The kitchen, one of the most common home renovation projects, is generally one of the most used rooms in the house. Part of the reason is that there is nothing quite as satisfying as gutting that old space and restarting from scratch. Homeowners just aren’t as sentimental about the things in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, so tossing items out in favor of new ones is a quick and painless process. Before taking a crowbar to the cabinets try to step back and look at the kitchen from a conservation point of view. The majority of the time, replacing one of four things and repairing and/or replacing the other three will leave the room looking like new: the cabinets, the flooring, the appliances or the countertops. If the countertop is scratched, chipped, or otherwise blemished, it may be the thing to go- or, it may be an opportunity to talk to a specialist about refinishing and restoring. If the cabinets can be saved, it can also be a real budget saver. Try adding or subtracting cupboards instead of a complete overhaul. A fresh coat of paint, some new knobs, or a sleek open-cabinet design can also breathe new life into old standbys. Try to imagine the old floors with a little bit of TLC and complimented by the rest of the kitchen’s new look before tearing them up. If it’s time to replace the appliances in the kitchen, it’s time. Think about going with black or chrome for a modern kitchen, or have a bit of fun with a refurbished vintage fridge!

Another quick and easy fix that will make any of the above kitchen renovation solutions really pop is a fresh coat of paint. If kitchens are tiled, wall replacement may not be such an easy task so try to work with it. Remember that a little attention to detail now, can make a big difference on the price tag of a home’s resale value. Make sure kitchens have lots of lighting, whether natural or electric. Be careful when choosing window treatments that the material is able to withstand drastic changes in temperature and humidity when exposed to cooking heat or steam from various appliances. If you’re still set on gutting the kitchen, think about changing the actual layout of the kitchen countertop space. Think about what you don’t like in the room now. Maybe there’s no counter space, maybe there’s nowhere to sit and eat, or maybe it’s too cut off from the rest of the house. Don’t be afraid to go big, knock down some walls, and above all, love your kitchen.

Don’t get intimidated, get started on a home renovation project with a sears home design consultation. Whether you’ve decided on a kitchen countertop replacement, cabinet overhaul, or a brand new set of appliances it’s the right place to start to get a new look, not just new things.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Fishback

There are some very practical, low-cost ways to make your home run more efficiently and save money every month on electricity and heating bills, while reducing your total impact on the earth. Let’s get started!

Get your home tested: Almost any home would benefit from receiving a home energy audit. Whether you do one yourself or have a professional walk through your space, it’ll help you pinpoint areas where you can improve to make your home more energy efficient. The test usually covers your home’s exterior, including foundation, roofing, windows, doors, and percentage of exposed walls, and then considers the interior systems, such home heating and cooling, appliances, water fixtures, electronics, lighting, and more. When you’re done, take the plan and start to make improvements. You may even find that federal and municipal incentives and tax rebates exist to defray the costs of any retrofits.

Add timers to appliances: You can reduce your energy consumption by ensuring appliances are only working when they’re required. For instance, installing a programmable thermostat can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent, saving close to $150 every year for some homes. You can also install a timer on your water heater to program it to heat water only when it’s most needed. Another common place for timers is for lighting. Simple timers that turn lights on and off at pre-set times every day can help to prevent you accidentally leaving lights on after you exit a room. And motion sensors can be used to automatically turn lights off in closets, garages, and backyards so that you’re not running them when no one’s around.

Dial down for savings: Many appliances can be dialled down to cut energy consumption. Turn the temperature setting down a couple of degrees on both your furnace and water heater during cold weather without losing comfort-you’ll see the difference on your energy bill. Raise the temperature on your air conditioner a degree or two, too, during hot weather. Your home may not be as chilly, but you’ll likely still live within your comfort limits. Make similar adjustments with other appliances such as your refrigerator and freezer to see additional savings.

Upgrade your lighting:  If you haven’t yet, go out and get yourself some compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to use throughout your home. Contrary to their flickery, yellow ancestors, today’s CFLs are much improved and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They do cost more upfront than conventional incandescent bulbs, but they generally pay for themselves in a couple of months or a year. And since they last much longer, you’ll also be changing bulbs less frequently. Just be sure to recycle them when they burn out to ensure proper containment of the tiny amount of mercury they contain. LEDs (light-emitting diode) bulbs are another great option since they’re even more efficient and longer-lasting than CFLs. And they can be used for more than your holiday decorations-think landscape lighting, task lamps, and more.

