Page 6 - Allisons Newsletter, Lakewood Edge - Dec 2018 Issue

indoor style
IN THE HOME

by Kathryn Weber
W it should always be the
hen you have a fireplace,

focal point in the room,
commanding attention when you enter.
Too often, though, builder fireplaces
seem small and soulless, or you may
have a fireplace that is too overbearing
(like a small fireplace in a giant wall of
red brick). It could need a refresh.
Give your unimaginative fireplace
a new lease on life in a few simple
steps. In addition to putting it in its
rightful place of attention, a fireplace
makeover is often a good resale
investment.

FLAT AND DIMINUTIVE
When a fireplace is too small and
the surround is overly large, it cries
out for help. A quick way to help bring
it back into proportion is to outline
the fireplace with a mantel and create
more volume around the opening. UPDATE AND REFRESH
The next step is to take some of
To further enhance the fireplace, try YOUR FIREPLACE
the attention away from the oversized
surround. An easy way to do this
is to paint the surround so that it
blends in with the rest of the walls.

covering the wall of brick or stone
with another type of texture. Look steps to follow when changing the color Maybe it’s not the brick that’s the perfectly for updating your surround.
for other types of stone or wood, like of your brick, but if you choose to do problem, but the wall that makes the Textural changes can also make a
shiplap. It will help distinguish the so, try to find a spare brick to test first. fireplace fade into the background. Try big difference in the way your fireplace
material around the fireplace opening Then talk with your paint store expert painting your fireplace a contrasting looks. Textured wall panels can be
and call more attention to it. This is to walk you through the steps, or hire a color to make it grab everyone’s applied easily and add instant and
especially helpful for flat wall fireplaces painter with brick staining experience. attention. modern appeal. Tile is another option
that lack a mantel. For something even easier than for creating a standout spot on your
staining, try whitewashing your STONE AND TEXTURE fireplace surround wall. Look for new
COLOR RESCUE brick with paint. Working in a small For a more formal look, cover up geometric or colorful tiles to update
Another method is to re-stain your section, paint with a white, gray or an old tile or brick surround with a your fireplace. n
brick a different color, such as from red even beige shade, then wipe the paint piece of marble, granite or soapstone
to gray, for a more contemporary look. off. You may need more than one from your local stone store. Many ©2018 Kathryn Weber
This can be achieved with stains used layer to get the desired color. Be sure times, the store will have odd and Distributed by Tribune Content
for brick or concrete. There are several to do a test brick or area first. inexpensive pieces that will work Agency, LLC.
10 WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN ISLAND

by Kathryn Weber trimming it out with a new style. You can replacing the top with a material that’s different your kitchen by painting your island with a
add trim around the edges to give the island than the rest of the counters. If you have color that sets it apart from the rest of the room.
here’s one hardworking spot in the a board and batten style, or try recovering granite counters, replace the island top with a
kitchen, and it’s the island. Over it in shiplap. Another option is to give it a butcher block or a piece of solid-colored stone 6. MAKE A STATEMENT
Ttime, the cabinets of your island stone appearance with stone backsplash tiles. such as soapstone. If you have solid colored If you have an island with a solid front
might show some wear and tear and need a Underneath, add substantial corbels instead countertops, try a patterned island top such as surface, give the side panels some pizazz with
decorative pick me up. Or you might want to of simple wood brackets for an upgrade. marble or granite. a pattern. Cover with colorful tiles or textured
give your kitchen a style makeover, but you wall panels. This works well for islands that
don’t want to have to do a total renovation. 2. GIVE IT LEGS 4. GO FOR THE WATERFALL have a bar and a large open side.
Here are some quick ways you can perk up Adding legs to your island is a terrific way Instantly update your island by adding a
your kitchen island and give your kitchen a to add some style. Attach a pair of legs on either waterfall edge. This will give your island a 7. LIGHT IT UP
style boost. end of your island overhang to dress it up. new, fresh look quickly. Simply replacing your lighting fixture can
often be all it takes to give your kitchen island
1. REPLACE THE TRIM 3. GET A NEW TOP 5. PAINT a change. Look for a large single fixture, or try
Give your island some contrast by Give your island a distinctive edge by Make your island stand out, and perk up an oversized fixture to draw the eye and make
the island a focal point.

8. LEAVE IT OPEN
Kitchen islands do a lot of work, and if
you’re constantly opening cabinet doors to
access items, try removing the doors and
having open shelving to make bowls and
cookware or serving items easy to get to.

9. ADD BOOKENDS
If you have space on the end of your
kitchen island, consider adding shelves on one
or both ends to hold cookbooks. Depending
on the size of your island, you may even be
able to find ready-made shelves you can add
and trim out to make them look like they
were always there.
10. ENLARGE IT
Create seating by replacing the top with a
larger piece of counter material that extends
over the island. This will create a spot to slide
barstools under for seating. n

©2018 Kathryn Weber Distributed by
Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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