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Give your bedroom a quick makeover

Tue, 25 May 2021 05:49:42 GMT

Float Your Furniture

Instead of oversized furniture, opt for minimalist, low-to-the-ground beds and nightstands that are built into the wall for a sleek floating effect. Not only will your room look less cluttered, but it's also a lifesaver if you've got a small bedroom.

Use Wood for Your Ceiling

If you want to introduce more warmth and texture to your space, consider a wood ceiling. It is full of rich texture and pattern, yet remains neutral and calming

Upholster the Walls

Moody gray velvet walls and a matching headboard bring a smoky, textural allure to an otherwise white, bright, and airy space. No artwork is needed, as these soft upholstered walls speak for themselves.

Loosen Things Up

Loose linens make for an effortlessly chic bed situation while an antique floor mirror and structural pendant light dress things up. When sticking to one neutral color family, be sure to introduce plenty of varying textures for a more robust look.

Add a Fun Headboard

A wide upholstered headboard brings more fabric into a bedroom, while enabling the integration of eclectics.

Have Fun With Wallpaper

Fun wallpaper is an easy way to add personality without taking up any precious surface space. And of course, smart storage is essential in a bedroom. A spacious dresser is a great option.

Pick a Motif

Bison drawings, patterned pillows, cool textiles—check, check, check. A Southwestern bedroom is so chic, it's making us rethink our whole design aesthetic. Whether you choose a bison motif or not, anchoring your decor scheme around some artwork is a great way to start the design process.

Get Creative

When space is limited, you'll have to get crafty and choose multi-purpose pieces. For example, a side chair can function as a seat or as a bedside table. Wall sconces help free up surface space, too, without making you forgo a night light.

Use Vertical Space

To take advantage of vertical space and display your decor out in the open, install a floating shelf. This will help clear up usable space for the essentials.

Repaint Your Walls

Instead of sticking with plain white walls, considering another neutral that adds a subtle yet bold twist. For a moodier bedroom that isn't full-on dark, try a steel blue gray, then lighten things up with colorful linens and keep things streamlined with bright a white ceiling and modern bedside sconce.

Less Is More

A simple show-stopping four poster bed, loose linen bedding, and an elegant side table. It really doesn't need anything else to feel like a sanctuary.

Install Smart Lighting

Bedside sconces are a guaranteed way to make your bedroom look and feel as fresh as a 5-star hotel room. White and light gray bedding soften up a dark wood side table and moodier wallpaper. A high-quality candle in a scent you love will also make you feel so much calmer and ready for rest.

Strive for Simplicity

Though there's not a lot going on, a minimalist bedroom projects a strong sense of personal style. A frameless round mirror, next to wrinkled linen bedding and plain black metal side table. Simply blissful.

Put out Fresh Flowers

As simple as it sounds, adding a fresh bouquet of flowers on the bedside table can make a huge difference.

Get Scrappy

When you're on a tight budget or aren't sure how long you'll be in a certain space, it may not be the right time to invest in furniture. But that doesn't mean you can't style a bedroom that feels both beautiful and fully functional. Here's a perfect example. A repurposed side chair can work as a bedside table and a fresh coat of calming blue paint can make everything look put together.

Keep It Classic

A four-poster black bed frame and black-and-white color palette can make a bedroom feel timeless. A little writing desk and indoor tree make it a great workspace, too. Pro tip: Hang your curtains super high up to elongate the ceilings.

Introduce Interesting Artwork

Investing in classic staples is always a good idea. This way, you can swap out more on-trend items with your decor. If you love the traditional look but want to make it feel modern, add a photograph.

Laid-Back Contemporary

A sea blue rug and white walls and beams can create a light and airy feel. Exposed wood accents and modern art up the contemporary vibes.

Go Sexy

Black might sound scary, but it looks totally sexy in a bedroom . To keep it from feeling too dark, opt for white bedding and make sure you have enough natural light in the room. A plant will also liven things up.

Reduce waste with these organizing tips!

Thu, 13 May 2021 05:47:51 GMT

*Baby Food Jars

Transform those little glass jars into handy storage for small items like push pins, ponytail holders and more. Unscrew the lid from the jar, then glue a small wooden drawer knob in the center of the lid. Spray paint the lid and knob your favorite color and let dry before placing back on the jar. Use these cute containers as storage or to gift small items like candy or nail polish.

*Tin Cans

Light up summer nights by turning old soup and vegetable cans into glittering luminaries.

*Old Paint Cans

In just a few hours, empty paint cans can be transformed into colorful, industrial-chic planters by removing labels, adding drainage holes and applying leftover or sample-size paint.

*Egg Crates

Is your embroidery thread stash in desperate need of organization? What about your bobby pins, nuts and bolts, or batteries? Keep small items easily corralled with the help of a leftover egg carton.

*Pill Bottles

Looking for a clever way to hide a key that will fool even the cleverest of thieves? Simply remove the label and lid of an empty pill bottle and glue a rock to the top of the lid using heavy-duty super glue. Once dry, drop a key into the bottle, replace the lid and bury until only the rock is visible.

*Cereal Boxes

Don’t toss those family-sized cereal boxes – repurpose them as magazine organizers! Carefully cut the cereal boxes at an angle from the top, using sharp scissors or a craft knife. Cover with wrapping paper, wallpaper or contact paper to keep issues of your favorite magazines stylishly organized.

*Tea Tins

If you've always wanted to keep herbs indoors but simply don't have the counter space, this smart upcycling project will have you cooking with fresh ingredients in no time.

*CD Case

Keep your TP free of bugs and debris on a camping trip by turning an empty cd spindle into a handy tissue container.

Quick and easy DIY Storage Solutions

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 05:46:05 GMT

*Blanket Ladder

Put your favorite throws on display with a DIY blanket ladder. It’ll free up space in your closet and serve as a stylish accent for your home.

*Mobile Toy Box

Upgrade a basic plastic storage bin into a portable toy box with jute rope, fun fabric, and metal casters. Before company comes over, you can toss toys and other clutter into the bin and roll it out of the way.

*Ladder Shelf

Convert an old wooden ladder into a statement storage piece for your home. Fill it with books, plants, framed photos, or anything else you want to showcase.

*Kitchen Island on Wheels

If your kitchen cabinets are overflowing, build a rolling island that’ll hold a stand mixer, sheet pans, cutting boards and more. Ideal for small spaces, this storage solution easily slides out when you need it and neatly tucks away when you don’t.

*Coffee Can Bag Dispenser

Plastic grocery bags are handy to have around the house but can be unruly to store. Turn an empty coffee can into a clever bag dispenser by cutting an X-shaped slit in the center of the lid using a utility knife. Cover the canister with colorful cardstock and decorate with stick-on letters. Roll plastic bags together in a tight circle (like a sleeping bag) and place them in the canister, threading the first bag through the slit.

