Choosing the Right Interior Paint Color for Your Home

The style of your home interior sets the tone for your living environment and how you and your guests feel when you are inside your home. One of the biggest factors to consider when decorating your home is paint color. Different colors better complement different types of architecture, and different colors create different energies and feelings within your home.

So, how do you determine which paint colors to use?  Here are a few tips:

• Decide what theme or mood you want for your home. This will help you narrow down which color schemes to focus on. Do you want your home to be more dramatic? Do you want it to be brighter? Do you want it to be more colorful and fun? Do you prefer monochromatic ambiance?
• Consider your existing furniture, art, and flooring. Select a color that will blend well with the current color of your furniture, so it does not seem out of place.
• Compare different color combinations. Do some research on color combinations to learn more about traditional color palettes, those that are most trendy, etc. This will give you an organized starting point, so you can have some guidance when picking out colors.
• Test your colors. Oftentimes, what you see on the screen or on paper does not necessarily look the same when it is applied to your walls. The look of paint depends on a lot of factors, including the type of lighting in your home and the sheen you choose. Test your colors prior to purchasing all of your paint, so you can be sure you have picked the right color, and you don’t waste money on paint that isn’t right.
• Consult experts. If you are at a loss of how to paint your home, hire an interior designer to help you identify the perfect colors. You can also ask a professional home painter for advice, as they will have a lot of experience with viewing which shades look best in different environments.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

New OKC Housing Center to Provide Shelter to the Homeless

In this time of economic unrest, many people have found themselves without a roof over their head, or even a bed to sleep in. In some worst cases, these unfortunates suffer from mental, physical, or emotional sickness with absolutely no access to treatment.

The Homeless Alliance is hoping to provide for medically vulnerable homeless people through a housing development set to open this year. The complex will be able to offer shelter to the homeless and care to those who are suffering from untreated medical conditions.

The proposed facility for the homeless will be located within the organization’s WestTown Resource Center. It will have 20 dormitory-style rooms and will help keep residents near social services and medical care.

According to the organization, the new facility is built with a goal of providing the utmost care to homeless people who are medically vulnerable. There will be various benefits available including medical care, case management and legal assistance.

The new homeless center is said to cost around $1.35 million. $670,000 of the $1.35 million comes from a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Choosing the Right Interior Paint Color for Your Home

The style of your home interior sets the tone for your living environment and how you and your guests feel when you are inside your home. One of the biggest factors to consider when decorating your home is paint color. Different colors better complement different types of architecture, and different colors create different energies and feelings within your home.

So, how do you determine which paint colors to use?  Here are a few tips:

• Decide what theme or mood you want for your home. This will help you narrow down which color schemes to focus on. Do you want your home to be more dramatic? Do you want it to be brighter? Do you want it to be more colorful and fun? Do you prefer monochromatic ambiance?
• Consider your existing furniture, art, and flooring. Select a color that will blend well with the current color of your furniture, so it does not seem out of place.
• Compare different color combinations. Do some research on color combinations to learn more about traditional color palettes, those that are most trendy, etc. This will give you an organized starting point, so you can have some guidance when picking out colors.
• Test your colors. Oftentimes, what you see on the screen or on paper does not necessarily look the same when it is applied to your walls. The look of paint depends on a lot of factors, including the type of lighting in your home and the sheen you choose. Test your colors prior to purchasing all of your paint, so you can be sure you have picked the right color, and you don’t waste money on paint that isn’t right.
• Consult experts. If you are at a loss of how to paint your home, hire an interior designer to help you identify the perfect colors. You can also ask a professional home painter for advice, as they will have a lot of experience with viewing which shades look best in different environments.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Choosing the Best Ceiling Fan for Your Home

No matter the season, a ceiling fan always has a relevant use in your home. Whether you’re cooling off your house during the warm months of summer, or circulating hot air to keep your home temperate during winter, there’s always a benefit to having a quality ceiling fan. Another advantage of purchasing a fan is that it saves money on your utility bills. Ceiling fans cut down a great deal on heating and cooling costs year round.

There are a variety of different choices available to you when it comes to ceiling fans.  Let’s talk about the most practical choices for your lifestyle.

First of all, you will want to consider the size of the room when you are trying to find the best fans for your home. Ceiling fans come in a wide range of different sizes, and the size of the room should be the basis for deciding the size of your ceiling fan. You will want to opt for a smaller fan if you are buying fans for a smaller room.

Low ceilings require a different type of fan compared to high ceilings. High ceilings need a fan with down-rods, as these will circulate the air across the living space. Low ceilings should be fitted with a flush-mount or hugger fan.

Your fan’s motor type is a vital aspect in its performance ability. There are two basic varieties of motor for fan; these are friction drive and direct drive motors. Direct drive motors are the simplest selection as they require fewer elements to operate. Direct drive motors are quite costly, but will be worth the additional expense if you are looking for a long term venting solution.

One final thing to look for in a ceiling fan is reviews from other customers. Make sure you can see what has worked and what hasn’t worked for other customers in order to save time and the hassle of having to return a dysfunctional unite.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

New CNG Minibuses for OKC Public Schools

Compressed natural gas transportation options are not only an economically-friendly alternative to traditional travel, but they are also more efficient. Natural gas is cheaper than most petroleum products and contains far less pollutants. Additionally, it is among one of the cleanest burning fuels with incredibly low levels of toxic emissions.

In Oklahoma City, three new minibuses will be added to the fleet serving students in Oklahoma City Public Schools. The three minibuses are CNG powered and will be a massive asset to the city considering their benefits to the overall cost of transportation.

According to district officials, the three new CNG buses will be serving 10,000 students every day. It is expected to travel 100 miles a day and will be able to seat up to 29 students in each bus. The new buses will be serving a 136 mile area of the city. Each bus cost a lease of $785 per month. Midwest Bus Sales will be providing the CNG bus and have offered a discount to the district for a three-year lease on the three buses. Midwest Bus Sales representatives present a savings of $10,000 per bus during the lease contract to the city.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Choosing the Right Front Entry Doors to Add Value to Your Home

If you are interested in updating the look of your home, a simple thing you can do to create a big impact is to install new front entry doors. Updating your entryway provides an instant facelift and can actually increase your home’s resale value. In fact, a recent study found that an improved entryway increased the perceived value of a home by nearly $8,000. Not a bad return on investment.

Security and weather resistance are two main factors to consider when looking for a new front door. You want a door that will keep out unwanted intruders and the natural elements, yet still have style to make it an aesthetically pleasing addition to your home.

Front entry doors can be made of almost any material, ranging from  wood and wood composite to steel, fibreglass, and aluminium. If you want to go for a more traditional look, wood is the best material to use in order to achieve that. Wood doors are often the most expensive, but they are also highly resistant to dents and wear and tear. That makes them a more economical choice in the long run because they can last for years as long as they are properly maintained.

If you want a sturdier option while still retaining the natural feel of a wood door, then you should consider fibreglass. It does not rust, shrink, or swell and is incredibly weather-resistant. It isn’t prone to scratches or dents and is less expensive than solid wood.

Steel doors can withstand extreme weather and are great for security purposes. They are also cheaper than the wood and fibreglass doors. Nowadays, you can even purchase steel doors that are laminated with a wood veneer to give them a more natural feel at a fraction of the cost.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Space Saving Ideas for Your Small Kitchen

We know that some of our kitchens are smaller than would be ideal for our situation.  The most popular solution to this problem is a complete kitchen remodel.  While this is an effective approach, it is also one of the most costly home renovation endeavours to undertake.  A more moderate and reasonable approach would be to organize your kitchen in such a way as to optimize the space you have to work with.

First, optimize your wall space.  Mount rows of racks in any appropriate locations over your counters or stove. Use S-hooks to hang kitchen tools and install a magnetic knife rack.

Install rails or hooks under cupboards instead of trying to force them into your already overflowing kitchen drawers.  Cabinet doors and sides of cupboards can be surprising useful as storage areas. The external sides of cabinets or the inside of pantry doors are perfect for hanging oven mitts, dish cloths and light gadgets. Hanging up your cooking utensils will not only make them easy to reach, but they can also inject visual interest on otherwise plain walls.

If you have high ceilings, try a custom-made rail for hanging wine glasses or mugs. This can create a stunning mid-air attraction and save you considerable storage space.

If you extremely bereft of space, but still require a table to be in close vicinity to your kitchen, consider acquiring a fold-out table.  Tabletops that can be attached to a wall on one side with a hinge are available in the market. When you’re done using the table, you can simply pull out the support and the table top lays flat against the wall, so there’s no blocking the traffic flow through your already congested kitchen.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

2015 Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show

Looking to find the hottest new home trends this year? Want to learn more expert tips on how to breathe new life into your home and garden? Come to this year’s Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show! The 2015 Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show will be held this coming weekend for an entire three days running!

