Design Notes
Are you feeling like something needs to change inside your home? Tired of the same old decor pieces greeting you when you come home? Maybe your taste in style has changed, and you’re looking for a little update? The good news is you don’t have to do a full-blown renovation to achieve your goal; sometimes, it takes a little freshening up to update your home. A new art piece, sofa, window treatments, and even hardware can transform your droopy interior into a brand new space. At Greenbrook Design, we are an authorized vendor for over 20 companies that cover everything from furniture to the fine details. Today, we talk about five easy ways to revamp your home and how we can help.
Updating Your Hardware
Almost nothing can make as big a difference as easily as updating your hardware, especially the kitchen. It can take a simple space and replace it with a stunning one. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started:
- Measure and count: Before selecting your new hardware, be sure to count how many you need and the size of your current hardware. This will help you know exactly what you are looking for, instead of falling in love with a piece only to discover that it is not the right length or not enough.
- Knob or pulls: It’s important to know which one you want. Pulls are rising in popularity, especially with the older generation, since they are easier to open and fit in with the living-in-place design. Many companies, however, are providing a blend of options, meaning that one style comes in both knobs and pulls, making it easy to mix it up.
- What kind of finish: Gold, bronze, polished nickel, and matte black are only a few of the options available for hardware colors. This broad palette means more of you can go into the design. Maybe you want a simplistic style, such as a warm metal, or maybe you want contrast by pairing black hardware with white cabinets. There is no limit to the fun you can have with hardware.
We are dealers for multiple brands, including Top Knobs, Berenson, Hardware Resources, and Jeffery Alexander, and we feature displays with samples of their products. When you visit our showroom, be sure to mention that you want to browse our collection or visit our resource page to see the complete line offered by each company.
Updating Light Fixtures
Light. It has the power to transform a space just by turning on the switch. They have also evolved over the decades to be more than just a source of illumination and into a more artful piece. From scones to chandeliers, each serves a purpose and creates a specific atmosphere. Here are some reasons and benefits of updating your light fixtures.
- Saves money: LED light bulbs are more energy efficient than the old standards, meaning when you update them, you will see a savings in your utility bill.
- Sets the mood: Light plays a key role in the atmosphere of your home. Warm lights provide a calm environment, while bright lights give off a happy, energetic vibe. Updating the lights in your home according to each area and its purpose can help increase productivity and your family’s mood.
- Visual interest: Many light manufacturers now design pieces for style as much as for function. From elegant chandeliers to unique wall sconces, bright colors, and warm woods, the options are endless, meaning that by simply changing out a few light fixtures, your space can look completely different.
New lights can add so much to a space, helping to create just the right update and atmosphere for your family to enjoy. Crystorama, Hudson Lighting, and Circa Lighting are only a few of the brands we are authorized dealers for. Visit this page to see more styles and sizes available to you, or visit our showroom where we have many on display for you to see.
Using Artwork To Update Your Home
Art is an expression of you and speaks to everyone differently. It adorns our walls not to simply fill a space but to tell a story. How you see things in life or what you value can often be seen through the art in your home. It is also a great way to add some pops of color and visual interest to your space without redoing or renovating the area. Some ways to do this include:
- Focal point: Size plays a big part in achieving a focal point in the room with art. It needs to be large enough to catch the eye but not so large that it engulfs everything else in the room. A fun print can also help draw the eye to it as soon as one is in the room, so don’t be afraid to go bold.
- Color pop: Bright palettes can add just the right amount of pizazz to a room and even depth through the use of darker colors. Certain colors, such as oranges and reds, can be too strong if used in abundance, but an art piece can be the perfect solution.
- Texture: A canvas with layered artwork or formed with unique materials such as fabric or glass can add beautiful texture to the room, making it a great conversational piece.
- Representational: Again, art is meant to represent you and is a great way to bring a little of your personality into your home.
We believe that art is one of the simplest ways to freshen up your home and give it a makeover without the hassle. Browse our gallery of dealers and find some pieces that will update your home elegantly.
Updating Your Home Through Furniture
Furniture is probably among the least changed items in the home, right after your mattress. We use them every day, yet we hardly think about replacing them. In fact, many of us would have to say that some of our pieces are older than our children. It can, however, be the simplest way to completely update the feel of your home and is considered a great tool by many interior designers. When looking to purchase, keep these things in mind.
- Size: This is important when thinking about what to put in a room. You don’t want to put an oversized chair in a space, leaving no room for much else. Nor do you want to have things dwarfed by the large area. Size and placement are key to creating just the right homey feel for any room in the home, so be sure to know the size of the space and of the pieces you want to buy.
- Color: A blue couch, a patterned chair, or maybe a painted coffee table. These are a few of the ways color can be used to brighten up your room. Don’t be afraid to add some pops of color throughout your space or to think outside the box of design rules. Your house means your rules.
- Style: Farmhouse, modern, traditional, or even grand millennial, there are so many styles and designs just waiting for you to discover. No matter your taste, there is something there for everyone, and the perfect way to express yourself in your home.
- Function: Think about what needs to take place in this space and how the furniture can help accomplish those tasks. Looking for a little more storage in the kitchen? Consider adding a bench with hidden compartments or a hutch. Furniture and function go hand in hand.
Because furniture works well as a whole, you don’t have to replace everything in a room to make it look new or updated. Blending something new with what is already there can change the entire space, so don’t feel overwhelmed. Just start where you want and add as needed. Read here to find out more ways furniture can help freshen up your space. We love our dealers from Europe to you, Moe’s, and Dovetail, just to name a few. Check them and the many others we have listed on our site, and don’t forget to check out their amazing galleries.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
Walker WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
Walker Woodworking 
Walker Woodworking