When you set out to design your dream house, you want to be sure that you get every detail right. There is no point in designing a dream house if you stop short of the finishing touches. That is where Volterra comes in.
Category: Architectural Product Blog – Design Tips, Inspiration, Industry Trends
4 Simple Ideas to Decorate Your Fireplace Mantel
Although millions of people invest in stylish fireplaces to warm up their living space, very few people manage to exploit the full potential of fireplaces. Some people try and spruce up the architectural exuberance of the fireplace by wrapping a mantel around the fireplace, but this is still not enough. To make the fireplace a focal point in the living room, you need to go a step further and decorate the mantel. Although it is possible to invest in a decorated mantel, it’s challenging to come across a decorative style that resonates with your style and is consistent with the rest of the living room set up. To help you spruce up your living room’s look, here are four simple ideas on how to decorate the fireplace mantel:
Use of Greenery
Most fireplaces are made from dull colors which can easily weigh down the life of any space. To counter the dark colors of the fireplace, invest in greenery which you can place on top of the fireplace mantel. Green flowers are a fresh breath of air in any space and their color always blends in with most design styles. The choice of the flowers depends on your taste, but you should be careful not to stack too many flower pots on the mantel, as this makes the living space look too crowded.Use Artwork
Have you been looking for a space to pin your family portraits? Are you an artsy person looking for the perfect space to express yourself? The mantel is the ideal place to place photos and other pieces of art to make your space even better.Add Mirrors
Mirrors not only lighten a space by adding light, but they also make a space appear bigger than it is. Stick up one or two mirrors on your fireplace mantel and let it light up your living space.Make the Mantel the Home Tech Center
Yes, you can use your television screen and audio speakers to breathe life into the dull fireplace. Mount your TV right above the mantel and place audio speakers on the mantel and you will have yourself a tech center in your living space. Are you looking for architectural products to spruce up your home? Volterra has plenty of options, including interior and exterior products. Contact us today to get started.]]>Installing Interior Wood Trim Around Doors and Windows
Installing interior wood trim around your doors and windows can be a little bit tricky. There are many angles to measure and cuts to make, and if you’ve never done this before you might feel overwhelmed. The good news is that most beginners can complete this project with just a few days time and some practice with a saw.
In a Perfect World
In a perfect world, every corner of your windows and doors would form a perfect 90 degree angle. Unfortunately, due to settling, aging, and a variety of other factors, you will quickly discover that most of your doors and windows do not form perfect 90s. This is something you must be prepared for before you cut your first piece of interior wood trim. Instead, cut two test pieces at 45 degrees and hold them together to make a 90 degree angle. Now, go around your window or door and hold this test piece up to see whether or not it fits properly. If not, you will need to mark the pieces and take them back to your saw to re-cut them to the correct angle. Make small adjustments and keep testing before you start nailing things down. Of course, another great way to make your interior trim look perfect is to utilize flexible trim moulding like VolterraFlex™ around radius walls or arched doors.Start at the Top
Once your cuts are made, start installing your interior wood trim at the top of your doors and windows first. Once the header piece is up, place both sides, and install the bottom piece last. This is because it will be easier to hide any odd cuts or weird angles if they are at the bottom, whereas they would stand out if they occurred at the top. Use a nail gun to attach your trim to the studs and the frame, and you’ll be done in no time. Interior wood trim is not difficult to work with, but you must be sure to measure and test each piece before you drive the first nail. For tips on how to make this process easier, contact Volterra today and ask about our trim options.]]>Creating a Vintage Interior Design Aesthetic in Your Home
It is commonly known that something that was once popular will always come back around. True, some design aesthetics should stay in the past, but bringing a vintage look to your home can be a great way to make it stand out from the rest. Here are a few interior products that can give your home a timeless, classic design aesthetic.
Faux Wood
Adding faux wood products to your home can be a major way to give it a vintage look. Wood can be added in minimal or maximalist ways to your home, through simple wooden shutters or a large faux wood truss system that adds depth and structure to an overall space. If the faux wood can be made to look rustic or faded, this can give your home even more of a vintage look.Ceiling Tiles
Tin ceiling tiles were all the rage in interior design during the early 1900’s before wartime shortages and the Great Depression demanded their use for more pressing needs. Bring life into a commonly neglected design aspect of your home –the ceiling– with the vintage look of decorative ceiling tiles.Decorative Plasters, Stuccos and Stone
Adding an alternative finish, such as Italian lime plaster or Variance acrylic plaster, can texturize your walls in a way that sets them apart from modern plaster and stucco finishes. Adding Volterra stone products is another way to add a vintage ambiance without the dedication that entire wall finishes require. For help achieving a vintage design look in your home, contact Volterra or peruse our product offering online.]]>Entryway Decor Using a Statement Wall
Choosing the right entryway decor is a great way to make a good first impression on guests, while also telling them a little bit about yourself. At the same time, you have to be careful not to overdo your entryway decor, because the space can quickly become cramped and unwelcoming. We’re here to give you a few tips to get you started.
