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HOME DECOR, HOME DESIGN

Open Concept Home: What Is a Barndominium?

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Many people remain unaware of an option open to them when they choose to build a home. However, the barndominium is an excellent choice for a variety of reasons. Don’t let the nickname barndo fool you or the fact that this housing option was created to allow caretakers to stay close to their animals. Today, it serves as the perfect solution for many people wishing to buy a home and design it the way they want. 

The Benefits of a Bardominium

The Barndominium works for a range of housing styles, including vacation rentals and luxury homes. What makes this the perfect residence in upscale rural areas known for their vineyards and expansive ranches? Why would a person wish to invest in a residence that is unlike anything they are familiar with in terms of the building methods used? These serve as only a few of the countless questions a person may have before deciding if this option is right for their needs. 

Customization

When a person chooses to construct a barndo, they find they have countless options available to them. The building often comes as nothing more than a shell with basic framing on the interior. As a result, the owner finds they can finish the interior however they desire. One person might want an open floor plan that allows the interior to be wide open other than bedrooms and bathrooms. Another individual may choose to have separate areas for each part of their daily life. It’s all a matter of what the owner wants and needs when it comes to the residence, as no two families are alike. 

Furthermore, companies now offer a do-it-yourself option that every potential buyer should consider. The construction team handles the basic tasks. They construct the metal shell, hook up the utilities, and handle tasks such as putting up the drywall. Once this work is complete, they turn the home over to the new owner. This individual then handles all of the remaining details, such as choosing the flooring and fixtures before having them installed. This ensures the home meets the owner’s needs and wishes in every way. 

Construction

People find they must wait months to have their new residence inhabitable when they choose to build from the ground up using conventional building methods. That isn’t the case when a person opts for a barndominium. Experienced crews can have the metal shell construction up in a fraction of the time. The homeowner can then take as long as they want or need to complete the interior of the residence. Doing so ensures the home is everything the owner dreamed of when starting the project and remains within their budget at the same time. They finish the home as money allows to ensure they get the perfect residence in every way. 

Durability

The metal used to create a barndo ensures the residence will last for decades. In fact, these materials come with a longer lifespan than conventional building materials. Homeowners know they are making an investment in the future that will provide a nice return on investment in the coming years. 

Flexibility

One reason people love barndos is the structure can be used as a home or combine elements of both a workplace and living space. It’s all a matter of what the individual wants and needs from their residence. As more people work from home today than ever before, it’s no wonder they are taking a second look at the barndominium option.

Furthermore, potential buyers find they can create a home that allows them to enjoy both indoor and outdoor living. They select those features that will be of most benefit to them. For example, one person might wish to have a rollup door on their residence to accommodate their classic car collection. Another buyer could select oversized windows throughout the home to enjoy the beauty of the landscape even when they must stay indoors. 

Creating the Perfect Residence

When designing a barndominium, individuals find they have flexibility. While certain rooms must be situated a particular way to accommodate utilities, the majority of the interior layout can be customized to meet the needs of the owner. Experts recommend planning the home around the way each room will be used. 

Once the square footage of the barndominium has been decided, it’s time to begin planning the interior. Many barndos feature a main living area with a loft area above this space. To ensure the home feels open and welcoming, many individuals opt for large windows and a wraparound deck. However, these serve as only two of the countless ways the barndo can be designed for the specific individual or family who will live there. 

Finishing the Barndominium

When the time comes to finish the interior of the residence, experts offer some advice that will benefit any new homeowner. They explain that color serves as the best way to make the house a home. When the residence contains a large, open space, add a colorful stripe that extends around the perimeter of the room. Doing so provides the area with an intimate feel. Countless individuals opt for an accent wall, as this helps provide the large open space with a focal point, and homeowners should consider making the ceiling the accent wall. 

Large furnishings serve as the perfect pieces for barndominiums. These furnishings include oversized chairs and sectionals, among other things. When placing the furniture, group pieces together to distinguish different living spaces. Many people tend to arrange their furniture in a way that leaves the residence looking like a furniture store. Using this technique that can be avoided. 

