Home Interior Trends

Home interior trends change every year and with every individual’s home!  We wanted to take a look at what is currently trending in homes.  Do you have a home that follows one of these styles?  Do  you have a home that creates a new ambiance you think we should know about?  Share with us!

Rustic Chic: 

This style is popular in cottages, log homes, and craftsman styled homes right now.  It differs from modern farmhouse in that you can combine more detailed or distressed furniture pieces into your surroundings.  This look often involves white kitchens, wooden decorations, light fabrics on dark wood floors, sconces, light but warm walls, and pallet decor.  It can also have fabulous chandeliers and stone added to accent bigger rooms.  We love looking at Pottery Barn for some inspiration!

           

 

Modern Farmhouse: 

This style is popular in both ranch style homes and fixer uppers!  Can you say shiplap, mudroom, and edison bulbs?  This interior has warm, “worn” looking wood floors, cool and two-toned kitchen cabinetry, lots of oil rubbed bronze fixtures, barn doors, and galvanized metal decor.  Check out your local consignment stores for redone, rustic pieces and inspiration!

   

French Provincial: 

This can be anything from simple, to glamorous.  Mostly seen in larger homes, upscale apartments, and mansions, this style is classic.  It involves ornate and curved furniture, drapes, entryway pillars, ornate hardware, oval shapes, wallpapers, and chandeliers.  It can involve deep jewel toned accents or be completely done in shades of white and cream.  It has mixed metallics and sheen throughout.  Take a look around Pier One and World Market for this royal inspiration!

Mid Century Modern: 

Lines, angles, white, pops of color, and bold are what comes to mind with mid century modern.  Seen commonly in mid century styled homes, family to high end homes, and bachelor pads, this interior look is fun!  Flat bricks, geometric shapes, stone fireplaces, slate floors, and colorful carpetry or tile are some staples.  Rectangle glass inlay front doors and angled roof lines make up the exterior.  Credenzas, brass, chevron wood, mustard yellow, and colorful kitches are all also common!  Take a look around IKEA and West Elm for inspiration!

  

  

Industrial: 

Currently trending in loft apartments and basements, the industrial look involves cool and dark colors, exposed brick, metalwork, cement, natural light/glass, and wood.  It also often comes with an open, painted ceiling in black or grey.  You can find tons of inspiration at Joss and Main or Hayneedle!

    

Making your home GREEN!

With Earth Day (April 22nd) and Arbor Day (April 28) coming up, we thought it was the perfect time to mention a few ways on how to help our environment by making your homes more green, or environmental friendly.

Light bulbs:  “The energy-saving potential of LED bulbs can be assessed from the fact that in 2012 around 49 million LEDs were installed in the U.S., and these accounted for savings of around $675 million in one year. By 2030, 3 out of 4 light bulbs will be using LED technology. This will reduce carbon emissions by 1,800 million metric tons. And could cut the demand for electricity by one-third.” (multibrief.com)  Based on an article from Ben’s Bargains, “You’ll outlay roughly $140 for 40 LED bulbs initially to replace your 40 incandescent bulbs. But you’ll save roughly $300 annually in energy costs. And one LED bulb will last about 20 times longer than an incandescent.”  So, not only are you saving the environment, eventually you’ll be saving money, too!

Recycling:  If you don’t have a recycling bin at your home…it’s time to get one TODAY!  Did you know recycling in your home is the top action you can take to not only improve the environment, but also the economy?  United States recycling levels are currently at 21.4%  (EPA funded Yale University study).  Once we reach 75%, it will be the environmental and CO2 equivalent of removing 55 million cars from U.S. roads each year.  It will also generate 1.5 million new jobs in the United States. (http://www.recycleacrossamerica.org/recycling-facts)  Items you can recycle are cardboard, paperboard, paper, plastic bottles, plastic jugs, newspapers, mail, magazines, plastic shopping bags, metal cans and foil, glass bottles and jars. (http://potluckpickup.com/recycling-guide/)

