Category: Brandpoint Home & Garden

2024-05-01T10:23:00

(BPT) – From adding a touch of dimension on ceilings to making a bold statement on accent walls, texture is playing a larger role in home décor. The use of visual texture can help elevate a home’s elegance and style in a way that paint and wallpaper can’t. One of the ways homeowners can do this is with spray texture. Spray texture is an accessible and versatile material that can transform bland walls and ceilings into captivating focal points. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, spray texture also serves a practical purpose by concealing imperfections left behind during drywall finishing, making it an asset for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.

What is spray texture?

Spray texture is a material applied to walls or ceilings to create a textured surface. It typically comes as a pre-mixed or ready-to-use substance in pressurized cans or sprayers. There are three common textures found in houses today: Orange Peel, Knockdown and Popcorn. Easily paintable, spray texture can be combined with the latest trends in wall and ceiling colors to help redefine any living space.

Is the popularity of spray texture growing in homes?

While texture is a popular design element all over the U.S., textured walls and ceilings tend to be more prevalent in the southern and particularly western states in the U.S., as textured surfaces complement the desert-inspired aesthetics and rustic decor often found in these regions. In fact, 50% of the spray texture market is in the west, and 29% is in the south.

Why would you use spray texture?

Texture is often added to interior drywall surfaces to add visual interest and aesthetic appeal, but it can also be used as part of the finishing process to hide any drywall imperfections from the installation process. Achieving flawless smooth surfaces can be challenging, and any mistakes made during the drywall finishing process become readily apparent. This is where wall and ceiling texture comes in. For DIY enthusiasts grappling with the intricacies of drywall finishing, texture can be a lifesaver. Handheld spray cans of spray texture, like the ones from DAP, provide a quick and easy way to apply and repair texture.

Where do you use spray texture in the home?

Spray texture can be used in various areas of the home to add visual interest to walls and ceilings. Some common areas where spray texture is applied include accent walls in living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms to add depth and character to the space. It can also be used to help disguise uneven surfaces and add warmth to basement spaces, making them feel more inviting and comfortable. Overall, spray texture can be used throughout the home to enhance its aesthetic appeal and create a more dynamic and visually appealing environment.

How do you apply spray texture?

When applying spray texture, it’s important to start by choosing the right product for your needs. First, determine what type of texture you want to apply or repair — orange peel, knockdown or popcorn. Most people are familiar with popcorn, but orange peel texture resembles the surface of an orange with small, slightly raised bumps while knockdown texture features a smooth surface with intermittent flattened areas created by knocking down the texture while wet. After choosing the type of texture, look for user-friendly features such as an adjustable nozzle that also provides the ability to select the level of texture, like the line from DAP. When using DAP’s 2in1 spray textures, start by shaking the can for at least one full minute after hearing the marble, unlock the can, then adjust the 60-degree nozzle to the angle you need. Next, twist the nozzle to your desired level of texture whether fine, medium or heavy. Once shaken, you’re ready to spray! All of DAP’s water-based formulas are paint ready in just 30 minutes, and oil-based formulas are paint ready in five.

Best Practices (or Do’s & Don’ts) for Great Texture Results

• Shake can for at least 1 minute after hearing marble. Do not stop shaking just because you can hear the marble, and do not stop shaking even if you think the contents are mixed — the one minute is important!
• Shake the can during use to keep pressure consistency
• Spray at least 12 inches away from the wall — if you spray too close, texture could be runny and texture may not be as defined as desired
• Spray should be applied in short, intermittent bursts with random patterns such as circular sprays, up and down as well as left to right — it’s important to vary the spray motion with a combination of the patterns — do NOT spray in rows and do not spray in a continuous manner
• If using knockdown — be sure putty knife is parallel to the wall and NOT perpendicular — a perpendicular knife will remove the texture

For more information about spray texture and additional DIY tips, visit DAP.com.

2024-05-01T09:01:00

(BPT) – Buying a home may not be the wisest idea in today’s housing market. If you bought or refinanced your home in early 2022, you likely were able to take advantage of a low interest rate and lower your monthly payments. However, if you’re considering selling your current abode and finding your forever home now, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has nearly doubled over the last two years.

You don’t have to compromise your dreams. With some planning, you can turn your house into your forever home without breaking the bank.

For example, you may consider adding a laundry room, bathroom or outdoor kitchen. Not only do these renovations make your home more enjoyable, but they can also add value to your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, homeowners would recover 75% of the cost of a kitchen renovation and 71% of a bathroom renovation in their home’s increased value.

Of course, adding, renovating or moving a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room has its challenges. A common roadblock you may face during remodeling is plumbing limitations.

