BECKI OWENS

Q + A

Q+A: Choosing Paint Finish

I often get asked, “What is the easiest way to refresh a space”? The answer is a new coat of paint. Repainting your home leaves it feeling clean and new. It creates a fresh foundation for you to slowly layer upon as you find furniture and textiles that you love. It’s also so doable for those on a budget that want to do the work themselves. I get a lot of questions about paint and have shared my go to paint colors, but today I want to share answers to questions I’ve been getting on what type of paint I use on different surfaces.

Q+A: Choosing the Right Paint Finish

Q: Should you use the same paint finish in bathrooms and kitchens or do they need to be different?

las palmas bathroom

Las Palmas Project

A: Both bathrooms and kitchens get a lot of traffic and need a paint that can stand up to humidity and use. Although each paint company differs slightly, most have 5 categories of paint finish: matte/flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. The higher the gloss the greater the durability, but glossier paints tend to show imperfections in walls and woodwork. For this reason, I use an eggshell finish for the walls in both kitchens and baths. It’s durable but does not have noticeable sheen.

lucia-project-kitchen-rug

Lucia Project

Q: In an all white kitchen, how do you know which finish to use on the walls, trim, and cabinetry?

Classic Modern Kitchen

Estillo Project

A: Picking paint in your all white kitchen depends somewhat on the look you are going for. I always use eggshell on the walls but have used both satin and semi-gloss for cabinetry and trim. Semi-gloss really creates contrast between your wood work and your walls, but if you are painting old cabinets, it will highlight any imperfections in the wood. Lately, I have been loving the look of less sheen and have been choosing a satin finish for the cabinets and trim.

Q: What are your favorite white paints and what finish do you use?

black, white and brass kitchen makeover

Ledgewood Project

A: My go to white paints are Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, Simply White, Plain White (no pigment), or for something a little warmer, Swiss Coffee. To read more about these white paints, read my Q+A: White Paint and see my quick reference guide below.

Q: When painting in dark tones, like black or navy, which finish do you use?

SC cove project becki owens

A: Dark moody walls look pretty in a matte finish. But in family homes, practicality still trumps. If you have kids and they will be using the space, I would still do my dark walls in eggshell and dark cabinets in satin. I used a black satin paint for the kitchen cabinets in my SC Cove Project and they are beautiful. To see some of my favorite dark painted cabinets, read my post on deVOL kitchens and my cabinetry paint guide.

I hope that this answers some of your paint questions and helps you as you start your projects. Good luck! New paint is always worth it!

Xxo
Becki

white kitchen paint finish

white paint guide becki owens

Best of Blog: Marble Countertops


It’s no secret, I love marble countertops and believe they are a great choice for updating a kitchen.  Even with a full house, marble counters can be beautifully cared for and maintained. I’ve posted a couple articles on this topic that are great resources for anyone who is considering marble in their kitchen:

1. A guide for selecting marble countertops.

2. A Q+A on how to care for and maintain marble.

Sometimes it’s fun to know what goes on behind the scenes. Today, I’m showing marble maintenance in action. In the pictures below, the marble is being cleaned and polished, preparing it to be resealed by Alpine Marble. This is a 15 year sealer called Dry Treat. They also have a product called Daily Cleaner that is my favorite solution for cleaning my marble countertops.

Cleaning and Polishing Marble Becki Owens Cleaning and Polishing Marble Becki Owens
/ Pendant Lights / Colorado Gold Marble /

Marble really is a beautiful stone to work with and gives my designs a the fresh, crisp and clean look that I love. There are a few marbles that I consider my go tos. Here is a guide of my favorites.

marble guide becki owens

I hope these resources are helpful to you as you are brainstorming your own projects. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Xxo
Becki

 

New Decor For The New Year

This Week’s Q+A: White Paint

New designs always call for new paint. I often start with a white paint. I love how white immediately freshens up a space. It’s an instant update. When I start with a white foundation, I can have fun adding pops of colors with rugs, art and textiles. I’ve been getting several questions about what color paint I have used in some of my most recent designs. For today’s Q+A, I’m sharing some of my favorite whites from my projects and a white paint guide for you to use as a resource.

Q: I hear you refer to “white white” paint. What does that mean?

modern eclectic dining room Becki owens
/ Gold Chandelier / Table / Wishbone Chairs /
A: In this dining room of the Cido Project,  Nicole Davis and I started by painting the walls a fresh “white white.” This means a white paint with no pigment. We used a semi gloss finish on the walls in the dining room and eggshell throughout the rest of the house

Updated Kitchen Nook - Becki Owens
/ Drum Pendant / Chairs and table Restoration Hardware /
Sometimes a space calls for a warmer white. This cozy kitchen nook looks light and bright with Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.

Q: Which color did you paint this living room?

bohemian living room Becki Owens
A: This space is Dunn Edwards, Foggy Day in eggshell. I loved how it looked soft and pretty, creating a beautiful palette for the rest of the design.

white paint guide becki owens

I hope I have answered some of your questions about which paint I love to work with and this paint guide will be helpful to you as you are making upcoming decisions. Have a wonderful Monday!

Xxo
Becki

Q+A: Open Shelving – An Affordable Kitchen Update

One of the biggest trends in kitchen designs is open shelving. Many of my favorite inspirational kitchens incorporate them in some way. I’m a big fan. Sometimes they can seem a little scary or unpractical, but I believe open shelving adds a unique element to kitchens while still being functional. For today’s Q+A, I want to take a closer look at open shelving as a beautiful and affordable way to update your kitchen.

