Home & Garden

A fireplace hearth often functions as the heart of many homes. It can be a focal point where all your decorative ideas start, allowing for experimentation with different designs, textures, colors, and patterns to help give the home an overall look and feel. If you are looking to redecorate your living space by enhancing your hearth’s looks, here are a few design tips and ideas you could try.

Ensure It Matches the Rest of the House

By the time you are thinking about revamping your fireplace hearth, your home may already have a design aesthetic. In these cases, it is always best to ensure that the hearth’s design matches that of the rest of the house. For contemporary homes, for example, a minimalist hearth would not look out of place. For traditional homes, their exquisite designs and trim can be an inspiration for the hearth’s new design. You can also take material inspirations such as brick or cement from your home’s exterior, or choose to match the hearth’s design to the home’s tiled floors.

Hanging Paintings or a Mirror

In some cases, the heath might look terrible if it is sitting alone in the far end of a house. To give it a more interesting look, enhance its looks by hanging a painting or a mirror over it. The painting can be used to tie the hearth to the rest of the house, while a mirror makes it a much more obvious focal point of your home’s design.

Accessorize Using Fireplace Tools

Fireplace tools are great when you want to build a roaring wood fire or when you want to clean the fireplace. Most people view fireplace tools functionally and do not see how they could be decorative items that enhance their hearth’s look. Fireplace tools, especially hand forged fireplace tools, come in different finishes, styles, and looks to better match the overall look you are going for. You can choose from vintage iron, nickel, matte black, and more. To further accessorize your fireplace tools, choose a sturdy stand that keeps them organized and ensures they do not look out of place next to your hearth.

Include a Mantel

Mantels are a great option, but they are not always a requirement for many fireplace hearths. However, hearths can be used to add something to hearths so they do not look too “naked”. When deciding whether to add a mantel, take inspiration from your home’s design and style. Traditional hearths in older homes do not always need a mantel while new homes might.

One mistake people make is not accessorizing the mantel well so it becomes a distraction and a source of clutter. However, when done right, a mantle can be a great display space for portraits, mirrors, and even art and decor pieces.

There is so much to do to enhance your hearth including accessorizing with different fireplace tools, art, decor items, and more. The most important thing to remember is to match the hearth’s style to that of the rest of the house so it does not end up looking out of place.

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If you are looking to redecorate one of the rooms in your home then it is vitally important that you get the perfect colors for your walls. This is something which isn’t easy to do and so many people struggle when they are looking to make the choice. For some people this seems to come incredibly easy, and that can be frustrating when you are looking to get the right fit at home. Experts like Robert Testagrossa can really help you with this and following people like him and other interior designers will be a great way for you to get some inspiration.

If the time has come for you to add some new color, here is what you should be looking to do.

Samples, Samples, Samples

There is absolutely no doubt that the single best way for you to get the best color for your wall is to go crazy with samples. The reality is that there are so many different colors which you can choose from, but within that there are many tones, and that is where the challenge is. This is why you should grab as many samples as you possibly can, and then paint small cubes of the color on your wall so that you can identify which is the best color for you. Once you have the samples in place, keep looking at them over the course of a few days to identify which is the best one for you.

Taking Inspiration

You can take so much inspiration from social media pages as mentioned in the introduction, but beyond this you are going to be able to get inspiration for ideas from magazines, and from the homes of others. There is absolutely no reason that you shouldn’t take ideas from these sources and then bring them into your own home, especially if those ideas work really well.

Consider Light and Dark

When it comes to the colors for your home the best place to start is by thinking of lights and darks and how each tone plays with the other. The idea here is that you are using these two shades to actually compliment the room, and make it look a certain way. Lights and darks can then be used to combine with furniture and other ideas which you may have for the room.

Be Garish

There is nothing wrong with looking to be a little garish with the colors in the home, and in doing this you can in fact bring something incredibly exciting to the space. This is not to say that you have to go bold, but when you are playing with colors there is no reason that you cannot give them a try. Sometimes the color may look risky, but once you see it up on the wall all of that is going to change.

