Category: Interior Design

Cabin Homes Interior Design Ideas

A cabin's well-lived-in appearance encourages you to make use of its interior as you please, whereas its too-perfect counterparts can make you afraid of scratching their finish.
A cabin’s well-lived-in appearance encourages you to make use of its interior as you please, whereas its too-perfect counterparts can make you afraid of scratching their finish.

Made using a combination of stone, wood, and other natural materials, cabins can project a cozy and comfortable atmosphere that is sure to soothe even the most frazzled occupants. With cabins as with other homes, good interior design is essential to ensuring their overall success.

Put these interior design ideas for a cabin style home to good use:

  • Much of a cabin’s charm lies in its well-lived-in appearance. This encourages you to make use of its interior as you please, whereas its too-perfect counterparts can make you afraid of scratching their finish. Both weathered surfaces and warm stained wood are useful for creating this impression of casual comfort.
  • Cabins often come with nooks and crannies that can be turned into functional spaces with built-in furniture. Combined with a window to the outside, such locations make excellent work-spaces.
  • Although wood in its natural colors is useful for creating a warm and welcoming impression, some people like to paint it white for a bright and airy look that is well-suited to crowded spaces.
  • Hardwood flooring is a must, but rugs can balance them with softness.

Please contact us at The Architectural Balance to learn more about the latest trends in interior design for a cabin like appearance.

Add A Touch of Elegance to Your Home With Wooden Ceilings

Much of wood's appeal lies in the rich colors and patterns laid out upon their surfaces, which makes the building material beautiful but not ostentatious.
Much of wood’s appeal lies in the rich colors and patterns laid out upon their surfaces, which makes the building material beautiful but not ostentatious.

In this as in other matters, you can choose out of a number of building materials when it comes to the ceiling of your home. However, if you are interested in something that is both beautiful and elegant without being impractical, there are few choices as good as wooden ceilings.

  • Much of wood’s appeal lies in the rich colors and patterns laid out upon their surfaces, which makes the building material beautiful but not ostentatious. At the same time, wood lends warmth to the room, which is perfect if you are searching for something to sooth the senses.
  • Of course, it is also important to mention that wood is versatile, meaning that not all wooden ceilings have to consist of planks lined up in a row. For example, if you are interested in something more luxurious, then you may be interested in a wooden ceiling with carved details. Alternatively, if you use reclaimed wood, their weathered surfaces can contribute to the creation of a cozier and more comfortable atmosphere.
  • When it comes to wooden ceilings, the possibilities are truly limitless.  Realize that a wooden ceiling will psychologically lower the ceiling height due to its darker than most drywall color and make the room feel more intimate.

To learn more about the benefits of wooden ceilings in custom home design, please contact us at The Architectural Balance.

2014 Architectural Trends

When designing your new home, it’s important to consider not just classic designs and structures, but also modern trends. Here’s a look at some of the hottest architectural trends for 2014, some of which you may want to incorporate into your design.

designing a flex room
Source: TAB Associates

Flex Rooms – Flex rooms are rooms that can have a number of uses. For instance, you could use a room as a dining room when you have guests over, and a library during other hours of the day. All you need to make it happen is some ornate bookshelves, a beautiful table, and the right layout.

Health-Conscious Materials – Hypoallergenic materials and materials that don’t release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air are becoming increasingly popular. Wood stains, paints, and synthetic materials are being disregarded in favor of natural materials like wood and stone.

Innovative Storage Spaces – From drawers that pull out of the staircase, to cubbies hiding behind bookshelves, architects are creating clever ways to stash your items out of sight.

Are you looking for an experienced architect to help design the home of your dreams? Contact TAB Associates, Inc. to learn more about our services.

Interior Design Trends for 2014

Just like personal style, interior design is always changing. New trends are emerging and allowing homeowners to create looks that are truly their own. Here’s a look at a few design trends for 2014 that you may want to consider incorporating into your home.

2014 interior design tips
Source: TAB Associates

Vintage Decor – Unique, vintage furniture and decorations are more popular than ever. There’s just something special about having a chest or chair that you know no one else has — especially when it matches your decor perfectly.

Plenty of Color – Neutral, beige tones are out — at least when they’re not paired with brighter, flashier colors. Loud tones like bright cobalt blue and yellow are very popular right now.

The Rustic Look – From exposed wooden beams in the ceiling, to bedrooms that feel like they’re in a mountain retreat, the cabin-style, rustic look has gained a lot of footing in 2014.

Spa-Style Bathrooms – From walk-in showers, to ornate tile and heated floors, bathrooms are becoming a true place of luxury. Many are made to resemble mountain resorts with natural stone and wood used throughout the designs.

For help incorporating these home design trends into your building plans, contact TAB Associates, Inc.

Tips for Designing the Perfect Luxury Master Bedroom

Those planning to give their bedrooms some new luxury master bedroom features might be interested in some ideas from TAB Associates. The following are just a few ways that you can add some luxury to your bedroom and give your bedroom an attractive new look:

luxury bathroom design
Source: TAB Associates
  • Regional flavor- Depending on where you live, you might find inspiration for bedroom decor in the style of your region. For example, a Southwest decor scheme could feature an adobe appearance, exposed wood beams, and arched windows.
  • Consider skylights- Lighting features have a significant influence over the look and mood of a room, and incorporating some unique or original lighting methods can add to a bedroom’s visual appeal. Skylights on a sloped ceiling are an interesting way to cast your room in a creative light.
  • Minimal furnishings- According to the 20th century architect Mies van der Rohe, “less is more”. You might find your bedroom to be more comfortable if you cut back on superfluous furniture pieces and decor accessories to allow for more open space and simplicity.

