How To Choose A Backyard Pool Design

December 13, 2015February 20, 2015 by Eric Gibs

If you’ve decided to add a pool to your backyard, congratulations! You’ll about to have amazing summers with friends and family for years to come. But before you start racking up summer memories by the pool, you’ll have to decide on the design and size of the pool. The biggest questions many ask when they … Read more

Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner

February 11, 2015 by Eric Gibs

If your home boasts wood floors then you already know how hard it is to keep them sparkling clean. Despite numerous cleaners on the market to handle such jobs, some leave your floors streaky, while others leave behind an annoying wax residue that’s hard to clean off. And you never know what really goes into … Read more

DIY Wall Décor Ideas

December 13, 2015February 4, 2015 by Eric Gibs

Imagine the perfect wall from the perfect home. How would it look like? The truth is that every person from this world have their own idea of perfection. Some of them like to keep it simple while others would like to do something exotic that matches their style. There are many people who underappreciate the … Read more

How To Remove Pet Odors From Your Home

December 13, 2015February 3, 2015 by Eric Gibs

Pet owners, you know the drill: your lovable, well-meaning family friend is behaving well, until that fateful moment when they decide to relieve themselves on your carpet. Or your pet’s natural odors start to soak into household surfaces, leaving an undesirable scent in your home.

Instead of trying the same old methods that only lead to short term results, perhaps it’s time to consider some new ways of removing pet related odors from your home. There are a variety of homemade cleaners that can be used to alleviate this common problem. Read more about these do it yourself solutions, so that you can eliminate pet odors from your domicile once and for all.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Cleaner

vinegar-baking-soda-cleaner — Vinegar and baking soda cleaner (via Lifehacker)

It doesn’t get much easier than this. Vinegar and baking soda are staple items that should be found in just about everyone’s kitchen. All you need are two cups of lukewarm water, a spray bottle, another two cups filled with vinegar (preferably white distilled) and at least four heaping tablespoons of whatever baking soda you have available to you.

When cleaning the area, start off by blotting as much of the mess as possible. This step is quite possibly the most crucial and it is important that you remove as much of the mess as possible before applying the baking soda/vinegar solution.

Don’t be afraid to use an old rag to sop up the mess and you can also place something heavy (like a book) over the rag to ensure that it penetrates the soiled area deeply. Once you have done this, it is time to put together your cleaner.

Take an oversize bowl and mix the cups of lukewarm water with white distilled vinegar. Add the tablespoons of baking soda afterwards, but be sure to keep an eye on the bowl, because it may fizz over. If the bowl is in danger of being unable to hold in the fizz, you may need to use less baking soda.

Once you’ve successfully combined your ingredients, it is time to pour the solution into a spray bottle and watch the magic take place. Spray the entire area thoroughly and give it five minutes to soak in. Take a soft cloth once the five minutes are over and gently blot the area.

Don’t own a spray bottle? No problem, simply pour the solution onto the area you wish to remove the scent from. You can also add baking soda to the area after blotting, which will create a volcano of cleaning power once the vinegar and water are added.

Baking Soda/Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner

If your home is suffering from the aftermath of a smelly pet, hydrogen peroxide is another great household item that can get straight to the root of the problem. When you have tough stains and odors, hydrogen peroxide can help to break down and remove them, with the help of our old friend baking soda.

For this cleaner, all you need are some paper towels and/or old rags, a cup of baking soda (give or take a little bit), half a cup of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent), a teaspoon of the most environmentally friendly dish soap available to you and a bowl to mix all of these ingredients in.

Cover the soiled or smelly area with the rags/paper towels and walk over it. You can also use a book to get to deeper stains. If there is no liquid to remove from the area, then sprinkle the baking soda over the area, in a generous fashion. Then mix the hydrogen peroxide with the dish liquid.

While adding baking soda to the area, use a brush or cloth to gently scrub, then allow the solution to sit for at least 15 minutes. After the time has passed, be sure to vacuum it thoroughly.

