Going Green With Granite

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Deciding to recycle granite As one of nature’s hardest stones, granite is made to withstand the test of time. Generally, homeowners decide to purchase new granite countertops or other stone features when they are redesigning or renovating living spaces. Therefore, the majority of granite is in a decent condition before it is replaced. Often, stone fabricators and installers have relationships with recyclers and will make arrangements to haul away an old countertop when installing a new one. Some cities have recycling centers that will pick up materials such as granite and additional home improvement items. Charities that focus on home improvement and renovation will accept countertop donations. In the unlikely event that a fabricator cannot provide details, information about recycling programs is readily available online. Breathing new life into old stone Although it is rare, some companies will refurbish stone countertops and resell them at a reduced cost. This gives homeowners the opportunity to enjoy the luxury of granite even if they have limited budgets. Homeowners will most likely have to refurbish countertops purchased from charity outlet stores. Refurbishing requires carefully sanding the surface, sealing and polishing it before it is ready for use. view full post »

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Spy Some Space in a Small Bedroom

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The Closet In addressing the question of wasted space, the first culprit is your closet. This is one feature that takes up a significant amount of space in your bedroom and if well organized it could be used to create storage for items stuck or crammed elsewhere. Before you think of buying extra shelves and racks for your closet, get rid of all the unwanted stuff inside to see how much space you have. Hard as it is to accept, most of the old clothes will have to go to create space for other useful stuff taking up space elsewhere in the room. A good rule of thumb to follow is that of you haven’t worn it in a year or more, you probably aren’t going to. These items can be bagged and taken to a local GoodWill or Salvation Army. Any stuff that belongs to the attic or garage should relinquish the space they take up in the closet to create more room. With the closet now breathing freely, you can then move on to free up some more storage space in your bedroom by making use of bags and other containers designed for under view full post »

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Bring Furniture Back To Life

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What you can’t See Another reason to contact a provider of upholstery cleaning is there is so much you can’t see. This includes pet dander, germs, and other elements that are lingering on your furniture. With their services, they can also remove them so they are germ free. Their services can also remove plenty of elements you can see on your furniture. Find a Great Provider The outcome of what you will get depends on who you hire for the job. Be selective when it comes to picking an upholstery cleaning company. Talk to them about what they offer and the results they can provide. Ask them about the types of services they provide, the types of cleaners they use, and their equipment. They should be able to share with you what they believe the outcome can be. If you have some stubborn stains, they may tell you they aren’t sure if they can get them out. It is up to you for them to try or not. Since they have industrial cleaning supplies and tools, there is a much better chance they can get it out than you can! Get Estimates It is important view full post »

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Barn and Shed Plans

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If you’re a newbie in building stuff, you will need a really good barn shed plan to start with; one that will give easy-to-follow instructions and details which are equally easy to understand. You can invest in a good book or some good number of popular magazines on plans and designs for barn sheds. An easy access to the internet will also open your eyes to a lot of wonderful ideas that you never though existed. Consider some helping hands, too. A family member or a good friend can do some tricks for you. With someone around, planning and building that will may takes weeks to comply, will only mean a few days. Not to mention the fun of doing things together. With a buddy, you can discuss on the plans and share ideas to ensure a hassle free build. The ever reliable barn shed plans that you may acquire from the internet will always ensure safety of the building. Just make sure you get the ones designed for the non-professionals so you are sure you have the simplest guidelines in laymen’s terms. Furthermore, it can lay out easy to read instructions especially on the meticulous view full post »

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Tips for Home Upgrades

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Resale. Even if you’re planning to stay in the home, think of the next owner. Making sure your upgrades add resale value will give you all the options. Think kitchen upgrades, opening up spaces, adding a deck, installing hardwood floors, and upgrading windows. Planning. Spend plenty of time planning what you want. Go to IKEA to look at storage options and spaces and go online to Houzz to look at ideas. Get your planner or contractor to show you exactly what the upgrades will look like in 3D. You don’t want to get to the end of the work and say, “Ah, I wish I had… “ Contractor. Pick carefully and get three bids. Talk to their clients and tour their work. Ask for their insurance certificate. Contract. Get a detailed contract and go through it with a fine-tooth comb. A general idea of the work and a handshake won’t do it unless you don’t care what you end up with. Plan for a few surprises. Surprises are inevitable, but they should be minimal if you did your planning. Set some extra money aside for them – 10% of your remodel budget. If you view full post »

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Ways Closet Shelving Can Transform Bedroom

