Like the fashion world, the field of interior design is never static. New home interior decor trends keep emerging and likewise, old trends also resurface. These trends can usually be seen in architectural shows and magazines among other home improvement avenues.

The year 2017 too has not been left behind. It dawned and brought along with it a fresh set of interior design ideas. These range from interior finishes to interior furnishings among others. An ideal example of interior design trends which are in vogue in 2017 is mixed patterns.

The mixed pattern look

A few years ago, few could imagine or even think of going for a mixed pattern decor style. Most people would only stick to matching decor styles or even go for monochromatic sort of looks. This however is no longer the case, the mixed pattern look has made a grand entry in 2017. It is now one of the decor ideas that top many a designer’s list.

The mixed pattern look is being adopted for virtually all sections of the home. It is being seen in kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and even patios.

Mixed pattern decor tips

It’s important to approach mixed pattern decoration with a bit of caution. This is especially true if you’re doing it for the first time. A mixed pattern look can appear disastrous if not gotten right. Here are five tips to help you achieve an elegant mixed pattern look:

1. Stick to the same range of colors

When mixing patterns, it is advisable to go for colors which near each other in hue. A similar range of colors creates a neat look and an ambience of order. If for instant you have a pink colored patterned decor piece, you can mix it with fuchsia colored or lavender colored pieces. This would create a wonderful complementary effect and welcome feel of balance.

2. Minimize the number of mix patterned decor pieces

You should go easy on the mixed pattern items or finishes you introduce in a room. Don’t have several different patterns in a room as this will make it look busy. It advisable to go for four or five patterns on the maximum.

3. Go for different shapes and sizes

For a perfect result, you should go for different shaped patterns. Different shapes create a desirable kind of contrast and make your room look more appealing. You can for example mix florals with polka dots or checked patterns for a striking effect. In addition to having differently shaped patterns, it’s also important to have varying sizes of patterns. You should ideally pair large sized patterns with smaller sized ones for a great outcome.

4. Distribute patterns evenly

You should take care to ensure that your mix patterned decor pieces are evenly distributed. There should be some considerable distant from one uniquely patterned decor piece to another. Mix patterned decor pieces look busy and appealing when they are clustered together. You should therefore try to separate your patterns. You can for example employ the use of plain decor pieces to separate patterned pieces.

5. Choose bright and warm colors

The mixed pattern decor idea works best with bright and warm colors. These include colors such as light blue, light green, lime green, red, orange, yellow, peach, lilac, and purple among others. These colors look even greater when mixed with white or a small bit of dark colors.

A fresh style

The mixed pattern style is indeed a fresh style which will make your home look elegant. Additionally, it will also liven up your room by introducing a feel of energy. It is certainly one of the trends you should consider trying in 2017.

Home renovation is the process of improving and making additions to a home. This involves upgrading the interior which includes electricity and painting walls, exterior which includes upgrading roofing, masonry et cetera. Improvements can also be done on the property e.g. garden and outdoor structures such as garages. Renovations are done to a house to enhance comfort i.e. soundproofing some of the rooms like bedrooms, adding some items to the kitchen and luxurious seats to the living room. Renovations can be done for repair and maintenance, to create space, to save energy and for safety.

Renovation market data

The remodeling industry will continue to be steered by an economic approach and growing paychecks and growing equity in over the coming year. Mortgage rates have been predicted to increase not only in 2017 but through to the next years. High mortgage rates will slow down house sells therefore being a positive move for home remodeling as home owners will choose to renovate homes and make renovation investments. Home remodeling expenditures will elevate through the year.

Nationwide spending for home renovation has risen in 2017 to 6.7% (slightly lower than what was estimated in 2016), this being up to almost 317 billion US dollars. These figures are according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA). The LIRA is responsible for future turning point identification on home remodeling. Spending by home owners on remodeling and repairs has been forecast to increase 2.0 percent per year after inflation adjustments are made. Entry of new millennials will boost the already thriving remodeling industry.

Those dominating the remodeling market are older home owners. However they are slower in getting into remodeling investment as the previous generations.

