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Home Inspections to Look Forward to When Preparing to Sell Your Home

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Home Inspection

There comes a time in every person’s life where they either outgrow their current residence or simply want a change in scenery. Regardless of the reason, the point is that you’re going to have to go through the process of selling your house. Of course, in preparing to sell your home you’re going to make various types of upgrades and renovations to make your home look more appealing to potential home buyers but one of the biggest things to look forward to is the dreaded home inspection.

Home Inspections

Lots of homeowners dread this part of selling their home simply because it reveals more about their house than they want to know about. Why? Because home inspections usually lead to more out of pocket costs for various repairs and even replacements, depending on the results of the home inspection.

Despite not wanting to know everything that’s wrong with your home, it’s required to have your home inspected before you can sell it. Plus, according to homeinspector.org, more than 80% of home buyers request a home inspection as part of their purchasing contract.

Now, the one thing to understand about a home inspector is that they’re a general inspector, meaning that they kind of just looking for the basics of inspecting a home… You can kind of think of them as a primary care doctor. You go to your primary care doctor for a general checkup. Upon visiting your doctor, they may refer you to certain specialists to look further into certain conditions you may have…

Well, that exact scenario is just like a home inspection. A home inspector will conduct a general assessment of your home, and any issues they discover, they’ll refer you to a speciality contractor or engineer to repair or replace the necessary areas of your home.

Now that you know home inspections are required, here are the key parts of home inspections you can expect to have examined in order to sell your home.

Home Inspections You Can Expect to Sell Your Home

Home Inspections You Can Expect to Sell Your Home

Plumbing Inspection

You know how when you go to flush your toilet and sometimes everything goes down and sometimes it doesn’t? Well, that’s going to be revealed in your home inspection. Plumbing inspections are typically done to ensure everything is draining properly. If there’s any type of mishap during the inspection, you’ll be referred to a plumber or wastewater professional.

Roof Inspection

Home Roof Inspection

Continuous preventive roof maintenance is one of the biggest ways homeowners can save thousands of dollars annually on roof repairs. Unfortunately, if you’re like most homeowners, roof repairs are the last thing on your mind until you have a rainstorm in the middle of your living room.

If your home has significant roof damage, you’re going to have to buckle down and find qualified roofing contractors that will be able to make the repairs your home needs. And let’s hope it’s just repaired you need and not a full roof replacement because that’s where it gets expensive. 

But either way you look at it, it’s something that will need to be repaired or replaced in order to get your home sold.

Mold Inspection

Home Mold Inspection

Mold is a serious concern that could cause a number of health concerns. When your home is inspected for mold, you can expect, air and surface sampling as well as a visual assessment. If mold is left untreated it can cause upper respiratory issues like shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughs.

According to hgtv.com, some of the most common areas where mold appears is in carpets, heating and cooling appliances, crawl spaces, walls, and basements. So you can expect the home inspector to definitely check these common areas for mold in your home. If mold is found, you’ll have to evacuate your home and hire a mold specialist to remove the mold before it can be sold.

Foundation Inspection

Home Foundation Inspection

When your foundation is inspected, they’re going to be looking for any types of slopes, cracks in or around the doorway, or if the doors don’t close properly. This actually a very important inspection because when a home has foundational issues, it can cause sagging roofs and water damage, which can then lead to a collapsing roof and floor. 

If your home inspection reveals foundational issues, you’re definitely going to need to seek a foundation specialist immediately.

Conclusion

These are just a few key home inspections that can cost you the most if left untreated or repaired, causing you to delay selling your home. T.E. Spall & Son provides the best services in Northeastern PA with highly trained, professional HVAC contractors and plumbers. If you’re not ready to sell your home for a few years, start making home repairs now so that when you are ready to sell, you’ll pass your home inspection with flying colours!

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How to Transform Your Backyard

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How to Transform Your Backyard

As much as you love staying inside your home and relaxing on the cosy furniture, a backyard is a part of your house that can be transformed into a paradise. If made in the right way, a backyard can be transformed into a dream getaway. It’s not just the inside your house, you can also make your outdoors as comfortable and inviting. Be it decorating it with a specific theme, adding a swimming pool to your backyard, or transforming it into a beautiful garden. There are a lot of different things that you can do to make you outdoors look like paradise. Let’s have a look at some of the de things that can be added to your outdoor space to transform it.

Use blocks and pavers to give dimensions to your outdoor space. Blocks such as limestone can be used at the edges or boundaries of the area to give it a more definitive look. Pavements will give an attractive looking walking area, which is much needed to make sure that any grassy or other area is not damaged. It also brings a lot of neatness and finesse to the area. A pavement also makes your garden look bigger and more manageable. You can also use stone cladding on the walls to give it a more rustic look, which requires less maintenance and easily blends in with the outside environment. You can also check the Remastone’s Paving Range which would enhance the look of your outdoor space.

How to Transform Your Backyard

If you are planning to add any kind of furniture to the outdoor area, then make sure that it is matching the furniture used inside. Using the same shade of wood would blend in the transition from outside to inside. The things you add to your backyard should be consistent with your architecture to make sure that everything works together.

If you have a large space, then adding a grass bed would bring in a more natural and relaxing environment to your backyard. Adding more natural elements creates more oxygen in the area and makes it much more pleasant and cooler. You can also set up a yurt, which can be either used as your getaway space or outdoor entertainment area. It can even be used as a guest house. Adding such elements makes your house blend in with natural elements.

