Hop on over to Going A Little Coastal and find out how.....
Friday, January 27, 2012
Going A Little Coastal: Peeling Mirror Redo
I am so doing this! Ever come across an awesome frame with an old mirror in it? This is the easiest DIY project ever......
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Money Saving Energy Tips That Won't Break The Bank
EASY ENERGY-SAVING HABITS (Free!)
Don't forget the basics. This simple stuff will save energy -- and money -- right now.
• Unplug seldom-used appliances, like an extra refrigerator in the basement or garage that contains just a few items. You may save around $10 every month on your utility bill.
• Unplug your chargers when you're not charging. Every house is full of little plastic power supplies to charge cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, cordless tools and other personal gadgets. Keep them unplugged until you need them.
• Use power strips to switch off televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos when you're not using them. Even when you think these products are off, together, their "standby" consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, allowing it to use less power during periods of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found under control panel.Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 30 minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the computer off in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on. Allowing your computer to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer from scratch. When you're done for the day, shut down.
• Set your thermostat in winter to 68 degrees or less during the daytime, and 55 degrees before going to sleep (or when you're away for the day). During the summer, set thermostats to 78 degrees or more.
• Use sunlight wisely. During the heating season, leave shades and blinds open on sunny days, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Close shades and blinds during the summer or when the air conditioner is in use or will be in use later in the day.
• Set the thermostat on your water heater between 120 and 130 degrees. Lower temperatures can save more energy, but you might run out of hot water or end up using extra electricity to boost the hot water temperature in your dishwasher
Don't forget the basics. This simple stuff will save energy -- and money -- right now.
• Unplug seldom-used appliances, like an extra refrigerator in the basement or garage that contains just a few items. You may save around $10 every month on your utility bill.
• Unplug your chargers when you're not charging. Every house is full of little plastic power supplies to charge cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, cordless tools and other personal gadgets. Keep them unplugged until you need them.
• Use power strips to switch off televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos when you're not using them. Even when you think these products are off, together, their "standby" consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, allowing it to use less power during periods of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found under control panel.Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 30 minutes or so of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the computer off in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on. Allowing your computer to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer from scratch. When you're done for the day, shut down.
• Set your thermostat in winter to 68 degrees or less during the daytime, and 55 degrees before going to sleep (or when you're away for the day). During the summer, set thermostats to 78 degrees or more.
• Use sunlight wisely. During the heating season, leave shades and blinds open on sunny days, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Close shades and blinds during the summer or when the air conditioner is in use or will be in use later in the day.
• Set the thermostat on your water heater between 120 and 130 degrees. Lower temperatures can save more energy, but you might run out of hot water or end up using extra electricity to boost the hot water temperature in your dishwasher
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Looking for a way to liven up your dull decor? After the Christmas Tree is gone, you may be looking at your home and thinking "Was it this bland before?". Refresh your dark wood or white cabinets by painting them a spiffy hue like a pale sage green. For added oomph balance the the room with an intense red painted floor. Don't be timid, it's your home, make it reflect your style.
Friday, January 13, 2012
How Can I Incorporate a Coastal Vibe in my Non-Coastal Home?
Summer is my favorite season, the coast my favorite place. Living in Upstate SC, however, I have to take daytrips whenever I can and incorporate simple ideas into my décor and routine that may let me take a short braintrip when a trip on the road is just not on the calendar. These are cute, quick, and make me think of Charleston, with it’s crabhouses and pluff mud. Make these little cuties and you may take a braintrip of your own…….
Stenciled Tea Towels
It’s in the details….. place these in a guest bath for a simple nod to your favorite place? I love them! Anita shares how to stencil a tea towel over at Going Coastal!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Picking Great Colors For Your Home
Picking out paint colors always left me frustrated. When you walk into a paint store they'll display thousands of shades of color on several walls, how are you supposed to make a decision with so many choices? Trying to figure out which of those colors will complement your furniture and home style drives many to simply opt for some shade of white.
One way to go, however, is to use a complementary color scheme. Paula Abdul was right! There really is a rule that opposites attract, these pairings can always be found at opposite ends from each other on a paint color wheel. When put together, they bring out the best in each other, making both colors look cleaner and brighter.
An essential tool for artists, painters and interior designers everywhere, the color wheel is constructed to help you see the relationships between different hues. The bases are three primary colors: red, blue and yellow. These are then combined to make the three secondary colors: orange, green, and purple. Finally, the remaining six colors on the wheel are known as tertiary colors and are mixes of the secondary colors, including such hues as red-orange and blue-green.
One way to go, however, is to use a complementary color scheme. Paula Abdul was right! There really is a rule that opposites attract, these pairings can always be found at opposite ends from each other on a paint color wheel. When put together, they bring out the best in each other, making both colors look cleaner and brighter.
An essential tool for artists, painters and interior designers everywhere, the color wheel is constructed to help you see the relationships between different hues. The bases are three primary colors: red, blue and yellow. These are then combined to make the three secondary colors: orange, green, and purple. Finally, the remaining six colors on the wheel are known as tertiary colors and are mixes of the secondary colors, including such hues as red-orange and blue-green.
