Kitchen Ideas

There are so many great ideas for convenience and luxury in the kitchen today. If you are thinking of making some changes to improve the function in your kitchen, consider these ideas:

1.  If you are going to change the countertops, now is a great time to increase the overhang of a bar top so you can place barstools or simply have more work space. If the overhang is not over 12 inches, you probably do not need to add corbels for support.
2. Think about placing your microwave in a lower cabinet or island. This will open up a spot for a second oven that you want or visually make the upper cabinets look cleaner and less cluttered.
3. Consider changing your kitchen faucet to  one that senses motion and turns off and on with just a wave of the hand. Meant for busy cooks, the ease of use is amazing, and it also keeps the faucet cleaner and free from germs caused by touching repeatedly. One brand that I have used is by Moen, called Motion Sense. check it out!  MoenMotionsense

This guest post is courtesy of Tamara Hyland of Total Renaissance Reconstruction. Thanks for being a guest blogger, Tamara!

An Outdoor Lifestyle

The concept of outdoor rooms for outdoor living and maximizing outdoor spaces such as gardens and patios has really taken off in recent years. The reasons can range from shrinking square footage in modern housing to improved products for outdoor living, but we can all agree that the extra space provides added flexibility. Before you begin furnishing an outdoor room you have to decide how you want the space to function:

• A place to gather and entertain
• A private retreat
• A place for cooking and dining, or just dining
• A playroom for children and friends
• A multipurpose area where you combine different activities

Once you've narrowed down a purpose for your outdoor room, select a location. Depending on what kind of outdoor space you have, you may have just one option or be able to select from many.

If you have less space to work with, it will call for more efficient planning and creativity. You can turn that area into an exquisite outdoor room with special attention to function and form.

When you have plenty of space, you still have to pay attention to form and function, but you will have more leeway.

Choose a spot with a view if possible. If you don't already have a view, create one with plantings, garden sculpture, fountains and accessories.

Add drama to your location with your furniture and fabrics; consider crisp, bright colors.

Special thanks to our guest blogger Tamara Hyland of  Total Renaissance Construction.

Is New Carpeting on your Mind?

If you are considering buying new carpeting for your house and have not done so in a number of years, keep a few ideas in mind. Generally, people buy carpeting for their homes because the material is soft and warm, helps insulate from noise and is affordable. But, if you have family members with allergies, you might want to keep in mind that carpeting holds, dirt, dust and the mites that come along with the dust. If you have animals, carpeting will also hang onto those pet smells like urine. You probably know that the typical life expectancy of carpeting is around 10 years with average use, so you will need to re-carpet when it starts looking worn in even just a couple of rooms. 

Keep in mind that if you have a 2 story house and the stairs are carpeted, that the steps take a lot of wear and tear so consider buying a thicker carpet like a woven wool since they are quite durable for these areas. Do not buy a looped carpet for stairs since they can snag and the loops can open up.

If you are thinking of new carpeting, consider buying one with Low VOC's-volatile organic chemicals. This will help you keep your family more protected in the home environment when you install a carpeting made from natural products with fewer fumes and chemical free dyes.

Do not skimp on the carpet pad since a good carpet pad helps support the carpeting lying on top of it and provides strength and cushioning. A good quality pad will prevent the backing of the carpeting from coming apart over time. 

Think about how you live in your home before selecting a carpet since there are many styles to consider. A plush carpeting shows footprints and is best in low traffic parts of the home. Berber is a tough carpeting that is great for kid and pet areas since it does not show tracks and is very sturdy.  If you have high traffic areas, you might also think about installing a textured carpeting since it does not show tracks and reflects the light. High pile carpets like friezes are great for hiding footprints and dirt and are a bit less formal than a plush. 

It is also important to select a good quality carpet provider and installer.

Consider these things when shopping for and selecting a new carpet for your home. 

Thanks to our guest blogger, Tamara Hyland, of Total Renaissance Construction

Try Upcycling for Fresh Design Ideas

Another buzz word that you are hearing about on the internet. What is it? Upcycling is a process of turning old or discarded items into something that is useable. It is a wonderfully "green" idea because you do not throw things into the landfills, you find uses for things by finding a better purpose. It is also "thrifty" and a way to refashion an item into something else that is useful.

What can be up cycled? If you use your imagination, you will find creative ways to use old materials. 

1. Cut up an old t-shirt to make strips to make yarn  for a rag rug, for example.
2. Old tires can be used to create a bucket.
3. You can use old cans for planting things-just creatively paint or decorate them.
4. Hang an old suitcase on the wall to use as a shelf.
5. You can make a light fixture form old plastic milk containers.
6. Use old greeting cards for gift tags on presents.