These are some tips for helping you get the right colors on your wall.

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Being a landlord can be a complex process. There is no “one size fits all” approach for those looking to start a rental portfolio. Your goals will ultimately determine the strategy you use to get started as a landlord.

However, there are some basic staples you should consider before you start your journey towards becoming a landlord. In this article, I want to help guide you through some of those things. So, without further ado:

1. Budget for unexpected costs

Many people don’t budget enough as a landlord for things like maintenance, repairs, replacement and miscellaneous.

To retain your property in good condition at all times, you need to make sure everything is covered in the monthly budget, so you are never caught off guard when bills come due.

2. Understand housing laws

So you want to be a landlord and make your first rental property investment. Well, before diving in headfirst on a rental property venture, it’s wise to know what you should and shouldn’t do as a landlord.

As a landlord, you should understand housing laws that apply to your area. Housing law can vary significantly from state to state, and the more knowledge you possess, the better prepared you will be for any situation.

3. Landlord insurance is a must

Landlord insurance is a must because many landlords neglect to consider the possibility that their tenants or building might cause damage, which makes it imperative to have insurance coverage. Landlord insurance offers great protection by covering homes and contents in addition to liability issues.

4. Figure out the right rent

The rent being charged is always one of the most important considerations for any aspiring landlord. This will determine how much profit they will be able to make throughout the course of their rental property investment.

At the same time, it needs to be attractive enough to draw in new tenants ready and willing to pay that amount.

5. Find the right tenants and keep them happy

Getting the right tenants is the key to being a successful landlord. Be sure to carefully screen potential tenants and review their application carefully.

Make sure to select tenants who have a good track record when it comes to paying rent on time and keeping the unit well maintained and free of damage.

Before you enter into a lease agreement, explain your expectations about maintaining the property, paying rent on time, and keeping the unit clean and free of damage.

6. Get a buy-to-let mortgage if you want to rent out

A mortgage is a loan you take out to buy a property. A buy-to-let mortgage is one used by a landlord to buy a property to rent out to tenants. If you are confident you can find tenants and think house prices will rise, then they can be a good way to make money from your capital.

However, as they are riskier than taking out a normal mortgage on your own home, they tend to have higher interest rates and fees.

7. Keep things organised

One of the keys to being a successful landlord is organising your documents. Some renters might need permission to have pets or smoke in the unit. Others will want maintenance requests taken care of quickly. No matter what your needs are as a landlord, you should always be prepared.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting started as a landlord requires the right attitude, ongoing learning, and some great tools.

Landlords should expect to spend a lot of time cleaning, filling vacancies, collecting rents and being a quiet presence in the background.

The rewards are great, though, for those that enjoy the freedom of running their own business while having the enjoyment of seeing others succeed.

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Eco-friendly homes are becoming more popular than ever. As awareness about environmental issues and global warming grows, more eco-conscious individuals are looking at ways that they can less harm to the natural world.

One of the best ways to start a journey towards being more eco-friendly is by looking at your own home. Eco-friendly homes are not only better for the planet, they also have benefits for the home’s inhabitants and their bank balance.

There are three main ways that a home can be made more environmentally friendly. The first is by improving energy efficiency, the second is by adding certain eco features and thirdly you can make it healthier by minimising pollutants.

But first, let’s take a more in depth look at why making your home more eco-friendly is such a good idea:

It can increase your property’s value

Investing in a green home might be a smart choice if you plan to put your property on the market in the future. There is growing demand for these homes and so buyers are often willing to pay more than average prices.

There are cost effective alternative to normal building materials

Creating an environmentally friendly dwelling does not necessarily have to be a huge financial investment, there are cheaper alternative building materials and structures. Do your research to find alternatives that suit your lifestyle, budget and the location in which you would like to live.

It can help to minimize certain health risks

A green home is great for you and the planet. Eco materials are usually free from harmful chemicals that are sometimes added in manufacturing processes.

