Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

5 Window Treatment Ideas To Improve Your Home

Coming up with interesting window treatment ideas that bring out the best in your windows as they bring in the sunshine, is a challenge to anyone with a yen to decorate. There are tons of non-traditional options and tips to make the most of what you have, and give your windows that million dollar look on a mostly discount budget. How about recycling old items? If you inherited lace tablecloths. . .

Do You Make These Window Replacement Mistakes ?

Whether it's a misguided baseball, or storm damage, sooner or later most homeowners will have to deal with window replacement, a chore that is not high on any handyman's list of things they want to do with their spare time. This could involve storm window replacement, replacement of window screens, or installing an entire replacement window. No matter the reason for the work, you really need to. . .

How to Build Your Dream Home

Building your dream home is a process that takes some individuals a lifetime. Hardly anyone knows early in life what exactly constitutes "dream home" in her eyes. Pinning down the details that you want may take years of "starter" homes and building mistakes to learn what truly works for you. It is helpful to keep a list of likes and dislikes about each house that you live in. Consider everythin. . .

Where Did We Get Mirrors From?

Mirrors add light and depth to any room. Even a small room can be made to look larger through the proper placement of mirrors at key points around the room. Bathroom mirrors and decorative mirrors all add elegance to the rooms in your home. A mirror allows you to see how well you look.The mirror of the ancient Greeks and Romans was a disk of metal with a highly polished face, sometimes with a d. . .

What To Do With A Lamp!

Lamps add light, décor and style to any room in your home. Even a dark corner of a room not used much can benefit from well chosen lamps. Not only do lamps provide light and brilliance, they look really great. Originally a lamp was a vessel for holding oil that could be burned through a wick for illumination; the term has been extended to other lighting devices. In Egypt and the Middle East sau. . .

How To Find The Best Furniture, Bedroom Furniture, Lamps,...

Furniture is something that every home needs to give it style and comfort. Patio furniture, bedroom furniture and dining room furniture all help to add character and elegance to your home. One of the first things that guests notice when coming to your home is the style and quality of your furniture. Does it look nice? Is your furniture comfortable and relaxing? When choosing furniture for your . . .

Rugs, Rugs And Rugs…Where’d They Come From?

Rugs are nice to look at and comfortable to walk on. Rugs can really help define a home and especially a room. A well chosen rug can help bring out the wall color and furniture of any room. Rugs come in many different styles and colors today. The quality of rugs, Persian rugs and even kids rugs is excellent, allowing for years of enjoyment. Generally darker color rugs hide dirt better than ligh. . .

Hand Stripping Furniture

Directions for HAND Stripping. Work with plenty of ventilation, safety goggles or glases, and skin protection. Stay out of the direct sun and stay protected from wind or strong drafts if working outside. Work in small areas starting at the top and working to the bottom of the piece. Apply a generous coat of gel remover. Brush on in one direction. Do not brush back and forth. Use soft wood scrap. . .

Home Sweet Home

All of us live in houses but how many of us know how to make it a real ‘HOME’. You may have a very small house with a few rooms: not much to boast about… However, if you follow some very simple and practical steps you can make your house (big or small) a real home…and thus, a better place to live in…Read On:1. A Place For Everything Irrespective of the size of your. . .

A Comfortable Sofa For Your Home!

A soft, plush sofa can be so inviting...even if you're visiting in someone else's home. Sofas can really make a home comfortable and relaxing. Sofas come in a variety of styles such as sectional sofas, leather sofas and sleeper sofas. One of the first things both you and your guests will notice, each time they come into your home, is how comfortable and relaxing the furniture looks. Well chosen. . .

Caveman Jack's Self-cleaning Oven

We live in a self-cleaning oven. Not literally, of course. We would burn up if we did. Those things get really HOT! In fact, self-cleaning ovens get so hot that they burn orange juice to a crisp. They get so hot that they melt thermometers. The produce enough hot air to replace the entire American Senate, the British Parliament and the Canadian PMO put together. Unfortunately, certain tr. . .

Complete Home Rehab In 10 Days

This report is about taking a house and restoring it to an aesthetically pleasing dwelling that has reclaimed it’s functional utility. In effect, it is the anti-aging medication for bricks and mortar.This report assumes that you have already or will soon acquire the proper house. The one that is in essence, ripe for rehab. Be selective and sure of the house’s potential to allow for a profit . . .

