Summer is an ideal time to embark on interior renovation projects. With longer daylight hours and a more relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect season to update and refresh your home’s interior. Whether you’re looking to enhance your living space’s functionality, modernize your decor, or simply make your home more comfortable, there are numerous summer renovation projects to consider. Here are some exciting ideas to inspire your interior summer renovations.

1. Revamp Your Living Room

Fresh Coat of Paint

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to transform your living room is by giving it a fresh coat of paint. If you love the feeling of summer in your home year round, choose light, airy colors to brighten the space and make it feel more open. Summer hues like soft blues, greens, or warm neutrals can bring a refreshing change to your living room.

Update Furniture

Consider updating your furniture to give your living room a new look. Invest in a new sofa, add a stylish coffee table, or incorporate comfortable chairs. Opt for furniture pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, enhancing the room’s overall appeal.

Add New Lighting

Lighting can dramatically change the ambiance of a room. Replace outdated fixtures with modern, energy-efficient options. Consider adding floor lamps, table lamps, or even installing dimmer switches to control the mood of the room. Natural light is also a great asset, so make sure your windows are clean and unobstructed.

2. Modernize Your Kitchen

Cabinet Update

If your kitchen cabinets are looking tired, consider replacing them. Cabinetry is a very important decision in the building or remodeling process. If you haven’t shopped for cabinets lately it can be very overwhelming with all of the design and finish options available since you typically don’t plan to replace your cabinets! We have taken the guesswork out of giving you the basics you need to know before shopping. Cabinets are so important because they keep you organized and they are a major design element in a room. With today’s technology, there are endless finish options and organizational options giving you the opportunity to get a product that fits your style and personality exactly- budget permitting, of course.

Upgrade Appliances

Summer is a great time to upgrade your kitchen appliances. Energy-efficient appliances not only look sleek and modern but can also help reduce your energy bills. Stainless steel appliances are a popular choice for a contemporary look.

Install a New Backsplash

A new backsplash can add a pop of color and texture to your kitchen. Choose tiles or stone that match your kitchen’s decor and are easy to clean. A stylish backsplash can become a focal point and enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. Browse our tile catalog for inspiration.

3. Refresh Your Bathroom

Replace Fixtures

Upgrading your bathroom fixtures can have a big impact. Consider replacing old faucets, showerheads, and towel bars with modern, water-efficient options. This not only improves the look of your bathroom but also enhances its functionality.

New Flooring

If your bathroom floor is outdated or showing signs of wear, summer is a great time to replace it. Choose durable, water-resistant materials like tile, stone or luxury vinyl. These options are available in various styles and can transform the look of your bathroom. Get started by checking out our flooring products on our website.

Add Storage Solutions

Clutter can make even the nicest bathroom feel cramped. Add storage solutions like shelves, cabinets, or vanity upgrades to keep everything organized. Stylish storage options can also serve as decor elements, enhancing the overall look of the room.

4. Transform Your Bedroom

Update Bedding and Curtains

Refreshing your bedding and curtains can instantly transform your bedroom. Choose light, breathable fabrics for summer and opt for colors and patterns that bring a sense of calm and relaxation. New curtains can also help control the amount of natural light entering the room.

Create a Feature Wall

A feature wall can add a focal point to your bedroom. Use wallpaper, paint, or even wood paneling to create a unique and stylish accent wall. This simple change can make a big impact on the overall design of the room.

Improve Closet Organization

A well-organized closet can make your bedroom feel more spacious and functional. Invest in closet organizers, shelves, and storage bins to keep everything in its place. A tidy closet can also make your daily routine more efficient. Your laundry room is another great place to organize as well.

5. Upgrade Your Home Office

Ergonomic Furniture

If you work from home, upgrading your office with ergonomic furniture is essential. Invest in a comfortable chair, a spacious desk, and accessories like a monitor stand or keyboard tray. Ergonomic furniture can improve your productivity and overall well-being.

Decorate with Plants

Adding plants to your home office can create a more pleasant and productive environment. Plants improve air quality and add a touch of nature to your workspace. Choose low-maintenance plants like succulents or spider plants for easy care.

