Category: green

  • How to Choose the Right Thermostat For Your Home

    How to Choose the Right Thermostat For Your Home

    Choosing the right thermostat is a simple process, one that will allow you to keep your home comfortable while also controlling your energy usage. While there are several types of thermostat options available, in compliance with your particular type of heating and cooling system, your choice comes down to your personal preference. How your thermostat will be used and the features you’d like to have included are points to consider before making your selection. 

    Manual Thermostat

    Due to fewer features, the manual thermostat is not only the most simplistic option, it is also the most affordable. These devices have only one main function, which makes them an easy option for anyone who prefers simplicity. There are no complex programing systems to master and no lengthy owner’s manuals to study, which is ideal for anyone who has no use for all the complicated features associated with the more modern, updated models. A manual thermostat is an excellent choice for anyone who spends a lot of time at home and would prefer a fixed setting.

    Programmable Thermostat

    The programmable thermostat is basically a manual thermostat with an added feature that allows you to customize your temperature settings, providing more comfort, efficiency, and convenience. Having the option to program temperatures and store settings in advance is a simple addition that can ultimately save you hundreds of dollars per year on your heating and cooling bills. Simply set your temperatures for different times of the day and let your thermostat automatically do the work. This is the simple solution for anyone who likes to automate the basics.

    Smart Thermostat

    Technology is advancing and now so is your thermostat. The smart thermostat allows you to have control of your home while on the go, from wherever you are. This efficiency-boosting device has an artificial intelligence feature that can actually learn your daily patterns and essentially program itself. By connecting directly to your Wi-Fi, smart thermostats can also manage your energy use by automatically adjusting temperatures and humidity levels. As if that weren’t impressive enough, this new technology can also control the lights in your home, the locks on your doors, send you alerts when your system is in need of attention, and even check your home security features. All of this can be set, monitored, and managed remotely from your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Home thermostats have come a long way over the years and although technology has allowed for some remarkable added benefits and features, it’s comforting to know that simplicity is still an option too. Your thermostat is designed to help you keep your home comfortable, and your HVAC running at optimal efficiency. Choosing the right thermostat will depend on your personal use and your preferred available features. A professional can not only assist you in making the right decision, but they are also available for all your installation and future maintenance needs. Thanks to Lexair conditioning for consulting.

  • 5 Simple Ways to Renovate Your Bathroom

    5 Simple Ways to Renovate Your Bathroom

    If you want to refresh the look and feel of your bathroom then you would benefit from these 5 simple ways to renovate a bathroom. These tips should make the overall bathroom renovation experience a more pleasant one.

    renovate your bathroom

    via Zillow

    1. Go Green with Appliance and Materials

    We all have to do our part for the environment so if you are swapping out your fixtures like the toilet or sink you should get units that are more environmentally sustainable. The costs of these units may be slightly more than their conventional counterparts but you will save water and resources over the long-term.

    renovate your bathroom

    via One King’s Lane

    1. Update the Grout and Caulking

    The grout and caulking inside your bathroom are the first things that show signs of aging so you should consider replacing it with new grout and caulking. This simple step can really enhance the look and feel of your bathroom. This is also one of the most economical projects you can perform without having to hire a professional.

    renovate your bathroom

    via Tweet Your Trip

    1. Replacing the Tile in Your Bathroom

    A great way to really enhance the look of your bathroom is to install new tiles. This project is not something you should attempt on your own. If the tile is not installed properly it could lead to water seeping into the flooring which leads to huge problems. In this type of situation you should reach out to contractors that specialize in this type of renovation work. When screening the contractors you should check out their past work to make sure they are capable before you make the decision to hire them.

    renovate your bathroom

    via archzine.fr

    1. Paint the Entire Bathroom

    One of the best ways to revamp the look and feel of your property is by painting the bathroom. The paint needs to be durable to handle the changes in temperature whenever you take a hot shower. Since there is a large amount of humidity generated, the paint needs to be water/humidity resistant for optimum results. You will need to make sure the paint properly dries before you take a shower or it could smear. Plan the painting around a day when the entire family is out so there is little to no demand for the shower.

    renovate your bathroom

    via valyo.com

    1. Use a Bathtub Insert

    Instead of spending a large sum of cash purchasing a new bathtub which you will require extensive renovations to make room for it you could invest in a bathtub insert. With these inserts the new tub is placed directly over the existing one. This new tub fits seamlessly with your existing one so there is no need for added renovation work. The addition of the new bathtub is a renovation job that is relatively low cost but really enhances the appearance of the bathroom.

