Where Are You Planning To Spend Your Money?

Photo: Landscape Studio

One of the places we often search for design inspiration is the Internet. With a new year underway, we wanted to know what bloggers, design professionals and others are hailing as some of the hot home improvement trends for 2021. So relax, have a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, and tell us what you think about these projected trends in the comments section of this post.

• Move over soaker tubs. Many homeowners are kicking their master bathrooms up a notch by adding steam showers, aromatherapy showerheads, and bathtub fillers that can hold a cup of tea or a glass of wine.
• While the open layout living space isn’t going anywhere soon, we may see a rise in sliding doors or partitions that can close off rooms for more privacy for e-learning, working, lounging, and exercising.
• Home offices will be more important than ever this year. One of the biggest trends on Pinterest last year was the rise of the “cloffice,” a portmanteau of “closet” and “office.”
• The indoor houseplant trend is here to stay. When selecting plants, take into account your natural light, exposures, and how much you will remember to water your plants.
• Touchless appliances (like motion sensors for lighting and smart temperature control for bathroom floors) will be more popular in 2021.
• A Zillow survey found 41 percent of people value a well-equipped kitchen more after stay-at-home orders closed restaurants. Most people plan to continue to exhibit their culinary skills in the future. Home shoppers are looking for kitchens with bigger cabinets and an island.
• The top landscaping trends of 2021 are expected to be pandemic-inspired as the health crisis drags on. These trends include turning outdoor spaces into year-round amenities and backyards into activity zones for the whole family.
• Multi-season spaces that feature fireplaces or fire pits, patio/deck areas or screened-in porches that can be used year-round are on the rise. That includes outdoor kitchens, which have become more popular than ever during the pandemic.
• Southern Living magazine asked several design experts about the colors they think will be big in the new year. While their picks run the gamut from airy neutrals, to earthy hues, to crowd-pleasing blues, one thing’s for sure: The new year will be all about creating soothing spaces.

What’s happening where you live? Do you live in an urban, a suburban or a rural area?

Ready, Set, Shop

Have you ever visited a new restaurant and couldn’t decide what to order? Too many choices, you said. Sometimes consumers feel the same way when they visit a flooring store. Should I choose luxury vinyl, hardwood, tile, carpet or something else? Which product will function best for my lifestyle and coordinate well with my décor?

MODA Floors & Interiors has simplified the process of shopping for new flooring. Use our Design Resources to get your project started. The “Style Quiz” will help you discover your décor style. You can find answers to our most frequently asked questions in the “Ask Our Expert” section of the website. Create a personal workbook on the site to keep track of all of your flooring designs. You can even create your room size and get an instant calculation for the amount of flooring needed for your space.

MODA offers three ways to shop. Use our Virtual Shopping Experience or Mobile Shop-From-Home Service. You also can visit our showroom in the West Midtown Design District of Atlanta. We are open Monday through Saturday. Rest assured that whichever method you choose to shop, you will receive a high level of customer service from one of our talented project consultants.

Say Farewell to 2020

2020 has been an interesting year (to say the least). Our homes have become our refuge. They are places where we live, work and learn digitally. But they also are places where we can dream of the future. A time when hugs will be exchanged, entertaining our friends will become possible and travel will begin anew.

We have compiled a list of 15 ideas to help inspire you as you look forward to welcoming the new year and new possibilities.

1. Think about where you would like to go next. Make a Pinterest board to gather inspiration for the trip.
2. Visit your favorite U.S. National Parks on Google Earth.
3. Consider an epic train trip and start plotting your route.
4. Watch walking tours of place you haven’t been yet or want to revisit.
5. Hone your photography skills or learn a new language.
6.  Enjoy some of the world’s greatest museums, symphonies and operas from your couch.
7. Donate to your favorite non-profit organization.
8. Crack open that bottle of wine you have been saving for a special occasion.
9. Take a virtual cooking lesson.
10. Order take-out from that restaurant you never managed to get a table at before.
11. Look for shows filmed right in your home city or state, and remember how lucky you are to be where you are.
12. Start planning your menu and guest list for your next big gathering.  
13. Prepare your home for winter weather. Start planning your spring garden.
14. Keep in touch with your friends and family via phone, online or a quick note.
15. Shop for new flooring during MODA Floors and Interiors “Farewell to 2020 Sale.”

 

Is it Time for a Fresh Start?

Refresh your home with new paint! It’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to recharge a room’s style. Each year paint companies single out shades that capture the current moment in design. Keep reading to learn more about some of the projected hot colors for 2021.

