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Rustic Decorating Tips

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:46:00 -0400

Decorating in the rustic style is not always an easy task. Finding the right balance between many different elements with a great deal of character can be a daunting task. This article will give you a few pointers on some of the best ways to bring rustic charm to your home.

Add some character to your walls

A quick and easy way to add rustic style to your home is with some easy and affordable wall updates. Hand plastered walls are the perfect rustic accent and are not too difficult to recreate. Start by adding texture to your wall with pre-made texture compound, which is available in most large hardware stores. A multitude of tools can be used to apply texture to your walls but sponges, brushes, and trowels do the job just fine. Try your hand at adding texture on some scrap wood first before moving to the wall. Once you have your texture up, finish off with a nice coat of an earthy paint color and enjoy your new rustic look.

Revaluate the doors in your home.

Doors have character, and if you want your home to be rustic, you need doors that are as well. Rustic doors are made with rougher, more textured wood and often include metal accents. Clavos (decorative nails) are a wonderful accent on your entry doors that will set the stage for your home's look and feel. Don't forget the interior of your home, however, and consider installing mahogany interior doors in order to carry your theme throughout.

Choose rustic furniture

Rustic furniture comes in many styles, but the key here is to choose pieces that add texture and interest to your space. Whether log bed frames or distressed handmade tables are more your style, there is no lack of rustic furniture out there. A few staples that should be in any home with a rustic style are rocking chairs, wooden benches, and adirondack chairs for the porch. An antique country kitchen table makes the dinning room comfortable and a butcher-block will add extra workspace and rustic charm to your kitchen.

Rustic Home Accessories

The rustic home is all about comfort and worn charm. Quilts add warmth and style to any room, but work especially well on the back of the sofa or at the foot of the bed. A handmade quilt chest to store your quilts in over the summer is also a nice home accent. Handmade goods, like picture frames made from reclaimed wood, are becoming easier to come by and create a wonderful display when grouped together to display black and white family photos. Plants add color, fresh air, and a little of the outdoors to the interior of your home, bringing unity to your rustic style.

Tips for Living Big Outdoors

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:28:00 -0400

When the warm months come around, people love to be outside enjoying the sun, flowers, and fresh air. Creating a usable outdoor living space is a great way to enjoy being outside while also increasing your living space dramatically. Here are a few tips on how to create an inviting outdoor area for your home that will become an instant favorite for you and all your guests.

Landscaping can make all the difference.

The plants, flowers, and landscaping you use in your yard determine the mood of your space more than any other element. Decide if you want an area for quite relaxation, exhubarant parties, or family dinners and build around that. Also consider the style of your home, inside and out, as well as the climate to make the best choices in this area. Landscape architects can be a great help with this process and are usually available to oversee the whole thing or only a few aspects.

Evaluate the entrances to your outdoor spaces.

Take full advantage of patios and porches by installing doors that meld your indoor living areas with your outdoor space. A set of custom doors, such as french doors with large panes of glass, help to unify two rooms. Using double doors in this area can also be greatly beneficial; when you prop open double doors the large walkway will help the wall separating indoor and out to meld into the background and feel like less of a barrier.

Consider new outdoor furniture.

We have come a long way from metal chairs with canvas straps. Outdoor living furniture is now as stylish, durable, and comfortable as anything you would find inside the living room. There are a huge range of styles and purposes available, such as conversation sets and dining tables. Look at your space, decide how you would best use it, and then find furniture that works both works with your home's interior style and sets the right mood for the outdoor space.

Set up an outdoor cooking area.

Outdoor cooking is not only about a charcoal grill these days. Many people are opting to put in full outdoor kitchens with sinks, cook tops, and bars. While this may be too extreme for most people, a few of these elements can make a big difference in the usability of your space. Freestanding outdoor bars assure that you and your guests are not in and out of the house all the time to refill their glasses. Many grills now come with cook tops and you can add a nice prep table next to the grill, which means the entire meal can be prepared outside. Even a fire pit is a great addition, especially when it allows you to make s'mores for your evening dessert.

