Discover the Lone Star State: Top Things to Do in Texas

 Texas is a state that is full of amazing experiences and adventures waiting to be discovered. From stunning natural beauty to unique cultural offerings, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the Lone Star State. Here are the top things to do in Texas that you won't want to miss.

Visit the Alamo

The Alamo is one of the most iconic historical sites in the United States, located in San Antonio, Texas. This former mission and fortress is best known for the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, where a small group of Texan soldiers fought against the Mexican army. Visitors can explore the grounds, learn about the history, and pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the battle.

Experience the Houston Space Center

Located in Houston, Texas, the Space Center Houston is the official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center. This interactive museum allows visitors to experience space through interactive exhibits, a tram tour of the Johnson Space Center, and even the chance to touch a moon rock.

Take in the Beauty of Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is a stunning wilderness area in southwestern Texas that is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, as well as unique geological formations. Visitors can hike, camp, bike, and kayak through the park's canyons, mountains, and rivers, taking in the stunning views along the way.

Explore the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre garden that is home to a wide variety of plants and flowers from around the world. Visitors can explore the many gardens, including a Japanese garden and a herb garden, as well as enjoy live music and special events throughout the year.

Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards

The Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic district in Fort Worth, Texas, that celebrates the state's cowboy heritage. Visitors can watch cattle drives, visit cowboy museums, and enjoy western-themed shopping and dining experiences.

Enjoy the Thrills at Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags Over Texas is a popular amusement park in Arlington, Texas, that is home to a variety of roller coasters, water rides, and other attractions. It's a great place for families to spend the day and enjoy some adrenaline-pumping fun.

Take a Dip in Hamilton Pool Preserve

Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural swimming hole located in Dripping Springs, Texas, that features a stunning 50-foot waterfall. Visitors can swim in the crystal-clear water, hike through the surrounding nature preserve, and enjoy a picnic by the pool.

Visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library

The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library is located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin and is dedicated to the life and legacy of President Johnson. Visitors can explore exhibits on the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and other important events from Johnson's presidency.

In conclusion, Texas offers a diverse range of experiences and attractions that are sure to delight visitors of all ages and interests. From historical sites to natural wonders to amusement parks, there is no shortage of things to do in the Lone Star State. Whether you're a Texan or a tourist, these top things to do in Texas are not to be missed.

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10 Hot Trends for Adding Art Deco into your Interiors

If you love the reemergence of Art Deco interiors into your home, you are not alone! Art Deco style is the visual and influential arts & design movement which first emerged in France after World War I. It features touches of French, Egyptian & Mediterranean culture with geometric patterns and often vibrant colors. From the exterior of your home to the interior – you will be surprised how easy it is to bring this retro look from the 1930’s -1940’sstyle into your home. Here are 10 hot trends for adding Art Deco style into your interiors.

1. Start off with bold geometric design:

The Art Deco movement had a strong tie to bold geometric shapes and designs. To bring the flair into your home, start off with bold wallpaper that has a strong geometric appeal. Rectilinear and curvilinear forms that instantly catch the eye are iconic for the Art Deco style era and will make your room come alive instantly.

2. Bringing the lifestyle of Art Deco movement into your home
By the 1930’s travel was becoming popular and tourism started to boom. African safaris were popular and animal prints, exotic finishes such as pearl and tortoiseshell started to show itself in home decor. The bold use of materials in glass, shiny fabrics, metallic paints and mirrors will complete the Art Deco look in your home.

3. Displaying artwork and sculptures in your Art Deco interiors
Just as the name suggests – the arts and entertainment world showcased their talents during the 30’s and 40’s and home decor mimicked the trend. Bold oil paintings, sculptural table lamps, ornate bedroom furniture and finely detailed furniture was commonplace. Bring these elements into your room for instant Art Deco appeal.

4. Egyptian influences make every room feel regal 
When travel became commonplace the influence from Africa and especially Egypt was great. After the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb the influence of pyramids, hieroglyphics type symbols and sphinxes were added to many design elements in the home. Use these symbols in your furniture, textiles and when choosing wallpaper and artwork for an Egyptian-inspired Art Deco style.


5.  Bold colors in your Art Deco finishes 
The term “bold” is an understatement for many of the high-contrast color palettes iconic of the Art Deco area and using them in your finishes can bring on the art revival vibe in your home instantly. Bathroom and kitchen tile in monochromatic black, white combinations or with pops of red, and deep browns were gorgeous in this era. To bring the look to your home choose ceramic or porcelain tile that has a high gloss in contrasting colors. Beautiful mirrors and mirrored finishes will complete the look!

