Add Architectural Details to Your Home

The difference is always in the details.

When you walk into a custom home, you can immediately tell the difference. Architectural details can make any space come to life, adding a luxurious and timeless element to your home design.

Keep reading for simple ways to add architectural details to your home.

Baseboards

Baseboards cover the joint between the wall and the floor, hiding any imperfections and protecting the wall. Since baseboards run throughout every room in the home, they also serve as a visual link. If your baseboards are outdated, select a new decorative molding, or paint the baseboards to freshen up every room.

Door and Window Trim

Door and window trim, also called casing, comes in various prefinished and unfinished options, ranging from simple to elaborate. Mitered door casings connect each piece of trim with an angled joint. If your home has high ceilings, butted casing offers a wider head casing for the top of the door, drawing the eye up.

Crown Molding

Crown molding can be installed where the wall meets the ceiling or cap off cabinets and columns. This decorative finish changes the style of any room, makes the ceiling feel higher, and adds a sense of luxury.

Chair Rail

Chair Rail is another type of molding, applied horizontally to walls. Chair rail provides a classic decorative element and protects high traffic areas where furniture is frequently moved. Chair rail is often found in dining rooms, breakfast nooks, and living rooms.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors instantly create a flow throughout your living spaces. Hardwood can match any style, and typically adds to the value of the home.

Ceiling Beams

Ceiling beams are another way to draw the eye up. While some beams are essential to the property’s structure, exposed beams can also add to the design of a space. Whether opting for a rustic vibe with wooden beams, or a modern interior with metal beams, ceiling beams add a visually appealing focal point in any room!

Color Contrast

One of the easiest ways to highlight architectural details in your home is with contrasting colors. If you opt for dark hardwood floors, select a light paint color for the walls. Another option is to contrast light cabinetry with dark countertops, or vice versa, to create depth.

Architectural details can create simple or bold statements. What’s your favorite way to add in architectural detail?

December 29, 2020 1

Lighting for Your Outdoor Living Space

Outdoor living spaces have become more popular and have moved beyond the basic deck with table and chairs. Homeowners are creating beautiful outdoor spaces with a warming and peaceful atmosphere to enjoy their backyard’s comfort. Just like inside your home, your outdoor space requires proper lighting.

Whether your style is traditional or modern, outdoor lighting options come in many shapes and sizes. Ultimately, you will want to choose a combination of outdoor and landscape lighting to create the ambiance you are looking for. Keep reading to discover the best illumination options for a more striking backyard.

String Lights

A budget-friendly option, string lights are the easiest way to create a relaxing environment in your yard. All you need is a power outlet and structures to attach the lights. If you don’t have any accessible outlet, opt for solar-powered string lights.

Ceiling Lights

Ceiling lights can provide more direct and general lighting. Consider installing a ceiling fan, which will help keep your outdoor areas cool during the hot summer months. Just keep in mind many ceiling fans are required to be installed by a professional, but you don’t need an expert to help you pick one out!

Pendants and Chandelier

If you are looking for more decorative options, hanging a pendant or chandelier will transform your outdoor living space into a stylish and elegant backyard escape. This is a great lighting option for counters and bar areas, creating an intentional space for entertaining that you and your family can enjoy year-round.

Landscape Lighting

Have you been working hard on your landscaping all summer long? Landscape lighting can be used to create focal points in your yard to highlight your landscape elements such as trees, plants, and flowers. Not only will this lighting option create a soft glow, but it will also provide a focal point in your yard.

Path Lights

Path lighting is designed to help navigate walkways to help you and your guests move safely and comfortably after dark. Use outdoor lanterns near driveways and deck railings and wall-mounted lanterns next to doors to create a welcoming space.

Table and Floor Lamps

If you don’t have the structure to hang string lights or install a ceiling fan, a table or floor lamp is made for the outdoors too! Create a cozy reading nook or a relaxing conversation area with a wet-rated lamp or lantern.

It is also important to factor in lighting control for your outdoor living spaces. Consider using dimmers to adjust your light level or timers to turn on and off lights automatically. Whether you are creating a relaxing escape or an entertaining space, well-planned lighting will help you achieve the ultimate outdoor experience.

