IN Pine-Richland Spring 2018 | Page 41

SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT MARS LET US BE YOUR STOP FOR EXCELLENT PET FOODS AND MUCH MORE! • Many grain free and limited ingredient dog and cat formulas for the most sensitive tummies • Wild bird seed and suet • Lignetics heating pellets • Lawn and garden supplies • Wood treatments: Aligning with the need for connecting back to nature, earthen treatments, like wood and stone, are allowing homeowners to reconnect with their roots. Organic materials are also making their way into home decor. • Metallics: Brass is the “new and now” metallic. Gone are the days of rose gold and slowly fading out of the spotlight is copper. Silver metallics remain a favorite to many, both for accent pieces and hardware. • Intense paint colors: Deep hues are trending in 2018, bringing pops of color to all rooms of the house. While too much of a good thing can make it feel like it’s midnight in the middle of the day, use deeper colors for a dramatic accent wall or as a modern backsplash. Home Office Space Ideas An uptick in self-employment and flexible workplace settings are allowing home offices to become one of the most- used areas in the house. But dedicating an entire room to an office may not always be doable. Be creative when designing a home office and look for underutilized spaces. Clear out space in a finished attic for a desk, chair and some added lighting. Better yet, shut the door for some real quiet time. No attic space? Dedicate a wall in the basement as a workspace by adding a small area rug under a desk to warm up the room. Be sure to schedule laundry at a different time to avoid distractions. If all else fails, a niche in the family room can be a dedicated space to get work done. With the right accents and furniture, any area can make the perfect home office. • Less is more: It’s impossible to have a clear mind with a cluttered workspace. Keep home offices simple to avoid the desire to keep unnecessary papers and books piled on top of a desk. Create a home for everything on your desk. Set aside a space for writing utensils, notebooks, and hardware that is neat and tidy. A filing cabinet is best to organize papers and store supplies. • Multipurpose surfaces and furniture: Finding multipurpose furniture for small office spaces is key for optimal use of space. Mobile furniture makes packing up after a long day of work a breeze. Use wall space as storage, with desks that fold back into a wall mount. Avoid purchasing furniture that looks like it would be found in an office. If you’re utilizing a room for several different purposes, shop around for furniture that complements the look of the entire room. 724-625-2340 www.marsagway.com [email protected] P.O Box 450, 101 Grand Ave., Mars PA 16046 Home trends are shaping up to add comfort and value to homes. Focus on accenting natural features both inside and outside. Smart homes look to be the future, but these innovative technologies will bring a new dynamic to homeownership, with challenges of maintaining security being top of mind. Find a balance in your home-decorating style by adding features that bring out the very best in you and your family. Whether it’s a pop of color in your kitchen, or a fantastic feature in your backyard, make your home your own this year.   ■ PINE-RICHLAND ❘ SPRING 2018 39