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Dawning The Age of Minimalism

How a Less Is More Approach is the Answer We’ve All Been Searching For

In a time of global upheaval, with the rise of a novel and unprecedented pandemic, we all seem to reconsider our values, our lives, and our current atmosphere. With the majority of us stuck indoors for the foreseeable weeks, perhaps even months, we turn to our current environments to reevaluate meaning and purpose. While as a collective, we have been seemingly accustomed to the practice of buying and accruing material goods, now is a time when we must discard these old ways and unnecessary expenditures, and evolve with sustainable, reasonable design efforts and updated purchasing behaviors.

In which specific arenas are we most called to look? We should all be carefully considering our homes, our material possessions, the food we consume, our technologies, and the clothes we put on our backs. All of these materials, goods, services, and products have defined us for so long. With a global trend of ceaseless spending, unconscious material sourcing and usage, we have unfortunately arrived at a widespread environmental disaster that now dictates our very humanity. Yet despite the overwhelming hurdles we must overcome, we have the chance to start redefining our lifestyles starting today. Because so many of us have extra time on our hands, now is the perfect opportunity to take a closer look into our surrounding environment, and notice all the ways in which we can improve our human existence, for the betterment of the planet, as well as for our fellow animals and humans alike.  Adopting a sustainable mentality of reduce, reuse and recycle we can move forward with clarity and direction.

Below, is a comprehensive outline of how to adopt the wonderful concept of Minimalism into everyday life. We’ll go over Minimalism in the Workplace, Minimalism at Home, The Minimalist Shopper, and The Mindset of a Minimalist.

Minimalism in the Workplace

Known to increase productivity, and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, bringing minimalism into your workday can generate a seriously positive impact. The idea many hold that minimalism simply means owning less stuff, is just simply not accurate. While starting at a minimalist approach to consumerism is never a bad thing, this concept extends far further than just tangible goods. Minimalism also investigates how on a psychological level, when we become acutely aware of our surroundings, and the values that we bestow things, we are better able to judge and discern between what really matters, and what we truly need to exist in our best form. This concept asks us to look at whether we are prescribing a greater value and importance on our material possessions than we are our health and wellbeing, and our relationships. Our relationship to the physical world, as well as with other sentient beings. The idea is that we first must become clear on what we value, and then we can understand what is distracting us from that. Now in how this relates to work, we can begin to look at environmental factors that we are surrounded by during our workday that could be the cause of distraction, lethargy, and lack of inspiration, A lot of this comes down to outside influences, audible noises, discrepancies in lighting, and feelings of overcrowding. A few simple solutions in mitigating these feelings, are to upgrade your physical office space. If you find that you are easily distracted by the movement and sounds of others, see if your employer will consider installing floor to ceiling room dividers, or glass sliding room dividers so as to create more spatial distinction and privacy for you to enjoy during your work hours. With the rise of shared office spaces and open floor plans, many employees are finding it more and more difficult to focus, and are distracted by the visual landscape inundated with too many surrounding things. By creating your own little oasis within a larger community of workers, you’ll effectively minimize your stress, your distractibility, and lack of inspiration.

Minimalism at Home

Minimalism is no new building concept, yet we are seeing it become recycled back into fashion within the past decade or two. We predict these trends only becoming more prevalent in the coming years as a mirror to our global efforts in reducing our overall environmental impact. Architecture, interior design, and general building practices are all leaning into this minimalist trend for a myriad of reasons. First, people like it. Living in a reduced impact home, with less material goods, has shown to have a plethora of positive emotional outcomes. Enjoy a home that was built with conscious discernment on every single detail and furnishing curated, the inhabitant doesn’t experience the typical distraction and ensuing stress that someone living in a busy, messy, or over-cluttered home may experience. Secondly, it’s aesthetically pleasing to exist in a seamless, simplistic dwelling. With every line and nook and granny carefully considered, there is a certain feeling of purpose and excellence built into the home that the homeowner can thoroughly enjoy. Even small considerations such as contemporary pocket doors, that save space and offer an enhanced visual flourish, can make a big impact. Frameless glass interior doors and frosted glass wall partitions all increase natural light flow and exude a modern artistic touch that everyone can enjoy. Clean, crisp design and minimizing material goods all help to decrease anxiety and require less upkeep and cleaning as a wonderful built-in perk.