DIY Citrus Enzyme Cleaner

When reading about potential cleaning solutions for your pet odor, you will come across fancy looking products that boast about their use of enzymes. With just a little bit of help, you can create your own enzymes at home. All you need are seven tablespoons of brown sugar, a liter of water, 1 1/2 cups of lemon and orange peels, plus a clear bottle large enough to hold the entire solution.

Start off by funneling your brown sugar into the bottle, then adding the fruit peels. Next comes the liter of water. Give the container a vigorous shake, so that the peels have a chance to mix with water and sugar.

Once you’ve done this, unscrew the top of the container and leave it off halfway. This allows all of the gases to be released in a safe manner. Otherwise, the pressure can build up inside of the bottle and lead to a very messy explosion. Let it sit for three months and then it is ready to use.

If you are in a hurry, then add 1 tsp. of Yeast and cleaner will be ready to use in just 2 weeks.

To remove stains use undiluted enzyme, it does wonders! To use it for other house cleaning, just add water. Usually 1 part enzyme to 10 parts water.

Concluding thoughts

Our four legged pals have a way of creating scents that linger for an extended period of time. Instead of heading to the pet store and spending an exorbitant amount of money on specialized pet odor removers, you can utilize simple household items to get the job done more quickly and efficiently.

Pets do not mean to create objectionable odors inside of our homes. They are not born with the ability to recognize the error of their ways. With homemade cleaners, this is a problem that pet owners are no longer forced to deal with.

Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.

George Eliot

Guide to Polish Concrete Floors At Home

February 2, 2015 by Eric Gibs

Image source: Yupiu

Concrete floors make for spectacular finishes, whether they are installed indoors or outdoors. To ensure that your floor remains looking its best, regular cleaning is required. Your floor will also benefit tremendously from occasional polishing. In addition to a glamorous and shiny floor, polishing also keeps the floor in great shape for much longer time. To polish your floor effectively, you’ll have to work in phases, using disks of different texture. Patience may also be required, but the results will certainly be worth all the effort and labor.

Let’s begin.

Step 1: Sweep

Begin by cleaning your floor before applying polish. Sweep all the dirt with a broom and gather it all in a dustpan. A vacuum cleaner will also do to clear all dirt from the floor.

Step 2: Mop

Fill up the mopping bucket with clean water and add some mild detergent. Using the mop, clean your floor to remove residual dust. Mild stains will easily come off when mopping. Leave the floor to dry completely before you start polishing.

Step 3: Polish With Coarse Grit

Begin with a coarse grit polishing disk, like one that measures about 500 when polishing your floor. Coarse grit tends to be more effective on tough stains and rough surfaces on the floor. Work systematically, starting at one end of the floor and moving up from side to side till the floor is completely covered. Use circular motions to cover the whole floor. Make sure you place more attention on tough stains so that you try as much as possible to get rid of them. Be careful not to make any overlaps you work.

Step 4: Polish With Fine Grit

After using the coarse grit disk to polish, switch to a fine grit disk. Using circular motions, work your way over the entire floor making sure you don’t overlap any spot. Residual stains should lift off when you use a fine grit. The concrete floor will look cleaned as all the rough patches and stains are removed with the fine grit.

Step 5: Polish With Extra Fine Grit

For the final phase, polish with the finest grit disk, like the 1500. This will give your floor a beautiful, glass-like sheen. Again, use circular motions to work the grit across your concrete floor. Avoid overlapping your circles as you work your way.

Step 6: Apply Concrete Floor Polish

Using the floor grinder, apply concrete floor polish onto the entire surface. This will give that extra sheen you need. At this point your concrete floor will be looking its best.

Benefits of a Living Green Roof

January 30, 2015January 13, 2015 by Eric Gibs

With the environment becoming an increasingly important topic, the subject of a living green roof often comes into play. You may have heard about these living roofs or may have seen tidbits floating around on the internet about them but are probably unsure of their many benefits. While there are a few cons to having a living green roof, the benefits are quite substantial and make this a real option for anyone from homeowners to apartment building owners alike.

