10 Great Outdoor Chill Zones

Screen Shot 2014-04-07 at 8.00.49 AMWhether you have a huge poolside deck or a sliver of a patio, these ideas will kick stress to the curb all summer long

In the warm months, there’s nothing better than coming home and immediately kicking off your shoes, grabbing an ice-cold drink and heading right outside. Sitting outdoors in the fresh air is a great way to loosen up, unwind and let go. Summer may still seem far off, but now is actually a great time to begin planning ways to make your outdoor space more comfortable — see if one of these 10 ideas will work for your porch, patio or yard.

Architecture, interior design, and more ∨Before you throw your next party, browse a wide selection of bar glassware, mugs and serveware sets.
Find wall shelves, a customizable closet organizer and stylish furniture for home to whip your closet into shape.

What to Know About Budgeting for Your Home Remodel

Screen Shot 2014-04-08 at 11.48.36 AMPlan early and be realistic to pull off a home construction project smoothly, using these strategies from a pro

The budget conversation — it’s sometimes awkward, often slightly uncomfortable and usually comes with a bit of anxiety. Because of the nature of construction, things often cost more than what homeowners think. There are endless debates on why that is, but the result is that we designers often have conversations with clients that end with an awkward silence. The silence usually means that certain aspects of their project might be out of their reach. And truth be told, we really don’t like being the messenger in these conversations. We want our clients to be satisfied with the process and get what they really want.

But the flip side of that conversation is that budget constraints can make a project better. Just hear me out. What we find is that financial considerations make our team and clients focus on what’s really important. That pressure helps edit down the myriad choices and allows a more coherent story to emerge. And it all comes back to sticking to that budget. Here’s how.

Kitchen designs, bathroom designs, and more ∨From designer lounge chairs and writing desks to the perfect message board and credenza, create your dream home office.
Light up your living spaces with recessed lighting, a designer chandelier or even a row of pendant lighting.

Step Away From the Wallpaper: Why Decorating Risks Are Overrated

Screen Shot 2014-04-17 at 10.35.12 AMWant to find your signature style? Try staying inside your comfort zone

In popular design shows in which designers compete against one another, “safe” is usually code for “boring” — it’s all about making a statement and standing out from the crowd. But your home is not a design contest; it’s real life. If you’ve been pressuring yourself to take more risks with your decorating choices, consider this your official excuse to let yourself off the hook. In fact, sticking with what feels easy or safe to you can actually help you tap into what you naturally love, paving the way to your own signature style.

10 Unexpected Uses For Tile In Your Home

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Subway Tile Explained

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10 Things to Discuss With Your Contractor Before Work Starts

Screen Shot 2014-03-31 at 7.39.13 AMHave a meeting a week before hammers and shovels fly to make sure everyone’s on the same page

the selections are made, the contract is signed, and you’re ready to start your construction project.

Not so fast! Before work begins, make sure you and your contractor are on the same page about how things will go. This often takes the form of a pre-construction meeting, which may be most useful when held at your home and at least one week ahead of construction — particularly if you have furniture or other belongings to move.

Here are a few of the most important things to cover at this meeting:

Kitchen ideas, bathroom ideas, and more ∨From a designer chair and desk to bulletin boards and credenza, create your dream home office.
Hire decorators to find that just-right sofa and coffee table for your living room.

What to Shop for in Cabinet Hardware and Millwork

Screen Shot 2014-03-31 at 7.35.47 AMLearn about finishing touches for kitchen and bath cabinets to pick the options that will work best for you

Once you’ve decided whether your cabinets will be painted or stain-grade, how the boxes and doors will be constructed, and what style of doors they’ll feature, there are still some final decisions that need to be made. The cabinets’ hardware and millwork will help determine how the units look and function — and will also have a big impact on the cost.

 

General contractors, home builders, and more ∨

Browse bedroom ideas, from loft beds to luxury comforters, and dream in style.
Find inspiring decorating ideas, from a tufted headboard to custom window treatments, to help you redesign your bedroom.

Pure Genius Hardwood Flooring: Purifies Your Air

pure geniusThe trappings of modern home life tend to come with some rather distasteful side effects, like the carcinogens that can be released from certain synthetic materials for the entire life of the products. Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring has come up with a seriously genius way to make our homes safer: floors that act as air purifiers.

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hardwood floors purify air

lauzon air purifying hardwood floors

Many of us already have purifiers in our homes, but they can be noisy, intrusive, and downright ugly. The Pure Genius line of purifying hardwood floors is activated by light and actively filters out harmful elements to turn them into harmless molecules. According to the manufacturers, the smart flooring can make indoor air up to 85% cleaner.

air purifying flooring

The intelligent flooring works using a patented system involving titanium dioxide. The flooring takes in molecules of mold, airborne viruses and bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), then releases them as harmless, breathable air. After just 30 days with Pure Genius flooring, a home’s formaldehyde levels can be reduced to six times lower than the typical home.

Read more: http://dornob.com/hardwood-flooring-purifies-your-air-beautifies-your-home/#ixzz2wzGF4tdx

Folding Toilet Saves Water, Takes Up Less Space

WATER-TOILETToilet water accounts for more than 26 percent of the total household water use in the U.S. — more than showers, faucets or even clothes washers — according to the EPA. Humphreys and Whiteley have proven what many of us may have suspected — sending 6 liters, or about 1.5 gallons down the drain per flush for standard toilets is totally unnecessary.

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