Design Trends Posts | Antares Homes

Design Your Life at the Selection Studio

June 7, 2023

When the unexpected wave of the pandemic hit, we faced a series of unique challenges. The world was grappling with supply chain disruptions and soaring costs of materials, which prompted us to make a strategic shift in our approach. We decided to focus on building homes to sell rather than building to suit. The best choice was to build using the available selections, knowing that we would continue to make changes to those selections during the construction process. The supply issues have leveled out and now we are excited to share that we are back on track and ready to embark on an exciting journey with you, as we unveil our newly remodeled Selection Studio. Get ready to build your dream with us! We couldn't be more thrilled to present our brand-new Selection Studio, designed to enhance your experience and bring your vision to life. Step into this state-of-the-art facility, and you'll find yourself immersed in a world of endless possibilities. We have curated an extensive range of materials, finishes, fixtures, and design options, all under one roof, to make your selection process exciting and convenient. At our core, we believe that every dream deserves to be realized. With our newly remodeled Selection Studio, we have created a welcoming space where you can express your unique style and preferences. Our dedicated team of professionals is here to guide you through the entire selection process. They will lend their expertise, offer insightful advice, and work closely with you to ensure that your dream project reflects your personality, meets your functional needs, and fits within your budget. The pandemic taught us the importance of adaptability and resilience. It encouraged us to find innovative solutions to unforeseen challenges. Through our journey of spec-building, we successfully navigated the supply chain crisis and ensured that our clients' dreams could still become a reality. And now, with our newly remodeled Selection Studio, we are ready to embark on this exciting journey with you. Together, let's build a space that not only exceeds your expectations but also brings joy and inspiration to your everyday life. Get ready to turn your dreams into a reality with us! Design your life at the Antares Homes Selection Studio.

5 Tips to Curate Art for Your Home

September 29, 2022

Art is an incredible way to inject your space with some personality. Not just for the walls, art can be found on bookshelves, kitchen counters, and all around the home. Plus, choosing artwork doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive! If you take time to consider size, style, and budget, you’ll be on your way to peppering your home with some great decor.Mix & MatchFrom mixing and matching prints and patterns to the actual medium, there are so many options for art today. Many people automatically think of prints and paintings, but art can come in the form of ceramics, tapestries, sculptures, shadow boxes, and so much more. Every artist has their own distinct style; don’t be afraid to decorate your home with the work of multiple artists.Create ThemesIf you feel overwhelmed in what to choose for your home, start with a general theme. It could be a color (like, green or yellow) or a specific style (modern, let’s say) or a hobby you love (tennis, reading, you name it!)... Whatever the theme is, you’ll find art to go along with it. For example, if you do love tennis, you can find a framed print of a famous tennis athlete, or a painting of your favorite court. The art in your home should reflect who you are and it should make you feel comfortable in your space.Consider the ScaleIf you have a smaller space, you probably won’t want to opt for a huge painting or sculpture to squeeze in. Conversely, if you have a home with large walls and open areas, you’ll want to do it justice with art that can handle the size of the space. You can also mix it up and create asymmetry by placing larger pieces next to smaller ones.Gather InspirationWant to gather art for your home but you’re not sure where to start? Take time to stroll through local galleries and art markets. Consider supporting local artists and others in your community. Search for local artists on sites like Etsy. There are so many talented artists creating beautiful work in all parts of the world– get out there and find it!Choose What You LoveAt the end of the day, art is subjective and beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. It is your home, your space, and you have the power to decorate it in any style you see fit. Whether you want bold pops and funky pieces, or more muted tones and sophisticated styles, you can find an artist who has created what you’re looking for. And, if not, you can always commission a piece that suits your style and space.Remember, you don’t have to spend exorbitant amounts of money on art for your home. Consider creating a budget for yourself and know that you don’t have to do it all at once. Art is meant to be curated over time, as you grow with the space.

