Looking for Kids’ Room Ideas? Checkout These Creative Ideas!

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Trying to design your child’s room can be very challenging. Every child has their own unique sense of style typically and tring to incorporate it into a bedroom style can be difficult. In order to help you out we found this article with 22 creative kids’ room ideas. We hope you find something you and your child will love!

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From the article:

A child???s surroundings can have a huge impact on how they grow and develop, so parents always try to make their children???s living spaces as comfortable and fun as possible within their means. I???m not sure my parents could have afforded an indoor treehouse, but I still had plenty of pictures and bright, colorful artwork up on my walls. Sleeping in a bed that looks like a pirate ship or a princess??? wagon, as one can imagine, would probably fill a child???s life with endless hours of joy.

Of course, arguments can be made for and against these designs. Sure they all look pretty cool, but how safe is a children???s room with ladders, ropes, and strange out-of-place edges? There are plenty of opportunities here for kids to hurt themselves, depending on their age and how much they like to horse around, so these designs may not be for everyone. And as much as we like providing for our children, spoiling them rotten is also a bad idea!

Ship Captain???s Lookout And Bedroom

Racetrack Bedroom

Basketball Court Bedroom

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Looking to keep your kids safe this summer? Then checkout this article with keeping kis safe this summer that could be of interest to you.
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See all the ideas here: http://www.boredpanda.com/creative-kids-room-ideas/

Looking to Transform Your Closet? Try These Ideas!

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Closets can easily get disorganized. It holds a variety of things and most closets are big enough to hold everything in an organized manner. In order to help you out we found this article with 16 different ideas to transform your closet. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

S hooks are perfect for hanging jeans.

Curtain rods on the inside of closet doors are great for keeping scarves and gloves neat.
A soda can tab slipped over a hanger???s hook can double closet space.

Pool noodles cut in half can help tall boots keep their shape.

Tension rods can be used as a shoe rack.

Hot glue on a hanger will prevent clothes from slipping off.

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Looking for more closet organization ideas? Checkout this article about closet organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/at-home/16-closet-organization-hacks-that-will-change-your-life/

Love the Idea of Having a Garden but Don’t Have a Lot of Space? Try This Vertical Garden!

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Gardens have the ability to liven a space up, provide something pretty to look at, and provide food. Depending upon where you live a normal garden isn’t possible. If you fit into this category then you’ve come to the right place. Learn how to grow a vertical garden here. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Decide on the Type of Garden
There are many different varieties of vertical gardens to choose from. One easy option is a container-style garden, which means potted plants are attached to a wall or displayed in rows, or planters are stacked. Another is a ???pocket??? garden, featuring plants tucked into pockets made from felt or canvas. Vertical gardens can also be grown in a large plastic or wooden wall planter with slots or panels, or in recycled wooden shipping pallets???for these systems, the soil is less contained, so wire mesh is occasionally used to prevent the contents from spilling. In wooden pallets (which you can purchase at Home Depot or other home renovation stores), landscaping fabric is stapled to the back, bottom, and sides of the pallet. The inside of the pallet is completely filled with soil, and plants are grown in the slat openings.

Think About Placement
A vertical garden can go just about anywhere ??? indoors or outdoors. Let the type of sun exposure the plants will need determine where you place the garden. For example, if you???re planning on including succulent plants (like cacti), Brian Sullivan, Vice President for Gardens, Landscape and Outdoor Collections at The New York Botanical Garden, suggests choosing a space that has ???half-exposure,??? as opposed to full shade or full sun. ???Some of the containers available are modular so you can hang them outside for the summer and bring them indoors for the winter,??? says Sullivan.

Choose Your Plants
In addition to succulents, you can try growing herbs, vegetables, trailing varieties like philodendron, native perennials (plants or flowers that are naturally grown in certain regions), and ferns, suggests Janice Goodman, President of Cityscapes Inc. in Boston. You???ll want to be aware of the ???flexibility??? of these plants since you???re growing them vertically. ???I would be inclined to try herbaceous plants more so than woody ones, because the herbaceous kind are a little more flexible in the way they fall,??? says Sullivan. Woody varietals???like trees, shrubs, or vines???have rigid, wooden stems, so they???ll grow parallel to the floor and stick out instead of flowing down. On the other hand, herbaceous plants, like flowers and ferns, have soft, green stems, so they???ll ???droop??? down.

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Looking for simple garden ideas? Checkout this article about simple garden ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/gardening/how-to-make-a-vertical-garden

Have a Messy Desk? Learn These Cheap Hacks to Make Your Life Easier!

