Guest Post - 6 Design Tips to Achieve a Santorini-Inspired Apartment

If someone mentions “Santorini” to you, what are the first things that come to your mind?

Even without you answering, it is obvious what the first imagery will be that pops into your mind. You are going to picture houses upon houses painted with white walls and with blue accents or roofs. You might also picture the beautiful blue sea surrounding a green, coastal area.

The beauty of Santorini in Greece is one that a lot of people from all over the world go to and for good reason. It is definitely an attractive sight to behold, which is why a lot of places, from restaurants to hotels, borrow the aesthetic.

If Santorini’s aesthetic is appealing to you, then you are not alone. If you want to change up your apartment to make it look like your very own Santorini, then check out these design tips listed below.

Wall Painting

First things first, you should most definitely repaint all of your walls to give that pristine Santorini look in your apartment.

Keeping your walls stark white is a great step. Do make sure that you get the right shade of white because even though it feels like white is a simple color, some can have certain nuances to them.

Of course, the white everything is not what makes the Santorini look, it is the blue accents added with the whiteness of it all. Thus, you should make sure that you add blue accents all over. Again, the shade of blue here matters so do double-check whether or not your blue is the blue that will feel like Santorini.

Stone Flooring

When it comes to flooring to fit the Santorini-slash-Greece inspired aesthetic, your apartment should have stone flooring installed. In particular, your stone flooring should be made out of marble. Limestone is also a great look and it will help warm up your home, given all the white and blue cool tones that you have inside your apartment.

If you live in a particularly tropical area, then stone flooring is something you would appreciate. This is because it will help you cool down since the stone floor cools fast too.

Palette

The color palette of a Santorini-inspired apartment is not just all about the whites and blues. It is also about other tones that will help complement the cool blues and whites in your home.

Instead of going all white and blue with the rest of your furniture or decor inside the apartment, you can add warmer tones in the home.

For example, you can incorporate more wood furniture since the brown goes really well with the all-white and blue accents vibes. Warm oranges and yellows also look great since it feels like a sunset in Santorini.

Furniture

As mentioned before, for a Santorini-inspired apartment, wood furniture is a great addition since it adds that much-needed warmth to an apartment that is painted all white and blue.

You can also have white wooden furniture. However, we tend to advise our clients at Cleaning Exec Maid Service NYC to avoid placing white wooden furniture to where the sunlight hits. Otherwise, this will cause discoloration in your furniture.

Also, when choosing the design of the furniture, it is best that you stick to simple styles. Avant-garde and kooky, unique styles are not really something that one would associate with the Santorini aesthetic.

Appliances

Since every wall in your apartment is going to be white, you can indulge in appliances that have a little more color in them.

It will not make your kitchen look bland and they can serve as decorations themselves. Just make sure that they fit the aesthetic of your apartment and complement the colors.

When choosing appliances, although aesthetics are nice, their functionality should be a priority. However, it does not mean that you cannot get a cute appliance that goes well with your Santorini apartment.

Decor

A Santorini-inspired apartment should definitely keep cool rugs or carpets to place on top of their stone flooring. Santorini is coastal, so you want to capture that tropical and bright feeling.

Thus, you should add some greens or indoor plants into your home and these plants will pop out and be a focal point themselves.

Candles and some accent pillows are also a great way to decorate your Santorini-inspired apartment.

Conclusion

Designing your apartment feels like an adventure most of the time.

If you are a lover of traveling and seeing the sights all over the world, choosing a design theme based on a particular aesthetic from a different place is a great source of inspiration.

Choosing Santorini is a wise design choice, given the fact that it still stands out in people’s minds to this day. By trying out some of the design tips listed above, you will have your Little Santorini started in no time.

Do not be afraid to experiment a little and see which ones work the best for your home and for your taste.

Author Bio: Andrew is an NY-based writer who covers DIY home projects, cleaning, and organization. When not writing, he spends his time with his two rescue dogs, Jet and Rocket.

Guest Post - Ways to a Wise Budget During Home Renovation

Instead of buying a new house, there is a lot of good reasons to stay in the comfort of your current home and call for a space renovation. The budget for a home renovation project is nothing compared to the cost of a new house purchase. It also saves you and your family from the hassle of house moving. Make the most of a house renovation project, whether major or minor scale, by planning your budget wisely. Here are a few helpful tips to remember:

Get estimates

As you picture your dream home, try to figure out how much it would cost to achieve the same. Consider all the upgrades you are planning to do in every corner of the house. It would greatly help to consult a professional remodeling contractor regarding your overall project estimate. 

