Shed Some Light

10 Luminaires from Our Showroom

March is finally here— and that means spring is only a few weeks away!

We’re in the home stretch. The gloomy days of winter will soon be behind us.

Inspired by the brighter days ahead, here are 10 luminaires from our showroom:

Through the Looking Glass

The “City Spire” table lamp from John-Richard may be transparent, but that doesn’t stop it from making a statement. Paired with mirrors and plenty of white, this lamp makes a space bright and spacious.

Modern with a Twist

This John-Richard table lamp is a subtle way to add a modern touch to your home. Black and gold is a timeless color combination.

Safari Sunset

The “Persimmon Gourd” lamp from John-Richard is a great way to add a pop of burnt orange. The toasty hue is reminiscent of the last rays of sunset in the African desert.

Stay Gold

The “Golden Canyon” lamp from John-Richard is a unique mix of modern and classic. The modern form combines with classic gold to create an interesting piece that stands out from the rest.

Captivating Crystal

The “Castle Peak” table lamp is a glam piece that could be found in a castle. The crystal base adds texture, while the black shade keeps it grounded.

Mixed Metals

The John-Richard “Candlestick” table lamp adds height to any space. The gold and silver combine beautifully. The mixed metals trend is currently taking the world by storm.

A Touch of Whimsy

The “Dickinson” floor lamp from Kate Spade is a sure way to make an impression on anyone entering your home. The unique lamp is reminiscent of carefree childhood days.

Geometric Gold

This Century table lamp is simple enough to fit with an array of styles, but bold enough to make a statement. Stay on trend with the geometric gold base and simple cream shade.

Soft Stone

The John-Richard “Morning Light” accent lamp provides interesting texture. The neutral color palette keeps it functional— it would look great in a variety of spaces.

Geode Dreams

The “Marino Agate” lamp is a great way to add a calm, earthy touch to any space. From jewelry to décor, geodes are definitely in right now.

Artistic License

Last but not least, the artsy “Molten Mocha” lamp from John-Richard provides interesting texture to any space. This table lamp is a simple way to add an artistic touch.

While we wait for sunnier days, light up your space with one of these beautiful luminaires from our showroom.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Photos: Michaela Satterfield

Decision Making Tips

Why Design Decisions Can Be So Difficult and What to Do About It

Photo: Michaela Satterfield

Do you have trouble making decisions for your home? It can be difficult to choose a color swatch, a fabric or a sofa. If you’re like me, I tend to agonize over decisions—even the little ones.

I mean, when it comes to picking things out for my home, I have to consider that I spend a lot of time there. What if I choose a rug that I think is hideous two days later and am forced to stare at it forevermore? That could be disastrous.

Our environments impact us more than we realize, so it’s important to take care when designing them.

As it turns out, there’s a science behind why some choices can be so difficult.

According to Siobhan Smith, author of the article “The science of decision making (and how to overcome indecision),” the average adult makes around 35,000 decision a day. With each decision, decisions get a little more difficult. This is called “decision fatigue.”

All decisions contribute to this phenomenon—whether major life decisions or trivial decisions.

Smith suggests simply going with your gut when making a decision. If nothing else, it gets you to make a move, rather than spending ages in analysis paralysis. She explains that making the wrong decision is better than doing nothing at all, because we won’t always be right all the time. Wrong decisions are necessary for growth.

However, it is wise to spend time weighing all the options, especially for big decisions. Smith says it’s okay to sit on the fence, but you shouldn’t stay there forever.

So, when you have to make those tough decisions about designing your home, the place where you will be spending much of your time, how can you get off the fence?

Interior designer Jordan Edwards offers some tips for making design decisions on her blog.

Before beginning, she suggests figuring out a few things about your space: the mood you’re going for, the purpose of the room and why you’re having trouble achieving those things with your design.

Then, when designing, make sure you only choose pieces that fit with those things. If a piece doesn’t contribute to the mood you are going for or fit the purpose of the room, then it’s not for you. If it doesn’t help you achieve what you think is missing from the space, leave it out.

Next, she says you should set a budget. She emphasizes that the budget should be realistic, so that you can actually achieve your goals.

