Category: Interior Design

The interior stairs are important pieces of the interior decoration and we can find them in many different styles.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Although it seems simple, for the realization of the house’s interior staircases we must pay close attention as they will help us go daily between the living room and upstairs bedroom.

But, what are the criteria to do robust, easy to climb and easy to keep up staircases?

Here are some tips to choose well the stairs of your house.

Right or curled, in a spiral or helical, the stairs are found in a variety of designs and materials. Depending on your house’s interior style if you like rustic or contemporary modern staircases, you can choose from wood, metal, glass or concrete. The current trend is lightness and transparency with metal structure of aluminum and the stair from plexiglass or glass.

The feeling of comfort of the stairs depends on the number of steps, with as many steps, more comfort. Likewise, depth and height of the steps matter for the feeling of comfort. Generally, straight profiles are safer than the spiral ones. 

We can wider or narrower the stairs, depending on the available space. To harmonize the stairs width with the space of the hallway, we must take into account the size of the house. For houses with large spaces will fit wider stairs and for houses with limited space, we choose narrow stairs. 

An important aspect to look at is what material is used for the stairs. There are many solutions including concrete, wrought iron or wood.

Classical stairs are made of concrete. Concrete staircase can be covered with tiles or slabs of wood. Wrought iron stairs fit generally into commercial spaces, but we can use wrought iron stairs in the garage or the attic near the entrance. 

Wooden staircase fits the rustic style. They are suitable for mountain chalets or country houses. You can also renovate your existing stairs by contacting a staircase refinishing expert that can make your old stairs new again.

The banister is perhaps more visible than the staircase itself because is the supportive element when we step on the stairs. Widely used today is the stainless steel banister. Harmonizes generally with the stairs with modern minimalist design. For classical stairs, lacquered solid wood banisters can be mounted. For wrought iron stairs, the banister can be installed also from wrought iron.

Other aspects to take into account for the interior stairs outside the width of the steps, the material, and the banister, are the design elements of stairs, number of steps, the height of a step or the position of the travel direction of the door or the destination area which should not be ignored at all. 

You can buy a staircase from staircase manufacturers, meaning that technically you will buy a product that’s built-to-order. The elements such as the pitch, depth, height and number of steps must be customized to fit the dimensions of the space that the stairs will occupy. That’s why it is very important to seek staircase manufacturers with the tradition that can offer professional advice in choosing the staircases that suit your needs and preferences.

Everybody loves living in a beautiful home, but they always appreciate there is room for improvements in every department. It was recently discovered men would be willing to spend around $25,000 in order to carry out the work required to achieve their dream home, whereas women came in around $5,000 below them.

Nonetheless, both those figures are pretty high and it’s intriguing to know what people would do given the chance. If you look at the recent design trends it will give you a rough idea. If you’re looking to improve your home you might want to follow them too, so let’s look at what is hot right now.

Terracotta Will Replace White

White isn’t going away completely, but it’s definitely losing some of its charm. The color has been hugely popular recently because it makes rooms look modern and classy, but people want the warm and rustic look back.

A perfect example will be terracotta tiles replacing white ones, but they’ll have more of a natural matte finish. They will be especially popular on kitchen walls although they’ll be used sparingly, plus you’ll see them on the floor too.

 Various Tropical Prints

Sometimes it helps to look towards the catwalk to see what kind of styles will be trending. It’s the reason why tropical prints of various styles are going to make an appearance. They’ve been very popular in the modeling world as of late.

They’re predicting it will be like buying classic clothing while mixing it up with shoes and handbags. The only difference is you’ll have a plain couch and your pillows will have tropical prints until you’re ready to change them.

Revisiting The Georgian Era

Although the Georgian era officially ended almost 200 years ago, the style from those days is making a big comeback. When people hear this they automatically think about the black and white color scheme.

Something you will find even more interesting is the rich textures they used. Velvet and a few other thick-weave fabrics are replacing plain linen. Symmetry is also crucial in the Georgian style.

Modern Geometric Designs

When you think of the oldest geometric designs in the world it’s probably the pyramids in Egypt. Geometric decor will become bigger in the interior design industry, but ancient designs will have a modern twist to them.

