Tag: tips

Use Metal Wall Art and Statues to Elevate Your Interior Decor

Metal adds shine and draws the eye, but it can also bring an earthy warmth, especially in rooms with a larger scale (high ceilings, large square footage) that you want to humanize and add depth too. Small or larger sculptures bring corners to life and can help you divide an open floor plan into sections. Few things bring Vail Valley architecture to life better than decorative touches and flourishes.

Large Rooms

If you want to go big in your larger living area, display Roman, Grecian or Western sculptures in bronze, copper or warm alloys near furniture grouped in the center of the room. The sculpture draws the eye, which then flows to a welcoming seating area. Create other seating areas with two or three chairs paired with a small beverage or side table and echo smaller art in the same metal or sheen to add a cohesive look.

Metal Wall Art

The possibilities here are endless. Natural subjects such as trees and sun shapes bring a peaceful ambiance to any room, and large metal sculptures incorporating plant and animal designs look great on tall or long walls and enhance your home’s architectural balance. If you’re looking for something more modern, try photos or modern art transferred onto metallic bases. These multimedia pieces let you add pops of color and contrast with traditional furniture.

Geometric Art

To add interest to your dining area, try large metal wall art with geometric patterns, such as triangles or rectangles. You can achieve a similar effect by grouping four pieces of the same size and shape into a square pattern. Whether you stick with burnished coppers or brushed nickel or go with a painted metal design, this standout material is sure to draw comments and compliments from friends and family.

Combining metal art and sculpture with other natural materials, such as wood, helps you craft an interior design in tune with nature and your personal style.

If you’re looking for an architectural firm in Vail Valley or Western North Carolina, schedule a consultation with TAB Associates to learn how we help you achieve an open floor plan in your existing home.

3 Finishing Touches That Add Polish to Any Family Living Space

Not everyone can afford a home with a separate Family Room.  If you’re like many modern homeowners who are raising a family, it’s essential that your main living space is kid-friendly — and this sometimes means that style and polish need to be sacrificed in favor of functionality. Fortunately, those who find themselves longing for a bit more of a “pulled-together” look have design options available! The following are just three of the many ways that you can retain the kid-friendly aspects of your living room while cultivating an ambiance pleasing to adults.

Use Hidden Storage

The presence of toys, puzzles, games and books make any living room look messy. Hidden storage provides a place for these items to be quickly put away when the time comes for the adults to use the room. Chairs, couches, end tables and coffee tables with drawers under them are doing double duty. Baskets hung on the wall or a nice chest contribute to an attractive aesthetic while providing a place to stash toys and other items. All of these make it super easy to transform the play area into an adult living room in just a few minutes.

Create an Open Floor Plan

An open floor plan provides ample room for kids to play and is easy to clean up once the fun is over for the day. It also allows everyone to be in the room at the same time without feeling overly crowded. Pull it together with an overstuffed sectional sofa, which serves as a focal point and is easily rearranged when the occasion calls for a different seating style.

Include a Gallery Wall

Kids love to see their artwork hanging in family living spaces, but just slapping it up haphazardly creates a sloppy look. A gallery wall where artwork is organized provides polish to your living room and allows budding artists an area to show off their work! You are not limited to the front of the refrigerator, by any means!

Our Vail Valley and Western North Carolina architectural firm helps homeowners create balanced living environments on a regular basis! Please contact our office for more information.

3 Ways to Utilize Lighting to Highlight Your Interior Design for Vail Valley Architectural Balance

wood accents

You can boost the function, aesthetics and comfort of your home with quality lighting placed in the right areas. With great lighting, you can accentuate the interior design elements you appreciate most and achieve architectural balance anywhere. The light fixtures can also improve how the space is used and the comfort level of everyone in the household. To get started, consider utilizing the three following ways to utilize lighting to highlight your interior design.

Strategic Spotlights

When you want to highlight a gorgeous artistic architectural element in your home, you can use strategic spotlights to help draw the eye to that area. The spotlights can add dramatic flair to your space and keep all eyes on your favorite focal point. Mounting spotlights on the ceiling or the walls can make a big impact.

Recessed Light Fixtures by Your Architects in Vail Valley

With recessed light fixtures, you can allow other design elements to stand out without having to compete with the fixtures. The recessed fixture adds light to any area you want without taking up a lot of space. Vail Valley architects can help you arrange the light fixtures to best highlight areas you want to to be a focal point in your room.

Artistic Pendants

With artistic pendant lights, you can add a bit of flair to any room in your house. When made from blown glass, the pendant lights can even act as a focal point on their own. You can situate these pendant fixtures over eating spaces and other areas where you need a little bit of focused light.

You can achieve architectural balance in your home by focusing on improving the lighting throughout each room. Get started today by contacting TAB Associates to learn more.

