Window treatments

Spring and summer are great for drawing our attention back to our windows. The world outside is beautiful and we want to bring it inside. But the windows are more than just functional. They are important parts of the style of our home and a key way of making them stand out is with our window treatments.

The proper treatment can bring out the character of a room.

When considering treatments, first consider what kind of window it is for. The window itself will help determine what kinds of curtains and draperies work best.

The designers at Michael Nash Design, Build and Home can help you find what works best not just for the window, but also for you and the look you are trying to achieve.

Blinds and shades come in a variety of materials from fabric, wood, faux wood and others, including venetian blinds that can be metal or plastic. There are also blinds made of bamboo and other materials. You may also choose to go with light filtering shades. These also come in a variety of materials, man-made and natural.

For larger windows and patio doors, you might choose to go with curtains. You might even add an additional bit of style to a window by using a sheer curtain over a blind or shade.

As with most home design items, there are many options and materials for curtains, from silk to man-made materials. Curtains can also be insulated, providing a green element to your style by helping to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Don’t forget this key design element of your curtains – the curtain rod. It can be simple or ornate and comes in a number of looks like pewter, brushed bronze, oil rubbed bronze, burnished brass and a variety of blacks and browns.

Finally, you can add another design element to a window, one that also can provide privacy – a film treatment. This can be as simple as giving your window a frosted and beveled look or it can be a stained glass window look.

Your window brings you the best of what the world outside has to offer at this time of year. It’s right that it should look its best too!

Tips for your summer remodeling

With summer’s arrival soon, many of us our geared up to do some remodeling. We feel energized and may run the risk of getting carried away. So here are a few tips to help you stay on course and get the remodel you are dreaming of.

Don’t get overwhelmed

We’ve mentioned this one before but it’s worth repeating. Be realistic about what can be accomplished and what you can manage. Remodeling usually involves disruption and some handle it better than others. Know what you are comfortable with and plan accordingly.

Budget 

Similar to the tip above about not getting overwhelmed by the project, be sure you don’t take on something you can’t realistically afford. Budgets are one of the keys to all successful remodeling projects.


Quality materials

Be sure to consult with professionals (like those at Michael Nash) and get a clear idea of what you can expect from the materials you choose. Costlier materials are often more durable, require less upkeep, repair or replacement. If your budget can’t accommodate the materials you really need, consider postponing the project till a time when you can. Cheaper materials can often cost you more over time.


Don’t create work for yourself 

Check with professionals and get a clear idea of what kind of upkeep may or may not be required with the materials you’ve chosen. For example, stainless steel is easy to clean but it also shows smudges easily. Some materials may be easy to clean but require cleaning more often. Get a good idea of what your chosen materials will mean in terms of longevity and in terms of upkeep.

Lighting

The colors of your home will only work if they receive the proper lighting. During the day, this will usually be natural light from windows and other sources. In the evening and at night, the lamps and fixtures will determine the look. So when you are making your changes, be sure you take time to determine how you will light your room.

Choose with “you” in mind 

Your home should reflect who you are. In other words, no matter how wonderful it may look, if it isn’t “you” it’s unlikely you’ll be happy with it for long. It won’t feel like your home. So concern yourself with what appeals to you first.

Summer home improvement ideas

Summer officially starts in just a few weeks so we thought it might be time to list some remodeling ideas that are worth considering at this time of year. You’ll notice that they focus on the outside of your home. The reason is simple: the warm weather months are the best time to consider upgrading the outside of your house!
So here are a few things to consider for projects:
Deck:
Nothing says “summer” like a deck. There are many different types but most people go with wood. However, there are also many types of wood, including some that may be more environmentally friendly. So take your time in planning and choosing before making a decision.
Paint or siding:
The most basic of all outdoor remodels is the outside of the house – a new paint color or a new colored siding. And don’t forget, especially where siding is concerned, new siding is a great opportunity to upgrade your insulation to make your home more energy efficient.
Irrigation system (lawn & garden):
Your home is more than your house. It’s also the land it is on including the yards surrounding it. When it comes to selling and “curb appeal” these can become very important.
Even if selling isn’t on your mind, attractive grounds make your home more welcoming while also saying something about who you are. So consider irrigation systems. There are a number of types and they can serve different purposes. Some are more about your lawn (like sprinklers) and some are more about parts of your garden (like a drip system).
Landscaping:
Overall landscaping is about more than cutting the lawn. It’s about the lawn and gardens, where they are and how they are maintained. If you are giving the outside of your home “a makeover” consider starting with a plan.
Windows:
While windows allow light in and can add a stylish aspect to the interior of your home, they also add style to the outside. Windows are where indoor and outdoor meet. So a great summer remodeling project is replacing or upgrading existing windows. It could also be adding new windows, or a dormer or even a skylight. You might also consider installing patio doors.
Summer is a beautiful season. Windows help bring that beauty inside!

