The kitchen is the first area in any home to start organizing. The kitchen is a center of activity in morning and evening when everyone is at home. Everyone loves food and wants it prepared quickly. But a kitchen is often the most used room in the house and  a place where bacteria can develop easily. Below are some tips to help minimize bacteria and improve the look and feel of your kitchen area.

Clean the refrigerator and deep freezer if you have one. Remove everything in freezer and fridge. Clean the inside and defrost it. If you prefer clean it with soap or vinegar as a deodorizer. Anything that is not needed should be discarded.

1. If possible, move the deep freezer to the garage or to the basement. This will increase the available space in kitchen.
2. Clean all the drawers of kitchen cabinet. It may be time to put down new shelf paper.
3. Keep your kitchen clean by cleaning as you go. This is most difficult part of organizing your kitchen, but if you develop this habit, it saves you time in long run.
4. Remove anything you have not used in last 2 years to some other area of your house or throw it away.
5. Remove every thing from the Kitchen countertop and sink area to clean thoroughly. Throw away clutter (or things you haven’t used in 2 years) as you put everything back.

Tips for cleaning dust off baseboards

Baseboards can be difficult to clean.  The longer a baseboard goes between cleaning, the more dust there will be to clean off. Over time, dust particles can become stuck to your baseboards and it will take more time and energy to scrape them clean again.

First take a vacuum cleaner and go over the baseboards where they meet up with your flooring or carpet. This will help remove as much dust a possible.

  When you have finished vacuuming, use a clean rag dipped in water to wipe the baseboards clean. If water is unsuccessful at removing the dust that has accumulated on the baseboards you may have to use some sort of cleaning solution. Start with soapy water. If that doesn’t work, try one of the home remedies that are listed below. Make sure that you continue your baseboard cleaning all around the room.

As most people have baseboards that need to be cleaned regularly, there are some common and not-so-common cleaning solutions that you can try. Listed below are some clever home remedies for a dirty or dusty baseboard:

 Once you have cleaned the baseboards, wipe the baseboards again with a used fabric softener sheet. The fabric softener sheet will create a mild static charge that will actually help to prevent dust from settling on the clean baseboard again.

Once you give your baseboards a good cleaning, another way to prevent having to clean them again in the near future is to go back over a clean baseboard with some auto wax (turtle wax). You won’t have as much buildup on your baseboards and the dust that does settle can be easily cleaned with a vacuum extension hose.

To make a simple homemade baseboard cleaner all you need is vinegar and water. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to 5 cups of  hot water.  Mix the solution together and use a rag or sponge to wipe down the baseboard.

Make sure that you do not over saturate the area of the baseboard that you are working on. If your cleaning solution drips onto the carpet it may cause discoloration. Make sure that you wring out the rag or sponge that you are using so that it is just damp enough to loosen the dust without dripping.

Below is a list to help you keep your summer garden looking beautiful all season long. It’s not too late to add more flowers to your garden if you have the time. Using the tips below will help to keep you garden beautiful and under control throughout the summer.

1. Beware of insects such as aphids or white flies that become rampant as our plants grow larger and have less circulation between them. Remember to spray both upper and lower leaves with neem or pyola oil on a seven to 10 day cycle to keep these critters from destroying your plants. Also, order some beneficial insects such as ladybugs to help keep these insects under control. You can often find ladybugs at a specialty garden store.
2. Prune back your rose bushes after the first bloom. You can either dead head the spent blooms or do a major cutting back to keep them tame and under control.  Cut back all weak and dead wood as well. Lastly, clean up all spent leaves – especially if they suffered from black spot. Plus, if black spot is a problem, use this homemade formula: Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and a 1/4 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent in one gallon of water.
3. Continue to pinch back all late summer and fall perennials to keep them bushy and healthy and to stagger blooming times.
4. Finish pruning all spring blooming bushes such as azaleas, rhododendrons, lilacs by mid-summer so that they can begin their new growth for next spring.
5. It is still not too late to plant summer blooming bulbs like dahlias or cannas. It’s also not too late to plant quick-blooming summer seeds such as sunflowers or nasturtiums.

