| How to Create Your Dream Fireplace
A
fireplace is a focal point in a home. Not only is it a visually
appealing central gathering place, but it provides a backdrop for
cherished memories. From family portraits to opening presents during
the holidays, there is an emotional connection to fireplaces. If you
are contemplating adding a fireplace to your home, there’s no need to
feel overwhelmed by the process. Here's everything you need to know.
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| The Family That Plays Together Stays Together
Children
are only children a very short time before they head out into their own
lives, busy with friends, college, jobs and, eventually, their own
families. Research shows that children who enjoy a strong family life
become happier and more successful adults. One of the most effective
ways to strengthen a family is to create a family fun night, an evening
set aside each week when the family gathers to spend time together.
According to Alvin Rosenfeld, M.D.
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| Healthy Home Environments Start with the Floor
Your
home is supposed to be your sanctuary, a place of rest and tranquility.
But for many people, indoor environments can be full of allergens that
can cause a variety of problems. This is especially a concern for
families with children. Here's an easy way to create a better home
environment for your family.
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| Designing a Kitchen that Works Hard
If
you’re looking for ideas on how to make your kitchen more functional
and stylish, consider integrating these options into your kitchen
remodeling plan.
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| Deck Talk for Gen X Homeowners
You’re
a member of the new, up-and-coming generation of homeowners: Generation
X. You and your peers are rewriting home ownership and home
improvement. Clearly, you won’t be settling for the high-maintenance,
homogenous-looking decks of your parents’ hey day.
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| A New Year's Resolution You Should Definitely Keep
Time
to sit down and come up with your official list of New Year’s
resolutions, and if you own your home, you should also make a
resolution or two involving it. Her are some ideas for what should be
on it.
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| Now is the Time to Get Your Home Ready for Next Spring
Before
the next change of season arrives, there are a few things you should do
to make sure your house will make it through the winter and have an
easy transition to spring. Here are some of the more important tasks
you should put on your to-do list.
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| Safe Can be Stylish in the Bath
When
it comes to updating your bathroom, style is most likely your first
consideration. But it shouldn’t be! After all, this frequently used
room is where most home injuries occur. Luckily, safe can be stylish.
Here's how.
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| The Luxury Kitchen of Tomorrow Can Be Yours Today
The
kitchen of tomorrow can be yours today if you make just a few changes.
A good place to start is by replacing your conventional cook top and
oven with an automatic cooker that can do everything from making
omelets and cooking pasta to grilling steaks and baking cookies at the
touch of a button.
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| Wrought Iron: A Great Way to Add Curb Appeal
The
handcrafted look of wrought iron has been gaining popularity in a wide
range of home décor for some time now. In fact, it was named the number
one decorating trend for 2007 by noted designer Melodi Oswald.
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| Winter Tips for Staying Warm and Comfy at Home
Winter
brings lower temperatures and higher energy bills, as well as hectic
schedules and guests coming to your home for holiday gatherings.
Luckily, there are easy ways you can eliminate some household stresses
to make the season more comfortable and enjoyable.
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| Easy, Do-it-Yourself Upgrades to Make Your Home More Functional
The
age-old argument of form versus function need not apply while upgrading
your home. There are easy, do-it-yourself ways to improve your living
spaces while making your home more beautiful and functional. Whether
your home is a small apartment or a large estate there are many simple,
low-cost projects that can have a big impact.
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| Molding and Trim: The Crowning Glory of Any Room
If
you’re like most homeowners you probably don’t think much about trim
and crown molding. But walk into a room with crown molding and you will
immediately feel you are somewhere special. Trim and crown molding
really complete a room that may otherwise seem dull and lackluster.
Here's what you need to know to dress up your home.
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| Seven Tips to Slash Soaring Home Heating Bills
Consumers
will likely pay record prices to heat their homes this winter, up an
average of 10.5 percent from last winter, says NEADA, a group of state
energy aid officials. Now is the time to give your home a “check-up.”
Here are seven tips from the Comfort Institute to make your home an
energy sipper instead of a gas guzzler.
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| How to Make Your Home Smarter
Why
rack your brain thinking of ways to make your home more comfortable and
efficient when you can get your home to think for you? Smart homes are
the emerging trend in home design.
