Category: Home Decor

American Architecture: Touring Regional Styles in the US

May 15, 2023

The United States has a rich history of architecture that draws influence from many different parts of the globe. Throughout its history, regional climates and cultures have heavily influenced the ways that their iconic cities grew and the unique look of their homes. Although recent trends toward a common, international look have reduced regional influences, a legacy of architectural taste still has considerable impact in the US. Per an article by design specialists at Dwell, architect Marlon Blackwell describes the current context as “…a shared language, that’s almost global, based in the International Style or Modernist language…Where it becomes geographically and culturally specific, then that’s where it becomes altered.” Although many American cities will see a variety of architectural styles in their neighborhoods today with only small variations that pull from regional factors, these styles cut their teeth on the shores of New England, in the wide open midwestern plains, and in the sandy Southwest. Today, let’s take a brief tour of some of the United States’ favorite architectural styles. The Northeast – Cape CodSome of the US’s most iconic homes were built by pioneers in the Northeast, with their styles slowly adapted and updated over time. Unsurprisingly, there are

Why Is Vinyl Flooring So Popular? Should Homeowners Be Concerned?

May 1, 2023

Anyone familiar with the home real estate market has surely experienced the impressive prevalence of vinyl flooring. From the basement to the dining room to the family room and everywhere in between, it can seem impossible to avoid this synthetic flooring option. In fact, it has officially become the most popular flooring option on the market (just behind carpeting). However, for designers and homebuyers who prefer natural materials, the massive footprint of vinyl in the flooring market is a frustrating turn. After all, vinyl flooring is ultimately just an imitation of the authentic stuff (hardwood, stone, or tile). Other than affordability, is there any benefit to opting for vinyl flooring? To help drill down the real reasons for why vinyl flooring is so popular, let’s look at its potential benefits before discussing its lesser known problems. What is Vinyl Flooring?Far from a recent invention, vinyl can trace its history back to a legacy of “resilient flooring,” or flooring materials that were bendable and flexible, which made them much easier to install. In the late 1800s, vinyl was developed and first introduced to the public when incorporated into golf balls, shower curtains, and shoe heels. Vinyl actually wasn’t proposed as an

5 Traits That Make The Perfect Home Office

March 27, 2023

A major benefit from the recent changes to the modern workplace has been the newfound flexibility in where people can do their work. Whether that means spending time at the office or remoting in from a coffee shop across the country, learning how to maximize productivity while capitalizing on opportunities this freedom affords has been an ongoing process for employers and workers alike. Home offices are coming back into style in a big way, as remote or hybrid workers have searched for ways to increase their at-home productivity. If you are looking to adapt a room in your home to improve your remote working conditions or you’re interested in a revamp of your current workspace, here are a few traits that will make your home office first-class! 1. Select the Right SpaceThe first and most important aspect you must consider when setting up your home office is the location. Homes are full of distractions, especially if there are kids running around. Ideally, locate an area that is separated from the majority of natural traffic and noise so that you have the opportunity to focus on your work. Additionally, do what you can to separate yourself from home leisure items as

How to Remodel Your Basement on a Budget

March 20, 2023

Whether you are a new homeowner looking to make some alterations or you’re finally ready to make your dream home a reality, there is no project as impactful to the way you live in your home than a basement remodel. Depending on the size of your home, finishing your basement could double your usable living space! Additionally, with cost savings from added insulation and value added to your home on resale, it’s no wonder that homeowners get so excited about starting their basement remodeling projects. Too often, though, our imaginations are limited by our budget. While a basement could transition into a cozy home theater for a movie night in, or a wide area for the kids to play, the costs of remodeling a basement can stack up quickly. For any prospective DIYers or homeowners looking to make the most of their money, here are some quick tips for how to remodel a basement on a budget. Pace YourselfThe first thing that every homeowner should do when planning a home improvement project is to assess their capabilities. While it’s true that there is the potential for substantial savings by doing some (or all) of your renovation work on your own,

Why Hardwood Floors Are Awesome (And How To Keep Them That Way)

February 20, 2023

Finding the perfect look for your home can take a lot of experimentation before everything comes together. Maybe a new shade of paint is the missing ingredient for your living room, or perhaps it’s a new set of countertops that would result in the kitchen of your dreams. While there are many changes that can radically alter the look of a room, there is almost no change as impactful as switching to hardwood floors. For many new homeowners, installing hardwood floors is at the top of their to-do list. While carpet can provide a feeling of warmth and comfort for a family, any new occupants may see old carpeted areas as a den of decades-old germs and allergens ready to strike. If you haven’t made the switch already, here are a few benefits of hardwood floors, along with some strategies to maintain them. Advantages of Hardwood FlooringFor any style or color scheme, hardwood flooring is extremely versatile. While interior design can boil down to a matter of taste, nothing matches the dynamic that hardwood floors can bring to a room—and designers swear by them! While certain woods lend themselves well to certain styles, stains and refinishing options can make your

