Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH | APRIL 2017 15 Homeowners can rejuvenate their space without building a new house, as there are many easy ways to refresh a home. Ann O’Blenes, Realtor, Performance Partners at Remax Dallas Suburbs sees a range of general trends and suggests focusing on key updates. “Transitional designs are in and traditional are out,” says O’Blenes. “Whether it’s inside the home or in the backyard, bright natural light and neutral color schemes are popular, as are contemporary, linear looks, square shapes and straight edges.” According to O’Blenes, wallpaper is back with a “vengeance” embellished with geometric designs as opposed to floral motifs. Arched doorways have given way to square openings and straight lines. A bright, airy look is important and brings the outdoors inside. This means minimal window treatments. “The trend in new construction is a lot of natural light. If you’re redecorating an existing home, be sure to install simple panels and avoid shutters,” O’Blenes notes. “White LED lights contribute to a room’s brightness, as well.” Choose smooth surface, wide plank wood flooring in lieu of rustic hand-scraped texture, or opt for marbled-look floor tiles in white and gray. Iron staircase railings and other outdoor iron works, featuring Art Deco designs are popular, as scrolling and French-influenced styles are now passé. O’Blenes adds that acrylic has made a comeback in everything from cabinet hardware to light fixtures to legs on furniture. In the kitchen, granite countertops are out and honed marbles in whites and grays are in. Manmade Quartz and Quartzite look like marble but are much easier to maintain. Straight-edge countertops complement white, squared shape cabinets, and subway tile or natural marble mixed with glass or metal are ideal for backsplashes. Stainless steel appliances are still in demand as well as integrated appliances that blend with the cabinetry. Box-shaped oven hoods may be integrated or made of glass and stainless steel. Mixed metals, including brushed brass and polished nickel, are en vogue for bathrooms (kitchens, too). For example, chrome faucets and mirror trim mix well with brushed brass sconces. O’Blenes cautions to avoid shiny, oil- rubbed brass, as that trend is now outdated. Gray and white, Italian marble straight-line cabinets are quite chic, as well as square, straight-edge marble sinks. O’Blenes says it’s important to update both interior and exterior décor to keep up with trends. “Employ some or all of these methods to give your home a sense of renewal,” she says. “You can enjoy it now and it will help to boost your home’s value when you choose to sell.” To reach Ann, call 972.898.6600 or email ann.oblenes@tx.rr.com. Refresh, Rejuvenate, Revitalize BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO YOUR HOME TO ENJOY AND ADD VALUE by Karyn Brodsky “Whether it’s inside the home or in the backyard, bright natural light and neutral color schemes are popular, as are contemporary, linear looks, square shapes and straight edges.” - Ann O’Blenes, Realtor, Performance Partners at Remax Dallas Suburbs There's No Place Like Home Sensing that burst of energy when everything feels new again? Spring is the perfect time to update your home – for you and your family to enjoy now and to add resale value for the future. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, brand new floors or a patio re-do, there are a myriad of choices for re-vitalizing your house, both inside and out.