For many people, finding the ideal wedding gift for a loved one often seems difficult to pull through. However, this should not be a huge problem. You will find that as long as you are careful about it, you should not have a huge problem getting the ideal gift. One of the ideas you can try using is getting the couple a custom made entertainment center.
Most couples who are getting married, particularly if they are young, tend to not have that much furniture to start with. This means that getting them a piece of furniture that is custom made and which is actually very practical is a good way to make them happy. However, the fact that this is likely to be a gift that they will hold on to for a long time means that when you are shopping for it, you need to be very sure about what you are doing. Some of the things you can do to get an accurate idea of the type of gift you should get include:
Find out what furniture they currently have
There are many couples who choose to live together for some time, and then get married some time after this. If you are interested in finding out what type of furniture to get them, one of the ways of doing so would be by simply figuring out what type of furniture they currently have. Most of the time if you are observant enough, you will tend to notice a few trends in the way that people buy furniture. For instance, if it happens that they like the color black, they may buy furniture that has darker tones. In such cases, you could decide to buy them an entertainment center of a similar type.
Another advantage to doing this is that when most people start furnishing their homes, they like to have some kind of uniformity in what they get. If you end up buying an entertainment center that does not quite fit in with what they have, it might be difficult for them to truly appreciate it. By doing such a background check first, you can avoid putting them in such a position.
Simple conversation can help
You could also decide to try and find this information by talking to the individuals you are getting the gift for. When doing this, the most important thing is to try and get the information without giving away your intentions. If you are keen enough, you will be able to pick a few cues about what they would love in this type of furniture. For instance, you could start a conversation about the types of designs and finishes they love for their furniture, and then take note of what they say. By doing this surreptitiously, you can get all the data you need to order a high quality custom entertainment center without alerting them of the same.
Taking note of the design features they have in their homes
In addition to that, you can also use cues from their current home design to get ideas on which types of custom entertainment centers to order for them. The idea here is to get a sense of what look and feel they were going for, and then try to get a unit that is in line with this. For instance, there are some couples who love minimalist designs. In such cases, getting them a very elaborate entertainment center is not a good idea. You would rather get one that has clean lines and an uncluttered appearance so that it can fit in with the rest of the design.
Consult their gift register
Some couples have gift registers that have details of the gifts they would like for their wedding. You can use one of these to get an idea of the type of entertainment center to get them. For instance, if you go through such a register, you may end up finding that they have included such a piece of furniture, and you can then use the details they have submitted to order it made. If they have not made a request for such a piece of furniture and you are still interested in getting it for them, you can still go through the list to find a common theme in what they want. For instance, if they have listed a particular type of TV, you could opt to build them an entertainment center that is big enough to accommodate it.
Consult people who know them well
The other option you can try is to consult people who know the couple well, such as an individual who has been friends with them for a very long time. They can give you information about their likes and dislikes, which you can then use to determine the best type of entertainment center to get them.
Having a dedicated entertainment center in your home is one of the best ways of ensuring that you maintain some order in the home. In addition to that, you might also need it to keep the equipment safe. For instance, if you happen to have a large TV, making sure that it’s within the entertainment center will reduce the chances of having the TV fall, such as if a pet walks behind it. In such a case, the entertainment center functions as a barrier.
On the surface, having a custom made entertainment center might seem difficult and expensive. However, the truth of the matter is that as long as you keep a few basic issues in mind, you should not have a hard time getting one. An important consideration you would need to make is ensuring that you get an entertainment center that will actually fit your needs. Getting one that does not fit increases the amount of money that you might have to spend on it, since you would need to have it modified or to get a new one altogether.
This in turn means that by the time you go shopping for the custom made entertainment center, there are a few facts you need to have in mind. Some of these include:
The size of the TV you have
Most people use the entertainment centers mainly for the storage of the TV. When you are thinking of getting a custom made one, you would need to specify the amount of space the TV would need to occupy in the entertainment center. The trick to doing this correctly is making sure that you allocate just enough space for the TV. Having a space that is far too large will look odd once you install the TV, and having a space that is too small would not accommodate it at all.
Rather than using the diagonal measurement of the TV, you should simply take the height and width of the device and then submit it to the individual creating the entertainment center. Usually, they will ensure that the space created for the TV is just slightly larger than the TV itself to create some visual balance.
The size of your home
In addition to that, you also need to take into account the size of the home in which you will be using the TV, particularly the area in which you will be placing the entertainment center. This is especially so if you intend to order a very large one, which might occupy the entire wall. In such cases, you would need to get the measurements of the area right, so that you can then determine the size (and sometimes even height) that the unit should be in order to fit.
