a new study on the phenomenon, in an interview with the Washington Post.
But prioritizing the perceived preferences of the general public over personal décor desires, it turns out, is a formula for anxiety, detachment and feeling out of place in a place meant to be yours.
“It really makes people feel quite uneasy about the decisions that they make in their home, and so they’re always kind of fearful about getting it wrong,” Grant added.
Yet, the takeaway message from hit renovation shows seems clear: Unique, cluttered and unconventional spaces have less mass appeal and a lower resale value, so consider the next homeowner first when making renovations.
(HGTV did not return The Post’s request for comment.)
Of the 17 individuals who were involved in the study’s research, the majority said they wanted to be seen as a “smart homeowner who has invested in my home” and avoid distinct, potentially polarizing design choices, Grant said.
One individual told the study authors she believed the reason she’d gotten so much positive feedback on her renovated bathroom was because it looked “like a hotel.”
In another era, or to a less-conformist homeowner, this would certainly have been taken as something of a diss, a comment on the bathroom’s generic sameness.
In a world that apparently believes standardization is superior, though, it’s now a compliment.
On Instagram last month, reality television personality Tarek El Moussa posted a video of himself strolling a street in North Hollywood to tell his 1.3 million followers about his new big plans.
El Moussa co-hosts a real estate show on HGTV called “The Flipping El Moussas” with his wife, Heather, who is also a cast member on Netflix’s “Selling Sunset.” El Moussa shared that he had just finished walking the nearby property where the couple is developing a “super cool, super modern” 138-unit apartment complex with a rooftop pool.
“We got so lucky to find this land,” El Moussa said. “Because finding land like this in North Hollywood, it’s literally impossible.”
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El Moussa left out of the video why a lot like this was available in the first place. Just a week before, the current property owner was convicted in federal court of hiring someone to set fire to vacant units on the site, an arson that tenants say was part of a years-long illegal harassment campaign to force them to leave.
Now the El Moussas are evicting the five remaining tenants, who all are in rent-controlled units. The residents worry about their future in L.A.’s sky-high rental market and believe they should be compensated for the turmoil they’ve gone through.
“It’s been my home for 40 years,” said Cathy Livas, 77, who pays $824 a month to live in a dingbat unit with her 56-year-old son with special needs. “Why would I want to live anywhere else? Do you know the price of rents?”
Livas and other tenants said they’d be willing to negotiate a buyout but believe it should be far in excess of the up to $25,000 required under the law given that their outgoing landlord, ArthurAslanian, tried to burn them out of their homes and otherwise illegally force them to go.
In a presentation to investors, the El Moussas project that after five years they’ll be able to sell the apartment complex for $26 million more than what it costs to acquire the property and build the development.
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“Pay us to leave,” said Clare Letmon, 32, who lives in a bungalow with her husband, Jonpaul Rodriguez, 35. “But pay us an amount of money that’s dignified and recognizes the profit they’re set to make off of everything that was done to us.”
Neither Tarek nor Heather El Moussa could be reached for comment. In an emailed statement, Eda Kalkay, the El Moussas’ public relations representative, said that the El Moussas recognize the property owner is involved in “several serious legal matters” but that the couple and other development partners will have no affiliation with them once the sale of the property is finished.
“The goal is to work closely and respectfully with the current tenants by providing proper move-out compensation and constructing a safe and pristine new apartment complex that will also include 14 low-income units,” the statement said.
The property, made up of multiple lots, currently houses 10 bungalows, five dingbat apartments, a single-family home and 6-foot-tall weeds growing next to the burned-out structures.
The horrors of living there began years ago when tenants said Aslanian started ripping out the walls of their units, exposing them to asbestos, mold and vermin and retaliated against them when they complained or pushed for repairs.
In February 2022, Aslanian promised to pay someone $2,000 to set fire to the property, federal prosecutors said. Using a borrowed gas canister and a hotplate, only the outside of a building was scorched. The next month, a second fire, prosecutors said, was started by another co-conspirator, burning two of the vacant bungalow units.
Prosecutors said Aslanian’s arson campaign was designed to force the tenants out, and most of the residents have left the property. Aslanian secured approval for the new 138-unit project within months of the fires.
“Those permits exist because of everything Arthur did,” Letmon said. “The building was almost vacant because of everything Arthur did.”
Aslanian was convicted of three charges related to the fires last month in addition to multiple charges for conspiring with his employee to hire a hitman to kill two men — one who opposed him in litigation and the other who represented one of his companies in bankruptcy.
Letmon and Rodriguez’s rent is $1,650 a month, but they’ve stopped paying, saying they refuse to give money to a landlord who set their home on fire.
Some previous tenants sued Aslanian over conditions at the property and have received a settlement for an undisclosed amount. The current tenants have a pending lawsuit against him.