The sheen or the gloss level of the paint you choose for your room décor has quite an impact on the look of your room. It can be determined according to the function of the room and the aesthetic sense.  There are many different types of paint sheens available to choose from. You should take into consideration how the room will be used when making a decision — especially if the room is to be used primarily by children.  

Paints with flat or matte finish have no shine and thus hide little imperfections in the wall. However, they are not very stain-resistant and can be hard to keep clean. Below is a list of different types of paints that are available.

• Eggshell paints or velvet-finish paints have very slight sheen or gloss level, are soft and impart a warm look to the room and are easier to clean too. They are preferable for most bedroom and living room décor themes.
• Paints with satin or semi-gloss finish can be used to highlight architectural details and focal points of the home and also in kitchens and baths as they are easy to clean.
• Very high gloss or sheen paint are quite reflective and should be normally reserved for doors and trims and to create special effects.

Choosing the right bathroom hardware can be a challenge. Staring at walls of options can leave you wondering just which style is right for you. Here are some tips to consider to help you narrow down your choices.

• Some of the materials used for hardware include nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, tile, granite, marble porcelain, brass, plastic and crystal.
• When choosing hardware, make sure its style is consistent with cabinetry and decor style.
• Contemporary decor suggests sleek, smooth shapes, metals and satin finishes.
• Asian design emphasizes nature, so knobs shaped like leaves and twigs would be appropriate.
• For the arts-and-crafts design scheme, hardware is often dark metal in a square shape.
• Glass knobs add a sparkling finishing touch. They can be clear or frosted, smooth or faceted.
• Traditional baths call for traditional brass hardware in a variety of finishes: polished, satin, antiqued, oil-rubbed.
• Because they are more substantial, pulls are well-suited for drawers. Knobs are best for lighter doors and cabinets.

 Organizing a kid’s room can be a challenge.  You need to place things where your children can pick them out, and when finished, be able to put them away for next time. Being able to do this allows the child to feel a sense of responsibility and accomplishment and it allows us parents to feel less like a personal maid service.

Below are a few tools to consider when reorganizing your child’s room. Hopefully, these tips with make it easier for both parent and child.

1. Closet Rods — We all have them. But for a child, the height may make it impossible for them to hang up or take down items without making a mess. To hang children’s clothes without letting them drag the floor, you’ll need a rod height of around 32 inches. If it is possible, lower the rod to about 4-6 inches lower than the height of your child. Or install a new rod at the lower height, and leave the upper rod to hang out-of-season or dress clothes. Allowing kids to reach the rod will help them be able to help organize their clothing.

2. Small Toy Bins — Using one huge toy box for all of your toys can actually end up creating more problems. What happens when they want a toy? They dump the whole thing out. One giant toy box may be convenient for cleanup, but it actually causes more cleanup by its nature. Try using smaller bins that allow toys to be sorted by their type or use.  Sorting and organizing toys can be an educational activity for your child.

3. Hamper for Laundry — If your kid’s room is piled high with dirty laundry, the problem may not be your child; It may be the hamper.  Older children may benefit from a divided hamper that allows them to sort out whites, colors, and linens. Younger children may need a fun incentive to put their clothes in a hamper. Try mounting a basketball goal above the hamper, and let your kids slam dunk while they organize their laundry. Some companies now have animal hampers that let you feed your dirty clothes to a wild animal.

4. Workable Bedding — Simplify your child’s bedding. If you have ruffles, sheets, duvet covers, and multiple pillows, the bed can seem impossible for a child to conquer. Simplify the contents down to what they use. Beautiful beds with multiple pillows, blankets, and sheets don’t look that great when they’re unmade. Trade in the bolsters and multiple shams for simplicity and a neatly made bed.

5. Hooks — The hook is a simple yet wonderful organizational tool. Hooks at an accessible level can allow children to hang their own hats, bags, scarves, backpacks, and more. Hang a few hooks on the back of the closet door and put labels above to remind your children of what to put there. Remember to label items with pictures and words for non-readers.

