Organizing and decorating your home needn’t be a daunting endeavor. We asked two of Santa Barbara’s top interior designers to dish on their successful strategies. Here is what Kisha Gianni had to say. Click here for Michelle Beaman’s interview.
What's the first step in a kitchen remodel? Is it really necessary to hire a designer? I think most people probably don't realize how many design decisions go into making a kitchen not just look good, but function well. The process generally starts with selecting a style, but configuring a logical layout is the all-important next step. “Form follows function” may never be more crucial than in the space where meals are prepared, food is stored, and cabinets and drawers have the monumental task of housing everything from your pretty William Sonoma plate collection to your not-so-pretty accumulation of chip clips.
Once you have a style and layout, get ready to make decisions about fireclay versus porcelain, furniture feet or a plain toe kick, custom cabinets or factory-finished. From there, the list of selections goes on (and on!), and each must fit the look, the budget, and be available by your install date.