Creating a Drop Zone in Your Home

May 24, 2022

Creating a Drop Zone in Your Home After a long day of work or school or social outings, all we want to do is go home and quite literally drop everything to take a hot shower, enjoy a meal, and, perhaps, dive into the latest binge-worthy show. It’s no surprise that we then find piles of stuff scattered around our home – and, of course, we can never find our keys or that RSVP when we need them! This is why it’s crucial for every home to have a designated drop zone.What IS a drop zone, exactly?A drop zone is a magical remedy so you can rid your home of unnecessary, messy piles and have a clean, organized space where you drop everything before you lose track of it!Okay, okay – it’s not quite magic, but it’ll certainly feel that way once you’ve implemented and made use of a space like this. A drop zone can be located anywhere that’s convenient in your home. Perhaps a front entrance or back hallway, wherever you most often enter your home, is probably the best spot to designate as your drop zone.It may not be a big space, and that’s okay - even better, this will allow your creativity to really shine. Make use of whatever space you have to include some spiffy organization, storage spaces, and unique built-ins. These can include pieces of furniture, a hanging space, or a bench seat with some hidden storage. The idea is that this space will be extremely functional without sacrificing style. And let’s face it, anything is better than messy piles of random bits and bobs around the house!What exactly can I “drop” in this designated zone?Anything goes for a drop zone from your tote bags and backpacks to your keys, wallet, and mail! Think about what you typically take and toss throughout the day as you go to and fro, and then design a space unique to that. Perhaps you’ll want some sturdy hooks and hangers for bags, hats, and coats. Maybe a little cubby for shoes and a storage bench for bulkier items like scarves or roller skates!Other drop zone essentials might include a small, hidden trash can – for that junk mail and those empty coffee cups! – and a bulletin board to quickly tack any invites or reminders you’ll need for the day. A magnetic dry erase board works well, too!Drop zones are great no matter your living situation – if you live with a bunch of roommates or have a big family, it’s a great way to keep everyone’s stuff organized. You can create little bins and nooks with labels if needed. It’s also a great idea if you frequently host guests – we’ve all been to that party with the designated “coat bed.” Don’t make your guests have to dig through a pile or search your house or apartment at the end of a visit for their personal items!Remember your pets, too! This area may include toys, treats, a leash, and anything else you may need to grab quickly on the go. Hooks and baskets are great for these items.Don’t drop the ball on this one! Getting organized doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Chances are, you already have some bins around your home that you can move to your new drop zone to get started.

Garage Flooring Options

April 26, 2022

Garage Flooring OptionsWhether you're building a custom home from the ground up or would like to update the current flooring in your garage, there are many types of flooring that you can choose from. Each flooring material alters the appearance of your garage. The main flooring options available to you include everything from epoxy and vinyl to stone and rubber tile. The following guide should give you all the information to determine which flooring option is right for your garage and home. EpoxyEpoxy is a polymer compound that can provide your garage with a beautiful appearance. This option is particularly beneficial if your current garage has an existing flooring that you don't want to tear up. Epoxy is a long-lasting and durable coating that can last for 10-20 years if properly maintained. While you can apply epoxy to practically any type of flooring, it works best with concrete and stone flooring materials.Benefits of Installing this Flooring• Easy to clean• Available in numerous colors• Resistant to water and stains• Highly cost-effective compared to other flooring types• Can be paired with an anti-slip coating Vinyl TilesVinyl tiles are affordable flooring materials ideal for garages that don't have a considerable amount of foot traffic. When vinyl tiles are coated with urethane, they become comfortable and flexible, making them a great option for practically any garage. Benefits of Installing this Flooring• Can be obtained in many colors• Requires only a small amount of cleaning and maintenance• Very affordable• Resilient and durable if you obtain engineered vinyl• Water-resistant StoneIf you want your garage floor to have a natural and beautiful appearance, the stone is a fantastic flooring option. The most popular types of stone for garage flooring include flagstone, sandstone, and graphite. Keep in mind; however, that stone floors are costly and can be cold during the winter months.Benefits of Installing this Flooring• Extremely durable• Easy to clean• Should add some value to your home• Available in unique patterns Rubber TileRubber tiles are a more flexible flooring material that's easy to install and comes in various patterns. In most cases, rubber tiles can be selected as 12x12-inch or 24x24-inch tiles. You can install rubber tiles on nearly every type of sub-flooring, including concrete floors. Benefits of Installing this Flooring• Very affordable and easy to install• Able to withstand all conditions• Doesn't require much maintenance• Absorbs sound• High impact resistance Polished ConcretePolished concrete is the ideal flooring option for many homeowners. If you want durable flooring that will stand up well to high foot traffic, polished concrete is the way to go. These floors are exceedingly resilient and can be surprisingly affordable. Because the material is polished, it can provide your garage with a sleek and elegant appearance.Benefits of Installing this Flooring• High durability• Low maintenance requirements• Resistant to the majority of chemicals• Available in numerous design options• Can last for 30-100 years even when exposed to harsh environments Installing new flooring materials in your garage is a great way to enhance its appearance and even improve the value of your home. The five flooring options discussed above are considerably different from one another while also providing distinct benefits. With these benefits in mind, you can choose a flooring option that matches the style and appearance of the rest of your home.