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Black Is Black: How This Color Can Save the Day

Thursday, August 4th, 2016

1586-75410G-BRN1 Upholstered Klismos Chair

1586-75410G-BRN1 Upholstered Klismos Chair

Many people are excited with colors but only a few are willing to go yonder and leave their comfort zones. Color is an integral part of any space. It is a crucial part of interior design, practically a part of one’s everyday life. Even a simple birthday cake can have lots of colors.

Black is a totally different story altogether. Black conveys different emotions. It can be contemporary, it can be traditional, it can be many things. Black can take inspiration from concrete industrial spaces or it can be as emotional as the Gothic theme.

Don’t think that black is just Gothic, though. It is dramatic, it is bold, it can be literally anything. Black can be paired with any color depending on what feeling or theme you are trying to achieve.

Black can be a tad scarier to handle especially when it comes to design purposes. It is sophisticated but it is a non-color but it can be effectively used to enhance any space. Having all neutrals in a space means there isn’t one thing to ground the eyes so black comes in handy at this point. You can use it as an anchor, for instance, when you purchase a black bed and place it in a mainly neutral room.

Black and Your Feelings

Your color choice for your home can be very subjective. This can be dependent on what you are feeling at the moment or what you are trying to convey through your design.

Black and white are base colors that you can use. This can be in your sheer attempt to be dramatic, bold and sophisticated all at the same time while not forgetting the privacy in your space.

Going through the design process, you would often subject yourself through a series of questions regarding the creation of a functional yet still beautiful space. If you want to achieve an airy and light feeling, then you have to think of elements that are not dark, heavy and compact.

Black means taking a risk because, eventually, it means never going out of style and being classy.

 1586-10458A-MULTI2 Fleur de Glee Writing Desk

1586-10458A-MULTI2 Fleur de Glee Writing Desk

Black and Fashion

Did you know that what is in in the fashion industry also reflects in the world of interior design? Black is a universal hue that can be in concert with other hues. It can effortlessly provide crispness, weight, relief, definition and, yes, style.

In essence, every room is in need of a touch a black. It can add just the right amount of drama, even life to a boring room. There is no need to repeat black throughout the room. It is best used as a bold accent like a statement wall or an interesting ceiling.

There is no gray area when it comes to the use of black in interior design. Either you use a lot of it or just use a touch. Black trimming means you have effectively restrained the color while still contributing to the beauty of your interiors. Black trim on your windows can give a refreshing crispness to the room. It will make the windows pop and provide a cohesive look.

Black can keep white from being boring or stark. Without this non-color, the design would be ineffective. Black and white floors (usually checks) are the standard black and white duo. This design has been considered haute for centuries. To add a modern look, just place a colorful statement wall.

Black isn’t just the absorption of all colors, it is also good to be married with any color. There isn’t a color scheme in the world that would not fit this hue. Even purple – an often choosy color – is effectively complemented by black so, go ahead and use it to your heart’s content.

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Posted in Accents, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

Maximizing Your Bay Window During Summer

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016

 Hooker Furniture Home Office Archivist Writing Desk

Hooker Furniture Home Office Archivist Writing Desk

The term bay window is used for any protruding window construct whether or not it stands tall or it comes at a regular height. Common angles are 90, 135 and 150-degrees in polygonal or square shapes. Bay windows are supported by a bracket and a corbel.

Most of the bay windows during the medieval times up to the Baroque period appear highly ornamented. These are often constructed as a part of the building rather than a unique part of it. The Gothic period showed a lot of small home chapels complete with bay windows having an altar at the base. The most famous example of this kind of construct is the St. Sebaldus Church.

The Arab Mashrabiya is an example of a bay window that is made of wood that allows a great view of the outdoors while limiting visibility from the people outside. This is quite similar to the balcony.

Bay windows were also quite popular during the Victorian period. From then on, they have been effectively used to increase the amount of natural light into a home or a building. With ample lighting comes the illusion of a room that appears larger than its actual size so these windows are a welcome idea to people who have smaller homes.

