Making Your Mantel a Stunning Focal Point for Your Room

decorate mantle

Your mantel is not just a place to hang holiday stockings. In fact, your mantel can be the center of attention of your room in any season once you understand a few tricks of the trade that transform your mantel into a stunning focal point for your room, like those listed below.

Decorate in Layers

Many people make the mistake of keeping their mantel decorations one dimensional. The rest of your room has multiple layers. Think about it. Your sofa probably has throw pillows and blankets to add layers of color and texture. Should your mantel offer anything less?

This means you can use multiple layers, front to back, to create depth and generate interest in what’s happening on your mantel. In other words, it draws the focus from your family and your guests.

Draw the Eye Up

One of the great things about creating a mantel focal point is the height that’s available to you. Take advantage of all the extra height by using it as an opportunity to draw the eye up!

Use a stunning piece of art, a larger-than-life family portrait, or even a massive clock to fill the space high above your mantel and take advantage of the visual space available to you.

Showcase Who You Are

Ultimately, you’re the person who lives in your home, day in and day out. Let your mantel become a showplace for the things that appeal to you, whether it becomes a photo album sharing your memories or a collection of pretty objects that appeal to you.

It’s your mantel, and you’re the one who will spend more time than anyone else looking at it. Make it appealing to you. Let it tell your story to any and all who would listen.

Finding balance for your mantel and your home often requires a specialized touch. When the time comes to build your home, you need the services of the Vail Valley and Western North Carolina architectural firm, which focuses on building with balance. Contact TAB Associates today to learn more about bringing balance to your mantel and your home.

Upscale Kitchen Designs for Your Home

The kitchen has evolved to where it’s regularly used as a secondary dining area as well as a social gathering spot.

The kitchen has become much more than just a place to cook and clean – it’s now regularly used as a secondary dining area as well as a social gathering spot – you may want to spruce up its design a bit. The following are a few ways that you can create a more upscale kitchen design:

  • Lighting – Don’t just make due with the plain old ceiling light fixture. Lighting is important in the kitchen in more than one way. Not only does it make the kitchen more functional, it makes it more stylish as well. Make a statement by using a pair of chandeliers or unique pendant fixtures above your kitchen island.
  • Cabinets – Go with custom kitchen cabinets that extend to your ceiling for additional storage space, and consider using glass-faced cupboards to show off your dinnerware as well as provide a more elegant feel to your design.
  • Tile Backsplash – The backsplash is an area where you can really let your personality shine. Choose a unique and luxurious tile to really elevate your kitchen’s look.

If you want a thorough guide to kitchen remodeling then try visiting: https://groomandstyle.com/ultimate-guide-kitchen-remodel/

Consider these ideas and be sure to contact us at TAB Associates today for additional advice concerning kitchen designs!

New Luxury Condos to be built near Beaver Creek Colorado

A spectacular 81 unit Condominium Building was designed on a hillside lot in Avon, Colorado.  The lot is 21 acres with 4.2 buildable acres just above Highway 6 just east of Avon Road.  The Avon Planning and Zoning Board gave us straight zoning of Multi-Family which allows 20 units per acre or 84 units maximum and a maximum height of 60 feet.  The building designed has 7 premium one bedroom units averaging 1,203 s.f. each, 39 premium two bedroom units averaging 1,485 s.f. each and 35 premium three bedroom units averaging 2,082 s.f. each.

The project name is Colorado World Resort and is being developed by a group from Denver.  The building consist of a lower level of parking including the Lobby for the project.  The Condominium units can go into the rental pool and can be rented like hotel suites.  This can be very valuable for the Ski Area Beaver Creek which is just 2.5 miles south of the site.  Shuttles are being provided to take residents to the ski areas (Vail is just 9 miles to the east) and to the Eagle County regional airport as well as Denver International Airport.

The grocery store is just over a half mile away, very walkable.  There are over a dozen restaurants within walking distance of the project.  The project consists of 275k s.f. and should cost around $75 million to build.  It has a large swimming pool and 3 spas.