Color affects us psychologically. Warm colors – such as red, yellow and orange – can spark a variety of emotions that range from comfort and warmth to hostility and anger. Cool colors – such as green, blue and purple – often spark feelings of calmness as well as sadness.

When selecting their top colors, paint companies gather insights from pop culture, fashion, architecture and technology trends.

Glidden – Aqua Fiesta

Aqua Fiesta is a bright, refreshing aquamarine color that would look great on an accent wall or millwork. While it might be a little overwhelming as an all-over wall color, it makes a splash even in small doses when combined with other neutral paint colors. You might pair Aqua Fiesta with a cool gray to create a spa-like vibe in your bathroom.

Benjamin Moore – Aegean Teal

Aegean Teal marries the tranquil nature of blue with green’s association with wellness, while a gray undertone helps keep the color modern. The color’s calming qualities make it an excellent choice for bedrooms or home offices. Its casual elegance also shines on kitchen cabinetry or built-ins.

Aegean Teal joins 11 other organic hues that comprise Benjamin Moore’s 2021 color trends palette. Their collection includes buttery yellows, creamy off-whites and deep earthy hues that work beautifully with Aegean Teal’s cool undertones.

Farrow & Ball – 2021 Colors of the Year

Farrow & Ball selected 12 rejuvenating shades for its 2021 color trends. Featuring earthy neutrals and rich natural colors, the shades were chosen to convey a sense of ease and familiarity. According to the company, the selections reflect a broader trend toward warmer, organic colors and away from cool grays and blues.

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams – Passionate (Pictured above)

Passionate is a rich, saturated red color that blurs the line between modern and traditional. The bold yet elegant hue joins nine nature-inspired shades in HGTV Home’s Delightfully Daring Color Collection. Passionate’s deep red creates an invigorating backdrop for neutral furniture and nature-inspired accents. Want a more dramatic look? Try pairing it with other vivid shades from the collection, such as the classic blue called Long Horizon.

Sherwin-Williams – Urbane Bronze

Urbane Bronze is a warm, grounding shade of gray-brown that reflects the country’s current need for serenity and stability. The company says Urbane Bronze encourages you to create a sanctuary space for mindful reflection and renewal.

What do you think about these colors? Are you planning to use any of them in your home or at a client’s home?

Are Shadings and Sheers Right for Your Home?

Window shadings and sheers are a popular window covering option. All of these products are made from fabric and offer the ultimate in light control. Their versatility can provide complete privacy without complete darkness by simply adjusting the vanes for the desired amount of light.

Shadings and sheers are made with a wide selection of soft fabrics, including opaque and translucent materials.

Both window shadings and sheers consist of soft fabric vanes that are suspended between two-sheet fabric facings. Window shadings vanes run horizontally and sheers run vertically. These vanes rotate for a filtered view allowing for complete privacy or anything in between. Both window shadings and sheers are offered in a variety of fabrics ranging in opacity, texture and color.

Window shadings and sheers are extremely versatile and can be installed in almost any room in the home. These products blend all the advantages of draperies, shades and blinds into one design. Vertical sheers work particularly well on large window patio doors or on window walls.

The elegant and sophisticated looks of these window coverings make them the perfect choice for living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms. They work well in contemporary and traditional settings.

It is important to note that window shadings and sheers may not be the best fit for pet owners. Being a sheer fabric, they may get damaged at the hand of a cat and its claws.

What are the Types of Wood Flooring?

Reed Plank. Suitable for Commercial and Residential Applications.

Solid wood flooring is made of one piece of wood from top to bottom and can be used in any room that is on or above ground. One of the many benefits of solid wood flooring is it can be sanded and refinished many times.

Engineered wood floors are also made of real wood, but include multiple layers, with the top layer made of high-quality wood. Because engineered wood floors expand and contract less than solid wood flooring, they are ideal for basement installations. While this type of flooring can be sanded and refinished, it cannot be done as many times as solid wood flooring.

5/8″ Unfinished Engineered Flooring in 7″ Width.

Composite engineered wood flooring contains real wood on the wearable surface only. The backing and core material may be made up of any type of composite material.

Wood floors are manufactured in almost any width. Some of the most popular styles are strip, plank and parquet. Each style is available in a variety of species, colors and widths, so choosing the right one is a matter of preference.

Strip flooring is less than 3” wide and often makes a room appear larger. Plank flooring is equal to or greater than 3” wide and often creates a more casual look. Parquet flooring varies in size and generates a geometric, non-linear look.

Wood flooring is made from hardwoods, softwoods, domestic lumber and a variety of imported lumber. Each wood species has unique visual characteristics and maintenance needs.

Source: National Wood Flooring Association

How To Care For Tile Floors

Photo: Bona

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are known for their durability and ease of maintenance. With proper care, your floors can look beautiful for many years to come. Check out the video for maintenance tips.

https://www.modafloorsandinteriors.com/clientcontent/cys_common_content/video/Ceramic-Maintenance2012.html

 

Add Lasting Value to Your Home

Hunter Douglas Heritance Hardwood

Interior window shutters have long been a traditional and beautiful addition to any home. They are also considered an investment that will add lasting value to your home.

Shutters can control heat, noise and privacy. These products offer excellent light control and provide superior ultraviolet protection.

Most shutters are offered in multiple configurations to cover all types of windows, including bow, bay, French doors, patio doors and specialty shapes. Most shutters offer varying louver sizes and front tilt or hidden tilt bars for unobstructed views.

Shutters are offered in different materials consisting of real wood, polysatin or vinyl and alternative wood or faux-wood. Depending on the window molding and sill construction, they can be installed inside mount or outside mount.

If you are considering shutters, always think about opening the shutter doors and whether or not any obstructions exist. For example, a kitchen faucet can be an obstacle to opening a shutter installed behind a kitchen sink.

While shutters are a great solution for any room in the home, you may want to consider

alternative–wood or polysatin shutters in areas that have warm temperatures or where humidity may be a concern for hardwood products. Polysatin shutters are a good choice for bathrooms, kitchens, pool and sauna areas or areas such as kids’ rooms that may require frequent cleaning!

Alternative or faux-wood shutters are made from engineered materials that offer an affordable luxury alternative to a custom wood shutter and are offered in various colors.

These hybrid shutters combine the great style of wood with the strength, stability and straightness of advanced modern day materials.

For more information about window coverings, see the MODA Floors & Interiors website.

Choosing the Right Window Covering

Photo: Graber Blinds

Choosing the right window treatment to complement your interiors can be overwhelming. But when you consider a few important factors, you’re sure to find the solution that works best for you.

CONSIDER THE PURPOSE OF THE ROOM

By taking a fresh look at your space and the way you use it, you can identify the best design style for your window treatments.

A spacious room used for entertaining can be elevated with uniquely patterned drapery. Enhance the elegance by layering the drape over a blind, shade or shutter.

Simple yet sophisticated, Roman shades may be just the right look for your home office.

A more contemplative room might welcome a view to the outdoors. Bottom up/top down shades may do the trick, while still allowing for privacy.

Because bathrooms have a higher humidity level, consider blinds made of faux wood or a composite material—both of which withstand moisture.

Natural shade materials bring the outdoors in, adding a textural element to a room that is a showpiece in your home. Similarly, wood shutters give a room true distinction—whether your style is traditional or modern or something in between.

CHECK EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS

Exposure to sunlight or heat/cold can cause uncomfortable temperature fluctuation, as well as damage to textiles, flooring and furniture. Windows facing south or west can suffer the most. High humidity rooms require special consideration as well.

INCREASE SAFETY

With motorized treatments, you enjoy total control at the touch of a button, and you also increase safety in your home by eliminating cords at your windows.

Source: Graber Blinds

An Ounce of Prevention

Photo: Shaw Floors

To avoid scratches, put floor protector pads on the bottoms of the legs of any furniture that comes in direct contact with your floors. Avoid walking on floors with sports cleats or high-heeled shoes. But even if despite your best efforts, the floor becomes a toy car racetrack or dance floor, issues can usually be repaired.

When the floor begins to look a little dull, only use products recommended by your contractor, flooring manufacturer or finish manufacturer. Using the wrong type of cleaning product could damage the finish and possibly the wood.

Wood is a natural product that responds to its environment. During winter months when heating systems are running, wood floors will shrink, resulting in gaps between the boards. When humidity is higher in the summer, wood floors swell. This is a normal reaction that occurs from season to season, but it can be minimized by keeping your home between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit and 30-50 percent humidity all year.

Maintenance Tip

Ask a professional if your wood floors could use a new coat of finish. Most scratches in wood flooring will occur in the finish, not the wood itself. A professional may be able to lightly abrade the finish and apply a new coat to restore the floor. Give MODA Floors & Interiors a call to learn more.

Source: National Wood Flooring Association