anager Red. Maxi Teal. Convivial Yellow. According to national color expert Kate Smith, these are the three most welcoming colors people can add to their home exteriors to increase their property's curb appeal.
"Red on the front of a home instantly invites someone in with the promise of something delightful inside," says Smith, chief color maven at Sensational Color. "Bright red is a classic, but in today's society I believe that Tanager Red, with its toned down red that leans toward orange, is a really beautiful accent color.
"The second color, Maxi Teal, is the perfect blend of warm and cool. Almost any shade of blue-green complements brown, white and warm gray exteriors and this is the ultimate in teal. A recent study of 30,000 people from 100 countries confirms that a blue-green shade of teal was their favorite color. It's easy to see how this enticing color can add great curb appeal to a home.
"Finally, Convivial Yellow. As many people know, yellow is often associated with happiness, sunshine and joy --- all positive things. The paler, more approachable shade of yellow found in Convivial Yellow will certainly welcome guests to a home and set it apart in the neighborhood."
Smith relates that homes do not need to be "blanketed" with a specific color, but that subtle splashes of color can be quite effective. From potted flowers reflecting the color tones to home accents, curb appeal starts by creating visually-appealing areas of the home exterior.
"Shutters, window trim, front doors and louvers are all the first, most obvious places to add 'pop out' curb appeal color to a home exterior," says Smith. "These are fast, easy and eye-catching areas of the home that can help really benefit from the addition of color."
Smith recommends working with a polyurethane trim manufacturer, such as Nu-WoodTM, that can provide decorative home exterior pieces in any color imaginable. "This company can paint pieces in their factory in any one of 9,000 Sherwin-Williams® Company colors plus in custom colors," says Smith. "That can give you the opportunity to select subtle shades of red, teal or yellow, or your favorite colors, to accent your home."
According to Randy Miller at Nu-Wood, having the color applied to decorative millwork polyurethane pieces inside the factory assures a clean, even coat with no flaws. "Because the paint is applied in a sterile setting and cured in an oven, there's no chance of getting outdoor dust, insects or airborne debris particles attaching themselves to the wet paint, as can happen in jobsite paint jobs," says Miller, director of sales for Nu-Wood, a Jasper Plastics Company. "In addition, the 'out of the box, onto the house' application of the color-painted products speeds up the installation process, saving time and money on the jobsite."
Additional benefits of using polyurethane pieces on home exteriors are substantial for homeowners. The pieces are rot-, moisture-, mold-, insect- and impact-resistant and will not crack, absorb water or swell. Lightweight and easy to install, Nu-Wood pieces come in a wide variety of shutters, door and window trim, louvers, mouldings and brackets.
To commemorate National Curb Appeal Month in August, DaVinci Roofscapes, a leading manufacturer of composite slate and shake roofing tiles, has compiled a list of five top curb appeal resources for homeowners.
"Summertime is the perfect point in the year to make improvements to your home exterior," says Michael Cobb, vice president of sales and marketing at DaVinci Roofscapes. "The first step is to carefully look at your home from the 'top down' to see what can be done to enhance its appearance and overall value."
Cobb reminds homeowners that the roof can sometimes offer as much as 40 percent of the visibility on a home exterior. "Take a fast look at your home and you'll most likely see that the roof plays the largest part of your curb appeal view," says Cobb. "If your roof is in poor shape --- if it's missing tiles or has curling shingles --- that makes a negative impact on the overall curb appeal of your home.
"A new roof, with colors that complement your entire home exterior, can make a positive impact on your home's curb appeal and value. Just imagine a new, low-maintenance composite slate roof on your home with a blend of different shades of gray that sets off the rest of your home. It's a stunning way to add more color and style to a home."
