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YOUR HOME   -   INSIDE SCV HOMES
Favorite Spaces
And How to make them Work in your Home
March, 2010 - Issue #65
Selecting our favorite photos from 2009: difficult.
Borrowing key design tips from the collection: easy.


Let there be (Natural) Light
A pair of sconces adds ambient light to this living room, but the real glow comes from the sun. "Windows are vital accessories of your home," informs Michele Mittelman of Preferred Glass & Windows 298-2165. "New windows come with revolutionary award-winning smart-touch locks. This mechanism is incorporated into the window sash for a sleek, low profile, theft-deterrent design," she says. Decorative accents, like the shimmering antiqued bottles found on the fireplace mantel, can be purchased at La Via Bella 222-7006.

Shutters Now, Pay Later
When Santa Clarita homeowners consider investing in window treatments, shutters are at the top of the list. After all, they help save on energy costs and have been shown to increase the resale value of a home. But the beauty of "made in the USA" shutters created with high-grade basswood may seem out of reach for some. Local shutter manufacturer Country View Shutters 254-2908 is now offering "Same as Cash" OAC-financing to make your home improvement dream a reality.

Bathroom, Revitalized
Bathroom trends are based on both form and function. The humidity of the space has encouraged, for example, the replacement of carpet with a more mold-resistant alternative. "In the bathroom, we are seeing the continued removal of carpet - replaced with tile, or even marble or quartz," says Nick Oz of Dannick Design 775-7430. "The addition of framed mirrors is another eye catching update, often coupled with recessed and more lights, with fixtures over the mirror."

Pillows with Punch
Custom-made pillows are a luxurious but affordable way to immediately change the look of any room. Select from thousands of fabrics, like silks, linens, chenilles and tapestries - in stock and sold by the yard - from Coming Home Fabrics 255-5023.

Make it Custom, Keep it Local
"Custom cabinets like these are very different from the typical stock cabinets in tract homes," states Dave West of David Bryan Woodworks 312-1964. "The wood will usually have the best grain and the fewest defects, making stain and paint look much better. Cabinets of lesser quality typically have imported parts, bringing potential hazards. The glues that are used in imported particle board can be toxic. The quality of custom hardware is far superior; you will be able to pull out your drawers for years without the slides breaking or making noise. With custom, if a customer wants a deeper counter, no problem. If they want a higher bar area at the island, no problem. If they want ornate carvings in the middle of the doors, no problem. You are able to help design every aspect of your kitchen - or any other cabinet in the house - and we build it for you. We don't go out and import it from another country."

Make it Rich
Luxurious textures, a warm color palate and fine paintings (both on the walls and framed) make this sitting room exemplary. Imperative to the space is the wall effect created by Cindi Rowley - an expert in Venitian plaster, faux finishing, custom hand painting and owner of Cindi Rowley Designs 259-8792.

A traditional floral painting, displayed in an antiqued gold frame, adds timeless elegance. "If you've ever had something custom framed, you know that the design process includes placing a corner sample of a frame and a corner sample of a mat (the colored border) on the corner of your artwork. New computer software has made it very easy for consumers to visualize how their artwork will look when it is completed. Within moments, an illustration is created showing what the framed piece will look like," shares Randy Burzynski, owner of Fastframe of Valencia 291-1325. For professional help hanging your framed artwork, look no further than the experts at Doohen Construction 313-2666.

Don't forget: "You don't have to settle for what you see in a showroom! Whether it is getting the right size table, sectional or entry piece, it needs to reflect your personality and your home," reminds Kathy Goldstein of Suburban Chateau 775-2980.

Utility, Beautified
Make everyday chores more pleasant by continuing the design elements of your living space into the laundry room. This room's moulding and finishes were completed by Mint Condition Painting & Moulding 251-5521.

Add a Touch of Texture
This master bedroom is made exquisite with texture, both real and implied. The faux finishing, created by Cindi Rowley of Cindi Rowley Designs 259-8792, may be smooth to the touch but adds a distinctive feel to the space by playing light shades against dark. Elegant gridded vines give the carpet a starring role in the room. "Patterned carpets can give your design some punch. A single color pattern that relies on cut pile and looped pile to create the pattern can be just the thing," explains Ben Griffiths of Brent's Carpet One 255-3337. Pillows boasting feathers, ribbon and fringe, as well as crystal-embellished lamps, can be selected from local retailers like MACC Designs 295-7755.

