Home & Garden

Perhaps you’ve lived in your home for five, 10, 15 or even 30 years.  You are standing in your kitchen and could imagine all these wonderful possibilities.  You see a bigger kitchen with brand new cabinets and countertops, an island, a bar area and even dream of the little things that could make life easier: a lazy Susan, deeper drawers and pull-out shelves.  You may long for a kitchen where you can have more space for cooking and storing or a little more space that is just your own.  A kitchen is not just a kitchen.  It is an area for visiting, laughing and spending time with your family.  It is a coffee house, small restaurant, meeting place, a place for homework and midnight snacks. 

Protecting your home with a home security system which includes cameras and on-site security guards is extremely costly, and usually beyond the means of most homeowners.  But given the price you might have to pay in stolen or destroyed property, or harm to you and your family if you are unlucky enough to be the victims of a home invasion, there are very few things which will offer you a greater payoff than an investment in a home security alarm.

Picture this: A kitchen with clean dishes stacked around, shining floor and sink, sparkling refrigerator with fresh fruits, vegetables and bread stuffed in it and flowers on the coffee table.  This is more like a trip to wonderland for the modern homemaker.

The dining room is the place for relaxation after a hectic day in the office.  So the first requirement is that it should create positive vibes for people who come to the room to enjoy a hearty meal.  You can do a number of small things to make a difference.  Let us discuss a few of these things one by one to have a better understanding.

Summer is here and it’s about time to consider putting in the pool you always wanted.  Not just a pool, an incredible backyard oasis that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come.
Premier Pools is a custom pool company located in the Santa Clarita Valley that specializes in pools, spas, masonry, patio covers and landscaping.

As the temperature rises in Santa Clarita and electric bills soar, the need for energy efficiency is more pronounced.  In addition, at a time when the housing market seems to be slowing, with people staying in their homes longer, more people are making home improvements.  It is good to know that there is a window treatment that addresses both these needs.  That treatment is plantation shutters.  

Just like your car, the exterior of your home is vulnerable to the effects of the outdoors; dirt, dust and pollution.  Every type of siding and trim, such as stucco, concrete block, asbestos shingle, wood clapboard/shake, aluminum and vinyl, is susceptible and will gather dirt and dust over time.  In more humid areas, exterior siding and trim are vulnerable to mold and mildew.  The combination of dirt and mildew is not only unattractive, but will prove to be more costly to refurbish.  Mildew especially weakens paint and will lead to the necessity of premature painting.  Mildew can also cause wood rot and masonry to weaken and crumble.  

Hanamint patio furniture is one of the leading aluminum patio furniture manufacturers.  It is easy to see why given their commitment to craftsmanship at an extraordinary value.  Hanamint makes it easy to enhance the beauty of the outdoor living room with its innovative and classic designs.

This isn’t just a plug for NiMH- Nickel Metal Hydride- rechargeable batteries.  This is about an entirely new type of NiMH battery that stores energy over time, like an alkaline. The difference is that it stores more power and is rechargeable.

Part 1: Understanding what you want will create an accurate sense of expectation between the homeowner and the contractor, leading to a satisfying pool construction process.

Hi, my name is Rosie and I live in Valencia.  I have noticed your column over the last few months and have enjoyed watching you help numerous homeowners in similar situations like mine overcome their design dilemmas.  I write to you today because I have my very own dilemma.  I want to put new flooring in my home and I don’t know where to start.  I have a two-story, approximately 1,900-square-foot home and I know I want to put carpet upstairs but want the downstairs to have either stone, wood or tile.  Is one material better than another?  Should I stick with one type of material or is it ok to use different materials in different areas?  Will flooring make the home feel cold?  I have waited 15 years to redo my floors and I don’t want to make a mistake.  I can really use your help and appreciate any feedback.  Looking forward to your advic e – Rosie H.

In the late afternoon of a hot summer day, the sound of falling water in the midst of your garden soothes and cools hurried lifestyles.  The additions of a glittering water garden with shimmering fish and brilliant water lilies will give your garden an incredible rejuvenating quality.
The first step in the installation of a water garden is the selection of a pond site.  A minimum of six hours of sunlight is required for the successful growth of most water plants.

We have all had or known someone who has had a saltwater softener in their home.  In the past, this was the only way to reduce hardness and scale in the water.  Finally, a new technology has arrived.  It has been tested and certified by the Water Quality Association.  It is called nanostructure technology.  It is chemical free, salt free and maintenance free for five years.  After five years, the system must be recharged at a cost of $899.  The new system replaces salt and exchange tank systems and gives you 100 percent scale free water without the use of salt or potassium.  

Having declared the property for the Los Valles golf community “a setting for golf at its finest,” Arnold Palmer will soon be able to see the positive proof of his pronouncement.

Once the backyard is complete and the pool installed, it’s time to create a maintenance plan.  With the proper care and precautions, homeowners can help make their pool last longer.  California Pools offers a few suggestions to prolong the life of the backyard oasis.

Summer.  It’s hot.  If I keep my drapes closed all day, it is depressing.  I want the sunshine.  But it’s hot.  My plastic vertical blinds are starting to yellow.  I love the sun, but the sun doesn’t love my window coverings and it’s hot.  What do I do?

A pressure washer can be a great tool.  They are an excellent method of washing or cleaning many types of surfaces that would be very hard to get clean the traditional way.  But be careful - these washers are aptly named.

There are many good reasons to buy couch slipcovers for your couch or sofa.  Maybe your couch is new and quite expensive.  The best way to protect it would be a slipcover.  Slipcovers for couches can protect your new sofa from spills and everyday wear and tear.  Here is a look at how these covers can be a big asset in your home.
The best thing about slipcovers is in how versatile they are.