This year, learn professional tips to improve the visual appeal of your home. Stay up-to-date with new ideas, innovative products and cost-efficient design techniques. You can also ask the experts on home repair about all topics ranging from how to deal with common home design mistakes to the easiest DIY maintenance projects!

Celebrity guests for 2015 are Kevin O’Connor, Don Engebretson, Darlene Broderick and Matt Fox. Kevin O’Connor, host of “This Old House” will be sharing some of the greatest highlights of the television show within the past 35 years. Don Engebretson “The Renegade Gardener” will relive the past 15 years of his gardening experience with you.

Darlene Broderick is from Clutter Buster, here to help you maximize your organizational space and . She will be available on Friday 3pm on the Lifestyle Stage. Matt Fox is the host of “Room by Room”, the first home improvement show on the HGTV network. Matt Fix will be present on the Lifestyle stage alongside Darlene.

Come, be inspired by these revolutionary icons at the Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show this coming January 16^th through 18^th at the State Fair Park of Oklahoma.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Creating a Cool Bedroom for Your Teens

As your kids become teenagers, they start craving more independence, and they like their bedrooms to  reflect their individuality. Oftentimes, a teenager’s bedroom is the only place they can call their own, so feeling in control over the way it looks is important to them – especially since they spend so much time in there.  If you have teens, it’s time to get creative in helping them create a space that feeds their need for independence, while still looking nice within your home.

Creating a cool bedroom for your teen can be a fun activity for both of you. Allow your teen to make most of the decisions, including the selection of wall color.  Colors that stimulate one teen may or may not work for another; so let them choose what they feel most connected to.  Stop by the paint store and have them pick out three of four colors they like. Then, go home and paint blocks of each of the colors on their wall and leave them up for several days. That will allow you to see which color looks best in the room in relation to the size of the room and the lighting within it.

Furniture can be the most expensive part of a bedroom design, so this is an area where you can exert more control in order to keep your teen’s needs within a realistic budget. Ask your teen for their input and encourage them to express themselves through the smaller pieces of furniture in their room, so they can experiment with more affordable options. Consider carefully the type of furniture you invest in. For instance, a writing desk is a practical piece of furniture because it can be both aesthetically appealing and highly functional when they have homework to do. Just make sure that you buy one that is large enough to fit a computer and books at the same time.

Their bed should feel comfortable, but it can also be a great place to add personal touches that reflect their style. The colors and patterns of the bedspread are a natural place to insert personality. Also make use of throw pillows to decorate the bed. You can also add a bedside table and lamp in case they want to read before bed.

Ultimately, teens crave a place they can call their own. The more you are involved in helping them achieve that, the happier both of you will be with the results. Encourage their self-expression and show them that you care by decorating together. It will be a fun experience that gives you a chance to bond and make your teen feel appreciated.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Garden Lighting for Your Home

The correct lighting can add versatility to your home’s garden space as well as create a welcoming environment for get-togethers and evening functions. Garden lights can transform any yard, whether you have a formal flower garden or an elaborately landscaped backyard.

Outdoor lights are often available in several various styles and types, of which many of the most popular types are also the most affordable. Numerous homeowners now prefer garden path lighting to other alternatives due to the creative flexibility it gives them. These lights greatly improve the natural beauty of your garden and are also very useful as safety features for your house.

Some of the most popular outdoor garden lighting also includes spotlights. They are used primarily for visual effects rather than for area lighting. Spotlights allow you to showcase specific regions of your garden and are perfect ways to highlight the strongest features of your house.

Lanterns and overhead garden lights are also widely found in many home landscapes, truly enhancing their splendour. These offer a warm ambient light which illuminates large areas of your garden. Most oftentimes, they are powered by gas, oil, electricity, or in some cases, solar power.  The only reservation you may have regarding solar powered garden lights is that in many cases, they do not produce enough light to effectively light a large area.

There are also decorative lights which are purely ornamental in nature. They often come in whimsical shapes, such as mushrooms, animals, or flowers.  Solar-powered garden lights are often used for these delightful additions to your garden.

Creating a theme with your lighting is a creative way to model your yard. For instance, using rustic outdoor lanterns can create a distinctive romantic and ornate environment which may be suitable for old-fashioned and Victorian homes. Find a theme that fits your home get imaginative!

A modern minimalist’s approach to outdoor lanterns is perfectly embodied in Japanese-inspired gardens in the modern home setting. This environment is composed of distinct, clean and sleek surfaces which work to embody a more impressive landscape.

Garden lighting can be the best avenue to beautify a landscape as well as to add value to a house.  Nothing can make your home’s magnificence stand out quite like a perfect lighting scheme.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031