Want to Be More Optimistic? Learn What Habits to Pick Up Here!

Being happier and optimistic about life comes naturally to some people. For others they are naturally more pessimistic or realistic. If you’re looking to become more optimistic we’re here to help you out. We found this article on what habits to adopt. We hope it helps change your outlook on life!

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From the article:

Ever notice how some people just seemingly have a bright outlook on life — even when everything isn’t exactly on the sunny side?

You know those people: They’re the friends who have spilled coffee on their white shirt and still manage to have a nonchalant smile on their face. They’re the co-workers who make a big faux pas during a morning presentation and are still in a good mood at lunch. They look at the upside of life but they still live in reality.

Here’s the secret: They don’t have some magical, unicorn-like powers that make them that way. They just engage in behaviors that reinforce their positive frame-of-mind without making it seem like their head is stuck in the clouds, says Melissa Blakeman, M.D., the regional medical director at Johns Hopkins University.

Below are a few of the habits these realistically positive people practice on a daily basis.

They rid themselves of toxic relationships.
Who you are is partly a reflection of who you choose to surround yourself with — that’s why a good support system is crucial to an optimistic outlook, Blakeman explained. Studies show emotions like stress and happiness are contagious — the more you’re around it, the more likely you are to reflect that attitude.

Armed with this knowledge, positive people build a strong social circle that helps reinforce their upbeat nature. “You’d be amazed by how much a good support group can influence a good attitude,” Blakeman said.

They celebrate the little victories.
Positive people hold big accomplishments and small victories with the same weight, Blakeman said. There’s power in acknowledging the little things.

Research shows that thankfulness can lead to increased optimism, and it’s a habit positive people make a point to practice. Gratitude for the little moments — getting to the subway before it leaves the platform, getting a complimentary email from your boss at work — provides more opportunities to be positive since you’re concentrating on multiple facets of your day.

They plan ahead.
One study conducted by psychology researcher Sophia Chou found that those who identified as realistic optimists believed they had more control over their relationships and circumstances. “Every time they face an issue or a challenge or a problem, they won’t say ‘I have no choice and this is the only thing I can do,'” Chou told LiveScience. They will be creative, they will have a plan A, plan B and plan C.”

However, it’s important to realize when your current situation or planning becomes too overwhelming. Positive thinking is best cultivated with a relaxed mind, so take a break when you feel like you’re getting “so bogged down with the details” that it’s clouding your attitude, Blakeman said.

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Looking to create a more peaceful home? Checkout this article about ways to create a more peaceful home that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/01/health/positive-people-habits/index.html

Want to Create a Knockout Kitchen? Try These Ideas!

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where the family and company gather. It’s only natural that you’d want a kitchen that makes a statement but is also functional. In order to help you out we found this article from Houzz with 12 different knockout kitchen ideas. We hope you find some ideas to transform the look of your kitchen!

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From the article:

Bored with plain white subway tile and ???greige??? walls? Tired of making design choices based on what you think a future buyer might want? These 12 ideas prove that kitchens don???t need to be cookie cutter ??? in fact, they???re a lot more fun when you personalize your space exactly the way you want it. Let them satisfy your craving for color and creativity.

Wallpaper.

Wallpaper is so unexpected in the kitchen, and it???s a treat to see an interesting pattern on the walls instead of flat paint. Many wallpapers are not as delicate as you might think, but if you use one near the stove, it???s best to protect it with a sheet of Plexiglas or a specialty finish. Wallpaper is especially great in small kitchens ??? the pattern fools the eye into thinking the room extends farther than it actually does.

Zigzag linoleum.
What a fun way to use plain, supercheap linoleum tiles. Simply apply tiles in two colors you like together in a zigzag pattern rather than in straight lines.

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Looking for white kitchen ideas? Then checkout this article about white kitchen ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23233269

Looking for a New Way to Power Your Home? See What Tesla Can Do!

