Saturday, November 28, 2020
Friday, November 27, 2020
How To Do Holiday Lights Right
Brankospejs/iStock
Holiday lights undoubtedly keep the season (and spirits) merry and bright through the beginning of the new year—it’s extra cheer we can all use right about now. But there’s a difference between a tasteful presentation and being the only home on the block that stands out like a disco ball gone awry.
To outfit your home in the sparkle of the season to its best advantage, follow these tips from the design pros so it’s dressed to impress in the chicest, brightest version of itself.
Make a singular statement
Alison Pickart
“Stick with a consistent methodology for installing the lights by following the branches on the trees with lights or by wrapping only the perimeter of the trees. Try to keep the method consistent for all the trees or bushes.
“I love white lights; they are perfect and simple. However, there are choices when it comes to white lights because string lights are now made in LED form. I always recommend using warm whites as they are closest to old-school string lights. Cool white often reads really blue and super bright. Colored lights are beautiful as well, but just keep the look consistent and follow one path rather than mixing them all together.
“If you have one show-stopper tree on your property, I always like going for it by hanging all the lights on that one tree. Pick the biggest and nicest shaped branches evenly around the tree and wrap those branches generously. You always wind up needing more lights than you think, so stock up.
“Everyone expresses their joy differently. I love a tastefully done white light display, but I also love big colorful bulbs, too. I usually change up our display from year to year and sometimes I hang colorful Moroccan lanterns in our trees and use string lights with retro large color bulbs. The key, I have found, is to pick a central pair of trees or a hedge and do a big moment there rather than scattering the lights and the applications around every hedge and tree in your yard.
— Chicago and San Francisco-based interior designer Alison Pickart
Keep things consistent
“Lights are all about scale and proportion. Don’t hang them at random or it will look unintentional; finish whatever scale you start. If you only want to do your entryway; do just that. Next step would be another complete thought, like all your rooflines or soffits. It’s all about not leaving something halfway done. I like to hang Christmas lights on roof ridges, hips, valleys and soffits. A tasteful display around your driveway and sidewalk is always a winner if you have the entire house lit up as well.
“I prefer the classy nature of all-white lights and mixing different sizes of bulbs. I like bigger bulbs on the roof lines and smaller lights everywhere else. I like static lights for sure, but if you do use blinking, don’t put them everywhere; space them out in an even distribution.
“Lighting control is one of the easiest ways to ensure your holiday lights stay looking the way you want them to without having to plug them in every day. I use the Legrand Smart Outdoor Switch with GFCI. This Wi-Fi-connected device is perfect for managing your holiday light displays. You can control your lights with an app and set up certain schedules to your desired on and off times.”
— Chip Wade, HGTV star, interior designer and contractor based in Atlanta
Think about scale
Emily Followill
“Stick with a theme; make sure all the lights you use are the same type. Mostly it’s about making the display look tidy and not like a mess.
“Use the scale of your home as a guide and if you can’t afford to light the whole thing, think about special points of interest like a lit wreath or lit garland around the front door. Better to go bold in one or two places than to have tiny strings of lights on your eaves that don’t work there. And think about proportion—if you have a large house, for example, go big.”
— Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis in Atlanta
Strike the right balance
“Holiday lights are like frosting. If you use too few, you’re left wishing there were more, or it looks like you never finished. Use too many lights and it is overwhelming. If you can strike just the right balance, they will highlight the beauty of your home and its exterior.
“I love lights intertwined with garland on the front door or draped across the front porch. This way you are using the lights to illuminate the decorations you see during the day and bringing them to life at night.”
— Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors in Washington, D.C.
The post How To Do Holiday Lights Right appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
10 COVID-19 Christmas Tree Ornaments To Top Off This Ridiculous Year
allanswart / Getty Images
Combine Christmas with the coronavirus and what do you get? An array of hilarious COVID-themed ornaments for your holiday tree!
Because let’s face it: As we hunker down this holiday season and brace for a second (or third) wave of infections, we could all stand for a little laughter right now. And a holiday ornament shaped like toilet paper is sure to get a chuckle or two—and, years later, will spark memories of just how weird a ride 2020 truly was.
So if you’re craving some timely additions to your holiday decor this year, consider some of these coronavirus-themed Christmas tree ornaments and decorations below.
1. Masked Santa
Amazon
Of course the light-blue surgical face mask is the epitome of 2020 gloom and doom, which means Santa, his many elves, and all those fuzzy brown reindeer will be seen with masks of every size and color covering noses and snouts ($8.50, Amazon).
