The weather is warmer and we all want to freshen up our outdoor spaces with colorful pots that will last the season. 

Here are 5 different combinations for WINNING warm weather pots! 

Making decisions before you start a home renovation is a key part to how smoothly your project will go, right? We all love picking out the pretty things like flooring, light fixtures and fabrics but your contractor has another list of things for you to deicide.

I call it “homework”. The list of questions is based on what project you are doing.

For example when you are remodeling a bathroom you need to have the layout for your shower decided. Are you having a bench? What size niche do you want? Are you using a linear drain? What’s the configuration of shower head, body jets and or hand held? Oh, what about the shower door layout?

As you see plumbing is important in the shower but the location of tub, toilet and sinks need to be decided.

Also, the electrical/lighting layout are decisions you need to consider.

Where do you want plugs? Wall sconces…location? Switches…location and what they control? Can lights…how many and where? LED? Dimmer switches ? Don’t forget ventilation.

The list continues with decisions you need to make. Start with the floor and work your way to the ceiling. Flooring selection ? If tile, what pattern and grout color? Finish on walls? Trim profile? Mirrors and art work location? Paint colors? I do love wallpaper !!

Last but not least. My favorite is custom cabinetry. This is brings up an entirely new set of questions which I will share later.

Today is the day!  Watch our very first video blog and learn how to take a prepackaged bunch of roses from your local grocery store and make them into a beautiful gift.  

Happy Valentine's everyone!

1. Brown Furniture

Gone are the days that everything is painted and washed.  Traditional brown furniture is making a comeback.  Lighter brown tones are popular this year, but also the traditional “brown wood” is a warm touch.

2. Colorful Kitchens

Painted cabinets in bold colors and two-toned with stained and painted cabinets are both what’s cooking this year.  Even colorful stoves are add ing fun to the kitchen.

3. Bold Lighting

Make a statement with lighting.  A colorful metal piece or an interesting shape in a light fixture can totally change the feel of a room.

4. Patterns

From wallpaper to floral fabric, patterns are shaking up what has been a neutral palette.  A bold wallpaper in the dining room and grandmother’s chaise lounge in a large floral are two things I love this year!

5. Warmer Neutrals

Even though color is king in 2020, we all still need and will have neutrals.  In place of very cool greys, warm up the neutral zone with taupes and browns.  Earth tones are a big part of this year’s color palette.

6. TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE

Velvets, cut velvets, chenille, slubby linen…these textures are luscious and inviting.  Textural fabric and tiles are adding interest to furniture and walls.

7. Nod to Nature

Plants have always been great accessories to the home, but now are becoming entire backdrops with growing walls, skylights and large windows letting more of the outside in.  If plants are not your thing, add some green with leaf-patterned bedding, wallpaper, paintings or even solid green decor like a pillow or chair.

8. Black and White

The total contrast of one end of the color spectrum to the other creates an interesting dichotomy in fabric and cabinetry.  Black wall finish creates a bold backdrop for art and color to pop.  Black furniture pieces are also a great way to update.

9. Maximalism

Minimalism has been a trend for the past few years and now add it back on!  The MORE the better.  Gallery picture walls are an example of the more filled space look as well as more furniture in each room.  This trend is designing to look avant guard.  It can easily look cluttered, so make sure to stay in the bold and lively, instead of busy.

10. Mixed Metals

Metals are everywhere in 2020.  Gold, silver, tin and copper.  Mixing metals is totally ok!  The rule of thumb is no more than three metal finishes in one space to not become overwhelming.

Sometimes finding the perfect replacement light fixtures for your house is an easy choice…but then…WHAT SIZE DO YOU BUY? What if it’s too big, or too small? How do you pick the perfect one?

First step is to measure the front door. The height of your door will help determine the height of your lantern or outdoor fixture. PROPORTIONS ARE KEY! Your lantern should be between one-quarter to one-third the height of your door.  If you are just using one lantern (located on the handle size of the door), the piece should be about one-third the height of the door. If two lanterns are used, one on either side of the door, they should be about one-quarter the height of the entry way.

If you are still worried, make a template of each lantern size and tape them to the front of your house!

Charles is helping us out because we believe visual aids are always a great tool when making a decision.

If you are adding/updating all the exterior fixtures around your house, Your front door lanterns should almost always be your largest. This means that your side entry & any fixtures near your garage should be smaller in size. 

Exterior lights can really warm up the entrance and give an inviting look to your home!!