This will also come in handy if you are thinking of getting an entertainment center that will have some visual balance. Most of the time, placing an entertainment center that is too small in a very large room or vice versa creates an odd visual effect. When you give the size measurements of your home to the individual doing the construction of the unit, they can then help you figure out which size you should work with to get the best effect.
What you will be keeping in the unit apart from the TV
It is also critical that you think about what you might need to keep in the entertainment center apart from the TV. Most of the time, people tend to keep items such as decoders, video game consoles, books and works of art on the unit. Making sure that you have a clear idea of what you will want in the entertainment center will make it easier for you to order one that can accommodate all these things. The goal here is to ensure that you never have to start cramming items into the entertainment center because you did not allocate any space for them.
The wiring issue
When you are providing details of how you want to have the unit constructed, you also need to ask for there to be enough room for the wiring. This is particularly so if you intend to store many electronics in the unit. In such cases, if the unit is designed without considerations for wiring, you may end up with a unit that is untidy. Ideally, you should work towards ensuring that by the time you start using the device, there will be no wiring visible.
In summary, the creation of a custom made entertainment center is a decision that you will likely not regret. It is not as expensive as people usually think it is. As long as you find a contractor who has a lot of experience in making them and also keep some of the pointers above in mind, you should be able to end up with an entertainment center that will serve you well.
When you are interested in getting new cabinets for your home, one of the best options you have at your disposal is to go for custom cabinets. One of the reasons why they are so alluring is the fact that by buying custom cabinets, you can have them designed in such a manner that will fit your needs perfectly. This in turn means that they are likely to turn out to be better value for money compared to when you buy the cabinets from a specific store.
In order for you to buy such cabinets, you will need to identify and work with custom cabinet makers. When in this position, you should strive to ensure that you pick a contractor who actually specializes in making this type of furniture. One of the mistakes that many people make is thinking that any type of carpenter will do for this application. However, the truth of the matter is that the manufacturing of cabinets is usually a very technical process, and it can only be pulled off by someone who has a lot of experience in doing it.
There are a few things you can do to ascertain the quality of your identified cabinet manufacturer. Some of these include:
Looking at their work samples in the past
Most of the time, this is the best way of figuring out if a particular custom cabinet maker is good enough. Once you have identified one, you should try to see some of the products they have made in the past. The specific things you need to look out for include:
• The aesthetics: Do the cabinets have a look that you are interested in? When you are inspecting the cabinets, make sure that you not only look at the outside, but the inside of the cabinets as well. When inspecting the aesthetic value of the cabinets, you should also figure out if the manufacturer produces variety. If it turns out that they have produced a variety of designs with very high quality, chances are that you will not be disappointed by them.
• The feel of the cabinets: In addition to the above, you should also consider finding out how the cabinets they have on display feel. For instance, when you open and close the drawers, do they slide in and out smoothly? Do the doors feel smooth as well? The very well made cabinets tend to have a premium feel that you will instantly recognize even if you have never bought a cabinet before.
Another way to inspect the previous quality that the cabinet manufacturer has made is by looking at their online catalogue. Doing this is easy and makes it easy for you to quickly decide whether the manufacturer is worth visiting for a more detailed inspection or not.
Being clear about what you need
When you first find a cabinet maker you are willing to work with, it would be wise to be very clear about what you wanted from them. This is a discussion that should be as detailed as possible, and which should not be rushed. The key is to find out if the cabinet maker has the capacity to create the cabinet in the exact way you want it done. One of the signs that they are not likely to do this properly include finding that they are too noncommittal on some aspects of the manufacture, or if it turns out that they are too hesitant. In such cases, this would be a good enough cue to start looking for a more confident cabinet maker.
Going through client reviews
This is one of the commonest strategies people use to assess the quality of a particular cabinet maker. Unfortunately, it’s not a very reliable method of doing it, though it can work in some cases. For instance, if the cabinet maker you are working runs a small scale business, it might be difficult for you to find the reviews you need to assess their quality.
If you are working with an established cabinet maker, though, you are likely to find it easier to get the reviews you need. Going through a few of them before making up your mind on whether to work with them or not is a good idea, since it gives you a more holistic view of whether they are able to provide you with outstanding custom cabinets that will wow you.
