3 Easy Things You Can Do To Save Water at Home

Throughout the country, water conservation has become a way of life. There is a growing recognition that the supply of water is not unlimited. The amount of fresh water available for drinking, irrigation, industry, and other uses must be used as efficiently as possible. Recently, some counties and towns have even implemented restrictions on water use. This week, we’re outlining a few ways to save water at home and reduce your carbon footprint!

Install Rain Sensors on Your Irrigation Systems

Prevent overwatering your plants and eliminate unnecessary water use with this easily installed sprinkler system addition. Our pick is this orbit 57069 sprinkler system from amazon that features a universal design compatible with most sprinkler systems.

Fix Leaks

On top of causing damage, leaks account for much more water waste than you may realize. The average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted annually, and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more daily. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves.

Be Mindful of Every Day Water Use

Everyday tasks, such as brushing your teeth or washing a load of laundry, can add up to a lot of water waste over time. Washing machines use around 15-20 gallons of water a load, so make sure that you’re only completing full loads of laundry. Similarly, leaving the water on when brushing your teeth can waste as much as 5 gallons of water. Being mindful and incorporating small changes in water use can add up to a lot of savings over time.

Conclusion

Are you interested in home improvements to make your house more eco-friendly? Contact us today!

August 1, 2022 0

Building an Outdoor Shower

Outdoor showers are summer staples in many coastal towns and have proven to be helpful in keeping sand out of the house and providing an easy way to rinse off after a long day in the sun. Installing an outdoor shower is not as difficult as one may think, as it can be as complicated or simple as you wish. They can range from a bare shower head to a fully fenced-in outdoor oasis complete with all the amenities of a typical shower. This week we’re giving you all the necessary steps to get you started on creating an outdoor shower.

Find a Water Source

This may be the most challenging aspect of designing an outdoor shower and will likely require input from a professional. You will need to choose a location with easy access to a hose or other water source as a starting point. From there, you can attach a shower head to the outside area of your choice and run water to it. There is also the option to connect your outdoor shower to indoor plumbing, which will require professional help but is well worth it for regulating temperature.

Lay Down Flooring

Tile or pressure-treated wood are the best options for outdoor shower flooring. Tile will do best on a downward slope to allow for proper water drainage into a yard. Pressure-treated wood with a gravel drainage system underneath for a more uniform-looking shower will work well and is available at Home Depot and many other distributors.

Install Walls

The most popular option for outdoor shower fencing is the classic wooden layout. You can hire a fencing company, which shouldn’t cost much given the small amount of fencing actually necessary for the project. However, in attractive vinyl, steel, and bamboo designs, pre-assembled fencing options are also available at most home improvement stores.

Accessorize

A great outdoor shower has a few key features

Towel hooks
Plenty of shelving for toiletries
a fogless shower mirror
greenery to emphasize the outdoor feel
A bench for any other items
safety factors, such as a bar in case of slipping

Inspiration

Interested in creating the outdoor shower of your dreams? Contact us today!

July 25, 2022 0

5 Functional Ways to Use Floating Shelves

Do you have a few blank walls around your home that could use some cheering up? Floating shelves are a versatile and attractive option for decorating your home without breaking the bank. This week, we’ve outlined a few creative ways to incorporate floating shelves into your home.

House Greenery

Whether you’re a dedicated botanist looking for a stylish way to show off your plants or someone who prefers more low-maintenance fake florals, utilizing floating shelves to house greenery will transform your space.

Increase Kitchen Space

Floating shelves are a fantastic way to store plates, mugs, glasses, dry goods, and more. Especially in kitchens with muted or minimalist designs, floating shelves are a great way to give a kitchen some character.

Expand on a Bedside Table

The perfect option for bookworms who find themselves running out of space on their bedside table. Floating shelves can be a great way to decorate a bedroom and provide more space for any essentials you find yourself reaching for during your night-time routine.

Store Bathroom Essentials

Floating shelves are a great way to have every essential bathroom item accessible. Decorate your floating shelf with hand towels, vases, candles, favorite fragrances, and art.

Show Off Your Art Collection

Have more pieces of art than you know what to do with? Style them all together in a floating shelf arrangement to save on space!

Conclusion

Are you interested in incorporating floating shelves into your space? Talk with one of our professionals today!

July 18, 2022 0

Revamp Your Patio

With summer in full swing, you may want to turn your patio into the ultimate relaxing oasis, or maybe you’ve recently constructed a deck and are moving into the decorating phase. A few updates can transform an outdoor space without breaking the bank. This week, we’ve compiled a few of the best outdoor patio furniture pieces to give your outdoor space the facelift it needs!

