Pastels

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When it comes to design tones, there are warm, cool, and neutrals tones. These tones originally were used to indicate skin tones.  Warm hues to the skin like red indicate a warmth in the body, whereas a blue tint to the skin could depict a colder body temperature.  Today in design, these tones can set the mood of a room.  Reds, oranges, and yellows are considered warm tones, and they are incorporated in rooms to enhance the energy.   Cool tones like blues, greens, and purples are used to set a more tranquil, relaxed atmosphere.  Neutrals are perfect because they do not favor towards either warm or cool tones and can be used with either or by themselves; however, a neat look that is making a comeback in the design world are pastel-colored accents. Here are three reasons pastel colors are perfect to add to your home:
 
  • Neutral Accents
Pastel colors can act as a neutral accent.  If you want to add reds, greens, blues, and oranges to a Scandinavian or modern design room, it can quickly look disheveled and thoughtless.  Pastel tones allow colors to be used to liven the room yet can stay subtle enough not to influence a warm or cool tone atmosphere. Adding pastel throw pillows, rugs, and curtains can make a room feel more lively and energetic without changing the room’s intended feel.
  • Soothing Approach
Pastel colors are also great for being a subtler approach to strong, harsh bold colors. A bright red wall can quickly become a rooms focal point, but change that wall to a pastel pink, and it transforms into an accent, complimentary wall to your space.  A fun splash of pastel colors in any room can help brighten up the space without seeming overwhelming.
  • Hard Contrast
Pastel colors can also strengthen bolder colors in the room. A pastel robin’s egg blue wall with a bold sapphire stripe will pop very dramatically.  Pastel colors can also allow true whites and blacks to appear as harder contrast. White shelving or a black bookshelf against a pastel wall can make a strong statement in a room.
 
Adding pastel to your rooms color palette is a great way to enhance your design style.  Consider the benefits of applying pastel colors to your home and decide it is right for you. For more tips, visit us at From The Floors Up. 

Why Blue?

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Interior designers are always looking for ways to change how a room feels and flows. With so many outlets for themes and styles, there are endless possibilities for designing your space. Colors are one of the most powerful influencers when it comes to setting the tone and mood for a room. One primary color that designers love to incorporate is blue. This tranquil color can really give a room a relaxed, passive vibe throughout it. Here are our top three reasons why you should consider using blue in your next room design:
 
  • Relaxed Atmosphere
Blue is the perfect color to use to set the mood for a peaceful environment. This color has a calm nature which can help the room feel more opened and tranquil. With so many shades available, such as sapphire, royal blue, navy, robin’s egg, Prussian blue, azure, and more, this color has a broad spectrum of tones and hues to choose from for your room. 
  • Cool Tone
This calming tone is perfect for transforming a room into a cooler toned atmosphere. Using blue with other cool tones or neutral colors can help obtain a more secure feeling atmosphere as well. This color can go great in a boy’s room, living room, or any room that you are looking to make a relaxing environment. Blue does not have to be used in only boy’s rooms though because it has an equal appeal to both genders. Using blue in a girl’s room as well can add character to the overall atmosphere.
  • Trustworthy
Blue is used in many commercial and residential designs today. This trustworthy color has passed the test of time and proved itself loyal in enhancing homes. Blue is known as the color of loyalty, belonging, generosity, and passivity. Using this color is a robust way to help make a powerful statement in your space and create the vibe you want. 
 
Adding blue to your space would make a significant home improvement. Blue is one of the primary colors that always stands out and transforms the design of a room. If you feel like life is too fast-paced, and you need a place to relax, add blue to help you reconnect with your home and unwind. For more great tips and tricks, visit us at From The Floors Up. 

Design Styles That Stood The Test of Time

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In today’s broad spectrum of design themes and ideas, it is no surprise that most of their roots have been inspired and transformed throughout history. Interior design is an ever-changing approach to incorporate functionality, aesthetics, purpose, and detail into a space. Through the centuries, old design themes have dynamically morphed into more contemporary and modern designs while still paying respect to there predecessors. Here are four longstanding style designs that have survived the test of time and are even a go-to in many design themes today. Let’s take a look!

