Owning your own business can be a great venture in your life, but working from your home office or basement doesn’t work very well if your company and employees are expanding. It’s every business owner’s dream to have their own building in which they can work and grow their business and O’Brien Construction Company is ...
The “American Dream” shared by many is to own their own home. Many times those dreams can only come to life by getting an affordable mortgage. The Windmill Group is intimately involved in building the dreams of home owners but they also are there to help you understand mortgage options. The Windmill Group will share ...
Your kitchen counter top is the most used surface in your home and must stand the everyday wear and tear of cooking, baking and clean-up. When it comes to your counter tops, having the best is what Midwest Cabinet and Counter wants for you. Founded in 1951, Midwest Cabinet and Counter has been a manufacturer ...
Let’s face it, we all love to watch movies — whether action and suspense, romantic or funny — we love watching stories unfold in front of us. When you’re sitting in a theater, you may even feel like you’re in the movie, maybe even one of the characters going on an adventure. Maybe its time ...
Designing your newly built or renovated space is an exciting and detail-oriented task. From the colors of the walls to the crown molding to the light plates on the walls, you have a lot of options to choose from and a lot of decisions to make. Tuscany Development has a professional design team that is ...
Your kitchen and bathrooms are the most used and also the most important in your house. Because they’re the most used, you want to make them look nice as well as be functional for you and your family to use. At Williams Kitchen and Bath you can find inspiration from their gallery and showrooms of ...
Your home doesn’t have to be limited to the existing structure. Expand your home and horizons by adding only the best to your home. West Construction Services offers a full complement of services, with expertise in site selection, architecture, interior design, material selection, building codes and all other aspects of construction. From additions and interior ...
You do not live a cookie-cutter life. You’re an individual with your own views. You know exactly what you value, what makes you unique, what inspires you. You’ve spent years defining your style, your way. You see things differently — as you should. So when it comes to aesthetics, you have a definite idea of ...
Most homes aren’t perfect, unless maybe you build your own. Sometimes to turn your current into the perfect home, you might want to consider remodeling. Budman Remodeling is well-qualified in a combination of innovative design and full-spectrum construction services. Dedicated to establishing and maintaining trust with their customers, they will help you with any remodeling ...
Moving can put a lot of stress on a family, especially parents. From personal experience having moved all over the country in a former part of my life, finding a home quickly was one of the toughest jobs. Sometimes that meant staying in a hotel for two months before we were able to find a ...
Your choices are only limited by your imagination. When it comes to thinking about building the home of your dreams, The Frankel Organization wants to help bring your imagination to life. Whether you have a plot of land set aside for your new home or need to find a place of your own to settle ...
Medical supplies are continually rising in price. Many times, it is also hard to determine where to find the best quality products that will help your medical supply needs. Don’t fear! With With Wright & Filippis, you will be able to find the medical supplies and/or equipment that is right for you. They provide: prosthetics, ...
Many times, windows can literally define a home, connecting the outside and inside. When it comes to your new home, don’t “settle” when making your window selection. Pullum Window Corporation specializes in windows for new residential structures. Looking at your blueprints, they will walk through your specifications for the home, get a sense for your ...
Believe it or not, soon flowers will begin to bloom and the trees will bud new leaves. With nature springing up, you’re not going to want to hide behind curtains or poor windows as the sunlight begins to stream in. Locally owned Apel Building Products Inc. has Marvin brand windows and doors, available in eighteen ...
Like beauty, paint is only “skin deep” in a manner of speaking but it can affect the perception of every other aspect of your home. Even when everything else is done to perfection, craftsmanship can be diminished by inferior paint workmanship. When done properly, an exceptional paint job is one of the most cost-effective ways ...
Picking the right counter tops can be a tough decision, especially if your budget isn’t large enough to afford granite counter tops in the kitchen and/or the bathrooms. But granite isn’t the only stone that provides an attractive and high-quality finish. Marble is also a beautiful stone that can go with all home décor as ...
There is nothing better than to come home to a beautiful house, both inside and out. Making a house look and feel like a home is what Eleni Interiors Inc. does best. They offers superior services for new home builders — and select private clients — including: architectural critiques; space planning; design concept development, presentation ...
Have you been dreaming of a great craft or sewing room? Maybe your husband is wishing he had the ultimate “Man Cave” or spectacular sports/theater viewing room. Well now that dream room can come become a reality with the help of MHI Interiors. Established in 1987, MHI Interiors strives to complete every remodeling project with ...
The weather is getting better and it is starting to warm up, which means it’s time to get outside and start those home improvement projects. The warmer weather will help any project that you are going to be working on that involves concrete of some kind. But before you start, check out South Monroe Block ...
