Cozy, Comfortable: Cove Businesses Give Homeowners Recommendations

Years ago when country decor was the rage, a popular saying was "Home is where you hang your heart."

While the adage may be old, the thought remains true, as evidenced by a growing trend to make a home inviting not only for the occasional guest but for those whose hearts hang inside.

Industry experts estimate we are spending in excess of $540 billion this year on home improvements across the United States.

Floor features

That money is paying for massive renovations and square foot additions, but it's also buying a new floor in a family room, a bathroom face lift or maybe just a new coat of paint in the kitchen.

"A lot of people are putting in laminate vinyl tiles," said Cara Ebersole of Cove Flooring and Design LLC, located on the 200 block of South Market Street, Martinsburg.

Ebersole, a professionally trained interior designer, is seeing an increasing more to tear out the old carpeting and replace it with a move modern look, which is often more easy care and scratch resistant.

But in many cases the look and feel of the room is softened when the homeowner adds an area rug with coloring aimed at complementing existing furnishings.

"Hard surfaces can echo a lot, you may still need that muffled sound created by a rug," Ebersole said.

Plant parents

An increasing amount of a homeowner's improvement dollar is going to something living and breathing, according to Travis Russell of Roots in the Cove, on Route 36, Roaring Spring.

"We're selling a lot of houseplants. It's really picked up," Russell said.

And while the Swedish ivies, spiders and philodendron continue to be in demand, many of Russell's customers come in with an eye for the unusual, something they can't find at the big box stores and discount houses.

Roots offers 30 to 40 different varieties, but Russell finds an increasing number of customers offering a list for him to special order.

The house plant craze was beginning to ramp up a couple years ago but when the COVID pandemic hit in early 2020 and lock downs were implemented, it really took off, said Clay Shriver of Potted Memories, Piney Creek Road, Williamsburg.

"It really exploded then and it's been strong ever since," Shriver said.

Ebersole is witnessing the houseplant craze in homes she sees and is to the point where an increasing number of artificial plants are filling the void for those without a green thumb, she said.

When it comes to color, the green of vegetation offers a soothing element when homeowners are seeking to tone down the impact when one walks into a room.

"A lot of people are choosing fake houseplants. She said. Houseplants themselves are very soothing," she said.

The live plant market offers varieties that have been around for years yet are low maintenance and bounce back even if ignored a bit.

Succulents are seen everywhere and the varieties continue to grow.

Aloe Vera, with sap used to cool burns, is a good choice and Euphorbias including the old favorite of African Milk Tree are showing up.

Coming on strong is one many of us saw in a grandmother's house, the Sansevieria, commonly referred to as mother-in-law tongue. Also a variety commonly called snake plant and a variegated type is turning up at greenhouses.

Color crazy

Speaking of color, the hugely popular gray that has caught the eye of many homeowners, be it on kitchen cabinets or living room sofas, is beginning to fade and brown-gray shades are showing up more often, Ebersole said.

"Don't make it totally brown," she said of a trend to do a lot of mixing in similar color tones,

If new flooring, upgraded furniture and other significant redos are not in the budget, experts suggest new coverlets thrown over the back of the sofa coupled with new toss pillows coordinated to take the room in a new color direction as good choices.

Light paint colors on the walls offer a huge impact when a welcoming home is the goal. A redo might be only new paint on one wall to coordinate with existing wall colors and draw in shades introduced by new pillows and areas rugs.

Livening lighting

A room element often overlooked by homeowners is lighting, experts assert.

Changing the location of lamps or maybe just the wattage of some of the bulbs can serve as an invitation into a room.

For those fortunate enough to have a fireplace, a little attention to the often forgotten mantle can go far in tying a decor together.

A large mirror hung above the mantle will make a room appear larger and pull in and reflect soft lighting features.

A carefully chosen piece of art with complementing colors may also be good choice.

And while you're at it, include the easiest of all upgrades, light candles. The flicker of the flame reflects off walls and ceilings and gives the impression that it's okay to slip off your shoes and sit a while.

The visual asset of candles is often outdone by the fragrance most provide. As fall approaches, put a match to an apple spice, or cinnamon pumpkin wick and sit down with a good book.

Outdoor objectives

The inexpensive redos need not stop with a home's interior.

Home interior designers are increasingly urging the addition of comfortable outdoor furniture in a secluded deck area or spending a little more and having a patio developed away from the house.

A fire pit and comfy chairs along with some solar powered stick lighting pushed into the ground to light the way will pay comfort benefits for years.

Increasingly easy to find are soft tones strings of outdoor lighting. The bulbs often come in shapes resembling those of a century ago and when strung along a railing or a deck roof provide plenty of color without the harsh appearance of most lighting strings.

It's easier than one would think, according to many of the experts we've spoken with and a little effort will pave the way for results paying dividends with cozy, stress-free living areas.