The Strangest Homes You've Ever Seen

In event of the season, I’ve decided to stray a little from the norm, and instead of writing about interesting décor ideas, real estate, or the comings and goings of Austin folk, I’ve decided to take on something different. Today, I want to share with you some of the strangest and weirdest homes ever built. 

1-     Everingham Rotating House in Taree, Australia

This is an octagonal house that actually rotates a full 30 degrees with a few mechanical buttons. The rotating device consists of 32 outrigger wheels powered by two 500 watt electric motors, allowing the owner to spin the house whenever he wants. The process takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours.

2-     The Nautilus

This is a seashell shaped home that was finished in 2006.  It is a prime example of the new bio-architecture trend, a style that immitates animals and creatures. The Nautilus  is made like a crustacean Shell and filled with lots of vegetation and small trees. 

3-     The Montesilo in Woodland Utah

This is an award-winning home that was created when two corrugated grain silos where joined together. This is a neat way of repurposing an existing product. 

4- The Steel House in Lubbock Texas

This Steel home was built around 1974 but what makes it so interesting is that the structure is more like a sculpture than a home. The owner makes constant changes and the overall weight is about 110 tons. 

5- The Mushroom House in Cincinnati, Ohio

What makes this home unique is the undulating wood work and the strange shapes.  This is a home made of many different materials, which is what makes it so different and strange. The interior is just as oddly shaped as the exterior, yet very artistic.

What makes a kitchen remodel work?

It’s important that you know what you should and more importantly, what you shouldn't do when it comes to remodeling your kitchen. Almost everyone has that terrible “kitchen remodel” story to share. They often go on to tell you what they would have done differently. It doesn't matter whether this is a neighbor with his never ending remodel or the story told and retold of a friend of a friend who couldn't get a contractor to get along with the architect.  To prevent yourself from falling into the kitchen remodel trap, you can protect yourself from falling into these first-timer kitchen remodel mistakes.

Look at the Big Picture First

While it may be fun shopping for appliances or looking at new counter tops, you need to stop for a minute; you first need to focus on the big picture. Think of your lifestyle and what use you’ll give your kitchen before you start the design process. Your lifestyle can determine the types of materials, appliances and design elements you need.

Forget about Fad

Be careful when looking at what is in style. A kitchen design should last between 10 to 15 years, so you don’t want to go with something that is in style now, but later out of fashion. Be careful with trendy colors and short lived shapes. Remember, what works for you today may not work for you tomorrow.

DIY Projects Are not Always Cheap

Most people think that doing the renovation project themselves is the best way to save money but this isn't necessarily so. Many aspects of a kitchen remodel require professionals with specific experience.  Hire licensed and skilled professionals to complete certain parts of the work. Design service can often be just as affordable as the big-box retailer.

 Bottom Line

When it comes to designing your kitchen you need to take the time to do it right, plan it out. It’s not all about shopping. You need to think about functionality and use first, and then hire professionals that will give you exactly what you want, not tell you what you need.

How to Choose the Right Bathroom Decor

Contemporary bathroom design is entirely a matter of personal choice. Imagination and creativity. But you can get a few more ideas by looking online, saving pictures that you like and by shopping for fixtures that work with the contemporary look you want.  

 Make Your Bathroom A Focal Point

The design and finish of this room reflects your personal choice; it is a reflection of your personality, and because you only remodel a bathroom sporadically you want to make . Just keep in mind the following aspects when working with contemporary styling:

• Contemporary bathroom design is simple, clean and offers a non-messy look.
• Each piece of furniture is as important as the other in modern designing trends.

Contemporary The Opposite of Traditional

Remember, contemporary style is all about clean design lines in all fixtures and furniture. It's about accenting neutral colors with bright contrasting colors. You may also want to add a touch of stainless steel, as this material reflects that clean, shiny, contemporary look, especially in bathrooms that are otherwise, traditional, Consider light colored tiles; Something like pale blue tiles, white vanity sinks and bathtubs with a wood finish and a few other natural effects create that sought after calm spa-like atmosphere.