If it's time to consider a new roof for your home, experts at DaVinci Roofscapes recommend these five free resources to get educated on re-roofing options that can increase the curb appeal of your house:
Top Down ColorTMVisualizer - online tool allows you to upload pictures of your home exterior or use images of 10 supplied home styles. Tool lets you quickly make and see changes to roofing materials and colors, along with adjustments to the home's siding, accessories, doors and windows trim. www.davinciroofscapes.com/color/designer
FRESH Home Exteriors Color Guide - online guidebook featuring "5 Steps for Finding the Perfect Hues for Your Home." Learn the importance of fixed features, regional colors, the environment, style of the home and "have-to-use" colors when considering the overall curb appeal of your home. http://www.davinciroofscapes.com/color/color-books/?media=FRESHHomeExteriorColors
FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior - online booklet shows step-by-step process for selecting the best exterior color combinations for your home. Tips on adding coordinated color selections for a variety of home styles, including Colonial, Ranch, Bungalow, Victorian, Spanish Mission, European and New American. http://www.davinciroofscapes.com/color/color-books/?media=color-schemes
Tips for Selecting Roofing Products from Allen Lyle with Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford - overview and tips on selecting roofing materials includes review of features and benefits of composite roofing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv36eu65rMs
Off to work. Picking up the kids. Running errands. What's the one door in your home you're most likely to use the most often every day? The garage door. And, during National Curb Appeal Month in August, experts at Haas Door recommend you take a good look at that "most used" door in the home.
"It's a mistake for homeowners to give their garage door less attention than the front entry or other doors into the home," says Jeffrey Nofziger, president of Haas Door from Wauseon, Ohio. "The garage door is THE door you're in and out of most often every day. And, if your home design features the garage door on the front exterior of your house, then it's extremely important to 'make it work' for you in terms of curb appeal."
According to the 2017 Cost Versus Value Study by Remodeling magazine, a garage door replacement is also a smart investment for a homeowner. At a projected 76.9 percent cost recouped on a mid-range priced home, a new garage door almost pays for itself over time.
Nofziger suggests that a garage door should serve as an extension of a home's style and personality. With options available ranging from decorative glass windows to hardware accessories to unique colors, a wide variety of ways exist to personalize a garage door.
To assist homeowners in envisioning how different types of garage doors can add to the overall curb appeal of a home, Haas Door offers a free design tool called HaasCreate. In just a few steps, the online visualizer tool, located at www.haascreate.com, allows you to upload a photo of a home and outline the existing garage area. An app for the iPad, which doesn't require an internet connection to use, is also available for free at the Apple store.
HaasCreate helps to instantly create a new garage door with different styles, options and colors at your fingertips. For those people without an existing picture of their home, they can choose from sample home images. Personal product selections --- including a garage door style, color, windows, overlay colors, trim colors, handles and accessories --- allows the user to customize a garage door that enhances the home exterior.
"Whether selecting a rich wood grain finish like American Walnut or English Oak, or a colorful contemporary finish like Sahara Tan or Cool Black, the garage door can easily be created to complement the overall design of a home exterior," says Nofziger. "The HaasCreate app puts design creativity at your fingertips."
(BPT) - As homeowners begin to dream up plans to update their kitchens and bathrooms, they can spend hours searching for inspiration on the web or one of the many home renovation television shows. There’s no shortage of beautiful ideas and designs out there, but before you make any decision, you should start with the crucial question: What is it I really want?
A recent study conducted by the home design website Houzz found that the two things homeowners want most for their bathroom are style and ease of cleaning. In effect, people want their bathrooms to exhibit both function and design.
Of course, there are the conventional bathroom remodel options, such as a new faucet, countertop or shower fixture, all of which can be stunning and transform not just your bathroom but your house. But the most commonly used bathroom component is often the most overlooked: the toilet.
Eighty-three percent of Americans claim there’s something they want to improve upon with their toilets, according to a survey by Kohler. The question is what.
This statistic should give homeowners pause and invite them to think beyond the conventional bathroom remodeling ideas and re-imagine the possibilities.
Comfort, hygiene and style
Travelers returning from Italy, Spain, Argentina and Japan often rave about the unexpected luxury of using a bidet. While popular in many other countries, bidets are only just now catching on in the United States, moving from high-end luxury bathrooms and hospitals (where they’re used for their superior hygiene) into household bathrooms across America.
