Create a smoking hot fireplace with these design tips and tricks.

Are you tired of looking at your old exterior light fixtures, or you are putting your house on the market? Whatever the case, replacing the exterior light fixtures can transform your home quickly without taking a big hit to your wallet. To help, we have listed some tips below that should make the refresh much easier while allowing you to have fun while doing so. Let’s take a look!

Proper Size

Often times, homeowners make the mistake of choosing a fixture that is too small. Please keep in mind that if you are replacing commercial builders’ light fixtures, they will use fixtures that are on hand or too small to save money. The general rule of thumb is if you are replacing two fixtures on either side of the front door, the fixtures should be ¼ the height of the front door. If there is only one light, purchase a fixture that is ⅓ height of the door.

Style

You may want to change the fixtures to an industrial- or modern-style fixture, but you must stay with the overall style of the home. If your home is a mid-century modern home, then stick with those types of fixtures. If you are not sure about what fixtures go with what style of home, simply google it, look in magazines, ride through neighborhoods, or visit new home construction communities. Also, regarding the color of the fixture, stay with the matching door’s hardware (a dark bronze for a dark or black look). Dark bronze goes great with ranch- and traditional-style homes. Chrome or stainless is a popular choice in modern design.

Light Output

Lighting output is often overlooked and is a significant factor for how the fixtures will look when lit and for safety reasons. Pay attention to the type/kind/wattage of the bulb that the fixture recommends, the number of bulbs required, and what type of glass bulbs (like clear or opaque, etc.). By using the recommended bulbs for the fixture, it will certainly enhance the beauty of the fixture and provide a well lite pathway when dark.

Do you have any tips that you would like to share with other readers? If so, be sure to leave us a comment below in the comment section.

The kitchen is the heart of the home. So, in many kitchen remodels, this can also be one of the most stunning rooms. Kitchens offer a wide variety of appliances, cabinets, countertops, and other investments that enhance the overall feel and look. When designing a kitchen, flooring is an option that will quickly come to mind. While many homeowners love the look of traditional hardwood flooring, it is typically not practical for kitchen application. Instead, you should look for a floor that can withstand spills or accidental drops onto the ground. This criterion makes hardwood very unpractical for the kitchen. However, have no fear because we put together some other excellent options to consider in your home.

Tile

Tile is excellent for most kitchens. Tile offers a versatile flooring option that is not only waterproof but extremely visually appealing as well. Choosing tile is one way to complement your countertops or backsplashes in your kitchen. Plus, tile is a luxurious flooring option that looks great in many kitchens and is extremely equipped for the job at hand.

Sheet Vinyl

Sheet vinyl has come a long way in the industry. We are seeing more diverse patterns than ever before with tile-like or hardwood-like selections. Plus, sheet vinyl can be cut to the size of your kitchen. However, you should be aware that it may have seams. Yet, some sheet vinyl offers a cushioned padding which can make your flooring soft and hold warmth in your kitchen. This factor is great for homeowners who may expect to drop dishes on the ground or have children.

Luxury Vinyl Planking

One of the most versatile flooring options on the market today is LVP. LVP is a vinyl planking system that is 100% waterproof. They come in many styles that can highly replicate that desired hardwood look. In fact, LVP is becoming one of the most common flooring options being used in modern design. Scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and durable, this floor is perfect for daily kitchen tasks.

Every flooring can come with its own sets of pros and cons. Any of these floorings can be great in your kitchen. Ask your sales representative for more information about the products that interest you, and for more great tips and tricks, make sure to subscribe.

These days, homeowners are eagerly tearing the plaster off their walls and leaving the brick beneath it exposed. Whether you have a rustic brick, stacked stone, or an easy to install veneer, you can create a feature wall by highlighting it with lighting. However, simply uncovering a wall or installing a brick or stone veneer is not enough to truly capture the masonry effect inside or outside the home. To help, check out these five ways that you can emphasize exposed brick or stone to its fullest:

Wash Lighting

If your exposed brick or stone walls have some imperfections, you can create a smoother look with a wash lighting effect. A wash lighting effect is often used on different types of surfaces. This effect is done by moving the lighting source a bit further from the wall than you usually would. In essence, creating some distance between the bulbs or fixtures allows the light to spread out evenly. As a result, you will see that the cracks and mortar joints look more filled. That being said, if you decide to create this effect, it is important to get the spacing just right. If the lighting fixtures are placed too far from the exposed wall, you will cause a distraction with dark and bright spots.

