Smart, stylish renovations for any age

(BPT) - Most Americans over 50 want to stay in their home as they age, but few are making the renovations they need to ensure easy and comfortable living for years to come.



In fact, 80 percent of people older than 50 say they would prefer to remain in their home indefinitely, according to an AARP survey. The Hartford and MIT Age Labs found that while 96 percent of baby boomers are aware of the changes they could make to their current home to make it more comfortable as they grow older, only 26 percent have made such modifications.



Consider some of the following functional, yet beautiful, touches that help make a home safer and more comfortable for residents of all ages.



* Hardwood floors



Replacing carpet with hardwood floors can help accommodate difficulties ranging from respiratory problems to decreased mobility. Unlike carpet, hardwood flooring doesn't trap dust, pollen or other particles that cause problems for those with allergies and respiratory issues. Wheelchairs and other mobility equipment can glide more easily over a hard surface, and hardwood floors require far less maintenance. Homeowners can choose from a variety of hardwood flooring options that meet their needs and fit their budget at retailers such as Lumber Liquidators, North America's largest specialty hardwood flooring retailer.



* New furniture



Changing out furniture can make a huge difference in the comfort and style of a home. Enhance maneuverability by allowing ample room between furnishings, and by picking accessible pieces such as counter-height dining tables and chairs. Likewise, it's easier to sit in and stand from firmer sofas and chairs than deeper, softer options.



* Kitchen updates



Kitchen shelves that pull out make utensils, pots and pans, and ingredients much more accessible, and do not require a kitchen remodel. A wide range of products and kits enable homeowners to easily install sliding shelves themselves, or they can hire a contractor to do the job. Also, consider swapping out knobs for handles on cabinets and drawers to make them more accessible and easier to use.



* More lighting



Make sure all areas of your property - inside and outside - are well lit. Pendant lamps, inset ceiling lights and track lighting help illuminate a room from above, preventing glare that can cause temporary blindness. Opt for switches to turn lights on and off, and locate them at the entrances of each room. If a home's wiring isn't set up this way, the homeowner may need to contact an electrician.



As we age, we want to remain as independent as possible, which includes being able to stay in our own home for as long as possible. With a few functional changes, homeowners can create a beautiful space now that can enable them to live more comfortably later.

Five ways to build a better shower

1. Spacious shower



If you're gutting your bathroom, think about opening up the space to expand the size of your shower. Typically, showers are 36 inches wide by 36 inches deep; but now, luxury-style showers measure at least 48 inches by 96 inches. You can also create more shower space by selecting certain types of shower doors. Sliding glass doors can be a hassle to clean, as dirt can get into every little crevice. Hinged, glass doors, or if you have the space, a larger opening with no shower door at all, are better options for creating a modern, streamlined look.



2. Bring in the light



Do you have a small bathroom and don't have room for a spacious shower? Not to worry - make the shower look bigger with lighting. Adding a skylight above the shower will make it feel larger in size and give a sense of being in a high-end resort. The materials you use on the door can also brighten things up. Choosing a glass door lets more light fill the space while showing off a fancy showerhead or tile. The glass can be frosted for added privacy.



3. Showerheads in all shapes and sizes



Showerheads come in a wide variety of styles to add the desired look - and functionality - to your bathroom. From rainshowers to traditional showerheads and body sprays, the combinations are almost endless.



No matter what style or the number of sprays you choose, make sure to include a hand shower. It makes cleaning the shower a breeze, will help with washing the family pet, and gets all those hard to reach places during your daily shower. Moen now offers both multi- and single-function hand showers. The multi-function hand shower features four settings: a focused rinse, full spray, massage and combination full spray and massage. The new single-function hand shower is available with a slide bar, allowing everyone in your family to adjust it to the perfect height. Best of all, both use up to 20 percent less water than the industry standard 2.5 gallons-per-minute models. You can now install and use a hand shower as your primary showerhead, without a major remodel, thanks to Moen's new, shower arm cradle. Instead of attaching a bracket to the wall, the shower arm cradle easily installs onto the existing shower arm.



