10BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS….EVEN IF YOU AREN’T A PARENT

If you’re like most parents, your kids are the most important people in your life, and their success in school matters because it impacts their entire future.

If you’re not a parents, and you are the household king or queen, or you work from home either full or part- time, here are my top ten tips for creating a great study or work area that encourages productivity:

1. Select a desk with storage for files and supplies, and a computer keyboard even if the main computer is a laptop.

2. Install shelves or cabinets above the desk for notebooks and schoolbooks with closed ends. It’s much easier to keep the shelves neat if things are not falling off of the end.

3. Select an ergonomic chair for comfort so it’s easier to stay focused on homework.

4. Install lighting under the shelves, and also provide good task lighting that is adjustable so glare is minimized on the computer screen.

5. Use cord mangers to keep the area neat and clean under the desk.

6. Invest in colorful office supplies so organization is fun and easy.

7.  Select colors for the walls that encourage productivity and focus.  Here are some of my favorite colors.

8. Purchase an iPod docking station that can be installed on the bookshelves above, or on the wall, and if the music tends to get loud, include a good set of headphones.

9. Add a timer to the desktop.  This is a great productivity tool since scheduling work blocks and limiting how long you or your child works on projects will encourage efficiency.

10. Gmail has great tools such as Google Notebook and www.gqueue.com which integrates a To Do list into the calendar so assignments or deadline are not missed.

Here’s is another great  productivity tools too: http://sixrevision.com/tools/free-productivity-tools-web-pro

I know, I know!  What are we thinking- A Blog about X-Mas in July?!! But there are some great ideas we just had to share!

Interior Design: High Rise Condominiums

Christmas in July

The year is half over and it’s hard to believe that we’ll soon be seeing Christmas decorations in the department stores.  Times move quickly, doesn’t it?

July is the perfect time to plan for your year-end family gathering.  If you’re thinking about updating your dining room, powder room or kitchen to prepare for the laughter, warmth and holiday cheer, it’s the perfect time to start your project so you have time relax before your company arrives.

Project Managment- Custom Designed Baths-Spa’s-Powder Rooms

Here’s our Top 10 List of High Impact Spruce-Ups for Holiday Entertaining

1. Update your powder room with a new mirror, lighting, a new paint color, or wallpaper for a quick and easy makeover.  Here’s a great wallpaper! 

 2. Change your kitchen counter and install a new sink and faucet. Think about adding a hot water dispenser and filter for an instant hot chocolate or tea.  Here are some great options for counter tops using beautiful, and yet anti-microbial finishes that are more practical than standard granite.

3. Install under and over cabinet lighting on dimmers for dramatic ambiance for parties.

Custom Furnishing Specialist

4. Enhance your views both inside and outside with custom-designed window treatments in your dining room and family room.  Trends are moving toward simpler and sleeker styles with understated hardware. 

5. Rearrange your furniture, rugs and accessories for a quick update and add decorative pillows that express your personality.

6.  Hardwood is the ever popular flooring choice for dinning rooms, so consider fabulous new floor to show off your brand new rug.

7. Replace your dining room chandelier with a new style and purchase a neutral textured rug to create a more relaxed space to share a Thanksgiving meal with your family and friends. 

 Another easy way update is to reupholster your dining room chairs.

8. Be voted the most fabulous host by adding special touches to your guest bedroom and bathroom.  Update your beside lamps with a new style and a three way bulb for reading, add an iPod docking station, a carafe and glass, a vase for fresh flowers, a guest book for special memories of the visit, and crisp new bed linens and draperies.  Select special bath salts, aromatherapy scents and fluffy new towels

9. Change your wall colors with updated shades here a few great colors from Benjamin Moore that could transform your rooms with out a major investment.

10. Add a small wet bar in a space close to your entertaining area with a fabulous Sub-Zero wine refrigerator with drawers for soft drinks and mixers, a warming drawer for snacks and small dishwasher for convenience. 

Please let us know how we can help you plan for the holidays.  Give a  call 716- 627- 4697 or Contact Us @ schaperassociates.net

Ho, ho, ho

Interior Designers Buffalo NY

 In the process of designing over 10 bathrooms in two years I have learned that successful bathroom interior design must be a perfect union of aesthetics and functionality.  Start by understanding what you really want and define your style, taste and budget.  Think about the layout – how does it function – is your lighting adequate – how will you handle the disruption to your family.

