One of the most important design elements in your luxury home is your floor and wall tiles.

Choosing the right floor tile pattern is just as important as choosing the type of tile –– it is essential to the feel, look, and durability of your home.

Making decisions about types of tile can be overwhelming as a homeowner. There are endless patterns and styles to choose from. As your interior designer, we at Alisha Taylor Interiors can make this decision process simple.

Read on to learn more about the different types of tile patterns, what to consider when choosing your floor tile patterns, and how we can connect you to professional tile installation services to make sure every tile is laid in the right spot.

What Is a Tile Pattern?

A tile pattern is how tiles are arranged on the floor or a wall. It may sound simple, but there are many arrangements to choose from, and each can dramatically alter a room’s appearance.

This is an opportunity for you to get truly creative and express your personal style to design rooms that are uniquely “you.”

Different Types of Luxury Tile Patterns

Let’s go over some of the most popular floor tile patterns, as well as what to consider when choosing each type.

1. Herringbone

This classic pattern is distinguished by its v-shaped rows at 45-degree angles. It is often used as a floor tile pattern or as a backsplash. The wide v-pattern creates an illusion of more width, making this an ideal tile pattern for small spaces such as bathrooms or hallways. We advise against using the herringbone tile pattern in large rooms as it can look too busy.

This is a classic and popular tile pattern to use with subway tiles and a contrasting grout color to highlight the design.

2. Brick (horizontal or vertical)

This is a type of tile pattern that you have likely seen many times before. The brick tile pattern is organized so that each tile starts directly in the middle of the one below it.

If you are going for a simple and clean look in your room, this is a great tile pattern choice. The brick layering gives any wall or floor an industrial, metropolitan, “subway” effect. You will see it most often used in walkways or as a backsplash to give the illusion of height.

3. Hexagon

Hexagon tile patterns are a playful way to add visual depth to any room. This style of tile comes both as larger individual tiles, typically used for flooring, or in sheets of smaller tile.

This tile pattern is perfect for any area where you may want to draw the eye’s attention such as a kitchen backsplash or an accent wall in your shower.

4. Stacked (grid or vertical)

If you’re looking for simplicity, look no further than a stacked tile pattern. This style is exactly what it sounds like, square or rectangular tiles stacked directly on top of one another.

To add more visual variety, you can alternate the colors of the tiles creating a “checkered” look.

5. Versailles

For an elegant, European feel, consider the Versailles pattern. This style combines square and rectangular tiles to create a repeating timeless design reminiscent of the old world.

This pattern is easy to install and works in any type of room, or as a transition tile from one room to the next.

6. Diagonal (diamond)

This style takes square tiles and places them at a 45-degree angle to create a “diamond” pattern. It is typically used as a backsplash or as an accent piece. But it can also be used as a floor tile pattern to give a room a wider feel.

7. Basketweave

The basketweave is a timeless tile pattern that uses rectangular tiles or a mosaic of tiles with tiny squares to create the appearance of a woven basket.

This is a delicate design that is best used in small spaces.

8. Chevron

A close relative to the herringbone pattern. This style is currently in vogue because of its ability to turn any room into a classic look.

The tiles are placed at a 45 degree angle, but with the shorter end of the tiles lined to meet up, creating a look similar to the logo of the well-known Chevron energy company.

As you can see, there are so many tile pattern options to choose from! If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want the eye of an expert designer, let us help you bring your vision to life.

Choose the Best Tile Pattern With Alisha Taylor Interiors

When it comes to floor tile patterns, the options are endless. That’s where we can help.

With years of experience, we at Alisha Taylor Interiors can help you choose the right tile pattern, styles, and textures to create the function and feel that you are imagining for each home in your house.

And once you have decided on a pattern, we can connect you with one of our trusted professional tile installers to make sure every single tile is laid down perfectly. Your home is a refuge, your place to land at the end of the day. Contact us today to learn how we can support you in creating the home of your dreams.

A beautiful area rug can tie an entire room together, yet many homeowners never learn how to keep rugs clean. With the right rug cleaning tips under your belt, you can keep your area rug pristine for years to come, allowing you to enliven your home with the same family heirloom or rug of your choice for years to come.