4. A place to sit and relax



Shower benches and seats are becoming an essential component for rest and relaxation. It's a great way to add a spa-like element to your shower but also provides extra safety for your family. You can build a bench into the shower or attach one that folds up against the wall. Different styles and materials are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Teak is a popular choice in the shower as it withstands different temperatures, is resistant to bugs and humidity and is also easy to clean.



5. Storage in the shower



Finally, build niches in the shower wall to fit all the bottles used on a daily basis. Creating several built-in areas will eliminate reaching for bottles on the shower floor and make it easier for the family to stay organized. Make sure the shelves slope toward the shower to keep the areas from getting moldy or full of soap scum. If you aren't putting in new shower walls, you can also create more storage with a sturdy, corner shelf. Choose one with at least three shelves so Mom, Dad and the kids can each have their own shelf.



With these few key upgrades, you'll soon have the spa-like shower you've always desired. For more information about Moen products, visit moen.com or call 800-BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636).

Top kitchen upgrades that blend beauty and value

Nowhere else in the home must design and function marry as harmoniously as in the kitchen. The most-used room in the house is also the one where we spend the most work and leisure time, the one that gets the most scrutiny from potential buyers and the spot where most renovation dollars get spent.

A minor kitchen remodel costs around $21,000 and has the potential to recoup nearly 73 percent of that expense at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report. A major job averages around $58,000 and can recoup about 68 percent of the renovation costs.

"When you're spending that kind of money on a remodel, you want to choose upgrades that accomplish multiple objectives, including improving efficiency, functionality and beauty," says Ross Vandermar, national product manager with skylight manufacturer Velux . "Sometimes that type of upgrade will warrant a greater expenditure, but others are easy and relatively low-cost to make."

So what are some of the top kitchen upgrades that provide the most beauty and functionality for your investment? Here are five:

1. Countertops

In any kitchen, the countertops are both a significant design element and a functional necessity. Countertops act as work and storage areas, provide staging and serving space, and have a major impact on the overall look of the room. Replacing lower-cost countertops such as laminate with higher-end materials like granite can enhance the usability and look of your work surface. Even if you opt to replace older laminate with the same material, your kitchen can benefit from a fresh face and improved material quality.

2. Lighting and ventilation

Illumination and fresh air in a kitchen not only allow you to appreciate the beauty of the room, they ensure a safer, more comfortable work environment. Under-cabinet task lighting, pendants over a breakfast bar and upgrading an old box-style fluorescent with a more attractive, energy-efficient style can enhance the usability and look of a kitchen. Adding Energy Star-qualified skylights can also boost the appearance, appeal and efficiency of a kitchen. If you opt for venting skylights, they can help release hot air, moisture and odors while admitting additional light.

Accessories like decorator blinds with remote control ensure you can adjust the amount of light that enters your kitchen from a skylight while dressing up your decor. If a traditional skylight isn't right for your needs, you can still enhance the room with natural light; tubular models like Velux's Sun Tunnel skylights use reflective tunnels to deliver light from above and are usually less expensive. Add an optional light kit and the units provide light at night as well as during the day.

3. Cabinets

Improving cabinets can be a costly prospect, but one worth the investment since they are not only a major design element in the kitchen, but essential to the room's efficiency and usability. You can find a range of options for upgrading cabinets, from total replacement with custom-made cabinetry to simply resurfacing or repainting existing cabinets.

4. Hardware and fixtures

Think of cabinet hardware and faucets as the jewelry of your kitchen. Swapping out dated or worn hardware - including knobs, handles and hinges - is a fast, easy and cost-effective way to change the look of the entire room. Plus, you can improve functionality by choosing larger handles that are easier to grasp and replacing old-style hinges with modern varieties that close silently and smoothly or are completely hidden behind the cabinet door. Replacing the kitchen faucet is also an easy, relatively low-cost upgrade. Opt for a pull-out spray head or touch-free model and you can also enhance the usability of this key kitchen feature.

