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YOUR HOME - INSIDE SCV HOMES
PrintFor Interior Home Improvements, the Time is Now
May, 2007 - Issue #31
There are many reasons you might be thinking about making some indoor home improvements this spring. Maybe you agreed to host the family reunion this summer or you've watched enough episodes of "Trading Spaces" to become sufficiently inspired.
Perhaps you're just bored, or maybe you've run out of space - or patience. As creative as you might be, there is a limit to the number of convenient ways to hide scratches on the furniture and stains on the carpet.
Unfortunately, for as many reasons as you might be thinking about making improvements to the inside of your home, there are probably just as many reasons you're trying not to think about making them.
The cost is too great. The maze of options is overwhelming. And the inconvenience doing "construction" inside your home is enough to make even the most adventurous would-be designers lose heart.
Like most homeowners, you can probably name a dozen improvements you dream of making. Dragging those dreams into the real world, however, is something else altogether.
The good news is your home improvement dreams may not be as heavy as you think, and the path to making them real is not so steep.
The secret lies in separating what you want from what you don't want and what works from what won't work. And the way to do that is by knowing what's out there.
What you'll find may surprise you.
The Garage
Lest you should feel that home interior design is for women only, let's begin by exploring what's available for the garage.
"In most cases, the garage is the largest room in the house," said Keith Allan of Premier Garage. "You have to start by asking, what can I do with my garage? How can I organize it?"
Thankfully, the garage is no longer the forgotten realm when it comes to making improvements. Places like Premier Garage and Garage Envy offer an array of storage, design and flooring solutions.
"There's no reason why a garage can't look great," said Garage Envy's Cary Brazeman. "But most people are totally at their wit's end. They can't park their cars; they've got the garage stuffed with piles of stuff."
The latest trend in garage rescue involves introducing unique cabinet and shelving units custom built to meet customers' needs. You can even create storage solutions for the space above your head, all for a lot less than you might think.
And once all the junk is off the floor, why make the floor shine? An epoxy coating has been standard, but if you want the flooring to last, consider upgrading to high bred polymer. It's about three to five times more durable.
The Kitchen
"The kitchen is the heart of the home," said Lisa Woodward of Woodward Kitchen and bath. "It's the first thing a woman notices when she looks at a home."
It's impossible to argue with what Woodward claims. Homes today are built with a kitchen-centric layout in mind. Gone are the days of kitchens tucked out of sight.
The kitchen is central. It has to be functional, but it needs to look good, too.
Most people looking to improve the appearance of their kitchen start with countertops.
"Most people use granite, but the trend is pulling toward quartz stone," said Nick Oz of Granite Design. "Quartz costs about the same, but it requires less maintenance."
According to Gary Rasberry of Designs to the Nines, the trick is making sure the granite you choose is true granite.
"True granite is hard and not porous," he said. "If it's the good Giallo or Juparana granite, that's best."
There's also Caesar stone.
"With granite, you get a more exotic look," said the owner of Ventura Marble and Sierra Granite: "Caesar stone is more consistent in its color."
The cost of countertops varies, of course, but for the difference it can make it the look of your kitchen, it is considered well worth the investment.
"Whatever you put into your kitchen, you're going to get out when you sell," Woodward said.
After countertops, give some thought to the flooring. Tile is big these days, as is hardwood.
"You see a lot of Travertine for flooring," said Jodi Gragg of Advantage Tile Stone Design. "You can also opt for a porcelain tile, which is less expensive, but still looks great."
Gragg says her customers like to accent their kitchens with ceramic backsplashes. It's a great way to add something unique.
"The latest trend in the kitchen is about styles, spaces and gadgets that would work best for how you use the kitchen," said David Moshe, owner of City View Construction. "Maple cabinets, granite countertop, tile backsplash and travertine tiles are popular."
Another often-targeted area when it comes to kitchen redesign is the cabinets. If you've ever resorted to crawling around on all fours in an effort to retrieve the waffle iron from the bottom cabinet, you'd probably benefit from a visit from a skilled cabinetmaker.
This valley is home to several. Shelves to Drawers, for instance, can custom-build pull-out drawers for those hard-to-reach lower cabinets.
"We've been doing this for 15 years," said Shelves to Drawers' Jack Lemons. "It's a very simple and affordable way to upgrade you kitchen. Pullouts give you immediate access."
