How to Renovate an Old Place without Making It Look Ultra Modern?

Many people prefer buying old houses and adapting them to their needs and wishes, instead of buying brand new places or building them from scratch. This has many advantages, and may be the middle solution as you can save a lot of time and money, and still have the things your way, exactly as you planned and imagined.

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However, it is important to be realistic and practical when renovating an old house, to make sure it becomes both aesthetically and functionally perfect. People often assume that renovating necessarily means making the place more modern. However, it doesn’t always have to be the case, as you can have all new things, and still get your home to look like you’ve lived there for years.

Here are a few tips from renowned home remodelers at Ten Key Remodels which should help you ensure your new home is a warm, cozy, safe and absolutely gorgeous place to live.

Prepare the ‘Turf’

We are all dazzled with stunning designs from the interior design magazines and can’t wait to apply them in our new homes. However, before this, it is important to check if all the basic systems in the house, such as plumbing, heating, pipes, electricity and the likes are functioning properly.

It is much better to ensure this before starting any remodeling activities, as you can well imagine what trouble it could be discovering a faulty pipe or a leakage after the place is already renovated. Check everything, from the foundation, basement, sewage, drainage system, to flooring, walls and roof. Also, don’t forget to check the doors and windows.

Use What Is Already There

Even though the place you got is old, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t been renovated before. You might want to dig a little bit and see if you can find out if what you got is the original look of the place. You might discover some part that was removed or changed, and use it as an inspiration for the new looks of the house. Some walls may have been added or removed, some old furnaces or stairs have been walled up. Maybe you can unearth those long forgotten elements and include them in the new design.

Start from the Ground Up

This actually brings us back to the previous two tips, meaning you should check if there are some serious faults and crack with the flooring, and see if it possible and feasible to keep some of it and simple renovate it or replace just parts of it, not the whole surface.

The choice of the flooring will certainly set the tone of the design and determine many further decoration choices and decisions. The same goes for walls, if it is possible to keep some parts and of the old design, partly replace them or refurbish them, it will give your new home to feeling of a warm, cozy, “foot-worn” place.

Buy Items from Different Periods

If you consider giving your new place a little bit of old spirit, or actually keeping it, you can get “new” old things, either from antique shops, or buy really new stuff designed in the old-fashioned way. Buy items from different periods, to create a sense of gradual furnishing over time. In that way, the place might get to look like someone has been living there quite long and has been buying all those things over years. Use wood instead of metal where possible, and get some smaller yet effective old pieces of furniture such as lamps or coffee tables.

Tips On How to Repair a Roof on Your House

Damage to your roof can vary from small and annoying leaks to major breaks. Whatever the case may be, you want to avoid additional damage to your home and costly repairs. As soon as you notice something’s wrong, you should contact a professional, or try to repair it yourself.
 

Living in a house myself I decided to find out what I can do to fix my roof before referring to pros. 619 Roofing helped me learn more about how I can take care of a leaking roof, or deal with any other minor or major damage.

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Regular Maintenance

Just like any other part of your home, a roof, as the first line of defense from all the elements, needs some love every now and then. The best thing to do is hire someone experienced to have a look at it once a year to detect problems and identify a break in making.

This way you will spend less money on repairs, but more importantly, ensure the integrity of the inside of your home. Sometimes repairs are too frequent and costly and the best solution is to replace the entire roof. This something you decide for yourself, but it is better to talk to a pro and let them determine whether it’s the best option.

Leaking Roof

 

A leaking roof is not uncommon. What you need to do is find the problematic spots and determine the type of repairs needed. If there are only a few holes made by impact from a branch during a heavy windstorm, then you should opt for repairs that are going to fix the breach.

If your roof is old and leaking, you can still invest in repairs, but that won’t be long-lasting as those same problems would resurface eventually. What you should consider is replacing the roof in its entirety.

When to Reroof?

