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With the fall seasoncomes cool weather andmore time indoors.
Snuggling up with blan-kets and partaking inactivities at home can cre-ate more clutter thanusual around the house.
Instead of getting frus-trated, it’s easy to add styl-ish storage to corral extraitems. Get organized andkeep your home clutter-free with a few smart tips.
NEAT READING RACKSMany people enjoy a
good read before countingsheep. However, books,magazines and tablets canjust add disarray if leftscattered around the bed-room. To combat this typeof clutter, add wall-mount-ed magazine racks orcrates to hold your read-ing pieces. Paint a woodencrate using FrogTapeMulti-Surface painter’stape. Add stripes in strik-ing colors for a readingrack that’s functional andfabulous looking.FrogTape is the only tapetreated with PaintBlockTechnology, which formsa micro-barrier againstpaint bleed, giving yousharp and precise paintlines. Learn more at frog-tape.com. After drying,cut your crate down themiddle — you now havetwo spots for book stor-age. Install simple wall-
hanging brackets to theedges of the crates andattach each to the wallwith drywall anchors for asturdy and safe finish.These are also great forstowing away toys in achild’s playroom or towelsin the bathroom.
BOOST BEDROOMSTORAGE
If every closet, nookand cranny in your homeis occupied, it’s time tolook toward other avenuesfor order. Calm your chaos
with under-bed storageunits by transforming olddresser drawers into stor-age space. Paint the draw-ers in the color of yourchoice and drill casters tothe bottom for easy rollingaccess. Slide them underyour bed and you cannow neatly put awayitems that were once anuisance.
MULTIPURPOSE SEATING
Chic ottomans andcushioned benches are
great pieces that provideextra seating in familyrooms. But in addition totheir pleasant outwardappearance, many containhidden storage underneaththe lid. Neatly stow awaymovies, games, blanketsand pillows that wouldotherwise crowd this high-traffic area. Position thefurniture as an accentpiece or place a lengthybench along a window fora cozy reading nook,while simultaneouslyincreasing your storage.
COZY STAIRCASE STORAGE
The space under stairs isoften overlooked as a stor-age spot, since it’s usuallyclosed off with drywall.What most homeownersdon’t realize is this trickytriangle is typically hollow,and the “wasted” spacecan be utilized to store
your family’s odds andends. For extra functionali-ty, transform it into a clos-et if you’re a DIY weekendwarrior. All you’ll need isa couple of days and thesesteps:
•First, frame the dooropening for your newcloset. Use a drywall sawto create the outline thatfits the pre-hung door ofyour choice. Secure thehinged side to the frameand use wood shims (thinpieces of wood that willproperly align the door) toensure it’s a secure fitwithin the opening.
•Next, you’ll need tocreate the closet wallsinside. Measure the areaof the closet and cutsheets of plywood or dry-wall to those dimensions(depending on how “fin-ished” you’d like the finalspace to look). Paint theplywood in the color of
your choice and install itby nailing it to the existingstuds. Just keep in mindthat drywall will require afew extra steps, like tap-ing, mudding and sandingbefore it’s ready to paint.
•Now, determine whatsize storage containers andhooks the space will allowand create shelves andcubbies. Using a nail gun,install ledger strips aroundthe entire closet to supportthe shelves, making surethey’re level. Secure withscrews and install yourpainted shelves for a cozy— and contained — stor-age solution.
If the construction ofthis project seems a bit tooambitious, reach out to atrusted contractor to han-dle the building compo-nents. You can tackle themost fun part — painting!
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After kids go back toschool, homeowners final-ly have time to completeremodeling projects.
This makes autumn apopular time for homeimprovements. In fact,home improvement activi-ty is expected to peak inthe final three months of2014, according to theLeading Indicator ofRemodeling Activity devel-oped by the Joint Centerfor Housing Studies ofHarvard University.
Installing hardwoodflooring is one of the mostpopular renovation proj-ects. Homeowners desirehardwood floors for manyreasons. They’re durableand can withstand thewear and tear of playfulkids and pets. They retaina classic, natural look andfeel, adding to a home’selegance. Plus, hardwoodfloors are simple to cleanand maintain.
