Tag: home improvement

Blinded by the light? Try switching to LED illumination Switch to LED illumination to avoid Blinding by the light

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

We all know what we like when it comes to designing our homes, but how much do we know about the effects of lighting on our surroundings? Over traditional lighting, LED illumination brings:-

Contemporary ideas
Improved function
Serious savings on energy


Scope for new ideas
Decorating our homes takes time and considerable effort in getting the look we want, be it traditional or contemporary. But once the paint pots and brushes are cleaned up and the dust sheets are off, we can sit back in our favourite chair and revel in a job well done. However, one crucial aspect of our decorating scheme is often found to be lacking: this is lighting. Fundamental to enhancing our surroundings, improving the impact of other well-thought out details such as that hand-blocked wall paper or bespoke staircase, is good lighting. Since the eye is always drawn to the brightest point, it’s important to consider what we want to highlight and the reasoning behind it. The scope for new ideas is only as limited as one’s imagination and is particularly relevant where LED lighting is employed; since, amongst other things, LED lighting is available in a range of colours in addition to being able to mimic the effects of natural light. Essential constituents of any decorating scheme are light, shade and reflection; to achieve atmosphere we need a degree of shadow that gives variation or texture.


Improved function
Improved functionality of any space is paramount if we are to get the best use of it. A dark and gloomy room is less likely to be used than the one that is bright and airy. LED lighting goes further than traditional lighting in improving the effects of both artificial and natural lighting. An LED light switch is a good place to start when looking to improve function – there’s nothing more irritating than having to fumble for a light switch in order to find our way into a room! In contrast and without any glare, LED type switches make a stylish addition to the room, enabling to simply fill the space with a natural brightness, bringing with it a sense of harmony. LEDs used in tandem with other design features will work to improve the overall function of these ideas. The point of setting a beautiful porcelain artefact in an alcove, for example, is further enhanced with thoughtful lighting to bring the piece into focus and easier to appreciate.


Long term efficiency
If you use an LED light switch for LED illumination, you will find a greater degree of efficiency overall. Although the initial outlay for the fixtures and the bulbs themselves can be at a premium, the expense will repay you with longevity and reliability, since there will be fewer occasions on which you will have to replace bulbs. LED bulbs can last up to as long as 25 years before they need replacing. They can be up to 89% efficient and are varied in wattage, colour hues and light coverage. Since they run on a very low wattage to start with and don’t need time to ‘warm up’ it makes their efficiency even more attractive. Performance on this level likewise means that they are cost effective on energy – of paramount importance in today’s world; and one factor there’s no reason to ignore.

Compared with conventional energy-saving bulbs, LED bulbs are far superior.

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Make Your Outdoor Décor Standout through Metal Arbors

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Outdoor décor is one of the most important aspects of any home’s design and style. A beautifully built and well-maintained garden or lawn can set the tone right for the rest of the structure. In this regard, an element that can provide both elegance and practicality to your landscape décor is the metal arbor. These arched gateways can lend some extra beauty and charm to your outdoors in particular and your house in general.

Perfect Arbor for Your Landscape:

Following are some of the ideas that will help you to find a perfect arbor for your landscape.

·         Hoop Arbor with Pergola Frame:

You can make a metal arbor a beautiful entryway to any part of your landscape. For instance, a steel hoop arbor in combination with a pergola frame and draped by a canvas will become a fascinating contemporary style outdoor dining room. The pergola makes the entrance even grander and the canvas provides a bit of shade to the majestic entrance. Furthermore, you can also match the patio sets with style of arbor to create a stunning alfresco.

·         Gateway to a Patio:

Similarly, a metal arbor can also become an elegant and practical entryway to your open patio area. You can also use the arbor to define from where the garden starts and patio ends in addition with sparing some place for dining as well. In this regard, a detailed designed arbor will create a sensually pleasing aspect while the metal will ensure that the settings last for years to come.

·         Adorable Tunnel Arbors:

A tunnel arbor is a sensational idea to lead to a beautiful garden that lies beyond. This extended piece of structure will add a bit of drama to your yard allowing you to anticipate what you are about to see. You can connect the landscape with arbor with lush green plantings, both high and low. The arched arbor will impart an unparalleled beauty and grace and withstand any sort of weather as well.

·         Simple Arbor Designs:

A simply designed arbor will provide a perfect and enchanting gateway from front of your yard to back. For instance, you can create a soft appeal by climbing greenery on both sides of the arbor. This simple setup informs the visitors about lush greenery to come. Furthermore, it is better to use detailed designs in the arbor rather that straight lines to enhance the curb appeal of the structure.

