Window Treatments That Are Currently Trending

 You might think of window treatments as the framing of a window, almost like a piece of art. In fact, interior designers will tell you that curtains are one of the most important elements of a room. The curtains you use can either make or break your look.

There are tons of window treatments out there to choose from. A good rule of thumb is to look at the current trends. Here are several current trends to follow.

Roman Shades

Roman shades are an updated version of blinds. According to Sarah Marks, an interior designer, Roman shades will stand the test of time. You can add different details to shades to give them a unique look. Marks explains, “For example, I love adding a bold, colorful micro welt to a Roman shade. This small detail can create depth and interest while keeping a simple and chic feel.”  You can add multicolor tassels to shades to give them a bit of color.

“When you’re working with a pattern that’s busier, fold the fabric and imagine it as a stacked curtain panel. What you get is a lot of movement and color without being overwhelmed by the pattern. If you were to use the same pattern for a Roman shade, you’d see the full pattern in a bold and dramatic way you may not want for the space” remarks Joshua.

Sheer Curtains

Sheer curtains can have an effect on a room. They let in soft light so it is a perfect way to delicately brighten up a space. If you have a small space or a space that you do not want to overwhelm with a window dressing, this is the perfect item.

“Sheers are so amazing because they give us the ability to add verticality and drapery without feeling heavy or weighing down a room. They bring a softness to very hard lines of architecture and allow light to still filter in while providing privacy. We want all the light to come in during summer,” says Joshua.

Drapery

They say that drapery is timeless. So if you want to have something that will last, choose curtains. “Personally, I love a fuller curtain so I add a little extra on to the drop. A little pooling of fabric will create a more luxurious feel. They are elegant, soft, luxurious, and visually make a dramatic impact,” says Tori Murphy, a textile designer.

“Layered drapery is a great solution for the summer and year-round. Using sheer panels combined with thicker panels is a wonderful way to achieve flexibility with both privacy and light. There is something so ephemeral about subtly filtered light shining through sheer curtains on a bright summer day,” says Davina Ogilvie of Wovn Home.

There are fun new trends always emerging and interior designers will always keep up to date when it comes to the current trend. Window treatments can be expensive but are worth it in the long run.

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Storytime At St. Tammany Parish Library

 A fun time for young St. Tammany residents is the storytime events at the St. Tammany Parish Public Libraries. The storytime events returned to the library system at the end of the summer.

This is a perfect segway as the Summer Reading Challenge came to an end. The Fall storytime calendar can be found online and includes StoryTots, Play Date, Storycraft and Family Storytime. Along with these events also come many different classes and events for all residents in the community.

The Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany also holds monthly book sales for the community. The event is held at the building close to the Parish Fairgrounds at 1301 N Florida Street in Covington. There you will be able to purchase children’s books for $0.25 each, paperbacks for $0.50 each, hardbacks and audiobooks for $2.00 each. The Friends of the Sliddell Library also holds a used book sale. This event is held in the Slidell Library meeting room where books will be from $0.10 to $3.00.

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MC Bank Takes Over Covington’s Heritage Bank of St. Tammany

 MC Bank, based out of Morgan City, is now the proud owner of Heritage Bank of St. Tammany in Covington. MC Bancshares which is the holding company of MC Bank transacted an all-cash merger worth $6.5 million and value of Heritage Banks’s adjusted tangible shareholders equity.

“As local Louisiana banks, we share similar core values and a relationship-centric approach to serving the communities that we are fortunate to be a part of. This transaction is a very natural and contiguous expansion of our current footprint,” says MC Bank CEO Chris LeBato.

If this transaction is approved, Heritage Bank’s two locations in Covington and the other locations in Slidell will become MC Bank. MC Bank already serves throughout the state of Louisiana with banks in Lafayette and Youngsville. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and the approval of the shareholders of Heritage NOLA Bancorp and is expected to close in the fourth quarter. If approved, all Heritage Bank locations will be converted to MC Bank.

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Homeownership in 2023

 Whether you are purchasing a home or selling a home, it is a very personal decision. The house you sell or buy is your home that you will spend a good part of your life. It is also a big financial decision that can affect your finances. To make the best decision for you, professionals in the industry reveal what the real estate market looks like in 2023. 

