10 Tips to Winterize Your Home Now

10 Tips to Winterize Your Home Now

Get ready for winter's chill and reduce energy costs by installing a programmable thermostat. (Photo courtesy of Angie's List member Bill K.)

Fall is the perfect time to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. As temperatures begin to dip, your home will require maintenance to keep it in working order through the winter and beyond. Here are 10 tips to help you prepare your home for winter:

1. Furnace inspection: Inspect your furnace and clean ducts. Purchase furnace filters and change them monthly. Update to a programmable thermostat. Remove any flammable material from your furnace area.

2. Get the fireplace ready: Check the cap and/or screen the top of the chimney. Sweep the chimney, and inspect the fireplace damper.

3. Check doors and windows: Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points. Replace cracked glass in windows or entire windows. Remove summer screens. If you have storm windows, install them.

4. Inspect the roof, gutters and downspouts: Add extra insulation to the attic to prevent warm air causing ice dams. Check flashing to prevent water entry. Replace worn roof shingles or tiles. Upgrade with leaf guards on the gutters and downspouts extensions.

5. Service weather-specific power equipment: Drain gas from lawn mowers. Service snow blowers. Check snow shovels' condition.

6. Check the foundation: Rake away debris and vegetation from your foundation. Seal up entry points to keep out pests. Seal foundation cracks. Inspect sill plates for rot or infestation.

7. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Change detector batteries. Install carbon monoxide detectors near your furnace and water heater. Replace fire extinguishers older than 10 years.

8. Prevent plumbing freezes: Drain all garden hoses. Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.

9. Prepare landscaping and outdoor surfaces: Trim trees if needed. Plant spring bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot survive frozen ground. Seal driveways, brick patios and decks. Move sensitive potted plants indoors.

10. Prepare an emergency kit: Buy candles and matches for use during a power outage. Set aside drinking water, non-perishable food items, pet food, waterproof blankets, a battery powered radio, and a first-aid kit in a secure location.

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Your Holiday Organizing Checklist

Holiday parties can be a blessing and a curse -- sometimes the prep can get overwhelming. Get started now by tackling this pre-party to-do list. Getting your infrastructure organized before all the activity begins will ease party prep later, and you might even start off the New Year organized, too.

Eclectic Kitchen design by Los Angeles Interior Designer Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC.

1. Organize your pantry. Whether you're hosting a party or having family stay for a few days, it's easy to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Make cooking easier for all with a spic-and-span pantry. Clean out all those random boxes and cans, and organize items by type to make them easy to find.

Modern Bathroom design by Other Metros Building Supplies Lowe's Home Improvement

2. Clean out the linen closet. Make sure you have a neat and tidy space for guests to access towels, extra sheets and other necessary supplies. If you don't have a dedicated linen closet, clear out a space in a small closet or bathroom cabinet where overnighters can grab an extra pillow or towel without having to knock on your bedroom door.

Modern Living Room design by Raleigh Fireplace COASTROAD Hearth & Patio

3. Get your fireplace ready. For those lucky enough to have a fireplace, you'll want to make sure it's in tip-top condition for winter nights. Clean out your glass or louvers, and make sure a professional services your wood or gas fireplace before you get a roaring blaze going.

Contemporary Home Office design by Baltimore Kitchen And Bath Innermost Cabinets

4. Declutter your junk drawer. Despite your efforts to keep your junk drawer hidden, the drawer's often prominent placement (near your front door or in the kitchen) means guests are likely to happen upon it at some point. Save yourself a little embarrassment and keep necessities at hand by getting your favorite junk drawer into shape.

Contemporary Kids design by San Francisco Architect Cary Bernstein Architect

5. Tidy up kids' spaces. Even though it might not stay clean for long, it's worthwhile to make the effort and get your children's play space under control before the holidays. Using organization techniques that'll encourage kids to put things away may help the space stay tidy -- at least until the end of the day.

Contemporary Closet design

6. Clean out your coat closet. It's time to get rid of those wire hangers and piles of snow gear to clear the way for visitors' outerwear. Don't forget to clean the space, too -- dust, sweep and give everything a good wipe down.

Eclectic Bathroom design by Other Metros Media And Blogs Michelle Hinckley

7. Organize the bathroom. Getting your guest bathroom ready for the holidays means more than doing just a quick wipe down. Make sure it's clean and organized so visitors can find what they need without having to dig through piles of old lotion bottles.
Use the holidays as an excuse to get your bathroom exactly how you want it -- toss out old beauty items, wipe down drawers and shelves and put hand towels and other necessities where they're easy to get to.

