7 New Ways To Use Wallpaper At Home

We Know They’ll Change How You Look At It

You want to bring color and texture, light and pattern to your home, but you're not sure where to start. Well, the easy answer is to check out wallpapers. Thanks to many different new concepts in the field, we've got a ton of different patterns. You want Asian inspired papers? You've got it. You want something art deco? You can find that too. You want it to look like you're living in a jungle? You can get that too. Small prints, large prints, it doesn't matter. What's better is that there are now removeable papers so that if you end up deciding you don't like it, or you're renting, or you just want to redecorate, you can. The most important thing to keep in mind about wallpaper though? You don't just have to use it in large rooms like your grandparents did. Let's take a look at 7 ways you can bring wallpaper into your home. 

Make A Small Space Larger

So you've got a small powder room downstairs that's really just for guests. Maybe it's tucked under the stairs, and has a slanted ceiling. It's hard to bring light and color to a space like that, but wallpaper and a mirror can help. Bring in a bold design on the upper half of the room, or even along one wall and the slanted ceiling, and a mirror. Together the two of them will open up the space making it feel much larger. 

Image from Tempaper

Although we don’t get why this works, you can’t help but admit that it does. This oversized pattern makes the room feel much larger.

Paper The Ceiling

Image from Tempaper

The pattern in this one echoes the shape of the light fixture, but you don’t have to do it that way.

You were probably looking at us like we were crazy in the last one, right? Wallpaper the ceiling? It's actually a great thing for any room, not just smaller ones. If you're looking for something to bring in a pop of color and texture to a room, but you don't want it on one of the walls, the ceiling is a great way to add that in. Whether your room is large or small, you can make use of wallpaper to add some much-needed movement to a room. 

Light It Up! 

Not keen on the ceiling idea? How are you at crafts? You can use wallpaper to make your own origami lamp, to paper the outside of an old lampshade, or as a hidden touch on the inside on a shade. Any one of these would take no more than a day, and all of them add a pop of color to your home in an unexpected and very custom way. 

Use Small Patterns On Large Spaces

What if you've already got an amazing living room? You want to bring in some color but you don't want to take away from the rug or the wall art that you searched all over for. No worries! This is when you grab a coordinating pattern that's small in size. Using something that repeats the shapes in the room means that the paper will highlight those features instead of battling them. By keeping the pattern small, it fades into the background, just subtly reinforcing it, rather being an obvious and in-your-face attention grabber. 

Image from Tempaper

A small pattern of flowers on a green background, fades into the background allowing the curves of the room to be more prominent

DIY Wall Art

None of these working for you? What about some wall art? If you've got some wallpaper that you love, but you can't choose where to put it, one way to use it is as wall art, instead. This works best with a large pattern, but you can do it with anything, depending on how creative you can get. Start by figuring out how the pattern looks best. Is it a single panel that can fit on one long canvas? Would it be better if it was on multiple canvases? What about broken up on several smaller frames?  There's a bunch of different ways you can use wallpaper as art. We love taking one long panel, painting it and framing it. If you want an indepth tutorial, check out this example from Thrifty Decor Chick for a step-by-step guide. (We started to write our own for the examples above and realized that would be an entire post on its own!) 

Image from Tempaper

Framing your wallpaper like this allows you to have the best of both worlds, a gorgeous pattern that doubles as artwork.

Image from Tempaper

Or you could cut apart this panel, and frame the different peonies to look like a gallery wall.

Create Some Custom Trays For Your Home 

What about something entirely unique? You want wallpaper, but you don't want to spend a weekend covering the walls. You don't want to choose just one pattern either.  Alright then, what about making some custom trays? A good tray can be used anywhere in the home, whether it's on the dining table for corralling your napkins and seasonings for the meal, in the entryway for mail, or for when you're making up a quick meal for a day in bed.  So grab (or make) a tray of your own, and then decoupage a bit of wallpaper on the bottom of the tray, both the inside and underside. This way you can be constantly rotating out color in your home, without having to commit to any one pattern for long. We suggest using sample pieces for a project like this. 

Light Up Your Stairs

Images from Tempaper

Look at that amazing pattern! Those colors look amazing and they echo what you see in the pillows to the right.

