Wall Art: Wallpaper Accents in Small Doses

Wallpaper has been making a comeback over the last few years and is once again on many designers’ top trends list for 2021. The latest trend in wallpaper, however, may be less of a long-term commitment. Self-adhesive, removable wallpaper is growing in popularity. This can allow homeowners and stagers to use wallpaper in small doses without the pain of removal.

Wallpaper can bring a dramatic change to a space. But gone are the days where wallpaper is being used floor-to-ceiling for every room in the house. Instead, wallpaper is being used for accent walls or even just part of a wall.

Here are some ways it’s being used to dress up spaces around the home.

Above the molding

Some homeowners are using wallpaper in the dining room above the chair rail or in a bathroom above the molding.

Photo by Gemma Parker Design, LLC(link is external) - Browse dining room photos(link is external)

Photo by Patterson Custom Homes(link is external) - Look for powder room pictures(link is external)

Accent walls

Photo by Paper Moon Painting(link is external) - Look for bedroom design inspiration(link is external)

Closets and mudrooms

Wallpaper can also be used to dress up closets or mudrooms as well as draw attention to a small reading nook.

Photo by JPM Construction(link is external) - Discover home bar design inspiration(link is external)

Photo by - More entryway ideas(link is external)

Photo by Brewster Home Fashions(link is external) - Search home design design ideas(link is external)
Wall Art: Wallpaper Accents in Small Doses

What Is the Strongest Tailwind to Today’s Recovering Economy?

243SHARES
0
143
7
93

Last year started off with a bang. Unemployment was under 4%, forecasters were giddy with their projections for the economy, and the residential housing market had the strongest January and February activity in over a decade.

Then came the announcement on March 11, 2020, from the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. Two days later, the White House declared it a national emergency. Businesses and schools were forced to close, shelter-in-place mandates were enacted, and the economy came to a screeching halt. As a result, unemployment in this country skyrocketed to 14.9%.

A year later, the economy is recovering, and the U.S. has regained more than half of the jobs that were originally lost. However, some businesses are still closed, and many schools are still struggling to reopen. Despite the past and current challenges, there is one industry that’s proven to be a tailwind helping to counter all of these headwinds to our economy. That industry is housing. Remarkably, the residential real estate market (including existing homes and new construction) has flourished over the last twelve months. Sales are up, prices are appreciating, and more new homes are being built. The housing market has been a pillar of strength in an otherwise slowly recovering economy.

How does the real estate market help the economy?

At the beginning of the pandemic, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released a report that explained:

“Real estate has been, and remains, the foundation of wealth building for the middle class and a critical link in the flow of goods, services, and income for millions of Americans. Accounting for nearly 18% of the GDP, real estate is clearly a major driver of the U.S. economy.”

The report calculated the total economic impact of real estate-related industries on the economy as well as the expenditures that resulted from a single home sale. At a national level, their research revealed that a single newly constructed home had an economic impact of $88,416.

Here’s how it breaks down:The map below shows the impact by state:The impact of an existing home sale is approximately $40,000.

Real estate has done more for our economic wellbeing than virtually any other industry over the last year. It’s been a beacon of light during a very challenging time in our nation’s history.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re buying a newly constructed home or one that already exists, you’re making a positive economic impact in your local community – and it’s a step toward your homeownership goals as well.

Will the Housing Market Bloom This Spring?

For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, New Construction, Pricing

Will the Housing Market Bloom This Spring?

330SHARES
0
166
20
144

Spring is almost here, and many are wondering what it will bring for the housing market. Even though the pandemic continues on, it’s certain to be very different from the spring we experienced at this time last year. Here’s what a few industry experts have to say about the housing market and how it will bloom this season.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist, realtor.com:

“Despite early weakness, we expect to see new listings grow in March and April as they traditionally do heading into spring, and last year’s extraordinarily low new listings comparison point will mean year over year gains. One other potential bright spot for would-be homebuyers, new construction, which has risen at a year over year pace of 20% or more for the last few months, will provide additional for-sale inventory relief.”

