Decorating for Fall

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The weather is beginning to cool off and the next thing you know your guests will be knocking on your door for the holidays. Prepare your home for the season with our simple fall decor ideas! 

 

8 Decorating for Fall: 

  1. Cuddling season. Your weather may have already begun getting cold. A great piece of decor to have out in your home is blankets. You may even want to put some blankets outside if you plan on spending time outdoors. 
  2. Fall finds. Decorating for fall does not mean everything has to be store-bought. You can find a lot of decor pieces in nature and tie them into your design. The items you find can make great centerpieces on your dining room table. 
  3. The metal of fall. When you think of fall, you probably think of warmth and orangey-hues. That is why copper is the perfect metallic color to accent your fall decorations. Copper is warm enough that it will tie in well with all of your other decor pieces. 
  4. Warm on up. It is out with the cold and in with the warm (colors). Fall is the perfect time to incorporate warm hues into your decor. From reds to yellows, your house will instantly feel homier.
  5. Swap it like its hot. Change out the pictures inside of some of your picture frames to match the season. You can even make a family event out of it. Go to a park with your family. Photograph the season then place the pictures you took inside of your frames! 
  6. Take it outside. Do not forget to decorate the outside of your house during this season! For a fun family activity, you can buy some pumpkins to carve and use them as decorations outside. 
  7. Add layers. If you are waiting to turn on your heat, you may want to put plenty of layers on your bed. Load your bedrooms with extra blankets for when the temperature drops. 
  8. Cozy by the fire. Fall is the perfect time to get your fireplace up and ready for the winter months. Plus, firewood can be an amazing fall decor piece. Set up your fireplace for use now and you may find yourself using it during the fall. 

 

Keep warm!

Fall Decor Colors

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If you are lucky enough to live in a city with all four seasons, you may have already begun decorating for fall. The four seasons tend to inspire many households to change up their decor colors. From bright in the summertime to warm in the fall time, you can transition your home’s decor in a weekend. The key to reusable decor is to buy things that are affordable and easy to swap out each year. Items like pillows, table decorations, and wall decor can do just the trick. Now on to the colors. Winter and fall colors tend to be more similar as well as summer and spring colors. Today, we are going to focus on eight fall colors you can use in your decor: 

 

    • Color One: Copper. Copper is a must for fall decor. You can swap out your silver and gold decor pieces for items with a copper. Copper is the perfect metallic color for fall time because of the subtle hints of orange. 
    • Color Two: Burnt Orange. The color orange just screams “fall.” Plus, burnt orange is perfect because it is not quite as intense as the color orange. It can be subtly placed throughout your room for a perfect fall twist. 
    • Color Three: Emerald Green. Emerald Green takes charge of a room with its bold and captivating feels. We love to combine this color with all things fall because it can blend in while standing out. 
    • Color Four: Cranberry Red. This beautiful red is not only perfect for your decor pieces but it can make a fantastic paint color year-round. 
    • Color Five: Eggplant Purple. You will think of a majestic queen when you see this beautiful color. It is extremely dark, but we absolutely love it. If you are looking to balance all of your warmer tones, this is the color you want to try. 
    • Color Six: Cedar Green. Cedar Green is more of a neutralized green. It blends in well with the other colors without drawing too attention to it. 
    • Color Seven: Indigo. This deep, rich color is perfect for warming up to in the colder months. Plus, indigo works well with nearly every color. 
    • Color Eight: Dark Grey. You may want to finish off with a neutral tone to tie the whole look together. Dark gray is the perfect shade for finishing touches to the room. 

 

Are you looking for new flooring to work with every season? If you have any questions, please call or email us.

Designing a Budget-Worthy Bedroom

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While designing your home, you have probably decided on an overall budget that you would ideally like to stick with during the remodeling process. The main portions of your budget will most likely go towards upgrading your kitchen and bathrooms. You may have little money left over for remodeling rooms like your bedroom, but there is no need to worry. We have five tips for designing an amazing budget-worthy bedroom:

 

Tip No. One: Make a Statement.

To create a statement wall in your bedroom, you will need to decide on either paint or wallpaper for your space. Once you have chosen your preference, paint or wallpaper the wall that holds your bed. You want this wall to have the most attention in your bedroom because it highlighting the fact that it is a bedroom. From white and gray stripes to a bold pink, the options for your statement wall are truly endless. Just try to tie the colors in with the room’s overall color scheme. 

Tip No. Two: Something Old. 

Thrifting is a great way to find unique, inexpensive items for your bedroom. Thrift shops have a lot of furniture that can make your room look rustic and timeless. The key to thrift stores is finding unique items and turning them into creative furniture pieces. For example, you could find a treasure chest and use it as a nightstand or you could find a ladder and use it as a bookshelf. Before you go thrifting, read reviews online and try to get an idea of where the best finds are located. 

