Giving Back to Houston

Giving Back to Houston

By Jane Page Crump

Jane Page Design Group

 

I encourage my staff to give back to the community by being involved with non-profit groups. Presently, everyone on my staff is volunteering with the Covenant House Texas organization where they help with birthday parties and special events such as the Valentine dance for the young Covenant House individuals who would not have a birthday party or even attend a Valentine dance without the efforts of others wanting and willing to help. Laura Timanus and Amanda Crump recently were responsible for the table decorations at the annual Covenant House Gala and have been on this committee for several years. Covenant House Texas offers homeless and/or abused teenagers a safe haven while helping them with their problems.

  

 I have been involved with non-profit groups for most of my life and have enjoyed every minute of it. Helping those who are in need of help is very satisfying. I just joined the Houston Habitat for Humanity board and I am looking forward to giving my time and efforts to their incredible work in Houston.

  

 I am also on the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Board. This organization promotes the maintenance of Houston’s architectural history, both commercial and residential. If you are ever aware of a historical building that is facing decay or demolition, please contact the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance website at www.ghpa.org.

 

 Whether it’s helping the youth at Covenant House, laying a brick for Habitat for Humanity or contributing to the restoration of a Houston’s architectural and cultural heritage for the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, giving back to Houston ultimately means securing a beautiful future in Houston which is where I proudly call home.

  

If you have any interest in volunteering at any of the mentioned non-profit groups mentioned

 

www.covenanthousetx.org

 

www.houstonhabitat.org

 

www.ghpa.org

 

Design For Aging

According to an ASID survey of U.S. homeowners, most Americans (82%) want to remain in their homes as they age, even if they should require assistance and care. What's more, AARP research shows that more than half (52%) of American homeowners age 45 and older are interested in receiving information about remaining in their homes as they get older.
  - http://www.asid.org/designservices/basics/accessible/aging/

“Aging in place” is a term used in the design world to describe making a home easily accessible as people age. In today’s society, there are many housing alternatives to living in your own home such as retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Recently, however, companies have designed and manufactured new pieces of furniture and household appliances in order to make it easier for the aging society to stay in their current homes as they age. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the design of your home being compromised by the look of hospital-like furniture.

At Jane Page Design Group, whether we are designing a new home or remodeling a space, we make sure to inform our clients of the importance of ADA accessibility. Some clients require their whole house to be wheelchair accessible, where as others prefer to have one room accessible in order to support an aging friend or family member. For example, many of our clients ask to make their bathrooms accessible. When our firm designs a bathroom, there are many aspects we take into consideration. We make sure all of the doors are 36”W with lever handles, which makes the space wheelchair accessible, and makes the doors easy to open in the instance that the client loses the ability to grip with their hands. Instead of having a curb on the shower, we make the floor slope slightly to the drain, in order for the client to access the shower in a wheelchair if needed. Grab bars are usually not needed right away, therefore, we block out the appropriate areas in the walls to allow for the client to add grab bars when necessary.

                                         - Kendra Benson, Jane Page Design Group

Collections

By: Jane-Page Crump

A “collection” as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, exhibition or as a hobby”.

I remember a journalist once asked me about a design project of mine, and he was concerned about what collection(s) my client had. Once I told him my client was not a shopper and had no collections, he was no longer interested in featuring the home in his magazine. I’m not as concerned with my clients’ collections or lack there of, but I did an inventory of my own collection immediately--- would my home’s interiors and my collections be worthy?

Collections should be fun and meaningful. A great collection to start with is one of Santas. Collecting different styles, different sizes, Santas made of unusual materials, Santas from different countries, etc. The collection can be a lifetime journey and can be as simple or elaborate as you want. To make it interesting for others, learn interesting facts regarding each Santa in your collection. What a wonderful addition to your Christmas decorations and a great opportunity for conversation with new guests in your home.

Angels can be another subject for collectors. Again, your collection can become whatever you want it to be. An angel collection can be part of your Christmas decorating, as well as, a collection for display throughout the year. You can limit your collection to all glass, all wood, or handmade, etc. You may want all of your angels to be antiques.

The downfall of collecting is when others who don’t share your taste, insist on adding to your collection. This is when setting perimeters can be important. You are the one to set the perimeters for your collection. And, if you are a perfectionist then you may want to be the only one to select each piece in your collection.

One way of displaying your collection is by grouping. By grouping your collection the display becomes a “single” greater object in itself and makes your collection more important than any single piece in the collection. An important collection depends as much on affection and presentation as on cost or rarity. Using your collections as a centerpiece is also a dramatic way to show your collections.

