Springtime Reminders

It’s starting to feel more like spring every day! It's the time of year when I want to get out and work in the yard and see what's blooming. Below is a list of some household chores that, when taken care of regularly, will help maintain your home.

1. Clean debris from flowerbeds, lawn & gutters

2. Dethatch and aerate lawn and provide spring feeding

3. After the danger of frost has past take indoor plants outside and give them a good shower

4. Clean stove vents and refrigerator coils

5. Clean clothes dryer exhaust vent

6. Check batteries in smoke detectors

7. Have AC system inspected

8. Check fire extinguisher to assure it is filled and ready for operation

9. Wash windows and check caulking then open to air out house before the pollen count is up

10. Flip and vacuum mattresses and clean comforters and dust ruffles

11. Shampoo carpets, clean blinds and drapes

12. Take inventory of closets – donate what you don’t wear and store out of season items

Happy Spring!

Home Buyers

I read an article in the paper a week or so ago that said Caldwell Banker did a survey of 300 first time home buyers, and 87% said they wanted a home that was "move in ready". They don't want to see dated wallpaper, worn carpet, worn vinyl floors, bright or dark colors on painted walls. Some sellers feel these are just cosmetic changes, and that the buyer will want to pick their own colors after they purchase the home. Since the housing market is flooded with homes for sale it's important to make a good first impression.

Remove dated or trendy wallpaper and paint the walls throughout a nice neutral light almond with white trim. If the wallpaper is a light neutral colored faux finish it could stay. One last tip, home buyers want to be able to visualize they're own things in your home, so pack-up your personal photos.

Wallcovering Trends


Having worked in the area of wallcovering installation for the last 30 years we have seen many trends and styles come and go. When we first entered into this business, new custom homes almost always came with a wallcovering package that included the kitchen, dining room, foyer and all bathrooms. Unfortunately many builders did not have drywall primed properly before having their installers put up the wallcovering, due to the added cost and or ignorance, resulting in issues when the wallcovering was later removed. The step of priming walls prior to installing wallcovering is extreamly important when it comes to having the wallcovering stick properly, and aides in the removal of the wallcovering, thus limiting damage to the drywall. Consequently this has given wallcovering a bad reputation with many homeowners. We have heard many say after experiencing the difficulty of stripping their old wallcovering "I will never have wallcovering again!"

It's unfortunate that skipping the important step of priming walls has had such a negative impact on the wallcovering industry. When a do-it-yourself homeowner comes up against a situation where wallcovering isn't coming down easily they may want to consult a professional; continuing could result in damage to their walls. We usually as a courtesy evaluate by phone the procedure the homeowner is using and try to steer them in the right direction.

Fortunately we are seeing the trend of wallcovering come back around. We have worked in many beautiful homes from Virginia Beach to Williamsburg. For years we have worked for Dragas, who uses wallcovering throughout their models, in the communities they have built in Virginia Beach & Chesapeake, Ridgely Manor, Southmoor at Ridgely Manor, Oak Brooke Crossing, Brighton Park East & West to name a few, and our next big project for them & us will be their newest development Kings Point in Western Branch.

Visiting one of the Dragas models is a great way to see the quality of our work as well as seeing some of the latest decorating trends and styles.