10-things-consider-building

There are a variety of things one must consider when building a home. These elements can sometimes overwhelm the individual, seeing that there are numerous issues one needs to look at before even beginning.

The first thing you need to consider is if you are totally knowledgeable of all the codes and restrictions that are required by your state and local municipality. Building codes vary from region to region, so usually one is better off hiring a general contractor to oversee the majority of the project.

Second, you need to consider the location. Do you want to build your dream home somewhere that you will need to move within the next five to 10 years to accommodate your job or family needs?

Third, you need to consider your budget and the amount of time and energy that you yourself can apply to the project. This will reduce the overall cost by cutting the amount of labor that would be hired out (sweat equity).

Fourth, you need to consider the size and design of the home based upon where you will be building. You don't want to build a five-bedroom home in a neighborhood that is predominately three-bedroom starter homes, because if you ever need to sell then you will have difficulty in finding a market to do so.

Next, you need to consider what you and your family will be using the home for; some people do more entertaining at home and need more recreational space where others may use the home to work from and for generally living. You need to take these elements into consideration when designing the home. Because once you start building, it's too late to make major changes. This generally causes delays and added costs which can affect one's budget and the amenities that you wish to add.

After determining your exact needs there are two methods of establishing the overall plans. The first is by using stock plans which are generalized blueprints one can buy on line and can be altered to meet your personal needs or you can hire and architectural engineer to design your home according to the specifications you provide.

Now that we have got the design and location factors out of the way we need to look at how we will finance the project. Based upon whether we currently own property or if we are renting a place will determine how we go about financing the operation at hand. In this step (No. 6), there are three ways that one can go about financing the project. First we have the conventional method which is to go to your local bank or builder and have them finance the entire project which can be costly. Second, we could use the property (if your already own a house or a piece of land as collateral and borrow against its current worth minus 20 percent and finally you could pay as you go which would take longer in terms of time but it allows for one to build without having to go in debt to do so.

Step number seven is the first step in the actual building of the home. In this step you must take into consideration your local, general weather patterns and the time of the year. If you lived up North you wouldn't want to be building in the dead of winter which is restrictive to movement of materials, amount of time that can be spent building based upon weather conditions and contractor accessibility.

Steps 8 - 10 have to deal with project scheduling and this lie with you the prospective home owner/builder. The first question is whether or not you will be acting as general contractor or as a co- contractor and what part of the project you will be doing if you desire.

Step 8 looks at site preparation. As a contractor you need to make sure that all utilities are accessible and that all needed permits for concrete work, utility connections and disposable of waste generated during the preparation have been filed.

Step 9 looks at scheduling of trades. You wouldn't want the framers to come before the foundation has been laid out or utilities roughed in prior to pouring concrete, nor would you want the sheet rockers to arrive before plumbing, electrical, environmental (HVAC) and insulation have been installed or the finishing crew to arrive before all the skeletal effects are in place.

Finally, step 10 looks at scheduling the arrival of materials. Remember you don't want the cabinets or flooring to arrive as you're just pouring the foundation, seeing it might be six months down the road till you actually need these materials. Always try to have those materials needed for the specific trades arrive at least a week to ten days in advance of the actual installation, this allows for acclimation of materials and verifying that everything you need is there.

Now Your Set, Let's Break Ground and Begin Building……

10-decorative-uses-birdcages

Recycling old materials into something new just feels good, which is one reason why decorating with birdcages is so nice. With their beautiful shapes and ornate detail, bird cages lend themselves to a wide range of decorative and practical uses. Here we'll discuss our favorite ways to decorate with birdcages.

Old birdcages can be found at your local antique store, flea market, second hand store, or neighborhood yard sale. You can pick them up for a steal! Don't be discouraged if they show signs of aging, because they are extremely easy to fix up. Whether they are made of metal, wood, bamboo, or wicker, birdcages create the perfect accent piece in any home. Here are a few uses for birdcages that we love.

Plant display - Transform a bird cage into a unique planter for potted plants or flowers. The larger the birdcage, the more greenery you can fit inside. For smaller birdcages, feature one of your favorite potted plants or flower assortment in the center of the cage.

