Uncategorized

The positive or negative response we get upon entering a room is nearly instantaneous. We dont need to carefully examine each corner or turn over every pillow to decide if a room makes us feel good or not. But what gives us such a strong first impression? Many of the ways we experience a room have to do with a psychological response that happens behind the scenes. This is why most homebuyers end up choosing a house based on theemotional responsethey get within moments of entering a home”not the detailed list of pros and cons theyve made.

There are various factors that go into how we experience a room, and in fact, many of the principles of feng shui are based on the intangible influences of design. Here are three different ways we shape our impression of a room:

Senses
How we perceive a room with our senses tells us what we know to be true about the room and provides a way of describing it. Through our sense of sight we experience colors, each of which will elicit a different impression. Our eyes also pick up on important details such as patterns, scale and lighting. Our sense of smell is the most tied to memory, so a pleasant one, like scented candles, will connect us with memories that inspire positive emotions, while a foul smell, like garbage, will really turn us off. Textures used to decorate a room should also be taken into consideration. Materials such as silk, wood, linen or wool give satisfaction to our sense of touch.

Emotions
Our personal feelings significantly impact how we experience a room and will usually take precedence over our ability to rationalize. With that in mind, there are many decorating details that can trigger subtle (or not so subtle) emotional responses.

Art is one example. If the subject matter features a depressing scene or sad characters, it’ll definitely bring down the mood of a room. If you had some cut flowers on your coffee table, but they’ve wilted and dried out, thats another detail that’ll put a damper on someone’s emotional response. Its important to think about the kind of symbolism placed in a room and how it might influence our emotions.

Spatial Harmony
If furniture placement and scale is out of sync or doesn’t make sense, it can negatively affect how we experience a room, especially a small one. Chairs that are placed too far away from each other make conversation difficult, while being too close together will make a room feel cramped. It’s important to consider how the furniture, decorations and room are meant to interact with each other.

As you can see, theres a lot more to interior decorating than just picking the right shelf ornament. If you keep these principles in mind, guests won’t be able to quite describe why they feel so good in your home.

Source: Mikkie Mills/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Mold is extremely common and can develop slowly, often without homeowners being aware of it. Some types of mold are harmless, but black mold can cause headaches, coughing, sneezing, and irritation of the eyes or nose. It can also aggravate existing health problems, such as asthma. Often by the time a mold problem is identified, its so serious that it requires expensive cleanup or renovations.

How to Find out If Your House Has Mold
Sometimes mold is visible, but often it isnt. You may notice an unusual smell, or family members may have unexplained health issues. If you suspect you might have a problem, you can look for evidence of mold and sources of moisture. Check behind drywall or wallpaper, under ceiling tiles and carpet, inside ducts, and in walls around pipes for excessive moisture caused by leaks, flooding, or inadequate ventilation or insulation.

How to Deal With Mold
If the amount of mold is limited, you may be able to dry out the area with fans or ventilation and clean or dispose of moldy items. Nonporous or semi-porous items may be able to be cleaned, but you should dispose of porous objects that have been contaminated with mold. Research appropriate methods and safety precautions before you start cleaning.

For a widespread mold problem, youll need to have professionals assess the situation. Depending on the location and extent of the mold, they might be able to clean it and make repairs to prevent further mold, or you might need to have sections of your house gutted. If your home requires major cleaning or renovations, your family may need to relocate temporarily to protect your health.

Before you hire a mold removal company, check the companys license, call references and find out if any serious complaints have been filed against the business. Get evaluations and estimates from two or three companies. Be prepared for the final bill to be higher than the estimate if the company you hire uncovers more damage once the cleaning and restoration process begins.

How to Prevent Mold
Look around your home periodically for areas where moisture may accumulate or leak into your home. Pay attention to areas where you dont typically look, such as the gutters, attic and crawlspace. Have the roof inspected and any leaks repaired. Check the caulk around windows, sinks, showers and bathtubs, and replace it if necessary. If you notice any plumbing leaks, even ones that seem minor, have them fixed so they dont get worse and lead to mold.

Take a Mold Problem Seriously
Mold is extremely common, and many people dont realize their home is affected until they begin to experience health problems. If family members have had unexplained symptoms or you have noticed an unusual smell, you may have mold. Investigate and take action immediately if you find a problem. Controlling moisture and addressing any leaks promptly can prevent mold or keep it from getting out of control.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Depending on where you are in life, you might benefit more from living in the city as opposed to living in the suburbs, and vice versa. If you’re thinking about a move, here are some potential pros and cons of living in each type of environment to consider:

Suburbs: The Pros

Living in suburbia is great if you plan to raise children. Since you’ll likely pay higher property taxes in a suburban area, there’s more money available to pay for public education. Suburban schools will often benefit from a bigger budget when compared to city schools.

