According to YouGov research, more than a quarter (28%) of Brits are worried about being the victim of a burglary. Whether youve popped out to the shops for an hour or left your house unattended for two weeks while youre on holiday, a wi-fi security camera is a great way to get some peace of mind when youre not at home.

A wi-fi security camera records short video clips when it detects motion in its field of view. So that could be caused by a person, an animal or a vehicle, for example. The camera uses your home wi-fi network to transfer the videos it records, either to a secure area online or to a Micro SD card. This means you dont need cables running all over your property or a bulky central unit as you would with a traditional CCTV system.

The camera also lets you see a live view of whats happening outside or inside your property via an app on your phone or tablet. The cameras are set up via the same app, and some connect directly to your home internet connection while others require a base station that plugs into your router and remains in your home.

Theres an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to selecting a wireless security camera, but there are two key types you need to consider: outdoor and indoor.

Outdoor security cameras: These are weatherproof and can be installed on the exterior of your property. This does require some DIY, such as drilling holes in a wall to fix the camera to it. They should also be placed at high-level so they cant be stolen. They are great at acting as a deterrent to burglars before they attempt to break into your property and theyre also handy if you want to keep an eye on garages, sheds or other buildings that are not directly connected to your home, or your car parked on your driveway. If the worst does happen when youre not at home, youll have footage that you can pass on to the police to help them identify and prosecute the perpetrator.

There are both mains-powered and battery-powered outdoor cameras on the market. How often the batteries rechargeable lithium-ion or standard alkaline batteries) need to be replaced or charged theyll be either rechargeable lithium-ion or standard alkaline batteries will depend upon how many times the camera detects motion or is used for live-view. As a guide, expect to get anywhere between three months to a year. Mains-powered outdoor cameras are also more fiddly to install.

Indoor security cameras: Indoor wi-fi security cameras are designed to be placed inside your home. They dont need bolting to a wall and instead are freestanding. They are usually mains-powered, although some battery-operated indoor cameras do exist and are handy if you plan on regularly moving them around inside your home.

If protecting your property is your sole intention, wed recommend getting an outdoor wi-fi security camera. However, there are some reasons you might opt for an indoor wi-fi security camera. They can provide peace of mind if you live in an apartment or rented accommodation where youre not permitted to install cameras on the exterior of the building. Similarly, they can be useful if you want to check in on your pets when youre not around or perhaps confirm the kids have come home from school.

Youll notice that the winner and runner-up are both Arlo models. Of the wi-fi security cameras weve tested, Arlos were consistently top performers. There are currently six Arlo cameras on the market. Arlo, Arlo Pro, Arlo Pro2, Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra are all battery-operated wi-fi security cameras that can be used indoors or outside. Arlo Q is the companys wired indoor wi-fi security camera. As you go up the range, the cameras differ in the video quality, field of view and extra features.

The Arlo records in 1280x720 (known as HD-Ready) but it doesnt record any audio with the video. It has a 110-degree field of view and uses CR123 batteries rather than a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so its more expensive to run. The Arlo Pro records the same video quality but with audio, and has a larger field of view and a rechargeable battery. The Arlo Pro 2 has all of this but boosts the video quality to Full HD (1920x1080). Arlo Pro 2 also includes the ability to set activity zones so video is only recorded when motion is detected in these areas of the cameras view. Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra build on Arlo Pro 2 further with the inclusion of colour night vision. The Pro 3 records 2K (2560x1440) footage with a 160-degree field of view while Arlo Ultra ups the quality to 4K (3840x2160) and has a 180-degree field of view. Its worth noting Arlo, Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 come with seven-days free rolling online storage for the lifetime of the camera, while Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra only offer free trials - after which youll need to pay a monthly subscription fee.

Video doorbells can also double as a wi-fi security camera. Via an app, they allow you to see and talk to whoever is on your doorstep when the doorbell is pressed, but as they have a camera in them, they can also be used to record and alert you when motion is detected. Only two of the market leaders, Ring and Nest, have video doorbells available in the UK, but more are expected to launch in the near future. We rate the latest version of the Ring Video Doorbell.