Pet owners and homeowners who frequently entertain guests face unique perils that endanger the beauty and longevity of their fine rugs. Here are the four best care tips that will ensure you know how to clean an area rug no matter what kind of stain pops up!

Rug Cleaning Tips for Homeowners

We share the best area rug carpet cleaning tips to ensure your rugs stay in pristine condition. Read on to learn different methods to keep your rugs clean for the long term.

1. Vacuum and Dander Control

Pet owners, in particular, should know that area rug carpet cleaning requires regular vacuuming and dander control. Vacuuming your rug at least once a week will help keep its visual appearance in stellar shape, but it will also help you cut down on allergic reactions if pet hair and dander are trapped within the rug itself. Parents of young children should also recognize that regular vacuuming helps toddlers stay healthy, clean, and allergy-free despite their proximity to the floor.

Do you vacuum all the time but still can’t figure out why your area rug has an odor? Learning how to keep rugs clean requires that you flip the area rug over and vacuum both sides occasionally. This bolsters the overall lifespan of your rug and ensures unpleasant odors are nowhere to be found. Some homeowners sprinkle a tiny amount of baking soda a few minutes before vacuuming to ensure as much odor as possible is vacuumed up during the cleaning process.

2. Beat Your Rug On a Hot, Sunny Day

Investing in a dedicated rug-beater is essential for luxury homeowners who want their interior style to be on display at all times. Many homeowners put off rug beating because it’s more labor-intensive than simply vacuuming. What they fail to understand is that area rug carpet cleaning can’t be managed with vacuuming alone but requires the occasional beating to ensure trapped particles that cause unpleasant smells or dirty looks are eliminated.

Be soft when beating the bottom of your area rug, but ensure that your hits are swift and in rapid succession. Too much rug beating can dislodge some fibers, so ensure a gentle approach and remember that rug beating should only occur one to three times per year. Remember to do your rug beating outside so that dust, dirt, and other particles don’t descend on your luxury flooring.

Beat your rug on a hot, sunny day and lay it over a railing or exterior banister in the sunshine to ensure the best possible results. Area rug carpet cleaning that’s aided by natural sunlight often yields the best results.

3. Brush Your Rug To Ensure Deep Cleaning

Do you regularly vacuum your area rug only to find that pet hair still clings to its exterior or underbelly? Ensuring a deep clean may require a thorough brushing. Homeowners who know how to keep rugs clean understand that a hands-on approach is usually the best bet. Slowly and carefully run a stiff brush in the same direction as your rug’s fibers to ensure any lingering particles are entirely eliminated.

Brushing the underbelly can also help remove any dirt that may be building up as you step on your area rug.

4. Rotate Your Rugs Every 4-8 Months

Even the finest area rugs need to be rotated on a regular basis to ensure their quality isn’t diminished by frequent foot traffic. Area rugs that are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time –– such as those that are underneath the magnifying effect of certain windows or in a sunroom -–– may also need to be rotated even if they’re seldom stepped upon.

Many guides on how to keep rugs clean recommend rotating your rugs once per year. In reality, this is too infrequent to do much good for your elegant area rugs. Depending on how many people live in your household and whether it’s being stepped on barefoot or with heavy shoes, you may need to rotate your rug as often as every 4-8 months to guarantee its pristine beauty for years to come.

Work With Alisha Taylor To Find Your Ideal Design Style

Learning how to keep your rugs clean is far easier when you invest in high-quality rugs that last longer and dazzle every guest who walks into your home. Alisha Taylor Interiors will ensure you find an individualized rug to match your design style. If you are considering furnishing your luxury custom home or hiring an interior designer to elevate your home’s appearance, contact Alisha Taylor.

The team at Alisha Taylor Interiors specializes in creating spaces you are proud to live in. From choosing area rugs to furniture and much more, an interior designer can ensure your beautiful vision comes to life. Visit Alisha Taylor today and fill out a contact form for your next home project.

If waking up every morning to the house of your dreams sounds ideal, it’s time to invest in interior design and home improvement. While many homeowners think that hiring contractors is the only way to receive expert design advice, there are many custom home building blogs that convey critical information to homeowners before they start expensive renovations.