Plumbing challenges

If you want to add a new bathroom or kitchen, you may find the space doesn’t have below-floor draining. According to Tom McGuire, a seasoned plumbing professional and owner of McGuire Group LLC, adding below-floor drainage for sinks, showers, tubs and toilets can cost a pretty penny.

When adding a laundry room to a 50-year-old home, McGuire estimated that installing new conventional plumbing drainage would require him to rip up and replace his hardwood floors. That process, he estimates, would have cost at least $5,000, plus an additional $6,000 to cut the concrete beneath and run new piping.

Similarly, homeowners must consider the lack of conventional plumbing lines when installing a kitchen, indoors or outdoors. When New Jersey residents Katie and Patrick Comer wanted to add a wet bar with a sink to their finished basement, they found their home’s plumbing limited their options.

Because the basement floor was below the home’s existing sewer line, wastewater from the bar sink would have to be discharged vertically into the home’s plumbing drainage. In order to connect the below-floor line to the closest sewer access, the project would have to be outsourced to a contractor, increasing costs significantly.

DIY couple Amber and Trey Masciarelli encountered similar problems when adding a bathroom to their basement. With cost- and time-savings in mind, the Masciarellis had to decide if the conventional route of breaking through the basement’s concrete floor to install drainage fit into their remodeling plan or if they’d have to give up the project.

An affordable alternative to traditional plumbing

When conventional below-floor plumbing hinders homeowners’ forever home plans, it’s time to consider alternatives. What is the best, most affordable solution to these potential problems? Above-floor plumbing.

Unlike below-floor plumbing, above-floor plumbing pumps waste and water up and out to the nearest sewer line. During McGuire’s remodel project, he chose a Saniflo gray water drain pump to handle drainage from his home’s washing machine. This solution allowed him to avoid cutting up the hardwood floor and concrete and easily install a new line to the local sewer line.

In the Comers’ project, Katie’s father and brother helped the couple with a Saniflo heavy-duty gray water drain pump. The simple, compact solution didn’t take up a lot of space in the basement and solved their drainage problems. “Bringing the vision of my dream basement to life has been a wonderful experience,” said Katie Comer. “Not only is the bar fully functional, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing, and we didn’t have to break the bank to make our vision a reality.”

The Masciarellis were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to install the Sanibest Pro. They completed the installation in just two days. “When you first look at the unit, it can be intimidating,” explains Amber. “But we watched the online videos, read the instructions and started dry-fitting components. We soon realized how easy it is to install.”

Choose the best products for your dream home renovations

If you plan to use above-floor plumbing to add a kitchen, laundry room or bathroom to your home, pick durable, affordable and reliable products like Saniflo Drain Pumps and Macerators and Grinders.

If you’re planning kitchen and bathroom projects, you’ll want a rugged, affordable and easy-to-install solution like the Saniswift Pro.

With Saniflo’s above-floor plumbing technology, you can decide where a new kitchen or laundry room will go. The Saniswift Pro’s pump design offers quick installation in hard-to-reach, below-sink spaces.

You’re no longer limited to locations where downhill drainage or gravity evacuates waste. The pump also does not need to be near the main waste pipe as it can discharge waste up to 14 feet vertically and/or 140 feet horizontally. Also, the Saniswift Pro is engineered to extend the pump’s overall lifecycle while eliminating unwanted odors. Servicing can be done without disconnecting any piping to the unit.

When tackling a full or half bathroom installation, the heavy-duty Sanibest Pro is an excellent, adaptable solution. The grinder pump combines a rear-discharge toilet with a 1-horsepower pump system usually situated on the floor.

Designed for bathrooms frequently used by visitors and full-time home residents, the system can provide drainage for a complete bathroom, including a toilet, sink, and tub or shower. The wastewater from the toilet drains into the pump unit, which incorporates a powerful clog-fighting grinder system to quickly reduce the incoming effluent before discharging it to a sewer or septic system.

Not only is the Sanibest Pro a great alternative to traditional bathroom plumbing, but it’s also a great replacement for an existing macerator. When Scott Wright was searching for an above-ground grinder pump toilet to replace his loud and inefficient macerator, he knew he needed a heavy-duty model that could handle frequent usage.

Wright eventually settled on the Sanibest Pro and was excited when it solved his noise and flooding issues. “It flushes better, it cleans the bowl better, and it’s not as bulky as the previous unit. The other day, even my son noticed it’s much quieter than the one we had before.”

Don’t let below-ground plumbing hold you back from turning your house into your forever home. To learn more about how above-floor plumbing can help you add a kitchen, bath or laundry room to your current space, visit Saniflo.com.

2024-05-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – Healthy, natural turfgrass is more than just a pleasing addition to your yard and home’s curb appeal. Natural turfgrass is among the most resilient plant materials and provides many benefits that can improve your quality of life and the environment. There are countless turfgrass species and cultivars that are adapted to different climates and uses, and researchers from universities and companies like ScottsMiracle-Gro are driving innovation in this area as the environment and consumer needs continue to shift.

