In contrast to their enormous and extravagant predecessors, mini-chandeliers are perfect for rooms with limited space, ranging from attic bedrooms to even baths and kitchens. That said, their upscale counterparts are also making a comeback.

Lighting can have enormous effect on the comfort of the home, making it a topic of enormous interest to interior designers. As a result, keeping up-to-date about the latest lighting trends is essential to ensuring interior design success.

Here are the top lighting trends in 2015:

• LEDs are becoming more and more practical, making them the lighting of choice for more and more homeowners. Of particular note is the increasing interest in outdoor LEDs as a result of the increasing interest in outdoor living.
• Warm colors have come into fashion, bringing with them a renewed interest in metallic, copper-colored fixtures.
• In contrast to their enormous and extravagant predecessors, mini-chandeliers are perfect for rooms with limited space, ranging from attic bedrooms to even baths and kitchens. That said, their upscale counterparts are also making a comeback.
• Sources of light have started popping up in all sorts of unexpected spaces to enhance their ease of use. Examples include but are not limited to both cabinets and showers.
• More and more homeowners want their lights incorporated into their home security systems for superior protection. At the same time, their wireless setup also results in increased convenience.

Please contact us for more useful information.

The post Lighting Trends That Will Top in 2015 appeared first on TAB Associates.

Eco-friendly materials like stone, metal, and wood are becoming more and more popular in interior design.

As the times change, the prevailing fashions change with them. Interior design is no exception to this rule, meaning that successful interior design is reliant on keeping up with the latest in interior design trends.

Here are some of the interior design trends that promise to be big in 2015:

• Eco-consciousness has become more and more important, so it should come as no surprise to learn that natural materials such as stone, metal, and wood are becoming more and more popular in interior design.
• Likewise, interest in natural themes has exploded. Examples range from vivid colors and floral decorations to indoor water features and larger windows to let in the light.
• More and more interior designers are mixing old and new styles to create stunning but nonetheless comfortable spaces. The combination of the rustic and the retro with the classic and the luxurious makes for excellent complements and contrasts.
• At the same time, spaces are becoming more versatile to cater to a range of needs.

Please check out our projects to see how we can put these and other design trends to good use. If you have other inquiries related to our services, please contact us at your earliest convenience.

The post Modern Interior Trends for 2015 appeared first on TAB Associates.

An experienced designer can help you find elements that coordinate well, fit into your budget, and will remain in style for years to come.

If you want to create a space that it as functional as possible while also expressing your own personal style, hiring an interior designer is almost essential. An experienced designer can help you find elements that coordinate well, fit into your budget, and will remain in style for years to come. Follow these tips to hire a great designer:

• Seek out a designer who will work with you and listen to your ideas rather than taking over the entire process.
• Decide how you want to use the space you are decorating, and share this information with designers up front. This is the most important element designers will need to know in order to come up with ideas that will work for your space.
• Talk to several designers, and only hire one that’s easy to get along with and professional. You’ll need to interact with this person regularly, so it’s important that you’re compatible.
• Don’t be afraid to tell your designer if you don’t like certain ideas. He or she should accommodate your preferences by making changes when requested.

Contact TAB Associates to learn more about our architecture and interior design services.

The post Tips to Hiring An Interior Designer appeared first on TAB Associates.

A cabin’s well-lived-in appearance encourages you to make use of its interior as you please, whereas its too-perfect counterparts can make you afraid of scratching their finish.

Made using a combination of stone, wood, and other natural materials, cabins can project a cozy and comfortable atmosphere that is sure to soothe even the most frazzled occupants. With cabins as with other homes, good interior design is essential to ensuring their overall success.

Put these interior design ideas for a cabin style home to good use:

• Much of a cabin’s charm lies in its well-lived-in appearance. This encourages you to make use of its interior as you please, whereas its too-perfect counterparts can make you afraid of scratching their finish. Both weathered surfaces and warm stained wood are useful for creating this impression of casual comfort.
• Cabins often come with nooks and crannies that can be turned into functional spaces with built-in furniture. Combined with a window to the outside, such locations make excellent work-spaces.
• Although wood in its natural colors is useful for creating a warm and welcoming impression, some people like to paint it white for a bright and airy look that is well-suited to crowded spaces.
• Hardwood flooring is a must, but rugs can balance them with softness.

Please contact us at The Architectural Balance to learn more about the latest trends in interior design for a cabin like appearance.

The post Cabin Homes Interior Design Ideas appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: TAB Associates

Vintage Decor – Unique, vintage furniture and decorations are more popular than ever. There’s just something special about having a chest or chair that you know no one else has — especially when it matches your decor perfectly.