With a big and large outdoor space, you have the option of dividing the entire area into zones and use it as per your choice. For example, if you divide the open space into four zones, one can be used to accommodate a small pool, while others can be used as a sitting space. The rest of the part can be used as a garden and weekend outdoor kitchen. Similar to this, you can select many more options and customize the entire area as per your choice. Add as many elements you like to make it multi-purpose.

A backyard with a fire pit and patio furniture

Do add a set of chairs and benches to your outdoor space as it provides enough sitting for a family as well as a guest. Also add a shade that can protect you from rain, while you are enjoying the rain outdoors with a hot cup of tea. Also, do add trees on the sides of the pavement, giving them natural border and shade while walking. It will also increase the looks of the pavement and make it look attractive. In case you have a big tree in your backyard, you can always for a treehouse, which can be both useful and attractive at the same time. Following a few of such tips and using your imagination, you can transform your backyard into anything you want.

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Why Choose Poliform Armchairs For Your Modern Home?

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Poliform Armchairs

Fulfilling every single thing that you may look for in an armchair and some more, the collection of Poliform armchairs can effortlessly make your home an inviting place to live in.

An armchair is an epitome and the quintessence of comfort. It looks laid back, invites people for ultimate relaxation, and provide a finishing touch to any setup or setting. They are quite versatile too – you can place them in the living room, can create a comfortable corner in your bedroom, or just use it as the solitary seating for your reading room.

It is a truly flexible and useful element for redecorating a room.

Some people even consider it to be a replacement for decorated walls or a means to brighten up a not so attractive corner. It is a true furnishing accessory for interior designers. With so many purposes to fulfill, the accolade of the best armchair is certainly hard to achieve.

Yet, with an honest and passionate approach, nothing is impossible; and the Poliform armchairs collection is a great testament to that. Let’s find out why from below.

A Poliform Armchairs sitting in a living room next to a window

The Vision of Renowned Designers

For many, it’s very hard to spot the difference between a designer armchair and an ordinary one at first glance. However, as you dig a little deeper; the superiority of the former doesn’t take long to realize. After all, a furniture designer learned their craft in a professional way, has built up a unique taste, and possesses the expertise of combining the ergonomic science and the aesthetic appeal of an armchair.

Therefore, it’s exciting to know that each of the armchairs is made in collaboration with one of their prestigious designers. You would find armchairs designed by well-known names such as Emmanuel Gallina, Jean-Marie Massaud, Vincent Van Duysen, Paola Navone, Blumer e Borghi, etc.

A bedroom with a bed and a Poliform Armchairs in it

Fit for All Tastes and Purposes

Thanks to a great mix of designers with a unique personality, the range of these armchairs offer a collection suitable for every taste, structural design of homes, and purposes. Although designer Jean-Marie Massaud alone designed six particular models, they are still different and unique from each other. As a result, whether you are looking for a chic and casual chair or a traditional design with a modern twist, you can find them all in one place. They also differ significantly in terms of sizes, shapes, colors, and materials; so that you don’t have to look anywhere else for options.

A living room with a couch,  Poliform Armchairs and table

Long-lasting Comfort

To achieve the unique structure of the armchairs, the manufacturer mainly uses high-quality woods and flexible or molded polyurethane giving the chairs a base that would last for a long time. To ensure maximum comfortability, they rely on materials such as foams and feathers. Finally, the aesthetic outer cover of the chairs is mostly made using the finest leathers, fabrics, or cotton clothes. Therefore, these chairs are sure to outlast the standard 2-years warranty period that comes with them. The promise of the ‘Made in Italy’ quality is also an important factor for such high confidence in their furniture. Select For Modern Poliform chairs To Your Home Design

A living room with a couch, Poliform Armchairs and book shelf

Conclusion

Poliform armchairs redefine comfort and style, seamlessly blending into any space. Crafted by renowned designers, these versatile pieces cater to every taste and purpose. Experience lasting comfort with high-quality materials and Italian craftsmanship. Elevate your home with Poliform – discover ultimate relaxation, redefined.

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Interior Design Ideas for Your Home Office That Will Increase Productivity

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Interior Design Ideas for Home Office

More people are working remotely than ever before. If it’s your first time working remotely, you’re probably struggling a bit with balance. You’re not alone. Remaining productive while working at home can be a challenge. 

Even if you aren’t new to working from home, staying on task, and keeping your productivity high is a constant challenge. When you’re working from home, there’s an onslaught of new distractions to overcome, and finding your work groove can be tough. 

The great news is that there are a lot of interior design tricks and tips that can help transform your home office into a productivity zone. These swaps and design hacks are surefire ways to boost your productivity and help make your home office a place you actually like to work. 

Here are six interior design ideas that are sure to increase your productivity. 

Interior Design Ideas for Home Office

1. Claim Your Space 

In an office environment, you likely have your own workspace. Whether it’s a cubicle or an office, you have a space that’s yours and only yours. The first step to improving productivity is to claim a space in your home dedicated to work. 

If your home office also serves as a guest bedroom or workout room, consider clearing it all out, so that your workspace doesn’t have to serve any other purpose. If you don’t have the luxury of a dedicated room, or can’t move stuff out, consider using something like screen wall panels or room dividers to block off an area and close yourself in and block everything else out. 

Doing this allows you to design around your needs and not the needs of the rest of the house.  

Claim Your Space 

2. Adopt Minimalism

Once you’ve claimed your space, it’s time to de-clutter. Minimalism isn’t just a trendy buzzword. Minimalism is a new way of thinking about our relationship to the items we own. It’s about analyzing and differentiating between the things we need and the things that are taking up space. 