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes. Fairfax Virginia

Here are some of award winning projects from Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

A primary palette of c

by admin on Friday, May 21st, 2010 | No Comments

When it comes to kitchen décor, “there are two categories of people,” explains Sonny Nazemian of Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes, Inc. “Those who love stain and those who love color.” In this case, clients Jane and Alan Luba of Centreville, Virginia, fell emphatically into the latter category. The homeowners, who have a modern sensibility, approached him to design a sleek, minimalist kitchen with strong colors and finishes.

They began with the cabinetry. “We went through four colors before Jane saw the one she wanted,” Nazemian says. “She was after this particular shade of blue.” The cabinets are wood—their final finish: cobalt blue, high-gloss lacquer and acrylic. The design team added a row of stainless-steel and frosted-glass cabinets at ceiling level to create a visual connection with the kitchen’s stainless-steel appliances and backsplash.Jane Luba, who owns her own cateringbusiness, also wanted to reconfigure the layout of her kitchen for better flow. Nazemian’s team opened up the space between the kitchen and family room, created a door to the dining room, and transformed the peninsula into an island. They also introduced much larger appliances, relocated them and added better lighting. “When you work with colors, you need proper lighting,” Nazemian says. “Semi-warm halogen lights showed the blue best.”

A primary palette of cheerful blues and reds provides inspiration for an unusual contemporary kitchen

by admin on Friday, May 21st, 2010 | No Comments

3Share

When it comes to kitchen décor, “there are two categories of people,” explains Sonny Nazemian of Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes, Inc. “Those who love stain and those who love color.” In this case, clients Jane and Alan Luba of Centreville, Virginia, fell emphatically into the latter category. The homeowners, who have a modern sensibility, approached him to design a sleek, minimalist kitchen with strong colors and finishes.

They began with the cabinetry. “We went through four colors before Jane saw the one she wanted,” Nazemian says. “She was after this particular shade of blue.” The cabinets are wood—their final finish: cobalt blue, high-gloss lacquer and acrylic. The design team added a row of stainless-steel and frosted-glass cabinets at ceiling level to create a visual connection with the kitchen’s stainless-steel appliances and backsplash.Jane Luba, who owns her own cateringbusiness, also wanted to reconfigure the layout of her kitchen for better flow. Nazemian’s team opened up the space between the kitchen and family room, created a door to the dining room, and transformed the peninsula into an island. They also introduced much larger appliances, relocated them and added better lighting. “When you work with colors, you need proper lighting,” Nazemian says. “Semi-warm halogen lights showed the blue best.”

Born and bred in Alabama, Gina Jones is drawn to the stately demeanor of many traditional Southern homes. When she and her husband, Dennis Porter, purchased their Oakton, Virginia, house, however, it was sorely lacking in stateliness. "The house had great bones but not much personality," Jones recalls. One of a row of model homes belonging to an adjacent development, it was positioned sideways on its one-acre lot, without a formal front entrance. After living in the house for some years, Jones, an Internet publisher, and Porter, an Air Force officer, were ready to renovate.
They tapped Sonny Nazemian of Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes, Inc., for the job, which originally entailed pushing out the back of the house to get extra space. "I drew up plans," Nazemian says, "but none of it satisfied what Gina really wanted. When we sug­gested adding onto the front instead, it all fell into place."

