Interior Design Archives - Sandra Forbes Interiors

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024

Guide to Choosing Countertops

Choosing countertops is often a daunting task because of the many choices of materials. I am going to break it down for you so you have all the information you need to make a wise decision. Knowing the pros and cons of each material will help you narrow down the choices to fit your specific needs and limitations.

In my research I found that information from different sources are often conflicting. I recommend that you confirm the following information with the manufacturer so you can care for your new countertops correctly.

The following characteristics will be compared to help in choosing countertops:

Heat Tolerance
Stain Resistance
Disinfecting
Scratch Resistance
Fade Resistance
Maintenance
Ease of Repair
Edge Options
Thickness Options

This post will be updated periodically if there is new information that would be helpful to include. Last updated 10/15/2024

Here are my notes….

Finishes

Honed – A honed surface appears matte or is non-reflective because it has been ground smooth. It has a velvety and satin-like feel.

Polished – surface offers a beautiful glossy shine

Choosing Countertops for Heat Tolerance

Marble – Good heat tolerance but not as high as granite. begins to crack at 329 degrees

Granite – Very high heat tolerance but trivets are still recommended

Soapstone – Good heat tolerance up to around 450 degrees. Take care to use mats, trivets under hot objects.

Natural Quartzite – Very high heat tolerance like granite. Heat will damage if high % resin. Take are to use mats, trivets under hot objects

Quartz – heat will damage if high % resin. Take care to use mats, trivets under hot objects

Solid Surface – low heat tolerance. Use trivets and pads under hot objects.

Dekton – high heat resistant but use trivet for hot items

Butcher Block – will char. Take care to use mats, trivets under hot objects.

Porcelain – It can handle freezing and thawing temperatures as well as high temperatures. High heat tolerance.

Concrete – high heat tolerance but a sudden temperature change can affect the sealer.

Laminate – very low heat tolerance. Take care to protect against heat.

In summary, most countertops benefit from using protection against hot objects. The natural stone materials have better heat tolerance where materials that have built in polymers and resins could scorch and get damaged from heat. Laminate is the lowest tolerance being made of paper and resins. Porcelain and Dekton which is made from porcelain and stone are very high heat tolerant.

Choosing Countertops for Stain Resistance

Always check with the manufacturer before applying any kind of stain remover. The following are common solutions that can be applied to countertops to remove stains. Removing stains can be trial and error.

Vinegar is an acid and works on stains like coffee, tea or juice
Baking Soda and water paste is effective for oil-based stains
Hydrogen Peroxide and baking soda paste is effective to remove wine stains. Let it sit overnight and then wipe away.
Hydrogen Peroxide and dishwashing liquid mixture. Let sit overnight and then wipe away.
Diluted Bleach for cola and fruit juices
Salt
Baking Soda
Club Soda
Rubbing Alcohol is a nearly neutral pH and is a great homemade cleaner
Dishwashing Liquid
Bar Keepers Friend Liquid
Ammonia products are alkaline and good for grease, oil and coffee stains

Marble and Granite are natural stone which tend to be porous. Oil-based products and acid liquids can cause stains. Acidic substances like wine, coffee, vinegar, tomato and lemons can dull the surface. Avoid acidic cleaners that contain the following: ammonia, citrus, bleach, vinegar. These may damage or dull as well. So, what is best to use to clean stains? The number one way to fight stains on natural stone surfaces like marble and granite is to avoid them and wipe up right away with a mild soap and water solution. If a stain occurs, use a poultice or paste to draw out the stain. A pH-neutral, non-abrasive cleaner is best to be used. Hydrogen peroxide is often used or a baking soda and water paste for tough stains. Sealing the clean stone is a good preventative measure to make it easier to wipe and clean stains.

Soapstone is non-porous and will not stain from coffee, milk, wine, tomato and other common liquids that stain other types of countertop materials. If a liquid causes a discoloration it will fade over time. Soapstone doesn’t allow liquids to penetrate the surface. It will not be damaged by harsh chemicals but the cleaner you use may affect the mineral oil sealant that is giving it it’s beautiful leather texture. It can be easily maintained with mild cleansers. Avoid abrasive cleaners to avoid damaging its soft surface.

