4 Ideas for How Stone Enhances Your Home

When you think of stone, you might think of the masonry on the exterior of a home or office building. But did you know that stone can also be used in many different ways to enhance your home’s interior? Here are four ideas for how you can use stone to add a touch of luxury to your home.

Backsplashes and Countertops

Stone is a popular choice for backsplashes and countertops in kitchens for several reasons. First, it is extremely durable and easy to care for. Second, it provides a classic, elegant look that can easily be incorporated into any kitchen design. Third, stone is heat-resistant, making it ideal for use near stovetops and other areas where heat is frequently generated. Finally, stone is available in a wide range of colors and styles, making it easy to find the perfect match for your kitchen. Whether you choose marble, granite, slate, or another type of stone, you can be sure that your backsplash or countertop will be both beautiful and functional.

Fireplace

If you're looking for a fireproof and durable material for your fireplace, consider using stone. Stone is a popular choice for fireplaces because it can withstand high temperatures and is not flammable. It's also an attractive material that can add value to your home. There are many different types of stone to choose from, so you can find one that fits your style and budget. When installing stone in your fireplace, be sure to hire a professional contractor who has experience working with this material. With proper installation, your stone fireplace will be a stunning and functional focal point in your home.

Bathroom Tiles

When selecting materials for your bathroom, it is important to consider both function and aesthetics. Stone tiles offer a practical solution for high-traffic areas, as they are durable and easy to clean. In addition, stone tiles come in a wide range of colors and textures, making it easy to create a unique look for your bathroom. Whether you opt for classic marble or sleek slate, stone tiles can help you achieve the perfect balance of form and function.

In the Backyard and Garden

Walkways made of stone are not only distinctively lovely but also durable and long-lasting. Imagine never having to weed or reseed your pathway again! In addition, outdoor stone pavers can be used for decoration, such as building a border around your flower bed or using them as stepping stones in your garden. With so many possibilities, having an outdoor stone paver is a great way to add interest and value to your home.

There are many ways to incorporate stone into your home in order to enhance its look and feel. Whether you use it as a backsplash in your kitchen, cover your fireplace with it, use it in your bathroom, or put it in your garden, stone is a versatile material that can add a touch of luxury to any space. So get creative and see how you can use stone to enhance your home today.

How to Design a Gender Inclusive Living Room

In the US alone, about 5% of adults identify as transgender or non-binary. That might not sound like a lot, but it equates to roughly 3 million people. And as awareness around non-gender-conformity grows, so does the community of people who identify within it. 

Designing a gender inclusive living room (and home in general) simply means designing an interior that’s not dictated by traditional gender roles and stereotypes. 

Instead of reserving pink hues for women and shades of blue for men, why not push the boundaries of gender and explore a more neutral atmosphere altogether? At the end of the day, everyone deserves to come home to a living room that feels open, comfortable, and inclusive, both physically and otherwise.   

Need a helping hand creating a stylish living room that everyone feels comfortable in? 

Let’s explore some useful tips for designing a gender inclusive living room through the mindful selection of color, shape, texture, and form. 

Embrace Open-Plan Design 

An open-plan design can help create a sense of spaciousness and light in your living room. When furniture and décor are too closely stuffed together, it can feel cloying and claustrophobic—two things no one wants to feel in their designed chill area. 

Instead, try to position your major furniture such as sofas, coffee tables, or bookshelves in a way that allows movement to flow freely throughout the room. 

Give your walls space to breathe by keeping them relatively minimalistic and being selective about what you choose to put on them. The less clutter and noise there is, the easier it will be for you and your guests to unwind and allow the atmosphere to organically shift based on who’s in it. 

Keep The Bones Of The Room Neutral 

If you love ever-changing trends or don’t have a set style you follow, avoid making bold home design choices that can’t easily be changed. You can keep your living room feeling open to different gender identity expressions by using neutral bones that suit a wide variety of feelings. 

In the home design industry, when people talk about “bones”, they mean the integral, structural elements of a room. This can include walls, doors, windows, and floors. 

Some examples of neutral colors include white, ivory, beige, cool blues, light ochre, and sage green. These gentle colors are not specific to any gender, and they work well in just about any home. By sticking to the basics, you give yourself more freedom to experiment with personal décor.  

Although neutral colors like bone or beige might seem boring to some, in the long run, they’ll allow you to be much more playful with unique décor and different color schemes. That way, you can change things up depending on how you feel, all without spending a fortune redoing the entire room. 

Let Plenty Of Light In 

Light plays an important role in any home environment. Not only does it allow you to see things better during the day, but it also adds an element of elevation and breathability to any room. If you’re looking for a simple, natural way to make your space feel more open, large windows and lots of light are key. 

Various studies show that natural light brings many benefits to indoor spaces. It can make you feel warmer, more relaxed, more productive, and possibly even more creative. 

If you don’t have big windows, that’s okay. You can still let more natural light in by using light color opaque curtains and avoiding clutter by the windowsill. If that’s still not an option for you, soft-wattage (warm) light bulbs in your lounge lights will make a big difference in the atmosphere.  

Avoid Traditionally Masculine Or Feminine Décor 

Society has developed some pretty strange ideas about what specific colors and items men and women should like. This can make it difficult for non-gender-conforming people to design an environment that feels truly free of those limiting ideologies. 

