Category: Brandpoint Home & Garden

2018-08-15T07:01:01

(BPT) – The kitchen may be the heart of your home, but don’t underestimate the importance of your bathrooms. If you think about it, bathrooms are one of the most frequented spaces in the home. It’s where you go to rejuvenate and get ready for the day. It’s the place where you take the time to make yourself look and feel your best. A thoughtfully designed bathroom can start your day on a positive note and end it in a calm, relaxing and stress-free manner.

With this in mind, good design becomes essential. A well-designed bathroom has many elements that come together in a cohesive fashion. The space should not only reflect your personal aesthetic, but also adapt to your needs by streamlining your day-to-day routine. Finding a balance between fashion and function might seem challenging, but when you look to customization that incorporates technology, you’ll quickly see that creating a bathroom of your dreams is easily within reach.

Modular configurations

Whether you have a standard bathroom layout or a tricky design with boxed-in constraints, modular configurations are a simple solution. When you choose configurable products from companies like Robern, you’ll be able to select from a wide array of sizes, shapes and options to fit your construction needs. That means you can design an amazing bathroom experience in the tiny powder room outside the den as well as the large master bathroom suite. Thoughtful design and complete customization can help you maximize any potentially awkward space.

Storage and organization

Even the most exquisite bathroom can become a source of frustration if the counters are cluttered or styling tools are hard to reach. Configurable solutions — like modular vanities and multiple medicine cabinets creatively ganged — let you design a storage solution that fits your lifestyle. Robern engineers put cutting-edge technology into each product to simplify the bathroom styling process. For example, vanities feature electronic outlets for modern styling tools, strategic lighting for easy all-day use and magnetic strips for simplified storage.

Strategic lighting

Lighting is a fundamental part of bathroom design and highly influential to enhance your routine. While lighting can perfectly illuminate the bathroom, it doesn’t necessarily mean it does a good job of illuminating the face. Top lighting — common in bathroom design — casts shadows on the face, which is bad for makeup application, shaving and other personal hygiene tasks. Consider lighted mirrors from Robern, designed to strike the face from at least two directions, providing even illumination and minimal shadows. No matter what illumination you choose, keep in mind that lighting from all sides with adjustable features will increase functionality.

Fixtures and faucets

There are a multitude of choices that allow you to create a personalized and custom bathroom experience. For the shower, consider a variety of showerheads, raindomes, wands and ceiling shower tiles that elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary. Wall-hung toilets can be a subtle interior design statement that not only adds a cosmopolitan flair but also makes cleaning a breeze. For faucets, gooseneck or low-spout faucet designs are currently trending. To instantly boost the faucet luxury factor, plumbing brands such as KALLISTA offer an array of handles that can be selected with decorative elements including semi-precious stones and marble or onyx inserts.

Custom flooring

The bathroom floor is often overlooked as an opportunity to inject your own personal style with custom elements. Prefer warm and cozy? Minimalist and modern? Whatever vision you have in mind for your bathroom design, tile is always on trend due to its high performing functionality and variety of colors, patterns and textures. ANN SACKS offers an abundance of choices, from custom colors that can be created on demand to faux finishes that look nearly identical to the real deal (think porcelain tile that looks like wood). Add heated elements during installation to further enhance your bathroom experience.

With smart bathroom design, fashion and function can blend together for the ultimate in customization. To learn more, visit www.robern.com.

2018-08-14T17:09:00

(BPT) – Cookouts, barbecues, family reunions and more are upon us, and as the coolest neighbor on the cul-de-sac, hosting is a no-brainer. We’ve compiled three simple ways to get your deck and yard ready to go, so you can play host to the cookout of the year.

1. Make your deck and patio shine

After you remove the leaves from the surface of your deck or patio, dirt and stains remain. Luckily, Greenworks Tools has released the easy-to-use 2000psi Pressure Washer. This light, powerful and gas-free machine will ensure that you have an easy time making your deck or patio look brand-new, impressing your guests. Talk about a win-win situation.

2. Give your deck a makeover

A great cookout on the deck is never a reason to complain, but taking your deck to the next level visually will enhance the experience a hundredfold. Consider outdoor string lights to hang across the deck, instead of relying on porch lights, to set the party mood. This is also a wonderful time to invest in new lawn and deck furniture if your current set is beginning to show its age.

