Tag Archives: ideas

Add Some Spring Style to Your Home!

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STD 24

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.

 

Home Furnishings to Liven Up Every Room

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Oaxacan Rug

Oaxacan Rug

Before you can spruce up your space, you need to decide just what kind of mood you’re wanting to set – bright and sunny, romantic and sultry, chic and fun, zen, exotic, the list goes on and on. Once you know what feel you’re going for it’s easy to create your space, one sweet piece at a time. Here are some ideas to get you going!

A gorgeous rug can dramatically alter the look and feel of a room or bring an eclectic mix together. Playing with multiple rugs in one room can create a playful atmosphere. While you can find an infinite assortment of rugs online, we recommend checking out Keyvan Oriental Rugs in Alamo Heights for quality rugs.

If you can get out of town, we recommend heading to Oaxaca, Mexico where the weavers in the neighboring villages create one-of-a-kind stunning rugs and tapestries made using ancient Zapotec techniques. These heirloom furnishings will be a showpiece for you and generations to come.

To create a tranquil environment, but one that will have all your friends buzzing, consider installing a custom aquarium. Imagine this talking piece in the kitchen, dining room or one in the entertainment room that doubles as a bar. However, besides the fact that a large-scale aquarium is a luxury item, salt water tanks require serious maintenance. It’s very easy to throw their delicate ecosystem off-kilter, so you will want to factor in the hassle and expense of a professional service.

For a quick and inexpensive way to add some texture to the walls in your bathroom, kitchen or any room really, add a multitude and variety of antique or stylishly modern hooks along one wall and hang, well, just about anything, from handcrafted ceramic cups to jewelry and scarves.

If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop to outfit your entire house with beautiful name-brand furniture, lighting and more, Stowers Furniture has a giant 80,000 square foot showroom. They offer items from classic to contemporary, in both casual and formal options. They’ve been around since 1890, so they must be doing something right. For those who prefer personalized furnishings, they also provide custom order options and even have a space planner to help you figure out the best place to put it all.

Think outside the box. You can easily find inspirations on Pinterest or other apps and sites, but some of the coolest furnishings are ones that aren’t used the way they’re meant to be. For example, how about flipping over a gorgeous ceramic flowerpot and using it as a drink table for indoor or outdoor use?

Now that you know what you want to fill your house with, let us build it! You can call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a free consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.

 

For a Thanksgiving They Will Never Forget

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thanksgiving-decor-2010-019

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.

 

 

Trending Living Room Decorating Ideas

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STD 24

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.

 

Transform your Home this Summer with these Great Decorating Ideas

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fireplace

No Flames Fireplace

It’s rare, even in winter, that we get a chance to use the fireplace, but there’s zero chance of it for the next several months, so why not add a splash of style and color by filling the space with something eye-catching? We suggest some stunning candles, a piece of artwork, a hunk of coral or a unique precious stone like amethyst – whatever compliments your living room’s color palette.

Bring the Outdoors In

Since it’s too hot to sit outside during much of the day, why not bring elements of nature into your home instead? Brighten up your living space by adding fresh flowers, plants and fresh fruit centerpieces. Not only will it make your home look more inviting, it will also smell delicious! Natural, eco-friendly materials such as hemp and bamboo are another great way to add a little rustic class to your environment.

Dedicated Indoor Bar

If you don’t already have a dedicated bar inside your home, consider creating a space where you can easily whip up your summer cocktails. Get some fun glass jars and fill them with fresh herbs, limes, lemons and any other inviting accoutrements you might throw into a drink. If you really want to impress, experiment with making your own simple syrups and shrubs. It’s a lot easier than you think! Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Pop with Pillows

A simple, inexpensive way to beautify any room is to add some decorative pillows. This summer, try finding pillows with vibrant designs and graphics. If you’re feeling creative, you can even make your own. Graphic outlines are easy enough to block-print onto fabric. When your friends compliment your new pillows, you can make them one or inspire them to make their own.

Brighten Up Tired Furniture

Another easy way to boost your home’s inner beauty is to transform an old chair or side table by spray painting it (with a high-gloss paint) an upbeat summer color like sunshine yellow, grassy green or Texas sky blue. This new lacquered look can be a great accent in any room – be it the bedroom or your home office. Just don’t forget to properly prime the furniture if you’re doing it yourself.

If you would rather have a new home built just for you rather than transforming your old one, 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.