Currently they are interested in buying older homes with cheap prices and in need of renovations. Home owners over 55 years are expected to have their expenditure grow by 33 percent by the year 2025. National housing prices have been growing healthily over the years. This has helped those owners trying to rebuild home equity lost during housing crush. However increasing house prices may raise questions on the affordability of young buyers. It might also mean that such young buyers may not meet expenditure to renovate such homes in future. Percentage of young home owners aged 35 years and below dropped to 31 percent.

According to forecasts, the remodeling industry is set to grow tremendously over the next years despite of such challenges. There is a strong wave of rental housing demand due to shortage of affordable housing in most parts of the country. This has prompted buyers to buy older homes and invest in upgrading the homes. Also residential houses are remodeled by both homeowners and rental property owners. Their expenditure budget has surpassed the 2015 budget of 340 billion US dollars.

There are several opportunities for more growth in the remodeling industry. As this is witnessed, other niches like environmental sustainability, energy awareness and the need for healthy homes will also witness a significant growth.

Having an indoor fountain in your home has many benefits and for each person the top benefit or reason for having it may be different from the next. Some people simply love the sound of water while others appreciate the esthetic value it adds to their surroundings. One thing is for sure that having an indoor water fountain, big or small, have some unthought-of of benefits.

There are hundreds different kinds of water features designed to place in your home. They range from small table top fountains to large intricate wall waterscapes in various designs. Whatever your choice may be you are sure to reap the following top 5 benefits of having indoor water fountains in your home.

1. Relaxation and Tranquility

In our modern times where we are living fast paced lives, everything needs to be done quickly, and stressful situations are at the order of the day, coming home to the tranquility of the sound of water is bliss. Having a running water fountain in your favorite room where you like to end a day and relax is just what you need to create a serene and peaceful environment. A water feature that greets you the moment you enter your home is an equally good thought to lower stress levels once you walk through the door.

2. Visual Attraction

Water is an interesting, living, décor element that can create charming focal points in just about any room of your home. More often than not, water fountains are unique pieces of décor and with the correct illumination added, you can transform an ordinary focal point into something spectacular. By adding some plants around it to cover can add an element of mystery to the scene.

3. Green Noise

Water tends to have a calm reaction on most people and if you need to damp down some other disturbing noises while trying to work and even sleep water is the perfect way to do it. With an indoor fountain you will hear less traffic noise, animals or people distracting you from your much needed sleep or ability to work in peace.

4. Humidifier

During winter especially the air in our homes becomes dried out which in return can cause some health problems. One is a sudden dry skin that can cause us to be itchy and uncomfortable. Having a running water feature in the house will help to replace the moisture back into the air. Not only is it good for us but is good for our indoor plants as well.

5. Enhanced Air Quality

It is no secret that there are concerns about the quality of the air we breathe everyday all over the world. This concern is especially prevalent in offices where there are no windows that can open. It is true that air purifiers are available but even they have their drawbacks. They make a noise, are unsightly and produce negative ions. Indoor water features produce negative ions too but it attracts dust and additional irritants in the air and removes it. In addition water features are beautiful and makes a noise that most people adore. Much more that we can say from the typical commercial air purifiers.

Regardless what the reasons are for choosing your indoor water fountain, there are more advantages to it than what most people might have thought. With these benefits in mind, make sure you have a delightful indoor water fountain around where ever you spend the most time of your day.

If you like dogs, and most especially you like small energetic dogs, you may find that a terrier is among the best you can get. They can be “best buddies” with you, and they need very little grooming but have “sense of humor” besides.

Terriers were originally bred to hunt and kill vermin, but their pet status is unsurpassed because they are so lovable and have several desirable features when it comes to finding a dog you like. They are intelligent (although they may not be the most intelligent of the breeds), and have several other advantages other breeds may not.

Here are some common and desirable terrier breeds:

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are very alert and spirited, but not timid. They have steady dispositions and confident heirs, which means that you can count on them in stressful situations. Because they are very intelligent, there are also particularly suitable for obedience training.