Enhance Lighting

Proper lighting is crucial for a home office. Ensure you have a good mix of natural and artificial light. Task lighting, like a desk lamp, can help reduce eye strain and improve focus. Position your desk near a window to take advantage of natural light during the day.

Summer is the perfect time to focus on interior renovation projects that can transform your home. Whether you’re updating your living room, modernizing your kitchen, refreshing your bathroom, transforming your bedroom, or upgrading your home office, these projects can enhance the beauty, functionality, and comfort of your living space. By taking advantage of the longer days and warmer weather, you can make significant improvements that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Happy renovating!

The cool, crisp winds are drifting in and pushing out the summer heat. The green leaves begin to golden as the smell of pumpkin spice and cider fill the air. Autumn has arrived, and we could not be any more excited! It is time to start preparing your home for the season and showcasing your fall pride. Like most seasonal décor, the sooner you can facilitate these décors, the better! Fall is all about the enriched warmth of the atmosphere being showcased before winter finally hits. Being able to highlight some of these beautiful and fun attributes and around your home is a must! If you are preparing to decorate for fall, here are three simple guidelines to remember:

Plaid Patterns

Whether for the interior or exterior of your home, plaid patterns are great for the fall. You can incorporate them by switching out some textiles in your home, such as blankets, rugs, curtains, and even throw pillows. Add a mix of warm and cool tone plaid to your home for design variety.

Festivity Pride

Halloween and Thanksgiving are both great holidays in the autumn. Your fall décor can give homage to these holidays through various techniques. Consider adding a cornucopia as your table’s centerpiece, or you can add fall harvest around the exterior of your house, such as corn stalks, pumpkins, and squash. Scarecrows are also a fun idea to use outside your home. The options are truly endless for this fun-filled season.

Scents

Scent is a considerable aspect of design that can often be overlooked. You could have a gorgeous home, but if it smells bad, you will not be many hosting guests. Likewise, a house with beautiful scents, no matter the size, can quickly become homey and inviting. Decorating for fall can be more than just trinkets and décor. Facilitating fall scents can really bring your fall décor full circle. Try adding candles, soaps, and other aromas to your house. Fall scents can consist of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, burning firewood, apple, and much more.

By adding these techniques to your home, your place will be beautiful and ready for fall. Get creative and let your design express you. It is great to add décor, which can easily be recognized and removed when the season is over. For more great tips on seasonal decoration, make sure to subscribe.

Decorating the exterior of your home for the holidays is a creative challenge that can be exciting, especially if you live in a neighborhood that embraces outdoor holiday decorations. Devising a plan for your outdoor lighting does not have to be complicated. For maximum curb appeal, consider installing lights that place emphasis on your home’s best features. This will no doubt be an attention grabber. To help you highlight your home’s best features, we created a list of  some light design ideas you could consider implementing:

Architectural Features:

When decking your home’s exterior with Christmas lights, it is always best to start at the front of the house and work your way towards the sides. You really want to do your best work at the center because it will be the first thing everyone sees. If you have distinctive architectural features, be sure to highlight them with lighting. Perhaps, you have a chimney, a large oak door, arches and other types of rooftop details. The front door should be the focal point, so feel free to go all out in this area. Also, balance is key; try to tie in the upper level with the lower level for a layer lighting look.

Festive Colors:

Many favor an all white lighting color scheme but colors are becoming increasingly trendy. Red, white, and green are popular, but you do not have to stick to these colors alone. You can play with a combination of hues, or you can stick to just one color throughout the entire design.

Light up The Landscape:

Your lighting design does not have to stop at the house. You can also extend it to the landscape or the front lawn. Try wrapping a canopy of lights around the shrubs and tree branches. Illuminate the walkways and borders with additional lighting. When done correctly, you can even highlight your yard decorations such as water fountain or sculpture.

Decorative Accessories:

You can further enhance your holiday lighting scheme with decorations. Be creative with the decorative enhancements you choose to put on display. Populate the yard with Christmas theme characters such as reindeers and Santa Claus. Use garlands, wreaths, lampposts and other seasonal decorations to add a festive flair to the outdoors. 

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with love and cheer. Thanks for reading! 

With the seasons changing, your home may become a little more cold than usual. Or perhaps, your home has always been on the cold side. No matter what your circumstance may be, you are cold and do not like it. To help you fight back against the chill, we have created five genius ways to use decor to add warmth to your home. Let’s take a look! 

