Home & Garden

Today’s paint carries far fewer toxins than its ancestors (lead), but Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) and other paint chemicals remain hazardous to people, air and water.  “Every time someone opens a can of paint, we do damage to the environment.”  It’s called a CO2 event.  In some cases, air quality is worse inside than it is outside.  We need to do all we can to make the indoor air quality better for everyone.  Although ever-tightening standards and regulations have slashed VOC emissions, they remain a major threat to health and air quality, the EPA reports.

A patio umbrella is the perfect accessory to your outdoor patio or porch.  Not only does is reflect your personal taste and style, but it also blocks you and your guests from harmful sun rays, and provides a cooler, shaded area to sit and eat.  When choosing an umbrella for your patio, the question is, which one will best suit your needs? There are many styles to choose from.

Here we are ready to celebrate our National Independence Day again.  Summer is here and this year is over half gone.  Our kids are excited about school being out and parents are in overdrive planning activities and entertainment for the kids over next several weeks.  We all know that a bored child is not a happy child and this can suppress their naturally creative abilities. 

We get excited about summer for a variety of reasons.  The kids rejoice that school has ended; parents enjoy longer daylight hours so they can spend time with their family, and overall, the community loves to barbeque. The barbeque symbolizes a time of relaxation for most Americans, and assuredly this summer, Santa Claritans will join in the tradition.  But what of the yearlong diets and calorie counting? 

To design means to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.  There is a world of design and a masterpiece to be made within the very walls you look at every day.  The home you live in is a blank canvas waiting to be designed and decorated to show your unique style and artistic venue to whomever you invite in.

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.

Five to 10 years is my first answer, but that is not my final answer.  There are many factors that determine the lifespan of a paint job.  Beyond the obvious variables, like climate and damage caused by moisture, there are other considerations.

Furniture plays an important role in defining the ambiance of a place, be it home or office.  Almost any type of wood could be used to build furniture, but some woods have always been favored for their beauty, durability, and workability.  Before 1900, most furniture was made with these woods: walnut, oak, mahogany, rosewood, fruitwoods, and rare wood veneers and inlays.  The high price of these woods has made other tropical hardwoods, such as roble, shorea, jarrah and eucalyptus popular.  All of these woods are dense, durable, and stand up well to weather.

Whether you enjoy painting or taking fine photographs, or work in another two-dimensional medium, you know that if you want to display your artwork, you will need to use picture frames for that purpose.  You will not be disappointed when you look for the perfect frame for your art.  There are a plethora of ready-made picture frames, or you could select a custom-made wood picture frame or depending on the artwork and your preferences. The types of picture frames that you might want to choose from will depend on the type of artwork that you wish to frame.

Carpets are generally used to create a quiet and peaceful living environment in your home. Carpets may look easy to clean and easy to maintain, but carpet cleaning is not as easy as it sounds. There may be various ways to clean your carpet. Here are some tips to start from.

Travertine is a very popular stone here in the Santa Clairta Valley.  Travertine derives its name from a town known as Tibur in ancient Roman times.  It has been used for centuries and if a good quality of Travertine is purchased, it will last forever or until you decide to change it.  The largest building in the world constructed of mostly Travertine is the Coliseum in Rome.  Other notable buildings using Travertine are Sacre-Coeur in Paris and the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

Homeowners today realize what a terrific investment they’ve made installing a swimming pool and spa in their backyards.  It adds value to your property, but more importantly, the backyard now becomes a focal point and center of activity for all forms of entertaining.

My clients had purchased and lived in their home for over 20 years and had made several changes that opened up the view of their property from all rooms.  Recently, they had decided to update the interior with fresh paint, new carpeting, furniture, accessories and window treatments. 

College of the Canyons Athletics is encouraging youth of all ages to stay active this summer with five fun-filled sports camps in June, July and August aimed at athletes of all skill levels.
Staffed and run by COC coaches and athletes, the youth camps provide an affordable way for the novice to the experienced player to learn a new sport or to take their game to a higher level.

Get ready for summer and spruce up your outdoors with new cushions, new umbrellas and new Sunbrella Fabrics.  These fabrics come in patterns, such as striped or floral, and are available in every color under the sun to choose from.  Maybe all your existing cushions need are new slipcovers?  Add some outdoor draperies for added comfort and you’re set for summer.

With summer approaching it’s time to be concerned with the watering schedule you have your lawns on.  Most homes here in Santa Clarita have automatic sprinklers, meaning there is a controlling time clock telling the system when and how much to water.  Summer heat seems to come all at once, and usually catches us off guard. 

As the citizens of Santa Clarita Valley embark on another journey through the intense heat of summer, parents and children seek a cool remedy from the harsh sunrays. Bathing suits are dusted off, the patio furniture and umbrellas are brought out, and the murky pond in the backyard is transformed back into a gleaming crystal pool.  But before your kids run for the water, consider these common safety suggestions to ensure maximum wellbeing for your youngsters.

For the 2009 Western States Police and Fire Games Community Invited to Enjoy Free Olympic-Style Competition June 13 to 20, 2009

The 2010 Winter Olympics is more than a year away, but in just a few weeks Southern California residents can enjoy one of the area’s most exciting multi-sport events when the 2009 Western State Police & Fire Games (WSPFG) come to Los Angeles June 13 to June 20, 2009.