Tag Archives: george schroeder

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.

 

Custom-Made Furniture for Your Custom Home

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If you’re going to spend the time and money to have a custom home built, why not fill that beloved home with some extraordinary custom furniture as well? If you plan ahead you can create a symbiotic environment and have furniture designed to fit the exact space it’s going to live in.

If this is something you’ve never considered, you may not know that San Antonio, and certainly Texas, is home to some brilliant and highly-skilled custom furniture designers, who can make furniture that’s either traditional or avant garde. Here are just a few local furniture designers/builders you might want to consider.

George Schroeder of Schroeder Design

George Schroeder has earned a reputation as one of the leading large scale metal artists in the United States, and we’re lucky that he’s located right here in San Antonio. Schroeder somehow manages to translate fluidity and energy into his pieces, so that they’re all incredibly creative and unique. Although the scope of his work really runs the gamut, from modern sculpture to paintings, his ability to construct magnificent custom furniture that are iconic pieces in any home is a rare gift.

Peter Zubiate of Zubiate Projects

Peter is known for his beautiful wood furniture and often works with local architects and builders to create specifically-designed furniture, including tables, chairs, beds, built-ins and unique pieces. Whatever you can think up, Zubiate can bring that vision to life.

WOOD by Alberto

Another talented, but perhaps lesser known woodworker in San Antonio is Alberto of WOOD by Alberto, who makes handmade, original Texas wood products, including furniture. He recently completed a commissioned project for a local home of stunning large custom barn doors that are connected via heavy duty metal wheels that allow the doors to slide open.

Cortese Brothers

Cortese Brothers is a family owned and operated furniture company in San Antonio. They work closely with customers to create furniture that’s beautiful yet affordable. They incorporate your initial design research into the finished piece.

Deep Fried Design

Although Andrew McGuire hails from Austin, we won’t hold it against him because his furniture is absolutely stunning. He makes stylish modern furniture like beds and tables using reclaimed wood. He has a photo on his website of a funky coffee table he made from a reclaimed gym floor. It’s clear this custom furniture maker not only thinks outside the box, but lives there.

If you already have the furniture and just need the perfect home to put it in, call us at 210-494-5400. To be added to our private email list to receive the Stone Creek Custom Homes newsletter, please sign up here.

 

HeART is Where the Home Is

Artist Abraham Mojica at Mercury Project

Artist Abraham Mojica at Mercury Project

Valentine’s Day has passed us by, but most people know that the heart really is where the home is, and creating a home you love that reflects all the facets of who you are is the key to a happy hearth. Oftentimes people are intimidated by the task of building a new home, renovating an old one or simply changing the décor, especially if you have little experience with interior design. However, you can easily accentuate your living space with one-of-a-kind elements that will have you falling in love with your home again and again!

ART as DÉCOR

Collecting original artwork, be it paintings, sculptures or abstract art, can be the easiest and most fun (if not always inexpensive) way to develop a unique décor. Although it might be helpful to first consider exactly what kind of look you’re going for, you shouldn’t be discouraged by a lack of direction. Sometimes the most beautiful homes showcase an eclectic variety of art pieces that span all sorts of styles, eras, artists and color palettes.

Art can be an investment. Kind of like playing the stock market, you may discover a local artist that you like only to find that years from now their work is highly collectible and worth a lot of money. You may want to start out by collecting pieces that have already developed a certain level of cachet. Still, some pieces might only mean something to you, and frankly, that’s what’s most important.

Art is about a feeling. You should look for pieces that inspire emotion. For example, in the bedroom, you might want to hang pieces that bring you peace and serenity. In the dining room, you might wish to feature conversation starters – something unusual or thought-provoking. The great thing is, if your home is a blank canvas filled with art, you can dramatically change the look of your home without having to tear down walls or buy new furniture.

SAN ANTONIO ARTISTS & GALLERIES

While you can certainly consult with a designer or art rep, you’ll probably enjoy the experience much more just by attending gallery shows and buying pieces that you like. Through this route, you’ll begin to develop relationships with artists, who are sometimes available to do commissioned pieces – perhaps a portrait of a loved one – wife, child (or even pet!).

San Antonio has a plethora of talented artists that span the gamut, from well-known and successful artists such as Gilbert Duran (duran-arte.com) and George Schroeder (schroederart.com) to up-and-coming artists such as Abraham Mojica (abrahammojica.com), who discovered his talent for painting just a few years ago, but has already garnered an international clientele. You can always find out what’s going on by consulting the San Antonio Current for a list of local art shows. Some of the most popular local galleries include Mercury Project, AnArte, David Shelton and Blue Star.

If you’re considering a new custom-built home, and you like the idea of showcasing artwork, you can have a formal living room built with gallery walls and custom lighting. It all depends on what kind of look you desire to achieve. For assistance, feel free to call us anytime at 210-494-5400.