Candle collection - Showcase an illuminating collection of candles and brighten up a dark corner, or add a touch of romance to a bedside table. Arrange similar shaped candles of varying heights for a perfect look.

Create a focal point - If you have an empty wall that needs something to make it pop, consider using an assortment of empty birdcages to create a focal point. Use silver or black chain to hang birdcages at staggered heights along the wall. When backlit, you'll create a dramatic shadow effect that is quite stunning.

Towel storage - Add a touch of class to a guest or master bath by storing spare hand towels inside a decorative birdcage. Roll or fold the towels at the bottom of the cage, and decorate around them with small scented soaps, small bottles of shampoo and body wash, and other comfort items.

China display - With a little imagination, you can come up with some truly unique uses for birdcages. For example, a roomy birdcage can be used to store your favorite china. Stack plates at the bottom of the cage, and hang china cups from the decorative metalwork found atop many models. Smaller plates may be stacked on top of the birdcage.

Book display - If you're a booklover, chances are you have a few favorites you wouldn't mind showing off. A birdcage is a unique and functional way to do just that! Tuck a few of your favorite classic books inside and stack them from largest to smallest. Here are a few other creative ways to decorate with books.

Seasonal showcase - Fill your birdcage with decorative ball ornaments or poinsettias during the Christmas holiday. Add small pumpkins and gourds, or colorful mums during Thanksgiving. Change the interior décor to coordinate with each holiday or season.

Lit birdcage - Strands of miniature white lights look great tucked inside an ornamental birdcage at night. For best results, use a smaller cage and as many strands of lights as you can fit inside. Thread the wire out the back of the cage, and set it in front of a mirror. When lit, you'll enjoy a beautiful centerpiece that adds a warm ambience.

Jewelry rest - Store all your favorite jewelry right inside, and on, your favorite decorative birdcage. Necklaces can hang over top of the cage, bracelets can rest inside, and earrings can dangle from the outer frame. Scarves can also drape attractively atop the cage. All your baubles and beads will remain in one convenient place and look good while not in use!

Don't forget the birds! - Who says the birds inside your birdcage have to be real? A collectible set of love bird figurines would be the perfect addition to your birdcage! We've seen birdcages adorned with artificial butterflies, artificial feather birds, porcelain or ceramic birds, and delicate blown glass birds.

7-low-cost-home-renovations-under-4000$

Home improvements don't require a major budget to makeover a mundane space into a spectacular one. Plenty of low cost home renovations resuscitate new life into the decor. From refacing cabinets, new window dressings to flooring, seven different low cost home renovations replenish the interior of almost any abode (for under $4000).

1) Paint Job - $100 - $200

Brighten a space using colors that evoke a positive mood. In color psychology, yellow, light green and blue hues represent cheeriness, spring and peacefulness, respectively.

Painting tips: Note that a primer is necessary if the wall has never been painted. Additionally, expect to use a couple of coats if covering a darker color. Paint sprayers start at $75; and shorten the time it takes to paint wall space. (Opt for paints free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)).

2) Shelving - $100 - 200

A bookcase makeover reads like a transformation in literary organization. This do it-yourself project epitomizes the low cost home renovation, as it does not necessitate a contractor's assistance.

In the photo, Constance Haas gave her bookcase a facelift. First, Ms, Haas removed the items from the shelves, dusting and cleaning before applying a canary yellow backdrop. Next, she chose monochromatic hues of blue and orange embellishments to stage on each shelf. To complete the bookcase revival, she stacked books among unique ornaments.

3) Crown molding - $1000 - $3000

Crown molding punctuates a room's features, refining the wall space.The decorative ceiling trim happens to be a signature design aesthetic used by Bravo TV's famous interior designer, Jeff Lewis. (For a room 500 to 800 square foot, crown molding starts at about $1000).

4) Closets - $200 - $3500

Replace an old wooden or plywood closet door with a better modern door replacement. Companies such as the Sliding Door Company customize closet doors, ranging in color, trim, and different glass style. These closet designs start at $1000.

5) Flooring - $500 - $4000

Perhaps, old tiling or carpet does not concur with the rest of the media room or basement. Floor tile, available in porcelain, ceramic and natural (marble, travertine, slate) materials, affords a low cost home renovation.

