Posts in Full service design
Top High-Quality Waterproof Flooring Choices

When it comes to designing an interior that seamlessly combines major style, durability, and practicality, waterproof flooring stands out as a game-changer. No longer confined to utilitarian spaces, waterproof flooring has evolved to offer a plethora of high-quality options that enhance your home's aesthetic while providing unmatched protection against spills, moisture, and everyday wear. Join me on a journey through the finest waterproof flooring choices that will redefine the way you think about interior design.

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Demystifying the Cost of Full-Service Interior Design

When it comes to interior design, there's no denying that full-service options can carry a substantial price tag. This often prompts the question: "Why is full-service interior design so expensive?" As homeowners, it's natural to feel the urge to take on interior design projects ourselves. After all, we have access to a wealth of inspiration online and countless DIY tutorials at our fingertips; however, there's a distinct advantage to enlisting the expertise of a professional interior designer.

While the cost may initially seem daunting, it's crucial to understand the value and intricacies involved in this comprehensive design service. I will shed some light on the factors that contribute to the higher costs of full-service interior design and demonstrate how it ultimately benefits clients in achieving their dream spaces.

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Exploring What Luxury is in Interior Design: Beyond Price Tags

Luxury, a term often associated with opulence, extravagance, and being unattainable is much more than a price tag. In the realm of interior design, luxury transcends monetary value, encompassing a holistic experience that is timeless, captivating, and deeply satisfying. This may be extremely hard to believe for most people because of what has been drilled into our minds for so many years through past experiences and how TV commercials and Hollywood movies depict the “luxury life” over and over again. Times have changed my friend and are still changing as we speak. What is considered luxury to you may not be what luxury is to someone else.

Let’s embark on a journey to unravel the true meaning of luxury within interior design and explore how it can transform your living spaces into havens of refined elegance and unparalleled comfort without necessarily breaking the bank.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Project Highlight: Moody Master Bedroom

I love to highlight some of our favorite projects! We often get so many questions about how we came up with a design, how we selected a color scheme, or what products were used. I’m sharing some details about this particular client project where we created a sexy, moody master bedroom. If you’re afraid of the dark, you won’t be after this…you’ll embrace it. Are you ready?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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