Go through everything in your home office and get rid of everything that you don’t need. Go in and declutter everything. Eliminate those stacks of papers and reduce the decoration down to the items you love. Make your home office space of function.

Minimalism in design is all about embracing simplicity and decluttering so that you’re more organized and can think clearly. If you have clutter, your brain has to work extra hard to ignore it. It’s much better to eliminate the distraction and reduce the clutter.  

3. Add Some Life 

Plants and natural light can do wonders for your productivity and overall well-being. One study found that when workers had access to natural light and were exposed to plants in their office, they were more organized, and their job satisfaction increased. On top of that, the employees reported lower levels of anxiety and depression. 

If you have access to a window, consider keeping it open, so that natural light can flow into the room. Then, add some plants throughout your office space to soak up some of the feel-good benefits that plants can provide. 

Don’t go overboard here. Keep it simple. Choose plants that are low maintenance, like succulents or cacti. Greenery works tremendously with a minimalist design aesthetic, too. 

Add Some Life 

4. Choose Blues

When it comes to the color palette, you’ll want to stay away from greys. They can make you feel apathetic. Research indicates that blue shades are the best for boosting focus and increasing calm. So, when in doubt, go for blue hues. 

You aren’t limited to just blue, though. Other colors can impact mood and productivity, too. Yellows, for instance, can improve creativity and boost energy. You don’t want to overdo it with yellow, though, because it can make you feel agitated if there’s too much of it. Reds are great for increasing productivity in environments where manual labor is required because reds can boost your heart rate. Greens are calming and can help you feel balanced. 

Design your colors in a way that makes sense for your workflow. An overall hue of blue with a yellow accent wall could do wonders for helping you stay on task and gain inspiration when you’re stuck. Mix and match color palettes to get your desired result. 

5. Keep it Low Maintenance 

When designing your home office, you must keep it all easy-to-maintain. If you choose fussy materials and decorations for your office, you’re setting yourself up for headaches down the road. 

For instance, if you had a pure oak desk, it might look incredible, but that desk will require an insane amount of upkeep. Don’t even think about putting your coffee mug on it or eating lunch at the desk. A spill could be disastrous. It could damage the wood, and you’d have to figure out how to clean it without damaging it further. That’s not the type of thing you need to worry about in the middle of your workday while trying to boost productivity. 

Instead, choose low-stress materials. Consider using white solid surface countertops as a desk, so that you can spill, clean, and work without any maintenance issues. Go for vinyl flooring instead of hardwood or carpet. Ultimately, you want to select materials that won’t add work to your workday. 

Keep it Low Maintenance 

6. Design for You 

Here’s the thing, the most wonderful part about working from your home office, is that it’s your office. You control the atmosphere, the look, and the functionality. Figure out what things are holding you up and keeping you from achieving your goals, and design to eliminate them, 

In a standard office setting, you don’t have that luxury. You have to work in whatever environment the bosses determined was best. In your own office, you get to custom tailor an environment that works for you. 

Prioritize comfort in your design. Choose a chair that you can sit on for long periods. Add decoration that’s personal to you. Keep the temperature at a comfortable level. Add a coffee station right next to your desk. Do whatever makes the most sense for you. 

If you can identify the things that are distracting you and zero-in on the things that promote focus, you’ll be on your way to creating a home office that boosts productivity in no time. 

In case you missed it!

Meet Assel Baimakhan Of Casa Azzurra – A Famous Interior Designer

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Interior Designer interview Assel Baimakhan

Welcome to the ArchitecturesIdeas #asktheexperts series. In this series, we will be interviewing professionals in the architecture field and will help you in knowing them better. Who knows you might get inspired by their story! 

The architecture field is vast, from the exterior and interior designers to construction personnel, everyone has their own experience and point of view. Today we have an interior designer interview with a famous interior designer, the one who is recognized in a Forbes magazine for her aesthetically beautiful projects and the owner of Casa Azzurra, Assel Baimakhan.

Interior Designer Interview Assel Baimakhan

Let’s talk with her and find out about her inspiration, point of view, and importantly few insights into an interior design career.

Assel Baimakhan on Interior Designing FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

First was the most basic and ideal question,

Can you tell us something about yourself, when, and how did you start your journey as an interior designer?

My name is Assel Baimakhan, I am an architect and interior designer who works around the world. I graduated from a university with a degree in architecture and slowly started working as a freelancer in this field.  

Design is my passion, I studied styles in great detail, I tried to keep abreast of all the trends and novelties, so I visited an endless number of exhibitions that were held in different cities around the world, I read a lot of literature about design, and of course I studied the world market in order not to miss anything and to be a competent professional.  

In 2006, for family reasons, I moved to Dubai, UAE (United Arab Emirates), I decided to start a business in the trade sector and opened a 700 sqm showroom with Italian furniture. During this period I was growing as a professional designer.  Soon I opened a design studio and in addition to the furniture, I started my dream business. 

Dubai is a huge market where all sorts of brands are represented, an ideal environment to start your journey towards interior design.  As I mentioned above, I work around the world and currently have studios in Kazakhstan and the US.

Then we asked about the topic that every professional feels proud talk about,

Can you please brief us about one of your most successful projects?

One of my most successful projects is Mountain House, a 686.92 sq. m. house.  For this project, I won the “Best Designer of the Year 2020” award and was published in the February issue of “Salon Interior – Best of the Year” magazine, which I am very proud of! 

