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Archive for February, 2017

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Plants: Nature’s Finest Decoration

Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

FFDM American Cherry’s Marlborough Dining Table leaped to life with the porcelain vase filled with flowers was placed atop it.

One of the trendiest things in the world of interior design is getting closer to Mother Nature. This is all about being able to bring the outdoors in. it is also about how to blur the lines of the living spaces and perfecting the room layouts based on the temperature in your zone and your fondness for living outdoors.

There may be decorative pieces that celebrate the beauty of botanicals and there, too, are the real ones given to us by nature. Choose which of these two (you can also fuse them) you would bring in to your home.

Adding colors, focus, and organic structure to your home with the use of potted plants and flowers in vases could do wonders to your physical and mental health.

Achieving the Natural Look

To successfully create the look, it won’t require you to turn your house to a greenhouse. Instead, you can have some well-placed, green plants contribute to the natural look and feel in all the rooms whether you embraced a traditional or contemporary style.

The trick is to make the place look healthy and lush, complete with lovely shades of green and a plethora of textures. Begin by understanding the role of plants in successfully adapting to outdoor living. If you’re not that great in tending plants, then consult any green-thumbed expert.

From macramé hanging pots, to terrariums, vertical indoor garden and artificial plants – it is a lot easier to look for a green solution nowadays. A terrarium is an easy and fun way to welcome nature in. Just convert a funky-looking glass and create a garden inside using your favorite greens.

Large indoor plants have the power to create a dramatic statement while cool macramé hangers are a unique addition to any ordinary-looking space.

If you intend to use natural indoor plants, then be sure to plan how the sunlight and water could be administered to them. Artificial plants are also a wonderful alternative especially now that they are becoming more and more lifelike.

Basic Flower Arrangement

Fuse the tri-shades of African violets in a lovely urn then cover the arrangement using sheet moss. This will create a cozy feel to the ensemble while also holding the moisture in.

Be sure to have this arrangement drink in some light each morning. Don’t make it soak under the bright afternoon sun, though. When you water, lift the moss then soak the soil. Be sure to keep the moisture in the soil at all times but don’t get the leaves wet.

Uttermost Accessories Moth Orchid Planter Botanicals 60039

Paint with Succulents

Unleash your artistic skill by staging a still life using some succulents. Just like those lovely sculptures by master artisans, mini succulents and cacti can also be an amazing assemblage. Mix the shy, round, pointy and matte plants. Unify them with neutral pots then add a shade or two of purple and green leaves. Consider creating this ensemble – rat tail cacti, Echeveria varieties, jade and mistletoe cactus.

Use direct light and be sure to let the soil thoroughly dry between waterings.

Place a Tall Tree on Wheels

A tall fiddle-leaf fig with its large and leathery leaves can totally transform any dull corner. Create an oversized plant mobile that will help you wheel out the tree when you vacuum the corner. This will also come in handy when it’s time for the tree to drink in some morning sunlight.

Get a piece of precut bluestone then set right on a wheeled caddie. Buy a dark pot for your tree so that the eyes of your guests will immediately go to the greens.

Provide just a moderate amount of light and be sure to keep the tree away from the afternoon sun. The top inch of soil must dry out completely after watering.

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Old Home, New Charm

Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

You could choose to stick with traditional design with this Hooker Furniture Living Room Austin Stationary Sofa.

Interior design is not all about the creation of a home that’s trendy. This can also be all about the preservation of the lovely past and paying homage to the character of an old home. If you happen to have a house that has seen decades, then you know how its quirky charm can make you fall in love in a jiff. See how these tips will make touching-up your old home a lore more fun –

Use Paint to Hide Imperfections

Most of the time, the primary features that people fall in love with are the pretty trimming, molding, fireplace and the door details especially when they were built on a different era. And because of the number of decades that this house has gone through, it is perfectly normal to see imperfections here and there.

A simple coat of paint is your primary step towards the preservation of these lovely details. You can also highlight them by choosing the right paint color and texture.

Typically, the walls and ceiling share just one color with a slightly glossier color for the trim. With your favorite palette applied, you can then add a bolder shade on the doors to turn them into the standouts that they were meant to be.

Highlight Striking Architecture

If the trim work is still in great shape, then just paint it using a neutral contrasting hue. Do this so you can show it off. The neutral shade (e.g. a blue-green gray) will surely help in making this lovely feature be the star of the show.

