Inviting Home Blog

If your kitchen cabinets are lack luster and dull, but the doors overall are in good shape, a simple change in kitchen hardware can make an enormous difference. There are a lot of different decorative hardware for any kitchen style available on today’s market.

Try to use quality hardware for this kind of job. The knobs and pulls should reflect the quality of your cabinets. After you remove the old knobs, there will be scratches and little holes left from removing them, so the new hardware should be able to cover those scratches.

Solid brass, plated brass, chrome knobs, and baked enamel knobs will cost anywhere from $2 to $64 each. You can go to any home supply store to look at their selection or go a step further by opting for a more special looking knob or handle.

You may find porcelain knobs as an attractive feature in your kitchen. They are usually seen as something that is part of a country style kitchen or cottage kitchen, but they can be used in a traditional kitchen.

Ceiling – the largest unused area of a room – has been given special attention for hundreds of years. In many current interiors, the ceiling’s potential to add character to the room has been neglected. In recent years changing interior styles have produced exhilarating ceiling designs, which add new dimensions to interior space. With smart interior design through the use of creative materials and finishes the ceiling can become the focal point or an important backdrop for other interior elements.

Add welcoming dimensions to your ceiling by bringing decorative ceiling elements: ceiling medallions, ceiling rims, beautiful molding and ceiling domes. Whether it is a Historical restoration, new construction or remodeling with our products you can create impressive ceiling design.

The best way for one to start the green revolution in their very own home is to start with the architectural aspects and the staples of the home design. Some of the options of “greening” your home are out of reach for most people, but there is something that everyone can do to move closer to zero impact– and of course, a less of an impact on your wallet over time!

One of the things that can make a big difference is the window size and placement. Natural light can easily reduce electric costs, but they do have to be appropriately sized and located. Southern exposure tends to get more sun, eastern exposure has the early and cool sun, while the western exposure has the later hot sun. One thing to always remember is that investing in good quality windows for the home saves a lot of money in the long run.

The other thing to consider is how efficient the Heating and Cooling system is. You do not have to get too fancy with it, but it definitely pays off to have it checked out. In New England especially– it can save you more money than you expected!

You can easily collect rain water and store it for different uses around the home– one being watering the lawn! it is a great thing to do since now it is possible to do so without it being tacked onto your water bill! If you add a water purifier, you can actually use this water for anything from showering to cooking.

Solar water heaters and photovoltaics are quite an investment. It is a way to use the sun to either only heat the water or to produce your whole home’s electricity. It is a way to truly be off the grid– unless you make extra electricity to feed back into the grid and be compensated for it.

When remodeling, look for materials that do not contain harmful chemicals– be it actual details or the glue that holds it all together! Look for CFC/ HCFC free moldings and VOC free glues on the web-site! These chemicals have been proven to harm not only the overall state of the planet, but also your health– it is not something that you would want to live in from day to day.

These chemicals are one of the causes of what McDonough (Author of Cradle to Cradle) “sick interior syndrome”. In this syndrome, we (sometimes due to seeking our convenience and sometimes pure ignorance) surround ourselves with harmful chemicals and they affect us in more ways than we realize. They can change our mental health as well as physical.

The best part about actively making your home green is that you can take all or some of the ideas to whatever level you can and still make an impact!

Today’s Topic: Barns… Western Massachusetts tobacco barns, to be exact.

I guess your first thought would be “what in the world am i going to learn which I could possibly use in my own home from a barn?”. In fact, not that many people really think about it even when they encounter the structure. In the more urban settings we quickly forget the lessons that could be learned from rather simple structures which do not even serve as dwellings. Even I have never realized how impressive they were until I had architects point it to me.

The overall importance of the barn is its innately simple structure that it has. Due to the fact that it is not a dwelling there are usually no adoration of any sort. Everything that is built in relation to how it will actually be useful overall.  the way that the structure is made is that it has many slit-like openings which could be opened when the tobacco leaves are dried. When they are opened, the whole structure is transformed into something that is airy and and blurs the lines of the outside and the inside.

The way that it is all helpful to your interior design and architectural elements is to keep things simple and to think about how to make the parts of your rooms which are meant to be simply useful, decorative. Every time you decorate and remodel, it is also a chance to see pragmatic elements as decorative elements in their own right. It is a great way to simplify your interior environment in a way that would make it more elegant and efficient simply based on the ideas of having what you need and embellishing it.

