Blog | Surina Hart, Real Estate Broker Royal LePage

Colour Trends for 2010

Friday, Jan. 15 2010 | Posted by: Surina | 1 comments

Tired of that peeling wallpaper or the faded paint on your walls? Looking for something new, trendy and elegant? Then consider choosing from the top colour choices for 2008. The new themes include nature, Asian culture and a touch of classic Hollywood and range from the soft and subtle to the bright and bold.

Back to Nature

Green is the new "neutral." With all the focus around living an eco-friendly lifestyle, it's no surprise that both renovations and decor are embracing the "green" theme - bringing outdoors indoors. The new green choices are more botanical, drawing from sage, pine and moss. The browns are reminiscent of soil, sand and deep rich earth. Other neutral colours found in nature are being embraced as well, such as the beautiful hues found in stones, the beiges found in sand and wood, soft watery sky-blue tones and even the subtle hues found inside of shells. The golden, warm hues of sunrise are also in play. Paint colours include fern greens, warm, red infused browns, tan-tinted yellows, mushroom inspired colours, and gray or brown neutrals with hints of green, pink, yellow and red. These calming colours are great choices for bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and more open-concept living spaces.

Asian Influence

Think "vibrant" and "spicy." Thanks to the upcoming Olympic games in China, a lot of eastern influence is appearing in 2008's colour palate. Drawing from the strong hues popular in both China and India, expect to see clear reds, strong jade greens and bright yellows. These colours really punch when contrasted with the more environmentally-inspired neutrals. Warm pinks and fuchsias, bright purples, peacock turquoises, pumpkin oranges and gold with hints of green or brown are coming into play. Some of the paint options are not quite as bold as the colours favoured by our Eastern neighbours, but still play on their jewel-like tones?from teal to coffee browns, darker blue-tinged violets to pinkish brick. The brighter end of this Asian-inspired colour palate can really brighten up a kitchen. Or use these vibrant hues as accents in your more neutral rooms. These Bollywood-inspired colours are a new way of infusing new energy into your home.

Classic Hollywood Elegance

Drawing from the black and white movies of old, these two timeless shades help to enhance your living space. Metallics, high sheens, silver and gold highlights also add to the sophistication of this era. Rich purples from orchid to softer violets are growing more popular. Paints are drawing inspiration from black, delving into deep, dark purples, navy blues and inky grays, to accent the bright Asian-themed vibrant options and more neutral eco-inspired colours. Metallic tones add that touch of elegance to the more neutral colours. Just remember, a "hint" is all you require. Too much metallic influence overwhelms the space and turns your classic Film look into a campy flick.

2008 is offering a palate that goes to extremes, but with our more extreme lifestyles, it's no wonder we're finding ourselves drawn to a range of colours. Whether you prefer softer hues or brighter colours, you're bound to find something just right for you.

provided by: Robyn Burnett HGTV.ca

Permalink | Posted in: Home & Decor

Make an Entrance: Warm Up Your Entryway This Winter

Friday, Jan. 01 2010 | Posted by: Surina | 1 comments

Winter. It's a time of crisp air, gently falling snow, and piles of coats, slushy boots and soggy mittens in your front hall. This season, make your entryway organized and inviting. Here's how:

Make first impressions count.

Give your door a fresh coat of glossy paint, and put down a new doormat. Hang a nice winter wreath or plant an evergreen in a sturdy urn.

Store your stuff out of sight.

If you don't have enough closet space, add storage by hiding a garment rack behind a curtain, using an armoire, installing a coat tree or hall stand, or by trying one of these storage ideas:

- A bench with built-in storage holds your stuff and offers a convenient spot to sit down and put your boots on.
- A small bookshelf with labeled baskets is good for storing small items.
- A chest of drawers can make your front hall look more like a furnished room, and it gives you a surface for photos, a lamp or incoming mail.

Stay in season.

Move non-winter items to a different part of your home. Leave some extra space and extra hangers for your guests' coats.

Tame your shoes.