Shutting off water:  Did you know that you can save up to 200 gallons of water just by shutting off the sink when you brush your teeth?  Or 6 gallons per day just by shutting off the water while you scrub your hands for 20 seconds?  North Carolina State has this awesome sustainability article that will show you all the ways to save water every day in your home:  https://sustainability.ncsu.edu/blog/changeyourstate/6-times-you-should-turn-off-the-tap-to-save-water/

Unplugging electronics:  Did you know that even when your appliances and electronics are off, they still “bleed energy”?  By unplugging just 10 devices you can save up to $20 a year on electricity.  Do you have a screen saver on your computer?  That could be costing you $100 a year!!!  Use a power strip to control truly shutting off multiple devices at once.  Read more here:  https://www.mnn.com/green-tech/gadgets-electronics/questions/should-i-unplug-my-appliances-and-if-so-will-i-save-money

Energy Star:  Did you know that there is pretty much an Energy Star version of everything?  Even your DVD player can be energy efficient now!  By changing your home over to energy star appliances such as kitchen appliances, HVAC, laundry, and more, you can save the environment and save money!  Just for example, from their website, an Energy Star Washer can save you $45 a year and 3,000 gallons of water a year!!!  Read more on their website:  https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/waysToSave

 

Spring Gardening in Grand Rapids!

Happy March, everyone!  With Spring arriving, we thought we’d give you tips and tricks to get started on your home’s garden, as well as the opening dates for our local greenhouses!

Motman’s:  Opening April 16th!

Countryside Greenhouse:  Opening April 2nd!

Romence Gardens and Greenhouses:  Open now!

W.W. Greenhouses:  Spring opening April 13-14!

Here’s a guide of when to plant your vegetables here in Grand Rapids, courtesy of Urban Farmer Seeds:

Beans:  Plant in ground, early-mid May.

Carrots:  Plant in ground, end of April.

Corn:  Plant in ground mid-end of May.

Cucumbers:  Plant in ground mid May.

Eggplant:  Start inside early April, move outside end of May.

Kale:  Start inside mid March, move outside mid April.

Lettuce:  Start inside mid-end of February, move outside mid April.

Peas:  Plant in ground mid-end of March.

Peppers:  Start inside mid-end of March, move outside mid-end of May.

Spinach:  Start inside end of February, move outside early April.

Squash:  Start inside early May, move outside end of May.

Tomatoes:  Start inside end of March, move outside mid-end of May.

Watermelon:  Start inside early May, move outside end of May.

Do you need to add curb appeal to your home this Spring?  Let us suggest the following plants to keep the curb appeal coming back to your home year after year in the state of Michigan!

Any color of Daylilies is sure to make the front of your home pop!  They are a very hardy plant, so if you don’t have a greenthumb—this is the choice for you!  Daylilies should flower for many weeks.

The bright yellow of Daffodils will certainly add cheer to your yard!  Daffodils bloom early and can last through May.

Blue Fescues are a type of ornamental grass.  They can grow between 6-12 inches tall.  To keep these grasses blue, they need plenty of water.

The Purple Cone Flower, AKA Echinacea, needs full sun and partial shade.  These bright purple blooms will attract not only home buyers, but butterflies too!

Hostas enjoy the shade and are very hardy plants.  They come in hundreds of different shades, colors, and sizes.  They have beautiful, green foliage…but will also flower in the summer!

According to RE/MAX of Grand Rapids’ latest newsletter, home values are up 37% since 2008!  With values rising, we thought we’d give you a recap on how 2017 ended in home sales for your area!

Total Homes Sold Grand Rapids Oct-Dec 2017: 1,024
Total Homes Sold Wyoming Oct-Dec 2017: 256
Total Homes Sold Grandville Oct-Dec 2017:  62
Total Homes Sold Georgetown/Hudsonville Oct-Dec 2017:  233
Total Homes Sold Kentwood Oct-Dec 2017:  159

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Regal Home Group to get more information on the value of your current home, or to find a new home today!!!