But conditions at the property remain dire. The burnt-out bungalows are boarded up, and tenants say they’re still unsafe. Vacant units in the dingbat have broken windows. A tree next to Livas’ unit is overgrown.
A new development group called NoHo 138, which includes the El Moussas, took over the project earlier this year. Representatives of the developers, though not the El Moussas, met with tenants in the winter. The El Moussas began to advertise the apartment plan to investors.
In a video posted to YouTube in May, Tarek El Moussa, whose first real estate reality show was called “Flip or Flop,” stood outside the property touting it as “my biggest flip ever.”
“I am more excited about this thing than anything I’ve ever done in my life,” El Moussa said.
The tenants received their eviction notices in late June. They have become even more alarmed as the El Moussas ramped up their investment campaign.
On Instagram, the El Moussas promoted the development opportunity using a fire emoji, something Letmon and Rodriguez said was insensitive given the arson. Tarek El Moussa said that they planned to break ground “in a few months.” Under the law, tenants 62 or older can remain in their apartments for a year before getting evicted.
“My year isn’t up until June next year, so I don’t know how they’re going to build with me here,” Livas said.
Kalkay, the El Moussas’ spokesperson, said Tarek filmed the video that promised an early groundbreaking before he knew the full context of the tenants’ situation with Aslanian, and the developers will follow all provisions of eviction law. She added that El Moussa meant no offense with the fire emoji.
“Anyone that follows Tarek would know that he is a fan of using emojis on social media,” Kalkay said in response to emailed questions from The Times. “By no means was he making any insinuation or mockery of the tenants’ past experience with the seller.”
Letmon and Rodriguez have tried to track the El Moussas’ promotion for the development. They said it’s been difficult to watch the couple talk about their expensive vacations and advertise that their investors will get invitations to exclusive yacht parties with them.
“It’s an insult when I know he’s spending his summer in the Hamptons and in Cabo and he can’t make time for tenants whose displacement is enabling ‘the biggest flip of his life,’” Letmon said.
Letmon and Rodriguez also have begun posting about their plight on social media, tagging El Moussa on Instagram and asking to meet with him in person.
“Real smart…Keep offending someone that is trying to help you,” El Moussa responded in a July 12 direct message Rodriguez shared with The Times.
Kalkay said that El Moussa is the one being harassed.
“Regardless of the alarming personal attacks sent to Tarek El Moussa and his family via social media DM, he continues to remain sensitive to the situation of the tenants,” she said.
Kalkay added that other development partners plan to continue contacting the tenants and have already reached out to the tenants’ attorney in the hopes of continuing negotiations over their departure.
“As just one of the partners that make up NoHo 138, Tarek’s role is to work on other areas of this deal, but the appropriate people managing this area intend to meet with all tenants,” Kalkay said.
Times staff writers Noah Goldberg and Salvador Hernandez contributed to this report.
From the age of 21, interior designer Veronica Valencia has worked behind the scenes on more than 500 home makeover shows. But at long last, she’s in the spotlight of her own HGTV series, “Revealed.”
On her show, she renovates homes to highlight the homeowner’s heritage, heirlooms, and family history, setting the stage for some extremely emotional makeovers.
To learn more about how she got her own show and what viewers can learn from it, we spoke with Valencia about some of her fondest memories, what it was like raising her kids on a TV set, as well as her top tips for making any home feel more like, well, home!
You’ve been involved with a lot of renovation shows, but this is your first as the star! How did this series come about?
I’ve been in the design makeover world for 15 years, I started on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” when I was 21. And basically, I am a trained interior designer, but the majority of my career has been doing behind-the-scenes design work for television.
So this has kind of been my upbringing. I feel at home on a television set doing makeovers. I love the fast pace. My team on “Revealed” is the same team that I met when I was 21. I’m 37 now. I met them on the road, and we just all fell in love with each other.
The show started because I just got really ballsy when I was pregnant. I asked the network executives to give me a shot at my own show.
I said, “I know I can do it. I do all your shows behind the scenes; you know what I can do.” And so now we’re here.
The show is all about family background. What got you interested in designing with heritage in mind?
I come from a very big Mexican family, and we were proud of who we were. But I grew up in Woodland Hills and went to school in Calabasas in a predominantly white neighborhood. And I sometimes felt different.
I wasn’t ashamed of my background, but I wasn’t shouting from the rooftops that I’m Mexican. But I think it wasn’t until I became a mom that I realized how important it is to be proud of your roots. I want to instill that pride in my kids.
How do you honor your heritage in your own home?
My husband and I are bicoastal. In our New York home, we have a lot of African masks. My husband is Black and Irish. And a lot of these masks are from his travels to Ghana. So that’s something that’s really important to us.