In addition to choosing adequate tiles to cover the floor space, there are plenty of other important considerations. For instance, natural stones, such as marble and slate accommodate high traffic areas, offering a luxurious élan. Economically priced, ceramic tile proves easy to maintain. And, porcelain withstands cracks and chips.

Flooring buying tips: When selecting tiles also consider thickness and break strength. Try to buy tile flooring that includes a manufacturer's warranty. Note that the greatest cost for the floor renovation is the labor.

Blinds/Window Treatments - $700 - $3000

6) Curtains, drapery, and valences are not the only design approach for dressing up the windows. Blinds, window treatments and shades present a clean and functional approach for the modern home.

Exact dimensions are the most vital aspect in buying window blinds. Measure the window's width, height, and window casing depth. To determine if an outside mount is necessary, measure both window casings diagonally. (If the window casing dimensions are different sizes, an outside mount is necessary).

The shopping guide for blinds: 1) Be decisive in terms of budget, color, texture and functionality. 2) Also, note that some window blind companies offer a one year guarantee on the parts). 3) Compare bid quotes comparing the cost, warranties as well as the window blind installation fee.

7) Refacing Cabinets - $1000 - $3800

Refacing cabinets entails changing the doors and then adding a matching veneer to the remaining trim. Some refacing projects call for additional hardware. Don't forget to include the cost of the hinges, knobs and other cabinet hardware when calculating the refacing budget.

Final home improvement tip: When hiring a contractor, homeowners can save on low cost home renovations, such as window blind replacements, refacing cabinets and the new closet door project, by removing the older window treatments, cabinets and doors to cut down on the contractor's time and labor costs.

6-crafty-ways-fall-leaves

Got a front or backyard bursting with fall leaves? Before you pull out the rake, pick out a few of your most colorful and beautiful leaves. After all, there's no better way to decorate in autumn than by using (free!) materials from the great outdoors.
Be sure to clean, press and dry your found pieces before you get to work. Then, try some of these six crafty ways to use those fall leaves in your dining room:

1. Print onto table linens - On a covered surface, brush (or roll) fabric paint onto strong, flexible leaves. Turn the leaves upside down and print neatly in fall colors onto 100% cotton linens used in your dining room: cloth napkins, placemats, table runners or tablecloths.

2. Make a leaf garland - These garlands really add a seasonal touch to your dining area. String pressed, dried fall leaves onto clear fishing line or twine, then drape around your dining room chandelier or from the tops of your window coverings.

3. Create place card holders - Check out Martha Stewart for an easy, customizable way to create place card holders (using real fall leaves), perfect for a Thanksgiving dinner, fall wedding or autumn banquet.

4. Create ceramic plateware - Now, obviously, this idea isn't for the casual crafter. But if you have access to a kiln or nearby pottery studio, try out this crafty way to create your own fall leaf plateware. Brush glaze onto a variety of fall leaves, then print onto a bisque platter. Add a clear glaze coat, then fire in a kiln to finish your customized plates.

5. Decoupage onto serving trays - Got a plain wooden serving tray? Spice it up for autumn by decoupaging pressed, dried (and colorful) fall leaves in a pattern onto the top of the tray. Seal the surface by brushing on a coat of satin (or metallic) ModPodge.

6. Frame and display - Decorate your dining room walls by matting and framing a pristine, colorful leaf. This crafty idea is a fun and incredibly easy to way to celebrate and showcase those beautiful, one-of-a-kind fall leaves in your home.

Happy autumn crafting! Know any other crafty ways to use fall leaves in your dining room, or any other area of the house? Comment below and leave your suggestions.

5-tips-storing-holiday-decorations

After the holidays are over, it seems like a daunting task to pack every little thing away for yet another year. But make it easy this year, and follow these five tips to giving your decorations a protective home.

1. Wreaths and artificial trees

It depends on the size of your artificial tree, whether it will be easy to store in one or two containers. If your tree is somewhat small, you can purchase a storage bin of the large plastic variety with a top. Often these bins are sold with their bottom storage part separated from the top. Make sure to try on the tops to make sure you have a snug fit. This will keep out bugs if you intend on storing your artificial tree in the garage or cellar.