*Five-Gallon Bucket Tote

Transform a plastic bucket into an adorable (and sturdy!) storage tote. It’s perfect for stashing oversized toys and stuffed animals in a kid's bedroom.

*Bathroom Ladder Shelf

Add extra storage space to a small bathroom with a leaning ladder shelf designed to fit over the toilet. It won't damage the walls with nails or screws, so it’s great for renters.

Quick Design Ideas to Try NOW!

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 05:44:03 GMT

*Create a Black and White Gallery Wall

The key to a successful black-and-white wall is mixing pieces that are primarily black with others that are mostly white. Throwing in a few wood frames keeps the combo from looking too stark. Hang the lowest row first with the frames lined up at the bottom, then build up from there.

*Organize Countertop Accessories in Groups of Three

No need to put everything away—make countertop workhorses look stylish with a simple 1,2,3 formula. Try combining kitchenware that sets a mood. A mix of red gingham, rattan and bright accessories gives off a fun, picnic-in-the-kitchen vibe.

*Mix and Match Bathroom Fixture Metals

People get hung up on metal finishes needing to match. A blue vanity and white marble countertop are a neutral canvas for bronze faucets, brass cabinet knobs/pulls and brass sconces.

*Turn Chalkboard Paper into Fun Placemats

Looking to add some excitement to a holiday table setting? Bring in unexpected elements, like chalkboard paper (available at crafts stores) as a place mat, topped with a buffalo-check plate and rose gold flatware. Write guests’ names with a chalk pencil: “It’s easier to use than regular chalk.”

*Add Black to Your Dining Room

Using black in interior design can be daunting (especially in an inviting space like a dining room), but the tried-and-true black-and-white combination actually works in any room! Teaming up black-and-white with wood tones and a multicolor rug makes a dining space feel homey.

*Install Wall Tile Vertically

Walls of black subway tile may seem like a dubious choice for a small area, but the vertical placement draws the eye up while the glazed ceramic reflects light.

*Paint Cabinets Two Different Colors

Pick a navy for the lower cabinets and white for the uppers. You’ll love the results!

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 05:42:33 GMT

*Replace batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. Be sure to test them.

*Clean gutters

*Inspect roof for any damage

*Schedule a heating/ac/ inspection

*Change air filters (this should be done monthly)

*Inspect siding /masonry for any damage

*Inspect attic/crawl space for any leaks/animals

*Check fire extinguishers

Quick And Easy Projects That Can Get The Most Bang For Your Buck

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 05:40:48 GMT

*Add usable square footage - Adding more usable space to an existing home can make a lot of financial sense. Think enclosed patios or mother-in-law suites

*Clean and declutter - Cleaning and decluttering is inexpensive, but it still requires a lot of work. Go through cabinets and closets so you can make a donation pile. Clean out drawers and other storage areas of your home as well, making sure you’re not keeping anything you don’t need or want.

*Make your home more efficient - The right smart thermostat will allow a homeowner to control their home’s climate from anywhere, giving them the power to manage energy costs. Such an investment in home tech highlights the home’s overall comfort, functionality, energy efficiency and convenience. Other ways to improve your home’s efficiency include replacing old, leaky windows, buying energy-efficient home appliances, and adding insulation to your home.

*Spruce it up with fresh paint and flooring - Paint is magic, and that’s true whether you’re upgrading the paint inside or outside your home. A fresh coat of paint can make even dated exteriors and interiors look fresh and new, and it’s not that expensive.

*Work on your curb appeal - A new paver patio or outdoor kitchen can add to your home’s value and make your property a lot more enjoyable when the weather is nice. Planting flowers in pots add instant color

*Upgrade exterior doors - The front of the home is the first thing you, and your neighbors will see. Garage doors often take up the most amount of space on the front of your home, so installing a modern glass panel door or a rustic wood door will dramatically improve your home’s appearance.

Create a Backyard Oasis

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 04:36:19 GMT

Create a Backyard Oasis

Modern Cement Slab Patio with an Outdoor Kitchen

A modern patio with cement slabs laid in a geometric pattern, intermixed with small gravel and grass makes a perfect setting. Sitting on a larger slab, place a round table and surround it with green, outdoor dining chairs. Feature an outdoor bar with a stainless-steel grill, a small fridge and counter space. Place a wood L-shaped bench on one end of the patio, to create a secondary sitting area.

A Relaxing Backyard Oasis with a Hanging Rattan Chair

Turn a backyard into an outdoor oasis with the help of a large shade tree filled and rattan lanterns. Hanging from the tree, a rattan lounge chair creates the perfect relaxation spot. Lush landscaping and a modern wood fence ensure the outdoor space has lots of privacy and a large dose of nature.

A Vibrant Backyard with a Modern Wood Fence

A backyard oasis can be created with the help of a gravel-filled garden, a tiered stone fountain and lush landscaping. Add a large umbrella to provide ample shade and two lounge chairs nesting within the lush landscaping. Providing plenty of privacy to the backyard, install a modern fence to line the outdoor spaces' perimeter.

A Relaxing Backyard Featuring a Wood Patio

For a cottage-style home, add sliding doors that open to a wood patio. On top of the wood patio, place lounge furniture around a modern fire pit, creating the perfect conversation spot. A large umbrella can be used to cover the entire patio, ensuring the entire outdoor space stays shaded.

An Outdoor Sitting Area that Features a Raised Wood Deck

Create a backyard oasis with the help of a raised wood deck, lush vegetation surrounding the sitting area and a large umbrella that provides ample shade to the space. A large modern fire pit placed between understated lounge furniture and potted plants will create that Zen feel.

A Relaxing Fountain

A stone fountain situated in the middle of a sparse, yet tasteful landscaped area will add that “spa” like feel. A stone fountain will blend seamlessly into the surrounding area that's filled with neutral, but vibrant colors of nature. Lush shrubs and towering trees spot the landscaped area, bringing touches of green to the outdoor space.

Defining a Traditional Kitchen

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 04:30:37 GMT

The traditional kitchen relies on simple design while making way for a few bold accents. For example, a white kitchen with black granite countertops might include a standout centerpiece, like a bold red kitchen island. These design choices maintain the overall look of a traditional kitchen while adding a bit of spunk to the design.

Traditional kitchens typically incorporate painted cabinets, simple granite or laminate countertops, and hardwood floors. The best traditional kitchens lean on classic elements. Freshen up the look by mixing in modern or industrial elements, like unique lighting fixtures or boldly painted walls.

All White Traditional Kitchen

An all-white color palette creates a crisp, fresh feel. Add stately cabinets and a gorgeous marble countertop to complete the look.

Navy Blue and White Kitchen

Traditional doesn't have to be boring. A kitchen that has traditional lines can use color in a fresh way by mixing classic white with bold navy cabinets and subtle turquoise undertones.