Use the same color of paint on the ceiling so that you tie the look and make it work for the entire design.

Emphasize Stain Glass

If your house has those grand stained windows, then be sure to counteract the grandness with basic white walls.

Conceal Unsightly Windows with Draperies

Your old home could come with odd-looking windows in the most unusual spots. An entire wall of drapery is the best way to subtly make the room appear cleaner. This also won’t make you think of completely toppling down walls all because of a pair of dull-looking windows.

Any room will look and feel more polished with the right set of draperies.

This FFDM Antebellum pieces is one of the pieces that will ‘somehow modernize’ your classic home. It carefully blends (not clashes) with the rest of the ambience.

Place Shelving Units

Open étagères (shelves) are stylish ways of adding storage as well as display space for your books, collectibles and baskets of odd stuff. They offer a gallery-like look that people will surely appreciate when they visit you in your home. Just imagine the number of conversation pieces that you can place in those shelves.

Fuse Old and Contemporary Periods

Be able to mix traditional and contemporary styles. Include stuff that feel look like they can fit in the period that your home comes in. See if you can also find some modern pieces with a vintage feel. It helps to also fill your home with the essentials of modern-day living such as computers, TV and a lovely sofa or sectional.

Generally, simple and clean contemporary furnishings are a great tool in bring about a modern-day feel to a classic home. These designs won’t clash for as long as you find the right kind of textures, lines and soft colors to fuse.

Create Unique Layouts

Old homes were built on odd lots and they could come with unusual layouts for the rooms. These can be those long, narrow spaces that make interior design a bit more difficult.

You can break rectangles into various square zones for improved functionality. Use area rugs to give meaning to these new zones and to visually open the rest of the space.

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Home Remodeling Triumphs and Mistakes

Monday, February 13th, 2017

Hooker Furniture Dining Room Eastridge 54 inch Round Pedestal Dining Table w -20in Leaf

Home remodeling is not a walk in the park. You are bound to have headaches with schedules un-followed and material quality being sub-standard. Creating a home that’s fabulous takes a lot of effort, planning, and time. Here are some designer tips that you can mimic so you can add a little pizazz to your home –

Yes to Bigger Furniture

Contrary to common notion, having large furniture inside a small room is actually a step up in terms of remodeling. Huge pieces can actually make a room appear a tad bigger (e.g. a spacious bed with a lovely headboard in an average-sized room).

Just remember to scale your furniture so that you’re still able to leave ample space wherein you can move around with ease.

Yes to Wallpaper

Don’t automatically think of wallpaper as boring. These days, there are lots of designs, patterns and textures to choose from. Imagine feature walls right behind your headboard or inside the cozy dining room.

You can also wallpaper up the walls on your stairways and above the fireplace. Take interest in this exciting material and you will soon realize the overabundance of designs at your disposal.

Yes to the Floating Floor

Altering the flooring of a home is a major makeover. Use floating floors installed over tiles so that you won’t have to deal with noise. You could use a jack hammer to uninstall the old tiles.

Yes to Correct Lighting        

Consider the lighting in your home. This has the power to change the feeling, colors and the overall ambience so choose well. Find out what task, general or accent lighting you need to use in different areas.

Yes to Storage Units

Always store materials in dry and cool places. Keep your tools inside a container while make sure that your valuables are also stored inside sturdy cabinets.

No to Mess

This doesn’t mean that you will turn into a minimalist overnight. Decluttering simply means you learn to let go of stuff that you no longer use. This also means being creative enough that you free up some space where there used to be a lot of unused stuff.

Less to zero clutter means you are able to simplify your life and eventually your surroundings. You must also make an effort to create a coherent design that will aid you in de-stressing.

No to Inaccurate Measurement

Another thing that you need to say no to is erroneous measurement. Even ¼ of an inch can make a huge difference. Dimensions that are off, non-symmetrical or unequal won’t give you the design impact that you want. In essence, measurements can make or break the look of your home.

If you’re not too confident in measuring architecture and how to place decorative elements, then ask for help. Friends or family members can help you take more accurate measurements.

No to Skipping Prep Work

You just have to do this the right way. Avoiding prep work is tantamount to embracing design failure. Take your time in doing it right from the onset. This may be a tedious process but it can save you a lot of time, money and effort later.