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| Decking DIY: Easy Tips for Extending the Decking Season
Most
people associate spring or early summer with the decking season, but
with the advent of backyard decks now becoming outdoor living spaces
complete with covered areas, outdoor fireplaces and patio heaters,
decking season now spans across several months not normally associated
with enjoying outside spaces comfortably. Consider the following tips
for your deck.
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| Residing Your Home in the Manufactured Stone-Age
While
new home sales have edged up in recent months, most experts agree that
the housing market slump is far from over. Although it may not be the
ideal time to try to sell your house, experts also say that you
shouldn’t just sit on your biggest investment either. Siding
replacement consistently scores as one of the highest rated projects in
terms of return on investment and owner enjoyment.
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| Replace Your Home’s Biggest Water Waster
Ready
to make your home more environmentally friendly? If you’re planning to
join the ranks of those who want to do their part for Planet Earth, the
bathroom is a good place to start. Here are five things to keep in mind
as you shop for a new toilet.
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| Home Décor Trends Help You Create the Perfect Style
There
is a growing discontent among homeowners that has spurred a new trend
in home remodeling. Homeowners are realizing that as they have matured
their lifestyles and tastes have dramatically changed, leaving them
feeling less comfortable in their houses. By using décor elements that
better reflect their personalities they are transforming their houses
into homes once again.
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| Help Protect Your Family and Breathe Easier
A
healthy home? Does that mean everyone in the household is free of germs
and sniffles? By today’s environmental standards, it’s much more. A
healthy home is one that allergy and asthma sufferers and everyone can
appreciate. It features clean indoor air with proper ventilation,
filtration and moisture control. A healthy home is high on comfort and
low on humidity, dust and other airborne irritants.
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| Modern Materials Ease Homeowners into Fall Deck Building
The
end of summer no longer means the end of deck building season.
Homeowners considering expanding their living space outdoors now have
more choices than ever to build decks that look great and keep their
families comfortable for longer periods of the year.
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| Easy Tips for a Clean Workbench
Clutter
is not a welcome part of any home, and one of the hardest areas to keep
organized is the home workbench. With an array of tools, supplies and
other necessary household items, it can easily become one of the
messiest areas in the house. But don’t dismiss this area as one that
can’t be tidy. Simple organizational steps can create a workspace that
is useful and clean.
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| Roof Now, Pay Later
Because
your roof protects the rest of your home, keeping it functioning
properly should be a top priority, but roof shingles have a finite
lifespan and sooner or later will need to be replaced. Fortunately,
homeowners have a number of financing options that won’t require
tapping into the kids’ college funds.
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| Touch-free Faucets Go Green, Get Beautiful
The
green movement has turned on the tap of creativity for many
manufacturers of bathroom fixtures and accessories. With homeowners
increasingly demanding products that are good for the environment,
promote healthier lifestyles and complement their interior décor,
innovations are flowing into the market place.
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| How to Give Your Garage Floor a New Life
Winter
is the worst time of year for your garage, especially if you park your
cars in it. Here's a way you can protect the concrete floor's integrity
for years to come.
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| Old World Charm Thrives in Modern Home Décor
Old
World design is all the rage in the New World these days. Home owners
and their builders are reworking neglected old properties and
constructing brand new villas that celebrate many of the architectural
details and finishing touches brought from England, France, Italy and
Spain during the 17th and 18th centuries. Here's how to get this
classic look in your home.
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| Carpet Care Made Easy
Carpeting
is a practical and aesthetic addition to any home. Utilized for its
comfortable surface, it also beautifies interior spaces by adding to
the décor. Proper upkeep and care ensures that your carpet will last
for years to come, adding to your home’s value.
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| How To Defeat Your Home’s Dust Bunnies
With
the fall allergy season in full swing, more people are heading indoors
to find relief from ragweed, pollen and cooler temperatures. But there
are also things lurking inside homes that could further aggravate
allergies and asthma this autumn and throughout the year. Here are some
tips for keeping indoor air cleaner.
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| Bathroom Luxury So Hot It’s Cold
These
days, what used to be the most forgotten room in the house is getting a
lot of attention. One of the most popular trends in home improvement is
to turn the bathroom into a luxurious getaway. Here are some ideas on
how to do it.
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| Contain Clutter by Creating a Kids Playroom in a Snap
Do-it-yourself
renovations are becoming more and more popular among home owners.