Jones had long been frustrated by her home's uninspired front facade. "I wanted a Southern, antebellum look like what I grew up with," she says. She requested a two-level porch, and once Nazemian and his team re-oriented the entry to the front and painted the HardiePlank siding a vivid, inviting blue, the gracious, Southern-style home Jones had always wanted began to emerge.
Inside, the two-story addition includes a spacious foyer that has been embellished with wide crown molding and pillars to commu­nicate traditional elegance. The foyer opens seamlessly into an open-plan living room/dining room that is more contemporary in style, and injects a welcome formality to the rest of the house.
Adjacent to the foyer, Nazemian added a guest suite with a private entrance and a Brazilian slate-tiled bath that boasts granite countertops and cherry cabinetry. This convenient guest suite is intended to accommodate long-term visits from Jones's aging parents.

Old for new – replacing windows

Spring is the time we think again about the outdoors and many people start to think about bringing it inside the house with windows. Their remodeling ideas include replacing old ones with new.

Windows are about two things: beauty and function.

The variety of windows available to us today just seems to grow. Here are a few of the standard kinds available:

• Fixed – a basic window, one that does not open.
• Double hung – a traditional window found in older homes where only the lower half opens.
• Casement – these windows swing open and closed usually with a crank.
• Awning – these windows are like casement windows but swing up and down.
• Sliding – another traditional window, these slide to either side on tracks.

Windows provide us with a wide variety of options, even the standard, traditional style can be anything but standard depending on the options you choose.

When planning your remodel, consider doing something a little more. For example, you might choose:

• Bay windows
• Bow windows
• Accent windows
• Garden windows

These can also allow for a window seat because of their style.

You may even want to consider replacing a window with something like French swing doors that opened onto your backyard – that would really open up a room.

The window types are many and the variety of decorative styles is wide. And replacing windows is not simply about make your home more beautiful. The right windows can make your home more energy efficient and environmentally sound.

How to open up a room

It might be a bedroom. It might be a den. It could be the kitchen or it could be the living room. In fact, it could be any room.

You want to open it up. What does that mean?

For most people, it means a sense of spaciousness and light and liveliness. But unless you can take out a wall and literally expand the room, you are restricted to the room’s size.

Even if it’s a small room, like an additional bedroom, you can still “open it up.” There are four ways to do this.

Change the color

The simplest and most common change is color. Do you have a standard beige that you find boring? Paint the room a color that reflects you and your style. For openness, try for a bright or light color as opposed to something dark.

Use an accent wall

A room has four walls. Why paint them all the same color? You can use one of the walls to accent the room, something that either contrasts or complements. For example, if the room is primarily a shade of yellow for brightness, a green or blue shade might by used for one of the walls. Or, you could be more daring and try an orange!

Natural light

Nothing opens up a room more than natural light. If it’s within your budget, change the window – go for something that might be a bit larger, allowing for more light. Depending on the room’s size and where it is in the house, you might even consider a skylight.

Even if windows and skylights aren’t a possibility, consider changing the blinds and curtains. Try to avoid dark and heavy curtains if you are trying for a feeling of openness.

Lighting

Last but by no means least is the room’s lighting. A bulb in the ceiling may be functional but it adds little to the room’s personality and a sense of openness. There are a large number of lighting options to consider from fixtures to lamps and they can make a room come alive, depending on what you choose to go with. 

Consider a remodel that includes the front porch

In the spring of the year when we think of remodeling we often think of a deck – adding one, expanding one or replacing one. But what about the front porch?

It’s a part of the home easily neglected. Increasingly, however, the front porch is being rediscovered and rejuvenated as homeowners realize how important it is for making a statement about their house and for their simple enjoyment.

Essentially, porches fall into two types. There is the porch that acts as a type of gateway into the home and there is the porch that acts as a living space. The first type tends to be smaller and the second larger, in some cases even wrapping around the side of the house.

When remodeling and refurbishing a front porch it’s important to know which of these two types your porch will be. 

Once you know what type your porch is or will be, you’ll need to decide what kind it will be. There are generally four.

