What to Know Before Signing a Home Improvement Contract
March 15, 2008
It is important to be a very careful consumer when it comes to home improvement contractors. For instance, I had a case where my client, an elderly and blind woman, signed a contract and paid $30,000.00 to a home improvement company that disappeared with all of her money! Unfortunately, the company was a scam operation, my client lost her life’s savings and it will take some time in court before my client may ever see her money again however, her mistake will be a lesson to all of you because this article explains how to protect yourself from home improvement fraud.
Before signing any contract with a home improvement company, first ask that company for its license number and check it out with your State or County Consumer Affairs’ Business License Division. Find the License Division on the web or call information and get their number. You want to find out (1) the name and address of the company associated with the license number given to you, (2) if the company is currently licensed and the license expiration date and (3) whether any complaints have been made against that company. The answers to those questions will help you determine if you want to proceed with signing a contract. Make sure both the contractor and the company he works for are licensed to work in your State.
Easy Dining Room Makeover
March 14, 2008
A dining room can be such a fantastic place to entertain, but it can easily be underused if you often eat in the kitchen or in front of the telly instead. Here are a few hints to make it a more special place to spend time?
1) Adding a table cloth and a vase (a pint glass or milkbottle will do for that ’shabby chic’ look that is very in at the moment) full of flowers (pick wild ones from your garden/balcony or pick a small bunch of something simple like freesias and gypsophila at your local florist/supermarket) adds instant homely atmosphere to a dining room.
2) Light some candles and turn down the lights to add mood. This doesn’t have to be romantic (although it certainly is!) ? it is equally relaxing and a lovely way to end a stressful day at work.
Clear Wax Candles vs. Gel Candles
March 13, 2008
In the last five years a new type of clear candle has emerged - freestanding resin-based (aka clear wax) candles. Using a base of mineral oil, the candle uses a patented resin as the stabilizer, creating a candle that outshines both traditional paraffin and gel candles. It requires no container like gel candles, burns longer than paraffin and holds more fragrance than both. The flame burns down through the inside of the candle as light radiates through the candle’s side wall. These resin-based candles can be made in any traditional paraffin shape, with no bubbles. This lends them more decorative appeal than gel candles and more durability than paraffin candles.
A handful of manufacturers have embraced this new technology, but many large manufacturers have avoided gel candles altogether. Candlemakers site the dangers of gel candles as a reason for not offering the clear freestanding candles. Resin-based candles have unfairly been lumped into this category. Gel candle safety concerns while valid, revolve mostly around containers and embeds, of which resin-based candles have none. As a result, clear wax candles are a much sought after commodity in places like eBay and other online venues.
Breaking the Mold - Creative Boys Bedrooms
March 12, 2008
Decorating boys bedrooms with licensed characters and themes is an easy but expensive option. While most children do have a preferred character or theme that they would enjoy having in their rooms, there are more affordable ways to achieve a similar desired result.
Without naming names or infringing upon any boys bedrooms copyrights or trademarks this budget-friendly collection of ideas can help you create an absolutely awesome children’s décor. It has been compiled especially to offer easy do-it-yourself, affordable decorating solutions for boys bedrooms … with all of the neatest features in boys bedrooms that guys appreciate.
Basics in boys bedrooms ideas.
Most boys will easily embrace decorating ideas that are a little different or not mass-produced as long as they include similar colors and concepts. He’ll feel good about having something original and special that’s goes beyond the expected boys bedrooms ideas.
This will encourage him to appreciate the idea of being an individual, different and unique from anyone else in the world.
Beyond-the-box ideas in boys bedrooms. (For the guy who loves things that creep and crawl.)
To adults, a bug is a bug is a bug, no further classification required. Boys know bugs like girls know shoes.
The Smart Way To Look At Home Improvements
March 11, 2008
What home improvements really pay off when the time comes to sell your house?
That’s an important question for any homeowner contemplating moving or remodeling. And the only possible answer is a somewhat complicated one.
That answer starts with the fact that really major improvements ? room additions, total replacements of kitchens and baths, etc., — rarely pay off fully in the near term. It ends with the fact that small and relatively inexpensive changes can pay off in a big way in making your home attractive to buyers if your decision is to move now.
It’s a simple fact, consistently confirmed across America over a very long period of time, that even the most appropriate major improvements are unlikely to return their full cost if a house is sold within two or three years.
Does that mean that major home improvements are always a bad idea? Absolutely not. It does mean, though, that if your present house falls seriously short of meeting your family’s needs you need to think twice ? and think carefully ? before deciding to undertake a major renovation. Viewed strictly in investment terms, major improvements rarely make as much sense as selling your present home and buying one that’s carefully selected to provide you with what you want.
