Home & Garden

As the final date draws near where the removal of Automatic Water Softeners is required many Santa Clarita Valley residents are asking questions about alternative water treatment.  For those who are choosing not to pay the high service rates for portable exchange softening tanks, and only a limited softening capacity, there are several different options available.

Art is a powerful inter-cultural, non-linguistic way to communicate.  Visual art expresses emotions that words only begin to communicate.  Artists begin to create their artwork when something has inspired them.  It maybe a beautiful sky, ducks crossing a road or going to the ocean and seeing a lot of surfers. 

From ancient times to the present day, water is a necessity.  We must have it to survive physically.  But, water satisfies so many other needs.  The visual impact of a body of water is relaxing, refreshing and grounding.  Add movement and the sound of splashing water and the magic begins.

Every home exudes its own unique personality. Home accessories often play a large part in defining the ambiance and atmosphere that makes every house a home. Walking through a home should reflect the experience of an unexpected adventure. Each room should seamlessly flow into the next while simultaneously presenting different themes. From the bathroom to the bedroom to the kitchen and beyond, home accessories can help to make your home a place of comfort and warmth as well as unify the various patterns and motifs depicted throughout each space.

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling.  So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort.  Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

Sunny days of spring inspire dreams of enjoying one’s garden, and now is the perfect time to live those dreams.  Your perfect place needs to beckon your escape at the day’s end.  It should bring romance to your garden, and accommodate family and friends in cool comfort.  A beautiful patio with the right choice in quality outdoor furniture will complete your garden, and be your sanctuary.

After much consideration and research into the paint industry, market color trends, consumer needs and demands, A. Allbright is proud to be launching their new paint line in April 2009.

It seemed like the natural thing to do, offer a paint line to our customers that we could stand behind that would complement our quality and professional painting services.

In these tough economic times choosing home improvement projects that can reduce our energy costs are something to strongly consider.  Retractable awnings offer great benefits in reducing energy costs while keeping you cool on your deck or patio.  You can reduce heat gain inside by as much as 77 percent and reduce sunlight and glare through your window by as much as 94 percent.

Warm spring nights, cool breeze through the open windows, your neighbor’s pool pump screeching.  Sound familiar?  Barking dogs, buses, Harleys, your kid’s drum set.  All noises we don’t like but seem to come with the territory of living with neighbors. 

Energy-Saving Retrofitting Reduces Carbon Emissions, Lowers Utility Costs

The Community Energy Partnership recently selected the Santa Clarita Senior Center to receive numerous energy efficiency upgrades, including five sun tunnels, as part of a large-scale energy efficiency tune-up and demonstration project. The energy-conserving retrofits will save the Senior Center approximately $2,700 annually, plus additional savings that will be tracked over the course of the year. 

Does the economy have you pinching pennies?  Are you trying to save a few bucks and still make a money saving investment for your home or office?  Why not upgrade your home or office with energy efficient Milgard Windows from B & D Glass?

Have you been considering remodeling your home recently?  Updating the mundane atmosphere of your interior with a fresh uplifting new style?  This decision can be very heavy, but the outcome is rewarding all around.  While living in a newly remodeled home, you will enjoy the upgrades and vibrancy every day.  Your kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc. will sparkle and shine. 

The term “Hybrid” has been used frequently over the last two decades for many things from fruits, vegetables, and farm animals to fertilizers, plastics and automobiles.  Hybrid can be defined as the “offspring of genetically different parents.”  Often, the hybrid product can be more efficient than what it is replacing.  As technology improves, the costs generally go down and quality improves.

March 21 marked the first day of spring, and with that brings beautiful weather here in Santa Clarita.  As you look around your garden you notice your lawn areas look weak, yellow and tired.  Imagine standing in one place all winter and subjecting yourself to freezing weather, wind, rain and all the elements.  Good thing, lawns are tough and just a little attention will bring that youthful appearance right back.

Every year about this time as the temperature begins to creep up the thermometer, the phones start to ring with every pool builder’s favorite question, “How soon can you build a pool?”  As the temperature settles in the 90s and aims toward the 100 degree-mark desperation sets in on the other end of the phone line as the realization sets in that another blazing summer is upon us.

Do you love the look of wicker, but are afraid of the durability factor?  Well worry no more.  Ebel, Inc.’s Weather Wicker is 100 percent weather-proof and can be used outdoors year round.  Cleaning is quick and easy – just brush with soap and water, then hose off thoroughly.  Heavy stains can be treated with any non-abrasive household cleaner.

A new program has been developed by the Santa Clarita Artist’s Association called, “60 Minutes With An Artist,” which is a series of art lectures given by professional artists about the “Process of Creating a Painting.”

As the final date draws near where the removal of Automatic Water Softeners is required many Santa Clarita Valley residents are asking questions about alternative water treatment.  For those who are choosing not to pay the high service rates for portable exchange softening tanks, and only a limited softening capacity, there are several different options available.