“Natural turfgrass is often misunderstood,” says Dr. Kelly Kopp, Extension Water Conservation and Turfgrass Specialist at Utah State University. “Misconceptions and misinformation have given it a bad reputation in some circles. But the truth is that natural turfgrass has the potential to foster a healthier environment and provides a multitude of benefits to the individual, local communities, and the planet.”

The benefits of natural turfgrass

According to Dr. Kopp, natural turfgrass can be a powerful tool for promoting sustainability. As a groundcover, it prevents soil erosion, slows the flow of stormwater, filters nutrients out of stormwater, and improves soil structure. Like all living plants, it also absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, trapping carbon underground and reducing atmospheric concentrations. It is also proven to lower atmospheric temperatures, which are increasing in certain areas known as urban heat islands.

Ecosystems also benefit from natural turfgrass. It provides a habitat for wildlife, from bees to birds to bugs, while also supporting the growth of native species of plants.

Growing natural turfgrass helps create a more resilient environment, too. During a storm, the roots stabilize soil, slowing water runoff and preventing erosion. They also act as natural water filters, keeping contaminants from entering local water systems. Dr. Matthew Koch, Director of Biotechnology, Genetics, and Grass Seed at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, explains that diverse varieties of natural turfgrass species are even more beneficial for rainwater absorption than one species alone. Dr. Koch explains, “Different natural turfgrass species have different root structures. Some are deeper and more extensive, while others are shallower. The diversity of roots helps to improve soil structure which reduces erosion and enhances water absorption.”

Along with the many ecological and environmental benefits, natural turfgrass is also beneficial for mental health and well-being. According to Scotts’ The Benefits of Lawn report, natural grasses and other ornamental plants can reduce noise levels by 20-30%,[1] creating a tranquil environment, which is especially helpful in loud, urban areas, and allows for outdoor play and recreation. Studies have also shown that spending time in natural environments can reduce cortisol levels, which are associated with stress.

Cultivating sponge cities with natural turfgrass

Natural turfgrass has an important role to play in cities, says Dr. Kopp, especially in large urban areas prone to storms.

Many urban areas face challenges when excessive rainfall overwhelms inadequate stormwater management systems. During a heavy storm, rain cannot infiltrate the concrete and asphalt that dominate traditional urban areas, and this causes flooding. Instead of building more impervious surfaces, Dr. Kopp says cities should utilize the water retention and infiltration properties that natural turfgrass provides by increasing its use in green spaces and cultivating “sponge cities.”

The idea behind sponge cities is fairly simple: increase green spaces using natural turfgrass and other plants, replacing impervious concrete and asphalt where possible, to reduce flooding. By increasing green spaces in cities and large urban areas with trees, plants, natural turfgrass and other green infrastructure, the landscape is better equipped to absorb rainfall and filter water efficiently. Similarly to the way grass prevents soil erosion during storms on your lawn, natural turfgrass and other green elements can reduce the burden on stormwater runoff systems and mitigate flooding. In fact, lawns can balance out 100% of runoff from roofs, drives, and streets that are connected to storm sewers and convey stormwater directly to streams or lakes (see Footnote 1).

Combating urban heat islands

Flooding isn’t the only challenge cities face that natural turfgrass can help solve. Because concrete and asphalt materials can’t absorb and release water efficiently, they can’t cool the environment. In fact, these impermeable materials retain a great amount of heat. Combined with high population densities, cities with large impervious areas can easily turn into heat islands.

Urban heat islands occur when cities experience warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas, which tend to be less developed and have more green space. In turn, those green spaces hold less heat and have grasses, trees, shrubs, and other natural features that keep the area cooler than nearby cities. According to Climate Central’s Hot Zones: Urban Heat Islands report, trees and vegetation, alone or in combination with shading, can help reduce peak summer temperatures by 2–9°F (1–5°C) in an urban area.[2]

Adding natural turfgrass can help reduce city temperature, preventing the urban heat island effect. Dr. Kopp explains that when natural turfgrass absorbs water through its roots, it moves through the plant becoming water vapor that is then released into the air through grass leaves, naturally cooling the environment. Whether in parks, greenways, or lawns, more natural turfgrass in urban landscapes can keep the environment cooler and reduce heat-related risks.

Transform your landscape for the better

From promoting sustainability and biodiversity to mitigating flooding and combating urban heat islands, natural turfgrass has much to offer.

Scotts, a leader in lawn care for more than a century and a half, leverages scientific research and qualified experts to educate and inform the public about the benefits of natural turfgrass while continuously innovating its products to adapt to the changing environment and homeowners’ needs.

