Home Sweet Home Magazine - November22

NOVEMBER 2022

Page 19 Give Your Home a Distinct Style

PROTECT YOUR OUTDOOR PLANTS THIS WINTER Page 9 8 DIY HACKS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR GARAGE Page 4

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AgentName@Domain.com 123 456 7890 AgentName.HomeMag.me

courtesy of: Agent Name

Dear Homeowners,

What better time than the holiday season to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me in my real estate career. It has been my greatest honor to help my clients, whether they’re looking for their next home or trying to sell their current one.

That’s why I send you this magazine every month — as a thank you for continuing to support me even after we’ve worked together. I can’t thank you enough for recommending me to your family and friends.

In this month’s issue of Home Sweet Home Magazine, you’ll find some helpful tips to prepare for the winter season. Learn how to keep some of your outdoor plants safe indoors and how to organize all of the chaos in your garage so you can reduce your stress headed into the new year.

If you plan to host this holiday season — either a party or overnight guests (or both) — we put together a helpful guide to help you focus on the memories and not the mountain of things you need to get done.

Finally, if you’ve been bored with your current home design, check out the article on how to add unique architectural elements to your home.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday season, and I look forward to catching up with you soon!

Best wishes,

Agent Name ABC Brokerage

123 456 7890 AgentName@Domain.com AgentName.HomeMag.me 51 Pine Street Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

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8 DIY Hacks for Organizing Your Garage For many homeowners, the garage is a catch-all space where hobby and sports equipment, tools and other essential items get haphazardly stored. Inevitably, this leads to frequent and frustrating struggles when you’re Table of Contents 04 09 14 19 trying to find something. We put together some hacks for organizing your garage. Bringing Your Outdoor Plants Indoors for Winter Just because the outdoor gardening season is over doesn’t mean your plants should be forgotten. Some outdoor plants not only survive, but even thrive, indoors. We’ll show you how to safely give some of your plants a new home for the winter. How to Be a Holly Holiday Host! Are you planning on hosting a party or entertaining overnight guests this holiday season? You can throw a stress-free, enjoyable holiday get- together with a few tips that are sure to make your guests feel welcome — and impressed. Give Your Home a Distinct Architectural Style Learn how to express your unique sense of style by adding architectural elements to your home that enhance its unique character and communicate your personal taste.

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Organizing Your Garage 8 DIY Hacks for

your specific space and needs:

improvement or department store. Pegboard is also available in metal or plastic. If you’re looking for a sleek, industrial piece that will show off your collection of tools, a metal pegboard may be the right choice for you. Available in strips with .25-inch holes, metal pegboard also features L-shaped edge flanges

For many homeowners, the garage is a catch-all space where sports equipment, tools and other random items get haphazardly stored. Inevitably, this leads to frequent — and frustrating — struggles when you’re trying to find something you actually need. In this article, we’ll give you eight DIY hacks for organizing your garage that you can customize for

1. Pegboard: A Multipurpose Storage Solution Hardboard is the most popular material for this versatile wall storage solution, and it can easily be found online or at your local home

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▶ For large pegboards, you will want to insert strips every 16”- 24” inches between. ▶ If you are hanging heavier items from your pegboard, you will need to attach a strip vertically to each wall stud to give the pegboard additional support. Use a wall stud finder to make sure you properly identify the studs’ location, mark them and mount the strips using a drill. ▶ Attach the pegboard to the strips with washer-head screws, then arrange your hooks and other hardware to organize your tools and equipment.