Get inspiration from reading design magazines, clipping things you love.  Visit bath and tile showrooms.  This will help narrow down your likes and dislikes while introducing you to the newest products on the market.

Interior Design: Baths- Spa Style, Master suites-Powder Rooms

Now it is time to hire an Interior design professional who will guide you on design elements with appropriate balance, proportion and scale to create a harmonious environment. Analyzing finishes vs. lifestyle is also necessary so you do not make mistakes that come back to haunt you later on.

Building for your daily lifestyle is important.  If polishing every day is not your favorite chore, high gloss tile may not be the best choice. An alternative could be one of the beautiful matte finish tiles such as Color Blocks by Crossville or one of the numerous stone tiles available.  Nickel is not the best choice for a house located on the ocean as salt water can wreak havoc with nickel.  The beautiful new bronze or weathered finishes would hold up better in your beach house.

Color Specialists

   Tile selection is critical as it will be the main focus of your bath and set the overall tone – floors, walls and sometimes the ceiling will all have tile.  While neutral stone looks are one of the most popular today, there are many other outstanding choices and endless accent tiles that can be used to create a really unique look.  For example; in our client’s bath located on the Gulf of Mexico we created a “beach feeling”.  We used a shiny white tile to enhance the beautiful “beach glass” accent used as a border around the bath and shower.  The floor was a tile that resembled the sand on the beach. The finishing touch was a decorative paint finish on the walls above the shower to simulate the waters of the Gulf. 

Interior Design-Project Managment-Custom Furnishing Specialist

Finally, the refinements – proper storage for towels and other necessary items, shower accoutrements such as seating, built-in niche for shampoo and soap, grab bars – your Interior Designer will help with everything you need to make your new bath PERFECT. 

    Contact Us at 716-627-4697, or Visit our Website at  schaperassociates.net to set up an appointment to review your project or refer us to friend.

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INTERIOR DESIGN

In most of today’s new homes, large walls of windows have become popular, it is not uncommon to see French doors with transom windows above, and another bank of windows above that.  A room doesn’t have to be a sun room anymore to be flooded with light.

All of this sunshine, however, creates its own set of problems. In addition to privacy issues, large windows flood bedrooms with too much light at sunrise. They can cause furnishings to fade in strong afternoon rays and reduce usable wall area in a room, making furniture placement and window treatment design difficult. Large windows are quite fabulous, however, and most of us feel blessed to have them.

HIGH RISE CONDOMINIUMS- penthouses/lofts

Blinds and shades are often the first product used to control light and provide privacy. Wide slat wood blinds are an inexpensive option and allow a lot of light to filter in. They can be tilted to protect furniture. They look best when left down, however, since they form a large stack at the top when raised, if an uninterrupted view is what you’re looking for, they may not be the best solution.   Be sure to discuss the various quality levels and options that are available, there are so many to choose from, there’s sure to be something that fits your needs and budget.

Many people begin with blinds, and then add curtains later for color and insulation. Instead of blinds, one could begin with light-filtering fabric shades, woven grass or bamboo shades. These fold up on themselves leaving the view open, and look attractive when raised.  Used alone, they provide a more modern look, especially in a small room where long curtains might crowd the floor area. For a large window area, an individual shade for each opening works best, because shades too large can be impossible to operate.

For the largest, grandest windows, curtains are really a must. Old-fashioned, custom-designed, beautifully crafted curtains are back in style.  Even though our modern homes are insulated and newer windows keep out drafts, our trends towards larger windows make true climate control impossible. Curtains that filter the hot afternoon sun will save hundreds on air conditioning.  Window treatments are another layer that protects interior fabrics, wood floors and carpets. Large sliding doors need extra insulation for chilly winter days. In bedrooms, blackout curtains create a cozy cocoon that makes it easy to catch up on sleep or nap during the day.

COLOR SPECIALISTS- residental- commerical-healthcare

Be sure to use an experienced Interior Designer along with a professional workroom that specializes in custom window treatments. With large windows, there are many issues involved. Special hardware may be needed to traverse a large window or carry heavy curtains. What type of lining and interlining should be used? The proportions of the design are important in relation to the window layout and size of the room.  Custom window treatments are expensive, but they are a labor-intensive process that requires education, experience and good customer service. Purchasing fabric yourself and looking for a seamstress can have mixed results, as it may not save money and can create a host of problems. Be sure to get some good advice and think about privacy and light control before you choose a style.  A good designer will cover all of the areas I’ve discussed. They’ll also send someone out to measure in person; they may charge for an estimate, but it is money well-spent to avoid expensive mistakes.

