​I met inspiration last week, thanks to Sina Pearson. 

​An iconic, award-winning textile designer, Ms. Pearson gave a master class in seeking out the mundane and the magnificent as a catalyst for her commercial designs.
 
“My husband and I would call on our clients to present our collection, and inevitably, at the completion of most of our meetings, our clients would ask me how I develop my ideas,” said the New-York based designer. “So I created this presentation.”
 
The informal talk, entitled “How I Design: A Photographic Presentation Highlighting my Journey to Become a Textile Designer and my Design Process,” was held at Officeworks Philadelphia, on August 6. Ms. Pearson described her creative development, including her 25 years as an independent commercial textile designer  and her current position as a designer with Momentum Fabrics. 

​Ms. Pearson credits a teen-age, family trip to visit her Swedish relatives as the initial supercharging of her already apparent creative streak.  “I was always making things, anything that had to do with textiles.  My mother used to tell me that when I was a little girl, I cut up fabric scraps and placed them on the sofa,” she said.
 
 “All four of my grandparents were Swedish immigrants, and being able to spend time traveling and studying textiles in Sweden made me even more  deeply aware of  and love my Scandinavian heritage,” she added.
 
The trip, and the colorful Norwegian sweaters she acquired there, became the source for her Nordic collection, a winner of Interior Design Magazine’s 2015 Best of Year Award. 

Folklore, color Lava (L) and color Glacier (R), from the Nordic Collection, Sina Pearson, Momentum Collection; https://www.memosamples.com/momentum_textiles.shtml
​

​Ms. Pearson considers the Folklore pattern as a “magic” fabric, one of those thrilling textiles that make her creative efforts worthwhile. “It seems to speak to people in the same way it touches me.  In my 45-year textile career, I’ve only had a small handful of magic fabrics, as they are elusive. I think every textile designer endeavors to create a magic fabric, and I’ve admired many from my competitors’ or colleagues’ work.  You know it when you see it,” she said.
 
This ability to engender a very personal response from designers and clients may safeguard this design field from excessive automation, she said. “I sometimes feel that the contract textile industry is a rare segment of today’s entire interior furnishings and fabric industry. For instance, apparel and home furnishing fabrics are produced in huge quantities that dwarf our market.
 
“I have seen how designers and clients respond to interior textiles in such as personal way, being attracted to its tactile and visual elements.  Textiles bring a human element to a space, and the subtle weave structure and the quality of color makes ‘hand designing’ textiles (even using the  computer  for the design resolution) so vital,” she added.
 
 “AI [artificial intelligence] could possibly create a pattern for a specific need, but the manner in which contract textiles are produced makes it difficult to imagine that it could replace actual design and weaving,” she said.

​ Ms. Pearson looks upon nature, geometry and landscapes as a way to combine colors and textures in innovative ways. Cityscapes, whether they be the views outside her studio windows, or the grids on Pittsburgh skyscrapers, energize her creativity.   Paris’ bright door paint colors get her designing, too.
 
Other inspirations include her travel experiences, both actual and envisioned. The “Fast Track” Sunbrella® collection was even inspired by the blur of colored clothing worn by New York Marathon runners as they labored to finish the race. 

​Ms. Pearson photographs what inspires her, and she shared some of her photo collection and the textiles they inspired.  She sees them as tools to aid in the “unrestricted use of imagination” in her work and can be exported to other areas of design.
 
 “While every designer has to address a client’s specific needs by careful planning, being open to gracefully accepting unexpected challenges can offer opportunities to make the project even better than first considered,” she observes. “Many of my textiles begin with what I think is a clear path to a particular design, yet end up quite different, and, I find, a better solution than I first imagined. 
 
“That’s OK, as I can’t begin to know how every possible iteration can affect the whole.  In fact, I look for the surprise of an unexpected color or weave combination. Those moments are keys to resolution.”

It's really great to be back! 

Over the winter, besides working on several specialized projects, I studied for, and successfully earned, two interior design proficiency certifications.  They comprise the National Kitchen and Bath Association's "Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD)", and the Residential Interior Design Qualification Council's RIDCQ designation.  

Earning these designations was very important to me.  Clients who engage me can be confident that my abilities have been tested and found to be proficient to beautify and improve their kitchens, baths and other rooms in an elegant, professional and safe manner.

