SKD STUDIOS Kitchens - Baths - Interior Design

Southern Maryland Basement Remodeling...

2012-02-21T18:22:00.009-05:00

Remodeling your basement can be a daunting task. How do you make a large, dark, cold space feel warm, cozy and inviting? Designing your basement can be a relatively painless task if you know what you're after. The key things to consider are fuctionality, light and effective use of space. Solving these three elements starts at the design level. To help you with the design process, we've listed some of the common concerns homeowners have as well as some guidance for answering each of those questions.

If you are going to invest the money in remodeling your basement, make sure you design it in a way that benefits you while you live in the home and when you sell the home. Finishing off your basement is a great way to add extra square footage which will increase your home's value as well as give you an extra space to live in. Some of the top uses for basement rooms are as follows:

Home Theater - What better place to watch a new movie than a room that already has the ability to limit light and sound? Basements are a great spot for a sound system, big screen tv, cozy leather couches and more. If you've planned it correctly, you'll be able to watch your favorite movies without disturbing those upstairs. Make sure you install proper sound insulation to prohibit noise bleeding.
Bar Area - This is another popular feature of a finished basement. There are simple ways to create an inviting area for your friends to come and enjoy. When combined with a game room of sorts, having the bar area close by is great when you want to enjoy some drinks over a game of pool.
Extra Bedroom - If you have a teenager and you have a basement space, you've probably already been asked about them moving into the basement. Since teenagers like to sleep, a bedroom in the basement will give them extra space and quiet if needed. You might also use it as an extra guest suite especially if you include a bathroom in the space. If the inlaws come over for that long week stay, you can put them in the nicely finished basement away from your living quarters so you can keep your sanity!Game Room - Who wouldn't want to come over to your house if you had a pool table, dart board, foosball table and pinball machine all in one room? If you have the extra space in your home and just want to use your basement as the 'party room', make sure you stock it full of games.
Study, Den or Office - Provided you have taken the steps to properly light your new basement, moving your home office downstairs can be a great decision. It's a perfect way to give yourself peace and quiet when you are on a deadline and need to concentrate.
Fitness Room - Who needs a gym membership when you've got it all at home, right? Having the added space will give you a great place to run on a treadmill or ride your stationary bike. In addition, you'll be able to situate your workout machines in front of a mounted television on the wall to make your workout go by quicker. You may also consider installing mirrored walls to create a larger looking space and to closely resemble the gym that you'll now no longer need to pay membership fees for!

Remeber when embarking on a project of this size, it is best to get the help of a professional designer to help you stay on track and make sure that you are investing your money in the right places. Your basement will bring you and your family many years of happiness, its best to get started on the right foot.

SKD Studios in Lusby would love to help you with your next basement project. Stop by the studio or give us a call to get started! visit our webpage at www.skdstudios.com

Happy Planning!

SKD Studios

Kitchen and Bathroom Design Southern Maryland

2011-11-21T23:23:00.014-05:00

Tips for Open and No-Threshold Shower Design

Over the last decade, the expectation of the showering experience and shower design has dramatically changed. To accommodate this evolution of the shower space, we are designing more open showers, sometimes with fewer walls, the elimination of doors, expanded options in water delivery and flush thresholds.
As we move toward no-threshold and sometimes open space shower design, we may all do well to review the related concepts, products and concerns.
The benefits to creating a shower that is more open, with a flush threshold, are many and obvious. First, the elimination of traditional raised threshold benefits each of us, and especially those of us who do not lift our feet high when we walk. It also removes the barrier and opens up general clear floor space for a person using a mobility aid.
From an aesthetic viewpoint, the look is more streamlined and integral to the space, an approach that has been in European design for a long time. In our efforts to create a bath retreat, this openness and the clean lines created by the flush threshold contribute to the sense of serenity we are striving for.
Fueled not just by lifestyle, but also by the economy and ethnic patterns of living, we have totally embraced home design based on an open plan, making this more than a trend. Rather, it is pretty much as way of life. With much of the space in a home given to social or public space, the trend is to the master suite or the bed and bathroom as more of a retreat, that “away space” or sanctuary. With this has come an increased emphasis on the spa experience of the shower, where comfort and personal health and wellness guide design decision.
Although the trend toward expanded showers has slowed with the economy, we still have a keen interest in generous, open showers with no thresholds and sometimes no doors. The successful containment of water in a no-threshold showers in complex and requires coordination of a number of factors.
Because each situation will dictate the requirements, there is no single formula for success, but the following considerations should be on your checklist. First, the size of the shower must be considered. Even a shower of generous depth can have water containment issues if the water wall is near the door opening or if it is pointed right at that opening. In the case of a ceiling-mounted rain-style fitting, the ceiling height will also impact the distance water might splash. Attention must be given to the location of the seat in the shower and the direction of the water flow likely from the hand-held spray placed within reach of the person sitting to shower.
Next, the location, type and number of drains and the slope of the floor must be considered. The maximum slope suggested for the floor is ¼ inch per foot and the larger the space, the gentler the slope. In addition to the traditionally located drain, a trench drain at the entrance or at the back wall can sometimes solve this challenge, and in some cases a second drain will be added outside the shower, all of which require a water barrier beyond the normal shower area.
A shower door or curtain can also help to contain water and steam in a shower, but this is not always in keeping with the desired plan.

