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Archive for October, 2016

As a designer I must admit I am addicted to design trends and 2017 is quickly approaching.. I think now is a great time to start exploring what trends are already shining through:

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Organic color pallets – Muted, blues and greys still shining, with more organic and natural influences this years pallet will have deep greens, deeper greys and steel blues. There Back…..Deeper Jewel Tones! Deep colors are the best way to kick up a traditional space.

Archiexpo

Cork – As a designer I am very attracted to natural texture. Cork does double duty. It creates warmth in rooms while adding texture. To add another excellent element to this already shinning star, cork absorbs noise in our increasingly open and larger homes. In a home office or luxurious bedroom this trend is often a overlooked design element. Cork brings a unique story to any part of your home. The natural but soft texture of cork complements every style.

home-bar-1Home Bars – This latest home trend raises the bar on what was once considered only for the uber wealthy. Home bars are now becoming the norm.  At the end of a tough day at work, coming home and popping open a beer or decanting a glass of wine is a great way to unwind, but there’s just something special about making a cocktail at the bar.

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Vintage goes Modern – In design, what goes around comes around. … start heading on over to your local vintage furniture store now to grab some great finds. Burled wood of the art deco period, classic campaign furniture and other vintage looks were front and center at High Point again this fall. Historic pieces and mid century modern are still going strong.

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Upholstered headboards – Expect more of this glamorous look, with luxurious fabrics and tufted bed heads. This trend is very versatile, and fits into any room. Nail head’s to tufted buttons, upholstered headboards are an instant way to update your boudoir. Tailored lovely and very desirable!

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Terracotta – The color is already prominent in fashion trend this fall, but this is not your mamas tile! Tiles with a matte finish are used on feature walls and fireplaces. The tiles are bordered and in uniquely warmer hues with added texture.

With only a few months left in 2016, trends in 2017 for your home are already arising! Forecasters and designers are rolling in with the newest and hottest trends for your luxury home. So if you’re thinking about or already renovating or building your own luxury home, these are some trends to look out for. Come visit me at the Home Expo for your renovation projects, let the pro’s help you, stop in and see me for some inspiration! in booth 328.  We have a variety of experts on hand to talk to, so bring your ideas and let them help you complete your list.

Stay tuned as always for more Adventures in Styleland…

 

XOXO

M

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dishwasher-ad-dishgruntled

 

 

josephine-cochranIn 1886, Josephine Cochran invented the first dishwasher, effectively bringing peace to a country torn by Civil War. Unfortunately Josephine would never see how innovative her dishwasher was because it wasn’t until the 1950″s that dishwashers became a standard kitchen appliance to the delight of housewives everywhere.

 

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017_13J_dishwasher graphicTo achieve a cleaner outcome, start with how you pack the dishwasher. Dishes should face toward the middle of the unit, and bowls and cups should face down to make the most efficient use of the sprayer. Your glasses should go between the tines, not over, otherwise they could break. Pre-sort your silverware to make unloading that much easier.

 

Lastly, scrape plates before loading, and don’t bother rinsing detergents are designed to attack stuck-on grime, and will make your glasses cloudy if there is no food to attack. Dishwashers are designed to catch food, most models have their own food dispenser. Rinsing can waste both water and time. DO NOT over pack the dishwasher otherwise you might have to re-run the cycle!

Blast Off To The Stars!

Investing in an Energy Star certified dishwashers can save water, energy, and ease your utility bills. Energy Star dishwashers cap out at 5.8 gallons per cycle and only use half the electricity of the older models. As a comparison,  running your faucet for one minute uses about 1 gallon of water along with the electricity to heat it.

Bells and Whistles!

 

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There are a few tips and tricks that can make your dishwasher habits even easier. For instance, use a magnet to mark whether the dishwasher’s contents are dirty or clean, so your minions know when its time to unload. Unload the bottom rack first otherwise the water from the top rack could splash on your sparkly clean bottom dishes as you unload.

 

 

Do you know all the items that you can clean in your dishwasher-clean-itemsdishwasher, click on this link for POP SUGAR to see 30 everyday things from your greasy range fan filter to contact cases. Keep your dishwasher fresh by tossing a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the empty unit and run a normal cycle. Lastly, don’t forget to clean the dishwasher seals and trap every once in a while.

With these tips and tricks, you can speed up the time you spend doing dishes, and save money in the process!

Stay Tuned for more Adventures in Styleland..

XOXO

M

 

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Living in Upstate NY there are many historic farm homes that were built with excellent architecture. Large wooden beams and coffered ceilings make farmhouse design alluring today. With a revival of Rustic design and rich heritage of older homes and estates in upstate New York,  this style is a marriage made in heaven! I’ve put together some steps to follow to create beautiful, functional upscale farmhouse designs. To start the Journey…

Stay Neutral

Use a neutral pallet of light and airy colors to create a calming and casual atmosphere. When you do add color make it  a soothing green or sea-mist blue that adds a touch without too much pop. Soft shades of brown, black, grey, tan, beige and white are used quite often to ground the whole design concept.

farmhouse-painted-coffered-ceiling

Blending History and Current design

Mix together old furnishings, new fabrics and colors to keep your look fresh, but inviting. Even if you don’t currently own true antiques you can fake it. Use Distressed furnishings and sanded off painted surfaces to give the look of worn out furniture that has a story to tell.  Pull vintage farm equipment into the décor and give each piece a new purpose. Think outside of the box when decorating your home using old plates, glass jars, used books, dressers as vanities, trunks as coffee tables and more.

farmhouse-bedroom

Using Fresh Flowers and Greenery

Pulling in greenery from your yard adds character and beautiful texture to warm up a room. Options includes indoor plants, twigs, branches, succulents, herbs, flowers, pine cones. Use them in pots, clear vases, and more. Whether real or fake, this is a staple farmhouse décor.

