Ask Devon - October Q&A
Another month has come and gone, but that means it’s time for another roundup of our favorite Q&A submissions. This month, Devon gave her best advice on a variety of design topics ranging from kitchen cabinets to area rugs. So let’s jump into to the highlights!
What questions can you ask contractors/designers to know they’re trustworthy?
The best way to understand if a designer is a good fit is to have a conversation with them where you can see their faces (I think it just helps you get to know them better) - in person or video - and ask detailed questions about their process and past work. On all of our intro calls, we walk through our process with clients in excruciating detail and then spend time answering questions that come from that. I hope that in doing so, we show that we know what we’re doing, we’re transparent, and we can be trusted.
For contractors, my recommendation would be to use someone that is referred to you so you KNOW they are good and can be trusted. Ask friends, neighbors, or ahem* your designer who they would recommend for a project. The best part of hiring a designer is you get access to all of their trades that they have a vetted over the years and have built strong relationships with already so you don’t have to find them on your own and hope for the best.
Most importantly, once you hire your team, TRUST THEM! You did your due diligence so that you could hire experts and professionals and now it’s time to let them lead the way.
Does porcelain countertop risk cracking?
Like any countertop material, if you drop a cast iron on it, you’ll probably chip it. But while “porcelain” sounds delicate, it’s actually one of the most durable options out there for countertops. The only caveat is that if you do manage to chip it, it’s not a “through-body” material, meaning the inside is just a solid color so chips may be more noticeable. In all my years, I have yet to see one get chipped.
Tips and tricks for shooting a project after a client has moved in?
Every single shoot we do takes place after clients have already moved in and are enjoying their new home. Obviously get their permission and schedule a time that doesn’t inconvenience them. Once you’re there for the shoot, they’ll obviously have stuff everywhere because they live there… if you need to move or rearrange anything for a shot, take a picture of how they have it, and then reference that so you can put everything back exactly as you found it. Our goal at a shoot is for the clients to never even be able to tell we were there, despite it being a rather invasive and long day.
Rules for kitchen cabinets if you want to incorporate two different colors?
I really prefer kitchens with two finishes - it adds a level of richness to the space. Ideally, it’s a wood and paint combo. The only rule is, keep things consistent so your eye follows the same finish. For example, make all of your lowers one finish, but then when there are full height cabinets, carry that “lower” finish up them too (as shown below). That way it feels continuous and carries your eye up. Then make all uppers the same. The other option is to do all perimeter cabinets one finish, and make your island something else.
Help with shopping for area rugs online! Not being able to see/feel it in person is driving me nuts.
Check the material: stick with 100% wool.
Look at the thickness of the rug. Unless you’re doing a flat weave, you want something with substantial thickness, otherwise you might get something thin and poor quality.
Check reviews if they’re available.
See if they have samples available. Even if you have to pay for them - worth it.
How to differentiate 2 living room spaces on 1 floor? “Formal” living room seems like a dated concept and a waste of square feet.
Agreed. Don’t just make a formal living room because the realtor calls it that. These days, our clients are asking us to get creative in those front rooms. If you’re in a house in the city of Chicago, you probably have one and I’m willing to bet it never gets used. More and more, we like to make these statement spaces - after all, they’re the first room you see when you walk in. Think about how you live and how you’d want to bring people into your home. One of my absolute favorite projects is the one below, where they asked us to create a “library/cocktail lounge” in their front living room.
What kind of trim works for a modern/minimal aesthetic? No trim is not possible in the home.
To achieve a modern/minimal aesthetic, avoid curves. Stick with flat trim and square corners. You can incorporate layers, make it as tall as you want, or even incorporate a shadow line reveal. But if it’s square and straight, it will read modern.
Can you use multiple grout colors in the bathroom depending on your tile choices?
You should have multiple grout colors, and if you don’t I’m concerned. Grout should blend in as much as possible with your tiles UNLESS you are specifically intending for it to be a focal point. Therefore, if you have different tiles, you need different grouts. It’s not uncommon for us to have different grout for every tile - sometimes a bathroom has 4-5 grout colors and it’s fine. Because if done right, you aren’t noticing the grout.
What dimension of rail on shaker cabinets do you typically go with to keep a modern feel?
The narrower you go, the more modern it feels. Anywhere from 1/2” to 2”. The project shown below is a transitional home leaning more modern - we did 3/4” rails so they still felt reminiscent of a classic shaker profile but more minimal.
Is a side table cluster instead of a coffee table still in? Any recommendation?
I don’t know that I would ever consider this a trend! We love to occasionally cluster varied height side tables together instead of a single coffee table because it adds interest to the space and also gives you flexibility to grow/contract the table space as needed.
PS - the cluster shown below is a sneak peek of a brand new home tour launching soon! Stay tuned for even more details on the design.
That brings us to the end of this month’s Q&A roundup! We absolutely love answering all of your questions every week, so be sure to follow along with our Instagram stories for more Q&A content.
-dgw
