House & Home - Page 2 of 4

rustic kitchen with modern stools and white cabinets

As retirement approached, the bucolic appeal of central Michigan was calling to this couple. So they decided to get out of the Saginaw, Michigan, suburbs and move to a cornfield-surrounded property they had fallen in love with. Though they had a very strong vision for the new home they were building there, they knew they needed some professional help with the interiors. Once the house was framed, they looked for an interior designer on Houzz and chose Kathleen Townsend. She helped bring their vision to life, incorporating the soft color palette and personalization they wanted in their forever home.

living room with kitchen in background — Photos by Brendan Ross

The homeowners had a definite vision of what they wanted, including soft grays and blues, two-tone cabinetry and open shelving to display their treasures. Townsend helped them finish and furnish their spaces in a way that tied the rooms together. Cohesiveness was important within the open floor plan.

From the great room, the kitchen’s blue diamond backsplash wall provides a beautiful view. Townsend created cohesion between spaces with the color palette and finishes. For example, the walls in the great room, dining area and kitchen are all painted in Benjamin Moore’s Repose Gray. The backsplash plays off the blue sofa. The flooring throughout the house is engineered white oak.

In planning their new home, the owners were looking forward to gathering with their adult children and their grandchildren. This area serves as their casual everyday eat-in area as well as the formal dining room. Extensions allow them to expand the table and make room for the whole family when needed. The chandelier is from the same collection as the pendant lights over the island, tying the two spaces together.

The door with the glass panels on the right is architectural salvage the homeowners found in Detroit. It opens to a walk-in pantry that includes open shelving and cabinetry that provide all the space needed for food storage. The couple replaced the original glass in the door with opaque glass to block the view of shelves full of food. The opening seen at the back of the photo leads to the mudroom.

When Townsend was hired, the placement of the windows and doors had already been established. “They have these black-framed windows with transom frames at the top throughout the house and they are so pretty,” she says. The large window over the sink has lovely views out to the cornfields that surround the property.

Another must-have on the homeowners’ list was open shelving. “She wanted to be able to display heirloom items that had a lot of meaning to her and enjoy them every day. They are treasures to her,” Townsend says. The open shelves maintain a light feeling around the window. Upper cabinets would have closed in the window and blocked the view to the cornfields from the other spaces.

The window wall’s backsplash is composed of glass picket tiles in a soft gray. “If we’d continued the diamond tiles around this wall, they would have overwhelmed the kitchen,” Townsend says. Instead, the quieter glass tiles put the focus on Grandmother’s china and the view out the window.

The two-tone cabinets are a mix of maple and white paint. The white upper cabinets fade into the background while the maple base cabinets add warmth. The hardware on all the cabinetry is aged bronze.

The island measures 6 by 3 feet, with seating on one side and storage on the other. The suede counter stools tuck neatly out of the way beneath the countertop. The countertops are Torquay quartz by Cambria, which has subtle marble-like veining. The quartz is low-maintenance and more durable than real marble.

The clients opted for blackened stainless steel for the appliances. These have a darker look than standard stainless steel. The light fixtures have an aged steel finish.

The doors off the dining area lead directly out to the patio, making it easy for the couple to entertain outdoors.

Here’s a look at the large patio, the porch and the relaxing rural surroundings.

“They just hosted a baby shower for one of their children a few weeks ago,” Townsend says. “They are so happy in their new home. While they continue working, their commutes are a bit longer, but it’s well worth it to them.”

This article was originally published on houzz.com

Fall is the best time to garden, and it’s about time we realized this. Not only is cooler weather easier on new plants and tired bones, but planting in a spent garden with rain on the horizon also has advantages. Here’s more on why planting in fall can make spring gardens more robust than we might have imagined.

Cooler Weather Helps Plants and People

I confess from the get-go that I’m an autumn junkie. I love the cool mornings followed by warm afternoons and a return to coolness in the evenings. I love the leaf colors, which are so much more profound than those of flowers. I love the insects rushing to gather pollen and nectar to overwinter or migrate. I love the smell of decay after a rain shower. I love the first frost hanging on every leaf and stem. But I really love autumn for the gardening energy it provides — I’m not sweating 30 minutes into planting or dividing, and the soil is very workable, so I can go for hours.

Plants love fall, too. Their leaves aren’t stressed by scorching sun, and cooler temps lessen the demand for water from the roots. I’m a firm believer that fall-dug plants are more robust than spring- or summer-dug plants.

