Dog Days of Summer

During the heat of summer, plants need extra attention--and usually extra water. "Assuming you deep-soak your lawn and landscape plants each time you water, all you'll need to change is the frequency of your watering schedule," says master gardener Paul James. If you're accustomed to watering every five to seven days during much the year, you may find that you need to increase that schedule to every three to five days, especially if you live in a windy region. Wind can dry out plants faster than high temperatures can. Here are some other tips to keep your plants healthy during the dog days of summer: Occasional misting can help certain plants survive the heat of summer. Mist plants several hours before sundown so that the foliage doesn't stay moist overnight, thereby inviting fungal diseases. Make sure your birds, butterflies and other critters have a source of drinking water, whether in the form of a birdbath or garden pond. Water potted plants every day, and you may have to water more than once a day, depending on conditions. To effectively saturate the containers, first water thoroughly until you see water running out of the drainage hole. Then wait anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes and water again. This technique ensures that the root ball gets completely soaked. If you're worried about forgetting to water some of your potted plants, group them together. To keep container plants healthy while you're away on vacation, try this trick. Pull back the mulch in a shady garden spot. Then place the potted plants on bare ground in a tight grouping, and tuck the mulch around the base of each pot. Water the plants and the surrounding soil thoroughly, and your prized potted plants should be fine for up to a week. Don't fertilize landscape plants during the summer months. During excessive heat, plants would just as soon slow their growth rates, and fertilizer does just the opposite, which also means you'd have to water even more. Raise the cutting height on your lawn mower. Doing so will result in a much healthier turf, and chances are you won't have to water it as often because the taller blades of grass will shade the soil and prevent it from drying out as fast. Mulch your landscape plants heavily. Mulch is probably the surest way to ensure the health of all your plants during the heat of summer. If you applied mulch a few months ago, fluff it.

The Bitter Pill of Home Ownership

Although we have created technologies to speed up or simplify nearly every aspect of our lives, all homeowners must face one fact: Our homes are not maintenance-free. While to most of us this is the bitter pill of home ownership. We also know that without maintenance, our homes and their components will start to crumble around our feet. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps minimize large problems and is far more cost-effective. Even with the amount of time and money devoted to monthly. bi-annual, and annual maintenance, the cost of a “wait until something breaks” approach can be financially devastating and can cause unsafe conditions in your home. Because owning a home is the largest investment most families will make, maintaining its condition not only protects the investment and ensures years of comfort; it also ensures a higher resale value should you decide to put it on the market. Furthermore, by implementing a preventative maintenance schedule for your home, costly structural repairs can be avoided, the life expectancy of many components will increase, and, in some cases, energy consumption will be reduced. Establishing a systematic approach to preventative maintenance is recommended by the Home Inspection Industry because it allows for the monitoring of both structural and component conditions regularly. The advance warning of potential problems allows the homeowner the advantage of researching the most effective remedy, and, if needed, budgeting the costs rather than being thrown into crisis mode without options in the repair or replacement costs. Because maintaining your home requires monthly, seasonal, and annual tasks, it’s easy to overlook some or to forget the last servicing date. A detailed schedule and checklist eliminated this possibility and provides a permanent record of all routine inspections, servicing, repairs, and replacements, similar to your car’s service record. The following checklist includes monthly and yearly maintenance, as well as three seasonal maintenance categories. Diligence in seasonal maintenance will allow you to take a break and enjoy the often too-busy season of winter. Be sure to note the date of inspection or maintenance and any repairs or replacements that were completed. You may want to customize the tasks on your checklist depending on your region, climate, type of home, components, and personal preferences. Home Maintenance Checklist Monthly Inspection Date Condition • Clean and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. • Replace or clean filters in heating and air conditioning systems. • Clear vegetation and clean debris from outdoor cooling/heating pumps. • Check and replace filters on water filtration and conditioning systems. • Clean dust from refrigerator condenser. • Clean out debris from faucet aerators; fix leaky faucets and replace washery. • During heating season, clean chimney or stovepipe to remove creosote buildup.     Spring Inspection Date Condition • Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. • Vacuum clothes dryer exhaust hose and duct. Check washer hoses and fittings. • Clean drains in dishwasher, sinks, bathtubs, and shower stalls; repair leaks. • Drain and flush sediment from the water heater; inspect/ replace anode rod. • Clean and secure gutters and downspouts; plug any leaks. • Check roof for any loose, missing, or damaged shingles. • Inspect the attic, ceilings, and roof overhang for water damage. • Inspect foundation and basement for cracks, settlement, and water penetration.     Summer Inspection Date Condition • Re-caulk around bathtubs, showers, and sinks. • Check toilets for leaks; repair or replace valves and seal. • Repair/ replace loose or cracked tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. • Drain and flush sediment from water heater; inspect/ replace anode rod. • Check and replace caulking or weather stripping around windows and doors. • Check appliances’ hose and drain lines; clean vents and exhaust systems. • Clean and lubricate garage door hinges, rollers, and tracks; tighten screws. • Patch driveway and other concrete or treated asphalt.     Fall Inspection Date Condition • Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. • Drain and flush sediment from the water heater; inspect/replace anode rod. • Test pressure relief valve on water heater; replace valve if needed. • Clean and vacuum heating ducts, grills, and registers. • Vacuum clothes dryer exhaust hose and duct; check washing machine hoses. • Inspect and re-caulk flashing around chimneys, skylights, vents, and roof edges. • Unclog and secure gutters and downspouts.     Yearly Inspection Date Condition • Recharge Fire extinguishers. • Remove electric water heater elements, soak in vinegar, and scrape off deposits. • Inspect floors for wear and damage, especially where one material meets another. • Check structure condition and material of fences, gates, and retaining walls.