Custom window treatments can be a significant project, with the right planning and advice; you can have something practical that will beautify your home for many years.

CUSTOM FURNISHINGS SPECIALIST

Call us for all your INTERIOR DESIGN needs.  716-627-4697 or contact us at www.schaperassociates.net

  Interior Design 

Much of a home’s personality comes from its windows, so the size, details and placement can really define the house’s style.   After deciding the shape of a house, the choice of windows is the next most important decision.  You want your windows to be in harmony with the whole house.  

      Placement – A symmetrical pattern of small windows gives a house a more historic or early American look as opposed to walls of glass which are more contemporary.  Using a variety of shapes and sizes creates a more eclectic and picturesque character to the home.

     Think BIG – The bigger the windows, the better.  Nothing is more beautiful than windows that are a foot or so off the floor. So often windows are too small to see out of comfortably when you are sitting down.  Higher window sill heights are needed where privacy is an issue – bathrooms and bedrooms primarily.  In the kitchen it looks best to bring window sill to top of backsplash, which allows good visibility.

    Alignment – For the best appearance inside and out, the tops of windows should be aligned on each level.  A good rule of thumb is to set the window tops at the same height as the doorway on the first floor.  If you have  chosen to have different size windows it is better to alter the width rather than the length, wherever possible

  Custom Window Treatments

     Combine units– For an extra large picture window combine units that are standard, a large fixed window with two standard operable windows, and then add a transom on top. A bank of the same size windows to create a window wall is a beautiful look, particularily when you have a great view outdoors. Use casements with a soaring fixed panel in the center and above to create height and drama.

     Bay windows – Consist of multiple units that are combined to create a bump-out from the exterior wall.  This provides more light, makes the room feel bigger, and best of all can create an ideal spot for a window seat or a plant area.

 Color Consultations 

Muntins– Originally makers of glass could not make large pieces of glass so the muntins held the small pieces of glass.  This is not the case today and there are many options:  Grilles    affixed to the inside and out to mimic muntins.  These look the most authentic but complicates window cleaning.  Grilles between the glass.  Makes cleaning very easy, but come in limited colors.Snap on grids. Can be removed for cleaning but can be flimsy and break easily and not fit well.

   Exterior and Interior Woodwork – Originally outside moldings were used to hold windows in place, but now they are installed with fins that get nailed directly to the sheathing, so many builders simply run the siding directly to the windows.  Molding can transform the home by adding so much visual interest, especially by painting them a different color than the siding.  Often the interior windows are flush with the wall with minimal trim.  Think about this when you are building and ask your builder what other more interesting options are available.

Thought and planning in the early stages of designing your home can help to create a house that is truly beautiful and well balanced.

 Schaper Associates Interior Design has more than 20 years experience creating beautiful residential and commercial interiors.  Call or  Contact Us at 716-627-4697 for an appointment. 

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Beautiful interiors are the result of individuals working together. Interior Designer, Architect, Builder and………  THE HOMEOWNER

Each of these individuals, working in harmony, brings a unique perspective to a project which can spark further dialog and new ideas.  In the process, each learns from the other. As simple as this may sound, it does not always work this way.  Too often each has their own agenda and does not appreciate the benefit of working as a team.

Residental Interior Design    

The process starts with a preliminary meeting of all parties to discuss how the space will be used and then how we want it to look – light and airy, dark and cozy, etc.  This is also the time to review material choices for everything so the architect and builder can work to establish a budget for the project.  Having your Interior Designer in at this stage is very important as they will direct you to the appropriate finishes for the look you want to create.  They will also talk about traffic patterns, window placement, room sizes, furniture requirements and a very important and often neglected detail – lighting.  They assist you in coming up with a clear vision of what you are trying to accomplish – in other words a Master Plan.  It is so disappointing to build your dream home or the perfect addition only to find out it is not what you expected.  Following this process also avoids costly change orders in the midst of building.

