How to Design an Extravagant Dining Room

Lend some flair and flourish to your home with some ideas from these extravagant dining room designs.
Lend some flair and flourish to your home with some ideas from these extravagant dining room designs.

Time passes while people come and go, but luxury in the home is something that never goes out of style. As a result, if you are interested in lending your home some flair and flourish, you should consider perusing some of the extravagant dining room designs that can be found out there.

Use these tips to create an extravagant dining room:

  • If you find rooms done in a single style to be overbearing and uncomfortable, mix and match with other styles to create a whole that is more than the sum of its parts.
  • The dining room should have soft, warm lighting since it is a place of relaxation, but not all lights are equal to one another. If you have insufficient space for a full-sized chandelier, consider getting one of its miniature counterparts.
  • A gorgeous rug can be the exact element needed to complete the dining room. As a general rule, it should be big enough to host both the dining table and its seating, which is also small enough to contrast well with hardwood flooring.
  • Don’t neglect details such as crown moulding, wainscoting, and ornamental woodcarvings.

To learn more about our services, please contact us at TAB Associates.

Lighting Trends That Will Top in 2015

In contrast to their enormous and extravagant predecessors, mini-chandeliers are perfect for rooms with limited space, ranging from attic bedrooms to even baths and kitchens. That said, their upscale counterparts are also making a comeback.
In contrast to their enormous and extravagant predecessors, mini-chandeliers are perfect for rooms with limited space, ranging from attic bedrooms to even baths and kitchens. That said, their upscale counterparts are also making a comeback.

Lighting can have enormous effect on the comfort of the home, making it a topic of enormous interest to interior designers. As a result, keeping up-to-date about the latest lighting trends is essential to ensuring interior design success.

Here are the top lighting trends in 2015:

  • LEDs are becoming more and more practical, making them the lighting of choice for more and more homeowners. Of particular note is the increasing interest in outdoor LEDs as a result of the increasing interest in outdoor living.
  • Warm colors have come into fashion, bringing with them a renewed interest in metallic, copper-colored fixtures.
  • In contrast to their enormous and extravagant predecessors, mini-chandeliers are perfect for rooms with limited space, ranging from attic bedrooms to even baths and kitchens. That said, their upscale counterparts are also making a comeback.
  • Sources of light have started popping up in all sorts of unexpected spaces to enhance their ease of use. Examples include but are not limited to both cabinets and showers.
  • More and more homeowners want their lights incorporated into their home security systems for superior protection. At the same time, their wireless setup also results in increased convenience.

Please contact us for more useful information.

Modern Interior Trends for 2015

Eco-friendly materials like stone, metal, and wood are becoming more and more popular in interior design.
Eco-friendly materials like stone, metal, and wood are becoming more and more popular in interior design.

As the times change, the prevailing fashions change with them. Interior design is no exception to this rule, meaning that successful interior design is reliant on keeping up with the latest in interior design trends.

Here are some of the interior design trends that promise to be big in 2015:

  • Eco-consciousness has become more and more important, so it should come as no surprise to learn that natural materials such as stone, metal, and wood are becoming more and more popular in interior design.
  • Likewise, interest in natural themes has exploded. Examples range from vivid colors and floral decorations to indoor water features and larger windows to let in the light.
  • More and more interior designers are mixing old and new styles to create stunning but nonetheless comfortable spaces. The combination of the rustic and the retro with the classic and the luxurious makes for excellent complements and contrasts.
  • At the same time, spaces are becoming more versatile to cater to a range of needs.

Please check out our projects to see how we can put these and other design trends to good use. If you have other inquiries related to our services, please contact us at your earliest convenience.

Tips to Hiring An Interior Designer

An experienced designer can help you find elements that coordinate well, fit into your budget, and will remain in style for years to come.
An experienced designer can help you find elements that coordinate well, fit into your budget, and will remain in style for years to come.

