What to Consider When Choosing Colors for a Kitchen

Paint colors are important in the kitchen - and every room, for that matter - because they help set the mood. Do you want a vibrant space that suggests a flurry of family activity, or would you prefer a calming space where you can quietly sip coffee and read the paper in the morning? Perhaps something in between? Paint color goes a long way in setting the tone.

Here are five of our best tips for choosing a paint color that not only sets the right mood in the kitchen, but also one that reflects your personal taste and works within the overall design and feel of the home. These are considerations we use when selecting paint colors for our clients.  

1.  Choose colors that make you happy

This may sound oversimplified, but it’s true. Paint color is a very personal choice. Some people find the color yellow warm and inviting while others find it harsh and jarring. This is your home, and you have to be satisfied with the choice. Avoid choosing a color simply because it is trendy or because a designer suggests it. We always talk to our clients in depth about their personal likes and dislikes before suggesting a color palette.

2.  Consider the rest of the home 

Proper flow from room to room is a crucial component of beautiful design. Consider the color scheme in the rest of the home before choosing a paint color for the kitchen. If the dining room is teal, you don’t want to paint the kitchen red. When you’re considering paint colors, walk from the kitchen to adjacent rooms. Imagine how the color will flow from one room to the next.

3.  Don’t be afraid of bold colors

In some rooms of the home, bold colors are a risky choice. The bedroom, for example, is supposed to be a calm and soothing space. If you like bold colors, however, the kitchen is a great place to introduce them. The kitchen tends to be a center of activity. Also, kitchens tend to have less visible wall space than other rooms because of the cabinets. So a bold color can be more like an accent or a pop, contrasting with more muted cabinets and countertops. 

4.  Always test your colors first

Paint colors will always look different on your walls than they do on a swatch or in the can. The finished look is affected by factors such as the size of the room and lighting. Always buy samples of any paint color you’re considering and test them first by painting a small spot on the wall. Better yet, test two or three similar shades to find out which you like best. Tempting as it may be, it’s risky to invest in paint without having tested it first. The last thing you want is to paint the entire room only to discover that the color doesn’t work.

5.  Never underestimate the importance of good lighting

As we’ve mentioned, lighting has a tremendous impact on how a paint color looks in a room. Consider both the natural and artificial light in the kitchen when choosing a color. In general, all paint colors look their best with softer and more natural light. However, bulbs that are higher on the Kelvin scale can be used to warm up a paint color, while bulbs lower on the Kelvin scale can be used to cool it down. When you’re sampling paint colors, be sure to inspect the colors at different times of the day as the lighting changes.

For many Jessica Dauray Interiors clients, the kitchen is the center of the home. It is a place to gather with the kids to do homework at night, a place to socialize and entertain guests, and a place to share relaxing meals after a long day of work. Work with an interior designer that understands color and can create an environment that meets your lifestyle and makes you happy when you enter the room.

Jessica Dauray Interiors is a full-service, residential and commercial interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. Founder, Jessica Dauray, and her design team specialize in custom interior design, as well as renovation and new home construction project consulting and management. JDI' unique interiors can best be described as livable and sophisticated. The designs incorporate classic, clean lines that function to fit your family's lifestyle and design aesthetic. JDI's projects include residences and corporate interiors throughout the New York Metropolitan area.

Interior Design Trends for Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is the go-to gathering place for family, friends and guests. Particularly as the trend toward open kitchens shows no signs of slowing, beautiful kitchen design is crucial to the overall look and feel of your home. Appliances are a focal point of a kitchen and dated kitchen appliances make the whole home look dated.

When planning a new kitchen interior design or renovating a kitchen, most people think first about which cabinets or countertops to choose. But appliances should not be an afterthought. Think of the prominence they have in a kitchen - a set of inexpensive, white appliances sets a completely different tone than chef’s-quality commercial range. These are the latest trends when it comes to kitchen appliances. The good news about kitchen appliance trends? They’re slower to change than other trends in home design. So you can feel good about investing in high-end professional style appliances that can last for decades.

