 Antique brass, polished nickel, chrome: the list goes on. What’s a person to do? It can be overwhelming. When it comes to luxury interior design, mixing metals is the it thing, but many of my clients have been asking me how to make it work. Combining metals is a great strategy for a stunning room, as long as you follow some basic guidelines. Metals 101 Before we start mixing, we need to cover some basics on metal finishes. There are so many to choose from. Where to begin? Let’s start with the most popular silver toned metals: chrome, nickel, and stainless steel. While all are silver, chrome has a blue undertone and nickel a warmer brown one. Stainless steel goes well with both, but avoid mixing chrome and nickel, as it will appear a near miss. Nickel is more expensive, but chrome can give a great modern shine to contemporary interiors. What’s with all the gold?! Many of us remember the 1980’s and all the brass that came with it. As a designer, I have spent many remodels pulling all of it out. But it's back, and in a new and sophisticated way. Don’t be afraid to embrace this trend. You don’t have to change out every door knob and hinge in your home. In fact, matching everything will make your home look dated. Cabinet hardware or light fixtures are great places to try adding gold tones. Most pulls are standard in size and can be changed out easily if you tire of it, and a light fixture is an easy update for a room. If bright gold is too brash for you, consider antique brass or bronze. Their rich, subdued colors are stunning and easier to mix with other metals. Rose gold and copper are also hot, but I tend to save this one for the more daring among us, or use it in accent pieces in the room.  Darker options like iron, gun metal, flat black and the more traditional oil-rubbed bronze are great options as well, giving contrast on cabinetry and counter tops. Now that you have your metal color, you have to pick the texture too! Polished and brushed are the most common. That decision can come down to maintenance as polished can show more water spots and fingerprints. However, the shine of polished is often just the sparkle a room needs. Old favorites like hammered can give a more rustic air, or consider new textures as well, like knurled brass for a luxurious industrial feel.  Now for those metal mixing guidelines! Choose a Dominant Metal One method is to choose a dominant metal that is the most prominent. Once you’ve done this, you can choose one or two accent metals to complete the rest of the look. For example, make a kitchen with stainless steel appliances sparkle by choosing a chandelier or vintage statement piece with wrought iron or brass accents. Your cabinet hardware can pick up the accent metal while your plumbing fixtures can stay a beautiful brushed nickel to keep in pace with your appliances. Your lights and hardware are the “jewelry” of the room. Let your appliances, faucet, and sink be the basics in stainless. My rule of thumb is two metals, with one taking a dominant role. A third can be used here and there, but as an accent in small amounts.  Panel Your Appliances Integrating your appliances with cabinet panels takes away the large blocks of metal in your space, allowing you to be more intentional with your other metal finishes in the room. Many appliance brands, even more affordable ones, are now offering panel ready options. You may also consider new black appliance finishes that are more subdued and blend well.  Consider Your Color Scheme At the end of the day, metal is just another color in your room, so think of it as such. In general, use warm metals (like copper, nickel, and brass) with warm hues (like ivory, griege, and taupe) and cool metals (such as chrome) with cool hues (such as blue, green, and cool grays). Neutral rooms benefit from metallic accents because they bring color, warmth, and texture. There is nothing like spicing up a gray room with a gorgeous golden mirror. Alternatively, gray and blue cabinets can blend well with stainless appliances, giving you room to use two other metals: for instance black and gold!  Contemplate Texture The texture of a metal impacts the way we view it, so keep that in mind when making selections. Sticking with one metal but varying the texture is another way to bring depth and visual interest to a space if mixing metals makes you nervous. Use Natural Iron, Flat Black or Oil-rubbed Bronze As a Neutral All are beautiful on their own, bringing a dark accent to your palette. They also allow you to add highlights (warmer metals like gold or brass) and they won’t clash with your other metal tones.   Mixed Material Items Using cabinet pulls with metal and leather, crystal, or acrylic gives a very luxurious feel and allows you to bring in just a touch of gold or brass. These are a great option for some more glam. Use a black and gold light fixture and then pick one of those metals for your hardware and plumbing. A mixed metal item can help jumpstart your metal combinations.
Mixing metals is an opportunity to break the old rules and make a room textured, interesting, and warm. After all, your home is the representation of you. Make sure that it shines. Live in Chicago or the North Shore? Schedule a consultation with luxury interior designer, Amber Golob, by contacting her at Amber@AmberGolob.com or calling 773-960-0498.