Natural Quartzite – is a natural stone which tends to be porous. Please don’t confuse this with “quartz” which is an engineered product. Both oil-based and water-based foods may cause discoloration. To remove these stains, one must draw the stain out of the pores of the stone through the use of a poultice or paste. You are in luck if you like to use vinegar or lemon juice to clean because generally, the surface of quartzite isn’t damaged by common acids but some slabs can react with acids if they contain calcium carbonate. Therefore, I recommend that you should avoid cleaners that contain acids like ammonia, citrus, bleach or vinegar which may dull the surface. Hydrogen peroxide is often used or a baking soda and water paste to draw out the stain. Sealing the stone with a water-based seal

Quartz – White quartz is notorious for getting stained. Wipe up colored liquids as soon as you can with soap and water. Liquids that sit on the surface like from dirty dishes, a stain may form. If a stain does form, use a baking soda and water paste and let sit for a few minutes and then wipe away. Avoid abrasive cleaners and both harsh acidic and alkaline cleaners to prevent damage to the surface of the countertop. Acids like vinegar, lemon juice can damage the resin within it. Even though quartz isn’t as porous as natural stone, the resins within it can be damaged by harsh chemicals.

Solid Surface is stain-resistant but not stain proof. Soap and water works for most cleaning needs. Countertop cleaners like Bar Keepers Friend or an ammonia-based cleaner like glass and multi-surface cleaners work well too. A possible solution that is an effective cleaner is the following mixture: ratio 1:24:1 rubbing alcohol: water: dish soap

Dekton is non-porous and very stain resistant. In the case a stain is created, avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia to prevent damage.

Butcher Block can stain easily therefore care should be taken to wipe up spills immediately. A warm soap and water solution is used for daily cleaning and vinegar is a good solution for cleaning and sanitizing. Use pads to protect from moisture rings and burns from hot objects.

Porcelain is non-porous with superior stain resistance and moisture proofing. Cleaners with oil can leave a residue. Daily cleaning with warm soapy water works for normal cleaning. Porcelain can handle harsher chemical cleaners like but they will dull the surface over time so use sparingly.

Concrete is porous and will absorb liquids therefore it is vulnerable to stains like wine, citrus and vinegar. A method to remove mild stains is to sand stain out and then re-seal and wax. A mild soap and water is the best daily cleaner.

Laminate is resistant to stains. It is safe to use warm soapy water solution with vinegar for daily cleaning. Avoid scrubbing to avoid dulling the surface. A baking soda and water paste soak is a good stain remover. Do not use bleach which will cause damage.

Choosing Countertops for Bacteria Resistance

Rubbing alcohol (hydrogen peroxide) can be used daily to kill germs. Spray it on and then wipe away with a wet cloth. This is safe for all countertop materials.

Marble, Granite and Soapstone have a natural resistance to bacteria growth. A good antibacterial soap and warm water is a good daily solution. The polished surfaces can be damaged by hydrogen peroxide, bleach and vinegar so is not recommended for daily cleaning and disinfecting.

Natural Quartzite is bacteria resistant so antibacterial soap and water solution is sufficient for daily cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as well to kill germs.

Quartz – bacteria resistant

Solid Surface – relatively bacteria free. Use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol 70-90% concentration) to kill germs or diluted household bleach.

Dekton can be disinfected with a variety of products like vinegar and water, hydrogen peroxide or warm soapy water.

Butcher Block harbors bacteria and needs to be washed with vinegar daily to kill bacteria or use hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes, wipe and let air dry.

Porcelain is not porous so highly bacteria resistant. Wash regularly with antibacterial soap and water solution.

Concrete countertops can be cleaned with a soap and water solution for daily cleaning. Isopropyl alcohol is a good disinfecting solution.

Laminate can be disinfected safely with an isopropyl alcohol spray and then wiping clean with a dry rag. Vinegar and water solution is also a safe solution and of course, a warm soapy water solution.

Choosing Countertops for Scratch Resistance

Marble can scratch and etch easily

Granite chips easily

Soapstone will dent and scratch

Natural Quartzite resists scratches

Quartz is durable but not completely resistant to scratches. Take care to use mats, trivets to avoid scratches. Quartz can be damaged from the impact of heavy objects if dropped on it. Avoid abrasive sponges

Solid Surface resists scratches. Avoid abrasive cleaners.

Dekton is fabulous against scratches but is brittle and prone to cracking and chipping

Butcher Block is prone to scratches but high impact resistant

Porcelain will scratch, chip and crack with impact. It may show etching or metal marks if using metal pans and utensils.

Concrete will scratch and even chip with high impact.

