My Home Redux

How Often Should You Seal Your Deck?

What I was promised by those who sealed my deck a few years ago was not true. They said it would last 3 - 5 years. Wrong.

This article gives advice depending on your climate and locale. But unfortunately, for most of us, it's every year.  He does mention that vertical surfaces like railings, spindles, and posts can last longer. That's my observation as well. Mine just need some touch up.  And yes, I see a power washer rental and paint rolling sealant on my deck in my near future.

See the article here and see if your deck can last longer between sealings.

[Editor Note: Photo is from Service Magic Connection.]

Home Improvement Sweepstakes

Two sites contacted me recently about their home improvement sweepstakes. Check them out. Get prizes to organize your garage or create a beautiful outdoor retreat.

Gladiator GarageWorks - organize your garage no matter your life stage

Real Outdoor Living - create a beautiful outdoor decor (open to Southeastern U.S.  residents only)

Good luck. Let me know if you win!

How to Keep Bathroom Drains Clear

I realize this is not exactly a decorating topic, but cruddy sinks are inconvenient. And hey, they wreak havoc on the aethetic good looks of your bathroom.  So instead of spending money on expensive, and potentially damaging chemicals to clean out your pipes, take some simple proactive steps when you're cleaning your bath to keep your drains running clear and clean!

Check out these tips as well as tips on how to unclog a drain. (2 Alka Seltzer tablets work in place of the 1/2 cup of baking soda too.)  See the tips here.

Kitchen Design Style Quiz

When it comes to redoing a kitchen, there are so many questions. What cabinets?  What countertops?  What backsplash?  What sink and faucet?  Color?  Light fixtures?  Hardware?  Just to name a few! But knowing your style and preferences before you start can help go along way. And if you can pull all that together with some sample pictures, you can begin to visualize what you could do with your own kitchen.

Merrilat cabinets has such a feature on their site. Go through a simple series of questions, and they'll define a style and provide numerous pictures to give you ideas. Bathrooms too.  Check out their Kitchen Design Style quiz here.

Tips for Laying out Furniture in a Room

How many times have you (or your significant other or tolerant friends) moved heavy furniture around a room until you figured it was just right?   Or maybe your room just doesn't "feel" right or is awkward to move around?  Could be your just bored with your room but can't afford new furniture?  What can you do?

The simple answer is to do it on paper (or online) before you move the real thing.

Here are some tips about how to figure out how to layout your furniture and good things to remember for a room that's balanced and easy to walk around in.

And here's an article with some recommended furniture layout tools.

Keeping Stainless Steel Appliances Looking Good

Stainless steel appliances are extraordinarily popular right now. But just like the old days when every fingerprint showed on your appliances, especially the refridgerator, so does EVERYTHING show on stainless steel. (An aside, I worked for a steel company first out of college. The leather-patterned steel used on refridgerators was specifically created to prevent this fingerprint problem.) But here's a product to try to help stainless steel look like new - a cleaner kit from Scotch-Brite.  Check it out here; there's also a coupon on the page if you want to try it yourself.

Home Remodeling Story

Every home remodeling job is a unique story. Even a simple bathroom remodel is good for several humorous - and not so funny - anecdotes.  Here's a story of how a couple create their dream house from a rundown and formerly remuddled bungalow. If you've ever done a remodeling or updating job on your house, you'll smile knowingly at many of the "lessons" they share. If you haven't done a project - large or small - pay attention, there are indeed pearls of wisdom here.

Fire Pits: The Big New Thing in Outdoor Decorating and Entertaining

Firepits are big right now. From big copper bowl to propane run fireplaces with granite ledges and tables, you can find a firepit in numerous styles and almost any price point. We just bought one for our Halloween party, but I can see us using it at Thanksgiving and even on chilly summer nights. Otherwise, I can turn it into a really big cooler!

Inspiration and Ideas through Pictures

Pictures are the best way to find ideas for remodeling and decorating your house. That's why the remodeling magazines are primarily photos and ads. Here's a web site, Get Decorating, that offers thousands of pictures. It is subscription only but the site tailors subscription plans to varying time lengths and price plans. They use professional photographer so the photos are top-notch. Take a look and let me know if you use them and how it was.

(I must confess I had a similar idea, thinking to have decorators and architects submit pictures, but I've had no time to get it off the ground, so let me know how helpful this is and if it's worth the price.)

How Others View Your House

My brother sent me this in an email. Aint it the truth.  If you've sold your house or tried to refinance, you'll certainly appreciate this one.

Your House.

 

 

  How your lender sees it.

 

  How your buyer sees it.

 

  How your appraiser sees it.

 

 

  How your tax assessor sees it.

 

 

Sad. True. Funny.