(ARA) – Like mistletoe and eggnog, overnight house guests go hand-in-hand with the holidays. Whether visitors are spending just one night or an entire week in your home, the situation can be stressful for everyone involved. Never fear. You can do a few simple things long before your company arrives to ensure their stay is a comfortable one. In fact, they might even mistake your guest bedroom for a luxury hotel room.

First, remember that less is definitely more when it comes to guest bedroom clutter. While you might enjoy your vintage doll collection that sits on top of the dresser, visitors might not share that sentiment. Remove all unnecessary items in the room, other than some stylish accent pieces, to give your guests a restful, clutter-free home away from home.

Of course, it goes without saying no one wants to stay in a room that isn’t fresh and clean. Make sure your guests stay in a tidy bedroom. Clean the room thoroughly from top to bottom, starting with the ceilings, and systematically work your way down to the floors until everything is spotless.

There’s also nothing worse than having no place to put your clothes and personal items while visiting friends or relatives. You feel as if you’re living out of a suitcase, and you are. While the guest bedroom closet might be a convenient place to store your family’s off-season wardrobe, the holiday is the time to find a new place to store it, at least until your company leaves. Once you remove the clothes, be certain there are enough hangers in the closet for your guests to use. Don’t forget about clearing out dresser drawers, too.

Once cleaning and storage are addressed, it’s time to focus on the room’s decor. Create a comfortable, calming environment for your guests, starting with the color of the room. The use of paint color is one of the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to dramatically change the look and feel of any space. One option is to begin with hues that tend to relax and soothe such as neutrals, light greens, pale blues or even creamy yellow, then give it your personal style with coordinating paint accents in fresh, vibrant colors.

If you’re having trouble deciding on a color, check out the new Better Homes and Gardens Editors’ Choice Paint Colors at Walmart. Tinted in Dutch Boy paint, the palette offers 160 colors handpicked by the magazine’s editors. Plus, the paint also coordinates with a variety of other Better Homes and Gardens products available at Walmart, including window treatments, bath products and bedding.

Speaking of bedding, carry that feeling of tranquility through to one of the most important parts of a guest bedroom – the bed. Don’t scrimp on a cheaper mattress; choose a high-quality one that will last for several years. Your guests will definitely thank you for it.

Beyond the mattress, offer plush, inviting bedding that further enhances that feeling of a quiet, hotel-like retreat. A high-thread count sheet set, featherbed mattress topper, oversized pillows and a down comforter can help create a feeling of serenity. Don’t forget to top things off with an equally luxurious bedcover and matching throw pillows.

While creating a beautiful and cozy bed is important, if your guest bedroom has ample space, you might want to also consider creating a small sitting area. Placing a comfortable chair, an ottoman and a side table in your guests’ room will allow them to relax and unwind without having to sit on the bed. Make sure there’s lighting in case they decide to read. Go one step further and place some magazines or books you think might interest them in the room. Or, if they’ll be sightseeing, provide them with books about the region and tourist information.

Also offer special extras that show you’ve taken the time to personalize their stay with you. Lay out two plush robes and matching slippers for them. Guests can also get the munchies long after you’ve retired to bed, so have water, drinks and their favorite snacks on the nightstand when they arrive. Find out what types of movies and music they enjoy and stock the room with a variety of DVDs and CDs they might like. If you don’t have wireless in your home, make sure they have access to a computer so they can check their e-mail.

Finally, don’t forget the most important part of your guest’s visit will be spending quality time with you. The season can be a blur of activity, so kick back, relax and enjoy each other’s company while it lasts. You might not have the chance to do so again until next year.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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A tight economy means most American homeowners are keeping close watch on their budgets, cutting spending on frivolities and extras.

For this reason, many folks have opted to put large-scale projects, such as kitchen and bathroom remodels, on the back burner for the time being. But, they haven’t completely stopped updating their homes. Homeowners are still forging ahead with improvements, but they’re allocating hard-earned dollars to smaller projects — ones that not only boost their home’s overall appeal, but also provide other added benefits in the long run.

