The Ponte Vedra Recorder | Page 29

Tribute to Realtors & Builders 35 Ponte Vedra Recorder · September 24, 2015 Prepare your home for the holidays Upgrades Continued from 33 common home improvement, installing one could be beneficial if your home is in a storm-prone area where power outages occur regularly. A generator may also be an important home enhancement if you have critical electrical systems that must stay on, such as medical devices for a homebound patient. When you’re considering upgrading a home, keep in mind that resale value isn’t the only consideration. It’s equally important that the upgrades make sense for the home and your lifestyle. (BPT) Bored with the whirlwind of red and green decor that inundates every home during the holiday season? This year, more homeowners are thinking beyond the traditional when decorating for winter celebrations. Expert insight into the year’s top decor trends can help anyone create impressive, elegant holiday style with minimal effort. “Red and green will always be classic, but when it comes to holiday decor, rules are meant to be broken,” says Kirsty Froelich, design director for The Tile Shop. “Anyone can use inventive color schemes, fun patterns and smart home updates to create spaces that embrace the essence of the season.” Froelich notes six top trends to keep in mind when decorating for the holiday season: Financing Continued from 32 Credit card Credit cards can be used for large or small purchases and may earn rewards, which can add up to significant benefits when you’re making big home improvement purchases. However, credit cards often have higher interest rates than other loan or credit options, which should be taken into consideration. Feel festive with florals An easy first step to bring your home into the holiday season is to add festive fresh or dry floral arrangements. Evergreens and poinsettias always convey the essence of the season, but blooms in hues of rich purple, crisp white and even funky fuchsia will add cheerful energy to any room. A small floral arrangement on a bathroom vanity, for example, adds warmth and color — a particularly nice touch if you’re hosting guests. Beautify with backsplashes Tiling your backsplash is an easy update that instantly upgrades a kitchen or bar space, and serves as a great conversation starter for guests. Start this project in the fall so you have plenty of time to finish before the thick of the holidays. A backsplash also can be a relatively inexpensive project with a stunning impact. Be merry with metallics To create a show-stopping visual effect, use metallics in details throughout your home. Chrome and nickel are hot, and there’s a current resurgence of brass and gold. If you have metal in your backsplash tiles, add a centerpiece in the same metal to tie the entire room together. Keep in mind that less is more. Thoughtful touches of holiday decor will have bigger visual impact than an overload of figurines and frills. Personal loans and lines of credit These personal credit options typically offer quick credit decisions and access to funds in a day. Lines of credit provide ongoing access to funds. The fireplace is often a focal point during any holiday. Designed by KTM Architect, this fireplace renovation has a neutral color palette that integrates seamlessly as holiday decor changes throughout the year. Seasonal embellishments like greenery, accessories and a stunning gold mirror complement beautifully crafted tile patterns to highlight the hearth and facade. Featured product from The Tile Shop includes Multi Smooth Rectified stones (mantel wall), Noir Listello and Noir Ho