Bay windows are often seen in semis, terraced and detached houses. While they have been based largely on British models, they also became popular in other countries such as Canada, the U.S. and Australia.

The Bay Windows: A Decorative Element

The bay window can either be a welcoming sight or an unsightly one depending on how it is presented. There are some people who have this kind of window in their home but don’t know how what to do with it. The proper presentation of bay windows (also called bow windows) is to picture a home in San Francisco. This is basically Victorian style architecture that can be adopted into any structure.

If you want to optimize the use of this window as a beautiful home feature, then begin by using a window seat. You can place a lovely table in front of this seat which means you’ve just created the perfect setting for intimate family games.

Bay windows may also be used just as long as its height permits banquet-style dining. Use a pedestal table to achieve just this. The window height should leave ample legroom underneath. Make sure to consider the height of the seats as well as the legroom as you install a banquet in a bay window. See also the height of your back cushions.

For a more casual look, the bay window that is located on the first floor of your home can accommodate a banquet right below the window sill. Toss a few colorful pillows and you’re good. Be sure to cover the cushions with washable slipcovers. The fabric should, preferably, be an indoor-outdoor sort of fabric.

Placing desks at a proper angle will also be a beautiful way to use the bay window. The desktop must be at the same or lesser height than the sill. Ascertain that the glare of the sunlight isn’t too much since you will be placing your laptop or desktop computer here. Use window treatments should the glare become intolerable.  Wood blinds can help in moderating the sunlight while still allowing a great view of the outside.

If you happen to own a home wherein a radiator is right by the bay window, then don’t fret. You can still make that part of your home be fused to the rest of the design elements. Just use a chair to define that space. Any single, decorative chair would do.

For those who have floor-to-ceiling bay windows, well, you’re in the best of luck. They are the best kind of bay windows to offer an elegant look. Make the most of them by dressing them up in silk or drapery panels, Roman shades, or contemporary valances.

 Fine Furniture Design Dining Room Victoria Double Banquet 5820-02-1584

Fine Furniture Design Dining Room Victoria Double Banquet 5820-02-1584

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Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Window Design | No Comments »

The Colors of Summer Right In Your Home

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016

The rustic beauty of the 1586-75907-GRY1 Soiree Sideboard can perfectly house your fine silverware. Use fresh fruits as decorative enhancers.

The rustic beauty of the 1586-75907-GRY1 Soiree Sideboard can perfectly house your fine silverware. Use fresh fruits as decorative enhancers.

Summer is all about relaxation and reveling in the season. You get to use cooler interior color palettes plus you get to a respite from the formal look. With casual interiors come summer décor and thoughts of evening breezes and warm, sunny outdoors. See how you can use these summer décor ideas in your home –

Furniture: Screaming for Airiness

Everything that’s dark and muted is the right thing to use during fall or winter. The colors of summer are different in such that they are light and airy. It would be correct to use removable slipcovers, colorful decorative throws that bring brightness and pigments into your home.

The greatest finds for this season can be found in FFDM’s Summer Home Collection.

If you prefer neutrals, then use khaki or white slipcovers because these are the most casual that you could use to dress up your usually formal throw pillows.

Window Treatments: Instruments in Achieving Picturesque Views

If you want to feel the cool night air while keeping the blistering heat of the sun from entering your home, then use curtains. Draperies have dark and heavy materials while sheer curtains are versatile and could be flexibly used during the summer months.

Having lovely outdoors views are things that you can savor during these warm months so do not try to cover them up. Use valances to keep the windows as a picture frame that offers amazing views at all times.

Valances also come in delicious summer colors and textures.

Bring Nature Inside Your Home

Bringing the outdoors is also a wonderful idea if you can’t keep your windows open all the time. Summer, after all, is all about the feeling of being outdoors so you might as well bring in some fresh fruits and use them as centerpieces. Potted green plants and flowers in beautiful glass vases are sure to make your home smell wonderful while also looking very pretty.