 I like everything in this project – functionality, colors, textures, furniture, accessories, and of course the abundance of greenery, and most importantly, that the customer was completely satisfied with the final result.

What does it take to make the project successful? (This question will help new interior designers to grow and gain inspiration.)

In order for the project to be successful, you must first learn about the needs of the customer, correctly allocate the budget, and set the right priorities (because the original design is for him only).  

While interior designing you can apply all knowledge in creation by giving it a character from choosing furniture to accessories.  Knowledge and experience will allow you to work in a given style, or combine several styles, which will lead to interesting solutions with stunning, and unique results.  The main thing is to try, and don’t be afraid of bold decisions.

successful project of architecture

Of course, to stay abreast of all the latest trends, you need to visit exhibitions, read current literature, and magazines too, you expand your horizons, use all resources to gain new knowledge, they will never be superfluous.  You need to stay side by side with the latest technologies, collections, etc. so that you can offer only the best to your customer.

Every creative person has its own style, the answer for the same of Assel B. made us more proud to have her.

What is your signature style and how did you develop it? (Inspiration behind it.)

I like to work in different styles and to combine them so that the result is unusual, harmonious, and of course aesthetically pleasing.  I like to work with textures, colors, and combine seemingly incompatible elements in interiors.  I like to give completeness to interiors with accessories, decor elements, paintings, and textiles.  Perhaps all this creates my own unique style, as I put my heart and soul into every interior.

You should definitely follow her on Instagram. You will be in love with her work!

Interior Designer Interview Assel Baimakhan

During this period of isolation, what are you focusing on professionally as well as personally? 

Even during isolation, the work does not stand still, I design houses, create interiors, there is more time to read and learn something new, write down ideas for future projects – it’s in my professional life. 

In my personal life, I do yoga, spend time with my family, and just relax.  Life doesn’t stand still and it’s important to spend even such a hard time with benefits and stay positive.

Next up is a tough one but still, what are the three things that you don’t like about this industry? And why is it so?

Indeed, the issue is complicated, for all my love of interior design, I can still highlight three things that are not that I do not like, but rather create discomfort in the implementation of the project.  Three things I have highlighted: the budget, time, construction work.  

It also happens that one comes from another like a small budget, on the one hand, you can not make a luxury interior, and on the other hand, it is the ground to think and offer alternative solutions to make it no less worthy (for future designers). 

As for time and construction work – these are the two aspects from which there is nowhere to go, because the repair does not pass quickly, and if it is a complex design, it requires double time.  With a good foreman everything goes smoothly and on time, but to reduce the time of construction work to a minimum is impossible, so the last option is to accept these facts and work up accordingly.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

In ten years I see myself not only as an architect and designer but also as a major developer, working around the world. I am already taking baby steps towards it, I like it, it is interesting.

In 14 years of experience, have you ever faced a strange request from the customer? If yes, what is it?

For fourteen years of my professional activity, I’ve met only the best and most loyal customers, and I’m very grateful for them. I didn’t observe any strange things, but if in any circumstances a customer voices a wish that is not compatible with the proposed basic idea. I offer a more suitable alternative that will suit both the customer and me as the author of the project.

What is your dream project? Or any project that you are looking forward to?

I am looking forward to every project, I have a lot of ideas that I am ready to implement.  I like my work, I like to come up with solutions for complex projects such as non-standard shapes of the room, or crossbars passing through the ceiling and others. 

Why? Because it allows your imagination to come up with incredible solutions to solve these small problems, and the result is pleasing to the eye, not only to the customers but for me as well, it will emphasize your professionalism.

Last one, what do you think about our website (ArchitecturesIdeas)? Please share your honest reviews.

I find your site very informative, as I said above, it is important to be aware of innovations in architecture and design to work in this area.  Not so much quality content can be found on the Internet to emphasize something new for yourself.  

I think it’s interesting not only for potential readers who are just defined with an architectural solution for themselves but also for architects who are already working because technology is not static.

Look-book to Her Projects

Look-book to Assel Baimakhan Projects
Look-book to Assel Baimakhan Projects
Assel Baimakhan Projects
Interior Designer Interview Assel Baimakhan
Assel Baimakhan Projects

A Handful of Information on Interior Designer’s Life

In 14 years of experience, Assel Baimakhan has grown personally and professionally with time. From moving countries to starting her own business and then a studio, she had it all. This was all possible because of her will in achieving something. 

She has her own unique style, sees her every upcoming project as a dream project, and is willing to provide you the best she can! If you are looking for a designer for your next project or want to gain inspiration to grow as an interior designer, she is the one.

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How to Texture a Wall: 7 Effective Ways to Know

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How to Texture a Wall

Texturing a wall is a great idea to give a new life to ceilings and walls. And when you do it yourself, this will become Pocket-friendly too. When you retexture the walls, it further adds a unique and exciting touch to your old and bare walls. It might sound tiring to do it on your own. But in reality, it is a pretty simple task. With the help of the right equipment and tools, you can do this in no time. Today we’re going to tell you: how to texture a wall with common supplies.

Doesn’t matter whether you want to repair your ceiling or just want to fill the unpleasing drywall seams, these techniques will surely help you out. In this blog, we have explained everything in detailed steps. 

With the help of various objects such as combs, sponges, and whisk brooms can be used to retexture a wall or ceiling. This helps to gain the finished and polished walls, which look stunning. This blog helps you to learn how to texture drywall for various textures. So let’s start the texturing procedure.

