Tag Archives: art

What About the Kids?

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When you envision your perfect dream home, make sure to carve out a little dreaming for the kids too! Whether you’re looking to start from the ground up or you just need a make-over, here are some great ideas that will make the kids happy! Some of these are also an opportunity for family bonding.

Wall Art

Give the kids permission to paint on the walls and you’re definitely going to get kudos from the kiddos. Use wainscoting in a room and paint the wall below with chalkboard paint. The kids can pick whatever colors they like and have a blast!

Additionally, removable wall transfers are a great and affordable way to let the kids decorate their own room, knowing that as soon as they’re bored with it, it can easily be changed. These “wall tattoos” come in a variety of styles and patterns.

Playtime

What kid doesn’t want his/her own playroom? Turn that extra bedroom into a mini theatre where your kid(s) can create, imagine and perform. All you need is a mini stage with a curtain, a mic and a few chairs for family and friends to watch… because the show must go on!

DIY Projects for the Kids

Wanting to spruce up your home décor this fall? Get the kids involved and create a homey atmosphere at the same time! Some easy DIY projects might include building a bird house. It doesn’t take much – just a few scraps of wood, some paint and bird feed. You might need a few power tools as well. We like THIS  easy to make birdhouse, which claims to take 5 minutes and cost only $5. Check it out:

Other fun DIY projects include painting a mailbox, creating a mini fairy garden in the backyard and making a teepee. If you want a serious project, build some bunk beds, which are perfect for sleepovers and space savers. Who wants a regular bed these days anyway?

We bet you can come up with even more fun ideas to help make your house a home for the whole family! If you’re ready for a new home, please call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation or fill out our online form.

 

Texas Décor, from Stunning to Sassy

Photo by Ken Kopacki

Photo by Ken Kopacki

Whether you’re looking to decorate your new custom home or current abode, if you love Texas like we do, then you might consider spreading a little Lone Star State love throughout your space. Here are some recommendations to start you down the Texas trail.

E. Dan Klepper

Few artists capture the stark beauty of west Texas as perfectly as E. Dan Klepper. An artist, photographer and writer, he’s captured the imaginations of many a Texan. If you’re driving through Marathon on your way to Big Bend, be sure to stop in at his studio, Klepper Gallery. Adorn your living room or dining room wall with one of his large-scale prints of the West Texas landscape and you have yourself a stunning showpiece.

Jonas Perkins

Jonas Perkins is a renowned artist who creates custom sculptures out of bronze, wood, plaster and stone. He also makes ceramic and glass mosaics, frescoes and more. His sculptures are on display in public places throughout Texas, including his Korean War memorial in San Antonio’s Municipal Plaza. Interestingly, he lives outside of Fredericksburg in a home he built himself out of recycled materials.

Robert Tatum

Based in San Antonio, this seasoned artist’s murals cover walls all over the city. His signature style is easily recognizable – it’s sometimes political, sometimes outlandish, but always unique and exceptionally executed. He has a retail space at Blue Star Arts Complex where you can find fun pieces to decorate your walls. He’s also available to do commission work, from homes to restaurants.

Gilbert Duran  

Gilbert Duran has been a staple of Southtown for a very long time. His portraits are sometimes whimsical and sometimes bewilderingly gorgeous. You may have seen his paintings on the walls at the famous restaurant, Rosario’s, and his work is so popular now he even sells his paint-covered palettes.

Ken Kopacki 

If you love photography of Texas icons, both well-known and off the beaten path, Ken Kopacki has made it his life’s mission to capture the unique beauty of Texas, from dilapidated barns to historic sites such as Cadillac Ranch. He’s up-and-coming, which means good news for collectors – his artwork is far more affordable than the previously mentioned.

Call us at 210-494-5400 if you need some beautiful custom walls and rooms for your new Texas décor. You can also fill out our online form  to get the ball rolling.

 

Fall Inspirations for Your Home

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As the seasons change, so do we cycle through trends and what’s “in fashion,” – more quickly, it seems, than ever before. When it comes to home design, from wall colors to appliances, it’s not as easy or financially realistic as changing out your ties and shoes. Still, there’s something to be said about these fall inspirations… see if any of them stick. Most importantly, however, is that you love it, whether it’s trendy or not!

Create a Tech-Free Zone

Have an unused room or corner space? You can easily create a haven from all the digital madness by creating a cozy nook. All you need is a comfy chair or hammock, some pretty pillows and lacey curtains hung from a faux wooden beam. Add a small bookcase filled with those vintage items (yes, books!), a cool lamp and piece of artwork, and you have yourself a little getaway. Leave your phones at the door.

White is Out; Color is In

Although white will always be a great accent color, all-white, or gray, interiors are fading into the background. This fall, expect to see rich browns, greens, blush and even black. Dark green (we used to call it Hunter Green), is being noted as a popular color choice by trendsetters. When accented with natural wood, leather or brass, it makes for a striking look. Jewel tones, used as accent colors in things like pillows, are also hot right now.

