by HJ HOLTZ | Feb 14, 2015 | Decorating Tips
Although the official kickoff to spring will be here before you know it, most areas aren’t showing many signs of the season just yet. In fact, it has been a relatively cold and gray month here in Virginia, and this weather may be prompting you to spend extra time indoors. As we enjoy the last few weeks of winter, let’s talk about some cozy decorating ideas that will make you feel right at home!
Adorn the Space with Blankets, Pillows and Throws
The nice thing about being cozy is that you can also be a bit messy. Not sure what we mean? In the spring and summer months, the home needs to be brighter and cleaner, so one of the first steps is removing pillows, throws, blankets, etc. from couches and chairs. In the fall and winter, however, the home can be dressed up with these same items. Not only do pillows and throws make the home look warmer, but also they are functional. Who wouldn’t want to curl up with a book and warm, cozy blanket on a cold night?
Incorporate Low Lighting and Pillar Candles
One of the simplest ways to bring a cozy feeling to the home is to turn down the lighting. If you have dimmer switches, keep the lighting low, or use layers of light to keep some areas in the home more intimate. Light pillar candles and arrange them on your mantle or countertops for instant coziness. You can also accompany the low lighting with essential oils or scented candles.
Arrange Furniture Strategically
One of the elements of being cozy is being close to others. Angle furniture so that it faces each other and facilitates togetherness. For instance, position two arm chairs toward a sofa and complete the look with a coffee table, low lighting and pillows and throw blankets. Don’t have arm chairs? Consider bringing in chairs from a kitchen or dining table instead. This can free up room around your kitchen table, or you could refinish a couple of old chairs from a secondhand shop.
Give Guests What They Need
It’s hard to get cozy when you have to constantly get up to get things. To finish off a cozy interior, make sure that you strategically place everything that is needed right there in your spot. For instance, if you want a snuggly family room, place table or floor lamps near the couches and chairs, offer magazines and books on the coffee table and keep blankets handy in wicker baskets. Draw the curtains so the sun doesn’t create glares, and give your guests some eye candy in the form of fresh seasonal flowers, photographs from your family or decorative items that hold meaning.
Bring in the Warmth
An additional way to make the home warmer is by bringing in the right colors. Repainting the walls with a warm color such as brown or yellow is an excellent option, especially because these hues work well through all seasons. Or, consider refinishing some of your furniture through refurbishing or repainting techniques that can transform both color and grain patterns. Count on H.J. Holtz and Son to help refresh your home with the best painting applications.
by HJ HOLTZ | Oct 31, 2014 | Decorating Tips, Newsletter
Your indoor furniture gets a lot of quality attention. You walk past your hall accent table each day, enjoy three meals at the kitchen table and sink into the couch at night. Unfortunately, your outdoor furniture doesn’t get the same love. It’s often forgotten about or left out to fend for itself in rainy weather. Sure, you promised that you would cover up the furniture every time it rained, but this gets old fast. When it’s time to bring your furniture in for the winter season, you notice that it’s old, worn and lackluster.
Don’t be embarrassed by your outdoor furniture. Don’t give it away just yet. You can give it a facelift without spending a lot of time or money. Now is the best time to work on it since you’re bringing in the furniture for the winter season and you won’t be taking it out until next spring. This gives you plenty of time to brainstorm and be creative.
Transform with Paint
The best way to transform your outdoor patio furniture is by painting it. Just about anything can be painted, even if it wasn’t painted before. How good the end result is depends on the paint you select, so choose carefully. Paint is available for various surfaces, and some will require primer. If the surface was painted before, you will need to remove the peeling paint beforehand.
Which colors should you choose? Natural colors that fit your environment are best, but the choice is yours. You can also go bright and bold, especially with wooden beach-style chairs.
Change the Cushions, Pillows and Hardware
Another simple, cost-effective way to give your patio furniture a new look is by updating its cushions, pillows and hardware. There is a more limited selection of cushions and pillows at this time of the year, but now is also the best time to score great deals. Keep an eye out, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, wait until the spring to make a purchase. Also update the umbrella and hardware.
Repurpose Furniture
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a new furniture set. If you’re lacking practical features with your current set, find ways that you can repurpose existing furniture. Accent tables with glass or mosaic tops can be brought outdoors. Or, look for an old bookcase or buffet table and line the shelves with wallpaper. It can be used to keep plates, cups and snacks on hand when you have guests over. Wire racks can also be used for container plants and flowers.
