Interior & Exterior Design Tips

Interior & Exterior Design Tips

Explore Design Tips

Creative Ways to Decorate with House Numbers

Creative Ways to Decorate with House Numbers

If you're looking to jazz up the front of your home then there's no better way to do it than with a gorgeous address display made from our quality, real steel. Put your home's exterior on display and proudly showcase your home's address with an outdoor sign that says it all.

Read More
The Art of Gift Giving

The Art of Gift Giving

Looking for a thoughtful gift to give to a special person in your life? Today's blog post explains in detail what makes a great gift and how to personalize it to the giftee's taste! Keep reading to get all the details!

Read More
AfterPay at RealSteel Center

Don't pay it all at once!

Whether it's a special gift for someone or the perfect custom addition to your own home, ordering from RealSteel is super easy!

Read More
Symbols of St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day Symbols

Background St Patrick is one of the patron saints of Ireland. He is said to have died on March 17 in or around the year 493. He grew up in Roman Britain, but was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave when he was a young adult. After some years he returned to his family and entered the church, like his father and grandfather before him. He later returned to Ireland as a missionary and worked in the north and west of the country. According to popular legend, St Patrick rid Ireland of snakes. However, it is thought that there have been no snakes in Ireland since the last ice age. The "snakes" that St Patrick banished from Ireland, may refer to the druids or pagan worshipers of snake or serpent gods. He is said to be buried under Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, Ireland. Ireland’s other patron saints are St Brigid and St Columba. Luke Wadding, a Franciscan scholar born in 1588 in Waterford, on the south coast of Ireland, was influential in ensuring that the anniversary of St Patrick's death became a feast day in the Catholic Church. Many Catholic churches traditionally move St Patrick's Day to another date if March 17 falls during Holy Week. Many immigrants from Ireland fled to other parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many Irish customs, including the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, became quite popular in these countries. However, much of the interest in the St Patrick’s Day events is largely commercially driven in the 21st century. Symbols of St. Patrick's Day The most common St Patrick's Day symbol is the shamrock. The shamrock is the leaf of the clover plant and a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Many people choose to wear the color green and the flag of the Republic of Ireland is often seen in St Patrick’s Day parades around the world. Irish brands of drinks are popular at St Patrick’s Day events. Some say that Saint Patrick added the sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross. Other Irish-related symbols seen on St Patrick’s Day include the harp, which was used in Ireland for centuries, as well as a mythological creature known as the leprechaun and a pot of gold that the leprechaun keeps hidden.

Read More
How to Decorate for Halloween

How to Decorate for Halloween

We’re just a few days out from Halloween. If pumpkins, goblins, and ghosts are on your mind and you wonder how to decorate for Halloween, there are a few things you can do without blowing your budget. Here are our tips on how to decorate for Halloween for any budget. Identify Your Decorating Areas First, you need to decide where you’re decorating. Whether you have a small apartment or a sprawling ranch home, you can find some great options for any of these spaces: Front door Front yard Fireplace mantle Coffee table Stairs Bookshelves Ceiling One of the most popular places for  Halloween decor is the door, especially if you plan on hosting a Halloween party. Hang a whimsical witch sign or opt for the traditional black cat — both will add the perfect touch of spooky but welcoming. They’ll also hold up to the weather thanks to a protective coating. Other ways to decorate your door for Halloween can include covering it with plastic spiders or draping fake cobwebs around a black twig wreath. A fireplace mantle is a great place for your decorative Halloween touches. Gather fake bats, skulls, witches hats, dusty old books, and other supplies from your local dollar store to make a creepy little vignette. You can even transform empty bottles into potion bottles by spray painting them with a nice matte black or silver spray paint. The dollar store also sells decorative figurines that go from cute to creepy with a bit of paint. No mantle? Use a black tray and arrange things on it then place on a coffee table or console table. Think outside the box. If you have a staircase in your home, don’t neglect this great area for a steel sign or other Halloween decorations. Stick a few spiders up the wall or cover the banister in cobwebs. If you have room, accent the landing with a fake haybale or pumpkin. Your bookshelves are a great piece to showcase your Halloween decor. Display any of your horror or ghost stories all together by stacking them into a pile and placing a fake skull or rat on top. If you’re having a Halloween party, don’t overlook the ceiling. A creepy touch can be accomplished by attaching a banner of ravens, skulls, bats, or spiders along the ceiling. Your guests will look up and get a little fright, especially if the hanging creatures look realistic. Get Spooky Outside In addition to hanging a decorative Halloween sign on your door, you can decorate your home’s exterior. Try propping a plastic skeleton in the yard, or make a set of custom styrofoam tombstones with names like “BARRY M. DEEP”. A hanging ghost is easy to create with an inflated beach ball, an old sheet, and some twine to hang it from a tree or deck. Plant a set of fake bones into your backyard or in a wheelbarrow. Take a look at what your home looks like from the outside. Is it spooky enough? Try adding a ghost in the window or hanging a series of bats along the windowsill. If your Halloween taste is a bit darker, use fake blood decals or caution tape. If you’re feeling crafty, a set of DIY Halloween window silhouettes is a great budget-conscious decor choice. RealSteel hopes you have a happy and safe Halloween this season. We’d be honored to be part of your Halloween traditions, and take pride in offering holiday seasons that last year after year. It's not too late to order your Halloween signs!