Getting Raw Land Not A Raw Deal

There is more to buying raw land than meets the eye and more than a few individuals have wished they’d had a second chance upon finding themselves duped, conned, misled, ill-advised, uninformed, oversold, undereducated and often unprepared. They realize, often too late, that a raw land purchase should be properly investigated, evaluated and negotiated using a logical and rational plan.Let me st. . .

Grab Your Dream UK Home On The Cheap - Property Auctions

Did you know that every year thousands of UK properties are sold at significantly below market value? The majority of these properties are released through property auctions where regular savings of between 10% to 40% are available to market value. Even so, property auctions continue to be used only by the elite and for the astute buyer/investor this generates a fantastic opportunity to secure. . .

5 Ways to Deal With Lady Bug Infestations

Every fall, millions of lady bugs (or what seems like millions) swarm around my house here in west central Wisconsin, looking for a place to spend the winter.Actually, they are not "true" lady bugs. They are "Multi-Colored Asian Lady Beetles." The beetles are beneficial to the environment because they control aphids. And from what I've read, the multicolored lady beetles are much better at cont. . .

From Toss Out to Sensational Keeper - Lamp Re-Make

When the old lamp from my children's room was turning decidedly "trash-worthy", a grand idea formed and kept me from tossing it out. Originally, it had been such a darling lamp - it had magically transformed the room into spinning stars and moons at bedtime. My boys were enthralled with it!Well, as the boys grew, so did their access advantage to the lamp. The inner spinning mylar cylinder with . . .

Country Home Accessories

Country home décor is the most sought after home interior and it’s no wonder since country décor invites a casual friendly lifestyle.Make sure you carefully study the specific style, and color scheme then carefully coordinate the colors of each element of your country décor.Although the kitchen is primarily a working area little touches can make a big difference:Pie safes or glass door cabinets. . .

Things to Consider when buying a Hot Tub or Jacuzzi Tub

We recently purchased a new Hot Tub and Gazebo from Cal Spas in Minnesota. The purchase was not something we planned, just something that caught our eye when visiting the Minnesota State Fair. As a result we learned a few things that would have made our purchase smarter. In the end we're pleased with the decision but its easy to say now that all the work is done. In this article I'll outlin. . .

Customer Service – the Real Estate Revolution

Traditionally, real estate has been viewed as a sales industry. But perceptions are changing. Agents around the country are coming to believe that the key to real estate success is service – not sales.Competition and technology now give customers almost unlimited choices, so agents are having to work harder and spend more to win listings. They’re discovering that business success comes from rep. . .

Why Use a Property Manager?

Most experienced property investors use property managers. Why? Because they make you money.Property management isn’t just about collecting rent. It’s about ensuring your property is always rented, ensuring you have the best possible tenants, and ensuring you’re getting the best possible rent. It’s about keeping the property well maintained, tracking expenses and income, and dealing with the le. . .

10 Home Decorating Ideas To Quickly Update Any Room

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you're looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten: 1. Rearrange The Furniture- Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. For example, a sofa arranged diagonally across a narrow living room will make the room lo. . .

Refining Your Area Rug Choice

As a Managing Partner of www.exquisiterugs.com, the question I am often asked, "What determines the quality of a rug?" While the question posed seems relatively simple it is broad in scope and indeed more complex. There are a number of factors that need to be addressed to answer this question accurately.The rug industry is inundated with an extensive variety of area rugs. Unlike the past, today. . .

Wooden You Like to Know? A Primer to Wood Outdoor Furnish...

To many people, wood is the quintessential building material for furniture, both indoor and out. There's a wooden furniture form to suit every budget and décor -- from rustic twig loveseats to classis cedar Adirondack chairs to sophisticated teak tables and benches. In fact, the varieties of wood are dizzying. Which should you choose? How should you care for it? And is wood an environmentally-f. . .

Decorating a Child's Room - 8 Simple Strategies to Make Y...

When it comes to decorating a child's room, your approach should be much different from decorating an adult bedroom.For kids, their bedroom is where they play games, read, listen to music, day-dream, or just go to be alone sometimes. So use these eight strategies to help create a space that will make you both happy:1. Talk to your child. Find out what activities and fantasies he or she enjoys; . . .

No More Estate Agent Fees

Follow a few simple guidelines, and marketing your own home can be easy. And it will save you thousands.The recent property boom has a lot of people thinking of selling. Unfortunately, the costs of selling can really eat into your profit. There’s nothing we can do about stamp duty, but one cost we can avoid is real estate agent fees. By selling your house yourself rather than paying a real esta. . .

