Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

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Smart home technology can improve many aspects of our lives, from entertaining to lowering energy usage. These days theres perhaps no greater benefit than the ability to keep your living space clean. While maintaining a healthy and germ-free environment is always important, its now a top priority in order to stay safe. Here are a few of the ways that the latest home technology can assist in this effort.

Smart Faucets
Faucets have a tendency to collect more germs than the rest of the home, with everyone touching them on a regular basis. While you might be washing your hands often, any germs that are on your hands when you turn the sink on will spread there. Thats why a touch-free faucet that turns on and off with motion sensors or voice commands can help to reduce the spread of germs in your home.

Air Purifier
At the time of writing this, the jury is still out as to whether the coronavirus can be transmitted through airborne particles. While the WHO organization has stated that initial evidence suggests the virus is not suspended in the air for extended periods of time, it cant hurt to have an air purifier with HEPA filtration in your home. In theory, these advanced systems would be able to remove any virus particles from the air.

Steam Cleaners
One concern thats been raised in the media is that the virus could potentially get on your clothes and then brought into your home. While this does not appear to be a common means of transmission, theres still a lot of research to be done before a definitive conclusion is made. In the meantime, you can breathe easy with a steam cleaner like the Samsung AirDresser, which is touted for being able to eliminate 99.9 percent of virus particles.

Smart Security
Many high-end homeowners rely on their smart security systems to keep them safe, but they probably didnt expect it could help to keep them safe from a virus. When considering that you can unlock your door without touching the deadbolt or instruct a delivery driver to leave a package at the door without having to interact directly, these state-of-the-art systems are giving us a whole new reason to appreciate them.

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Its no secret that professional landscape design is highly valued by luxury homeowners. After all, everyone can appreciate a property with beautiful grounds, whether manicured or low-key, where they can bask in nature. Landscape architecture is undoubtedly an art form that were all acquainted with, but a particular part of it that you might be less familiar with is landscape lighting. Heres a quick rundown of everything youll need to know.

Identify Your Goals
There are many different styles and techniques used in the world of landscape lighting, so the first step is to understand them and how they can work on your property. Do you want to illuminate a towering tree from below or cast a shadow thats projected on to the side of your home? Maybe you want path lighting that meanders through your garden. While it might seem simple enough, achieving just the right look requires thoughtful planning.

Find Your Best Features
Trees and plants can look entirely different when theyre lit up in the evening. The intricate shape of leaves and the texture of bark, for example, can become more apparent when a light is shining directly at it. This is why its worth taking the time to consider which plants will really show their best at night to create a dramatic effect, and then try to center the design around them.

Consider the Color Temperature
Color temperature plays a unique role in landscape lighting. This is measured in Kelvin and typically ranges from 2,700K, which is considered warm lighting, to a bright white at 4,000K. While you may opt for a warm ambience around your outdoor seating area, you can utilize different temperatures throughout your property in order to accentuate the colors of various plants.

Work With a Professional
Of course, the best way to achieve breathtaking results is to work with a professional landscape designer who understands your vision. By becoming familiar with the process and techniques that are used, youll be better prepared to communicate this and have your backyard transformed into a majestic setting in no time.

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Its safe to say that our current crisis has upended virtually every aspect of our daily lives. One interesting consequence that were likely to see in real estate is luxury homebuyers becoming more risk-averse. This has certainly been happening for a few years now, as weve seen an increase in property damage caused by natural disasters around the country, but this present moment in time is going to solidify the importance of being prepared for a catastrophe. If youre looking for a home that can protect you through uncertain times, here are a few characteristics to keep in mind.

Disaster Proof
The proper way to disaster proof your home will depend on what sort of calamity its most at risk of facing. In a hurricane-prone location, that could mean investing in impact-resistant windows and doors, as well as taking precautions to prevent flood damage. Likewise, using an inflammable material for the roof, like slate or tile, can make all the difference if a wildfire comes dangerously close to your home. And, of course, if living near a fault line, your home should be bolted to the foundation and any materials that could collapse, like brick or stone, need to be reinforced.

Alternative Energy
A backup generator can keep your home running if the power goes out for a couple of hours or, at most, a few days. In the event of a prolonged power outage, however, an alternative energy source can ensure the lights stay on and the refrigerator continues running for far longer. While the technology continues to improve for various sources, solar power is the most viable for running a home entirely off the grid.

Safe Room
Whether its a natural or manmade disaster, a safe room can provide your family with a last line of defense in a wide variety of scenarios. Often designed to withstand everything from a home invasion to nuclear blasts, these no-expense-spared shelters have been on the rise among luxury homeowners and theyll likely continue to become more common in the coming years.

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The following characteristics will help you design a swoon-worthy farmhouse kitchen.

Stone and Wood

Natural materials, especially stone and wood, are always at the center of the farmhouse style.

Open Shelving

Both fashionable and functional, hang pans from a ceiling rack and use a magnetic strip to keep your knives handy.

Copper Accents

Wherever its implemented, copper adds a metallic touch thats in tune with the rustic ambiance.

Reclaimed Materials

A farmhouse kitchen should feel like its been lived in. Reclaimed materials give your kitchen a distinguished character that comes with age.

Appropriate Appliances

Stainless steel is popular in a rustic cooking space, as it works well with the overall aesthetic.

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