Tip No. Three: Double-Use.

A way to save money in your bedroom is to incorporate furniture that will serve two functions. For example, you can have a desk that will also be your vanity. When you are planning the layout of your room, try to figure out what pieces of furniture can be used for something else.

Tip No. Four: Get Creative.

Headboards can be an unnecessarily, expensive add-on to bedrooms. If you are wanting a headboard but do not have the funds, create your own! From palette boards to antique bookcases, headboards are easier to create than ever. 

Tip No. Five: Less is More.

While decorating your bedroom, keep in mind that less is more. This tip can be especially helpful when you are trying to save money. Just try and keep things simple and keep the decor light in your bedroom. A cluster can look too busy rather than simple. 

 

While you are remodeling your kitchen and bathroom, keep us in mind for all your flooring needs. Call us with any questions.


The One-Hour Kitchen Clean

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From dishes to dirt, kitchens seem to always get filthy. Would not it be amazing if we could cook without having to clean? Maybe that is why going out to eat or getting take out some nights sounds so much better than cooking yourself. There is no need to dread cleaning your kitchen anymore because you can now clean your kitchen in an hour.

 

One-Hour Clean for Your Kitchen: 

Preparation: Set aside an hour on your day off to tackle your kitchen. In doing so, you will have more motivation than just trying to squeeze it in one random day. 

 

0:00-15:00- The Fridge & The Pantry. 

Start your one-hour clean off by cleaning out your refrigerator and pantry. Take these 15 minutes to throw away any old or expired food. You may find some empty cereal boxes and jars that you can recycle. If you have non-perishable food items that you do not plan on using, consider donating them to your local food pantry. 

 

15:00-30:00- Dishes. 

This time will be spent organizing your cupboards and moving around items. Sort through your dishes and discard any that are chipped or cracked. If you do not like the current layout, use this time to rearrange some items in your kitchen. Remember that you can recycle your glasses and donate your unused, good condition dishes. Put everything back into its proper place then you are ready to move onto the next step.

 

30:00-45:00- Small Kitchen Appliances. 

Take into consideration the use and importance of each small appliance. If you never use it and it continues to gather dust, donate it. If you use it only seasonally, store it on one of the higher shelves. Now, sort through all of your pots and pans to determine their quality. Throw them out if they are no longer in good shape. 

 

45:00-60:00- Sanitize & Clean. Now that you have probably broken a sweat, it is time to wipe down all the counters and appliances. Remove fingerprints from your large appliances and stains for your countertops. If you have time, you can polish your cabinets with some wood cleaner. 

 

Yay!! You did it! Now you can reward yourself after all your hard work. 

 

Notes for the future: Maximize your kitchen to work for you, rather than the opposite.  Make sure surfaces are easy to clean and choose a material that doesn’t harbor mold or bacteria.  Tile is the most popular material in the kitchen for a reason!  It will not absorb odors, it can be easily sanitized, and clean up is a breeze.  Tile is perfect for the floor, counters, and backsplash in your kitchen! 

This Year’s Design Trends

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Everyone wants in on this year’s trends and who can blame them? Being stylish and fashion-forward has never been a bad thing, right? If you are looking to make your home a trendy masterpiece, stay tuned because we have this year’s hottest design trends!

 

This Year’s Design Trends: 

  1. Pretty in Pastel. 

From kitchen appliances to cozy sofas, pastels have made their way back into our hearts. Pastels add the perfect amount of color to a room without distracting from the room’s other decorative pieces. Pastels are subtle, but that is why we love them! Try adding pastels into your room’s decor for a new take on color. Pastels pair well with neutrals and may even work with bold colors. 

  1. Metallic Charm.

Metals are all the rage for 2017’s hottest trends and here is why: they are classy, bold and timeless. People may be hesitant towards using silvers with golds but actually, we encourage it! You no longer have to choose which metallic color you prefer more because now you can have both. The key to perfect symmetry is to use the colors equally. Do not favor one metallic over the other because this can begin to look tacky. Just rotate which metallic color you are decorating with each time you go to buy something new. 

  1. Neutral Chill.

Neutral colors are taking the design industry by storm! You will not find neutral colors just on homeowner’s walls nowadays, but you will actually find them embracing it in every aspect of the room. From flooring to bedspreads, the neutral colors are winning. 

  1. Gray Lovers. 

Not just 50 shades of gray, but literally every shade of gray that you can imagine is being used in houses across America. The key to complimenting your new gray curtains? Pair it with more gray! You heard us right. From dark to light, gray is the hottest color for decor this year and we are pretty sure this trend will stay around for a long time. 

