Modernize the Look of Your Home with Stainless Steel Balustrades

December 12, 2016 by Suzanne Lasky 1 Comment

Below is a guest post from a writer in Australia about the wonderful ways a modern stair rail that incorporates stainless steel can update your home.

How to Modernize the Look of Your Home with Stainless Steel Balustrades

If you’d like to give your home a makeover but can’t afford to make too many alterations now, you’ll be surprised at the difference stainless steel balustrades can make! It can easily modernize the look of your home and make it look attractive and fresh. These also give your home a more elegant, modern twist, while carrying with them benefits such as versatility and durability. Installing these balustrades is simple, and you may choose to get the job done yourself if you’re a DIY enthusiast, or call in a professional.

IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO DO IT YOURSELF

If you haven’t installed a balustrade before, opt for a stainless steel handrail kit that usually includes detailed instructions on how to get the job done. Some suppliers also include technical support over call and videos so that you don’t have any trouble with the installation. Make sure that the balustrades are made from marine grade stainless steel so that you get the durability and finish that you expect.

GETTING PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE

Before getting professional assistance with your stainless steel balustrades, plan your budget so that you know how much you’re willing to spend, and chart out a plan for what you want to accomplish. You may choose these balustrades for your stairway or balcony, so having a proper plan in mind can help to a great extent when the actual installation is underway.

CHOOSE YOUR DESIGN

Working with these needn’t be a mammoth task. Designs are usually simple and sleek to give your home a modern touch, and most often, stainless steel alone will suffice. If you’d like to add a bit of extra ‘oomph’ to your home, complement them with glass. This helps for proper use of natural light making your home look more fresh and airy. You may also choose to pair off your steel balustrades with a wooden top if you’re using it with a wooden staircase, or if you’d like a subtle blend of contemporary and classic in your home.

INSTALLATION OPTIONS

Stainless steel gives your home a more sophisticated look and can bring out the beauty of an open balcony or bespoke stairway. Since this material is hard, durable and doesn’t get corroded easily, you can use it indoors or outdoors without worrying about rust. Even an older home can get a contemporary touch when stainless steel balustrades are used for outdoor staircases, balconies, swimming pools and terraces.

MAINTAINING YOUR STAINLESS STEEL BALUSTRADES

While stainless steel balustrades can add a modern touch to your home just with their rich, posh appearance, regular maintenance is needed if it is to last long. Be sure to clean your balustrades regularly with a mild detergent and a soft sponge. Use a window cleaning solution and a soft clean cloth to get rid of grease marks or fingerprints. While your balustrades don’t need extensive maintenance, periodic care will help to look it as good as new.

In summary, switching over to stainless steel balustrades can help you save a lot of money right now and in the long run, while modernizing the look of your home. Since it can withstand extreme weather conditions, it can be bravely used outdoors without the stress of erosion or rusting, and with minimum maintenance. You may choose to install balustrades yourself if it’s a smaller project, or call in a professional. Always choose high quality, military grade steel so that your balustrades will stand the test of time and the environment, while making your home look classy and sophisticated.

Modern Staircase-10 Reasons to Use Glass Railings/Balustrades

May 7, 2016 by Suzanne Lasky 3 Comments

Below is a guest post from an Australian writer on the subject of glass railings; balustrades as they are referred to across the pond.

Ensure the Safety of your home with the Designer Glass Balustrades/Railings

If you have started with a new home construction, or of you want to renovate your home, or else, if you are the owner of a shopping mall, spa or parlor, then you can include glass balustrading as part of your interior decoration, as these make your staircase look attractive, sleek and contemporary. There are numerous designs available in the market, and you can search from the online portals to get your glass balustrading done in the perfect manner. Balustrades that are usually made with toughened glass last long, and they are scratch and corrosion-proof:

Initially balustrades used to be manufactured of stone or wood, but now, these traditional and archaic materials are no longer in use, and glass stands for the luxury and superiority when it comes to using your balustrades for a long term purpose, or for enhancing the aesthetic and the retail value of your property.
When it comes to make a sustainable and eco-friendly landscape in your home, glass balustrades have no other alternative, as they are not heavy as marble or stone balustrades and they do not rust like the steel or the metal balustrades.

Know about the top 10 benefits of glass balustrading:

Glass balustrading looks sleek and stylish and it adds to the charm of any existing building or a new construction. If you are the owner of a corporate set-up, you can impress your clients with the décor and functionality of the glass balustrades. These also enhance the resale value of your home.
Glass balustrading does not block the entry of sunlight into your rooms, as it filters the light and lets it enter, so that the interior remains warm during winters. If you have a swimming pool, you can easily install the frameless or the semi-frameless glass balustrades to ensure that the view of the space is not blocked.
Glass balustrading involves no hassles while cleaning and maintaining these. It is very easy to clean the glass balustrades all by yourself, and you do not require any professional help for maintaining your balustrades. You can use a quality glass cleaner, or else, if there are scratches and dents over the balustrades, then you can simply use the polishing methods to bring back the balustrades into the original form.
Glass gives the illusion of a larger space. This cannot be achieved with metallic, iron or stone balustrades.
Glass is a versatile option, when it comes to choose from a large number of designs, shapes and layouts. You can customize the designs depending on your needs, or else, you can go through home design catalogues to get an idea about how to install the balustrades. You can also choose from different frames, or go for the frameless options.
Toughened glass is not brittle, but it shows an excellent durability even when you compare it to stone or metal balustrades. There is minimum aging related to glass, so if you use good quality glass balustrading, it will not chip, wear out or break off. In case you have children, aged parents or pets at home, you can install these tough balustrades without worrying about any accidents.
Glass balustrading costs less than the traditional stone or marble balustrading, and these are also quite easy to install.
Glass balustrading is strong and safe, and made of unbreakable glass, so that these can withstand huge pressure.
Glass is an eco-friendly option, when it comes to choosing the best interior layout for your home.
They are the best safety providers which do not let people fall down from stairs or balconies.

