December 2016 - Bruzzese Home Improvements

What’s Your Sales Power Up Song-Infographic

December 31, 2016adminFor Fun, infographicinfographicLeave a comment

We all have our own way of preparing for a big marketing presentation or sales pitch. Some of us make final teaks to our PowerPoint slides, while others shuffle the order of their notes. As the time to walk into the room or stand up in a meeting approach, the nerves start to kick in and taking deep breaths may help but what you really need is a power up tune that will help your feel more relaxed and confident. But which tune is most appropriate and right for you?

Power up tunes are brilliant at instilling confidence, and even though it may not be quite the right thing to dance your way into a presentation, they have the ability to calm your nerves and make you feel in charge of the situation.

We have created a quiz that will help you select the right tune based on your own unique personality. Don’t assume that the old favorite tunes are the best ones, you’ll find that having a tune that you’re comfortable with is essential if you’re going to knock ’em dead with your sales pitch!

So, have a go at our power up tune quiz below and you’ll go from a hand wringing anxious wreck to a cool, calm and confident presenter.

What’s your sales power up song? by Euroffice.

Building A Home? 4 Tips To Reduce Your Construction Carbon Footprint

December 30, 2016adminGreen Living, Home Buildingenergy efficient, green living, home improvement, home trendsLeave a comment

You might be surprised to hear just how much waste is produced during the construction process. Even for a smaller home, your construction crew could potentially release a huge volume of toxins into the air and contaminate the local environment. If you are getting ready to break ground, then take a look at these four tips for reducing your carbon footprint during construction.

Focus On The Location

Determining the location of your new home is probably the most important step in this process. While building deep within a city is not always ideal, those who buy property far off the beaten path will drastically increase the amount of fuel it takes to transport supplies. Whenever possible, you want to build on a piece of property that is relatively close to the materials you need. You should also research local water sources to make sure that your construction will not contaminate creeks, rivers, and underground aquifers.

Consider Recycled Materials

Not only are recycled materials very trendy right now, but they are also much better for the environment. Many construction companies and contractors sell their leftovers at just a fraction of their original price, and you will be saving those materials from going to the dump. When buying these supplies, you should double-check to see if they have been manufactured with any toxic chemicals. Materials such as construction-grade lumber and pipes are often treated with hazardous compounds to increase their longevity.

Green Insulation

Insulating your new home is one of the best ways to reduce your energy consumption, but you don’t need to stop there. Many older insulation pads and rolls are made with petroleum-based chemicals, and they can wreak havoc on the local environment during the installation process. Modern polymer sprays, like those offered at SPRAY FOAM DISTRIBUTORS, provide homeowners with the same amount of insulation, but they are produced with sustainable materials that will not release additional toxins into the air.

Request LEED Certification

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program is designed to exhaustively test new buildings to ensure that meet the strictest standards for sustainable construction. In order for your home to be certified, a third-party inspector will need to follow every step of the construction process starting on the very first day. In addition to being better for the environment, this certification could significantly increase the value of your home as well.

Green building methods are going to promote biodiversity while protecting the local ecosystems. Many of these alterations will also provide you with long-term savings to keep your energy consumption and utility bills as low as possible over the years.

Guide on Interior Design Tips to Get the Best Designer Kitchen

December 29, 2016adminInterior Design, Kitchen Remodeling, kitchen renovationshome improvement, home remodeling, interior design, kitchen remodeling, kitchensLeave a comment

Kitchens are undoubtedly the heart of homes today. Naturally, most people want to focus on the appearance of their kitchens and make it look the best. There is no perfect shape, when it comes to kitchens. Whether it is a plan for the sink, an L or U-shaped galley, cook top and fridge to create a triangle, you have to consider everything properly. There are many designer kitchens available in the market, and you can even customize the designs and layout as per your needs and budget.

Designer Kitchen

Create a feature wall

It is a perfect way to add more character and depth to your kitchen, and allow you to make a solid style statement. Use patterned or colorful tiles or wallpaper that is particularly designed for kitchen spaces, or use a distinct backsplash in order to make a focal point. Moreover, countertops and wall hangings inside the kitchen also enhance the aesthetic value of your kitchen, and you can either go for a renovation, or just refurbish some parts according to your choice.

Use tiles for walls and flooring

If you have an old kitchen, you can provide it with quite a facelift with low-cost tiles used as a backsplash around the whole kitchen or just behind the cooker. For less than 15 pounds per sq. m, you can buy cheap tiles. You can use colorful or bold ones sparingly, and make them run along the plain white ones, in order to achieve an arresting appearance.