Let H.J. Holtz Give You a Hand!
At H.J. Holtz and Son, we help our customers save time and money with our innovative solutions. If you want to makeover a piece of furniture, give us a call and we can typically have the furniture completed in 10 working days. If the item has drawers, all you need to do is clean them out and we’ll take care of the rest – even the cleaning!
We work with all types of surfaces, including laminate, metal and wood. The only type of surface that requires more work is oak. If you don’t want to see the grain, we will need to use a filler. Call us today to learn more about our painting and refinishing services. We’re pros at this stuff!
by HJ HOLTZ | Oct 15, 2014 | Decorating Tips, Newsletter
The winter holidays are just around the corner, so now is the perfect time to transition your home for the giving season. Whether you plan on having family come to stay with you or you’re simply inviting guests over for a holiday meal, you want them to be comfortable in your home.
You may be thinking, “My home is too small or impractical for guests to stay with me,” but we can change that. It’s all about how you see the space and what you can do with it. Whether your home is small, cramped or laden with kids’ toys, we have simple, creative tips for making your home cozy for everyone in the family.
Declutter Your Space
It’s easy for rooms and closets to get cluttered, so now is a good time to go through these areas and get rid of stuff you haven’t used all year. If guests will be staying with you, make sure you leave them closet space and a couple of drawers to put things away. Even if your guests will be leaving, a clean closet provides room for coats, shoes and purses. The goal is to create space that is meant for your guests rather than squeezing them into your space.
Add Fresh Linens, Towels, Blankets and Pillows
No one likes to dry off their hands with the same towel that everyone else is using. Place holiday-themed disposable napkins in the bathroom. Also leave out fresh towels for showering. A few throw pillows can freshen up a sunken-in couch, while light blankets set aside in a wicker basket will give guests something to cuddle up with in front of the fire.
Arrange Furniture Strategically
Since the Christmas tree will be coming out anyway, rearranging your furniture won’t be such a burden. You may want to take out a piece of furniture to open up your space. Pay attention to seating. Family will want to socialize, so couches and chairs should be positioned near each other. In addition, there should also be end/accent tables nearby so that guests can read a book or have a glass of apple cider near them.
Bring in the Outdoors
Fresh flowers in the bedroom, bathroom or dining room add a nice touch to the home without demanding much. Indoor mums, poinsettias, holly, mistletoe or a Christmas cactus are all beautiful plants for the holidays. (Be sure to research these if you have pets, as some may be hazardous to their health!)
Give the Home a Makeover
Many people think of summer as the best time to refresh their home, but late fall is a great time, too. You have an incentive to get things done, and the kids are in school during the day giving you time to go through closets, hang new pictures and shop online. Give your home a brand new look with freshly painted walls or wallpaper. Or, brighten up your dining room set with new paint. Everyone will think it’s new, and you’ll save a bundle of money!
by HJ HOLTZ | Oct 1, 2014 | Decorating Tips
Summer is often believed to be the best time to paint the exterior of a home because Virginia weather is warm, bright and sunny. While temperature and sunshine play a large part in how well the finished product will come out, it’s also possible that too much warmth and sun can have an adverse effect. Just think of how humid some of our days can be!
Summer is a great time to have your home painted, but if you missed the deadline, early fall is a great time to give your home this much deserving update. Fall has some of the most beautiful weather here in Richmond, as much of our temperatures fall around the 70s and 80s.
Temperature and Moisture
The two factors that determine your painting season include temperature and moisture. Paint manufacturers typically recommend that the outside weather be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but some paints will do fine in temperatures as low as 35 degrees. Paints have improved dramatically over the years, but always check with the manufacturer for their specific recommendations.
When considering temperatures, fall can be a better time to paint because the weather isn’t so hot, sticky and humid. Just as exterior paint wouldn’t appreciate being applied in 20 degree weather, neither would it in 105 degree weather. In the fall, temperatures are more stable and less humid. This makes early fall a prime time to get that new coat of paint on the home.
Moisture is another consideration, and it does get rainy during the fall. But, it’s often no more rainy during this season than it is in the summer. Paint needs to be applied to a dry surface and it can become wet from humidity, rain or snow. After a hard rain, wait at least one day so that the surface is dry. Also account for early morning dew that could add indirect moisture to the surface.