How to Install Pegboard for Storage ▶ To create a pegboard, you first need to determine where you want the wall(s) to be and measure the space accordingly ▶ Cut the pegboard to your specifications using a circular saw — or if you don’t own one, ask the home improvement store where you purchased it to cut it for you. (Most of the larger chains will do this for you at no charge.) ▶ Attach 1” x 3” strips at the top and bottom of each pegboard panel.

that provide the wall spacing you need and extra durability, making it the perfect choice for mounting long-handled tools like shovels, rakes, hoes and edging shears. Plastic pegboard is also prefabricated with 1/4th inch holes, and its folded edges give you the wall clearance you need to add hardware for hanging. If you decide to go with a plastic pegboard, choose a system that features slide- in connectors that allow you to join panels for additional versatility. You’ll find that quality plastic pegboard units are often as durable as hardboard options. Tip: If you select hardboard or plastic pegboard, you can up your level of organization by painting sections in squares so you can tell in an instant what goes where. For instance, a large green square can be used to mark the designated screwdriver section, while the area marked in red can be allotted for wrenches or another frequently used tool. Pegboard in all its forms offers a versatile storage solution that can be combined with a wide assortment of hooks, bins, small shelving for items that are difficult to hang and even pegboard baskets to organize smaller items. This versatility is what makes pegboard a popular go-to choice for a host of organization projects.

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2. Pegboard Storage Board with PVC Pipe Cubbies Have a lot of tools and accessories that aren’t made for hanging? Some of these items may include hacksaw blades, paint stir sticks, files, etc. PVC pipe can provide a cool and functional solution. Simply cut the pipe into short lengths approximately two inches in diameter, then slide each piece over a pegboard hook to create storage cubbies. 3. Innovative Ways to Upcycle Household Items to Organize Hardware Do you find your garage work area is constantly littered with small pieces of hardware like screws, hanging nails, washers, etc., yet when you need one of these items in a hurry, you just can’t seem to find the right one? These are some innovative ideas for upcycling common household items to organize your workspace and your life: Muffin tins: Use a .25-inch x 1.5-inch flat head screw to fasten a muffin tin beneath the top of a shelf. You can then fill each opening with specific small hardware pieces,

Mason jars: What’s more timeless when it comes to versatility than glass canning jars? You can add small hardware storage to the long list of diverse uses for these handy containers. Use a drill to screw the jar lids into a shelf. Sort the items and fill the jars accordingly. You can make labels or simply write on the jars using Sharpie pens in an assortment of colors. Recycle plastic soda bottles: If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly organization system for small items, look no further! ▶ Rinse and dry your used plastic soda bottles making sure to keep the caps. ▶ Drill a hole in each bottle cap and insert an eyebolt. ▶ Secure each eye bolt using two nuts, one inside the cap and one above it. ▶ Cut a circular hole in the shoulder of each bottle. ▶ Sort and label items.

then pull the tin from under the shelf and swivel it until you come to the opening with the item you need. You can easily label each opening for effortless identification! This is a definite win-win as you are handily storing necessary items that tend to cause clutter, yet easily get lost, without taking up valuable workspace! ▶ Heavy gauge carbon steel muffin tin pans are ideal for this project because they are sturdy. ▶ To ensure the tin swivels easily, countersink a quarter-inch hole in the top of the shelf so the top of the screw is level with the shelf. ▶ Fasten quarter-inch fender washers above and below the muffin tin rim. ▶ Use a jam nut or “double nut” technique, tightening a thin nut against the underside and then a second, thicker nut against the first to keep the threads from loosening.

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Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your Imagination!

This same hack can be used for numerous items you no longer use. For example, you could upcycle an old tennis racket to function as a holding area for small tools you frequently use:

▶ First, consider the best

placement of the tennis racket so you can easily reach and retrieve items while working, then discreetly slide it beneath your work table or bench when not in use. ▶ Drill a hole in the handle and secure it beneath your work table with a screw. ▶ Use the racquet as a receptacle

▶ Use a drill to place one-inch holes along the length of the PVC pipe in four-inch increments. ▶ Cut slits into the foam noodle, spacing the openings four inches apart. ▶ Place the pool noodle flush against the garage wall so that a minimum of two slits rest over studs. ▶ Pull the foam on either side of each slit to widen the opening and insert a fender washer. Use two-inch screws to attach the foam noodle securely to the wall. ▶ The upper section of your fishing rods will fit snugly into the slits in the foam noodle. ▶ Use screws to attach the PVC pipe to the wall below the foam noodle at a height that allows your fishing rod handles to be cradled comfortably in the holes you made in the PVC pipe.

