You just bought your first home, and it needs a little work. One thing you should accept from the get-go is that it is going to take some time to complete this project. This does not mean it is impossible to speed up the process, and the following five tips will help you do just that.
Get Permits
One of the most important things to do is to apply for the right permits. You can hire a contractor to help you or go to the county or city office to see what permits you need.
Major Issues
You have deal with the issues that make it hard for you to live in the home. Check if your electrical system needs to be taken care of or check if the plumbing needs to be dealt with. It might even be a good idea to live in your home for a month to see what is absolutely necessary before making cosmetic upgrades.
Damage Repairs
Any damage the house has sustained should be dealt with. This could be flood damage or fire damage, both of which threaten the stability of your home. It would be wise to talk to a professional restoration service such as NiteOwl Restoration, or someone similar that you trust and recognize in your area, because these issues usually cannot be fixed without expert help.
DIY Work
Fixer uppers are bound to have major issues, but they may also be riddled with small ones, which means you can do some things before you start on major issues. Dealing with smaller problems on your own like painting or sprucing up the curb should speed up the process a bit.
Write a List
It might seem silly, but this is also a good time to write up a list of issues you want addressed. Cross out the issues you can deal with on your own, and leave the rest. Be honest with yourself regarding the things you can live with like the tile in your kitchen should you notice it gives your home a vintage touch. Prioritize this list, and tackle each issue slowly because doing too much at once puts you at risk of not finishing anything if money gets tight for some reason.
These are just some tips that could help renovate a fixer upper a little quicker. This does not mean you should expect perfection, but it should move things along smoothly.
If you own a piece of rustic antique furniture, you might be faced with a dilemma as it ages. The piece will likely need repair as it gets older, but you may be hesitant to perform needed repairs for fear of ruining its authentic charm. Luckily, there are several ways you can make small repairs without making a piece look too modern. Here are four easy ways to update antique furniture without ruining its rustic charm.
Refinish the Piece
As a piece of furniture is used decade after decade, it will often become dirty and faded. If you want to restore it to some of its former glory, you can refinish it by sanding it down slightly and using a stain to match its original color. Be sure, however, to select the stain you’re going to use on it in advance so that you can compare it to the piece’s original coloration. Generally, with older furniture, you’ll be looking for a darker-colored stain.
Polish Hardware
If your piece of antique furniture is a desk or a cabinet with door and drawers, it will have handle hardware on it. Generally, this hardware will be made out of brass or some other shiny metal. If you want to make the piece of furniture look a little better, you can simply polish this hardware using a light metal polish. Doing so will remove any fading that has occurred over the years and make your furniture’s hardware stand out again.
Add Period-Authentic Nails for Support
Some pieces of furniture will begin to fall apart over time. If this is the problem you’re having, don’t give up hope just yet. You can get period-authentic nails, such as those from The Rustic Express that will lend structural support to your piece without looking out of place. Be sure to match the nails you use to the ones that were used to put the piece of furniture together originally.
Replace Rotten Wood
Once in a while, you may run across a piece of rustic furniture that has been left in poor conditions, such as in a barn, for far too many years. If a piece of wood is rotten, you may be able to replace it. Be aware, however, that you’ll need to find a proper cut of aged wood that matches your furniture. Look through salvage websites, as these will often have older pieces of reclaimed wood that you can use to repair your piece of antique furniture. Whatever you do, don’t use a piece of modern wood, as it will stick out like a sore thumb on an older piece.
Upgrading older furniture is an art, but if you’re patient and willing to put in a little work, you can do it. Make sure you are paying close attention to detail and matching up anything new you do to the original look and feel of your antique furniture piece.
Your backyard is flooded and the reason for this is that the stormwater drain is blocked and not letting the water through.
How messy does that sound? Especially, when it’s the rainy season and the stormwater drain is still blocked, you can imagine the situation you will be in. So, before the monsoons come by, and the nightmare comes true, it’s time to take action and get the drains fixed. You can try fixing it DIY style. However, if all self-methods fail then, you must call in the help of a professional plumber to help you get things done smoothly and fast.