Another quick and relatively inexpensive upgrade is to refinish the cabinets.
"It's probably the cheapest way to change the entire look of your kitchen," said Fabian Varela of American Fine Finishing.
Options available for a custom cabinet finish are almost limitless. The latest trend is to go with a dark, glossy finish. Other options include natural oak or even a painted glaze, which gives cabinets a light, antique finish.
Harry Fisher of Homecraft says the allure of cabinet refinishing is that it's quick, relatively mess free, and gives customers a good bang for their buck.
"There's no need to tear out countertops, remove sinks or replace the floor or plumbing," he says. "You can even use your kitchen during the process. And the results are beautiful."
The Floor
Another big decision you'll probably face is what to do with your floors. Wood tends to be warmer, and carpet offers a unique kind of comfort. Tile may be the most durable.
If it's wood you're after, you might consider a short trip to Aged Timber/Acorn Hardwood Flooring just off the 215. They have a 50,000 square foot showroom. Just make sure to call for an appointment first.
"This is a truly custom flooring business," said Acorn's Donna Glassnow. "We build it and we install it. We can basically do anything. If you can dream it, we can do it."
According to Vic Pena of The Flooring Connection, it's important to consider how you intend to use the floor. For high traffic areas, walnut, one of the hardest woods, is a good choice.
"Be sure you get flooring with a good wear layer," Pena said. "If you don't have a thick wear layer, you don't have the option to sand and refinish later, because the wood's too thin."
Most people these days are opting for the thicker, softer carpets.
"All the designs are much softer," said Ben Griffiths of Brent's Carpet One. "People really want the luxury of walking on something super soft."
And if you're worried about stains, Griffiths says you don't have to. You can purchase carpets with a 30-year guarantee against stains.
The Bathroom
It may seem like an odd marriage, but the design elements people are employing in their kitchens have found their way into bathrooms as well.
Granite counters and tile floors are in vogue, but with a twist. In the bathroom, people like to add the artistic element of glass. What you're seeing is etched and laminated glass accents in bathroom fixtures such as shower doors, windows and even floors.
"It all depends on what you want for every room," said Nina delValle of Superior Designs, a company that helps guide homeowners through each step of the interior design process. "You have to prioritize - decide what you want to do. Then you need guidance. Otherwise you wind up spending evenings at Home Depot, staring at the wall."
That's the theory behind The Design Squad, which offers a unique brand of consultation.
"Step-by-step, we come up with a concept for your home and you leave with a portfolio," she said. "Then you can go at your own pace. With the portfolio, you never lose sight of what the goal is."
Windows & Lighting
One of the shortest cuts to a dramatic change inside your home is through the windows. When you're working with the very items that generate light and a sense of space and mood, even small changes can generate big results.
"Replacement windows continues to be popular," said Mark Borden of Great Outlook Windows and Doors. "It's the easiest, fastest, cleanest way to update your home."
Gary Davidson of SGO Designer Glass spends his days creating custom decorative overlays for windows. He knows firsthand the difference his work can make on a room.
"You can select a design that suits you, from texture to color to lead, to bevels and even jewels," he said. "The overlay appears to be stained glass, but it's made of stronger elements. It's a great way to turn your home into your personal sanctuary. And it has a great wow factor."
In addition to changing the actual glass, you can dramatically affect a room by altering what you place around it.
"By day, a plain window provides a beautiful view to the outdoors. But at night, it becomes a cold, black rectangle," said Tami Smight of Tami Smight Interiors. "Professionally designed window coverings enhance the role of the windows in a room."
With that in mind, you must decide, do you want drapes or blinds? What about shutters?
"Shutters continue to be the window covering of choice for a multitude of reasons," said Paul Gatlin of Alpine Shutters and Window Fashions. "They are versatile; they provide natural beauty and they help keep out the severe heat we experience in the SCV."
"Shutters are good because you can adjust the level of light," said Juanita Gilmore of Country View Shutters. "And they add a nice touch of warmth and coziness."
Another obvious way to alter the mood of your home is by changing the way you light it from the inside. Experts say fluorescent light is out of fashion. People today are looking to make light fixtures a more organic part of the room.
"The trend now is for recessed light and pendant lighting," said Cheryl Vaknin of SC Lighting and Bulbs. "The right lighting is important because after you spend all the money redesigning your home, you need to set it with the right light."