It was just that the other day when homeowners were purchasing entertainment centers for just the convenience of having a place to hold their media equipment and to keep the wires out of sight. Today, homeowners are going to another level; they are looking for much more in entertainment centers. Custom built in centers are designed to define the appearance you want and also to add style, elegance and character in a room. You can customize your entertainment center to house the latest electronic equipment and at the same time, provide a stylish display setting of collectibles, books and artwork among other special things. It is important to consult the pros when designing your custom entertainment center, but if you feel you can also try it on your own, then here are great design ideas to help you explore your options:
It can be a creative challenge when storing collectibles. These are the kind of things that reflect your passions and lifestyle. Collectibles can be an item of interest to your visitors and family members. They can also create clutter if you don't know how to go about the display. You should note that the collectibles look their best when displayed in entertainment centers with open shelves and cabinets with glass doors. You want to make the items look a real focal point; so add puck lights to your entertainment center for the same. And you can organize your collectibles in such a way that they are displayed in groups. While at it, consider the colors, sizes and shapes of your items for display.
If you are looking for a way to display your books and to keep them at hand, then you should consider open shelving option. But it is prudent to stack your books in small groups when storing them on those open shelves. There is a good reason for this; you will solve the problem of oversize books that won't fit vertically on your shelf. To get good results, you can display your pottery, photos, artwork and other collectibles with your books. Don't forget those favorite magazines. You can store them on the lower shelves, but remember to cull magazines out every now and then in order to keep clutter under control. The board games should be stored near the areas where you use them.
It is even better to have an entertainment center that includes cupboards with doors as it helps in keeping games contained until you are ready to play. You are advised to have a multi-cabinet entertainment center that has ample space for collectibles, books, games and media equipment. And those with ribbed glass doors can work wonders as they are transparent enough such that you can view the contents inside and can even accent the unit.
Did you know your electronics require some ventilation? They also have some components that you may want to conceal or even camouflage. And since entertainment centers are designed for both aesthetics and functionality, you may want to customize the shelves to fit almost anything. Add doors and pullout shelf units so as to protect contents and conceal clutter.
You want to get the most from your entertainment center by considering two things. The first one is the storage specs for the media equipment. The space should include ventilation so that components such as DVD players, TVs, DVRs, satellite receivers and cable boxes don't get too hot. In fact, don't stack your electrical components, they should be spaced a few inches apart. Include vents in the back of your cabinets for airflow. Consult with the electronics manual for the specific requirements of your electrical components.
The second thing is how to create a great home theater experience. If you are looking for a way to create a perfect surround effect, then your room will need at least 5 speakers. Place two or three speakers within your entertainment center but pay attention to their size and the size of your room. You can camouflage the speakers behind a fabric screen or integrate them into your room by the color of your choice.
Depending on the space, you may also want to have a dual purpose entertainment center which can hold both home décor and media equipment, as well as act as a room divider. Such entertainment centers have a long, rectangular shape that comes with a large nook in the center for holding the TV and shelves throughout the rest of the unit. You can even affix a rotating shelf into the space, so as to turn your TV to face any room you want.
These are some of the great ideas you may want to give a shot when customizing an entertainment center. There are many more options if you consult with the pros. At Woodwork Solutions, we offer unmatched woodworking and high end finish carpentry design with expert installation. If you are looking for more information about using the material of wood for custom entertainment centers, don't hesitate to contact us.
Today, fireplaces are the focal point in almost any room. It therefore beats logic that the fireplace mantel has to be decorated and styled in order to have something that is customized to your own preference and taste. Decorating a fireplace mantel is not a mind wrecking issue. It needs a few small accessories and some changes in texture and color to bring a whole lot of difference to your room. You need to spice up your room by decorating the mantel so that it doesn't feel plain and dry. You may want to work closely with a specialist especially if you are installing a new mantel. But if you already own a fireplace mantel and still feel you can decorate it on your own, then here are a few tips to help you get it right.
When thinking of the items that will help you customize your fireplace mantel, think of those you love and treasure. These should be the pieces that can accessorize your mantel. Of course you want to choose the very special ones. You can put a large piece of art on the mantel but make sure that it is at least 2/3 of your mantel's size. You don't want to clutter your mantel, so avoid too many knick knacks or mementos. Just keep it simple!
Most people don't know which is better than the other; symmetry or asymmetry. The good news is that you can choose either of two depending on how you want your room to look like. If you choose to decorate in symmetry, it means that the right side is the exact duplicate of the left side. Choose symmetry if you want to have a more formal atmosphere. And if you apply asymmetry in your decoration, it means that the left side is quite different from the right and your room feels more relaxed and causal. So, if you hold formal dinners or meetings quite often, it is proper to go for the symmetry style when decorating your mantel. But if you use your room for spending time with your family or just relaxing, then asymmetry is your best bet.
This rule comes in handy when decorating a mantel. You need to choose one tall or large item and have it balanced with three small but related items. This rule works fine for the informal mantel groupings. And if you want to go formal, then one side should look just like the other. For instance, if you have some pairs of identical obelisks or vases, you can set one of a pair on each end of your mantel.
