2010 color decor and design trends: influenced by life's richness
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As the economy stabilizes, homeowners are expected to begin investing more
money into their homes, particularly the aesthetics of their homes. But the
recession did have a profound impact on the manner in which people approach
design and decor.
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A getaway for every day
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Need a break from the hectic day-to-day routine. With a little time, budget
and creativity, an ordinary bathroom can be transformed into a luxurious,
relaxing escape for an everyday getaway.
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Are you throwing money out the (energy inefficient) window?
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They frame your favorite view and are key to making your home comfortable
in summer and winter, yet most people don't think about them until they
stop working properly. But, if your windows aren't performing as well as
they should, now is a great time to consider replacing them.
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Authentic cedar beauty enhances home value, lasts a lifetime
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When it comes to the popular aesthetic of cedar siding, The Foundry is one
siding choice that manages to create discerning authenticity with a design
that requires virtually no upkeep - a combination unheard of to homeowners
who have had to sand, scrape, stain or pry-off damaged cedar shingles.
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Before you begin a remodel, know how to score the best financing
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Americans are learning to be frugal again, with more of us
looking to spend less, and get more value out of the money that we do
spend. That sentiment could well be what's driving the renewed interest
in remodeling one's current home, rather than moving out and buying
something bigger, better and newer.
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Choose a paintbrush-free and colorful trim for your house
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Advanced, colorful exterior trim is conquering several roles, distinctly
benefitting time-squeezed homeowners and letting them lock away the
paintbrush.
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Creating the perfect attic bedroom
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If you need more space for a growing family, an attic bedroom is an ideal
way to turn storage space into livable space. And, if you plan on selling
your home, attic upgrades have been shown to yield more than a 75 percent
return.
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Decorating on a budget & from the ground up
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Take a cue from Mother Nature and start your spring decorating from the
ground up with the right flooring choice.
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Delaying home projects could cost more in the long run
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Been to the grocery store lately? Filled up your vehicle with gas in the
last week? It's not your imagination - many of the items you use most often
are getting more expensive. And near the top of the list of price increases
are the building materials that go into remodeling projects and new home
construction.
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Eco-friendly solutions for updating your kitchen and bath
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Tile offers supreme durability and a longer lifespan than most floor and
wall coverings. Unlike wood that rots and needs refinishing, or carpeting
that loses its pile and shows wear, ceramic tile lasts up to four times longer.
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Fast fixes for foreclosed homes
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In addition to making a foreclosed home look new again, completing these
easy and affordable updates can go a long way in restoring the value of the
property when it comes time to sell.<
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Federal tax credits set to expire by end of year
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Putting off that home improvement project? Waiting too long could be
detrimental to your wallet. On Dec. 31, the federal tax credit worth up to
$1,500 for energy-efficient home improvements will expire, leaving
procrastinating homeowners out in the cold - or at least chilly from their
old, drafty windows.
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Find, fix and forget - simple steps to weatherize your home this winter
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The weather outside is about to get frigid and frightful, but inside, many
homeowners can still enjoy the comfort and coziness of warmth ... if they
don't have to worry about cold air drafts and leaks causing the temperature
inside to plummet like the climate outside.
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Five best home improvements for your renovation dollars
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Homeowners renovate for two basic reasons: money and fun. Or, more
precisely, they undertake home improvements to improve their home's resale
value or their enjoyment of their house. The best home improvements,
however, are ones that deliver on both objectives.
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Five projects to take your home from cookie cutter to custom
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A new home: It's your chance to personalize your living space with details
that suit your taste and personality. Or, so you think. Many builders only
allow you to choose colors; and offer limited options beyond their
builders' grade materials. Or, if you've purchased a previously owned home,
it too is most likely equipped with many basic options.
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Four fast, fashionable and fabulous home fixes anyone can do
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When it comes to home improvement, you don't have to be a
professional to get professional-looking results. Many simple projects
can dramatically update your home and are easy enough for even the
novice do-it-yourself-er.
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Garage doors can add history and style to a home
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Homeowners often incorporate replicas of America's finest architectural
designs into their modern home architecture. The result is a contemporary
house design that embraces classic design elements in the garage entrance
as well as in other areas of the home.
