home design

We all know that the weather can be unpredictable. Even in the height of summer, it’s possible to experience four seasons in one day. Being comfortable at home is essential, especially at the moment when most of us are spending more time at home than usual. In this guide, we’ll offer some handy tips to help you make sure your home is ready for whatever the forecast holds. 

Shade and shelter

Summer is in full swing, and many of us are keen to get out into our gardens and make the most of longer, lighter, warmer days. The trouble is that you never really know what’s in store in terms of the weather. One minute it’s blazing sunshine, the next it’s raining cats and dogs. One way to ensure that you are able to make the most of your outdoor space throughout the year is to add shade and shelter. With structures and features like gazebos, retractable awnings and covered patios you can enjoy being outside come rain or shine. Cool down on hot days and stay dry if there are passing showers. If you’re unsure what kind of additions would work in your garden, take a look online for inspiration and browse home and garden magazines. It’s also a great idea to get ideas from places you’ve visited or gardens you’ve seen on TV. There are solutions to suit every budget and cater to all tastes. 

Heating and cooling

Many of us complain that we’re too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. We rely on heating during the cooler months and fans and open windows and doors during the warmer months. If you do struggle to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, there are steps you can take to prepare yourself for seasonal changes and more extreme weather. If you find it hard to sleep, or your home feels stuffy in the summer, invest in free-standing fans or investigate adding ceiling fans or an air conditioning unit. If your home gets very cold in the winter, make sure you have supplies of domestic heating oil, book routine boiler checks before cooler climes arrive and look for ways to improve insulation. You could get quotes for double glazing, add loft or cavity wall insulation or use simple, inexpensive techniques, such as filling gaps in walls, using draught excluders and keeping internal doors closed. Setting a thermostat can also help you regulate the temperature of your home. 

Soft furnishings

Soft furnishings enhance the aesthetic appeal of living rooms and bedrooms but they can also play an important role in keeping you warm when temperatures plunge. You can use rugs, throws and blankets to get cosy and lower your heating bills. When it’s warm outside, swap heavy fabrics, such as wool, velvet and faux fur for light materials like linen and cotton to stay cool. 

We all know that the British weather can be unpredictable. It can be difficult to ensure that our homes are geared up for summer or winter when the forecast includes rain, sunshine, thunder and wind on the same day. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to ensure that you’re comfortable in your home all year round. From adding shelter and shade in the garden to using heating and cooling systems and soft furnishings to get warm or stay cool, take these tips on board to survive every season. 

At the point when you’re decorating your home with home decor items, you need it to mirror your character and your life. We’ve all seen excellent homes that appear as though a lodging, great and flawless. Yet, an ideal room brimming with costly items shouldn’t be your objective. You should plan your home to mirror your life. Regardless, some home stylistic theme things are consistently worth a lavish expenditure.

One Thing That Brings You Joy

While decorating your home, you need your space to cause you to feel cheerful each time you stroll in the entryway. One approach to do that is to consolidate no less than one piece that you totally love and can’t survive without. Do you have a model that brings you joy? Or on the other hand perhaps you have a ravishing seat that makes you grin each time you plunk down to peruse a book? These things, the things that you love from the second you see them, are consistently worth a lavish expenditure.

A Quality Hand-made Rug

The rug is the establishment of any room. Your rug ought to be one of the principal pieces you select, assisting you with building a delightful and practical space. A rug can unite a room or put it aside. A rug can add surface and shading, characterize a space, and set the style and mind-set for your whole home. Your rug choice is certainly where you should spend too much, choosing a legacy quality rug that will keep going for ages.

High-Performance Upholstery Home Decor Items

While everybody needs a lovely home, you additionally need a useful home. There’s nothing more terrible than making an excellent room, just to have your family, children, pets, and visitors make it look worn in only a couple years. At the point when you select textures for high-traffic regions and all around utilized rooms like your family room, you would prefer not to hold back. Select elite upholstery that will withstand a lot of mileage and look flawless for quite a long time to come.