Ready to find a new home construction blog that will help you turn your dreams into a reality? Check out these custom home building blogs for the best expert design advice.

New Home Construction Blogs for Expert Advice

Alisha Taylor Interiors

The best building-a-house blog in the business belongs to Alisha Taylor. Homeowners who visit Alisha Taylor Interiors can depart with the wisdom needed to create a true sense of place in their house with careful renovations and clever design strategies.

Alisha Taylor Interiors offers the best build-a-house blog you can find because it centers around personalization. Clients can learn how to turn their custom homes into personalized luxury estates at Alisha Taylor Interiors, where custom home design guides are freely available to readers. Whether you’re redoing your bathroom, kitchen, or living room, Alisha Taylor Interiors’ building-a-house blog will ensure you enjoy stylish interiors with a unique flair.

Fans love the expert design tips we dish out when it comes to positioning works of art, statement pieces, and other amenities throughout their homes. Homeowners on the prowl for a new home construction blog should make reading about Alisha Taylor’s work a top priority.

Retro Renovation

Homeowners with a fondness for the past should definitely look into Retro Renovation, a build-a-house blog that mixes vintage style with modern insights. The blog has an incredibly clean design that’s easy to navigate, and it’s regularly updated with the latest insights in DIY-home renovations. Homeowners who want the power to remake their humble abodes into luxurious dream houses will find few DIY-home blogs with better content than RR.

What makes this building-a-house blog so different? It has a wide array of advice cultivated to help you renovate any room in your house, whether it’s a home bar or laundry and mudroom. It also features a popular digital museum of mid-century material culture, allowing you to take inspiration from the homeowners of yesterday when planning out your home of tomorrow.

While Alisha Taylor Interiors is perfect for those in search of sleek, modern interiors, those other homeowners who want to renovate older structures will find that RR is a great building a house blog for their needs.

Architectural Digest

Looking for stunning inspiration? Architectural Digest isn’t your typical new home construction blog. Instead, it showcases some of the greatest architectural accomplishments of our era, especially those homes owned by famous individuals or artists. If you’re in search of beautiful homes with impressive celebrity style, AD might replace the build-a-house blog you currently depend upon.

Just think of all the secret design tips you’ll uncover when browsing through the digital pages of a blog that countless interior design experts and construction gurus consult! It could inspire a new paint job in your own home. Architectural Digest also includes some helpful DIY content that you see other build-a-house blogs produce, too.

Web Urbanist

Homeowners who want to think outside the box should check out Web Urbanist at the first available opportunity. This innovative new home construction blog covers some of the most exciting and unprecedented architectural and design concepts to have ever emerged. It also familiarizes you with the principles of modern urban design, which could come in handy if you want to pursue real estate more seriously later on.

Web Urbanist is popular with homeowners who want a build-a-house blog that covers emerging technologies and forthcoming trends in the real estate and design space. It also has a vibrant culture and history section, as well as selected blog content for those interested in traveling and architecture in the world abroad. If you’re interested in gadgets and geekery when it comes to home building, this new home construction blog is perfect for you.

Build Your Custom Home Right The First Time

Alisha Taylor Interiors is ready to help you turn your dreams into a reality with a luxurious custom home that will quickly become the envy of everyone on the block. Alisha Taylor and her team can help you with new builds, full remodels, and furniture design that captures your unique style as a homeowner. Whether you’re in the planning stages of a new home or want to spice up your current abode, Alisha Taylor’s build-a-house blog has the best insights to help you achieve the perfect results.

Ready to build the custom home of your dreams? Visit Alisha Taylor Interiors today and start receiving the best expert design advice on the internet.

You are getting ready to take an exciting step as a homeowner — renovating your home. While this is no doubt a thrilling decision, it is likely coupled with nervousness or stress about the sheer size of the project.

A custom luxury home remodel not only transforms a home, but also the lives of the people within it. That’s why it needs to be done right. Poor planning on a home renovation can lead to overwhelm, longer construction time, or dissatisfaction with the final product.

To create the luxury home of your dreams, you need the right information and a team of rockstars to help you bring your vision to life. In this article, you will learn tips to make your renovation as smooth as possible, how to find the right team, and why working with an interior designer like Alisha Taylor can relieve some of your home renovation stress.

