Tips to spruce up your home for the holidays

(BPT) - Holidays are when most people open their homes for friends and family. Sharing the

season's greetings is always the priority but these gatherings are also an opportunity to show off improvements made during the year.

This is one of the reasons that autumn is a popular time for home improvements. Fifty-two percent of homeowners plan to make home improvements this fall, according to the leading real estate website Zillow. It is also a great time of year for deals as retailers unload inventory to make room for new styles.

Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere includes much more than just poinsettias and Santa Claus centerpieces. There are a number of affordable steps homeowners can take to add a real "wow factor" to their holiday entertaining.

Kitchen updates

The kitchen is commonly one of the busiest rooms during the holidays. Since guests often gather there, it makes sense to make the space the focus for a few improvements before the holidays. Simple and inexpensive updates, such as adding new knobs and handles to cabinets or installing a new backsplash, will make a big difference. Stylish new light fixtures can also give your kitchen a quick facelift that will impress your guests.

Install hardwood floors

The warmth and beauty of hardwood floors can transform the look and feel of your home to create a space that will stun your guests. And unlike carpet, hardwood floors do not stain or wear as easily from inevitable spills and foot traffic that the holidays bring.Visually unique flooring options such as bamboo bring together both the aesthetic and practical advantages of hardwood flooring. Many flooring options carry transferable warranties that assure these benefits will be sustained for a lifetime of holiday gatherings.

De-clutter

It's important to create inviting open space for guests to enjoy. De-cluttering bookshelves and removing miscellaneous furniture can help make a room feel larger and more open, and will allow room for festive seasonal decor. Spending time to organize the refrigerator will make space for any holiday dishes a guest brings.

Improve the entry

The front entry provides the first impression of a home, so it's important to create a stylish, cared-for and welcoming look. Homeowners can complete small projects outside, such as updating house numbers, painting the front door and creating holiday-themed arrangements. Simple decor updates just inside the door - such as adding family photos and new rugs - will add a warm and personal feel.

Looking to spruce up your home for the holidays? For more tips call Interior Surfaces at 614.761.7856 and make an appointment to meet with any of our staff at 4353 H Tuller Road, Dublin, OH 43017. 

Simple designer tricks for creating a stunning master bedroom

(BPT) - It's the place where you wake each day, rest your head each night, and go to when you need to escape the stress of daily life. If there's one room in the house that should be a personalized retreat for homeowners, it's the master bedroom. And with a few simple tips from design experts, you can easily take your master bedroom from boring to beautiful and add to your home's overall value.

"When designing a space in your home, it's always a good idea to go through the process in a methodical way to achieve the results you want," says Jill Winninger, Allied ASID, CID, and senior interior designer with Seaside Home in La Jolla, Calif. "Foundation, function and finishing details make the process fun and effective."

Here is Winninger's three-step process for creating a grand master retreat:

Step 1: Foundation

Start by choosing the flooring that matches your personal style and the functionality of the space. Nothing beats the comfort of carpet in a master bedroom. Carpet and a high quality pad keep floors warmer and enhance privacy by absorbing noises. Today's top trend in carpet is super soft and silky fibers that feel luxurious when you step, lie or lounge on them.

Think carpet is out because you have allergies? It's time to think again, Numerous medical and other studies show that people who suffer from allergies and even asthma do not have to live without the comfort and softness of carpet. That's because the dust that falls to a carpeted floor has a much stronger tendency to stay on the carpet until it is vacuumed away. Dust on hard floors, however, is stirred with every passing movement or footstep right back up into a room's breathing space.

Of course, regular maintenance is important. Frequent vacuuming with a high efficiency vacuum like the ones on the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval vacuum list, as well as periodic deep-cleanings are musts. -And, no matter what kind of floor you have, high-traffic areas should be vacuumed daily, with less frequently-used areas vacuumed once or twice a week.

Another important foundation element is the walls. When selecting colors, select hues that work with the rest of your home's decor so the spaces flow smoothly. You can't go wrong with basic neutrals. Foundation details like crown molding, wainscoting or wallpaper can add a splash of personality.