So now, you can call to the glass balustrading companies and get a quote from them and install the best glass balustrades in your home.

The Entry Of Your Home-Set the Stage

March 5, 2015 by Suzanne Lasky Leave a Comment

Below is an article from LUXE Interiors. It showcases 18 diverse and amazing front entry areas. While these are grand in scale, the reality that the front door area of your home defines your home and it style remains the same whether you have a $200,000 house or a $2,000,000 house. Get some inspiration!

18 Amazing Entries You Should Emulate

One of our personal favorites:

The Vignette–Every Successful Design Should Master This!

November 5, 2014 by Suzanne Lasky Leave a Comment

Great share from HOUZZ about design vignettes. About 15 years ago I tried explaining ‘The Vignette’ to my husband who insisted it was a description being used incorrectly. For those of us in the professional design industry, it is a very commonly used phrase–read the article below and try your hand at creating new vignetttes in your home!

Decorating 101: The ABCs of Arranging Vignettes

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First Impressions Count! Entry Hallway Design

September 1, 2014 by Suzanne Lasky Leave a Comment

Whether big or small, the entry area or hallway is what visually greets your guests. Below are some simple tips to help you make sure the design of your home’s entry is ‘saying what you want it to say’.

5 handy tips for decorating your hallway
The hallway is the first interior aspect of your home that guests will notice, so it’s worth spending just as much time on this area as you would your living room or kitchen. When people enter your home you want them to think WOW! With the right décor, you can certainly create that first impression. In this article I will suggest a number of ideas that you can use to create a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing hallway.

Focus on lighting
The hallway is an area of the home that receives very little natural light. If this is the case with your hallway, it’s definitely worth incorporating an effective source of artificial light. If the first thing a guest notices about your home’s interior is a dark hallway, you’re doing your home an injustice. There are literally millions of unique lighting options out there to suit all kinds of décor styles. If you are trying to create a Grande look, a chandelier would be ideal. Chandeliers work especially well in hallways with high ceilings. If you want to create a contemporary style hallway, spotlights are becoming increasingly popular in new build properties and apartments.

Use a rug to break the area up
Incorporating a rug is not only a great way to add a fresh burst of colour, but it’s also an effective way to break your hallway up. To make your hallway look more spacious, a neutral coloured rug would be the best option. If you have a long yet narrow hallway, incorporating a carpet runner is an effective way to add interest and de-emphasize its narrowness. To create an immediate impact, add a statement rug to your hallway, a brightly coloured rug can add some much needed interest to an area of the house that is often neglected.

Consider hallway floor tiles for practicality
As comfortable and cozy as carpet can be, the hallway is not the most practical place to have it. If you want flooring that is durable, easy to clean and looks good, floor tiles are the better option. Long length wood effect tiles are becoming increasingly popular and look great in contemporary style homes. For something a little more traditional, consider Victorian floor tiles. These days’ floor tiles are available in all sorts of patterns and sizes, so there really is no limit to what you can do with your hallway.

Incorporate stylish storage solutions
If you have a spare corner in your hallway, consider adding a freestanding coat stand. By having one of these you can use its central area to store umbrellas and walking sticks. Another idea is to buy a slimline hallway table. A slimline table is ideal if you have a narrow hallway. If possible, choose one that has a lower shelf, this will maximize its storage potential. In extra small hallways, angled furniture allows you to squeeze in much needed storage. The angled shelves are particularly useful and allow you to make the most of your wall space. As a general rule of thumb, any items of furniture that doubles up will be a good investment. An unconventional storage solution is a comfy bench seat with shoe storage underneath. This will encourage your guests to remove their footwear at the door.

Choose a light colour scheme
As mentioned above, a lot of hallways are dark because of the lack of natural light that they receive. Entering a dark hallway doesn’t create the best first impression, so choose a colour scheme that oozes freshness and positivity. You really can’t go wrong with neutral colours such as magnolia, crème and lemon. Try and avoid using darker colours as they can make your hallway look smaller. There are a few exceptions though, if your house is a grand period home, a deep red colour will add tremendous impact. You could also incorporate wall art to break the space up and add another splash of colour.

Author by-line:
These handy tips were contributed by Direct Tile Warehouse, a discount tile warehouse that specialises in hallway floor tiles.