Decorating Your Home Office

Posted June 22, 2017

Do you no longer have to commute to the office every day? The money you’re going to save on gas could be used to create the perfect home office. Transforming a nook in your home into a home office is challenging yet rewarding. No need to feel overwhelmed, chances are you already have the perfect spot in your house, all you need to do is spot it and decorate it.

To create a practical working environment, follow these tips.

Spend time thinking about the perfect location

Chances are, you’ll be spending a lot of time in your home office so don’t just throw a desk in an unused closet and hope for the best. Also, think about traffic flow and how well you can handle distractions. Maybe you do your best work in the middle of the action if not; maybe your office should be tucked away in a quiet space. If clients will be stopping by, a private space with seating is a must.

Incorporate functional furniture

Your home office furniture should complement other rooms in your house and should also be functional. Furniture can have a major impact when it comes to being productive. Try not to go overboard with furniture, keep it simple so you’re less likely to feel distracted or stressed. For beautiful home office furniture, browse our selection at Sherwood Studios.

Work with a view

Try positioning your desk towards a window if you can, so you can stare at something more interesting than a blank wall. A study mentioned in Psychology Today links light exposure in the work environment to improved sleep and vitality. Although a windows natural light is ideal, if you’re in a room without a window, hang an intriguing picture above your desk.

Working from home can be challenging, but if you find the right location in your house and decorate it, you’ll get your work motor humming rather quickly and you’ll be back in business. Need help with your home office design or furniture? Contact Sherwood Studios today, we’ll help you create a space you will love to come home to.

Risks Worth Taking When Decorating Your Home

Posted June 13, 2017

Whether you just moved into a new home and are itching to decorate or you just want to add some flavor to your preexisting home décor, you can’t go wrong by playing with color, patterns or styles. If you’re nervous about doing so, start small and focus on a contained space like a single wall in a bedroom or bathroom or backsplash in your kitchen.

To easily inject some personality into your home, read the following tips:

Wallpaper in unexpected places

Wallpaper trends come and go. Thankfully the 80’s technique of coordinating wallpaper with curtains and bedding and everything else imaginable is no longer a trend. However, taking a print and using it unpredictably where it turns heads without overwhelming the room tends to be just right and not too powerful.

Don’t have an actual headboard? No problem. Place a piece of removable wallpaper behind your bed instead. To complete the look try a floating shelf above the wall paper to add even more interest and style to the room.

Add color

Many of us tend to choose neutral colors for the walls to create a calming, clean and sophisticated atmosphere. To add a little personality to the neutral walls, try adding colorful accessories such as throw pillows, arm chairs, coffee tables with a bright base or even bright accent walls. If you really wanted to, you could always easily take the accessories away and go back to the neutral vibes you were once aiming for.

Patterned tile

A good way to add graphic interest to a room is by adding encaustic cement tile, which has been gaining popularity, according to New York Times. Try adding cement tiles with a cool medley pattern behind your kitchen sink or stove to add an element of interest.

Attention- grabbing print

If you want to completely transform a space rather quickly, bold wallpaper is your answer. If you have a dull and uninviting space, try adding attention – grabbing bold print to wake up the space. If you’re in love with the idea of wallpaper but nervous to choose which pattern, get inspired by these wow-worthy ideas from Real Simple.

If you like these ideas but need a little more guidance, Sherwood Studios, one of the finest and most complete interior design firms in the country is here to help you with every aspect of your interior design project. Contact us today at 248-855-1600 for more information.

How to Easily Freshen up Your Home This Summer

Posted June 1, 2017

With summer right around the corner, you’ll want to brighten up your home with fresh, easy changes. Let’s emphasize easy because we know you’ll want to devote most of your time with friends, family and enjoying the outdoors as much as you can.

When trying to shift into the new season, refer to these three easy tips:

Green is good

Adding green to your home is the simplest and easiest way to make your home feel like summer is officially upon us. If green isn’t typically a color you prefer, fret not. Buying a eucalyptus branch and putting it into a simple glass vase can transform a space in an instant. Succulents are also a good choice to help add a little summer to your home. These plants are very popular because they are low-maintenance, only having to water them about once a week. To know which clean air plants should go in your home this summer, refer to This Old House.