·         Grand Garden Entrance:

An extremely high arbor that is flanked on both sides by low walls can act as a grand opening to any garden. For instance, you can create a perfect and scintillating backdrop for the metal arbor by using a timber gate, a custom iron and Cotswold-styled brick walls. This high archway will be quite alluring for the visitors who will wonder what lies ahead for them.

·         An Elegant Frame:

If placed correctly, an arbor will be an elegant frame from your patio to your garden. For instance, well controlled vines climbing the archway will connect arbor nicely with rest of the garden. Furthermore, if are lucky enough to have a circular patio, it will echo the curves of the arch fascinatingly.

Conclusion:

Arbors can really make your outdoor décor standout from the rest. They cannot only make your garden enticing and beautiful but will also increase the overall curb appeal of you house.

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7 Tips To Furnish A Small Living Room

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Houses are getting smaller and smaller by the day, at least in packed-up urban spaces. Now, this does impose some limitations on what you can and cannot do with your living space but it certainly does not mean that your small apartment should look any less beautiful than its larger suburban counterparts. Apart from the architectural and décor elements, your choice of furniture will determine the aesthetic appeal and functional utility of your space. If you are buying lounge furniture for a rather cramped living room, here’s what you might want to keep in mind.

Use a lighter color palette

This is one of the easiest ways to give your room an open, airy feel. White, off-white, taupe, and pastels are all neural colors and are easy to mix and match. Light hues also reflect light to make your living room look more spacious. To avoid monotony, use different textures, fabrics, and patterns. Even a self-print helps add depth to the space.

Don’t waste the corners

Every inch of space is precious and you do not want furniture that takes up unnecessary space. Corner modular help you make use of corners that would otherwise be rendered redundant with an odd vase sitting in them to fill up the emptiness. Modulars also give you more seating capacity and leave a more open area in the center of the room.

Choose multipurpose furniture

 

If your living room is small, chances are that the rest of your home is too. Maximize your space by opting for furniture that serves a dual purpose. For example, the ottoman could have underlying storage and the sofa could be pulled out into a double bed. This also enhances the utility of the space, especially if you have to entertain house guests.

Pick furniture with legs

 

Upholstered furniture does give your house a rich, cozy feel but it is also bulky and space-consuming. Light, minimalistic pieces, on the other hand, give an unobstructed view of the floor, thus making the space look larger.  The key is to choose furniture that “looks” light, irrespective of its actual size and weight.

Keep the lines simple

You may be tempted to buy that semi-circular contemporary sofa but can your space really accommodate it? When you are short on space, always choose furniture with clean, straight lines that fit easily against the wall.

Play up the vertical

We often forget that our room also has a vertical element to it and it is surprising how this can be used to give the illusion of a more expansive space. Emphasize the vertical lines by using striped curtains that run from floor to ceiling or a printed/textured blind against a blank wall.

Be careful about the coffee table

 

If you must have a coffee table pick one that is inconspicuous and doesn’t obstruct the view of the room. A small-sized table with clean lines and perhaps a glass top is any day recommended over a large blocky game table. Narrow benches also make for wonderful center tables as they are functional and take up minimal space.

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Top 5 Orlando Home Renovations that give you the highest a return on your Investment

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Renovating a home can be tricky if your goal is to get a return on your investment. Just because you spend money on a property it doesn’t always guarantee that it will increase in value. It’s important to know how to spend your renovation budget wisely in order to get the highest return on your investment. Since 2004 we’ve successfully rehabbed well over 300 Orlando properties. In that time we learned a heck of a lot about Orlando home renovations and unfortunately, some lessons were learned the hard way. By knowing what the return on your investment will be on different renovation projects that you may want to complete on your property, you will be able to maximize every dollar that you spend. Going off of my own experiences as an Orlando Realtor, we’ve put together a list of what has given us the biggest return on our investment dollars on any renovation project.

 

Top 5 renovations for getting the biggest bang for your buck

 

1-Clean and De-clutter- Removing the clutter from a house and making it spotless should be at the top of your list of any renovation. By removing bulky or furniture from a house you will give it an automatic facelift and not only that, your house will appear to be much larger. I once had a client list their house with me and when I instruct them to clean and de-clutter their home for showing purposes, she fell in love with her newly de-cluttered home all over again then decided not to sell after all. And with the exception of a few cleaning supplies, there is really know other cost involved because this is something that you can easily do yourself.

 

2-Paint- A new paint job will by far give you the highest return on your investment. Not only does paint make a huge difference in the overall appearance of the house, but it’s also the cheapest improvement that you can do to a home with the exception of cleaning it. The best part is that it’s something you can do yourself and save even more money. Painting might seem like a daunting task to some, but with the right tools and a little internet knowledge, you can do the job yourself and save even more money. Youtube is a great place to go for any instructional video that you can think of. In this case, you would just type “How to paint a house” into the search bar. Another place you can go is the Home Depot and ask when their next painting class will be. It’s a free workshop and good for people who prefer the hands-on learning approach.