The Pros and Con(do)s of Buying A Condo

February 6, 2023

As people progress in their lives, chances are that they will experience a desire for increased ownership and investment in their living space. For many, this might mean a transition from an apartment to a traditional single-family home. Certainly, a traditional home has many potential draws for a first-time homeowner, but depending on priorities and interests, it would be a mistake not to consider a condominium. Condos are often regarded as a less expensive, more obtainable first home for young people. If you are in the market for home ownership, it would be valuable to review the pros and cons of buying a condo. But first, it’s important to develop a general understanding of how a condominium differs from an apartment or a traditional home. What Is A Condominium? A condominium is a residential complex consisting of separate units, each owned by their respective resident. Often abbreviated as simply “condos,” these units resemble apartments in some ways, often sharing walls with other units. Sometimes they are even located in highrise buildings, with units above or below one another. Condo owners are responsible for the upkeep of their units’ interiors, while they must join their condo’s association to collectively care for

How To Reclaim Your Junk Room

January 9, 2023

Every homeowner has a problem room. Whether it is their garage, their attic space, or their basement, the increasing pace of life has demanded we develop a go-to area for things that don’t have a designated space at the moment. We’ll get to it later, for now, let’s just store it in the closet, or the spare bedroom. This phenomenon has come to be known as the dreaded “junk room.” Quickly, a junk room’s original intent has been stretched beyond recognition and you’ve got a mess on your hands. The anxiety that you get from thinking about that task is natural, and probably a little too familiar. Don’t worry though! Rather than focusing on the difficulty of the task, imagine how satisfying it will be to reclaim the space. Now is the time to commit yourself to reorganizing your disaster space. Lay Out Your Plan Depending on the size of the job on your hands, the planning stage becomes increasingly important. See past the mess and envision the potential of the space in front of you. Do you want to revert the space into something similar to its original intention, or do you want to reinvent it? You don’t need

The Latest Interior Design Trends For 2023

December 26, 2022

The world of interior design is a constant ebb and flow. Some styles can break through the revolving wheel of trends, but most have to wait their turn for their time in the sun. Which styles are predicted to make a resurgence in 2023, and which ones seem to be on their way out? Brush off your toolbelt DIYers, 2023 just might be your year. Life In Sepia-Tone For years, home decor has been widely monotone and modern. This hyper-intellectual, minimalist design is on track to take a backseat this year – and it’s about time. Finally, color is starting to creep its way back into interior design. Potentially influenced by work-from-home lifestyle changes, homeowners seemingly are being drawn towards warmer colors, and reintegrating comforting, personality-driven tones back into the home. Design experts are expecting warm reds and oranges to dominate the space, and for gold to be a primary embellishment tone. Of note, beige and other brown shades may be the go-to neutral to replace the ever-present grays of past years. With these warm tones, homeowners are looking to make their homes cozier, departing from the more sterile, style popular prior to 2020. While color is moving back into

Correctly Choosing a Live Christmas Tree

December 5, 2022

Despite artificial trees being a common option for most people, live trees are still very popular. Around 30 million live trees are sold each year at tree farms. They’re a nice touch for those that want a more authentic holiday feel. If you’ve been thinking about picking out a live tree for your celebration, here’s what you need to know to find the right one. Pick Out a Spot at HomeBefore you head to the lot to chop down your tree, be certain you can actually get it in your home first. While movies like Christmas Vacation and Elf make fun of picking out a comically large Tannenbaum, in reality they can be a headache. You may end up having to drastically trim it down and be left with a pile of twigs as opposed to a pristine pine. Pick out where you want to place your new tree, and measure the area on the floor and the distance between the floor and ceiling. You’ll also want to be sure you have an adequate stand for the tree to keep it from tipping over. (To prevent your tree from going up in a blaze of glory, keep it away from

6 Great Gifts For First-Time Homeowners

November 28, 2022

Now that Thanksgiving is firmly in the rearview mirror, season’s greetings! Happy holidays! Merry Christmas! It’s the season of giving, and for your family or friends that have gifted themselves their first homes, now is the perfect time to get them something to help them in their home-owning journey. Becoming a rookie homeowner can be difficult, so congratulate your loved ones with one of these essential housewarming gifts (that they will absolutely thank you for). Tool “Starter” KitJust because someone is a first-time homeowner, does not necessarily mean they aren’t “handy.” However, until someone is forced to buy a tool set for regular repairs and maintenance, they usually won’t. Rather than continuing to rely on a friend or family member to borrow tools as the need arises, any new homeowner in your life will greatly appreciate a basic tool starter kit or drill set of their own. In comparison to living in an apartment, home ownership naturally leads to much more personal responsibility to make repairs. While other gifts might be more flashy, nothing will be more appreciated in the long run than a simple tool set. Yard GearWhile we are on the subject of basic tools and maintenance, a