Less Watering Means Lower Maintenance

If you plant in spring or summer, more often than not you have to dutifully keep up with watering during those first few weeks or months. Constant observation of your new darlings gets tedious as the heat ramps ups.

When planting in fall, I water the plants in their pots a few hours before digging so they can soak up what they need, then I stick them in the ground and leave until forever. Now, I’m talking perennials here. For shrubs and trees, it’s good to thoroughly water the soil in the new hole to get it nice and tight around the new roots you’ve teased out from the root ball, and a warm day in January might be perfect for watering if it’s been a dry winter.

You Can Plant Later

Let’s say you buy a tree at 50 percent off before the nursery closes for winter in mid-October. Ideally, you’d plant it right away, but really you’re fine waiting several weeks, so feel free to go watch some football. I’m in USDA Zone 5, and we garden mavericks dig shrubs and trees into late November.

In fact, it might be easier on the trees once their leaves are gone. There’s less pressure to devote resources to keeping them alive, and all of their effort is dedicated to growing roots. That’s the benefit of fall digging for all plants: You’re helping them concentrate on roots, so when they come back in spring, they’re ready to put on more top growth in the form of lovely foliage and stunning blooms. If you plant in spring or summer, you have to wait an entire year to see those results.

Smaller Sizes Make for Better Plants

This is a bit of a generalization, but overall you might as well save money and buy smaller plants — 3-inch pots and plugs, trees in gallon containers and more. With a smaller root zone that, hopefully, isn’t spun round and round the root ball, you’ll get a plant that will suffer less from transplant shock and become established as fast as, or faster than, a larger specimen.

I love the small pots pictured here. It’s easier to tease out the roots so they make contact with the new soil in my garden, and they’re easier to haul around. After a few hard freezes, make sure you have a few inches of mulch tucked in around your plants to prevent frost heaving (if you live in an area where the ground freezes).

It’s Easier to See Where You Need to Add Plants

Of course, you should leave your plants up for winter to help the garden insulate itself, capture moisture and protect overwintering pollinators, but it also will help you see where the gaps between plants are. Maybe a grass is needed in an open spot, or you realize you want some spring blooms to pop in one bed. Now’s the time to make those changes while the mosquitoes and leaves are gone. You can actually see the ground and get to it through the skeletons of the year’s growth.

How long into fall that you can plant obviously varies by location: In the northern regions or at higher elevations, you’ll want to be digging in August and September, whereas toward the coasts and the southern regions you might be able to go into December.

Over the years I’ve come to do most of my planting and dividing in fall, so that when spring comes, all I have to do is go outside and enjoy the fruits of my autumn labor.

The plants will thank you with more robust root systems and hopefully a show worth savoring from the nearest garden bench.

Outfit your kids with smart technology to help them succeed this year!

Depending on your perspective, this is either the worst or more wonderful time of the year. While parents celebrate the return to school and kids lament the loss of summer vacation, you can make everyone’s transition a bit easier, thanks to smart technology.From empowering backpacks and intercom alarm clocks to the optimal headphones and GPS-tracking wristwatches, we’ve identified the gadgets you should grab before sending the young ones back to the classroom.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Any parent can tell you that the toughest transition for back-to-school can be the first of the day—rousing your child early after a summer of sleeping-in. Amazon Echo Dot is here to make it easier. Not only is the device a top-of-the-line smart speaker that your child will enjoy, but it operates as an ideal alarm clock. The spherical Dot features the time emblazoned on front and can be easily set to sound an alarm (or song, chosen by your child) at the time they need to be up (chosen by you, the parent). Better still, thanks to Echo’s Drop In feature, you can turn the Dot into an intercom, allowing you to communicate with your kid from your phone, from the kitchen, instead of trudging upstairs a dozen times to cajole them out of bed.

The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) is available for $49.

PuroQuiets Headphones

Of course, you won’t be the only one supplying your child with technology—nearly all classrooms now incorporate some computer or tablet work throughout the day, and for everyone’s sanity, that means headphones are needed. Check out the PuroQuiets from Puro Sound Labs. These sturdy headphones feature Bluetooth technology, allowing your student to easily connect to whatever device they need to use, and should they forget to charge their Quiets—a common occurrence with kids and technology—the headphones also come with a 3.5mm audio cable for an easy, manual connection. As a bonus, the PuroQuiets include noise canceling technology (hence the “Quiets” name), allowing your student to focus on the task in front of them and not the latest gossip from their seatmate.

PuroQuiets Headphones are available in three colors for $129.