For a more rustic vibe, you can use green materials such as hemp, bamboo, or jute. Woven, colorful area rugs are most welcome as these bring in an exotic feel to your home.

Keep in mind, though, that actually entertaining people outside is a welcoming break that most people look forward to. If the idea of open windows doesn’t exactly excite you then you can always buy a painting or any wall décor that you would love to look at. Again, summer is all about spontaneity and being flexible.

Get Ready for Some Kiddie Action

Summer means kids are out of school which also means that they are going to be around the house a lot. Make sure slipcovers and fabrics used are machine washable. These are fun and casual so you won’t have to worry too much about their upkeep.

Summer also means arts and crafts so get ready to pick some pine cones, seashells, and many nature-inspired finds. Such projects can also be turned into summer décor which you can use proudly in your home.

The greatest finds for this season can be found in FFDM's Summer Home Collection.

The greatest finds for this season can be found in FFDM’s Summer Home Collection.

Sunshine Yellow and Cheerful Orange

Hands down, the happiest colors that you could find to use in your summer theme are orange and yellow. Both colors remind us of the sun, pretty flowers, even citrus fruits. They can grab the attention of any person especially if you want a certain room to stand out.

Different interiors come with different lighting and the lack of lighting means you have to use bolder colors sparingly. The brightest and boldest colors can easily overwhelm any space more so a compact one so be sure to use color swatches before you actually paint a wall yellow or orange. There is also a wide selection of these colors in different tones so take your time before you finalize your selection.

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Posted in Accents, Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

Why It’s Time to Say Goodbye to White Lampshades

Monday, August 1st, 2016

Century Furniture Lamps and Lighting Table Lamp SA8221

Century Furniture Lamps and Lighting Table Lamp SA8221

Do you have issues with off-white or white lampshades? These work in almost any kind of setting since they are considered to be the right lighting fixtures. You are wrong to think that they are the only ones that you could use, though.

Dramatic Black

White may not be the greatest lampshade color to use when the upholstery and accessories are all colorful. White could be a jarring element in this kind of scenario. This is one setting where you definitely won’t need a white lampshade.

Colors Everywhere

If a colored lampshade is not something that you would want to jump into straightaway, then black would be a better shade that’s more daring than white but safer than the colorful choices. Just imagine an entryway where a black lampshade rests – while white could work, it is black that would add the drama and richness.

Red can be added as a safe color to use. This is a hue that offers an upbeat vibe without appearing too impetuous. Red, believe it or not, can be as neutral as cream, white or black.

Adding tangerine lampshades inside the kitchen is an interesting twist that could make you think of mangoes, citrus fruits and persimmons.

‘Tangerine too loud for you? Then use a bright shade of green and use it with the other green accents in the room. Dashes of green throughout the room will offer an eccentric look. This hue will almost always draw your eyes towards the landscape outdoors – which is a great thing, right?

Deep turquoise lampshades also work a lot better than cream or white. This color is more noteworthy than any other neutral color elsewhere.

Unique Hues and Textures

A pewter shade is a textural base that would work well to tone down any bright-colored desk, credenza or chest. Don’t automatically default to cream or white if bright shades don’t work for you from the onset.

Bronze could also be an elegant neutral. The shades on a bronze chandelier would surely add depth to a room.

If other shades have previously inspired you, then try fusing the colors that caught your eye. You can concoct pastels to create a unique chandelier. You might also want to experiment with other hues that are not block colors. Think of zebra prints or any African safari motif. These could add a great touch to a room that is begging for variety.

You might also want to pick a patterned lampshade. This does not have to be loud all the time. You can use neutral-hued one and have it completed with a layered appeal. Using this kind of lampshade in the bedroom would not diminish the serenity.

African-woven fabrics in neutral can be repurposed when used as a shade. It has an eye-catching shape and size. Do you have any fabric that you go gaga over? Then why not ask us about it and see if it is available on a lampshade?

