With cooler days fast approaching- images of drinking hot cocoa, reading a great novel, and sitting by a warm rolling fire come to mind as the perfect winter day. Fireplaces are usually the focal point of living rooms or family rooms. It’s where are we hang our holiday stocking, decorate the mantle and gather for the perfect group picture. Fireplaces signify unity, family, and comfort. In many cases, this area can be commonly overlooked.

Beautiful interior design is a luxury we should all be able to have access to. Customization is a great way to incorporate your personal sense of style to your home. Focusing and embellishing on details can make your design truly unique. Customization can be fun and should not be limited.

Today, homeowners have many options when selecting countertops. The choices are between a natural or a manufactured material. Quartz is considered the new kid on the block when it comes to hard surfaces. Its popularity has increased in the last 10 years, giving the consumer many options to choose from. Its durability and selection surpass other surface materials.

We welcome the new year with resilience – in our personal lives and in design. The last two years have taught us that our home is our sanctuary and retreat but also require strong materials that work well in our everyday lives. Analyzing trends in design and technology, we are seeing homeowners embracing natural and organic elements as well as a desire for durable simplicity and multi-functionality.

Back to Nature - Natural wood grains and wood stains for stove hoods, shelves and kitchen islands add an organic touch to your kitchen. Out is the yellow oak from your grandmother’s kitchen. In are warmer materials such as luxurious walnut and natural blonde woods. This applies to bathroom vanities as well.

Feeling bored with your rental? Renters often feel they are stuck with a generic looking space. Remodeling costs, lease agreements and building management can make it difficult for renters to “remodel”. There are many ways to spruce up your space without spending much and allowing you the flexibility to reverse your remodel when you move out.

Many renters are getting creative with their living space. Below are some fun and inexpensive ways to “remodel” your rental: