Posted by Janice Donald on Fri, May 18, 2012 @ 10:30 AM
One of the best ways to maximize your home is discovering underutilized space, such as your garage. Convert a portion of your garage into a tidy workshop with these five steps:
1) Create a workbench area. One easy way to do this is by setting an old door or piece of scrap plywood on top of two saw horses. Make sure that the saw horses are wide enough so that it provides a steady “foundation” for your workbench. This simple solution can provide a nice spot to handle your many around-the-home projects.
2) Mount a pegboard on the wall to store your tools. One of the best places to mount the pegboard is above your workbench. Once it is mounted, strategically place pegs according to the types of tools you will be hanging on the board. After hanging your tools, trace around them with a marker so you know where each one goes.
3) Use old jars for holding nails, nuts, bolts and screws. Depending on how many of each you have, you can put all the same in one jar, or separate them out according to type (such as keeping the wood screws separate from the others).
4) Make a storage box for rags. A shop needs rags, so make a place for them to accumulate before they clutter your work area.
5) Get a small toolbox. As you go from project to project around the house, it is nice to have a small tool box that you can gather all of the tools (and materials – such as screws, tape and nails) you’ll need. This will save you from constantly “running down” to the shop to grab one more thing.
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Posted by Janice Donald on Thu, May 17, 2012 @ 03:10 PM
Before you begin the process of remodeling, it’s best to discuss the options cooperatively with
everyone in the household. There are a lot of decisions to make when you undergo a renovation and compromise is the key to guaranteeing everything goes smoothly. When you decide to remodel your kitchen, for example, talk through the various styles out there. Do you want a traditional kitchen with a light and warm feel or would you rather go with a modern look filled to the brim with dark colors and bold finishes? If you wait until the last minute to even begin looking at what’s out there, a stressful mood could fill the air in your home during the remodel and everyone may end up with something with which they aren’t happy.
The best advice I can give you when you begin the process of navigating these cloudy waters is to look around at what’s out there. Find and show off different interiors from design 
magazines or the internet with one another and openly discuss what you like and dislike about each one. Once you get the general idea of what you’re looking for in your home, and you begin to get more and more excited about the thrilling journey ahead of you, then we can help narrow down your choices with you, ensuring you reach the other side with a great remodel you will love for years to come.
Let us know some of your remodeling ideas? Have you already gone through a remodel? What were the hang ups for you? Let us know in the comments below.
Posted by Janice Donald on Tue, May 15, 2012 @ 10:30 AM
Despite being one of the crucial features, I’ve noticed lighting is often overlooked in bathroom designs. However, once you begin thinking in terms of function, the available design options are nearly limitless. Here are a few examples to get you started.
Though not commonly found in bathrooms, chandeliers can add a beauty and sophistication to a bathroom, especially one that is large and has high ceilings. The best material choices are glass and crystal, because a wide variety of colors and designs are available to match your preference and design requirements. A chandelier will offer excellent ambient light and a touch of class to your bathroom. Just be aware that appropriate sizing is critical. If the chandelier is too large for the space, it will come off as presumptuous.
Hanging pendant lighting above sinks and vanities introduces another place for flare and taste, while providing task-specific lighting. The wide variety of pendant lights offers excellent options for nearly all decorating styles, from American Modern to Mediterranean to Oriental. Consider using pendant lights in pairs around mirrors and the door of your bathroom.
For the shower and bathtub, consider recessed lights. They provide plenty of light for bathing, yet will blend into the room nicely. Smaller recessed lighting can be used as accent lights, and can even make custom tile work “pop” out.
Finally, one of the most desired forms is still natural lighting and shouldn't be overlooked. Obviously a large, well-placed window will allow natural light to pour into the bathroom during the day. Consider adding a skylight to the bathroom remodel plan if a window isn't possible. Skylight tubes are a great, inexpensive alternative that will allow the sun to penetrate the room with its rays.
As you plan your bathroom remodel, remember that the lighting you choose should work in layers, so if possible, consider a combination of lighting options. This way you can be sure that your lighting is practical when dressing or applying makeup — plus your well-thought-out lighting plan will make your bathroom remodel shine.
