Jun 20, 2018 | Before and After, Blog, Inspiration, Kitchen Design, One of our featured Projects
In this renovation project, we also updated the existing fireplace. The fireplace had a brick surround and hearth and needed an update to take it’s place as the focal point in the new dining room design.
After repair and painting of the existing woodwork, we added beautiful black and white marble tile. This looked great in this older home and coordinated well with the updated entry where we used a black and white mosaic on the floor. Take a look at the before and after of this dining room fireplace.
Jun 13, 2018 | Blog, Inspiration, Kitchen Design, One of our featured Projects
This dining room design was part of one of our recent kitchen renovation projects. While the former dining room was incorporated into the new kitchen space, it was evident that this adjacent and seldom used formal living room space was the perfect space for the new dining room area. As we reframed and opened up the doorway entering from the new kitchen space, this new dining room extends the feeling of the entire renovated space. The original brick lined fireplace was tiled with a black and white marble tile, which reflected the original architecture of this beautiful older home. By carrying colors and textures from the kitchen design, and adding furnishings, and fabrics that invite the eye to travel into the new functional and beautiful dining room, this room becomes a natural place for gathering for a family meal.
Jun 12, 2018 | Before and After, Blog, Inspiration, Kitchen Design, One of our featured Projects
In this kitchen renovation project, I designed this side of the kitchen to function as an entertaining area. I included a wine refrigerator, wine storage, storage for glassware, serving platters and china, Deep drawers for silverware and bowls, and additional trash storage
In this area we also added a large television which can be viewed from the entire kitchen. The long extended countertop creates additional areas for serving and workspace. Custom window treatments frame the new windows, but allow the light to flow through the space. Additional seating allows for this side of the kitchen to be used as a great entertaining area for friends and family to gather, while not in the middle of the central cooking area.
Jun 7, 2018 | Before and After, Blog, Inspiration, One of our featured Projects
In this post, you will see a before and after photo from the entry to this kitchen space, looking through the kitchen to the sunroom space. You can see we opened up the dated arched entry to the sun room and installed new taller windows to be more proportioned with the height of this beautiful older home. The kitchen itself, as you can see in the before photo, was long and narrow. In my new design, we opened up the wall to the adjacent room and created a large, functional space for cooking and entertaining.
If you look at the after photo, you will get a glimpse of the sink wall in the wall mirror on the right. A photo of that wall was featured on my blog yesterday.
Mar 30, 2018 | Blog, Decorating your table, Design Tips, Inspiration, Seasonal Decorating
Tip #1-Select Your China
When decorating a holiday table, I suggest always select the china first, before deciding on all the other table elements. This is similar in concept to designing an entire room, choose the large elements first, and this will give you much more room for expanding the design with the smaller design details. Consider mixing and matching china, I love using a mix old and new china. Vintage items, mixed with contemporary pieces will give your table a unique and personal look. Look for items with similar colors and patterns with similar scale. Try shopping at flea markets, antiques stores, or even garage sales for vintage china and unique serving pieces, this will add personality and pattern to your table. This is the time to pull out any items that were passed down from previous generations. Reproduction china will give you that vintage look, without having to hunt for each individual piece. New, inexpensive plates, and china, will modernize the entire look when pattern and scale are mixed properly. Find all of the serving pieces that you will use and be sure you have enough for each table setting.
Tip # 2- Choose your color scheme
After choosing your china for your holiday table, now you can begin to create a color scheme.Try using complementary color, a monochromatic color scheme or just a pop of color. Work off the colors of your china and don’t be afraid to be daring with color selections. This cobalt blue, pink, and gold color scheme is one that I really enjoyed creating for my own home. This selection of colors allowed me to showcase by beautiful blue and white china collection.
Tip # 3 – Designing your centerpiece
Designing your centerpiece! Here is where you can really have some fun! Play with various items, check to see if size and proportion of your centerpiece or arrangement works for the size of your table. Use groupings of items, this looks great especially on a long rectangular table. If your table is round, a grouping of items of varying heights or one center vase of flowers will look beautiful!
Pull in the colors from your table color scheme. Use fresh flowers or even a bowl of ornaments to coordinate with your decor, will look great. I hope you have fun creating your centerpiece!
Tip #4- Add something from nature
Add something from nature- So many natural elements can be used as part of the decoration of your holiday table. A touch of nature adds an organic element to your decor. I have used everything from pinecones, fruit, vegetables, branches, tree bark, and every nut, berry, and greenery variety that I could find in my area to enhance my table. Some of these elements add fragrance as well. Fruit combined with greenery can make a great centerpiece. Small arrangements of flowers or greenery at each place setting can add a touch of nature to your table. Add paint, ribbon, candles, be creative, just remember to clean everything thoroughly before bringing it in from the yard. I little goes a long way with natural elements, stick with one or two items in multiples.
Tip # 5- Add the glow of candlelight
Add the glow of Candlelight, this is a great way to illuminate your holiday table. Candlelight bouncing off glassware and china will create a soft glow and add sparkle to the holiday table. Vary heights and sizes for a more interesting table. Several candles of the same height will give a more contemporary look. Carefully place candles as not to interfere with chandelier decor and table greens. Anchor your candles by securing them to the base, a dab of hot glue will allow you to do this easily. This will prevent taper candles from tipping. Also, buy quality candles as the wax will melt a little more evenly.
