FURNITURE 101

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Buying furniture for a new home can seem like an daunting challenge. Deciding on the style, pieces, and expense you are willing to pay to furnish your home can seem overwhelming. If you have a two-year old prone to draw on anything, having a leather settee with a cherry coffee table will probably not work. Finding the best furniture to complement your lifestyle will help your new custom house feel more like a home.

Assembly,Types, & Quality
couchCushions and general build can determine what quality level the furniture is. Cushions that are just  foam are not good quality and will shift and lose shape over time.  Furniture that is heavy and made with natural wood will last longer. Color is important as well. While lighter colors calm a room they tend to get dirty quickly if not properly maintained and if a piece will be used more, darker colors fare better over time of wear and tear. If kids and pets are in the picture, stain resistant fabric can handle the daily situations of wear and tear. You don’t have to have shapeless unflattering pieces, but don’t buy it if it is not comfortable. Look at the legs of the furniture and see if they are screwed in not just simply glued, stapled or nailed. Check for springs to make sure they aren’t rubbing up against the frame. A sofa without springs will just be flimsy and wear out very soon. Wool and leather are strong and durable and a good investment when properly cared for, but can be very expensive. Don’t place leather furniture next to heat sources overtime it will cause them to dry and crack. Don’t place furniture in direct sunlight. This will cause the furniture to fade and look older.

Wood
It is important to know wood types, the difference between hard and soft wood. Hard wood comes from Deciduous trees and softwood comes from Coniferous trees. Softwood is a lot cheaper than hardwood and can tend to warp and bend over a short amount of time.

Sales
Consider the time you are buying, new furniture will usually hit the market in February and August so typically January and July are a good time to find a killer deal. During major holidays like 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Black Friday are also great times to get more deals. Salespeople will rave about the different features the furniture has double check the warranty make sure that all the details are in writing. If you decide to finance a piece of furniture make sure that you are able to pay if off completely in the given amount of time. Don’t forget to look and shop online. Sometimes stores can have exclusive deals for online purchases only. Garage sales can work for cheaper purchases, it just depends if your taste is similar to the person who is selling.  Flea markets and furniture swaps can give you a jumpstart to DIY projects.

DIY
There are so many different websites, blogs, and Pinterest to help brainstorm ideas and compare the cost of the project. Repainting a chair or resurfacing a table top can make a huge difference in a simple way. When refurbishing items double check the finish so no bubbles or brush streaks are visible. Reupholstering old cushions can give a pop to a room that could be overlooked. Even just washing the cushion covers can make a big difference.

A good selection of furniture can make a house feel like a home. As Cache, Davis, and Weber county specialists in custom home design and building we are here to help your dream become a reality.

6 Painting Mistakes to Avoid

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colorIt’s only a matter of time before the colors in your Utah luxury home
begin to get a little boring and you decide to switch things up.
St. George has some great custom paint stores to help you, but
there’s a few things you need to know before taking the plunge.

Mistake #1: Painting a ceiling flat white.

The ceiling, that one wall no one ever thinks of. If you want to add a little flair to a boring white ceiling, don’t paint it white. All white paint has some gray in it, which will take the room down. Try a shade of cream instead.

 

Mistake #2: Going too “matchy”.

Going all “matchy-matchy” seems like a good idea, but wait. You never want your walls to match the color in one of your fabrics because it comes off too strong. Rather, find a grayed-out version of the color.

 

Mistake #3: Playing it too “safe.”

A palette of JUST neutrals gets boring fast. One of the biggest mistakes people make with neutrals is not using enough contrast. Don’t be afraid to add some elements that give personality.

 

Mistake #4: Not following a common theme

The rooms throughout a home must feel connected. A “relaxed, coastal chic” room probably shouldn’t have a “elegant country-style” bathroom. Every room must follow the overall theme of the home.

 

Mistake #5: Forgetting the importance of a finish.

Darker colors will be very flat after they dry, so use a high-luster finish. For example, an eggshell finish can really kill a rich hue. Do your homework to understand what you’re working with.

 

Mistake #6: Selecting a one-dimensional hue.

When adding some stronger colors to your palette, remember to find ones with depth. A color lacking depth will jump out at you rather than pull you in. What might be “Decisive Yellow” could end up looking like “Schoolbus Yellow.” No one wants that!

Countertop Guide

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Countertop Guide

counter-top
Getting to design your own kitchen can be a very rewarding experience, but the amount of decisions you have to make can be overwhelming. With so many options, it can difficult to know which direction to go. One decision you’ll be facing is what type of counter top material you want. This pros and cons list will help you get acquainted with the most popular options and help you select the ideal material that will compliment your kitchen design. For further questions feel free to contact us here.

Granite

Pros

  • Beautiful, naturally-formed design
  • Each piece is unique
  • Comes in a variety of colors
  • Can withstand heat and knives very well

Cons

  • Can become easily stained, will require sealing to avoid damage
  • Very heavy, must be paired with strong cabinet boxes

Butcher Block

Pros

  • Great for country or cottage style kitchens
  • Creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere
  • Comes in a variety of tones
  • Has beautiful natural graining patterns
  • Natural wear and tear can add charm and personality but can also be sanded away if desired

Cons

  • Can warp because of water damage, will need to be oiled frequently to prevent this
  • Can absorb bacteria and will need to be disinfected regularly

Solid Surfacing

Pros

  • Great for modern style kitchens
  • Very low maintenance, no sealing required
  • Damage can be easily sanded away
  • Very wide range of color options including vibrant hues not found in nature

Cons

  • Artificial man-made look may not appeal to everyone
  • Can be just as expensive as granite or other natural materials

Marble

Pros

  • Very classy and elegant
  • Has a strong defense against heat

Cons

  • Has a weak defense against staining, scratching and chipping
  • May not be sensible to use throughout whole Kitchen because of price and potential for damage

Quartz Surfacing

Pros

  • Simple to maintain
  • Great at imitating natural beauty of stone
  • Comes in wide variety of color options
  • Very durable

Cons

  • Can imitate stone, but isn’t quite as good as the real thing
  • Can be just as, if not more expensive than stone

Tile

Pros

  • Works well in country or old world style kitchens
  • Comes in a variety of color options
  • Stands up well against staining, heat and knives
  • Individual tiles can easily be replaced if chipped

Cons

  • Modular aspect makes for an uneven surface that can be difficult for cutting boards or when rolling dough straight onto the counter
  • Grout between tiles can attract bacteria or become stained if not sealed

Laminate

Pros

  • Getting better and better at mimicking more expensive materials
  • Great for designing on a budget
  • Easy to clean
  • Can be paired with any cabinet base because of its light weight

Cons

  • The layers in the material can peel over time
  • Susceptible to stains, scratches and burns
  • Excessive damage can be difficult to repair

Concrete

Pros

  • Works well with industrial chic designs
  • Can be tinted to any shade you want and can be inlaid with shells or other interesting materials
  • Very durable
  • Can withstand heavy use

Cons

  • Stains easily so must be sealed frequently
  • Can crack if exposed to high levels of heat
  • Very heavy and will require strong cabinet base