Your Front Door

The front door of your house is one of the very first things that people see when they come to visit you. It is one of the most important aspects when it comes to your house's curb appeal, yet many people neglect decorating their front door or don't take the time to make it special.

Here are some tips for decorating your front door that will be sure to give people a good first impression about your home and to make your entrance warm and inviting.

One of the easiest ways to spruce up your front door on your house is to paint it. One of the most popular colors these days for front doors is red because it really packs a punch and can make your house look more interesting.

If you have a house that is painted or sided with neutral colors, painting your front door red is a great way to make a first impression.

If your house colors won't go with red, choose a color that compliments your house and paint your door that color instead. For the most part, dark colors like black, deep brown or red tend to make more of an impact and make your front door a greater visual element of your home.

To really add interest try painting the edge of the door a different color than the center or the panels of the door.

If you have a door with windows in it, you may want to consider replacing the windows with stained glass panels or gluing stained glass directly to them to create a glass mosaic. This is a wonderful way to class up your door while adding an artistic element to your home that helps to set it apart from others in your neighborhood.

Wreaths are one of the easiest ways to decorate your front door. One of the nice things about wreaths is that you can get them for any season and you can just change them out when the season changes.

Try using a wreath of colored leaves for fall, a wreath of red berries for winter and a living wreath with actual herbs or plants growing out of it for spring or summer.

All of these different styles of wreaths can either be purchased already made up or you can make them yourself and save money. Either way they are a wonderful way to add an interesting element to the entry of your home.

Another fun way to dress up your front door is to add a wall planter to it. These planters are flat on the back and are designed to hang against a wall. You can hang the planter directly on your door instead and fill it with beautiful flowers.

In the winter when it is too cold for flowers you can instead add elements like twigs with berries on them, evergreen branches or some other decorative element.

Make your house shine and stand out from the others on the block with lots more useful home & garden tips and decorating ideas. Find a huge selection of articles related to home and garden, family, arts and crafts, hobbies, and much more at http://www.add6.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Callen

Waterfowl and Eagles in Smithville, Missouri

Smithville Lake offers wildlife viewing opportunities during this time of year that aren't available in other seasons. "Flocks of migratory waterfowl are wintering at Smithville taking advantage of the warmer mid Missouri climate over that of our northern neighbors," said Pat Thomas, Director of Clay County Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites. "In addition to the resident Canada geese that live at the lake year-round, Snow and Blue geese, a variety of duck species and Great Blue Heron can be seen on the water or flying over the lake on any given day. By early spring Pelican flocks will be stopping to rest at the lake on their long migration south."

Close on the wingtips of these migratory birds are American Bald Eagles. With approximately 45 to 50 bald eagles wintering at Smithville Lake, sightings are likely, according to Thomas. "Bald eagles often feed on ducks and geese, generally taking the sick or weak," Thomas said. "Bald eagles are huge with a 6 to 7 -1/2 foot wingspan and are easy to differentiate from waterfowl. We do, however, have some juvenile bald eagles residing here. They do not have the telltale white head feathers, but are just as magnificent at their mature counterparts."

Smithville Lake is adjacent to the community of Harbor Lake, Smithville, MO and only moments from Lake Meadows also located in Smithville, MO. Homes start in the 140's, many plans from which to choose. This area qualifys for the USDA Rural Housing Loan with zero percent down to those who qualify. Call Paul Garnett at 816-985-7285, Realty Executives Area Realtors.

Kansas City Parade of Homes , Kansas City Northland

2011 Spring Homes Tour- Kansas City Metropolitan area and suburbs


For 49 years the Spring Homes Tour has served as the leading resource for consumers shopping for a new home. Produced by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City, the 2011 Spring Homes Tour will return April 16 through May 1!

If you would like more information on the Homes Tour Give Paul Garnett a call at 816-985-PAUL (7285). He will be host to one of the parade of homes entries and will have spring parade of homes books available.