5 Ways to Prep your House for Winter

You may think that getting ready for winter involves nothing more than stashing the swimsuits and pulling out the heavy coats. Yet, one of your biggest investments, your home, needs a bit of prep to get ready for the cold season as well.

Winter weather can be tough on a home's systems, and there are several reasons to winterize your home. A well-prepped home can save a lot of money on energy bills. Also, properly preparing a home can prevent costly damage down the road. Here are just five things that you can do to prep your home for the coming cold snap.

1. Clean Out the Gutters

The gutters on your home should be inspected and cleaned twice per year - in the fall and the spring. Leaf and debris build-up in your gutters can block them from performing their intended function which is to move water away from your home through the downspout. If they are blocked or damaged, water could leak into your home or damage your roof, causing costly damage.

2. Check the Heating System

Whether you heat your home with a furnace or a boiler, you'll want to make sure that your system is in top shape for the coming season. This usually requires the services of a professional at least once a year to perform an inspection and check for parts that may need replacement. Aside from this, make sure that heating vents around your home aren't blocked and inspect ductwork for rips and tears that can be easily repaired.

3. Window Maintenance

Did you know that leaks in windows can cost you as much as an additional 10 percent on your energy bills each month? Not only are leaky windows costly, but they also allow humidity and moisture, outside noise, and unwanted pests to enter your home. The best news is that drafts and leaks in windows are both easy to identify and inexpensive to fix.

Identify leaks either by looking for pooled condensation at the bottom corner of the window or by holding up a small tea candle next to the window seam to detect air flow. If the window seal needs replacement, you'll need to remove the old caulking and apply a new seal to close the gap.

4. Check Your Insulation

Windows are major culprits, but they aren't the only place in your home that allows energy to escape. In fact, most homes in the U.S. are under-insulated and adding home insulation is one DIY project that pays off in spades. Check your attic to see if you can beef up your home's insulation. You can also save energy by wrapping an energy blanket around your hot water heater.

5. Prepare the Lawn & Garden

As winter approaches, it's time to store away or cover the deck furniture. If you maintain gardens, prepare them for the winter season and then put garden tools in the garage or shed until spring. Winterize and store the lawnmower and drain the water from outdoor faucets and garden hoses.

Old man winter may be calling from a distance, but you still have plenty of time to jump on these tips for your home to both save energy and prevent some costly repairs in the future.

Choosing what's important

Summer is officially over.

Did any readers notice  I took an extended holiday away from Designing Home blog?

I also bravely put my design business in mothballs except for a few clients.  That's right a four month holiday to complete artwork for two shows.  Brave or foolhardy? Only time will tell.

This is where I spent my summer.

The little speck of a house in the background is my favourite place in the world. The views are spectacular and the ocean in all its moods speaks daily.  Duntara is as close to heaven as you will get.

I had a marvellous summer full of creativity, conversation, relaxation, long walks roaming the beaches, whale watching and iceberg viewing directly in front of the house and on and on it goes.  I'm coming to fall with a renewed focus on my art practice.  It feels very satisfying. 

My new work continues to focus on  what gets left behind, but I have moved from two dimensional works to three dimensional using found wood and objects to explore Compositions in Time.  

Composition in Time #22,  2016, Margaret Ryall , wood assemblage, 16 x 16 in. 

Composition in Time #27, 2016, Margaret Ryall, Wood assemblage, 16x16in.

Composition in Time #29, 2016, Margaret Ryall,  wood assemblage, 16 x16in. 

For more work check out my website   

One or the other of my two careers  usually gets the short end of the stick;  I may have to do something about that.  Decision time is creeping up on me.

Yes, I know I never did write a post about my new kitchen.  That is coming this fall, but first I have two more weeks in beautiful Duntara.

How to Keep Your Neighbors Happy During Your Remodelling Project

A lot of DIY is done and dusted (or not, according to many wives…) in a day or three. A remodelling project, however, could take weeks or even months. While you’re bearing the brunt of the noise, mess and inconvenience, it’s your decision, so you need to think about your neighbors, who have had no say at all.

Construction work can cause stress on both sides of the fence, so start off on the right foot and show some consideration and empathy, as well as respect, and you’ll probably come through unscathed.