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Some people function well in a mess. Others not so much but they don’t know how to fix the problem. In order to help you out we found this article with some extremely cheap ideas to help you make your workspace less of a mess. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day can be draining. It’s even worse when your space is cluttered, you’ve lost your phone charger, someone microwaved tuna in the office kitchen and the it feels like the world is out to get you (or at least that one woman in HR is). Never fear. These simple office hacks will make your life much simpler at work. With just a few bent paperclips, organization will be much easier so you can plow away at your next spreadsheet in a clean, happy environment. None of these will fix your mouth-breathing cubicle mate, though. You’re just going to have to live with that.

Binder clips are also a great way to store headphones.

And another use for binder clips? Organizing your cables.

Use cardboard tubes to keep your cords tidy.

3M hooks are an awesome way to hang up your iPad and make a tiny TV screen.

Personalize your charging cables with nail polish…

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Looking for more office solutions? Checkout this article about small office solutions that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.viralnova.com/simple-work-hacks/

Interested in What Features Homeowners Want Now? Find Out Here!

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Every few years it seems to change what homeowners are looking for. In order to help you out we found this article. We hope it helps you plan your remodels and builds!

From the article:

You’ve heard the real estate adage “location, location, location” as the golden rule of a home’s desirability. But today, homebuyers are thinking “features, features, features” — ones that add “convenience, livability and energy efficiency” to a home, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders.

Inspired by HGTV real estate shows and by images of gorgeous home designs on Pinterest, buyers — especially younger buyers who want a home to be turnkey, not needing upgrades or repairs — look for the following top features, and may put higher bids on homes that have them:

??? An open floor plan.
Buyers love to see wide-open spaces, with the kitchen open to the dining room and great room, as opposed to each room being blocked off by walls. An open floor plan fits with their dreams of entertaining, as guests can be in different spaces, yet all in the same area together. Guests are not out of view, sequestered in different, closed-in rooms.

??? Large kitchens with lots of counter space and granite counters.
With families cooking together more, and again with entertaining high on the homebuyer’s lifestyle wishes, a roomy kitchen with plenty of space for the preparation of meals and the display of buffet-style platters is a must. Granite counters, especially on a kitchen island with its own sink, offer beauty as well as easy maintenance, as do tile floors, another wish list feature.

??? Updated kitchen and bathrooms.
Buyers prefer updated kitchens with modern appliances and designer hardware and faucets. Since buyers plan to put most of their budget on the down payment for a home, they prefer to see that they won’t have to then spend a fortune on bathroom and kitchen remodels, which are among the priciest home projects. Kitchens are gathering spaces, a hallmark of the owner’s style and affluence, and bathrooms are now considered the home’s peaceful oasis, so they may have glass-wall showers, steam rooms, multi-jet showers and claw-foot baths as well as chandeliers and fireplaces.

??? High ceilings.
The National Association of Home Builders says that the desirability of high ceilings is important, perhaps a deal-breaker, with first-floor ceilings at least 9-feet high to begin with, with 20-foot ceilings in great rooms impress homebuyers who love the lofty, open look.

??? A home office.
Buyers who work from home full time and those who have office spaces but spend time working from home as well want a sizable, well-decorated, modern home office. Not a corner of the dining room with a laptop. They desire a large room, connectivity, great lighting and a view, in addition to plenty of storage space. The experts at Bankrate say that female homebuyers are especially interested in home offices, although both genders list this feature as among their preferences.

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Looking for more trends? Checkout this article about home remodeling trends that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140830/entlife/140839998/

Kids Bugging You For a Treehouse? Get Ideas Here!

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Treehouses are so much fun. They can create a lifetime of memories. If you’ve been wanting to build one but want some ideas then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve found this article with 10 different treehouses to give you ideas. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Whether it???s a playroom that inspires childhood adventure, a cozy bedroom filled with birdsong or a leafy sanctuary perfect for some peaceful meditation, a treehouse speaks to all of us as a place where we can free our imaginations. Here???s a selection of 10 amazing treehouses ??? in backyards in Russia, Germany, Italy, Japan and elsewhere around the world ??? that are giving dreams a place to roost.

Treehouse by Mom and Dad in Sweden
Location: Mj??lby, southern Sweden
Used for: A treetop playhouse for the family???s two children and their friends
Builders: Mom and Dad

There???s nothing wrong with your typical playhouse on the ground, but when the two children in this family got a bit older, they wanted something more exciting: a house in the trees.

Their dad was in complete agreement. He???d always loved building things and dreamed of having a treehouse himself as a child.