2. Toilet paper
Etsy
Remember those toilet paper shortages? Here’s to hoping they never happen again. Still, if you’re into bathroom humor with a COVID-19 twist, this Charmin-themed ornament is for you ($17, Etsy).
3. COVID-19 virus
Etsy
We’ve all seen depictions of the COVID-19 germ: red, prickly, deadly. It’s your call as to whether it’s a welcome bauble for your holiday tree ($15, Etsy).
4. First responder
Amazon
Doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and other medical staff put their lives on the line to treat their fellow Americans this year. Bonus: You can personalize this cute guy for the favorite first responder in your family ($15, Amazon).
5. Hand sanitizer
Amazon
Hand sanitizer became a permanent fixture in our homes this year. So it makes sense it would appear on our trees, too ($8, Amazon).
6. Zoom meeting
Etsy
You’ve Zoomed your family check-ins and Zoomed those weekly budget meetings. Your kids have Zoomed school, and your book club insists on Zooming, too. To pay tribute to this ubiquitous platform, why not get a Zoom ornament, too ($25, Etsy).
7. Lysol wipes
Etsy
In the “before” times you kept a tub of disinfectant wipes under the sink for when the dog lost its lunch on the living room floor. But now, wipes are everywhere, and deserve a spot on your fir tree ($18, Etsy).
8. Quarantine baking
PersonalizedOrnamentsForYou
Got a sister or neighbor who cooked her way through Ina Garten‘s books during quarantine? Here’s the ideal gift ($15, PersonalizedOrnamentsForYou) for her tree (or your own) to commemorate the many hours spent laboring over dinners from around the world. Tagine, anyone?
9. Puppy love
Callister Christmas
At your weakest moment you rescued a pooch to keep the kids happy and to spread a little love (and lots of kibble and fur) in your home. Admit it, it’s the best decision you’ve ever made, so show it on your tree with pride ($15, Callister Christmas).
10. The middle finger
Etsy
Yup—this is how we really feel about 2020. From the deadly coronavirus to the wackiest-ever election, we are so ready for this year to be over—and this ornament can help you give it the heave-ho ($12.50, Etsy).
The post 10 COVID-19 Christmas Tree Ornaments To Top Off This Ridiculous Year appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
Thursday, November 26, 2020
8 Creative Places To Store Cookbooks Other Than Your Kitchen Counter
Gege Gatt (www.gegegatt.com) / Getty Images
The holidays and coronavirus have many of us cooking more than ever, but kitchen fatigue can easily settle in. Need some inspiration for tackling a new dish, from ratatouille to creme brulee? It might be time to crack open those cookbooks.
Even in this digital age where recipes run amok online, nothing beats those glossy pages of a physical tome filled with gorgeous dishes. This may explain why most homeowners have a bunch of cookbooks—and often wonder where to put them.
Leaving nice books out in the same place where you fry up the morning’s bacon is a recipe for nastiness.
“Cookbooks on the counter can get pretty gross, so if you don’t have a shelf for them, try and dedicate an out-of-the way space to keep them clean,” says Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP.
The key is to find a place that’s out of the way (and the food spray) but within reach if you need some motivation.
“If you’re a cook who uses an iPad and smart speaker more than actual books, think about storing them in a distant, but clever spot,” suggests Darla DeMorrow, author of “Organizing Your Home with SORT and SUCCEED.”
For more creative storage, take a look at these eight places to store and organize your cookbooks in the kitchen.
1. Modify a nearby door
Catherine Nguyen
Carole Marcotte, the design mind behind the interior firm Form & Function, was rather tight on space in her own kitchen. Her solution: She redesigned the door to the basement to hold her cookbooks.
“It gave much-needed shelf space for my collection, and it didn’t increase the kitchen’s footprint,” she says.
2. Add an island bookcase
Photo by Tara Seawright Interior Design
Serious home chefs own dozens of cookbooks, which means installing a bookcase or shelving unit at the end of a kitchen island is a good investment. Or if you already have a wine rack or other bottle storage in your island, you could also turn this into a DIY project by repurposing it into book shelving instead.
3. Fill the odd cabinet above the fridge
What’s up with that funny cubby anyway? Put this high-up spot to good use with a row of cookbooks. Bonus: You’ll store them safely and add visual interest and color to an otherwise forgotten spot.
Other lesser-used areas for book storage include a shelf in the pantry or space in a nearby laundry room.