Here are some tips to help you keep everyone happy during the period of work:

Let your neighbors know well in advance

At least two weeks before work is due to start, let everyone know – knock on doors, post notes through letterboxes and fix flyers to communal noticeboards if possible.

You should tell people the start and projected end-date of the project, where the construction team will be parking, their days and hours of work and whether there will be some periods that parking or access will be restricted. You could get some safety signs designed and posted at the appropriate places, too. Make sure you apologize in advance and give everyone your phone number just in case there’s any problems. You should aim for the streets in front of and behind your house, as well as immediate neighbors either side.

Talk to your contractor before work starts

Talk to your contractor ahead of the start date to work out if there are any restrictions likely to happen. Find out which neighbors don’t like any parking outside their house and let the work crew know well in advance so they can make other arrangements. Maintain vigilance so that you are aware of any blocked drives or brewing annoyances.

You should also make sure that your work team doesn’t drop litter or smoke cigarettes in your garden or yard – or, even worse, your neighbors’ yards. They should also clear up rubbish and work-related debris every day before they leave. If this is ever forgotten or becomes a problem, work out a plan with your contractor.

Check in with your neighbors halfway through

Talk to your neighbors to make sure they’re bearing up ok or if they have any concerns or gripes about the noise, smell, dust or anything else. Remind them of the end date and let them know how it’s all going.

Deal with complaints yourself

Usually neighbors show a lot of tolerance for a remodelling project, but if there are any issues, you have to deal with them in the first instance, not the contractor. If a worker bumps a side mirror or squashes some plants, pass this information onto your contractor and make sure it can be sorted out as soon as possible.

Throw a party!

All projects end, even if it’s a bit later than expected. Once the place is finished and looking great, you should have a party so that your neighbors can see what all the fuss was about. They may well be considering a remodel themselves, so you can swap stories and, most importantly, be a patient neighbor in return!

Get your Garden Ready for the Autumn Chill

Better weather and warmer temperatures encourage everyone to spend more time outdoors as people like to host barbecues and generally just enjoy the alfresco lifestyle. However, as the summer months draw to a close, your garden will have been used more now than any other time all year and hence, unluckily for you this may have had a detrimental effect on its appearance! The hot weather can make your plant life grow faster than ever and it can be very hard to keep on top of. Therefore, now is the time to whip your garden into ship shape before the colder weather of the autumn months claims your garden and leaves it a dying mess.

There are a few areas of the garden that you should organise first; for example, if you have been adventurous and splurged on some garden furniture during the summer, make sure that you tend to these first and either find suitable covers or somewhere to store them so that they will be protected from the expected harsher weather. For example, garden sheds are a great place to store your furniture in.

When it comes to your outside areas such as patios or decking, it is a good idea to also prepare them for the winter too. If you have any wooden features in your garden you can help prevent their deterioration from the wetter weather by applying a layer of wood preservative paint. Unfortunately, this does mean that you will have to reapply the paint as the seasons change and this can sound a little costly to do, however it is definitely a better alternative to ripping it out and starting again due to issues such as wood rot. As well as this, it is a good idea to keep on top of the sweeping of leaves and other kinds of debris which may have fallen on your patio or decking, as this prevents moss, algae and other weeds from growing in between the cracks.

General tending to your garden before the winter will help to also keep plants alive for longer; cutting them back and tidying up your borders will mean that they will flower much better in the next spring. For long leafed plants it is a smart idea to find covers for these as well as the wind and cold weather can damage the leaves over the winter, making it harder for them to recover in the springtime. If you have already noticed some of your plants withering and wilting away, it is best to remove the diseased plants from your borders to prevent any pests from making any nests in the decomposing debris. There is still a lot of activity in your garden going on under the soil until it freezes as certain bulbs and perennial plants continue to grow their roots, so don’t feel like you can’t continue gardening!

It is important that you remain attentive, it can be easy to become lazy as your garden will look like it is completely lifeless during the winter. But as long as you keep on top of the general tidying up and keep your garden’s greenery alive and well, you will be able to reap the benefits of this when the summer comes back around.