Whether you have gone through a disaster in the past, are in one now or are concerned about the future, Statewide Disaster Restoration is there to help. As an industry leader in both residential fire and water damage clean up and restoration, Statewide has the resources to quickly get your home back to normal as ...
ATTENTION NEW HOME BUILDERS!! Potential buyers of your new homes are looking for interior living spaces that are not just a place they’ll feel comfortable in, but a space that reflects their lifestyle. There is no better way to do this than through interior design and staging of your model home or inventory homes. Designer ...
Bathrooms, particularly master baths, have the potential to be one of the most attractive rooms in your home. Achieving this requires designing it correctly and taking the time and energy to make the design a reality. At Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers, you can get the products you need to “make-over” your bathroom yourself or ...
As the warm weather starts to open the buds on the trees, raise flowers from the dirt and make plants bloom and blossom, you want to be able to see God’s beauty clearly from every room in your house. Andersen Windows and Doors loves to provide homeowners with new windows giving a perfect view of ...
Finishing your basement is a great way to add value and extra room to your home. But when it comes to the finishing process, you need to make sure that your basement is reliably dry and to ensure there are no future water issues. Williams Concrete Solutions specializes in concrete waterproofing to help homeowners have ...
Have you ever thought about siding that was different from the run-of-the-mill siding pretty much everyone has? Bolyard Lumber offers alternative sidings that will make your house fit in with nature as well as give it a unique, fresh and updated look. One of their sidings — Cedar Valley Panel Siding — has truly passed ...
When you walk into your bedroom closet what do you see? At California Closets, they see the potential for a disorganized closet to be organized, hidden clothes to be seen, and hard to reach shoes readily available and within your sight and your grasp. As a franchise showroom located in Birmingham, Michigan, they display many ...
We never want to have to think about what would happen if there happened to be a fire, flood or other natural disaster hit our home. But if something like that does happen, it’s good to know who will be there to help clean up and erase nature’s mark on your home and belongings. Montgomery ...
If your home is like most, it probably has a staircase of some type. Over time, your stairs can become worn out, they can possibly rot and may ultimately not be safe for you or your family. ASA Builders Supply has all you need to have the best staircase for your home. From traditional wood ...
Are you finishing your kitchen to make it the one of your dreams? Don’t forget the finishing touches that will make it stand out as the best-selling and most amazing room in your house. Extraordinary Works lives up to its name as it offers top-of-the-line appliances and other unique finishing touches that will make your ...
Interior detailing and the architectural design of spaces provides the finishing touch to a beautifully designed home. Without it, the full reflection of your lifestyle cannot come to fruition. Dominick Tringali Architects in Bloomfield Hills has an interior design team that is ready to approach every project — whether it is for a builder’s model ...
Do you see your garage as just a place for your yard tools and to park your car? For many, the garage is the first part of the house that they see when they arrive home after a long day at work. Think about how nice it would be to pull into an attractive, well-organized ...
Painting your home can take a lot of time, energy — and well — paint. When it comes to professional quality work and minimal effort on your part, having the interior of your home completely painted from the baseboards to the crown molding is what Pitters Painting does best. Providing interior and exterior painting, they ...
Believe it or not but summer will be here before you know it! Don’t be without the most important outdoor appliance when it finally gets warm enough to barbque and enjoy the outdoors. And if you’re someone who loves to cook, then finding the top name appliances is as easy as checking out Witbeck Appliances ...
Whether you are finishing a basement or building your own house, the “bones” need to be covered with drywall that will last a lifetime and can withstand holes, water, and the day-to-day beating it will take. TLA Interiors are drywall specialists that will install and finish drywall so all you have to do is paint. ...
Do you have a burned out light bulb somewhere in your house? Before you replace it, read this. Energy-saving products are the hot thing on the market because who wouldn’t want to save money with small changes? Lighting Resources of Michigan offer two types of lighting options that brighten your space, cut your electricity use, ...
When I say “cabinets” where is the first place in your home do you think of? Probably the kitchen, right? In fact, cabinets are perfect for storage in literally any room in your house — and even the garage as well. Cole Wagner Cabinetry, located in the heart of southeastern Michigan, designs and builds cabinets ...
The Stone Shop in Rochester Hills, Michigan is overflowing with stone products for any part of your home. Whether you are using stone for siding, a fireplace, accents in the bathroom, kitchen, den, or anywhere else, The Stone Shop has plenty of possibilities from which to choose. Not only do they have a wide ...
