September | 2013 | Home on the Range Blog

Events and Happenings,Featured

Colorado Strong from Gentry Connects

No matter where you live, we know that you have heard about the extensive damage caused by the floods “of biblical proportions” that occurred in Colorado two weeks ago. In Steamboat (where Home on the Range lives), we were extremely fortunate to escape any damage, but we know that the rest of our beautiful state was not so lucky. Today we would like to share a post from one of our favorite bloggers/vendors/friends, Dick Gentry. Dick’s company Wesco Fabrics is based out of Denver, and so Dick himself has been a long time Colorado resident. His blog, Gentry Connects, is one of our favorites, and this week he posted a haunting yet inspiring blog that shows not only the destruction caused by the floods, but also the the strong spirit of Coloradoans. We would like to thank him for sharing his post with us to share with you. If you haven’t visited Dick’s fantastic blog yet, today would be a great day to start!

The images in the below post really demonstrate the extent of the horror that folks here are still experiencing, and are only beginning to pick up the pieces.

Colorado Strong:

Image via Gentry Connects

As Colorado’s devastating flood recedes, the extent of the damage in many areas is heartbreakingly apparent. Through this tragedy we witness amazing stories of cooperation, heroism and perseverance. Friends and total strangers join hands to help. A Wesco Fabrics’ sales person, Steve Beard, energized his church in Jackson, Mississippi, to make donations. People from gulf areas hit by Hurricane Katrina are coming to Colorado to help as they remember many from our state who once helped them in their time of need. It will take time to cleanup and rebuild, but we are definitely “Colorado Strong!”

Image via Gentry Connects

Hugs of support.

Image via Gentry Connects

This cleanup is a family affair.

Image via Gentry Connects

The intrepid mailman delivers his mail.

Image via Gentry Connects

A raging torrent.

Image via Gentry Connects

Estes Park floods and is nearly isolated due to washed out roads. Some residents are driving over the 12,000′ Trail Ridge Road. Soon snows will close this route.

Image via Gentry Connects

Heartbreaking damage.

Image via Gentry Connects

The neighborhood lends a hand.

Image via Gentry Connects

The evacuation effort continues.

Image via Gentry Connects

Safety personnel throughout the state have been amazing!

Image via Gentry Connects

A difficult job of cleaning up the mess!

Image via Gentry Connects

Washed out roads near Boulder.

Image via Gentry Connects

A road to nowhere.

Image via Gentry Connects

A wet and lonely cow.

***If you are interested in helping click on this link:

http://www.helpcoloradonow.org/

September 27, 2013
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Design Tips and Trends,Featured,It's All in the Details,Western Style

Perfect Plaids

Don’t you just think there’s something about this time of year that makes you want to start settling down and cuddling up? All of a sudden, fires and warm blankets seem a lot more inviting than pools and beach towels, and boots become a much better option than sandals. Now, try to associate that feeling with a fabric.

What do you think of? Is it plaid? That’s what I thought.

While there are some “summer plaids” that do exist in the world, my guess is that in general when you think of plaid fabrics you associate them with things like wool, crisp air, mountain retreats, and, maybe, even Pumpkin Spice lattes.

Plaids are fantastic fabrics that can be used to warm up a cold space and contribute a needed pattern, and at the same time incorporate and bring out the other colors in the room. It can be dressed up for a classy hunting lodge feel, or dressed down for a rambling mountain cabin. You can use it in bedding, upholstery, wall covering, window treatments, accessories and just about anything else you could think of. When it comes right down to it, plaid seems to be the Jack Of All Fabrics.

Here are some great ideas on using “winter plaids” that really show how versatile this print can be.

Plaid Bedding:

I love the colors on this pillow, they look so fresh but still warm!

The greens and browns here compliment the reclaimed headboard and create a unique combination that looks fashionable and comfortable.

Image via Jojotastic

This traditional plaid bedding is perfect for a cabin, lodge, camp, or any sort of mountain escape!

Plaid Windows and Floors:

The dark plaid drapes and walls provide a beautiful contrast to the white trim and furniture, while the yellow arm chair creates a great focal pop of color and style.

Image via La Dolce Vita

What do you think about this custom plaid tile? The combination of fixtures, finishes and accessories look so classy in this powder room!

Image via La Dolce Vita

Plaid Furniture and Upholstery:

This little porch looks all set up for an apres-ski snack! Winter wonderland!

Plaid Flannel Chair Cushion | Home on the Range

Image via the Sweetest Occasion

I love the combination of this masculine patterned plaid headboard with the more feminine touches in the lamp, pillows and picture frame here. This just looks like a bedroom where you could sleep late whenever you wanted!

Spaces by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Scot Meacham Wood Design

Here’s another great piece for your lodge style cabin- great to put your feet up after those long days of skiing, fishing, hunting, or just reading and lounging!