We also have his grandmother’s Irish china. I’m all about using and living with your heirlooms. Like, that china doesn’t get brought out just on holidays—we use that every day. We use that to have a slice of pizza. I don’t just want to bring it out on special occasions. And I like being surrounded by my husband’s background. I know when he’s eating soup out of a bowl or having pizza on the china, he’s thinking of his grandma. And having these masks displayed, even if it’s just on a small wall, seeing those and being surrounded by those and our children growing up and seeing those, I think that is super important.
And here in Los Angeles, I have my grandmother’s tortilla maker. It’s in our kitchen. And I only make tortillas a couple of times a year with my grandma, but that’s something that’s really important.
It’s all about the little things: something that’s special that reminds you of where you come from and gives you a sense of belonging.
What was your favorite part of filming ‘Revealed’?
Behind the scenes, we had so much fun. I mean, these are my real-life best friends. So this was crazy. I feel like we had so many pinch-me moments. We would just turn around and look at each other, like, “This is wild. Like, what is happening right now?” And my husband works behind the scenes, so viewers will see him and my family in a couple of scenes every episode.
My son, Hunter, literally grew up on the set of “Extreme Makeover.” That boy feels so comfortable with camera guys, directors, he would help paint. So he’s in the show. I don’t know what scenes ended up in the final edit, but he is such a ham.
Did you have a favorite project of the season?
I redid my best friend’s house, which was so incredible. Lauren has been my neighbor since we were babies. She was the one who enrolled me in interior design school after high school. I was a softball player and I hurt my arm, so I didn’t know what I was going to do after high school. Meanwhile, Lauren was going to design school and wanted to carpool so she secretly enrolled me. And I was like, “What do you mean? What is that?” And then the first week, I was obsessed and loved it.
And then Lauren actually joined the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” team as Paige Hemmis‘ assistant and she sent in my resume. So she’s the one who got me into design, got me into television. So then it all came full circle. She needed to redo her home, and I got to make over my best friend’s home. So that was very emotional.
Do you have any tips for homeowners who want to renovate their house?
I just hope the viewers are inspired to just make their home beautiful. It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. Just focus on making a beautiful moment and on creating a memory of your home. And that could start with the family conversation. Hopefully, I can inspire people to incorporate more family into their homes.
What do you do for clients who don’t know, or don’t connect, to their heritage?
There are a lot of families like that! We had an Indian family on the show, and it turns out, records of ancestors and where you come from in India are hard to find. It was impossible to track down their ancestors.
So in that instance, I really focused on who they were in their upbringing: what makes them think about family, what home means to them.
I had one client who was Jewish, and Shabbat dinners and cooking were so important to their family. And so I just focused on that. So it really wasn’t as much about their ethnicity or where their ancestors came from. But it was really about what made them feel at home. Challah bread, that could literally inspire an entire kitchen design.
So I think that it’s about incorporating your heritage and culture into your home, but also about incorporating that individual family’s values and really diving deep into that.
The decline of Fort Morgan didn’t happen suddenly. There wasn’t a giant factory that closed or a natural disaster that devastated the small, farming town on the plains in the northeastern corridor of Colorado.
Instead, Fort Morgan’s story is a familiar one playing out across rural America: children moving away to find better jobs in the cities and big-box stores and online shopping leading to empty storefronts on Main Street. But this isn’t how the story ends for Fort Morgan, about an hour and 15 minutes northeast of Denver.
HGTV is turning its star power on Fort Morgan with the Season 2 premiere of “Home Town Takeover.” The show will feature its biggest name stars, including Ben and Erin Napier of “Home Town” and Dave and Jenny Marrs of “Fixer to Fabulous,” as they take on revitalization projects around town. The six-episode series is to premiere on Sunday.
The popular network has a strong track record of transforming struggling, down-on-their-luck, small towns and cities into popular tourist and real estate destinations. Several of these communities have credited the shows built around them for their turnarounds. Can HGTV and its talent re-create the magic in Fort Morgan—and perhaps inspire other struggling towns to invest in their own revitalizations?
“At the end of the day, millions of people are going to see this show,” Jenny Marrs tells Realtor.com®. “They’re going to be inspired either to go and visit Fort Morgan, which would be amazing and help the town as far as tourism, but also just be inspired to maybe do the same thing in their own town.”
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Watch: Exclusive: Is HGTV’s ‘Renovation 911’ the Most Dramatic Home Improvement Show Yet?
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Over the four months of filming for the show, the teams completed 18 projects. They included fixing up homes of local heroes, businesses such as the town’s bowling alley, and community spaces such as the downtown business district and a local park.
“Our town could use a jump-start,” says local artist Ann Iungerich. “The last 10 to 15 years, it’s gone through a slump. We could use a boost to get us back on track.”
Helping out on the projects were guest stars Jonathan Knight, star of HGTV’s “Farmhouse Fixer” and former vocalist for New Kids on the Block; rapper Lil Jon, who also has a show, “Lil Jon Wants To Do What?”; and Ty Pennington of “Rock the Block,” among others.
