Interior Designer – Julie Cavanaugh

Types of Kitchen Countertops

Julie Cavanaugh is an accomplished California interior designer who guides Design Matters as the founder and senior interior designer. Her company has received multiple awards such as the Award of Excellence from the American Society of Interior Designers. Under the guidance of Julie Cavanaugh, Design Matters offers various services including the provision of kitchen countertops.

Kitchen countertops are key elements of any kitchen and it’s therefore important to choose the right kind of countertop material. As surfaces for food preparation, kitchen countertops are expected to be scratch-proof, stain-proof, and heat-proof. Nowadays modern designers are exploring other types of countertops besides the traditional granite countertops and they include the following.

Solid Surfacing (Corian)

Manufactured from polyester resins and acrylic, pigments, and powdered fillers, Corian is resistant to stains, bacteria, and mildew. These countertops, which are available in multiple colors, can be easily damaged by scratches and burns. However, it’s easier to sand them out thanks to the consistent color that dominates the entire countertop. Solid surfacing is nonporous, meaning it doesn’t require sealing or use of special cleaning materials.

Quartz

Quartz is among the hardest minerals on earth which makes it highly ranked in terms of durability. For this reason quartz is commonly used in high traffic areas such as commercial kitchens and health care establishments. This countertop is ideal for those who want a strong surface that isn’t affected by stains and markings. However, caution should be observed especially when using countertops with lighter colors.

Laminate

Laminate countertops are available in a wide range of colors, textures, and patterns. These countertops are highly resistant to stains, but damage caused by sharp knives and heat cannot be undone. The biggest advantage of laminate countertops is they’re budget friendly.

Designing the Perfect Office Interior

Los Gatos, California, resident Julie Cavanaugh is an interior designer with more than 20 years of experience. She is the founder and senior interior designer at Design Matters in Los Gatos, an award-winning commercial and residential interior design company. A graduate of West Valley College, Julie Cavanaugh holds a California Certification for Interior Design.

Interior designers can help improve office interiors using these tips:

1. Decluttering desk spaces. Interior designers know that tidy workspaces boost productivity.

2. Enough storage. It helps to have storage that hides most unwanted clutter. Specifically, closed storage gives a polished look.

3. Comfortable furniture. Due to long hours spent in the office, furniture should eliminate injury and strain. An example is adjustable chairs.

4. A clever mix of colors. Colors are known to affect the brain. It is important to choose colors that are energizing and calming.

5. Thermal comfort. Interior designers can work with engineers to ensure equipment such as HVAC systems are appropriately installed.

Five Benefits of Hiring An Interior Designer

After completing interior design studies at West Valley College in Saratoga, California, Julie Cavanaugh of Los Gatos, California, became a professional interior designer. She is the founder of Design Matters located in Los Gatos. A member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Julie Cavanaugh is dedicated to providing her clients with exceptional interior design services using a variety of materials sourced from some of the leading vendors.

Hiring an interior designer has these benefits:

1. Saves time and money. Designers help to select the correct furnishings that are to scale.

2. Project management. Interior designers are the middlemen between vendors and clients and always have a plan of action.

3. Creation of unique spaces. These professionals help to achieve designs that are unique to a client.

4. Cohesive designs. Designers meet different needs of people sharing a common space and strive to please them all.

5. Keen eye and expertise. Interior designers advise clients on where to spend their money and can see a fuller picture even before completion.