmistakable  perception of quality to this home.

For more detailed information about this project, watch our new video on YouTube.

To see endless creative ideas for interior design and decorating, visit our website at www.kasswilson.com

STEP ONE . . . RESEARCH:

Driftwood is different from barn wood.  Eliminating any interference from man, these branches have been free to twist and turn without restraint. The result is graceful curves, rich texture and magnificent depth of colors. Each piece takes on its own unique personality that ultimately becomes nature’s work of art.

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STEP TWO . . . FIELD STUDY:

To fully experience this “chic organic” style, a visit to Restoration Hardware was in order.  The showroom revealed ideas of how to incorporate natural elements that compliment a deep neutral color palatte.   Using hues of brown, gray and tan,  dramatic textures and clever accessories have been celebrated creating an environment of intrigue.  It was hard to resist the desire to touch every fascinating detail!

STEP THREE . . . FINAL EXAM:[[Show as slideshow]]

The test  was to translate this concept into a faux finish that could be applied over plain white cabinets.  The process  evolved into a 3 dimensional faux bois (faux wood grain) that is reminiscent of driftwood. Having control of details such as the amount of texture, the variety of colors that can be used and the exact placement of each curve, offers the ability to provide infinite possibilities.   This cabinet finish  can be perfectly blended with other organic features in a space. What an unexpected and rich compliment to stone, granite, tile and fabrics!  The unusual texture offers a warm invitation to gather in any space.

As a decorative artist, it is always an honor to create an interpretation of the greatest artist of all.  So what do you think . . . would it fool Mother Nature?  Let me know.

Do you have cabinetry that could become something special?   Make it an unexpected feature that everyone wants to touch.  For more cabinet transformations, visit www.kasswilson.com.

Bette Raburn is the designer who put this concept together.  She has gathered a team of artists, products and craftsmen that value the opportunity to offer options that are well beyond ordinary.  I was honored to be invited to contribute to this outstanding showroom.

The design process:

Our challenge in this space was to add interest to a standard and predictable kitchen island . . .  something that would compliment the beautiful glass tile in the back splash, blend with the richness of the wood cabinetry and reinforce the image of  quality.  Bette is always looking for innovative solutions.  Together we came up with this idea . . . when you have something that is already good, just make it even better!  So, with some creative brainstorming, this was the result.

The addition of these panels gives the illusion of a stunning 3 dimensional pounded copper sculpture.  After determining the exact colors to blend, I created them in my studio.  Working with the carpenters, they were cut for an exact fit and installed during the final construction of the island.

One of the advantages of this process is versatility.  In the future, these panels can be easily removed and/or replaced.  As a result, if your colors change or your personal style takes a turn in a different direction, new panels can be designed and made to your exact specifications.   One client said to me, “When you decide to change, I want to have those framed.  They will become great pieces of art on my walls.”  Keep in mind,  we can easily do that, too!

Be sure to stop by The Works to see this and many more creative options in person.  You must see it, feel it and touch it to believe it.   It is filled with inspiration for anything you need for your home.  Hence the name, “The Works”!

Located in Roswell, GA at Hwy 9 and Mansell Rd.   10800 Alpharetta Hwy., Suite 240, Roswell, GA 30076

(770) 649-9993        theinteriormotive.com

Please leave your comments below.   Be sure to visit www.kasswilson.com for more ideas from Wallstreat Studio.

How exciting!  An investment was made to upgrade kitchen cabinets from white to wood.  But one piece of the puzzle was missing.  The doors to the pantry and  entry to the garage remained white.  This abruptly interrupted the visual flow of the richness of the new wood cabinetry.  A  gap of white remained as a daunting reminder of the past.

The Design Process:

When remodeling a kitchen it is important to recognize that doors are visually a part of the cabinetry.  One obvious solution is to have them painted to appear as if they are a part of the new wood in the space.  This can be tricky.  They are usually right next to the other cabinets.  It requires a perfect match of both color as well as the grain.  Even if actual wood doors are purchased, it may be a different wood species.  The grain will be different and may not accept the stain the same as the cabinets. An additional challenge is that one of these doors is a simulated wood texture and the other is metal.  Unless it is done well, the end result will be a “near miss”.

A faux finish of  precise graining on doors is an added detail that completes the beautiful and seamless line of exquisite wood cabinetry.  Guests walk right by these doors never noticing that they are a painted finish rather than real wood!  This is yet another example of attending to ALL of the details when upgrading or remodeling.   Do you have plain white doors in your kitchen?   Filling in the blanks is essential to an end result that adds value to your home.

Special thanks to designer, Michelle Nettles , 770 356 5814,  www.mjninteriors.com

For more ideas on how to enhance your home, be sure to visit www.kasswilson.com.

Call me for help with your next project:  770 777 7020

Start by selecting the items that have the most limited options for color, size and/or price.  This is often the main focal point or “grounding” element of a space.  In a large room, it can be an area rug or piece of art.  But, in a kitchen it is usually the granite.  This is your initial inspiration that will drive all decisions about colors, style and where you want your attention to travel.   Next is the tile back splash and the cabinetry.  They will follow  as a backdrop that surrounds these important features.  But, don’t stop there . . .  now comes the challenge!   The basic selections can be wonderful and “go together”.   But it is the added attention to details that will give you an opportunity to enhance all of the beautiful features within a space for a “WOW”.  This is where you can “go the extra mile”.