“These towns each have a special story,” says Jenny Marrs. She was most impressed by the people she met in Fort Morgan and how they rallied together to improve their community. “People stop, they say hello, they wave at you when you drive by, they know your name at the grocery stores. These sort of simple things can be really powerful.
“Families have lived in these small towns for generations. This is their family legacy and history,” she continues. “They shouldn’t have to move if we can help make the town viable again.”
The HGTV effect on real estate markets
The Texas city of Waco is perhaps the best example of the power of HGTV and its charismatic stars.
“Fixer Upper” premiered in 2013 and launched Chip and Joanna Gaines into the stratosphere. The couple built an empire off of that show, with a furniture line at Target, eight bestselling books between them, and even their own network, called Magnolia. But their greatest accomplishment might have been transforming the public image of Waco.
Before the popularity brought by the Gaineses, the city had been best known for a deadly standoff in 1993 between federal agents and a religious cult run by David Koresh. Now, tourists flock to the city to shop at the Gaineses’ stores and eat at their restaurant, Magnolia Table.
Average home prices in McLennan County, which includes Waco, surged almost 52.1% from 2015 to 2019, according to data previously provided by local real estate broker Camille Johnson. (“Fixer Upper” ran from 2013 to 2018 on HGTV. It was rebooted as “Fixer Upper: Welcome Home” on the Magnolia network in 2021.)
Before “Home Town” began filming in Laurel, MS, Mayor Johnny Magee flew out to Waco. He wanted to see the impact that “Fixer Upper” had on the struggling city.
“What we saw were tourists everywhere, and people were claiming that the same could happen in Laurel. We were doubtful,” says Magee. He didn’t realize how popular the show starring the Napiers would be when it premiered in January 2016.
Today, Laurel is booming. Its hotels and restaurants are full, home sales have risen as more people have moved here, and the town’s tax base has increased.
Home list prices surged in Laurel, shooting up 84.1% from July 2016 through July 2022, according to Realtor.com data. That’s compared with a 71.9% increase nationally and 60.8% in Mississippi over the same period.
“I am a native Laurelite who is amazed about what has happened since Ben and Erin Napier have begun the ‘Home Town’ show in Laurel. When the show began, downtown was like a ghost town,” says Magee. “What we have experienced has blown the minds of everyone who knew Laurel pre-‘Home Town.’”
Bentonville, AR, where “Fixer to Fabulous” is filmed, is a bit of an exception as it’s a city of more than 55,000 residents. It’s also the birthplace and headquarters of Walmart.
However, the Marrses have seen tourism tick up as a result of their show. There are now golf cart tours of the homes that have appeared on “Fixer to Fabulous.”
“It’s a powerful thing,” Dave Marrs says of the HGTV effect on Bentonville.
But there are a few downsides.
Home prices can rise as a result of being in the spotlight, say the Marrses. The number of properties for rent and sale is likely to drop even further as out-of-towners move in. That’s likely to make it harder for locals to find places. And those who grew up in the community might find themselves competing with deep-pocketed investors and retirees.
When home prices increase, property taxes can also rise. That was a substantial problem that homeowners in Waco experienced.
Fort Morgan’s already benefiting from ‘Home Town Takeover’
Since the news broke in July that the new season of “Home Town Takeover” would be filmed in Fort Morgan, commercial properties downtown have been selling quicker, says Brian Urdiales, a Fort Morgan councilman and Compass real estate broker.
“It isn’t typical to see three commercial properties on Main Street go onto the market and then close in a short time,” he says. “It would be great to see all the foot traffic and people on Main Street like when I grew up.”
Tourists have also begun to trickle in, says artist Iungerich, 61, a lifelong resident of the town. She submitted the town’s original application to be on the show when it launched just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. And she created an art installation that will be featured on the show: a 5-foot-tall bowling ball, a 9.5-foot-tall pin, and a crown, all placed in front of the local bowling alley.
The recent trickle of tourists is certainly something new for Fort Morgan, founded after an eponymously named military post opened in the mid-19th century along the South Platte River.
Today, the fort no longer remains and Fort Morgan is primarily a farming and ranching community of about 11,500 residents. There is a large Cargill beef processing plant, a mozzarella cheese processing facility, and a historic sugar factory.
The old railroad depot is boarded up, but folks can still catch an Amtrak train to Denver or into Nebraska. There are some restaurants, and the movie theater has recently been remodeled.
Fort Morgan has “the blue-collar jobs. They have the farming. They just didn’t have the draw to keep people there,” Dave Marrs tells Realtor.com. “So a lot of our focus was ‘Hey, you’re working here, stay here. Spend time here, spend money here so the town can develop even more.’”