  1. Vibrant Artwork. 

Let your artwork speak boldly (in color that is). Artwork is the perfect chance to express bold colors in your space without overdoing it. You can incorporate bright vases or beautiful paintings to spruce up the room and add a special hint of boldness. 

 

What design trend can you not live without? Let us know what you think in the comment section. 


Bringing the “City of Love” To Your Home: Paris-Themed Decorating

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Using a theme to decorate a room in your house can be more exciting than any of the design concepts you currently have in mind.  Taking inspiration from somewhere you have traveled to or wish to travel can bring focus to your decoration project.  Sticking with a theme will also prevent you from having to fill in the design gaps when you are out of creative ideas.  You can simply refer back to the culture of the geographical place you are emulating. 

One example of a popular theme is Paris.  It is a city with worldwide recognition and a unique look that attracts thousands of visitors every day.  Guests will be able to easily recognize the inspiration in your home that comes from this place through your use of the colors and architecture most associated with it.  Read on for suggestions about how to incorporate a Parisian theme in any room of your home.

 

Color Palette for Paris:  These are the colors that make people think of Paris: choose wisely.  The main goal is to use this theme in your designated space while preventing the room from appearing too disjointed from the rest of your home.  Concentrate on using the colors that flatter your home’s overall style. 

 

  • Creme
  • Dove Gray
  • Scarlet Red
  • Black + White
  • Royal Blue
  • Tiffany Blue
  • Ballet Pink
  • Olive Green
  • Saffron Yellow
  • Café au Lait

 

Popular Design Materials:  These materials are the best foundation for designing your Parisian-style room.

 

  • Wrought Iron
  • Hardwood Flooring
  • Brick
  • Chevron or Herringbone patterned tile
  • Stone
  • Stucco 

 

Lighting, Furniture & Accessories:  Once you have taken care of the basic outer design of the room, focus your attention on giving each lighting element, furniture, and accessory the Paris touch.  Again, you do not have to use all of these items.  Simply use the pieces that will flatter your home the most. 

  • Color-Washed Wood
  • Chandeliers
  • Track Lighting
  • Heavy Drapery
  • Porcelain Jars
  • Upholstered Chairs
  • Multi-paned windows and cabinetry
  • Patterns & Stripes
  • Bookshelves
  • Indoor Plants
  • Toile
  • Patterned Rugs
  • Ornate Clocks
  • Wrought Iron (Headboard, Side Table, and Chairs, Towel Racks etc.)

 

 

Get Your Patio Updated!

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Summer is already here! While you may have been procrastinating getting the patio squared away so far, it’s now time to shift your focus to this great entertainment space. Summer is a time to gather outside with friends and family, share a meal and enjoy the sunshine. While the cooler months may keep you indoors, summertime helps spread your home’s square-footage out a little more so you and guests have more room to relax.  Here are some tips to get this vital space ready to receive guests so all you have to worry about is how much fun you’ll be having.

 

Organization is your first task. Wayward items have a tendency of finding themselves in odd spaces when life becomes busy and the first place they end up is in rooms that are not seeing as much use. It gives the homeowner time to get things out of their way without putting it away. Now it’s time to clean that mess up. Place items in their proper storage units and survey the things that do belong in the room. Is there anything that can be thrown away from overuse or damage from previous seasons? Now is the time to remove it.

 

Next, set any damaged but salvageable pieces aside so you can repair them.  Place them in an area where they are out of the way but will not be forgotten. Make a list of items needed to fix them and go out as soon as you can to get them. Capitalizing on your momentum is what will see you through this project from beginning to end. Once you’ve got everything in working order, it’s time to clean the area.

 

Wipe down plastic surfaces, clean or update your seat cushions and throw pillows and place some fresh potted plants throughout the space. Be sure to wipe down tables and chairs so guests won’t stain their hands when touching patio surfaces. If you have an outdoor rug, give it a good vacuum. For outdoor grilling areas, be sure to wipe down food preparation areas and clean grilling utensils as well as your grill rack. 

 

Now get out there and enjoy the rest your summer!

Easy Laundry Room Updates

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Updating your laundry room seems to be last on your priority list. Having a nice laundry room would be amazing, but you do not see yourself moving forward with any remodeling right now. That is understandable when there are more dominant rooms like your kitchen or living room, but what if we told you that you could accomplish it in one day? Updating your laundry room does not need to be time-consuming or frustrating with these simple tricks.

