Exterior Lighting Architecture, look at what it can do!

Outdoor lighting is something most home owners seem to forget about or are just content with lights on the end of the house and a motion sensor above the garage or back door. But, wouldn't you prefer your home and yard to be beautiful both during day and night? After all, you put a lot of time, effort, and/or money into the exterior of your home and yard. In short - exterior lighting not only adds value to your home, but it can make it a true work of art.

But where do you begin?

If you happen to live in Nashville, TN then the answer is Outdoor Lighting Perspectives with CEO Michael Wynn and his expert team of landscape lighting architects/artists. Note: OLP is a national company as well, so they are probably in your neighborhood too. You can also request a special visit from them if they are not in your area.

Originally called LightScapes, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is the oldest business in Nashville that specializes in outdoor landscape lighting.

There are so many things you can do with outdoor lighting that can really add drama, elegance, security, and just beauty to your home. If you don't believe me, check out these local homes with exterior lighting that OLP designed:

Now - imagine those beautiful homes and yards featured above with nothing more than little lights on the corners and a motion sensor light above the back door. Can you see the difference outdoor lighting can really make?

The lighting from OLP is installed by hand, and done on a case-by-case basis so you know you are getting quality work AND great personal customer service. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives wants your home to be as beautiful as the day they installed it, so it is customary for OLP to come service, adjust, and help you maintain the lighting architecture they install (for specifics on length of time, warranties, etc please contact OLP directly).

One of the hottest trends in landscape lighting is lighting control automation (LCA). Why? Well not only does it look beautiful, it can add a lot of security to your home. Here is a great informational video from OLP about lighting control automation - for more videos and information please visit Nashville.Outdoorlights.com

But really, outdoor lighting is something every home should have and you should definitely have experts who know what they are doing set it up.

If you are interested in learning more, please visit: Nashville.Outdoorlights.com or contact owner Michael Wynn and his team at 615-373-0638.

Extra Note: Michael Wynn will be teaching a CEU credit course at A1 appliances for the ASID of Nashville on March 11^th at 9:00 am, if you are interested.

SOM wins the Beijing CDB Competition & the New FHA Temporary Rules for Buyers & Investors

Architecture: Congratulations SOM (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill) for winning the Beijing CBD Competition
Real Estate: New Changes to FHA Loans for Buyers and Investors
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Architecture: Congratulations SOM (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill) for winning the Beijing CBD Competition

The Chaoyang District Government held a international competition for the expansion of the Beijing Central Business District (CBD) and the offices of Skimore, Owings and Merrill won with ease. The stunning design, forward thinking, and innovative ideas of their expansion were just what the CBD called for.

The SOM expansion plan calls for all types of new buildings and parks. There will be the skyscrapers, new rail service, new streetcar system, and there will even be selected areas with walkable blocks to foster residential living. Oh, and lets not forget that all the roads will be bicycle friendly.

But for me the best aspect of this entire proposal is the energy saving aspect. According to SOM the new district would, "reduce energy consumption within the district by 50%, reduce water consumption by 48%, reduce landfill waste by 80%, and result in a 50% reduction in carbon emissions. Reduction in emissions from office buildings alone would equate to a reduction of 215,000 tons of CO2 per year, which is the equivalent of planting 14 million adult trees."

Here are some visuals from their proposal to help you out (these are computerized images of their plan)!

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Real Estate: New Changes to FHA Loans for Buyers and Investors

In case you haven't heard, there are new changes to FHA loans for investors and buyers. Since the housing market is having a hard time bouncing back the Federal Housing Administration is tightening up on lending rules and backing off investor 'flipping' rules in hopes of spurring the market.

 The new rules are temporary (1 year) but will have an impact on buyers and investors.

• Better  Credit Scores — New borrowers will have to have a minimum credit score of  580 to qualify for a 3.5 percent down payment. Previously, there was no minimum score. Those with lower scores will have to make at least a 10 percent down payment.

• Higher  Insurance Premiums — Buyers who get an FHA-insured loan will soon have to pay a higher initial insurance premium. The new premium will be 2.25 percent of  the value of total loan amount, up from 1.75 percent now. A $100,000 mortgage  would require a payment of $2,250, or $500 more. But buyers can roll the added cost into the loan amount.

• Reduction  in Seller Concessions — Starting this summer, sellers will not be able to offer as much help to buyers to pay their closing costs. The maximum amount of assistance will drop to 3 percent of the value of the property, from the current 6 percent.

And the investors have not been forgotten either. Starting Feb. 1, the government will waive the FHA anti-flipping rule that prohibits insuring a mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days aka investors can buy today and re-sell as quickly as possible (as long as they don't resell it for more than 20% of the value - unless the appraised value can support it).

So, if you are wanting to purchase a home - now is the time. If you are just interested in learning more email me at jallen@realtracs.com

Laissez-les Bon Temps Roulez!!! I am off to Mardi Gras!!

Oh it's about that time again!! It's the last weekend of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and yours truly is off to enjoy the festivities! I am very excited to see the parades, people, and maybe even partake in a masked ball or two!