Furniture
This is a big one because what you put in your home, in many ways, becomes your home. People tend to be selective, and rightly so.
"People come here looking for unique pieces," said Cory Abouaf of Bella Venezia. "They know they won't see the same thing when they walk into their neighbor's house."
Abouaf, who offers a variety of custom-built, solid wood furniture and accents, says today's favorite styles are Tuscan and old world.
Deno Antonini, owner of Interior Home, likes the new trend he is seeing. "It's a blend of Modern and Victorian," he said. "It's like the Munsters move to South Beach."
Antonini specializes in solid wood furniture built to order and built to last. No pressed wood here. "You can touch up real wood. You can sand it," he said. "With veneer, once it cracks, the end is near."
"People are decorating their homes in unique and eclectic ways," said Debbie Quinn of Suburban Chateau. "No one wants to go into someone else's home and have it look like theirs. When you come here, you get to be the designer."
Julie Mair, who recently opened Rooms to Roam on Cinema Drive, doesn't believe re-styling the furniture in your home should require a second mortgage.
"It shouldn't break the bank," she said. "You can add to your home with one-of-a-kind pieces at a reasonable price. That's a big part of what we offer."
Another furniture decision people face is fabric. There are hundreds of thousands to choose from, so the challenge becomes saving time.
"You need about three different fabrics in a room," said Tom Fisk of coming Home Fabrics. "Generally, people who come here want to pick something in about 30 to 60 minutes. They can do that."
Another option you might even consider pursuing for a dramatic change is the look of your stairwell. A little wrought iron goes a long way.
"In most homes, the focal point of the entryway is the stairs," said Scott Reynolds of Legacy Stairs. "By changing the banister, you can create a real statement."
The Kids' Rooms and More
It's been said before. A can of paint can do wonders for your home. Of course, that implies that the person holding the paint knows what he or she is doing.
That's where Kym Cappi of Kym's Kreations comes in.
Cappi is an artist who specializes in creating art for your walls, especially if those walls can be found in your child's room. From three-dimensional dragons and Barbie themes, Cappi can turn a room into a playground.
"The key is not to go too trendy," she said. "Kids grow out of Thomas the Train. But a real train will always look good."
Michael Albert of Dream Themes is an expert at creating the perfect custom-bed scenario to complete the perfect look in your little one's room - anything from a simple bunk bed to a full-blown tree house loft with a wall mural to match.
"Most kids are staying inside to play," Albert said. "Why not make the room a fun place to be?"
Office
For the office, it all comes down to what works. The feel and the furniture have to look good, but they must also be functional. Customizing is the preferred method these days.
"We do a draw up for computer furniture, armoires and even upholstery," said Bill Schneck of Ambience Furniture. "We specialize in custom design. We can design it to fit in just the right place in your home."
Said Horacio Rua of Custom Woodworks: "The idea is to make the office blend with the rest of the house. So we need to see how everything else looks so we can make it all work together."
The Wine Cellar
What wine cellar? Ah, but that's the point. Now you can have a wine cellar without actually having, well, a wine cellar.
Closet Wine Cellars specializes in taking that closet stuffed with coats you never wear and turning it into something beautiful - and useful.
"Our innovative patent-pending wine racking system effi ciently maximizes any given closet/storage or wall space and showcases wine bottles in a neck down position while artfully displaying the wine labels for easy retrieval," said Closet Wine Cellars' Barbie Davalos. "Discriminating homeowners and upscale restaurants are praising it for its functionality and classy design."
Technology Integration
Another hot trend is creating a custom look for your home entertainment system. Ambience does that. So does Sam Siebert of SCV Home Trends.
"We design leather seating to fit around your big screen," Siebert said. "We turn your living room into a theater."
Woody's Custom Furniture keeps busy just building custom cabinets for home entertainment systems.
"We've installed about 1,000," said Mike Conner of Woody's. "You just can't go out and by the right cabinet because every home has a different-sized niche. Nothing fits. It used to be a manly-man thing - 'look how big my TV is.' Now it's all about blending it into the house."
Jay Rezendes, a general contractor, is likewise busy helping people mesh their TVs with the rest of their homes, along with their sound systems.
"You have to consider things like subwoofers," he said. "I build cabinets to accommodate every element."
Auton Motorized Systems specializes in automating the entertainment setup. With an Auton system, you only have to see you TV when you want to.