They are also free from potential environmental pollutants. These materials can be used for flooring, work surfaces, wall installations and furnishings.

While some eco built products for the home may cost a little more, they are often built to last. You can always look for reclaimed and upcycled furnishings in order to cut costs.

Lower your carbon footprint

Using green techniques to build and furnish your home will lower your carbon footprint, meaning you are having a less harmful impact on the natural world. Keeping a low carbon footprint can help to sustain the natural environment for future generations to enjoy.

So, what are some of the best features of an environmentally friendly home?

Insulation

Good home insulation will help to restrict air flow and retain heat during the winter months. By reducing the need for other heating and cooling solutions you can save money and reduce energy consumption.

One example of a natural insulation is sheep’s wool, you can also use ThermaCork which is both renewable and biodegradable. Other types of eco insulation include Aerogel, which despite being 90 percent air it is able to stop heat passing through it well, or Spray foam insulation Icynene.

Water conservation techniques

In recent years, more than 45 percent of the United States has experienced abnormally dry or drought conditions. A great place to start in this department is dual-flushing toilets and low flow showers.

More advanced techniques include rainwater harvesting. You can collect and store rainwater for uses such as irrigation use, toilet flushing, refilling water features and sprinkler systems.

Renewable energy

There are a few types of renewable energy to consider using for your home, their suitability will depend on your location, housing type and budget.

You can install solar panels to the roof of your house if you are in an area with enough sunlight, this will enable you to harness the power of the sun and significantly reduce energy costs.

Wind turbines are often used commercially, however smaller models are also available for residential property use. As the blades turn in the wind, electricity is generated. Biomass fuels can also be burnt to generate heat for hot water and heating systems. These are made from renewable sources like wood pellets and logs.

If you happen to have a large body of water on your land then it is worth looking into hydroelectric systems. These are powered by water that flows downhill.

Reducing the amount of electricity you require is also an option. One way of doing this is by introducing more natural lighting into your home through window design, in cold climates you will want windows facing the sun’s path and the opposite is true in warmer locations.

Eco friendly home features are great for the planet, aesthetically pleasing and often budget friendly. Implementing even just a couple of these features will have a positive impact on you and the environment.

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With the days warming up and summer time approaching, you will begin to spend more time outdoors. In order to be ready for backyard barbecues and family get-togethers on the patio, you’ll want to make sure your backyard is ready for visitors. The following tips will help you achieve the best backyard in the neighborhood.

Clean Up

First, you’ll want to remove any debris and clutter around your backyard. Once you have a clear space, you’ll then want to ensure everything is well cleaned. Pressure washing your home or having a professional come is a great start. After the exterior siding has been cleaned, focus on cleaning your patio, furniture, and any other areas such as swingsets you may have throughout your backyard.

Set Up the Furniture

Next, you’ll want to bring out any patio furniture you have stored away and place it in its proper space. Consider adding vibrant outdoor rugs, fun lighting, and summer decor for an inviting look. While setting up your furniture make sure you have an adequate amount of seating. If you feel like a few more seats would be beneficial, hang a hammock or purchase an outdoor sofa for more guests to enjoy.

Add Plants

The spring and summer time are meant for flowers, trees, and various other plants. Display hanging flowers from your porch or add unique planters throughout your backyard for added color. If you have a green thumb, you should also think about starting a garden or building a raised flower bed for a beautiful display and for vegetables and other produce you can serve your guests.

Build a Fire Pit

When the sun goes down but your friends aren’t ready to go home yet, a fire pit is the perfect place to hang out. Simple fire pits can be purchased at a local store or you can get creative and build your own customized design surrounded with sand and adirondack chairs.

Have Fun

After creating the perfect set up in your backyard, a few games are sure to create fun memories. You can create and build your own games such as oversized Jenga with a few wooden pieces or turn classic board games like Yahtzee into a life sized game with large wooden blocks as dice and using a utility bucket to roll them.