As the leading manufacturer of modern bidets, Kohler has been working to incorporate the trifecta of comfort, hygiene and style into their intelligent toilets.
Built directly into an ergonomically shaped toilet seat, a stainless-steel bidet wand offers adjustable water temperature, pressure, position and shape, along with pulsating and oscillating functions to maximize the comfort of the experience.
But that’s not all. To better introduce Americans to the international phenomenon of bidets, Kohler’s intelligent toilets feature a heated seat, warm air dryer and added sanitary features such as hands-free flushing and a deodorizing seat.
A redefined bathroom
Equipped with smart technology that allows a person to fully customize their experience, such ultra-modern bidets may change how Americans go to the bathroom — but only if the look is right.
Consumers are not willing to sacrifice design for functionality; they want it all. For anyone who has used or seen a Veil Intelligent Toilet, it’s evident that the same exacting standards it brings to cleanliness and hygiene go into its crisp, clean look.
A recent survey by Kohler suggests 33 percent of homeowners would be excited to upgrade their toilets. With this latest generation of toilets and bidets, it’s likely that more people will want to redefine their bathroom with these stunning new options.
(BPT) - Many homeowners today wonder how they can turn their bathrooms or kitchens into something worthy of making the rounds on Pinterest or Instagram. As more people want to give their home a personal and stylish touch, home decorating and interior design is hotter than ever, and the possibilities are seemingly limitless.
The only problem is that making up your mind can be overwhelming. If you’ve ever tried to pick what shade of blue or tint of gray to paint a wall, you know that sometimes there are too many choices. With over 140 years of designing kitchen and bathroom products, Kohler Kitchen & Bath tapped into a large brain trust of designers and product experts to identify the six leading kitchen and bath design trends for 2017.
All in the mix. We all know patterns play a big role in how large a room appears and what features are accented or emphasized. For all the importance people place on patterns, many are inherently afraid of blending — or mixing — patterns. Be bold! When done right, this can create a vibrant, energetic space that does more for your room than if you were to play it safe.
Perfect pairs. Two of the most striking colors to appear in kitchens and bathrooms these days are velvety blues and vivid greens. Blues are timeless and can work well by themselves in most situations, but add a small dose of blood orange and you’ve created an infectious vibe to the room. Nothing makes as dramatic a statement as pairing two complementary colors.
A softer white. A traditional color for bathrooms and kitchens, white gives off a clean, bright aura. Nonetheless, the look can be a bit clinical. Once way around this problem is to warm up the whites with tones of brass, gold or bronze. Subtle touches on the cabinets or backsplash can create a warm ambiance that softens the look of an all-white space.
Keep it neutral. If you’re looking for fun, vibrant colors but aren’t ready to go all in, consider neutral shades such as icy blue, blush sand and other straight-from-nature shades. These are a lot more refreshing than the standard beige! Such transparent neutrals beautifully diffuse light and lend themselves to contrasting elements.
Amber glow. The living room has expanded. Kitchens aren’t just for preparing food and bathrooms aren’t just for getting ready. People want a cozier, at-home feel for both these rooms. Top designers do this by adding a range of metallic fixtures coupled with smoky grays, a combination that creates a dramatic and welcoming room.
Noir. With the debut of black stainless steel appliances, black has made its way back to being a staple color in kitchens and bathrooms. Of late, the emphatic pairing of black and white has become the real showstopper. The idea here is to work with high contrast: think strong color-blocking patterns and heavy stripes. Two timeless colors will join to create a perfectly modern mixture.
To discover more ideas for your home visit ideas.kohler.com. Here you’ll find invaluable advice and inspiring fixtures to transform your bathroom into the room of your dreams.
Today more than ever, homeowners are seeking ways to maximize the footprint of their home - both inside the four walls and out. Outdoor environments can serve many purposes and are a perfect way to customize a space that is right for you.
hether you plan to live in your home for years to come, or have an upcoming listing on your mind, now could be a great time to create an outdoor living space.
