Eco-Friendly Tips With Low Costs and High Savings

Most homeowners have weather-stripped their doors to maximize climate control, and have switched out traditional incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly CFL models. Short of installing double paned windows or making other costly home improvements, what more can you do to make your home “greener” without emptying your wallet?

Change filters often. Change air conditioning filters monthly to keep the system running at peak performance.

Dry bigger loads. Your dryer has more capacity than you think. Dry two or more loads at once so the dryer cools down and heats up less frequently. And clean out the lint filter often.

Check the fridge seal. Feel for cold air around your closed refrigerator door to be sure the seal is in good condition.

Adjust stove top cooking. Avoid wasting heat by matching up your pot/pan size to the correct burner.

Unplug battery chargers. Many chargers continue to draw power even when not connected to a device, so unplug yours after charging.

Use a laptop. They use less energy than your desktop computer, so use them instead when you can.

Reduce hot water consumption. Install low-flow, aerating faucets and shower heads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.

Choose drought-tolerant plants. Any number of plants and ground covers can add greenery to a yard without gulping lots of water – including clover, certain breeds of grass like Bermuda and Zoysia, and edible plants like herbs and strawberries. (Note: you may want to put in some type of wood or brick border to contain groundcovers or plants in the area you want them to stay in.)

Tips on Accessorizing Your Home

When you think about interior design, you most likely think about furniture choices.  Choosing the right color furniture and the right size to fit your rooms as well as the right fabric and the correctly placing it so that it looks aesthetically pleasing.  In reality, interior design also includes a lot of other things like paint and, of course, accessories. There are many ways to complete a design with accessories and many types of accessories that you can use to do something like balance out a space, fill an empty space or bring a pop of color to a room.  What you might not think about is that accessories are also a cost-effective way to design.  They can be used to bring a luxury, finished look to your home while not breaking the bank.

Plants and Artwork

House plants are a great touch to bring life and color into your design.  Whether they are artificial or live, remember that they’re a great accent but don’t over do it.  You want to use them to bring a freshness into this room but not make it look like a jungle.  A little goes a long way when it comes to plants.  Use different heights to give the impression that a space is taller and different breeds for dimension. When it comes to artwork, less is also more.  You want to use artwork for similar reasons as plants, to bring color and dimension to a space and to tie your furniture colors together with paint colors, etc.  But don’t fill every single wall with a painting or mirror.  That will only give your house a cluttered look and take away from what you’re trying to achieve.

Accent Tables and Chachkas

Small tables in various shapes help to finish off your design.  They give your furniture a completed look and, once again, fill spaces.  And you don’t have to spend a fortune on them.  Some of the neatest looking tables can be repurposed from an estate sale or at your local thrift store.  I love a good table refinishing project.  It gives you lots of satisfaction in a weekend project that doesn’t take too long.  And what’s a chachka?  It’s a small inexpensive item that gives you an expensive look.  A vase for example can give you the color and sparkle you need for your design and they come is many different sizes and shapes.  Another example might be a bowl or and urn or a floral center piece. 

Curtains, Pillows, and linens…oh my!

The best way to complete a window is to put some curtains up.  There are so many fabrics to choose from.  Use heavier ones in the winder and lighter weight ones in the warmer months to give your room a seasonal feel that matches the time of year.  My favorite is velvet in the winter and it’s practical, helping to keep the cold air out and insulate the windows.  And don’t forget patterns.  You don’t want to over do it with patterns on your windows but don’t be afraid of it either.  Pillows and linens also make for a great seasonal décor if used in the same way as your curtains.  Change out your pillows and your bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen linens to match your décor or even for a holiday.  Linens in general, soften a room and fill up empty spaces as well.

Littles

I call them littles.  I’m referring to items like old books, photo frames, bowls, vases, and other random finds.  There are tons of choices when it comes to littles.  You can find them at your local home décor store, and you never know what they will be.  Using things in unique ways can bring a splash of interesting to your home.  It can be things like recycled barn wood, old tile or and old wood ladder for hanging throws on.  Just use your imagination or do like I do…check out the internet for ideas.

For more design ideas or to find out how we can help stage your home, click here to learn more about the Priority Group and Sallie Elliott.

Setting the 2021 Mood with Lighting

The choices for lighting are endless. There is bathroom lighting, chandeliers, pendants, tracking lighting and wall sconces to name a few. And that doesn’t even include outdoor lighting. But what’s in store for the new year? I’ve been speaking to the experts at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery and here’s what I’ve learned. Next year is destined to be exciting when it comes to lighting. Hey…that rhymes! From dynamic configurations and had-blown glass pendants to vibrant lampshades, brass finishes and retro designs, designers say 2021 is set to be the best thus far.

Being stuck inside due to the pandemic, we’ve realized that lighting up those dark corners of our homes is important to how we feel. Artful ceiling lights make a room well lit and catch the eye with unique shapes and colors. Imagine metallic finishes as they bounce light all across a room, bringing somewhat of a festive feel to the space. The lighting that we’ve seen at the Ferguson showroom comes in many shapes and colors as well as various types of light.

Sculptured table and floor lamps are a new idea. They can bring a modern and eclectic feel to a home and some are playing to the latest trend in art deco. Something that’s being revived in design after being popular in the 1930’s. Hard edges, bold lines and soft colors contrast one another nicely. Geometric shapes are coming back as well.

Industrial light fixtures are going to continue to be popular with combined materials making a statement that compliments many different decors. If you’re decorating an open space or loft home layout the industrial style works well and even works well as a contract to softer, less commercial like spaces.

And lastly, all white fixtures are new in design. The uniqueness of these types of light fixtures is that they can be all kinds of different forms and materials but always with all-white design Meanwhile, the bet part is that they can go with any and every decoration in your house. What’s mor, if you love a simple, minimal interior style, then these types of lights are ideal for you. They are going to be one of the most trending light fixtures in 2021.