Guest Blogger #348, Entry #924, January 27, 2012

You probably already know that double glazing windows involve two planes of glass with a space in between them, but do you know the benefits which this kind of glazing system brings with it?

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Lower Heating Bills

Probably the biggest advantage you will be interested in is that of lower heating bills. With the price of heating a house going up all the time it will certainly be a relief when you can finally see the bills go down instead of up. There is no great secret to this, as having better windows simply means that less of the heat you generate escapes outside. If you have ever been in a house which already has double glazing fitted then you may well have noticed that there is no need to keep the heaters blazing all evening long. Because the heat is retained inside your home then it is also easier to maintain a steady temperature throughout the house, rather than having a warm section next to the heater and then a big cold patch close to the windows.

Go Green

As a knock on effect from the previous point you will also save the planet. Well, maybe not quite but you can at least do your bit. It has been shown that single glazing allows up to 60% of your home’s heat to escape. Just imagine how much extra energy you need to use and how much pollution this causes. As double glazing is far more energy efficient you will cause far less damage to the planet when it comes to your home’s heating.  This may not be your principal concern but it is a great side benefit which might even get you thinking about other ways of going greener at home.

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Better Security

This benefit might not be quite so obvious but it is well worth bearing in mind. Windows with two panes of glass are more difficult for thieves to smash through. Of course, if you get the whole window frame replaced then you can also go for a modern, burglar proof one which really lets you sleep easily at night.  There is also less chance of you causing accidental damage to these windows than to ones which only have one pane of glass in them.

Less Noise

If you live near a railway line, a busy road or a school then this could be a point which makes you perk up your interest in upgrading your windows. Because you have two panes of glass instead of one far less outside noise makes its way into your home. Anyone who constantly finds themselves turning up the telly to drown out sounds from the street will find that this is a much easier way of enjoying their home without unwanted noise.

A Long Term Solution

The best idea for any changes you make in your home is to do something which is going to last. With double glazing this means that you can get some quality windows fitted and then enjoy the benefits while forgetting about having to change them again for the foreseeable future.

For more windows ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Guest Blogger #347, Entry #923, January 27, 2012

Before you undertake any significant work on your home it helps to know something about its history. Loft conversions are very popular and knowing more about the house and the kind of materials it was constructed from can help prevent some serious DIY mistakes.

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Take a good look around the inside and the outside of your home for signs of change. You may be able to see signs of renovation that will give you some idea of how well the house has been looked after by previous owners.

Ask the Neighbors

The date that your house was built should be on the deeds to the property but that won’t tell you much about what may have happened since. Speak to your neighbors and possibly local shop keepers, the person who has lived in the area the longest may be able to tell you something about the building. In homes where loft conversions have already been carried out there may be a certificate attached to the deeds saying when the work was done.

Neighbors who have lived in the area a long time may be able to tell you about previous owners and what may or may not have happened to the building over the years. It’s surprising what you can find out from people who have lived in a particular area for most of their lives as they know most of the local stories and who lived where and for how long.

There should be some documentation regarding any major work that has been undertaken on the house. There may be certificates for replacement windows, rewiring or a new roof. If you have a contact number for the previous owners it’s worth asking them if they know of any major work that has been undertaken on the house before you purchased it.

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Try Your Local Library

It’s worth going to the local public library as libraries often keep a history of the local area along with local newspapers going back many years on microfiche. You could also try searching on the computer to see what information you might find there. In some areas the library incorporates a local history section and you may be able to find out more about the local area and how it’s changed over the years.

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If Your House is in an Isolated Area

If your house is an area where there are no immediate neighbours probably the best place to start looking for information about the building is with the estate agent. Even if the agent doesn’t know much about the property then he or she should be able to tell you when it was built and be able to put you in touch with the previous owner.

Again, you may be able to get some information from the nearest library or even the website of the local council and you should check the building to see whether any specific work has been done. No matter what type of house you live in, you should be able to get some information as to the history of the building.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Boughton Loft Conversions who provide loft conversions in Birmingham as well as Staffordshire loft conversions. James is currently in the process of moving houses and enjoys writing on the subject.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

 Guest Blogger #346, Entry #922, January 26, 2012

When considering an elderly parent who wishes to remain in their home for as long as possible, or any person with mobility issues, it’s important to understand two key concepts -

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Activities of daily living are skills that an individual must be able to perform if they are to live independently, and safely.

Instrumental activities of daily living are skills which are important, but not necessarily essential for an individual to live independently, as there are often services such as home care which can provide the additional required support.