As you consider creating a beautiful, yet functional outdoor area, here are some key elements to keep in mind:
Outdoor kitchens are in demand
Whether you keep it simple with a built-in grill, some counter space and a sink, or go grand with a brick pizza oven and abundant seating at a granite-topped counter, an outdoor kitchen is becoming a must. In fact, according to Realtor.com, home buyers will pay a premium of more than 26 percent for a home with an outdoor kitchen.
As with the indoor kitchen, many outdoor kitchens include a cooking area, sink, storage and refrigeration. As with your indoor kitchen, the faucet outside can be the perfect marriage of beauty and function. You can find a variety of kitchen faucets from manufacturers such as Danze that fulfill all your outdoor needs. Need the ability to put water exactly where you want it in your outdoor workspace? A pulldown faucet from Danze offers great looks and exceptional versatility.
Media makes it way outdoors
Many of the technology wonders you enjoy indoors are making their way into outdoor environments. From built-in flatscreen TVs that can stream video, to video gaming systems, Wi-Fi and surround sound, outdoor entertainment has gone high tech.
Whenever you're incorporating electronics and electricity in an outdoor environment, weather proofing and proper wiring are essential. Keep these critical aspects in mind while planning your outdoor space, and deciding what media you'll incorporate and where it will be placed.
Bars are big
Outdoor bars, like traditional tikki bars, may increase your home value by nearly 14 percent, according to Realtor.com. Whether you're thinking of adding a bar in tandem with your outdoor kitchen space, or want to simply expand your entertaining area, an outdoor bar requires a few basic elements.
A fully operational sink with a high-functioning bar faucet are a go-to when it comes to outdoor bars. Storage for beverages and glassware, a drink chiller, ice storage and seating can make your outdoor entertaining area an envy in the neighborhood.
Room for relaxation
While plenty of comfortable, attractive seating tend to be a significant part of outdoor living spaces, modern outdoor spaces are re-defining relaxation and entertainment. In addition to seating and dining areas, homeowners are incorporating recreational elements such as ping pong and billiards tables, putting greens, hot tubs and infinity pools.
Firepits and fireplaces are also popular for adding ambiance, and deliver the added bonus of extending the outdoor living season well into cooler months. Whether you choose to build a full-wall fireplace that doubles as a brick pizza oven, or stick with a more modest, portable firepit, adding heat and comfort to your outdoor space can also add value (upwards of 21 percent according to Realtor.com).
Outdoor living spaces offer a multitude of benefits and creative options. Even the simplest of designs can make a home feel larger, increase the property's resale value and bring years of enjoyment.
Whether the family dog gets his muddy paws on the couch, an ice cream cone melts all over the backyard hammock or a sudden storm soaks your new patio cushions, life is filled with unexpected messes. There's no time like the present to plan ahead so you're ready for whatever mess life throws your way.
Here are some simple steps you can take to protect the things you love both indoors and out, so they last well beyond the season:
Indoors
Clean upholstery: Sofas and chairs are vulnerable to surface stains, so cleaning upholstery on a regular basis is important. Start by vacuuming the furniture to remove as much surface debris as possible. Then use a damp, soapy cloth to gently spot treat the fabric, allowing it to soak in, reaching dirt beneath the surface. Once dry, protect the material withScotchgard Fabric & Upholstery Protector, which helps repel liquids and stains, preventing future messes.
Remove rug and carpet stains: Whether it's red wine, tomato sauce or berries, spills and dropped food can create unwanted stains, damaging your rugs and carpet. Tackle these messes as soon as they happen with a quick and easy DIY recipe. First, sprinkle the spot with baking soda, let it sit for 10 minutes and then vacuum. Mix a tablespoon of dish soap, a tablespoon of vinegar and two cups of warm water. Blot with a clean sponge until it disappears.
Clean your curtains: After using your curtains as a barrier between the outdoors and your living space all summer long, they likely collected dust. Most curtains can be steam cleaned, but taking them down and putting them back up again can be a hassle. To limit this, dust or vacuum your curtains every week as part of your cleaning routine. You can also use a lint roller to remove embedded dirt and grime that the vacuum can't handle.