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Posted by Janice Donald on Mon, May 14, 2012 @ 01:07 PM
With the housing market still a bit sluggish after the crisis we faced a few years ago, more and more people are looking to remodel their houses instead of going out and looking for their perfect dream homes out in the market. Though the cost of buying a home is cheaper in today’s world and interest rates on mortgages are lower they’ve ever been before, that good news for buyers comes with some very bad news for sellers. In some cases, if you are selling your house in today’s market, it’s going to go for less than you originally paid for it. In addition, there are still quite a few houses on the market—more than 8,500 are for sale in the Tucson area alone—and that means buyers can afford to be more selective in their purchase and have the ability to talk the selling price even lower than the already low listing price.
So, do the math and figure it out for yourself. If your home is not the best out there, it could 
be a whole lot less stressful to just remodel what you already have instead of trying to look for all the desired upgrades in other houses on the market. With the remodel, too, you will be able to add additional value to your home. Choosing to remodel will allow you to get that beautiful new kitchen or that luxurious new bathroom sooner rather than later.
Posted by Janice Donald on Thu, May 10, 2012 @ 10:30 AM
Does your bathroom seem old and tired? Are you sick of seeing the same thing every day? Do you want to liven up your bathroom a little bit? Here are three simple ways to give your bathroom a makeover through remodeling.
Color – Your bathroom will look refreshed and invigorated with a new coat of paint. Most homeowners select neutral colors for their home, especially the bathroom, but to make your bathroom pop, try a new color. You don’t have to go too dramatic; you can stick with soothing pastels, such as pale yellow, apricot or sky blue.
Another option is to give your bathroom walls some definition with a faux finish. You can easily sponge on paint for a marble effect. And don’t forget the ceiling. A new coat of white paint on the ceiling will certainly brighten up the room.
Storage – If storage in your bathroom is an issue, one easy solution is to hang shelves on the walls. A few simple shelves will change the whole appearance of your bathroom and give you a place to store your towels, personal care items and even decorative knick-knacks.
Flooring – Another area to alter for impact in your bathroom is the flooring. Many bathroom floors are finished with lifeless tile or linoleum – giving the room a drab or even dated look. Find tile, linoleum or moisture-resistant wood to redo the bathroom floors to give your room a freshened-up look. Remember to make sure your flooring choice is easy to clean and will complement the color of your bathroom walls.
When it comes to your bathroom, a few minor changes can make a tremendous difference in the appearance – and enjoyment – of the room. With just the right touch, it can go from dull to dazzling.
Want more inspirational ideas? Check out our gallery.
Posted by Janice Donald on Wed, May 09, 2012 @ 10:30 AM
Any remodeling project is a huge decision. Not only is it exciting, but it’s trying– exciting because there are many decisions to be made and trying because living through a kitchen remodel can be difficult. However, renovating your kitchen is one of the best returns on investment you can make to your home, as well as bring enjoyment to your living space. However, before the first wall is torn down or tile set, there are many things to consider – and think through. These five “must ask” questions will help keep excitement building and trying in check.
1) How do you use your kitchen?
The way you use your kitchen is perhaps the most important question you need to answer – because above all else, a kitchen must be functional – to you.
Do you enjoy cooking and consider the kitchen your canvas to create a beautiful masterpiece? If so, the most important aspects when remodeling are your appliances and your cooking space, as well as what items you need in your kitchen as you create.
How many people use your kitchen? If you often cook with others, consider how you use appliances and counter space, and how the kitchen should be laid out to provide room for more than one person to work together.
Is your kitchen the place to entertain? If you love having company and the kitchen is your gathering place, the first aspect to think of is space for people in the kitchen. Another great idea is including a large pantry where you can hide "the mess" from the company as you prepare the meal.
2) What look do you desire?
You can answer this question by doing a little research. Look through magazines, at show homes and online to find looks you are drawn to. Also think about the rest of your home, and make sure the finishes will flow through the rest of the living space, particularly if you have an open-concept layout.
When you have a look in mind, take pictures, measurements and information to a professional, as they can help perfect your design.
3) What is your budget?
A kitchen remodel can include small, inexpensive changes, or be a large-scale, expensive project. Understand what your budget is and plan accordingly so there are no surprises.
4) What is included?
Kitchen remodels can include many different elements. Sometimes they include just one; other times the entire kitchen is redone. Some items to consider are: cabinets, flooring, countertops, backsplash, paint, colors, sinks, faucets and lighting.
