Category: Starting A Family

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Want a Fun New Paint Project? Try Colorblocking

vicnt / Getty Images

Painting a room’s walls is the easiest DIY makeover under the sun—but want to try something a bit bolder and fun? Consider colorblocking instead.

“Colorblocking is about creatively pairing two or more shades—or blocks of color—to make a unique statement on a wall, ceiling, door, or other home surface, and it’s a trend that can be accomplished by DIYers and pros alike,” says Dee Schlotter, a PPG senior color marketing manager.

“These geometric fields of color, which are usually separated by neutral zones, can serve to punctuate or establish a color plan for your space, sort of like accent walls taken to an extreme,” adds Debra Kling of the eponymous color consulting firm.

And if you see hints of modern art or connections to the fashion world in colorblocking, you’re on the right track. Kling considers Mondrian to be the master of this technique, and colorblocked frocks were debuted by Yves St. Laurent in the 1940s and have been trending ever since.

Here’s more about colorblocking, including how-to’s, shade pairings, and where to try this technique in your home.

Gather the gear

Photo by Studio Razavi 

Painter’s tape is critical for this task as you’ll need to section off the various colors you want to use and create clean lines, says Schlotter.

“Using a high-quality roller and a smaller paint brush to ‘cut in’ to the smaller details or corners of the colorblocked design will also help ensure a polished look,” she adds.

Relearn the color wheel

Photo by mcleanquinlan

If using a color wheel is making your head spin, get some help from the pros.

“PPG has virtual color consultations to help you choose paint for colorblocking and other home projects,” notes Schlotter.

Once you’ve shared photos of your space and color preferences, experts can text, email, or FaceTime their recommendations and assist with ordering swatches or buying paint.

Match shades with moods

Photo by Inspired Interiors

Bright shades behind a den’s bookcases are energetic, while softer tones create a sense of calm.

“If you want to instill restfulness in your bedroom, consider a halfway-up-the-wall technique by painting the upper portion in a warm hue and the bottom in a darker, moodier version,” says Schlotter.

You can also create a headboard in a bedroom with colorblocking or make an impact by defining shapes behind bedside tables or dressers.

Let loose in kids rooms

Photo by colorTHEORY Boston 

“Colorblocking works very well in a child’s room because it adds personality and more visual interest beyond using just a single color,” says Schlotter.

Blocked primary colors on walls are typical in kids rooms, but other combos can also playfully decorate the ceiling, bookcases, and floors.

“For a playroom, consider painting a geometric shape like a diagonal across an entire wall with a bright color on one half and a neutral on the other,” Schlotter adds.

Save paler shades for higher up on the walls, and use darker ones, like navy, lower to the ground as they’ll serve to hide dirt and scuffs that’ll no doubt appear here.

Highlight unusual features

Soft pink follows this doorway’s curvy line.

Alexandra Ribar

Colorblocking can also create a focal point by showcasing molding or other architectural detail.

“Leanne Ford recently put this technique into play on an arched doorway project using a sandy pink hue to create a playful stripe and her go-to Delicate White (PPG 1001-1) to brighten the walls behind it,” says Schlotter.

Create a room with blocked color

Photo by Achille à Paris 

Colorblocking with bold paint can create rooms where none existed before by marking off spaces for different tasks. Pull up a desk and chair to a bold purple shape and a home office is born—or do the same near your kitchen for a breakfast nook or in a hallway to make a cozy reading corner.

The post Want a Fun New Paint Project? Try Colorblocking appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Source: realtor.com

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The ABCs of Multifamily Cash Flow

You hear the term all the time. After all, it’s an essential concept for apartment investors because it not only reflects the viability of your investment but also its value. 

But what really is cash flow? How do you compute it, and more importantly, how can you increase the cash flow of your multifamily property?

Cash flow is simply the money that moves in and out of your business. For apartments, the cash coming in is in the form of rent, and the cash flowing out is in the form of expenditures like property taxes and utilities. 

Cash flow – or lack of it — is one of the primary reasons businesses, or real estate investments,  fail. Without sufficient cash flow, you’ll run out of money. That’s why it’s essential that you have sufficient capital to not only purchase an apartment property but also sustain it in the event that cash flow fails to be what you projected – for example, if units turn over more often than you expect or rents decline. 

Here are some ways you can improve the cash flow of your apartment investment:

  • Increase rents. This is perhaps the fastest and easiest way to improve cash flow. Consider repositioning the property – investing some capital to improve the units and then bumping rents.
  • Reduce utility costs. Fix leaky shower heads and faucets, which waste water. Install energy-efficient appliances and lighting fixtures. 
  • Decrease expenses. Renegotiate your property management contract, or put it out to bid at the end of the term. Use free rental property listing sites rather than paying a broker to rent apartments.
  • Encourage residents to stay. Moveouts are expensive, so when tenants renew their leases you’ll save time and money on prepping the unit.
  • Add additional streams of revenue, such as pet deposits and rent, garage rentals, vending machines or valet trash. 

The post The ABCs of Multifamily Cash Flow first appeared on Century 21®.

Source: century21.com

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Holiday Decor From Chip and Jo, the Property Brothers, and Other Stars That’ll Make You Cringe

Instagram / Kohl’s

When it comes to Chip and Joanna Gaines, Drew and Jonathan Scott, Leanne Ford, and other popular reality TV stars, we like to think their holiday decor tastes would be an inspiration for all.

But even TV’s top design pros can take a wrong turn, particularly during the holidays.

As proof, we present some of the most questionable and even creepy holiday decor we’ve seen reality stars buy, sell, or otherwise say is A-OK. Um, do you agree? Check out what we’ve seen and judge for yourself.

Chip and Joanna Gaines present a plant mister ornament

It’s shiny, but it makes no sense.

