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THE GARDEN ISLAND
Friday, November 24, 2023 • B3
Transform your home in the new year and contemporary. These tiny details can tie a room together, complementing your overall design theme. Whether you opt for sleek, minimalist designs or something more ornate and eye-catching, new fixtures and hardware can breathe new life into every corner of your home.
BRANDPOINT Looking ahead to a new year can inspire dreams and ideas for exciting ways to transform your home, but it can also feel daunting to take on a list of new projects. The good news is you don’t need a total remodel to get the home you want, and even small changes can bring new life to your home. Whether you’re craving a complete transformation or just a few impactful changes, here are some specific approaches to enhance any room in your home:
Reorganize and declutter
Shed some new light Lighting isn’t just functional; it’s a mood maker, a style statement. This year, embrace the elegance of recessed lighting. These fixtures blend seamlessly into your ceiling, offering a sleek, modern look that opens up any room. Imagine soft, ambient light that enhances your living space’s warmth and character. Recessed lighting isn’t just for living rooms; it can transform kitchens, bedrooms, and even bathrooms into sophisticated spaces. Plus, it’s surprisingly versatile — dimmable options can switch your room from a bright, energetic workspace to a cozy, intimate nook in seconds.
Start from the bottom up Floors are the unsung heroes of home design. They set the stage for your entire decorating scheme. So if you really want to reset the vibe of your home, consider starting with fresh hardwood flooring. LL Flooring’s Bellawood hardwood flooring offers enduring, luxurious floors created from the finest wood species, available in a wide range of tones, textures and styles. “Few other investments
U.S. mortgage rate falls to 7.29 percent ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell for the fourth time in as many weeks, more positive news for prospective homebuyers who have been held back by sharply higher borrowing costs and heightened competition for relatively few homes for sale. The latest decline brought the average rate on a 30-year mortgage down to 7.29 percent from 7.44 percent last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.58 percent. Despite the recent pullback, the average rate on a 30-year home loan is still sharply higher than just two years ago, when it was around 3 percent. Higher rates can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting how much they can afford in a market already out of reach for many Americans. They also discourage homeowners who locked in far lower rates two years ago from selling. The elevated mortgage rates and a near-historic-low supply of homes on the market have stymied sales of previously occupied U.S. homes, which slumped in October to their slowest pace in more than 13 years and have now fallen 20.2 percent through the first 10 months of the year versus the same period in 2022. “In recent weeks, rates have dropped by half a percent, but potential homebuyers continue to hold out for lower rates and more inventory,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.
and home improvement projects can refresh and revive your home like solid hardwood floors,” said Jen Meska, Director of Merchandising for LL Flooring. “Hardwood floors are a timeless home décor choice that bring warmth, luxury and comfort underfoot and are built to last generations, and Bellawood floors are the top of the line in both quality and style.” Learn more about flooring options to transform your home at LLFlooring. com.
Create an accent wall An accent wall is like the cherry on top of your interior design. It’s a statement, a conversation starter. This year, transform a plain wall into a stunning focal point. Whether you choose a bold paint color, striking wallpaper, or even a textured material like wood or stone, an accent wall adds depth and personality to any room. It’s the perfect opportunity to express your creativity and individuality. Plus, it’s a
Embrace the new year with a clean slate by reorganizing and decluttering your home. A well-organized space not only looks better but also improves functionality and reduces stress. Start by sorting through your belongings, keeping only what you love and use. Then, invest in smart storage solutions that keep your space tidy and COURTESY OF BRANDPOINT your items easily accessible. Remember, declutterrelatively simple and ing isn’t just about getting cost-effective project that rid of things — it’s about can have a dramatic imcreating a more peaceful pact on your space’s over- and harmonious environall look and feel. ment where you can truly relax and enjoy your Refresh your fixtures home. Sometimes, the smallTransforming your est changes make the big- home for the new year is gest difference. Updating about making small fixtures and hardware is a changes that have a big quick, easy and affordable impact. When creating your project wish list for way to give your home a modern facelift. Swap out- the new year, keep these design tips in mind to dated cabinet knobs, transform your home into drawer pulls, light the sanctuary of your switches and faucet handreams. dles for something fresh