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6.  Cosmopolitan Art Deco touches add drama
In the grand fashion of art imitating life the Art Deco movement was all about adding visual drama and bringing it into a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Furniture had distinct lines and was adorned with bold fabrics with zigzags, stripes, chevrons and just plain textiles would accompany silky fabrics that exuded drama, similar to the Hollywood Regency style.

7. Neutral finishes in your Art Deco interiors
An essential part of the Art Deco style was evoking drama and grandeur of the silver screen of movies and entertainment into your home. Early Hollywood used neutral color palettes but combined them with shiny fabrics, lighting that was subdued and an abundance of lavish and soft material that were luxurious for the eye and the touch. Hang fabric behind your master bedroom bed to bring out the Art Deco style of neutrals.

8. Bring out Art Deco styling from the metropolitan cities you love 
Although the Art Deco style started in Europe, the United States had a strong movement in architecture, interior design, and lifestyle during the 30’s and 40’s. Pastel colored buildings in Miami, Florida made the iconic “South Beach” the popular architecture style for Art Deco styled buildings.  New York and Chicago boasted highly stylized skyscrapers that featured industrial motifs of airplanes, cars, and cruise liners were very influential. Bring this look to your home by adding ornate geometries to your exterior home for an Art Deco style before you open the front door.

9. Modern renovations with Art Deco additions 
There is a strong movement in interior design and architecture to revive older homes back to their original charm or to make new construction appear dated and retro. Kitchen renovations that want to use modern materials such as curved Corian countertops to evoke the “artsy” appeal of the Art Deco era and brink in simple mixes of modern flooring and retro style lighting fixtures is a great look.

10.  Living the Art Deco lifestyle isn’t just for the elite
While the influences of design in decor, fashion, and architecture had a glitz and glam appeal, the ability for mass production in the 1930’s brought about a sense that anyone could achieve the Art Deco look.  Just like your interiors, the Art Deco style is for anyone who wants to bring the roaring appeal for arts and emergence of discovery and bold lifestyle choices into their interiors.

architectday readers we would love to know what Art Deco elements you love!

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10 Kitchen Innovations for Improving your New Generation Home

In our ever-changing world of high innovation and demand for homes that reflect gorgeous detailing and quality, your kitchen is the number one room where you love to see gorgeous technology. Your kitchen appliances are lifetime investments for many homeowners and Sub-Zero Wolf, the leader in food preservation & innovative cooking products since 1943 have proven how a new generation of innovation is awaiting your kitchen. From seamless aesthetic details that blend into your cabinetry to delivering your guests culinary expert cooking experiences from the cookware. You won’t be able to help but brag with these 10 innovative and contemporary ideas for your kitchen that you can’t wait to have.

1. A New Generation: Classic kitchens with modern appeal:
There is some things that homeowners don’t like to mess around with and that is their kitchen appliances. Similarly to your car, your refrigerator, stove and ovens are all a major investment and the third-generation family-owned company; Sub-Zero and Wolf realize this. Your classic kitchen still wants the reliability of well-made design, trusted manufacturing and gorgeous detailing but now with seamless ways to fit amongst your kitchen cabinetry with integrated design that oozes sophistication.



2. Making your refrigerator disappear has never looked so good
Whether you are a design fanatic or you just enjoy fine appointed details, there is nothing like integrated refrigeration that blends seamlessly with your cabinetry. The New Generation of products feature more than 60 new appliances of which many disappear into your interiors. Get the look in your home by choosing one of 3 new design styles: Professional, Transitional or Contemporary to incorporate your modern kitchen with gorgeous appliances. New handles, minimal lines on refrigerator facades and controls that disappear are just a few amenities that you will love.

3. Add or detract colorful kitchen details for a modern touch
For many years kitchens were dull and strictly utilitarian. There has been a renewed sense of pride and love for modern kitchens that show off color or the absence of color in kitchen cabinetry, finishes, countertops and even in tile backsplashes. Look to your own personal design style to see how you can add or detract these from your kitchen. Details such as the designer styled iconic red control knobs for your Wolf cooking range, black or professional stainless steel all reflects your culinary design style.



4. Beautiful lighting is now a design feature, more than just a function
Similarly to kitchens as a whole, lighting has taken on a new sense of form in modern kitchens. Whether your style is traditional with an ornate chandelier gracing your kitchen island or if you prefer a minimal set of pendants lamps – embrace lighting in your kitchen. Look to the New Generation of Wolf ovens and Sub Zero refrigerators to offer better lighting inside them for better visibility for you to see your food and to create a gorgeous experience preparing your meals.