Nordace Siena Smart Backpack

Stylish and smart. Give your young one a leg up with the Siena Smart Backpack from Nordace. This fine-looking portable locker, which is available in nine colors, comes equipped with a built-in USB charging port, so your student will never have an excuse for, say, having their school headphones uncharged. In addition to an energy source, the Siena features a dedicated, padded and secure sleeve to house a 15.6-inch laptop, tablet or similar, ensuring that their essential school technology is safe throughout the rigors of day.

Nordace Siena Smart Backpack is available for $109.

Xplora x5 Play Smart Watch

Keeping track—and in touch with—your little ones can be a tough proposition, especially when they are too young for a cell phone. Fortunately there is the X5 Play Smart Watch from Xplora. This intelligent wearable not only provides parents with a GPS location of their child (allowing you to see exactly how close the school bus is to home), but also allows pre-approved numbers to send texts or calls to the device, giving parents a chance to offer encouraging words or important messages (like, clean your room when you get home) throughout the day.

The Xplora x5 Play Smart Watch is available for $149.

This article was originally published on Mansion Global.

As summer approaches, some folks may be taking a closer look at their outdoor spaces and thinking about the projects that could make them more comfortable. Perhaps this is the summer you invest in outdoor seating that better suits your needs or plan for the patio or grill setup you’ve been dreaming of — to enjoy with your family in the short-term, and with others when social distancing relaxes.

We’ve rounded up a number of outdoor upgrades — ranging from smaller investments like adding a patio umbrella or string lights to more extensive projects like installing a deck or outdoor kitchen — that can help make outdoor living easier and more enjoyable. Take a look and tell us, could you see your backyard benefiting from one of these features or setups?

1. Add a Patio or Deck

If most of your garden is lawn or planted areas, investing in a patio or deck can be a real boost for the ease of outdoor lounging. Outdoor furnishings like tables and chairs sit more firmly and move more easily on a hard, even surface. Decks that are brought up to the same level as a home can foster better indoor-outdoor flow and make it easier to bring a tray of food to an outdoor dining table.

A deck or patio doesn’t have to be massive to be useful. In this home in Southern California by Christiano Homes, a small deck provides a room for the homeowners to relax on two lounge chairs right off the living area.

2. Splurge on Comfortable, Durable Furniture

The more you can bring the comforts of home outside, the more you will be tempted to sit back, relax and enjoy. Choose chairs that support your back and sofas and lounges with deep comfort. Invest in durable materials such as teak, aluminum, synthetic resin and powder-coated steel, which can withstand exposure to the elements, and choose cushions made from water- and UV-resistant fabric.

3. Consider Shade

If your primary outdoor hangout spot is in full sun, you’ll likely appreciate some form of shade while eating or lounging outside. Go big with an outdoor pergola, which can also be used for hanging string lights or mounting heaters, or keep it simple with some outdoor umbrellas that can be moved around as needed.

4. Add Light Sources

To keep the festivities going (or at least to be able to see what you’re flipping on the grill) after the sun goes down, outdoor lighting is essential.

Tucson-based landscape designer Elizabeth Przygoda-Montgomery of BOXHILL used multiple light sources in this desert oasis garden, including a flickering fire pit, trees wrapped in white lights, wall-mounted lights, path lights and whimsical floating bobbles. The designer recommends investing in commercial-grade outdoor lighting, which can stand up to the elements and often comes with a 10-year-warranty.

When planning your outdoor lighting setup, be sensitive to wildlife and neighbors. Add only what lighting you need and try to use recommended techniques and fixtures for wildlife friendliness.

5. Provide Heat

Equally as important as light after dark, heat sources can encourage lingering on the patio or over dinner outside once temperatures dip. If you already have a pergola, eaves, or other roof structures, installing wall-mounted electric outdoor heaters is likely the easiest, least visually obtrusive option. Otherwise, plan on having a few freestanding propane heaters that can be rolled onto the patio when needed.

6. Invest in an Outdoor Kitchen or Grill

Cooking outdoors always draws people to the action. Outdoor kitchens are often one of the biggest splurges in a backyard design, but they can be worth the investment if you plan on frequently cooking and hosting outside. Depending on your budget, you may also want to consider party-ready features, like warming ovens, ice makers or drink fridges. Alternatively, a fairly basic barbecue will only set you back about $150, and the food will likely be no less delicious than that cooked on a far fancier outdoor kitchen.