Outdoor Patio Wicker Bar

This patio wicker bar table is the one you are looking for! The sturdy steel frame will be lightweight but durable and made of high-quality all-weather UV-resistant and water-resistant PE brown rattan material. Tempered Glass Tabletop easy to clean. Add additional storage space for your outdoor party with two-layer steel shelves under the table. Three stemware racks for hanging wine glasses allow for easy access to drinks. Make your backyard the place to be for outdoor socials with the outdoor bar table.

Wayfair Elkins Park Solid Wood 2 – Person Seating Group with Cushions

This 3-piece seating group lets you enjoy casual conversations and happy hours with friends on your porch or patio. It includes two chairs and a table made from solid acacia wood with natural wood grain and a water-resistant design that stands up to the elements. The two chairs feature a square back and deep seating with a slatted design for a relaxed look that lets water run through when it rains. They’re also topped with square white cushions that support you while you sit. The slatted table gives you a great spot to place a bowl of snacks and a few cold drinks.

Urba Coffee Table

Get low. This solid-acacia coffee table features balanced detailing and refined, modern design. Great for backyard cocktail parties or even a solo mojito.

Boden White Bar Cart

The life of the party. No, seriously. The sleek industrial Boden bar cart makes the good times mobile, allowing you to bartend your get-togethers from the living room to the patio. Its lightweight aluminum frame and stylish teak handle turn hosting into an easy and aesthetically pleasing process. Party on.

Crate & Barrel Alfresco Grey Outdoor Chaise Lounge with Charcoal Sunbrella

This casual and stylish Alfresco outdoor chaise lounge fools the eye with its natural wood appearance and fools the elements with water-, UV-, and fade-resistant properties. Slatted polystyrene faux wood in warm grey is treated with UV and anti-oxidant protection.

With a sturdy but lightweight aluminum frame in a black powder coat, the chaise lounge includes a push-button gas mechanism that raises and lowers the back to your ideal position. Real wheels help make it easy to follow the sun or shade. The sleek chaise cushion adds a deep layer of comfort and is covered in solution-dyed Sunbrella acrylic with fabric tab fasteners.

Aloe Green Bar Stool

The barstool version of the iconic Svelti Chair brings mid-century modern style to any spot you need a little lift. From your poolside barbecue bar to your kitchen island, the Svelte Bar Stool’s curved design unifies comfort and style inside and out.

Conclusion

Looking to create an outdoor oasis from scratch? Contact us today!

July 11, 2022 0

Childproofing Your Home

How to Childproof Your Home

Anyone with young children living in or visiting their home should take the necessary precautions to keep them safe. Children are naturally curious, leading to dangerous situations if a home isn’t adequately secured. This week, we’re giving you a checklist for every section of your home to ensure it’s a safe and fun place for children of all ages.

The Yard

A backyard is an excellent place for children to stay active and adventure in, but there are a few precautions to take before they do that;

Block off access to pools or hot tubs when children are unsupervised
Ensure any playground equipment is secure
Lock up access to propane under the grill
Have your fence vetted and secured by a professional
Put cushions on sharp edges of patio furniture
Make sure to put sharp tools away

The Kitchen

Cleaning supplies and appliances are all hazardous items commonly found in kitchens. To keep the kitchen a kid-friendly space, make sure you do the following:

Install safety latches on cabinets, especially low ones
Use back burners on the stove
Opt for nonflammable curtains, towels, and oven mitts
Unplug small appliances when not in use
Avoid using a cloth on a dining table
Keep cleaning supplies behind a locked door or out of reach
Invest in a child-resistant garbage can
Secure alcohol in a childproof cabinet

The Living Room

Some problem areas in living rooms include fireplaces and electrical outlets, but there are several things you can do to make this space safer:

Cushion sharp edges and corners
Block fireplace access with screen or baby gate
Invest in outlet covers
Remove or anchor unstable furniture
Cover all heating and air vents
Always unplug cords that are not being used
Get a nonslip rug
Keep dangling wires out of reach

Conclusion

Taking these precautions will put your mind at ease and ensure the safety of children. Have questions about making kid-friendly changes to your home? Contact us today!

July 4, 2022 0

Things To Know Before Building a Deck

A deck can be a perfect oasis for enjoying company and relaxing. A deck can be diligently crafted to fit your specific needs but requires considerable planning and decision-making before a project can break ground. This week, we’re telling you everything you need to know before adding a deck to your home.

Purpose and Function

Decks are versatile spaces that can be used for entertaining, outdoor dining, relaxation, and so much more. The first thing you should do is identify the purpose and function of your deck and design the space accordingly. For example, if you want a shady area, a deck should be placed under trees and feature an awning, but if you want to use it to work on your summer tan, it should be placed in an area with all-day sunshine. If the deck will be a place for hosting barbeques and parties, ensure easy mobility between the space and the kitchen.

