Interior Design Trends: Bolder, Thicker Surfaces
Large interior spaces have dominated interior design trends over the few past decades, and scale has always been the key to making an open floor plan successful. Large furniture, chunky or layered moldings, wide tile or wood flooring and hefty accessories helped bring those oversized spaces to a human-scale. With the new interior design trend of living in smaller spaces, homeowners have wanted to scale down their square footage without losing the impact that came with the “large” look. One emerging interior design trend is bolder, thicker surfaces.
We had clients who were downsizing to a Downtown Indianapolis condo and were looking to create huge visual impact in their smaller space. Our designs called for thick countertops in the kitchen and on the built-in shelving in the adjacent family room.
There are two ways to make a chunkier countertop – stacking two small layers just on the edge of the slab and smoothing it out, or placing one piece on its side along the slab edge and joining them smoothly at the corners. The latter is a more expensive option since it requires great skill, however, it offers the most cohesive look. A skilled installer is central to pulling off this look, and fortunately, the superb craftsmen at Tremain Tile, Marble & Granite were on our team. The final product made the island one of the stars of the space.
For the family room, we continued the stone fireplace mantle to serve as a thick top for the built-in cabinetry. This design feature meant that the shelving for the upper portion of the cabinet wall had to be crafted a bit chunkier to fit into the overall design.
As we scale down the square footage of our living spaces, we do not have to sacrifice being bold with our design choices! For advice on how to create the smaller space of your dreams, send us an email or give us a call at 317.253.8986.
Project Highlight: Cramped First Floor Gets a New Open Floor Plan Design
Our clients had purchased their Carmel home years ago when the odd layout and cramped space did not get in the way of how they lived. Now with a growing family, the double-sided fireplace dividing the kitchen and family room was no longer quaint – it was in the way. Steve Gray Renovations had been brought in to build an open floor plan, but our clients did not have a clear vision of what they wanted them to do. We guided the homeowners through the interior design process to help them define the home they were envisioning.
The placement of the gas fireplace made the kitchen quite cramped and separated it from the living space. An adjacent sunroom was being used as an unneeded second seating area and the family room had been designed with an odd bulkhead that made the room feel unbalanced. Our clients wanted to open up the first floor while making the kitchen much more functional. Updating the look from the original 1990s style was another goal of the project. All of the rooms had to flow together, creating a fresh, cohesive look for the whole first floor.
Open Floor Plan Interior Design Solutions
Cohesive Spaces: To open up the space, the interior design plan called for moving the fireplace to the far wall in the family room. This immediately created a more expansive focal point and enlarged the footprint of the kitchen. By turning the sunroom into an informal dining area, we were able to add a huge island with seating and plenty of workspace. We removed a vent wall that interfered with the visual flow from the family room into the kitchen, replacing it with an expanded entryway to the dining room and main hallway. The new kitchen design was focused on functionality and clean lines. To ensure a cohesive look throughout the main level, complementary cabinetry was chosen for both the kitchen and family room. Rugs in the new informal dining area, dining room and family room all work together as well. The placement of the clients existing furniture in the family room allows the newly open space to appear separate but connected.
Custom Details: Many 1990s spec homes came with generic details that usually made more sense for the builder than the homeowner. One of our goals for this project was to give the space a modern, clean, and custom look, removing any odd focal points or architectural details. Once the kitchen and family room were opened up to each other, the strange bulkhead in the family room really stood out. We balanced it with a beam on the other side of the room and then added additional beams to the middle. Not only does this design detail add tremendous personality to the space, but it also helps make the fireplace make sense. We removed trim from the existing columns to modernize their look, and added thick molding to the fireplace mantle and side cabinetry. The stair rails were painted to match the rest of the woodwork in the home and a fresh wall color was added. Finally, new flooring and lighting were installed on the whole first floor.
The hallway off the garage entryway is a great example of how small details can transform a space. We moved the laundry room door to the side, removing an unnecessary nook space. We also changed the end focal point from a plain double door to a single, mullioned door that provides a lovely view from the home’s formal entryway. Replacing the can lights with hanging lanterns added the finishing touch to this now beautiful hallway.
Continuing with the personality theme, we added a new vanity, lighting, hardware and graphic wallpaper to the half bath.
Usability: Inadequate functionality was a theme of the original layout and solving that issue was another goal for this project. Poor flow, lack of storage and workspace, and too much clutter were driving our clients crazy. Once the floor plan was opened, the flow issue was solved. Workspace was addressed by replacing the small, two-tiered kitchen island with a huge central piece that included cabinet storage and built-in appliances. Open shelving that our clients, like most of us, felt needed to be filled with knickknacks, was transformed into closed cabinetry to hide the clutter. The cabinets on either side of the fireplace were designed to solve the same issue. The periphery kitchen cabinets include specialty inserts for small appliances and particular storage needs. Finally, the fireplace was designed to offer a natural space for the latest visual technology.
Transforming a cramped space into a spacious open floor plan takes a lot of planning to ensure a cohesive look. Rather than being many separate rooms, the spaces are now visually connected and need to make sense together. The Hoskins Interior Design Team has a lot of experience is designing new open spaces. If you are considering a new project, send us an email or give us call at 317.253.8986.