Ways To Reduce Home Renovation Stress

1. Be clear with your budget

When it comes to a renovation project, the number one stressor is cost. It’s important to be very clear and honest with our team about your budget and to understand that cost expectations that go into a luxury home renovation.

Once your budget is established, create a list of all the changes you are hoping to make and bring this information to your remodeling partner, contractor, interior designer, and anyone else on your team so that everyone is clear on the budget from the start. Your team can then evaluate your existing home and estimate your full remodel cost.

2. Maintain open communication with the team

Letting a team of almost strangers into your house can be a very vulnerable experience. That’s why it is essential to work with people who you trust and who you feel comfortable with voicing any concerns, questions, or updates.

Our team at Alisha Taylor Interiors knows that trust is the foundation for every client/designer relationship. We spend the early stages of the project getting to know you and your lifestyle in order to start off with open communication. A strong connection makes it easier to stay in frequent contact through every step of the remodel.

3. Create temporary solutions or consider moving

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear from clients is: “Can I live at home during my remodel?”

The answer is YES, as long as you are willing to weather some discomfort and set up temporary spaces within your home as phases of your full renovation get completed..

However, typically for our full remodel projects, we find the clients have more flexibility and comfort moving to a temporary home during the renovation process. Full remodels can take up to a year or more depending on the scope of the project, and living in those conditions for that long isn’t ideal.

4. Maintain a clear schedule

While almost every renovation schedule is disrupted by an unexpected bump in the road, it is essential for the team to be on the same page about what is supposed to be done by when.

A remodel schedule should include dates for the expected completion of each phase of the renovation as well as a project end date. This will reduce confusion and give you confidence that your project is on track. If anything comes up that causes any deadlines to be pushed back, the contractor or designer will communicate the change so that the schedule may be adjusted.

Everyone on the team wants to get the project finished on time, and a detailed schedule will help make sure this happens.

5. Take extra care of yourself

Our homes are where we go to relax and escape the hecticness of the outside world. During a home renovation, your refuge is being disrupted. That’s why it is essential to take extra good care of yourself, your physical health, and your mental well-being.

Oftentimes, being away from the project or limited to a section of the house causes people to stray from their routine. However, it is essential during this time that you continue your habitual acts of self-care. Exercising, eating well, and having people you can lean on are all factors that will reduce your home renovation stress.

How To Select Your Team

One of the most important steps in any home renovation project is assembling a team of seasoned professionals who will get the job done right. Here are the essential players you will need to hire for a successful renovation:

• General Contractor
• Tradesmen (painters, plumbers, electricians, etc.)
• Carpenter
• Interior Designer

You want to make sure your teammates have the experience and expertise needed to bring your dream home to life. With almost 20 years of experience in design, Alisha Taylor and her team have the passion and knowledge to make the remodel process straightforward and fun.

Reduce Stress By Hiring an Interior Designer

It’s no secret that working with an interior designer can reduce home renovation stress and make the journey easier. But how exactly do they fit into the puzzle?

You can think of an interior designer as the “facilitator” of your redesign project. Ideally, they will work hand-in-hand with your builder and all the other members of your team to keep the project moving forward.

They will also work closely with you to talk through any ideas you may have, introduce design concepts for your living spaces, and help with the selection and placement of furniture.

Whatever your luxury custom home renovation desires, a professional interior designer like Alisha Taylor can make the process smoother.

Learn more about Alisha Taylor’s personalized design services.

Ready To Renovate? Contact Alisha Taylor Interiors

Alisha Taylor believes it is an honor to design the space that you call home. That’s why our team approaches every project with the utmost care and professionalism. Our priority is to take away some of your home renovation stress so that you can enjoy the process of bringing your dream home to life.

Contact us today to get started!

Building a custom home is an exciting endeavor. The process of bringing your vision to life can feel magical; it’s your home space made by and for you.

While this is a thrilling adventure, a new home build is also a multi-layered process involving many steps and players. But, not to worry! We’ve broken down the process for you.

