Selecting an Appropriate Color Scheme

Have you ever tried to update your home with a fresh coat of paint, only to end up with an odd jumble of colors that simply do not mix? With so many shades at your fingertips, how do you choose the right combination of colors for your home?

Learn About the Color Wheel

A basic color wheel can provide easy insight into the process of selecting a new palette. Primary, secondary and tertiary colors all play a different part in your décor, so refer to the wheel whenever you are in doubt.

Find Your Inspiration

Whether you collect magazine clippings or paint swatches, it is important to have a concept in mind when you start shopping. Some homeowners even use a favorite piece of furniture or artwork for inspiration with their design.

Keep an Open Mind

It is also crucial to remain open-minded as you shop. If your first choice is not what you expected, ask for suggestions or refer back to the color wheel for ideas. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to find what works best for your design.

In the end, these three simple tips will help you choose an attractive palettefor any situation. Visit this website to find a shade store and tile store in Waco and transform your home today.

Choosing Concrete for Your Kitchen

Although granite countertops have become popular, concrete is much more durable and versatile option. Complement your kitchen with customizable concrete and enjoy the long-lasting beauty of your countertops. 

Choosing Your Countertops

With the plethora of materials available to choose from, picking the right countertop can be difficult. In addition to selecting a look that harmonizes with the rest of your kitchen, you also need to consider factors such as durability, maintenance and cost. Examining the pros and cons of each type of countertop can help you decide which is best for you.

1. Low Maintenance

If you are looking for a countertop you won’t have to fuss over, consider quartz. It is highly durable and resistant to scratching and staining. You will never need to seal it or use special cleaning materials or processes. Many manufactured solid surfacing countertops also offer these benefits. You will also have a wide array of colors to choose from.

2. Natural Beauty

On the other hand, if you are willing to put in some maintenance work in exchange for a unique look, choose from natural materials like soapstone, marble or granite. These are perennial favorites for a reason: coming in an infinite variety of color and pattern, each piece of stone is unique and adds aesthetic appeal. They are also durable and offer heat and stain resistance if properly maintained.

3. Budget-Friendly

When cost is an important factor, tile or laminate can offer great value for your money. Choosing larger tiles and quality laminate can enhance durability. Another benefit is that these materials are easily cut and arranged to fit your counters.

Each type of countertop material has its pros and cons. Prioritizing your needs will help you select the one that is best for you. For more help in choosing custom countertops in San Diego, visit this website.

3 Kitchen Trends to Watch

If you are thinking about giving your home a much-needed upgrade, replacing your kitchen cabinets in La Mesa is a great and easy way to transform your look and add functionality. Taking a look at some up-and-coming 2016 kitchen cabinet trends can provide inspiration and ideas as you start your own renovation.

1. Softer Colors

Soft colors are now replacing the stark white look of previous years. Neutral pastels are becoming an especially popular choice, with pale blues, greens or grays that offer a hint of color without overwhelming the eye. Accent colors will also be on the subdued side this year, featuring muted shades and darker pastels.

2. Brass Hardware

For cabinet hardware, brass accessories are making a comeback. This time around, satin finishes are the way to go with brass, rather than the high shine of the ‘80s. Choosing satin brass knobs, handles and hinges will add a touch of understated elegance that fits in well with the soft color palette that is now trending.

3. Custom Lighting

Cabinet lighting is another kitchen trend that is taking off. Available in many types and configurations, proper lighting makes your kitchen work easier and adds flexibility for setting the mood you want. Choose from light tape strips and recessed fixtures that can be installed above, below or inside your cabinets.

Updating your cabinets can help your kitchen look fresh and modern. Today’s trends also have the benefit of adding function and optimizing kitchen work spaces. Visit this website to find out more about contemporary options for kitchen cabinets in La Mesa.

The American Society of Interior Designers Voices Its Stance on HB 2

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is dismayed with the North Carolina legislature and governor’s recent actions to enact discriminatory legislation (HB 2) that overturns protections for LGBT people and sanctions discrimination across the state... read more

Reasons a Drop Ceiling Can Help a Room Look Bigger

Drop ceilings are growing in popularity in retail spaces, offices and homes. They can help a room look bigger in several ways including:

• Making higher ceilings in rooms with electrical and duct work
• Adding brighter colors to the room
• Allowing for many light fixtures

Functionality and Design

Drop ceilings are ideal for rooms where plumbing, heating ducts or electrical runs through the ceiling. The drop ceiling tiles are located just below all of this without the use of bulky dry-wall. This means you can get additional inches above your head, which in turn can make the whole room look and feel more spacious.

Bright Colors

Drop ceiling tiles are traditionally white or off-white, but you can get them in several different colors. These lighter and brighter shades make the room feel airier. This in turn helps make the room look bigger.

Lots of Lighting

One of the many benefits of drop ceilings is that they can make it easier to add additional lighting fixtures to a room. A well-lit room can help make it appear larger by eliminating dark corners and shadows.

You can help make any room in your home or business look and feel more spacious with the help of drop ceilings. Visit this website to learn more about drop ceiling installation in El Cajon.

Hiring a Contracting Company for Your Home Improvement Project

When you’re doing some long overdue repairs, renovating a basement or adding a room to your house, finding a good contractor is essential, as a project gone wrong can really end up costing you. Make sure you do your part by bringing in a high-quality company to help you.

Ask Good Questions

Some inquiries you can make in bringing the right contracting company on board include:

• How many projects have you done like this before?
• Will this project require a permit?
• Do you have references for similar projects to this one?

