October 17, 2012
Five Tips for Long-Lasting Home Improvements
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
RANDOLPH, Mass - The key to successful remodeling is lasting value. If you're looking to renovate or upgrade your home these days, you'll want to add features that won't be outdated in just a few years from now.
Many people have the idea that home improvements involve a new kitchen or bathroom; however, there are many ways to give your home the face-lift it may need without investing in an entire room addition.
Paula Berberian, Creative Director of Brewster Home Fashions, one of the oldest independent, family-owned wallpaper companies in the U.S. that offers the upscale Kenneth James collection, shares the following tips on how to get started on your home improvements:
Gone are the days of the purely utilitarian kitchen. Today, the kitchen is known as the heart of the house and for good reason - it's often where friends and family gather. When updating this space, think about striking a balance between functionality and personal style.
For example, invest in a new kitchen table that is both serviceable and aesthetically pleasing. What if you have an older kitchen with a great layout? Update by refacing cabinets, replacing appliances and upgrading your kitchen countertop. Durable granite is one of the most sought after upgrades. Island counters are also wonderful additions if your kitchen has the space.
Adequate light is more than a matter of brightness, it significantly affects our sense of comfort and well-being. Updating your interior and/or exterior lighting adds appeal and personal comfort. Try recessed ceiling lights, sconces and deck lights that are just a few of the possibilities for refurbishing your lighting.
One of the best ways to update your home is by sprucing up your wall d�cor. Many people view wallpaper as an old-fashioned design element but the latest design and technological advances mean that wallpaper is making a huge comeback.
"To add warmth and a touch of texture to the home, try our new Fine Bamboo natural grasscloth wallpaper in the nature-inspired ShangriLa Collection by Kenneth James," says Berberian. "The unique pattern is made of a fine bamboo harvested in Asia making it 100 percent sustainable and eco-chic."
To complement any space, the line is available in nine colorways from Chocolate and Indigo to Sage. For an artistic and interesting design element and to add a dose of color, create a feature wall by just wallpapering one wall in a bold color such as a rustic orange or brown with neutral walls on the other three to balance it.
Extra space is a big asset but knowing how to utilize it takes some thought and planning. A few small adjustments can go a long way. For example, transform a plain wall into a storage and display showcase just by adding open shelves or by creating a recessed niche.
Adding a display shelf above the kitchen window can give the room an entirely new look and make room where the items used to be stored. Additionally, if you have the time and resources, invest in a room addition such as a sunroom, den or deck.
A stuffy old attic or basement that hasn't been cleaned out in years is a waste of valuable space. Start by clearing out your storage areas and organizing their contents. Uncluttering your home will instantly make it look bigger and cleaner.
Upgrade your closets by installing rods on two levels for hanging shirts and pants along with adding a hanging shoe organizer on the inside of your closet door. Increase storage in your kitchen cabinets by installing a spice rack or a Lazy Susan in a corner cabinet.
With these easy tips, you'll be able to get that upgrade you've always wanted and have it last as well.
Headquartered in Randolph, Mass., Brewster Home Fashions, one of the oldest independent, family-owned wallcovering companies in the U.S. that now spans five generations, offers the upscale Kenneth James collection.
Since 1954, Brewster Home Fashions has been a prominent manufacturer and distributor of fine wallpapers and home decor products for residential and commercial markets globally. Like Brewster Home Fashions on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/BrewsterHomeFashions
For more information, visit brewsterwallcovering.com or call Brewster Home Fashions at 1-800-366-1700.
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A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
