Pinterest is a new but very exciting platform that can lead you to great ideas and even help you find great services for your current or next home. The picture shown here caught my eye today. First, the way the light plays off the arbor and the stucco walls — combined with the shadows — ...
In the past few years, battery-operated lights, particularly candles, have become an even better decorating alternative with the introduction of LED technology. The flexibility offered by battery operated LED candles even far surpasses that of first generation of battery candles with their screw-in “Christmas light” bulbs. Probably the best feature is one of safety. LED ...
As gas prices continue to rise, many folks I talk to are considering home improvement projects focused on their backyard. In fact, this trend is growing nationwide and is referred to in some circles as “outdoor living.” I was recently at a Spring Home & Garden Show that highlighted a large number of landscapes and ...
Let me tell you about a company from Spring, Texas … Terra Bound Solutions. I came across their website as I was cruising the internet looking for some backyard furniture that was a bit more stylish than I have now. I’ve always enjoyed relaxing in Adirondack chairs, especially when we are at a cabin in ...
(Family Features) From June to Sept., roses add a special flourish to yards, gardens and public parks throughout the U.S. But for many gardeners, tending roses may seem intimidating. With 23 years of experience, Jamie Shiffer, head gardener at Hershey Gardens in Hershey, Pa., knows a thing or two about cultivating a beautiful rose, in ...
This weekend, I was searching for top kitchen trends and a perennial favorite came up … stainless steel kitchens. While that wasn’t too surprising, the following design feature offered some intriguing possibilities: stainless steel mosaic tiles. Based in Ontario, Canada, MetalStainlessSteelTiles.com exclusively offers literally any style of metal mosaic tiles designed to bring a unique ...
(Family Features) Ever wonder how designers make the rooms you see in magazines or on decorating shows look so good? It doesn’t always depend on paint colors or fabric choices. From fresh and airy, to intimate and cozy – and everything in between – lighting sets the tone of a room and should be an ...
Today I began looking for possible Easter gifts for the kids. Of course, the first thing I did was do a Google search for “gourmet” Easter Gifts in hopes of finding something a little more creative than simply picking up plastic baskets and candy at the local supermarket. Out of the 3 million plus results, ...
Okay, this post is something that comes out of the “believe-it-or-not” file … well, sort of at least. At Quick Home Tips and MyHomeCoupons.com, we are always trying to find the best ideas for our readers. I did a search today on “Home & Garden becoming popular” and only got 744 MILLION results! What was ...
Looking for a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive way to increase your home’s curb appeal? Consider adding a house address plaque to your exterior. Whether it is attached to your house or placed as part of your yard decor, address plaques can provide a unique visual element that sets you apart. I got the idea ...
Today, I spent time researching carpet cleaning chemicals, specifically looking for “green” alternatives that are not harmful to the environment and safe for children and pets. My search results included The Steam Team in Austin, Texas (http://www.thesteamteam.com/). Interestingly, right under their “Carpet Cleaning” menu item was a menu item labeled “Green Services.” Clicking through to ...
Recently, my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We agreed not to do anything special other than go out to a nice dinner. When I awoke that morning, my husband had left me a single, white Calla lily flower stem, with some greens and Baby’s Breath, tied with a ribbon and a card ...
Nature — God’s creation — can serve as a phenomenal inspiration for centerpieces. Nature’s Centerpiece – This beautiful display can be made in about 30-45 minutes. The greens will last 6 to 8 weeks and carnations will last 3 to 4 weeks, with proper watering. It makes a simple, elegant addition to any table, ...
Candy canes have long been synonymous with Christmas. From About.com, the origin of the candy cane goes back over 350 years, when candy-makers both professional and amateur were making hard sugar sticks. The original candy was straight and completely white in color. Around the seventeenth century, European-Christians began to adopt the use of Christmas trees ...
The following three “Quick Tips” will help anyone who is making their own festive centerpiece. When working with fresh greens, tree sap from the fresh greens can make your hands “sticky” which is just plain annoying. To easily remove sap, apply some Crisco to your hands. The fat from the Crisco will easily dissolve the ...
Christmas brings with it decorating ideas that can make the holiday special. This can be especially true with centerpieces that can highlight the numerous opportunities to share holiday meals and receptions. Christmas Candle Centerpiece – This beautiful display can be made in about 40-50 minutes and will last 6 to 8 weeks, with proper ...
(Family Features) The holidays bring celebrations with friends and loved ones – as well as the stress of setting the perfect table and plenty of opportunities for spills and accidents. But don’t fret – Tracy Hutson, a designer on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” has some tips to help you and your home get ready for ...
Homeowners can help their families and guests get in the holiday spirit right at the front door. Since many people view their entryway as a sign of the quality of their home, the holidays are the ideal time to show it off. A festive holiday entry can be the home’s focal point and serve as ...
(Family Features) From big-ticket purchases to basic household items, people from all economic backgrounds are prioritizing their shopping lists to spend wisely on items worth the investment. It is not surprising that when buying items for you or your family, it can be difficult to decide where to adjust your household budget. Personal finance expert, ...
The new 30-page FRESH Home Exterior Colors guide is now available online to help homeowners, remodelers and builders select the perfect colors for the exterior of the home. Written by national color expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color, the free downloadable tool is designed to make it easy for people to choose color palates that ...
If you’re a person with a penchant for seasonal decorating, why not fashion the interior of your home with change in mind? By planning ahead, you can make it easy to modify your surroundings to be seasonally-or even holiday-appropriate. To accommodate changing décor, you should paint your walls a light neutral color, such as ...