Divine Design

By Candice Olson Maeve and Phillip live in a charming house filled with plenty of personality and traditional character. But with a young son and a large, rambunctious dog, home life can get pretty chaotic. Their kitchen should have been a family-friendly hub where everyone could relax and enjoy meals together, but the overly floral room just didn't suit their needs--or their style. It had an awkward layout, a cramped feel and an outdated look. To top it all off, Maeve's relatives were coming to visit from Ireland, and the couple wanted to make the space more of a focal point where people could gather and get caught up over morning coffee. With some good ideas, a new design and perhaps a little luck of the Irish, I knew I could turn this problem space into a practical, yet cozy, family kitchen. This kitchen should have been a family-friendly hub where all could relax and enjoy meals together, but the overly floral room just didn't suit their needs--or their style. It had an awkward layout, a cramped feel and an outdated look. The kitchen was a classic case of form following function, but it desperately needed to function better (the dishwasher wasn't even connected)! This project required a radical rethinking of the entire space to create several, well-contained areas that would blend seamlessly together. I decided to flip the floor plan by switching the eating and kitchen areas and creating a large island between the two. I also created a small work area with a computer station, a storage area and access to the outside via a new, modern sliding door. Once the floor plan was outlined, I got started on the kitchen's fresh, new, contemporary look. I scraped the flowery paper off of the walls and the ceiling, yanked out the old-fashioned cabinets and counters, pulled out the dreary lighting, ripped up the unsightly flooring and, finally, we were on our way. To brighten up the room, I chose creams and blues as the main colors--with a little Irish green thrown in. I painted the walls in an antique cream color, added banks of cream-colored cabinets and installed new baseboards and crown molding. I then created a kitchen backsplash in a dreamy, blue handmade tile, topped the maple finished island in a speckled, denim blue, and replaced the vinyl flooring with a diagonal pattern of large cream and blue tiles. For the kitchen's main accents, I chose a striped pattern of blue, cream, green and red. This fabric was used to create several throw pillows, as well as a new valance that was created somewhat above the kitchen's window to give the illusion of height. The finishing touches for the room included a modern, built-in coffee maker, a blackboard-coated cupboard for grocery lists and memos, and several storage baskets and shelves. I even installed the dishwasher, and voila- the cluttered, clumsy kitchen was no more. By mixing a functional layout, a dash of color, a handful of accents, a smattering of lights and a large dollop of comfort, Maeve and Phillip's kitchen is now ready for family gatherings and entertaining relatives.