Location

Determining the function of your deck will help you figure out the ideal location. You should be sure that you’ll be able to scale the deck to the size of your property, maximize your view using the scenery around you, and have easy access to bathrooms and kitchens.

Privacy is an essential factor that should be considered in the planning process. Sometimes, there is not a perfect spot for a deck that’s 100% private. If you have to settle on a location that may be in view of neighbors or the street, you may consider adding privacy measures such as screens or fences.

Budget

Your budget is another critical factor that will impact what you can do with a deck realistically. The cost of materials, size, permits, labor, furniture and lighting add up quickly. Make a spreadsheet of every projected expense and call around for a few different estimates for the above expenses.

Materials

Wood is the obvious choice for decking material, but there are quite a few options to choose from that affect maintenance and cost. The most weather-resistant option is pressure-treated woods like pine, cedar, and redwood. If you’re looking to be eco-friendly composite materials made of recycled wood diners are easy to maintain but will be more expensive. Plastic planks are another great option that resist rot but tend to get very hot in the sun.

Choosing a Contractor

Choosing the right contractor can be challenging. However, a trustworthy contractor can help ensure you know the local codes and regulations and will typically take care of the logistics for you. Our Guide of questions to ask before hiring a home contractor will safeguard you and your home from fraudulent contractors and a deck-building disaster.

Conclusion

Building a deck doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Have more questions about adding an outdoor addition to your home? Contact us today!

June 27, 2022 0

The Laundry Chute That Broke The Internet

A robotic laundry chute has taken the internet by storm this month. A video shared on Twitter of the world’s first vacuum-powered laundry chute has racked up over 11 million views and thousands of replies.

What is the Laundry Jet?

The Laundry Jet is the first vacuum-powered laundry chute that transports laundry from any room with ports installed, to the laundry room. Unlike a traditional laundry chute, the Laundry Jet can be used regardless of if a home is a multi-level or single-story because it is not reliant solely on gravity. It can be installed seamlessly into any custom laundry room design and existing laundry rooms. It has been highlighted as a convenient and safe way to transport clothes to the laundry room from any room in the house.

Online Criticism

While the laundry jet may provide a solution for those living with mobility issues, the high-tech home addition has received an overwhelming amount of negative reactions online:

From those criticizing the over-complicated design and waste of energy:

To those who had legitimate concerns over the potential danger the contraption has for people:

Other users voiced concern over the dangers of a suction device concerning household pets:

Cost

The Laundry Jet system is a pricey investment in the name of convenience. It ranges in price from $2,400 to $15,000 depending on the size and number of ports. The pricing includes an estimate for the pipe but does not include installation or delivery. Installation can take from 1-3 days depending on the house. Free quotes are available within 1-3 days using their online quote request form.

Conclusion

Would you add the infamous Laundry Jet to your home? Leave us a comment down below and feel free to contact us for all your renovation needs!

June 20, 2022 0

Does Your Bathroom Need a Bidet?

The bidet is a universal fixture in bathrooms throughout Europe, Asia, and South America that has slowly started to gain some popularity in North America. According to SNWS Digital, the average American spends around $182 on toilet paper each year, meaning that over the course of a lifetime, people spend roughly $11,198.88 on toilet paper. With those numbers in mind, you may be curious about installing a bidet of your own. This week, we’re telling you everything you need to know about home bidet systems.

What Is A Bidet?

Simply put, Bidets use water to wash you after using the restroom, and no, they don’t use toilet water to do this. The attachment redirects pipe water to a nozzle you control, and the water source is the same one that your shower and sink use. Praised for being less wasteful and more sanitary than toilet paper, bidets have been a trendy alternative for toilet paper in many countries worldwide.

Health Benefits

The idea of a bidet turns many people off because they find it too invasive, but it’s just a way to wash without hopping in the shower. Bidets can significantly help with cleanliness and hygiene and can even aid in reducing rashes, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections, and other medical issues.

Environmental Impact

Using a bidet is one of the many ways to reduce your carbon footprint. While it saves a ton of toilet paper, it also doesn’t use as much water as one might think. The bidet uses only one-eighth of a gallon, while it takes about 37 gallons of water to make a single roll of toilet paper. It also takes almost 400 trees to make a lifetime supply of one person’s toilet paper, which also would be saved by converting to a bidet. So a bidet is not only easier on your plumbing, but the world.

Cost

There are a range of bidet types on the market, each with their own costs. The three most popular choices, in order of price, are:

Toilet Attachment Bidet: These small, one-piece bidet units are known for their cost-effectiveness and simple design. The smallest type of bathroom bidet, these are designed to fit under any regular toilet seat. They feature spray controls that are accessible on a small console. Costs vary, but most models of this type cost around $40 to $100.

