Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Best Home Improvement And Home Renovation Tips

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One of the benefits of home ownership is that you have the ability to change your house when the desire strikes you. You can save money if you work on these projects yourself, although it can be difficult to know where to begin, particularly if you have limited experience. This article contains information that is meant to guide you as you begin the home improvement process.

If you have an older home, you may find that there are hardwood floors underneath any carpeting currently installed. Many homes prior to 1950s were required to have hard wood as their sub-floor. This means that there may be gold in those floorboards. They may need some refinishing, but not having to pay to have them installed would be a huge money saver.

If you have a large garden but would like more indoor living space, adding a conservatory is one home improvement you should consider. A conservatory will provide an additional room to your house that will be filled with natural light. The room can be used for moonlit dinners, home gym equipment, sun lounges and much more. The structure is also likely to catch the eye of potential buyers and increase the resale value of your home.

Get really good references for contractors you use on your home improvements. It is far too easy for a con artist to take your money and run, leaving you with a wreck of a home and no more money to fix it. Don’t trust just anyone. Make sure you have plenty of excellent references, from people you really trust.

Lampshades are not typically very interesting. Buy some cheap stencils at your local craft store, and using some acrylic paint or dye based ink pad, dab around the designs, transferring them to your lamp shade. Not only can you match the color or theme of the room, but you can even match the design of rugs or other aspects to tie the room together.

When it comes to home improvement, one of the first questions that you need to ask yourself is if you intend on selling the house soon. If the answer is yes, then everything you do should be solely to promote the worth of your house focus only on the critical maintenance items and the areas with highest visibility. If you are not selling soon, then you will have more leeway to design in a way that is more favorable to your own taste.

Candle wax can be hard to remove from tablecloths and other surfaces. A simple fix can be taking a piece of wax paper, laying it over the wax stain and ironing over it with the iron on the highest setting. The iron will melt the wax, causing it to stick to your wax paper.

Although it is much less expensive to work on your home yourself, making mistakes or not having the motivation to complete a project can quickly add to the cost. It is important to think through what you want to accomplish; this article is meant to be a starting point for you as you begin to gather your thoughts about what you want to do.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Best Home Improvement And Home Renovation Tips appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Go-Go Gadget: Garlic Tools

A plethora of garlic peeling and mincing gadgets for no-fuss cooking prep

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6 Fast Outdoor Repairs for July

Prep your home for safe outdoor entertaining

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Blogger Before and After: From '70s to Showstopper

This blogger left no surface of her guest bathroom untouched. See how this DIYer’s dream came together in only six weeks.

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How To Grow Oriental Poppies in Your Garden

Red oriental poppy flower.
Oriental poppies are long-lived and easy to grow perennials, but they don't behave quite like other garden plants. Read on to find out what you need to know to grow and enjoy Oriental poppies in your garden.


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Monday, June 29, 2015

Follow These Tips To Make Essential Home Improvements.

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A number of home improvement projects are not difficult to complete, even if a person has little experience in home improvement. Projects for home improvement can increase your house’s value and make your immediate living space better looking. Continue reading to learn some great tips for home improvement that are simple to do, and not hard to get started with.

Be careful to what degree you personalize your home improvement projects. What appeals to you now may not appeal to potential buyers down the road. The more specialized and substantial your project is, the smaller return on investment you can expect to receive when you sell your home in the future.

Age your new wall paneling a few days before installing it. New paneling is typically stored at the warehouse in large tightly compressed piles. When the individual pieces are removed from those piles and exposed to room humidity they sometimes shrink. Providing an aging period of a few days in your home will keep you from suffering the consequences of the shrinkage.

When it comes to home improvement, be sure to get quotes from at the very least three different contractors. This is important because prices may vary greatly, as may the quality of work. Get a good feeling for your contractor by sitting down with him or her and discussing your entire plan.

Installing carpet can be a daunting task if done yourself, or an expensive task if you pay a professional to do it. Fortunately there is an alternative. Much like vinyl floor tiles, there are carpet tiles that exist. These too have adhesive backing that allows you to install them easily, and they look just like real sheet carpeting when installed.

When doing home improvement projects around kitchens with gas stoves, gas fire places, or gas water heaters, it is very important to turn off the gas supply line. This will prevent any chances of injury or death caused by gas leaks, which can lead to suffocation or creating deadly gas explosions.

One simple home improvement project that will leave your house looking fresh and new is painting. Choose neutral colors like light blues or subtle greens. Touch up the ceilings in colors like eggshell, white or cream. Top off the look with crown molding and remember that there are kits to help you achieve a professional look even if you have very little experience.