When it comes to powering up your home there are few options. There is mainly the electric company or solar panels. There are a few other options but none as widely known. We found this article with a new idea for you to consider. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Tesla didn’t ship nearly as many cars this quarter as it had projected, but CEO Elon Musk remained upbeat during today’s earnings call as he let some details slip about a brand new product. According to Musk, the company is working on a consumer battery pack for the home. Design of the battery is apparently complete, and production could begin in six months. Tesla is still deciding on a date for unveiling the new unit, but Musk said he was pleased with the result, calling the pack “really great” and voicing his excitement for the project.

What would a Tesla home battery look like? The Toyota Mirai, which uses a hydrogen fuel cell, gives owners the option to remove the battery and use it to supply electrical power to their homes. That battery can reportedly power the average home for a week when fully charged. Employees at many big Silicon Valley tech companies already enjoy free charging stations at their office parking lot. Now imagine if they could use that juice to eliminate their home electric bill. A more practical application for your car would be a backup generator during emergencies, which is how Nissan pitches the battery in its Leaf.

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Looking for another idea to power your home? Then checkout this article about ideas to power house that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/11/8023443/tesla-home-consumer-battery-elon-musk

Looking for Home Design Ideas? Take a Look at These!

When designing a home there are all sorts of things to take into consideration. In order to help you figure out what you like and what you don’t like we found this article for you that has the 25 most popular homes on Houzz. We hope it helps you design your dream home!

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From the article:

There are all kinds of homes out there. But the ones that really grab people???s attention have a lot in common. If the following most popular homes featured on Houzz are any indication, standout features include small footprints, energy efficiency, clever storage solutions and enough charm to blow out the top of a chimney. In case you missed them, here are 25 of the most popular homes ever featured on Houzz.

From Shocker to Stunner in Houston

You???d be hard-pressed to find a more hardworking homeowner than Brie Kelman, who personally chose everything that went into the incredible revitalization of her family???s dilapidated home, from the plumbing fixtures to the dressers. The result is nothing short of spectacular.

Location: Houston
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Lively Color Animates a Traditional Aussie Home

Clever furniture arrangements and traditional charm fuel this modern, well-appointed family home.

Location: Southern Highlands, New South Wales, Australia
Size: About 3,660 square feet (340 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 2?? bathrooms

Lovingly Resurrecting a Historic Queen Anne

Carl Mattison and Rob Smith???s transformation of a neglected 1905 bungalow in Atlanta gives hope to homeowners facing the toughest remodeling projects out there.

Location: Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta
Size: 2,650 square feet (246 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

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Looking for interior and remodeling design trends? Then checkout this article about interior design trends that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/42260477/list/25-of-the-most-popular-homes-on-houzz

Looking to Make Your Home More Green but Don’t Want Solar Panels? Take a Look at This Idea!

With everyone wanting to go green and be more conscientious of the environment, even if only to save some money, it can be difficult to know what to focus on. Some people are totally sold on solar panels. Others not so much. If you’re in the not so much category then we’ve come up with an alternative for you. Take a look at this article we found. We hope it helps you save the environment and save some money!

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From the article:

SolTech Energy, a Swedish company selling solutions for clean solar power, has developed a unique home heating system contained within roofing tiles made out of ordinary transparent glass. The attractive house-warming tiles (somewhat ironically) give roofs a beautiful, icy appearance quite unlike anything else we???ve ever seen before.

So what makes the system so special and award worthy? For starters, the tiles are made from ordinary glass and have about the same weight as those made of clay. Secondly, the system doesn???t, like competitors??? versions, heat up water or vacuum pipes, but clean air. The tiles are installed on top of a black nylon canvas, under which air slots are mounted. The black colour absorbs heat from the sun and the air starts to circulate. The hot air is then used to heat up water, which is connected to the house???s heating system via an accumulator. The beauty of the system is that it cuts energy costs throughout the year, during dark winter days as well as night time, due to its capacity to store heat in the isolating layers of air under the canvas.