Types of Texture Paints

Types of Texture Paints

The first thing is to choose a texture or pattern. They can be used even to add extra beauty to the ceiling or to repair the unwanted seam lines. There are many types of textures, such as:

  • Smooth texture paint
  • Sand texture paint
  • Knockdown texture
  • Popcorn texture
  • Orange peel texture

If you want to know more about the various types of ceiling textures, then read our blog, which has 20+ unique texture types and decide which one you want on your wall or ceiling. After you pick one texture, it’s time to start the process.

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

Here is the list of necessary tools and materials that you’ll be required to texture a wall. All these items you may already have, and if not, then they’re easily available in the market, you can buy them.

TOOLSMATERIALS
Drop clothsPainter’s tape
Plastic sheetingDrywall compound
Drywall knifeFlat paint or drywall primer
Drill and paint mixer attachmentPaint
Paintbrush 
Paint tray 
Trowel 
Paint roller and cover 
Sponge 

Working Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 4 hrs

Skill Level: Beginner

Estimated Cost: $20 to $30

How to Texture a Wall

Today in this blog, we’re going to tell you four different ways to texture a wall. So whether you want an orange peel or ridged texture on your wall or ceiling, by following these simple steps, you can achieve any pattern or texture. so, let’s begin with the first method:

1. How to Texture a Wall with Joint Compound

How to Texture a Wall with Joint Compound
  • The first step is to clean the walls, then let them completely dry.
  • Now combine the joint compound with the water as per the instructions written on it. It should have a consistency of a thick batter.
  • Use a wide putty knife or a trowel to spread it on the wall.
  • And after that, whatever texture you want, you can use the tools accordingly to create the desired texture.

TIP: For example, if you want a cross-hatched texture, use a notched trowel and draw lines in the joint compound. 

  • Once you textured the entire wall, check whether there is any requirement to do touch-ups. Add the joint compound in the required spaces.
  • Before you start painting, allow this to dry completely for at least 24 hours.

2. How to Texture a Wall with a Texture Sprayer

How to Texture a Wall with a Texture Sprayer

If you want to texture your wall in the orange peel or in popcorn texture, you’ll definitely need a sprayer. By the way, it is the easiest way to texture a ceiling or wall.

Just follow these steps:

  • The first step is always cleaning the surface of the wall. Whether you’re texturing your wall or ceiling,  first clean them and then leave them to dry.
  • Then cover all the furniture, floors as you don’t want to ruin them, right?
  • Combine the joint compound with water then add it to the sprayer’s hopper.
  • After adjusting the nozzle, use slow motions to spray onto walls.
  • After you’re done spraying on the whole wall, leave it for dry for at least 24 hours, then you can start painting.

3. How to Texture a Wall with a Sponge

How to Texture a Wall with a Sponge

With the help of a simple paint sponge, you can create a beautiful faux texture.you can also finish this in less time as it takes less time in drying. So let’s know how to do this sponging technique: 

  • If you want two texture wall effects, then first paint the wall in a base color and let it dry completely.
  • After that, soak your sponge in the paint of different contrasting colors or the same color (depending on what kind of texture you want) for a more striking and elegant look.
  • Then dab dab dab..repeat this step to create a random texture pattern until the entire wall is filled with the design. 

TIP: For more natural patterns, use sea sponges, and for uniform & rectangular patterns, use a synthetic sponge. Both are easily available in the market.

4. How to Texture a Wall with a Roller

How to Texture a Wall with a Roller

Another easy way to texture a wall is by using a paint roller. This is a very simple technique and also quite popular among people. You can use this technique to create both kinds of texture: textured paint or faux finish.

Texturing with Joint Compound or Textured Paint 

  • You already know the first two steps, right? Yes, clean the walls and mix the joint compound with water.
  • After that, pour this mixture into a paint tray, then soak the roller in it, and roll over on the wall.
  • Wait for some time so that the joint compound will settle on the wall, then again roll over.
  • By doing this, a wonderful 3D texture will occur on the walls, which look absolutely beautiful. 
  • Use a brush for the corners and then let it dry for 24 – 48 hours.

Texturing with Paint for a Faux Finish 

  • After cleaning the wall or ceiling, paint the wall in a base color and allow it to dry.
  • Then take a stencil or a thick nap roller and with the help of a complimentary glaze paint the wall. You can also use the secondary color. That’s it!! and your faux finished wall is ready!!

TIP: If you want something different and unique you can achieve it by using various types of painting tools and techniques.

how to texture a wall

Wall Texture Tips & Tricks

  • Always prepare the wall with a drywall primer before applying the joint compound.
  • It is advised to strip the existing texture before applying a new one to get a more finished look.
  • For acoustic and popcorn ceiling repairing, touch up spray is available in the market.
  • To highlight the textures, you can also use satin paint on top of a wall or ceiling.

Easy, Fast and Budget-Friendly

Easy, Fast and Budget-Friendly
A living room filled with furniture and a fire place
A living room filled with furniture and a brick wall
A room with a table and a vase with flowers on it
A person using a paint roller to paint a wall
A person using a paint roller to paint a wall
A living room filled with furniture and a large mirror

Once you know how to texture a wall, you can experiment with various techniques and patterns. This is an effortless DIY project and we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy doing it. It also requires low cost and simple tools & supplies, which is also easy on our pockets, right? 

But if you’re planning to cover large areas, it’s better to call a professional. Other than that, you can easily decorate your walls and ceilings all by yourself. The whole process is fast, and also it has less drying time. I hope this guide will help you, and you’ll end up with beautiful texture looking walls.