Woven and wicker

You’ll suddenly feel “summer ready” after adding woven-like textures to your home. Whether it be rocking chairs on your front porch or rattan chairs in your sunroom. Woven or wicker textures work really well with potted flowers or plants. Before you know it, you’ll have a blooming garden look inside of your house.

Linen

A great way to freshen up a space for summer is to put white linen slipcovers on your furniture. This adds a casual elegance to the room and will look excellent with woven or wicker material and vibrant plants. If you’re looking for a more colorful summer look, throw a batik hand-blocked print over your kitchen or dining room table. This will be the perfect pop of color your house needs to feel summery.

Now that you’ve brought the outside in with plants, wicker and homespun linen, you’re ready to kick start the summer with your first gathering showcasing your simple and fresh indoor changes. If you’re looking to redecorate your home for the summer and want to go beyond these simple revisions, contact Sherwood Studios today.

Design Tips to Achieve a Mature Home Decor

Posted April 10, 2017

Transitioning from a college student to a functioning adult can be difficult, especially when it comes to your living space.

You probably settled for a cheap throw rug, a few posters, and some festive Christmas lights for your college dorm. However, as you start to search for your first apartment or home, it’s important to decorate it appropriately.

We have some tips and tricks on how you can achieve a mature home décor that will reflect your personality, along with your age.

Consider a Bar Cart

Adding a bar cart might sound too good to be true, but an elegant bar cart can help mature a space. Ditch the mini fridge, invest in some expensive liquor and a few coasters, and hold a true cocktail hour from the comfort of your own home. A bar cart indicates that you still love to have fun but you’re doing your best to match your space to your age. A bar cart is the perfect touch when entertaining guests and both friends and family can enjoy it.

Swap Out Old Décor

You might have had a few décor pieces in your college dorm, but it probably all came from the “dorm” section of a department store. As you age, it’s important to invest in décor that will last and serve a long-term purpose. Invest in throw pillows, seating, wall art, and a quality throw rug. The mismatched stuff that you settled for as a college student likely won’t contribute to your home now.

Consider Going Green

You might be hesitant to incorporate some fresh greenery into your space. Not everyone has a green thumb and that’s OK. If you’re confident in your ability to care for plant life, purchase some easy-to-handle plants and put them around your home. If you know that you won’t be able to keep a cactus alive, consider purchasing some fake flowers or succulents that will add a splash of life to your space.

One more thing: Make sure you are considering the details of your space and how they present. Make sure to find a place for everything and keep your home free from clutter for a home that will present clean and mature.

Looking for fine furniture and interior design service? Contact Sherwood Studios.

Achieving Minimalist Style at Home

Posted March 30, 2017

A current “hot trend” when it comes to home décor magazines is “minimalism.” Minimalist style is quite easy to achieve and if are a fan of the simple things, you might be attracted to this style.

Minimalist style is largely what it sounds like: to create a soft, neutral, clean space with a minimal amount of décor. While some people think of it as dull, people that love the style think of it as a “less is more” way to style your home.

When it comes to minimalism, you don’t have to sacrifice your taste or all of your things. Minimalism, as all interior design styles are, is still a reflection of your personal taste. To achieve a minimalist style at home, start with eliminating clutter. Getting rid of clutter will reduce stress, improve your mood, and make your home more appealing.

Clear off the surfaces in your living room to start. Toss everything on the couch, and then decide where each item belongs. Place the remotes in the drawer in the coffee table, recycle the junk mail, and grab a decorative bowl for your keys.

In a minimalist style, frames, pillows, lamps, and mirrors should be your home décor. Most people that are hoping to achieve a minimalistic style are not filling their homes with knickknacks. If you want to go a step further, get rid of any unnecessary furniture: old chairs, extra end tables, and unused bookshelves.