The Minimalist Shopper

In regards to consumption, the minimalist mindset is simple: what do you need? What can you live without? What goods, services, and extras are actual necessities, and what are just distractions and an exercise in self-indulgent spending? These are particularly good questions to be asking at this time, while we experience a global reduction in production and material availability. Because almost everything has been put on hold, we get to inquire within and solely focus on the necessities. Learning how to conserve resources by spending less and doing more will hopefully become a take-away from this pandemic. Owning and buying less is a classic example of retail therapy: the practice of buying things to satiate an internal issue that requires more involved self-work. The simple solution many of use, is to fix our problems with tangible goods. Practicing minimalism will help reduce these feelings, similar to cutting back on other such vices.

The Mindset of a Minimalist

Those who actively seek a minimalist lifestyle consistently practice letting go. Discarding stress by releasing control and relinquishing items from our lives. Mindful practices are also a great tool in adopting a more minimalistic, simplistic lifestyle. Deep breathing and conscious bodily awareness can also help in reducing active stressors in your day to day life. Yoga and stretching are other great ways to lean into awareness. Daily meditation, patience with those around you, minimizing commitments, and spreading kindness are all little gestures you can integrate into these uncertain times.

By integrating minimalism into your workday, adopting simplicity and decluttering your interiors, and practicing mindfulness are all active displays of minimalism. For more inspiration and minimalist space optimizing solutions, Visit Us Online to browse our online viewing catalog and Enjoy A Free Consultation from one of our team members to actualize your vision today!

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Home Remodeling Generates a Fantastic Return on Investment (ROI)

People starting a home remodel project are (perhaps unknowingly) starting a massive undertaking, one that requires much planning, work, money, and investment. Yet throughout all the taxing work and the initial investment of time, money and mental strength, what you will undeniably end up with, is a fantastic ROI. Anyone looking to upgrade their home, be it an interior remodel, an exterior upgrade or an ADU can expect to enjoy a healthy return on investment- in more ways than one. Here are some of the reasons people are choosing to tackle a home remodel.

Better Quality of Life

A home upgrade is a very exciting time, one in which you can plan, envision, and actualize your home goals. Most people who bought their homes walked into an already aged house, that could have likely used many more initial upgrades at the time of purchase. But, it can be costly, cumbersome and scary for anyone to undergo. Many people put off their remodeling projects for years and years until it’s economically feasible, and they’ve carved out a good amount of time for the project and the ensuring disruptance to their lives. Taking down outdated or unsafe parts and features of your home is always a positive thing. Old walls potentially carrying black mold, flooring installed with asbestos, and an abundance of dust and harmful particulates can all cause serious health issues if not dealt with. Long term human exposure to these harmful substances can cause real health effects such as fibrotic lung disease as well as harmful changes in the lining of the chest cavity.

Many people with older homes are aware of these health risks and are using remodeling to successfully mitigate these issues. Installing new flooring and walls is the best way to take care of these harmful substances. Today, more and more people are choosing to install floor to ceiling room dividers rather than permanent light-blocking walls in communal areas of the house such as living rooms and kitchens. These glass walls partitions and sliding room dividers are becoming more popular with home remodels, as they can be great insulators without requiring any insulation, offer a great barrier without blocking the flow of light between spaces, and they add a nice contemporary aesthetic to the home. Installing double glass pocket doors is also a great way to add a modern flourish to your remodel and enhance the amount of passable light throughout your home.

Jumping on the Green Train

Updating and remodeling in efforts to bring a home up to eco-friendly, sustainable green standards is another factor driving homeowners into these upgrades. With a new precedent put on environmental responsibility, builders and homeowners are shifting their values and interests towards crafting homes that work with and for the planet, rather than against it. Installing alternative energy systems and sources, landscaping to effectively reduce water consumption, and being increasingly discerning with building materials are all ways in which to build with environmentally sound incentives. Even little features and interior solutions, such as mirror doors for closets can effectively reduce daytime energy consumption, by reflecting natural light throughout a room, lessening dependency on standard energy usage. 

Investing In The Future

By making the initial investment to undergo a home remodel, however large or small, simple or difficult it may be, one thing you can feel sure about, is fostering a great return. When (or if) you choose to sell down the road, your home will be worth so much more from the upgrades you put into it that you’ll exponentially increase its value with every improvement made. You’ll enjoy the upgrades every day that you live in your home, and then profit off of it’s increased value when it comes time to sell, or refinance.

The Sliding Door Company has everything you’ll need to generate that ROI with your home improvement plans. By upping the value of your home, making green improvements, and investing in your home’s future value, you’ll enjoy these benefits for years to come. With inspiration just waiting inside a showroom near you, plan a visit to our closest location. Visit Us Online to browse our online viewing catalog and Enjoy A Free Consultation from one of our team members to actualize your vision today!

