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.

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.

You still have two months left until summer officially ends on Sept. 22nd.  It only takes a few simple steps to create an outdoor space your entire family can enjoy well into autumn.

Here are five steps to create a fabulous outdoor space.

1. Illuminate in style.  Most design experts believe that outdoor lighting is one of the most overlooked aspects of design, usually because the planning and installation can be very expensive.  Avoid breaking the bank by adding a simple lighting scheme.  For example, a few strings of globe or twinkle lights strung above the deck, patio or other outdoor space creates lot of ambience on a shoestring budget.  Criss-cross strands to create a ceiling plane illusion and your space will transform from cold to cozy.  Friends and family will be drawn to the illuminated area in the evenings.

You’ve finally moved into your dream home and most of the decorating is done.  The last question is, what will you do with that all white room?  Here are four simple ways to WOW that room.

1. Choose contrast for a dose of drama.  Many people believe that the only way to enliven a white room is to purchase a major pieces of bright furniture.  Instead of investing in furniture you aren’t sure you’ll love forever, start by selecting items that contrast the white and appeal to you.  Interior design experts caution that while people may think of contrast only in terms of color, it can occur with any design elements.  For example, if the room is a perfect square with boxy windows, choose circular accents such as curved lamps, wavy accent furniture, round rugs, frames and mirrors.  The contrasting shapes easily create a WOW factor.  Another example of ideal contrast is to use dark finishes on furniture or hardwood floors so that they pop.

Despite new construction home energy codes becoming increasingly more complicated to achieve, we were proud to announce that Echelon Home Builders is Michigan Energy Code compliant and has received the Nelson Energy Seal®.  Our commitment to creating efficient family homes doesn’t stop there—we want to help your family take eco-friendly safety steps this summer.

Here are six to get you started.

Shade– During hot, sunny Southeast Michigan summer days, it’s important to take a break from the sun and hit the shade.  Consider adding a large umbrella or shade sail to your deck, patio or even in the backyard.  If you’re hosting a party or BBQ, strategically place large shades in the most likely conversation areas.  You can minimize your air conditioning unit’s energy costs by adding shade near it or planting a tree—see below.