Here, are some tips for you to try to unblock your stormwater drain. Try them and get rid of the hassle as soon as you can.
Tips to unblock the stormwater drain
Storm water drains are pipes that connect pipes from the roof to sumps in the garden, which then discharge water into the water table or curb in the street. They most commonly block due to tree roots, dirt, and silt lying in the pipes. It’s pretty hard to clear the pipes by your own. So, there is a need to call in a professional to do the work.
Get a full inspection of the stormwater drain to understand the real cause of the blockage. The gravity of the blockage will determine the repair it requires. Stormwater drains usually, block due to fallen leaves, debris, or grime build-up or because of a collapsed pipe. If the stormwater pipe is cracked, you can restructure it by application of plaster.
When you call in the plumbers, ensure that you instruct them to bring along a high water pressure drainage machine, as they are the best drain cleaners and absolutely perfect for this kind of situation. High water pressure drainage machines utilize high-pressure water to remove any dirt, leaves, and silt caused in the storm water pipes. Any other conventional methods aren’t as suitable.
You can also use hand rods to remove any obstacle that is causing the stormwater drain from being blocked. Hand rods can help to drive any dirt particles hooked to the lining of the pipe. A high-stress water jitter is especially used for pressurized cleaning of any debris that would not budge otherwise.
Another way to clean the pipe is by using the electric auger, which chews through any kind of dirt present inside a pipe blocking its way. The strong blades of the electric auger propel into the blocked pipe taking away any obstruction present.
Get your stormwater drain regularly check and maintain it. A little precaution does not hurt anyone. Keeping a regular eye out for problems can keep you worry-free of the problems coming to you unannounced. Keep in touch with your local plumber and call in every six months to check the functions of your drain. A little bit of cleaning and repairing every now and then will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Conclusion
Clear any type of blockage in your stormwater pipe at the earliest possible way to prevent damage to your property. Unlike clearing a block in your regular drain, unblocking stormwater pipes is not easy. You must understand this gravity of the situation before you move forward to make any effort to clear the block yourself. Your drain cleaners are not going to work here and you will need proper tools and some amount of technical know-how for clearing the block or blocks in the stormwater pipes. If you are unsure, please call a plumber and save yourself from further damages.
Garage doors tend to be a tricky part of the home when it comes to aesthetics. Since they make up a significant portion of the house’s façade, it is not easy to downplay their importance in the home design. However, these days, it is possible to get modern garage doors that are attractive and uplift the overall look of the home.
Modern Garage Doors
Here are few types of garage door designs you can consider:
Contemporary Designs
These garage doors are perfect for homes that sport a modern aesthetic. These doors have vibrant colors with metallic finishes which can truly add a modern touch to your home. An interesting design aesthetic that you can try is an aluminum door with opaque glass that makes the garage door look quite elegant and gorgeous in all modern homes. This style can be used for the French door aesthetic. This would be perfect for homes which are styled like Mediterranean homes.
Carriage House Doors
One of the most popular styles for modern garage doors is the carriage house style. Originally, these doors were crafted from wood. These days, you have a wide range of wood types to choose from. However, you can also choose other materials such as wood composites or even steel. Steel is a particularly good choice as it is durable and requires little maintenance but is still stylish.
An interesting feature of these doors is that they create the illusion of swing-out doors. Of course, they open up like traditional garage doors. As for aesthetics, you do have several choices available. You can get steel versions of these doors but with a wooden print. This way, you get the beauty of wood and the durability of steel in the same package.
Insulated Garage Doors
These modern garage doors are getting popular these days. As the name suggests, these doors allow you to keep the garage cool during the summer season and warm during the winters. They can be quite beneficial these days as they help you in saving money on your home energy consumption. Moreover, they can improve the value of home.
Modern Garage Doors
Design Tips for Garage Doors
Even if you are unable to invest to replace your garage doors, there are a few things you can do to improve their looks. Check out the following list of ideas.
If your garage doors are visible from the street, you may consider painting them in the exact colors that grace the rest of your home’s façade. This decreases the visual impact and improves the overall looks of your home.