5) Should I ask for help?
Some people have the time and the eye to complete a project DIY. Others need a little help. For the amount of money spent on a kitchen, often asking a professional is well worth a small extra cost in the end to ensure that every detail is finished off just so.
Knowing your answers to these questions will help you design – and get – the kitchen you want. Furthermore once complete, your beautiful, newly remodeled kitchen will be worth the minor inconveniences that came during the remodeling process.
Janice Donald, Revealing the Full Potential of Your Home
Posted by Janice Donald on Thu, May 03, 2012 @ 10:30 AM
With the economy today, we know you’re looking for the best bang for your buck. There’s no better investment than a kitchen remodel. Whether you are considering a full remodel or a face-lift, upgrading your kitchen is one of the most noticeable – and pleasurable – changes you can make to your home.
Before you get started with your kitchen-remodeling project, though, it is important to do your research. A kitchen has many “layers” to it – full of features and functions. You can become easily overwhelmed with the vast array of choices, so do not rush into any spur-of-the-moment purchases or decisions. This is not a room to “piece together” without the full vision in place.
A kitchen remodel can involve everything from tearing down walls to simply painting cabinets and adding new hardware. Before you begin, you must determine your goals and your budget. Once you have your budget in place, you should review your goals for the space. What are you trying to accomplish? Do you want more countertop space, more storage or simply a new look (or all three)?
Another way to approach it is by asking, “If I could wave a magic wand, what three things would I change instantly?”
And finally, depending on the scope of the remodel, your level of skill and the time you have to devote to the project, you need to determine if you are going to hire a contractor – or do part (or all) of the work yourself.
Once you know your goals for the space, it is time to begin your research for the changes you want to make in your kitchen. Start with your top priority and determine the cost. Deduct that cost from your budget and continue onward in order of importance. You may find yourself making adjustments and changes as you move through this process, in order to get the kitchen you want.
Before making any final purchases, you should also consider the cost, quality, functionality and durability of your items. Make sure that all items function well together and that, when installed, they will add value to your home – and years of enjoyment to your kitchen.
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Posted by Janice Donald on Tue, May 01, 2012 @ 10:30 AM
Do the words “kitchen remodel,” make you protectively cover pocket book? Updating a kitchen is exorbitantly expensive, right? Wrong!
Undertaking a smaller kitchen remodeling project is a fantastic way to give your kitchen a refreshing makeover, and it doesn’t have to cost tons of money. Just establish a budget and keep in mind that your makeover should fit into your home’s décor, your personality, and consider how you use your kitchen. There’s no point in making over a kitchen if it isn’t even what you like, or it won’t create the functionality you desire while you cook. You and your family spend a great deal of time in the kitchen preparing meals and snacks – so it is important that it fits the functionality of your family.
The best place to start with any kitchen remodeling project is by looking at the countertop – and replacing it. This one little change can create an entirely different appearance in your kitchen. Popular countertop options include natural stone (granite, marble), solid surface countertops (Corian®), butcher block and quartz composite. All are durable and will give your kitchen a complete new look.
Appliances are another important element of any kitchen remodel. If you haven’t purchased appliances in a few years, you’d be surprised at how many options there are. Appliances are quieter, sleeker and more energy efficient than ever before, so there are a lot of choices available to match your specific cooking and entertaining needs. For example, if you do a lot of baking or host Sunday dinners for the extended family, you may want to explore installing a double oven. Or if you have a large family, you may consider adding a second dishwasher – if you have the space.
Finally, color is always a consideration with a kitchen remodel. Many kitchens featured in magazines are full of trendy and bright colors; however, this can scare conservative homeowners who remember the days of avocado green appliances of the 1970s (and being stuck with those colors for years). To create color within your kitchen, consider having all of the “big ticket items” (countertops, cabinets, flooring and tile) in neutral colors – that will be timeless for many years. To give your kitchen color, however, use paint and accessories. Paint a wall (or two) a brighter color, and add texture with window treatments. This way, you can “change up” your kitchen ever few years with minimal expense.
Remember: a kitchen remodel doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right plan and budget, you can have a refreshed kitchen that is functional, fun and improves your overall enjoyment of the space.
