Nourishing the Soul

I've never been much on new year resolutions, but I seem to always have a recurring thought each year and I guess there must be a reason.

As a new year rolls around I think of a fellow teacher with whom I worked for many years. Seldom in your lifetime does another's actions become engraved in your memory, but I think about this woman and I remember how renewing her spirit was high on her priority list. She was wise beyond her years and she must have known that a fresh new outlook was most important to her well-being and to the well-being of the children in her care.

Christine Taylor knew how to nourish her spirit and she did it on a regular basis. Every month, on a prominent wall beside her desk, a new work of art would appear. When I asked her about this unusual occurrence, she told me that one day she realized that she was going to be spending at least one-third of her life in this home away from home. Ms. Taylor knew that art was the mirror to one's soul and she shared her spirit and love of life each time she changed that picture on the wall. Every day she was surrounded by what she loved - children and her reminder of home.

As the owner of Accents of Salado, one of my favorite duties is the selection of new artwork. As the year winds down and we gear up for a new retail year,  these new selections begin to arrive.

I love to open the boxes and see these new treasures for the first time. It's like walking into Christine Taylor's classroom and sharing with her a renewal of spirit.

Pictured here are three new arrivals at Accents of Salado.

La Entrada   Fruit and Arches I   Fruit and Arches II

More New Accents of Salado Wall Art: Tranquil Moments   El Farol   Italian Tulipas.

Wishing you a renewal of Spirit in 2011.
www.accentsofsalado.com

 

Time to Set the Table

The Accents of Salado family loves the holidays. We close the Accents of Salado showroom and gather in our homes with family and friends for great food, fun and fellowship.

Setting a traditional holiday table includes choice of table linens, china and crystal. More informal holiday tables showcase a festive runner or placemats, pottery and colored glassware.

Table appointments take a back seat to table size when everyone wants to gather at your home and  you must seat more guests than your dining table accomodates.

If you are searching for a new and larger table there are space requirements to consider. Ideally, make sure that there are 30 to 36 inches around the perimeter of the table for scooting chairs back and walking. Keep in mind that to be comfortable diners need an average of 22 inches of space and 14 inches of dining table depth.

With this information in mind, Accents of Salado can help you find just the right table for the holidays and all the days in between.

Seat more people with a rectangular table that extends with leaf extensions. Accents of Salado has dining tables that extend to as much as 144 inches and seat up to 12 people.
If your dining room is small, consider moving your table to a larger area for special occasions, increasing the table length with leaf extensions and bringing all guests to your festive holiday table. See the Accents of Salado rectangular and round table selection at these Accents of Salado web site links:

http://www.accentsofsalado.com/RusticLargeRoundDiningTableTuscanyStyle70.html

 http://www.accentsofsalado.com/RusticExtraLongTuscanyDiningTable.html

http://www.accentsofsalado.com/DiningTablesExtraLongDiningTableMontego.html

First Impressions - How to Decorate the Foyer

CREATING FIRST IMPRESSIONS
There are key considerations when deciding how to decorate a foyer. Create a lasting first impression by giving your foyer full attention. The foyer is the introduction to your home. Wall decor, wall color and furniture selection are key elements to fashionable foyer decorating.

OLD WORLD STYLE FOYERS
The foyer in the picture left has dramatic Mediterranean style architecture with heavy wood beams in the high ceiling, tall arches along the foyer walkway mirrored by tall arched windows. The lighting is reminiscent of lanterns that lined foyers in ancient Spanish haciendas and grand Italian villas of the past. Dark wood floors and doors are complimentary to the beams in the ceiling and the dark iron in the lighting.

To maintian the romantic Mediterranean feel of the architecture, the interior design includes dark wood furniture and dark iron wall art. The dark antiqued arch mirror is complimentary to the architectural arches and windows and reflects views of rooms to come.

The red theme wall tapestry in the entry foyer adds color and the woven texture softens hard surfaces. It's all about, texture, color and theme when you update your decor. Softening a room, with the rich warmth of tapestry, can make the space feel more inviting and wall hangings are an excellent opportunity to enhance your room color theme.  Green topiaries on the foyer table as well as the woven basket of  filled with red floral below the mirror are equally important to color and soft texture. Copper bowls atop the foyer table enhance the red tones in the floor, doors, iron work, wall accessories and furniture.