Having a Contractor Help With Just Certain Phases

A home construction project isn’t always big, but when it is, you may need to rent certain tools or heavy equipment to get the job done right. While some get excited at the idea of operating a jackhammer or backhoe, it could be something you want nothing to do with.  If you happen fall into this category, you may want to consider bringing in a contracting company just to help with this part of the project. If it’s an area you have little experience in or if it’s just too labor intensive, it could ease your mind greatly in not having to handle it yourself.

Take a look at this website for more information from a contracting company in La Mesa.

Bamboo Shades for Everyone

Bamboo shades have gone beyond being available in bungalows. Bring the tropics to your home with versatile bamboo shades. Lightweight and easy to install, bamboo shades now come with three different options: without liner, with a privacy liner and with a blackout liner.

Tuscan-Style Shutters: Adding a Touch of Italian Beauty to Your Home

You don’t have to live in Italy to have elegant Tuscan-style shutters on your windows. Along with being stylish, these windows coverings are also highly energy efficient, so you could end up saving money on your energy costs, overall. By cutting back on your energy bills, you will be contributing to the green movement by reducing your global footprint as well. The best furnishings in a home are those that add style yet are also functional, and Tuscan-style shutters are at the top of the list.

Terrific in All Seasons and Climates

Tuscan-style shutters are a great choice in a variety of regions, from bright, balmy areas like Florida and Los Angeles that need protection from the heat to cities like Chicago and New York that experience seasons at full blast and need good insulation in the winter months.

More specifically, these fashionable window treatments help prevent your home’s indoor warmth from escaping during the winter, which reduces the amount of heat you need, and keep your home cooler in the summer, meaning you won’t have use your air conditioner as often.

They offer a few different options in that they can be:

• Closed for more privacy
• Opened for sunlight and to let warmth in
• Or angled out so that air flows in while still providing shade

Visit this website to learn more on why Tuscan-style shutters are more than just looks and where to find Tuscan style shutters in Raleigh.

Roman Shades Aren’t Just Stylish, They Save Money, Too

Though roman shades add comfort and beauty to any room in the home where they are installed, they also happen to be highly sophisticated, energy-efficient window coverings that can actually help to save you money on your monthly utility bills.
Basically, roman shades assist in retaining either the warm or cool air in a room. As a byproduct, they also prevent noise or light from coming in. However, for those that have a preference, there are certain types of roman shades that do allow light to come in while still having warmth and cooling capabilities, just not as much.

More Specifically, Roman Shades:

• Help to prevent heated air inside from escaping outside during the winter
• Assist in preventing the cool air inside from escaping outside in the summer

Two Additional Tips

To add further, what many people do with roman shades is to open them during the day in the winter months to allow the warmth of the sunlight to come in and heat up the room. Then to retain that heat, they close them at night. The concept is reversed in the summer months.
Visit this website to find out more on how installing roman shades saves money, as well as where to buy roman shades in Cary.

TISE 2016 Wrap-Up: Showgoers Share Impressions

The International Surface Event (TISE) was held in its familiar home of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, but with the 350,000 square-foot expansion of the convention center TISE for the first time showcased the industry’s latest products all on one floor... read more

Keeping Your Wood Woven Shades Clean is Easy

Window shades often seem to only get cleaned when the dust has become too much to bear. But, you really don’t need to wait that long, because they’re actually a lot easier to clean than you may think.

Read the Cleaning Instructions

For wood woven shades, while some manufacturers say to avoid using liquid, others say damp is okay but wet is not. The reason for this is because too much moisture could cause discoloration or warping. So first read up on the literature that the shades came with.

If your shades are made from reeds or grasses, don’t clean them with a dryer sheet or paper towels because they could get caught in the weave.

Also, know in advance that most shades don’t need to be removed to clean them.

Consistent, Mini-Cleans Go a Long Way

Just dusting on a regular basis should prevent you from ever having to do a labor intensive, deep clean on them.

Three Cleaning Techniques:

• Tilt the slats in each direction 45 degrees, and lightly wipe with a cloth or dusting mitt.
• Lightly move over the slats with the soft brush attachment on your vacuum.
• With the dusting mitt or soft cloth over your hand, dip your fingertips into vinegar, and lightly swipe across the slats.

Visit this website to learn more on how to keep your wood woven shades clean, as well as the different kinds of woven wood shades in Cary.

Trending: Shades With a Modern, Chic, Fresh Look

When it comes to window shades, 2016 has been a great year. Leaning towards a timeless yet modern look this year, installing shades in one or more rooms of your home can make all the difference in bringing new energy and vibe to your environment.

Fresh, Lively Hues and Patterns

The window shade trends for 2016 in some of the most beautiful homes across the country include:

• Layering large, neutral-colored, patterned drapes with translucent Roman shades in an off-white, monochromatic bedroom with downy, soft pillows in classic, white linen and a chunky, beige throw on the bed.

• Choosing a shade that appears to change designs. For instance, from farther away, your tailored, tomato-colored, Roman shades look like they are patterned with soft, ombre striping. But up close, they actually reveal a complex pattern of micro checks and diamonds.

• Contrasting the modern, fresh look of classic shutters with flowing, exotic drapery panels in burnt orange, bronze and rust can create a gorgeous look in traditional dining areas.

• Adding solar shades, which diffuse and soften the light, creates instant ambiance to any room while also protecting furniture, carpets and artwork from the damaging rays of the sun.

Visit this website to see more 2016 shade trends and to look at shades at this shutter company in Holly Springs.