Or you might show off your cookbooks from behind a glass cabinet front, suggests Drew Henry of Design Dudes. This way, they take center stage but are still protected from splashes and spills.
“You can also display cookbooks if you have cutout soffits, which are small niches under an architectural detail like an eave or archway,” says Julie Coraccio, author of “Got Clutter? 365 Journal Prompts.”
4. Add a wall rack
Make like your local library, and attach racks to your kitchen walls for your cookbooks. Wall-mounted storage like this is inexpensive, is easy to install, and can brighten up a wall when you slot in colorful tomes.
Another related option is to lean books on frame ledges or retrofit a spice rack to hold your stacks.
5. Make a free-standing shelf
A skinny, stand-alone bookcase is another smart idea for kitchens that need cookbook storage, especially if you have a tiny cook space.
A vertical piece takes up just a little real estate, and ones made from acrylic or Lucite are easy to wipe clean. And selecting a piece made from clear materials means it can fade into the background nicely, making your books the true star.
6. Wheel in a cart
Wayfair
In a small kitchen, portable cookbook storage is genius. You can slot your manuals in each section and then slide it out of the way when it’s not in use.
This pretty pink pick ($57.99, Wayfair) features four wheels that swivel freely and four bins to hold books, beverages, succulents, and more.
7. Use wire baskets
Wire baskets are a kitchen workhorse, holding root veggies, bottles of seltzer, and stacks of dish towels. To this long list of uses, add cookbook storage.
Hanging wire baskets are another idea that’ll keep books out of the way and off your countertops. And if you come across old fruit crates or wooden troughs, these pieces house cookbooks in style.
8. Lean on a ladder
An old ladder offers patina and texture to an often sterile-looking pale kitchen. If you have one you’re not using to reach high places, lean it against a nearby wall and stack your cookbooks on each step. Or try a skinny, apple-picking ladder to hold upside down books with the pages hanging on either side of each rung,
The post 8 Creative Places To Store Cookbooks Other Than Your Kitchen Counter appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
5 Advantages of an Ethanol Fireplace, the Cozy, Low-Maintenance Amenity You Need This Winter
Marina_Skoropadskaya/Getty Images
Curling up by the fire during winter is a dream that anyone can achieve—even those of us who live in a home that doesn’t have a traditional fireplace. If your place was built without a brick hearth, fear not. You can still create that ideal winter scene in your home without breaking down a wall (or breaking the bank). The solution? An ethanol fireplace.
Also called a bio fireplace, an ethanol fireplace can provide warmth and “wow” factor to a space, minus the hassles of burning wood and smoke.
“An ethanol fireplace is a much cleaner alternative to other gas or wood-burning fireplaces,” says Nate Bruen, franchisee and owner of Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie in Minnesota.
“Small amounts of water and carbon dioxide are the only byproducts of burning ethanol,” Bruen explains. Ethanol is a liquid biofuel produced by fermenting various plants such as corn or soybeans, and is a renewable fuel.
Need more motivation? Here are some of the top reasons to get an ethanol fireplace.
1. No chimney
A traditional fireplace, and even a gas-powered fireplace, requires a chimney to release the smoke. An ethanol fireplace doesn’t create smoke, so it doesn’t need a chimney, vent, or flue to let out the smoke. That means you can put one just about anywhere in your home.
“They are very cost-effective and eco-friendly, as the fuel source is derived from renewables,” says Justin Orr, customer service manager with The Bio Flame, a manufacturer of ethanol fireplaces.
2. No need to be installed in your home’s structure
Photo by Krista + Home
Unlike traditional fireplaces that need to be built into your home, ethanol fireplaces are portable, so you can put one in the bedroom, dining room, or living room.
“Ethanol fireplaces are incredibly easy to install, compared to other types,” says Bruen.
Orr says ethanol fireplaces do not require any venting or gas lines.
“This is great for condos, basements, or areas where it is difficult or impossible to run venting or gas. This makes it a simple installation even after the construction of a home,” says Orr.
Since ethanol fireplaces are not permanent, they can be removed and reinstalled at any time or when you are relocating.
3. Ethanol fireplaces will really warm you up
Photo by JWT Associates
Fireplaces are all about cultivating a warm, cozy environment, and ethanol fireplaces deliver. Ethanol fireplaces can heat a room of up to 600 square feet, which is more than what traditional fireplaces can do. Plus, they have playful, bright flames.
“They give off more heat than electric fireplaces and produce a real flame, which looks terrific when comparing to electric or gas,” says Orr.