As with many internet-connected devices, theres a concern that hackers may be able to gain access to your wi-fi security camera and view the outside or inside of your property. The market leaders for these systems make sure your videos are saved to secure areas online, but the strength of the password you choose when setting up the camera plays a part. Always choose a unique password that doesnt contain any personally identifiable information such as your surname or date of birth. A strong and secure password should be a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers and special characters. And make sure you apply any firmware updates to the camera as soon as theyre available (youll be able to see these in the app) as manufacturers often deal with any security flaws via these updates.

Overall best wireless security camera: Arlo Ultra 4KRunner-up wireless security camera: Arlo Pro 3Best if youre just starting out: Neos Smart CamBest budget wi-fi security camera: Blink XT 2Best for gardens: Ring FloodlightBest for parents of teenagers: Nest IQBest security camera with no contract: Eufycam E

Most wi-fi security cameras store video captured after motion is detected in a secure area online. Some cameras allow you free access to these videos for a short time after theyve been recorded (24 hours, for example), but if you want to view or download them to your smartphone up to 30 days later, youll need to subscribe to a monthly service that can cost anywhere from 3 to 7. Other cameras require you to subscribe to view videos at any point after theyve been recorded, while others come with a free trial - anywhere for three months to a year - of the service, after which time you have to pay. Alternatively, some cameras allow you to store the footage on a Micro SD card (either inserted into the camera or the base station).

The cameras record video at different resolutions. On the whole, look for a wi-fi security camera that records in 1920x1080, which is Full HD. Anything lower than this and youll run the risk that video wont be clear and sharp. Our winner and runner-up both record in 4K (also called Ultra HD) and 2K respectively. The pictures from these are extremely clear, making them ideal for watching over larger areas as you can zoom-in without losing any detail in the video.

Different cameras have different fields of view (the area covered by the lens). The larger the field of view, the larger the area covered by the camera. Consider where you plan to place the camera and whether the field of view will be large enough to cover everything you need.

Most wi-fi security cameras only offer black and white night vision, but some come with colour night vision. This is possible because they have an LED light built into the camera. Colour night vision means if you do see someone suspicious on your property, youll be able to give police a detailed description including the colour of clothing, hair or skin (something that isnt possible with black and white night vision).

Many wi-fi security cameras also include a microphone as well as a speaker, so you can talk to and hear anyone in view of the camera. This is perfect if you want to shout at a trespasser to get off your property or talk to your pets when youre not at home.

Some wi-fi security cameras are available in kits that include two or more cameras. These are ideal if you want to cover more areas of your property than one cameras field of view can reach. Multiple camera kits are usually better value than buying a single camera kit and then buying additional cameras at a later date.

Some wi-fi security cameras have a built-in siren that can either be turned on automatically when it spots any motion, or manually from the app. This can be a great way to encourage someone creeping around your property to leave.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has assessed the performance, ease of use, and design of 42 wi-fi security cameras to find you the best out there. We look at everything from the quality of the video it records both during the day and at night, to how clear the sound and microphone that lets you talk to people at your property as well as hear them, is. We also look at extra features such as sirens, how simple the app is to navigate and, if relevant, whether the battery will last for a long time or if youll be climbing a ladder to replace it every week.

See the article here:
The best wifi security cameras - top 5 wifi security cameras - goodhousekeeping.com

A veteran New York City police officer and his fiance were arrested and charged with the murder of the man's 8-year-old son, who froze to death in an unheated garage, authorities said Friday.

Michael Valva, 40, and Angela Pollina, 42, who both lived in the Long Island community of Center Moriches, were charged with second-degree murder in the death of Thomas Valva, Suffolk County police said.

The youngster was kept in an unheated garage the night before his death when overnight temperatures outside dipped to 19 degrees, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart told reporters on Friday.

The boy's body temperature was just 76 degrees when doctors tried to revive him, Hart added.

"The medical examiner has ruled it a homicide with a major contributing factor of hypothermia," Hart said. "We believe certainly that Thomas was kept in the garage overnight preceding his death."