The process of home modification involves making changes and adapting a home so that a person with limitations can perform their ADLs as safely as possible while maintaining a level of comfort which they are accustomed to, and an acceptable degree of independence. The modifications can range from quite simple – such as removing area rugs to prevent falls – to more complex – such as researching options like stairlifts and stairlifts prices, or elevators and elevators prices, or having a specialized consultant come into the home to map out an individual plan of action to make the environment as safe, and functional as possible. The type of modifications will depend, of course, on the person and their specific issues, along with the current physical layout/setup of the home. Investing in the necessary modifications can be very worthwhile, as in many cases the need for institutional care can be significantly delayed, or sometimes even eliminated.

Considerations

Home modifications can help people with disabilities maintain their independence and remain in their home for as long as possible. Modifications are suitable for those who have some degree of mobility and who do not require extensive medical care. Modifications can range from inexpensive to a considerable investment, but, even at the more expensive end of the spectrum, they are almost always a great savings over longterm care.

Specialists who evaluate individuals and their home environments tend to use two lists, based on the key concepts covered above. When consulting against the ADLS list, if there are problems with any of the following, the need for outside assistance and support is considered to be critical:

• Ability to get in and out of bed
• Preparing meals and/or eating independently
• Maintaining Continence
• Bathing and Dressing

When consulting the IADLs list, it can be quite a bit more difficult to determine if an individual has issues unless they are observed on a daily basis. Problems with the following indicate the need for support:

• Doing the shopping
• Performing housekeeping duties
• Using the telephone
• Accessing transportation
• Taking medications properly
• Managing finances

It’s also important to take note of the following areas of the home which are considered problematic, and almost always require changes of some sort:

• Stairways and steps
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Exits, walkways, driveways
• Basements and cellars

After reviewing the specific needs of the individual with disabilities, and the considerations which are present inside their home, you may wish to make the necessary home modifications in order to allow them to remain in their home environment and maintain their independence for as long as possible. Best of luck to you!

This guest post was written by Spencer McKinney for Stairliftadvisor.co.uk, who invite you to visit their website for curved stair lift prices as well as other useful information.”

For more aging adult posts on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #921, January 26, 2012

If you are trying to find ways to repurpose and recycle in your home, I have just the helpful resource for you! Recently, I was asked if I would review some great Tote Bags from Scout by Bungalow. They are awesome because they look stylish, they can easily be wiped clean, and you can probably think of a million uses for them! From help with the kids in the car, skipping the plastic bags at the grocery store, to traveling.

For a limited time – Until February 15, 2012. Scout is offering Stagetecture readers a 20% off discount on any of their tote bags! Use the code ‘stagetecture20′ at check out to receive your discount.

I chose the Uptown Girl tote bag and use it for quick runs to the grocery store, and also transposrting my six-year-olds library books and more. It’s a great way to be fashionable, while still repurposing and recycling!

Scout Tote bags has a wide selection of other household goodies too! From men’s bags, baby bags, storage containers and more to get yourself organized in style.

Until February 15th, 2012 visit Scout 

=>  Receive 20% off with discount code ‘stagetecture20′.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

 Entry #920, January 25, 2012

Wintertime can be rough on landscaping around your home. The cold temperatures lack of colorful plants, and neglected grounds are a popular scene around most homes at this time of year. Even though the winter is in full swing, soon the warmer spring temperatures will creep in, and your landscaping will be able to show off once again. While you are awaiting the first signs of spring, here are helpful tips to help prepare you winter landscape and make it look its best throughout these cold winter months.

Image credit: The Lore Group

Keeping your grounds tidy:

Whether you have snow, leaves, or just a dormant lawn, there is no reason your grounds can’t stay looking beautiful. If you live in a snowy region, keep your sidewalks and walkways clear for safety. For grounds that have fallen leaves, rake often and replace mulch in plant beds to protect plants from dips in the temperature. In many regions, your lawn may be dormant but it still can be tidied up by edging, removing leaves, and watering every few weeks if it has been dry.

Image credit: Active Rain

Add color to your winter landscape:

Once the spring arrives bringing color into your outdoors won’t be a challenge. During these winter months, look to colorful seasonal plant varieties.  Ask local gardening experts in your town for regional plants that do well in outdoor planters. Even evergreen shrubs can add a fresh appeal of greenery, over dying and brown plants from the fall. Depending on your location, will dictate what plants will thrive during the winter. If it’s too cold for plants, brighten up your front door with a live evergreen wreath with colorful ribbon, or add colorful pottery and garden decor around your landscaping to bring pops of color.