7. Give Kids a Place to Play

What’s one sure way to get parents to relax and enjoy their yard? Keep children entertained, but within eyesight (for youngsters). When landscape designer B. Jane was remodeling a backyard for a family in Austin, Texas, adding a kids’ play area that was close to the outdoor entertaining space was one of her clients’ top priorities. The designer took advantage of a natural slope in the yard to create a slide and custom climbing wall for kids to enjoy.

8. Build In an Activity Area

Whether you have the materials on hand for cornhole, croquet or another lawn game or go all out and install a bocce court, having the option of an outdoor game can help liven up a backyard. Conversely, you can rally around a food-related activity such as making pizzas in an outdoor oven or on the grill or making s’mores for dessert around a fire pit.

9. Create Multiple Hangout Areas

When interior designer Terri Clark set about designing her Toronto backyard, she knew she wanted to create a layout that would enable her to host friends and large gatherings. A large patio under an outdoor pergola allows Clark to set a table for 20 people, while smaller patios close to the house provide a more intimate dining area and seating for medium-size groups. Pathways and open areas foster flow between the spaces.

This article was originally published at Houzz.com.

Whether you’re giving your home a minor makeover or a major face-lift, updating the exterior is a great way to make a positive first impression. The following exterior transformations range from minor (new paint and a garage door) to major (a raised roof to create a usable second floor).

Check out all five exterior makeovers, then let us know which one is the most welcoming to you.

1. Bold Bungalow Makeover

Before: These Los Angeles homeowners knew it was time to refresh their 1950s bungalow. They used Houzz to search the profiles of local architects and landed on Lewis / Schoeplein Architects. The firm worked with the homeowners to completely re-imagine the interior of the house as well as give the former wood-and-stucco exterior a modern makeover with a slight industrial touch.

After: The exterior now features siding panels made of fiber-reinforced cement, a durable surface that comes in a variety of colors; it gives the exterior its modern industrial look. “They didn’t want a glass box. They wanted something warm. It’s something we really came together on from a design standpoint,” principal architect Toni Lewis says.

Almost everything else also is new, including the windows, mailbox and landscaping. All of the landscaping is drought-tolerant, with a focus on California native plants.

2. Wood and Windows That Wow

Before: This midcentury home in Lafayette, California, was nestled within the surrounding woodlands, but it didn’t take full advantage of its lush surroundings. The homeowners reached out to ODS Architecture to refresh the home by changing the roofline to accommodate higher ceilings, and by installing new windows and doors to provide more expansive views. The team also added a gorgeous stained wood siding on the exterior’s lower level, and stucco for the main level, chimney and overhang.

After: The bottom level of the house is now clad in stained vertical-grain western red cedar siding. The main floor’s exterior is covered in a warm dark gray stucco. A lighter stucco appears under the roof overhangs and the chimney, providing visual contrast. “With all the windows on the main floor, we needed a solid element rather than siding,” architect Alan Ohashi says. “There’s actually a lot going on in this simple-looking facade.”

3. Modern Touchup for a Midcentury Gem

Before: Except for regular maintenance, the exterior of this Boulder, Colorado, house hadn’t changed much since it was built in 1966, in a modern ranch style that was popular for the neighborhood.

The new owners loved the home’s vintage architecture but wanted to modernize it — without losing its charm. To help with this balancing act, they worked with interior designer Kate Van Sluyter of Kimball Modern Design + Interiors, who lightened up the house inside and out.

After: Newly painted siding and a new garage door and entry have updated the home while keeping the original appeal. Black-frame windows also add a modern spin, as does a spiffed-up front landscape. “We kept the original red brick trim, because that was something the new owners loved,” Van Sluyter says. “For contrast, we went with a cool blue tone for the front door.”

4. Contemporary Cool

Before: After finding a house in Fairfax, California, that was ideal for their family of four, this couple hired architect Craig O’Connell to help them update it to suit their more contemporary tastes.

The plain yellow home was built in the 1950s but had a style that wasn’t exactly the midcentury modern the homeowners were looking for. “The house is basically a ranch with a rumpus room over the garage,” O’Connell says.

After: The biggest changes to the exterior were painting the existing siding a fresh white, replacing the windows with mullion-free fixed and casement windows, and adding a modern garage door with translucent glass panes. The original brick chimney was left untouched. New plantings around the house offer a more contemporary vibe.

5. Raise the Roof

Before: This couple loved their Noe Valley neighborhood in San Francisco, but after having two kids, they found that the small, dark spaces in their 971-square-foot house weren’t conducive to a homey family life.