Read More
Vintage sign touches for the home

Vintage sign touches for the home

How to decorate with vintage accents Looking for a little throwback style in your home? If you want to have a unique decorative accent for your space choose a vintage sign or piece of wall art. A vintage-inspired piece of art is a great departure from the standard cookie-cutter wall art from a big-box store and will add character to any room. Looking for a dose of nostalgia? Here’s how to incorporate a vintage piece in your decorating style. Choose 1 or 2 central pieces The rule of decorating is “less is more.” Don’t let any of your furnishings overpower the room. Crowding your wall with a series of vintage or retro signs can be distracting and take attention away from your pieces. So choose 1 or 2 central pieces to accentuate the space. For example, if you love vintage or antique vehicles, you can shop for a vintage garage-themed sign. Made of 100% USA steel, this sign is available in several different vehicle designs including Pickup Truck, Chevy Nova, Mercury Cougar, and Volkswagen Beetle.   Find a piece that matches your theme Decorating with a vintage style is easy when you have a theme. If you were looking to decorate your garage then the above vintage car wall art is a perfect pick. For the kitchen, you might go with a cheery “Eat” sign or a farmhouse-inspired animal wall art. The best approach is to look for the right piece for the right room or overall theme. You might even let the vintage art inform what theme you go for. For instance, the farmhouse-inspired animal wall art is a perfect start to a French Country kitchen. Express your personality Don’t be afraid to show your personality with vintage pieces. If you love photography, for example, you might display a series of vintage cameras or maybe framed antique photos. The same can be said for a love of collectible cars or any other hobby. A vintage sign is the best way to add a piece of your personality and flair. Where to decorate with vintage style The beauty of decorating with vintage style is that it fits in anywhere. Your vintage sign will look great in any room provided you hang it with care as we explained above. When it comes to decorating, you should always focus on pieces that reflect your home, personality, and interests. Choosing a vintage sign gives you a great chance to do all three, and lets you have an interesting piece for your space. These signs aren’t sold in stores and therefore, they have an elegance and character that can’t be replicated by big-box stores. RealSteel takes pride in offering a variety of vintage-inspired designs and we continue to grow our catalog of unique furnishings for your home.

Read More
Choosing Wall Colors

Choosing Wall Colors

If you decide to paint a wall or entire room in your home, what goes into choosing the right wall colors? Walking into a hardware store or browsing online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the different shades...

Read More
How to Decorate a Foyer

How to Decorate a Foyer

It’s one of the most important areas in the home, but many people don’t know how to decorate a foyer or entryway. The foyer is the space where you enter your apartment or home...

Read More
Tips for Decorating Children's Room

Tips for Decorating Children's Room

One of the chief concerns for parents when preparing to welcome a child into their home is how to decorate their child’s bedroom. Not only do you have to buy functional furniture, but...

