Area Murals you DON'T Want to Miss!
The arts scene is alive in Catawba County and seeing the plethora of murals throughout the county, it is obvious that we are committed to promoting the arts. With spring weather upon us, why not explore these works of art? Be sure to snap a photo while you are there and tag us in your posts. Here is a list of a few of the murals in our area. Welcome to Hickory Located at 241 1st Ave NW Hickory Artist: James Smith This fun mural not only welcomes people to town, it also shares a bit about our history and who we are. With nods to the manufacturing industry, the Hickory Crawdads and Lenoir Rhyne University, it is a beutiful addition to our city. The Miracle of Hickory Located at 241 1st Ave NW Hickory Artist: Hunter Speagle The Miracle of Hickory was created to memorialize a time when local citizens responded to a crisis, by builing, equipping, and staffing a polio hospital in 54 hours. Exodus: Strength in Diversity Located at 610 4th St SW Hickory Artist: James Smith The mural lives on the exterior wall of Exodus Homes Offices. It was created as a symbol of Exodus Homes' commitment to empowering diversity in leadership. Break Free 1042 Old Lenoir Rd Hickory Artist: James Smith This work of art depicts beautiful horses running without restraint. It is a beautiful representation of shedding off all that binds us and running with freedom. The Flower Mural Located at 932 3rd Ave NW Hickory Artist: Sara Jenne Eche The owners of Mud Mama's Studios commissioned this mural with the goal to beautify the building and add to the charm of the new OLLE arts district. It is a gorgeous work of art that adds charm and beauty to a growing area in our community. There are more murals in Hickory and our surrounding communities. Hope you can get out and enjoy a little taste of the Hickory arts!
Home Decor That Should Always Be Neutral
Designers Say These Home Decor Items Should Always Be Neutral Neutral colored palette living room interior Not all shades are fair game in every room of the home—interior designers are adamant that some home decor items are better off left neutral in color. If you're planning on purchasing some accent decor or piece of furniture for your home, you'll want to be mindful that bright colors are not always the answer. Below, designers weigh in to share seven types of home pieces that you should purchase in a neutral hue, not a vibrant one. Oversized Furniture You're better off purchasing large furniture pieces including sofas, sectionals, and cabinets in colors that you won't likely tire of in the near future, Amy Switzer, the founder of Amy Switzer Design, says. "Neutral tones or subtle colors are often better for larger furniture items as they can offer versatility and can be easier to complement with brighter decor elements," she explains. Plus, large furniture items in bold hues can easily dominate a space—and not in a good way—the designer notes. Ashley De Boer, the founder of Ashley De Boer Interiors, expresses similar views. “These pieces, when selected from the right vendor, can last a lifetime," she says of large furniture items. She explains how a neutral hue will be seen as more timeless. Flooring While colorful rugs can add a welcome dose of personality to any space, you'll want to ensure that your actual flooring, be it tile or hardwood, is not a loud shade. Flooring that is neutral or natural in color is most ideal, Switzer says, as this makes it easier to change your space down the line as you desire. Bathtubs and Toilets Skip the colorful toilets and bathtubs, Alisa Popelka, the founder of Alisa Cristine Interiors,says. "This would make a design look trendy rather than timeless," she says, referencing the funky colors used in bathrooms of the '70s and '80s. Can't resist at least a tiny pop of color in the loo? Melissa Griffin, the founder of Indigo Ink Designs, offers a compromise: opting for a neutral sink and countertop but purchasing a vibrant faucet to finish off the look. "Changing that single piece out in five to seven years won't break the bank if you've changed your taste and style, nor will it have the snowball effect of having to change all other adjacent materials," Griffin says. Appliances Don’t buy the red microwave, put that brightly hued aqua blender back on the shelf and select something more subdued instead, Katie Maudsley, the founder of Mave Interior Design Studio, says." Consider getting some more decorative dishware or mugs to display in your kitchen instead," she says. "That way, you can swap things in and out of the cupboards when you want a change." Patio Furniture Maudsley also cautions against going bold with patio furniture. "Sometimes it's nice to have something more neutral outside so it's not competing with the plants or gardens surrounding," Maudsley says. In the right locale, such as a tropical or beachy area, bright furniture may be just fine, but in places that are not as warm, it can look out of place. Maudsley suggests bringing in color with a variety of native foliage and flowers instead.If you go the neutral route, you won't need to worry about it not fitting in with the rest of your outdoor space. Beige or off-white shades are reliable and timeless even for years to come. the spruce – Make your best home
Tips for your Home
