When it comes to good lighting, the future is now

(ARA) – Imagine not having to change a light bulb for years. There are light-emitting diode (LED) products available in 2010 that will make frequent light bulb changes so 20th-century.

The term LED immediately conjures up images of traffic signals, brake lights and headlights on luxury cars, and indicator lights on appliances. That is about to change. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), lighting manufacturers have invested considerable time, effort and research into adapting this super energy-efficient technology for household use. The technology has advanced enough to win approval from the government’s popular and well-respected Energy Star program.

“The year 2010 will be the first year when LEDs will explode in the residential marketplace,” says architect Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “We are already seeing amazing LED developments in all parts of our lives, from Christmas lights to LED TVs. One area where LEDs will become predominant in 2010 is the category of desk and task lamps,” Rey-Barreau says. “Another major development will be in replacement bulbs.”

“The extreme long life of an LED bulb makes it ideal for replacing recessed lights in hard-to-reach areas such as vaulted ceilings in living rooms or kitchens. This year you will find super energy-efficient replacements for all existing types of incandescent, halogen and fluorescent bulbs.

“You will see LED products meet – and in some cases outperform – traditional light sources,” says Brian Brandes, vice president of product development for SATCO. “The lighting industry is moving and merging technologies, quickly becoming part of the electronics marketplace and presenting choices previously not available. Today, there are LED options in every lighting category,” says Brandes. For example, SATCO recently unveiled a variety of LED bulbs that can replace incandescent track and recessed bulbs as well as outdoor spotlights.

In addition to long life, another benefit of LED is energy efficiency. In the past, such products weren’t very consumer friendly, according to Glenn Siegel, marketing director for Cooper Lighting, a manufacturer of lighting fixtures. “[Earlier models] did not always satisfy all of the homeowner’s needs and wants. They needed lighting with lower operating costs and longer life, but wanted it to perform like an incandescent,” he says.

Cooper Lighting has an Energy Star-qualified LED downlight that replaces the 65-watt BR30 lamp, but only consumes 14 watts. The LED version, from its Halo division, closely matches the light output and color appearance of its incandescent counterpart. Siegel reports that the LED model will still emit 70 percent of its lumens at 50,000 hours and can be dimmed down to 5 percent. “If you use the light for six hours a day, it will last more than 22 years,” Siegel estimates.

Chris Primous, director of sales and business development for Permlight’s Brillia LED brand, has been impressed with the strides LED lighting has made in just the last several years. The technology first emerged as outdoor path illumination and in under-cabinet kitchen lighting. “Now you’re seeing recessed, table lamps, chandeliers and pendants, all using LEDs,” he says.

Consumers who aren’t sold on the appearance of LED lighting – or its high initial cost – can take heart. There are plenty of developments in compact fluorescent technology arriving in stores in 2010. CFLs are more affordable than LEDs and now come in a variety of familiar shapes – a big change from the original spiral configuration. “You’re also going to see more dimmable CFLs coming onto the market, plus CFL models for outdoors that have built-in photocells,” Primous remarks.

The color temperature of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) has been steadily improving. Gone is the flickering and bluish cast that was long associated with fluorescent lighting. Today’s CFLs can provide color rendering so close to that of incandescent versions that consumers have to see it to believe it – and they can very well do just that at their local ALA-member showroom, where there are often demonstration rooms or displays set up for that purpose.

Another key area where changes are occurring in lighting is the design and construction of energy-efficient houses, according to Rey-Barreau. “The Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council has been extremely successful in commercial buildings and is now available for home construction. While the residential sector has been hit hard these past two years, the focus on energy efficiency will be huge when the market rebounds,” he says.

If you are curious about LEDs, but aren’t sure yet if you want to devote a large portion of your living space to the technology, Rey-Barreau suggests trying under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, a desk or task lamp or path lighting outside to see if you like the illumination it provides before investing in an entire ceiling of recessed fixtures or a large chandelier.

