Only a few years ago, “outdoor living” typically consisted of a few plastic chairs and grill. Today, more people are transforming their outdoor areas into an extension of their indoor living spaces. Whether you are using your outdoor space for fiestas or siestas, embrace the al fresco lifestyle and make your outdoor space just as stylish as the rest of your home. Keep reading for some easy ideas to make your yard into the new favorite area of your home.
design
Making Your Home Back-to-School Ready
The transition from summer vacation to a regimented school schedule does not have to be chaotic. From Kindergarten to High School, these simple changes around the home will make early morning school runs and afternoon homework sessions more enjoyable. Making these changes now, at the beginning of the year, will make the transition as smooth as possible for both yourself and your children. Follow these simple tips to start your school year off right.
Introducing: Century by Benjamin Moore
Experience a new dimension in paint with Century by Benjamin Moore. The master craftsmen at Benjamin Moore worked together bringing years of experience to create an intricately balanced formulation. A curated collection of 75 colors are sold pre-mixed and produced in small batches in the same Benjamin Moore workshop to ensure exact pigmentation in every can.
Sage Green: An Exterior Disappearing Act
It is no secret that the Imagineers at Disney are true masterminds when it comes to magic and illusion. After stumbling upon this article from Mental Floss, one Disney secret stuck out – the Imagineers have created their own paint color called “Go Away Green”. A special shade of a green that is used to help the “ugly” parts of the park, like administrative buildings, trash cans, and fences, blend in with the landscaping. According to Disney, there is no official formula for this magical color but you don’t need pixie dust to bring this vanishing act to your own backyard. Read below for some ideas to bring this color into your own space plus Benjamin Moore alternatives.
Decorating with Black
I know, black is probably the last color you would consider for your home design but before you make any final design decisions, read through this post to learn about the versatility of this chic color. You have the power to control the emotions in your space. Depending on how you use this bold color it can be sophisticated, edgy, glamorous, or simple, it is really up to you! Break away from the gloomy stereotype of this color and prepare for an effortlessly chic home.
Preparing Your Home To Sell
Are you planning on putting your house on the market this summer? If so, prepare to dress your home for success. When you are selling a home it is all about style, but not necessarily your own style. This is what makes staging different from interior design and can also make it more challenging. When you stage a home, you want to create an ambiance and lifestyle that appeals to all tastes and styles. Potential buyers need to feel as though they can make the home their own when they purchase it, even though the furnishings and accessories won’t be there when they move in. Homes that are staged sell 50% faster and for 6% more than homes without staging. Read below for some styling tips that will help you see results quickly.
All About Lighting
We are about to let you in on a little secret that interior designers frequently use to give a space an instant upgrade…lighting! Okay, maybe it was not that much of a secret but lighting is an often overlooked yet crucial detail in the design of any space. Lighting has the ability to dictate the mood and aid in telling the story behind your decor. It is so easy to become caught up in colors, fabrics, wallcoverings, window treatments, and accessories that your lighting becomes forgotten. Without proper lighting, your carefully curated details will fall flat or simply go unnoticed. Read below to learn lighting basics and some extra tricks on how to use lighting to design a show-stopping space.
Barn Doors: A Space Saving Statement Piece
Barn doors are not just for barns anymore. This country farmhouse inspired design has made its way indoors and become a popular piece of interior décor. A space saving statement piece, these doors offer a decorative yet functional alternative to traditional swinging doors. Similar to pocket doors, these are very popular in small homes or apartments where every square inch of space counts. However, their versatile and unique aesthetic make them popular in any style home.
National Lumber Home Finishes 