The next time you want to up the level of excitement in a room, think of letting go of the white lampshade. This is a small investment of money and your time which can have a huge impact on your home.

Century Furniture Lamps and Lighting Momentus Table Lamp SA8308

Century Furniture Lamps and Lighting Momentus Table Lamp SA8308

Shopping for Lampshades (In a Nutshell)

Here are some rules of thumb that you need to remember –

  • The shade should be 2/3 of the height of your lampshade base. The hardware underneath must also be hidden and not exposed under any circumstance.
  • More often than not, a round base calls for a round shade.
  • A square-base lamp placed on a round table should mirror the tabletop which is round.
  • The widest portion of the shade must be half an inch wider at each side compared to the widest base point.
  • Always consider where the lamp will be placed.

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Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | No Comments »

What To Consider When Designing A Home Deck

Friday, July 29th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Accent Chair

Hooker Furniture Living Room Accent Chair

Do you believe that designing a comfortable and safe deck is easy? Some could answer this positively while others might be a tad more hesitant. Designing a home deck requires that you initially get in touch with your local building department or the homeowners’ association. There are deck restrictions as well as requirements that you should ask about. There are also zoning ordinances that put a cap on the deck size, its location and its general construct. In many cases, you would need a building permit before you can begin constructing or designing a home deck.

That Lovely Sketch

Find a tape measure then go out with a pencil and paper. Sketch your dream deck, don’t be afraid, go ahead. Include your home’s location including the number of doors and windows. Place also the location of trees and other primary landscaping structures. Sheds are also an example of such structures.

The Proper Location

Decide whether the house exit will lead directly to the deck or if it will be located elsewhere.

A freestanding deck comes with two or more beams. This can be installed right next to your house or right by the swimming pool. If it is away from any of these two locations, then make sure that you have a clear path or walkway leading right to it.

Think also of the kind of view that you would want on your deck. If you require privacy, then you can have a wall built for a portion of the deck. You can also use a nearby shade in keeping the deck cool especially during the summer. You can also place the deck away from a shrub line so you can have some cool breeze pass through.

Essential Deck Parts

Attached decks have ledger boards that can replace one of the support beams. This can be attached using bolts; a tool that greatly reduces material costs. This, however, comes with pest or water damage, eventually.

A lot of building codes require metal flashing for moisture prevention between the house wall and the ledger. If you want to prevent this problem, then have the ledger treated for mold or pest infiltration.

If you are thinking of building that luxurious two-story deck, then you have to provide a long stairway. It would help to break up the stairway with a transition deck. Plan the right connection for the stairs and the deck and where this connection would end.

Orient Express Furniture Dining Room Santa Fe Dining Bench 6020

Orient Express Furniture Dining Room Santa Fe Dining Bench 6020

Figure Out the Deck Function and Size

If you are a frequent party host, then you would definitely need a larger deck. This is a place where tables, chairs, a bench or two maybe, and other outdoor furniture can be placed. It’s a place where you grill and drink and have fun so make sure that you turn it into a pleasant retreat, one that is comfortable.

Avoid layouts that put a railing right in the middle of any of the windows in your home. Assure also that the doors swinging outward would clear the railings. Should the need call for it, you should adjust the location and size of the deck.

Pick a Style

Decks with some architectural lines made with lumber and vertical metal balusters are complementary looks. If you want a more traditional or classic appeal, then use lumber with visible grain lines as balusters; as much as possible, choose pressure-treated lumber.

Remember that the deck can be exposed to harsh elements. So in installing wood decking, make sure that you use weather sealants and staining. Redwood and heart cedar are often resistant to decay, hence, they are used extensively. If you use any other type of wood, then have it treated with any kind of preservative.

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Posted in Outdoors Style | No Comments »

The Design-Build Contractor – Who Is He?

Friday, July 29th, 2016

1586-80151A-GRY1 Lulu Shaped Console Table 4056CR Henry Exposed Wood: Achieving this look is easy if you know which design elements to balance. Don’t know what to do? Hire an expert.

