Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing home you want to create an eye-catching and appealing look. It is important to figure out your style and the atmosphere you want to achieve. Your home is your biggest investment - you want it to be comfortable as well as a profitable investment for the future.
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Lifestyle is the most important aspect to consider when deciding on what selections to make for your home. You want your choices of products to stand up to the test of time and look great after years of living in them. If your new home or renovation project is for the purpose of selling after a short period of time as an investment, you should base all your choices on esthetics, something that would suit most lifestyles. So let's start by talking cosmetics - what is popular and who they work for.
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Wall colour:
Dark wall colors are still the rave and have been for over 8 years. Dark colors add depth and rooms feel comfortable and inviting. If the right color is selected it will accentuate the other stunning products selected for your home and bring out their true beauty. Make sure you or your builder uses eggshell hi-hide paint. It is washable and you are able to obtain a deeper hue of color when mixed with the higher grade of paint. |
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Countertops:
Countertop surfaces are another consideration of what product will work best for your purpose. If selecting a laminate countertop for your kitchen, use a crystal finish. The end product is not shiny but rather has a subtle sheen. It offers a tougher finish and cleans up streak free. Granite is very popular and has a fabulous visual elegance. Tiled counters have a rich elegant look as well. I don't recommend doing all your kitchen working surfaces in tile. It lends itself to a rougher uneven surface and can be difficult when performing certain duties. Try it on your island, which is the main focal point of your kitchen, or on the bathroom countertop surfaces with a top mount drop in basin - a stunning end result. If your budget allows for partial granite or tile, finish the entire kitchen in a laminate and add granite or tile to the raised eating bar. If you want a bit of pizzazz but your budget doesn't allow for granite or tile, try a dramatically different laminate color on the raised breakfast bar than the one selected for the remainder of your countertops. |
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Flooring:
Berber carpet has been high in demand for the past five years and is not showing any sign of fading out of the limelight. It is considered the perfect carpet for the busy family. At the end of a busy and tired week it does not look like it needs to be vacuumed, although it should be vacuumed as regularly as any other carpet. A multi-colored or speckled Berber is best in homes with children as they are more forgiving. A solid colored Berber is great in most households and has a higher end look. Berber is not recommended in homes with pets as their claws can catch on a loop and ruin the whole carpet if pulled.
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| Hardwood in the pre-finished form is becoming high in demand, with its rich look and warm feel. It requires moisture to maintain its beauty so you'll want to keep a constant watch on the humidity level in your home. Pre-finished hardwood is quite durable for families with children and animals, but animals may cause scratch marks from their rambunctious ways. When choosing hardwood with wood cabinets, choose hardwood that is either darker or lighter than the cabinets so that they both stand-out. Try to match either the hardwood or cabinets to your furniture so there are not too many wood colours in the room.
Tile floors is your best bet for an expensive look and durability. This type of floor would work for any lifestyle and theme you may be creating. Heated flooring is a nice option to keeping your feet warm. If you don't want to spend the money on the under tile heating you can throw down area rugs as they look great and feel lush under your feet.
Cork flooring is going to try to make a big comeback this year. It is warm and soft to walk on and looks great but does have a busier look than hardwood and most tiles. Its unique look may receive a slightly higher risk of criticism when it comes to the re-sale of your home. People view it to be acceptable in some rooms but not throughout the home. |
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fabric:
when doing a mix of three prints, use three scales for harmony - small, medium and large. Why? Too many small prints is dull, too many large prints fight for attention. Small, medium and large prints co-exist without sibling rivalry. Place your large print that you selected on the furniture because it is the largest item in the room. Smaller scale prints can go with the accents such as toss pillows and tiebacks pillow shams. Put the medium prints on the medium pieces such as bed skirts. When choosing your family of three colors use the same weight of fabric and choose similar colors within the bodies of the fabrics. The degree of formality is the same as well. |
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room size challenges:
for those of you with small rooms, get the best results for social functions by putting an auto-man in the room rather than a coffee table. This doubles as additional seating or put a tray on it and it can be used as a coffee table. Tuck some low stools under your island for additional seating. Purchase some fold-up chairs, and nice slip covers to go over them, that you can put away in a closet when they're not needed. Another small tip is to place a long mirror horizontally on a wall so the room appears larger. |
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