"The flat screen has opened up a new arena," said Auton owner Virgil Walker. "It's a big item."
Where to Start
With so many choices, you need a plan. That may involve getting a consultation; a full-service design center can walk you though the process.
"Sometimes people don't want to go to a bunch of places, so they come here," said Kelly Swain of Studio Designs. "You can bring your pictures and your ideas here. We work with contractors. We're a one-stop shop."
Shauntel Anderson of SCV Design Center believes seeking professional guidance is the best way to insure a cohesive design throughout your home.
"This place is a hub," she said. "You can come here and talk to professionals in all areas of interior design. Everyone here is a pro."
Interior Home Contacts
Perhaps you're just bored, or maybe you've run out of space - or patience. As creative as you might be, there is a limit to the number of convenient ways to hide scratches on the furniture and stains on the carpet.
Unfortunately, for as many reasons as you might be thinking about making improvements to the inside of your home, there are probably just as many reasons you're trying not to think about making them.
The cost is too great. The maze of options is overwhelming. And the inconvenience doing "construction" inside your home is enough to make even the most adventurous would-be designers lose heart.
Like most homeowners, you can probably name a dozen improvements you dream of making. Dragging those dreams into the real world, however, is something else altogether.
The good news is your home improvement dreams may not be as heavy as you think, and the path to making them real is not so steep.
The secret lies in separating what you want from what you don't want and what works from what won't work. And the way to do that is by knowing what's out there.
What you'll find may surprise you.
The Garage
Lest you should feel that home interior design is for women only, let's begin by exploring what's available for the garage.
"In most cases, the garage is the largest room in the house," said Keith Allan of Premier Garage. "You have to start by asking, what can I do with my garage? How can I organize it?"
|
|
Thankfully, the garage is no longer the forgotten realm when it comes to making improvements. Places like Premier Garage and Garage Envy offer an array of storage, design and flooring solutions.
"There's no reason why a garage can't look great," said Garage Envy's Cary Brazeman. "But most people are totally at their wit's end. They can't park their cars; they've got the garage stuffed with piles of stuff."
|
|
The latest trend in garage rescue involves introducing unique cabinet and shelving units custom built to meet customers' needs. You can even create storage solutions for the space above your head, all for a lot less than you might think.
And once all the junk is off the floor, why make the floor shine? An epoxy coating has been standard, but if you want the flooring to last, consider upgrading to high bred polymer. It's about three to five times more durable.
|
|
The Kitchen
"The kitchen is the heart of the home," said Lisa Woodward of Woodward Kitchen and bath. "It's the first thing a woman notices when she looks at a home."
It's impossible to argue with what Woodward claims. Homes today are built with a kitchen-centric layout in mind. Gone are the days of kitchens tucked out of sight.
|
|
The kitchen is central. It has to be functional, but it needs to look good, too.
Most people looking to improve the appearance of their kitchen start with countertops.
|
|
"Most people use granite, but the trend is pulling toward quartz stone," said Nick Oz of Granite Design. "Quartz costs about the same, but it requires less maintenance."
According to Gary Rasberry of Designs to the Nines, the trick is making sure the granite you choose is true granite.
|
|
"True granite is hard and not porous," he said. "If it's the good Giallo or Juparana granite, that's best."
There's also Caesar stone.
"With granite, you get a more exotic look," said the owner of Ventura Marble and Sierra Granite: "Caesar stone is more consistent in its color."
The cost of countertops varies, of course, but for the difference it can make it the look of your kitchen, it is considered well worth the investment.
"Whatever you put into your kitchen, you're going to get out when you sell," Woodward said.
After countertops, give some thought to the flooring. Tile is big these days, as is hardwood.
"You see a lot of Travertine for flooring," said Jodi Gragg of Advantage Tile Stone Design. "You can also opt for a porcelain tile, which is less expensive, but still looks great."
|
|
Gragg says her customers like to accent their kitchens with ceramic backsplashes. It's a great way to add something unique.
"The latest trend in the kitchen is about styles, spaces and gadgets that would work best for how you use the kitchen," said David Moshe, owner of City View Construction. "Maple cabinets, granite countertop, tile backsplash and travertine tiles are popular."
Another often-targeted area when it comes to kitchen redesign is the cabinets. If you've ever resorted to crawling around on all fours in an effort to retrieve the waffle iron from the bottom cabinet, you'd probably benefit from a visit from a skilled cabinetmaker.
|
|
This valley is home to several. Shelves to Drawers, for instance, can custom-build pull-out drawers for those hard-to-reach lower cabinets.
