Sunday, November 28, 2010

Quick, Easy and Budget Friendly Remodeling & Decor Ideas from Selection Center for the Holidays!

With the holidays upon us, there’s plenty to do to get ready for holiday guests. Here are some inexpensive and quick home remodel and decorating projects that can wow your guests without breaking the budget.

Painting Walls
Changing the color of a room can change the feeling of the entire space – with darker days in the winter months consider a brighter color or warmer tone to add some life to your space. This simple project can be done in a day and is really inexpensive, with a gallon of paint running about $10-$20 depending on the brand, color and finish.


Adding a Tile Backsplash
This is one of those details that can really make a kitchen feel complete. Not only does it help with easy maintenance and cleanup in the kitchen, but it adds some luxury as well. There’s a variety of products on the market ranging from more natural travertine to shiny glass or porcelain. Eco-friendly options are also available. In the Nashville area, Floors by Design has a variety of products available that can be installed before Christmas – visit them online at www.selectioncenter.com/tile.html.

New Countertops
There’s plenty of cooking going on in every kitchen around throughout the holiday season. A quick way to update any kitchen and to give it that clean, polished look is by adding new granite countertops. The affordability of granite is surprising to most – with new installed countertops for only $36.80/sq.ft. or remnants for bathroom vanities starting at $10/sq.ft. Countertop installation is simple and can be done in as little as four hours with tear-out of your old countertops on the same day, giving your kitchen very little downtime. If you’re in the Middle Tennessee area check out Granite Direct online at http://www.granitedirectstore.com/ for more information about this product and to request a free estimate.

Fresh Window Coverings
Adding a pop of color around a window can not only brighten a space, but it can renew the look in a living room, bedroom, dining room or family room. This simple statement can add a flare that your space may need and by choosing an energy efficient option, it can also help cut those winter heating bills.

Add a Guest Bed
Wondering where everyone is going to sleep this Christmas Eve when those guests arrive? Ever considered a Murphy bed? This hideaway bed is a great alternative to a sofa bed or futon, providing your visitors with the full comfort of a regular bed with easy convenience for you. More Space Place in Nashville offers a wide variety of Murphy bed sizes, styles and options. Visit www.selectioncenter.com/murphybeds.html for more information and request a free quote to find out how affordable this option really is!



Give Your Space Some Flair
Beyond the traditional holiday décor – adding a few new throw pillows, wall art, a mirror or lamp can change the atmosphere of a space. The usual holiday garb is always fun to mix in and you may even find some of the aforementioned items available with a festive twist. Accessories are easy to shop for and usually affordable too. Check local department stores of discount retailers for some unique items to give your home a little more style this holiday season.



There are countless ways to give your home extra warmth this winter, one or all of these projects might be on your list before December 25th – visit http://www.selectioncenter.com/ for more great remodeling ideas and stop by our showroom at 2960 Sidco Drive in Nashville or call 615.726.3755 for more information. As always, estimates are free and we would love to help you dream up new and exciting things for your home!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Granite Countertop and Kitchen Ideas from Granite Direct



Here are some more great granite pictures and kitchen ideas from Granite Direct that is part of Selection Center here in Nashville, TN. Start dreaming of what your kitchen might look like with upgrades ranging from new countertops to a complete remodel. For more information visit us online at www.GraniteDirectStore.com or call 615.726.3755.

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"Granite Countertop and Kitchen Ideas from Granite Direct" was shared by Selection Center. Selection Center is a home remodeling showroom located in Nashville, TN.

About Selection Center:
Our 9,000 square foot showroom is the largest in Middle Tennessee and has interactive displays for every room in the home. We offer a broad range of products and design services such as cabinetry, countertops, flooring, backsplash, appliances, custom closets, Murphy beds and more. Companies within Selection Center include Designer Kitchen Distributors, Floors by Design, Granite Direct, More Space Place and Siano Appliances. For more information visit www.SelectionCenter.com or call 615.726.3755.

