Category: trend

The Season for Front Porches

Posted on by Ourso Designs in creative inspiration, lighting, Ourso Designs, ourso designs blog, ourso designs lighting advice, Sconces, Succulents, trend, Trend Alert, trending, whats trending and whats ending
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The front porch is easily the most important aspect of your home’s appearance and the impression it has on the onlooker. At Ourso Designs, being natives of the south, we LOVE our front porches! There are just a few elements that make up a great front porch.

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1. Lighting

Like every interior space, exterior spaces also need a layer of lighting. General lighting is important; after all, you want to be able to see on the porch. Next, a couple sconces or a center lantern are great for accenting. Finally, task lighting is essential for highlighting important areas of the landscape, like plant arrangements, trees, or lawn fixtures.

2. Seating

The secondary purpose of the front porch (aside from it’s utility purpose to provide shelter) is to be inviting. Seating affirms that inviting impression. Another advantage is it gives you (and any guests) an opportunity to relax in an area of your home that lends a different view.

3. Plants

Also like most interior spaces, exterior spaces benefit from the addition of plants. Potted plants can act much like accessories. Like layering fabrics and patterns, its important to have plants of different shapes, sizes and textures on your porch.This will create a pleasing overall aesthetic.

4. Color

 Finally, color! Many add a pop of color by painting the front door an eye-catching color. Not a fan? That’s okay! There are other ways to incorporate color: in your plants’ pots, the plants themselves, and seating and seating accessories (pillows/cushions), just to start. Another option is to incorporate an outdoor rug. “Color” doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be bright; producing contrast among existing materials is just as effective as having a bright red door.

 

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Trending Alert: Honed and Leathered Finishes for Stone Counter Tops

Posted on by Ourso Designs in countertop materials, honed granite, honed leather, trend, Trend Alert, trends 2015

Honed and Leathered finishes for Granite and Marble counter tops are being chosen more often than the once popular polished finish.

What is Polished?
A polished surface finish is smooth, shiny, and reflective. The full color, depth, and crystal structure is visible.


What is Honed?

A honed surface finish is a smooth surface without reflection. It varies from a matte like appearance to a very low sheen.


What is Leathered?
A leathered surface finish starts with a honed finish, with a matte like appearance to low sheen, and adds texture to the surface. Additionally, it closes the pores (compared to honing) and retains the color better than honing.




Some benefits when choosing honed or leathered finishes with marble or granite include:

  • little to no reflection
  • “soft” and “natural” look
  • marble and granite with honed or leathered finishes are good alternatives to slate or soapstone when compared to pricing and durability