Blog
News and Trends in the World of Interior Design and Home Remodeling
10 Open Shelving Ideas for your Kitchen
When the designers at Habitar put together a kitchen, one important aspect we consider is the incorporation of open shelving. A great layout will set your kitchen apart and really impact how you use your space. Personalizing your design with open shelving is a one way to make your kitchen match your lifestyle functionally and aesthetically. Here are 10 open shelving tricks-of-the-trade to factor into your own kitchen: Open Cabinets Selecting some open cabinets, without doors, will decrease the...
Chicago’s Hyde Park Art Fair: Pottery Favorites
At Habitar Design ceramics and pottery rank highly among our favorite decorating accessories. Art fairs are a great place to make unique finds while enjoying a great summer day. Chicago has a wide variety of shows throughout the summer and each show has its own character and multitude of offerings. For me, the season begins in historic Hyde Park. The show is a mix of artisan’s and fine artists almost all willing to discuss their work, process, and whatever else crosses their mind. I was...
Three ways Two-Tone can Improve your Kitchen.
One trend that is becoming increasingly popular is a two-toned kitchen. Choosing different colors for your lower cabinets or island and upper cabinetry will add character and individuality to your space. 1. Small kitchens benefit from this bi-color design because it makes the room feel more spacious. The colored darker lower cabinets anchor the room, while the lighter upper cabinets make it seem more open. https://www.habitardesign.com/kitchen-remodeling-chicago 2. One of the most popular uses...
Waterfall Countertops
With all the different countertop materials that are available today (i.e. granite, quartz, marble, butcher block, onyx, etc) many homeowners find themselves designing their kitchens around the natural beauty that these surfaces provide. So why limit the use of these materials to just horizontal applications? Waterfall countertops, also known as risers, are becoming very popular in kitchen renovations today. Waterfall counters continue the surface material down the side of your cabinets all...
Layering and Overlapping Rugs
At Habitar Design we've seen not all rooms fit the proportions of standard rug sizes. Having a rug custom-created is a pricy solution. One current trend that provides a great solution is laying and overlapping rugs. Not only does this look add a playful, relaxed feel to any room, but it can come in handy hiding imperfections such as scratches or stains in hardwood. Here are 7 tips to keep in mind while utilizing this look:...
Black Doors, White Trim
In Chicago one can find many older homes that possess plenty of character and charm, but still feel a little outdated. These clients often aim to maintain the existing vintage charm while making it feel more up to date with a minimal amount of work. In this case, paint is a great place to start. Painting a wall can dramatically change the look of a space for a relatively low cost. Painting trim is an additional opportunity to modernize the home in an inexpensive way. Recently, painting doors...
5 Benefits of a Built-In
Whether it is in your living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, or even mudroom, built-ins are a great asset to have within your home. Here are 5 benefits to having a built-in in your home: 1) Built-Ins Save space: When you are pressed for space, especially in a city, a built-in is a great way to conserve. It can eliminate free-standing furniture that would normally project into your room and seem too bulky. 2) Increases storage & eliminates clutter: Everyone always has extra items that...
Window Treatments 101
Window's aren't always the first thing that come to mind when decorating a room. However, selecting the perfect window treatment is a wonderful way to optimize the overall function of a space. What type of window treatments should I select?There are several different types of treatment options that can be applied to your windows. The most common types are blinds, shades, curtains, and shutters.For maximum lighting control, blinds are your best option. Blinds can be made of wood, faux woods,...
Paint Color: Designing the Mood of A Room
Colors and the associations we have with them have a dramatic impact on the way we feel in a space. Before you and your designer discuss color selection, think about what different rooms used for and the type of mood that would be most appropriate for their function. For large scale application- in full rooms or on several walls- colors such as blue, green, brown, gray, and white (including all of their various shades) will often be the best choice: Blue can be used to achieve a calming...
Bathroom Design Trends: 5 Updates for your Bathroom Renovation
Home Renovation is on the rise. In today's economic climate, homeowners are looking for ways to update their current homes instead of buying something new. Here are some of the top current Bathroom trends to keep in mind for your next renovation: 1. Double Vanity & Sinks With dual sinks and double the storage space, your bathroom becomes much more efficient and much less crowded and cluttered. 2. Heated Floors Adding radiant electric heat under your hardwood or tiled floors is relatively...
Treefrog Veneer
Laminates aren't usually a person's first choice when selecting the type of wood and finish they want for their built-ins or kitchen cabinetry. Treefrog Veneer, however, a new product hitting the market, offers desirable finishes for both commercial and residential applications. Their veneers come in over 50 real wood laminates inspired by the most beautiful wood species from around the world. The wide selection of many types of wood provide suitable options for many design needs. Here are...
Bright Ideas: 7 benefits of LED lighting
7 BENEFITS OF USING LED LIGHTING IN YOUR HOME Here at Habitar Design, we use LED light bulbs in our very own office. LEDs are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and have a long lifespan. Here are 7 reasons why you should switch to LEDs in your own home. 1. Long Lifetime LED lights last up to 25 times longer than other types of light bulbs. 2. Energy Efficient LEDs are 80%-90% more energy efficient when compared to traditional and conventional light bulbs. 3. Ecologically Friendly LED...
Four Fall Color Trends for 2013
Fall is quicly approaching! As the weather begins to change, the color trends are changing too. This fall there are four new colors to keep in mind when updating your home: FERN GREEN Add a pop of color on the wall behind a white bookcase or shelving unit. FLOURESCENT Select a flourescent side table that will break up a neutral color scheme and brighten up your room. MINT GREEN Almost considered to be neutral, a mint green piece, like this chair, can add a fresh look to any space. DEEP-SEA...