blog Archives - Blackrock Construction

Retro is in … really it never went out. Some us just crave a CUTE kitchen. But retro can go belly up if you don’t know how to shop for quality vintage pieces. The line between shabby chic and just shabby is very thin.

Here, we gathered some information from the pros on how to sort the gold from the gross, and make it work in your kitchen.

Function First!

“A kitchen is like a lab for food prep.” Eddie Ross, Chef & Designer

First to “work” in your kitchen, vintage material must actually WORK. Simple right? Often we fall for the gorgeous piece that is a little off, the drawers don’t pull out easily or the shelves are rickety. Do not shy away from small issues but be honest with yourself about the quality of the piece you are dying to purchase.

In addition to functioning well, vintage kitchen items have to be durable. The kitchen see’s a lot of action. No matter how many years an antique has already survived, it has to be durable enough to survive your kitchen. The truth is many vintage materials have lasted because of fact that they were made so well. Learn how to recognize durability. For wooden pieces, check that the joints are still holding up, and the wood is still solid throughout. Pick it up, or try to, good quality tends to be heavier than bad.

“If you’re going down the vintage route, you want to celebrate wear and tear on an item,” says Kevin O’Shea, Interior Designer. “ BUT, how flawed is too flawed? If an item has a little chipping paint, fine but if you see rot or cracks that means structural damage. Move on.

You do need to consider safety when shopping vintage. Think about lead paint. Ancient wiring. Any painted item pre dating 1978 most likely contains lead-based paint. You can purchase a test kit for a song, this will be a great aide when vintage shopping.

Before vintage kitchen shopping, take detailed measurements of the area you aim to fill. Always keep a tape measure on you. Hit the shops with an open mind, be thorough, dig around, look in the back corners of the store, you never know what gems have been waiting for you.

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

Are your clothes and accessories are works of art to you? Well give them the home they deserve! Walk in closets are no longer exclusively a perk of mansion living. While certainly a luxurious design detail can also be a hugely functional section of your home. The first thing to decide when considering walk in closet ideas is how to create the most functional space possible. These walk in closet design tips combine beauty, organization and that special feeling of luxury into one space.

Include different closet display elements to showcase your clothing and accessories.
A built-in vanity is a must have in a walk in closet.
Create a minimalist feel by installing doors that keep clothing hidden away.
Make sure there is a place for everything. A functional walk-in closet has plenty of storage options.
Your walk in should be a space that you want to spend time in.
The lighting in a walk in closet is everything. Combine different lighting options including backlighting, overhead and mood lighting.
Use mirrors on your closet doors to brighten the space up. In fact uses mirrors all over. You can not have too many mirrors in your closet.
Install an island as the catch-all for your smaller items.
Clothing boutiques can be great inspiration for your own walk in closet. Add elements you love from your favorite displays.
Drawers are the best way to store a variety of items in your closet.
A closet organized by color and length looks super organized and has an artistic appeal.
Add seating to your walk in closet.
You can use creative displays for shoes and accessories. Wall bars or open shelving highlights these pieces.
You can build up to make the most of your space. Install a ladder or have a step stool handy for easy access.
Choose white for your walk in closet. The simple color choice gives the illusion of a larger space and allows the cloths and accessories to do the talking.

Use these simple tricks to design the luxury walk in of your dreams.
To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

Do you want to know a secret? There IS no secret! Designers do not a list of hard and fast rules. They are simply creative types who love to imagine, dream and follow can their intuition to beauty. Sure there are some tricks and practices that make what they do successful but often they have learned from experience what works and what does not. Interior designers are just regular people with a knack for cool. Here are some known tips for you to use at home to make your living space better.

Pick the paint color last. Choosing paint is expensive and most people have favorite colors that they just can not wait to adorn their home with. Wait. You want the color that best complements your upholstery, artwork, and everything else. Your lighting also plays a huge factor in how paint color looks in your home. Wait to select your palette when your items are in the home and your lighting design is set.
Do not overcrowd the room. Resist filling a room with furniture. You don’t need to fill up a space with lots of furniture, it is a great feeling to maneuver a room with ease. Use your budget to buy quality pieces rather than a quantity of pieces.
Hang artwork at the right height. Okay I take it back, this is in fact a hard and fast rule! Artwork should hang at 57-60 inches from the floor, eye level. This applies even to rooms with very high ceilings, trust me you will not become taller because the ceilings are higher.
Avoid a theme. For example the “log cabin look”. You know, bear trinkets, plaid pillows, acorn etchings and details. This lacks individuality. Instead use a color palate to express your vision. In this case decorate with reds, browns and natural greens to create the vibe you desire subtly.
Ignore all principles in favor of creativity. This is my favorite tip. Guidelines gives people a good jumping off point for furnishing and decorating. Don’t get stuck behind these guidelines. Keep your decor personal and create a space that makes you smile and is comfortable.

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

Kitchen backsplashes no longer to simply protect walls from spills and splatters. You now have a wide array of materials in a variety of price points to choose from. What is your kitchen style? Do you prefer a tile, wood or metal backsplash? Check out these five fabulous backsplash ideas that are affordable on any budget.

A popular choice for appliances and sinks is stainless steel. You can match these design details with an eye catching backsplash. Stainless steel is an inexpensive and attractive option for most kitchens. This modern look is heat and moisture resistant and easy to wipe clean.

Choose inexpensive beadboard for an easy DIY choice. It comes as plywood or fiberboard panels that can be easily painted. If you choose a contrasting paint color it will make a great statement and be a winning design detail.

Ceramic tile is a very common choice and for good reason. You can find tile in any style, color, pattern or shape. If you can dream it, they have probably made it. Ceramic tiles stand up to moisture, heat and are easy to wipe clean.

Mirror, mirror. Try a mirrored backsplash to add depth to the room. It is an unusual design that is not TOO out there. Mirrors are great light reflectors so this is a great option in a small or dark space.

Many of us want a bold splash of color. This is an easy care solution to just that. Back-painted glass comes in thousands of custom colors. It is a really beautiful design technique, bringing an artistic element into your space. Not to mention so easy to clean!

Create your own work of art! Hand-paint a mural or design on plain white ceramic tiles. Once the painting is complete, the tiles must be glazed and fired in a kiln to hold the paint. This backsplash may be a little more labor intensive but all in the name of custom interior design.

Whether you are designing your new home or updating your current kitchen get inspired with these clever kitchen backsplash ideas.

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

Category: blog

Pro Tips To a Perfect Vintage Kitchen!

Elegant Walk-In Closet Design Ideas

5 Tips For Making Any Room Better

6 Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

Residential

Commercial

Development

News

Privacy Policy