which type of sandpaper you need at a glance. If you don’t have one, keep your eyes open for one at a thrift or consignment store. New racks are also available for purchase online and at department and office supply stores. 5. DIY Fishing Rod Organizer Are you an avid angler who is sick of having to untangle your fishing rods before every big fishing trip? This inexpensive and easy-to-construct DIY fishing rod organizer will keep your equipment in ship shape, so you’re always ready for your next adventure. Only two materials are required for this easy project, a foam swimming pool noodle and a length of PVC pipe three inches in diameter.

for commonly used little items such as measuring tape, pencils, etc.

4. Convert an Old Acrylic Magazine Rack into a Sandpaper Storage Station Have an old vertical hanging magazine rack? Convert it into a handy storage area for your sandpaper! These racks are generally made of brown or clear acrylic and have four vertical pockets that allow you to sort your sandpaper by size and grade. If you have a clear rack, you can easily see

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6. Convert a Bifold Door into Your Personal Gardening Supply Station Gardening requires dedication and lots of supplies, which means you need a system for storing everything. Rather than purchasing a traditional gardening storage bench or cart, why not try this DIY project that repurposes a bi-fold door and will only cost you around $20? ▶ Visit your local hardware seller and purchase a combination of knobs and hooks in the style and finish of your choice. ▶ Decide how you wish to arrange the hardware to design the most efficient organization scheme. ▶ Mount each piece of hardware in its designated place on the door. ▶ Finally, choose where you want to hang your garden center door and secure it to the garage wall studs. 7. Get Creative with Tension Rods! Rather than going to the trouble of drilling and installing brackets, consider a solution that can be just

drawers.

as sturdy and more adaptable! Go with quality tension rods that you can hang to take advantage of unused space between shelving units or even wall studs in your garage to create any number of organization areas for everything from cleaning and paint rags to gardening tools. By attaching S-shaped shower hooks, you can hang a variety of things off the tension rods, getting items up and off the ground and keeping your garage neat and orderly! 8. Turn an Old Dresser into a New Rolling Tool Chest! If you’ve been pricing tool chests lately because organizing your garage and project work area is at the top of your to-do list, you already know these items come with a pretty hefty price tag! Here’s a DIY project that shows you how to upcycle a dresser you either already own but no longer use or your latest great find at a vintage, consignment or thrift store. When looking for a dresser to repurpose as a tool chest, keep in mind you’ll need one with several smaller, shallow drawers so you can easily spot tools without having to dig. An older vanity-style dresser or one that has rows of small drawers originally meant to store jewelry would convert well compared to a chest-style dresser with all large

▶ Take the drawers out and

measure the interior of each taking note of the dimensions.

▶ You can either make your

dividers using 1/4th inch pieces of plywood, or you can buy premade dividers based on the drawer dimensions. ▶ Once your dividers are in place, replace the drawers. ▶ Cut a butcher block countertop or piece of plywood to size and mount it to the top of the dresser to give yourself a work area.

▶ Make your new tool chest

mobile by attaching some rolling casters to the bottom and a hand pull on each side.

With a little ingenuity and a well- thought-out plan for which items you need to organize and where they should be located for optimal convenience, you too can convert your once unsightly jumble of tools, sports equipment and gardening supplies into an orderly space that allows you to maximize every inch of your available storage area.

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Bringing Your Outdoor Plants Indoors for Winter

These are some steps you should take to ensure a successful transfer and give your plants the best chance to survive:

In the summertime, it’s common for houseplant owners to move their plants outside so they can experience the fresh air and the sun, but most houseplants are tropical and need to be indoors during the winter, particularly in colder climates. However, it’s critical to acclimate your plants indoors to prevent them from going into “shock.”

Just because the outdoor gardening season is over doesn’t mean all of your plants have to hibernate. Some plants not only survive, but also thrive, indoors, regardless of the season. However, bringing your outdoor plants inside is not as easy as simply moving them from your yard into your home.