There are numerous ideas and the list is just limited by your own imagination. So, when you take something old and find another use for it, you are up cycling and protecting the environment, being creative and thrifty, all at the same time.

Thanks to Tamara Hyland of http://www.TotalRenaissanceConstruction.com for being our guest blogger.

Housing in DFW is still hot!

A recent report by Residential Strategies, Inc. underscored the continuing strong demand for homes.  For the first quarter, 2014, the median new home price in DFW was up 8.0% from the first quarter 2013.

Job growth is a leading economic indicator affecting the housing market. For the 12 month period ending February, 2014, the job growth rate for the DFW area was 2.7% compared with the national average of 1.5%. 

The Texas A&M Real Estate Center shows an increase of 16% in existing home sales compared with a year ago  (February, 2013).  With the tight housing supply, area prices have continued to rise.  According to S&P Case-Schiller, year-over-year prices in Dallas for January, 2014, were up 10.0%. 

That's still plenty of good news for home buyers and sellers alike.  

Analysts say technology and finance trends will drive residential solar.

A Goldman Sachs investment report draws from clean energy technology analysts to predict disruptive trends for utilities and energy savings for consumers.

• First, Tesla’s giant manufacturing facility will soon begin pumping out lithium ion batteries to be used in both Tesla vehicles and renewable energy storage units. The cost of said batteries should drop to $125/KWh by 2020, from a current price of more than $200/KWh, and dropping 3% each year thereafter.  This represents a potentially a disruptive technology for utilities.
• The cost of solar panels continues to fall. Goldman says we can expect an average reduction of 3% annually here as well.

Though nothing is imminent, Goldman Sachs analysts lay out three reasons why the utility market is heading in the direction of  "grid defection" (people leaving the grid).

“Ultimately the holy grail of solar is to move to a situation where the customer is no longer tied to the grid at all. This may be far off, aside from entailing a much more expensive solar/battery system, this is also potentially out of people’s comfort zone entailing a 100% reliance on a new system for their electricity needs. That said, decreased reliability from an aging distribution infrastructure, a broadening desire to reduce the carbon footprint, and perhaps most importantly, the reduction of solar panel and battery costs could also work together to make grid independence a reality for many customers one day.”

Read more:   http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-on-solar-and-elon-musk-2014-3

A Green Tech column in Forbes cites solar leases which make it possible for homeowners to pay little or no money down to have a set of solar panels installed on their roofs. Instead of forking over, say, $20,000 to install and own the equipment, they pay a fee each month for using the electricity produced from the panels. Homeowners typically sign a long-term contract of 15 to 20 years with the companies that pay for solar equipment and labor and make sure the solar panels work properly during the lifetime of the contract.

Read more:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2013/02/11/solar-leases-will-propel-solar-home-growth-to-5-7b/

Tips for Saving on Homeowners and Renters Insurance

Whether you own or rent your home, insurance is essential to protect your property and household goods. Comparison shopping for the best rates will certainly save you some money, but you also can save by following these tips:

• Choose a higher deductible—increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your insurance premium.
• Ask your insurance agent about discounts. Dead bolts, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, security systems, storm shutters and fire-retardant roofing material are just some of the home safety features that can often lower your rate. You also may be able to get a lower premium if you are a long-term customer or if you bundle other coverage, such as auto insurance, with your provider. Some companies also offer senior discounts for customers who are older than 55 years.
• Don’t include the value of the land when you are deciding how much coverage to buy. If you insure your house, but not the land under it, you can avoid paying more than you should. Even after a disaster, the land will still be there.
• If you’re a renter, don’t assume your landlord carries insurance on your personal belongings. She or he likely doesn’t. Purchase a separate renters’ policy to be sure your property—like furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal items—is covered.

Don’t wait until you have a loss to find out whether you have the right type and amount of insurance. For example, many policies require you to pay extra for coverage for high-ticket items like computers, cameras, jewelry, art, antiques, musical instruments, and stamp and coin collections.

Furthermore, not all coverage will replace fully what is insured. An “actual-cash-value” policy will save you money on premiums, but it only pays what your property is worth at the time of loss (your cost minus depreciation for age and wear). “Replacement” coverage gives you the money to rebuild your home and replace its contents.

Finally, a standard homeowners’ policy does not cover flood and earthquake damage. The cost of a separate earthquake policy depends on the likelihood of earthquakes in your area. 

