{friday finds: pallets project}

Wood pallet project ideas embrace the inner do-it-yourselfer. They range on any level of expertise and the ideas never run out. From chic and elegant to country rustic, wooden pallets accentuate decorations and room color. These often discarded pieces can easily be attained. As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

{modern interior design: using black and orange all year round}

We can appreciate the colors black and orange as they relate to Halloween – these colors have been a long-standing Halloween tradition. But what we can also appreciate are ideas and inspiration for how to use these colors in contemporary interior design, year round!

Black is coming back. In fact, black accents are the best way to update any hue.
- Michelle Lamb, her takeaway from the Maison & Objet show in Paris, France

Rusty orange paired with everything
- Top trend from Michelle Lamb, her takeaway from High Point Market

These photos were posted in our Friday Finds: Black and Orange post last year, but I am still obsessed with them. This house is located in upstate New York. Maybe it’s the rustic, barren environment paired with the weathered look of the black and orange house that just makes it look so right to me. It’s possible that if the photos were taken in the spring or summer I would feel different about it, but for now I’m still in love.

Peter Pennoyer / cococozy.com

Peter Pennoyer / cococozy.com

{inspiration rooms: master bedrooms}

You probably spend more time in your bedroom than any other room in your home.  Yet, many people neglect the design and feel of their bedrooms. Here is some inspiration to get you thinking outside those four plain white walls.

Candace Olson/HGTV

{mexican design}

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we’re going south of the border to look at Mexican design. This is a style known for its love of vibrant color and rustic elements.

The feeling of Mexican design is one of joy – as well as being welcoming and friendly. This is not a style for someone who doesn’t want color in their home. Bright vibrant yellows, reds and blues will bring the fiesta feel to your home.
Terracottas and browns can work as accents. Muted and dusky colors also work well in this palette. You really just want to stay away from pastels if you’re going for Mexican design.

Natural, hardwood flooring are a perfect fit for a Mexican-inspired home. Clay or ceramic tiles can also bring the the feel of Mexico to a kitchen or entryway. If you want something softer underfoot, look for woven rugs.

A mosaic backsplash in the kitchen would inspire a batch of fresh salsa.

Mosaic Tiles

The furniture you choose can also evoke a sense of Mexican style. Look for wood in pine or a warm wood like cherry.  You can update a piece by adding rustic, iron hardware.

Devine Paint, available at Hirshfield’s, has multiple color palettes that lend themselves nicely to a Mexican color scheme. These colors enhance the wood in your home, everything from  flooring to furniture to trim, for a warm, rustic feeling. You can see all the Devine color palettes here.

Devine, Desert Lights

Devine, Sweet & Hot Beans

{tips for new homeowners}

Congratulations! You’re now a homeowner! May 1 is actually a holiday just for you – it’s “New Homeowner Day.”

Being a homeowner can be overwhelming and the list of projects can seem endless. But think of the possibilities that are ahead of you. What colors will you choose to inspire you? Paint or wallpaper? What types of window treatments do you want? And then you head outdoors – maybe to a patio or deck or a lovely garden. When you begin to think about decorating your home think about the ‘feel’ you want to have. Do you want it to be bright or cozy, masculine or feminine, opulent or minimalist?

As a new homeowner you might be painting for the first time. Making sure you have your supplies ready to go before you start is key. You’ll want to have the right brushes, rollers, dropcloths, tape and of course paint. The professionals at Hirshfield’s can help you get exactly what you need and our video series on taping before you paint shows you just what to do before you load up your brush. You can also find out more in these posts about which window treatments are best for kids’ rooms, bright spaces and which ones will even make your home more energy efficient!

Maintenance is a big part of home ownership. Staying ahead of problems will help you tackle them before they get to be really big issues. Look for any signs of water damage or leaking – it could signal you need to get your roof looked at. Most experts recommend getting a roof inspected if it’s older than 12 years. Check your fixtures too – any leaks around a faucet or toilet could mean it needs a fix that you can likely find at a home improvement store.

A great part of owning a home is having some outdoor space to enjoy. Our blog on getting your deck ready for summer is a great place to start on what you need to get done.

