As a full-service design center, Floor Decor is ready to help you every step of the way as you remodel your home, change your floors, update your kitchen backsplash, or reimagine other spaces. The process, though, can be intimidating. That's why we offer shop at home services as well as expert design help.
At the Orange, Connecticut showroom, your expert resource is designer Randee Slotkin. We caught up with her to ask her a few questions.
RS: I graduated from Philadelphia University with a degree in textile & interior design.
I moved to New York City to take a design position and spent the past 35 years designing fabrics. I traveled to Europe several times a year for concepts and inspiration. The experience was priceless!
I've always been more on the creative side and turned my passion for color & textures into design. I moved to Connecticut and started my own interior design consultant business.
RS: What I love most about being a designer is helping clients turn their dreams of a bathroom or kitchen remodel into a reality.
My designs must address their functional needs, as well as the designs being a personal reflection of my clients' tastes. It's important to work closely as a team with clients.
Some people can't visualize a room. This is where a designer is extremely valuable by removing the stress involved in making design choices and turning it into a fun process instead of a stressful one.
I also like to explore new design options for my clients by exposing them to new ideas they wouldn't naturally gravitate toward due to the fact that we usually like what we are used to seeing.
RS: I've included images of four kitchens I've designed in this article.
In the first one above, you'll notice wood plank tile on the wall immediately outside the kitchen. That's in contrast to the hardwood floors. The result is cozy, inviting yet light and fresh.
>> See How to Choose the Right Hardwood Floor for Your Home
In the kitchen image immediately above, the backsplash and cabinetry details add playfulness and visual interest without taking away from the simplicity. Notice the marble pattern on the floor. This can be done in porcelain tile as well as Luxury Vinyl Tile.
The kitchen below features subway tile on the walls and a subtle marble pattern on the countertops.
The image below also features subway tile. Notice how different the effect is depending on the countertop, the light fixtures, and details such as wood plank tile around the island.
When it comes to designing a kitchen, it's important to understand the work flows and traffic patterns.
RS: There are so many exciting products to discover at Floor Decor! Here are a few favorites from the Orange, Connecticut showroom.
From a wood plank tile perspective, I like these distressed barn wood-type styles. Notice how rich the variation in pattern is.
There's so much you can do with shower floors! Take these two examples. The first one contrasts multi-toned penny rounds with marble-inspired patterns.
I like the hexagons in the next image. They can look very different depending on the grout color you choose. Decorative tiles can transform an otherwise uniform look by adding visual interest. I like these circular patterned mosaics. In this case, you have a wonderful contrast between the black hexagon with white grout - to match the white subway wall tile - and the black and white decorative floor tile pattern.
RS: Design trends are constantly changing but nothing is really specific to Connecticut. When it comes to design, we do all styles, modern, transitional, eclectic, or coastal to name a few.
>> See Three Tile Backsplash Trends For Your Connecticut Home
RS: Besides bathroom, and remodels, I do floor plans, window design, paint selection, flooring, and construction when needed.
For example, I recently completed a three-season room which, because it was so stunning, turned into an all-season room with air conditioning and heat.
Here are some images of the project, first in the early remodel stage:
Here you see how that main wall looks when it was close to completion.
And here's a closeup of the sink area, with metallic pebble mosaics for the backsplash and a rich patterned countertop.
RS: As you know, it can be overwhelming for a customer to make product selections when there are so many beautiful products to choose from. I help by pre-selecting products that I'll take to a customer's home where we can review the options in the right setting.
Here's an example of products I selected for a laundry and powder room.
RS: I tell clients starting a new remodel or interior revamp to ask for help. It takes the burden off of them as to what to do or where to go. And, it makes it easy for them to get the project they are working on done. Then, they can move on to other things on their agenda.
RS: You can reach me by email - randeeslotkn@gmail.com - or by phone at 917-913-5136. You can also find me on Houzz under R S Design Consultant.
I am in the Orange, Connecticut showroom on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Anyone needing help can request an appointment to come into the showroom, though, on any day. Call me directly, or leave a message with Janine or Michael, and I will meet with them at their convenience.
Here are five kitchen projects that Randee designed with her clients.
The first two projects involved floors, walls, and the countertops.
Here's a bold contemporary design with clean lines.
The floors feature Panzu Rigid Core LVP Flooring in Dublin. They work well with Bella Cera Casa Mia French Oak in Milazzo on the wall.
Dal One Quartz in Broadway Black Velvet for the Countertop provides a contrast. The black coordinates with the black cabinetry handles while the white veining relates to the white cabinetry and the white shelves.
This next kitchen design is more serene with lighter tones matched with calm blues.
The backsplash features Glazzio Westminster 2 x 6 Glass Mosaic in Blue Jubilee. The variation in blues includes a light tone that coordinates beautifully with the floors (APE Drift 8 x 47 Porcelain Tile in White Natural) and the Tuscany Quartz in Marano Polished. The lovely patterns both in the floor planks and the countertops introduce soft playful variations that echo the backsplash.
These next three kitchen designs focus on countertops and backsplashes.
GLZ Overland Bay 3 x 14 Subway Tile in Vermont Morning is an oversized subway tile installed with an offset for the backsplash of this kitchen. The darker tones focus attention on the lighter elements of the kitchen.
The lighter tones work beautifully with the Viatera Quartz in Rococo Polished countertop. Notice the pattern in the countertop and how it echoes the tones and movement of the subway tile.
The backsplash and countertops in the kitchen below celebrate lightness and airiness. Despite the muted monochromatic color palette, there's nothing boring about the end result!
The EMI Materia 2 x 6 Subway in Sabbia backsplash has been installed in a wonderful zigzag or herringbone pattern. This adds movement and energy and works well with the Tuscany Quartz in Marano Polished countertop, the grey-toned cabinets, and the soft teal blue wall paint around the door and window.
This final example features a playful backsplash design with an insert.
Notice the diamond pattern of the Adex Studio 6 x 6 in Bamboo Backsplash and the focal design created over the stove. It almost seamlessly flows into the Cambria Berkeley Polished countertop, while contrasting with the rich wood-toned cabinets and floors.
These resources offer you additional ideas and inspiration for backsplashes and countertops:
>> 9 Kitchen Backsplash Ideas To Inspire Your Next Remodel (Video)
>> Introduction to the World of Backsplash Ideas & Possibilities
>> The Ultimate Guide to Quartz Countertops
>> Stunning Countertop Installations: Be Inspired!
If you are considering a home remodel project such as a bathroom or kitchen redo, or you'd like to try the Floor Decor Shop at Home program, we recommend that you work with our designer, Randee Slotkin.
Visit Floor Decor Design Center in Orange, Connecticut, or contact us with your questions.
We look forward to helping you.
Thanks for reading.
Note: We originally published this article on 06/13/2018, and have updated it.