Waukesha County Home

NOVEMBER 2017 HOME 5 Come in and explore with the Cordless Freedom for yourself BROOKFIELD VACUUM 17000 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield The North East corner of Capitol & Calhoun 262-783-4464 • BROOKFIELDVACUUM.COM 2 5 7 8 7 7 0 0 7 You need a Cordless Freedom If the safety of your pet is gnawing at you, why not take the Simplicity Cordless Freedom for a Walk? This little rover can sniff out dirt in any tight spot, without making you feel leashed. (StatePoint) — With the shorter days and cooler nights of fall can come the urge to hibernate. But first prepare yourself and your home for the season with these cozy and warm accents that will make time spent indoors cozier. 1. Incorporate metallic décor. Incorpo- rate copper or brass accents this season. These metallic items will elevate décor, and the orange and yellow tones will comple- ment the changing leaves outside. Try pick- ing out a unique candelabra or vase or small decorative pieces to style the room. 2. Make over the fireplace. Fireplace season is here. Try painting it with a subtle whitewash for a look that will instantly revive brick and brighten the space. Before you get started, prep the fireplace by scrub- bing brick with a wire brush to remove any residue. Then, tape off any areas you don't want painted with a quality painter's tape like FrogTape brand painter's tape, to pre- vent paint bleed and achieve professional- looking results. 3. Layer, layer, layer. Bare floors can make your home feel chilly. Warm up a space by layering area rugs on hardwood floors or to an already carpeted area. Not only will this add color and texture to a room, the extra cushioning will ensure feet avoid the cold, so you can keep your slippers tucked away. 4. Update the guest bedroom. With the holidays on the horizon, there's no better time to give your guest bedroom a cozy update. Surprise overnight guests by paint- ing the room a moody green or blue that is on trend and sets a relaxing tone. Don't for- get to incorporate little touches like books or a plant on the nightstand to make them feel at home. 5. Update window coverings. Heavy drapes keep out drafts and make a room feel luxurious. Switch out summer sheers for curtains with a heavier weight or layer drapes for an elegant look. 6. Don't underestimate the power of white paint. Vibrant doesn't always have to mean using bold colors. Make a space feel brand-new again by repainting wood trim a crisp white color. It may seem like a tedious task, but with a little effort, you can com- pletely transform a room. Start by filling in any imperfections, sanding and cleaning the surfaces to be painted. Then, you'll want to tape off the wall next to the trim so your handiwork looks like that of a professional. For this job you'll want a quality product like FrogTape painter's tape to help ensure your work looks professional and allows you to achieve the sharpest paint lines possible. When painting trim, opt for a semi-gloss paint to make elements stand out. For differ- ent project inspirations, visit FrogTape.com. Late autumn and the beginning of winter can be a dreary time for homes and lawns, but it doesn't have to be. Take advantage of the winter weather and prepare yourself for holiday cheer with some of these out- door winter decorating ideas. Dress up your door Since the front door of your house is the first thing that people notice when they pass by, why not adorn it with a winter dec- oration or two? Adding wreaths, swags and small displays to your front door are easy ways to add some winter charm to your house. ■ Admiring fall — If you're not ready to accept the winter weather yet, trim your house with warm-colored decorations instead. Wreaths embody the spirit of fall, which is expressed through the vibrant autumn colors and natural looking twig bases. ■ Welcoming winter — If you do want to start celebrating winter, as well as Christmas, a traditional Christmas wreath is one of the easiest ways to bring holiday spirit to your home. Integrate colored arti- ficial plants and various ornaments to your wreath, like tinsel bows or ribbon. Choose colors and styles that will offset your front door. ■ Well-placed accessories — Garlands tied with small red or blue ribbons draped over the frame of your front door gives your entryway a sophisticated look with a festive air. If you want to have a more nostalgic winter display for your front door, prop an old pair of ice skates or a once used sled near the door. Finish it off by garnishing the items with a big red or plaid bow and some pine cones. Wonderful winter windows By adding some greenery, lights and even garland to your front windows, your house will look great during the day and shine throughout the night. ■ What to do with window boxes — Decorate your home from fall to winter by layering some wood chips with a variety of poinsettias and berry sprigs in your win- dow boxes. If you prefer decorating with live plants, layer freshly cut evergreen branches, pine cones and abandoned bird nests in the boxes. ■ Add a little sparkle — Deck your win- dows with easy-to-install snowflake decora- tions, trim your window frames with gar- land and sets of white or multicolored lights or wrap your porch rails with a com- bination of greenery, garland or lights. Too much of a good thing When decorating the outside of your house for winter or Christmas, don't overdo it with the decorations. Less is more, and too many decorations can make your house look incredibly cluttered and messy. StatePoint Don't underestimate white when prepping your home for Thanksgiving and beyond. It is the brightest color. Six ways to bring warmth into your home Decking the outdoors

• Cover