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Looking for more ways to go green? Then checkout this article about green summer projects that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://awareness-time.com/award-winning-design-glass-roof-tiles-capture-solar-energy-to-heat-your-home-during-winter/

Designing a Home and Not Sure Where to Put the Laundry Room? Find Out Here!

A laundry room is important in every home. The placement of it is very important. If you’re lucky enough to build or redesign a house the placement of the laundry room should be given ample consideration. In order to help you out we found this article. We hope it helps you design your dream home!

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From the article:

Unlike the typical 10-foot by 10-foot kitchen or the 5-foot by 8-foot bathroom, laundry rooms have no standard size. That???s why many laundry rooms end up in awkward places or banished to a dark and dingy basement. ???They become afterthoughts,??? says designer Amber Linse.

But if you???re lucky enough to have space for a washer and dryer in your home, it makes a job that everyone hates a bit more manageable. So homeowners and designers are always looking for the best solutions for where to put the laundry room. Should it be near the bedrooms? Or should it be off the kitchen? What about in a bathroom?

The truth is, it depends on a variety of factors, including your lifestyle, how much laundry you do and whether you care if guests see your piles of dirty clothes come laundry day. ???There???s never one be-all, end-all best spot,??? says designer Joanne Padvaiskas.

With that in mind, we wanted to explore the pros and cons of putting the laundry room in the kitchen, bedroom, closet, bathroom and more. Here???s what to know to help you decide where you should put yours.

Off the Kitchen
Let???s start with what many designers say is the best location for a laundry room: off the kitchen in its own room.

Pros: The logic is that most people spend the bulk of their time in the kitchen, and kitchens tend to be on the main level of the house ??? also where most of our time is spent. So locating the washer and dryer near the kitchen makes sense. That way if you???re cooking, cleaning, watching TV or helping your kids do homework, you???re within earshot of that dryer buzzer and can quickly stay on top of the loads. ???You do it where people live, so you can actually use it,??? Padvaiskas says.

The laundry room shown here is right off a kitchen and includes a pantry, mudroom and powder room.

Cons: If your home has two or more stories, then putting your laundry room on the main floor off the kitchen means that you???re a flight of stairs away from the bedrooms and hampers. On a busy laundry day, that means a lot of trips up and down. A laundry chute could cut down on some of those trips. But you???ll still have to carry the clothes back up. (Why haven???t more people turned those laundry chutes into dumbwaiters?)

Also, washers and dryers make a lot of noise. If your kitchen is near a room where you enjoy quiet time, watching movies or entertaining with friends, you could have some noise issues. To get around that, you could install sound-insulation batting.

In a Bathroom
For this family home in Virginia, Stubb was tasked with finding space for a laundry room where there wasn???t any space before. The family had already added a second floor to their one-story home and didn???t have the budget to add a laundry room to the reconfigured space downstairs, where they really wanted the laundry to be located.

Stubb came up with the solution to tuck stacked units into a new guest bathroom off the kitchen. ???Being from Scandinavia, they were used to the European philosophy of utilizing more than one space for two different uses,??? the designer says.

Pros: A guest bathroom can be a really cost-effective option, because you already have water running to the space. If you???re doing a powder room, this option also puts the laundry on the main floor, where the bulk of activity happens.

Con: If you???re opting for a guest powder room or bathroom, you might not want to let laundry day fall on the same day that you???re entertaining. Also, if you???re thinking about this option for a main bathroom, consider what you???ll do when another family member is using the bathroom, or the shower in the bathroom. Waiting to switch loads could be frustrating.

Bathrooms also tend to get wet, so you???ll basically have to fold your laundry elsewhere. And some homeowners won???t be able to cope with having clean laundry in a space that also contains a toilet. ???There???s just that clean-dirty mix that creates more of a yuck factor,??? says Carter.

