by Jeff Pittman | May 13, 2015 | Homeowners
When the weather heats up this summer in SoCal, we’ll all be desperately trying to keep the temperature down at home. If you don’t have air conditioning, or if you’re trying to save on the cooling bills this presents a particularly sticky situation. Some rooms are naturally hotter than others based on their location and size but fortunately there are some easy ways to keep the hottest room cool this summer. You don’t have to sweat it out to save money or pay an arm and a leg to keep the air conditioning running all day – there’s plenty of painless tricks that can keep you cool. Here are some ways to keep the house cool & your energy bill low this summer: CLOSE OFF UNUSED ROOMS You probably have rooms in your home that aren’t in use all the time like that extra bedroom or your home office. Closing those doors during the day will make a world of difference in keeping your warmest and most utilized rooms more comfortable. That being because shutting the door keeps the cool air confined to just the rooms you use. REVERSE YOUR CEILING FAN DIRECTION Did you know that setting your ceiling fans to blow counter-clockwise creates a wind-chill effect, making your inside temperature lower? It’s true. Change the rotation of your ceiling fans with the seasons for optimal temperature and energy consumption. SWITCH YOUR LIGHTBULBS Yep, making a simple switch from incandescent bulbs to the newer, more efficient CFLs will have a significant impact on the temperature of your rooms. About 90% of the energy produced by traditional incandescent bulbs is...
by Jeff Pittman | Apr 29, 2015 | Homeowners
Curvalicious Bathroom Trends Any kind of home renovation starts with an inspiration and one of the best rooms to start getting creative with is your bathroom. Even the smallest bathrooms can be turned into something marvelous if you set your mind to it and have a plan. Let’s dive into some bathroom trends that may help you in creating the perfect design – let’s get curvy. Before you start thinking about the overall design, take into consideration the tile choices, the tapware, the vanities, the tubs, and so on. The styles that are timeless often include many edges. However, if you want to your bathroom to have fluidity, select elements that have curves. How do you get a curvalicious bathroom you ask? Take your inspiration from these soft curves and modern designs… VANITIES, TUBS AND BASINS Source: hgtv This dual basin vanity is a great example of curvy looks and soft edges. In many designers opinions vanities and bathtubs should have different but complimentary designs. Also, the color of the vanity should be in darker overtones in comparison with the rest of the bathroom design, but not too darker. Source: designerscollaborativenyc Your tub and basin sink on the other hand should have a similar design and the absolute best way to do that is with a free standing tub. It’s the best choice as it already has its classic curvy contour. Remember, if you want to accentuate the curviness, avoid joining the tub and the wall. As far as the basin is concerned, opt for a simple loopy one in the same color as the tub. TILES Source: houzz The search for the...
by Jeff Pittman | Apr 23, 2015 | Homeowners
A kitchen remodel is a major undertaking, but a wonderful opportunity to create a perfect workspace, family gathering spot and entertaining area. If a remodel is underway, include plans to make sure that every aspect of the kitchen is updated and renovated. Here are 7 essentials you can’t forget about during your kitchen remodel: UPDATE PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL Source: bellacor.com A major remodel is a great time to take care of any problems with the infrastructure of the kitchen, especially in an older home. You might add more outlets, replace damaged wiring and fix leaky pipes. Take this opportunity to make sure everything is up to code. Including these issues in the remodel plan will bring peace of mind and the assurance that, if the house is put on the market in the future, an inspection will not turn up any unpleasant surprises. LAYOUT Source: domainehome.com If an inconvenient wall or an oddly-placed doorway interferes with the flow from the kitchen to adjoining rooms, consider making some structural changes. While newer homes usually have an open plan, older homes may not. Taking out a wall or moving a door or window may be all that is needed to turn a small, cramped room into a large and welcoming space for family and friends. FLOORING Source: honeywerehome.com Food preparation usually means standing at a counter or stove, often for long periods of time. There are many different types of flooring that are designed to provide cushioning and comfort for standing, easing the strain on backs and joints. Cork, linoleum, bamboo and even rubber are surprising choices that will provide stylish looks as well...