Depending on when you plan to reroof you can apply temporary solutions like plastic sheets or plywood. If reroofing is not on the top of your house maintenance list, then feel free to go for permanent repairs while you carefully plan the reroofing. Don’t forget to glance at your attic after heavy rains just to be sure the roof can hold until you are able to replace it.

Shakes and Shingles Replacement

Luckily these repairs are not particularly difficult and every homeowner should be able to do it themselves. First, you need to carefully climb to the roof and detect the broken parts. Don’t forget to check if you already have backup shingles and shakes. Remove the broken ones, put a new underlayment, and install new shingles and shakes. It would be wise to check some tutorials on how to properly replace them, but if you don’t feel confident enough you can always call a professional.

Flat Roof

Dealing with flat roof repairs is slightly different. Usually, a small pond emerges on the roof after rain and if it remains there it can start creating problems. First, you need to remove that water and any other debris that came with it. After that, you can use a utility knife to cut out the affected area, but be careful not to damage felt beneath it. If there is still some water remaining you need to squeeze it out. After you’ve made sure the area is completely dry and clean from dirt and debris, you can start with the repairs. Use roofing cement and spread it evenly across the felt and then press hard. After that, you need to use galvanized roofing nails on every edge where the cut was made. Then insert an additional layer of cement and evenly cover the affected area.

Contact Professionals

Dealing with problems on your roof can be demanding both physically and mentally, not to mention the safety issues. Even experienced homeowners can’t always be sure they are the right person for the job, especially when it comes to sneaky leaks that take some time to show. This is why help from professionals who possess the right knowledge and equipment is the best solution. Feel free to contact them with any type of issue you are experiencing with your roof, and be sure it will be fixed with efficiency and quality.

 

Kitchen remodeling tips to help you choose more wisely

Remodeling your kitchen sounds like a fun and creative project. Everybody likes to refresh their favorite cooking space every now and then. Still, you should be careful and make a good plan before attempting anything. Various elements like dimensions, budget and space come into the equation.

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It is good to consider trends and turn your kitchen into a beautiful cooking spot, but it is equally important to think about functionality and ease of access. Since I want to go into this remodeling adventure myself, I decided to consult the pros. Here’s some advice I received from Elite Home Remodeling.

Plan ahead

As I mentioned above planning is crucial. Feel free to take as much time as you need to calculate everything to the finest detail. You want to avoid as many unpleasant surprises and try to predict what could go wrong. Now is the time to take a good look at your kitchen, put advantages and disadvantages on paper and use that to create something really nice and practical.

It is good to follow trends, but there’s no point rebuilding your entire kitchen in a completely different style that doesn’t fit the rest of the home just to have something you saw on the internet. Be creative, but remain realistic with the space and money you have. A big, expensive new fridge is awesome, but would it fit in your kitchen?

Think about what you currently have and what you could improve. It is vital to measure space and improve maneuverability, because in the end, there’s no point remodeling if you are going to make it more difficult to cook.

Appliances are tools not decorations

Sure, everybody would quickly jump to get a new fancy, luxurious stove, and think about whether that was the right decision. It is important to remember that appliances are only tools that need to help you cook. It is better to think about how much, and what you usually cook and then choose the appliances accordingly.

With so much choice on the market it is easier to personalize your experience and find exactly what you need. Instead of getting the most expensive stuff you can find, it is better to put that money elsewhere to improve the whole remodeling process.

Functionality and quality

You don’t remodel every day. This is the perfect opportunity to fix everything you didn’t like before and raise your kitchen to a level that’s going to satisfy your taste both in terms of functionality and style. You should make a budget and plan accordingly, but it is also important to remember that more quality items that might cost a bit more right now will pay off in the long run. Cheaper options might seem ok now, but once you are done, you want a kitchen that’s going to provide years of quality service, with very little maintenance or repairs.

