Guest Blogger #523, Entry #1184, May 17, 2012

Updating the look of your front entry to make it more welcoming doesn’t have to be expensive. With these simple tips, you can liven up your front entry without breaking your pocket.

The front entry is the gateway to your home. It’s the place where you meet and greet visitors before you lead them inside and where you wave goodbye to them after a good visit. At a minimum, it serves as a place to wait after someone knocks on your door. As such, when you leave this part of your home unattended or if it isn’t well designed or well kept, it can make everyone who arrives at your house feel uneasy – hardly a desirable first impression.

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By contrast, a welcoming front entry can make your visitors feel at ease. Once they pass through the walkway and step right in your porch, they’ll be happy prepping themselves up to enjoy what the interiors of your home can offer. With these things in mind, giving your front entry a simple update can dramatically alter the perceived quality of your home for your visitors. The process doesn’t have to be major nor expensive. By simply adding a few details and giving the right attention to some of the areas in your front entry, you are sure to improve its looks in a budget and make it all the more welcoming for your visitors.

A welcoming smell and sight.

Before your visitors even reach your home’s front door, why not welcome them with a basket of fresh blooms? You can hang a basket full of flowers that you’ve personally grown on your gate. This is a great and cheap alternative for standard wreath.

Leave a clear view.

Another great way to refresh your front entry is to cut back overgrown plants that might be blocking the view of your front door or might be crawling down your walkways. If you have flowers and plants that are in containers, try to rearrange their position and let them lead the way to your front door.

Popping entry point.

Express your personality at the door by painting it with a bright paint to create a beautiful contrast against the facade. This is a great technique to revamp a bland looking entry, but make sure to choose the color accordingly so that it will not go out of place. To anchor the look, you can install new shutters on your front windows that go with the color of your front door.

Boxes full of blooms.

Installing plant boxes filled with beautiful blooms to the front of your home, be it on your window seals or the front part of your terrace railings, can add charm to your front entry year-round. When choosing plant boxes, pick the bigger ones so that they will stand out. Make sure that there are many drainage holes at the bottom where water can easily escape. As for the blooms, let your creativity run free and go for those that will complement the exterior of your home.

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A space to sit.

Make your front entry more comfortable for your visitors while they wait for you by adding key furniture pieces such as wooden chairs and a petite side table.

Light up the way.

Good lighting is a definite must have in the front entry to ensure convenience and safety. Aside from providing a general lighting by the front door, you can also illumine the pathways by adding lanterns.

Article was written by Robert Kirk who works as a SEO Consultant for Ace Blocks a company based in Central Scotland providing Driveways in West Lothian and surrounding areas they also carry out fencing, turfing, and general landscaping.

For more front entry and exterior ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #1183, May 17, 2012

Is there anything more enjoyable than throwing a summertime party outside on your patio in the warmer months? Outdoor entertaining is enjoyed by guests who come to visit and by the homeowners who are throwing the get together. Regardless if you’re holding a large party or an intimate gathering, here are a few ideas to help you prepare your patio. Whether you decide to barbecue or you want a formal sit-down event, steal some of these tips for the ultimate entertaining summer event on your patio.

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Plan out the details: 

Before you get the menu and guest list set you will need to plan out the details of getting your patio ready for guests.  After the colder months ensure the ground material is pressure washed or swept clean of all debris. Whether you have a concrete, or wood deck, make sure the floor is clean and free of stains. Once this is done look at your furniture and see if it’s free from needing repairs and it’s welcoming to guests to sit and relax on. After your furniture and patio flooring is ready, it’s time for adding decoration!

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Decorating for your patio party:  

Determine when you will throw your party and what decor is needed for the time of day, climate, and possible weather changes. For an evening party, ensure there is great lighting – string lights hung from the trees, lanterns on tables, and candlelight is always perfect. For a daytime party, make sure there is shade for guests who don’t want to be in direct sun and plenty of area for mingling near the pool, near the grill, etc… Decorate your party with a theme, bring in patio plants, and colorful wall decor for the perfect patio party.