Sowing Seeds: Beginners Guide

If you are feeling adventurous and want to try your hand at growing your flowers and vegetables from seeds, this is the perfect beginners guide. We must first cover the benefits of growing plants from seeds; one of them being that you can start gardening earlier in the season. If you have the right lighting and environmental control you will be able to see your plants flourish from seed to harvest. However, here are a few top tips to get you started;

1. Don’t stretch yourself

For any experienced gardener it can be very easy for elements in the growing process to go wrong. So, therefore it is best to try and keep the first batch of seedlings you grow nice and simple, by growing just a small variety. For example, some seeds like tomatoes are easiest to grow indoors so as a beginner it is best if you grow these first. Other good choices for beginners are basil, sweet pea and marigold.

2. Sunlight

Whether you are growing seeds indoors or outside in the garden, you will only have the best success if you choose to plant your seeds where they will receive lots of sunlight. Patio areas which are unshaded and greenhouses are perfect if you want to keep the gardening outdoors, but even a south-facing window indoors would do a sufficient job. As long as all the areas get lots of sunshine! The beginning stages of your seeds growth require the most sunlight because otherwise they will grow weak and will be more likely to die. If you do not have access to lots of natural sunlight and live in somewhere like a tower block apartment, you could invest in some artificial lights and timer which will trick the seedlings to grow.

3. Timing

Every seed plant has a different optimum growth period, you must time their full potential with the seasons and environments that they flourish the most in. Some seeds and types of vegetables grow best when they are planted outdoors, it prevents them from sprouting and growing too quickly.

4. The right equipment

Make sure that you have all the right equipment in place so that you are ready for any eventuality; for example, having the right containers will really help. They need to be a few inches deep with some drainage holes, you can even make these yourself with a little DIY using some yoghurt cartons or paper cups.

Having the right soil will make a big difference too, don’t use soil from your garden as it is much better to start with a healthy, sterile mix which will ensure your seeds stay disease free! When you fill the trays with soil, dampen the soil a little so that the soil will mould well around your seeds. If your soil mix doesn’t contain any nutrients, you will need to spray the seeds with a little fertilizer once they have germinated to help them keep growing. You can buy all of this equipment from a local gardening store, just ask for help if you are unsure!

5 Ways to Liven Up Your Walls

Are you tired of staring at the same walls every day? Do you dream of refreshing and rejuvenating your home decor? Here are just a few ways to brighten up your living spaces through the use of fun, creative wall designs.

1. Paint

First things first: When's the last time you painted your walls? A simple change of color can be all that it takes to make your home feel like new again. Don't be afraid to step away from the boring world of whites, browns and beiges, either; eye-popping colors can really transform a room. Think about yellows for warmth, blues for homeliness and crimsons for dramatic effect.

2. Wallpaper

If you aren't in the mood to paint, decorative wallpaper can be used to liven up your home without fuss or mess. You won't have to worry about things like spills on your carpet and cracks in your foundation. Best of all, wallpaper can be ordered in literally any color, shape, pattern or design of your choosing, so have fun! Go wild! Wallpaper is an easy way to make your imagination come to life.

3. Stencils

Stencils can add personality to a room with a flick of the wrist. In a nursery, for example, stencils can be used to sketch suns, clouds and animals cavorting around your baby's crib; in a guest bedroom, they can create flowers curling around closets and windowpanes. They can also be used to create dramatic silhouettes in living rooms and other open-air spaces. The sky is the limit when it comes to stencils!

4. Vinyl Applications

Vinyl applications come in all shapes and sizes, so they're another decorative tool that affords a lot of flexibility. You'll have plenty of options when you go shopping for appliques. You can even buy appliques that mimic the appearance of other wall materials like hardwood!

5. Decorations

Last but certainly not least, there's a way to decorate your walls that requires no permanent change on your part: hanging decorations. From famous artwork to family photos, you can give your wall a unique look without making a long-lasting commitment in the form of paints and glues. It's a no-fuss, no-stress type of interior design.

These are just a few tips for breathing new life into your home decor. Whether you're building a new home from scratch or just trying to redecorate a certain room, these ideas should be enough to inspire you towards creative greatness.

Tips For Using A Pressure Washer Safely

A pressure washer can be incredibly beneficial and will give you the ability to make difficult, tedious tasks quick and simple. Whether you’re utilizing an electric or gas model, the machine will help you clean almost anything outside of your home. And, using a pressure washer can be fun! Before getting started, it is essential to learn how to use the machine safely. Be sure to use the guide below to ensure safe, effective use.

