It is our goal at The Parks at Plaquemines to keep our buyers informed about the latest information from the local, state-level, and national real estate industry. We post content to our blog that we hope that you as our custom home buyer will find helpful. Look here for information about financing your new home, building restrictions for new homes, and real estate legislation that will impact you as you are looking to buy or build a new home in the Greater New Orleans area.

Creating a Private Oasis: 10 Ways to Enhance Deck Privacy

Enjoying your deck is all about comfort, and nothing disrupts that more than the thought of prying eyes. Whether you’re aiming to avoid awkward encounters with unfamiliar neighbors or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, the right privacy solutions can transform your outdoor space into your own personal sanctuary. Here’s how to achieve a secluded, comfortable deck in ten effective ways.

1. Install Fencing

Fencing is a classic solution for adding privacy to your yard, and it’s also a great way to define the boundaries of your outdoor space. Depending on your privacy needs, you can opt for tall, solid fences that offer complete seclusion or go for partial fencing in high-traffic areas to balance privacy and budget. Remember to factor in the cost, maintenance, and local regulations when choosing your fencing materials.

2. Build a Privacy Screen

Privacy screens are a versatile, less labor-intensive option for creating a secluded deck. They serve as a decorative visual barrier, blocking views from passersby while enhancing your deck’s aesthetic appeal. Whether freestanding or attached to existing structures, screens made from wood, metal, or composite materials offer an easy way to boost your deck’s privacy.

3. Install a Pergola

Elevate your deck privacy with a pergola, which not only offers shade but also helps shield your space from prying eyes. While pergolas don’t provide complete privacy due to their open roof structure, you can enhance their effectiveness by adding curtains, retractable shades, or climbing plants like jasmine to create a more secluded environment.

4. Build a Cladding Wall

For a more permanent solution, consider constructing a cladding wall. These walls are designed to block the view of your yard from the outside, offering a high level of privacy and noise reduction. Customize your cladding wall with lighting, decorative patterns, or unique materials to add a personal touch to your outdoor space.

5. Surround the Space with Trees and Hedges

Natural privacy options like trees, plants, and shrubs create a lush, green screen that enhances both the privacy and beauty of your deck. While these elements take time to grow, they offer additional benefits such as shade, improved air quality, and noise reduction, making them a worthwhile investment for a tranquil outdoor setting.

6. Install a Trellis

Trellises are a charming and practical way to combine privacy with natural beauty. By growing climbing plants or vines on a trellis, you can create a lush, green barrier that not only shields your deck but also adds visual interest and softens sunlight, making your outdoor space more inviting.

7. Make it an Extension of Your Home

Blend indoor and outdoor living by creating a seamless transition from your home to your deck. While high-budget options include constructing walls and ceilings for an enclosed space, more affordable alternatives involve using lattice, fencing, or landscaping to create the illusion of a room, offering privacy without the cost of a full extension.

8. Hang Outdoor Curtains

Outdoor curtains offer a stylish and flexible way to add privacy to your deck. Whether hung from a covered deck or pergola, these flowing fabrics create an intimate atmosphere while still allowing you to enjoy the open air. Available in a variety of colors and textures, outdoor curtains are a simple yet elegant solution for a secluded retreat.

9. Install a Bamboo Privacy Wall

A bamboo privacy wall brings natural charm and durability to your outdoor space, creating a serene sanctuary. These screens are easy to customize to fit any deck size, offering both visual appeal and the privacy you desire in your outdoor area.

10. Add a Large Umbrella

Umbrellas are a versatile, budget-friendly option for enhancing deck privacy. Large umbrellas offer flexible coverage, providing shade and creating a cozy, private nook for relaxation. With easy installation and a variety of styles, umbrellas are a simple way to elevate your outdoor space while keeping it cool and comfortable.

By incorporating these privacy solutions, you can create a deck that’s as comfortable and secluded as any indoor space, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor haven without worry.

