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How to Style Throw Pillows Like a Pro

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From vibrant, bold hues to jazzy patterns, throw pillows are a fabulous way to accent or spice up a bed or sofa. Whether you are decorating the couch in the living room or the bed in the master bedroom, putting together the right combination of throw pillows can be much harder than it looks. In fact, mixing patterns and colors can be considered an art. Here are some secrets for styling throw pillows like a professional:  

  • Don’t Make This Mistake

Perhaps, the biggest mistake that homeowners make when selecting throw pillows is playing it too safe. The great thing about accent pillows is that they are typically used sparingly, which means that you have room to play around with pattern and color without overwhelming the space. As the largest piece of furniture in the room, the sofa or bed is usually a neutral color. Using neutral colored throw pillows will create a whitewashed effect. Take a chance with your creativity and choose colorful or designed accent pillows for a beautiful look.   

  • Meshing Throw Pillows With Your Decor

Are you worried that a specific throw pillow will not work well with your room’s decor? Vibrant colors and patterns work well in any space as long as it harmonizes with something else in the room such as a piece of artwork, the rug, or even a chair. A throw pillow can look out of place in a space if it does not match well with anything in the room. Create a cohesive look by seeking inspiration from another element in the room.  

  • The Secret to Mixing Patterns

The key to tastefully mixing patterns is finding a common link between the patterns. Different patterns can look great together when they use a similar color or tone. Solid colored throw pillows mesh well with both large and small scaled patterns. Mixing solid throw pillows with patterns creates a balanced yet playful look. Avoid mixing more than three different patterns together in one setting.  

  • Where Should You Place Throw Pillows?

So where is the best spot for throw pillows? This largely depends on the set up of the sofa or the bed. Most designers will recommend placing throw pillows at the end or the corners of the seating area or bed. For a large couch or bed, you would want two throw pillows at both opposite ends. Leaving the midsection provides ample room for sitting or laying down.   For more expert advice, be sure to check back weekly! 

Tips for Homeowners with Pets

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We love our furry, little friends, but sometimes they can make quite the mess in our homes. As much as we vacuum and scrub, there may be some residue leftover after we clean. To tackle pet hair and dirt, we have created the ultimate pet cleaning list. You can successfully remove odors and stains with these quick and easy tips! 

Five Tips for Homeowners with Pets: 

  • Tip No. One: Unmark Their Territory. 

Sometimes our pets will mark their territory inside of our homes. Fight back by spraying the area with a natural mixture of eucalyptus (essential oil) and warm water. This will deter them from marking their territory in that area again and will add a new fresh scent. 

  • Tip No. Two: Clean Their Chew Toys.

Our pups do not have a care in the world, but we should care about their health. Make sure you clean their toys at least once a month to remove all germs and bacteria. Load the non-fabric toys into your dishwasher with one tablespoon of baking soda. Let the toys run through a cycle in your dishwasher then set them aside to dry. For your fabric toys, place them inside of your washing machine with a sprinkle of baking soda. Let the cycle run on the lowest setting possible for your washing machine them sit them out to dry naturally. 

  • Tip No. Three: Get Their Claws Off.

If your animal loves to shred things, take a couple of drops of lavender/rosemary essential oil (cats) or cinnamon/lemon essential oils (dogs) to deter them from clawing your stuff. 

  • Tip No. Four: Wash Their Beds.

Your pets’ beds can begin creating an odor in your home. You want to wash their beds as frequently as you wash your own sheets. Throw their dog bed in the washing machine with mild detergent. 

  • Tip No. Five: Brush Them Outside.

A way to avoid them shedding inside of your house is to take them outside. Brush them off outside, and they will not get the leftover hairs on your stuff.  

We hope you enjoyed these tips for your furry friend. Let us know what you think in the comment section.

Disclaimer: Please use common sense when spraying anything on any floor, fabric or surface!

Spring Projects: Embracing the Blooming Season

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With the soon-arrival of the blooming season, homeowners may find themselves busier than ever. In fact, homeowners may even be participating in springtime’s associated activity “spring cleaning.” The activity derives from the fact that our homes will need a little more TLC since we are transitioning from colder, drearier months. During winter, we put these necessary home projects on the backburner until the weather begins to warm. Therefore, the opportunity to tackle these must-needed home projects is almost here. And to help you prepare for the day, we have created a list of five spring projects that you may want to start this season. Let’s take a look!