No to Gutting Every Little Thing  

It is better to rely on a well-set plan than to begin renovating by clearing out everything. With correct planning, you should be able to work around certain areas. This can, again, save you a lot of time and effort.

No to the Wrong Tools

This is another problem that you wouldn’t want to encounter. Using the wrong tool could end up with a wrecked project, a damage on the tool itself, or worse, an accident. Again, you wouldn’t want this to happen.

 

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Green Interiors for the Green-hearted

Monday, February 13th, 2017

This lovely Living Room Uttermost Avner Wooden Cube Table 25603 was constructed almost wholly of mango wood (sustainable and plantation-grown). When the need calls for it, you can use the lift-off top as a serving tray.

A lot of people wonder how they can come up with the most stylish yet still eco-friendly home. Most just end up wondering while a few get to unleash their ingenuity and come up with means to be chic while being green.

Going green is not just a fad anymore. This is actually a necessity in our world these days. People need to treat resources and Mother Nature with care and respect.

Going green is not that hard either. You can begin with your family and eventually create a lifestyle out of it. Here are a few environment-saving yet still stylish tips that you can follow –

Conserve Energy

This is the initial step to going green. Energy conservation doesn’t have to be grand. It can be as simple as switching off the lights and appliances when they are no longer being used. Doing so will save you a lot of money over the years.

It also pays to encourage every member of your family to take part in this new endeavor. Ask them to spend time in just one room if they have to bond or are just merely resting. You can also invest in home automation and smart lighting systems so that you are ensured that your electrical appliances will be turned off when no longer in use.

These small contributions will contribute to the decrease of carbon footprint in our environment.

Say Yes to LED and CFL

CFL or compact fluorescent lamps are your best eco-friendly alternative to natural light. Incandescent lights are still in use now but they might become obsolete in the near future as more and more people are becoming concerned with the environment.

Switch to CFL or LED lighting and choose from a wide array of sizes, shapes and tones. Both choices can also add to the aesthetic value of your home.

Have Skylights Installed

If one or more rooms lack natural light, then consider having a skylight installed. This will help stream the light throughout the room and even reduce the use of artificial lighting. As the sun goes down, you will even have an amazing view of the starry sky.

Insist on having a skylight when you are planning to renovate your place.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

You’re not going green if you don’t learn to reduce waste that’s generated by your family. Begin in the kitchen and create a compost pit right in your backyard. This can even be a pot in the balcony where organic waste can be recycled into manure. You can then use it to fertilize plants and shrubs.

These same potted plants can be used to decorate the interiors of your home.

Install Solar Panels

This is a really expensive move but the great news is that they can eventually help you save on energy and energy costs. With regular usage, you should be able to surpass your investment in terms of savings.

Reinvent the Interiors

A huge change that you can also make is to bring a bust of color into your home. Use warm colors such as yellows and red to stimulate activity while cool colors like greens and blues can be used in spaces that need serenity (yes, that’s the bedroom and the bathroom).

A lot of paint cans contain VOCs or volatile organic compounds which could cause a plethora of health problems. Fortunately, there are various brands that are non-toxic and natural. Some are even made from clay or milk protein (casein). Use only the safe kind of paint for your home.

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Karma Naturals Burl Rug 6506RS05000800750 is a member of the Karma Naturals collection. This naturally-constructed carpet will fit right in a green home.

Rethink Your Flooring

A lot of designers are now recommending wall-to-wall-carpets to be ripped out. While these make the home look more inviting, they are also the home for toxins and allergens. If you really love the look of carpets, make sure that you spray on a carpet sealer and to vacuum weekly.

Bring in the Green

Lastly, how can you be green without potted plants and flowers in vases? ‘Nough said.

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Shades of Red This Valentine’s Season

Saturday, February 11th, 2017

Hooker Furniture Dining Room Sanctuary Tall Spindle Arm Chair: Soften the passion of red by using white fabric on your chair upholstery.

Red is the color of energy; it is a very positive and warm color. This is a hue that overpowers anything that dares to stand on its way. It can also exude a masculine energy so be careful when using it in a mainly feminine dwelling.

Characteristics of Red

Red can also motivate people to act. It represents an adventurous spirit. It also represents leadership characteristics, while promoting determination and ambition.

Red is also the hue of sexuality. This can easily stimulate the most intimate passions in people like love and sex. On the negative, it could be the representation of anger and revenge.