This is the west middle of the building with its large second level plaza.

Here is the entry from Highway 6 in the east middle of the building.

Here is the entire building located just east of the Accent building.  It is about 660 feet long.

Three floors of condominiums above one level of parking.  The pools on the south side of the building area at the second level.

If you have any clients that are Developers that are looking for an Architect, please keep us in mind.  We will do an excellent job that will make you proud for referring us.  Please visit our website to review many other projects we have done over the 20+ years of business.  If you have any questions, please call Tab at (970) 766-1470 ext. 103.

Use Color to Your Advantage to Achieve Architectural Balance

architectural balanceThe effective use of color can elevate the design of your home and help you achieve true architectural balance. Your ability to apply the right hues and shades can have a tremendous impact on the cohesiveness of your design. Innovative color application methods give your interior design a wow factor that makes it stand far apart from the rest. Here are a few ways to use color to your advantage in your interior design.

Perfect Your Palette

A strong color scheme with both complementary and contrasting colors can create a guiding palette for your interior design. While working with neutral base colors, look at the undertones to decide how to best pair different tones to create your ideal palette.

Paint Your Ceilings a Lighter Hue

If you want to beautifully open up the space in your home, paint all your ceilings a slightly brighter or lighter hue than the walls. The lighter ceiling color will help guide the eye upward and effectively expand its perceived boundaries.

Stripe With the 50/150 Rule

To create beautiful stripes on your wall or ceiling, always utilize the 50/150 rule for mixing paint. To follow this rule, create a paint color that is 50 percent lighter and another that is 150 percent darker than your base color. Use these tones to create subtle stripes as a focal point in the room.

Blend Patterns and Solids for Architectural Balance

Although accent walls are divine, a mix of patterns and solids go much further in creating a balanced aesthetic. Consider creatively utilizing paint to create patterns on a single wall area to add texture to your interior design.

When you put color to use for you, it is possible to achieve architectural balance. For assistance in elevating your home design, contact your trusted architectural firm.

Meet Our Team – Norman Angel

Hello, and welcome to my article! I’m Norman Angel, one of the newest members at the satellite North Carolina office! Although I haven’t had the wondrous experience of the mountains of Colorado like my colleagues, I have been subjected to a variety of different environments while growing up. I was born in New Jersey, but spent my childhood in Northwest Indiana (about two hours from Chicago), followed by enjoying my teens in Southern New Jersey (about a half an hour from Philadelphia), and my college years a few miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina. The temporary context in each place has made me into an amalgamation of a Midwesterner, a Northerner, and a Southerner which is great or horrible, depending on who you ask.

Growing up I had always thought I’d be an engineer like my father, but as I got closer to college I realized that creativity/imagination was essential to allow me to be happy with my career. At first glance, architecture seemed to be engineering with more attention on creativity and thus my instinct said it was the “perfect fit”. It wasn’t until my time at the University of North Carolina Charlotte’s School of Architecture that I began to realize what a perfect fit it truly was for me. It’s a place where anyone can find something to love, with the vast variety of overlapping discourses [like philosophy, theory, writing, history, et cetra]. It is an amalgamation like me, and for that I am forever in love with it.

It was after graduation when I had the fantastic opportunity of becoming a TAB Associates, Inc. team member, and it was an offer I could not, nor would not let pass me by. Since then, it has been my own slice of heaven on Earth.  Working with great, talented, sweet, and patient people, doing architecture to be proud of, and being able to be ingrained into the “family” has me waking up with a smile on my face before my eyes can even open.

My professional work is gaining some traction, so I may not have the wonderful experience of sharing what I have done in the architectural field, but knowing that I have experts like Tab and Greg to help me along the way, you can guarantee the work will be phenomenal! (As well as the entire team, that I have had/have not had the pleasure of working with)

As for my last tiddlywink, a peak into my personal life [aside from my “nomadic” life as aforementioned]. My heart has always thumped in excitement for ice hockey, cinema, exploring architecture, doing things with friends (like “Painting with Bob

Ross” at the Bechtler Museum in Charlotte), spending time with my family (my parents and sibling), and trying to keep my good fish friend, Carmine, happy. That brief summary is a little bit vague, but words are always limited! I hope you enjoyed reading about my colleagues and I, but I highly recommend seeing the beautiful work that goes along with us at https://tabassociates.com/!

