Fall officially kicked off on Sept. 22nd.  As we welcome shorter days, brisk mornings, fall activities and autumnal colors, it’s also time to clean your home’s outdoor furniture.

1. Deodorize outdoor cushions. Maintain your dream home’s patio furniture by taking time to thoroughly clean it.  Start with the cushions.  Mix one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent, 1 quart of warm water and one tablespoon of Borax into a spray bottle.  Spray both sides of the cushions, focusing on creases and crevices where debris and mildew may be hiding.  After fifteen minutes, rinse cushions with a hose on strongest-spray setting.  Stand them on their sides to dry.  Once cushions are completely dry, spray them with fabric protector so that they don’t fade during the winter months.

Most people clean their kitchens on a regular basis to protect their families and huge financial investment—their dream homes.  Unfortunately, many cleaning methods actually exacerbate the situation because bacteria, debris and other elements are spread around the home.

Safeguard your dream home and your family by ceasing to make the following five cleaning mistakes.

1. Being deceived by a dirty dishwasher.  You trust your new dishwasher to clean all of your family’s dishes, utensils, pots and pans, etc., however this doesn’t mean that the dishwasher itself is clean.  The edges of dishwasher and refrigerator doors are usually a breeding ground for mildew, mold and fungus.  Often times, the bacteria is so small that it’s not even visible to the human eye, but it’s there.  To ensure that these appliances are clean, wipe down the seals on a monthly basis with a bleach-based cleaner.  If you notice a stinky order, place one eight-ounce cup of distilled white vinegar in the top rack of your empty dishwasher.  Next, run the dishwasher for a full, normal cycle to allow the vinegar’s acids to break-down debris and residue.  Finally, sprinkle a cup of baking soap around the top rack and run for one rinse cycle.

Last week, we shared the first four steps for creating a home office that works which are defining the space, and finding furniture, paint and a rug that both inspire and comfort you.  This week, we reveal the final four steps.

1. Lighten up.  It’s common to overlook one of the most important aspects of your home office, its lighting.  Choosing lighting that is both aesthetic and functional is absolutely necessary.  We recommend a desk or standing lamp in addition to overhead lighting so that you have sufficient light whether working during daylight or evening hours.  If your desk lamp is too dim during the evenings, it will be nearly impossible to stay focused, and maybe even awake!  Natural light is deemed best by all health experts, however look for artificial lighting you love for those unfavorable weather days and long, dreary nights.  Sufficient lighting is particularly important during Southeast Michigan winter months when people often feel lethargic and may even suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Now that the kids are back in school, you can tackle all of those previously postponed projects for your new construction dream home.  If you need to create your home office, follow these tips first to ensure you are set up for success.

1. Define the space. If you are using a dedicated room such as a den or an unused bedroom, it will be easy to separate your work and personal spaces.  If you plan to designate an area within your home that your family uses, such as a kitchen desk or a section of the playroom, it is critical to create boundaries.  Without differentiation between work and ‘play’ spaces, it will be impossible to eliminate distractions and focus on your daily tasks.

Some interior design experts caution that granite is on its way out, however others claim it’s still a solid choice because it is durable, attractive and becoming increasingly affordable.  Granite aside, here are the top five recommendations for countertops.

1. Soapstone– Unlike granite, soapstone does not require regular maintenance and sealing like granite because it is nonporous.  This makes it a great option for bathrooms because it is resistant to stains and acidic materials.  On the other hand, it is susceptible to deep indentations and scratches, so it is not the best option for kitchens where it may not withstand chopping and the banging of pots and pans.  Soapstone complements any design, from classic to contemporary.  It is a natural quarried stone available in light gray to green-black colors.  Over time, light gray soapstone weathers and darkens, often resulting in a patina-like finish.  Since soapstone is only available in relatively smaller slabs, its seams may be visible once installed if the countertop’s surface extends beyond seven feet.

If you moved into your new construction dream home during the spring or summer and have school-aged children, odds are that they are a bit nervous about starting at their new school.  A positive attitude and some organization will help the transition go more smoothly.  Here are six steps to help your children adjust to their new school.

1. Punch up your positive attitude. Kids have wild imaginations which can sometimes cause them to focus on everything that could go wrong.  Starting at a new school can cause anxiety for children, however by reinforcing that other kids have the same feelings, hopes and expectations, you can help them feel more comfortable.  Focus on the fact that they will soon meet many new friends and learn lots of new things to help minimize their fears.

Choosing to build your new construction home is a major decision.  Here are three mistakes to avoid should you decide to make your dream home a reality. new homes for sale


​

1. Building too big. Around the world, Americans are known for their belief that, ‘Bigger is better.’  As reported in a CNN article, homes between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet comprised 21.7% of new homes in 2014, compared to 15.6% a decade earlier.  Today, huge homes—4,000 square feet and up, are all the rage.  Before you choose the best model home for your family, consider your true needs for space.  Outline which rooms will be used for which purposes keeping in mind if any can be multi-purpose.

Is a 5,000 square foot home really better?  Probably not, especially since maintenance, utilities and other costs are commensurate with the home’s total square footage.  The median size of a new single-family home sold in 2015 was 2,520 square feet.  According to the National Association of Home Builders, a home costs an average of $105 per square foot to build. By eliminating even 500 square feet in a home, you’ll save over $50,000.”  Asses your needs to determine if it’s better to select a layout that is perhaps between 2,000 to 3,000 feet so as not to build too big.

Before the kids return to school, pack in family fun this Labor Day weekend!  Here are our top five picks for Labor Day events in Southeast Michigan.

1. Saline Community Fair is a week-long event on the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds that kicks off on Monday, Aug. 29th and runs through Labor Day.  This year’s theme is, ‘Proud of the Past, Poised for the Future,’ which means you and your family can enjoy traditional fair events like the car and tractor show; live animals on display and draft horse pulling as well as new activities like the Healthy Kids Fair and Ice Cream with a Hero.  View a schedule of events.  On Thursday, Sept. 1st, military and law enforcement members receive discounts on admission, and women and seniors receive a discount on Friday.

Today’s trending wallpaper is much different than what you may remember from your grandparents’ home or an outdated, tacky hotel.  According to the most recent trend forecast from Zillow Digs, which is a compilation of interior design experts’ survey responses and a home improvement database analysis, “2016 will bring a fresh modern vibe that beautifully mixes simplicity with bold accents reminiscent of the roaring 20’s.”

As you decorate your dream home, consider these four reasons to WOW any room with wallpaper.

1. Bring the outside in. Flowers, gardens and all foliage is abloom in Southeast Michigan, but once winter rolls around, the blanket of snow and clouds outside can dull the inside of your home.  Pretty floral prints are all of the rage right now, especially tropical prints.  Soft hues of flowers are an easy way to make a master, guest or nursery bedroom soothing and intimate.  Bold, bright floral patterns enliven small spaces such as a powder room, or a large space such as your new dream dining room.  Choose a few paper samples and then hang them for a few days or weeks to experience the impacts of natural light, and get a sense for how the wallpaper would complement the furnishings and other design elements in the room.