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3 Tips For Servicing Your Home Air Conditioner

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Home Air Conditioner service

The air conditioner is one of the most hard-working appliances in our homes. We tend to take it for advantage until it stops working when a heatwave hits. An emergency callout to have your air conditioner fixed will cost you a premium, not to mention the inconvenience and headache! Routine maintenance can prevent this from happening to your A/C unit and will also save you money by cutting down on your energy usage. Here are some tips to guide you in getting it right:

Home Air Conditioner Service

1. Do Regular “Housekeeping”

There are other maintenance efforts you can put in to make sure that your system continues to work efficiently. One of the most important jobs is to change the air filter. You’ll find this part in the unit’s filter slot. To change it, slide out the filter. Then, simply slot the new air filter in. Make sure you take note of the direction of the airflow so you know which side of the filter needs to face outwards. Also, check the instructions to ensure you buy the correct filter size and replace it properly.

Home Air Conditioner Service

Also, check the indoor vents to see if they are clean. Your outside unit also needs a bit of spring cleaning. Remove any debris such as leaves or twigs that could clog it up, and ensure there are no plants within two feet of it. Never open the outside unit. If you feel it needs a more thorough clean, and you can’t achieve this without taking it apart, call in a professional team. They’ve got the skills, tools, and safety knowledge to do the dirty work. While they’re in, ask them for advice on what you can do to prevent this happening more regularly. They may recommend trimming trees that are near the unit, for example.

2. Get a Pro to Service it Annually

Get a Pro to Service it Annually

Calling in the company that installed your air conditioner is recommended as they know the system and history. The expert AC company in Tampa recommends you schedule a regular service at least once a year. Spring is the best time to get this done.

If you have pets or kids with allergies, it’s worthwhile changing the filters more regularly. Your air conditioning service team will also be able to give you some guidance here. Filters come in varying strengths. If you have fur babies in your home, you may need your filters serviced monthly or invest in a filter that has a higher rating. If you have family members with allergies, work on the 90-day schedule to have your filters cleaned, or do them yourself. Pollen and dust mites are common triggers for those that are sensitive to allergens. If yours isn’t coping with the needs of your family, discuss this with your technician and see what other solutions they can offer. They may recommend a single unit in the bedroom of the affected family member, for example. 

Another reason to schedule a professional service of your aircon system is that this might be one of the rules in place according to your warranty. If you’re not sure, check your warranty and make sure you adhere to the clauses laid out in it. You don’t want to be landed with hefty bills down the line simply because you forgot to schedule a totally affordable annual maintenance.

3. Keep an Eye on the Performance of Your A/C

Keep an Eye on the Performance of Your A/C

Have you noticed your electricity bill creeping up? A problem or inefficiency may be causing it. To test your system, take some time to turn it up to the highest setting. Is it making any odd sounds? This process will give you an idea of how your system is working overall. You may notice a smell – this is just the system clearing out dust and is nothing to be concerned about. 

Here Are Some Questions to Run Past Your Technician:

  • Give you advice on the best time to use your aircon and tips on how to use it efficiently to minimize energy use.
  • Ask them to set up an annual reminder to service your A/C system. 
  • Ask them to give you an idea of which parts will need replacing soon. At some point, it may be worthwhile to replace your system rather than continuing to replace parts.
  • How energy efficient is your system? Air conditioners are constantly advancing in technology and it may be worth your time to look into a new system that is environmentally-friendly and will save you money in energy bills in the long-term.
  • Can they give you advice on how you can insulate your home to support the aircon system to be more efficient? There are simple strategies you can put in place too, such as keeping doors (external and internal) closed when you are running your aircon. 

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The Different Types, Configurations, and Materials of Toilet Partitions San Diego

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Toilet Partition

Toilet partitions are often overlooked but are truly important in public restroom design and can make a huge difference in the overall aesthetics of a restroom. This article discusses the different types, configurations, and materials considered in choosing toilet partitions for your public toilet.

Toilet Partitions

Toilet partitions are basically enclosures that surround toilets in public restrooms. They’re a public restroom staple that people tend to take for granted in terms of its contribution to a restroom’s design. But toilet partitions San Diego are pretty important, especially considering that they’re the only thing that provides restroom users privacy in an otherwise public setting.

In choosing toilet partitions when designing a public toilet, you have to consider the different types, layouts or configurations, and materials used to create these partitions. It’s important to know and differentiate among these choices as different combinations will work for different restroom situations.

Toilet Partitions San Diego: A Brief History 

People haven’t always enjoyed the level of restroom convenience and privacy we do today. Public restrooms, in the olden days, were very much public. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that partitions were developed.

We’ve come a long way since the flimsy wooden partitions of the past – those wouldn’t stand a chance against the wear and tear and vandalism that our current toilet partitions undergo. Partitions have evolved so much since then that they now have many different types, configurations, and makeup.

Types of Toilet Partitions

Although toilet partitions are a staple in public restrooms, they don’t come in one form. In fact, there are a lot of different types. But the 3 most common types of toilet partitions are the standard partition, the European partition, and the single use-room.

Standard

Standard

This type of toilet partition is one you can normally find in American establishments. This partition has a 12-inch gap at the bottom and a small gap at the edge of the door, allowing for a sightline.

European

European Toilet Partitions

By the name alone, you can tell that these partitions are the ones found in European establishments. Compared to the standard toilet partitions, these ones are more private and enclosed.