Family-Friendly Traditional Kitchen

A center island topped with beautiful marble, can create a large workspace for the family. Creamy cabinets paired with wood countertops and a farmhouse sink bring a trending touch to the space.

Light Bright

To add some attitude to a classic kitchen: install globe or chandelier lights and beautiful gold/glass sconces.

Boost your home’s storage space

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 04:01:39 GMT

With these 6 easy ideas

*Photo Ledge

Put your favorite family photos on display with a picture ledge. These simple shelves are also great for showcasing your child's most-read books as well.

*Upcycled Wooden Crates

Give new life to old wooden crates by upcycling them into a one-of-a-kind storage unit. You can customize the configuration of the crates to best fit your space.

*Pot Rack with Bonus Storage

Free up cabinet space by storing your pots, pans, cookbooks, and other kitchen essentials on a wall-mounted pot rack with a shelf.

*Open Kitchen Shelving

Lighten up the look and feel of your kitchen by replacing bulky upper cabinets with bracketed wood shelves.

*Oversized Cabinets

Extra-large cabinets are a great solution to garage clutter. Inexpensive and easy to assemble, they add plenty of storage space to keep everything neat and clutter free

*Pegboard Bar

Pegboards are great for organizing pantries, utility closets, mudrooms and even extra wine bottles!

Small Patios with a pop

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 04:00:24 GMT

Screen It

Frame a small patio with a bright lattice screen which will also enhance privacy.

Think Tall

With small spaces, sometimes the sky is the limit. Small spaces need an element to draw your eye up. When you add height, such as bamboo in a container, you don't need to spend money on plants to fill every space across the fence or wall.

Find a Fountain

The contained nature of a small urban courtyard gives you a huge opportunity to bring in a cool feature.

Use Black

Using a black railing can fit with traditional or modern architecture of a patio or porch, and it can help the railing, or a fence seem to fade away when you're trying to relax and enjoy the view. Spray-painting a chain link fence black will result in the fence being far less obvious and more likely to fade into the background than with a silver chain link fence.

End-of-Season Sales

In a small space, you are already saving money by not buying a big outdoor furniture set but cut your costs even more by visiting home decor and garden stores after Labor Day for end-of-season deals on items such as chairs. If you find a used set of chairs instead, you can spray paint the metal to freshen the finish,

Splash on a bit of Color

Recover wood or metal chairs in a fun fabric, to add panache to a bistro set.

Deck Spaces

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 03:58:19 GMT

Sunshine

A sun deck, clad in sustainable composite material, provides space to enjoy nature, sunbathe, or entertain friends and family.

Curves

A bold white circular pergola can provide a barbecue and dining area to wow the friends.

Year-Round

A covered patio, centered around a fireplace, creates a lounge area enjoyed all year long.

Rustic

Use a rustic picnic table as a focal point surrounded by a flowered courtyard. Surround the table with all-weather vinyl chairs and top with an oversized French candle lantern.

Grilling

A pergola with a retractable canopy creates the perfect space for a state-of-the-art grilling area. Add a granite-countertop bar for added pizazz.

Multifunctional

A multifunctional backyard allows for easy movement from the lounge area on the patio to the dining area, all shaded by a pergola.

Bathroom Updates For “Almost” Free

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 03:55:17 GMT

Bring Out the Bath Towels

Put pretty towels to work by artfully arranging them in a large basket or repurposed waste can. Display in an empty corner or under a floating or pedestal sink for a pop of cozy color.

Shop Your Yard

If your yard is teeming with gorgeous greenery, grab those clippers and put a few branches on display.

Paint One Wall

Repainting an entire room may not be in the budget, but you can pull off a small accent wall with a quart (or maybe even a sample can) of paint in a trendy color

Raise Your Curtain Rod

Add instant height and luxury to make your bathroom feel larger by raising your curtain rod almost to the ceiling. You might have to invest in a new, longer shower curtain.

Upgrade Your Wastebasket

Trash that cheap garbage can and shop your home for an unused woven basket or flowerpot that will fit the bill.

Decant

Ditch mismatched packaging and give your shower or bathroom sink a cohesive look by decanting store-bought shampoo, hand soap, shower gel and more into beautiful custom bottles.

Use Handy Organization

Look for creative alternatives to get organized. A vintage wire basket hung above the toilet makes a cute and accessible bin for storing extra toilet paper.

Paint the Door

Add a burst of welcoming color by painting the bathroom door a bold hue. If a colorful door won't match the rest of your home or experimenting with color makes you nervous, just paint the back for a fun surprise when the door is closed.

Add Storage with Shelves

Double or triple your storage potential by utilizing vertical space. Grab leftover boards from a project or reclaimed wood and turn them into floating shelves. A trio of shelves adds extra storage space for towels, toilet paper and toiletries.

Paint Colors that will Sell your Home

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 03:53:37 GMT

Kitchen: Warm Gray or White

Design pros believe that warm gray or classic white tones are best for painting interior rooms like the kitchen.

Living Room: White

When in doubt, white it out. Pros believe white paint will sell your home because not only does it provide future buyers with a blank slate, but it gives living rooms a fresh, well-kept appearance that appeals to the masses.

Bedrooms: White or Taupe

Airy white or soft taupe paint is a winning option for a best-selling bedroom

Bathroom: Pale Blue

Fresh, clean, and soothing – Pale blue is the best-selling hue for small spaces like the washroom or laundry room.

Exterior: White or Gray

First impressions are everything! Fresh white or gray exteriors will win the hearts of homebuyers. Not sure if gray or white is the best fit for your home’s façade? Choose a neutral paint color (think: greige, beige or taupe) that complements surrounding homes in your neighborhood and is in keeping with the architectural style of your home.

Overall: Neutrals

Cool neutral tones will remain the go-to hues for years to come. White, gray, beige and taupe tones are favorites for designers and homeowners alike because they work overtime to visually enlarge small spaces and brighten shadowy rooms. Neutral hues also enable potential buyers to better visualize themselves living in the home.

Prime Real Estate and Management

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 03:50:53 GMT

Best Flowers for Pots

Petunia

Look for the Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, a type of nonstop flowering, easy-growing petunia. It never needs to be deadheaded and still keeps blooming — and growing. Plants form a pretty mound 12 to 24 inches high with stems trailing up to 3 feet. It’s gorgeous in a pot, delivering punches of color until hard fall frost.

Snapdragon

For sunny spots and high heat, it’s tough to beat the flower show that summer snapdragon stages. Also known as Angelonia, this annual unfurls flower spikes in shades of purple, pink, white and bicolor blends. Blooms beckon butterflies all summer long and make perfect additions to garden-fresh bouquets.

Lantana

Lantana is a showstopper in container gardens, producing flowers in rich tones of pink, orange, gold and purple. Butterflies and hummingbirds adore lantana, so they'll attract wildlife to your garden. And lantana loves heat. Once temperatures start to sizzle, the flower fest begins and doesn't stop until fall frost.