To learn more about LEDs and CFLs, go to the American Lighting Association Web site or visit your local lighting showroom, especially one with an ALA-Certified Lighting Consultant on staff.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to make today’s smaller bathrooms live larger and work better

(ARA) – This is the decade of right-sizing. The economic reset triggered by the excesses of the last decade is forcing our society to rethink its definition of “enough.” One area under enormous scrutiny is housing. How much space does it really take to house the average American family of 2.61 people?

Our definition of “enough space” is changing, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The year 2008 saw the first annual decrease in average new-home size since 1994. During the intervening 15 years, the average rose by 21 percent – from 2,050 square feet in 1994 to a peak of 2,507 square feet in 2007 – before slipping to 2,392 square feet in 2008. The 2008 decrease in home size was also the largest annual drop since 1980.

Similarly, remodelers report a falloff in the number of consumers asking for bigger kitchens and more opulent baths. Not surprisingly, the aftermarket is also witnessing more homeowners seeking to create more efficient spaces with more storage, less waste and more flexibility.

Style still in demand
As builders downsize the American dream home, consumers are saying that compromises on space do not automatically mean giving up conveniences. Currently, 60 percent of new homes have three or more bathrooms, and while the size of each may not be as expansive as in years past, that is no reason to compromise on style.

In fact, the trends shaping society today – smaller, smarter living spaces, value and efficiency over conspicuous consumption and the need for a greener lifestyle with a smaller environmental footprint – are having a profound impact on bath-product manufacturers. These trends are also making the job of creating more stylish statements in a smaller bathroom easier than ever.

“Our emphasis is on products scaled to the new space reality,” says Gray Uhl, director of design for American Standard Brands. “We look very carefully at bathroom fixture scale to design collections that fit the footprint of today’s homes.”

Maximum efficiency has become a critical driver, according to Uhl. “A good example is creating more counter deck space on pedestal lavatories, or more storage space in vanities even with a smaller footprint, such as our Brook Console Table with side drawers that open up. While this trend to efficiency cuts across all styles, it tends to require fixtures, faucets and furniture that take simpler forms and shapes.”

Try a little planning
Whether your preference is traditional, contemporary or the in-between transitional, creating stylish smaller bathrooms that work is simple, with a little planning. Here are two important areas to consider in your planning:

* Storage: Vanities that offer ample storage space within a smaller footprint can hide hair dryers, towels, bath products and cleaning supplies, creating an uncluttered look to make a space seem larger. Vessel sinks that sit atop a vanity add a dramatic touch to a bath, while maximizing cabinet space and creating deck storage space. If a pedestal lavatory fits your floor plan better, look for models with generous deck space. Don’t forget a toilet with a flat tank top: The top of the toilet tank is valuable bathroom real estate.

*Lifestyle: As we try to do more in the same number of hours, bathroom rituals necessarily change. Shifting from a bathtub to a shower fits our lifestyle and integrates better into the smaller overall footprint of today’s bath. Multiple showerheads and body sprays provide the same relaxation as soaking in a tub, but in far less time and with significantly less cleanup. Most modern showers also use substantially less water, which appeals to growing ecological awareness.

To learn more about products that will help create a stylish, smaller bath that doesn’t compromise on performance, visit www.americanstandard-us.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Keep your house fresh before, during and after the game

(ARA) – Having friends over for a football party can create some interesting chaos in your house. Keeping everything clean – and smelling good – might be a challenge.

But for Olivia Manning, mom of two superstar quarterbacks and wife of a former NFL star, keeping a house fresh before, during and after the party is simple using the following game plan:

* Prepare good food in advance – well before kickoff – so you can also enjoy the game. For the biggest games – like the Super Bowl – make sure your menu is simple, but hearty. Your fans will need plenty of energy to cheer throughout the game and potential overtimes. When preparing the menu, also think about cleanup. Serve foods that don’t require washing a lot of dishes or that can get messy when eaten in front of the TV.

* Teamwork is important on the field, and it is a must when tailgating. Make sure everyone brings something, but keep the menu varied and simple. Fried chicken, popcorn, finger sandwiches and some New Orleans marinated shrimp are favorites at the Manning parties.

