Below is a guest posting on the subject of how to utilize eco-friendly material options for your patio/back yard hard-scape materials and furnishings.
Here in HOT Scottsdale, Arizona, the season to enjoy our outdoor spaces is not ending, but rather coming ….hopefully by the beginning of October if the climate gods are kind to us :)). [Read more…]
Rustic and Modern Can Be Happy Together
Below is guest post discussing how rustic and modern design elements can work beautifully together. S Interior Design sometimes refers to this blending of styles as ORGANIC CONTEMPORARY. This mixture can deliver a warm, inviting design outcome. There are a lot of opportunities to create spaces with unique design elements included when you work in this design spectrum.
Green Remodeling Trends for 2016
Below is a guest post on the subject of how to incorporate environmentally friendly features and materials into your home. One they left out that S Interior Design recommends is to switch all light bulbs to LED type.
Green Remodeling Trends for 2016
By Mary Sauer
Each year, the green building industry makes major advances, increasing the availability of green home products while decreasing the associated cost. And that’s why there’s no better time than now to switch to more environmentally responsible products for your home. This is especially true if you’re already planning to make small updates or do a major home remodel. Here are this year’s most popular green remodeling trends to help you plan for a home that’s as stylish as it is green.
Home Automation
Smart home products have been around for some time, but only recently have they become an accessible and affordable option for homeowners of all budgets and lifestyles. With the help of a smart thermostat, you can easily regulate your heating and cooling system from any internet enabled device, including your smartphone. Not only is it incredibly convenient to be able to control the temperature of your house from anywhere, it allows you to make changes that will reduce your use of your HVAC unit. Even the smallest changes, like bumping your temperature by a few degrees while you are away, can greatly reduce your overall consumption of electricity and cut your monthly utility costs.
Additionally, through the use of automated lighting you can control when your lights are on or off with the click of the button. Simply by scheduling the lights in your home, you can avoid the energy waste that so often occurs when we leave home in a rush and forget to power off the lighting throughout our homes.
Solar Appliances
For many, making the switch to solar power feels unattainable due to the overall cost of making the switch. Because of this, more homeowner are making smaller switches to solar, choosing solar appliances as a more realistic option for their budgets. One of the most popular solar appliances is the solar water heater, which has an average cost between $1,500 and $4,500. Some heaters can be purchased for as little as $500, especially if you plan to install one yourself. Homeowners who make this investment not only reduce the carbon footprint of their home, but also see an estimated 50 percent drop in their water heating costs. Other popular solar appliances include solar powered refrigerators and solar powered chargers for electronics like smartphones and laptop computers.
Environmentally Friendly Flooring
Reducing the energy consumption in your home is great first step, but it isn’t the only factor to consider when remodeling. Another element to consider is how the manufacturing of your home and building products impacts the wellbeing of the earth—something that we at Modernize are passionate about. Conventional carpet has been found to release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into the air, which reduces overall air quality and negatively impacts our health. And traditionally harvested hardwood flooring can have a devastating effect on our world’s forests. That’s why we encourage you to look into more environmentally friendly flooring options such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, or cork flooring, and low VOC carpeting as a healthier and greener option for your home.
If you are new to the world of environmentally responsible living, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of change that’s needed to improve the future of our planet. But every improvement you make matters, and you can begin reducing your carbon footprint by making even the smallest of environmentally-friendly home improvements for a greener future.
9 Tips To Create A Home Office You’ll Actually Want To Work In
When I saw the title to this post we were being asked to share with our readers I thought ‘Wow, great timing, I could use a bit of inspiration in my own home office right about now!”
Home offices can be a blessing and a curse. You get to work at home, avoid a stressful commute and really work in a space that you make your own.
At the same time, I think that if you don’t have a space that you enjoy working in, it can make you unproductive or leave you unmotivated.
So, if you are looking for some home office design ideas to make your office a dream to work in, take a look at some of my easy and fun tips to achieve a home office you will actually look forward to working in.
1. Use a Theme
I know what you might be thinking, that themes are tacky are won’t work for a home office. But let me just tell you, it’s not true. Themes can work well for an office space and give you easy design rules to follow for a beautifully put together space.
One of my personal favorite themes to use is a coastal theme. This one works particularly well in a home office because it focuses on lots of white furniture, lots of light and wooden accents.
2. Decorate functionally
I know that looking at Pinterest is good for inspiration but don’t forget that the room needs to be workable as well.
Of course you can still choose a well-designed space but don’t forget to include practical items like a filing cabinet or lots of desk space.
3. Embrace natural light
I think we all know that no-one wants to work in a dark and depressing space so make sure you are making the most of the natural light that you have in the room. Use white curtains or blinds to let the light through. If you want to, you could get rid of the curtains completely to make sure that you get as much light in the room as possible.
I know that this might not be possible for everyone, and if your home office is lacking in natural or direct sunlight, you can achieve a similar effect if you add lamps to your home office. It’s not quite the same as the real thing, but goes a long way to helping you create a bright and airy home office.
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4. Add comfortable elements
Adding a lounge chair or armchair can be a great way to relax when you need to read over some papers or simply just want a break from your desk.This is particularly important because it means that when you want to sit somewhere comfortable you don’t need to leave your office and you remain in work mode.
