Local experts share their advice for making your home look its best

Driftwood Décor

If you’re looking for some immediate ideas for improving your own home and garden, the experts on this month’s Best of Home & Garden list will be glad to help you. What’s more, some of them have solid advice that you can start using right now.

For instance, Driftwood Décor owner Don Patrick tells us: “The trend has been and still is my driftwood furniture that has the sun-bleached, silver-grey patina. Individually, it’s large driftwood dining tables.”

When it comes to pools, “fire and water” are the watchwords according to Megan Eaves, co-owner of Pools by Bradley. “Fire features can be accomplished in the form of fire bowls, fireplaces and fire pits, adding both warmth and ambiance to a poolscape,” she says, also noting that oversized lounging ledges, complete with bubblers, umbrella sleeves and lounge chairs, are also popular.

Stu Kimball, president of Southeast Steel Appliance Warehouse, says induction ranges are his hottest-selling items. “For those who have a taste for design,” he adds, “our black, stainless-steel-finish line of appliances are the latest sophisticated color for your modern kitchen.” Kimball also says that the American Muscle Grill, which can burn gas, charcoal or wood, is perfect for grill masters who don’t want to be locked into one cooking method.

There’s even a “hot or not” paradigm when it comes to garage doors. “Today’s high-tech features are making our customers’ lives even more convenient and safe with features that alert you on your smartphone to let you know if you have left your garage door open, and the ability to close it remotely even if you are away from home,” says Shelley Torres, owner of E&S Garage Doors. “Those features, along with motion-detection lights that turn on as soon as you enter the garage, really show that today’s garage-door openers are taking convenience and security to the next level.”

This article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s March 2017 issue.