Brainstorm with Professionals
As a time honored tradition, Douglas Furniture 255-8366 only hires industry professionals with many years of experience to assist you with your decorating needs. They pay careful attention to designing their showroom in order to provide visitors with countless home decorating ideas for their own homes. In fact, with close consideration to craftsmanship, comfort, durability and value, every item in the store is hand picked by Doug himself.

Love at First Sight
The entryway sets the tone for your entire home. "A new staircase makes just as strong a statement as a new kitchen or master bath - often for a fraction of the cost," reminds Fred Matthews of FM Finish Carpentry 433-6200.

The high-traffic space should "wow" without worry. "There are lots of techniques we use to create a sense of luxury and resilience using tile and stone without it costing a small fortune. One method is incorporating a vibrant earth stone called Pietra Opus; it is equally at home in a rustic country house or urban loft," suggests Jodi Gragg of Advantage Tile Stone Design
295-9819.

Lush Look without Water Waste
Eye-popping color and drought-tolerant plants can go hand and hand. The experts at Green Thumb Nursery 259-1072 suggest Salvia Greggii (fantastic in red, purple and white); the annual pansy; snapdragons and Leucophylum (various shades of purple), which can be hedged to produce more summertime flowers.

Technology can help, too. "Automatically adjusting irrigation controllers both save water and allow the customer to have a hands-off approch to the sprinklers. These smart controllers adjust automatically depending on the current weather. If it's hot, it waters more. If it's cold, it will water less or not at all. If it rains, the system will temporarily shut off. They can be programmed to accommodate types of plants, grasses, soil conditions and sprinkler types, saving 30 percent to 60 percent in water consumption," informs Chad Curtis of Landscape Pros 510-8867.

Whimsical Additions
Murals are not for kids' rooms alone. Smile-inspiring scenes are entirely appropriate in every room in the house. If you're more content to keep common areas neutral, consider adding a mural to an upstairs hallway. This mural was professionally created by Darlene Marcos of Marcos Murals 435-0680, a faux-finish and mural expert.

Expand your Living Space
More and more homeowners are realizing that their backyards shouldn't be "separated" from the home, but treated like an extension of the house. "When it comes to outdoor living, we work to achieve the most seamless transition [from inside the home to the yard] possible," Says Jeff Brown of NV Landscape 286-8888. "Because of the great weather Santa Clarita enjoys - especially the nice evenings - homeowners want to have an outdoor space for casual living, entertaining and cooking. What they don't want is to feel financially over-committed. That's why we make a good design that plans for the future, but can be completed in functional phases. Only you know that your space isn't 'finished.' All your guests will see is a wonderful new environment," he reflects.

"For enclosed patios - with windows all around - you will enjoy the beauty of your backyard, rain or shine. For open patios with a cover, the added benefit is the fresh air and the music of nature," reminds Sharon Moshe of Cavalier Builders, Inc.
800-749-5765.

Just SCV's Best "Best Tips"
PAINT Free color consultations are sure to render perfect results while giving you a designer's touch. A.Allbright Painting 294-1159

LIGHTING Go green this year with fluorescent, LED and lighting control options for your home from SCV's favorite electrical contractor. Brodie Electric 294-5001

FLOORING Worry-free flooring is always in style; the newest carpet trends are backed by an exclusive "You stain it, we replace it" warranty. Elite Flooring 799-8088

KITCHEN CABINET REFACING A cleaner, greener, more practical way to your new kitchen -without mess and expense - is 20 to 50 percent less than remodeling. Homecraft Cabinet Refacing 252-9663

WINDOWS Replacement windows add value to your home and lower heating and energy bills, with average savings more than 15 percent. Preferred Glass & Windows 298-2165

KITCHEN & BATH FIXTURES Decorative plumbing and hardware products are a quick, affordable way to improve your home. Fine Faucets 257-3110

EXTERIOR Get free three-dimensional, photographic, architectural drawings of your next hardscape/landscape to ensure beautiful end results. BSH Landscape & Hardscape Designs 287-9568

WATER Use an established soft water and drinking water company to protect your family's comfort and health. Rayne Water Conditioning 713-7762

SURFACES Natural stone will raise the value of your home whether used for counter tops, flooring or even in the shower. Surfaces USA 775-9404
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