After that, have some fun! Create a mood board or look on Pinterest for some ideas. This will also help with figuring out exactly what you are wanting from your design.

Her final tip is to only buy things you absolutely love. Don’t settle. It’s worth it to save a few extra dollars for that piece you really want. Otherwise, you might end up regretting it.

Hopefully, these tips will help you make some decisions for your home.  

If you’re still having trouble, that’s where interior designers come in. When in doubt, let your designer take care of it all for you. They’re in the business to help you figure out exactly what your space needs and make it a reality.

Choose a designer, and the rest of the decisions will take care of themselves.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Sources:

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/wellbeing/science-decision-making-indecision/

https://www.jordan-interiors.com/interior-design-blog/how-to-overcome-design-paralysis

Make Your Dream Home a Reality

5 Apps to Make it Happen

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/apple-applications-apps-cell-phone-607812/

When working with an interior designer to design your home, it can be difficult to communicate exactly what you want. Designers love to take what you envision and use their expertise to make it a reality. They show you how to make your ideas functional, as well as beautiful. But what if you can’t express to them exactly what you’re visualizing?

Never fear! There’s an app for that.

There are plenty of online resources right at your fingertips to help you capture your ideas and present them to your interior designer.

It just takes a quick visit to the app store.

5 apps to download right now:

1. Magicplan

Magicplan is a super easy way to create floor plans. Use it to brainstorm and plan out your dream house. You can even add furniture and make 3D models. It also features a handy material estimator to see how much it’ll all cost.

Find out more: https://www.magicplan.app/

2. Morpholio Board

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chknowblogs/34958341272

The Board app, by Morpholio, is a great way to brainstorm color schemes and ideas for a room. You can add pictures, furniture pieces and color swatches to a collage to get a good idea of the look or feel you are going for.

Find out more: http://www.morpholioapps.com/board/

3. Homestyler

Homestyler is another great app to easily design floor plans. You can make 3D visualizations to better show how you would like a room designed. This app is user-friendly and makes designing a breeze.

Find out more: https://www.homestyler.com/int/

4. Color Capture

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/art-business-color-colorful-276267/

The Color Capture app, by Benjamin Moore, is a super helpful tool. Is the color of that sweater you just found exactly the color you’ve been envisioning to paint your walls? Take a picture of it, and the app will match it with a paint color. Make the color scheme you’ve been dreaming of a design reality.

Find out more: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/color-capture/id318034543?mt=8

5. Paper

Paper, by Fifty Three, is a sketching app that makes capturing your ideas while on the go easy. Scribble a design concept, or fully illustrate an elevation. The app also has tools for making presentations. Never let another idea slip your mind—get it on paper quickly with the Paper app.

Find out more: https://www.fiftythree.com/

With these handy tools, your dream home is just a few taps away.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Valentine's Day Gifts

5 Unique Ideas

A box of chocolate? Tasty, but traditional. Flowers? Nice, but expected. A card? A teddy bear?

It’s easy to stress about what to get someone for Valentine’s Day. You don’t want to be too cliché, but that can be hard to avoid. This year, think outside the box.

Whether it’s for your significant other or the gals for Galentine’s Day, show your loved ones you care with a unique gift.

5 Unique Gifts:

1. Niven Morgan Hand Soap

This luxurious hand soap would make a great gift. Made with high-quality ingredients like aloe vera and pure glycerin, the foaming soap won’t dry your hands out. You’ll have a hard time picking a favorite scent. Try Lavender Mint, Blue, or Green Tea & Peony.

2. Branché Geisha Robe

This silk robe is certain to make you feel like royalty. The soft, smooth material is 100% silk. The Geisha robe pictured is blue and toffee, but it comes in a variety of colors. Give the gift of luxury.  

3. Roma Moulding Photo Frames

If you want a more personalized gift, consider putting a photo of you and your loved one in one of our high-quality frames from Roma Moulding. You could even write a note on the back. These frames, handmade in Italy, come in a variety of sizes and designs for every style.

4. Branché Charmeuse Pillowcase

This silk pillowcase from Branché is just what your hair and skin needs. The glossy silk helps prevent hair breakage and wrinkles. Choose from colors like crème, blush or toffee.

