Tag Archives: decor

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.

 

Add Some Spring Style to Your Home!

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What better way to embrace the new season and step out of the (not so) wintry gloom than by zhushing up your home with some spring-centric décor? Here’s what’s hot in home décor right now:

  1. Nothing says spring like a rich, verdant color palette. If you’ve never seen a bold green used as a wall color, you’re missing out. According to color psychologists, green is the color of growth, harmony and balance. If done properly with complementary design accents, such as patterned curtains and a funky chandelier, you can really make a room pop.
  2. Make a spring statement with flowers. Instead of going the traditional route by putting those flowers in a vase, why not create a hanging flower chandelier that can be the centerpiece of your living room, dining room or kitchen? First, you’ll need a structure, which can be a pre-made chandelier or one custom-made to your liking. You can use something as simple as a hoola hoop or a lattice made with reclaimed wood. By using an assortment of fishing line, florist tape and florist wire, you can attach and arrange the flowers however you see fit. Although fresh flowers would be stunning, they are difficult to maintain, so you might consider using some high end silk flowers instead. Check out this link for inspiration.
  3. Acrylic. According to Elle Décor, acrylic is in this season, with searches for acrylic décor increasing by 50%. Think tables and floating frames that bring your home into the future. As it’s compatible with any color scheme, acrylic can be a great addition to any room.
  4. Bronze. Across the board, bronze is being touted as the new black, so to speak. It can be used in a myriad different ways to enhance a space. The naturally warm tone lends the room a classic look that can be something you will enjoy for a long while. Sometimes, it’s nice when trends aren’t too outside the box, especially if you’re planning on spending a significant amount of money on redecorating.
  5. However, if you are willing to go big, butterflies are in this season in a beautiful way – from butterfly wallpaper to accent pieces. It might just be the season to inspire some spring bliss! Check out these clever butterfly containers for inspiration:

We would love to visit with you about the other home ideas you may have. You can give us a call at 210-494-5400 to set up a free consultation or fill out our online form to request more information.

 

For a Thanksgiving They Will Never Forget

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If you’re scratching your head trying to come up with new ways to impress your guests this Thanksgiving (especially those adorable mother-in-laws), we’ve got you covered! Here are some savvy ideas, from décor to dinner, that will give everyone something to be thankful for – YOU!

  1. If you have a stockpile of old candleholders, like many of us do, grab them out of storage and use them for a fall display of miniature pumpkins and gourds. Try to find ones of varying heights and then fill in the scene with fall-colored candles and a few autumn leaves.
  2. If you happen to have extra mini pumpkins lying around (don’t we all?!), pop a variety of different-colored ones into a cloche or bell jar and turn them over onto a favorite plate. It makes for a nice centerpiece on the dinner table. The best part is you’re not left with outdated decorations that will simply gather dust in the closet all year.
  3. For a stunning dinner setting, find a bunch of mismatched vintage china (borrow from friends or go garage sale shopping). Using a large dinner plate as the base, stack smaller plates intermixed with teacups to create a 3-tiered masterpiece accented by vibrant orange roses or other floral favorite.
  4. Here’s an idea the will not only look festive, but gets everyone involved in Thanksgivingy cheer. Plus, it will keep the kids busy. Cut paper leaves out of colorful construction paper. As your friends and family arrive, have them write what they’re thankful for on a paper leaf then pin it onto a “tree” of branches anchored in a ceramic pitcher or linen-covered foam core in an antique frame. You might even come up with your own display idea.
  5. To find some unique recipes for this year’s turkey dinner, head to Half Price Books to find some old cookbooks with some tried and true family recipes or chef-inspired dishes that will wow your guests. One of our can’t-live-without Southern sides is a chorizo and cornbread stuffing. See the recipe below. 

Chorizo & Cornbread Stuffing

Ingredients

1 pound fresh Mexican chorizo
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups coarsely crumbled cornbread
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish (optional)
1/2 cup chicken stock (low-sodium store-bought is fine)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Grated cotija cheese, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chorizo, breaking it up with a spoon and stirring occasionally as it cooks, until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic to the chorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have browned, about 10 minutes. Add the crumbled cornbread and cilantro and gradually pour in enough of the stock so the stuffing is not too dry but at the same time not too wet. Stir gently and well.
Butter a small casserole dish. Spread the stuffing in an even layer. Bake until it’s heated through and lightly browned on top, about 20 minutes. Serve right away, garnished with the cilantro and cotija, if desired.

We wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! After all the festivities have died down, we’re here to discuss the beautiful home you’re planning on living in next year. Call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our monthly newsletter, please sign up here.

 

 

Transform Your Bedroom for Fall

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There’s nothing more cozy than a cool night in the fall snuggled up in bed with a good book, your favorite record on the turntable and, to top it off, a hot cup of cocoa (with or without marshmallows) sitting on your nightstand. This all sounds wonderful… until you look up and realize that your bedroom just doesn’t fit the mood, the season or even your personal style anymore. When that happens it’s time to find some new inspiration, so here you go!

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is back, but this time, it’s even cooler. You can choose from metallic paint designs on colored wallpaper, large pattern designs or unusual, textured wallpaper that can make a great conversation starter when friends come to visit. As always, just be sure you love it before you give it a green light, because once it’s up it’s not coming down easily.

A Little Bit of Paradise

The tropical motif is in, which is perfect in South Texas, where we have high temps throughout the year. Tropical patterns on sheets and comforters are a fun way to alter the look of your bedroom. These looks aren’t over the top – they’re much more subdued than what you might expect. Think dark blue with white palm fronds. Add some tropical looking plants and some artistic bamboo pieces or Hawaiian artwork and voila!

Go Retro

Vintage is always in, but can take some time and effort to do well. By shopping at garage sales or online you can find some beautiful vintage pieces, like an antique chaise lounge or 1950’s brass Hollywood Regency headboard that will make you feel like you just stepped into a Humphry Bogart or Cary Grant film, and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Scandinavian Style

If you love simplicity and muted tones, now might be the time to transform your bedroom into a Nordic wonderland. Scandinavian-inspired décor, including warm wooden accents, animal pelts and wall colors such as gray and off-white are currently all the rage and create a clean-looking and organized bedroom that’s soothing for your evening respite.

Hi-Tech Sleep

The Sleep Number c2 Bed - it’s not exactly décor-related, but it’s a must-have for tech lovers. It’s a mattress that helps you optimize your sleep. It not only offers adjustable firmness, so neither you or your partner ever have to compromise again, but it actually tracks your sleep cycle, giving you important insights when you’re in dream land.

When you wake up, call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation on not only your dream bedroom but your dream house! If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.