Smart appliances

Appliances have a mind of their own these days. Stoves have tablet-like displays that allow you to download recipes. They can be turned off and on via smartphone from the living room or while you’re shopping for groceries. Refrigerators can alert our smartphones when we’re out of milk of eggs. The future is here when it comes to appliance technology. Smart appliances make our lives easier and bring added convenience to the kitchen.

Hidden kitchen hoods

Modern technology makes it possible to hide your kitchen hood behind cabinetry, creating a sleeker look. This also offers the added benefit of additional storage space. A win all around.

Quiet dishwashers

There’s nothing like starting the dishwasher after dinner only to have it drown out the sound from the TV. Dishwasher manufacturers have long claimed that their appliances are quiet, but now those claims are finally accurate. High-end dishwashers make very little noise. You’ll barely know they’re running.

Double dishwashers

With these, there’s no such thing as hand washing. Double dishwashers allow you to separate pots and pans from finer, more delicate dishes. Having two dishwashers is also a smart and functional move for large families or people who like to entertain. There’s no need to wait for one load to finish before loading the dishwasher again.

Four-door refrigerators

There are two options with these appliances - two refrigerator doors and two freezer drawers or two French doors on the top and two sliding doors for the freezer. Either way, this design is functional. These refrigerators allow for better organization, and you can control the temperatures separately. You can keep some foods at 29 degrees and others up to 42 degrees.

Double ovens

These are nothing new, but they’re seeing something of a resurgence. Not surprisingly, they’re handy for times like Thanksgiving and Christmas when you need to cook multiple dishes at once. However, they’re also useful in everyday life. You can bake dinner and dessert all at once, not worrying about the variations in temperature.

Dishwasher drawers

These make for convenient loading and unloading. Rather than pulling out a cumbersome dishwasher door and bending down to load dishes, you can slide a door at waist height to load the dishes. Some people choose to place two dishwasher drawers on opposite sides of the sink.

Undercounter refrigerators

Rethink the traditional refrigerator. These are convenient and almost invisible. They look just like kitchen cabinets. Typically, these are set up as French drawers underneath the cabinets. Like four-door refrigerators, they allow you to set separate temperatures.

Jessica Dauray Interiors is a full-service, residential and commercial interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. JDI founder Jessica Dauray and her design team specialize in custom interior design, as well as renovation and new home construction project consulting and management. JDI's unique interiors can best be described as livable and sophisticated. The designs incorporate classic, clean lines with function to fit your family's lifestyle and design aesthetic. JDI's projects include residences and corporate interiors throughout the New York Metropolitan area.

Kitchen and Bath Tile That Won't Go Out Of Style Quickly

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive rooms of the home to remodel.  You want the spaces to look fresh and modern, but you don’t want to choose materials that are too trendy and will go out of style. Some design trends, like granite counters and eco-friendly appliances, have staying power, while others are hot for a few years and then fall out of fashion. Kitchen and bath tile are one of the telltale signs of age in a kitchen or bathroom. Picture the bright pink and blue tiles of the 1960s or the ornatly patterned tiles of the 1980s. The make a home feel dated. To avoid regretting your decision in a couple years, follow these tips for choosing tile that won’t go out of style. 

Play it safe with neutrals

While you don’t want the kitchen or bathroom to look drab, colorful and bold tiles - while trendy - are a risk. If you tire of the color in a few years or the shade goes out of style, you’ll have to either live with the tile or rip it out and start again. If you’re craving a pop of color, consider incorporating a row of accent tiles in the bathroom or using a colorful backsplash in the kitchen. Or, you can introduce color with paint or accessories instead. Generally, it is best to avoid tiling your entire kitchen or bathroom in a bold color.

Consider white subway tiles

Subway tiles have been popular in bathroom and kitchen design for nearly a century. They are neutral and classic, but they also have character. Subway tiles are also easy to clean, which is imperative for kitchens and bathrooms.

If you choose a pattern, keep it classic

Patterned tile is far more likely to look dated in a few years than plain tile. However, that is not to say that you can’t choose a pattern if that’s what you like. They key is to find a pattern that is subtle, classic and understated. Think a subtle geometric pattern in a neutral shade such as light gray.

