Posts from November 2024
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21
Upgrading Your Home's Lighting Before Winter
Daylight savings time has come and gone, and we're officially in the darkest season of the year.
Don't get us wrong. Our real estate agents love winter in Chicagoland, but we could all use a little more illumination this time of year. These tips for improving your home's lighting will help you live in a brighter, cheerier space just in time for the holidays.
Let In More Natural Light
Natural light is more important than ever during the season when there isn't as much of it to go around. Depending on your home's layout, you could take advantage of sunlight from every angle, but the south-facing portions of your home tend to get the most light. Use lighter curtains for privacy, but keep thick drapes open as much as possible during daylight hours. You could als...
18
7 Mistakes People Make Handling Deceased Family Members' Estates
Dealing with a family member's death can be a double cruelty. There is the emotional loss. Then, that's often followed by the monumental task of dealing with the deceased's estate—you might have to figure out how to sell their home (here's how to find a real estate agent in your area) and sort through any property or possessions left behind—especially if there's no will.
Given this is a hard time, it's understandable that many people in this situation make mistakes. In an effort to get you through this process with minimal pain and suffering, here are the pitfalls to watch...
17
Should You Renovate or Relocate? Here's What You Need To Know
Moments on home improvement shows like "Love It or List It" aren't just made for TV—they also present a real-life dilemma that many homeowners face: Should they renovate or relocate?
At a time when roughly 84% of outstanding mortgages have a rate of 6% or lower, most people don't want to trade theirs for a higher one—so they're staying put.
Homeowners are also reimagining their spaces. But, before doing so, there are a few important factors to keep in mind.
"Before making a decision, it's important to carefully consider your budget, timeline, and how much effort you're willing to put into either renovat...
17
Unexpected Living Room Neutrals That Create a Calming Pre-Holiday Look
Hello, holiday season! Goodbye, most things that aren't in shades of Merry (i.e., bright green, intense red, and everything very shiny).
As an anecdote, it might be time to turn to the calming beauty of a neutral color palette in your living room. While the days of greige and all-white spaces might be behind us, that doesn't mean we can't still appreciate grounded earth tones, soft pastels, calming shades of blue and holiday decor.
For inspiration, we drew on five trending living room looks from Instagram that emphasize nontraditional neutral palettes.
Keep reading for five unexpected ways to create your perfect relaxing living room scheme this season.
1. Rose
One of our favorite unexpected ways to style neutrals is by incorporating barely there pastels, like this rosy-hued couch from @motkovo.
"Soft rose tones bring warmth to a space while maintaining the calmness typical of neutral palettes," says Guillaume Drew, designer and founder of Or & Zon. "This hue is popular because it adds a gentle, inviting vibe that complements most styles without overwhelming the room."
Get the look: Drew recommends pairing rose pieces (like this sofa) with natural textures like wood or rattan to amplify its warmth.
2. Gray-blue
Another neutral look that feels anything but typical? This gray-blue neutral living room by @circawdm.
"This is a beautiful color for creating a relaxing atmosphere, and I love using this color as a neutral base in rooms where I know people are going to want to wind down," says Joyce Huston, lead interior designer and co-founder of Decorilla. "With the right layered lighting, this gray-blue makes a gorgeous neutral base color that is so malleable to surrounding decor."
Get the look: Reimagine your walls or bookcases with a can of Lakeside by Sherwin Williams.
3. White on beige
If you live in a home where white decor is an option (read: pets and children or lack thereof make it possible), you might try this neutral look from @ourcasitalife.
"When done right, this color combination has such an elegant and crisp look and feel," says Huston. "I recommend using beige in textured items so the palette isn't too stark. For instance, I love using textured beige throws on white sofas because it helps soften things and bring dimensions to the palette."
Get the look: Toss in a textured blanket like this Grid Woven Throw over your all-white sofa to add extra layers to your neutral color palette.
4. Burnt sienna
If you want to create a neutral living room grounded in earth tones, look no further than this burnt sienna color scheme from @chalkwhitearrow.
"Burnt sienna adds richness to a neutral palette, grounding a room with its earthy warmth," says Drew. "It's especially popular because it captures a natural, almost rustic elegance. This color works wonderfully in a space that uses raw materials like leather or stone."
Get the look: To ground your neutral space, choose a burnt sienna ottoman, like this one from West Elm.
5. Muted holiday pastels
Although not your typical neutral color scheme, decorating a living room space in soft holiday hues like this look from @cottagerenovationcwmrhys, is one of our favorite ways to create a calming space this season.
"Sage green and blush red are the softer siblings of the cranberry and Christmas green often associated with the holiday season," says Huston. "I love using these muted holiday pastels for clients who prefer mellow, earthy tones without missing out on that holiday cheer."
https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/living-room-neutrals-calming-pre-holiday-look/
14
Best Insulation Tips to Prepare Your Chicagoland Home for Winter
As the chilly winds blow across Chicagoland, our real estate agents can see the writing on the wall: winter is coming. As much as we enjoy frosty mornings and the promise of snowy days ahead, we also want to ensure you stay cozy and warm in your Chicago home this season.
It starts with making sure you're well-insulated. These simple DIY insulation tips are easy, fast and affordable. Best of all, they'll keep you warm this winter and help shave a few dollars off your utility bills.
- Put Weather Stripping Around Doors and Windows
Drafty windows and doors are among the leading sources of heat loss in an average home. Luckily, gaps and cracks are easy to find around window and door frames and just as easy to fix. Finding them is often as simple as using your bare hands to detect incoming d...
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