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.

Best Interior Decorating Secrets to Highlight Your Home’s Architecture

interior design secrets

If you’re like most people, chances are you like to update the interior décor of your home every once in a while. Unfortunately, as you may know from experience, interior decorating is often much harder than it looks. While you may have a good idea of what type of look you’re going for, you may be uncertain in terms of how to achieve this look. Here are two of the best interior decorating secrets that will make your life a lot easier.

Layering

Professional interior designers know rich and interesting spaces tend to feature layering, or pieces of décor on top of other décor. A common example of layering is having framed art lean on top of other framed art. An interior designer may also pair stacks of books with small trinkets to add more layers to a room.

When it comes to layering, a common concern that homeowners have is that there’s no point in putting things in a space if you can’t see them in their entirety. However, one major point of layering is to create a sense of mystery in a space. Don’t be afraid to obscure almost the entirety of an art piece by placing a lamp or plant in front of it. Not only will it make your guests eager to explore your home, but it may even make you feel as if there are things you have yet to discover in your own home.

Negative Space

The power of negative space is another interior décor secret that many professionals take advantage of. Believe it or not, the empty space in a room can be just as important as the actual décor.

The main goal of designing a space is to make it feel and look as balanced as possible. While it’s important that you don’t skimp on furniture, accessories, and art so that a space doesn’t feel exciting and full, you also want to avoid using so much décor that a room feels stuffed and overwhelming.

Taking advantage of negative space and layering is a great way to achieve design balance. For more information about the best architecture to complement your design ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out to our architects here at Tab and Associates!

How Architectural Elements Can Make a House Feel Like a Home

architectural balance

Balance in a home is important. Balance does not have to mean symmetry; it can mean a sense or feel of balance where one element balances another element. Architectural balance is an idea that has been put forth by some  architects in the work they do, and a recent study confirms it.

A House vs. a Home: The Balance of Vail Valley Architecture & Psychology

A study in Australia revealed that one’s psychological state and association of home is directly related to architectural balance. The physical nature of a place can have a significant impact on the dweller’s perception of the place, whether the dweller deems the place a home or just a house. Here are three takeaways from this study.

  1. Traditionally, the concept of home has always been perceived as a psychological construct of our human condition taken from our personal and social lives and our memories. The home was something our minds created through what we perceived to be a home. But now, we know home is both a psychological and architectural concept. Both are intrinsically connected.
  2. Architecture impacts a person’s psyche and has a direct impact on the perception of what a home is or means. The architecture of a structure can — if designed accordingly — positively impact the occupant of the structure and create a connection with it. On the other hand, if the architecture poses no stimulation, the mind is not stimulated and a connection to the structure is not made. The structure, therefore, is just a structure, a place where one lays his or her hat, and that’s all.
  3. The balance between architectural design and psychology is what helps make a house a home. Architectural balance lends itself to this effort through the proper distribution of aesthetically appealing architectural design and elements.

Architects work to bring balance to any house so you have yourself a home, and that’s something you live in with peace of mind. Contact TAB Associates today to assist you in the design of your dream home!

How to Choose the Right Window Treatments for Your Home

choose window treatments

In general, the homes we design are done so with no window coverings in the main rooms of the home.  We believe the outside environment should be brought inside and that God provides the art, en plein air art, if I may.

But for those rooms which need window coverings, you have so many choices when it comes to window treatments for your home! Rather than letting that overwhelm or confuse you, there are simple and effective ways to narrow down your choices and add much to your home’s décor and functionality through window treatments. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when you’re deciding on window treatments.

Style of Home

Think about the style of your home when thinking about what window treatments would be best for your home. For example, if your home is modern and sleek, you might choose something different than the window treatments in a home that’s traditional and country style.  You may want window coverings that are automated and motorized.  For your best and most satisfying results, work with architects who can help to streamline this process and narrow down your options.

Color of Décor

The color you typically use in your décor, your color scheme, will likely help to steer you toward the type of window treatments that are suited to your home. For example, you might choose a different window treatment if you want bold patterns than if you are using light, subtle and solid colors.

Functionality

What window treatments you choose to use will vary based on functionality, such as if you need window treatments to block out light, provide privacy and just add a special design accent to the room.

Budgetary Needs

You likely have a budget for your decorating and design, including window treatments. First, consider what budget you have to work within when deciding what window treatments would be possibilities for you. There are a surprising number of choices in a pretty wide price range.

With these tips in mind, you’ll likely be more certain about the best window treatments for you. And if you need further assistance with design, call us at TAB Associates, Inc. today to learn how we can design the home of your dreams!