Despite the town’s struggles, Fort Morgan’s real estate market has remained appealing to buyers priced out of more expensive parts of the state. During the pandemic, many Denver-area buyers came to Fort Morgan seeking more affordable properties, more space, and a more rural lifestyle. Homes sold briskly in a single weekend, often for over the asking price.
The real estate market has since come back down as higher mortgage interest rates are forcing many would-be buyers to the sidelines. Home list prices are mostly back to pre-pandemic levels, at a median of $330,550 in March, according to Realtor.com data.
Homes in Fort Morgan are still attracting buyers, especially as prices are about half of Denver’s median price tag of $663,000 and roughly $100,000 less than the national median of $424,500 in March.
“Our market’s always been pretty strong,” says Urdiales. He’s still seeing bidding wars, investors making all-cash offers, and first-time buyers jumping into the fray. “People are still buying.”
And the international exposure the town is about to receive is expected to be positive for the real estate market, especially as many viewers are working remotely and can live just about anywhere.
“It brings this aura of glamour to the small-town lifestyle,” says Jeff Engelstad, a real estate professor at the University of Denver. “You get on a million people’s radar, and you’re going to land a few of them.”
Home prices surge in Wetumpka after ‘Home Town Takeover’
Perhaps the best blueprint of what’s in store for Fort Morgan might be what happened in Wetumpka, AL. The small town was featured in the first season of “Home Town Takeover,” which premiered in May 2021.
As HGTV broadcast this small town into living rooms all over the world, the real estate market caught fire. Prices rose and homes flew off the market. Homes for rent or sale were scarce.
Home list prices in Wetumpka grew 42.3% from January 2021 through January 2023, according to Realtor.com data.
While some of that is due to the hot housing market during the pandemic, Wetumpka saw much larger run-ups in prices than the state or rest of the country. Over the same period, prices rose 26% in Alabama and 23.9% nationally.
The market has since slowed along with the rest of the nation, but some homes are still receiving multiple offers, says Wetumpka real estate broker Beverly Wright, of Re/Max Cornerstone Realty.
“It’s pretty crazy,” says Shellie Whitfield, executive director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re still building housing, and once the shovel’s in the ground, they’re sold.”
When she moved to Wetumpka in summer 2017, about 40% of the stores downtown were boarded up. Now, only two storefronts are empty and busloads of tourists visit the town’s new bookstore, ice cream parlor, pet store, and even a high-end olive oil and vinegar store.
“They sped us up about 15 years. It’s been really great,” says Whitfield. “They just catapulted us just far beyond anything anyone could have imagined.”
Whitfield is confident the show will have a similar effect on Fort Morgan.
“They definitely will see some impact because there is such a strong following for the show,” says Whitfield.
The Marrses want viewers to be inspired to take action to turn their own towns around.
“I hope that people watch this show and say we can do that,” Jenny Marrs says. “It’s a spark that gets the fire started.”
We all want our homes to look attractive and reflect our personal style, and we choose décor items to achieve both goals. Sadly, that sometimes means facing a substantial decorating or renovation cost.
If you plan to live in the house you own for years and years, decorate as you see fit. However, if you live in a rental and could move at any time, or if you plan to sell your home, think twice before investing in furniture, art or any fixtures you can’t take with you. The décor you choose today might not fit the vibe of your next home — forcing you to start all over — and if you plan to sell, some of the choices you make could turn off potential buyers.
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GOBankingRates reached out to people in the real estate and design fields to ask their advice about which décor items are a waste of money. Eight of their ideas follow.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper was a staple in homes in the 1960s and ’70s — look for it the next time you watch a rerun of “The Brady Bunch” or “Columbo” — but it fell out of favor. While you’ll see designers on HGTV shows incorporate wallpaper on some projects today, it’s usually on a sparse basis.
“Wallpaper patterns can quickly become outdated as design trends evolve. Opting for wallpaper with bold patterns or motifs that are currently in vogue might be appealing to you at the moment, but it could potentially look dated in a few years, making the room feel less attractive and in need of updating,” said Boyd Rudy, Michigan real estate associate broker with the MiReloTeam through Keller Williams.
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Themed Décor
Wendy Wang, a home design and renovation specialist, said it’s wise to resist the temptation to decorate according to a theme.
“For instance, a nautical theme with anchor accents, a sailing artwork or a beach theme with shells everywhere; they may seem appealing at first, especially to complement a certain environment or to show personal interests,” said Wang, owner of F&J Outdoor. “These items usually make a room look tacky rather than chic and sophisticated. They also age a space pretty quickly as the novelty wears off.”
Instead, she said to use the themed pieces as a complement, not a focal point.
“I would recommend investing in timeless, classic pieces and incorporate smaller accents to bring out the theme subtly. It’s really about balancing taste and personality with broader appeal,” she added.
Expensive Window Treatments
When it comes to covering windows, one home-design expert thinks you should keep it simple.
