“8. Choose Materials That Improve With Age Good-quality natural materials such as leather, solid wood, woven baskets and pure wool blankets tend to age well. In fact, the dings and scratches that come with their normal wear and tear actually put guests at ease — instead of worrying about where to sit or set down a cup, everyone is free to relax! If you’re shopping for new furniture, consider going with reclaimed wood, vintage leather or new pieces that have that imperfect, wabi-sabi look”
Window coverings “Vinyl or composite. These include both blinds and shutters. They’re nonporous, scratch-resistant, perform well with moisture and can be cleaned with a variety of products. Avoid wood products in wet zones, such as a window above your sink. Wood will warp if left wet. It can also be tough to remove stains and requires special cleaners. Keep in mind that shutters might require more care than blinds, since they trap dirt and allergens inside your window and their decorative frames tend to collect dust.”
“when it comes to painting walls and cabinets, glossy paints can look too shiny and reflect too much light. Therefore, satin paints might be your best bet for easy upkeep and design integrity. They’re not as loud as high-gloss paints, are less porous than flat paints and are still very durable over time. Just be sure to hire a talented painter — satin paints can show brush and roller marks more easily than other types of paint.”
“5. Go for a grain with a dark stain. If you’re set on a dark cabinet stain, select a wood species that features the grain, such as oak or hickory. Grains don’t show scratches, stains and crumbs as much as a clean wood species like maple does. It’s also harder to tell that a cabinet stain has been touched up when the surface has grains. “
“10. Create a Warm Glow Indoors and Out [A Welcoming House] If you change just one thing about your home to make it more warm and welcoming, let it be the lighting. To create a warm, welcoming glow, aim to have lots of soft light sources rather than a single bright one. Indoors, put dimmers on overhead fixtures, and supplement them with table and floor lamps, ideally with at least three light sources per room. Outdoors, make magic with string lights above seating areas and candles or lanterns on tables — you can’t help but be tempted outdoors with light this lovely”
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