1. Decide What’s Coming In

Just because you had a thriving

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Create an Indoor Herb Garden for the Winter Are you looking for a fun, easy indoor gardening project for the winter months? Whether you’re an avid gardener or a newbie, one way to get your green thumb growing during the winter is with an indoor herb garden. Many people keep houseplants throughout the winter, and/or transfer some of their outdoor plants indoors for the colder months. Creating an indoor herb garden is an alternative, or addition, to these colder-month gardening ideas. These gardens are a fun, simple, and worthwhile way to enjoy delicious herbs throughout the winter.

particularly plants in which you’ve invested a lot of time and energy, ones that have grown well under your care, ones that you find beautiful, and ones that bring you joy. ▶ Plants that would make good houseplants should come inside. Some good varieties include begonias and geraniums. ▶ You might not think to bring inside any vegetable plants post- harvest, but some are worth saving and bringing indoors. Smaller tomato plants, especially cherry tomatoes, and pepper plants are considered tropical perennials and will produce fruit as long as they receive enough sunlight. (Note: You’ll need to pollinate these plants manually in the absence of insects and natural breezes.) Once you’ve chosen which plants to bring inside, it’s time to think about containers and supplies to help you make the transfer.

in the spring and summer doesn’t mean everything needs to come inside to keep you company for the colder months; it’s just not practical. Not only that, but some plants just aren’t suited to indoor life. Your home is limited in terms of light, warmth, humidity, etc., so you’ll need to be selective. Also, the bigger your summer garden and variety of outdoor plants, the more decisions you’ll need to make. Take a walk around your garden or gardens and think about what you’d like to save, and what can be brought indoors unscathed. Consider houseplants you’ve taken outside for the summer, as well as perennials, succulents, herbs, and even some vegetable plants. Here’s a bit of a checklist if you’re not sure which plants to move indoors:

▶ Healthy plants only! If your

plant was struggling during the summer outdoors, it won’t likely fare much better indoors over the winter. Also, don’t bring indoors any known plants infected with pests or diseases.

Herbs to Choose

▶ Pick your favorite plants —

First, you’ll need to decide which herbs to grow. Some of the best indoor herbs for an indoor herb garden include:

▶ Chives: One of the easiest herbs to grow indoors. Chop

them for use after they’ve reached a minimum of six inches.

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▶ Basil: Basil requires sun

and most, well-drained soil. Basil should be placed in the sunniest spot in your home. ▶ Oregano: Oregano also needs and loves the sunlight; for even growth, regularly turn the plant. ▶ Parsley: Another sun lover and easy grower. ▶ Rosemary: For best growth, find a plant already started in a nursery. Other easy-to-maintain indoor herbs include thyme, sage, cilantro, bay, and peppermint.

2. Consider Containers

your disposal and minimize mess. Besides various-sized containers for potential repotting, you might need such tools as a shovel, trowel, pruners, snips, and gloves, as well as the right type of soil for each type of plant you plan to bring inside for winter.

Whatever you decide to transfer from the outdoors to the indoors will need some type of pot or container. Perhaps the containers the plants are sitting in right now will work for inside your home; perhaps they won’t. Will you need new containers? Repotting might be involved. If you’re bringing in plants that you’ll be digging up from the ground, they’ll definitely need pots or other containers. Making these determinations will help you gather the right supplies.

Make Space

Second, you’ll need to make some space for your indoor herb garden. Luckily, these little gardens can fit just about anywhere, and do particularly well by or on the kitchen windowsill, as there they will receive the sunlight they need as well as be near a source of water.

4. Prepare Your Plants

Preparing your plants for indoor-to- outdoor transition involves checking for and removing insects and other pests; grooming, trimming, and pruning; and refreshing soil.

Gather Supplies

▶ Next, gather what you’ll need: ▶ pots with drainage holes ▶ herb seed packets (or seedlings) ▶ fresh soil ▶ compost ▶ gravel ▶ plant markers, like tongue depressors

3. Gather Supplies

▶ Insects: Unintentionally

bringing in outdoor insects and pests is a common rookie mistake for any indoor-to- outdoor plant transition. You’ll need to check for — and remove — any insects and pests, most commonly aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, beforehand.