Ali Wolf, Chief Economist, Zonda:

“Some people will feel comfortable listing their home during the first half of 2021. Others will want to wait until the vaccines are widely distributed. This suggests more inventory will be for sale in late 2021 and into the spring selling season in 2022.”

Freddie Mac:

“Since reaching a low point in January, mortgage rates have risen by more than 30 basis points… However, the rise in mortgage rates over the next couple of months is likely to be more muted in comparison to the last few weeks, and we expect a strong spring sales season.”

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First American:

“As the housing market heads into the spring home buying season, the ongoing supply and demand imbalance all but assures more house price growth…Many find it hard to believe, but housing is actually undervalued in most markets and the gap between house-buying power and sale prices indicates there’s room for further house price growth in the months to come.”

Bottom Line

The experts are very optimistic about the housing market right now. If you pressed pause on your real estate plans over the winter, reach out to a local real estate professional to determine how you can re-engage in the homebuying process this spring.

Basement Organization: Installing Shelves, Bins and Racks

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/basement-organization-installing-shelves-bins-and-racks

Basement Organization: Installing Shelves, Bins and Racks

Written by Niki (Team) Hampton
on Oct 21, 2009

Reviewed by
Dawn Hammon
on Apr 28, 2020

4-10 hours
•
Beginner
•
0-500

Organization is simple using shelves, bins, and racks. Basements are typically constructed with concrete floors and walls. Install your organization system using drop-in concrete anchors and create a sturdy storage structure. Drop-in anchors are suitable for light to heavy load applications and they are easy to install.

Step 1 - Shelves, Bins or Racks?

Begin your installation by assessing your needs for basement storage. First, create a list of all the things you would like to store. Add room for expansion. Then organize your list into storage groups and visualize how best each group can fit into shelves, bins or racks. Save your list as an inventory.

Continue reading belowOur Video of the Day

309.5K

Plan Your Next Bathroom Remodel with Proper Storage for These 5 Items

Shelving is most suitable if you need the flexibility to change your plan or store different size objects and containers. Shelving installed using a standard shelf and bracket system offers layout flexibility as shelving can be easily added, deleted, and moved around by simply moving the brackets to different slots on the shelf standards. Shelving will support light to medium weight objects and books.

Bins are nice if you have lots of the small objects that you don’t mind mixing together. Bins are ideal for storing loose objects that otherwise would be difficult to contain. Bins can also protect your storage from dust, humidity, and rodents in your basement.

Racks are great for large or heavy objects that are self contained. Well marked, heavy duty cartons or crates work best on racking systems. You can assemble sturdy basement racking systems using low cost, basic hardware supplies.

Step 2 - Lay Out

Draw or use masking tape to lay out the organization system on your concrete floor and wall. Protect yourself by planning ample room to bend your knees, using appropriate lifting techniques, to load and unload your basement organization system. Planning enough room for two people to handle large loads will save your back in the long run.

Step 3 - Basement Organization System Installation

Basement organization systems must be anchored securely to your basement to prevent collapse. This is especially important in seismic areas vulnerable to earthquakes. Most pre-manufactured basement organization structures incorporate a means for attachment into their design. Drop-in concrete anchors are ideal devices to secure your basement organization structure.

What is a Drop-In Anchor?

Drop-in anchors are available at local building supply stores. They are cylinder shaped, zinc or stainless plated devices intended for use as concrete anchors. When installed correctly, they leave behind a sturdy, standard, female thread flush with the surface of the concrete. Simply bolt your organization system into the drop-in anchor. Drop-in anchors are suitable for floors, walls, and ceilings.

Verify that the load capacity of the drop-in anchor will handle your structure when fully loaded. Increase the number of anchors or increase the size of the anchor if needed. Also consider upgrading your basement lighting to accommodate your organization system.