Graze Lighting

The best way to highlight natural exposed stone or brick is with the graze lighting effect. Grazing is a method in which the source of lighting is installed directly above the wall so that the light washes down the wall. You will have to play around with this lighting arrangement because the results are dependent on the texture of the wall.

Uplighting

We are used to seeing the light illuminating upwards. That is why uplighting creates such a dramatic lighting effect. Lighting a stone wall from the floor up creates great emphasis since it is unexpected. Uplighting is the reverse effect of grazing, and it will bring out the texture of masonry. This type of lighting effect will also reflect light across the entire room, which adds additional comfort to the space.

Sconces and Pendant

Recessed lighting fixtures such as sconces and pendants can help you showcase masonry features. Sconces push light both up and down the wall providing a grazing and uplighting effect. Pendant lights add a beautiful glow whileLED strips will illuminate the wall.

Are you feeling inspired? Let us know which of these four ideas you like best in the comment section.

What better way to keep your home warm and comfortable than by employing a radiant heating system? While in-floor heating is considered a luxury, it is quickly becoming a trend in home design. It is a smart strategy for effectively heating an entire house, and it is a feature that can seal the deal with prospective buyers, especially if you plan on putting your home on the market. Here is what you should know about where, when, and how you should use an underfloor heating system:

Why Should You Consider Radiant Heating?

Perhaps one of the most significant advantages of radiant heating is that it can be more effective at heating your home than traditional heating structures. Sub-floor heating allows for better heat distribution. Instead of hot air being quickly dispersed into a space, it emits into the room over time, which is especially ideal for homes with tall and big rooms.

Where Should You Install Radiant Heating?

So should you install radiant heating in your entire home or in specific areas? That depends on essential factors like your budget and the flooring material installed. Radiant heating is considered a luxury upgrade because it can be expensive to install. This pricing factor is separate from additional flooring costs in the process of remodeling your home.

Additionally, radiant heating is ideal for areas of the home that have natural conducive flooring. For instance, in-floor heating is a match made in heaven for bathrooms because most bathrooms use ceramic or tile floor, which can be naturally cold to the feet. However, if you have carpet, radiant heating may not be as effective since this flooring material has insulating properties.

What Radiant Heating System Should I Use? 

There are several different types of radiant heating systems that are available. The most popular sub-floor heating system that we recommend is the Ditra-Heat System. This system allows you to customize where exactly you want the heat in your space without creating a height difference. Additional features include: 

• Waterproofing Capabilities 
• Vapor management 
• Uncoupling 

Ditra Heat is the only product in its category that works to protect the structure of your flooring while providing the warmth that you desire.

Do you have additional questions? If so, please leave us a comment below, or call or visit one of our showrooms for more information.  

Learn how to create a modern luxe living room with design expert, Suzanne Winn.

Things that we see every day, we begin to build immunity toward. It is easy to walk into a new home and see its strong and weak design attributes. However, consider your own life. Sometimes, we do not even notice ourselves aging because we see ourselves every day. However, run into someone you have not seen in ten years, and they may look different! Likewise, this immunity can occur in our own design themes in our homes. Over time, we become numb to weak points in our design and do not make them priorities to fix.

Step Back and Reevaluate

We live in our homes every day. It is easy to come immune to clutter or outdated designs. It is time to step back and unbiasedly assess your space. Are there areas that are outdated? Are there places that could use some decluttering? Stepping back and honestly assessing your space is the only way to reveal weak points. Do not look at your home as yours anymore. Try to disconnect your personal attachment and truly critique each room.