How to Throw an Open House

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:41:00 -0500

Good old house selling. There might be a million things that are more fun, but few that are more necessary. Perhaps you are being forced to relocate for your job, maybe you need to downgrade to a cheaper house, or possibly you just want to move to another neighborhood. No matter why you are moving, one thing is essential: selling your house.

With selling a house comes certain things: preparing the house, hiring a realtor, and knowing the market, for instance. Open houses are essential as well. A time when people can stop by and casually see if your place is something they'd be interested in, open houses are a great way to reel in potential buyers.

Before throwing an open house (watch out, they're heavy), consider the following tips:

Get the Word Out: There is little sense in throwing an open house if no one comes to see it. This doesnâ€™t mean you need to hire an ad agency or rent a fifty foot billboard in Time Square, but getting the word out is essential. Placing flyers and signs around your neighborhood (complete with directional arrows), advertising in the local paper, and posting notices on community bulletin boards are a great way to start.

Have an Info Sheet: The invention of the "info sheet" - in the mind of the home buyer - is up there with the invention of the wheel; information sheets are that essential. They are also extremely easy to make. Writing up a home overview that includes asking price, square footage, amount of bathrooms, bedrooms, utility costs, taxes, and anything your house might want to brag about (if new windows were just installed, for instance) gives people something to take home with them, and increases the chance of your house being noticed.

Prepare Your House: Perhaps the most essential part of throwing an open house is having a house that's worthy of being open to the public. It goes without saying, but a house that is clean, clutter free, and brilliantly landscaped will always appeal to the masses more than one that's dirty, dingy, and contains a lawn that's straight out of the Sahara. If you don't have time to prepare your house for its big day, hire someone to do it for you. You house must be in its best form in order to be presentable. Having coffee, cookies, and tea on hand is also a nice touch.

Follow Up: Selling a house, especially if you are doing it without a realtor, takes a certain amount of sale savvy. This doesn't mean you should cold call potential buyers and ask them if they are interested, but include a follow up sheet at your open house. Allow people to leave their names, their emails, or their phone numbers. Following up with potential buyers can help you arrange second showings and push the rolling ball along.

An open houses is often successful in making a sale. A time that truly allows your house to shine, open your house up wide and watch people say, "Aw."

Tips on Being a Good Tenant

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:19:00 -0500

Before we become homeowners, most of us find ourselves renting. A house with friends, a college apartments, the basement of our aunt and uncles. Whatever it is you rent, there is a certain etiquette that comes with signing a lease. Consider doing the following in hopes that your tenure as a tenant is a good one.

Pay on time: Yes, rent is a four letter word. Still, it's a four letter word that needs to be punctual. When renting a house or apartment, especially when renting from a friend or a particularly easy going landlord, it's pretty easy to pay your rent when you get around to it. Though your landlord might not be a stickler for punctuality, paying on time shows your landlord that you respect him or her. This is important not only for the landlord/tenant relationship, but it's also important for one other reason: some day you may use your landlord as a reference; you'll want him to say nice things.

Don't be overly demanding: Yes, your landlord is the person you are told to call when the faucet starts to leak or the lock on the door routinely sticks. Though it is your landlord's job to fix these things, you don't need to be an anal-retentive renter. Asking your landlord to fix a clogged bathroom sink is very different than insisting your landlord do away with those old, dingy countertops in favor of something marble, or perhaps, solid gold.

Remember your Landlord has a life: Yes, it's true: your landlord has a life outside of his rented property. He probably has a job, a family, a social circle. For this reason, it's important not to cross the line with your landlord. Don't call him everyday with a new complaint or a new concern and call only during decent hours. Never call in the middle of the night (unless your house is on fire) and try not to call during dinnertime. Keep in mind that if something is that big of an emergency, 911 can help more than your landlord ever will.