It is imperative to plan beforehand for any project. Not planning ahead can make decisions more difficult and could cause you to make poor decisions as you are rushed to make them. Proper planning results in a job that goes more smoothly.

Imagine the best use of your outdoor areas. Your backyard can be an attractive, cozy addition to your living space. It’s great for entertaining outside or just lounging out after coming home from a hard day’s work.

So there you have it–home improvement projects are easy enough for an absolute beginner! Fixing things in your own home can be intimidating, yet rewarding. The advice you gained from this article should have helped you learn how to tackle any home improvement task with ease.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Follow These Tips To Make Essential Home Improvements. appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Dress Up Stair Risers With Vinyl Decals

Peel-and-stick a new look onto a tired staircase with no long-term commitment

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Fixing Carpet Floor Squeaks in Your Home

Using a cordless drill to drive screws through a plywood subfloor.
Learn how to find and repair a squeaky wood or plywood subfloor under carpeted floors in your home. Watch this video to find out more.


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Sunday, June 28, 2015

Follow These Decorating And Design Tips For The Perfect Family Living Space

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Many otherwise ambitious homeowners find interior design to be a subject from which they would prefer to keep their distance. In most cases, the only problem is a lack of knowledge of basic design concepts and styles. By utilizing the ideas in this article, it is possible to acquire an ease and understanding of interior design that will be the envy of everyone you know.

One key tip with regards to interior design is to make sure your room has a focal point. Whether it is a fireplace, piece of furniture or whatever you desire, it is important to have one point in which the entire room revolves around so that whatever item you choose is the highlight of the room.

Mix patterns and textures to create a sophisticated design in any room. They draw attention to your room’s details and can accent smooth surfaces like glass or wood. If you are going for a modern look, using textures and patterns is key.

Have a theme in mind. Is there a specific color scheme you rather enjoy? Do you have a fondness for retro furniture? Deciding on a theme before you even begin your planning phase can save you a lot of time and effort. Make sure you know what you’re going for before you start planning for it.

Try to develop a theme on each and every floor of the house. After you develop this theme, try to match the colors and furniture to the type of theme that you choose. For example, you may want to instill a tropical theme in the first floor of your home to increase the vibrancy.

If you’re feeling uninspired, pick a single piece you love and build your room around that. Do you have a family heirloom lamp you’re excited to display? A beautifully framed picture of your loved ones? When you use a piece, you love as a starting point, it’ll be easy to put together an entire room that feels special.

A great interior-design tip for budget minded individuals is to switch up your rooms completely. Turn your office into the bedroom and your bedroom into the new office! With completely different functions, furniture and decorations, each new room takes on an entirely new look and personality. It’s also a total and enjoyable change up for you, that costs nothing.

When shopping for a new dining set, think ergonomics. Picture the table with every seat occupied in your dining room and consider how much space there is to walk around it. Your dining area must have enough room to accommodate the dining set when it is at its seating capacity without anyone pulling their seat in.

When you are decorating your living room, you will want to create a focal point in the room and arrange furniture from there. Your focal point can be a large window or perhaps a fireplace. If you work to have your furniture compliment this focal point, you will have a room you will be proud of.

When you are choosing the paint to use in your child’s bedroom, consider pastel colors. These colors include yellow, blue, green and different shades of lavender. Pastel colors are great for a child’s room as they are very serene and can help to put your child to bed in the nighttime.

To refresh a room, paint your ceiling white. This type of paint is a high-gloss shade with a design that is meant to reflect light. When you use it, you will notice a huge difference in the room’s lighting.

For a quick kitchen refresh, try changing out your cabinet hardware. Outdated drawer pulls and cabinet hardware can make a kitchen look old. If your cabinets are still in good shape, you can update their look by simply adding more modern hardware. It is inexpensive, only takes an afternoon, and you will be amazed at what a difference this change can make.

Tackling interior design projects is something that many find to be an unappealing prospect. Most of those individuals simply need to spend some time learning more about the subject itself. By studying the tips above, even the most reluctant interior design newcomer can gain the skills necessary to decorate like a true professional.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Follow These Decorating And Design Tips For The Perfect Family Living Space appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Saturday, June 27, 2015

Save Money With These Interior Design Tips

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Are you interested in learning how you can be an interior designer for your home? You do not have to hire someone to design the inside of your home, and you definitely do not have to worry too much about choosing how to design your home. Just read through this article and the advice here should help you.