"We've been doing this for 15 years," said Shelves to Drawers' Jack Lemons. "It's a very simple and affordable way to upgrade you kitchen. Pullouts give you immediate access."
Another quick and relatively inexpensive upgrade is to refinish the cabinets.
"It's probably the cheapest way to change the entire look of your kitchen," said Fabian Varela of American Fine Finishing.
|
|
Options available for a custom cabinet finish are almost limitless. The latest trend is to go with a dark, glossy finish. Other options include natural oak or even a painted glaze, which gives cabinets a light, antique finish.
Harry Fisher of Homecraft says the allure of cabinet refinishing is that it's quick, relatively mess free, and gives customers a good bang for their buck.
"There's no need to tear out countertops, remove sinks or replace the floor or plumbing," he says. "You can even use your kitchen during the process. And the results are beautiful."
|
|
The Floor
Another big decision you'll probably face is what to do with your floors. Wood tends to be warmer, and carpet offers a unique kind of comfort. Tile may be the most durable.
If it's wood you're after, you might consider a short trip to Aged Timber/Acorn Hardwood Flooring just off the 215. They have a 50,000 square foot showroom. Just make sure to call for an appointment first.
|
|
"This is a truly custom flooring business," said Acorn's Donna Glassnow. "We build it and we install it. We can basically do anything. If you can dream it, we can do it."
According to Vic Pena of The Flooring Connection, it's important to consider how you intend to use the floor. For high traffic areas, walnut, one of the hardest woods, is a good choice.
|
|
"Be sure you get flooring with a good wear layer," Pena said. "If you don't have a thick wear layer, you don't have the option to sand and refinish later, because the wood's too thin."
Most people these days are opting for the thicker, softer carpets.
"All the designs are much softer," said Ben Griffiths of Brent's Carpet One. "People really want the luxury of walking on something super soft."
And if you're worried about stains, Griffiths says you don't have to. You can purchase carpets with a 30-year guarantee against stains.
|
|
The Bathroom
It may seem like an odd marriage, but the design elements people are employing in their kitchens have found their way into bathrooms as well.
Granite counters and tile floors are in vogue, but with a twist. In the bathroom, people like to add the artistic element of glass. What you're seeing is etched and laminated glass accents in bathroom fixtures such as shower doors, windows and even floors.
"It all depends on what you want for every room," said Nina delValle of Superior Designs, a company that helps guide homeowners through each step of the interior design process. "You have to prioritize - decide what you want to do. Then you need guidance. Otherwise you wind up spending evenings at Home Depot, staring at the wall."
|
|
That's the theory behind The Design Squad, which offers a unique brand of consultation.
"Step-by-step, we come up with a concept for your home and you leave with a portfolio," she said. "Then you can go at your own pace. With the portfolio, you never lose sight of what the goal is."
Windows & Lighting
One of the shortest cuts to a dramatic change inside your home is through the windows. When you're working with the very items that generate light and a sense of space and mood, even small changes can generate big results.
"Replacement windows continues to be popular," said Mark Borden of Great Outlook Windows and Doors. "It's the easiest, fastest, cleanest way to update your home."
|
|
Gary Davidson of SGO Designer Glass spends his days creating custom decorative overlays for windows. He knows firsthand the difference his work can make on a room.
"You can select a design that suits you, from texture to color to lead, to bevels and even jewels," he said. "The overlay appears to be stained glass, but it's made of stronger elements. It's a great way to turn your home into your personal sanctuary. And it has a great wow factor."
In addition to changing the actual glass, you can dramatically affect a room by altering what you place around it.
|
|
"By day, a plain window provides a beautiful view to the outdoors. But at night, it becomes a cold, black rectangle," said Tami Smight of Tami Smight Interiors. "Professionally designed window coverings enhance the role of the windows in a room."
With that in mind, you must decide, do you want drapes or blinds? What about shutters?
"Shutters continue to be the window covering of choice for a multitude of reasons," said Paul Gatlin of Alpine Shutters and Window Fashions. "They are versatile; they provide natural beauty and they help keep out the severe heat we experience in the SCV."
|
|
"Shutters are good because you can adjust the level of light," said Juanita Gilmore of Country View Shutters. "And they add a nice touch of warmth and coziness."
