Art Deco Revival is quickly becoming one of our favorite design trends for 2019! Actually, it’s a combination of the new aesthetic and Scandinavian concepts that make the look so luxe…

Whether you’re doing a full re-design or want to bring just a hint of this style into your space, look for playful forms, optimistic colors, and geometric lines. Pieces created from natural materials elevates the style and add a hint of mid-century design thinking too. As always, a heritage-level of craftsmanship is worth investing in!

Color

Color green everywhere in 2019! In addition to green paint and upholstery, consider mixing in some live greenery, such as plants. Don’t just space your plants around your home - use a mixture of different heights and textures, such as small trees mixed with smaller plants.

The soft gray tones of the previous year are on their way out. If you’re looking to add a colorful pop to your home, appliances are a great place to start! They allow you to include bright bursts of color without overwhelming the room. If you want to subtly add more colors, consider pairing your bright appliances with a complimentary color. 

For example, a bright coral-colored appliance would look great with a tasteful light blue. Living Coral is Pantone’s Color Of The Year, and is a great place to start if you want to incorporate a bright and trending shade.

Furniture

Say hello to furnishings that can adapt to different spaces and needs and fit into challenging rooms that aren’t short on style.

Popular in the 60’s and ridiculed from then on, curved soft furnishings made quite an impact at recent design shows as rigid lines have had several decades in the spotlight and feel a tad routine and expected.

Note how the crimson velveteen sofa above lends this otherwise masculine room a much-needed sense of sensuality and subtle play that’ll save it from being an of-the-moment fad soon to fade away. Curved lines take hold on tabletops and even rugs as of late, but their return to sofas and seating make it one of the most intriguing and even covetable 2019 interior design trends to consider bringing into your home — even if it’s in the form of a simple side chair or utility bench.

Materials

Use fresh and natural materials such as stone, copper, wood, concrete and granite. These elements will help you bring an organic and serene atmosphere to any space while reflecting the world around your home.

For a stylish and modern space, wooden furniture pieces can be a highly effective addition. Decorating your home with beautiful wood furniture doesn’t necessarily mean destroying the whole rain forest. You can buy furniture from one of the companies that use sustainable wood. It can be reclaimed, recycled or sustainably harvested wood.

Ceiling

The ceiling is often referred as the fifth wall but for years it has being neglected. While we spend hours agonizing about which paint color to use on our walls, the ceiling typically gets little to no thought at all.

How many times have you reached for that can of matte white paint to cover a ceiling in an otherwise colorful room?

We’re making a case for the fifth wall. A statement ceiling can entirely transform a space — and instantly make it feel unique and memorable. If your room is already decorated but missing a little something, try looking up.

Looking for a home it's a tricky task. So, we prepared a short list of recommendations for you on how to find a good place to leave.

1. Think what your perfect home looks like

Write down on a piece of paper all of the things which important in your new home, things that would be nice to have and things that don’t really matter.

2. Purchase a home that stays in budget

Make sure to get pre-approved for a loan before going out to look at houses. It will make the buying process much easier and you will know which houses to look at.

3. Bigger isn’t always better

While we all dream of having a huge mansion, it’s good to think about what will be best for your family. Figure out how many rooms you need to fit your family comfortably and look in that range.

4. Think about remodeling

Many homes you will look at may not be in the best condition but think about the potential of the house. Would painting and new wood floors turn it into your dream house? How about a kitchen or bathroom remodel? There are many easy fix-ups such as adding new light fixtures and painting that can turn your house into the perfect home.

5. Location is important

Check the surrounding area of the home. Drive around the 2-mile radius to see what is around your home. Make sure it is in an area you feel comfortable with. Find out what school district you’ll be in. Even if you don’t have kids, you may want to think about the school district you live in for resale. You may also want to take the commute to your work and see how long it will take you.

6. Do your research

Research property values in the area. Stalk your neighborhood and find out what it’s like at all times of the day. Is it a family friendly neighborhood? You could even knock on the neighbors doors before buying. I have done that.

7. Do a home inspection

The home inspector will look at everything in a home and give you a non-bias opinion. They will also tell you the true value of the home you are looking at. It’s better to spend a couple hundred dollars doing a home inspection then finding out the house had several problems.

8. Picture your family living in the house

When you walk into the home, can you picture your family living there? Does it have a good feeling? Picture your family living in each room and see you how feel.

9. Leave room to grow

Make sure your ‘perfect home’ has extra storage and gives you room to grow.

10. Don’t put your expectations too high

Realize that most houses aren’t perfect to begin with. Even if you are building your dream home, there are always things that could have been different. Be flexible. Once you move in and add your own style it will soon become your dream home.

