There’s been so much talk lately about sleep-deprived America, that the thoughts about covering up and sleeping are keeping me awake. Can we really design ourselves to a better night’s sleep? Yes, and we are sharing our methods to stop the madness of sleepless nights.
You'll embrace Autumn's arrival with our decorator's top picks, recipes for Fall, and fun favorites.
ARE YOU A SALES PRO READY TO TAKE THAT NEXT LEAP? WE’RE LOOKING FOR TALENTED, MOTIVATED INDIVIDUALS TO JOIN ALL PHASES OF OUR HOME IMPROVEMENT SALES TEAM. READ ON FOR DETAILS.
Rebate savings are happening now through April 1st on our most popular window shades. You will not only save on our featured motorized treatments, you’ll also enjoy energy savings! Read on to learn more.
As experts in the world of flooring, we love getting the word out that there is more for your floors when you choose Made In The USA. Read on to discover more.
Well designed rooms are complimented with area rugs. A welcome invitation to define the space where patterns merge and treat the feet. An area rug fitting is just like a visit to the seamstress - with a stitch here, a tuck there, and finally delighting in the perfect fit. Read on for our fitting examples.
Revisiting our rooms in the Well-Lived Home, today we tackle the Great Room with great emphasis on the word "tackle". Consider this: A Great Room is a space within the home which combines the specific functions of several of the more traditional room spaces - the family room, the living room, the study or den, the dining room and more notably, the kitchen into a singular unified space. We enter the modern home with enthusiasm where the mix of family living is shared, varied, eclectic, transitional and most deserving of a design strategy that brings a comfort of efficiency within the space.
So, you ask . . .
"What is a great design strategy for the Great Room?"
As the Great Room is a compilation of all rooms, so is our answer and we've called in some help from our local decorators and designers. . .
Interior Decorator Diane Curley's approach is to start with the floors. "For open floor plans it's best to go with what I like to call bulletproof floors and the first thing that comes to mind is Tile Planking. My design strategy is floors that flow while at the same time designating each space as its own by turning the planks, and adding interest with floor patterns".
Diane Curley is an Interior Decor Professional with Knight's Carpets and Interiors
Room photo courtesy of Sherwin Williams
". . . because great rooms tend to be more contemporary in style, I love using the dark warmer gray tones". . . What makes a gray warmer? "Subtle brown undertones add a depth of richness and expand the space. As long as there is plenty of natural light flowing into the room, the deeper tones will work. I'm currently working on a project where I've incorporated paintable wall sconces. The Metro Wall Sconce by Justice Design Group is from Lumines Light. They blend into the wall beautifully creating a soft glow."
Click here to visit Eliana's website
"For my busy family our kitchen is the Living Room, kids working on homework at the island while we're getting dinner ready, and finally getting the little ones to their beds gives us some time to relax and enjoy with the lights dimmed. Key lighting systems are essential for open floor plans combining function with decorative fixtures, incorporating practical uses with dimmers, sensors and wireless integration is our strategy for well designed lighting in the great room".
Chelsea Silva is an Interior Decorator/Lighting Specialist with Wesco Electric Inc.
Click here to visit Wesco Electric's website
"I have to say the thing I love most about working in Great Rooms is the mix of fabric patterns that the space calls for. Starting with the smallest detail in the barstools at the island and moving and mixing throughout with a base fabric pattern that carries into each area for the upholstery of the dining chairs to the draperies, and decor pillows. If the space allows, create seating with back-to-back sofas that integrate the living/family room with the kitchen and define the seating areas with area rugs".
Marie Goldsmith is an Interior Decorator with Knight's Carpets and Interiors
Lynn Donovan, Interior Designer Donovan and Donovan Construction, reminds us what Great Room living is all about . . .
"What I love about Great Rooms is the welcoming feeling for family and friends to spend good times together cooking, sharing meals and playing games. . ."
"One important aspect is to address the window coverings. Since the television and other media are usually in that room it is imperative to address the amount of light and glare coming into the room. With new technology and innovation it is possible to provide just the right amount of illumination".
