Tips | Beautiful Habitat Design & Decoration

Carpet Trends in 2013 | Ask the Designer

May 9, 2013 | by beautifulhabitat | in Ask the Designer, color, Colorado, Denver, Flooring, Tips1 Comments

I was recently asked to advise on carpet decisions and I am simultaneously selecting carpet for my own house. I thought I’d share these tips and trends with everyone.

New wall to wall carpet is a big ticket item and a decision that most of us do not take lightly. The lifespan of your carpet may likely be longer then most of your furniture. There are also so many styles, colors and brands. Here are a few tips and trends to keep in mind if you’re in the market for new carpeting.

Carpet Trends as I see them (at least in the Denver market) in 2013:

Dark and Bold

Carpet colors have gone considerably darker than over the previous decade and more. In the late 1990′s and through the early 2000′s light carpets ranging from ivory to beige to tan were hot. The lighter colors helped to keep a space more open and bright, while simultaneously shrinking into the background. On the down side, those lighter colors are harder to keep clean. There has been a shift to darker carpet tones, whether a chocolate brown or a charcoal gray. And bold carpet colors are appearing too.

Interior Designer Tips

Bold Interior Design

Gray

Gray is hot everywhere – furniture, fabrics, flooring, books. It’s quickly replacing beige, tans, and browns as the hot neutral. Don’t panic if you’re surrounded by browns. They are neutrals, and a good neutral will always hold their own.

Texture

Texture and patterns are making a comeback in carpeting. This is usually created with a combination of looped and cut pile stands, creating a design and texture although the material and color are the same. And I say making a comeback, because I distinctly remember the patterned carpet of my youth. The looped valley’s and higher cut pile made interesting obstacles for my toys circa 1983. Textured and patterned carpet creates a great look and adds interest to an often overlooked surface. It can actually become a focal point in the design, rather than a bland surface on which to place furniture.

Interior Decorating Tips

Bold Inteiror Design Choices

Plush never Fails

If you are afraid to commit to a texture or worry that this trend may not have the lifespan that you want, plush carpet is always a good bet.

Interior Decorator Tips

Do you have a design or decorating question? I’d be happy to feature your question and provide guidance. Ask here or on the Beautiful Habitat Facebook Page.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Countertops | Guest Post

May 2, 2013 | by beautifulhabitat | in Guest Post, kitchen, Kitchen Design, TipsNo Comments

There are many different options when it comes to material for your kitchen countertops. It can seem overwhelming to choose the right one that will fit your style, price point, and wear well. When trying to decide on the right option for your kitchen needs it is important to have clear parameters on what is most important to you. Here are some of the most popular kinds of countertop materials, and what functions they fit best.

Stone:

Both natural and engineered stone are other popular materials for kitchen countertops. Natural stone typically gets pretty pricey, and it is vulnerable to scratches or chips and cracks. This means that there is usually some maintenance involved, normally in the form of a sealant to prevent permanent damage. Engineered stone is easy to get a hold of, but it can also be expensive depending on how realistic you want it to look. This stone is also in danger of scratches and may require slight maintenance for those repairs.

Granite:

While this is not the most inexpensive material for countertops, granite is extremely durable and will last a long time. This kind of countertop is going to be best for someone looking for a material that can handle wear and tear. Granite can endure hard usage while also not requiring much maintenance.

Custom Kitchen Design

Laminate:

Laminate is great choice for most kitchen countertops. It is extremely popular due to its low cost and strong durability. Laminate can handle lots of usage and will last for a very long time. Given its ability to outlast lots of wearing, laminate will not scratch easily and depending on the pattern its aesthetic appearance will stay new looking. Like granite, it won’t take much maintenance.

Kitchen and Bathroom Design

Stainless Steel:

This is targeted for a very specific style of kitchen. The good thing about this material is that while it can scratch from very hard use, it is durable and requires little upkeep. This material is also very heat tolerant and sanitary. The look of stainless steel on kitchen countertops is very unique, so this is seen less often because it isn’t as versatile for matching.

Wood:

This option is very appealing to those looking for an eco-friendly material. The pricing of wood countertops varies based on the kind you want. The biggest issue with this type of countertop is the upkeep. Wood countertops will require resealing periodically and if not completed frequently enough, the wood may obtain water damage. Wood countertops will also show scratches so it is not recommended for those who want to use their counters directly in their cooking and prep.

Interior Designer

These are the most commonly seen styles for kitchen countertops. Be aware of how the edges of your countertops are designed because a lot of jagged edges and shapes can cause more wear on the material. A smooth flat edge will get the best results for wearing on the materials. Most importantly, choose the right countertop material for your kitchen needs and style.

Wade Myer is a recovering contractor who has turned to writing due to injuries. Wade loves helping his readers with home design tips. He currently writes on behalf of Steiner Homes who builds Crown Point custom homes.. In his spare time, Wade enjoys spending time with his family and relaxing.

Winter Decorating Ideas | Guest Post

November 29, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in Accessories, de-clutter, fireplace, Foyer & Entry, holiday, Seasonal, TipsNo Comments

The changing of the seasons offers the perfect opportunity to redecorate your home. As winter sets in, our thoughts turn to getting warm and cozy. Check out these quick decorating tips that will help you turn your home into a welcoming winter den.