Light is also a huge focus of achieving a minimalistic style. You should remove heavy draperies in favor of lighter, clean-lined curtains, and let in as much sunshine as you can. Focus on items that are essential. Decorations do have their place, but items like cutting boards that are used daily in the kitchen can become a dual-purpose decorative item.

For more design tips, or to speak to an expert interior designer to get help overhauling your space and embracing minimalism, visit Sherwood Studios.

Sprucing Up Your Home this Spring

Posted March 24, 2017

Spring is going to be settling in soon; it’s time to start adding some fresh décor into your home. There are a variety of ways to achieve a vibrant, spring-inspired space.

In Full Bloom

Adding floral print pieces into your living space is a fun, simple way to prepare for a new season. Floral print is both timeless and tasteful. You can purchase a floral print dresser, magazine rack, statement chair, or area rug in order to add some “fresh flowers” into the room of your choice. If you’re really feeling festive, purchase yourself a fresh bouquet to make any room especially inviting.

Go Green

If you want to experiment with different colors to add some energy into your home, consider going green this spring. You don’t have to repaint a room in order to add color into your living space. Color can be added into a room in a variety of ways, and green is a great color to focus on for the spring season. Items such as green candles, succulents, green canvas art, or statement pillows can add a sprinkle of green into your living space.

Replace Photographs

If you want to switch up a room without making extremely expensive changes, consider temporarily hanging new artwork in place of old ones. During the spring months, display paintings or photographs of sunny beaches, open fields, or floral arrangements to bring the outdoors into your home. When the season is over, store them and save them for the following year.

Identify the Details

Updating your home décor for a new season can be as simple as temporarily replacing small items inside of your home. Consider replacing hand towels with spring-themed towels or pastel colored of your choice. Replace your old holiday-themed candle with a fresh fruit scent such as lemon or watermelon. If you are looking to make a big change, consider replacing old furniture pieces for something bold and bright, spring is a great time for change.

Looking to refresh your space in time for the spring season? Contact Phillips Interiors.

Update Your Dining Room

Posted February 27, 2017

Although home improvement projects can be stressful, they also offer us a chance to start fresh. We all want to refresh certain rooms in our home which can easily be done through some simple interior design and home décor changes.

What is “trending” in home décor changes often, and after several years, a room can easily become outdated. If you’ve gradually stopped entertaining in your dining room because you’re unhappy with how it presents, consider making simple changes that can result in a huge improvement.

Let There Be Light

Consider purchasing a new light fixture (or multiple fixtures) for a cost-effective way to update the overall look of the room. A chandelier or a unique light fixture can easily become a focal point of a space and can often set the tone for the overall presentation of the room.

Make a Statement

Consider going bold with new coverings for your windows or your seat cushions. You can reupholster your dining table chairs with a beautiful floral pattern, vibrant stripes, or deep colors. A dining room is a great space to be creative and let your personal style shine through.

Keep It Simple

A great way to update any space is to replace outdated wallpaper or a stale wall color. Consider giving your dining room a fresh coat of neutral paint or a bold color of your choice. Fresh paint can bring life to any room and it’s a cheap and easy fix that is long lasting.

Replace Dining Set

Your dining room set is often the only piece of furniture within your dining room. Make sure you purchase a dining room set that speaks to your personal style and that you can be proud of when guests visit. Updating your dining room set can easily update the space itself.

Sherwood Studios has a variety of dining room tables available, take a look.

Decorate Your Home with Gray

Posted February 14, 2017

Whether you’re itching to change up the look of your home or designing your dream home, there’s one trend that’s taking the interior design world by storm: gray tones. Fear not, this is an easy element to incorporate with your home design, but there are some guidelines to help you along the way with the planning and execution of this look. Here are some do’s and don’ts for incorporating gray tones in your home.

