Monday, September 9, 2013

Easy Ways to Renovate


 

Home remodeling can seem daunting, especially if you are not particularly handy. There are some easy ways to spruce up your living spaces without needing to call in a professional. Consider tackling these transformational projects to give your home a wonderful new look.
 
Get out that paintbrush
Painting is the number one way to update a room. Painting can be done by anyone and is a way to inexpensively change the look and mood of a room.

Update your lighting
Changing or adding to the lighting in a room is an easy and inexpensive way to update the look of your home. Small accent lighting gets rid of dark corners and can spotlight those special décor pieces or paintings in your room. Adding lighting to a room also gives you the ability to turn on a few lights for a cozy mood or to light up the whole room for a bright boost.

Reuse what you have
You may think you need all new furniture to give your room a new look, but that is not usually your only option. You can purchase beautiful new slipcovers, throw rugs, bed coverings, or curtains to spruce up the look of a room. Painting or refinishing small accent pieces like side tables or dining room chairs can also give a room a fresh update.

Rearrange for a dramatic effect
If your room feels boring and stale, try rearranging your furniture. If possible, remove everything but the largest pieces of furniture. Experiment with new arrangements until you find a configuration that feels fresh and comfortable. Then slowly bring in the remaining small furniture and accent pieces, trying them in different places until you get the look you are aiming for. And don’t forget that you can switch out furniture or accents from different areas of your home to give several living spaces a nice update.

One more thing to remember... we can refresh your carpets making them look as good as new!



Friday, September 6, 2013

A Few Autum Tips for Pet Owners


 
Pets, just like people, look forward to a break in the hot weather of summer. It is a lovely time of year for our animal friends, but there are some safety tips to keep in mind as the weather cools.

-- As you gather school supplies, remember to keep them out of the reach of your pets. While items such as glue sticks and magic markers have low-toxicity, a pet can get sick if he or she ingests a large quantity of them. To be safe, store them out of your pet’s reach.

-- If your pet spends time outdoors, be sure to keep a close eye on the weather forecast. In the fall, cold weather can move in quickly, even on a day that starts out warm. Make sure that your pet has adequate shelter and some protection from freezing rain and wind.

-- Fall is one of the best seasons for mushroom growth. When heading outdoors, be sure to keep a close eye on your dog when he or she explores areas with lots of plants. Most mushrooms are non-toxic, but ingesting one of the dangerous varieties can have serious consequences. If you see your dog eating a wild mushroom, contact your veterinarian immediately.

-- In preparing for colder weather, many people change or add to the coolant in their vehicle. Be sure to keep antifreeze away from your pet, as it is highly toxic. Spills should be cleaned up immediately. You may also consider switching to propylene glycol-based coolants rather than using the standard ethylene glycol-based coolants. While not completely non-toxic, they are much better than the standard antifreeze.