Historically, masculine décor has often taken the form of various metals, wood, and cool or hard colors like black, brown, and blue. Feminine décor does the opposite, encouraging women to adopt soft themes of pink, purple, lace, and floral patterns. 

If you feel ready to embrace a gender inclusive living room, you can throw all of these conformist ideas out the window. 

If you (or people you know) are non-gender-conforming, using traditionally masculine or feminine décor might feel regressive. Instead, opt for more gender-neutral colors like green, yellow, orange, or white. This can make your home feel more playful, diverse, and comfortable for all types of people to enjoy. 

You can also include décor that appeals to you and doesn’t have roots in gender conformity. A bookcase full of your favorite books, a rack filled with special bottles of wine, or a sideboard board stocked with board games all add to the aesthetic of a room and give it personality without gendering it.

Open Your Space To Different Types Of People 

Gender inclusivity is about accepting different people and different bodies for what makes them feel most themselves. By opening up your living room to different types of people, it will naturally become more gender inclusive. 

There are interesting people all around, and many of them (especially non-gender-conforming ones) may find it difficult to integrate into gender exclusive environments. But with the right attitude and willingness to explore, this doesn’t need to be the case. 

You can change your space for the better by making it as comfortable for your friends and family as possible. The more relaxed and at home they feel, the more they’ll want to spend time with you.  

The Feeling Is Neutral: Keep Your Space True To You 

When it comes down to it, designing a room that is gender inclusive just means doing things your own way rather than being guided by preconceived notions about gender. 

While positioning your décor and living room furniture, try to avoid thinking about whether it looks masculine or feminine. Focus instead on whether or not you think it looks good. After all, a living room is for resting and feeling comfortable. So, it should reflect the things that make you feel that way. 

Society’s rules about certain colors being exclusively for men or women are fading every day. It’s time to embrace gender inclusive design for home environments that every person can enjoy. 

The Benefits of Creating a Custom Design for Your Home

Houses across the world have numerous styles that make people consider buying them. There are various ways to design a home, and many people enjoy having the option of creating an environment that will suit them best. A home with a custom design offers numerous benefits for future homeowners, making the home more enjoyable and comfortable for its residents.

The Freedom To Include Your Favorite Design Features

Designing something with your personal choices is nice, and the design of your home will look better when it includes all of the features you enjoy. You have the freedom to implement various elements into the home, such as the tiling, materials of the walls, and artistic detailing of the structure. If you have a particular feature that you’ve seen in other homes that you like, you’ll have the option of including it to make your home stand out.

You Can Stick to Your Budget

Building a home may be difficult to manage because of unexpected costs and design choices made by contractors and construction workers. But when you create your custom design for your home, it’s easier to stick to your budget and ensure you don’t pay too much. You have control over whether or not you pay more for features of your custom home, and you won’t need to worry about the financial choices of others.

Create a Unique Version of Other Homes

There are various types of homes that many people lie in, and as you create the custom design for your home, you may choose to use these styles as the base for your creation. Farmhouses, contemporary, and mountain homes are popular house styles that may inspire your custom design, and you could create a unique version of these homes with your own style choices.

You don’t need to have a similar design for your home to look great, but these houses could be the template you use to make your unique custom design.

You May Express Yourself Through Your Home

Self-expression is essential for feeling comfortable, and letting your home represent your personality is one benefit of creating a custom design. Your design choices will create an atmosphere that shows how you present yourself to the world. Much like fashion and other art forms, your home may be the element that you use to show the world who you are.

Using a custom design provides a host of benefits. Your house will look how you want it to, and your custom design will ensure you feel at home.

5 Best Window Styles for Your New Home

When it comes to home design, the window style you choose is a big deal. Not only does it add aesthetic appeal, but this plays an important role in your home’s insulation and overall energy efficiency. With so many different window styles, it can be tough to decide which one is right for your home. To help you out, here are five window styles you should consider for your new home.

Bay Windows

Bay windows are a type of window that projects outward from the wall of your home. They’re typically composed of three window panels. The two outer panels are angled at 30 to 45 degrees from the wall, and the center panel remains parallel to the wall. This offers functionality and style in one beautiful package. So, if you’re looking for a window style that adds charm to your home, bay windows are a great option.

Awning Windows

Awning windows are similar to casement windows in that they’re hinged on the top and open outward from the bottom. However, awning windows are operable with a crank, whereas casement windows are operable with a handle. Awning windows are a great option if you’re looking for ventilation without sacrificing security. That’s because they can be left open even during a rainstorm and still keep the inside of your home dry.

Fixed Windows

If security and energy efficiency are your top priorities, fixed windows are the way to go. As the name suggests, they don’t open or close. They’re permanently sealed in place, which makes them one of the most energy-efficient window styles on the market. And, because they can’t be opened, they’re also one of the most secure. They also tend to fit well with any roofing style, making them a versatile option.

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows get their name from the way they open. They’re mounted on tracks and slide open horizontally from one side to the other. They’re a great option if you have limited space, as they don’t protrude into your room when they’re open. And, because they open and close smoothly, they’re also easy to operate.

Double-Hung Windows

One of the most popular window styles on the market, double-hung windows are composed of two sashes that open and close vertically. The bottom sash slides up to open while the top sash slides down. Double-hung windows are a great option if you’re looking for a classic style that will complement any home design.

These are just a few of the many different window styles available on the market. Whichever style you choose, make sure that it looks good and offers the functionality and energy efficiency you need.