Choosing Wood Accents to Beautify Your Home

wood accents

Wood is undeniably one of the most versatile materials used to achieve architectural balance in a home. Homeowners that partner with an architectural firm in Vail Valley can expect a pleasing selection of interior design elements to create a contemporary, minimalist, modern, or Scandinavian decor. The success of any decorating scheme will ultimately depend upon the right architectural balance of textures and beauty, which TAB Associates can help you achieve in your own home.

Choosing Wood Accents to Beautify Your Home

Wood accents are perfect for adding beauty and warmth to a home, while also providing the right balance of texture. Soft surfaces like upholstery and carpeting benefit from a good balance of wood accents. Here are three wood accents that will add architectural balance to your home:

  • Natural Wood Interior Trim – Instead of painted wood at baseboards, choose a wood stain that contrasts or blends with the surrounding decor to immediately create visual interest or contrast with a touch of warmth.
  • Chair Rails and Crown Molding – This will break up the areas of monotone, especially in larger rooms such as dining room and great rooms. Either of these wood accents can be used create divisions between different wall colors or textures—such as a transition between a painted surface and wallpaper.
  • Wood Mantles and Built-Ins – Choosing wood for mantles as opposed to stone or brick versions will usher in a traditional feel and add contrast to contemporary decors. Built-in entertainment centers and bookcases which feature warm wood species will help minimize the visual transition.

Discover the difference an architectural firm can make by creating a distinct balance utilizing the form, function, and beauty of wood accents. TAB Associates have over 30 years of experience in the planning and design layout of residential and commercial interiors and exteriors in Vail, Colorado.

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.

Tips on Finishing Wood With Stain

wood headboardVail Valley architects love to include natural wood in their designs. Whether you’re finishing a new project or bringing life to an old piece, wood stain is the perfect way to get a smooth finish that enhances the natural character of the wood.

Prepare the Surface

Start by sanding the entire piece with 100-grit sandpaper, paying close attention to blemishes and rough spots to achieve a smooth surface. If you have large, flat areas to sand, a random orbital sander can speed up the task. Then, make sure all floors and nearby surfaces are cleaned as stirred up dust will land on your finish and stick. Once the area is clean, wipe down the wood with a tack cloth to be sure it’s spotless.

Apply Stain

Stir the stain well, but avoid shaking as that may cause bubbles. Use a natural-bristle brush to apply stain with the grain, making sure to use plenty of product so it can soak into the wood for a few seconds. Then, using a cotton rag, wipe off excess stain in the order you applied it. Use plenty of rags for even removal.

Seal and Finish

Once the stain is dry, apply a sanding sealer with a natural-bristle brush in the direction of the grain. When you reach an edge, quickly brush back lightly across the piece to eliminate brush marks. Once dry, lightly sand with a 280-grit sanding pad until all surfaces are smooth. Lastly, apply an oil-based varnish using the same technique.

Practice Makes Perfect

If you’re new to staining wood, try a practice run on a scrap piece to get a feel for the products and brushes. That way, you’ll be more confident and get better results when you do the final piece.

Want to incorporate wood into the look and feel of your home? Call TAB Associates to learn how we can integrate plenty of natural wood into your next home design.

5 Benefits of Designing With Wood

The architects at TAB Associates have been at the helm of many incredible wood designs. If you are thinking of designing or upgrading your next property with wood elements, take a look at 5 of the top benefits of designing with wood, here:

Infrastructure

Materials that are supposedly stronger than wood actually have a disadvantageous effect to heat. Wood actually dries when heated (not to a burning temperature, of course) and strengthens the infrastructure of your home.

Insulation

If you are building with glass, marble, aluminum or steel, you are working with materials that conduct heat exponentially faster than wood. Conducting heat means more energy leakage and more money spent on heating your home. Wood actually helps you save money in this regard—quite a lot of money over the life of a home.

A Quicker Build

Using wood is cheaper than alternative materials, and the job gets done more quickly as well. Master home manufacturers can erect a 1,000 square foot wooden home in 7 days. If you are looking to save money on labor costs while maintaining the quality of the building, use wood wherever you can.

Wood is Green

For every cubic meter of wood that you use in your construction, you save 0.8 tons of carbon emissions to the environment. Basically, every piece of wood that you are using in your home is helping to save the environment, no matter how small the construction.  Also, it is a renewable resource, as a forest can grow back after harvest.

Easily Modified

The different types of wood allow for a great deal of variety in design decisions—you currently have around 5,000 different types to choose from. Wood is also one of the easiest materials to modify once it has been set as the infrastructure of a piece of real estate.

For an architectural firm that can help perfect your wood designs, call the dedicated experts at TAB Associates. We look forward to helping you create the residence of your dreams!