Style and Design

A door should complement the style and design of your home’s exterior. If you’re going for a modern look, there are a number of attractive aluminum and Teckno options that focus on security, colour and high performance.

For homes with a Victorian or European flair, you may want to select wood with decorative features such as windows or panels. Replacement doors Calgary based firm, Greg Martineau Projects, points out to customers that “by combining doors, side-lights, and transoms, and selecting from the hundreds of slab and door-light alternatives, you can create spectacular custom entrance systems that compliment the architectural style of your home.”

Some homeowners in certain subdivisions or lots, may be located in an area dictated by historical covenants or restrictions to ensure the home is aesthetically matched within the community. This should be investigated if you are unsure as failing to replace a door with one which complies with these restrictions could be costly.

Exterior Colours and Finishes

Depending on the style and type of door that you select, some type of colour or finish will need to be applied to keep it safe from inclement weather. To allow the decorative grain of your wood to shine through, you may want to coat it with a clear finish. If you’re going for a specific colour such as cherry or natural wood, you can place a penetrating stain for a longer lasting finish. Most doors can be painted a colour of your choosing, but you will need to prime it first.

Materials

You’ll find a number of options when it comes to your front door. Wood is the popular choice and has an elegant appeal for most. Oak is one of the most durable of woods and is resistant to denting and gouging. Fiberglass is also durable and gaining in popularity among homeowners. Steel doors were typically considered the only option for commercial property. However, because they are burglar proof, easy to paint and come in a variety of styles, steel is another favourite choice.

Level of Security

In addition to the colour and style, you’ll need to consider the level of security you expect out of your door. Depending on your decorating preference, you may be able to find something constructed out of reinforced layers of wood or steel. A hardwood structure is sturdy, durable and is pleasing to the eye. Steel construction can be resistant to break-ins and may be stronger than a wood constructed door. They can also come in a variety of designs, colours and styles.

Other Considerations

Today’s advances in technology allow homeowners to save money on their energy costs with Energy Star doors. Not only is this an excellent way for homeowners to save money on utility bills, but they can provide greater comfort to the home by producing less condensation and affording better protection from the sun. The right hardware can also change the appearance, so you need to select your knobs wisely. Knobs and buttons give a home a little more security than other hardware. Levels are the better choice for residences with handicapped, elderly or younger children.

You want to create the best first impression of your home by selecting the ideal front door. Whatever style, colour or design that you choose, don’t be afraid to let your individual style shine through.

Author’s Bio

Author Georgina Clatworthy is a freelance writer with an interest in interior and exterior design. Greg Martineau Projects is a replacement windows and doors Calgary based firm helping homeowners improve their properties across the locality. Choosing the right exterior door for your property may be more difficult than you first realize, so bringing some expert help and advice will help simplify your options and ensure you pick the right door for your home.

1.Let the Air In

If you have the wall space, adding a window to your bathroom can be a great way to let a bit of the outdoors in. A window can help your bathroom from experiencing a build-up of mold and mildew by letting more air in. If you’re concerned about privacy, look for window coverings made of natural materials like bamboo. These window coverings will allow the air to flow through while providing privacy for anyone using the room.

2.Enjoy the Sunlight

Without ample lighting, a bathroom can be a dull, dark place. Most people don’t want to put lamps in their bathrooms and vanity lights are often not powerful enough to illuminate the whole room. If your home’s structure permits, adding a sky-light to your bathroom can be a fabulous way to let more light into the room. Alternatively, you can install solar tubes to add light to the room.

3.Update Outdated Fixtures

Interior design is an ever-evolving beast; what was in ten years ago may very well look antiquated today. If you’re remodeling on a budget, the simple act of changing your faucets and light fixtures can quickly bring your bathroom into the present decade. Your faucets and fixtures don’t have to match identically, but choosing the same type of metal for each will lend a sense of uniformity to your bathroom and be more pleasing to the eye.

4.Increase Storage Space

It’s the rare home owner who is blessed with tons of storage space. You may need to get creative when adding storage to your bath but it can be done. Look for wall-mounted cabinets, vanities with drawers and doors, recessed medicine cabinets and even free-standing racks or shelving units. When adding storage to your bathroom, look for ways that you can add it without sacrificing space.

