Why Luxury Condos Are Better Than Luxury Mansions!

If you want your home to be beautiful, chic and stylish then you first need to lay focus on the canvas which type are you going to be using, or in this case, which kind of luxury pad you will decide upon. But which is the best kind of luxury pad for you to create beautiful and artistic decor? A luxury condo or a luxury mansion. For us there is simply no choice and we would pick the luxury condo all day long, at least from a style point of view and here are just a few reasons why.

Size Is Not Everything

Nine times from ten, a luxury condo will give you far less space than a mansion and in our opinion this is actually a benefit in the style stakes. If you had a luxury mansion with say 10-bedrooms, then you are probably looking at a house with around 18-20 rooms altogether. The effort, money and work that goes in to creating something beautiful in each of these rooms would be incredible. In your efforts to create identities and concepts for each of these rooms, you could end up losing quality and actually diluting the overall style of the house. With a luxury condo it is far easier to create a conceptual style which runs throughout the property thanks to less, yet more creative space. 

Location, Location, Location

Such are the nature of mansions, they are often built out of town, in large and spacious locations, this is fine if you are looking to live out your years in peace or are happy to be relatively disconnected from the buzz of the city center, but that just isn’t us. Luxury condos are usually designed in the most beautiful spots of the city or town that they are built in. If you were to look for luxury condos for sale in Miami then you can bet your bottom dollar that they are in the heart of the city or at the water’s edge. Having the city on your doorstep is a far more favorable option for us than jumping in the car each time we want to get into town. 

Stronger Profits

Over the last 5 years, luxury condos have seen a huge leap in sales in the US, far more so than mansions and as such, the cost is continuing to rise. As cities reach their limits they are building up rather than out and now is a great time to buy a luxury condo if you want to see some yield in the future. Luxury condos are also far easier to rent out that mansions if you were looking to use the condo as a property rather than a home.

As with all decisions such as these, it comes down to personal choice and which property works best for you and your lifestyle. From a style perspective at least, we believe that the only choice between these two luxury properties, is the luxury condo.

Which wooden floor should I choose?

This post is provided by Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

With so many options available, choosing flooring for your newly decorated room can be a daunting task. Solid wood? Engineered wood? Laminate flooring? There are so many options. But which one is the right one? 

Simply put, there is no ‘perfect choice’, as a lot of your decision comes down to personal preference. Of course, each different type of flooring comes with its own pros and cons, but ultimately it is down to you. 

Solid wood flooring is exactly that- flooring made from planks of solid real wood. It is a 100% natural product, and is seen as a great way to add character, and a warm and rustic feel to whichever room you choose to lay it in. There are many other benefits to having solid wood flooring in your home, one of which being its durability, particularly with oak flooring. One of the only downsides with solid wood is that it tends to react badly to moisture and stains easily. With this in mind, it is probably best to keep it out of your kitchens and bathrooms! Of course, you can go some way to protecting your floor by choosing a lacquered finish, but in the case of any accidental spillages, it is best to mop them up immediately. 

Engineered wood flooring is another option to look at if you are considering a wood floor for your property. Engineered wood floor is constructed by putting multiple layers of timber together which is then finished with a hardwood lamella. This makes it one of the strongest flooring options on the market, as the construction of the plank allows greater stability, meaning it is able to withstand high levels of moisture and fluctuations in temperature. This makes it an ideal flooring solution for underfloor heating.  

As with solid wood, there are many different types of wood, styles and finishes to choose from, and looks identical to the solid product. Another benefit to engineered flooring is that it takes a shorter period to acclimatize pre-installation, meaning it can be laid quicker, and you can have your new flooring sooner than you thought!

If you are not sure on the two more natural options, then laminate may be your best bet, particularly if you are looking for flooring for an area where moisture is present a lot of the time, such as a kitchen, utility room or bathroom. Designed to look like hardwood flooring, laminate is made up of four layers which consist of the backing, core, image design and wear layer. The backing keeps moisture out, with the core usually made of a sturdy resin or fiberboard. This is then topped with the image layer, a photographic image of wood on a vinyl board, and then the wear layer is the final step in the process. Laminate is long lasting, easy to replace if damaged, and is an ideal choice for redecorating on a budget, as it is considerably cheaper than solid or engineered wood. 

In summary, which floor you choose is really down to you and what fits with the style of your interior, but remember to always consider the practicality aspect. 

Happy 6th blog anniversary!

Yay! My little blog has turned six today! It's hard to believe that I have been talking about beautiful homes and stylish spaces for six long years. Through this blog, I have meet a lot of like-minded, design-obsessed friends which I wouldn't have met in real life and for that, I am very grateful.

Since starting this blog, I have received many exciting and unexpected opportunities, some I gladly welcomed and some I have politely declined. The most satisfying experience were from design clients who came back again and again to ask me for design help. It means my design clients trusted me enough to transform their homes and I did something right. As a decorator, I couldn't ask for more! :)

Over the course of six years, my blog has received over 8.5 million pageviews! Without your love and support, my blog wouldn't have come this far so I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who continued to follow and read my blog. I would also like to thank my dedicated readers who take a moment from their busy lives to drop me an encouraging and positive comment from time to time. 

I will try my hardest to find the most inspirational interiors to share with you everyday so I hope you will continue to stay with me. 

My lovelies, thank you for your love and support! You are the best!

Why customization of sofas is worth it!

This article is provided by Travis Nagle.