Sunflower

Everybody loves sunflowers but not everybody has room for these towering plants. Sunray is a dwarf variety that gets just 22 inches high, making them the Munchkins of sunflowers, so they’re perfect for a pot. The compact plants bear as many as 14 blooms per stalk, with each flower measuring about 4 inches in diameter. They're annuals and they’re easy to grow from seed.

Marigolds

Marigolds are a classic sun-loving plant and they’re super easy to grow. Endurance marigolds are a hybrid that produce orange blooms measuring 3 inches across on plants that reach about a foot high. They're disease- and drought-resistant plants that bloom continuously all summer if you deadhead them.

Five Raised Garden Bed Ideas

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 03:48:13 GMT

Colorful Raised Bed
When raised beds are made from UV-stable polypropylene, they infuse a landscape with bold color year-round. Plastic beds provide long life and don’t rot like wood can. Be sure to choose materials that are UV-stable to prevent rapid breakdown by sun exposure.
Woven Wicker
There are a variety of materials that can be used to build a raised garden bed, such as woven wicker, giving a rustic English garden appearance.
Modern Metal
Metal raised beds blend artfully into a modern style landscape. Any metal is long-lasting and carefree.
High Beds
Tall, raised beds can make a small yard seem larger by injecting vertical interest. Taller beds take the backache out of ongoing plant maintenance by eliminating the stooping necessary to tend in-ground beds.
Boxed Garden
Oversized red cedar boxes allow you to create a custom raised bed garden design. Use boxes of varying sizes. Arrange the planter boxes in a design that makes the best use of your growing area, sunlight or yard shape. Long-lasting cedar is rot-resistant, making an ideal material for raised bed planters.

Raised Bed Liner
When the only spot you have for situating a raised bed is on a patio, deck or driveway, keep soil from washing out by installing a liner inside the raised bed frame. Look for one that features a patented double polypropylene fabric that lets water drain while keeping soil in place. It makes a great choice for laying over existing poor soil or grassy areas. The liner also keeps grass from invading the bed.

Five Houseplants for Good Feng Shui

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 03:47:03 GMT

Banana Leaf Plants
Looking for a head-turning houseplant that packs your home with good energy? Banana leaf plants are your answer. This bold grower towers over most others, offering an impressive statement in any room. Its energy evokes the message to strive for the light and to be flexible as we grow, which are powerful messages to keep in mind.

Aloe
Aloe plants provide a pretty, pop of green and an unmatched, calming quality to one’s home. The aloe plant is a favorite in feng shui because it "resonates with healing energy because it scrubs the air clean of toxins, as well as being antibacterial and an antioxidant. It’s healing properties extend to direct application for soothing burns and improving skin tone."

Rubber Plant
Rubber plants are great for novice green-thumbs, as they are easy to care for and offer ample elegance to one’s space. This glossy, green plant thrives in cool and low-light environments and promotes good feng shui by removing air toxins from indoor spaces, with ease. Bonus: the rubber plant boasts beautiful, round leaves that are said to represent abundance and wealth.

Succulents
Succulent plants are beloved houseplants because of their unique leaves and ability to add a modern, yet natural, element to any space. In feng shui, succulent plants serve as a reminder of the importance of creating the most favorable conditions for one to thrive.

Bamboo
Bamboo is the MVP of feng shui-friendly houseplants. People adore this cheerful plant for its exotic appearance, low maintenance, and rapid growth. Incorporate a bamboo plant at your workplace or living room to invite harmony, abundance, and good fortune.

The Best Indoor Lighting for your Plants

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 03:45:44 GMT

LED Lights

LED is the most common type of grow light these days. The bulbs are highly efficient, producing very little heat in comparison to their brightness. A wide variety of options can be found, including screw-in replacement bulbs, stand-alone clip-on and desktop fixtures, and even high-intensity greenhouse lights. LED grow lights typically provide full-spectrum lighting, but many can also be tailored to the specific bandwidth your plants need.

Incandescent Lights

Incandescent lights are good for lighting up a room or growing low-light houseplants, such as vines, ferns or dracaenas. They have limited utility for growing plants with higher light requirements. These lights put out only about 10 percent of their energy as light while 90 percent is heat. So, unless you want to cook your plants, they aren't ideal for light-loving plants like many tropical, cacti or succulents.

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent lights are ideal for plants with low to medium light requirements, like African violets. They are also good for starting vegetables indoors. These lights typically come in long, tubelike bulbs in a range of sizes including T5, T8 and T12.

The narrower the bulb, the more efficient and brighter it is, due to the smaller surface area. In addition to this, fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than incandescent lights. So, for example, a 25-watt fluorescent emits about as much light as a 100-watt incandescent light bulb. T5 systems put out about double the amount of light per tube as standard fluorescent lights. They are 6500 Kelvin and also full spectrum, which is very intense light.

Kelvin is a basic unit of color temperature used to measure the whiteness of a light's output; it's the degree of visual warmth or coolness of a light source. So the higher the degree of Kelvin, the bluer, or "cool," the lamp appears. The lower the degree of Kelvin, the redder, or "warm," it appears.

When growing most houseplants, use light bulbs between 4000 and 6000 Kelvin, as the bulb's color temperature will borrow from a full spectrum of colors—cools and warms. With these lights, you can actually mimic the growth you would get in a greenhouse or outdoors. Culinary herbs, greens and starter plants can be grown year-round with them. Houseplants that need lots of light, like cattleya orchids, succulents, and carnivorous plants, also perform much better under these full-spectrum lights. With starter plants and seedlings, place the T8 or T5 bulbs two to four inches from the plants to mimic the sun. For established plants, including herbs or houseplants, place them a foot or two from the light source.

Halides

Halides are used in larger spaces or on larger plants, as they cover more distance in terms of lighting. In most cases, you're not going to need a 1000-watt light. You can get by with a smaller halide or the T5 fluorescent system.

Remember, plants need darkness too. Although they can grow under continuous light, all plants prefer a dark period. Provide them with 12 to 18 hours of light per a day.

Clever Ways to Hide the “Ugly” Stuff in Your Home

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 03:44:14 GMT

TV Cords + Speakers
Keep TV cords and speakers out of sight with a do-it-yourself pallet accent wall and a beautiful storage bench underneath.

Chic Magazine Storage
Magazines piling up? Keep them decoratively organized by rolling them up, then storing in a vintage, weathered soda crate.

Cover Shelves With Fabric
Give old shelves an update with colorful fabric. This is a great solution for renters!

Say Goodbye to Packaging
Is your open pantry an eyesore? Tidy it up by emptying packaged foods into chic, clear storage containers

Cover Stairs in Fabric
Give your plain wooden stairs a facelift by covering them in inexpensive, store-bought table runners.