Another obvious way to alter the mood of your home is by changing the way you light it from the inside. Experts say fluorescent light is out of fashion. People today are looking to make light fixtures a more organic part of the room.
"The trend now is for recessed light and pendant lighting," said Cheryl Vaknin of SC Lighting and Bulbs. "The right lighting is important because after you spend all the money redesigning your home, you need to set it with the right light."
|
|
Furniture
This is a big one because what you put in your home, in many ways, becomes your home. People tend to be selective, and rightly so.
"People come here looking for unique pieces," said Cory Abouaf of Bella Venezia. "They know they won't see the same thing when they walk into their neighbor's house."
Abouaf, who offers a variety of custom-built, solid wood furniture and accents, says today's favorite styles are Tuscan and old world.
Deno Antonini, owner of Interior Home, likes the new trend he is seeing. "It's a blend of Modern and Victorian," he said. "It's like the Munsters move to South Beach."
|
|
Antonini specializes in solid wood furniture built to order and built to last. No pressed wood here. "You can touch up real wood. You can sand it," he said. "With veneer, once it cracks, the end is near."
"People are decorating their homes in unique and eclectic ways," said Debbie Quinn of Suburban Chateau. "No one wants to go into someone else's home and have it look like theirs. When you come here, you get to be the designer."
Julie Mair, who recently opened Rooms to Roam on Cinema Drive, doesn't believe re-styling the furniture in your home should require a second mortgage.
|
|
"It shouldn't break the bank," she said. "You can add to your home with one-of-a-kind pieces at a reasonable price. That's a big part of what we offer."
Another furniture decision people face is fabric. There are hundreds of thousands to choose from, so the challenge becomes saving time.
"You need about three different fabrics in a room," said Tom Fisk of coming Home Fabrics. "Generally, people who come here want to pick something in about 30 to 60 minutes. They can do that."
Another option you might even consider pursuing for a dramatic change is the look of your stairwell. A little wrought iron goes a long way.
"In most homes, the focal point of the entryway is the stairs," said Scott Reynolds of Legacy Stairs. "By changing the banister, you can create a real statement."
|
|
The Kids' Rooms and More
It's been said before. A can of paint can do wonders for your home. Of course, that implies that the person holding the paint knows what he or she is doing.
That's where Kym Cappi of Kym's Kreations comes in.
Cappi is an artist who specializes in creating art for your walls, especially if those walls can be found in your child's room. From three-dimensional dragons and Barbie themes, Cappi can turn a room into a playground.
"The key is not to go too trendy," she said. "Kids grow out of Thomas the Train. But a real train will always look good."
|
|
Michael Albert of Dream Themes is an expert at creating the perfect custom-bed scenario to complete the perfect look in your little one's room - anything from a simple bunk bed to a full-blown tree house loft with a wall mural to match.
"Most kids are staying inside to play," Albert said. "Why not make the room a fun place to be?"
Office
For the office, it all comes down to what works. The feel and the furniture have to look good, but they must also be functional. Customizing is the preferred method these days.
"We do a draw up for computer furniture, armoires and even upholstery," said Bill Schneck of Ambience Furniture. "We specialize in custom design. We can design it to fit in just the right place in your home."
|
|
Said Horacio Rua of Custom Woodworks: "The idea is to make the office blend with the rest of the house. So we need to see how everything else looks so we can make it all work together."
The Wine Cellar
What wine cellar? Ah, but that's the point. Now you can have a wine cellar without actually having, well, a wine cellar.
Closet Wine Cellars specializes in taking that closet stuffed with coats you never wear and turning it into something beautiful - and useful.
"Our innovative patent-pending wine racking system effi ciently maximizes any given closet/storage or wall space and showcases wine bottles in a neck down position while artfully displaying the wine labels for easy retrieval," said Closet Wine Cellars' Barbie Davalos. "Discriminating homeowners and upscale restaurants are praising it for its functionality and classy design."
Technology Integration
Another hot trend is creating a custom look for your home entertainment system. Ambience does that. So does Sam Siebert of SCV Home Trends.
"We design leather seating to fit around your big screen," Siebert said. "We turn your living room into a theater."
Woody's Custom Furniture keeps busy just building custom cabinets for home entertainment systems.
