Homes Plus
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/206169
NOVEMBER 2013 HOMES PLUS 4 Reinvent your Christmas décor this season Reflect your style, repurpose to create a festive holiday mood By Jody L. Mayers HOMES PLUS CORRESPONDENT Photo courtesy of Casa Bella Interiors Colorful trees, accessories and more can brighten your home and create a festive mood during the holidays. 234876001 WAUKESHA – Pamela Giarrante-Rohs, owner of Casa Bella Interiors in Oconomowoc, said decorating for the holidays doesn't have to have to cost an arm and a leg. "Don't ditch what you already have," she said. "Always repurpose if on a budget; I happen to love to repurpose. It makes everything look new." Giarrante-Rohs said when it comes for decorating for Christmas everyone always goes for the tree, but your home can be just as inviting and festive without a tree. "Banister coverage, mantels, lights around a mirror in the bathroom, I wouldn't suggest colored but how fun," she said. "A plant, real or silk, in a family room, living room, master can all take simple white lights, and decorations and add holiday magic to every room." Giarrante-Rohs says many people spend their entire budget on the tree only to throw it out. "It's a waste of your money if it's not in your budget." Repurposing older items with new bows and other simple décor can also take the dull out of tired-looking decorations. "Find something useful to get you through the winter and then let it go for next year," she said. Christmas is no longer about green, white and red. Lime green, hot pink and white are all fun ways to change up your décor, Giarrante-Rohs said. "New colors from St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day and maybe something simple as baby's breath or even better, a dried hydrangea from your garden can remind you of warmer days," she said. Giarrante-Rohs said her style is very simple and classic, and appreciates simple lights on any tree, bush or mailbox which shows celebration without going over the top. "I do holiday decorating for several clients," she said. "It's a down time for designers." Giarrante-Rohs said she works with several clients who are "snow birds" who just want to come home and have all the decorating done for them. "One client even likes to follow Stein's (Garden and Gift's) colors of the year with her own personal collection of family ornaments,' she said. "A new pallet every year from the same basic product is fresh and reinvents life to something old and faded." Giarrante-Rohs said while lighting is critical when it comes to decorating, holiday lights are the exception. "Simple is classic, and you can always drive down Candy Candy Lane and not have to pay the electric bill," she said. The No. 1 rule people should follow when decorating for Christmas is to be yourself and have your decorating reflect it. "There's the over the top and under the wire," she said. "Some people are very excited about the holidays and others are a wreath on the door and that's the end. There's always a happy medium. Be yourself and do not be afraid to ask for help and accept the other opinion. There is a balance between tacky, wacky and simple." N18W29604 Crooked Creek Road Delafield - $575,000 N80W32439 Crown Point Court Merton - $264,900 11917 W Appleton Ave. 9 Milwaukee - $75,000 2901 Brendonway Waukesha - $284,900 5BR, 3.5BA home in KM District. 1st floor incls office, formal DR, large GR, which opens to a chef's KT, w/granite countertops, custom cabinets & breakfast bar. The owner's suite has whirlpool, glass shower & WIC. Upstairs you'll find 4 generous sized BRs. LL completes this home w/BR/office & rec room. Finally, this home backs up to a conservancy and running trail. MLS 1332807 Great Home! Great Location! Great Schools! A quiet country location just outside North Lake. Colonial home features: Formal LR, DR, w/HWFs, large KT/dinette w/patio doors leading to patio, FR w/FP & 1st floor laundry. Upstairs Owner's Suite complete w/shower & 3 generous sized BRs. LL Exercise Rm & fabulous yard. North Lake grade school - Arrowhead High School, and LOW Town taxes. MLS 1329437 Well maintained complex. 