Summer 2013: Interior Design Trends

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With the summer season well and truly here, there comes a new set of interior design trends to go with it. So we, at Harmony Homes, thought we would look at the top interior design trends for Summer 2013. Here are a few of our favorites:

1) Striped Out:  Add depth and space to a room using stripes. Using wide horizontal stripes on the wall will add width and space to a room, while skinny vertical stripes on the walls will add height to a room. If you’re not feeling brave enough to use stripes on the wall, add soft furnishings and rugs in your chosen color scheme with shades of whites and creams for the summer season.

2) Green with Envy: Emerald green is one of this season’s biggest trends. Statement walls of emerald green paired with tones of gold and black create a luxurious and dramatic effect. While white walls with pops of emerald green accessories, furniture and floor coverings create a funky and fresh look perfect for more contemporary homes.

3) Monochromatic Texture: In comparison to the emerald green trend, monochrome may seem dull, however the key to getting this trend right is texture. The dramatic duo of black and white works vivaciously to create an elegant decor. Using a variety of texture throughout your monochrome scheme will add warmth and character to this season’s hot trend. Pick out textured wallpaper and soft furnishings and pair with high-gloss surfaces to recreate this monochromatic trend with character in your home.

All of these trends have great elements that you can add to your existing interior decor, creating a more modern, on-trend feel to your home. Which trend will you be injecting into your home this season?

Top Summer Attractions in Southern California

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In case you missed the memo, it’s definitely summer in Southern California now. The Harmony Homes team compiled a list of their favorite things to do during the season.

Here’s the rundown:

1) Embrace your inner child: You can’t come to Southern California and not do Disneyland, SeaWorld and Universal Studios. There’s something for everyone at all of these attractions.

The Southern California CityPASS is a great way to do all four of these attractions for 25% less AND with a line pass.

What’s included? A 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper® Bonus Ticket for back-and-forth admission to both Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® and one Magic Morning admission which allows you to enter Disneyland® Park one hour before regular opening time on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. General admission to both Universal Studios Hollywood and SeaWorld San Diego.

2) Un-Wine(d). California has many wineries and vineyards all over the state to choose from. If you want that rustic old world winery charm then Bernardo Winery is the place for you. Over 125 years old, the winery is basking in character and makes for a beautiful day out.

3) Beach Bum. You can’t come to California and not visit at least one beach. With miles and miles of sandy shores along the Pacific coastline and beautiful weather year round, it’s no surprise there’s a bustling beach community. Kick off your shoes and roll up your jeans for a romantic stroll along the beach to watch the sunset at night. Or head down during the day and plan for a day of sunbathing, volleyball and water sports.

4) Fun and Games. We had to mention the iconic Santa Monica Pier in a list of top attractions in Southern California. Whether you want to take a ride on one of the many rides, go fishing or take a stroll with an ice cream, the pier is an ideal destination for a family day out.

5) Go Wild. You don’t have to plan a trip to Africa, there’s over 4000 animals sitting at San Diego Zoo & Safari Park. We’re sure you’ll be able to find your favorite animal here whether it’s an elephant or panda bear.

6) Sound of Music. Live music and beautiful summer nights. Enjoy a picnic before watching a concert at the outdoor arena, the Hollywood Bowl. The Hollywood Bowl is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  Now that’s our idea of a great way to see a concert. 

7) Whale of a Time. If you love marine life then you’ll have a whale of a time on a Newport Landing Whale Tour.  With year round trips, the summer season brings blue whales, finback whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and more.

 

Summer Home Maintenance Tips

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With summer nearly here there are things you can do around the house in order to be ready for the seasonal heat.

Carrying out regular home maintenance not only protects your home from seasonal damage in the long run, but can also save you money on your next utility bill.

Harmony Homes would like to share some tips that can protect your home from damage and save energy costs.

1) Fan-tastic savings. By turning the lead edge of the blades on your fans downwards throughout the house, the cooled air will be pushed downwards. Rooms will feel so much cooler and you’ll be using less air conditioning, saving you money on your energy bill. Remember, only turn on the fans when you are in the room as it not only wastes energy, but also will reduce the cooling effect of the fan.

2) Light the way. “Turn off the lights when you leave the room!” – No, it’s not just your mother who says that. Replace all incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs are more energy efficient and last between 6-10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Use focus lighting and motion sensors to minimize energy use even further.

3) Gut it. Clear out all gutters of leaves and debris. This will stop blockages and water overflowing causing damage to the external walls. Covering up the gutter with a fine wire mesh can keep the debris and leaves out.

4) Caulked out. Check external and internal walls for any cracks or holes in the caulking. Pay close attention to the ceiling edges and doorways. Repairing any gaps will not only stop mold and insect infestations, but will also reduce the amount of hot or cool air escaping the home. This will lower the need to cool or heat your home and therefore reduce your energy costs.

Summer in Dallas: Top things to do

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With summer readily approaching, we at Harmony Homes thought we would give you the run down of our favorite things to do this summer in Dallas.

Scream if you wanna go faster: It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t include at least one theme park in our top 10. Located just 20 minutes from Downtown Dallas, Six Flags Over Texas is a great choice for a family day out. The theme park will add the world’s tallest extreme swing ride, the Texas SkyScreamer, to it’s 50+ rides. June 15th will see American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery, perform at the park as part of their MIKE AND IKE® Summer Concert Series.

Go Wild: The Dallas Zoo is open year round but when it gets to June 8, the zoo comes to life at night. With special Safari Nights presented by Texas Instruments, the zoo stays open late on Saturdays featuring music, animal encounters and other great surprises.

Have a Ball: The season may be over for the Dallas Cowboys, but that doesn’t mean the Cowboys Stadium is out for the summer. Country legend, Kenny Chesney will play at the Cowboys Stadium on May 11 as part of his ‘No Shoes Nation’ Tour. If that’s not enough, 6-times Grammy winner, Taylor Swift will also play at the Cowboys Stadium, May 25, with British singer Ed Sheeran in support.

Up, Up and Away: Get whisked off into the sky in a Hot Air Balloon ride this summer with the Great American Hot Air Balloon Ride. Soar over the beautiful city of Dallas and take in the stunning skyline.

Rock Out: From Bull Riding to Willie Nelson’s 4th of July picnic, Billy Bob’s is hosting something for everyone this summer. Don your cowboy hats for a good ol’ time.

 

Las Vegas locals go wild over upcoming opening of new Wet ‘n’ Wild

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After almost a decade without a water park, Las Vegas will soon have another Wet ‘n’ Wild! Southern Nevadans are counting down the days until Wet ‘n’ Wild opens in its new location in Southwest Las Vegas. The park is currently under construction and is expected to be ready for their Memorial Day weekend grand opening as scheduled.

The new Wet ‘n’ Wild will feature more than 25 exhilarating slides and attractions, including the first-of-its-kind in North America three-person Rattler. A water park is a welcome addition to area attractions, since during the summer months, desert temperatures reach as high as 120°F.

At S. Fort Apache and W. Sunset Road, Wet ‘n’ Wild is located in close proximity to three Harmony Homes communities. Canyon Falls Estates, Aspire at Mountain’s Edge and Serenada at Mountain’s Edge are all located minutes from the water park.

 

Home building boom in Southern California returns

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Mortgage interest rates are low while prices for existing homes are rising. The limited inventory due to many existing homeowners still being underwater means people are entering tough bidding wars for existing properties on the market.

This is a great time for new home-builders as people look to buy new homes. A complete turnaround from 2011 which was the worst recorded year for new home construction. Builders started construction on 2,097 new, single-family homes in Southern California during the fourth quarter of 2012 which was a 56% increase on the previous year’s fourth quarter.

As building continues, the employment levels will improve in Southern California due to the jobs being created. The industries that will benefit from the building will include builders, lumber, concrete, heating and air conditioning etc.

For information on Harmony Homes communities in Southern California please click here.

 

Why Chapel Hill is the place to live in McKinney, Texas

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There are many reasons why we love the Harmony Homes community Chapel Hill, located in McKinney, Texas. The city of McKinney has so much to offer our residents and perspective buyers.