5. Branché Kiki Slides

These slippers would also make a great Valentine’s Day gift. They combine comfort and style—the best of both worlds. Choose from several colors of fur.

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away. Now that you have some ideas for what to look for, stop by our store to pick something up.

We’d love to help you find the perfect gift.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Photos: Michaela Satterfield

Rose-Colored Glasses

Red and Pink Color Inspiration

Love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is in two weeks, and the color scheme of the moment is red and pink.

While the colors aren’t typically paired any other time of the year, red and pink are timeless hues. There are plenty of ways to incorporate them into a beautiful interior.

According to Michael Pastoureau, author of a book on the color red, the word literally translates to “beautiful.” It was one of the first colors of paint that existed. Ancient Romans used cinnabar to create the color. It is associated with anger, passion, hunger and power. Ask what you should wear to an interview, and many people will you tell you the color red. Red is bold. Red is memorable. If you’re wanting to make a statement, it’s your color.

Pink, on the other hand, is not so daring. It is soft and comforting. While pink is known as a feminine color, it wasn’t always that way. According to Anna Broadway, who wrote an article on the color, pink was once considered masculine. It was viewed as a lighter shade of red, which was associated with war. Even so, these days it is hard to think of it any other way. Pink is delicate. Pink is lively. If you’re wanting to add a touch of glam to your interior, it’s your color.

Get inspired by some prints, patterns and pieces from our showroom:

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You don’t have to wear rose-colored glasses to see why these colors are timeless hues for any interior.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Sources:

http://blog.press.princeton.edu/2017/02/22/12-facts-from-red-the-history-of-a-color/

https://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/08/pink-wasnt-always-girly/278535/

Photos: Michaela Satterfield

Beat the Winter Blues

5 Ways to Brighten Your Home This Winter

Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Falk_Oberdorf_Wiehengebirge_Winter_Heidbrink.JPG

With temperatures plummeting, it can be easy for your mood to plummet too. According to American Family Physician, seasonal affective disorder (or seasonal depression) affects about 25% of people every winter. 

These dreary, dark days definitely have me craving long walks in the sunshine with balmy air touching my skin and palm trees up above. Until then, we’ll just have to make the most of these puffy coat, red nose, slippery sidewalk days. There are lots of ways you can bring a little bit of summer into your home, even in the dead of winter. 

5 ways to beat the winter blues in your home:

1. Bright Décor

It’s hard to stay down with a room full of bright yellow, sunset orange or rainforest green. Try painting a wall in a bold color, or get an accent chair in a colorful pattern. Some simpler ideas include adding throw pillows or a blanket. One of my favorite ways to add color to a room is with artwork. You could also re-paint a tired, old piece of furniture in a fun color.  

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/turned-on-flat-screen-led-television-1046639/

2. Bright Lights

Don't underestimate the power of adding a lamp or string lights to a room. On top of this, go ahead and change out any burnt-out light bulbs. The lack of light in winter is the biggest culprit of seasonal affective disorder. Making sure that every room in your home is well-lit will help beat those winter blues.  

Photo: https://pixnio.com/objects/electronics-devices/electric-lights-pictures/bright-light-bulb-electricity-glass-illuminated-incandescent-lamp-light

3. Natural Light

Better yet, take advantage of the little bit of natural light that is left, even when you’re inside. Pull back the curtains and enjoy the cooler sunlight that escapes through the clouds. As a bonus, you’ll save some money on your electric bill. 

Photo: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1039931

4. Indoor Plants

Flowers and greenery are two things we miss in the winter. Why wait for the April showers? Bring the outdoors in with some indoor plants. Plants are known to improve air quality and provide many health benefits. Succulents and cacti are popular choices right now.  

Photo: https://pixabay.com/en/succulents-bowl-planter-1993396/

5. Soft Textures

Another way to get through the winter is to fill your home with lots of soft textures. Blankets, pillows and area rugs add warmth to cold rooms.

Photo: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1397261

While we wait for spring to make its much-anticipated arrival, there are lots of things you can do to bring a little extra warmth to your home during these harsh winter months.  