Covered: This is where the roof extends several feet beyond the edge of the house creating a shaded, covered area. Poles are used as support and it may have a railing. It may also have steps leading up to it or it may be level with the ground.

Screened: This is a covered porch. However, rather than a railing it has a short wall. It has poles for support but also several additional supports and it is between these that screens are placed.

Wraparound: More common in larger, older homes, as the name implies this porch runs along the front of the house but also wraps around at least one side of the house.

Pergola: This is where the roof of the home does not extend out past the edge of the house. Instead, the pergola porch uses supports and crossbeams to create a sem-covered “roof.” It is generally flat and creates a shaded area for a sitting space.

Whether as an attractive way to welcome visitors to your home or as a living space that faces onto your community, your front porch is an important part of your home. 

What are the best investment renovations?

We love remodeling parts of our home – even the entire home – because of the thrill and joy it gives us when it is completed and we see our vision come to life. But there is another aspect to remodels. That is the investment. For many, that is a key aspect and the question becomes, will there be a return on the investment when we sell?

Opinions vary on what the best investments are but two appear in most lists, kitchen and bathroom.

Today, the kitchen is the home’s hub of activity. It’s a place not simply for cooking and eating but for people to gather and converse. This probably explains why open concept kitchens are so popular. When potential buyers view a home, the kitchen can be the key element in their decision. They may love the house but if they don’t love the kitchen, it could overshadow all the aspects that they find attractive.

Similarly, bathrooms are a key area of daily living. More than functionality, people like a feeling of space and comfort. With a remodel, even a small bathroom can have a sense of spaciousness. Where it’s possible, a remodel that increases a bathroom’s size is a good idea. Buyers can sometimes be resistant to a home they sense has limited bathroom space.

Another remodel that often comes up in terms of good investments is the siding. This is about curb appeal. Does the house look clean, new and inviting from the street? Curb appeal also relates to the yard. How does it look? Could it use some landscaping to spruce it up and make it a bit more appealing when seen from the street?

People also like additional rooms so if your home allows for it, an additional room can be a good idea. This might be an addition to the house, a remodel of an attic or some other variation that allows for another room, be it an office, extra bedroom or work area.

Homes are about where we live and so they should fit our lifestyles and our personal styles. But they are also investments and that is something we should also keep in mind when remodeling.

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

Fairfax Virginia

The deck is in the details: Let’s talk lighting

It’s the time of year when many of us are thinking of one of the most common and valued remodels, a new deck.  Adding or replacing a deck can be a tremendous enhancement to your home. It can also be a great way to express who you are through style.

There are very simple decks. There are very elaborate decks. Some have a single level; some have several levels. There are also various materials to choose from when building your deck.

However, when building a deck there is one aspect that is often overlooked … until the deck is complete and ready to use. That would be the lighting.

Lighting is an essential detail and it isn’t restricted to your deck, though the deck is a big part of it. It is part of your overall outdoor scheme.

It is also an aspect that needs to be considered from a practical aspect. You will spend time cooking and entertaining with friends and family out on your deck so how well it is illuminated is important.

Lighting falls into two general categories, functional and decorative. It isn’t always an easy balance to achieve. If you focus too much on decorative, you may find it difficult to see as well as you would like for basics like cooking on a barbecue. On the other hand, if you go overboard with functional you may create a bright place that has little ambiance. It could even be annoying if lights are beaming down on people (like a poorly angled halogen light).

The good news is that there is a wide array of lights to choose from including LED, solar, or regular halogen lights. You even have colour options, so there is much to choose from to get a good, coordinated look.

The lighting categories can be broken down in this way:

Functional lighting

There are three types here, 1) general illumination, which doesn’t have to be overly bright or shining into anyone’s eyes, 2) concentrated, which means certain areas may have a light focused on them because it is an area where activities, like barbecuing, take place and 3) safety, often low level illumination around steps and walkways.

