All posts by Chris

The Perfect Fall Accessories

Fall  is  almost  here!  With  Fall  comes  the  cozy  aesthetic  and  times  filled  with  family  and  friends.  Here  are  the  items  you  need:

Fire pits are a growing sensation in backyards and patios for their cozy nature and service as a centerpiece in entertaining. Fall nights should be filled with s’mores, the company of friends and family, delicious meals, and sports (outdoor TV anyone?!).

With the Texas heat, fireplaces aren’t necessary, but they add an aesthetic that is charming, especially during fall and winter. Instead of an expensive addition, a fireplace console is an amazing option and comes in a variety of sides.

Trading out pillows is an easy way to decorate for the new season. Warm-hued pillows or one’s with fun fall sayings will instantly transform the space.

With the cooler temperatures, a festive throw is the perfect addition to any living room. Again, warm-hues or chunky knits fit the season the best.

Three Steps to Your Dream Room

If you have been thinking about updating your home, let us help you get started.

We have a wide selection of furniture and accessories to help you with your space, no matter what your budget. Designing your home is an incredibly personal process and there more sources than ever before to give you inspiration but they can also be overwhelming and confusing.

  • First, design your space. Seeing a layout of your space using the exact dimensions to include doors and windows is a good first step. Then experiment arranging the furniture for not only the best aesthetically but the overall flow as well. Mentally walk through your room, sit on the sofa, or lie on the bed. It is important to take the time to make sure your space works for you before making any purchases. The last thing you want is a piece you love but won’t fit your space or conflicts with your overall design theme.
  • Now let’s create the plan. Once the layout works for you, we can begin to add furniture, picture, plants, and begin to create your personal design style. We will look at themes, color, trends, and so much more to give you the magazines look you want.
  • Don’t forget lifestyle. Your personal style is important but you can’t forget your lifestyle as well. If you have children or dogs, you may want to consider high-performance fabrics. If you like to entertain, you may want to consider darker colors. We can show you many options that will work not only with your lifestyle but your budget as well.

We look forward to working with you, come see us soon!

Outdoor Living Furniture Necessities

Outdoor living spaces are an extension of your home and can truly feel as such. With a few updates, your children can play outside, you can entertain friends and family, and if you want to do a larger update, you can even cook outside! It’s an area that can be used all year round, especially if you invest in a fire pit! With these simple tips, you can host friends and family all year long and also add value to your home:

  • Outdoor furniture – There is a plethora of outdoor furniture ranging from outdoor dining sets to bar tables to lounge chairs and couches. Make sure there’s enough seating for your entire family and this will be a space that is well used all summer long!
  • Rugs – A large rug can add color and design to your outdoor space, as well as making your outdoors feel a bit cozier.
  • Water Features – A water feature adds an element of tranquility to your space. Sitting outside with the peaceful sound of a water fall or fountain will set the mood.
  • Fire Pits – Fire pits not only provide warmth during the colder months, but also provide a s’more area and can double as a table! Your guests will love gathering around one on chilly nights or summer s’more nights!
  • Kitchen area or grill – Make an outdoor party easy with an outdoor kitchen! This is a larger renovation, but you will have everyone’s dream yard by having easy cooking convenience.
  • Play area – The kitchen area is for the parents, but children need their area too! Add an area with a net from their favorite sport, a swing set, gardening area, or outdoor reading area. There is an idea for whatever your child is interested in!

What Goes Around Comes Around: Furniture Edition

Have you heard the statement “What goes round comes round”? Well it is true in the home furnishings industry as well.

In the 60’s animal prints were very popular and now they are in high demand again. Several magazines featured them and it has caught on. If you can afford the eye catching animal print rug, then go for it but you can also have an animal print chair, throw pillows, or even a smaller entry rug and get the look that is going wild in 2019.

WALLPAPER??? Yes, it is back. Have you been watching HGTV lately? It seems they all are featuring accent walls with wallpaper in almost every episode. It may not be some of the flowers of the 70’s, but the geometric shapes they are using will inspire us all.

Metal is back and it is nice to see the brushed brass, gold, and blackened metals make a comeback. The uses of metal seem to appear everywhere from accent pieces to designer furniture and this is one comeback I am excited about.

Antiques are back so please take a look at your parents and grandparents downsizing items. Antiques bring a sense of warmth we all need in this fast paced environment and will give you that cozy home feeling we all love. Since painted furniture is also back, you can always give it a coat of paint to match your design style.

We would love to help you shop this summer for things that will bring your home up-to-date with many items that are making a well anticipated return.