Starting It Up

If you happen to be using a gas pressure washer, you’ll need to take a few precautions, before switching it on. The process is fairly similar to powering up a lawnmower. Make sure the filter is clean and all accessories are attached to the machine. Be sure to allow water to run through the system for a minute or two, before turning it on. This will prime the system, while also removing air. Squeeze the hand, until all of the hair and pressure has been removed. Now, grab the starter cord and give it a yank. It will take quite a bit of force, but you’ll get it!

Protect Yourself

Using a really solid pressure washer is fairly safe, but it is a good idea to protect yourself just in case. Wearing protective gloves is a good idea, but wearing goggles is truly a necessity. The goggles will help to protect your eyes from the water and any chemicals mixed in. Since the motor can be a little loud, you may also want to consider wearing earplugs.

PSI Level

PSI or pounds per square is an extremely important measurement for pressure washers. The higher the PSI means the more powerful the water pressure. So, if you are looking for a heavy-duty pressure washer, you should opt for one that is capable of producing between 2,650 to 3,000 pounds per square. A heavy-duty model will be capable of cleaning siding or fence panels, corroded with algae, dirt, and grim. If you are only looking to clean your lawn furniture a unit that produces up to 1,900 PSI will be sufficient.

If this is your first time utilizing a washer pressure, you should preset the machine on the lowest PSI level. This will prevent any risks of damage, caused by a powerful force of water. You want to avoid presetting the PSI on the highest level until you become more familiar with the output. When washing a vehicle, you should stick with the lowest PSI to avoid damaging the surface.

Use With Caution

Pressure waters can disperse water with a great deal of force. The amount of force could potentially cause injury to a human and could damage your property. Never point the nozzle in the direction of animals or other individuals! If you’ve never used a pressure washer before, you may want to err on the side of caution and keep the pressure low. With gas varieties, it is essential to always turn off the pressure washer, before adding gas to the tank.

Finally, make sure you watch the stream at all times. These tips will help to protect you, your pets, and others around you!

Why Choose Carpet Over Wood or Tiles?

When you are ready to choose the right flooring for every room in your home, you should check out all of your options. While hardwood flooring is hugely popular, it also comes with its own drawbacks, and the same holds true for tiles. In fact, many families are now opting to have carpeting installed in many rooms throughout their homes with the help of a local carpet fitter that can direct them to the best carpet types and colours for their needs. Keep reading to learn why you should choose carpet over wood or tiles.

You Won’t Need to Maintain Carpeting

Unlike wood flooring that has to be refinished on a regular basis in order to maintain its quality and its attractive appearance, all you have to do to maintain the look of your carpets is vacuum them regularly. And for deep cleaning, you can simply use a carpet shampoo and a carpet cleaning machine that you can purchase in stores, or you can hire professionals to do the job for you.

Carpeting Is More Comfortable, Warmer, and Quieter

Sometimes it feels good to lie down or sit down on the floor, especially in the bedroom or the living room. And if you have kids, they likely spend time playing on the floor. Hardwood flooring can be uncomfortably hard, and tiles are prone to getting quite cold, especially in the winter, so carpeting will really be the cosiest option available. The carpeting will always be warm under your feet when you get out of bed in the morning, and it will help to insulate your room and keep it warmer during the winter too. In addition to being warmer, carpets are also quieter when compared to hardwood and tiles.

You Have a Lot of Flexibility with the Look of Your Carpets

While hardwood flooring may be too limited for you in terms of its appearance and the colour options, carpeting offers a lot of variety. You can choose from different carpet piles and colours so that you can have the right level of comfort, as well as the right option that will suit the overall colour scheme of a room best.

You Don’t Need to Purchase Expensive Rugs

Let’s face it, decorative rugs can be expensive, but they are often necessary when you have tiles or wood flooring installed. However, when you have carpeting installed, you will not need to worry about accessorising it with a rug. Nor will you have to worry about protecting your flooring, such as your hardwood or tile, from heavy furniture that could scratch or damage it. This means that you can save money and still have a great looking floor that complements the rest of your room.

If you are planning on moving into a new home or remodelling the one that you are currently living in, consider the information above when you are trying to pick the right flooring. You may find that carpeting is the better option for you, especially when compared to wood flooring and tiles.