Until then, grab some hot tea, take a seat by the fire and enjoy the snowy landscape while it lasts.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Sources:

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0301/p1531.html

Local Design Inspiration

Check Out the Springfield Home Builder’s Association Home Show

Photo: https://pixnio.com/architecture/house/home-house-facade-driveway-suburb-suburban-asphalt-entrance-lawn

In January, it can be easy to get a case of cabin fever, with the icy weather and slower social calendars. Getting out of the house feels like a breath of fresh air during this time of the year. Need an excuse? You’re in luck!

For home owners, interior designers and contractors alike, there is one annual Springfield event you will not want to miss: the Home Builder’s Association Home Show.

This event allows you to connect with construction companies, landscapers, insurance companies, cabinet makers and everything in between. You’ll find people to help you with every step of the home building process.

Then, your home will be all ready for James Décor to come and finish it off with a beautiful interior.

Photo: https://springfieldhba.com/shows/home-show/

Not looking to build anytime soon? Come anyways. The buzz of innovative home ideas is sure to spark inspiration, whether it be for decorating or remodeling.

The event features well over a hundred exhibitors and several live presentations.

Mark your calendars for next weekend! The Home Show runs from Friday, January 25th to Sunday, January 27th. It will be hosted at the Springfield Expo Center in downtown Springfield. Admission is open to the public and costs $7. For more information, check out https://springfieldhba.com/shows/home-show/hs-location/.

You don’t have to go far from your own backyard for some great design inspiration.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

New Décor for the New Year

5 New Pieces from Our Showroom

A new year makes a great excuse to add some new décor to your collection.

Whether you’re looking for new bedding, furniture or artwork, we have you covered. At James Décor, we have recently added several new items to our floor. To see it all, you’ll just have to come in and check it out for yourself.

Until then, here are 5 of our newest additions to give you a taste:

1. Turn your bedroom into a relaxing seaside escape with this seafoam bedding. I can hear the soft waves rolling onto the gray sand even now. From the Charmeuse Collection by Ann Gish, this luxurious bedding set would be a great new addition for your home.

2. This fur throw blanket from Paul Robert makes me want to go curl up on the couch right away. Soft and thick, it’s sure to keep you warm on the coldest of winter days.

3. Greenery is all the rage right now. This faux plant could easily be mistaken for the real thing. Add a refreshing pop of the outdoors to your home. We have several varieties of succulents and other plants.

4. This artwork from John-Richard would make a great conversation piece. Bold and colorful, everyone will wonder about the story behind the girl in the big hat.

5. From Century, the Adler chair would be a classy addition to any home. The Art Deco style takes you back to the roaring twenties, and the luxurious royal blue velvet is reminiscent of The Great Gatsby. There’s no doubt that this is a timeless piece.

As you can see, James Décor is brimming with beautiful new pieces. Be sure to come by and check it all out.

It’s a new year, and your home deserves some new additions.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Photos: Michaela Satterfield

Getting Organized in the New Year

10 Tips to Declutter Your Home

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rubbermaid/7203340384

Ah, 2019. A new year. A fresh start. We rang it in, and now it’s time to start thinking about those resolutions.

It’s up to you to make this year even better than the last.

Maybe you’re thinking about hitting the gym more, eating healthier or procrastinating less. These are all great ways to improve yourself, but what about improving your home? You would be surprised to find out how much the space you spend your time in affects you.

That’s why you should add one more resolution to your list: decluttering your home.

Out with the old and in with the new—it’s time to toss all the extra stuff that built up over the past year.

10 tips for decluttering your home:

1. While it may be tempting to run out and buy a bunch of new containers, baskets and shelves before you start organizing, consider organizing before you buy. Then, you’ll know exactly what you need to fit your stuff and space. This will save both time and money.

2. Take baby steps. Organizing the entire house in one day sounds nice, but it isn’t realistic. Setting unreachable goals can lead to burnout and giving up altogether. The solution? Take it one step at a time. An example of a small goal is organizing one room a week.

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/striatic/729822

3. Another way to do this? Set a time limit. For example, you could make it your goal to declutter for just five minutes a day. That’s the amount of time it takes to make a cup of tea or a bag of popcorn. It’s a piece of cake, and the little things add up.