Some of our favorite things about McKinney are:

  1. The McKinney Main Street. With its collection of historic downtown buildings that surround the Historic Collin County Courthouse, the McKinney Main Street has a variety of art galleries, shops, spas and restaurants to choose from. There are also a wide variety of events hosted in the area throughout the year, including Arts In Bloom, April 13th.
  2. Chestnut Square Historic Village. This collection of historic homes display a selection of period artifacts that show how the community lived in Collin County from 1854-1920. The Village hosts tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
  3. The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Founded in 1967, the Heard consists of a 289 acre wildlife sanctuary and a natural science museum for the primary purpose of educating children about nature. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, there is something for every age here.
  4. Oak Hollow Golf Course. The stunning golf course hosts a wide range of leagues, charity events and golf tournaments throughout the year. It is also home to a new clubhouse that opened in 2010 with a full service grill room and bar. The perfect place to spend your Sundays relaxing.
  5. 4-5 star Yelp rated restaurants. McKinney is home to a number of 4-5 star rated restaurants that cater to every taste and budget.

And we’re not the only ones who think McKinney is the place to live. CNN’s Money listed McKinney as the #2 best place to live in America for 2012 in their annual ‘top 100 place to live’ issue!

To find out more about our Chapel Hill community call 972-542-4277.

Dallas named America’s 3rd fastest growing city

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Earlier this year, Forbes named Dallas America’s 3rd fastest growing city. One of 4 Texas cities in the top 10, along with Austin No.1, Houston No.2 and San Antonio No.9, Forbes looked at why Texas cities dominated the list.

The answer: ‘Robust labor markets, unemployment rates under 6% (well below the national average), no state income tax, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and Dallas strong population inflows all contributed to Texas towns’ high rankings.’

In order to calculate the list Forbes factored in the following:

  1. The estimated rate of population growth for 2012.
  2. The estimated rate of population growth for 2013.
  3. The rate of job growth in 2012.
  4. The rate of gross metro product growth, or economic growth, for 2012.
  5. Federal unemployment data.
  6. Median salaries for local college-educated workers.

Here’s why we think Dallas is the 3rd fastest growing city in the US:

  1. Beautiful weather and subtropical climates.
  2. Stunning woods, parks and trails surrounding suburbs.
  3. Home to the 3rd busiest airport in the world, The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
  4. Current improvements to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit, making the city’s transportation system more effective and accessible.
  5. Home to the Dallas Cowboys & Dallas Mavericks for all of our sports fans.

Harmony Homes has several communities in the Dallas-Fortworth area including:

  1. The Villages of Woodland Springs – Located in the award-winning Keller Independent School District area.
  2. Chapel Hill - Located within walking distance of McKinney’s Historic Town Square and Towne Lake Park.
  3. Sunset Pointe – Ideally situated at the corner of the Metroplex’s major northern roadways making it easily accessible.
  4. Falcon Ridge – Located a few blocks east of the Dallas County line, Falcon Ridge is a  very convenient commute for those working in Dallas.

 

New Amarra community to open in Southern California

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AmarraComing later this year is Harmony Homes‘ latest addition to it’s Southern California portfolio, Amarra. This latest addition will be situated in Vista, California in close proximity to Tri-City Hospital and Broadway Vista Shopping Center. The site sits just miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.

The community will feature 16 single family detached homes on family sized home sites situated in a private neighborhood. The residences will be spacious two story homes, ranging from 2562 to 2865 square feet in floor area, and with three car garages.

We will be releasing more information on Amarra soon.

For more information on Amarra, please contact us on 1-800-445-8185.

 

Construction employment continues to improve in California

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Construction continued to show marked employment improvement in California in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. More than 7,000 construction jobs were added in from December to January; only the leisure and hospitality sector did better, adding a little over 8,000 jobs.

It was the third consecutive month of construction hiring increases in California. And on a year-over-year basis, the state saw construction add 17,600 more jobs this January than in 2012.

Nationally, construction added 28,000 jobs in January, so a quarter of those were in California. At this point, it’s reasonable to expect that this trend will continue. Spring is typically a stronger season for real estate than winter, and throughout California, inventories of homes for sale are so limited that sales have been falling, after recovering for much of 2012.

To read the article in full, click here.

For more information on Harmony Homes communities in California, click here.