Project Highlight: Indianapolis Modern Condo Remodel
Downtown Indianapolis is experiencing a rebirth, with people of all ages buying properties with the goal of creating a comfortable living space in an urban setting. Our clients are empty nesters who wanted to downsize into an Indianapolis condo. Once they found their home, they contracted with Steve Gray Renovations, who then introduced us to the couple. The goal was to remodel the traditional-styled space into a more modern condo that reflected our clients’ new lifestyle. The existing interior was gutted to the studs, allowing the homeowners to change the flow and functionality as needed. While our clients were very detail-oriented and clear about their style, they wanted our expertise in guiding them through the wide array of decisions to achieve their vision, as well as access to materials and pieces not directly available to the consumer.
Modern Design Scheme
Clean lines, a white-on-white color palette, lots of texture, modern styling and subtle personality underlie the design scheme for this modern condo remodel. Instead of using rich colors, all of the architectural detailing is over-scaled to add heft to the open concept floor plan. Furniture and accessories are also scaled to complement the chunky details. Since one can see much of the main level from each room, the design scheme flows throughout the space.
Great Room Design
Asymmetrical Fireplace Design:
The fireplace is the focal point of the main living space, so our design began here. The location of a new staircase meant furniture placement options were limited. We developed an asymmetrical design for the fireplace that would allow the furniture to wrap around the focal point. The balance of the shelving moved to the right and a thick stone mantle was continued as a countertop in the shelving area. The hefty nature of the mantle meant the rest of the shelving had to match that weight, as did the accessories. A linear fireplace design allowed us to hang the television at a comfortable viewing angle while also protecting the components from heat damage. A grey, stacked stone fireplace surround completed the modern look.
Design Details:
The thick architectural details are also seen in the ceiling beams, which were painted white to blend with the ceiling while adding interest. Our client’s existing sectional worked perfectly in the space, and was complemented with a new chair, coffee and side tables, and floor covering. White and soft-toned natural accessories complete the sleek look.
Modern White Kitchen Design
Kitchen Design Challenges:
We collaborated with Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery on the kitchen design. As experts in cabinetry and appliances, they were valuable partners in implementing the style of this project. The chunky architectural detailing from the great room needed to flow into the adjacent kitchen area. Designing a kitchen with a thick countertop adds a layer of complexity to the process. Special accommodations need to be made, particularly with cabinet design and appliance installation. Bringing in a knowledgeable partner ensured our clients would end up with the look and functionality they wanted.
Our client was set on a white-on-white kitchen, which can be tricky to implement due to the many variations of white. Many different materials need to complement each other without matching. The key to the success of this type of color scheme is evaluating the undertones of each material to ensure your choices coordinate with each other and the overall design.
Design Details:
We used quartzite for the countertop, a natural material that has the look of marble without the durability issues. Our client chose white, flat-panel cabinetry with a full overlay to support the clean lines of the design scheme. Oversized pulls on the drawers continue the thick scale of the home. Our clients shared our love of impactful lighting, so we sourced gorgeous imported pendants that project light patterns onto the ceiling—one of the highlights of the kitchen.
Dining Space Design
The design of the dining space adjacent to the kitchen was crafted around how our clients planned to live in their smaller home. They rarely sit at a dining table; however, they wanted the option for seating while entertaining guests. Multi-purpose furniture is useful in smaller spaces, where pieces can be moved around based on daily needs. We ended up designing a custom piece that would serve as a sofa table when closed down, and a flip-top dining table when they needed it for that purpose. We also had two light-weight ottomans customized to sit in front of the fireplace but could also become two additional seats for the dining area. Finally, we designed a built-in bench for the dining area that suited the table when it was there, and could be flanked by the small side tables that sat in the living room when it was not.
Modern Master Bedroom Design
Describing a design with words is difficult, so we love when our clients come to us with pictures of the look they are going for. Our client had found a concept photo for her master bedroom, which we emulated as much as possible. Soft off-white walls and white bedding support the modern styling and are complemented by warm colors to create a serene vibe without looking contrived. Custom nightstands were built to support the height, width and style our client desired. The hardwood flooring was covered with a wool carpet custom-cut and bound.
Modern Master Bathroom Design
Working with Marble:
A thick marble countertop continues the detailing from the main level into the master bathroom design. Marble was used throughout the space, and the installation process highlighted the need for a qualified installer. Natural products have their own characteristics, and attention must be paid to how each tile adds to the final design. There is an artistry that comes with this type of installation, and fortunately we worked with Tremain Tile, Marble & Granite, a local tile expert. From the bathroom and shower floor, to the details of the shower niche, they were able to place each piece of marble to create a cohesive and beautiful look.
Design Details:
Our client was quite involved in choosing lighting and fixtures. We landed on a polished nickel finish, which has a warmer cast than chrome.
Modern white-on-white design schemes do not have to be boring. Adding architectural elements, texture and soft analogous colors can offer quite a bit of personality and interest to a space. Our clients were clear they wanted a soft, downtown modern condo. By bringing in thick, textural elements and custom-design pieces, we were able to give them the look and functionality they wanted without compromising style.