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 In the early 1990s, white cabinets were taking the luxury kitchen world by storm. Yet, a few years later, suddenly builders were offering darker cabinetry, such as maple and other honey-colored woods. However, fast-forward to the 2010s and here we are again with a major resurgence of white luxury kitchens. This trend is something we can count on: it is absolutely here to stay. Take a peek at some of my favorite personal white kitchen designs!
Overview Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a multitude of luxury home remodels, but white kitchens are something that has resoundingly been a top request. These bright, welcoming, and buoyant kitchens allow you to be flexible with lighting and bounce sunlight right into the home to lift your mood. This magic cannot be beat!  Live your luxury. Live in Chicago or the North Shore? Schedule a consultation with luxury interior designer, Amber Golob, by contacting her at Amber@AmberGolob.com or calling 773-960-0498. Blog written by Kyle Thomas.    When it comes to luxury kitchens, choosing the perfect countertop material for your lifestyle is important. While quartz countertops have been a favorite throughout the years, quartzite countertops are making a splash and offering homeowners more options, elegance, and durability. Let’s take a look at quartzite!  What is Quartzite? Quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock. It’s created when sandstone is subjected to intense pressure and heat caused by tectonic plate compression in the Earth’s crust. The stone is mined and then made into slabs which are later cut to become your luxury countertops! Quartzite countertops are sealed for long-lasting beauty and durability. Natural quartzite tends to be white or gray with hints of brown and black. This pairs beautifully with today’s gray, blue, and modern farmhouse trends – as well as can help you achieve a classic sophisticated look in any kitchen. Natural quartzite has the look of marble. However, it acts like granite in durability and doesn’t scratch or etch the way other natural stones can. It also withstands heat and isn’t endangered if you place hot items atop it. The veining of each stone, which varies from slab to slab, provides some of the most exquisite patterns. Because of this, there will never be two slabs that are the same! This allows your kitchen or bathroom a high-end feel that is customizable and always opulent. With all of these amazing factors, this is an upscale-stone that isn’t matched by any other stone countertop.  Is Quartzite a good investment? Quartzite can be costly, but the quality and look are unequaled and will last! This investment is absolutely worth it because the longevity alone – not just the beauty – will keep your home shining for years to come. How do you take care of Quartzite? Natural quartzite's hardness protects it from etching and scratching, but it is important to remember that taking care of luxury items is always important. As a natural stone, it needs sealing to help it resist stains. Beyond that, though, natural quartzite care is both easy and simple. Make sure to wipe it frequently with a damp cloth and only use mild soaps or stone cleaners. White it is difficult to scratch natural quartzite, avoid abrasives to maintain the brand-new appearance of your countertop. Take a look at some of my favorites from Terazzo & Marble Supply! I highly recommend this beautiful, long-lasting stone for all of your kitchen and bathroom countertops. I’d love to help you pick out the perfect one for your home. Live your luxury.
Live in Chicago or the North Shore? Schedule a consultation with luxury interior designer, Amber Golob, by contacting her at Amber@AmberGolob.com or calling 773-960-0498. Blog written by Kyle Thomas.  The right decorative plumbing and hardware can transform any average room into something truly phenomenal. By jumping on some of the latest technological advances and modern trends, you can improve design, aesthetic, and functionality. Here is a short list of some fabulous additions on the rise! 1. Add Larger, Customized Kitchen Sinks and Faucets! By adding in larger, specialized sinks with modern advances like filtered water, cutting boards, dish racks, colanders, and more, you're able to change your lifestyle. For those who love to spend time in the kitchen, this adds functionality to your flow. While sinks used to be smaller, from 30" to 36", modern trends are showing wider and deeper sinks, anywhere from 42" to 68". The larger the sink, the more easily you can prep, entertain, and clean in one space. Also, by making sure you have a specialty faucet, you can have on-demand hot water filters that make preparing veggies, boiling pasta, or making tea very efficient. Not only are the advancements in size making waves in interior design, but you are able to choose from many different colors, materials, and configurations to match your lifestyle. Give it a peek and see what tickles your fancy.  2. Add Linear Drains and Luxury Showers! They are starting to pop up everywhere: customizable, luxury showers! While shower and tub combinations are often being used for many homeowners' secondary bathrooms, master bathrooms are becoming much more elegant. For those who love showers, they're trimming the tub altogether and choosing larger spaces with multiple faucets. Even more exciting are the additions of steam units, benches, and sound, chroma, and aroma therapy that turn your bathroom into a spa. To capture that upscale look, choose large format tile or stone and a linear drain. Choosing a linear drain helps other things, though, such as helping water drain more efficiently when many shower functions are in use at the same time. Remember: using a linear drain creates a "wow" factor for any shower design. Last, for clients who have mobility issues, having a curbless shower makes entering and exiting the shower much easier, as well as provides a modern aesthetic that people everywhere are falling in love with.  3. Add a Smart Toilet! While intelligent toilets and cleansing seats are a hit overseas, North Americans are definitely bringing the exotic back home. Intelligent toilets and cleansing seats use warm-water with pulsating and oscillating sprays as well as dryers and deodorizers to bring a more sanitary bathroom experience. Not only are these designs able to be matched with any decor, they also help the environment by saving on tissue paper. Make sure not to miss this one! While these new trends may feel shocking to some, anyone with an eye for luxury interior design knows these will only become bigger and more visible in coming years. What do you think about these ideas? No matter what, always remember to live your luxury.