3. Pamper your yard

While the barbecue may not leave the deck, your guests should be impressed with the high-quality mowing lines and perfectly trimmed hedges in your backyard. To make the job easier and save you time, Greenworks Tools has you covered once more. A complete lineup of lithium-ion battery-powered outdoor equipment eliminates the mess, hassle and noise of gas-powered tools without having to sacrifice any of the power to get the job done, ensuring that your yard will be the talk of the party.

For more information, visit http://www.greenworkstools.com.

2018-08-13T09:01:00

(BPT) – While spring is typically the busiest period in real estate, particularly for families looking to get in to a new home before the school year starts, the fall months have become increasingly active for those who have more flexibility or are looking for a good deal.

With increased competition in many cities around the country, finding ways to simplify the home buying process while saving money is top of mind for potential home buyers. Many consumers are seeking real estate brokerages that make the home buying process less stressful by providing access to tech-based tools, data and the guidance of smart, local agents.

“Buying a home is typically the most expensive purchase most people will make, and people are choosing brokerages that offer the right tools and data to help inform their decisions and make the process more efficient,” said Dario Cardile, Vice President, Growth Marketing at Owners.com. “Savvy home buyers are utilizing technology and data to inform their home search, but are also demonstrating that they value working with an expert local agent who can offer on-the-ground expertise and help them get the best deal.”

Cardile offers these tips for ways potential home buyers can utilize technology to simplify the real estate process.

* Ensure that your finances are in order. To purchase the home of your dreams you’ll need the right loan. So before you begin your search, request a free annual copy of your credit report from the government-authorized AnnualCreditReport.com. Pay attention to the scores in your report, as the better your scores, the more likely you are to receive favorable terms and interest rates on your loan.

* Narrow your housing search. Searching for homes on the internet is easy, but finding the one that is just right for you can be more difficult. Fortunately, Owners.com can help, as it leverages data and technology to connect you to homes matching your personal preferences and ranks those homes based on the features you highlight as being most important. The platform also notifies you of regular updates on the properties of your interest, and suggests similar properties based on your preferences. You will have access to local listings from the Multiple Listing Service and for-sale-by-owner properties, so you don’t miss out on a potential home.

* Explore the area before you get there. Whether it’s a local dog park, fun shops to visit on the weekend or a quaint bistro for a night out, your neighborhood needs extend beyond the walls of your home. Fortunately, hyper localized data such as walk scores, neighborhood and school information and modern mapping solutions can give you insights into the entire community before you even start your search. And don’t be afraid to look up area attractions on social media and read some reviews. It’s a great way to learn what everyone is saying about your potential neighborhood.

* Find the right agent. A great real estate agent can help you save time and money in the real estate process. While many consumers are self-informing their search with online data, a recent survey from Owners.com of more than 1,000 recent home buyers nationwide found that the majority (83 percent) worked with an agent to purchase their home. The full service website and mobile app make it easy to find a local agent that’s right for you, as well as provide you with the digital tools to make the process less stressful. An expert local agent can provide inside knowledge of the property and community, on-the-ground expertise, and help you strike the best deal to get into your dream home.

Finding the best home for you

The fall real estate market won’t wait for you, so start your planning now and begin your housing search with the power of technology at your fingertips. With you, your agent and technology working hand in hand, your dream house is there for the taking.

2018-08-08T08:01:00

(BPT) – If you love spending time in your yard, the end of summer can mark a period of sadness thinking about the colder temperatures and shorter days you must endure before getting back outside.

One sure cure for the blues is looking forward to something fun. Get a head start on spring and use the time now to complete a project that will enhance your yard. Whether you’ve been wanting a patio, a zen garden or just some new flower beds, fall weekends are an ideal time to make it happen. By spring, they’ll be ready and waiting for your finishing touches!

With the help of rental equipment, you can get these jobs done in a fraction of the time and with much less of an investment than purchasing expensive tools yourself. Here are five weekend projects you can complete this fall and dream about all winter.

* Zen garden: Building a free-standing, minimalist zen garden is a simple but powerfully effective way to add beauty and texture to a lawn or patio. To get a head start in the fall, plan where you’d like to set that rectangle of tranquility in your yard. Once that’s measured and marked off, you can rent a sod cutter to almost effortlessly remove the grass. Before the ground freezes, give that rectangle a stone border, and cover with a tarp. When spring comes, the foundation of your zen space will be ready and waiting for you to add plants, shrubs, gravel, lanterns and maybe a statue or two.

