Modern Architecture Concept

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Amp up Your Home with Our Designer Approved Trends

July 27, 2015

4 Real-Life Ways to Decorate with Antiques

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Protecting Your Home From Water Damage

05 March 2020 Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

Whether you’re caring for a home or renovating a business, your mind’s probably on interior decor, not the building’s foundation. If you want to keep all of your hard work as pristine as possible, though, you’ll need to keep your building’s roots in mind.

Photo By: Kurt Baum Architects

Foundation leaks can have a serious impact on your renovation schedule, not to mention on the changes you’ve already initiated. What can you do, then, to ensure that your renovation goes smoothly if you have a foundation leak on your hands?

What Causes Foundation Damage?

A home or building’s foundation doesn’t crack after one traumatic event – unless, of course, it’s in an area that sees frequent and violent natural disasters. If you have a foundation crack on your hands, it’s more likely that your foundation’s been under severe stress for an extended period of time. Sources of that stress can include but are not limited to:

Heavy rain
Shifting soil
Your foundation’s response to the weather
Your foundation materials
The nearby trees

Signs of a Foundation Leak

That said, the signs that indicate a leaking foundation are similar to the signs that indicate a leaking basement. How can you tell the two apart? Foundation leaks and cracks tend to have more of an impact on the structural supports keeping a building upright. If you suspect that your foundation may be leaking, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the following signs inside of your home:

Bowing walls
Shifting floors
Gaps at the joints of your foundation
Sticking doors
Foggy windows
Water-damaged belongings or furniture
Mold

That said, if you let a foundation leak go unattended for too long, the outside of your building or home will start to show signs of extensive water damage. These signs include:

Vertical cracks in your walls
A cracked chimney
Cracks running horizontally across your foundation
Signs of sinking

Do note that while you may be able to detect some of these signs on your home, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a local professional for a free assessment. Professional foundation repair contractors will be able to better distinguish between a basement leak and a foundation leak and, in turn, offer you the best solutions for your unique situation.

Treating a Foundation Leak

Once you’ve identified a leak, you’ll need to decide how you want to treat it. In this era of DIY, it’s tempting to take on the project yourself. This, however, is a bad idea. If you try and fill a foundation crack on your own, you may end up making matters worse and delaying your renovation even further. A professional foundation repair contractor will be able to help you decide which of the many solutions you have available to you is the best for your building. These solutions include but are not limited to:

Piering
Underpinning
Leveling and slabjacking
Sealing
Subfloor drainage

Note that these repairs can cost between $500 and $6,000, so you may need to reallocate some of your renovation budget accordingly. That said, it’s far better to have a foundation problem treated as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more expensive repairs are going to be.

Reaching Out for Professional Help

If you think you’re dealing with a foundation crack, don’t try to DIY a solution. Reach out to one of the professional foundation repair contractors in your area for a free inspection. After the inspection, a contractor will be able to propose the cost-effective solutions that’ll keep your renovation on-schedule and your interior design choices free from water damage.

Restaurant Decor: How to Transform Your Restaurant without Renovating

27 February 202023 July 2024 Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

We can definitely learn a thing or two about commercial decorating! Keep reading to find out how restaurants decorate their interiors!

There are some undeniable determining factors of what makes a restaurant great, and that is the food and the ambiance. As a patron, when you visit a restaurant, the first impression you have could be based on either one. Maybe you decided to visit based on the menu, or maybe you were walking past and chose it based on how it looked inside. Regardless of what gets you in the door, the food and the atmosphere are what will stick in your mind once you’ve left. The food is the heart of the restaurant, but the decor is the feeling of it. If your restaurant feels like it’s stagnated and you’re looking for a change, these are the two aspects you should consider revamping. Arguably, your menu should always be changing in order to offer a variety of foods and still keep it interesting for your visitors. As for your decor, it should have a classic element that makes it timeless, but also adds a little something extra to make it have some personality.

