Rustic Floor Choices for the Country Home

By creatingyourspace | Published: March 21, 2013

Screen Shot 2013-03-07 at 2.40.48 PMHave you ever read through the pages of an interior decorating magazine and fallen in love with one of the professionally decorated room? If you have, you probably all ready know there are various design styles and themes for your home. Did you come across most of the rustic floor choices for the country home designs? This type of home decor is known for its friendly and cozy feel.

This particular style of décor is usually simple and rustic that adds warmth to a home.  Hardwood would be a great flooring option to choose from with this theme in mind.  This will help bring nature indoors.

If you’re on a budget and want the natural hardwood look, try considering laminate options.  There are plenty of print options available now and for large areas of the home, this could be a better alternative.

If you aren’t a huge fan of hardwood or the look of it, then go for terra cotta tile or natural stone. Keep nature in mind when decorating your country home!

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Contrast in the Kitchen

By creatingyourspace | Published: February 16, 2013

Screen Shot 2013-02-07 at 8.29.19 PMOne of the key principles in design is contrast. Contrast can be between colors, textures and patterns; between light and dark; and between styles.  The principle of contrast works in any room and in any décor irrelevant of style.

Contrast in the kitchen is important given the limited amount of surfaces.  In a kitchen there are four essential design surfaces: floor, counter top, wall, and cabinets. Of course appliances are another design element in the kitchen, but they are not typically used to add contrast; rather they are chosen to blend in with the rest of the kitchen design.

This kitchen demonstrates the principle of contrast with the white tile backsplash and dark granite tile counter tops.  The light and dark make both the backsplash and counter top pop.  Cabinets could be light or dark; either would work in this design.  Flooring could be light or dark depending on the cabinet color. Dark floors with white or light cabinets will really stand out.

Contrast can also be between textures as well as light and dark colors. Shiny cabinets and matte counters, or vice versa, is another way to use contrast. Surface finishes are easy ways to add contrast; mix matte and shiny for visual interest.  The light stone backsplash mixes well with the shiny granite tiles on the countertop.  Materials can also add contrast; stone against wood or glass against metal work to bring contrast to the design.

Using this principle of contrast in the kitchen can easily be carried into a bathroom or powder room where there are similar materials. Contrast in design can be used throughout the home once you master the principle.

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Honey Toned Wood Accents

By creatingyourspace | Published: January 19, 2013

9835990_SWarm wood tones can warm up spaces like this one. If they can add warmth in a cool contemporary space, imagine what they can do in your home? Woods go through trends just like other design elements.  We’ve seen the rise of cherry in the kitchen, ebony on the floor, beech in furniture and mahogany in antiques. And with every new “it” wood or finish, there is one that has gone before and one that will follow.  Warm honey toned woods like maple and beech work well in many different interior styles as flooring, furniture and trim.

Using wood as an accent color and texture brings a natural element into the room.  Whether you use wood on the floors, wood paneling on the walls, or decorate your room with natural woods, look for warm tones in both the natural unfinished wood and wood stains.  Scandinavian design embraces these pale woods to great success on both flooring and furniture.

In this space the flooring, countertop, and over the counter wine rack all come together with the warm honey wood. The wood is a strong contrast to the darker, heavier accents such as the chandelier and black tiled counter wall.  Using such contrasting materials in the same space creates a dynamic energy in the room.  Bringing in bar stools that have a simple style with a soft cushion color carries the warm wood color from the living area into the bar area, guiding your eye through the two spaces. The wood makes for a nice organic touch in the space.

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Celebrate the Holidays!

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 25, 2012

 

Just because it’s the holidays, doesn’t mean you have to plan an extravagant party to celebrate.  Having a few close friends and family around will be perfect!

Make it easy on yourself and have everyone bring a dish so you don’t have to spend the whole time cooking and preparing.  You can have a casual party and everyone can gather around in the kitchen and/or living room.

If you want an easy way to dress up a table setting or add décor, take a look at the picture to the right.  You can achieve this by adding a simple ribbon around the silverware.  You could wrap ribbon around a vase or use different colors for glass assignments so everyone knows which drink is theirs.  This is a great décor solution for any party all year round because it’s easy to change up what kind of ribbon you use!

Remember, it’s not about the food or how many people come to your party.  It’s about the company you keep and spending quality time with your loved ones! Enjoy the holidays and don’t forget the true meaning of this time of year.  Happy holidays and a here’s to the new year!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

By creatingyourspace | Published: November 22, 2012

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More Design Elements for the Dining Room

By creatingyourspace | Published: October 25, 2012

No matter the style of your dining room décor, there are universal design elements that work in any dining room. Whether your dining room is formal or casual, modern or traditional, decorating your dining room with these design elements will give you a room to be proud of.

Along with the basics of a table, chairs and lighting, dining room design elements add function and style to the room.  Some of the additional elements you might consider including in your dining room design are a sideboard or buffet, an area rug, buffet lamps, and soft goods like curtains, table runners, and place mats.

A traditional sideboard is expected in a formal dining room. A china cabinet or glass front bookcase can display china, glassware and heirloom collectibles and objects.  The sideboard can store the silver, large platters and additional place settings or glassware.  These pieces provide the much needed storage in a dining room. A credenza can be used in a more modern dining room in place of the traditional sideboard. Lighting on the sideboard or buffet provides an intimate alternative to the overhead lighting of the chandelier or pendant.