by Jeff Pittman | Mar 25, 2015 | Homeowners
Instead of spending your time indoors, have an excuse to get outside with a backyard getaway that allows you to escape. With a bit of privacy and some room to entertain, it will easily be one of the best places on the property to spend your time with family and friends. When redoing the yard and adding new features, there are a few ways to transform the space and make it your own. Here are 10 ways to create the ultimate backyard getaway: 1. Outdoor Lighting Source: apartmenttherapy.com Add an assortment of decorative outdoor lighting to illuminate your backyard. Try stringing up colorful canning jar lights, hanging up paper bag lanterns or for an even more dramatic flair, construct mason jar solar lights. Not only are these ideas creative, but they are all extremely affordable. Head on over to Buzzfeed.com for additional lighting options. 2. Build an Outdoor Kitchen Source: blog.styleestate.com Instead of staying indoors to cook, build an outdoor kitchen so you can be a part of all the for summer barbecue and birthday party fun even if you’re the chef for the day. Consider building a pizza oven with a countertop where you can prep the food for a great place to spend your evenings. You can also add a sink, mini refrigerator, and a bar for a convenient way of wining and dining outdoors. 3. Durable Deck Source: bhg.com Although a deck can be a costly remodel, it’s well worth the money in the long run. According to the 2015 Cost Vs. Value report from remodeling, the cost recouped from a wood deck addition is 101.2% for Southern California homes. Building a deck...
by Jeff Pittman | Mar 17, 2015 | Homeowners
Did you know that the final price two different families pay for their homeowner’s insurance can vary by hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year? There are some variables such as the size and location of the home that cannot be changed, but you might be surprised to hear that if you take just a few extra steps, you could lower your monthly insurance bills without sacrificing quality of coverage. Check out these 5 different ways to save on your home insurance costs by going the extra mile. 1. Remove “Floaters” Regularly A floater is a form of coverage that is added to a policy for a specific possession or situation. For some residents, floaters are added for high-end electronics, jewelry, or other expensive items stored on their property. As a policy is near its expiration date, residents should go through their home and consider what floaters can be removed from their policy or if the coverage can be decreased. Simply keeping up with your possessions as they come and go could save you hundreds of dollars every year. 2. Improve Your Credit Report Insurance providers can legally request a potential client’s credit information in order to determine their deductible and monthly premiums. In some locations, upwards of 9% of all reviewed policies will have the premiums increased due to bad credit. Go the extra mile and ensure that your debt-to-income ratio is as low as possible and keep up with all monthly payments for vehicles, cell phones, credit cards, and utilities. 3. Invest in Home Security When determining what a customer’s premiums will come out to, insurance providers...
by Jeff Pittman | Mar 13, 2015 | Homeowners
If you have a small bathroom, and you’d like to utilize it more fully, there are a number of great design and decoration schemes that will allow you to make the most of your space. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it has to look, feel, or be cramped. How to get more space in a small bathroom? Below are a few concepts and techniques that can help you maximize space, provide a tranquil atmosphere, and incorporate smart storage in a bathroom with a limited floorplan. Soft Palette Source: bowerpowerblog.com Using softer shades of tile, paint, or trim on walls and floor will give the illusion of a more open space. Save your bold colors for accessories, accents, and smaller aspects of the room. Open up with extra mirrors and don’t over-decorate with knick-knacks and pictures. Skip the Tub Source: thisoldhouse.com With the help of your local Mississauga plumbing expert, you can re-situate your bathroom features with a minimum of fuss and expense. One of the biggest space hogs in a small bathroom is a bathtub. Unless you absolutely must have it, don’t include it in your design. A generous shower can often be a better solution. A Plumb Perfect Ltd company also recommends retrofitting the pipes under the sink to make cabinets and shelves easier to get to. Clear as Glass Source: bhg.com Dispense with shower curtains and go for frosted glass doors on your shower. A clear, frameless partition will give the impression of a continued space and your eyes won’t perceive the division. This will offer an illusion of more space, even in a small bathroom. Up off the...
