Home Design

March Madness

Don’t let home renovations make you mad

 by MIKE HALL, Owner, Agent, and Broker

home kitchen being renovated

You typically think of basketball when you hear “March Madness.” But if you’re like most people, springtime brings a renewed energy—almost a madness to start or complete home projects or spend hours doing a deep clean and organization of your home.

If you have a list of projects you want to tackle this year to rejuvenate your home, check out the Louisville Home Garden and Remodeling Show at the Kentucky Expo Center. Visit the more than 150 exhibitors, listen to expert speakers, and shop the marketplace for new home décor. Find inspiration to create a garden oasis or find a contractor to get your kitchen updated from the 1980s to the 2020s.

Dates and times:

Friday, March 10 from noon – 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 12 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. ...

Fall-Fresh Curb Appeal for Louisville

Help Your Louisville-Area House Stand Out!

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

Autumn front porch

Help your curb appeal with some fall updates

Now is a great time to put your house on the market. And … a little fall fresh-up will go a long way toward giving you an extra edge in this intense Louisville market! If you’re ready to sell or shop, talk with an agent today about your options and advantages.

  1. Rake those leaves! Some natural fall foliage can help your house feel cozy and inviting, but it’s better to keep the yard clear of unsightly brown leaves and spots in the grass.
  2. Fall flowers for color. Replace the seasonal summer blooms with some hardy, fall-colored flowers that will keep your property looking open-house ready!
  3. Fancy front door! Whether it’s an attractive autumn-inspired wreath or a fresh new color for your front door, creating a welcoming entrance can make a big difference.
  4. Exposed exterior. With fewer leaves and plants shielding the exterior of your house, dirt and a year of residue will be more obvious. Use these first few warmer days of fall to power-wash and clean the...

Turn Your Louisville Bedroom into a Cozy Space!

Tips for Inexpensive Transformations

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

Cozy space for your Louisville bedroom

Your room is just a few sweet details away from being a cozy haven.

So, you bought the perfect home and now you get to tackle the task of transforming it into the comfy and cozy space of your dreams. The experts over at HGTV offer some inexpensive tips for creating that bedroom haven you’ve been wanting. Of course, if you’re still looking for that perfect home, don’t hesitate – contact an agent today about how we can help!

  • Use darker colors to create a warm space to relax and sleep.
  • Add some lamps or a chandelier with a dimmer for soft, cozy light.
  • Pile on the blankets. Layered blankets and throws will keep things soft and inviting.
  • Combine wooden accents with fresh flowers or live plants to bring balance and charm into your room.
  • Include a tufted headboard, which softens up the whole room.
  • Create a reading nook to offer a comfy space you could spend many winter hours snuggled into.
  • Use soft neutrals to create a calming vibe in the room.
  • Throw on more pillows so you can sink into the softness...

How to Paint Your Front Door

Embrace one of Louisville's hottest trends in curb appeal!

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

Yellow front door

Make your door stand out with a splash of your favorite color!

Beautiful, colorful doors – you’ve probably been seen more and more of this growing trend. It’s an easy and creative way to increase your curb appeal for potential buyers or make your beloved home even more personalized to your style. A quick splash of color on your door will make your house stand out in the neighborhood!

Here are some quick tips on how to take your door from boring to brilliant!

  1. Remove the hardware – Take off all knobs, locks, knockers, etc. from the door. Shine them up or use this chance to replace them with new models that will complement your color of choice.
  2. Cover up permanent fixtures – Use painter’s tape around accessories that can’t be removed, like peepholes.
  3. Prep the surface – Use a sanding block with a fine grain to prepare the surface for a new coat of paint.
  4. Remove the dust – Clean the surface well with a rag to remove all extra dust.
  5. Paint! – After putting down a drop cloth, use your favorite color...

Winter Renovation Projects for the Restless Homeowner

Project-Loving Renovators Don’t Have to Hibernate

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

Winter could be the perfect time for some of your renovation projects.

For those homeowners who love to renovate, the winter can be a long, heatbreaking season. But even though it’s cold outside, you don’t have to sacrifice all of your to-do list dreams!

The winter is a great season for certain projects and an ideal time for planning and preparation. Here are five reasons why winter is a great time for the renovator:

  1. Contractors are more available!  - Those booked-tight schedules are much more flexible for consultation and completion during the winter months. Those folks are itching for a good project, too!
  2. Material prices are cut for the down season. – The spring will bring with it those subtle hikes in cost for appliances, hardware, lumber, and tools. Act while the winter markets are sending the prices down.
  3. Modern clean-up products and techniques can contain dust and fumes even better than a gentle spring breeze. – While many people wait until warm weather makes clean up seem easier, there are plenty of options to contain dust and fumes...