Calvert County Beautiful Kitchen Remodels

2011-10-14T13:32:00.016-04:00

SKD Studios can help you make a Standard Refrigerator Look Like A Built-In...

Kitchen design continues to trend in the upscale direction. People are looking for better cabinets, granite or solid surface countertops, and professional looking appliances. One of the icons of the upscale kitchen is the Sub Zero refrigerator. The name Sub Zero has come to symbolize not just a high end kitchen. Having that Sub Zero label on your refrigerator can influence a buyer's opinion about the enitre house. I've often joked that the label alone is worth tens of thousands of dollars in the resale value of the house. That's how effective the brand identity campaign has been for the sub zero people.

And just what's so appealing about a Sub Zero? Obviously it is a very good product. They have great features such as two individual compressors, one for the freezer side and one for the refrigerator side. Many of their super deluxe models have specialty features you probably didnt even know you needed until they told you. But I think the single most valuable feature of a Sub Zero is the fact that it is cabinet depth. This means the front of the refrigerator sits even with the face of the lower cabinets and front edge of the countertop. It doesn't stick out several inches like standard refrigerators and look like a big bulky box in the kitchen. With a cabinet panel installed on the doors of the sub zero, the bulkiest object in the kitchen, the refrigerator, can take a less intrusive position in your kitchen and give the entire kitchen a more unitized and cleaner look.

Is there a solution? Fortunately there is. If the layout of the kitchen and the rooms the kitchen adjoins will allow it, a recess can be created in the wall behind the refrigerator to allow a standard depth refrigerator to be pushed back further than normal. A six inch depth recess in the wall (only behind the refrigerator and not behind the other cabinets) should allow you to tuck the unit back and keep the refrigerator door approximately even with the base cabinets. Choose a refrigerator that allows you to put cabinet panels on the front and install vertical cabinet panels on each side of the space for the refrigerator to create an alcove for the refrigerator. When you slide the frige into place, it will be nearly identical in the appearance to the expensive cabinet depth variety. You can get the good look of a built in while keeping the interior depth of a standard refrigerator and save a few thousand dollards in the process.

Stop by SKD Studios and let us help you design your dream kitchen with or without the sub zero. Our designers can help your refrigerator space not only look built in but look fabulous! visit our website at www.skdstudios.com or call for an appointment. 443.404.5686.

Happy Saturday!

SKD Studios

Beautiful Southern Maryland

2011-09-27T11:45:00.008-04:00

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring has come a long Way since the days when it was just a picture on a board. Laminate flooring has superior durability and lasting performance. Above all that, laminate flooring has a more realistic look to it, utilizing textures, high definition images and more diverse sheens. Installation is fast and easy, just click together and you're done. Your laminate flooring can be walked on immediately. Perfect for high traffic areas in your home or even in commercial settings! Laminate flooring has proven itself to be a truly dependable flooring material, giving home-owners the look of fine flooring materials without the hassle of costly maintenance and the problems with budgeting for more expensive flooring. It is no longer the cheap, unrealistic substitute that it was at it's inception. With laminate flooring, home-owners have the choice of the many wood flooring species they would like in their home. Since laminate flooring features a highly-rendered image of wood species (among many other), the options are virtually endless. For home-owners who like the the ease of having a laminate floor and would love the beauty and dependability within a budget, laminate flooring is a superb choice!