Magnolia

Chip and Joanna certainly know their way around a modern farmhouse, and their Magnolia shop is bursting with tasteful decor for every room. Still, when it comes to Christmas tree ornaments, a mini plant mister seems like an odd choice.

“Perfect for plant lovers,” the product description insists. Yes, we know plants are popular, but last we checked, no true plant lover would chop down a tree and hang baubles on it, even for the holidays ($10, Magnolia).

Drew Scott croons a Christmas ballad

And since no holiday home is complete without music, did you know that “Property Brothers” star Drew could sing? Yup—he crooned a tune (as seen in the accompanying video) titled “Nothing Feels Better Than Christmas,” which fans can stream on Apple Music or Spotify. Fine, it isn’t the worst thing we’ve heard, but we’re so very glad he can fall back on a successful day job in real estate.

Jonathan Scott offers a vanity ornament

You can’t unsee his stubble.

Kohl’s

Meanwhile, the other “Property Brothers” star, Jonathan, has allowed himself to be turned into an ornament you can hang on your Christmas tree, complete with chin stubble and a tiny tool belt. It’s possible some people find this look festive and fun, but we’re betting most folks will quickly click past this tragic figurine in favor of another snowman or angel instead ($3, Kohl’s).

Leanne Ford trots out ‘carol art’

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A post shared by Leanne Ford (@leannefordinteriors)

“Deck the Halls” is a classic Christmas carol, but it’s also one of the more annoying ditties you can sing—or display on your wall. Still, the co-star of hit show “Restored by the Fords” rewrote this song and designed this poster to celebrate, available at Sapling Press ($30).

Still, though, we thought the “word art” trend has been waning already, and this particular song isn’t exactly something you want guests belting out in your home, right?

Jasmine Roth bought a plastic Santa

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A post shared by Jasmine Roth HGTV (@jasminerothofficial)

Roth has two top shows on HGTV, “Hidden Potential” and “Help! I Wrecked My House,” but we’re not sure either of these programs plays well with this jumbo plastic Santa. Worse, this design star has decided to work him into her own otherwise chic California home vibe this year.

There’s one saving grace, however, in that this Santa is vintage, so perhaps Roth is going for a throwback theme this season?

The ‘Home Edit’ team introduces a Christmas junk drawer

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A post shared by THE HOME EDIT ® (@thehomeedit)

Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin are the genius duo behind the Netflix show “Get Organized With The Home Edit,” and each episode has them taking on the toughest organizing tasks from A-list celebs (Reese! Khloé!).

We dig their sensibility, of course, but must there be a Christmas theme to their junk drawers, too? The tipping point for us: those perfectly placed bottlebrush trees, nestled in their own precious slots. We get why partitions are necessary for a junk drawer, though, so maybe you’ll want these for some purpose. We just doubt you’ll stuff your Christmas lights in here ($3, Container Store).

‘Good Bones’ crew rolls out ornaments made from rocks

Leave the rocks on the ground.

Two Chicks District Co.

If you love the looks from Karen Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk, the mother-daughter duo on HGTV’s “Good Bones,” you can shop their designs online, including these rocks for the tree. Sure, they sparkle and shine, but unless you’re a family of geologists, these items are still rocks that should otherwise be left in the bin at the natural history museum ($16.50, Two Chicks District Co.).

The post Holiday Decor From Chip and Jo, the Property Brothers, and Other Stars That’ll Make You Cringe appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Source: realtor.com

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How to Remodel your Bathroom for Under $1000

Bathrooms can be one of the best rooms to bring in a big ROI, so updating it is important – but it doesn’t have to be expensive.

The post How to Remodel your Bathroom for Under $1000 appeared first on Homes.com.

Source: homes.com

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8 Fire Safety Tips 8 Nights of Hanukkah

If you and your family celebrate Hanukkah, this week will involve lighting the menorah. But in all the holiday fun, it’s easy to forget that having an open flame in your home is always cause for greater safety measures. Here are some tips for a safer holiday.

  1. Place your menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface: Your menorah, especially when lit, should rest on a stable fixture in your home. You and your family’s guests may accidentally bump into a wobbly table and knock it over. Non-flammable surfaces like glass, metal, or marble work best.
  2. Keep the menorah and matches out of children’s reach: Make sure that your menorah is positioned in a place where your children can enjoy it, but is out of their reach so they don’t hurt themselves. Be sure to store all matches and lighters safely after each candle lighting; kids may find them if left out.
  3. Never leave a lit menorah unattended: All the excitement of the holidays can sometimes lead to carelessness. When burning, the menorah should always be under some sort of supervision.
  4. Place menorah out of reach of pets: Furry friends are eager to join in on the holiday festivities. They could be drawn to the new object in your home and want to investigate, so keep it at a height where they can’t get their paws on it.
  5. Use only non-flammable menorahs: This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s worth reiterating. Any ornamental menorahs made by your kids in arts and crafts should be admired, but not used in your Hanukkah ceremony.
  6. Don’t walk around with lit candles: Choose the area of your home where your menorah will be lit, then keep it there. Don’t carry your menorah from room to room to avoid potentially dropping it.
  7. Decorate with care: The area surrounding your menorah often receives extra decorations. That is absolutely fine, as long the adornments are non-flammable and not likely to tip over and displace the menorah.
  8. Place your menorah in a secluded area of your home: You’re already going to put your menorah out of reach of children and pets, but it’s equally important to keep the menorah out of your home’s general flow of traffic to avoid accidentally knocking it over.

 

Following these helpful fire safety tips will ensure that you and your family have a pleasant and safe Hanukkah celebration.

The post 8 Fire Safety Tips 8 Nights of Hanukkah first appeared on Century 21®.

Source: century21.com