Front porches or backyard decks are nice but can’t necessarily be enjoyed all year round, at least not here in the North. Instead of a wrap around porch, consider a sunroom where the room is enclosed with windows so that you can be close to nature but still be in your own home. D&W Windows ...
As homeowners, we typically spend more time perfecting the inside of our home compared to the outside. However, when it comes to creating an outdoor space, make sure it is the oasis that you want to be a part of, maybe just as much as your indoors. By balancing elements of art with nature, Zaremba ...
Whirlpool knows how important it is to have the right appliances to help make your house a home. In the kitchen, this is especially important because we depend on our appliances to help prepare family meals. From refrigerators to free standing stoves, finding the right set of appliances that fit your home and lifestyle is ...
Odds are, one thing you don’t usually think of very often when it comes to your house are the gutters. With all the snow finally melting, it is finally time to start thinking about where all that water is going when Michigan’s “April Showers” begin pelting your roof. When it comes to gutters, they are ...
It can be easy to hide our biggest kitchen organization disasters behind cupboard or pantry doors. Traditional shelves typically add to the disorganization, as items continually get pushed to the back to never be seen again. ShelfGenie offers a convenient way to avoid hidden disorganization. With pull-out shelving, it is easy for you to see ...
Working with food can sometimes mean a mess. When it comes to cooking in the kitchen, our hands have touched everything from dripping tomatoes to raw meat, making it almost impossible to handle anything that requires a grip. That is where a touch-less faucet can come in handy. Kohler, a brand name in kitchen and ...
Your floor should not only reflect the design of your house but it should also represent you and your lifestyle as well. With your floors being the most, well-used surface in your home, making sure to get quality flooring should be at the top of your home’s wish list. Beckwith Floors, a company that has ...
Kitchens can be the messiest rooms in a house. From numerous utensils to uncounted number of spices and other packaged foodstuffs, keeping your kitchen clean and organized can be almost laughable. But before you throw those utensils back into the same old, messy drawer, think about considering some affordable organizing options that will give your ...
Living in a home is one of the best things for a family. When it comes to the basement, finishing it can create even more value by adding living space to your home. Cowdin Remodeling and Design knows what it takes to create well-crafted, multi-functional space in your basement. This includes: HOW you will use ...
For seventy years, Ray Lighting Centers has provided lights for all homes and businesses across southeastern Michigan. But no light can shine brighter or be more noticeable than hanging pendant lights. With styles ranging from traditional to contemporary, Ray Lighting offers you endless options when it comes to choosing overhead lighting for use in your ...
Since 1950, Weather King Windows and Doors Inc. has understood how important doors are to both the safety and look of your home, whether in front or back. Serving the Midwest, Weather King offers steel entry doors featuring either steel or wood edges, fiberglass entry doors, vinyl sliding doors and aluminum storm doors. Each style ...
When you buy or build a home, flooring is one of the most important features that you should spend some time thinking about. When buying carpet for your home, making the right decision can be the hardest. At American Carpet, finding the right carpet is easy once you know what to look for, such as ...
With warmer weather heading our way, it’s time to think about your deck and what kind of maintenance it may need. If you have a wooden deck, you might need to stain or reseal it and/or power wash all of the grime out of it that was left from the fall and winter months. You ...
Cleaning — especially vacuuming — is rarely that much fun. Not only are vacuums typically heavy to carry up and down stairs, they are also bulky and difficult to store. A central vacuuming system is a great innovation that replaces your old vacuum cleaner and is literally attached to the heart of your home. Zimm’s ...
The siding on a home takes a beating from cold, wet, dry and sunny weather conditions — all chipping away at paint, which may end up needing to be repainted frequently. Because weather can take such a toll on the outside of your home, James Hardie offers what they call “ColorPlus Technology.” Using Hardie siding, ...
Summer will be here before you know it and that means it will finally be time to live outdoors again. General Shale has great outdoor living kits that you can install in your backyard to create a comfortable and inviting outdoor space. They offer fire pits, water features, wood fire ovens, garden columns, garden benches, ...
Working from home is great as long as you have a designated office to keep all your work somewhat separated from the rest of your home. If your home office is used for managing the bills, taxes, and other household paperwork, then keeping it organized should also be a top priority. When furnishing a home, ...
With a larger push to become a more eco-friendly industry, home builders and remodelers are making headway in finding new ways to provide homeowners with greener options to install in the home. Although they might be considered eco-friendly, you won’t be able to tell the difference when it comes to the look and quality of ...
Take a look around your house. Chances are you might see some tile. They’re on the kitchen back splash, on the bathroom floor, the shower, and the counter tops, just to name a few. But they are there for a reason. Not only do they add to the décor of the space, they are very ...