* Pond: This fall, choose a sunny spot in your yard to build your pond, and then rent a tool, like a mini-excavator, to move the dirt and even carve out the terraces. When that job is done, you’ll have plenty of time to get the bulk of the project ready for spring, such as adding your sand layer, the waterproof liner and installing the pump. Finally, arrange the rocks to create a beautiful and natural-looking perimeter that’s waiting for spring and the addition of water and plants.

* Patio and pergola: When you compare a paver-brick patio with a traditional wood deck, the advantages of the patio are very evident. Patios are easy for do-it-yourselfers to complete in a weekend or two, they’re less expensive to build and they’re easier to maintain and repair. You can also add a pergola to create a beautiful space for outdoor dining and entertaining. With the help of a rented post hole digger, you can have the posts in place before the snow flies.

* Flower beds: Flower beds add beauty to your yard, but they can accomplish so much more. Wide beds along property lines can create a privacy buffer between you and the rest of the world and increase the curb appeal of your home. Preparing the bed in the fall means less dirt work in the spring, so you can spend that time getting plants in the ground. The good news is, if you decide you want the bed to be bigger, you can just rent a walk-behind skid steer and get the job done quickly.

* Fire pit: Nothing’s better than sitting around the fire with friends and loved ones. Fire pits are the ideal fall project because you can start enjoying it almost right away. Whether you add to an existing patio or start new, renting a cement mixer and a paver saw for custom-fitted pieces can help you create a functional new feature in just a weekend or two.

Find the rental companies, tools and equipment in your neighborhood that can help you make your vision a reality at RentalHQ.com.

2018-08-07T09:13:01

(BPT) – Today, anyone who enjoys interior design can experience the pride of installing their own tile. Planning is the key to success, since each project has different needs based on the size and type of tile and where it will be installed. After that perfect tile has been selected, the next step is choosing the proper installation products, including the right grout.

Grout is the final product used in creating the tile assembly and the only one that will remain visible. Giving careful thought to choosing the right grout will help ensure a tile project that will look beautiful for the lifetime of the tile. Even the most stunning tile is doomed from the start if it has been installed with a grout that cracks, stains or has color imperfections.

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most commonly tiled areas in the home. The tile in these rooms is also the most likely to be exposed to staining agents like food and drink spills, oil and grease, and mold and mildew. This makes proper grout selection for these hardworking rooms even more important.

Fortunately, most of the issues associated with cement-based grouts can be avoided by using an advanced formula, single component grout like Fusion Pro. Fusion Pro is guaranteed to be stain proof and color perfect with no variations from bucket to bucket. This is a ready-to-use grout that is easy to spread and clean. It can be used indoors or outdoors and even in wet areas like showers.

Using Fusion Pro eliminates steps and prevents potential issues of using a standard cement-based grout for tile installations:

• No sealing required for stain protection
• No efflorescence, mottling, fading and color shading
• Versatility to fill grout joints from 1/16” to 1/2” wide and deep

Here are a few tips to help make grouting fast and easy:

• Unlike other grouts, Fusion Pro is applied and then cleaned immediately.
• Pull a few samples of the selected tile to test the grout before getting started.
• Use the mortar or adhesive to set them over a stable but disposable surface, such as a piece of plywood.
• Once the setting material has cured, apply grout and test for three things:
  • Does the chosen grout color work well under the actual lighting?
  • Does the tile get scratched easily? It may require a non-sanded grout.
  • Does the grout stick to or stain the tile? If so, apply a grout release or sealer prior to grouting.

Fusion Pro grout allows homeowners to tackle their next tile project with the confidence of a pro. Of course, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results and full warranty coverage. For more information about using Fusion Pro, including How To videos and downloadable Installation Guides, visit the Custom Building Products website at www.custombuildingproducts.com.

2018-08-03T08:51:00

(BPT) – When you start feeling those first hints of winter, the instinct to get ready kicks in. You may dig out your car’s snow brush, blanket, shovel and winter survival kit and place them in the trunk of your car. The winter coats and boots come out of storage, and you may pick up some extra mittens at the store.

We do these things to protect ourselves from the cold when we’re out and about. But what do you do to protect your house against the hazards of winter? If you don’t take time for maintenance and winterization now, you can end up paying for it later, whether it’s in the form of higher energy bills, frozen pipes or fixing a broken furnace.

Here are four problems that can hit home during the winter and what you can do to ward them off.