    By following this outline our bathroom will look great while at the same time saving some money in the process. The sooner you begin these bathroom renovations the happier you will be so start doing your review work now.

    *disclosure: this post in partnership with Perth Renovations

  • Green House Tour: A house that’s eco-friendly and glamorous

    Green House Tour: A house that’s eco-friendly and glamorous

    Green House Tour

    This eco-friendly home proves your home can be kind to the earth and glamorous.  Enjoy the green house tour below:

    *tip – click on each image if you want a closer view

    check out the gorgeous rough backsplash

    A clever way to create a laundry room if you don’t have one

    amazing coffee table, amazing cabinet, amazing floors!

    I’ve been loving navy lately

    Not crazy about the laser cut mirrors – but otherwise this foyer is gorgeous…

    What do you think about this home?

    via Pure Green Living

  • House tours from Domino

    House tours from Domino

    An oldie but a goodie – a classic Domino post!

    As part of my ongoing series of posts honoring our late friend Domino, I now bestow upon you some lovely house tours we all came to look forward to every month. *sigh* Enjoy.

    Kathryn Ireland’s rustic style home. I love the humble bathroom, and the console in the kitchen with the dishes stowed underneath.

    Actress Julianne Moore’s stab at interior decorating. I like some of the choices she made – not all my style, but still pretty. I like the piece of drift wood on the radiator.

    A rebuilt green home in New Orleans.

    Domino style director Dara’s lovely white bedroom.

    I love Amanda Peet’s down-to-earth, bohemian home. It’s so ethereal and filled with interesting, meaningful objects. I also love that you can tell that she had a hand in it. She didn’t just hire some designer to come in and make it look like a movie star’s home.

  • Start your week off right: Elegant interiors with historic drama

    Start your week off right: Elegant interiors with historic drama

    I grew up in an early nineteenth century telescope house on the eastern shore of Maryland, so I LOVE homes with old bones and details that only existed when we had time for details.  The interiors below evoke the same nostalgia for me.  Enjoy!
    That ceiling with those herringbone floors and green walls?!

    Definitely Mediterranean.  The doors of Spain are works of art. 
    The floors and wainscoting are a bit dark for me.  But I love the wide doorways and the view into all of the rooms right down to the ornate fireplace surround.

    Knotty hardwood floors, exposed beams, a chair that also serves as an objet d’art.

    THIS really reminds me of the house I grew up in.  Colonial style furnishings, and chandelier lined hallways with rooms lined up one after the other.
    The patina of the walls and the old hardwood floors are dreamy.
    All images via Disc Journal
  • Adding life to each room.

    Adding life to each room.

    I love to have a plant in each room of my house. There’s something beautiful about a living growing thing around you. 
    Light over a pole or hanging on a hook by bed in basement:
    via brit.co
    Most plants don’t require much tending too. Watering once or twice a week for some are just enough to keep it happy and keep you smiling too.
    Wonder what this would look like with hard drives and dog hair everywhere:
    It’s a nice touch to my office I think. It’s a great way to bring the outdoors in and not feel stuck inside all day. 
    Farmhouse style kitchen decor - A great blog for farmhouse style home decor inspiration!:
    Even the littlest of plants can be rewarding.
    From the January 2016 issue of Inside Out magazine. Styling by LeeAnn Yare. Photography by Larnie Nicolson. Available from newsagents, Zinio, http://www.zinio.com, Google Play, https://play.google.com/store/magazines/details/Inside_Out?id=CAowu8qZAQ, Apple’s Newsstand, https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/inside-out/id604734331?mt=8ign-mpt=uo%3D4 and Nook.:
    Some of my favorite plants do the best in the bathroom! The heat and water in the air during a shower can really help certain plants thrive.
    DIY copper plant stands // modern plant decor:
    Where do you keep your plants in your home?
  • Filling Empty Corners

