Inspirational Resources for Your Home Renovation
Posted by BULX.com
Inspiration comes from many places and in many different forms, but there are still a few sources online that we look to consistently to stay on top of the home remodeling trends. Here are a few of our favorites:
[Photo credit: Jeremy Levine Design]
BULX Trends on Twitter is a great place to start. We've surfed the entire Internet, located our favorite blogs, extracted the top content from each, and compiled it into a daily stream of trendy goodness. Each update is categorized by topic (#highdesign, #shabbychic, etc.) so you have an idea of what you might find before you click on a link.
If you're looking for a more direct source of inspiration, here are some of our favorite Twitter people. Give them a follow and listen to what they have to say...
- Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind is a steady stream of all that is cool and fun in the world of design. Her posts are short, sweet, and truly inspirational. She's also a guest blogger for HGTV.
- Jonathan Legate is a promoter of "design, style, humour, food, wine, love, books, music, kindness. In any order." He has created some inspirational spaces, which you can view on his website.
- DesignMom (a.k.a. Gabrielle Blair) was recently named one of the 'Top 50' blogs in 2010 by Time.com. She's a designer, mother of six, and great down-to-earth resource on what's cool for the home.
- SFGirlbyBay (a.k.a. Victoria Smith) "is known for representing ‘bohemian modern style’ and for showcasing the freshest designers, artists, crafters, products and trends." Her website is great as well.
- Bruce Baron has made captured many phenomenal spaces as a professional photographer. He is also a published writer, art consultant, and gourmet cook; the man knows style inside and out.
- DesignBlahg (a.k.a. Erica Reitman) is a hard-nosed, potty-mouthed design cynic whose insights into the interior design world are not only hilarious, but spot on as well.
- The Moggit Girls (a.k.a. Janet and Joy) will make sure your design ideas aren't too far outside the box. Their blog tackles "fugly design and home decor on a regular basis."
For more resources, visit our Blogroll in the right-hand column.
Who else am I forgetting? Who are your favorite bloggers and sources for design inspiration?
Here's to loving your home,
Home Improvements – Cost vs. Return
Posted by BULX.com
Photo: Jeremy Levine Design
Homeowners looking to spruce up their homes have many things to think about before making the decision to spend the money and do the work. Color, style, finish, deciding between new and vintage items are just a few of the considerations.
But aside from aesthetic choices, homeowners should consider the financial implications that improvements have on the value of their home as well.
"When it comes to home improvement projects, especially in today’s economy, not every renovation or remodeling effort will pay off when the owner sells their home,” said Appraisal Institute President Leslie Sellers, MAI, SRA.
This past May, Leslie came up with a short list of things advice that appraisers often tell homeowner. At the top of the list:
- Emphasize the essentials over the extras by investing in basic upgrades, such as fresh paint (use neutral colors) and new fixtures.
Similarly, the top three areas/tasks in the house that yield the largest return when selling a home are the following (as reported by the Appraisal Institute):
- Kitchen upgrade: 75% to 100%
- Bathroom upgrade: 75% to 100%
- Interior painting: 50% to 100%
"Projects that add square footage to bring a house up to – but not significantly beyond – community norms typically yield good returns. [But homeowners will want to] avoid over-improvement by sticking to what's proportional in your neighborhood."
The Takeaway
Upgrading your home doesn't have to be cumbersome or expensive. Staying on top of basic updates such switching out a faucet or throwing up a fresh color onto the walls can be completed each year. And both are fun, easy, inexpensive way to liven up a space which will increase the value of your home over time.
Free Roof? Sign Me Up!
Posted by BULX.com
I love home renovations. I really love quality products. And who doesn't love a good contest?
That's why I was bummed to hear that Owens Corning is sponsoring a "best roof makeover" contest - I've already redone my roof - see below.
The Owens Corning "That's My Roof" contest seems pretty straight-forward:
- Take a "Before" photo of your home with the old roof,
- Purchase and install their new Duration® Series Designer Colors Collection shingles,
- Create a profile and upload your "After" photos to their "That's My Roof!" contest gallery,
- Share your profile page with all your friends, family members, and social contacts and have them vote for your home!
The monthly winners receive a $500 check*, and the Grand Prize winner (selected in December) will have the entire cost of their roof reimbursed - up to a $10,000 value!
Pretty sweet deal. (Disclaimer: We are not in cahoots with Owens Corning, nor are they paying us to talk about this contest. We just like letting our readers know about good deals on high-quality products.)
I'm really digging the "Storm Cloud" color palette. What color(s) do you like the best?
Until next time,
Categories
Blogroll
- Apartment Therapy
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