The Show Room Insider

Who are you going to turn to for advice on the next big purchase for your home? We think some of the best resources can be found in Twin Cities show rooms. Here’s how several show rooms responded when we asked for answers to common home design questions.

MSP: What are the best space-saving kitchen appliances that don’t sacrifice all the bells and whistles of the larger, commercial-style appliances?
Mike Mahin, Guyer’s Builder Supply: There are thirty-inch, commercial-style ranges from Viking and Dacor that, when combined with their over-the-range convection microwaves, give you all the benefits of commercial-style cooking in a relatively small area. Viking also makes twenty-four-inch, pro-style ranges if you are exceedingly short on space. Combine the range with a French-door, cabinet-depth refrigerator and an eighteen-inch European, cabinet-front dishwasher and you have a very efficient kitchen.

MSP: What’s the best way to use tile to make a strong design statement in your bathroom? What are the hottest new looks and materials? And what should you bring to the show room to get the process started?
Andrea Hanson, Rubble Tile: Don’t be afraid of color! Ten years ago, tile was mostly beige. Today you can find red, purple, green—hot colors, cool colors, and iridescent colors. Glass and handmade tiles make a very personal statement and can work in a multitude of design schemes, from modern and contemporary to classic and traditional. Large-format tiles and color mosaics are new and eye-catching. Bring both your floor plan and samples of anything that you have already decided on to your show room meeting. There are many more tiles to coordinate with your counter selection than there are countertops to go with your tile.

MSP: What’s your advice for someone who is shopping for furniture, but doesn’t want to start from scratch with all new pieces? How do you best mix and match old and new?
Jenny Reed, Gabberts Furniture and Design Studio: When redoing a room decide on an overall style or theme. Then analyze each piece in the room as to how it could fit into your new look. Eclectic is in-style today, but that doesn’t mean that anything goes. Consult with a designer if you are not sure. Antiques or pieces with sentimental value can easily be mixed into newer, updated schemes. An antique chest with a very contemporary piece of art or mirror, a bold lamp, and the perfect box can create a wonderful juxtaposition. Invest in furnishings that have great versatility and be sure to budget for the accents.

MSP: What are the most interesting trends in outdoor lighting?
Kari Cartier, Cartier Lighting: [At Cartier] we feature a landscape lighting concept room to demonstrate how each type of lighting works and we show you how to up-light architectural features, wall-wash or graze stone work, and silhouette trees. Path, deck/rail, and step lighting are a must for safety. The product trend is toward higher-quality copper or bronze fixtures that perform better in our tough Minnesota environment. 

MSP: What are the essential fixtures and gadgets for creating a spa environment in your shower?
Steve Singer, Pipeline Supply: Multiple body sprays or showerheads, a hand-held shower system with an adjustable slide bar, and raincan showerheads are just a start. Other luxuries could include a steam unit, fog-free mirror, and speakers. Select a system with a thermostatic valve and a twelve-inch showerhead that has light therapy with digital control. Don’t forget that the volume of water needed to operate your new shower may require a larger water heater.

MSP: Sometimes it’s a struggle to fit large items in a side-by-side refrigerator. What types of refrigerators are more accommodating?
Carla Warner, Warners’ Stellian: Bottom-mount freezers with French doors are extremely popular right now and provide a wider area for refrigerated items such as large serving platters. Also modular units offer a variety of configurations available to fit individual needs and spaces. Models from LG, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, GE, Maytag, and Fisher & Paykel may be just what you need.

MSP: Everyone has granite kitchen countertops. What will be the hot new surfaces of tomorrow?
Andrea Hanson, Rubble Tile: Tile is coming back as a counter option. New, large sizes fit the depth of your counters and square edges minimize grout joints.

MSP: What should you keep in mind as you select bathroom lighting fixtures?
Kari Cartier, Cartier Lighting: Remember the old standard bar lighting strip with all the exposed bulbs and glare? Lighting selections for your bathroom have become a major style statement since then. Decorative lighting should be installed on the wall over the top of each sink. If space permits, installing additional wall lights on the side of each mirror provides even lighting. Recess lighting for general lighting is also popular, but placing recessed lights above the sink area will shadow you in the mirror. Recessed lighting in the shower is a must. If you want to add interest, install toe-kick lighting (rope lighting) at the base of floor cabinets to create the illusion of floating cabinets and to show off your flooring.