Come by SKD Studios to see the newest products in laminate flooring. visit our website at www.skdstudios.com or call 443-404-5686 for an appointment.

Southern Maryland - Are you ready for some Football??

2011-09-11T13:54:00.008-04:00

Football Season has arrived, and we know what that means: Fans everywhere are out buying up the "bigger" flat screen TV than they had last season, and attempting to create the ultimate pad to watch the game with friends. However, it seems like these rooms have taken on a stereotypical decorative stance; "the mancave" The "mancave" is more of a dark room in a dark basement with dark upholstery. Why can't we watch the games in spaces with a little more style? Look at some of these pictures of tasteful, not-too-girly roons to help inspire you to re-think the home game room. Let's chic-ify football Sundays!

We all know that football parties get crowded. Everyone is standing around the snack table or moving between the beer and chips. Instead of squishing all the furniture together, try to space it out to create walking room. It will prevent your parties from feeling overcrowded, even in a small space.

OK...for the die-hards out there, you may want to brace yourself for this next statement! We're all just not that into the game (don't hate!). By creating several functional seating areas, the true fans can get right up close and personal to the TV, while those of us who use these types of events for more of a social hour, can gather elsewhere and talk about the Kardashians!

You know those really cold November games? How much fun would it be to watch those games in a cozy spacious room with a glowing fire beneath the TV to keep you toasty warm? Just another benefit to the chic game room!

Or better yet, if you live in a warm climate...Move the whole room outside! If you've got a covered patio that can do the job, there's no better place to catch the game. Outdoor fabrics and furniture have come a long way to not only tons of functional pieces, they are super fashionable as well.

So, don't be afraid to turn the "man-cave" into a room that the women in your life would also love to be in. We will respectfully keep he gossip and Kardashian chit chat to a minimum - at least during the plays!

Happy Sunday!!

SKD Studios

www.skdstudios.com 443-404-5686

Southern Maryland Interior Design

2011-09-02T13:28:00.008-04:00

Luxury Sheets

You might suspect thread count is simply a marketing ploy to make Egyptian Cotton sheets sounds more luxurious. But it's really a scientific term, with strict federal standards on how those threads are counted.

Technically, thread count means the number of threads woven together in a square inch. You count both lengthwise (wrap) and width wise (weft) threads. So 100 lengthwise threads woven with 100 width wise threads produce a thread count of 200.Thread count has become a buzz word for marketing luxury sheets, sheets, shirts and other woven fabrics goods.The idea is the finer the threads you can weave together, the softer and finer the fabric. But that's not always the case. According to the Consumer Reports, a thread count of 200 is fine; 400 may be softer, but anything above 400 will likely only provide a higher price tag.

To get a sense of the type of fabric various thread counts produce, consider that a thread count of 150 (75 threads one way, 75 the other) produces muslin, which feels a little rough, certainly not silken. Good quality sheets come in at 180, and anything above 200 is considered better quality.So how are counts such as 800 or 1,200, which some manufacturers claim, even possible? How could you fit that many threads into a single inch? The short answer is you can't. Some manufacturers use creative math to boost thread counts. In the spirit of free enterprise and competition, manufacturers battle to calculate their thread counts high, higher and highest. They count not just each thread, but each fiber (called plies) that make up each thread. So a single thread might be four plies twisted together; one manufacturer will call that one thread while another manufacturer may call it four threads. To untangle this inconsistency, Consumer Reports hired an independent textile lab to count threads in a $280 Queen Sheet Set with a manufacturer-stated thread count of 1,200. The lab counted 416 threads per inch, just 35 percent of what was claimed. But thread count is really only part of the puzzle.

We think that beautiful sheets paired with a great throw will not only look amazing but help you enjoy your nap on your "whatever the thread count is" sheets.