* Tackle the odors before they overwhelm your fans. If your biggest fan insists on wearing the same shirt, socks, underwear or some other piece of clothing all season long and forbids you to wash it, make sure that lucky item doesn’t spoil the party. Spray the offending garment with Febreze Sport, in either Cool Energy or Active Fresh scents, to eliminate the sweaty body odor. Febreze products eliminate odors, leaving behind a fresh, clean scent.

* Keep your home fresh for the “fifth” quarter and into the following week by refreshing your furniture with Febreze Fabric Refresher. This will help eliminate the stale food odors so that your couch and chairs are fresh and ready for the next game.

Visit Facebook.com/febreze throughout the NFL season for freshness game plans from the experts, including Olivia Manning. And visit FebrezeGameDay.com to sign up for a chance to win four tickets to Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida on Feb. 7, 2010.

And make sure your house is the place to be on game day – organized, fresh, and ready for kickoff.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Give house guests the gift of a 5-star hotel experience

(ARA) – Holidays, birthdays, graduations or even just weekend visits, you can expect house guests to pop in sometime this year. Whether visitors are spending just one night or an entire week in your home, the situation can be stressful for everyone involved. Never fear. You can do a few simple things long before your company arrives to ensure their stay is a comfortable one. In fact, they might even mistake your guest bedroom for a luxury hotel room.

First, remember that less is definitely more when it comes to guest bedroom clutter. While you might enjoy your vintage doll collection that sits on top of the dresser, visitors might not share that sentiment. Remove all unnecessary items in the room, other than some stylish accent pieces, to give your guests a restful, clutter-free home away from home.

Of course, it goes without saying no one wants to stay in a room that isn’t fresh and clean. Make sure your guests stay in a tidy bedroom. Clean the room thoroughly from top to bottom, starting with the ceilings, and systematically work your way down to the floors until everything is spotless.

There’s also nothing worse than having no place to put your clothes and personal items while visiting friends or relatives. You feel as if you’re living out of a suitcase, and you are. While the guest bedroom closet might be a convenient place to store your family’s off-season wardrobe, this is the time to find a new place to store it, at least until your company leaves. Once you remove the clothes, be certain there are enough hangers in the closet for your guests to use. Don’t forget about clearing out dresser drawers, too.

Once cleaning and storage are addressed, it’s time to focus on the room’s decor. Create a comfortable, calming environment for your guests, starting with the color of the room. The use of paint color is one of the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to dramatically change the look and feel of any space. One option is to begin with hues that tend to relax and soothe such as neutrals, light greens, pale blues or even creamy yellow, then give it your personal style with coordinating paint accents in fresh, vibrant colors.

If you’re having trouble deciding on a color, check out the new Better Homes and Gardens Editors’ Choice Paint Colors at Walmart. Tinted in Dutch Boy paint, the palette offers 160 colors handpicked by the magazine’s editors. Plus, the paint also coordinates with a variety of other Better Homes and Gardens products available at Walmart, including window treatments, bath products and bedding.

Speaking of bedding, carry that feeling of tranquility through to one of the most important parts of a guest bedroom – the bed. Don’t scrimp on a cheaper mattress; choose a high-quality one that will last for several years. Your guests will definitely thank you for it.

Beyond the mattress, offer plush, inviting bedding that further enhances that feeling of a quiet, hotel-like retreat. A high thread-count sheet set, featherbed mattress topper, oversized pillows and a down comforter can help create a feeling of serenity. Don’t forget to top things off with an equally luxurious bedcover and matching throw pillows.

While creating a beautiful and cozy bed is important, if your guest bedroom has ample space, you might want to also consider creating a small sitting area. Placing a comfortable chair, an ottoman and a side table in your guests’ room will allow them to relax and unwind without having to sit on the bed. Make sure there’s lighting in case they decide to read. Go one step further and place some magazines or books you think might interest them in the room. Or, if they’ll be sightseeing, provide them with books about the region and tourist information.