As we turn the page on a new calendar month, it's hard not to think about the change of seasons coming. For many people, March is a month of preparation for spring. Whether you are in full spring cleaning mode or just looking for a few tasks to prepare your home for the change of seasons, we have 5 tips for showing your home some love in March. 1. Clean Out Your Freezer Did you know that March 6 is National Frozen Food Day? In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed that on March 6, we should celebrate all things frozen food. So what better way to prepare for the celebration than to clean out the freezer and start with a blank canvas. Why not plan meals for the next 5 days from the frozen foods you have, toss things that are too old to eat, and defrost if you have lots of crystals built up. Then celebrate on the 6th by restocking it with things you need. Tackling one task, like cleaning out just the freezer, can often be a catalyst for wanting to clean out other areas of your home. What's next? 2. Schedule Maintenance for your HVAC March is an ideal time to schedule HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) maintenance for several reasons. Firstly, it's typically the transition period between winter and spring, making it a convenient time to ensure that your HVAC system is in optimal condition for the upcoming seasons. By scheduling maintenance in March, you can address any issues that may have arisen during the winter months when the heating system was heavily used, as well as prepare the system for the increased demand of cooling during the warmer months ahead. Additionally, HVAC professionals tend to be less busy during this time compared to the peak seasons of summer and winter, making it easier to secure an appointment at your preferred time. Regular maintenance in March can also help prevent potential breakdowns and costly repairs in the future, ensuring that your HVAC system operates efficiently and reliably year-round. 3. Freshen Up for the Season Ahead Are you one of the 16% of Americans who decorate for Christmas and do not have a hard and fast rule that decorations come down before the end of January? If so, it might be time to turn the seasonal clock and freshen up for a more spring-like feel. Even if you packed away Christmas, but kept a wintry vibe, it's time to pack away the snowflake throw pillows and snowman chotchkies and opt for a lighter feel. As you pack away the winter decor, take the time to clean cobwebs in corners and sweep under furniture. Freshen up the wreath on your front door to something more reminiscent of spring and sweep away dead leaves that are hanging onto the feeling of fall and winter. If you have a front or back porch, be sure to clean any planters and prepare them for the coming planting season. The shift from winter to spring is a great time to do a coat closet clean-out. If your family has winter gear they no longer use, look for an organization where you can donate and reclaim that space that was housing clothes you don't use. 4. Check Your Roof Since March marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, it is an opportune time to inspect your roof for any damage caused by winter weather such as snow, ice, or high winds. Detecting and addressing any issues early can prevent them from worsening and potentially leading to more extensive damage or leaks when the rainy season arrives. Additionally, inspecting your roof in March allows you to prepare it for the upcoming months of increased rainfall and potential storms associated with spring. By identifying and repairing any damage or weak spots promptly, you can help ensure that your roof remains watertight and provides adequate protection for your home throughout the changing seasons. It is also a great time to make sure those gutters are clear. If you didn't clean them out well after the leaves fell in the fall, you may have full gutters that are not ready for spring rains. Reach out to your Realty Executives REALTOR® if you need a recommendation for some roofers in our area. 5. Prune Those Perennials When the weather begins to warm and the sun stays high in the sky longer, many people's brains shift to working in the yard. While it is not time yet for planting, it is a good time to prune some perennials to get them ready to bloom for you in the spring. Pruning now will help to remove any dead or damaged growth from the previous year, allowing the plant to allocate its energy towards producing healthy new growth. Additionally, pruning in March helps to shape the plant and promote a more compact and attractive form, leading to better aesthetics in the garden. It also encourages air circulation and sunlight penetration, reducing the risk of disease and promoting overall plant health. By pruning perennials in March, gardeners can set the stage for a vibrant and thriving garden throughout the growing season. Whether you are ready for some big changes, like a move, or just some small improvements to make you love the space you are in even more, now is a great time to tackle some projects. And if a move is in your future, be sure you reach out to me if you'd like me to do a walk through and give you my professional opinion on what changes would add value or marketability to your home.
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