Solutions with Style

Style or practicality? This seems to be the eternal question when it comes to interior design. Can a home have the look you crave but also be practical? Fred Puksta, product designer with Crown Point Cabinetry in Claremont, says the answer is yes.    

“Everyone’s project is different, but there are general strategies to help rooms achieve the aesthetic you want while saving money,” he says. “In an existing home, a good starting point is paring back what’s in the room. Design can get cluttered over time, and streamlining lets you really see a room and plan better.”

Designer Ann Henderson transformed a vintage bureau into a one-of-a-kind vanity by adding a red bowl sink and a modern faucet. Photo by John W. Hession

Consider removing wallpaper, chair rails and millwork as these can also distract, he says.

“I recommend making cardboard mockups of new elements before you make a change. They can help you arrange gallery walls before you insert nails and even aid in kitchen cabinet placement. Arrange your cardboard cabinets so you see the look and test the flow. If it’s not working, you haven’t committed.”

Puksta notes that easy, cost-effective room refreshes can be done with new coats of paint — easy to test beforehand with samples — replacing cabinet fronts or adding new hardware. For a bigger remodel, consider updating your kitchen with an “unfitted look.” 

“An unfitted look forsakes traditional cabinets and islands for furniture pieces, such as tables with storage, vintage dressers, buffets or hutches,” he says. “These pieces make statements and can be more personal.”

Puksta also recommends using only base cabinets, thus freeing up more wall space for windows or shelving, which opens up a kitchen, changing the look completely: “Many homeowners are also returning to the traditional pantry; this is a room adjacent to the kitchen where supplies and appliances are stored, leaving the kitchen itself free for cooking and entertaining.”

Storage is the challenge for many homeowners, but Puksta says your home may have more storage than you think. 

“Unexpected places can provide tasteful storage, such as under stairs. You may also be able to perforate walls to gain space. If a closet is on the other side of the wall, you could perforate that wall to allow your fridge to expand into that space. This allows the fridge to now sit flush to the cabinetry and gives you more kitchen space. A perforated wall can also give you deeper drawers, which creates more space in kitchens, bedrooms, anywhere.”

Another fix is not installing baseboard heat, which takes up space, but instead having radiant floor heating, which provides warmth but is hidden from view. 

Whether you are planning a new home or seeking to revamp an existing home, Puksta urges homeowners to consult with professionals for proven ways to blend functionality with their vision. 

“The internet can have great ideas, but the professionals have the experience and understand the technology needed to bring these ideas to life,” Puksta says.  NH

For more information on Crown Point Cabinetry, visit crown-point.com.