Now he and his family have this adorable one, built with parts of an existing playhouse and tucked within the branches of a grand old oak in their garden. The branches were so well spaced, no nails were required to secure the structure to the tree.

Special feature: Mom scoured secondhand stores and markets for pieces that suited the space, painted them white, then brightened the room further with textiles and cushions.

The children love using the treehouse to hang out with friends, especially when it???s raining and Mom sends up a basket of cinnamon buns.

Family Project in the United States
Location: Burlingame, California (about 20 miles south of San Francisco), United States
Used for: A family???s backyard treehouse
Builders: Linda and Doug Studebaker and their three children

The Studebakers??? treehouse, built in a 100-year-old coast live oak, was a family project and bonding experience. ???Thinking back, I found motivation from a combination of just being a good dad and the opportunity to do something creative and highly original,??? Doug says. ???Each of our three kids helped out from time to time, and in this way built up a little sweat equity and pride in the project.???

Special feature: The treehouse is outfitted with a collection of cozy quilts, vintage furniture, warm rugs and whimsical accessories. The tree???s long limbs wind their way through the interior. Doug says it was important to minimize damage to the tree and pay careful attention to its structure while building the house. This meant the design had to allow for the growth of the branches.

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Looking for ways organize your kid’s closet? Checkout this article about kids closet organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52669568/list/world-of-design-10-treehouses-to-send-your-spirits-soaring

Curious What Home Improvement Pros Pack in Their Tool Kits? Find Out Here!

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Tools are an important part of any job if you want it done right. Knowing what tools are necessary though is hard. In order to help you out we found this article with what tools to include in your tool kit. We hope it helps you get your home improvement projects done!

From the article:

Experts share the nuts and bolts (and the levels and screwdrivers) of a super-handy set.

Leatherman Surge Multitool
???Twenty-one tools in a neat little package. Just pop out a screwdriver to remove faceplates when painting walls or pliers to tighten bolts on furniture. It???s so convenient having wire cutters, scissors, and more in the palm of your hand, too.??? ???Kelly Carrell, SuperHandyman newspaper columnist

Bostich 16-Ounce Smooth Straight-handle Hammering. For many people, a 16-ounce head is way more manageable than a 20-ounce one. This hammer has an oversize striking face for improved accuracy, plus a slip-resistant handle for a secure grip.??? ???Jason Kyser, resident pro at Pro.com

Klein Tools Heavy-Duty Multibit Screwdriver
???Instead of storing multiple screwdrivers, choose this one with six screw heads. Along with Klein???s high-leverage side-cutting pliers, this tool can handle every kind of household task, from assembling furniture to hanging window treatments.??? ???Lou Manfredini, host of HouseSmarts and Ace Hardware???s home expert

Stanley Powerlock Measuring Tape
This is a basic one-inch-wide, 25-foot-long measuring tape, but I love its sturdy design. It extends to about six feet without bending, so you don???t need a helper holding the other end.??? ???Lou Manfredini

Bosch PS21 Drill with 12-Year Lithium-Ion Battery
???This cordless drill has a trigger that makes it easy to switch speeds, depending on what you???re drilling into???faster for wood shelves, slower for tougher pieces, like a metal storm door. The best part: Its battery stays charged for up to 18 months.??? ???Marie Leonard

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Looking for ideas on how to improve your home on the weekend? Checkout this article about weekend home improvement ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/all-star-tool-kit

Looking to Eliminate Sugar From Your Family’s Diet? Learn Where it’s Hiding Here!

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Sugar is a tricky substance. It’s in almost everything (don’t believe us go grab a label and check) and it goes by a myriad of names. In order to help you identify foods that you might not think of that contains a lot of sugar we found this article. We hope it helps you identify the sneaky sugar in your family’s lives!

From the article:

Aside from the occasional birthday cake or candy binge, you might think you’re a healthy eater most of the time. But sugar lurks in more than just the obvious places, like candy bars and cupcakes. In fact some so-called “nutritious” go-tos are actually packed with enough sugar to satisfy a mouth full of sweet tooths (er, sweet teeth?), and then some.

SugarScience, a new initiative from the University of California, San Francisco, along with a long list of partnering health departments across the country, is working to educate consumers about sugar. The information on the site comes from 8,000 research papers and warns against the risks of consuming too much sugar, including liver disease, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

When it comes to sugar, less is usually more. The World Health Organization recommends adults consume a max of 25 grams (or six teaspoons) per day. With the average American getting more than 19 teaspoons daily, it’s safe to say that we could stand to cut back a bit. “[The recommended limit] is not very much at all and a hard goal to meet, considering that most of us consume three times as much added sugar as what’s recommended,” says Julie Upton, M.S., R.D., CSSD.