Suffolk County police responded to the couple's home, on Bittersweet Lane, on Jan. 17, answering a report that a little boy had fallen in the driveway and lost consciousness.

They found Valva performing CPR on Thomas in the basement at about 9:40 a.m. before the boy was rushed to Long Island Community Hospital and pronounced dead there, officials said.

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Michael Valva's story that his son was trying to catch a school bus, fell and lost consciousness soon came apart, according to Hart.

"As with any unattended death, homicide detectives conducted an investigation which revealed inconsistencies in the timing and the nature of the child's injuries as reported by his father," Hart said.

"We have determined Thomas was as never in the driveway that morning and he suffered head and facial injuries that were not consistent with the father's account."

Police found the couple had an extensive home security system and kept close tabs on all of the children in their blended family Valva's sons, ages 6, 10 and 8-year-old Thomas, and Pollina's three daughters, 6 and 11-year-old twins, police said.

Investigators said that this footage helped them find that Valva's surviving sons were punished with "food deprivation and exposure to extremely frigid temperatures," according to Hart.

"We are still investigating the extent of the abuse and if it extended to all of the children," Hart said.

Social workers took away all the surviving children on Jan. 17, police said.

Valva has been with the NYPD since 2005 and was last assigned to the department's transit force, officials said.

"I just really want justice for my son. He deserves it. This should never have happened," the boys' mother and suspect's estranged wife, Justyna Valva, told NBC New York.

"I just keep praying for this case to be fully resolved and my little angel Thomas to rest peacefully in heaven."

The ex-wife, who told police that Thomas suffered from autism, said Michael Valva had trouble controlling his anger.

"I just wish I had more time with him on this Earth," she said of her son. "I just wished somebody helped him."

Both defendants are expected to be arraigned on Saturday morning, their lawyer, Matthew Tuohy, said.

"Both of them maintain their innocence 100 percent. Well see how the facts bear out," Tuohy told NBC News on Friday afternoon.

David K. Li is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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NYPD officer, fiance charged with murder after his son, 8, froze to death, officials say - NBC News

Good Guys Electronics via Rakuten is offering the Ring Alarm 5-piece Home Security Kit for $104.99 shipped when coupon code GG10 has been applied during checkout. Note: You will need to be logged in to a free Rakuten account to use this code. Thats $94 off whatAmazon charges and is within $6 of the lowest price we have tracked. Ive been using Ring products like Video Doorbell 2 for going on three years now. Setup and management have always been simple. This specific kit includes a Ring Alarmbase station, contact sensor, motion detector, keypad, and range extender. After everything is up and running, youll be able to configure smartphone notifications for activities like a door or window opening and more. Rated 4.5/5 stars.

Hopefully itll never be needed, but todays savings leave you with enough to score Rings $35Panic Button. As youd expect, when activated it sounds the Ring Alarm siren. If youre subscribed to Ring Protect Plus itll also notify emergency responders. Having this around is a simple way to provide the entire home with an additional layer of safety.

The Alarm kit above isnt the only Ring product weve found on sale. In fact, we have several. Swing by yesterdays roundup to find Ring Video Doorbell 2 at an all-time low of $90along with some other products.

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Secure your home at $94 off with a 5-piece Ring Alarm Kit, now $105 - 9to5Toys

Updated: May 25, 2018:

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The Registrar of Contractors and the Residential Contractors Recovery Fund: One Size Does Not Fit All - JD Supra

by Timothy InklebargerJanuary 23, 2020

Shon Kokoszk, Collette McDonald, Eric Zeier, Collin Gravitt

Atlanta real estate professionals upped their game this week at a series of forums presented by Icon Coaching founder and real estate expert ShonKokoszka at the 2020 Business Planning Clinic at Perimeter Center sponsored byCollette & Associates Real Estate Experts, Hindson & Melton Attorneys at Law, ACHOSA Home Warranty LLC, and Mold Boss.

Attendees were given insight on local market trends, contract changes in 2020 and lead generation, among a myriad of other topics.

