Exposed Beams -- Trend or Timeless?

Exposed ceiling beams are a an interesting architectural feature that add a unique flair to any space. Have you been thinking of incorporating beams into your home decor, but you aren't sure if they will complement your design style?

Ceiling beams are a popular home decor element in many homes today. They largely stem from rustic designs; however, they can be incorporated with many design styles. Wooden beams can be added to contrast with a cold, clean look, or it can accentuate an already warm design style. A good rule of thumb is to include exposed beams with styles that typically incorporate natural finishes. This can include rustic, farmhouse, Scandinavian, and traditional. Our advice is to avoid pairing rustic wooden beams with an overly modern design. The texture of the wood can be an eyesore in an otherwise sleek design. For more modern homes, we recommend metal beams instead.

Exposed beams can be incorporated in place of a load-bearing wall, or simply for decorative reasons. We have recently completed two kitchen remodels that included exposed ceiling beams. One remodel incorporated exposed beams because of the removal of a load-bearing wall, while the other included beams to accentuate the design style. The added beams in each home give off a completely different mood; however, they each aesthetically accentuate the room.

Exposed Beams in a Kitchen Remodel by Balducci Additions and Remodeling

Whether they are used for structural reasons, or for design flair, there is no doubt that exposed beams add visual interest to homeowners and guests alike. It is important to take the room size an ceiling height when considering an exposed beam. Since exposed beams are meant to accentuate a space, it is important to not pick beams that feel to heavy. This can make a space feel claustrophobic. Instead, choose beams that are relatively the same proportion to your decor.

Exposed beams are a great visual element for any space. They can work seamlessly with with many design styles and give your home that extra "flair." Even though they have become very popular over the last few years, we believe that exposed beams are here to stay in the design world.  Thinking about incorporating exposed beams in your home? It is best to consult a home improvement expert since installing exposed beams can be tricky. Give Balducci Additions and Remodeling a call at 804-730-0982 to schedule an appointment for a free estimate!

Farmhouse Kitchen, Family Room, and Mud Room Remodel

Balducci Additions and Remodeling recently completed this incredible farmhouse style kitchen, family room, and mud room remodel in Glen Allen, Virginia. The clients wished to update their 1990’s home with more modern finishes. We collaborated on the designs of the space with the interior design firm, Fifth and Pink Designs, and created a traditional rustic feel. The project involved: adding in bright and cheery white cabinetry in the kitchen, installing a Cherry island, and entirely revamping their mud room.

In addition to updating the space, these clients wanted to create a space in their homes to cook and entertain for their family and friends. The space now serves as a perfect place to entertain with its open-concept layout between the dining, kitchen, and living areas. The space also comes equipped with a custom wine bar where an unused closet used to be.

Custom wine bar installed in place of a small closet

The dining area features beautiful oversized windows that allow light to flow from the eating area, to the kitchen, and into the living room. In addition, the dining area now includes a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams. The room is topped off with a rustic chandelier fixture.

Rustic chandelier fixture in the dining area

The dining area flows effortlessly into the completely reconfigured kitchen. This kitchen features white custom cabinetry, granite countertops, a gray ceramic tile backsplash, and a Cherry island. The placement of the stove and refrigerator are switched onto opposite walls and are replaced with upgraded stainless steel options. To complete this new kitchen layout, a large farmhouse style sink is put in place in the island. We love the look of the white cabinets in contrast with the dark Cherry island and we expect this trend to stick around well into 2017.

The farmhouse style continues in the family area where the fireplace received an upgrade and a rustic mantel. A huge hit of the space is the barn door that separates the family room from the mud room. It was the perfect choice for the space since it allows for the mud room to be blocked off, yet it doesn’t add the bulkiness of a regular door.

Before photo of the mud room

These client’s mud room and powder room received a huge transformation. The powder room that was once just off of the family room has been reconfigured to just beyond the barn doors and includes a contemporary vessel sink, dark vanity, and oval mirror. The mudroom consists of white custom built-ins with lots of storage and a place to hang coats, store shoes, and organize other household items.

Mudroom with custom built-ins

We are very happy with the way the space turned out and we know our clients couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. To see more photos of this amazing transformation, please visit our Houzz profile here.