1586-80151A-GRY1 Lulu Shaped Console Table 4056CR Henry Exposed Wood: Achieving this look is easy if you know which design elements to balance. Don’t know what to do? Hire an expert.

A lot of residential contractors take on design projects here and there usually with the cooperation of the homeowner. The latter could bring photos, sketches, even tear-outs from interior design magazines or books. This is true when it comes to remodeling where the design choices are constrained by some pre-existing circumstances.

Technically speaking, design contractors provide the design-build services yet they are not referred to as design builders. They also do not charge separately for their design project so long as this is not a line item on their estimate.

On bigger home remodels, though, a lot of contractors prefer to work off another person’s plan unless design is a part of their service. Still some allow homeowners to terminate the contract right after the design stage, allowing you to make use of another contractor’s plans. This is a crucial choice that you would want to see in your contract. Contracts may offer discounts if you would be working with the same contractor during construction.

There are various approaches to design-build bidding as well as contracts. A lot of design-build companies work through negotiated bid since they don’t generally put out the plans to different contractors for bidding. In this case, a contractor will share a portion of the costs with the homeowner and would negotiate a fee (whether hourly, by percentage or fixed) for the services that they offer.

Choosing the Right Design-Build Contractor

If you are hiring a designer and a contractor which is the same person, you need to ask the kind of questions that you would ask an architect/designer and the contractor. When you evaluate a company, be sure to separate the construction from the design side. This is because you might like their design projects but not their construction ones.

Talk to people from the design team and ask about how they work together during the design stage. See how they have previously worked with clients and how they charge for their designs. As to the construction side, ask questions that you would ask a general contractor.

Ask for references then ask their previous clients regarding the design and building phases. You need to know what went well, what surprises or problems came up, any cost overruns and how they were handled, and how much the clients eventually liked the project.

Another important thing to remember is the total cost of the project and a breakdown of the fees.

Make it a point to have the design company take full responsibility of the mistakes should anything happen. Have this stipulated in the contract.

 Hooker Furniture Home Office

Hooker Furniture Home Office

Advantages of Hiring a Design-Build Contractor

The greatest things that you will enjoy when you hire a design-build contractor are the same advantages that you get from a general contractor. You also get to simplify the process by hiring a one-stop-shop for construction and design.

Hiring just one company for design and construction means you save significantly. There will also be no disputes between the design and construction departments since they are technically in the same department.

You get to have more design freedom when you deal with just one company. Here, you can control the specs such as the fixtures that you use, finishes and mechanical equipment.

Lastly, find a reputable design-build contractor. He should also be someone who you would like to work with. You would also be likely to save money if you hire a single expert rather than a team of professionals. Make sure also that you keep the plans that you would work with so you can still use them with another contractor (should the need for another expert arise).

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Posted in Design Contractor | No Comments »

Small Living Room Solutions: Tips in Dealing With Tricky Spaces

Thursday, July 28th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Windward Dart Honey Loveseat can cozily sit two.

Hooker Furniture Living Room Windward Dart Honey Loveseat can cozily sit two.

A small living room can be described in so many ways – teensy, compact, minute, etc. If you have done everything but have already hit a roadblock in terms of making the living room more livable, then you have to know the secret.

But is this really a secret? More than a secret, small living rooms need a smart solution. Here are some of the wisest solutions ever that designers have come up with –

Get Started

Just like any design project which you are going to take on, it would help to look at the task with a fresh set of eyes. Go out, take a walk, breathe deep, then come back refreshed. If you can, you can also bring a design-savvy colleague with you so she can help you determine what to do with the space. Most of the time, hearing ideas can bring out the creativity in anyone.

That Long, Narrow Hall

If you have a long, narrow hall to deal with, think of an art gallery. White walls are the classic choice although a fresh coat of rich color or grass cloth can also work well. Go basic and sleek with black and white stuff.

