Sinclair on the Behance Network

Sinclair on the Behance Network

Watch this at NECN

Newton Home Gets Smart Remodel

We have recently started the design for a kitchen remodel and home addition in Newton.

Our clients came to us with a family that was out-growing the size of their home and with a wife who LOVES to cook, but lacks the space to do it.

This lovely cape-style home, built in the 1920's, has a very traditional feel. As the client is a big fan of cooking and baking, they have asked us to expand their kitchen to make it more spacious and inviting. We are going to be adding a double oven, upgrading all the appliances, installing beautiful shaker style cabinetry and putting in a glass back splash for a more updated look that will still fit the style of their Newton home.

The home addition will fit perfectly with the exterior of their home, as we will be changing the roof line so the addition complements the original style. The idea here is to create an addition which appears as though it was always there. On the second story of their home addition, we are expanding their daughter's room and giving her a larger closet.

Our new design will solve the space problems our clients were having and will make their home much more comfortable, livable and inviting.

Having Guests for Thanksgiving Dinner?

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year. There's no better way to celebrate Fall and all we are thankful for, then by bringing in the out doors this year for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

Here are some smart tips to help make your Thanksgiving dinner decor a smashing success and makes your guests coming back for more!

1. Try filling a tall glass vas with some items from the outdoors like leaves, pine cones or branches. These will add warmth and natural beauty to your home.

2. Decorate with colors that match the leaves outside. Use oranges, browns and deep reds. This will also add warmth and a sort of "cozy-ness" to the space.

3. Candles are a must! Adding candles to any setting will keep that elegant flare one expects at a dinner party. Of course, keep away from small children and flammable materials!

4. Try finding or making creative napkin rings for the table. These will add a unique flare to your table setting. If they are home-made, your guests can take them home as favors.

5. Presentation is everything. For Thanksgiving in particular, the food is a huge part of the celebration. Make sure your dinner is presented on matching plates and platters that fit with the rest of your decorations.

This tips are courtesy of New England Design & Construction. Feel free to contact us if you would like to do a kitchen, bath or full home remodel and you live in our surrounding areas: Boston, Newton, Wellesley, Natick, etc.

Victoria Sene

Lead Designer

New England Design & Construction

(617) 708-0676

Remodeling Your Kitchen and Keeping it Green

There are many things to consider when remodeling a kitchen. You have to consider the style you'd like, the color scheme, the appliances, the fixtures, and much more. One of the main things people are considering now when doing a kitchen remodel (or a remodel of any part of their home) is how environmentally friendly do they want their new kitchen to be, and how much is that going to effect the cost of their project.

Cost is an important factor when trying to keep a home green; but something to keep in mind is that it can be done effectively, efficiently and in-expensively. You also have to keep in mind that while you may have to pay a little more for things like VOC-free paints, long term you will save on your health and your general well-being.

The next thing to consider then, is how is it done. And how is it done in-expensively? It is actually quite simple. The simplest thing to start with his your cabinetry. You can do one of two things. The least expensive option would be to re-use your current cabinetry. You can give your kitchen cabinets a new look by sanding them down and re-staining them or re-painting them to your liking. Just remember, if you are trying to keep your kitchen remodel as health-happy and environmentally friendly as possible, use paints and stains that VOC free or have very low VOC. The other option for your kitchen cabinetry would be to get totally new cabinets that are made from FSC woods (which are formaldehyde free). In this case, you will be spending more money, but you will get a "newer" kitchen.

After picking out your cabinetry you should pick out your countertops. There are many sustainable options for this. If you interesting ideas are bamboo, recycled glass or Paperstone. These very widely in cost, so at this point it becomes a matter of style and taste and what fits you most.

Once you've picked out the countertops for your kitchen, the next is to pick out your backsplash. Some different options for this are recycled glass, recycled tile or recycled aluminum. These can also very in price, so it's again a matter of taste and style.

With that, you have the basic design of your kitchen, and you can consider the most important part--your appliances. A sustainable option is to use as many of your existing appliances as possible (if you decide not to re-use them, make sure to donate them to an organization who could put them to good use). The other, more eco-friendly option which in the long term is easier on the wallet, is to get appliances that are Energy Star rated. This will save you on your energy bill, as well as help the environment.

So there you have, some simple suggestions to consider when looking at doing a full kitchen remodel. I hope you found it helpful!

Feel free to contact us if you would like to do a kitchen remodel and you live in our surrounding areas: Boston, Newton, Wellesley, Natick, etc.

Victoria Sene

Lead Designer

New England Design & Construction

(617) 708-0676

Color Alert!

One of the most trendy colors this season is Persimmon. What’s that? Persimmons are a fiery red-orange fruit, similar to the tomato, which are found mostly in Asia. It was known by the Ancient Greeks as “the fruit of gods”. This fiery color is perfect for adding a little spice into your daily living.

If you have not already seen it, you are definitely going to start seeing this color everywhere. For example, check out this side table by West Elm:

Or this duvet collection by DwellStudio:

Or even this trendy lamp from Crate & Barrel:

If you wanted to try something really smart with this lively color, you could paint your walls like, Interior Designer, Paula Schumanm did in this vintage themed home:

(image from Home & Design Magazine)

Keep your eyes peeled for this vibrant color. Its classic, its warm and its taking over!

Featured Project--Urban Living Made Green

We have recently completed the design, and started construction, on a beautiful loft in the South End, Boston. What was once a simple loft, is about to be transformed into an urban paradise.

This 1300 square foot loft, is going to have the perfect balance of the industrial feel, which is so common in lofts, and the earthy tones and materials that will bring the outdoors in.

Upon entering this space, you will be greeted by the open kitchen and living room areas. The kitchen will have lacquered white cabinets, stainless steel top of the line appliances, natural stone countertops and a gorgeous reclaimed white oak dining room table which joins the kitchen island at a lower plane, providing a smooth transition from the kitchen into the dining room area.

Moving into the living room area, the floor transitions from lacquered concrete flooring into a beautiful grade of antique heart pine wood planks. In the living room there will be a custom made built-in to house electronics, white oak floating shelves to match the dining room table, and the existing wall of 6' windows with a view of the city. We are also building a custom 6' long planter, which will match the heart pine flooring, to go against the back wall. This will enter in a lot of green into the space and tie together the industrial and natural looks.

We are adding a guest room, and an additional bathroom, maximizing the space, yet retaining the same open loft feel. The bathrooms will have high-end fixtures, gorgeous tile and the functionality that is most desirable in one's home.

Watch out for more updates on this project was move further into construction and closer to completion as each day passes.

If you are interested in doing a project like this, visit our website at www.nedesignbuild.com for more information.