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When your bedroom closet is too small put your shoes outside in the bedroom. Most of us have at least two pairs of shoes. Many of us have even more than that. Using closet shelving for your dress shoes shows them off, as well as gives you more closet space. Closet shelving for your media is handy. The shelving can be used for your TV, DVD player, and gaming consoles that you might have in your bedroom. It could even have your stereo on it as an alternative to a proper TV stand setup or bureau. Closet shelves for bedside tables are another idea. You have the top of the shelves for glasses, clock, and water. You also have the rest of the shelves for storing your night time reading materials like magazines, books, or your laptop/ tablet. Shelving can also be used as a form of decoration. Many of the closet shelving options today offer little cubby holes which you can fill with wicker baskets. These baskets are great for storing items out of sight like your shirts and undergarments. If you have to combine your office with your bedroom due to lack view full post »

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Modern Evolution of the Sofa

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Thomas Chippendale Thomas Chippendale was a mid-18th-century cabinet-maker and interior designer whose innovations spanned several styles including neoclassical, Gothic, and rococo. He is known for his book of elaborate furniture designs that include complicated arches and ribbons. Chairs and sofas inspired by the Chippendale patterns have exposed bases and legs that curve down to the floor and may be carved. The pieces are typically constructed with dark-stained mahogany or other highly esteemed types of wood. They are upholstered with fine fabrics. Robert Adams Robert Adams was a Scottish architect who, along with his brother James, developed neoclassical interior designs in the mid-to-late 18th century. Their focus was elaborate architecture and furniture pieces that were designed together and echoed the same structural and ornamental themes. Adams’ furniture is characterized by light pieces with simplified classical designs like carved columns and medallion embellishments. John Henry Belter John Henry Belter was originally a cabinet-maker from Germany who brought his knowledge of wood carving to other furnishings. His unique method of laminating thin layers of wood together and ornately carving them defined a generation of woodworkers in the mid-1800s. His trademark Victorian sofas have curvy, S-shaped backs view full post »

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Reduce The Cost of Constructing a House

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Negotiate There is no harm in negotiating with the various stakeholders in the construction process. One of the most important persons that you should negotiate with is the contractor. Here you should ask the contractor to cut the cost that he/she is charging. You should also negotiate with the suppliers of the various materials that you need. To increase the chances of attracting discounts, it’s wise that you buy the materials in bulk. Source Your Own Materials It’s possible to find certain materials such as fixtures, cabinets, and door knobs selling at much lower prices. All you need to do is to visit a manufacturing firm and ask them to sell you the materials at lower prices. To avoid any misunderstanding you should agree with your contractor before you start the project. As rule of thumb ensure that you always consult the contractor before buying any material. This is to ensure that you buy the right product. Change the Shape of the House Did you know that the shape of the house greatly affects the cost of construction? A house with many corners and angles tends to require a lot of materials view full post »

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Wall Beds

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Wall beds are built into an opening or closet. A wall bed includes hinges on one end so that the homeowner can pull it down at night and push it up in the morning. This allows for major space saving in what would otherwise be a very cramped room. They are perfect for keeping a home comfortable and functional, no matter the size. These structures are ideal for nearly any room in a home. Many people have them in a central living space, where they function as sleeping accommodations for guests. Sometimes they are in bedrooms, where they help make this room more versatile. They can be placed in the upright position during the day, transforming the room into a playroom or an office. In addition to saving space in a small home, these structures offer a wealth of other benefits. They can easily blend into the décor of any house. Some people become concerned with the aesthetics of wall beds, believing they are clunky and unattractive. In fact, there are many models that have different hardwood finishes, simulating the appearance of a wall. Others have faux bookcases or shelving built into them. They are view full post »

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Drawing Up Home Floor Plans

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Choosing a floor plan that reflects the lifestyle of the occupants – family size and age of the occupants is an important factor. Families with young children will prefer to have the living spaces grouped together in one area to have greater privacy and security; on the other hand, teenagers are won’t to need separate bedrooms to have their own privacy. Any home floor plan should start with these basics. Formal or informal spaces – if the homeowner is the kind of person who has to entertain constantly, formal spaces become a necessity. A spacious foyer with direct access to the formal living and dining areas and the outdoor areas beyond is a nice design. If there is sufficient space, formal and informal areas can be designed and separated so that one does not intrude into the other, this way a family with younger children can entertain guests as well as retain their privacy. Single storey or multiple floors – some people like to have a luxurious spread out home on one level while some may like to keep bedrooms on a different level altogether. Besides, a double storey home offers more views of the outside view full post »

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