I’ve written in other posts about the beauty that windows provide in a home. However, we should remain aware that there are areas of the home where too much of a good thing can be a problem. Case-in-point, basement windows. Intruders like basement windows because they’re easy to break or pry open. Moreover, basement windows ...
What is a home without windows? Dark … obviously. No matter where you live, windows are a must when building a home. But picking the best windows to keep you and your family comfortable in all seasons is a critical decision you need to make. Beyond their basic functionality, each window style has a different ...
The way you decorate says a lot about you, your family and your home. When it comes to decorating those parts of your home that are more permanent, the choice of natural stone is perfect to complete a classic — and of course, natural — look inside and outside your home. As a family-owned and ...
Having a gorgeous kitchen is a dream for most homeowners, but getting that “kitchen of your dreams” can sometimes be elusive. However, with help from Wholesale Builder Supply, designing a kitchen can be as easy as four steps. When Wholesale Builder Supply helps design and install a dream kitchen, they will gather information such as: ...
Looking at the view from your back or front port is nice. Looking at it without hindrance is even better. At Reid Glass Company, they specialize in glass railing installation for your deck or porch. Glass railings can enhance your view of the scenery surrounding your house by virtue of glass panels that are installed ...
If you’re sick and tired of the room that has looked the same since you’ve moved in — and don’t know or don’t have the budget to redecorate it — then this may be your dream come true. Your Space Refined is an interior decorating company located in Rochester, Michigan and they offer something called ...
Specializing in making your home more accessible for you or your loved ones is what Handicapped Home Construction is all about. As certified aging in place (CAPS) contractors, Handicapped Home Construction wants to do everything they can to help make living life easier in all aspects of the home. The most important room in any ...
Remodeling — or just updating any part of your home — requires a lot of work and decision making in order to put together a well-designed solution that fits the needs of you and your family. For some help in coming up with ideas, plan to check-out one of the 1,300 Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and ...
Every year there seems to be a large disaster that affects some part of our country. Each time, people are left to clean up their homes after a flood or fire rips through it. That’s the toughest part. Putting your home back together after a disaster tears it apart. However, there are companies out there ...
Does your house seem like its closing in on itself because it is small and doesn’t have a lot of space? There’s a trick for making rooms in your house seem more open and inviting … use millwork. In this case, “millwork” is just a fancy term for crown molding. That’s the molding that goes ...
Did you know that you can have solar lights in your own home? Did you also know that you don’t need any large solar panels on your roof or outside in your yard to do so? The Solar Source Company provides something called Solartube Smart LED System. This system involves a small, daylight-capturing dome that ...
Painting windows and doors is a project that requires a lot of patience and attention to detail. As a privately-owned, family business, WindowPro offers professional painting and staining services for all windows and doors that they install. They purposely don’t pre-paint or pre-stain their products so that they can help match the specific and individual ...
If you have ever watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, you might recognize Lombardo Homes as the builder of the home in Michigan that broke the record for the fastest home ever built on the show. Lombardo Homes in Shelby Township, Michigan, had been helping people attain and build their dream homes for over 50 years. ...
We all know that the most essential room in your home is the kitchen. It’s where the family gathers for a meal and friends come to chat over snacks and coffee. The kitchen can also be a tremendous selling point for your house. Because it is so important, the appliances in the kitchen should all ...
It seems like every home-related TV show shows people buying granite counter tops. Although they have a nice, high-end look, it comes at a price! But not all of us can afford granite. When it comes to these surfaces, especially kitchen counter tops, cost-effective durability should be just as important as its look and feel. ...
No matter where you live, bugs flying around your outdoor eating space are annoying and can be unappetizing if they get near your food. Now if you live somewhere that has mosquitoes … that’s a whole other story. But did you know that there is a product for your home called the “Fly Away Motorized ...
Hardwood floors sure do take a beating. So when it comes to finding quality flooring, don’t look any further than bamboo flooring. That’s right, bamboo flooring. Known for being eco-friendly, bamboo flooring is also sustainable, biodegradable, and healthier in regards to keeping allergens, poor air quality and off-gassing at bay. According to Riemer Floors in ...
Not everyone knows how to fix things in their home and that’s okay. When it comes to doing handyman work around the inside or outside of the house, you can: try to figure it out by researching on the internet, asking someone to help, or hiring someone to do it right the first time! Express ...
Sometimes a simple change, like a new fixture or a new vanity can completely invigorate a bathroom. I’ve done my fair share of remodeling our bathrooms but nothing like replacing the cabinets. When remodeling, it is important to remember that the cabinets are an anchor to a great looking bathroom. So don’t undercut yourself by ...