Benefits

With so much metal and concrete surrounding us, we often feel like we’ve lost an essential part of living, that being nature. Green roofing systems allow you to bring back nature into construction, provide a great visual appeal, and provide us with an extra bit of natural beauty that also serves several important purposes.

Green living roofs on large buildings can provide a nice outdoor space for tenants that they would not otherwise have living in cities and can add significant value to the atmosphere of a large unit. The average home can also benefit aesthetically from all a living roof has to offer and can provide a form of landscaping most people wouldn’t think of adding.

The environmental benefits are quite substantial. A living roof reduces the amount of materials which end up in landfills through the longer life expectancy of the roof itself, extend the life expectancy of heating and cooling units, use recycled materials, and purify the air and water runoff. As urban centers are quite hotter than we’d like them due to all that concrete and steel, use of a living green roof can substantially lower the temperature of the building itself as well as the environment around it. This reduction in the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect happens when the living vegetation on the buildings horizontal and vertical surfaces absorbs heat, which would otherwise be deflected and increase the overall temperature of the area. This roof type also filters pollution, reduces dust, and can reduce the effects of greenhouse gases.

Green roof also helps with storm water management. Instead of rainwater and melting snow pouring off of roofs onto sidewalks and then being picked up by the storm drain system, roof structure absorbs the water for the plants’ use and are eventually put back into the environment through the usual process of evaporation. Plants causes changes to the water temperature further cooling the area and also filter toxins and pollutants which would normally end up in the storm drain system eventually turning up in the water supply.

Air quality is drastically improved in communities which use living green roofing systems as plant life also filters the air. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen as part of their normal function so this not only cleans the air, it adds more oxygen to the air.

This roof type will also give considerable savings in your heating and cooling budget through their insulation factors. Many websites are available which can tell you how much you are likely to save depending on building type, but some studies revealed that it reduced the need for heating and cooling by up to 75%.

Green roofs also reduce noise level within the home substantially, act as a fire retardant, and can reduce the amount of electromagnet radiation from nearby wireless and communication towers.

Green roofs also provide an ecosystem for birds and other beneficial wildlife, the types of which can depend on what time of plant life you will include in your roof design. With some roof types, herbs, vegetables, fruit, or medicinal plants are also included adding extra value to your roof beyond its cosmetic, cost savings, and environmental appeal.

Here’s a great video from Tedx talk about green movement.

Here is an infographic about Ford’s green roof.

Disadvantages

Cons of a green roof include the initial expense involved. Any new roof is expensive, so we just naturally think costly when we think of roofs anyway. This con is nearly negated by the fact that this roof type will outlast the more usual asphalt shingle roofs and their toxic additions to the environment. It requires more maintenance than a standard roof. Dead plants aren’t really going to do you any good. This roof requires that you take care of it much like you would take care of your yard.

Repairs associated with any leaks further on down the line can cost a bit more as the person hired would have to dig down through the vegetation and its medium underneath. As this roof is a living ecosystem, you can count on live things wanting to live in it. If you don’t like birds, rodents, or bugs on your roof, this roof isn’t for you. These are a natural part of an ecosystem and do help to keep it in balance.

On the downside, the occasional critter can make its way inside your home should you have a hole in your roof later on. If you had a hole in your regular old roof you’d be likely to have birds, rodents or bugs find their way in anyway so this isn’t that big of an additional risk factor. As stated above, the issue would only really come into play when having to repair a section of roof at some point due to the digging and replacing of materials when the job is completed.

Conclusion

There are several types of green roof available, both the standard or modular types, and each has its own set of pros and cons to consider. Do some research, speak to both green roof and standard roof contractors to help you and assess whether this roof type is for you.

If you have any question, feel free to contact us or drop a comment below.

Make Your Own Awesome Chalkboard Paint in Any Color + Ideas

December 13, 2015January 8, 2015 by Eric Gibs

If you thought chalkboards were only useful in the classroom, you’re wrong. Inventive people around the are using chalkboard paint in offices, at their homes and everywhere they can paint on. Standard black/green chalkboard paint can cost you ~$10-30 (for 30 oz.). But for other colors you will need to pay a lot more – double or even triple price. So, why not to do it yourself?