Ship Ahoy! The Nautical Touch in Your Outdoor Living Space

Would you rather be sailing or are you strictly a shore bird? Whether you're land-locked or seaside, you can create a nautical look in your outdoor living space by following a few easy principles. You'll find that even landlubbers can answer the siren song of the sea. Although any outside space can be adapted to this motif, wooden decks are particularly suitable. And if you can manage to instal. . .

Pine Furniture Care Guide

First, some background on PINE WOOD. Pine is a naturally soft wood which continues to "breathe", based upon changes in the local (home, office, store, etc.) humidity and temperature. On the individual furniture piece there may be slight defects, such as knots,and shakes(small cracks in the surface of the wood). Some minor shrinkage may sometimes occur. These natural irregularities in pine enhan. . .

Help Choosing Door and Window Hardware

Who would be the best person to help you find suitable fixtures and fittings for doors and windows? Architects are trained to create designs that are structurally sound, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They also often have a basis knowledge of construction materials, though not the detailed knowledge required when choosing appropriate hardware. Interior designers specialize in the deco. . .

10 Feng Shui Tips for a Better Life

Ever walked into a house that felt like home? Ever reminisced about the best year of your life, and wondered why everything came together for you? It could be Feng Shui.Simply put, Feng Shui is about creating a harmonious environment. It’s the ancient Chinese Science and Art of placement, intended to improve our health, harmony, longevity, career and wealth.Pronounced, “Fung Shway”, it was a je. . .

Architect or Building Designer – Who Do You Choose?

Thinking of building a new home or complex? Will you use an architect or a building designer? Both are involved in the design of buildings – their appearance, layout, structure, and so on. But what’s the difference?The simplest difference is a legal one. To be called an “architect” in NSW, you have to be registered with the Board of Architects of NSW. The title “building designer” can be used b. . .

Is A Good Bargain Worth Paying For?

Most of us love a bargain. But is it the joy of the chase or the joy of the purchase that really motivates us? Is a bargain hunt without all the trappings of hard work, negotiation, bluff and counter bluff any fun at all? Those are the questions I asked myself when I came across the subscription based shopping advice service from Bargain.com. Just $10 a month and they’ll do all the hard work in. . .

Escape to Sunny Mexico - at Home!

Can't get away for a southern vacation this year? Don't despair -- plan a sunny Mexican style refresher for your patio décor and enjoy the festive atmosphere of a hacienda at home this summer. As with every other decorating style, Mexican décor has its own basic elements. Color The predominant color in the sunny Mexican look is yellow -- bright, cheery and warm. If you're lucky enough to be wo. . .

10 Tips for Working With a Contractor

This is the year you're going all out. You're going to build a deck, add a porch, erect a gazebo or lay a patio. You've done the research. It's well within your capability and you're looking forward to the satisfaction of creating a structure of beauty. Or not. Yes -- you'd like to proceed with an outdoor structure but for you, it isn't a do-it-yourself project. How can you find the right perso. . .

Jar Lid and Jar Candle Decoration

Supplies Needed:Most items can be found around the house or in a craft store.Jar Candle with lid – with removable plastic bottomCraft GluePaintScissorsDecorating Candle Jars and Lids is a fun and easy project for all ages. You can use many different craft items to embellish your jar and lid. If you are really creative, you could even make a snow globe out of the lid. But we are going to go over. . .

Lighting up Your Life

You are visiting a friend that has just had a beautiful kitchen remodel done. It is a lovely kitchen with stunning granite countertops and a sharp looking tile backsplash. The glass door cabinets are filled with the good china. Somehow after spending a small fortune the room still looks a bit drab.So many times people spend a wad of money renovating a room and neglect to take the lighting into . . .

There Is Always Something To Improve Or Innovate For Comfort

In this fast moving world of the 21st century, we are always forced to do everything in a rush, even eating and sleeping. The normal words of today are “hurry”, “rush”, “fast”, “quick” and “immediately.” In comparison with 20 years ago, today we have to move or work as fast as possible to survive in a competitive environment with creative and innovative ways. Even though modern technology innov. . .

Light Up Your Garden And Brighten Your Life

Extending Your Living SpaceThe garden is fast being considered to be an extension to your living space and homeowners are putting as much effort into creating a harmonious environment outside as they are inside. A beautiful garden is also considered to be one of the biggest selling features of a home and can certainly help to add value and appeal.As the short days of winter recede, many of us w. . .

A Simple Solution for Cleaning Burner Pans and Covered Ca...

If your burner pans and covered casserole dishes look like mine did, they've got baked-on spots that no amount of scrubbing will remove. And if you're like me, even the thought of using chemical cleaners brings tears to your eyes and makes you want to start coughing, not to mention that the chemical cleaners are expensive.One simple solution that I've found works very well uses ingredients that. . .