Universal design is a worldwide movement based on the idea that all residential environments and products should be easily used and accessed by all members of the family, regardless of their age, size, or physical abilities – throughout the span of their life. A key component of universal design is the market appeal it adds ...
It is winter once again here in the Midwest and that means spend a lot of time at home avoiding roads and the cold. For some that also means a great time for cleaning out cupboards or organizing that home office. In a word, my wife describes it as “simplifying.” The key to getting rid ...
A couple of weeks ago, my wife went shopping and found a light-yellow colored hutch for our living room. During the past several years, she has decorated with reds, greens, dark browns — in a lodge-type motif that included bears, moose and birds. More recently she has decided to change to a more cottage/nature-style look ...
This post WAS going to be about color palettes, autumn decorating and getting ready for the holidays. I was inspired as I started decorating for Christmas by putting up lights outside, trying to take advantage of some unseasonably warm weather here in Michigan. As I was searching for ideas on the internet, I came across ...
In mid-April, I wrote a blog post on Outdoor Living as it related to patios and lighting ambiance. By the number of visitors, it is clear that outdoor living — and the concept of “stay-cations” in our current world of high energy prices — has many homeowners interested in making their patios a greater part ...
This morning, I decided to investigate what to do with patio furniture that is weathered and faded but not necessarily ready for the landfill. It is now officially Autumn here in the Midwest and getting ready for the eventual reality of snow means taking care of our outdoor patio furniture for the year. As I ...
Have you ever considered adding house signs to your exterior for a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive way to increase your home’s curb appeal? 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. Recently, I “Googled” ‘house ...
For years, laminate counter tops have served as a functional, low-cost alternative for many home owners. However, over time these counter tops – sometimes referred to by their most popular brand name “Formica” counter tops – fell out of favor for the other materials. These included natural products such as granite or stone to manufactured ...
Recently, I’ve done a couple of posts related to designer trends as they relate to bathrooms. While my wife has enjoyed those posts, she has reminded me that a bathroom is more than just sinks and bathtubs. There are many other considerations when thinking about beautiful bathrooms and all they can mean to a family ...
Kitchens and bathrooms have traditionally been — and remain today — a great place to invest, either when building a new home or remodeling your current home. Dollars put into these two rooms almost always maintain or even increase their value, even in a challenging economy. This morning, I decided to research a bit on ...
I should file this post under “Pleasant Surprises”. This past weekend, I’m searching online for information regarding chain link fencing as I have a friend Bill who had some sections of fence stolen from a fence installed years ago. As I’m perusing search results, one was for “rain chain link” and I figured it was ...
For years we’ve had the quintessential dishelved kitchen cupboard filled with store-bought bottles of various sizes and shapes containing black pepper, cinnamon, parsley and the like. My wife has always looked at alternatives to making this “special” cupboard look presentable and functional. We’ve had kitchens with “pull-out” spice racks and others with plastic “step” shelves ...
Curb appeal, that certain “something” that sets your house apart from the ordinary, might just be found right outside your front windows … literally. My wife has always enjoyed having window box planters. However, it was only until last week that I finally realized that windowbox planters didn’t have to be boring, clay-colored plastic boxes ...
While I’ve written about this topic before, I think it is time to mention it again. A simple way to provide a distinctive character to your home can be easily accomplished using a custom address plaque. As you probably are aware by now, I am a fan of the “Google search.” This morning I typed ...
We have a main floor powder room that is in need of some updating. My wife and I live in Michigan and really enjoy many of the natural features that are found here. In particular, many of the Great Lakes have an overwhelming beauty as waves gently break against shores filled with stones polished smooth ...
The Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan (BIA) has announced the winners in its 23rd annual Parade of Homes architectural judging. Parade of Homes is an exhibition of 34 new model, under construction and pre-construction homes and condominiums located throughout southeastern Michigan. The showcase takes place June 1 – 30, 2012. BIA, Bank of America Home ...
Parade of Homes 2012 is the 23rd annual exhibition of new homes located across southeastern Michigan. The Parade, sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan (BIA), Bank of America Home Loans, DTE Energy and WindowPRO, opened on June 1 and runs through June 30, 2012. “Home buyers have an excellent opportunity right now ...
“Curb appeal” is a term that seems to be used often today. There are even entire shows on HGTV and DIY Network dedicated to the concept of curb appeal. Typically, these shows focus on the exterior of the home — its paint color, trim work, landscaping, roofing and lighting. Without a doubt, these are all ...
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 ...
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 ...