To learn more about the power of natural turfgrass and how you can transform your landscape for the better, visit Scotts.com.

2024-04-29T14:01:00

(BPT) – In these economically and environmentally challenging times, the cost of running a home is rising just as swiftly as interest rates. The costs associated with maintaining our homes are growing, driven by increases in energy prices and the escalating expense of non-sustainable building materials. Yet, Earth Month presents an opportunity to examine how we live. Mercury Insurance is assisting homeowners by offering practical ways to reduce their bills and their environmental impact.

“We’re highlighting the crucial role individual choices play in global sustainability,” said Steven Ward, director, strategic planning and ERM at Mercury Insurance. “By adopting eco-friendly home improvements, homeowners can decrease their environmental footprint while enhancing their home’s efficiency and reducing operational costs.”

Mercury Insurance is supporting these initiatives with discounts like the Green Home Discount, rewarding those who achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) green certifications. Not all discounts are available in all states; please check with your local Mercury agent.

“These certifications are not just plaques on the wall — they signify a home’s reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower resource consumption, which can also lead to savings on insurance premiums,” Ward explained.

Moreover, the Digital Discount encourages customers to reduce paper waste by opting for digital account management, further lessening the ecological footprint and aligning with modern, sustainable practices.

Homeowners looking to make a substantial impact might consider the following Mercury-recommended improvements:

• Energy-Efficient Appliances: Installing ENERGY STAR-rated appliances can cut energy consumption by up to 30%, lowering energy bills (Source: U.S. Department of Energy).
• Solar Panel Installation: Reducing reliance on fossil fuels through solar energy can decrease electricity bills by 50%-90% (Source: U.S. Department of Energy).
• Water Conservation Measures: Equipping homes with low-flow fixtures and intelligent irrigation systems can save up to 50% in outdoor water usage (Source: Environmental Protection Agency).
• Sustainable Building Materials: Opting for recycled content or responsibly sourced timber can reduce emissions by up to 50% and operational costs by up to 30% (World Green Building Council).

For those interested in embracing these eco-friendly improvements, visit mercuryinsurance.com or speak with a Mercury Insurance agent to discover if these initiatives are accessible in your state and learn more about the potential reductions in your insurance expenses.

2024-04-29T12:01:00

(BPT) – Spring is all about renewal — whether that means cleaning and organizing your house, or making improvements that enhance your home’s efficiency and security. Thanks to the latest technological innovations, you can find a variety of ways to improve many of the processes you use daily in your home.

Here’s how technology can make revamping your household systems a breeze.

Not your parents’ vacuum

If you’ve dreamed of automating household chores to free up time for things you love to do, the Eufy Omni Robot Vacuum S1 Pro is the answer. This new robot vacuums, mops and self-cleans, and can be controlled through its app with features like multi-floor mapping, spot cleaning, customized cleaning modes, scheduling and setting no-go zones. The Omni Robot Vacuum S1 Pro combines efficiency with compact design to blend unobtrusively into your home as it cleans with an impressive 8,000 Pa suction power.

But it doesn’t stop there — it also comes with a TurboWash Roller Mop which rotates at a speed of 170 RPM, designed to mimic the action of human scrubbing to remove tough dirt and stains. This TurboWash Roller Mop also cleans the mop as it cleans the floor. This is achieved by harnessing water’s dynamic power by creating a water circulation system that uses air pressure for smart water absorption and drainage — allowing the robot vacuum to efficiently clean the mop with fresh water, while swiftly collecting wastewater in the sewage tank.

Best yet, the unit comes with 3D MatrixEye™ Obstacle Avoidance and Navigation, 3D MatrixEye Depth Perception System and TrueCourse™ Mapping, all helping it deftly maneuver around obstacles, pets and kids as it cleans. Thanks to its Uniclean Station charging base, the robot docks at the Omni Station to automatically empty the dustbin, which can go up to 68 days before needing a bag change. It disposes of wastewater and cleans mopping pads using a built-in Eco-Clean Ozone™ generator, drying them with hot air to inhibit bacterial growth and odors. It then refills with a cleaning solution to be ready for the next use.

This new product is available for pre-order at a discount on Kickstarter, to be available for purchase in May 2024 on eufy.com.

Level up your energy storage capability

If you already have solar panels or are planning to install them, it’s crucial to consider the best way to store the energy your panels generate. The Anker SOLIX X1 Home Energy Storage System is a modular battery wall system that can be expanded from 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) up to 180 kWh. The average American home uses 899 kWh of energy per month, so 30 kWh is about the amount of energy needed to power a home for one day.

You can store solar energy during the day for nighttime or off-grid use. The system’s InfiniPower™ Thermal Performance allows for a continuous power supply at 1.1 times the rated output, and it’s built to function in extreme heat and cold. The X1 is designed to redefine backup power for homes, bringing you energy savings and freedom — so you’ll be ready for spring and summer storms.