Happy Napping,

SKD Studios

11734 Rousby Hall Road

Lusby, MD 20657

443-404-5686

Southern Maryland Beautiful Kitchens and Desks

2011-07-17T17:37:00.007-04:00

Every Homeowner wants a hardworking kitchen, but the 21st century has brought on a whole new dimension to the phrase. Many of today's kitchens, especially here in Southern Maryland are as likely to house computers as they are toaster ovens, and often for good reason. With more people working from home today, a kitchen work center is often the best places to tackle the family finances, juggle schedules, and even manage a career.

However, few homeowners, have the luxury of a great deal of space to devote to a workstation.
Incorporating high tech function and decor into an existing kitchen can be a challenge. Its one thing to use a lap top at the kitchen table, its another, however, to fit in an entire workstation. Let the designers at SKD Studios help you create both fashion and function into your "working kitchen"!

Happy Sunday Funday!

SKD Studios

Southern Maryland Design - Ralph Lauren

2011-05-23T22:30:00.005-04:00

With the warm weather within reach, now is the perfect time to infuse some summery
feel. The summer months are known for being airy, easy and bright, so the thick cozy textures and deep colors of winter can now be cleared away and replaced by natural materials that reflect the outdoors. Replace dark leather accents with tall glass hurricanes and vases encased in natural woven shell. The addition of a few summer pieces - whether its a crisp white sheet set in airy cotton or potted plants that mirror the outside - these subtle touches will drastically alter the overall aesthetic. Finally, update the personal pieces in each room for fresh start to a new season. From the novel that graces your bedside table to the flowers that fill your dining room centerpiece, these "real life" finishing touches will transform your home for the new season.

Ralph Lauren is an amazing designer...from Fashion to Fabric his style is classic and timeless that will enable you and your family years of enjoyment.

Come by SKD Studios to see Ralph Lauren's latest fabrics for the season.

Have a great week!

SKD Studios

Southern Maryland Kitchen Bath Interior Design - Solid Surface

2011-04-30T23:18:00.008-04:00

Solid Surface......I must admit, I have never been a fan! As far as countertops go - I usually steer our clients towards either granite, marble or even wood.....but after seeing what Dupont Corian previewed at KBIS 2011 - I must admit, I am not only intrigued....I can't wait to design something with it!!!

Dupont Corian says: "Corian solid surface is one of the most versatile products on the global market today. Designers and professionals are increasingly discovering that corian is a material with endless possibilities."

This vanity top has a laminated edge and corian built in sinks...super sleek and clean lines.

How fun is this shower.....Maybe to crazy for SKD Studios clients, but imagine this with a white and cream or brown - super great look!

Love this table done completely with Corian.

Stop into SKD Studios to check out the new corian colors and lets design something fabulous! We are located in Lusby and service Southern Maryland, DC and Annapolis. Check us out at www.skdstudios.com or give us a call 443-404-5686.

Have a Great Week!

SKD Studios

Southern Maryland Bathroom Remodeling

2011-04-17T21:13:00.006-04:00

Looks like one trend that is not going away is homeowners desire to transform their bathrooms into a spa like retreat. We have been going bathroom crazy at SKD Studios. Each and every project has its own unique challenges. One of the biggest challenges in all bathroom remodels is the budget....The national average for a mid size bathroom remodel is $26,052. This number may be surprising to most homeowners. Of course this number can vary greatly depending on the "luxury" items you decide to add. So when thinking about the master bathroom here are a few trends that we are implementing into some of our designs:

Free Standing Tub Options: we are all tired of the giant tubs and ridiculously dangerous tub decks that builders put in our homes starting in the mid 1980's. These things are huge water wasters and take up too much space in the room. The new trend is a more free standing tub option and these can still have some of the luxury features that the giant whirlpools had.

larger Showers: The number 1 complaint that we hear from homeowners is that their shower is too small. We are tearing down the small three piece shower stalls and creating a much larger shower. We are doing steam rooms in these showers as well as benches and foot rests as well as two and sometimes three shower heads. Don't forget the niche for the shampoos and products.