If you want to create a space that it as functional as possible while also expressing your own personal style, hiring an interior designer is almost essential. An experienced designer can help you find elements that coordinate well, fit into your budget, and will remain in style for years to come. Follow these tips to hire a great designer:

  • Seek out a designer who will work with you and listen to your ideas rather than taking over the entire process.
  • Decide how you want to use the space you are decorating, and share this information with designers up front. This is the most important element designers will need to know in order to come up with ideas that will work for your space.
  • Talk to several designers, and only hire one that’s easy to get along with and professional. You’ll need to interact with this person regularly, so it’s important that you’re compatible.
  • Don’t be afraid to tell your designer if you don’t like certain ideas. He or she should accommodate your preferences by making changes when requested.

Contact TAB Associates to learn more about our architecture and interior design services.

Allow TAB Associates to Upgrade Your Home Office

Our architects are experts at designing office spaces that work with you, rather than against you, by integrating these and other design ideas.
Our architects are experts at designing office spaces that work with you, rather than against you, by integrating these and other design ideas.

Upgrading your home office can increase your productivity and make you more comfortable in your workspace. Our architects are experts at designing office spaces that work with you, rather than against you, by integrating these and other design ideas:

  • A good home office offers plenty of space, so clients can take a seat if they stop by for a visit.
  • When placing the furniture in the room, it’s essential to consider workflow. Do you move from the computer to a writing desk often? If so, the pathway between the two should be open. Do you frequently grab books of a bookshelf? Then, making that shelf easily accessible is essential.
  • Forget about bland, boring colors, and paint your home office a color that you find relaxing and inspiring. You’ll be more creative in a space with lively color. Try seafoam green, orange, or even cobalt blue.
  • Place your office in a space where there’s a great view out the window. Sometimes, you need to stare into a beautiful outdoor space to give your ideas time to develop and to give your eyes a rest.

Are you looking for Vail architects to help create the perfect home office? Contact TAB Associates; we’d love to help.

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.

Plans to Build Your Own Home? Follow These Tips to Get Started

If you want to live in a home that fits your dreams and expectations in every way, then building your own home is a great choice. However, the process can be difficult if you don’t approach it in the right way. Follow these tips to build your own home successfully.

3D home rendering
Source: TAB Associates
  • Pick the right land. Consider the school district, access to public spaces, the community, neighbors… anything you’d consider if moving into an existing home. You’ll also need to look at grading and topology to make sure it will work with the style of home you wish to build.
  • Hire an excellent builder. Get plenty of references, and get a few estimates before choosing someone. You need a builder who is easy to work with, and who is clear about what’s included in their services and what is not. Make sure your builder is licensed.
  • Have your plans drawn up by an architect. Even if you choose stock plans rather than custom plans, you’ll know that everything is properly laid out. Choose an architect with plenty of experience designing residential structures.

To discuss your custom home plans and start building your dream home, contact the architects at TAB Associates, Inc.

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 Building a Cabin Home

Whether you plan to use it as a vacation home or as your primary dwelling, a log cabin home can create feelings of comfort and warmth. Use these tips when building a cabin home that’s perfect for your family.

building a log cabin
Source: TAB Associates
  • Don’t overlook the importance of log selection. All wood is not created equal. The better the logs you use to construct your cabin, the more attractive it will be and the longer it will last.
  • Remember to account for the settling of the wood when planning keyways, slip joints, and window installations.
  • Wiring a log home is not exactly like wiring a traditional drywall home. Hire an electrician who has experience working with log cabins for best results.
  • Get off to the right start with the right buildings plans. Work with an experienced architect to design a custom cabin, or purchase pre-made plans.
  • Remember that building codes may specific what you can and cannot do with your cabin’s structure. If you work with an architect who has experience building cabins, he or she should be familiar with these restrictions.

Contact the experts at TAB Associates, Inc. if you’re looking for help designing the perfect log cabin home.