Sky-high energy bills: Do your electric bills rise during the wintertime? Heating your home accounts for about half of your home’s energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Combat the cold by sealing off any cracks or gaps with caulk and inspect entrances for worn or broken weatherstripping. Schedule a furnace inspection tuneup with an HVAC contractor and consider installing a smarter thermostat. Learning thermostats, such as Nest, can remember your favorite temperatures, turning itself down when you leave for work, as well as returning to your favorite temp at the end of the day.

Water leaks: We take our pipes for granted, but we don’t always anticipate what can go wrong when we’re not home. According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage accounts for half of all property damage claims. Add winter’s freezing temperatures to the mix, and you can end up with a big problem if your home has a power outage or your furnace malfunctions.

For extra peace of mind, there’s now a leak and flood protection system you can purchase that shuts off your water main’s supply when it detects leaks — and sends an alert right to your smart device. LeakSmart installs directly to your home’s main water supply, and wireless sensors placed around the house can detect a leak or temperature changes and shut down the whole house water supply within five seconds. And when the LeakSmart Hub is powered by a battery back-up, the system will still work if the power and internet go out, so you don’t have to worry about coming home to water damage.

The system can work on its own or be integrated with smart home systems.

If you’re interested in learning more about how this smart device can protect your home, visit LeakSmart.com.

Power outages: When a winter storm hits, the ice and wind can break power lines and interrupt the supply of electricity to our homes. It’s not uncommon for some outages to last for days, which is why it’s always smart to be prepared.

Before winter hits, make certain your generator or other backup power source has ample fuel and is in good working order. Keep some basic supplies at the ready, so you can keep your family comfortable. Make sure you have extra blankets, stocking caps, batteries and fully charged power banks for your mobile phones. It’s also good to have a few gallons of fresh water and some cans of ready-to-eat chili and stew. If you have a camp stove, keep it in an easy-to-reach place, along with a fuel supply.

Ice dams: Another thing to watch for in the winter are pools of water forming on your roof. These can be caused by ridges of snow and ice, and eventually cause leaks to the interior of your home. Ice dams can also lead to the formation of large, pointy icicles that hang from the gutters, which can fall and injure people.

Luckily, a little work upfront can go a long way toward preventing ice dams and the damage they can cause. First, make sure the gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and other yard debris, so the snowmelt has a place to go. Next, poke your head into the crawlspace of your attic and see if the insulation layer is still thick enough to keep the heat from escaping through the roof. While you’re up there, look for gaps and leaks. Finally, this is a good time to invest in a simple snow rake, so you can easily remove wet, heavy snow from your roof before the dams can start forming.

Now that you know the most common winter hazards that can hit home, you can take the steps to protect your investment and keep your family comfortable and safe.

2018-08-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether it’s regular outdoor entertaining, kids playing soccer or dogs chasing tennis balls, fun on the lawn — combined with hot, dry conditions — can mean your grass gets a major workout during the summer and early fall. But that doesn’t mean you have to.

To keep your lawn looking sharp without breaking your back, follow these five simple tips.

1. Mow high. Crew cuts are out. Don’t fall for the myth that the shorter you cut your grass, the less often you’ll have to mow. Leaving the grass blades a bit longer allows them to shade the roots and provides more leaf surface for making food, so you can water, feed and mow less often. The type of grass in your lawn will determine the height you should set your mower, but most turfgrasses can be allowed to grow 3 inches tall in the summer before the top one-third of the blades is removed by mowing.

2. Find the most efficient mowing pattern. Most people mow their lawns in rows, and that’s usually the fastest way to do it. If you have a more-or-less rectangular lawn, mowing in lengthwise rows (along the longest side of the lawn) will reduce the number of turns you need to make and thus speed up the job. Another option is to work in concentric circles — this can be more efficient because the turns are all in the same direction and, except at the very center, they’re not as sharp, so you can maneuver the mower better. Whatever pattern you choose, be sure to overlap the rows a bit so you don’t have to go back later and clean up areas you missed.

3. Leave the clippings. If you aren’t cutting off more than one-third of the height of the grass blades (which you shouldn’t be anyway, as this stresses the plants), you don’t need to bag the clippings. Just leave them on the lawn and they’ll break down easily, providing the soil with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — the same nutrients found in commercial fertilizer. Clippings don’t cause thatch, and leaving them on the grass is a zero-cost, zero-effort way to feed your lawn. If you have a mulching mower, you can also mulch in fallen leaves in the fall to add extra nutrients and save time raking.