2 pools, tennis courts, picnic area w/BBQ, Clubhouse. Easy access to freeway. Main floor features incl high living/dining combo w/gas FP & sliding doors to private patio. 2nd floor features master BR w/WIC & patio doors to private covered balcony and 2nd BR. Enclosed court yard, heated parking & so much more. Let someone else shovel snow while you enjoy the good life! MLS 1335469 HAPPINESS IS...Having plenty of room to roam. Special features incl FR w/GFP overlooking beautiful yard, KT big enough to really move around in w/HWFs, DR that invites lingering over that 2nd cup, formal LR & 1st floor office. Upstairs you'll find master suite, complete w/whirlpool, shower & WIC, + 2 generous sized BRs. All of this, + a huge deck. This home was a former model. MLS 1322713 Sharon Tomlinson 262/470-2000 W4847 State Road 20 Troy - NOW $484,500 CAR ENTHUSIAST DREAM! FANTASTIC 5BR, 3BA exposed ranch in Troy on private 6.9 acres w/vaulted ceilings, KT w/2 islands, new SS appliances. 2-way FP. Lg pantry. 2nd FP in huge FR. 3 car GA with stairs to lower level. Outbuilding with car lift & compressor. Zoned AG-2, horses welcomed. Indoor parking/storage for at least 10 cars. OK to run a business. PIN 14508 Marilyn Burns 262/441-0348 Sharon Tomlinson 262/470-2000 Sharon Tomlinson 262/470-2000 Sandra Knodl 262/278-1601 N8766 Branch Road Ixonia - $449,900 Cream city brick farm home architecturally awesome & completely updated on 9 acres. Dramatic entry welcomes you to 2 stairway floor plan featuring generous light filled DR adjacent to the green house & KT with granite center island. 4 full baths, original millwork kept. Grand master suite w/stained glass accent & private BA. Massive party room above oversized 3+ car GA. Restored barn & some pasture. MLS 1331825 Mary/Brian Steinke 414/254-3423 N8046 County Road H La Grange - NOW $249,900 16 Acres Sandy Beach Road Mukwonago - $235,000 Village of Mukwonago 3.63 Acres - $99,900 4 Acres County Road ZZ North Prairie - NOW $112,900 FREEDOM! OPEN SPACES! Open concept exposed ranch with wood flooring. Kitchen with Schrock / hickory cabinets, island and WIP! Master bedroom with whirlpool and walk in closet. Great room with with floor to ceiling fireplace. Deck with gazebo. 3.5 car garage. 1200 square foot outbuilding with heat and air conditioning. Agricultural Zoning PIN 36908 ESCAPE TO VACATION EVERY DAY IN FRIENDLY / CONVENIENT MUKWONAGO! This 16 acre parcel, with public Phantom Upper Lake access just a block away, awaits your dream home. Mukwonago Schools. Convient to J and I43. Don't need all 16 acres? See Me! PIN 41468 FEELS LIKE COUNTRY LIVING with village conveniences. Sewer, water, curbs & gutters already in and paid for! Near shopping, grocery stores, churches, schools and parks! Super convenient! Like an oasis in the village! Easy access to ES and I-43. Hard to believe you are able to get 3.63 acres in the Village at this price. PIN 98268 LISTED FAR BELOW CURRENT APPRAISAL! NOT IN A SUBDIVISION! Regular/exposed basements okay! Near Kettle Moraine State Forest in North Prairie. Enjoy golfing at the Broadlands. Beautiful rolling parcel to build! Have horses! See Me! PIN 97098 Marilyn Burns Shorewest, Realtors® gives you more technology to help sell your home. • New mobile website at m.shorewest.com • Enhanced internet site with easy searches and mapping • Bilingual hotline that lets you listen to descriptions or have them texted to your cell phone • All listings on YouTube and Shorewest TV - over-the-air Channel 58.4, Time Warner Digital Cable channel 984 and Charter Cable Digital Channel 966 262/441-0348 Marilyn Burns 262/441-0348 Marilyn Burns 262/441-0348 Marilyn Burns 262/441-0348 Brookfield Office 262/786-4000 Waukesha Office 262/548-9393 Lake Country 262/782-4710 Hotline: 262/814-1400 + 5 digit PIN to receive text or photos to your cell phone shorewest.com