Luxury Products: Homeowners are very savvy now and know what products are out there and want the look of the bathrooms that they see on HGTV as well as their favorite remodeling magazines. Ceramic Tiles and vinyl flooring are being ripped out and replaced with beautiful natural stone. One our our favorites in Honed Turkish Marfil it is a beautiful natural stone that works with any color scheme. We are also foregoing the 12x12 tiles and busy grout lines and replacing them with 18x18 and 24x24 tiles. This is an instant update to the space.

We are also designing many feature walls where the tiles become almost a work of art in the bathroom. Using more natural stone mosaics or glass tiles adds to the design.

Other luxury items our clients are looking for are heated floors, fireplaces, chandeliers and even flat screen televisions..... This is the first room we see every morning, it should look and feel amazing.

One of the best things you can do for yourself when designing your bathroom retreat is to find a professional bath designer. This is one of the hardest rooms in the house to design because the space is so limited. A professional bathroom designer can help you utilize the space and lay out a design with options that you may have never dreamed possible!

Have a Great Week!

SKD Studios

www.skdstudios.com

Outdoor Kitchens

2011-04-09T21:10:00.006-04:00

The season for playing outdoors is upon us, so why not add a beautiful outdoor kitchen to your backyard landscape for your family and friends to enjoy. One important thing to remember when creating an outdoor space is to apply the same good kitchen design principals in an outdoor kitchen as you would inside. Use the help of a professional to help you make the most of the space. Below are some important things to keep in mind when planning or dreaming about your outdoor space:

Remember that indoor and outdoor kitchens are simpatico. However there are some very significant difference; one being the exposure to the elements. Another difference is the ease of running utilities such as water - this is typically more difficult in an outdoor space.

Select low maintenance materials and equipment designed to withstand the rigors of an outdoor kitchen.

Complement the design of the homes architectures and landscape. Try and find an "anchor" to the design. Fireplaces make excellent outdoor room anchors.

Plan the entire outdoor entertaining space as part of a single functional plan. Don't isolate the cook from the rest of the backyard entertainment.

Provide adequate task lighting as well as ambient lighting to accommodate after dark cooking and entertaining.

Let SKD Studios help you plan your perfect backyard retreat. Visit us at our Lusby studio or call us for an in home design consultation. 443-404-5686 Have a Great Week! SKD Studios http://www.skdstudios.com/

Thinking about the Islands...

2011-03-27T20:16:00.008-04:00

With this cold spring weather and warm weather nowhere in sight...SKD Studios is thinking about the islands. Not the same islands you may be thinking about! We are thinking about kitchen islands...Everyone wants one, and we think everyone needs one, but fitting one in a small kitchen may be a bit tricky. Islands come in many shapes and sizes. We see large ones, round ones, square ones and even free form ones. Some have different heights, some are used for prep area and some are used for eating. One thing for sure, is that every island is used for gathering.

Some of the trends we are seeing at SKD Studios is that islands are becoming housing for small appliances. We put microwaves, cooktops, wine coolers and beverage drawers in islands. There are no rules when it comes to creating your island but there are some important questions that we always ask our clients and you may want to consider as well.

How many cooks will be using the island?

Will it be a single level or have a raised bar? (remember a raised bar will take away work surface and can require a knee wall for support)

Do you have a cooking surface in the island? (if you have small children this can be dangerous)

Do you want a prep sink or a primary sink in the island?

Do you want decorative storage in the island?

Remember that Islands in the kitchen can add work surface, eating area and provide a wonderful gathering space for your guests. The size, design and function are all just as important as the rest of the kitchen. Stop by SKD Studios and let one of our designers work up and island plan that will be a great addition to your home. Visit us on the web at http://www.skdstudios.com/ or call us at 443-404-5686 to get the island of your dreams.

Have a Great Week!

SKD Studios

Color Of the Year....

2011-03-04T21:56:00.008-05:00

It's A color for all seasons. Courageous, confident and vital - a brave new color for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of honeysuckle infuse you, lift you, and carry you through the year. It's a color for everyday with nothing "everyday" about it - Pantone

So, the color of 2010 was Turquoise, this year's color, according to Pantone, is Honesuckle. It is a combination of a pink and rasberry and it is fabulous!

You may be thinking that you have to be pretty daring to turn the living room honesuckle, Not to mention the men in your life, may take offense....but pink, honesuckle, rasberry or any shade thereof doesn't have to look juvenile and if used correctly or sparingly can look anything but girly.