Bedside charging with style

Simplify and streamline charging of multiple devices using a sleek, aesthetically pleasing “tree-like” charging station that allows seamless, and wireless, charging for your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, all at once — and significantly faster at up to 15 watts for the latest Qi2 devices. The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand) comes with a 40W USB-C charger, 5 feet USB-C to USB-C cable, welcome guide and a 24-month warranty. Anker’s Proprietary ActiveShield technology monitors temperatures over 3,000,000 times per day to ensure the safest charging. Efficiency never looked so good on your bedside table.

Revamp your security system with cutting-edge cameras

For greater peace of mind, consider upgrading to dual-camera devices from eufy Security, including the world’s first home surveillance mesh powered by local AI. The devices in eufy’s lineup feature both wide-angle and telephoto lenses, enhancing its surveillance capabilities. Wide-angle view helps reduce blind spots and covers more area in a single view, while telephoto viewing lets you see details clearly, including hybrid zoom to see better at a distance. With Dual Viewing you get the best of both worlds, seeing the wide-angle and telephoto feeds together.

The series also introduces eufy Security’s proprietary AI cross-camera tracking, a groundbreaking feature that seamlessly tracks people and events across multiple devices, giving you a single auto-edited video notification. All these features add up to improved safety and security for your property.

Embracing technology can mean making upgrades you may not have known were possible — helping your household run more cleanly, safely and efficiently every day.

2024-04-23T07:01:00

(BPT) – How’s your office working for you? According to a recent survey from organizational solution brand, Mind Reader, 86 percent of people see their workspace as having an impact on their happiness — which makes an organized office at home or at work essential to keeping a positive mood. If you’re setting up your workday in different spots at home throughout the day (18 percent), hunkering down at your dining table (17 percent), or working exclusively from bed (16 percent) it might be time to revamp your workspace to an ergonomic, organized and functional area. Your overall health, well-being, and productivity will thank you.

A comfortable home office not only supports a positive mindset but can allow you to maintain good posture throughout the day, reducing strain on your neck, back, and shoulders and helping you feel your best when powering through a busy day. Positioning your computer correctly, whether you’re using a monitor or a laptop, can reduce eye and arm strain and fatigue, not to mention the extra focus you’ll get when you’re not hunched over your screen all day long. Even something as simple as organizing your office supplies cuts down on wasted time and frustration.

According to the survey from Mind Reader, 83 percent feel more productive if their workspace is organized and — if it were more organized — believe they could increase their productivity by 38 percent. Creating an ergonomic, organized workspace at home or in the office doesn’t have to be complicated or fancy. It’s about finding simple, intuitive solutions that you can use to transform a corner of your home or apartment into a place where you can focus on your work and get the job done in comfort.

Here are a few simple ways to create a comfortable, ergonomic home office.

Desk. Start with the basics. You do not need an enormous mahogany desk suitable for the Oval Office. Just a work surface big enough for your laptop or monitor, or both, where you can comfortably type with your arms at a 90-degree angle. If you prefer a standing desk, you can find models for under $50 that are adjustable and portable.

Chair. A supportive, ergonomic chair is half the battle. You’ll be sitting in it for much of the day, so make it work for you. But, you don’t have to invest hundreds of dollars in a new office chair. You can transform the chair you already have with inexpensive back supports and cushions. Mind Reader, the experts in creating organized, ergonomic home workspaces, offers a few varieties of backrests and cushions, all for under about $40. It’s that affordable and easy.

Screens. Now let’s talk about your screens. To avoid eye strain, you should position your monitor or laptop at eye level. Oftentimes, this means you need a monitor stand. You can make it dual-functioning by finding one that has drawers underneath for paper and pens. That handled, be mindful of how long you stare at that screen. Eye professionals recommend using the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a reset from all of that screen time.

Foot rest. You will be surprised by how much difference an ergonomic foot rest makes when you’re sitting at your desk all day. It helps you maintain correct posture and reduces the strain on your back and legs, alleviating swelling in your ankles and feet. Many models are adjustable and come with massage rollers for an added boost. Again, these don’t have to be expensive. This Mind Reader Foot Rest is under $30, adjustable, and includes those massage rollers.

Cables. All of those tangled cords are just plain messy and disruptive to look at. Wrangle them with a cable tray you can position under your desk, a cable management snake, or ties and clips to keep them under control and out of your line of sight.

Storage. If you’re set up at your kitchen table, where are all of your office supplies? The solution is a wheeled storage cart with drawers. You can pop your office supplies like printer paper, notepads, pens, and whatever else you use into the drawers. Roll it out when you need to use it, and tuck it into the corner when you end your workday.