Happy New Homeowner Day! To celebrate, Hirshfield’s wants to give away three Home Owner’s Journals, so you can keep track of all your invoices, color choices and home improvement projects! Just comment on this blog or on the Hirshfield’s Facebook page telling us what project you tackled or will tackle in your new home! The winner will be announced May 2!

{decorating with pastels}

Easter conjures up thoughts of lilacs, pink bonnets, baby blue Easter eggs, and buttercup yellow chicks. Put those pastel colors to use in your home in a variety of ways. The soft palette can add a sense of spring to your home all year, with its light and airy feel. These rooms are great examples of how to use pastels in your home.

Want your space to feel more relaxing? Soft colors can provide a sense of serenity. Rest in rooms that utilize pale hues for a tranquil feeling morning, noon, or night.

Add warmth to a room without sacrificing style or sophistication. Mix muted tones for a look that’s soft and inviting.

Pastel colors are an excellent alternative to white and other off-white shades like cream and beige. Like white surfaces, pastel shades reflect sunlight, making them appear differently during the day. Soft tones also show texture from the reflection.

Use shades of the same color to add dimension and depth to a room. An assortment of pastel tones work together to create an overall statement within a designated area.

Pastel colors can serve as an accent to bold paints and fabrics. Lighten up a rich, chocolate brown with a light pink. Alternatively, liven up an otherwise ordinary white space and add synergy with a vibrant pastel pop.

These Hirshfield’s no-fail pastel colors will stand the test of time if you’re looking to add softer tones to your home.

*These color images are meant to serve as a guide and may look different on a computer screen. Stop in to your local Hirshfield’s to get the most accurate color representation.

{golf design}

The Masters Tournament, the first major professional golf tournament of the year, starts this week at Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf club in Georgia. The event is well known for its much-coveted green jacket winners earn for their victory. Past champions include Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson.

Golf, a sophisticated sport, is associated with class and style. Golf enthusiasts can bring these design elements into their space with these ideas for home and office.

Spending more time teeing off than at home? Combine these two elements with an elegant mural that would put any avid golfer at ease.

 

Augusta Golf Course Mural

In a den, bedroom, or office, golf furniture is essential for any golf lover. These clean, chic pieces are a wonderful, yet practical addition.

 

The Design Blog: Golf Furniture

When the rain prevents your golf fan from teeing off, substitute this rug for a putting green. The modular floor tiles can be arranged to suit one’s personal golf needs.

 

Style of Design Putting Green Rug

For a subtle piece in the home to show your love of the game, try this functional lamp that captures all the elements of this relaxing pastime.

 

Golf Lamp from Functional Artisans

Finally, if your home is in need of a makeover, consider a green room complete with green walls, flooring, and furniture, to symbolize both golf greens and the Masters’ green jacket.

ArhZine - Modern Bedroom Interior

Time will tell whether a rookie or a long-time golf champ will succeed at this year’s Masters Tournament. Enjoy the game and these ideas to bring more golf into your home’s interior.

{irish design}

Top o’ the mornin’ to you! With St. Patrick’s Day getting closer, now is the time to take note of Irish design and the many ways to add green to your home. Why green on St. Partick’s Day? In addition to green being one of the colors in Ireland’s tri-color flag, Ireland is also known as the “Emerald Isle” for its lush green landscape. Today, people around the world have come to associate green with this holiday, named for Ireland’s patron saint.

The color green is associated with nature, health, and wealth. Find the perfect hue for your home, which can be used in any room. Wake up each morning to a vibrant shade of jade, lime, or sea green, as used in this master bedroom, and step into your day refreshed and energized.

House Beautiful

If you’re seeking a pot of gold – one of St. Patrick’s Day most prominent symbols – you’re in luck! Gold accents and metallic trims can be used on window treatments, furniture, and artwork throughout your house. Make your bathroom a luxurious masterpiece with gold tile and fixtures.

Homedecorg.com

Add Irish design and Celtic inspired pieces to your living quarters by incorporating classic symbols, like spirals, crosses, and knots. Lamps, rugs, and wallpaper borders can provide a subtle hint to Irish roots.