Red Fusions

Combining red and white results in pink. This resulting color tones the powerful hue that is red. It can offer the potential for victory. This becomes possible because of what white offers. This is red softened, it is when it’s made pure, open and complete.

Pink is also intuitive as well as insightful. It can be romantic, passionate (but not in a burning kind of way!), and caring. This is the perfect color to tone down too much energy.

Pink can also calm human emotions.

Red This Valentine’s Day

With romantic themes being the main themes for the upcoming Valentine’s Day, it’s time that you also give your color palette a more serious thought. Romance is all about berry shades and, yes, pink. It can also be flaming red.

If you want a gentle yet still romantic setting, then use fusions of red. If you want your home to look extra warm, then go for passionate reds. Whether you’re going to choose the pastel shades or the deeper hues, you have the power to create the best backdrop for your Valentine’s Day home.

The warmest berry shades can easily stimulate energy, the need to socialize and your level of appetite. This is why deep reds are perfect to use inside living and dining rooms. The more versatile option is warm red which offers a more sophisticated, chic look.

Be sure to vary the shades of your accessories. Consider introducing dark woods or light grays to the mixture. These will offer a more posh feeling without your home being overwhelmed by just one powerful shade.

Create this Valentine’s Day look without changing the main color of your home. Since this is just a seasonal alteration, find a wallpaper that’s suitable to your taste. If you want, you can create an interesting mural for your room.

Rusty red will offer the needed depth in your home. It will also make your home look more serene though modern furniture and décor will be contrasted by this hue.

Canadel Dining Room Drop Leaf Table With Pedestal TDL4210VR-F: Or you can be bold enough to use furniture that’s flaming red.

Red and Themes

Create a contemporary mood in your home as you infuse neutral elements with interesting pops of red. Use a bright red color on your front door while inside, you can use it on the throw, pillows and rugs.

Modern design is best achieved with red if you focus on using burgundy, browns, and other such undertones. Use the kind of red that you think will make a statement on your front door. In your home, be sure to infuse red in any piece of art.

When you’re aiming to achieve a traditional design, then be sure to veer away from basic reds. You can use black or burgundy tones instead. Use a deep shade of red for your front door and some Oriental rugs with dark reds in your living room.

Country reds are a lot softer. Think of scarlet and barn reds. Pick reds with purplish or pinkish hues. Use barn red on your front door and be sure to accessorize with this color inside your home.

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Carpet Buying – 7 Factors to Check When Shopping

Friday, February 10th, 2017

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Biltmore Select Bidjar Rug 1773RS Regal Blue

When you have finally decided to purchase a new carpet, you might want to do this procedure smartly. You probably already know how carpets are made as well as the different styles but what should you know prior to buying?

Here are some carpet buying guidelines to help you think on your feet –

Carpet Seams

You are certainly going to have seams on your carpet unless your room is tighter than 15 feet. Majority of carpets that are being sold in the market come in 12 to 15 feet. There are, at times, 13-foot carpets. The degree upon which the seams are available depend on the color as well as the texture that you pick. Other factors that can affect the seam that you see is how well the lighting system has been installed and how expertly the furnishings have been placed.

Carpet Bending

Be ready for bending when you use the carpet on your stairs. If you have a looped carpet, you could even see snags especially at the transition or seams. Find out how to properly care for looped carpets.

Pile Shading

Also called the carpet’s nap, this is the shading that runs in one direction. This creates the pile reversal or pile shading. This is what’s evident on a vacuum trail. This actually normal for a lot of cut pile designs. If you’re not a huge fan of this, then minimize the effect by using interesting window treatments and properly placing the furniture in the room.

Carpet Color

Remember that the carpet will be covering a huge part of the room so it is crucial that you learn the basic rules as you select the perfect hue. Begin by knowing that the carpet color you saw in the store won’t be as colorful when you bring it home with you. That is a common fact so you need to recognize the color that will look exactly beautiful in your room.

Keep in mind, too, that the color will definitely affect the visual size of the room. This is what’s known as visual or optical illusion. Use some lighting tricks, add a dash of an adventurous spirit and you will have a room that will look huge when you want it to. Add darker colors and you make this same room appear more intimate and compact.

Carpet Stains

Carpet stains are realities of life. They will eventually happen whether you like it or not. Those late night wine sips and TV chips and salsa moments will surely stain the carpet sooner or later.