Consider your money in the bank

After getting estimates, check if you have the money to cover all expenses. If you still don’t have the money, you can always postpone the project and get back to it when you’re already financially prepared. There is no need to rush. 

Get quotes from contractors. 

Determine exactly the changes you want to see in your home. You have to specify these details up front before seeking bids. This way, you rest assured that your prospective contractors are pricing the same items. When looking for a remodeling contractor to hire, get valid referrals from family, friends, or colleagues. You can also search online for trusted remodeling companies and create a shortlist of them.

Set priorities

So, there is a lot you want to happen in your home, but you don’t have the resources to do so. What to do in this case? Get your priorities straight. Go for what your family most needs and set aside less important home upgrades. First things first. Trim the budget to fit your budget.

Prepare for hidden costs

Whether you’re doing a DIY job or working with a pro, expect issues to happen that could raise the cost of your home renovation. Make sure you have extra money to cover for these hidden costs, otherwise, you will be facing troublesome project delays.

Discuss budget constraints upfront with your contractor

When hiring a remodeling contractor, don’t hesitate to open up to them about your budget constraints. It’s crucial to be honest with your contractor, so you can genuinely work together to achieve your home renovation goals. A seasoned contractor can suggest methods that can reduce project expenses. 

Do some work yourself

If you want to save money during your house renovation budget, you can try doing some of the work yourself. There are simple tasks that you can handle on your own to cut down labor costs. These include completing the demolition tasks; removing cabinets or pulling up tile; shopping and ordering fixtures and finishes; or wall and ceiling painting.

Shop used items

Everything doesn’t need to be purchased brand-new, you can always opt for used ones. If you want to replace your furniture or appliances, consider going to thrift stores and you might just find unique designs that you’ll surely love. 

Go for affordable alternatives

Desperate for a hardwood interior flooring but don’t want the high price tag? Think about affordable alternatives such as laminate wood flooring. Laminate mimics the appearance of real wood, so you can achieve your ultimate flooring goal at a much lower price. 

Finding the right company to supply your renovation project

One way to effectively cut down project costs is by partnering with a company that can supply you with quality materials at economical prices. When looking for drywall access panels, consider hiring companies with relevant industry experience. Also, don’t forget to inquire about product pricing and availability before placing your orders.

Author bio: Virn Del Valle is a digital marketer specializing in content for Access Doors and Panels, e-commerce business with a huge selection of access doors, wall panels, floor hatches and more. 

Guest Post - 6 Useful Tips for Decorating a Drab and All-white Wall

White has always been a popular neutral when selecting wall colors, or just the general interior look of the house. It was a trend that never quite went away. And not surprising, because a coat of white paint can do wonders; and contrary to popular belief, can actually stir up emotions in people.

But a home comprised mainly of white walls in every corner is a blank canvas waiting to be filled with splashes of color, or just a teeny tiny personal touch.

And whether you've bought a new home, renting a space, or living in a dorm, every white wall could use decoration that would make it stand out.

Add more neutrals for more layers

White is the base. Adding a few more neutrals to the mix creates a more put-together and layered look. Varying shades of brown and light grey can create tranquil feels with green or blue. Black wall art makes a statement, and gives a room the added edge -- perhaps even sophistication.

Throw in colored wall art

Against a background of clean white, wall art with beautiful pops of color would look stunning. And because the majority of your room is done up in matching variations of white or neutrals, you effectively call attention to your medium to oversized wall art as the room's focal point.

Black wall decal

In a minimalist room, white is your best friend. And to top off the look of utter cleanliness, couple it with black wall decals. You can have it as quotes or as your favorite characters. Whatever you want, really.

Wall hangings taking center stage

White is a neutral shade, and because of that, you have an even better opportunity to show off those faux animal head mounts or rustic wooden wall decor. The best part is that you can hang them without the risk of competing with other more distracting colors.

So by hanging artwork or sculptural pieces, you get a good way of drawing attention and letting them stand out against all-white backdrops.

Hang bold patterns

Although white walls are great for giving your room a crisp and stark feel, it doesn't mean you ought to shy away completely from the allure of bold patterns. Hanging bold fabric above the fireplace mantel can be great for adding warmth and making the atmosphere feel even cozier. It gives your room a minimalist twist.

Take the monochrome approach

Black decor paired with white walls are a timeless appeal. It's clean, professional, chic, and undoubtedly classical. Don't forget the tertiary accent color available in the room though. Light or dark wooden furniture would look great against white walls and the matching black wall decor.

Decorate for Rooms that are Anything but Dull

White is timeless, simple, and sophisticated -- but only when you implement it correctly and pair it with the right shades. There's no such thing as drab walls if you know what to add to make it bold and catchy.