Choose your colors carefully when you’re looking at repainting a room. You want to choose colors that go well together and compliment each other. You don’t want colors that clash and fight for attention. You want your colors to blend together and feel natural. Don’t go with too many bright colors, or you risk overwhelming your senses.

You can do your interior design projects on a budget by finding deals on high-quality equivalents at mass merchant stores. You can easily spend you life’s savings on high-end merchandise while decorating, but you do not have to, as there are things that are made well that do not cost nearly as much. The only time you should use designer brands is if you can’t find similar items for a cheaper price.

Use mirrors when decorating your home. Mirrors can be very handy, especially if you live in a small space. A mirror on one or two walls isn’t just convenient for fixing your hair on the go. They can also give the illusion of more space. One strategically placed mirror can do wonders for opening up a room.

A great interior-design tip is to start checking out design magazines. There are many magazines out there that will teach you all about how to design your home and garden, and they’ll even provide you lots of tips. They’ll also keep you up to date on all the latest style trends.

Be sure that every room has excellent lighting. Quality lighting will help you show off your home, and can even help a room feel bigger. If there’s a room in your home that has dark corners even with the lights turned on, invest in a stylish new lamp. It’ll make the whole room look better.

Clean up. Before starting any interior design, it is a good idea to make sure everything is very clean. Your carpet may look terrible, but it may not need to be replaced. It is possible that it just needs a good cleaning! Gt everything cleaned up before deciding on what to do next, and you may save yourself money and time.

A great interior design tip is to try to get the opinion of an artist when you’re considering making changes. People usually think they know best and make all their own design choices without any input. An artist has trained their eye and they typically can help you make solid design choices.

Use warm flooring in the bedroom. A cold floor can be a nasty shock first thing in the morning. Be sure to use something like carpet or wood flooring in the bedroom. Avoid ceramic, marble, or any other cool surfaces. If warm flooring isn’t an option, put a rug down under or near the bed.

Try buying accessories for your home in groups of coordinated items. If you pick up a throw pillow at a department store, a lamp at a yard sale and area rug somewhere else, chances are good that they really will not match once you have them all together. Buying in sets guarantees color harmony!

If you want to add a dramatic touch to a room without repainting it entirely, you can pick one wall to paint in an accent shade. This should be a vibrant color that coordinates with the rest of the room’s colors but definitely stands out. Consider using a primary shade in a room that’s otherwise painted in pastels, for instance.

Try something completely new. You may think you do not like bright colors, for example. You may dislike velvet, but try it anyway! What you think you may not like may in fact be just the thing you need in your home to create a new and different look. You can start small, but trying new things helps you to re-evaluate what you like and can live without.

Now that you have a better idea about how to design your home you should start to write all of your ideas down on paper. With the tips you gained from this article you should have a good idea about how you want to change the way your home looks for the better.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Save Money With These Interior Design Tips appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Friday, June 26, 2015

Home Improvement Advice And Tips Made Simple

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Having a honey-do list can make it so that you are always waiting around for someone else to get something fixed around your house that you could easily do yourself. Here are some simple home improvement tips that even a beginner would be able to complete. Take charge of your home, and do what needs to be done yourself.

If you want to save money, wait for sales on material or installation in home improvement stores. Some stores will offer free installation to boost their carpet sales. This would be the best time to have that new carpeting put in your home because the labor and installation costs often exceed the actual cost of the product.

If you have water leaking from the top of the tap of your faucet, there are two ways you can solve this problem. First try tightening the gland nut. The gland nut keeps the spindle of the tap in place. If this doesn’t work, try replace the rubber seal on the spindle, also known as the O-ring.

Make your home feel like a home by adding a doormat. A lot of people tend to overlook the addition of a doormat in front of a door. It not only serves a purpose of making a home feel complete, but also serves to keep your floors clean. Putting out a doormat where people can wipe their feet will cut down the amount of time you spend cleaning your floors.

Give your bathroom a unique touch by deciding on a theme. Most people spend hours in their bathrooms, but apart from the coordinated colors, nothing seems to be unique. Come up with fun themes like pirate, under the sea, at the beach, or shipwrecked. Finding accessories for your idea can be fun and give your bathroom a sense of personality.

If you do not already have one, add a second bathroom to your home. The main reason for this is so your family does not have to fight over one bathroom. Another reason for adding another bathroom is for resale value. Having two bathrooms makes a home more attractive for potential buyers.

