Decoration Archives - Page 4 of 6 - Kelley Astore Interiors

Simple Elegance: Installing Grasscloth Wallpaper

When it comes to your walls and how you design them, there are endless possibilities from paint, to woodworking, to wallpaper. At Kelley Astore Interiors, we’ve done quite a few articles on choosing the best paint colors, but sometimes a room begs for a little more impact than paint provides. That’s where textured wallpaper comes to play. My favorite? Grasscloth. Keep reading to find out how I used it recently in a dining room design, and why grasscloth is always a great choice!

Grasscloth wallpaper is a beautiful material made of fibers from different types of grasses such as jute or rushes. It comes in a variety of different colors and designs but the effect is always the same. It harbors texture and dimension into a design without being too busy or cluttered. Using grasscloth wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to add simple elegance to any room.

My client in Great Falls, VA asked us to re-design her dining room. There was a very formal Venetian chandelier, that would eventually be changed, hanging above a traditional dining room table and chairs. The room was originally painted a deep sea-blue with a white panel wainscoting beneath the chair rail. Because there was such a strong contrast between the blue and the white, and because the blue was on the top half of the wall, the room looked much smaller and more cramped than it actually was. The light was being absorbed into the sea-blue paint. It clashed with the chandelier and the room felt outdated and imbalanced.

I knew that if I addressed the walls, the client would get an entirely new dining room. Oftentimes one simple change can make all the difference in a design. The room itself was very simple, with a dining table and chairs, an acrylic console table, and a few other pieces. I really liked how, with just these few key pieces of furniture, the room could be transformed into something truly elegant. That’s when I knew that grasscloth wallpaper was the way to go.

There are many different fabric houses to buy grasscloth, this particular grasscloth is from Kravet. Kravet is an amazing 5th generation family-owned business that was established in 1918. They sell a variety of wall coverings, fabrics, furnishings, and other accessories. Everything I’ve ever purchased from Kravet has been of the highest quality and utmost beauty. It started as a small fabric house and is now one of the leaders of the design industry. Kravet carries a multitude of grasscloth wallpapers in varied textures, like the one I used for this client, as well as more elaborate designs and even scenic pictures.

My client and I agreed on a neutral-toned grasscloth with a touch of blue for the dining room. It provided lovely contrast with the white paneling or wainscoting, without being too dark like the previous sea-blue. My contractor worked to prep the walls, cut the grasscloth to size on location, and finally installed it. The results are truly a testament to how one change can transform a room!

With the new grasscloth installed, the room instantly felt so much bigger and newer. It had a modern and elegant edge. I am so pleased with the results and highly recommend grasscloth when trying to spruce up any room.

To see more images and videos from this transformation be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Pinterest. If you haven’t already caught it, check out the front entrance transformation we did for the same client in Great Falls. If you would like to work with me on transforming any or all parts of your home, head to the services page to book your free consultation!

5 Reasons to Install Stair Runners Today

When designing a space, a number of factors must be considered: function, aesthetics, comfort, and practicality. Depending on the project, each of these factors will be given more weight and priority. It’s a gift then when certain design choices are able to fulfill all the roles in one go, like stair runners. A stair runner is a strip of carpet that lines the center of a staircase, leaving the side edges exposed. Not only do they look amazing and tie a design together, but they are extremely functional and practical. Keep reading to find out 5 reasons to install stair runners today.

1. They make a space more welcoming

Carpet naturally has a warm and welcoming feel. The soft material brings comfort and reminds us that the home should feel safe. The cushioning beneath the feet softens each footstep, padding our treads. Therefore, having a strip of carpet run along the stairs warmly invites guests and home-dwellers alike to climb up and down the padded steps, into the heart of the home. Because stair runners leave the edge of the stairs exposed, they create another dimension, giving additional texture to the design. This draws the eye to the staircase in a welcoming manner and easily ties a design together.

2. They add traction

Stair runners don’t just make a space more welcoming because of how they look and feel, they give so much traction to the staircase that guests and home dwellers will physically feel safer walking up and down the steps. According to the National Safety Council, up to 12,000 deaths occur at home per year in the USA due to accidental falls on the stairs. If the staircase was designed with slippery wood and you’re wearing socks, it’s no surprise that a fall will take place. Adding stair runners helps prevent this. They are especially good if the home dweller is more at risk of a fatal fall, such as an elderly person. They’re also very good if there are a lot of children quickly running up and down the steps, as children love to do. They make stairs so much safer, which feels more welcoming.

3. They’re an easy way to cover up damaged stairs

If you’re renovating a space or looking to spruce up a design, stair runners are a cost-effective way to cover up any staircases, not in prime condition. If the wood on your stairs is particularly worn or scratched, simply cover it up with a stair runner to make it look good as new! Naturally, people walk in the center of the stairs, so this part will wear out the quickest. Easily make it look new with a stylish stair runner choice.

4. They protect the wood underneath

If your home is newly renovated and you’re not trying to cover up any wear and tear, perhaps you’re more interested in protecting against wear and tear. Stair runners do this as well. If you’ve chosen a nicer or more expensive wood for the staircase, you don’t want it to get scratched up by rough shoes or heavy lifting. Stair runners are here to save the day! Lay down a strip of carpet and protect the most vulnerable part of the treads.