4. You could also simply get rid of one item a day. Donate it, give it to a friend or throw it away if it no longer has any value. It may not seem like much, but by the end of the year, you’ll have 365 less items taking up your space.

5. One space I find the most difficult to declutter is my closet. Are you in the same boat? Oprah Winfrey once gave this great tip: hang everything in your closet backwards. Then, when you wear something, flip it around the right way. Do this for about six months. When you’re done, it will be easy to see what you still use and what needs to go.

6. Get some perspective. Try viewing the spaces in your home from the perspectives of different people. For example, what would you want to keep and get rid of if you had your boss over? Your grandma? A toddler? This strategy helps you notice things that need to be organized that you might not have otherwise noticed.

7. Ask yourself unique questions about your stuff to gain a new perspective. For example, how much would you pay for an item if you were buying it today? Or, would you consider this item to be one of your favorite things? Questions like these help you to gauge the value of your clutter.

8. Don’t be afraid to keep a junk drawer. Even though it may be cluttered, it’s a lot easier to get rid of the clutter if it’s all in one spot. It’s worth it to sacrifice one drawer in order to declutter the rest of your house. Pile it up, but don’t forget to go through it every once in a while too.

9. Once you’re done decluttering, keep in mind that the job is never really done. Don’t be discouraged when the clutter starts to creep up again in another month or so. It means you’re human. The work wasn’t all in vain— now, you have an efficient system in place to organize everything in the future.

10. Going into the future, set some standards for what you allow into your home. Make sure that the things you buy are high quality and serve a purpose. If not, you’ll risk the things you buy turning into clutter in a matter of months.

Photo: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/926185

Benjamin Franklin wisely once said, “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.” What better way to make this year the best one yet than to give yourself more time to enjoy it? This new year, make a resolution to start decluttering your home.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Sources:

https://www.becomingminimalist.com/creative-ways-to-declutter/

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/pro-organizer-tips-what-not-to-do-when-decluttering-your-home-168836

https://www.thespruce.com/ultimate-clutter-hacks-for-your-home-2647997

Step into Your Comfort Zone

Our New Comfort Air Recliners from American Leather

Photo: Comfort Air Pileus

It didn’t take long to figure out that our new Comfort Air recliners were going to be a hit. Come in and take a seat. You’ll see why we decided to write a whole blog post about them.

While recliners tend to be big and bulky, these are the perfect size. Even so, they’re just as comfortable as those bigger recliners, providing support right where you need it and ease getting in and out. Take a deep breath of the real leather smell, and only one word comes to mind: quality.

It’s no wonder, as quality is the linchpin of their creator, American Leather. James Décor is a proud retailer of the brand.

Photo: Comfort Air Cirrus

American Leather was founded upon the idea of providing quality, custom furniture in a shockingly fast amount of time—30 days or less.

Since every piece is made to order, there are countless options for leathers, fabrics and furniture types.

Take a step into their factory and you’ll see that there is something different about this company. The factory, located in Dallas, Texas, is a whopping 350,000 square feet. It has even been called the most modern factory in the country. This is largely due to the company’s use of advanced technology.

Each furniture order starts as a drawing rendered on a computer by the design team. After that, the design is sent to the engineering department, which makes sure the design will physically work.

Next, the manufacturing begins. Computerized cutting tools allow for precise manufacturing, to the thousandth of an inch.

Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leather.jpg

If the piece of furniture is going to be leather, it goes to the leather nesting department. As would be expected, American Leather boasts of one of the largest leather inventories in the country. The vast quantity does not mean they skimp on quality, either. Leather is selected from the top 10% of leather hides in the world.

In the leather nesting department, the sewing patterns for the furniture are mapped out on the leather hides. This reduces waste and ensures that the best parts of the leather are used for the piece. After this, computerized cutting machines cut out the patterns before assembling the furniture.  

As the icing on the cake, American Leather takes pride in the visual appearance of their factory. They strive to keep the factory a clean, pleasant place to work.

This company is clearly hard to beat. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Come in and try the revolutionary Comfort Air recliners for yourself.

Take a break and step into your comfort zone.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Intern

Photo: Comfort Air Pileus

Sources:

https://www.americanleather.com/our-company