I look forward to serving my clients to the best of my abilities. Please don't hesitate to contact me with your comments and questions.  Email info@lyonsarcher.com, or call my office at 215-860-5059.

Look for more news, coming soon!

​Before choosing stock or semi-custom cabinetry, it’s a good idea to look for two labels that indicate your potential purchase has passed certain quality tests.
​
The KCMA certification label, for instance, indicates that the cabinet has successfully passed five quality tests established by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA).  
While developed by KCMA members, the standards are codified by the independent American National Standards Institute (ANSI), under the performance quality standard ANSI A161.1.

The Five Tests…
The numerous tests for cabinets can be divided into five main areas; here are some test descriptions. 

1. “The Heavy Lift”: Here’s where cabinet shelves and bottoms are loaded with 15 lbs. weights per square foot for seven days. The end result shows if the shelves and bottoms experience joint separation or cabinetry or mounting system failures.  Other tests include dropping a 3 lb. ball onto a cabinet floor 6” above the surface of the cabinet floor.  The object is to test the floor’s sturdiness against common kitchen impacts, such as dropped cans. 

2. “Slides, guides and other stuff”: ​ This test requires drawers to be open and closed 25,000 times while containing a 15 lb. weight.  While the frequency is more than most households will experience, a passing grade is earned if the drawer slides continue to operate and the drawer integrity remains intact. 

3. “Don’t Worry, I Got This”: In this test, cabinet finishes are coated with common household corrosive substances, such as vinegar, coffee, alcohol and mustard.  Cabinets whose surfaces can be cleaned and aren’t discolored, peeling, or blistering pass the test. 

3. “Big doors swing on little hinges…”:  Doors are swung with 65 lbs. of weight on each door. The door is slowly operated for 10 cycles, from 90 degrees to 20 degrees, and returned to the 90 degree position.  The weight remains on the door for 10 minutes.  After the weight is removed, the door must show no visible damage and connections between the cabinet and the hinge, and the door and the hinge must exhibit no visible signs of looseness. 

5. “Somebody fan me…”: Cabinets are exposed to extreme humidity and to wide temperature fluctuations of  heat and cold.  If the cabinet shows no evidence of discoloration or evidence of blistering or other finish failures, it passes. 

​And is it sustainable?
The Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) label certifies sustainable processes throughout the manufacturing process.  Implemented in 2006 by KCMA, the program ensures the manufacturer has met criteria for low-formaldehyde-emitting components, sustainably harvested wood components and for energy conservation and active recycling of post-industrial products. 
 

Cabinet selections seem endless to the average consumer and the choices can be confusing.  However, an awareness of industry standards makes research easier and enables you to consider or discard options much more efficiently.
An independent kitchen designer, such as me, can also assist you in the selection and design of your new, beautiful kitchen.  Please reach out to me for assistance at info@lyonsarcher.com, or 215-860-5059.  I’d be happy to help you!
 
Sources: The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturing Association website: https://www.kcma.org
​
Besides certifying that cabinet manufacturers meet durability and safety standards, the multi-faceted KCMA, founded in 1955, provides cabinet makers with business development opportunities, education and research and advocacy.  
​

Why is it that a room can “match” and lack appeal, while a space with seemingly disparate furnishings works impressively?

Much depends on three qualities that capture the essence of good design: consistency, coherence and comprehensiveness.   A good interior specialist applies these three “c’s” with an understanding that they are the foundation for designing all rooms with classic style that never bore, or age badly.

 Think of it this way: you enter a room designed and installed in the late ‘40s, in true mid-century modern style.  If you observe that by lightly refreshing (not changing) the room’s aesthetics, your room retains its beauty and functionality, you are probably in a room that meets the three “c’s”.

Be consistent…but do not bore!

In the context of design, consistency is the disciplined ability to source furnishings and utilize design principles that enhance an overall design objective, sometimes in unexpected ways.  This is especially true in locations with very old, or historic housing stock, such as in East Coast brownstones or in European townhouses.  

 In the example shown below, the homeowner’s contemporary taste is the first thing we see, via the light wood floor and island finishes, the restrained accessorizing and the barstools’ bright yellow upholstery.  The ornate fireplace surround and the plasterwork are secondary, yet complimentary. 
​
The current owner’s taste for contemporary furniture and her home’s over-the-top plaster moldings would not, at first blush, work.  However, by painting the walls and the moldings a neutral color, and de-emphasizing (but not eliminating) period details, elements of the past frame the present. It works.