Laminate can develop scratches, gouges and chips.

Choosing Countertops for Fade Resistance

Will any part of your countertop be exposed to direct sunlight? This is especially important in the case of outdoor kitchens and patios. Consider whether the material will fade over time.

Marble is fade resistant but dark colors may fade over years

Granite fades over an extended period if in direct sunlight

Soapstone is fade resistant. It darkens naturally with time.

Natural Quartzite is fade resistant. Natural light won’t darken or fade it.

Quartz may fade if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time due to the resins within it.

Solid Surface dark countertops will lighten in direct sunlight and whites will begin to yellow over time. Protect against direct sun.

Dekton does not fade in sunlight.

Butcher Block – may fade with direct sunlight

Porcelain is fade resistant

Concrete countertops with pigment may fade in the sun

Laminate does fade over time if exposed to sunlight

Choosing Counteretops for Maintenance Needs

It is important to consider whether you realistically will keep up with the required maintenance of your countertop to keep it looking beautiful.

Marble – Only use soap and water. Do not use chemicals including vinegar. Wipe up spills immediately. Needs to be sealed yearly

Granite – Wipe with isopropyl alcohol regularly and use a sealing product yearly to protect.

Soapstone – Recommend daily cleaning with soap and water. Apply mineral oil every month or two and rub in to build a protective layer against stains.

Natural Quartzite –Use only soap and water or a stone cleaner made for natural quartzite. Do not use harsh chemicals. Needs to be polished monthly and sealed yearly to help repel liquids

Quartz – Use soap and water or isopropyl alcohol solution to disinfect. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners which may weaken the bond between the materials

Dekton is easy to clean and maintain.

Solid Surface is easy to clean and maintain. Use soap and water. Safe to use ammonia-based cleaners. Avoid abrasive cleaners on glossy finishes

Butcher Block – Protect against standing water. Apply tung or mineral oil monthly to preserve the wood from drying out and cracking. Oil increases the water resistance as well.

Porcelain – is easy to clean and maintain. Use soap and water and avoid abrasive cleaners.

Concrete can tend toward developing hairline cracks over time. Seal yearly to create a protective layer to stains and damage.

Laminate is easy to clean and maintain. Use soap and water and avoid abrasive cleaners.

Choosing Countertops for Ease of Repair

If you have an active family and your counter tops take a beating, there is inevitably going to be a chip or crack. How easy is it to get repaired?

Marble – resealing and repolishing can make like new

Granite – repair by professional with granite dust and epoxy resin

Soapstone – scratches can be sanded out with fine sandpaper.

Natural Quartzite – chips can be repaired with an epoxy resin that matches the finish

Quartz – There is an epoxy resin that can be used to fill chipped areas and then sand and polish. Here is a link to a step by step how to repair a quartz countertop from graniteselection.com

Solid Surface – scratches and dents can be sanded out and repaired by contacting a certified installer

Butcher Block – easy to sand scratches, wax and finish

Porcelain – Chips and cracks are difficult to repair if patterns are on the surface. But solid colors may be repaired using color matched epoxies by a fabricator.

Concrete – contact a professional

Laminate – there is a laminate repair paste that can be used to fill in holes and broken edges. Then paint to match surface.

Choosing Countertops for Edge Options

There are really many, many options but here is a selection that I grabbed from Deavita.net. Ask your fabricator if you have a special one in mind.

countertop edge options — marble-concepts.com

Marble – multiple options

Granite – multiple options

Soapstone – multiple options

Natural Quartzite – multiple options

Quartz – multiple options

Solid Surface – multiple options

Butcher Block – generally straight edge

Porcelain – limited edge styles /only square or mitered edges

Concrete – more limited in the options based on the forms available

Laminate – more limited in the options

Here is a link to an article How to Choose Your Edge Profile from Granite & Marble Specilties if you want to learn more about the options.