Allow the furnishings to tie the different areas of the home together. A single color palette across the different spaces serves as a great way to accomplish this goal. If you are concerned about becoming bored with this color, choose a neutral palette. By doing so, you can change up the look of the space simply by changing accessories in the different rooms. Add some new throw pillows or choose lamps in a different color to achieve this goal.

Area rugs serve as another great way to separate different living spaces in an open concept home. The rugs help to define the different areas and separate them. Again, try to keep the rugs in the same color palette for a look others will envy. 

Barndominiums serve as a great option for individuals looking to build a home. Speak to a builder today to learn whether this option meets your needs. Many people find it is exactly what they want for their new residence, as these structures have so much to offer. 

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HOME DESIGN, home renovation

A Designer vs an Architect?

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When a person is about to renovate a home, build a new home, or just redecorate the home they are living in or just purchased, the question often comes up about hiring an architect or an interior designer. In some cases an architect is the right choice, in others, an interior designer is the best one to hire, and in other cases, the homeowner or commercial building owner should hire both. It is important when taking on a large renovation or building project to hire the right team of professionals.

What Does An Interior Designer Do?

An interior designer will have a college degree in interior design where they studied space planning, interior materials, rendering designs and making floor plans, and every aspect of interior design. Where an architect designs the building or home structure and details, the interior designer works with the interior spaces of a building once it is constructed. Interior designers can work with a home builder, an architectural office, or residential and commercial design companies. They can also work for retail home decorating stores or building supply centers. There are interior designers who work independently or have their own interior design companies.

Interior designers can work for design supply companies that people call for carpeting services, interior finishes, and design services. These companies can sell flooring, cabinetry, countertops, window coverings, wall coverings, and more. When a company like this offers design center services, customers get better service and results.

Some of the services designers offer include:

·         Interior designers can offer space planning for homes, hotels, commercial buildings, offices, hospitals, and public buildings.

·         Designers will meet with clients to learn their needs for the space and then create floor plans and renderings of designs for the interior space that create function and beauty.

·         Designers will also cost out the design plan for clients and submit a bid for the materials and labor.

·         Once the client approves the design, materials, and cost of the project, the designer will oversee the work of creating the finished design.

·         A designer can create a space by creative use of paint, fabrics, and furnishings. Other jobs require building renovation or alterations that require a builder or construction contractor to be hired and supervised by the designer before the finishes are installed.

·         Designers must create an interior space that is functional, beautiful and meets all building codes for safety.

·         Interior designers must have both aesthetic design skills and the ability to plan the best use of any space.

·         Designers must have training and knowledge of architecture, construction, design, sustainability, building codes, and environmentally friendly practices.

What Does an Architect Do?

Architects handle large building projects from the ground up from planning through construction and finishes. They have trained in college for engineering, design theory, and project management. They are trained to design a project, create blueprints and mechanical drawings, cost out the project, solicit bids, manage the building project, choose the contractors, subcontractors, and other professionals, oversee the work, control the money, and solve complex building design problems.

An architect’s services come at a cost and the more involved with a project you want them, the more the cost will be. But the cost is worth it when a building is built correctly and is functional and beautiful. The larger the building project, the more important it is to hire a good architect. An architect can visualize building ideas three-dimensionally. This is important in creating a building that is aesthetically balanced and attractive as well as structurally sound and functional.

Look for the initials AIA after the architect’s name because this means they belong to the American Institute of Architects. This professional organization requires its members to meet high professional standards. Each state has a process for licensing architects who meet their professional standards.

When Should You Hire an Architect or an Interior Designer, or Both?

A residing factor in hiring an architect is the size of the job. If you are building a new home, you need an architect. If you are doing a large renovation that includes removing walls, impacting the footprint of the house with an addition, changing the height or grade of the home, you need an architect. If you are moving staircases or installing a new kitchen or bath, you may need an architect.

An architect is mainly needed for the big structural changes and the exterior or shell of the building. They basically design and build the structure of a building. The interior designer can work with an architect in choosing building features such as windows, doors, finishes. But, their main responsibility is with the interior of the building once it is constructed. They add the finishing touches and the aesthetics.