Opt for colored cabinets

You should not be worried about using bold colors for your kitchen cabinets in designer kitchens. You can opt for blue tones, deep grey or mid grey tones and even sage green or peppermint shades for the cabinets.
In case you have kitchen walls of white colors, you should not simply opt for white colored cupboards. If you do so, you will miss the amazing chance to add a little more character to your kitchen space.
When it comes to soiled and sticky finger problems, cabinets of a darker shade can also be great options to choose from.

Place shelves around the light

Kitchen Interior

You can also try building your appliance shelves and storage cabinets around the windows, so that the objects placed inside can be illuminated and clearly visible. In case your window is in an unusual spot, you can combine wall cabinets of varying heights, depths and widths in order to create a dynamic and interesting storage solution for your kitchen, even if it has a limited internal space.

Place colored appliances

You can make a strong and nice fashion statement with colored appliances in your kitchen, and add style, contrast and interest to it. You may try the European style of picking sleek black appliances over stainless steel ones or go for red appliances in a specific shade of rich dark or white color scheme.

Color block your kitchen

This is a fantastic way to add color to your kitchen space, without making it look overwhelming. By adding contrasting cabinetry in timber grain or any other color, you can easily change your plain-looking space into a dual-toned one with unique visual appeal and more depth.

Finally, you can add more variety to your kitchen by adding a tiled backsplash as part of the interior decoration. Using a backsplash in designer kitchens can be a big decision, as it is permanent. Do not opt for mirror, glass or a similarly reflective surface. Reflective backsplashes’ reflect everything in your kitchen and simply add to the mess, which is the last thing you would want. You can maintain a tiled backsplash with a lot of ease.

Driving Dead – Infographic

December 28, 2016adminEntertaining, For Fun, infographicinfographicLeave a comment

Season 7 of Walking Dead begins soon, so we thought we’d take a critical look at the various vehicles’ used in seasons 1-6 to see whether they would be useful should there really be a zombie apocalypse.

The guide below highlights some of the trucks, cars and RVs, not forgetting the Triumph Bonneville, that have featured in past episodes. Giving you the low-down on each vehicle’s capabilities, or lack of them, to kill menacing zombies or get away from them, the guide takes a look at the pros and cons to see if they are more likely to kill you than the zombies.

Take a look at the guide below to find out which vehicle is top, and which wouldn’t really be very useful, in a zombie apocalyptic scenario.

We hope you find “A Guide To The Vehicles Of The Walking Dead” interesting and ask whether you think Select Car Leasing have made the right choices for the right reasons.

The Driving Dead by SELECT CAR LEASING.

Top 5 Innovative Ways to Use Your Garage Space

December 27, 2016adminhome improvement, home remodelinggarages, home improvement, home remodeling, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

TRUE! Garages are the most ignored spaces of a house. But, nobody knows that if used in a right way, one can get the most out of garages. All you need is to stop considering your garage as ‘just a space to park your vehicles’. Transform or revamp it in such a manner that it looks like one of the handiest parts of your house without hiring any garage professional.

Let’s take a look at these 5 innovative ways that you can make your garage more useful;

#1 Use Your Garage Space for a Party Celebration

Is it time for a festival? There are myriad reasons to celebrate, whether it’s a birthday, an engagement, a promotion, or any sports occasion! Why searching here and there for a space when you have it in your home. Yes! We are talking about garages. Garages are frequently ignored by party throwers, but why? Garages are a standout amongst the most open rooms in their homes and perfect for such kind of gatherings. It is very easy to decorate and there is a lot of space to arrange chairs and tables with a handful of guests.

#2 Make Your Garage- A Gym

Transforming your unused garage space into a gym is an awesome idea. As physical maintenance is an imperative part of everyone’s lifestyle. After a busy day at work, without going anywhere, you can refresh yourself at your home by doing a workout. Fill your unused garage space with fitness and sporting equipment like- bicycles, treadmill, jump ropes, and free weights. At-home gyms can actually save your time and you don’t need to pay heavy amounts.

#3 Utilize Your Garage Space for Office

Have you ever pondered transforming the unused garage space into something valuable? Most of us work from home, and for them garages can be considered as a smart way to get a classy home-office. Office’s set in garages can look surprisingly like a regular home office. Apart from PC and table, balance your home office with an entertaining area, sofa or a couch, and an entertainment system. Give your home office an immaculate look by including some extra beautifying stuff like floor carpets, framed images, and cushions.