Ways to Save on your Electric Bill

There are many ways for you to reduce some of the expenses of electricity at your home! It just take some discipline and a few tips to make a difference in what your monthly bill looks like. Try a couple this month and then a couple more each month after and see if your efforts are rewarded.

1.  Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, A 75 degree thermostat uses 18% more energy than a 78 degree setting.
2.  Get a programmable thermostat and if you have one, use it! These devices if used properly, can save you up to $180 per year!
3.  Use heavy duty electrical-load appliances in the early morning or late at night.
4.  Your father was right when he said to turn the lights off when you left a room. So turn off all lights, appliances and computers when not in use.
5.  Avoid using a screen saver on your monitor and turn off the monitor when not in use.
6. Caulk windows and doors to keep air from leaking in or out. Consider replacing your old windows with new energy-efficient windows.
7. When you buy new appliances or lighting, look for the Energystar label.
8. When washing clothing or using the dishwasher, make sure you have a full load. Clean the lint trap on your dryer after each use.
9. Replace the old style incandescent light bulbs with new energy efficient  compact fluorescents or LED bulbs.
10. Wrap the tank of your water heater with an insulated "jacket" that you can find at most big box stores.

Look at the electricity bill this month, and try a couple of these ideas. Then look at the bill for the next month and see if you have made a difference in the amount that you used and consequently the amount you owe.

Thanks to our guest blogger, Tamara Hyland, of Total Renaissance Construction.

HOW TO MAKE SMALL ROOMS “SEEM" LARGER?

If you have a small room, do not get frustrated, make it appear larger with several easy steps.

1. Take a look around the room and grab a bag to dispose of the clutter. Reducing unnecessary stuff, will make the room look larger.
2. Paint the walls a lighter color to open up the room.
3. If you have too much furniture, remove some of it.
4. Take extra pieces to another room or two and focus on using the basics and only furnishings that actually fit the room. Stay away from oversized pieces in a small space.
5. Find storage for clutter in ottomans or coffee tables.
6. Open up the window blinds to let in natural light and hang some mirrors to reflect light and create an illusion of more depth in the room.
7. Use plain neutral colored fabrics for upholstered pieces and if you want additional texture or design, use pillows or throws as accents.

Using some of these steps will create the illusion of more space in a room by creating more floor space.

Call Total Renaissance to help!  Thanks to Tamara Hyland of Total Renaissance Construction and Renovations as our guest blogger.

New Law Allows All Homeowners to Install Water Saving Landscapes

Senate Bill 198, passed by the Texas Legislature and signed into law in June 2013, prohibits property associations (POAs) from banning water-efficient, drought-resistant landscaping. The law went into effect last September 1.

A Texas home illustrates drought-resistant landscaping.

Under SB198, POAs can still require prior approval before homeowners switch to such landscapes, and POAs can adopt guidelines on what kind of plants and designs are acceptable as long as they do not “unreasonably restrict” water-conserving landscapes. This bill enjoyed a wide range of support from environmental groups like Clean Water Fund to Texas Community Association Advocates and businesses like The Home Depot.

Texans know that water is in short supply in our state for a variety of reasons, such as rising population, drought, and a changing climate. Municipal water demand is rising faster than any other sector and by 2060 is predicted outstrip all other sectors, including agriculture. 

Lawn watering is the major driver of municipal demand, and can account for as much as 60% of a household’s water use. Replacing non-native turf grasses with drought-resistant native plants and ground cover can lower a homeowner’s water bills and save communities money that would otherwise be needed to purchase new sources of water and build expensive new water treatment and distribution infrastructure. It can also leave more water in our aquifers, lakes, and rivers for wildlife and the human recreation and industry these ecosystems support.

Installing a drought-tolerant landscape does not mean limiting yourself to grass and cacti, or creating an 'Arizona look' in your front yard. These landscapes can include a wide variety of colorful plants that provide food and shelter to native wildlife. 

SB 198 allows POAs to maintain aesthetic harmony through a variety of means, by for example, limiting plants to those from a specific list or catalog, requiring a minimal amount of turf grass, directing that all vegetated beds have a border whose color and style is compatible with the home's architecture, and banning or limiting the use of gravel. However, POAs are no longer allowed to ban drought-tolerant landscapes outright. If properly implemented, SB 198 can provide a 'win-win' for proponents of water conservation and POA advocates alike.

David Foster is State Director for Clean Water Fund, a nonprofit that provides free presentations and workshops on how POAs can implement SB 198. See www.cleanwaterfund.org/xeriscape