Check back with our blog regularly for more great tips on luxury decor for your home.

Contact us for consultation on your luxury master bedroom design project.

 

Mixing Contemporary and Country Architecture

When designing a home, many people fall prey to the idea that they have to choose just one narrow style or design. You can actually create a more interesting and unique home by combining two styles. At TAB Associates, two styles that we love to blend together are contemporary and country. By blending architectural elements of both styles, we create homes that feel both relaxing and updated.

country and contemporary
Source: TAB Associates

Contemporary trends actually are quite easy to blend with country classics. Right now, the minimalist look is in style, so using plain brick or rustic wood siding looks both country-chic and fashionable.

Another way to approach blending these two styles is by building more modern homes in settings that would usually call for dwellings. Recently, we built a modern mountain chalet from rustic materials. It looks soothing and relaxing in the mountain setting, but the inside is spacious and open for modern appeal.

Sometimes it really is all about the materials. We have used board and batten siding, concrete floors, and natural wooden tubs in the past to blend country into the modern trends.

Contact TAB Associates if you’re interested in building a unique home that crosses the lines between two styles.

 

What’s Hot In Luxury Home Architecture

Luxury home design trends are in constant flux. One day a certain material is hot, and the next day, everyone wants something different. Here’s a look at some of the hottest current luxury home trends, which we look forward to continue implementing in our designs.

luxury home design trends
Source: saterdesign.com
  • Windows are certainly hot right now. The more windows in a room, the better. This is especially important if you have a lovely mountain view like many of our clients. We love floor-to-ceiling windows that make you feel immersed in nature.
  • Marble has been en vogue for a while, and it’s not going anywhere. From marble bathroom elements to luxurious kitchens, you can’t have too much of this beautiful stone.
  • Outdoor spaces are also all the rage in luxury home design. More people are spending time on their decks than ever before, so it’s becoming common to build decks with roofs. Luxury outdoor amenities like outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, built-in seating areas, and pools, are also increasing in popularity.

At TAB Associates, we take great pride in staying up-to-date with the latest trends. Contact us if you’re thinking of building a new home; we’d love to offer our input.

 

Luxury Home Trends: His and Hers Master Bathrooms

If you’re building a new home or remodeling yours, one design trend to consider is his and hers bathrooms. This new bathroom style allows you to share bathroom space, while also having your own private space away from your partner.

There are many different ways to adopt the his and hers bathroom configuration. In some homes, the bathroom is divided by a tall, mid-room wall that has a sink on either side of it for each partner. Separate toilets and dressing areas are located on either side of the room. Some his and hers bathrooms offer one shared shower stall or bathtub, while others have two showers.

Some his and hers baths are less divided than others. In one home, the designers placed a single luxury jacuzzi in the middle of the room for shared use, and placed separate sinks and dressing vanities on either side of the room. The symmetrical appearance, as with all his and her baths, is the key to the modern design look.

At TAB Associates, our talented architects can help you integrate the latest home trends into your design. Contact us to discuss your plans today.

Rising Home Trends: Sliding Barn Doors

Many people get stuck on the idea of traditional doors when designing their home, when in fact there are plenty of interesting alternatives. One of the most exciting home design trends is sliding barn doors. Used in your home’s interior, these doors offer many benefits and add a unique element to your decor.

Sliding barn doors allow you to save a lot of space. While traditional doors can take up to 9 square feet of space due to their swinging action, sliding barn doors only take up a few inches. They work well in large rooms where you want to preserve the spacious look. One disadvantage is that they are not as soundproof as traditional doors because they don’t close as tightly, so you’ll want to avoid using them in places where silence is valued.

Sliding barn doors pair well with a rustic home. They can be painted any color you please. Some have vertical panels that look very much like real barn doors, while others are more plain and elegant for your modern home.

Are you looking for qualified architects to help design your home? Contact TAB Associates, Inc. to learn more about our services.

How to Combine Your Laundry, Mud, and Butler Pantry

When building or designing a home, you often have to make compromises between rooms you really want and what’s realistic for your situation. A good way to do this without excluding dreams entirely is to combine rooms into one. Three rooms that you can consider combining are the laundry room, mud room, and pantry.

Everyone tends to want a pantry in their home because of course you need somewhere to store food. Butler pantries offer a great alternative to full-sized pantry rooms, as they’re essentially tall cabinets, and they come in many different varieties. Pick one out that matches your decor, and you’re set to go.

The butler pantry is easily placed within a room that you designate as the mud room and laundry room. Place your laundry facilities on one side of the room, the butler pantry in the corner nearest the kitchen, and use the other side of the room as a “mud room” to store sporting goods, shoes, and more. You just won’t want to get it too muddy since it’s shared use space.

TAB Associates, Inc. is dedicated to helping you find the most efficient designs for your home. Contact our talented architects and designers today.