Décor Ideas for a Cold Home:

1.  Work with Warm Tones.

The colors used within your space can actually make the room feel colder. Be sure to use a warm tone color palette within your space to help create a more comforting and cozy environment. Warm tones consist of colors like tans, browns, beiges, reds, burgundies, oranges, rusts, yellows, and olive-greens. Their warm nature will help add comfort and coziness to a chilly space.

2.   Add Comfort.

If your floors are cold to the touch, it can be imperative to begin the warming process with proper textiles and insulation. Layers can create the perfect “warming” effect that you desire. Plus, they help to add a stylish touch to the space. Be sure to add plush pillows, soft blankets, and cozy rugs for add softness and warmth.

3.  Genius Hacks.

If you know that insulation is specifically a problem in your home, you may find it helpful to hang wall tapestries. While being extremely stylish additions, they can help warm up your space and add a layer of heat. Plus, they are easy to remove which makes switching up your décor easy than ever.

4.  Focus on Windows.

Windows can, in fact, be a significant source of cold drafts. If you are looking for a stylish way to warm up your windows, you can purchase heavy curtains for your windows. The heavy curtains will help to reduce the chill caused by drafts and keep your room feeling warm and toasty.

5.  Your Getaway.

Our last and final tip for cold homes is to create a cozy, comfortable bed. With a bed that oozes warmth, you will be excited to jump into it after a long day. To help add warmth, we recommend adding extra blankets, pillows, and sheets. Plus, you can even add a heated blanket for chilly nights. Just be sure to shut it off when you are not with it.

We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks! Let us know how you stay warm in the comment section. 

Winter weather can be tough all around both outside our homes and inside.  Beyond protecting ourselves from the inclement weather through insulation and weatherproofing, now is the time to think about protecting our floors from wet and soggy weather we bring into the house with us.

Rain, snow, ice and sleet can all be tough on our floors.  Along with the dirt we normally track in on the family’s shoes, these wintery precipitations can also carry chemicals such as salts and de-icers that can be terrible for our floors (and family pets).

Easiest thing to do to prevent winter weather and chemicals from being tracked through the home is to take your shoes off in the entry or mudroom.  Have a boot tray for wet shoes and boots to prevent puddles.  Keep cozy slippers nearby to slip into when you get home.  Have guest also remove their shoes when they stop by to visit.  Wipe your pets paws after walking outside with a wet wipe to remove  moisture, dirt and chemicals.

If removing your shoes is not your thing, provide a thick natural doormat like a choir or jute rug just outside the door to wipe shoes and boots.  Inside the door place a water wicking rug to further prevent messy floors. If you or your guests do track in winter weather and salt, wipe up the moisture as soon as possible. Dab carpets to remove dirt and water.

Taking precautions like these means less cleaning later and a longer life for your floors.

The Four Seasons of Decorating: Winter

In the cold weather, a warm winter room makes the season more inviting and enjoyable. After a day of cold and snow, you can escape to a room that makes the best of winter.

With a winter space, think warmth and coziness. The perfect flooring for winter is rich, deep carpeting. Sink your feet in their thick socks into a cushioned plush or an attractive sculptured carpet. Whatever your preference, soft flooring takes the sting out of the coldest months.

You can take a chance with dark colors in your winter room. Consider a rich brown for the walls, accented with creams and ivories in your fabrics. Remember texture – just like every snowflake, mix a variety of textures as well as patterns to create your winter room. For window coverings, how about velvet curtains? Reaching from the ceiling to the floor, their warmth will complement your winter space.

If you have a fireplace, make it the focal point. Angle your furniture so that everyone can sit and watch the fire on long winter evenings. Don’t forget lighting. With early sunsets, a few lamps tucked into the corners of rooms, or a bevy of candles for special occasions, makes a winter room extra cozy.

Holiday accents make great accessories, and don’t forget a few soft throws to wrap around you on chilly nights. Now, light your candles and get settled in that deep armchair. Your winter room adds warmth to the season.

For the other seasons, click here.

