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Friendlier Look to Your Family Room

As the weather gets colder we find ourselves spending more and more time in various rooms of the house, especially the family room. Thanks to the folks at House Beautiful we can look to these 30+ design inspirations for possible redesigns of the family room. View all ideas here or begin below. 

"Designer Family Rooms"

By: House Beautiful

Blue and White Family Room
This family room is a natural extension of the kitchen, incorporating contrasting and complementary colors. Designed by James Radin.



American Cottage Family Room
Mona Hajj used pale blue and cream throughout the house and designed this ottoman to provide more seating options.

View the rest of the photos here.

Home Improvement in the Winter

Have you started hibernating with this colder weather yet? Try one of these winter home improvement projects courtesy of msn real estate before curling up next to the fire this weekend. These small adjustments will make a huge impact on your house! Begin article below or read full article here. 

"10 great winter home projects"

By: Leah L. Culler

When it's cold and wet outside, it can be tempting to curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book and a cup of cocoa. But winter is a great time to complete some indoor home projects. Some of these tasks require only a few hours — even minutes — of your time; others will need a much larger investment of time and, in some cases, money.

For most of these projects, we'll give you a rough idea of what special skills, if any, you'll need to complete them, as well as an estimate of the cost and time involved. This is not a how-to, however. You'll want to do your research before you drag out the power tools and try to make "improvements."

Easy and cheap
Let's start with a few quick, simple projects that anyone can do. Yes, even you.
Professional Services

1. Change your furnace filter.
Ideally, you should have completed this task, along with a few other winter prep essentials, before the chilly weather arrived. Filters last about three months when you're using your furnace regularly, so you may need to do this more than once if it's an especially long and brutal winter.

Skills: Any homeowner can do this. You'll just need to note the size and type of filter you're replacing before you go out and buy a new one, and make sure the new one is facing in the same direction as the old.

Cost: You can find furnace filters for as little as $10. High-quality filters will catch dust mites and other allergens and are often worth the extra cost if you're prone to allergies, says David Lupberger, home-improvement expert for ServiceMagic and past president of the Master Builder Group Inc., a design/build remodeling company. (ServiceMagic is an MSN Real Estate partner.)

Time: This task should take just a few minutes once you have purchased a replacement filter.

2. Wash your windows.
Even if you're stuck indoors, that doesn't mean you can't improve your view of the winter wonderland outside. Winter's a great time to wash the inside of your home's windows. You can tackle the other side of the glass when it's bearable to step outdoors.

Skills: All you need is some basic hand/eye coordination, and possibly a decent sense of balance if you'll be cleaning tall windows using a step stool.

Cost: Most homeowners have window-cleaning supplies on hand. Use crumpled newspapers to polish your windows until they shine.

Time: Lupberger estimates you'll spend 15 to 30 minutes for an average window. Break it up into several shorter sessions if you're short on time and/or have lots of windows.

Read full article here. 

Stay Warm For Less

As winter approaches we must prepare our house to deal with the temperature drop. Thanks to our friends at This Old House there are ways to save money on the heating bill. Read full article here or begin below.

"Keeping Warm for Less"

BY: JOHN D. WAGNER



1. Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to preset temperatures for different times of the day because you don't need to keep your home at 68 degrees around the clock. Although one shouldn't be used with heat pumps, a programmable thermostat is a real money-saver with air-conditioning as well as with heat. Choose a setting on the low end when you're sleeping or are away and go with a higher setting at other times (see table bellow) for savings of between 10 and 20 percent of your bill. Some units can store up to four temperature settings each day — e.g., morning, day, evening, night. All have a manual override switch.


Models from Hunter Fan are typical. The Set & Save 5+2 lets you program one five-day stretch and a two-day period. With the Set & Save 5+1+1, you program one five-day stretch and two other separate days. The Set & Save 7-Day and 7-Day Energy Star models provide the most flexibility, with individual programs for all seven days. The units use AA batteries to maintain the display if the power goes off and to hold settings.

Read full article here. 

Faster and Easier Fall Leaves Removal

Let's be honest, Fall is a pretty season but provides a lot of work in the yard. If you are looking to spend more time kicking your feet up and watching football and less time raking those leaves we have a few tips to help! Thanks to the folks at Consumer Reports  you will be able to spend more time doing what you enjoy and less cleaning up. Read full article here or begin below. 

"Tip of the day: Make faster work of leaf removal"
BY: CONSUMER REPORTS

Keep the job manageable. 

