Category: mudroom

  • How to Ensure You Get the Best AC Repair Service

    How to Ensure You Get the Best AC Repair Service

    Air conditioning; one of the many ways through which humans have tamed their environment to suit their needs. You can imagine stepping in from the hot sun on a steamy hot summer day and feeling the sudden coolness that welcomes you into your home. Hardly is there anything that beats this feeling.

    Now, imagine that you are rushing into your house with the desire to feel that coolness so that you no longer feel as hot as outside. How welcoming and comfortable will you find your home then? Obviously not very welcoming. It’s therefore no wonder that temperature is listed here as one of the major determinants of human comfort in buildings.

    For this reason, you need to rely on a reliable 24-hour AC repair service to ensure that your air conditioner doesn’t bother you anymore. 

    all images in this post from Melanie Gowen – https://melaniegowen.com

    Understanding the Need for AC Repair Services

    It’s always nice to have your air conditioner keeping your home’s temperature just where you want it to be. Sadly, a lot of folks just keep using the system until it finally breaks down before they begin to seek help.

    When your AC is working, there are a lot of different components working together to deliver the final output you are enjoying. Given this, it is therefore important that you ensure you call in experts to give the system routine checks rather than waiting for them to totally pack up before calling them in.

    There are a number of different things that will require periodic attention. A few of these include:

    The Filters

    The filters can get clogged with dust and other debris. When this happens, your AC will have to work harder, consuming more energy in the process. There is also the risk of some of the dust and debris being released into the air you breathe.

    These filter(s) should be cleaned regular or changed when they have become unusable.

    Evaporator Coils

    You should have these checked out annually. They have a tendency of collecting dirt which can reduce their ability to absorb heat. Cleaning out any dirt that may have accumulated in them is a good way of restoring them to full functioning capacity.

    Other issues include bent coil fins, leaking or depleted refrigerant, condensate drains and others. You can read about these in this article.

    How to Choose the Right Company

    The only way to ensure you get the best from your air conditioning unit is to have the right service provider work on them. Only a professional will know exactly what to do at every point in time to ensure continued efficiency.

    There are simple but effective ways of finding the right company or contractor to work with and we will list the most effective methods here.

    Get Referrals

    A good way to start your search is by asking for referrals from those around you. Ask friends and family if they know any company that can get the job done. If they do know a reliable one, this will cut short your search time.

    Search Online

    There is a possibility that no one in your circle will have any company to refer to you. Should this be the case, then carry out an online search. Most reputable AC repair companies like https://www.yourairco.com/ have websites that will show up when you carry out a search online. When searching, it is important that you focus on looking for companies in your area of residence. This will make it easier for you to find a service that will be able to easily come out to check out your system.

    Check for Reviews

    After concluding your search, the next thing you should do is check for reviews. Look for reviews given by past customers of the companies you shortlisted from your search. These reviews will give you an insight into the quality of service each company is likely to offer.

    Compare Quotes

    Finally, you should compare quotes with services offered. While you may not be going for the cheapest option, you should at least go for one that offers the best value.


    Conclusion

    Remember that having a conducive temperature in your home is important both for your comfort and health. You should therefore ensure that you do not allow your air conditioner work until it packs up before you have it checked out. Get experts to ensure they keep running without breaking down. Thanks to yourairco for contributing!

  • Spanish Colonial House Tour: Don’t miss it!

    Spanish Colonial House

    This Spanish Colonial is in Santa Monica and was built in 1928.  It went through some changes but then ultimately wasn’t touched for 50 years.  That is, until designer Christine Markatos Lowe relocated from SOHO with her family and decided to lovingly restore it while preserving all of it’s charm and character.

    Archways galore.  Can you have too many?  I love the old wood floors contrasting with the stainless steel island.  And that chevron tile backsplash?

    The entry is kept true to the houses roots by being light and sparse.

    Materials are kept relatively unadorned and allowed to shine.

    The tiled powder room and stairway are new to the home, but fit in beautifully.

    The home originally only had 1 bathroom – not easy with 2 kids, so Christine rethought the entire floor and added an extra bathroom.

