Décor Trends That Are Out, and What's In

info • March 26, 2019

Decorating a home is a work in progress. Each new item is a reflection of your life and personality at any given time. They're also what makes a house feel like home. Despite your best efforts to keep it classic, you have yet to resist the charm of the latest interior design trends, but there's a fine line between timeless and trendy.

OUT: Brass Overkill - If you're looking around at all the brass in your home right now, don't stress. All though most designers still love the look, they do think it’s gone a little overboard. Most recommend mixing metals which provides a more eclectic and sophisticated palette. It makes a home feel unique. So what should we replace it with? In general, mixing your brass with chrome feels a bit more timeless. Consider adding touches with your lighting or accessories, or simply mix and match your finishes, which can help to create a design that is more organic. Best Tip: Avoid dated shinny brass pieces, as they tend to look super yellow, think brass with an aged finish.

IN: Dark Green Paint - The all-white look has dominated design trends this year, it's time to move to the dark side. Dark blue has been over done so make way for dark green's grand entrance.

OUT: Marble Imitation - Marble will never go out of style—it's an absolute classic—but it's time to ditch the imitations. While it is a timeless material, enough of everything being made from so many cheap imitations.

IN: Bronze - Since brass has been so overdone, what metal needs to take its place, say hello to bronze, the latest interior design trend in metal. Bronze is going to be the new It metal. It plays well with other finishes and colors and is a little bit more on the neutral side.

OUT: Macramé - Who doesn’t adore the boho-chic trend, but it's time to retire macramé. There are so many other ways to add bohemian flair to your space instead of covering your walls with cumbersome wall hangings. Thoughtful local art selections can make a huge impact in helping your space feel more lived in and inspired.

OUT: Copper Overload - Copper is dead? Say it ain't so. Sad to see copper go because its blush tones are so pleasing to the eye, but when cooper isn’t done well, it has a tendency to look cheap.

IN: Quality Over Quantity - When it comes to design, choosing quality over quantity is never a bad move. Your goal is to simplify and focus on getting to the root of what is necessary and essential. It's may seem easy to make a mediocre room look better if you throw on a million little accessories, but always try to be thoughtful about the purchases you make, think about the memories they will bring up. If you find that perfect accessory that is not only beautiful but of true quality, you'll thank yourselves a million times over when you aren't rushing to replace it within a few years.

OUT: Cool Gray Tones - People are craving warmer tones, and colors such as taupe, mink will make a huge comeback. Texture will be key.

IN: Pottery - With the emergence of quality over quantity, handmade products will gain in popularity. Anything sculptural or handmade makes for unique home accents, remember real art to make your space feel personalized.

IN: Embellishments - The minimalistic trend has swept interior design. Look for ruffles, pleats, and trims (of course, done in the right way) start popping up in design.

OUT: Chevron - Most feel that the chevron trend has surpassed its use-by date, but when every big-box store releases chevrons on everything all that can be said is, Next!

OUT: Fiddle-Leaf Figs - They seemed to be in every corner of every home, it’s time to move on. In fact, indoor plants are an outdated accessory. On the other hand, cut flowers and greenery are a necessity.

OUT: Faux Design - When new tries to imitate old in all the wrong ways it's time to rethink. The trend of making everything new look old is something that is old and dated. Instead, look for authentic pieces from the flea market, antique store or your grandmother’s attic or pieces inspired directly from antiques, those will always be in style and give you the look you want.

ALWAYS IN: Going Against Trends - While home décor trends are definitely fun to sprinkle around, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow them. It's more about what feels classic; just do what you love. Fill your home with not only beautiful things but things that have meaning to you. Pieces that you find on your travels or that you fall in love with at first glance, those will never be out of style. Living beautifully is about living with what you love.

Faux Foliage Tips

By info • September 17, 2020
1. Mix real and faux. No one needs to know it’s not all real. It can be difficult to tell the difference at a glance so let it be your secret. 2. Mix and match! Select a few faux seasonal statement stems that you can mix in with other foliage. This can help your basic arrangements go farther and give you a variety of shapes, colors and flowers to play with all year round. Keep less seasonal specific blooms or branches to cut down on the amount of items you need to store. 3. Bend the branches and leaves so they feel more relaxed and organic! 4. Vary the stem heights in the vase give it a more interesting shape. 5. Create an airy arrangement, leaving breathing room for a simpler look. 6. Pack a visual punch by using just one type of foliage. Use unique containers for your foliage to make a one-of-a-kind statement! 7. Fill the bottom of glass vessels with rocks for more interest. 8. You can use water in the bottom of a glass vase to make faux look more realistic!

Lessons on, Why Quartz Countertops?