Looking Ahead: Which Colors Will Be Hot for 2019 Decorating?

Even while others are still basking in the lingering glow of the summer, our trendsetters are already hard at work looking into the future to determine which colors will be hot for decorating in 2019. Trends today are much more global, with everything from Paris Fashion Week to the first lady’s dress informing the look and feel of the coming seasons. Interior design continues to move toward a more minimalistic look and feel; something that resonates well with architects and homeowners alike.

Soft, Sustainable Colors and Styles

Several designers have noted that a more sustainable look and feel has been creeping into design options over the past few months — a trend that is expected to accelerate going throughout the year in 2019. Interior products that are ethnically designed and produced top the charts, and with this shift comes a softer and more subtle style and color palette.

2019 Paint Colors

If 2018 was the year of smoky shades of gray, 2019 is prepping to be a paradise of strong, natural colors. From berries to sage and even dark charcoal, the essence of the color palette leans more toward matte than glossy, more toward neutral than bold. Earth tones are being adopted by all the major paint manufacturers, with deep, rich shades that mesh well with more traditional and natural building materials.

Back to Black

From your little black dress to your kitchen, black is making a comeback — especially in design that features matte black-on-black. The added dimension of the darker shades and bold statements provides an ongoing conversation piece and focal point for your living room or bedroom designs. Kitchens and bathrooms are also seen sporting shades of deep gray or black as an accent to beiges, pinks and golden tones.

Whether you’re prepping for a major home upgrade or building a new house, the 2019 trends are always in fashion at TAB Associates. Learn more about seasonal décor changes and other great options for your home on our blog.

Schedule a consultation today to gain insight on your next project by emailing us at info@tabassociates.com.

4 Ways to Add Subtle Seasonal Changes to Your Decor

Seasonal Changes to Your Decor

As we shift into fall, there’s an impulse to get fully into the spirit of the season — with scented candles, pumpkin spice everything and leaves on every surface. Even though fall has its own feel and décor, the shift from summer to fall can still be subtle, requiring very little work to make the change. Here are a few tips on how to set up your seasonal décor for easy shifts between the seasons.

4 Ways to Add Subtle Seasonal Changes to Your Décor

  1. Keep your seasonal décor flexible. Instead of laying out a huge amount of décor that is specific to individual seasons, look for more general fall-themed options, such as adding apples, leaves, pine cones, burlap, candles and straw.
  2. Shift between seasons by adding a few touches. With school starting, add a few apples to your centerpiece or mantle as summer’s long, slow days shift into fall’s dry, cool weather and falling leaves. As the season continues, add a fall-themed bow to a door wreath or bouquet.
  3. Make subtle shifts from summer to winter. If you can, consider adding acorns earlier in the season and replace them with frosted pine cones later on. You can also create an arrangement of fall flowers in September and replace them with frosted berries around Thanksgiving.
  4. To celebrate holidays, add a few special items that will still work through the rest of the season. A few simple changes can help you recognize holidays without going overboard in the process.

By keeping your décor adaptable to the changes in the seasons, you’ll be able to reduce your overall workload while still making your home look fabulous. Is it the house itself that’s part of your décor problem? Why not find out what our architects can do to make it right for you? Feel free to contact the professionals at TAB Associates today to get started!

Eagle Valley High School

Over the past year, one of the projects I have been working on has been the Construction Administration for the Addition and Renovation of the Eagle Valley High School in Gypsum Colorado. While the school was never closed due to construction, we are in the middle of the final summer push before school resumes for the 2018-2019 school year!

The school went through the demolition of an older section to make room for a new two story science wing and an adjacent courtyard.