5. Appliances

Your car couldn't function without tires and a steering wheel and no kitchen can serve its purpose without the right appliances. If your appliances are more than 10 years old, chances are they're starting to look worn and dated. They're also likely less energy efficient than newer models, many of which are now made to meet Energy Star standards. Appliances account for nearly 20 percent of the energy consumed by an average home, according to Energystar.gov.

Upgrading a kitchen is a great way to enhance the value and your enjoyment of the most-used room in your house. Choosing improvements that add beauty and efficiency can help ensure you get the most for your renovation dollars.

IMAGE CAPTIONS:

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Caption 1: Tubular Sun Tunnel skylights fitted with light kits can provide light day and night and are usually less expensive than traditional skylights.

Caption 2: Energy Star-qualified venting skylights with decor enhancing blinds, are a cost effective and attractive home upgrade that provide natural light and passive ventilation.

Kitchen remodeling 101: Brush up on the basics

Have no fear - these six tips from Summer Baltzer, interior designer and former host of HGTV's Design on a Dime will get you remodeling like a pro without losing your mind or breaking the bank.



Tip one: Breathe in. Breathe out. Break it down.



Before starting, take a deep breath and know that your project is going to turn out great. The key is to break your remodel down into manageable steps that you can wrap your head around: cabinets, counters, floors, paint and accessories. Although it can seem like a daunting process, there is no need to freak out.



Tip two: Identify the function of the room.



Take a second to think about how you use your kitchen. The best outcome is a kitchen that's both beautiful and functional, so make sure you're not getting caught up in just color swatches, paint samples and tile styles. Ask yourself a few simple questions: Who primarily uses the kitchen? How much foot traffic will there be? What are the main tasks occurring in the space? Pausing to think about how the space will be used helps you create a kitchen that works for your life.



Tip three: Make the space work for you.



If you are considering a new layout, first think about how you move around the kitchen. There's nothing more frustrating than furiously trying to get dinner on the table for a group of friends when you can't find anything or move around your kitchen with ease. Determine the types of stations you always use and what you need in each station. Add drawers or containers for utensils or herbs ... anything you might need to quickly grab while standing in that place. If you can't recreate your floor plan, sometimes it's simply a matter of reorganizing. Don't assume you're stuck with what you've got.



Tip four: Understand the scope of your work.



Is this kitchen makeover going to involve a partial or complete demolition, or are you going to be implementing simple fixes that you can pull off in a weekend? The work you're looking to do will determine whether or not you need to hire a contractor and apply for permits or, if it's just you, bribe your friends and buy that bucket of paint. It's often smartest to look to a trained professional to handle the trickier parts of a kitchen makeover. Hire contractors who carry insurance to deal with your electrical and plumbing issues, use a professional installer to replace that new countertop and keep in mind that you may void the warranty on items if you install them incorrectly.



Tip five: Make a budget.



Though not as much fun as picking colors and fixtures, having a clear idea of what you can afford is important. Determine your budget and consider funds for unanticipated issues such as mold or plumbing pitfalls. If you have enough in the budget to deal with problems as they arise, you'll be less stressed and can complete the project without a hitch. Finally, consider eco-friendly and durable materials that can be more affordable, including reclaimed wood, low-VOC paints, and countertops made from recycled fibers such as Wilsonart HD High Definition Laminate that can give the look of granite at a fraction of the cost. They'll keep more of the green in your kitchen and in your wallet. Learn more at www.wilsonart.com.



Tip six: Keep track of your paperwork.



It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of remodeling a kitchen, but the business end of a makeover is just as important. Keep track of contracts, warranties, manuals and receipts. Numbers used to identify paint colors and finishes are important too. Having everything accessible in a "kitchen makeover file" will make it easy to call for repairs or even simple touch-up if need be.



Armed with the basics, you'll be well-prepared to create a kitchen you love.

DECEMBER 2016 MARKET UPDATE

December 2016

Included in this blog post is a link to my Real Estate Update Newsletter. Please click on the link below to get the latest Real Estate Update for November! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office. 