Since a floor is a keydesign element, it’s impor-tant to make sure the rightone is selected based onits location and the home-owner’s lifestyle and per-sonal preference. With thewide variety of flooringtypes, choosing the rightfloor for a space can beoverwhelming. These keytips will help homeowners
find and install the perfecthardwood floor.
LOCATION, LOCATIONWhere the flooring will
be installed is an importantconsideration to ensure thefloor will retain its beautyfor generations. If on orabove ground level, thereare a wide variety ofoptions available, fromsolid hardwood to bamboovarieties. For below-ground-level installations, such asbasements, it’s important tochoose a flooring type thatcan withstand moisture.
SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLEIf the floor will be in a
well-traveled part of ahome, or serve as groundzero for active kids andpets, it’s best to choose awood variety that is atleast as hard as red oak, asthis is the industry bench-mark for comparing therelative hardness of woodspecies. Viewing howfloors compare on thisscale and consideringlifestyle attributes will helpdetermine the flooringthat’s right for a room. Inaddition, there are otherflooring varieties to consid-er such as cork, laminateand vinyl for those whowant the most durablehardwood alternative.
COLOR WITH STYLEVarious hardwood floor
hues and finishes can com-plete the look of a room orset the foundation for aroom’s design, so it’s impor-tant to base color andspecies on personal prefer-ence. Bellawood, for exam-ple, is a premier line ofhardwood flooring thatoffers colors such as pewterand butterscotch, and lowgloss, oil-finished looks.
To help find a color pref-erence, online applicationsallow customers to mix andmatch flooring styles withroom decor. The DesignerToolbox from LumberLiquidators, for example,includes a Floor Finder Appwhere different flooringstyles can be placed withinan image to help visualizea finished room. It also fea-tures an inspirationalgallery of before and afterflooring photos from home-owners.
After finding the perfectfloor, it’s time to install it.People can hire profession-als or save money by doingit themselves. With onlinetools, such as LumberLiquidators’ Flooring 101guide, even novice DIYerscan improve their homeswith confidence.
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Choosing the hardwoodfloor that’s right for you
Would a great studyspace ease your child’stransition from summer toschool?
Perhaps an awesomelounge area could con-vince your teens — andall their friends — thatyour house is the besthangout spot ever.
Whatever your objec-tives, a few design anddecorating tricks can helpyou create a kid-friendlyspace in your home.
The basics of gooddesign that make grown-up spaces appealing alsowork for children’s spaces.When designing a kid-friendly room, however,it’s important to keep inmind not only the purposeof the room (study, fun,sleep, etc.) but the age ofthe occupant, his or herinterests as well as incor-porating fun into thedesign. Here are some tipsto get you started:
•Consider creating atheme. Kids of all ageslove themes. To decidewhich one might be rightfor your project, consider
things your child hasshown an enduring inter-est in. For example, shemay be into princessesright now and hate thetheme next year. On theother hand, if she’salways loved the colorpink and has a passion foranimals, those elementscould be worked into atheme that she’ll appreci-ate for years to come.
•Choose flooring thatfulfills multiple needs.Carpeting absorbs sound(for when kids play loudvideo games or music)and is comfortable foryoungsters who like to sitor lie on the floor whilethey do homework, read,watch TV or socialize.What’s more, it’s availablein virtually every hue andpattern imaginable, ensur-ing you’ll find somethingthat appeals to both yourdesign sense and yourchild’s tastes. Stain-resist-ant formulas and durablefibers ensure modern car-peting can stand up to therigors of use in a child’sroom. And, according to
the Carpet and RugInstitute, properly cleanedcarpet can maintainindoor air quality, makingit a viable choice for fami-lies impacted by asthmaand allergies. To learnmore about carpet, visitwww.carpet-rug.org.
•A child’s space needslayers of lighting, just asadult spaces do. As you’rechoosing lighting, keep inmind how your child willuse the room. If he will bedoing homework, tasklighting and desk lightswill illuminate study areas.Will the room be a movieroom or a “hangout” for
older teens? Recessed anddimmable lighting may beappropriate. Don’t forgetto include natural light inyour illumination plans.Avoid heavy drapery.Instead, opt for bright col-ors and lightweight materi-als for window treatmentsso windows admit amplelight. If you have a largerbudget, consider adding askylight to provide lightwhile preserving privacy.