Increasingly more home improvement products deliver more bang for the buck by delivering multiple benefits … a must in today’s increasingly frugal economy. But being budget-conscious doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality and performance in the home improvement arena. From high-performing wall paints to sophisticated thermostat controls, and everything in between, today’s home products work smarter — not just harder — with modern budgets in mind.

Interior paint is one home improvement product that has made the significant “smart” advances in recent years. Today’s environmentally-minded coatings offer little or no ozone-damaging (and odor-causing) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a wide range of colors and finishes, ideal for any decor. These low-odor paints make easy — and less smelly — work of painting.

Some paints, such as Dutch Boy’s new Refresh paint offer zero VOCs and take things a step further. Thanks to the inclusion of proven Arm & Hammer odor-eliminating technology, Refresh paint helps remove common household airborne odors from kitchens, laundry and family rooms, bathrooms, nurseries and basements. This paint also provides excellent hide, scrubbability and durability, keeping walls looking fresh and attractive for years to come.

Heating and cooling controls also offer multiple benefits. The average American household spends $1,400 a year on energy bills, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. A simple programmable thermostat that controls temperature on both heating and cooling systems keeps a home at the ultimate comfort level and helps maintain the most efficient temperatures all day long, boosting overall energy efficiency while decreasing utility bills.

Lighting systems also have become smarter. They can be designed to restrict energy output through controls and sensors. They also can feature such long-lasting, energy-saving lamps as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. All of these technologies provide quality light, cut energy usage and save homeowners money.

In the kitchen, appliances are amazingly more efficient. Some stoves, for example, can communicate remotely with homeowners via email or cell phone text messages, providing alerts if they have been left on. Users can then remotely turn off the appliance using an Internet interface.

Even such simple things as purchased in-home water coolers (as opposed to expensive rental systems) and on-faucet filtration systems have made getting a drink of water smarter by replacing less environmentally friendly – not to mention, pricey – individual plastic bottles. This cuts down on petroleum usage and energy-draining plastic manufacturing and delivers purified water to homeowners with less waste and price, including the delivery costs of cooler rental programs.

While Americans are searching for bargains for projects that make their homes look and perform better, they most definitely don’t want to sacrifice quality — and — they don’t have to. Modern home improvement products work smarter … and better … delivering multiple benefits through improved technology without draining a homeowner’s closely monitored bank account.

While 2009 might not be the year to build that addition, gut your kitchen or modernize your old bathroom, it’s the perfect year to start thinking about how you can make your home work for you and save money in the process.

For more information about Refresh paint, please visit www.dutchboy.com/refresh, or call (800) 828-5669.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Besides decorating earlier and more completely this year with spooky Halloween scenes of candlelit chandeliers and jack-o-lanterns, many people will use scent as a way to enhance the experience throughout October.

This year we’re in for an extra-special treat as Halloween falls on Friday night. Already the second biggest decorating holiday each year — Halloween becomes even bigger when there’s no work or school the next day. Experts are predicting Americans will make Halloween 2008 the biggest in history.

And, in what’s sure to be another dynamic election year, Halloween may be just what the doctor ordered for the country as it will be the perfect way for both “red” and “blue” Americans to relax and celebrate together in orange and black only days before Nov. 4, 2008.

Phil Rist, head of strategy research at BIGresearch, an online market intelligence and interest research company, states, “Halloween is no longer considered a children’s holiday.” He concludes that adults view Halloween as a way to ease the stress of work and everyday life. Richard Laermer, author of 2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade, agrees, suggesting that fantasy is crucial for stressed-out adults. According to Laermer, “The idea of pretending is something that we all just realized is not only possible, but absolutely essential.”

Halloween may be just what the doctor ordered for the country as it will be the perfect way for both “red” and “blue” Americans to relax and celebrate together in orange and black only days before Nov. 4, 2008.

“Adults also like to reconnect with fond moments from their childhood” explains Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing, and innovation at Yankee Candle. “People want to return to the happy, carefree days of their youth. It’s like trick-or-treating down memory lane.”

Besides decorating earlier and more completely this year with spooky Halloween scenes of candlelit chandeliers and jack-o-lanterns, many people will use scent as a way to enhance the experience throughout October. Ruffolo adds. “Numerous studies have proven that scents are the most powerful trigger for memories, as well as the emotions associated with them. Feel-good fall candle scents such as Pumpkin Pie, Autumn Leaves, Pomegranate Cider, Cinnamon Stick, and Farmhouse Apple will remind you immediately of Halloween celebrations as a kid.”