From years of experience working with clients building and designing new luxury homes, here is a building a house checklist for homeowners. Print this home-building checklist to mark off each step as you progress on this journey.

Home-Building Checklist: Starting Steps

You’ve made the decision to build your new luxury home. But where do you even begin? Here are the first steps to take to get started.

Step 1: Determine your budget

Your first task should be to identify a realistic budget for your project. This number will lay the foundation for everything else, including the location of the lot, the size of the house, and the design features that can be included.

Consult with your financial advisor or a trusted friend to determine how much you’d like to invest in your new luxury home.

Step 2: Set a time frame

Almost every construction project encounters road bumps and unexpected delays. That being said, it is important to have an end goal that you and your team can aim for. Having a clear schedule keeps everyone on the same page. When setbacks do arise, the schedule can be adjusted accordingly.

Step 3: Select and buy your land

If you don’t already own the land you want to build on, work with a real estate agent to identify a plot that would work for your home. Real estate agents can inform you about property prices in the areas you are interested in. They can also help you if you are planning on selling the home after it is completed.

It also can be helpful to consult with an architect during this step so that you can ensure the plot of land you buy fits the needs of your build.

Step 4: Assemble your team

Building a house requires a team of experienced professionals. Choosing the right players is an essential step in your home-building checklist. Here is a list of all the people you need to hire to create your dream team:

• Home Builder or General Contractor: A professional who can oversee the execution of a home build from start to finish. This person will also be in charge of hiring out subcontractors to perform specialized parts of the construction job, such as electricians and plumbers.
• Architect: The person in charge of designing the blueprints of the property for all other players to reference during construction.
• Interior Designer: Once you have the blueprint for the house, an interior designer like Alisha Taylor will work with you to visualize the design for each room in the house — down to the pillows on the living room couch.
• Landscape Architect: If you have a backyard or front yard, it is helpful to hire a landscape architect who can map out the design of your outdoor area and create a plan for your general contractor to execute.

Home-Building Checklist: Designing Your Luxury Home

Building a home from the ground up is a unique opportunity to design a living space to match your needs. Who knows what you would want in a house better than yourself?

The design portion of the process is especially thrilling. This is a great time to hire an interior designer like Alisha Taylor who can walk with you every step of the way.

Step 5: Collect examples of homes that you do and do not like

Search through Pinterest, social media, or home magazines to find examples of homes that you love. Identify the features that you like, and make a list to bring to your architect and interior designer. Then, as a team, you can decide which of these features are realistic to include in the floor plan of the house.

Knowing what you DON’T want in a home is just as important as knowing what you DO want — so feel free to bring examples that demonstrate what you would like to be left out of your home design.

Step 6: Determine the size and layout of your home

Then, it’s time to determine the master plan for your house. Determining how big you can go is dependent on a number of factors, including the size of your lot and zoning restrictions.

Discuss these factors with your architect, along with how many floors and rooms you want in your custom home.

Step 7: Line out the structure and function of each room

This step will depend not only on space but also on lifestyle. For example, if you have children, you might want an open kitchen concept so that you can chat with family from the living room while you prepare dinner. If you’re a fitness guru, you might want to include a room for a home gym. Work from home? Carve out space for a home office.

Whatever you need your house to do for you, Alisha Taylor can help.

Step 8: Determine your style and design

When working with Alisha Taylor Interiors, we will walk through each room with you and talk about interior design concepts that you are imagining. With this information, we create storyboards and renderings for each room to bring your vision to life

In this step, we will also work with you to pick out materials, such as flooring and countertops, and order products to fill out your home, such as furniture and furnishings.

Home-Building Checklist: Building the Home of Your Dreams

Once you have worked with your architect to create a blueprint of your house, your interior designer has completed 3D renderings of each room, and your general contractor has assembled a building team, it’s time to get to construction.

Step 9: Work with your team through the building process

During this step, it is essential to make sure correct permits are in place and that periodic inspections are scheduled as required by your city and state. These are tasks usually taken care of by your general contractor, but it does not hurt to stay informed of the entire process.

Remember your timeline and check in periodically with your crew to make sure you are on schedule. If something unexpected comes up, the timeline should be adjusted so that all teammates are on the same page.

