Teresa Tumminia, established At Home Custom Interiors in 2002 and has been providing innovative interior design services ever since. She draws inspiration from many sources, but her main source is her clients. And in this case, her client was herself! Keep reading for the ins and outs of her latest design, and see before images below, and be sure the check out her Instagram, Website, and Facebook profiles for even more inspiration! 

Q: Why did you choose to redesign this space?
A: "I feel as though a home’s interior should flow with the exterior as well as its surroundings. I chose to redesign the kitchen because it was dated and not what you would “expect to find” coming through the front door. I wanted to create a vintage, farmhouse feel since the setting of the home is a farm surrounded by green acres and horses. I wanted to create a space that’s relaxing and timeless."

Q: What was your design inspiration?
A: "My design inspiration came from my love of all things “worn, vintage, and simple.” I love a touch of industrial-style mixed in as well. I feel that it’s timeless, not trendy."

Q: What made you choose Nob Hill Thin Brick?
A: "I chose Nob Hill Thin Brick with White Aspen mortar because I love the way it blends seamlessly with a mix of metals, woods, and cabinet finishes. It was the perfect compliment. I also chose to do a “messy mortar” style to give it an old feel. Outlets and switches were moved underneath the cabinetry for an authentic and uninterrupted result."

Q: How has Glen-Gery products helped to transform your space?
A: "The kitchen was designed around three things - the right exhaust hood, a quality farmhouse sink, and the perfect old brick. Glen-Gery’s wide selection of brick made finding the perfect shade a breeze and the installation system is amazingly simple. I knew if I chose Glen-Gery that the finished look would be exactly what I wanted - no unevenness and a gorgeous assortment of color variations."

Q: What project is next on your list?
A: "Next on my list is to brick an accent wall behind the bar in a “man-cave.” I’m very excited about this project! I’d like to do a floor as well!"

Q: What would you do differently if you had the chance to redo this project?
A: "Not a thing!"

Q: What was your favorite/least favorite part of the whole process?
A: "My least favorite part of the process was painting the all the cabinets. There were a lot. A good playlist helped me get through it! My favorite part was covering up those faux doors on the peninsula with brick and then adding the mini barn door to create access to the one deep cabinet. I repurposed the original front door knocker as a the handle for the barn door cabinet."

Q: How would you rate the projects outcome?
A: "I'm going to give it a 9!"

Choosing the right materials is an essential step in planning a home remodel or renovation. Options like brick and stone can add luxury, comfort and beauty to homes.

With a diverse array of colors, textures and sizes to choose from, there are options to suit practically any design aesthetic, whether it’s traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between. Because brick and stone materials provide strength, permanence, sustainability and beauty, it’s possible to balance function with appearance.

Before choosing your brick or stone material, it’s a good idea to explore the vast color options, varying textures and sizes. You might even consider combining different materials to create accents that add interest and support the design of your home.

If you like the idea of incorporating brick or stone into your design but are not sure where it fits, consider these popular choices:

Accent Walls: If you’re concerned about overpowering a room, an accent wall is a simple way to add the appealing look of brick or stone in moderation. The wall can add character and dimension that either stands out or blends into the overall design, depending on the colors and textures you choose.

Kitchens: From flooring to island accents, backsplashes and beyond, the options are plentiful for introducing brick or stone into kitchen design. Whether you’re going for a modern look or something more traditional, quality is a top priority in high-use areas like the kitchen. Choose materials from a reliable source like Glen-Gery, which offers more than 600 brick and stone products in a vast variety of sizes, textures and colors.

Bar Surrounds: This feature tends to be a focal point in its own right but adding brick or stone can make your bar area a real showstopper while capturing the color tones of the rest of the room.

Archways: Defining the transition from one space to the next adds an architectural design element that can either carry your design theme from one room of the house to the next or signal a transition toward a new motif, depending on the material you choose.

Unbeatable Benefits of Brick

Resilience: Brick is incredibly resilient. It’s weather and storm proof. As a result, it’s better able to withstand the diverse weather conditions across North America from natural disasters to extreme heat in fire prone regions. Brick is also termite resistant.

Low Maintenance: Brick does not require any painting, coating or varnishing in order to maintain its aesthetic and durability.

Fireproof: Brick is non-combustible and doesn’t assist the spread of fire, making it ideal for building in wildfire-prone areas. Clay bricks normally don’t suffer any structural damage after a fire and can be re-used, even as load bearing walls.

Design Flexibility: Brick comes in styles to suit any building project and is a popular material choice among architects and designers because of its design flexibility, strong structural capabilities and intricate detailing.

Noise Cancelling: Whether between rooms within a home or from outside noise, brick provides sound insulation.

Durable: Brick is long-lasting. Unlike other man-made materials, brick doesn’t get tired, so your brick home remains weather- and age-proof over time.

Energy Efficient: Brick is a high-density material, meaning it can effectively absorb and store heat energy to help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Its ability to average temperature extremes can make a noticeable difference in comfort while also reducing energy bills.

Natural: Brick is manufactured from naturally occurring materials and does not emit volatile organic compounds as many lightweight products do. With virtually no emissions and high thermal mass, brick is also a good choice for health-conscious homeowners with acute allergies or sensitivities to weather.