There’s been alot of matrimony talk lately. From the saccharin sweet royal wedding to the much publicized split between J’Lo and Marc Anthony – some marriages are meant to last while others fade away. The marriage that excites Todd Hallett, AIA, CAPS of TK Design & Architecture (save for his own of course) is the ...
Making your “Man Cave” is as much about decorating the hideout, as it is about installing the finishing touches that make life easier. “Traditional cabinet storage doesn’t usually provide easy access to items stored in the back of bar cabinets and entertainment centers,” says Al Williams of ShelfGenie in Southfield, Michigan. “It used to be ...
Get Temporarily Trendy…There are certain nursery items that you will be able to change out easily as trends evolve and as your child grows and expresses him or herself. Trying to keep up with the latest color trends? Add a pillow and throw to your glider or buy some homemade or purchased wall art as ...
Who Are Today’s Homeless? According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), between 700,000 and 800,000 people are homeless on any night in the US, with between 2.5 and 3.5 million people experiencing homelessness during the course of a year. More than one million of them are children. Research indicates that – of the ...
(Marketwire – 05/30/11) – (Family Features) As America’s economy strengthens, remodeling and home renovations are on a rise. “Homeowners are looking for ways to refurbish their stream homes, rather than shopping a new property,” pronounced Sarah Reep, executive of engineer family and preparation during KraftMaid Cabinetry. “From simply adding a new faucet to totally gutting ...
This blog post is the first in a series which will outline the 10 key principles of Lean Design. Before we begin, you may be asking yourself: “What is Lean Design?” “The concept of lean architectural design is often misunderstood,” according to Todd Hallett, AIA, CAPS and President of TK Design & Architecture, Inc. “Elimination ...
The Building Industry Association (BIA) of Southeastern Michigan’s 2011 Parade of Homes is a FREE, scattered site exhibition of new construction model homes open for you to visit. We invite you to tour these outstanding homes built by the Professional Master Builders of the BIA.Whatever your plans for your existing or future home, research from ...
The Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo (HBAGK) is proud to present its 21st Annual Parade of Homes, June 3rd through the 11th. This is a great event for anyone looking to gain ideas for their current home, or wanting to buy or build a new home. This year’s Parade features 32 new homes, seven ...
Removing soffits can make a HUGE difference in your kitchen by providing storage that once was lost. This according to Kristen Shellenbarger, designer for Midwest Cabinet & Counter, Inc. “Typically in a remodel, my motto as a designer is: if something can live in a soffit, it can live just as easily inside a taller ...
The Spring 2011 Detroit Home Magazine Special Design Awards issue hit newsstands in April. Our friends at Lombardo Homes, longtime members of the BIA of Southeastern Michigan, received both second and third place awards in the “New Model Home” category. The second place award winner is a model at Partridge Creek Village in Clinton Township. ...
Skillful interior decorating is largely an artistic endeavor, but there’s some science involved also, and none more important than the psychology of color. “Color psychology can help you choose paint colors that create the right mood in a room, affecting not just your own feelings, but those of everyone who enters it,” according to Debbie ...
Is it really possible to gain 40% more space from an existing closet or storage area? “Yes it is possible, and maybe more,” according to Jo Golda of Jo’s Cleaning & Organizing. “Depending on the closet or storage area, the proper designed layout and the products used to reorganize that closet, doubling the amount of ...
According to Fibrenew, these are the top five party stains to leather furniture and hints on how to (or not to) clean them: 1) FOOD OR WINE STAIN DON’T use window/mirror cleaner because it contains alcohol which will dissolve and destroy the surface coating on your leather. DO use a damp towel to wipe up ...
The Novi Home Improvement Show, held January 28-30, featured a special “man cave” exhibit, designed to show men how to create their ultimate sanctuary. The exhibit, presented by Newmyer Remodeling and Spire Integrated, included the latest design, theater and home automation trends. The design of a “man cave” usually varies based on the interests of ...
The concept of “aging-in-place” is simply allowing people to continue to live in the home of their choice safely and independently as they get older. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), modifications for aging-in-place is the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry. According to an AARP “Fixing to Stay” survey, ...
Adding trim moulding to your home is a cost effective way to make it look more luxurious, according to Helen Velas of Eleni Interiors. There are lots of types of trim, like crown mouldings and ceiling beams, to name just a couple. If you are handy enough to do the work yourself, you will find ...
“The holidays can either be the happiest time of the year or the most stressful time of the year,” says Lou Scatigna, a financial planner, radio host and author of The Financial Physician . “The truth is, it can be easier. We all have high expectations for ourselves when the holidays come around, but by simply ...
From our friend Layla Palmer at The Lettered Cottage, here is a beautiful holiday mantel idea, just in time for inspiring your own December decorating efforts. “Kev and I started dreaming up ideas for our Winter mantel, back in August- but we didn’t actually finish it until this morning. (Whew! Just in the nick of ...
According to the American Society of Interior Designers, even if you’re not ready for a major remodel, make safety a part of your next home spruce up. Here are some tips from Lisa Bonneville, FASID, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., the author of an ASID book on designing a safe home. 1. When replacing bedding, select natural ...
If you’re like most of us, the “Great Recession” has probably had a major impact on both your spending habits and your lifestyle. However, when it comes to home remodeling, there’s at least one project that’s still affordable for nearly everyone: interior painting. If you plan to do it yourself, the Paint Quality Institute’s 10 ...
Does your home, patio, deck or yard need a new look? Maybe you’re hoping to improve your home’s efficiency and cutting back on energy costs by adding “green” materials. If this or anything else related to your home is what you’re looking for then the 2010 FALL REMODELING & DESIGN EXPO is the perfect place ...