Bathroom Baskets
A large woven storage basket provides a stylish spot to discard wet towels and dirty laundry in the bathroom. Keep similar baskets around your home for a quick place to stash toys and other unsightly items before company arrives.

Cover Up Popcorn Ceilings
Forget scraping! Easily cover up those ugly popcorn ceilings with a DIY planked wood ceiling

Stash Your Pillows
The age-old adage, "Where do I put my throw pillows at night?" is now solved. Pretty woven baskets placed at the end of the bed add style and a quick place to stash pillows, blankets and more.

Themed Christmas Trees

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 03:42:53 GMT

Rustic Luxe

Adorn your tree with white and silver ornaments, sparkling white lights and a thick off-white ribbon garland for a look that's simple, yet stunning.

Classic Meets Modern

Mix trendy with traditional. Classic silver and gold ornaments, and beaded garland will complement a trendy monogramed topper to make this a chic and simple tree

Pastel palette

Decorate your Christmas tree in soft blush, gold and ivory ornaments. The soft color palette of the pastel shades not only looks great on the tree but also as a centerpiece. Insert ornaments in clear cylinders or bowls of different sizes to add a beautiful interior accent. Battery-operated microlights are a fun way to brighten up the piece.

Fairy Lights

This year forego the strands of standard twinkle lights and opt instead for softer, dainty LED fairy lights draped from the top of the tree.

Farmhouse Flocked

This year's hottest tree trend? Gorgeous green branches coated in snowy white flocking. Decorate with a few white and burlap ornaments for an updated, farmhouse-style take on the classic Christmas tree.

Blue-tiful

Recreate the look and feel of a snowy wonderland by trimming your flocked tree in ice blue, silver, teal and glittering blue ornaments in various sizes. Stacks of presents beneath the tree create a more finished look, adding layers of color and pattern.

Six Easy Tips For A Perfect Holiday Table Setting

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 03:39:25 GMT

Pick a Palette
Red, green and white is a Christmas color combo that never goes out of style. Keep it classic by choosing dishes, linens and decor in these three colors, then make it interesting by mixing patterns.
Silverware: What Goes Where?
Place setting 101: Start with a charger (check your local dollar or craft store for inexpensive options), followed by the dinner plate. Top it with a smaller salad plate, followed by a place card or favor. To the left, place the napkin and fork, to the right: the knife (blade turned in) and spoon. Voila, a beautiful place setting in a snap.
Play with Patterns
When planning your place settings, ditch matchy-matchy and mix different patterns for a designer look. Try mixing a Scandinavian-inspired embroidered napkin with a porcelain plaid dinner plate topped by an inexpensive melamine striped salad plate.
Craft Easy Upcycled Vases
In just a few steps, you can turn dollar-store, shatterproof ornaments into mini vases to brighten up your holiday table. Add a handwritten tag so they can also serve as place cards, then send them home with guests as a blooming favor.
Soften Seating
Ensure guests want to linger by cozying up hardback chairs with colorful throws or pillows. Choose materials that fit your classic Christmas theme, like a traditional tartan or festive Fair Isle knit.
Light It Up
Nothing adds a magical glow like candlelight. Set your table alight with tapers placed down the center of the table.

Add some color to your fall garden

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 03:36:43 GMT

Five colorful plants to add just the right amount of pop to your flower garden/beds

Autumn Crocus
If you love spring crocus, check out its fall flowering cousin, autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Actually a lily, this plant grows leaves in spring that die back in early summer. Blooms open in early to mid-fall when no leaves are present. Autumn crocus does best in full sun to part shade and grows 7 to 12 inches tall. Plant these crocus bulbs in mid to late summer, tucking them among hardy geraniums, creeping thyme, ajuga or hardy vinca — plants that can help hide the dying

Garden Mums
A fall classic, garden mums carry the season with hues of orange, gold, russet, burgundy and bronze. If you want to grow garden mums as perennials, get them into the ground as soon as you see them for sale. The plants need at least six weeks before frost to establish a healthy root system. In coldest zones, hedge your bets for winter survival by mulching plants just before the ground freezes.

Oakleaf Hydrangea
Discover this unsung member of the hydrangea family that's a native plant. Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) is a shrub to small tree that doesn't disappoint in autumn with fiery leaf tints and fading flowers in pink shades. Blossoms form cone-shaped heads that open white and slowly fade to parchment tones by winter. Plants typically grow 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, spreading to form a colony. It's an ideal plant for a hedge. Give it a spot in part shade with a mulch over the roots. Look for new varieties from short to tall with larger flowers in different colors, including ones that open white and fade to pink.

Pansy
For outstanding fall color, make pansies your go-to plant. This annual is versatile in the garden and looks equally enchanting in containers or planting beds. Pansies bounce back from light frosts, making them perfect contenders for keeping the color show going strong, even as temps start to tumble. When buying pansies, choose from several types, including large-flowered, small-flowered, trailing and mounding. Read plant tags to make sure you get the right kind to achieve your autumn garden goals.

Fountain Grass
If you like a grass with a more flowing appearance, fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) delivers a classic undulating, soft texture. The soft, bottlebrush-like seed heads add texture to bouquets and enhance fall gardens, often lingering through winter. Look for varieties that come in different sizes and leaf colors. Fountain grass grows from 1 to 4 feet tall, depending on the type. This grass thrives in sun, heat and humidity. The one must-have for success is well-drained soil in winter.

Popular Front Door Colors

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 03:35:11 GMT

Boost your curb appeal with a vibrant front door.

Canary Yellow
A canary yellow front with a green door mat makes a bright and bold entrance.

Bold Blue
Got a stodgy brick facade on your hands? An electric blue front door will certainly breathe some life into the picture—and make your neighbors’ jealous.

Candy Red
A red front door may seem awfully dramatic when you're looking at paint swatches, but don't fear it. Red is such a popular way to add interest to a neutral exterior that it's now considered a classic choice. This shade adds a source of energy and an instant cure for "the taupes."

Powder Blue Front Door
The soft-blue door contrasts beautifully with dark siding and white side-light windows and molding to create a welcoming entry.

Grayish-Blue
The color of a cool grayish blue makes a great complementary pairing with warm neutral palettes.

Glam the Front Door
Adding pizzazz to your home's front entrance is an easy, low-cost way to up your home's curb appeal. Try painting your door a pretty hue that coordinates with your home's color. "Make sure there is a contrast between the front door and the facade of the home," If your house is gray or white with black shutters, consider painting the front door red. Other ways to beautify your home's exterior is by adding appealing house numbers to your entrance and hanging a pretty wreath on the door. For extra pop, place a potted plant or two by the front entrance.

10 Ways to Get Organized with Items You Already Hav

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:32:57 GMT

Before you spend money on expensive organizers and storage solutions, think outside the box with what you already own.

