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We are an award–winning real estate team at Douglas Elliman, serving both Long Island and New York City. With over $35,000,000 in rental and sales volume for 2024*, we are very grateful for the business we have closed & are excited for what the new year will bring. Your trust, support, and partnership means the world to us.
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ABy Sharon Naylor
n easy yet effective way without spending a fortune is to transform a room is to install new and stylish shelving features. You don’t need to build a bookcase that extends the entire length of a wall. That kind of big, heavy feature lessens the floor space of your room and can make the space look smaller. What is trendy for interior design right now is the addition of individual shelf pieces and ledges measuring two feet, three feet or four feet in length. A single attractive shelving piece gives framed artwork a chic place to rest and a small grouping of collectibles a tasteful home.
Consider these shelf and ledge features any of which would serve you well in getit-done-in-no-time home decor project. Ultra-narrow shelving. A ledge that extends just two inches to four inches from the wall maintains the open and airy space of a room, especially if it’s a small room. The new class of ultra-narrow shelving features a groove or a front lip that keeps frames, artwork and smaller items securely in place.
Consider installing a narrow single shelf the entire length of the wall, set high to run above the windows, for the purpose of displaying artwork and collectibles the full length of the room. When painted the same color as the wall, the shelf becomes an “invisible” architectural detail that eliminates the “stuck to the wall” effect of a contrasting color.
Rustic wood ledges. Rustic adds a more natural look and feel to a room. Unique woods such as bayur offer that telltale aged look of rustic charm. One top trend for rustic shelves and ledges is displaying not just one piece, but two or three in different sizes, such as a four-footer on the bottom, a three-footer above that and a two-footer above that. The stacked effect maintains rustic comfort while providing a unique visual flair that’s far more en vogue now than a trio of matching shelf lengths.
Rattan. For an island-style effect, choose a wood shelf that gives the effect of woven rattan. One popular style is an extra-thick mango wood shelf with a chunkier appearance, giving the look and feel of a fireplace mantle because it is six inches high, as opposed to those four-
inch-high display shelves.
Marble top. A white marble embedded with natural crystalline sparkles, and colored veining provides a European elegance for a bathroom, kitchen or white-decor living room. With a decorative black metal brace beneath, the effect is opulent, yet still soft enough for modern decor.
Beveled-edge shelves. The slight angles of a beveled edge add a more formal look to a shelving piece and may coordinate with other furniture pieces in the room. One style to check out is a corbel decorative shelf with beveled edges, cutout corners and curved supports that, with its classic profile, adds to the architecture of a space. Decorators advise you to use them in rows or with staggered shelves to showcase frames, books and keepsakes.
Moulded-base shelves. Shelving pieces with decorative moulding on the bottom can coordinate with the design of moulding encircling the tops of your walls, for a polished look.
A-frame bookcases with matching shelves above. Look for a four-shelf
A-frame bookcase in trendy colors made from solid hardwood and veneer for a contemporary, geometric pattern. Matching small ledges above or positioned on either side extend the wood shelving effect in an eye-pleasing upward direction to continue the display of similar items, such as books, collectibles and artwork.
Gallery-style display. The gallery wall is one of the top design trends, encouraging the artistic collection of different colors and sizes of framed art arranged randomly on a wall. Narrow-edged shelving pieces or ledges can be used to create this same effect, and it may be your choice to display matching frame colors and styles — in different sizes for visual effect — to show off your kids’ artwork and other prints or creations.
Mix shelving units with shelves and ledges. Individual shelf and ledge pieces can be hung between two built-in bookcases, such as above a bed and situated in the middle, or small ledges could be hung next to a bookshelf to make use of staircase space and other awkward empty wall areas.
Eco-friendly woods. Since green living is a top trend in interior design, choose eco-friendly bamboo, or borrow from prized designers who use reclaimed wood such as railroad ties and pine lengths to customize inventive shelves.
Natural colors. The top hues of shelving pieces include mahogany, cherry wood, espresso and lighter shades such as natural, white and silver. Brights may be used in children’s rooms, nurseries and now even in kitchens for a pop of color in an all-white or tan space. And keep in mind that the key to perfect shelving pieces is precise, level installation.
rule 1-2-3 The right colors
WBy Joseph Pubillones
henever I tell people I am an interior designer, invariably they say, “I know what I like, but I am completely confused about how to pull it all together,” or, “Oh, one day when I can afford to hire a designer, I will call you.” Creating a room that feels designed isn’t rocket science. It’s actually quite simple. I am going to share with you my “1-2-3” rule for the basic design of any room.
No. 1: Select a beautiful color for the walls. Everyone down deep inside knows what colors they generally prefer . Take inspiration from anywhere and everything. It can come from the color of a favorite shirt, your car or the color of the sky at a particular time. My suggestion is this: Whatever that color is, select a pale, light version of it.
For example, if the color you love is orange, consider using a soft peach or light apricot color for the walls. This will introduce the color palette of your prefer-
ence into the room without overwhelming it. Of course, any woodwork or millwork in the room can be painted in another color. My favorite color for millwork is a soft white that is not too stark or bright. As with most things in life, the novelty of painting a room in a color that is too vibrant will wear away, and you’ll be left with the desire to repaint the room.