Avoid anything too new

Any style that is brand new can be a risk. There’s a balance here, naturally, because you want to design a space that looks fresh and modern. But it’s unwise to jump on the latest trend without knowing if it has staying power. Be wary of any tile trend that is brand new to the market or different from anything you’ve seen before. Sometimes these tiles are in vogue for just a season or two, then fall out of fashion. When in doubt, consult an interior designer to ask for an opinion on the whether the tile will look dated in a few years.

Consider natural stone

Natural stone has proved its staying power. No other material has survived the test of time so well. If you’re looking for a safe choice that is also beautiful, natural stone, granite or marble is an excellent choice. You won’t regret the choice five or 10 years down the road.

Choose dark tiles

Dark tiles in shades of black, gray or brown are in fashion, and this is a trend that doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Darker tiles look fresh and unexpected, but they’re still classic in style because they are neutrals. Tread lightly with dark tiles, however. You don’t want to cover the entire bathroom in dark tiles - perhaps just one area such as the shower. And if your bathroom is very small, it is probably wise to avoid them altogether.

Jessica Dauray Interiors is a full-service, residential and commercial interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. Founder, Jessica Dauray and her design team specialize in custom interior design, as well as renovation and new home construction project consulting and management. JDI' unique interiors can best be described as livable and sophisticated. The designs incorporate classic, clean lines that function to fit your family's lifestyle and design aesthetic. JDI's projects include residences and corporate interiors throughout the New York Metropolitan area.

How Interior Design Color Palettes Can Help Define a Space

Color choice is highly personal. Some people love bright and bold hues, while other people prefer more muted shades or neutrals. Most people instantly know what colors they like, but the more difficult part is putting together a complete and cohesive color scheme. Here are our tips for perfecting it.

Choose colors that make you happy

Most importantly, choose colors you love. Don’t worry too much about what is trendy. If you’ve never been a fan of purple, don’t choose lavender or grape just because they’re in vogue. You have to live in the space and you should love it, so the colors you choose should reflect your taste and style.

Try light, dark and bold

If you’re at a loss for where to start, pick one light color, one dark color, and one bold hue. That combination always works. Think red, dark gray and light gray or teal, brown and cream.

Think contrasting colors

Colors that are opposite - or nearly opposite - each other on the color wheel work well together. Think teal and tangerine or purple and yellow. If you’re going to go bright, keep it to just two or three shades. If you go beyond that, the room starts to look cartoonish.

Consider the size and shape of the space

Some colors and shades are more appropriate for certain rooms than others. You probably don’t want to paint the bedroom a bold red, as it does not promote a relaxing and soothing environment. Also, consider the size of your space. Dark colors are great for cozying up large spaces while light colors are great for making small spaces look larger and  airy. 

Start in the middle

First pick your color scheme for the largest and most centrally located room, and then work your way out. Often, this is the living room or kitchen. Once you’ve set the tone for the largest space to anchor the home, it’s easier to imagine what colors will work in the adjacent spaces.

Choose paint colors last

Resist the temptation to choose paint colors first and then find furniture and accessories to match. It is much easier to match your paint color to the fabrics in the home than vice versa. If you paint the walls first, you box yourself in to certain fabric colors, making the selection process more difficult.

Consider the whole home when choosing color

Never choose a color scheme with only one room in mind. Think about the flow of the home and how the colors will transition from one room to the next. You probably wouldn’t want paint a hallway olive green and the adjacent bedroom pale pink. Pay attention to which rooms are adjacent to one another.

Consider how natrual light and Lighting within the room affects color

Lighting has a significant impact on how your color palette appears. If the room is low on natural light, avoid very dark colors. If the room is sunny and bright, you might want to avoid bold shades like yellow and orange or use them sparingly.

Consider your climate

Few people think about climate when they’re decorating, but it is an important consideration. If you live somewhere with a cloudy, cool or rainy climate, avoid using too many muted shades like gray. If you live somewhere warm, sunny and humid, keep the warmer hues to a minimum.  

