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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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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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Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Kitchen Design | No Comments »

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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Posted in 2016 Trends, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

Accent Pillow That’s So You

Tuesday, July 26th, 2016

The geometrical patterns on the accent pillows work well with this Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Sectional 5966-Sect

The geometrical patterns on the accent pillows work well with this Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Sectional 5966-Sect

Many designers are being asked how they go about in their selection of finishing touches for spaces that they work on. Seemingly unimportant stuff such as window treatments, rugs and decorative accessories can make or break the entire design. Pillows, in particular, are a bit overwhelming to shop for. After all, there are just so many materials, sizes, patterns and colors to pick from. If you’re uncertain about which accent pillow to get for your home, here’s what you should do –

Consider the Price

This is a basic advice when it comes to projects that you need to tackle. One of the first things that you should look into is the amount of money needed to get the pillows that would work for you. Decorative pillows differ greatly in cost, from just a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. The luxuriousness of the fabric can also make a huge difference on the price.

See also how many pillows you would need and what your ceiling is with regard to your finance. Achieve to have one or two pillows for every chair and about three to five for the sofa.

Check the Material

If you still have young children in your family or if you are taking care of pets, then you should avoid accent pillows that are made of silk, velvet and other hard-to-clean materials. If this is the case in your home, then be sure to find outdoor-grade fabrics. These are easier to clean and are proven to be more durable.

Look at the label on the pillows and find out if they are for dry-cleaning or just washable. A pillow could be machine-washed but it is still best to spot clean it most of the time. This would avoid wearing and tearing which repeated machine washing could cause.

Check the Size

Decorative pillow sizes usually range from 14 to 20 inches square. The rectangular ones measure at 12’x16’ to 16’x26’. See if you prefer to mix and match the different shapes and sizes that are available to you. Modern look means you should use uniform size, color and shape. The more traditional vibe requires an assortment of sizes, colors and shapes.

 Huntington House Living Room Sectional 7107C looks more beautiful with these striped, block and paisley patterned pillows.

Huntington House Living Room Sectional 7107C looks more beautiful with these striped, block and paisley patterned pillows.

Find the Best Color and Pattern

This is the fun part of shopping for accent pillows. Find pillow patterns and colors according to these five approaches –

Warm palette

Cool palette

Neutral palette

Neutral with a twist and

Mixed or colorful

Pick the color or pattern according to the existing furnishings in your home. If this is a remodel or the creation of a first-time interior design, then base your choice according to your taste. There are two items from which you can launch – your preference or the existing color palette or theme.

Are You Cool or Warm?

Another common advice in determining your preferred color is to look at your closet contents. If most of the stuff there are in blue, green, gray or purple, then you are a huge fan of cool colors. This is also the case if your wall color, flooring and furniture come in the same hues.

People who live in hotter climates tend to lean towards the warmer hues such as orange, brown, red or yellow.

Narrowing down your color choice will help you decide on the kind of accent pillow that you will eventually purchase. So go ahead, don’t be afraid to experiment on the patterns, textures and colors.

If none of these work, then it’s safe to go to the neutral palette of whites, beige, and creams.

Add a Little Twist

Use your neutral base then add some drama and boldness. An interesting palette can be a mixture of cool and warm colors. Patterned decorative pillows will look great when paired with a neutral seating unit and vice versa.

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

Garden Wall: How to Tend to a Living Wall

Tuesday, July 26th, 2016

The Century Furniture Living Room Fushun Bunching Cocktail Table 699-606-2 will look great with a garden wall right behind it.

The Century Furniture Living Room Fushun Bunching Cocktail Table 699-606-2 will look great with a garden wall right behind it.

 

Have you ever heard of a vertical garden before? This can generate healthy oxygen while offering a lovely focal point. This system is as stunning as a beautiful piece of art. It does require more maintenance compared to other wall coverings but its texture and power to bring life to a room is worth every extra ounce of energy that you exert. Make sure that you replace the plants now and then. Taking care of the system is paramount if you want the garden wall to look great all the time.

‘Can’t wait to get started? Here’s how –

Pick the Planting System

A lot of garden stores sell garden walls or the so-called vertical planter. There are some who use fiberglass planter tray systems. With them, planting becomes easy and fast and the replacement of plants become worry-free.