4. Ambiance without the smoke
Photo by Houzz
There’s a reason interior designers love to incorporate ethanol fireplaces into spaces: They provide a modern, sophisticated feel to the home with the full functionality of a fireplace. Ethanol fireplaces vary in size and designs, with finishes like shiny steel, matte black, or transparent glass. They can be a design element indoors or outdoors and can be placed on the floor or table, or mounted on a wall.
Unlike the artificial flames of electric fireplaces, ethanol fireplaces produce “a vibrant, real flame that exceeds any homeowner’s expectations,” says Orr.
5. Ethanol fireplaces are low-maintenance
A traditional wood fireplace requires the messy job of scraping out ash and coals and disposing of the waste. Ethanol fireplaces do not require regular maintenance, and they don’t lose color or corrode after years of use.
“Aside from ethanol being a highly efficient fuel, it also burns much cleaner,” says Bruen. “You won’t have to worry about smoke, ashes, or soot causing a mess inside your home.”
The post 5 Advantages of an Ethanol Fireplace, the Cozy, Low-Maintenance Amenity You Need This Winter appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
8 Fun Ways To Fill a Blank Wall (Other Than With Snoozy Pictures and Mirrors)
Aekkarak Thongjiew / EyeEm / Getty Images
Few decorating challenges are as hard as filling blank wall space. Many default to family photos or souvenir pictures from recent travel. But after a while, staring at wedding portraits or the kids when they were little isn’t that inspiring.
Break out of this rut! Plan a wall gallery in at least one room that’s different from all the rest.
Darla DeMorrow, author of “Organizing Your Home With SORT and SUCCEED,” urges her clients to look beyond straight, flat items and go for depth and meaning.
“Make the focal point something that’s three-dimensional or vintage or personal—or all three,” she suggests.
In fact, if you can hang it up, you can make a wall display that’s creative, colorful, or just plain fun.
For some inspiration, here are eight things you can mount and admire in your home that go beyond pictures and mirrors.
1. Greenery
Sure, a huge photograph would be stylish—and expected—but a wall of cute planters is much more inviting.
“There are many manufacturers that sell small pots to hang on walls, so you can literally grow your own art,” suggests Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP.
Keep in mind that not every pot needs to be dirt-filled. Faux plants are smart to mix into an interior green wall as they’re often brighter and can fill in gaps when live ones fail.
2. Fabrics
A fabulous kilim, batik, macrame, or other tapestry picked up from a long ago journey is an excellent addition to a front hall or bedroom wall. Or put up a family heirloom like a quilt your grandmother stitched or a rug that you don’t want trampled.
“Fabrics wrapped around a wooden frame or hung from a pole are inexpensive and create a great focal point, plus they’re lightweight and easy to transport if you rent an apartment or move frequently,” says Gray-Plaisted.
3. Empty frames
Truth: This one’s picture-adjacent, but hear us out. Blank frames, especially an eclectic collection, can make a standout gallery wall.
“I love the empty frame trend and want to bring it back, so grab frames in varying sizes from the attic and arrange them in an interesting pattern,” suggests Drew Henry of Design Dudes.
Henry likes to spray-paint a grouping like this and insert an accent piece into one or two frames, like a leaf or nest.
4. Platters and bowls
The kitchen and dining spaces cry out for a wall gallery that’s related to food or entertaining. To that end, comb through your collections of plates, platters, or bowls to determine the right kind of tableau.
You can order special wire hangers for each item to secure them to the wall, or put up a plate rack and slot your wares in.
5. Juju hats
Bedrooms, bathrooms, foyers, and more—you name it, and a juju hat collection has taken up residence in it. This darling of the design world is trending big-time, in part because of its unusual fluffy texture and cool backstory.
Crafted by artisans in Africa, juju hats symbolize wealth and prosperity and were worn by royalty.
No juju near you? Canvass your closets and coat racks for a motley collection of bowlers, baseball caps, fedoras, or cowboy hats. Nail ’em up—and voila!
6. Old shutters
Katie McCann
Have some shutters in the garage or a backyard shed? You’ll add texture and color to your wall by hanging them.
Katie McCann, a home and office organizing professional at Haven, found this set at Marshalls.
“I use them to hang the cooking utensils I grab less frequently in the kitchen,” she says.
7. Clip art
Julie Coraccio likes to hang fishing wire and use clothespins to secure pieces.
“I particularly like this idea for kids’ art since you can clip all those projects they make in a fun, lighthearted way,” says Coraccio, author of “Got Clutter?”
