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Published with permission from RISMedia.

Do you dream of a light, airy living space?

Achieve the desired effect with these simple tips:

Paint it white.Two coats of white paint will turn your living space into a year-round winter wonderland.

Minimize.Cut clutter by adding hidden storage systems. Minimize furniture to a handful of necessary pieces.

Add mirrors. In addition to wall mirrors, add mirrored backsplashes or mirrored trays. Not into mirrors? Sparkle can do the trick, too.

Lighten the linens.Breezy, airy curtains will make your space seem plush and comfortable.

Incorporate shades of gray. Add soft, light shades of gray or blue to your color scheme.

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When it comes to protecting our eyes against harsh, damaging UV rays, most of us think about popping on sunglasses for long days at the beach; however, it’s possible to incur UV damage right at home, especially if you have an abundance of wide, bright windows. In fact, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), nearly half of all eye injuries occur at home.

Untreated windows protect the eyes from only about 25 percent of damaging UV rays. As the AAO states, continued exposure to UV light raises the risks of many issues for the eyes, from cataracts to cancer.

To battle this, the International Window Film Association (IWFA) suggests consumers consider the real estate trend of professionally installing window film to all windows in their homes. Window film will help protect your family’s eyes from the damage caused by UV rays.

Professionally installed window film can block up to 99 percent of UV rays from entering the home, protecting eyes from damage over time, while at the same time reducing glare and eliminating the need to squint when enjoying the view outside.

While extremely thin and virtually invisible to the eye, window film provides powerful protection without altering the look of a home. Though it can be tinted in several shades, homeowners can also opt for clear film, which does not alter the view in any way.

Source: www.iwfa.com

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You may have heard that wallpaper is making a comeback. But have you heard about wallpapered ceilings? Technically, this trend is called ceiling paper, and it can transform a room in the same way papered walls can.

Highlight a space. Do you have a home office tucked to one side of your family room? How about a cozy reading nook? Add colorful ceiling paper to one portion of a room to divide the space naturally.

Make a statement. Just like a colorful throw cushion on a neutral couch, jazzy ceiling paper can make a “boring” room bold. Choose a fun print or color that shows off your personality and style.

Accent, accent, accent. Tie your ceiling paper into the rest of your decorating scheme by choosing the right accent color. Whether you go with a solid, stripes or a soft pattern, a papered ceiling done up right can complete the look of a room.

When wallpapering a ceiling, it may be best to bring in a pro, as the application can be tricky. If you’re a diligent weekend warrior and feel like going DIY, make sure to properly prep your ceiling for application by removing any paint and electrical fixtures. Experts also suggest creating a ceiling blueprint for precise application.

Interested in more home improvement tips? Feel free to contact me directly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Heres how to stay connected with nature in the city.

Create Your Own Oasis

Whether its a small backyard or a spacious terrace, try to surround yourself with plants wherever you can.

Rooftop Gardens

A growing trend in the city, hotels sport verdant lounges and restaurants, while public buildings boast well-tended green spaces on top.

Parks & Trails

Local parks, nature trails and botanical gardens are all easy ways to get a quick dose of nature.

Indoor Herb Garden

If your home is a bit limited in terms of outdoor space, all it takes is a sunny spot inside to grow your own herb garden.

Published with permission from RISMedia.