Home improvement

Creating a Reading Room

noreply@blogger.com (almodhena) — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:23:00 +0000

If you’ve ever sat and wondered what to do with an empty room, you’ve probably at least thought about turning it into a reading room. Maybe your kids moved out, but you are not quite ready to downsize, or maybe you’re just looking to redesign a room for something new. Either way, a reading room is a great way to use an extra room in your home, and can end up being a true sanctuary for you in which you can enjoy a good book, or even a radio program, in comfort.

Reading Room Vs. Office

A reading room is different from an office, in that it should be set up as a room for recreation only. Offices are used for work, and often include a desk or other workspace. Reading rooms, however, should be places where you can separate yourself from work. Of course, you can add a desk to your reading room if you wish, but if you are looking for a place to relax without the pressure to get work done, you should consider not including office essentials - like a desk - in the space. Offices are generally designed for functionality, while reading rooms should be designed for comfort and relaxation.

What to Include

Since reading rooms are mostly for relaxation, start by choosing a good paint color. Avoid harsh or bright colors, and instead choose something that is relaxing and soothing. Then, surround yourself with things that make you comfortable. A comfy chair or two are great additions to reading rooms. You may also want to put all of your bookshelves into the room so you can easily find the book you want to read. Scented candles are also a great addition to a reading room, as they can create a warm and calming atmosphere. Pillows and curtains can also add a nice touch and make the room more comfortable and friendly.

What Not to Include

Because you want a quiet space where you do not have to worry about distractions, it is best if you keep your computer elsewhere. Otherwise, you may find yourself drawn to the computer to check your social networking sites or email. Similarly, you want to keep televisions out of your reading room. The goal is to create a space in which you can relax and separate yourself from the distractions of the day. Having a television in the room just provides another distraction. Radios, however, are acceptable additions to reading rooms, since many people enjoy music while they are reading their books. You also may not want to include more than a few seating options, since this is to be your solace, not your family’s recreation room. Also, avoid making this a multipurpose room. You do not want to include a bed to make it a guest room area as well. This will take away from your relaxation.

The Best Designs

Reading rooms can come in all sorts of designs, and a quick internet image search will show you all sorts of different options. There are even entire blogs and websites devoted to pictures of great reading rooms. The most important thing to consider, however, is what makes you comfortable. If you really like bright, red walls, then go for it. If you would rather have a sofa than a reading chair, so be it. The great thing about designing a reading room is that you get to decide for yourself what you want in it. Just make sure it will be your retreat from the distractions of the world.

How to Make Your Guests Feel at Home

noreply@blogger.com (almodhena) — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:21:00 +0000

Most of us have a spare room in our homes, which gets converted into guest rooms upon impromptu arrivals. However, a guest room cannot just be a guest room. Just as you feel welcomed when you enter a hotel room, your guest needs to feel the same too. Little things that add to the convenience and comfort make the guest feel cared for and looked after. Making your guests feel at home requires some thought and planning. Although it isn't much of an effort, you need to keep in mind certain details to make their stay as comfortable as possible. Here are a few things that will make the guest room as comforting as your home.

How to Prepare a Guest Bedroom

Clean Linen
Bed sheets and clean curtains are the first things that we notice when we enter any guest room. A clean set of linen makes a good impression on the guest. It speaks volumes about the simple sense of hygiene and cleanliness. Additionally, it makes the room look good too. Use light-colored sheets as light colors make the space look bigger than it actually is.

Fresh Toiletries
Using someone else's soap or a shaving kit is a big turn off. If you don't do it, do not expect your guests to do it either. Buy a fresh set of toiletries for the guest bathroom. This includes shampoo, conditioner, scrubs (as disposing a loofah would be expensive), toothbrushes, soaps and shower gels. See that the bathroom is washed, sanitized and free of odor. You can keep a few fresh flowers too, to make the bathroom smell nice.

Well-Made Bed
A crisp bed with soft bed covers and a warm blanket will give your guests a much-needed good night's sleep. After a long journey, a well-made bed seems like the perfect way to make your guests feel at home. A comfortable bed is especially a great savior for overnight guests on a break journey.

Functioning Fixtures
If you have a heater, AC, fans, TV or any kind of fixtures in the guest room, make sure that they are functioning properly. A non-functioning AC on a warm night can be very irritating. Similarly, all other electric gadgets need to be in order before your guests arrive. Adequate lighting is another important aspect one needs to keep in mind while making a guest room. Besides the wall lighting, keep a nightstand to help out a nocturnal guest.

Laundered Towels
Nobody likes to use wet or stained towels. Providing your guests with laundered towels is a crucial part of making them comfortable. Getting soft, washed and fragrant towels are not difficult to find. Hand them over to the nearby laundry and you shall have them delivered to your home before your guests ring the bell.