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Planning for a summertime patio party can be a challenge when you think of all there is to include. Use these helpful tips for getting your patio in beautiful shape. Bring plants into your decorative display areas to add color, texture, and conversation pieces around your patio area. Enjoy the season – for its only here once a year!

For more entertaining ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #1182, May 17, 2012

While most of us think about viewing the outside of our home in the daytime, curb appeal at night is just as important, if not more. Nighttime lighting around your home is for aesthetics, but more importantly it functions for safety and as a theft deterrent from intruders. Whether you’d like to bring more attention to your home’s landscaping or you’d like to keep your guests coming and going from your home safe, here are some helpful tips.

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Assess your outdoor home:

Before you can determine where to add lighting, first determine what areas are dark, covered with foliage, planters, blocked by fences, etc… Stand at your curb at dusk to determine if your sidewalks, walkways, front entry and other walking paths are in plain view. Make a note of shrubbery that needs to be trimmed, as well as bushes that are in front of windows and doorways. Lighting will only look good if plants and other obstructions are not in the way.

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Install lighting unique to your home:

Instead of just throwing up any kind of lighting kit you find at your local home improvement store, find lighting that is unique to your property. You can opt for landscape lighting that will show off trees, shrubs, and plant beds. Architectural lighting can be installed around your home to show off wall details, roof details, and architectural details that will make your home stand out at night. Lastly, consider walkway lighting, wall sconces and other directional lighting to illuminate stairs, garage entryways and your front patio. All of these areas will look beautiful once illuminated.

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Your outdoor home should look as beautiful at night as in the daytime. Enjoy the peace of mind of having a safe and beautiful entry to greet guests as well as to deter intruders. Create an inviting experience with these illuminating outdoor lighting tips.

For more curb appeal ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

 

Entry #1181, May 17, 2012

With the warmer weather hinting to come in a few short weeks it’s time to focus on your pool area. Your pool gets much of the attention of your family, neighbors and out of town guests throughout the summer months. While the actual pool maybe ready, how about softening up the hardscape areas around your pool? Whether you install architectural arbors to plant ivy or other climbing greenery, or use planters to bring colors and softness to your pool deck area, here are a few tips to make your pool more inviting with landscaping.

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• Plants will make your pool area inviting: Even though the main attraction of your backyard is the pool, without furniture, plants and lush greenery around it, your pool can be a very hot place to hang out! Consider using architectural features such as arbors, a trellis or even canopies made from wrought iron can provide a sturdy backdrop for plants to grow on. These will provide visual and vertical height around the pool and bring in some well needed shady spots. Research what type of plants work best in your geographical location.  Drought tolerant areas will demand different planting criteria that humid rich regions.

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• Soften your pool with decor:  In addition to plants, furniture with cushions, textiles, all-weather rugs and garden decor can make your pool area feel like your interiors. Take into account how much space there is for furniture and what type fits the lifestyle of your family. All-weather rugs feel great underfoot when you slip off flip-flops when just getting out of the pool and also is cool to the touch. Remember, softening your pool area isn’t just visual, it’s also takes into consideration what makes you feel cooler and more comfortable around the pool.

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Get excited to welcome in the warmer temperatures in your pool this upcoming season. Use these ideas to bring softness to your pool deck area and comfort to you and your guests. From plants, architectural elements, decor and furniture, your pool oasis is just waiting for you to get started!

For more outdoor garden tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #1180, May 17, 2012

Pets are loved and considered as part of the family. Although there are times when they leave undesirable dirt, fur, and oils on areas at home but then these are just all worth it when they play with us. Buying pet-friendly and durable furniture ensures that all family members including pets are comfortable and convenient. When we decide to have pets at home, we take responsibility of their safety and convenience. Pet-friendly furniture should be considered.

