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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.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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.

If you have ever owned any stainless steel products, you know how beautiful and appealing the look can be. Stainless steel appliances give a renovated kitchen that POP! it needs, while steel also makes for a very durable cookware product that never disturbs flavors, yet guarantees a balanced heating of foods. It also resists corrosion and rust – a bonus for the steel fans!

But sometimes stainless steel appliances can be difficult to keep clean. Here are some quick and easy tips for cleaning steel and maintaining that fresh metallic look:

Clean with water and a cloth. Microfiber cloths are the best option to use when cleaning stainless steel because they absorb all of the water. It’s also a safe product to use to avoid scratching steel surfaces. You’ll want to avoid paper towels or any cloth or towel with a rough surface intended for non-stick cookware. This especially includes steel wool! When drying, dry along the grain to avoid water spots. If you clean or dry aggressively against the grain with regular scouring pads, you will leave marks on your appliance or pan, so be sure to take it easy.

Only use a drop of dish soap. For most cases, a drop of mild dish soap and warm water is all you’ll need to clean a pan or pot, so don’t overthink it! Just be gentle. Alternatively, using white vinegar as a cleaner has also been proven to work. Try it out – that stuff is like magic!

Glass cleaner is your friend. Fingerprints on stainless steel is one of the biggest complaints and it’s a valid concern! No matter how careful you try to be, fingerprints will always end up on your fridge. Spray glass cleaner on a microfiber cloth to get the job done. Wipe away the fingerprint using soft circular wipes. There are newer finishes of stainless steel that are fingerprint resistant, so if you are buying new products be sure to do your research and seek those out.

Keep a stainless steel cleaner on hand. If you need to remove stains or scratches from your stainless steel, using a steel cleaner is a great option. Read the directions on the cleaner and be sure to test the product on an unnoticeable location, just in case. Even if you aren’t trying to remove a stain or hide a scratch, stainless steel cleaner or glass cleaner will help your appliance shine. As always, rinse the area thoroughly afterwards and towel dry.

Stainless steel can be finicky, but with a little TLC, stainless steel will keep your kitchen looking sleek and stylish for years to come.

Published with permission from RISMedia.