Finally, if you like your bathroom to be more of a calming, relaxing, spa-like experience, then you probably don???t want to be staring at a pile of laundry or hear the dryer going while you???re relaxing in the bathtub.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to where to put the laundry room. It all depends on your family size and lifestyle. In the end most people who have a washer and dryer in the home are just thankful. ???We will all just appreciate anything, because to have them in our home is a huge convenience,??? Linse says.

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Looking for bathroom design trends? Then checkout this article about bathroom design trends that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/35155424/list/where-should-you-put-the-laundry-room

Looking to Design Your Home? Follow These Diagrams!

Designing a home can be very stressful. Especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. In order to help you out we’ve found this article with diagrams to help you narrow down what you like. We hope it helps!

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ke your dream a reality! Call us today at 601-264-4403 :)
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From the article:

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Looking for bathroom design trends? Then checkout this article about bathroom design trends that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/these-diagrams-are-everything-you-need-to-decorate-your-home

Love the Idea of a White Kitchen? Take a Look at These!

White kitchens can be a thing of beauty. Deciding which one is the right fit for you though often takes a little research. In order to help you out we found this article with 12 different white kitchens. We hope it helps you design your dream kitchen!

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If you need South Louisiana dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Crisp clean white kitchens with gleaming marble counters and backsplashes are everywhere you look these days. It???s easy to see why: White makes a space look bigger and airier, and enhances other design elements. Wood floors look richer against white, pendant lights stand out as sculptural elements, and stainless steel appliances sparkle. Adding marble to the mix introduces a luxurious touch.

That said, there are drawbacks to this kind of simple elegance. A white kitchen demands upkeep; all that white isn???t going to stay clean without maintenance. And marble is definitely not for everyone. It???s soft and porous, so it scratches and stains easily, and acidic foods can cause surface etching. Marble aficionados learn to love the patina (or live with the patina) that time brings. If you can???t abide the inevitable signs of wear and tear, consider alternative materials, such as quartz.

But if you???re ready to take on the challenge, or just want to do a little daydreaming, check out the collection assembled here. You won???t be disappointed.

Gleaming white Carrara marble counters take center stage here. But this kitchen is as functional as it is glamorous. There are seven seats at the peninsula and the island, so the cook never has to feel left out of the party. Other nice touches: the discreet wine fridge, the built-in paper towel holder next to the sink, the old-fashioned station clock, and bell-jar pendant lights. The maple cabinets are by Wood-Mode and are painted Nordic White.

White works beautifully with gray, as evidenced by the silvery backsplash in this Minnesota kitchen (made from Encore 3- by 6-inch silver ceramic tiles). The custom cabinetry ??? including the island, with its artfully turned legs ??? is painted in Benjamin Moore???s Simply White. Honed Calacatta marble covers the counters and island top, while the warm wood floors (by Stang-Lund) are walnut with a hard-wax-oil finish.

This warm and welcoming kitchen, with its gleaming wood floors (long-plank fir finished with Minwax???s Puritan Pine), features an island covered in Calacatta gold marble. (Note the storage cabinets tucked behind the bar stools.) Other nice touches: the two large Hudson Valley Haverhill brushed-nickel pendants, classic Philippe Starck Emeco brushed-aluminum bar stools and contrasting gray countertops of Pietra del Cardoso.

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Looking for kitchen storage ideas? Checkout this article with kitchen storage ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Checkout all the ideas here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/24802900

Need Some Help With Interior Design? Start Here and Learn These Lessons!

4033195015_0b787f952d_oDesigning a new space can be extremely challenging especially if you aren’t a very creative person. In order to help you out we found this article with 10 different interior design lessons. We hope it helps you design a space you love!

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From the article:

Think of this as a little 101 in decorating. While we all cannot possess the eye for exquisite design and detail ??? we can decorate our homes as though we do. In some ways, interior decorating can be thought of as a formula with specific steps; building blocks that will help create your very own interior design.

On the other side, there is an art to decorating; a flair that doesn???t really follow any rules or formulas. While you may not have an artful flair, you can begin to learn how to develop one.

