Looking to Get Your Home Ready for the Winter? Start Here!

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Here in the south the seasons are on a different time table. It’s just now starting to get cold where as in the rest of the United States for the most part it’s been winter for awhile. With the colder weather finally upon us it’s time to start thinking about preparing our homes for winter. In order to help you determine what you should do to prepare for winter we found this article. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

With so much to be done to get a home ready for cold weather, here are some home maintenance tips from NAHB Remodelers that don???t require going outdoors.

– Check for gaps in insulation or crawl spaces that expose pipes to cold air and the risk of freezing and bursting.
– Have your heating system checked by a licensed technician before cold weather requires daily use.
– Block drafts around doors, windows and baseboards with weather stripping, window film and caulk to control heat loss.
– Install storm doors and windows to improve energy-efficiency and keep drafts at bay.
– Get chimneys cleaned by an experienced chimney sweep to prevent the risk of a fire from buildup or blockages.
– Spray door locks with powdered-graphite lubricant to prevent freezing and sticking.
– Set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to force rising warm air back towards the floor.

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Looking for more information on getting your home ready for winter? Checkout this article about preparing home for winter that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.nahb.org/en/news-and-publications/Press-Releases/2015/october/top-tips-to-get-your-home-ready-for-winter-weather.aspx

Looking for Some DIY All-Natural Cleaners? Try These!

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Cleaning your home is a never ending chore. As soon as you get something clean someone comes behind you and makes it dirty again. If you like things a little closer to nature and don’t like to use harsh chemicals then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with some all natural DIY cleaners. We hope they help!

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services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Making your own green cleaning products is good for the environment as well as the health of your family. But that???s not all it is good for ??? if you are looking to give your household budget a makeover, learning how to make your own green cleaning products will save you money.

Making your own cleaning products is much cheaper than buying individual pre-made products. Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, cornstarch, isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are effective, inexpensive key ingredients found in many homemade cleaners. These items are readily available in local stores and are commonly found in our kitchens and bathrooms. Since you have these items in your home already, it will instantly save you money, time and storage space.

Multiple Uses = More Green in Your Pocket:
– Since most homemade cleaners have the same base ingredients, they can be used in different ways and amounts to tackle specific areas of the house. Buying these items in bulk will save you even more money.
– Baking soda can be used as a fabric softener, deodorizer, metal polisher, drain cleaner, nonabrasive scrub and toilet cleaner as well as other countless uses (this list doesn???t even cover its health and beauty uses).
– Vinegar can be used to clean multiple surfaces, deodorize, remove mildew and as a fabric softener.
– Lemon juice and lemons can be used as glass cleaner, deodorizer and stain remover while cornstarch can clean windows, carpets and polish furniture.

Recipes for Success!
Below you will find some basic recipes to get you started (feel free to poke around our site to find even more!) If you’re feeling particularly productive, check out how you can create your very own nontoxic cleaning kit designed to help you clean your entire home without a single expensive chemical.

Daily All-Purpose Cleaner
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup seltzer water
8 drops of tea tree oil
1/8 cup hydrogen peroxide

Besides cleaning, this mixture can be used to disinfect surface areas in your home. Hydrogen peroxide eventually turns to water, so make sure to add more each time you use the solution.

Spot Wipes (Bleach Wipes Alternative)
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup club soda
8 drops of essential oil (for scent)

Combine ingredients and soak 20 heavy-duty paper towels in the mixture. Squeeze out the excess and store in a plastic sandwich bag. Use to clean spots and spills as needed.

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Looking for more natural cleaners? Checkout this article about natural cleaners that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.doctoroz.com/article/all-natural-cleaning-tips

Looking to Be More Organized Everywhere At Home? Learn How Here!

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Staying organized is hard. Some things just don’t have a proper home. In order to help you out we found this article with 30 different ways to become and stay organized with Command hooks. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Command hooks truly are the answer when it comes to decluttering your home in an effective and inexpensive manner. These hanging solutions can be stuck anywhere, and can be removed without causing any damage to the surface, thus making them perfect for those of you who are renting and want to bypass the drill. And with all the varying sizes and weight capabilities, the possibilities feel endless.

Before using these, though, make sure that you get good quality hooks, and make sure to follow the instructions carefully so that they adhere well and won???t harm the surface when finally removed.

A quick tip before you start???

As much as I love using command hooks, sometimes, the white plastic makes my fantastic organizational solution look a little??? tacky. A great way to fix this problem is just to paint the hook. You can choose a color that blends into the surface, go for something bright and bold, glitter it up, or even go for a faux metal look.