DECORATING WITH MIRRORS
Mirrors are not only practical in the foyer, but are works of art, enhancing your home's first impression in many ways. Decorating the foyer wall with a stylish mirror enhances the size and scope of the foyer. A foyer mirror reflects natural light from glass entry doors and distributes light around the room. A well-placed mirror opens up the foyer, creates a new view and reflects homeowner personality as well as the home's architectural assets.

If you're looking for a transformational decorating idea, invest in a stylish mirror to transform your space. Mirrors make a room feel larger. Tight spaces expand and rooms seem roomier when you you hang a large mirror.  It’s a classic interior decorator’s trick to create instant, if not real, square footage.

Mirrors give the illusion of depth to a flat wall and make the wall seem to disappear. Mirrors are a favorite decorating tool because the mirror frame can enhance a decorating style or can be neutral wall decor, neither traditional nor contemporary. In the image right, our Celice oval mirror compiments the old world foyer style and showcases the room's elegant staircase. The dark metal frame reinforces the dark woods of the chair and foyer chest. Placing the round backed chair beside the mirror presents a harmonious setting by complimenting the mirror's oval shape.

When trying to decide whether to hang a mirror or a piece of art, the decision often comes down to the one that is most aesthetically appealing. With all advantages considered,  many times a mirror just works better.

Read more ideas about how to decorate the foyer.   See ideas on how to do a foyer makeover.

Read more ideas about how to decorate with mirrors.

See these great foyer decorating products:

FOYER CHESTS AND SIDEBOARDS

FOYER ARTWORK

FOYER MIRRORS

FOYER WALL TAPESTRY

FOYER FLORAL AND TOPIARIES

Cooler Days Ahead

With the passing of Labor Day there is certainty that cooler days are ahead. As we relish this welcomed relief from summer temperatures we seem to find ourselves spending more time outdoors.  Autumn is the perfect time of year to enjoy outdoor rooms, decks and patios.

OUTDOOR ROOMS have become an exciting way for homeowners to incorporate the pleasures of nature with family designed living areas. The concept for the outdoor room may have originated in temperate Mediterranean climates where al fresco living has remained the same for centuries. New advances in architecture, lighting, and furniture have dramatically increased interest in outdoor room functionality in the modern Mediterranean style home.

Mediterranean outdoor rooms and gardens are sheltered, intimate spaces for relaxing and entertaining. Garden fountains cool the terrace in warmer months and outdoor fireplaces keep outdoor living spaces cozy on cool evenings. Containers filled with lavender and rosemary offer an abundance of fragrances. Large earthenware garden pots, iron hanging baskets and iron window baskets are commonly filled with Mediterranean herbs, grasses and flowering annuals. A patio garden is an ideal location for growing cooking herbs as well as flowering plants for seasonal color.

Outdoor rooms are used for relaxing, lounging, entertaining and recreation. Exterior rooms integrate multi-level decks, charming patios and elegant terraces into the home landscape design.

Outdoor areas designated for recreation depend on family interests. Swimming pools, outdoor spas, workshops, hot houses and sports areas are all possibilities and can be tastefully integrated into a backyard landscape design.

Outdoor rooms designed  for sitting, lounging, or simply enjoying the beauty of the garden are often centered around a focal point in the surrounding landscape, like a fountain,  garden sculpture or distant scenic view. Outdoor rooms include comfortable seating, outdoor fireplaces, outdoor dining areas and outdoor kitchens.

Decorate your outside room to reflect your tastes and comfort. Modern outdoor rooms are decorated with the same degree of thought and planning by using the same basic rules of thumb when creating any great room design.  Accents of Salado can help.

Are Your Windows Covered?

Nothing affects the mood of a room more than color. Even the absence of color says volumes about your home and your lifestyle.

The color of your window coverings is important.  Window coverings add to the overall mood of the room. Dark colors tend to anchor larger spaces and create a cozier environment. Neutral window coverings allow furniture and wall decor to take centerstage.

If you are having trouble deciding what color to paint your walls, stick with neutral tones and bring color into the room via the window coverings. This allows you to change the colors in your room as your tastes change without having to repaint your walls.