Familiarizing yourself with the color wheel can help you understand how to best mix and match a cool color with a warm one, for a naturally balanced room. Don't be afraid! Many chain home improvement stores now offer small "pots" of paint that you can have tinted to whatever you want a trial of. When you get home, make sure you not only try a small block of color on one wall, but on each wall to see how the color reacts to light. Leave it on the walls for a few days (a big blob of color on the walls makes for a great conversation piece for visitors!) and see how it looks throughout the day. You Can Do This!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Why Should I Look For Listings Over My Price Range?
If a home doesn't sell, there must be something wrong with it, right? True, but maybe not the “something” you suspect. It's not always location or condition.
The number one reason why a home does not sell is price. Homes that are grossly overpriced often never sell at all. Why? Because home buyers don't make offers on them. You should be looking at homes listed over your price range for one simple reason........ The listing price is not always indicative of the market value.
Why Don't Home Buyers Make Offers on Overpriced Listings?
· They don't want to offend the seller. It goes against human nature to offer substantially less than asking price to a seller.
· Buyers erroneously believe that the seller knows the home is overpriced. They believe that if a seller would be willing to sell for less, the seller would simply lower her price. Many times the Realtor has tried to reality check the seller, but it takes a buyer offering market value, sometimes, to drive the truth home.
· Buyers also assume that the seller must have turned down lower offers from other buyers because surely someone, somewhere along the line, had offered a reasonable price to the seller. But many times, there are no offers at all. You’ll never know until you try!
How Do You Find an Overpriced Listing?
The easiest way is to ask your Realtor about the average days on market (DOM) for your area. Multiple listing systems are designed so it's fairly easy to compute the DOM. Then ask your Realtor to sort through the listings and find the homes that have been on the market longer than average.
If your Realtor is local it is likely she has toured these homes and has intimate knowledge of condition and layout of these homes. Ask her to share this information with you. You can also ask your Realtor which of the homes she thinks are overpriced as well. You will be amazed to learn that often agents don't tell listing agents whether their listings are overpriced because agents don't want to offend anyone either! But listing agents aren't infallible. Sometimes they make mistakes when estimating market value prices for a seller. Ultimately, however, remember that it is ALWAYS the seller's responsibility to select the sales price. If a Realtor advises a client on a listing price, it’s still the seller’s responsibility to put the final number on the contract.
Why Would a Seller Lower the Price?
Not every home that is overpriced will ultimately sell for less than listed price, but many homes that are listed at unrealistic prices are owned by sellers who are motivated and who are willing to listen to reasons why they should sell at a reduced price to you. If you find out that a seller has turned down multiple offers for less money, it might mean that it's just a matter of timing. Eventually the light bulb will go on and a seller will say yes.
There are overpriced gems hiding among the inventory of homes for sale every day. Don't just pass them by. You could be passing up an opportunity to buy your dream home.
The number one reason why a home does not sell is price. Homes that are grossly overpriced often never sell at all. Why? Because home buyers don't make offers on them. You should be looking at homes listed over your price range for one simple reason........ The listing price is not always indicative of the market value.
Why Don't Home Buyers Make Offers on Overpriced Listings?
· They don't want to offend the seller. It goes against human nature to offer substantially less than asking price to a seller.
· Buyers erroneously believe that the seller knows the home is overpriced. They believe that if a seller would be willing to sell for less, the seller would simply lower her price. Many times the Realtor has tried to reality check the seller, but it takes a buyer offering market value, sometimes, to drive the truth home.
· Buyers also assume that the seller must have turned down lower offers from other buyers because surely someone, somewhere along the line, had offered a reasonable price to the seller. But many times, there are no offers at all. You’ll never know until you try!
How Do You Find an Overpriced Listing?
The easiest way is to ask your Realtor about the average days on market (DOM) for your area. Multiple listing systems are designed so it's fairly easy to compute the DOM. Then ask your Realtor to sort through the listings and find the homes that have been on the market longer than average.
If your Realtor is local it is likely she has toured these homes and has intimate knowledge of condition and layout of these homes. Ask her to share this information with you. You can also ask your Realtor which of the homes she thinks are overpriced as well. You will be amazed to learn that often agents don't tell listing agents whether their listings are overpriced because agents don't want to offend anyone either! But listing agents aren't infallible. Sometimes they make mistakes when estimating market value prices for a seller. Ultimately, however, remember that it is ALWAYS the seller's responsibility to select the sales price. If a Realtor advises a client on a listing price, it’s still the seller’s responsibility to put the final number on the contract.
Why Would a Seller Lower the Price?
Not every home that is overpriced will ultimately sell for less than listed price, but many homes that are listed at unrealistic prices are owned by sellers who are motivated and who are willing to listen to reasons why they should sell at a reduced price to you. If you find out that a seller has turned down multiple offers for less money, it might mean that it's just a matter of timing. Eventually the light bulb will go on and a seller will say yes.
There are overpriced gems hiding among the inventory of homes for sale every day. Don't just pass them by. You could be passing up an opportunity to buy your dream home.
Galvanized Countertop Weekend Project
How Can I Update My Kitchen Countertops?
GALVANIZED METAL COUNTERS
This is such an awesome project. Stainless steel counters for less! You can do this! I love that this is a semi – DIY project, you can have someone do the hard work FOR you so inexpensively! Check it out at http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2011/02/galvanized-countertop/
GALVANIZED METAL COUNTERS
This is such an awesome project. Stainless steel counters for less! You can do this! I love that this is a semi – DIY project, you can have someone do the hard work FOR you so inexpensively! Check it out at http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2011/02/galvanized-countertop/
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