The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper


Vol. 17 No. 37 - June 28, 2017

REAL ESTATE

Summer fluff and faux

 

It's summer – time for the fluff that makes life bearable. Other parts of the country embrace the relief from winter by spending as much time outdoors as possible, while Floridians spend as much time indoors as possible, taking it slow and easy on those hot humid days. What better time to do a little fluffing up inside your cool air conditioned home, and here are some trendy home solutions published by Pinterest.

Pinterest is the go to online decoration website used by committed do it yourselfers and probably secretly read by professional decorators. Its Home Work Report for 2017 includes some interesting new trends that are also functional and perfect for the tropical lifestyle. Here are the top eight:

Faux finishes – certainly not new to home decorating, but having somewhat of a rebirth after years of being considered old school. Renters and homeowners, who need or want a quick fix, will love faux wall coverings like stick-on subway tiles and faux-marble, a nice touch to upscale your bathroom.

It's all about the pink, we live in Florida surrounded by aqua water, so what better color to offset the tropical colors than pink, which also happens to be trending right now. Remember the pink bathroom tiles from the 50s? Check your grandmother's basement for a left-over box and go crazy with a gallon of pale pink paint.

Hygge – what is it and what does it mean? It's a Danish word which translates to cozy or charming and simple. So hygge-up your home by using warm hues and materials to create a soft relaxing environment.

Round mirrors – did you ever think that the design of a mirror would make all the difference in your room? Well circular mirrors are apparently giving the feel of a room fresh and new compared to traditional rectangular.

Alternative storage – we all need more storage, so forget the closets and go for the containers. Vintage trunks, baskets and luggage are used for storage right out in the open or as part of a closet design. And don't forget your kitchen pantry. Baskets are perfect for organizing anything that comes in a bag.

Leaving everyday items on display, is my absolute favorite. Your son's size 13 tennis shoes may not be what Pinterest had in mind, unless they're in a basket near the garage door, but your collection of hats may be ready for prime time. Straw hats artfully displayed on an accent wall near your entry and your husband's collection of colorful baseball hats on a wall in the family room is both efficient and decorative.

Vertical bars – Pinterest also liked the efficiency of a vertical bar hidden within a closet for homes and condos with small space. It's a great idea if you have an extra closet to convert, and at the end of the night, just close the door.

Wallpaper in the bath – personally, I've always liked wallpaper in bathrooms, probably a left over from my parent's house. But it's also a great way to hide a multitude of blemishes on bathroom walls without a makeover and adds interest and color to a small space. Buy the kind that you can easily put up and tear down when its time for a change.

So that's my summer fluff report. When it's too hot to ride your bike or rollerblade down Gulf Drive, browse the antique shops, specialty shops, wallpaper stores. Take on a project in your cool home. When you're done, you'll be all ready for the fall entertaining or selling season.


AMISUN ~ The Island's Award-Winning Newspaper