If you’re looking to do a complete menu overhaul, there are a few considerations to make, like the cost of the new menu for your restaurant and your customers, and the versatility. However, if you’re looking to update the decor of your restaurant and give the whole place a refresh without breaking the bank on costly renovations, these suggestions will help you get started.

Paint the walls

A coat of paint can go a long way, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Maybe all your restaurant needs is a fresh color to liven up the walls and bring in some personality. If you don’t want to change any of the other decor, do your best to find a color that will match your current furnishings and restaurant theme. Otherwise, you could end up with a mismatched interior that confuses guests when they arrive.

Update your furniture

Revamp your restaurant by upgrading the furniture, or replace older furniture with something new and more comfortable for your guests. Of course, you want your visitors to enjoy their time at your venue, and the furniture you have is surprisingly important to achieving this goal. New restaurant chairs and tables can completely change the vibe of your establishment, but make sure the style of the furniture fits in with your restaurant’s theme and concept.

Update the lighting

Different lighting fixtures have different effects on the mood of a room, so how you light your restaurant can totally change how your guests feel while they’re visiting. Restaurant lighting typically isn’t noticeable unless it’s done poorly, so be sure to ask an expert if you aren’t sure how to properly light your venue. Good lighting can be inviting to guests, while poor lighting can be a deterrent and make them feel uncomfortable.

Get new dishware

Old, scratched and worn out plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery can be a big turn off to guests looking for a finer dining experience. Your dishware contributes greatly to the presentation of your food. If you want to upgrade your dining experience without spending a lot, new dishware is the way to go. It’s also a good idea to consider what kind of dishware you’ll be using if you’re revamping your menu, as these two changes go hand-in-hand.

The Food Supply Chain Dream was created by PortaBull Storage, an expert capable of explain the difference between diesel vs electric reefer units

Looking to Give Your Bathroom a DIY Makeover? Here are 7 Quick Tips

14 February 202021 June 2024 Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

Is your bathroom a sanctuary for relaxation, or a place that you dread every morning? If your bathroom is looking worn, it might be time for a bathroom makeover. A complete bathroom remodel is expensive, but there are some bathroom DIY makeover tips that you can follow to give it a refresh that won’t break the bank!

Photo By: Rande Leaman Interior Design

Deep clean

No one likes to clean the bathroom, but if you want to get an honest assessment of what you are working with, you need to start with a thorough deep clean. If you absolutely hate the idea of doing it yourself, you can hire a professional. Or, throw on some gloves and get to scrubbing not only the toilet and floors, but the shower, ceiling, walls, and corners.

Declutter

Your second line of attack is to declutter and that means the shower and all cabinets. In the shower, assess the bottles of shampoo and soaps that you have, and consider if you are using all of them. Keep only what you actually use, and toss the rest. It’s easy to amass a collection of samples and hotel toiletries — but are you actually ever going to use them? If they’ve been sitting around for more than a few months, it’s time to let them go. The same goes for expired medications and creams, and cosmetics and nail polish that are collecting dust. The less clutter you have in the bathroom, the easier it will be to give it a serious refresh.

Photo By: Haven Design and Construction

Get organized

After you have decluttered, it’s time to get organized. You can buy matching containers and then sort items by type to be stored, with cosmetics, medications, and accessories grouped accordingly. This will help to create a clean space that will feel open and refreshing.

Update hardware

You can add some sparkle to your bathroom by updating hardware like cabinet knobs, faucets, and door handles. You don’t have to spend a fortune and do a whole demolition of your bathroom. If however you are planning to take that route, consider hiring someone like skip bin hire sydney to take all of your demolition trash. You might be surprised at how updating hardware can change the face of your bathroom. If you have a glass shower door that is dated and a mold magnet, you might consider removing it and replacing it with a rod for a shower curtain that can be cleaned and replaced more easily.

Photo By: Dual Concept Design

Add color

Like updating hardware, your bathroom can be completely transformed by color. New towels and bathmats, fresh holders for toothbrushes and other bathroom necessities, and perhaps even a fresh coat of paint can be achieved in a weekend. If you are feeling bold, go for a fun accent color like pink, turquoise, or yellow.

