{the buzz on bud’s bees}

December 2016 – Winterizing the hives with waxed cardboard boxes

“How are the bees?” is a question Hans Hirshfield gets a lot.

In March, the U of M Bee Squad stopped by for a “Well Bee Checkup” and told us the Hirshfield’s Hives were healthy and happy. We lost two hives over the winter of 2015 and the University of Minnesota’s Hive to Bottle program lost 50% of the hives they managed. Fingers crossed  the winter of 2016 sees a lower bee hive failure.

This will be the fourth year Hirshfield’s has participated in the U of M program. Last year Bud’s Bees produced 170 8oz. jars, plus enough honey to feed the bees over the winter. Can you see the “H” in the honeycomb? Custom label design by Julie B. in H’s Marketing Dept.

Bud, Hans, and the Bee Squad back in 2014

Spring 2016

One thing that you can do to help the bees is to buy plants that are neonicotinoid free. Check with your local garden center and see what they carry in neonicotinoid free plants.

The next time you’re stopped in traffic on 94 heading east, a block south of International Market Square, look to your right for the rainbow H on our building and you should see the tops of the Hirshfield’s Hives. Living the good life in the Harrison neighborhood.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

{decor blogs we love}

Where do you turn for design inspiration? Like most people, our Hirshfield’s employees turn to the internet. With the click of a mouse or the tap of a tablet, we all have instant access to the smartest ideas and latest trends.

So, the next time you’re looking for some design ideas to spark your imagination, either come down to your nearest Hirshfield’s location or check out some of our team’s favorite blogs.

Design Sponge

Design Sponge

Julia R. of Hirshfield’s Design Studio likes the look and content in Design Sponge, “I like the format,” she says. “It also has other things like DIY projects and different articles – not just about designed rooms.” Julia says blogger Grace Bonney and her contributors are really all over the board, with a huge variety of different kinds of people with widely varying viewpoints and experiences. “I also like Apartment Therapy and My Scandinavian Home,” she says.

{fearless trends: how to pull off interior color blocking}

If you loved it when we discussed color blocking a few years ago, we have good news: the trend is back and bolder than ever. Color blocking returned to fashion last season, and it has funneled back to interior design this year. So, here are 6 tips to fearlessly add color blocking to your decor, plus a few extra ideas from Benjamin Moore.

1. Pick one color to emphasize unique architecture.

Accent walls are a basic kind of color blocking, but you can do so much more. Advance a level by highlighting some interesting architecture or painting around a corner or two.

Credit: ArkPad

Credit: Remodelista

2. Use painter’s tape liberally.

If you want geometric, modern lines, grab an armful of painter’s tape and a friend, and tape your walls before you begin painting. Here’s a yellow outlined block filled with pink.

{6 ways to include matte in your design}

Texture and glossy finishes are out, and matte is in, according to designers like Genevieve Gorder and John Douglas Eason. Especially matte black, which is spreading from the kitchen to the rest of the house.

So, if you’re inspired to add the latest trend to your own home, here are six ways to incorporate matte into your design.

1. Chalkboard paint

Chalkboard paint exploded sometime around when Pinterest did, making it easy to find and easy on your budget. You don’t even have to draw on it, but hey, you’ve got the option.

Credit: SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

Credit: SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C

 2. Chalk-finish painted furniture

Chalk paint is paint with chalk added into it to give it a matte texture. This, too, has become popular on Pinterest, especially among DIYers and furniture refinishers.

Credit: Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

To stay sleek, and fit the no-texture trend, choose something that hasn’t been aged or antiqued by sanding or any faux finishes. And consider using Hirshfield’s Cottage Paint.

{friday finds: benjamin moore wins j.d. powers satisfaction award}

Benjamin Moore is the clear winner of the 2016 J.D. Powers Paint Satisfaction Study, receiving the highest ranking in customer satisfaction for interior paint and exterior stains in the J.D. Powers 2016 Paint Satisfaction Study. The study also shows that a customer service plays a significant role in customer satisfaction.

Best In Class

J.D. Powers measured satisfaction on a 1,000 point scale, and Benjamin Moore had the highest score for both interior paint (836 points) and exterior stain (814 points).

{deck cleaning and staining for spring}

Spring is here, which means it’s time to clean the decks in Minnesota – literally. “We have a lot of people wanting to freshen them up,” says Nate Sockness, manager of Hirshfield’s Woodbury location, “and also a lot of people wanting to get them done before high school graduation season.”

That deck work is happening right now. It’s prime time for deck cleaning and staining, he says, because you need two or three days of warm, dry weather to do it right. Keep your eye on the weather and use Nate’s tips for cleaning and staining your deck.

{design ideas to help with seasonal affective disorder}

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is an extremely common disorder that affects almost half of a million Americans. The winter months are dark, gray, and gloomy, which often makes our moods mimic the dark days.

However, here are six tips to help you beat the winter blues.

Rustic Exterior by Aspen Architects & Building Designers Architecture

{4 tips for redoing your teen’s bedroom}

When a child becomes a teenager, so much changes. From newfound hobbies, friends, and style, to preparing for high school, parenting a teenager can be an exciting time. Or frustrating. It depends on the day. So, how do you handle the transition from a cute kid’s room to a more age-appropriate teen’s bedroom? Here are some tips to help you create the mature, teenage haven of their dreams.

{independence day inspiration: patriotic bedroom ideas}

With 4^th of July just around the corner, I’m reminded how lucky we are celebrating our national pride and freedom. In fact, most of my friends are as prideful in January as they are in July, and decorating with a patriotic theme never goes out of style.

4th of July Quilts – Homedit

But it’s summer and the red, white and blue seems to be everywhere. From table decorations to home design; it’s fun and whimsical to add some colors to the mix. I did a quick Google search for patriotic bedroom ideas when I decided to redo my son’s bedroom last week (I must’ve been feeling the pull of patriotism as I nudged him to consider a star-spangled banner theme).

With a few quick keystrokes, I found some great ideas:

{window treatments that warm a room}

Create a Cozy Home Vibe with Window Treatments

It’s the time of year in Minnesota that we aim for cozy – as in warm and cozy. When the temperatures plunge to the single digits (sometimes above zero, sometimes below), we Minnesotans seek ways to stay warm both physically and emotionally, and that extends to the confines of our homes. By adding warm colors and textures to our surroundings, we can feel warmer. And with window treatments, that even extends to the insulated materials that can literally keep the cold out and the heat in. So, here are our favorite ways that window treatments can warm a room in a Minnesota winter.