Archives for April 2019

• The average down payment for first-time homebuyers is only 6%!
• Mortgage interest rates have been on the decline since November! Hop in now to lock in a low rate!
• 88% of property managers raised their rents in the last 12 months!
• The average credit score on approved loans continues to fall across many loan types!

The Q2 Houzz Renovation Barometer also shows that U.S. firms now have shorter project backlogs than a year ago

As we head into the second three months of 2019, many firms — on both the construction side and the architectural and design side of the residential remodeling industry — have positive short-term expectations, new data from Houzz reveal. Wait times for these firms to take on a new midsize project, however, are notably dropping. 

As a home remodeling or design pro, you can benefit from having a pulse on market conditions, since factors that affect pros in other specialties can also affect your business. The Q2 2019 Houzz Renovation Barometer tracks residential renovation market expectations, project wait times and recent business activity based on responses from more than 2,000 small businesses on Houzz.

Learn how to make captivating displays with some of your favorite belongings

In the world of interior design, a vignette is a small, pleasing picture formed by grouping several objects — think of it as a pocket-size table arrangement that tells a story about you and your home. A vignette is a harmonious tableau made from a variety of items, rather than a large collection of similar articles (for example, clocks or toys), which would require a different display strategy. 

Vignettes can easily be reinvented to suit your whims — a change of season, a new find, a gift and a special occasion are all good reasons to refashion your mini displays. There’s a knack to making these small scenes look effortlessly composed and eye-catching. You can learn how to build delightful vignette worlds with this easy lesson.

Are you always online? If so, then you join millions of people who have a digital life. The internet has become so ubiquitous that we take it for granted.

Does it go in the middle of the drawer, on the edge or nowhere at all? Get advice on where to put the knobs and pulls

Remodeling a kitchen can be a daunting undertaking. There are so many decisions to make that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. And just when the end of your remodel is in sight, your contractor asks one last question: “Where would you like the hardware placed on your cabinetry?” 

It probably never occurred to you that there are placement options for your hardware. Like most design options, placement is based on a combination of tried and true design solutions and one’s own aesthetic. Let’s explore hardware placement so that when your contractor comes asking you’ll be prepared.