8 Design Basics

Are you afraid to use color in your home? Well, here are some design basics that should help calm your fears.

Determine Your Color Scheme

Colors located next to or across from each other on the color wheel usually make the best matches.

Pick from the Pattern
Use colors from the largest pattern in the room to develop your color scheme.

The 60-30-10 Rule
When decorating a particular room, divide the colors into percentages:
60% of a dominant color
30% of a secondary color
10% of an accent color

Paint it Black
By adding a black element into the room you enhance the other colors in the space.

Let it Flow

Create flow from room to room by choosing a color in one and using it in a different way in an adjoining room.

Create Contrast
Use high contrast to formalize a room or low contrast to create a soothing space.

Embrace Your Emotions
Choose reds and yellows for a lively feel or blues and greens for more tranquility.

Let Nature be Your Guide
Decorating vertically, floor to ceiling, from dark to light reflects the techniques of mother nature - the ultimate designer!

For more great decorating ideas, walk through one of our professionally decorated model homes today!

5 Ways to Improve the Value of Your Home

If you've seen your home lose value since the housing bubble burst, there's good news! We have 5 tips that will help you improve your property and gain a little control over the value of your home.

1. Is the Grass Greener on Your Side?
Dead grass can be an eyesore, even if the rest of your house is immaculate. For as little as $10 you can test your soil to see what nutrients your lawn needs. Just make sure to buy the grass that grows best in your area and remember to water each morning.

2. Get Your Shrubs in Shape
If your shrubs are overgrown or out of line, it can give the impression that your house is unkempt. Grab those hedge clippers and snap those shrubs into shape!

3. Make Your Garage Doors Gleam
Defeat those outdoor home stains with one part bleach and three parts water, followed by a clean water rinse. Using a scrub brush with soft, nylon bristles will get the job done without doing permanent damage to your garage doors or siding.

4. Let There Be Light
Poor lighting not only compromises safety and security, but it also hurts the look of your home. Installing low voltage fixtures on pathways can shine a whole new light on the value of your property.

5. Open Says Me
Refinishing and repainting your front entry door can drastically improve the look of your home. Just don't forget to polish the hardware!

Savannah: America's Favorite City?

Travel + Leisure wants your take on the state of America's cities - the downtowns with the hottest restaurants, the cleanest parks, the most beautiful people - and Savannah, GA is in the running!

VOTE - AND VOTE AGAIN!!! After you complete the survey, enter for a chance at a $25,000 Dream of a Lifetime trip!

Click here to discover why Savannah is such a great place to live, work and play.

A Military Salute

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended for Military!

Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to qualify for the federal housing tax credit. Eligible applicants must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community who served on qualified official duty outside the United States for at least 90 days from December 31, 2008 to April 30, 2010 are able to take advantage of this historic opportunity!

For those who risk their lives to protect us today and everyday, we at Fred Williams Homebuilder salute you!