Suggestions for interesting collections are: blue & white china pieces, boxes, linens, elephants, butterflies, frogs, santas, clocks etc…the possibilities are endless. Collecting gives you a shopping goal when traveling, as well as, a memory of your travels.

I remember once visiting in a house in Oklahoma City, where the lady of the house shared her collection of antique evening bags that had belonged to her grandmother and great grandmother. They were beautifully displayed in shadow boxes and hung on a wall in the master bedroom.

I have a small collection of children’s china. My mother gave me china she had as a child, which is probably only important to me. But, when added to the blue and white Blue Willow china that I received for Christmas (I was six years old) the combination makes for an interesting collection for discussion.

Everyone that knows me knows that I love elephants and have an extensive collection (I do not need anymore!) My husband and I bought a glass elephant on our honeymoon in Venice and, viol ‘a, our collection was started. Whenever we traveled we try to find a unique elephant – sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. Our collection now consists of all kinds of elephants from all over the world and made of different materials. We have a few expensive elephants and some not so expensive. Several years ago I bought an antique Asian furniture piece and have our collection displayed on this antique, making for an even more interesting collection.

Share your information regarding your collection(s). Tell us how it got started, what your parameters are, and how you display the collection.

         Jane-Page Crump, ASID

The Kitchen is the Hearth

Some things never change….

The kitchen is still the hearth and heart of the home. It is the main room in the house in which all members of the household interact on a daily basis. The kitchen is the place guests frequently gather to converse and watch the host(s) prepare food and drinks. This is the room in which parents and children most often interact one to three times a day.

Today the kitchen is an even more important design element in the home then ever before. Therefore, the cabinets have become more sophisticated, the lights more flexible and the finishes more interesting. The appliance options are numerous and perform most any function desired in the kitchen. In construction costs, more money is spent per square foot in the kitchen than in any other spaces in the house. For a 5,000 sq. ft. to 8,000 sq. ft. house an appliance budget of $50,000 is not unreasonable (this includes appliances for bar, summer kitchen, & utility).

With the kitchen open to the great room (family room) we frequently design a secondary kitchen. This can be anything from a sink, refrigerator and oven in the utility area, to a separate kitchen space with all of the major appliances. This secondary kitchen is sometimes called “the dirty kitchen”. This second kitchen is perfect for formal entertaining as well as for catering and for cooking the turkey or standing rib roast for the holidays. Also, when cooking foods that have a strong odor such as shellfish or curries, this dirty kitchen is the perfect solution for keeping these odors out of the rest of the house. To insure venting these odors to the outdoors, I specify motors with 1500 CFM, as well as, I specify that this space have an air supply and return independent of the surrounding areas.

Lighting is one of the most important elements of the kitchen design. In order for today’s kitchen to satisfy all of the functions performed in this space, a layering of light is needed. General and ambient lighting is needed for back dropping the task and accent lighting. A lighting system, which is set at different levels for different occasions, makes lighting infallible for those persons who do not understand the importance of lighting. Task lighting for food preparation needs to be included in the lighting design and for counter top lighting I recommend zenon fixtures. Accent lighting can be used on artwork, and collections, lighting above cabinets adds interest, lights under toe kicks and bar tops can highlight finished materials, and cabinet lighting can be used for displays of pottery, crystal, etc. Lighting can add drama, excitement, and interest to the overall kitchen design.

With the selection of the finishes the personality and design style of the kitchen are developed! I frequently select the countertop first since the color can influence the selection of the cabinet finish, as well as, the natural countertop options are more limited in color. Countertops come in many colors and materials; they can be made of one material or a combination of materials. Some of the granites available today have a lot of color and movement---many look like an artist’s painting. With the selection of the counter top, the color and finish of the cabinets can be selected which will complement the selected countertop material. Next is the design of the backsplash, which can be a combination of the countertop material or a contrast in color, texture, and material to surface. Other finish selections to be made are the glass style for glass cabinet doors, material for facing the island(s), ceiling treatments, hood material, room crown, trim, flooring material and design.

Designing the ultimate kitchen involves developing a functional space plan, selecting the desired appliances and plumbing fixtures, integrating a flexible lighting system and specifying cabinet design and finishes---all of this to reflect the personalities of the owners.

Bathing with the Pharaohs

This last year we designed an Egyptian themed theater for a client. We coordinated the theme/design of the theater with the theater bathroom.