If you have a pretty large fireplace and the brick is in very bad condition, you should consider painting it, in order to brighten it up. Try painting it a color that matches the walls so that it can compliment the room and not stick out like a sore thumb.

If you have a limited budget for updating your home and want to make the biggest impact value-wise, tackle your kitchen. New counter tops, cabinets, flooring, fixtures and appliances can add both value and appeal to your home if you decide to sell it, and you can enjoy the updates yourself if you plan on staying a while.

You now see that some tasks around the house may not be as hard as you originally thought they would be. With the ability to get tasks done around the house, you can free up some time to spend with your significant other having fun or just taking it easy and relaxing.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Home Improvement Advice And Tips Made Simple appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Tried-and-True Dust-Busters

Your mother's cleaning tools are still doing the job

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4 Surprising Rules on Painting the American Flag

Tips for ensuring you display Old Glory with honor and respect

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13 Ideas for Creating Garden Retreats

Transform a patch of green into an outdoor destination with these fresh upgrades

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Find Your Dream Kitchen on Netflix

These productions have inspired a generation of kitchen remodels

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Thursday, June 25, 2015

5 Ways to Use Tools as Decor

Give your old tools a new life by thinking outside the toolbox

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5 Easy Pieces: Nautical Curb Appeal

Add coastal flair to your home's exterior with seaworthy accents

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Hart Tile Trowel and Float Combo Kit

Hart Quick-Tatch Tile Combo Kit carrying case sitting on concrete floor.
The Hart Quick-Tatch Combo Kit includes four stainless steel notched trowels, a rubber float, and an interchangeable soft grip handle all in a handy carrying case. Watch this video to find out more.


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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Tips For A Successful Home Improvemnet Project

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Do not let home improvement projects scare you; anything is possible if you take the time to learn a few new skills. As with most things, the correct information and advice will make your home improvement project much simpler to carry out. This article will give you some hints on how you can start out on your new renovation project.

Hardwood, tile and other smooth surfaces may seem like a good idea in high traffic areas like stairs and hallways, but those same areas can then echo and reverberate throughout the entire house. You wouldn’t want to hear every footstep going down the hallway if you were in a bedroom sleeping.

Always insist on references before hiring a contractor to work on your home improvement project. Make sure your potential contractor is properly licensed to perform the work in question. Hiring a professional is worth the money to give you peace of mind that the job is done right the first time.

Avoid making expensive renovations based on personal tastes. Spending $1,000 a tile on your bathroom may seem like a good plan but the odds are if you eventually sell, you will not recoup that money. If the change is not something that can be appreciated by someone other than you, consider doing something different.

You can find many articles and web pages online that can give you tips when remodeling your home. A quick search on the internet can go a long way, and it doesn’t hurt to gain more knowledge. You want to make sure you tackle each project with confidence before you start it. You might finish the job quicker too, if you do just a little research.

During summertime, go outside and pick some wildflowers. Place the wildflowers between the pages of an old and unwanted phonebook. Pile about 50 to 60 pounds of books on top of the phonebook to press the flowers dry. After about a week or two of pressing, adhere your flowers to a piece of cardstock and hang them in your room. They create a great focal point as well as a nature friendly approach to home decorating.

When planning for landscaping upgrades, consider native plants in your yard plan. They’re generally more hardy and require less water than non-natives. Your plant choices will vary depending on your area, but your county agricultural extension will be able to help you with planning. Also check to see if a local university has a program to help homeowners with native landscaping.

The best thing you can do for any home-improvement project is to engage in sufficient planning before starting any project. You can prevent poor decisions and disaster by planning ahead. If you plan the job properly before it starts, you will find the work gets done quicker and with less problems.

As mentioned in the introduction, home projects are easier when there is the right information and advice. Knowing the right ways to tackle your jobs is the best way to simplify the process. Use the advice laid out here and you will be going in the direction of a completed project.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Tips For A Successful Home Improvemnet Project appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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DIY Overhead Storage Rack from Downspout

Using drill to attach a section of downspout to a ceiling joist.
Watch this video to find out how to make an overhead storage rack in your workshop or garage from gutter downspout to store molding and pipe the easy way.


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5 Ideas for Faux Wood Beams

Budget-savvy ways to create the look of salvaged-wood beams

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Fete the Fourth in Style

From extra seating to festive lighting, we've rounded up all the home goods for a shindig that shines

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4 DIY Privacy Screen Upgrades

Attractive ways to make your yard a clandestine oasis

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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Home Improvement Tips To Impress!