 

Easy Laundry Room Updates: 

  • Add a Fresh Coat of Paint. Switching up your room’s paint color can change the room’s feel and appearance. Laundry rooms are usually boring, but yours does not have to be. Try using a vibrant color, one that you would not normally use throughout your home. Appliances are usually simple and they will not distract from your powerfully colored walls. 
  • Incorporate Baskets. Baskets are essential to organizing your laundry. Try incorporating your baskets inside of the lower cabinets or invest in tasteful baskets that can be left out as a part of your decoration. 
  • Install New Light Fixtures. Invest in some quality light fixtures for your laundry room. It is important to see stains on your clothing and lighting can play a factor in that. 
  • Change The Knobs. Update your current laundry room by putting on new cabinet knobs/handles. 
  • Separate The Space. Depending on your space, adding curtains or a door can section off the room. If you do not have a “laundry room,” you can add a door or curtain in front of the washer and dryer to section it off from the rest of the house.  Make sure that the flooring creates a dividing line as well.  Laundry rooms or spaces should have flooring that can handle water!
  • Personalize it. Hang pictures and fun artwork from your walls to add personality to the room. You can even add a gallery wall to accent a specific wall in the space.
  • Replace Your Sink. Laundry rooms sinks get worn and torn easily. Consider swapping out your current sink for a newer model. There is an assortment of sink choices to select from ranging in various prices. 

 

Choosing to do all of these or some of these can wash away your laundry room blues. We hope you enjoy these simple tricks for updating your laundry room.

Mirror, Mirror

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Mirrors are a fantastic decorative piece that can be over or underused. While typically we think of mirrors to go on bathroom walls, their purpose has become so much more over the years. Homeowners have begun to incorporate mirrors as works of art rather than just a way to look at yourself every now and then. Here are our tips for incorporating mirrors into your home’s decor: 

 

  1. Reflect Light. 

Mirrors are perfect in rooms that bare a lot of light because they can enhance the brightness. If you are looking to brighten up your space naturally, add a mirror on the opposite wall of the window and it will reflect natural light back into the room. 

  1. Expand the Room. 

Mirrors are known to make rooms look larger than they actually are; therefore, the placement of your mirror can add depth to a space without extra square footage. Mirrors play an illusion on our minds and make the room look larger. The key is to place a mirror horizontally on the wall of the room you want to make look bigger. The correct placement can make a tiny space look more open and inviting. 

  1. Place in a Collection. 

Find a collection of small, decorative mirrors to place on one wall together. Mirrors are great decorative pieces and you can make instant artwork by using several mirrors in one area. Incorporate them into your gallery wall, line them up in a row, or scatter them on your desktop. 

  1. Express Art. 

Giant, bold, beautiful mirrors can be displayed as pieces of artwork in rooms like your living room or bedrooms. Homeowners should place these mirrors to be the focal point of the room because they tend to draw a lot of attention. 

  1. Angled in Position.

If you decide to decorate with a giant mirror, place the mirror at an angle leaning against a wall. This will help give the illusion of a larger space and makes the mirror look more decorative. 

  1. No Natural Light. 

Yes, mirrors are perfect for rooms that have a lot of natural light, but they are also great for rooms that do not have any natural light. Just place some candles in front of the mirror and it will light up the room with a warm glow. 

 

If you are looking to save money, search for old mirrors that you can refurbish and bring back to life with some new paint! We hope you enjoyed these tips for incorporating mirrors into your home’s decor. 


Incorporating a Foyer

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Many homes do not have a foyer built in and that factor can be a downside for many homeowners. The foyer marks the entrance of the home and gives household members a place to put coats, shoes, and backpacks. If you do not have a foyer in your home, all you need is a little imagination and some extra space. Incorporating a foyer will be perfect for storing your belongings and welcoming your guests.

 

How to incorporate a foyer in your home:

  • Add stylish organization. A foyer’s purpose can be best served when it is organized well. Optimize the area’s space by including stylish furniture pieces to help keep everything organized. Small dressers, chests, or tables can be functional and stylish in the foyer of your home.
  • Involve your walls. Walls are not only great for decor, but they are also perfect for storage! Homeowners should take advantage of this space by including coat hooks, wall cubbies, and a mail bin.
  • Provide a space for each family member. There is nothing more frustrating than not having a specific place to put all of your belongings. Everyone has their own coats, shoes, and mail so why not give them a particular place to put it all? Dividers can be the perfect solution for storing everyone’s belongings all in one place.
  • Make it functional. Make sure to provide a place to hang your car keys, place your shoes and put your coats. A foyer can be decorative, but its best purpose is storing items. Make sure to use this space that you create and not only place decorations around it.
  • Decorate with a passion. This is your chance to add your personal touch to the foyer. Add pictures, plants and props to spice up the area and add charm to your space. Remember, decorations should come after you have a place to put all of your essential items.
  • Provide warmth. A foyer is the first part of your home that guests will see; therefore, you should make the foyer cozy. Add candles and a small rug to incorporate warmth and style into the small space.