They’ll take their inspiration from African and Asian cultures, which will blend into our own nicely. People love living in a home that feels expertly curated and using patterns is a good way to do it.

 

Unique Crafted Furniture

Over the last few years flat pack furniture became huge and the IKEA phenomenon hit us hard. It turns out people are shying away from wanting rooms that look like every other one in their neighborhood.

It’s going to see a resurgence in uniquely crafted furniture designed by woodwork specialists with tons of experience. Although the individual pieces will be more expensive they’ll be looked on as an investment to lessen the blow.

Combining Natural And Industrial

When you think of marble an image of something clean and natural enters your head. Brass is almost the exact opposite and when you think of it the shiny alloy has more of a hard industrial look.

In no way would most people realize they would compliment each other so perfectly. The brass and marble combination will mostly be found inside kitchens and bathrooms to add a touch of glamour.

Lots Of Greens And Grays

These two colors aren’t tied together in any particular way, but they’re each supposed to make waves this year. Gray was already becoming big last year and it’s meant to continue its run with lots of new shades.

Green is an interesting color because it apparently represents revitalization and refreshment. It’s been named the Pantone color of the year already, which is widely believed to be because of events like the American election and Brexit.

 Try Not To Get Left Behind

How many of these ideas can you see yourself implementing over the next few months? If you want to beat everyone else you better act now. All of these trends will continue to get more popular as the year goes on. If you study some of them carefully it’s easy to see why they won’t be going away any time soon.

Buying a home is a momentous occasion that some people wait their whole lives for. Having a place you can call your own is gives you a sense of place and security, but finding the perfect residential space is no easy endeavor.

Enlist the help of an agent early on in the process. That’s the biggest piece of advice the Del Mar real estate team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has for buyers. Working with a buyer agent will give you access to information you wouldn’t otherwise have and can make it easier to getting a showing. Plus, the seller is paying the commission fees so you get this extra help for free.

An agent can also help you manage distractions and focus on the factors that matter most. The list of factors is unique for each homebuyer; however, there are some points that come into play during every home search.

Location

No matter how the markets change, location is always going to be the top consideration. The neighborhood you live in doesn’t just affect your housing options. It has a dramatic impact on your entire life. Studies have found that your neighborhood can affect your health, how you age and personality. The stressors within the immediate environment can impact everyone in the household regardless of age.

Identify your ideal location first and foremost. Select a few neighborhoods and direct the bulk of your search to those areas. Remember, you can bulldoze and rebuild a house, but you can’t change its location.

The 80% House

Countless homebuyers have missed the opportunity to get a fantastic house because of a few small hangups that kept it from being absolutely perfect. The truth is no home is going to be perfect unless you design a home yourself. Even brand new speck homes probably aren’t going to be exactly what you pictured in your mind.

A real estate industry rule of thumb is to carefully consider any home that’s 80% perfect or higher as long as it’s in the right location and meets your general needs.

Lifestyle Suitability

A home may be beautiful and well-designed, but that doesn’t mean it fits your lifestyle. Any parent with small children understands the importance of a home that suits how you live. They’re looking for a laundry room right down the hall and an oversized dishwasher. A young professional may be looking for a home that’s already set up for connectivity and smart devices.

As you look at homes imagine yourself living in the space. Think about what you do on a day-to-day basis and how easy or difficult it may be in the home. If the design, layout, etc. is more of a hindrance than a help it’s not the right home for your lifestyle.

Good Schools

Parents and real estate investors know the importance of good schools, but they focus on them for very different reasons. All parents want their kids to get a good education, so school ratings are often a top priority. But even buyers without children should pay attention to the ratings because it can affect property values.

In general, the better the schools are the more likely the area is to hold value and appreciate. Your real estate agent can tell you which schools serve an area, how the schools have performed on state tests and the overall rating compared to other schools in the district.

Upkeep and Maintenance

Some people love tackling projects around the house in their spare time while others don’t even own a tool set. A home is just like a car. It needs maintenance and upkeep to stay in top condition.