Remember that when one of the plants in your system is suffering from pest, disease or burning, it should be taken out and replaced right away. Doing this will prevent the death of the rest of your plants.

Trays are durable. It is best to ask the help of a professional when you finally decide to hang yours. Once the tray is hung, all you have to do is to take care of the plants.

Another good choice for DIY enthusiasts is the pocket system. This is soft to touch and easy to hang even on your own. This system is great for a small scale garden wall because you can hang it at the back of doors.

Pick the Plants

Choose six-inch plants for your green wall. Make sure that these are the types of plants that interest you the most. Keep in mind the texture and effect that they have. Consider also their lighting needs.

Succulents are the most robust. They need very little water yet they could provide an amazing visual presentation. Sedum can also be a great choice.

Don’t be afraid to use plants with different water needs. You can actually put them all together in the same tray. The plants will pick up the right amount of water that they need, just make sure that you set up the recommended type of pebbles and soil for your planter.

Here’s another tip – use draping plants to enhance and cover more space. These plants are sure to give more bang to your buck.

Wallpapering is not such a great idea to use in the bathroom. Moisture tends to destroy it; so, instead of the usual wallpaper, you may use green walls, roof, and a Zen-like garden wall.

Choose Your Wall

Always keep in mind that you are literally hanging a garden. You will need nails, dirt, even fertilizer. There are plants that are trickier to hang and there are also planting systems that require studs to support them.

A professional is your best option when it comes to hanging the plant system. This expert will take into account the size and weight of the plant system to make sure that the wall in your home would be able to accommodate it.

The wall that you choose should also be easy to access.

7070-002CR Rivington 3 over 3 Sofa will surely look livelier with a garden wall behind it.

7070-002CR Rivington 3 over 3 Sofa will surely look livelier with a garden wall behind it.

Find a Light Source

The wall should always be near a window or a light source. Make sure that you use natural light so that your plants will live a healthy life. Green walls can bring life to exposed bricks. It can also be a great connector for indoor and outdoor spaces.

It might get expensive to fill the planters so find draping plants or vines instead. A minimalist look would also go a long way when it comes to visual impact.

Find a Steady Water Source

At the end of the day, your plants will need water indoors. Succulents can go for almost an entire week without watering. Others need more so check out your local nurseries for details.

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

The Indoor/Outdoor Furniture: Versatility At Its Best

Monday, July 25th, 2016

1586-50010-GLD2 Gold Bois Round Accent Table

1586-50010-GLD2 Gold Bois Round Accent Table

Do you live in a place where the climate is harsh especially during the winter season? Where other people look forward to summertime, there are those who look at it like as curse because it can also be a cruel season. While you are looking to soak up the sun during the summer months, it might be difficult to justify an investment on furnishings which you would just use for a third of the entire year.

Don’t fret, though. There are now a lot of great options to look at for those great outdoor furnishings. Keep in mind that these pieces can also be used indoors should you want them there –

Powder-Coated Metal Furniture

Powder-coated metal seat is a great way to add color to your interior design. This is especially true during the winter months. In fact, if you use them indoors long enough, you might end up not taking them outdoors anymore. Whatever you end up doing with such a seat, this is a welcome addition to outdoor seating when you are setting up a barbecue party.

If the look of metal is too sharp for you, the best way to soften it is to throw a sheepskin on.

Garden Chair

You can create a more dramatic statement when you take a metal yet lace-laden garden chair. This can work well indoors, too, just use it with a modern console to set up the perfect writing nook in the living room or the bedroom. It can work beautifully in any rustic-themed bedroom. Place the chair beside a nightstand so you can have a read before you doze off.

Use the garden chair outdoors when spring has come. A more modern option is the plastic side chair that can be moved indoors and outdoors according to your needs. White is a versatile color whether the chair is painted wood, has fabric upholstery, or is made with plastic.

If the white chair doesn’t work for you, then consider using a white garden stool as an end seat for your casual dining needs. This will give you that bohemian flair.

Pair metallic chairs and have them placed at the foot of the bed. This should give the room a more charming appeal. This pair offers more versatility than the usual single bench.

