Tired of looking at the same bedroom, same dining room and same living room again and again? Then it’s time for a change. This time to not just change the furniture or the color of your home, rather go for a completely different look. Decorating your home in Moroccan style is the latest trend these days. Morocco is like a melting pot of different cultures and styles and so the Moroccan style décor will have some of the features of every culture and style. One can even see hints of Arabic style in it.

Moroccan home décor can be classified into two types – urban Moroccan decor and rural Moroccan decor. The urban décor involves the use of ceramics, metal, wood and leather. On the other hand, the rural décor has more of the Middle Eastern influence, with an emphasis on the use of rugs, fabrics and embroideries. The best feature of having a Moroccan style decoration is that the objects used in it are usually those that have use in practical life too. Given below are some tips that will help you in decorating your home in the Moroccan style.

Moroccan Style Decorating Ideas

Use of Bright Colors

When decorating your home Moroccan style, make sure to use bright natural colors. The colors like green and blue, found in the sea of the area, and the ones like gold and yellow, found in the surrounding desert, should be used as much as possible. You can combine other colors like vibrant red, orange or purple with blue or gold to create an effervescent ambience. Feel free to use of vibrant colors such as pink fuchsia, lavender, and orange while keeping the aesthetics in mind.

Bring Nature Home

For creating the tropical atmosphere seen in Morocco, you can make extensive use of plants. The more exotic the plants, the better look they will bring to your house. At the same time, they will also provide you with some greenery in the ‘concrete-jungle’ world of today. If it is feasible, you can also get textured walls.

Lighting

Lighting plays a very important role in adding that perfect Moroccan flavor look to your home décor. Moroccan light fixtures are totally different from those used in the other parts of the world. Moroccan light fixtures include Moroccan sconces, Moroccan chandeliers, Moroccan lanterns, Moroccan hanging pendants, and Moroccan lamps. A great source for quality handmade Moroccan light fixtures as well as Moorish lighting is a California company called Saint Tropez Boutique that design and handcrafts Moroccan light fixtures in Casablanca, Morocco and exclusively distributes them in the U.S.A. The reason why I like Saint Tropez Boutique because they are unique Moroccan light fixtures designs, plus they handcrafted from top quality Moroccan solid brass that has been carved into refined and intricate patterns. Addition to that Saint Tropez Boutique is the exclusive dealer in the U.S.A that has Moroccan light fixtures pre-wired for the UL-Standard (pre-wired for the U.S Standard wiring). To learn more about Moroccan lighting by Saint Tropez Boutique, please visit them online at: http://www.sainttropezboutique.us

Extensive Use of Textures

Moroccans love extensive use of textures in their home. So, if you want to have a Moroccan style look, rule out too much use of smooth and sleek materials. In fact, the fusion of multiple textures and shapes will be best. You can have darkened wood plank floors, which can be covered with natural fiber rugs of sand-ish color. This will not only add texture to the room, but also provide you with some comfort under the feet. You can also try draping fabric from the ceiling.

Some Other Tips

Colorful mosaic tables not only give a Moroccan feel to your place, but also help to brighten up a dull room. Use of handmade Moroccan tiles will go a long way in creating a Moroccan décor. Use of Moroccan tent as a Moroccan lounge getaway in your own backyard. Use of Moroccan wood lattice screens also known as Jali Screens in your windows doors, kitchen and bath cabinet doors, or even as a room divider wall Last but not the least, you can buy silk bedcovers or cushion covers, in jewel tones, to create that perfect Moroccan look.

To learn more about Moroccan home decorating, please contact  :

Saint Tropez Boutique

25 Evelyn way, San Francisco

California 94127

Phone: (415) 513-5920

Email: sales@sainttropezboutique.us

Web: http://www.sainttropezboutique.us



Repossession

Vacation house rentals are a relatively new concept to many people in the UK and the US, though the facility is highly popular in some parts of Europe. In fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that vacation house rentals are one of the best kept secrets of the travel industry in the US. So, let us take a quick look at what these are and how you can benefit from this facility.