Create a unique gallery with an eclectic appeal using your most colorful, large artwork. You can also hang a series of photo frames with the left side of the wall intentionally left empty. Top your design scheme by adding proper lighting. Use overhead track lighting or wall-mounted lighting in illuminating artwork.

For a smaller yet still long hall, it is wise to make good use of every nook and cranny. Now how is this achieved? You can use floating shelves and cabinets. These floating pieces keep the floor free from clutter.

Measure with care, pick the cabinets that are also narrow so that you will have enough room to walk around in. Make sure to keep the floor area clean and clutter-free as these don’t have a room in any tight space.

The Eat-In Kitchen

This kind of kitchen with a lot of openings and doors will make the room less functional. A door that opens inwards will occupy space as do the cabinet openings.

A solution to this dilemma is to use round-edge tables instead of the square or rectangular types. Curved edges fit better in awkward spaces more than hard-edged furniture pieces. Pull the table near a wall even if it is just a small section. Placing the table dead-center will leave an unnatural look.

Multiple Windows and Doors

The living room has many elements – the door, fireplace, windows, radiator, walls ,etc. All these prevent you from placing furniture near the living room walls. If you are faced with this dilemma, then try to pull the arrangement to the center of the living room. A matching pair of sofas could serve as the anchor to this whole design. It will also counteract the confusion that exits and entries bring about.

Add a cozy rug to set up a conversation area.

Make wise use of vertical space with this 1586-75906-BLK1 Twin Peak Display Cabinet

Make wise use of vertical space with this 1586-75906-BLK1 Twin Peak Display Cabinet

Limited Wall Space

There are also living rooms with limited wall space. If you can swap the living room with the dining room (provided that the latter is more spacious), then do so. Various doors and windows don’t matter that much inside a dining room, in fact, they can even add to the drama and romance that dinners could bring.

A Studio-Type Apartment

Small-scale furniture pieces are your best friends when you have limited living room space. Again, furnishings with rounded edges work better than those with sharp edges.

Install also ample storage units so that your life would become a lot easier.

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Posted in Apartment Living, Condo Living, Interior Design 101, Tiny Homes | No Comments »

Living Room Color Schemes and Their Effects

Thursday, July 28th, 2016

1586-10443-WH3 Swan Room Divider with File Storage is neutral-colored but the eye-popping details make it more interesting.

1586-10443-WH3 Swan Room Divider with File Storage is neutral-colored but the eye-popping details make it more interesting.

Wall colors have the power to impart drama or beauty in every room. What you need to do to achieve these both is to choose the colors perfectly. Sometimes, though, some homeowners use an excessive amount of bold colors on walls and other parts of their home. Among the rooms in a home, the living room tends to be overdone when it comes to paint colors.

If you don’t want to make this same mistake, then you have to know the effects of the colors that you choose for your living environment. Consider the amount of natural light when used inside the living room. Your choice of color can also be dependent on the style of the room.

If you want to achieve a calm yet elegant ambience, then settle for neutral paint colors. You can choose from creams, whites, grays, taupe, and browns. These are the classic options for the living room as they tend to please just about everyone.

Choose from monochromatic, analogous, triad, complementary, warm, split-complementary, neutral or cool hues. Apply paint that will surely highlight the living room design.

The Green Living Room

Green is a fresh color that you can use to invoke a relaxing feeling inside the living room. It is advisable to use light hues such as green because they offer a more comfortable feeling. Use a bit of white or yellow to go with your green paint as this duo will create a more dashing appeal.

Those who love natural beauty should add fresh plants or flowers as accent pieces in the living room. Put some wood furniture pieces to have an enhanced interior.

FFDM's Antebellum Collection shows an ensemble of colorful elements.

FFDM’s Antebellum Collection shows an ensemble of colorful elements.

