diane designs denver

Diane Gordon Design Wins Three 2011 CARE Awards

2011-10-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

Sponsored by the Homebuilder's Association of Metro Denver, the Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence, known as the CARE awards, are the largest and longest running contest recognizing remodeling of all types, including both commercial and residential projects. Categories are numerous, and include kitchens, bathrooms, green building, and much more. CARE awards are judged blind by local volunteers, making it a fair competition that recognizes excellence in remodeling, no matter the authorship.

Last night, Diane Gordon Design received a First Place prize, along with Gates Contracting, for a kitchen remodel project in Congress Park in the Kitchen Remodel Standard category (mid price range of $50,000-$100,000 remodel).

Kitchen 'Before'

Kitchen 'After'

Kitchen 'After' - Looking Toward Family Room


Butler's Pantry 'After'

Diane Gordon Design also received the First and Second Place Prizes in the Basement Remodel Basic category, along with contractor Best Builders, for two very different Stapleton basement projects.

1st PLACE

1st Place Basement - Family Room

1st Place Basement - Play Room

1st Place Basement - Wet Bar

2nd PLACE

2nd Place Basement - Family Room

2nd Place Basement - Wine Room

2nd Place Basement - Play Room

2nd Place Basement - Guest Bathroom

Considering a Kitchen Remodel? Amazing FREE Appliance Offer

2011-07-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

Have you been considering a kitchen remodel but just need that little extra incentive? Well, Jenn-Air Appliance is offering a great promotion through the end of the year. Buy a range or oven/cooktop combo, receive a free dishwasher; add a refrigerator to your order, and the ventilation system is free! See details here. Plus I order appliances wholesale, so the pricing you will receive through Diane Gordon Design is even better than through stores. Ask me how you can take advantage of this promotion and start designing the new kitchen of your dreams. Email info@dianegordondesign.com or call 303.355.5666.

Painting Inspires Master Bedroom Makeover

2011-04-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Charlene had attempted three times to design her very large master bedroom on her own and finally called me in to help her. I asked what she did and did not like about her space. Just about the only thing she did like, loved in fact, was the painting by Stapleton artist, Jody Rigsby. Everything else was all wrong, from the coral ceiling to the lack of furniture for the grand space. Book space was in desperate need, as was a cozy place to read, furnishings for movie night that could swivel out of the way for TV-watching in bed, and a writing desk. Here is the finished product along with the 'before' photo.

Inspiration Piece

George, the cat, enjoys the sunny window bench next to Charlene's favorite reading spot, a new Kravet chaise.

Before

After - many new custom built-ins house books and media equipment, a new rug grounds the space and ties all the colors and shapes together, and red swivel chairs can be used to watch a movie or read the morning paper.

My Favorite Basement of 2010

2011-04-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

2010 was a very busy year for my design business with 70 projects completed and about half of those basement finish projects, most in Stapleton. This basement was probably my favorite one as the homeowners really wanted to put some thought into special finishes such as built-in cabinetry and light fixtures.

We ordered semi-custom cabinetry for the wine bar, media credenza and bookcase in stained alder, and play room bench seating in white paint.

The bathroom cabinet is black paint topped with clean white Corian, the floor is Arabescato Carrara marble and white subway tile finishes the bathroom off in the shower.

I loved that these clients wanted to have fun with light fixtures, and through my suppliers, we were able to locate fixtures which give each room a distinct personality. The result is an original and whimsical space.

Family Room Flushmount Fixture

Bedroom Semi-Flushmount Fixture

Relocate the Fireplace to Another Room... Really?

2011-02-13T21:21:00.000-08:00

This main floor interior remodel project was unusual for Stapleton. The request was to do away with the family room fireplace altogether, add one in the barely used front living room, and furnish both with built-ins and new furniture. I was so happy to hear this - it all made total sense to me!

We outfitted the family room with built-ins for media components, TV, and books. Sconces flank the built-ins and a new chandelier replaced the ceiling fan. Two sofas and a large ottoman complete the room.

Family Room Before

Family Room After

The front living room now has a wonderful conversation grouping of furniture with a new custom fireplace, including stunning tile work and painted mantle and side built-ins.

Living Room

Fireplace Detail

Master of my Domain... Check out Stapleton Moms Blog for the Story

2010-11-29T19:49:00.000-08:00

Friends and clients have often told me that someone should write a story about why I started concentrating on basements - well, Maria Lucas did a great job of it on the Stapleton Moms blog.

Check out the story here.
That Stapleton Mom: Master of Her Domain

Basement Finish Season is Upon Us

2010-08-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

I always experience a lot of Basement Finish activity this time of year as our kids go back to school and the holidays approach. It's a great time for a basement finish project. If design is completed in August or September, your basement can likely be completed in time for Grandma's arrival in December.

Residential interior architecture and remodeling has been my passion and the sole focus of my business for the past 11 years. I continue to strive to give all my clients the best possible construction plans and material finish solutions for their spaces, while acting as a liaison with contractors, and enjoy getting to know my clients personally.

If you have a project you are considering, please don't hesitate to call me at 303.355.5666 or email info@dianegordondesign.com, or visit my website, www.dianegordondesign.com. A new format for the website with lots of new photos should be loaded soon, so please check for that.

Light Fixtures as Art

2010-08-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Nothing can transform a space as quickly as a new light fixture. I love a fixture that is unique and makes a statement and lately I have been selling my clients many fixtures from two companies in particular when they are looking for something different and stylish. George Kovacs and Stonegate Designs.

George Kovacs fixtures are modern but will not look dated in ten years. They have classic forms and finishes. I just specified a chrome drum fixture with "diamond" studs for a basement play room that was a huge hit. The studs let light through like little stars.

Stonegate's fixtures are more customizable and have an elegance to them that is incomparable. The typical linen drum fixture with diffuser everyone is looking for is anything but typical from Stonegate as it has a glass finial hanging through the diffuser and the ceiling canopy is layered with a glass disk. Wall sconces may have a combination of three fabrics and may be tiered like a cake. These fixtures do get noticed! I have a pair of this sconce in my own home...

If you need help ordering light fixtures for your home, I'd love to help.

From Concept to Reality

2010-08-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

Months of work goes in to even the smallest remodeling project. Not only do I draw the specifications for my projects, but I assist homeowners with the selection and ordering of the finish materials, and work with the contractors throughout the process. I don't post drawings on my business website, nor do I show 'before' photos. So from time to time, I will showcase a project here from beginning to end.

This is a master bathroom remodel in Stapleton completed in 2009. No upgrades were purchased from the builder, so the bathroom was gutted. A single 28 inch wide door was replaced with French doors. A wide, yet shallow, oval tub overpowered the space and was replaced with a narrower, deep soaker tub. That allowed for the vanity area to be widened by 9 inches. In-wall medicine cabinets and a cabinet over one end of the tub added much-needed storage. All new tile included classic white subway tile in the shower and tub, marble mosaic back splash over the new solid quartz counter, and the star of the bathroom, subtle multi-colored marble hexagonal floor tile (that is heated). Careful selection of polished nickel plumbing fixtures and vanity fixtures, an antique crystal chandelier over the tub, and new Euro shower door, complete the space.

-before-

-elevation-

-after-

-faucet detail-