Add bronze metallic chairs for a cozier breakfast nook. Bring in some potted plants or a vase of flowers for that unexpected fresh twist to any stainless steel kitchen or dining area.

Lantern

Even a well-lit home deserves decorative lanterns for a more charming ambience. These beautiful lights will add happiness indoors during the coldest winter months. During the warmer season, these lighting fixtures will surely work wonders on walkways and patios.

Stringing the lantern lights will also make them more awesome. Say yes to this and skip those holiday lights during the holidays.

Chinese Garden Stools

Two or four of these stools can be grouped to create a smarter alternative to the coffee table. These can be moved according to the needs of the party guests. As soon as it’s time to move to the patio, then all you have to do is to carry these stools without having your living room turn into a deserted area.

A garden stool made with ceramic can add color to the bathroom. This is the perfect place to put a towel, robe, even a book.

Kitchen Cart

Simple kitchen carts can also be beautiful accessories apart from being functional work surfaces. These are indispensable during summer when you want to do much of your cooking outdoors. A garden cart can also have practical uses indoors. This can be used to hold art materials, unused clothing and goods for donation or charity.

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Sky Blue, We Love You!

Monday, July 25th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Four-Drawer Chest

Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Four-Drawer Chest

Sky blue is a color that hints of the seaside; lets you picture springtime; and the bright blue skies. There are many reasons to love this calm color. You can use this in both interior and exterior parts of your home namely the ceilings, kitchens, bedrooms, even that cute picket fence.

All About Blue

Blue is the color of honesty, trust, even loyalty. It is often quiet, sincere and reserved. This isn’t your go-to color if you don’t want to draw attention as it detests confrontation.

Speaking of color psychology, blue is also believed to be a reliable as well as a responsible hue. Sky blue is confident and secure, it is a great color to give direction and order in any work or living space.

Blue seeks out tranquility and peace above any other characteristic. It is a color that promotes mental and physical relaxation, thus, it can reduce stress.

Don’t you just feel a sense of calm if you see a sea of cloud-like blue? It is because it can slow down one’s metabolism. The paler the blue color is the more independent you would feel.

In giving meaning to blue, it can also relate to one-on-one communication. This is especially true when you speak the truth verbally. Blue, in essence, is the public speaker, also the teacher.

Blue is an idealistic color. It enhances self-expression and one’s ability to communicate his wants or needs. This is a color that inspires high ideals.

If you are conservative when it comes to interior design, then blue is the right color for you. It is predictable, non-threatening, and safe. Blue can be determined in pursuing any endeavor that it is after.

Blue is difficult to alter because it is inflexible when faced with a different or new idea. It may analyze, consider, and mull things over but it has its own version of reality.

Blue can also be nostalgic as it tends to live in the past. If all these descriptions reflect your personality then you can go ahead and pick blue as your color scheme.

There are many other reasons why blue would work for you –

 The sky blue of this Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Sekani 27207 blends beautifully with the chocolate brown background.

The sky blue of this Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Sekani 27207 blends beautifully with the chocolate brown background.

Blue Is Classic

Sky blue can be worn all year long. It can look great in spring, look fresh when paired with citron and pale green. During summer, sky blue’s vibrant partners are turquoise and white; and in the cooler months, you can warm up this color by adding rich orange, gold and chocolate.

Sky Blue Is A Crowd Favorite

Are you searching for a color that is usable in your home? Sky blue is fun and bright for those who like things to be flamboyant. It is also a subdued color for people who love the classics. This is a hue that is non-gender specific.

Sky Blue Is Enduring

If you are picking the colors for tile work, cabinetry, or a new sofa, then sky blue is a great hue to resort to. It will not look old or tired even after you use it for a season or two.

One other reason why sky blue is enduring is because it can cool down any warm hue. You can pair it with bright colors such as cherry red if you want to achieve a summery look. This color can also remind people of their childhood memories where they go to the beach or look at the clear, blue skies. Remember that nothing can be more beach-like than sky blue.

For a more polished look, sky blue can be paired with sandy or creamy hues. This is the traditional choice for a subdued living room scheme.

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