The Autoshop class was relocated offsite and the Autoshop building was removed to make room for the additional parking needed for a larger student population.

There is an entirely new building which has a little bit of everything, from a lecture hall to culinary classrooms to a CNA training room. The school is collaborating with the local community college, Colorado Mountain College, for some of these classes.

This is all in addition to extensive renovations to the locker rooms, office administration, and the library.

For me there is a great sense of accomplishment when collaborating with the local schools as you are helping to shape the learning environments of the future generations and perhaps working where my kids will someday attend!

-Warner Hopkins

3 Summer Decorating Tips to Create a Welcoming Space

welcoming summer space

Creating a timeless and welcoming space in your home is something that can easily be achieved with a few simple design tricks, but as the seasons change, it’s always fun to mix it up with your décor choices. As the summer sun brightens up the views in Vail Valley, many homeowners are inspired to make some changes around the house with lighter décor options. Check out a few of our favorite summer decoration tips to get your creative juices flowing.

3 Gorgeous Summer Decoration Tips for Your Home

1. Pare Down

An easy way to make your home feel welcoming on those hot summer days is to think of the space in the same way you would think of a summer vacation rental. Throw open the doors and windows, let the sunshine in by pulling back heavy curtains and get rid of any pieces that are dark or fussy. Store your heavy winter throws and trade them in for pops of colors throughout your home.

2. Amp Up Your Bar

Everyone loves a fresh and fruity summer cocktail or mocktail, so why not make your bar area a focal point for the summer season? With a dedicated refreshment station in your home, you can create a relaxation area that is designed to welcome family and friends inside to grab their favorite summer refreshment.

3. Fill Up the Fireplace

You won’t need to use your fireplace for the next couple of months, so why not transform it for the summer? Stack leftover wood inside or position your favorite candles to make good use of the otherwise unused space. If you’re a fan of more natural décor, you can even frame a large amethyst crystal or hunk of coral inside.

Enjoy a Beautiful and Relaxing Summer in Vail Valley

Interested in learning more about the best architecture to complement your design ideas? Contact our architects at TAB Associates online today for more information!

TAB Associates, Inc. North Carolina Architecture Firm Opens its Doors!

Well, here we are again; time to post in the blog.  Well let me tell you a little something about the new office in western North Carolina!  It is located about 20 miles south of Asheville in Hendersonville.  We are one block from Main Street on Church Street.  We share the building with Glennwood Custom Builders.  They are in Suite A and we are in Suite B.  Here is a picture of the front door.  Actually, the front door is being replaced with a wood door.  We are just waiting on the custom hardware which is a few weeks out.  There is a backlit LED sign to go above the door to match the one in the window.  It will eventually be moved out to the gable end when the building is renovated.New North Carolina Architecture Firm

Later this summer, the building owner is supposed to be renovating the exterior of the building to a design we did for him.

architecture firm exterior

Corten panels above reclaimed siding with heavy timber beam and king posts gables on new stone and timber columns at each entry.  This should be quite the improvement over the green metal mansard and brick veneer existing exterior.

Inside we mixed up the interiors with an ultra-modern reception area and a rustic conference room.  We added a Jim Harrison giclée of one of his famous Coca Cola barns.  Jim was a favorite South Carolina painter from Denmark, South Carolina about 3 hours south of us.

architecture firm interiorarchitecture firm conference room In the work area, we used what we know works and copied the Edwards office for the desks.  We put in a similar Kitchenette, but stayed with the theme in the office and had the cabinets painted a custom color; purple of course.

Now we are marketing to land a few projects.  Then we will start to hire some local talent and train them in the TAB ways.  We started off by joining the Asheville Home Builders Association.  We have recently joined the Land of the Sky Association of Realtors (Asheville’s Board) and the Hendersonville Board of Realtors.  Getting emails out to all of the members announcing the opening of this office was a challenge, but was successful.  Currently we are licensed in Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina and Montana.  We are nationally certified and can be licensed in any state.  If you have any need of an Architect, please contact TAB Associates, Inc.