“Many people waste money on buying expensive and elaborate curtains to decorate their homes,” said Jessica Wilson, the editor and co-founder of InYouths LED Mirrors. “While these pieces may add visual appeal, they are often a wasteful investment. Fancy curtains can be difficult to clean and maintain, leading to a shorter lifespan compared to simpler window treatments. Additionally, these curtains may not complement future home décor, making them bad for resale value. Their intricate design can also make a room appear cluttered and unattractive. Instead, opt for simpler and more cost-effective window treatments to create an inviting and timeless home.”
Artificial Plants
If you want greenery in your home, real estate industry veteran Pete Evering said you should grow and care for real plants instead of buying artificial ones — especially if you plan to sell your home anytime soon.
“While faux plants may not significantly impact resale value, they can leave a negative first impression on your home, making it look cheap and lacking authenticity,” said Evering, the business development manager at Utopia Property Management. “Their manufactured appearance doesn’t give a natural feel and diminishes the overall visual appeal of the space. Visitors or potential buyers may perceive them as a sign of neglect or a shortcut taken in decorating. Instead of providing the freshness and vitality that real plants offer, faux plants can make a room feel lifeless and uninviting.”
Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
On some of those older TV shows, you’ll see carpeting — not wood, tile or luxury vinyl — on the floors. Sometimes even in the bathrooms. But real estate expert Roman Smolevskiy, the owner of A+ Construction and Remodeling in Sacramento, California, recommended making another choice.
“From a resale standpoint, wall-to-wall carpeting can be a detriment. Many buyers today prefer hardwood or tiled floors, both for their aesthetic appeal and their durability. Carpeting is often associated with allergens and can hide dust, dirt and other pollutants, causing potential health concerns. This can turn off health-conscious buyers or those with allergies.
“Design-wise, carpeting can make rooms appear smaller and dated, affecting the overall attractiveness of the house. With the current trend leaning toward minimalist and modern interiors, carpeting can seem out of place and hopelessly old-fashioned.”
Ornate Light Fixtures
“Picture a lavish crystal chandelier in a minimalist living room or an industrial-style pendant in a classic Victorian. It seems stylish at the time of purchase but is a waste of resources because it can clash with the home’s overall design,” said Zackary Smigel, the founder of Real Estate License Wizard.
“Aside from the aesthetic discord, such a statement piece can be a double-edged sword regarding resale. Potential buyers may find it overbearing or at odds with their taste, forcing them to consider the replacement cost even before purchase. I’ve had clients who loved a house but hesitated because of an ornate, expensive lighting fixture that needed to match their style.”
Water Fountains
Like wallpaper and light fixtures, beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to water fountains.
“Yes, a beautiful water fountain near your home’s entrance or in the center of your backyard can add a touch of elegance to your property and promote a relaxing ambiance,” said Benas Leonavicius, the founder of HomeCaprice.
“However, water fountains can be very expensive décor items in terms of initial expense and installation. If you plan on selling the property in the future, you should also know they don’t add any monetary value to your home. In fact, they could even decrease the value of your home in the eyes of some homebuyers since prominent water features like this require frequent upkeep that could easily outweigh its merely aesthetic benefits.”
Throw Blankets
“One item that I often see people wasting money on when decorating their home is expensive designer throw blankets,” said Pieter Runchman, a Los Angeles interior designer who is the founder and CEO of Floor Theory. “Sure, they may be made with luxurious materials and have a trendy design, but the reality is that most people don’t want to deal with the hassle of getting them professionally cleaned every time they need a refresh. It’s like having a beautiful piece of art that you can’t touch or enjoy without fear of ruining it.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Home Decor Items That Are a Waste of Money
Hosts of HGTV Canada’s ‘Styled’ Nicole Babb and Caffery Vanhorne explain how to bring the ‘Barbiecore’ trend into our homes. Get ready to style the perfect Barbie-inspired coffee table, explore beyond the pink palette, and learn how to add a touch of Barbie to your outfits.
We often watch HGTV for contemporary design quirks that may influence how we decorate in the future – but sometimes, designers remind us of historical features that have an unwavering place in modern homes. And this is the case with Jenny Mars.
The Fixer to Fabulous designer has renovated countless historic houses around Bentonville, Arkansas, meaning she is often tasked with accentuating their original charm and features. Her solution often involves installing wall paneling – a century-old decorating trick that instantly emphasizes the home’s heritage. However, we don’t need to live in a historic home to experiment with this technique.
website, Jenny accentuates a living room by installing wood paneling to maintain the original charm of the room while creating a luxurious aesthetic – and designers understand why this look is so timeless.
Wooden paneling first emerged as a form of wall decor in the 13th century, when King Henry III imported wood from Norway and used it to line his rooms at Windsor Castle. In the decades and centuries that followed, decorative paneling evolved into a fine art.