Having pet-friendly furniture ensures your home stays enjoyable for you and your family. When looking for pet friendly furniture, here are a few tips:

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Choose friendly materials

Consider fitting out your living spaces with furniture in velour, tweed, or other closely woven fibered upholstery. This is highly resistant to scratching. If your pet does claw into the fabric, the velour makes the holes difficult to detect. This will help you maintain a nice looking household without shredded furniture.

Buy furniture upholstered in micro-fiber. This great material is tightly woven and highly resistant to your pet’s claws. Aside from an easy-to-clean fabric, its high density makes pets difficult to rip into.

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Natural wood and metal is beneficial

Look for natural wood furniture such as teak wood. This type of wood has a high oil content making it durable. Its natural smell prevents pets from chewing or scratching the wood because they don’t like the wood. Teak wood however, is believed to be the highest quality in the world. It also contains high levels of resinous oil that acts as an insect repellant. Try also to find furniture made out of bamboo. Because of its aroma and texture, most pets avoid them.
Consider buying furniture with metal or hard plastic frame. Even for the most determined pet, it is almost impossible to ruin. This type of furniture is also very easy to clean and maintain.

Pets are part of the family and so to keep them safe and our furniture in great shape, looking for the right one will suit your needs. When shopping at a furniture store or online, ask for pet-friendly materials that will resist stains, scratches and wear and tear easier than traditional materials.

For more  home tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #1179, May 16, 2012

Now that you have decided to sell your home and put it on the market, how do you know how to find the value? Remember there are many more factors for finding your home’s value than only what you have put into the home. Important factors such as: Homes selling in your geographic area statistics, How flourishing is your area for home sales, How large or small your home is to comparable homes in your area are all important factors to also consider.

If you are beginning the process it would be wise to go online and use resources to search for your home’s value. While these sites will give you an estimate, it is still wise to hire an appraiser to come in and document your home individually as well. Although online resources are a good place to start!

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1.) AIM Relocation

If you want to know exactly what your home’s worth is, this online home value provider is right for you.  This certain online home value provider uses their electronic appraiser to determine the property’s value.  And as an online home value provider, they required those who want to enter into their online home value site to give the property address and with that alone, through their online home value support, the client will receive a home valuation report.  Website

 2.) Yahoo! Real Estate

Yahoo! Real Estate is another online home value provider that helps the people attains their great home value and prices.  And as an online home value provider, the Yahoo! Real Estate can access millions of public real estates records instantly.  That’s definitely unbelievable but true.  Furthermore, as an online home value provider, they used their comparable sales data to aid the client analyze the worth of their home or other homes in just seconds.  Lastly, as an online home value provider, the results include the price, square footage, bedrooms, and the year built, and in such online home value site you can as well get a custom home valuation  from an acclaimed local Realtor.  Website

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 3.) Home Value Hunt

This is another online home value provider.  As one of the acclaimed online home value provider, they use excellent and smart technology to match the home owners with their county property records.  All you need to do in this online home value provider is to enter the right information they needed for you to receive a home valuation report through e-mail.  In line with that, this particular online home value provider will e-mail all the fifteen recent records in your neighborhood by proximity to your home.  This online home value is given free of charge and is exclusively provided by subscribing local real estate experts who will contact you by e-mail or phone to inform you about the recent market conditions. Website

These three represent only a small percentage of websites that can give you helpful information. Truilia, Zillow, and Real Estate.com are also helpful. Before you put your house on the market, look at these sites to help you know what ball-park range of pricing you should be asking for!

For more moving ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #1178, May 16, 2012

The idea of having a patio is to have a place where you can relax and reminisce. However, using your creativity and resourcefulness, you can also make fun memories in your patio. This area can also cater a social event with friends or reunion with family members.

Several people are now planning to have attractive patios as a venue for backyard gatherings. It is not simply a place for individual soul-searching and reflection. Before deciding to throw a party, here are some suggestions in making the perfect patio to cater fun and entertainment:

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Remove debris:

Remove unnecessary things such as boulders, dried woods or debris around the patio to provide a wider space for your guest. This makes your visitors move around conveniently. It also allows kids to run and play.