What is great about window coverings is that most products and styles are versatile, requiring little customization on your part to fit your décor. Wood blinds, for example, in an antique white finish will look great in cottage-style décor. Take that same wood blind and finish it with a rich, black stain, and the blinds  easily find a home in a modern, loft-style décor.

Decorating Important Rooms in Your Home

Wall Tapestry in Home Decor

When planning a room make over, try something new in wall decor. Changing wall color is important when going for a new look and updating wall decor enhances wall color choices. Wall tapestry compliments the textures, colors and desired theme for a newly designed room. When deciding how to decorate a wall there are several considerations. Knowing that the eye is drawn to distinctive wall art helps when choosing wall decor. Color contrasts, dark/light contrast and object size/shape make wall art more pronounced and easier to see. When creating a Mediterranean design, no wall decor says traditional old world more than wall tapestry combined with scrolled iron wall art.

See our wall tapestry selection. Our selection includes architectural, floral, landscape and nautical themes. Find wall tapestry ideal for narrow as well as large, expansive wall space.

The Luxury Bathroom

Since the typical day begins and ends in the master bedroom and bath, creating an intimate space to invigorate, rejuvenate and unwind has become fundamental in the transformation of the master suite to a luxurious bedroom and bathroom space. The master bedroom and bath are evolving from a mere necessity to a significant indulgence.

Artistic framed mirrors, unique vases and urns, dressing tables that look like furniture and artfully designed accessories are a fashionable trend in today's luxury bathroom design as homeowners desire timeless beauty mixed with modern convenience. Today's homeowner is looking to make the luxury bedroom/bath more comfortable and more stylish by using furniture, art and accessories that make a personal statement.

Careful attention is given to the smallest decorating details with the interior design finding top priority for these most personal spaces. From wall decor, to ornate mirrors, to vanities that look like furniture, to large armoires that serve as linen storage, interior design and decorating elements are carefully selected for the master bedroom and luxury bath.

At Accents of Salado find a large selection of decorative accent mirrors and hand painted armoires designed for today's luxury bathroom.

What is Texture?

Whether decorating inside your home or designing your garden space, texture is a key element in good design. Effective use of texture gives the design oomph and without it you may be left wondering why everything seems to blend together with no real impact. In garden design, plant texture is generally considered to be the surface structure of the plant. Is the foliage fine or coarse? Does the plant appear airy or dense? Texture is influenced by the play of light on the plant as it moves across a coarse or smooth surface. Shape plays an important roll in the perception of texture. A stiff upright plant form like a yucca will appear coarser than a flexible stem fluttering in the breeze like found in muley grass. Consider plant shape for bringing texture to the garden. To create drama in the garden, use large leaf plants, such as foxglove, hydrangeas, hostas. Contrast the large leaf plants with small leaf shrubs like salvia and yaupon and stiff upright plants like sago palm.

The only difference between garden design and interior design is location. The same principles guiding the use of texture are applied. In the pictures shown here both designs are filled with texture.

(LEFT)  Heavy textured walls set the stage for a very textural setting. The leather chair is complimented with brass studs, ornate carving and an antiqued wood finish. The large leaf  floral is abundant in varied shapes and the terra cotta container sports a heavy textured rope wrap.
(ABOVE) Nubby fabric textures in drapery, wall and lampshade covering and the upholstery on furniture and pillows contrast beautifully against the  sleek glass vase and the smooth, shiny floor. (BELOW) In the images below are a variety of taccessories used to create textural interest and style. Using texture allows you to add another whole dimension to a space inside and outside your home. Add some textural oomph to your design.

At Accents of Salado find furniture and decorative accessories for all rooms in your home.

The Dark Hole in the Room

When a fireplace is not being used, it can look like a dark hole from across the room.  Make your fireplace an asset in your summer decorating scheme.

DECORATING BELOW THE MANTEL
In summer months you can bring visual interest to your fireplace and even maintain the warm flicker of firelight after the summer sunset.  Place a rustic iron candle stand or hand crafted glass hurricanes in the firebox. My mother always placed potted ferns in her fireplace during the spring and summer and dispersed unique and varying candle holders among the flourishing greenery.

A collection of earthenware urns softened by a woven basket filled with branches, dried flowers and textural seed pods will put your room's decor in harmony with nature.