Faux finishing offers infinite technique and color solutions that will work to unify all of the  elements within a space.  Ideally, this is explored early in the design process.  Teaming up with a talented designer is a great way to create and utilize innovative ideas that you may have never thought about.  Together, we work to identify unique ways to make all of these features come to life.  Developing a complete plan from the beginning allows the freedom to incorporate many great ideas BEFORE construction starts.  Trying to add them later can be very costly, time consuming or even impossible.

The Design Process:

In this scenario, we focused our attention upward.  Imagine how this kitchen would appear if the large ceiling was allowed to remain flat.   Since it is not very high, there is a tendency to believe that leaving it a light color will make it appear taller.  Instead, notice how the addition of  bold trim in the center works to define the space.  It adds balance and interest, draws your eye upward and eliminates the appearance of vast emptiness.  The frame was painted with a faux wood grain technique that matches the cabinets to perfection.   The inset is a softened metallic finish that compliments both the custom tile on the back splash and the light fixtures.

In large kitchens, even the beauty of wood can become overly repetitious.  Adding distressed black on select door fronts and the back of the display cabinets offers an unpredictable but subtle detail.   Notice how it draws attention to the dimension of the doors, outlines the accessories and emphasizes the curved arches in the cabinets.

This kitchen remodel is candy to the eye.   Using multiple but subtle faux finishes allows all of the features to stand out.  There is a delicate and unique balance of details that encourages your eye to glide across the room to appreciate the architecture and accessories.   Going that extra mile gives an unmistakable statement of quality and  design sophistication.

Please take a moment to send us a comment.  OR, call 770 777 7020 for information about where to begin on YOUR next project.

Special thanks to designer, Christine Barnes for this wonderful kitchen remodel  .  .  .   770 241 2302

Visit www.kasswilson.com for more transformations.

Over time, styles change,  color trends change and the purpose for a space will change.  But one thing that seems to remain the consistent is the timeless beauty of exotic wood and the elegance of traditional craftsmanship.  This project represents the transformation of a space into a sophisticated gathering place that will be enjoyed while relaxing with a glass of fine wine.

The Design Process:

Plans for the future of this area include the addition of a wine cellar.  The theme will be changing to reflect an elegant pub setting.  Look closely at how this designer has skillfully re-directed the color palate and style of this space.

The “visual weight” and “balance” of this room has been shifted with the clever use of color.  Applying a faux finish to the cabinets transformed their harsh white appearance into elegant dark wood hues.  The beauty of a painted wood grain technique creates the illusion of fine crafted flame mahogany.  This outlines and draws attention to the stackstone in the mantel.  The colors were chosen to blend effortlessly with the tones of the fabrics.   A clean lined, neutral sofa acts as a quiet backdrop to all of the other design elements in the room.  As a result,  your attention is drawn upward and flows around the room to embrace the rich colors, tailored patterns and warm textures.

This space now has a new attitude.  It honors the luxury of traditional elements yet remains a relaxed setting for comfortable entertaining.  It is a reflection of a mature and sophisticated design style that will be complimentary to a lovely wine cellar.  Cheers!

Special thanks to Karen Davis of KD Design Studio  770 346 9494  www.karendavisinteriors.com .  Also, be sure to visit www.kasswilson.com to view more transformations.

He wants the richness of wood.  She wants an updated color.  How do you keep everyone happy?  Creating a kitchen that accommodates both personalities requires creative planning.  One solution is to look at how you can incorporate more than one finish in a single space.  During our first meeting, we looked through a large portfolio of cabinet finishes.  Two options were identified as possibilities.  A soft stria glazing in a complementary tone of gold offers a casual yet tailored elegance.  The beauty of wood grain is rich in tradition, but the concern was that it would appear too dark if applied to every surface.  Careful studying of the lines within the cabinetry revealed the answers.  The division became obvious.  Both finishes could be used and a unique kitchen was born!

The Design Process:

In a kitchen, the cabinetry usually covers more than 60% of the wall space.  It can be very repetitious.   We often create drama in a room by adding an accent wall of color.  This same concept can be used on your cabinets.  Utilizing two complementary finishes will add character and give your kitchen a personality all its own.

Look closely at the original kitchen.  The cabinets are perfectly uniform and symmetrical.  They were painted the same color as the walls and lightly glazed.  This offers a quiet sophistication to surround the new focal points. . . the two large towers.  A wood grain technique was applied to give them the illusion of freestanding furniture.  Designing with an odd number of elements is more pleasing to the eye.  So, the island was number three.  The pantry doors were then treated the same as the surrounding cabinets.  This allows your eye to gently float around the room without interruption.

The custom tile on the backsplashes and the front of the counter introduces a dramatic pattern into this space.  Painting the trim around the bar in the same wood grain technique provides an outline of this feature.  It is a finishing detail that helps to emphasize the importance of this design.