5.Put Your Toilet through the Wall

The thought that your choice of toilet can save space in your restroom is simply amazing. If you have a small bath, consider installing a toilet that fits through your wall. After the install, the toilet and flushing mechanism will be visible in your bathroom, and the toilet’s water tank will be hidden behind your wall. This type of toilet is not only incredibly stylish, but putting the tank behind your wall can save you almost a foot of space in your room.

You never have to sacrifice style for function during a bathroom remodel. If you keep an open mind and can be creative with your choices, you can update your bathroom in a stylish, functional way. Whether your budget is $500 or $5,000, you can have a new bathroom in as little as two days by following the tips above.

Author’s Bio

Jacob Walker is a guest writer for BathroomRenovationsPerth and for KitchenRenovationsPerth where you can find design ideas for bathrooms and kitchens.

1. Walls

Tool chests and wall hooks may take up a lot of the wall space in your garage, but there are plenty of ways you can add simple and functional style to even the smallest section of unused wall. A decorative clock is an attractive and useful addition if you’re the type who loses track of time in your space. Just installing decorative trim or molding to your garage can add a clean and unifying design element. There are tons of different materials to choose from. Favorites include brushed aluminum, diamond plate and stainless steel. Each has its own look and costs.

2. Flooring

A good all-weather paint can be a cost-effective approach to garage flooring. As can various tough, epoxy coatings. With hundreds of colors and consistencies to choose from any garage floor can look clean and attractive. For the truly dedicated there are other options such as tile, foam rubber and vinyl flooring materials. Be sure to consider what sorts of work you’ll be doing and any potential spills you may have to clean up before choosing a flooring material. Any of these can make an attractive and functional garage floor covering as long as they match your needs.

3. Cabinets and storage

Selecting the right storage ideas can be a challenge. Garage storage options range from straightforward tool chests to elaborate custom cabinets. Materials can vary from simple fiberboard to aluminum, stainless steel and many others. Some of the factors to consider are space requirements, environmental conditions and ease of access. Don’t forget to add ten to twenty percent to the amount of space you think you’ll need in case of unexpected expansion.

4. Furniture

Garage furniture comes in all shapes and sizes. From car parts made into tables and chairs to complete office sets, furniture can be the defining element of your décor. A stylish desk and chair combination can provide a useful planning space. Perhaps you spend enough time in your garage to need one of dozens of models of refrigerators available. There are even beer taps disguised as gas pumps!

5. Games and recreation

There’s no reason your garage has to be all business. Consider adding some recreational activities to your space. Large selections of wall-mounted games such as dartboards or basketball hoops are available for your entertainment. Mounting even a small television on an adjustable base lets you watch your favorite shows or sports while working in the garage.

Decorating your space can be as easy or as elaborate as you like. Instead of a massive rebuild consider incremental changes to your space. Developing a staged improvement plan can save both time and money, especially if you do most of the work yourself. Plan for the future while you’re working on your current installation project and by the time you’re finished you’ll have the money ready to tackle your next project.

Author’s Bio

Robert Wilkes is an on the road freelance blogger for TruckersReport as well as a regular poster on their Truckers Forum.

The role of window treatments is powerful in any room of your home. The perfect window treatment creates interest without demanding too much attention while the wrong window treatment causes design issues ranging from minor problems to major dysfunction.

When you want a new look in your great room, changing out accessories and window treatments can transform a tired boring room into a warm and welcoming space.

Before you make any firm decisions, remove any fabric or hardware from the windows in the room. Bare windows will help you create a mental image of possible outcomes.

Considering green trends and an interest in sustainable design, some of the most popular window treatments involve natural organic products. Bamboo and other wood grains are used in new designs for woven shades. Texture accents, a range of colour variations in the wood and the tightness of the weave all influence the amount of diffused light flowing into the room.

Of course, using wood in window treatments isn’t a ground-breaking idea. Wood blinds have been popular for a few decades. The newest ideas transfer wood into popular styles like Roman shades. Choosing a colour, texture and style for a window shade can add enough interest to create a finished look when the shade is lowered. Raising the shade allows natural light without hiding part of the window with unnecessary fabric.