  • Shiplap

Shiplap was an old method that shipbuilders would use when constructing a boat. By overlapping boards with one another, it helped prevent water from entering the vessel. Today, this has made its way into some of today most popular design themes. Shiplap looks great on walls and ceilings. It gives a room a unique rustic appeal and is a great option to make bare walls strong, bold focal points.

  • Brick

Brick has been dated back as far as Jericho in 8000 B.C. While there are many different variations of bricks used today, brick can add bold character to a home. Brick is a multifunctional renovation to add to your house because it can encapsulate a natural outdoor feel while also feeling modern and urban. With so many design, textures, and colors, this is a customizable fantasy that designers love adding to their interior design. Make a strong urban accent wall or historically-rich nostalgic entryway through the use of timeless brick. Using brick on the floors, walls, and ceiling can help transform your space into many different themes and strengthen the overall atmosphere.

  • Exposed Woods

Exposed wooden beams on the ceiling and walls really showcase the architecture of your home. While this design faded away, it made a strong comeback over the last century by adding more character to the room. Industrial, Rustic, Mediterranean, French, and Country style themes all know the importance of exposing timber throughout the home. Raw nature is always the purest way of adding beauty to your home. Using exposed beams add a visually-appealing aesthetic to a space that is ideal for a fresh, carefree ambiance.

  • Edison Bulbs

This antique, decorative light bulb can add a great look to your home. With its yellow blanketing, soft glow illuminating your home, these will make a great addition to any room. These light bulbs may be little but can make a powerful statement in your home and help push your design to the next level. Never underestimate the power that light can have on the ambiance of your space. Consider adding Edison Bulbs to a home to give a more antique look.

When it comes to the test of time, these timeless design amenities will transform your home. From the floor up to the ceiling, design is a way of expressing yourself. Consider these beautiful elements to help make your home feel more personalized and expressive to you while giving respect to the past. For more great tips and tricks, visit us at From The Floors Up.

Farmhouse Style

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Personalization is one of the best parts of designing your space. You can create your home featuring many different aspects including pieces from contemporary art, eclectic colors, or even a simple rustic design. Letting your living environment influence your design is another creative way of developing your design theme. Urban and industrial designs work great in city lofts and other more city-based areas; however, if you are living in the country, embracing farmhouse decorating is a great way to have your environment blend with your natural surroundings to create a beautiful, welcoming environment. Here are four great ways to add Farmhouse Design in your own home to give it a more natural, countryside appeal:
 
Rustic Design
Rustic design is perfect because of its simplistic design elements and its effortless ability to blend with nature. Adding exposed wooden beams, shiplap, bricks, stones and other features from the outdoors is a great way to add character to your farmhouse decor. Distressed furniture and leathers also can strongly influence the Rustic Style design.
 
Warmth and Hygge
Hygge is the quality of coziness your home portrays. It is not necessarily through just furnishing but a statement of peace and contentment in your home. A rustic design will have a neutral, earthy color palette, but do not limit yourself to bring warm color tones from the earth; consider using your accent pieces as earthy tones and incorporating bright whites to keep the room feeling open and free. Add autumn colors like reds, oranges, and yellows to bring warmth to your space, or capture a more tranquil environment by including forest greens and river blues.
 
Countryside Décor
Encapsulate the beauty of the countryside by adding farm décor. Pitchforks, hay, barn doors, and even pales can add to your home’s theme. Gallery walls are also great add-ons for rooms to make a distinctive focal point. Less is more in most rustic designs, but in farmhouse style, use the appropriate amount of décor to make the space feel lived-in and homey like an actual farm. 
 
Functionality is always critical to any design, but comfort, warmth, and a welcoming environment take precedence in this homey country-style living. Remember to keep your space balance with the right amount of décor and comfort. Smaller elements like candles and home-cooked meals add to this welcoming style. Incorporate aspects of Hygge to create that lovely warm and comfortable styled Farmhouse. 
 
We hope you enjoyed! Be sure to check out our other posts at From The Floors Up. 