Don’t tackle an entire season’s worth of leaf cleanup in one day—unless you’re a glutton for a blister-and-ache-inducing marathon. Leaves will drop throughout autumn, so schedule clearing duty a few days during the season. Avoid working in windy weather (see Murphy’s Law above), and dress in layers to help control body temperature and avoid breaking out in a sweat. If the sun is out, apply sunscreen. If you live in an area with lots of ticks and a prolonged frost has not yet occurred, apply an appropriate insect repellent.

Choose the right rake.

 In our testing we found that extrawide rakes (36 inches) require more downward pressure to drag leaves across the lawn. That’s why we recommend a standard-width (24 inches) rake, ideally a model equipped with a soft grip. Before you purchase a rake with an ergonomically curved handle, see how comfortable it is to use by simulating raking in the store. Ergonomic rakes are designed to reduce bending and stooping, but they’re not a good fit for everyone.

Read full article here. 

Trick or Treat: Seasonal DIY Ideas

We found a great post on Country Living titled, '15 Spooktacular Outdoor Halloween Decorations'. The post offers up a variety of DIY Halloween decoration ideas perfect as we move into the end of the October. You can check out the post here or begin reading below.

"15 Spooktacular Outdoor Halloween Decorations"By: COUNTRY LIVING

Lantern Pumpkins

New York City stylist Marissa Corwin put a cheeky spin on the very word jack-o'-lantern with her three glowing silhouettes of old-school lamps. "They're a bit more sophisticated than your average spooky face—something adults can appreciate, too," she said.

Decorated Tree

Bare-limbed trees provide the perfect ghostly perch for jack-o'-lanterns, candle lanterns, and a flock of faux black crows (don't be surprised if a few real ones alight). Make sure the tree limbs are sturdy enough to support the weight of the items you are hanging and take care not to overdecorate, which can lessen the overall effect. Funkins (styrofoam pumpkins) are an especially good choice for this project, since they're lightweight and won't rot.

Click Here to read the entire post.

Fall Cleaning Tips and Tricks

As we move further into October we think of pumpkin carving, hot chocolate, falling leaves and sweatshirts. As each one of you prepare for this weather change it is important prepare your house for the cool down as well.  We found a great series of tips from Better Homes & Gardens titled, "Fall Fix-Ups." These tips were published with the idea of creating a smoother transition moving further into October and eventually the winter. You can check out the tips here or begin reading below.

"Fall Fix-Ups"By Better Homes & Gardens

Clear The Gutters
Falling leaves and evergreen needles can block downspouts and cause rainwater to overflow gutters. Depending on where you live, the coming of winter can mean clogged gutters. This can cause ice dams, which push water under shingles and into your house. Clean gutters after most of the leaves have fallen, and do so by removing the debris with a plastic scoop or with a special curved wand attached to your garden hose. To keep gutters clear for next fall, install mesh or perforated leaf shields. In addition to cleaning gutters, you might need to install insulation in the attic or apply heat tape along the roof edge above the gutters to prevent ice dams.

Caulk The Cracks
Caulk can help keep out dirt, moisture, sound, and radon gas, and it can improve the general appearance of your home. Caulk before painting for a more finished look. Caulk where masonry meets siding, where pipes or wires enter the house, around window and door frames, and at corner joints formed by siding.

Click here to read the entire article

28 Quick Summer Fixes

With summer slowly dwindling away it is important you take advantage of the time you have left. Thanks to the folks at This Old House we now have "28 Easy Summer Weekend Projects." Think about conquering these projects when it's still nice out. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"28 Easy Summer Weekend Projects"
By KAREN ZIGA

What's the use of balmy weather and long summer days if you can't hang out in your yard and have some fun? But if there's nowhere good to sit and nothing fun to do at your house, don't fret. These 28 projects, culled from the TOH archives of great weekend upgrades, will enhance your yard, beautify your exterior, and give everyone in the family something exciting to do. Pick and choose the ones that are right for your home, and soon you'll have the most attractive and entertaining yard on the block.

1. Make a Herb Planter from a wagon
Looking to spice up your container garden? Dig out Junior's rusty old Radio Flyer and turn it into a mobile planter that can go from a sun-steeped corner right to your kitchen door.

2. Build a Tree Bench
This comfy, stay-cool spot has room for the entire family and practically looks like it's a part of the tree itself. Put your bench together, and you'll enjoy lounging on it with a favorite book all summer long.


 Click here to read the entire article

Be Prepared For Labor Day

Are you having company over this Labor day? We have found a few tips to help to have your yard in tip top shape for friends and family. Thanks to the folks at HGTV for providing this article titled,  "Cleaning Tips for Your Home's Exterior and Yard."  Click here to read the entire article or begin below.