Clean your patio:

This is the best way to start your planning. Having clean and neat surroundings can help you decide for perfect décor or backdrop, if necessary. Clear your patio from toys, tools, and other items. If the area has stains or dirt, intensive cleaning may be required but it will surely make a big difference afterwards. You can either hire someone to do the cleaning if you have a budget or do it by yourself gradually. You may rent heavy duty cleaning equipment for more comfort and excellent outcome.

Add decorative accents:

To create natural accents for your patio, arrange plants strategically around your space. Use colorful and attractive flower boxes, pots, or containers and fill it with flowering plants that complement your surroundings. Flowers can freshen up the outdoor looks and add natural vibrancy to the area.
Consider placing chairs and tables with umbrellas to enhance your patio. If trees are available to shade the area from direct sunlight, umbrellas may not be necessary.

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Repair where needed:

Take inventory of your existing furniture. Make assessments whether it needs repair or just a stroke of paint. You can do re-coating of paint for furniture to look like new.

Creating an atmosphere of fun will set the mood for the guests to have fun and enjoy your outdoor patio! Enjoy!

For more outdoor home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Guest Blogger #522, Entry #1178, May 15, 2012

All too often, most homeowners do not take the time to properly decorate their home’s hallway just because it is not a room but a space where people usually arrive, depart, and pass through. However, it should be noted that a hallway is equally important as that of the other spaces inside the home not only  because it links one room to another, but it is also the first area that guests get to see since it is immediately situated inside the front door.

Your home’s hallway is also an area that forms a barrier between the outside world, and a place of transition that separates the coziness of domestic interior from the busy urban living. With these functions in mind, it is vital that you decorate your hallway in an attractive and clutter-free way, so that you can give a good first impression to your visitors. Below are some ways how you can liven up the look of your hallway.

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Going for Functionality

To properly accommodate the transition as well as the comings and goings taking place in this area, the first few additions that you should incorporate in your design is a variety of storage solutions and a place where visitors can sit when they take off and put on their shoes. You can add a surface-mount cabinet where guests can leave their footwear or have a freestanding coat closet where you and your guests can hang their coats or extra clothing. If space will not permit a stand-alone coat closet, a coat or coat rack can be a good alternative. A storage bench would also be an ideal furniture to use in the hallway as it can serve two different purposes: seating and storage.

Depending on the size of your hallway, you may also find it useful to use furniture that will serve as drop-off or staging points. For instance, if you have a kitchen on one side your hallway and a living room on the other, a small chest or table will definitely be a great addition where you and your guests can place other items along the way. As a rule, a furniture in the hallway should be light, narrow and well spaced so that there is enough way for people to pass through.

It would also be wise to add a floor covering that can withstand wear and tear. You can opt for a fitted carpet or a runner that will cover the central track from the doorway.

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Breath life to Your Hallway Wall

You can add interest to your hallway by creating a feature wall. While you can always get away with family pictures, you can also opt for an eye-catching wallpaper or a fabulous piece of artwork. Hanging a large mirror on one of  your hallway’s bare walls will also be a good technique as it will not only help reflect the light coming from your lighting fixtures but will also make the area look more spacious. If there is no door or room at the end of the hallway, you can have a wall-mounted open shelving and place trinkets of items to add life to the space. Or, you can create a cameo setting by adding a simple easy chair and a small table with magazines or books.

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Add the right light fixtures

Lighting is extremely important within a hallway, especially because this area does not usually receive natural light unless the door is open. Uplighters and wall lights are practical and stylish options that can lend a welcoming feel to your hallway. A beautiful skylight, on the other hand, can make your hallway look more spacious. You can also add low lighting just above your hallway’s skirting boards to properly illumine the way.

