3 ROOMS PERFECT FOR ADDING FOCAL POINTS

 

(Family Features) You don’t have to be a design expert to create an inviting living space, but with some simple tricks, you can create a home that looks like it’s been styled by a pro.

One way to make a room feel more inviting and comfortable is identifying a focal point to anchor the decor and create a natural, beautiful flow. Without a focal point, a space can feel awkward and disjointed.

These inspirational ideas for using focal points in three popular living spaces can add comfort and beauty that makes you feel right at home.

Kitchen
As the heart of the home, the kitchen deserves special attention to make it a welcoming space where you can enjoy spending time. Depending on your design, you’ll discover there are numerous ways to incorporate a focal point in a kitchen, whether it’s bold cabinetry, an island featuring a natural stone countertop or stand-out appliances that make a statement.

The wall space is also a smart place to draw visual attention. An accent wall is an option if you have the space, but the backsplash is another spot where you can make a big impact.

Living Room
The main function of a fireplace is to provide warmth, but it’s also a perfect element to use to create a focal point that exudes comfort and style. Make your fireplace stand out while also adding an intimate touch by using brick or stone.

As an alternative, you can accent a fireplace with a bold wall treatment. Floor to ceiling brick or stone converts an average wall into an eye-catching focal point, giving a room a natural, yet striking, edge.

From handmade to glazed bricks and everything in between, Glen-Gery’s line of more than 600 brick and stone products offers a diverse array of colors, textures and sizes, providing homeowners the ability to emphasize their focal points while also reflecting their desired design aesthetic.

Bathroom
It may be one of the smallest living spaces in a home, but the bathroom sees enough traffic that it’s worth making it a visually appealing place to be. Even with a diminutive footprint, the bathroom presents numerous options for a focal point, from an intricate wall material to vibrant lighting fixtures and everything in between. Given their relative size, the shower or tub may be a practical focal point; the vanity offers similar appeal. If you prefer a scaled but equally impactful approach, consider highlighting a smaller element, like a stunning vessel sink, or an unexpected element such as a brick or stone accent wall.

Find more ideas to suit your style at glengery.com.

Create a Look That’s Uniquely You

Your home, and more specifically its style, should be a reflection of your personality. Consider a few ways to get started:

Set the mood
Give careful consideration to the overall mood and atmosphere you want to create for your home, both inside and out. Consider contrasting options like a sleek modern masterpiece or a relaxing coastal-inspired sanctuary. Weighing these kinds of options helps point you in the right direction to find the perfect color scheme and textures.

Mood-board magic
Look to magazines and online resources like social media and design blogs for ideas and styles that resonate with you. Browse freely and dream big at first but be sure to review regularly to identify a common denominator. Ultimately this can help you articulate exactly what you want. You can also explore how different products work in your home by using a virtual designer, such as Glen-Gery’s Picture Perfect.

The real deal

To get a real-life feel for your new space, visit model homes and design centers, and look closely and critically at the colors and materials used. This can provide a tangible sense of how those styles may work in your home.

SOURCE:
Glen-Gery

Eight Ways to Transform Your Outdoor Space

These changes can help you enjoy your home throughout the summer.  Our library contains many other ideas about what you can do with your lawn and garden to improve your life.

3 RECIPES FOR SUMMER ON THE GO

(BPT) - Road trips with your family, beach days with friends and solo hikes to ease your mind and enjoy the scenery — summer is one of the most exciting times to explore the outdoors. No matter where you live, there is something about summer that just makes you feel good, but how can you fuel good too? The most important item, next to water, is always a snack, and Registered Dietitian Marisa Moore weighs in on the perfect one that will elevate your next adventure.

When it comes to outdoor bites, Marisa believes the perfect kind is one that's “portable and non-perishable but also one that provides energizing carbs plus protein and fiber for staying power.” If you’re looking for an energy boost and in need of options, almonds are the best go-to. “Almonds’ power-packed nutrition makes it easy to snack healthy – just one ounce (one handful) delivers 6g of natural, plant-based protein, 4g of filling fiber, 13g of good unsaturated fats and 1g of saturated fat,” says Marisa. “They are truly an action-packed snack that is healthy, versatile and give you the fuel needed to finish the day strong.”