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The Booming Business of Boutique Hotels

With an increase in demand for smaller, more intimate hotel experiences, we are starting to see boutique inns pop up all over major cities and small towns. This evolution has shifted the mentality of the traveler and thus has created an entirely novel market for boutique hotel architects and interior designers to capitalize on. This universally upgraded view of what comfort and luxury means have birthed a booming business across the globe. Now companies are popping up and staking claim of this new niche market. Thriving companies such as Sonder have built a solid empire based on this demand for more intimate stay experiences. Other major corporations in the hospitality field, such as Hilton and Mariott are jumping on board and developing a franchise of new independent upscale hotels to compete in this ever-evolving industry.

(referring to Hilton’s independent hotel development) “Curio Collection comprises nearly 50 one-of-a-kind, upper upscale hotels around the world and will be opening more in exciting destinations such as Portland, Ore., Costa Rica and Iceland. Tapestry Collection, which launched last year, will more than double its existing portfolio of independent, upscale hotels and open in landmark cities such as Washington, D.C.”

“Finishing an impressive first year, Tapestry Collection by Hilton will continue to offer travelers upscale independent hotel experiences unique to their destination by more than doubling the collection in its second year,” said Jenna Hackett, global head, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

It used to be that big corporate hotels dominated the market by selling solely one kind of stay- super hotels. This was an impersonal hotel experience where practically every room was the same, and there were little to no distinguishing features from city to city. There weren’t a lot of available options when it came to independent lodging and boutique luxury stays separate from major hotel chains. Now, with the ease of internet booking, all of these independent stays boasting character and individuality have surfaced. And as far as everyone is concerned, there’s no going back.

Any vanguard wishing to compete in this growing industry should be aware of some of the defining characteristics of these unique hotels. Below are a few design tips and tactics to keep in mind when crafting a cutting edge design.

Personal Interior Design

A driving force drawing clients in and making these independent hotels a destination is their understanding of smart interior design. People love to enter into space and feel it was personally selected for them, that it’s comfortable, it’s chic, contemporary, and best of all- photo-worthy. In today’s social media-driven world, most hotel goers and vacationers are looking to snap memorable photos while on their getaway. Crafting a picturesque environment is going to draw people in and improve their overall experience. Artistic flourishes and consistent design themes set boutique stays apart from the rest. Consider integrating interior glass doors as the bathroom or closet doors. Sliding doors such as modern sliding barn doors are a simple design flourish that is both modern and easy to use. An innovative feature that saves space and upgrades the suite to add a bit of luxury and thoughtfulness to each room. Things like this are practically subliminal to the guest, yet they make a big overall impact.

Character/ interesting features

What sets smaller, more design-centered hotels apart from large chainstays, are their interesting features, beautiful lobbies, lounges, and artful restaurants and bars. Upgraded furnishings that address both comfort and style, interesting light fixtures that display mood lighting, modern sliding glass mirror doors and a juxtaposition of earth elements/materials will all offer character and intrigue to the hotel’s communal interior spaces. Many boutique stays are also now offering communal kitchens, and game rooms with favorite activities such as pool tables, ping pong, four square and board games available to encourage interaction and opportunities to connect amongst guests.

Memorable Amenities

People want to feel taken care of, and considered during their stay. Thoughtful amenities such as quality hair products and bath soap, drinks in the fridge, super soft towels and bathrobes are all little extras that upgrade a guest’s stay from good to great. Leaving chocolates on the pillow, and a bottle of wine in certain suites are sure to excite guests and keep them coming back for years to come. Providing menus to local nearby restaurants with coupons helps the guests feel integrated into their new landscape and encourages them to get out on the town.

Insta-worthy photo ops

Every traveler and vacationer these days are looking to capture their noteworthy trip for their online audience. While designing the layout for a boutique hotel, make sure you keep this very important facet in mind. You’ll want to take it a step further than simply crafting artful interiors- we recommend you design stunning photo-op features and facets to the building and surrounding outside property that will draw people in and increase your visual marketing ten-fold. You’ll enjoy the perks of social media sharing (aka free advertising), and effectively build your brand awareness and identity when people feel inclined to post about your artful architecture and breathtaking interiors. A win-win for you and your guests! Things like alluring flower gardens, chic lounge interiors, vibey restaurant nooks, and interesting murals will inspire hundreds of mini personal photoshoots.