Traditional Bathroom design by Architect Sarah Susanka, FAIA

8. Double-check safety precautions. Keep first aid kits fully stocked, check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure your home is ready for rough weather. Guests will stay comfortable, and you'll have peace of mind.

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*article source:  foxnews.com

Fall Decorating Ideas For Your Home

Updating a living space can be easy and affordable with these simple design ideas from Mosaik Design and Remodeling.

Layer a new wool rug or animal hide on top of an existing rug and you create an entirely new look. 

The change in season often inspires change to indoor living spaces. This is especially true as fall approaches and more time is spent indoors. There are plenty of simple ways to update the feel of a space that don’t require a lot of time and money. Erin Davis, co-owner of Mosaik Design and Remodeling, a premier design and build firm in Portland, Oregon shares affordable home decorating tips to bring warmth and luxury into the home this fall:

•      Layer and Texture: Layering and adding texture is an easy way to give a room a cozy feel, just as we would add a scarf or sweater to our wardrobe. Try a new wool rug or animal hide on top of an existing rug or add a handmade blanket or quilt on top of your comforter and you create an entirely new look. Bring in cozy, textural elements like velvet pillows or a cashmere throw and you add comfort and a touch of luxury to any room. Natural fiber wallpaper is another interesting way to bring warmth and texture to a space.

•    Color: Introduce new colors into your palette that reflect the mood of the fall season. This can be with home accessories or a coat of fresh paint. For example, if soft blues and yellows dominate your décor, add greys, bronzes or dark chocolates to create an entirely new fall palette. If you have a neutral color scheme, try amethysts, wines, spicy reds or soft orange hues to add warmth and richness to your room. These warm, rich tones will evoke comfort year round. Try this method with a new entry rug, hallway runner, or window treatments. For something more permanent, introduce a high contrast color on cabinets, molding or a stair rail to make a high impact design statement that is sophisticated without breaking the bank. 

•     Metalics: Bring in metallic tones to add elegance and a modern feel to your space. Gold, bronze and copper toned metals can bring warmth to your home. Metal toned nesting tables can make a wonderful addition if you entertain frequently and if space is at a premium. They can be placed in front of a sofa or chair and then stored away as a single end table when not in use. Lamp bases are another easy way to introduce metal tones. For something more dramatic, a pressed tin panel ceiling treatment is an unexpected way to introduce a metallic color.

•     Fireplace: If you are looking for a more permanent change, remodeling a fireplace is a great way to freshen up an entire space. Fireplaces tend to be the focal point in a room so even a minor change can make a big statement. Re-painting the wood or brick on the fireplace is an easy, inexpensive way to update the room, while a complete overhaul of the mantle, hearth and firebox will create an even larger impact. If you have a wood burning firebox, consider converting to a gas fireplace and you will get much more use out of it. 

•     Kitchen: The heart of the home gets its fair share of use in the cooler months. Put away summer dishes, glassware and get organized for family gatherings and entertaining in this area. Organize kitchen clutter by introducing a sleek bulletin board to keep track of kids’ activities and invitations or consider built in cubbies that can double as wine storage or to organize cookbooks. Also, don’t forget to clean your oven to set the stage for those amazing comfort foods like casseroles and pot pies.

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*article from prweb.com

11 Tips for Getting Your Project Started

Great article about getting that home project started that you may have been putting off for a while!


Thinking of tackling a remodeling project? Big or small, there are a few things you need to know first. If the job seems a little too involved for your skill level, hiring a contractor can save stress and time. Don Reynolds, owner of Reynolds General Construction, gave us some tips for hiring one. If the job is something you’re confident you can handle, Rollie Clarkson, owner of Remodeling Construction, gave some tips for that, too.

1. Is the job something you can do? “When you hire a professional, they know how to surgically take something apart and put it back together,” Reynolds said. Rather than ripping down a wall and then discovering the plumbing needs to be rerouted, they’ll assess the possible hurdles before they make a mess.

2. How experienced are you with home projects? “Be realistic about your skill set,” Clarkson said. “If you have no tools or experience, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”
If you’re naturally handy and/or have some construction skills , then give it a shot, he said.

3. Consider the age of your home. “A bathroom remodel in a house that was built in the 1980s can be finished quickly. If it’s an old house from the 1800s, you’ll probably have to take it clear down to the studs and redo the wiring and the walls, which could take close to a month,” Reynolds said. If your home is old, you’ll have to retrofit trim, windows and more to make everything fit. Suddenly, replacing the sink in your 1910 Victorian just got a lot more complicated.

4. Do your homework when hiring a contractor. Don’t just settle on the first contractor you find. “Get references from homeowners who have used their services,” Reynolds said. “Ask how capable their craftsmanship skills were, and how pleased they are with the results.” If a contractor seems shifty when you meet them, move on.