August 11, 2020 0

Organization at Home: Make the Most of Your Storage Space

Have you ever heard someone complain about having too much storage space? Probably not. Organizing at home doesn’t have to be intimidating or difficult – with a few small changes, you can tame your clutter in no time. Whether you’re dealing with a small space designated for storage, a large basement, or just reorganizing a bedroom, we are sharing five tips and tricks to make organizing a whole lot easier.

Declutter

Before you get started, the first step is to get rid of items you’re not using. One of the best ways to make the most of your space is to learn how to declutter. Pull everything out of your closet or storage room and evaluate everything you have. Are there things you could give away, sell, or donate? If you’re feeling overwhelmed because your rooms are large or complicated, break them into zones. For the items that you’re ready to get rid of, there are several great options other than just throwing it away. Consider donating them to your local donation center.

Picking Best Storage Options

For storage rooms, we recommend using clear plastic containers because they allow you to see inside the container, ultimately saving you time when searching for an item from storage. To keep items organized in a living space, opt for decorative baskets or pieces of furniture that double as storage. Assess how much storage space you need in each room to find the perfect fit.

Label

If you want to take the extra step in your organizing process, label the containers for easy access later. This is especially helpful if you’re using them in a storage space like an attic or basement. A piece of tape and a marker will always suffice, but a label maker will make things a lot easier.

Vertical Space

If you don’t have a lot of room to work with, you can instantly create more space by utilizing your vertical space. Installing a simple set of brackets and plywood is an affordable way to create shelves. Instead of having a couple of shelves in your closet, take them to your ceiling to maximize the space. If you can’t go high, go low.

Think Outside the Box

There is plenty of space when you are willing to be creative. Add hanging shelves, a towel rack, or a shoe organizer to the back of a door can help cut down your clutter. The space behind your bed is usually used for a headboard or artwork, but why not shelving? Built-in drawers or cabinetry can also be added to an entertainment unit for storage in the living room.

Our units at The Residences at 66 High Street are filled with optimal storage spaces in living areas, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Paired with select pieces of furniture and organization tips, and storage issues become a thing of the past.

What clever organization ideas do you have? Let us know!

July 7, 2020 0

Mixing Metals: Dos and Don’ts

Cool metal tones have been the norm in homes and offices for years. Now, stainless steel, nickel, and chrome are starting to take a backseat to warmer finishes.

Gold, copper, and bronze are appearing in kitchen and bathroom designs, but not in the polished and shiny way of the 70s. Brushed brass is a fresh look for all who are tired of the cool metal tones.

The new trend doesn’t mean you should swap all your hardware, light fixtures, and plumbing over to gold or brass – especially if you are not sure if you love the look. Mixing metals allows you to incorporate warm and cool tones. When done right, mixing gold and silver creates eclectic spaces, making it look like items have been collected over the years.

Keep reading for the dos and don’ts of mixing metals in interior design.

Do: Choose One Dominant Metal

One metal should stand out as the most prominent in any space. To keep the balance, select one metal for larger features or decor pieces and then choose one to two metals for accent pieces.

Don’t: Mix More than 3 Metals

Matching all finishes creates an outdated, monochromatic look. On the other hand, mixing too many metals creates a distraction for the eye. In a smaller space, select two metals: one dominant and one accent. In a larger room, you can go up to three metals, especially if the third is for a statement piece.

Do: Mix Warm and Cool Tones

Warm metals include gold, brass, and nickel. These rich colors add a pop to any room. Cool colors, such as silver and stainless steel, can be mixed with warmer hues. All metals can go together, as long as each finish is a thoughtful addition to the overall decor.

Don’t: Forget about Texture

Polished, hammered, and matte finishes change the look and feel of each metal. Consider changing up the texture of the metals throughout the space, as well as the metals being used.

Do: Space Metals Out

Metal on top of metal can make a room feel too industrial and cold. Spread out metals throughout the room, both horizontally and vertically, for a finished look.

Don’t: Disregard Small Accents

If you are easing into the thought of mixing metals, you can begin with small decor pieces like a small sculpture or understated light fixture. This keeps it subtle while adding a new dynamic to the room.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you love the look of mixing metals or do you think it’s just a fad?

January 7, 2020 0