Designate a specific area outdoors to make the “transplants,” and ensure you have all the right supplies and tools you’ll need. One tip is to try to keep the transplant area in one general spot; that way, you’ll have everything at

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Instructions

Remember to check plants thoroughly — check the top of the soil, the tops of the leaves, and underneath the leaves. Remove any traces of these pests, many of which love to travel from plant to plant. For containers, it’s important to sanitize them (one solution recommends one part bleach to 10 parts water) to remove any traces of insects or diseases that might damage or kill your plants once they’ve been repotted and moved.

Thankfully, getting your indoor herb garden set up is quite easy. Get your seeds or seedlings at a local garden supply center, fill each pot with ¾-inch of gravel, and then fill with fresh soil and a bit of compost. Gently dig an appropriate-sized hole for the plant, set the plant in the hole, and press gently down on the soil around the plant. Use markers to identify the herbs. For example, use tongue depressors cut in half, writing down the name of the herb, and gently placing in the pot. Then line up your cute row of pots in a decorative tray alongside your windowsill. Watch them grow and make sure they get the right amount of sunlight and water. Rotate them occasionally to make sure all sides are exposed to sunlight.

5. Repot

▶ Pruning: Plants often grow well over the warm summer

Some plants will need to be repotted before they are transferred from the outdoors to the indoors, whether you’re digging the plants straight from your garden into pots or if the plants need to go up a size (or you’re just looking for a certain interior look. Research each plant to determine the soil needs for that specific plant, and what size of container is most appropriate.

months, so examine your plants and determine whether they need pruning before being brought inside. For example, make any aesthetic cuts and be sure to trim off any overly leggy branches, dead leaves, and dead blooms. Not only are indoors plants generally unsightly- looking left ungroomed and untrimmed, but without this step, it can prevent them from optimum health and growth, and bring in unnecessary insects and disease. Just be sure that if you’re doing any pruning, don’t prune back more than one-third of the plant.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Here are some of the more common pitfalls with indoor herb gardens: ▶ don’t put all of one type of herb into one post—give each seed or seedling its own home ▶ don’t use old soil from your

6. Water

Once your plants are gathered, dug up, etc. and left in or placed into their containers, it’s a good idea to give them a deep soak while they’re still outdoors and all the water can drain outside. This refreshing outdoors soak will help them get established in their new containers and release nutrients in the fresh

▶ Soil: Refreshing soil applies only to plants that you aren’t repotting. In these cases, as

backyard; fresh potting soil works best for an indoor herb garden

evenly as you can, scrape off the top inch or two of soil (whatever

▶ don’t underestimate how much sunlight your herbs

topsoil. This step can also help remove any insects that have

removes easily), and then replenish with fresh soil.

need; most are happiest with about six to eight hours a day

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▶ don’t overwater! Herbs are quite sensitive to the amount of watering they get. Let the soil dry out between waterings. (Note: Yellow leaves are a sign your herbs need less watering, not more.) Indoor herb gardens are easy and fun and would make a fun indoor garden project for you and your family during the winter, as well as a lovely addition to your home.

One tip is to introduce plants to your home by bringing them inside overnight, and then back outside in the morning. Over the course of one to three weeks, depending on the plant and the temperature, slowly increase the amount of time that the plant spends inside your home, until it’s inside full time for the winter. Another idea is to move your plants while the temperature is about the same indoors as outdoors and keep the windows open for fresh air and sunlight. This will help give them time to adjust. 9. Figure Out Their Indoor Needs Bringing your fully prepped plants indoors isn’t the final step — you’ll need to do your research for each plant to determine what they need to grow and stay happy and healthy indoors throughout the winter months. Every plant is different, and many will require different conditions for indoors vs. outdoors. Think about light, humidity, and water, for example. Plants that need more light should be kept by windows (pro tip: keep your windows clean to maximize the amount of sunlight that gets through). Also, keep in mind that most plants that are inside don’t need nearly as much watering as plants that are kept outside, so water only when the soil is dry to the touch.

decided to hang on. A garden hose works especially well for removing any traces of pests.

