Home Remodeling and Repair

Do you have an idea to repair or remodel your home? In these days, home remodeling or repair is popular for it can increase the value of the home. If you decide to start your home remodeling, what concerns you most is the remodeling design.

Remodeling your home is a tough work, which requires effort, dedication and passion. Without passion for your remodel it is difficult to create the feel and appearance that you are looking for.

If you hire a contractor, you should clearly describe what you want to him. And then he can do home repair as you require. The better you can describe you needs, the better vision he will have. However, it is not easy. Many people know what they need, but they can not clearly describe it. As a result, they may feel disappointed about the outcome.

When you are describing your need, you should not leave out any detail. The more detail you can give your contractor the better they will be able to see the vision that you see. Talk directly to all parties involved, which can assure you that your vision is fully understood.

It is stressful to start your home remodeling. You will destroy a piece of property and then rebuild it. If you make a mistake carelessly, this piece of property will not be restored. So you would better not start your project until you are truly ready to dedicate yourself to it. Once you decide to start your remodeling project, you should make a clear plan for the finished product and be sure to share your plan with all of the parties involved in completing the remodel. You should continuously check with the workers on your project to ensure they are still seeing the same vision as you.

Although remodeling home is a tough work, you will be happy with the result if you are clear and decisive with your vision.

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Bathroom Renovation Checklist

Planning a new bathroom can be a lot of fun, but not taking care of all the details properly can lead to disappointing results. Use this checklist to keep track of the decisions that need to be made as well as details that should be discussed with your designer, installer or carpenter.

BEFORE YOU START Asses how much storage you will need for the following items. Keep in mind how many people will be using this bathroom, and be sure to take their items into consideration. Knowing just how much "stuff" you actually use on a regular basis will help tremendously when planning your cabinetry space, number of drawers or size of medicine cabinets.( ) Makeup (if you keep it in the bathroom)( ) Facial cream / wash / toner( ) Lotion / body cream / sunblock( ) Sponges / scrub brushes( ) Shaving supplies (Razors, creams, etc.)( ) Hair products (Gel, Mousse, etc.)( ) Hairdryer / curling iron, etc.( ) Toilet paper / tissues( ) Bath supplies (salts, bubble bath, etc.)( ) Shower supplies (shampoo, conditioner, wash, etc.)( ) Medications (if you keep them in the bathroom)( ) Traveling Items (Little bottles, mending kits, small containers, etc.)( ) Toothbrushes / toothpaste( ) Overstocks (Extra creams, tissues, toilet paper, etc.)( ) Cleaning supplies (if you keep them in the bathroom)
STYLES AND FINISHESCheck these off as your decisions are being made. You'll feel like work is progressing as you take items off your To-Do list. You'll also have a good idea of all the decisions that still need to be made. Keep a separate list of all the model numbers, colors and details you've chosen, this way, when a delivery is made, you can easily double check that it is in fact what you've ordered.
CABINETRY( ) Style( ) Material( ) Color( ) Finish( ) Hardware( ) Special StorageESSENTIALS( ) Sink(s)( ) Bath / shower( ) Toilet( ) BidetACCESSORIES( ) Sink faucets( ) Bath / shower faucet( ) Shower head( ) Towel bars( ) Toilet paper holder( ) Magazine rackFLOORS ( ) Material( ) Color( ) Finish( ) ExtrasCOUNTERS ( ) Material( ) Color( ) Finish( ) Edge( ) Corners( ) BacksplashLIGHTING ( ) Task lights( ) Ambient lights( ) Bath / shower lightELECTRICAL ( ) Outlets( ) Light switchesOTHER DETAILS ( ) Mirrors( ) Windows( ) Window treatment( ) Moldings( ) Baseboards( ) Door( ) Doorknob( ) Medicine cabinet( ) Shower curtain / doorWALL TREATMENT - GENERAL( ) Material( ) Color( ) FinishWALL TREATMENT - IN BATH / SHOWER( ) Material( ) Color( ) FinishWALL TREATMENT - ABOVE SINK(S)( ) Material( ) Color( ) FinishOf course there are probably other things you will need to add to this list, but at least you've got something to start with. It's also a great tool for planning your budget. Happy renovating!

