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 ...
(Guest Post by Todd Hallett, AIA, President of TK Design & Architecture) Everybody loves a little extra Garage space. Custom home clients are requesting anywhere from three to six car Garages on a fairly regular basis. Having this many spaces can create challenges however; the extra spaces must look great, function properly and fit on ...
(Family Features) A beautiful landscape doesn’t happen on its own. You can help your lawn, trees and shrubs get off to a healthy growing season. “Trees and shrubs add tremendous appeal to our urban home environments, but to thrive, particularly out of their natural world, they require regular care with added nutrients and protection against ...
While it’s March and still cold in the Midwest, thoughts of summertime are easy to come by, wishing for warm, sunny days. Sometimes I think of childhood memories … neighborhood friends getting together to spend a hot July afternoon and a seemingly endless day swimming, diving, jumping and playing Marco Polo until dinnertime. Fast forward ...
Taking care care of your pool is not nearly as difficult as it may seem from first blush. With that said, starting out without any experience can make taking care of a pool a bit overwhelming. When we bought a house with an in-ground pool, it was our first time as pool owners. During our ...
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 ...
As the weather turns colder here in Michigan, our family loves to watch a wide variety of birds as they visit our bird feeder located about ten feet outside of our family room. From the brilliant red of a male cardinal — who always seems to be with his mate — to the quick “touch ...
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 ...
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 ...
Fall Care for Heat-Damaged Yards (Family Features) Extreme weather over the summer left a lot of lawns and landscapes showing signs of damage. With some time, patience and work, it’s possible to get your yard back in order and ready for the winter. “Signs of typical summer wear and tear on lawns were amplified as ...
Protect Your Deck Now (Family Features) Colder temperatures, snow, and ice can do some damage on the exterior of your home, especially to wooden decks. Harsh winter weather can deteriorate the wood, ruin the look, and depreciate the value of your deck. Take extra care of it now so that your deck is in tip-top ...
(Family Features) Summer is the ideal time to have friends and family over for casual get-togethers that are centered on the grill and outdoor dining. Add some zip to your summer party with a few tips and a simple recipe that are sure to please your guests. Set the Mood – Get the party started ...
(Family Features) Summer is the perfect time of year for outdoor entertaining. But before you start planning the menus and guest lists, make sure your house and yard are ready to take on the fun. “Your grill, outdoor power equipment and appliances play a big part in your summer routines,” said Jamie Breneman, contributor to ...
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 ...
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 ...
Nationally recognized and self-proclaimed Grillologists, Mad Dog & Merrill, entertained and educated thousands of backyard enthusiasts with the finer points of grilling cuisine at the BIA Spring Home & Garden Show at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. They want nothing more than to make everyone a better griller and have a ton of fun ...
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 ...
According to the National Association of Home Builders here are just a few of the top ways to add value to your home. A Home Office Remodel – Home offices are becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity, with more people telecommuting. The number of Americans that work from home is in ...
With much of the country experiencing high temperatures, helpfulgardener.com suggests: Watering Don’t forget to keep up with your watering, especially as the very hot weather sets in. If you don’t water enough, roots will stay near the surface, making them even more prone to the heat. An inch of water a week is a good ...