So, go ahead....sprinkle some honeysuckle throughout the house, anchor it with a cool navy or a rich gray and see how it transforms the space. Send us your pictures and we will post them on our page....we love to see good design.

Happy Friday

SKD Studios

Custom Window Treatments

2011-02-15T15:02:00.008-05:00

Why Buy Custom Window Treatments?

Your Custom Window Treatments will Fit Perfectly.... They will be tailored made for your windows. Nothing comes out of a box. Since our Custom Workrooms make everything to fit our exact specifications from stitch length to hem allowance, the quality is unsurpassed.
Our Custom Draperies are Lush, Not Skimpy...Proper fullness is the key to a custom look. Most ready-mades are only 1 1/2 to 2 times the fullness, our draperies are usually 2 1/2 to 3 times the fullness. Pleats are deep for a sumptuous look.
Choose Any Length You Want...Custom draperies can be made to any size, from short (to clear a bookcase) to long (floor length) to longer (a puddling effect) If you have very large windows, we offer extra-long pleats for extra-tall draperies.

The little Details Make all the Difference...Our custom draperies feature 4-inch weighted double hems and 1 to 1 1/2inch double side hems. Trimmings are hand sewn or machine sewn as appropriate. Mounting boards for shades and valances are covered with your fabric so they look good from any angle.

At SKD Studios we carry the entire line of Candice Olson Fabrics, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein home fabrics as well as hundreds of other designer fabrics. We are also a Hunter Douglas Dealer and carry the entire line of Hunter Douglas Window Fashions.

Stop by today and let one of our designers help you create a custom treatment that will completely transform your space.

SKD Studios is conveniently located in Lusby Maryland just off of Route 4 and Rousby Hall Road in the Lusby Commons Shopping Center. Visit us at http://www.skdstudios.com/

Fabulous Designer Fabrics at SKD Studios

2010-03-21T17:12:00.008-04:00

At SKD Studios...we carry a wide array of custom designer fabrics. Candice Olsen, the popular hgtv television host of Divine Design, has developed her own line of designer fabrics. The colors are wonderful and the hues are subtle. She created the line to work within any space. Click Here to view the collection.

Her line of fabrics are sold exclusively through Kravet Collections. Kravet is just one of the many lines of designer fabrics that we carry. Come in to SKD studios and let us help you find the perfect fabric for your space.

At SKD Studios our designers are ready to help you to design your custom window treatments or decorative pillows/duvet covers or table skirts. We will work within your budget as well as give you alternatives that will work beautifully within the space.

Southern Maryland Bathroom Design

2010-02-28T20:34:00.010-05:00

Southern Maryland Bathroom Design

Having Just opened our new studio, SKD Studios, we are amazed at the amount of people that are ready to remodel the master bath. The master bath is becoming a room that homeowners are viewing as their own private retreat. Many manufactures are aware and have come up with some amazing products to suit the growing demands of homeowners. Kohler has some really fun new vanity pieces that are both stylish and contemporary. These pieces come with the sink as well as the vanity for a sleek look.

there are so many options to choose from now, that the average homeowner may become overwhelmed quickly. At SKD Studios we understand that consumers want style and function but they also want pieces that are affordable.

Some things to think about when remodeling the master bath are where the plumbing is currently located. If you can work with the plumbing that is already in tact, you can usually save yourself some money. Many homeowners are realizing that they don't use the bathtub and are forgoing the tub for a super shower. the possibilities are endless when it comes to showers. SKD Studios has so many custom tile options to choose from we carry brands like marazzi, American Olean and simply stone all from JJ Haines.

Come by and see us at SKD Studios for your new master bath suite, we are located in the Lusby Commons shopping 11734 Rousby Hall Road, Lusby Maryland located directly next door to Starbucks.

Decorative Cabinet Hardware.....Fashion and Function

2010-02-15T13:52:00.006-05:00

Decorative Hardware is both fashionable and functional.........SKD Studios located in Lusby Maryland in the Lusby Commons shopping center 20657 has recently undergone the daunting task of finding just the right decorative hardware for our displays.

