Deb Reinhart Interior Design Group Inc.

“Great” Interior Design

“Great” Interior Design

Good

What is wrong with ‘good’?

Is “Good” good enough?  Why would we at Deb Reinhart Interior Design Group say ‘good ‘ is not good enough for our interior design clients?  Is doing a ‘Good ‘ job –an example of quality work?  Is providing ‘good’ client service – appropriate?

If our team asks our vendors for a ‘good’ client installation-a ‘good product or a ‘good’ delivery, how will these key parts of an installation perform?  Is the statement  ‘it looks good’  a compliment?

This week I heard a succinct quote which sums up the standards here at Deb Reinhart Interior Design Group.

“Good is the enemy of great”-David Foster (record producer & leader in the music industry)

6 words pack a lot of power.

Many of our clients wonder when we pause , frown and shake our heads-at a point in the design process and say “we can do better”.

If a design ingredient  is  likable-that is much different than exceptional.

If a trades person does a good job—what than did he or she NOT do for a great job?

We have never met – nor will we—but I thank you David Foster, for defining our business approach-so succinctly

Good is the enemy of great—and what a ‘great’ philosophy.

The Golden Triangle Sidewalk Sale

The Golden Triangle Sidewalk Sale

Our world is about value and we love to share great values with you!

This coming week (August 12th – 21st) at The Golden Triangle a clearance sidewalk sale offers Asian antiques, re-purposed wood products and European flee-market finds.

You are welcome to go to this fun event on your own.   If you should want a interior designers critical eye – we still have appointments open at this time.  To book an appointment please email deb@debreinhart.com or call (847) 256. 9510.

For more information on this event please visit www.goldentriangle.biz.

Streeterville Town Home Drapery Installation

Streeterville Town Home Drapery Installation

The Streeterville town home is featured in our blog again. Pictured on this video is the installation of drapery panels in the great room. While the treatment looks simple, it actually took a fair amount of thought. The owner liked his view – and mandated none of the windows be blocked. A critical limitation is the built in cabinet flanking the fireplace, did not allow  for draperies to be placed on this side of the window.  Having stated the criteria (the owners preferences and the limiting built-in), we definitely felt draperies would complete the presence of these tall stately windows.

Our solution was tailored to the architecture, which is to say-we fabricated a cascaded panel asymmetrically on each side of the window. The rod was a hammered metal which was congruent to the ethnic flavor of the space.

Dry-Erase Whiteboard Paint!

Dry-Erase Whiteboard Paint!

Working with a young family on a remodel of their home, I was aware the children often were tired after lengthy team conversations in this construction zone. I brought water based erasable magic markers and suggested they create an ‘archeological dig” in their closets.  They could messages on the unfinished dry wall in their closets and 100 years from now others can find out who live there. Before I knew it they had drawn a horizontal line on the perimeter of the entire home – every wall, every room. Luckily this was not an issue no walls had been painted, but for those creative children here is a new product. The award winning new product IdeaPaint, dry erase paint (surpasses chalk board paint, in my opinion – no chalk dust!)

Beyond Children’s Rooms this idea can be applied in home offices, workspaces, hobby rooms, mud rooms, kitchen information areas or children’s rooms. This dry erase paint can be applied to walls or furniture.

The details for the dry erase paint are below.  If anyone has used this product or does purchase this, we would love to hear about the creative applications.

In the event you prefer water based erasable magic markers-we would be happy to send a fresh set to you!

Interior design is FUN!

From a Design Obstacle to a Design Element!

Idea Paint

Idea Paint

Idea Paint

Idea Paint

IdeaPaint is a dry-erase whiteboard paint that can be applied almost anywhere to create interactive, collaborative spaces. Paint entire conference rooms from floor to ceiling. Transform curved or angled walls into cool, useful work areas. Or turn tables, desks and cubicles into mini whiteboards.

IdeaPaint is incredibly cost effective versus traditional whiteboards and outperforms the leading dry-erase options. It’s also the most environmentally responsible commercial dry erase surface on the market.

IdeaPaint is available in two products that are ideal for work environments. IdeaPaint PRO, a solvent-based urethane coating and IdeaPaint CRE-8, a water-borne paint.

BUY IdeaPaint Online!

You need more reasons?

- Best of NeoCon & Metropolitan Home Design 100
- Interior Design Magazine’s Green Star Award
- Erases effortlessly
- No cracking, peeling, staining or yellowing
- Warranty-guaranteed

Color!