Friday, November 12, 2010

8 Ideas of No Cost and Low Cost Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

Are you thinking about selling your home? Is your listing not showing as well as it could? Check out these great budget friendly tips from REALTOR® Magazine to make that house shine and to get it sold!

8 No-Cost and Low-Cost Ways to Tweak Your Listings

Got a listing that needs a new look? Here are some inexpensive ways to make it shine.

By Maggie Sieger


Chances are the decor in that listing you just took is a lot like most people's wardrobes: There are a few items that went out of style a decade ago, but they're so comfortable that it's impossible to see them go.


"We grow accustomed to our space, and we stop seeing it," says Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend, design, and brand for Lowe's, the home improvement giant. "People tend to become blind to their own things."


But everything needs updating eventually. Birdsong suggests home owners cast a fresh eye on their living space, pretending that they've just moved in and are assessing the previous occupant's design choices.


Betsy Westman, a broker-owner with Westman Realty in Grand Rapids, Mich., says real estate professionals can have a big impact on updating a home's look by helping clients brainstorm new ideas and by being straightforward about outmoded design elements. The following tips can help get a home up-to-date without breaking the bank.



1. Move it.
Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel.


2. Plant it.
Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room. Just drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters. Small plants can be moved easily and regrouped to change a room's look, while larger ones make a statement on their own.


Group plants of differing heights, fullness, and color for the most dramatic effect. Jettison the scraggly specimens, Westman says. "It's important to have plants that are well maintained and in tip-top condition."


3. Paint it.
Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change. Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces. When selecting colors, "be sure to ask, 'What am I trying to do? How do I want this to feel?'" Birdsong says. "And always, always do a test before you paint the whole room."


4. Organize it.
"Clutter just happens," Birdsong says. "So neaten up!" She advocates a variety of organizing tools to make a space feel polished while maintaining utility. Hooks and shelves inside the door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail. "Just a row of hooks preattached on a board is so easy to install," she says. "And shelves are a great way to neatly display collectibles."


5. Hide it.
Have a banged-up wall? It may be easy to camouflage. Paintable wallpaper (available for as little as $16/roll from Creative Wallcovering) will smooth out an uneven wall or hide minor dents and dings. Adventurous home owners can even try a simple two-step painting process for a more complex finish. Birdsong suggests applying a solid base coat, then a glaze.


"These days, it's pretty user-friendly," she says. Caution: Your intent should never be to mislead buyers; be sure to disclose flaws that would affect home value.


6. Replace it.
Cabinet handles, switch plates, and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece. Westman suggests scanning each room to see what looks worn or outdated and then replacing it. Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of your bathroom a snap. Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store. Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread. Others require just four inches.


"And don't forget the toilet seat," adds Westman. "Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new."


7. Light it.
Lighting can have a major impact on a home's look and feel. Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try "layering" the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps. Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will.


"Light is such a mood setter," Westman says. "You can create a cozy feel just by turning down the lights." Add dimmers in the dining room, bathrooms, kitchen, and even the hallways for less than $4 each. Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want.


8. Clean it.
Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it's up to snuff. Scrub grout and seal natural stone. Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover. "Get down on your hands and knees and detail the floors," Birdsong says. "It takes a little elbow grease, but the results are well worth it." Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

http://tinyurl.com/2uz4c65

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“8 Ideas of No Cost and Lost Cost Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell” was shared by Selection Center. Selection Center is a home remodeling showroom located in Nashville, TN.

About Selection Center:

Our 9,000 square foot showroom is the largest in Middle Tennessee and has interactive displays for every room in the home. We offer a broad range of products and design services such as cabinetry, countertops, flooring, backsplash, appliances, custom closets, Murphy beds and more. Companies within Selection Center include Designer Kitchen Distributors, Floors by Design, Granite Direct, More Space Place and Siano Appliances. For more information visit www.selectioncenter.com or call 615.726.3755.