Set Out a Feast for your Feathered Friends

February is “Feed the Birds” month in much of North America. And what great timing! If you’re going through a cold winter, you can help the wintering birds that are going through it with you. If you live further south, you’ll have not only year-round feathered friends to feed, but also an influx of migrating visitors from colder climates. If you grow native plants in your garden, chances are go. . .

So You've Decided to Finish Your Basement!

When a family decides to finish a basement space, there are so many factors to consider it can seem overwhelming. What does your family want to achieve within the new basement? Are you looking for a play area, a family room, a work-out room, home theatre, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, wet bar, etc? Do you have the square footage required to accomplish what you want? How do you get started and h. . .

Home Audit: Ensure Optimal Insulation Levels For Maximum ...

(NC)—"Improving your home's insulating system is a speedy and cost-effective way to increase energy-efficiency and comfort in your home, reducing heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer," says John Peterson, Insulation Expert, Owens Corning.Unsure whether your home needs more insulation? Use your powers of observation to decide. Your home lets you know with some tell-tale signs:• Af. . .

Finding a Color Scheme - Decorating with What you Have

If you feel helpless when it comes to picking and blending colors, your answer could be as far away as your nearest pillow. Check out this quick way to create a color scheme for your home with our PICK - SEE -LMD method.PICK a Pattern: Starting with a pattern is the easiest way to create a color palette for your decor. Choose a pattern from any object you already have and love such as a pillo. . .

Light Up Your Life With Feng Shui

Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the ancient Chinese art of luck management, which works by maximising the flow of energy (known as ‘Chi’) in your environment. Every object, inanimate or living, possesses its own energy field and also has an affect on the flow of Chi in your environment.The orientation and layout of your home, garden or business and its contents can impact yo. . .

Seeding Flowers Indoors: An Inexpensive Way to a Beautifu...

Every year you plan that THIS will be the year you have pots and pots of lush plants on your balcony or deck. Then you visit your local nursery in the spring and reality hits -– the cost for your fantasy is just outrageous! Sound familiar?But you can have the planters of your dreams at a fraction of the cost and with a choice of varieties far beyond what the local garden center offers. How? Sta. . .

Maximizing Space on a Minimized Budget

Do you often have friends, family, or guests over for the weekends and are in desperate need of a spare bedroom? Are you going nuts trying to figure out how to turn that extra bedroom that’s never used into an office, yet still wondering how to board guests over the weekend? Or maybe you are running out of storage space and closets are now turning into no-mans-land? Well if any or all of the. . .

Carpet Tips: Make Your Carpet Last Longer

In this article we outline some tips to help you get more life out of your carpet.1. Rearrange Your Furniture It is good to move your furniture from time to time to change the traffic pattern in your house. Your carpet is worn down faster where people walk.2. Vacuum Regularly Dirt helps wear down the fibers in your carpet. Vacuum regularly and place a welcome mat at your home's entrances. Also . . .

How To Conduct A Home Inventory

How To Conduct A Home Inventory*Quick Quiz* Name the brand and model of the television(s) in your house or apartment. How much did your computer cost, and where did you purchase it? What is the serial number on your camera?Could you answer those questions without looking? Now imagine how difficult it would be to come up with this information for ALL of your belongings while dealing with the st. . .

Quick Housecleaning Tips For Your Home

Ah Yes! The house is a mess...again! Why do I even bother attempting the impossible? I'll tell you why I do it. For one thing, I don't like living in a mess. Another reason is that People tend to show up unexpectedly.That last reason alone is enough to get me to make sure that the path to the bathroom is cleared of rubble and that the bathroom itself is clean with smells of Pine. If your house . . .

Hydronic vs Forced Air Heating and Cooling

Hydronic, or hot water, heating has been standard for years in many parts of the U.S. It is seeing a surge in popularity at present, mainly because of the increasing use of radiant floor heating, which is known for providing even, comfortable heat. Yet contrary to popular belief, not every home in the free world needs hydronic heat to achieve this level of comfort.Apples to OrangesHydronic heat. . .

The Perfect Porch Swing

There is a magical quality to porch swings. In his summertime classic Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury describes the "ritual of the front-porch swing." "In the garage they found, dusted, and carried forth the howdah, as it were, for the quiet summer-night festivals, the swing chair which Grandpa chained to the porch-ceiling eyelets…they sat, smiling at each other, nodding, as they swung silently ba. . .