By Marijana Kuljis - Professional Organizer

organized! http://www.youareorganized.com

Types of Flooring You Might Like to Install in Your Home

Your home reflects your personal traits, tastes and lifestyle. As you give importance to every aspect of your home like the furniture, furnishings, walls, doors, ceilings, so also your flooring needs special attention. You need to choose the right type of flooring for each room, for example tiles are the best flooring solutions for your bathroom as this area is wet all the time and tiles do not get spoilt. Similarly the flooring in your bedroom should be something which is attractive. The walls should also be in tandem with the flooring. Thus it is necessary to select the appropriate wall color to match those of your floor color.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is one amongst the various types of flooring. You can get several patterns to adorn your house with such as the zigzag style, square and circular ones and lots more.

Carpeting

This is a preferred type of flooring for cold climates. In cold places walking on the carpets gives warmth and adds comfort to the total ambience.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is very durable and eco-friendly. It also adds to the beauty of the environment. You can use beautiful patterns, natural or carbonized colors. Bamboo flooring is being widely used in offices, retail outlets and fashionable condominiums.

Wood Flooring

If you want to give a classy look to your house you can use wood flooring. This flooring is difficult to maintain as they could get ruined easily. Careful handling of your wood flooring will make it last longer. Keep water away and use wax to clean the floors. You specially need to wax generously the most frequented areas like the stair landings, the entrance of the rooms, the work areas and other parts.

Slate Flooring

Slate is becoming highly popular as one of the types of flooring because of its durable, slip-resistant, low-maintenance and stain free nature. These were used for offices previously but now are being used in homes as well. The various shapes and colors help in enhancing the beauty of your flooring. You can also create a wonderful combination of the ones having smooth finishes with those having rough finishes. Slate flooring is preferred for kitchens, bathrooms, driveways and pool walls. The Slate flooring is long lasting and does not peel off easily or look faded after some time like vinyl and linoleum.

Marble Flooring

Marble flooring is very easy to clean and does not require any maintenance. It is long lasting as well. This stone is stain free as well. Just use your mop and water to remove the dirty stains and see how they vanish to give you a sparkling floor.

Granite Flooring

Granite is a costly material and thus is used sparingly in commercial buildings but is used prevalently in homes. It is durable and scratch resistant and stain resistant as well. You should use a neutral detergent to clean granite flooring.

April Kerr owns website How to Install Flooring which has further details of flooring types such as natural cork flooring and rubber flooring.

Tips on Installing Stair Rods

Stair rods are the thin pieces of either metal or plastic that fit to the base of each stair riser to hold your staircase carpet runner in place. This not only protects the carpet and stops it from moving from position, but it also increases safety measures as people are less likely to fall or trip on carpet sections that have come loose from the stairs. You also have the added benefit of a decorative, attractive finish to your carpet, which adds charm and style to your staircase.

Even though stair carpets should be fitted with grippers to help avoid any movement in the carpet, stair rods form an extra means of securing your carpets, but they simply are not strong enough to form the only means of securing them.

Stair rods are available in several materials and several decorative finishes to suit any taste or decor. They range from various timbers or chrome finish to iron or brass, there are so many styles available that you will easily find one available to suit you and your home.

It is possible to order stair rods that are made to measure, but it is important that you get your initial measurements correct to ensure correct fitting and to avoid ending up with stair rods that are too short.

Most staircase carpets are fitted inside each stair riser, so you will need to measure not only the width of your carpet but also add extra length for the finial, or decorative end piece. This means the measurement you supply will be a tip-to-tip measurement from the end of one finial to the end of the other. As stair rods are front fitted, this means you can add them to carpet runners or stairs that are completely carpeted.

When installing your stair rods you should mount the bracket firmly onto the staircase so that it sits directly alongside the edge of the carpet. It is recommended that you drill a pilot hole first for easier installation.