 

3-Landscaping- By improving the landscape of a home you give it great curb appeal and give a potential buyer a reason to want to see more. You don’t have to be a professional landscaper in order to do a great job in your own yard. You do however, need to learn some basic landscape design. Just like most things today, there are a million free resources available to you online on landscaping tips and ideas. You should start by trimming up any existing landscaping that you decide is worth keeping, sometimes that may be all you have to. I always like to add annuals to the landscaping for a splash of color. Annuals are cheap and really bring any landscape design to life, make sure that you install plants that are in season to get the longest life from them. Although I use general contractors on all our re-habs, I always do the landscaping myself because it’s something that I enjoy doing.

 

4- Upgrade the Kitchen- OK , now it starts getting expensive. However, nothing will sell a house like an amazing kitchen. It’s very well known in real estate that in a couple’s situation, the lady of the household usually makes the ultimate decision…”To buy or not to buy”. This is a room where you don’t want to go cheap, but you don’t want to go broke either. Try to salvage anything that’s worth salvaging, appliances, cabinetry, etc. On one of my very first re-habs , I made the mistake of renovating the entire house except the kitchen trying to save a  few bucks. The property ended up sitting on the market for 6 months and I didn’t get the purchase price that I was hoping for. Again don’t go cheap, even if you have to re-do the entire kitchen with wood cabinetry, granite counter tops and high-end appliances you should have to spend more than 5 or 6 thousand dollars which is money well spent for maximizing the return on your investment dollars.

 

5-Upgrade the Bathrooms – You won’t need to spend near as much on a bathroom upgrade as you would on renovating a kitchen. Like a kitchen renovation, investing in a nice bathroom is well worth it when it comes time to sell the house. You can get pre-made vanities that come with stone countertops in the 6 to 8 hundred dollar range and I suggest that you always replace the toilet unless it’s in “like new” condition. No one wants to see, let alone sit on an old dirty toilet. Even if you had to replace everything in the entire bathroom with high-end fixtures and furnishings, you shouldn’t have to spend more than a thousand bucks to complete the project and you can rest assured that it’s money well spent. People spend a lot of time in the bathroom that’s why it’s important that they enjoy their surroundings while they’re in there.

Do you want to know what your house is worth? Visit us at https://orlandorealtyconsultants.com/

 

Realtor in Orlando, FL

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New Build Home Or Older Property – Which Is Right For You?

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

When you are looking for a new home, depending on the area you want to live in, it is likely there will be all kinds of properties that suit your needs in terms of size and location, so a lot of it is down to taste and what works best for your family. Some people have a very strong preference for older or very modern properties, however many of us tend to be on the fence about this. If you aren’t sure whether an older property or a brand new build is going to best suit you and your household, then here are some of the factors you may want to consider:

Older Properties Generally Need More Maintenance

While old houses tend to have more character (though some new builds can have very exciting designs), they have also had more of a chance for things to age and begin to go wrong. You may find you have to replace some things, or that you might experience more issues with the plumbing and wiring than you would in a brand new home. You may also find that there is work you want to do immediately on moving in, perhaps replacing the kitchen or bathroom suite, because they are old or just don’t suit you. If you enjoy doing renovation work, are a DIY fan or simply don’t really mind having to occasionally bring someone in to do repairs, this may be no problem at all for you, but for people who want to simply move in somewhere and have to do very little except unpack, a brand new home is probably a better choice.

It’s Harder To Put Your Stamp On a New Build

Because a new house or apartment is going to come with a brand new bathroom, brand new kitchen, and all the rooms freshly painted, you aren’t going to want to invest in any decorating work or changes to fittings at first, because this would be wasteful. This means you have to really love what is already there, or at least be happy to live with it for a few years. If you prefer the idea of coming up with your own unique style and redecorating as soon as you move in, you may find a house that needs a bit of a facelift is a better choice than a brand new construction. If you aren’t especially interested in painting and decorating your home and would rather have something that is already neat and freshly painted that you can make your own with your furniture, artwork, and other possessions, this is the best idea.

While there are advantages and disadvantages to both older and fresh new properties, the only thing you should really follow is your own taste. If you aren’t sure which you’d prefer it is worth viewing properties of all ages. You may be surprised which one you fall in love with and decide to buy! Keep an open mind and check out all kinds of different places if you don’t have a strict preference when it comes to old or modern builds.

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