Hanging Utensils

It seems that it???s rather commonplace for us to have that one chaotic drawer in the kitchen that???s full of utensils ??? doesn???t it just take forever to find what you need? Use command hooks on the inside of cabinet doors to hang all your baking and cooking utensils, neatly.

Ring Hook

How many times have you ???lost??? your rings, only to find them hours later (while in a panic) next to the kitchen sink? Most of us use command hooks by the sink to hang our hand towels and dishcloths, so now you can just add one more for your rings.

Pot Lid Holders

I???ve finally managed to sort out my pots and pans so that I???m actually able to reach all of them without feeling as if I???m on a treasure hunt, but the lids have always been a problem?????? until today! A couple of strategically placed hooks can keep those lids out of the way, yet still within easy reach.

Jewelry Organizer

I have a lot of jewelry, and as my collection keeps growing, I really struggle to keep it all organized. Not only that, but I find that I don???t wear a lot of my items simply because I don???t see them. Thanks to the help of a whole bunch of hooks, I can hang everything and make it all visible, while at the same time creating an interesting accent piece on my wall.

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Looking for more organization tips? Checkout this article about that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.diyncrafts.com/14725/organization/30-wonderful-ways-to-organize-your-life-with-command-hooks

Looking for Back to School Organization Ideas? Get Them Here!

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

School is back in full swing and with it back in full swing there comes stuff. Papers, books, pencils, glue, scissors, erasers, ect. Just a lot of stuff. In order to help you keep everything organized we found this article with ten different organization tips. We hope it helps!

From the article:

School???s in once again and with the new school year comes busy mornings, lost homework, and a general sense of disarray. Really. Every parent dreads the beginning of school at some point simply because of the stress of getting them up and out the door on time every morning.

We???ve got the perfect solution. We took the time to gather a few organizing tips that will help you and your students get a better grip on those busy mornings. From planning what to wear the night before to keeping those papers organized so you can find homework easier, you are sure to be able to put these organizing tips to good use.

We???ve even got a way to make homework time a bit less stressful for you and your little ones. Sit back and relax. We???ve got you covered for back to school with great organizing tips that will help you to enjoy a less stressful year.

Always Plan
Planning ahead is the only thing that is going to save your sanity during the school year. If you don???t already have one, create or buy a family planner. A dry erase board, bulletin board, or something similar will do the job perfectly. You can easily create your own back to school organization station and keep track of literally everything that???s going on throughout the year. Include a calendar, homework schedules, and those little things that the kids need to take to school once in a while. You???ll be surprised how well you can save your sanity when you are completely organized.

Get Into a Routine
Above all, you have to get into a routine with your back to school tasks. Whether it???s getting the kids ready for bed at night or making sure that they get all of their homework done, keeping everything on schedule makes it so much easier to ensure that everything gets done. You can print off these amazing schedules that will allow you to keep track of things as they get done. Once the homework is finished, check it off the list and put it back into the backpack. You get things done without stress and you make sure that everything is ready for the next day.

Organize Papers with Binder Clips
Keep binder clips clearly labeled so that you can easily organize school papers. Create a label for papers that need to be signed and returned to teacher, those that are already graded, and any homework or projects that aren???t due right away. This helps you to know that you???ve gotten everything turned back into the teacher that needs to go and you???ll be able to easily tell which papers have already been graded and which ones may need to be taken back to school. Binder clips are really inexpensive and you can hang them near your organization station to keep homework ready to go.

Stock Up on School Supplies
One of the main ways that you can lose it in the morning is when your child tells you that they are out of paper or something else that is crucial to their school day. You can avoid this stress completely by keeping yourself stocked up on everything that they???ll need. Imagine not having to run out at midnight on Sunday night to get that poster board because your child forgot to tell you that she has a project due the next morning. You can even organize those supplies so you???ll always know what you have and what you need to restock. Over the door shoe organizers work great for holding pens, pencils, crayons, and loads of other supplies and your stock will take up very little room.

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Looking to promote healthy family habits? Checkout this article about healthy family habits tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.diyncrafts.com/7498/organization/10-stress-saving-organization-tips-back-school

Want to Make Laundry More Fun? Learn These Layout Ideas!

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Laundry is inevitable. Unless you have someone else to do it for you then laundry is a normal part of your life and probably not very enjoyable since it never ends. In order to help you make it more enjoyable we found this article with three different layout ideas for your laundry room. We hope it helps!

From the article:

For some, laundry can be a peaceful escape, a quiet time to fold towels and socks. Others never seem to find washing clothes as more than a household chore. If you fall on the not-so-fun end of the spectrum, you may be in need of a laundry room redo to make your laundry duties easier and perhaps more enjoyable. Spice up the laundry room in your Philadelphia home with a few of these tips and design ideas.

