Decorating to Give Thanks

For most people, Thanksgiving decorating involves turkeys, gourds, and a few well placed Fall items such as reeds and even feathers. However, for others the allure of Thanksgiving decorating has gone out of style and replaced with the desire to create something unique, eye catching, and of course, filled with grace and splendor. The right home accents can give a home that Thanksgiving charm without pulling out the Styrofoam turkey.

Follow these tried and true tips and your holiday decorations for Thanksgiving can be taken to the next level.

These days, people are decorating their homes with more subtle hues. That means a few simple changes to the dining room can call out "Thanksgiving" without having to plant the ten year old stuffed turkey scene on the table as a centerpiece. Starting with an array of muted browns and oranges for your table setting will be enough to remind everyone why they are gathered around the table. This year, try a simple but elegant fall flower arrangement as your centerpiece. Using off-colored hues throughout the remainder of your home accents will give the home that autumn glazed look with an especially subtle appearance that can be appreciated by everyone. Brass home accents can set off the orange hues and the browns with a little flair. Of course, don't overdue the drab colors. Adding red and burgundy will help tie it all in together.

When choosing home accents, remember to keep it simple. If you're going to use coverings on your end tables, and you choose a typically fall color, adding a brass or even a bronze statue, bells, or other decorative pieces that whisper the holiday season rather than screaming it, you can usually draw it all together with the color red.

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season for most people. About 30% of all Americans use Thanksgiving Day to ready themselves for the Christmas season. However, people are paying more attention to fall décor before blending their Thanksgiving decorating with Christmas decorating. Using auburns and reds make an excellent lead in for the blended look.

Using home accents in brass and gold, even bronze, can ease into any holiday décor. By adding just a few new brass or gold wall hangings, almost any room in the house can become a myriad of Thanksgiving and Christmas blend, which can be perfect for the anxious holiday individual who marks their season's start with the culmination of Thanksgiving. With a little preplanning, the holiday décor from Thanksgiving can blend right into the Christmas season with only a few minor changes.

Wall hangings and home accents can be used in any number of rooms to draw attention to the finer points of a room. If you create a beautiful ensemble in one corner, using an illustrious wall hanging just off to the side or even right above it, their eye will naturally follow the rhythm of the hanging directly to the ensemble.

Thanksgiving decorating is also a great time to delve into candles of all types. Candles in wall scones can accentuate a busy room just as easily as they can stand alone along a hallway or a staircase. Candles create that perfect holiday ambiance that we all want to share in, they light up a room with more than just a pleasant aroma. Contact Interiors Refined by Paula for help decorating your home for the season.

The Truth About Rent To Own

Most of us are very familiar with the term “rent to own”. Places such as Prime Time and Rent A Center have built an empire with rent to own merchandise, although the buyer normally ends up paying double what the merchandise is actually worth. While this may be great for those who have bad credit, most of us prefer to avoid going this route. Homes are no exception, especially if you are buying a home on a rent to own basis.

Even though rent to own may be good for a short period of time, it proves to be an expensive way for someone to buy something they intend to keep. Rent to own merchandise for example, may sound quite compelling at a few dollars a week. The agreement is normally for around 15 - 20 months, which is where the company makes their money. Although you may be paying just a few dollars a week, the total amount quickly adds up to nearly twice the cost of the item.

Along with paying rent, you’ll also have to pay applicable sales tax as well. Like merchandise, rent to own real estate has its disadvantages. Even though it can be great for those with not so good credit, you’ll normally end up paying back a lot more than you would with a mortgage. You’ll still have to pay back your lender with a mortgage, although that amount won’t be nearly as high as it would if you decided to get a house on a rent to own basis.

In most cases, rent to own homes are put on the market by the owner. This way, you’ll deal directly with the owner. It’ll start out as a traditional lease, then proceed to a rent to own basis if you decide you want to keep the home. You and the owner will then work out an arrangement, which will normally be quite a few years. Some owners are very flexible and will work with you just to get the price they want for their home, while others will charge you a bit more in order to make a hefty profit.

If you have bad credit and can’t get approved for a mortgage, then rent to own would be your next best option. Although some don’t like to do it because of the price, for many it’s a better alternative than renting an apartment. With rent to own houses you are paying money towards the home, instead of just paying rent which goes into never-never land. In some cases this is fine, although you should make sure to double check with the owner before you agree or commit to anything. Either way, once you move in, you’ll want your furnishings and accessories just “so” …contact us to make that happen.