Homestyle by Midland Daily News

Fresh starts

Paint:

match your nails or keep it simple

for Houses of tHe 70s, 80s, 90s

Right at home:

sellers, give every room a role

doâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts of kitchen remodels

latin america style comes home

How to cool

your home without breaking the bank

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FreSh StartS For houSeS oF the 70S, 80S, 90S

latin america Style comeS home

right at home: SellerS, give every room a role

paint: match your nailS or keep it Simple

get Started now on Spring cleaning

how to cloSe up a Fireplace For the SeaSon

how to cool your home without breaking the bank

home additionS: up or out?

home renovation 101: tipS For homeownerS

do’S and don’tS oF kitchen remodelS

the relationShip between paint & mood

Spring 2015 – HomeStyle

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Julie Ratcliffe, owner of Designed by Julie

beFoRe

UpdaTingTHaT

’70s Home by Niky House| MidlaNd daily News

With the coming of spring comes the thought of new and fresh starts. Julie Ratcliffe, owner of Designed by Julie in Midland, said there are many ways to spruce up a house that has dated designs.

aFTeR This kitchen has been opened up to a more inviting place to mingle and cook.

If a home has 1970s designs, for example, there may be orange, gold or green laminate and carpeting. If it has ’80s or ’90s influences, there may be blue, teal or mauve counter tops.

Changes don’t have to happen all at once, either. One room at a time can be updated, or one project a year can be undertaken, Ratcliffe said. Some changes to consider are removing wallpaper and modernizing paint colors. If the cabinetry is fine, then the hardware can be updated.

“For hardware, cabinetry and counter tops – if you are not seeing it on HGTV or other home improvement shows, it probably needs to change,” Ratcliffe said. “Brass isn’t necessarily out — a brass candelabra can be OK but might need updating.”

“Don’t wait to do your updates,” Ratcliffe said. “Do those small things to make the space fresh and new, then you won’t have such a big job when selling.”

Depending on a few factors, there can be various ways to update a house, and experience a fresh, new look.

Updating light fixtures – even outside – and enhancing the entry way are additional ideas for simple and effective change.

Ratcliffe usually asks how long the family plans on staying in the home — the five-year, 10-year and 15-year plan. “We walk through the house and we look at paint, light fixtures, faucets,” Ratcliffe said. These are relatively easy to replace and update. Also, if the idea is to hold onto some “retro” elements, those can be worked around. The benefits of making some changes are many. Aside from a new look, updating can add to, and help maintain, the value of the home.

Waiting until the last minute can not only create a large project, but also an expensive one.

“Slate on floors looks fabulous,” Ratcliffe said. For more ideas, to review the designs in your living space or to discuss the five-year, 10-year and 15-year plan for your home, call Designed by Julie at (989) 835-1200 or visit designedbyjulie.biz

*Before and after photos courtesy of Julie Ratcliffe, owner of Designed by Julie. Photo of Julie Ratcliffe by Neil Blake of the Midland Daily News.

Spring 2015 – HomeStyle

Latin america StyLe comeS Home by Kim CooK AssoCiAted Press

The exuberant colors, textures and patterns of Latin America crafts are injecting an easy, comfortable and fun aesthetic into home decor. The look includes textured rugs, throws that evoke serape motifs and furniture with an authentically handturned appearance. House & Home magazine recently featured designer Heidi Merrick’s Los Angeles home, with cowhide rugs, Bolivian “frasada” blankets used as daybed throws, and spicy hues like orange, marine blue and pink. Ralph Lauren Home’s La Hacienda fabric collection includes traditional florals and graphic woven prints in earthy reds and turquoise with punches of black, white and sunbaked brights. It’s not all about the fiesta, however. Mexican Modern is a look characterized by contemporary furnishings and quiet color, with one or two artisan pieces as counterpoints.