An Effortless Landscape

When you take a step inside, does your house feel underwhelming? If so, you may be in need of some new floors. In fact, flooring can set the stage for your design. So this spring, take some tips from the light and airy season by renovating your floors with this year’s hottest trends, including light-colored floors. From hand-scraped to wire-brushed trends to marble looks, the design possibilities are endless in 2020. Plus, with innovations in the industry, you do not have to settle for only one type of flooring in your home.

A Fresh Look

Every year, the global color authorities, Pantone Color, determine a “Color of the Year.” This year, Pantone Color chose “Classic Blue,” and its definition is not far from its name. This color is described as “calm, confident, and connective.” It provides a peaceful slate for our designs while captivating us through its thought-provoking properties. In fact, Classic Blue is the perfect paint color choice for any room that needs a relaxing yet timeless tone. You can incorporate this effortless color into your room’s landscape this spring for a refreshing twist on your interior design.

A Delightful Addition

Since spring embraces new plant life, we think that there is no better way to highlight your countertops than through the use of plants and flowers. In fact, plants can help provide greenery and life to a space while adding to the overall aesthetic. However, if you notice that your countertops are not as pristine as they once were, you have two options. One option is that you can have your countertops replaced. The renewing season of spring is the perfect time to refresh your design, especially when it comes to countertops. If you are looking to refresh your countertop design this spring, currently homeowners love the natural, one-of-a-kind beauty of marble and quartz countertops. Marble countertops feature an authentic, beautiful veining that is unmatched by any other countertop. However, if you are looking for a more durable & low maintenance countertop, quartz is a great option, you can opt for beautiful quartz countertops. Quartz is composed of natural crystals, which makes it an insanely gorgeous countertop option. Plus, quartz countertops are perfect for homeowners who love to cook because they are scratch-, stain-, and heat-resistant.

A Sweet Escape

With the weather warming, there is no time like the present to upgrade your backyard. In fact, we like to capitalize on this sweet oasis during warm nights by utilizing our space. If you have not created an outdoor oasis yet, you can simply add items that make you happy. For instance, you can incorporate some comfortable seating for entertaining, build your own firepit for warmth, hang decorative stringed lighting for creativity, or make a beautiful paver pathway to and from your house. The options for your outdoor retreat are truly endless – just remember to add items that will have you coming back for more.

A Warm Welcome

Nothing says “welcome home” quite like awesome curb appeal. Plus, spring is the perfect time of year to spruce up your front yard. For instance, you can replace your house numbers, repaint your front door and shutters, add potted plants to your porch, incorporate a new welcome mat, and swap out your mailbox. Much like our backyard projects, our front yard projects are all about your personal preferences. Start with whatever you currently dislike about your curb appeal and work from there.

With these simple spring projects, you can create an inspiring, noteworthy design that is ready to take on the new year. We hope you enjoyed, and thanks for reading!

What to Expect for Your Flooring Install

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New flooring is an exciting process to revitalize your home’s design as well as tailor your space to your needs. The process from start to finish can take some time, and it can be a very exciting but difficult waiting process. So when you first go to see a flooring distributor, like ICC Home, there are several steps involved. To help you better understand the process, here is everything you need to know about the flooring process from start to finish:

The Measure

When you first decide that it is time to replace your old flooring, you will need to have a professional come out and measure your space. Every home and layout can come with its own set of challenges that need troubleshooting and analyzing. For instance, carpet may need to be discussed and figured where the seam will work best in a given situation, which can account for heavy traffic areas, entryways, doors, and even your furniture layout. Other flooring types like hardwood may need to be looked at to see your subfloor, whereas, for LVP or tile, you may need to see how transitions will accommodate the new flooring’s height. In conclusion, this process can have many variables that need to be analyzed to get the most accurate quote for the job. To receive a quote or estimate, visit us here.

Choosing and Ordering Your Flooring

Once your home is measured and you know which flooring can work for your home, you now have the privilege of selecting your new floors. Remnants and in-stock flooring will have the quickest install times. However, ordering the color choice from a manufacturer can increase the wait time. When an order is placed, it can take several business days for your flooring to arrive and be ready to install.

Selecting an Install Date

This step is when you have to opportunity to select an install date. The right installer and team will be chosen for your job to guarantee the best work for your time and flooring needs. Picking a date can be relatively quick once your flooring arrives, depending on your schedule.

The Installation Process

The installation process can take serval hours or multiple days, depending on how much flooring you are doing in your home and what flooring option you chose. Every room will need to be empty of furniture and prepped for a new installation. In certain instances, some flooring can allow furniture to remain in the room and be moved around during the installation process. Different flooring may call for underlayment, seams, old flooring demo, and much more.