Tips to Update Your Home Office

According to globalworkplaceanalytics.com, telework has grown about 94.8% in for-profit companies from 2005-2014 and we don’t see that number slowing down anytime soon. As the number of telecommuter jobs increases, so does the demand for a home office. We briefly mentioned home office spaces in our previous blog post: More Living Space: 5 Great Garage Conversion Ideas. A home office is beneficial for those who get distracted easily by things around the house and need more privacy to get work done at home. Don’t think updating your home office is worth the investment? Bank Rate claims that 44% of buyers would pay an extra $1,920 to pay for a home that includes a home office. A home office doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some tips on creating a functional office space in your home:

Raise your computer to eye level. Many of us working desk jobs are hunched over day in and day out. Over time, this causes havoc to our health. A stand for your laptop will keep you neck and back straight.

Upgrade your desk chair. Traditional desk chairs can be dated and don’t provide much personality. Opt for an upholstered dining chair instead. Pick one that you love and you will want to sit there each day and get some work done! We like this one from West Elm:

Saddle Office Chairs – West Elm

Add some life to your space through plants or other greenery. We recommend low maintenance succulents for an effortless look. If you decide to go the floral route, try to avoid too much fragrance. This can cause a headache-definitely something that you want to avoid while working!

Curate your desk space. You should be leaving only the items that you use regularly out on your desk. All other items should be stowed away. In regards to the items that remain on your desk, these things should spark your creativity and inspire you to be productive.

Work Space – Photo: maryjanemorrisphotography.com

Want to see some inspirational home offices? Check out our “Home Office Inspiration” Pinterest board!

Balducci Inc.Home Office InspirationsFollow On

Like what you see? Consider following us on Pinterest!

Why You Should Decorate with Taupe

The 2017 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year, Poised Taupe, is available in SW 6039. Photo: Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams recently announced its Color of the Year for 2017: Poised Taupe. Susan Wadden, top color picker, describes this color as, “what happens when cool gray gets together with brown and has a baby.”

What exactly is taupe? Taupe can be defined as “a moderate to dark brownish gray, sometimes slightly tinged with purple, yellow, or green.” The word taupe, meaning mole, originated in France in the early 1900’s.

How do they choose the color of the year? In an article from Custom Home, Kayla Devon notes:

“At Sherwin Williams, six team members substantiates their color picks from a concentrated industry and presents a color story to all other team members expressing what the story says about cultural sentiment. From there, four final color stories are determined, which Jordan says is significant because there are different tastes and different things happening simultaneously. When it comes to choosing the color of the year, Jordan takes over, searching for the story with the strongest message and the color that communicates the larger picture.”

After choosing the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year for 2016, Alabaster, Jackie Jordan stepped down; which gave room to Sue Wadden to enter the role as top color picker. Although we cannot be sure that the the current top color picker for Sherwin Williams, Jackie Jordan,  uses this process as well; there is no argument that choosing the Color of the Year doesn’t happen by accident.

Poised Taupe is a dynamic color that accents well with neutrals and vibrant colors. Photo: HomeDit

Why is this color applicable now? After years of seeing gray dominate the home design scene, it is about time that a warmer color would come into play. The gray-brown color adds a level of sophistication and warmth to any home and can be seen in many home decor companies.

Poised Taupe proves to be a dynamic, yet muted color. It has more personality than a typical beige or gray; yet it can coexist with neutrals and vibrant colors alike. We believe that this is the perfect color for those wanting to add some warmth to the overwhelming amount of gray that appeared in home design this year. According to the Huffington Post, Poised Taupe is “not hot or cold, gray or brown, dark or light, taupe exists somewhere in the lukewarm middle zone.”

Sherwin Williams colors of the year from 2012-2017

There are a variety of hues from the Color of the Year picks from 2012-2017. From 2012-2014, cool colors dominated the scene. Then in 2015, Sherwin-Williams picked the vibrant pink-orange color: Coral Reef. Coral Reef was chosen for 2015 because it was, “perfectly suited to celebrate a mid-decade year that’s poised for revitalization.” This can be seen as the turning point for Sherwin-Williams Colors of the Year to follow.

The next year, the paint company chose Alabaster for the 2016 color. Alabaster represents the “less is more” mentality-perhaps stemming from the rise in minimalism. From there, another neutral color was picked: Poised Taupe. With Alabaster in 2016 and Poised Taupe in 2017, we can only guess what is on the rise for 2018. Do you think that neutral colors or here to stay, or will we go back to vibrant colors such as Argyle and Coral Reef? Who knows, maybe the bright and vibrant colors of the past will come full circle.

The Poised Taupe painted ceiling adds an element of coziness to the tall ceilings in this dining room. Photo: Dump McConnell

Not sure how to use the Sherwin Williams’ 2017 Color of the Year in your home? Check out their website. The popular paint company has put together several color palettes that best accent their Poised Taupe.