Home improvements are the gift you give yourself - and they keep giving year after year (and, then, they give again when you decide to sell your home). This is the best time of year for them, too, because your guests will be able to appreciate them all shiny and new!

Take Holiday Decorating to the Next Level

If you're used to just adorning your Christmas tree with ornaments and calling it a day, take your decorating to the next level with some tips from Aldik Home, Southern California's premier destination for all things Christmas.

Use a variety of Christmas stems to create visual texture. Let the soft shapes of Christmas floral stems and the grainy finish of glitter stems play off the reflectiveness of your ornaments to create an interesting dynamic without being too busy.


Add Christmas wonder with the magic of LED lights. Whether you cascade a strand down the side of your Christmas tree or insert a string of blinking lights inside your favorite ornaments, more lights can add an extra element of Christmas cheer.


Choose ribbon to make any color palette look refined and elegant. To add sophistication, Aldik Home designers like to combine two similar-toned ribbon styles with different textures. Even larger fabric can be used in conjunction with ribbon to add a sense of scale or to fill the inner part of a Christmas tree with some shimmering texture.
Aldik Home www.aldikhome.com


Clean your Tile & Grout with Steam
Your kitchen counters and guest bath are going to see a lot of action during your holiday events and gatherings. Make sure they're sparkling by scheduling a tile and grout steam cleaning. The steam works deep into nooks and micro-cracks to kill bacteria while penetrating soap residue, grime and grease. The patented process leaves your kitchen and guest-bath surfaces bright and squeaky clean for less than $300, on average.
Magic Maintenance 259-3373


Install New Flooring in a Day
Whether your current flooring is just dated or downright embarrassing, there are few home improvements that will make a more dramatic statement than a new style underfoot. There's still time to install in-stock carpeting and today's most popular wood flooring options, including gorgeous hand-scraped looks that seem to get more beautiful with time.
Marty's Flooring 252-2522


Finish your Space with a Classy Bar Cart
We would never condone drinking and driving during the holidays or any time of year, but driving this bar cart around in your home is perfectly acceptable! A classy bar cart similar to the one shown here will complement the decor of your favorite entertaining room and will ensure no one goes thirsty in the meantime. Take time to ensure that even this simple accent piece is adorned and arranged properly. Park this beverage beauty in a well-designed lounge or dining room and it will be the hit of the party.
Rebecca Rollins Interiors 367-4394

'Tis the Season to Plan for 2015

Some home improvements just can't happen overnight - but that doesn't mean you should put them out of your mind until after the New Year. This is the season to reflect on 2014 - what worked in your home and what didn't? What, if anything, held you back from what you wanted to do in your space? Whether you had to whittle down a guest list because your small patio cover wouldn't shade enough people in the heat of summer or you had to get Mom a hotel because you haven't yet committed to that add-on, now's the time to take stock.

After you have your list, contact an experienced contractor who can begin making a plan with you for a better 2015. That way, you can hit the ground running after the holidays and enjoy your new spaces throughout the next year and beyond.

Randal G. Winter Construction, Inc 799-8089