THIS IS WHAT COMING TO THE JOY THEATRE

Power of Gray in Staging

Gray is a subtle color that can bring sophistication to interiors while also the neutrality that home buyer crave.

It’s the hot new neutral, a sleek and sophisticated color option that adds refinement to almost any room. Walls that are painted gray are great backdrops for almost any style of décor, and gray is such a dignified color that it can elevate the appearance of even the most modest furnishings.

Gray can be a great color choice for embellishments throughout interiors, such as a gray wash on wood furniture or the fabric in seating.

2014 color forecast expects grey to be used more in homes, and the grey’s flashier cousin, silver, used as an important accent color.

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The Color of 2014

Move over Emerald, there’s a new hot color in town. Get ready to embrace purple in 2014.

 “Radiant Orchid” as the “2014 Color of the Year.” This attention-getting hue a “captivating, magical, enigmatic purple” that is expected to catch on in everything from home interiors, accent pieces, and accessories to clothing lines in 2014.

“An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple, and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love, and health,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

The color complements olive and deeper hunter greens as well as makes a great combo when paired with turquoise, teal, and light yellows. It can also help liven up neutrals, such as gray, beige, and taupe.

Radiant Orchid will replace the 2013 color of the year, Emerald.

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Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Regain Popularity as Prices, Rates Rise

Adjustable-rate mortgages, which all but vanished during the housing bust, are again gaining popularity. Home prices and interest rates rose last year, and adjustable mortgages can help keep the monthly payment affordable — at least temporarily. Such mortgages offer a lower initial rate, but that rate can rise over time with market changes.

With interest rates expected to rise this year, the proportion of ARMs could increase further. Last week, lenders offered, on average, a 3.05 percent interest rate for a 5/1-year ARM — which means a borrower receives that rate for five years, before the loan starts to adjust annually with the market. That’s compared with 4.53 percent for a 30-year fixed loan, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac.

Mortgage brokers say borrowers who plan to move after a few years, or those with considerable, but irregular, income could be well-suited for an ARM. ARMs have been most popular in some higher-priced communities. That’s a contrast to last decade’s housing bubble, when lenders flooded working-class communities with extremely risky mortgages. One such product — known as the option ARM — allowed borrowers to pay even less than the interest owed, swelling the size of the loan as unpaid interest was added on to principal.

Many borrowers who took such loans bet home prices would continue to rise, allowing them to easily refinance or sell before the first adjustment. Many got burned when home prices plummeted, preventing any refinancing.

Largely gone are option ARMs and loans with very low “teaser” rates that quickly exploded into payments that borrowers couldn't afford. Lenders during the bubble years also qualified borrowers based on teaser rates, increasing the likelihood of default. New federal regulations taking effect this month should further curtail some of the riskier ARMs, including interest-only products and those with balloon payments. Of course, rates could adjust downward in favorable market conditions. But ARMs are still riskier than fixed-rate loans — especially when rates remain at historical lows but are expected to rise.

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Living Smart: What to Do about that Neighbor's Pesky Tree

If roots or branches of a neighbor’s tree pose problems for you, it’s likely you have the right to take action, even if the neighbor won’t.

Tree laws vary widely, but most permit homeowners to trim overhanging branches or overreaching roots that cause damage, create danger or obstruct a view, according to highly rated tree service providers and an expert on tree and neighbor law.

The right carries some limitations. One of the main ones is that whatever action you take to remedy the problem can’t lead to permanent damage to the tree. Also, some communities have ordinances restricting which trees can be cut or removed, regardless of whose property they’re on.

Talk to your neighbors before hiring a tree company. Not only is it simple courtesy, it may make the job easier for your professional.

Make sure you know for sure who owns the tree. If the full trunk is in your neighbor’s yard, the neighbor owns the tree, no matter how many branches or roots grow on your side of the property line. If the trunk rests on multiple properties, all owners must agree to trimming or removal.

Be sure you know your local laws, ordinances and restrictions. The bottom line in nearly every area is that any trimming efforts must not cause the tree permanent damage. Be aware that in many places, you’re responsible for paying for damage caused if a neighbor’s tree falls on your property. The case may be different if the neighbor’s tree is dead.

Consult a certified arborist and, possibly, a real estate attorney. If you have any questions about tree ownership or the potential effects of trimming or cutting, it’s best to get expert advice from a qualified professional.

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Happy Holidays!

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Five Winter Festivals in Louisiana

Louisiana is a great place for a festival. Known for its excellent food and happy-go-lucky atmosphere, the state does have a few festivals happening, even in the dead of winter. Here's a listing of five festivals taking place in Louisiana this winter.

New Year's Eve, New Orleans

For New Year's Eve, consider coming to the French Quarter. In Jackson Square and along the riverfront, revelers are treated to a spectacular fireworks show to ring in the New Year. There is often a stage set up in Jackson Square featuring live music. This event is not suggested for children, as the revelers can be rowdy and the crowds can be so thick it may become frightening, unsafe or inappropriate for young ones. For adults, it's a great way to ring in 2014. 

 Louisiana Children's Museum Countdown to Noon, New Orleans

For kids, the New Year can be celebrated at the Louisiana Children's Museum. There, the countdown will not be at midnight ... it's scheduled for a child-friendly noon. Kids can ring in the New Year with balloons, games, entertainment and hands-on learning. 

 Christmas in the District, New Orleans

At the turn of the New Year, be sure to catch the tail end of one of the city's biggest holiday displays. Christmas in the District features holiday lights that are coordinated to music. The lights can be seen downtown near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on the neutral ground along Convention Center Boulevard between Poydras and Julia. The display will be available for viewing through Jan. 5. 

Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival, Cameron

The Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Festival is billed as "one of the oldest and coldest festivals in Louisiana." Taking place on Jan. 10 and 11, the festival honors the hunting and wildlife industries. There will be pageants, entertainment, vendors, a gumbo cook-off, and much more. 

Battle of New Orleans Commemoration, Chalmette

On Jan. 10 and 11, re-enactors will dramatize the famous battle of New Orleans, which took place in St. Bernard Parish's Chalmette Battlefield on Jan. 8, 1812. The event will feature musket and cannon fire demonstrations, historical presentations and lantern tours. Period re-enactors will be in full costume to represent the actual clothing and lifestyles of the times. Guides and volunteers will be available for true-to-the-times demonstrations and questions.