Author: Modern Architecture Concept

Start a Home Detox Routine with Decluttering this Spring

Modern Architecture Concept

Declutter your home this spring with some of these easy tips!

Photos By: Unsplash

You may have heard of detoxing your body for better health. But did you know that you can also detox your home? Detoxing your home works in a similar way only instead of eliminating unhealthy food, you eliminate items that are no longer useful within your decor. This routine is beneficial if your realtor has expressed that you need to stage your house to sell. Here are some ways to detox and declutter your home for spring.

Start By Getting Rid of The Excess

One of the best ways to detox your home is to kiss the clutter goodbye. If these items are still in good condition, consider giving them away to a local charity or thrift store instead of tossing them away. Otherwise, it may be a good idea to rent a dumpster or call a junk removal service to remove your unwanted items. Getting rid of excess will provide more space in your rooms and help you easily determine what items you need to replace this season.

Switch to Safer Cleaning Products

There are some products that you, your parents, and your parent’s parents have used to clean for decades without realizing they are very toxic. These products include toxins like phosphates, chlorine, or added fragrances. Instead of keeping the tradition of using toxic cleaning products, consider switching to those considered green products. These products usually have an EPA (environmental protection agency) Safer Choice seal.

Let in the Fresh Air

You may be tempted to turn on the air when it starts getting warmer. But since spring yields moderate temperatures in most places, it may be a better idea to open those windows. Allowing fresh air in improves your home’s air quality, reduces chances of sickness, and gets rid of odors.

Improve Your Home’s Water Quality

Your local water plant does all that it can to eliminate some of the most dangerous toxins in your tap water. However, they don’t eliminate all the bacteria, sediment, and germs in your water. Besides this, the pipes you have in your house may also bring in additional trace toxins. These tiny traces of germs and bacteria can lead to sickness in your family. It can even cause skin problems if you or your family members are allergic to what’s in the water. Installing a water filtration system can help detox your home. There are many options, including filtration systems that clean water for drinking and whole-house systems that remove toxins from drinking water and water for bathing.

Clean or Replace Your Bed and Bedding

You typically spend six to eight hours lying in your bed each night. As a result, pillows and mattresses are full of dust and germs that make them ripe for spreading disease. To help with detoxing your house, it is a good idea to clean your bed and bedding this spring so that you won’t encourage the growth of infection. In addition, if your mattress is over eight years old, you may want to consider getting a new one.

Decluttering is a great way to help you make more space in your home. But detoxing your home helps keep you and your family safe by improving air and water quality and minimizing the spread of disease. Spring is the perfect time to freshen up your space and make your home more functional.

Mighty Dog Roofing – Choosing the Right Exterior Materials that Fits with Home Style

Modern Architecture Concept

Planning to renovate your exterior? Here’s how to choose the right materials!

Photos By: Unsplash

Choosing the right exterior materials for your home can be a hard task. There are so many options to choose from, and it can be complicated to know which one is the best fit for your home! But, it is important to choose the right one because it will be there for a while. Here are some things to keep in mind when working with a roof installation company and choosing the right exterior materials for your home:

Climate

Climate is one of the first things to keep in mind when deciding the material you will use. The type of exterior material you choose should be able to withstand the weather conditions in your area. For example, if you live in an area with harsh winters, you’ll want to make sure the material can withstand freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.

Style

You want the exterior materials to complement the overall design of your house. For instance, if you have a traditional-style home, brick or stone would be a good choice. If you have a more modern home, then metal or glass would be a better option.

Budget

Finally, you need to think about your budget. Exterior materials can range in price, so you’ll want to choose something that fits within your budget. Keep in mind that higher-quality materials will last longer and require less maintenance, so they may be worth the investment in the long run.

Now, let’s head on to choosing the right roofing material for your home. There is a variety of roofing materials to choose from, and each has its own benefits. Make sure to contact Mighty Dog Roofing for all your roofing needs, big or small! Hiring a professional roofing company will bring you many benefits when it comes to roof installation/repair. With that, here are some of the most popular roofing materials:

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt Shingles are the most commonly used roofing in United States. They are durable, affordable and come in a variety of colors to match any home exterior. If you’re looking for a classic look that will never go out of style, asphalt shingles are a great option.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular due to their longevity and energy efficiency. If you live in an area with severe weather conditions, a metal roof can offer added protection against high winds and Hail damage. Metal roofs also reflect heat from the sun, which can help keep your home cooler in the summer months.

Tile Roofs

Tile roofs have been used for centuries and are still a popular choice among homeowners today. Tile is a durable material that can withstand severe weather conditions and is available in a variety of colors and styles. If you’re looking for a unique look for your home, tile is a great option.