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The Power of First Impressions

First impressions are crucial, especially when it comes to your home. The view from the curb to the porch sets the tone for visitors and potential buyers, reflecting your home’s style and value. Your entrance is more than just a gateway; it’s a statement that showcases your home’s personality. With our expertise in outdoor enhancements, we provide the insights and products needed to transform your home’s facade into a stylish and functional masterpiece.

The Importance of a Welcoming Entrance

Your home’s entrance is its greeting to the world. A thoughtfully designed porch, paired with an attractive mailbox, does more than just welcome guests—it signals the care and attention you’ve put into maintaining your home. We’ll guide you through simple yet impactful upgrades that can make your entrance more inviting and appealing, ensuring it captures the admiration it deserves.

Stylish and Functional Updates for Instant Impact

You don’t need to embark on a major renovation to make a noticeable difference. Explore our collection of smart, stylish products, from sleek mailboxes to modern porch decor, that can refresh your home’s entrance with minimal effort. We focus on solutions that combine beauty and practicality, ensuring your curb appeal mirrors the elegance of your home’s interior.

Creating a Cohesive Look with Seamless Design

We believe in creating a harmonious flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Our approach emphasizes seamless integration, using design elements that complement both your home’s exterior and interior. Discover how a statement mailbox, paired with tasteful porch furnishings, can unify your home’s aesthetic, enhancing its overall appeal.

Unlock Your Home’s Potential with Our Expertise

Let us help you craft an entrance that leaves a lasting impression. With our guidance and your vision, you can maximize your home’s curb appeal, adding both style and value. Explore our range of products and design tips to find the perfect balance of functionality and flair for your home.

Reimagine your home’s entrance with us. This isn’t just an upgrade—it’s an investment in the future value and charm of your property.

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Corian or Quartz Countertops, What Is Right for You?

When renovating your kitchen, your countertops are a big part of it. In fact professionals will tell you that one of the most important design elements in your kitchen is your countertops. It is important to choose something that looks good but also something that is low-maintenance and durable. Corain and Quartz are two popular choices, so which is best? Here are some differences from the experts.

What is Corian and Quartz Materials?

Corian is a brand name and not a type of material, but is is often referred to as the name of a general solid surface material. Corian comes in many colors and the pigments are added to the resin so the color goes all the way through.
“Corian countertops are made of solid surface material, which is a blend of acrylic polymer and natural minerals, offering a seamless, non-porous surface,” explains Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Studio.

Quartz is a bit different from Corian and can actually look a lot like natural stone surfaces such as granite or marble. “Quartz countertops, are engineered from natural quartz crystals and resins, providing exceptional durability and a wide range of colors and patterns,” says Kerrie.

Which Is More Durable?

Quartz is pretty durable and resistant to stains. Quartz will not scratch, mold and mildew like Corian sometimes will. Corain is still durable but is not as resilient. High tempatures will damage Corian so you cannot put a hot pan directly on Corian counters.

“While hot items shouldn’t be placed directly on quartz, it can withstand some heat as compared to Corian, says Jane Lockhart, founder of Jane Lockhart Design. It can be noisy when placing hard objects on the surface and it can be perceived as hard and cold if you regularly sit at a quartz counter when dining.”

Which Looks Better?

Quartz comes in many more styles and professionals say that is in one of the best countertops for cooking. “Quartz is mostly polished, but there are some options in a matte finish, says Jane. There is a multitude of patterns, colors, and finishes available with quartz, and many that have a layering of colors. Some quartz even has metallic-like gold and silver embedded within them.”

Which Is More Stain-Resistant?

Quartz is more resistant to stain but Corian counters are also resistant. Both are hygienic because there are no seams on the countertops. Both of these types of counters are non-porous and do not have to be sealed. These low maintaince materials do not need to be polished and spills are cleaned off easily.

Which Is Easier To Design With?