#4 Covert Your Garage Space into Children Play Area

Are you living in a smaller home? Then, it can be a challenge to dig up space for a growing family. Making a devoted play space for your kids is a pleasant thought, but if you don’t have a basement or an extra room in the house, it might appear as though you’re in a tough situation. If your garage goes unused, it might be the perfect space for a playroom. With some changes, you can simply change over your garage into a play space that your children can appreciate year-round. Carpet tiles in a garage function admirably for a playroom as they very well get fixed on the ground and no tension of getting slipped while playing.

#5 Your Garage Can Become Restroom or Guestroom

You can even transform your garage into a restroom when you have a smaller home. Also, as the holidays are coming, your relatives or friends can anytime travel to your home and plan to stay with you. So, why make yourself suffer when you have enough space in your garages? By transforming garages into a restroom or a guest room, you can create privacy, comfort, and enough space to live for your guests so that they can feel right at home.

So, why wait? Without delaying, grab these top 5 pioneering ways and use your garage space smartly. Also, don’t forget to share your experience with us by commenting below.

Author Bio:

Oren Linder is the author and founder of ASAP Garage Door Services Inc that provides garage door repair services in Brooklyn and other areas of NY. Oren loves to write about home improvement and his expertise is in garage door.

Buying The Right Alfresco Screens

December 26, 2016adminHome Improvement Tips, home remodelinghome improvement, home remodeling, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Are you planning to renovate your home? If so, adding character and charm to your house is possible with alfresco screens. These screens will not just elevate the charm of your house, but will also provide you with a number of other benefits. Apart from your home, these blinds can be installed at your work place as well to add to its aesthetic appeal. When these screens are installed, you can enjoy the outdoor view to the fullest as there is no obstruction to your view.

Alfresco Screens

Alfresco screens are known by other names such as bistro screens and café screens. Although there are many screens available in the market, these screens are by far the most preferred. Before you start looking out for your screens, clearly chart out all your requirements as well as your budget. These two aspects are important for you to consider since the quality of the screens depend on them entirely. Before you start browsing through the options available to you, take a while to determine what you need to consider when making a decision on the right alfresco screens. This guide will help you in this regard

Quality

The quality of the screens plays a very important role in determining its longevity. When the quality is superior, you can be sure that it will last for a long time and also be worth your investment.

Right Measurement

Before you start looking out for alfresco screens, it is very important for you to take the right measurements. The reason behind this is that only when a screen is fitted well, will it add a character to your home or office.

Also, a minor difference in the measurement of the screen will make it useless, as it would not be possible to install.

Aesthetic Value

Alfresco screens certainly add to the aesthetic value of your home or office. These screens are installed to add charm to your living or working space, while adding to its value as well. Working in an aesthetic environment will help you perform better; while a beautiful home will help you relax and unwind at the end of a long day.

Practical Use

Apart from just its looks, these screens are also beneficial in filtering out the sun’s harmful ultra violet rays. A great choice is to opt for blinds that can be molded easily. Apart from ease of installation, molded blinds also serve practically as they give you complete protection.

Garden Alfresco Screens

Style And Color

There is virtually no end to the many varieties of alfresco screens available in the market. Therefore, considering the layout of our home or office, you can choose a style and color that would compliment it completely. Also, the area in which you are installing the screens determines the style and color to a great extent. For instance, if you wish to install it in your living room that has a traditional layout, then a modern style screen will look out of place. Apart from the above-mentioned tips, there are a few questions you need to get answers for from the company you are planning to buy the screens from. This will help you be extra sure that you’re making nothing but the best choice.

Is the alfresco screen track guided?
What are the steps to operate the screen?
How experienced and trained is the staff handling the product?
Do the technicians installing the blinds have the required experience?

When choosing a professional to install alfresco screens, ensure that you get all questions answered before you go ahead. While you may end up taking a while more with your choice, you will be sure you’ve got nothing but the best one.

Author Bio :

I am Lara Buck, a knowledgeable and qualified blogger. Here you can
see my skills which gives you brief ideas on understanding all the
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like: Home Improvement, Automotive, Business, Health, Lifestyle,
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Creating A Harry Potter Style Party-Infographic

December 24, 2016adminEntertaining, For Fun, infographicDIY projects, entertaining, infographicLeave a comment

Children of all ages, and adults too, love the magical world of Harry Potter and with the UK release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them we thought we’d take a look at how you can create a Harry Potter style party in your home.