4. Water thoroughly but less frequently. Many homeowners think they need to water their lawns daily, but turfgrass actually prefers a thorough watering once or twice a week rather than a light misting every day. Allowing the soil to dry between waterings encourages the grass to grow deeper roots and can improve the lawn’s drought tolerance. So take watering off your daily to-do list and irrigate only when needed. A quick way to determine whether your lawn needs to be watered is to push a screwdriver into the soil. If it goes in without difficulty, the grass has enough water already. If the ground is so hard that the screwdriver doesn’t penetrate easily, it’s time to start up the sprinklers.

5. Overseed now to save time later. Overseeding in the fall, before cold temperatures hit, can save you significant time next spring and summer. Fall overseeding with a cool-season seed blend can help your lawn emerge from the winter thicker and healthier, improving the grass’s ability to fight insects, diseases and weeds in the spring — meaning less weed pulling, spot seeding and early-season lawn revitalization. Cool-season grasses should usually be planted by mid-September, and warm-season grasses by mid-October. You’ll want to avoid drastic temperature changes and water regularly yet moderately so the seed has time to absorb moisture and build strong roots. A bit of extra effort now will pay off in the spring with a lush, low-maintenance lawn.

“A lawn is a great asset that provides the perfect environment for a wide variety of outdoor activities,” said Bryan Ostlund, executive director of Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and turf specialists. “If you’re lucky enough to have space for grass, don’t let the maintenance become a burden. Simplifying your lawn care practices and working more efficiently can help you enjoy a healthy lawn all season long without hours and hours of labor.”

2018-07-30T09:01:00

(BPT) – Changing residences can be an emotional and logistical challenge for any family.

For military families, that challenge can be recreated many times over. Due to the nature of the work, the average U.S. military family relocates every two to three years — 10 times more than civilian families. That can mean a complete change of surroundings in addition to new schools, teachers, friends, neighborhoods, jobs, places of worship, schedules and activities.

When faced with those kinds of challenges, strong military families often become very good at planning, gathering together their support systems and fully optimizing their available resources.

If your military family is anticipating a relocation, the moving experts at Penske offer these tips for ensuring the process goes smoothly.

* Rely on key resources. Since you may not know when or where they’ll be deployed, it’s wise to keep a folder listing all the resources you need to plan a move, including your go-to moving company. For example, Penske Truck Rental maintains a dedicated call center for U.S. military moves and offers a standard 10 percent discount on moving truck rentals.

* Check in with your relocation assistance office. Fully utilize the services offered through your assigned Military and Family Support Center. Once informed of the details of your move, personnel there can connect you with valuable resources, help you create a schedule and contact your new support center, which should then connect you with a local sponsor.

* Get to know your sponsor. The military does it best, assigning you a sponsor who’s already working at your new location and with whom you have something in common. Optimize that contact to ask key questions, allay concerns and generally familiarize yourself with your new surroundings.

* Do the math on truck weights. When it comes to loading your moving vehicles, your goal should be to maximize your military travel allowance while avoiding any overweight charges you may have to pay out of pocket. That means getting a close estimate of the weight of your belongings. In general, you can plan on about 1,000 pounds per room; don’t count bathrooms, but do add in the estimated poundage of large appliances and of miscellaneous goods stored in your garage and storage areas. Military regulations require weight certification of moving vehicles both before and after loading; see Penske’s Certified Public Scale locator to locate weigh stations.

* Inventory your belongings. When packing boxes, mark each one with the name of your family, your destination, a general description of contents and the room the box should go in. To prevent any discrepancies between what you packed and what actually arrives, you should also list everything as it’s placed into the vehicles, taking photographs of high-value items.

While moving can be a fact of life for military families, good planning and solid support can smooth the way. Don’t hesitate to optimize every resource at your disposal when making your next move.

2018-07-30T07:01:01

(BPT) – August is National Curb Appeal Month and the perfect time to update one’s home exterior before the season changes. Many homeowners may not realize how easy it is to create a great first impression with attractive siding options from brands like Ply Gem Mastic. A recent color survey conducted by Ply Gem Building Products shows that a home’s exterior is, or can be, a reflection of the owner’s personality. To explore siding color options and solutions, visit www.mastic.com.

2018-07-27T11:31:00

(BPT) – In a survey conducted by affresh, 34 percent of Americans say that they have issues finding the right cleaning products to use on their appliances. Affresh provides you with the right tool for the job so your home can be cleaned efficiently.

Daily, weekly and monthly tasks will keep you on track and your home clean. Cleaning your appliances has never been easier, or more convenient.

*According to an online survey conducted by Opinion Research Corp. on behalf of affresh between May 19 and 21, 2017.