5. Optimize Storage
When it comes to storage you need to really make the most of the space you have with an organized and efficient storage system. Make sure that you have a place for everything and that everything goes back into its place.
Before you take on this task I would recommend making sure you have all the files, boxes and storage items you need to efficiently organize your office.
6. Green Touches
This is one of my favorite tips, as not only does adding plants improve the air quality of the room, it also gives the room a fresher and more alive feeling.
If you want to keep your home office closed on the weekends, keep in mind that you need to choose plants that don’t need watering all the time.
7. Personalize
I love to personalize my house with photos of friends and family, and a home office should be no exception. Use photos and mementos of friends, family and good times to personalize your office space and add a familiar touch.
Don’t forget to rotate them so they don’t get too boring and familiar.
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8. Keep it clutter free
This might seem like one of the most obvious tips for creating a home office that you actually want to work in, but I think it’s one of the most important.
Keeping it organized and tidy can really help you work better but also keeps your motivated to work there, no one wants to work in a messy office.
9. Stock up
This one is an easy one to follow but makes all the difference. Making sure you have all the things when you need makes sure that you are efficient use of your time and you aren’t having to run out to the store all the time.
This also has the added advantage of being able to make use of bulk discounts, ultimately saving you money which is never a bad thing!
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So there you have it, some easy tips to make the most of your home office space. If you are looking for ways to create a home office that you actually want to work in, give one of these ideas a go and I promise you will be loving your home office in no time.
Hannah Hutchinson
Being passionate about beautiful interiors and architecture, I also have recently begun to write and contribute to this knowledge ecosystem. I strongly believe that the place we create around us has a strong influence on our personal well-being. Follow me for my inspirations and musings at @hannahhutch5 and Pinterest.
Interior design trends 2016: Use of natural materials and tones
Below is a well written article on what is trending for interior design in 2016 (at least so far). S Interior Design is thrilled to know that natural, organic design materials are popular since we have always incorporated those design elements in our design work whenever it made design sense for the individual client we were working with. Interestingly the push to gold and brass metal finishes is still being high lighted. We have found that most of our clientele are not open to incorporating these finishes in their homes.
Every year sees a new set of trends; the colors and materials of last year are now history and it is time to make way for the interior design trends of 2016:
Materials
Copper was the metal of 2015 but the enthusiasm for this is now waning. Interior design will now favor a more opulent approach, gold, brass and precious stones; particularly those with a blue hue will be in demand. The main reason behind this is the warming effect that gold and brass can have on any space; as well as adding a touch of affluence. These materials can be introduced as accessories, gold trays, edged mirrors and even a brass light fitting. To some extent the gold and precious metals themes can be seen as a throwback to the seventies, opulence, decadence and over-indulgence were key and will be displayed in houses again over the coming year.
In addition it will be essential to have more natural materials, such as hand crafted pieces, these will generally be items which are made locally and show that you support both the environment and your local community. They will also be excellent conversation starters. Other materials to be brought into your home are plants. The theme of bringing the outdoors inside was present in 2015 and will continue to be in 2016.
Color
The general consensus for 2016 is to utilize dusty pinks with natural colors. Every room should be limited to beige, tan and other natural colors. Wood finish could even make a comeback with a variety of wooden floors and ornamental pieces being hand crafted from wood. This would be a great way of combining both materials and color to create an artistic flare.
Marble and other natural finishes should also add to the color palette of any room; it provides a simple, understated and elegant look. The emphasis will be on bringing natural elements into your home. An alternative to this is to embrace the Bohemian look, bold floral cushions and rugs can mix with tribal images and painted furniture to create a vibrant, colorful and cheerful atmosphere.
Textures and Patterns
Geometric designs, including 3D, stripes and even blocks will be a very strong influence in the coming year. The emphasis will be on a textured design which is symmetrical and inviting. It should be possible to lose yourself in a back-splash or rug as you become immersed in the design and style. There will even be room for floral displays and themed rooms, such as a jungle collection where everything feels like it is coming to life. Splashes of color will offer balance against neutral and simplistic furniture pieces.
All eyes on handmade furniture
Individuality is fundamental this season when it comes to home furniture. Exquisite personal customization and handmade pieces have gotten a lot of attention lately. Custom furniture looks exclusive; it is made of top-quality materials and it is crafted after the personal preferences of the buyer. Glass coffee tables with hidden compartments, bespoke nightstands with different purposes and foldable beds to make space are just some pieces you should look after this season. In terms of material, hardwood still rules the market. The pieces are long-lasting; they’re attentively crafted and timeless which means they fit in every type of décor.
Design of the room
The advancement of social media has thrust perfectly presented rooms into the hands of millions of people around the world. This has meant an increase in people wanting the showroom feel. This will be achieved by simple lines and minimal clutter. Features and ornaments are likely to be clustered together to create a focal point and a talking point. There will also be an increase in natural products which reflects the increasing concern regarding the environment. There will also be an increased focus on designing rooms which feel warm and inviting. A simply designed room with a homely space for gathering can be finished to perfection with a mild pastel wall and a touch of the luxury in simple gold, brass or precious metal ornaments.
There is also likely to be an increase in the themed room, whether this is a black and white feel, an exotic beach paradise or a gamekeeper’s cottage. These rooms will be complemented by the use of recycled materials and create a small taste of paradise for the owner.
By Alfred Stallion and TomFaulkner.co.uk!
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