Lastly, maintain close and open communication with your team. Everyone wants to get this project finished efficiently and on time, and checking in frequently helps this process.

Step 10: Move in!

Finally, the project that you have put so much time and energy into has come to life. Your floors are laid, the electricity is set, and your new dream home is ready to move into. This is your time to have a housewarming party to celebrate and meet your new neighbors.

Complete Your Home-Building Checklist With the Help of Alisha Taylor Interiors

When you’re building a new luxury home, you have the chance to design a space that is uniquely yours. At Alisha Taylor Interiors, we are honored to walk you through the steps of a home-building checklist to bring your dream home to life.

Ready to design your new home? Contact us today.

Everyone wants a home they can feel proud of. After all, it is the place to kick off your shoes after a long day, a corner to gather with loved ones, and a space that holds cherished memories.

But with all the other responsibilities of life, styling and furnishing your own custom home can be a daunting task. Good design takes time, attention to detail, and experience. This is why many people in the process of building or redesigning a home make the decision to hire a professional interior designer.

But how does one go about hiring an interior designer? And what exactly does a custom home interior design look like? Read our custom home interior design guide to learn what an interior designer can do for you, how to go about selecting the best designer for your project, and how working with a professional like Alisha Taylor can make your dream home a reality.

What Does an Interior Designer Do?

To start off our guide to custom home interior design, let’s take a look at what exactly an interior designer like Alisha Taylor can bring to the project.

Many are unaware of the time and effort that go into becoming an interior designer. Most reputable interior designers have a Bachelor’s degree in interior design and are trained in specialized skills like the application of color theory, space planning, and custom 3D renderings with the computer software AutoCAD.

With these skills, a professional interior designer will work with you to talk through your ideas, evaluate the living space you want to design, and partner with your builder and architect to bring your vision to life.

If you have an existing home in need of a transformation, an interior designer can also help with furniture and furnishing design, alleviating the stress of selecting, ordering, and organizing furniture all on your own.

Whatever your custom home interior design needs, Alisha Taylor can make the process simple and enjoyable.

Learn more about Alisha Taylor’s personalized design services.

How to Choose an Interior Designer

If you’re ready to select a custom home interior designer, you want to make sure to hire someone who has the expertise and experience to get the job done right.

Here is a list of just qualities and credentials you may want to look for in a designer:

• Educated in Interior Design, holding a B.A. or higher.
• “Speaks” the language of design and understands key interior design concepts.
• Has a network of trusted vendors such as custom furniture companies and luxury fabric producers.
• Has worked on similar projects.

When you meet with a potential designer, come prepared with some design ideas and examples of the type of style you’re considering. Coming with as much information as possible upfront will give the designer a solid starting point and will create open communication from the jump.

Make sure to also discuss expectations around budget and timeline. The custom home interior design process may look different for every designer, so you’ll want to ask questions and receive clarification on what to expect.

Finally, trust your gut. This is someone you will be working with closely through a significant chapter in your life, so it is important that your personalities and priorities align. Our team at Alisha Taylor Interiors knows that trust is the key to successful client relations as well as the foundation for collaborative design.

See how Alisha Taylor has applied all of the above qualities to creating beautiful custom spaces in her past work.

Bring Joy to Designing Your Home

Making the decision to bring on an interior designer in the process of building your home is an exciting step. After the decision is made and you’ve chosen your designer, you may be wondering what comes next in the custom home interior design process.

Alisha Taylor takes great care to ensure that the design process is smooth and fun for clients along the way. That is why we always begin with getting to know the client and their unique lifestyle. Building a relationship and taking your unique needs into consideration is an essential part of making the space feel like you. Our interior design process is as follows:

1. Together, we will go room by room and talk about the personalized design concepts you are envisioning. With this information, you will be presented with a storyboard for each room.
2. Next, the team will put together interior design renderings of each room for you to clearly envision the final product
3. Custom floor plans, CAD elevations, and ceiling plans will be carefully drawn, and the plans will be shared with the architect and builder to ensure your needs and desires are met.
4. Once agreed upon, orders will be placed for furniture and decor pieces. When they arrive, all pieces will be arranged to complete the perfect personalized design.