5. With painting, it’s all in the preparation. “It takes more time to prep a room than it does to paint a room,” Clarkson said. “Tape the woodwork, remove switch plates, patch cracks and holes.” He added that old popcorn texture on ceilings may crumble to the floor when you try to paint over it, creating a new mess, and a new project, since you’ll have to re-texture.

6. Have a well-stocked toolbox. Clarkson’s suggestions for tools to have: A tape measure, various screwdrivers, a few different types of pliers, a small pry bar and a utility knife. He also recommends a small hand saw or circular saw.

7. If it’s not right, make it right. Stay in touch with your contractor so both parties know exactly how you want the finished product to look. “Communicate full details of the remodel,” Reynolds said. “If it’s not to your standards ... ask them to change it. Don’t give up.”

8. Stick to your budget. A good contractor should give you options to help you stay within your budget. Don’t let them talk you into upgrades you can’t afford. “I help my customers by giving them an allowance for things, like the faucets, for example. If they choose a model that is more expensive than the allowance I suggested, I make it clear that money has to be pulled from another area,” Reynolds said.

9. Take a class. If you want a small lesson on painting, installing a door, or other small home projects, many big box home improvement stores offer classes on Saturdays. “They’ll show you how to set a toilet or paint a room,” Clarkson said.

10. You can rent what you need. A lot of big, expensive items can be rented for individual projects, so you don’t have to shell out the dough for a chainsaw, for example. Clarkson said to check with local rental or hardware stores to rent items like air compressors, tall ladders and saws.

11. A contractor can help with small jobs, too. If you don’t have the time or tools to complete handyman work, like painting and other small jobs, hiring a contractor could be a good solution, no matter where you are in the process. “We can pick up wherever you left off,” Reynolds said.

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Article source: http://dmjuice.desmoinesregister.com

Kitchen Cabinets

Exploring Your Door Style Options

Structure
The doors can be mounted in different ways, creating a distinct look to certain cabinet collection. The face frame is the part of the kitchen cabinets that make up the foundation. Overlay is the term used to describe how much of the face frame is visible, while the covered portion is referred to as the reveal.

• Partial overlay is the most common door style option where the doors are mounted on the face frame, leaving one inch of reveal.
• Full overlay is designed to have the doors almost entirely cover the reveal. Though more common in frameless or “European” kitchen cabinets, this can also be seen in framed cabinet units. Hinges are concealed and less than an eight of an inch is left between one door to another.
• Inset is as door style option where the doors are attached within the rails and stiles,lying even with the front portion of the cabinet box. However, a common problem with this is that humidity and constant change in temperature can cause rubbing between the stiles and the door.

Form
Kitchen cabinets come in various panel designs that are made more interesting in an endless variety of rich finishes. Your door style options include:

• Slab – which as the name suggests, display clean lines and simplicity.
• Recessed panel offers a picture-frame look with its flat panel fixed within a mounting constructed with miter and tenon joints.
• Raised panel features panels that generally measure between  ½ and ¾ inch in height, creating a bulging quality to the doors. This is then made more dramatic by a routed edge profile, making kitchen cabinets in this door style option truly elegant.
• Curved panel showcases decorative raised panels that loop upward in gentle arches.
• The cathedral panel can either be raised or recessed, with a cathedral-type arch crowning the door design.
• Beadboard panel is typically found in recessed panels and makes use of routed beaded details to achieve a casual country look.

Depending on the architectural style of your home and kitchen, you can choose from different door style options to complement with the rest of the designs and décor, helping you achieve an overall look and feel that is tasteful. Perfect for modern set-ups, contemporary kitchen cabinets are made distinct by their simple, basic lines that make the collection appear sleek and streamlined. There are also designs that can be used for a variety of architectures from traditional, cottage, transitional or modern kitchens like Shaker and Mission door style.

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Article source: craftsmennetwork.com

Fun Kitchen Remodeling Tips for the Summer Season

Summer is a wonderful time for remodeling.  Everything looks so gorgeous and vibrant outside so your creativity gets inspired.  And because it’s hot and humid outside you don’t mind working inside one bit!  As an expert in custom home design and construction we have some excellent kitchen design ideas to boost the look of your kitchen this summer.  This article outlines some our ideas on how to make your kitchen extra inviting for you, your family and friends.

Add a new stove
One sure way to revamp your kitchen the summer is to add some new appliances, specifically a brand new stove, preferably one that’s professional grade.  Flank it with some brand-new counter tops and voila! You already have created a beautiful change!

Add an island
One great idea for a new island is to add an island with legs.  That way you have a shelf at the bottom and room to put your legs as you pull up some nice, custom-made stools.  This gives you excellent space as you eat and chat.

