Waukesha County Home

FEBRUARY 2017 HOMES PLUS 5 BRIGHTER CONCEPTS 254167003 (BPT) — From furniture to walls, new homes to remodels, cool grays have domi- nated home design palettes for the last five years. Look to 2017 to gently shake things up with a focus on fresh neutrals that bring warm and cool tones together to create ver- satile color with timeless appeal. One of the most notable trends of the year is the transition of neutrals from monochrome gray to warmer hues, includ- ing complex taupe, beige, khaki and brown colors. These warmer tones create an invit- ing feeling, and while grays will continue to be popular, look for hybrid hues that blend the best of gray with warmer undertones for colors that are unique, yet familiar. The perfect example of this trend is Poised Taupe (SW 6039), the Sherwin- Williams 2017 Color of the Year. Earthen brown combines with conservative gray resulting in a weathered, woodsy and com- plex neutral that fits well in virtually any room. If you're looking to refresh your space with this new color trend, there are countless opportunities. Here are four stun- ning home decor themes using this up-and- coming color: Cornflower hues With its cool-yet-warm vibe, Poised Taupe is an ideal complement to cornflower hues. For example, when paired with the faded indigo of Stardew (SW 9138), it creates a charming palette ideal for French country- side aesthetics. This fun twist on a classic is sure to produce timeless results in the kitchen or living spaces. Organic reimagined Create an updated nature-inspired palette in your home with citrus green, weathered bronze, mustard yellow and light, cool- toned blue paired with earthy neutrals like Poised Taupe. This contemporary organic look is perfectly reimagined for the modern world with just the right amount of visual appeal. Wine and taupe Saturated color pairings that evoke deep moods are gaining popularity. Taking cues from baroque and romanticism designs, the Sherwin-Williams Noir palette is rich with colors that are reminiscent of vine-ripe fruits, dramatic wine colors and deep blues. Balance this mysterious palette with a neu- tral like Poised Taupe and you'll have a look that is unexpected and gorgeous. Yellow pop Gray tones always provide a clean, mod- ern base, but contrasting these hues with vivid colors allows you to transform any room into a contemporary paradise. Try using the deep teal of Marea Baja (SW 9185) and sunny hued Bee (SW 6683) alongside Poised Taupe to create a graphic look per- fect for the office or kids rooms. To learn more about top trends for 2017, visit www.sherwin-williams.com. BPT Moving slightly away from cool grays, the gray palette still has its hold on design. Now hues like taupes and other colors are moving in. They have implications when it comes to accent colors. The hottest design colors for 2017 (BPT) — Thousands of Americans who are in the process of building their own home, or simply looking into it, are faced with hundreds of different questions. Granite or quartz countertops? Neutral or bold colors? Tile or hardwood flooring? And those ques- tions are just the tip of the iceberg. Being able to make these detailed choices is a big part of why you decided to build and design a custom home that will show off your unique style. But as any professional builder will tell you, the secret to build- ing a truly great house isn't what fixtures you choose or the type of crown molding you install. Rather, the most important compo- nents of a house are hidden behind the build. The following five points represent some of the most important hidden aspects of any new home construction that will ensure your house retains its beauty for decades. 1. Proper insulation. No matter where you are in the country, it's likely that the temperature outside will get too hot or too cold. In such situations you'll rely on heating or air conditioning. Good insulation not only saves money, but keeps your furnace and AC units working longer and more effectively. In cold areas, proper insulation is key to preventing destructive ice dams from forming. 2. Subflooring. Whether you use hickory, maple or bamboo, everyone has their preference when it comes to flooring, but some- thing that all flooring materials need is a solid subfloor. Like a box- spring for your mattress, AdvanTech subflooring from Huber Engineered Woods provides a solid foundation that prevents sag- ging and squeaking, keeping your finished floor looking better, for longer. 3. A smart house. Just like our phones, cars and televisions have been radically changed by the digital revolution, so have our homes. Today's modern smart homes are designed to fit our digi- tal lives. Some features to consider are a console to place your WiFi router so you can set up the appliances and thermostat for wire- less. That way you'll be able to access them from a tablet or phone. You might even want to install some USB outlets. 4. Modern kitchen solutions. Today it's all about expansive, open-concept kitchens. With stone countertops and larger refrig- erators, engineers have noticed the combination of heavy appli- ances and a larger floor surface area puts more stress on the fin- ished floors. Installing AdvanTech subflooring creates a solid base for floorboards and heavy modern appliances to rest on, thus help- ing to prevent squeaky or uneven floors in your kitchen. 5. Choose the right exterior walls. The exterior "shells" of homes are being built tighter. In other words, new products and practices are being used to help reduce air leakage as part of the overall energy efficiency design. Next-generation exterior sheath- ing systems like ZIP System sheathing and ZIP System tape have built-in water barriers and taped panel seams to create one con- tinuous protective barrier underneath your finished exterior to help lock out water and air. If you haven't already, talk with your builder about the hidden elements of your home, like AdvanTech subflooring, that will help your home stand up to the tests of everyday life. After all, this is the house you always envisioned, and behind the beautiful layout, you want to make sure you have a solid foundation and good bones to ensure lasting beauty and life. Five home-building secrets that you need to know

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