Coffee Can = Bag Dispenser
Corral your plastic grocery bags by upcycling a coffee can into a handy bag dispenser. Using a utility knife, cut an X-shaped slit in the center of the lid. Cover the canister with colorful cardstock and decorate with stick-on letters. Roll plastic bags together in a tight circle (like a sleeping bag) and place them in the canister, threading the first bag through the slit.

Tin Cans = Kitchen Utensil Holders
Empty tin cans make ideal holders for kitchen utensils and gadgets. To free up counter space, use a drill bit to create a hole just below the rim on the back of each can, then hang each can from an S-hook on a towel bar. You can even decorate the cans with spray paint, washi tape and stickers.

Magazine File = Plastic Lid Organizer
Plastic food storage containers can easily take up an entire kitchen cabinet if you stack them with their lids on. Save space by storing the containers on a cabinet shelf and the lids in an old magazine file mounted on the cabinet door.

Magazine Rack = Pot Lid Holder
Get all those pot lids in line with a metal magazine rack. Just hang it inside a cabinet or on the back of a cabinet door and arrange the lids by size.

Loaf Pan = Baking Supply Holder
Small baking supplies like sprinkles, cupcake liners, food coloring bottles and piping tips can easily get lost in a pantry or kitchen cabinet. Corral these items in an old loaf pan — the next time you feel like baking, everything you need will be at your fingertips.

Magazine File = Produce Storage
Garlic and onions are best stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space. A metal mesh magazine file on a pantry shelf is the perfect solution. The open design lets the veggies breathe and allows you to easily see what produce you have on hand.

Spice Rack = Beauty Supply Storage
Spice shelves aren’t just for the kitchen. Grab a tiered spice rack and load it with beauty supplies under your bathroom sink.

Binder Ring = Hair Tie Holder
If you can never find a hair tie when you need one, keep them all in one convenient spot with a binder ring.

Kitchen Canisters = Hair Accessory Storage
For larger hair accessories like bows and scrunchies, kitchen canisters are a great storage solution. The clear containers make it easy to pinpoint exactly what you need when you're rushing to get ready.

Lazy Susan = Nail Polish Display
If you have a large nail polish collection, the spinning surface of a lazy Susan can help you easily locate your favorite shade in a crowded bathroom cabinet or closet. This display would even look good on a bathroom countertop or dresser. Organize the bottles by color for an extra-pretty touch.

2021 Color of the Year

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 03:31:45 GMT

Sherwin Williams has announced the color of the year for 2021!

2021 is full on nature inspired with warm hues and down-to-earth tranquility. The 2021 Color of the Year, Urbane Bronze, has that simple sophistication every home is searching for.

This last year, our homes have become the backdrop to our lives. While most are still working from home, we are also looking to create a relaxing retreat, within that workspace. This hue has a natural simplicity and nature-inspired energy that cultivates a sense of calm from the ground up.

The trend for tranquility proves that nature is never far away. Urbane Bronze might be a color rooted in nature, but it also has a unique ability to ground a room through organic appeal. Whether it's accentuating window trims or accent walls, this warm hue draws from nature for a feeling of relaxation and serenity. It also works well with other biophilic elements including, light-filled spaces and foliage.

Coordinating Colors & Materials
Bold and understated, the Color of the Year is the new neutral that can be used wherever. Pair it with other warm neutrals and bone whites to create an updated take on minimalism. If you want to bring in more color, modern greens can be introduced to add a hint of bolder style. Complete either look with natural materials like wood finishes, stone accents, and mixed metals that tie these earthy neutrals back to their nature-inspired roots.

Indoor Fall Decorating Ideas

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 03:30:14 GMT

*MINI PUMPKINS
Use a pumpkin as a vase for fresh flowers. Clean out the guts and seeds and use the pumpkin to arrange your fall flowers.

*PRESERVE FALL LEAVES
Pick brightly colored fallen leaves. Rub a good moisturizer onto the front and back of the leaves and let dry. This helps the leaves keep their color and avoid curling. Once dry, scatter the leaves on a table, around a centerpiece, or on a fireplace mantle.

*FALL DECOR FROM THE SUPERMARKET
Fill a tall vase with a variety of colorful miniature pumpkins and gourds.

*DECORATE FOR FALL WITH VIGNETTES
Make a vignette using pumpkins, gourds, and leaves. Vary the sizes and colors of these squashes and fill in the gaps with leaves, mini pumpkins, and gourds.

*USE PUMPKINS FOR FALL DECORATING
Arrange large pumpkins in a group or on stairs. You can also carve, gild or paint designs or messages on the pumpkins.

*CREATE INEXPENSIVE FALL DECOR IN THE KITCHEN
If you have a tiered cake or serving plate, arrange pumpkins, gourds, or squash on each tier. Use a pie pumpkin or turban squash (looks like two placed one on top of the other) on the top level. Use smaller ones, even miniatures, as well as leaves and nuts on the other tiers.

*CREATE FARMHOUSE FALL DECOR
Take tall corn stalks and attach to porch columns or mailbox or even trees with a large fall colored ribbon. Further accent with pumpkins or mums around the base.

*USE MUMS FOR FALL STYLE
Use potted mums to replace your summer flowers in flower beds, on porches, near fireplace hearths, or in corner of rooms. This classic never goes out of style. To give added height within a group, place one potted mum on a miniature straw bale.

Fall Decorating on a budget

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 03:29:23 GMT

Swap Out Your Throw Pillows
One of the easiest ways to give your front porch a seasonal makeover is to swap out any throw pillows on swings, chairs, and benches. Look for fun fall phrases, plaids, and burlap.

Add a Seasonal Sign
Usher in the new season—and any guests you're expecting—with a pretty wooden sign.

Embellish with Greenery
Use decorative greenery, like eucalyptus leaves, to fill any negative space between plantings, pumpkins, and other front porch decor.

Don't Forget the Steps
When it comes to small porches, sometimes simple reigns supreme. To make the most of your space, choose a few autumnal accents—like pumpkins, mums, and lanterns.

Incorporate an Apple Basket
A bushel basket adds some dimension to your decor.

Fall is in the air!

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 03:28:04 GMT

Here are a few simple ideas to get that inviting fall feel outside:

*Hang a Fall Wreath
Hanging up a wreath is the easiest way to give your front porch a little fall flair. Go all out with a harvest wreath or keep it simple with an elevated seasonal wreath.

*Add Color
Updating your front porch is the most budget-friendly way:
Paint thrift store-sourced wicker chairs red. Then add pumpkins (add apple crates as pedestals). Then hang a fall wreath with a bright ribbon.

*Repaint the Front Door
If you want to give your front porch a refresh but don't have a lot of space for pumpkins and fall foliage, consider repainting the door. An orange hue is a great option.

*Use Dried Florals
Dried florals are a great way to spruce up the front porch for fall.

*Add New Lighting
Upgrade your lighting with shiny new sconces. Stick to minimalist plants and trees. Foot traffic increases during the fall, so always a good idea to keep shrubbery/plants to a minimum.