The age of the home is going to be a factor, but the construction and how well it’s been maintained also plays a role. Some types of property, such as a townhome, can also minimize some of the exterior maintenance. Many buyers prefer to have a home that isn’t going to be a pain to maintain. As a result, some buyers are now shying away from oversized homes simply because they don’t want the extra upkeep and maintenance. Ultimately, it’s up to each buyer to determine how much maintenance and upkeep they’re willing to put into a home.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when renovating their home is following the latest trends. It’s okay if you actually love them and want to stay in your home forever, but not if you plan on selling up one day. When you’re going to sell your home you need to follow a new strategy.

This means when renovating your home you should be thinking of ways you can add value to it. After all, your main concern will be to boost your profits when it’s all over. You can even do some of the work yourself if you’re good at DIY. Let’s look at a few simple jobs you should focus your efforts on.

1 – Fix Any Leaking Faucets

Do you know what mistake sellers keep making when they try to sell their home? They don’t go around checking things to make sure they’re in working order. When potential buyers find a small fault they’ll think there are hidden ones.

A leaking faucet is one of the most common because everyone will test them. Luckily for you they are easy to fix plus you could go on step further and replace your old faucets with beautiful ones.

2 – Making A Good First Impression

Some people call this curb appeal, but it basically means you want to make a good first impression on someone before they enter your home. The biggest DIY project would involve painting your exterior walls.

Even if you’d rather leave that up to professionals it wouldn’t be hard to paint your front door. Do what we mentioned in regards to the faucets too, which would involve buying an attractive new door knob.

3 – Spend Time On Your Garden

Estimates say landscaping can increase the value of your home (by up to 20 percent). It’s weird when you consider most property owners are only interested in the physical home itself, but now you know that is a big mistake.

If your garden doesn’t look good at the moment there is no need to do anything drastic. Anyone can plant some flowers, trim their trees, and build a basic pond. Don’t do anything too complex because potential buyers will be responsible for its upkeep.

4 – Adding A New ‘Room’

Unless you have some skills it’s unlikely you’ll be able to turn your basement or attic into a new room. They could end up being expensive anyway, but we want to find things that cost the least amount of money.

Although it might sound strange you should set up a table and chairs on your patio. To you it’s nothing special and doesn’t mean much, but to prospective buyers they’ll subconsciously think it’s a second dining room.

5 – Install A Smart Thermostat

When someone is going to be spending money on a new home you don’t want them to think about additional costs. When they’re walking around your home it would be great if they realized they were actually going to save money.

One way you’ll be able to do that is by installing a smart thermostat. They’re so cheap compared to the value they provide. People will think your home is a lot more modern and futuristic too.

 6 – Improve The Air Quality

There are a few ways to improve the air quality inside your home, but only one of them kills two birds with one stone. Rip out your carpets and replace them all with cheap wooden flooring.

After so many years the carpets can hold onto smells you’ll not be able to notice, but potential buyers will pick up them straight away. Wooden floors are also considered a lot more valuable no matter how basic they are.

7 – Repair Your Kitchen Cabinets

The two rooms in your home where renovations will have the biggest affect on its value are the bathroom and kitchen. People are always going to see your cabinets when they walk into your kitchen.

You don’t want them to look old and worn, which might be the case if you’ve had them for years. Replacing the cabinets is expensive, so use an interior design trick and restore the finish on them by yourself.

Look Around And Use Your Imagination

Walk into your home and take a look around, but try to do it from the perspective of a potential buyer. You can even get a few of your friends involved too. Use your imagination and figure out what kind of things would stick out to you while viewing it for the very first time. Repair anything that won’t do much damage to your bank account.

Once you have your amazing new wooden flooring in place, it’s really important to look after it properly so it stays looking great for many years to come. It’d be a shame to get that bargain from a discount flooring depot only to have to replace it five years down the line. Engineered wood floors are similar to hardwood floors, but they may need a bit of extra care, depending on how thick the top layer is. Some floors have a “wear layer” that’s 0.75” thick and can, if badly scratched, be sanded down and resealed. Others have a much thinner wear layer and can’t be sanded more than once, so you’ll need to take extra precautions here.