A few of these ideas or all of them will certainly make your backyard your friend’s and family’s favorite hangout spot in the warmer seasons. If where you live doesn’t provide you with the hottest of summers or you’re just looking for somewhere new to experience and enjoy, Virginia should be at the top of your list. Check out Alexandria houses for sale to see what options are available to you.

 

Moving to a different place is difficult when you have to shift with all your belongings. Not only is the distance an issue, but choosing this intrastate moving company to move your belongings is another problem. Relocating requires a lot of money when you have to shift with your things. The FMCSA ( Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) does not govern single-state movers. Therefore each state has its own permitting systems and regulations that the local mover follows. However, every consumer must know both the states’ laws to trust their movers that their belonging is in good hands. Moreover, the consumer can claim for the damage caused to their goods during the movement. Suppose the truck meets an accident on its way and your interests are damaged, in such cases, it is crucial to have insurance for both states, or you will have to bear the loss.

Tips to Choose the Best Intrastate Moving Company

Selecting the right moving company for your goods is a tedious job as it requires a lot of research. The Better Business Bureau received more than seven thousand complaints by the movers in the United States in 2012. The major complaints received by the Better Business Bureau we’re about the damaged property and lost products. Other than these, late arrival, extra hourly charges, and demanding more fees are some of the problems that made a list.

Moving day can be stressful enough as the fear of damaged goods and lost belonging are common. Here are some of the tips that will help you to choose the best intrastate moving company.

Look For Referrals

The Internet has made everything easy for us today. Searching for the best company will provide you with reviews and referrals from past experienced customers. However, it is best to take references from families and friends before searching the net. If you are moving with a real estate agent’s help, then the agent can also help you with contacts.

Follow Rules of Three

Before finalizing the deal with one company and their estimated budget, ask three companies to send you their estimates. You can get a better offer from anyone after they see your belongings. You must have a proper budget set in mind before you ask for estimation of the cost to move, and anything that matches or is close to your budget is good to go.

Look out for Red Flags

Red flags are important, and you must always have a lookout during your estimation. No professional movers ask for money before they deliver the products. Therefore any company doing so will be an immediate red flag. Next, it is crucial to look for the behavior of the movers towards the customers. Professional behavior is expected from a good company that has its moving vans.

Check Credibility

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation has issued United States DOT numbers to this intrastate moving company with a license. When you choose a moving company for your shift to a different state, it is essential to check for the company’s license.

Protectyourmove.gov is an official site of the FMCSA where you can request the U.S DOT number of the company to verify their license. This is crucial in case of damaged goods and lost belongings or any frauds done to you during the shipment. The local consumer affairs agency will also help you with the movers. Other than that, the contacts of the FMCSA database assist you with several other local agencies.

Contact Better Business Bureau

The better business bureau has all the information and tracks records about companies from the customers’ past experiences. Sometimes reviews are locked online for the customers to check, making it difficult for the movers to look for the best company. The better business bureau has a record of the companies and rates them accordingly. These reviews can help you choose the best intrastate moving companies for your shifting.

Other than these, there are various other professional accreditations like an approved seal or a membership logo of the Storage Association ProMover. Before selecting the company, it is also essential to verify the available address in the business card provided.

Final Words

Choosing this intrastate moving company is not an easy task. It requires a lot of research and professional procedure to trust a company with your belongings finally. However, in the past few years, the Better Business Bureau has helped the customers by rating the moving companies.

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Many of you have been in touch lately following the piece which we ran on homeowners associations and the benefits that they can offer. I have to say that whilst my very small community is not part of an HOA there is a homeowners association near me which does things so well and I have a couple of friends over that way who often talk to me about the benefits that they themselves find in being part of this set up.

I know that many of you would love to get a homeowners association started and these are some of the areas that you could look into, based from the experience of an HOA which is clearly handling business well.

Consistency

The key to success with an HOA is consistency, and this is not just with regards to meetings. Those meetings must be consistent of course, so that everyone is in the loop with what is going on and what timeframes there are for certain projects. Beyond this however we have to look at the level of communication and this too must be consistent across the board. Whoever the HOA decides to chair such a collective must make sure that they have real focus on making this a success.