Choosing Countertops for Thickness Options

Dekton Thickness options — cosentino.com Dekton

Marble – standard options are ¾” and 1.25” (2 cm or 3 cm)

Granite – standard thickness is 1.25” (3 cm)

Soapstone – standard thickness is 1.25”

Natural Quartzite – standard options are ¾” and 1.25” (2cm or 3cm)

Dekton – 8mm, 12mm, 30mm and 30mm

Quartz – standard options are ¾” and 1.25” (2cm or 3cm)

Solid Surface – the thicknesses is dependent on the Brand

Butcher Block – the standard thickness ranges from 1.5” to 2” thick

Porcelain – standard options range as thin as ¼” to ½” creating a very modern, sleek look

Concrete – standard is 1.5” but can be as think as 1.25” and as thick as 3”

Laminate – standard options range from .6” to 1.25”

February 20, 2024October 25, 2024

IDEAS FOR DECORATING IN TRADITIONAL STYLE

Some features of Traditional Style furniture might include:

Upholstered seating with carved or turned wood frames
Skirted upholstery
rolled arms with decorative trim or nails
button tufting
dark woods like mahogany and cherry

Examples of Traditional Style Furniture:
(Look for the above features in the following pieces)

upholstered wing back chairs
upholstered chaise lounges
upholstered loveseats
upholstered club chairs
upholstered sofa
wood framed occasional chairs
secretaries
hutches
chests
wooden benches
wooden stools
vintage pieces

This picture from Luxdeco demonstrates the soft curved lines in Traditional Style furniture seen in the stuffed upholstery, furniture arms and carved wooden legs often contrast with the crisp linen lamp shades and straight lines of the room’s architectural features. The tall vertical lines in the draperies and architecture draw the eye up and give a sense of grandeur. The symmetrical placement of furniture also offers straight lines toward a focal point.

The Traditional style is all about balance of form and line.

November 21, 2020October 15, 2024

Designing a Custom Range Hood

Height: Typically, the common installation height or distance from the cooktop to the base of your custom range hood is 24”-36” from a gas cooktop and “ – 24” for an electric cooktop.

Considerations: Take into consideration your tile size and whether you want to have your tile cut. If you install your range hood before designing your tile placement, you may end up having to cut a row at either the top or bottom to fit. Don’t forget to consider the space the grout will take up as well as the height of your tile.

My range was a 48” wide range and the burners measured 44”. The recommended size of range hood was this 52 1/2” which was a bit shy of the recommended 6” wider. To accommodate the 4 ½” tile and bullnose, the distance from the cooktop ended up being 30” which is appropriate for a gas cooktop.

To break up that height, I chose to create a 2 step look. We also choose to extend the box another 4 ½” on each side beyond the vent liner We choose 3 repeating rectangles on the bottom shelf front and 1 large rectangles on the top face. Each topped off with a beautifully finished walnut wood board. This gave a modern clean look combined with the European pattern tile in the backsplash. This is truly the focal point to the kitchen.

Now, A trip to the lumber yard to decide what wood widths were available to accomplish the modern European look we were going for. We chose natural walnut and apainted white wood cabinet.

This is an example of a detail involved in a beautifully executed design. Here the edge tile lined up with the edge of the range hood cover. A skilled tradesman in combination with a beautiful design can accomplish this level of detail. Notice that Steve didn’t just cut off the tile trim when it hit the wood trim detail of the hood but notched out the tile to fit snugly around the hood trim.

You can have your kitchen designed by Sandra Forbes Interiors. It will be custom designed to your style, needs and desires. Learn more about Sandra Forbes Interiors at SandraForbesInteriors.com.

July 10, 2020October 25, 2024

Updating My Dining Room Chairs

Updating my dining room chairs was the right solution since they were still in good condition.

Since we are holding up in our house more right nowbecause of COVID, I decided to finish an ongoing project. I have been updating my dining room tables and chairs.

I am happy to say that I am done! It has been a long project.

It all started because our tables and chairs were bar height and the wrong wood tone. We found that the tall height was hard on some of our backs and this height was a less formal look than what I was looking for.

The first thing we did was to cut our table legs down and the chair legs down. As you can see from this picture, the cross bar ended up to be pretty low to the floor but we were willing to live with that. It was far easier (we thought) to refinish the chairs and to use what we had rather than buying a new table and chairs.

My table and chairs, on the other hand, were not very expensive but they serve us well. We love their versalit! Depending on how we arrange them, we can accomodate groups of all different sizes. We have two 5′ square tables that allow us to sit up to 16 people when set apart. Each has a leaf that can change the table size to seat either 6 or 8 people. When we put them together we can seat 12 all around one large table. We rearrange them depending on the number of people we are hosting.

So, I decided to first refinish and update the table first. I don’t have any pictures of this process but it is pretty much what I did on the chairs. I primed and painted the table legs and apron the same color as the buffet. Then proceeded to distress them by hammering small indentations with a tip of a nail and sanding them a bit. I finished with a glaze.