Image credit: Transport Executive

Caring for engineered floors

With most engineered or hardwood floors, a very slightly damp mop or cloth is all that’s needed to clean the surface. If you need something extra, use a product that’s been formulated for hardwood. The top, or wear layer, is made of hardwood, so care is broadly the same. Work with the grain rather than across it, as this will remove more dirt.

You should always sweep or vacuum the floor before you mop it, to remove grit, dirt and other abrasive debris which may be dragged along by the mop, scratching the floor.

Dry up spills as soon as you see them. Engineered flooring is more resistant to water than full hardwood, but if spills are left for a long time, warping and swelling will happen.

Use curtains or blinds during bright sunlight hours so that the UV light doesn’t damage or discolour the wood.

Any furniture or large plant pots must be placed on felt or rubber pads so that feet and bases don’t scratch or compress the wood.

If there are visible nail marks, you can disguise them by filling them with a matching colour wood putty. Wipe away the excess putty, apply a thin coat of urethane and leave it to set for an hour.

A light dusting and wipe-over every day is better than an intensive clean once a week, as you’ll be dealing with a build-up of dirt that may need harsher cleaning methods.

If you have pets, keep their claws filed smooth so they don’t scratch the surface.

Make sure your floors aren’t exposed to excessive humidity or dryness, and especially not to fluctuations between the two. This flooring might not work too well in a bathroom, for example.

If you live in a hard water area, you may prefer to use de-ionised water and/or specialist cleaners on the floor, as hard water can leave dulling mineral deposits over time.

Don’t put electronics directly onto the floor as the heat they generate can dry out and warp the floor eventually.

Generally, a cleaner that’s good for hardwood floors is good for engineered wood floors, but do take advice and read the labels before you buy and try.

If your wooden flooring is quite a pale shade, you should avoid any detergents or cleaners that have a strong colour, as this may stain the floor with repeated use, Similarly, you should never be tempted to use bleach on a white wooden floor (or, indeed, on any wooden flooring).

Our dining room is more than just a place for food and family. It is a good opportunity to show our good taste, and the interior decoration competence.

Image by kirkandmimi from Pixabay

Just like we put our personality into decorating our living room or bedroom we need to put the same into the design of our dining room.

Choosing the best wooden dining chairs for room is just as important as choosing the best tables. If when you choose the tables you consider aspects related more to style and aesthetics, the intervening elements in case of the chairs are influenced by comfort and body position.

Before you buy new chairs, you should know with certainty their destination, because they differ among themselves: kitchen chairs, bar stools, dining room chairs and so on.  It is advisable to respect these markers and use the chairs for their intended use for your maximum comfort. The dining room chairs have the seat and the back higher than the kitchen chairs and the height lower than the bar stools. In general, the chairs for dining room are more stylish or have more decorative elements than the kitchen chairs.

Although many people see the dining room chairs as accessories, they are very important furniture pieces and that’s why you have to pay attention to some important aspects when you want to acquire new chairs.

The dining room chairs must be comfortable with cozy seat and backrest, with matching sizes and assorted with the room decor. Besides the color, trim and ornaments that relate more to the aesthetic appearance, you need to take into consideration also the quality and comfort of the chairs. The materials used, the dimensions of the seat and backrest are essential criteria when you want to choose the best dining room chairs.

How to choose the best dining room chairs

The frame of a chair it is very important because it influences the resistance to the use, to weight and durability over time. The frame of a chair must be made of good quality and strong materials, using joining techniques that offer resistance and security.

The dimensions of the chairs are also very important. The height from the ground for the dining room chairs must be chosen depending on the height of the table, personal preferences, and family constitution. Seat width varies from one model to another, the larger width is more comfortable and can be used with ease by full-bodied people also. The backrest height is generally determined depending on personal preference, but for the dining room chairs, is recommended taller backs.

The Materials used for the chairs, whether they are full dressed or only the seat or the backrest, they must be of good quality for a better resistance, especially to friction. Depending on the adopted style in the room, you can choose fabric or Quality Leather Dining Chairs. An important aspect that you must have in mind when choosing the materials, is the ease with which it can be cleaned and maintained, and also if it needs special cleaning or care.