The main focus of the theater bathroom was the custom etched and carved shower doors which features both an Egyptian man and woman adorned in the clothing and jewelry of the Pharaohs. The man and woman are based off of the paintings on the walls in the tombs of Ancient Egypt. The etchings have accents of metallic paint which highlights the jewelry on each figure.

In the theater bathroom we simplified the color scheme from the bright blues, reds, greens, and gold seen in the theater by using only black and gold. The bathroom walls are covered with a hand-painted wall covering that has gold papyrus leaves on a black background.

A gold travertine selected for the main floor tile contrasts with the black and gold walls-balancing the combination of the light and dark colors.

The cabinets and trim are painted black and highlighted with a metallic gold paint. The sink vanity has a Black Absolute granite countertop, and its tiered base is faced with the same Black Granite.

The gold mirror frame which we selected has an Egyptian motif-complimenting the vanity’s tiered base. The classic designed two-arm sconces in a black and gold finish flank the mirror and completes the room design.

So, come bathe with the Pharaohs in an atmosphere of Ancient Egypt!

Christy Davis

Jane Page Design Group Captures Eight ASID Design Awards

2009 ASID Awards Night Gala was billed as “Stars of Houston Interior Design,” and Jane Page Design Group stole the spotlight, winning eight interior design awards.

The annual competition, sponsored this year by the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and Texas Home and Living Magazine. Hotel Za Za was the setting for the festive ceremony September 26.

The overall custom interior design of the Annapolis home, by Jane-Page Crump, ASID, Kristen Carlson, ASID and Christy Davis, ASID, Allied captured the top spot in the prestigious “Over 3,500 square feet- Remodel” category.

Overwhelmed by the awards, Crump said, “I have never been so proud of my staff of terrific designers and happy for our incredible clients. This shows that when you get honest input from the clients and they, in turn, allow the designers to express their creativity, you can have winning design results.”

Jane Page Crump and Miriam Hindmarch received an award for “Residential under 3500 sq ft” category for a casita that consist of a living space, kitchen, casual dining, utility room, bedroom bathroom and covered porch.

Crump and Carlson also received honors for a little girl’s room designed to be pretty in pink and green.

Ashley Tisius, ASID, Allied, teamed with Crump on the design an outdoor living space winning for its attractive poolside area with cooking facility and conversation area. Tisius and Crump also won an award for an elegant dining room.

Crump won two top awards in two separate design categories. One was a residential Home Office that was not only elegant but also efficient. The second was in the single space category winning first place for a Living Room.

Jane-Page Crump won an award in the commercial single space category for a high end salon, Betty’s Mode de France which has a European flair but located in the heart of Houston.

Jane Page Design Group has an award winning experienced design and support staff. Two or more designers are assigned to each project, with Crump as lead designer. The firm’s award-winning work has been published in books, magazines and newspapers. Crump is a past president of ASID Gulf Coast Chapter and the Texas Association of Interior Designers (TAID).

More information on JPDG is available at http://www.janepagedesigngroup.com/.

For media only: For more information, contact:
Jane-Page Crump, ASID
Janepage@jpdg.com
Or
Amanda Crump
Amanda@jpdg.com
At
713-803-4999

Living in the Kitchen

By: Jane-Page Crump, ASID
Jane Page Design Group

The ASID Kitchen and Bath tour the weekend of September 12-13th was a huge success. It appeared that the majority of people viewing the homes were in the process of, or considering, building or remodeling. Many people were interested in making their kitchens an attractive part of the living area with furniture quality cabinets and finishes.

Kitchens are so personal and need to be designed specifically for the way the owners cook and the way they live. Many times the family is together only when they are cooking and/or eating. Therefore, there should be a comfortable area designed for the family gathering at those times. If there is enough space, it is nice to give the eating area its own interesting design element, something that complements the overall kitchen design. The interest might be established with an upholstered banquette, an interesting light fixture, a unique table, etc.

If the kitchen is part of a living area, I like to minimize open countertop space so that you don’t feel as if you are always in the kitchen. One of the characteristics of a typical kitchen is a lot of countertop space---cluttered with all kinds of “things”; I prefer to design the countertops with “work areas” that can be closed off when not in use. Once the preparation area and clean-up area are established, the rest of the countertops can be designed for baking, mixing, storage, coffee bar, breakfast bar, all of which can be closed off when not being used.

I always address the importance of the lighting design, the location of equipment that needs docking, speakers, TV’s and computers. The location of these items should definitely be an integrated part of the final kitchen design.

Once the space plan is complete the cabinets can be designed to coordinate with the other cabinets in your living area and can be finished to look like furniture.