Image credit: BHG

Preparing for spring can sometimes feel like a long wait, but with the use of creative color, and tidying up your grounds, the winter won’t seem so long. Your landscaping adds to the curb appeal of your home year around, and keeping it well kept will make your job easier in the spring. After all, you live in your home throughout the year, and what feels better than looking out onto beautiful grounds. Use these helpful tips to brighten your landscape, before you know it, there will be no excuses to get out there and get planting!

For more curb appeal ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #919, January 25, 2012

January is almost coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the organization needs to end. In fact, your kitchen is one of the most important rooms to organize. From safety, ease of use, and enjoying cooking while finding what you need quickly and efficiently are the main reasons kitchen organization is essential. Your kitchen pantry is one of those key areas that will make the difference between you dreading to cook or loving it!

Here is a DIY Saturday post from the archives on how to organize your kitchen pantry and a video to show you how.

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Original Entry #394, January 22, 2011

If you are spending more time looking for your dry food ingredients in your pantry than cooking your dinner, you need better organization. Do you find that your bagged spaghetti, cereal boxes and canned soup are not working well in the same space in the pantry?

If this sounds like you, than today’s DIY Saturday is for you! Kitchen pantry organization can help you gain more cooking than searching AND may keep old food from getting forgotten in the back of the pantry!

Here is a You Tube Video from HGTV to help you organize your kitchen pantry.

Tips for organizing your kitchen pantry from DIY Network

 

1.) Figure out how to organize the pantry staples.

The most frequently used items, the basics, should be at eye level.

Nearby should be the items that work with the basics to make fabulous dishes.

2.) Organize items according to function.

Store baking products all together with some sweet spices, and keep the savory spices and herbs with similar marinades and sauces.

Specialty items that add that special touch can be grouped together, or place them with items it’s used with.
Pantry items such as garlic and onions, which have a much shorter shelf life, should also be together.

High shelves and out-of-the-way nooks can contain those items that are rarely used. To see everything at a glance, use risers on pantry shelves, or stack cans of the same items on top of each other to avoid moving cans to see what’s underneath.

3.) Clear everything out of the pantry.

 

4.) Organize the pantry in a way that works for cooking.

Look for the basics: the canned broth, tomatoes, beans, dried pasta and rice used for dinner. Put them at eye level, and stack them so everything is visible at a glance.

5.) On a nearby shelf, place items used to cook those basics: extra-virgin olive oil and canola oil are a couple of good examples.

Keep a variety of vinegars, soy sauce and flavor ingredients like mustards, ketchup, sauces and mayonnaise. Try keeping a four-pack of wine in the pantry; it adds better flavor to foods than cooking wines, which can be bitter.

Keep kosher salt, pepper and savory spices together. Dried herbs loose their potency after about six months on the shelf. To test them, open the jar and sniff: if there’s no smell, there’s no taste to them. To get the most taste out the dried herbs, crush them in your hand before adding them to a dish.

Organize your kitchen pantry today, and see how much time and food you will save!

For more kitchen organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Guest Blogger #345, Entry #918, January 24, 2012

There are home improvements you can make that will actually save you money over time. They can make your home more enjoyable and more energy efficient at the same time. From adding insulation to changing out an appliance, here are some basic home improvement projects that will truly improve your home.

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1. Tankless Water Heater

The initial cost of a tankless water heater is high, prompting many people to select the traditional water tank instead. However, a tankless water heater has many benefits. The first is that you will never run out of hot water again. The second is that you will save a small fortune on the utility bills since you will only heat water when it’s needed. Rather than keeping a massive tank of water hot and ready to go, the fuel to heat it will only be expended when it’s actually needed.

2. New Windows and Doors

Homes that are older may have charm, but they don’t have good insulation. If you can feel a draft around your windows, consider making the investment in new ones. Your home will not only stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, but your utility bills will drop drastically. It will also be an instant face-lift, making your home more attractive on the inside and the outside.

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3. New Appliances

A new dishwasher will look great and make kitchen clean up faster. Choose one that is energy efficient and you can also save money on the utility bills. Larger tubs and the elimination of center water poles mean that you can now fit more dishes than ever in these units, so you won’t have to run them as often. They also use less energy while running, allowing you to save even more money.