Your rooms don't have to be boring even if they aren't a riot of colors and gorgeous boho patterns. It's time to decorate those white walls and prove to the world that white isn't so drab.

Author Bio: Katherine Belle is a contributor at Enjoy Canvas. She goes to great lengths to seek out new interior designs every time. She likes reading, designing, and of course, writing about interior design.

Guest Post - How to Use Texture to Transform Your Interiors

Enhancing your home’s interior design is all about maximizing the visual beauty and comfort of your living space. To do so, there are numerous elements that can be incorporated to transform your interior space such as stylish furniture, proper lighting, and decorative accessories. But there’s a well-kept secret today’s interior designers know that can take your space to the next level...

It’s texture; the key element that completes a room and brings in a sense of touch. Having a variety of unique textures in your rooms provides balance, adds emotion, and also improves your physical comfort for lounging and peace of mind. Here are some great ideas for how texture can be used to transform your interiors to make your home comfortable and cozy. 

Create Appealing Contrasts

Using different textures adds depth and contrast in a room. Think of smooth clear walls, a coarse rustic carpet, exposed brickwork in your living room, muted wooden flooring, long sweeping curtains, or sleek linen sofas with shaggy cushions. It’s all about layering a variety of textures in a way that makes a room both inviting and interesting. 

Think of these contrasts if you want to transform the feel of your interiors:

• Soft & solid

• Thick & thin

• Silky & coarse

• Smooth & bumpy

• Flexible & stiff

Choosing a mixture of different textures for your interior decor adds a tactile sense to your space and wakes up any room. Complement the look of your rooms with the right textures. 

Incorporate Unique Design Elements

If you view your interior decor and don’t see unique design elements that evoke immediate visual interest, then you need to revamp the look of your room. You can simply do this by adding texture to your space. Keep in mind these simple but appealing ideas to transform the appearance of your home:  

• A natural contoured edge for a natural stone bathroom vanity top or wood table

• Furniture made of natural rattan or wicker-style weaving

• Textured woven shades made of wood

• Rugged fabrics incorporated in your decor: think wool, tweed, or tapestry

• Wooden or thermofoil cabinetry

• Embossed patterns in your wall coverings

• Faux or distressed paint and colorful stain finishes

• Contoured carpeting or shaggy rugs

• Rough finishes on countertop backsplashes or stone floors

Create Different Effects Using Texture

Shiny, smooth surfaces like sleek leather sofas in the sitting room, wooden floors, or glass windows reflect light, meaning they can make your interior space appear larger, giving an impression of coolness. This effect can be enhanced by using a neutral color scheme to create a modern, minimalist look. Natural earth colors can be a source of inspiration for your interiors as well.

To avoid looking too ‘plain’, add some softer textures like furs, tweed, wicker, or cord to absorb some light and create a denser, warmer feel in your room. The secret to creating different effects in your interiors lies in achieving a balance between creating a comfortable living space that boasts a welcoming feel. 

Consider these ideas:

• A hand-knotted rug combined with heavy drapes over smooth shiny surfaces

• Light linen sofa sets with sleek blinds against textured wallpaper

• Velvet chairs sitting on exposed wooden floors to soften the stark modernity

• Hanging plants in an all-white room

• Colorful throw pillows, linen bedding, tapestries, and tablecloths to add personality

Increase Comfort with Soft Furnishings 

Furnishings are one of the most important elements of a beautiful room. When you want to transform a room using texture, soft furnishings are the way to go. It’s this type of soft layering that makes a room look warm and inviting. The layering of soft furnishings is especially important in living rooms and bedrooms for added comfort and depth. 

While incorporating other pieces of furniture can make a huge difference in creating a luxurious textured look, anything as simple as the positioning of a patterned throw pillow across a sofa can highlight the quality and texture of both elements.

Here are more ideas on using soft furnishings to transform your interiors:

• A shaggy cushion on a sleek linen armchair

• A soft, luxurious cashmere over a comfortable leather sofa

• A bright hand-knotted rug glowing against dark-polished wood floors 

• A layered knitted throw blanket over a cotton bedspread

• Adding gauzy, pale curtains to enhance natural light through windows

Elevate Your Interiors Using Texture

Whether you choose to buy a wooden coffee table to add life to your living space or a throw rug to warm up your bedroom, the impact that texture can have on improving interiors is clear. It’s the component that helps complete a room and elevate your space to the highest level of comfort. As we all know, it’s important to create interiors that you can be proud of in your home. 

About the Author:

Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, and former HR professional. She enjoys writing about events, travel, decorating trends, and innovations for the home, but also covers developments in HR, business communication, recruiting, real estate, and finance.