Toilet Seat Bidet: The next step up from an attachment is a model that replaces a regular toilet seat with one that can spray water. There are many to choose from, some basic and some with many settings and features. These toilet seat bidets cost from $200 to $700 or more depending on the features, with most models falling somewhere in the middle.

Bidet Toilet: Want a high-end bidet but don’t have space for a stand-alone unit? Bidet toilets are a good compromise. Bidet toilet seats and attachments are retrofit solutions, and bidet toilets combine waste disposal and cleansing all in one. The fanciest models have multiple settings for adjusting water pressure, temperature, and spray pattern. Less expensive models start at around $800, with most retailing for $1,500 to $2,000.

Conclusion

A bidet is a soothing, low-cost bathroom addition that can help the planet while improving personal hygiene. Have questions about adding a bidet or other luxury features to your bathroom? Contact us today!

June 13, 2022 0

Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinets

If you’ve spent any time researching a kitchen remodel, the cabinet selection has likely taken up a lot of your time. With so many cabinet options to choose from, we’ve outlined the best cabinet types for the most popular kitchen styles of 2022.

Spanish

This coastline-inspired style incorporates rustic elements paired with a casual feel. With open shelving, bold colors, archways, and lots of wood elements, the best kind of cabinets to go with are rich and dark wood, as it resembles traditional furnishings found in the main living areas of the Spanish-style home. Some cabinets may also feature an easy-access design without doors to highlight the openness of a Spanish kitchen.

Cottagecore

The agricultural-based kitchen style employs a mix of traditional and rustic styles, emphasizing natural materials like wood and cotton. For those looking to feel comfortable and at peace in their kitchen, opt for farmhouse-style cabinetry. A traditional palette of creams, sages, or whites can be used throughout, while highlighted features can be accompanied by natural earthy-toned cabinets such as forest green, pebble, or royal blue. Also, consider using antiqued molding and fixtures in the design of your cottage-style cabinets to capture the whimsical mood of cottagecore.

Nordic

This understated kitchen style features many simple white spaces, feature lights, and wooden flooring. Efficiency and functionality are a top priority in nordic kitchen design, so the simpler the cabinet, the better. We suggest the shaker cabinet with a five-piece flat panel door and no ornamentation. The clean lines of the shaker style create an understated feel, which suits the nordic style nicely.

Bohemian

The unique ambiance of a bohemian kitchen is filled with character and personality. This kitchen design is all about personalizing the interior with a mix of colors and unusual textures. A bohemian kitchen allows for the most creativity with a selection of cabinetry. Play around with your favorite colors to create a space unique to you.

Conclusion

Have questions about kitchen cabinets and redesign? Contact us today!

June 6, 2022 0

How To Keep Hardwood Perfect

The cost of hardwood flooring averages between $6 and $12 per square foot. At that rate, it can get pretty expensive to install it throughout a home. When you opt for hardwood floors, there are several maintenance practices you should become familiar with to keep your hardwood floors beautiful for years to come. This week, we’ve outlined a few of the best methods to care for hardwood floors.

Re-Finishing

If you notice your hardwood floors become a little dull, you can renew their shine through a thorough recoating. Depending on the level of wear and tear, a hardwood floor should be refinished every 3-5 years. Contact a local wood floor restoration company, or research how to DIY.

Use Pads

Scratches are a big issue with hardwood floors. Unfortunately, most furniture can cause pretty bad scratches when moved around in any capacity. Using furniture pads can help prevent this kind of damage and should be added to the legs of any tables, chairs, sofas, etc.

Protect Heavy Traffic Areas

Protecting heavily used areas, like the front hallways or kitchen, is easy with rugs and runners. High traffic is the #1 cause of wear and tear on hardwood, so decide what spaces are worth protecting and explore different design options for rugs.

Clean Spills

Cleaning up any spills as soon as they happen is key to not permanently staining hardwood. Avoid wet or steam mops to clean up messes, as they tend to cause more damage over time. Keeping your home between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit will also help lessen the severity of spills over time.

Vacuum Weekly

Make it a point to emphasize vacuuming in your weekly cleaning routine. This will help ensure that any dirt, crumbs, or other debris doesn’t scratch your floor over time. Don’t feel like vacuuming yourself? Consider investing in a Roomba.

Use Wood Floor Cleaner Monthly

Here are a few of our recommendations:

Conclusion

We hope we were able to educate you on how to take the best care of your hardwood floors. Want to install a new floor or have more questions about care? Contact us today!

May 30, 2022 0