Use space to your advantage

Ceilings, walls, any empty space in the kitchen can be used for something useful. Buy, or build custom cabinets that go up to the ceiling. You will be more economic with the space available, and also avoid having to dust hard-to-reach areas. Use empty walls to hang shelves where you can put items you use frequently. Don’t be afraid to be practical, you can even use the side of cabinets to mount shelves, or hooks.

Lighting

Lighting is also important to consider. Ceiling fixtures will provide a nice ambience and create a pleasant and relaxing working atmosphere. Under-cabinet lighting is used to provide necessary light for your work space. Cabinets can block natural light and their lower surface is ideal for lighting placement.

However you choose the approach remodeling it is always good to share your ideas with the pros and let them shed some light on the whole process. Their experience is invaluable here. Sometimes you know what you want, but have trouble understanding how to get there, again, you can get help from people who remodel kitchens for living.

Issues that might cause your HVAC to stop working

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Winter months can prove quite challenging when it comes to heating. Whatever your choice of keeping your home warm might be, there are always things you need to tweak and keep a lookout for. Maintenance is the key for almost every aspect of your living space, and the same rules apply for your heating.

I chose HVAC as the means to fend off the cold so I wanted to learn more from the pros on how to keep my system up and running when temperatures hit low. HVAC technicians at Howell’s Heating and Air Conditioning helped me out and showed me a few problems that might cause my HVAC to have poor performance or completely stop working. Here’s what I learned:

Dirty filters

One of the most common problems you can experience with your HVAC are dirty air filters. Many homeowners simply forget or even don’t know they should clean them a few times a year, depending on the amount of use. This is especially important in the offseason when the dirt piles up. It is crucial to remember to have regular maintenance every time before you plan to use your HVAC on a regular basis. Clogged air filters will not only decrease the performance of the unit, but they might cause it to overheat and break. A simple cleaning will do, and the most important part to remember is to do it every now and then or schedule a visit from a pro to help you out.

Uneven heating

Uneven heating is something almost every homeowner can experience, whether you live in a small or big place. The first thing that pops to mind is to check whether your heating is working properly. Still, this problem could be tied to other issues in your home like isolation, drafts and leaks. This is a perfect opportunity to have someone look over these potential issues and ultimately ensure an isolated environment for your HVAC’s best performance.

Thermostat issues

You are confused because the temperatures showing on your thermostat are completely different to your subjective feeling. No need to panic, thermostats can break and become mis-tuned. Nothing to worry about. This can mean that it needs to be recalibrated or batteries need to be replaced.

This is also a good opportunity to replace your old analog thermostat and opt for a new, digital one which offers a lot more room to manipulate the temperature, even when you are not at home.

Frozen pump

Your outdoors unit also needs to be checked. Very low temperatures mixed with cold wind and humidity can very easily cause fans and coils to freeze. This can lead to some serious issues, and the best solution is to prevent that from happening. The freeze can cause the fans to come to a halt, and then you would need to open the unit and break the ice. To avoid all that mess, it is best to contact a professional to come over and prepare the unit for the lowest temperatures by setting the unit to defrost automatically.

Frozen pipes

Regarding the outdoors unit, you should also consider preparing its pipes for winter. The ice will probably not cause a malfunction immediately, but if you let it grow it can cause the pipes to burst when you least expect it. You can avoid this by paying attention. If you notice ice piling up you need to turn off the water flow to the Hvac and carefully start removing the ice.

Call pros

If you don’t feel confident enough to perform maintenance yourself or you want someone with proper knowledge and experience to have a look, schedule a visit from a professional right now. Remember, it is always better to prevent problems.

Importance of clocks in a home decor

Decorating Room with a wall clock is considered an inexpensive and elegant idea to enhance the room decor.

You may find wall clocks as a boring showpiece but if they are chosen according to the theme of the room, then they can add meaning and liveliness to the beauty for every room.

Many individuals are passionate about wall clocks and consider choosing clocks a very serious and important task. They took a lot of time to find the perfect clock that goes with the interior design of their room.

Attractive and elegant clocks can add a pleasing touch to the wall of your room. If you are tired from the old design of the house and want to enhance its beauty, then this blog post is for you.