Oooh this chair with the dark wood paneled walls! Enough said!

Rustic Bedroom by Crosslake General Contractors Lands End Development – Designers & Builders

I hope this post has helped launch you into the “fall spirit”! For more seasonal design inspiration, follow us on Pinterest, or like us on Facebook to have design ideas sent straight to your wall each day! Happy Fall Everyone!

September 25, 2013
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Design Tips and Trends,Featured,It's All in the Details,Western Style

7 Fantastic Uses for Hair on Hide

Using hair on hide (leather with the fur still on it) in design can be a fun, funky, rugged, rustic or classic way to add style to a room or furniture piece. Traditionally, hair on hide leather is applied to things like chair backs, the exteriors of upholstery pieces, or rugs… but, recently we have seen it used in so many more creative ways! When used in the right way and in the right space, hair on hide can add that exact little bold and catchy “something extra” that you’ve been striving for. Here are seven great examples of creative and traditional ways to use hair on hide in interior design:

1. Hair on Hide Tub: I have never seen anything like this! The hair on hide bath tub gives this bathroom an instantly chic and rustic modern look.

Contemporary Bathroom by Miami Kitchen and Bath Fixtures PSCBATH

2. Hair on Hide rug: The hair on hide rug is a pretty standard and traditional use for a cow hide, but what I really like about this room in particular is that they used different hides to cover the entire floor, and also added other features like native rugs and leather pieces to give this space an eclectic western vibe.

6 Fantastic Uses for Hair on Hide | Home on the Range

Image via Pinterest

3. Hair on Hide Barstools: Look how the hair on hide stools (and antler chandelier) give an instant western feel to this otherwise very traditional (and non-western) kitchen!

Traditional Kitchen by Marble Falls Interior Designers & Decorators One swanky shop

4. Hair on Hide Ottoman: I love this room. The soft and natural texture of the cowhide pair beautifully with the warm tones of the other fabrics, making this living room seem comfortable and cozy despite the incredibly high ceilings and open floor plan.

Rustic Living Room by Stowe Architects & Designers Cushman Design Group

5. The Hair on Hide Chair: This is a traditional use of hair on hide, and how beautiful is this chair? It would look perfect in a masculine office, or it could add a subtle and classy vintage flair to any mountain home.

Image via Furniture Your Way

6. The Hair on Hide Dresser: This piece is VERY western, and it would not fit in just anywhere- it would need to find the perfect space and combination of other furniture pieces in order for it not to look over-done. That said, I love the contrast of the dark wood with the light hide, and I also love the nail head trim and ring pulls on the drawers!

7 Fantastic Uses for Hair on Hide | Home on the Range

Image via M and M Rustic

7. Hair on Hide All Over: Okay okay, this one’s a little bit over the top… haha, get it? “Over the top?”!!! But seriously, this restaurant takes hair on hide to a whole new level. What do you think about the use of the cowhide on the walls and ceiling? Too crazy or fun and unique?

Image via Pinterest

For more great ideas on how to use hair on hide follow us on Pinterest! You can also like us on Facebook to have design inspiration sent straight to your wall every day. If you would like to find out more about how to incorporate hair on hide (or any other kind of design) into your own home, contact us through our website!

September 19, 2013
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Design Tips and Trends,Featured,It's All in the Details

Guest Post: Plan and Design the Perfect Home Theater for Your Family

Today’s post comes to us from Robert Bell of VM Media, thanks for the great ideas Robert!

There are all sorts of home theaters in today’s day and age. When you decide to design a home theater for your family, there are some tips that you should follow to ensure that you get the best possible picture, sound and overall experience. You don’t want to forget anything as it may detract from the viewing process.

Choose your TV carefully.

Plan and Design the Perfect Home Theater for Your Family

Image via Tumblr

You may think that buying the enormous 80” TV that’s on sale at your local electronics store is the best deal. Once you put it into the space, however, it may be completely wrong. You don’t want to turn your head from side to side to see the whole movie. This isn’t a tennis match, it’s a movie. This means that you have to choose the TV based upon the size of the room.

Control your Lighting.

Image via Pinterest

If you have windows or sliding doors in your home theater room, you are going to have to prepare them appropriately. Light is going to affect the way that the image is projected on the screen. You don’t have to make the room pitch dark. Even movie theaters have some indirect, dim lighting just to avoid eyestrain and so you don’t trip on your way to get more popcorn.

Focus on Sound.

Image via Home Theaters Dallas

As you shop for speakers, learn about what your amplifier is looking for. Ohms and wattage numbers are written on things for a reason. If you want your sound to be top notch, it has to be a good pairing. If the pairing is wrong, your amplifier could burn out or your speakers could be blown – and that’s a lot of money down the drain. Read the owner’s manual to protect yourself.

