Tag Archives: paint

Spruce Up Your Home for Spring

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Spring has finally sprung in San Antonio, and now it’s time to start sprucing up your home to reflect the blossoming surroundings. If you’re needing some inspiration, we’ve got you covered!

Spring Cleaning:

First thing’s first, before you can even think about adding something new to your home, you’ve got to get rid of the old. It’s time to go through your closets, garage, spare bedrooms and even kitchen cupboards and toss or donate what’s not working for you anymore. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in the last 6 months then it’s likely (unless they’re holiday knickknacks) that you’re not going to use them in the next six months either. Here are a few tips to help get rid of that winter funk:

  • Air out your pillows, blankets and comforters by hanging them on a clothesline for a day. That Spring scent on your pillows will do wonders for a good night’s sleep.
  • When’s the last time you cleaned your ceiling fan? We know… we can’t remember either. Now’s a good time to clean them off and give them a nice coat of furniture polish. Spinning all that dust around does nothing but kick up your allergies.
  • Likewise, we often overlook window and door screens. Use a scrap of carpeting to easily brush off all the built-up winter residue. This is a great job for the kids!
  • For cleaning the refrigerator, everyone’s favorite chore, go green by using a combo of salt and soda water to get it spick and span in a jiffy.

Spring Décor:

Now, for the fun part! Who doesn’t want to spruce up their palace with all of the Spring-inspiring colors and infinite décor and design ideas that abound, but let’s start small.

  • The easiest way to bring Spring into your home is to fill it with beautiful plants that do well indoors. We suggest some vibrant purple or indigo violets that will make you smile every time you walk into a room. African violets are some of the easiest houseplants to manage, which is good when you’re on the go. You might also consider hydrangea, hibiscus, a shrimp plant, flowering maple or peace lily, which also flourish indoors. Simple green, leafy plants are all the rage this season so now blooming required to give your house a touch of lushness.
  • Since Fiesta is upon us, why not adorn your front door with a festive wreath of colorful ribbons and cascarones? If you want to be more Spring-centric, consider a beautiful floral monogramed wreath that will last well beyond the fiesta madness.
  • Macreme is back in style, as well as fringing, tassels and feathers on all things from throws to rugs and wall hangings. They give your home a cozy rustic quality with just a few simple accessories.
  • If you’re looking for a more permanent change, consider the trending fashion-forward gelato colors – think orange and raspberry sherbet – to liven any room. Add these pretty colors to a single wall for a touch of Spring shine, or more if you’re in the mood to be bold. Accessorize with some pastel colored vases, dining chairs and plates. We like Fiestaware, which is elegant yet colorful.

Finally, if you’re ready to really go bold, let’s get started on your new dream home! Schedule a free consultation using our online form  or give us a call at 210-494-5400.

 

 

Add Some Spring Style to Your Home!

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What better way to embrace the new season and step out of the (not so) wintry gloom than by zhushing up your home with some spring-centric décor? Here’s what’s hot in home décor right now:

  1. Nothing says spring like a rich, verdant color palette. If you’ve never seen a bold green used as a wall color, you’re missing out. According to color psychologists, green is the color of growth, harmony and balance. If done properly with complementary design accents, such as patterned curtains and a funky chandelier, you can really make a room pop.
  2. Make a spring statement with flowers. Instead of going the traditional route by putting those flowers in a vase, why not create a hanging flower chandelier that can be the centerpiece of your living room, dining room or kitchen? First, you’ll need a structure, which can be a pre-made chandelier or one custom-made to your liking. You can use something as simple as a hoola hoop or a lattice made with reclaimed wood. By using an assortment of fishing line, florist tape and florist wire, you can attach and arrange the flowers however you see fit. Although fresh flowers would be stunning, they are difficult to maintain, so you might consider using some high end silk flowers instead. Check out this link for inspiration.
  3. Acrylic. According to Elle Décor, acrylic is in this season, with searches for acrylic décor increasing by 50%. Think tables and floating frames that bring your home into the future. As it’s compatible with any color scheme, acrylic can be a great addition to any room.
  4. Bronze. Across the board, bronze is being touted as the new black, so to speak. It can be used in a myriad different ways to enhance a space. The naturally warm tone lends the room a classic look that can be something you will enjoy for a long while. Sometimes, it’s nice when trends aren’t too outside the box, especially if you’re planning on spending a significant amount of money on redecorating.
  5. However, if you are willing to go big, butterflies are in this season in a beautiful way – from butterfly wallpaper to accent pieces. It might just be the season to inspire some spring bliss! Check out these clever butterfly containers for inspiration:

We would love to visit with you about the other home ideas you may have. You can give us a call at 210-494-5400 to set up a free consultation or fill out our online form to request more information.

 

Sell Your House Fast With These Tips

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If you need to sell your current house before moving into a new one, you’ll want to do all you can to give it that extra edge. Even though we’re currently in a seller’s market, how well you prepare your house to sell can determine whether it sells in six days or six months.

San Antonio RE/MAX realtor, Juan Medina, says there are only two things that will keep your house from being sold – price and condition. When it comes to the condition of the house there are several things that a realtor and home buyer looks at when they first step in your front door.

