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Have you ever watched one of those home makeover shows or flipped through the pages of Southern Living and immediately got the itch to make some changes, but were too nervous to take the plunge? Well, you’re not alone.
Decorating or redecorating your home can be quite an undertaking because there are so many things to consider, such as your budget, the sizes of your rooms, and the particular style that you’re shooting for.
If your budget won’t allow you to completely decorate or overhaul your home, it’s best to prioritize your projects. Those who entertain a lot may want to focus on the dining and living room areas. If creating a stress-free sanctuary is your goal, then you may want to focus on your bedroom.
The good news is that even the smallest changes can make the most dramatic differences in making your house truly a home that reflects your personal tastes and individuality.
Outside the home
A lot of that individuality starts before you even enter the front door, like an attractive shrub and flower garden. “One of the best pieces of advice we can give to people embarking on landscaping is that it is best to take some time to do a little research and plan the garden,” said Tina Mast of Homewood Nursery and Garden Center in Raleigh. “If you are inexperienced, go out and speak to nursery professionals at local nurseries to get feedback about plants you would like to use and your plans for your landscape. Ask them for resources such as books and Web sites that can help you learn how to garden for our area.” Mast says that it’s easy to make mistakes that will show up months and even years later.
Some common mistakes
• Not knowing the sun exposure in a garden bed and planting the wrong plants there.
• Not realizing how big plants will be at maturity and ending up with a plant that is too big for its space or an overcrowded bed.
• In our region, planting too deep. Where the trunk meets the root ball should be level with or slightly higher than the ground around the plant.
• Failure to learn how to water properly.
• Not amending the soil properly when planting.
• Assuming that gardening in North Carolina is like gardening in the state they are from.
Mast also had some great suggestions for some of the newest trends in landscaping:
• Organic gardening and eco-chic. Colorful, stylish, and innovative products that are non-toxic and environmentally friendly such as biodegradable pots.
• Outdoor living: outdoor kitchens, expanded seating areas, fire pits, and furniture.
• Lighted gardens for evening use.
• Smart, easy, low-maintenance landscapes with colorful, long-blooming plants.
• Small organic vegetable gardens with heirloom varieties.
• Buying local.
• Pondless water features.
• Water conservation and capturing storm water.
Remember, a lot of the advice of your local nursery is free so why not take advantage of it.
Inside the home
Inside the home, the possibilities are endless. New products are hitting the shelves not everyday, but seemingly, every hour. Bathrooms are the newest decorating “frontier.”
“Non-porous, easy to clean products are the trend in today’s bathroom remodeling,” said Jay Khoeler, sales manager for Re-Bath of the Triad/Triangle/Wilmington. “Tile with grout, fiberglass, cultured marble and natural stone are all porous products. Over time they are hard to clean and loose there luster. Re-Bath’s patented product Dura-Bath SSP is a nonporous product that will never stain or fade. It is easy to clean, just wipe it down with Windex and you are done.”
The fixtures themselves are also changing. Michelle Silvis is Showroom Manager for Wilkinson Supply Co. in Raleigh. “Furniture type vanities in the bathrooms are really big,” she said. “Each year we are seeing more and more colors, styles and sizes. It is important to find a good quality piece that is made to go into the bathroom. Some of the less expensive pieces may look good, but probably won’t hold up as well in high humidity conditions. The other thing we are seeing is the move to water conserving or ‘green’ products. We have several manufacturers that making low flow showerheads (that actually work really well) and toilets with dual flush options.”
“Walk-in showers are a trend in today’s bathroom remodeling,” added Khoeler. “We can take out a five-foot bathtub and make it into a luxurious walk in shower in a just a couple of days. When people are remodeling their bathrooms and they are taking out bathtubs, they are more than likely to go back with a walk-in shower. Seniors are especially excited about the walk-in bathtubs. It’s nice for the client who loves to take a bath or needs the therapeutic benefit of a whirlpool tub, but can’t step over the tub.”
Appliance upgrades
“In appliances the newest, coolest product we are seeing is the speed oven. Several manufacturers are making them now,” said Silvis. “Most will cook your food 50 to 80 percent faster than a conventional oven without giving up taste. For our busy lifestyles, this is a great product.”
Quality above price
No matter what home décor project you tackle, don’t scrimp. Do your homework. Paying more on the front end may save you in the long run. “The higher quality products will save the homeowner time and money,” said Silvis. “That is my best suggestion for anyone. Consumers are much more educated on products and will realize the importance of quality throughout their home.”
Remember, through the choice of furniture, color, fabric, painting and sculpture, any home’s look can be customized to fit into the lifestyle and tastes of its owner. Don’t underestimate the simple addition of a piece of wall art, quality lamp, or end table to a room. The result can be a beautiful custom interior. There are areas to do-it-yourself and areas to hire the professional, areas to visit the flea market and areas where only the exclusive furniture store will do. The ability to discern between the two makes all the difference in the world in making a house a home.
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