Contemporary bathroom design also uses spaces in an appropriate way. Consider placing the shower and tub in the corner of the room, leaving plenty of room in the center of the bathroom to move around.  Other ways of adding the illusion of spaciousness is by using appropriate flooring colors. For instance, you might want to consider using slate or neutrally colored grey floor tiles to compliment wood finishes and help with that illusion of wide clean spaces. Long mirrors, horizontally mounted, can also give the illusion of spaciousness, while at the same time reflecting light from any skylights or windows.

How to Find the Right Contemporary Design for Your Bathroom?

Before you start shopping you need to start looking for ideas. Think of materials and types of fixtures you like. Look for ideas online and when you shop, look for materials that go well together. Print pictures and refer back to them over two or three days. This helps you determine whether these are styles you really like and want to use in your home.

Workmanship

Remember that quality workmanship is crucial when you do a bathroom remodeling job. So you only want to hire experienced contractors that can complete installation work with the utmost care. 

Make a Few Changes and Your Home Becomes Your Palace

A beautiful home is a reflection of people who live in it... The decor of your home speaks volume about your sense of aesthetics. Whether it is plain & simple, eclectic, vintage, traditional or modern, the decor of your house is the first impression that someone gets when they enter your home.

Home decor should be based on a theme or a style you love. The objects that adorn your walls or the furniture that defines the space of your rooms, needs to follow the style or theme that you select. To help you find your own style here are a few changes you can make to improve the style of your home:

1) Change The Bedding:

Change your bed, pillows, cushions and all of your bedding... Believe it or not, just a bedding change can create a beautiful home decor change.

2) Rearrange Wall Displays

Replace the wall art or move it from one room to another. Use high end canvas prints. You could also create your own wall art if you are creative. You can also visit local art shows or buy art pieces from artists you find online.

3) Rearrange furniture

Many a times, simply by rearranging some furniture you can create a whole new look to an area. Add a sitting area or nook, add flower arrangements, a few accents and you’ve got a whole new look

4) Window Dressing

Add new window treatments to your windows. This creates an interesting and very elegant new look.

5) Add Flower Arrangements

Whether it is natural or artificial, flowers brighten up any space. Use tall vases to accentuate the flower arrangement. Get creative by touching up flowers with golden shimmer or just a spray of golden glitter. Dry flower arrangements look very elegant and arrangements are quite easy to make with just some dry branches/flowers/weeds or simple pine cones!

6) The Right Lighting

Lighting creates magic in a home. A single lamp shade can change the environment completely, no matter how huge or small your house is. Lighting can also be a great way to accentuate a painting or create a focal point in a certain area.

Bottom Line

A bit of creativity, effort and a few changes can make a big difference to the look of your home. To get ideas on simple things you can do look online, on social media networks and in magazines.  Another great way to get some fun ideas is to look at other homes in your area. 

What Brings So Many Younger People to Austin

Texas often gets criticized in the news; “It’s that place way down south, you know the one with the cowboys, where everyone drives huge trucks and talks with a long Texan drawl…where the women are beautiful but very conservative.”

In reality, Texas is not all that different from other states. Most people have never ridden a horse, don’t know all that much about cattle and many are very well read and come from a culturally diverse background. However, from the representation of Texas at large, you would think one of two things: either everybody lives in the direst of poverty, or everybody here is ultra-conservative and stuck-up. When in reality, nothing could be further from the truth, especially, when we refer to the city of Austin, Texas. This is a city that has been booming for the past few years – and it is new, younger residents that seem to be attracted to this city.

While the primary reason for moving to Austin has to do with economics, there are also a few other reasons why people make living in this city a choice and not a necessity. 

1. Austin is the cultural hub of the entire state of Texas. This city hosts events, activities and social networks like SXSW, film festivals, and Austin City Limits.

2.     The music in Austin is renown throughout the nation. Bands and groups from all over the nation converge here, so whether you are a Jazz, rock, or alternative music fan, you’ll find just what you are looking for at more than a few of the local Austin clubs.
        
3. Austin also has a burgeoning improv scene, with comedy clubs being popular   throughout the city.

4. Austin is a friendly city; it has great year-round weather and offers many fun things to do, and the means to do them with.