Parents are upgrading and adding value to their home at every chance
they get, but the kids are getting left behind. A playroom is a great
way for parents to give a room back to their kids.
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| Ceramic Tile Trend: Big and Beautiful
The
history of ceramic tiles can be traced back to the 11th Century from
Spanish and Arabic cultural influences. Many historic homes, palaces
and mosques are filled with beautiful tile work known for style and
functionality. Today, ceramic tiles are used in homes for these same
reasons and one of the top trends is large, eye-catching tiles.
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| Remodeling Trend Continues to Grow
The
remodeling trend continues to grow nationwide as more and more people
are choosing to upgrade their current homes instead of moving to a new
one. Remodeling can happen all at once or step by step. Smaller changes
are a great place to start and get your feet wet especially if you plan
to do it yourself. A great upgrade that drastically changes the look in
your home is the surface you walk on each day: the flooring.
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| Protect Your Home with Secure Fences and Gates in Good Working Order
A
fence is an investment most homeowners make only once or twice in their
lives. Fences provide protection, privacy and “curb appeal.” They can
define property lines and enhance security, keeping children and pets
in and unwelcome intruders out. A good fence, especially an isolation
fence around a swimming pool, can also reduce homeowners’ liability.
Here's what to consider so you get the best fence for you.
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| Protecting America from Damage by Birds
When
the news first hit, it sounded like something out of a Hitchcockian
nightmare: a build up of pigeon droppings may have contributed to the
collapse of the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
While many people may be aware of the health concerns associated with
bird droppings, fewer fully understand the physical damage droppings
can do to man-made structures.
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| Eeeeck I Have Squeaks
As
you delicately try to tiptoe past that familiar creak in the floor,
your foot is inevitably drawn right to it and that terrible squeak is
heard, loud as ever, throughout the house. It’s happened to everybody,
and at times it wakes up the newborn (or anyone else who is asleep),
interrupts home-office calls, and lets everyone in the house know about
your midnight snack run to the fridge.
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| Coordinated Bathrooms Offer Luxury and Convenience
Homeowners
are spending billions each year on residential improvements, but
bathrooms have not always been top priority. The bathroom’s utilitarian
function once caused it to be seen as a room of necessity rather than
luxury. A growing remodeling trend is creating luxurious retreats in
the home. The bathroom’s being viewed as a place of relaxation, and
consumers are investing more time and money to create a place of
seclusion and escape.
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| How to Find Great Windows -- It’s All About Research
Replacing
your home’s existing windows or choosing windows for a new home is an
important decision. The materials, features and options are vast and
understanding which windows and patio doors may be best can be
difficult. Here's advice on getting started and finding the right
windows for your home.
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| Tips and Tactics to Finding the Right Exterior Door
A
beautiful entryway can make a memorable first impression; it is after
all one of the first things people see. It is also essential in
boosting the curb appeal of a home when it’s for sale, and can help add
value through heating and cooling efficiencies. But when it comes to
exterior doors, how do you know which one is the best for your home?
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| How to Mouse-proof Naturally With Peppermint
As
the weather turns cooler, mice begin to seek cozier surroundings -- and
the perfect place to settle is your home. Even seemingly well-sealed
houses are susceptible, as mice are excellent swimmers and climbers,
are able to jump over a foot off the floor and can squeeze through
openings as small as 1/4 of an inch. That's about the diameter of a
pencil! Here's how to naturally repel them.
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| Hot New Trend: Interior Décor for the Garage
The
garage is very often the last place to be recognized as a space you can
decorate. Indoors and out our houses are decorated with
state-of-the-art updates -- even patios have outdoor kitchens and
stylish stone underfoot. The garage is one of the highest traffic areas
of your home, so adding the same style there increases square footage
and value to your property.
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| Wood: A Renewable, Efficient, Clean Energy Source
With
colder temperatures on the way, many people are considering more
efficient and more economic ways to heat their homes. The roller
coaster of energy prices combined with the strain on the planet’s
energy sources and the increased pollution can leave you feeling cold.
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| When It’s Time to Upgrade Your Bathroom Lighting
Proper
lighting is essential to the look and function of the room where you
get ready to face the world everyday. So why do so many people put up
with uneven shadows and having to strain to see their faces in the
mirror every morning?