When choosing products for your home, the first consideration is typically how it looks. For some items like a vase, only considering how it looks is probably enough. But when it comes to your sectional or sofa, it is the main piece of decor in your living room. One you spend a lot of time not only looking at, but interacting with. In this sense the sofa needs to not only work in terms of its form but also its function. From over a decade of experience in the furniture industry, I recently launched a new furniture brand called Medley (https://medleyhome.com/) that offers tailor made furniture including a focus on living room pieces. Here is a breakdown of why it is worth taking a little extra time in choosing your sofa, and how personalization can make sure you are happier with it on the long term:

Comfort

Not all sofas are created equal. Not just in terms of quality, but also in terms of the elements that make it comfortable to you specifically. Two important measurements to keep in mind are seat height and seat depth. These can determine if the design gives you enough support or if you find it relaxing. Take a measuring tape on a sofa that you find comfortable and see what the seat height and seat depth are. For example, the lower and deeper it is, the more loungy it is. In addition, some people prefer fiber (more support) while others prefer down (more sink). Figure out what works best so you can find the most comfortable couch for you. When looking for your own new sofa, make sure that the measurements and fillings are right so you will be comfy and ready to lounge for many Netflix binges ahead.

Sizing

This is not always a concern, but I have been amazed at how many times people I have worked with need to adjust their piece just a few inches here and there. Or sometimes, even an extra foot either way is needed. Maybe it is to fit just inside a door. Or just under a window. Or they need it shorter so it does not block part of the living room flow. Whatever it is, if you can get a custom sectional that allows for sizing adjustments you can make sure you get the sizing that is just right. Goldilocks would approve.

Look

Most sofas come with a handful of color options and that is it. While this is fine for a vase, it is not for your sofa. This is the main piece after all! Custom sofas offer a bunch of fabric options, leg options, and other details to match your taste and the rest of the room it is on. If you have dogs or kids there are certain fabrics that are better. If you already have darker woods in the space, you can get something to coordinate. Get samples of the fabric options to see them in your own home, and you can always work with someone at the company to get some design assistance.

It may seem a little daunting at first with the options available, or that you are not sure if buying a custom sofa online is a good idea. Have no fear, many places like Stem offer in-home trials with free returns. And if you take a little time to sort through each step and work with a salesperson if you need some advice, you will end up with the perfect piece of furniture for you and your home.

How History Buffs Can Use an Era to Inspire Home Design!

We all want to make our homes a reflection of who we are. So, what does that mean for history buffs? It means you have distinct inspiration for your next remodeling or home décor project.

Living quarters have long been an interest for historians. They give us a glimpse into everyday life from the past, and the construction materials alone can suggest when a home was built. Over the years home décor and architecture trends have evolved, which also helps to establish an era.

You can use your own love of history or a favorite time period to create comfortable living spaces that show off your interests in years past. 

Frame a Piece of History

Artwork is a key element to home décor. It also offers plenty of opportunities for capturing the feel of an era or actual representations of it. However, that doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to paintings. There are lots of historical pieces that can be featured on your walls.

Presidential autographs from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are a popular choice for those who are drawn to the colonial period or the Civil War era. Of course, virtually every American would take pride in owning a small piece of the country’s history.

Handcrafted quilts are another way to give an essence of Americana from the early 1900s. Given that this is a type of artwork that is fading from culture, authentic quilts are becoming more sought after.

Photographs have been a popular way to capture and display a moment in time since the early 1800s. Old postcards and stamps are another trend that can allow you to showcase a specific time and region in a piece of wall art.

Building a home? Incorporate the architecture of an era

You may not be building a log cabin or Greek revival plantation home, but you can incorporate architectural elements that pay homage to an era. If there is a certain period you want to emulate, then study the architecture of that time. Look for styles and accents that you can replicate in your own home.

• Add an identifiable architectural feature, like a fireplace. No matter what room they are in, fireplaces are a focal point and can impact the feel of the space.

• Use the doorways as an opportunity to add elements of an era. The framing, functionality, and look of the door can all suggest it came from a certain time period.

• Windows are another architectural feature that can be used to give a home a more historical feel. Even the glass selection can make a difference.

• Archways and columns can provide infrastructural support while also adding to the style of a home.

Do not forget about the exterior. There are historians who have spent their careers bucketing home styles into various time periods based on when they were first built and when they were most popular.

Lighting

You will want to use a modern day electrical system for safety reasons, but the lights in your home can be a throw back to the time when the light bulb was first invented.

Lampshades- The decorative shades that go over light bulbs are often the most distinct feature. Consider the material, shape, and patterns of lampshades during the era you are duplicating.

Sconces- Lighting fixtures that are affixed to the wall are known as sconces. They were very popular at different periods in history even before electrical lights were created.

Bulbs- Several years ago, intricate Edison-style light bulbs became very trendy. They are a prefect example of how small details can influence how the whole room feels.

Chandeliers- Another immediate focal point in a room is the chandelier. They are usually dramatic in design, but chandelier styles have varied over the centuries.

Use authentic furniture

Furniture provides a unique opportunity for history-loving homeowners. It is one of the few ways you can take period pieces and actually use them in your own home just as they were used years ago.

An excellent example is mid-century modern furniture. Anyone who loves the “mad men” era can immediately be transported back to that time by filling their living spaces with mid-century modern furniture. But that is just one example of many.

While you are studying the architectural elements of your favorite time period also pay attention to the stylings of the furniture. The shapes, upholstery, materials and even placement can point to a certain place and time in history. Because furniture serves a functional purpose, there are many pieces that were only produced for a short time and have become synonymous with a specific design era.