She offers bowls made by hand-tying banana fiber and recycled paper. Tropical vines and herbs are fashioned into trays by the people of the Mamiraua Reserve, in the Amazon rainforest. Slabs of ipe and pequia, two South American hardwoods, are transformed into organic coffee tables. (www.ecostasy.com ) Novica’s fair-trade craft e-shop features pieces found at local markets throughout Latin America (and in developing countries worldwide). The site not only offers artisans a platform to sell their waves; it also provides marketing and technical support. The craftspeople control the

New Yorker Katherine Ponte works with indigenous Brazilian artisans to bring sustainably produced traditional crafts to a wider market through her e-shop, Ecostasy. “I’m focused on the aesthetics as well as the cultural and environmental context of each piece,” she says. Photos by Associated Press

HomeStyle – Spring 2015

creative, production and pricing aspects, Novica says. Finding a charming and beautifully carved cedar statue at a Lima, Peru, market, for example, Novica’s co-founders, Roberto Milk and Mina Olivera, searched the countryside for the craftsman. Johnny Chamba’s little “Ekeko,” or good

luck token, is now on the site. Also at Novica: Peruvian artist Alejandro Chavez uses ceramic plaster to make tiny detailed “retablos” or dioramas depicting daily life in the Andes. Farmers harvest prickly pears; merchants sell blankets and masks in a market. The figures are mounted in wooden chests and can be hung on the wall. And Zosimo Laura weaves soothing, rustic hues of cotton into a striking, contemporary, bird-print tapestry. From Brazil, you’ll find Elizabeth and Eduardo Prado’s fused glass-bead bowls in an emerald green they say was inspired by tropical rain. Leandro Mantesso’s black-and-white photographs of Andean topography and daily life are evocative, and Andre de Miranda’s woodcuts are modern art with heart. Guatemalan ceramic artist Lilyan Benecke’s offers winsome Margarita daisy-strewn tea sets and plates. Fellow Guatemalan Patricio Coroy crafts alder wood into serving trays which are lined with handloomed traditional prints under glass. (www.novica.com )

Safavieh trunk is clad in a kilim textile. From designer Grace Feycock for Uttermost there’s a set of two Carilla medallions in distressed coral ceramic. And Yumanmod’s sharp 314 ottoman is covered in a teal-and-ivory, South American-patterned textile that would work well in a contemporary family room. (www.wayfair.com ) Urban Outfitters has some well-priced woven rugs that fit the style vibe. (www.urbanoutfitters.com ) Check out Etsy.com and other online sources for Talavera p o t t e r y, in items ranging from dinnerware to sinks. D e n y Designs offers California artist Deb Haugen’s Mexican Surf Trip pattern on a range of items including art prints and shower curtains and pillows. (www.denydesigns.com )

At other retailers: Wayfair’s got a subway-stop-style sign listing Mexico City train stops. A hinged Spring 2015 – HomeStyle

Right at home:

SelleRS, give eveRy Room a Role by Kim CooK AssoCiAted Press

Many of us have one room in the house that doesn’t really have a job. Maybe we set it up with an air bed once in a while for guests, or shove out-of-season clothing boxes in there, or use it as a holding zone for stuff we’re not sure what to do with. But when your house is on the market, every room has a role to play to make the sale. Next to fixing whatever’s broken, staging — decorating rooms in an inviting way to help people imagine living in them — is important. “The purpose of home staging is to draw the buyers into the house emotionally so they say, ‘Wow, we want to live here!’” says Melinda Bartling, a real-estate agent and home stager in Overland Park, Kansas. “Buyers must be able to see themselves living in the house, not questioning why it looks the way it does. For example, if you use your finished basement as a catch-all, buyers will wonder what’s wrong with the space.” New York-based real-estate agent Nathalie Clark’s motto is “minimalism with personality.” “The owner’s presence must be as discreet as possible, but the rooms have to feel inhabited and should clearly state their function,” she says. Some ideas from stagers on what to do with an unused space:

MAKE IT A CLOSET

Photos

by As

Everyone wants good storage. Turn a potential shortcoming into a valuable feature by transforming a small room into a large closet or dressing room. Install a shelving system; if money’s an issue, just outfit one long wall to achieve the purpose. Add a chair or ottoman and a large mirror, perhaps, so buyers can imagine a dressing room. If your home is short on storage, consider outfitting an under-stair niche or other “dead” space with Press shelving, and stock the shelves d te ia soc

with smart-looking boxes and bins. But leave some empty space in a closet, too. “Closets filled with items other than clothes send the message there isn’t enough storage in the house,” says Bartling.