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Give your home a fresh look for spring
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Spring cleaning has become a ritual in homes across America. But as
families focus on de-cluttering closets and revitalizing their indoor
spaces, many overlook simple, inexpensive outdoor projects that can give a
home a real "face lift" and make it look and feel like new.
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Greening the kitchen with eco-friendly cabinetry
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Kitchen cabinets could take up as much as half of a kitchen renovation budget, so it's vital for homeowners wanting to "green" their kitchens to choose a quality cabinet manufacturer with roots in environmental sustainability.
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Keeping your wood floor's natural shine
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Wood floors are a beloved part of a home, and are also a great investment
that can boost your home's value by up to $10,000, according to the
Hardwood Information Center.
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Luxury bathroom upgrades that are worth the investment
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Few room renovations return as much on your investment - in terms of resale
value and enhanced enjoyment - as refurbishing a bathroom. Maybe that's why
many Americans, who have tightened their belts when it comes to other areas
of home improvement, still seem to be willing to spend more for luxury
bathroom upgrades.
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Make a home remodel work for you
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The home remodeling industry is seeing an upswing, according to a Harvard
University study released earlier this year, as many homeowners opt to make
various upgrades to their homes instead of moving from one home to another.
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Many homeowners now staying put and remodeling
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Have you outgrown your small home, but you're staying put for
financial or economic reasons? Or maybe you recently bought a house in
foreclosure that was a great deal, but needs fixing up.
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Money in the attic? How a simple project can lead to big savings
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Most homeowners rarely venture up to their attics, but as winter
approaches, many will make the annual trip upstairs to put away
warm-weather items and retrieve holiday decorations. While a home's attic
is ideal for storage, smart homeowners realize that their attics also
represent a great opportunity to save money.
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Opening the window to federal remodeling tax credits
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The tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows and doors,
originally introduced in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act, is set to expire at the end of 2010, which makes this
year the best time for homeowners to replace their windows and upgrade the
look and feel of their home.
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Projects that reduce your energy bills
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Home improvement projects can add to the look and comfort of your home, and
help reduce monthly utility bills to help make the most of your hard-earned
money.
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Remodel 411: help for the remodeling-challenged
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Thinking of remodeling but don't know where to start? Start your renovation
by concentrating on the rooms you use the most and offer the best return on
investment (ROI): your kitchen and your bathroom.
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Seeing green through new energy efficient windows
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Now that spring is here, many homeowners are thinking about remodeling
projects that will improve the home this season and year-round. Whether
you're planning a few do-it-yourself improvements or a major renovation,
it's important to think "green." One way to enhance the beauty and comfort
of your home while saving on energy is by installing highly energy
efficient windows.
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Selling your home in tough times
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Today's tough economic times mean that home sellers need to do their
homework, take a more assertive role in marketing their home and, at times,
get creative to help their home stand out from others that are on the market.
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Selling your home? Easy improvements to attract buyers
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Real estate pros often coach their clients on the value of making "curb
appeal" improvements to help sell their homes. If you're planning to put
your house on the market and want to make it stand out, consider going a
step further and adding a new bathroom.
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Shape up your home energy savings
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After a long, cold winter, spring is the perfect time to give your home an
energy checkup to see which home improvement projects will save on utility
bills. Many energy makeovers start with investigating old windows and doors.
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Simple and chic bathroom perk-ups
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Want a new bathroom, but think the price tag might be out of your budget?
Don't give up so easily. Many simple updates and unique products can give
you a custom-designed look on a bare-minimum budget.
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Simple fixes that will make your kitchen feel brand new
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When it comes to your kitchen, details make all the difference.
It's often the most used and best-loved room in the house, so having a
room that meets your needs and expresses your personality is key. If
your kitchen's design has been frustrating you by creating clutter and
giving your home an out-of-date feel, it's time to make some changes.
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Spice up your space with the top color trends for spring and summer
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Avocado and harvest gold bring back memories of the 70s - but what colors
will spring and summer of 2010 bring to our homes?
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Steps that make building onto your home simpler and safer
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It's the time of year to finish all the projects around the house that you
put off all summer to go to the lake. Regardless if it is finishing a new
deck, renovating the kitchen or building a new garage, it needs to be
finished before winter hits. You will need to take a few easy steps in
order to start - and finish - the job.