Plenty of Color – Neutral, beige tones are out — at least when they’re not paired with brighter, flashier colors. Loud tones like bright cobalt blue and yellow are very popular right now.

The Rustic Look – From exposed wooden beams in the ceiling, to bedrooms that feel like they’re in a mountain retreat, the cabin-style, rustic look has gained a lot of footing in 2014.

Spa-Style Bathrooms – From walk-in showers, to ornate tile and heated floors, bathrooms are becoming a true place of luxury. Many are made to resemble mountain resorts with natural stone and wood used throughout the designs.

For help incorporating these home design trends into your building plans, contact TAB Associates, Inc.

The post Interior Design Trends for 2014 appeared first on TAB Associates.

• Choose natural materials. Natural materials aren’t limited to interior features such as wood flooring or paneling in the living room. Adding natural materials to the exterior of your home serves to blend your home into its natural surroundings and also creates continuity between the indoors and outdoors.
• Natural light. When designing your home, emphasize a floor plan and design that allows natural light to come in. Natural light can always be controlled with a variety of shades and window covers, however it’s primary benefit is providing healthy natural light during the day. Using natural light will require less resources in using artificial light and may reduce your electric bill.
• Contemporary exterior finishes. Emphasize contemporary features on your home’s exterior such as a linear roof with an overhang or cantilever. Natural materials are also a nice contemporary touch for the home.

Are you building a contemporary home in Vail? To discuss contemporary home features for your residence, contact us at TAB Associates.

The post Want to Build a Contemporary Home? Check Out These Features appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: TAB Associates

These are a few of the top architectural design trends for 2014:

• Home spa. Having a home spa or whirlpool bath installed gives you a place to relax after a hectic day. It makes your home feel more like a private retreat where you can shut out the rest of the world. More than half of new homes being built in the US include a whirlpool bath, and the home spa industry is on the rise.

• Multifunctional kitchen. Kitchens are turning into central hubs in homes these days. They’re being used as a place to perform several other tasks besides cooking, such as studying or paying bills. Consider having your new kitchen set up in a way that accommodates this multipurpose trend.

• Outdoor room. Using outdoor space as an extension of the home is a growing trend. Instead of a simple patio or deck, an entire room can be constructed with eco-friendly materials that can handle the elements.

Want to see examples of homes that use current design trends?  Contact us at TAB Associates to talk about incorporating these trends in your new home!

The post Check Out These Architecture Trends for 2014 to Inspire Your Home appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: TAB Associates

Here are a few of the hottest kitchen trends for 2014:

• Blue: This color might seem like an odd choice for a kitchen, but it’s becoming a popular one. Homeowners are choosing all different shades of blue, ranging from soft sky blues to bright turquoise and sophisticated navy tones. Blue is mainly making an appearance in tiles and cupboards, as well as decor items.

• Eye-catching backsplashes: These areas above the stove or sink are really standing out, thanks to brightly colored splashbacks with bold patterns. These work well with kitchens that are mostly done in white or neutral colors since they create contrast.

• Natural materials: Wood, stone, brick and other natural materials are giving kitchens some rustic appeal and creating a warm and welcoming environment. This trend also involves exposing older beams and structures, as well as adding new features.

Want to see examples of kitchen trends for 2014? Contact TAB Associates for more information or check out our online portfolio today.

The post Let Us Work On Your Interiors: Kitchen Trends for 2014 appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: TAB Associates

One way to eliminate the uncertainty factor from your home’s drawing and plans is to create a 3D rendering of your home’s design. Using computer generation, you can have a chance to explore your home before it’s built and look around to see if you like the look. This will also allow you to experience your home as it will be designed and potentially save you from spending a lot of money on something you won’t be happy with later.

One thing to remember is not to choose an architect solely because he offers 3D renderings. In fact, you should always make it your goal to choose an architect who both does 3D renderings and whose work you love. You can be sure that artists who do photorealistic renderings use the most advanced practice.

For more information about designing and building your dream home, please contact us at TAB Associates Inc. today.

The post See Your Home Before You Build It With 3D Renderings appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: TAB Associates’ Website (Octagon, Gary Residence)

• Octagons and Rectangles. The 8-sided octagon is the most common shape for a home. In the Gary Residence project, our architects placed a octagonal shape for the Breakfast Nook and Exercise below. For added emphasis, the different shapes also displayed differing patterns, stucco and stone respectively.
  

  Source: TAB Associates’ Website (Rectangles, Lot 112)

• Rectangles and squares. Lot 112 features a variety of shapes put together, but the shapes are tempered by the rectangles and squares. The floor-to-ceiling rectangular windows are divided into square panels which enhance the look and feel of the home.
  