Timeless Pieces for Every Room

When a new style comes into favor, it is tempting to want to redecorate your entire house and get rid of everything. For most, that is not a feasible option, so it is best to invest in timeless pieces and update your home with on-trend accessories, like pillows, rugs, pictures, throws, and decorative items. Here are the best neutral, timeless items that can easily be updated with the latest trends:

  1. A brown, cream, or grey leather couch has staying power and is worthy of the initial investment. Out of all of these items, none are more timeless and durable than a well made leather couch. It can stand up to pets, children, and spills as long as it is taken care of properly. It can also be easily updated with new pillows and throws.
  2. A wood dining room table is also a classic option if they are done in a simple style. Dining room chairs are an easy update- you can also merely update the fabric on the chairs or table decor to give the space a whole new look. If going for a more dramatic look, you can replace the chairs.
  3. For headboards, wood, iron, or neutral fabric are the easiest to transform with different bedspreads, pillows, and wall color since they can be matched with anything.
  4. Wood dressers can be sanded and re-stained as styles change, and you can also easily swap out the knobs to completely update your room.

By initially investing in neutral, classic pieces, your space can easily be transformed as styles change throughout the years.

Best Materials for Outdoor Entertaining All Summer

The season of outdoor entertaining is here! There is outdoor furniture for every style, space, and purpose, but even patio furniture and cushions that are under roof are still subject to the winds, moisture, and extreme elements, including hot and cold temperatures, in the outdoors.

Therefore, it’s wise to select fabrics and materials that are water resistant, or waterproof and fade resistant if the furniture will be exposed to outdoor elements. Nowadays, outdoor fabrics come in fun prints and shield against harsh weather, kids, pets, and partygoers

The best outdoor fabrics are cotton canvas, olefin fiber, vinyl, duck cloth, and acrylic.

The strongest outdoor materials are aluminum, resin wicker, recycled plastic, treated wood, and steel.

Regardless of what fabric or materials you select for your outdoor patio, you need to engage in regular care and maintenance to preserve your furniture’s life. This includes wiping down furniture after rain to prevent mold and mildew, occasionally washing outdoor pillows and cushions according to manufacturer’s instructions, and making sure the materials stay properly sealed if they are treated. With a little TLC, your furniture will be enjoyed all summer long and for years to come!

Get Better Sleep and Find the Mattress for You

Are you in the market for a new mattress? Typically you should replace your mattress every seven years but some last longer while others with high use may need replacing sooner. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the countless types of mattresses available today. So let’s review what your options are:

Innerspring mattresses are the steel coil innerspring mattresses with various foams and fibers on top for your comfort. These are the mattresses we grew up with and some consider them to be out of style. When choosing this type consider the type of springs, gauge of steel ,and padding materials available for better comfort and durability.

Memory Foam mattresses are made of foam and conform to the shape

of your body regardless of the position you sleep. Some who suffer from aches and pains have found comfort in a memory foam mattress. There are numerous manufacturers and you need to do your homework before buying.

Combination mattresses combine the innerspring and memory foam in one. Some have multiple layers to include cooling gel. This merges the firmness of the innerspring with the comfort of the memory foam.   Many believe these to be the best of both worlds.

Sleep is vital to your overall health and happiness and nothing contributes more than the right mattress. Consult an expert at our store today to help you find the mattress that is right for you.

Designing Your Dream Space

Starting a home design project can be a daunting task, but once you find your inspiration, the fun can really begin! Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

  • Choose your colors. If you are working with a small space, you may want to incorporate more of your colors in your accessories or use a light wall color to brighten the space.
  • It is always nice to have a warm rug underfoot, especially if you have hardwood floors. When placing a rug in a smaller-size space, leave at least 8-10” . Additionally, a growing trend is rugs stacked on top of one another. An area rug can change the entire look of a room so review what you saved and explore your options.
  • Consider your room’s focal features and go from there, and remember, even the smallest items can make a space uniquely yours. For example, fireplace tools and screen can make a statement.

From there, you can build out the rest of the room! Starting with the largest item or most used item in the room is an easy place to start. If you need help making your vision come to life, stop in!

Make Your Home “You”

Our homes define our personality and say who we are.  What style defines you?  Are you modern, contemporary, glam, traditional or perhaps cottage?

Sometimes it is difficult to capture our personality amid those family pieces that have been handed down and we feel compelled to keep.

Buying one piece of furniture that is truly “you” can transform a space and make it feel more like the look you’re going for.  Even one piece of furniture can give a simple room an completely different vibe.

This could be a patterned chair, unique coffee table, or a large bookshelf to display your family pictures and items.

Additionally, the right accessories in a room can catch your eye, grab your attention and identify who you are. Choose the accent furniture that is right for you such as an accent chair or table and then add those paintings, pillows, lighting, colors and patterns that define you as a person.

May your house in 2019 be the home that is truly you!

 

Preserve White Furniture

White furniture is beautiful, but it can be hard to maintain with children and pets. There are a few strategies to keep your whites white and protect your furniture investments:

  1. If you have white fabric furniture, make sure you have a chlorox pen! 
  2. Clean up spills promptly so they don’t settle. 
  3. Vacuum frequently if having guests since it will show any fur or crumbs.
  4. Put a blanket or sheet over them if you don’t have company or they aren’t in use. This will keep them perfect!
  5. Additionally, many fabrics today are stain resistant so even your white furniture can hold up against spills!