Beware the Beauty Trap: The Perils of Chasing Perfect Interiors on Social Media

Don’t get sucked in by the pretty! In today's digital age, social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and design-focused blogs are awash with images of immaculate, stunning interiors. These visual feasts of perfectly styled rooms, breathtaking color schemes, and seemingly effortless design can be incredibly inspiring; however, it's crucial to remember that these images often represent an idealized, carefully curated view of reality.

Come with me as we explore why getting sucked into the vortex of social media's picture-perfect interiors can be misleading and how to approach home design in a more realistic and satisfying way. Let’s unveil the illusion of social media perfection!

Why Homeowners Should Consider Options Beyond Granite for their Countertops

When it comes to kitchen remodeling or building a new home, selecting the right countertop material is a crucial decision. Granite has long been a popular choice due to its durability, natural beauty, and timeless appeal; however, I have to say…I’m extremely over it (major yawn)! It has been so overdone and in recent years, homeowners have finally started exploring alternative options that offer similar benefits while providing unique advantages of their own. Join me as I delve into why homeowners should consider countertop alternatives for their next remodel or new home project instead of exclusively opting for granite.

How a Well-Designed Home Affects Your Health

Your home is not just a place where you eat and sleep, it’s where you spend most of your time (especially if you’re still working from home). The design of your home can have a significant impact on your physical and mental well-being. A well-designed home can promote a healthy lifestyle, increase productivity, and reduce stress. If I may, allow me to prove why the last two sentences are indeed facts. Let’s dig a little deeper by discussing six aspects of how a well designed home affects your health.

The Shift Away from Farmhouse Style: Why I’m So Over It

In recent years, the farmhouse style has taken the interior design world by storm, with its rustic charm and cozy aesthetics capturing the hearts of many homeowners. Chip and Joanna Gaines shocked us all into this particular style when Fixer Upper first aired back in 2013 and it has definitely had a strong hold on the interior design industry…in fact, it blew it up!

Having said that, trends in interior design are ever-evolving, and what was once highly sought after can gradually fall out of favor. While I have seen some pretty amazing farmhouse style homes, (kudos to the designers who nailed it), it feels overdone…just like the use of granite countertops! That topic is definitely for another blog post, so stay tuned. This blog post aims to explore the reasons behind the current and fading unpopularity of the farmhouse style and shed light on the emerging trends that are shaping the design landscape.

The Power of Statement Lighting in Home Design

In a previous blog post, we established the sad reality that lighting is often overlooked or underestimated. Once that basic foundation is realized and applied, you’re ready to take your living space to the next level! Incorporating statement lighting into your design can make a world of difference, elevating the ambiance and aesthetic appeal of your space. Think of that beautiful statement jewelry piece you adorn when attending a gala or a formal dinner. It becomes the star of the show. You want it to stand out from the rest.

Myth Buster: I have AI Now, I Don’t Need an Interior Designer

Let me go ahead and bust this myth right now! Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all the rage today. The desire for such technological advancement has grown exponentially. So much so, that to be completely honest, it’s actually a little scary. Do we really want this type of “intelligence” running every aspect of our lives...possibly even taking over just so we can have the luxury of convenience?! Listen. I love the Matrix movies and Will Smith’s I Robot, but I don’t need (or want) them to become our reality. Yikes.

Should I Hire an Interior Designer or General Contractor for My Remodeling Project?

Home remodeling can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful. With so many decisions to make, it can be difficult to know where to start. One of the most important decisions you'll make is whether to hire an interior designer or a general contractor for your project. While both professionals play important roles in the remodeling process, an interior designer can bring a unique set of skills and expertise to the table that a general contractor cannot. Let’s explore why you should consider hiring an interior designer for your home remodel.

Luxury Kitchen Trends

Luxury kitchens are the epitome of elegance and sophistication, and they are an essential part of any upscale home. The kitchen is the heart of the house, where family and friends gather to cook, eat, and socialize. We'll take a look at some of the latest luxury kitchen trends that are popular right now.

How Art Can Add Luxury to Your Bathroom

When it comes to designing or decorating a bathroom, many people focus solely on practical elements such as storage, lighting, and fixtures. Although those things are important, adding art to your bathroom can be a great way to add personality and a touch of luxury to the space.