If your tree is very large, it can be stored in two or three bins if it is fully collapsible. Be sure to keep them together in their storage area for easy hunting and gathering next year.

Wreaths are best stored in zip bags that you can purchase at crafting or wholesale stores. They are rounded bags that come in various sizes to fit your wreath needs, and the stiff sides will keep the wreath intact no matter where you store it. If there are glass ornaments on your wreath, than carefully wrap them in bubble wrap or tissue paper before storing them. This will give them more of a chance if they were to meet an untimely fate due to carelessness. Try not to stack them under other wreaths that may be heavier.

2. Labeling

This is a pain in the tush, but you need to take the time to label now, so you don't have to take the time to locate later. The best way to do this is to use a piece of computer paper and make a detailed list of the items contained in any box. You don't need to label every side, but be sure to place the label on the side that will be showing. Most people waste hours and even days trying to locate their favorite decorations that were just thrown into an unmarked box last year. Save yourself the time and aggravation, by giving your boxes very detailed labels of EVERY item in the box. Even if you just throw in some random ornament that won't fit anywhere else, add its name to the list.

3. Taping

When using standard brown boxes to pack things, be sure to tape them shut the easy way. Use some packing tape and fold over the end, so it is doubled over on the sticky part. This will give you a 'handle' to pull the tape off when you need to, but it will still stay fast in the meantime. Avoid taping the whole thing shut. Your boxes will last longer and be in better condition if you don't always laminate the box and then slice it open.

4. Packing Ornaments

For heaven's sake, just buy a storage organizer! These organizers are especially designed to compartmentalize each ornamental keepsake and make storing ornaments a breeze. If you have boxes of glass ball ornaments, it may or may not be the best storage idea to just keep them in their original boxes. These boxes are made with cheap plastic 'windows' so that you can see the ornaments you are purchasing. Because this plastic is thin and held on by a slight amount of glue, it doesn't make a very protective covering for these fragile ornaments. Take the time to wrap them in tissue paper and place them into ornament storage bins. Keep the ones that are similar in one place. If you like to decorate thematically, keep all of your ball ornaments that are similar colors on one level of the storage box, and all of the 'figure' ornaments in another level. This makes it incredibly simple to find them and decorate, without searching.

5. Now is the time!

You always think that you will organize your holiday decorations better next year when you are agonizing over finding them this year. But then the 'next' year comes in around in about a week and you are too tired to want to expend anymore effort on organization. Although this is understandable, you have to start sometime. So make this year differe5-tips-storing-holiday-decorationsnt, and actually organize and store your holiday decorations for easy access when the time comes around again. You'll be glad you did.

tips to make floral arrangements like a professional

Of course you don't have to be a professional florist to create some beautiful floral arrangements at your home. All you have to do is start with some beautiful flowers, have a vision, a vase, and a little bit of time--the rest is just plain simple! Armed with the right information, you too can create stunning floral arrangements for your next dinner party, get together, baby shower, wedding or any special day--or that special someone! Here are some tips that will help you make floral arrangements just like a professional florist without spending hundreds of dollars!
Make Floral Arrangements like a Florist Tip #1: Cut stems of flowers one at a time so that they can be trimmed cleanly and at an angle. This will help the blooms to suck up the water from the vase and the blooms will last longer. Always cut the stems longer than you need to begin with so that there is plenty of room for error when you begin to make your arrangement. You may find that you need longer stems or shorter so a long stem to begin with will help you to maintain that ability.

Make Floral Arrangements like a Florist Tip #2: Cut foliage such as leaves away from the stems as much as possible, especially at the water line.

This will help to prevent the flowers and stems from rotting. If you decide that you really must have that foliage you can always add in some coleus or additional leaves to the upper areas of the arrangement. Just keep as much of the foliage as possible out of the water. Only the stems themselves should be submerged in water to keep the rot to a minimum.

Make Floral Arrangements like a Florist Tip #3: Arrange the stems in floral arrangements just as you would the flowers if you are using a clear vase. With a clear vase, much of the visual appeal is not only the flowers above the vase but also the beauty of the arrangement of the stems inside the vase. Make sure stems are trimmed and cut at angles to maintain a uniform beauty from the top of the vase right down to the bottom!

