Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

Whether you collect classics or like to put the pedal to the metal, heres everything you need to know about car condos.

High-End Accommodations

Owners can drop in for a weekend and live luxuriously while enjoying their car collections.

Private Test Tracks

Youll be able to open your car up on a professional performance track and put it to the test the way your car was meant to be driven.

Community of Automotive Aficionados

These developments are often equipped with private restaurants, bars and clubhouses that host social events for car-loving members.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Its no secret that luxury homeowners love to keep up with the latest in interior design. While there are plenty of enduring movements that will never really go out of style, like traditional or mid-century modern, its always interesting to see when a new one comes along. Over the last decade or so, the modern farmhouse has very much staked its claim, which poses the question: Whats next? Well, it just might be a new movement thats been dubbed Japandi. Heres everything you should know about it.

A Hybrid of Minimalist Styles
Right about now, theres a good chance youre asking yourself what exactly is Japandi? The term is, in fact, a portmanteau combining two existing design styles that youre likely quite familiar with: Japanese and Scandinavian. These two aesthetics, while hailing from vastly different places and cultures, both share a sense of minimalism that promotes simple living. In that sense, they are a perfect match for each other.

Dark Tones
While Scandinavian design typically uses light shades of gray and white, the color scheme more commonly seen in modern Japanese design is darker. Japandi, as it turns out, tends to lean toward the latter, with tones of dark gray, brown and even black. Perhaps more important, however, is that it should be a natural color palette.

Curated Objects
Seeing as both styles are closely related to minimalism, an essential step in achieving the Japandi look is getting rid of all the clutter in your home. Once thats been taken care of, you can have some fun getting creative with the objects on display in spaces that you might typically overlook, like your kitchen island, nightstand or coffee table.

Natural Textures
Both Japanese and Scandinavian design rely heavily on the use of natural elements. The presence of wood and stone can create a sense of balance. Taking that a step further, a water feature or fireplace can deepen that connection to nature. Ideally, all of these characteristics will come together to create a space that promotes harmony in your home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The modern world has many advantages, but one issue that many of us are facing, particularly those who spend their days working in front of a computer, is the feeling of being disconnected from the natural world. The good news is that a growing movement known as biophilic design might be just the answer and is being utilized by designers and architects around the world. Cities, in particular, are embracing this trend, and if youre looking for a living space that will help you reconnect with Mother Nature, heres what you should know about biophilic design.

The Basics
At its core, this design movement is all about creating a living space that feels like its a part of nature. That means much more than just incorporating green spaces. Equal emphasis is placed on using natural materials, such as wood and stone, to capture natural light throughout the day, and simply being able to observe things happening outside, like the sunset or a snowstorm.

Design Solutions
Breaking down the barrier between indoor and outdoor spaces is a big part of biophilic design. A retractable glass wall, for example, can capture sunlight in the winter and in the warmer months be opened up to allow fresh air to flow through the home. Additionally, you can bring the outdoors inside with indoor gardens or living walls. Even feeling connected to animals can play a role in biophilic design, like a koi pond, where you can relax while watching fish or attracting birds and butterflies with specific types of plants.

The Benefits
The main argument, of course, is that when we feel closer to nature were more relaxed and in tune with our surroundings. Additionally, biophilic design is considered to be an environmentally friendly solution because it typically requires using clean, natural materials to build homes that use less energy. For instance, if you can design a home to capture a natural breeze, then you may not need air conditioning in the summer. Or, by capturing adequate sunlight through performance glass windows you can reduce the heat required to keep your home warm in the winter. If thats not enough, its an added bonus that this also means lowering your bills.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

We all want the best for our pets, but theres no denying that they can take a toll on the house. From signs of wear and tear to less than pleasant odors, the last thing you want is your furry friend to scare off a potential buyer. Whether youre getting your home into tip-top shape before putting it on the market or you simply strive to maintain an immaculate living space, here are several home features that every pet owner can benefit from.

Proper Floors and Fabrics
Dogs, in particular, can quickly scuff up your hardwood floors, which is why its best to choose a wood thats particularly durable and resistant to scratches, such as ipe or cumaru. If youre simply going to refinish your existing floors, then choosing a low sheen finish will make scratches less visible. For cats who have a pesky habit of clawing the furniture, performance rugs and fabrics usually hold up well and are worth reupholstering with.

Pet Camera
Does it ever seem like your pet only gets into trouble when youre not home? Perhaps theyre acting out because they miss you or maybe its just a rebellious side that comes out when youre gone. Either way, installing a pet camera with a two-way speaker allows you to keep a watchful eye on your pets at all times and theyll be sure to be on best behavior when they hear your voice.

Pet Washing Station
Having a designated pet washing station in your home can be a lifesaver. Sometimes they run through mud while on a walk and sometimes they just smell like, well, an animal. In any event, you can easily keep them fresh and clean with a well-designed area, usually in the mudroom, that includes a handheld shower spray, tile floors and proper drainage.

Air Purification
Even after theyve been cleaned, however, sometimes that pet odor still lingers in the house. While you may not smell it anymore, potential buyers coming to your home just might. Thats why installing an air purification system that helps to remove the smell, as well as dander, can make a huge difference before putting your home on the market.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.