With these simple tips, you can create a better home workspace that will elevate your productivity and contribute to your health and well-being, too. For more ideas, visit Mind Reader.

2024-04-16T08:01:00

(BPT) – You may have heard of “-core” trends that center around a specific niche, like cottagecore (accessorizing your home like a lake house) or balletcore (a style that emphasizes elegance, ballet flats and tulle). The latest “-core” trend sweeping the country is cafécore, the art of recreating the coffee shop vibe at home.

Pinterest Predicts 2024 calls cafécore one of the hottest trends of the year. It’s about bringing the atmosphere of a coffee shop, including your favorite coffee drinks, to your kitchen. Words like warm, comfortable, inviting and, of course, delicious, come to mind. Here are some tips for turning your kitchen into your favorite coffee shop.

It starts with coffee. Cafecore starts with the ability to make your favorite espresso drinks like lattes, cappuccinos and more at home. In the past, espresso machines were inaccessible, complicated and, frankly, too big and clunky for at-home use. Enter the KitchenAid Espresso Collection. The line consists of four machines: one Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder, and three Fully-Automatic Espresso Machines with features to suit your tastes and preferences.

All are designed to help you elevate your coffee experience at home, taking the guesswork out of being your own barista. These models can do everything except choose the beans for you — precise dosing so you’ll always have a perfect shot of espresso, bean grinders, automatic milk frothing with options for non-dairy milks (on select models), drink personalization settings with up to six user profiles on some machines, even an intuitive touch screen. And dare we say it? The KitchenAid Espresso Collection is pretty, too. This is the gorgeous foundational piece to build your personal caffeine aesthetic around.

Create a coffee corner. While the KitchenAid Espresso Collection is stunning on its own, the appliances are designed to complement a variety of tastes, so you can customize your home coffee station to perfectly suit what you love. Include pretty mugs, a tray for flavored syrups, napkins, stir sticks, fun coasters, a basket for croissants and anything else you enjoy with your coffee. You can even deck out a bar cart with a water dispenser and any favorite decorations and glassware that complement your style.

A comfortable place to sit. The best coffee shops have an ambiance that makes you want to sit for a spell, relax and enjoy. Whether it’s a sunny spot with an armchair and end table or a cozy corner perfect for curling up with a good book, once you find your perfect perch, trick it out with a cordless coffee warmer, charge cords for your laptop and phone, and a plush blanket that invites you to settle in.

Accents! Pinterest is a great source to find accent ideas to make your coffee corner stand out. A custom chalkboard to write notes and favorite recipes on, a fun wallpaper or a sentimental piece of art can all take your space to the next level.

This trend is all about creating a comfy space in your home that celebrates your love of coffee, invites relaxation, and provides a lovely start to your day. To learn more about the KitchenAid Espresso Collection — or for tutorials about how, exactly, to froth milk — visit their website at https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/espresso.html.

2024-04-12T09:01:01

(BPT) – “Style and design surround us — impacting how we feel, the personality of a room or the energy of a space,” said Laura Grilli, director of product design for Daltile. “As a fashion-driven tile brand, Daltile has recently produced its Trend Report 2024 to help homeowners, designers and architects create fresh, breathtaking spaces.”

Coastal Retreat

Coastal Retreat is the design trend of deeply breathing in life — making our souls feel invigorated yet calm. Creating a sense of relaxation, typical of a vacation destination, is many times achieved in this trend by replicating a Mediterranean vibe. Sunbaked colors bring the Mediterranean sun, waves and reinvigorating seaside air into a room’s aesthetics. Mix in a touch of free-spirited style to further breathe life into a space, complete with macrame, woven banana bark, handmade crafts and indigenous patterns to keep things real! The soothing sense of cocooning is also part of Coastal Retreat, finding balance, peace, calm and harmony through rounded shapes, sculptural lines and curves that are welcoming and reassuring. Helped by the dry touch aesthetic of raw stone, natural surfaces and organic shapes, Coastal Retreat can also create contemporary spathrooms that offer the tranquility of a relaxing spa in Bali.

Quiet Luxury

Serene and tasteful, Quiet Luxury provides an elegant escape from the daily grind through settings that meld understated luxury with traditional touches. Starting with a foundation of Soft Minimalism, Quiet Luxury then exquisitely layers on neutral colors, fabric touches and unique metal accents to maintain a quiet sophistication that is the hallmark of this trend. Refined and elegant, yet comforting, the clean lines of the furniture, wall décor and well-placed hero details carry forward years of order, social graciousness and reliable protocol while infusing the space with a contemporary freshness that lifts our spirits, calms our nerves and makes it effortless to truly live in the moment with family, guests or even just our own thoughts. All design elements within a Quiet Luxury space are gentle and refined, radiating a luxury that is comfortably elegant.

