Bring the Outside In:

(MS) -- As more and more homeowners choose to stay and play in their current homes instead of selling, Brad Staggs, HGTVPro.com and DIY show producer and host, and a licensed contractor, offers five solid interior renovation tips, each of which easily can be accomplished in a weekend.

"One of the longest-lasting decorating trends is to bring the outside in," says Brad. "Homeowners enjoy the look of natural, real products in their home, and real wood fits in with almost every design style."

First Impression: If the first thing your visitors see upon entering your home is cold tile flooring or worn carpet, it's time to make a grand entrance. Rip up that dated look and replace it with clean, fresh, easy-to-maintain wood flooring. The room will be brighter, more elegant and easily customizable with a gorgeous throw rug, or a custom stain job.

Kitchen Face-Lift: According to the DIY Network, kitchen renovations are one of the best ways to add value to a home. To keep the project from becoming overwhelming, take it one step at a time. Brad recommends starting with the kitchen island. "The kitchen island is often the visual focus of the room in which family members gather. Change the look of the island with some decorative pine beadboard paneling and you'll love the whole new look it gives the room!"

Clean up the Bathroom: Why neglect the one room in your house everyone will see? Create a fun, whimsical rest stop by decorating following a theme: Create a beach bathroom by installing beadboard paneling at chair-rail level, then topping off the look with whitewashed wooden shelves displaying favorite seashells and driftwood. Feeling creative? Use pine moulding, painted a cool, beachy color, to frame out the wall mirror.

Dine in Style: Often the most formal room in the home, try this easy project to add another layer of style to the dining room -- picture frame moulding. Just below the chair rail, install -round moulding pieces, cut to create a square or rectangle on the wall. Paint the frames an accent color, and get ready for the compliments to roll in!

A fun office? There's no need for a home office to be as serious as a cube; create an environment designed to nurture and encourage good work habits. Customize the office with well-loved touches: photos lining the walls and trophies and other memorabilia originally displayed. Use the entire room to get the job done. Install diagonal wood paneling, stained a warm, natural color, and accent it with a huge corkboard full of pins to hold your important papers. Brad installed wood paneling in his home office, and he's never looked back. "The warmth and beauty of the wood creates a great environment for me to focus on my work. I'm not looking at the same four walls every day -- I actually enjoy hitting the office!"

For a great kitchen island renovation project, to see pictures of Brad's home office, or for inspirational ideas for other rooms in your house and much more, visit SPAN -- the Southern Pine Awareness Network at www.spanpine.com. FH089865