MAKE IT CREATIVE Transform a bedroom with a tiny closet into creative workspace. Suggest a craft or art studio with a table and some neatly displayed materials. Line up a series of identical bookshelves and make a small yet inviting library by adding a rug, a comfortable chair and a side table.

MAKE IT AN OFFICE Real-estate agents tend to prefer that bedrooms be staged as bedrooms, because buyers usually want lots of those. But depending on your market, it may pay off to stage one of those rooms as a home office. If you’ve got more than four bedrooms, Clark says, turn one into a home office. In a four-bedroom home, “use the room farthest from a bathroom,” she advises. Add a desk, chair and lamp, and lay down a fresh new rug in either a chic neutral hue or a style-savvy pattern that ties it into neighboring rooms.

MAKE IT A WORKOUT SPACE Empty nesters often have basements that once were playrooms. Clark suggests converting a space like that into a cozy TV room or gym. “For a gym, you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment,” she says. “A bench, some neatly stacked weights, a few ropes or bands hung on pretty hooks, a mirror and a mat can all easily be arranged to create a powerful visual effect.” Spring 2015 – HomeStyle

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SPRING CLEANING

HOW TO GET STARTED Warmer temperatures and longer hours of sunlight can recharge energy levels. Upon the arrival of spring homeowners dust off their to-do lists and charge ahead with renewed vigor. But before homeowners can get started on renovation projects, many must tame the existing mess that may have built up over the winter. Spring is a great time to dive into spring cleaning projects and ready a home for a season of renovation and remodeling. Getting started on spring cleaning can be a tad overwhelming. In 2012, OnePoll asked 1,000 adults living in the United Kingdom how they felt about spring cleaning, and 41 percent of those surveyed found spring cleaning a daunting process while 68 percent had negative feelings about spring cleaning. But in spite of that initial lack of enthusiasm, respondents said they felt happy and more organized once they finished their spring cleaning. Establishing a plan and setting reachable goals can make spring cleaning a lot less daunting.

• Set aside several days for spring cleaning. A long weekend is a great time to do some spring cleaning, as having consecutive days to clean will reduce the chances you grow distracted. • Make a list and purchase all of the supplies you will need. Again, this will help you stay on course, rather than going out to the store to pick up cleaners or organizational systems.

of steps so when you complete each step you will feel proud that you’re making progress.

• Create your musical playlist. A playlist full of your favorite songs can provide some inspiration and energy to push you through the spring cleaning when your enthusiasm starts to wane. The music also may take your mind off of the work ahead and help to pass the time. •

Start from the top and work downward. Follow a logical cleaning order. Begin by dusting away cobwebs and lighting fixtures. Clean light switches and walls. Empty closets and then restock them in a more organized fashion. Leave the furniture and flooring for last, as dirt and dust may accumulate on furniture and flooring as you clean other areas of the home.

• Be prepared to bid adieu to some of your stuff. Have a few trash bags at the ready. Reorganize items you won’t be keeping into separate piles, with one pile for items you plan to donate and another for those items you will discard. Donate what you can and promptly put the remainder of the items at the curb for pickup. • Stay fed and hydrated. Cleaning can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Take breaks to fuel up on food and always have a refreshing beverage close by. (Metro Services)

• Try to set reasonable goals. Even if you hope to clean the entire house, stick to the one or two rooms that are most desperate for your attention. Divide each task into a series

Spring 2015 – HomeStyle

paint: PAINT:

Ace Hardware’s Daniel Buzzell (Photos by Nick King/ Midland Daily News)

Match your nails or keep it siMple by Niky House MidlaNd daily News Paint colors have a way of sprucing up a room, drawing in light or inspiring some calm. The latest in paint colors can be found at Ace Hardware in Midland. Ace picked up the Clark+Kensington O.P.I. color line. The O.P.I. paint colors, which match the nail polish colors, do have an appeal. “The partnership between Clark+Kensington and O.P.I. 12

has brought some surprising customers into our store. The type I’d more expect to see in Claire’s,” said Daniel Buzzell, manager at Ace in Midland. “I have yet to mix up a gallon of ‘I Eat Mainely Lobster,’ but I am surprised by the number of people who like the idea that I can. Half of that interest might be the fun names that O.P.I. comes up with.”