Also offer special extras that show you’ve taken the time to personalize their stay with you. Lay out two plush robes and matching slippers for them. Guests can also get the munchies long after you’ve retired to bed, so have water, drinks and their favorite snacks on the nightstand when they arrive. Find out what types of movies and music they enjoy and stock the room with a variety of DVDs and CDs they might like. If you don’t have wireless in your home, make sure they have access to a computer so they can check their e-mail.

Finally, don’t forget the most important part of your guests’ visit will be spending quality time with you. The visit can be a blur of activity, so kick back, relax and enjoy each other’s company while it lasts.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to decorate a child’s room and love the results

(ARA) – Parents and children rarely have the same decorating tastes when the time comes to redo a child’s room. But don’t worry – with a few tricks, you can create a stylish bedroom that is fun and functional for your child.

“Your child’s bedroom is the one room in the house they call their own,” says Jeff Nokkeo, academic director for Interior Design at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco. “Allowing your child to create a sense of identity and personal space will help both of you to love the new decor.”

Here are some decorating tips that will help keep the whole family happy:

* Talk to your child about his or her vision for the room. Then select a color palette and theme together. What are her likes and dislikes? Does he have a favorite hobby or activity he likes to do? Incorporating some of the child’s design ideas into the room will help make it feel like his or her own.

* Does she want overpowering or bright colors? “Compromise by using a neutral wall color in the room and adding punch and color with accessories and accents like bedding, lamps, wall art and other decorations,” Nokkeo suggests.

* Likewise, keep window shades neutral, but add a fun, colorful valance. The neutral base will make it easy for you to change the room when your child’s tastes change again in a couple years.

Both furniture manufacturers and home decor companies have special sections for children, so there are plenty of options to choose from. You’ll notice color trends as you start to shop – most major retailers will stock similar colors in any given season, making it easy to mix and match products from different stores. Here’s a look at some of the hottest trends for children’s bedrooms:

For girls
It’s all about bright colors for girls, from purple to lime green to the ever-popular pink.  Retro patterns are making a comeback, and they may look familiar to moms who had something similar when they were young. But make no mistake: These patterns are updated with a twist for a fun, funky look.

For example, Montgomery Ward features a personalized Sweetheart Pillow and Throw that will keep your daughter cozy while sleeping, enjoying a book, or simply lounging around her room. The set includes a throw (49 by 60 inch) that’s soft plush on one side and silky smooth on the other and a matching 15-inch square pillow. Adding items that can be personalized with a name or favorite phrase, like this blanket, is a way to make your child feel like the room truly is her special place. Choose pink with black embroidery or black with pink embroidery. The throw is machine washable, a good thing to note when choosing items for a child’s room since little hands can be messy.

For boys
If your little guy loves sports, choose accessories that have his favorite professional logo on them, such as a bedspread or poster. If your son isn’t a sports nut, you can incorporate any interest into affordable decor that will personalize the room. For example, if your son loves to play Army, add some camouflage curtains. Does he like science? Add a wall mural of the solar system. And if you don’t have a theme to work with, just choose his favorite colors and find accessories that incorporate that color.

For both
Functionality is important in a child’s room. Adding items like a desk or table to work on is a great idea. Montgomery Ward has a great option for younger children called the ABC Table and Chair Set that gives little ones a special place for drawing, snacking and other activities. Educational letters and images capture the imagination.

Organization is also important in a child’s room. Consider adding a decorative toy chest, closet organizers and storage bins to your child’s room to help avoid clutter. Encourage children to only take out one or two toys at a time so their room remains stylish and clean. Once they have a system to follow and know that their favorite teddy bear is in the chest at the end of the bed, they’ll be more likely to put it away when they’re done using it for easy access later.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

IMAGE CAPTIONS:
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Caption 1: For girls, decorating is all about bright colors, from purple to lime green to the ever-popular pink.