  Source: TAB Associates’ Website (Cylinders, Lot 5)

• Cylinders, Rectangles and Squares. The Bonidy Residence adds a layer of complexity to the rectangles and squares model by introducing cylindrical shapes on the side and back of the house. The tangentially incorporated circles add interest but don’t overpower the overall design.  This is also exemplified in the Brady Residence.

If you are designing a home and would like to reinforce the building blocks of your home, contact us at TAB Associates, Inc. to discuss your ideal geometric palette.

The post Understanding Balanced Geometry in Architecture appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: TAB Associates’ Website

Among them, JD Challenger stands out as one of the most prominent painters of Native American culture in the country. His paintings, pottery, and sculptures offer a window into the people and heritage that can still be felt throughout our state.

While Challenger’s work is diverse and well recognized, he is most famous for his focus on the Ghost Dance period which defined a large number of the Plains tribes and the experiences they had in the late 1800’s. Indeed, the imagery and stories JD Challenger captures in his paintings show how this religious movement spread across Native American tribes. He also does a masterful job of showing how the ritual itself evolved and was used to unite and unify the many tribes.

For more details about the many American artists who are eager to help decorate your home with unique works of art, contact us at TAB Associates, Inc.

The post Featured Artist Spotlight: JD Challenger appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: TAB Associates

A home workout room doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be as simple as moving the treadmill from the middle of the living room to an unused extra room and adding a few finishing touches. Here are a few spaces that you can transform to a workout room:

• Two-car garage. If you are very health conscious and have a lot of workout equipment, it’s highly likely that your garage would be the ideal gym. Installing a floor-to-ceiling mirror, new doors and attractive wood panel flooring could easily transform your gym space.

• Sunroom. The sunroom is ideal for yoga workouts, with minimal equipment or weights.

• Bonus Room. If you’re an empty nester or you don’t want to fill your bonus room with toys, transform it into a wellness space.  Put free weights and balance balls in one corner, a stationary bike in another, and some yoga mats and blocks for stretching.

If you are designing a home with a workout room, contact us at TAB Associates.

The post Building a Home? Find Space for a Workout Room appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: TAB Associates’ Website

• A patio or balcony is the perfect spot to create an in-between space. The photos show how opening or sliding doors create the walkway. With a table and chairs, you can sit take in amazing views of surrounding nature.

• In-between spaces are most ideal in the bedroom because they create a peaceful entry to take in the outdoors.

• An in-between space doesn’t have to be large. A small area with just a few feet will do. Something that is simple, yet elegant, can be just the space you need to create a relaxing spot for a good read to simply enjoy nature’s beauty.

Creating an in-between space for a home is a terrific addition, bringing style and comfort. For more information on TAB Associates, contact us online.

The post Architect’s Toolbox: Creating In-Between Spaces appeared first on TAB Associates.

Source: Tab Associates’ Website

• The Tudor home stands out with its exposed beams, white stucco walls, and either stone or brick facades supporting the structure. Steep rooflines and dormer windows highlight the outside appearance to create a genuinely classy home.

• Tudor homes are also well known for their incorporation of casement windows and elegant chimneys that provide unique accents and decoration to the home. However, it is the entryway that is the most often noticed feature as it is often arched and embellished with medieval-appearing hardware and hinges that make you feel as if you are entering a castle.

• Finishing the look is of course the landscaping that often incorporates simple brick or stone patios beneath tall trees that provide a perfect place for relaxation and entertaining guests on a lazy afternoon.

For more information about the latest architectural styles and how to incorporate them into your structure, contact us at TAB Associates, Inc today.

The post Elements of Architecture: the Tudor Style Home appeared first on TAB Associates.

Contemporary

Contemporary architecture is essentially architecture that is being produced right now. Its lines and features are typically common and can trace their roots all the way back to the Industrial Revolution when the American home began to change and evolve. Contemporary homes are often simple designs with square lines, white stucco walls, and few adornments.

Source: TAB Associates

Modern

Comparatively, modern homes may feature these elements, but they’re also not afraid to break from tradition. Hence, they will often feature more glass and more open space. They may or may not be whitewashed, and are designed to challenge the traditional notions of design. Most importantly, modern homes take great care to incorporate the very latest advances in engineering and material design within the structure.

Source: TAB Associates

For more information about the latest architectural styles and how you can incorporate them into your designs, contact us at TAB Associates and we will be happy to go over some ideas with you.

The post Distinguishing Modern and Contemporary Architecture appeared first on TAB Associates.