I then sanded and stained the tabletop to compliment the walnut floors. In the picture on the left of my son’s birthday, you can see when the table top was blonde compared to the picture on the right after I stained it a darker color to compliment the floors in our new house.

I spent several days priming and painting the chairs.

Thankfully, I had a hand-held sprayer that I bought for a client project. Each was lightly sanded and then primed and painted.

The painted chairs looked great but they looked too new when compared to the distressed finish on the buffet and newly refinished table. Each chair needed to be glazed to create a more antique look.

I was able to achieve this by wiping a glaze on each and then wiping it back off with a damp cloth leaving a small residue in grain lines.

Lastly, each chair seat needed to be recovered. The pads that came with the chairs were not very comfortable. They were not very dense and not very thick. The fabric was very stained as well from many years of use.

I took this opportunity to take apart the covers and replace the pads with a more dense and thick foam to help cushion. To do this, I needed to remove all the staples from the cover fabric so I could get at the padding. First there were approximately 20 staples on the facing fabric and then over a hundred staples holding the fabric on each cushion!

June 15, 2020October 25, 2024

Traditional and Vintage Nursery Design

I decided to design a nursery using this chair as a stepping off point. Stay tuned to see another design using this chair in a sitting room in a more traditional design. This is the style I really enjoy. A mix of traditional and contemporary.

I don’t know about you but I am tiring of white. Don’t get me wrong. I love white. In fact, it has always been my favorite color! I know – weird. Right?!

White is a combination of all colors in light so it isn’t surprising that I love all design styles too. That’s why I love design. There are so many different directions to go.

So many of us have furniture that has been passed down to us from our family members and we want to incorporate those pieces but want to have a more up to date look. White is more difficult to blend with traditional dark wood pieces and still create a muted, understated and mellow environment in a bedroom.

This one fits the bill. It is a combination of traditional with 70s boho. Here’s what I came up with… Let me know what you think and comment below.

Passion Flower Kilim Club Chair – Sundance

My inspiration. Great for a contemporary nursery and move into any room when it is no longer needed in the nursery.

2. Japanese Textile Design Print on Paper – Perigold

The gold frame pulls in the warm tones in the drapery rod and table and the print brings in the tones from the chair.

3. Simmons Kids Tivoli Pine Wood Convertible Crib – Amazon (White or Chestnut)

Both the chestnut and white should work with this design. It also converts to a bed as they grow.

Spiral Felt Ball Mobile – Neutral – Etsy MatthewAndMae

I love how this mobile brings in the neutral and muted colors.

Authentic Vintage Brick Mold Bookshelf – Farmhouse Fresh

Incorporate tall shelving with this vintage bookshelf or with something like this, which has a similar look but with soft curves to match the desk and chair.

Hemp Woven Rug Color: Sage – Sundance

Can’t lose with a neutral rug.

Bumblebee End Table – Anthropologie (Love the bee accents!)

The bumble bee accents will be loved by the kids and it brings a contemporary feel to the nursery.

Brushed Brass Bernie Series LED Floor Lamp – Lamps Plus

This floor lamps brings a contemporary feel to an otherwise traditional space.

A Most Unusual Old Teak Floor Desk with 3 Drawers – Jugs Furniture

I love this idea of a low desk with a vintage vibe.

Belgian Linen Curtain, Natural – West Elm

Stay with a soft white curtains

Monkey Bookends – Grace Hill Design

Choose décor to accent the colors in the chair and you can’t lose!

Antique Brass French Curtain Rod – Target

Hint: Use a French curtain rod to close that gap on the sides in combination with a black out shade to minimize light during nap times!

November 25, 2019October 25, 2024

The Woodbury Retreat – Creating a Curated Home

A Private Place to Reflect

She wanted to rest and retreat from the stress in her life. This focal wall as you entered her apartment set the stage to what you would experience throughout her home. A restful retreat. This statue was purchased at one of St. Thomas Academy’s annual auctions. It is now a comforting feature in my client’s home.

After selling her long time home in St. Paul which I helped her stage, she asked me to help turn her new apartment into a home.

She needed a place to get away and reflect. She was entering a new stage in life.

