March 23, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 27 ����������������������������� (ARA) A new home: It’s your chance to personalize your living space with details that suit your taste and personality. However, many builders only allow you to choose colors, and offer limited options beyond their builders’ grade materials. Likewise, if you’ve purchased a previously owned home, it too is most likely equipped with many basic options. Luckily, it’s easy to bust out of builder basics and add a few easy and inexpensive updates to make your cookiecutter home stand out from the rest. What better place to start than the heart of your home - the kitchen? “A minor kitchen remodel is really one of the easiest ways you can make the most of your home while also giving it your own personal style,” said Danny Lipford, renowned home improvement expert and host of the nationally syndi3-2-11 karen/janine cated TV show, Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford. HomeImpDecBanner6x “Plus, according to Remodeling magazine, it’s one of the 6 x .75” top five projects that will recoup your investment when it comes time to sell.” Not sure where to start? Lipford recommends these projects: Cool countertops. If your kitchen is like most, you probably have laminate countertops, since they are available in a variety of colors and patterns and are relatively inexpensive ($10 - $30 per square foot). However, they lack style and scratch and buckle easily. To give your kitchen a high-end look, consider updating your countertops with a more resistant surface, such as solid surface, a molded Take your home from cookie cutter to custom resin that is stain-resistant and mimics the look of concrete ($35 - 80 per square foot); marble, which in addition to its natural beauty is heat-resistant ($40 - $100 per square foot); or engineered stone, which is a mix of quartz and resins to create an extremely durable and fashionable surface ($45 -$90 per square foot). Fabulous faucets. Does your faucet have a pullout spout with a beautiful finish that coordinates with the rest of your decor? If not, it’s time for an upgrade. For less than $200, you can easily swap your no-frills faucet for one that adds functionality and fashion. Moen offers a variety of stylish high-arc pullout kitchen faucets with new innovative finishes that are easy to clean and resist fingerprints. Luxurious lighting. Fluorescent lighting in the kitchen is a staple for many builders since it’s functional and inexpensive. However, it’s not very aesthetically pleasing. Luckily, replacing fluorescent lighting is a simple project that will instantly make a style statement in your kitchen. Try one of these options: Track lighting, which is a fixture that sits close to the ceiling, but features multiple decorative lamps in a row; pendant lamps, which extend down from the ceiling like a chandelier; or mini pendant lamps, which offer a smaller version of a pendant and are available in a variety of styles and designs. All of these are easy-toinstall options. Wonderful walls. Are your walls still white or beige, plain slabs? Adding color and texture is an easy way to make a dramatic difference. Painting is the simplest tactic, ARA Majka Railing Company We Manufacture • Sell • Install Colonial Style Aluminum Railings Powder Coated Finishes 3rd Generation Serving NJ Since 1964 PLEASE TAKE MY HUSBAND ! Need someone to help tackle the honey-do list ? Mature local resident can work on anything from cars to faucets. No job too small. If you are looking for a responsible individual to help you around the house … Custom Aluminum Railings Free Estimates/Fully Insured and by using a high-quality paint in a semi-gloss or eggshell finish, you can additionally make your walls easier to clean. However, don’t stop there. Adding textures with updates, such as wainscoting, crown molding, or a tile backsplash are easy enough for a DIYer and can be cost effective. Fabulous floors. As the foundation of the room, you want your kitchen floor to sweep you off your feet - not send you packing. So, if yours is more “blah” than “beautiful,” it’s time for an update. Luckily, there are many choices available from high-end hardwood or natural stone to more affordable options, such as ceramic tile and laminate. With the wide array of colors, designs, and textures available with each option, you can create a dramatic update that fits your budget and your unique design style. 1-800-956-6255 Lic. # 13VH00307700 PLEASE CALL MIKE AT 201-327-3255 3-16-11 joan/janine giving you the opportunity to present The Villadom TIMES is your quality services and merchandise in its special Home MajkaRailing2x2(3-16-11) Improvement & Decorating section. 2In The Villadom TIMES, you’ll get the exposure you need in x 2” 56,000 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 12 Bergen County towns listed below. ���������������� ������������ We are gearing up for Spring! Are you? Let’s do it together! FREE ESTIMATES Extra 5% Discount to Veterans ������������� ��������� WEDNESDAY ��������� �������� ��������� ��������� “We do it right the first time” SPRING Commercial/Residential CLEAN UPS Grounds Maintenance 20% OFF Spring & Fall Clean Ups Shrub Pruning Mulching America’s Lawn and Aerating Gardens, LLC Planting/Weeding Quality & Dependability Brick Pavers Retaining Walls Family owned since 1962 Drainage Office: 201-236-6393 Gutter Cleaning Fax: 201-825-1360 Snow Removal Email: algjt1962@gmail.com Power Washing Fully Insured WEDNESDAY �������� �������� ������� �������� YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER Call The Villadom TIMES today to place your advertisement. ������������ ��������������������������� ������ - Wyckoff, Midland Park, Franklin Lakes ������ - Ridgewood, Glen Rock �������- Ho-Ho-Kus, Allendale, Waldwick, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, ������ - Ramsey, Mahwah