So let’s hear it… what tips do you have for finding the perfect home? Share in the comments. Happy house hunting!

One of the never-ending debate is whether to rent an apartment or buy a house is still on the top list for discussion among many people. No doubt that good jobs and a stable market have opened a lot of opportunities for the buyers to look around for the apartment and condos with good amenities and surroundings. If you also hold a similar interest and looking forward to making an investment in some property then certainly you have landed up on the right page. Although there are agents to give you an opinion on property investment, no-one can actually give you an accurate answer to your problem. Here are some important guidelines that can help you know whether apartment renting is a good option for buying a home is actually worth.

More than deciding on whether apartment for rent is worth option or buying a home, the challenge comes up when it comes to comparing the rent rates, amenities and property taxes to name a few. To ease down your problem, here are some guidelines that can help.

Pros Of Renting An Apartment

It gives you a flexible and most convenient way to shift to another location. There is not much paperwork to do and the lease can be full or short term depending upon your need.

You don’t have to really worry about the maintenance as the owner of the apartment makes it a point to actually handle it. When it comes to repairs, it is a maintenance staff that handles the cost.

Most apartments are located in the area whether a neighborhood is quite dense. Not only apartments, even if you wish to look around for condos for rent there will not be much problem.

Cons Of Renting An Apartment

Although apartment renting has got many benefits, but you will eventually have to compromise on the home space. It might not be as great as you would expect in a rental unit.

Often there are restrictions put by the owners on remodeling the house which can be another disadvantage.

Pros Of Buying a House

To buy a house can be quite a stressful journey at the beginning but once all things are sorted out, you have a long way to go. Talking of which, you will not have to compromise with space and you can decorate the house as you want. The good part is there are certain tax deductions that you can avail once you own a house such as a mortgage interest deduction. You don’t have to worry about talking a basement for rent as everything is paid by you at once.

Cons Of Buying a House

You must think of this option only if you have financial stability. Besides, it is also one lifestyle commitment which means if you have a job that requires a lot of traveling then buying a house may not be a good option for you.

Whether you are planning to take a major life-changing decision like shifting to a new place for a better job, getting married, or want to save money on property tax, then you must think twice before owning a house. If you are quite settled at a monetary level and want to invest for better returns then you looking out for house rental options to make no sense. Every coin has two sides now it is entirely on you what can actually give you more benefits.

Renovating your home can be a huge financial investment. Knowing what to expect before the project gets started will help you better prepare for the process. Hiring the right contractor can make the difference between your project being a success or a nightmare.

1. Only Use a Licensed Contractor

Licensed contractors should list their license number on their business cards and any written proposals.

2. Get References

Do not be afraid to ask for a list of recent customers and contact those customers to ask about their experience with a contractor.

3. Get Multiple Bids

Get multiple bids to ensure you are getting a fair price. Be sure to not only compare the prices but what is included in those prices to ensure you are comparing apples to apples. Beware of a bid that is so much lower than competitors that it doesn’t “feel right.” I could be the low bidder is not including something that the higher ones included. However, some unscrupulous contractors intentionally “underbid” the work to get a contract and once construction begins, they look for “add-on” costs to bump up what you pay.

4. Get Your Price and Scope of Work In Writing

Never let a contractor start work without a signed, written proposal that details not only the price but a detailed list of the work to be performed, as well as at what stage of the work will progress payments be due. For example, don’t accept a contract where the work described is simply “new roof.” Have it spelled out if it is shingles only. Does the “new roof” include replacing damaged plywood under the shingles? If so, how many boards? If after the work begins, it is discovered the damage is more extensive, how much will it cost for each additional board? Getting the details in writing can save a lot of frustration and debate about what was included in the price.

5. Do Not Pay for the Entire Project Upfront

Reasonable down payments are standard but never pay for a whole job up front (even for a discount). Also, NEVER, pay a progress payment ahead of the payment schedule agreed upon in the contract. Finally, it is usually not a good idea to pay with cash (even if you are offered a discount for doing so). Paying with credit cards or checks will give you a paper trail to verify your payments. If you do pay with cash, be sure to get a receipt for each payment.

6. Look Out For “Notice to Owners”

It is standard practice for a general contractor to use subcontractors and material suppliers for certain specialties. It is also common to receive a “Notice to Owner” from these sub-contractors and suppliers. The notice is their way of letting you know that your contractor hired them to work on your home. If you get these, as you pay your contractor, it is important to get verification that the suppliers have been paid as well. Please know that if your general contractor does not pay his suppliers, you could be held responsible for paying them, even if you have paid your contractor in full.

7. Something Seems Too Good to Be True

Trust your gut. If you have a strange feeling about a contractor, move on…even if they offer a great price.