No. 2: Stick to two main upholstery fabrics. The colors and prints should be complementary. One fabric can be a solid, whereas the other fabric might take on a print, such as a floral, plaid, animal spots or stripes. If you like a simpler and more tailored room, use the solid on the principal upholstery items, such as the sofa or a pair of club chairs.
The other printed fabric can be used on smaller chairs or benches. If you prefer a bolder look, do the opposite; use the printed fabric on the larger main upholstered items, and keep the occasional pieces solid.
No. 3: Bring in up to three other
When designing a kitchen, homeowners typically give substantial consideration to many elements of their dream design, including cabinet and countertop materials and which brand of appliances they most prefer. But few may consider the lighting for the room as thoroughly.
Lighting is an important consideration in any room, but most especially in the kitchen, where people tend to gravitate and spend a good portion of their time. The right lighting can have a dramatic effect on the functionality of the kitchen, including how the space feels when you enter it. The right blend of lights can create a vibrant mood in the kitchen, while light can be adjusted according to what needs to get done in the space.
Establishing a lighting plan in a kitchen requires a combination of different lights. The main focus should be on three distinct lighting types: task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting.
Task Lighting
Task light is beneficial anywhere a person will need to perform tasks that require close concentration, such as chopping vegetables. Task lighting shines direct light onto a surface, illuminating it thoroughly, and it can be turned off when it is not needed.
Task lighting is generally placed above counters and islands where one will be slicing vegetables and preparing food. There may be lighting over the sink to illuminate dirty dishes. If a kitchen has a desk area, lighting above the desk will make that area more functional. Many task lighting designs include lights under cabinetry to shine down onto counters and eliminate shadowed recesses. Under-cabinet lighting is a relatively inexpensive add-on for existing kitchens.
You can add lighting afterward to focus more light onto countertops.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is another name for all-over lighting that fills a room. During the day, ambient light may stream in from windows and skylights. However, at night, ambient lighting is created by different light fixtures in a room. In the kitchen, overhead fixtures are a popular choice for ambient lighting. A blend of hanging pendant lamps, chandeliers and recessed lighting can create the amount of light needed.
Pay special attention to the bulbs and fixtures they choose, as not all produce the same amount of light. Those concerned about energy efficiency also must give mind to whether the bulbs will use a lot of energy or last a long time. Compact fluorescent bulbs as well as LED lighting are long-lasting and do not use as much energy as incandescent bulbs.
colors/prints/motifs to the room. This is your opportunity to personalize and jazz up the style of a room. Select other colors — e.g., a stronger version of the wall color — that will enhance and underline that original color you loved. These additional colors can be introduced in pillows, rugs and accessories. You also can spike interest in a room by selecting a motif that you repeat over and over in different ways, colors and sizes.
Following this simple “1-2-3” rule should take the mystery out of designing a room. Creating a successful room doesn’t necessarily mean that every item in the room has to match. As a matter of fact, there is something to be learned from slightly mismatched or quirky pairings. This is what gives a room personality. Be confident, and select what you really love. Your room will shine with your personality and style.
If you follow the “1-2-3 rule when designing your room, you won t go wrong with your color scheme.
Indirect ambient lighting softens shadows in a room, creating a warm, inviting glow. It is an important layer of light that is often overlooked in the kitchen. Setting ambient lighting on a dimmer enables homeowners to cast a mood that is desired when the kitchen isn’t being used for prep work.
Accents
If there are key elements around the kitchen that a person would like to highlight, such as a china set, accent lighting can do the trick. Spotlights can be used to show off collectibles, while a subtle strip of lighting can illuminate a wall of artwork. Many people like to install accent lighting inside of cabinetry to create dramatic focal points.
Some folks may want to incorporate decorative lighting in their kitchens. This is the use of ornate chandeliers, hanging pendants and other eye-catching fixtures. Decorative lighting should be considered in proportion to the size of the kitchen. Therefore, smaller kitchens will have smaller fixtures and vice versa.
Decorative lighting may be the most expensive type of kitchen lighting, so you might prefer to plan ahead for the inclusion of decorative accents by having the wiring ready and then adding the fixtures over time. Lighting in a kitchen can be just as important as which appliances and other accessories homeowners choose for their kitchens. Without the right mix of lighting, the kitchen may not be functional or inviting.
In the dynamic world of real estate, one name is prominent: Richard Baumel. Richard’s commitment to his clients and deep connection to the neighborhoods he serves set him apart. With a lifetime of experience living in Far Rockaway, Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Cedarhurst, Manhattan, and Woodmere, Richard brings unmatched local knowledge to his work. He goes beyond selling homes; he creates legacies, nurtures dreams, and builds communities. Choosing Richard means gaining more than a realtor – you gain an ally, a neighbor, and a friend who will guide you towards your future. If you want a trusted partner for your real estate journey, call Rich!