HomeStyle – Spring 2015

Trends in paint colors may change, but when it comes to painting walls, some paint choices seem to remain the same. Buzzell has noticed that traditionally people choose “more muted” paint colors for their walls; currently this is still true. “Monochromatic is by far the most common color scheme people use while decorating, and we still see a lot of people doing taupe or muted colors when it comes to their walls,” he said. “A good rule of thumb is that an accent color should only make up about 10 percent of a room.” Choices for painting furniture are another story. “People are getting pretty brave with painting furniture with bold colors. I hear more and more, ‘I saw this on Pinterest,’ and what they are doing still fits inside those general guidelines where wall color is more of a canvas for the space rather than a focal point,” Buzzell said. “In terms of trendy accent colors, I have seen some plum, teal and even greens that border on neon (something you would definitely want to use sparingly).” For a paint with primer, he said that they used a “top of the line” product to freshen up the interior of their store a little while back. Stripes of the previous paint were purposely left on a pillar to show how the new, lighter colored paint worked to cover the darker reds. While paint with primer can accomplish this goal, there are times when primer should be applied first. “If you have staining on the surfaces, be it water or smoke, you should use a primer before painting,” he said. “A paint with primer may cover those initially but the stains will show through sooner than you’d expect.” The Valspar Optimus has zero VOCs, which means

less odor. This is beneficial for indoor painting projects. “We were also conscious when we were repainting the store to use a color that matched the use of the room,” Buzzell said. For example, they chose a green for the lawn and garden area, in order to “emulate the feel of being outdoors.” Buzzell agrees that there is “truth to that correlation” that color can affect the mood and atmosphere, but it can also draw attention toward or away from something else. “We tried to pick a neutral blue that would really fade into the background so that bolder colors on our signage would stand out,” Buzzell said. “It is somewhat of a sky blue with the goal of pushing the walls back towards the horizon so that they were not a focus.” This strategy can work anywhere. Something similar can be accomplished at home as well. If there is a “family photo on the mantle,” for example, to focus on that “use a more neutral, lighter color.” To discuss a painting project or pick out a color of paint, visit Ace Hardware in Midland, or www. midlandace.com.

How to close up a fireplace for tHe season A roaring fireplace on a chilly day provides a welcome, aesthetically appealing respite from the cold. Fireplaces are typically used throughout winter, but when spring rolls around, many homeowners no longer feel the need to light a fire. As fireplace season winds down, homeowners can take the following steps to close their fireplaces for the warm weather seasons ahead.

ask for an inspection

Begin the cleanup

Homeowners should close the dampers on wood-burning fireplaces w h e n closing their fireplaces for the season. Doing so prevents animals from making nests inside the chimney and possibly gaining entry into your home. Closing the damper also makes the home more efficient by not letting air escape through the chimney. Those with gas fireplaces should leave the damper open

Repeatedly lighting fires results in an accumulation of ash and residual wood debris. Clean out what you can by hand and discard the soot. To conduct a more thorough cleaning, use a high-powered garage vacuum to clear out any remaining ashes from crevices and other parts of the firebox.

hire a chimney sweep

A fully functioning fireplace chimney should be swept annually by a certified chimney sweep. He or she will remove soot and any creosote from the inside of the chimney. Creosote is highly flammable and can cause considerable damage if it catches fire. A professional chimney sweeping also reduces the amount of dirt and odor that will continue to enter a home after the fireplace has been retired for the season. Damp spring weather can moisten soot trapped in a chimney, causing it to smell. Cleaning and deodorizing can help keep rooms fresh.

