Granite countertops are an American obsession. But how did they become so ubiquitous? Our nation’s countertop history has had a few surprising twists and turns.
Archives for December 2017
America’s Obsession with Granite Countertops
December 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
How Da Vinci ‘Augmented Reality’ — More Than 500 Years Ago
December 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment
We may think of Leonardo Da Vinci as an artist, but he was also a scientist. By incorporating anatomy, chemistry, and optics into his artistic process, Da Vinci created an augmented reality experience centuries before the concept even existed. This video details how Da Vinci made the Mona Lisa interactive using innovative painting techniques and the physiology of the human eye.
FIREPLACE SAFETY 101
December 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
From special contributor
What’s better on a cold night than to light a cozy fire and enjoy its warm ambiance? But before you light that first log, you need to be sure your fireplace is clean, your fire is manageable, and the area around your fireplace is safe.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Fireplace – Always make sure your fireplace is clean with no debris blocking the chimney. Check your roof for leaves that have fallen from nearby trees that could block the chimney and cause smoke to come back into your home. Ash or creosote should be cleaned at least once a year. There are a number of cleaners to choose from for cleaning creosote build up. Using a chimney cap can help keep your chimney clean and free of water damage. It’s a good idea to have your fireplace inspected once a year by a certified chimney specialist.
Managing Your Fire – Building a small fire at the back of the firebox on a grate will burn completely and acheter du cialis en ligne produce less smoke. Never use flammable liquids to start a fire. Burn only seasoned dry wood to prevent creosote from being formed. Never burn cardboard boxes or debris in your fireplace. Glass doors should be open while your fire is burning with a mesh curtain in place. After the fire dies down, the doors can be closed to keep out cold air from the chimney. Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them. Use a metal container and douse them with water. Never empty them into a trash can.
Make Sure the Area Around Your Fireplace is Safe – A nonflammable rug, which is available at fireplace supply stores, keeps sparks from damaging carpet or flooring. Fireplace doors should be kept closed when the fireplace is not in use to keep small children and pets out of the firebox. Keep flammable items away from the fireplace and make sure all drapes, furniture, or rugs are not close enough to be damaged by a spark.
Keeping these tips in mind will allow you to enjoy your fireplace for years. Not only will your fireplace keep your home warm and cozy but you can be confident that your home will be safe as well.
Consider a firebox paint to bring the inside of your fireplace back to life! Formulated to withstand temperatures as high as 1200 degrees without cracking, peeling, or blistering
WHAT AFFECTS PROPERTY VALUES?
December 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Some the features that increase property values are obvious-like a remodeled bathroom, a modern kitchen, or a sought-after neighborhood. But here are a few features and circumstances you have not have realized can affect property values.
- The neighbors: Not every neighborhood or community has an HOA that can keep the neighbors from going overboard with decorations or neglecting to care for their home. Homes adjacent to crazy neighbors can potentially be undervalued.
- Trendy groceries and coffee: Recent statistics suggest that if your home is a short walk from popular grocery stores like Whole Foods or coffee chains like Starbucks, it can actually appreciate faster than the national average.
- Mature trees: A big beautiful tree in the front yard is enviable, and it’s not something that can be easily added to any home. Homes with mature trees tend to get a little boost in value.
- Parking: This isn’t too much of an issue if you live in the suburbs or in a rural area, but residents in dense cities can have real problems with parking, and homeowners might need to rent a spot just to guarantee a place to park each night. That’s why having guaranteed parking in urban areas will raise property values.
- The front entrance: First impressions matter to buyers-many will cross a home off their list within 10 seconds of stepping through the front door. An appealing front door, a friendly entryway, and a functioning doorbell are all necessities for getting top dollar.
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