When deciding on foundation elements, keep in mind the focal points of the room. Is there a fireplace? A gorgeous wall of windows highlighting an exquisite view? Do you have a bed with a statement headboard that will be prominent? Highlight these focal points within your design decisions.

Step 2: Function

Beauty is just one part of the equation when designing a grand master bedroom. The space needs to function and suit your lifestyle.

Function is particularly important when selecting furniture. Do you need storage for clothes and accessories? Do you want to hide electronics? Do you have a specific bed size? After considering your options, choose wisely and allow enough room between furniture pieces so that you can move freely.

Privacy is also an important consideration. Like carpet, window treatments also help to control noise, plus they offer the added benefit of masking -windows in the evenings and when high levels of privacy are needed. From a decorative perspective, window treatments add softness and style, critical to designing a stunning room.-

Step 3: Finish

Some of the most important elements of master bedroom design are the details. This is where you can add a few personal touches to the space to create a truly individualized sanctuary.

Start by choosing comfortable, inviting bedding, pillows and throws. Create clustered vignettes of photos or personal collections to give the space your unique stamp. Appropriately scaled art and accessories add visual interest.

Remember, accessories are a good way to add splashes of color to your master bedroom. If you like a particular tone - like rich teals, ruby reds or baby blue - select a few accessories that feature that hue and strategically place them throughout the room. Accessories that feature different textures add interest and character as well.

"From carpet and furniture to photos and duvet covers, creating a master retreat you'll love is simpler than you think," says Winninger. "Just focus on the foundation, function and finishing touches, and the result is sure to be gorgeous."

Want more tips?  Call Interior Surfaces at 614.761.7856 and make an appointment and meet with any of our staff at 4353 H Tuller Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017.

3 Ways to Make Your House Look Like a "Million Dollar Listing" for Less

(BPT) - A new report reveals houses are selling faster and for more money, yet another indicator of a rebounding housing market. According to the National Association of Realtors, full-year sales of previously owned homes increased by 9 percent in 2012 over the previous year. Plus, home prices jumped up 12.3 percent, the biggest percentage gain since January 2005. -

This will challenge sellers to sharpen their competitive edge as more homeowners, encouraged by promising indicators, put their house on the market. Josh Altman, one of the top 10 realtors in the country and star of Bravo's hit TV show "Million Dollar Listing: L.A.," shares three strategies for making houses more desirable to buyers.

1.) Install hardwood floors

"Installing hardwood floors is one of the smartest investments a seller can make," said Altman. "Hardwood flooring is easy to install, never goes out of style and is extremely desirable to homebuyers."

Countless hardwood flooring options, including popular bamboo varieties, allow homeowners to easily select a floor that looks great and fits within their budget. Homeowners can even differentiate their floors - and houses - by transferring the flooring's warranty to the new owner.

Laminate or vinyl flooring is another option for getting a fresh, updated look. Laminate enables homeowners to get the look of hardwood for less, and there are even options for DIY novices, such as flooring that easily clicks together without glue or nails.

2.) Increase the curb appeal

First impressions matter, and home buying is no different. "Making a few updates to a house's exterior goes a long way in making houses more inviting and valuable," said Altman.

Homeowners can put their green thumbs to work by weeding their garden, trimming plants and branches and adding color by planting vibrant flowers in containers or planters. Simple repairs and updates offer a lot of bang for your home improvement buck, whether it's getting a new front door, updating house numbers or painting the trim, downspouts and gutters.

3.) Update the kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen can bring a home to the top market value, and you don't have to tear down walls or break the bank to do it. "No matter what budget a homeowner has, there are simple ways to add that wow factor to a kitchen," said Altman.

Unique, stylish light fixtures can create a warm and inviting environment, while new appliances add visual interest and help increase the value of a home. Even subtle touches like updating cabinet hardware or installing a tile backsplash behind a stove can give a kitchen the facelift it needs.