    Believe it or not this is the mudroom, adorned with pink and green.  It used to be a breakfast nook, but with a busy family I’d pick a landing pad over a breakfast nook any day!

    See/read the whole story at Domino Magazine.

    Want to see more Spanish Colonial homes?  Check out Sheryl Crow’s 1926 Spanish Colonial in Hollywood Hills

  • Spanish Colonial House Tour: Don’t miss it!

    Spanish Colonial House

    This Spanish Colonial is in Santa Monica and was built in 1928.  It went through some changes but then ultimately wasn’t touched for 50 years.  That is, until designer Christine Markatos Lowe relocated from SOHO with her family and decided to lovingly restore it while preserving all of it’s charm and character.

    Spanish Colonial House Tour

    Archways galore.  Can you have too many?  I love the old wood floors contrasting with the stainless steel island.  And that chevron tile backsplash?

    Spanish Colonial House Tour

    The entry is kept true to the houses roots by being light and sparse.

    Spanish Colonial House Tour

    Materials are kept relatively unadorned and allowed to shine.

    Spanish Colonial House Tour

    The tiled powder room and stairway are new to the home, but fit in beautifully.

    Spanish Colonial House Tour

    The home originally only had 1 bathroom – not easy with 2 kids, so Christine rethought the entire floor and added an extra bathroom.

    Spanish Colonial House Tour

    Believe it or not this is the mudroom, adorned with pink and green.  It used to be a breakfast nook, but with a busy family I’d pick a landing pad over a breakfast nook any day!

    See/read the whole story at Domino Magazine.

    Want to see more Spanish Colonial homes?  Check out Sheryl Crow’s 1926 Spanish Colonial in Hollywood Hills

  • Decorating with Velvet for a touch of luxe

    Decorating with Velvet for a touch of luxe

    I’m definitely not into frilly and fussy when it comes to my home decor, but sometimes a girl just needs a little luxury in her life.  Especially as the temperatures drop and we spend more times indoors, it’s nice to have your home feeling a little more indulgent and comfortable.

    Enter velvet, beautiful color, amazing texture, and when done right just the right amount of chic.

    Here are some examples of velvet used in decorating that I love.

    How beautiful is that blue velvet chair?

    More is more with a chesterfield in velvet and a faux fur throw to boot.

    For just a small touch of glamor try a velvet ottoman.

    Really scared of going overboard?  With velvet pillow you can’t!

    This green velvet ottoman on the pink rug is a fun combination, and keeps the room from taking itself so seriously.

    If you’re into more is more, nothing is more luxurious than a velvet headboard in royal navy!

    Do you have any velvet in your home?

    all images via Elle Decor unless otherwise noted

  • 4 Must Have’s

    I get a lot of questions on what are my must have’s in a home and my list is surprising small!
    Natural light and large windows are my number one priority! 
    Switch things up in 2016 with these pattern trends to try in your home. Plaid, herringbone and floral are all in the spotlight this year. Add little accents of these trendy patterns or go big and completely redecorate a room using these trends.:
    via bhg
    Since I work from home, a dedicated work space is a must! It doesn’t have to be huge, just something that is functional and well lit. 
    Beautiful backyard living space courtesy of Brooklyn Limestone:
    Outdoor space to entertain! I love having family and friends around me as much as I can!
    In a perfect world.  I love that the doggy door and food bowls are included.:
    An extra bonus would be a mudroom that is pet friendly! I love the idea of a doggy tub to wash off muddy paws. 
    That’s pretty much it! I don’t need fancy expensive things. A floor plan is more important to me than a finished home. You can always update things as you need to! What are your must haves?
  • Sink or No Sink?

    I am curious today to hear who has a sink in their laundry room and who doesn’t? If you don’t, would you put a sink in yours? I currently don’t have a sink in my laundry room but would definitely love to have one eventually.