Outdoors
Waterproof outdoor fabrics: With cooler temperatures coming, winter elements are sure to make landfall in your backyard. Protect your favorite outdoor cushions with the Scotchgard Outdoor Water Shield – moisture and liquids just roll right off.
Protect your footwear: As you break out your suede boots to step out in style this season, keep them looking great by protecting them from salt stains and snow with a water- and oil-repelling leather protector.
Care for your car: From muddy boots to coffee spills, messes often make it to car seats and floor mats when we least expect it. To clean these surfaces, mix 2 tablespoons of dish soap with 2 tablespoons of hot water and baking soda. Use a cleaning brush to lightly work through the stain in a circular motion. Wipe the area with a cloth and let the space air dry. To help prevent future stains, use an auto interior fabric protector.
With signs of fall creeping up across the country, families may be feeling as if the hurricane season is over. The experts say no. In fact, September is not only the peak of hurricane season, September 30 is National PrepareAthon! Day the perfect time to take stock of disaster plans.
Today, National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb joined forces with Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson during a national satellite media tour to raise awareness about flood and hurricane safety, prevention and financial protection options.
“Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem,” said Knabb. “Their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland. You need to find out what types of hazards could happen where you live, and then start preparing for how to handle them.”
Chapman-Henderson concurs. “If a disaster strikes, having the proper insurance for your home is the best way to ensure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild, or replace whatever is damaged.”
Before a disaster strikes, get #HurricaneStrong with these tips:
Be Smart. Take Part. Document and Insure Your Property. Have an insurance check-up. Coverage amounts, deductibles, and payment caps can vary significantly. Consult with your insurance professional to be sure your policy is right for you. Make updates based on new purchases, renovations, increases in property value, or increases in costs to rebuild or replace items. Buy flood insurance. This is not part of your homeowners’ policy and there is a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins.
Know your evacuation zone. Plan your escape route, where you will stay and what you will do with your pets. Storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane regardless of wind speed.
Family Preparedness - Build a disaster supply kit. You'll need to plan for two situations: Remaining in your home after a disaster or evacuating to a safer location. Keep cash on-hand because ATMs won’t function during a power outage.
Damage Prevention - Strengthen your home. The best place to start is with a Do-It-Yourself Wind Inspection to find out what needs attention. Make a list of what needs to be done, such as securing loose items that could be blown away by high winds. Trim your trees of dead branches that could become windborne missiles.
Design and Real Estate Experts Showcase How Revolutionary Technologies Like LG OLED TV Are Changing Today's Living Room Landscape
Today's living room doesn't look like living rooms from 30, 20 or even 10 years ago, and neither do home entertainment products or the habits of the modern family.
Bringing the living room revolution to life, LG Electronics USA partnered with powerhouse design duo Lydia Marks and Lisa Frantz of Marks & Frantz Interior Design to create "Modern Family Portraits," a series of living room present-day time capsules depicting how the modern family is designing and utilizing their space with advanced technology like LG OLED TV at the forefront.
Media attendees and guests experience LG’s 2016 OLED line-up at LG’s “Modern Family Portraits: Picture-Perfect Technology of the 21st Century Living Room” event in New York City on August 3, 2016.
Ricardo Rodriguez, real estate trends specialist of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; Dave VanderWaal, vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA; and Lydia Marks and Lisa Frantz of Marks & Frantz Interior Design participate in a panel discussion on the evolution of home design and technology at LG’s “Modern Family Portraits: Picture-Perfect Technology of the 21st Century Living Room” event in New York City on August 3, 2016.
From established millennial couples who are combining smart home technology with entertaining elements from trendy bars and restaurants into their own home, to empty nesters who are creating the ultimate home entertainment caves as they wave their kids off to college, tastemakers and influencers provided an exclusive look at the changing dynamics of the 21st Century living room.
A unique design-meets-technology case study, LG's Modern Family Portraits showcases how generational shifts in behaviors along with emerging technologies have led to a new set of living room design philosophies centered on home entertainment.
Three different living room vignettes, with LG's revolutionary 2016 OLED TVs front and center, were conceptualized and brought to life by renowned designers Marks & Frantz, who have worked on everything from film sets, such as Sex and the City, Money Monster and The Devil Wears Prada, to high-end residential and hospitality interiors.