Tip # 6- Make place cards
Use place cards. This is a great way to make your guests feel welcomed at your holiday table. When my children were little, I always involved them in creating place cards for everyone. A simple fall leaf can be transformed into an elegant place card with a marker. Have fun and get creative, everyone with be trilled to see their name at their place setting.
Tip #7- Creative Table Linens
Table linens include table clothes, napkins, runners and placemats. Mixed together properly, table linens can pull together the entire look of your holiday table. When choosing these items, it is important to size them properly to your table. Measure your table top and be sure you find a table cloth that is bigger than your table. I like quite a bit of overhang on a tablecloth, be sure the overhang is even on all sides of your table. If you use a runner, be sure it is long enough for your table, these should overhang as well. Mix patterns and fabrics together but be sure to keep your china as the focal point. Use unexpected fabrics for your table, beautiful wool blanket, a scarf, some crisp casual dish towels, if the colors coordinate,these items can make a beautiful unique choice for table covers, placemats, or napkins.
Tip #8 -Add decorative details
Add personality to your table by adding decorative details. Heirloom salt and pepper shakers, ornaments, unique items that pull together the entire look of your table. I have a large selection of napkin rings and display pieces in my collection that often show up on a holiday table in different ways depending on the overall plan. It can be fun to incorporate meaningful items from family members, like great grandma’s crystal bowl, filled with candy, flowers, or ornaments. Just be sure it all ties in together in theme, color and proportion. Too many different things together will look cluttered and messy. Layer your table carefully, and just like putting on jewelry, if you are not sure, remove a piece. A little decorative detail goes a long way when mixed with the other elements of your table.
Tip # 9- Use a mix of glassware
When talking about a beautiful holiday table design, we can’t forget about the glassware. I believe that glassware one of the most important details of your whole table design. Whether you are doing a simple table setting for a casual gathering with just one piece of glassware per table setting, or a formal dinner with numerous pieces, this adds sparkle and dimension to your table design. If numerous pieces of glassware are being used, I like to vary the heights as much as possible,but keep all glassware pieces proportioned to each other, this creates movement and balance across your table. Choose clear glassware or a color that complements your table, I like to mix colors to create a nice balanced yet interesting look. Glassware doesn’t have to be expensive, there are so many options to choose from when purchasing, think about your china colors coordinate your selections with items tat you already own. Sometimes I use different items at each place setting, don’t be afraid to mix and match. You might only have 3 glasses of one style and 3 of another but if you alternate each place setting, it will look cohesive. Have fun creating a beautiful holiday table!
Tip # 10- Decorate The Chandelier
If you have a chandelier over your dining table, consider decorating it as part of your holiday table decor. By hanging just a few ornaments, greenery , or flowers you can give the chandelier a very festive look and tie it in to the overall look of your table. Just use some wire to attach your greenery and some ornament hooks for a few ornaments. Be sure to place the centerpiece first, if you are using one, then you will determine just how much space you have between your finished tablescape and your chandelier.
Have fun decorating your table!
Happy Easter!
Jan 22, 2018 | Bathroom design, Blog, Design Tips, News
Designs By Gia Interior Design of Boston, MA • Houzz Press Release
Over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building,
Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World.
Boston, MA. January 18, 2018 – Designs By Gia Interior Design of Boston, MA has won “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design.
The Interior Design and Build Firm was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.
Designs By Gia Winner Best Of Houzz 2018
The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 40 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2017. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A “Best Of Houzz 2018” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.
“Designs By Gia Interior Design……. Bringing your style to life.”
About Designs By Gia Interior Design
Owner/Designer Gia Milazzo Smith established the full service interior design firm in 2002 after 10 years of experience in the industry. The 16 year old firm specializes in Residential and Commercial Interior Design. Their services include, Complete Interior Design development, Custom Kitchens and Bathrooms, and Complete Build and Project Management services. Designs By Gia Interior Design believes that a space should convey the personality and tastes of the owner, and function to meet the needs for which it was designed. A well designed space will work to enhance the lives of those who use it, providing both comfort and inspiration. Their firm will work with you to create a space which meets all of your design needs.
About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.
Nov 2, 2017 | Before and After, Inspiration, One of our featured Projects
In this recent kitchen design and renovation project, these long time clients came to me originally, several years ago to start discussing the design of their kitchen. At that time, the kitchen in this 1800’s home included a kitchen that had been poorly remodeled in the 1980’s, so the kitchen had already lost most of it’s original charm. I created a design plan creating a beautiful large kitchen expanding the space into the adjacent rooms. My clients loved this design plan, but other home issues took precedence, so after a few additional years, my clients were now ready to start their kitchen project.
Their overall goals for the property did change since we first looked at this project, my clients decided that they did not want to enlarge or expand the small kitchen by opening it up to the adjacent rooms. So, I went back to the drawing board to create a kitchen in the existing kitchen space that fulfilled their new goals and created a beautiful functional space within the existing kitchen space. This new design, like my former design, honored this home’s traditional architecture, but added a light, fresh feel to the space using updated colors and material selections. This design consisted of additional storage and cabinetry, additional countertop space, and a small space to sit. We added new cabinetry, appliances, electrical, plumbing, beautiful quartz countertops, glass backsplash tile, traditional lighting fixtures, and finished everything off using beautiful classic hardware elements.
My clients are now in love with this new renovated kitchen space. It contains many of the elements of a much larger kitchen, and melds beautifully with the rest of the house which we have also designed renovated over the last few years. Finally my client’s get to enjoy their new kitchen space as much as they enjoy the rest of this beautiful home!
www.designsbygia.com
