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Posts by Allegra

Design Watch: Concrete Countertops

Jul11
2008
1 Comment Written by Allegra

concrete

When remodeling your kitchen, a crucial feature is choosing the countertops. You want something modern, something sophisticated and something that reflects your personal tastes. But with so many different types of countertops out there, where do you even start?

Concrete countertops have been around since the 1970s but just recently they have found increased popularity in kitchen makeovers. And it’s not just a slab of sidewalk placed above some cabinets; the latest versions of concrete counters are sleek and stylish, adding some flair to that fantastic new kitchen.

Concrete countertops can be pre-cast or built on site. While you can do it yourself, it might be best to hire a contractor to make sure the work is done efficiently and properly. If the counter is pre-cast, the contractor will pour the concrete in the shop onto special casting tables and keep it in possession until it is completely ready. If it’s built on site the contractor can customize the counters with special edges or curved corners. Often the concrete counters are reinforced with steel or wire mesh. After the concrete counters are created they must be cured (a chemical reaction process between the water and the cement) then sealed.

A few reasons to look into the concrete countertop craze:

  • They can be customized with special edges and angles
  • Color can be added so they match in with your kitchen color scheme
  • Materials like glass chips can be added for a sparkling effect
  • Sinks, butcher blocks, drains and other countertop accessories can be integrated into the concrete counters, creating a seamless surface
  • During the creation process, the counters can be given different types of textures
  • Standard one-and-a-half-inch thick concrete slabs cost about $65-$125 per square foot (Which is about on par with granite)
  • Concrete countertops are not any more difficult to clean than other types of countertops

While it’s not the best idea to cut or place hot pots directly on the countertop because this can cause damage, there are simple solutions for this. That’s why cutting boards and pot holders were invented, right?

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged concrete countertops, design watch, home decorating, home design, interior decorating
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Green Idea: Xeriscaping

Jul07
2008
3 Comments Written by Allegra

XeriscapeIf you love gardening but always have the current global warming crisis on the back of your mind, you may have a growing concern for the amount of water you’re using to keep your plants alive.

Did you know there’s an alternative that can put your worried mind at ease?

It’s xeriscaping.

What’s xeriscaping? Xeriscaping was invented in Denver, Colorado, by the Colorado WaterWise Council to help people improve their landscapes while using less water. The word comes from the Greek word xeros meaning dry and the Anglo-Saxon word scape meaning view. Xeriscaping uses seven gardening principles that save water while creating a lush garden.

The perks of xeriscaping:

  • Lower water bills
  • Less work because of its low maintenance
  • Little to no lawn mowing, which saves energy
  • Helps conserve water

The seven gardening principles:

  1. Plan and Design
  • Before any xeriscaping can be done, a well laid-out plan needs to be set in place. Create a sketch you’re your backyard or whatever area you plan on putting your garden in. Remember to include existing structures like trees and bushes, if they exist. Consider the costs of your project, the design appearance you’re after, the function of the space and the maintenance it will require. Next, visualize the xeriscape garden you want. Choose the plants, rock beds, etc. having a plan and design will help things run smoothly.
  1. Soil conservation
  • In a water-conserving landscape the soil should both drain quickly and store water at the same time. Healthy soil grows healthy plants. You can analyze the soil to see if its needs improvement.
  1. Create suitable turf areas
  • Turf (grass) areas are necessary for open space and visual interest but keep them to a small, yet usable, size. Plant drought-tolerant turf grass in these areas.
  1. Choose the appropriate plants
  • Plants for xeriscaping should also be drought-resistant. If possible, use plants native to your area. Trees, like gray birch, cedars and elms, help reduce water evaporation by blocking the soil from sunlight. Perennial flowers include baby’s breath, Arizona columbine, succulents and tulips. Annual flowers include cosmos, marigold and zinnias. These are just a few ideas. Don’t forget about drought-resistant plants and bushes such as hydrangea, juniper and potentilla! Plants with silvery, waxy, fuzzy or prickly leaves tend to be xeriscape friendly.
  1. Use mulch
  • Cover the soil with a mulch to help conserve soil moisture and retain temperature. Options for organic mulch include peat moss, manure, sawdust and compost.
  1. Have an efficient irrigation system
  • This helps conserve water. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems are the simplest way to water your xeriscape garden and they deliver water to the base of the plants. Never over-water your garden; that counteracts the preservation!
  1. Proper maintenance
  • Xeriscape gardens are low maintenance but still need to be tended to. As with any garden, prune and weed. Add extra mulch when needed.

Once you have successfully followed the seven gardening principles for xeriscaping, you can sit back and enjoy your attractive, water-conserving outdoor oasis.

Image (the xeriscape symbol) Source: Aggie Horticulture

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged curb appeal, eco-friendly home, exterior appeal, green ideas, green improvement, Green Living, improving your home, landscaping, living green, living in a green home, xeriscaping
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COLOR: How to Choose?

Jul02
2008
2 Comments Written by Allegra

Paint colorsWhether you’ve just purchased a new home or you’re looking to spruce up a home you’ve been in for a while, paint is a simple and cheap way to add personal flair and style.

That being said, choosing paint colors can be tricky. There’s a lot to consider before you take the color plunge. You don’t want something to end up with a room that slightly resembles a medieval dungeon or the inside of a Pepto-Bismol bottle.

Here are some things to consider before you head out and pick up paint samples:

What feeling does the room give off?

For example, a bedroom may feel tranquil or serene where a living room may feel comfortable and welcoming. A game room might feel active and energetic. You want the paint to complement the room’s feel or the color will seem wrong. Brighter, livelier colors make more sense in the more vivacious rooms while softer, less in-your-face colors work in the quieter spaces.