The shape of the chairs must be chosen depending on the underlying table, the adopted style in the dining room and personal preferences.

Most chairs for dining room have the classic form made from single-material, square seating and high backs, but there are chairs that combine several elements and materials and with various shapes such as oval chairs, triangular backrest, and oval or tripod legs.

It is better to choose chairs that are in harmony with the table and with the entire room to create a pleasant appearance.

The price is the equivalent of paying for quality, durability and the technology of a product.  We recommend you to orient yourself to quality products, made from resistant materials, produced by manufacturers with tradition, although maybe you will pay a higher price, in time you’ll see that the investment was made wise.

Whether you want to indulge in a weekly pampering session, or you’re always on the go and want to make every second of luxury count, here are just 10 items to keep in your bathroom that will make every pit-stop feel like you’re staying in a top-flight hotel.

1. Bath bombs and crystals

These pampering essentials are a must-have for people who love to soak away their worries. Bath bombs will fizz and pop in the water as every colour of the rainbow, every scent you can imagine, and even glitter explode out of it. If you want the scent without the fuss though, opt for crystals.

2. Body scrubs

Used to exfoliate the skin, take away dead cells and leave you feeling silky-smooth to the touch, body scrubs come in all shapes and smells. You can even make your own at home if you’d like to keep things organic.

3. Spa oils

After you’ve gotten out of the tub and you want to lock in the moisture, opt for an all-over body oil, and a separate facial oil for more delicate skin. It will help keep the skin supple, and aid repair over night.

4. Candles

Whether it’s the scent you love or the soft mood lighting of these around the bath, candles can help you to relax all of your senses after even the most stressful day. During the winter season, choose the smell of festive wreaths or Christmas cookies to send you off to sleep, while beach scents are ideal for summer.

5. Reed diffusers

If you’d like to drift off to sleep knowing you won’t burn down your bathroom, you can always get the scent without the candle itself in the form of a reed diffuser.

6. Reading material

Having a collection of magazines or books close by will entice you to make the most of your time in the bathroom. It’s also ideal for forcing yourself to put down the smartphone and give your eyes a rest from a screen.

7. Matching towels

No hotel suite would be complete without some plush, matching towels. Pick some up that complement the décor, and remember to check the thickness which is a good indication of quality. You can also pick up some stylish heated towel rails (such as here) so that you’re always toasty.

8. A vanity mirror

For those of you who have the space for a seating area in your bathroom, turn it into your own mini dressing table by adding a vanity mirror. Applying make-up has never been such a treat.

9. Manicure kit

Always keep a compact manicure kit nearby for a quick pampering top-up; crystal nail files give a much cleaner finish and last many years longer than regular ones.

10. Luxury soaps

You don’t have to spend a couple of hours in your bathroom to enjoy a pampering session; keep matching sets of luxury hand soaps, lotions and moisturisers by the sink, for every guest to enjoy.

What are your pampering essentials?

In the heart of San Francisco resides Taulia, a financial supply chain that strives to create innovative strategies in order for external companies to produce huge savings.

They were in search for a commercial interior designer that could bring about attractive, fun, & contemporary elements to their work area in order build the ambiance of their office space, & enhance work performance.

Their business purpose in general gave us a lot creative design ideas to work with as they dealt with a lot high end brands, as well as international clients, & had locations globally.
Our goal was to transform this vacant industrial space & provide it with a mid century contemporary vibe that was inviting to employees & visitors alike.

For the lounge area we used bold neutral color wall paint with pops of colorful furnishings such as sofas, pillows, innovative center tables/pieces.

Each room ranging from the conference rooms, work area, reception area, & lounge area had themes complimented by a collection of various furnishings to highlight the space.

We used international post stamps, abstract art work, patterned theme wallpaper, & unique wall art that contained positive words & locations all over the world to create an entertaining environment that tied back to Taulia’s main function. The project turned out to be a delight & fun space for everyone to work in.