"We've installed about 1,000," said Mike Conner of Woody's. "You just can't go out and by the right cabinet because every home has a different-sized niche. Nothing fits. It used to be a manly-man thing - 'look how big my TV is.' Now it's all about blending it into the house."
|
Jay Rezendes, a general contractor, is likewise busy helping people mesh their TVs with the rest of their homes, along with their sound systems.
"You have to consider things like subwoofers," he said. "I build cabinets to accommodate every element."
Auton Motorized Systems specializes in automating the entertainment setup. With an Auton system, you only have to see you TV when you want to.
"The flat screen has opened up a new arena," said Auton owner Virgil Walker. "It's a big item."
Where to Start
With so many choices, you need a plan. That may involve getting a consultation; a full-service design center can walk you though the process.
"Sometimes people don't want to go to a bunch of places, so they come here," said Kelly Swain of Studio Designs. "You can bring your pictures and your ideas here. We work with contractors. We're a one-stop shop."
Shauntel Anderson of SCV Design Center believes seeking professional guidance is the best way to insure a cohesive design throughout your home.
"This place is a hub," she said. "You can come here and talk to professionals in all areas of interior design. Everyone here is a pro."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Interior Home Contacts
| Advantage Tile Stone Design
661-295-9819 www.thetileadvantage.com Aged Timber Company & Acorn Hardwood Flooring 661-ALL-WOOD (661-255-9663) www.acornfloors.com Alpine Shutters and Window Fashions 661-799-8013 www.alpineshutters.com Ambience Furniture 661-288-2534 www.ambiencefurniture.net American Fine Finishing 661-775-2706 www.americanfinefinishing.com Auton Motorized Systems 661-257-9282 www.auton.com Bella Venezia 661-254-2246 Brent's Carpet One 661-255-3337 www.BrentsCarpetOne.com City View Construction 800-929-9942 www.cityviewconstruction.com Closet Crafters 661-255-3353 www.closetcrafters411.com Closet Wine Cellars 661-297-1935 www.closetwinecellars.com Coming Home Fabrics 661-255-5023 Cooper Designs 818-831-8960 Country View Shutters 800-980-7838 Custom Woodworks 661-212-7230 www.custom-woodworks.com Dannick Design 661-775-7430 www.dannickdesign.com Debbie's Sewing & Interiors 661-294-9894 www.debbiesewinginteriors.com Designs to the Nines 661-257-9115 www.designstothenines.com Dream Themes 661-250-8400 Garage Envy 888-750-5824 www.garageenvy.com Granite Transformations 888-270-0219 www.granitetransformations.com Great Outlook Windows and Doors 661-222-9195 www.greatoutlook.com GT Custom Garages 661-255-6650 www.gotogt.com Hahn Co. Interior Moulding 661-810-3832 www.gotmolding.com | Homecraft Cabinets Refacing Company
661-252-9663 www.homecraftcabinets.com Interior Home Inc. 661-294-9940 www.inthome.com Jay Rezendes General Contractor 661-209-0310 Kym's Kreations 661-251-5929 www.kymskreations.com Legacy Stairs 661-297-7530 Macc Design Boutique 661-295-7755 Marc Wilmers Heating & Air 661-259-9009 Oasis Garden & Patio 661-255-9909 Premier Garage 661-310-1232 www.PremierGarage.com Rooms to Roam 661-259-7890 Satellite Super Stores Inc. 661-775-8050 SC Lighting & Bulbs 661-799-5852 SCV Home Trends 661-775-9383 www.scvleathertheaterseating.com SCV Moulding & Design Center 661-295-6905 SGO Designer Glass 661-702-0008 www.stainedglassoverlay.com Shelves to Drawers 800-343-5835 www.shelvestodrawers.com Sierra Granite & Marble 661-298-3880 www.sierragranite.com Studio Designs 661-287-9433 Suburban Chateau 661-775-2980 www.suburbanchateau.com Summit Custom Shutters, Blinds and Shades 661-284-6684 www.summitcustomshutters.com Superior Designs 661-252-5946 www.superior-designs.com Tami Smight Interiors 661-430-0127 http://web.mac.com/tamismight The Design Squad 661-290-2500 www.thedesignsquad.com The Flooring Connection 661-297-9800 Ventura Marble & Tile 661-298-3832 Woodward Kitchen and Bath 661-251-3865 Woody's Custom Furniture 877-966-3971 www.woodyscustomfurniture.com |
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