Do’s

Lighting Illuminates: When mapping out your design, it’s best to examine the room to see what type of lighting it typically gets. This will help you choose which shade would work best. Lighting can make a huge impact on the room and its color. Add several lighting sources to the room to avoid a flattening effect.
Tonal Harmony: Tones and how they work together is another key aspect of the designing process to consider. Keep the tones in the room complimentary, or add depth to the room with two contrasting tones.
Temperature Matters: The temperature of a room also is a key factor to consider in the interior design process. Whether you’re going for a cool or warm look, a wrong mix can make or break a look

Don’ts

Undertones: Pay attention to the undertones of the grays. Opt for more neutral grays versus ones with a pink or purple undertone. If you want to spice up your undertones, warm or blueish undertones are your best bet.
Bold Is Better: When working with grays, playing it safe is a big no-no. Take advantage of the versatility of the color, as it works well with richer hues. Don’t be afraid to be bold.
Paint Type: Avoid high-gloss or semigloss paints for gray tones because this paint type tends to make grays look more like metal. Flat paint is the way to go.

For more interior design, furniture and general home décor help, visit Sherwood Studios.

Three Questions to Ask Yourself When Working With an Interior Designer

Posted February 6, 2017

Whether you are moving into a new home or are looking to redefine the style of your current space, there are many advantages to working with an interior designer to do so. An interior designer can do so much more than tell you what paint colors work best together; they can work with you to develop a style that weaves harmoniously through each and every space in your home.

Of course, there are a few things that your interior designer will need to know about your family and your home before they get started, and thinking about these questions ahead of time will help to ensure your home is renovated and styled to perfection.

What are Your Color Likes and Dislikes?

Before your interior designer gets to work choosing the new paint colors for your walls and picking out signature furniture pieces and accents to decorate your home, it is important to let them know what colors you like. Do you prefer grays and blues? Or do you like beiges and browns?

This differentiation will help your interior designer to hone in on your style and help them to choose the right pieces to fill your space.

Don’t forget to mention if there are any colors you absolutely wouldn’t want to see inside of your home. While we do think it’s best to keep an open mind when working with a professional, it is also good to let them know if there is anything you just couldn’t live with.

How Would You Describe Your Interior Design Style?

Another important thought to consider is how you would describe your style. What design trends appeal to you, and which do you dislike?

While your interior designer will be able to get a feel for your style when they visit your home, it is always good to describe your style in your own words, as it will give them a better feel for your needs.

How Do You Like to Spend Your Time at Home?

Don’t forget to give your interior designer an insight into your life, letting them know a little bit about how you like to spend your time at home. Maybe you are an avid reader who will need extra lighting next to your bed and in the living room. Or you love to bake and will need extra storage space throughout your kitchen for supplies and kitchen gadgets.

Whatever you love, be sure to mention this to the interior designer you work with so that they are able to consider your unique needs while re-designing your home.

Now that you are ready to redefine your Michigan home’s style with the help of an interior designer, it’s time to call Sherwood Studios. With a showroom located in West Bloomfield, our interior design team can help you turn your dream home into a reality.

Please call us at 248-855-1600 to get started.

Three Ways to Give Your Living Room Some Extra Character

Posted January 30, 2017

A room where your family and friends gather together, the living room sees a lot of use. And because of this it is likely the room you feel the most compelling urge to redecorate on a regular basis. Maybe you feel like your furniture has become outdated or maybe your current wall color is feeling too dull. No matter what is getting you down about your living room, Sherwood Studios has some ideas that will add character and life to your space.

Swap Out Curtains, Pillows and More

Even the smallest change can make a big impact, especially if it involves changing a room’s color scheme. Take down your old window treatments, purchase some new pillows and add a bright new hue to your space.

Popular 2017 colors include bright green and yellow, cool blue and bold purple. Regardless of what color you add to your space, it will help it to take on a fun new style.

Fill Your Space with Memories

There is nothing that brings character to a room more than one-of-a-kind items that remind you of your favorite memories. Let your personality shine through your space with photos of your family members and unique collectables from vacations you have been on together.

Pieces like these are great for conversation, and all your guests will be wondering where you found such interesting décor.

Opt For Bold Furnishings

Looking for an even bigger change in your living room décor? Swap out your current furnishings for some new pieces with a little more flare! Some of this year’s expected furniture trends are gemstone tones, livable fabrics and mixed metals.

Use these styles as a guide, or work with Sherwood Studios’ interior design team to create your dream space!