Modern Rurality

Unplugging from the frantic pace of today’s overly digitized and chaotic world is totally possible when a space is enveloped by the warmth, purity and rusticity of Modern Rurality’s design components. A wooden backdrop is key as are roughhewn, simple, outdoorsy elements that wrap the space in a relaxed, country atmosphere. There is a rustic charm as well as a heritage-inspired authenticity to Modern Rurality. Infused with a color palette reflective of a rural winter’s day, a space following this trend’s lead will be filled with gorgeous moody colors such as deep navy, saturated moss green, a solemn maroon and various natural shades of brown. Although entrenched in a log cabin feel, the aesthetics of Modern Rurality can also take on a contemporary twist by incorporating some industrial elements such as glass, metal, brick and concrete — achieving a sleekness while staying true to the simplicity that is at the heart of this design.

Retro Revisited

While vibrantly drawing from the past, today’s design trend of Retro Revisited is all about expressing individuality. Everyone has a brand and Retro Revisited allows for a mixing and matching of the best design from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s to add life, color and individual expression to contemporary spaces. Cluttercore and hand-crafts are noted hallmarks of this trend as are thrifting and upcycling. Retro Revisited designs can be quirky, exuberant, creative. Disco Elemental, Mid-Century Modern, Maximalism and a touch of rebellion all make their mark in Retro Revisited spaces, sometimes as stand-alone features, other times as mixed epochs. Shiny lacquered wood furniture, striking geometries, psychedelic patterns and bold colors as well as muted crafts or make-and-mend elements all find their niche in this trend that expresses personal freedom.

Biophilic Essence

Nature can be grounding, relaxing, cocooning, but it can also be magnificent and exuberant, full of unexpected surprises! Like a William Turner painting, nature’s elements can powerfully express themselves in ethereal majesty. The trend of Biophilic Essence is many times comprised of materials that have sprung forth from centuries of natural pressure such as marbles, crystals and precious gemstones. The color palette of this trend ranges from earthy browns, greens and grays to the majesty of jewel tones such as royal blue, brilliant yellow and fiery red — because nature gives us all of these colors. Silver, gold and other precious metals add natural artistry to a Biophilic Essence space. Additional signature effects of Biophilic Essence such as light, shadow and the juxtaposition of both in a space create a luminescent presence that heightens the artistry of this design trend. The wonder of nature and the majesty of natural elements can create a feast for our eyes and an uplifting undercurrent for our emotions.

Visit daltile.com/Trend-Report to download the full trend brochure.

2024-04-11T12:53:00

(BPT) – Throughout the year, golf tournaments captivate audiences excited to watch the pros do what they do best: play golf! As viewers tune in to see their favorite athletes compete on pristine golf courses, they may dream of replicating this championship-level fairway quality in their backyard.

Are you ready to turn your backyard into a golfer’s dream? TruGreen, the official lawn care treatment provider of the PGA TOUR, has you covered with these five expert tips to make your lawn as beautiful as a world-class golf course.

1. The foundation is underfoot

The key to a healthy, green lawn is rooted in nutrient-rich soil. Premium soil fosters a healthy lawn that can withstand drought, ward off disease and pests, and develop a deep, sturdy root system.

Although the perfect soil composition varies based on grass type, a well-rounded mix of water, air, minerals, and essential nutrients is crucial.

2. Maintain a meticulous mowing schedule

Lawn care is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and the same goes for mowing schedules. The growth of your grass is influenced by various elements, such as prevailing weather and the local climate conditions. As such, you should plan to keep an eye on your lawn and mow it as necessary instead of following a specific schedule. For the most effective mow, adjust your mower to its maximum height setting, mow your lawn with sharp blades, and avoid mowing when the grass is damp.

Another great rule of thumb? Follow the “one-third” rule: aim to mow often enough so that you’re only cutting one-third of the grass blade during any single mowing.

3. Water is welcome

When you water your grass, you’re helping transport necessary nutrients around the roots to the grass blades, ensuring they stay alive and healthy. Watering also improves your lawn’s tolerance against normal wear and tear and foot traffic by boosting firmness and supporting seed germination.

Most turf grasses require about 1 inch of water per week via rainfall or intentional watering. A great watering guideline is to prioritize quality over quantity. Essentially, when you water your lawn, focus on the amount of water applied versus the frequency at which you water.

4. Don’t wait to remove the weeds!

Can you think of anything more annoying than weeds on your lawn? Well, get this: they are likely already disrupting the health of your lawn before you can even spot them.

When approaching weed removal, it’s important to first identify the type of weeds on your lawn. You can avoid the guesswork by consulting a professional to treat weeds early and prevent them from becoming an even bigger problem. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can determine the best action for removal such as digging by hand or pouring boiling water on them.