It is advisable that accessories to be placed on your mantel should be in complimentary colors. In fact, make sure that they complement the rest of the room's décor color motif. You can go for accessories with different shades of one color or simply get one whole theme of colors. For a more modern and contemporary look, your accessories should be displayed in uniform color.
It is proper to decorate your mantel with items of varying sizes and shapes. What you need to do is to position them in a way that they don't appear overcrowded. Each one of them should have some space for 'breathing'. Decorating your mantel with several smaller pieces is also fine. Just ensure that you have a good collection to add a casual vibe and show off more personality to your space.
If you want to get better results, it is prudent to decorate your mantel in the same style your house is staged. For instance, if your house has an open floor, has recessed ceiling lights, wall to wall carpet or casual furnishings, you have to choose objects for your mantel that are informal, modern and fun. And if your home has crown molding, high ceilings, hardwood floors, formal dining room and chandeliers, then choosing objects that are historically interesting, sophisticated or traditionally looking can be a wise idea.
You can decorate your fireplace mantel the way you want but knowing what to include is as important knowing what not to. Just make sure that the decoration style of your mantel complements that of your fireplace. If you are looking to install a new fireplace, it is important to consult the professionals. A good thing about professionals is that they are highly skilled both in design and installations, so you are sure of getting value for your money. At Woodwork Solutions we have highly skilled designers and installers who work tirelessly to make your dream come true. We specialize in custom fireplace mantels, custom cabinetry, decorative crown moldings, kitchen remodels and garage door services among other things. Contact us today for a free consultation.
As you fill your home with comfy furniture and lovely décor, you also see too it that other parts of your house are well designed. This is a great way to give your home a welcome look. This can even lessen the need to have more decorations if your ceilings have great designs. One of the types of ceilings that can achieve this is the coffered ceiling. It comes with a set of panels that are square, rectangular or polygonal in shape and are usually enhanced with decorative pendants, motifs and elegant trims. When designing these ceilings, it is prudent to take into consideration the type and size of your room as well as your personal taste. Below are expert tips if you are looking to design coffered ceiling in your rooms:
You need to know the type of the room you are working on the coffered ceiling for. The design will vary from dining room to other spaced out rooms, especially where a group of people are conversing. Coffered ceilings are more intricate than those in a bedroom or bathroom. You are not limited to dining rooms alone; you can even have them installed in a family room as well. It is important that you consider the interior style of your room when designing your ceiling. This is so because you want to ensure that the ceiling's design chosen is fitting in the style of the interior you want to achieve. And for a modern look, you may want to add coffered ceiling with recessed lights on it. This can be at the center or on the sides of your room.
You don't want to go wrong when deciding the ceiling lights to use. You need to decide on how to position the lights in order to come up with a contemporary coffered ceiling design. The other option to this is designing the ceiling first and then locating the lights later on. Your ceiling and lights should be in one so as to get a stunning ceiling design.
Just like other parts of your home, the color of your coffered ceiling can make or break the look of your interior. Darker colors are preferable for larger rooms as they are known to create a cozier feel. Lighter colors come in handy for smaller rooms as they make the space to appear larger. You can select any paint scheme as long as the paint scheme chosen is one that complements the interior's design decor. And when it comes to painting, it is not just the color that really matters; the paint sheen matters too. Some spaces have low ceiling; in that case, it is prudent to use semi gloss paint as this makes it appear larger and the ceiling will feel higher. It is proper to experiment with different paint so as to get the kind of ambience you have been looking for.
One way to get a stunning ceiling is by adding some architectural features on it. This is something that the coffered ceiling achieves already. You need to use it to have a surely beautiful ceiling. And you can experiment with different shapes if you are looking to have a ceiling that is simply second to none. You can go for square ones, polygonal ones or even rectangular shaped panels. Do not be afraid to experiment with them, you want something that will complement well with your interior's design. Just ensure that it fits in your budget and that you have made a wise choice when it comes to the kind of lights to be placed on it.
When designing your coffered ceilings, it is also wise to think of the acoustics aspects. One thing you will have to appreciate about the coffered ceilings is that they have the ability to keep sound waves gentle and friendly to your years. But if you still feel you want to take the acoustics to another level, you can surround sound by placing the acoustics around the walls of the room.
You want to place a real skylight, but there is nothing wrong if you can have the artificial one. Try and create an illusion of natural light by installing some lights that are hidden on a cove trim. You can also hide them on anything that your ceiling will allow. Do not add the lights under your ceiling; they will appear like floating objects on the very ceiling. You also want to add other lights with different directions. And the direction of the lights really matters as they can create more drama to your ceiling, so you need to play your cards well.