Decorative lighting

This type of lighting relates more to mood and style. Here, too, there are three types, 1) landscape, which can mean lighting that highlights areas of a yard (like a tree or bushes) as a way to contrast or complement the deck’s look, 2) colored lighting that can be used to great effect around the deck to bring an accent to areas of the yard or flowers on the deck and, 3) festive, and these may not be up all the time because they are often strings of lights to help brighten a celebration.

Spend some time considering the lighting you want in place to illuminate and accent your new deck. Depending on what you are looking for, it may impact the decisions you make in building your deck since the type of lights you use and how you install them can affect the deck itself.

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Fairfax, Virginia

Kitchen cabinet handles and knobs

Details can truly make the difference in any project. With kitchen remodeling, one of those details that can make your kitchen truly a wonderful place is the handles and knobs on the cabinets.

With all the attention and debate we put into countertops, splashes, flooring and color schemes, it is easy to overlook how much of a difference the handles and knobs on our cabinets and drawers can make.

When designing your kitchen, be sure to take the time to look at all that is available and see how the different types and styles work with the cabinets you’ve chosen. Some can be ornate; some can be quite simple.

Sometimes you may immediately think a knob should go on the cabinet. But take the time to see how a handle may work. Knobs are simple relative to handles but they can also have decorative styles. Similarly, handles may appear to be less simple compared to knobs, but look at the designs. The styles can be very minimal or very decorative.

The material they use can also have a big impact on the look. You might choose a simple, silvery look. But does it work as well with the cabinets you’ve chosen as a brushed bronze look? As far as the look goes, the handle or knob you choose should work with the style and color of cabinet you have.

Do the handles and knobs you’ve chosen work with the cabinets you’re installing? And do they make a good fit for the style you are aiming for? And do they fit with and enhance your overall kitchen?

Finally, give some thought to the installation of the handles and knobs and how easily they can be replaced should you need to in the future.

They may seem a small element when you are doing a kitchen remodel but as with most small details the handles and knobs you choose for your cabinets and drawers can have a big impact on how your dream kitchen comes out.

Micheal Nash Design, Build & Homes

Fairfax Virginia

Your bathroom, now starring a vessel sink

It used to be the bathroom sink was simply something functional. Most sinks looked the same and served the same purpose. Today, however, the sink can be the eye-catching focal point of your bathroom.

There are roughly seven sink types:

·         Pedestal sink

·         Wall mounted sink

·         Vessel sink with vanity

·         Framed sink in a vanity counter top

·         Drop-in vanity sink

·         Under-mount sink

·         Cabinet vanity

Of these, the sink that is growing in popularity is the vessel sink. This is partly due to the many options available but largely due to how striking they can be.

They are available in many types of material including traditional porcelain, stone, copper and glass. It’s those last three that provide such a wide range of colors and styles.

The vessel sink sits on top of the countertop and can resemble a bowl (though they come in other shapes as well). They can be mounted to the countertop/vanity or pedestal or they can be mounted to the wall.

While they serve the standard functions of a sink, they also act as a piece of art – something that catches the eye. These sinks also don’t use standard faucets and one attractive aspect of some is that the water flows into them almost as if from a fountain.

When planning a bathroom remodel, be sure to have a look at what is available in vessel sinks. One look may just convince you that it is the way to go to complete your dream bathroom.

You may even find that you design your entire bathroom around the sink you’ve chosen because their designs and colors are so stunning.

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Fairfax, VA

Start planning because spring is coming our way

With spring headed our way many of us are dreaming about remodeling projects. However, for a successful remodel it’s important to do more than dream. We’ve written about it before but it can’t be stressed enough: planning is the key to success.

At Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, we can help you with that through our consultants. They can help with what is practical, what is needed and what you can do – even providing fabulous ideas you haven’t considered!

First steps – plan and budget

The first thing is to determine what it is you want. You can begin by letting your imagination run wild and go for the moon. But jot it all down! You’ll be reviewing it again shortly.

Once you have an idea of what it is you want, it’s time to determine what is practical and the key word here is budget. If you don’t have a budget you can get into trouble – trouble that can get expensive.

With a budget in mind, return to your wishlist. If you’re like many people, you’ll find you simply can’t do all the things you’ve dreamed of, not within your budget. It is time to start pruning.