•Organization is key ina child’s room, andample storage facilitatesgood organization.Depending on the size ofthe room and how it will
be used, shelving, portablecubes, book cases andother furnishings can pro-vide plenty of storagespace. For desks, look fordesktop organizers thatwill keep important papersand supplies tidy andclose at hand. By helpingkids stay organized now,you’ll be laying the foun-dation for a lifetime ofgood organizational skills.
•Remember the funfactor. Whatever the pur-pose of a child’s room,fun should be a universalingredient. You can infusefun in a room in manyways, from creating a
video game center forlounge rooms to choosingcolorful, texturally appeal-ing carpeting for a bed-room. A touch of whimsy,such as a swing hungfrom the ceiling or a wallmural of your child’sfavorite cartoon character,can produce smiles everytime kids see them.
With some creativityand the right decoratingmaterials, it’s possible tocreate a space that willmake children comfort-able, happy and ready totackle the new school year.
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With Americans workinglonger hours than ever before,most homeowners yearn for aluxurious place to relax andunwind at the end of a hecticday.
This is likely why the bath-room is the most requestedhome renovation project,according to the NationalAssociation of Homebuilders.
However, between work, fam-ily and other household tasks,homeowners may have difficul-ty finding the time (or thebudget) for home improvementprojects. Luckily, you can dra-matically improve the look andfunctionality of your bathroom— all without breaking thebank or calling a contractor.
Here are five fast fixes for afabulous bath all less than $100.
•Extra elbow room in theshower: Have you ever won-dered why a hotel showerseems so spacious? Chances areit had a curved shower rod.Now, you can bring that luxury
into your own bath. Moenoffers several versions, includ-ing the new Tension CurvedShower Rod that adds up to 5.5inches of extra elbow room —without using elbow grease. It’saffordable and installs in threeeasy steps without any tools,drilling or assembly. Justexpand the rod to your desiredlength, add tension, and snapon the decorative covers andyou’re done. You’ll be amazedat the difference changing out ashower rod will make to thespace. Plus, the Tension CurvedShower Rod is available in threepopular finishes — chrome,brushed nickel and old worldbronze — to perfectly coordi-nate with any decor.
•Sensational showerheads:Now that you have more roomto relax in the shower, is yourcurrent showerhead offering asensational experience? If not,don’t settle for a subpar spray— upgrading your showerheadis simple. Just unscrew your
current showerhead; wrap someplumber’s tape around the arm;and screw on the new shower-head. A rainshower is an excel-lent choice to provide qualitycoverage — and many optionsare available at affordableprices.
•Stylish, safe and savvy: Ifthe bathroom is the room toretreat for relaxation, you wantit to be safe. Unfortunately,water creates slick, wet surfacesand statistics from the Centersfor Disease Control andPrevention show that roughly234,000 injuries occur annuallyin the bathroom. Luckily,adding peace of mind can besimple, and brands such asMoen Home Care continue toexpand their bath safety selec-tions to ensure that a safe bathis also a beautiful bath. TheBanbury collection of grab barsand hand grips not only pro-vides a sturdy grip when gettinginto or out of the bath or show-er, but also the style and finish
to perfectly match the rest ofthe bath. Worried aboutinstalling a grab bar? No need,with Moen’s SecureMountSystem, you are able to mountgrab bars securely both withand without studs.
•Admirable accessories: Inaddition to being a relaxingretreat, the bathroom is host tomany activities — which meansit also needs to store a lot ofstuff. Adding simple storagesolutions, such as hooks, towelbars, towel rings and shelvescan add some sanity and styleto your bath. Luckily many ofthese solutions are extremelyinexpensive.
“For less than $100 and anhour’s time, you can refreshyour bath with new acces-sories,” says Tim Bitterman,director of marketing, MoenAccessories. “And, today’saccessories add a bit of functionwith their flair — from pivotingpaper holders that make chang-ing the roll simple and quick, to
decorative glass shelves to keeptoiletries off the counter.”