Read More
Decor Trends for 2019

Decor Trends for 2019

The new year is a great time to embrace change and for things to begin anew. You may decide to apply that same approach to your decor. If so, you’re likely wondering what are decor trends for 2019. Is 2019 dominated by 2018’s same preference for shiplap and rose gold accents? Not really. The trends for 2019 that have interior designers buzzing are natural, big, and bold, though not all at once. Let’s look at what you can expect to see in the decorating world this year. Big, Bold, and Beautiful Color trends for 2019 can best be described as big, bold, and beautiful. Think reds, greens, and blues. It’s all about making a statement and these colors are ideal. According to ELLE Decor, designers are particularly in love with green jewel tones like an emerald. Another way to embrace the bold is with the use of the color black, particularly matte black. Black is the new wave for kitchens, says HGTV and other design experts. The all-white kitchen look is no longer so adored. Black will show up in cabinetry, fixtures, and backsplashes. Consider choosing a simple accent piece like a stainless steel sign to pair with your black palette. Sustainable and Natural Design Eco-conscious consumers will be happy to learn the decor trends for 2019 include reclaimed wood and other sustainable materials. Designers also focus on bringing elements of nature indoors with big plants such as snake plants, palm trees, and rubber trees. Homeowners are starting to emphasize natural fabrics and neutral textiles for a minimal yet homey feel. Play with Patterns Matchy-matchy textiles are out, and pattern mixing is in. Designers say homeowners and tenants shouldn’t be afraid to mix patterns in a space, whether with pillows, tile, wallpaper, furniture, or rugs. Patterns and textiles make an attractive combination for any space. Be bold and start mixing patterns. If you can’t bring yourself to pair a leopard print with some polka dots, try at least having non-matching pillows on your couch. Furniture Trends We can’t forget furniture when we focus on what are decor trends for 2019. While mid-century modern furniture stays popular thanks to its simple lines, designers are also embracing art deco pieces, multi-functional pieces, and curvy 1970s throwback looks. Last but not least, look to your local artisans for great pieces: custom hand-crafted work is having its day. Cozy and Comfortable We’re all in need of comfort, it seems. Designers say that the Scandinavian lifestyle of hygge is still going strong. Hygge has led to designing rooms that are cozy and intimate with maximum emphasis on comfort in the form of textiles, upholstered headboards, and soft plush beds. Ceiling Acclaim Interior designers are incorporating ceilings into their design schemes for 2019. Where before they might accent the ceiling with a chic lamp, now designers are getting bolder with painted ceilings. Paint your ceiling with a bold accent color to set off neutral furniture or let it contrast with a wallpapered wall. If you feel daring, use geometrics or stripes to really make a statement ceiling. Your visitors will find themselves looking up the moment they step into your space. Get Gold Get ready for gold accents throughout homes in 2019. Gold will be favored in picture frames, wall hangings, furniture, and other pieces. The metal isn’t just for the bedroom or living room, however, as it will also find its way into the bathroom and the kitchen. Gold appliances are catching attention, especially when they’re paired with chic matte black. Who said you can’t have glam in any space? These are just a few answers as to what are the decor trends for 2019. The interior design trends and consumer tastes will evolve over time but these trends stood out. It doesn’t matter if you’re a homeowner or a renter, you can find a way to incorporate some of these exciting and chic new ways to decorate in your home. We hope you’ll consider RealSteel for some of your decorative accents as we only manufacture handcrafted pieces that stand the test of time.Interior images courtesy of elledecor.com / hgtv.com

Read More
How to Decorate a Small Space

How to Decorate a Small Space

Studios, apartments, bungalows, tiny homes  have one thing in common: they’re small. Spaces that have a lower amount of square footage can pose a decorating challenge. Even if you live in a shoe box, you can create a warm and open space that reflects your personality. Be strategic about how you decorate your studio or space. The focus should be on creating a balance between the things you need, such as furniture, and the pieces that are for aesthetics. Here are a few tips on how to decorate a small space and make sure it feels cozy and chic, not cramped and bleak. Reduce the Clutter Small space means you should have small amounts of “stuff.” It doesn’t matter how beautifully decorated your small space, clutter can make it feel claustrophobic. It will also appear smaller to the eye. When you live in a small space, storage is a luxury. Many homeowners will cram everything on their shelves or bookcases instead of reducing what they own. Maximize the space by keeping only the things you need and want. Keep the Floor Clear The floor may seem like a natural place for storage in a small space, but too many things on the floor lead to the space feeling cramped. Furniture has to take up space on the floor so you need to be careful about the other options near it. Floor lamps, storage trunks, nightstands, and other small yet unwieldy pieces can steal valuable space. Consider using Look for pieces that will let you use your wall space well, such as sconces and floating shelves. A piece of art or a steel sign can be a replacement for a traditional headboard that sits on the floor. Use Mirrors Mirrors are an interior decorator’s best friend. A well-placed mirror helps make any size space look larger. Placing mirrors in your gallery wall or using a floor-length mirror will draw the eye up toward the ceiling. Mirrors also help make a space lighter as they reflect it. When placing your mirror, set it near a lightning source. Don’t think that you’re forced to just use wall or floor mirrors, however, as mirrored furniture can also create the same effect. Be Clever with Storage When you don’t have ample square feet, you’re often forced to think more creatively about storage. Look for pieces that feature storage compartments so you reduce shelf clutter. Storage beds are a great solution for small spaces or studio apartments. They can often double as a dresser and store linens or clothing. If you want to have an ottoman in your space, go for one that will let you store blankets or magazines out of sight. As you focus on how to decorate your small space, consider how it will function and what you want it to include. Decorating is about finding the pieces that accent your space well, and that will reflect your personality. We founded RealSteel when we discovered that the retail space lacked quality steel signs with artwork we loved. We hope our customers can use these handcrafted made-in-America signs to make their space into a welcoming home.

Read More
Steel and Its Use in Your Home: Why Steel Decor is On-Trend

Steel and Its Use in Your Home: Why Steel Decor is On-Trend

Steel is a durable and strong material that lasts a lifetime, yet can be molded to fit your needs. The timeless versatility of steel decor has made it so popular today for a variety of design styles...

Read More