Stain protection is also an important consideration that you need to worry about during carpet buying. Different products require different levels of warranties and protection. As carpet quality increases, so does the amount of stain protection as well as the warranty coverage.

Carpet Cushion

Cushion or padding is that layer of spongy material that’s sandwiched between the floor and the carpet surface. This is the material that will determine how the carpet feels under your feet.

Quality padding is also the factor that will preserve the carpet’s look. This will also help extend the life of your carpet. The level of comfort that you and your loved ones feel also depends hugely on this feature.

Only the best kind of padding can keep your carpet from easy wear and tear. This is sold by quality specs and not color specs. Remember how color becomes lighter as you finally install it in your home? Well, padding won’t so the way it feels under your feet when you were in the store will be the same when you take it home with you.

Carpet Cost

This is the last factor because you should not make this the primary deciding factor. Check for the cost per square foot. Remember that the overall cost will include furniture removal and replacement, demolition, delivery, sub-floor prepping, installation and materials used.

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Nature as Your Color Palette

Thursday, February 9th, 2017

Accessories Uttermost Blossom In Yellow Hand Painted Art 34350

Picking a color scheme is a crucial decision that every homeowner is supposed to make. This year, 2017 is all about people’s love of nature and how Mother Nature’s hues can be used to create a palette that’s nourishing and uplifting.

One’s perception of nature is always beautiful. This is a universal observation. If you have observed – throughout the ages – poetry and paintings have always given importance to the natural world. Paying homage to nature is also human nature. Just picture the majestic mountains, the beauty of lakes and rivers and the greeneries of the forests and you will immediately feel a calming wave.

Nature can be your inspiration for colors because Mother Nature is the chief colorist. You, too can fuse textures, colors and light to create the most breathtaking palettes. Go for a walk during fall and you are likely to see a lot of orange hues and greens and browns.

Use nature’s wisdom and use that to colorize your habitat.

Light and Nature

Nature’s colors also change as the light changes. Natural light during the morning is warm and soft and it contrasts beautifully with many colors. As midday comes, natural light shows a full spectrum. It then contrasts everything that’s paired with it. It also becomes more intense and strong.

By the late afternoon, the light casts a softened glow. It then bows out with a golden glow which deepens as the twilight offers the warmest reds complete with purple overtones.

As you pick colors, be sure to consider the functions of each room. The amount of natural lighting as well as the direction from which it would come from must be well-thought. Create 12-inch square samples of potential colors then move them from one room to the next.

Learn about the effects of light on different colors and during specific times of the day. If the colors look too dark during the evening, see how artificial lighting could change that. Keep sampling till you get the right hues that work under the right amount of light.

Create Visual Interest

Nature offers a lot of surface variations. There are many patterns, textures, and gradation that can enrich colors. Being subtle is the key but be careful that your home doesn’t become dull because you don’t want to become too adventurous. For instance, a grassy meadow is monochromatic but using different shapes and textures and interplaying them with light can create visual interest.

A monochromatic room can also achieve visual interest when it makes effective use of different shades of the same hue so this means you could go from cool to warm and vice versa. You could also go from intense to muted then light to dark.

Mimic the natural look of forests and its paint effects. Use color washing, ragging, glazing, the choices are numerous.

Take note also of color proximity. Think of the colors that can be used together and also as solo hue. Neutral gray, for instance, can appear warm or cool depending on the color that’s placed right next to it. Use cool blue for a cooler hue and pair it with warm rust to make it look cozy.

Cynthia Rowley captured the greeneries of nature in her Hooker Furniture Rivington 3 over 3 Sofa.

Layer the Colors

When you look at Nature’s scenes, observe how the colors are majestically layered. The desert, for instance, offers sandy tones which are perfect base colors for a neutral frame. If you are willing to use desert colors, you could choose to use these hues for the walls in your home. Against this neutral background, you are sure to see more interesting colors such as cactus green and reddish browns.

Nature also offers the most interesting accent colors. See how you can use them to stimulate a lively ambience in your home.

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Attractive Minimalism: The Beginner’s Roadmap

Thursday, February 9th, 2017

American Leather Living Room Right Arm Chaise MYR-SCH-RA is minimalist with clean and crisp lines.

