Now the weather is getting warm, it's time to get outside and cleanup your lawn. Regardless if you have a small lot or huge acreage, you'll need to do something with all that yard waste generated from your hard work. To make your landscape look its best, you'll need a plan of attack to follow. It's a good idea to learn which plants are non-native and/or invasive in your area so you don't … [Read more...]
A kitchen soffit is a built-in fixture, situated between the top of the cabinets and the bottom of the ceiling. Most often, this rectangular structure is in-place to conceal electrical wiring, pipes, or other types of mechanical systems. In a few instances, it's hollow and empty, simply serving to bridge the gap below the ceiling and the top of the cabinets because the cabinets are not tall enough … [Read more...]
A great alternative to wood decking is composite. It looks great, comes in a wide variety of styles and colors, and some systems come with hidden fasteners, giving it a clean, smooth appearance. Many people choose composite over wood, even though it is substantially more expensive, and, has a lower return-on-investment (about 68 percent, compared to 80.5 percent for wood). The typical 16' x 20' … [Read more...]
Make no mistake about it, this is a big job that will require a lot of time, elbow grease, and determination, no matter how small the area. Even if you're just tackling the backsplash or are changing the tiles in your bathroom shower, you'll find that it's not an easy or fast project to tackle. Aside from this is the fact that you must be well-equipped with safety gear as shards of ceramic tile … [Read more...]
Murphy beds are a wonderful space saver and can be quite convenient for small rooms. These can alsobe a great option to accommodate visiting guests. Some people choose to take their Murphy beds withthem when they move or simply move it to a different room. In other instances, the bed begins to sag andneeds to be replaced. Removing a Murphy bed isn't difficult, but will take a bit of … [Read more...]
Under the counter or built-in dishwasher units make life a bit easier but certainly don't last forever. Whena dishwasher begins to fail, it might leak, not heat water, or cut off during normal cycles. Once it'sdetermined the appliance is on its last leg, you'll have to pull it out, which isn't a difficult task, but will takesome time. These appliances are bulky and you'll likely … [Read more...]
Brazilian pepper trees are native not only to the country of Brazil, but also to other parts of South America. These shrubs were first brought to the United States, particularly, the state of Florida in the mid-1800's, for their ornamental aesthetics. Brazilian pepper can be a source of allergies, and, it's an aggressive, invasive species. In fact, it's actually against the law in the Sunshine … [Read more...]
It's an exciting time when you are replacing kitchen, bath, or garage cabinets. Having an updated look always improves the aesthetics of a room and can be a clever way to add a bit of value. The one dilemma some homeowners face is what to do with their old cabinets. Even if the fixtures are a bit worn, they might find new use somewhere else. The trick is to repurpose old cabinets by incorporating … [Read more...]
Buying a foreclosure is one way to get a deal on a residential home, though it requires quite a bit of due diligence. There's a lot to consider, especially when the property is in a state of disrepair. Depending on the circumstances, the home might not yet be in the bank's possession, even though its former occupants have left. It could have not sold at auction, which means the lien holder is the … [Read more...]
Kitchen soffits were born out of the necessity to conceal electrical wiring or ductwork, and in some instances, just to close the space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. If you have a soffit in your kitchen, you might be able to take it out, depending on what's behind it. Should it be completely empty, you can remove the entire thing and leave the space empty or install taller … [Read more...]
