Palm Springs: Weekend Edition

If you follow me on Instagram (@realestatebyjoanna), then you know I just got back from a fun weekend in Palm Springs. If you’re planning a quick trip to the desert this holiday weekend, here are some fun ideas on things to do while you’re there.

Get A Pool House While hotels and resorts are always nice to enjoy on vacation, there’s really nothing like staying at a pool house in Palm Springs. Having your own space to enjoy with your group (large or small) is priceless. Renting a house for the weekend definitely has its advantages. You get the pool all to yourself, you get to be your own DJ, you can make and eat whatever, whenever in your kitchen, and you get to enjoy all of the conveniences of a home including laundry, garage space, living/dining, etc. If you are looking to relax in solitude, or throw an epic bash, renting a house is the way to go.   

Play Golf and Tennis If golf and/or tennis is your thing – well, you’re in luck! Palm Springs is sprinkled with gold and tennis clubs, where you can spend the entire game perfecting your swings – both club and racket. There are several golf courses and tennis courts to choose from, as well as clubs and resorts with packages to fit your needs. Whether you are a pro looking for a tournament or game to join, or just starting out and need lessons, you’ll find all levels represented here. You could also just hang back and take in a round or two on the sidelines with a refreshing drink in hand, if that’s more your style.

Desert Fun Sometimes, you want a weekend trip to the desert to actually play in the desert. Luckily, you can do that here. You could rent (or bring your own) ATVs, Jeeps, or other off-roading vehicles to ride around on in the desert. Take an aerial tram tour and get a bird’s eye view of nature. In case you’d rather stay on foot, camping and hiking are good alternatives. With miles and miles of sand, the mountains as a backdrop, it also serves as a beautiful photo op. You can visit the local museum to learn more about the history of the area. Needless to say, there are many different ways to enjoy your time in the desert.  

What’s your favorite thing to do in Palm Springs?

Home Decor Trends 2019

What are the newest trends in home décor in 2019? Here are three of my favorites that are popping up in homes all over Southern California. And the good news is, you can incorporate any one of these styles into your own space.

Hollywood Regency The Hollywood Regency trend is described as cozy luxury, where rich jewel tones are accented with metals and glass. Some examples include a glass dining room table with brass details, surrounded by plush, royal blue chairs; an emerald green chest with gold hardware; a bed with purple bedding and silver bed posts. You can start small by incorporating furniture pieces or accessories that fit the characteristics of Hollywood Regency. You can also go all out and have your entire home designed with this trend in mind. It's chic meets comfort. 

Natural and Organic We’ve seen an increase in the use of more natural materials and finishes in homes recently. Think stone, copper, and bamboo. This trend brings the outdoors inside, as it incorporates warm, earthy tones and plenty of lush greenery. Natural wood and bamboo flooring, exposed copper plumbing, stone and granite counter tops, exposed brick walls, and tons of both potted and free-flowing plants and other greens, are all examples of what you’ll find in homes that incorporate this trend in their design. You can mix and match different organic materials with warm neutral shades to achieve a similar look on a budget.   

Modern Boho When people hear boho, they tend to imagine lots of bold colors and busy textures. Minimalism, as you may already know, is design that is refined simplicity. The combination of both these styles brings about a unique mixture of a bohemian aesthetic that is scaled down. Just as a minimalist design would include modern, clean lines, pared down furniture and accessories, modern boho is just that except with jewel tone colors and intricate textiles. You can have the best of both worlds. 

Which of these three trends would you try in your home?

Updating your Kitchen or Bathroom

If you are looking to sell your home, your kitchen and bathroom(s) are important rooms that buyers tend to focus on. Just updating those two spaces can increase your asking price, and, potentially your selling price. If you are not looking to sell, but want to update those rooms because they feel outdated, these are the three areas you want to address.

Lighting can improve the ambiance of any given space. You want your kitchen and bathroom spaces to feel light and bright. Windows letting in natural light are ideal, but you can replicate that mood with good lighting. Florescent lighting is affordable, and that’s about where the positives end. It looks inexpensive, dull, and does not provide sufficient lighting to make a space pop. The first thing that should be updated in any kitchen or bathroom is the lighting. Recessed lighting (with or without a dim switch), chandeliers, pendant lights, and floor lamps are all good options, depending on the size and decor of the room. There are a multitude of lighting options at your local hardware or furniture stores (including online retailers), so pick the lighting style that you like best. 

Flooring

Now that we’ve tackled lighting, let’s move on to the flooring. Floors take on the most wear and tear – more than any other part of a home - especially in rooms that are used as often as bathrooms and kitchens. If you’ve still got linoleum floors in those spaces, which are still found in older homes, it’s time for a revamp. Nowadays, there are so many affordable options that are also of good quality to choose from. If you want to splurge, marble, porcelain, or wood will elevate any space. Otherwise, materials like tile, laminate, vinyl, and stone are great options. New flooring will update the look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom, and can still look cohesive with the flooring in the rest of your home.  Any combination of materials, finishes, and colors you choose can be customized for your space. 

Color This is definitely my favorite way to update any room in a home. Whether it’s the color of the walls, cabinets, counters, floors, furniture, accessories and everything in between, color can transform and bring to life any space. Kitchens and bathrooms with outdated cabinetry and wall or tile colors can greatly benefit from this one change. Here are a few things you could try in your home. If you don't want to spend money on new cabinets (or, like the ones you have), paint cabinets, and walls, with more trendy or classic colors. Replace outdated tile with new neutrals, keeping everything monotone, or bringing in subtle pops of color. These changes will bring your kitchen or bathroom not only into 2019, but will make those rooms look brand new. 

What have you done to remodel your kitchen or bathroom space? 

Décor: Real vs. Faux

When it comes to home décor, taste is subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are some tried and true systems when following color schemes, themes, or design patterns. However, I’ve never really come across a discussion over real versus faux décor. Let’s get into some pros and cons of three common types found in homes.   

Candles 

Real: There’s nothing like the warm glow of candlelight. The slow burn and constant whiff of comforting and relaxing scents wafting through each room in your home is luxurious. It’s almost a spa-like experience, a meditative process to light a candle and enjoy all of the multi-sensory experiences that come with it.    

Faux:  The benefits of fake candles are many. No mess = no cleanup. Since there are no wax drippings, there is also no danger for fire. Artificial light and scent can also feel cozy. You don’t have to worry about remembering if you blew out the candle prior to leaving your home or having a child or pet accidentally knock one over.

Flowers 

Real: Bringing home a bouquet of your favorite fresh flowers is definitely a joyful experience. The intoxicating perfume-like scent cannot be duplicated. They just fill your home with so much life. The intricacies of color, shape, and size are unique to each and every flower. Watching them bloom is part of the fun. Watering them is also one task you won’t mind doing.  

Faux: If you are looking for a specific look to complement your décor, than fake flowers are for you. They will stay uniform and won’t fade or wither, or change in shape or color. You don’t have to water them, or clean up after them. Just set them where you want and forget them. They can be used as accent pieces and still provide a lovely visual.

Fruits

Real: Setting a bowl of real fruit can add a statement to any table or counter. Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges can add a vibrant pop of color, while apples and bananas can add texture. They are within reach and easily accessible, which means you can eat them or use for cooking and garnish. They also provide a certain aesthetic to your space.

Faux: If you want the same vibe but don’t want to invest in the real thing, faux is the way to go. Fake fruit won't spoil, or go bad, or need to be constantly replenished. No bad smells or discoloration, as the bowl will always look brand new.

Which do you prefer to have in your home – real or faux?