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TheBlog
Welcome to my blog! I hope you enjoy my updates on design trends, interior design tips and more!
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The Heart of Every Home:
Remodeling a Kitchen Built for Togetherness There’s a reason every great gathering somehow ends up in the kitchen. No matter how thoughtfully you design your living room or how comfortable the outdoor space may be, people naturally gravitate toward the warmth, smells, and connection that a kitchen offers. It isn’t just a place to prepare meals, it’s the heart of the home, the place where conversations unfold, memories are made, and life simply feels fuller. ✨ The Essence The
Chris Hains
Nov 193 min read
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Falling into Style
A timeless approach to color and design that evolves with every season Choosing the perfect color for your walls can feel like a...
Chris Hains
Oct 264 min read
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Read a Floor Plan Like a Pro
Decode Your Remodel Planning a remodel of your Fort Collins home is exciting—but once you see that first set of drawings, it can also feel like learning a new language. The dense lines, symbols, and abbreviations can be intimidating at first glance. You’re not an architect, so how are you supposed to make sense of it all? Many homeowners worry that if they don’t fully understand their plans, they might miss important details, leading to costly surprises or a finished space th
Chris Hains
Oct 203 min read
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From My Home to Yours
Where Life, Family, and Design Come Together Home has always been more than walls and furniture; it’s the place where our lives unfold,...
Chris Hains
Oct 63 min read
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Get Spooky Without the Sprawl
Festive Ideas That Feel Fun, Not Cluttered It’s time to start thinking about Halloween! Did you know it’s one of the most decorated...
Chris Hains
Oct 12 min read
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Happy Fall!
A SIMPLE GUIDE TO PRACTICAL MAINTENANCE AND COZY DESIGN The days are getting shorter, and there’s a new crispness in the air. For many...
Chris Hains
Sep 223 min read
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More than Meets the Eye
Beyond Paint Colors and Cabinet Knobs It's a common misconception that a professional designer's role begins and ends with picking out...
Chris Hains
Sep 82 min read
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From Safe to Statement
YOUR HOME'S FRESH START BEGINS WITH A BOLD NEW VISION Every remodel is a journey of transformation, but sometimes, that journey starts...
Chris Hains
Aug 243 min read
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A+ Spaces for Real Life
Designing a Kitchen Island That Works as Hard as You Do Creating spaces that work for your family's real life is the goal of any great...
Chris Hains
Aug 191 min read
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The DesignBuild Difference
HOW OUR INTEGRATED TEAM CREATES A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE When you begin to dream up a new kitchen or bathroom , you’ll quickly realize you...
Chris Hains
Aug 193 min read
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Budget-Friendly Upgrades
REFRESH YOUR HOME WITHOUT A FULL REMODEL Your home is your sanctuary, but sometimes it just doesn’t feel right. Maybe the colors feel tired, the fixtures look dated, or the overall vibe is stale. The dream of a full, transformative remodel can feel out of reach, but the good news is you don’t have to wait. There are a number of smart, budget-friendly upgrades you can make that provide a massive return on investment, both in your home’s value and your personal enjoyment of it.
Chris Hains
Aug 194 min read
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Beat The Heat
Enjoy Your Northern Colorado Outdoor Space All Summer Long! Summer is in full swing here in Northern Colorado, and the hottest days are...
Chris Hains
Jul 212 min read
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The Remodeling Triangle
How Forge & Essence Balances Your NoCo Project Embarking on a remodel brings common anxieties: budget, quality, and timeline. These...
Chris Hains
Jul 194 min read
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Bring the Sunshine In
Cultivating Summer Vibes Indoors! Summer in Northern Colorado is all about embracing the bright, cheerful energy of the season, and why...
Chris Hains
Jul 182 min read
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What is 'Scope Creep'?
The dreaded "scope creep" can derail your Northern Colorado remodel with unexpected additions and changes, inflating your budget and timeline. At Forge & Essence, we understand this homeowner's fear. Discover how our integrated design-build approach, rooted in detailed upfront planning, provides the clarity and control you need for a stress-free experience.
Chris Hains
Jul 175 min read
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How do you begin the New Year?
My husband and I begin the new year by purging before the New Year. Someone told me it was good luck, so fingers crossed because my house...
Chris Hains
Jan 25, 20242 min read
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3 Products You Need to Preserve the Beauty of Your Counters
Often times homeowners are stuck wondering how they can preserve their new counters and what the general upkeep is on after they have new...
Chris Hains
Jul 14, 20232 min read
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How to use Accents to Add Character to a Room
Are you looking to add character to a room in your home and unsure where to start? Using accents within a room can be a great way to add...
Chris Hains
Jun 26, 20232 min read
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The Great Paint Debate
I have always been a Sherwin-Williams fan, so I usually, by default, recommend Sherwin-Williams. My very reliable painter prefers Sherwin...
Chris Hains
Apr 17, 20234 min read
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Let's Talk... the 5th wall, aka. the Ceiling.
Design, for me, has always been about exploring new ways to push boundaries and break rules, creating beautiful spaces unique and...
Chris Hains
Mar 16, 20232 min read
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