What is Universal Design?

Universal Design means creating a stylish space that everyone can live in.  The idea is to design a home that fits everyone’s need regardless of age, size, ability.  With age our ability and agility changes and often we find our home no longer suits our needs.  In the past this meant making changes that did not flow with the current design and stuck out as sterile and obvious.  Today, Universal Design means beauty and style is no longer compromised for comfort.  In fact, one would not realize they are in a home with Universal Design features unless they were pointed out to them.

What are universal Design Features?

Design Trends From Coast to Coast

Enjoy the following article published on the Denver Design Center’s Front and Center Blog this week.

Living close to the middle of the country, we often hear how trends start on the coasts and move their way in.  The same holds true for design.  We thought it would be fun to see what designers in other states are seeing as the top design trends of the year.  Reaching from the California to New York City, and a few stops in between…here’s what we are seeing from coast to coast from local design centers.

Red decor can be stimulating, relaxing

Just in time for Valentines Day, The Colorado Springs Gazette published the following article (2/8/14), written by Debbie Kelley. Our Designer Katherine Speas was interviewed for the article and her red touches to Jim Fry’s house are featured in the article. 

PANTONE REVEALS COLOR FOR 2014

Radiant Orchid

Pantone reveals Radiant Orchid (PANTONE® 18-3224), a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple, as the color of the year for 2014.

6 Steps to Planning a Successful Building Project

Put in time on the front end to ensure that your home will match your vision in the end

Houzz.com published this wonderful article written by Anne Higuera on their site this week that we wanted to share, enjoy!

There’s a strong temptation to dive straight into home remodeling projects.  The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be done, right? Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way if you haven’t done some essential planning up front.  Each design professional and contractor runs his or her business in a different way, but homeowners usually need to follow the same steps to get to the construction phase. 
Here are six crucial steps to help you plan for a successful home renovation, and the reasons they’re so important for any project.

Specialty Spaces Go Beyond Rooms to Your Pets

Wine cellars, patios, and custom decks often come to mind when talking about Specialty Spaces. While these are wonderful spaces to design and build, Specialty Spaces can also go beyond entire rooms to those nooks and crannies that your family members designate as their special space. The matriarch of the house might have a craft area to retreat to, the garage may be a sanctuary for the man of the house, or a certain corner chair may be that place one goes to unwind. At Sikora Creations, we know that every member of your family has that fixed spot in the house that they claim as their own, and we want to make those spots even better.

Survive Your Home Remodel: 11 Must-Ask Questions

Plan ahead to keep minor hassles from turning into major headaches during an extensive renovation 

Enjoy the following article courtesy of Mitchell Paker published on Houzz.com.

If buying a home is all about location, location, location, then remodeling one is all about planning, planning, planning. We’ve all heard the stories: friends and family doing dishes in their bathroom sinks, cooking meals on hot plates in the garage, grabbing food from the refrigerator that’s now in the laundry room. Such are the travails of remodeling a house. And there’s really nothing you can do but be prepared. “It’s a big inconvenience but a big payoff,” says architect Brian Lucas. 

If you’re about to embark on an extensive remodel or renovation, here are 11 questions you’ll want to ask, plus what to do to keep everything moving along smoothly. 

Create statement walls with wallpaper, fireplaces, and more.

Create A Statement Wall In Your Favorite Room 

Zillow follows trends in housing and Real Estate.  I thought I would share this great article on Creating a Statement Wall.  If you’re looking to add a bold look to your home, creating a statement wall in a room can be a simple and affordable option. Ranging from a wall painted in deep jewel tones to a space dominated by brick, how bold you go depends on the look you want for your room.