Interesting article on how indoor plants can affect your space

It's spring, and flowering plants are popping up outdoors in gardens and inside on store shelves. So, it's the perfect time to bring some of those plants to the windowsills and tabletops in your home.

Indoor plants can enrich our lives in many ways. One of the benefits is that they can help bring our stress levels down and put us in a better mood. There's research evidence that plants with more rounded leaves seem more relaxing than plants with sharp narrow leaves, so leaf shape is an important consideration as you pick out indoor plants. Also, our brains do a better job on mental tasks if there are plants around inside the home...

See the full article here:

http://www.stylelist.com/sally-augustin/spring-cleaning-plants-inside-home_b_1408620.html?ref=stylelist-home

Small bathroom woes?

In one of our recent remodels, we were faced with the challenge of creating visual "space" in a very long and narrow Master bathroom. I feel we succeeded :)

Here are some of the tricks we used to expand the horizons of this cramped and dated space:

• The first thing we did was remove the wall that divided the room, completely unnecessary and instantly created space.
• Floating cabinetry - instantly expands the width of the room by allowing for the flooring material to extend to the walls rather than stop at the cabinets.
• Using the same neutral tile for both the floors and walls, brings the eye up and around the entire room. We wanted to make sure we capitalized on the height we had in the room to visually expand the space.
• Mirror, mirror, on the wall...This long wall of mirror is not only dramatic, but makes the bathroom feel immensely larger.

Need help with your narrow space? Call us today! 480-994-0833

Neutral, not boring!

Who says a neutral room has to be boring? We used a neutral palette with a pop of deep teal in this recently completed room, and it's anything but boring!

Tips for amping up your neutral rooms:

• Texture is key in a neutral room. Items such as the woven abaca ottomans, the horn lamp on the console, and the woven wood shades on the windows in the Living Room above add interest, without adding any additional color.


• Use your fabrics as the inspiration for your paint colors to give a cohesive look.


• Layers of lighting make all the difference. Notice how the sconces flanking the fireplace enhance it, and how the light of the floor lamp next to the sectional draws your eye across the room - all without the use of color!

Wallcovering - Old is New again

Wallcovering has made a huge come-back in recent years. With everything from natural grasscloth textures, to flocked (yes, we said flocked), to removable options, there's something for every style and budget.

We recently completed a 1-1/2 year long remodel and chose to use wallcovering in a couple of the rooms. And what an impact it made! The wallcoverings we chose added subtle color and visual texture that can’t be achieved from paint alone. Well worth the investment in our opinion!

Here are some styles we’ve been drooling over lately:

You thought we were crazy with the flocking comment, right? Check out this beauty! An updated classic Damask pattern by Graham & Brown called Naughty Noir. This would be gorgeous in a Dining Room - or Powder Room!

Wood paneling of the past has been replaced with this beauty. Ajiro by Maya Romanoff has several colors and patterns available that will create a beautiful and timeless look for any room.

Little unsure of making the commitment to wallcovering? There are several companies offering "removable" papers. Lots of impact, for a nominal investment - and if you decide you don't like it, no worries! I'm loving Wallcandy Arts - so much fun on one website!

Lenny Kravitz + Design = Incredible Combo?

Art is art, creativity is creativity - in any industry!

See the article here:

http://nyti.ms/AAUwFi

Budget Kitchen Remodel!

BEFORE

AFTER

This dramatic renovation included: updating the cabinets, new counter tops, tile backsplash, new appliances, the addition of a new breakfast bar & wine storage, improving the lighting and accessorizing this kitchen, all within their fairly tight budget!

School's In Session!

Looking to spruce up your office now that the kids are back to school? Here are some great tips!

The first thing you will need is a good, functional desk. Check out places like Ikea, they have beautiful (and functional) desk units from $140! Check out the Galant series which has tons of flexible options:

Next, make sure you have adequate storage for all office necessities, such as fax machines, paper supplies, pens, pencils, etc. Purchase several different types of storage cabinets, to ensure you’ll be able to keep everything tidy. Filing cabinets are always essential to keep paperwork organized and in its proper place. We really like the multiple options of the Effectiv series from Ikea to keep all those necessities neat and out of sight:
Here are some great tips on "dressing up" your office space:

• Use a minimal amount of accessories to keep the space looking crisp and clean.
• Opt for great artwork on the walls instead of lots of accessory items to clutter up your work surfaces.
• Paint the walls a great color. If you’re afraid of all-over color, paint an accent wall to brighten up the space.
• And last, but not least, make sure you have comfy chairs for the whole family