Welcoming From the Outside In

Set the tone of your home by decorating everything, even your exterior doors. If you’re feeling festive, hang a home-made holly wreath on your front door to spread your cheer to the rest of the world. If you don’t have the time to make your own wreath, consider purchasing a synthetic wreath which you can re-use every year.

Via Pinterest

via Joanna Fabric

via Matt & Becky

Relaxing By the Fire

There’s something special about relaxing in front of an open fire; the look of the flames makes you feel warmer, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. If you don’t have a fireplace in your living room, why not invest in a wall-hanging, flu less fireplace to brighten up your room.

via Pinterest

Metallic Luxury

Natural colors are cozy and comfortable, but it’s easy to go too far with the rustic feel. Add a touch of modern glamor to your home by opting for some shiny, shimmering metallic colors as an accent. Consider painting your oak skirting boards in a sedate silver, and pairing that up with silver trim on your cushions and throws. Or, use subtle accents to bring out the warmth in a more traditional room.

via Pinterest

Easy Accents

Redecorating for the winter doesn’t have to mean completely re-doing the look of your living room. If you prefer clean and simple styled rooms, why not add a touch of winter fashion with decals which can easily be removed when it’s time for a change of scenery.

via Pinterest

Accessorize

During the winter, it’s natural to want to curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book. Why not make that spot as comfortable as possible. This time of year is the perfect time to bring out those stylish blankets, comfy cushions, and plush pillows. Pick the right color scheme, and they’ll be as fashionable as they are cozy.

One side effect of spending so much time indoors with the heating running full blast and the windows closed, is that the air in your home can get a little musty. You can keep your home smelling fresh by making use of scented candles, or, even better, great home cooking. Mulled wine, cinnamon bread, festive fruitcake, and winter broths will warm your body, and spread beautiful smells around the house!

via Pinterest

Clean Up for Christmas

If there’s one thing that will detract from the atmosphere of your home, it’s clutter. During the festive season, there’s a good chance your home will fill up with stuff. A preemptive decluttering session will make life a lot easier for you. Consider donating old books and clothes to charity, encouraging your kids to take some toys to charity, and spending a weekend cleaning out that stash of paperwork. It won’t take as long as you’d think, and the improvement will be amazing.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of UK Oak Doors who supply a great range of oak products from doors through to skirting boards. Please visit their site for more info.

For more related post by Beautiful Habitat:
Dreaded Decluttering

Clearing Clutter in the New Year

Easy Holiday Decor – Ribbons

Real Estate/Home Staging Quick Facts

November 8, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in TipsNo Comments

Why Stage a Home when it’s on the market?

First impressions are important and lasting. Most buyers look at several houses in a day. It is important that your home be memorable, in a positive way, to make a buyer’s short list.
The goal of staging is to market the home, emphasize its best features while downplaying any blemishes.
Staging makes a home look spacious and inviting and like a buyer’s stuff would look just as good in each room.
Professional Stagers understand the psychology of home buyers and help ‘set the scene’ for buyers to fall in love with a home.
Staging has been proven to sell homes up to 50% faster and for 5-15% more than homes that are not staged.

See for yourself. Below is a room before and after staging. The staging was done at minimal cost and primarily with items the sellers already owned. Which room do you think will leave a better impression with home buyers?

7 Ways to Modernize Your Home’s Entryway | Guest Post

October 18, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in color, Foyer & Entry, Guest Post, lighting, mirrors, pink, TipsNo Comments

Many of us use our homes as blank canvases to express ourselves through art, furniture, and home décor. Some people like to renovate their entire homes all at once, while others prefer to go one room at a time. Where we choose to spend all of renovation efforts is a reflection of where we enjoy spending time. Some people like to spend hours pampering in the bathroom. Other folks want to build fully equipped home entertainment centers. Still others pour their hearts, souls, and dollars into conjuring up the bedroom of their dreams. And you can’t forget the homeowners that spend as much time on their own abodes as they do for their pets – doghouses get renovations too!

But no matter which room you decide you want to invest the most time and money in, you should be careful not to forget about your home’s entryway. After all, the entryway is the first thing your guests see when they walk through your front door. The good news is that updating your entryway is fun, easy, and often inexpensive. Here are seven different ways you can modernize your home’s entryway.

1. Create an interesting focal point – Sometimes an entryway can be entirely transformed with just the hanging of one great piece of art or a stunning, large mirror. TJ Maxx always has some unique pieces at fair prices. A small investment can make a big difference, entirely changing the area from ho-hum to modern and new.

Interior Design Tips Source: www.simpledesignideas.com

2. Paint the entryway a new color - When you first moved in, you probably focused your painting efforts on the rooms in your house, possibly forgetting the hallways and entryway. Spruce the area up with a new coat of paint in an unexpected hue. Just be sure you coordinate the new paint job with any existing furniture and décor you are keeping.

Interior Decorator Tips Source: www.housebeautiful.com

3. Update your doormat - Some people love doormats, other people loathe them but if you use one, it needs to be replaced every now and again. Use a doormat as an opportunity to breathe fresh air into your entry area. Try something unexpected like bamboo or even plastic. Doormats are often inexpensive so consider getting a few different ones and changing them according to your mood.

Foyer Design Source: www.houzz.com

4. Switch up the lighting – Light fixtures are easy to replace and can make a big impact on the look of the room or area. Find a light fixture that inspires you and see what happens! You might find yourself spending time in the foyer from now on instead of the living room! And light fixtures also tend to last for years and years, so they are a good place to invest.