Fix what you break: When renting a house or an apartment, things will undoubtedly break. The carpet might get worn and torn, a mirror might get cracked, the ceiling fan may go on the fritz. Sometimes these sort of things just happen, other times you - or your fifty friends that were over last night - might have had a hand in it. If something breaks because of a careless act, fix it. If you call your landlord for assistance, at least reimburse him for any money he spends on supplies.

Leave the place clean: When it comes to move out day, some landlords require you to do a walk threw with them; other landlords simply trust that the place isn't trashed. Whichever method your landlord prefers, be sure to leave the place clean. Wash the windows, clean the carpet, and remove everything - yes even the box of stale cereal that has been in the pantry for 3.5 years - from the residence. Nothing angers a landlord more than finding a place in shambles. You don't have to make it as good as new, but try to leave it how you found it.

Blades of Glory: Lawn Care Basics

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:53:00 -0500

As the months pass by, many of us find ourselves longing for the days we can bask in the sun: we keep telling Old Man Winter to "shoo." Simply put, many of us prefer summer to winter. Warm, sunny, and void of early morning windshield scraping, summer offers a certain enjoyment that winter cannot. Even so, summer isn't without any work. There are several things that - when it comes to June, July, and August - can be considered "high maintenance." The biggest one? Your lawn.

We all want to take care of our lawn: keep it green, keep it growing, keep it from being something the neighbors are embarrassed by. So, how do we do it. Hire a gardener? Take a lawn care class? Whisper sweet nothings to struggling blades of grass? How about starting out with the following:

Control Your Weeds: No matter how often we pull them out of our yard, they always seem to grow back: then again, plants will do that. Mowing can cut some weeds down to size, and keeping a regularly mowed and rigorously care for lawn is often the most effective way to weed weeds out. It's important, however, to remember that mowing a lawn too frequently - and cutting the grass too low - can leave blades broken and brittle. And, even with proper mowing, weeds aren't guaranteed to go away: some weeds need more aggressive measures such as chemical weed killers. Yes, it's mean to the weeds but hey, they're ugly.

Fertilize Appropriately: Fertilizer is like a magic potion for your lawn: it makes it grow, it keeps it green, it makes it healthy, and it give it a thicker head of hair, so to speak. Still, you don't want to over fertilize, leaving your grass with some abnormal - and hurtful - growth spurt. So, how much is too much? Most lawn experts suggest that you fertilize your lawn four times a year. Starting around March and ending around October, lawns can be fertilized every two months or so.

Water Correctly: The most common summer sound - aside from crickets chirping outside your bedroom window - is probably the sound of an old sprinkler, spraying water across a thirsty lawn. Water and grass, especially during the summer, must go hand in hand. The most convenient sprinkler systems are those underground, sprinklers that can be programmed to turn on automatically thus saving you time, hassle, and a stern lecture from your grass in the event you forget to water it. Whether hand watering or using an automatic system, it's important not to over water your lawn. With many cities having water days regulating when certain addresses can use their sprinklers, over watering can leave you with a hefty fine. It can also leave your lawn flooded, weeds big, and plants stressed. Perhaps most pointedly, giving your lawn too much water can leave the grass with an unbearable urge to pee.

Robbed: Tips on Avoiding a Burglary

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:47:00 -0500

Everyday, thousands of people come home or wake up only to realize they've been robbed. A real threat to any homeowner, burglary can be one of the most devastating things to happen to a house and a family. Still, there are ways to make a home less "robber friendly" and thus, less likely to fall victim to the bad guys.

Make it Hard: Burglars like the smash and grab job for a reason: it's quick and easy. Taking away this concept of convenience can help take away power from the prowler. Installing window locks, deadbolts, and chains automatically makes it harder for a robber to gain access. If you have a large doggie door, lock it up at night and during times when no one is home and if you insist on sleeping with your window open on hot summer nights, use a lock or a stick so it only opens an inch or two. If burglars know getting into your house will be an "all night affair," they won't waste their time. They aren't, after all, what we would consider "hard workers."