Marisa recommends three recipes when prepping goodies to take on your next exploration. Forgetting to pack food without the right nutrients never ends well, so remember that almonds always get the job done. From protein bites to a zesty handful of almonds to a refreshing summer smoothie, these playful almond recipes will leave you feeling energized and ready for your next day in the sun.

Almond Butter Fuel-up Bites

Ingredients (Serves 10 balls)

• 1 cup almond butter
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 3 medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
• Optional: 10 unroasted whole almonds

Preparation:

• Combine almond butter, coconut flour, medjool dates, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and salt into a food processor or blender and combine until the mixture is super-smooth. (Tip: pause the food processor/blender several times to pull all the ingredients to the middle using a spatula while mixing.)
• Scoop mixture onto parchment paper and hand-roll into 10 evenly sized balls.
• If desired, roll the balls in unsweetened coconut flakes and top each ball with a whole almond for added texture and crunch!
• Chill balls in fridge for at least an hour.

Chile Lime Almonds

Ingredients:

• Almonds
• Your preferred oil
• Your favorite chile powder
• Lime zest

Preparation:

• Add almonds to a pan with oil, your favorite chile powder and lime zest.
• Heat until the almonds are well-coated and the spices are cooked through.
• Let cool.
• Enjoy a handful of these chile lime almonds whenever the mood strikes.

Peach Vanilla Smoothie

Ingredients:

• Almond milk
• Frozen peaches
• Dates or bananas
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Chopped almonds
• Optional: Spinach

Preparation:

• Add almond milk as the base with frozen peaches, dates (or banana), a splash of vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon into a blender. Blend until desired consistency.
• Pour into a cup and add chopped almonds on top for crunch.

 

How Buyers and Sellers Feel About Today's Housing Market

(Family Features) In the hottest real estate market in a generation, homes are flying off the market at record pace, there’s fierce competition among buyers and there’s limited housing supply to meet growing demand.

Many first-time buyers are wondering how they’ll be able to achieve their dreams of homeownership while many sellers are in a bind and asking, “How will I find my next home?”

Leading digital real estate platform Opendoor has dug deeper into how the red-hot housing market is affecting Americans across the country. Now, it’s revealing the feelings of home buyers and sellers across generations, from Zillennials, the micro-generation born between 1993-1998, and Millennials to Generation X and Baby Boomers.

Housing Optimism on the Horizon
There’s no doubt about it: it’s a seller’s market. Most Americans predict the current state of the market will continue. In fact, across generations, 71% believe the housing market will get even better for sellers with most agreeing now is a good time to sell.

Despite rising home prices, the majority of those surveyed (73%) agree buying a home is also a good investment right now with 53% of respondents expecting the available inventory on the market to increase.

Overcoming the Homeowner’s Dilemma
While many homeowners have reaped the benefits of the seller’s market, two-thirds of sellers are also buyers, and they are feeling the stress of finding their next home. In fact, 32% of sellers said finding their next home is a top concern.

This is where Opendoor comes in, providing a simple way to buy, sell and trade homes in one seamless transaction. Homeowners can sell their homes directly, bypassing the hassle of staging, showings and conducting repairs. They receive a cash offer and can move on their timeline. Meanwhile, buyers have the ability to compete in today’s market by presenting a contingency-free cash offer.

Buying with an Edge
In this market, homes are going above asking price, and buyers are coming in with all-cash offers or waiving contingencies to make their offer stronger. However, not everyone has enough cash on hand.

However, buyers who use an Opendoor-backed offer provide the certainty of an all-cash offer to the seller, free of financing, appraisal and home sale contingencies, even if you need a home loan, with no surprises, extra work or additional costs.

The real estate market can be competitive, stressful and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Find more tips to navigate the home buying and selling process at Opendoor.com.

SOURCE:
Opendoor
 

KID-FRIENDLY SUMMER SNACKING

 

(Family Features) Summer sun means it’s time for warm-weather fun for kids of all ages, and all that activity and playing calls for snacks and hydration to recharge. Whether your children like to play poolside or take a bicycle adventure through the neighborhood, the right nutrient-dense foods can keep the fun going all day long.