MSP: What’s your advice for someone who is shopping for all-new furniture for the main living area of a small city condo? How can they get the most for their money?
Susan Strong, Schneiderman’s Furniture: First, buy the best quality seating you can afford. Look for a smaller-scale sectional and a coordinating chair to provide a variety of seating for all the functions of the room. Consider an upholstered bench or ottoman that can be used as both a cocktail table and additional seating for gatherings. Then look for good storage pieces. Find a media wall unit that can house the entertainment equipment, shelve the books, and store your day-to-day clutter. Multi-functional furniture is key to living comfortably in smaller spaces.

MSP: What’s important to remember when selecting a new kitchen faucet? Do certain styles of faucets look and function better with particular types of sinks?
Paul Goldberg, Roth Distributing: Function should match need. There are many options to consider: single-hole faucets, two-handle mixers with or without side spray, integrated soap dispenser, pull-down or pull-out hand spray. Certain styles function better with certain sinks—for example, a faucet with a pillar needs to be paired with a sink with the proper height and depth. Your kitchen faucet really is a “water appliance.” Without a doubt, it is the most used appliance and should be the best in its class.

MSP: What’s the key to finding the perfect sofa?
Robin Peters, Furniture Manor: For the hands-on shopper, some homework is required. Before you start your search, collect samples of existing fabrics, carpet, and wall colors that appear in the room where the new sofa will be placed. Make a list of preferences. This list should include the shape of the arm you prefer, whether you like a loose cushion or a semi-attached back, skirt or exposed leg, the best size for the space, the number of seat cushions, etc. Do you need a heavy-duty fabric? Would you prefer reclining, soft, or firm seating? Show room displays are only representative of the limitless possibilities. Finding the perfect fit will be a lot easier if you work with a consultant right from the start.

MSP: What’s popular in contemporary sinks and faucets—above-counter sinks or undermount? Super shiny or matte finishes for the faucets?
Andrea Johnstone, Fantasia Showrooms: The most unique, contemporary fixtures for the bath are etched-glass vessel sinks, clear or frosted; concrete sinks, mostly vessel but also integral lav/countertops in straightforward formats (rectangular or round integral or wave); and trough sinks. Wonderful sculptured metal vessel sinks, each one unique and a true work of art, are also popular. As for faucets, we sell double the number of matte finishes compared with the super shiny, but we are hearing that shiny yellow (gold) is coming back on the coasts. Who knows if and when we will see that again.

MSP: If you’re buying all-new appliances for your home and want to be as energy-efficient and environmentally conscious as possible, what should you look for? What are the most eco-friendly lines?
Mike Mahin, Guyer’s Builder Supply: You should ask for all-gas appliances when looking for cooking equipment because gas is a more efficient energy source than electricity. Look for drawer dishwashers that allow you to wash half loads, dishwashers with sensor programs, or European dishwashers that can heat their own water so you can lower the temperature setting on your water heater. Ask for refrigerators with variable-speed compressors. Front-load laundry reduces energy use significantly (as much as 200 gallons of water less per week). European manufacturers (Miele, ASKO) and also Fisher & Paykel offer eco-friendly designs. Full-line appliance manufacturers like KitchenAid, Electrolux, and Jenn-Air are also good lines to visit.

MSP: What are the options for homeowners who want the look and feel of natural materials for their kitchen countertops, but don’t want the price or upkeep?
Andrea Hanson, Rubble Tile: Porcelain tiles that look like granite, sandstone, limestone, pewter, and marble are a good choice. Some are such great replicas that you can hardly tell the difference.

MSP: How should homeowners get started picking out their favorite fixtures in a crowded lighting show room? What information should they bring?
Kari Cartier, Cartier Lighting: Lighting consultants can guide you through the process. To make sure that the light levels are correct for the tasks, accents, or general lighting needs, we ask questions like “Do your kids do homework at the kitchen island?” and “Do you want to highlight the space above the fireplace for art?” We also confirm ceiling heights to provide the correct amount of chain. And we may surprise you by asking about your interior’s surfaces. Darker wood floors absorb light and polished granite counters reflect light. Bring examples of your flooring, tile, carpets, and counters to best select your lighting finishes.