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Information is power and when you are planning any kind of home improvement project, it is money, as well. You will be able to take the information that is provided and use it to independently make the improvements to your home with the right equipment and supplies, all on your own.

When renovating a kitchen or bathroom, avoid using linoleum. The foremost reason for this is that linoleum has dropped out of vogue and can make your new renovation seem dated. Tile has a much better appearance, can be used in any situation where you might choose linoleum, and can even have radiant heat grids installed underneath for the extra touch of heated floors.

There are a few ways to deal with screws that are too tight or too loose in your home. Use clear nail polish to tighten screws that are too loose. To loosen screws that are too tight, try adding peroxide or ammonia, letting them soak for just a few minutes before attempting to unscrew.

To save on your electric bill, try switching from regular light switches to dimmer switches. Dimmer switches allow you to select how much light you want to use in a particular room. By doing so, you can use less electricity to light a whole room, and add a sense of mood as well.

Use a flexible container to mix up just enough dry plaster of Paris for your intended use. When you are finished with the job all you have to do is allow the remainder of the plaster to harden, turn the container upside down over a trash can, and flex the sides. The plaster will cleanly separate from the container and you can put the container away to use on the next job.

Recycle the molding in the closets of your old house to finish out your renovation project! Sometimes, finding molding to match the molding from old houses can be almost impossible. One option is to remove the molding that is, likely inside your closets. You’ll never notice that it’s gone and it will be restored to its glory, out in the open where it can be seen.

Buying used chairs with bad upholstery on the seat portion isn’t all bad. A lot of times, you can easily remove the seat, take out the staples holding the stretched fabric across the cushion and switch it out. You can mix match any fabric of your choice, and staple it back to the bottom with a heavy duty stapler.

Place a nice centerpiece on your dining room table to create a sophisticated look. Your arrangement doesn’t have to be floral in nature. You can mix celery sticks or different vegetables with flowers, or use wildflowers growing outside to create an arrangement pleasing to the eye. You can place your centerpiece into a basket or a vase.

Hopefully, you have found the power that you need to complete the project that you are planning or would like to plan. With the help of some power tools, as well as, the information that is included in this article, you will likely get the results that you want to get, by completing the project on your home.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Home Improvement Tips To Impress! appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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10 Uses for C-Clamps

Off-duty uses for the workshop regular

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How to Replace Damaged Eave Fascia Boards

White Eave fascia board on older home with squirrel hole.
Find out how to remove a rotten or damaged eave fascia board, and replace it with a new fascia board. Watch this video to find out more.


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Monday, June 22, 2015

Beyond Rugs Fresh Interior Design Tips For Home

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You may think that interior design requires years of acquired knowledge or the help of a professional. You are quite wrong in taking that approach! Anyone can participate in interior design with the right information and tips. Use the tips in the article below to go from a novice designer to a seasoned self-taught professional!

Start your interior design project with a mood board. A mood board is a large cardboard display with different ideas for a room pasted on to it and written on it. You can get ideas from magazines, online and from television shows. The board will give you a visual of your own style, and help you to design a room that fits your taste.

Everyone should remember that a mood must be created when designing a room. Decide on what type of mood you want to achieve when you are selecting decor items for your room. As an example, for a cool and tranquil mood, pick colors that are in the soft blue family.

When you are decorating your children’s room, try to look at things from their perspective. Decor in their room should be practical and age-appropriate. If you have young children, get down and look at things at their eye level. This will help you decide how to make the most of the space in their room.

A great interior design tip is to always be aware of space when you’re designing. If you go crazy with a room it might end up getting cluttered. No matter how nice looking and well decorated a room is, if there isn’t enough space to move around no one will even bother to go in it.

When redecorating a bedroom, adding a little color can help. Paint one accent wall or add some extra bold pillows to the bed. Place an accent chair in the corner or use lampshades with a bold pop of color. This adds visual interest to the room, and it is an inexpensive way to change the space.

If you have shabby, out of date looking kitchen appliances, consider painting them. There are new appliance paints on the market that can change white to silver or silver to black, depending on your taste. You can find them in most hardware stores. This is an easy way to update your kitchen without spending a lot on new appliances.

It is likely that you have small rooms you want to make seem larger. Using light colors can help make any space appear larger. If you use dark colors in small spaces, it can make the spaces appear smaller than they actually are.

Make sure that you try to add as many accessories as you can to outfit the different rooms in your house. These can include lamps, colored fruits or different ceramic pieces that go along with the theme and color scheme in your house. Accessories are both fun and can inject energy into your design.

