Posted on May 9th, 2008 by LB
When it comes to cleaning a stain in clothing, there’s no better time than right now.
Leave a spot for laundry day, and you might regret it. The best way to remove stubborn spots from clothing is to attack the problem as soon as you discover it. Check clothes before washing. If you see a potentially stubborn stain, treat it with a strainer remover on the spot. Allow the cleaner to work its magic for a few minutes, then wash. If you discover the stain after you’ve washed clothes, don’t dry the stained garment. Treat it with a spot remover while wet, then re-wash.
You can also remove spots with regular laundry detergent. Apply a small amount of cleaner to the stain, let it stand for a few minutes, then wash with the regular load.
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Posted on May 8th, 2008 by LB
Tell Mom to throw out that ratty old laptop bag. Let her know her new Liz Claiborne Jacquard Laptop Messenger Bag is on its way, just in time for Mother’s Day.
A stylish option to the standard canvas laptop bag, this designer, gold-colored laptop bag is quilted for extra protection, with slots and pockets on the inside for organizing notepads, pens, and electronic gadgets.
Retailing for $66.49, the Liz Claiborne Jacquard Laptop Messenger Bag fits a laptop with a 15.4-inch display. The attractive Jacquard exterior, adjustable shoulder strap, and easy-snap closure makes this bag even more appealing to the style-conscious technophile.
Browse more laptop bags available through Builders Square.
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Posted on May 7th, 2008 by LB
How will you spend your tax rebate? Will you spend it on improving your home? According to a survey conducted by Building Online, a quarter of U.S. homeowners said they’re might use the cash on upgrading and improving their homes. Do you fall into this demographic?
Fewer respondents said they’d definitely use the cash on home improvement and repairs. Of those who said they might, landscaping and upgrading the bathroom and kitchen topped the list.
Consider updating your bathroom and kitchen cabinets with new knobs and/or pulls. Small changes like this can have a big impact. And it won’t blow your decorating budget. At Knobs and Things, you’ll find other home improvement products like bathroom accessories. Shop for shower rods, towel rods, grab bars, shelves, soap dishes, and more. Shop for window locks and door bolts, too.
(Hat tip: Bob Vila’s On The Level blog)
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Posted on May 1st, 2008 by LB
With houses being foreclosed on left and right, now probably is not the best time to put a house on the market. There’s a lot to be said for hunkering down and weathering a slow housing market. Instead of improving a house in order to sell it, consider improving it to make staying worth it.
There are several inexpensive and important improvements you can make to your home right now, and making the home safer should be a top priority. Is your home equipped with smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors? Every home should have a least one, possibly one in each room.
Is the electrical wiring in tip-top shape? If not, you could be risking fire. Check and repair uneven steps, broken stair rails, and replace blown light bulbs.
Clean and de-clutter. For the kitchen, repaint cabinets, replace knobs and pulls, clean out appliances and fixtures, and de-clutter the entire room to bring it new life. For the bathroom, replace dated or damaged fixtures, install a new shower curtain or door, and clean tile grout until it shines.
How’s the siding? You may need to clean it or replace it, depending on how damaged or dirty it might be. And it goes without saying that you should paint, paint, paint your way to a fresh, new-looking, updated home.
Source: The Sun Times
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Posted on May 1st, 2008 by LB
Home improvement and repairs can be stressful undertakings. Take some of the stress out these tasks by finding a contractor the right way.
One of the biggest concerns of hiring a contractor is whether the person will complete the job properly and complete it on time. As a rule, you should seek recommendations from people you trust who’re very satisfied with their past contractor. If you’re short of those, find a reputable contractor recommendation service that will help you find the best contractor at an affordable price.
It goes without saying that you should run a background check on the potential contractor. Check references and, if necessary, pay to have a background check performed.
A written contract is important. Lay out details of the job, start and finish dates, payment terms, including labor and parts costs, and recourse actions should the contractor fail to honor the contract to your satisfaction.
Taking these precautions before hiring a contractor won’t guarantee success, but it will increase your chances of a stress-free project.