Fuss-Free Holiday Hosting for my Louisville Friends

Because who has time to stress?

by MIKE HALL, Owner/ Broker/ Agent

Fuss-Free Louisville Holiday Hosting

Everyone loves a good party, but not many of us enjoy playing host/ hostess. Folks at the Hosting Table encourage you to keep your sanity and enjoy your own party. Your friends and family will appreciate the less-stressed version of you. Check out these creative tips for stress-free holiday fun.

Get a game plan. Before you attempt to throw Louisville’s party of the season, sketch it out on paper: invite list, menu, checklist for the day of the party, etc.

Keep it simple. Especially if it keeps you more relaxed. Go with monochromatic flowers in bud vases or serve pre-assembled appetizers. People will enjoy your company far more than a magazine-worthy spread.

Tie seasonal elements into your table decor. Fresh cranberries in jars with votive candles, sprigs of rosemary or thyme tied into napkins or bowls of pretty citrus fruits. They add a pop of color and cost far less than flowers.

...

Prepping Your Louisville Lawn for Winter

Six tips for a greener spring in the Bluegrass

by MIKE HALL, Owner/ Broker/ Agent

Prepping Your Lawn for Louisville Winter

The end of summer doesn’t mean the end of lawn care. We may be far from that that lush, springtime Louisville bluegrass, but did you know a green lawn is born in the fall? Follow these tips from HouseLogic for green lawn perfection.

Keep on Mowing
Continue to water and mow your lawn, as needed, throughout the fall. Then as the Louisville’s winter nears, drop the mower's blade to its lowest setting for the last two cuttings of the year. That will allow more sunlight to reach the crown of the grass, and there will be less leaf to turn brown during the winter.

Aerate the Soil
Fall is also an ideal time to aerate your lawn so that oxygen, water, and fertilizer can easily reach the grass's roots.

Tip: You can rent a gas-powered, walk-behind lawn aerator for about $70 per day. The self-propelled machine will quickly punch holes into the soil and extract plugs of dirt, allowing access for moisture to your lawn’s thirsty roots.

Rake the Leaves
It’s...

Bored with Your Louisville Home?

One way to freshen your space without spending money.

by MIKE HALL, Owner/Broker/Agent

Rearrange your furniture

Have you ever looked around your home and decided it was time for a change? Maybe you like the appliances and your furniture, but something is off. Or, maybe you don't have the money to spend on your desired appliances and furniture quite yet.

Let me tell you, a change is in store, and it will only take a bit of your time, thought and muscle.

Rearrange!

This is the one way I know to give any space a new feel. Start brainstorming on different layouts that might flow better with foot traffic. Moving something drastic like the television or couch typically gives you the feeling of a totally new space. Moving a floor lamp or houseplant from one room to another is less drastic, but can still give you the feeling of something “new.”

Any time you get bored with your space, just move things around a bit. You’ll erase that stagnant feeling, and maybe one day find the perfect setup.

...

Interior Design: Fresh Flowers in Louisville

Local flowers uplift any space.

 by MIKE HALL, Owner/Broker/Agent

Fresh flowers for your Louisville home

One sure way to give your home a fresh feel is with fresh-cut flowers. While fake floral arrangements can be purchased from craft shops around town, people often say there is nothing better than the real thing. Plus, you could support the local economy as Louisville has a few phenomenal local options.

Panache on Lexington Road is a great, locally-owned option, as is family-owned Nanz & Kraft Florist with locations on Breckenridge Lane, Dixie Highway and Lime Kiln Lane. Whether you’re hosting a party, or showing your home to a prospective buyer, a full vase of fragrant, colorful flowers will give a bright pop of life to any space.

...

Feng Shui for Beginners

Some buyers’ decisions may hinge on things you’ve overlooked

by MIKE HALL Owner/Broker/Agent

I’ve had more than one couple mention feng shui when looking for a new home. Feng Shui is the idea that your home has an energy or force known as “chi”. It is believed that a space with proper feng shui brings good fortune, prosperity and harmonious relationships in your life.

No feng shui? Well then, you might receive the opposite. So, whether you’re building a home with the idea of eventually putting up for sale on the real estate market, or simply showing your Louisville home to potential feng shui buyers, here are some basics:

Your entryway should have a natural flow, inviting others into your home. The front door should be the most grand of any other doors in your home.

De-clutter. Any unorganized mess, and the existing balance is thrown off.

Decorate with color, incorporating natural earth elements such as wood and metal. Wood brings vitality and growth, while metallic and gold fixtures attract wealth.

Mirrors create energy, so place in areas you don’t relax. Do not place a bathroom mirror opposite to the toilet.

Round dining room tables and mirrors are ideal to square/rectangle ones.

Do not have a bed, or a sink, against the wall opposite to the oven.

Arrange...

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