Vacation house rentals are nothing but homes that can be rented. Many property owners in prime tourist destinations rent out their property to tourists. These owners generally depend on a manager to rent out their properties. Sometimes, they independently put up their rentals on search engines too. Vacationers can get the relevant information by contacting realtors in the area or through the Internet. Vacation house rentals fetch home owners a neat side income. But, what’s in it for the vacationers?

Imagine staying in a fully furnished home of your liking, with all the amenities and comforts you want, located in a convenient and accessible area of your choice, priced about 25-80% below the price of a hotel room! And the best part is the fact that vacation house rentals are available in the most unlikely of places, even in beautiful nooks and unexplored crannies where you wouldn’t find hotels and resorts.

These days, vacation house rentals are available in just about every touristy part of the US, UK and Europe. Whether you want a beachfront villa or a log cabin, a condo or a penthouse, you can easily find the accommodation of choice in your dream destination. So, you get more value for your money, more space, more amenities and ultimately, more satisfaction.

Depending on your budget, you can find vacation house rentals of your choice. From one room cabins to spacious beach villas and luxury ski slope condos, the choice is amazing. You can also decide on the accommodation based on the amenities that are offered. While some vacation house rentals provide only basic amenities like a usable kitchen and living space, others are much more lavish in their offerings. You can get anything ranging from high speed internet access, spa, Jacuzzi to designer gourmet kitchen, entertainment centers and regular maid services. So, you can choose the size and amenities depending on your budget and requirements.

Vacation house rentals are let out for a number of days or a week or even for a month. Most rentals offer you good discounts when you book for longer time slabs. You can also avail of attractive discounts when you book during the off season. So, there you have it, the skinny on vacation rentals.

Most travel enthusiasts cringe at the sheer discomfort caused by cramped hotel rooms. Even reputed hotels do not offer you the expected return on your investment. Vacation house rentals, on the other hand, bring you the best of both worlds. They allow you to visit new places and enjoy new experiences while adding that much needed warmth and joy of beautiful, spacious, homely living.



Quick Property Sale

RENT did make a stop in Houston in the late ’90s but since then: nothing. Not even a mention. I have only discovered RENT since the movie came out and am wondering if anyone out there has any info. Did something happen that made RENT not want to come back?

Rent Back

It seems as if Vacation Rentals are becoming more and more popular. With the rise of the world wide web, you are able to communicate with a vacation rental owner anywhere in the world. Years ago your only option was to visit your local travel agent and book a hotel. There were no vacation rental directories or portals in the past. Now you can surf the web for the perfect vacation rental house. No need for a travel agent as you usually negotiate directly with the owner of the property. Since vacation rentals are slowly becoming the preferred method of booking a vacation, I decided to create an article to give renters some tips about finding the perfect vacation rental.

First, let’s define what we are talking about when we say vacation rental. We call it a vacation rental when a renter rents a property directly from the owner (or representative of the owner). The property usually has it’s own kitchen, living room, bedrooms, etc. They come in many shapes and sizes including condos, single family homes, townhouses, cabins, chalets, and more. Vacation rentals are usually near resort locations and activities such as theme parks, beaches, and skiing. A hotel or motel room is not a vacation rental!

What makes vacation rentals different from hotels? The comfort is the main difference. You have all of the same luxuries that you have at home. Most vacation rentals have kitchens and most of the other amenities that you have at home, plus many have additional amenities such as hot tubs, pool tables, etc. With larger groups there is definitely a cost advantage. A 3-bedroom vacation rental usually hosts more visitors than 3 hotel rooms. Make sure to keep this in mind if you do any cost analysis. Also make sure to include meal savings in your analysis since you may not dine out as often in comparison to a hotel vacation. These items alone could be substantial savings.

Imagine this scenario: Yourself and two other families pay a visit to a popular tourist destination. Your touring of the destination is complete for the day at about 3 pm. From 4pm – 6pm you dine together. It’s now 6pm with still some time remaining in the day. If you have a hotel, what do you plan to do? You can waste all of your money at numerous tourist traps (activities such as spending $3, to try to throw a ball into a bucket or $2 to throw a plastic ring around a bottle). With a vacation rental there is no need for that stuff! You can have family game night sitting in a nice comfortable home or take advatage of all the other amenities your rental has to offer. This is why it is important to learn about the amenities of the rental before you enter into a contract. As stated earlier some have hot tubs, pool tables, movies and many other activities.