"Cleaning Tips for Your Home's Exterior and Yard."
By HGTV

1.Washing off the dirt and debris

Some pressure washers come with an assortment of color-coded spray tips. Each one has a different spray, from the high-pressure pinpoint spray to a wider, low-pressure spray. Siding can be cleaned with a low-pressure spray tip. Pressure-washing is also useful for removing algae stains from fencing. 

2. Cleaning the deck
Pressure-wash your deck with a tip that produces a spray about the width of a 2x4, with medium pressure. The trick is to keep the spray moving. Don't rest in one spot for too long or it could permanently damage the surface. Then apply a wood preservative to help prevent water damage and discoloration. 

Click here to read the entire article.

Helpful Home Improvement YouTube Channels

We found a great article compiling some of the most handy YouTube channels to follow for DIY and home improvement help thanks to mashable.com. Preview the article below or click here to read full article. 

"5 Handy YouTube Channels for DIY and Home Improvement"
By Amy-Mae Elliott

The easiest way to learn how to do something practical is to first see it done properly by someone else. By breaking it down into easy-to-follow steps, these how-to videos offer an absolute wealth of knowledge that is just a few clicks away.

We've searched YouTube for the very best home improvement instructional video channels where experts and enthusiastic amateurs share their skills for free.

So the next time you have a DIY job to do, whether it's fixing a leaky faucet or a more ambitious project, check out our choice of top five channels where, no doubt, there's a handy video by someone who's been there, done that, and can help you avoid throwing the wrench against the wall in frustration.

Click here to see the rest of article with videos.

Quick Fixes to Common Household Problems

We found a great series of tips on realsimple.com titled, "15 Quick Fixed to Make Around Your House." These tips were published with the idea of creating a quick solution for a problem. With juggling jobs, toting the kids around, and other errands you might not always have time to prep the house like you wanted to for company. With these quick tips you can fix the problem until a later time when you are actually able to take the time to do a complete renovation. You can check out the tips here or begin reading below.

"15 Quick Fixed to Make Around Your House."
By Realsimple.com

Squeaky Floor

For a temporary fix, sprinkle talcum powder over the noisy area and sweep it into the cracks. Be sure to remove any traces of powder if you’re ever going to refinish the floor.

Peeling Wallpaper

With a knife, smear wallpaper paste onto a piece of writing paper. Rub the paper against the underside of the peeling section. Press the wallpaper against the wall. Slide the writing paper out and smooth away bubbles with a clean cloth.

Worn Caning

A little sagging over time is natural but reversible. To tighten caning back up, use a sponge to wet the underside with warm water. Let dry slowly overnight. Repeat if necessary.

Click here to read the entire article.

Keep Your House Cool This Summer

Air conditioning and keeping your home cool during the summer can be very expensive. Thanks to the the team at MSN we have some cheap ways to keep our houses manageable to live in. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"27 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Cooler"
By MSN Real Estate 

Sure, go ahead and turn that thermostat up to 80. You'll be sweaty and still shelling out a bundle -- unless you take other steps to make summer heat more bearable and reduce stress on your air conditioner.

Most of these cost little or nothing. Thank the Department of Energy's Energy Savers program, which provides most of these tips (and more) on its own Web site.

Get the most from your air conditioning

•Open windows and use portable or ceiling fans instead of operating your air conditioner. Even mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel three or four degrees cooler. Make sure your ceiling fan is turned for summer -- you should feel the air blown downward.

•Use a fan with your window air conditioner to spread the cool air through your home.

•Without blocking air flow, shade your outside compressor. Change air filters monthly during the summer.

Click here to read the entire article.

22 Little Tips That Will Make a Large Difference

Getting your house to be the "Green" dwelling you would like it to be can seem extremely daunting. The new and expensive appliances, changes to the insulation, and time and effort it takes is enough to make someone think twice about helping out the environment. Instead, the folks over at This Old House have provided some excellent inexpensive tips for creating a more eco-friendly home while saving you lots of time. Such drastic changes aren't as necessary when you can make this small ones that will still have a large impact. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"22 Little Ways to Go Green"
By THIS OLD HOUSE


It seems everybody knows you can help the planet—and save yourself some cash—with big changes: adding spray-foam insulation to open walls, say, or installing a tankless water heater. But there are lots of simpler, lower-cost ways to improve your eco-scorecard, too. Here are some low-stress steps to take around the house to reduce your carbon footprint, create a healthier home, and lower your monthly bills to boot.

