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There’s nothing quite like decorating: there’s the promise of that new floor plan, the excitement of picking through paint samples, and the thrill of finding just the right piece for that amazing spot. But once the giddiness of the hunt starts to wear off, most new homeowners find that they are more daunted by the sheer magnitude of the project than anything else.
You’ve also got to think about budget restrictions, and the decisions that are no longer exciting because they just keep on coming. It’s easy to lose your steam and get a little lost mid-project. So we’re offering you a hit list of what to do and what not to do to design like the real interior designers.
How to Spruce Up Your Space Like a Professional Designer:
1. If you’re going to invest in the interior design of your home, invest in furniture that you love. It will be worth the wait and the price. Having the right furniture is more important than having a lot of furniture. Never bring furniture into your home unless you love it!
2. Stay organized. Clear out any clutter. If you don’t love it, donate it. Cleaning out your space will give you a fresh start and a clean eye. You’ll see new possibilities for layouts and arrangements that you hadn’t thought of before simply because you can see your space clearly.
3. Bring some of the outside in. Nothing adds more life to a room like a living plant. Adding greenery to a room immediately adds warmth to your space as well as an organic, fresh element that is really hard to recreate using other methods. You could try fresh herbs in the kitchen, succulents on a coffee table, a potted miniature lemon tree in the living room, etc.
4. Always make lighting one of your top priorities. Lighting brings a lot to a room. Have fun when you’re selecting your lighting. It is the easiest way to add personality to a room.
5. Add art to bring sophistication to any space. If you aren’t sure what to buy, find something that moves you. When hanging your art, make sure to put it at eye level. A common mistake is to hang art too high. Art is a fantastic expression of the homeowner and generates a sense of intimacy for visitors.
6. Don’t be afraid to edit. In most cases, less is more! If you choose a simple color scheme and a few good pieces for the basis of a room, you really only need a few details to finish it off.
Check back soon for our next segment of Interior Design Tips & Tricks. We’ll make sure that your project not only turns out just as you envisioned, but that you don’t lose that excitement you felt when you first decided to tackle the project of decorating your dream home. For more information on any of our homes, please visit us at http://www.villagebuilders.com/houston/index.aspx .
Village Builders announces the opening of their new New Haven II model home in Lakes at Creekside in Tomball, Texas. The perfect combination of city living and small town charm appeals to many residents and potential residents who want the advantages of living in a city without letting go of the close-knit community feel associated with small towns.
Village Builders magnificent 3,772 square foot New Haven II model home from their Wentworth Collection includes four spacious bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and a large 3-car garage. The New Haven’s master suite includes a private bathroom retreat with separate tub and oversized shower, dual sinks, and a grand walk in closet. The home also features an upstairs game room, media room, formal dining room, and an elaborate gourmet kitchen with breakfast nook and covered patio.
• Boasts a rich history, exciting local events and attractions
• Numerous parks and recreational facilities
• Multiple area festivals: German Christmas Festival, Christmas on Commerce, etc.
• Theis Attaway’s outdoor Grassy Amphitheater
• Close to The Woodlands with upscale shopping and dining venues
• Easy access to Cynthia Woodlands Pavilion for concerts, events, etc.
• Students in the community attend nearby Tomball ISD schools: Creekview Elementary, Tomball Junior High and Tomball High School
• Close proximity to new Grand Parkway project for an easy commute
• Community Center serves as a hub for resident activities
• Limited waterfront homesite availability
• Fitness Center in the planned recreation center
• Greenbelts winding throughout the community, picnic area, and community playground
• Swimming pool, lake pond, community parks, and nearby Burroughs Park
• Convenient walking trails with gorgeous views
• Homes starting in the mid $400s
• Homes ranging in size from 2,757-3,772 square feet
Lennar is now offering affordable new homes in the sought-after Deer Park Independent School District. The builder’s highly popular Stone Twin Villas home designs are priced from the $150,000s to $160,000s, have a long list of impressive included features, and range in size from 1,423 to 1,559 square feet.
A sales office is now open daily, and a new model is nearing completion in Red Bluff, located just minutes from the Sam Houston Tollway/Beltway 8 off Red Bluff in Pasadena. The new model, which will represent the design flexibility and included features in Lennar’s new homes in Red Bluff, will open in early December.