What about the stairs? You go up and down your stairs so many times per day, why not bring some color in? In one day, or at most a weekend, you can bring in some color to your stairs and give that whole area some new life. Whether you choose a large pattern or a small one, it'll be entirely unique. We do recommend using removable wallpaper here though, both in case you get tired in the future and also so that when you need to inevitably replace a piece, you'll be able to do it much more easily. 

What do you think? Are you excited to dress up your home a bit? Are you going to start looking for sneaky ways to add additional color and design? Let us know over at our Facebook page, we'd love to hear (and see) what you get up to! 

What about those of you who aren't though? You wound up here not for decorating advice, but because you needed help with your appliances. Don't worry, we've got you covered. At Appliance Rescue Service, whether you're in Dallas or McKinney, Plano, or Allen, we've got your best interest at heart. We'll work on any of your major appliances, and work with you to make sure you know what happened to cause the current issue. If that sounds more like what you need, give us a call at ((214) 599-0055) or go to our contact page to set up an appointment that works with your schedule. We're here to keep your home running smoothly. 

Our 9 Favorite Home Design Trends For 2022

Here Are The Trends We're Hoping Make It Big This Year 

Table of Contents

Closed Floor Plans

Parisian Inspired Interiors 

All Of The Texture

Colorful Tableware

Curved Furniture

Resourcefulness/Sustainability

Home Bars

Patterned Floors

Where  Did The Cabinets Go?

It's that time of year again when we're all trying to figure out who's doing what with their homes. Are open floor plans in or out? What about all-white kitchens? Are we still doing cottage chic or is it fairycore this year? When you're looking at your house at the beginning of the year, it's easy to be distracted and overwhelmed, trying to figure out what you want to do. Trends come and go and you have to figure out what you want your home to look like. What aspects of you that you want to show off. It's fun to just look through and see what you like vs what you don't. That's what this week's post is taking a look at our top 9 design trends that we think are going to go big this year.

Photo Credit: Redfin.com

Closed Floor Plans

We mentioned this one in our trends for 2021 and we weren't wrong! As our homes do more and more work, we're learning to partition them into different spaces to serve those needs. Being able to mentally partition them also means that we're less likely to get distracted as we work in those different spaces, or be as stressed from the overlapping segments of our lives.

Photo Credit: Hommes Studio

Parisian Inspired Interiors

Just because most of us haven't been able to make use of our passports, doesn't mean we can't dream. One of the rising trends right now is a modern take on Parisian interior designs. Think of an open room with lots of natural light. Bring in pastels and metallics to create the look, and hints of colored crystal and glass to make the room glow. If you want more ideas, check out this article we found over at Shelterness for how to pull off the look in your own space.

Photo Credit: The Fox & She

All Of The Texture

Whether you're looking at a calming sea of neutrals or a riot of colors, texture can make a room feel more inviting. We're going to see more and more of that this year, and not just in terms of throws and pillows. Everything from woven furniture and decor to layers of velvets and cottons brings a very welcoming atmosphere to a room.

Colorful Tableware

Have you ever realized how much time you spend at your dining table? Yes, everyone is different here, but a lot of us have started to spend more time at our dining tables again to just enjoy food and being with each other. Between that and the uptick in small at-home gatherings, people are realizing again that how you set your table says just as much about you as what you serve. You can express all sorts of things about your home just by how your decide to set your table, from colors to patterns, to materials. And companies have noticed that. More and more you're able to pick up mix and match flatware, tableware, glasses, napkins and more. The best thing? You don't have to finish a set all at once, or at all if you're not into it. If you want to just pick up a few pieces here and there, you can do that to grow your collection. If you want to grab the flatware from this set and the glasses from that one and salad plates from a third? Go for it. This is all about you. You can even start with small things like napkins, candlesticks and salad bowls if that's an easier place for you to start.

Curved Furniture 

This one was big in 2021 and we don't see it changing this year. We're still going hard on the idea of making our homes softer and more comfortable as we try to deal with the way the world is. So why shouldn't our furniture reflect that? We think we'll continue seeing this not only in how soft furniture is or how cushioned, but also in the overall shapes of different pieces. Backs, arms and even the overall shape of furniture will continue becoming more rounded, which all of our toes and shins should be thankful for.  Although it definitely makes it more difficult to plan in a square house, we're excited for where this trend is going.

