Category Archives: House and home

3 Simple Kitchen Update Ideas

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Looking to update your kitchen, but don’t have the time or budget for a remodel? Here are three simple renovation ideas that will give you a better looking kitchen in no time!

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1. Add Some Color

All-white kitchens have been trendy for decades. Why not give your kitchen some character by adding a pop of color? Paint walls in a color that contrasts well with your cabinets. Alternatively, you could paint the cabinets, or even stain them in a new finish for a completely new look. Use a contrasting wood finish for kitchen cabinets and islands to give your space a sophisticated and stylish look.

2. Install a New Range Hood

Range hoods have been gaining in popularity as a great kitchen design trend. The right range hood can really make a statement in a kitchen. You could use a stainless steel hood to you’re your room a more modern look, or a hammered copper hood to add some classic elegance to the space. There are so many different styles to choose from, but be sure to pick a hood that fits well with the overall aesthetic of your space. Choose a professional kitchen range hood installation company to add this exciting new focal point to your kitchen.

3. Add a Backsplash

Installing a backsplash is a great way to spice up your space. If you’re handy, this is a project that you can easily do yourself. Choose quartz tile backsplash for a sleek, clean look or go bold with colorful glass tiles. No matter what you choose, a new backsplash is sure to give your kitchen a lot more personality.

It’s clear you can give your kitchen a whole new look without investing a lot of time. By following these tips, you’ll improve the appearance and enjoyment of your space.

3 Tips to Make Your Home Unique

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Many people today live in a world of cookie-cutter, subdivision homes. This can make it difficult for your home to stand out. However, by adding a few simple, personalized touches, you can make your home one of a kind.

Naomi’s framed paintings

Individualized Art

Something simple that can make your home unique is an original work of art. Whether this is a sculpture or painting, it can help add a much needed personal touch to your home. However, if you cannot afford to purchase an original work of art, you can easily hang up paintings by family members or prints from your favorite artists. These pictures show your personal style and taste. When you add your own style to a house, it helps to create a personalized, homey atmosphere.

Customized Fire Gates

Another way to make your home more unique is to add custom fire gates. These can come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. They also come in unique patterns. For example, if you have a specific theme running through your home, you can make your gate match the theme. This is a simple way to make your home unique and different from everyone else’s homes.

Unique Rugs

Finally, the floor is a large space that can be used as a blank canvas. Many homes come with basic wood or tile flooring, so adding a rug you like can make your home unique. Rugs can come in hundreds of different fabrics, colors, shapes, and sizes, so it is inevitable that you will find the perfect rug for your home. You may even add several rugs around your home to further portray your own personal style and taste.

If you are hoping to make your standardized house stand out, you may think about getting unique or customized items. Making your home reflect who you are can be the simplest way to make your house into your home.

How to Install Board and Batten Siding

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There are many different ways of covering your home. You can choose simply to repaint it, although in practice this is generally more complicated than it sounds. Alternatively, you can invest in some high-quality vinyl cladding that can quickly transform the look and feel of your home.

However, you can also opt for a more traditional approach with board and batten siding. When installing this you can get professional help, or you can complete the work yourself by following these simple steps:

Choose Your Boards

The most common boards are 1×10 with 1×2 or 1×3 battens. However, you can also choose 1×8 boards or 1×12 boards and 1×4 battens.

It’s also important to consider the finish of your boards if you opt for rough then your boards will give your home a rustic look. Alternatively, you can choose smooth, planed, boards and pint them afterward, creating a very modern finish.

Don’t forget if you’re painting the boards after to check with your local planning office, you don’t want to fall foul of local rules and have to remove your boards.

Part of choosing the boards also means selecting the wood you’d like to use. Hardwood is more expensive and will last longer. But, it can be more difficult to work with.

Cedar is generally a good option but you should check to ensure there are no open knots.

It’s probably going to take you a day, with one assistant, to cover 800 square feet of wall. The exact time will depend on your work ethic and the amount of space you have to cover.

Now Put Your Board and batten siding up

Just follow these steps:

  • Put building wrap around the windows and doors, you’ll need metal flashing on vulnerable joins. This assumes you have flat walls to batten against. If you don’t you’ll need to add furring battens.
  • Now add your water boards, they must be level, you can bang two nails in at every joist and use a butt joint to join boards together.
  • Take a look at the spaces between windows and doors. You want to plan your boards to minimize cutting and avoid having skinny pieces of wood.
  • You should now be ready to put your first board up. You’ll need to make sure it stays vertical with a spirit level. Nail the board in but don’t put the nail too close to the edge of the wood.
  • Use a spacer to create an even gap between each board, this allows for expansion and contraction. At the same time, it keeps the look uniform.
  • Take your time cutting angle boards, mark several times before cutting; you want the fit to be as snug as possible.
  • Your battens can now be installed over the gaps in your wood; this covers the gap completely and protects the walls and the rest of the wood from damp. You can straighten a crooked batten by aligning it as you nail, moving from top to bottom.

That’s it! Step back and admire your work, but only when you’ve finished the whole house.