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Posted on April 29th, 2008 by LB
That’s one of the questions a reader asked Mi-Ling Stone Poole, an interior decorator and columnist for the Oklahoman. The seller is naturally concerned about investing in updates, especially whether it’s worth the investment when it’s time to sell. Poole tells the reader to update according to the home’s decorating style and to pay special attention to the kitchen.
Kitchens are heavily trafficked rooms. Families gather in kitchens to eat, entertain, talk, do homework, work, etc., and the kitchen is what potential buyers pay the most attention to. She advises the seller to buy new cabinet knobs and pulls to make the kitchen stand out. Ceiling fans and light fixtures for the kitchen and other rooms are also good pre-selling investments. You can never have too much light, and ceiling fans help keep homes cool and reduce the cost of electricity.
Source: NewsOK.com
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Posted on April 24th, 2008 by LB
At Knobs and Things, you’ll find several “universal design” products.
Universal design is a style that integrates certain features in the home for older or disabled users in a seamless transition. Lever sets, for example, are a stylish option to door knobs, but they’re also universally designed. Opening a door with a lever set requires no twisting, which is easier on the joints. The elderly and people with joint problems certainly can appreciate that.
Installing more grab bars in the bathroom, especially in the shower and bathtub, is part of universal design. So are wider hallways for wheelchair-bound house dwellers and well-lit hallways, foyers, and other typically dark areas. Universally designed houses tend to be only one story. Sometimes these homes feature ramp-style entrances for easy access for wheelchairs.
With the first of the baby boomers set to retire within the next few years, manufacturers and marketers no doubt will sharpen their focus on this demographic.
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Posted on April 23rd, 2008 by LB
There are thousands of products on the market that make DIY landscaping a snap. These products range from trellises to garden bridges to benches to arbors to water fountains. How you choose to light your newly landscaped yard is important.
One way to enhance the landscape is to erect path lights, which also are practical. These lights literally illuminate paths, driveways, and walkways. Usually placed low to the ground, path lights are an essential part of the outdoor décor.
While hiring a landscaping professional who specializes in lighting is always an option, you can do it yourself. As is the case with many products, path lighting is available in a variety of shapes, colors, styles, and price ranges. For example, solar path lights harness the power of the sun to illuminate. They charge up with the sun’s energy during the day and turn on automatically at sunset. Many models require no wiring.
Other path lights, such as the One-Light Path Light by Progress Lighting, operate on electricity. These bright lights supplement or replace porch lights and can be used to illuminate garden features as well as light up paths and walkways.
For the best deals on path lights, shop online at Builders Square.
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Posted on April 22nd, 2008 by LB
EHow.com uses one of my favorite sayings: Locks are for honest people. If someone is determined to get into your house, he/she will find a way. But you don’t have to make it easy for the would-be crook. Buying door and window locks is always a good idea, but here’s something you’ve probably never thought about:
1. Ask your police department for a home security inspection. Or, have a locksmith evaluate your home, explain all security options, and install professional-quality devices. Call members of the Associated Locksmiths of America (aloa.org).
A professional can evaluate your present security set up and make recommendations based on your needs and preferences. Be prepared to invest in door and window hardware to make sure your home is as secure as possible.
For the windows, try the Sliding Window Central Lock by Gruppo Romi, only $14.82 each. For the doors, these deadbolts are sturdy and secure, as is this double cylinder door lock by Omnia.
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Posted on April 18th, 2008 by LB
Sometimes you want the convenience and simplicity of making a single cup of coffee or tea. It may be a matter of wanting one – and only one – cup of coffee or tea, or you might want to eliminate waste. Whatever your reason, invest in a single-cup coffee or tea maker today.
Coffee and tea prepared the old-fashioned way just plain tastes better than instant. The Tea-for-One Strawberry Tart is a wonderfully designed tea pot that makes a quart or less of freshly brewed tea.
The One Cup Coffee Maker by Toastess is a nifty little gadget that is maker and mug in one. Users can also make tea or boil hot water for hot chocolate and soups with this 300-watt coffee maker. At two pounds, the One Cup Coffee Maker is a must-have for single-cup, on-the-go coffee drinkers who like freshly brewed java.
These are only two of many one-cup coffee and tea makers available through Builders Square. Surf your fill of fine products available at the home decor portal for great deals on the web.
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