Resourcefulness/Sustainability 

You've heard us talk about the microchip shortage before, and that's unfortunately still going on, as are supply chain issues. What's interesting is that this shortage of material is having a boom in terms of crafting, recycingl and reusing things we already have. So many people are remaking and updating many different things they already have into entirely new types of home goods. 

It's also meaning that people are taking a closer look at where the things they're purchasing are coming from. They want to see where materials are sourced from, and that they're designed with sustainability in mind from beginning to end. 

Photo Credit: House Beautiful

Home Bars

Whether you're going for a dry or wet bar, we see these becoming a very integral part of home decor and life again over not just the next year but the coming decade. Especially since companies are coming up with things like the at home bar system like the Barsys 2.0 Cocktail Machine.  At home bars are a great way to have a few close friends over to sit and relax without having to worry about pandemics or overly loud bars.

Photo Credit: Interior Design Trends

Patterned Floors

If you're looking at adding texture to a room, but you're not sure where to start, a great option is with your floors. Work from the ground up to transform a room, and you'll know that you're standing on solid ground. Ok, we're done with the puns. 

More seriously though, why restrict patterns to countertops, backsplashes and the walls? We've said before that your ceilings and floors add just as much to a room as those areas, so you might as well utilize them. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that you can do just that. 

 You can bring in all sorts of influences in without having to bring in furniture, textiles or even paint.  Instead, grab some peel and stick reusable tiles for your floors. Whether it's your kitchen or your bathroom, your living room or parlor, there are so many different options available to you.  Or you could work with reclaimed materials to piece together a pattern entirely unique to your home.  Check out flea markets to grab some great reclaimed materials, that you can then give new life.

Photo Credit: Best Online Cabinets

Where Did The Cabinets Go? 

We will happily admit we didn't see this one coming when we were looking at trends last year. So many people talk about not having space for storage in their homes, and yet people are getting rid of their upper cabinets. It might be because people are wanting to simplify their homes and reduce the amount of clutter. Alternatively, it might be because then you have less space to clean if there aren't any cabinets. Whichever it might be, expect to see more of this trend throughout the year ahead as kitchens in new builds and magazines ditch the upper cabinets. 

That's it for us, our top ten trends of the year that we're looking forward to seeing more of. What about you? Were you surprised by any of these? Do you think we're wrong? Let us know over on our Facebook page or in the comments down below! We want to hear your take on the trends of 2022. 

If you're tired of talking trends though and just want something that works, we can still help. If you've got an oven that won't hold heat or a washer that leaks, we can help. Give us a call at ((214) 599-0055) or visit our contact page to set up an appointment. We'll work with you to diagnose and fix the problem so that your home can start running smoothly again.  We serve everywhere between Dallas and McKinney, from Coppel to Garland, and we're here to help you. 

Additional Reading 

Top 7 Kitchen Trends of 2021

2020 Design Trends: Big Or Bust?

2000s Kitchen Decorating Trends That Overstayed Their Welcome

So What If They Can’t Get Their Chips? 

5 Kitchen Tools From The Future

11 Things You Need To Know About Security Cameras for Your Home

What Matters, What Doesn’t, and How To Choose

Table of Contents: 

Reasons To Set Up A Security System 

Different Aspects of Security Cameras 

Trail Cams & Their Uses 

Security systems used to be a thing that you only needed if you were rich. You purchased them to provide protection for your assets and family, not just for your peace of mind. It meant having an outside company securing your home 24/7. Now though, you can recreate that both inside and outside of your home using DIY kits, individual models and a little bit of planning. So why is an appliance repair company talking about all of this? Because our goal at Appliance Rescue Service is to keep your home running. While normally that means we tackle things like your appliances and doing repairs, sometimes there are things that we find useful that we want to share with you. So let’s dig in.

Reasons to Set up A Security System 

So what are some of the reasons you might look into getting a security camera system for your home? In today’s era, many people simply feel better having one. Even if you live in a gated community, it doesn’t imply perfect security. It’’s the same concept of having life insurance when you’re strong and healthy in your 20s, “just in case.” For others, it might be that you’ve had a dispute with someone and you feel it’s needed to prove your argument, to ‘catch them,’ so to speak.  A security system is also useful when it comes to knowing how your kids are doing if you have to go out of town for the weekend. We will of course always advocate for relying more on talking to your kids rather than needing to use a camera, but we know that it can help put people’s minds at ease. Of course, there’s also the possibility that you have noticed a recent uptick in theft in your area and want to keep you and your home safe.  Is your list of reasons different than the ones we’ve discussed? Don’t worry. There are still plenty of times when a security system is useful, these are just some of the most common. 