If a window shade design is too simple, you can opt for more traditional curtain panels. Keep the design fresh by choosing a lightweight fabric in a bright colour. The impact of stylish new curtains, curtain rods and hardware will be lost if you opt for a drab heavy colour.

Creating window treatments by repurposing other items continues to be a design trend. For instance, table runners, head scarves, or long pieces of sleek satin or a billowing chiffon, tied off at the top corner of a window can make an impressive window treatment. Antique lace or other unique materials can create a more intimate environment.

When it comes to updating window treatments in your home, you are only limited by your imagination. Whether you hire a designer to handle every detail or you create an original design, changing window treatments can make a personal style statement and update a room at the same time.

Author’s Bio

Rigette Saycon is a regular writer for NC Design Online, North Carolina’s premiere resource guide for interior design and home décor.

Kitchen Renovations

A spacious kitchen is a big bonus and something that all homebuyers look for. For larger kitchen spaces, building a peninsular kitchen counter is a great way to augment countertop workspace.

But if your kitchen isn’t big, you can still enhance its functionality, by placing appliances such that they offer the greatest convenience in meal preparations. You should also create sufficient storage space for kitchen knick-knacks. You can also replace your old kitchen cabinets with oak, pine or any solid wood.

Bathroom Refurbishing

Replace the old tiles in your tub and shower area with new ones and revamp your bathroom floor with travertine, ceramic or sheet vinyl. You don’t have to buy expensive tiles and flooring material – hard-wearing products with a minimalist design can do the trick. Adding medicine cabinets in a sparse bathroom or changing your old wall paper will suitably refurbish your bathroom without costing you a small fortune.

Resurfacing Concrete

Resurfacing the worn out concrete around your house will lend your home a new look and make buyers take notice. In this regard you can:

• Enhance the appearance of your driveway with a cobblestone finish
• Give your old walkway a quaint brick look
• Do up your patio with a smooth slate finish

Flooring Fixes

Homes with carpeted floors are viewed more positively by homebuyers while many real estate agents claim that most value is attached to hardwood floors. Carpeting is a more cost-effective option to hardwood- affordable and attractive carpeting can be an important factor in enhancing the appeal of your home.

Paint Job

This is a no-brainer but it is surprising how many homeowners compromise on the quality of the paint job. Fresh coats of paints with a two-coat paint job improve the appearance of your home. A tip with regard to paints is to use low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints that are environment-friendly. This will make your home more appealing to eco-conscious home buyers.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to revamping your home and adding to its value. Make sure that you approach your home remodeling and refurbishing process after careful research and budgeting.

Author’s Bio:

Burger Davis Sotheby’s International Realty is a leading French property specialists who offers an exclusive selection of luxury villa rentals throughout the south of France.

These boxes can be used for favours such as candy (my personal favourite), key chains, candles (using a bigger box), or whatever favour you chose.

Materials:

• Boxes (I went with a hunter green colour, but The Container Store and many other stores have a variety of colours)
• Lace
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun

I actually only covered the box top, but you can cover the top and bottom if you choose.  I like the contrast provided by leaving the bottom of the box as is. Cut the lace to create a 1″ parameter around the box top and fold over gluing as you go.

Once all sides have been glued to the interior of the box top, add it to the bottom, and tie a bow on it!

Rocquelle Porch is a 25 year old wedding consultant in Houston, TX. You can find more of her wedding inspiration and ideas on Consider Me Lovely: a wedding blog, www.considermelovely.com!

Make an Indoor Fountain the Centerpiece of A Busy Living Room

Home style is all about making your living space a reflection of your personal style. Why not change things up and instead of making a television or computer screen the focal point of a room, instead center a room’s design on a beautiful indoor fountain? In fact you can design a whole room around a flowing water theme for the ultimate relaxation. Choose one larger waterfall piece as the focal point and set up 2 or 3 smaller fountains. Add to this room some artistic prints of tranquil river or ocean views and you have a room custom-built for unwinding and relaxing.