How We Create a Uniquely Modern Living Room

At Shades of Gray Design Studio, we love to create one-of-a-kind, modern living rooms! Modern living rooms are often characterized by their sleek, clean lines and minimalist design, but there are many ways to add personality and warmth to this type of space. We’re sharing some tips and ideas we use to create a modern living room that is both stylish and unique.

7 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Fall for the "Free" Design Service at Furniture Retail Stores

When it comes to designing a home, a lot of people seek free design services at retail furniture stores. While that option may seem like you’ll save more money, it actually won’t. It might look good and sound good, but please don’t be deceived…be prepared to have your eyes opened.

We’re going to discuss seven (7) reasons why you shouldn’t fall for the “free design service” trap. Ready? Here we go!

Remodeling Your Home During Times of Inflation

Remodeling your home can be an exciting and rewarding project, but it can also be expensive, especially during times of inflation when construction labor and material costs are high; however, there are ways to manage the cost of remodeling your home in the current times we’re in and still achieve the desired results. It sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. One of the best ways to do this is by hiring a professional interior designer. Let’s explore the benefits of hiring an interior designer for your project and provide tips on how to remodel your home during times of inflation.

The Ugly Truth: Yes. Interior Design is a Luxury Service

We believe that you are worthy to be surrounded by beauty. Many people feel that everyone deserves to live in a beautiful home and we also agree with that sentiment; however, the reality is, not everyone can afford to. Often times when people reach out to us inquiring about our services, they don’t have a realistic level of investment for what they want to do. That may sound a bit harsh and that’s definitely not my intention. But I do intend to tell the truth. Hey…we don’t know what we don’t know.

5 Ways Abstract Art Can Add a Wow Factor to Your Living Space

Are you looking to add some character, personality, and wow factor to your living space? One way to achieve this is by incorporating abstract art into your home decor. Abstract art is a form of art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but rather uses shapes, colors, and textures to create a unique and expressive composition. Although it can be infused into a variety of styles, you typically see it displayed in more contemporary spaces. Here are a few ways abstract art can elevate your home.

Why You Should Consider Custom Furniture for Your Interior Design Project

When it comes to designing your home, one of the most important decisions you'll make is selecting the right furniture. While there are plenty of great retail options available on the market, investing in custom furniture can offer a range of benefits that make it well worth the extra cost. Let’s explore some of the reasons why you should consider investing in custom furniture for your next design project.

3 Steps to Getting Your Dream Space - Hire Professionals

Time to wrap up this series about how to get your dream space y’all! You should now know that before starting any design project, it’s crucial to first understand what your priorities are and have a pretty good grasp on how much you’re willing to invest to get what you want. The final step to this process is hiring the right professionals. Boom. Yes, I said it.

3 Steps to Getting Your Dream Space - Know Your Level of Investment

You can have a laundry list of nice-to-haves but do you have a bottomless pit of cash? If you do, awesome! You are the minority though. Most people don’t have limitless funds, so the need to prioritize is key. There are three questions I want you to ask yourself before you go full steam ahead with that project. Read on!

Our Full Service Design Process (Step-by-Step)

Most people have never hired a professional interior designer before. So when the thought runs across their mind, it’s daunting. It’s a little scary. Maybe too scary.

What’s missing is the education piece. Interior design is an investment, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into. You need to understand the process. You need to know what to expect and be able to manage those expectations. When you get clear on these things, you’ll understand the true value that interior designers bring to the table. Read on to learn about Shades of Gray Design Studio’s process and how we work.

(VIDEO) How to Select Cohesive Colors for Your Home

One of the most challenging concepts of decorating your home, is selecting the right colors that will flow well from room to room. Our video will walk you through some simple ways you can achieve the look you want in your space without pulling all of your hair out in the process!

(VIDEO) Using Dark Colors

Don’t be afraid of the dark! Most people are already uncertain about choosing colors for their home that go beyond the “neutrals” of beige or white. So you know they appear to be deathly afraid of using dark colors for fear it will feel cave-like. Not so! Using dark colors in your space can be magical! Our video discusses how stepping out of your comfort zone by using moodier colors, can take your next decorating or design project to the next level!

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