Room Candy

June 23, 2013

Its All In The Numbers!!

I read an article recently by HGTV's Vern Yip...he shared his cheat sheet on all the little measurements that we need to know when we are hanging, installing and placing...
Everyone asks us these measurements over and over so here they are in general.


Most definitely worth sharing and saving :) You should too!


Best coffee table height  16-20" the most comfortable height for putting up your feet based on standard 18-22" sofas !


Dining Room fixture  66" from the floor. This won't block sight lines of your seated guests but will give adequate light. Again, as it is with all design - it has to do with the scale of the piece so go with your gut and err on the low side!


Pendant lighting over an island should be 30-36" from the counter.


Best distance for TV viewing....72" from TV to sofa or chair. The exception to that rule is if you have a high def TV take the diagonal measurement and x1.5 for the optimal viewing distance. I measured my family room TV (shown here) and its 112" - oops! even with the HD factor its a little far....
www.remarkableredesignstaging.com



The most pleasing pleasing height for art and mirrors is 60" to the centre of the piece from the floor. 
** I always eyeball...it really does depend on the piece and the location. Go with what feels best. I really go crazy when I see art hung almost to the ceiling!!!!!


1-2" is a good distance between pictures when hanging more than one. The tight grouping keeps the look cohesive.


Chair rail height can range from 32"-40" from the floor. As a  general rule the chair rail defines the lower third of the wall.
chair rail + wainscotting


Counter top height standard is 36". This is a comfortable work height and also allows for standard appliances to fit underneath.


Ideal back splash height is 16-18" between top of counters and bottom of cabinets.
We just worked on this one - a beauty...custom glass backsplash created by glass artist Rick Silas
custom glass backsplash



Bathroom towel bar should be 48" from the floor...this allows easy reach from the tub or shower . The toilet paper holder should be installed 26-28" from the floor.


Here's one I never really have thought of: 2" is the best distance between a bed and a nightstand. Close enough for easy reach but far enough to not appear crowed with the bed.


Area rugs: 12-18" from at least one wall...this stops the floating island look as well as the opposite where it may appear that the wall to wall carpet just didn't quite make it. I love this "rule" . The foot and a half is perfect!


These are obviously general measurements...but will work in most homes. If you have really unique elements in your space then you should call in an expert!

Any other necessary measurements your have discovered in your living spaces?


Good luck!
~Tracey









June 17, 2013

Patio Reimagined!



So I have lived in my home for just over a year now. We love it...all good except we were missing some storage space ( a workshop) for my hubby and the backyard was only half finished. The patio had a great start so we decided to jump in last fall and build a third garage and finish the off the backyard completely.

Small construction projects can take just as long as large ones...you need the same trades its just harder to get them to squeeze in your little bits! Our little endeavour was no exception. After almost 10 months we finally have a finished garage ( workshop) and a great storage area for Stacey and my staging inventory . YAY!  Local contractor Steve Copp Construction did all of the garage work. New Heights Contracting did all the exterior painting . Thanks guys!

Outside in the back was another whole giant project ....excavating, rock walls, shed building, BBQ cover building. Ask my husband how his back is after wheelbarrowing tons and tons of rock to fill the beds for a lower maintenance alternative to more plants!
  Nothing to it ! ....ya right.

Anyways  here's the end result and I am really happy with the way it turned out. We have lots of great storage and an awesome patio that is really usable to relax entertain and BBQ  even in our sometimes(!) rainy Victoria weather! Sadly I don't have any before pics ( dang!)




The cool BBQ area was designed and built by super creative finishing contractor Ben from Beneficial Exteriors Inc (beneficialx@gmail.com) All newly milled cedar posts and beams joined without fasteners using mortise and tenon only. COOL! 



www.roomcandy101.blogspot.com

You remember this sad little sidewalk cast off I found? Looks pretty in this new seating area! Price was right...a little spray paint and new chain and bulbs. I hope to change the the bulbs to some cool retro filament ones when I can find the right size! Hoping my honeysuckle and kiwi vines grow up and along the trellis fast!!



I also finally used the stumps I have had stored for a while..one is lacquered for a little side table and the other painted white and movable now with new castors.




Stacey and I also found two of these water pipe fittings at a salvage yard in Coombs. We were planning ( and maybe still will) a coffee table but discovered that moving them is not only really hard and heavy but we are a little afraid of floor damage. So for now its a planter :) - funky though and certainly worth 
some more thought.





Finally enjoying some patio time and nice late spring weather. Work is really keeping us busy (no complaints!) so I'll have to squeeze in any moment that I can....tall cool one in hand! Oh ya that and a small exterior cabin reno on the go...stay tuned!

Enjoy your outside spaces...whatever size or shape they come in!
~Tracey