Color!

  • Date: Jul.17.2010
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Color can be your best friend. Or not.

Benjamin Moore is teaming with Dwell magazine in a truly effective demonstration FOR HOW color influences a room. The vignatettes are so fun; the editors of Dwell showcased the same rooms with completely different colors. Pink walls instead of olive green? Charcoal instead of white? How about placing royal blue with sunshine yellow?

Dwell Studio - Benjamin Moore

http://www.dwellstudio.com/benjamin-moore?utm_medium=email&utm_source=emailprtnr&utm_content=bmpaint&utm_campaign=bmpaint071510

Technology can assist a personal decision for color of walls check out this link for Sherman Williams. You can upload your own room photo and apply paint colors virtually.    http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/visualizer/

Although tools like this are helpful, there is no substitute for placing color in your space in different light (cloudy, sunny-day and night) will all influence what your eye will see.

We recommend creating samples on 2 opposing walls in your space and then live with it for a few days. Keep the formula on the paint can and number it on the wall.View the wall samples at different times of the day

At Deb Reinhart Interior Design Group, our designers will interview clients to find what their color comfort is in various rooms. After personal comfort light is key.

Bedroom with Venetian Plaster

City Beach House - Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom with Blue Walls

Lake Shore Drive Condo - Master bedroom

We show for example 2 bedrooms: soft blue worked in 1 space, while vivid orange transformed another bedroom. The orange can cocoon a room for one person yet shout or disturb another.

We invite you to share your paint stories, questions or comments.

Living Room Interior Design & Staging

Living Room Interior Design & Staging

This blog shows the  process  of this Streeterville town home living room remodel & interior design.

After building the custom ceiling the footprint of this living room became significantly larger.  We re-upholstering the existing sectional with a bold indoor/outdoor velour red fabric (which is very durable against pets, stains & wear).  The sectional was then arranging it in a unconventional way so that the furniture plan takes advantage of this expanded space.

Accessories & artifacts collected from around the world are now displayed on the focal point of this space, which is the custom build-out of the fireplace & shelving unit.

We are including before , in-process and after photos to show the interior design process of this living room

Living Room: Before

Living Room: Before

Living Room: In Process - re-arranging furniture

Living Room: In Process - re-arranging furniture (before re-upholstery of sofa)

Living Room: After -Sectional re-upholstered & custom shelving accessorized

Living Room: After - Re-arranging furniture can make a footprint larger

Living Room: After - Artifacts Displayed on Shelving

Streeterville Townhome: Kitchen Remodel

Streeterville Townhome: Kitchen Remodel

Our next focus on this Streeterville town home is the kitchen remodel.

The island was completely rebuilt to give the homeowner more storage and better use of the island.  The hood from the cook top was moved so it is no longer visible. In it’s placed 2 Asian panels where placed inside of the custom built-out ceiling along with layered lighting to add function and one of a kind charm to this space.

New stone was placed on the kitchen counters & a waterfall stone design was added to the island. A new mosaic back splash  replaced the old large tile this gives “face-lift” to the entire space without requiring a lot of labor.

Please view the before & after pictures of this amazing kitchen transformation.

Kitchen: Before Remodel

Kitchen: Before

Kitchen After 1

Kitchen: After

Kitchen: After

Kitchen: After - Asian Panels Inset in Dropped Ceiling

Please check back soon and we will include photos of other areas of this excited project!

Streeterville Town Home: Great Room Custom Ceiling

Streeterville Town Home: Great Room Custom Ceiling

With this project, we started with the great room ceiling.  Frankly, it is unusual to have a ceiling as a starting point for a home remodel.  Our design team created a soffit in the great room with 4 wood panels in the center which have dimmed light for various functions in the room. The photos feature the construction of this build out.

Photos also show the second focal point of the great room which highlights the wall unit surrounding the existing fireplace.  There is a sense of composition with the new ceiling and the wall unit design.

Interior design can alter architectural features significantly.


Streeterville Town Home Great Room In Process

In Process: Great Room Construction

Custom Ceiling Installation

In Process: Great Room Ceiling

Custom Ceiling Design & Install

In Process: Construction crew discussing ceiling install

Please check back soon for our next featured area of this project.

Streeterville Town Home: Interior Design & Custom Buildout

Streeterville Town Home: Interior Design & Custom Buildout

This Chicago 5 story town home located on the Chicago river is a rare find in Chicago. The front of the town home faces the river with a pedestrian walkway in front; 8 foot windows allow huge shafts of intense light along with an amazing view of the city’s profile.