Q: What’s a good way to update my kitchen affordably?

butlers pantry remodel with open shelving Becki Owens
A: Incorporating open shelving to your kitchen is a great update and is cheaper than new cabinetry. For smaller spaces, open shelving can be a great solution as well. You may not have the option of knocking down a wall or maybe you have a galley kitchen. Open shelving will make your kitchen space feel bigger and fresh. Tight spaces like a butler pantry can feel light, airy and decorative with open shelving. With a little paint and some new open shelves we transformed the butler’s space above. You can see before and after pics here.

open shelving

Via Merchant Design

Q: If I want to use open shelving, what is the easiest way to incorporate it into my kitchen.

A: One of my favorite looks in a kitchen is open shelves on either side of the hood. This is a great way to update your kitchen with a fresh look, without having to spend a lot of money doing the whole kitchen. You can replace the existing cabinetry with simple wood boards from Home Depot and paint them, or find beautiful reclaimed wood for a more rustic look.

natural wood open shelves

Via Popsugar

A: Another great place to install open shelving is in a small corner or dead space in your kitchen. In this kitchen above, the open shelves were installed at the end of the cabinetry. This is a more affordable solution than decorative glass cabinetry and it gives a more clean, modern look. It’s amazing what painting your cabinetry and adding a few open shelves will do to update your kitchen.

Q: Is adding open shelving something I can do fairly easily?

open shelving white kitchen

Via Ala Mode Maven

A: Adding open shelving can be a great DIY project. There are some really good resources for how to install opening shelving into your home, using supplies from your local home building stores. For example, Lowe’s has a great how to article here. I recently redid my pantry, using a mix of open shelving and cabinetry. For the shelves, I like to use 1 1/2 -2″ thick wood boards that are about 12″ deep. You can have them cut the wood for you at the store in the dimensions you need. Subway tile, new painted drywall or continuing your backsplash to the cabinet height or ceiling, will finish it off. I personally love the look of a counter to ceiling subway tile wall like the kitchen above. It’s so crisp and brightens up the space.

Tip: If you are designing a new kitchen with open shelving, have a little fun with it. The space with open shelving can become an amazing, decorative focal point for your kitchen, like an accent wall. I love the beautiful blue and white tile seen in the kitchen below. If you decide to go with a more minimal all white look, you can add a stack of dishes or a row of glasses in a pretty color to create an element of surprise. This leads to my last question…

blue and white tile backsplash open shelving

Via Domino

Q: Does open shelving make my kitchen too high maintenance? Now everything will always have to look perfect.

A: No one wants a messy, unsightly kitchen. And sometimes when life gets busy it’s hard to maintain a perfect clean space. This is why adding open shelving to only a portion of your kitchen might be the best solution. I believe open shelving will only add to the beauty of your kitchen, but it’s important to be strategic about where you place it based on what will be displayed. Open shelving works great for everyday dishes and serving ware. Try to organize your kitchen so these dishes are displayed in a way that is practical for everyday use. I love to use mainly all white dishes in these spaces, but you certainly can be creative with your own collections. The key is to make the space usable while still keeping it simple, consider decorating them with just 2 or three colors.

I hope you have enjoyed today’s Q+A on open shelving. I would love to see pictures of your projects if you decide to use them. Below are some of my favorite choices for dishes and accessories to style your open shelves. I hope you have a great Monday!

Xxo
Becki

Q+A: How to Choose and Hang Sconces

Lately I’ve been on the hunt for amazing sconces for some projects. I’ve come across some great inspiration I want to share with you. I really believe lighting is key in simple, elegant designs. Sconces, although smaller, are just as important as larger statement lights to complete the look of a space. They really add character and polish. Today, I’m going to address a couple of questions I get asked about hanging and selecting sconces and show you some great options for your home.

Q: Are there any rules for hanging bathroom sconces?

white marble bathroom owens and davis

A: Remember the Q+A about hanging art? Well, hanging bathroom sconces have a similar rule. It’s good to hang the base of your scones just above eye level. That is about 66 inches off the ground. You don’t have to center them with the mirror, but it is good to have them at least 30 inches apart. Hanging sconces at this height will give optimal light to your face for applying make up, shaving etc. The picture above in my San Clemente Beach House project is a great example.

sconce inpsiration becki owens

Tip: Have a little fun when selecting bathroom lights. They should work with the aesthetic of the room but can add character as well. You can choose a unique shape like white and glass globe lights or the vintage looking library sconces seen above (also in the kitchen pictures below).

Q: How can I get more light in my kitchen, without having a bunch of recessed cans?

A: I love these images of sconce lighting in a kitchen design. It’s a great way to add an unexpected element to the space. When planning your kitchen remodel, consider additional lighting above the kitchen sink or a kitchen window with sconces. Imagine the welcoming light a few sconces give, left on for late arrivals.

The Reading Light

girls bedroom modern mediterranean becki owens
Generally I look for bedside table lamps as evening reading lights, but when Nicole Davis and I did this young girls room we had a little fun. This floral wall sconce was the perfect way to add a feminine touch to the room with the practical use of a reading light. I also love the bunk inspiration pictures below. The individual sconces are placed perfectly for young readers.

sconce inspiration becki owens

I hope these inspirations ( see all sources here under bathrooms, kitchens and lighting) and tips have helped you with how to choose and hang sconces. I’ve shopped for some great options for you to choose from. I hope you find some that work great for your home. Have a great day!

Xxo
Becki

Sconce Lighting Picks

sconce inspiration becki owens
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