Architect John Lum saw potential in the Edwardian home’s roofline and backyard, and knew he could come up with something that San Francisco’s Residential Design Advisory Team would approve.

As for his clients’ approval, he used Houzz ideabooks to get a sense of their style early on in the process. “I always ask my clients to share photos and to tell us what they like and what they don’t like about them,” he says. “It really helps us zero in on a design they will like.”

After: Lum maintained the original style of the exterior while raising the roof a few feet. He kept the gabled front, matched the new windows on the attic level to the existing windows and used the same cove siding. But he added a few modern touches, such as cedar accents, a new garage door and a brighter color palette. “These little touches indicate that there’s something else happening inside here,” he says.

This article was originally published at houzz.com.

Maintaining a Zen-like space is about much more than style. It’s about cultivating a peaceful place where each object has a reason for being present, whether for its beauty, utility or both. Here are 10 ways to bring a peaceful, balanced feeling to your home.

1. Clear Surfaces Daily

Clutter is visual distraction. Every time your eyes land on a stack of papers, a tangle of jewelry or a pile of laundry, some small part of your mind is at work thinking about dealing with said items. If you want a calmer experience at home, a good way to begin is by making it routine to clear all the surfaces in your house daily. When your eye can skim across clean, clear surfaces throughout your home, it also becomes easier to stay focused on the present moment.

2. De-Clutter and Get Organized

It’s one thing to clear surfaces; it’s quite another to completely declutter your home. But when you have taken the time to go through every closet, drawer and cupboard and whittle down your belongings to the ones you truly need, love or both, a weight lifts. Daily tasks that used to take forever are streamlined; lost items are quickly found; important dates are no longer missed.

3. Get Some Help if You Need It

Sometimes it’s best to admit you need help and let the pros do what they do best. Hire a professional organizer to help clear that clutter, a decorator to help you tap into your style and get your home looking and feeling just the way you want, or an architect to redesign your space.

4. Incorporate the Five Elements

Don’t stop with potted plants — to really embrace nature in your home, make sure all five elements are represented. They are: water (images of water, a fountain, flowers in a bowl of water), earth (stone, plants), fire (candles, incense, fireplace), metal (furniture, tools) and wood (furniture, beams).

5. Keep Floors as Clear as PossibleSimilar to keeping surfaces clear (see item No. 1), having clean, clear floors is a way to streamline your life and keep your attention on the here and now. If piles of things tend to accumulate on your floors, perhaps it’s because there isn’t a better place for them — if that’s the case, make a home for these items so you won’t be tripping over them anymore. As for the floors themselves, keeping them fresh, clean, and dust free makes for a more pleasant space and helps improve indoor air quality.

6. Use Fewer But More Meaningful Decorations

Instead of binging on inexpensive finds, aim to reduce your decor items to include only the ones that you truly love and that hold meaning for you. A few beautiful objects carefully displayed can be so inspiring — reducing allows you to appreciate what you have even more.

7. Soften Your Lighting

Learn to appreciate natural light and use it more. Even when the light starts to fade in the evening, consider sometimes lighting candles instead of flicking on the overheads. And speaking of overheads, if you haven’t done so yet, swap out all of your regular light switches for dimmers — it makes a world of difference to be able to control the glow.

8. Pay Attention to Texture

Do the objects in your home thrill your senses? Consider this as you declutter and whenever you are considering a new purchase. Think of how lovely a chunky, hand-thrown pottery mug feels in the hand versus a machine-made version. Natural materials have some of the best textures — bring more rough jute, nubby linen, cracked old leather, pure silk and raw wood into your home.

9. Use Natural Scents

Have you ever noticed that some of the most beautiful, inspiring shops usually also smell amazing? Or how just the first whiff of aromatherapy oils in a massage therapist’s office instantly puts you at ease? What you smell can have a surprisingly strong effect on how you feel. Create a purifying, calming atmosphere in your home by eschewing artificial fragrances and choosing natural scents like those from beeswax candles, essential oils, natural cleaning products and fresh garden flowers instead.

10. Use Everyday Reminders

In meditation practice sometimes a bell is used as a reminder to refocus your attention on the here and now. Create a list of some things you do multiple times each day, and pick one of them to use as your own version of a meditation bell. It could be anything, as long as it’s something you do often — adjust the window shades, wash your hands, pour a glass of water, check your email. Whenever you find yourself about to do that thing, take a moment to stop, breathe and simply be present.