Using Skills

In most HOAs you will find that you have plumbers and electricians, lawyers, doctors or civil servants. Now whilst many will look to rely on the services of those tradespeople who do hands on roles, there should also be a focus on everyone bringing something to the table. This could be something along the lines of planning permission from someone working in that office, or turf sales from a local gardener. Whatever is being planned should rely upon all members of the HOA, and not just those who we assume to be best placed.

Getting a Buy-In

A friend of mine spoke to me about the early days of their HOA and how many neighbors simply weren’t bothered about being part of it. The reason why they eventually came around to the idea is because those founder members were committed to speaking with the non-members and talking about the benefits. Without the full buy-in of the street or the building, this doesn’t work as well as everyone hopes that it will. To gain this buy-in it is essential that there are as many encouraging voices as possible.

Fix The Issues

Some friends of mine are part of HOAs which simply aren’t active in getting things fixed and arranged. Remember that an HOA should be an active one that seeks to improve, protect and change the living area of the residents. If there is no action being taken on areas which need action then speaking up is going to be essential. There is much that these associations are able to do, the key is having people to push for that action to take place.

Make sure that you are part of an HOA which gets it right.

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There is a wide range of heating systems available for your home, and if you’re setting one up for the first time you may be conflicted as to which type you should use. Today, we’ll discuss boilers and go in-depth on how they work and the advantages of installing one as your home’s heating system.

What is a boiler?

A boiler, as its name suggests, uses hot water to heat the home through a series of pipes under the floor. Since heat travels upward, the heat from the floor eventually warms the whole room. This is unlike furnaces that blow hot air across the space through a series of vents.

Why should I install a boiler?

Water-based heating systems offer several benefits over air-based ones.

• Comfortable. Boilers are the most comfortable heating system in the market. Since the heat comes from the floor and travels upward, you get no cold spots or hot areas in the house. You get even heat everywhere. Boilers also don’t dry out the air as air-based systems do. Furthermore, air-based heating systems use fans to transport hot air, which could cause noise throughout the house.
• Healthier and cleaner. The vents in air-based systems could gather dust which will then get blown throughout your house, negatively impacting the indoor air quality. If you or anyone in your household suffers from asthma or dust allergies, you may want to consider a boiler instead.
• Low maintenance. In an air-based system, you need to clean the air ducts, replace filters, and maintain the furnace to ensure no soot is being blown out alongside the hot air. For boilers, the maintenance is much more straightforward as only the boiler itself needs to be maintained to avoid carbon dioxide leaks, water leaks, and other such issues. Because boilers are an equally popular option for home heating systems, you can find fast and cost-effective boiler Lancashire repair and maintenance packages for various boiler models.
• Energy-efficient. A water-based heating system is more efficient than air-based heating systems. This is because water holds more heat than air. Air cools quickly, forcing the furnace to constantly work to keep the house warm. A boiler may be more expensive than a furnace when you consider the unit price and the installation fees, but it will save you from high utility bills in the long run.

Heating systems are important to a home situated in a location that experiences extreme cold, so you must choose wisely when deciding what heating type to install. Air-based systems also offer unique benefits. For one, since air heats up faster, it heats the home quicker than water-based systems. They are also compatible with cooling systems which means you can get heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer in one system. If you’re on a tight budget, upfront costs for furnaces are also cheaper. It all depends on your specific needs and limitations, so go with the option you’re more comfortable with.

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While commercial roofs and residential roofs have the same primary function of protecting your property or residence from the elements, that is where the similarities end. The most important and significant difference in understanding the difference between these two commercial and residential roofing is the roof’s slope. And the slope of the roof is identified by the size of the infrastructure.

As the residences are comparatively smaller than the commercial infrastructure, they have a steep slope roof easily visible from the ground materials such as slate, architectural tile, and asphalt shingles are used to construct them.