5. Blur the lines between cooking and your family lifestyle
For many homeowners the way your family lives and uses your kitchen is reflected in the appliances that outfit your home.  Refrigerator drawers are ideal for busy families with children or entertaining homes that need extra refrigeration for easy accessibility. While busy professionals may opt for sleek appliances that heat up quickly to cook a quick culinary creation on their induction stove cooktop. With the new line of Wolf cooking products you don’t have to choose between cooking and your personal design and lifestyle. Blur the lines and combine the way you live into the innovative kitchen amenities you opt for.

6. Innovative controls & details means you can enjoy cooking again
If you have appliances that aren’t a joy to use everyday, then why settle? Sub-Zero and Wolf have taken innovation you love in your tech gadgets and brought them to the kitchen! Features such as: Dual convection, curved back walls in their ovens, a third halogen lamp inside the oven, LCD screens, preset categories and more are what homeowners love. Bring innovative ideas into your kitchen and decide what features do you love the most. Programmable modes, “finger-swipe” technology on the control panels has never been such a pleasure to operate.

7. New built-in coffee system creates a barista in your home
If you are a hot drink lover of coffees, espressos, cappuccinos, hot teas or more, why not use innovative ideas such as Wolf’s new coffee system in your home? Innovation always means following the trends and if your kitchen is like most, preparing a personal hot drink experience for friends and family couldn’t be easier. The fully integrated system cleans itself, steams milk, and easily cleans for all the comforts of your favorite barista at home.

8. Bring out your culinary side in your kitchen options
While you may not be a professionally trained chef, there is nothing like professional-grade appliances to make you look and feel wonderful. Cooking is an emotional experience that you love to spend by yourself, with friends and family and adding on professional modules to your Wolf stove and oven can step your kitchen status up to a rock star! Consider adding a steam oven, fryer, induction cooktop, Sous Vide for water bath cooking and a teppanyaki iron griddle can all transform your cooking experiences!

9.  Make your kitchen a new destination
We all love being transported off into a new world and creating a personalized kitchen with design style that you love. Kitchen innovation has come a long way over the years and from custom and fanciful range hoods overhead to appliances that exude the same designer appeal as your cabinetry and finishes, your kitchen becomes a destination that you love to escape to. The New Generation of Sub-Zero & Wolf products meets your design needs in innovation and versatility with interchangeable size options, installation custom settings, and more.

10. A New Generation for your kitchen with innovation
With over 60 new products from Sub-Zero & Wolf, the New Generation is showing how our world is constantly revolutionizing how you experience your home. Many of the new refrigeration wine coolers, refrigerators are Energy Star compliant and are seeking to create a conscious effort of saving energy while still delivering a gorgeous kitchen experience.

Architectday readers it’s all up to you, how will you design your kitchen with these innovative ideas?

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10 Contemporary Elements that Every Home Needs

In this modern day of living there is no doubt that the contemporary movement has affected every aspects of our daily lives. From our cars, fashion and technology to the world of design in architecture and interiors. Many use the term contemporary or modern interchangeably to mean a more relaxed break of traditional norms and new concepts of richness of design and modern age thinking. Modern can also refer to a time period of design style from the 1920’s -1950’s. From bringing in light to dark spaces to opening up floor plans and introducing clean-lined furnishings, here are 10 ways to bring contemporary flair into your interiors.

1. Bring light into interiors effortlessly:

When the Modern and Post Modern design periods began to emerge in the 1920’s-1960’s there was a break from the traditional dark interiors with closed –off rooms and small windows. Light and airy rooms replaced the small and dark ones and these details you can adopt in your own home. Opt for choosing the right floor plan that let in natural light through floor to glass windows, skylights, solar tubes and use translucent glass for privacy areas.

2. Opt for subtle colors with accents of more vibrant color you really love.
Using neutral tones of gray, brown, and blacks and whites for flooring, furnishings, lighting fixtures and textiles.  Contemporary colors leave the details of your furniture metal details to shine through or leave the ability for your imagination to get creative with textures and patterns. Just because you use neutral color shouldn’t mean your interiors turn boring! Textural seagrass furniture for example is beautiful to the touch and the eye.

3. Use of natural materials can create a beautifully interior & exterior

Instead of natural materials being reserved to just wood furniture your contemporary home can make use of natural and organic materials in decking outside, leather furniture for your interiors and simple decorative elements displayed throughout your home. The contemporary period of living brought about a new sense of using organic materials such as wood, rock, slate, teak, cotton, wool, and other gorgeous textiles in modern furnishings and not just reserved to traditional home uses.