Different aspects of security cameras

The next thing then is to understand what you’re looking at. What do all of the different features of a security camera mean towards the total goal? That’s where this section comes in. 

Battery Power vs Plug-Ins

This one is self explanatory at first glance, but it has deeper implications. If you choose a security camera that’s battery operated, you need to add it to your schedule to check in on it. There’s no point in having a camera if it doesn’t have power, right? A plug in though, you’ll need to have someone wire it into your home so that it can’t just be unplugged from the outside.  You have to weigh up which matters more to you and how you intend to utilize the system. 

Video Resolution

The camera’s resolution is important, but that doesn’t mean that you need to stake everything on it, unless you’re looking to purchase this for a private security job. In which case, we have to ask why you’re here?
Anyway, the resolution of the camera is the same as for your computer or your tv. How clearly do you want to see what’s going on? The caveat is that resolution doesn’t automatically imply clarity when it comes to night vision. 

Color Vs Black & White

This one is straight forward. Do you want your video in color or black and white? So long as the resolution is good, we’d say that color is only incidental, but it is up to you. 

Field of View

A more important one, how far can the camera see? Different types of cameras will have a different angles. You’ll see everything from 360* fish eyes, to wall mounts that give you 130*. We suggest getting a rough blueprint of your house, selecting areas where you want to put cameras, and then charting out the different angles. This way you cans see if they cover each other, if there are any blind spots, or other obstructions due to things around your house. 

Audio Recording Capabilities

On one hand, having sound can be useful. If your home does get broken into, voice recordings might be used to identify a suspect. However, this is an additional feature that will not only make the video files larger, it is also going to raise the price of the cameras. It’s up to you. 

Onboard Storage 

Much like the power issue, this is one that seems simple but has larger implications for how your home security is going to fit into your life. If the camera has onboard storage, you’re going to need to remove the cards and back them up, and reviewing them as needed so that they don’t record over themselves.  If it doesn’t have onboard storage, this is going to mean that you need a centralized location to store the data that it sends back, or pay for a cloud subscription. 

Smart Connectivity 

This is whether or not the cameras connect to things like Alexa, Google Assistant, or other systems.  While being able to turn on a camera with your voice is useful, we feel that there are too many drawbacks still inherent within the smart connectivity systems to really vouch for them at this point. 

Night Vision Capability

Here we’re back to another key feature in a security system. This is one we think you need to really pay attention to if you’re setting up your own system as how this integrates with  daytime vision is going to be an important factor for your night time security. Are there significant differences in visibility or clairty? Another question is at what point is the ‘drop off’ for night vision? How far out can the camera see clearly? Some of the ones we’ve included in our list are able to see only up to 25 feet, something you need to take into account based on how high the cameras are mounted on your home. 

Ability to be Hidden 

The ability of your security system to be hidden says different things, all of them psychological. On one hand, having a system set up clearly says “I am capable of defending my home. I have the tools to catch you.” On the other hand it also says “I have things I need to protect.”  Having them in plain sight also means that someone can observe from the outside where the patterns are within a system and if there are any gaps that you might have missed. So being able to hide your security cameras can be useful. That’s our thoughts on the matter though, and we are not security experts. 

Price 

As with many things, everything comes down to price. How much are you willing to invest into individual units? Will you need an electrician to set them up for you? What about someone who is skilled with computers to handle how they connect to one another your internet? Do you intend to install the units yourself or hire someone else? All of these things need to be charted out and considered before you make an ultimate decision on which plan is right for you and your home. 

Why trail cams can be useful for additions to your security net 

Now, if you really want to buff up your security system,  you might consider trail cams. These are also useful if you’re looking at adding security to an area that is difficult to move around on, has obstructions, or poor internet connectivity. While they don’t alert you when something happens, they can be useful if you’re looking at just proving someone has been on your property, or you’re looking to add security to further reaches of your property.
Some additional benefits of trail cams include: 

-Most trail cams catch still photos, but due to motion detection, they can catch quickly passing things like someone creeping around the backyard. Since they’re meant to catch shots of animals usually, this is one area where they are more dependable vs traditional security cameras. Those still shots will typically be crisp. 