Add decor

To take your bathroom up a notch, add decor. You might even bring in plants or artwork to make the space more inviting. Pick a theme, like the sea, or a color scheme, such as green, and let your imagination run wild.

Let there be light

Adding light in a bathroom can turn its energy around, too. You can swap out old light fixtures for new ones and replace curtains or blinds if you have bathroom windows. If you have a one story home you might even consider adding a skylight, but you’ll need to consult with an expert to see if this is one of the top home improvement projects, given your resources. With just a few dedicated hours and a trip to a home improvement store, you can turn your bathroom into a welcoming sanctuary.

The Ultimate Bathroom Organization & Storage Guide was provided by Modern Bathroom, the company to call when attempting to purchase bathroom vanities online

How to Clean After Home Renovations

27 January 202015 March 2024 Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

You finally finish the long awaited home renovations project that you have been dreaming about for years. Now what? It’s time to get cleaning!

Photo By: Andrew Howard Interior Design

After all the tedious hard work and numerous hours spent to finalize the project there surely is plenty to clean. The contractors in charge hopefully did there best to be professional and not intentionally leave huge messes behind. Nevertheless, there will still be areas that need to be cleaned. They had just spent weeks inside your home using power tools with dust flying everywhere out of control.

Where to Start?

The key to post renovations cleaning follows the same process as regular cleaning but there are many more steps. You should always start high and end low. You should also start on all dry tasks before moving to wet tasks. Let me tell you all areas will need to be touched including the walls. This will be a time consuming task that requires attention to detail or the job will not be completed properly causing dust to circulate in your air system. If you are not sure where or how to start it will be best to call in a professional cleaning company to finish this task. Similarly how you called in the pros to do the renovations, well you there are also pros for renovations cleaning. Modern Maids is a Dallas maid services that offers this type of cleaning to customers in its service areas.

Photo By: Andrew Howard Interior Design

Dry vs Wet Cleaning

You are going to want to start with the dry cleaning first. Dry cleaning is usually dusting with rags or other equipment. This allows you to knock off loose dirt onto the ground where you will later use a vacuum or shot vac to remove the dust before doing a dry dust mop and then finally a wet mop. The post renovations cleaning process is lengthy. Sometimes you can finish by doing one round of dry cleaning and one round of wet cleaning. Often times you will need to go back over and do one or the other a second time. There is no set formula for success you just have to take it on a case by case basis.

Areas Not to Forget

The post renovations cleaning is a very detail oriented task that takes specialization. Some commonly missed areas to make sure you clean are the above all the doors. This is an area that isn’t visible by the human eye, but the little area is notorious for collecting dust and dirt after renovations are complete. You will want to dry dust all walls. Hopefully your contractor covered the walls to help them from not getting too dusty, but it is smart to dry dust all walls just in case some made it past the barrier. Check all ceiling fans, light switches and electric outlets. These all have ledges where dust and dirt can find a place to settle.

Photo By: Andrew Howard Interior Design

Window Cleaning

If new windows were installed you will need to remove all the stickers from them which can be a process in itself. We recommend warm water and soap or a safety blade to carefully scrape the stickers off. If the windows are existing windows then you can be assured they will need a good thorough washing. Use proper window washing equipment to reduce the time and increase the quality of the cleaning. Don’t forget to open the windows as the final step and clean the window tracks as well. Wind and other outside factors can push dirt and debris past the screens and settle in these cracks.

Rent a Dumpster

Renting a dumpster for yard and garden renovation waste simplifies cleanup tasks by providing a designated bin for debris. With various sizes available, you can choose the most suitable option for your needs, promoting safety and eco-friendly disposal practices. Overall, it helps speed up your cleanup and allows you to focus on your other home projects with ease.

Conclusion

Post renovation cleaning is no easy or light task. You can complete it with the proper equipment and attention to details. If you are not going to take the necessary time then it might be best to outsource this job to a professional company.