The presenters inspired the attendees to make 2020 their most profitable ever while mitigating liability that is inherit in our business, said event organizer Collette McDonald,founder of Collette & Associates Real Estate Experts. You know that it hit home when 90 percent of the agents stayed the entire time, even through happy hour with Atlanta rush-hour traffic looming. It was so successful we were asked to do another event which will be held at the end of February.

Originally posted here:
Find out who was at the 2020 Business Planning Clinic - Atlanta Agent magazine

Full System Integration Between SiteOne and Izenda Platforms Provide Real-Time Dashboards and Reports to Identify Trends, Optimize Performance and Reduce Costs

SiteOne Services, a customer service and work order management platform for builders, now delivers advanced business intelligence and actionable reports to customers using their platform. SiteOne will be demonstrating the new reporting features of their platform at the NAHB International Builders Show this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Booth #SU1325, January 21-23.

Business Intelligence (BI) tools provide access and insight into an organizations available data through visual dashboards and reports for the purpose of improving decision-making. For Izenda, BI tools should also be easy and intuitive, empowering both simple and power users to derive actionable insights from their data through robust self-service reporting. The integration of Izendas application-based intelligence tool allows critical data points gathered by SiteOne to be extracted and analyzed to create real-time dashboards and reports such as aging, total open work requests, total closed work requests, cost per lot, cost per project, cost per market, cost per region, and cost company-wide. Reports can also identify common, costly occurrences that can be corrected in future construction.

Leader in Warranty Management Leverages Leader in Business Intelligence

The beauty of BI is that with each insight you uncover, a new question is formed eventually leading to a critical insight into your business that will improve operations, guide strategy, and more. For SiteOne, identifying those next-level insights will be much more accessible with Izenda, said Jaimi Panini, vice president of product at Izenda. For example, while reviewing costs per lot, you notice that warranty expenses in some lots are higher than others. Another report shows that the issues are all related to painting. That would then drive you to cross-reference which painter worked on those lots and discover there is an issue with a specific subcontractor you are using.

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According to research by BuildZoom, after falling or remaining flat for three decades, construction costs have increased sharply since the mid-2000s, to a tune of 23.6 percent. The rise was driven by both material and labor costs.

Every opportunity a builder has to reduce expenses contributes greatly to their overall success, said Mike Giosso, president and founder of SiteOne Services. BI helps builders implement effective strategies by intelligently analyzing data that already exists to help make better decisions in the future. Our customer Edenbridge Homes is a great example of data-driven decision making. Most builders reserve one to two percent of their budget to cover future warranty expenses. However, through careful analysis of their weekly reports and methodical time management, Edenbridge Homes warranty costs over the last three years have averaged well below one percent, and they now project up to a 35% annual savings.

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SiteOne is a seamlessly easy, 100% paperless platform for builders and developers that provides a better, more effortless way to facilitate requests, automate processes, resolve concerns, and share critical information with homeowners. The company was founded 20 years ago on a disruptive idea: To provide seamlessly easy tools to facilitate and automate the extremely fragmented service process for home builders and developers. Two decades later, they are delivering on that idea. Large, medium and small real estate developers trust SiteOne as their partner in providing a customer experience second to none.

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SiteOne Services Selects Izenda to Provide Home Builders with Business Intelligence to Help their Organization Thrive - MarTech Series

2930 Salem Oaks Drive, Conway

2,820 square feet of living space

4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath

The Tracy Tidwell Team, ERA TEAM Real Estate, 501-472-4709

Check out this stunner in the Salem Oaks neighborhood of west Conway!

Offered for sale by ERA TEAM Real Estate, this Tom Watson-built home at 2930 Salem Oaks Drive has all the extras, including quartz countertops, a spa-like master bathroom with custom shower, a spacious master closet with built-ins, and a covered patio.

This one-story home has a traditional design with modern touches, such as a light brick exterior with contrasting dark roof and shutter accents. The open floor plan includes 2,820 square feet of living space with four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. The design is swathed in light and dark contrasts -- for instance the white wall paint and trim complement the darker wood floors. The custom lighting is particularly appealing in this home, ranging from crystal and bronze chandeliers in the dining spaces, to glass fixtures in the kitchen.