This feature has excellent thermal insulation properties, but alongside its practical assets, homeowners, designers, and artists alike have used wood paneling for its ornate aesthetic – seen firstly in the embellished linen-fold paneling that became popular in the 15th century.
Today, wood paneling is similarly admired for its good looks – hence why it is so admired by the likes of Jenny Marrs. But what makes it so eternally sought-after? New York-based designer, Artem Kropovinsky, says it comes down to three key factors.
‘Firstly, wooden panels are admired for their timeless charm, that stems from their natural origin,’ he says. ‘Secondly, their adaptability allows for customization to match any home decor style. And thirdly, their durability ensures longevity. Lastly, they instill a sense of warmth and sophistication in any setting.’
Artem Kropovinsky
design trends are rooted far in the past. And we would say that’s the case with Jenny Marrs’ go-to.
You’ve probably walked into plenty of half bathrooms, also known as powder rooms, and left with little inspiration. Right? What exactly do you do with a sink, toilet and four walls?
The answer is plenty! These spaces offer the perfect opportunity to let your interior decorator and inner muse shine. The small square footage can even work in your favor, creating an intimate retreat that lets your unique flair stand out.
From accent walls to loud prints, beautiful shelving and distinct color combos, these half-bath decor ideas can take your tiny space to the next level. Use one or a few of these ideas to transform it from a place to sit for a spell or check your makeup to a bathroom your guests and family can’t stop talking about.
Ready to get started? These nine half-bath decor ideas should help inspire you to take risks, be bold and make a statement.
1. Bring in the outdoors
Everything in this bathroom, from the plant in the corner to the vase with dried flowers, shiny metals and a mirror framed by crescent moons, reminds us of the beauty in nature. With a busy small room, it’s a good idea to limit your choice of colors.
Here, the brown, green and maroon palettes help bring it all together. Even the wood frames surrounding the paintings blend in with the decor. The hanging silver cups and toothbrushes are another great idea in small spaces, saving precious countertop space.
If nature calls to you, this may be the inspiration you seek.
2. Add an accent wall
Whether tile, wallpaper, paint or a wall-size mirror, adding a unique element to one wall creates a focal point. It’s used to liven up a space or simply add your favorite color, texture or design.
This pink tile in various shades is reminiscent of the popular hue and design of the 1950s. Of course, currently, it aligns with Barbiecore and the summer hit that has yet to come out.
According to Fixr.com’s 2023 Bathroom Trends Report, ceramic tiles are the most in-demand affordable material in bathroom remodels. People use it on walls (exhibit A), showers and floors.
3. Go dark
What? A small black half bathroom? It sounds like a half-bath decor idea gone wrong, but this space proves otherwise. The lighting behind the mirror casts a luminous glow, and the matching trim brings the bathroom together. The simple, clean lines and limited decor add to the sense of intrigue and shadows. Black is, after all, the color of darkness, power and mystery.
With today’s LED strip lights, you can add illumination from an unseen source to just about any area—under cabinets, behind mirrors and around paintings or other decorative elements. Dark and light make the perfect pair.
4. Make friends with your walls
In a small room, your walls may become your best friends. Added shelving offers a space to add your favorite trinkets, inspirational sayings and required bathroom accessories with nowhere else to go.
Consider artistic shelves that make a statement on their own.
5. Combine light and mirrors
While few of us have the architectural elements and tall ceilings found in this unique setting, we do have access to gold wall sconces and mirrors. This beautiful combination can become the center attraction of any half bathroom.
Wall sconces provide a soft, ambient light that reflects off ceilings, walls and floors. Traditionally, way back when, they held torches and candles. Today, they come in nearly limitless options, letting you find one that aligns with your vision. The hardest part is often selecting just one!
Some other options include candle, lantern, half-moon and multi-light wall sconces.
6. Go wild with wallpaper
Most half baths may only have one sink, but they can all have beautiful peacocks gracing their walls. Do you have a favorite bird, plant, or design? This is the room to let it embolden your walls with its charm.
Add wall sconces and a unique mirror that aligns with your decor, and you’ll have a space worthy of HGTV.
7. Go pink
If there was ever a time to go pink, this is it. What’s required to get in on the Barbiecore trend? A love of pink, parties and playfulness.
From the lighting to the paint, soap dispenser and flowers, this looks like a bathroom you may want to get married in. Another backlit mirror offers a lovely soft glow.
If pink isn’t your dream shade, reenvision this bathroom in shades of teal, violet or Caribbean blue.
8. Go spalike
Just because half bathrooms are small doesn’t mean they can’t ooze a spalike sanctuary. Small amber bottles of oil and a natural bar of soap on a wooden soap dish remind us that sometimes it’s the simple things that create a sense of peace and tranquility.