Top 10 Grand Rapids Area Homes and Condos of 2017!

Happy New Year from Regal Home Group!!!  We thought a fun way to start the year would be to recap the Top 10 most expensive homes and condos sold in the Greater Grand Rapids Area in 2017…and let me tell you, they are PHENOMENAL!!!  We will start with the homes from least to greatest in value, and then continue with the condos also from least to greatest in value.  Let us know which one you would buy!

TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE GREATER GRAND RAPIDS HOMES:

10.  5755 18th Ave Hudsonville, MI $1,300,000

Bedrooms:  5 Total Baths:  5 full, 1 half  Sq. Ft:  6,158

9.  8115 Alaska Ave SE Caledonia, MI $1,330,000

Bedrooms:  5  Baths:  4 full, 2 half  Sq. Ft:  6,735

8.  2924 Pioneer Club Rd SE East Grand Rapids, MI $1,350,000

Bedrooms:  4  Baths:  3 full, 1 half  Sq. Ft:  4,608

7.  5908 Whitworth Ct SE Grand Rapids, MI $1,350,000

Bedrooms:  7 Baths:  8  Sq. Ft:  8,615

6.  6444 Tammarron Ct SE Grand Rapids, MI $1,370,000

Bedrooms:  6  Baths:  5 full, 3 half  Sq. Ft:  6,756

5.  350 Plymouth Road SE East Grand Rapids, MI $1,432,500

Bedrooms:  7  Baths:  6 full, 3 half  Sq. Ft:  11,459

4.  6801 Burton St SE Grand Rapids, MI $1,700,000

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  4 full, 2 half  Sq. Ft:  9,183

3.  7428 Biscayne Way Grand Rapids, MI $1,850,000

Bedrooms:  4  Baths:  4 full, 2 half  Sq. Ft:  6,759

2.  5885 Montreux Hills Dr. Ada, MI $2,275,000

Bedrooms:  6  Baths:  6 full, 2 half  Sq. Ft:  12,071

1.  5530 Michigan St. NE Ada, MI $3,200,000

Bedrooms:  6  Baths:  5 full, 1 half  Sq. Ft:  8,571

TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE GREATER GRAND RAPIDS CONDOS:

10.  7880 SW Whistle Creek CT 16 Byron Center, MI $567,700

Bedrooms:  2  Baths:  2 full, 1 half  Sq. Ft:  2,292

9.  2029 Talamore Ct 57 SE Grand Rapids, MI $569,000

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  2 full, 2 half  Sq. Ft:  3,283

8.  678 Croswell 3 SE East Grand Rapids, MI $590,000

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  2 full, 1 half  Sq. Ft:  2,052

7.  335 Bridge 2000 NW Grand Rapids, MI $595,000

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  3  Sq. Ft:  1,892

6.  335 Bridge St 1400 NW $625,000

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  3  Sq. Ft:  1,892

5.  335 Bridge 2300 NW Grand Rapids, MI $627,500

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  2  Sq. Ft:  1,892

4.  335 Bridge St 2400 NW Grand Rapids, MI $645,000

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  3  Sq. Ft:  1,892

3.  30 Peartree Lane 21 NE Grand Rapids, MI $678,515

Bedrooms:  4  Baths:  3 full, 1 half  Sq. Ft:  3,765

2.  27 Library St 902 NE Grand Rapids, MI $1,150,000

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  2 full, 2 half  Sq. Ft:  3,861

1.  335 Bridge 3102 NW Grand Rapids, MI $1,300,000

Bedrooms:  3  Baths:  2 full, 1 half  Sq. Ft:  4,155

WOW!!!  From the huge acreage to the biggest windows we’ve ever seen…all of these homes and condos amaze us!  The life of luxury is live and well in the Greater Grand Rapids area.  Want a piece of it?  Contact Regal Home Group today to see what luxury listings we can take you to!!!  And again, Happy New Year from all of us on the team.  We hope your new year brings you all of your hopes and dreams!

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