The flooring process can take several days from start to finish, but it is very exciting. Whether you choose hardwood, carpet, LVP, tile, or sheet vinyl, each flooring can come with its own set of needs. Remember, having a new floor installed right will ensure longevity for years to come!

Remodeling for Beginners: After the Project | Part 2

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Tips for Cleaning & Maintaining Your New Floors 

Flooring can completely transform a room in more ways than one. Not only does flooring help offer a beautiful aesthetic upgrade, but newer flooring comes with significant upgrades. In fact, many flooring options have featured a substantial amount of updates over the last decade. For instance, flooring today can offer better stain-resistance, more durability, and better longevity. So now that you have gotten your new floors, you need to make sure you help prolong its lifespan with the correct maintenance and cleaning. If you just got new flooring, here is what you need to do:

Prevention

Your best plan of attack is to prevent the mess. Whether carpet, hardwood, LVP, or tile, dirt can be your floors enemy. Consider making your new floor a shoe-free zone and facilitating a welcome mat. Preventing dirt from getting on your floors is your first step to help prolong the life of your floors. Additionally, you will find that carpet and hardwood are vulnerable to liquids. You may want to stop eating or drinking in rooms where you put this flooring or be extra careful with spills and accidents.

Cleaning

Each flooring system can be cleaned a little differently. Dirt can compact deep down into carpet fibers and begin to initiate wearing. So make sure to vacuum your floor consistently and steam clean new carpet once a year. Hardwood floors are durable, but water can wreak havoc on them. So avoid liquids from coming into contact with them and use a broom to remove dust and debris regularly. If your hardwood floors do begin to show traffic wear over the years, remember you can always sand and refinish them. LVP is pretty easy to keep clean. Typically, a broom or wet-mop is enough to maintain this flooring’s cleanliness. Tile can be cleaned by a quick sweep. For more caked-on dirt, you can use a mop with a vinegar and water solution. Grout lines can be cleaned with a grout brush or toothbrush and a baking soda paste.

Maintainance

Lastly, keep up with your flooring’s maintenance. This step will include projects like sanding your hardwood or steam cleaning your carpet once a year. Manufacturer-recommended products will always give your floor the best longevity. For more insight on your floorings annual maintenance, make sure to check with your sales representative or check your flooring manufacturer’s website.

Do you have any post-renovation questions? We would love to answer any and all of your questions below in the comment section. Thanks for reading!

Remodeling for Beginners: After the Project

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How to Move Furniture Back into the Room 

As we have learned in our previous ‘remodeling for beginners‘ blog series, remodeling your home can change the entire feel or function of a room. From remodeled kitchens and bathrooms to even renovated bedrooms and living rooms, every project comes with a new set of dilemmas. For instance, furniture that worked in your old design may not be functional with the new layout. In fact, a new design can also mean new room themes.

During these extensive renovations, all your previous furniture is removed from the room. However, whether new or old, the furniture will need to come back into the room. Have no fear; while this may seem like a daunting task, with a little preparation and planning, this can be done safely and quickly. Here is everything you need to know:

Start with The Big Furniture

Every room can come with its own set of challenges, from doorways to hallways and everything in between. Know your limits. Most moving projects will almost always require a team of two. If you are moving a bed, start with the frame. Build your bed completely before bringing in the box spring or mattress. Remember, disassembly is your friend. Sectionals can also be a real hassle. Many sectionals can be taken apart; however, they cannot fit through doorways by being carried at 0 or 90 degrees. Chairs or sectionals may need to be carried into the room at a 45-degree angle to fit through doorways. You may also need to remove legs or feet. If you must take anything apart, make sure you put all hardware in screws in a safe spot. Extremely large, bulky, and heavy items like billiard tables and pianos are very meticulous. They need to be moved exceptionally carefully, balanced or turned, and should not be tackled without experience. These items may take several men or women to move and may need to be adjusted after they are moved.

Move to the Smaller Items

Smaller items or furniture can be handled by one individual. This category may include chairs or nightstands. Always be safe and pick up with your legs, not letting your back round. It is safest to carry items close to your body as well. Once the big pieces are in place, you can fill the room with the rest of the smaller furniture. Begin with items that will reside furthest from the entry point. You do not want to bring in furniture and begin to create a puzzle around yourself and lose access to the entryway. Lastly, your final items will be your décor and wall-mounted items. These may require tasteful and careful placement in your home but should not be over encumbering.

Be smart and know your limits. You may need to remove doors to bring furniture into the room. When you remove a door, place the door’s pins back in the hinges on the frame to keep track of them. Also, make sure to check out the rest of the series to understand how to manage other challenges that may come after remodeling.