The bottom of this partition features a much smaller gap compared to the standard partition. There aren’t any sightlines, either. Some European toilet partition models connect to the ceiling, making the toilet enclosure resemble a small room.

Single-use Room

Single-use Room Toilet Partitions

This toilet partition type provides users the most privacy because they’re basically one-toilet restrooms – rooms that only allow one toilet user at a time. You don’t share the restroom with other people at all.

Of course, as completely enclosed rooms, there are no gaps or sightlines.

Configurations of Toilet Partitions

The configuration or layout of toilet partitions would depend on the traffic the restroom expects to receive. Smaller establishments naturally have smaller space for restrooms and would, at average, have at most 3 toilet stalls: 2 standard stalls and 1 handicap stall.

Configurations of Toilet Partitions Toilet Partitions

The different toilet partition configurations include:

Standard

The standard configuration is the most basic of all – it’s the most common configuration of toilet partitions/stalls.

Handicap

Handicap stalls are also known as ADA stalls. They’re larger than standard stalls as they allow more space of wheelchair users to navigate inside.

These stalls are a requirement in all restrooms in the United States.

Between Walls

This stall is literally configured in between two walls. The layout may be done this way to accommodate plumbing equipment/supplies. 

In-Corner

Toilet partitions can be set in the corners of public restrooms. This may be done to maximize space or just to once again accommodate plumbing equipment and supplies.

The Makeup of Toilet Partitions

Compared to the materials used to make toilet partitions of the past, the materials used now are usually waterproof, more durable, and sustainable – mostly to withstand the beatings they normally take from vandals.

The Makeup of Toilet Partitions

The best materials to use for toilet partitions are as follows:

Powder Coated Steel

A toilet partition made from powder-coated steel will give you a rust-free and anti-fade finish. True to its name, it gives off a powder-like finish. This is achieved through the process of electrostatic coating – a process that uses charged particles to paint the partition. 

The best thing about them is that these partitions usually sell for cheap. So you get functional partitions with a good finish without having to break the bank.

Plastic Laminate

This toilet partition material is the most affordable one. However, they aren’t recommended for public restrooms that are near the ocean or other bodies of water. They also aren’t recommended for use in high-moisture areas like showers and locker rooms.

Plastic laminate toilet partitions are durable and economical. They’re also pretty sanitary as dirt, grease, and even cosmetics won’t penetrate its laminated surface – you don’t have to worry about these being absorbed into your partitions.

Solid Plastic

Solid plastic or HDPE is among the pricier material options. However, they would be worth the investment if your public restroom is for a high-moisture area. This is because this material is non-porous. This means that moisture will not be absorbed into and damage your partitions. 

This material does not only not absorb odor, but it also never peels and molds. 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel toilet partitions are definitely pricier than other materials and for good reason! They don’t only look good, they allow for easier cleaning as well. They’re damage resistant, too. So this material is a good investment if you’re building your public restroom in an area where vandalism is commonplace and you expect your stalls to take a beating.

Phenolic

Phenolic toilet partitions are made out of layers of Kraft paper put under intense pressure to be infused with resin.

Like stainless steel partitions, these ones also cost a pretty penny. This is because they’re not only strong and durable, they’re also lightweight. 

Like solid plastic partitions, they are also water and moisture-proof, making them perfect for high-moisture areas and areas near bodies of water.  

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5 Key Benefits of Garage Insulation

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Garage Insulation

Wondering why your electric bills are unusually higher than your household’s actual power consumption? You tried to lessen the use of major appliances, put out all the lights at night, and even prohibit prolonged television and computer use. Despite all these power-saving efforts, your monthly bills don’t seem to change, and it just keeps costing you money. Before you convey your grievances to your electrical service provider, perhaps you should try to access the present condition of your property.

A building’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning system (HVAC) consumes the most electricity, and lack of proper insulation can force the appliance to work even harder. This causes your energy bills to soar high. Poor-quality home insulation may also be the reason why you experience discomfort in your homes during the summer and winter months.

Improve your everyday home living by planning the proper insulation of your home. If your garage is attached to your main interior, consider insulating the same for a lot of benefits. Your local building codes may also require you to insulate your garage.

A Garage filled with lots of different types of items

Here are the five key benefits of garage insulation:

Comfort

In most homes, garages are no longer strictly dedicated to cars and other vehicles. Aside from storage, they now become a favorite spot for workouts, hobbies, and DIYs. However, during the cold winter months, your garage can be a freezing zone and unsafe to use for any activities. With proper insulation, you can enjoy your garage all year-round.

Protection

Insulating your garage means protecting your car investments and other valuable items in storage. Maintaining a warmer temperature in your garage, for instance, preserves the battery of your car and makes it easier to work in cold mornings. An insulated space also helps preserve precision tools and chemicals that are easily damaged by humidity and temperature extremes.

A garage with a work bench and tools in it

Quieter Home

Do you often bring your DIY projects to your garage? The noise that comes from running your power tools may be disturbing your neighbor’s nap time. If you don’t want to attract attention in your neighborhood in a negative way, you better insulate your garage and keep the noise down. You never know when your kids will need the garage for band practice, so better make a move right away.

A man standing next to a ladder in a garage

Energy-efficiency

You may not know it, but your uninsulated garage can be the reason why your monthly bill is speeding up. This is usually the case in residential and commercial properties with an attached garage. HVAC systems are forced to work hard once your garage becomes extremely hot or cold, thus increasing power consumption.

