Posts by Steve Shinn, CR
Home Priorities Shift as Pandemic Reshapes How We Live
The pandemic permanently changed the way we use our homes. Gone are the days of sprawling mansions – today’s homeowners crave comfort, functionality, and spaces that can adapt to our new work-from-home reality. Here’s a look at what’s trending in home design: Cozy Comfort Home Offices Take Center Stage Planning for the Future Home Entertainment…
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5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Season Burnout
If your holiday season is anything like mine used to be, it’s lots of fun but hardly relaxing. Our holidays involve party hosting and potluck meal prepping, gift shopping and wrapping, school and work events, and of course the ever-busy jobs. Since most members of my family and my husband’s live locally, we have multiple get-togethers to…
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12 Custom Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Bathroom
There are a lot of details, both big and small, to think about when designing or remodeling a bathroom. And I believe that to create a space that truly works for you, investing extra time and money on custom storage in the planning stages will be worth it in the long run. Here are 12 custom storage…
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How to Get Your Furniture Arrangement Right
Like a blank page or canvas, an empty room can be either an opportunity or a challenge. With so many ways to fill it, how do you know where to start? I’ve taken some of the basic rules of furniture arrangement and distilled them into 10 simple tips. They’ll help you work with your interior designer…
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10 Keys to a Well-Functioning House
The design of a house can have a profound effect on how we feel, but we often attribute this to aesthetics. In fact, it’s about so much more including creating a well-functioning house. Good design should enhance our experience of a space, and the way a room looks is almost the icing on the cake.…
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Dream Kitchen Must-Haves: From Practical to Luxurious
When designing your dream kitchen, it’s okay to dream big! Here is a compiled list of 11 features that will elevate your kitchen from functional to fabulous. Some are splurge-worthy, while others are practical upgrades that will make your life easier. 1. Quartz Countertops Quartz offers the beauty of natural stone like granite or marble,…
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High-Value Bathroom Upgrades
When it comes to bathroom remodels, budgets are rarely limitless. So, where should you invest for the biggest impact? Three bathroom experts share their insights on high-value upgrades that will enhance both the look and functionality of your space. 1. Skylight Giulianna del Popolo, principal designer at GDP Interior Design, highly recommends skylights. Natural light…
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Liven Up Your Space with a Compact Home Bar
While a sprawling basement pub might not be in the cards, a well-designed home bar can add personality and functionality to your home, even in a limited footprint. Here, designers share their tips for creating stylish and efficient home beverage stations. 1. Basement Bonus Room This basement media room incorporates a full-service bar with a…
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Top 10 Kitchen Island Must-Haves for 2023
Kitchen islands are the heart of the modern kitchen, offering extra prep space, storage, and a place to gather. But with so many design options, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here, we reveal the 10 features kitchen designers recommend most often to create a beautiful and functional island that reflects your…
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Top Flooring Trends of 2023: Beauty Meets Performance
Gone are the days when flooring was purely functional. Today’s flooring options are both stylish and durable, making them perfect for busy families and design enthusiasts alike. Here’s a look at what’s hot in flooring for 2023: Light and Bright Wood Light-colored wood floors with a touch of character remain a popular choice. White oak…
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