WORKSHOP
1. Unplug your power tools. Figure out which cordless tools (like drill/drivers) get the most use, then unplug the chargers on all the rest. Most cordless tools have nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries, which will hold some charge for up to a year. They lose 15 to 20 percent of their juice each month, but only take a couple of hours to power up again. Newer tools with lithium ion batteries lose just 2 to 5 percent of their charge each month, so they'll be ready to go even if you haven't charged them in ages.

2. Spread sawdust on your floor. Take the superfine shavings captured by your dust collection system, wet them down, then push them around with a stiff broom to sweep your concrete garage or workshop floor. The mix is as good as a power-guzzling shop vac at picking up dust but doesn't swirl it into the air. 

Click here to read the rest of the tips.

Take Your Kitchen Outside

Although summer is in full swing most of us find ourselves stuck inside all day. Why not take advantage of the weather when you get off and cook outside? The team at the DIY Network have provided some great tips of things to think about before building an outdoor kitchen. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"Tips for an Outdoor Kitchen"
By DIY NETWORK

Outdoor kitchens have certainly become one of the hottest items in home building in the last few years. You can get the same options from your indoor kitchen and you can put those things in your outdoor kitchen. For example, you can get cabinets, grills, refrigerators, but there's one thing that's totally different — everything has to be waterproofed.

The most basic item for your outdoor kitchen is a barbecue grill — don't forget that what makes it a kitchen is that you have a place to cook. You have a few options when it comes to an outdoor grill, you can get something that is prefab, something semi-custom or something that is customized.

You can get something as extravagant as a drop-in stove that's got six burners and a gas kit. You might hire a kitchen designer for your indoor kitchen, but for a more casual outdoor kitchen you might want to do it yourself.

Click here to read the entire article.

How to Redesign a Room

What do you think of first when redesigning a room? Color, shades, possible furniture, or light fixtures? Instead, you should hold off on the décor and first focus on the form of the room and its function. Here we have a short clip from Better Homes and Gardens suggesting a better approach of how to attack the redesign of room.

 See how to Arrange a Room here. 

Easy Grilling Clean-Up tips

It would be fair to assume that Barbecues were a popular occurrence over the 4th of July holiday weekend. It would also be fair to assume that these Barbeques may not have left your deck looking like it's usual clean self. The folks over at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) have provided some excellent tips for a post Barbecue clean up. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"Easy Grilling Clean-Up Tips"
By HPBA



Americans say an easy clean up is one of the most pleasurable parts of grilling food outdoors. In fact, in a recent survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) a majority (70 percent) responded that they find "a lot" of pleasure in having few or no pots or pans to clean up when grilling as opposed to indoor cooking.

To ensure that outdoor grilling clean-up is even easier, HPBA offers the following tips:

- BEFORE lighting the grill, apply non-stick spray on the grates. The protective spray cuts down the clean-up time afterwards.

Click here to read the entire article.

Stacked DIY planters for your home

We found a great article on a mini DIY project perfect for the Summer months. Now that Summer is finally here, we thought this article was too fun not too share. The article shows us in detail how to create stacked planters to add more curb appeal to your home. The article is titled, "Stacked DIY planters for your home" and can be found here. Alternatively you can begin reading below:

"Stacked DIY planters for your home"

By Simona Ganea,

We're always trying to make our home as lovely and inviting as possible. Still, most of the time we focus only on the interior. The exterior needs attention as well. Make your entrance more inviting with a set of planters for example. We have a project that you can do by yourself. It's a set of three stacking planters with a friendly message on them. Here's what you'll need for this project: 3 terracotta pots (large, medium and small), 2-3 plastic pots-when turned upside down, a tray for water drainage, some outdoor paint, 2 brushes, painter's tape, a drill and obviously plants/flowers.

Click here to read the entire article.

New Business Focus: House Doctors franchise offering home improvements in Tri-Cities

Tony Woods, our newest franchisee, was featured in an article in the Kingsport Times-News titled, "New Business Focus: House Doctors franchise offering home improvements in Tri-Cities". The article discusses Tony's recent House Doctors opening. Tony discusses how the market seems prime for remodeling as people have been putting off their projects as the economy recovers. Tony also explains that he focuses on remodeling and repair. You can click here to read the article or begin below.

"New Business Focus: House Doctors franchise offering home improvements in Tri-Cities"
By Hank Hayes



After spending 27 years in the food service industry, Tony Woods has acquired a franchise of a professional handyman service.

Woods has opened a House Doctors, which offers home repair and home improvements in the Tri-Cities area. "We're more of a remodel, fix-up-what-you've-got type of business rather than building something new and starting from the ground," Woods said. "We focus on rebuilding and remodeling existing homes."

Click here to read the entire article.