New Year, New Home: Design Trends for 2017

2017 will bring a brand new year, and with a brand new year, you’ll want to be up on all of the latest Home Design trends. Every year, new trends emerge that change the home design industry and provide innovative decor ideas for your home. Here are the upcoming trends for 2017.

White Glass Countertops and Other 2017 Home Design Trends

Doors

Specifically black steel and glass doors- inside. These doors can be used for a number of purposes that are showing up everywhere in interior design for 2017. You can use them as shower doors, closet doors, and even in place of shutters on a large picture window. Just make sure the measurements in your home allow for this kind of design.

White Glass Counters

White glass countertops are the latest in countertops for 2017. Appearance-wise, they fit right in with the clean and sleek look that emerged in 2016 and will carry on and improve for the following year.  With white kitchens being increasingly popular, it only makes sense that a countertop with clean lines and design would accompany the trend. White glass countertops have more benefits than just their color, however.  They are also cool to the touch and do not absorb heat like other materials. This keeps them safe and allows you to work safely on their surface.

Terracotta

While cooler tones may have been the trend in previous years, warmer colors are back with a vengeance and designers say they’re here to stay. Terracotta tiles with a matte finish give your home a warm and inviting look without looking too rustic.  These can be used for a perfect accent wall or for around your fireplace.

Nooks

Everyone loves a good nook.  It gives you the feeling of a childhood escape, where you can retreat from the rest of the world.  2017 shows people creating and building nooks for their homes, and getting more creative than ever.

Cork

Cork is back in style and better than ever, with cork walls coming into the design foreground for 2017. Cork not only is visually appealing, but it’s a great way to post your notes for the day. We’ll probably see a lot of cork walls in offices, kitchens, and anywhere else the family passes through.

Jewel Tones

Monotony is out. In 2017, people want to feel inspired. The warm and natural jewel tones found in nature will be coming into the design forefront as the perfect accent to any room. Think sapphire, emerald, and amethyst.

Sources:

StoneGable

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Give Yourself the Gift of Renovations this Holiday Season

The holidays are a busy time of year.  If you own a home, chances are you’ll be entertaining at least one day this holiday season. Lots of times when rearranging and getting things ready for the holidays, we start to come up with ideas of what we want to do to our home and projects that we’ve been putting off for some time. This holiday season, don’t hold back. Give yourself the gift of renovation an update you are home so you can enjoy where you live.

Sink and Countertop Designer in Florida Encourages You to Upgrade Your Home

Kitchen Renovations

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and kitchen renovations are one of the most popular renovations that people commit to. Perhaps this is because the kitchen is one of the best investment upgrades you can make in your home. Not only does upgrading your kitchen increase your resale value, but there are some simple and very effective ways to update the space.

Some great ideas to get you started are changing the color of the paint, upgrading your cabinets, or even just changing some fixtures. If you want to make a real impression, a new back splash or hiring a custom countertop designer in Florida will blow away your guests.

Bathroom

Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is one of the best investments you can make when upgrading your home. Trends in bathroom design are constantly changing, making bathroom upgrades a fun project with visible results. Try replacing your old medicine cabinet with a large statement mirror, or updating that boring old sink to one of our beautiful custom service tanks.  If you really want to make an impact, there are some impressive designs emerging with custom tile for your shower and flooring needs.

Living Room

Your living room is probably the place where you entertain close friends. You want the atmosphere to be relaxed but stunning.  Try hanging a talking piece, like an art sculpture or handcrafted glass top table to make a real impression.

Lounge

Have a room that just doesn’t have a purpose right now? That’s the perfect place for your lounge area.  If you love entertaining, creating a fun and funky Lounge area is the perfect solution. With custom bar tops from our countertop designer in Florida, you can easily add a beautiful focal point to the room. Shop around for a few bar stools and add some creative lighting, and you’ve just build your very own home bar.

It’s Christmas, so think about getting yourself a gift that will last for years to come. Pick your favorite renovation and get started on your new project!  Which room would you like to renovate? Let us know in the comments below!

Sources:

House Beautiful

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Holiday Recipes to Serve Up to Your Guests

‘Tis the Season to use your entertainment space!  If you’ve recently installed customized concrete and glass countertops, you’ll want to show it properly to your guests.  Here are some perfect recipes to help you be the perfect host this Holiday Season.

Start Using Your Concrete and Glass Countertops with These Holiday Recipes

Cocktail

Showcase your glass bar top with LED lighting and start the night off with a little bubbly.

Cranberry Vanilla Mimosa

Fill a champagne glass with the following (in order)

3 fresh cranberries

1 oz vanilla vodka (We like Pinnacle Whipped)

1 oz cranberry juice

Fill to ¾ mark with sparkling wine or champagne

Appetizer

Set up an appetizer station on your concrete and glass countertops or island.  Guests will love this delicious starter treat.

Baked Brie

Two 19-20 oz. Wheels of Brie
2 tbsp. honey (You can also drizzle from a squeeze bottle)
2 tbsp. of your favorite Jam (I use cherry or orange for the holidays)
2 tbsp. brown sugar
¼ cup cranberries, fresh and rinsed
½ red apple, thinly sliced
3 baguettes, sliced into ¼ in. rounds

Directions
Place first wheel of brie centered in the baking dish.  Spread jam over the top of the brie.  Sprinkle 1 tbsp. brown sugar.  Place the second wheel on top.  Drizzle honey over the top of the brie.  Sprinkle ½ tbsp. brown sugar on the honey.  Add cranberries and apples on top.  Sprinkle rest of brown sugar on top.

Bake 20-30 min or until brie is fully melted.   Let cool for 2 minutes and serve with sliced French baguette.

Entree

Serve guests this delicious holiday meal at your dining room table, complete with custom glass tabletop.

Apple Spice Pork Chops

4 pork chops

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tablespoons soft butter

2 apples, peeled and cubed

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Heat pan with oil on stove over medium heat.  Add chops, salt and pepper. Cook until outsides are brown.  Place in oven.  

In a pan on low heat, combine nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon, apples, and butter.  Cook slowly until apples are soft and butter is melted.  This should look like homemade apple sauce.  

Remove pork chops and make sure they are fully cooked.  Add apple mixture and serve.

We hope you enjoy this sampling of holiday favorites as you walk people through your beautiful home.  Don’t forget to showcase your very own Downing Designs!  What’s your favorite Holiday Recipe?

Sources:

Christmas Recipes

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