For an option that quenches hunger (and thirst) without sacrificing nutrition, try an assortment of ways to enjoy watermelon. As a refreshing ingredient or standalone treat, watermelon includes just 80 calories and no fat while providing an excellent source of vitamin C (25%) and higher levels of lycopene (12.7 mg per 2-cup serving) – an antioxidant being studied for its role in sun protection – than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Plus, it’s made of 92% water, meaning it’s a flavorful way to encourage kids to rehydrate during some fun in the sun.

Make watermelon part of a balanced snack plate with this Kids Charcuterie Snack Board including assorted watermelon, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sliced veggies, sliced fruits, crackers, pretzels and more. In addition to the nutritional benefits, the simplicity of this snack means children can help assemble it while showing off their creativity.

Visit watermelon.org to find more kid-friendly recipe ideas.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Kids Charcuterie Snack Board

Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board

• Cubed watermelon
• watermelon balls, skewered
• watermelon wedges
• watermelon sticks
• flower-shaped watermelon cutouts
• peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, halved
• ham and cheese pinwheels
• sliced veggies, such as cucumbers, carrots, sweet peppers and celery
• sliced fruit
• pretzels
• crackers
• small bowl of candy (optional)

1. Prepare watermelon, sandwiches, pinwheels, veggies, fruit, pretzels, crackers and candy, if desired.
2. On large board or platter, arrange all ingredients.

SOURCE:
National Watermelon Promotion Board

SUMMER TIPS FOR HOME OWNERS

Give your home some love this summer. Here are some few tips to make your home look great all summer long.

 

5 SIMPLE, SUSTAINABLE BACKYARD IMPROVEMENTS

(BPT) - One in three consumers say they have increased their efforts to incorporate environmentally friendly practices, and 70% prefer to purchase eco-friendly products, according to a recent Trusted Media Brands survey. Some of the easiest first steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle can be taken right in your own backyard. Create an outdoor oasis with these simple and sustainable tips - minimal green thumb required.

Save time - and water - with low-maintenance landscaping. Plant the seed for a hassle-free backyard by planting perennials or shrubs, which require minimal upkeep. Support your local environment by choosing native plants, as they typically require less watering, fertilizer and pesticides, and are beneficial to pollinators. Plus, native plants can store excess carbon dioxide for improved air quality.

Collect and reuse rainwater. Conserving rainwater is a simple way to make your outdoor space more sustainable. Install a reusable water drum in your yard below your gutter spouts to collect water when it rains. Once full, use the rainwater to water plants or clean exterior surfaces like decking, siding and outdoor furniture.

Choose energy-efficient LED lighting. Replace outdated, energy-draining deck and landscape lighting with energy-efficient or solar-powered outdoor lights. LED lights are extremely long-lasting, easy to install and use significantly less energy compared to more commonly used incandescent lights. Not only can you enjoy your yard long after the sun goes down, but you can feel good knowing you are making a sustainable choice.

Grow "up." A vertical garden can be an attractive, artful addition to any yard or deck, freeing up valuable ground in small spaces without compromising plush greenery. To start, build a frame against a wall or fence, or plant around an existing structure like a pergola or latticework - all of which work great for climbing plants such as vines, wisteria, honeysuckle and ivy.

Use wood-alternative decking. Among the greenest products available for the home is composite decking, such as Trex, which is manufactured from more than 95% recycled materials. Unlike wood, composite decking resists fading, staining, scratching and mold, and needs only an occasional soap-and-water cleaning. Since composite decking never needs to be stripped, stained or painted, no environmentally harmful chemicals are required. For green bonus points, take items such as plastic grocery bags and newspaper sleeves to one of the many NexTrex plastic film recycling drop-off locations nationwide. Instead of ending up in landfills, these polyethylene plastic films can be repurposed into high-performance composite decking.

These easy upgrades will not only benefit the planet but also create an outdoor space that will leave your neighbors green with envy.