Home & Garden

We find there are 18 criteria that collectively measure the likelihood of you getting the value you want from a custom builder of entertainment or home office centers.  If you base your selection of a builder on how each responds to the following questions, you’ll likely make the right choice.  In this article, we’ll present the first four criteria.  In future ones, we’ll provide the remainder.

It’s rebate time and a excellent time to add a Whole-House Water Conditioning System to your home.  Let’s start with the rebates and bonuses available from Santa Clarita Water Conditioning and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County.  First, you will receive $325 to $2,000 dollars from the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County for removing your salt or potassium water system and going to an alternative system like ours. 

The 2007 holiday season is winding down and another year is coming to a close.  How was the past year for you?  Are you happy with what you accomplished?  Do you still have some changes you would like to make?  If so, why not take advantage of the last few days of this year to start getting your life in order for 2008.  Begin with the following areas.

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.  And speaking of Christmas, we are now in the holiday season and have to deal with many decisions.  There will be those who make things happen for their families for Christmas and there are those who watch things happen by watching others do things for their families for Christmas and there are those who wondered what happened so quickly to the days speeding by before all things should be done and ready for Christmas.

“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,” Christmas carols inspire us to begin our preparations for this holiday season.  It is these preparations that envelop our families and loved ones with the spirit of the season.

Security system services are everywhere these days. It seems like every week there is a new company fighting to get your business. The security system sector has become very competitive over the past few years, but that does not mean you know everything about them.

Believe it or not, even my work as a professional organizer didn’t prepare me for to evacuate our home during the recent fires.  When my fiancée and I left our home only one hour earlier we had no idea that the fire was heading directly into our Canyon Country neighborhood.  Once we realized how quickly the inferno was spreading, we frantically drove home to rescue our toy fox terrier, Spike.  We watched with horror as our hillsides burned.  We had only minutes to grab what we thought was important and flee, but like most people, we had procrastinated in planning just what that was.

I am driving north on Sierra Highway, just above Soledad Canyon Road.  It is 5 a.m.  The traffic is light and I am surrounded by the darkness of the early morning, as I consider my priorities of this new workday.  My attentions are drawn to the sides of one of the canyons, just beyond the point that I turn into the facilities for administration and operations of SCV Pools, Spas & Masonry, Inc.  On the side of the canyon are lights.  My 55-year-old eyes and mind recognize something familiar that begins to take on clarity.  It is a symbol that is lighted in red and white.  I remember it’s the peace symbol!

Carols are being sung, lights are shining and the mall parking lot is constantly packed… this could only mean one thing, the holidays are here!  For some that comes with a groan, as the search begins for those perfect gifts.  For others, there is joy and anticipation for traditions and time with family and friends.  Whatever the holidays mean for you, it is usually a busy time for everyone.  With all the bustling and preparing for parties, family reunions, and get-togethers, here are some helpful tips on creating warmth in your home this holiday season.

If you are over 65 and live alone, you know that safety is important to maintaining your well-being, dignity and independence.  Each year, thousands of seniors fall at home, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.  Many are seriously injured and some are disabled.  More than 95 percent of hip fractures among adults ages 65 and older are caused by falls.  These injuries can cause severe health problems and lead to reduced quality of life.  To stay safe and independent, it’s important to take a look at potential hazards in your home as well as any conditions you have that may compromise your stability and safety.  One common cause of slipping and falling is due to accidents that happen in the bathroom.

If you are shopping for bamboo flooring there are some guidelines you need to be aware of before spending your hard-earned cash.
Bamboo flooring is a sensible choice given its environmental qualities however, that aside, you are no doubt looking to enhance the appearance of your home plus looking for a durable surface which can stand the test of time.

Energy-efficient appliances have green options that benefit the builder and the homeowner.  The homeowner will have super savings on their water and utility bills while further reducing the greenhouse gas emissions.  Local utilities have incentive programs and rebate programs so, please, we encourage you to check with your local utilities and find out how you too can benefit.

Are you looking for a way to decorate your home inexpensively and give it a warm and inviting feeling? Displaying photos of family and friends around your home immediately invites people to get a glimpse of what is important to you. It also helps to make them feel welcome in your home.
There are many items on the market right now to make this process easy. Wall ledges with grooves to hold frames in place can be found at many stores. Hanging two or three ledges on an expanse of wall and placing large framed photos on them is an eye -catching way to decorate with your personal photos.

The rainy days of September were the first reminder that summer has come to an end.  The kids are back in school and vacations become few and far between.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to come home to a bedroom retreat that was as serene and relaxing as the hotel suites you so longingly wish to revisit?  By incorporating simple design principles to your own bedroom, you can achieve the feeling of a year-round vacation.

The automobile of today has far more advanced features than our homes.  Touch the key, the lights turn on and doors unlock.  Crystal clear audio from satellite radio and iPod music provide superior listening experience than throughout your typical home.  We expect these luxuries, but our homes are late bloomers.  Let’s catch up.

When it comes to remodeling any part of your home it may become an overwhelming thought.  You have many things to consider and you are not sure where to begin.  You have a mind full of thoughts, ideas and possibilities but you can’t seem to put them into a design.  You need an experienced designer to help turn all of your dreams into a reality.

What is a clutter wizard anyway?  The Clutter Wizard is Bob Farkas, Santa Clarita’s newest professional organizer.  He helps you de-clutter your stuff and often your life.  After many years serving clients in Los Angeles, Farkas is moving his business north to the Santa Clarita Valley.

If you are looking for something different to make and also want to recycle, then why not try some vintage crafts using vintage fabrics?  Look at home through that trunk of old clothes, bedspreads or tablecloths and get that imagination going.