Find out more:

· US EPA Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit

· Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

Kate Williams is a wellness coach and health educator. See more of her articles and information about “green” topics especially creating non-toxic homes at Safe Clean for Kids. http://www.Safe-Clean-For-Kids.com Contact: kate@Safe-Clean-for-Kids.com and 1-866-567-1587 (toll free).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_L_Williams

Nowadays, we live in the Age of the Internet. This means that wherever you live, you have access to lots of stores where you can conduct quite a bit of comparison shopping. You can find lots of authorized fan resellers by conducting your search online – and doing business with them can means lots of discounts off of market price. Getting the most for your money can really be as simple as finding a coupon code to use at one of these reputable businesses. There are several online sites that are in the business of selling a wide selection of these lighting fixtures – along with discounts to pass on savings to the customer. Here is a short listing:

Lighting By Gregory

The brick-and-mortar location of this store is located in the Lighting District of Manhattan. Its claim to fame is being named as “Best Lighting Store” by New York Magazine. Lucky for you… the advent of Internet access means that you can order these great lighting fixtures no matter where you live. This store specializes in all kinds of lighting, so head over to the Ceiling Fans section of the website and shop around! Be sure to double-check that the fan you love is either damp- or wet-rated so that they can be safely mounted outdoors.

Universal Distributing LLC

You may not have heard of this umbrella company before which encompasses 6 different businesses that sell a variety of home improvement goods. But you will definitely want to check out their Fantastic Fans website. You can easily search through their selection of outdoor ceiling fans – and sort by brand name, style, finish, or price in order to simplify your search. All items are available with free shipping to anywhere in the continental United States. And you will want to check their current promotions for additional discounts that you can use along with coupon codes.

Did you know that you can get deep discounts and free shipping when you’re looking to buy contemporary ceiling fans? Please visit Contemporary Outdoor Ceiling Fans for a listing of best contemporary styles and models!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvia_Platt

If you’re nervous about buying these fixtures online, you need not be. Many retailers offer a wide variety of selections at deep discounted rates – lots of times with free shipping! Products are usually shipped within a few days (or a few weeks if a specialty, made-to-order item). In the unfortunate event that any item arrives defective or broken, you can easily return or request a replacement fixture.

Each of these retailers are featured because of their selection of contemporary models, excellent customer service, and special savings offered to customers. If you’re remodeling on a budget or simply a price-savvy consumer, shopping for outdoor ceiling fans online may literally save you hundreds of dollars. But the first step on the road to savings is to know exactly where to shop!

Lighting By Gregory
The brick-and-mortar location for Lighting by Gregory has been part of the famed Lighting District of Manhattan for over a quarter of century. One of its claims to fame include being named as “Best Lighting Store” by New York Magazine. You will find a variety of contemporary and traditional lighting fixtures at Lighting By Gregory from bathroom lighting to home decor to torchieres. Their inventory also includes a wide variety of ceiling fans. Simply choose one of its featured styles (contemporary, traditional, tropical, or transitional), and you’re one step closer to finding the perfect fan for your outdoor space. Be careful before you buy because there isn’t a quick link for indoor vs. outdoor models on the website. You want to make sure that your fan is damp- or wet-listed if you plan on mounting outdoors.

Lamps Plus
Established in 1976, Lamps Plus is also far from a newcomer in the industry. Lamps Plus prides itself as the nation’s largest specialty lighting company with brick-and-mortar locations found primarily in the Western United States. The website itself is easy to navigate. Again, be careful, while outdoor ceiling fans are listed, they are not separated from indoor models. You want to be certain that your chosen fan is damp- or wet-rated to be suitable for outdoor conditions.

If there are any questions, there is a live chat service where you can instantly connect with a customer service agent. You can even use the personal callback service where you leave your name and number to be contacted by customer service. You can easily compare styles and prices across models by adding to your “portfolio.” And lastly, if there is not a ceiling fan that suits your fancy, try the “Design Your Own Fan” feature by choosing motor size and type, custom fan blades, light kit for a one-of-a-kind model that perfectly fits your space.

Want to save hundreds of dollars on outdoor ceiling fans? Please visit Contemporary Outdoor Ceiling Fans for the best featured models from major retailers. Be sure to check out the buying guide for links to discounts to buy outdoor ceiling fans for less!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvia_Platt

Home of Decor
After over 30 years in business, Home of Decor founded its online store in 2002. What you gain from doing business with Home of Decor is access to staff experts with years of expertise in selling and installing fans. As a free service, you can actually call and consult with experts during regular business hours. There are a few other reasons to check out the inventory of ceiling fans here, including free shipping, access to over 1000 different models, free lifetime protection plan, free fan parts if broken within 5 years, and free technical support! In addition, the website is very easy to navigate. Models are clearly marked as either wet- or damp-rated – and you have over 300 fans to choose from. No guesswork involved.

