Design & Decor - SkirtingBoards.com®

Ceiling Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

May 3, 2019 by admin

Your ceiling is more than just a wall. Use these ceiling tips to make the most of it. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

Our ceilings are the unsung heroes of the home, but they’re so much more than that. We don’t give them much thought unless there is a problem, but your ceiling can do much more than act as a fifth wall.

5 superpowers of a great ceiling

Helps to control odor
Can lighten up a dark room
Adds an unexpected accent color
May reveal hidden problems in your home
Can make a small room look larger

Did you know your humble ceiling can do all that? This area of your home doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, but there are things you can do with your ceiling that will benefit your entire home. Here are the ceiling tips you may not know:

Your ceilings should be cleaned (really)

Washing your walls isn’t a typical to-do list item, even for spring cleaning. Most walls get washed before painting or when we move out. Ceilings are definitely not on a regular cleaning rotation in most homes, but there are situations where it makes sense to add them to the list.

Our ceilings can trap odor, grease and dust as they rise around us every day. Homes with wood-burning fireplaces, smokers or pets can benefit from ceiling cleaning once or twice a year. Cleaning your ceiling can be done with an all-purpose cleaner, water, a ladder or step stool and lots of towels. DIYing your ceiling cleaning is not an easy process, so many homeowners call in a professional to do the work.

Even a soft, neutral ceiling color can enhance your rooms. Image: cr8tivguy/Getty Images

Ceiling paint color can make a big impact

Ceiling paint color may be the last thing on your mind when you move into a new home. Ceilings have been traditionally painted bright white, which is a simple look that can lighten any room. Today’s builders often prefer to use one neutral color throughout their homes, including the ceiling. A completely neutral paint color on walls and ceilings creates a relaxing and effortless look in every room — but it can also look a little generic.

Ceiling color trends are moving away from the all-over neutral look and into using your ceiling as an accent wall. Choosing an accent color for your ceiling is a great way to incorporate a rich color that you may not want on your walls. Foyers and dining rooms are excellent locations for a ceiling accent color.

Reclaimed wood is a hot trend for ceilings

Painting an accent color is just one way to personalize your ceiling’s look. With the popularity of modern farmhouse decorating, reclaimed wood is showing up on ceilings everywhere. If you love the look of reclaimed wood for a ceiling or wall, there are wood paneling products available that can give you that rustic vibe without the hassle of heavy boards. Redesigning your ceiling with light-weight wood paneling is a fun weekend DIY project that can totally change your home’s style.

Bright white ceilings are more effective for lightening up a room than a reflective paint sheen. Image: Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock

Ceiling paint sheen: you have options

Choosing the right paint sheen for your ceiling doesn’t have to be a challenge. Most builders and designers choose matte or flat paint for ceilings. Paint with less reflection hides imperfections and gives ceilings a smooth and soft look. If you’d like a little more brightness or light reflection, eggshell finish is more lustrous without being too shiny.

If you’re hoping to bring more light into a room by using a high- or semi-gloss ceiling paint, it can backfire by creating glare, taking away from your wall color. A ceiling paint color that is one to two shades lighter than your wall color can lighten your room more comfortably.

Your ceiling can reveal clues about your home’s condition

We rarely notice our ceilings until we spot a problem. Check your ceiling regularly for cracks, discoloration and surface changes. A regular look at your ceilings can help you identify changes in small cracks that may be getting larger and require professional evaluation for structural issues.

Water spots can appear when your roof or plumbing is leaking, so they should be investigated right away. Once a repair has been made and the ceiling has dried out completely, it’s okay to repaint. Repainting the ceiling after the damage has been corrected will help you recognize future problems.

Ceilings can bubble or swell when water damage is accumulating from above. This is an urgent issue for your ceiling and may indicate an active leak that is more extensive than just that one area. The fix for an active leak can include plumbing or roofing, removal of wet materials and replacing drywall in your ceiling. If you’re a seasoned DIYer, you can handle some or all of that work depending on the source, but don’t hesitate to hire a contractor if it’s out of your comfort zone.

The post Ceiling Tips Every Homeowner Should Know appeared first on Freshome.com.

Trend Alert: Kokedama (Japanese Moss Balls) Adds Live Art To Your Home and Garden

May 2, 2019 by admin

We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.