 Commerical Interior Design

Once the plans are fine tuned and the budget established it is time to start the design and decoration of the interior spaces.  We start with the background – flooring, tiles, cabinets – finishes that are permanent – then move on to furniture placement.  The layout and scale of furniture is crucial to each room.  We do floor plans and elevations to create the ideal layout.  Only after this is complete do we create “THE LOOK”  you want.  There should be design cohesion in all the rooms, not always obvious, but a subtle feeling should unite the spaces.

Heathcare Interior Design

 Hiring the right designer to assist you is so helpful in making the many decisions necessary to create your dream space.  Most clients are comfortable only with what they know and see around them, making it difficult to create really great interiors on their own.  Advice from friends and family can only confuse your goal.  I view a large part of our job as Interior Designers as being a filter for client’s ideas, impulses and suggestions from others – helping to create a truly beautiful and unique interior.

Schaper Associates Interior Design:  Residental- Commerial- HealthCare- 716-627-4697    

Interior Design: Art & Accessories

Downsizing, tight on space ?  Is bigger truly better ? Downsizing can actually help save money, reduce maintenance and increase comfort.  If your existing home is small and tight on space, you can increase the functionality without adding an extra square inch.

 In this current time people are attempting to be smarter with their purchases and renovations.  Whether you are moving to a smaller home or reconfiguring your existing, the key is planning.  Create rooms that multi-function, buy furniture that does double duty, carefully plan every cabinet, closet and storage area that you have, and use design strategies that create the look of spaciousness.

Mirrors – gather a collection or use a large one, but hang opposite a window wall; it visually opens the space and adds more light to the room.

Colors - saturate the space in one medium or dark color, and use it on every wall, ceiling, door and trim.  It takes away all the boundaries.  Add furnishings in a light color that contrast so they become the focal points.  Incorporate a large bold painting that will also enliven and open up the room.

Do something over scale and daring in tiny rooms.  Use a large scale wallpaper with a pattern that has spaces that break up the details.  Use it on walls and ceiling.  This will make the room feel larger and more exciting.

Use large scale furniture, but fewer pieces.  With the appropriate lighting and accessories, they will give the room a larger moreluxurious feel.  Since you won’t need to buy as many pieces, splurge on at least one great one.

Lighting – incorporate a variety of lighting styles to provide a maximum of illumination to serve all the functions; making sure all four corners of a room are lit.

Natural Light – openings for light and view are essential – they extend the perception of space beyond the walls.  In a small room keeping the window treatments simple allows for more light to enter.  Using reflective design elements also aids in adding the sense of more light in a room.

Interior Design:  Space Planing

   With the help of beautiful and smart design a smaller house, with the appropriate renovations, can be more pleasurable to live in.  Downsizing is simplifying and creating more with less, and that is something we can all benefit from.

 Call Carol,or  Heather @  Schaper Associates for DESIGN STRATEGIES to help make your home beautiful and practical. 716-627-4697

Interior Design

From pint- sized powder rooms to extravagant spaces, bathrooms are at the very core of every home.  Today’s baths are truly multi-functional spaces designed to accommodate any number of needs from steam baths, saunas, whirlpools to even exercise equipment. 

 For those who love the beauty of nature a great idea is to have large windows with sills to accommodate an array of plants and flowers.   Dress the windows as you would any room with a Roman or balloon shade, wood look blinds or shutters.   Add candles, magazine holders, a piece of furniture not typical of a bathroom and other accessories to create a beautiful place to relax and unwind after a hectic day. 

 Other more practical considerations are floor heating systems and towel warmers which are especially wonderful in our winter months.  The variety of fixtures available today will allow you to completely personalize your décor – down to the smallest detail.

 Project Managment

Tile selection is very important in these large bathrooms as they set the overall feeling of the space.  For a sophisticated, sleeker look it is best to use same tiles on the floor and walls – the size may vary, but style is the same.  Tumbled marble and limestone are used for either an old world or more casual look.  Wall treatments such as wallpaper or decorative painting are an effective way to enhance the look of your bath.  Our designs have included everything from big banana leaves to an English country garden look in a small bathroom tucked in under a stairway. 

Some of my favorite design projects have included tiny powder rooms.  Rather than treating them as an unimportant “nothing” room,  I like to create something unusual or spectacular;   a hammered copper sink combined with glass tiles for an elegant look, or stone combined with rough wood and a glass or metal vessel sink for a more casual/rustic look.  The possibilities are truly endless.  You can have a “theme” based on something you really love – traveling, gardening or sports, to name a few.  These small rooms lend themselves to going all out with the décor.