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Stop home energy dollars from leaking out your walls
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When building a new home, buyers are often aware of common heating and
cooling problem areas, such as windows and doors. Many will ask their
builder about double- or triple-pane windows, insulated doors and the
quality of insulation, without considering the impact of wall construction
on home energy efficiency.
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Tax credit helps homeowners get relief from 'sweating' windows
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There couldn't be a better time to replace those sweaty, unsightly windows.
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) still in effect for
2010, homeowners can take advantage of up to 30 percent in tax credits for
energy-saving upgrades - including qualifying energy-efficient windows.
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Ten Tips for better remodeling or landscaping projects
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For many homeowners, the return of warm weather signals that time of year
to launch the long-awaited home remodeling or backyard patio project.
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Ten tips for the perfect bathroom remodel
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Giving an old, tired bathroom a makeover is one of the best
things you can do to increase your home's resale value. And while it
can take some planning, remodeling your bathroom is easily within the
capability of most homeowners.
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The curse of carpet: Alternative flooring options
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While many homeowners like the warmth and comfort of carpeted floors, they
are often hit with the harsh reality that carpet comes with a host of
problems. Besides being very difficult to clean, carpeted floors can also
be a health concern.
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The ideal season to give your guest bath a makeover
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The shorter days and cooler nights that fall brings mean entertaining that
once took place on porches, patios and decks is slowly beginning to wane.
Soon, family and friends will gather inside the home for holiday
festivities, putting the spotlight back on some of the most-used rooms, one
of which is the guest bath.
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The perfect energy-saving DIY home improvement project for fall
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When it comes to do-it-yourself projects that will save money on energy
costs, there are many new products on the market that make it possible to
save hundreds of dollars over time, with just a few hours of easy
installation. Few of these products come close to the long-term benefits of
installing radiant barrier foil in your attic.
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The perfect season to design an eye-catching & comfortable kitchen
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In the summer, most activity moves to the great outdoors.
Porches, patios and decks are the official "heart center" of most homes
during the warm weather months, especially at mealtimes. Instead of
congregating in the kitchen as they do in the colder season, families
tend to gather on the patio to enjoy dinner and recap the day's events.
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The renovation revelation: Top tile trends for today's renovations
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Ceramic
tile continues to be a favorite choice of savvy designers,
builders and homeowners seeking materials that offer outstanding design
flexibility, affordability,
durability and eco-friendliness for home renovations.
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Three easy steps to the perfect paint finish
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By following the right steps prior to painting, and using the right
painting tools, you'll be sure to have a refreshed space that looks like it
was painted by a professional.
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Three tips to make your utility meter run backward
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Building methods
have advanced greatly in recent years, saving energy without homeowners
having to sacrifice comfort or style.
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Time running out to earn tax credits on new garage doors
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The tax credit eligibility for qualified garage doors will expire on Dec.
31. Now is your last chance to save 30 percent off the price of an
energy-saving curb-appeal-inspiring garage door, courtesy of the U.S.
government.
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Tips for making sure your contractor checks out
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With many Americans still focused on staying put and maximizing the value
of their current homes, competition is fierce among contractors wooing
homeowners for their renovation dollars. All the attention may make
homeowners feel like the prettiest girl at the high school dance, but for
every "nice guy" who expresses interest, a "bad boy" could be waiting in
the wings to take their money and leave their jobs unfinished.
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Top 10 kitchen and bath trends for 2010
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Does your kitchen or bathroom look like it's stuck in a time warp? Then it
might be time to update the most-used rooms in your home. For inspiration,
look no further than the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA),
which recently shared its top 2010 kitchen and bath trends.
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Transform your kitchen countertop for less than you'd expect
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There's nothing quite like the look of a new countertop to give a kitchen
style and personality. Perhaps that's why countertop replacement ranked
second only to cabinet replacement when homeowners considered a kitchen
remodeling project.
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Winter-proof your home this fall for year-round benefits
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After a summer of record-breaking temperatures across the country, you may
be wondering if the impending winter weather will be just as extreme. While
harsh weather puts a strain on wallets with increased energy bills, it can
also be damaging to the home. Before the ice and snow hit, consider
winterizing your home to help increase efficiency and minimize maintenance.
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You can do that with vinyl siding?
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With the economy making a slow rebound, homeowners continue to
look for cost-effective options when building or renovating their
homes.
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