City chic: Incorporate city style into your Main Street home

(ARA) – When you look out your window, what do you see: the cool gray steel of high-rise buildings … or vast, open expanses of green land? You don’t have to stick to an interior style that mimics your surroundings; especially if it doesn’t suit your taste.

Whether you live in a penthouse or a farmhouse, you can create rooms that make you feel as if you’re a city-dweller as soon as you step inside.

Open floor plan

The first step to thinking like an urbanite is coming up with creative ways to make small spaces appear larger. An open floor plan is a great way to achieve this. Take a look at your main living areas to determine where improvements can take place.

Is there a room that is being under-utilized? Consider removing a dividing wall to connect it with the adjoining space. Do you have narrow doorways between rooms? Expand these openings and remove doors, creating wider passageways. Is there untouched wall space? Take a cue from new glass-exterior loft spaces, like Werner Aisslinger’s LoftCube, and add more windows on exterior walls, or even create window-like openings between rooms to join spaces and create a sense of community.

“Contemporary urban design is all about connectivity,” says Judy Riley, vice president of design at  Moen Incorporated. “In today’s modern home, we want to connect with our family, our surroundings and the outside world. To achieve this, we are knocking down walls and breaking the barriers built by earlier generations.”

If you don’t have the time – or budget – for more construction-intense projects, there are steps you can take to create the illusion of larger rooms. Choose smaller furniture and position it in a way that leaves as much floor space open as possible. Forgo large, heavy curtains and go for more airy fabrics or light-emitting shades to create a sense of illumination and openness. Choose lighter colors in a similar palette for your furniture, walls and floors.

Modern elements

To take your place from dreary and dated to city chic, incorporate contemporary elements into your decor. Start by adding some standout modern pieces in each room, then build your home’s look around those unique items.

The kitchen and the bathroom are arguably the two most-used rooms in the house, seen by family members and guests alike. Let fashion and function go hand-in-hand with well-placed modern decor that serves a purpose in your home.

In the kitchen, the sink is the hub of all activity, used for everything from prepping dinner to filling your morning coffee pot or water bottle. To make a statement at your sink, add a faucet with geometric styling, like the 90-degree pullout kitchen faucet from Moen. With clean, contemporary styling, this single-handle faucet features an ergonomically designed pullout wand with multiple spray options, including stream, rinse and pause. The 90-degree pullout kitchen faucet is available in LifeShine Classic Stainless and Chrome finishes, to coordinate with contemporary kitchen fixtures and appliances. Because of its clean, single-handle design, the faucet pairs well with solid surface countertops and undermount sink styles.

In large living spaces, re-think traditional furniture and give it a modern twist. Instead of the everyday lumpy, space-hogging recliner, try a contemporary lounge chair. Rather than massive entertainment centers and bookshelves, try a hanging storage center that adds color and light to your room without taking up precious floor space. Or, try bookshelves that are built into the wall – housed between studs or simply on wall-mounted shelving units that allow for use of the floor space beneath.

Clean spaces

Your average city-dweller doesn’t have the time or the space to accumulate home-cluttering extras. “The city is full of noise and disorder,” Riley says. “Modern urban home design calls for a separation from the busyness of the outside world.”

To mimic this minimalist approach in your own home, consider the number of extra gadgets that clutter your kitchen. For instance, do you really need a handheld blender, a countertop blender, a margarita maker and smoothie maker? When was the last time you used your fondue pot, quesadilla maker, juicer or waffle iron? Could you make do without some of these items, clearing precious countertop and cabinet space? If so, log on to freecycle.org and give the unused items away to someone who may actually use them.

Once you’ve removed what you don’t need, you can create the attention and openness that your modern decor deserves. Treat your home as an art gallery, where the spotlight is on a small number of contemporary statement pieces, not scattered among an over-abundance of objects.