4. Airiness brings a more relaxed interior to your contemporary home 

Furniture designers started to create sofas, tables, and home furnishings that reflected a more relaxed approach to living. Stuffy and heavy ornamentation was replaced with clean rectilinear lines and this gave way to contemporary homes feeling lighter in weight and more casual in livability. Furniture was raised off the floor to give a weightlessness appeal and your home can adopt these same qualities.

5. Bare floors in gorgeous finishes

The contemporary age of living has made way to new materials, but also a relaxed feeling to interiors with minimal lines, and less “stuff”. Bare floors in gorgeous finishes such as hardwoods, ceramic and porcelain tiles, travertine stone and marble have made way to contemporary living. Area rugs to keep underfoot walking comfortable and to break up the space visually is ideal, especially in living room and dining room areas. Consider bringing resilient flooring into your home for a crisp and modern touch.

6.  Opening up your interiors with an open floor plan

Contemporary homes have a sense of uniting all of the interior spaces into one grand experience. The term “great room” has been used to signify a blurring of the distinct walls and boundaries of living spaces with the kitchen, family room, etc… An open floor plan is ideal and is iconic in contemporary homes and creates a unified design aesthetic throughout your home.

7. Stream-lined contemporary architectural exterior details

While the focus on interiors is often thought of when considering contemporary influences, don’t forget the architectural exterior details that are just as important. Most exterior detailing is free from heavy ornamentation of historic classical buildings and is replaced with simple rectilinear or curvilinear forms. Rooflines are distinct – cantilever or large overhangs, and unique features such as seemingly flat rooflines as well as materials of the exterior usually blend harmoniously with nature around your home in contemporary styles.

8. Attention to contemporary details in your home

Similarly to design periods of the past, detailing is essential in a contemporary home. Fine elements such as lighting fixtures that are distinct and look like works of fine art are kept simple and distinct. Hand railings and banisters that were once large handcrafted pieces of wood in past design decades are replaced with innovative tension cables, glass, or industrial materials. Look to adding contemporary details that get noticed, yet don’t distract your minimal interiors.

9. Technology becomes hidden behind your gorgeous interiors

One of the areas of contemporary design that everyone loves are the “hidden details”. You see the innovative technology in our smart worlds of technology for phones, computers, and also in our homes. Contemporary details of wireless and remote access controls for controlling electronics, heating/cooling systems, lighting, security and more are all hidden behind the beautiful details. Try bringing innovative controls into your home lifestyle and see how much your contemporary home will feel.

10. Release your ‘old world’ thinking in our contemporary age

There is no doubt that every design age borrows and influences elements from each other. The contemporary era of design is more about letting go of strict and formal design rules and becoming more open and minimalistic in approach. Whether you decide to have a more eclectic home and mix and match past eras or you’d prefer to become ultra-modern in nature, your home should reflect your lifestyle. Release your old world thinking that every piece in your home has to have a label and enjoy contemporary living that is reflected throughout your gorgeous home.

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10 Creative Ways to Find the Right Exterior Home Color

Whether you know it or not, the exterior of your home is an extension of your home’s personality and what it “says” to the neighborhood. Depending on what exterior amenities, architectural details and color you choose can help your home shine in its best light. If you have been looking at the exterior of your home and thinking it could use a facelift – adding color is one of the most affordable and eye-catching ways to make a big impact. From adding curb appeal to your exterior home, to creating a statement, finding the right exterior color can be made easier with these 10 creative tips.

1. Assess your home’s personality:
Similar to your favorite wardrobe style your home has a personality. It can be shaped by the neighborhood, your family lifestyle or the geographic location you live in. Choosing an exterior color should reflect its personality of being stately – with a refined and subdued color palette or it can be young and hip with trendy colors that are out of the box. Determine how you want your home to feel and look and let it guide’s its color personality.

2. Take color cues from your home’s architecture:
The beauty of architectural elements are the ability to use character, details, texture and colors to showcase an era of your home that is unique to your home and neighborhood. If your home is an old world Tuscan or Mediterranean inspired villa – weathered whites, terra cotta oranges and sun-kissed brown details are ideal for barrel tile roof and trim details.

3. Use nature as backdrop for color selections 
The surroundings of your home can impact your exterior color selection in a beautiful way! Beach homes, mountain homes and tropical inspired homes have nature to draw inspiration from. Use colors found around your home – beach homes can take cues from the sand, water and sky with beautiful pale shades of white, tan, blues, and pale green and yellows.

