Even though we’re only a month into 2019, there are a variety of new interior design trends picking up steam. For design inspiration that is in step with the latest fashions, we’ve put together 10 design trends already seen making an appearance in 2019.

1. Brass Hardware and Accents

Replacing stainless steel’s futuristic tech feel, brass is finding it’s way into may bathrooms and kitchens for a timeless look that seems to just get better with age.

2. Rich Color Combinations

If the past has been sleek and safe, 2019 is bringing in the bold with a variety of rich colors. One of the nice things about this is that furniture with neutral tones pop in front of these bolder backdrops.

3. Bucket/Trough Sinks

Bowl sinks started as a look that was unique but is quickly become dated and impractical. The replacement for these sinks is here in the form of timeless bucket sinks. Also known as trough sinks, these utilitarian sinks bring a classic historically dignified look to any new home.

4. Copper Hardware and Home Accents

Teaming up with brass, copper accents are now replacing the coldness of stainless steel with ageless warmth.

5. Velvet Furnishings and Accents

What used to be seen as tacky and impractical is making a comeback as funky and fun. Keep an eye out for a variety of velvet furnishings and accent pieces in 2019.

6. Natural Accents

What is one sure fire way to show that you’re not living in the future? By designing rooms like what you think the future should look like. To combat this faux futuristic look, natural accent pieces and plant life are making their way back into colder spaces. Look for flowers to start popping up where cold steel once was.

7. Vintage Lighting Fixtures

A lot of vintage-era lighting fixtures leave us thinking “what were the designers thinking?” This used to be puzzling but has become a conversation starter. Keep an eye out for funkier lighting styles in the near future.

8. Matte Finished Furniture and Accents
As the shiny futuristic aesthetic begins to fade, softer matte finishes are beginning to take their place. Expect to see many more matte finishes on tables, chairs, walls, and accents.

9. Rich Red
The earlier part of the century played it safe when it came to colors. 20 years later, we’re craving color. Vibrant reds are being brought in to make bland furniture stand out.

10. Geometric Patterned Designs

In the vein of not playing it safe anymore, 2019 design will see a resurgence of bold geometric patterns. From tiling to wallpaper to furniture accents, shapes will be catching eyes right and left to tie elements together.

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Whether you’re after the latest interior design elements for a new home or you’re wanting to stay with classic styles, the home builders at Perry Hood Properties can make your dreams a reality. Come see your diverse options today.

If you’ve watched ten minutes of any home remodel show on cable television, there’s a good chance you’ve probably witnessed the popularity of granite counter-tops. There’s a good chance you either already have granite countertops in your home or you wish you had them. But why has granite exploded in popularity in the last 15-20 years?

Back When Granite Countertops Were Rare

There’s little chance of seeing a granite countertop in a home that hasn’t been remodeled since the 1990s. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that granite countertops truly came on the scene. Even then, only the most opulent homes could afford the luxurious granite countertops. It was seen as a tremendously expensive add-on for kitchen remodels. The reason why it was once so expensive and is now nearly affordable stems from two changing variables — availability and workability. When granite countertops first came on the scene, they mostly imported from Italy and manually cut. Between finding the granite, mining it, shipping it, and cutting it, granite remained a luxury afforded to few.

What Made Granite More Available

As demand for new housing grew leading up to the Housing Bubble of 2008, so too did the demand for granite countertops. Those buying existing houses during this period were also remodeling the houses they would buy, often opting for granite. At this point, you’re probably wondering how granite suddenly became so much more available. The two obstacles to attaining granite suddenly changed — source and ease of preparation. Whereas granite used to be sourced almost exclusively from Italy, the majority of granite found in American homes these days is either from Brazil or India — places that show no shortage of granite. The required preparation for the granite also simplified with advances in computerized cutting machines. It wasn’t long before granite could be easily mined, shipped, and cut at competitive rates.

