Some homeowners don’t really put much thought into choosing how their backyard decking area will look. All they know is that they want a nice space to sit and have parties, cookouts and other outdoor events. Little do they know that getting custom decks installed can greatly enhance the look, feel and usefulness of the entire area. It’s not just about having a nice place to sit and relax. Aesthetic appeal and cohesiveness along with other significant aspects are also important.

One of the things that getting custom decks does is allow homeowners to choose the type of materials that are used. For instance, they can get their deck made out of wood, plastic or even synthetic wood. It’s all about what they desire. So, someone who enjoys a more natural, outdoor feel may choose to have much of their decking area made out of wood. Someone who has an issue with termites on the other hand, may choose to use plastic or other types of material instead.

Another thing that custom decks provide is an opportunity for people to choose the color and design of their railings. This is great because it allows them to use the railing designs to match accessories and objects that are already in their yards. If they don’t have any items readily available they can always go and make the necessary purchases. For example, they may choose a decking design that includes black wrought iron railings. They can match this particular feature with benches that have the same wrought iron color and material.

Lastly, custom decks also allow homeowners to choose their own deck size. Some people may want a patio area that almost fills their entire backyard. Others may want one that is half that size. Then, there are those who may want theirs to be much smaller in size. It’s all about what suits them the best.

Some people have no real desire or need to have a whole lot of green space. Therefore, having a large deck area wouldn’t really be a problem for them. There are others who have kids and pets who they allow to run around and play outside. In their cases, they would have to get something that is big enough to suit their decking needs, but small enough that it leaves enough green space.

So, there are many benefits and advantages that come along with getting custom decks installed. It allows homeowners to customize their backyard areas to suit their needs as well as their desires.

How will the popularity of antiques be affected by new design trends? What comes first? The antique or the era that we live in. We will see how the antique will always reign and will be first choice for the purists that love them. In 2013 we will be seeing old becoming newly interpreted and refreshed and we’ll be faced with buying the original or going over to the mass ­produced and newly interpreted version. Mid­century is back in, thanks to shows like Mad Men. There is a yearning for those old iconic looks of Frank Sinatra and his friends drinking their martini, smoking and sitting in a lounge. Think avocado green leather seats, silver martini shakers, hammered ice buckets, and old movie star pictures. Antique barware is hot and the Danish modern consoles that used to hold our hi fi’s back in the 70′s are now outfitted to be our bar and to house our flat screen tv’s.

Our “vintage” antique gems are sold mass ­produced by all of the usual suspects, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Ikea, West Elm with their own design twist and interpretation. The original danish modern furniture will be coveted as it still stands up to the test of time and buying old is the “green”, environmentally, popular way to go today. People who collect and use antiques love the “provenance of the old piece” and know that it will help them have that “collected look” rather than the brand new version. Along with the mid­century furniture we will be seeing fabric from that same era. Chevron is back as well as Greek­Key, Global and ethnic patterns. Ikat is still hanging on with great color combinations of red and pink, turquoise and orange, grey and blue and the new color of Emerald Green will start showing up in art, fabrics and home decor. Jewel tones are back and will be seen on the runway.

This year will also see Art Deco come back into favor. That Hollywood glam period with mirrored furniture and beautiful lighting features. Everything gold and silver combined to make that opulent look of the 20′s. The TV show Boardwalk Empire, as well as the soon to be released “Great Gatsby” will push the “Twenties” to the forefront. The retro look is still hot, but will soften. Smoking jackets, cigars and back room card games will look enticing. Antique ashtrays, matchbook and cigarette holders will be on everyone’s coffee table along with books of that era. Women’s purses will get slinky and that fabulous look of Zelda Fitzgerald will be seen at the Oscars. Curves on antique furniture will become the norm and the mid­century may wane until it emerges again.

One of the best examples of how far we go back with design is incorporating what the French call “Chinoiserie”. Chinoiserie signifies that chinese­esque style of antiques from as early as the 17th century. Think of lacquered furniture, cane and chippendale chairs, Chinese garden stools, wallpaper incorporating flower branches with a bird of two and it is almost always a repeated design whether it is on the fabric or piece of furniture. The paint on the furniture is jewel toned and always enamel. Vibrant reds and greens dominate this period and we can still see great examples of this look today. Bureaus will be painted in jewel toned enamels. This is a much richer look then the Shabby Chic look that has caught on today.