Being a minimalist is not a way of life for everyone. This is a design that’s meant for people who want to spend less, own less and who want to do less. When you’re contemplating a life of minimalism, then you get on the path to simpler lifestyle. No single practice can make you a minimalist in an instant.  There are those who actually made a dramatic leap to the extreme by giving way most of what they own and moving into an open space home. If you can imagine a life where you just have a sofa, a mattress and a notepad, then hop on to the world of minimalism.

Set a Minimalist Goal

This timeline should be able to define your minimalist life and home. You can’t have a minimalist home without altering your lifestyle. So, does minimalism automatically default to having a minimal amount of objects? Well, yes.

This means that you must learn to declutter the entire home and you must learn to live with less stuff. This also means you have to commit to no longer buy stuff that you don’t need.

There isn’t a single, correct way to being a minimalist. Every person has his or her own definition of what’s fundamental and stress-free. Take the time to define minimalism for yourself. Focus on what you need and what you’re more passionate about. As you do this, you will soon feel that you’re ready to let go of most things that you don’t actually need.

Have a clear goal, one that’s broken down to attainable steps. As much as possible, create alerts on your online calendar. These days, it’s not enough to just write down goals anymore, you have to create an alarm that will nudge you in the right direction.

It’s a Must to Declutter

This is quite obvious but it is also one of the most painful steps in truly achieving a minimalist lifestyle. Begin slow but with real intent. Donate or throw out stuff that you obviously no longer need. Next, hide every little thing that you haven’t used for months to give yourself ample time to decide whether to throw them away or not.

Keep reminding yourself that stripping yourself of things that you don’t need is the right path to a minimalist life. If you can live with just a bed and a laptop in your apartment, then go for it. You are the boss and you get to decide which minimal things give you happiness.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Minimalism also means being able to recycle most of the things that you have. You learn to segregate wastes, buy only things that are organic and use renewable materials only. Educate your home members to recycle so that it becomes a family effort.

If you have been blessed with wooden flooring, do not be pressured to cover it right away with beautiful rugs. Go minimal by showing off the bare look of your wooden floors. If cold toes worry you, then consider installing an electric heating system instead.

Minimalism needs a lot of storage and the Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Swan Room Divider w File Storage fills this need to a T.

The Go-To Furnishings

Couches pretty much are the pieces to own in a living space. If this space is going to be used for lively activities, then you should consider investing in individual chairs. If the space, however, comes with a breathtaking view, then your minimalist setting is the perfect frame for the scenery outside.

A sectional couch can be the go-to piece when you have a large space to fill. You can create a functional space using only a sectional, coffee table, one ottoman and a pair of side tables.

Do you have a rug that’s a star in its own right? Then allow this to be the focal point in your home. Keep the furniture around it all clean and simple.

 

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2017 Bathroom Trends – Be One of the First to Embrace Them

Wednesday, February 8th, 2017

Drexel Heritage Accessories Delia Tri-Fold Mirror 588-400: What’s a bathroom without a vanity?

At first glance, the bathroom may not be the most interesting or fashionable part in your home. While this is the case for most homeowners, it remains true that it is one of the most functional spaces and that it is actually a place where you spend more time in. Since this is so, why not spend enough time planning to make this space look extra fabulous?  Why not jump in and study the trends that will make 2017 the year for that lovely bathroom transition?

Fusion of Natural Materials

Remember that 2017 is a year for organic materials. This must be a year spent on finding natural and renewable sources of design elements and materials. When it comes to bathroom style, your goal should be to find seamless lines, clean hues, and the most practical space arrangement.

This means that you can let your imagination take flight. Let your artistic side take over so that you can create a contemporary style.

The biggest creator of the perfect look for any home is Mother Nature itself. It offers a wide array of organic materials with hundreds of possibilities for one-of-a-kind designs and feelings. No two items are alike especially when they were naturally created. If you want to have a unique look for your bathroom this year, then you must be ready to embrace organics and the role that this plays in your bathroom design.

Achieve Continuity

Make life more pleasant by finding materials that are easier to maintain while having a playful look. Ensure that you don’t stray from the classiness that is supposed to remain in any bathroom. Use clean lines as well as masonry aesthetics. This should prod you to use but one material for your wall cladding and the floors.

This whole group should create continuity inside your bathroom and this is the way to go this 2017.

