Monthly Archives: August 2015
Tips for replacing a cedar shake roof
Q: I am considering replacing my deteriorating cedar shake roof with a steel roof. My home is in the Chicago area and is a Cape Cod with a fairly steep pitch. What considerations should be undertaken prior to a decision? The current roof has spaced planking. Is it advisable to install an ice/water shield on... Read More
Top tips to get the most out of a show homes visit
By Bea Patel, TLE Property Editor and Director of Shop for an Agent For many, visiting show homes are a great way to get inspired and pick up some useful tips and ideas on how to optimise space in your home, make furniture fit and how best to incorporate current design trends into your home.... Read More
CABIN FEVER: Builder offers tips for rustic, relaxed decor – no matter where you live
You don’t need a mountaintop experience or woodland dwelling to treat your cabin fever. The warm, rustic design details of a cabin getaway can be brought into your home no matter where you live, said Jeff Balmer, a fourth-generation builder, cabin designer and an owner of Lands End Development in Crosslake, Minn. “Most everyone... Read More
8 Feng Shui Tips for Wealth and Abundance
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of creating harmonious environments based on principles of energy, movement and balance. It can be a life’s study in its own right, but there are also many practical, day-to-day ways we can apply Feng Shui to our lives. It’s not a one-stop cure for everything that ails you.... Read More
All the Pros and Cons of Exposed Brick
Three experts discuss the triumphs and challenges that come with this polarizing design. There are two types of people in the world: those who love exposed brick and those who hate it. Few design details stir up such strong passions the way exposed brick does. And, regardless of which side you fall on, you probably... Read More
Savvy Shopper: Best tips for interior decorating
LIVING COLOUR The latest arrivals from Australian linen company Aura include a sophisticated take on the classic French stripe, with fiery coral and pink shades to bump up the colour in your bedroom. Known for its graphic and modern looks, Aura’s new designs also apply to the bathroom with bold black and white striped bathmats and towels. Keep an eye out for... Read More
Callen Construction Offers Tips for Preventing and Eliminating Exterior Mold
As the humidity heightens in the summer months, homeowners may start to notice mold growth on the exterior of their homes, fences, porches, or decks. However, with proper maintenance and care, homeowners can reduce the effects of mold and prevent its continued growth. Christopher Wittmann, a NARI Certified Remodeler and an exterior product specialist for... Read More
Home: Window dressing
Let your windows shine with these bright and bold window treatments Window treatments aren’t exactly the most exciting part of an interior design to-do list, but they can certainly make or break a room. In an effort to keep cold drafts from breezing through windows, home-owners often drape their windows in heavy, dark curtains. But... Read More
5 décor tips – Saving energy is always in style
Why do people fall in love with homes? Décor is a big reason. Homes today reflect a myriad of tastes and preferences, from mid-modern to early American. Saving money while beautifying your home, however, is always in style. These décor tips from Decoist, a design and architecture blog, will turn your abode into a showstopper... Read More
Understand a home renovation contract before you sign
A contract is more than just a few pieces of paper stapled together. When you sign a contract with a renovator or homebuilder, it’s your guarantee that things will be done the way you want. That is, provided that the wording of the contract says what you expect. Here are my tips on how to... Read More