So what comes first? The antique or the era? I believe that the era of our past will always come back and be coveted by the new generation. It may be interpreted in another way but the look will be carried on in design, trends, which then in turn will be considered antique after it has stood the test of time. It’s nice to think that our childrens’ children will be able to appreciate Kodak Film and 45 records even though they never lived it. So look around you and see what you think will come next? I just heard that a new Star Wars will be coming out with the story of Han Solo. Maybe we’ll be re­thinking robots! The real antique word to remember is “Vintage” and is back to stay for awhile!

When it comes to vehicles, classic cars are absolutely at the top of the pyramid, with their amazing features setting them far apart from the rest of the crowd. Unfortunately, as is typical for anything that attracts attention, classic cars tend to attract a decent share of thieves and vandals. Additionally, because classic cars are rare and tend to be expensive, many large “major player” insurance companies and agents will not even offer insurance for them. But just because it can be mildly difficult to find the right kind of insurance for your classic car, that does not mean that you can simply drive around without any insurance. Many states require that your vehicle be insured, and you can face serious fines if you are caught driving without adequate insurance coverage.

Finding the right kind of insurance for your classic car is going to take a little bit of time, and a lot of research. Even more research will be involved if you are set out to find the cheapest available antique and classic car insurance available. There are car insurance companies out there which specialize in insurance options for antique and classic cars. Additionally, there are large automobile insurance companies which offer specialized insurance including antique and classic car insurance, but you will have to do a decent bit of searching in order to find them. A good place to start is with insurance companies like Hagerty, Leland west and Norwich Union which all specialize in antique and classic car insurance. It is important that you weigh a lot of different options, because the costs associated with antique and classic car insurance can vary wildly depending on which automobile insurance provider you go with. It is also important that you determine what each insurance company will value your classic car at, in order to make sure that you are going to be insured for the full value of your car. Traditional car insurance values the car at the cost to replace it, minus any depreciation that it has experienced. This is what sets antique and classic car insurance apart from traditional car insurance. With antique and classic car insurance, the value of your vehicle is typically an agreement made between you and the insurance provider. This way, you will not lose a serious investment in the event that your vehicle is ever totaled in an accident, or stolen and never recovered.

The absolute best option for you to pursue when it comes to automobile insurance for your classic car is called an agreed value policy. Before this type of policy is purchased, you are required to sit down with an agent with the insurance company in order to come to a concrete agreement for the value of your vehicle. If your vehicle is ever totaled or lost, this is the amount that will be paid by the insurance company. This is also the point where you will receive a quote for the monthly payment. Another thing that sets antique and classic car insurance apart from traditional car insurance is the fact that antique and classic car insurance premiums are typically significantly smaller than what you will pay for traditional car insurance. However, not just anyone can acquire antique and classic car insurance, so before applying you should make sure you qualify for all of the following criteria:

o Many antique and classic car insurance policies require that you meet a specific age limit. This is to insure that the driver(s) on the policy have adequate driving experience and are not in jeopardy of causing an accident. This makes it difficult for young and new drivers to acquire automobile insurance, even if they are driving an antique or classic vehicle.

o Many antique and classic car insurance policies have also imposed a minimum age limit for your vehicle, in order to determine whether or not it can be considered an antique car. The typical limit is fifteen years old, so if your vehicle is less than fifteen years old you may have difficulty securing antique car insurance for it.

o In order to qualify for classic car insurance, there are certain limits on how your classic car can be used. For example, you must have a garage or some other form of protective storage to park the vehicle in. Additionally, you cannot use your classic car for any business purposes. Finally, there is a limit on the number of miles that you can put on your vehicle every month or year. If you go over the mileage limit you can but your vehicle in danger of losing its protective insurance. Because of the imposed mileage limit, you must also be able to prove that you have another vehicle which is used for normal driving.

Antique and classic car insurance is by far the best option if the vehicle that you are driving can be considered a collectible. This form of insurance is designed to protect cars that appreciate in value over time rather than depreciating. Most insurance companies will allow you to insure your classic car traditionally if you cannot find adequate antique car insurance, but you should expect to pay more in monthly premiums, and to receive significantly less in a pay out settlement if your vehicle is ever totaled. What this means is that if you are driving an antique or classic car, and specialized insurance is available to you on a local level, you should absolutely take the offer in order to protect your vehicle inexpensively without losing out on the serious investment that went into your prized possession.