Curb Appeal 101

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Curb appeal is your home’s first impression to the public. Not everyone will have the pleasure of coming into your home, but many people will have the opportunity to see your home’s exterior. Your curb appeal should never be neglected in your overall home’s design. The exterior of your home has just as much influence on the home’s overall feel as the interior. To make sure that you are giving your exterior the proper attention, we made a list of four curb appeal tips that you cannot neglect!
 
Curb Appeal 101: 
  • Lawn
Your lawn is one of the most significant contributing factors to your curb appeal. Lawn maintenance is key to making your curb appeal better. This goes further than just mowing your grass or raking leaves. Keep your shrubs trimmed, and your trees hedged. If you have a flower garden, make sure it is well kept. Try to dedicate at least one day a week to lawn maintenance to prevent it from becoming an overwhelming project and to keep up on it.
 
  • Entranceway
Your main entrance is the gateway to your home. It needs to be easily accessible whether by pathway or sidewalk. Your door can make a great statement towards your overall curb appeal. If your front entry is worn down or outdated, you may want to consider refurbishing your door or replacing it all together. Symmetry can help create balance in your entrance. You may want to invest in plants or a welcoming mat to decorate your home’s front entrance.
 
  • Windows
Windows also play a significant role in your curb appeal. Not only do you want to upgrade your windows for economic reasons but aesthetic reasons as well. Pay close attention to what people can see when looking through your windows from the curbs. If you keep the inside of your home messy but it can be seen from the road, this can hurt your curb appeal as well. Try to get matching curtains for your whole house as well or pay attention to the colors to show your keen eye for detail.
 
Adding curb appeal is essential to your home’s design and overall look. Remember to invest time into lawn maintenance and keep your curb appeal strong. For more great tip and tricks visit us at From The Floors Up. 

Tips for Decorating with Kids in Mind

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Having children does not have to stop us from owning a stylish home!
We will show you how to achieve a child-friendly, gorgeous home with our top four expert tips and tricks. Let’s take a look!
 
Tips for Decorating with Kids in Mind: 
 
  • Coffee & End Tables: 
Are you looking for a new coffee table or end table? Avoid tables with pointy corners and anything made out of chrome or glass. You must think about the little ones learning to walk and cruising around, pulling up and holding on to tables. You will want to think about long-lasting furniture pieces, and tables and storage units that feature soft, round corners and edges. Also, think about surfaces that are easily cleaned like melamine or wood veneers. Furniture finishes like chrome can show your little one’s fingerprints, whereas other materials may be more child-friendly. 
 
  • Functional Pieces:
Be on the lookout for pieces that serve a storage purpose as well as a practical purpose. What about a soft, fabric ottoman type coffee table that the lid lifts off and features extra storage inside? Storage pieces with baskets for shelving and cupboards with many storage doors underneath are excellent choices for families of all sizes. 
 
  • Style and Substance:
You do not have to forget about your style and personality when you have a family. Depending on your style whether it is modern, industrial, contemporary, traditional or transitional, they all can work well with families from small children to teenagers. If your children are babies and toddlers, you can still decorate with ultra-chic stylish pieces; you will just need to be practical for your children.
 
  • Fabrics:
Regarding fabrics and children, you need to choose fabrics that are washable and durable like denim, canvas and leather. Also, you will want to stay away from white and cream sofas and chairs while the children are young. Regarding seating, think about bean bags as a great alternative to an elegant chair when children and teens are in the house. They will love for lounging on, or curling up to watch tv or read a book.
 
We are confident that following our tips and tricks will help you furnish a family-friendly home without lacking style. Thanks for reading! 

How Light Affects Paint Color

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If you are painting your home, lighting is crucial when you are choosing the colors. You will need actually to consider the direction the room faces and if it has a lot of natural light that floods the room. Paint colors will vary according to the quality and type of natural light, and the color can appear very different from room to room. Also, at different times of day, and the time of year will also impact the color of a room. We understand that these factors can make choosing colors more difficult and confusing, so we have listed some useful tips for you. Let’s take a look! 
 
