scmedia

It seems like trends are constantly in a cycle…everything ends up coming back around.

Blonde wood was big back in the 90’s and here we are again, straying from the bold, dark stained pieces and moving towards the airy feel of light wooden tones. If you’re struggling to make the switch, we have some tips for highlighting your favorite blonde wood pieces.

First, let’s identify some of the types of wood that we’re talking about here. Birch, Ash, Beech, and Maple are all natural blondes (pun intended) but don’t be afraid to strip, bleach and/or stain your current pieces if you’re looking for a project to switch things up.

Wood can be a very unifying element to an otherwise jumbled space. In fact, if you utilize your dominant pieces (shelves, seating, tables, etc.) you can easily incorporate lots of bold decorative pieces that otherwise struggle to exist in the same space.  If you do end up leaning towards the lighter toned woods, it is important to make sure you don’t let your accessories and additional pieces blend in. It is easy to let your space get completely washed out with light wood tones and mild decor. Be intentional with contrasting them against your textiles, wall art, etc.

It can be tempting to try bold wall colors with a space full of muted wood tones, but be careful! This creates contrast, but not necessarily the kind you want. Keep your wall tones creamy and light as you bring in accessories to achieve that desired contrast.

One last thing…don’t get rid of your wooden accessories just because you’re bringing in other wood pieces! Wood on wood can be beautiful as long as the tones blend well, so play around with incorporating them into your space and see what works. A kitchen can be an especially fun area to try this with. Wooden bowls, cutting boards and utensils paired with a soft wall color and exposed fruits or vegetables make for a very enticing space.

Have you incorporated blonde wood into your home recently? Share a picture of your project, whether complete or in progress…we’d love to see it! If you are considering a new project, give us a call at713-664-5150. We will make sure your space is perfect down to the last brush stroke.

Spring will be here before we know it. Have you planned your spring cleaning checklist?

Some homeowners groan at the sound of it, while others have a weekend already blocked off on their calendar.

The appeal of spring cleaning is largely this…it only comes once a year. It can be kind of freeing if you plan it right. That feeling of crisp mornings and sunny afternoons comes with new-found inspiration to dust those spots that you can’t see, clean out the refrigerator, even purge your closet. But what’s the point in deep-cleaning a space that doesn’t feel fresh in the first place?

This spring, instead of relying on dusting and scrubbing to make you feel refreshed, try giving your space a refresh first. Often times, redecorating can feel expensive, time-consuming and consequently, overwhelming. Is there a room you’ve been putting off for awhile? Here are some ways to quickly give any space the refresh it needs.

Textiles~
Textiles are often responsible for the color scheme of the room. By switching out the curtains, throw pillows, or even adding a rug, you have the power to totally change the feel of the space.  Always consider texture when choosing new items, as this can also significantly influence the environment you’re trying to create.

Accessories~
A few new trinkets can go a long way. Look at your shelves, dressers or side tables…are they empty? Overcrowded? Outdated? Introduce a new plant or hand-pick a few of your nicer hardcover books to display tastefully in those areas. It could be as simple as putting that candle you love into a new vase or jar to hide the peeling label.

Lamps~
Lighting. is. everything. Determining how many lamps to use and where to put them is one of the more important choices you will make for your space. Lamps affect the hue of your walls, add a level of warmth, and can easily fill those awkward empty corners. Make sure you have the same toned light bulbs throughout the room to avoid multiple hues in one space.

Share some ideas you’re planning on using to refresh your space this spring!

For more information about what we can do for your next project, call us at 713-664-5150.

There is a delicate balance to maintain when it comes to incorporating florals into your home design. Too many floral prints can make a space look too busy, and too few floral prints won’t be enough to accomplish the look you’re going for. Here are a few tips and tricks to help create a refreshing floral look in your home:

Use throw pillows –

Small accents can be very effective when trying to accomplish a certain look. Throw pillows have the ability to completely transform any couch, assuming you coordinate the colors correctly. Try placing two similar floral print pillows in each corner of your couch. Pick out the best colors from your floral pillow and accent those with some textured solids (pillows or throws) to create a fresh, yet cozy vibe.

Use artwork – 

Artwork can be tricky to incorporate into an existing decor. If you can’t start with a piece to build the room around, make sure you have a few key colors and tones in mind when shopping for that perfect piece. Florals can get too busy very quickly, so try to keep it simple if you’re adding multiple floral items to a room. A floral art piece has the potential to make the whole wall become a focal point, using “white” (or whatever color your wall is) space to its advantage.

Use actual flowers –

Real flowers have an instant cheering effect on any room. This is something you have to upkeep almost weekly depending on the flower – unless you manage to find fake flowers that suit the room and appear real enough for your taste. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect color florals to match your color scheme, consider greenery instead. It has the same bright and cheery effect and often compliments other florals in the room very well, tying everything together. The other perk of using greenery is you can have fun with vase colors and sizes throughout the room without fear of overdoing a particular flower or floral arrangement.

The key to incorporating each of these elements is making sure they all work together. If you choose a busy pillow pattern, go for a more simplistic piece on the wall. If you use fresh flowers, keep your color scheme in mind when you’re picking them up at the store. Random and careless choices show easily when decorating with floral. Utilizing the right solid elements with an occasional pop of floral makes for a well-balanced, bright and inviting room.

For more information about what we can do for your next project, call us at 713-664-5150.

January in Texas is really the best time to start any project outdoors. The weather is just cool enough to make working pleasant. For those planning on having a place to sit guests outside in the spring, here are some tips on painting and staining your outdoor deck:

-Initially, you should check the forecast for the next 24-48 hours to make sure there is no predicted rain.

-Wrap any bushes, trees, or grass with plastic or tarp to ensure that any sealer or stain won’t kill the vegetation.

-Make sure the surface is clean (no dust, dirt, leaves, etc.) and is free of dew or mildew. Try leaf blowing, sweeping, and wiping off the surface with a damp towel to clean any layers of dirt off of the wood.

-If you are building a deck with no stain applied to the wood, skip this step! If you are prepping a previously stained deck, you can remove old stain with a stain & sealer remover. Basically, this is a liquid formula that will remove stain and sealer with pressured water. You can also invest in an electric sander which will also strip the stain and sealer the old fashioned way!

-Make sure to sand down any rough spots on the wood and sweep off the surface. Any rough patches in the wood will soak up the stain more so than the clean surfaces, resulting in a patchy, messy look.

-Try the water drop test once you feel the deck has been cleaned and prepared appropriately. If the water droplet soaks in, the wood is ready to be stained.

-Apply your choice color to the wood with a roller. Make sure to go with the grain of the wood. For any areas that might have been missed or hard to reach, use a 4″ brush. Refer to the directions for recoating. Recoating times are dependent on how long it takes for the first coat to dry. Make sure that all coats are completely dry before recoating or placing furniture on.

For more information about what we can do for your next project, call us at 713-664-5150.