Hawai‘i Home + Remodeling August-September 2025 Issue

Summer presents an opportune time for homeowners to undertake renovation projects that enhance living spaces and potentially increase property value. Before embarking on such projects, it's crucial to consider financing options, and various loan types are available to facilitate these upgrades. Several popular summer home renovation ideas offer both functional and aesthetic benefits, alongside diverse financing avenues. One significant renovation is adding a swimming pool, which can greatly enhance a home's appeal and value, albeit requiring a substantial investment, averaging around $65,000 for an in-ground pool. Financing solutions for this type of project are essential. Another popular outdoor enhancement is building a deck, which expands entertaining space and can increase home value. The average cost for a new deck is approximately $8,000, though this can vary based on size, location, and materials. Both pools and decks offer valuable additions for warm weather enjoyment. Interior renovations like kitchen and bathroom remodels are consistently popular and, while expensive, are considered valuable investments due to their potential to add lasting value to a home. Upgrading paint and flooring also significantly improves a home's curb appeal and durability. However, these projects can be costly due to rising paint prices, labor, and material expenses, with an average painting job costing about $3,000. Several loan options are available to fund these home renovations. The FHA 203k loan, backed by HUD, offers a single fixed-rate loan that covers both property purchase or refinance and renovation, making it a valuable tool for both new and existing homeowners. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offer HomeStyle® or Choice® Renovation Mortgages, conventional options that allow borrowers to finance repairs and renovations with a single mortgage, often at lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards. For veterans and active service members, VA Renovation loans provide significant benefits, including no down payment or mortgage insurance requirements, and potentially low interest rates. Another option is a cash-out refinance, which allows homeowners to tap into their home equity by replacing their original mortgage with a larger one. This method uses the “as-is” appraisal value of the home. Finally, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) offers a revolving credit line, allowing homeowners to draw funds as needed for their renovation projects, providing flexibility compared to a lump sum payment. These financing solutions enable homeowners to manage the costs associated with various home improvement endeavors. #HomeRenovation #SummerProjects #HomeImprovementLoans #FHA203kLoan #HomeStyleRenovation #VARenovation #CashOutRefinance #HELOC #PropertyValue

The "Home Trends" section, curated by Better Homes & Gardens editors, offers insights into current and future trends in home design and decoration. The editorial team actively researches new styles by examining furniture trends, analyzing popular Pinterest boards, and reviewing home magazines to identify emerging aesthetics and design directions. This collective expertise allows them to not only report on existing trends but also to forecast new ones, a practice they have maintained for over a century. The articles cover a wide array of topics, reflecting a comprehensive approach to home aesthetics and functionality. Key themes explored include color application, such as the debate around "color drenching" and predictions for popular shades like warm yellow in upcoming seasons. Bathroom trends for 2026 emphasize personal style, while kitchen design is addressed through discussions on popular color palettes and cabinet colors for the same year, along with outdated kitchen elements that designers suggest avoiding. Holiday and seasonal decor receive significant attention, with articles focusing on inventive ideas for Christmas, New Year's, and Halloween. These include DIY crafts like embossed metal ornaments, felt stars, and cookie cutter candles, as well as creative ways to repurpose items like Christmas trees for New Year's decorations. The section also covers specific holiday aesthetics, such as the "Ralph Lauren Christmas" look, and provides practical advice on holiday hosting essentials, gift-giving etiquette, and creating a festive atmosphere. Broader home improvement and lifestyle trends are also featured. This encompasses real estate trends for 2026, advice on designing at-home wellness retreats, and practical tips like window treatment trends and home storage solutions. The articles often provide actionable advice for homeowners, such as a step-by-step guide for a wellness retreat or tips for updating living spaces. Decorating philosophies like "cluttercore" are examined, along with methods for incorporating popular design elements like modular sofas. The content extends to practical home-related