By info • July 31, 2020
Lesson #4 - How to Clean Quartz Countertops -Quartz countertops are non-porous, which means they don't absorb bacteria, mold and mildew — not to mention things like red wine. So spill away! Cleaning is straightforward. Use only soap and water, and maybe some mild detergent. (Always check your manufacturer's cleaning and maintenance guide before you use different cleaning products, just to make sure the quartz won't react adversely to a particular chemical. Lesson #5 - Quartz Countertop Pros and Cons • Technology means that quartz countertops are consistently and uniformly produced, so you know exactly what you are getting when you buy it. • Quartz's main selling point is durability. It will last for years without staining or breaking down, and requires little to no maintenance. It's also very easy to clean. • Because it's made from little leftover bits of mineral, versus mined in whole slabs and shipped around the world, quartz countertops are considered a good environmental choice. • One drawback is the upfront cost: it's one of the more expensive materials out there. However, quartz is extremely popular these days, which can be a huge selling point when you put your home on the market. • Current technology limits the quartz countertop slab sizes. If you want an oversized island, for example, you might have to choose a different material. However, seams are less visible on quartz countertops than other materials. Lesson #6 - Quartz Countertops vs. Granite/Marble - Granite/Marble was the go-to countertop for years, but has recently fallen into second place, leaving people to wonder which is better. Granite/Marble is an all-natural stone that's quarried: no two slabs are alike, and there are endless variations for you to choose from. It's also can be more affordable than quartz. Like quartz, granite/marble is highly durable, although it is porous and susceptible to stains, and therefore requires periodic sealing after the initial installation.

Lessons on, Why Quartz Countertops?

By info • July 30, 2020
Lesson #1 - Quartz Countertops Colors - Although white and grey are probably the most popular, endless colors are available. Beyond color, new patterns also mimic the look of natural substances with subtle veins and striations — which gives the material some movement and makes it feel more real. There are also now more finishes to consider, in addition to the smooth and shiny quartz you can achieve a softer appearance — with honed or suede-like finishes — that have a brushed feel. Lesson #2 - How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost - Unfortunately, quartz countertops aren't a budget kitchen material, and can be a significant chunk of your remodeling budget. They run between $60-100 plus per square foot, including installation. Lesson #3 - Durability - If you want the look, but not the maintenance, of natural materials like soapstone or marble, quartz countertops are an attractive alternative. Its hardness makes it a good work surface, and one of the most durable and low-maintenance options you can buy. Unlike other materials, it resists etching, stains, cracks and chips. More good news: the resin that binds the quartz during manufacturing already adds protection, so there's no need to initially seal the surface, or maintain by resealing in the future. It's good to know, however, that quartz countertops don't like high heat. You should never put scalding pots and hot pans directly on the countertop: always use a trivet instead.

The Secret to Decorating With Throw Pillows

By info • July 29, 2020
PICK AN ANCHOR COLOR: If there's a piece of furniture in your room that brings in a pop of color, make sure the rest of the room highlights it without outshining it. MIX AND MATCH PRINTS: By mixing and matching styles and prints, you'll elevate the intrigue to keep the eye engaged. THINK ABOUT SYMMETRY: Once you've got all the right pillows, you should also spend some time thinking about how you'd like to display them to get the most out of their potential. If you like the look of asymmetry, try an arrangement that looks more random and effortless. STAY NEUTRAL:. If bright colors overwhelm you or you simply resonate with neutrals more, you can still allow your personality to show through with things like texture, material and shape. EXPERIMENT WITH TEXTURE: Its fun texture makes it the perfect way to achieve a wild aesthetic outside of color, print, and shape elements.

Looking for the perfect chair?

By info • July 22, 2020
Perfect chair for that person who wants a higher back to rest their head. Better yet, can be ordered in your fabric selection and be stationary, swivel, or rock.

Ineffective, Out of Date Cleaning Staples You Need to Replace ASAP, part 5

By info • June 11, 2020
String Mops - String-mops are inefficient, unsanitary, and obsolete because most floors should not be wet-mopped anymore anyway, they should be vacuumed, dry-dusted, then damp-mopped by spraying the cleaner directly on the floor and immediately polished clean. The new gold standard for floor mops is one with microfiber strands, or a spray mop with a machine-washable cleaning pad.

Ineffective, Out of Date Cleaning Staples You Need to Replace ASAP, part 4

By davidh • June 9, 2020
Your Ancient Handheld Vacuum - Some handheld vacuums aren’t practical or sanitary. They are filled with old dust and debris and don’t do a very good job vacuuming up stuff.

Ineffective, Out of Date Cleaning Staples You Need to Replace ASAP, part 3

By info • June 5, 2020
Feather Dusters - Feather dusters and rainbow-colored dusters are outdated because they’re ineffective. Without a cleaner or polish, or something to cling to the dust, they’ll just move your dirt around. Use a Swiller style dusters for light dusting once a week, but for a good, effective deep clean use an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth to trap dust and give your surfaces a nice shine.

Ineffective, Out of Date Cleaning Staples You Need to Replace ASAP, part 2

By info • June 4, 2020
Disinfectant Spray or Wipes More Than Two Years Old - Like it or not, if it’s been sitting under your sink for too long, your go-to disinfectant spray or wipes aren’t something you can count on. Disinfectant sprays are usually only good for one to two years max. If the smell is getting weaker, then it’s not effective as a disinfectant anymore.

Ineffective, Out of Date Cleaning Staples You Need to Replace ASAP

By info • May 29, 2020
Hydrogen Peroxide - (especially if it’s been exposed to light) Often used as a nontoxic disinfectant around the house, when stored incorrectly, hydrogen peroxide breaks down and loses its antibacterial properties when exposed to light for too long, that’s why it always comes in a dark bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place (in its original bottle) to ensure it stays potent and powerful. Even when stored properly, an opened bottle of hydrogen peroxide only maintains its effectiveness for six months to a year—it should indicate its shelf life on the label. After this time, the expired solution isn’t harmful, but it won’t be as effective at disinfecting as it used to.