Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • September 29, 2010 Home Improvement (ARA) The ebbing sun and dropping mercury in the garden thermometer signal the end of summer. The shorter, cooler days also mean you might be coming back inside from the great outdoors to discover your home could use a little pizzazz. After all, you spent the past few months soaking up the rays while you worked and played in your yard rather than inside the house. It takes only a few quick fixes, combined with some creativity and elbow grease, to transform the rooms where you spend most of your time. In a weekend or less, you can make your home go from stale to striking for the fall season Fall Fast, frugal fix-up projects for fall 2010 ahead. As you look around the house, ask yourself this, “If I could fix only one thing in each room, what would that be?” These answers are your quick fixes. Not all home decorating ideas require a great deal of time or money, but can transform a tired-looking room into something truly eye-catching. “Sometimes all it takes is one or two small changes to completely transform a space,” according to Christopher Prebel of Pratt & Lambert Paints. “You’d be surprised how even the tiniest updates really make a difference.” Study your foyer, for starters. It’s the first thing guests see when they enter your home. What can you do to make it more inviting? Maybe it needs a little more color. Add a colorful rug to the entry way and maybe a floral arrangement to the console by the front door. A small storage bench can reduce clutter, including shoes, school bags, and sports equipment, and add a clean, inviting look to this first-impression space. If your house is like any other, the kitchen likely is the other main gathering place for both family and visiting friends. These high-traffic areas usually can use fresh paint more frequently than other rooms. While high-quality paints might cost more upfront, you’ll get a solid return on your investment because using a high-quality paint extends the time between repaints and keeps your room looking its best as long as possible. Most paint dealers now offer hundreds of color strips in sophisticated displays and some even offer actual paint samples in two-ounce containers so you can take a color home and try it without the long-term commitment of buying a gallon or more. Improve Your Driveway’s Appearance And Protect It At The Same Time Driveway E-Z Stir Asphalt Filler/Sealer • Easy to stir • Fills surface cracks up to 1/8” • Dries to touch in 4 hours. Can be driven on in 24-48 hours under normal conditions • 4 year warranty Mon-Wed 7:30-6 Thurs & Fri 7:30-8, Sat 8-5 Put On A Winter Coat Today! What about your living room? Is it too austere? Does it sit unused? While it might be out of your budget to change the furniture, you can warm it up and make it a space where people want to sit and visit by getting rid of those formal, outdated window treatments. Dress windows with light blinds or sheer curtains that provide privacy, but allow light to filter through. You might also want to rearrange the furniture into a grouping that is less formal and more inviting. Chances are, you and your family think your family room is great, but even your favorite lounging space always can use a little upgrading to keep it modern, fun, and welcoming. One easy change for this often-used space is new throw pillows. Add a splash of fresh color to the familiar simply by swapping out pillows on couches and chairs, or adding a nook of colorful floor pillows for family members who prefer to sprawl on the floor to watch TV and play video games. If the sofa looks tired and worn out, maybe you would prefer to invest in a new slipcover to bring a fresh look to the room and transform your old sofa into something new and special. New lamps also can update a room almost instantaneously. When you’re doing your fall upgrades, don’t forget the bathroom. For a small investment, you can transform the space with some fresh paint and a new faucet. If you’re looking for an even bigger change, accessorize the room further with a mirror in a finish that matches the faucet, and coordinating robe hooks and towel bars. “Putting a fresh spin on any home’s decor doesn’t always mean you have to think big,” Prebel added. “Small changes can easily transform a space from boring to beautiful in less than a weekend, even on the tightest of budgets.” CIRINO LANDSCAPING Personal Service Personal Care Free Estimate Aerate & Feed Lawn Tom Cirino % ANY SERVICE Full Service Landscape Company OPEN SUNDAY 9-3 Propane Filled 7 Days A Week 15 OFF 27 Franklin Tpke. • Waldwick • 201-652-5666 www.homehardwaresupply.com New Clients Only • w/Coupon • Exp 10/30/10 • Not Combinable Call 201-891-0955 For Information Keeping Families Warm Since 1929. 9-22-10 pat/janine Cirino2x2(9-22-10) 2x2” The Villadom TIMES is giving you the opportunity to present your quality services and merchandise in a special Fall Home Improvement & Decorating Guide. In The Villadom TIMES, you’ll get the exposure you need in 56,300 homes right in your market area. And, as always, your Villadom TIMES advertising message is conveniently delivered each week by US mail to every residence in the ten affluent Bergen County towns listed below. Publication: Deadline: homeimprovement & decorating FALL Serving All Your Home Heating Needs Prompt, Reliable Service You Can Depend On, Plus The Personal Attention You Deserve. • Oil Heat Systems Serviced & Installed • Automatic Fuel Oil Deliveries • Tank Insurance Available WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 6 OCTOBER 13 OCTOBER 20 OCTOBER 27 Cash ts Discoun il O On Heating s Deliverie 24 Hour Emergency 201-891-1000 Service ����������������������� Call The Villadom TIMES today to place your advertisement. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 OCTOBER 6 OCTOBER 13 OCTOBER 20 YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER ZONE 1 - Wyckoff, Midland Park, Franklin Lakes ZONE 2 - Ridgewood, Glen Rock ZONE 3 - Ho-Ho-Kus, Allendale, Waldwick, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River 201-652-0744 ZONE 4 - Ramsey, Mahwah