Coherence…do you get it?

We think of coherence as something that makes sense. It’s the same in design.  When each room in a home is done in a different style, and colors either don’t complement each other or do not adequately contrast, the home is confusing and incoherent.

Out-of-period furnishings forcibly injected into an existing design scheme can rob a room of any cohesion, unless they are positioned and lit properly as a “one-off”.

A coherent home subtly replays a set of colors, textures and themes throughout.  It may require a re-model, or replacement of moldings that don’t match throughout the home.  In a home with design coherence, an observer can stand in one room, look through the doorway into a second room, consciously or unconsciously, and see a recurrence of color, texture or theme.
​
In the photo below, note how the same hue of brown is used in varying tones and shades to pull the two rooms together.  Most of the wall space is unoccupied, yet through the clever use of textures, including the grass cloth wallpaper in the farthest room, both rooms enhance each other and hold interest. 

Comprehensive…a balance of time, money and patience    

Shelter television has done a great disservice to true interior design.  What we see on TV entertains, but it also underprices materials and labor, and presents unrealistic project timelines. 

A good project outcome requires solid preplanning to recognize construction limitations, and to establish a budget, a functional and aesthetic objective and a reasonable timeline. Here are some guidelines to consider:

1. Establish a realistic budget for the project; sometimes it’s not how much money you spend, it’s where you spend it.
2. Even if you are working on one room at a time, keep your home’s overall look or scheme in mind. 
3. Work with your designer to establish an overall layout and color palette for all the rooms you eventually plan to design.  Develop a timeline for each aspect of the project.
4. Because kitchens and baths are so critical to your comfort, never begin the actual renovation until the cabinets, appliances and critical fixtures are on the premises.  
5. Don’t over-specify; for example, don’t opt for painted cherry cabinets when maple will do. 
6. Don’t remodel under pressure.  Start remodels well in advance of major events like holidays, weddings, in-law move-ins, etc. Cabinet production can be delayed, mistakes are possible and that must-have draperies fabric can be on backorder.
7. Don’t assume “anything goes” when it comes to load-bearing walls or other physical features.  Some limits can be moved, others cannot without considerable expense.

Interior and kitchen design requires skill, patience and attention to detail.  Most projects are a sizable investment in time and money, and they need to satisfy for a long time.

An interior designer who relies on consistency, coherence and a comprehensive approach to each project will protect your investment, maximize your satisfaction and ensure your design is classic and functional.  Please reach out to me if you would like me to do that for you!  You can reach me at 215-860-5059.

​Just in time for the scariest of holidays, here’s a list of hair-raising design “don’ts” that strike panic in my heart!  I’ve listed them here with alternatives you may want to consider when you plan your kitchen or bath.
​
“Cabin Fever” Shower Rooms
​
While it’s a great idea to repurpose a conveniently located closet or small alcove as a shower room or extra bath, too much tile can be, well—claustrophobic and institutional.

 Instead, tile to about 3” above the shower head rough-in. Cap the wall tile with bullnose trim and paint the remaining wall space and ceiling with paint for damp locations, such as Benjamin Moore’s Aura Bath and Spa Paint, or Valspar Reserve.

Or, consider breaking the unending vista of white tile with a contrasting colored border or an application of listello tile.  Here’s an example of how simple black and white tile pattern adds interest. 

​
​Knives on a Counter or Exposed on a Magnetic Rack
​
Knives on parade are a pet peeve of mine.  Store them in drawers, away from little fingers…or Chucky.

​​Other kitchen tools and small appliances should be stored out of sight, too.  For more counter space, use cabinet garages for blenders and toasters, and mixer lifts that disappear into base cabinets, like those shown here.  

​Backsplashes…from the Crypt
​

​I used to have one of these…one could only imagine the black lagoon creatures living in the grout, which I seldom found time to replace.  My clients say the same thing.  So we choose a solid surface backsplash in patterns, ranging from the classic to the contemporary, depending on the cabinet style.