Article by Robert Kirk who works as a SEO Consultant & Writer for McIntyre Masonry who are a  Stonemasonry Company in Edinburgh They offer their range of stonemasonry services to clients throughout Scotland and the UK.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entry #1178, May 15, 2012

Interior designing of your kids’ room is a great experience for both parent and child. Allowing your children to participate in decorating their own room will provide individuality and expression of their personality. This will also enhance their creativity and artistic traits.

In order to maximize the bonding you have with your kids in decorating their rooms, here are some tips:

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Allow your kids to illustrate or draw a design that they want for their room to become.

Plan ahead and sit with your kids to discuss about making a blueprint of their room. By having this activity with your child, it will help you be accustomed to what your child wants. They will be able to express the kind of theme they want that fits their personality.

Inform your kids about the limitations in the decorating process.

The workspace area is important and should be taken into account. Your kids should understand that they cannot have everything they wanted. You may give your kids the floor dimension or area of their room, your budget and the resources available. This way, you may gauge how well your kids fair in computing and designing.

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Consider the present and future implications of the suggested design of your kids

You may allow your kids to say something about their designs. Let them explain the reasons behind their plan and how they intend to do it. You may also give them guide questions to start the conversation. Consider if it is what you want to grow with your child. Also, avoid dictating too much about the design so as not to influence their imagination.

If your child has a desired piece of artwork from his or her much loved children’s book, consider a canvas reproduction

It can be your kid’s painting projects in school or a canvass from his or her favorite artist. These are easy to hang and child-friendly presentations. These pieces of artworks can incorporate your kid’s creation and can truly become an excellent memento.

Bear in mind that your kid’s room plays a vital part in the development of your child. Spending time, efforts and money is definitely a worthwhile experience.

For more kids’ room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #1178, May 15, 2012

No matter how hard you try, you never seem able to stop accumulating excess amounts of very special possessions. As the adage implies, it all may be a treasure to you, but junk to others. What happens to this “junk” after months and years of accumulation. Most of it is clustered  and scattered in the basement, the garage and even in the attic. Out of sight, out of mind, so it is until you are faced with the reality of the situation. Ultimately the answer lies in junk removal.

Here is a common scenario. You decide to put your home on the market and move to another location. Your realtor, after evaluating the property, tells you that unless you dispose of your junk, your home will never sell. With the motivation in place, where do you start?

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Realtor Advice

Any competent realtor will tell you that a house full of clutter is very difficult to sell. Potential buyers like to imagine the house filled with their possessions, not yours. An empty basement has more appeal than a cluttered one. A garage full of junk is a turn off. These less junk, the better the curb appeal of your home. Lots of junk results in fewer and lower offers.

Getting Started

This is the most difficult part of junk removal. It seems to be an overwhelming task that takes its toll  in our emotional and physical state of mind. The easiest and most efficient way to bid adios to your treasures is to hire out the job to a professional service that deals with junk removal everyday.

Here are some steps you can take to begin the process:

• Assemble junk from all locations into one central location, the garage.
• Invite family and friends to carry off anything they feel a need to own
• If deciding if something is junk or a treasure is difficult for you, have a third party decide.
• Abide by that decision or your junk pile will grow before you start disposing of it.

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Find a Reliable Junk Removal Company

The rest of the job should come easy for you. You have made the commitment to restore order into your life and make your home more appealing to a potential buyer. The company you hire will take care of the rest. A good company will strive to have your possessions recycled productively.

Some of it may be donated to charitable causes to help underprivileged. That could include furniture, clothing and housewares that are in good shape. Other articles made of metal can be turned over to a recycler that will crush and melt it down to be reused in the manufacturing process. Wood and paper can be shredded and used as mulch or fuel.

In the end, everyone wins. Your junk is gone. Your home is ready for the market, and the items that have been donated or recycled are back in use. Good work.

Paul Shrivner is a freelance writer from Toronto, who has written about topics such as real estate solutions (like this one).

For more organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.