• Make Floral Arrangements like a Florist Tip #4: Use flowers that compliments one another in both size and shape. For instance, a floral arrangement that features pink gerbera daisies can be complimented with smaller dahlias or boldly colored pink and white lilies. The use of complimentary colors such as darker shades paired with slightly lighter tones or similar colors is a very common theme in the way florists create floral arrangements.

Make Floral Arrangements like a Florist Tip #5: Many large blooms can be paired with small flowers to create a complimentary floral arrangement. Small bouquets can be paired with larger bouquets in a room to create a complimentary look. Various scents can also be paired together to create a specific theme to a floral arrangement. For instance, geraniums paired with lilies, lavender paired with passionflower, and roses paired with clematis are some great options for complimentary scent and size in floral arrangements.

5 easy DIY burlap decorations for a wedding

Burlap is a key material in rustic weddings, and it is extremely popular right now. Burlap is inexpensive and can be used in a ton of ways to add that cozy charm to your special day. Here you will find instructions for 5 inexpensive and easy DIY burlap decorations for a rustic wedding.

Flowers

Burlap flowers are very easy to make and all you need is burlap, hot glue, and a glue gun. Burlap flowers can be added to stems, garlands, bows, favors, and pretty much every area of your rustic wedding! To create them simply cut a long strip of burlap and twist it at one end. Add a bit of glue to the twisted end and roll it in on itself. Add some more glue and keep twisting and rolling until your flower is the size you would like it to be. Finish by gluing the remaining strip to the side or bottom of the flower.

Placemats

Placemats are another inexpensive burlap decoration. This DIY wedding project requires burlap, scissors, ribbon, and hot glue. Simply cut the burlap to the appropriate size. Then use the glue gun and the ribbon to cover the edges of the placemat and you are done. You can add lace, flowers, or other embellishments to make your placemat even more unique if you like.

Signs

Another inexpensive rustic wedding decoration that is also very useful is a sign. Whether you would like to make a banner or a single sign all you need is burlap, ribbon or cord, paint, a brush, scissors, and no-fray glue. Simply cut the size and shape sign you would like. Glue the ribbon to the top corners so it can hang. Use the fray stopping glue to seal the edge of the burlap, and paint your message right on!

Chair Bow

A chair bow is easy to make and can be made using burlap ribbon. For this DIY wedding craft you will also need wire and scissors. Simply start by cutting a long piece of ribbon and folding it in half. Next make a simple bow just like tying your shoe. Use the wire to attach the back of the bow to a chair.

Scrap Garland

Scrap garlands are fun to make and perfect for utilizing your left over burlap scraps. Start by cutting a piece of cord or ribbon the length of your desired garland. Then tie the scraps to the cord starting at one end. Remember to leave room to tie your cord on both sides. When the entire cord is filled your garland is ready to hand.

Burlap is a popular fabric in rustic weddings. DIY decorations are a great way to incorporate your own style into your big day. These DIY wedding decorations will make your rustic themed wedding a day to remember!

5-great-dried-plants-for-Home-Decoration

If you are looking for an economical way to add some variety to your home Decoration, dried floral arrangements can be a great choice. If done correctly, they can preserve the natural beauty of flowers for years.

• You can hand pick your own arrangement from your own back yard. There is a myriad of choices. These are some of my favorites:

1. Ornamental Grass- 

Fountain grass blooms small purplish flowers and can go in a casual or semiformal setting. It is a mound forming grass, not crawling so it will not take over your garden. Fountain grass will bloom from July to fall. They grow slowly and preferably at temperatures from 75F to 85F. Your grass or sticks are typically the tallest part of your arrangement. You usually want to avoid a flamboyant background. Your grass is the setting for your piece.

2. Tulips- 

Tulips are beautiful and can add strong saturated colors to your floral arrangement. Growing tulips can be fairly easy. Your area needs to be well prepared and clear for growing. Tulips are tougher flowers, so fertilizer is not essential, but it is always beneficial. A specialized formula like a bulb fertilizer would be best. When choosing your bulbs to buy, bigger is usually better. Also, be aware of its blooming schedule and keep them fresh.