For homes that feature ornate details, the addition of windows with slight arches and vertical panels to the garage door can work wonders. It will add to the existing architectural flair of the home.
You can consider adding molding to the garage door if it is a particularly beautiful one. White molding can be a good choice if it matches the rest of the exterior of the house.
You can use the color used for the house’s shutters for painting the garage doors. This will be the perfect idea if your home’s exterior is simple and features the use of only two colors.
There are many more ideas that you can implement in your garage easily. If you are still stuck, you might want to consider working with a designer to help you get the most suitable designs for your modern garage doors. Of course, you should be working with a good agency for the installation of the doors. Finally, you must pay attention to the security mechanisms of the door.
Taking care of a loved one is never an easy job, and when they become ill or unable to care for themselves at all, it’s physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. It can become overwhelming, and many people who take on the role of caregiver choose to have in-home health care help. However, even that task can be difficult, because finding the right helper for your needs is important, and there are many things to consider, such as the financial end of things and whether health insurance will assist in paying for help, as well as how to keep yourself healthy and happy.
There are many facets to taking care of a loved one, so it’s important to do some research and figure out the best option for you and your family before making any decisions.
Here are a few of the best tips on how to get started.
Find out what insurance covers
If your loved one has been hospitalized or suffered an injury, they likely qualify under Medicare or another insurance plan for a licensed nurse or speech therapist to come into the home for a short period of time to help with rehabilitation and healthcare, as well as someone to come and help with daily activities, such as bathing and preparing meals. However, most insurance companies won’t pay for these personal helpers if that is the only care your loved one needs. It varies from state to state, so check local guidelines to see if your loved one qualifies for assistance.
Housekeeping
If you’re spending most of your time taking care of your loved one and find that you’re falling behind when it comes to household chores, consider hiring a housekeeper. Having someone come in to help with housekeeping once or twice a week could really free up some of your time and allow you to focus on your loved one’s needs rather than worrying about getting the dishes clean or the laundry done.
Plan ahead
Because your time is valuable, it’s important to plan ahead as much as possible. This means making sure your loved one will never be left alone in the event that you have an emergency to attend to, and also gathering any paperwork that is pertinent to your loved one’s care and wellbeing. Keep everything–medical forms, notes from the doctor, a list of medications, a contact list of doctors and personal caregivers–together in one folder so it can be easily accessed by both you and anyone who would be coming in to help you.
Take big changes seriously
If your loved one is having trouble sleeping or eating, it could be more than something physical causing the problem. It’s important to watch for big changes and engage a counselor or therapist who could come to the home and speak with your loved one if necessary.
“When ill people stop caring about eating, it’s often because their self-esteem is waning — they no longer think they’re worth being fed and cared for. Another huge appetite-killer is depression, something 50 percent of elders struggle with,” says aging expert James Huysman.
Take care of yourself
Because you’re the primary caregiver for your loved one, it’s important to make sure your needs are met as well. You won’t be able to make sure they’re taken care of if you’re unwell or stressed out, and because caregiving is such a demanding job that takes a toll on a person both physically and emotionally, experiencing anxiety or stress is not uncommon. Find things that relax you and leave you feeling good about yourself so that you can combat those issues effectively.
Remember that there are many resources for the elderly; do some research online to find out what your state or city offers in the way of assistance.
Author
Kelli is part of DeployCare, which offers support to service members and their families.
Having a paved patio area in your garden can make the area much more usable, meaning you can enjoy your garden easily throughout the year. During the summer months a patio offers the perfect space in which to enjoy some al fresco dining, spend quality time with friends and family, or simply relax and unwind with a good book and a cool drink. As autumn approaches and the weather gets cooler, your patio can remain usable thanks to outdoor heaters or a fire pit, making it a really versatile attrition to your garden!
A patio is really easy to clean and care for too; paving stones can be swept easily to remove leaves and debris, and the area can be cleaned with a pressure washer to keep it looking its best. Paving part of your garden to create a patio also reduces the amount of grass, cutting down on the time and energy spent mowing the lawn and keeping grass in good condition.