The commercial buildings are more extensive, and the commercial roofs’ designs are such that they tend to have flat or only little sloped ceilings. The commercial roofs are also not visible from the ground. These roofs are a bit wide and come in a wide range of materials determined by the building’s size and structure and several other factors like intense heat, cold, or if the surface needs to withstand enormous foot traffic.

Opting roofing solutions

CertainTeed, a division of Saint Gobain, is the world’s largest manufacturer of building materials and an innovator in the commercial roofing business. The quality of a commercial or a residential roof depends on two essential elements: excellent materials and superior artistry. CertainTeed has been one of North America’s leading roofing material manufacturers for more than 100 years.

Choosing the best roofing solutions

Certainteed commercial roof solutions help their customers meet new building standards by fixing the problem with the best quality products and making changes as per the user requirement. Certainteed has trained and experienced technical experts always available to assist their customers with the best materials, products, systems, and results. So if someone is planning to get professional assistance for a roofing solution, Certainteed is the best in the market.

If someone plan to get cool roof solutions, Certainteed’s Cool star membranes product offers the best solution. The membrane provides high solar reflectivity for less energy load, which reduces the thermal strain on the roof system and increases comfort. So one should always opt for Certainteed for commercial roofing solutions. It’s straightforward to reach out to the Certainteed team to find the right solution for your roofing project.

CertainTeed Warranty Plan

Certainteed commercial roof solutions ensure good service by issuing warranties to the customers. Only CertainTeed Gold and silver star contractors are eligible to apply for Certainteed’s NDL (No Dollar Limit) and Integrity coverage on specific commercial roof projects. Specifiers and owners who opt for the IC option have the added security of manufacturer involvement in the maintenance. You can contact CertainTeed for the complete warranty details.

CertainTeed also offers a complete torch welded, cold process, hot asphalt, and self-adhered system, which provides a wide range of bitumen roofing choices to their customers. They have the expertise to design, repair, replace, and maintain all types of commercial roofing systems. So if someone is planning to get their roof repaired or check as a routine check-up, they can reach out to a CertainTeed technical team and know further.

To read more on topics like this, check out the House category

One of the best parts of traveling for business? Having a chance to meet clients face to face and perhaps even try the best cuisine in your destination city. The worst part of being a business traveler, though, is missing the comforts of home. The reality, though, is that living out of your suitcase doesn’t necessarily have to be a horrible experience. With a furnished apartment, it can actually be an excellent one, although apartments do feature some drawbacks, according to business aficionado Brian Ferdinand in a recently published business travel article.

Why Business Travel Can Be Tough

According to the insightful article, the most challenging aspect of traveling is not being able to easily access your daily necessities like you would at home. Back at home, you likely have everything you regularly need, and these items are likely placed in convenient locations. However, in a hotel room, you’d be hard pressed to find a pair of scissors or a sewing needle on demand. That’s because hotel rooms generally aren’t created with “living” in mind: they are specifically made for sleeping.

Hotel rooms also don’t offer much privacy. After all, your room is directly next door to another person’s room, and you also have to go through the hotel’s lobby to get to your room. In addition, hotel rooms are usually confining due to their small sizes.

Advantages of Furnished Apartments

A chief reason to choose a furnished apartment is that, like hotel rooms, furnished apartments can be secured quickly, inexpensively, and for short periods of time. However, these apartments are usually more spacious and offer more privacy than hotels do. The reason for this is that they are set up like normal houses or apartments: they include living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens stocked with your basic necessities.

Disadvantages of Furnished Apartments

Unfortunately, the majority of furnished apartments aren’t offered with the goal of providing high-end experiences for their users, according to Brian Ferdinand. This is because furnishings are usually second hand, as they are designed to merely fill spaces. They usually are not selected based on factors such as luxury design or comfort. In addition, your apartment may not necessarily feature stylistic décor or aesthetically pleasing designs, according to Ferdinand.

Nonetheless, furnished apartments are still a step above hotel rooms for traveling business people. With these accommodations, you can make your work travel experiences much more enjoyable in the months and years ahead.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Home & Garden category