The flow of the floor plan is particularly nice, as the family room, kitchen and dining spaces are all adjacent and easily accessible to one another. The master suite is apart from the other bedrooms and has a modern barn door to separate it from the main living spaces.

The kitchen is white on white, with just a touch of contrasting color in the dark oven hood, the stainless appliances and the modern hardware on the drawers. Some special features include custom glass light fixtures, some glass fronted cabinets, and a unique glass backsplash. Dining options include the separate formal space in the front of the home, a breakfast room adjacent to the kitchen, and a breakfast bar at the end of the kitchen counter.

Other features in this home include:

Green features including Low-E windows, tankless water heater and Rf Rdiant barrier sheath.

Gas log fireplace in the family room.

Two-car, front-entry garage.

Separate laundry room with storage, work space and mudroom.

One-year warranty offered by the builder.

Hot tub and walk-in shower in master bath.

Decked out with special touches throughout, this home is a must-see! Call to schedule your personal showing of the home, which is priced at $397,700. For more information or to arrange for a private viewing, please call The Tracy Tidwell Team of ERA TEAM Real Estate at 501-472-4709.

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Stunning home in west Conway offers special touches throughout - Log Cabin Democrat

There are so many different options out there were it comes to smart plugs that it can be so difficult to make a decision and choose the right model to buy. Well, today theres really only one good choice, so its easier than even for anyone looking to add some smarts to their dumb old devices like lamps, coffee makers, fans, space heaters, and more. The newly upgraded version of the best-selling Gosund Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plugs is on sale right now at one of the best prices weve seen for any smart plugs, let alone popular ones like this. Use the coupon code E22PXEVO at checkout and youll pick up a 4-pack for $20.99. Thats only $5.25 each for these awesome smart plugs that are compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant. Dont miss out!

Here are the key details from the product page:

Follow @BGRDeals on Twitter to keep up with the latest and greatest deals we find around the web. Prices subject to change without notice and any coupons mentioned above may be available in limited supply. BGR may receive a commission on orders placed through this article.

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Add smarts to every dumb device in your home with $5 Alexa smart plugs - BGR

In 2015, Ashley Moore and her husband traveled down a quaint street in a private neighborhood just outside of Tomball, Texas, northwest of Houston. Old oak trees lined the road creating a canopy above, sprinkling soft-dappled light below as the couple peered out at the gorgeous five-acre lots leading up to each of the four home sites in the idyllic countryside hamlet. When they pulled up to the classic Southern home, Ashley was immediately smitten with the large porch spanning the width of the faade. And although the interiors were dark and dated, Ashley saw beyond the ornate, old-school cosmetics to the fabulous bones beneath, and she felt a calling to breathe new life into this home through a renovation.

I have always loved to design and decorate, but this was my first house to remodel. I saw so much potential the first time we toured it. Thankfully, my husband trusted my vision for the home because we bought it! Two days after we closed on the house, we started the demo, Ashley says of the project that lead her to launch her dream business, Moore House Interiors.

I love how this room incorporates the brick from the exterior into the interiors through the traditional mantel, says Ashley. Image: Grace Laird

Ashley shiplapped the entire master bath and painted it white to make the space feel bigger. Image: Grace Laird

I love the soft gray cabinets; theyre a bit unexpected but add warmth to the room, says Ashley. Image: Grace Laird

Ashleys main goals were to update the interior and exterior, bringing to life her take on an upscale classic Texas farmhouse. When we moved in, my main objective was to transform the house into a home, says Ashley. We wanted to brighten up the house while creating a space that reflected our family.

RELATED:A Lake Martin Home Gets A Makeover

First, she knew that paint would completely transform the dark faux finishes in the master bedroom and dining room, as well as the red-painted walls and dark cabinets in the kitchen and breakfast room. She also had two other must-haves: hardwood floors throughout the first floor and new kitchen windows that opened up to the back of the property.

