SURFACES | COFFEE TABLES

Cofee Tables

The other surface, coffee tables. These are surfaces that can have huge impact. You can play around with texture, colors, and accessories. For a more personal look, you can have look books with family pictures, frames and sentimental items out. For a more funky look, have magazines with lots of color, or put a pop of color underneath like an area rug. If you like more simple and fresh looks, do something simple like a floral arrangement with some perennials or tulips in a simple vase, add a few books or magazines for some reading material. There are so many ways to style a coffee table, simple to over the top. Just don’t forget about this surface, it has a lot of potential. Your guest will appreciate a few magazines out or a conversation piece like your family album.

Felicia Klein

Krazy About Kohler

I’d like to think Kohler would appreciate my attempt at a clever play on words, as I prepare to gush about colorful demi-lavs and apron front kitchen sinks. There’s so much I want to show our readers, and so much I want to say about Kohler’s history of design, quality craftsmanship and innovation. At Eheart, we’re excited to stand behind a company that values function and aesthetics equally, and does a phenomenal job at executing both. The designers recently enjoyed a presentation on an array of the company’s newest sinks, faucets and toilets (if it sounds boring, you’ll have to trust me when I say it wasn’t), and we can’t wait to implement these designs in your kitchens and bathrooms!

Behold, Jonathan Adler’s collection of bold, colorful sinks (for a limited time only):

 

Kohler Enameled Cast Iron: at least 80% recycled material, artisan-crafted in Kohler, Wisconsin. Won’t chip, crack or burn–guaranteed for a lifetime. Who wants to go on a factory tour with me?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did I mention these apron front sinks? Several styles of which can be retrofit for your existing cabinetry. Affordable, beautiful farmhouse style sinks, here we come.

 

 

 

Designer Answers: Countertops

Designers field a variety of questions and concerns regarding the seemingly unlimited options available to consumers. Within any category–countertops, tile, hardwood, carpet, furniture, lighting–how does one narrow it down? What options are the best options, when aesthetics, maintenance, durability and value are all factors to consider?

Today, we’re excited to launch our “Designer Answers” series. Eheart designers are interviewed about various interior finishes and product, hopefully answering some frequently asked questions while also giving you insight into their personal style and preferences.

To start us off, Emily shares a wealth of knowledge (and a dose of witty humor) about countertop options.

Q: What’s the difference between granite and quartz?

Emily: Granite is a naturally occurring stone that comes straight from the earth. “Granite” is a fairly generic term that is utilized for a number of stones that, in truth, aren’t really granite. Quartz is made from natural stone, and is combined with a filler of some kind (depending on the manufacturer). Some use resin, some use polyester, some use other fillers.

Q: Is natural stone high maintenance?

Emily: Depends which one you pick. Not all granites are created equal. Some are more porous (typically, lighter colors) and some more brittle (for example, Cosmos) than others. Most natural stones require a small amount of maintenance that can typically be handled with a topical cleaner that maintains the seal on your slab and some require a re-seal every few years.

Q: Can I put marble on my bathroom vanity countertops?

Emily: Go for it, but don’t call me later! You can have your pick of surfaces, but some marbles are more porous than others, and some are quite sensitive. Check the labels on your cosmetics, lotions, and potions and make sure you don’t have a spill with your nail polish remover. That said, I’d put marble in a bathroom sooner than I would a kitchen.

Q: How do you feel about Corian and other man-made solid surfaces?

Emily: I’d rather die than use Corian, but I’m really enjoying the beauty of man-made solid surfaces that have been coming out recently (Cambria, other quartz products, etc).

Q: If you got to design your dream kitchen tomorrow, which countertop surface(s) would you select, and why?

Emily: Almost without a doubt, I’d pick Kodiak granite. It’s beautiful and has a nice blend of whites, creams, taupes, and a touch of black.

Q: What’s the average price point for granite?

Emily: I try my best not to answer this question, because there are so many variables, it usually feels like I’m lying. We can turn a quote around in about 1 day, so give us the opportunity to do it right. That said, most people’s kitchens cost about $5-8,000 and most master baths cost between $1500-3000.

Q: What’s your opinion of soapstone?

Emily: It’s beautiful, but I don’t love it for myself. It looks especially great when you oil or wax it. Also, it is a soft stone, comparatively, so that’s something to be mindful of.

Q: Concrete looks great, but won’t it chip and crack easily?
Emily: It’s fiberglass reinforced, so it’s not an extension of your driveway. It’s a whole new animal. Enjoy it for what it is!

This Just In! Playful Area Rugs Cure Spring Fever


spring fever (n). A feeling of restlessness, excitement, or laziness brought on by the coming of spring.

We’re thankful for the inspirational images (above) of rugs by Etsi Barnes, designer for London based company Top Floor. Fancy floral patterns? Here are a few more colorful carpets we like a whole bunch:

Fade into summer with a more muted area rug, like this one (above). We love the soft yellow and the pattern’s gentle nod to traditional ornamentation.

Take a Seat, Let’s Talk About Chairs.


Let’s talk about mixing & matching chairs.

The black color unifies the eclectic collection of chair styles.

Office chairs in a residential setting: delightfully unexpected!

The blue wall color shows up in most of the chair seats, leaving tons of room to play with frame styles.

Mixing & matching chairs can accomplish so much in a space. Have fun with color, play with size and shape, juxtapose styles. Can’t afford six Eames chairs? Just buy one!