White Rock Lake Dog Park To Spend Almost $1 Million in Renovations

For all my Dallasite dog moms and dads, I have some great news: the White Rock Lake Dog Park is about to undergo HUGE renovations. A staple in the dog parent community, this park has been known to flood in the past. The renovations are to include irrigation, drainage, new fencing and a new doggie launch into the lake. The park is basically going to be overhauled and completely renovated due to its massive appeal since inception in 2001. For more information, check out this article. For a little puppy love, check out this photo of my middle child.If you are in the market for a home near a dog park, call me today! 469.502.9834.

5 Winter Classes to Take at the Dallas Farmer’s Market

With Christmas and New Year’s behind us, there is no better time to tighten the purse strings and resolve to eat healthier. One way Dallasites can accomplish both of the goals (not to mention have a little fun) is to take one of the five classes sponsored this winter by the Dallas Farmer’s Market.

For those of you who don’t know, the Dallas Farmer’s Market is an open air market open 7 days a week, and 362 days a year (taking a short break for New Year’s, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Not only is it a great place to find fresh local produce and plants, it is an easy way to support your local businesses. The classes, however, are arguably the best part. Renowned chefs from some of the best restaurants in Dallas gather for a public demonstration.

This winter the following classes are scheduled:

• January 25: Chef Abraham Salum from Salum Restaurant will present A Taste of Regional Moles
• February 1st: Chef Janice Provost from Parigi will present Super Bowl Party Food
• February 8th: Chef Graham Dodds from Hibiscus has a Valentine’s Day theme
• February 15: Chef Mark Wootton from Garden Cafe will present Heartwarming Dishes of Winter
• February 22nd: Chef Jon Alexis from Seafood Market and Grill has a Mardis Gras theme

For more information visit http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/events-at-the-market.html.

Unique Townhome Project in Dallas

There is a unique townhome project happening in Dallas right now: completely customizable townhomes that are being built from a complex foreclosed on in the 70s. A company is taking the old property and tearing it down to studs then rebuilding beautiful new townhomes in their place and allowing for customizations the whole way through. There are 40 of these units available and I predict they will go fast.

These homes feature:

Beautiful New Again Townhomes in Dalla

Large Kitchen with granite countertops

Living room with fireplace

Backyard Garden

• Open living room with fireplace
• Second living area that can be easily converted into an office space or rec room
• Large kitchen with granite countertops and new appliances
• Master bedroom with walk-in closet
• Large master bath with double sinks, enclosed toilet, and garden tub
• Carport or 2 car garage
• Paint choice decided by buyer
• Backyard large enough for pets or gardening
• Convenient location of IH 635

On top of all these great, customizable features, this community starts below $200,000, an unbelievable value for the location, customization and beauty of these homes. Whether you are in the market for a new home close to Plano, Allen or downtown Dallas, these homes are in the perfect location.

For a video walkthrough visit my YouTube channel

or call me today for a personal tour. 469.502.9834

Top 5 Color Trends for 2014

2014 is going to be a bold year and that is reflected in the home color trends that are hot right now. Throughout Dallas you will see deep and rich colors inside homes. But before you go grab a bucket and a brush to turn your whole living room Blue Peacock, remember paint is not the only way to update your home (also, deep paints are traditionally a nightmare to paint over!). Think curtains, pillows, vases, maybe a new accent chair. Find which colors speak to you and give your home a fresh start!

So what colors are the biggest? Check out these 5 for inspiration:

1. Gray. Gray of every shade and in every way you can think of. Stain your coffee table, add an accent chair or some throw pillows.
2. Royal Blue. Channel your inner peacock with this bold trend. Buy a chandelier and paint it, add a printed lampshade or bold curtains. Add a splash or go for the full monte: either way you are bound to make a statement! 
3. Fuchsia. Fuchsia is hot, hot, hot right now, probably because it plays so well with others. Mix it with turquoise, lime, orange, gray – you can’t go wrong!
4. Ceremonial gold. Black and gold is always a classy go-to but don’t be afraid to mix it with white for a modern and brighter feel.
5. Raucous Orange. Go bold and dedicate a whole room to it or add just a splash here and there. Another plays well with others color, don’t be afraid to mix and match!

This is the year for big and bold! For more inspiration, check out my Pinterest board. Be sure to follow me while you are there!

4 Reasons Retrofitting is a Better Idea than Window Replacement

According to the Preservation Green Lab, Americans spend over $17 billion annually on heating and cooling. Here in Dallas, we understand the importance of keeping the home comfortable, due to the fact we are the part of Texas that gets blistering hot summers and bitterly cold winters. However, before you whip out the phone and start pricing out new windows, consider a low cost retrofit.

1. The first reason is in that last statement: retrofitting saves you money! Whether you are weather stripping or sealing, installing exterior storm windows or interior cellular shades, you will get a better return on your investment than replacement.
2. Retrofitting saves energy as well as money. By combining exterior storm windows and cellular blinds with interior window panels, your windows will perform the same energy saving measures as new windows.
3. Climate is not a factor. You will save money and improve performance by retrofitting no matter what the climate.
4. If your home is historic, you could maintain visual appeal and historical integrity.

Questions? Drop a comment below or call me today.