Lights, Camera, Action: Thomas Edison didn't know it at the time, but when he invented the light bulb he also invented the greatest robbery deterrent: nothing frightens a burglar away like the fear that the proverbial spotlight will find them. Interior lights are great for giving an impression that someone is home, even when your house is empty. Exterior lights illuminate the outside of your house and make it harder for a burglar to pry open a door or smash a window unnoticed. Keeping lights mounted high - so burglars can't easily unscrew light bulbs - helps insure that your lights will stay, well, lit. Motion detecting lights are also a great trick: they show burglars who's bossâ€¦ and who's prepared to defend their property with a fight.

Bring in the Noise: Whether you have an alarm or just a dog who thinks he's an alarm, noise is essential in scaring away a would be robber. Placing signs up - such as "Beware of Dog" or those advertising youâ€™re the name of your burglar alarm system - can also help. If burglars think there's potential for noise, your house probably won't become a potential target.

Think like a Burglar: You don't have to be bad to the bone to think like a burglar, you just need a little imagination. Take some time to case your house the way a robber would. Is there a broken lock in the garage that doesnâ€™t always stick? Are there valuables in visible and tempting places of your house? Is there a ladder that would be perfect for accessing an upstairs window? Think like a burglar then - amending what you must for protection - go back to thinking like a homeowner.

Allergies? It Just Might Be Your Feather Pillow

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:34:00 -0500

Whether or not we want to admit it, most of us have allergies. The coughing, the sneezing, the achy head and all the other symptoms that sound like a Nyquil commercial, allergies can make us feel run down and generally under the weather. Luckily, for those of us who know what allergen triggers our episodes, avoidance can be enacted. For those who have feather allergies, this is particularly true.

Now, some people may wonder if sick parakeets, sneezing and coughing, go to the vet only to be told they are unfortunately allergic to feathers. It seems like something random to have, a feather allergy It seems very much like an ailment that may be for the birds. But, feather allergies are not uncommon in humans. Many people have them.

For people who don't have birds, or don't have a white feather stalking them like something out of Forrest Gump, these allergies are no big deal. But, because pillows are often made of feathers, and because a good night's sleep is often made of pillows, for those with a feather allergy, pillows can be tricky. Having a feather pillow and a feather allergy often results in less nights spent sleeping and more nights spent blowing your nose and clearing your throat.

Like many allergies, common symptoms of feather allergies include a runny nose, sneezing, congested sinuses, sore throat, and itchy, watery eyes. With feather allergies, the symptoms will most likely be most obvious during times of sleep and rest. Though many feather pillows are not designed to be allergy stimulants - encased in cloth and cases meant to keep feathers from popping out - the occasional feather does escape, poking through the pillow case and making its way into the breathing room of the allergy sufferer.

Many allergies - such as an allergy to pollen or grass - are seasonal, worse in the summer or in the spring. But, feather allergies aren't. They are a year round nuisance This makes them even more inconvenient for the person who suffers from them. Fall and winter brings no reprieve.

However, being allergic to feathers is more favorable than being allergic to something that isnâ€™t as easy to avoid, such as dust. Those who are allergic to feathers simply need to keep feathers out of their lives, severe all ties with them without so much as a promise to write. The easiest ways to do this is to not keep birds as pets and not use feather comforters or feather pillows.

While feather comforters are generally easy to avoid - most comforters are not made of pillows - feather pillows are more prevalent. Still, not ever pillow is made of feathers.

Instead of feather pillows, try pillows made of cotton or Latex. Latex pillows, in addition to being hypoallergenic, are resistant to mold and dust mites, things you may also have an allergy to. They also offer more neck and back support than the standard pillow.

A pillow, a bed, and a life not made of feathers will allow the allergy sufferer to sleep soundly, and leave tossing and turning for the birds.

