Tag Archive: laura barber
Is a Waterfall Edge Right for You?
Posted on May 23, 2019A waterfall edge has a striking visual appeal. It’s all about looks and has become a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Waterfall edges got their name because, unlike their horizontal counterparts, the countertop “flows” right over the side edges, straight down to the floor. “This look is mostly desired by fans of modern… more
Coffee Bar Design Ideas You’ll Love a Latte
Posted on August 23, 2018Coffee, Espresso, Latte or Mocha… No matter how you fuel up in the morning, we’re serving up some great coffee bar design ideas courtesy of Normandy Designer Laura Barber, AKBD. Read below and make your morning Starbucks run a thing of the past… Here’s what you should consider adding to make the most of this… more
Building Character Back into a Hinsdale Tudor
Posted on November 8, 2017The homeowners of this Hinsdale Tudor wanted a kitchen that reflected the character and traditional style displayed in the rest of their home. As it stood, their current space was dark and drab with a disproportionate amount of stainless steel. The master bathroom also left a lot to be desired – it was small and… more
Wood-Look Tile on Walls
Posted on May 19, 2017Oftentimes, there are assumptions on how to use certain products within your home renovation. One such misconception is the use of tile that looks like wood, which is most commonly used only as flooring. However, this design element can also be used elsewhere, including walls and showers. Here are some insights from Normandy Designer Laura… more
Rule of Thumb for Stacked Kitchen Cabinets
Posted on April 25, 2017When completing a kitchen remodel, many spaces have high ceilings. While a beautiful feature, it is important to avoid selecting cabinetry that will weigh down the space. One idea that helps to provide a balanced look is a stacked cabinet. Here are some insights from Normandy Designer Laura Barber on this particular design decision. “A… more
Making Your Mudroom Work for You
Posted on April 11, 2017When you have small, school-aged children, a mudroom can be extremely beneficial. It not only organizes backpacks, coats and shoes, but cabinetry or cubbies can help to minimize some of the clutter. However, before you carve out this dedicated space, it is important to evaluate its overall placement and purpose. “Typically, we will customize mudrooms… more
Normandy Design Team Earns Nine Remodeling Excellence Awards
Posted on January 27, 2016We are proud to share that Normandy is the recipient of nine Remodeling Excellence Awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) of Greater Chicagoland. These prestigious, annual awards are presented to Chicago-area remodelers who have produced high-quality interior and exterior renovations. These nine awards represent the work of Normandy Designers Laura Barber,… more
Kitchen Remodel Insights: Independent Spaces for your Cooktop and Oven
Posted on October 21, 2015When it comes to making the most of your kitchen remodel, it is all about tailoring the space to fit your needs. This includes the placement of your cooking surface and oven. In the past, a traditional range was an appliance that combined these two elements in the same space. In reality, separating these into… more
Top Three Countertop Finishes
Posted on December 11, 2013“When selecting a countertop, you not only have to pick a material you like and the color, you also have to pick a finish,” says Normandy Designer Laura Barber. “The top three finishes (in order of popularity) that I’m seeing in the industry are: 1. Polished. This is going to be the most common, having a… more
Coffered Ceiling Makes Design Statement
Posted on March 13, 2013A coffered ceiling is a specialty ceiling treatment. Through the use of beams and mouldings, the ceiling is divided into a series decorative squares. They automatically add an architectural element to any room and create interest because they’re not something you’ll find in every home. Whether or not they’re right for your home renovation is based completely… more
How to Pick a Kitchen Countertop
Posted on November 14, 2012Today kitchen countertops can be a design element in their own right with the wide variety of colors and materials available to homeowners; so it can be a challenge to narrow the choices down and figure out what’s right for your kitchen and lifestyle. According to Normandy Designer, Laura Barber, AKBD, the first thing to do is… more