Those looking to design a room in their home should be smart about it. Whatever items you decide to decorate your room with should not take away from the functionality of the room. For example, don’t put a large piece in an area that where there will be a lot of traffic.

What is the function of the room you are planning to decorate? While you are planning the project, it is important to think about what the room will be used for. How many people will be using this room? For instance, if you are designing a family room, you will need quite a bit of seating.

Before you start an interior-design project, check out the prices of the materials you need. Usually, if you shop and compare prices, you will be able to find better prices than you expected. Shopping around also gives you time to make sure that your ideas are concrete and well-fleshed out before you undertake a big project.

As you can see, there are tons of ways you can approach interior design. With so many tastes and styles, there isn’t a right or wrong way to go about your designs. Use what you have learned from this article and perhaps a number of other ones to design a home that fits your taste!

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Beyond Rugs Fresh Interior Design Tips For Home appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Enter Generac “Power Your Life” Contest

Generac Guardian standby generator in backyard.
Enter our Generac “Power Your Life” Contest for your chance to win a Generac Guardian standby generator including installation valued at $8,000! Read on to find out more.


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Sunday, June 21, 2015

Answers To Questions You Might Have About Home Improvement

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The art of home improvement is so much more than just putting in a new sink. It takes a great deal of research, a lot of hard work, and careful attention to detail to really make sure that things look nice and that they are safely installed. The tips below can help you improve your home improvement skills.

Do not be ashamed to call in a professional. Knowing you did all your home repairs yourself can be rewarding. That pride might come with a steep price tag though. Sometimes it is best to give in and just call in a handyman. Depending on the situation, they might be able to do it faster and for less money than you could.

A great way to reduce your chance of mold growth in your household is by making sure your bathroom is well ventilated. Bathrooms that don’t have a window or some sort of vent usually get steamy, but are unable to be rid of the humidity. Eventually this humidity contributes to extensive mold growth.

If you should happen to spot a water leaking from below the sink or under the tap, it is best that you do not try to patch up the leak yourself. Just put a bucket or tray under the leak to prevent water damage and call a plumber to fix the leak.

If you have a lot of dirt in your backyard or garden, you can easily make your own pathways using pavers and stones. You don’t need to use any concrete, just lay your stones in a nice design or pattern in the area you need it to cover. This can provide a nice and balanced look to your garden, as well as keeping your shoes dirt free.

If you have hardwood floors and pets, you know that it is almost inevitable that a urinating accident will or already has taken place. There is a simple solution to saving your hardwood floor. Find the stain on your flooring and take a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Sit next to the stain and start pouring peroxide on the stain slowly. Make sure to exercise caution, because too much peroxide can damage your floors and have a negative effect. If used in the right doses, the peroxide will lighten the appearance of the stain.

Remodel your closet by using closet organizer kits. These kits are designed to maximize usable space in your closet. A basic kit usually comes with a closet rod and enough components to give you multiple shelves that you can adjust. Additional components can be purchased to customize your closet even more. This is a great way to add storage space in your home without a major remodel.

The art of home improvement is something that can be enjoyed by nearly everyone, but only those very serious will try to perfect their home like a true professional. Now with more home improvement knowledge to add to your “bag of tricks,” you can easily become a great home improver too.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Answers To Questions You Might Have About Home Improvement appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Saturday, June 20, 2015

Improve The Worth Of Your Home With These Handy Tips

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Home improvement is a vast subject. It can entail a job as simple as replacing a bathroom faucet or a project as vast as adding a whole wing to a house. Some homeowners find it fun; some think of it as a necessary evil. Whatever the project, whatever the home owner’s attitude, if home improvements are made prudently they can raise the value of the home. Here are some valuable tips that can help you with your plans.

Roll roof your floor for a practically indestructible finish! Buy roll roofing without the adhesive strip. Glue it in place either in long strips as it comes off the roll or cut up into irregular geometric shapes. Coat thickly with paint and use a brush to work the paint evenly into the surface.

Here’s a simple way of fixing gaps at the bottom of poorly fitted interior doors. Sandwich a section of timber (cut to the width of the door) between two pieces of paneling. Leave each piece of paneling sticking out beyond the upper side of the two by two by about one inch. Slip the extension over the bottom of the door and screw each piece of paneling into place against each side of the door.

Put your used paint brushes and rollers in plastic and in the fridge! If you are going to continue using the same paint in the near future there is no reason to wash out your brushes and rollers. Just seal them in a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator. They will be usable for weeks!

