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Contemporary spaces that have minimal ornamentation and decorative flourishes rely heavily on the beauty of the materials used within them. This living room is a beautiful example of using stone in a contemporary space. Stone is a good choice for contemporary style that puts an emphasis on green and natural materials with clean lines and surfaces.

The largest area of stone in the space is the stone floor.  The warm hued stone covers both the living area and the step up to the hallway.  Continuing the material throughout both spaces helps the areas flow together into one large space. Placing the same tiles on the steps leading down into the living room makes the steps blend into the floor, enhancing the seamless flow between spaces. Using a tile that is a foot square adds enough variety to create a pattern while maintaining a uniform look. Larger size tiles could also work on this floor.

More stone is used on the fireplace wall. Extending the tiles beyond the fireplace surround gives this focal wall more presence in the room.  The stone on the wall is different than the stone tiles on the floor, but both are in the same color group so work together well.

Carrying the stone from the floor up onto the wall wraps the room in the natural material. Despite its cool surface, the natural stone color warms the space and gives it character. For a room that has neutral, light furnishings, the stone adds color and subtle pattern too.

With all the moisture that comes with a bathroom you might think that you can’t do wood in the bathroom. This isn’t necessarily the case.  Having a fan that vents outside can help control humidity in the bathroom. Plus there are woods that are engineered and treated to withstand a bit of moisture.

Wood and laminate floors can be used in the bathroom. To protect them from moisture you’ll want to use a bathmat and wipe up any spills and splashes.  Wood and laminate are not as water resistant as other materials commonly used for bathroom floors like tile or vinyl.  Knowing how to take care of wood floors in wet areas can prolong the look and life of your investment.

Some woods are more moisture resistant than others. Teak for example is a wood that is commonly used outdoors and on boats.  Using teak as a wood floor or counter top in a bathroom is a great way to add wood to the bathroom.  Some treated and engineered woods intended for outdoor use on decks, railings or docks can also be used in wet areas like showers and around the tub. Doing your research before you install can save you time and headaches if the material is not what you need.

Wood can also be used on the vanity. Using a stone or solid surface counter on top of a wood vanity gives you the look of wood with the strength of stone. A great look for the bathroom.

The master bathroom should be more than just a functional space. It can be decorated to be an oasis from the stress and demands of the rest of the day.  Choosing a style for the master bath should reflect the design of the rest of the master suite and your personality.  You may want to create more of a spa feeling or a romantic feeling in the master bath.

If you have a more traditional master bedroom, you’ll want to continue that style into the bathroom. Using luxury materials can give your master bath an elegant feeling. This master bathroom has both the high end fixtures and luxury materials one would expect in a master bathroom. The deep soaking tub is a must in today’s master bathrooms.  These tubs can be free standing or built in. The separate shower stall should be equally as luxe with a rainhead shower head and multiple body sprays.

Luxury materials like marble, granite and porcelain tiles are great choices for the master bathroom.  These can be applied to walls and tub surrounds as well as the floor.  Adding a few soft bath mats around the room give your bare feet a cushioned place to stand. Heated floors are another luxury in the master bath.

A valance or blinds are important for privacy if you have a large window in the master bathroom.  Choose a material that can stand up to moisture if you do put curtains in the bathroom. Outdoor fabrics are great choice because they are water resistant.

When writers get stuck it is called writer’s block. We’ve decided that there is also something called designer’s block. It is similar to writer’s block in that both are the feeling of being stuck and unable to move forward with a project or decision. Designer’s block can strike at the beginning, middle or end of a design project. It can stem from a problem floor plan or awkward room design; or be something like choosing which throw pillow is perfect for the sofa.

Designer’s block can be frustrating and infuriating. Choosing the right hardware for a cabinet or pillow for the sofa should be easier than it often is. We can get stuck in a cycle of thinking “what if this is a mistake” that can prevent us from moving forward with a decision.

Collecting samples of flooring or paint chips can be a great way to make a design decision but can also be overwhelming. The sheer number of choices available can leave our heads spinning at the paint or flooring store.

If you are stuck on a design decision and stuck with a case of designer’s block, start looking at design blogs and magazines for inspiration. Just as reading something else can help with writer’s block, looking at completed design projects can help us get over the block.  Walk away from the project for a few days to get a fresh perspective. Seeing the project or pillows with fresh eyes can make a once difficult decision perfectly simple.  Like writer’s block, designer’s block is often very temporary so don’t fret. This too shall pass.

Leather is an incredibly versatile material for decorating. The durable material can be found on furniture, flooring, accessories and wall coverings. Leather can get better with age if it is properly taken cared of and cleaned.  You can find leather upholstery, rugs and accent pieces for almost every room in your home.

Leather upholstered furniture is perhaps the most common place to find leather in the home.  Leather sofas and club chairs are classic choices for living rooms, family rooms and media rooms.  Leather upholstered headboards for master bedrooms are also popular. In the design world leather is thought to have a more masculine style than say, velvet or chintz, so it is a good choice to balance out feminine design elements. It is a great material for kids and pets if properly treated and cleaned. This is most true for darker leathers in browns and blacks.

Leather can also make a great material for flooring. Woven and braided leather rugs can be used in bedrooms, living rooms and even kitchens. There are also “shag” area rugs made from strips of leather for a soft, luxurious feel underfoot. Stamped leather floor tiles can replace carpet tiles. If you are thinking about using leather on the floor, talk with your retailer or do some online research about care and maintenance.