DECORATING THE MANTEL

On the adobe mantel  left, the homeowner is more comfortable with less decoration on the mantel. The wall tapestry has little competition and therefore becomes the focal point of the room. (Right) When decorating your mantel try a layered look.  On the wall space above the mantel start with a mirror, metal wall art or framed artwork. In front of the wall decor lean a metal, mosaic or rustic earthenware platter or tray. In front of the tray/platter group tall oversized candles and stacks of books.  The layered look is less symmetrical and a more casual approach to decorating.

More Kitchen Storage Please

   

Kitchen Storage Ideas

Every kitchen comes equipped with the basics, but many times the storage is basic too. When limited kitchen storage is the challenge creative cooks come up with creative ideas.

No pantry? There's a solution. How about an armoire? Wall space in an adjoining breakfast nook or long wall space in the kitchen are places where a gorgeous piece of funiture can store can goods, spices and baking products. With shelves as deep as a kitchen cabinet, and maybe even deeper, an armoire is perfect for kitchen storage. An armoire with adjustable shelves allows you to customize based on your needs.

Counter Top Kitchen Canisters

Canisters not only add a decorative touch to your countertop, but they also help keep your food fresh for a longer period of time. Countertop canisters come in a variety of styles, colors and even uses. There are countertop canisters for staples such as flour and sugar, but have you considered a canister for pasta and garlic?

Countertop canisters work best when ingredients are used regularly. When wanting to store sugar over a long period of time it's best to leave it in the bag and place the bag in an airtight plastic container. Sugar often hardens when stored in a countertop canister. To keep pesky bugs our of your pasta, oatmeal and flour, an airtight container stored in the fridge is your best bet. Grain products unfortunately come with little eggs packed right in with the food and these eggs will hatch when stored for long periods of time at room temperature. 

 

Kitchen Pot Racks
Nothing frees up storage space like a hanging or wall-mounted pot rack.

Pot racks are an easy way to accomplish stylish kitchen organization. A pot rack keeps your pots and pans handy for use and if you hang it above your kitchen sink, it makes cleanup simpler. Wash the frying pan. Hang it and it drains in to the sink below.

In addition to creating more storage space, a pot rack changes the look and feel of the kitchen. It becomes part of the decorating theme.

Find more useful storage and decorating ideas at these helpful links:

http://www.accentsofsalado.com/tuscan_kitchen_colors.html

http://www.saladotex.com/TUSCAN_french_country_style_pottery_dishes.html

http://homedecor-online.com/RusticKitchenDecorRusticKitchens.html

New Furniture

Dining Room Tables

Montego Dining Table  The Montego extra long extension table features a dark walnut finish, gear-engineered extenders, solid hardwood construction and two trestle legs with four pedestals. Table design is for ten chairs, but table size can accommodate up to twelve place settings. Width between trestle legs remains constant with table top length increasing as leaves are added. Spacing between trestle legs is 68 inches for side chairs and each trestle leg is 10 inches wide, making table overhang 10", 19" and 28" with 0, 1 and 2 leaves respectively. Table is designed to use 3, 4 or 5 chairs on each side.  More Views

Tuscany Dining Table  The Tuscany long extension table features solid birch construction with cherry veneer panels on table top, 3 inch thick top, heavy distress, hand planed surfaces, warm brown cherry finish, wooden dowel pegs exposed on table top and two trestle legs with large round pedestals. Table design is for up to ten place settings. Width between trestle legs remains constant with table top length increasing as leaves are added. The Tuscany table extends from 84" to 128" with the addition of two leaves. Engineered gear extenders provide ease in table adjustment. The space between trestle legs is 48 inches with or without leaves, thereby allowing optimum configuration for side chairs. Each pedestal is 12 inches round and each trestle foot is 8 inches wide. The table top is 43.5" wide and clearance below top is 27.5 inches. The Tuscany dining room table is the ideal table for rustic elegance.  More Views

Tuscany Round Table   The Tuscany 48" and 60" round dining tables feature solid birch construction with cherry veneer plank-style table top, heavy rustic distress, hand-planed surfaces, warm brown cherry finish and a three-leg round pedestal base. The Tuscany 48" round table is the ideal table for smaller dining spaces and for use as an accent table in foyer, bedroom and entertaining areas.         More Views

Dining Room Chairs

Dining Room Chair Selection