Make your home feel like a home by adding a doormat. A lot of people tend to overlook the addition of a doormat in front of a door. It not only serves a purpose of making a home feel complete, but also serves to keep your floors clean. Putting out a doormat where people can wipe their feet will cut down the amount of time you spend cleaning your floors.

Is it cheaper to do it yourself or pay someone else? If you decide to completely re-do your bathroom, but know nothing about plumbing, it might be beneficial to pay a plumber to come in. Also, you can check out the self help books at your local building supply. Don’t be afraid to ask. A simple project shouldn’t cost more because of inexperience.

Installing insulation in your attic is an excellent way to economize on the cost of heating in the winter. Heat naturally rises, which means tons of heat will escape from a poorly-insulated attic, especially during the colder months. Insulation is available at hardware stores and can be easily installed.

These are just a few of the ways home improvement projects can be kept under control and ultimately beneficial to your home market value. Whether you learn a better way to do a project you already have in mind or get an idea for a whole new home improvement job, studying the subject always pays off.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Improve The Worth Of Your Home With These Handy Tips appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Friday, June 19, 2015

Chicken Coop Must-Haves for a Healthy, Happy Roost

Boost egg-laying productivity and comfort with these accessories

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11 Inspirational Barn Door Ideas

See ways to incorporate this popular portal into your decor

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Thursday, June 18, 2015

Easy DIY Projects For The Home Improvement Beginner

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As the seasons change and our tastes become a little more defined, many people get tired of looking at the same-old-same-old in their homes. Not everyone is out to completely remodel their dwellings, but most are going to tackle a home improvement project or few. Make sure you’re doing it right by following the tips below.

Improving the air quality inside your home can be an invaluable home improvement for both your health and the resale value of your house. The first step would be to replace any old carpets or have them professionally cleaned, as they could be hiding contaminants, allergens and unpleasant odors. Secondly, if your budget allows, install an energy efficient air conditioning system.

Improve your home and lower your water bill by changing out your toilet with a more efficient model. Many companies have reduced the amount of gallons it takes to flush and they even feature options, such as flushing only liquids or solids, so you can control how much water is used, depending on what is in the toilet.

If your vinyl floor has a bubble, try removing it! If a bubble exists in an old vinyl floor, it is easy to slice into it and release the air. Then flatten the area where the bubble was. After that, though, you must put in a bit of glue to keep things the way you want them to be. Use a glue product that is sold in a syringe for this job.

If you have popcorn on your ceiling, get rid of it. The popcorn ceiling look was very popular in the 60’s and 70’s but now it just looks dated. You can find solutions that will soften the texture allowing you to scrape it away. It’s a simple change but it can really bring your house firmly into the new century.

If you are concerned about adding value to your home, do not put in a swimming pool during your next home improvement project. The upkeep on a pool is very time consuming, and they are also difficult to clean. Your energy would be better spent on a project (such as a garden) that will give you a better return on the amount of money you are spending.

You should always wear safety glasses or goggles when cutting with a saw or other powered equipment. If you do not wear protective equipment for your eyes pieces of the material you are cutting or dust can become lodged in your eye or cause irritation. In severe cases permanent damage can be done to your eye.

Take advantage of light in a room, by placing a few, mismatched pieces of furniture around the window area. It creates a great area for reading a book by natural light or a nice nook to sit and talk with your friends about the view outside, which is especially great, if you live in a nice city or rural area.

What you have just learned from the tips above might not be as specific as you need for any one particular project, but you should get a good idea of how you need to prepare for a home improvement project. It’s not just something you should leap into. Use what you’ve learned here to act as your guide.

Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Larry Hopkins
Five Star Home Remodeling
272 Farmer Road
Bridgewater, New Jersey
908-526-2555
http://ift.tt/1A2tRge
larry@fivestarhomeremodeling.com

For more than 20 years, Five Star Home Remodeling has been transforming homes in New Jersey to reflect the lifestyles and personalities of those who live in them. We can build your dreams, both small and grand, starting from the design phase all the way through to the completion of trim details.
We’re full-service residential contractors located in the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey. We are known for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and for adhering to our clients’ visions and budgets.
With us, you’ll get Real people, Real values and Real results
Five Star Home Remodeling services all of the New Jersey area including Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, Union, and Middlesex Counties.