3. Sunflowers-

 Sunflowers are a classically beautiful and are great coloring in a summer or fall flower arrangement. Sunflowers are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. They are also easily manipulated. If you plant a single seed, you will get one large flower. If you plant multiple seeds in one pocket, you are likely to get multiple smaller flowers on a single plant. Sunflowers can grow from a couple feet tall or taller than you. Because sunflowers can be so large, you may want to plant them several feet apart. If you are growing miniatures, space them by one foot. Full sun or partial shade will work.

4. Baby's Breath- 

Baby's Breath is a common plant in bouquets, and with substantial reason. It provides a wonderful continuity between grass and flower. They are delicate with small white flowers, but grow very rapidly. They can be planted in spring and need to have partial sun and rich fertilizer. They should be planted approximately 8 inches apart. Be attentive to moisture and pH levels.

5.Orchid- 

Orchids are prized plants. While they can be highly temperamental, they are worth it. If you make an orchid arrangement, you will not be in need of many materials. This flower can be the main focal piece of your arrangement, and can be overdone with too many surrounding flowers. Orchids do best in shade and should not get direct sunlight to long in a day. They make great indoor plants. Orchids do not need to be watered everyday; it is a delicate balance. Orchids can last a very long time if properly cared for.

Any of these plants would be a great starting point for designing a dried floral arrangement or bouquet. You can recycle beauty from your backyard to your living room.

5-great-floral-arrangements

Floral arrangements perform various functions throughout the home adding a touch of beauty to a room, adorning a dinner table, or creating a backdrop of color that is awe inspiring.

• Unfortunately, many of us get a bit apprehensive when it comes to the idea of creating our own floral arrangements because there are so many flowers to choose from. Here are 5 great floral arrangements that you can make today using some floral arrangement tips that will help you with every floral creation that you attempt!

Simple Elegance:

 A simple yet elegant floral arrangement will make your guests think that you spent a fortune on flowers from the florist, paid for the arrangements to be made and kept them looking beautiful....who has that much time and money? A beautiful centerpiece for a table can be created by using coordinating pink dahlias paired with pink surprise lilies. Keep the stems short so and use a small glass vase for the centerpiece so that when it is placed on the table your guests will not have to look over or around it to see across. The result--simple floral arrangements that are purely elegant enough for a formal dinner party yet simple enough for everyday!

Professional Look for Free:

 If you have a flower garden at home, you can make floral arrangements just like a professional florist does. Pick flowers from the garden that are all in the same color family but vary in size. Large blooms can be used in conjunction with smaller buds and blossoms to create a professional looking floral arrangement. Once you have picked blooms of the same color, add in some flowers that are a complimentary color such as a darker tone to finish the look. Pinks and purples, oranges paired with yellows, or baby blues paired with deeper blues and greens all work well together for a professional looking arrangement.

Seasonal Flowers:

 Flower arrangements can easily be created using seasonal flowers that are similar in color. The use of bold hues such as pinks and reds is a great choice when it comes to seasonal floral arrangements. Pair dahlias with roses or lilies for a look that is seasonal and still very beautiful. Always vary the sizes of the flowers that you place into the floral arrangements to create a sense of depth to the arrangement. You can also add in some seasonal foliage such as coleus or bromeliad leaves for a tropical summer look.

Scented Floral Arrangements: 

Sometimes a simple floral arrangement that boasts a strong scent is the best option. Try pairing geraniums with light purple clematis for a bold and beautiful scent that will spruce up any room of the home. Add in some sprigs of passionflower to finish off this beautiful purple floral arrangement. Another great option for a scented arrangement is to use geraniums with beautifully scented hyacinths. Together these two flowers compliment each other and the smell is just perfect!

Fall Floral Arrangements for Scent and Beauty: 

A quick and easy floral arrangement that incorporates the use of seasonal flowers in the fall which can all easily be grown in your garden is the use of geraniums, white starry jasmine and lavender for an arrangement that is both awe inspiring and smells wonderful too! Jasmine is one of the strongest scented flowers that you can easily grow. It takes off like a wild fire when placed near a trellis and you will be able to use sprigs of this beautiful flower in numerous floral arrangements thanks to it's soft white color and dark green foliage which pairs well with most arrangements!