    Comment below and let me know!
  • April’s Monthly Storage Plan: The Laundry Room

    April’s Monthly Storage Plan: The Laundry Room

    So, I’m really late getting you April’s agenda from BHG’s “Month by Month Storage Plan.”
    But I promise you this one is pretty painless – but can make a big difference in saving you time every week doing your laundry. Here is BHG’s suggestions for creating a streamlined, efficient laundry room…

    Sorting Baskets. Place a three-compartment bin or basket in a closet or open shelf in your laundry room (look at home or office supply stores for options). Separate clothing to be repaired, dry-cleaned, and donated.

    Laundry baskets make great sorting bins that are easily moved about. You can download BHG’s free Laundry Labels here. (You may have to sign in or create a profile before they let you do this – just a head’s up)

    Not all of us have the luxury of separate rooms or dedicated spaces for every task or hobby, so a well planned out utility room can handle multiple purposes. This room handles laundry, and crafts such as wrapping… notice the rolls of wrapping paper. A surface over the washer and dryer provides space for crafting. Lots of baskets and bins provide storage for supplies.
    via BHG

    • Keep Detergent Handy. Fill plastic beverage dispensers with laundry detergent, softener, and other liquid laundry additives. Hang a set of plastic measuring cups nearby from a cup hook.

    via House to Home
    Liquids and powders obviously look prettier in glass bottles or tins, but it might not really be practical for everyone. Also – if you forget instructions easily save the usage labels for products.

    • Drying Rack. Mount a drying rack or double towel bar near your washer as a spot for air-drying clean sweaters or rugs.

    via BHG
    This is a great example of the well organized laundry room. It’s not an actual “room” so the owner has cleverly installed curtains to hide the area when not in use. And even though the space is small, a foldable drying rack still fits in nicely. Ballard designs has some great drying racks similar to this one.

    Make a Catch-all for Ironing Supplies. Convert a silverware caddy into a stain-treating or ironing kit. Fill with small size cleaners, spray starches, and linen waters. Be sure to include essential tools such as brushes, dry-cleaning pads, and collar points.

    via House to Home
    Mounting planters or containers can also serve as catchalls for any other cleaning supplies you need on hand.


    Below are some more laundry rooms to inspire you –

    Small, but shelving provides space to organize

    I love the idea of an armoire as a utility room organizer.

    3 images above via BHG





    5 images above via House to Home

    You can read the original content here on BHG.

  • The CL 2010 House of the Year – and it’s all eco-friendly (and beautiful)

    The CL 2010 House of the Year – and it’s all eco-friendly (and beautiful)

    Eco-friendly is getting prettier and prettier every year, making it not just easy on the earth, but easy on the eyes. Country Living put together this idea house full of inspiration. The house is actually a modular, pre-fab cottage, and available for purchase by the public. Read all the details for the house, rooms, and resources here.

    What do you like about this house? Not like so much?

    I LOVE the entryway. What a great space to see first thing when you walk in the door after work.

    What do you think of wallpaper on the ceiling?




    You may think all of these framed prints cost a fortune, but really all you need to accomplish this look are some basic frames, and then a used book of botanical or nature illustrations. Carefully remove the pages that you like and insert them in the frames!








    A dream closet



  • A little eye candy to brighten up your Monday

    A little eye candy to brighten up your Monday

    Mondays…blah. Especially when it’s getting so cold out! It makes it so tough for me to crawl out from under the covers when I’m toasty warm. Hopefully these chic homes with a nod to the traditional can help brighten it up a little?

    The beam above the window adds a nice rustic touch without being too “look how rustic I am.”

    Love the nooks for spices by the oven

    Cappuccino maker!

    I like the look of raw linen and canvas like they’ve used on the bar stools

    This kitchen has such a 17th century Dutch air to it – even without the Vermeer

    The rooms below are from another house –

    A home office with gobs of natural light! Looks nice and tucked away.

    Love the retro classic chair. I also like that this room, though it has modern retro elements is still most obviously lived in. Nothing is too precious. Evidence of human, and canine, life can be seen on the shelves, the coat rack, etc.


    In this room I like the large prints on every wall, and of course, the lounge. I’m a sucker for a reading nook!

    via Southern Living