Always test the color palette first

Gather samples of fabrics and paints and examine them together to find out if your color scheme works. This is why designers create design boards. Even if you imagine that a color scheme will work, it’s possible to change your mind when you actually see the fabrics and colors together. Gathering samples helps you prevent expensive mistakes and avoid regrets. 

Jessica Dauray Interiors is a full-service, residential and commercial interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. Founder, Jessica Dauray and her design team specialize in custom interior design, as well as renovation and new home construction project consulting and management. JDI' unique interiors can best be described as livable and sophisticated. The designs incorporate classic, clean lines that function to fit your family's lifestyle and design aesthetic. JDI's projects include residences and corporate interiors throughout the New York Metropolitan area.

What Does an Interior Designer Cost?

When it comes to interior design, there’s no such thing as an average budget. Some of our clients spend less than $10,000 to revamp a room, while others think nothing of investing five figures for a complete luxury redesign.

Interior designers structure their fees a variety of ways. As with other professions, fees are calculated based on a number of variables, including years of experience, geographic location, client demand and professional reputation. The most common fee structures include:

• Hourly rates - Some designers charge based on the time they spend on the project. However, hourly rates can vary dramatically. Young designers might charge as little as $50 per hour, while seasoned designers who specialize in luxury homes might charge $500 an hour.
• Flat fees - Some designers will set a fixed price at the beginning of the project. This typically covers everything design related, from initial planning to final installation. However, it does not cover the cost of items purchased or expenses such as travel costs.
• Percentage of the project - With this formula, the designer’s fee is a percentage of the total project cost. The designer calculates how much was spent on furnishings and services, then adds a percentage markup.
• Cost-plus - In this case, the designer buys all furnishings and materials at a discounted rate and then sells them to you at cost plus a preset percentage increase to cover their fees. In most cases, the total end price including fees is equal or less to the retail price of the items.
• By the square foot - This is less common, but it does exist. Designers charge based on the square footage of the project. 

In many cases, no matter how the project is billed, designers will also charge a retainer. This means a set fee is due up front to cover initial design work. Once the retainer money runs out, you will be billed for additional charges.

At Elements of Style, we charge $750 for the first meeting and fixed design fee of $175 per hour thereafter. Typically, a retainer is due upfront based on the number of hours the job is expected to take. Goods are billed at the wholesale price, plus a small markup for commission, but we never buy anything until you sign off on the price. Prior to starting a job, we always take the time to understand your budget and limits.

How to Save Money on Interior Design Services

Hiring an interior designer doesn’t have to break the bank. Hiring a skilled professional is worth the investment, but that doesn’t mean you have shell out more than you’re comfortable spending. Here are our best tips for keeping your spending in check while also getting a beautiful design.

• Know what you want - Designers are paid to help you create a beautiful space, but they can work better and more efficiently when they have an idea of your style and what you envision. Having an idea of what you want in advance speeds up the process and saves money in the long run. Our best work happens when the homeowner is upfront. 
• Set a budget in advance - Never go into a design project without setting a budget first. This is a slippery slope for spending too much. Decide what you can afford and make sure the designer knows your limit. 
• Repurpose old items - A little creativity goes a long way toward saving money. If you’re on a tight budget, ask the designer about the possibility of reusing or repurposing some items you already own. Can an old coffee table be refinished or an old chair recovered? Are there antique or interesting decorative items around the house that will work with the new design?
• Consider just a consultation - Don’t assume that you have to hire a designer to handle to process from start to finish. Some designers are happy to do a few hours of paid consulting to offer tips and advice. We believe even a few hours with a designer is money well spent. 

Jessica Dauray Interiors is a full-service, residential and commercial interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. Founder, Jessica Dauray and her design team specialize in custom interior design, as well as renovation and new home construction project consulting and management. JDI' unique interiors can best be described as livable and sophisticated. The designs incorporate classic, clean lines that function to fit your family's lifestyle and design aesthetic. JDI's projects include residences and corporate interiors throughout the New York Metropolitan area.