Posts Tagged Home & Garden
Posted by Laura Nelson on June 21, 2010
By Sherry Nelson
The front entryway to your home deserves some careful thought; it’s the first impression people have of your home.
You can increase the value of your property with skilled landscaping–and that begins with the front entrance to your home. George Kay, an award-winning designer in Geneva, says one mistake homeowners make is letting plants overpower an entrance. Selected plants should not grow above windows, over doors, and generally obscure the residence.
“Plants used in the front garden should maintain a low profile, growing to a maximum height of six inches to 30 inches,” he says. “As these plants mass together (as opposed to a series of individually trimmed geometric shapes) they provide a unified appearance that complements the home.”
Another advantage of using smaller scale plants that mass together is the reduction of pruning and maintenance, says Kay.
Avoid another common practice of plating visually strong plants such as those that are predominately yellow, red, variegated, or have contorted branches. These plants are visually distracting as opposed to complementary.
For other ideas on improving the look of your landscaping, call George Kay and Associates at (630) 232-6890 or visit www.georgekayandassociates.com.
Posted by Laura Nelson on June 21, 2010
Dennis Taylor, The Kitchen Taylor
Updating a kitchen is the most popular investment for a home remodeling project, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, (NARI). Kitchen projects can be complicated and costly, so it’s critical to work with professionals who can work through the remodel from start to finish.
“Cabinetry is the most expensive element in kitchen re-dos,” says Dennis Taylor, owner of The Kitchen Taylor. Recessionary times call for recessionary measures, he maintains. While he’s a master craftsman and builds custom cabinetry for high-end projects, Taylor also recommends ways homeowners can save substantially in updating cabinetry.
Taylor, with more than 30 years in the remodeling business, says there’s an easy way to tell if your cabinets are worth refinishing. If the cabinets are built of wood, refinishing or refacing is a good option. (If, on the other hand, they’re pressed board with contact paper on the sides, new cabinets should be installed). In most homes 25 to 40 years old, the quality of standard cabinetry was designed to last a lifetime.
In refinishing, all cabinet doors and drawers are removed. The wood is stripped, sanded, hand-rubbed and refinished in the workshop to produce a durable new finish. It is possible to change the color of cabinets in most cases.
Refacing is done when cabinets are structurally sound, but built of a wood shade that is unattractive, or in a shade that cannot be altered satisfactorily by refinishing. In refacing, door and drawer fronts are replaced and all exterior surfaces of the cabinets are covered with new wood or laminate.
For more information, contact Dennis Taylor, of The Kitchen Taylor, (630) 653-5402. www.thekitchentaylor.com
Posted by Laura Nelson on June 21, 2010
Jeff Tideman of Jet Fan USA with the “world’s best attic fan”.
Homeowners are sleeping better, staying cooler and reducing the cost of air-conditioning by this single, most effective and easy step–you can too!
Did you every wonder why the summer temperature in your bedrooms is ten degrees warmer than the main floor? It’s the 150 degree attic heat backing up through the ceilings, says Jeff Tideman, of Villa Park’s Jet Fan. Tideman, with 27 years of fan installation experience, combines his expertise with the installation of the “world’s best attic fan”.
“Insulation isn’t enough,” says Tideman. “Air conditioners have to work harder and run longer to make it comfortable upstairs. At the same time, the basement is freezing.”
According to studies by the Home Ventilation Institute, homeowners can save up to 30% on air conditioning costs with a powered attic fan. An attic fan forces hot air right out of the attic. Hot, humid air is exhausted and physically forced out of the attic, while drawing in cooler, dryer air from the outside through whatever vents are already in place. The attic fans runs only when conditions require it.
Jet Fan attic fans are all metal and rust proof. All components are American made. The power used to operate the fan is 250 watts–much less power than an air conditioner uses to cool the effect of hot attic air.
Jet Fans are available in two different sizes, says Tideman. Professional installers can determine which model is most efficient for your home.