5. Austin offers job security. Forbes has ranked Austin as the #1 place to look for a job, unlike many other regions around the country. Austin has gained many new companies in the technology industry, as well as new corporate residents in the last few years. Companies move to Austin because of the steady flow of qualified, employable people who graduate from the University of Texas and want to work in their hometown.

Bottom Line

Austin has a lot to offer both socially and economically. Best of all, you don’t have to be born in Austin to be a success here. The economy is stable and there are lots of things to do for families and singles. All the city needs is for you to join in on the fun.

Adding Curb Appeal - A Big Plus for Austin Homes on The Market

From simple upgrades to meticulous landscaping projects, or simply replacing outdated fixtures; it is these little changes that can make a big difference in selling your existing home. By doing a little curb appeal you can get more for your home or sell it more quickly. But what can you do?  There are dozens—if not hundreds—of ways to enhance your home's appearance. The improvements shown here won't break the bank and can be completed in a morning. Best of all, they'll make a dramatic difference that you'll appreciate every time you pull into your driveway.

 Curb appeal adds value to your home, especially because it is the first impression potential buyers have of the property. There dozens if not hundreds of ways to improve your property’s appearance. The following are just a few simple ways to give you property a dramatic improvement,  and one that will impress anyone that comes to visit.

Edge the Driveway

Install a border along the driveway to add that crisp , clean look. You can use pavers, bricks, stone or any combination thereof to add interesting texture and design to the edge of your driveway.

Add Lights

Add lighting to your entryway. This gives evening guests a welcome and makes them feel safer. Besides soft lighting adds a romantic atmosphere to the home and can emphasize important landscaping features.

Flower Beds

Add flowers along the sidewalk and in front of the house. Add these to flower boxes, hanging baskets and create raised garden beds. Flowers are probably the easiest way to add curb appeal and certainly one of the fastest way to increase the property’s appeal.

New Garage Doors

Drab garage doors make a bad impression on potential buyers. Get new doors with beautiful color or with an interesting design. These perk up any house very quickly. You can install doors made of wood, steel or fiberglass and these come in a variety of different colors.

Upgrade Door Hardware

Simple changes to outside doors can seriously improve that curb appeal. Change outdated locks and handles on front and side doors. Replace rusty fixtures and hinges for a newer look.

Bottom Line

These are just a few of the changes you can make to the exterior of your property. They are relatively simple to perform  and really do make a big difference when it comes to impressing potential buyers in the market for an Austin home.

Staging Your Home for the Sale Makes it More Appealing

Planning to sell your home at profit? Then, you need to know what prospects look for in the homes they buy. According to a study conducted by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, a beautiful presentation is the key to selling a home effectively.

What is home staging?

The art of highlighting a home's strengths and making it  visually appealing, with furniture, beautiful decor and spacious uniformity, is called the home staging process.

Home staging can be done either by home owners or professionals, and involves not just decorating, but minor repairs , easy eye catching landscaping, the removal of personal items that distract buyers' mind. It is the making  of the home into an appealing showcase that everyone loves.

Ways of Staging a Home

There are several ways of staging a home. Though, these are generally divided into two categories, partial home staging and full home staging.

Partial Home Staging: This is best for those owners who want to sell with minimal investments to present homes to prospective buyers. This involves rearranging furniture, fixing masonry cracks, painting with attractive colors, adding greenery, removing outdated housing hardware units, improves lighting, and adding interior decorations. Planning for partial home staging is to amend things which buyers usually look for in general.

Full home staging: In this process, an owner adds a new set of furnishings and accessories which present the home at it's best. It offers an eye-popping setup to buyers. Full home staging is very effective and presents the home at its best, allowing it to t sell at a profit and within a shorter span of time. It involves installing a whole new set of furniture, creating comfortable room environment, arranging furniture to create focal points, giving art work and decorating.

Benefits

Home staging benefits you by allowing your  home to make a good impression, one that enables a faster sale with a higher number of referrals and a better overall price.

A staged home keeps potential buyers in the home longer, allowing them to  connect with the home, and makes the home stand out over the other homes in the area that are for sale.