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The Elegance of Linear Design


Minimalist hood with vertical stripe texture backsplash tileLinear design embraces modern designโ€™s emphasis on clean lines โ€” but also literal lines that are used to create texture and movement. We spoke with Normandy Design Ashley Noethe about the purpose and elegance of linear design.

โ€œLinear design is a simple way of giving visual interest. Weโ€™re seeing vertical and horizontal texture in everything from tile to cabinet details, in a way thatโ€™s impactful without feeling ornate,โ€ Ashley says.

This design approach is a good practice if you have a monochromatic aesthetic or a lot of similar colors without much contrast, according to Ashley. โ€œTexture can be a design element all on its own,โ€ she says. โ€œYou can give a space its own personality by playing around with repetition and rhythm, finding ways to set different areas apart, while still tying them together.โ€

For example, select complementary textural details for various elements. โ€œItโ€™s all about proportion and scale โ€” you can choose a tighter vertical line detail on the kitchen island, and a larger and more pronounced detail on the backsplash,โ€ she says. โ€œAnother benefit of linear design is that you can provide visual cues to emphasize your focal points.โ€

Starting with a statement piece or selection and designing around that is a good place to begin when building a linear design, according to Ashley. โ€œIf you select a range hood with very distinguished lines, you can design around that, from the hood surround to the backsplash,โ€ she says.

Other elements that benefit a linear design approach include certain materials, for instance rift cut white oak. โ€œRift cut white oak has a very linear grain, a more visual texture than physical texture,โ€ Ashley says. โ€œMaterial selections can reinforce this aesthetic of simple, yet sophisticated.โ€

Cabinet hardware and lighting can also complement your chosen design. โ€œThey provide an opportunity to add something with more color or flourish, if you want to build upon this simple foundation,โ€ Ashley says. โ€œJust because you go down the linear design path, doesnโ€™t mean you canโ€™t bring in accents with more charisma.โ€

If youโ€™d like to discuss your home design vision, set up a time to talk with Ashley. Find more examples of home remodels in ourย photo gallery. For regular updates on design trends and tips on home remodeling, follow us onย Facebook,ย Instagram,ย LinkedIn,ย andย Pinterest!

ย  ย Dark gray vertical backsplash tile adds texture ย Blonde rift cut oak modern kitchenย ย  Rift cut white oak island in a light stain with decorative furniture legsย 

 

Is a Recessed or Wall Mounted Medicine Cabinet Right for You?

Bathroom mirrorIf you prefer the traditional design of a medicine cabinet-mirror combination, there are generally two options. The first is a recessed medicine cabinet, where the mirror lies flush with the wall but requires adequate space behind the wall for the cabinet itself. The second is wall-mounted, where the cabinet hangs like a fixture on your wall. We spoke with Normandy Designer Becca Ruggiero about the pros and cons of both types of medicine cabinets, which depend on your style preferences and structure of your bathroom.

Recessed Medicine Cabinet Pros and Cons

Pros: โ€œRecessed medicine cabinets allow you to take advantage of an unused joist pocket behind the wall for extra storage space,โ€ Becca says. Custom designs allow you to create unique storage for your household, such as hidden charging outlets for everything from your phone to toothbrushes. โ€œOther features available now include automatic lighting when you open the door, and other integrated options like make-up mirrors,โ€ Becca says. โ€œMedicine cabinets are not always known for their aesthetic qualities, but new designs are able to give you the elegance of a beautiful mirror and a seamless way to disguise the mess.โ€

Cons: โ€œThese medicine cabinet designs can be costlier in general, especially if this space behind the wall doesnโ€™t already exist. Sometimes gaining that space can require rearranging HVAC or plumbing, or even building a secondary wall,โ€ according to Becca. Recessed cabinets also arenโ€™t a good fit on an exterior wall, because they generally wonโ€™t allow for enough insulation. โ€œBe careful when selecting your medicine cabinet option, as some newer models are not able to be fully recessed into the wall, so be sure to do your research,โ€ Becca adds.

Hall bathroom with gray painted cabinet and penny tile on the walls

Wall-Mounted Medicine Cabinet Pros and Cons

Pros: If the place where you want to install your medicine cabinet is on an exterior wall, or if there are mechanicals behind the drywall, a wall-mounted medicine cabinet is a better option for your space. โ€œMounted medicine cabinets are also a good option if you are opting for a design element like a pocket door, which will require that pocket in between the wall for its mechanism,โ€ Becca says. This type of medicine cabinet is also generally lower in price, so it can be kinder to your budget.

Cons: โ€œMost wall-mounted medicine cabinets have a fixed design, and can stick out quite a bit into the bathroom space,โ€ Becca says. You want to be mindful when selecting on of these to make sure the depth is not to obtrusive to you sink and lighting space. But Becca points out that Kohler and certain specialty home decor stores have some beautiful, wall-mounted medicine cabinet designs now available.

Choosing where and how to store your medicine is just one small piece of your bathroom remodeling puzzle. If youโ€™d like to meet with Becca to discuss more about your bathroom remodel or any other home remodeling project, schedule a free consultation. For updates on projects and to find more design inspiration, you can follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook,ย Instagram,ย LinkedInย andย Pinterest. We’ll even bring the latest in remodeling right to your email inbox, just sign up for our newsletter.

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