Attach the finials or decorative end pieces to the rods and secure them in place using small screws so they don't come off. Once both brackets are installed, lay the stair rod in the brackets being sure that the rod protrudes an equal distance from the bracket on each end. You should check that the rod overhangs the carpet runner an equal distance on each side, and then carefully screw the top half of the bracket to the bottom bracket piece to secure the stair rod in place.

If you are installing stair rods to fully carpeted stairs you may require longer screws to hold the brackets in place as the screw will need to go through the carpet and the underlay before it can grip to the stair riser.

Once your stair rods are installed, you should be able to enjoy a stylish accent to your staircase that not only looks great but is amazingly low maintenance. Stair rods don't require cleaning with cleaning products; simply wipe them with a clean cloth to maintain their protective lacquer coating and their fine finish.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For flooring accessories, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Stair Rods.

Famous Interior Designers Series - Jean Royere

One of the all-time greatest French designers, Jean Royere succeeded in establishing his individuality by creating and implementing unique designs for interior space. Born in 1902 in France, Jean Royere had started showing his skills as an interior decorator at the age of 29, shortly after resigning from a trading firm. He then began to work with Pierre Gouffe in 1931. From there, he rose to fame with his unique unconventional approach to interior design. Jean found immediate success in 1934 when he designed the new layout of the Brasserie Carlton on the Champs Elysees.

In all his designs Jean Royere employed traditional artisan techniques and often his designs are personal and innovative, though unimaginative. He had opened his own gallery in 1942 at 184, Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honore for the purpose of exhibiting his collections. He later opened branch offices in Cairo, Beirut, Peru and Iran in 1946, 1947, 1953 and 1958 respectively. His works in the Middle East helped him earn large commissions which also gave him the opportunity to work with the royalty and the heads of various states. Royere's royal patrons included King Farouk of Egypt, King Hussein of Jordan and the Shah of Iran, all of whom where impressed by his creations and hence entrusted Jean with the interior design of their palaces.

Jean Royere had different innovative interior furniture design concepts in his mind and his products often combine bright colours, organic forms and precious materials. Some of his commercial works include the Sheet Stool, designed using ebonized wood and goat-fur upholstery, the Bar cart in brass and ebonized wood, and the adjustable floor lamp designed in 1956. He had his initial designs of chairs with perforated metal backs and seats, for the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques in 1937 and these had served as the precursors of his related future designs.

Jean's works are often being exhibited at various exhibitions and art galleries. Some of the unusual works of Jean which were exhibited in the Sonnabend Gallery in New York included the rare 'Flaque' low table, the 'Ours Polaire' sofa, the 'Starlette' bed, a 'visiteur du soir' model settee, and a huge collection of lighting fixtures such as the 'Persian', the 'Eiffel Tower' and the 'Mushroom'.

Following decoration and furnishing for the French delegation in Helsinki in 1951, he also found time to undertake and complete interior decoration for residences of his family members, spread across Saint-Tropez, Auray, Marly and the Baleric Islands. Leaving Paris in 1980, Jean spent his final years in the United States. Before leaving for US, Jean donated his entire collection of archives to the Museum of the Decorative Arts of Paris. Royere died in 1981 in US, after enjoying a flourishing career from 1931 to 1970.

Now more than ever interior decorating and design is available to the masses. Home Staging Consultants in Manchester are available in the north of the UK to help you sell your home more effectively. To achieve a stunningly original living space Interior Architects in Leeds offer a professional service.

Storage Rentals Make Remodeling Easier

A person may need storage rentals for a variety of different reasons. They can make many unpleasant tasks a lot easier. It isn't just individuals renting these storage containers. In fact, a number of retail businesses and even sports teams rent them for temporary storage of equipment and inventory. For the homeowner, some of the most common reasons to rent a storage container are when one is remodeling the house. From tearing down walls to adding a new bathroom, a remodel can become a messy affair. It is good to have a safe place in which to put all of your valuables.