Corian is definetly the easier of the two to design with. This material has a higher percentage of binding resins that allows for greater flexibility in terms of shape.  “Corian is very moldable, allowing you to create a seamless sink or rounded corners, says Jane. There truly are no seams, so the opportunities are endless in terms of what length can be used or shape created. It is soft to the touch and relatively quiet when placing dishware or hard items on top. It is matte sheen, making it less of a visual statement than a glossy finish.”

Corian cost between $45 to $65 per square foot and quartz cost from $50 to $200 per square foot. “While Quartz can be more expensive than some other materials and may not withstand high heat as well as natural stone, their resistance to etching and staining is unmatched,” says Kerrie.

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Setting Up Your Home Office

The pandemic brought out the importance of having a space for a home office, whether it is in a nook or a whole room, setting up a well-designed home office will have many benefits for your work and home life. Here are some tips on setting up your home office so you can have the perfect work-from-home experience.

Room Selection

This is the most important part of setting up your office space. This space will directly go hand in hand with your ability to concentrate. You do not want to set up your home office in the middle of your living room because of distractions, but you also do not want to choose a space with poor natural lighting.

To select the right room, you need to think about natural lighting, the room layout, and how close or far it is from the kitchen or the bathroom. You never want to pick a space that will have high noise levels, so make sure the space you choose is a quiet room where you can focus.

Furnishing the Space

You will be spending a good amount of time sitting in this space so you want comfort and a productive area. Office furniture can help with minimizing physical strain along with providing a seamless workflow.

They say that office furniture can be described as the backbone of your at-home office. When choosing a chair, go for an ergonomic chair. Make sure you have a spacious desk and tons of storage. Standup desks are popular nowadays, allowing you to both sit or stand to work.

Enhance Your Lighting

Office lighting is important when it comes to work productivity. Eye strain can be a problem and make you both fatigued and not alert. Lighting can also make your mood a little better and help you tackle your task with a positive attitude.

The perfect spot will have natural light but this can not always be in the space you choose. Setting different lighting levels and colors can help with your work mood. To reduce eye strain, ensure you have enough light over your writing and reading area, as well as move lights that could cause glare or a reflection on your computer screen.

Automate Your At-Home Office & Get Things Organized

Smart home devices are a must in your home office. They will help automate repetitive tasks such as adjusting the light levels and regulating the temperature in your home office. Wi-Fi, and smart doorbell cameras are great devices for your smart home office.

Having things organized can make your workspace more efficient. You want to have a clutter-free area that has storage for paper so no documents go missing. Also use a cord management system so you will not have your wires everywhere.

Remember a home office, is your space, and will look like you. Using these key factors can help ensure your office space is an efficient area.

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Common Reasons To Sell Your Home

“No matter what interest rates and home prices do next, sometimes homeowners just have to move—due to a new job, new baby, divorce, death, or some other major life change,” from Realtor.com. A life change is a big reason for you to sell your home. It is not the ideal time or market but sometimes that just doesn’t matter. Here are several reasons why now would be a good time to sell your home.

Relocation

There are many different things to cause you to have to relocate. They include a job change, needing to be closer to loved ones, or just needing a change of scenery.

Upgrading

You have an addition to your family, or you might just want a larger home. During the pandemic, stay-at-home orders made outdoor living spaces, home offices and home gyms more important spaces. An upgrade could be a move to another home so you have one or all of these features.

Downsizing

If you are soon to become an empty nester, then you might need to downsize. If you have too much space and not all of it is being used, then it probably would be a good move.

Change in Relationship Status

This is not a fun event but it does happen. Divorce, separation or on the brighter side marriage can push someone to sell their home.

Health Concerns

If something changes such as a homeowner that is now immobile, might need to change their living space to accommodate.

Remember selling your home and figuring out the right time to sell your home is a personal choice. “Deciding whether it’s the right time to sell your home is a very personal choice. There are numerous important questions to consider, both financial and lifestyle-based, before putting your home on the market,” says Bankrate.

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