Unique Home Decor Items from Your Travels

As part of creating a home that reflects your personality, make room to share unique or one-of-a-kind items from your travels and your life. Your home should tell your story and invite conversation. What better way to share yourself with friends and family than to share your travels through your décor? So, when you’re off on the adventure of a lifetime, be sure to splurge on something to remind you of your journey that you can display at home.

A new study of 2,000 Americans investigated the contrasts between the celestial signs to perceive what each sign thinks often about the most with regards to home stylistic theme and goods.

Interior designs and decorations are welcoming new trends that are different from the era of dramatic floral arrangements, wooden sculptures, and stuffed up houses as a definition of warmth.

In most recent times, interior design is taking a new shape, inspired more than ever by nature and the unexplored beauties in the world to create a new approach, a perfect, original, and divine look for homes. 

Decorative minerals are a new addition to interior decoration, bringing in the beauty of natural minerals that have long been admired from a distance into the home. 

The very art of incorporating crystals into home decors is fast gaining attention all over the world, and the reason is not farfetched.
Many have coveted the beauty of minerals and rocks. They cannot get enough of these ancient rocks’ remarkable aesthetics after being adapted, carved, and polished into objects of affection, positioned in different areas of the home.
Decorative minerals are ushering in a new lifestyle, redefining beauty in its purest form, and setting the standards for a modern lifestyle trend. 

From the radiant colours of jade and jasper to the beauty of quartz, the pure essence of selenite, the best and most inspirational designers, transforms pure minerals and gemstones into colorful pieces that will change the world of interior design forever. 

How to use decorative minerals in interior designs 

One fantastic thing about crystals is that they go well with different themes and designs. 
Whether you subscribe to the neat, spacious designed rooms, or the expensive interior, decorative minerals blend in perfectly and give your interior an exquisite look that makes your décor stand out.
There are many gorgeous minerals and crystals to suit your interior and add a unique element to your home or office. 
From centrepieces to brass bowls, plant holders, trays, shelves, mirrors and other accessories, rocks and minerals are treasures to your homes that will stand out wherever they are displayed. 

Here are some ways to use crystals and rocks in interior design

Decorative minerals as a centrepiece

Decorative minerals can stand as the focus of your entire décor and look amazing on display. 
You can place your crystal object in the centre of your room, on your living room table, or in the middle of your office space. 
Displaying a large transparent or beautifully carved rock as the centrepiece of your room rivets the attention of anyone who comes in, and gives the rest of the décor flair. 
When decorating your home or office, the focus piece serves as the reference point for every other decoration in the room. They are all styled to follow after the centrepiece.
However, even if your crystals don’t make up your sole focal point, they blend well as an integral part of your décor. 

Some colourful decorative minerals that stand out as centrepieces include

• Quartz Crystals
  • Quartz crystals are famous for their beautiful array of colours and translucencies. 
  • Quartz crystals are large and thick and take different shapes and sizes.
  • Rose Quartz stands out in every interior and is best suited for tabletops and other focus areas.
• Agates 
  • Agates are very popular among centrepieces for home and offices, and this has a lot to do with their multiple layers of colours engineered by natural chemical changes.
  • They are found in the cavities of igneous rocks and can come in different translucent shades and colours. 
• Labradorite 
  • You can design many décor themes using labradorite and watch its bright features light up your entire interior. 
  • Labradorites light up your home, giving it a stunning ambience with the unique iridescence.

 
Decorative minerals as accents 

Even if you don’t use them as your centrepiece, crystals and rocks can accentuate your interior and give it a finishing look. 
You can place minerals on your bookshelves, bathroom stands, television stands, fireplace, and other areas where it will stand out. 
If you are using decorative minerals as assents, consider the existing décor to help determine what shape, pattern and colour of crystals to choose. 

The first step to choosing the right crystal is to consider the existing aesthetics of your home or office. Imagine your colour schemes, spacing and design to discover the perfect gem for your interior. 
Fluorite, Coelestite, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, and Lapis are some of the most popular mineral accents for your interior.