  • Rooms That Face North: 

North-facing rooms can be challenging to try and decorate because the light from the north is considered “cooler” and more intense. This can make it difficult to create the look and feel of an airy, light space that we love. If you have a small area with very little natural light, our advice is not to fight it, instead embrace the darkness of the room with a cozy and dramatic interior. Please note that light from the north will bring out cooler tones of a color. If you are using a lighter toned paint color, we recommend staying away from greens and grays. If you use butter tones or whites hues as a paint color, it will bring out cooler tones of a color and will make the light bounce around the room making the room appear brighter. Also, we recommend decorating with mirrors to reflect the light in the room and create a more open space. 

  • Rooms That Face South:

Decorating and painting south-facing rooms is a pure delight! These rooms are full of warm light all day, and all colors look fabulous in south-facing rooms. By choosing pale tones, you can maximize the feeling of light and space in a room. You can use blues and pale tones to have that coastal feel or neutrals that are red-based to create a warmer look and feel. To make your south-facing rooms pop, finish the trim off in a bright white color. 

  • Rooms That Face West:

Choose a beautiful white for a west-facing room. Whites are natural reflectors of light and compliment any color of furnishings you may have. Also, white will enhance both natural and artificial light in a west facing room. Try a grey neutral for a feeling of openness, but understand that the color will be cooler in the mornings and warmer in the evenings.

  • Rooms That Face East:

You must be careful when working with east-facing rooms. The light can look like it is a little blue, so work with this theory and choose blue and green paint colors. Because the sun’s direction during the day will change, it is best to paint the woodwork a darker tone of blue or green. This works because the lighter colored walls will make for an excellent contrast color. 

 
We hope that you found this article helpful. Be sure to check back weekly for more tips and tricks for homeowners. 
 
 

Things to Avoid When Decorating Your Bedroom

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Everyone makes mistakes, but are you making decorating mistakes that can easily be avoided? Keep reading for seven mistakes that homeowners make when decorating their bedroom. 

Things to Avoid When Decorating Your Bedroom:

1. Overly-Sized + Underly-Sized Furniture Pieces. 

The size of your furniture can play a significant role in the room’s overall design. If your furniture is too large, the space will look cramped and unwelcoming. If your furniture is too small, the room will look empty and uninviting. To help make sure that you buy appropriately, you will want to take measurements of your room before you make a purchase. Lay out the room visually on a piece of paper with all of the furniture’s dimensions to help you to see how the furniture will fit inside of the room and guarantee a positive result. 

2. Skipping The Ceiling’s Design.

Believe it or not, ceilings hold a lot of design potential. Most homeowners will not think twice about their ceilings, but we recommend giving them a second look. When selecting your ceiling’s paint color, you want it to be lighter than your walls and floors. Ideally, the walls should be a medium color, and the floors should be the darkest color. If you follow this rule, you can create a luxurious oasis. Other ways to add detail to your ceiling is through wallpaper, moldings, beams, or stencils. Depending on your room’s architecture, you can create a lot of decorative detail just by looking up at your ceiling. 

3. Inadequate Storage. 

The last thing any homeowner wants is an inadequate amount of storage. To avoid searching for storage, we recommend three things. One, add baskets and bins throughout the room for a decorative yet functional solution to storage. Two, buy furniture with built-in storage like under-the-bed storage compartments. Three, install wall shelving to add storage without taking away from the valuable floor space. These three things could help you clear clutter and storage all of your necessities. 

4. Underwhelming Comfort. 

At the end of the night, a bedroom is meant for relaxation. If you do not feel comfortable, it does not matter how the room is decorated. Be sure to put your comfort first and search for items that feel soft and cozy to ensure a good night’s rest. 

5. Low-Quality Lighting. 

If you only have one light in the corner of the room, it is not doing your room’s decor any justice. Be sure to add high-quality lights throughout the space to help open it up during the daytime.

6. Not Capitalizing on Natural Light. 

If you are blessed with natural light, open the curtains during the daytime to let the light shine inside of your room. This is a free way to make your space feel more open and inviting. 

7. Colorful Chaos. 

While color is not always considered a bad thing, too much color can take away from the serenity of a bedroom. Designers recommend incorporating soft, muted shades to help capture a calm environment. Avoid using harsh colors that demand attention because they can take away your room’s zen and create a colorful mess.

We hope you enjoyed this article! Be sure to check out our blog hub at From The Floors Up for more advice and tips. 

