QUESTION: We are building a new home and the kitchen cabinets are a toffee-coloured birch. We have decided on black-and-cream-mottled granite for the countertops and a cream-coloured porcelain tile floor. The overall look is modern. I am wondering what type of kitchen table and counter stool design we should look for.
ANSWER: When you are dealing with natural elements, you have a large range of options. The natural qualities of these materials lend themselves to embrace designs from contemporary to country and everything in between.
The options for kitchen furnishings are great. If you are inclined to develop a sleek, modern ambience, incorporate metal into your selection. Many outdoor-furniture shops have a wonderful assortment of tables and chairs that can be outdoor- and indoor-friendly.
You could select the table only and match chairs from a different vendor. These tables tend to have tempered glass tops which are removable, offering a unique design option which allows you to have a granite top custom-fitted. To avoid overuse of the countertop granite, select a stone with less pattern, but in one of the prevailing countertop colours.
Another design option is to look for a two-toned wood table. A black top with brown stained legs (or the reverse) offers a definite urban feel to a kitchen. A straight or unadorned tapered leg will reflect a contemporary statement, whereas a turned or fluted leg will give the space an urban-country flavour.
QUESTION: I have a landscape question. What should we consider for creating a low-maintenance yard? We have seen some yards that are devoid of grass and look really attractive, and then there are others that look like a desert wasteland. How do we make this project always look good without the effort?
ANSWER: Just like an indoor design project, a successful and professional-looking landscape project needs to follow the same principles of scale, balance, colour and texture. You need to view your yard (and home) in its entirety. Your home should be the focus, with interesting landscaping that incorporates secondary and tertiary focal points to complete the picture.
There are many landscaping materials that are low maintenance. A popular choice is the use of rock to replace grass. Although this is a natural and easy-to-care-for option, it needs to be viewed as a backdrop for your project and not the main event.
If a yard is predominantly rock, without the addition of other elements, the project ends up looking uninspiring and unprofessional. Look to add interest in height, colour and texture with the inclusion of trees, shrubs and perennial plants.
Develop your design as a professional florist arranges flowers in a bouquet: Use height in the back or middle, surrounded with mid-height blossoms and framed with low-lying greenery.
Plants and trees are not completely devoid of maintenance, but with the right advice these species tend to take care of themselves with little additional effort, once they establish themselves.
Trees and shrubs are important for an esthetically pleasing yard that is predominantly rock.
Select various species that provide seasonal variation with blossoms and leaf colour. This will create a visually interesting display year-round. Adding conifers (evergreen varieties) will also offer interest even during the grey and white days of winter.
Large rocks, sculptures and waterfalls add interest to a yard, but their placement is very important. These elements will draw attention, so they must be considered as part of the whole project. Too often, homeowners add a sculpture or rock configuration that is simply incongruent with their home's style.
The expertise of a landscape or gardening specialist will be invaluable to achieving a professional look, even if you plan to do the bulk of the work yourself.
-- Canwest News Service
Leanne Brownoff is an Edmonton design consultant who welcomes your questions at www.leannebrownoff.com. Answers will be featured in her column, as high volumes prevent individual responses.