Many do not understand color and how important color is in the overall decor of the home. It is much more important than just complementary colors or favorite color. Color has rather intense psychological and physiological effects. For each different color group. You shouldn’t necessarily remove objects because they are the “wrong” color, but the major color choices should be kept in mind because of how vast the color’s presence is in the room.

Color can effect someone in a negative or positive way. Colors can make something look bigger or smaller as well as have perceptions of things hat are heavier or lighter.

Reds, for example, represent courage and passion, but also excitement and danger. While some concentrate on the passion aspect and decide that it would be a good color for the bedroom– the danger aspect would make it a place that would be rather difficult to relax in. It is a color that is complementary to greens.

Pinks are feminine and are great subtle background colors that are also complementary to greens.

Yellow embodies optimism, warmth, and enlightenment. It is a great color to be used in places which would require warmth, but one has to make sure to not use too bright of a yellow in a place of rest since it is a high energy color.

Orange is cheerful and very stimulating. If used in a more peachy tone, it takes on a more cool quality to it. It is a high energy color that is not as mentally demanding or exhausting as the reds are.

Blues are tranquil, they represent loyalty and honesty. It is a third primary color and it is a cool color. It is a good counterbalance to yellows as well as to well lit rooms.

Greens will bring you closer to nature and give you a sense of security. they are a great choice for places which you would want to make serene and safe.

When you are choosing colors, you have to make sure that you are doing it by personal preference as much as basing it on the decor. Never let anyone talk you into a color that you may not be comfortable with– because no interior decorator or friend can know you better than you do.

Many people still question the necessity of ornamental architectural details. It is something that is seen as superfluous and utterly unnecessary in every day life. I mean, who would notice the fact that there is a moulding that skims across the top of the room? is it even a problem if the grout between the tiles happens to be discoloured?

Many of the leading architects and designers will tell you that, indeed, there is something that you will notice even if it is not a conscious thing. One will become less happy in an a dull and unadorned environment and could develop what is called a “sick interior syndrome”. Granted, it is not a medical condition that is to be fixed by the use of extensive medication, but it is something that affects people and they do not even realize it. If you feel at all unbalanced throughout your everyday life, you should consider making your living environment more what you want it to be– something beautiful to come home to.

If you spend more time in beautiful interiors, your mood will be lifted. As human beings we delight in seeing beautiful things. If you go from a dreary cubicle or office to a home that doesn’t even reflect what you are about and what you like to be surrounded by, there will be internal tension that could make you more irritable.

People who consider adornment and decoration as something that is unnecessary are grossly mistaken– there is a reason for why some environments are calmer and more inviting and a reason for why the change your overall mood!

Something that we truly believe in at InvitingHome.com is adding color to your home. We have stressed that as much as we can, but still many do not know where the best place to add color might be would be, or perhaps they even think they shouldn’t bother since they do not think of themselves as people who should have an abundance of colors in their home – either due to their personal style choice or similar reasons.

Well, we’re here to tell you that color can suit any living space imaginable. Everything from Art Deco to Streamlined Modern can use a creative splash of color! If you are having any trouble envisioning where to add color, or what it would be like to take the plunge, you will find inspiration from an post we found.

One small DIY project with lots of impact is to add just a little color in your home. It might be with leftover paint, a quart of color you’ve been afraid to try all over, or even just a little sample pot from the hardware store. Here are five ways to do it:

1. Paint the stair treads. The idea is illustrated in this pic from Real Simple. (see site)
2. Paint your bathroom drawer fronts. Just the fronts, which sets them apart from the cabinet case.

Installing crown molding in your home can enhance the aesthetic appearance of its interior as well as the general value of your home. However, there are a number of general misconceptions that deter homeowners from capitalizing on the benefits of adding crown molding to their decor. The following list dispels seven common myths about the appropriate use and installation of crown molding.

Myth #1: My ceilings are too low for crown moldings.

It’s untrue that crown molding should not be installed in rooms with low ceilings. In fact, using moldings that project further than the wall can provide an optical illusion that makes ceilings appear taller than they actually are. For rooms that are vertically challenged, use crown moldings to give modest spaces a sense of elegance.

Myth #2: Flimsy crown moldings will add just as much value to my home.

If part of your motive for installing crown molding is to enhance the value of your home, using cheap and poorly crafted crown moldings will not suffice. Just like any interior design pieces that you would use to decorate your home, flimsy crown molding will not provide the same visual splendor as do high quality moldings. Moreover, crown moldings that are lacking in quality, construction, or material are easily recognized as such and won’t contribute to the monetary value of your home.

Myth#3: Crown moldings made of wood are always preferable to those made of polyurethane.