1. Get Organized
Sorting clothes before washing makes the job of tossing in a load of laundry faster. Mark separate baskets for lights, darks, and towels. Canvas bags labeled by wash type also work well. Solicit the help of your family members by charging them with the responsibility of bringing their own wash to the laundry room and leaving it in the correct storage container. Another way to organize the room is to install hanging rods for any articles of clothing that you prefer to air dry.

2. Create Space Savers
For busy families, laundry rooms never seem large enough to handle the steady stream of clothes rotating in and out. To maximize your space, install shelving or cabinets above your washer and dryer. Purchase stock cabinets at a home improvement store or look for clearance sales on higher-quality cabinets. This additional storage allows you to conceal cleaning products cluttering an already busy room. If you prefer to fold clothes as soon as they come out of the washer, consider adding counter space spanning the length of the room. Adding a wall-mounted drying rack can also be a great space saver.

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Looking for storage ideas for your laundry room? Checkout this article about laundry room storages that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/3-laundry-room-layout-ideas-to-make-washing-clothes-more-fun/

Looking to Create an Enviable Yard? Find Out How Here!

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Creating a that is the envy of the neighborhood requires a lot of thought, planning, and work. Depending upon the neighborhood you live in having yard appeal is almost a requirement. In order to help you out we found this article that we hope will give you ideas on how to improve your yard and become the envy of the neighborhood!

From the article:

Everyone wants to win yard of the month. It???s a source of pride. All that work getting your yard in first-class shape has finally paid off. And now you have a sign to stick in your grass for all to see. The question is: how do you get there? Here???s a checklist to make your yard the best-looking yard in your neighborhood.

Consider Your Home???s Curb Appeal
Make sure the driveway and sidewalks are neatly edged. Yes, it takes some time to do the job well, but a carefully edged lawn looks well-maintained and appealing.

Don???t cut your grass too short. In North Texas, it can be tempting to mow your grass low so you can extend the time between your next mowing. But if you???re going for that coveted yard of the month recognition, keep your lawn lush and green.

Get rid of all trash and clutter. This means keeping your garbage bins out of view and making sure all your kids??? toys and bicycles are properly stored. There???s nothing like some unnecessary clutter to damage the beauty of your yard.

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Looking for patio ideas? Then checkout this article about patio ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/how-to-win-yard-of-the-month-and-be-the-envy-of-all-your-neighbors/

Want to Make Your Living Room Elegant? Try These Ideas!

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Living rooms are the heartbeat of the home. It’s where we actually live and interact as a family. In order to help you spruce up your living room and make it more elegant we found this article with 36 different elegant living room ideas. We hope it gives you the ideas you’re looking for in order to makeover your living room!

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If you need South Louisiana dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Welcome to our gallery featuring pictures of elegant living room designs.

This collection houses rooms that anyone would be proud to douse in superlatives, including luxurious, stately, lush, and grand. With a dizzying array of styles, materials, and colors matched in endless combination, these rooms are set to inspire awe in all who enter.

The only truly recurring motifs are a focus on texture and detail, and a strong visual narrative tying the disparate spaces together.

Some of these rooms share large, open spaces with dining and kitchen areas. Some pack a surprising amount of fine detail into compact spaces. Still others reach for the skies with soaring ceilings, full height windows and marble fireplace surrounds, and elaborate chandeliers.

The more interesting and quirky designs feature a melding of moods: tropical touches on old fashioned luxury, modern structures in natural materials, and bold leaps of color across multiple furniture pieces and wall decoration are but a handful of examples.

We hope you feel as inspired by these rooms as we are.

This room combines classical styling, from wallpaper textures to the camel backed sofa, with modern materials: metallic furniture frames, glossy tabletop, and angular patterned rug over slick marble flooring beneath mirrored ceiling.

Compact living room centered on wood four-piece combination dark wood coffee table. Beige armchairs and grey sofa plus white entertainment cabinetry fill out the look.

Lush cherry wood cabinetry throughout the kitchen area in this shared open space contrast with beige walls and tile flooring, while brown roll arm sofa and dark wood coffee table pair with twin leather ottomans.

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Looking for ideas on how to keep your living room neat? Then checkout this article about ways to keep your living room neat that could be of interest to you.
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Checkout all the ideas here: http://www.homestratosphere.com/elegant-living-rooms/?utm_source=Outbrain

Looking for Ideas to Make Your Home Better? Take a Look at These Ideas!

