Upstate
It looks like a subtle moment in the design, but we really grappled with the installation of a stove hood,” Kloythanomsup says. “It was not clear if we needed a hood vent according to our state code, and our clients weren’t likely to use one with their style of cooking, but we suggested putting one in anyway to be safe. We chose to integrate a hood liner into a soffit built high above the stove, right above the cabinetry. We designed and built the soffit especially for this hood, so this was all considered and calculated beforehand. The soffit also conveniently caps the tall cabinets and upper cabinets so that we didn’t need to build cabinets to the ceiling, and shaved that off the budget.”
21. No-glass showers. Glass shower enclosures are great for controlling water spray while keeping an open and airy feel. But cleaning such enclosures is no day at the spa. If you’ve got the room, you can create a completely open shower area like the one in this Tiburon, California, bathroom by Schneider Design Associates. A small curb and partial wall offset a large marble-tiled wet area with enough room for multiple wall-mounted shower heads, a rain shower head and a freestanding tub.
Quartz Countertops This engineered product is one tough cookie. It isn’t foolproof, but it’s about as resistant to scratches and stains as countertops get. You only need a soft cloth and warm water for post-meal cleanup. If you have dried-on stains, quartz will hold up well to common cleaning products like Windex, Clorox and Lysol. The things to avoid? Corrosive chemicals and setting hot pans directly on its surface.
Tile
Widely spaced verticals set into a flower bed are a smart way to segregate a pool area from the rest of a yard. Here cedar posts anchor nearly transparent vinyl-coated stainless steel mesh. The view of the pool is blocked only by the bedding plants.
Pool off to side
Range/hood
Interior designer
consider built in desk?
Q