HOME PROJECTS THAT REAP THE REWARDS

When you buy your home the last thing that you may think about is selling it, or maybe that is exactly what you are thinking?  Either way, projects that improve your home should also bring more value to your home.  There are many to add and many to avoid.  I would caution extravagant and lavish renovations, for example, sunrooms, home office remodel, or an expensive “dream” kitchen re-do, just will not reap the rewards you might be looking for.  Practical renovations make more sense for you and your potential buyer.   Functional and efficient details that enhance your home will produce more buyer interest and create a home that will sell faster. Most sound investments for maximum return are the ones that are moderate, using quality products, and not over the top upgrades.  Take a look at the graphic to see the winners in the ROI department.  You will enjoy these improvements now and definitely will be happy with the money that will come back to you when it is time to sell your home.

Color Trends 2016

Ok, this may sound crazy but just a few hours ago Benjamin Moore released their

2016 Color Of The Year and it is (drum roll)…

SIMPLY WHITE OC-117

Brilliant!

More than brilliant, universal, timeless, clean, crisp, defining, bright, uplifting, the list goes on.  White will never go out of style and it goes with anything, it is not gender specific,

 and has a cheerful quality that brightens up a darkened room. 

I love it!  

I recently was at the shore and remarked how

I wanted a house with all white walls…I could put anything on the floors and use color in the furnishings, art and accents with white being dominant, ahhhh!

White doesn’t distract from anything, it compliments everything.  

Have I convinced you to paint it all white yet? 

Simply White isn’t simple at all, it has a warmth,

 it allows architectural elements to be seen, and it soothes.

There is definitely a dreamy elegance to this color…and it is a color!

 In addition to the release of their color of the year, 
Benjamin Moore didn’t leave out all those who love a splash and dash of more. 

They introduced the color palette for 2016 that has a bunch of neutrals

and rich accent hues.

These 2016 colors will bring out the best in your home!

 Sherwin Williams has their own Color Forecast for 2016. Looking over both trends I noticed that there is a natural quality to the choices, this creates a familiar warmth throughout your home that “synthetic colors” can’t achieve.  When you compare the two palettes there are similarities, re-enforcing that the selected colors are great choices.  

You can't wrong using any of these!

For more information visit Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/benjamin-moore-color-trends-2016

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/inspiration/color-forecast/2016-color-forecast/

Nook and Cranny, Nik and Nak, This and That - Antiquing in Glenside, Pa.

SAMPLINGS FROM ANTIQUING IN GLENSIDE, PA

Today, while strolling along Glenside Ave. and Keswick Village, I found treasures galore…people, places, and pieces.  Glenside Avenue has a wonderful collection of quaint Antique Shops clustered within walking distance which makes it easy to bop into each for a quick fix late in the week or weekend. CJ’s, The Nest, and Not Just Antiques Boutique were the three shops that I had the pleasure of conversing with each owner and getting to know their passions and niche in vintage resale.  They all coexist and promote each others’ strengths along the strip, creating a most pleasant place to peruse.  CJ’s has a utilitarian flare, with kitchen must haves, old fans, and a stunning typewriter, along side tables, chairs, old benches, cupboards etc…each item keeping it’s original integrity. The Nest was a "world of wonder" for me with its’ creative charm spilling over, the Halloween theme strongly influenced many of the clever displays, making me want to scoop up most collected and cultivated items.  Not to mention, I was invited to the owners, twice a year, Carriage House Sale which I wouldn't dream of missing.  The humorous and curious vignettes kept me looking all over this shop!  Mirrors, mirrors, and more mirrors, home decor, hats, jewelry, vintage clothing were abundant at Not Just Antiques Boutique. Everywhere I turned another collection popped out at me, this shop definitely provides. Hopping back in the car, I took a quick ride up to Ludwigs-and all I have to say is “Clocks.” There was an amazing collection of grandfather, mantel, and hanging clocks. Ludwigs is a large space divided into rooms where vast collections of old tools, kitchen wares and linens are neatly separated, making it a breeze for collectors to focus.  Back in the car—realizing that I was getting short on time, I drove down Easton Road to where it intersects with Keswick Avenue and the Keswick Village is nestled.  I chose two stores to explore and I was pleasantly surprised, Keane Vintage combines the old and the new – but really the old outshines the new!  The vast collections of bling - pins, earrings, bracelets were quite impressive and lured me in.  Vintage furs, hats, bags, and shoes have been carefully chosen to meet the standards of this discerning shop owner.  Complete collections flourish in Keane, making it a one stop shop. A couple store fronts down was Rustic and Refined, they had more furniture than smaller items which makes finding a great piece or two easy here. Scattered among the furniture were curios, special finds, and bits and pieces of jewelry, something for everyone. 

I am now out of time and wishing that I had carved out a whole day or  two to research these antiquing avenues.  I plan to return for Part Two with many more stores to visit.  When leaving, I felt a common thread woven through each establishment... pride in their community with many proprietors living in Glenside, Pa, as well.  I enjoyed each and everyone of these fascinating collectors and story tellers, I will be returning for more.

See you soon, Glenside!

A couple important things to note – Glenside has a “First Friday” with shops staying open late and presenting special offerings for shoppers the first Friday of every month.  

Keswick Village has their Fall Fest on October 10^th-12:00-6:00pm.  

The village of Keswick is currently undergoing a major reinvention with new establishments opening soon.

Check out the shops mentioned on Facebook

The Nest:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Nest-545800278776836/timeline/

CJ’s Vintage:

https://www.facebook.com/CJs-Vintage-731990653517192/timeline/

Not Just Antiques Boutique: https://www.facebook.com/NotJustAntiquesBoutique?fref=ts

Keane Vintage:

 https://www.facebook.com/Keane-Vintage-116764871694728/timeline/

Rustic and Refine:

https://www.facebook.com/Rustic-Refined-367592466676516/timeline/

More info. on Keswick Village - http://keswickvillage.org/