4. Insulation

It’s true that adding insulation to your home won’t change the appearance, but it will make your home more comfortable. There are a few key places you should look to see if you need more insulation. If you have an older home, start by removing a piece of trim from next to a window. Builders prior to the 1970s were notorious for not insulating around windows and doors. If this space is wide open, you can save a bundle by adding some insulation and then re-installing the trim. Look in the attic next. If areas of insulation are crushed down, add some insulation to this space. Take care not to insulate the soffits and close off the outside vents, as they are necessary for the airflow.

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5. Upgraded Lights

New ceiling lights feature LED options and low-voltage bulbs that can help you save money on the electric bill. While these lights promise lower bills, they also offer beautiful styles that can help transform any room in your home. Simply changing a dated light fixture can transform a bathroom from 1965 into a retro bathroom that is worthy of the 21st century.

6. Low-flow faucets

There have been countless stories on the benefits of water saving showerheads and toilets. You may not realize, however, that you can also purchase water saving faucets for the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. These faucets are beautiful and elegant, yet they limit the flow of water and will help you reduce your water bill over time.

There are many projects you can tackle that will lower your utility expenses and help you save money. Some will give your home an instant face-lift while others will simply make your house more inviting and comfortable. When it’s time to make changes in your home, consider more than mere aesthetics.

Thomas Hathaway is a financial consultant and content contributor to a payday loans site, which offers information and advances when you may need money before your paycheck arrives.

For more home improvement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Guest Blogger #344, Entry #917, January 24, 2012

When it comes to choosing the right flooring solution for your home, there are many factors that need to be considered for arriving at the right solution. This includes the kind of room for which the flooring needs to be made. One will have a different type of flooring for a kitchen when compared to bathroom and the living room. The characteristics of the usage of the room play a great role in selecting the right type of flooring.

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Choosing rooms for hard wearing flooring

There are a few rooms that require hard wearing flooring installations. This includes the garage, patio and to some extent the kitchen. These rooms are termed hard wearing as they need to withstand the impact of the material and the tools that are stored in those rooms. Flooring specialists usually advise hard wearing flooring material for these rooms.

Materials

There are materials that fall in to the category of hard wearing that can be used as a hard wearing flooring material. This includes natural stone flooring, resin flooring and concrete flooring. Natural stone is one of the hardest materials that are available for flooring purposes. There are actually different types of natural stone material such as the sandstone, slate and granite that can be considered as a flooring material.

This natural stone flooring material lasts a life time and is capable of withstanding even the maximum amount of stress. The only disadvantage with this type of flooring is the cost associated in purchasing it. There are also other versions of the natural stone flooring, often called as the reconstituted stone, which combines small portion of a natural stone with concrete. It gives the same amount of hard wearing capacity as a natural stone and costs only a fraction of it.

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Patios and Garages

Patios and garages are the ideal rooms where one could go for these natural stone and reconstituted stone flooring. Another option that is available is a brick flooring which is also hard wearing and is available in a range of colors and finishes. Concrete flooring is another economical option that can be considered and works out to be cheaper than natural stone and brick flooring. They are also readily available and can be easily installed with relatively inexperienced resources. In areas like kitchen one could try out Epoxy resin flooring to give that modern sophisticated look and at the same time provide the required property to withstand high impact and pressure. They also have the adaptability to withstand different type of weather conditions including rain, snow and extreme heat.

Mark Gregory recommends Rivendell Carpets, who offer wood flooring bristol and laminate flooring bristol.

For more flooring ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Guest Blogger #343, Entry #916, January 23, 2012

The nice thing about planning a child’s birthday party is that, as a bunch, they’re pretty easy to please.  With cake, presents, and some room to run around, you hardly need more to make the party a success.  And yet, you probably want to make your child’s special day a bit more exciting.  While you don’t exactly have to hire a 5-star chef or an A-list band to impress a bunch of 10-year-olds, you definitely want to do something unexpected and fun to wow the kids and ensure that they have an immersive experience.  So here are just a few decorating ideas that can help to turn your home into a funhouse for the day.

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Tea party

What little girl doesn’t love to dress up in frilly clothes, fancy hats, and gloves to sip tea and eat petit fours with all of her favorite dolls?  Extend that idea into your daughter’s birthday party with an invitation to afternoon tea.  All the girls can dress up and you can hand out tiaras at the door.  And when it comes to decorating, set up kid-sized tables complete with white linens, plenty of doilies, some fabulous mini tea sets, and plenty of tiered trays stacked with kid-friendly finger sandwiches (PB&J, no crust) and sweet treats.  As for the tea?  Try juice instead.

