Is Radiant Heating or Cooling Right for You?

Screen Shot 2014-02-18 at 8.01.07 AMQuestions to ask before you go for one of these temperature systems in your floors or walls (yes, walls)

With a radiant heating or cooling system, the goal is to make the temperature of a room more comfortable by changing the temperature of an entire surface. Most of the time we think of radiant heating systems, we think of them for floors, sometimes called underfloor heating or in-slab heating. But the principle can be applied to any surface: a wall, ceiling or even a mirror.

The concept, like many other modern sustainable design strategies, is actually quite old. Archeological evidence shows that ancient Roman, Korean and Chinese dwellings had various forms of heated floors and walls, with either water or smoke acting as the vehicle for transporting heat or coolness from room to room through hidden pipes. In the realm of modern technology, these systems have been improved and perfected so that there’s now a range of options.

General contractors, home builders, and more ∨Ideas for your living spaces, lighting and landscape design.
Search for a fun bar stool, clock, sectional sofa and storage chest to spice up your basement.

How To Maintain Granite Countertops

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The Great Toilet Paper Debate [Infographic]

 

How do you orient your toilet paper? Over, under, don’t care at all? It’s a question that 50% of the population thinks about, yet seemingly never talks about. At first thought, this subject might be brushed off as trivial, however it could have psychological implications that are anything but.It wasn’t until 1879 when toilet paper rolls began being mass produced. Before this blessed day people used, well, one can only imagine. However, this feat of human genius raised one of the most important questions of our time: why do some people orient toilet paper rolls “over”, others “under” and a third, enigmatic group who seem to not care either way?Well, some studies suggest that the answer is more than coincidence. For instance, people who orient their rolls “over” are more organized and characterized as over-achievers. Think your older sibling who works harder and is more successful than you. This group represents 70 percent of the people who actually care that much about toilet paper.

The remaining 30 percent of this peculiar study group are the “unders”. Characterized as “laid-back”, “artistic”, and “dependable”. This could mean many things. If you were at a potluck, it might trigger your internal hippie-alarm system, or it could just mean that you’re hanging out with friendly people who can keep a secret.

At any rate, next time you are at a friends house, pot-luck, party, pay attention to the toilet paper roll, it might divulge the secrets of someones personality. [Via]

toilet-paper-infographic

Anatomy Of A Happy Home

anatomy-of-a-happy-homeclick on the image for a larger view.

 

How To Heat Your Home More Efficiently

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Backyard Dreaming: 13 Ideas to Spark Your Imagination

Screen Shot 2014-01-29 at 8.21.05 AMTransform your yard or patio this spring by turning your thoughts to outdoor flights of fancy now

Winter, at least for those in chilly climates, is a time when the garden lies dormant … which also means it’s the perfect time to sit in the cozy house and plan. Would you like to add edibles, a water feature, a flower garden, a new deck or an entire series of outdoor rooms? Take some time dreaming up a new garden plan this winter, steaming mug of tea in hand, and you’ll be ready to go when spring arrives.

 

Architecture, interior design, and more ∨Hire residential landscape architects to help with all aspects of landscape design, from selecting or designing outside patio furniture, to siting a detached garage or pergola.
Work with a home decorator when choosing area rugs or hanging new window treatments in your home.

11 Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without a Sledgehammer

Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 1.35.05 PMGive your kitchen a new look without a full renovation, with these less involved improvements

OK, so you have a perfectly good kitchen. The layout works; the cabinetry is solid; but it just needs a little uplift. There are plenty of relatively minor changes you can make that don’t involve restructuring your life and house. Here are a few.

1. Repaint your cabinets. A fresh coat of paint can transform a kitchen from dark and dingy to light and airy. If you are a few years away from that big kitchen reno, this is a great time to have some fun with color.

Kitchen ideas, bathroom ideas, and more ∨

Hire residential landscape architects to help with all aspects of landscape design, from selecting or designing outdoor patio furniture, to siting a detached garage or pergola.
Find new home builders who can help you create a dream kitchen, complete with multiple kitchen islands, a large dining table and a creative kitchen cabinet design.

Home Decor Trends For 2014

Home Decor

Infographic: How to Organize Your Fridge

 

We throw a lot of food away each year and much of that comes from food going bad due to less-than-ideal storage. This graphic from PartSelect serves as a handy at-a-glance guide to keeping refrigerated food its freshest.

 

Organizing Your Fridge