With the days lengthening and weather warming, spring is a good time to get outdoors and tackle some larger home projects. With the threat of winter storms past, you can look for damage and make any needed repairs, as well as prep your home and garden for summer. We spoke with an expert to get some tips on what to watch for this season, from proper irrigation to mosquitoes and termites (oh my!).

Tasks to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

Inspect driveways and paths. Freezing and thawing are rough on concrete, asphalt and other hardscape materials. Take a walk around your property to look for damage to walkways, paths and driveways, then schedule repairs as needed. Asphalt can often be patched, but damaged concrete may need to be replaced entirely.

Keep an eye out for termites. Beginning in March and going through May or June, be on the lookout for these winged insects. “Termites swarm in the spring,” says Victor Sedinger, certified home inspector. “If there’s a bunch of winged insects flying out of a hole in the woodwork, that’s probably termites. Call a licensed professional pest-control company. You’ll save money and trouble in the long run.”

Prevent mosquitoes. In recent years, we’ve become more aware of the potential danger mosquitos can pose to our health. “West Nile virus and Zika virus are just the latest diseases caused by these winged pests,” Sedinger says.

The best way to prevent mosquitos around your home is simply to get rid of any standing water. “Walk around your property [and peek at your neighbors’]. If you see anything or any area where water stands, fix it, tip it, get rid of it or maintain it regularly,” Sedinger says.

Tackle These To-Dos Over a Weekend

Wash windows. Clean the grime off glass inside and out for a lighter, brighter home indoors and increased curb appeal outdoors. Wash the exterior windows yourself by using a hose attachment, or hire a pro to get the job done.

Clean gutters and downspouts. After the last frost has passed, it’s important to have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and repaired. “Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause the wood trim at the eaves to rot, and that can invite all kinds of critters into your attic space,” Sedinger says.

Having your gutters and downspouts cleaned early in the season can also help prevent damage from spring rains. “Gutters and downspouts should be clean and running free,” Sedinger says. “If your downspouts are installed properly, water is diverted away from the house so that no water collects around your foundation.”

Clean your fireplace. If your home has a working wood-burning fireplace, the end of winter is a good time to give it a fresh start. Protect your hands with gloves and cover the area around the fireplace with a tarp. Carefully remove the (completely cool) remains of any charred logs and ash using fireplace tools. Then gently clean the fireplace surround. Do not attempt to clean inside the chimney — that job should be left to a professional chimney sweep.

Check sprinkler and irrigation systems. Checking your sprinklers or irrigation systems in the spring can save water — and your plants. Sedinger shares these tips for checking your watering system:

Run the system through all the zones manually and walk the property.
Make sure none of the sprinkler heads are broken or damaged.
Adjust any heads that are spraying the house, especially windows, as this can cause moisture problems.
Adjust heads that are spraying the street, sidewalk or porches to avoid wasting water.
If you don’t know how to maintain your system, call a professional. You’ll save money on your water bill and protect one of our most valuable natural resources.

Check screen doors and windows. Screens are designed to let the breeze flow in and keep the bugs out, but they can only do their job if they’re free from holes and tears.

Before setting up your screens for the warm months ahead, be sure to carefully check each one and repair any holes or tears, no matter how small. You can find repair kits at most hardware and home-improvement stores.

Inspect the roof. Winter storms can take quite a toll on a roof. When spring arrives, start by making a simple visual inspection of yours. “It doesn’t require a ladder, and you certainly don’t have to get on a roof to look,” Sedinger says. “Use binoculars or a camera or smartphone with a telephoto feature if you need to.” Look for missing shingles, metal pipes that are damaged or missing or anything that simply doesn’t look right. If you notice anything that needs closer inspection or repair, call a roofer.

Paint exterior. If you’re planning to repaint your home’s exterior this year, spring is a good time to set it up. Want to paint but can’t decide on a color? Explore your town and snap pictures of house colors you like, browse photos on Houzz or work with a color consultant to get that just-right hue.

Reseal exterior woodwork. Wood decks, fences, railings, trellises, pergolas and other outdoor structures will last longer if they’re stained or resealed every year or two.

Take this opportunity to make any needed repairs to woodwork as well.

Schedule air-conditioning service. “Home inspectors see a lot of air-conditioning systems that are just not taken care of,” Sedinger says. “Just because it gets cool doesn’t mean it’s working efficiently.” To get the longest life out of your cooling system and keep it running as efficiently as possible, change the filters at least once each season, and hire a licensed professional to service the equipment before the start of summer.

This article first appeared on Houzz.com

Consider these 6 cleaning tips for maintaining your stainless steel appliances and surfaces!