With the creation of bigger and bigger kitchens, lighting the spaces above and below the cabinets has become more important than ever. Available in slim, energy-efficient designs such as miniature track lights or low-voltage linear systems, under- and overcabinet lighting quickly and easily lights up counter tops and accents ceilings. Halogens offer consumers a whiter, more accentuating light. Used undercabinet, it compliments  the look of granite and marble countertops.

Every kitchen is individual and task lighting here depends on cabinet layout and computer location. Too much light can wash out the screen. Consider a fluorescent task light for the computer. Be sure to cover the key board and work materials.Halogen undercabinet lighting offers another option. If space is limited a small halogen desk lamp might work well, putting the light where you need it.

No matter how many lights you install in your kitchen, the experts recommend circuiting them separately so the lighting is zoned. This allows you to create ambience by mixing the various lights you turn on. Lights above the cabinets should be soft and low-voltage. The light over the sink should have its own switch. Same with the lights over the island and those over counters.

Decorating on a Budget: It Can be Done!

by Phoebe Chongchua

Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home or you’re just in the mood for a spring spruce-up, learning to decorate on a shoestring budget can be rewarding both for your pocketbook and the aesthetics of your home.

Tracy Lynn, owner of Style On A Shoestring says that decorating on a budget is not only possible but also very doable. No matter what theme or décor you choose, Lynn says there are three important considerations.

“Organization and functionality are just as important these days as is being attractive. Most people are not into the big fancy living rooms and dining rooms anymore but they want the space to be nice and they want to [decorate] it reasonably,” says Lynn.

Lynn launched her company after she gutted a home and redecorated it on a shoestring budget. She received so many compliments that she decided to start her business in San Diego, California. But she understands that decorating is a luxury.

“I think it’s definitely an extra in life. Most of the time people want to be proud of their homes. They want to enjoy having people over and they want to be organized. They also want it to function well,” says Lynn.

So keeping costs down is always a top priority. But when you flip through catalogues featuring furniture and decor and you pick items you like, the prices just seem to quickly compound. That’s when you need a decorating shoestring-budget strategy. It starts with taking inventory of the things you have. Which items need to go and which items can stay? Redecorating doesn’t mean you have to throw out everything. In fact, Lynn’s company offers a re-design service that helps you learn to use what you have. The key is getting fresh eyes on your home. When you bring in experts, they can offer a new perspective.

“Taking the things that consumers already own and just re-arranging it or de-cluttering it — moving art around or possibly adding a few pieces to what they already have. We have done this many times in various homes, says Mary Wadstrom, designer at Style On A Shoestring. She adds, “It makes the husbands really happy because we haven’t purchased anything; we haven’t done any shopping — we’ve just switched their things up a little bit.”

Here are a few more tips to getting a quality look on a lean decor diet. Just like anything, investing in the preparation time and research can reap outstanding results.

Set a personal financial limit and then stick to it. Decide what you can afford without breaking the bank. Then call in the experts. You don’t have to hire them to do the overall decorating. You can actually do many things on your own but, again, getting some new opinions will allow you to see things in your own home from a different view.

Use professionals to gain valuable advice. Lynn cautions that you carefully think about each purchase because often people end up with items that just don’t work. She says she hears this complaint frequently “I went out and I bought this couch and now I need you because I can’t return it and it doesn’t fit. I blew all this money.” Getting expert help doesn’t have to be expensive. You can receive free consultations and research expert advice in online publications.

Space-plan before you buy. Don’t impulse-buy or you might end up with furniture and décor that doesn’t ultimately match the room. Before you buy anything you should map out the look and style of what you’re trying to create. “You don’t want to buy anything until you understand what everything is going to cost,” says Lynn. She says go through and decide how much each item will cost “because that will help you stay in the budget,” explains Lynn. You can choose to splurge on one item but then scrimp a little in other areas.

Special thanks to Alison, Mary and all the “behind -the- scene helpers.”  I still can’t believe how warm and beautiful my home feels. You ladies created something far better than what I magined. I can’t believe this is my home. I feel like I’m
away at some luxury vacation house! I love it, love it, love it! You are
a very talented group, please feel free to use me as a reference.
Kimberly