4. Recreate an exterior from past vacation memories

For many homeowners drawing color inspiration from travel can inspire exterior colors that are creative and unique. If your trip to a tropical getaway was fun, why not use these colors at your native home? Many island homes use bright and whimsical colors such as turquoise, peach, sunny yellow, coral, and lavender for their exterior homes. While you may love them in small amounts, remember ultimately your home should still look great amongst neighboring homes.

5. Use historical character for exterior color ideas
If you live in a historic Victorian home or in a aged Tudor style home, you know that keeping true to the historical character of your home’s original colors is essential. While your home may be hundreds of years old you may not be able to know off-hand what colors where native to your home and surrounding homes. If your city has a Chamber of Commerce or historical architectural organization you may be able to research exterior colors for your neighborhood. Also look to paint manufacturers that feature historical color palettes that are pre-selected. This can take the guesswork out of choosing the right exterior house colors from generations in the past.

 6. Let your choice of exterior color help guide your color options

Exterior cladding or the material you use on the exterior of you home can take much of the guesswork out of choosing exterior colors. Brick, siding, stucco/plaster and concrete all have unique qualities for each type of material. Choose a material that represents your style and works well with the climate of your home. You will be surprised that brick can come in colors as light as whitish yellow all the way to the darkest of charcoal gray! Find a material you love and then look at the color options based on the finish you are looking for.

7. Landscape color can enhance your exterior house colors
Similarly to architectural trim and details the landscaping around your home can enhance your home’s color selection. Curb appeal is essential and to make a great impression coordinating bright flowers with a more subdued color palette on your home can be ideal or vice versa. If you have gorgeous vistas and plenty of beautiful foliage decide how you can play up the red brick or hunter green siding on your exterior home. If you’re not sure what colors to choose for landscaping, take pictures of your outdoor home with you to your local nursery and ask a garden expert for advice!

8. Exterior house colors should use architectural details for impact
While you may only think of the field color or the majority of the exterior walls as the color of choice, remember the smaller details of the home can be the crowing glory when it comes to color selection. Window and door trim, roof and eave colors, gutter and downspouts can be painted or gorgeous copper gutters have a beautiful patina as well. Decide if you want a high-contrast to your home’s trim and accent colors or if you prefer a more unified color approach. Either way, don’t overlook the simplicity yet effectiveness in choosing exterior trim detail colors.

9. Choose exterior colors that are appealing at all times
While you may not realize it, your exterior home is viewed in the daytime but also when the sun is setting and in the evening hours. Therefore, choosing a color that is camouflaged amongst your surrounding landscaping may not be a wise choice. Many mountain homes that lie amongst evergreen trees try to stay away from all-green exterior colors to make their home stand out amongst the background. Natural wood siding that is stained is common amongst mountain homes to give a rustic yet still defined exterior appearance.

10. Blend in with your neighbors
Your neighborhood most likely has a color scheme influence already set in place. Whether you are a new neighborhood that a developer has created or you have an older home – walk around your neighborhood and assess existing homes. Look to see if your neighbors have coordinating styles or if they are all custom colors that don’t harmonize. The key to choosing exterior house colors is to be unique in your selections but still blend in beautifully with neighboring homes.

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Spacious Modern Loft in Kiev Decorated with Stylish Details and Framed Cityscapes

This modern Kiev loft spreads over 270 square meters of minimalist space dotted with eye-catching details.  Slava Balbek and Sasha Ivasiv‘s collaborative efforts led to the creation of a contemporary apartment that offers escape from the bustle of city life. Within a spacious loft like this, architects imagined an open flow framed by decorations and framing views of the city’s icons via large windows. Located in a building overlooking one of the best views of the Dnieper River, the modern loft in Kiev was imagined as a collection of functional spaces.

The large living space includes a cooking space, dining area and working space, all bringing together the owners and their family and friends in a far from crowded atmosphere. Catching glimpses of the Mariinsky Park from the living room and the dome covering Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Monastery of the Caves) from the bedroom, you could find yourself drawn to living between the informal interiors and the cityscape. Natural materials and carefully chosen, uniquely manufactured decor, furniture and lighting mostly made in Ukraine make this modern loft in Kiev a stylish one. Private spaces are made up of two bedrooms with walk-in closets and a shared bathroom showcasing a fuel barrel sink and a molten countertop.

Can you find any other details you love in this modern loft in Kiev?

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