Few things in nature are as conducive to peacefulness as water. Add a few fountains to your home design to bring some of that restfulness into your busy life. You’ll be surprised with the effect that some simple indoor fountains and waterfalls can have on the atmosphere in your home. Plus these fountains act as perfect, natural humidifiers and can make a room have a more comfortable feeling. Bring the peace of a river stream into your home to calm things down.

Before You Decide

If you are thinking about going with textured ceilings to spark up your home design, be aware that there are a few drawbacks. Textured ceilings will require more frequent dusting. The little grooves tend to hold onto dust, so be prepared to clean these types of ceilings more often. They can also be difficult to repaint without ruining the texture. You will need to have the right kind of rollers to minimize damage should the time to repaint occur.

Many newer homes do not have textured ceilings for the simple fact that there aren’t many imperfections to hide. If, however, you have been in your home for some time and are beginning to see some spiderweb crackings, a textured ceiling can be a great way to cover that up.

Go Retro with Textured Ceilings

While many people avoid textured ceilings, it is beginning to make a comeback with many designers. Textured ceilings are a bit of a throwback to the seventies and eighties. They infuse a certain amount of retro feel to any room.

Get Wild with Textured Ceilings

You don’t have to be tame with your texturing efforts. You can do more than the standard swirls. Some people opt to use more linear patterns with their texturing. Some even use dry sponging techniques as the texture dries to add a little funkiness to the texture. You can use your imagination and go a little wild. If you really want to cut loose, you can use some patterns or everyday household items to jazz up your texturing efforts. Experiment a bit to come up with a texture pattern that is unique and all your own.

What Kind of Sponge to Use

There are really no set rules to sponge painting a room, and that is what makes it so fun. Experts say to only use sea sponges, and this is good advice. Sea sponges leave a better, more natural looking pattern to highlight. Although, using a manufactured sponge can be an option for rooms where you want a more fabricated pattern. Start off with a sea sponge to really get a feel for how great this faux painting technique will make your rooms look.

Survey Secondary Colours

In most of your rooms you probably have a primary wall colour and some secondary colours splashed throughout the room. Decide upon which secondary colour you want to bring out. For example, if you have cream coloured walls and a blue couch, and want to bring out the blue, then choose a blue glaze paint that matches for your sponge painting.

Technique

Sponge painting will become second nature to you in no time at all. Before you start on your walls, it’s recommended that you practice on a piece of poster-board, to get a feel for how hard you need to push down, how much paint to use, etc. There is no wrong way to sponge paint but keep the following tips in mind.

• You are highlighting, so don’t start off with too much paint.
• Be careful of putting too much pressure as you dab the walls, this can cause paint to run.
• Start off with varying patterns, the end effect should be a random, natural looking pattern.
• Let the glaze dry for a few hours to see if you want to add more, you may want to choose a darker colour to do after the first coat of sponge painting for a more dramatic appearance.

Sponge painting is a great way to give any room a quick makeover. When you are done you should see an almost marble-like appearance to your walls. Your room should now have a richer look and be a more captivating place to spend your time. Have fun and don’t be surprised if you decide to use this technique on several rooms by the time you are done.

What Kind of Sponge to Use

While a synthetic sponge (the kind you clean your house with) can be used, a natural, sea sponge usually provides the most attractive patterns. Sea sponges can be purchase at most hardware stores and come in a variety of sizes and types. You can even get a few to bring a little more variety to your sponge painting project.

Paints to Use

While you can sponge paint with any kind of paint, glaze paints are recommended. Glaze paints are a great way to bring out subtle details in your existing base colour or to highlight other design elements of a room. There are literally thousands of glaze colours that can be used. You can go with a very thin coat of glaze for subtle looks, or get daring and try thicker, or varied colours of glazed coats.

Technique

To get a feel for sponge painting you can use the glaze on a piece of poster board or paper. Experiment with the amount of paint used, the positioning of the sponge, and pressure applied. Each of these will have an effect on how the final job will look. Once you have your technique down, start on the walls and have fun.

Sponge painting is fast and easy to do. You don’t need a lot of paint and the sponges are inexpensive. Sponge painting a living room is a nice weekend project. Once you see the final results, you may want to tackle some of your other rooms. Sponge painting also has the added benefit of covering up wall imperfections. You’ll be stunned when you see what a great look this painting technique achieves.