The Future of Granite

As of the publish date of this piece, granite is still king of the countertop world. With its strength, allure, and consistent availability, it’s not hard to see why. While there are currently no signs of the allure of granite fading anytime soon, there are a few up-and-coming competitors. Quartz, for example, has been shown to require much less maintenance than granite and is becoming more competitive in price. Marble is also starting to make a comeback from its past popularity. You can learn more about these countertop materials and more with help from the property experts at Perry Hood Properties.

For most individuals, buying a home will be the largest single investment they make. The majority of home buyers have already begun to design their ideal home in their minds even before officially shopping around. Preferences range from floor plans and house style to what side of a particular town or city they would like to call home. Most families shopping for a new home also weigh the option of buying an existing home or building an entirely new home. In this piece, we’re going to weigh some of the pros and cons of buying an existing house versus building an entirely new home.

Purchasing an Existing House

As a person or family establishes what kind of budget they have to work with based on what style of mortgage they choose (fixed vs adjustable rate or 30-year or 15-year), they can begin to weigh their options. Most people who will lean in the direction of purchasing an existing home will do so for two reasons — convenience and price. Matters of convenience can range from being able to immediately have the keys to an existing house as well as being able to choose more specifically what established neighborhood in which to live. The convenience of price means savings for a home that may be older or may require additional maintenance. Some of the negative aspects of buying an existing house range from a lack of customization to maintenance issues that come with an older and possible improperly maintained property. Still, choosing a house with its own history and character can be a major selling factor for many looking for a new place to put down roots. 

Building a New Home

Many shopping for a new home may ask, “Why would I build a new house with there are literally thousands of existing homes to choose from?” This is a good question. It’s true that new home construction is most likely to occur in a new neighborhood and the house itself may lack some of the history that some home shoppers seek. Also, due to their age, existing homes may be somewhat less costly than new home builds. On the other hand, a new home build allows the homeowner to design a home precisely to their own specifications. Floor plans, room dimensions, and even individual fixtures are completely up to the buyer when it comes to new home construction. For those who desire to live in historic neighborhoods, there are frequently ways to build on open lots when coordinating with the local homeowner’s association or a historical society. The process of building a new home has also been greatly simplified by using subcontractors who can manage every stage of the building process.

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Whether you’d like to buy an existing new home or custom-build the home of your dreams, your friends at Perry Hood Properties can be of assistance.

As owning a home begins to look much more appealing than continuing to rent, you will have a lot of decisions you’ll need to make, one of the most significant will be concerning your mortgage — a 15-year vs 30-year and fixed-rate mortgages vs adjustable-rate mortgages. In this piece, we’re going to look at some of the positive and negative aspects of adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgages.

What is an adjustable-rate mortgage?

Every home mortgage is a loan from a lender towards buying a house. The interest rate on a mortgage is the extra amount of money you pay in order to make offering the mortgage loan lucrative for lenders. An adjustable-rate mortgage is a home loan in which the interest rate is allowed to fluctuate depending on market conditions. Some of the positive aspects of these types of mortgages are that a dip in interest rates can mean some savings for the mortgage payer. However, the opposite is also true, as the lender would then be allowed to increase interest rates. Adjustable-rate mortgages can be great deals for those taking out home mortgages when interest rates are looking steady and low. Because of their allowance for fluctuation, adjustable-rate mortgages can sometimes have lower setup costs but can be a little bit of a gamble for borrowers.

What is a fixed-rate mortgage?

On the flip side, a fixed-rate mortgage is a loan on the price of a house with a monthly interest rate that is locked in place for the duration of the loan. One of the biggest advantages of a fixed-rate mortgage is the predictability of knowing precisely what a house payment will cost every month for potentially decades to come. Because of this, even if the interest rate is a little bit higher or the plan requires higher setup fees, many borrowers are willing to pay the difference for the convenience of being able to properly plan out their finances to the dollar. One of the downsides of a fixed-rate mortgage is not being able to take advantage of lowering interest rates without refinancing — a process that can be somewhat expensive.

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Whichever style of mortgage you decide upon, the property professionals at Perry Hood Properties can help you find the perfect home for your family.