How big is the space?

If you’ve got a small area to work with, you’ll want to make it feel bigger, which can be done with lighter colors. Also, cooler colors like blues, greens and violets tend to make walls recede while warm colors like red, yellows and oranges bring them forward. So if you want a space to feel smaller and more intimate, go with the warmer, darker shades.

Where is the space?

Location of the room can play into color choices as well. For example, you wouldn’t want a wildly painted formal dining room. Here you’d want something elegant and tasteful. In a play room, you’ll most likely want something light and fun. A full bathroom should be relaxed, while you may want to make the laundry room simple and clean. Bottom line is that you want the color choices to complement the space. If they don’t, it might seem awkward and put you off the room.

Do you have a color scheme?

Unfortunately throwing a random of assortment of colors together will only make the room seem haphazard and awkward, not a space you want to spend time in. To start, find a color inspiration. Perhaps it’s a certain curtain fabric or a great throw pillow. Maybe it’s the new rug you picked up for the room. Once you have your inspiration, choose colors that go together. Colors in different shades from the same family work together. So do complementary colors–colors opposite each other on the color wheel like blue and yellow.

Remember to look at the undertones too. Some have a pink undertone, some yellow, some black. These undertones subtly come through and vary the shades of different colors.

Do your walls have trim?

Maybe you’ve got chair rail or crown molding. If the walls have any sort of trim, you can paint these an accent color to increase visual interest. For example, if you choose to paint the walls a light color, painting the trim dark will make it pop. If trim runs halfway up the wall you can use the trim divider to use two different walls colors, adding even more interest to the space. For instance, paint the chair rail a neutral color, then paint the bottom half a darker shade and the top half a lighter shade of the same color. If not but you still want something that pops, make a focal wall with an accent color.

As with anything in your home, the paint colors you decide on should reflect your personal taste. Whether you are quiet and reserved or funky and outgoing, the paint on your walls should reflect you. Now that you’ve gotten these tips, go out and have some fun with color!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged adding value to your home, color, home decor, home decorating, home renovations, improving your home, interior design, paint
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Selling Tip: Offset Your Home’s Carbon Balance

Jun28
2008
3 Comments Written by Allegra

green livingLooking for a new way to increase your home’s marketability?

In today’s green-conscious society, making your home more environmentally friendly doesn’t just help you; it appeals to buyers.

People are becoming more aware that carbon offsetting is an answer to the global climate changes, so you make your home more attractive by making it green!

What is Carbon Offsetting, and How Can You Do It?

Terrapass is a company that provides carbon emissions calculators, sells green products and allows people to buy carbon offsets, which fund “clean energy and carbon reduction projects” such as wind power and farm power.

According to Terrapass.com, carbon offsetting comes into existence when a project is created that “reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Every ton of emissions reduced results in the creation of one carbon offset. Project developers can then sell these offsets to finance their projects.”

Purchasing carbon offsets is a great way to help find new, more efficient sources of energy. And by making these simple changes to your home, you’ll not only save money on energy bills, but you’ll do your part to lessen the effects of global warming… PLUS add another benefit to your home’s list of features, helping you appeal to more buyers.

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged eco-friendly homes, Green Living, selling Buy Owner, selling by owner, selling for sale by owner, selling fsbo, Selling Tips
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Sprucing up for Summer: Driveways

Jun16
2008
1 Comment Written by Allegra

DrivewaysNow that the weather is warming up and being outside is more pleasurable than painful, why not tackle those outdoor home tasks?

Example: Is your driveway looking a little dull and dingy? Have years of car traction taken their toll? Sounds like it’s time to renovate the driveway, and here’s how to get started.

First, you must choose what type of driveway you want. There are two: solid surface and aggregate surface. Solid surfaces are driveways made of materials like concrete or asphalt while aggregate surfaces are, for example, brick pavers or crushed rock.

When considering your options, remember to think about these things:

What’s the cost? Call local companies who install driveways for estimates.

How does the driveway react to the weather? Depending on where you live you should think about snow, rain, earthquakes, etc.

How long will the type of driveway last? You’ll want something, of course, that has a decent lifespan, but also think about how much maintenance will be required to keep it in shape and make it last as long as it possibly can.

These pros and cons may help make the decision process a tad easier.

Concrete

Pros: Durable, long-lasting, smooth surface looks clean and neat, can be decorative with different color pigments to complement the house

Cons: Takes five to seven days to cure before it can be driven on, cracking will occur over time, light colors show stains, cannot be relayered

Asphalt

Pros: Crack resistant, long-lasting, less expensive than concrete, dark driveway shows fewer stains, can be stamped for decorative purposes

Cons: Needs resealing so it doesn’t deteriorate, can’t be sealed for six-nine months after installation or it will remain soft, sealer needs two-three days of drying time before it can be driven on

Brick Pavers

Pros: Create different designs and patterns, offers a variety of shades of colors and styles, strong material

Cons: Can be prone to damage, weeds can pop up in between the cracks.

(Tip: Consider interlocking pavers to avoid a weed problem.)

Crushed Stone

Pros: Economical, no base required- just pour and spread out

Cons: Stones and gravel can scatter, ruts can develop, difficult to plow or shovel snow off of, redressing is necessary (adding more stones)

As with all home projects, the first thing to do is make a plan! Figure out a time frame and a budget. Also, research the rules for driveway renovations. Check your city regulations and be aware of the fact that some homeowners’ associations also have driveway regulations. Doing your research before beginning is a necessity. Hire a quality installer to get the best possible results. Soon you’ll be enjoying all the perks of a brand-new driveway!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged adding value to your home, curb appeal, driveways, exterior appeal, home improvements, improving your driveway, making your home nicer
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