Stone or quartz, there are no grout lines to reseal, re-grout or scrub with a toothbrush.  With an approved surface cleaner, grease and kitchen soil wipe clean.  And the surface, uninterrupted by vertical and horizontal lines, permits the backsplash to take center stage, adding texture to the kitchen design.
​
For example, Dekton’s “Orix”, part of the “Pure Street Style Industrial Collection”, calls to mind a ferrous finish with blue/gray/green shades.  The color combination creates movement and interest without relying on traditional patterns that imitate stone.  

​Microwaves over a Range or “Double, Double Toil and Trouble …”
​

​
​Microwaves over a range are known as the “Contractor Special” for their prevalence in tract homes. The advent of drawer microwaves that can be located in a run of base cabinets or an island makes this arrangement unnecessary.  

Who wants to reach above a hot range to place or retrieve one or more boiling pots or casserole dishes? And, most fans in these microwaves recirculate stale air through the kitchen because they are seldom vented to the outside. 

​Drawer microwaves, especially newer ones with touchless features or hidden controls are easier to maneuver and clean.  Since microwaves are among the first appliances children learn to use, placing them in a base cabinet is safer than over the range. 

​Corner Whirlpool Bathtubs on Steps…Nevermore

What could be more dramatic than steps leading up to a relaxing whirlpool?  How about slipping on a wet surface and getting injured? What a nightmare!

​Most of my clients want the large bathtubs removed and replaced with a shower, or with a bathtub flush to a wall. 

​One of my favorite options is Kohler’s “Tea for Two” series.  This two-person tub is available as a drop-in or under mount, in sizes ranging from 60” x 32” to 72” x 36”.  Depending on the model, features include whirlpool, zone-controlled bubble massage, built-in heater, and chromatherapy.

Safety, convenience, easy maintenance and elegance are the marks of the storage solutions, finishes and appliances I’ve recommended here.
 Keeping these three features top of mind as you work with your designer to plan your kitchen or bath will guarantee that your new space will bring you satisfaction, instead of howls of disappointment.

Boo!
​Sources:
Shower with Tiled Border
http://www.muskokaliving.ca/
Drawer Knife Storage:
https://www.rev-a-shelf.com/p-528-cut-to-size-insert-wood-double-knife-block-for-drawers.aspx?variant=2324
Small Appliance Garage:
https://www.bigdiyideas.com/40-clever-storage-ideas-for-a-small-kitchen/
Mixer Storage:
https://www.rev-a-shelf.com/p-206-mixer-appliance-lift-mechanism-without-shelf-sink-and-base-accessories.aspx?variant=701
Solid Backsplash:
https://www.cosentino.com/en-ca/news/new-dekton-industrial-collection-by-daniel-germani-launches-in-canada/
Drawer Microwave
http://www.sharpusa.com/ForHome/HomeAppliances/Microwaves/Models/SMD2480CS.aspx
 
 

​One of the most challenging, yet rewarding, aspects of design is wall colors.  I think it’s harder to select paint than wallpaper.  One has to consider the room’s orientation to the sun and how to complement the coolness (northern exposure) or warmth (southern exposure). 
Especially in open plan homes, it’s important to keep the color intensity consistent across rooms or functional spaces, or you risk one color dominating the rest.  Here are a few color combinations I’ve recently used in client projects that complement each other beautifully. Hats off to Benjamin Moore Paints.
Elegant and Enduring…
These are colors your never tire of. Safari is one of my go-to colors; it introduces a warm, soothing yellow that really complements a room with a Northern exposure.  It is not a brassy yellow and it works well with the purple finishes and furnishings, which seem to be in demand these days.
When I cut Grasshopper back to 50 percent, it loses a lot of its gray tone, and moves towards a pastel green with depth.  Old Prairie is an effervescent gray, which I’ve used to good effect with green and navy blue furnishings and finishes. 

​Easy Does It…
I used the following color for clients who were changing from the previous owner’s intense hues. My clients wanted touches of color, not imposing shades or dramatic tones.  Theses paints add warmth and interest, yet are fairly neutral.  

Dutch Drama…
I admit it, the “Girl in the Pearl Earring” movie and now, “The Miniaturist” on PBS, are inspirations for these rich and dramatic paint combinations.  They are reminiscent of the deep pigmented hues seen in Renaissance paintings from the Low Countries like The Netherlands and Belgium.

You can accessorize these colors with brushed chrome furniture and accessories for a Contemporary look, or with rich wood  for a more traditional approach.