*Symmetry Is Key
Think beyond the stoop and line the front walk with pumpkins, mums, and stalks of corn. Mini gourds on window ledges puts a seasonal spin on traditional boxes. If you don't have enough room on your porch for a big display, simply relocate it to the front yard. It creates a natural focal point and provides support for heavier elements.

Art deco Style

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 03:26:50 GMT

Art Deco is a style of visual arts, architecture and design that first appeared in France just before World War I.

It was associated with both luxury and modernity; it combined expensive materials and exquisite craftsmanship put into modernistic forms. Pieces of furniture included ivory and silver inlays, and pieces of Art Deco jewelry combined diamonds with platinum, jade, and other precious materials. After the Great Depression, the style changed and became more sober.

Art Deco style is characterized by rich colors, bold geometric shapes, and decadent detail work.

Colors are more often bold and driven by contrast in schemes of silver, black, chrome, yellow, red, cream, green, and beige. When it comes to solids, typical colors are black, brown, and tan.

For bold colors, think bright and deep yellows, reds, blues, greens, pinks, and purples, accompanied by softer creams and beiges to soften up the look. Softer colors are perfect for bedrooms and dining rooms and will enable you to use any pieces in these colors you already have, if you're on a budget.

Identifiable Features for Art Deco:

• Smooth wall surface.
• Sharp edged, linear appearance
• Stylized decorative elements using geometrical forms, zigzags, chevrons.
• Low relief decorative panels.
• Stepped or set back front facade.

Shabby Chic

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 03:23:34 GMT

Shabby chic is an interior design style where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their appearance of age, signs of wear and tear or where new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique. It is an eclectic style that mixes antique furniture with pastel colors, lace, and feminine florals. Shabby chic can also be referred to as country or vintage chic.

1. Mix minimal color with maximum detail
For a sophisticated take on shabby chic, stick to a palette of off-white or cream, adding white-washed or distressed wood for interest. Layer accessories with plenty of details and texture. Include crochet, linen, and lace fabrics.

2. Work in vintage accessories and feminine accents
Choose classic woven furniture. To create an elegant feel, paint an adjacent wall a fresh blue-grey shade. For a softer furnishing mix, match striped and floral fabrics with plain fabrics for seat covers and cushions. Hang a beveled mirror or oversized antique clock, and finish with fresh flowers and potted plants.

3. Play pick and mix with mismatched accessories
Shabby chic thrives on vintage finds. For a bathroom, the perfect example of how to try shabby chic decorating ideas on a minimal budget is: a salvaged cupboard, antique mirror and a vintage console table used a vanity.

Themes and Colors
• *Soft delicate colors: Soft white, light grays, pale pink, and faded green

• *Tea-stained fabrics: To give the illusion of age, a fabric can be made to look old, worn, faded, and soft by staining them with a brew of tea. Be sure to test a piece of fabric first to get just the right shade.

• *Combine patterns and colors: Combine stripes, checks, and floral fabrics to achieve a warm and inviting look. For easy mixing, keep the background color the same (white or ivory, etc.). Then choose one color to repeat in every fabric, such as a soft green or pale pink.

• *White painted furniture: Almost any piece of wooden furniture will fit into a shabby chic interior, if it is painted white. Collect pieces from flea markets or garage sales and spray with white paint. Sand off the corners, and rough it up a little. You now have shabby chic furniture.

Mid-century modern (MCM)

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 03:22:00 GMT

MCM is an American design in interior, graphic design, architecture, and urban development, that was popular from roughly 1945 to 1969. It is typically characterized by clean, simple lines, honest use of materials, and it typically does not include decorative embellishments.

Mid-century modern is a style that is timeless and sleek. Mid-century style and furniture are characterized by rounded shapes and simple designs that are functional for the home

The key to getting it right in your own home is by carefully balancing your mid-century inspired furniture with contemporary interior trends.

1. Pick your furniture

Identify authentic or mid-century modern-inspired furniture by looking for peg legs, hardware, and manufacturing tags labelled as from Denmark, Yugoslavia, Japan, Italy, or America

2. Pick your colors.

The color palette runs from bright colors that were popular during the 50s, to the colors that replaced them in the 60s. If you are going for a traditional look, try olive green or dark red. If you are looking for a glamorous or contemporary look, then pick pastel hues…pale pink, black, white, cream, navy or shades of beige.

3. Pick your accessories

Look for pendant lighting or large architectural lighting fixtures that look more like a work of art than a fixture. Do not be afraid of a metallic finish. Candlesticks in traditional shapes, gilded simple round mirrors, drinks trolleys and old-fashioned glasses with embossed designs, all have the mid-century modern vibe. Finish the look with rounded floor and table lamps, and patterned rugs.

4. Arrange your space.
Balance the space with a good mix of highs and lows. Your eye is draw upwards in some places, and downwards in others. Having a focal point for every room, such as a large mirror or a painting over a fireplace. Putting plants into plant stand gives them extra height. Add a low sofa and coffee table with a tall floor lamp, to give more dimension.

5. Dress your walls right
Most MCM homes have white walls and open-floor layouts. You can add era-appropriate wallpaper, or graphic artwork to an empty wall that reflects the colors of your color scheme.

Traditional Style

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 03:21:10 GMT

The traditional style is one of the most popular styles used to decorate homes

Traditional home interiors include several design elements. Warm colors and symmetrical lines are incorporated into design elements from a variety of centuries. This allows homeowners to feel comfortable and elegant at the same time.

The traditional style offers a combination of comfortable furniture, classic designs, and casual décor.

The traditional styles warm, rich colors are very inviting. The furniture tends to be plush and soft. This style can also allow homeowners to use many of their original appliances and pieces of furniture while updating the appearance with a new finish and hardware.

Three things to note when furnishing your home in the traditional design:

1. Everything Matches
Traditional style sticks to the basics. You don’t need eclectic pieces or pops of color. The goal is for everything to match. This is achieved by furnishing the dining room, bedroom, and living rooms with pieces from the same collection and using upholstery and fabrics that match in color and theme. Accessories such as lighting, cushions, and rugs also match in style and color.

2. Synchronized Color Palette
In traditional design, the emphasis is more on pattern than color. Choose colors from one predominant pattern in the room (upholstery, rugs, fabrics) and use tones of that color for everything. Using lighter shades on the walls draws attention to the furnishings, while tone-on-tone colors emphasize uniformity. Upholstery, drapes, rugs, and cushions should all be in midrange tones of the same color family.

3. Uniformity and Symmetry
Uniformity and symmetry go hand-in-hand. In traditional style, perfect pairings are key. It's very common to place two identical lamps or side chairs in a room. Pairing creates a balanced space.