The Yellow Living Room

Yellow has a welcoming appeal that will add to the hominess of a living room. Applying yellow paint will only be deemed effective if you choose the right design elements to go with it. Poorly-lit surfaces such as dark hallways and foyers will be brighter if you paint them with yellow. Try a medley of purple and yellow as this is the best contrast that you could come up with. Just make sure that you use one color as a dominant hue and the other only as an accent.

The Blue Living Room

Choose blue also for a cool look. If you use this color together with red and yellow, then what you achieve is the so-called triadic color. This is an awesome and interesting color to use in the living room because it is unique or one that is not used too often.

The Red Living Room

Are you bold enough to use the color red in your living room? This can comprise one statement wall – an accent wall – that will surely catch anyone’s attention.

Red is luxurious and energetic. Most restaurants use red for a good reason. Be careful in using this color as this tends to make one feel restless after quite some time. Combining green and black with red will give you a fantastic triad, too.

The Brown Living Room

Brown is a classic color, one that is reliable and is often seen in most wood furniture. The deep brown hue of most furniture pieces can match a dark green wall or any natural wood accents. What you achieve with brown and green is a natural contrast that is pleasing to the eyes.

Nearer to the color brown is orange which can also be used to add warmth and zest to the living room.

The Neutral Living Room

Are you still unsure of what color to use in your living room? Then go ahead and play safe with neutrals. The neutral palette is used extensively in many living room themes. Here, you can display colorful artworks, bright décor, and just about any hue-laden masterpiece.

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Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Living Room Design | No Comments »

Backsplash Options for the Kitchen

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016

Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool B263H24

Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool B263H24

There are a lot of options from trendy to traditional when it comes to the materials that you can use for your kitchen backsplash. Your options can range from rustic wood, metal to trendy glass. Tile may be the most used backsplash material at the moment but there are many other choices to look at. Natural stone is also a fast-growing option. With the right installer, your options grow even more.

What to choose?

Wood Mosaic

A mosaic tile backsplash can be fashioned out of any antique or old thing. For instance, an old boat wood can be used as a moisture-repellent material. This kind of wood mosaic backsplash no longer requires sealant or grout.

Reclaimed Wood

Whoever said hardwood is just for flooring and walls has clearly not seen the beauty of hardwood backsplash. A standout feature of open-concept kitchens is a modern backsplash. You can stray from tradition by installing a wood backsplash instead. This reclaimed wood backsplash should warm up any concrete or stainless steel environment.

Marble Plus Wallpaper

Not a lot of people opt for a white kitchen and those who do tend to set up an all-white environment. A white marble backsplash will work wonders if paired with the correct floral wallpaper. Who will come out the star? In this case, the more patterns or fanciful features the design element has, then it tends to be the star of the show.

The Photo Wall

Again, you can break away from tradition by customizing the backsplash of your kitchen. Instead of the usual tiled backsplash, go for a photo wall instead. Give your kitchen a more sentimental twist by having a cutting-edge family-wall-of-sorts backsplash.

Add orange accents to liven up any monochromatic palette.

Mirror, Mirror

A mirrored backsplash is a beautiful option for those who are in love with any mirrored surface. Any small kitchen space would immediately look and feel bigger once a mirrored surface is used as a backsplash. Use this together with bright white marble as a kitchen countertop and what you’ve achieved is sublime.

Distressed mirrors can also be used to reflect the light inside the kitchen. This will brighten up the space without being too glaring. The vintage look will also pair well with wooden cabinetry.

Coffee Bean and Tea Bar

The coffee bean backsplash will surely catch the attention of any guest. This will effortlessly become the focal point in the kitchen as it provides the unique texture to your wall.

1586-75900B-MULTI6 Resort Fabric Covered Sideboard

1586-75900B-MULTI6 Resort Fabric Covered Sideboard

Bold and Energetic

Any homeowner or chef would surely feel at home in a colorful kitchen. Try white tiles, with anything green and blue for your backsplash; no matter what materials you use, for as long as you use this tri-color scheme, then you’re sure to energize the room.