7. Find Their New Homes

Before bringing your plants inside, determine where they’re going to go. Make sure there is room in your home for all the plants you want to transfer indoors, and then find appropriate places to put them. You’ll also need to consider conditions such as light, warmth, and humidity. For example, some plants require full sun, so placing them by a window that faces the sun during the day will help ensure their health and longevity.

8. Welcome Them Inside

Once you’ve determined where they will go, it’s time to bring your plants inside. But move slowly. It’s a good idea to put a saucer underneath your containers to catch any debris that might spill during the moving process. Consider also moving them incrementally, slowly introducing them to your home. Many plants need time to acclimate from the outdoors to the indoors; otherwise, they will experience shock, and could wilt, wither, experience leaf loss, and even die, despite your best efforts to keep them going with water, nutrients, and light.

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HOME SWEET HOME 14 Holly Holiday Host! How to Be a

Create an Inviting Atmosphere Light candles throughout the house, hang holiday lights, and if the temperature calls for it, have a warm fire burning. Filling your home with ambient lighting will instantly put your guests at ease and make them feel welcome. Music is always key to setting the right mood, so have several holiday playlists ready to go. By placing Bluetooth speakers throughout common room areas, you can keep the music flowing from room to room. Sometimes music also works to put guests at ease, especially if you’ve invited people who haven’t met each other before.

themselves comfortable. Make sure your kitchen is organized so your guest can easily find cups, glasses, plates and utensils. Clean all guest bathrooms, and make sure each is well stocked with extra rolls of toilet paper and clean towels. Greet Your Guests with Holiday Cheer! Make your guests feel the spirit of the season the moment you meet them at the door! Have your porch light on, the welcome mat out and a festive wreath hanging from your door. Clear your coat rack or make extra space in your entryway closet to accommodate guests’ coats, scarves, hats, handbags and boots.

Are you planning on hosting a party or entertaining overnight guests this holiday season? If so, you’ll want to plan ahead to create a stress-free, enjoyable experience for everyone — including yourself! The following tips will help you prepare for guests, so they’ll feel comfortable, relaxed and ready to celebrate the season with you. Give Your Home a Good, Deep Clean At least two to three weeks before your guests are expected to arrive, start doing a deep clean of any areas of the home your guests will be in. Go beyond your normal household cleaning and do a deep scrub so all of your common areas are free from clutter and so guests can easily find space to spread out and make

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coffee and tea pods in a large basket laid out along with mugs, spoons, cream, sugar and honey, etc., so that guests can easily serve themselves.

guests will enjoy. Store up on food products like protein bars, chips and crackers, along with an array of beverages. Shortly before your guests are due to arrive, you can also stock up on colorful, fresh fruits and arrange them in a glass bowl for an elegant, yet natural display. Create a large snack and beverage station in an easy-to-access area such as your kitchen island. Or if you prefer, you can make several small stations and place them in different rooms of your home. Make sure napkins, utensils and coasters are readily available.

Our sense of smell can make us recall memories and evokes a strong emotional response. Have a pleasant aroma drifting throughout your home to create an inviting ambience. You can use scented candles, a homemade stovetop potpourri, or aromatherapy diffusers in various rooms throughout your home filled with holiday-themed essential oils like Gingerbread, Cinnamon or Cranberry. Make a Snack and Beverage Station Well before the scheduled event, start stocking up on snack foods and easy meal prep items your

Plan Meals Ahead of Time and Set a Festive Table If you are serving dinner, go the extra mile and put a lot of thought into your presentation. Set a beautiful table with a runner or placemats with matching cloth napkins and decorative napkin rings to really set the mood for an elegant meal to be enjoyed by all.