This task is not as easy as you may think, we put a lot of thought into which pieces we are going to use. When you spend your hard earned money on your custom cabinetry you don't want to put just any old knob on the face fronts.

Even for a designer the task is a daunting one.....so we thought we would break down the process to help you make a smart decision.

The first thing we did was take into consideration the color of the cabinetry....good hardware choices should "accent" your cabinetry and not compete with it or distract from it.

Next we made the tough decision as to which type of hardware we wanted on our displays - did we want all knobs or all pulls or a combination of both? For SKD Studios the answer was yes, yes and yes (but we used them for display purposes) any answer is correct for the way you live. The industry "standard" if you will, is knobs on doors and pulls on drawers but we do a combination of all three options all the time. The best thing to do is to decide how you live in your space and go from there. Remember to keep in mind who will be opening and closing the cabinets. People that suffer from arthritis or other health related joint issues may find that pulls on the drawers are more comfortable for their hands. Some cooks that have large hands may find that the pulls are too small for them to comfortably place their fingers in to open. These are all things to consider when choosing the style of hardware you are going to use.

Once you have decided which option works best for you the next step is to find the perfect design....There are literally hundreds of thousands of options to choose from. The best thing to do is to think of the hardware on the cabinets like you would your jewelry for an outfit. You want the design style to match the feel of the space and you want the size and shape to match the face front of the cabinets.

Remember that even though hardware is one of the easiest things to change in a kitchen, the style and size that you choose is one that you will be stuck with for the life of the cabinets. If you choose a 5" pull for your drawers, even though you can easily replace the style of the pull the holes will already be in the cabinet to fit a 5" piece....so choose wisely and remember to think about all the cooks that will be using the cabinets and as always SKD Studios will be there to help you make the right choice. Come by and see us in the Lusby Commons Shopping center located next door to the Lusby Starbucks.......www.skdstudios.com 443-404-5686

SKD Studios Now Open!!!

2010-01-12T15:51:00.002-05:00

SKD Studios is now open for business. We are located in the Lusby Commons Shopping Center at the corner of Route 4 and Rousby Hall Road. We are conveniently located directly next door to Starbucks.......

Come by and see the new studio. We feature kitchen displays from both Kemper, Kemper essence and Dura Supreme. We have samples of countertops to include; granite, wood, quartz, stainless steel, laminate and corian. We also have a wide array of decorator fabrics and wall coverings to browse through.

Our hours of operation are Tuesday - Friday 9:30 am till 5:00 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am till 4:00 pm - we welcome walk in business as well as scheduled appointments.

We look forward to working with the local community as well as our faithful clients in the DC, Virginia area. At SKD Studios customer service is our top priority and we treat every client and every job with the same care and dedication we would expect for ourselves.

Decorative Accessories.........

2009-11-03T19:39:00.007-05:00

At SKD Studios www.skdstudios.com we will carry a wide selection of decorative accessories for both the home and garden. Accessories for the home are like jewelry for an outfit. If done correctly you can showcase many many different items in different styles and colors. A good rule of thumb is to group your accessories to "like" items. If you have a collection of beautiful glass urns or blown glass bottles, group them together to make a bigger statement.

Another rule of thumb is to group you items in odd numbers. A group of 3 items or 5 items is much more appealing to the eye than a pair or 4 candles - odd numbers just seem to work better and placement is much more appealing.

When grouping items together, remember to vary your heights. Big items in the back, or use other props to raise the heights of some of the objects to give more interest.

Some of our favorite accessories at the studio are the glassware that we carry. We have cake plates with beautiful words etched on the glass, we have fleur de lis raised goblets, and too many vases to mention. These items work great in kithen setting in a glass cabinet with a spot light or in the living room bar area. Not only are they beautiful to look at but they are priced very reasonably. You can see the items at our studio located at 11734 Rousby Hall Road, Lusby, Maryland 2067 or go online to http://www.kissthatfrog.com/ and see the whole line of accessories that they carry. The quality of their craftmanship is impecable and all items are imported form France!

DECORATIVE URNS.....FASHION AND FUNCTION -

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URNS.....oh how I love them!