614-882-6725

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Planning ahead is key to throwing a memorable party

(BPT) - There's nothing more chic than entertaining with ease and seamlessly bringing family and friends together over a great meal at a fashionable table. If you want to be known as an unforgettable host, follow these tips for entertaining in style to impress guests at your next event:



* Select a theme: No matter the occasion, select a theme and color palette to set the tone and inspire everything from the tablescape to the menu.



* Make your menu: Create a simple and delicious menu using fresh ingredients. Try Chef Nate Appleman's crowd-pleasing frittata with roasted garlic, dill, Parmagiano Reggiano and salami created for Fashion Kitchen (serves 4 to 6).



1. First, roast garlic by placing one head of garlic in the 7.7 ounce CorningWare mini baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. When cool, squeeze the garlic from the skin, discard and reserve the garlic.



2. In a bowl, add four large eggs, 2 tablespoons heavy cream, roasted garlic, 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill and salt. Mix with a fork until well incorporated.



3. Pour mixture into 18.6 ounce CorningWare baking dish and place in the oven for about 15 minutes until egg is set.-



4. Cut into 1-by-1-inch pieces, top with a piece of folded, thinly sliced salami on a toothpick and serve.



* Set the table: To save time, design and set your table the night before. The key to creating fresh new tablescapes is versatile, white dinnerware paired with interchangeable, bold linens. Boutique by Corelle dinnerware delivers statement-making, subtle sophistication with its embossed design and durable Vitrelle glass. Add silverware, glassware and candles to finish the table.



* Prep and pop: Prep dishes in advance and store them in the fridge before baking and serving. When it's time to bake, pop them in the oven. CorningWare French White bakeware can go from the fridge to the oven, oven to table, table to fridge or freezer - no need to change dishes for baking, serving and storing. This time-saver will allow you to greet guests as they arrive and avoid last-minute meal prep. The recently refreshed design delivers contemporary style with its iconic fluting, perfect for every table.



* All in the details: Just before guests arrive add vibrant floral arrangements and light candles to set the mood. Enjoy the company of your guests while demonstrating how to entertain fashionably and effortlessly. For more recipe ideas and entertaining tips, visit www.worldkitchen.com.

Help men reclaim space of their own: Bathroom sharing tips

(BPT) - Most couples acknowledge that women get the majority of space in the bathroom. In fact, men claim that just one-third of the bathroom is set aside for their things, according to a recent U.S. Dove Men+Care Hair Survey, and they often reach for items that belong to their partner, instead of products made for them.



Dove Men+Care, which offers hair care products made specifically for men, has partnered with well-known home improvement duo, Mark and Theresa Clement, to help men reclaim a bathroom space of their own. The Clements, who are space-maximizing pros through their own personal experiences and frequent client requests, dole out some helpful tips for sharing a bathroom with your partner:



* Mark suggests, "Even before you start organizing your space, talk about what you're looking for! Do you like the top shelf-or do you prefer the bottom? Are you frustrated by open shampoo tops or soap left on the shower floor? Speak up! It can be helpful to organize your space together."



* Try to keep in mind that sharing space is all about compromise. Some need more cabinet space while others need more space in the shower. Theresa advises, "Try to be flexible with your partner's requests! I love having my products easily accessible, but I know Mark does, too. Do your best to divide space according to your needs and always respect your partner's space."



* Play with boundaries. Creating structure will remind you which area is yours...and which belongs to your partner. The Clements love "his-and-hers" shelves or shower caddies and also recommend customized drawers or cabinet space if you're looking to invest in your home.



* Stock products for both of you. About nine in 10 men have borrowed their partners' products, according to a recent U.S. Dove Men+Care Hair Survey, but many women wish they didn't. To stop the cycle, find a product he likes, such as Aqua Impact Shampoo from Dove Men+Care Hair-and keep using your favorites!



* While you may not have an eye for decor like Theresa, putting your own stamp on the area is important. "Don't forget about decorations," she says. "Moving in together means creating a space for his and her tastes. Explore the colors and themes each of you prefers and find a way to combine the two for a unique style."