Japanese moss balls, known as Kokedama, are hot right now. No pot required — the ancient Japanese art form is a way to display a plant where the exposed round root ball is the focal point. Hang it, mount one on the wall or create an arrangement on a table for a modern-zen look. A Kokedama ball is traditionally created by using soil that has a heavy clay composition and doesn’t crumble easily. You can wrap the ball in moss or colorful twine to hold the shape and retain some moisture.

Wrap colorful twine around the root ball for a bold, modern look. Image: Mattis Kaminer/Getty Images

Or, if you’d rather not get your hands dirty, there are kits available:

Choose your plant according to where you’re going to display your Kokedama moss ball. Orchids, African violets, ivy, succulents and ferns work well both indoors and outdoors.

Here are some ways you can display your Kokedama around your home and garden:

Group a cluster of Kokedama as a dining table centerpiece. Image: chikaphotograph/Getty Images

Ferns are great plants for a hanging moss ball design. Image: Dorling Kindersley and Rob Streeter/Getty Images

Group a collection of different styles of plants and hang them at varying heights. Image: Dorling Kindersley and Rob Streeter/Getty Images

Use small succulents for a low-maintenance and low-water design. Image: kindoki/Getty Images

This kit available at Target includes everything you need to create a zen vignette, except for the vase or bowl. Image courtesy of Target.

For an artistic look, use a Kokedama ball in a design inspired by a pendulum. Image: yasmintas/Shutterstock

Replace a collection of pots with hanging moss balls wrapped in twine. The design is a great way to take back valuable floor space. Image: esekerke13/Shutterstock

Use a colorful flowering plant or orchid inside your Kokedama — like this Super Moss Kokedama kit at Amazon — as part of your moss ball design. The pop of color adds vibrancy to a setting. Image courtesy of Amazon.

How would you display your moss balls: hanging or as part of a table setting design?

The post Trend Alert: Kokedama (Japanese Moss Balls) Adds Live Art To Your Home and Garden appeared first on Freshome.com.

Arched Doorways Add Interest and Beauty

May 2, 2019 by admin

Straight lines versus curved lines. In a study published in PNAS, participants were more likely to label a room as “beautiful” when it had curves than when it only had straight lines. Straight lines certainly serve a purpose, but they can be formal and predictable. On the other hand, curves add a level of softness and interest. Arched doorways are one way to add soft curves and elegance to any space. Below, we’ve listed some of the ways to use arched doorways in your home.

Highlight entrances and corridors

Archways highlight entrance areas. Image: EricVega/Getty Images

“When you are refurbishing a historic property, arched doorways are a welcome change and distinguish more important and grand entrances and corridors from mere utilitarian corridors,” says Michael Schienke, Director and Chartered Architect at VORBILD Architecture in London. However, he doesn’t think this look would work in every type of design. “In new and modern properties, creating an arched doorway seems rather unnecessary,” Schienke explains.

“External double doors with arches in traditional properties enable more light to enter the building. Usually, you would have a fixed glazed panel there,” Schienke tells Freshome. And the type of repeating archway style shown above can help you create a grand entrance with your entryway.

Add a Mediterranean vibe

A light and airy San Francisco home. Image courtesy of John Lum Architecture.

“Once a staple in older homes, arched doorways can help achieve various architectural styles and are essential for implementing Mediterranean design styles including Spanish-Style Villas, Spanish Colonials, Italian Renaissance, and Renaissance Revivals,” says John Lum of John Lum Architecture in San Francisco. Lum is the architect for the photo above. “And if you don’t have a particular design style, arched doorways will add an element of play to your desired look,” he says.

Provide contrast

Archways can balance a room. Image: Fuse/Getty Images

Sometimes, arched doorways serve another design purpose. In the photo above, the curved archway serves to contrast the square design on the ceiling, columns, fireplace mantel and the room’s square furniture.

Create a pattern

These archways form a repeating pattern. Image: Mood Board/Getty Images

In the photo above, the arch in each doorway is repeated in the round chandelier and pendant lights, as well as the round barstools in the adjacent room and to the right.

Infuse elegance

Archways add architectural detail to formal rooms. Image: akurtz/Getty Images

If you have a formal dining room and/or a formal living room, arched doorways can add to the elegant look you’re trying to achieve. In the photo above, the magnificent arched doorway contributes to the grandeur of the room. The archway also complements the architectural details on the columns, walls and windows.

Making your own archway

Archways frame a room. Image: Fuse/Getty Images

“For the DIY-er who has moderate carpentry skills, changing from a rectangular door to an arched entryway is fairly straightforward,” Lum says. “Be aware that drawing out the arc takes some precision as you want the radius to be symmetrical throughout its span.”

