Home Improvement Tips From Nelson

For months, industry experts have kept a close barometer on the fashion world, trade shows and other key indicators to help forecast home decor trends for the coming year.  And the weather report is in.  Within a prevailing climate of personalization, the outlook is both spirited and sassy, serene and stylish.

In-ground backyard pools are a great addition to any home. They not only add a focal point to your yard, and increase your resale value, they also keep the entire family entertained. What better way to spend a leisurely weekend afternoon than lounging by the pool with the kids?

Jewel-toned glass pendants, suspended by a slender, graceful cable from a sinuous silver track - clearly, this is "not your father's" track lighting. The new generation of track lighting brings design-friendly beauty to what has always been one of the most versatile lighting styles available.

Unless you built your home in the desert, chances are you need to think about your rain gutters. Ignore them for long, and you'll get a reminder of why water is considered the most powerful element on Earth.

Wide plank floors are prized for their weathered patina and the sense of history and character that they add to a room. Among the many attributes of wide plank floors is the fact that they can be used with radiant heat.

We've been hearing this advice since we were kids.  Before you go outside on a warm, sunny day put on sunscreen to protect your skin, a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes. And while you're outside, drink plenty of fluids and seek out the shade.  If you don't, before you know it, you could be dealing with heat exhaustion and a pretty bad sunburn.

'Tis the season . . . for family visits and festive gatherings.  It's also the time of year for Mother Nature's worst.  Rain, sleet and ice coupled with less sunlight may have you worried about company - or yourself - slipping on sidewalks or driveways.  But did you know there's another area of your home that poses a greater risk for falls and accidents than anywhere else?  And it's the one place you and your visitors can't avoid - the bathroom.