Making Chalkboard Paint

The recipe is really simple and easy:

That’s it! 8 parts of latex paint or acrylic paint and 1 part of unsanded grout. Mix everything extremely well and paint.

Before painting – surface must be clean. Remove all dust and oils.

After painting – let it dry for about 3 days. Then rub chalk along the entire surface of the board, and then wipe the chalk off with a barely-damp cloth or paper towel.

Here are some awesome chalkboard ideas we gathered just for you!

1. Lovely wine bottles transformed into decorations or vases. (via Bell’alimento)

2. Chalkboard painted mug. Send different message for your loved ones every morning.

3. Great idea for your own herb garden. Mark which herb is growing in which clay pot. (via The Robin’s Nest)

4. Holiday decorations painted with chalkboard paint. It can’t get any better than this.

5. Just look at this eclectic dinning room table. (via Madison Home)

6. The most used appliance at home? Yes it’s a fridge. And the best place to leave a message. (via KeepSmilingHome)

7. One of the best ways to stimulate children’s creativity. (via JodieRosenDesign)

8. Colorful home office organizer. (via Houzz)

9. Easy way to organizer that dresser. (via HomeLife and ElleDesign)

10. Genius way to improve your spice rack. (via InspirationForHome)

11. Have an old frame? Fill it with chalkboard paints and hang it again. (via FoundbyDomesticBliss)

12. Great way to add some colors and organize your kitchen.

13. Pink? Even this color is possible!

14. Adapt your chalkboard’s color to any interior. Green hall with green chalkboard wall. (via KathyCorbeInteriors)

What’s the most awesome chalkboard paint idea you have seen? Share your ideas in the comments below.

See How Easily You Can Purify Air

December 13, 2015January 5, 2015 by Eric Gibs

The Best Air-Purifying Plants

You don’t need any fancy machines or the latest technological advancements in air filters if you know what houseplants will improve indoor air quality. Back in the ‘80s, the Associated Landscape Contractors of America and NASA studied regular houseplants as a way to improve air quality indoors and found that many plants can filter out common volatile organic compounds in the air. Here’s a list of the best plants that provide a breath of fresh air.

1. Aloe Vera

This popular succulent is easy to grow and loves the sun, but it will also clear your home’s air of benzene and formaldehyde, which is often found in many paints, cleaners and other household products you may have. It’s beautiful and the perfect choice to decorate your kitchen by placing it on a windowsill where it will get loads of sun. Plus, it not only cleans the air, but the gel inside will help heal burns and cuts.

2. Spider Plant

The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a very tough plant, so you won’t have to worry if you don’t have a green thumb. It has lots of pretty tiny white flowers and is rich in foliage, allowing it to clear the air of such things as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene and xylene (which is a chemical used in things like rubber, leather and printing industries). And the spider plant is safe for pets in your home.

3. Gerber Daisy

This flowering plant is beautiful and will brighten up your home. But the Gerber Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) will also remove trichloroethylene that can get in your home with your dry cleaning items. But it will also filter out any Benzene in the air that comes with inks. Place one in your bedroom or laundry room, but just make sure that it gets enough light to thrive.

4. Snake Plant

If you’re looking for a great accent plant, Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii) is the perfect addition to your home. It’s also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, and the plant is actually one of the best purifying plants for formaldehyde, which is used in common cleaning products, tissues, toilet paper and a few personal care products. This work best in bathrooms and will survive in low light and steamy, humid conditions.

5. Chrysanthemum

Many love the vibrant colors of Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium), plants that look great in any room. But it does more than just look good in your home or office since it helps filter out benzene, which is usually found in things like detergent, plastics and paint. Since this plant loves the light, you’ll need to place it near an open window where it can get sunlight so that its buds will bloom open.

6. Weeping fig

weeping-fig-air-purifying-plant — Source Frenchams

A beautiful Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) plant in your living room will make it come to life and help filter out any pollutants that come with furniture and carpeting like trichloroethylene and benzene. Caring for one can be tricky, but once you figure out the right light conditions and watering schedule, your ficus will last for a while.