And our team will be with you every step of the way. Learn more about Alisha Taylor Interior’s process for working with clients.

Ready to Create Your Dream Home?

Alisha Taylor believes that every home is as unique as the family that lives in it. We know how important it is to feel comfortable in your living space and work hard to create personalized designs that our clients can be proud of.

With years of experience, the Alisha Taylor Interiors team is ready to bring your custom home vision to life. Take a look at our services and contact us to start designing your new home!

A grand piano is a statement of sophistication and elegance. This piece can turn a living room into a performance area when entertaining or into a corner to play music and make memories with grandchildren.

However you decide to use your instrument, proper placement of a grand piano in your living room is crucial for the design and functionality of your home.

We know that the living room is one of the most important rooms in the house. This is where you kick off your shoes at the end of the day or where you gather to relax with loved ones. You want a space that is beautiful, elegant, and functional. And where you place your grand piano can make or break the flow of this room.

In this article, we’ll go over some tried and tested tips for grand piano placement that will preserve the integrity of the instrument, allow it to sound its best, and create a living room you can be proud of.

Grand Piano in Living Room Placement Dos and Don’ts

We’ll start by going over some of the basic dos and don’ts for creating a modern living room with a grand piano.

• DO make sure there is plenty of space between the piano and furniture pieces for walkways.
• DON’T place your piano in the line of direct sunlight. This will help to prevent fading in the finishing and stop the wood from drying and cracking.
• DO keep the piano away from windows, heating units, or air conditioning air ducts. The changing temperature makes the wood on the piano expand and contract, causing damage.
• DON’T place the piano directly by a door. You want to make sure all doors can swing fully open without contacting the piano.
• DO face the open side of the lid towards your seating area. This will ensure that the sound from the piano is flowing towards your audience.

Determining Size and Space

The next key considerations are the size of your space and the width of your piano.

The most important thing in piano placement is that it is the appropriate size for your living room. If it is too big or there are too many furniture pieces, the space can feel cluttered, taking away from the comfort of the room.

The average width of a grand piano is five feet, so when choosing a piano, you must measure your living room and the spot you want to place the grand piano for it to fit comfortably. Be sure to leave two to three feet of space for the piano bench.

Creating a Focal Point

When designing a room, one of our main considerations is defining a focal point. A focal point is the place where the eye lands when you walk into a room, and it will affect the rest of the design decisions made in that space.

A grand piano in your living room can serve as the perfect focal point. Here are some tricks to make your piano the star of the room:

• Place your piano under its own light to make it truly stand out. This can be under a ceiling light, a large arc floor lamp, or even a chandelier.
• Give it space. Make sure that the piano has its own “spot” in the room and isn’t pushed up against any walls or pieces of furniture.
• Dress it up. Draw the eye to your piano by adding a colorful textile to the bench or by placing vibrant photos on the wall behind it.

Making a Plan

A great design is a detailed design.

This level of preciseness can only happen with a well-thought-out floor plan. This is an essential step in our design process, and you can work with Alisha Taylor to create the perfect layout of your living room with an upright piano.

We’ll start by creating a 2D representation of your living room space and marking all of the non-moving features such as windows and doors. Then, we’ll list out all of the furniture pieces that you want to keep in the living room, such as rugs, chairs, couches, and side tables.

Don’t be afraid to play with the layout! Try different furniture arrangements until you find one that you like. This allows you to test out different room designs without having to lug heavy furniture back and forth.

Bring Your Dream Living Room to Life

We understand that you want your living room to be both a comfortable place to unwind and a reflection of who you are. And that’s why we’re here to assist you with placing your grand piano perfectly in your living room.

When you work with Alisha Taylor as your designer, you can trust that the placement of every last item will be considered in creating your perfect home. Whether you are building a home from the ground up or remodeling an existing room, you can put your trust in our expert design and project management skills.

Contact us today to get started with the design process!

Did you know tile has quite the history? We’re talking history that dates back to ancient Egypt and Babylon! In ancient Egypt, the very first clay handmade and hand-painted tiles were easy to make and beautiful!  It makes my designer heart happy to know that beauty was just as important as function back in 4000 BC.