Each morning, be sure to make a large pot of coffee or have individual

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Consider the Practical Needs of Your Guests Clean guest bathrooms well before anyone arrives and make sure each is stocked with extra soap, towels and washcloths. Having guest robes hanging on the bathroom door hook is a nice touch. Be a thoughtful host and think of toiletries and items you frequently forget when traveling, and make sure your guests have a cabinet or basket well stocked with items like extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand and body lotion, shampoo and conditioner, disposable razors and band-aids.

bedroom thoroughly, and make each bed with fresh linens, pillows and extra blankets. Clean out dresser drawers and space in each closet so guests can unpack their clothes and settle in for their stay. Be sure your guests have a bedside lamp with a working light bulb for reading and to help them easily access whatever they may need. Place nightlights in hallways and bathrooms so your guests can easily find their way to other rooms at night.

Plan which China and other dinnerware you will use ahead of time so you can coordinate your glasses and silverware to match. Complete the look with a statement-making centerpiece. This can be something as simple as a basket of colorful pine cones, a display of decorative gourds or a colorful strand of garland with berries. Create place cards indicating where each guest should sit. This adds a touch of sophistication to your table setting and can help guests avoid awkwardly trying to find a place to sit.

Prepare Guest Bedrooms Be sure to clean each guest

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Store extra blankets throughout your home, where they are clearly visible and available for your guests to use at any time.

Make Technology Easily Accessible If you have extra charging cords and ports for cell phones and other devices, create a charging station in a designated area, or if you have enough, place one in each guest bedroom. Share your WiFi name and password on a chalkboard or whiteboard placed in a common area such as your kitchen or entertainment room so your guests can easily access the Internet as needed without asking you to spell out passwords. Make signs explaining how to use your television remote controls, and place these instructions in easy-to- spot locations in each room with a TV so guests feel free to entertain themselves without having to ask you questions about how it works. By preparing ahead and thinking about what your guests are likely to need or want ahead of time, you can ensure a pleasurable time is had by all!

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Distinct Sense of Style Add Architectural Details to Give Your Home a

Molding to Give Your Home Charm and Character Consider installing architectural moldings such as wainscoting, crown molding, chair rails and baseboards to add unique charm to your home. These decorative built-in elements allow you to add nuance

and create a custom interior that separates your home from other houses in the neighborhood built by the same construction company. Are you an avid DIYer? If so, you can choose from a variety of peel- and-stick options to add the look of crown molding and wainscoting to your home at a fraction of the cost.

You can express your unique sense of style by adding architectural elements to your home, giving it its own character and charm while creating an atmosphere that reflects your personal taste. Here are some ways to do that: 1. Add Architectural

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2. Multiple Ways to Draw Attention to Your Fireplace The fireplace is a natural focal point for any home. If you want to elevate the decorative flair in this space, you have numerous options. For example, you can place new brick, stone, or tile over an existing fireplace surface to give it a completely new look. Consider painting the hearth or just the mantlepiece in a color that vividly contrasts with the surrounding walls. If you don’t have a fireplace but want one, contact a contractor who specializes in installing them and research your options for adding a traditional or gas fireplace that aligns best with your available space and personal style. 3. Creative Ways to Emphasize Your Ceilings Draw attention to your ceiling (in a good way) by installing a decorative ceiling medallion. This is an inexpensive and easy way to instantly add a touch of elegance to any room. Typically, these medallions can cost as little as $20 and are available in a range of styles to fit any décor.

3. Apply a bead of caulk along the entire perimeter of the medallion. It is best to use caulk rather than construction adhesive for this project because caulk does not dry as quickly, which means it gives you time to properly center the medallion before drying. 4. Wire the light fixture of your choice. New fixtures will come with detailed instructions on how to wire your specific fixture. When the fixture is wired, stuff all remaining wiring into the housing area.

To install a ceiling medallion with a light fixture, follow these steps:

1. Paint the ceiling medallion in the color of your choice. It is best to paint the medallion before installing it, but keep in mind that the paint will need some minor touch ups once you have completed the installation. 2. Take down the existing light fixture. You may decide to reinstall the light fixture you have or replace it with a custom one, but the entire fixture needs to be taken down before you install the ceiling medallion.