How to Choose the Right Rug for a Room

bedroom with rug

Whether you’re moving into a new home or you simply want to spruce up an old room in your house, a rug is a great way to add a nice touch to just about any room design. Unfortunately, if you’re not an interior stylist, it can be difficult to select a rug that truly suits the aesthetics of a room. Here are a few tips that should help you choose the right rug for your home.

Consider the Floor Plan

When buying a rug, the first thing you should consider is the floor plan of the room. Based on the floor plan, you should choose an appropriate size and location for the rug. Some common layouts for a room include the classic layout, the floating layout, and the dining layout.

For example, a room possesses a classic layout if the sofa and chairs are against the wall. For this layout, it is ideal to purchase a rug that is large enough to fit under the front legs of all the sofas and chairs. It may be necessary to rearrange the furniture in your room to achieve the desired look with the rug.

Think About Foot Traffic

You should also think about how much foot traffic the room receives. Different materials offer different advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the material you decide on for your ideal rug should be based on the type of room the rug is intended for as well as the amount of foot traffic said room receives.

Due to low foot traffic, rugs for dining rooms and bedrooms typically don’t need to be as durable. On the other hand, rugs in the hallways should be both durable and dark in color due to high foot traffic.

As you may know from experience, choosing the perfect rug for a room can be an ordeal. For more information about room and home design, you should consider reaching out to TAB Associates, an architectural firm that can help with the home of your dreams!

3 Reasons to Finish Your Wood Décor

wood entryway

The wood in your home, such as wood flooring, with the addition of wood furniture, add dimensions of warm colors to any home.  Add that to a home designed by a top Vail Valley architectural firm, and you’ll have a beautiful home with rustic charm.  It’s important to properly finish your wood decor, especially in the Vail Valley area to keep the architectural balance of the home for years to come.

Keeping Wood Decor Clean

One reason to finish your wood decor is practicality.  Wood is porous, which means there is room for dirt, dust, and microorganisms to live.  Dust and microorganisms can cause health issues, especially for those with allergies.  A quick remedy is to finish the wood in your home.  Wood flooring takes on the majority of household activities, and the architects in Vail Valley understand the importance of a high-quality finish with a proper seal!

Stabilizing Wood Décor

Many do not think about finishing wood décor as a necessity to stabilize the wood material.  Wood is naturally unstable because it is able to absorb and release moisture from its environment.  As you may know, wood absorbing and releasing moisture will cause it to swell and shrink.  Untreated wood swelling and shrinking will lead to splitting, warping and overall deterioration over time.

Adding Beauty and Warmth

Finishing a home’s wood décor adds natural beauty, color and warmth.  Wood has its own depth of beauty unique to each piece that is easily brought out by finishing.  From new flooring to an antique piece of furniture, finishing will add a variety of warm colors to your home that easily blends together.  Create a gorgeous home effortlessly.

If you’re dreaming about a new home, imagine yourself entertaining and relaxing in a home with beautifully finished wood décor.  Contact a professional architect today to start making your dream a reality!

Want to view more of our work, with luxurious features complemented by a beautiful babbling brook? See this article from Mountain Living.

4 Tips To Help Maintain Beautiful Hardwood Flooring

game roomHardwood floors bring a warm glow and elegance to any space. Whether you enjoy the luster of sturdy 18th Century flooring or contemporary hardwoods, it’s important to take a few precautions to protect their natural beauty from scratches and scuff marks. Our Vail Valley architectural firm understands the importance of vibrant living and work spaces. Consider these simple preventative measures to help maintain your floor’s long-lasting glow.

Pad Furniture Legs

One the most common ways that wood floors get scratched is from moving furniture across them. By fixing felt or other soft pads on the bottoms of chair legs, coffee tables and heavy pieces of furniture, wood-to-wood contact can be avoided.

Rugs and Carpets

Strategic use of floor coverings adds ambiance and mitigates impact on high traffic areas. A beautiful wood floor looks a little less so when some areas appear more worn out than others. Entryways, hallways and sinks can benefit from a little colorful foot traffic padding.

Shoe Check

Creating a place and policy that shoes come off and remain in mud rooms or by the door helps keep your space clean and avoids tracking grit across polished flooring. Obviously, foot traffic creates the most floor contact and wear. Think about all the potential scratches rolling through that door, from kids’ sports cleats to work boots to high heels. A solid shoes-off program will reduce the potential need for refinishing work.

Regular Maintenance

Hardwood floors enjoy tremendous strength, but the lovely sheen that gives them the warm glow may be subject to wear from everyday dirt, liquids and harsh cleaners. Sweep floors regularly and don’t allow spills to settle for very long. Everyday wear and tear may not cause permanent damage, but it will make your floors look unnecessarily dull. Select only cleaners designed to interact with wood floors.

We hope these suggestion prove valuable. If you are interested in professional services, contact our architects today!