Hide the Wires.

Image via HTS

You are going to be in the home theater room often. If you have a lot of wire showing on the walls, it’s going to detract from the aesthetics. If the wire is draped across the floor, you also run the risk of someone tripping on it and taking the entire surround system with them. You can hide the wires with rugs, duct tape, and by bringing them through the walls. If the wires aren’t cooperating with you, consider hiring a professional. It will only cost a few hundred dollars and is nothing when you compare it with the other money you are spending.

Tiered-Seating.

Contemporary Media Room by Dallas Interior Designers & Decorators Bellisa Design

Everyone in the room has to be able to see the screen well. If you want to have more than a few people come in, you want to look at tiered seating as it will help you to fit more people into the room. You don’t have to buy stadium seating. If you create multiple levels within the room using cement or wooden platforms, you can then put chairs or couches on them.

Get the Right Content

You have to consider how you are going to get content for your TV. Think about:

– Streaming Video: YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix can all provide a huge amount of viewing options for your TV. Many people have even eliminated cable all together as they find they get enough out of YouTube and Netflix. There are even rumors that YouTube might start streaming football games in the near future.

– Cable – This option is often the most traditional and many people still use cable combined with a DVR to get everything they want out of their TV.

– DirecTV – Currently DirecTV has the most advanced DVR on the market. The DirecTV Genie not only records shows but it can also stream them on your iPhone, iPad, and laptop. This makes for a great provider if you can’t always enjoy your shows in your home theater. If you sign up using www.SaveonTVDirect.com you get special pricing and 3 free months of Showtime.

Some Other Things to Consider

When you design your home theater, try to pick a few features that are just like in the movie theaters. Love how they have lighting along the seating to help you see? You can buy rope lighting to run along the floor to get the same effect.

Want the snack bar? A movie-theater style popcorn machine can be outfitted into your home theater. It will pop a lot of popcorn at once and you can even get liquid butter to pump over top of it – just like you would get at the movie theater.

Don’t waste your money where it doesn’t need to be wasted. HDMI cables are going to be the same whether they are gold plated or not.

The perfect home theater should be perfect for your space and your family. The entire idea behind designing it should be that it fits your needs and your budget.

September 11, 2013
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Design Tips and Trends,It's All in the Details,Western Style

Among the Aspens

If you follow our blog regularly, then you know how fond we are of bringing the outdoors in when it comes to design. There is nothing more rustic than the outdoors, nothing that says “lodge” more than the forest itself. One of the most unique and striking ways to bring the outdoors into your home is by using actual trees. Yes, you can ACTUALLY bring the forest inside your house. While you can do this with all sorts of log furniture, flooring, beams, etc, one of the most unique ways that I have seen to do it is by using aspen trees. Aspen trees are gorgeous, and also characteristic of the Rocky Mountains- they are a hallmark of the beautiful place that we call home, so why not make them a hallmark in your own home? Here are some ingenious ways to use aspens when creating your own indoor forest:

Aspen Wall- Okay so this room doesn’t really look like it’s in the mountains, I don’t think you would be wanting to sit under a twig ceiling when the snow started falling! But, I do love the use of aspens as a dividing wall in this space!

Image via Pinterest

Aspen Beams- This may be the neatest thing I have ever seen! I actually don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything similar to the aspen woodwork in this room. The different shapes and textures of the aspen logs make for a beautiful and rugged looking space.

Image via Pinterest

Aspen Bed- These full sized aspen trees (minus the leaves) add a rustic sense of depth and height to the room, while the chandelier helps keep it classy and remind you that you are in fact in a bedroom and not the woods.

Contemporary Bedroom by Vail Architects & Designers K. H. Webb Architects

The Aspen Theater- I can’t tell if these are real aspen trees or not- maybe they’re birch trees? Maybe they’re fake trees? Either way, they’re so creative! Even tucked away into a room with no windows, there’s no forgetting that you’re in the mountains here!

Traditional Media Room by Scottsdale Interior Designers & Decorators Sesshu Design Associates, Ltd

Aspen Shelf- I love the use of aspen trunks in these shelves. Using furniture pieces made from aspens will help incorporate the look into your space without having to make it a focal point.

Aspen Tree Furniture | Home on the Range

Image via Pinterest

The Aspen Hall- Look at this one! This might be one of my favorites! Covering an entire wall in your home with aspen logs would be a bold step, but if you were willing to take the leap it would be a beautiful statement!

Rustic Hall by Brooklyn Interior Designers & Decorators LKID

For more aspen, forest, log and twig ideas, visit us on Pinterest! You can also like us on Facebook to have inspiration delivered straight to your wall! For more information on design services, or to see our portfolios, take a look at our website!