An area rug underneath the dining room table is very traditional. It helps to anchor the table in the space and call attention to the center of the room.  An area rug is ideal over hardwood floors, but can also be placed over existing carpeting.

Personalizing your dining room with linens and table runners can change the look and feel for holidays, birthdays and less formal dinner parties.

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Blinds and Flooring Set Stage

By creatingyourspace | Published: September 18, 2012

When you have a contemporary house with little or no architectural detail built in, the best solution is to create architectural depth yourself.

This room has a strong contemporary feel, and the light wood flooring and matching wood blinds support that while adding interest and depth to the bones of the room.

Choosing dark tape for the blind mechanism grounds the light elements in the room and connects the light wood choice with the dark leather bed frame and dark wood nightstand. Together they provide the contrast that makes a modern room work – the light wood horizontal combined with the dark verticals complement the dark horizontal furnishings.

The bed has a curved padded headboard that creates a comfortable place to lean back and read or watch the flat-screen. The nightstand also shows function as well as style with room enough for essentials on top and storage for books and magazines underneath.

Notice the pillow choices. Three sets of matching pillows add pattern. The bottom pillows are in a solid fabric, but the tie closures add a nice detail. The next two sets combine modern and a touch of traditional with the embroidered dragonflies. This room keeps accessories to a minimum, so the pillows add interest and help make the bed the focal point.

Functional and well-designed, this bedroom brings together a good foundation with an appealing finish. Do you want a bedroom with the right combination of connection and contrast? Let us help you select just the right combination of flooring and window treatments to get you started.

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A Basement Remodel that Works

By creatingyourspace | Published: August 16, 2012

If you are thinking about doing a basement remodel to create more living space or making a home theater, this is the post for you. Basements have a reputation for being dark, with low ceilings, and unwelcoming. The old notion of a basement as a “recreation room” should be tossed aside in today’s home design. While the typical basement will never be a sun-filled space, there are tricks to making a basement feel open and welcoming.

This basement remodel is a great example of what to do right when redoing a basement. Let’s look at the elements that work here and can work for most basement remodels.

The flooring is a light color, which helps open up the space. Wood floors are not always the best idea for below grade space because of potential moisture or flooding that can occur. However, if you love the look of wood floors, you should look into using laminate floors to get that same look.

Carrying the light color onto the ceiling also makes the typically low ceiling feel higher. Recessed lighting bathes the room in light and doesn’t lower the feeling of the ceiling. Recessed lighting can also create lighting zones for different activities. Darker tone of the tan color on the walls is balanced by the lighter color of the floor and ceiling.

Natural stone creates a focal wall in the space and adds some great texture. An alcove for the television and entertainment center has a built-in feeling. The alcove also creates more space in the main seating area of the room, which is divided into zones by the furniture arrangement.

Tips to take away from this basement remodel are: use lighting to create zones; keep things light on the floor and ceiling; arrange furniture to divide the space into activity areas.

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How to Get Makeup Stains Out of Your Carpet

By creatingyourspace | Published: July 26, 2012

Do you love your carpet looking like this and want to keep it looking clean?  Sometimes life hands us stains and when it does, it’s nice to know what we can do to help clean them up.  Don’t let your daily routine get in the way of keeping your carpet in tip top shape.

What room of the house do you find yourself applying makeup? Do some of these rooms have carpet on the floors?  When you’re in a rush, accidents can happen.  We’ve come up with a few solutions to make sure your makeup stays on your face and not forever in your carpet!

Here are some quick tips on how to get makeup stains out of your carpet:

  • Always act quickly! Don’t let the stain fester.
  • Try your best to remove any excess makeup that you can without rubbing it further into the carpet. A spoon works great.
  • Mix 1/4 teaspoon of a gentle liquid dishwashing detergent per one cup of lukewarm water.
  • Always blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels; never rub.
  • Be sure to thoroughly rinse spot to remove any detergent residues. You may have to rinse several times to completely remove residues.
  • Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain flourescent dyes that dye the fiber.
  • Remember to always check the manufacturer’s care policy, just in case.

If this doesn’t work or you would rather not risk the stain worsening, then call a professional.  There is never any shame in asking for help.  For more carpet cleaning solutions, you can visit our website.

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Decor Inspiration – Starting with The Bones

By creatingyourspace | Published: June 30, 2012

When faced with a room that is a clean slate, either because of a renovation or a new home, the project of decorating the room can be exhilarating or scary… or a little bit of both. Starting with the bones of a room allows you to build a design that works best for the room and for your lifestyle. To begin you’ll need to decide which architectural features you’ll want to highlight. Windows, French doors, televisions, and if there is one, a fireplace can all compete to be focal points in the room.

In this living room, the very basic elements have been put in place. There is a sofa, an area rug and a television on a stand. One of the architectural features, the French doors, is stuck in a corner behind the sofa. The only color and pattern in the room is from the plant. While you can easily live with these bare bones, the room doesn’t feel finished. There are simple design tricks that can bring more life and interest to the room.

Moving the sofa to face the television opens up the room’s flow to the French doors. Curtains that flank the doors and window would give them a polished look. Curtains could also be a nice place to add color and pattern. Neutral white walls could be painted a deeper neutral or even a color for a major change to the room. Hanging a mirror and framed art on the walls would bring personality and interest to the space.

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