Farmhouse Style

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 03:19:24 GMT

Farmhouse style is a warm mix of rustic style with time-worn furniture and sturdy materials.
A light color palette along with repurposed accessories makes this style inviting and comfortable that is perfect for any size family.

Why is this style so popular?

One reason is that it is warm and approachable. It is also a versatile style that mixes well with other styles, like industrial or traditional.

To keep a farmhouse style from looking too "country " there needs to be a balance of old and new. It should be clean and stylish. It also needs to be in tune with nature—not full of dried flowers and rooster paraphernalia. Here are some tips and ideas for decorating in the farmhouse style.

• Barnboard: reclaimed barn board is a great way to add some history and character. It can be used on floors, walls, as shelving—the list goes on.

• Exposed wood beams: Like barn board, exposed wood beams keep an element of nature in your home and add great architectural detail.

• Butcher block: Butcher block counters are great in farmhouse kitchens because they keep the look relaxed. They have great rustic quality and will stay in good shape if you treat them regularly. If a kitchen full of butcher block does not feel practical for your home, consider just the kitchen island.

• Apron sinks: A no-brainer for this style, apron sinks practically scream farmhouse. Mix them with some shaker-style cabinets and you are guaranteed a farmhouse look.

5 Easy Landscaping ideas

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 03:12:32 GMT

5 Easy Landscaping ideas Accenting the exterior of your home makes for an inviting and relaxing space for yourself. The outdoors is an extension of your home, so why not make it as cozy and relaxing as the inside?

The best part of these ideas is that you can implement them without spending a fortune. None of these require a professional designer, just you and your imagination!

Fire Pit: A simple and inexpensive way to add a little extra to your backyard. Great for making s’mores too!

Patio Roses: To tap into the exterior's full curb appeal, add a perfectly positioned rose arch along a patio door frame

Grand Entrance: Add a bit of punchy flower power (think hydrangeas in pots) and complementary elongated topiaries.

Floral Border: Use a bed of blooms to separate the driveway pavement from the grass. Again, hydrangeas make great borders.

Simple Stone Path: I’m a huge of stone paths. They are gorgeous and they're also the easiest and most convenient way to get from place to place. You can place them strategically through gardens and create your own little zen area.

Living Room Color Trends

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 03:09:30 GMT

Three top Color Trends for living rooms - 2021

⦁ Sage green.
⦁ Green foliage
⦁ Gray and white or beige

Neutral colors, such as gray, beige, creams, are some of the main trends for 2021. When we talk about neutral colors, we refer to the main decorative color, which allows the possibility of combining with any other color.

If using a neutral palette as a base for walls, adding pops of color; lamps, rugs, art, pillows, etc... makes these colors anything but neutral.

2020/2021 Color Trends

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 02:58:18 GMT

These two palettes are leaving us all in need of a little more serenity in our homes. Do not be afraid to go bold.

Sherwin Williams :

Palette colors - Alive
This color palette called “Alive” evolves from 2019’s jewel tones. What were eye-catching accent tones in 2019 have been turned into gorgeous backgrounds for 2020/2021

The vibrant blues and dark olive finishes echo peaceful and natural surroundings.

Palette color- Haven
Haven is all about nature, but with and even cooler take. From the depths of the sea, to the sand, forest and sky, these shades are all about natural elements, a slightly different take to the Alive palette.

Benefits of Owning a Home

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 02:19:36 GMT

Homeownership Builds Wealth Over Time

Homeownership can be a very savvy financial move – but only if you buy a home that you can afford.

Every month you will build equity

The equity in your home is the amount of money you can sell it for minus what you still owe on it.

For every mortgage payment that is made monthly, a portion of that payment reduces the amount you owe. That reduction of your mortgage every month increases your equity. The way a mortgage works is that the principal portion of your payment increases slightly every month, year after year. It’s lowest on your first payment and highest on your last payment. So, as the months and years go by, your equity grows!

Mortgage Tax Deduction Benefits

Mortgage deduction: The tax code allows homeowners to deduct the mortgage interest from their tax obligations. For many people, this is a huge deduction, since interest payments can be the largest component of your mortgage payment, especially in the early years of ownership

Closing cost deductions: The first year that you purchase your home, you are able to claim the points (also called origination fees) on your loan, whether they are paid by you or the seller. Because origination fees of 1% or more are common, the savings are considerable.

Property tax is deductible: Real estate property taxes paid on your primary residence are fully deductible for income tax purposes.

Tax Deductions on Home Equity Lines

In addition to your mortgage interest, you can deduct the interest you pay on a home equity loan. This allows you to shift your credit card debts to your home equity loan, essentially paying a lower interest rate than the credit card interest rates and get a deduction on the interest as well.

A Mortgage Is Like a Savings Plan

When you pay your mortgage every month and reduce the amount of your principal, this is like a forced savings plan. For each payment made, you are building up more valuable equity in your home. In essence, you are being forced to save—and that’s a good thing.

In closing- You need to live someplace. Instead of paying off your landlord’s home or building, pay off your own

Let’s Talk Lighting

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 02:19:36 GMT

One of the top lighting trends for 2021 are Geometric shapes – they are at the peak of popularity

Regular shapes, however, still remain popular- spherical structures, clusters of balls, honeycomb compositions, lampshades, as well as chandeliers. But if you are looking for a little pizazz - think shapes

The first trend we are seeing among light fixtures, is lighting with geometric shapes, that have clear lines and refined form. Light fixtures with geometric shapes will add a sense of structure and order to your home design, while also adding style.

The geometric trend has been present for a few years, and it doesn’t seem like it’s fading anytime soon. If you want your home to look more “put together”, then try adding light fixtures that have defined geometric shapes.

Light fixtures are a great way to light up your home and they also help to showcase your style.

If you are planning to sell your home, making some trendy and updated changes could bring top dollar for your home. Changing a few light fixtures can be all it takes to grab that potential buyer.

Fall is on the way!

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 02:19:36 GMT

Here are a few simple tips to sell your home in the Fall

1. Make a great first impression. Buyers love a clean yard. Remove debris, trim overgrown shrubs, and rake up any leaves. Make your patio clean and inviting. Remember, it is an extension of your home. Declutter your doorways from bicycles and toys.

2. Create Curb Appeal. Plant seasonal flowers or decorate the porch/entryway with pretty fall foliage. Add a wreath to the door for an inviting entry. You can also place pumpkins strategically to accent your home’s appeal with color. Definition of curb appeal: the visual attractiveness of a house as seen from the street

3. Keep it Bright! Keep your house light and bright, while also on the cozy side. Turn on all the lights in the house, open all the curtains and blinds so that it illuminates the home’s interior

Need ideas? Drive around different neighborhoods for inspiration. Take pictures, then add your own spin to those inspirations.

I personally do not like to plant flowers/plants in the ground. I am a potted plants/flowers kind of girl. Keep it simple. You do not have to be an avid gardener to add a little zing to your home –