I just love the fact that our home really reflects us as a family. It combines my husbands love for rustic design, and my love for antiques, without being too fussy, says Ashley. I hope that everyone who enters it feels like they are at home, too. Image: Grace Laird

Our master bedroom catches my breath every time I step foot in it, says Ashley. Image: Grace Laird

Everyone says that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and ours really is, says Ashley of her favorite room in the house. Its where we spend the majority of our time, and it functions so well for our busy family. Image: Grace Laird

My husband thought I was crazy for wanting new windows since the kitchen already had decently sized windows in good shape, but I imagined washing dishes and watching the kids play in the backyard through counter-to-ceiling windows. The move paid off with a breathtaking wall of windows that brings the outside in. This spacious kitchens soothing palette sets the stage for relaxation and togetherness after long, busy days. Use the slider to check out the pre-renovation before photo to see what a stark contrast it offers! (Before: MooreHouse Interiors; After: Grace Laird)

The overall aesthetic is airy and sophisticated, an elegance that is beautiful, but not untouchable a Houston farmhouse renovation with an inviting ambiance that feels laid-back and comfy for both children and adults.

For example, just off the elegant kitchen an uber-functional and chic mudroom area doubles as a spot for dad and the kids to drop their day-to-day stuff at the door, while a built-in dog kennel offers respite for the pups below.

Nearby, the laundry and crafting room boasts neat little homework stations for the kids, just within earshot of the kitchen, so Mom and Dad can help if needed.

I love the functionality of this space, says Ashley of the hallway mudroom. We use it every single day its a place for the kids to store their backpacks, baseball gloves and shoes. Image: Grace Laird

The dog kennel is the perfect drop spot for my husband to unpack his pockets at the end of the day and a cozy space for our dog to sleep at night, says Ashley. Image: Grace Laird

We have tons of built-in storage in this room, and since it was so large, it made sense to convert it into a homework area for the kids, says Ashley. Image: Grace Laird

RELATED:This is NOT Your Typical Modern Farmhouse

The modern, family farmhouse features rustic beams, shiplap in several rooms, and reclaimed wood in the study. I like to describe my home as casual and collected, says Ashley of her layered design approach. I love new functional pieces, but my favorite items in our home are those that have been passed down to us or vintage pieces I discovered at local antique stores and flea markets.

The living room is a perfect example: a framed transom window, which was a treasure saved from her in-laws home remodel, doubles as meaningful art. My Paw-Paw put the frame on it so we could use it in our home, says Ashley. And the side table next to the couch is another heirloom that belonged to Ashleys husbands grandmother.

Our dining room table was made by a family friend, and the wood he used came from a barn in my mothers hometown, says Ashley. The dining room also houses her milk-glass collection and the familys heirloom piano. Image: Grace Laird

In the study, Ashley replaced a desk nook under the stairs with a reclaimed wood wall housing a secret built-in gun safe, a surprise for her husband on their fifth anniversary, and a fitting backdrop for his hunting trophies. Image: Grace Laird

The framed transom window was a treasure salvaged from her in-laws home remodeling project. It was the perfect addition to her Houston farmhouse renovation. Image: Grace Laird

Ashley loves the antiques she was able to incorporate into their living room. The side table next to the couch belonged to my husbands grandmother, she says. We stripped it down to the natural wood to blend it with our decor. Image: Grace Laird

As for found treasures, The living room chairs were actually $10 flea market finds! I loved the shape, so I refinished the wood before sending them off to my upholsterer, says Ashley, adding, Theyre definitely my favorite chairs in the house.

Ashleys favorite elements of the stunning great room are the vaulted tongue-and-groove ceiling layered with reclaimed beams, the Austin Stone fireplace, and all the natural light. Image: Grace Laird

This is the familys casual, everyday dining space. It features an antique farm table and big windows that are perfect for keeping an eye on the little ones while they ride bikes or play basketball, says Ashley. Image: Grace Laird

Though creating her dream home through this Houston farmhouse renovation felt like one huge, yet exhilarating risk, it offered an invaluable learning experience that provided a launchpad for Ashleys dream interior design business. She was also quick to credit the contractor from Stillwater Builders as a terrific teacher who also instilled great confidence in her as she brought new ideas to the table.