Stainless steel is a beautiful finish, but to keep it looking its best, especially if you have a family of little ones, can be a big job. Here are a few quick cleaning tips to help you keep your stainless steel gleaming.

1. Remove Knobs for a Complete Clean

When cleaning your stainless steel range and oven, remember to remove the control knobs to reach hidden dirt and grime. Just cleaning around knobs can cause a buildup that’s unsanitary and hard to remove.

2. Stainless Steel Handles Need Extra Attention

Since the handles on your stainless steel appliances are used the most, they should be wiped down weekly with a damp microfiber cloths. Fine-woven microfiber cloths, such as the ones used for cleaning eyeglasses, can be found at retail chains and grocery stores. They work great to remove dust and don’t leave any streaks or smears. There’s no need for harsh chemicals to clean your stainless steel appliances and surfaces.

3. Fight Oxidization

Stainless steel oxidizes over time. To remove this film, you can use pumice powder mixed with water. Pumice powder can be found online and at most hardware stores. Apply this paste following the “grain” of the stainless steel then rinse with warm water. You will be surprised to see how black the cloth is when you finish.

4. Clean Those Countertops

Stainless steel countertops are the choice of professional kitchens because they are designed to hold up to constant abuse.

To keep them looking clean and shiny, you want to avoid using an abrasive cleanser. Instead, try using just a drop of a gentle dish soap and warm water. This mixture will keep your counters clean and scratch free.

5. Give Your Hood a Helping Hand

Stainless steel stove hoods need to be cleaned weekly to prevent a buildup of grease and dust. Cooking grease mixes with dust in the air and lands on the stove hood, making it thick and hard to remove. A simple cleaning remedy is to spray a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe it over the top of the hood. Make sure not to use the rubbing alcohol near an open flame.

6. Banish Burn Marks

If you have some burn marks that just won’t come off your stainless steel stove, try this simple DIY recipe:

1 cup baking soda
¼ cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons Borax
Club soda (for rinsing)

Combine the first three ingredients to make a cleaning paste. Apply this paste to the entire stained area with a soft cloth. Scrub in the same direction as the grain of the stainless steel. Rinse with club soda and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

This article was originally published on houzz.com.

Artificial trees may have increased in popularity, but for the purist, only a real tree will do. No matter how realistic it looks, an artificial tree can’t compete with the scent and feel of a real evergreen. It’s a living part of nature that, for a short time, we give a place of honor in our homes.

And no matter which kind of tree it is — spruce, fir, pine or cypress — once it’s indoors, the goal is to keep the tree fresh and green. This means keeping the needles pliable and on the tree until the holidays are over. And the only thing that does that is water, lots of it, every day.

Get the Tree in Water Immediately

Once you get your tree home, put it into water as soon as possible, within eight hours. If the trunk wasn’t freshly cut at the place where you bought the tree, then saw an inch or two off the bottom of the trunk and put it in a tree stand filled with fresh water. If you’re not ready to set it up, put it in a bucket of water in a cool place. The water temperature doesn’t matter.

Use the Right Stand

It should comfortably fit the diameter of the trunk. Whittling the trunk down will only dry the tree out faster. The National Christmas Tree Association recommends that a tree stand should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Be sure the tree stand you choose has a large water reservoir. A tree can take up a gallon of water in its first few hours in the stand.

Water, Water, Water

Big trees mean lots of agua. Watch that the cut part of the trunk stays below the waterline. Adding aspirin, lemon soda or other concoctions to the water won’t extend the tree’s life, but it might sicken pets or children if they drink out of the water reservoir.

Once indoors, a live tree’s branches will relax and open. Allow enough space when siting the tree for the lowest branches to fall open and not get in the way of foot traffic.

Keep the Tree Cool

To an evergreen that spent years growing in a field, your house is as dry as the Sahara Desert. Position the tree out of the sun and away from heat sources. Keep the temperature in the room as low as is practical.

As magical as it seems to come home to a sparkling tree, don’t leave the tree’s lights on overnight or when no one’s in the house.

Even with daily watering, cut trees will eventually dry out. When needles drop when you touch them, and branches droop so low that ornaments are hitting the floor, it’s time to take off the lights and decorations, wrap the tree in an old sheet, and take it outside.

You can saw off some of the tree’s branches and cover garden beds with them to protect plants, or turn them into mulch with a chipper or shredder. If you have the acreage, drag the tree to an out-of-the-way spot for birds and animals to use as cover. Most communities now collect spent Christmas trees and make mulch or compost from them, which they offer back to residents. The saddest end for a tree is for it to be hauled off to a landfill, instead of being turned back into soil — allowed to decompose and feed living creatures, the way nature intended.