You don’t have to pack up and move to the city to evoke an urban feeling in your home decor.  Think open, modern and sleek, and you can create a metropolitan vibe, no matter how far from the city you choose to live. For more information about the 90-degree kitchen collection from Moen, visit moen.com or call (800) BUY-MOEN (800 289-6636).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tech shopping? Beauty meets the best tech in new crop of gadgets

(ARA) – Function alone isn’t enough to sell us on a new piece of technology anymore.  Americans increasingly want their technology to look good – stylish, even – in addition to working well.

“If you’re old enough to remember the huge, clunky-looking ‘car phones’ of the late ’80s and early ’90s, or if you’ve seen them in the movies or on old TV shows, you’ll have some perspective on how technology has evolved toward being beautiful as well as functional,” says Jeanne Benedict, host of DIY Network’s “Weekend Entertaining” and regular contributor to Celebrations.com.

Designers agree that a balance of form and function is essential to appealing and useful home decor. With new wafer-thin, high-definition flat-screen TVs, surround-sound systems with wireless speakers and sleek home telephones  that allow you to receive cell phone calls on your landline, modern home technology is trending toward beauty and usefulness.

If you’re in the market to upgrade your home technology this holiday season, be sure to look for gadgets that blend style and practicality, including:

* LED high-definition, flat-screen TVs that are almost as thin as a sheet of glass. These TVs are ideal for mounting on the wall as a focal point of virtually any room. The flatter the better, and the new generation of TVs are so thin and light, they make their predecessors look like those ’90s chunky car phones. Some manufacturers also offer flat screens in colors to match virtually any home decor – no more settling for just silver or black.

* Sleek new home phones like VTech’s LS6245 combine advanced technology that lets you receive both landline and cellular calls on the cordless handset.  Its fashionable profile fits into virtually any home decor. The phone offers touch-sensitive buttons on the handset and base as well as capabilities that allow you to connect up to four wireless devices such as cellular phones or wireless headsets.

With the ability to make and receive cellular calls on the LS6245 handset or take landline calls with a wireless headset, this phone system helps eliminate problems typically associated with using a cell at home – dropped calls, poor call quality and limited range. The practical VTech LS6245 is available at www.vtechphones.com.

* Wireless technology has made it possible to enjoy surround sound and your favorite DVD without the visual distraction of wires running between the components. From wireless speakers that work with your surround sound system and stereo to flat screens and DVD players that can communicate with each other, technology has eliminated the old problem of ugly – and potentially hazardous – wires throughout your home.

“It’s no longer necessary to sacrifice stylish design and decor-enhancing beauty to get the latest technology for your home,” Benedict says. “Modern product makers are manufacturing better-looking technology that fits with our lifestyles and home decor.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Aging in place can be done with style and grace

(ARA) – Aging in place – updating one’s home to accommodate changing needs and abilities as one ages – doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a home’s style and decor. From attractive lighting designed to work well for aging eyes to barrier-free shower stalls that compete in beauty and practicality with what you might find in a luxury community for those 55 and older, plenty of home modifications now make it possible to age in place gracefully and stylishly.

“It’s no longer necessary to give up your home’s good looks for a more institutional-looking appearance just to achieve a safer, more usable house,” says Eric Kozak of Premier Care In Bathing, leading makers of walk-in baths. “You can age in place and retain the style that makes living in your home comfortable and safe, and maintain your independence at the same time.”

With more than 78 million baby boomers growing older in the United States, aging in place – and how to do it well – is a hot topic for many homeowners. If you’re planning ahead or thinking it’s now time to update your home to accommodate changing needs, keep a few things in mind:

Kitchens and baths are commonly the most challenging rooms in the house for people, like many seniors, with mobility issues. Updating these rooms can go a long way toward helping you stay in and enjoy your own home for as long as possible. “Bathrooms, in particular, pose safety issues. Falls are one of the leading reasons seniors must go into nursing homes and most home falls occur in the bathroom,” Kozak says.

When renovating your bathroom, focus on the important elements, including low-level entryways, accessible grab bars, easy grip faucets and showers with safety screens. Other elements include safer, slip-resistant flooring; brighter, more flexible lighting; and safe access to the shower or bathtub.