As you begin the search of finding the right home, many start by looking at listings. According to the National Association of Realtors in 2022 almost half (47%) started the process by looking for a home online. Buyers that were younger than 41 had around 60% that purchased a home online. This actually is a good way to handle the process due to the frenzy and fury of buyers in the market. As of April 2023, the median home price for existing homes was $388,800 which was a decline from a year ago. Even with the decline, the stats were up from recent months.

Once you find a home you want to buy, you have to secure the finances. Getting a pre-approval from a mortgage lender will help you in the buyer’s market. This also goes along with a down payment which can be daunting. It was reported that 26% of first-time home buyers agreed that saving up for a down payment was the hardest part of the home-buying process.

Baby Boomers have been at the forefront when it comes to purchasing a home, but there is a new generation, the millennials who have taken over. In 2022 millennials were noted as the largest home buying age group at 43%. Sixty percent were married couples while single women were next at 19%.

If you are in the market to purchase a home, contact a local realtor who can help you through the process. A Realtor can also recommend a mortgage lender who can help you with the financing aspect of purchasing a home.

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Best Regions for Owning or Renting a Home

 According to the Bureau’s Home Vacancies and Homeownership report, the Midwest region of the country has the highest homeownership rate at 70.3% in the first quarter of 2023 and the South followed with 67.3%. If you are in search of a home to rent, then your best bet is to look in the South or Midwest regions of the US if you need to rent something in a hurry.

The U.S. Census Bureau agreed, reporting these two regions have the highest homeownership rates. The remaining regions reported were the Northeast with 62.7%, and the West with 61.9% which was up 1.7% from the same time last year. In fact, the rental vacancy rates were higher in the South at 8.3% and Midwest at 7.5% than the West at 4.3% and Northeast at 4.1%.

If you are looking to rent or purchase a home, contacting a local Realtor is the best way to go. A Realtor will be able to help you with what the best way to go for you might be. They also are familiar with the housing market and the Bureau’s report Owning or Renting the American Dream.

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Positive Expectations for Housing Availability

 Many future and current homebuyers are seeing brighter days ahead for the new home construction sales. The Housing Trends Report showed 29% of those who were looking to buy a home felt that they housing availability was better. In fact, there was a 2% increase from the last quarter in 2022 to the second quarter of 2023 from 24% to 26%.

The overall perspective has been more positive among all the regions across the U.S. We saw a big impact from the last quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2023. In the Northeast it increased from 28% to 36%, the West 27% to 34%, the Midwest 19% to 25% and the South 24% to 27%.

Although the regions changed in a positive light in all regions, the changes were more drastic in some regions over others. From the final quarter in 2022 to the second quarter of 2023 the inventory perceptions increased in the Northeast from 26% to 42%, the Midwest from 23% to 28% but in the South it went from 32% to 31% and the West from 31% to 30%.

The Housing Trends Report (HTR) is based on research done by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The goal for the report is to measure perceptions about the availability and affordability of homes for sale in their markets.  The report comes out quarterly.

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Everyone Loves Butter Krisp Diner's Donuts

 Residents in Covington were heartbroken when a storm Spring of 2022 ripped the roof off of Butter Krisp Diner. After fifteen months, the hot spot finally reopened its doors. In fact, the first day back to business the diner sold over 13,000 doughnuts.

The ironic thing about the opening day was it was only supposed to be a soft opening to train the employees according to owner Joseph Bonon III. The soft opening was anything but as the Covington police had to step in to keep U.S. 190 clear as drivers waited in the long line for the drive-thru. Patrons even said they took a long lunch break to wait in the long line for the delicious treats.

“We’ve been here for probably about an hour,” said Kallye Melancon as she waited in line.

“People were used to coming here every day, and they lost it all of a sudden. It kind of tore ’em up. It’s crazy. I’m really happy,” said Bonono about the line outside his diner.

Patrons from all over came to enjoy the scrumptious delights. Ciji Wallace came all the way from Mississippi. “They have doughnuts in Mississippi but they’re not Butter Krisp,” she comments.

Those that go to the diner for the doughnuts can also enjoy a plethora of items on the menu. The 24-hour diner is the perfect place for a late night burger and BLT.

If you haven’t already stopped by for a doughnut that is the same as it was before. “Every ingredient is the same,” Bonobo said.

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