Here are some tips to help get your house ready to sell as quickly as possible:

  1. Walk through your house as if you were a new buyer or, better yet, have some new friends come over and walk the house with you. Make a list of anything that stands out – things that might need to be repaired, touched up or removed.
  2. It’s likely you will be staying in your old home while you’re trying to sell it. If this is the case, you will want to pack away any unnecessary nik-naks, family photos and other clutter. You want any potential home buyers to be able to visualize themselves in your house, not feel like they’re just visiting someone else’s. Staging is key.
  3. Upgrade outdated or dying appliances.
  4. Give the house a fresh coat of paint if necessary.
  5. Lighting can make all the difference. Take down any drapes and let the sunshine in. Change out worn lampshades and install soft bulbs wherever possible to give the rooms a warm, cozy feel that bright white light just can’t offer.
  6. Wash the windows until they’re sparkling. This may seem tedious, but the cleaner and fresher a house looks, the more appealing the house will be to a potential home buyer.
  7. When showing the house, make sure your pets or any semblance of your pet’s existence is hidden. Put away the food and water bowls as well as any toys. This goes for kid’s toys as well.
  8. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any home, and it’s key that simple upgrades such as wall paint and cabinet hardware be implemented. Keep in mind, even one high-end appliance can entice a buyer.
  9. If the house has carpet, make sure to have it professionally steam-cleaned. Don’t just settle on renting a steam cleaner from HEB. You want the carpet as pristine as possible. If you have wood floors, polish them until they shine.
  10. Although upgrades are generally a good idea, you want to avoid any major make-overs that will cost you an arm and a leg and might raise the price-point of the house to a level that isn’t realistic for your neighborhood.
  11. When showing, light yummy-smelling candles throughout the house. This may seem like a small detail, but you’d be surprised how much influence a good-smelling house can have.

Before you sell your old house, let us plan your new one! Give us a call at 210-494-5400 to set up a free consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.

 

Easy DIY Tips for Remodeling Your House

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If you’re not quite ready to get into a new custom home built specifically for your needs and lifestyle, here are some simple DIY remodeling ideas that will help make your old home feel new again.

Make a Good First Impression

Sometimes we tend to overlook the obvious, such as the front entrance of our home, but a warm, inviting or eye-catching front door color can make a huge difference and is easy to re-paint whatever hue catches your fancy. You might also consider upgrading the door entirely, depending upon the overall aesthetic of your house. Outdoor lighting, some potted plants and new hardware can also help dramatically change the appearance of your home’s exterior.

Wood Pallets to Palaces

One of the biggest DIY trends right now is repurposing old wood pallets for just about anything, from furniture to artwork, outdoor patios to wood paneling. Wood medium produces low thermal conductivity, which means it’s perfect for insulating room interiors. By adding a fun, funky texture, you can transform any room in your house.

Indoor / Outdoor Day Bed

If you have some unused space on your patio or in a corner of your home, why not create a relaxing little nook to read or catnap on? You can easily build a frame of approximately 18 inches tall and then find a mattress to fit (or build your own with foam), and then cover with some pretty fabric and top with comfy pillows and voila – you have a daybed everyone will want to daydream on.

Elegant Storage

Make the most of your space and enhance the look of your home by using kits for bookcases and shelving to create built-in storage that you can easily assemble yourself. Use an open shelving/cabinet combination as a display space to showcase those special valuables you want to highlight. If you have a second story, consider building shelves, storage or even a whimsical custom wine rack under the staircase.

Bathroom Bliss

If you don’t have room to install a steam bath, you can instead install an S-shaped seat that transforms your walk-in shower into a steam room you can lie down in and relax while sweating out all those toxins!

If you’d rather start from scratch with a luxury custom home built by folks who know how to make dreams come true, call us at 210-494-5400 for a consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.

 

Transform your Home this Summer with these Great Decorating Ideas

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No Flames Fireplace

It’s rare, even in winter, that we get a chance to use the fireplace, but there’s zero chance of it for the next several months, so why not add a splash of style and color by filling the space with something eye-catching? We suggest some stunning candles, a piece of artwork, a hunk of coral or a unique precious stone like amethyst – whatever compliments your living room’s color palette.

Bring the Outdoors In

Since it’s too hot to sit outside during much of the day, why not bring elements of nature into your home instead? Brighten up your living space by adding fresh flowers, plants and fresh fruit centerpieces. Not only will it make your home look more inviting, it will also smell delicious! Natural, eco-friendly materials such as hemp and bamboo are another great way to add a little rustic class to your environment.

Dedicated Indoor Bar

If you don’t already have a dedicated bar inside your home, consider creating a space where you can easily whip up your summer cocktails. Get some fun glass jars and fill them with fresh herbs, limes, lemons and any other inviting accoutrements you might throw into a drink. If you really want to impress, experiment with making your own simple syrups and shrubs. It’s a lot easier than you think! Here’s a recipe to get you started:

Pop with Pillows

A simple, inexpensive way to beautify any room is to add some decorative pillows. This summer, try finding pillows with vibrant designs and graphics. If you’re feeling creative, you can even make your own. Graphic outlines are easy enough to block-print onto fabric. When your friends compliment your new pillows, you can make them one or inspire them to make their own.

Brighten Up Tired Furniture

Another easy way to boost your home’s inner beauty is to transform an old chair or side table by spray painting it (with a high-gloss paint) an upbeat summer color like sunshine yellow, grassy green or Texas sky blue. This new lacquered look can be a great accent in any room – be it the bedroom or your home office. Just don’t forget to properly prime the furniture if you’re doing it yourself.

If you would rather have a new home built just for you rather than transforming your old one, please call us at 210-494-5400 for a consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.