Slate Roofs

Slate roofs are a more expensive option, but they offer a luxurious look that can add value to your home. Slate is a very durable material, and it’s available in a variety of colors to match any home exterior. If you’re looking for a unique and elegant roofing option, slate is a great choice.

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles are a classic roofing material that has been used for centuries. Wood is a durable material that can withstand severe weather conditions and is available in a variety of colors and styles. If you’re looking for a unique and elegant roofing option, wood shingles are a great choice.

Solar Roofs

Solar roofs are a newer roofing option that is becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency. Solar roofs absorb the sun’s energy and use it to power your home, which can help save you money on your energy bill. Solar roofs are available in a variety of styles, and they can be customized to match any home exterior.

Green Roofs

Green roofs are a type of solar roof that is covered with vegetation. Green roofs absorb the sun’s energy and use it to power your home, which can help save you money on your energy bill. Green roofs also offer added insulation for your home, which can help keep your home cooler in the summer months.

When choosing the right exterior material for your home, it’s important to consider the climate you live in, the style of your home, and your budget. With so many options available, there’s sure to be a material that’s perfect for you. The Mighty Dog Roofing Company has a team of experienced professionals who can help you choose the right roofing material for your home.

The Best Drought Tolerant Trees for Your Backyard

Modern Architecture Concept

Do you live in a dry climate? Planting trees that don’t need a lot of water is a great idea for your landscaping!

If you are living in an area that is very dry and doesn’t receive a lot of rainfall, it is only natural to look for plants that can survive this type of climate. Areas that have long, dry, and hot summers also need to have gardens suited to withstand these type of conditions. It is always exciting to see trees online that look beautiful but we have to be realistic. Can these types of trees survive in the conditions we live in? After asking for help from a lawn care specialist, I’ve put together a list of some drought tolerant trees that not only look great but don’t need a lot of water!

Evergreen Trees

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Cedar, oak, and pine all fall into the evergreen tree category. These trees are all deep-rooted and can handle long summers with little or no water. If you live in a climate that has little precipitation, evergreen trees are a good choice to plant around your home. They are fast growers, and can quickly become shade trees in just a few years of being planted. One of my favorite things about evergreen trees is that they remain green and functional through more than one growing season. This means that even in the winter time they will remain green without loosing their leaves. Most trees with completely lose their foliage during the winter and dry season, which is something you also want to keep in mind when choosing trees for your yard.

Hackberry

If you are looking for a tree that needs little maintenance, the hackberry is a tree known to landscape professionals as “one tough tree”. The hackberry can tolerate all kinds of conditions and can be seen planted all the way from Canada to Florida. It can survive a wide variety of temperatures and can tolerate little to no rainfall, strong wind, and lots of air pollution. If you are looking for a hardy tree, the hackberry is a good landscape choice that doesn’t need watering.

Southwest Shade Trees

These leafy desert shade trees work very well in hot climates with little precipitation. Most southwest shade trees are easy maintenance trees that have few pest or tree disease issues. Some of these species are actually native to places like Arizona and Southern California. They have evolved to survive and thrive in drought conditions, so if you live in an area like this a southwest shade tree may be a great choice for you! Some southwest trees include acacia trees, mesquites, and palo verde trees. They can all survive with little moisture and in the driest conditions!

Kentucky Coffeetree

The Kentucky Coffeetree is a very drought-resistant tree that works in a wide variety of dry climates. It can easily adapt to a variety of soils, that is why it is a very popular option for homeowners across the United States. An interesting thing about the Kentucky Coffeetree is that is is very tolerant of pollution, and is a tough species that thrives in tough climates. It can be used as an ornamental or shade tree to plant on your front lawn or backyard.

Fruitless Olive Trees

Olive trees are one of my favorite trees, but unfortunately they are banned in many US states because of their fruits clogging up road drains and attracting wildlife. Fruitless olive trees on the other hand are exactly what they sound like, olive trees that bear no fruit! These trees need well-draining soil and most fruitless olive trees are drought tolerant but need regular water until a good root system has developed. So if you have the time to water these trees in your garden until they can live on their own, they make wonderful trees that not only look beautiful but also retain their foliage even in the winter time!

Live Oak

The live oak is one of my favorite trees and you may recognize it as being an iconic tree of the south. The live oak can be seen today in the south lining many driveways and roads, and it is a very impressive tree that can live to be hundreds of years old. The live oak is tolerant to drought and can adapt to various soil types, can tolerate soil compaction and also salt spray.

