If You’re Updating Your Home, Check This Out First!
Over the years, I’ve built and/or renovated too many homes and drawn upon my experience to assist builder clients, buyers and sellers alike. I’m really good at spending other people’s money! But I love homes and although I’m not a decorator, I see so many beautiful homes in Greenwich and think I can help with some ideas that might be welcome.
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to freshen a home is with new paint, whether you’re planning to sell or just want a “new look” for your own enjoyment. If you’ve ever come home to a painter who used a color you bought but hadn’t previewed, only to be miserable with your selection—sound familiar?–you’ll love this! Several websites offer you info and assistance, along with current fashion guidance… Here are some of the best new ones to check out:
bhg.com: a “color-a-room” guide allows you to design with paint, fabric, and flooring; print it out in color and/or email it as a URL to your designer, friends or contractor.
benjaminmoore.com: Use the personal color viewer to import images of your rooms, then transform them with your new color selections
hgtv.com: Experiment with Pick-a-Palette options, and check out tips from designers
Pantone.com: With interactive tools, spot trends, work with color opposites, and match colors
sherwinwilliams.com: Use a color visualizer tool to mix and match paint colors for interior and exterior walls and trim
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With a few cameras, some plugs and a simple box, you can have an internet-based monitoring system that lets you check on the kids, turn down the heat, close the garage door, whether you’re at home, the office or 500 miles away. You can even place a sensor on the liquor cabinet door! It doesn’t matter how old the wiring is, you can be in a 100-year-old house, it still works. Talk about peace of mind! Check out these home network options:
panasonic.com: Network cameras can be reviewed on their Consumer Products page
GEsecurity.com: Info is available for residential use, both single family homes and multiunit dwelings
bbfb.com/connectedlife: Best Buy offers a complete package, including entertainment options
SonyNewHome.com: Entertainment options with a range of extras at varying prices
NetGear.com: Offers home networking solutions over existing power lines; these are the same people who help with wireless networking for home computers.
Trade Associations can help you find experienced custom installers:
caba.org: The Continental Automated Buildings Association
cedia.net: Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association; click on the Homewoners tab
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http://www.KayeLewisHomes.com