5. They offer a stylish and cheaper alternative to carpeted stairs.

The final reason to get stair runners installed is for how amazing they look! They give a fun opportunity to add some color and texture into a design. If you’ve just purchased a home and were hoping for carpeted stairs for the safety reasons discussed earlier, stair runners offer a cheaper and easier alternative to getting the full staircase carpeted.

Get yours installed today!

The stair runners pictured here are all sisal runners. Sisal is a woven material from natural plant fibers and provides a lovely texture. Additionally, sisal doesn’t get worn down as much as traditional carpeting. If you’re interested in installing stair runners and are not sure where to start, head to my services page to book a free consultation today – you tell us exactly what you want, and we’ll get the job done for you!

Preparing for Spring: Four Ways to Brighten Your Home

Spring is just around the corner which means warmer weather, budding plants, Easter celebrations, more sunlight, and new life! This time of year is often bursting with hope and excitement for the coming summer, and there is plenty to do to prepare your home for this new season. Keep reading to find out four easy ways to prepare your home for spring.

Spring Cleaning

Perhaps the most obvious thing to do in preparation for spring is…spring cleaning! Something about the end of winter and the new year makes people want to do a deep-clean and declutter of their home. The concept of spring cleaning dates back hundreds of years and often is signified with major religious holidays such as Easter, Passover, and the Persian New Year.

Going through each room in the house and getting rid of clutter and scrubbing all the corners is the best way to feel refreshed with the weather. Spring marks a new beginning, and thoroughly cleaning your house is one of the best ways to feel that. If you can, try to spread your spring cleaning over a few days or even a couple of weeks to make sure that each corner, drawer, and closet in your house is getting the attention it needs. Get the whole family involved with different tasks for everyone. Practicing spring cleaning each year will help establish good cleaning habits with your children. Start by creating a to-do list of everything that needs to be done, split the tasks up, and plan a small reward for the family once it’s done. If done properly, spring cleaning will surely get you in the right mindset for the rest of the year.

Just add color

Color and spring go hand in hand. If you’ve opted for deeper colors and neutrals this winter, try to find a way to add nice pops of color into your home. This year, a lot of interior design trends are about bringing elements of nature into your home, as we discussed in our previous article, 5 Unmissable Paint Trends of 2021. As you walk down the street, you may be greeted with budding yellow tulips, soft pink cherry blossoms, and fresh green grass. Don’t be afraid to bring these colors into your home! An easy and cost-effective way to quickly introduce new colors into a room includes switching out throw-pillows, cushions, blankets, and bedding. Additionally, switching a lamp-shade to a brighter color, or even swapping out decor can quickly brighten up any space.

Houseplants and fresh flowers

Quite literally, spring is the time of year that new plants begin to grow. It’s the perfect time to bring some foliage inside the house as a joyful reminder of the springing new life outside. Additionally, house plants are very trendy at the moment, so will make your house look amazing! When deciding what houseplant to get, be sure to decide where in the house you’d like the plant to live. Take note of how much sunlight or indirect sunlight this area gets, and be sure to keep that in mind as you choose which plant to buy. Most garden center staff will be able to help you choose a plant that’s right for you, and advise you on how to look after it. Opting for a variety of sizes, colors, and type of plants will give your home the best look. Ask the garden center staff about materials to buy to look after your plants.

In addition to potted plants, one of the easiest ways to brighten up any space is with fresh flowers! Sticking with flowers that are in season adds the perfect pop of color. Additionally, fresh flowers can bring a beautiful smell into your home. Putting the fresh flowers in a colored vase is another easy way to add color. After purchasing a bouquet, be sure to cut the stems of the flowers at an angle and add some plant food into the water. Regularly switching this water out will ensure that your flowers stay fresh for as long as possible.

Prepare Your Garden

Your home doesn’t end with your house – it extends into your yard, and nothing is better than a beautifully landscaped garden. Gardening is an activity that the whole family can do. Whether you want to grow flowers, trees, or fruits and veggies, there is something for everyone! According to Psychology Today, “There is substantial evidence that frequent contact with natural environments [such as gardening] has beneficial effects on both physical and mental health, including reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, enhanced longevity, and for our interest, today, lessening symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety.”

Now is the perfect time to begin preparing your garden for some spring planting in a few weeks. Whether you need to create garden beds, do some gentle weed-pulling, turn your soil, or contact a landscaper, there is plenty to be done in time for this planting season! Now is also the perfect time to start planning what you want to grow, how you want your garden to look, and to do some research on how to best achieve your vision.

Need help?

Looking to do some renovation this spring? We provide a full range of renovation and design services to bring our clients’ designs to fruition. We oversee and manage the entire remodeling and decorating process. We have ongoing relationships with a range of licensed contractors and skilled craftsmen who work under our supervision on all our projects. They include cabinetmakers, tile setters, upholsterers, furniture makers, carpenters, electricians, and a drapery workroom. Visit our services page to find out more today!

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