HomeStyle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Spring 2015

Ask a chimney sweep to inspect your chimney in addition to cleaning it. A sweep can look for leaks and cracks, and he or she should also look at the flashing system and rain cap, which can prevent water infiltration. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to learn your chimney is in poor shape during a heavy spring rainfall. Ask that the pipes, brickwork and damper also be checked for functionality and good repair.

close the damper

at all times to prevent a gas buildup in the home in the case of a gas leak. However, homeowners may want to extinguish the pilot light for a gas fireplace in the spring to reduce energy usage.

make it attractive

Some homeowners choose to dress up a fireplace to make it look more appealing in the offseason. Flowers, plants, candles, or decorative accents can be placed in the firebox to add style to a home. When closing a fireplace for the season, homeowners can benefit from hiring a professional to ensure everything is done correctly and the fireplace will be in top shape and ready to warm everyone up next winter. (Metro Services)

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Mother Nature is consistently inconsistent these days, when 30-degree Mondays might be followed by 60-degree Tuesdays. Fickle weather is often accompanied by large fluctuations in temperature, strong storms and unseasonable conditions, making it difficult for homeowners to maintain comfort levels in their homes.

How to cool your Home witHout breaking tHe bank homeowners can speed up the exchange of hot air with a simple trick. Open up a window on a shady side of the home, and then open the attic door or take out the access panel and place a box fan inside to blow air up into the attic. This will disperse the hot air and help force it out through the vents. As a result of fluctuating temperatures, home heating and cooling systems have been heavily taxed. Growing reliance on HVAC systems has also driven up energy bills, as moderate weather synonymous with spring has given way to more days of extreme heat or extreme cold. As summer approaches once again, reducing cooling costs is a priority for many homeowners. The following are a few ways to cool your home’s interior without causing a spike in your energy bill.

· Reduce sun exposure.

Much of the hot air inside of a home can be attributed to sunlight exposure t h r o u g h o u t t h e d a y. Walls and windows on the south and west sides of a home will bear the brunt of the sun’s rays, so close shades and drapes on this side of the house to maximize coolness. Shades and curtains can save you up to 7 percent on your bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. Homeowners also may want to think about installing a retractable awning on areas of the house that get a lot of sun. Planting shade trees is another way to naturally cool down hot sides of the house.

· Draw more air into the attic. Hot air

rises, and in the summertime hot air can get trapped beneath the roof in the attic and eaves of a home. While an attic should have vents,

· Use fans productively. Using box fans to suck cool night air in from east- and north-facing windows and to push out hot air from west- and southfacing windows is another way to increase circulation through a home. Running fans may be less costly than turning on air conditioners. Also, set ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. This will pull cooler air up from the floor and create a wind-chill effect. · Switch to LED or CFL bulbs. Ninety percent of the energy used for incandescent bulbs is emitted as heat. This not only wastes electricity but also can make conditions hotter inside a home. Switch to cooler, more efficient light bulbs. · Reduce humidity levels. Humidity makes hot temperatures feel even hotter. Clean laundry, take showers and run the dishwasher at night or early in the morning before the day heats up. Don’t forget to vent bathrooms and kitchens by turning on exhaust fans when water is in use. · Rely on a programmable thermostat. Setting a thermostat to adjust the air conditioning system automatically means homeowners can keep the temperature raised when they’re not home and then have it lowered shortly before they arrive home. The thermostat also can adjust temperatures for day and night use. · Keep doors closed. Do not cool rooms that are unused. Maximize the cool air in lived-in spaces by blocking off rooms that do not need to be cooler. · Invest in more insulation. Insulation does not just keep homes warmer in the cold weather. Insulation also prevents hot air from infiltrating living spaces while keeping cooler air where it’s needed. Sealant around windows and doors also will prevent unnecessary air exchange. (Metro Services) Spring 2015 – HomeStyle

HOME ADDITIONS:

UP OR OUT? Homeowners hoping to expand their homes are faced with a number of choices. One of the first they will have to make is which direction to take their expansion. Homeowners can choose to expand horizontally, increasing the footprint of their homes, or vertically. Professionals urge prospective remodelers to consider the pros and cons to each expansion option, including which direction to build. One of the first considerations is land space. Building horizontally will cut into yard space that you may have already earmarked for a pool, shed or another feature. Proximity to neighbors and the dimensions of your property will also help to determine if expanding horizontally is a good idea. Building codes and neighborhood requirements also must be considered before making any renovations. Some municipalities may have rules in place that govern renovations. Add-ons may not be allowed to exceed certain height limits, nor may structures be built within a certain number of feet of property lines. Homeowners who choose to build upward will have to contend with work 18

HomeStyle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Spring 2015

crews and other staff being in their homes. Raising the roof may require vacating the premises at a certain point. Also, extensive renovation work will be needed on the lower level of the home, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to shore up the structure, clean up after the renovation or repair ceilings, drywall and other components where levels meet. It may seem easier to expand outward, but this requires laying additional foundation for the new building structure. Bringing in digging equipment and masons can be costly. When you build vertically, such foundation work may not be necessary if your home is structurally sound and can bear the weight of the addition. Building out typically involves the least disruption to your life and the existing space. Homeowners should keep in mind that any renovation will require permits or variances. In addition, if the project increases the value of the home, home insurance costs and property taxes may rise. Only after all considerations have been weighed should a project begin. (Metro Services)

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HOME RENOVATION 101:

TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS Home renovations are typically exciting, as homeowners get to see the visions of their dream homes come to light right before their very eyes. Turning an outdated bathroom into a modern oasis or an empty basement into the ultimate man cave strengthens the sense of attachment homeowners have with their homes.

• Accept the mess. Construction work is messy. There’s no way to maintain a pristine house when contractors are entering and exiting all day. Dust is bound to be generated, and tools can fill up rooms. A home in disarray can be stressful, but continue to visualize the end result and the mess won’t bother you so much.

But few home renovation projects go from start to finish without experiencing a few bumps in the road along the way. Such bumps can be difficult to handle for homeowners working on their first renovation projects, but there are many ways for novices to navigate the sometimes murky waters of home improvement projects and come out relatively unscathed on the other end, where a newly renovated home awaits.

• Establish a contingency plan. Bathrooms and kitchen renovations are typically the most disruptive home improvement projects. Going without a kitchen can make it difficult to enjoy meals at home, while a bathroom remodel may require you to navigate water shutoffs. If your project is scheduled to take several months, establish a contingency plan to deal with the consequences of your renovation project. Speak with family members about using some of their home amenities, and prepare and freeze meals in advance so you can reheat them later on when you don’t have access to your stove.

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Plan well and know what to expect. When working with contractors, get all agreements in writing and spell out exactly what you desire in a home renovation. Photo references can help guide contractors and architects. Ask for the full picture of what can be expected with the work, from demolition to the punch list. Knowing what lies ahead can keep you grounded throughout the project.

• Discuss work each day and set payment schedules. Make payments contingent on work completed. This can help keep contractors on schedule. Paying for all work upfront leaves homeowners at a disadvantage, as it does not provide incentive for workers to be timely and efficient. Check in with workers to get daily progress reports. • Have reasonable expectations. A renovation project may exceed its budget and take longer than initially expected. Understanding that these potential setbacks might be part of the process will make it easier to handle them when the foreman speaks to you about any issues that arise.

HomeStyle – Spring 2015

• Plan your escape. Sometimes the constant work and mess of construction is too much to bear. Afford yourself time away by visiting relatives or staying at a hotel. Even a single night away can provide the relief you need. A home that is undergoing a remodel can be a less than comfortable environment. But homeowners who have never before lived through a renovation project can take several steps to make the process go as smoothly as possible. (Metro Services)

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Spring 2015 – HomeStyle

DO consider the way your kitchen will look with the rest of the home. Keep architectural integrity in mind when designing the space. A farmhouse sink and country cabinets can look out of place in an ultra-modern home. DON’T overlook the importance of a seasoned designer or architect. These pros will know the tricks to maximizing space and achieving the ideal layout of appliances and may be able to recommend local contractors and vendors.

DO look beyond surface details to the structural integrity of the design. The kitchen should be functional, long-lasting and beautiful.