There are a number of reasons why choosing to install polyurethane crown moldings can be a better choice than wood crown moldings. The advantage of using crown moldings made of polyurethane is that they are not affected by changes in climate or humidity. Wood crown moldings, however, are subject to expanding, contracting, cracking, and warping in environments with variable temperatures. For this reason, polyurethane crown moldings are a better suited for areas with frequent temperature and climate changes; they are also a good alternative to wood in isolated areas of your home that often vary in climate, such as damp basements.

Myth #4: Wood crown moldings are more durable than polyurethane crown moldings.

Recent developments in the materials used to construct polyurethane crown moldings make this statement obsolete. As discussed above, polyurethane moldings will stand up to changes in climate and humidity and are not affected by indirect lighting. Moreover, though, new, high definition polymer systems are now used to produce a new type of polyurethane that is used in crown molding production. This new synthetic, high-density material is extremely durable and stress resistant, which means it won’t crack or scratch; lastly, polyurethane crown molding is not attractive to bugs or termites.

Myth #5: Crown molding is unsuitable for rooms frequented by children.

Many people think that crown moldings are not well suited for use in children’s bedrooms or playrooms. The primary reason for this is because of the misconception that crown moldings are not durable enough for application in rooms that house more rough-and-tumble activities. Contrarily, though, crown moldings, specifically high-density polyurethane crown moldings, are extremely durable and perfect for application in rooms where children are at play. Specifically, chair-rail moldings can even help protect walls from being dented, scratched, or damaged, and are known for their resilience.

Myth #6: Crown moldings should always be white.

Crown moldings do not always have to be white. This is a frequent design faux pas; in fact, crown moldings should be the same color as the moldings that are already in your house. They can also be painted or stained to match existing color schemes, making them perfectly suitable for any room decor.

Myth #7: All the crown moldings in your home should be the same style.

All of the crown moldings in your home do not need to be the same style. Different styles of crown molding may more appropriately suit some rooms but not others; there is a wide array of crown molding styles to choose from, and you should take advantage of these options to maximize their aesthetic potential in each particular room. However, it is important to consistently use the same crown molding size around your home to maintain consistent dimensions and visual proportions.

In the process of selecting the crown molding that you will install in your home, it’s important that you are aware of the difference in terms of the material, construction, and cost of the various models available. Since the ultimate goal of installing crown molding in your home is to enhance the appearance and value of your home, be prudent about the quality of the molding you choose.

Though it may seem like purchasing inexpensive crown molding is economically efficient, you are ultimately undermining the potential value of this interior design feature. More often than not, inexpensive crown molding is flimsy and aesthetically lacking. These crown moldings are cheaper for a reason; they are made out of lower-grade materials using inferior construction and artistry.

When the ultimate goal of installing crown molding is to heighten the innate value of your home, using sub-par crown molding is counter-productive. Crown molding should be sturdy and should seamlessly appear to be a permanent fixture of your home’s architectural construction. Flimsy crown moldings will easily break and chip; this will make chintzy crown molding jobs readily apparent as such. Low quality moldings won’t contribute any additional value to your home, visually or monetarily.

If you are trying to be economically savvy, here’s a crucial consideration to keep in mind: the cost of installing cheaper crown molding will be the same as installing higher quality molding. By purchasing higher caliber, slightly more expensive crown molding to begin with, you will ultimately spare yourself subsequent expenses in terms of repairs or re-installation costs.

To make your crown molding project successful, it’s wise to spend a little more to ensure that your finished product will look tasteful and effortless. Unlike a whimsical painting, crown molding is intended to be a permanent fixture in your home, and therefore affects its overall worth. Select high-quality crown molding made out of reliable materials to enhance the visual aesthetic and economic value of your home.

Where there are large traffic areas, there will be at least a few scuff marks and maybe some other damage to the walls. If you would use the wainscoting, then you would have an easily cleanable solution.

This wainscoting is easily cleaned and does not harbor bacteria. It is resistant to moisture so it is not susceptible to mold and mildew. It makes the wainscoting absolutely perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. The bathroom and the kitchen are usually the places that are most neglected because they are the two places in which there has to be easy access to everything. Clutter in the kitchen or the bathroom space is unwanted, so decorating with accessories is not that great of an idea because that will create the clutter that should be avoided in the first place.

The wainscoting would be absolutely perfect for a refinished basement as well. That way you could boldly turn your basement into a game room without having to worry even a little about what effects that could have on your walls. You wouldn’t have to worry about the moisture that is usually found in the basements because of the moisture resistant properties of the wainscoting.