News/Blog

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – August 10, 2022

GARDENING TIPS FOR EXTREME HEAT

Another week of excessive heat continues in New Jersey. The region remains unusually dry because of the heat wave and lack of heavy rain over the last few weeks. Much of the area is under mandatory outdoor water restrictions, including odd/even days to ease the demand on water supplies.

Keeping up with lawns and gardening during the current extreme temperatures can be challenging. But following practical planting and maintenance tips can make it easier to garden during the heat.  

• Choose drought resistant plants for planting zones 6 and 7. A mix of annuals and perennials include dianthus, zinnia, cosmos, sweet potato vines, echinacea (coneflowers), sedum, begonia.
• Mulching underneath trees and shrubs and in garden beds retains moisture in the soil and saves on water. Plants tend to grow better with mulching, as the temperature of the soil stays more uniform.
• Reduce the size of your lawn by planting more trees, shrubs, gardens or ornamental grasses, which do not use as much water as a typical lawn.

Check your local water utility or other online resources such at university agricultural extensions for additional landscaping and planting ideas to save water over time.

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 27, 2022

CREATIVE SHELVING IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME

Adding storage solutions to your home can optimize and maximize your living spaces, whether they’re small or spacious. Bookshelves and open shelving, whether they are built-in or freestanding, are a versatile solution that work in any room.

Shelving allows you to design and designate an area for a specific purpose, which is essential step for organizing your home. It makes it easier, especially for kids, to keep things organized when they know exactly where to put them away.

Here are some room-by-room suggestions to add clever storage to your living spaces:

• Kitchen: Open shelving is a popular and budget-friendly option instead of upper cabinets. Use open shelving to create a coffee bar or baking area.

• Bathrooms: Open shelving units with baskets work well in small bathrooms for extra storage. Wall shelves provide extra towel storage.

• Dining Room: For a dining room/home office, use small shelving units to house office supplies that can be quickly stowed away at mealtime.

• Basements – Built-in shelves can work for a playroom, media room, or craft space – or a combination of all three. The unused space under basement stairs is an excellent place to add shelving units.

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 20, 2022

WALLPAPER DECOR TRENDS IN 2022

Wallpaper is seeing renewed popularity as a décor trend, especially with the recent introduction of new, easy-to-use products.

Today’s removable wallpaper makes it easy to change the look of a room. Many removable, peel-and-stick wallpapers can be removed and reapplied without damaging walls or paint underneath. Peel-and-stick wallpapers come in countless varieties of colors and styles, from traditional motifs to contemporary geometric designs.

Peel and stick wallpapers don’t require messy containers of wallpaper paste or trays of water. Although application does require some prep work and some tools (such as a level, a good scissors, a ruler or straight edge, and a wallpaper smoother), it is typically an easier process than handling traditional wallpaper.

Wallpaper can transform a room or add a pop of color. Here are current wallpaper trends:

Powder room — florals and foliage are some current favorites

Accent wall — wallpaper can be an alternative to a contrasting color accent wall

Bedroom mural – create a focal point on the wall behind the bed

Wallpaper and wainscoting – combine the two for a coastal look

Laundry/Mudroom – Choose wide stripes for a farmhouse look