Past & Present

It’s fair to say the future of home décor is eclectic. With so many different eras to choose from, the desire to furnish a home in the same period is considered aesthetically unimaginative, and just isn’t done anymore, according to housebeautiful.com. Instead, people are filling their homes with a mix of old and new – vintage, retro, and modern. The sky’s the limit! They suggest starting with a favorite period of your choice and then working from there. Find yourself a gorgeous vintage armoire, for example, and pair it with a custom-made bed. You can find a handful of very talented woodworkers and metal artists in Texas. Here’s a local metal artist that stands out:  http://www.schroederart.com.

Smart Furniture

While we’re looking for ways to disengage from technology, designers are finding new ways to incorporate it. Keep an eye out for even more clever charging docks – ones that are actually built into the furniture, so you don’t have to have those clunky eyesores in every room. Check out IKEA’s SELJE nightstand, as one “smart” example.

At Stone Creek Custom Homes, our passion is helping our customers define and build their dream homes from the ground, up. Give us a call at 210-494-5400 for a free consultation. You can also fill out our online form to request more information.

 

Trending Living Room Decorating Ideas

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We checked in on all the latest trends for your living room to get you excited for fall. What better way to zhush up your home than with a living room make-over?!

Florals for Granny

You’re not going to believe this, but this year Grandma’s floral prints are back in style. Both homes and runways are sporting flamboyant floral prints with bold colors and giant bawdy blossoms. Look for couches and loveseats that you can showcase, set against a more neutral color palette so they really pop.

Marble Mayhem

Evidently marble was a big hit at this year’s NY NOW showcase, but before you balk, we’re not talking marble columns or floors. Instead, the trend is to use marble clocks, planters, candleholders, coasters and other small items as accents in your living room to bring it that unique touch of class.

Delivery Décor

Fashion for the home is made easy with décor delivery through monthly online clubs such as The Bouqs Co. (bouqs.com) and Globein (globein.com). They deliver items such as sustainably-grown floral arrangements, tagines from Tunisia and baskets from Oaxaca. You don’t have to travel to find unique pieces for your home because they do it for you!

Comfort is In!

Thank goodness, living rooms don’t have to look like a high-end art gallery to be fashion-forward – especially in San Antonio where we like it casual that can get to be too much. Now, your living room can be filled with chunky and comfy sofas that you can just sink into and watch the latest Netflix series. We recommend Marco Polo or Stranger Things, in case you’re also looking for something good to watch!

Go Black

Black isn’t just a popular look in the kitchen with things such as black chrome appliances, black is also becoming a surprising favorite in living rooms as well. From painting walls entirely black to black furniture and accent pieces, you decide just how dark you want to go. If all black is just too dramatic, consider darker hues of any color.

Art Becomes You

Art ledges aren’t only trendy, they’re a great way to showcase an array of diverse artwork and make it stand out. These long, shallow shelves are much simpler than dealing with the hassle of a gallery wall. What’s even better is it makes changing out your artwork and the look of your living room easy and fun.

Now that you can have the living room of your dreams, why not the whole house? Call us at 210-494-5400. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.

 

Great Ways to Enjoy the Last Days of Summer!

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There’s only a few weeks left of blissful summer before school starts up again, vacation’s over, and we’re back to the grind. Here are some fun and relaxing ways to make the most of the time we have left:

Zen Out

If you’re looking to find that last scrap of peace before the chaos of the new school year and fall festivities begins, you might enjoy the mass meditation coming up at the Japanese Tea Garden on August 6, from 8-9 am. Join positive-minded folks and send some love and light out into the world during this peaceful meditation, led by ONE Mindful Maven and Serious Media. The specific purpose of the meditation is to promote world peace and love through unified silence. Surrounded by the serenity of the garden, there are few better ways to appreciate your summer morning.

McNay’s Coney Island Exhibit

The McNay’s magical and sometimes dark Coney Island: Visions of the American Dreamland exhibit will be here until mid-September, and this one is definitely worth a gander. It’s the perfect summertime treat to inspire you to be creative, or at the very least, go to Fiesta Texas for one last go-around on the roller coaster. Once called “the People’s Playground,” this exhibit features a variety of paintings, drawings, prints, photos, films, posters, side show banners, carousel animals and memorabilia from Coney Island in its heyday as well as during its decline.

Last Laughs

For something a little off the beaten path, check out the Alamo City Improv’s show that takes place in the basement of the Magic Time Machine every Friday and Saturday night from 8 to 10 pm. Although this seasoned comedy troupe can easily make you smile and laugh, they can also roll out the drama in a way that’s both poignant and surprising. This is a great date night event, although not for young kids, if you’re bringing the family with you.

Summer Brunch

Enjoy a leisurely meal at NAO, which just introduced a new brunch menu that features a variety of Latin-inspired brunch dishes, such as chilaquiles in a tomatillo salsa, served with a soft egg; and Torreja, which is their version of French Toast, made with dulce de leche and served with stewed plantains. Other dishes include Duck Carnitas, and the crowd-pleasing Cuban Sandwich. Their cocktails and agua frescas are made with fresh-squeezed Latin juices, which is just the icing on the cake!

If the end of summer means the decision to buy a new house, please call us at 210-494-5400 for a consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.