This kitchen now offers versatility.  It provides an invitation for warm family gatherings.  But with a few fancy accessories, it is easily dressed up for formal entertaining.  It readily adapts as a pleasing environment that will fit any personality.

To view more cabinetry transformations, visit my website at www.kasswilson.com.

This kitchen renovation was near completion.  To “wake it up”, the vent hood was embellished with a textured design and highlighted to enhance the details.  Applying a black finish to the bottom drawers creates a more substantial focal point in the center.

The wall colors were chosen to blend with the window treatments.  An elegant reflective faux finish now surrounds the new cabinetry and compliments the luxurious sheen of the fabric.  Squares of a bronze damask design adds an unexpected element.  This detail is a departure from the ordinary and predictable.  It is a unique blend of a timeless pattern with an updated contemporary twist.  The result is a sophisticated renovation that combines modern flair with a respect for traditional style.

The Design Process:

Getting new cabinets is not necessarily a guarantee that you will have the designer kitchen that you have always dreamed of.  This homeowner recognized early in the renovation process that something was missing.  It was the absence of a strong point of interest . . . something that will break up the repetition of the standard cabinet finish.  The larger the kitchen, the more important this becomes.  Sometimes this can be achieved by merely having the island a different color.  But, if your ceilings are tall, you need to stretch that focal point higher than waist level.  In this case, the vent hood was the obvious choice.

A contrast of black is always dramatic.  To add more interest, a raised texture was applied to the inset on the vent hood.  Outlining the raised areas in bronze further highlighted the details that are incorporated into the cabinetry  This adds a touch of elegance and intrigue.  Finishing the lower drawers in black creates the appearance of a tower and accentuates the height of the ceilings.  There is no longer any question about where your eye travels when you enter this kitchen.  Simple faux finishes in unexpected places provide the dramatic “wake up call” that was needed to make this space spectacular.

For more examples be sure to visit my website at www.kasswilson.com.

Often, when a home is purchased, we are faced with a pure white canvas.  The goal of the seller had been to keep it neutral.  The challenge for the new homeowner is how to create a home that reflects their personal style.  In this case, the desire was to transform this space to compliment their French Provencial furnishings.  Now, upon entering the room, you are swept back to a bygone era of quiet beauty and graceful living reminiscent of the countryside of France.

A traditional color palate of warm muted tones was inspired from the largest pattern in the room, the area rug.  The mantel is the smallest feature on this wall.  Yet, our intent was to make it the primary focal point.  To achieve this, the bookcases were painted in a solid tone slightly deeper than the new wall color and softened with a minimal edging detail.  The previous “faux marbling” on the ledges was too harsh and emphasized an uneven horizontal line across the wall.  The contrast and finish on the bookcases is now very subtle.  This provides the accessories an opportunity to be the main attraction on the shelves.

The Design Process:

The mantel was an odd shape.  Notice the firebox, the bookcases, the windows and the mirror. . . they are all square or rectangular.  Two small pieces of trim mold were added to each side before painting and treated as part of the structure.  This gives the illusion that the mantel is geometrically consistent and balanced with the other elements in the room.  Multiple intricate aging and distressing techniques were blended into this faux finish.  It reflects a sense of authenticity that only happens over time.  The unexpected use of subtle green undertones works to draw your eye to the center of this wall.  Strategically placed red highlights add interest and feature the simple architectural details.  The mantel now carries enough “visual weight” to support the placement of a tall elegant mirror above.  There is no mistaking that it is the most important design feature of this grand space . . . vive la diffe’rence!

Be sure to visit my website at www.kasswilson.com to view more amazing transformations.  For a full screen close-up of this project, click on the right side of the slideshow icon.

Multiiple “design tricks” were incorporated to transform this master bath into a place of elegance and intrigue.  The harsh contrast of the black chest next to white cabinetry had not been resolved by simple glazing.

Many times when we look at cabinetry, there is a tendency to apply a finish as if it is one single architectural detail.  In reality, it is a combination of many different surfaces and features.  Each of these is an opportunity to incorporate design elements that will make the craftsmanship stand out.  In this case, we identified the insets of specific doors and the front of the drawers as separate entities.

The Design Process:

Your first impression is that there is a strong line of cabinetry.  The black chest in the middle seems out of place.  Individual door fronts were strategically selected to be painted black.  This helps to unify and “make sense” of the chest of drawers while softening the long horizontal line.  It is much easier for the eye to follow.

The new palate was selected from the tones of the granite countertops.  An embellished design was placed directly below each sink.  This was inspired by the designs in the rug and new window treatments.  It directs you to focus on the center of each side and enhances the symetry of the space.  Notice in the photos how your eye now gently “floats” across the room to take in the visual depth and interest.

The elegance of this master bath was a result of innovative and “strategic planning” with JoAnn and Kelly, the designers at Kandrac-Kole Interiors (www.kandrac-kole.com).

To view more innovative cabinetry projects visit my website at www.kasswilson.com.