Bold Fusions

Be able to create a dynamic dimension that’s both organic and modern. This is a style that evokes stylishness and cleanliness – both characteristics that must be included in every bathroom setup. There must be juxtaposition where it’s needed which means you can actually combine stone and wood yet still make them work for added variety on your design.

Be Precise

It is not easy to create an easy-looking design. When you go for minimalism, you must still be able to balance the open space layout with a warm atmosphere. Going stark isn’t the way to do it. Balance the design elements by making use of natural colors while achieving an edgy look.

Old and Rediscovered

The trendiest bathroom designs this year come not with new materials but with the timeless classics. For instance, water and clay have been used for centuries to create various vessels. Even till today, clay is used to create zincs and other pieces that can be fashionable enough to use inside modern bathrooms.

Use clay without borders. Have it installed as a water-dispensing unit that can also serve as a decorative element in your home.

Maitland-Smith Bathroom Cast Brass Lion Soap Dish 1254-339

Be Timeless

One other natural material that can bring back the look of natural beauty in your bathroom is wood. If you want to embrace class and timelessness, then this is an indispensable material. A lot of people think that wood is problematic when placed in the bathroom and they are quite right. To achieve wooden beauty inside the bathroom, you must be ready to use it as an accent wall right where there is very little to zero water splashes.

A pallet floor can have cedar, pine or Douglas fir as material. Combine a variety of timber with metal, stones or ceramics to create a lovely ambience that’s not too bathroomy.

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The Necessity That’s Architectural Lighting

Wednesday, February 8th, 2017

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Did you know that a huge percentage of business budget is spent on architectural photography? Making use of ambient lighting, some camera flash and tungsten lights could help blend – and even mask – images that work together for a photo-shoot. Professionals are always on the lookout for resources and techniques that can be incorporated in balancing great images. One such technique is proper architectural lighting.

Architectural photographers can create clean, crisp and attractive images that are not easy to achieve. Others may just mimic the look of others but to be able to stand out, one must come up with solutions that will make architectural features take center stage if not serve as a frame for the rest of the design elements.

Ambient framing is crucial in making an architectural feature stand out. Theses frames can be used for the ceilings as well as for the overall exposure. Find out what the brightest part in the room is and where you need to retain detail. This is usually a window or a lighting fixture.

Photographers can then use speed lights and combine them with shoot-through and bounce umbrella.

Elements to Highlight

There are practically a lot of interesting elements to highlight. For instance, it would be a waste to not highlight the beauty of bamboo flooring. What is Asian design anyway without this feature? Wall art, shelves and other interesting furniture can also be highlighted to create interest in your home.

Proper lighting is the crucial element to add when requiring for special and sufficient illumination. Decorative and architectural features are able to set the mood only with the correct kind of lighting.

Never overlook the role of lighting in making architectural features stand out.

Define the Types of Lighting

To know which kind of lighting to use, you must learn the basics of lighting. Also, you will only be able to combine different sets of lighting if you already know the fundamentals.

Ambient lighting, to begin with, is a kind of lighting that’s also referred to as general lighting but it could cast a bright yet comfortable light throughout a room. This should be your primary source of light for any space.

Know the different types of lighting
Combining different types of lighting throughout a space can help to create the perfect glow to highlight various decor items.

Next, there’s task lighting. This kind of light has specific functions such as track lighting under those cabinets or the more focused lights for reading or grooming nooks. Lastly, accent lighting is artistic and decorative. This is the type that you would use to highlight those bamboo wall panels, sculptures, paintings and other interesting features.

Natural light is, of course, the kind that streams from your skylights and windows. Know where to situate certain rooms so that you don’t get soaked in daylight when you’re about to rest or you might not get ample lighting when there are activities to be held.

Rooms that face the west receive strong natural light during the evening and this can offer a warm, orange glow. East-facing rooms, on the other hand, have brighter light during the morning which can offer a white shade.

Decorative Blend

There are different light fixtures to choose from but make sure to use the ones that complement your chosen design and, more so, the architectural features of your home. How about those lovely pieces of furniture that you just bought? A great way to highlight them is to use ambient lighting with a subdued color palette. You can also hang industrial pendants right from the ceiling.

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Install Enough Light

Never forget to use ample lighting. It would be a shame to have shadows lurking in corners when you can actually have a lively-looking home with the correct set of lighting. As you renovate space, you must use three to five sources of light.

Learn to layer and you’re good to go.

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