10 Steps to a Well-Designed Room

How do designers get that "done" look? It all comes down to 10 essential steps—and we've got them all right here! The first step in designing a room is figuring out exactly what the room will be used for. If you've got the space, try to narrow things down. Decide, for example, if your room will be a living room that you'll entertain in on just a few occasions, or a family room you're going to use everyday. A room's purpose should be one of the strongest cues for the decor. Secondly, Will children use this space? Will pets play here? The occupants should always be considered when selecting fabrics and finishes. While silk slipcovers would be a sophisticated choice for an adults-only room, they wouldn't make it through one season in a space that routinely hosts kids and pets. Third, learn what pleases your senses. Most designers want to see any photos you've earmarked from your favorite design magazines. In fact, one design company insists that all clients compile and share their favorite looks as a "homework" assignment. Try to turn off your internal filter, the one that says this is good, this is bad, and put a Post-It on anything that appeals to you. Let your first reaction guide you. When you go back and look them over, these images tell a story of what you like and what your room should be. 4. Keep size in mind. One of the biggest issues facing homeowners today is the ever-expanding scale of sofas. The solution? Take out a measuring tape and a piece of graph paper. Draw a floor plan of your room to scale (let one square equal one foot, for instance). Or if you can find your blueprints, use them—and make extra copies. As you consider buying additional pieces, mark off their intended location and make sure they'll fit before bringing them home. Fifthly, go with your own flow. A beautiful home should have continuity from room to room. You wouldn't wear a yellow shirt with purple pants and green shoes, so why would you decorate each room in your house with an entirely different color palette or style? To prevent each room from looking out of place, try to maintain similar tones and themes throughout the house. Check out next month’s newsletter for the last five steps in a well designed room.

Graber Lake Forest Faux Wood Blinds

Product Highlight! Get the look of wood blinds without the negative environmental impact. Faux wood blinds are created through a special process that virtually duplicates the look of real wood. With faux wood blinds, you get the designer style you want with less care and greater savings. Our superior quality faux wood blinds have the look and texture of real wood. Crafted from a sturdy high quality patented PVC vinyl for long lasting, fade resistant, non warping, insulating, beauty and durability. Suitable for high humidity and extreme temperature areas and available in many colors faux wood blinds are classified either as a Composite, which is a blend of PVC and wood pulp or as PVC, which is an extruded PVC plastic. They can be opened or closed by tilting the slats for light control and privacy. These faux wood blinds have the look and feel of wood but are lower in price, heavier in weight, available in limited colors, and require a greater number of ladders to support their less rigid slats. These faux wood blinds are available in 2-inch and 2 1/2-inch slat sizes, in a limited range of colors and wood tones, along with a wide selection of decorative woven cloth tapes, valance and cornice options. The slats are available in a variety of shapes including traditional flat, crown (arched), S-curve, and interlocking. Check out the most popular product on the market today; check out our Graber Lake Forest faux wood blind. Lake Forest™ faux wood blinds feature a flat 2" or 2 1/2" slat size. Both are made from moisture-proof vinyl that won't warp in high humidity—they're perfect for baths and kitchens—and are available in a variety of popular colors and stains. Graber faux wood blinds feature the SureClose™ headrail system with a light blocking lip for optimum closure, privacy and light control. Stylish valances finish off the window. All Graber window treatments are designed for the way you live. With the best head rail and mechanisms on the market, Graber is vastly outpacing itself from the competition in quality and value. On August 24th, Graber is raising prices across the board on products. So purchase your Graber Traditions Wood Blinds, Graber Crystal Pleat Cellular Shaes, Graber Lake Forest Faux Wood Blinds, Graber Wood Shutters, and Graber Verticals today. As an added incentive, we are giving you 5% off any Graber Product through October 31st. Just click on the homepage for details. Our Passion is your Window Fashion, let BlindsonSale and Graber help you design your perfect window treatment today.

Credits

BlindsOnSale.com thanks, Hunter Douglas, Comfortex, Graber, and Better Homes and Gardens. If you have any questions about our newsletter please feel free to send an e-mail. To unsubscribe from our newsletter please send e-mail and put Unsubscribe in the subject line.

About Our Organization

You will enjoy shopping here because, BlindsOnSale.com is a family owned and operated business based in Oklahoma City. We have been in the blind industry for over thirty years, and work with some of the top designers and name brands. We back every product with a limited warranty and guarantee the quality of our products.