Home Decor Ideas

West Elm and Steelcase have announced a partnership to develop new kinds of workspaces. Image: Steelcase

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West Elm has long been a go-to choice for anyone who prefers a modern aesthetic. You can find its furniture and textiles in homes across the country. But it isn’t settling for making its mark on the residential domain. It’s now pushing into the commercial space through a new partnership with Steelcase.

Steelcase has helped companies build highly functional, highly beautiful offices for over a century. It got its start as a manufacturer of metal office furniture. Today, it has expanded its offerings to include a wide portfolio of architecture, furniture and technology products and services. And it does all of this with sustainability in mind.

As two prominent leaders in their respective fields, a partnership between West Elm and Steelcase makes sense. Through it, they hope to help the modern workplace make some sense, too. No more lifeless cubicles and austere seas of desks. By working together, these two partners can lean on Steelcase’s knowledge of building quality office spaces while incorporating West Elm’s residential feel. The result is workplaces that feel less like prisons and more like homes.

West Elm has a few years’ experience in working with contract-grade office furniture. Image: West Elm Workspace

West Elm and Steelcase team up for well-being in the workplace

West Elm has been developing contract-grade office furniture since 2015, and it’s seen growth in this area ever since. The company attributes that growth to “commitment to three key values that inform [its] designs: well-being, residential inspiration and choice.” Who wouldn’t want to work in an office that keeps your mental health and comfort at the forefront? According to both companies, that’s the whole point of this collaboration.

“Steelcase and West Elm share an ethos of improving the physical, cognitive and emotional well-being of people at work,” says Allan Smith, Steelcase’s VP of Global Marketing. “Together, we aspire to help organizations create inspiring, high-performance workplaces where people can be highly engaged and do their best work.”

West Elm’s office furniture brings a comfortable, inviting feel to the workplace. Image: West Elm Workspace

The office of the future

The modern workplace has been changing for years. Companies have hunted for ways to maximize their square footage while creating spaces that attract top talent and motivate them to do their best work. At the same time, today’s workforce has been demanding greater flexibility. Across the country, companies have been swapping cubicles for open floor plans and conference tables for ping pong tables. Today’s office furniture can’t just be functional; it needs to also be fun, comfortable and versatile.

It makes sense, then, for a leader in office design (like Steelcase) to look to a leader in home decor (like West Elm). By mirroring what we love about our homes in our workplaces, we might just fall in love with where we work, too. And employees who like where they work are more likely to show up on time, be creatively stimulated and stay in their positions long-term. In short, investing in the products of this new Steelcase and West Elm partnership could help companies keep turnover down and build their best teams.

West Elm and Steelcase are working to make offices feel more like home. Image: Steelcase

If you want to learn more about the product line that will be available as a result of this partnership, you can sign up here. Steelcase is promising more information this summer.

What do you think? Would you be drawn to work for a company because it had an attractive, flexible office?

The post West Elm and Steelcase Partner for Better Workspaces appeared first on Freshome.com.

Designers are always looking for ways to incorporate color into spaces. And for a good reason: Shots of bright color add visual interest and a playful feel to any room. One new way people are using color is with colorful grout.

Once simply a way to seal the spacing between tiles, grout is taking on a fashion sense all its own. By dyeing the actual grout bright colors like teal, yellow and pink, a tile design can have a fun accent color that adds some artistic flair to a space. Read on to learn how to work with the new design trend of colorful grout.

Yellow grout adds a cheery pop to any space. Image: MRTN Architects

Match the grout to other walls

In order to ensure that your new colorful grout doesn’t go unnoticed, you can match the grout color to other accent walls, like in the photo above. Doing so adds cohesion to the space. And since an accent wall puts people in the mindset of that color, the grout pops all the more.

To get this effect, you can either paint a traditional accent wall or use an adjoining wall with tiles that match the grout color. The room in the photo above elected for both options, so don’t feel limited to just one style here. You can even paint a door or have cabinetry that matches the grout color.

Pink grout adds a fun, feminine look to this kitchen. Image: Andrew M. Boyd Photography

Use bright grout against light shades

A common way to make bright grout pop is to use it against white tiles. That way, the light tiles don’t compete with the grout; the grout truly becomes the star of the show. For added effect, extend that light color scheme beyond tiles. For instance, in the photo above, the light tiles match a white wall and white counter space and allow the pink grout to shine.

Bright yellow grout stands out as part of a contrasting style. Image: Oliver Burns

Create contrast between the grout and tiles

Another option is to use contrast to make the colorful grout more noticeable. For instance, the design above combines a bright yellow grout with a light blue tile. The yellow against the cool tile color makes it somewhat of a statement look. A bolder look involves using bright grout against dark tile or dark grout against light tile. Regardless of which color combination you choose, the contrast helps the colorful grout stand out.

Neon teal invokes electricity. Image: Adie Courtney Architect

Use colorful grout in places that are easy to see

Since grout itself sits in thin lines between tiles, place it where it’s easy to notice: around bathroom mirrors, over kitchen sinks, or behind cooktops. Placing bright colors like neon in high-traffic areas naturally draws the eye to otherwise-small details.

If you really want to make people notice your bold design choice, try opting for colorful grout between smaller tiles on the floor. It pulls focus to an area that doesn’t often get attention — the floor — while creating a unique visual treat.

Metallics aren’t just for fixtures anymore. Image: Tile Mountain

Try metallics

When choosing your colorful grout, don’t feel limited to standard paint colors. The shiny gold grout in the photo above demonstrates how well metallic shades work in a bathroom. This style stands out when matching the grout to bathroom fixtures.

To make the metallic grout pop, aim for a light or muted shade of tile. Metallic grout doesn’t have the colorful intensity of the other neon shades above, so it needs to be paired with shades that won’t compete for visual attention.

With so many shades of colorful grout out there, and so many ways of incorporating it, options are endless. Will you pair dark grout with light tile? Neon grout with dark tile? Metallic grout with floor tile? However you’d like to use colorful grout, we’d love to hear about it below.

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The first-time renter can use this guide for ideal apartment living. Image: Leivars

Congratulations! Moving into your first apartment is a major life step. As a new renter, you’re probably feeling a lot of excitement, mixed with the awareness that life is changing in a big way. If you’re feeling a little daunted, don’t worry: We gathered up four of the most important tips for first-time renters. Follow these and you’ll be loving life in your new space in no time!

Carve out time to sit down and work on your budget. Image: Ebright Design

First-time renter tip #1: Stay on budget

Getting your own place is a major financial step. It can make you feel either liberated or overwhelmed. The difference between the two is keeping a handle on your spending. To start, don’t sign the lease on a place that costs more than 30% of your take-home pay. If you can get it lower than that, even better!

Don’t stop with budgeting for your rent. You want to be able to enjoy your new apartment long-term, and that will be hard if you’re stressed about money. There are a lot of great budgeting apps out there that take the work out of money management. Just sync up your accounts and they’ll keep track of your spending for you.

Simple additions – like a cookbook – can make transitioning easier. Image: Sergey Krasyuk

First-time renter tip #2: Ease the transition

Think through what you might miss about your old living situation. Did your family or roommates cook for you? Was someone always playing music? Did you have easy access to a washer and dryer?

It’s easy to move in and just “make it work,” but being intentional about these changes helps you make the most of your new living situation. Maybe you invest in a cookbook or a meal subscription service. Maybe you make it a habit to put on some tunes when you walk in the door. Or maybe you make a standing date with a friend to meet at the laundromat. Noting what’s changed now that you live in your own space helps you capitalize on the changes you like and minimize the challenges of the ones you don’t.

Take time to fill your space with pieces you love. Image: Ashley Camper

First-time renter tip #3: Buy over time

While it’s tempting to head to Ikea and decorate your entire apartment in one go, you shouldn’t. When you’re buying a lot of items at once, it’s easy to settle. I can replace it with something better later, you think. And sure, you can. But at that point, you’ve wasted money on an item you don’t really love. You also may be tempted to keep that first item in the interest of minimizing waste, ultimately cluttering up your apartment.

Instead, get the bare necessities in place. While you might want a rug for your living room, you can live without it for a few months. With the basics covered, take time to shop and think through furnishing and decorating the rest of your apartment. You’ll be happier in your space if you fill it with things you truly love.

Renters insurance protects your stuff, including your 4K TV. Image: The Good Abode

First-time renter tip #4: Get renters insurance

You may think that because you don’t own your living space, you don’t need to worry about insurance. And sure, if a fire swept through your apartment, you wouldn’t need to worry about rebuilding the building itself. You would, however, probably want to replace your clothes, electronics, books … you get the picture. After the unthinkable happens, renters insurance will step in to help you get back on your feet. As an added bonus, it can also protect your stuff outside of your apartment (e.g. insure you if your laptop gets stolen from your car) and offer coverage in certain lawsuits (e.g. if someone trips in your apartment and sues you). Many landlords even require that you provide proof of renters insurance before move-in.

You might be thinking, You just told me to budget, now you’re telling me to spend on insurance! We have some good news. Renters insurance is extremely affordable; it usually costs between $10 and $30 a month. For the cost of a few drinks, you can protect yourself in your new apartment.

If you want more inspiration to help you dial in your first place, check out these articles on apartment living. Getting set up in your own space is exciting – enjoy it!

The post The First-Time Renter’s Guide to Apartment Living appeared first on Freshome.com.

You’re finally ready to purchase your own home, but the options are overwhelming. Any visit to a real estate website nets you hundreds of potential properties, from empty lots to decades-old homes. One of the most important decisions to make — and something you should decide before you start shopping — is whether you’d prefer building versus buying a home. Both have specific pros and cons that can drastically affect your new home experience. Look at building versus buying from every angle to decide whether you want a brand-new home or if you prefer an existing home and all of its charms.

Building a home means getting exactly what you want. Image: Greenbelt Homes

5 reasons to build

Building your own home takes time and patience, but you’ll be rewarded with a place you can really call home. Some of the benefits of building include:

• A custom approach. When building your home, you’ll get to choose from a catalog of floor plans or even design one from scratch. That means building a home that makes sense for you and your family. Whether you’re a five-star home chef, wild about sports or into entertaining, you can get exactly what you need, rather than just working with what you have.
• No surprises. You’ve probably heard the horror stories: A family buys an existing home only to find it filled with mold or riddled with foundation issues. Building new means you won’t have any of the surprises or risks that come along with purchasing an existing, older home.
• No renovations. A cheaper existing home can suddenly become a money pit when the kitchen requires a complete gut job or all of the carpeting needs to be replaced. Because you design a new build exactly the way you want, you won’t need any pricey renovations for a few years. This cuts down on stress and cost, so you can enjoy your home after your move-in date.
• Smarter home. New homes can be built with automation and efficiency in mind. From better appliances to solar panels, a new home means new technology. Not only does this make your home smarter, but efficient homes are easier on your budget when it comes time to pay those pesky utility bills.
• Warranties. Most reputable home builders offer warranties when you build. Warranties typically cover cosmetic issues (think paint and grout) for a year and mechanical issues (like electrical and plumbing) for two. That means if you have any problems, you can have experts take care of your home free of charge. Buying a home means you’re responsible for the costs and repairs from the day you take possession.

An existing home means a quicker turnaround time. Image: Locati Architects

5 reasons to buy

Not everyone is the build-your-own type, and that makes sense. Buying your own home definitely has its benefits, including:

• Tighter time frame. The average turnaround to qualify for, shop and purchase a home is one to two months. In comparison, the average build time for a new home is seven months. If you’re ready to move ASAP and don’t want to rent while you build, buying a home makes more sense.
• Established neighborhood. Most new builds reside in new developments, which could mean noisy construction and a lack of amenities. Buying an existing home means a more established neighborhood, where you know what to expect as far as the general feeling of the area. You can even talk to potential neighbors to see what they like and don’t like about an area.
• Mature landscaping. If you love the idea of lush trees and gardens, an existing home is your best bet. New homes require new landscaping, while buying an existing one gives you access to more mature trees and landscaping spaces.
• More negotiation. Existing homes give you plenty of wiggle room when it comes to price negotiations. The things you might see as drawbacks — think tired carpeting — become bargaining chips for you and your agent. New builds are priced based on materials and contractors, so you won’t have a ton of space to negotiate a better price. If you’re bargain-hunting, a fixer-upper at a cheap price helps you stay in-budget.
• Less stress. Let’s be honest: Building a new home is stressful. From material selection to construction delays, no build is without hiccups. When buying an existing home, all you need to do is choose the one you love. No delays, no big decisions, no flaky contractors: just you and your new place.

Making the choice of building versus buying means examining the way you live and how that reflects on your home. For some, the idea of starting from scratch and checking off that must-have list is appealing. For others, the low-stress environment and better deals found in the existing home market makes more sense. Either way, deciding what you want from day one puts you on the path for the home that’s right for you.

What is your stance on building versus buying a home? Do you prefer one method over the other? Let us know about it below!

The post Building Versus Buying a Home: What’s Right for You? appeared first on Freshome.com.

Runge Chevron Temporary Wallpaper by Wrought Studio. Image: Wayfair

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Decorating with wallpaper is back in our creative toolbox. We’re loving the new patterns and colors. This is not the paper that we rush to cover or remove when we buy a home. The top wallpaper trends include graphic patterns, large-scale florals and metallic accents. In addition to the enticing new selection of colors and patterns, temporary wallpaper is now available from most major home retailers. This means there’s an option for every home or rental. Here are some of our favorite ways to use wallpaper:

Create a stunning accent wall with a stylish pattern like Graham & Brown Rose Gold Reflections. Image: Graham & Brown 

1. Create an accent wall

When your space needs a focal point, painting an accent wall is a simple solution. Before you reach for that paintbrush, check out wallpaper options first. By choosing one with a colorful palette or geometric design, you’ve just increased your accent wall’s impact. If you’re struggling to create a pulled-together look in your home, adding a stylish wallpaper accent can create a unifying element for mismatched decor — and can transform an entire room with just one wall. Your foyer, living room and bedroom are just a few of the spaces that can benefit from a pop of color and pattern.

Elevate the style of your neutral room with Graham & Brown Innocence. Image: Graham & Brown

2. Add texture to a neutral room

Neutral and monochromatic rooms can be so soothing, but after a while, you may be ready to add more drama to your space. When your goal is to update your decor without completely changing the color palette or furnishings, adding a neutral textural or patterned wallpaper could be the answer. Choose with your existing color palette in mind and focus on pattern and texture to change things up. Your wallpaper texture can have an organic vibe, like grasscloth, or a tone-on-tone pattern which can give the illusion of texture.

Dial up the glam with Candice Olson’s Velocity. Image: Bellacor

3. Channel your inner glam

We love wallpaper that expresses your inner glam with metallic patterns and accents. Your foyer, powder room and living room can get a glam makeover with a shimmering foiled wallpaper featuring a floral or graphic pattern. Touches of metallic color add light and dimension to a room, so don’t worry about choosing a design with a dark background. 

Create a stunning focal point behind your bed with Graham & Brown Souk Damask Pewter. Image: Graham & Brown

4. Spice up your bedroom

We love the look of wallpaper to transform a bedroom into a glamorous retreat. Floral and damask patterns are perfectly suited for bedroom walls. For a total makeover, designs can be applied to every wall. If you love the look but you want a more subtle vibe, an accent wall probably works best for you. An accent wall behind your headboard is an easy way to add a dramatic pattern that you may not be comfortable with for an entire room.

Create a special little space with Tempaper Self-Adhesive Marrakesh Wallpaper. Image: Lord & Taylor

5. Define a tiny space

Wallpaper is a clever option for claiming a small space in your home. A neglected corner or niche becomes a useful space when you define it with pattern and color. Your newly-claimed space can become a small dining nook, a workspace or a reading corner in one afternoon with fresh walls and a few new pieces of decor.

Lush and tropical Graham & Brown Ubud Tropic is an artful way to accessorize a room. Image: Graham & Brown

6. Use wallpaper as art

Can wallpaper be considered art? Yes! Look for mural-style designs with big images and colorful patterns. Bold colors and images can add just the right amount of pattern to a minimalist room without overwhelming it. 

Add drama to your dining space with West Elm Quartz Stone Mural. Image: West Elm

7. Reclaim your formal dining room

Our dining rooms have been a bit lonely lately. Wallpaper can re-energize our neglected rooms, making them a magnet for entertaining and everyday meals. Whether you choose a bold mural style for an open dining space or something more formal, you can definitely be more adventurous in the dining room because it’s not a 24/7 space. Like powder rooms, our dining rooms are the perfect spot for expressing our creative style.

Personalize your home office with Expressionist Rounds Gold Wallpaper. Image: CB2

8. Create a stunning home office

Though your home office should be functional, don’t scrimp on making it inviting, too. The top wallpaper patterns for a working space have simple color palettes and geometric lines that create interest without being too busy. The perfect choice for your home office is a paper with color and pattern that make you feel good whenever you walk in the door, inviting you to linger and work.

How have you used wallpaper in your home? We’d love to hear about it below.

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