farmhouse-greenery-kitchen-pinecones

Adding Texture

Shiplap wood ceilings, stone accents, barn wood floors, milk glass, linen pillows, antiqued tables, textured mirrors and much more. There should always be abundance of texture in farm inspired homes.  Even if you don’t own a home with brick walls or wood floors you can add in texture through your furnishings. When it comes to farmhouse style, there are guidelines but no hard and fast rules. You may enjoy anything from metal barn lights and industrial chandeliers, to classic mason jar pendants. The common thread that all farmhouse style shares is the antique, casual and streamlined design.

farmhouse-shiplap-ceilings

Finding Time … Clocks

Amazingly unique wall clocks have wowed you, designers strategically place them everywhere in farmhouse design. Incorporating gorgeous antique (or antique looking) clocks to remind us of times past. Here aged leather chairs and the right accessories, invite you to sit and pass the time away..

farmhouse-clock

What is a perfect farmhouse home? In my opinion its architecture and construction that fits naturally into the topography while offering beautiful inspired interiors that transform outdated spaces into Old World themed treasures. Treatments such as coffered ceilings, crown molding and transom glass windows enhance the warm farmhouse inspired designs….

 

As Always stay tuned for more Adventures in Styleland..

 

XOXO

Michele

 

 

 

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cedar-pergola-with-grill

As time passes our family home matures. Trees Grow and so do the children. The landscape gets worn, and gone are the swing sets.  Our needs and uses for the outdoor space have changed.  Priorities often change, and our children leave the nest. We find ourselves with more free time to relax and enjoy our home. Being cooped up inside during the cold winter months especially here in upstate New York, is not our idea of enjoyment. Maximizing the space in your back yard is one way to enjoy it year round, even when your sitting inside looking out.

curtis-lumber-outdoor-space

With the intent to extend the living space beyond the walls of your home, Curtis Lumber has many options to design an outdoor space suited for your needs. Here they have designed a comfortable space for friends and family to enjoy each other’s company while dining on a delicious meal cooked on the built in grill. The granite countertop surrounding the grill allows the family to keep everything they need for a cookout close by. While relaxing under the free standing pergola this family also enjoys many intimate evenings in the hot tub under the stars. To complete the look they have updated the landscaping with young shrubbery chosen for its low maintenance and eventual privacy value.

Visit Curtis Lumber at the Home Expo this year or stop by their showroom in Ballston Spa for their Outdoor Kitchen  display. Ask Curtis about Cambridge pavingstones, wallstones and outdoor livingrooms. Cambridge products are distinguishable value and quality.

Terra Mira Curtis Lumber Kitchen 6 .JPG

Terra Mira built this outdoor display for Curtis Lumber. Contact them before the snow flies so your outdoor space can get started.

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Give Terra Mira a call, 518 337-0501,  they can make your outdoor space happen within your budget.

 

Enjoy some new projects happening for fall from  Duke and Hal at Terra Mira….

 

terra-mira-outdoor-project-3Hardscape lighting:  Cambridge LED lights meets the latest technological advancements in the lighting industry with a wide range of outdoor lighting, The lighting kits come complete with Remote Dimmer and patented Easy Plug™ Installation System allowing fixtures to be daisy chained together without cutting or splicing.

Steps and Stairs: Durable stone stairs from Cambridge offer both beauty and convenience in addition to being a more affordable substitute for bluestone. The choice of colors, inspired from their natural counterparts, along with the variety of stylish options will coordinate nicely with styles and colors of Cambridge Outdoor Living Products.

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Stay tuned to see the finished patio..and for more Adventures in Styleland!

XOXO

M

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It’s time for the largest Home Expo trade show in the upstate area and we are delighted to be back. Mark your calendar starting February 10-12, 2017, Save the date! As always we’re talking design, trends and new innovative products. Our home improvement and home remodeling show is a wonderful place to get really great ideas for your next home improvement or home remodeling project. At The Times Union Home Show you can find highly qualified companies to help you tackle your home improvement and home renovation needs.

Perhaps you have an event happening this year, feeling your home is in need of improvement, it may be time to seriously consider remodeling areas of your home or even adding to it!

What’s hot this year in design??? The latest trend is Master Bathroom renovations. A (bath)room with a view, bathrooms are now occupying prime window space in many homes.master-bathroom-with-view

Everybody wants to relax at the end of the busy day. The best way to feel relaxed is to chill in your bathtub. After all, the bathroom is a quiet, private and relaxing space.

Luxury Bathroom upgrades grow more expensive and more lavish in 2017. As much as $350 billion in 2016 will be poured into home remodeling’s, additions and improvements, according to the American Institute of Architects 2016 spending projections released late last year. That’s up from $ 325 billion in 2015 and more U.S. homeowners are opting for luxury bathrooms over other rooms in the house, even kitchens.

large-master-bath

With near record low interest rates that encourage mortgage refinancing (the lowest since the record low set in November of 2012), many homeowners are going bigger on renovations and remodeling than ever before.

This architectural tub by MTI is the centerpiece of this master bath. Black and white color theme gives contrast against a palette of whites and creams, with Asian-influenced details.

freestanding-tub-spa-like-feel-in-this-master-bath

The freestanding tub gives a spa like feeling to the bathroom. The tub filler gives a tradition and elegant look to the tub area. One of the most impressive luxurious bathroom ideas, don’t you think?

I look forward to seeing everyone again this year at The Home Expo 2017, in the Times Union Center. Stop by my booth and say “Hello” I’m located in Booth #328!

As always Stay Tuned for more Adventures in Styleland…

XOXO

M

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