Pair of Slippers
It gets uncomfortable to walk on floors that are extremely cold or dusty. Also, wearing slippers keeps the feet clean and prevents any kind of foot infection. Take care of this aspect, by providing your guests with a pair of slippers.

Dustbin
Most people forget to place dustbins in guest rooms. Many a time, this accessory is overlooked too. However, a dustbin in the guest room is very important as it keeps the room clean and saves your guest's efforts to look for a dustbin all around the house to dispose the waste.

Something Special
Besides the aforementioned, walk an extra mile to make something special for the guests. If you know your guests well, then cooking their favorite meal, making their room in their favorite color, planning a nice dessert treat or catching up on movies that you've wanted to see together will truly make your guests feel at home. Small gestures that touch the nerve indicate your love and courtesy towards your guests. A good room is what any hotel can provide, but a personal touch can only be felt at home!

Stocked Up Bar
Adult guests would surely enjoy a round of drinks after a long day of travel. Ask your guests in advance about their favorite brands and stock up the bar in the room. Relaxing with a drink is a classic way to call it a day!
House Tour
Take your guests around your house and show them the way you've done it up. Showing them the place that means the world to you, will surely make them feel important.
Bookworms
Some people cannot fall asleep without a book. Pile up interesting novels, magazines and journals for these veracious readers. You could even ask them which book they would like to read, to make it even more special.

What to do if your appliances trip circuit breakers

noreply@blogger.com (almodhena) — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:09:00 +0000

"The circuit breaker's job is to keep wires from overheating," he says. "If it receives more power than it can handle, it shuts down to prevent any fire hazard."

Most kitchen and bathroom appliances are heating or cooling devices, so they require more electricity. Despite being on separate outlets, it's likely that your appliances are on the same circuit.

Hal Chinevere, owner of highly rated Irwin Electric in Lincoln, Calif., which services Sacramento, says there are several solutions.

"The current National Electric Code calls for a 20-amp circuit dedicated to the microwave only," he says, adding the project usually costs about $300, but homeowners should get an estimate first.

Hampton says an easy way to solve the problem is to ensure the appliances use different circuits. However, Chinevere advises that if there are other issues, such as repeated power losses, main breaker trips, or a service panel that hums or arcs, it's likely you need to replace the entire panel. He estimates that work would cost $1,400 to $1,600 on average, plus permit fees; Hampton puts the work in the $1,500 to $3,500 price range.

Enhance curb appeal with landscaping

noreply@blogger.com (almodhena) — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:05:00 +0000

Not paying attention to your landscape can actually detract from the true value of your home. In today's challenging real estate market, smart homeowners are looking to do everything they can to maximize value and sell quickly.

"Moving is expensive," says real estate agent Lisa Wallace-Baker of highly rated Lake & Company Real Estate Inc., in Seattle. "Helping people decide where to best spend their time and money is a critical aspect of the Realtor/client partnership."

Her advice: prioritize. Make sure your yard is clean and tidy. A neatly mown, edged and debris-free landscape offers the impression of a home that's been well cared for. Keep the front walkway clear and uncluttered, and consider landscape lighting for evening showings to create a warm and welcoming entrance.

"A commitment to ongoing property maintenance is the highest priority and worth every penny," Wallace-Baker says.

Don't forget to prune. You can't sell your home if it can't be seen. Prune overgrown trees and shrubs to frame and show off the house. Unobstructed windows highlight a home's architecture and flood the interior with favorable light. Branches in contact with the house are a red flag for appraisers checking structural integrity and potential pest damage. Safety issues, such as dead wood and dangerous trees, are sure to show up on costly work orders.

On the other hand, if your front yard is devoid of plants, consider planting a tree as a focal point. Consider color. First impressions are largely emotional. Use color to attract and focus attention on positive aspects of the landscape. A single substantial container brimming with blooming bulbs and fresh spring color creates a bigger splash than the same number of plants scattered throughout the front yard.

Maintenance is especially important with color — faded bulbs and burned out plants mid-summer are off-putting. Plan to trade out and refresh container plantings with seasonal shifts.

Enhance distinctive details. Unique features help your home stand out in a crowd. Starting with your address, which should be clearly visible and attractively displayed, distinctive finishing touches should have a wide appeal and offer pleasant sensory details without over stimulating. A trickling fountain is a memorable detail without the perception of complicated upkeep, which a pond might engender.

"Keep details fresh, on trend and contemporary to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers," Wallace-Baker says.

Tell your garden's story. It may be cold and gray outside but snapshots of a flower border in full summer abundance show off your landscape's hidden potential. If your garden has more intricate plantings, offer potential buyers a walk-through later in the season as plants emerge from winter dormancy or put together a brief outline of seasonal highlights and maintenance routines.

Lorene Edwards Forkner is a Northwest-based freelance writer, food enthusiast and garden designer. Visit plantedathome.com to read about her thoughts on life, work, home and garden.