Declutter

One sure way to improve a design is to declutter. While minimalism is not for everyone, it is a style or genre which is easy to follow. The process truly consists of less is more. If you are at a total loss on where to begin in your design, you may need to declutter. We accumulate a lot of stuff over time. From furniture, outdated electronics, and décor, our homes are filled with miscellaneous clutter. Try to remove clutter from rooms to help reveal a more minimalistic aesthetic nature to your own design.

Continue to Learn

Another way to improve your design is to enhance your knowledge continually. Expand what you know and explore different designs. From social media, design catalogs, or blogs, all these can be continual avenues to explore in your own design. Maybe you have outgrown your old-style, or it has become outdated. Try to explore some of the newer trends and see which may work in your home.

Too often, we become content. There are endless tasks to be completed in every household. It comes down to how much you prioritize them. Try to assess your own design honestly.

Of course, the next best thing to watching your baby bump grow is setting up the nursery. No doubt, you want this space to be stylish and comfortable for your new baby, but you do not have to break the bank to make it look good. Today, we are going to discuss tips for furnishing the nursery.

Picking out baby furniture does not have to be complicated. While the internet and magazines can provide great inspiration, it is crucial not to get caught up in getting it perfect. Remember that designing the nursery is more so for the parent because the baby does not care.

Style, Space, and Budget

Before you begin selecting furniture, you have to first assess the space you are working with because some pieces may not be ideal for the size of the room. You will want to select furniture that is proportionate to the size of the nursery. Too much furniture in a small nursery will make the room feel cluttered, which is the opposite effect you want to create when designing the nursery.

In addition, you will have to be confident in the style that you have chosen as well as be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot afford. Sometimes expecting mothers can go overboard and feel that they have to purchase the trendiest pieces, which are usually the most expensive.

Shopping Tips

When shopping for furniture, you want to try to get the most bang for your buck. Popular boutiques may have trendy furniture, but you can also find some great pieces at discount stores and online shops. Scour the thrift stores and other local shops. This allows you to inspect and even try out some of the furnishings before you make a purchase. Being able to view what you are buying prior to the purchase is crucial because you want to make sure the product is top quality and that it is comfortable.

You can also find some deals on baby furniture online. Shopping online allows you to compare prices easily, and if your purchase is over a specific amount, you may even qualify for free shipping.

Do you have any tips and tricks for expecting mothers? We would love to hear your personal thoughts below in the comment section. Thanks for reading!

Are you shopping for lighting fixtures for your home? If so, then you may want to consider pendant lighting, which is suspended in the air via a chain or cord. Pendant lighting has become trendy because it is generally less expensive than chandelier lighting, and it does not take up much space. Some of the benefits of using a pendant light over traditional lighting sources include:

• Pendant lights serve as great focal points. So if you are interested in adding subtle drama to your living room or bathroom, a funky designed pendant light will bring some emphasis to the area.
• If you need to save on space, then pendant lights are necessary because they do not use floor space, and they do not require something to be propped on like a table lamp.
• You can purchase pendant light in a variety of colors and styles.

When purchasing pendant lighting fixtures, you will have to consider a number of factors such as:

LED or Standard Light Bulbs

There are pendant lighting fixtures on the market that only take LED light bulbs and traditional bulbs. LED bulbs are extremely durable and more efficient than standard light bulbs, making for great task lighting. However, LED bulbs are more expensive than traditional light bulbs.

Hardwiring or Plugin

Plugin pendant lights are easy to install. However, you will need to use a longer cord or an extension cord to pull off this look. On the other hand, hardwiring your pendant light will provide a clean look. However, hardwiring is labor-intensive, and if you are not handy, you will need to seek help from a professional. If you desire the pendant lighting fixture that you selected to be permanent, then you may want to opt for a hardwiring installation.

Materials and finishes

Most pendant light fixtures on the market are made with plastic, glass, metal, and cloth finishes. Glass and metal finishes reflect light, which means that more light will be distributed across the room. Plastic pendant lights are cost-effective, but they wear easily. Cloth pendant lights collect dust easily and are best used in areas like the living room where cleaning is done on a regular basis.

All in all, our best advice to you is to be sure to shop around before settling on a pendant light fixture for your room. There are a variety of styles out there. You just need to find them.

Create a stunning home bar with these expert design tips.