There is a very famous quote, “Every House says something”, which means that every piece of décor speaks about the personality of people who are staying inside the house.

Every home is differently decorated and decodes the living style of people.

The walls of the Living Room without a wall clock reflect the vibes of emptiness. Hence, every professional interior designer will recommend you to buy a decorative wall clock for the walls of your living room, office to enhance the beauty and charm.

Additionally, clocks are a seamless part of everyday life. In this blog post, we will share with you the importance of the wall clock.

Wall Clocks Adds Style Quotient
Each house and the wall of the house reflect the style quotient of the people who are living in it.

Hanging an antique style - designer wall clock that goes perfectly with the theme of the room and color of the wall will make people know about your style quotient and feature your choice and style statement.

First Impression is the Last Impression
Most of the houses have a living room right after the entry gate, when a guest or visitor enters your home; the first look goes towards the wall. That first look will add up the first impression in the mind of your guest about your style and living standard.

 If you have a beautiful decorative wall clock on your wall that perfectly goes with the theme and color of your house, it will trigger a fancy opinion in the mind of your guest about you and your house.
 
A Quick Idea To Makeover
If you have a short time and want to add elegance and beauty to your room, then there is no better idea than beautiful, decorative, and a designer wall clock. It is the best idea for Home Improvement.

 Hang a clock that perfectly matches the contrast and brightness of your room. In this way, you can add up liveliness to your dull room. Additionally, you can also decorate around a wall clock with antique and elegant paintings or showpieces.
 
Rejuvenate your Hobby Collection
In this designer and creative world, you will find a wall clock of innumerable styles that can easily match up with your requirements and hobbies.

Whether, you are fond of wooden clocks, antique clocks, or maybe metallic. You can rejuvenate yourself and your mood by nourishing your hobby of collecting your desired wall clocks and can make new décor for your rooms.

Types of Wall Clocks

1.    Circular wall Clock- Best way to enlighten up the dull wall. White and Black Color in circular wall clock add up the elegance to your room.
 
2.    Retro Wall Clock- This retro wall clock will add up retro vibe to your office or room. This retro-style wall clock reflects the elite interest’s personality.
 
3.    Metallic Wall Clock- It is a kind of contemporary wall clock. With the metallic style of the wall clock, you can add a fashionable look to any dull space.
 
4.    Vintage Wall Clock- Vintage wall cock reflects the old school kind of interests. In the center of these wall clocks, mostly world maps are curated. In some designs of Vintage wall clock, you will also find a beautiful antique clock pendulum. It is a perfect piece of décor that will add a Metallic Roman and rusty elegant look to your home.
 
5.    Novelty Wall Clock- With this designer novelty wall clock, you can express your unconventional kind of interests and intriguing personality. It is far more than other wall clocks. It adds an eclectic and bold kind of look to the wall of your home or office.

DIY solutions to keep your home tidy and organized

Nicely decorated, clean space free of clutter; the accurate description of the home most of us strive to live in. However, the plethora of things and appliances we own these days tends to disrupt peaceful harmony. With so many items out there, there's a chance you have loads of them lying around, and you have absolutely no idea where to store them. Thankfully, the internet is there to come to the rescue! It's full of easy-to-follow DIY solutions to keep your home tidy and organized as much as possible. We've rounded up some clever hacks for you to try!

Keeping your home clutter-free and organized with DIY solutions

While some projects you should never attempt to do yourself, the same can't be said about organizing your home. There are plenty of innovative, affordable ideas you can implement at home that require just a bit of time and patience. Once you've read about them, you'll wish you have made the changes sooner!

Store bed sheets inside of pillowcases

This one only works if the pillowcase is on the larger side. You would also need to be capable of neatly folding your sheets. Either way, it's a good trick that can definitely save some space and help your other sheets stay folded when grabbing the one from the bottom of the closet.