issues, such as what to do if a snowplow damages a mailbox and efficient ways to organize and refresh spaces, including a no-cost trick by Nate Berkus for room transformation. The editorial team also shares their favorite products and trends, particularly in their "Bookmarked" series, which highlights items and styles they endorse. The collection also considers historical perspectives, revisiting '90s fall trends and forgotten Halloween traditions that are being re-evaluated for contemporary appeal. This extensive coverage aims to keep readers informed about the evolving landscape of home design and living. #HomeTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #SeasonalDecorating #DIYHomeProjects #KitchenDesign #BathroomTrends #ColorPalettes #RealEstateTrends #HolidayDecor

This blog post compiles a comprehensive list of product resources featured in the most recent three issues of *Better Homes & Gardens* magazine, specifically June 2025, May 2025, and April 2025. The aim is to provide readers with direct links and details for items they may have seen and admired within the magazine's pages. The content is organized by issue month and then by specific page numbers or article titles, making it easy for readers to locate the desired products. The June 2025 section, under "Set to Delight; pgs. 14-16," focuses on dining and entertaining items. It lists various products from aerin.com, including Bamboo Flatware, Optic Carafe, Freya Rattan Wine Cooler, Ribbed Stem Glassware, Artisanal Tumblers, Dinner Plates with White Floral Trim, Dessert Plates with White Floral Trim, Freya Rattan Placemat, Freya Rattan Votive Set, Raffia Sleeve vases, Sancia Gourd Glass Bud Vase, Sancia Baluster Glass Bud Vase, and Sancia Plum Glass Vase. This section details a cohesive collection of tableware and decorative items for setting an elegant table. The May 2025 resources cover two main sections: "In Good Order; pgs. 22-27" and "All the Right Moves; pgs. 58-67." Under "In Good Order," the island paint color is identified as Balanced Beige SW7037 from Sherwin-Williams, and lighting is specified as the Sedona Pendant by Capital Lighting in aged brass from lumens.com. The "All the Right Moves" section offers an extensive breakdown of products used in various rooms of a home. For the exterior (Pg. 60), the paint color is Snowbound SW 7004 from Sherwin-Williams. The living room (Pgs. 58-59) features Pure White SW 7005 paint, Tradewind SW 6218 for bookcase paint (both Sherwin-Williams), SEKTION Base cabinet from IKEA, custom-made shelves and trim, client's own rugs, a Facebook Marketplace coffee table, and a Vintage Indian Kantha Quilt from alokahome.com. The mudroom/pantry (Pg. 62) uses Breathless SW 6022 paint from Sherwin-Williams. The eating area (Pg. 63) includes a second-hand rattan settee, "No Return" art by Pepi Sprohge from nativecitizen.com, an antique Belgian farmhouse table, client's own rug, Hood Sconce from ravenhillstudio.com, and a discontinued IKEA pendant light. The office (Pg. 64) features Canopy wallpaper by Abel Macias from schumacher.com, Bibi Flush Mount lighting from mitzi.com, Secret Garden 1284 paint from benjaminmoore.com, The Mavis Rug from shoprushhouse.com, and discontinued Crate & Barrel desk chairs. The outdoor eating area (Pg. 67) utilizes antique lanterns and discontinued blue rattan chairs from Crate & Barrel. Finally, the April 2025 section, titled "Natural Good Looks; Pgs. 76-83," details products across several living spaces. The living room (Pgs. 76-77) includes a Bohemian Desert Sun Rattan Wall Mirror from West Elm, sofa fabric by Manuel Canovas, various pillow fabrics from Kravet, Jim Thompson, Cowtan & Tout, and Zak + Fox, an Industry West Cane Floor Lamp from aptdeco.com, a discontinued Lulu and Georgia rug, and a Nickey Kehoe Rectangular Shelf Coffee Table. The family room (Pg. 78) features a custom sectional with James Malone fabric, Pierre Frey pillow fabric, a custom ottoman, a Made Goods Bartley Side Table, a Soho Home Garret Armchair, Marvic Textiles chair pillow fabric, an Una Milan Tomlinson Coffee Table, a Palacek Aviana Rope Floor Lamp, a Lawson Fenning Table Lamp, and "Aerial Ocean Bliss" art by Ingrid Beddoes from Lulu and Georgia. The dining room (Pg. 79) showcases a custom dining table by Copper Reynolds Gross, Saarinen Executive Side Chairs from dwr.com with Pierre Frey fabric, a Sabin El Royale Sideboard, a custom pendant light from Twentieth, a discontinued Lawson Fenning table lamp, and "San Carlos" art by Marc Gabor from tappancollective.com. The kitchen (Pg. 80) lists Palacek Green Oaks Coastal Beach Rope Rattan Woven Pendant lights from kathykuohome.com and Throne Upholstered Breakfast Bar Stools from thefutureperfect.com with Rubelli Kieffer Tweed fabric. The breakfast nook (Pg. 81) includes a custom nook, a Noir Travis Rustic Lodge Light Brown Walnut Wood table from kathykuohome.com, Nickey Kehoe Spindle Dining Chairs with Kravet fabric, Ajedrez Pendant Lights from lavivahome.com, bench fabric from