Home & Garden

As a homeowner when looking for a company to do work on your home, you should look at any group or association that this company is a member of.  This offers you a second tier of scrutiny that is helpful in making the right decision for your home improvement.
There are thousands of associations, but when looking to have work done on your home, it’s best to examine the local groups as they are easier to access for information about their members. 

The Internet has become a bigger source for buying pool equipment.  But the rock bottom prices you may find do not include the necessities of installation, materials or warranty repair work.  It is best to compare a total package to arrive at what the product including installation and materials will cost you. 

With the holidays upon us and the inevitable spike in our electricity bills that holiday decorations and entertaining generates, there couldn’t be a better time to think about “Going Green.”  There are many reasons why we should all be thinking in terms of going green and many ways that we can all do our part.  What the team of professionals at Brodie Electric would like to focus on are the ways in which we can help the environment and save you money in the process and there’s no better place to start than with the electricity usage in your home.

As the holiday season approaches, we are introduced to color everywhere.  Wrapping paper, garland, Christmas lights, wreaths, and greeting cards are full of color.  The one color that really stands out above them all during the holiday season is the color red. Red is full of life and is the perfect color to put just about anywhere around your home, including your walls.  Let’s take a moment to explore the benefits of this holiday color and how it can benefit you this season.
Red is a color that triggers attention and a reaction more than any other color.  It is the most recognized color by the human eye.  For this reason, advertising companies use red to grab your attention!

When new furniture, such as a sofa, is purchased, it is almost always necessary to change the window treatments. Many people dread this activity; however, there are some simple steps that can be taken to choose the ultimate window treatment for your home that will be both easy to install and beautiful to look at.
Examine the room: The first thing to do is examine the room. What kind of room is it? Are there a lot of windows? Is it dark during the day?

We can all admit that the past three years have seen some harsh economic times, but difficult times also bring with them opportunity.  This is especially true if you are a homeowner who would like to have some home improvements done.  There has not been a better time than now to take advantage of the recession while building value to your home for less.  There has never been this level of competition between home improvement professionals for jobs and projects.  Right now is when you can spend less, save more and gain a lot of value in your home.

You hardly feel you are working out when in the water.  It feels so effortless.  Splash in!  It is not only fun, but the benefits to your health are wonderful.
And there are actually stationary bicycles, treadmills and other exercise equipment that are designed to be inside the pool so that you receive the extra benefits that the water resistance provides.

Here come the holidays with anticipation of family, friends and good cheer.  But there is also the realization of the energy needed to accomplish the necessary preparation for company, parties, meals, cards, and gifts…
So how can you reduce the stress and enjoy the holidays?  Simple, clear out the clutter and don’t over commit!

Today, you can order just about anything online from prescription medicine to clothes and groceries.  But most people don’t think of purchasing their tile online when it comes to home and business remodeling.  There are numerous benefits to ordering your building materials online and a dozen ways to save money doing it!  Many company’s, like Surfaces USA, offer a full online catalog of natural stone and tile materials that are available for delivery to your home or project.  What are the benefits of ordering tile online?  Let’s take a look:

With the holidays upon us, a commonly received gift is a lovely blooming plant.  Here are a few tips that may help you keep yours at its best.
A poinsettia likes to have its soil moist but not wet – that means it needs good drainage so if your plant is wrapped in foil – tear out the bottom so that it can drain.  Keep your poinsettia away from drafts and excessive heat; so placing it away from a heating duct is essential.  If possible move it to a cooler position at night.  For a more detailed description of care and how to get your plant to bloom again next year – take a look at my blog.

NOAA, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has predicted an El Niña condition for next year.  The opposite of El Niño, El Niña means less rain in the southwest region of the US resulting in drought conditions for next year.
With that in mind, we must be as water wise this fall, winter and spring as we have been during summer.  Here is a checklist from Castaic Lake Water Agency.  Please take a minute and see if there is anything here that may be of help.

There is a rationale for the Arts in Education.  Many educators, as well as persons directly concerned with the arts, share the conviction that the arts are a means for expressing and interpreting human behavior and experience.  It follows, therefore, that the education of children is incomplete if the arts are not part of the daily teaching and learning process.  Arts in education programs are designed to make all of the arts integral to the general, or basic, education of every child in all school systems.  Specific ways that the arts can contribute to the general education of every child are:

Before selecting tile, it is important to have an understanding of the many different varieties that are available to you, the homeowner.  That is why it is important to have an experienced tile designer help you design your space.  Ceramic tile is glazed, which is made of clay and has a non-porous glaze coating baked onto it.  Mosaic tile is also clay and is moisture resistant; it has color saturated through the entire tile.  Glass tile is highly durable, and is gaining in popularity. 

Organic Treatment System – Plus, it’s our “Winter Plan.”  The Organic Treatment System has been protecting families from the dangers of mainstream pesticides and the nuisance of bugs for a few winters now… however this winter will be our best!  Why?  Because this winter No Bugs will be donating all the proceeds of our initial treatment to the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry.
Did you know:

It’s the time of year when most of us spruce up the home for the holiday season.  We strive to put our best foot forward and spend so much time decorating the house for the holidays.  We always look for that special something to be the perfect finishing touch on our efforts.  So this year try bundling your window treatments.
Bundling refers to the practice of combining two or more classic window treatments on one window to provide a richer, more finished look.
Here are a few more ways to wow your holiday guests!

It is time that I listed the employment opportunities in the visual arts.  There are a rich variety of career options for individuals.  The Career List presented here is a range of existing career categories.  The list will provide new understandings of what the word “artist” means for personal and dynamic pursuit of work opportunities.

Is it time for a change in your décor?  Want something new and refreshing to look at when you walk into your home after a long day at work?  Home décor seems to need an update every seven to 10 years whether you like it or not.  Just as people change their look (some more often than others) so does everything around you, it keeps things fresh and interesting.  Updating a bathroom or kitchen, a complete remodel or maybe updating a few items such as the flooring, paint, cabinets or fixtures can give you a new perspective.

Replacing windows and doors will pay you big dividends.  The Federal tax credit of up to $1,500 is about to run out.  New windows and doors will save you money by reducing your power bill, you will use less energy and help save our environment.  Don’t wait as the federal tax credit runs out at the end of the year!  
Palmdale Glass and Mirror Company is owned by Hal Monheim, a 23-year Santa Clarita resident.