Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

Make your home a healthy and relaxing environment by adhering to these concepts…

Circadian Lighting

Smart light bulbs that dont give off any blue light will help you keep a normal circadian rhythm.

Spa-Like Bathrooms

A walk-in rain shower, sauna and massage room will help you feel your best.

Neutral Colors

Neutral colors tend to be more soothing and help put us at ease.

Biophilic Design

Create living spaces that connect to the outdoors with biophilic design.

Healthy Materials

There are plenty of nontoxic materials that are safe to use both when renovating and living day-to-day at home.

Purification and Filtration

Ensure only clean air and water are entering your home with purification and filtration systems.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

These four changes around the house will set you up for success this year.

Be More Active

Engage in a hobby, like gardening or learning an instrument. Create a designated space in your home that inspires you to pursue your passion.

Increase Mindfulness

Decluttering your home creates a relaxing environment and simplifies your life. Consider a space to unplug, meditate or simply reflect on each day.

Live Healthier

From kitchen appliances that make it easy to prepare nutritious meals to a dedicated exercise room, a healthy lifestyle starts at home.

Be More Eco-Friendly

Investing in energy-efficient windows, appliances and heating systems will make your home more eco-friendly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A high-end home should be able to improve your wellbeing. These days, there are plenty of new technologies geared toward this, like cutting-edge air and water purification systems. But equally sought after are saunas and steam rooms, which have been used for thousands of years. For many affluent homeowners, a private steam room or sauna is more than just a luxury, as it delivers numerous benefits to ones mental and physical wellbeing. Following are a few reasons why you may want to put this on your list of essential features in your next home.

Improved Cardiovascular Function
According to a 2018 study by the Mayo Clinic, regularly using a sauna (4-7 times per week) has been linked to improving blood pressure and reducing long term risk of cardiovascular disease. While you may not have time to get to your fitness club to use one several times a week, having a sauna in the privacy of your own home makes it significantly easier to incorporate into your routine.

Calm the Mind
Many people find that a quick steam room or sauna session helps to relax and leaves them in a better mood. In addition to the fact that youre forced to unplug and be with your thoughts,due to the fact that the elevated temperatures stimulate the release of endorphins, you leave feeling energized.

Post-Workout Recovery
Everyone gets sore after a difficult workout, but heat therapy is widely regarded as a means of diminishing that. Steam rooms, in particular, are a chosen method among athletes to relieve muscle soreness and recover quicker. So if you already have a home gym, you may want to add this feature to improve your post-workout routine.

Relieve Cold Symptoms
This time of year, theres nothing worse than the common cold knocking you out of commission for a few days. The good news is that evidence suggests that heat therapy can help boost the immune system, as well as relieve cold symptoms by clearing the sinuses and breaking up congestion in the lungs. Its hard enough to get out of bed when youre sick but having a steam room or sauna at home can have you on the mend in short time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre the type who likes to get hands-on with the interior design process in your home, then you know that finding just the right upholstery fabric can be both incredibly exciting and surprisingly difficult. Whether its for the entire couch in the living room or just a few throw pillows in the bedroom, there are plenty of considerations to take into account before settling on the perfect fabric. Here are a few tips to help find the right choice for each room in the house.

Style and Aesthetic
Of course, the first thing we look to when picking out new upholstery is the visual aspect. How will it complement the rest of the room? Will it make this piece of furniture the new focal point or will it blend in with its surroundings? From solid colors to vibrant patterns and prints, the hardest part is usually narrowing it down to a fabric that suits your design aesthetic.

Durability
There are certain parts of the home that receive more wear and tear than the rest. In these particular spaces you may want to opt for a performance fabric. These days, there are plenty of luxurious options that can withstand whatever your children and pets throw at it. A stain-resistant fabric is also ideal for entertaining areas because theres nothing worse than when someone spills a glass of red wine at a party.

Care and Cleaning
Since not all fabrics are created equal, youll want to take note of any particular cleaning instructions before making a decision. Some fabrics might simply need to be vacuumed occasionally while others could require using a specific cleaner or brush regularly to keep it looking its best. If the fabric is not resistant to UV-fading, then try to make sure its out of the sunlight for most of the day.

Tactile Experience
While some people prioritize a fabric that looks luxurious, for others its even more important that it feels luxurious. Whether its a silky satin or a plush velvet, your furniture should be finished with a material thats comfortable when sitting or lying down on it.

Published with permission from RISMedia.