9 Ways to Color Your Summer at Home

Featuring hues reminiscent of languid summer days and breezy seaside vacations, this summer’s hottest color trends run the gamut of eye-catching bolds to grounding neutrals, say Ace Design Experts Katie Reynolds, Julie Richard and Nathan Fisch.

(Image via FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

All three Design Experts recommend implementing this season’s color palette in small ways to avoid an overly-trendy look. For example:

• Paint your kitchen island for an updated look that’s easier than repainting your cabinets. A classic neutral, like a subtle gray, will pair nicely with most woods and finishes.

• Classic stripes continue to be a staple in many homes. Try painting them on a pair of oversized outdoor planters in a sunset-inspired combination of apricot orange and shrimp pink.

• If you’d like to incorporate one of this season’s pastel trends, such as peach, but are afraid of pulling it off, try balancing it with a complementary hue like classic navy.

• Graphic patterns and details are an easy way to make a big change. Add a pop of color stenciled in a chevron stripe on drawers of a basic white dresser with a Camellia blossom pink.

• Layered warm neutrals never go out of style and work equally as well in open floor plans or cozy nooks. Try using a darker neutral on the walls and ceiling, such as vanilla, and furnishing with a paler hue, like linen, for a fresh feel.

• Try a fun color pairing for a guest or kids room by painting a focal window wall in a brighter green (think green tomatoes) and then adding a muted green (think moss) on the window base.

• Deep blues and indigos like navy and blueberry are great go-to colors for a monochromatic color scheme inspired by the ocean. Simple and natural accents like stone top tables, linen or woven window coverings polish the look for a clean aesthetic that won’t fade over time.

• Combine a warm neutral, like honey, with a blush pink in a nursery or girl’s room for a soft look reminiscent of the flowers blooming outdoors.

• Shiplap wall paneling, featuring horizontal, overlapping wooden boards covering the walls is the perfect way to bring a nautical feel to any space. Try painting the wood in a crisp, snow white to make this architectural detail the feature focus.

Source: Ace Hardware

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

Porch Party: 5 Easy Upgrades

ORANGE, CA, AUG 5th, 2014—Summer has landed, and with it comes an abundance of outdoor entertainment. Whether you're having a party for 50 or a family dinner for five, making the five 5 easy upgrades, offered by David Deem, REALTOR at CENTURY 21 Award , to help upgrade your porch.

(Image via Freedigitalphotos.net)

1. Lighting. “While summer days spent on the porch are great, nothing beats a nice night al fresco,” says
Deem. Unfortunately, most porches are only equipped with harsh overhead lighting. To get around this, add some softer side lights, switch out your harsh overhead lightbulb or add a few fun tiki torches.

2. Furniture. If all your porch has to offer in the furniture department is a hard bench or a few chairs, you're doing it wrong. “If you pick out a piece of furniture you actually want to spend time in, you are more likely to make it outside,” says Deem. Consider a plush indoor-outdoor chair or daybed, Deem notes. If you can't afford to splurge, hit some second hand shops for affordable outdoor seating options.

3. Dining. For even more time spent on the porch, add a dining area. “Whether it's a full-blown dining table or a small card table ideal for wine and coffee, adding an outdoor eating space can enhance your porch enjoyment,” says Deem.

4. Keep it cool. If your porch doesn't have great airflow, consider installing a ceiling fan. “This is a relatively easy and affordable improvement project that can deliver big results in terms of outdoor livability,” says Deem.

5. Add a swing. A swing is one of the quintessential pieces of porch furniture, and for good reason! Inviting and fun, a porch swing is always a welcomed addition.

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For more information about improving your home, please contact David Deem at Dave@deemteam.com, (714) 997-3486, or deemteam.com

For more information on real estate, please contact CENTURY 21 Award at info@century21award.com, (800) 293-1657, or CENTURY 21 Award.

4 Tips for Selling Your Home in Summer

ESCONDIDO, CA, July 8th, 2014—In real estate, every season has its own buying and selling advantage. In summer, the great weather, longer days and feel-good vibes can help you find the right buyer for your home. Below are a handful of tips from Shannon Itzaina, REALTOR at CENTURY 21 Award to help you sell your space this summer.

(Image via freedigitalphotos.net)

Make use of longer days. In the winter, a 7:30 pm open house would be illogical, as natural lighting is best
for showcasing your home. In the summer, you can allow buyers to view your home later in the day, which may work well with people's busy schedules.

Take it outside. Summer is the season of outdoor living, so make the most of your outdoor space by staging several lounge areas, keeping the yard and patio clean and making sure your landscaping is top notch. “Make your outdoor space inviting so that buyers imagine themselves spending their summer evenings in your yard,” notes Itzaina.

Dress your home for summer. “Even if you don't typically seasonally refresh your home's interior design, if you're trying to sell this summer, it's important to give your home a summer feeling,” says Itzaina. Remove any heavy drapes and throws, de-clutter surface areas and keep spaces well-lit and open-looking. For an extra summery feeling, decorate with bright colors like blues, yellows and greens.

Keep things cool. The last thing you want to do is invite a potential buyer into a muggy home. At the same time, you don't want to blast them with frigid air conditioning. “Make sure the temperature inside your home is comfortable,” warns Itzaina. “This may mean turning on the AC, or opening the windows and doors for optimum air circulation.”

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For more information on selling your home this summer, please contact Shannon Itzaina at ShannonsHomes@cox.net, (760) 420-3227, or Shannons-homes.com

For additional information on real estate, please contact CENTURY 21 Award at info@century21award.com, (800) 293-1657, or CENTURY 21 Award.