Decorative minerals in planter arrangements 

Crystals look stunning as planters and floral stands and enhance the plant arrangements. 
You can create a beautiful feel with translucent glass stands, vases and plant trays. 
You can also explore colourful decorative minerals such as peach, blue, and green, to give it a mild and natural look. 
You may use soil plants or air plants in your arrangement based on preference. 

Why you should embrace the new lifestyle of decorative minerals? Minerals are elegant, natural, original, and historic. They give your interior an exquisite look that is both subtle and unique:

• They give your interior elegance and style.
• Minerals are original pieces that exude personality and taste.
• They create a surreal blend of nature, ancient and contemporary design.

Decorative minerals represent a vibrant blend of geology, creativity, and imagery to produce accessories, crystals, and objects that improve interior designs.

Not many interior designers are knowledgeable about using minerals in interior décor. Still, once you find the right one, you can rest assured that your home or office is about to be transformed completely. 

Where is the best place to find decorative minerals?

The Lübeck based Kristallkontor is setting the pace for contemporary design and has pioneered the use of crystals and decorative minerals for interior designs in Germany.

The Kristallkontor redefines living and lifestyle with contemporary furnishing concept characterized by an artistic blend of crystal art objects, lamps, stands, and other home accessories made of beautiful minerals. 

Kristallkontor is an interior design store with an exquisite array of luxury interior designs in a fascinating mix between nature, history, and contemporary beauty.

Stephanie and Steffen Dettmann

Stephanie Dettmann and Steffen Dettmann are the brains behind the exceptional Kristallkontor and the pioneers of the decorative minerals as a lifestyle trend. Their shop highlights the beauty of natural elements sourced from different ends of the earth. The duo makes a perfect match that has influenced their shop to become a pacesetter as far as mineral decoration is concerned. Stephanie Dettmann is a lover of rocks, gemstones, and decorative minerals. A creative artist of pedigree, Stephanie is the brain behind the decorative blend of crystals and fossils of different types to create a dynamic relationship between interior design, architecture, and nature.

She passionately contemplates and creates accessories, objects of different colours, shapes, and styles out of natural minerals with such authenticity that they would elevate any space they occupy.  Stephanie creates unique pieces of decorative mineral to fit different homes, furniture, and design themes.  Every of Stephanie’s creations boasts of timeless elegance, from wall decors to decorative fossils, stands, mineral vases, mirrors, all made from unique specimens sourced from all around the world.

Stephanie blends different natural colours and hues to produce a décor that fits into the contemporary space and elevates the interior. 
Every mineral decoration is a brilliant work of art mastered by Stephanie’s fingers as she shapes and polishes rocks into flawless beauties that highly improve any interior.  Steffan Dettmann, Stephanie’s partner, is a certified geologist and is well-versed in the study of the elements. Hence, his exceptional choice of minerals and gemstones makes up the collection of unrivaled decorative minerals Kristallkontor displays. 

Steffan travels far and wide to locate natural elements unseen and prior undiscovered. The duo then creates extraordinary accessories that appeal to every individual’s preference and taste, offering an unconventional beauty that the world is agog over. With its lavish crystals, blend of fossils, and decorative minerals, Kristallkontor boasts of collections that people covet all over the world. 

Most of us want the home to be a little more personal, if possible, as there are clearly many benefits to this being the case. For one thing, it means that you are going to find it a lot easier to be comfortable and happy in your own home, and that is obviously very important. It also makes the home have a better vibe and be better for guests to visit, so that’s something to consider as well. But how can you actually make the home more personal? Let’s take a look at some of the best ways in which you can do just that.

Change The Wallpaper

It sounds simple enough, and it is, but just changing the wallpaper is one of the best things you can do to ensure that you will make the home much more suitable for you. The great thing about wallpaper is you can easily remove it at will and replace it again in the near future, so you are never going to be stuck with it if you don’t want to be. That’s great because, just as you might want walls to change, so do our personalities change. Therefore, using wallpaper is often much better than using only paint on the walls, and it’s definitely something that you might want to consider as an option here.