The post Easy DIY Projects For The Home Improvement Beginner appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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5 Simple DIY Patriotic Wreaths

Get ready for Independence Day with these easy-to-craft door decorations

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Save This Old House: Illinois Folk Victorian Charmer

Save this Folk-Victorian charmer in a small town

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Home Interior Design The Right Way

Interior design is important when it comes to making your home look lovely. However, if you are like many other people, you may not even know where to begin with designing the inside of your home. There’s no need to panic; the following article will supply you with the interior design information you need.

Make sure that you have a budget when you are planning to change the interior design of your home. It is easy to get carried away by the gorgeous draperies and decorative items that you see in home magazines. You would not want to go into big debt just to make your house look better.

Make sure that before you engage in designing your home that you have a plan in place. This can help a lot to reduce your worry when you are in the process of designing your home. Also, you can organize your finances better when a plan is in place for your project.

It is ideal that most pieces of artwork are placed at the eye level of those occupying a room. Placing art at the wrong height can destroy the effect you were trying to create.

If you are designing a new kitchen in your house, it is beneficial to contact a professional contractor. Your ideas might involve electrical and plumbing work that is beyond your scope of expertise. By contacting a professional, they can help you to outline the exact project so it is done right and within budget.

When you are getting ready to paint a room, paint just a portion of a wall first, and wait a few days before you decide. You can avoid the hassle and added cost of re-painting a poor color choice by seeing how you feel about it after a couple of days.

Get creative with your framed pictures. Your room can look well-designed when you add in framed pictures to your home. You do not need to have them hang in only straight lines. Try different shapes and patterns to give your room a unique look. You will have white space that will change the room’s mood and create a cool look.

If you’re working on designing for a small space, adding light can greatly increase the feeling of size in the room. Adding light fixtures and using appropriate drapery can increase the amount of light in the room. Mirrors are also a great way to increase light and increase the apparent size of a small space.

Create some elegance in a room using sconces for lighting. The dim light that comes from a sconce is considered to be fancy and romantic. You can also get them in a variety of shapes, colors, and designs so that they will fit in perfectly with the theme of your room.

Chandeliers bring elegance and romance to a bedroom. Consider changing out your lighting fixture or fan for a chandelier for a glamorous look and fresh appeal. There are many different varieties of chandeliers on the market, and there are many different sizes as well. It is easy to find one that fits well in any bedroom space.

When designing a child’s room put yourself in their shoes. Get down and look at the design plan from their perspective. This will help you when you hang shelves or hooks for them to use. You don’t want to put these fixtures so high that your child will not be able to use them.

When hanging pictures, try to group like subjects and frames together. The collection should be the focal point of the room and arranged within the bounds of an imaginary larger frame; incorporating each piece inside with the intent of complementing the other and all of them working in artistic harmony.

If you have a favorite painting, you may want to use it as the focal point of your room. This way, it will draw the most attention. Pick your rooms color scheme to match your painting so that it your painting will be accented by the entire room. This is a great way to make that painting stand out!

In conclusion, most people don’t know what to do when it comes to interior design. But, now that you have read this article, this does not apply you to you. You now know what it takes to make your home’s interior as lovely as it can be; use these tips to your advantage!

The post Home Interior Design The Right Way appeared first on Five Star Home Remodeling.



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Tuesday, June 16, 2015

All About Hardwood Decking

Ipe is the gold standard, but plenty of other species stack up quite nicely on looks and longevity, often at a lower price

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Friday, June 12, 2015

14 Design Ideas for Pleasant Patios

Now's the time to fling open those doors and transform even a simple patio

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Appliance Science: 7 Things You Didn't Know Your Dryer Could Do

High-tech dryers offer surprising new tricks to make your life easier

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Appliance Science: 9 Ways Your Washing Machine Is Smarter Than You

Today's high-efficiency machines are nothing like the klutzy beasts of yesteryear

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Shade Loving Flowers to Plant in Your Yard

Azalea shrubs blooming under tree.
If you have shady spots in your yard that could use some color, check out these seven plants, including hydrangeas and hostas, that do well and bloom in partial sun and shady conditions! Read on to find out more.


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Thursday, June 11, 2015

House Tour: How to Give a Historical House New Life

A circa-1901 house rises from the proverbial ashes with its original spirit intact—and more period charm than ever

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

“Shake it Up” Exterior Color Contest Winner!

Outside of small house with red siding and white trim.
Congratulations to Rachel Delgado of Hampton, Virginia, who was the winner of our 2015 "Shake it Up" Exterior Color Contest, sponsored by DaVinci Roofscapes! Read on to find out more.


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