Spring is officially here and that means it's time to usher in a whole new energy into your home. No matter the style of your home -- modern and contemporary, classic or vintage -- these simple, inexpensive and fun ideas can bring out your creativity. By adding splashes of color and pattern, you can breathe life into a space, whether it's your living room, bedroom, or dining room. Get out of that winter slump and revive your home with some of these tips and tricks!  1. Add Bright Accent Pillows and Throws By choosing new accent pillows and throws in fun bright or on-trend colors, you will be able to bring magic into any space. Use crisp fabrics like cotton and put away any heavy fabrics or throws. Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! When it comes to color, you can always consult my other color tips here.  2. Get Rid of Those Winter Rugs I know we can all get attached to our snuggly winter rugs, but it is time to let those go (at least for awhile!). New rugs should be rolled out that are a reflection of spring: fun, versatile, and beautiful. Spring is all about new life, so usher in a whole new floor feel just beneath your toes! Here's a gorgeous example!  3. Embrace Greenery! Pantone's "Color of the Year" this year is GREENERY! Didn't see the announcement? Check out my blog on it here! I absolutely love greenery because it brings the life of the outdoors right into your luxury home. 
 Whatever your personal style is, these tips and tricks can be tailored to your heart's desire. Don't miss out on bringing in a whole new splash of life into your home, because I promise you won't regret it. The year's cycles usher in natural themes, but spring is all about exploration, new beginnings, and above all, beauty. Indulge in it. You'll be glad you did. Live your luxury. Live in Chicago or the North Shore? Schedule a consultation with luxury interior designer, Amber Golob, by contacting her at Amber@AmberGolob.com or calling 773-960-0498. Blog written by Kyle Thomas.  Photo from www.StyleMePretty.com Across the board, you will find that white kitchens are easily the most popular style throughout interior design. This is because white kitchens naturally possess an aura of cleanliness. White usually will be the base color for walls, cabinets, countertops, tile, and even kitchen islands. White kitchens certainly are classic, but by broadening your horizons, you may find a sophisticated style that may suit you more: whether that be using a modern flair with navy or gray, or keeping it classic with pops of black. Here are a few tips and tricks I often present to clients when brainstorming for their luxury kitchen. 1. Embrace the grays. Gray is classic, clean, and can be absolutely stunning. Many kitchens with gray shades can feel more inviting because they don't feel as sterile, which can be a problem for all-white kitchens. The kitchen is the heart of the home and should welcome your friends and family in more than anything else. By using the perfect shade of gray, you can keep your lines clean. 2. Indulge in navy. Navy kitchens have been growing in popularity over the last few years and it's easy to see why: with pops of navy on cabinets or kitchen islands, you are pulled into a space that feels charming and modern. When working with navy, you can keep it more classic by mixing it with grays or other neutral tones, or you can go all out to make sure your kitchen is the trendiest in town. Sometimes we've seen a powerful pop of navy via a kitchen island -- and this can make an otherwise all-white kitchen feel stunning. Whatever you do, don't be afraid to experiment, because at the very least, you can always use paint if you feel your style has evolved in a few years or later on down the line.