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| Create Your Dream Bathroom with Beautiful Skylights
In
today’s homes, many of which are on small lots with close-by neighbors,
privacy is sometimes hard to find without closing the doors and
covering the windows. And privacy in bedrooms and bathrooms is not just
a convenience, it’s a necessity. What’s the answer? Simply look up.
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| Illuminate the Possibilities of Home Décor
Residential
lighting is often considered a basic necessity, so home owners do not
think of it as a stylish home décor element. Yet lighting can be so
much more than a simple ceiling fixture.
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| How to Avoid Big Homeowner Headaches This Winter
Colder
weather will soon be setting in over many parts of the country. For
homeowners, this means they’ll be facing a long list of home
improvement and maintenance activities in preparation for winter. Here
are some tips to getting ready for winter.
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| How to Turn Your Favorite Room into a Luxurious Place to Spend the Winter
The
arrival of winter usually means you have to abandon your favorite room
in the house because it’s about to get very cold in there. But the
three season porch, your home spa or a lower level exercise room would
all be viable year round if you could just heat them. Here's a quick
and cost-effective way to do it.
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| The Three Rs for Your Roof This Fall: Review and Repair or Replace
Sandwiched
between summer storms and winter snow, fall typically offers a nice
break in the weather that’s ideal for home repairs. To avoid heading
into winter without the protection of a properly functioning roof,
homeowners should use this season to assess their roof for damage and
then prioritize any needed repairs. But, how do you evaluate your roof?
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| Tips To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
As
much as half of the energy used in a home goes toward heating and
cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To minimize the
energy and dollars spent to heat a home this winter, it’s essential
that windows and doors are energy efficient. Here are some tips for
maximizing a home’s energy efficiency.
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| How To Breathe Easier In Your Home
Families
spend about 90 percent of their time in their homes. So, it only makes
sense that you want your house as clean and comfortable as possible,
including the indoor air. There are steps you can take to make sure you
get cleaner air where you need it most.
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| The Everyday DIYer Guide to Glue
Time
to pull out the “honey-do” list. Chances are you’re one of the many who
plan to take advantage of fall weekends to complete household repairs
before the days grow shorter and cooler. Here is a guide to one of the
most useful DIY products in the home: Glue.
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| Add 'Wow' with Window Treatments
A
new husband, a new house and 47 bare windows would be enough to cause
decorating stress in just about any woman. Here are some ideas from an
interior design expert on how to bring out the best in windows
throughout your home.
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| Throwing Money Out the Window?
Ever wonder where your hard earned money is going? Take a look around
your home at the windows and doors. Here's how to figure out if it's
time to replace them.
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| How to Keep Your Home Pest-free this Winter
Cooler
weather is on the way and with it - unwelcome houseguests. And it won’t
just be your Uncle Bob and his brood of eight settling in for the
holidays. Critters – from rodents to insects – will be looking to join
the party too.
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| Products For Your Home: Choice Words for Choosy Buyers
If
you want to increase the value of your home by adding a few bells and
whistles here and there, don’t go into it blindly. To choose products
that give the most bang for your buck, think in this order: health,
wealth and happiness.
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| Redwood: A Beautiful, Environmentally Smart Fencing Option
A
fence can be one of the hardest working features of your home. The
right fence will define your space, create privacy and shade, and
retain its beauty while standing up to even the harshest weather. The
perfect fence will also reflect your commitment to living “green.” Here
are some tips and reasons why redwood is the ideal wood for such a
project.
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| Alternative Heat Source Warms Homes and Hearts
Winter
is coming and with it cooler temperatures. Contractors are gearing up
to help homeowners renovate their heating systems for a more efficient,
comfortable and cozy winter. Many situations, such as the age of your
home and the heat source you have, call for creative heating solutions.
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| Does Your Garage Need Organizing?
Garage
organization projects are one of the fastest growing segments of the
home renovation industry. Here are some tips for getting yours in order.
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| Handy Homeowners Can Add Natural Light Quickly
If
you’re a homeowner with an area in your home that needs more natural
light -- say a hallway, laundry room, closet, or a windowless bathroom
-- an easy-to-install tubular skylight could be the answer.