Choose a Statement Wall
Most of the time, your front door opens upon a small landing where people enter, shed their shoes and coats, and pause before moving on to the rest of your home. There is usually a wall or partial wall that separates this space from the main body of your house, along with different flooring. Whichever wall you’re facing when you walk in is the wall you want to turn into your statement wall.Choose a Backdrop
Statement walls can work in a few different ways. One way to make the wall stand out is by using a different material aside from paint. For instance, using faux wood planks to create a reclaimed wood look is a perfect way to make your statement wall pop without too much work. Otherwise, you may want to use some panel moulding to frame out your statement wall and add a punch of color here or there.Add Your Personal Touch
Once the backdrop is complete, now you have to choose some artwork or family photos to hang on your statement wall. If you used panel moulding, you have already created spaces to hang your photos, but if you used a wood plank wall, you will probably want to offset your photos by lining them up with different layers of planks for a more variegated look.Choose a Furniture Piece
Finally, the last thing you need is a small shoe rack or desk that will fit against the wall and complete the look. Place a vase of flowers on top or some small statuary and you’ll have the ideal entryway. For more information about how to build a statement wall using wood planks or panel moulding, visit Volterra today. We can help you select the right products for your next project.]]>Turning Your Master Bedroom into the Perfect Retreat
Your master bedroom should be a special place. It should stand out from all the other bedrooms in your home, and really speak to your personal tastes. Many people want their master bedroom to act as a personalized retreat from the daily grind and the messiness that exists in the rest of their house. Now’s your chance to turn your master bedroom into just the right kind of retreat for you.
Add Ceiling Accents
Don’t settle for plain ceilings in your private space. Instead, go for something a bit more rustic by adding an accent to your ceiling with faux wood planks. These planks can be easily installed to create a textured ceiling with lots of character. Planked ceilings are unique and really make a room pop.Raise the Roof
Not literally, but creatively. By adding ceiling beams made of faux wood, you can create a ceiling that has multiple layers, giving it a heightened appearance that makes your room look larger than life. If you aren’t ready to take on a major project like ceiling beams, you can use some beautiful crown moulding around your room to achieve a similar effect.Accent Moulding
Do you want to give the impression of more space within your bedroom? One easy way to do so is to draw the eye upwards using accent moulding. Bedrooms often have creative, organic lines that may defy straight lines. Have no fear–Volterra’s flexible moulding makes it easy, even around curves. Volterra has everything you need to turn your bland master bedroom into a retreat that your friends and family will really envy. Visit our gallery online for more ideas about how to update your room today.]]>Keys to Successful Farmhouse Design
Farmhouse design has become trendy once again, and more people are trying to bring traditional farmhouse features into their suburban homes. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate farmhouse styling in your home, there are a few key areas where you need to focus your energies.
Natural and Neutral Materials
A major staple of farmhouse design is the use of natural wood finishes throughout the space. The good news is that you can purchase faux wood beams, fireplace mantles, and trim which looks just like real wood without costing an arm and a leg or requiring any special skills to install. Once you’ve selected the natural wood finishes you want to showcase, the next step is to choose a few neutral colors that accent the wood’s tone for decorating the rest of the room.Stay Functional
Farmhouses were all about simplicity and productivity. Thus, when it’s time to select trim and furnishings, make sure you stick to something plain and functional. You don’t want lots of detailed carving or layers on your cabinetry, baseboards or other areas. Clean lines and simple design is what you’re looking for, with lots of open space for easy maneuvering through your home. The best farmhouse designs are accomplished when you ditch the fussy details and go for something straightforward. Volterra Architectural Products is here to help you design your new farmhouse style home with matching trim and accents made from high quality HDF materials. Visit us online today to learn more.]]>Using Faux Wood Exposed Trusses in Your Home
Exposed trusses can drastically change the appearance of any room by drawing the eye upward, adding a pop of color depth, and even changing the way light falls through your room. While most homes do not come with naturally beautiful trusses, you can easily add some to your large rooms with the help of faux wood.
Selecting a Style
As you shop for faux wood trusses, you will find that there are several common designs ranging from very simple to very complex. The more complex the design, the more hardware is involved and the heavier the beams will be. In general, complex designs are best reserved for very formal rooms with vaulted ceilings, similar to a cathedral, because the extra complexity can make a smaller room feel crowded. On the other hand, there are some very plain options which are ideal for creating a farmhouse aesthetic.Choosing a Color
The next thing you need to do is select a color for your exposed trusses. If you want your trusses to blend seamlessly into the rest of your room, you need to choose a wood grain pattern and color that matches the rest of the woodwork in your home. You can find anything from dark walnuts to light blondes and ashes. Exposed trusses are a beautiful addition to any oversized room, and they can be easily installed thanks to faux wood products. Shop Volterra online today to see our full selection of truss patterns and colors.]]>Base Mouldings – Is Bigger Better?
Builders often choose base mouldings that are cheap and basic. We are all familiar with the small profile, gently slope-shouldered variety that comes standard on most homes today. For those who want to make a change, the baseboards are a natural place to start. So how big should you go?
Why Go Big?
Oversized base moulding makes a huge visual difference in your room, especially when painted bright white or another contrasting color. The easiest way to do this is by using flat 1x4s or 1x6s to build a big riser. While these boards do not feature any extra milling or design work, they look perfect in today’s ultra-modern spaces with their clean and simple lines. Even in a classically styled home, you can go big by using a plain board as above, and staking a piece of decorative trim above it.When to Go Small
If you’re going for more of a minimalist look, you may decide that smaller base moulding is the answer. In this case, stick with low profile options for a simple quarter-round solution that is painted to match your walls so that you can take advantage of the entire surface. When choosing smaller base mouldings, remember that they offer less protection against scuffs and scrapes along the bottom of your walls. Base mouldings are an important element of any room, and even a little upgrade can change the way you feel about your space. Don’t settle for dull builder’s grade mouldings. Choose Volterra for a huge selection of moulding profiles and styles.]]>Decorative Ways to Spruce Up Your Staircase
If you have stairs, you most likely walk up and down them every day without a second thought to their decorative effect on your home. In reality, the stairs are an ideal area for creativity, going beyond the strictly utilitarian use we have for them. With a few simple changes to your staircase, you can dramatically add to the visual appeal of your home.