Value

Aside from adding comfort and beauty in your home, deciding to insulate your garage today can get you highly beneficial returns once it’s time to put your property in the market. With an insulated garage, you can sell your property twice easier and at higher market value.

Garage Door Insulation

A man insulating a garage door with pink paint

Before you forget about it, make sure to insulate that big garage door, too. Insulating your garage makes no sense if you have a regular door where the heat or cold air can seep through. Studies have shown that insulating your garage door can reduce heat loss through the garage by more than 70%. What’s more? According to Jams L. the founder of Calgary Garage Door Repair: Insulated garage doors have increased strength and are less susceptible to dings and dents than uninsulated ones. There are different types of insulated garage doors that you can choose from depending on your budget and aesthetic and working requirements.

Should you hire a professional to handle your garage door insulation?

If you are spending on garage door insulation, you better hire professionals to do the job for you. There’s a lot that could go wrong with your DIY plans, including misaligned or mismeasured panels. Without experts to help you throughout the process, you are at risk of doing an installation redo, costing you more time and money.

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What You Need to Know About Designing Your Luxury Law Firm

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luxury law firms

It’s important to decorate your law office in a way that is professional, attractive, and comfortable. The way one’s office looks can make or break a client’s perception and can ultimately impact whether or not he or she wants to work with you. Your office is the first thing that people see when they enter your law space; oftentimes, they will notice the way the office looks before even meeting you or anyone else on your team.

In addition to making a space look professional and comfortable, it’s also a good idea to make it luxurious. Not only will a luxury office be aesthetically pleasing to look at for you and your team, but potential clients will also be intrigued by this gorgeous space. This post will give you some tips on how to decorate and design your office to be luxurious. 

How to Make Your Law Firm Luxurious

There are a lot of things to consider when designing your law firm office to be the right amount of luxurious and professional. A life insurance attorney pointed out, “It’s crucial that lawyers decorate their office with their potential clients in mind. Lawyers need to design and decorate their space to fit the kind of people that will be visiting it.” With that being said, here are some tips that will make your law firm’s office luxurious and can be incorporated into any kind of law
office space.

Make it Modern

This is true for any kind of office space but is especially true for law offices as many people expect to be impressed when they enter a law firm’s space. There are a number of ways to make your space modern, here are some ideas:

luxury law firm Make it Modern
  • Incorporate art- art is the easiest way to make a law office modern and luxurious. Look for eclectic and unique pieces of art to hang on the walls and around your office. Art will instantly add a modern edge to space.
  • Show off your technology- technology is another easy way to make a space look modern. Consider showing off your computers, televisions, and other technology by strategically placing it in a sleek space that is otherwise bare besides your technology devices. 
  • Paint your office white and use accent colors- this is a modern interior design risk that companies all over the world, mainly tech companies, are using. A white office looks luxurious and classy and adding an accent wall, perhaps red or blue, will add a modern look to it.

Incorporate Transparency

luxury law firm Incorporate Transparency

Incorporating transparency is both a metaphor and a luxurious interior design choice for law offices. Transparency in a law firm’s office space can mean including glass walls to show what is going on behind closed doors; or it can mean adopting an open floor plan, also showing off what is going on behind the scenes. Transparency is beneficial for both employees and potential clients because it looks luxurious and sophisticated while also reinforcing organizational habits and community.

Additionally, glass walls and open floor plans will make space look bigger and will maximize the square footage in the space. Clients will enjoy this luxurious design because it is current, up to date, and aesthetically pleasing to look at. 

Pay Attention to Lighting 

Lighting can make or break the way that a person feels in a space. Lighting can have a positive or a negative impact on a person’s emotions, and in a law office where a client often comes in already with emotions on their mind, it’s important to create only positive emotions with lighting. 

luxury law firm Pay Attention to Lighting 

When thinking about luxurious lighting in your office, make sure to not make lighting too bright. Lighting that is too bright is uncomfortable for the eye in any given situation; however, it can be especially uncomfortable to the eye when under stress; and law offices house a lot of stress for both lawyers and clients. Fluorescent lights are often harsh on the eyes because they are known to be bright and to flicker. Consider installing LED lights that can be dimmed.

In addition to the light bulb that you are installing, it’s important to pay attention to lighting fixtures. In order to create a luxury law office, lighting fixtures should have a minimalist yet modern look to them. This means that law firms can make their space look authentic and luxurious with hanging lights rather than typical lights that are installed right into the ceiling. A luxurious lighting fixture can be a geometrically shaped light in the conference room or it can be a uniquely styled lamp in the waiting area.    

Take Advantage of Your Law Library

Libraries are an interior design staple in law offices; they are both practical and aesthetically valuable to lawyers and clients alike. With the use of the internet and online law libraries, lawyers can look up information in seconds, making a physical library seemingly pointless. However, law libraries still have value and can pull together a law office making it look classic and luxurious.

luxury law firm Take Advantage of Your Law Library

Law libraries should feature books you read and had to study in college as well as the latest editions of each, this will allow you to have physical copies of information, as well as showing potential clients your extensive knowledge on certain subjects.

Though law libraries are still relevant, they can be condensed in size because of the internet. Take advantage of the extra space by filling shelves with awards and photos from some of your law accomplishments; this will make a law firm office look luxurious as well as professional and welcoming. 

Law and Luxury

As you design your law office space, keep these design tips in mind. Also, consider looking at other law offices’ images online for inspiration. It’s important to preserve luxury and law in your office as you redecorate.

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