Leather can also be used on walls. Wall panels upholstered in leather are great sound barriers for a home theater or study.  Leather accents like pillows, desk accessories and boxes are additional ways you can decorate with leather in your home.

Imagine a room in your new home. Some colors have already been chosen, but it’s up to you to finish the design with furniture and accessories. How do you choose?

This lovely still life provides some ideas about the process. The kitchen shown here has cabinets in country green paint along with some rustic distressed honey pine. What does the space need to finish it up effectively?

When you’re looking to add a color, almost anything in that color will help you determine if you’re on the right track. With this kitchen, it was time to head to the pantry for ideas. Red can work in a surprising number of rooms. It certainly works in this one. You don’t have to use a scale or cranberries to check out the color. Do you have a red scarf or sweater? That would work too.

Don’t head right for white when a space is too dark. The soft cream of the bowls and flour provide just the right lighter tone without pulling too bright a white that wouldn’t work in the room. One other thing: white diminishes the appeal of most woods. Try to stick with creams or colors to show any wood surface at its best.

The old-fashioned style of this still life may lean you toward a bronze or antique brass metal choice, but you can see that silver works well here. Don’t be too consistent or you can end up with a cliché rather than a good design.

Imagine a room in your new home. Some colors have already been chosen, but it’s up to you to finish the design with furniture and accessories. How do you choose?

This lovely still life provides some ideas about the process. The kitchen shown here has cabinets in country green paint along with some rustic distressed honey pine. What does the space need to finish it up effectively?

When you’re looking to add a color, almost anything in that color will help you determine if you’re on the right track. With this kitchen, it was time to head to the pantry for ideas. Red can work in a surprising number of rooms. It certainly works in this one. You don’t have to use a scale or cranberries to check out the color. Do you have a red scarf or sweater? That would work too.

Don’t head right for white when a space is too dark. The soft cream of the bowls and flour provide just the right lighter tone without pulling too bright a white that wouldn’t work in the room. One other thing: white diminishes the appeal of most woods. Try to stick with creams or colors to show any wood surface at its best.

The old-fashioned style of this still life may lean you toward a bronze or antique brass metal choice, but you can see that silver works well here. Don’t be too consistent or you can end up with a cliché rather than a good design.

If your home has vaulted ceilings in one or more rooms, you know the difficulty you face maintaining the drama a high ceiling provides while keeping the space warm and inviting.

This hotel lobby has captured some of the both goals. Several design decisions made this possible.

First, the layout and architectural features of the space support an integrated room. The two tall thin windows help make the connection stronger and the choice to put oversized crown molding at the ceiling gives it a more significant presence in the room.

Colors are cohesive throughout and help to connect the flooring with the full height of the space. For example, the diagonal squares scattered on the stone floor have a dark taupe tone that is matched by the focal wall to the right and the stairs and railings for both staircases.

Artwork and accessories also work well in this room. The large three-part canvas echoes the shape of the long lean windows and the art’s soft tones provide a connection between all levels of the room without demanding too much attention. The lean plant almost feels like a piece of sculpture, and its height continues the theme of connecting upper and lower areas. Finally, the simple round table mirrors the curve of the stairway and brings attention to people-level.

What ideas can you borrow from this room to combine drama and comfort in your own vaulted-ceiling space?

If your home has vaulted ceilings in one or more rooms, you know the difficulty you face maintaining the drama a high ceiling provides while keeping the space warm and inviting.

This hotel lobby has captured some of the both goals. Several design decisions made this possible.

First, the layout and architectural features of the space support an integrated room. The two tall thin windows help make the connection stronger and the choice to put oversized crown molding at the ceiling gives it a more significant presence in the room.

Colors are cohesive throughout and help to connect the flooring with the full height of the space. For example, the diagonal squares scattered on the stone floor have a dark taupe tone that is matched by the focal wall to the right and the stairs and railings for both staircases.

Artwork and accessories also work well in this room. The large three-part canvas echoes the shape of the long lean windows and the art’s soft tones provide a connection between all levels of the room without demanding too much attention. The lean plant almost feels like a piece of sculpture, and its height continues the theme of connecting upper and lower areas. Finally, the simple round table mirrors the curve of the stairway and brings attention to people-level.

What ideas can you borrow from this room to combine drama and comfort in your own vaulted-ceiling space?

Do you want to add architectural details to your home while still keeping a contemporary look? Slate can capture attention while still serving as a backdrop to dramatic colors and other design choices.

Take a look at how this grey slate wall provides drama without any color at all. The textures of the tiles capture the light and create the impression of a variety of shades without any actual change in color. The random layout almost makes it look like wrinkled paper, but with much more personality.

Slate comes in so many different shades and colors and this makes it extremely versatile. For example, without moving away from the grey theme, the photo below shows how making a few changes in layout and tone can change the look of a wall.

Instead of random rectangles, the repeating design wraps rectangular tiles around smaller squares. This look gains emphasis with the darker grey elements added to the design. This wall also hints at a bit of brown with some warmer grey tiles added into the mix.

Slate is not limited to grey. Colors range from brown, black, rusty reds, blues and gold. Collections take advantage of the best mixes of stones to create appealing color palettes.

Slate’s versatile nature allows it to work as flooring also. Because it looks even more beautiful when wet, it’s often used as a backdrop for waterfalls and fountains.

Would you like to learn more about this lovely and varied stone option? Our showrooms in Colorado and Nevada have great selections of slate choices. You may find just the right slate to add personality and drama to your own home.