30 Tribute to Realtors & Builders
Ponte Vedra Recorder ·September 24, 2015
Create curb appeal with lighting, hardware and more
(BPT)
Create points of interest with plants
Soon, all things pumpkin spice will
be here, including the home visitors
that bring them. In preparation of the
door bell ringing, create a little spice
of your own with some seasonal curb
appeal. You don’t have to limit yourself to pumpkins and hay bales - below are tips and projects for sprucing
up your home’s view from the curb
this season.
You don’t have to stop enjoying
beautiful plants and flowers simply
because summer is over. Add pops
of color by arranging pots filled with
hearty fall flowers like mums, sedum
or asters around your front door, or
on a porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied
sizes, shapes and colors to add visual
interest.
Front door, first impressions
Accent with lighting
Your front door is one of the first
things people notice about your home.
Give your door a fresh face with a
coat of paint in a bold fall color to
draw the eye to this focal point of
your home.
Another project is to replace the
door entirely. Consider options with
decorative glass accents, and stunning
sidelights (windows on either side of
the door) to add more natural light
while maintaining a sense of style and
privacy. Plus, as temperatures start
to drop, Energy Star -qualified entry
doors, like those from Pella, will help
maintain your home’s energy efficiency. For entry door inspiration check
out Pinterest, your resident showroom
As summer light fades into shorter,
darker days, add exterior accent
lighting to the front of your home.
Illuminate a walking path with groundinsert solar lights. Or consider solar
spotlights to bring out landscaping or
to shine on your updated front door.
Install matching light fixtures outside
your front door, garage door or patio
door to provide well-lit entrances that
are stylish and inviting to neighbors
and guests.
For more curb appeal inspiration,
follow Pella on Pinterest and Houzz
and visit Pella.com to connect with
your local Pella representative for ideas
on how to transform the look and
comfort of your home inside and out.
or your local home improvement store.
Accessorize with new hardware
Replace your front door hardware
for a quick, easy facelift. Choose hardware finishes that complement light
fixtures, mailbox and house numbers
for a polished, cohesive look. You’ll be
delightfully surprised what a difference
new hardware can make in creating an
updated look to your home.
Refresh exterior body and trim colors
For a dramatic change, repaint
your home’s exterior. It’s bold and
can make your home stand out from
other homes on the block. Not up for
the bold change? To make an impact
with a smaller change, add new trim
colors. When updating trim, choose
color schemes that match your home’s
primary exterior color, or complement
it with a fresh twist.
Fall is the best season for home improvement
(BPT)
The weather is nice
The rituals of fall include
sending kids back to school,
raking leaves and cheering on
the hometown football team.
In addition, a new fall tradition has emerged for America’s
nearly 74 million homeowners
- home improvement.
This fall promises to be
particularly popular for home
projects. Lower gas prices are
boosting people’s discretionary
income and Metrostudy’s latest
Residential Remodeling Index
points to a continued rise in
activity.
Like many trends, there isn’t
one particular reason fall has
emerged as a popular time for
home improvement, several
factors play a role.
Home improvement projects can be hard and even
grueling work, particularly for
DIYers. Lower temperatures
and humidity create a much
more comfortable environment for getting things done
(and rhetorically keeping your
cool when obstacles inevitably
arrive).
Energy efficie ncy is top of
mind
Fall is an excellent time to
save money by finding great
deals on home improvement
supplies and service. Year-end
sales begin and discounts can
be steep. Retailers like Lumber
Liquidators, with their annual
Yard Sale in October, often
have discounts to clear inventory before the New Year.
Also, contractors are busiest
With colder weather on the
horizon, homeowners shudder
at the thought of higher heating costs. They upgrade windows, layer in more insulation,
service or replace old furnaces
and, in some cases, do all of
the above.
The holiday entertaining wow
factor
Everyone wants their home
to sparkle when they welcome
family and friends during the
holidays. Completing a home
improvement project during
the fall sets up a big reveal
when the holidays roll around.
Falling prices
during the warmer months
- their business cools as the
weather does.
Facing tight timelines and
tighter budgets, homeowners
often need to prioritize their
projects. Installing hardwood
floors often provides a high
return on investment, both
from a quantitative (home
value) and qualitative (pride in
ownership) standpoint.
No matter what a homeowner chooses to do during
the fall home improvement
season, it will help reduce
cabin fever during the winter
months.