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Where do I start??

• Determine the scope of the project?  Is it one room, an entire house make-over, or simply the spruce up of various areas?  This will determine the type of design professional you’ll want to hire.

• Establish your budget.  It is always smart to have an approximate dollar amount you are willing to spend.  This will help your designer to be realistic in what they present to you.  A qualified designer is going to be a financial commitment, but worth it.  You are paying for their creative vision and expertise,along with managing the project, coordinating deliveries, installations, and workmen on the project. 

• Set up an initial consultation.  This is the time to discuss your expectations and to get to know the designer.  If you don’t feel comfortable with the person there is no point going forward.  If it seems like the right fit, be sure you discuss how you will be charged.  This can be an hourly fee for design time or a flat fee.   Most desogners will ask for a retainer to start the project.  You should expect to pay $50-$150.00 per hour in WNY.  You can also discuss how the purchasing of furnishings, window treatments, the cost of workmen, etc. will be handled – what is the mark-up, terms of payment, etc.  It is always best to have all of these things clear from the beginning to avoid any problems later on in the project.  My company has a client agreement which we have all our new clients sign.  This is for the benefit of all parties involved and is a good idea.

• Ask for a design plan or scope of work .  This can be anything from sketches of basic layouts of furnishings with a suggested color palette, to carefully plotted-out rooms complete with cut sheets of furnishings and swatches of materials to be used. 
• Trust your designer.   Be honest and up front if you really do not like something.  However, try to look beyond what you would normally select on your own.  A large responsibility of any designer is to bring you to a new dimension of style and to stretch you a bit beyond your current comfort zone. 

 Finally, it is important to know that designing even one room is a process and may take several meetings before the “perfect” look is achieved.  Remember too that you are getting access to things you could never find on your own, in addition to the experience and knowledge of your designer.  In all hiring a design professional is the right way to go to achieve the optimum results for any project, large or small.

 Call us for all your design needs.  716-627-4697 or contact us at www.schaperassociates.net

Interior Design-Project Managment

          Many of our clients are taking more chances than ever when it comes to selecting paint colors for their homes.  But, there are still those who are afraid and need extra encouragement to enrich their environment with color.

         One mistake that is often made is to fan out the color deck and pick a favorite color, which may look great on the one-inch square but awful on the wall.  I always order large samples of our paint choices and have the client tape the swatches to their wall so they can see them both in the daylight and at night.  I also consider the furnishings and accessories when selecting paint and pull a color from a print that we then paint the room with, totally enhancing the fabric and unifying the room

 Design Development- Interior Design

        Another way to start small is to paint a small room that is more isolated like a bathroom, or also a kitchen where there is usually very little wall space.  Intense colors have a smaller impact in these rooms and can be the first step towards introducing more exciting colors to the larger rooms in your home.

         I also try to show my clients photos of rooms with dramatic color, to see what their response is.  Almost always they love the rooms with great color on the walls and it helps encourage them to try using more color.

  A few tips to consider when selecting your paint:

• Tiny spaces – don’t paint it white making it dull and boring- instead go with a bold color to make it cozy and interesting.
• Adjoining spaces – choose colors that are pleasing next to each other.  I almost always recommend that trim color be consistent throughout a house to avoid choppiness.
• Specific color palettes for certain architectural styles – unless you are doing a pure historical renovation it is not necessary to select colors that are true to the style.  It can be very interesting to do the unexpected.

 Frequently we tend to select both interior and exterior colors that are a reflection of our surroundings and are driven by nature and the architecture.  For exterior painting the “rules” for color selection are much more determined by the style of the house.  A multi-colored typical Victorian color palette would look strange on a ranch home for example.  But, you can still be creative in your use of color, with one base color for siding and then bring it up with another color on shutters or trim and then add punch with a great door color.  Most paint companies have brochures showing different combinations of color.

 Project Management-Interior Design

   The bottom line on selecting paint is that “it is only paint and easily redone”.  It is one of the easiest fixes in interior design.  And, if you are struggling to get it right, call a Designer or Design Consultant.  They will assist you in making sure all elements of a room are considered when choosing paint, and because they do it all the time, the chances of getting it right the first time are excellent!

  Schaper Associates, Inc. at (716)627-4697