​Short of painting these colors on your wall, test paint colors by applying them to large pieces of watercolor paper.  I usually have several pieces of each color that I move around the room, so I can see how the paint behaves in the day’s different lights.
For more information on how you can choose the optimal paint color for your home, contact me at 215-860-5059, or email me at info@lyonsarcher.com.

What could an Italian Baroque church and your kitchen POSSIBLY have in common?  Surprisingly, quite a lot, as I learned from a recent client’s project.
​ 
Situated in a noisy, dusty Roman crossroad, the Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane is a masterful solution to a difficult location.  Unlikely as it may seem, this church conveys important lessons for designers and their clients as they design challenging kitchens.  Here’s why:

​Successful kitchen remodeling requires a frank recognition of your home’s overall style, your available space, your budget and how you will use the rooms or space.  And the approach must be visually interesting to camouflage defects and highlight assets.

Tall order, right? That’s where we take lessons from the San Carlo and its famous architect, Francesco Borromini. 
​
Borromini’s primary challenge was the church’s proposed plot of land. It was cramped, surrounded by structures that could not be moved or stylistically changed.

​Sort of like my client’s kitchen: there was a 21” deep unused alcove, situated in the historic townhouse kitchen, crying out for more storage space.  The alcove’s three structural walls could not be moved and the owners liked to entertain.

However, the 21” depth only affected the far left and right sides of the alcove.  Most of the center could accommodate a regular 24” base cabinet. So shelving and a wine cubby, which could accommodate a 21” depth, were relegated to the far left and right, respectively.  Challenge solved.
​
Borromini also used geometric shapes and undulating lines to keep the eye moving back and forth across the façade and the interior areas.

​ Similarly, in my client’s kitchen, the protruding center base cabinets add interest without overwhelming the relatively compact townhouse kitchen. Another challenge solved.

A word of encouragement as you consider your own redesign needs: there are often more solutions than challenges.  Defining your design challenge as specifically as you can will refine your search and keep you from getting confused. 

Borromini did it on a grand scale.  With a designer’s touch, so can you.  And your kitchen will be as uniquely beautiful, and functional, as Borromini’s masterpiece.
​
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with your questions—it’s my responsibility to keep current with constantly evolving, and personalized solutions, especially for you.
 

​Late summer…a time when kids move on to conquer the brave new world.  And whether your children have moved out of a basement or a bedroom, you have just been given a massive amount of space to repurpose and enjoy. Here are some practical tips for using the space wisely.

First, declutter and give the junk away. Vietnam Veterans of America, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are just some of the entities you can use to get rid things you no longer need.  Give yourself five minutes and you can come up with at least 10 other organizations which would benefit from your generosity. Then get going.

Once you have completed this step, take a minute to consider your work habits, hobbies and personal storage needs. 

​Has your dining room table doubled as a home office desk for the past 10 years?  Then it’s time to clean out a bedroom; furnish it with attractive office furniture to give yourself a dedicated, personal space for working from home.  And don’t forget to include good lighting, a comfortable chair and an ottoman for reading those reports.

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/aspect-walnut-modular-office-with-2-file-cabinets/s477983
​

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/rhys-leather-bench-seat-chair/s625158
​

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/petrie-midcentury-ottoman/s106340
​

​Have a hankering to go back to your watercolor painting—a skill from long ago?  Then, pick the newly empty room closest to a water line, and outfit one wall with base and wall cabinets, and a small bar sink.   Organize the base cabinets with dividers for different sized canvases, and pull-outs so supplies stay organized and accessible.  And the sink is good for clean-up.

​Your smallest bedroom can be converted into a beautiful storage closet.  Use it for seasonal clothing items, to store holiday decorations or for every day.  If used for clothing and shoes, integrate luxurious seating.  And, good lighting is a must, so that you get a true read on the clothing colors. 

http://www.villagehandcrafted.com/special-projects
​

​Most importantly, take the time to decide what you truly need and want. And, if you need a sounding board, consider hiring a designer. Designers will assist you in matching the space to the function, with layout, lighting and aesthetics. Services can range from hourly consults to specifying finishes to overseeing the entire project.   
​
However you decide to repurpose your empty nest, remember that your ultimate goal is to make it comfortable, attractive and functional for nobody but you.