The Four Seasons of Decorating: Fall

What do you love about fall? Is it the cooler days? The rich colors of fall leaves? The sense of harvest, of completion of the summer’s efforts? Or maybe you’re just glad to get the kids back into school! Make a room feel like fall all year round with your decorating decisions.

Start with the flooring. The best choice to invoke fall is wood. A rich deep pecan or the brown-red of cherry brings the season right into the room. Echo the dark tones in your furniture, or bring in a rich gold to reflect against the shine off the floor. Metals such as bronze and antique brass bring the glow of the season into the space.

Colors are easy – just step outside at the height of the season and look up. Every fall leaf gives you color options. You can take the light gold of aspens or birches and match that with the rich reds of maples or the soft browns of oaks. They’ll all work together. Curtains in fall colors would look lovely, or consider wood blinds in tones to complement the floor. Bring the forest inside.

Accessories can be found in your grocery store. How about gourds, Indian corn and pumpkins? Cut branches of fall leaves and mix with big chrysanthemums or sunflowers. Gather acorns and buckeyes and pile them into turned-wood bowls. Let every corner remind you of the season.

For the other seasons, click here.

The Four Seasons of Decorating: Spring

When you’re planning your home’s décor, one interesting way of looking at each space is to echo one of the four seasons. Every season has its own personality, and there are so many possibilities for bringing a season into a room.

We’ve talked about Summer, now let’s talk about spring. Think light colors and smooth textures, with a sense of freshness and shine. For flooring, natural bamboo sets just the right tone. Follow that light approach with a light, fine-grain wood for cabinets and furniture such as maple.

Bright pastel colors such as crisp yellow-green, pinks and lavenders speak to spring, and be sure to add plenty of pure whites – possibly in moldings and baseboards, and even in sheer curtains. Spring patterns in fabrics are easy to find – florals, bright abstracts and maybe a nice check can say spring if the colors are right.

Spring is about growing things, so add plenty of flowering plants in pots; tulips, daffodils and especially hyacinths for their amazing scent provide the finish to the space. Outside it may still be cold, but inside you’ve introduced spring into your home and your life.

To learn more about the other seasons, click here.

The Four Seasons of Decorating: Spring

When you’re planning your home’s décor, one interesting way of looking at each space is to echo one of the four seasons. Every season has its own personality, and there are so many possibilities for bringing a season into a room.

We’ve talked about Summer, now let’s talk about spring. Think light colors and smooth textures, with a sense of freshness and shine. For flooring, natural bamboo sets just the right tone. Follow that light approach with a light, fine-grain wood for cabinets and furniture such as maple.

Bright pastel colors such as crisp yellow-green, pinks and lavenders speak to spring, and be sure to add plenty of pure whites – possibly in moldings and baseboards, and even in sheer curtains. Spring patterns in fabrics are easy to find – florals, bright abstracts and maybe a nice check can say spring if the colors are right.

Spring is about growing things, so add plenty of flowering plants in pots; tulips, daffodils and especially hyacinths for their amazing scent provide the finish to the space. Outside it may still be cold, but inside you’ve introduced spring into your home and your life.

To learn more about the other seasons, click here.

Summer brings childhood memories home more than any other season. Whether you spent your summers on the beach, on a farm, or in the city, you can grab those memories and the feeling of summer and create a room that reflects the best of the season.

Summer is all about living outside, and tile is the best flooring choice for handling the inevitable dirt and dust tromped in. Water from the dripping feet of kids just in from the pool, and spots from melting popsicles clean up in an instant on tile. Consider putting the same tile on both your family room and patio, almost erasing the distinction between inside and outside.

What are the colors of summer? You can go for the golds – bright yellows to deep oranges that reflect the vivid sunlight. Or take the opposite direction and let cool sky blues refresh your space in the heat. Whatever you choose – keep it bright and don’t be afraid to mix and match many colors and patterns, just like a pile of beach towels thrown in a corner.

If your upholstery is dark, how about getting white canvas slipcovers? They’ll brighten the space and make it easy to clean up summer’s messes. Tumble a variety of throw pillows on top, and your room thunders with summer.

Wrap your summer space in beach accessories to finish up. A collection of shells in a big jar or scattered on a pile of sand on a glass-topped table bring the beach to your home, even if you live in the Midwest. Celebrate summer, both inside and out.