Decorative urns have so many uses, they can be used for planters, for holders, for ice buckets, candle holders, pencil holders or just about any holder you can think of! Urns come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and textures. You can find decorative urns almost anywhere. It used to be you had to go to a garden center to find a planter urn, but now they are turning up everywhere. At SKD Studios, we carry many different variety of urns and we love to use them for different purposes. In fact, the older, rustier the urn, the better it looks.

Use them outside for garden accessories - not just plants, but during Halloween you can use then to hold pumpkins......Take 2 large urns, add a little straw and a fill with pumpkins. Placed outside the door, it will be a treat for everyone. During Christmas, fill them with small baby cypress tress, or use them on a table top filled with white or red ball ornaments.

One of my favorite uses is using them on a desk to hold pens and pencils. It is a beautiful, classy way to hold ordinary items. Another favorite of ours is to use them in the bathroom filled with crisp white rolled towels!

I could think of about 1000 different ways to use a decorative urn! No matter the size or the shape or the color of the urn, there is always something that will look fabulous inside..........

Daring Black Walls

2009-10-22T21:39:00.010-04:00

Using black for interior walls may sound crazy....but believe it or not Black is a neutral - and like all neutrals it will work with almost any decor. I would not suggest using black on all of your walls, but using black on a single wall will make a huge statement.

Recently my 10 year old daughter Taylor said that she was tired of her "surf girl" room and she wanted an "art" room. An art room? Sounds reasonable.....she wants to put all of her art work up on the wall and she also wants to use the walls as her canvas (but, i draw line there)! Anyways, I know that black is a great backdrop for art studios and the reason is, is that it doesn't take away from the art. I think one daring black wall filled with beautiful bright colored artwork framed in beautiful gold gilded frames produced by my favorite artist will be fabulous!!

Remember one thing when it comes to black paint.....not all blacks are created equal. My favorite paint of all time is Benjamin Moore http://www.benjaminmoore.com/ they have a new paint this is called the Aura Paint and the colors are amazing, the paint is thick and rich and best of all, the Aura paint is Green - meaning it meets or exceeds the criteria for the green promise.......this paint has low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and it is mold and mildew resistant, which would make it perfect for the bathroom. Just be prepared the Aura paint runs about $65.00 a gallon, but the paint goes on so smooth that one coat is all you will need!

So, don't be scared to be daring with your paint colors and remember that neutrals come in many different shades - I will keep you posted on Taylor's room ; )

Chocolate Brown......

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Chocolate Brown, Espresso Brown or any shade in between is still this seasons hottest color for kitchen cabinets. We are seeing so many kitchen remodeler's wanting rich warm colors in their kitchens. Gone are the days of the white laminate cabinets that people picked because they wanted their kitchens to feel "light and airy". Savvy homeowners are realizing that warmth in the kitchen is so much more inviting.

The kitchen is still the room that is most used in any home. Used for gathering and entertaining but not always used for cooking. No matter the reason that brings people together, the kitchen is usually the favorite spot for all of us.

In today's market at SKD Studios www.skdstudios.com we are seeing a great increase in the popular color chocolate brown. Homeowners are coming to us and saying that they love the look of the darker cabinet but they are still fearful that it will make the room feel dark. We disagree! The rich dark espresso color paired with a warm Kashmir gold granite or a smooth travertine is a setting that is anything but dark and cold. If you are thinking about a kitchen remodel, give us a call and let us show you the vast array of options that we have available. If your worried that this is just a fad, rest assured chocolate brown cabinetry is here to stay.

Design Elements

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Opening Soon

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SKD Studios........We are a full service design studio. We offer custom cabinetry, semi custom cabinetry as well as a stock line. We also carry designer fabrics, accessories, and custom furnishings. In addition to interior design services SKD Studios is a premier Design/Build/ Remodeling firm. We can handle anything from a small addition to a whole house remodel. SKD Studios is a place where your design dreams can become a reality.

LOOK FOR SKD STUDIOS NEW DESIGN CENTER OPENING SOON. OUR NEW STUDIO WILL BE OPEN BY THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER. WE ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED 55 MINUTES FROM D.C. AND ANNAPOLIS IN BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN MARYLAND.

Call us today so we can help turn your vision into a stunning reality!

443-404-5686 www.skdstudios.com