How? Well, there are some basics when it comes to pulling together the interior design of a room. By following these 10 steps you can begin to create a peaceful and functional interior space that takes your four walls and makes them feel like home.

Functional Layout
Interior design must begin with a functional layout of a room. To begin, we suggest looking online for the numerous free offerings of online tools for room layout and design. In these design programs you can input room measurements, furniture measurements and then play with room layout to see what is most optimal.

We learn a lot of our floor plan mistakes the hard way, so why not virtually design your room first, avoiding the drudgery of moving heavy furniture around, and failing repeatedly to get the proper layout.

Functionality of your home is very dependent on individual lifestyles. If you have an empty nest, then you may be more willing to invest in expensive pieces and room decor, while busy families may prefer an open floor plan that is unobstructed by numerous decorative objects. Consider your individual living needs and then choose the right design software that can help you achieve your ideal layout.

Splurge on Seating
Most designers will tell you that if you are going to splurge on one item, then let it be the sofa. Choosing the correct seating for a room is overwhelming! What color do you choose? What fabric? What size? How much should you spend? What is a good quality sofa? This New York Times article offers some insightful advice when it comes to choosing a high-quality sofa.

Visiting numerous design showrooms will also help you in the initial search of style options that suit your needs and tastes. But before venturing out to shop, MEASURE! It would be awful to fall in love with a piece only to discover that it is too large for your space.

We suggest you narrow down your choices to a few final options and then choose based on highest quality. A sofa can be a lifelong investment when the best quality is purchased, so buy the best that you can afford. Oh, and choose a fabric that you won???t grow tired of???who wants to live with a floral patterned couch or a dated ???it was hot when I bought it??? color the rest of their lives?

Take a Picture and Then Edit
This might be one of the most important steps. After all, a picture is worth one-thousand words. Standing back and taking a snap shot of your room allows you to peer through a new perspective. In a way, a photograph allows you to see the room for the first time, through a visitor???s eyes.

Suddenly it becomes glaringly obvious that a picture needs to be moved because it is hung too high, or that you have too many small objects cluttering the room, or that the pillows really don???t work.

Taking several snapshots of the room from different angles is the best way to edit a room of its clutter and items that simply don???t work in the space.

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Looking for more help in designing your space? Checkout this article with interior design priciples that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://freshome.com/2014/08/20/10-interior-design-lessons-that-everyone-should-know/

Have a Small Bathroom? Make it Chic Here!

Having a small bathroom poses unique problems. In order to help you design a bathroom that is not only functional but also chic we found this article to help you. We hope it helps you design your dream bathroom in a small space!

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If you need Apartment complex dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote! Make your dream a reality! Call us today at 601-264-4403 :)
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From the article:

While we might dream of a big bathroom in which we can splash around a double walk-in shower, triple basin and huge, freestanding tub, the reality is that many of have little more than a handkerchief-size space to play with. Fear not, though: There is a wealth of mini fixtures and fittings (teeny tubs and narrow basins, for starters), as well as loads of clever design tricks that can help maximize your bathroom???s footprint.

White is always a winner in small spaces ??? be it on tubs, basins, floors or walls ??? but that doesn???t mean you have to enforce a total color ban. Far from it. In fact, playing with light and shade, color and contrast, will inject personality and style into what can be a sterile look. After all, doesn???t the saying go, ???The best things come in small packages????

Try a tiny tub.
Some of today???s roll-top baths have been shrunk so you can squeeze one into even the tiniest bathroom. Make the best use of an awkwardly shaped room by locating your bath underneath the eaves. A teeny space also means you can splurge on luxe materials without breaking the bank.

Exploit corners.
Corner shower enclosures are one of the best decorating tools for bathrooms that refuse to conform to standard dimensions. Wall-hung furniture is also a boon for creating the illusion of space, as your eye can see the floor right to the wall.

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Looking for ways to clean common items in your home? Checkout this article with cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19837206