The holidays are just around the corner, which means lots of opportunities for entertaining. More than likely, you will have many family members and friends that you have not seen in years stop by to visit. As much as we all hate to admit it, people judge. Your guests will look around your home to see what has changed in the last several years since they last saw you-or the lack of change. Just like clothing, home interior decorating styles change over time too. It is important to keep your home up-to-date. With a few simple tricks, you can transform your beautiful 90′s house into a stunning 21st century home.Nancy Schoen has been an interior designer in North Texas for the last 20 years. She has seen styles come, go and come back, and many styles come and go, but continue lingering in many homes. According to Schoen, there are a few tricks to making your home really pop and show that it belongs in 2009. First of all, the most important thing is to get rid of the old. There’s a reason the saying goes, “Out with the old, in with the new.” It doesn’t matter how much new stuff you have, if you have one silk ficus tree or eucalyptus plant, your home will automatically lose some of it’s visual appeal. “Kick the silks to the curb,” Schoen said.The next most important thing, according to this designer, is to add on to what’s already there. For example if you have a light fixture that you’ve had several years, but you want to add a little pizzaz, get some stylish lamp shades. You do not have to upgrade and get an entirely new light fixture, just make the current one pop by adding a little flare. However, if you still have a brass light fixture or chandelier, you should definitely try to upgrade. Baker’s racks in kitchens are totally hot to play with too. Schoen said she loves to see homes that use their baker’s racks as a source for a display; put some cornucopia up there for fall, dangle some big Christmas ornaments from it in the winter, just play with it and add a little something special to make it stand out.Lastly, if you really want to catch the attention of your guests and add value to your home, add some metal work and sconces. “Metals and earth tones are the hottest thing right now,” Schoen said. Adding ironwork mustaches and finials above doorframes is a great way to accent the entrance to a room. Sconces are also a great choice on either side of artwork or in the corner of a room because you can do so much with them. Use it as a plate or plaque display, put a dried flower arrangement on top of it, or fill an empty sconce with decorative balls. Use your imagination. And when it comes to actually accenting the walls themselves, stay away from white and basic contractor’s colors. Use the muted earth tones to add warmth. Using the sage greens, raw umber, and browner shades will add to a complimentary flow throughout your home. Just remember it is vital that in painting your home, whether just an accent wall or the entire room, to pay attention to the lines. Cut in the paint to the corners and especially the ceiling. Taping-off before hand is the best way to prevent accidentally rolling or stroking paint onto another wall. If a paint line is not straight, it will distract from the beauty of the room, and detract from the value of your home should you ever want to sell.So just remember Nancy’s simple steps; Out with the old, make due with the used, and then in with the new. It is necessary to keep these steps in this order. And if applied properly, your home can go from drab to fab!

Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the fastest growing cities in America. Currently, Charlotte has an estimated population of 903,211 people, the city is thriving and continues to grow rapidly. People from all over the country are moving to Charlotte. The lifestyle change is seemingly a positive one, as most people who move to Charlotte decide to stay for the long term.

Charlotte has plenty of things to do, and many attractions are within the city limits. The Queen City has a lot to offer and is one of the best cities in the nation. This is a list of attractions you should consider exploring during your time in Charlotte. The city never sleeps and there’s always something to do. It has an amazing nightlife and vibrant business district. Below are just a few of the great things to do in the Charlotte metro.

Carowinds Theme Park

Carowinds is a 407-acre amusement park with a 27-acre water park included. The amusement park spans across North Carolina and South Carolina. Although, the official park’s address is Charlotte, NC. With about 2 million attendees per year and 56 attractions, Carowinds will surely be a part of Charlotte’s landscape for years to come. It’s a great and fun place for families of all sizes and ages.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

This museum is dedicated to the sports racing phenom, NASCAR. It showcases a ton of memorabilia which includes exhibits from drivers, crew chiefs, owners, broadcasters and more who have contributed to the race car genre. The NASCAR Hall of Fame museum allow visitors to drive simulation arcade-style vehicles and race others. It’s a fun experience that the entire family can enjoy.

Sea Life Charlotte

The interactive aquarium is located inside the Concord Mills Mall. There are thousands of sea creatures in this aquatic sanctuary. Sea Life Charlotte also includes an interactive touch pool where you could physically touch starfish and other sea animals. It also has an ocean tunnel you can walk through and watch sea life. It’s a great place to take the family. This should definitely make your list if you’re visiting the Charlotte area.

The Mint Museum

The Mint Museum has two locations in Charlotte. It is an art and design museum showcasing hundreds of collections from around the world. The beauty of the exhibits are what attract people all year long. Opening in 1936, the Mint Museum was the first art museum in North Carolina. It features American art, African art, Asian art, decorative art, fashionable art, visual art, contemporary art and more.

Discovery Place Science

This is a science and technology museum located in the heart of Charlotte. The two-story facility has a rain forest, live animal exhibits, aquariums, labs and more. It’s home to the largest IMAX theater in North Carolina. Discovery Place houses an education studio meant to inspire and train STEM educators. This is a great place to learn and explore while having amazing fun.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Located in Belmont, North Carolina, in the suburbs of Charlotte, this 380-acres of botanical gardens is a delight to see. Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens has manicured gardens, woodland trails, scenic fountains, an Orchid conservatory and more. In 1991 the property was founded by Daniel J. Stowe, a retired textile executive from Belmont. This is a peaceful and serene location.

Charlotte Motorsport Speedway

Located in Concord, NC just 13 miles away from Charlotte, the Motorsport Speedway is a great place to unwind and partake in live drag car racing events. If you’re a NASCAR fan, then this is the spot for you. Enjoy the 1.5 mile oval quad and watch as cars zip by. Come out and see an amazing NASCAR race.

PNC Music Pavilion

This outdoor amphitheater in Charlotte, North Carolina has a capacity of 19,500. The venue operates a ton of popular concerts every year. It’s managed by Live nation and has a naming rights deal with PNC Bank. This is a great place to party and see live concert events. A variety of acts has graced the stage at PNC Music Pavilion in a number of genres including, but not limited to, rock, alternative, pop, country, jazz, hip hop, and R&B.

Ray’s Splash Planet

Ray’s Splash Planet is the largest water park in North Carolina. With over 29,000 square feet of space, the water park is home to eight different water attractions. Ray’s Splash Planet is a joint venture between the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, built on the campus of Irwin Academic Center. This is a family-fun park that will create memories for the entire family.

Charlotte Rail Trail

In Uptown Charlotte, you will find a 3.5-mile trail with a walkway alongside the Blue Line Light Rail train tracks. The decorative space is home to a number of outdoor artists, cafés, bars, galleries and more. With at least 2,000 pedestrians strolling the trail daily, you’ll never feel alone. Take a walk, ride a bike or sit on a park bench and watch the passerby’s. It’s a great urban experience with a health focus along the way.

Those are some of the best attractions in Charlotte, North Carolina. Regardless, if you’re young or old Charlotte has a lot to offer and one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. The city has a vibrant nightlife and beautiful skyline. With so many attractions, events and activities you’ll never have a dull day in Charlotte.