Kids’ bedroom walls are also ideal for collections as wall art.
“Install a shelf and put displays there,” she adds, including soccer trophies, race cars, circus animals, dolls, or other figurines.
8. Baskets
Baskets don’t last forever, especially when they’re not in use. They can get dried out and crumble, and end up looking like dusty junk. Fix this mess by mounting them on your wall.
“I scored many of these from consignment shops, thrift stores, Pier 1, and garage sales, and once I made my composition on the floor, I photographed it and meticulously tacked them to the wall,” says Ana Cummings of the eponymous design firm.
The post 8 Fun Ways To Fill a Blank Wall (Other Than With Snoozy Pictures and Mirrors) appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
5 Delightful Living Room Looks That’ll Make You Want To Stay on the Sofa Until 2021
imaginima/Getty Images
Regardless of your Thanksgiving plans, we can all probably agree on one thing: The afterparty will be taking place on the sofa.
If you, like us, plan on planting yourself on the couch between now and when the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, 2020, then you’re in luck! We spent this week scrolling through Instagram to find the trendiest living room looks so you can ride out the rest of this year in style.
These five fresh designs promise to upgrade your space just in time for you to enjoy a few pounds of turkey and then plop down on the couch for the rest of the year.
1. Rattan chairs
Rattan chairs have long been a trending look for indoor-outdoor furniture, but this season they seem to be coming back big in the living room—like we see in this photo from @cozyhomeshots.
“The light and airy colors and shapes of rattan furniture perfectly complement decor trends we’re seeing right now,” says Natasha Nicolaou of NatNico Designs.
“The throwback style of rattan furniture makes it perfectly at home in a retro, eclectic, or boho room, and the light-wood colors and soft natural curves add a gorgeous design element,” she adds.
Get the look: Shop this natural rattan cocoon chair from World Market to bring the outdoor vibes inside.
2. Bright sofas
If your couch is looking a little worse for wear, then it might be time for a bold and bright upgrade, like this gorgeous velvet sofa featured by @color_place_interior.
“You can design a whole room around a brightly colored sofa,” says Doreen Amico-Sorell of Sorell Interiors.
“It adds whimsy and fun to what can sometimes be a serious room like the living room,” she says. “I especially love when a traditional style is modeled in a bright-tone velvet, which really confuses the eye.”
Get the look: Find the perfect brightly colored sofa for your space by shopping one of these Imani velvet square arm sleepers—a stunning sofa upgrade that comes with extra sleeping room for guests.
3. Jungle loft
Have a loft or just a small space that you aren’t quite sure what to do with? We’ve got an idea: Create a jungle vibe like this one featured by @bohemiandecors.
“Real plants add life, depth, and breadth to a living room,” says Amico-Sorell. “A plant loft adds another layer where hanging and trellised plants can be showcased. It’s always nice to have your eye go up in a room and make good use of otherwise dead space.”
Get the look: Shop the collection of plants that can be delivered to your door from Bloomscape, then snag one of these Barnwood ladders from Home Depot to complete the look.
4. Industrial string lights
Fairy lights have long been a favorite of ours, but something about the extra glow from these industrial string lights in the living room, featured by @tatiana_home_decor, is really pulling at our heartstrings.
“Lighting is such a key component when decorating your space, and there’s something about the warm glow of string lights that keeps them trending year after year,” says Nicolaou.
“String lights are such an inexpensive way to make a room feel special and magical,” she says. “Whether you choose a soft, delicate string of fairy lights or a more substantial industrial string with the cutest little Edison bulbs you’ll ever see, there are so many varieties it’s easy to find a look that will fit into your decor.”
Get the look: Shop these globe string lights to create your own whimsical wonderland.
5. Funky prints
Gone are the days of a single bold-colored accent wall. This season we’re looking toward maximalist funky prints to spruce things up—like in this design from @mindy_schroor.
“Adding funky prints to a room is a huge trend right now, and the perfect way to bring a bit of personality and charm to an average-looking room,” says Nicolaou.
When incorporating prints into your room, choose from a variation of one print (e.g., a room full of different floral patterns), a variety of prints in the same color palette, or a mix of totally different prints.
“Start small by getting a few throw pillows, drapes, or rugs with a print you love, and then see where it takes you,” Nicolaou says.
Get the look: Bring the funk into your living room this season by shopping this nuLOOM Vintage Harriet rug or these geometric pillow covers from Walmart.
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