Stack your dishes differently
Another way to spruce up your kitchen is to mount a dish rack onto your wall close to your dishwasher.  This is a great way to make mealtimes move more smoothly and to create a nice aesthetic too.

Make breakfast a breeze
Another suggestion: create a special station just for breakfast.  You can add a Tambour door to elegantly conceal a breakfast cupboard, perfect for storing items like your toaster, jug and preserves.

Find a vintage sink
We love blending old with new.  An old vintage sink can be made modern and versatile with a new pair of faucet mounts.

Be particular, but smart with your lighting
When you’re adding new life into your kitchen design think in layers and avoid blasts of light which overwhelm your senses, especially early morning and late in the day.  Have spotlights in strategic parts of the kitchen where you’re tasking the most.

Make food part of your design
Experts say that food is the ultimate accessory so display yours nicely with some glass cabinet doors in your cabinetry.

Install cabinets
Cabinets can be the ultimate design feature in a remodeled kitchen.  Consider modular cabinets for storing bottles of wine and stemware.

Don’t forget the flooring
Much can be changed with a new, renovated kitchen simply by adding new flooring. Options run the gamut these days from eco-friendly products such as bamboo, which is excellent at reflecting light, to luxury flooring such as Walnut.  Engineered wood is excellent in any room where water frequently flashes to the ground. You can also try a rustic look with rustic flagstone.  Black and white checkered tiles can add a retro feel to any kitchen floor.

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Article source: jdouglashomes.com

Beat the Heat

Many homeowners have already begun sweating the inevitable increase in their electricity usage that arrives along with warm summer weather. In addition to the longer days and more frequent thunderstorms most regions experience every summer, the Farmer's Almanac is predicting record high temperatures across the country in 2012. The combination of those factors can wreak havoc on a home during summer months, and Power Home Remodeling Group, the nation's fourth largest home remodeling company, offers homeowners tips for protecting both their homes and their wallets by saving energy this summer.

 

"So many homeowners dread their high energy bills during the summer months without realizing there are a multitude of common sense solutions that can help increase their home's energy efficiency," says Matt Hess, Power's VP of Operations-Installations. "The beauty of these steps is that they are not only extremely simple to implement, but they also defeat the negative effect heat can have on a home — and a wallet."

Power offers the following tips to make your home more energy efficient during the hot summer days and nights:

• Cut down your AC usage by turning the thermostat up during the daytime hours when no one is home, or consider installing a programmable thermostat.
• Replace air conditioner filters every month to increase your unit's efficiency and productivity.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air but remember to turn them off when leaving the room.
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade AC units, but make sure they don't block the airflow.
• Run dishwashers and clothes dryers at night to reduce heat production in the home during the hottest hours of the day.
• Install door sweeps on the bottoms of all doors leading outside so that they lightly graze the existing threshold and keep hot air outside, and cool air in.
• Place electronic equipment like televisions and computers away from thermostats where the heat they produce could cause the AC to run overtime. Likewise, position the thermostat away from direct sunlight which can cause it to read a higher than actual temperature.
• Keep shades and blinds closed during the day to block out the sunlight and keep the house cool.
• Close any AC intake vents that are low to the floor and open those that are high on the wall to ensure warmer air is cycled back into the home through the AC system.
• On the hottest days of the summer, switch the fan mode on your thermostat from "auto" to "on" to continuously cycle the air and make the temperature on all floors feel consistent.
• Seek out drafts around kitchen and bath vents, doors, windows and outlet covers with the help of a stick of incense. Light the stick and wave it slowly in front of those areas to see where the smoke is drawn out. Repair any leaks by sealing with caulk or weather stripping and replacing trim.
• Avoid using the oven on very hot days. Instead, cook using an outdoor grill or microwave.
• Investing in new doors and energy efficient windows can protect window treatments, floors and furniture from fading due to sun damage. Look for windows featuring Heatshield low-E glass that is much more efficient at keeping heat and humidity at bay.   
• Swap old lightbulbs out for energy efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs that emit a brighter light and last longer.
• Secure loose shingles, replace damaged sections of the roof and gutters and clear gutter blockages to prevent ultimate gaps and holes that can lead to leaks and the escape of cool air.
• If replacing a roof, consider using pale-gray shingles as they will attract less heat than darker shingles.

In addition to these tips, energy and savings-conscious homeowners can conduct a home energy assessment through a do-it-yourself energy review or by hiring a licensed company. By seeking out air leaks and inspecting insulation, lighting and heating/cooling systems, homeowners can easily target the energy-sucking culprits around their homes and determine solutions.

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*article from supplychaindigital.com