The Design Series: Part 1

Two things I love about my job?

First, the people. I get to meet all kinds of interesting people from Westchester, the Tri-State area, and beyond – Rhode Island, Florida, London – you get the picture. Working with these fabulous people to buy or sell what is often their biggest investment is a privilege I don’t take lightly.

My job also connects me with craftsmen, architects, photographers, contractors, inspectors, stagers, and yes, sometimes designers.

That leads me to the second reason why I love my job – Functional Art. What I mean by that is functional beauty in action, enjoyed in an everyday, practical way at home. A home well finished brings a sense of joy and ease to your everyday life. Surrounding yourself with beauty in your home just makes you feel good.

A newly renovated Bronxville kitchen in classic white with blue accents

In Bronxville and the surrounding area, we enjoy the beauty and exquisite craftsmanship of turn of the century homes. Our very own Bronxville designer and accomplished entrepreneur, Marisa Sheumack, brilliantly transforms these homes to accommodate today’s buyers’ modern lifestyles, tastes and needs.

Bronxville is considered the first true American suburb, meticulously planned in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a walkable village, only a short train ride away from Manhattan. Bronxville boasts a variety of stunning homes by several celebrated architects like William Bates and Lewis Bowman. Most homes in Bronxville and the surrounding areas were built in the early 1920’s. But times change. How do we reconcile our modern tastes and lifestyles while preserving the integrity of the home’s architecture?

Marisa’s approach is to remain true to the time and architecture of the home, while introducing fresh classic design and practical solutions for today’s modern lives. The reality is we still have to feed our families and get our kids to school on time, often with a packed lunch. Our homes not only should be beautiful and make us feel good when we enter them, they also need to work well for the modern family while remaining consistent with the original architecture of the home.

A serene spot for a bite or coffee before the day begins

It was a treat to sit down with Marisa over a piping hot coffee at @bxvlcoffeehouse to discuss what Marisa calls the biggest design investment in your home – kitchen and bathrooms

She kindly shared Seven Tips for Updating Your Kitchen or Bathroom:

This newly renovated Bronxville kitchen feels freshly modern, while remaining classic and in keeping with the home’s architecture.

#1. A timeless look makes sense

Kitchens and bathrooms are your biggest decorating investment. If you’re going to invest the money, opt for a timeless look that you won’t tire of any time soon.

#2. Stay in keeping with the architecture of you home

Marisa’s work is a fresh take on classic design. Her clients love her clean lines and bright whites, while reflecting the spirit and history of the home in an au courant way. Here is a list of whites that Marisa has used for her clients:

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

Benjamin Moore White

Benjamin Moore Simply White

Benjamin Moore White Dove

Sherman Williams Pure White

Sherman Williams Alabaster

#3. White kitchens aren’t going away

Buyers still want white kitchens, which you can personalize in your own way. If you want to add more color, paint the lower cabinets of your kitchen island to add interest – she just did that in a deep, dark blue for one of her Bronxville clients. You can also punctuate a timeless kitchen with elements that are easily changed or moved around, like furniture, cushions, or art.

A deep blue bar area adds interest to the otherwise white kitchen.

#4. Open floor plans are still a go-to

They are particularly popular among young families as they allow for easy and casual entertaining and family life. Access to an outdoor patio is always a huge plus (and adds to your resale value!).

#5. Choose materials wisely

Especially in high traffic zones like kitchens and bathrooms, choose materials that are beautiful but durable, like quartz countertops. While marble is stunning, it does stain so if you adore marble (I mean, who doesn’t?), choose a spot where it’s less likely to have red wine spilled on it, like a powder room or master bathroom.

#6. If you can, go custom

Nothing says luxury listing and quality like custom cabinets or a custom bathroom vanity. If you’re on a budget or are renovating a smaller bathroom, there are great ready made products out there at reasonable prices.

#7. Not up for a full reno? Refresh it!

There are some quick fixes that don’t cost a bundle yet still have a big impact. Nothing says clean and new like fresh paint. Replacing a medicine cabinet with a pretty mirror or changing the top of a vanity with a remnant marble slab from the quarry (you can find discounted remnants) adds a lot. If you’re doing a bathroom reno and looking for places to save, tiling can be expensive. You don’t need to tile all around the bathroom – you can just tile the shower area.

Making your spaces beautiful and functional is another form of self care. If you are considering selling your home within the next five years, know that buyers will pay top dollar for homes with recently updated kitchens and bathrooms in keeping with modern styles. Marisa is the perfect guide to help you get it right every step of the way, bringing together art, function, your personal style, and the architectural tradition of your home.

You can find Marisa at https://www.dimackdesigns.com/home-mobile or follow her on instagram, @dimackdesigns.

Westchester Woman to Watch: Marisa Scheumack, DiMack Designs