Take a look at our infographic below and be inspired to change the décor in your eating area to resemble the candle lit dining room at Hogwarts, and transform your entrance hall into platform 9¾ at Kings Cross train station so that your guests can jump through a ‘brick wall’ into the magic of your party. We even offer an idea to make your toilet more wizard and less Muggle.

If you’re wondering what tasty delights to conjure up, we’ve included some tasty recipes for you to tempt the taste buds of your wizarding friends.

With wand in hand, read on and be inspired to create a party that’s will take your friends into the magical world of Harry Potter.

Creating a Harry Potter Style Party by Terrys Fabrics.

How to Make Your Bedroom a Calming Environment

December 21, 2016adminBedrooms, Home Improvement Tips, Interior Designbedroom remodeling, home decor, home improvement, home trends, interior designLeave a comment

We all use our bedroom as the room where we go to switch off and relax after a hard day – and if you want this to be the case – then the environment has to reflect the mood you want to create. The best bedrooms are usually made up of an arrangement which is simple, dressed down and peaceful. However, it can sometimes be a struggle to know how to make your bedroom feel this way, and if that is the case, try following these steps to ensure your bedroom has a calming environment.

Clear the Space

This is one of the easiest steps you can take, but it is one of the best in making sure you can feel relaxed in your bedroom. You should focus on trying to remove all clutter and maintain cleanliness, and the best way to go about this is by cleaning the top of the bedside tables and dispersing of everything but the things you really need – such as your tablet/book, a lamp and maybe some flowers or photo frames. To then make sure the floor area is clean you should try to put any clothing or items which aren’t needed out of sight.

Cover the Windows

The aim of this isn’t to make the room dark and gloomy, but when you want to go into your room to lay down and relax, it can be hard to do when there is lots of light coming through. Therefore, you want to make sure that you have adequate window blinds that will be able to provide complete privacy and darkness for when you want to shut the lights out and enter dreamland.

Use Muted Tones

Using colours which are neutral and soft is a great way to create an environment that is tranquil and calm. With your furniture and paint, try using white or beige colours, but if you’re wanting to be more daring – then you can go for a muted blue or green. However, the important thing to remember is that the colours aren’t too bright and harsh as they will make the environment more eccentric rather than relaxing.

Author Bio:

Ryan Duffy is a freelance writer who is a recent university graduate in Media Studies. His passion for people and writing has encouraged him to pursue this career full-time. He enjoys writing about home improvement and lifestyle subjects and this is where most of his work has taken him.

Find him on Twitter here: @Ryan_Duff199

Gravtar ID: https://en.gravatar.com/ryanduffy199

Keep It in the Bank: How to Save Money on Household Repairs

December 20, 2016adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tips, Home MaintenanceDIY projects, home improvement, home maintenanceLeave a comment

It’s always good to include household repairs in your monthly budget. If you make it through a few months or a year without having to dip into that portion of the budget, consider that a fortunate occurrence. However, you don’t want to delete that category from the budget because you never know when you’ll be faced with an expensive home repair job. While home repairs are a part of home ownership, there are some things you can do to save yourself some money on those repairs.

Fix Your Toilet Yourself

A toilet that runs constantly will cause an increase in your water bill. Many times, you can save yourself the cost of a service call from a plumber simply by making a trip to a home improvement store, purchasing a repair kit and doing the repair work yourself. Quite often, there are knowledgeable store employees that can answer questions you may have on how to make the repair.

Prevent Water Damage

Damaged flooring should be replaced promptly. A damaged floor can increase the risk of tripping. Also, if it’s water damage you’re dealing with, procrastinating about repairing it will likely increase the overall expense. Basic precautions and observation can prevent flooring damage around a tub or toilet.

Heating and Air Conditioning

Any type of service call costs money. Finding a heating and air conditioning service, such as Pacific Aire, Inc, can save you some money. Before sending someone out, they will talk with you to determine if your problem can be resolved without a service call. Whenever a service call is necessary, be sure to confirm the diagnosing fee and repair cost before the work begins so that you won’t be surprised when presented with the bill.

Roof Repair

One of the best ways to save money on home repairs is be observant. Checking your gutters and the condition of your roof is one way to catch a small problem before it becomes big problem that results in extensive damage and an expensive repair bill.

Repair Appliances

Take notice of any odd noises that an appliance starts making. Taking quick action to make a minor repair can be easier on the budget than waiting until a simple fix becomes a major repair or requires replacement of the appliance. Using appliances appropriately will result in less repair cost.

Sometimes, you can save money on small repairs by doing them yourself. However, you’re likely to save money in the long run by hiring a professional for major household repairs.

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