Feature Wall

The first thing she asked me to do was to help with this feature wall that greeted you as you first entered her new apartment retreat. She wanted the statue of the Blessed Mother here but the statue seemed to fade into the white wall behind. We need it to be a focal point.

retreat entrance — Statue needed to be featured

In response, I decided to raise it up and center it more in the space and create a faux painted wood panel to be installed behind it. This helped the statue of The Blessed Mother become a prominant feature without making it look “churchy”. I pulled the colors from the Blessed Mother and layered them when staining the wood panel.

Hiding Wires

Then, there was the challenge of hiding the modem wires and finding a place for the grandchildren’s toys. She loved the modern touch that this buffet and the additional needed storage it provided.

A simple solution to hiding the TV and modem wires was these covers from the local hardware store. They worked wonderfully.

Hidden wires can help make a room feel less cluttered.

Paying attention to sight lines added to the Retreat Atmosphere

As a matter of fact, the living room wall happened to be the wall she saw from her bed. Therefore it needed to be addressed with a focal point. If you want to learn more about “sight lines” and “focal points” I talk more about them in the Love Your Layout Workshop. What you see from other rooms is important to consider when curating your home.

sight line in retreat — The placement of pictures can inspire!

Subsequently, she bought this print by Steve Henderson entitled “Ocean Breeze” [from greatbigcanvas.com]. Simply put, it was a delightful find that was an emotional lift at the start of each new day.

Uplifting painting added to the retreat atmosphere — A Fresh New Day!

Additionally, she wanted to feature another inspiring painting that was created by her nephew when he was, also, going through a traumatic time in his life. The painting, entitled “Eternal Hunger”, represented a nursing child finding solice in his mother’s arms.

Retreat Image of mother and child — Mother and Child

And then it was just a matter of tying together her existing decor to create a cohesive color scheme that was calm and relaxing.

Retreat Guest Room Color Scheme

In the guest room, using the colors in a picture she treasured from a friend, we then took the soft teal from the ocean in the picture and repeated it throughout the room by painting the oak frame and hand painting the pillow to coordinate.

Focal Point for Dining Room

Lastly, we needed to create a focal point behind the dining room table. Since, it was an open floor plan with the living room, the colors needed to be cohesive. And due to the muted colors of soft greys and cream throughout these rooms , she found delight in the colors in this grouping. We centered them over the dining room table to draw the eye as if to call you to sit down.

A home is all about surrounding yourself with things that you love and inspire you.

It was, indeed, an honor to be a part of her journey to help her create a retreat to refresh and reflect and rejoice in God’s love for her.

The following characteristics will be compared to help in choosing countertops:

When choosing countertops, we will be looking at the properties of the following countertop materials:

Marble

Granite

Soapstone

Natural Quartzite

Quartz (Engineered Quartz)

Dekton

Solid Surface

Butcher Block

Porcelain

Concrete

Laminate

Choosing Countertops for Heat Tolerance

Choosing Countertops for Stain Resistance

Choosing Countertops for Bacteria Resistance

Choosing Countertops for Scratch Resistance

Choosing Countertops for Fade Resistance

Choosing Counteretops for Maintenance Needs

Choosing Countertops for Ease of Repair

Choosing Countertops for Edge Options

Choosing Countertops for Thickness Options

WATERFALL OPTION

Traditional Design Styles

Rustic Farmhouse

Rustic

English Cottage

Coastal Mediterranean

Victorian

Bohemian

Vintage Cottage

Arts and Crafts

Traditional Style Color Palette

Furniture in the Traditional Style

Architectural Influences in the Traditional Style

Patterns and Prints in the Traditional Style

Form & Line

Textures, Materials & Finishes

Fabrics

Window Treatments

Lighting

Art and Decor

… Variations of the Traditional Style

What Size Should a Range Hood Be?

To Determine the Proper Width for Your Custom Range Hood

To Determine the Proper Distance from the Cooktop

To Determine the Proper Depth of a Custom Range Hood

Lighting

Design Considerations

The Design Materials

Attention to Details

You can have your kitchen designed by Sandra Forbes Interiors. It will be custom designed to your style, needs and desires. Learn more about Sandra Forbes Interiors at SandraForbesInteriors.com.

Updating my Dining Room Chairs to Compliment My Existing Furniture

Whew! That was fun but I was not looking forward to finishing the chairs. THERE ARE 16 OF THEM!

Updating My Dining Room Chairs

Recovering the Dining Room Chair Pads

Ta Da! Finished!

I love to put a statement piece in every room and this fits the bill.

Here’s everything with a link if you find something you like.