Have A Few Familial Reminders

For most of us, our families are a very important part of who we are. As such, it’s important that you do all you can to have a few reminders of your family around the home. In fact, doing this is a sure-fire way to ensure that your home feels so much better and more personal to you, so you should definitely think about doing this. One of the easiest ways is to have family with you in the home via the use of religious urns and other such artefacts. Alternatively, you can simply put up photographs of your family that you are particularly fond of. However you do it, these familial reminders are always going to be handy in ensuring that the home feels more like it is yours.

Hang Art

Most people enjoy some kind of art, even if they are not necessarily a fan of all art. If you do have some kind of art that you tend to enjoy, you will find that having it hanging up in your home is a great and powerful way for the home to feel much more like it is personal to you. In particular, you should hang up any piece of art you have come across that really does speak to you in some way, should there be any such pieces you can think of. Even just having a couple of prints like this can be very helpful here, so this is definitely something you might want to think about.

If you do those simple things, your home is going to be much more personal and true to you in no time.

A House of Dreams Tailor-Made for Luxury Living

Regarded as the mansion of dreams and opulence, this multimillion-dollar worth house located in Miami was developed for a special client: a city guy, an art lover, an architect that loves the sea, and with impeccable taste in interior design. A man of many traits that needs a mega-mansion to live the dream. The ultimate dream, the Luxxu Dream that comes in the form of customization and timelessness.

The house could be described as a place that you never want to leave, equalling many characteristics seen in luxurious hospitality venues. It was created to become the client’s very own museum in a highly desirable location upgraded by one-of-a-kind amenities and spaces, including a well-appointed outdoor space, a home theater, and an entertainment room build to showcase distinctiveness. In other words, this home is the most LUXXU place you will ever find in the entire world as you are about to see.

Entryway

Setting the tone for the rest of the house, the hallway is a grandiose space that feels like walking straight into a museum. The Babel XL chandelier, a brand-new piece by LUXXU, shaped with handmade crystal glass and gold plated brass, illuminates the entryway. Furthermore, black marble displays and classic sculptures convey a strong sense of decor and are enlightened by the Babel wall lamps. At the end of the entryway, one can found other sumptuous pieces, from the Ocadia armchairs to the Suspicion console.

Kitchen

For the modern kitchen, marble was the material chosen to profusely decorate this space in tones of black and white, including walls, flooring, cabinetry, and kitchen island. The brass and crystal glass form of the Shard suspension, a unique lighting fixture with a strong presence and character, pairs perfectly with the kitchen’s marble theme. The modern velvet and leather chair, Galea also adds an extra layer of refinement and subtle details such as the Skyline door handles and pulls by PullCast offer a more detailed nature to this interior.

Dining Room

The generous dining room was designed to highlight the comfortable luxury and palpable sophistication. This space is comprised of a plethora of cutting-edge and tailored designs that certainly stand the test of time! The Beyond dining table sets the stage with its golden and neutral tones playing an intriguing contrast with its surrounding elements. The Charla dining chairs were the upholstered designs selected to comfort guests whereas the Waterfall rectangular suspension sparkles smooth lighting over the table.

Furthermore, a set of Otto Swivel armchairs brings an extra layer of comfort and poise, making quite an imperial statement. The importance of a well-lit dining room is assuredly not overlooked here, as the room highlights a cluster of lighting pieces, from the Waterfall floor lamps to the Gala torch wall lights, both exclusive pieces that present palatial influences with a hint of modernity. Lastly, one can also be marveled by the exquisiteness and timeless allure of designs such as the Vertigo console, the Nubian sideboard, and the Scala mirror, all of which are the embodiment of craftsmanship and creative luxury.