All three make convincing points for getting into the festive spirit of the occasion. Experts agree that not having to get up early the following day will help Halloween 2008 be the biggest in history. People will begin getting in the mood by decorating all throughout the month of October. Happy Halloween!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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For the do-it-yourselfer, experts say the best place to start is with a defined place for gathering. In the trade, it’s known as the hardscape.

“Whether it’s a flagstone patio or a wooden deck, it’s important to have a foundation to anchor your back yard and to serve as the stage both for entertaining and for enjoying the landscape that surrounds you,” says Chelsey Gardner, an outdoor living expert based in Dallas.

Before

Where do-it-yourselfers sometimes err, she says, is in buying “props” before creating the “main stage.”

“You can buy the best patio furniture available and outfit your deck with a grill that costs as much as a car, but when you set it out on a tired old deck, it’s not going to look anything like it did in the showroom,” Gardner says.

But if your existing deck is looking shabby and time-worn, what are your options other than to tear it down and build a new one? Increasingly, smart do-it-yourselfers are giving their old decks makeovers. Companies like Deckorators, founded by St. Louis native Kelly Jones, provide products that make it possible to give an old deck a new look in a single weekend.

Deckorators sells $15 million worth of pre-fabricated, easy-to-install deck balusters and accessories that give homeowners a range of options for updating the look of their deck. They are simple to install and easy to find, available at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores and hundreds of hardware and building products distributors throughout the country.

“The biggest challenge we hear from consumers is that it’s hard to pick their favorite style,” Jones says, noting that the company makes dozens of different balusters in materials ranging from metal to glass. Balusters are available in an array of shapes, styles and colors, each offering its own unique feel.

“Our glass balusters have also exploded in popularity, because people want to sit on their porch or deck and see the view. When you’re sitting, eye level hits the rail. See through glass takes away the obstacle,” Jones says.

Enhancing their outdoor living space at their suburban Chicago home was the goal for Kris and Darrin Haugan, who not only wanted to create an environment they’d be happy to spend time in, but who also wanted to add resale value to their home.

Initially believing they needed to demolish their old deck, the couple was pleasantly surprised to find that their deck was structurally sound. “It was just ugly,” Darrin laughs.

The Haugan’s opted to replace the plain wooden balusters on their deck rails with powder-coated aluminum balusters in a curved, Architectural Baroque style. They also covered their corner and stair rail posts with decorative Postcovers, which slip over the 6-inch by 6-inch posts that anchor the rails.

After

“Personalizing your outdoor living space by maximizing your most basic element is what it’s all about. We can customize our living room with our furniture, fabrics and lighting. In the backyard, we do it with our hardscapes and landscapes. It’s about focusing on the core elements,” Gardner says.

For more information on where to buy deck accessories, visit www.deckorators.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American homeowners spent $3.7 billion on patios and terraces in 2004, an increase of an astonishing 366 percent since 1994. And these days, more and more people are going beyond your standard deck or patio and putting in full-blown outdoor kitchens.

The major benefit of such an addition is that it puts all the ingredients for outdoor dining and entertaining close at hand. Why run back and forth to the house when everything you need can be kept outside?

 While some outdoor kitchens are simple and include only a grill, table and chairs and storage cabinet for cooking gear, a 2005 study done by the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association indicates people are ready for upgrades. One third of respondents said they plan to improve their outdoor grill areas by adding such things as refrigerators, sinks and eating areas.

Once you commit to going the higher end route, you’ll want to make sure you do it right. In an interior kitchen, the countertops, made of granite or engineered stone, are typically the focal point. Outdoors, the emphasis is often placed on the structures that surround your appliances.

For a look that will make an impression while at the same time fitting into the natural surroundings, you’ll want to go with Owens Corning’s Cultured Stone, a veneer stone that’s an exact replica of natural stones used for building. Among the material’s many benefits, it looks and performs like real stone, but is far lighter, less expensive and easier to install than natural stone. Cultured Stone veneers are available in more than 100 different colors and textures including Dressed Fieldstone, River Rock and a wide variety of Ledgestone textures. They also make a variety of lightweight stone trim products for a coordinated, finished look.

 “And it gives the appearance that the appliances belong there,” says Bob Heath of Owens Corning. “When you’re in the backyard, you want it to have the look and feel of the outdoors, so it makes sense to go with a material that looks like it naturally rose up from the ground.”

Ready to get started on plans for your outdoor living space? Log on to www.culturedstone.com to get some ideas. The site features design information, a photo gallery, and a search engine you can use to find the authorized Cultured Stone products dealer near you. Many hearth products retailers also carry this material, and can direct you to an installer in your area. You can also order samples online. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can call (800) 255-1727 for more information.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Update Your Room

Start by thinking of your soon to be home-away-from-home as an empty canvas. Your room will likely have a basic bed, dresser and desk, but will need everything else to make it “yours.” From bedding to appliances and even shower curtains, this is a great time to define your own style. The trick is to start by bringing your favorite color(s) into the equation.

 If you’re a fan of this season’s hot berry colors, or you prefer cooler blues and greens, use them to decorate your windows, the bed and even the floor. If you like warm colors, start with a deep red comforter for the bed, and then pile on neck rolls, throw pillows and a fleece throw in varying shades of red. Complimentary sheet sets, mirror memo boards, storage baskets, hampers and waste baskets are also available.

“What’s great about apparel and home fashion this fall is the complementary colors and patterns that make mixing and matching simple and fresh,” says Patricia McCune, JCPenney trend specialist. “On our website and in our stores, you will find a spectrum of combinations to express your individual flair.”

Update Your Wardrobe

Like decorating, back-to-school dressing is all about self-expression. Pattern-mixing, pops of color, layering, and great accessories are key. The new looks are easy to wear and easy to find at JCPenney stores and at jcp.com.

The Girls

*Layering Trends: Whether it’s long over lean or short over long, this season’s trend toward new proportions will transform your look. Layer tunics and extended tees over narrow pants or skinny jeans for a streamlined look. Or, add a feminine, playful twist by layering lace-trimmed leggings under glen plaid shorts.

*Pattern Play: Colorful plaids, playful prints and graphic patterns are making a big comeback for back-to-school dressing. There are no rules when it comes to mix and match, self expression through experimentation is key.

*Berry Delicious: Décor and apparel colors coincide this season; cranberry and purple hues mixed with blue are ones to watch.

*Necessary Extras: Luxe-up your look with the latest in fashion, jewelry, belts and handbags in a variety of shapes, colors and fabrics. Find patent, velvet, silver, black, faux fur, studs, and even rocker inspired skull and crossbones. A few well-chosen accessories can quickly transform last year’s look from drab to fab.

The Boys

It’s equally important for guys to wear fashions that reflect their own unique attitude. A few trends the boys will want to incorporate include:

**Premium Denim: East/West and Arizona brand denim is the back-to-school essential. Your back-to-school shopping list should include denim in darker washes with light abrasion, nicking and sandblasting.

**Mix and Match: Field jackets and rocker tees layered over cargo pants and camouflage continues to be a popular look for young men. Change it up by throwing an Arizona vintage short sleeve western shirt over a layering tee.

**Preppy: The old favorite – the lived in polo – is stronger than ever for back-to-school. Guys will like the look of layered polos in unexpected colors to give this timeless favorite extra punch.

“Once your wardrobe and dorm room are complete then you can turn your focus to stocking your room with modern conveniences,” says McCune. You’ll need a refrigerator to store drinks and leftovers; a fan or two to keep cool; and for those rushed mornings, JCPenney’s Back-to-School collection features a 3-in-1 Breakfast-to-Go unit, which has a 4-cup coffee maker, toaster and nonstick griddle, perfect for any dorm room, whether you’ve overslept and can’t make it to the cafeteria for breakfast or just need an alternative to the usual menu.

This year, JCPenney makes it simple to add your own flair with the season’s most fashionable must-haves and you’ll be back-to-class with smart style! To find the JCPenney store near you, or to shop via their online catalog, log on to www.jcpenney.com and click on “Campus Shop.”

Courtesy of ARA Content

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