Northern Catalpa

Most of the trees that we have listed above are typical shade trees. The northerm catalpa is something quite different and makes a beautiful decorative tree. The catalpa blooms with white flowers and has giant heart-shaped leaves that hang like bean seed pods. The trunk and branches twist which give it a unique and exotic look, perfect for your backyard. This tree is a fast grower and is very drought tolerant. If you are looking for a tree that doesn’t need much watering but also blooms with beautiful flowers, the northern catalpa may be a good choice for you.

There are so many beautiful drought tolerant trees on the market today, so do your research before planting a tree in your yard. A few things you want to look for are low maintenance and drought tolerance. If you can find this combination you will have one a beautiful tree that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come!

Kaley Tyne Johnson: Interior Design Trends for the Home for 2022

Modern Architecture Concept

Keep your home on top of the latest trends with these decor must-haves designers are loving for 2022!

Photos By: Stock Images

An alumna of the New York School of Interior Design, Kaley Tyne Johnson is a freelance interior designer who travels the world working with clients, operating predominantly in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

Few environments are as important as the home, providing a backdrop for joyful holiday celebrations, unforgettable family occasions and some of life’s most memorable moments. From vibrant color schemes and a resurgence of classic styles to technological innovations, this article explores interior design predictions for 2022.

Traditional Meets Contemporary

Classic designs never go out of style. Speaking with Cision, designers from Taylor Morrison Home Corp predicted that homeowners would continue to mix traditional design elements, such as rich wood tones and colorful patterned wallpaper, with contemporary pieces.

As Las Vegas-based designer Laurie Jiu suggests, since people are staying in their home longer, they are opting for a look that will not go out of style quickly. Taylor Morrison’s professionals advocate investing in classic and timeless staple pieces, using trendy accent pieces to refresh the look, in order to combat an everchanging trend cycle.

Traditional details are one of 2022 interior design trends and are likely to enjoy a continued resurgence over the coming months. After all, with so much change and disruption since the start of the pandemic, it is no surprise that increasing numbers of people crave a sense of timelessness, comfort and nostalgia in their homes.

Changing Priorities

With families all over the world spending more time at home throughout the pandemic, homebuyers have increasingly prioritized comfort and functionality in home design. Brian Juedes is Vice President of Product Design at Taylor Morrison. He explains that, in a post-pandemic world, more customers want homes with increased outdoor spaces, bigger kitchens, more bulk storage, expanded everyday entry zones, and more areas dedicated to working and studying from home.

Elements Inspired by Nature

Also triggered by COVID-19, many people have developed a new-found appreciation of nature, seeking to reconnect with the natural world and recreate its calming influence in their homes.

Natural surfaces like marble, terracotta, stoneware and travertine are currently one of the hottest interior design trends across the board, from furniture and bathtubs to decorative ornaments. The rugged, imperfect nature of organic materials such as these adds interest, soul and depth, recreating the calming, restorative ambiance of the natural world.

Designer Nicole McCall explains that buyers have been bringing in crystals and pinecones as inspiration, asking them to design their homes around these items. A desire to reconnect with nature has also sparked a surge in interest in large trees for the home, from magnolias to the black olive.

Vibrant Colors

Working in collaboration with Sherwin-Williams, Taylor Morrison compiled its 2022 Color Collection. Sherwin-Williams’ Color of the Year is Evergreen Fog.

Green has become an increasingly popular addition to color schemes as homeowners seek to immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature, recreating the soothing influences of the great outdoors in their own homes.

Lee Crowder, National Director of Design and Model Experience for Taylor Morrison, pointed out that Evergreen Fog could exist harmoniously with others colors such as Snowbound, Warm Wicker and Dark Night, or stand strong on its own, meaning it could be woven into the color scheme of any home.

Tactile Textures

Founder of The Expert, Jake Arnold explains that his clients are exploring different types of patterned jute, abaca and rush this year as a way to expand the neutral foundation that a rug provides, playing around with patterns to add more depth and texture to spaces.

3D Art

Lauren Behfarin of Lauren Behfarin Design predicts a push towards 3D art in the months ahead, explaining that with people continuing to spend more time in their homes, they will seek to add life, whimsey and intrigue to flat wall space. As Behfarin points out, art that pops right off the wall – which can be configured in different ways – is likely to become increasingly popular in 2022.

Technological Transformation

Technology has had a revolutionary impact on the construction, design and operation of modern homes. Thanks to the company’s partnership with GE Appliances, Taylor Morrison’s customers can now set the dishwasher from the squash court, or start the laundry without leaving the workplace. Enabling homeowners to control appliances via their mobile phones is a game-changer, freeing up the valuable time of homeowners and making their lives easier.

Getting Ready to Downsize? Here’s What You Need to Know

Modern Architecture Concept

Downsizing happens for a variety of reasons: maybe you’re an empty nester and planning to move to a smaller home, or maybe you just want a simpler lifestyle with less stuff lying around!

Photos By: Unsplash

Deciding to work remotely for a while is another valid and common reason for downsizing. Whatever the reason, the process of downsizing can be overwhelming – it involves a lot of digging through your possessions, sorting stuff out, deciding what stays and what goes, then dealing with the items you’re no longer keeping. In other words, downsizing is a lot of work. But, with a little bit of planning, you can streamline it and make it easier. Here’s what you need to know about downsizing and how to come up with the right strategy:

Start the process early on

One common trap is underestimating how much time you actually need to downsize. It’s not something that can be done properly in one weekend, particularly if we’re talking about large family homes. Ideally, you should start sorting your belongings a few weeks prior to moving to the smaller home or apartment.

Have your measurements ready

Most people who downsize are planning to move some of their old furniture into the smaller home. In such situations, it’s very important to take detailed measurements of the furniture, the space where you want to place it, and of the door frames as well. Door frames can be smaller, especially if you’re moving from a single-family home into an apartment, and you don’t want to find that out when your sofa was already delivered at the new address – and you can’t get it inside. Also, if the rooms in your new home are smaller, it’s important to visualize how your old furniture fills the space – a simple way to do that is by using tape on the floor to draw the contours of the furniture you’re planning to bring.

Consider turning to self storage

According to recent research from self storage website Storagecafe.com, more than a third of Americans are using self storage, and the most common reason for renting a unit is downsizing. In fact, renting self storage is a huge help if you’re downsizing. It can benefit you throughout the actual process of packing up the belongings and preparing them to be moved as well as after the move. Rent a self storage unit located close to your new home and use it to safely store items you decide to keep, as you pack them, until moving day comes along – this takes a lot of the pressure off and allows you to use your time and effort more efficiently.

Self storage also helps if you’re downsizing your belongings because you are temporarily relocating to a new city or new country, combining remote work with traveling. It’s a safe – and affordable – way to store the stuff you’ll be needing when you get back home. The cost of renting self storage varies depending on where you live. For example, renting a 10’x10’ self storage unit in Austin costs around $170 per month. A unit in Oklahoma City, on the other hand, hovers around $100 per month.

In both instances, however (or in any other location in the country), using self storage is more convenient than paying months of rent on an apartment, just to house your stuff, or dumping your possessions on reluctant family or friends.

If you’re a homeowner and plan to relocate for several months or longer, it’s still a good idea to downsize your belongings and place the expensive and important ones in storage. Then, you can put your home up for rent without worrying about potential damage to your furniture and other items. This way, you’ll be cashing in a monthly income instead of paying mortgage and maintenance on an empty home.

How to decide what stays and what goes

This might just be the hardest thing about downsizing. We all get attached to our stuff, and it’s hard to let go. Try to apply some of the following principles in order to move things along and speed up the process:

  • Sentimental items (old photos, journals, postcards, your kids’ artwork since they were in kindergarten) are probably the most difficult to deal with. But you have a simple solution to that: scan and take digital pictures of everything. You’ll hold on to the memories, which will be at your fingertips all the time, on your phone or on your tablet, without cluttering your space with a lot of boxes filled with old papers. Other ideas to keep your sentimental items without causing clutter include creating scrapbooks or framing and displaying the most significant ones.
  • Limit yourself to just one of everything – if, for example, you own two vacuum cleaners, keep only one, the one you prefer. The same goes for everything, from tools to kitchen utensils and so on.
  • Use the stuff you were saving for the future – the future is now. Maybe you have a set of fancy China, or luxurious bedding, that you saved up until now. Well, downsizing is the perfect opportunity to get rid of your old stuff and put the new and nice items hiding in your closets and cabinets at good use.
  • When it comes to clothing and shoes, a good rule of thumb is to get rid of everything you haven’t used in the past 12 months.

What to do with your stuff?

Once you decide what items you want to keep, you’re left to deal with the rest. Some of them will probably go to recycling or straight to the trash bin. As for the stuff that’s in good shape, you can find various uses. Ask your family and friends if they need anything and gift it to them. Or you could sell them online, or even organize a garage sale. Find local organizations that accept charitable donations and contact them to pick up your belongings.

However, all these actions take a little bit of time – which is another reason why it’s important to start the downsizing process early on.