To contact Lynn at Donovan & Donovan Construction give her a call at 239-0848
One of the core elements that are consistent in our great room concept, and my contribution to this blog post, are the countertops and I'm happy to report that we do carry a quality selection of countertops.
Gordon and I are so very thankful for the time and the feedback we received from all of the designers and decorators who participated in making our Great Room GREAT. It's truly enlightening to see all of the different design perspectives through the eyes of our local professionals.
We've included the contact info for all our participating designers along with links for product information. If you need more info on any of the products we've featured or a design strategy give us a call, we're happy to be of service.
Thanks so much for joining us in the Great Room. Stay with us as we go room-by-room in our Well-Lived Home there's a link below to subscribe via e-mail.
In my decorating travels over the years there are so many things I've learned from our clients. The ins and the outs of providing practical solutions for family living, all the while maintaining a well-appointed design. An interesting challenge that can and will become one for us in "The Well-Lived Home".
-----> We've updated this blog to feature more bullet-proof floors.
Scroll down for 2018 selections <-----
CoretecPlus Premium Vinyl Plank in Mission Oak
For those who are fortunate enough to have a mud-room and entry from the garage, the landing area for the clutter of a busy day is easy to hide. For the rest of us the landing area must become a feature in the design. The console table is an intricate piece to this theory and becomes the catch-all for keys, homework, shoes and more so choose well. Keeping the top of the console decorated will distract from the mess hidden within and detour family members from cluttering the top. Give them a flat surface within arm's reach and it'll easily be filled with the findings of the day.
It's all about the drawers... Working closely with clients we've discovered dressers and sideboards make wonderful entryway tables.
The big and the small of it.
Living large, if you have the space we say go for it! As shown here in this entry hall a very family-oriented space with enough drawers for hiding you'll have to assign a row for each member of the household, pets too.
When working with smaller spaces that don't offer an entryway, create one by placing the console table close to the door and incorporating into the living area. Designate the flow with an area rug. This small space is very charming and will easily adapt to any design theme.
The consoles are picked and have been placed, but what about the floors?
When you want to carry real wood floors throughout your home a stunning compliment for the entryway is to create an area rug with tile. Capture the tones of your decor and protect your wood flooring from the in and out traffic through the entryway. Do you have an open floor plan with a view to the kitchen? Replicating the tile from the kitchen to the entry gives beautiful balance to your open spaces.
Armstrong's Rustics Premium Laminate Flooring
You love the look of wood floors without the worry of higher traffic areas. The choice is laminate flooring, but which one? Your first consideration in making the right selection is the floor's rating. Is the floor rated for commercial use? This is a great guideline to go by. Commercially-rated floors are optimum in performance for your home's entryway. Our pick is Armstrong's Rustics Premium Laminate offering a 50-year residential warranty and a 10-year commercial warranty.
DalTile Collections
A cohesive spirit is happiest when the outdoor flooring carries through to the interior. Curb-appeal to our first impression entryway design is accomplished with tile.
Vinyl Planking
Here we are in 2018 and our Vinyl Planking is not what it use to be. The innovation of Vinyl Plank is ever-changing, ever-evolving and now is 100% waterproof! Offered in several wood-look styles that actually look more like a wood floor than vinyl. Easy-care, and worry-free this waterproof vinyl plank floor has taken over our sales of all our wood-look products combined.
Photo Courtesy: Hallmark Floors - Courtier Premium Vinyl Plank
For our carpet lovers let us lay on the hospitality. Hospitality in this case refers to the type of carpet. Milled in a collection of inspiring colors and details just for public places and if it works in the hotel lobby it certainly will work for our entryway design. We're featuring:
Masland's Contract Carpeting. Combine with selections of Mohawk's SmartStrand Forever Clean carpets and we're covering the adjoining rooms too with worry-free softness underfoot.
We've come full circle and have decided it's time to present some area rug offerings. Presentation is everything after all and we do love our Jaunty Area Rug collections.
Thank you for joining us in our "Well Lived Home". We'll be following up with a sequel soon. The floors we've featured are of products that we showcase and if you'd like to see the sampling in your own home, please give us a call. We also provide interior design services to assist you in all phases of your entryway project.