Use a clothing rack to add storage

Are you constantly battling with clothes that can't possibly fit inside the wardrobe? If yes, adding clothing racks to your interior could be the solution to your problem! They are certainly a clever storage addition for a kids' room or your bedroom. However, they can also bring a dose of style and sophistication to the area. They look nice, they are easy to clean, and can even function as a drying rack when in need of more drying space. While purchasing one is easier, making one yourself is a more creative option.

Adding a custom-made clothing rack to space can prove one of the best DIY solutions for home organizing.

Mount the bicycles to the wall

you have just moved to a new place only to realize you have no space for your precious bikes? While zippyshelllouisiana.com can help provide you with temporary storage, you'd still want to move them to your own place eventually. Luckily, there is one of the good DIY solutions for you! You could mount your bikes to the wall! Doing this ensures you have plenty of open areas plus, they can serve as nice home decor. You could even paint the walls, so they match the color of your two-wheelers!

Make use of the hanging pot rack

When dealing with a small kitchen, putting your pots inside the cabinets is the worst thing you can do! Instead of solving storage issues the old-fashioned way, consider installing the hanging pot rack above the kitchen island. You can use it to hang all your pots and pans while still having enough room left in the cabinets for not-so-bulky items. You could organize your cookware by size, colors, type, or any other way you like.

Install hanging racks to provide storage space for the bulky pans and pots. One of the interesting DIY solutions to keep your home tidy and organized.

Handle delicate items with care by making dish-organizers

Since fragile items require special care, storing your fine china and all the delicate dishes higher up is ideal! Putting them in the same place as you would that coffee cup you use daily isn't particularly advisable. While grabbing the mug, you could easily knock over one of the precious dishes, thus causing it irreparable damage. Instead, put the delicates on the highest shelf or store them in a rarely-used drawer. Of course, you will need to invest or engage in a DIY project of making dish-organizers so that everything stays in place and remains as safely put away as possible.

Find a new purpose for old jars and cans

With the world facing huge issues due to pollution, reusing packaging instead of throwing them away is something you can do at home to help lessen the problem. Those empty jars and food cans can prove decent DIY solutions to keep your home tidy and organized. Of course, you might need to do some paint job to hide the labels. Once the paint has dried, you can use the newly-repurposed containers to store just about anything. From office supplies to cotton balls, jewelry, even cutlery. The choice is entirely up to you!

Store various items inside of containers. You can even make custom ones by repurposing old jars and painting them if necessary.

Carve out the old, unused books to provide space for remotes

If you dread looking at all those remote controllers lying around the home, trust me, you aren't alone. An excellent way to hide them would be to do so inside an old book. But how can a remote controller fit inside a book, you might be asking? Well, simply! All you need to do is carve the inside of it so that only covers remain. Use the hole to keep the controllers in place, as well as things like batteries or chargers. No one will ever think that the rustic, stylish novel is anything but.

Don't throw away the bread clips

Organizing small spaces is a daring task that unsightly cables often tend to make even more challenging. Not to mention that you never know which cord belongs to which device, thus leading to a whole lot of frustration associated with unplugging the wrong device from the socket! However, there is a way to fix this. To make the problem less problematic, make use of the bread clips. You can attach them to the cord near the adapter, label them with names of associated appliances, and even mark them using various colors to differentiate between devices easily.

Takeaway

While organizing your home and keeping it tidy can undoubtedly take up a lot of your time, there's a way to simplify the whole process. It's even possible to make it a fun experience by implementing some of the DIY solutions to keep your home tidy and organized. You can also get your entire family to join the project, thus making unforgettable memories along the way. Good times are guaranteed for everyone, so why not give it a try? We guarantee you'll be satisfied with the results!

Photos used:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/interior-of-stylish-living-room-with-yellow-soft-furniture-4138152/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/clothes-hanged-on-clothes-rack-3965545/
https://unsplash.com/photos/aWxWTdjjaY0
https://unsplash.com/photos/9gtiGV76NnM