Flame Safety: Making Sure Your Roof Isn't On Fire

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:14:00 -0500

Most of us, don't like fire: it might keep Smokey the Bear employed, but it's dangerous, damaging, and - in certain cases - fatal. Unfortunately, it's a very legit reality, particularly inside the home.

Candles, stove tops, and overused electrical outlets, fire hazards exist around every corner of the living room, the bathroom, the bedroom, and the kitchen. While this is the bad news, the good news is - hazards and all - fire is often preventable, preventable - that is - when vigilance is practiced.

Smoke Detectors: As essential as wearing a seatbelt in a car, every house must have working smoke detectors. Not only will these warn you of life threatening smoke, but they alarm you before the fire gets out of hand (and you can still get out of the house). For this reason, smoke detectors - and their maintenance - is extremely important. They should be tested on a monthly basis, fresh batteries should be inserted every year, and they should be cleaned to remove dust, debris and pet hair. Performing proper maintenance on your smoke detector will help it do its job, and leave you feeling safe and secure.

Have an Escape Plan: Fire drills are often performed in school, hospitals and work places, so why wouldn't they be practiced inside the home. In houses with people who need assistance - such as children and the elderly - fire drills are particularly important. Teach your family the quickest way to exit your house and educate them on what not to do, such as going back to retrieve a favorite toy. It's also important to teach everyone where the closest fire extinguisher is, and how to use it.

Don't temp fate: One of the best ways to keep your home fire free is to monitor things that might cause it. For instance, if you are a smoker, never smoke in bed and never leave cigarettes ignited or unmanned. For those who enjoy cooking, remember to turn the stove off and keep things - such as paper towels - away from the burners. It's also important not to use frayed or old electrical cords, and to not overload any one circuit. For those who perform a task such as sealing the deck, don't dispose of rags with flammable material in hot trash cans: spontaneous combustion is possible. Finally, never put metal in the microwave, and never allow children - or adults for that matter - to play with matches.

Call for Help: Many of us may moonlight as fireman, at least in our own heads. If there is a fire, we believe we can put it out. This might be the caseâ€¦.sometimes. However, fires can easily spread and get out of hand, ultimately costing you your life. If a fire appears to spread rapidly or simply won't be put out by a fire extinguisher, call 911. The fire department is trained to deal with fire and knows things you might not. A grease fire, for example, can't be put out by water. That will only make it worse.

Know the basics: In elementary school, most of us watched our fair share of public service announcements concerning fire. But, as adults, watching public service announcements is probably replaced by nighttime dramas and football games. Even so, the lessons we learned shouldn't be forgotten: remember to feel a door for heat before opening it, and to crawl on your hands and knees - while taking short breaths - if you encounter smoke. In the event that you are trapped in a room, hang a towel or a blanket outside the window- this will notify the firemen as to your whereabouts - and always remember the three key words of fire safety: if your clothes ignite, stop, drop, and roll.

Asthma: Is Your House Adding to the Problem?

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:44:00 -0500

Millions of Americans have been dealt the asthma card, a card they are forced to play. A life threatening and life altering disease, asthma can affect the quality of life for sufferers, drastically for those whose asthma is severe. Though it has no cure, the good news for those inflicted is that asthma is often controllable, particularly if the asthma is triggered by certain allergens. This control begins, as most things do, in the home. The home can be filled with asthma triggers, triggers that you might not even be aware your housing.

To get rid of asthma triggers in your house, rid your house of the following:

Second Hand Smoke: Asthmatics are generally not smokers: cigarette smoke can drastically exacerbate the disease and asthmatics have a hard enough time breathing without filling their lungs with smoke. But, if asthmatics live in a house where smoking takes place, their disease can easily be triggered. For this reason, a house with an asthmatic should be free of all kinds of smoke. If a smoker resides or visits the house, they should be asked to smoke outside.

Pets: We love Fluffy and Fido as much as the next person, but some asthmatics are highly allergic to certain pet dander. A sufferer may see their asthma triggered when they are around cats, when they are around dogs, or when they are around both. Even animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits can be asthma triggers. For this reason, the family pet should be chosen carefully or omitted altogether.