No matter what your style is, it's a great idea to look at your options whenever remodeling or redesigning your home. Your home is your special space and should always make you feel happy, safe, and expressive. Slipping into the common trend of going all-white doesn't feel so safe once you've learned your options and opened your eyes to an entire world outside of it. Live in Chicago or the North Shore?
Schedule a consultation with luxury interior designer, Amber Golob, by contacting her at Amber@AmberGolob.com or calling 773-960-0498. Blog written by Kyle Thomas. 
Be sure to get the latest updates from Amber Golob Interiors!"Nature’s neutral, PANTONE Greenery is a versatile “trans-seasonal” shade that lends itself to many color combinations. As displayed in the palettes below, Greenery is paired with neutrals, brights, deeper shades, pastels, metallics and even the enduring presence of PANTONE Color of the Year 2016, Rose Quartz and Serenity. These palettes easily cross over fashion, beauty, product and graphic design applications." ~Pantone Color       Live your luxury.Live in Chicago or the North Shore?Schedule a consultation with luxury interior designer, Amber Golob, by contacting her at Amber@AmberGolob.com or calling 773-960-0498.
What are they made of?
Beautiful wood countertops are stunning and bring a great accent piece to your kitchen. Keep in mind that butcher-block countertops are not for everyone. Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses that come along with the beauty and convenience.
Overall, if you enjoy working in the kitchen, you’ll probably love the functionality of butcher-block countertops and other wood countertops. They are great for baking and other types of food preparation. The warmth and beauty of natural wood creates a very inviting space for homeowners and guests. Live your luxury. Live in Chicago or the North Shore? Schedule a consultation with luxury interior designer,
Amber Golob, by contacting her at Amber@AmberGolob.com or calling 773-960-0498.
Don’t be too excited to run away from those laminate countertops just yet though! With new technology and more options available, laminate countertops come in the widest possible range of colors and patterns currently on the home improvement market. From marble imitative veining, glass-like solid colors, or even the natural speckles and flakes of granite: all of these styles are available in laminate options now. What are they made of? Laminate countertops are typically called “plastic laminate” because the surfaces are made of multiple plastic compounds. Laminate countertops typically contain a hard particleboard core with layers of plastic laminate bonded over the top of it. Many laminates are now made to mimic the look of more expensive surfaces like marble or granite. This has created a greater desire for these kinds of countertops than ever before. What’s the Cost? When getting a quote for your countertops, make sure that your quotes are broken down. This not only is telling you where your money is going, but may help you budget later on, as well. Custom laminate countertops usually cost around $7-$30 per square foot, depending on the brand, color, finish and edge style. A typical kitchen with 30 square feet of countertop area will cost you $210-$900, not including professional installation. As far as professional installation, this price will vary from your contractor, but it should be about $40-$65 per square foot or $1,200-$1,950 for a typical 30 square foot kitchen. Many home improvement stores, such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, sell prefabricated sections of laminate countertop for around $50-$200 per section. Sections typically come in different sizes and corner pieces, with backsplashes attached. Though typically cheaper to install, installation is not included in this price. Sheet laminate costs $30-$150 per sheet, depending on the size of the sheet, color, and style of the laminate. Having unlimited options and low prices may seem like the obvious decision, but don’t be too quick on your decision yet. Laminate countertops are not for everyone. Let’s dive right into some of the strengths and weaknesses.
Laminate countertops offer attractive finishes in a range of colors sure to match your décor and they do so at very affordable prices. In the end, this is the best choice for those with a limited budget, a position most homeowners are in, and someone who will be using the surface with the proper precautions. Because of the color selection, affordability and versatility, laminate surfaces are also popular for offices, laundry areas, workshops and other locations. Come back soon for our next installment of “Luxury Kitchens!” Live your luxury. Live in Chicago or the North Shore? Schedule a consultation with luxury interior designer, Amber Golob, by contacting her at Amber@AmberGolob.com or calling 773-960-0498.
into the sea of kitchens, this series will help you establish some much needed direction in the variety of stone available. Remember, as with any project, you want to constantly weigh style vs. price vs. longevity and maintenance. Depending on your budget, the needs of your household, and your style preference, your choices here is going to vary. There are no bad decisions, just different options to suit your personal needs. To start there are many different materials to choose from when picking out countertops:
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