It’s at this time the dreaming ends and you determine what it is you really want. For example, you may have a list that includes a remodeled bathroom, a new deck and a skylight in the bedroom. Your budget may tell you that the skylight is a “nice to have” and will have to wait till next year. The bathroom and deck are the priorities.

Our consultants can help you when you provide a budget and wishlist. They may even find ways or options that allow you achieve all your wants within your budget, even that skylight. Remodeling is their profession and they are at the top of their field. They can help you stretch your dollars.

Also keep in mind

Try not to overwhelm yourself by taking on more than you can handle. For instance, a single person may find it easy to just step away from his or her home for a time to let the physical work get done. This may not be the case for some families.

Consult with professionals like those at Michael Nash and get a clear idea of what you can expect from the materials you are using. Costlier materials are often more durable requiring less upkeep, repair or replacement. Don’t pick materials because they are cheap. Pick materials that work for your project.

Plan your life around the renovation. A remodeling means some degree of disruption so determine on when is best to do the remodel and how you will live during this time. Many remodels won’t involve much lifestyle change but others, such as a complete kitchen remodel, will mean some alteration to how you are living in your home.

If you plan and budget for your remodeling project, you’ll find you achieve your dream with a successful remodel.

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Fairfax, VA

Bathroom remodels – don’t forget to furnish

Whether you are adding a new bathroom or remodeling an existing bathroom, don’t stop when the ‘construction’ part is complete. How you decorate your bathroom will complete your vision and there are many approaches to take.

In fact, if your budget is weighted to physical building and installation, you can save on how you decorate.

The most basic and effective décor change is painting. The color you choose can make or break your project. You may choose a single color for the bathroom but don’t limit yourself to one. You can choose a main color but you can also complement or contrast it by painting one wall or one area another color.

You might want to consider adding tile to one wall, or part of a wall, that would complement the colors you’ve chosen.

An approach many people take is to shop flea markets, online or simply go through their own home for items that aren’t currently being used. Putting their imaginations to work, they often find great (and inexpensive!) pieces to decorate and accessorize the bathroom. They may find materials they can use as storage – you don’t necessarily have to choose pre-made or constructed cabinets.

Mirrors are another accessory that can help give your bathroom a distinct look. They also help a smaller bathroom feel more spacious. Remember, while you need at least one mirror that is large enough and properly placed to be functional, you can also create designs with smaller, cameo sized mirrors placed in designs as décor.

The addition of pictures can give your bathroom character and they don’t have to be expensive. You might find printable images online or have photos of your own you can print. You can simply place them in inexpensive frames.

For counter accessories, low-cost votive candle holders can be a unique and attractive substitute for more costly bathroom-specific sets.

Like any room, a bathroom is not complete until it has been furnished. And doesn’t require breaking the bank to make it stunning!

By: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

Fairfax, VA

Ensure you insure your remodeled home

When we remodel we increase the value of our home whether it’s a single room we’ve redone or the entire home. But while we’ve updated our home with the remodel, have we updated our home owner’s insurance?

A remodel, particularly a major remodeling, usually means the replacement value of your home increases. It isn’t something we like to think about, but should you experience some kind of total loss your current policy may not completely cover it. So it is important to be sure you update your home owner’s coverage.

You should also keep in mind that if you have what is known as an Extended Replacement Coverage Endorsement it usually requires that you make your insurance company aware of changes to the value of your home. This normally means changes above a certain amount, like $5,000. You should check your policy or with your insurer for this information.

Along with the remodel of their home, many people make the additional financial commitment of adding or replacing furniture. This may require you to adjust personal property limits on your policy so the true value is covered.

The important thing to keep in mind is: do not forget your insurance. Be certain you update it when you remodel.

With the love and finances you have devoted to your home, not to mention the work you’ve put in, you want be sure your home is cared for, especially for the worst circumstances (which hopefully never occur).

As your home changes, so should your insurance.

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
8630-A Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031
Tel:(703) 641-9800 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (703) 641-9800      end_of_the_skype_highlighting