 

The Minimalistic Approach to a Small Apartment

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Are you intrigued by a minimalist’s lifestyle? You can now incorporate their ideas into your small space for happy living. Let’s take a look and see how! 

The Minimalistic Approach to a Small Apartment: 

1. Countertop Chaos. 

If you were to step into a minimalist’s home or apartment, you would immediately notice the cleaned off countertops. In order to master minimalism, you have to embrace its qualities all throughout your space, and that begins with your countertops. Countertop chaos can be a bit of an eyesore and ultimately take away from the room’s simplicity. If you are worried about storage, you can install wall shelves to place your countertop items in a more clean and concise place. 

2. Let’s Talk Lighting. 

Lighting is your chance to get artsy and creative. Minimalists pride their space’s appearance off of the trendy yet straightforward statement pieces they have throughout their space. Lighting can be an excellent chance for you to embrace this artistic side of yourself. 

3. Matchy, Matchy. 

Symmetry is key in a minimalist’s space. Balance helps to create clean lines and modern appeal. For help creating it, you can visually cut the room in half and begin replicating the same items on each side of the “cut line.” 

4. Pro Plants. 

Plants can play an essential role in your decor. Their placement can be vital in your room’s overall design. You want to have plants to add life and freshness to the space, but you do not want to have too many that it becomes overbearing visually. 

5. Simplistic Wall Decor.

Just because you are trying to be minimalistic, does not mean that you cannot have wall art. If you decide to do something like a gallery wall, you want it to be clean and simple. If you are placing wall decor throughout your apartment, opt for bigger pieces so that you only need one or two in a whole room. 

6. Explore The Vintage World.

Minimalists love vintage and rustic goods. They keep their decor simple with trendy pieces to help bring back life to the space. If you are new to vintage goods, explore your local antique or thrift shop for inspiration. 

7. Be Unique. 

Minimizing the items you own gives you more room to be creative with the ones you still have. Get unique with your design and incorporate simple yet intriguing pieces wherever possible. 

8. Patterns are A-Ok. 

Some people think that minimalism means no patterns, but that is no fun! You can incorporate patterns in your bedspread or throw pillows to help bring spunk to your space. This helps dress up the room without overbearing it. 

For more tips and tricks, visit us at From The Floors Up.  

 

Tips for Beginning The House Hunt

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Buying and owning a home is an enormous responsibility. You may wish that there was just a rulebook filled with specific guidelines on how to be a homeowner. Sadly, there may not be a book that tells you everything you need to know in order to never suffer loses, but we want to help home buyers. Buying a home is a monumental step for investing in your future. We want to help you gather more information before you begin the search. Do not panic, you may currently be stressed out, but that is natural. Here is our guide to starting the house hunt:  

Step One: Get to know your finances.

It may come as a surprise, but down payments are not necessary for home buyers. Granted, putting down a down payment will reduce the amount you borrow, but it is not required. You will need to figure out your financial situation before you begin house hunting. It is essential that you have enough to pay your mortgage but also enough to pay for other bills and items. Transitioning from renting to owning is like playing a different sport. You will have all the new expenses that you did not have while renting. For example, you will have homeowners insurance, property taxes, homeowner’s association fees, etc. 

Step Two: Understand mortgage loans.

Loans, they seem great, but you end up owing money to someone so be careful. Your pre-qualification is your standard, basic financial information. You will need to understand though that they are not including your monthly expenses (gas, food, household items, savings, etc.). You will need to understand your limit because they are qualifying you from what they can see. Also, the amount you are eligible for does not mean you have to apply for that entire amount. Stick to the budget you know that you can handle. 

Step Three: There will be additional fees.

Before you can own the home, you will have to pay earnest money and closing costs. The earnest money is paid when you make an offer on the home. This money shows that you are genuine about buying the house. The earnest money is there to help the seller if you back out of the sale. If you back out, the money goes to the seller. If you buy the house, the money is deducted from your house purchase. Lastly, closing costs are approximately two-five percent of the purchasing price. 

We hope that this information helped before you begin your house hunt. For more expert advice and tips, please visit From The Floors Up.