Living Room

In matters of functionality and comfort, the living room is the one home division where one can experiment with color palettes, layers of textures and patterns, and furniture layouts. When it comes to upholstery, a brand-new sofá by LUXXU was chosen to decorate this space. Senzu becomes the focal point as it features a round form and a neutral color scheme. The living room is further complemented by other neutral furnishings such as the Saboteur Swivel armchairs, the Lloyd Bookcase, and the Nubian bar cabinet. Nevertheless, one can find accentuated pops of gold throughout, especially in the Empire center table set as well as lighting pieces like the Liberty Suspension.

Master Suite

The Master suite of this Miami penthouse benefits from a semi-open decor concept, where design elements such as a warm color scheme, lively sculptures, wooden flooring, marble walls, and modern furnishings and lighting designs reign supreme. This suite is completed with a sophisticated bedroom, office, closet, and bathroom areas, all exhaustively decorated to represent the luxury lifestyle and comfortable living!

Spacious in size, the bedroom is extremely well-appointed with some of LUXXU’s most classic pieces as well as novelties. For instance, the presence of the Charla family is rather noticeable, from the lush bed with a massive headboard to complex nightstands with timeless lines, not to mention the dresser that contrasts astoundingly with the Vertigo mirror that is presented in a set of three. By the left side of the bed, the Empire dressing table and bench make their debut whereas, at the bottom of the room, the Galea armchairs become the perfect spot to relax and read a book. Numerous lighting pieces can be found throughout as well, from the Waterfall suspension to the Skyline wall lights.

While not oversaturated with design features, this closet space does adhere to a more maximal approach counting with elements such as the massive Athos floor mirror, a modern design beautifully crafted with a leather and brass frame that steals all the attention due to its gargantuan proportions. Two Waltz closets placed diagonally introduce an industrial flair to this area and provide plenty of storage space whereas the Nubian geometrical ottoman becomes the idyllic supporting piece.

This gentleman’s office is more than a desk and a chair. It’s a mood, a lifestyle. After all, it’s where our client escapes from the world, organizes himself, and builds his empire. The Apotheosis desk makes quite the powerful and functional statement piece and it is equipped with a USB port for maximum accessibility. In addition, the Apotheosis bookcase was placed not only to add style to the room but also to store the client’s collectibles from many adventures. For a moment of peace and comfort, the Anguis sofa enters in action whereas the Crackle center and side tables round up this detailed space decor-wise.

In tune with the suite’s design elements, the master bathroom is not only functional but designed for optimal comfort and luxury. This refreshing bathroom design mostly decorated in marble is grand enough to have all the key elements of a high-end hotel spa: walk-in showers, double sinks, and a larger-than-life bathtub. Other stand-out pieces include the Darian washbasin and the Shield mirror by Maison Valentina, the Skyline XL wall lamp, and the Skyline door handle by PullCast, the latter of which offers a more cosmopolitan feel to this area.

Home Theater

Home theaters have become quite representative of the contemporary lifestyle. As a home designed to be the best place in the world, and to fulfill the client’s needs and passion for film, this is a room of the utmost importance. In this area, owners and guests alike will be able to be immersed in a cinematic experience while accommodated in an avant-garde design expression. The Charla armchairs were the chosen upholsteries to guarantee that theater is packed with boundless elegance and above all comfort.

In regards to the color scheme, the cinema presents a neutral scene of variable hues of white, black, and gray while metallic pops of gold can be found within furniture and lighting designs such as the Empire center table and side tables as well as the Tycho small wall lights. This was done so to recreate a sense of old Hollywood glamour and an Art Deco twist. Two abstract paintings and a massive Oscar-like statue in grand size are the final decor touches and add an even more intriguing aura to this home theater.

Entertainment Room

When it comes to entertainment rooms, one of the most important aspects regarding its design is undoubtedly lighting. Again overhead lighting is a must as a well-lit room is a key to winning a game of snooker. The Pharo snooker suspension was the preferred piece to illuminate this space, playing a unique contrast between delicate and robust. This billiard room is also equipped with a bar and lounge setting in the name of fun and competition, where one can sit comfortably in one of the arrangements available, from the Thomson sofa to the Nura swivel bar chair or even the Charla dining chairs.