Tile is one of my favorite materials to design with. It can add texture, pattern, or detail to any design. But there is a lot to know about tile… the different types, where it can be used, and how to get maximum impact.  Don’t worry, I won’t geek out on you too much, but when you are building a luxury custom home, it’s important to understand the basics of tile and let your designer handle the specific details.

Wall Tile vs. Floor Tile

While most floor tiles can be used as a wall tile, you don’t want to use a wall tile for flooring.  Floor tiles require an extra level of durability to withstand the wear and tear that foot traffic creates. It is key to read the manufacturer’s specifications that include the recommended use for each tile and follow it.

Wet Zone Tiles

Not all tiles can be used in wet zones.  Again, paying attention to the manufacturer’s recommended use is key when selecting shower wall or bathroom floor tiles.  For bathroom floors, we recommend finding a tile that has an R-11 rating, which is an anti-slip rating.

The trick is that tile manufacturers aren’t required to give any detailed info for their tiles.  Working with an interior designer who only selects from reputable tile sources will ensure you don’t end up on your back the first time you step out of the shower or have cracking issues down the road.

Now that we got the tile logistics out of the way, let’s talk about the fun stuff: the beauty of different tile materials!

Natural Stone Tile

Natural stone tiles include all the beautiful tiles that mother nature herself creates.  Marble, slate, travertine, and limestone tiles belong in this category and are a favorite of mine because it displays the art that our earth has to offer.  Natural stone tiles often include veining and variation which can create a gorgeous design but also can be surprising if you aren’t expecting the variation. To maximize the beauty of the look of the tiles, natural stone tiles need to be sealed and may require some maintenance over time.

• Marble:  Considered one of the most luxurious natural stones that have a timeless look.  It is susceptible to etching and staining and needs regular sealing and care.
• Slate:  Has uneven surface textures and lots of variation from one tile to the next.  It’s waterproof and very durable but it’s limiting in what color tones it comes in.
• Travertine:  Travertine is actually in the limestone family but has its own name because of its warmer color palette.  It’s a very durable stone that is great for flooring and outdoors.
• Limestone: Limestone is a very hard durable stone and comes in lighter and brighter tones than travertine.  It’s also very durable and great for flooring and outdoors, because of its lighter palette it can stain, but a good sealer can prevent that.

Man-Made Tiles

Ceramic, porcelain, cement, glass, metal, and zellige tiles are all man-made and not cut from the earth.  These tiles are made by machine or can be formed by hand. Some of the tiles in this category can be very delicate and intricate in design and texture while others are engineered specifically for durability.

• Ceramic:  Ceramic tile is a very broad category that includes tiles that aren’t defined by the other tile names below.  Ceramic tiles go through a firing process that makes them durable and can be made into any color or texture. Your typical white subway tile is a good example of a ceramic tile.
• Porcelain: High-density tile that doesn’t absorb hardly any moisture or water, made from special clays and fired at a very high temperature to ensure durability.
• Cement:  Cement tiles are often used for their pretty and often bold patterns yet casual feel.  They aren’t fired but the nature of them being made out of cement creates their durable nature.  They do need to be sealed to avoid staining and only very light grouts can be used for installation.
• Glass:  Glass tiles are a fun way to add color or appeal to a design that would benefit from its translucent or reflective look. Not recommended for flooring but great for wall tile, and great in wet zones.
• Metal:  Metal tiles are usually in a small format and are best for wall tile applications.  The very nature of the material, metal, creates a distinct look and design.  Easy to clean and maintain it’s more about the look and design than anything else.
• Zellige:  Zellige tile is a hand-glazed Moroccan tile that has the internet buzzing right now. It’s used for its imperfect nature with each tile slightly different in texture, thickness, and color.  It’s typically installed with minimal grout and has a shiny finish to it but comes across as casual instead of glam.

Tile can dictate the design of kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. So understanding the durability you need and the beauty you want will make tile selection so much easier and enjoyable. Don’t worry, if you walk into a tile showroom and see 437 different tiles and begin to feel overwhelmed… just step away, take a deep breath, and call us! We will design your entire new build project from perfect tile selections to all the other details you haven’t even thought of yet!