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| Cut Kitchen Chaos with Orderly Cabinets
Over
the years, the kitchen has morphed from a space strictly used to chop,
dice, chat and dine, into a domestic sanctuary where all household
activity takes place. This increase in activity has made the kitchen a
very busy place. In order to keep kitchen chaos to a minimum, cabinet
manufacturers are offering more time-saving accessories to make
cabinetry more functional and practical without compromising style.
Here are some tips to organize your kitchen.
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| Renovation of Unfinished Basement Creates Two-Bath, Home-within-a-Home for Extended Family
Bathroom
additions rank among the most common home improvements, and the
investment almost always pays off at resale. But when it comes to
basement renovations, the expense and mess of digging for plumbing
drainage lines makes adding a bathroom financially impractical for many
homeowners. As a result, homes with plenty of sub-level promise remain
underutilized.
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| Where the Wild Things Hang Out
Remember
when you were young and there was one house on the block where all the
kids hung out? Every parent knows that giving kids a place to have fun
with their friends is very important. Here's a way to quickly transform
your basement into a fun place for your family.
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| Affordable Upgrades Put Your Home’s Best Face Forward
Buying
a home is often the largest single purchase you’ll ever make. But after
investing all that hard-earned money just to get inside the door, how
can you add value to your investment without breaking the bank? Whether
it’s customizing to fit your personal style or adding to its durability
for years to come, choosing a few affordable upgrades will help you put
your home’s best face forward.
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| How to Choose an Extension Pole for Your DIY Project
Extension
poles are very versatile tools that allow you to safely reach high
access areas to complete many different tasks. R.D. Newman, inventor
and founder of Mr. LongArm, developed and manufactured the first
extension pole in 1958. He saw the need for painters to reach high
places without having to use a ladder. Today, there are many different
styles of extension poles to choose from and they are used for much
more than just painting. But how do you decide which one will best fit
your needs?
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| Outdoor Living Spaces: Adding an Outdoor Room
One
of the hottest trends among homeowners is to extend a home’s living
space to the outdoors. Many homeowners want a refuge from the hectic
pace of daily life. Decks can provide a place to relax and enjoy the
outdoor setting.
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| Gazebos: The New Gathering Place Away from Home
Many
homeowners wish to turn their backyards into outdoor living spaces,
bringing indoor comforts into the fresh outdoor air. Gazebos are
uniquely suited to do this by providing a covered retreat that adds
distinction to the outdoor living space.
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| Love of Western Red Cedar Is a Many-Splendored Thing
No
wonder so many people have loved Western Red Cedar in so
many-splendored ways for so long. From Pacific Northwest native
longhouses to luxury contemporary homes, Western Red Cedar has been
loved for hundreds of years.
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| Weekend Painting Projects Made Easy
Outdoor
painting projects can be intimidating. With cold weather approaching,
it’s better to do these projects now before winter elements such as
wind, rain and snow cause a lot of damage. In fact, with the right
tools and planning, you could complete a project in just one weekend.
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| Turn Your Garage Space into a Living Space
No
matter how big your house is, there never seems to be enough room for
everything. Whether it’s space for hobbies, recreation or just more
storage, most of us could use more of it.
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| Simple Tips for Saving Water
When
it comes to water conservation, there are many things you can do to
make a difference, especially in the bathroom. Daily habits started
today will keep water in supply for generations if you follow a few
simple guidelines.
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| Take the Chill Out of Buying a New Refrigerator
Buying
a refrigerator can be a chilling experience. When you think about it,
it is a pretty big investment of time, money and effort. With so many
brands and features to choose from, selecting the right appliance can
be daunting. You can make it a more pleasant venture by getting
educated about the variety of options before visiting your local
appliance retailer.
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| Trying to Sell Your Home? Give it Scentmosphere!
Looking to sell your home? All you hear these days in the news and
from friends is how bad the housing market is, and for good reason.
There are too many existing houses on the market, builders have had to
get more aggressive in selling new homes, interest rates and gas prices
are up … these are not ideal conditions.
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| The Decorative Accent that Will Set Your Home Apart
Look
around your house and you will likely notice a lot of coordination. The
brushed nickel knobs on your cabinets match the kitchen sink; all of
the lighting fixtures on your upper level contain alabaster glass; and
every window in your home has those same wooden blinds.
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| Survive The Honey-Do Weekend
For
those who work with their hands, cracked fingers and splitting thumbs
are a problem that exists throughout the year, and now there's
something you can do about it.
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