To learn more about saving energy, money and cooling your home, contact Jeff Tideman at Jet Fan (630) 834-9165.
www.JetFanUSA.com
Posted by Laura Nelson on June 21, 2010
What’s the deal with sealing granite counter tops? It should be done yearly, according to the experts at Marble Tech, Inc. Granite has a natural, porous finish, which can absorb stains. A sealer prevents stains, and doesn’t affect the finish in any way.
To keep your countertops beautiful and stain free, spray the sealer on, and leave for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not let the sealer dry on the surface. Next, wipe off the countertop with a clean paper towel. Wait 24 hours to clean any surfaces that have been treated to allow the sealer to fully penetrate the stone.
Cleaning and sealing products are available from Marble Tech, Inc., including a special 15-year sealer.
Marble Tech, Inc. has showrooms in Naperville, Wheaton, Geneva, Crystal Lake, Schaumburg, Algonquin, Chicago, Lincolnwood, Barrington and Highland Park. Call (800) 551-0885 to learn more, and visit www.marbletechinc.com.
Posted by Laura Nelson on June 21, 2010
Tips From Pond Builder John Loudon
John Loudon, Artistic Design Garden Ponds
Transforming a yard to a retreat by adding a pond is John Loudon’s passion. Loudon, owner of Artistic Design Garden Ponds is the salesman, designer and pond builder who makes sure his customers are satisfied. Whether the pond is 4′x6′ or as large as 26′x26′, Louden suggests homeowners keep the following points in mind:
• Position your pond near the house so you can enjoy its beauty and tranquility.
• Keep it away from low spots, as water run off can be a problem.
• Draining and cleaning need only be done once a year, provided you work in harmony with Mother Nature and follow a five-part maintenance program.
• Koi can be kept in ponds year round. Pond depth, at least 2′ deep, generally freezes only 8″ down even in our area.
• Ponds can be a great asset to a home, unlike a swimming pool, when it comes to resale value.
Loudon uses Aquascape Professional Grade products exclusively. He says, “Our price is fair and competitive. All our work and products are top quality.”
To learn more about getting your own backyard retreat, call Loudon at (630) 995-5275. To see more examples of water gardens, and Loudon’s 20-Step installation program, visit www.adgponds.com.
Posted by Laura Nelson on May 10, 2010
By Art Gara
As you drive home on a summer’s eve, did you ever wonder why more people aren’t out enjoying their front yards? Their porches are beautiful–some with elegant balconies and plantings–but where are the people? Many of them are probably in the backyard which has, in fact, become the new haven for homeowners.
Now more than ever, the backyard, with quiet gardens, a waterfall, or other areas for relaxation and for retreat, is the place for family.
Garden design and stewardship is increasingly important to area homeowners. There is an increased desire to relax and enjoy backyard space, with special sights and sounds that bring delight and a sense of calm.
Choosing native plants to beautify your backyard not only increase the beauty, but also the health of the area. Native plants are seen as a reflection of a homeowner’s values and as one of the keys to personal backyard enjoyment.
These homeowners also truly appreciate the wildflower garden’s ever-changing colors and textures. This type of scene is truly lovely, with something new and vital happening outside every day. Growing native plants gives the satisfaction of knowing that the backyard will be the destination of some very interesting birds, butterflies, and other insects that depend on those native plants for food and a place to raise their young, many of which aren’t commonly seen in yards with less plantings or alien plants.
Art and Linda’s Wildflowers realizes that your backyard is far more than a design–it’s a dream. The desire to improve it also reflects the growing trend to beautify and customize outdoor space. Knowing this, we lay out the beds naturally and let the earth tell us what and where to plant. Part of the beauty of a wildflower garden invites a certain element of surprise. Therefore, we plant intuitively, so that you can enjoy, over and over again, the true nature of the ever-changing landscape which you have graciously invited into your own backyard.
To reach Art Gara of Art & Linda’s Wildflowers, call (708) 785-2943
www.artandlindaswildflowers.com
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