A Homeowner's Guide to Decoding Lighting Terms

Wattage, lumens and lux ... what the heck do these terms mean? These terms are commonly found on lighting labels and packages. But the average homeowner has little to no understanding of what they actually mean. If you're one of these homeowners, here is an explanation that might help. And for even more terms, read this article featured on AngiesList.com.

Wattage

Wattage is simply the measurement of electrical power, in watts. Watts are calculated by multiplying the amperage, which is the strength of an electric current, by the voltage. On your energy bills you may have noticed the phrase “total wattage consumption." This is what you are billed by. Incandescent bulbs run about 60 watts, LED bulbs 12 and CFLS 15. Remember, the lower the wattage, the lower your electric bill will be. The wattage of a bulb is not the measurement of the bulb's intensity. It’s simply the amount of power necessary to produce its light or intensity.

Lumens

The actual definition of a lumen is ... a doozy. We'll leave that to Merriam-Webster. In common-speak, a lumen is a simple measurement of the intensity or brightness of light. This term has only recently been added to light bulb packaging. Lumens only measure brightness, not energy use. When shopping for bulbs, consumers should look for lumens so they can buy based on the brightness they want. The knowledgeable professionals from Earth LED compare lumens to light like gallons to milk or pounds to bananas. It’s a clever way to think about how much light you want to buy.

Lux

What is sometimes called illumination or illuminance, lux can be defined as the standard unit of measurement of light level intensity. Lux and lumens must work together. One lux is equal to one lumen spread over the space of one meter. The measurement of lux tells consumers how many lumens (or the total light output) are needed based on a measured area that consumers are trying to illuminate. A brightly lit office space requires about 400 lux. Compare that to outdoor sunlight which tops out at around 100,000 lux, according to the lighting experts from Green Business Light, a UK-based company that supplies and installs energy-efficient lighting.

Manufacturers are working to make lighting terms more understandable for the everyday consumer. A helpful lighting facts label on light bulbs is required by the United States Federal Trade Commission. It resembles a food label and provides valuable information to help consumers and homeowners make informed decisions. This lighting facts label appears on light bulb packaging and includes estimated yearly cost, brightness, light appearance (warm or cool), life expectancy (based on three hours of use each day), mercury information and energy use.

How to Sell a Home in a Depressed Property Market

Whilst the property market is fairly buoyant right now, there is no guarantee it will stay that way. Besides, you may not be thinking of moving home for another couple of years anyway, so when the time comes, you need to know you can sell it no matter what the prevailing market is like. Here are some tips from Property Cash Buyers to help you achieve a quick sale for the right price, even in a depressed property market.

Boost the Curb Appeal

First Impressions count. Imagine going on a first date and the person has made zero effort to look nice. No matter how engaging their personality, your opinion of them will be irrevocably damaged.

Selling a home is no different. An unkempt home with ten-foot high weeds and peeling paint will not draw potential buyers in. Most people want a home they can just move into, so take a good, hard look at your property and try to see it through the eyes of a buyer. Tidy up the front yard, plant some flowers, and tackle all the DIY jobs on your list sooner rather than later.

Make Essential Home Improvements

Flashy home improvements such as a smart designer kitchen or bathroom will make a home easier to sell, but your money will be better spent on upgrading the essentials. Most buyers would rather pay less for a home that needs a bit of remodelling, as they can then put their own stamp on the place.

With this in mind, you should consider spending your cash on upgrading the boiler or making essential repairs to the roof or windows. This type of work needs to be done no matter what, and if your buyers need to borrow money to buy, an unsatisfactory report from a home inspector could jeopardise the sale.

Sell at the Right Price

Pricing a home to sell is tricky. Too low, and you lose out on extra cash, but too high and you will not achieve any real interest in a depressed market. The only way to get the right price is to use the services of an experienced realtor. Real estate agents know the market inside out, so they will have a good idea of what price your home is likely to achieve. So be realistic about what your property is worth and take their advice, or you will have a hard time selling.

Depersonalise and Declutter Your Home

Buyers do not want to see rooms full of clutter. It makes it impossible for buyers to visualise the property with their own furniture and belongings in-situ. Before you start marketing your home, remove all extraneous clutter, box it up and store it out of the way. This will give you the opportunity to paint the walls and clean all surfaces ready for buyers to come and view.

Marketing a home can be immensely stressful, but if you follow the above tips, it should not take more than a week to achieve the right asking price.