I will be back on Monday, so until then Laissez-les Bon Temps Roulez!!!!!!!!!!

Great Ways To Decorate Small Spaces and Indonesian Inspired Rooms....

Interior Design: A simple guide on how to decorate in small spaces
Design Inspiration: Indonesian living never looked so good!
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Interior Design: A simple guide on how to decorate in small spaces

Small spaces....we dread them, we hate them, but ultimately we end up dealing with it. But what if you don't want to just deal with a small space?

Here are a few tips to help you decorate, and utilize, your small spaces.

1. (above) Narrow room with no space for a chest of drawers or other storage unit? Solution: build a light-weight storage wall unit that fits soft case boxes. If you run to your local hardware store and pick up some thin wood rails you can create what we see above in the picture on the wall.

2. (above) The living room is too small for both furniture AND storage. Solution: Custom built-ins. Have your local licensed wood worker measure and build you a storage unit and couch in one. With the use of some comfy cushions and pillows your guests will never be uncomfortable, and you don't have to worry about storage or clutter.

3. (above) I only have room for a shared space. Solution: Give the space a it's own area. Hang curtain rods up and maybe paint that area of the wall a different color. It highlights it's own space while keeping the room open.

4. My furniture is a bit too large for my room. Solution: Use an oversized mirror that is the same width as your couch. This will help balance the room horizonatally but also give the illusion of space (by means of the light reflecting in the mirror).

5. (above) I need to add counter space in my kitchen but just doesn't seem to be any room. Solution: Choose a tall thin refrigerator vs. a regular wide or double door fridge. This helps increase the available counter space and also creates the illusion of height in your kitchen.

6. (above) I need more storage in my living room but my staircase takes up all the space. Solution: Build shelf space into the unused space below the staircase. It's an easy solution that adds value to your home.

7. (above) My kitchen just looks too small, what can I do to make it look bigger. Solution: Elongate the height of the kitchen by using floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets, bright wood, and stainless steel. The above picture was built in only 9 feet of space.

These are just a few ideas for helping you to create space where you might think there is none!

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Design Inspiration: Indonesian living never looked so good!

I am loving Indonesian inspired interiors and designs lately. I love the use of natural materials, bright colors, intricate wood craftsmanship and the open air feeling it exudes even when the decor is in closed spaces. Indonesians also excel at outdoor living space design, but what about the decor inside? Here are a few rooms to help you visualize:

Furniture Makes the Room, Antiques Can Make It Unique - Without Looking Dated

Interior Design: Furniture Makes the Room, Antiques Can Make It Unique - Without Looking Dated

Sometimes it's easier to pick a color scheme for a room than to pick furniture and accent pieces. I personally love antiques and reproductions alike. Why? Well obviously because of the history and character of the pieces but also because when I invest in decor for my home.... that is what it is: an investment.

Much like investing in the stock market, old cars, or homes - antiques can be a really great investment. You should always shop at reputable antique stores if you are looking for high end investments, but you can always find great antiques in old pawn shops and country stores that need just a little elbow grease to make them shine again.

Another great thing about antiques is that, for the most part, they are very unique. When I was browsing for furniture online at Bond and Bowery (Bond and Bowery is a great compilation of all types of furniture from modern to vintage) I came across G. Evans Ltd and these fabulous antiques (and a few non-antiques but still unique furniture pieces). Most of these pieces date from the late 1700s to the 1870s. The green chaise is 1970s and a few of the tables are from the 1940s. Why is this important? Because you can find antiques that don't look too dated to use in your home, all you  have to do is keep an open mind and go shopping.

The Forgotten Craft Room and Design Ideas

Interior Design: The Forgotten Craft Room and Design Ideas
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Everyday I meet more and more people who do some sort of craft. Whether it is sewing, painting, scrapbooking, writing, etc and for them (and myself too) it is important to have a space all to yourself. It does still surprise me though when I go into homes where it is obvious that talented people (or a person) live there...but their stuff is stuck everywhere or their craft room is just a mess. Not only is that bad for trying to sell your home (it makes the home appear to lack storage, a very important feature to most buyers - always de-clutter and organize) but how can you find anything?!

Now, if you are renovating or adding on a bonus room for crafting or organizational needs there are a few things you will want to include in the room. Other than the obvious importance of being eco-friendly, you will need storage drawers and space for bins. Ideally you will want to have a floor to ceiling built in with various sizes of drawers, some open and some covered, on at least 1 wall. Another great feature is having a large island. The island would be a great place for storage and it will give you the ability to spread out and work. If you don't have that much space, try to reserve 1-2 walls for a counter with custom built storage units above and below.

If you are doing your own craft room feel free to decorate and paint the room so that it inspires you. If you are not sure what to do, try to make the room feel light and airy (aka bright neutral colors and lots of lighting (natural or unnatural). Use quality materials (that are eco-friendly but also investment friendly) such as granite and real wood (or bamboo). The flooring should be either tile or hardwood. If it is hardwood make sure to put at least three coats of an oil-based polyurethane varnish on the floor so it doesn't get scuffy and ruined while you get creative.

If you still need a little inspiration, here are a few rooms I came across that I just love: