Down Bedding Primer

Few textiles for the bed offer the luxury and comfort of down. It’s lightweight, warm and fluffy, with unique breathability. Explains the Down Association of Canada, down wicks away moisture, allowing water vapor to pass through the down. This keeps you warm without clamminess or heaviness, and you can sleep in cooler air while staying warm. 

Down is part of the plumage grown by waterfowl for warmth. It clusters under and around the flight and body feathers, on the breast and under the wings. The geese and duck molt or shed the down just as they shed their larger feathers. As they preen their feathers, they loosen down and feathers. The farmer collects the loose down for “dry-harvesting,” a painless process much like brushing a dog to get rid of loose fur. 

A top-quality down product should have at least 90% down to no more than 10% feathers. The advantage is more “loft” which means the fibers buoyantly trap air for warmth while remaining fluffy and uncompressed. Look for lightness and bounce and avoid products with sharp feather quills or “down fiber,” a down dust that offers no value.  For comforters, choose a high thread-count, baffle box construction that compartmentalizes the down to keep it from shifting. 

You can buy comforters and pillows ready-made, so look for clear, concise labeling so you know exactly what you’re buying. You can also have duvets, feather beds and other products custom made for you at bulk down manufacturers.  

Design on a Dime – How to Spruce up your Home on a Budget

There are many reasons why you might be ready to decorate your home. Perhaps you’re looking to get rid of an outdated look or just want to freshen up. Maybe you’re looking to change things up for the summer season, just want a change or you’re having a special party. Regardless of the reason, it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. There are many ways to spruce up your home without expensive renovations or even a lot of time. But do take your time doing the research before you tackle a DIY project because preparation goes a long way toward a professional look. Remember what your mom used to say, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing correctly.”

Paint your Hearth

Do you have an outdated fireplace? Maybe an old brick hearth in an outdated color? Light grey, white or black paint are the most popular colors to paint that old, ugly fireplace with. It updates the entire room when you freshen a fireplace and, done correctly, it becomes a beautiful focal point in the room and not the thing you wish you could unsee. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can add new mantle at a low cost and with little effort. You just need to be the slightest bit handy with tools and voila, you have a brand-new look that seems expensive but isn’t. You don’t want to do a poor job on a fireplace painting job because it will be difficult to undo it.

Kitchen Cabinets

You don’t have to be a decorating expert to give your kitchen a new look that looks like high end without a complete renovation. Painting your kitchen cabinets is the best way to make your kitchen look brand new without a complete renovation. But make sure you learn how to do it correctly and take the time to do a quality job or you’ll just make it look cheap. Using the correct type of quality paint makes a difference as well. White is a popular color right now or a light gray. Then add some new cabinet pulls to complete the look. This project may take time but it well worth it if you’re trying to save a ton of money.

Small Décor

Artificial plants (not the great big fake trees of old) like some small succulents in a cute decorative pot can make a big statement without breaking the budget. Pillows, pillows, pillows! They are the best bang for your buck. They add texture, color, and take up empty spaces on your furniture. Get plenty of them in different sizes and fabrics. Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive anymore. You can find some very pretty stuff at some of the more budget friendly stores around town. My favorite is Home Goods. They have quality items at good prices. And don’t forget linens. Changing your bedding is a cost-effective way to brighten up a room with colors and textures and you can add some curtain that blend. New towels in the bathroom also give you a way to decorate without spending a fortune.

Do the Simple Stuff

In some cases, a little goes a long way. Cleaning up your home is one of the best and least expensive ways to freshen it up. Don’t just scrub it up but also organize. For instance, organizing any open shelving, decluttering rooms, and putting things away can make a huge difference. Also, fix things that you’ve been putting off like lose door handles or obvious things that are esthetically obvious and take away from the pretty décor in your home. And lastly, paint it! Updating paint colors and painting high traffic rooms where there may be scuffs and dirty paint is an excellent way to freshen it up. Paint an accent wall in your main entertainment room of a master bedroom to create some contrast and update the design of your home on a dime. And if you have a green thumb, update the outside of your home by landscaping. Yes, landscape is a form of design on the exterior of your home. Part of your landscape plan can be some new patio furniture, lighting, and pillows. Hang some large bulb string lights to brighten it up and create a cute design element. You don’t have to be an expert to do any of these things. It’s all online these days. Just Google it and find out how to.

Need to find out how to stage your home for sale? Find out more about Sallie Elliott and the Priority Group here. We’re here to help.

Landscaping Schmandscaping!

We don’t really give too much thought to landscaping until we buy a brand-new home or a one that needs a little TLC. In fact, unless you have a problem with your current landscaping, it’s likely you’re in the majority of people who have never hired a landscaper. Since I’m a designer who works with a lot of new home builds and I’ve recently renovated my home, I know a little something about it. To start with, there’s no real trick to finding a landscaper but if you don’t get on his or her radar before springtime, you can be in for a long wait. You’ll certainly want to use a company you know and one that’s been recommended. The next thing is knowing what a realistic budget is so make sure you get a few quotes. Both big and small, we have a plenty of landscaping companies right here in town and I’m going to feature a few for you this week.

Patera

I would guess that Patera is a mid to larger company and they work quite a bit with developers and builders. I’ve also seen them do work for individuals and it’s good. They install softscapes and hardscapes as well as firepits, fireplaces, water features and outdoor lighting. Most of their projects are at least mid-sized and from the look of them they are likely also bigger budget projects, but their work is good and because of that it might be a little harder to get on their schedule. Take a look at some of their work. https://www.pateralandscaping.com/

Lanoha

They are a large garden center as well as a landscaping company for residential and commercial jobs as well as a landscape and turf maintenance company. This is one of my favorite places to go for my projects because I can see what they’ll be planting or installing before it gets done. They have a professional design center ready to assist and I would say the primarily work with bigger budgets. In this case, you get what you pay for. They really do exquisite work. But be prepared to plan ahead. They are one of the more popular places in town and if you’re not the first one in line so-to-speak you may wait a bit. Again, it’s worth it in this case. https://lanohanurseries.com/

Jensen Gardens

Located in Springfield, Nebraska this awesome place also has a nursery where they grow what they use in their projects. They say they can design anything you can imagine, and I believe it. And in the winter, they transform into a snow removal company. Though they wear many hats, they really are focused on the job at hand. From landscapes to hardscapes, outdoor kitchens, poolside patios and more, they really do, do it all. I like their work, including their designs. Check them out for yourself at https://landscapeomaha.com/

Clear Creek Landscapes

This little gem is a smaller landscaping company and I’ve used them for mulch mounds and hardscaping. Their prices are competitive and they’re hard-working and reliable young people. But make no mistake, I think they would be great for any job, big or small including outdoor transformations like a kitchen or a brand-new patio entertainment space with a pergola. They give me competitive, written bids and a concept drawing ahead of time so that I know exactly what to expect. You should expect that from any reputable company. I’m happy to say that all their work has been spot on and creative. And they’re not budget snobs. They’ll help you work within any budget. Also, they warranty their plants which is especially important here in Nebraska. https://clearcreeklandscapes.com/

Popular Floor Plan Requests

My exclusive home builder relationship with Nathan Homes gives me unique insight into what’s popular and trending in new construction floor plans. Today’s popular floor plans are highly influenced by what’s common in today’s lifestyles meaning family size, number of family members working at home, schooling at home, grown children returning home and how much we now stay at home. And staying at home more brings activities that families are considering now when they create their floor plans such as gaming spaces, larger dining spaces, functional kitchen stations and theater spaces.

The Avalon

One of the reasons this one is popular is because it has a three-car garage that provides an extra automobile space for your driving age child that has returned home from school or to live with you because of a change of circumstances like job loss. The Great room has that desirable open concept giving you more space for entertaining the family at home. One of the greatest features about this one is that the Master bedroom is separated from the spare bedrooms which are located on the opposite side of the house. Just because the kids have returned home to live, doesn’t mean that you have to be next to them all of the time. Something that actually helps families stay closer in their relationships. A large dinette helps with space for family gatherings or for home schooling. By putting headphones on the kids, everyone gets their own privacy and they’re in a separate space so they’re out of the way. No need for a formal dining space in this house. They’re often not use anyway. A really good amount of square footage here to accommodate everyone staying home more often and helping to keep them healthy. A total of five bedrooms is one of the more popular things about this particular floor plan since we have smaller children at home and older children coming back plus, I’m hearing a lot of need for a second home office from the two working parents’ households. A large deck is great for outdoor congregations with immediate family. No reason to have to stay cooped up in the house. Add an outdoor fire pit for extra ambience and your outdoor space is complete. I’m also hearing that a finished basement is critical like this one with a media room, game area and full bar. Another space for entertainment options for the family that now stays put more often.

The Taylor II

This floorplan from our Laid Back Lifestyle designs has been another very popular one for many reasons. Clients have been telling us that they like the practicality of having five bedrooms for extra family members and two work at home parents. The Great room with the master bedroom on one side and the guest bedrooms on the other again gives mom and dad the privacy they need considering all the together time we have these days. Families enjoy the three-car garage for the extra cars or for extra storage when there are more family members at home. This finished basement has a large central recreation space that can be used as a television room for watching movies together as well as a gaming area with a large pool table. Two of the bedrooms are on the lower level which can easily be used for one of your two home offices or for home schooling, so everyone has separate areas. Separate spaces are the key for new floor plans in 2021.

The Prairie Zen

This home is by far one of our more popular builds primarily because it has over four thousand square feet. The square footage is used by family to be together but still have privacy. It’s has home office space and plenty of bedrooms with five. It’s a story and a half so with the finished basement it has multiple levels to get away on. The modern design is sleek and keeps everything clean and unclutters which also helps with how you feel when you’re in this home. There is even a loft area on the second level that give the kids a chance to watch television or play games while mom and dad sneak away to the basement for a cocktail or to watch a movie. With five bathrooms everyone has enough space to get ready for the day each morning. No kids arguing over space at the sink. Again, we have a large, covered deck for a safe and healthy outdoor family gathering. This everything you need to stay home but get away. It’s the perfect combination.

For photos of all these homes, visit the Priority Group web site at www.omahaprioritygroup.com

2021 Trends in Bathroom Faucets and Vanities

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Coming Soon

As a designer, I have the privilege of attending previews of the latest and greatest designer items. Recently, I attended an event highlighting the new designs for bathroom vanities and faucets. I know, it doesn’t sound that exciting, but you would be surprised to know that things have changed, and the 2021 trends are fantastic. For example, there are brand new bowl shapes like molded porcelain sinks. They are a new material spin on a once popular molded sink from the 80s. The new bowl shapes with rounded edges are simple, classic and beautiful.

Colors, Colors and More Colors

Not only are the new 2021 model sinks coming in brand new solid colors, but they come in patterns as well. I saw a bathroom sink with a black background and pink, white and green floral design inside. Not only was it unique but it wasn’t busy the way you might guess. Check out the video included in this blog. And the contrast of the black against the florals was surprisingly traditional with a modern twist.

What Matches Those Exquisite Sinks

One of the most exciting things about all the new sink designs was how they were paired with bathroom faucets. New Kohler faucets for 2021 span the gamut with a combination of new touch free and one touch technology and finishes in colors like…wait for it…Ombre. Yes, Ombre is a latest new faucet color. And not just one set of colors, it comes in a couple of different Ombre colors. Other beautiful finishes are a high gloss copper and black chrome. They come in modern styles to go with the cutting edge, and might I say, fabulous colors.

Natural and Organic Materials Make a Comeback

Spa bathrooms have never really gone out of style with organic materials like teak shower mats, clean lines, and soothing colors. In fact, we used a beautiful wood sink bowl in one of the model homes we designed. Amazingly its beautiful and functional. The possibilities are endless with todays materials and finishes. You just have to imagine it.

Check out other informative blogs and find out more about us on our site at omahaprioritygroup.com.