Instead of investing in expensive air purifying devices, simply buy a beautiful plant to filter out your home’s air of pollutants.

Amazing Lights & Chandelier Designs

December 13, 2015December 11, 2014 by Eric Gibs

Lighting is one of the most important parts in your home. Innovative, modern or handcrafted lamps, chandeliers can bring warm and cozy atmosphere to your home. We have searched the net for most interesting and easy to make lighting for you. Check these incredible handcrafted beauties and maybe do one yourself.

Warning! Check your lighting source and materials before creating lamp, pendant or chandelier. Most of these lighting ideas do not work with heating bulbs. Heating bulbs will set on fire materials that are not fire proof.

DIY Glass Pendant Light

Minimalist design, good looking and gives a lot of light. Light spread is huge, because there are no light blocking parts. Instead of red twine, wrap the wire with neon twine and enjoy the effect even when the light is turned off.

Materials: socket,wire,bulb, desired color thread/twine.

Source and full DIY instructions: mypatternoflife.com

DIY Jar Lighting

Do you still save all those jars? There’s already full basement of these? Here’s the way to use them. Gives that natural look you can find in country barns.

DIY Bottle and Spoon Pendant Light

Simple and rally cheap pendant light made out of plastic bottle and spoons. This installation generates warm and cozy light. Although, it requires low energy LED light, that spreads least amount of heat in order to prevent melting and setting on fire.

Cool Glass Lights with Twinkle Lights Inside

Really simple and easy to do. You will need glass bottle/lantern/etc, twinkle lights (those from Christmas tree should be ok) that do not generate a lot of heat and that’s it. Put twinkle lights to bottles and light them up. Decorating bottles may give you great effects.

Stunning Round Pendants

These looks really luxurious and there so many variations of them. Just choose the one that is most suitable for room design. Most of these round pendant also requires low-energy LED lights. One source for exact instruction from made by girl.

Playful Lights from Plastic Cups

Getting ready for your child’s birthday? Or just like colorful interior? Use your Christmas lights and add some plastic cups, wrap those cups in gift paper. Voila! The lighting is done.

DIY Woven Pendant Light

Really good looking and warm pendant made out of casual materials. Hang it in kitchen over table or kitchen island and you won’t regret.

Materials:

hanging planter basket (mine was $7.00 from Walmart)
sisal rope
single round outlet cover plate for a rectangular receptacle
white spray paint for metal
mini-pendant (you could opt for the standard size, as well)

Detailed instructions here.

Tree Bark Lamp

It is hard to imagine something even more natural than this. Perfect for terrace or outside/yard lighting.

Unusual Umbrella Lamp

Want something extra-ordinary? Put umbrella instead of your usual lamp 🙂

Romantic Lights in Wine Glasses

Romantic lighting during dinner is a must. So throw those old candles and make some wine glass lamps instead.

Beautiful Textured Paper Lamps

Paper lamps not only looks good, but also creates beautiful shadows from their textures.

Bottle Plug Light

One more really simple way to light up your home is use rechargeable bottle plug lights. Just plug it into the bottle and you have a good looking fuzzy light. Get one from amazon.

Classical Hat Lamps

Should be great addition to the man cave or some manly design room.

DIY Can Lamps

Can lamps are rally easy to make. These spread fuzy and warm light. Use these outside in your terrace or garden and light the environment.

DIY Awesome Pallet Furniture Ideas

December 13, 2015November 28, 2014 by Eric Gibs

Have you ever searched for a new furniture? There are so many options available in these times. It is really exhausting and most of the time, the one that really looks good costs the most… So why not to make it by yourself?

Pallet – is answer to all your problems while searching for a new furniture. There are so many ideas, probably to fill every corner in the house. Starting from kitchen shelf to full living room furniture sets. Making any of these is really simple as half the work is already done.

But before start, check which pallets are safe to use in house. You may find great article about pallet markings here.