Old to New: How to Revive Your Deck

Ramona, CA, Jun 9, 2015—With the weather warming across the country, homeowners are already dreaming of slow summer days lounging on the deck and enjoying backyard barbecues. However, many emerged from winter's hibernation to realize their deck isn't looking as fresh as it used to. Below, Doreen Smith, REALTOR® at CENTURY 21 Award, gives us some insight on revitalizing your deck without breaking the bank.

(Image via FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Inspect and repair. The first step for revitalizing your deck is checking for any needed repairs. Scrutinize wood for rot, paying special attention to where wood attaches to the ground—where moisture often invades—and where it connects to the house. Examine and tighten any fasteners, check for bent or rusted hardware, and replace accordingly.

Refinish it. “To get that new-deck glow back, consider stripping the finish on your deck and giving it a fresh gloss,” suggests Doreen. Ideally, you should be cleaning and resealing the deck every year to battle weather-related damage and keep the decking in the best condition possible.

Replace the railings. Railings tend to show damage faster than other areas of the deck, and may need replacing. If you're tired of dealing with annual railing maintenance, consider replacing wood with a no-maintenance option, like Fiberon, a vinyl-coated, wood-plastic composite.

Upgrade the lighting. Once your actual deck is looking tip-top, consider upgrading your lighting situation to show it off regardless of the time of day. “Not only do well-placed lights look more attractive, they're also safer,” notes Doreen. There are a variety of fixtures suited for stair risers, railings and posts, all of which are great for after-dark use.

---

For more information on renovating your home, please contact Doreen Smith at doreen@doreensmith.com, (760) 803-4708, or www.century21award.com/agents/DoreenSmith

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

Creating Inviting Outdoor Spaces for Entertaining

(BPT) - From barbecues and games of bocce to parties and candlelit dinners, your outdoor space can be a hub for entertaining friends and family.

"Try to create a living room for your outdoor space," says Kate Anthony, owner of Kate & Company

Design Studio and Interior Design instructor at The Art Institute of California - San Diego, a campus of Argosy University. People spend a lot of time on their indoor living room spaces, and she recommends extending the interior home out to your exterior.

Whether you have a small patio or sprawling backyard, interior design experts from The Art Institutes system of schools provide six simple tips for making the great outdoors a great place to eat, play and entertain.

(Image via Freedigitalphotos.net)

1. Focal points
Edward Varias, owner of E.V. Design and Interior Design instructor at The Art Institute of California - Hollywood, a campus of Argosy University, says a focal point brings everyone together, and can include furniture, a fountain, a fireplace, or any piece that will provide a "wow" factor. An outdoor rug can serve as a focal point and help define an area, and a fire pit makes a great place for guests to gather.

2. Seating groups
"Define the space for the type of entertaining you need," says Varias. Determine the size of your space, the number of people you will typically be entertaining and whether you will use the space for eating, drinking and socializing, or playing games. In a larger space, you can mix dining, hanging out and garden spaces to provide your guests with more areas to enjoy.

For a small space, seating can be a simple bistro table and two chairs. For larger spaces, you can incorporate sofa and chair groupings, along with a small coffee table. Anthony adds that a circular furniture pattern allows everyone to see each other, which is great when playing cards.

3. Vistas
"Select several vistas or view points for people to explore depending on the space; utilizing the space in several locations creates gathering areas, such as a garden to explore or seclusion for meditating," says Varias. Anthony encourages people to think about creating areas for games such as bocce and says that seating or rugs can help establish designated areas without fences or barriers.

In creating vistas, you can use a combination of natural and manmade elements. This can include creating garden areas with rocks and fountains and adding little surprises such as statuettes, pagoda lanterns and seating for two, says Varias.

4. Landscaping
The first step in landscaping is cleaning up the space and trimming bushes, trees and overgrown plants to create a fresh palette. Anthony recommends hiring a professional landscaper as they will be able to tell you what plants are appropriate for your climate. If a landscaper isn't in your budget, Varias encourages you to take advantage of the people at your local home and garden stores. They will be able to make recommendations based on your climate and the look you are trying to achieve.

Plants can help add color, style and definition to your space, and Anthony says not all plants need to be in the ground. "You can create great little vignettes throughout the yard by using varying sizes of planters." Potted plants can also be brought in during the winter to keep them looking great year after year.

5. Lighting
Lighting can set the tone for any type of nighttime event. Varias recommends providing ample lighting for your focal points and providing a mix of electric lighting and ambient lighting such as candles and candelabras. Other easy DIY lighting includes strings of lights, which can be used year-round and simple solar lights.

6. Accessories
Anthony recommends bold accessories for outdoor spaces. Your starting palette will be very neutral, with a lot of greens and browns, and you can add pops of color with pillow cases or colored plants. Storage is another area to consider. You won't want your hose and garden tools lying around the yard, so a storage bench or shelving can keep everything nicely organized.

The tips above can be adapted for spaces of varying sizes and can range from simple DIY to high-end customized projects.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.