62 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JUNE 2019
INSIDE JOB
UNEXPECTED DESIGN ELEMENTS
MAKING BOLD STATEMENTS
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
Forward-thinking, progressive
design diva Robyn Baumgarten of
Interiors By Just Design, has a few
tricks up her sleeve when it comes to
incorporating bold and unexpected
design elements into her renos. Check
out these jaw-dropping kitchens
and bathroom re-dos that got a big
thumbs-up from her delighted clients.
While the wow factor is important,
Baumgarten says, “You shouldn’t
overdo it. I tell clients who ask for
amazing this and that, that sometimes,
if too much of everything is
amazing then nothing is amazing.”
In any inside job, bold doesn’t have
to mean over-the-top. Using the right
colors here and there – on walls, with
accent furnishings and accessories,
kitchen cabinets and vanities – is one
way to make a bold statement.
For added drama, darker colors are
another way to go. It all depends on
the space.
After gutting a boring, all-white
kitchen, the design pro re-imagined
an eye-catching, transitional/updated
industrial-style, multi-purpose
area that was perfect for her 50-plus
clients, a Melville couple who loved
entertaining. And it had to be super
functional because the wife’s passion
was cooking. Here, Baumgarten
makes a bold statement with her
choice of striking black cabinets,
special lighting, subway tiles, and
more. A trendy black faucet with
gold tone along with a farm sink (both
from Fancy Fixtures in Woodbury)
completes this interesting design
story. These unusual elements create
a personalized look that instantly
elevates the space, taking it from a
typical condo kitchen to va-va-voom.
And during a much-needed reno in
Plainview, Baumgarten surprised
the homeowners by adding a blue
tile backsplash in the kitchen over
the stove. “It added a pop of color
and played off of the blue accents
throughout their home,” she says.
“I don’t like to do typical,” she says. “I
like to give my clients timeless, classic
and a bit of a wow factor. And, I know
how to put it all together cohesively
for an understated look,” she adds.
Interiors By Just Design interiorsbyjustdesign.
com 631-680-9691
Make a bold statement
by incorporating color
along with unusual,
unexpected design
The design pro created this transitional/updated industrial
style space that features unexpected design elements, like a
black faucet and farm sink.
elements.
Leave renos to the pros
instead of wasting time
and money tackling
challenging projects.
Feature a darker
element in an allwhite
space to elevate
the overall look.
Simple, understated
and classy can make a
big impact.
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