I loved every moment of designing this home I was in my element while remodeling this house, and the whole process lit a spark in me. I truly believe God used this home to guide me to the path Im on now. If it werent for this remodel, I think Moore House Interiors would still just be a dream, says Ashley. People often ask if I could do it all again, would I do anything differently with the design? And my answer is no I love this house. It just feels like us.

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Check Out This Beautiful Farmhouse Renovation - StyleBlueprint

When Somia Mourad first walked into the Kenwood home that she would buy, she saw dark-stained oak woodwork mixed with white woodwork on much of the main level. In the kitchen, three different wood finishes fragmented the space.

The house had clearly gone through a ton of renovations, Mourad said. Though the work had been done with care and had been maintained well, she wanted a more cohesive look. So even before she, her husband, Keith Bush, and their two daughters moved into the 1891 three-story, painters were summoned. The fireplace mantel, centerpiece of a gracious living room, went from a dark oak stain to white enameled paint so that it would match the shelves on either side, which were already white. Beams in the ceiling got the same treatment. Wood panels in the dining room, which is open to the living room, also got coats of white paint.

Like many of todays home buyers, Mourad and Bush prefer the sleek, clean look of white enameled woodwork. But their experience also speaks to the conundrum of sellers considering whether to paint their woodwork in order to sell a house more quickly. Many buyers are seeking a move-in-ready home that reflects the modern aesthetic of clean white woodwork. But some homes, especially Craftsmans and Victorians, can dazzle with stained wood.

Mourad said she fell for her house the moment they walked in and saw the wood door that led to an entryway with delicately detailed woodwork.

The entryway was so warm just stunning with intricate carvings on the wood banister at the staircase; I didnt want anyone to touch it, Mourad recalled. She kept that nod to the history of the home, even as the painters set to work on other parts of the house.

Sometimes a home shows best when it remains true to character. The oak beams and other wood accents of Craftsman-style bungalows, for example, help make those homes distinct.

You wouldnt change the color of a classic car, even if its a little funky, and sometimes you shouldnt paint the woodwork of a house, said Ruth Whitney Bowe, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Burnets Minneapolis Lakes office.

In midcentury modern homes, wood paneling and other details can warm up the clean lines. In Victorians, intricate woodwork can speak to the homes original era and can also be expensive to paint.

In addition to the style of the home, competition is another factor.

If a home is in an area surrounded by other homes with wood cabinets in the kitchens, there may be no need to turn the woodwork white, Bowe said. But most often, white woodwork helps a house sell.

Millennials love white

Jayne Morrison of Morrison Interiors in Plymouth is a designer and stager who helps people ready their homes for the marketplace.

Millennial buyers want white woodwork, she said. If we are staging for a young family in a neighborhood of young families, it is advisable to have woodwork painted white.

Thats especially so for owners of homes built in the 1980s with the golden oak woodwork that was popular during that era.

If you are in a 1980s house and you have a lot of that golden oak woodwork, [painting it white] will help sell your house faster, she said.

Morrison is seeing a generational shift as she works with homeowners on design.

Baby boomers love woodwork, she said. Millennial clients say they want an estimate for painting everything white. It is quite pricey, but often they go ahead and do it. They want that total white woodwork look.

Whether it is sellers or new homeowners hoping to create a space they adore, the decision to paint is often based on that bad word that starts with b: budget, Morrison said. When clients decide to do the painting themselves to save money, she suggests they start in one room and see how it goes before tackling the entire house.

Painted woodwork is a fresh look, she notes, and its been going strong since 2010. In recent years, she has seen the white warming up a bit, shifting to warm gray.

When Mourad got around to remodeling her kitchen and ridding the space of three different wood finishes, in fact, a designer suggested that she paint the center island gray to contrast with the white paint elsewhere in the kitchen and the home. Mourad declined, preferring to keep the look cohesive. Plus, she said, I knew I would never tire of white.

And she hasnt. Now when I walk into the house, I feel peaceful, uplifted, happy. There is a lightness and a calm, she said. It is amazing how much woodwork impacts the feel of a home.

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Tackling a controversial question: Should you paint the woodwork white? - Minneapolis Star Tribune