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Here are two additional ways you can enhance your ceilings:

hardware and make sure the fixture is firmly in place 8. Tack finishing nails around the medallion’s perimeter at an angle. This precautionary step of adding a few finishing nails will prevent the medallion from dropping later and ensure it stays in place. 9. Use spackling paste to fill in the nail holes. Next, sand away any excess filler and touch up the paint on the medallion as needed. 10. Finish installing the light fixture. Add light bulbs and any accessories such as pendants to complete the project.

5. Install using longer screws. You will want to purchase longer screws for this project. Make sure the new screws match the thread of the original screws that came with your fixture. It is necessary to use longer screws because the original ones will likely be too short to fit through the medallion. 6. Use a screwdriver to loosely secure the hardware. Do not firmly secure it into place until you complete the next step. 7. Center the medallion. Slide the medallion into its proper place — centered above the light fixture canopy. Then tighten the

▶ Change up your lighting

fixtures in favor of architectural lighting — statement pieces that automatically catch the eye. ▶ Hang your curtains near the top of the wall to draw the viewer’s eye upward and create the illusion that your ceilings are higher, making the rooms feel more spacious. Add Reclaimed/ Vintage Accents Seek out consignment stores or architectural salvage shops to look for everything from doors and glass windows to wooden beams for your ceiling. By repurposing salvaged elements, you can give new life to antique items while giving your home a truly customized look and feel. Here are two easy examples of changes you can make throughout your home to give it a bit of character:

▶ Replace acrylic switch and

outlet plates with salvaged or reproduction pieces in a pattern and finish that complements your décor and accentuates your home with small touches reflective of your personal taste.

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▶ Remove standard contract installed hardware on your kitchen and/or bathroom cabinets and drawers and replace them with handles or knobs you reclaim and repurpose from an antique or vintage shop. You may

color of your choice to further accentuate and draw attention to your new plate rack. Arrange your collection of plates and platters as you wish. ▶ Paint the back of a bookcase in a contrasting color. This easy and inexpensive hack allows you to add depth to any room and instantly create a vivid focal point where you can display your most cherished books, photographs and collectibles! ▶ Choose the books and other items you display and their placement carefully. Shelves can easily become cluttered, making it difficult to see the interior paint. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least a third

upping your curb appeal!

Additional Small Projects That Can Make a Big Difference! ▶ Install a wall-mounted plate rack to make the most of

also choose to go in the other direction, replacing the existing hardware with new contemporary hardware featuring a design or finish that adds a distinctive flair.

unused wall space. Put that space to use as a distinctive display case for your collection of ceramic plates. Simply measure the wall space available and build a wooden frame to those dimensions.

Highlight Your Front Door!

▶ Then add pieces of crown molding to create shelves.

Purchased or reclaimed an interesting front door? Make it a focal point by painting it a vivid color inside and out. This will give you an enhanced custom look while also

of each shelf bare so that the eyes can easily focus on your carefully curated display.

You can paint the wall before you add the shelving using chalk or traditional paint in the

Make Your Staircase Unique The staircase is generally the first thing guests observe as they walk into your foyer. Make yours stand out by getting rid of carpeting on the stairs, opting instead for a stair runner to impart a touch of elegance.

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This is all 100% free with no obligation. After you submit the online questionnaire, you will receive my free report with information that will help you determine your home’s value. To Request a Copy of My Free Home Value Report to Determine What Your Home is Truly Worth, Call 123 456 7890 or Email AgentName@Domain.com .

I recommend printing it out and taking a drive to see the homes I’ve identified as comparable to yours. See how your home measures up. This will help you get an even more accurate idea of what your home is worth.

An appraiser would charge hundreds for this service, but I will provide one at no cost.

If you would like my free, professional opinion on the value of your home, I’d be glad to help. We can talk on the phone, or we can meet in person. I look forward to helping you!

Agent Name ABC Brokerage 123 456 7890

AgentName@domain.com AgentName.HomeMag.me

HOME SWEET HOME 23

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME?

Agent Name ABC Brokerage

123 456 7890 AgentName@domain.com AgentName.HomeMag.me

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