If you’re looking for some fun ways to inject some new life into your patio, this handy infographic from Mainland Aggregates details nine ways that you can pimp your patio!
“Where in the world did I put that blender?” you ask no one in particular, releasing a frustrated sigh as pots and pans tumble from the cupboard. It’s just another day in your kitchen, and you swear up and down the clutter has had its last run of things.
You donate or gift those extra appliances and dishes to others who may need them. You sell the bulky furniture taking up precious square footage. When you finally break up with the kitchen clutter, it’s relieving, but at the same time, you don’t want to re-clutter when you redecorate. How do you accessorize the kitchen without inviting clutter back in?
Take the Cabinet Doors Off
That’s right. Let your lack of clutter be visible for all to see. Open cabinets allow you to display dishes in a colorful, organized and attractive way, and you’ll be less likely to leave the space cluttered. You could also paint the cabinet shelving in different colors for various uses.
More fragile items may be stored in a china cabinet or in a few cabinets that you leave with their doors on. Encourage the simple look of an open pantry and cabinet space, where ingredients and appliances are easily found. Live hinge free!
Hang Items You Use Frequently
Imagine it — easy access and style working together in your kitchen. Copper pots hang rustically over the stove or kitchen island. Knives are stored in their wooden block, or on a magnetic rack for those without little ones.
Dried herbs dangle from hemp string over your kitchen window, near the test tube spice rack you built yourself. Olive oil and other frequently used cooking ingredients are displayed in refillable glass bottles or jars, clearly labeled.
By hanging items you use frequently, you gain more open counter and cabinet space. The items are quickly accessible and add a rustic charm to a clearly loved and well-used kitchen.
Add a Rug for Comfort and Color
Barefoot wanderings into the kitchen late at night leave you with cold feet and stubbed pinky toes. Add an area rug to your kitchen to avoid late night scrapes and let you enjoy your guilty pleasure snacks in peace.
Humor aside, an area rug contributes comfort and style to your kitchen, blending in well with modern and minimalist design. It won’t add clutter or take up space in the home. A rug adds a pop of color and pattern to a typically tiled space with metallic kitchen appliances.
Include a Decorative Tile Backsplash
While you’re wondering if those potatoes will ever boil in your lifetime, why not look at something more interesting than a blank wall or calendar?
A tile backsplash is another way to add a geometric pop of color to your kitchen. Work with a contractor for this easy remodeling project. A colorful mosaic made from old plates and other items in the home is another creative idea for a tile backsplash. Many people place these over their stove, but tile backsplashes work well nearly anywhere.
Work Off a Clean Canvas and Color Palette
Think of your kitchen as a blank canvas. Many artists add a neutral, cool or warm tone to their canvas to set in the mood and get a sense of the color range to be used. What tone will you choose for your kitchen to work off of when it comes to accessorizing the rest of the space?
Keep your initial color palette clean. Many minimalist kitchens are painted in gray and white tones, and add in the romance of the silver screen later when it comes to appliances, tile choices and other decor. This creates a neutral and yet instantly chic space to decorate.
Go Without Blinds or Curtains
Blinds keep out strong light and maintain privacy, while curtains add personality and flair. What if you did without the blinds or curtains, at least in one window? Bare windows keeps with the idea of minimalism and make the space more inviting.
Imagine walking into the kitchen to enjoy a beautiful view or the morning sun streaming in unfiltered, or as the light creates patterns on the countertop through white lace.
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the clutter, you want to keep it that way when accessorizing. Focus on function at first, hanging pots, displaying knives on a magnetic rack or building a creative spice rack to place nearby as you cook. Rugs, decorative tile and classically clean paint choices maintain a minimalist kitchen without the clutter, while including just enough color.
To stay clutter-free, consider this additional tip: For every new appliance you introduce to the kitchen, take one out. As you accessorize your kitchen, focus on how to display your use and love of the space, as meals are prepared and shared with loved ones.
Author Bio:
Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.