Costume party

Halloween may come but once a year, but that doesn’t mean your kids can’t have all the fun of this spooky holiday by planning a costumed event.  For girls you could opt for a masquerade ball of sorts, while boys might prefer some kind of monster madness theme.  Either way, you can decorate accordingly.  Start by pushing furnishings against the wall so kids have room to boogie, then set up a DJ station complete with colored lights and their favorite tunes to make the party modern.  Prep the space by covering the floor with bubble wrap, setting up a net with balloons to drop during the festivities (or use a slew of helium-filled balloons trailing a sea of ribbons that the kids can grab and yank), and get yourself some party poppers to shoot confetti at the kids.

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Pirate party

Thanks in large part to Johnny Depp’s signature swagger as Captain Jack, pirates are back in a big way these days.  So consider throwing a pirate party that includes a treasure hunt and start by teaching the kids some pirate lingo (Avast ye, salty landlubbers…arr!).  Then rent yourself a pirate-ship bounce house for the backyard, set up treasure chests full of candy coins and Mardi Gras beads (double duty décor and party favors), and hoist the colors high with a few traditional pirate flags.

Candyland

Katy Perry can’t be the only one cavorting in this enchanting land of sweets, so transform your home into the candy-colored confection that widened the eyes of Hansel and Gretel (sans witch).  Lay down a colored-paper path through the house, dub each kid a character from the game, and then have them act as their own game pieces to play.  Of course, you’ll have to recreate locations from the board, such as the Peppermint Forest, the Chocolate Swamp, and King Kandy’s castle.  But you can get creative with cardboard boxes and paint, and throw in a few real treats for fun.

A day at the circus

What child doesn’t love a day at the circus?  While a magician London or Las Vegas-based can no doubt provide a few moments of entertainment, they can’t compare to the thrills of the big top.  So set up a striped tent and hire yourself some entertainers (exotic animal shows, acrobats, and so on).  Complete the feeling with carnival games, popcorn and peanuts, and a steady stream of circus music.

For more family ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

 Guest Blogger #342, Entry #915, January 23, 2012

Whether you have the extra space in your home or not, you’d probably like to create at least one room that will allow you to forget about the hustle and bustle of your daily life and escape to a sanctuary filled with some of your favorite pastimes and entertainment.  All work and no play makes your life pretty dull, so you no doubt want to enjoy some leisurely game time when you’re off the clock, and there’s no better way to do it than by creating a game room in your home.  If you don’t have an extra room, simply convert your home office, your guest room, or your basement, or target an unorthodox space like the attic or the garage.  Then determine what the essential elements are that will turn your space into the stimulating game room you crave.

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Colors

Everyone is bound to have their own color preferences, but before you select a trendy shade of hot pink or lime green, or alternately, stick to bland and boring neutrals because you’re too scared to choose a hue, think about the feeling you want from the room.  Bright shades are not going to help you unwind and dull neutrals with no personality could make you feel like you’re living in a model house rather than your own home.  Traditionally, game rooms tend to exhibit darker tones, so choose a deep, saturated jewel tone that suits your personal color preferences.

Materials

When it comes to materials you want every surface to feel warm and comfortable.  This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to make every surface plush, though.  In fact, you can create a much more sophisticated game room by adding rich woods in the way of flooring, cabinetry, tables, and the like.  And you should skip dust-gathering fabrics (which are hard to clean and maintain) in favor of gorgeous leather goods.

The right lighting

Not too many people say, “I think I’ll relax for a while under the bright fluorescent lights in my game room!  There’s nothing I enjoy more than a pounding migraine while I play a few hands of poker with the guys!”  Exactly.  So if you haven’t thought about the lighting in your space, now is a good time to consider whether you should install new fixtures or simply add a few floor lamps and sconces (on dimmer switches) so you can ensure adequate lighting but still create an atmosphere that is conducive to fun and relaxation.

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Furnishings

When it comes to adding some furnishings and décor, there are a couple of pieces you’ll definitely need.  The traditional game room should have at least a large table that can be used for cards, chess, and other conventional table games, as well as cabinets or shelves to store said games.  And if you want to introduce a modern element with a flatscreen TV and assorted gaming consoles, include a leather couch (minimalist or overstuffed depends on the size of your space) with plenty of throw pillows for comfort, along with a suitable entertainment system.  If you have a large room you could even include a billiards table or bubble-hockey setup!

Games

Whether you host a weekly poker game, the kids use the space to play video games, or granny invites the gals over for Bingo once in a while, this multipurpose room won’t do anyone any good if it isn’t well stocked with games the whole family loves to play.

For more game room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.