Irish on Grand

If, however, at the end of the day, you’d like to retreat to a traditional Irish pub without making your way to Ireland, relax in a replica in the privacy of your own home.

Glen Gallery

Irish eyes can be smiling this St. Patty’s Day and every day by incorporating Irish design in your home!

{celebrity homes}

The Oscars are almost here! On Sunday night, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will honor the year’s best in film at the 83^rd annual Academy Awards. Stars will line the red carpet in designer gowns and million dollar jewels, expressing their unique style and chic sense of fashion.

From New York to Los Angeles, celebrities also communicate their approach to style and fashion in their homes. Lavish abodes of the stars on both the East Coast and the West Coast incorporate luxury, elegance, and flair.

In East Hampton, New York, director and two-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg calls this $25 million estate home. The house features a state of the art film studio, stables, and a guesthouse.

The East Hampton home of director Steven Spielberg.

In New York City, actress and four-time Oscar nominee Julianne Moore’s modern West Village loft provides exquisite living quarters. The living room’s neutral color palette, combined with big windows that provide plenty of light and views of the nearby Hudson River, offer peace and tranquility.

Julianne Moore's New York City living room.

Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband, Matthew Broderick, unwind in their weekend residence in Bridgehampton, New York, with kids James, Tabitha, and Loretta. The 19th-century farmhouse, just blocks from the beach, is decorated throughout much like this master bedroom – with bright colors and a relaxed feel.

The bedroom of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's weekend retreat.

Friends star Jennifer Aniston has made a seamless transition from small screen to big screen. Her New York duplex in the heart of the West Village boasts three grand terraces, herringbone floors, fireplaces, and a staircase straight out of a grand Hollywood mansion. The master bath, shown below, is encased in glass, from shower doors to the intricate tile floor.

One of the bathrooms in Jennifer Aniston's New York City abode.

Moving across the country to Los Angeles, take a peek inside the mansion of actress Demi Moore and husband/fellow actor Ashton Kutcher. The couple’s dwelling features ultramodern architecture that effortlessly blends indoor and outdoor elements. A look at their dining room illustrates the modern classic interior and open floor plan.

Demi Moore's L.A. dining room combines outside and inside.

Finally, no Hollywood home would be complete without lavish amenities. The home of actor Nicholas Cage, a 1995 Best Actor Oscar winner, does not disappoint. Dean Martin’s former estate, the seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom Bel-Air estate manor includes a theater room, a pool, and lush grounds with gardens and manicured shrubbery.

Nicholas Cage's California estate includes a lavish theater room.

Enjoy Sunday’s Academy Awards knowing what your favorite celebrities will be going home to after the ceremony!

{cozy colors}

Cozy. Snug. Comfortable. Warm.

Your home should be synonymous with all of these words – a place where you feel comfortable, a place to relax and a place to get away from the craziness of your day-to-day life. So how do you bring a little extra coziness into your space? Read on!

Color and texture add instant warmth to a room. Bold reds or a rusty orange are popular color choices. If you’re looking for a more dramatic look, consider going tone-on-tone, creating vertical or horizontal stripes. You could use different shades of the same color, or paint one color in a glossy sheen and one in a matte finish.

 

Lava Lamp / Wild Rose

Textured wall coverings are a great compliment or alternative to paint. Grasscloth and raffia wall coverings have great natural texture. Kathy from Hirshfield’s Design Resource says about textured wall coverings, “It puts an imaginary blanket around you. But you don’t have to use it everywhere—one well-chosen accent wall can transform a room.”

Phillip Jeffries

Texture can also be brought into a room through fabrics. Rich velvets make for dramatic window coverings and can cozy up a couch. Faux fur accent pillows or rugs also add warmth.

House Beautiful

Creative Accents

Make your home a cozy, private retreat with custom shutters from Hunter Douglas. Custom shutters are a classic and charming addition to any room.

Hunter Douglas

Hunter Douglas

We all know winter can last awhile here in Minnesota! So stay cozy and warm inside no matter how long Old Man Winter sticks around!