Concrete

Embossed concrete used as a tile backsplash may be an intricate project to take on but these interlocking patterns can offer a sense of formality in any kitchen. Pair these with traditional cabinetry to achieve a classic appeal.

Metallics

Practically any color can work well with a metallic backsplash. Stainless steel tiles provide a contemporary contrast to bold-colored cabinetry. You can also opt for a more geometric design if you will dress up a modern kitchen. White bronze tiles can be finished with light patina to add visual interest.

Contemporary kitchens can have a more sophisticated look if they use a penny-tile backsplash. The round metallic tiles pop against any dark-colored walls, black door, or lacquer cabinets.

Among the metallic, the most famous is the copper tile. This is a ceramic tile covered with a thin coating of copper. This protective coating will give the material a natural patina over time, one that you would surely love.

Use a pH-balanced cleanser so you won’t damage the copper finish.

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Achieving A High End Appeal

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016

1586-75907-GRY1 Soiree Sideboard is the perfect home for your valued silverware.

1586-75907-GRY1 Soiree Sideboard is the perfect home for your valued silverware.

Buying finishes and materials from discount shops may save you a lot of money on an interior design project but this choice poses higher risk. If you are not careful, you can also create a space that looks bland. This is why every homeowner must always buy high-end materials from the onset. The cost may be more but you get to maximize the potential of the material plus the impact that it creates is limitless.

If you want to make sure that you buy only the finest things without splurging too much, then here are a few tips –

The Tile Wall

A full-height wall made of tiles can have a huge impact whether it is set up in the shower zone or the powder room. A standard shower that is 60’ long and a ceiling at a height of 8 feet means you should have a 40-sq.ft. wall surface that is free for you to work on. This means that you can buy a marble tile for about $5-$6 for every sq.ft. and you get a stunning accent wall for just about $200.

Use a low-cost tile to balance your budget yet still achieving that high-end appeal.

Stone hexagonal mosaic flooring plus simple white walls will also provide the harmonized approach that you need in your home.

The Single-Slab Backsplash

Use a single stone slab for that huge surface that needs to be covered. This is the case with a kitchen island countertop. Imagine having a bronzite island countertop, oh, you’d surely be the talk of the town for months!

A smaller part of the single slab can be used as a backsplash for the bathroom. This is a more beautiful option than the usual tiling. Unbroken grains can have an awesome effect which spells customization. This will provide a subtle and classy appeal.

Ask stone suppliers about their slim cutoffs which are often left over from those huge slab countertops that have been previously cut. Here, you have a huge chance of getting a discounted price so ask well.

A Piece of Art

Do you agree that the most dramatic art piece is the one that is large-scale? You should. Investing on a painted canvas rather than a whole lot of smaller art pieces will give you an roomful of color and drama minus the fuss.

The Vintage West Collection of Hooker Furniture spells richness, luxury, comfort and style.

The Vintage West Collection of Hooker Furniture spells richness, luxury, comfort and style.

Huge Mirrors

One of the proven ways to dramatically increase the high-end appeal of a room is to increase the scale of the mirrors that you set up there. No mirror would overwhelm any space, in fact, it would even open up a compact room. So go ahead and invest in an expansive mirror that will not just make your place look great but also has the tendency to double your investment.

Wood Floor

Wood flooring has the power to up the look of any space. No other flooring material will be able to give your home the richness and beauty that wood can give – bear that in mind. Sure, wood costs more but its beauty and durability will more than compensate for the cost.

Large Accent Pillows

Throw pillows seem to be not worth anyone’s attention but none could be more wrong. Any pillow that is less than 18 inches is screaming store bought. Try finding larger accent pillows which will make your living room appear more high-end.

An Elegant Light Fixture

Another design element that has a huge impact in any home is the light fixture. Don’t immediately default to brass chandeliers, instead, go for the more modern fixtures such as wall sconces, pendant lighting, and such.

You see, achieving that high-end appeal wasn’t that difficult, was it?

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