Janice Donald, Revealing the Full Potential of Your Home
Posted by Janice Donald on Fri, Apr 20, 2012 @ 10:40 AM
Do you like saving money and improving the aesthetics of your home at the same time? I do! Under cabinet eco-light fixtures increase appeal and cut costs.
What are under cabinet eco-light fixtures?
Just as the name implies, these fixtures are placed under cabinets for optimal location and projection of light, and rather than using halogen or fluorescent light, they utilize an eco-friendly LED lighting. You’ll most often notice under the cabinet lighting in the kitchen – where lighting is essential for safety.
What are the advantages of under cabinet eco-light fixtures?
Businesses have been using this type of light fixture for quite some time, but homeowners are quickly realizing the wide range of advantages that can help save money and increase a home's appeal.
- Low Energy Requirement – Although the cost of LED illumination is roughly the same as other options, these lights require a low amount of energy to own and are, therefore, eco-friendly.
- Cost Effective –These lights can be used at nominal temperatures. This low amount of energy use, as illustrated above, translates to a lower cost.
- Minimal Repair – LED lights are extremely stable, so there is little chance that any kind of repair will need to be done.
- Aesthetically Pleasing –These eco-friendly fixtures are painstakingly constructed to provide an attractive, welcome addition to any home.
- Comfort – The LED lighting utilized by these fixtures matches that of sunlight. This natural lighting makes people feel at ease. Just as real sunlight releases pleasurable hormones, so do these fixtures.
- Sharp Details – Due to the natural white lighting, everything in the surrounding area is illuminated. Unlike other lighting options, such as halogen or fluorescent, this illumination improves the clarity of every object in the room, bringing everything into sharp focus.
As you can see, under cabinet eco-light fixtures offers a lot of appeal and is also a cost efficient way to improve your Tucson home.
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Posted by Janice Donald on Wed, Apr 18, 2012 @ 11:30 PM
I remember when the electric bill was called the light bill. With the outrageous prices here in Tucson, that feels like a lifetime ago. Those were the days when electricity was mainly used for lighting because there were few other appliances in the home that consumed a lot of energy. Not so today. There are too many conveniences that we have come to depend on today that make our lives easier.
However, the price we pay for these modern-day conveniences comes in the form of an electric bill that seems to get higher every year. Part of that is the age we live in; fossil fuels cost more today than they did even just a few years ago. But the other reason is that we are simply using more electricity than ever before.
The biggest energy user is our heating and cooling system. In fact, in warmer climates, air conditioning alone typically accounts for more than half of a household’s total electric bill. Both your heating and cooling units have “lifespans” and if you home is creeping up on 10 years or more, you may want to consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient one. Although the investment of a new system can seem (at first) difficult to swallow, over time, the energy (and money) you save with a more efficient unit will exceed the up-front costs.
If you decide to invest in a new furnace and/or air conditioner, consult with a professional. Not only will they be able to properly size the system to your house, but they will also be able to address any “cold or hot spots” in your house and make those fixes at the same time as the install. Remember, it isn’t just about conserving your energy bill, it is just as important to keep your family comfortable, too.
Another way to conserve energy is by installing a programmable thermostat. The thermostat can be specifically programmed to fit your family’s lifestyle. During the weekdays, you may have one routine that you program (so you are not excessively heating or cooling your home when no one is home) while you may select a different program when you are home on the weekends. This is also handy to have when you are away on vacation. You can set it more appropriately when you are gone and then set it to return to “normal” when you are scheduled to return home. Again, these little tricks will conserve energy and save you money over time.
Another electric guzzler is the electric water heater. A traditional tank, whether it is gas or electric, keeps the entire tank of water heated 24/7/365 whether you use the water or not. Today, there are several alternatives to the traditional model. Tank-less water heaters are available and can be installed for the entire house or smaller on-demand models can be installed under the kitchen sink, for example.
Other options for water heaters include high-efficiency gas water heaters, such as A.O. Smith’s Vertex™ which provides continuous hot water shower after shower. There are also solar water heater options.
Refrigerator and freezers are both guilty of guzzling electricity, especially if it was manufactured before 2001. Be sure to replace your old model with a more energy efficient one by looking for the Energy Star® label. Top freezers use less energy than the side-by-side or bottom models. Save even more energy if you can skip the ice maker and dispenser.
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