Add small wooden containers for a touch of earthy dried grass and a functional soap dispenser to complete the essence of relaxation. Now, all you need is the sound of chimes and a gentle stream, and you may find your guests lingering in your half bath longer than anticipated.
9. Go for texture and contrast
Veri Peri-esque bricks and a golden mirror could be the start of a fairytale castle. In this case, it’s the culmination of your half bath. The shelves offer added decor while creating much-needed space for everything bathroom. What would you add to these shelves? Perhaps a purple dragon figurine intermixed with lotions, oils and perfumes in old-world bottles?
Be true to your inner muse
Your half bath serves as a blank slate, a canvas waiting for you. As Michelangelo said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I see him free.” Let these half-bath decor ideas spark your inner artist, then set it free to unveil the essence your half bath is waiting to become.Still searching for your perfect place to decorate? Start here.
It’s Monday morning in New York City and I’m curious about what President Joe Biden’s lunchbox looks like.
While he’s no Donald Trump when it comes to odd White House habits, Biden does have some quirks at the President’s Palace. Among them: subjecting the vice president to a travel-photo slideshow, a hidden Oval Office TV and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to go.
Here’s what else is happening:
A spike in pet surrenders this summer have left some NYC animal shelters overwhelmed and at capacity, struggling to stay afloat.
Elton John’s last touring show after 52 years happened over the weekend and while it marked the end of the 76-year-old singer traveling the world for concerts, you may be able to catch him performing in other capacities.
A car parked too close to rail tracks near Yankee Stadium was hit by a Metro-North train Saturday. Luckily, no one was inside of the vehicle at the time.
Your home might not make it to HGTV, but it sure can feel like it’s being criticized all the same, which, according to a study, is making our living spaces less unique.
Perhaps we can take some unique decor inspo from this New Jersey town that’s now home to a giant troll sculpture made from recycled materials.
Speaking of renovations, why haven’t we converted all of those unused office buildings in NYC to apartments yet? Well, it’s harder than it seems.
A beloved Chinatown bookstore was badly damaged by a fire that erupted on July 4th in an apartment above the shop, but community members, writers and other supporters have raised more than $300,000 to help the store recover.
Come on, Barbie, let’s go party — at the real-life Malibu Dreamhouse.
Airbnb announced Monday that the hot-pink, beach-side mansion inspired by the toy home of the same name will be available to book for a limited time next month — with a twist. This time, Barbie’s blond beau, Ken, will be hosting.
The property rental company and Warner Bros. have joined forces to promote “Barbie” — the summer comedy starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling — by inviting “everyone in Barbie Land” to enter for a chance to win a one-night stay at the luxury estate.
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“We all have dreams, and Barbie is lucky enough to have a house full of them,” Ken said Monday in a statement.
“But now, it’s my turn, and I can’t wait to host guests inside these one-of-a-kind – dare I say, one-of-a-Ken? – digs.”
Starting July 17 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, anyone can request to book Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse on Airbnb. The company will select four lucky guests (two per night) to spend a night at the oceanfront villa for free on July 21 and 22.
According to a press release, “Ken couldn’t figure out how to put a price on Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse — after all, Ken’s thing is beach, not math!”
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The listing welcomes guests to take “a spin through Ken’s awesome wardrobe to find their best beach fit,” channel “their inner cowboy” while participating in “a line dance or two on Ken’s outdoor disco dance floor,” challenge each other to a “beach off,” sunbathe by the infinity pool and take home “a piece of Kendom” by leaving with a set of rollerblades and surfboards.
Other features of the Ken-ified dreamhouse include a cowboy-themed salon, an observation deck with a telescope overlooking the ocean, an outdoor bar and grill, an outdoor gym and a deck with a fire pit.
On his Airbnb profile, which features Gosling’s character poster for “Barbie,” Ken says he lives his life “by two Bs: Beach and Barbie. And rollerblades if you count that B.”
“There’s so much stuff to do [at the Dreamhouse] — some days, I’m not sure what to do first,” his profile reads.
“I mean, do you catch waves before or after firing up the grill? And how do you know when to visit the horses? Anyway, I’m excited for you to stay the night so you can do it all and more!”
This isn’t the first time Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse has popped up on Airbnb. In October 2019, the residence was briefly available to rent for $60 a night.
The latest Airbnb listing for Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse is just one facet of the robust marketing campaign Warner Bros. and Mattel have launched for “Barbie.” Leading up to the film’s release, the movie studio and the toy company have created custom dolls based on the characters, partnered with Xbox to add Barbie and Ken’s cars from the film to the racing video game Forza Horizon 5, teased “Barbie’s Dreamhouse Challenge” on HGTV, dropped a new disco anthem by Dua Lipa (who also appears in the film) from the “Barbie” soundtrack and hosted advance screenings of the film, among other things.
Directed by Greta Gerwig, “Barbie” opens in theaters July 17.