Walk in showers

Stepping in and out of a tub or shower is one of the riskiest times for people with mobility challenges. Appropriately placed grab bars – now available in designer colors and textures – can help improve safety in these high-risk areas. Another option that’s high on safety and style is to replace a current shower or tub with a  walk-in shower like those now offered by Premier Care In Bathing, whose walk-in bathtubs have made bathing safer and more convenient for thousands of Americans with mobility issues. The walk-in showers are a good option for wheelchair users or in rooms where a full-size tub is not practical.

Two size options, 48 inches and 60 inches, ensure convenience and luxury. A waist-high, folding screen, designed with proprietary technology, keeps water inside the shower and not on the bathroom floor. From the waist up, you can add your own decorative touch with the shower curtain design of your choice, hung on a gracefully curved rod like the ones found in quality hotel baths. Dual Delta showerheads provide the option of an overhead shower or a hand-held shower, and a safe and relaxing folding seat. Installation can often be done in just a day or two.

Visit www.premier-bathrooms.com or call (800) 578-2899 to learn more.

Flooring

That tile floor that you adored in your 40s can be a slip hazard when you reach your 70s. In fact, any hard bathroom floor surface such as linoleum, vinyl or tile can put you at increased risk of slipping and falling. Carpeting might be a better option, one that is slip resistant and warmer and softer on the feet. Many manufacturers now offer materials that are attractive and able to repel moisture. If installing carpeting isn’t practical for you, use area rugs with sticky backing to help ensure safe footing in high traffic areas, like in front of the commode, sink and bathtub.

Lighting

Aging eyes not only need more light to see, they need better quality light, especially at night. Avoid dim lighting; older eyes need several times more light than younger eyes to see well, experts say. Increase the amount of light in your bathroom and consider using naturally brighter bulbs like compact fluorescent bulbs, which are also energy-efficient.

Be aware of glare, as well. Bright lights bouncing off all-white bathroom surfaces can create glare that makes it difficult to see and navigate for older people, especially at night when they may not be fully awake. If your bath is all white, paint the walls a light color in a finish that will help reduce glare. Use area rugs on white floors to help break up the expanse of white and reduce glare.

“Boomers aging in place will find more options than ever before to do so with style,” Kozak says. “Safety should be your first concern, but you can also enjoy good style and beautiful design as well.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Break out of your color comfort zone this winter

(ARA) – At first thought, winter might not conjure up words like spicy, bold or sunny. It should, though, at least when it comes to the inside of your home. While it might be gray and dreary outside, infusing color into interior decor is one of the quickest ways to create a cozy, inviting living area. And winter is the ideal time to do it.

Adding a shot of color to a space can be done quickly, but it can sometimes be confusing. In fact, mastering the ins and outs of decorating with color can be downright daunting.

“Although people love the idea of incorporating color into their homes, mixing and matching colors, patterns and textures can be an intimidating and overwhelming process,” says Donna Schroeder, color marketing and design manager for Martin-Senour Paints. “Whether it’s wall paint, new furniture or accessories, consumers might not have the confidence to step outside of their ‘color comfort zone’ and experiment with shades they might not normally gravitate toward.”

So, how do you break out of that “color comfort zone?” You can start by using available color tools such as those found in Martin-Senour’s color selector. Not just about wall color, it offers unique tools designed to help you balance the entirety of a home’s interior design as well as room-to-room balance and flow. From wall color to room accents, the color selector is a resource for complete home design.

Having a basic understanding of color and knowing what emotions different colors can evoke also helps. So, if you’re thinking about warming up your home this winter and are contemplating using a paint color that you’ve always wanted to try, but weren’t sure how or where to use it, these tips can help steer you in the right direction:

Red
As the strongest color in the spectrum, red has the greatest emotional impact. Depending on the hue and shade, red resonates with passion, romance, energy and courage. In recent years, it’s become a popular color choice for dining room walls, but the drama of red is also ideal for entryways, living rooms and even bathrooms. The color combination of red with neutrals, such as tans and browns, results in warmth that is certain to carry you through those cold months.