Set a limit to how many pairs each person can keep by the door, and install a shoe rack to keep footwear organized. Avoid putting boots on a mat that doesn't drain - they won't dry properly and the leather will get damaged. A perforated tray with a mat underneath will let your footwear drip-dry.

Hook it.

Heavy-duty hooks keep backpacks, scarves, purses and coats off the floor. Hang them at a height where kids can reach them to make it easy for them to put away their things.

Make a place for your misplaceables.

How much time do you spend hunting for keys, sunglasses, cell phones and dog leashes? Dedicate a basket or bowl to these important items by the front door, and you'll never have to search under the couch cushions again.

Design idea 1:

Install a hook and small shelf for each person, and stencil their name on the wall beside it.

Design idea 2:

Hang an ornate frame and fill the blank space in the middle with small, pretty key hooks.

Floor décor.

Offer a warm welcome with a soft, washable rug that doesn't show dirt easily. Put a mat outside, too; wiping your feet before you go in will mean less muck and less cleaning.

Don't forget to decorate.

Paint your entryway a striking colour, hang a graceful mirror, incorporate family photos or a favourite piece of art, add a table lamp and an accessory or two. Make it welcoming and beautiful. After all, it's the first place people see when they come into your home.

Permalink | Posted in: Home & Decor

Seasonal Decor - Bringing the Outdoors In

Tuesday, Dec. 01 2009 | Posted by: Surina | 2 comments

Cooler winter temperatures and shorter daylight hours naturally limit the time we spend outside. Current interior design trends use nature punctuated with colour as a theme to rescue us from cabin fever. Here are some of this season's 'outdoor-in' design essentials:

- Season Decor Wreaths and Garlands: Made from traditional pine or more contemporary bay leaves, eucalyptus or holly. Live or faux, they are interwoven with brightly contrasting citrus fruits, pomegranates or berries for the most natural look. Glass-like beads and solid spherical ornaments in a shock of intense colour are also featured this season. Look for wreath stands to showcase your wreath at adjustable heights. Garlands look best along mantles, door frames, windowsills and banisters, snaked among candles on tabletop centrepieces, and as trimming atop tall furniture like bookcases, wardrobes and entertainment credenzas.

- Trees and Topiaries: Like wreaths and garlands, trees and topiaries combine the same natural elements interwoven with vivid colours whether live or faux. This season, you can also find them made entirely of a single material, such as glass-like beads, holly berries, tinsel, or round ornaments, in either a uniform tone or a bouquet of colours. Available in a variety of sizes, they can be brilliantly illuminated with lights and garland, or they can sparkle alone with a pre-treatment designed to imitate frost, ice or dew.

- Faux Fire: Indoors or out, there's nothing quite like sitting around a fire to add ambiance to quality time spent enjoying family and friends. It's no surprise then, that sales of electric fireplaces are red-hot this season. They provide the romance and warmth of a traditional gas or wood burning fire without the requisite venting or gas lines, and at a fraction of the cost. Plug them into a standard 120-volt outlet to heat the room, or turn the heat off and appreciate the flame effect alone, complete with glowing embers! Electric fireplaces can be purchased as an insert for existing fireplaces or as a stand-alone piece with a mantle surround. Mantles are available in a variety of styles, colours and wood materials to suit a variety of personal tastes.

- Finishing Touches: Just as the snow sparkles outside, so too do those finishing touches. From decorative ornaments, to picture frames, to napkin rings, to cardholders, to candles and candle holders...think jeweled. If those finishing touches aren't bejeweled with faux gemstones, then they glitter with the imitation effect of frost or ice.

Don't Wait To List!

Once your home is updated with the winter season's latest design essentials, it is most visually appealing to prospective buyers. Serious homebuyers are indeed active through the holidays and into the early months of the New Year. This means minimal disruption for you and your family and viewings from truly qualified prospects. Please contact me for more information about listing during the winter season.

Surina Hart, Quinte Real Estate Broker Royal LePage | MLS listings for Belleville, Brighton, Cramahe, Quinte West, Trenton & Prince Edward County