Interior Surfaces would love to help you make your home more desirable for buyers. Call 614.761.7856 and make an appointment and meet with any of our staff at 4353 H Tuller Road, Dublin, OH 43017.

Whitewashed Floors Complement Top Decorating Trends

(BPT) - It's the season of sunshine and enjoying the great outdoors. Celebrate it with a style makeover for your home by tapping lively decorating trends and home decor ideas that will refresh and brighten your living space.

"Look to nature for inspiration for decorating ideas to refresh your home," says Erinn Valencich, Los Angeles-based interior designer, style expert and designer. "Incorporate garden-fresh shades of green, warm and sunny color palettes, botanical prints, weathered woods and whimsical accents that will help reinvigorate your home's style and awaken your senses."

Top style trends for 2013

Green- It's the eternal color of lush and abundant life and the 2013 Pantone Color of the Year. Look for accent pieces in emerald and other shades of green to create a sense of well-being, balance and harmony.

Patterns - Floral patterns are hot, especially as fabric covers and wall decor. Choose bold, bright florals to make a big statement or florals on white backgrounds for a softer, romantic touch.

Stripes - In fabrics, carpets, artwork and other design elements, stripes can create the sense of movement and energy in a room.

Wide planks - Update the look of your room with new wide plank flooring to show off your unique sense of style. Wide plank laminate floors come in many hardwood styles and colors and will help transform the look of a room.

Reclaimed woods - From barn board bedroom walls to wooden beams in kitchens, reclaimed wood adds unexpected rustic touches and weathered warmth to your home.

"Whitewashed floors offer tranquility and comfort, making them ideal for family rooms, dining rooms and other high-traffic living spaces," Valencich says. "Whitewash opens up a space and adds rustic appeal while keeping the look of your room fresh, soft and clean. It is also a very versatile foundation for a room's design and serves as a pleasing canvas on which to nicely showcase just about any wall colors and most styles of furniture.

"Work with what you have and add a few new-to-you items to your spring decorating projects," Valencich adds. "This will help you stay within a budget and create beautiful living spaces quickly, easily and affordably."

How to choose a new floor

Keep these tips in mind when selecting a new floor for your room makeover project:
* When selecting a floor color, consider the tones of furniture you have, but don't feel that everything has to match. Contrasting tones make for a more pleasing design.
* Brown, gray and white floor tones work with a greater variety of furniture colors and paints.
* Light, neutral floor colors brighten a room and make it feel more spacious.

Choosing new flooring? Interior Surfaces would be delighted to assist you in your choice and provide you with the highest quality flooring products.  Call 614.761.7856 and make an appointment and meet with any of our staff at 4353 H Tuller Road, Dublin, OH 43017 for your first meeting.

The Truth About Carpet

(BPT) - Carpet has gained quite the reputation in the past decade, fueled by a multitude of assumptions. But is there truth behind the rumors about this very popular flooring option? With a little investigation you'll find many are completely false - making carpet a viable flooring option that can benefit everyone, from allergy sufferers to penny pinchers to the elderly.

Who can benefit from carpet

Carpet isn't just comfortable and stylish, it's a safe flooring option too, reducing slips and softening falls if they do occur - ideal for both the elderly and very young. Carpet also improves a home's acoustics because it absorbs noise rather than reflecting it back into the room. Those who want to save money welcome the fact that carpet provides actual thermal resistance (R-value) - meaning when it's cold, it retains warmth longer, conserving energy and reducing heating bills.

Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about carpet is that it's bad for people with allergies. But the 60 million Americans the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says live with respiratory ailments might be surprised to learn that the opposite appears to be true, according to multiple studies.

Allergy and asthma carpet studies

A 15-year Swedish study found no link between carpet and allergy and asthma attacks. In fact, when carpet usage in Sweden decreased by 70 percent, allergy reactions in the general population increased by 30 percent. In 2003, a study of school children in New Jersey found that having carpet in a child's bedroom was associated with fewer missed school days and less need for asthma medication. These are just two of many studies showing no correlation between carpet and allergies or asthma.