Schedule Your Exterior Paint Job Today!
Here in Virginia, our winters are fairly mild, so it offers homeowners a longer painting period. The biggest factor to keep in consideration is the rain that we can get from severe storms. By hiring a knowledgeable company, you can work together to pick the best day for your project. Come spring, your home will be ready for freshly planted flowers and shrubs!
Before the seasons change, get a quote from H.J. Holtz for an exterior paint job. You’ll be glad you did!
by HJ HOLTZ | Aug 8, 2014 | Decorating Tips
Painting is more than just color. Using a variety of decorative paint finishes, you can have your walls transformed to look like fine linen or a sandy beach. H.J. Holtz and Son has experienced painting crews that are familiar with all types of decorative paint finishes. Check out some of the methods that are available and let your painter know what vision you have in mind for your upcoming project!
Color Washing – This technique is perfect for creating walls that give off a warm, welcoming feel. Color washing uses glaze and a large paintbrush for a textured finish.
Dry Brushing – Simple and easy, the dry brushing technique is an affordable way to apply color to your walls and freshen up your space, especially when time and money are limited.
Fresco – Going fresco has never been easier thanks to glazing liquids and latex paints. The greatest advantage to fresco walls is that they are easy to clean and leave little odor.
Geometric Reflections – Geometric shapes and patterns highlight color depth and enhance the reflection of light, which creates a strong glow. Metallic paints and latex glazes are popular picks for geometric reflections.
Glitter – Glitter paint has specks of reflective material so that when the walls catch light, they sparkle and shimmer. This type of paint is perfect for kids’ bedrooms, accent walls or furniture.
Ragging – Ragging is known for its leather-like appearance. It’s timeless, and various effects can be achieved by applying or removing glaze with the rag.
Smooshing – Leaving the walls with a marbled look, smooshing is an easy technique to use. Pearl finishes leave the room bright, sophisticated and airy.
Sponging – This look gives the walls a delicate appearance that is similar to rolled marble. A sponge is used to make these effects, and the type of sponge that is used will impact the overall design.
Strie – Soft and soothing does it here, as the strie technique makes the walls look like they have fine fabric draped on them. Adding bold accents makes the walls really pop!
Texture – Textured walls are a top pick for high-traffic areas because they hide minor imperfections. Earthy, natural tones are most popular such as greens, browns and tans.
Washed Stripes – Wallpaper is not the only way to get stripes on the wall. Using painters tape and a high quality paint, subtle stripes are painted on the walls to give texture and sheen.
by HJ HOLTZ | Jul 17, 2014 | Decorating Tips
One of the first questions that we’re asked by customers is which form of wall transformation is better: paint vs. wallpaper?
The exciting part is that the walls of your home can be completely transfigured with the help of paint or wallpaper. You can easily make a room feel bigger and brighter with a lighter colored paint, or you can create a traditional feel with a textured or patterned wallpaper.
How do you know which option is best for your space? Here are a few questions that we ask our customers.
Do you have kids or pets?
As you may already know, kids and pets can do a number on walls. Kids tend to throw toys or rub their hands along walls, while pets leave behind their own marks. A scrub-able vinyl wallpaper is an excellent choice since it’s easy to keep clean. These wallpaper selections are available in low VOCs, so they’re friendly for pets and kids. On the same note, small blemishes can be easily repaired with paint, but keep in mind that when painted walls are damaged or hit, repainting will be necessary.
What type of selection are you looking for?
Paint is available in basically every color imaginable so you can achieve any look you desire. Through various methods such as ragging, sponging and color washing, you can create texture and patterns. Plus, paints are available in many finishes, such as high glosses and sheens. But, wallpaper has come a long way and is now available in an extensive range of colors and textures. Which leads us to our next question…
What type of work are you looking to put in?
Painting is relatively easy, albeit tedious, providing that you’re not painting complicated corners or high ceilings. Water-based paints also make for easy cleanup, and the range of painting tools on the market assist in getting the job done fast.
Wallpaper is not as tedious as it once was, and many selections have pre-pasted backings that require moisture. The big disadvantage is that removing wallpaper is time consuming, whereas painting over an existing color is much easier. So, if you’re someone who likes to redecorate often, painting is the recommended choice.
At the end of the day, the choice is yours! Both painting and wallpaper have many advantages, and the only limit you have is your imagination!