-There are some trail cams that are capable of doing video as well as still shots. 

-One thing to be aware of about them is that the majority of them are onboard storage only. Again, this means that you have to add checking, cleaning and backing up data to a regular rotation on your to-do list. 

 - As of right now, due to what they are, they all have some form of battery power, so please see above on ‘to-do lists.’ 

- Most of them do come with some sort of camouflage design in order to make them less obvious. 

We hope that this helps make security cameras and the systems that go into place with them less opaque. You can definitely DIY your own system, so long as you’re willing to plan out what goes into it, and how you want everything done. As always, we will suggest that if you’re not certain, that you seek a professional. Down below we’ve provided two sets of charts for you to download so that you can compare and contrast different models and their benefits vs drawbacks. 

If you’ve gotten down this far and you’re thinking “well, that’s interesting and all, but it’s got nothing to do with my oven smelling like something died.” Don’t worry, we really can help with that too. At Appliance Rescue Service whether you live in McKinney or Dallas, Frisco, or Coppell, we can help. You can reach out to us at ((214) 599-0055) or by setting up an appointment via our webpage. We won’t stop until you’re happy with the repairs and your home is running smoothly again. 

Very Peri - The Color of 2022

Red & blue, bright and soothing, a color of contradictions.

Welcome to 2022 everyone! We’re taking a look at Pantone’s Color of the Year and how you can bring it into your home.

 This year’s color is a first for Pantone in their 28-year run. Instead of going with already existing colors, they created a new one. The color of the year for 2022 is Very Peri “Very Peri is a  new red-violet infused blue hue.” Pantone said that they created the color because “Creating a new color for the first time in the history of our Pantone Color of the Year educational color program reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place. As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions and engage and connect, the complexity of this new red-violet-infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lay before us”.” We think it’s going a bit much for the color terms, but it’s a beautiful color. A beautiful mix between red and blue, and it’s surprisingly soothing, while also making us feel rather playful? It’s a confusing color, but pleasing. We can see it being used almost anywhere, primarily in terms of fabrics and accent walls. We could even see it in a child’s playroom or nursery. 

Pantone

What about the colors that Very Peri pairs with though? No color exists by itself, so what does VP pair with? Fortunately, Pantone has given us several very different palettes. 

The first one, Balancing act, is a very aptly named palette. It’s a balanced palette with both cool tones and warm tones, making each one pop in different ways. There are four neutral roses in the palette that we can see being used for carpets and furniture, with the two greens, very peri and the clay color, being used for different pops of color in a room. Alternatively, we could see the walls being painted in the different roses, with very peri being used for an accent wall. 

Pantone

Our next palette is called Wellspring. This one is full of lush greens, blues, and purples, with the wild card “dirty chai’ thrown into the mix. This one we see not so much for a living room, but for a personal office, although we would say to stick to neutrals for your flooring. Unless you want to do one of these strong colors? Then we say go for it, but we’ll leave it to you.  We love this rich mix of colors, very reminiscent of a day in the garden, which is why we could see it working in a personal office. Use the different colors and their vibrancy to encourage you to reach your max every day. 

Pantone

Our third palette is Star of the Show, and that is exactly what very peri is in this palette. This time we’re looking at a mix of different true neutrals, creams, browns, greys, and black. This palette would work almost anywhere. You would end up using the neutrals of the palette over everything, from the wall, to the floor, to the furniture. Then you bring back in very peri to make everything pop. That color could be used anywhere you wanted to bring interest. A doorway, behind a picture gallery, highlighting the prime focus of the room, whatever. 

Pantone

Our final palette, at least directly from Pantone, is called Amusements. This one is full of bright, eye-popping colors that we think (hope?) is really going to be left to the clothing industry. These colors are so bright that we can see how people are going to love them, but we also are uncertain how many companies will put out items in these colors. (Although we will include a link to our article involving vinyl wraps for your appliances down below.) 