All of these aspects of the business will undoubtedly heighten your guest’s experience and set your independent hotel apart from the rest. Artful interiors, striking design features, thoughtful amenities, and plenty of picturesque backdrops will draw clients in from near and far. Consult us at The Sliding Door Company- the experts in spatial optimization. For more exciting solutions and inspiration, visit The Sliding Door Company to browse our online viewing catalog and Get A Free Quote from one of our team members to start your rental upgrade today!

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What to Expect When Expecting

In life, there is often little planning and preparation when big life moments happen. Finding out you’re welcoming a new life into the world, for example. Not many enjoy the luxury of aptly deciding when to have children and pick a convenient or feasible time to add new members to the family. Most are hit with an unexpected surprise and have to figure out and rearrange a multitude of things in life in preparation for a child. It’s an exciting yet nerve-wracking time for you and your partner (or existing family). What can you expect to change or update in your life to be well-prepared when the baby arrives? Below, we have carved out a little list of some helpful tips to consider when expecting.

The Essentials

You want to make sure you’re as ready as possible to provide the best care, home, and items for your baby. Because once they arrive, you won’t want to be spending your time reinventing the wheel, so to speak. You’ll also want to pick quality products and familiarize yourself with tricks and tips to save yourself a lot of time, headache and discomfort in the process.

  • A Crib
  • Soft Blankets and Linens
  • Diapers
  • Onesies and Baby Clothing and Booties
  • Car Seat
  • Baby Thermometer
  • Baby Tub
  • Bibs
  • BPA-free and Baby-Safe Toys and Entertainment

For The Home

Typically, a large part of the stress and often uncomfortable adaptation one experiences during this time is the issue of not having enough rooms or space to accommodate another child. When you and your partner are renting on a year or two-year lease and all of a sudden, realize you’re pregnant, there is a lot of stress surrounding your current living situation and the feasibility of adding a new member to the family. Moving costs, a higher rent, and leaving your beloved home is a huge ordeal and big stress on top of all the other new variables you must consider. With the current number of rooms available, you ask yourselves how in the world you can make this work. For renters, we suggest calling the Sliding Door Company to find out about our many space optimizing solutions that are right for you and feasible for your rental. Easy and quick to install and take down, our glass wall dividers are an absolute life-saver for those unable to build or add on to an existing home.

For those who already own their own homes, the cost of construction is another large factor that many are not prepared for when hit with the big news. Even when you own your own home, and swiftly moving to a new home is not a viable option, how do you make do with what you already have? Increasing the size of your home is a big change- involving much planning and headache. We’ve realized there is a need for space optimizing solutions to remedy this classic problem. Our advice? Install entire wall partitions, Room Dividers or floor to ceiling sliding glass doors to craft entirely separate rooms without the cost or inconvenience of disruptive construction. Especially while pregnant, the sounds and disturbance of weeks or even months of construction and home additions is enough to drive everyone mad.

These feasible home improvements will allow you to craft spatial separation for the newborn and yourselves while providing flexibility and the option to move, rearrange and alter these rooms and spaces with time. As the child gets older, maybe consider updating the space to provide more privacy. These solutions will provide your family the necessary time and cost solution you’ll need to plan for a future move or ADU if need be.

Revisit Your Finances

You and your partner should start to critically think about your finances and even draft up a reasonable budget and timeline for saving so that when the baby arrives you aren’t surprised or down and out. Rearing a child is always more expensive than people think and budget for. A good tip is to craft a budget, and then go back in and add 10% to all of your expenses. That way, you’ll have a safety-net for everyday things that will undoubtedly cost more than you expect.

Another recommendation is to start paying down your debt so that you don’t enter into parenthood financially burdened by a mountain of debt. Start paying off more every month than your minimum, and even consider consolidating your debt into one low-interest account to avoid costly APR.

Talk to fellow parent co-workers in your office, or ask your boss what maternity leave is offered through work. Don’t leave it to the last minute to plan for this, is it could be a lot more (or less) time and compensation offered than you expected. This way you can reasonably budget for what is available to you.

Hopefully, with these helpful time and money-saving tips, you’ll enter into parenthood on top of the game and enjoy the entire process rather than dread it. With some careful planning and the right resources, you’ll be on your way to welcoming in a new life stress-free and ready for anything!

We at The Sliding Door Company are here and happy to help provide as much information as possible on some must-have solutions. For more inspiration on how to partition your rooms and make use of valuable floor space, have a look at our website. Schedule A Free Consultation to get in touch with a helpful representative and start the transformation and create a home that can welcome in this new life.