This article was originally published on houzz.com.

As the holiday season approaches, you may be considering a dining room refresh — so it’s a good time to gather some design inspiration. Whether you’re looking to create something bold and showy or casual and comfortable, start with this countdown of the most-saved dining room photos of summer 2021.

10. In Contrast
Beautiful palm leaves add a touch of nature to this transitional dining room in San Diego. Live Interiors leaned on a white-and-black palette for high-contrast drama, and used midtone wood chairs and a textured wood sideboard to provide visual warmth. A Sputnik-inspired chandelier adds a retro detail above the chunky black tabletop, while a geometric gray-and-white rug adds texture below.

9. Multiuse Nook
EKAA Studio added a multiuse wallpapered nook in this contemporary dining room in India, which has overhead cabinets, a wood bench and glass shelving for dinnerware and decor. White-and-gray marble flooring anchors light wood chairs with fabric cushions around a wood-and-white table. A jewelry-like chandelier with five gold rings descends from a recess in the ceiling.

8. Traditional Meets Rustic
A crisscross white tray ceiling and wall moldings at different heights add layers of texture to this Charlotte, North Carolina, dining room by Pike Properties. The juxtaposition of hard and soft carries through to the rustic gray wood table and traditional chairs in a pale neutral color. A large patterned rug with an abstract design in shades of blue pools below the furnishings. A six-light chandelier with white shades and gold accents adds an elegant touch.

7. Easy Breezy
Situated between an outdoor pool area and a kitchen is this breezy Florida dining room full of wood, metal and glass details. Emcy Interior Design added two Windsor-style chairs to the ends of a wood picnic table with benches to create a setup with character and charm. Minimalist lights with exposed bulbs that point in different directions hang from a whitewashed paneled ceiling. And close by, glass-and-wood built-ins store wineglasses, serving bowls, charcuterie boards and books.

6. Bubble Up
Haus Love Interiors hung a frosted bubble chandelier in the middle of this contemporary Indiana dining room to make an impactful design statement. Black window frames provide contrast to the muted notes of the light-colored walls, beige curtains and light wood table and accents. A winding wall mirror adds to the room’s sophisticated aesthetic.

5. Down by the Bay
This space’s large bay window with built-in seating is perfect for enjoying nature views or as extra seating for entertaining. J.P. Hoffman Design Build gave this Westwood, Massachusetts, dining room a solid wood table in the center of the room, tons of pillows and six high-back upholstered chairs to make it feel comfortable. A large chandelier in a light metal finish sits low above the table without obstructing views or encroaching on dinnertime conversations.

4. Green Scene
Green is predicted to be a popular color in 2022. And this earthy Coral Gables, Florida, dining room by True Designs is a good example of why. A green accent wall and windows capturing leafy surroundings create a welcoming atmosphere. A wood floor, sideboard table and chairs adds to the forest-like feel, satisfying the homeowners’ love of nature. Meanwhile, gold in the chandelier, art frames and curtain rod complements the wood tones and brings in a contemporary touch.

3. Bold Appétit
Dark wood flooring, black walls and a black-and-white stencil-like ceiling create a dramatic look in this Atlanta dining room by Pineapple House Interior Design. Black wingback chairs amp up the mood. Crisp white wall paneling and molding help break up the dark walls and add contrast. French country-style wood chairs, green accents and a beaded chandelier give this space eclectic elegance.

2. Natural Fibers
Pure Salt Interiors emphasized natural textures in this Orange County, California, dining area, using plenty of plant fibers and wood. A large round table with five Wishbone-style chairs and an oversize rope pendant light are front and center. A muted backdrop of white walls and curtains, dark stone countertops and pulls, glass cabinets and a sliding glass door bring balance and light to this laid-back dining space.

1. Wood Slab
Rich colors, materials and details come together in this Fort Lauderdale, Florida, dining room by DKOR Interiors. A serving area features a white marble countertop, backed by a stunning accent wall with deep blue tile set in a herringbone pattern. The tile also runs behind a recessed display area that holds plants, decor and cocktail items. Ceiling lights illuminate an abstract triptych hung on textured wallpaper, while two midcentury modern chandeliers hang over a natural wood slab table that can seat eight. An area rug with saturated blues, grays and browns ties all the room’s colors together.

This article was originally
published at houzz.com