Orange
Orange has evolved throughout the years; think terracotta and copper tones. It enlivens any space and can easily take center stage as a primary wall color, or as an accent color to give a refreshed decor a bit of much-needed punch. When paired with blues or purples, a spicier orange can be very powerful. For a more subdued effect, combine it with warmer colors like reds and deep, welcoming greens.

Yellow
There is no better color to radiate warmth in your home than yellow, but don’t underestimate the intensity of this color. Bright, strong yellows on walls are almost always best saved for an area like the kitchen because they are said to increase attentiveness and have “wake up” qualities. Creamier yellows – think the paleness of fresh butter – are popular in living rooms and can even translate well into bedrooms when joined with a classic red or blue.

Purple
Purples have a powerful connection with our spiritual and introspective side. Because purple has varying degrees of red and blue in it, it’s easily paired with many complementary colors such as yellow, orange and softer greens. When slightly redder, purple can be vivacious and exciting; when slightly bluer it can be restful. If you’re using purple for a room, decide whether the room is designed to entice drama, as with an eggplant-hued purple, or cast an air of relaxation and reflection, as found in a hydrangea shade.

Red, orange, yellow or purple, no matter what color you decide to use to help shut out those dark, chilly winter days, keep in mind that all colors can evoke powerful effects in any room. Understanding the basic building blocks of color can help you harness that power and create the stunning color schemes you’ve always wanted.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Caption 1: Reddish purple can be vivacious and exciting. Slightly bluer hues can be restful.

Caption 2: Creamy yellows – think the paleness of fresh butter – are popular in living rooms. There is no better color to radiate warmth in your home.

Make your home more inviting this season

(ARA) – With the turn of the season, your home may need some freshening after the sand, sweat and fun of summer guests. According to the recent Glade Sense & Spray Fresh Facts survey, more than 75 percent of women are embarrassed by odors in their home. As families make their way indoors and begin closing up the windows, moms turn to smart and easy solutions for keeping our homes fresh, inviting and smelling great. In fact, 32 percent of women admit to noticing scent first when they enter the home, according to the survey.

Lifestyle expert, author and Savvy Mommy Victoria Pericon knows how important it is to keep her home smelling fresh for her family and guests. Between being a mother of three and founder of the award-winning parenting Web site SavvyMommy.com, Pericon tries to make sure her home is ready when the seasons change.

“As my family moves from the outdoors in, it’s important for me to keep our home looking and smelling fresh,” says Pericon. “With the kids heading back to school and the weather turning cooler, I take a few simple steps to make my home appealing and welcoming.”

Check out these tips Pericon uses to keep her home revitalized:
Create a Cozy Oasis – Get bedding ready for cold weather by bringing out flannel sheets and putting extra blankets on the beds. Place a few throws throughout the home so it’s easy to find a cozy nook.

Swap Shorts for Sweaters – Help your family get organized for the cooler months by swapping out shorts and swimsuits with scarves and jackets. Have each family member look for items that they no longer wear to donate to a local charity.

Keep It Fresh – The majority of women (64 percent) say a clean smell means a clean home, according to the Fresh Facts survey. Keep the bathroom smelling fresh with new Glade Sense & Spray Clear Springs. It is specially formulated to eliminate unwelcome odors while freshening the air and has a built-in motion sensor with a 30-minute lockout mode, so it automatically freshens only when you need it.

Bring In Warm Colors – Brighten up decorations with deeper colors that fit the season such as deep purples, rosy reds and vibrant oranges. Set out a bowl of apples, squash or mini pumpkins; or gather leaves and let the kids make a collage.

Plan Outdoor Activities – Cooler days don’t have to mean hibernation. Make a list of fun activities for the whole family to do together outside, such as visiting a pumpkin patch or going apple picking or hiking.

As the weather turns cooler, make sure your home is clean, organized and refreshed. For more tips on how to help make your home more inviting, visit www.glade.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent