It’s that time again…our children are heading off to college or even just starting school. For those parents that are a little unsure of what to expect for sending students off to dorms, one of our expert designers has come up with a perfect article for you…Enjoy!!
Dorm Room Basics
by DeSitter Design Partner – Vanessa Nunley Designs
The List…
We learn very early on what the colors are of the world. We, of course, first learn the very basics: the rainbow, primary and secondary colors. For those of us that may have forgotten: The rainbow consists of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet (ROY G BIV is a great way to remember!) The primary colors are Red, Yellow and Blue. The secondary colors are Green, Orange and Purple. Depending on who you ask, White and Black may or may not be described as colors. In this case, we are going to say that they are.
Even as we are younger, we associate certain colors with certain objects, feelings or moods. For example, I’ll describe a few of the things my six year old daughter does when coloring. Red, yellow and orange are always used for suns or fire. She associates these colors with heat. The grass and trees are always green. Any sort of ocean, water, etc are different shades of blue and she also uses blues when she’s making a “sad” picture. Pink and red is used for when she’s drawing hearts or making pictures that are filled with happiness and love. She makes smiley faces yellow because they are cheery and happy. These color associations with moods often get carried with us through to our adult years in life as well.
Those same associations can really help when you are designing your interior spaces. You’ll have to consider what type of mood or feeling you want your style to give off in that room and choose your paint and accessory colors based off that. Below are a few moods or feelings that will be enhanced by certain colors.
Blues – Blue is a calming and soothing color. It evokes a feeling of tranquility and relaxation. Be careful though because the darker the shade, the more feeling of loneliness and sadness. Blue is also associated with cleanliness. These characteristics help make a perfect choice for bathrooms, laundry areas and especially bedrooms!
Reds – Red gives off a feeling of passion and is very stimulating. It helps raise energy levels but sometimes can be too strong of a color. If you decide to use red, it’s often great for an accent wall or for accent accessory pieces. If you paint a room completely red, try and choose a muted shade.
Yellow – Yellow is often bright and considered happy and cheery! Some bright yellows are simply too much though and hard on the eyes. Softer, more muted tones are best and are great for dark rooms, ceilings, kitchens and patio rooms.
Neutral colors, such as beige, tan, and gray are great choices when you plan on switching up the decor or accessories in a room more often than not. It allows you to have many more options of other colors to use and still has a calming mood to them. They allow for your choice of pictures, accessories, decor items to really enhance the mood, rather than it being the sole job of the paint color.
Just remember, whatever color(s) you choose, make sure YOU are happy with them! Paint colors are easily changed if you decide you need to switch something out. But, don’t dwell on how others may view your style or design taste because at the end of the day, it’s your home and how it feels to you! 🙂
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Are you currently thinking of remodeling your bathroom? How about creating your dream kitchen? Let us help you do just that!
We have two showrooms that house our Tile and Stone products: 444 Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn and 301 W. Hillgrove in LaGrange. Stop in or Call today to set up a FREE Design Consultation with one of our Tile Specialists! 630-633-5407
We have tiles in all colors, sizes, designs, finishes, etc. so we are sure to have exactly what you are looking for!
Karastan is a brand that most of us know and love. They have quality products that are classy and beautiful and help pull your room’s design together.
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Stop In today or give us a call to set up an appointment for you to come in and browse some of the Karastan products we have!
There are many reasons why Area Rugs are recommended for homes. Some of the reasons being for design and decor purposes while others are for safety or convenience.
Area Rugs are often used over different surfaces, such as hardwood, tile, lvt, laminate, etc. In these cases, Area Rugs may be used to pull a room together in a design sense or accent other parts of the decor. It can also be used as a bit of a safety precaution, such as for slipping on the hard surfaces. Area Rugs are also used to protect the hard surfaces underneath, especially hardwood flooring. Often, people like to include Area Rugs on their floors because it helps the floor not look so bare and it can become a focal point for the room.
Area Rugs can also be used over wall to wall carpeting. In that case, it’s purpose is usually more for design and to accent the interior’s decor.
Area Rugs look great in all different design settings. Because there are so many different design styles, there are a ton of different Area Rug styles. They range from traditional to contemporary to kids to solids and much, much more! To keep up with today’s changing design preferences, Area Rugs also come in many different shapes and sizes. The average “accent” rug size is a 2′ X 3′ and the sizes then increase to as large as 10′ X 14′, with oversized rugs even larger at 12′ X 15′, 12′ X 18′ and larger!
No matter what your design tastes are, you are sure to be able to find an Area Rug that would be perfect for you!
Each month, we look forward to sharing with our customers one of our favorite designers to work with and help showcase their work so that you can see how they can help you with your design projects.
For July, we’ve chosen Stephanie Donnelly from Studio IX Design!
Hi, I’m Stephanie, founder of Studio IX. My design philosophy begins with the idea that your home should be relaxing and inviting, a place you enjoy spending time after a hectic day. To achieve a room’s true potential, I begin by analyzing the space and understanding your functional requirements, budget, and aesthetic preferences, even if you’re not sure what they are! After gaining this insight, I form a concept, make preliminary selections and create a drawing. This is the most important step throughout the process; it is the visual representation that gives a base to work from and ensures the space comes together cohesively and with purpose. A renovation that includes tearing down walls, replacing cabinets, and changing flooring may seem daunting but with a design in place, the project stays on budget and on track.
Hopefully, I’ve told you enough that you believe I can help you build an awesome living room, kitchen, man cave, etc., but if you need some credentials, I received my Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and have worked with a high-end designer as well as in the construction industry. What I really want to leave you with more than anything is that you will have a great experience using Studio IX for your home design services.
Insights from a Designer
#1 – Unity
By repeating elements in color palette, style of furniture and flooring throughout the home, a cohesive feeling is created. Your home will feel more spacious too.
#2 – Functionality
It’s not just about looking good. Furniture and surfaces needs to fit the room’s function. For example, you also wouldn’t place a white sofa in a child’s play area.
#3 – Timeless
Beyond functional requirements, another consideration may be resale value. If you sell the house, design choices that appeal to a wide arrange of tastes will bring the most value. Something neutral but aesthetically pleasing will do the trick.
#4 – Durability
Invest in quality materials and well constructed pieces that you’ll keep for at least a decade. Higher quality items cost more up front but have better resale value and longevity. Selecting lower grade finishes usually results in visible wear in a year or two and requires early replacement. Flooring is an especially bad place to skimp due the the labor involved in changing it out later.
Enrich the appearance and functionality of your kitchen with flooring from our Glen Ellyn hardwood flooring selection. Our design experts will meet with you to discuss your home’s decor, layout, and your preferences.
We guarantee you’ll find flooring you’ll love because we have it all! Carpeting, Area Rugs, Hardwood, LVT, Tile & More!
DeSitter Flooring is dedicated to our customer satisfaction and providing the best flooring available. Get started today by calling (630) 771-1420 or contacting us for a free estimate on your Glen Ellyn Hardwood flooring.
DeSitter is celebrating 96 wonderful years of business and as a thank you to our amazing customers, we are having a huge sale! Hurry in!
DeSitter is here to offer you the best prices on quality products without sacrificing quality! Why trust your neighborhood tile shop? It’s simple, we have over 70 years of flooring experience. We supply the best brands and custom tile solutions so that our customers have the best selection to shop from.
Work with our designers and friendly sales staff to find the ideal tile for your home. Whether it’s re-tiling a master bathroom, updating your kitchen flooring, or another area of your home, we provide an enjoyable flooring experience from start to finish.
With our tile gallery, you choose from the highest quality tile that fit within your budget. From ceramic to natural stone, we have exactly what you need! Stop In or Call Us Today to set up your free design consultation!
High quality, beautiful style, and affordable prices, that’s our guarantee.
Call (630) 633-5407 or contact us today for a free estimate from DeSitter, you won’t be disappointed!
Each month, we like to recognize one of the designers that we partner with and feature them on our site to showcase some of their work. We also ask them to provide a few design tips, words of advice or an article focusing on something that they are passionate about. This not only helps us continue to build up our relationships with the designer but also to offer their services and expertise to more of our clients.
For the month of June, we have decided to feature Vanessa Nunley from Vanessa Nunley Designs! Read the article below and take a look at some pictures of her work. Please feel free to contact Vanessa directly about any services that she may provide for you and to assist with any of your current or upcoming projects!
Vanessa Nunley Designs – 630-8716119 – vanessa@vanessanunleydesigns.com – www.vanessanunleydesigns.com
With increasing concerns about the impact of flooring products on the environment, many people are switching to more environmentally friendly solutions. These are typically nontoxic and recyclable but still serve their purpose effectively. Here are several tips to help you find a floor that’s not only right for your needs but also kinder to the environment.
Manufacturing products typically consume a lot of energy, and this is true of flooring products as well. They also leave wastes and emit dangerous fumes. Thankfully, all these can be minimized by getting a product that can last several years without needing to be replaced.
Thanks to the wide array of building materials on the market, you can find materials that require very low maintenance, if any, to give you service for years. You’ll be painting, re-treating, waterproofing, and polishing less often, which will not only help you save money, but can also benefit the environment.
Advancement in technology has allowed manufacturers to create products using lumber, hardware, millwork, various plumbing fixtures, and other salvaged materials. And, by using such products for your project, you help cut down on the amount of natural resources consumed in the manufacturing process as well as reduce landfill pressure. You should, however, not compromise on safety. Make sure the materials you’re using are safe for human beings.
Buying products and materials produced in your area will help save on energy and minimize pollution that’s often associated with transportation. You can find products that match or even beat imported products in terms of quality.
Some of the products and materials used for building purposes are known to release volatile organic chemicals into the atmosphere. Examples include solvent-based finishes, carpeting, and particleboard. When inhaled, these compounds can seriously affect the health of workers and occupants. They also contribute to depletion of the ozone and lead to smog in our cities. The trick is to research and find materials that don’t emit harmful gases during installation or over time.
Another tip on finding a floor that’s environmentally sound and healthy is to select responsible wood supplies. As a rule of thumb, only use lumber obtained from independently certified and well-managed forests. In addition, steer away from lumber products that are created from old growth material especially where there’s an acceptable alternative.
If possible, you can substitute engineered wood (which can bring up health concerns especially if made from cheap material), with old growth products such as Douglas fir. Also, don’t purchase tropical hardwoods if the seller cannot provide proof that the wood comes from well managed forests.
Pressure-treated lumber is no doubt one of the most widely used building products, but it has several cons. First, it often has toxic material in it which can be hazardous to one’s health. You have to take safety measures to protect the crew working on your project when cutting and handling this type of wood.
Second, because of the toxic material it contains, it can be quite difficult to dispose of. This explains why it’s not regarded as an environmentally friendly product. You should instead use detailing, which is effective in preventing soil contact as well as rot. You can even go for alternatives like recycled plastic lumber, if possible.
You can cut down on packaging waste by avoiding over-packaged products such as fasteners. Inform your supplier in advance why you’re doing this. You should, however, keep in mind that certain products need to be carefully packaged to minimize damage and resulting waste.
If possible, make use of salvaged lumber and other materials instead of getting new supplies from a local store. This may help reduce the amount of wasts and, in turn, lower landfill pressure. Before using any salvaged material, make sure they’re tested for asbestos and lead paint.
These use less energy as well as fewer resources to manufacture, transport, and build. They are good for the environment as fewer non-renewable resources are used and less greenhouse gas is produced. Examples include concrete blocks and recycled materials.