    Filling Empty Corners

    We all have that one corner or space in our home that we have no idea what to do with! Here are some ideas to fill up those empty corners and make the best use out of them:
    a cool corner setup.:
    via domino
    Extra seating is always an option! A simple chair can fill up a corner without adding too much clutter.
    An unexpected space to work! I love this custom style desk for someone who maybe doesn’t like the look of a traditional work space. 
    unique brass and marble bedside light with rose gold and quartz accents:
    I love a simple plant to fill a corner. It’s a great way to add a fresh touch to a room without much work!
    shelves | designlovefest:
    Shelving can add a great touch to a corner, especially for those who could use a little extra storage. 
    Farmhouse Entry:
    A simple picture and some knick knacks can add a great touch to a corner. I also love that these containers can hold miscellaneous items that you maybe wouldn’t leave out otherwise!
    How do you fill corners in your home?
  • Great indoor plants to consider!

    Great indoor plants to consider!

    One of the things I love the most about spring and summer is the fresh air and green everywhere! In order to keep that going through the fall and winter, I bring the green inside with indoor plants. Here are a few that I recommend.
    4 Best Plants For The Great Indoors:
    via babble
    The Fiddle leaf fig is one of my favorites. It’s so whimsical and fairy easy to care for. It needs filtered light, so keeping it by a window is a great idea and the soil loves to stay wet. Just a quick glance at the soil will let you know if it needs more water or not. 
    Simple raw wooden shelf:
    via airows
    Succulents are my second favorite! They come in all different shapes and sizes and are a great small way to ease yourself into indoor plants. They need a lot of light, but can get burned if they are too close to a window. Keeping them next to a window but not on a window sill is my suggestion! Since succulents are dormant in the winter they don’t need much water. Once every two weeks is good enough!
    Herbs! Some herbs are better than others at keeping indoors during the winter. Some of the better herbs are oregano, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and chives! Most of them need 4-6 hours of sunlight and most of them need water when the soil is dry except chives I would suggest twice a week.
    best house plants - Snake Plant - yes! I sooo agree! I started with one, now have 6 and have killed everything else1:
    via mnn
    Snake Plant! This beautiful think is a great indoor plant. It removes toxins from your home that you use in cleaning products and more. It loves low light and humidity so if you have room in your bathroom, it would love it there! 
    My new absolute favorite is this water lily! This will be on my desk this year. Hardy dwarf water lilies do the best indoors. They need tons of light! The sunniest room would be the best option and you’ll just need to keep the water filled at least two inches under the container you choose.
    What indoor plants do you love?
  • Things That Make Me Smile

    Things That Make Me Smile

    We should all start are week with things that make us smile. Monday’s no longer need to be miserable!
    The light fixtures and natural green plants make me smile. 
    The pop of color here makes me smile.
    This super cozy seat makes me want to curl up with a book!
    This rug gives me some inspiration for my own home.

    via arkpad
    This idea of useful storage for cookbooks and kitchen things makes me happy.
    What makes you happy this Monday?
  • Mixing Blue & Green

    Mixing Blue & Green

    There are some colors you  might not think to put to together, but when you do, it can be an amazing collaboration!

    Preppy bedroom design
    via mydomaine

    The subtle blue pairs great with the vibrant green above.

    Dining Room // Summer Home Tour 2014 at Inspired by Charm
    via inspiredbycharm

    The lime green gives this dark blue a little brightness, 

    Great green fabrics
    via vkvvisuals

    Going bright on both hues can make for an eye catching moment. 

    Labeling your toy storage is a great way for you to keep everything organized, but also teaches your kids good organizing skills too! More toy storage ideas: http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/organized-home/?socsrc=bhgpin100713toystorage&page=11
    via bhg

    Pairing these two colors made a fun boys playroom above.

    One of the wonderful things about the "eclectic collector" style is the ability to say yes to any piece of artwork or any accessory that speaks to you. Even if it's a strange color or an interesting combination of textures and patterns, chances are, you'll find a spot for it in an eclectic home.
    via apartmenttherapy

    Having hints of each color really brought this room together.

    Clean office space w/ contrasting patterned rug and brightly colored walls
    via lifeonvirginiastreet

    Would you put blue and green together?