To keep stubborn weeds at bay, ensure you are maintaining a healthy, dense lawn that doesn’t allow room for weeds to flourish.

5. Don’t want to do it yourself? Leave it to the pros

“While your pursuit of the perfect swing might leave little room for taking care of your lawn, you don’t have to give up on your dream outdoor space just yet,” says Brian Feldman, TruGreen’s senior director of technical operations. “TruGreen provides tailored plans to meet your yard’s specific needs year-round so you can spend more time playing on your PGA TOUR-level lawn instead of maintaining it.”

These basic lawn care tips are sure to help get things off the ground, but they are just the beginning of your journey to a PGA TOUR-worthy backyard. For more advanced lawn care tasks such as aeration or pest control, learn more about TruGreen’s lawn care service offerings at TruGreen.com.

2024-04-09T10:41:01

(BPT) – Investing in real estate can be a smart choice, but not all investments are created equal. There’s no denying rental properties are a surging market. Mortgage interest rates have risen dramatically over the past few years, high enough to price many people out of purchasing a home. It means the demand for rental properties is high. You don’t have to be an economist to see it — there’s a crane on every corner, and new apartment buildings are popping up everywhere.

For many investors, tapping into this surging market means buying duplexes, fourplexes or single-family homes. But with them comes the hassle of becoming a landlord. Fixing appliances when they break down, arranging for snow removal and yard work, dealing with tenant complaints or worse, going through the exhausting process of evicting someone when the arrangement just isn’t working. You’re suddenly the building’s maintenance technician in addition to being the owner.

Institutionally sized real estate projects like apartment buildings or condo developments don’t come with those kinds of hassles for their owners, as those responsibilities fall to property management companies. But in the past, they have been out of reach for individuals.

That’s not the case today. Investors who are thinking about getting into real estate can think bigger than a duplex. There’s an emerging investment model that gives private investors access to institutionally sized real estate projects, reaping returns and depreciation benefits without the management headaches.

Roers Companies is a national leader in real estate development, construction and property management that was founded to change the game for everyday investors. They’re on a mission to elevate multifamily housing by developing and operating market-rate, workforce, active 55+ and affordable housing in highly desired neighborhoods nationwide.

Rather than focusing on institutional equity to fund that mission, Roers Companies chooses to work with individuals.

Some quick facts about Roers Companies:

• 17 completed projects sold since 2019 with an average hold time of 3.5 years
• Nearly 12,000 rental units and 83 projects developed and under construction
• $510M+ equity raised through 850+ investor partnerships
• $2.9B in real estate since 2012

At a high level, to be considered an accredited investor, you need to meet one of the following:

• Have a net worth over $1 million, not including their primary residence
• Income over 200,000 (individually) or 300,000 (with spouse or partner) in each of the prior two years, and reasonably expect the same for this year

That kind of wealth criteria makes it possible for a whole tier of investors to buy into institutional-level real estate projects for the opportunity to receive high returns on that investment.

If you compare the performance of a $10,000 investment in stocks, real estate investment trust (REIT) and multifamily real estate over the course of 20 years, you can see that the growth in multifamily outperforms other asset types. Multifamily real estate investments also tend to offer less volatility than stocks or REITs.

Part of the reason for Roers Companies’ success lies in their business model. They don’t just manage properties or build them. Their internal capabilities include development, construction, leasing, property management and asset management. This vertical integration means that Roers Companies is able to achieve significant cost savings and efficiencies that companies with a single area of expertise cannot match. With a close watch on local markets, strong industry relationships, and a robust evaluation and approval protocol, their process refines and strengthens each opportunity offered to investors for consideration.

It’s an outgrowth of Co-Founder and Co-Owner Kent Roers’ recognition of what he calls “the missing middle” — everyday investors wanting access to institutionally sized real estate projects, but settling for buying houses or duplexes instead. Yes, they could buy into a REIT, but their performance is often correlated to the stock market — the highs and lows of stocks will follow for REITs. The business model Kent and his brother Brian built bridges that gap, giving private investors an opportunity for significant returns and a seat at the — much bigger — table typically reserved for large financial institutions.

Market conditions have pushed many companies out of the new-development arena in the past 18 months while Roers Companies’ private investors have made new projects possible. Because of that, their projects are under construction and will be ready to welcome residents and collect rent just in time for the institutional-reliant developers to hit reset on their projects in high-growth neighborhoods starved for supply.

The demand for rental housing shows no signs of subsiding, ensuring long-term stability and growth within the multifamily sector. This sustained demand, coupled with the anticipated cost reductions, presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking attractive returns in the real estate market. To find out more about this unique direct-investment model, contact Roers Companies.

Photos by Spacecrafting