If you are working with an existing structure and need interior design help, then you need an interior designer. When an existing structure needs a professional to choose and place finishes, floor covering, artwork, furniture, window treatments, and accessories to make the space functional, safe, and attractive, an interior designer is needed.

Then, there are large building and renovation projects of both residential and commercial buildings that will benefit from hiring both an architect for the structural design and concerns and an interior designer for the interior decoration and finishes. Since interior designers and architects have different skill sets, they often work together from the beginning of a large project.

Hiring both professionals does not mean twice the cost. A well-planned project will have a division of responsibilities for the architect and the interior designer. When the project is complete and the building owner has the aesthetics and functionality of both the building structure and the interiors they want, the cost of hiring these professionals will be well worth the investment.

It is important to hire the correct professionals for the job size and complexity. If the home needs an interior designer but does not involve structural changes, then pass on the architect. But when structural changes are being planned, don’t hesitate to consult an architect.

SHOP FAVOURITES…

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HOME DECOR, HOME STYLING

Five Great Design Elements To Add To Your Home

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Design elements add some style and personality to your space – whether you’ve just moved into a new house, or you’ve been living there for a while and are thinking about updating a few areas, it’s worth doing a bit of research before you commit to any changes. Following trends in DIY and interiors can seem like a good idea at the time but could leave you with dated furnishings and wall colors that soon lose their appeal. Don’t worry, though; we’ve got five ideas for classic design elements to add to your home that will stand the test of time.

#1 Bare Floors

While carpets add a certain amount of warmth and comfort to your home, bare floors are the way to go for great design. Not only are they easier to clean and maintain, but they’ll also work with any future interior changes you might make. There is a vast range of options for installing bare floors in your home, from reclaimed floorboards for the eco-lover to engineered wood flooring in shades of oak, beech, and ash.

#2 Statement Windows

When you’re updating your home, it’s easy to think about the inside and neglect any outdoor spaces – but the exterior is the first thing you see, so it’s worth paying attention to things like windows, doors and the garden. Classic windows are a great element to add to your home, and switching uPVC for timber windows is always a good idea. Not only are they more aesthetically pleasing, but they also won’t date or age like the plastic alternatives. Experienced timber window manufacturers will be able to create bespoke designs which fit in perfectly with the style of your house, and you’ll also have various color options as well.

#3 Plenty Of Greenery

Plants and greenery are hands down the best accessory for any home for lots of reasons: they have a wonderful visual impact, and they also help to purify the air and increase the humidity of a room. If you’re not the green-fingered type, don’t worry! There are plenty of plants that are really easy to keep alive with minimal effort; spider plants, ivy, and sansevieria plants just need regular watering once a week or so, while larger plants such as monsteras are also pretty hardy for beginners.


#4 Beautiful Furniture

When you’re choosing furniture, it can be tempting to look for quirky or brightly-colored pieces – especially if you’re aiming to make a statement in a room. This can end up being a costly mistake, however, as any future interior changes could mean your furniture no longer works in your home. So, when you shop for anything large, such as sofas or tables, opt instead for classic designs.  Wooden furniture in shades of oak, ash or even whitewash will all stand the test of time, and anything with a mid-century modern feel to it will adapt to any changes you might make at a later date – look for tapered legs, clean lines and gentle curves to get it right.


#5 Effective Storage

Effective storage not only needs to hold anything you want to keep out of sight; it also needs to work well with the style of your home. If possible, opt to have bespoke storage manufactured to fit into existing alcoves and along the entire length of any walls. The most successful storage is the type that you don’t notice! If you’re on more of a budget, try to fit ready-made furniture into your home. The key is to make sure it blends into the background; look for anything with minimal detailing and try to match it to the color of your walls. If this isn’t possible, try to make a feature out of storage – vintage sideboards are now collector’s items and can add real aesthetic value to your home, while accessories such as lidded wicker baskets are great for keeping those smaller items hidden.

I hope you find these 5 great design elements for your home inspiring. Which one is your favourite?

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