The Parson Russell Terrier is bold, clever, affectionate and exuberant. If you are high-energy and like to play a lot, this may be the dog for you, but if you may not have patience for a particularly spirited dog, you may want to find another type. Of all the breeds, this dog is likely going to need formal obedience training the most, because it will be too playful and too mischievous with its owners to really pay attention. However, if you’re patient and you like playfulness and a streak of independence, this terrier may be for you.

The Norwich terrier came about because small terrier breeds were bred with even smaller chair breeds like Yorkshire terriers. This type of dog is very content to live modestly and doesn’t need a lot of room. Their dispositions are affectionate, fearless, and alert. Because they’re happy and steadfast, this makes them ideal pets.

Norfolk Terriers are a lot like the Norwich Terriers, and are fearless, charming, ready to play, and spirited. They look a lot like Norwich Terriers, but they have folds in their ears that set them apart.

Kerry Blue Terriers make excellent watchdogs and are very suitable for the farm environment. The dog’s name comes from its “blue” coat, originally black in puppy hood.

Wire Fox Terriers are very powerful and fast. They’re very alert and have quick movements, which makes them suitable for very active lifestyles. It’s imperative, though, that the owner take control of the dog and train it. It also needs to get plenty of exercise.

Smooth Fox Terriers are lively dogs that like to play, and they are very intelligent and clever. Suitable for both the country and city, they take to training well. They are also usually very affectionate with their owners.

These are just a few of the terrier types available; you may want to consider one as your next pet. Generally, these dogs have good dispositions and make excellent pets. They tend to become very attached to their owners, and can be very playful. It should be noted, though, you need to give them enough attention and to put them through obedience training (formal if necessary), as well as give them enough physical activity to keep them well and active.

A dog is man’s best friend. You will find one in almost all homesteads. It acts as a companion, security, and play partner among others. It is, therefore, essential to involve your dog in all activities as much as you can.You can do this by playing with him and teaching him new cool tricks.

Teaching pet tricks can be one of the sources of joys and pleasure in your life. Seeing your pet grow confident each day, happy and contended with the attention he gets from your merits more love and stronger and genuine bond.

What tricks are fun and easy for your dog and how do you teach them?

1. Shake- This method is similar to a handshake we individuals do to welcome or to thank someone. It’s cool when your dog learns this skill, and it’s simple. Lift your dogs’ paw and say, “SHAKE” loudly then give your treat and say “SHAKE” once more. Continue raising your dog’s paw and give it treats until it’s able to do it on its own.

2. Bow-With this command, your dog will bring his head to the floor. To teach this treat, you only hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and let your dog follow as you bring it downward. Say “BOW” slowly as he nods his head. After a while, your dog will learn how to do it.

3. Kiss-Dogs don’t kiss, they lick. So the trick is to say “KISS ME” anytime your dog licks you. Soon, your dog will “kiss” you anytime you give him this command. It is the best way to appreciate it whenever it behaves in the right manner.

4. Catch- Some dogs naturally know how to find food before it hit the ground. So, when you toss a treat up into the air, say “CATCH” and your dog will recognize the command the next time you order it.
5. Fetch- It’s another treat that comes out naturally for most active dogs. You throw a ball and say “FETCH.” Run with your dog and as soon as your dog retrieves the object take the object from him and give him a treat. Do this continuously until your dog automatically run and give you the object to exchange it for his reward.

Teaching tricks are having fun and at the same time giving your dog new knowledge to cope up in human society- a society considerably different from his. It is also wise to consider all the risk factors that could be associated with the process of learning. A dog owner should do research to identify his type of dog. Different dogs have unique capabilities and through the identification of which category your dog lies is paramount.

You should also use the right methods of teaching the dog for it to learn quickly and fast. Do this with positive reinforcement and achieve it without any negative force or intimidation. Remember, to give your dog a handful of treats, not a mind full of threats. The above information is all a dog owner requires in ordering to enjoy his pet to the utmost.