In addition to the living room vignettes, Marks, Frantz and real estate trends specialist Ricardo Rodriguez of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage shared expert design and modern living insights in a live panel discussion alongside LG executives, who highlighted the marriage of advanced technology and design innovation for various life stages.
"LG continues to be at the forefront of creating innovations that deliver a better life for consumers with products that are smarter, more intuitive and offer greater connectivity and flexibility for consumers to use them where and when they want," said David VanderWaal, vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA, who moderated the expert panel.
Tapping their vast knowledge and experience, Marks & Frantz created living room scenarios that reflect three different modern day family archetypes – the established millennial couple living life to the fullest, the traditional family who are anything but traditionalists and the empty nesters who are enjoying a new life chapter. Each vignette featured one of LG's latest OLED TV models, along with other home entertainment, audio and smart products to showcase the various devices that make up the ecosystem of today's connected homes.
"Consumer electronics have had a huge impact on the way we design and live in our homes. They not only allow us to stay connected, but also serve as a distinct design statement that can elevate the look of any room and reflect one's lifestyle," said Marks, co-founder of Marks & Frantz. "Companies like LG are allowing us to incorporate electronics as part of the room design with their sleek, artful aesthetic and advanced functionality. LG's OLED TVs are so sleek and beautiful that you don't want to relegate them to an armoire or cabinet, but rather make them the focal point of the room."
"The three vignettes we designed showcase how technology and connected devices offer the flexibility to personalize living rooms to suit a particular family's lifestyle and create a connected hub where they can interact and bond with each other, as well as with friends and relatives that are near and far," added Frantz.
Established Millennial Couples Living Life to the FullestAccording to Frantz, the established millennial couple loves "cocooning" – it's all about hiding out at home and entertaining rather than going out. This vignette was designed to maximize comfort for this couple when they're at home and bring outside culture inside.
Complementing a young couple's love for spending time together and entertaining, the new line of LG OLED TVs, which includes four series with eight models, combines statement-making design with the best TV technology available. With LG OLED TV, they get the best picture quality available today, with perfect blacks and incredible color.
The entire 2016 OLED line up is 4K-enabled and the first to be compatible with both core HDR formats – Dolby Vision™ HDR and HDR10 – so couples can stay on trend with the assurance that they will get the newest HDR titles. LG's award-winning webOS 3.0 Smart TV platform* also offers access to a plethora of streaming content and apps along with some of the most widely consumer media in this demographic – channels like Buzzfeed, Esquire and more – through the new Channel Plus feature launching later this summer.
Making up nearly half of connected home adopters, the established millennial couple also cares about protecting their home with a flexible security option like the LG Smart Security™ plug-and-play monitoring solution and home automation hub secured by ADT Canopy™.
Traditional Families That Are Anything But TraditionalA recent study concluded that more than half of parents today say that technology makes them feel closer to their family1, so it's essential that families build a central hub where they can connect and bond through home entertainment, while also having the flexibility for "me" time. LG OLED TVs offer a viewing experience that only OLED can deliver, producing stunning, life-like picture that holds up even from wide viewing angles, so everyone can appreciate its color and clarity from any seat in the house – a must have for a large family. LG's webOS 3.0 Smart TV platform offers easy and fast access to a seemingly endless selection of content options.*
Parents can let loose and spend a few hours acting like one of the kids, with access to the GameFly Streaming App available through the platform. Since LG OLED TVs are also the first TVs to be compatible with both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, families can watch the newest HDR titles with the best picture quality possible from leading streaming content partners like Netflix, Amazon Video® and VUDU®.
With various members of the family either in school or working, they also need a tool for emails paired with school research projects or online shopping – laptops such as the LG gram® 15, which weighs a mere 2.2 pounds, while also boasting 0.7-inch thinness and a 15.6 inches screen, are a mainstay in this living room. Not to mention, having a second screen in the living room is great for those family members that love multitasking in front of the TV!