•Pamper yourself: Addingluxury to your bath doesn’talways have to involve thehome improvement store. New,plush cotton towels and memo-ry foam bath mats can giveyour room a spa-like feel. Thetowels will envelop you in com-fort while your feet sink intothe plush bath mats on thefloor. Don’t forget to engage allyour senses — not just sight —with soothing new lotions andsoaps. There are hundreds tochoose from and they can easilytransport you to a vacation stateof mind.
With a few inexpensive, sim-ple projects you too can have afabulous and relaxing bath-room. For more information onMoen accessories or products,visit www.moen.com or call800-BUY-MOEN.
(Content provided byBrandPoint)
Five fast fixes for a fabulous bath
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When you add a tile or natu-ral stone surface to the kitchenor bathroom, it transformseach space with a fresh, cleanand customized look.
Many homeowners oftendream about adding a back-splash or replacing a floor, butnever complete the projectbecause they can’t decide onthe right look, become mental-ly exhausted by the thought ofdoing the project or don’tknow how to accomplish itthemselves.
“There are simple tipsdesigners use to plan the lookand feel of a room using tilecolors and patterns,” saysKirsty Froelich, design directorfor The Tile Shop. “Whetheryou want to do the tiling your-self or plan to hire someone tolay it for you, these hints willhelp you get the look youwant with ease.”
Do: Find inspiration toguide your vision — This isthe fun part. Get motivated to
do your project by looking forphotos that catch your eye inmagazines or Decorpad, getinspired with hundreds ofinspirational spaces from TheTile Shop on Houzz, Instagram,Pinterest or www.tileshop.com,and start a file of yourfavorites. Visuals of what canbe done or what has alreadyworked for someone else aregreat reference for your projecteven if you tailor it to fit yourown style. Also, try using graphpaper to draw out your owngeometric designs.
“I usually sketch a couple ofdifferent ways so I can visuallysee which one I like the best,”Froelich says. “You don’t haveto be an artist to do this.”
As you gather visuals, you’llmost likely notice a similarpattern and/or shape of tile orstone materials that you’redrawn to, which can rangefrom ceramic, porcelain andglass to marble or slate. Thiswill help you narrow down a
style of tile to use. One materi-al that is very versatile isTravertine from The Tile Shop.It comes in a neutral colorpalette, perfect for using onthe floor, walls, backsplash,around the fireplace or evenoutdoors in warmer climates.It is available in stores and forpurchase online.
Don’t: Go overboard — Toomany patterns or colors in onespace can overwhelm a room.Instead, keep things clean andsimple.
Do: Check your colors —Before purchasing all the mate-rials for your project, bringsamples home so you can seethe colors in the space.
“Store lights and the lightsin your kitchen are very differ-ent, and all of the sudden,what you thought was a beigecolor in the store might lookgreen in your home,” saysFroelich.
Also match your tile samplesagainst other colors that will
be in the room, from the painton the walls to the granitecountertop to the wooden cup-boards and floor. By matchingsamples, you’ll know the fin-ished project will result in theexact look you want.
Do: Measure twice — Thistip applies not only to theplanning process, but also tothe installation process, espe-cially if you need to cut tile.Once you’ve measured anddouble-checked your measure-ments, don’t be afraid to havesomeone else repeat theprocess to ensure accuracy.
Don’t: Ignore the details —A tile project will go from niceto stunning if you add simplefinishing touches to the proj-ect. For example, Froelich rec-ommends mitering corners fora professional look and finish-ing any raw edges of the spacewith bullnose, stone profiles ortrim pieces.
Do: Use resources — Takeyour plans, photos, sketches
and any color swatches you’veselected to The Tile Shop soyour sales associate can workwith you to achieve yourvision, and help you find theperfect tile for your project.Additionally, a tile setter canhelp you avoid commondesign or layout mistakes. Fora final check before cuttingand installation, lay out thetiles out in the place and pat-tern you’ve designed so youcan make any last-minuteadjustments. If you’re doingthe tiling yourself and need arefresher, The Tile Shop offersfree DIY classes every Saturdayat 9:30 a.m. in all stores.