Design Challenge;

Transform the home to enhance the architecture and reflect the owner, a professional man who is widely traveled and has impeccable taste.

While all interior design is driven by the architecture, the sheer volume created by 13 foot ceilings on a compact floor space needed disciplined solutions. Our directive included a sense of minimalism-quality design features and refined appointments. We used the clients love of color to our advantage and infuse the unit with contrasting color and minimal pattern

Starting point:
In this series blogs, we are including the main floor remodeling which has both the great room and kitchen in adjoining spaces.

These pictures are before we did any construction or demo.

Great Room Interior Design

Before: Living room with existing furniture.

Dining Room - Before

Before: Living room looking into kitchen & dining room.

Kitchen - Before

Before: Kitchen



As always, we welcome your comments, questions & input.  Please check back as we focus on specific installation areas of the exciting project!

Drapery Install at Lake shore Drive Condo

Drapery Install at Lake shore Drive Condo

Every once in awhile a designer is taken back with and installation detail being better than anticipated.

The draperies in this unit have huge impact-beyond light control; they have a visual impact which softens the contemporary edge and invites one into the space-creating ‘comfort’.

These draperies changed the space completely as a welcoming invitation.

Please take a moment to view the photos of the installation in process.

We encourage your thoughts and comments!

Custom Window Treatment

Custom Window Treatment Installation

Custom Window Treatments Installation

Custom Window Treatment

Custom Window Treatments

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

We first of all would like to thank all our clients, team members and vendors.

Our next set of posts will highlight some of our Chicago interior design projects from 2009. We will use these installations for a series of design tips which apply to a home any where.

Solid design concepts can apply to any space.
A row house in Lincoln Park, a large estate in Lake Forest, a family vintage
home in Wilmette or a large new construction in Oak Brook, human comfort has
some basic needs which are the core to the interior designer.

The first featured project is a condo in a high-rise located on Lake Shore Drive. With views of Lake Michigan from each window a blue sky and water provides a amazing backdrop for bold color and ethnic accents.

This international family requested a dignified one-of-a kind space with the ability for easy wear, which will be primarily used by their college children and international guests. This condo design was accomplished with some of theses design features:

  • Solution dyed fabric, extremely durable and resistant to stains (You can pour bleach on it with no damage. Seriously! We have tried it.)
  • Bold color with blue venetian plaster walls to mimic the feel of the lake
  • State of the art lighting and electrical system includes a control panel for all rooms at the condo entrance
  • Electronic natural wood shades – to protect against the harsh lake reflected sunlight
  • Asian antiques and art to make the furnishings truly one-of-a-kind

Please look for the next blogs to see in detail how we accomplish design features in our installations, such as the use of color, lighting and furnishings.

Cottage Charm: Interior Design in the Chicago Suburbs

Cottage Charm: Interior Design in the Chicago Suburbs

The cottage under construction in the northern suburbs of Chicago continues to evolve.

The 2 photos shown are bead board accented built in cabinetry. The griege color is calming and very warm.

We used the bead board both on the peninsula and in the study area in the family room.

Residential remodeling can be time consuming but very rewarding. This foot print incorporates a lot of personal function as well as inviting charm.

We used granite counters with glass mosaic backsplash accented with deco tiles.

The floors –now covered in a construction phase—are hand scraped wood in a dark rich tone to withstand the active family life including young children.

Quality Kitchen Design Ideas & Products

Quality Kitchen Design Ideas & Products

  • Date: Sep.20.2009
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Bubinga Wood Slab to be Installed in Kitchen Ceiling

While the kitchen cabinetry is being installed, it is important to mention the useful design elements, which adds value to this luxury unit. This kitchen is small but can accommodate the most sophisticated cook.

  • A Franke sink will be under mount and has quality finish.
  • The Sub Zero refrigerator keeps food longer and is narrower in depth to accommodate the kitchen profile.
  • The wine cooler will add function to entertaining, as well as fun to collect special wine.
  • The speed oven enhances food production for the savvy cook who uses multiple courses.
  • The quartz counter stone is one of the hardest surfaces for any kitchen use—and avoids maintenance. It is a stunning gray white polished surface.
  • Finally we show a very special design item-bubinga wood slabs which will be installed in the ceilings surrounded by recessed lighting. Above this bubinga wood slab will be strip lights washing the kitchen in a glow.