Empty Nesters Enjoying Life's Next ChapterWith the last kid finally off to college and out of the house, the empty nester living room represented the newly reclaimed space and discretionary spending power of this couple. The LG SIGNATURE® OLED TV (OLEDG6P) delivers the "wow factor" for a living room centerpiece with visually striking design and incredible picture quality.
A prime example of Empty Nester's home entertainment and home decor investment, the top-of-the-line LG SIGNATURE OLED TV features a stunningly sleek "Picture-on-Glass" form factor that sets a new benchmark in aesthetic design with an exceptionally thin depth – the width of just a few credit cards - translucent glass back and powerful, forward-facing sound bar that doubles as a stand. And, with the Magic Mobile connection feature accessible through LG's webOS Smart TV platform*, empty nesters can easily pair their smartphone to their LG SIGNATURE OLED G6 TV to view mobile content – like Facebook, Instagram and other popular social channels – so they can keep up with their kids.
When one person needs a little personal time, portable devices like LG's P5 wireless Bluetooth speakers allow them to stream music from popular online services, such as Spotify, Napster, iHeartRadio and Pandora and more from the privacy of their bedroom or anywhere in or around the house.
Marriage of Form and Function for Modern Day FamiliesLG's VanderWaal concluded: "Revolutionary advancements like LG OLED TV – an entirely new category of television – deliver what experts and enthusiasts have hailed as the best TV ever for its unrivalled picture quality and performance, but also have a sleek, elegant design and impossibly thin screen so that they're works of art on or off to complement any room. With today's innovations from LG, advanced design and function no longer live independently."
The Appraisal Institute, the nation's largest professional association of real estate appraisers, today encouraged homeowners to carefully choose renovation projects in order to maximize their return on investment.
"Home improvement projects are not necessarily investments in which a homeowner should expect a dollar-for-dollar return," said Appraisal Institute President Scott Robinson, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS. "Rather, these projects can increase the likelihood of a sale, or that a property will be comparable to other properties in a neighborhood."
According to Remodeling magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value report, the projects with the highest expected return on investment are attic insulation, manufactured stone veneer and garage door replacement. Other projects with potential payoffs, according to the report, are entry door replacement (steel and fiberglass) and minor kitchen remodel.
View a video of Robinson addressing home improvement tips.
Robinson advised homeowners considering renovation projects to consider if the improvement is in keeping within what's standard in the community.
"Projects that take a home significantly beyond community norms are often not worth the cost when the owner sells the home. If the improvements don't match what's standard in a community, they'll be considered excessive," Robinson said.
He also noted that homeowners may find it best to hold off on big renovations if they're unsure how long they will be in their home. The longer a homeowner stays in a property, the greater the opportunity for a return on investment, Robinson said.
For an unbiased analysis of what their home would be worth both before and after an improvement project, a homeowner can work with a qualified real estate appraiser – such as a Designated Member of the Appraisal Institute – to conduct a feasibility study.
During a feasibility study, the appraiser will analyze the homeowner's property, weigh the cost of rehabilitation and provide an estimate of the property's value before and after the improvement. By purchasing an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for a home, the owner may be eligible for a federal tax credit based on EPA-established guidelines. (See thecomplete list of eligible products, including program expiration dates.)
The Appraisal Institute offers a free, informative brochure titled "Remodeling & Rehabbing," which provides consumers with valuable advice on home improvement projects.
For years, consumer buying power and purchasing trends have focused around baby boomers. However, within the past several years, the spotlight has shifted to the 80-plus million Americans between the ages of 25 and 34 known as millennials. Now the largest demographic group in history, this generation is undoubtedly the most studied. Significant research findings, speculations and predictions about shopping habits and motivators are driving the world to cater to this influential group.