How carpet helps asthma and allergy sufferers

So if carpet isn't contributing to allergy and asthma problems, how is it helping those with the conditions? Carpet acts much like a filter, trapping allergens and keeping them out of the air you and your family breathe. These trapped allergens, such as pollen, pet dander and dust, can then easily be removed through proper cleaning techniques.

Think of your carpet like you would a sweater in your wardrobe. If you wear a sweater, it eventually gets dirty and needs to be washed. Your carpet is walked on by people and pets frequently, and much like a sweater, needs to get cleaned regularly to look its best and last a long time.

Carpet Care

To keep your carpet in great shape, reduce allergens and retain good indoor air quality, consider these tips from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI):

1. Vacuum regularly

How often do you really need to vacuum? High-traffic or pet areas should be vacuumed daily, medium-traffic areas need to be vacuumed about twice a week and light-traffic areas should be vacuumed weekly. -Use a CRI-certified vacuum for optimum soil removal, dust containment and to avoid damage to your carpet.

2. Limit dirt intrusion

Keeping as much dirt and grime off the carpet as possible is ideal. Be proactive and put out a durable entrance mat for people to wipe off their feet before entering your home. Then require everyone to take off their shoes so less dirt is tracked inside.

3. Deep clean

Once a year your carpet should be cleaned by hot water extraction by a professional. This process extracts deeply embedded dirt that regular vacuuming can't reach. To find a CRI Seal of Approval Service Provider visit www.carpet-rug.org.

If you suffer from particularly bad allergies, consider cleaning your upholstered furniture, draperies and blinds also. Like carpet, these also need regular cleaning. -Drapes and blinds can build up microscopic allergens quickly from open windows. Vacuum and wash regularly and consider hiring a professional cleaner once a year or as needed.

For more information about carpeting call Interior Surfaces at (614)761-7856 or visit www.interior-surfaces.com.

______________

Content Provided By: Courtesy of Brandpoint

Caring for Your Hardwood Floors This Winter

(ARA) - Homeowners with hardwood floors are often concerned about damaging their floors during the winter season. Without proper care, winter's harsh elements -- slush, snow and salt -- can dull the varnish of hardwood floors and even cause warping and gapping.

It's almost impossible to avoid winter elements. After all, what would the season be without building a snowman or sledding until you're soaked? Rather than missing out on winter fun, here are a couple of simple steps you can take to protect your floors this winter.

Install Floor Mats

Catching slush and snow at the door is the best way to avoid damage. It is important to keep these mats as clean and dry as possible. You may even consider investing in an additional mat that you can use while drying the other. If your kids enjoy playing outside, encourage them to remove their wet snow apparel as soon as they come back inside to avoid trekking snow all over the house.

Get Creative with Everyday Household Materials

Placing a dish-drainer tray mat by the door with a towel underneath can be a nice place for shoes and boots to dry off. Kindly ask your guests to remove their shoes as they enter. Buy inexpensive or disposable slippers to make your guests feel more comfortable.

Train Your Pets

Pets are the number one offenders of tracking snow and slush into the house. Train your pets to patiently wait by the door while you dry their paws with a towel, and then reward them with a treat. Consider placing a bowl of treats by the door as a reminder.

Be Prepared

Always keep soft towels or a wet/dry vacuum on hand in case you need to get rid of water right away. While towels can clean up most of the mess, it's best to invest in a quality floor care kit.

Check the Warranty

Some companies offer warranties, should snow or other harmful elements damage your floors. Make sure to find out before you purchase your hardwood floors what type of product warranties the company offers. 

While winter can be a difficult time for hardwood floors, there is one benefit to this season: It's one of the best times to install hardwood flooring. During the winter indoor moisture levels are at their lowest, which helps to prevent gapping.

For more information about installing hardwood flooring, call Interior Surfaces at (614)761-7856 or visit www.interior-surfaces.com.

______________

Content Provided By: Courtesy of ARAcontent