However, once the archway is made, he says it’s simple to frame it out. “For homeowners working with a professional, be mindful of scale, proportion and function, as the arch may lower the entryway height by an inch or so,” Lum advises.

Converted doorways. Image courtesy of CurveMaker Arch Kits.

You can also convert a square doorway to an archway with products like CurveMakers Arch Kits. In the photo above, several square doorways were converted into archways. The kits typically include two columns and one top header (you can choose between round or elliptical headers). Depending on your budget, you can choose between paint-grade MDF or solid poplar wood. Homeowners can also add architectural details with these types of archways since the columns include a plinth block, column casing and capital. You’ll need to measure your opening to ensure that you order the right size.

The directions in a nutshell: if you have any existing trim, remove it from the doorway. Using the arch template, cut your arch shape. Finally, install the prefab arch kit.

The post Arched Doorways Add Interest and Beauty appeared first on Freshome.com.

How to Design a Small Space Open Floor Plan

May 2, 2019 by admin

Usually, when you see a photo of an open floor plan, it’s this spacious, modern design. The kitchen sits way off in the distance, large windows let in plenty of natural sunlight and there may even be space for multiple sitting areas. But just because you might have a smaller space, that doesn’t mean that an open floor plan is out of your reach. With some smart adjustments, you can create a small space open floor plan.

This might be one of the most involved home projects you could undertake. If you don’t live where you already have a small space open floor plan, you may have to work with a remodeler, move or even design your own dream home. However, if you already live with a small open floor plan, some of the design ideas below can help you make the most of the space you already have. As such, the cost of this project could range in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a new build or it could be a free endeavor of just moving around furniture.

A single sofa or loveseat can work wonders in small space open apartments. Image: Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock

Go Minimalist with the Furniture

Whether you already have a small space open floor plan or you’re in the process of designing/finding one, a major feature in the space will be the furniture. If you are working with a smaller space, you’re not going to have as much room for multiple sitting areas. And you’re going to want to keep the space looking as open as possible.

The easiest way to work with furniture in a small space open floor plan is actually to go big. This is counterintuitive, but a single larger furniture piece along the wall keeps the space more open. Otherwise, you’re cluttering up the space with many smaller items like individual chairs. Depending on the layout of the room, you could use a long sofa, a sectional or even add a loveseat.

Boldly colored wall art can make a stunning focal point in an open space. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Create a Focal Point in your Small Space Open Floor Plan

If you’re working with a small space open floor plan, you might want to create a focal point to add visual interest to the room. One focal point item will add plenty of style to your space without cluttering up the smaller area the way designs with more working parts might. Examples of small space focal points can include a:

Small accent wall
Fireplace, either real or electric (smaller electric fireplaces fit well into small spaces)
Single piece of larger, bold furniture, like a brightly colored sofa
Television over a mantel or a display cabinet
Piece of large wall art

These ideas also create their own sense of organization, as you’ll often organize other items like furniture around the focal point.

Open railings can visually expand small floor plans. Image: Waclaw_EPI/Shutterstock

Think Open Balconies

If you’re in the process of finding a new place to live or designing that dream home, a key feature to keep in mind is an open loft design. That way, even if the space is on the smaller side, you have a whole second story that is visually open.

An open loft design leads to the illusion that the space is far bigger than it is. And it helps add to the small space open floor plan feeling by actually opening up the space. This is a design that is both illusion and literally more open.

Small Space Open Floor Plan Light Colors

Neutral and bright shades can stop a small space open floor plan from feeling closed in. Image: Dariusz Jarzabek/Shutterstock

Keep it Bright

You’ll also want to keep a close eye on the color scheme of the room. A common feature of open floor plans is that they tend to stay on the bright and neutral side of the design spectrum. A small space open floor plan is no exception. In fact, in smaller spaces, it’s even more important to keep the space light and neutral. Lighter colors help keep spaces feeling free and open.

Also, keeping the area well-lit will help it feel more open since darker spaces usually automatically feel closed off. You might consider elements like large windows or skylights. These will keep the natural light flowing into the space. If these are not an option, other lighting features like recessed lighting, pendant lighting and even casual chandelier designs can keep the space well-lit.

And remember, everything in this style is about keeping the space looking as open as possible. Your small space open floor plan goal is to make the space feel more expansive.

The post How to Design a Small Space Open Floor Plan appeared first on Freshome.com.