Outdoor

Following the “have it all” concept, the outdoors highlight panoramic views over Miami. To be able to enjoy the “art of a pleasurable moment”, a daring outdoor design is a must for a luxury experience and, as such, it was decided to divide this area into three separate stations.

Starting with the squared outdoor pool area, this space is the epitome of reclining, taking a deep breath, and just relaxing. To be the ultimate expression of comfort, LUXXU’s arranged this space with some of its most elegant designs that highlight a more neutral allure, from the Galea Grey day bed and sun loungers to the Vertigo XL dining table.

The other two remaining areas are slightly more subtle and intimate, having only a few design elements, so the sweeping views become the focal point. Neutral furnishings easily become the theme in a highly congenial setting that is perfect to explore the art of lounging. Here, pieces like the Galea armchair or the Thor center table add to the visual aesthetic. The other area presents another set of timeless pieces, like the Hampton upholsteries which are rather classic in shape, the custom Mayer center table, and the Suspicion side table in marble.

ABOUT LUXXU

LUXXU’s Empire is shaping its future by setting trends with timeless pieces and refined elegance. Lighting was the start of a luxury journey stating itself as classic with a modern twist. Today, a new epoch unveils at LUXXU. Daring ambiances are an everlasting aesthetic language shared by every element. LUXXU now allows you to create those ambiances as the brand uncovers a crucial imperial complement, a Furniture Collection. Offering resembling noble materials and finishes where customization blossoms as brand capital. Be our guest and get inspired by a distinctive collection of timeless pieces.

Image Credit: StockSnap from Pixabay.

Everyone gets the urge to renovate or redecorate their home every once in a while. That could prove to be costly, however, so many people stick to one or two bits and pieces at a time. If you’re looking for some small things to change and upgrade, look no further than your windows.

While there could be a case to be made for changing the windows themselves, it would be more affordable to do something with the blinds. Not only do these affect the visuals of the room’s interior, but they’ll also offer you some protection against people looking in.

With the sheer variety of blinds on offer, though, it can often be difficult to decide which ones to get. Thankfully, a few have been trending for the past while, each for its own reasons. Though they’re growing in popularity, you mightn’t have thought of them before.

They’re still worthy of consideration, however.

How To Upgrade Your Windows: Try These Blinds

Alexa Controlled Blinds

While blinds that you can control with your phone have been popular for years, they’re being taken over by voice-activated shades. One of the more noticeable of these is the Alexa controlled blinds.

If you have the device, then they could be a great addition to your home. Raising and lowering your blinds without any effort is only one of the benefits. The largest may be that almost any style of blind can be integrated with the device.

That makes them much easier to use without compromising on their design or visual appeal.

Cellular Shades

You might be aware of pleated shades, of which these cellular shades somewhat resemble. There are some noticeable differences, though. Cellular shades, for instance, are made from two separate pieces of material.

They’re also designed to open at the middle, which provides some insulation. That could make them a great option if you want to regulate your home’s temperature better. The design feature doesn’t cut down on style, however, as they come in various colour and design options.

Roman Shades

Roman shades, also called roman blinds, are one of the more traditional options to pick. They offer a stylish look regardless of whether they’re up or down, however. While there are a few different types of these shades, they all have a few things in common.

They’ll typically have a fabric covering them, and they’re raised to fit into themselves. That’s quite similar to Venetian blinds. That could make them a perfect for tall windows that need a lot of fabric or a longer blind. When rolled up, they don’t take up much space and can still look stylish.

While these are usually lowered and raised manually, you could get them as Alexa controlled blinds.

Wrapping Up

Getting new blinds could only be the beginning of your redecorating or renovations. You don’t have to put too much money and effort into getting new furniture. Changing some of the small things, such as the blinds and other accessories, can be a much more affordable approach. Over time, that’ll make more of a difference than you’d think.