Last time we looked, it was 80 degrees, sunset was at 8:30 pm, the grass was green, and flowers were still blooming. How did we get to November already? The holidays are literally right around the corner and who’s ready? The reality is, we are never really prepared for the onslaught that is the holiday season. Thanksgiving is basically here and from there, we’ve got the countdown to Christmas/Hannukah.

For many, the holiday season is a reason to get the house in shape and make some needed updates and / or renovations. If you haven’t planned well in advance for those changes, they may need to move over to a New Year’s resolution for January. Don’t fret though, as there are some things that can be simple and quick fixes that make all the difference:

Kitchen Backsplash – No matter how hard you try to get your guests out of the kitchen, they always end up hanging out in the kitchen — so make it a WOW when they walk in. Have you been looking at blank painted backsplash walls for years that you have been wanting to tile? Or is it time to take the plunge and pull out the old backsplash from the previous home owner that you’ve never liked but kept saying you’ll re-do it but never have. It’s a small space that can make a big impact.

Fireplace Surround: This is such a fun area to focus on and will make a huge difference in a room you’ll be using alot during the holidays. Pick a beautiful marble mosaic for your surround – it’s classic but updated — or go with a great cement or terracotta pattern that adds a pop of color and pattern. Paint can also tranform the wood trim on the fireplace – painting it a crisp white can really improve the overall look as well.

Wallpaper – Talk about a quick transformation – there are so many great designs and patterns in every color pallette you’d ever want. Plus, with peel and stick removable wallpapers, you really can do this on your own because you can take it off as many times as you need until you get it right. Or find a paper you love and typically wallpaper hangers can squeeze in a small job even if they have a full calendar.

Furniture and Artwork – A quick refresh is simple and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Stores like HomeGoods have some really great artwork, throw pillows & blankets, large mirrors, rugs, and substantial furinture pieces that are on trend at truly reasonable prices. Just a few tweaks can make rooms feel like new.

Or, if you run out of time, light lots of candles and dim the lights so it looks warm and inviting, without making any changes just yet!

Cheers to a great holiday season for all.

If you are building a custom home or remodeling your current home in Wilmette, IL, Delafield, WI or Lake Geneva, WI, you should visit our showroom in the area.  Our showrooms are filled with marble, ceramic, porcelain, terracotta and cement tiles for uses on floors, walls, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds and more. We also offer custom tile and interior design services.  Our clients rely on us for interior design help when they build their custom home or are working on a remodel. Call any of our showrooms today for an appointment.