DON’T design just for today, but look to the future as well. Unless you are willing to spend $50,000 every five years, look for styles and materials that will last for the long haul. Older homeowners may want to make adjustments now that address potential mobility issues down the road.

KiTcheN RemODeliNg

DO’s & DON’Ts According to Remodeling magazine’s “2014 Cost vs. Value Report,” a major kitchen remodeling project should enable homeowners to recoup 74.2 percent of their initial investments. Kitchen renovations have long been a safe way to improve the functionality and value of a home. But not every kitchen project is a guaranteed winner. Homeowners may inadvertently make changes that end up sticking out like a sore thumb rather than improving the space. Take a look at these kitchen remodeling do’s and don’ts to guide your next undertaking. 22

HomeStyle – Spring 2015

DO work with what you have. A complete demolition and renovation is not always necessary to achieve the desired results. Only invest in major changes if something is not working (such as having to walk across the entire kitchen to access the stove) or is unsafe. Otherwise, minor upgrades may do the trick. DON’T over-improve the space. A fully equipped commercial kitchen may be handy for a professional chef, but the average person may not need an industrial hood and indoor pizza oven. When you make excessive improvements, you may not be able to recoup as much of the money spent because your home will not be on par with the values of homes in the neighborhood.

DO make sure you can afford the project. Plan for some unexpected purchases and plan out the renovation according to your budget. Skimping on materials or design because of lack of money may leave you feeling dissatisfied afterward. (Metro Services)

CHOOSE PAINT COLOR TO AFFECT MOOD Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a space. The colors homeowners choose for their walls can give rooms their own unique feel and even affect the moods of the people within them.

a youthful appeal to a space. Consider an orange accent wall or a burst of color with orange throw pillows. If pumpkin orange is a little too bold for you, tone it down by choosing a more pastel, peachy hue, which is equally warm and energizing.

Finding the right shade for a bedroom or kitchen involves more than just selecting the first color that catches your eye. Design experts and psychologists alike say it may be worthwhile to choose a color that helps you feel good rather than just following design trends. The paint color you pick may add energy to a space or create a tranquil retreat where you can unwind at the end of the day.

RED

BLUE To create a spa-like environment and a more serene space, look to shades of blue in soft variations. Cool blues are soothing colors that can help lower stress levels and promote sleep. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why blue is a frequent fixture in bedrooms and bathrooms. Just be advised that too much blue can make a room appear cold and stark, so balance out blue with some warmer accents.

ORANGE Many people do not immediately consider bright orange for their homes, but when used as an accent shade, orange can really brighten up a home. Orange is considered a shade that expands creativity and imparts

Red stimulates energy and appetite, which is why the shade is so popular in restaurants and home dining spaces. Red is a good choice for social gathering rooms but may not be the wisest choice for a bedroom, as the color may prove overstimulating.

GREEN Green can evoke composure and tranquility and works in any room of the house. Since green is the primary color of nature, it also works well for those people who want to bring some of the outdoors inside and work with the fresh starts and new growth that green can inspire. To make green feel less subdued and sleepy, work with its complementary opposite, red, by using a few bold red accents here and there to balance out the tranquility of green.

ethereal and spiritual. Some designers suggest avoiding purple in a bedroom because that is a place you want your brain to rest rather than be stimulated.

YELLOW Few colors are more vibrant than yellow, which can help stimulate conversation and make thoughts more focused. A luminous shade of yellow is an ideal way to make any space more welcoming and bright. Just use it sparingly, as too much yellow may not be a good thing. Yellow accents mixed with touches of purple can offer the balance needed to prevent yellow rooms from overwhelming residents and guests. Home decorators should keep in mind that colors can be blended to create the desired environment. A color scheme based on complementary colors, or those opposite on the color wheel, may fit. Otherwise, analogous color schemes, or those colors that are next to one another on the color wheel, can create a variation that suits your design needs. (Metro Services)

PURPLE People have long related purple to royalty, and this dramatic color can add a formal, regal aspect to a home depending on the hue. Purple also may help stimulate the creative side of the brain. In paler shades of lavender, purple can seem almost

Spring 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HomeStyle

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