How To Select Scraped//Distressed Hardwood Flooring
March 10, 2008
Hand-scraped and Distressed hardwood floors are becoming a popular choice in today’s upscale homes and commercial buildings. These floors are a newer trend but are rooted in history. Before today’s modern sanding methods, floors were hand scraped on site to make the floors flat. Today’s hand scraping is done to add texture, richness and uniqueness.
Distressed hardwood flooring is done by machine or by hand. In an effort to reduce high labor costs, manufacturers have created machine-made distressed/scraped looking floors. These are cheaper imitations of the real thing. The problem with machine distressing is repetition of the pattern. As you look across the floor you see the same pattern repeating across the floor. This lacks a natural feel to the floor.
True hand scraped is exactly that ? done by hand. When properly done this method creates a truly unique floor. These floors differ greatly in the amount of the texture added to the floor and the skill of the person scraping the floor.
Bollywood Boudoir… On A Budget
March 10, 2008
“Bollywood” is the next really big thing in interior decor. You can transform your bedroom really easily into a Bollywood boudoir with some very simple touches:
First you have to go shopping. Yay! No, seriously, find your nearest sari shop and buy some sari silks. All cities and most big towns have one - have a look in the phone book if you don’t know where to find yours, and don’t be nervous if this is the first time you’ve been to one. Sari “silks” are lengths of fabric - normally about 4m long - and come in a huge range of colours, weaves and designs. They range in price (in London at least) from about £10 to well into the hundreds, and you don’t need to buy a pure silk one to get the look right.
Choose your colour scheme and buy two or three lightweight saris, ideally at least one of them should have a strong design on one end of the silk. Go for rich purples, reds, dark blue, with gold or silver woven in. These will make fantastic throws for your bed, cushions, even a tent drape (really easy and very eye catching).
Make a Grand Entrance of Your Front Door
March 9, 2008
You may find it difficult to believe that the days will start getting longer in the Northern Hemisphere in just four short weeks. You can find yourself this time of year coming home on dreary days, or welcoming evening visitors in the dark. It’s neither safe nor inviting. But good lighting at your front entrance gives a warm and secure welcome to any who enter.
Mention outdoor lighting at this time of year and many people think of strings of lights. But why not go for a more elegant look that will continue to be appealing throughout the winter ahead?
First, decide what areas it is important for you to light. For your own late arrivals, that may be the front steps and the lock. You’ll want to be sure visitors can see the house number, which door they should approach, and perhaps the pathway leading to the steps.
The biggest outdoor lighting mistake is to use a bulb with a wattage that is too high. Bright lights actually create glare, making the surrounding area look darker. Remember, house surfaces reflect back light and so does the snow. Light “layering” — soft lighting from several sources — results in a subtle and inviting overall effect.
Seeing the Light
March 8, 2008
Lighting
“Light has illuminated the path of humanity” ? While Einstein was probably referring to one of his mind-blowing theories, lighting has also revolutionized the home. Before incandescent and fluorescent lighting, most activities stopped after dusk. Only royalty and the aristocrats had the money for torches, lamps, and candles. Yet nowadays, lighting is used for more than just being able to use the computer to buy dog food at 2 AM in your pajamas. Lighting has become a crucial pillar in the foundation of home decoration and design.
Outside lighting ? lighting around your house not only brings an additional layer of security but also can complement your landscaping and outside decorations.
Lamps ? lamps are not so much about the light but rather the decoration and style; make sure it matches the rest of your décor. However, a nice soft yellow light would be nice to set a mellow and cozy mood.
Room lights ? lighting in your home is critical, not only for mundane things like checking your plummeting stock portfolio in the newspaper but also for illuminating the rest of your furniture. So to have great room lighting, have quality standup lights that can project across the entire room. For the lights installed in the ceiling, either buy new ones that match your décor or at the very least get quality light bulbs that complement your home and suit your lifestyle:
Tips for Choosing Log Furniture
March 7, 2008
If you just love that rustic look, and are finally ready to finally buy log furniture for your home, there are a number of "rules of thumb" that can help you in making good choices.
Begin by considering the overall style of your home. Do you have a log home that is overwhelmingly rustic? Or are you seeking to add a rustic touch to one or more rooms of a more conventional home?
Size is Everything
Homes that feature large logs, spacious ceilings or are roomy in general require a different flavor of rustic furniture than their more conventional counterparts. If large logs make up the walls of your room, or you have a fireplace made from monster rocks from Montana, you’ll need a massive log look for your furniture as well. Otherwise, your log furniture will seem dwarfed and insignificant.
Even if the home for your log furniture is a cabin with 8-inch logs, a few large pieces of furniture will look better than many small ones. Larger furniture makes a room feel full without being cluttered.