Sales have remained strong since the initial offering of Lennar’s affordably priced new homes in Red Bluff. New Home Consultant Brenda Lorentzen says that home shoppers are pleasantly surprised at how much home they can get for their money in a price range that is difficult to find in this market. “This product appeals to a wide variety of buyers, from those looking for their first home to others moving from the surrounding area who are discovering all of the advantages of owning a new home,” she said.
Included in every new Lennar Stone Twin Villa home are features such as granite countertops and a stainless steel appliance package, a refrigerator/freezer in the kitchen, Silestone countertops in the master bath, a washer and dryer, two-inch faux wood blinds, a garage door opener with two remotes, ceiling fans in the family room and master bedroom, a sprinkler system, a state of the art energy efficiency package, and additional amenities such as loft spaces, island kitchens, and spacious master suites.
Red Bluff is located close to major employment, retail and medical centers, and major roadways including Beltway 8, SH 225, SH 3 and Interstate 45. The community features greenbelt trails and a park/playground area and is close to a number of well-known parks and popular recreation areas. Children attend Carpenter Elementary, Bonnette Junior High, Deer Park High School North (9th grade) and Deer Park High School South (grades 10-12), all located in the Deer Park ISD.
To visit, from Beltway 8 (heading south), exit Pasadena/Red Bluff. Turn left on Red Bluff Rd., travel 1.2 miles to the community entrance at Twin Villas Dr., and turn right. Then, turn left on Dawson Creek Drive to visit Lennar’s new sales office and model. For more information, visit www.lennar.com.
Red Bluff is a Trailwood community developed by Friendswood Development Company, a 53-year old company known for introducing the concept of master planned communities to Houston and for providing quality communities for generations of families in Houston.
Lennar, one of the nation’s leading and most respected homebuilders, offers hundreds of communities throughout the nation built for the needs of first-time, move-up, and luxury homebuyers. Lennar is committed to providing quality, value, and integrity. Red Bluff’s Stone Twin Villas collection of homes is representative of their long history of exceptional new home communities in well-planned and sought after locations throughout the country.
For additional information on available floor plans, pricing and home site availability, visit our Welcome Home Center at 2612 Fern Creek Drive, Pasadena, TX 77503, 713-516-3719, or visit us online at Lennar.com/Houston.
It’s the great national debate! One popular design trend has stirred passionate discussions and strong opinions. Across the internet, homeowners weigh in… mount a TV above the fireplace?
Traditionally, the space above the fireplace was reserved for family portraits, treasured artwork, or (if you’re like me), a large trendy mirror. As slick and lightweight flat screen TVs gained popularity, mounting above the mantel seemed like a natural fit, and with good reason. Fireplaces and TVs both enjoy reining as the living room center of attention.
On the plus side, a TV above the fireplace can create the ultimate entertainment center and free up valuable living room real estate. In an article from Better Homes & Gardens, Ann Wilson explains:
Hanging a flat screen above a mantel or on a brick fireplace’s face results in a dual-purpose entertainment center that becomes a room’s visual centerpiece. The TV-hearth partnership frees up valuable floor space, allows you to focus furniture arrangements on a single wall, and generates pleasing views for channel-surfers and fire-watchers alike.
Disagree? You’re not alone. The arguments against a TV above the fireplace include: a strained neck, concern for mixing heat and electronics, and, well… it’s just not everyone’s style preference. Geoffrey Morrison from CNET states his case:
Mounting a TV up and out of the way above a fireplace seems logical, convenient, and undeniably cool. However, there are serious issues with such placement…. mounting a TV above a fireplace isn’t the best idea for the you or for the TV. Placement is a big issue, and location and TV height can be significant factors when it comes to picture quality.
When it comes to home design, we all have our own preferences inspired by culture, tastes and personal style. Ultimately, your home should be a place where you feel relaxed, happy and comfortable, no matter what’s above your fireplace. If you’re thinking about a wall-mounted TV in your home, it’s a good idea to check with a professional to ensure proper installation and wiring.
What do you think of a TV above a fireplace, yay or NAY? (See what other people have to SAY)