10 Stylish Ideas For Introducing Antiques In Your Living Room

17 January 202017 January 2020 Michelle from Modern Architecture Concept

Creating an immersive living room is all about being bold and unique. In this article we show you how to bring character with ideas you may have not thought possible!

Photos Via: Pinterest Source

We take a look at the world of antiques and how the smallest of ideas can create the biggest of changes; how traditional elements such as colour schemes and paint ideas can bring changes that are easy to achieve.

1. CHOOSING THE BEST SKIN FOR A TRADITIONAL ROOM

The colour scheme of a room is the foundation of any design and the play on contrast is what makes everything so effective. Darker colours are always more traditional and work well when paired with more traditional materials. If you’re feeling like you want something less intimidating, it’s always an idea to paint one wall and contrast it with lighter tones or alternatively using whites and grey tones all round provide the perfect clean backdrop for your more traditional furniture.

2. EMBRACE PATTERNS AND TEXTURES

People always make the assumption that different patterns and textures don’t coincide. The joy of using antiques is that every room can be completely individual. You can of course opt for a more put-together design, but having everything clash isn’t necessarily a bad idea. Follow what your love and embrace whatever your heart desires. However, there is one rule – keep it 50/50. One should never overpower the other.

3. MAKE ANTIQUE FINDS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE ROOM

If your home is already privileged enough to have a period feature, like in many cases an antique fireplace, let it be the centre of attention. By keeping everything around it neutral, there’s no doubt it’s bound to create a sense of awe when guests walk in. A fireplace is great as it can be restored almost effortlessly too.

4. A SPELL OF THE OUTDOORS

Plants are a great way to introduce a diverse air within a home (no pun intended). By adding different-sized plants and pots, within theme, you are not only making the room look fresher, but you are also providing a natural air filter for your home.

5. OVERSIZED ANTIQUES IN SMALL SPACES

When you’re playing around with a small room, big isn’t always best. However, not when it comes to antiques! By introducing items like saucer-shaped sofas or stripped down dining tables, you are creating a sense of grandeur into a small contemporary room. These focal items paired with the right modern accents can change the aesthetic of a room very quickly.

6. PLAY WITH LIGHTING

Playing with light fixtures may be one of the easiest ways to combine the old with the new. Adding a small chandelier can create all different types of possibilities in what can seem like a simple contemporary space.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#cf61ba” class=”” size=””]Floor and table lamps come in all different shapes and sizes too and when picked correctly can provide the right ambience for the right time![/perfectpullquote]

7. PLAY WITH REFLECTION

Mirrors have a great way of being able to open up a room. What’s also amazing is that you can play with the placing, big or small, there is always a place for them. Items like a French gilt mirror add instant character to a room and can be a great way of tying the room together.

8. EXPLORING THE UNDERNEATH

Exposed and reclaimed floorboards boast all the characters of which new flooring can’t compete with. It instantly adds a new look to any room and can provide a refreshing contrast to what lays on top. Whilst they look beautiful, they are also environmentally friendly and after a job well done, it will look like a brand new floor. Re-purposed rugs can also add an element to a room that a carpet never will. Take a Persian rug for example, whilst they can be bought new, antique rugs really show the craft and technique and will most definitely add to the aesthetic of any room.

9. DECORATING YOUR WALLS

Whilst some people may find the task of delving into antique furniture a daunting prospect, pictures are something that everyone can relate with. In a world that’s so heavily obsessed with photographs, why not invest in some frames that will visibly alter the look of any room. With this, many is never enough, and playing with different shapes and sizes is a work of art in itself.

10. RECYCLE & RECLAIM

If you ever feel like something you own is an obstacle in your road to reinvention, recycling your old furniture with a lick of paint or even just a fresh varnish will be the best thing you can ever try. Cheap but very cheerful, re-using worn furniture is the best way to spark a new joy in your living room. Websites like Craigslist provide endless amounts of items that are ready for a new home and with a bit of work will feel like they were there all along.