Home ownership is one example. Many speculate millennials aren't interested in, or in a position to buy a home because they're strapped with student loans and a tightened job market. While much of that is true, research paints a different overall picture. In fact, in many U.S. cities, millennials make up half or more of home purchasers (many of them first-time home buyers), according to a recent study by Realtor.com and reported by Bloomberg.So what are millennials looking for in their home? According to the recent Responsive Home initiative conducted by Builder Magazine, TRI Pointe Group (Pardee Homes) and partners such as Danze, Inc., several priorities rose to the top of their "must have" list when purchasing or building a home:
* Ability to maximize all spaces within the home (efficient, creative storage)
* Urban conveniences in suburban settings (able to walk to parks and schools)
* Plentiful outdoor space, including an outdoor kitchen when possible
* Customizable floor plans (i.e., ability to have a nanny or mother-in-law suite with kitchenette and more)
* Elements with high design that offer functionality and value
"There's no doubt this generation is very design savvy and has outstanding taste," says Sharon Overby, vice president of Danze, Inc. "We were excited to be part of the Responsive Home project. Our kitchen and bath faucets, shower systems, bath accessories and others play well with the design-functionality-value ratio."
Among the unique design aspects was the use of satin black as a finish throughout many of the bathrooms. Showerheads, faucets and accessories were often mounted on white subway tile (grouted in black) for a fun, impactful style.
In one of the kitchens, Responsive Home Creative Director Bobby Berk paired a white farmhouse sink with a Danze pull-down faucet in a tumbled bronze finish. The juxtaposition of mixing and matching elements such as these are at the heart of millennial style.
Outdoor living has proven to be a hot button for many buyers, including these 25-34-year-olds. The Responsive Home project featured unique use of outdoor space that showcased sunken sitting areas surrounded by beautiful gardens and water features, various applications of large-screen TVs and, of course, fully functional beautiful outdoor kitchens.
"The Danze line is a great match for this set of home buyers, whether they're building new or fixing up an existing home," adds Overby. "We've proven that eye-catching design and value-focused pricing can co-exist in kitchen and bath products, which are often a big aspect to the personality and style of a home."
For-sale listings touting craftsman or farmhouse-style design features sell faster and for more money than expected, according to Zillow Digs analysis
Why do some homes sell for a premium? In addition to timing, a home's listing description can have a significant impact on its final sale price. Listings mentioning keywords like "barn door," "shaker cabinets" or "subway tiles," sell faster and for up to 13 percent more than expected, according to a Zillow Digs® analysisi.
Zillow Digs analyzed listing descriptions from over 2 million homes nationwide sold between January 2014 and March 2016 to see how certain keywords referring to home features, amenities and design styles impacted their sale price.
Of the 60 keywords analyzed, listings mentioning "barn doors," a rustic sliding door often used on bedroom closets and kitchen pantries, saw the highest sale premium (13 percent above expected values). Other common craftsman-style keywords like "farmhouse sink" were also found in top-performing listings. Furthermore, homes described as "craftsman" performed better than any other design style analyzed. While people may think the rustic mason jar-vibe is out, it is still very popular with today's buyers.
"When it comes to real estate listing descriptions – words matter," says Dr. Svenja Gudell, Zillow chief economist. "Your listing description is an opportunity to highlight specific details and finishes that might not be visible in photos. Craftsman-style homes and amenities resonate incredibly well with today's buyers – so if you've got them, flaunt them! Meanwhile, not only are subway tiles and shaker cabinets popular with home buyers, they may also signal that the home has other desirable features like an open floor plan or a well-appointed kitchen."
Understanding what's popular among buyers can also help homeowners who are considering remodeling. For example, listings descriptions that included "new carpets" had no effect on the home's sale price, but listings mentioning "hardwood floors" sold for two percent more than expected. While everyone has different preferences, when it's time to sell, a listing mentioning hardwood floors may be more likely to catch a future buyer's eye.
This report stems from an analysis in the New York Times best-seller, "Zillow Talk: Rewriting the Rules of Real Estate," which looks at how certain listing descriptors like "unique" or "captivating" can impact final sale prices. More information can be found at http://www.zillow.com/zillowtalk/.
"Red on the front of a home instantly invites someone in with the promise of something delightful inside," says Smith, chief color maven at Sensational Color. "Bright red is a classic, but in today's society I believe that Tanager Red, with its toned down red that leans toward orange, is a really beautiful accent color.