Tips for Renters:

1. Bookmark as many “vacation Rental” websites as possible. This way when you are searching for a rental, you have all of the portal sites at your fingertips.

2. Always make sure to find out what items are provided and what is not provided by the owner. For example, in some rentals you may need to supply your own linens. It would be unfortunate to show up with no towels/sheets, etc.

3. Always book early. Many of the popular destinations get filled quickly.

4. Check for references if possible. The exception to this rule is if the owner is just starting out.

5. If you enjoyed your trip, try to negotiate a better price for next year. The owner would probably love to start filling his/her calendar for next year.

6. Make sure you have the owner’s contact information with you while on the trip. If there is an emergency, you may need to call.

7. Read the fine print and make sure to read all fine print on any leases or documentation that you are asked to sign. Also, read any fine print on the vacation rental web listing.

8. If you’re trying to save some money, scroll to the bottom of the list. Many vacation rental portal sites have hundreds of listings. Many times, the listings at the bottom of the list are just as good as those at the beginning. The listings at the bottom don’t get as many page views so you may find some better prices and some owner’s looking to fill a quick vacancy.

9. Make sure you ask any questions you may have before making a reservation. Questions about the amenities, pets, smoking/non smoking, handy capped accessibility, and cribs for children are some questions that come to mind.

10. Lastly, have fun on your vacation and please respect the owner’s property and follow all of his/her rules and regulations. Please remember this is someone’s personal property that you are renting.

About the author:

The author is in the business of assisting vacation rental owners in promoting their rental properties. He designed and owns the following vacation rental websites: Jersey Shore Rentals, Beach House Rentals, and Destin Vacation Rentals.



Quick Property Sale

Are your Renovations Really Increasing the Value of Your Home?

When considering a home upgrade or reno there are 2 very important things to evaluate:

#1. Value to you

Enhancing your home with a renovation may offer more than money can provide. A beautiful outdoor living area to entertain on, a finished basement for the children to play, or that dream bathroom to help you unwind, all may contribute to a quality of life that only a home can build.

#2. Return on Investment – Resale Recovery

Despite what the trendy home flipping television programs show, not all home renovations or upgrades will give you a large return on investment. Infact, more so than not, most home renovations give you very little return on your investment. Very rarely does a $10,000 home renovation get you a $20,000 return. When considering a home renovation or upgrade for resale purposes, keep all costs in check and splurge only on the necessities.

Return-on-Investment Renovations Chart

Some renovations can seem more promising than others regarding your return on investment. In a buyers market, certain home upgrades are necessary to get top value for your home and to move quickly.

The following information is a range of the 20 most popular renovation improvements identified by a survey of the Appraisal Institue of Canada. The goal of the survey was to determine, in the informed opinion of Canada’s professional real property valuers, what effect home improvement projects have on the value of home resale.

Please note: Home values and returns on renovation investments are dependent on so many factors such as the location of the property, i.e. rural/urban, the neighbourhood and notably important is the quality of workmanship and materials.

Renovation

Resale Recovery

Basement Renovation

50 – 75%

Bathroom Renovation

75 – 100%

Install Central Air

25 – 75%

Recreation Room

50 – 75%

Adding a Fireplace

50 – 75%

Flooring Upgrade

50 – 75%

Furnace / Heating Upgrade

50 – 80%

Kitchen Renovation

75 – 100%

Landscaping

25 – 50%

Exterior Paint

50 – 100%

Interior Paint

50 – 100 %

Adding a Swimming Pool

10 – 40%

Window / Door Replacement

50 – 75%

Roof Shingle Replacement

50 – 80%

Build a Deck

50 – 75%

Construct a Garage

50 – 75%

Build a Fence

25 – 50%

Install a Skylight

0 – 25%

Interlocking Driveway

25 – 50%

Asphalt Paving

20 – 50%



Quick House Sale