It is just as handy for other, smaller jobs you are doing on the house. If you are going to take out the carpet and replace it with hardwood floors, or if you are repainting, you may want to use storage rentals to secure your belongings while you work. You will need to call the storage company and tell them the date on which you want the container delivered. Depending on the amount of material that you need to move into the container, you may want to have it delivered a few days ahead of time. This ensures that you won't have to rush the procedure.

Although there are many companies that offer storage equipment on the Internet, you should find one that has been in business for a while and has a professional staff. These professionals will listen to your needs and can help you with the proper storage container solutions. Learn more about a professional storage rental company by visiting ABRichards.com.

A.B. Richards, Inc., is a company that offers great storage rentals. To look at the available storage options, visit http://www.abrichards.com.

Senior Safety - Quick Fixes For Yard, Entryway, and Living Room Hazards

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury deaths for people 65 years of age and older, per The National Safety Council? Do you worry that your parents have physical or judgment deficits which impact their safety? Do they open the front door for anyone who rings the doorbell? In this article, I will show you how to identify and reduce safety hazards in the living room, yard and entryways of an elderly persons home.

1) Yard and entryways into home:

• Are walkways level and clear of debris and plant overgrowth?
• Is there enough light to see obstacles? A simple motion sensor light makes it easier to insert the key into the lock.
• You may want to install a railing on both sides if there are stairs up to the door.
• Post a No Soliciting sign outside the front door to minimize trips to the door and to lessen the risk of intruders.
• External doors and windows: Be sure that all windows can lock when fully closed and when partially opened. Have deadbolt locks on all external doors and install wide-angle peep-holes. This is a good opportunity for the "avoid opening the door to strangers", "always lock the doors", and "don't give strangers any personal information on the phone" discussions with your elderly loved ones.

2) Living Room Safety:

• Clutter: This may sound like a no-brainer, but it is often overlooked. Clear away unwanted items, especially from all pathways in the home. Besides reducing tripping hazards, this will help lessen fire risks.
• Floors and floor coverings: Don't use cleaning products and floor waxes that leave the surface slippery. Check for loose carpet and tighten it to avoid tripping. Loose rugs should be attached to the floor with double-sided tape. Be sure to move electrical and phone cords out of all pathways. If a walker or cane is used, it is important to remove all throw rugs.
• Lighting: Check all light bulbs to be sure they are working. Light switches need to be within easy reach. There should not be any areas inside the home that can not be illuminated. Use night lights in all pathways, especially from bedroom. Light timers work well for an elderly person who keeps a fairly regular schedule; program to automatically turn off an hour after bedtime, so that they leave the room while still lighted.
• Furniture: All furniture should be sturdy and in good repair. Elderly people tend to grab on to furniture as they walk by; not recommended, but frequently done, so the sturdier the better. Chairs with arms and higher seats are easier and safer to access.
• Emergency plan. Be sure there is a working smoke detector and fire extinguisher on each level of the home. Attach an easy-to-read list of emergency phone numbers near every phone and review emergency procedures with your elderly family members. Since many seniors spend lots of time in the living room, installing a phone in this room is a great idea. You may want to consider a mobile safety alarm which is worn on the wrist or as a pendant, to automatically summon help with the push of a button.

Most elderly people cherish their independence and will do just about anything to keep it. Because many older adults have mild to moderate sensory deficits, balance issues, memory loss or other cognitive deficits, it is important to evaluate their safety at home. Sometimes a simple device or two in the home is all that is needed to keep them safe and independent. If you still are not sure whether your senior loved ones are safe at home, you may want to obtain a safety evaluation performed by a Physical or Occupational Therapist specializing in geriatric care. They are experts in determining safety and judgment while performing activities of daily living and also can recommend appropriate assistive devices and environmental modifications.

Ronna Sather is a licensed physical therapist with over 30 years of professional experience, assisting and guiding thousands of families dealing with the safety and independence of elderly loved ones at home.

You can visit her website at http://www.seniorsafetyathome.com to find more articles, resources and products which promote senior safety and make life easier in the home environment.