Pantone

So that’s the color of the year for 2022! What do you think? Where do you plan to use it in your homes? Do you like the color at all? We’re still trying to figure it out for ourselves, but we want to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts on the color and its coordinating color palettes over on our Facebook page. As usual, we’d love to hear from you! 

If on the other hand you got lost on our page because you were looking for help with your appliances, you are actually in the right space. We can help you whether you’re looking for someone to fix your washing machine or your dishwasher, your stove, or your refrigerator, we can help. You can set up an appointment on our webpage or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). 

19 Essentials to Setting up a Gorgeous Guest Room

Tricks For Making Your Guest Room Luxurious For The Holidays

Whether you have someone staying for a single night or over the entire holiday season, a well kept guest room is a must. Making the guest room a place to relax sets up the excellent experience you want for your guests.  Here is a good checklist for how to set up that room.

Having a well laid out  and carefully considered guest room can often help make your guests feel more welcome in your home, and can make their stay just a little more comfortable. It helps them to focus on the things that they came over for, spending time with you! So, here are some good ways to help change your dusty old spare room into a place fit for any guest.

Let’s start off with sanitization items. Between the new COVID variant and the general germs that tend to go around during the winter, it’s a good idea to have some of these handy, especially for a guest who’s away from home.

• Extra masks, in case your guests forgot to bring any. Unused disposable masks or new reusable masks will work for this one.

• Hand sanitizer. It’s always useful to have a bit of this on hand in case it’s needed.

• Tissues & paper towels. These are items that you would rarely think about until you need them, and having them close by will massively improve your guests’ experience.

Next up, the bathroom. You want to make sure it is well stocked, not only with the essentials, but maybe with some things that your guests would need but could easily be forgotten.

• Extra towels. Always good to have a spare towel just in case, and one already being there will put many guests at ease.

• Extra toiletries. Extra toilet paper, hand soap, and even an unopened pack of toothbrushes will help a lot, and will never be a problem to have handy.

• Ibuprofen, antacids, alcohol wipes, and band-aids. Always good to have common first aid items close at hand, and these more common items are always a good addition.

A luggage rack in the closet will help a lot, especially if your guests have packed for several days. It will generally make life easier when it comes time to pack up before they go.

Now, for some of the basic life items that are always good to have in the room.

• An Iron and ironing board. These are especially useful if you’ve got a guest who brings their sunday best with them, in case they need to press out a couple wrinkles.

• An alarm clock. A small digital clock will do, but you can go for a more traditional mechanical design if it will fit the room better. 

• Bottled water. A useful thing to have on hand, especially if your guests are among the many people who prefer to drink some type of filtered water over straight tap water.

• A spare USB charger/charger cube. Try to include multiple if your guests have multiple devices. Most stores carry multipurpose cables for charging several different devices, you may consider one of these.

• A sleeping mask and ear plugs. Occasionally, you may have guests who are used to a very dark and quiet sleeping environment, and having a sleeping mask and some ear plugs on hand will make their stay a little more comfortable.

• A small heater and a small humidifier. These will be very useful for adjusting the environment of the room to your guests’ liking, helping them enjoy the stay just a little bit more.

• A note with any important info, such as the wifi password. It goes a long way to have these important bits of info written down, that way they’ve got a quick reference at hand for any important things about the house.

The final step in preparing the room is going to be to get the bed ready for your guests. Here’s a good formula to follow for it:

• Start with the mattress. Strip everything off, and if it’s been a while since it’s been used, go ahead and flip the mattress and spray it with lysol to freshen it up a little bit.

• Next, do the sheets. Go for something with a high degree of breathability, such as linen or cotton.

• The next layer should be a comforter or duvet of some sort as your “main” blanket.

• Put on two to four pillows, and we suggest using either cotton or silk pillowcases to add a bit of a luxe feeling.

• Next, fold a couple spare blankets and maybe add a couple spare pillows at the foot of the bed, in case the guests need them.

And there we are! We hope that this helps you set up a very comfortable space for your guests, and makes their stay at your home just that little bit better. If you have further tips for making the most of your visiting guests, let us know over on Facebook, we’d love to hear from you!

If on the other hand you wound up here because some of your kitchen appliances are acting up, or your dryer refuses to cooperate when trying to set up that guest room, stop off on our appointment page. We’ll get your home back to tip top shape no matter what’s going on.