JAB, back of bench fabric from Clarence House, and various pillow fabrics from Christopher Farr and JAB. The primary bedroom (Pg. 82) features a Lomas Wall hanging from The Citizenry, a custom bed, discontinued Amber Interiors nightstands, discontinued Lightology table lamps, a Cultiver Linen Duvet Set, pillow fabrics from Clarence House and Zimmer Rohde, a Zak + Fox bed topper, custom shades, a discontinued Kathy Kuo bench with Lee Jofa fabric. The library (top, Pg. 83) includes custom bookcases, a David Art Light from visualcomfort.com, Oval Antique Brass Knobs from Crate & Barrel, West Elm bolster and lumbar pillows, Zimmer + Rohde bench fabric, a custom chair with Opuzen fabric, and an Eames Turned Stool from dwr.com. Lastly, the office (bottom, Pg. 83) contains a discontinued B&B Italia sofa with Clarence House fabric, Schumacher pillow fabric, an Annie Selke rug, a discontinued Kathy Kuo desk, a discontinued Hollywood at Home table lamp, and discontinued Anthropologie and Crate & Barrel stools/poufs. This comprehensive list serves as a valuable guide for readers interested in replicating or drawing inspiration from the featured designs, acknowledging that some items may no longer be available. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #HomeImprovement #DecoratingResources #MagazineFeatures #Furniture #Lighting #Textiles

Home renovation and real estate reality shows, while widely popular for their entertainment value, often present an unrealistic and potentially detrimental view of home improvement. These shows, such as "House Hunters" or "Property Brothers," follow a rigid formula that offers predictable entertainment but frequently misrepresents the realities of the real estate and renovation process. They tend to create a disconnect between viewer expectations and actual costs, timelines, and effort required for home projects. A significant issue with these programs is their unrealistic portrayal of budgets and project timelines. The budgets discussed on screen are often supplemented by special deals from suppliers seeking product placement, making them unattainable for the average homeowner. Additionally, the shows compress renovation timelines, making complex projects appear quick and effortless, despite unforeseen complications like mold or structural issues. The work itself, often depicted as managed by one or two charming hosts, is typically carried out by a much larger team behind the scenes. Furthermore, the upgrades showcased can be superficial, sometimes involving low-quality materials and workmanship, leading to long-term issues and financial burdens for homeowners who attempt to replicate these renovations based on television portrayals. Beyond the practical inaccuracies, these shows can negatively impact viewers' happiness and perceptions of their own homes. Constant exposure to seemingly perfect, television-ready homes can induce anxiety and dissatisfaction with one's current living space. The pressure to maintain or achieve a certain aesthetic, often driven by concerns about resale value, can overshadow the enjoyment and comfort of one's own home. Moreover, the practice of "hate-watching," where viewers derive pleasure from criticizing the choices of participants on these shows, contributes to negative emotions rather than fostering a positive outlook. From a social and relational perspective, home improvement shows frequently reinforce outdated and conservative gender roles and relationship dynamics. Episodes often feature clichés, such as a budget-conscious man and a woman focused on closet space, engaging in petty arguments. Renovation shows often portray a 'goofy' male contractor and an 'eye-rolling' female designer, perpetuating stereotypes rather than presenting diverse and realistic interactions. This reinforces a bland and predictable vision of modern life, devoid of authentic and varied human experiences. Lastly, these programs contribute to a homogenization of interior design. HGTV and similar networks often promote a specific aesthetic, characterized by open concepts, shiplap, and grey color palettes. This consistent visual messaging trains audiences to view this particular style as desirable, leading many homeowners to replicate it. The result is a proliferation of homes that look eerily similar, lacking individuality and personal expression. This trend can leave homeowners feeling like they are living in a generic space, potentially leading to dissatisfaction. While home renovation can be an investment, prioritizing a 'magazine-ready' look over personal comfort and genuine enjoyment of one's living space is an unusual approach to life. Therefore, while home improvement shows can be entertaining in moderation, it is crucial to recognize their potential negative influences on personal well-being, financial expectations, and design choices. #HomeImprovement #RealityTV #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #FinancialExpectations #PsychologicalImpact #MediaLiteracy #ConsumerAdvice