“Once you have your design,your materials and you havetested your pattern, you’reready to start the project,”Froelich says. “Roll up yoursleeves and get started so youcan enjoy your updated lookfor many years to come.”
(Content provided byBrandPoint)
Do’s and don’ts: the art of tackling your tile project
Hand-planed, reclaimedhardwood floors?
Beautiful but pricey. Custom drapery? The cost can be blind-
ing. When it comes tohome decorating, it’s easyto blow your budget onone or two upgrades —and maybe that would beOK if those improvementsalso amped up the dramain your decor. Too often,however, costly decoratingploys disappoint, wearingout or becoming datedbefore you’ve paid off thefinancing.
Fortunately, a handful ofupgrades just scream “lux-ury” — while the pricetags quietly snicker “thislook didn’t cost an armand a leg.” They may notbe as cheaply priced asfresh paint or some newthrow pillows, but thesesurprisingly affordableimprovements deliver highimpact at a manageablecost.
•Adding skylights —Luxury, drama and energyefficiency are the trifectaof home decorating andimprovement — and fewupgrades deliver all threequalities as well as sky-lights. Because they admitabundant natural light intoa room, skylights have a
powerful impact. InstallEnergy Star-qualified, no-leak, solar-powered fresh-air skylights like thosefrom Velux America, andthey can help reduce elec-tric bills by providing nat-ural light and passive ven-tilation. They draw nopower and operate by aremote control that can beprogrammed for multiplefunctions.
Add solar-poweredblinds and the cost of theskylights and blinds, aswell as installation costs,are eligible for a 30 per-cent federal tax credit.What’s more, professionalinstallation costs rangefrom a low of around$900 to a high of about$2,100, with $1,475 beingthe average, according toHomeAdvisor.com.
If you’re only interestedin more natural light fromabove, or if a traditional
skylight won’t fit in yourspace, VELUX Sun Tunneltubular skylights, whichare less expensive to bothpurchase and install, areideal for closets, hallways,interior baths and otherspecial spaces. To down-load a free app that canhelp you visualize howskylights will look in yourhome, visit www.veluxu-sa.com.
•Gas fireplaces — Fewimprovements createambience as effectively asa fireplace. While addinga wood-burning fireplaceto an existing home maybe difficult or impossiblein many scenarios, mod-ern gas fireplaces can govirtually anywhere —including interior walls.Advancements in the tech-nology to make, operateand insulate gas fireplaceshave made adding one arelatively easy process.
Direct-vent fireplaces goon exterior walls andeliminate the need for achimney. Vent-free modelsare also available for inte-rior locations in a house.
The cost of installing agas fireplace will vary,depending on many fac-tors, including whetheryou have existing naturalgas service to your homeand a line in or near theroom where you’ll beinstalling the fireplace.Although not a do-it-your-self job for most home-owners, installing a gasfireplace can cost as littleas $3,000.
•Wall murals —Humans have been paint-ing scenes on the walls ofour abodes since the daysof cavemen. A wall mural
can create virtually anyeffect you desire in anyroom of the house —drama in a living room,elegance in a dining room,relaxation in a masterbath, cozy comfort in akitchen or whimsy in achild’s bedroom. While aprofessional, hand-paintedwall mural may cost morethan your entire redecorat-ing budget, modern wall-paper murals can allowyou to completely alterthe look of a room for lessthan $500.
Requiring no paste ortrimming, wallpapermurals can easily beinstalled by the averagehomeowner.Repositionable varietiescan even be taken downand moved from room to
room.•Granite bathroom
vanities — Graniteremains the gold standardof luxury, beauty andfunction when you’re talk-ing about countertops.Installing granite in akitchen can be costly,especially if you have a lotof counter space to cover.With smaller vanities andless counter space, howev-er, bathrooms cost muchless to outfit in granite.
Professionally installedgranite bathroom vanitiescan cost just a few thou-sand dollars. To get anidea of costs for your bath-room, use an online calcu-lator like those found atremodelingexpense.com.
(Content provided byBrandPoint)
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