Home & Garden

Think you’ve got an inspiring picture in your photo album or in jpg-format on your computer desktop?  Is it so amazingly cool that you’d like to see it published for all of the Santa Clarita Valley to admire and adore?  Is it award-winning?  Let the editors of The Magazine of Santa Clarita be the judge.  Each month we will accept entries.  All you need to do is send them by computer only to editorial@santaclaritamagazine.com with:

When asked why they moved to the Santa Clarita Valley, many local residents cite the quality of education, safe schools and high test results.  Students in the Hart School District have done very well compared to students in Los Angeles County and the state of California, according to results of last spring’s testing cycle reported by the California Department of Education.

Art comforts when the world gets turned upside down.  So, what art is comforting and how can art calm and soothe you?  The answers vary with the beholder.  Art has always offered succor.  Yet, comfort is a two-sided coin and an issue that some artists feel ambivalent about.

There are still a lot of homes in the Santa Clarita valley which have water softeners creating a waste called chloride.  Chloride is discharged into our sewer system from these softeners.  This waste cannot be treated by our wastewater plants and thus is released into the Santa Clara River, causing harm to the ground water, crops, and the river. 

Dear Designer,
My name is Jeff and I live in Valencia.  I have a condo that I bought a few years ago and it’s time for a remodel.  The building itself was built in the mid-’80s and my unit was really never touched since then, well, it was painted when I bought it and I changed the carpeting.  It needs new fixtures, hardware, doors and the kitchen and bathrooms need a major update.  Once the remodel/facelift is done, I also would like to get new furniture.
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The artwork of Infinity Arts Studio provides striking focal points for your home, office courtyard or garden – a necessity in any landscape design. Not only are many of our pieces functional, including our full line of rock and metal furniture, gates, fountains and sconces, but they are also beautiful, artistic and completely compatible with the natural environment.

If you want to beautify your home or workplace, ceramic tiles are one of the best options.  In other words, it is suitable for all types of applications, ranging from residential to commercial purposes.  Ceramic tiles are perhaps the most durable flooring option now available on the market.  A ceramic tile is simply a mixture of natural clays that have been molded and fired at high temperatures.  Sometimes, it is made out of such recycled materials as auto windshields, old florescent bulbs, and ground glass.

Fall is here and vacations are a distant memory.  Now is the time to fix all those nicks and knacks that you have been putting off all summer long.  Now that you have decided to make your current home into your fantasy home, it is time to find that perfect business that suits all of your needs.

Traditional pool pumps have offered a limited number of single-speed or two-speed designs.  Their motor speeds are set and unchangeable.  These set speeds are almost always higher than required, thereby overpowering the jobs they are assigned to do and wasting energy.  What’s more, other pumps rely on induction motor technology, which is far less efficient. 

Are you looking to purchase a quality product at a great price?  Do some homework before you purchase a sofa or have one reupholstered.  Make sure you have a complete disclosure on warranties on sofa frames, springs, cushions and workmanship. 

The key to a green, healthy lawn may lie underground, ground that is often hard and dry.  One major obstacle that homeowners must deal with in Santa Clarita is compacted soil.  During the construction phase of home building, the soil is compacted by heavy machinery.  This is done intentionally, much to the chagrin of those who work in the garden.  Certain building codes require the soil to be compacted to a specified depth.

Whether it is a dusty, windy day, or an afternoon drizzle, the weather in Santa Clarita can take a toll on the look of your patio furniture.  To keep your outdoor living space looking its best, cover your furniture when you are not using it. 

A new kitchen countertop can transform the appearance of any kitchen.  First and foremost, we truly understand how important your kitchen is to you.  Kitchens have become the focal point of daily home life.  Our goal is to help make your kitchen remodel beautiful, stylish and affordable. 

Want to spice up the living room, change the paint color or add a new coffee table?  Or does the backyard need a new look or new flowers?  Homeowners with a pool shouldn’t feel trapped with the current pool design they have.  Today’s pool companies like California Pools and Spas are able to re-create the new backyard of your dreams.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for.  The 3rd Annual A.Allbright Painting Charity Giveaway is here.  Each year one deserving family is chosen to receive $5,000 of painting services for their home.  Here at A.Allbright, we look forward to the opportunity to give back to our community by donating our time and resources to help those in need.  In fact, we love it so much that this year we are raising the bar and will be giving $7,500.

Does Danna Witherbee’s “messy story” sound familiar?
“I had always considered myself a highly organized person until a number of life circumstances reduced my systems to chaos.  Papers were piled everywhere, box upon box sat unopened and precious time was wasted looking for specific items over and over again.  My husband was getting annoyed.  I was in the process of starting two home-based businesses and knew they, too, would succumb to disorder and most likely failure if I did not get my ‘life business’ under control….”
So, what did Witherbee do? After she got over “her embarrassment,” she called Certified Professional Organizer®
Barbara Ricketts, a.k.a. The Mess Doctor.

What are the key ingredients to selecting the right cabinets?  Of course the first thoughts that come to mind are the characteristics of appearance, cost, design features, perceived quality and warranty play a huge role in the choice.

Stained glass windows are a beautiful addition to any home whether as part of a remodel or new construction.  When most people hear stained glass panels, images come to mind of old cathedrals with extremely large panels depicting religious scenes.  Those are beautiful examples of the art, but much smaller simplistic panels can be placed in your home to add character.  Windows for your home can come in a variety of shapes, designs and sizes, which can be used in many rooms throughout the home.  Stained glass panels can also be set in doors whether it is a large exterior front door or interior sliding doors, stained glass can add a unique touch while allowing in light.