But it’s not always the obvious sugar bombs that add up???here are some sneaky foods to avoid in the grocery aisles.

Yogurt
When it comes to sugar, yogurt can pack a powerful punch. Some kinds even have more sugar than a Twinkie, and low fat and flavored brands, in particular, might contain as much as 29 grams of sugar per serving. That doesn’t necessarily mean we have to kick yogurt out of our diets though. When shopping for it, avoid flavored or low-fat varieties, as those tend to have more sugar than plain yogurt. “Look for brands with no more than 20 grams sugar per single serve container,” says Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., NBC???s Today Show diet expert, and founder of Nourish Snacks. “Or buy plain and doctor it up with fresh chopped fruit.” You can also add a teaspoon of sugar, honey, or maple syrup so that you control the amount of added sweeteners in your yogurt, Bauer says.

Salad
Salad itself may be good for you, as long as it’s stuffed with a variety of veggies, but it’s what you drizzle on top that adds a surplus of sugar. And the seemingly healthy “low-fat” option is often the worst choice, as the fat that gets cut out is often replaced with sugar. So, a two-tablespoon serving of Italian dressing has 2 grams and thousand island and fat-free French have a whopping 6 grams of sugar.

Ketchup
While it’s not necessarily a health food, adding a dash of ketchup to your meal isn’t as harmless as you may think. Just one tablespoon of the condiment contains a teaspoon of sugar. That’s one sixth of your allotted daily amount.

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Looking to promote healthy family habits? Checkout this article about healthy family habits tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realsimple.com/health/nutrition-diet/healthy-eating/sugar-in-healthy-foods?xid=soc_socialflow_twitter_realsimple

Interested in What a Normal Down Payment on a Home is? Find Out Here!

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Buying a home is very stressful. One important thing to consider is a down payment. Wondering how much is enough? We found this article to help you determine just that. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

RealtyTrac?? (www.realtytrac.com), the nation???s leading source for comprehensive housing data, today released its Q1 2015 U.S. Home Purchase Down Payment Report, which shows the average down payment for single family homes, condos and townhomes purchased in the first quarter was 14.8 percent of the purchase price, down from 15.2 percent in the previous quarter and down from 15.5 percent a year ago to the lowest level since Q1 2012.

The report also shows that the average down payment for FHA purchase loans originated in the first quarter was 2.9 percent of the purchase price while the average down payment for conventional loans was 18.4 percent of the purchase price.

The average down payment in dollars was $57,710 in the first quarter, up slightly from $57,618 in the previous quarter and down slightly from $57,992 in the first quarter of 2014. The average down payment in dollars for FHA purchase loans originated in the first quarter was $7,609 while the average down payment for conventional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was $72,590.

FHA loans as a share of loan originations increased throughout the quarter, from 21 percent in January to 22 percent in February to 25 percent in March.

???Down payment trends in the first quarter indicate that first time homebuyers are finally starting to come out of the woodwork, albeit it gradually,??? said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. ???New low down payment loan programs recently introduced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, along with the lower insurance premiums for FHA loans that took effect at the end of January are helping, given that first time homebuyers typically aren???t able to pony up large down payments. Also helping tilt the balances toward first time homebuyers in the first quarter is less competition from the large institutional investors that have been buying up starter home inventory as rentals.???

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Looking to buy a new home? Then checkout this article about things to consider before buying a house that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realtytrac.com/news/home-prices-and-sales/q1-2015-u-s-home-purchase-down-payment-report/

Looking for an Idea for a Different Kind of Home? Take a Look at This Idea!

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Homes come in all shapes and sizes. Some people love large homes. Some people love small homes. Others would love a different type of home. If you fall into the last category then this article is for you. It’s all about how a couple turned a school bus into their home. We hope you get some inspiration!

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If you need Denham springs 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:

Four years ago, when Mira and Jeremy Thompson bought a 1989 International school bus, you would never guess what kind of plans they had in store for it. At 37-feet long, it’s plenty spacious and the couple set out to make the big yellow school bus into their charmingly cozy cottage.

Douglas Fir flooring, cedar shingles, reclaimed wood for the ceiling and other reclaimed building materials make their tiny home even more environmentally friendly.

One of the huge wheel wells supports a love seat, the other supports a cast iron stove used to heat the home.

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Looking for home maintenance tips this summer? Then checkout this article about summer home maintenance that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.wimp.com/bushome/