Lumen Light and Living
Lumen Light and Living specializes in modern, contemporary styles in lighting. Lumens also has a brick-and-mortar store, located in San Francisco. This company stocks fans from a number of manufacturers well-known for innovative designs, such as Minka Aire, Modern Fan Company, Casablanca Ceiling Fans, and other companies. You can easily sort and compare models by price, number of blades, fan body finish, or even fan features. However, you will have to manually search for outdoor ceiling fan models as they are not uniquely identified on the website. This may be a supreme task with almost 600 ceiling fans currently in inventory. If you don’t mind the heavy lifting involved in the research process, there are also plenty of customer reviews to read before making a purchase.

Universal Distributing LLC
Universal Distributing LLC specializes in decorative lighting and fine home decor. You will want to head straight over to the Fantastic Fans website. You can immediately begin your search by perusing the “Outdoor Ceiling Fan” section. From there you can sort by brand name, style, finish, price range, or size. Currently, Universal Distributing offers its customers a selection of almost 90 different models from tropical to indoor outdoor styles. All items are available with free shipping to anywhere in the continental United States. Fantastic Fans also offers a staff of experts available for consultation, and even a live chat service!

Amazon
You would practically have to be living underneath a rock if you have not heard of Amazon. No matter what the product, it seems like Amazon has it in stock – most often at a deep discount with free shipping, to boot! However, there is one marked downside to shopping at Amazon: You lose access to free consultation services with specialists. Amazon may be a good bet if you already have an idea of which model, finish, or style you have in mind. You will then be able to conduct a quick search and compare prices from retailers essentially bidding for your business. You may notice really affordable rates for outdoor ceiling fans on Amazon, but these prices may actually be comparable to the aforementioned websites.

Get quality ceiling fans without paying an extra dime! Visit the Contemporary Outdoor Ceiling Fans buying guide for reviews of online retailers and coupons for modern outdoor ceiling fans for less!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvia_Platt

Lighthouses are a very recognizable symbol, and represent many things for many people. For anyone who loves to travel, each lighthouse can represent a place they’ve visited or hope to someday. More metaphorically, lighthouses symbolize a warning of danger ahead, as well as a beacon over the horizon guiding you home. Nautical lamps in the shapes and colors of familiar lighthouses will make you smile every time you turn them on. They don’t necessarily have to be an exact replica. Even having some of the same colors and an overall style can accent a nautical theme.

Antique ship pieces can be made into spectacular nautical lamps to go along with your theme. Lanterns traditionally used on old fashioned fishing boats can be reconditioned and used as lighting in your home or office. It may take a little legwork, as they are not often easy to come by, but scouring antique dealers is the best way to track down these pieces. If you live on or around the east coast, or you are planning a visit sometime soon, keep an eye on antique shops and other stores that may have nautical themed lamps and other lighting.

Nautical themes don’t necessarily have to be representative of ships and lighthouses. There is other life in the ocean that can be incorporated into your design. For a child’s room, brightly colored fish on the walls on top of blue paint can be a whimsical trip to the ocean floor. Nautical lamps can be decorated with the same brightly colored fish or other sea life. You can even use real coral and seashells to make your own decorative and creative lamps. This is something that kids can help you with and they will appreciate being a part of decorating their own living space. Whether you make your own lamps, buy them brand new or refurbish real ones, you can feel like you are on the ocean or even in it any time you like.

Where to find Lamps R Us coupons quickly and easily by visiting http://www.modernlampsguide.com a popular lamp decorating website that offers tips, advice and resources including tips for decorating ideas using Phillips lamps.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Clifton

Sticking with the theme of “piracy” is important when decorating for this type of party. As such, lighting will play an important role for your décor. Think of old pirate ships, old haunts where pirates and wenches could be found, bars and the like. Decorating after the Captain’s Quarters of any old pirate ship can be a good theme to play off of. Vintage, traditional looking chandeliers filled with gemstones and candelabras are always ideal as lighting centerpieces for any room, and they sure evoke a pirate ambience. Keep the lighting of your chandelier dim so that your party has that mysterious, old ship feel. And for extra kicks, tie a rope by your chandelier and anchor the end to a latch on the wall; don’t attach the rope literally to the chandelier. The whole purpose is to make it look like you could untie the rope and swing from it as the chandelier drops.

If you’re looking to give your home a shipping dock setting, add some torch lights along the walls of hallways and around your living room and yard. Wall sconces with torch-styled lamps will work well, especially if you have amber colored diffusers. Table lamps are also another great way to achieve that pirate feel, as long as you stick with vintage inspired lamps and silk shades. More brownie points to you if you can find a terribly designed lamp with skeleton bones or skulls on the base and neck of the lamp!

Once you’ve got your lighting down, you’re ready to start assembling your fellow pirates and wenches for a nightlong party full of booty and ale. Arrggghhh, enjoy, me matey!!

For an excellent selection in floor lamps and chandeliers be sure to visit Eco-Lights.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Duong