Mold: No one wants mold in their house, but that doesnâ€™t mean they don't have it. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements are ideal places for mold to prosper. In order to help your house stay mold free, check your plumbing system for leaks, keep areas around washing machines, dishwashers, and bathtubs clean and dry, clean shower curtains, open doors to allow air circulation, avoid putting laundry away wet, and clean bath mats and door mats regularly.

Cockroaches and Dust Mites: Like mold, you probably aren't inviting cockroaches and dust mites into your house. But, they don't need you to: they invite themselves. Cockroaches sneak in through cracks and crevices and are often most attracted to areas where they can easily find food. To avoid them from entering your house, keep it clean of crumbs and other debris. Dust mites, though usually too small to be obvious, are known for living in mattresses and bedding. To avoid these, try purchasing a dust mite resistant latex mattress. That'll let the bugs know you aren't really all that fond of sharing your bed.

Not all asthma attacks are preventable, but identifying and ridding your house of the triggers can help asthmatics - and their families - breathe a little easier.

Carbon Monoxide In Your Home: What You Need to Know

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:55:00 -0500

Carbon Monoxide, the leading cause of accidental poisonings in America, is a silent and deadly killer. According to the Center for Disease Control, there are 500 carbon monoxide fatalities and over 15,000 related ER visits each year. While these statistics are dire, the good news lies in the fact that carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable. It just takes a little vigilance on the home front.

Carbon monoxide is not an obvious poison, it's not a gas that screams "look at me, look at me!" Instead, it's a gas that is odorless, tasteless, and invisible. This makes it particularly treacherous: it may be in your house and you might have no idea.

Carbon monoxide can leak into your house through a variety of outlets; thus, avoiding certain hazards is key. Most commonly car exhaust, fire smoke, fumes from motor vehicles or motor boats, and non-electric heaters are the main sources of carbon monoxide. However, charcoal grills, indoor tractor pulls, gasoline powered or propane powered devices, cigarette smoke, kerosene heaters, spray paints and paint related chemicals, and gas water heaters all can emit carbon dioxide fumes.

Whenever any of the above mentioned is utilized, the potential for carbon dioxide poisoning exists. However, there are certain things that leave you and your family at a greater risk. Barbequing indoors (or in an enclosed area), using electric generators, working inside with combustible fumes and gasses, or riding in the back of a pickup truck that has a shell all warrant a particularly high risk. Improper boating - such as poor boat ventilation, hanging around a boat that is running its engine, back drafting at a high bow angle, or swimming near a boat that is running - are also very risky.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning, even if it's perceived to be minor, should never be taken lightly: medical care must be sought. The symptoms of poisoning include trouble breathing, confusion, convulsion, dizziness, sleepiness, headaches, anxiety, fast heart rate, chest pain, shock, weakness in the muscles, vomiting, low blood pressure, coma, and unconsciousness. As soon as symptoms occur, a medical professional should be contacted. Because the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu, it's easy to write them off as such. However, similar symptoms in other members of the household - or in the household's pets - are a tell tale sign of poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide prevention may be one of the most important home improvement steps you ever take. To begin, anything that is a potential hazard should be elevated and possibly removed. Your water heater and your fire place should be inspected regularly and kept free of debris such as bird nests. Other household appliances, including ovens and furnaces, should also be inspected to assure they are working properly, have open air ducts, and have good ventilation. Cars or boat motors should never be started with the garage door down (even when the door is open, they should not be left running for a long period of time) and cars that are idling in traffic should be turned off to avoid exhaust. Barbequing and operating with gas powered tools should never take place inside a house.

Finally, a carbon monoxide detector should be purchased and installed on all levels of your home. These are relatively cheap and can be purchased for thirty or forty dollars. These will monitor your home for elevated levels and alarm you if gas is present.