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Every homeowner wants to improve their home. There are a variety of reasons why. Regardless of what your reasons are we found this article with 26 different ideas. We hope you find ideas that you absolutely love!

From the article:

One of the great perks of working at Design*Sponge is being able to look into people???s beautiful homes and see all of the crazy, wonderful, and simply ingenious ideas they come up with. Here are 26 brilliant ideas, gleaned from some of our favorite spaces, that will simplify your life, satisfy your budget, and add flavor to your home. ???Max

Fill an out-of-commission fireplace with painted logs???

Cinder blocks: They hold your bed up and store your shoes!

Display art books, children???s stories, and cookbooks cover-out on shallow wall shelves.

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Looking for more home design ideas? Then checkout this article about http://www.designsponge.com/2013/08/26-ingenious-ideas-for-your-home.html

Looking for a New Way to Power Your Home? See What Tesla Can Do!

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

When it comes to powering up your home there are few options. There is mainly the electric company or solar panels. There are a few other options but none as widely known. We found this article with a new idea for you to consider. We hope it helps!

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If you need South Louisiana dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Tesla didn’t ship nearly as many cars this quarter as it had projected, but CEO Elon Musk remained upbeat during today’s earnings call as he let some details slip about a brand new product. According to Musk, the company is working on a consumer battery pack for the home. Design of the battery is apparently complete, and production could begin in six months. Tesla is still deciding on a date for unveiling the new unit, but Musk said he was pleased with the result, calling the pack “really great” and voicing his excitement for the project.

What would a Tesla home battery look like? The Toyota Mirai, which uses a hydrogen fuel cell, gives owners the option to remove the battery and use it to supply electrical power to their homes. That battery can reportedly power the average home for a week when fully charged. Employees at many big Silicon Valley tech companies already enjoy free charging stations at their office parking lot. Now imagine if they could use that juice to eliminate their home electric bill. A more practical application for your car would be a backup generator during emergencies, which is how Nissan pitches the battery in its Leaf.

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Looking for another idea to power your home? Then checkout this article about ideas to power house that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/11/8023443/tesla-home-consumer-battery-elon-musk

Love the Idea of a White Kitchen? Take a Look at These!

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

White kitchens can be a thing of beauty. Deciding which one is the right fit for you though often takes a little research. In order to help you out we found this article with 12 different white kitchens. We hope it helps you design your dream kitchen!

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If you need South Louisiana dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Crisp clean white kitchens with gleaming marble counters and backsplashes are everywhere you look these days. It???s easy to see why: White makes a space look bigger and airier, and enhances other design elements. Wood floors look richer against white, pendant lights stand out as sculptural elements, and stainless steel appliances sparkle. Adding marble to the mix introduces a luxurious touch.

That said, there are drawbacks to this kind of simple elegance. A white kitchen demands upkeep; all that white isn???t going to stay clean without maintenance. And marble is definitely not for everyone. It???s soft and porous, so it scratches and stains easily, and acidic foods can cause surface etching. Marble aficionados learn to love the patina (or live with the patina) that time brings. If you can???t abide the inevitable signs of wear and tear, consider alternative materials, such as quartz.

But if you???re ready to take on the challenge, or just want to do a little daydreaming, check out the collection assembled here. You won???t be disappointed.

Gleaming white Carrara marble counters take center stage here. But this kitchen is as functional as it is glamorous. There are seven seats at the peninsula and the island, so the cook never has to feel left out of the party. Other nice touches: the discreet wine fridge, the built-in paper towel holder next to the sink, the old-fashioned station clock, and bell-jar pendant lights. The maple cabinets are by Wood-Mode and are painted Nordic White.

White works beautifully with gray, as evidenced by the silvery backsplash in this Minnesota kitchen (made from Encore 3- by 6-inch silver ceramic tiles). The custom cabinetry ??? including the island, with its artfully turned legs ??? is painted in Benjamin Moore???s Simply White. Honed Calacatta marble covers the counters and island top, while the warm wood floors (by Stang-Lund) are walnut with a hard-wax-oil finish.

This warm and welcoming kitchen, with its gleaming wood floors (long-plank fir finished with Minwax???s Puritan Pine), features an island covered in Calacatta gold marble. (Note the storage cabinets tucked behind the bar stools.) Other nice touches: the two large Hudson Valley Haverhill brushed-nickel pendants, classic Philippe Starck Emeco brushed-aluminum bar stools and contrasting gray countertops of Pietra del Cardoso.

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Looking for kitchen storage ideas? Checkout this article with kitchen storage ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Checkout all the ideas here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/24802900