10 GREEN Ways to Sustain Your Historic Home

As many of you know, being green is something that I keep very close to my heart. While many see this a more modern trend, there is a way to marry two of my favorite things: living green while living in a historic home. Here are 10 tips on how to sustain your historic home in a green way.

1. Recycle! While this may seem pretty obvious, there are probably a few levels you haven’t thought about. Glass, paper, and plastic may be among the most obvious, but you can also recycle batteries, metal, paint and more. And if you can’t recycle it? Reuse it, create a trendy craft! Head over to my Pinterest page for some ideas.
2. Change ALL your light bulbs to compact florescent or LEDs. Sure you may have switched out the lamp lights, but did you get the outdoor flood lights or the lights in the kitchen and the bath. Remember this is good for the environment AND good for your wallet!
3. Unplug electrical devices not in use. It may be annoying to reset the clock on the microwave, but who really uses anything but a cell phone to check time anymore?
4. Insulate the attic to at least R-38 and add a radiant barrier.
5. Invest in a properly sized HVAC system and ducts.
6. Buy only EnergyStar appliances, including computers or TVs.
7. Change out toilets to low-flow models.
8. Xeriscape the garden (this is Texas after all – think cactus!), minimize turfgrass, and maintain irrigation system.
   

   Cacti are a beautiful way to xeriscape.

9. Use only low-VOC products: paint, polyurethane, plywood, carpet, cleaning solutions, furniture, etc.
10. Practice conservation everyday. This is a choice that must be made everyday in every way until it is habit.

Looking for a historic home of your own? Love the idea of living green, but want a more traditional feel? Call me today, I am a Historic House Specialist as well as GREEN certified. Check out my website (www.downhomeurban.com) to search properties in the area, or call me and let me do the work for you!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, My True Love Tweeted Me Free Starbucks Coffee!

Okay, okay so it’s not technically the fourth day of Christmas. But DownHome Urban is in a gift giving mood so we will be giving away one $5 Tweet-a-Coffee gift card for the next four days! Get a hot beverage and warm up from the frigid weather or buy a coffee mug for a friend! Whatever you want! Just enter using the widget below. Be sure to tell your friends 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway


5 Reasons to List your Home in December

With Thanksgiving under your belt and Christmas fast approaching, you may think that listing your home is the last thing you want to add to your to-do list, even if you are ready to get OUT! Think again. Here are 5 reasons why listing your home in December is a smart move:

1. Ready to pull out those decorations but afraid it will making showings a nightmare? The opposite is true – potential buyers can see your home in magazine worthy glory, and envision their own holiday gatherings. It will also invite a sense of nostalgia for the holiday season (anyone else thinking that “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” should be playing in the background when buyers open the door?)
2. Potential buyer have more free time during the holiday season than any other to look for a home.
3. Fewer homes are on the market during the holiday season, so you can list with less competition.
4. Home shoppers are in a buying mood, as the holiday season is synonymous with pulling out the checkbook.
5. Change is good! Start 2014 fresh and out of the home you no longer want.

Whether you are upgrading or downsizing, I can help you find the perfect buyer for your home and the perfect new place for you. I pride myself on being available to my clients, so call me today to get your house on the market!

Luxury Home Trends: Bright Colors

One of my favorite trends right now is the bright color trend. It is so adaptable to your particular home and style (not to mention FUN) and I could spend hours browsing Pinterest seeing how everyone is using bright colors in interior design. From lime green to fuchsia to teal to orange and everything in between, there is no wrong way to add bright color flair to your home.

These teal bar stools are a great addition to this bright, sleek kitchen. The teal ties in well with a few fun pictures on the wall without cluttering up the open and clean feel.

These fun and funky metal bistro chairs add flair to any indoor or outdoor dining area.

This modern office is a bright and inviting space thanks to bright accent walls.

These painted wall hooks add a funky elegance to any contemporary home.

D Magazine found these awesome pink chairs at Thrift Studio.

One of my favorite things about the bright color movement is how easy it is to turn it into a DIY project that is green in nature. Find a plain wooden or metal piece at a garage sale or thrift shop that speaks to you, add a couple of bright layers of paint, and you have made a very modern (and expensive looking) piece for your home. Re-purposing with style!

5 Reasons December is the Best Time to Buy Your New Home

Is a new home at the top of your Christmas wish list but you are hesitant to ink up on a new home so late in the year? Here are six reasons why December is the best time time buy your new home.

1. At this time of the year, homes are decorated for the holidays. While some may find it hard to see around an individual’s tastes when visiting homes for sale, this time of the year will help envision a holiday gatherings. It will also help determine if your neighbors are in line with your idea of holiday decorating to give you a real feel for your fit in the neighborhood.
2. Selection is excellent. Dallas is known for a wide variety of tastes and locations, and there are homes in every price point.
3. Fewer buyers are looking for homes during the holidays, making this the perfect time for you to buy with less competition.
4. Now is the perfect time to gear yourself up for keeping your New Year’s resolution. Move into your dream home that includes space for an exercise room, a home office, a reading nook or a learning center for the kids, what you need to keep yourself on track!
5. I can make myself available to you anytime that fits your schedule best, so use that vacation time that is about to expire on finding your stay-cation home.
6. Change is good! Begin 2014 realizing your dream of home ownership and see what other dreams are realized as the year develops!

If you are ready to find your dream home, do not hesitate to call me today! I can answer any questions you might have and pride myself on making this process as simple as possible for my clients.