Next, living in the suburbs is typically calm and quiet. The noise levels are lower than those in a big city. You’ll have fewer sirens and honking horns and less busyness, in general, when living in a suburban area.

The cost of living is typically cheaper in the suburbs than in the city, which is certainly a plus.

Suburbs: The Cons

There may not be as many jobs available in the suburbs as there are in the city, so you might have a long commute to work. Some people may have to drive one or two hours each way every day. This can be a real pain and even make it harder to advance your career.

Also, many people move into a larger home when they relocate from the city to the suburbs. This requires a lot of additional furniture and other expensive items that could hike the overall price of relocating.

Lastly, public transportation may be scarcer in the suburbs. This can make it difficult to catch a train or a bus to the city and back, depending on where you live.

City: The Pros

As mentioned, there are generally more job opportunities in the city than in suburban areas. With more companies and more room for advancement, this is a major pro for living in the city. You’re likely to find a far superior transportation system in a metro area, so you can catch a bus, train or Uber to anywhere you need to go in a matter of minutes.

Also, there may be more opportunity to expand your cultural horizons living in the city. You’ll be exposed to art, the theater, musical groups and other forms of entertainment on a regular basis, whereas the suburbs may present fewer opportunities.

City: The Cons

Again, the cost of living is generally higher in the city. Things are more expensive, so you often get less for your money. Also, the competition for good jobs can be intense when living in the city. If you’re looking to get a job”especially a high-paying one”expect the competition to be fierce.

Living the city life has the potential to be more stressful, as well. It’s a fast-paced environment, and some people have a hard time keeping up.

Notably, both the suburbs and the city have many more upsides to offer. In the end, picking the ideal place to live comes down to your personal wants and needs. Speak to a real estate agent to learn more about the costs and lifestyle in any area youre considering moving to.

Source: Wendy Dessler/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre planning to step up your barbecue game, a new grill can make all the difference and turn your backyard into the best place for family and friends to hang out under the sun.

Here are five favorite grills to please everyone, from charcoal loyalists to high-tech grill masters.

Kalamazoo Gaucho Wood-Fired Grill with Side Burner

If you appreciate the flavors of Argentinian-style grilling, the Gaucho from Kalamazoo is going to be your new best friend. The wood-burning grill and rotisserie is designed with a spoked-wheel that regulates cooking temperature by raising or lowering the grate over a live flame. For added convenience, a gas starter system helps to fire things up and get the meat sizzling.

Big Green Egg

The Big Green Egg enjoys legendary status among barbecue enthusiasts, and for good reason. These kamado-style grills can pretty much cook it all, from burgers and steaks to smoked salmon and brisket. Fueled by wood or charcoal, the Big Green Egg brings versatility to grill, sear, smoke, or bake in your backyard.

Lynx SmartGrill

For a state-of-the-art grilling machine, the Lynx SmartGrill can be controlled using your smartphone or voice commands and will let you know exactly when the meat is ready to be flipped. Equipped with all the bells and whistles, like a rotisserie system, smoker box, and infrared burners, this gas-powered grill is ideal for bringing high-tech precision to your BBQ area.

Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center

Weber Charcoal grills are tried and tested. While the Kettle model is a simple and enduring classic, the Summit Grilling Center is a cut above. Its gas ignition makes it easy to light up the charcoals and fill the air with that distinct barbecue smell, and the smoker allows for low-and-slow cooked meats.

Traeger Timberline WiFi Pellet Grill

The high-tech capabalities of Traegers Timberline Pellet Grill are enough to get excited about, with an app that lets you control the temperature, set timers, and access a whole bunch of recipes. However, its the good, old fashioned quality that makes it a standout. Fueled by wood pellets that infuse flavors like mesquite, pecan, and hickory BBQ, its the perfect choice for the at-home pitmaster.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Between the craziness of work, social events and family, its difficult to find the time to clean the house, let alone do a deep cleaning. Although we all somehow manage to clean regularly enough to keep our homes looking and smelling fresh, many people also likely ignore some commonly overlooked problem areas.

Are you ready to channel your inner “Type A” personality to go the extra mile and give your home a deep cleaning on occasion? Start with the following tips:

Clean the baseboards.At least once a year, really get down on your hands and knees with a rag and a toothbrush to remove dust and grime from your baseboards. This type of detailing has a huge impact in the overall sparkle of your space.

Wipe down the ceiling fan.Sure, you vacuum your floor and dust your shelves, but how often do you stop to look up? Ceiling fans collect a large amount of dust and debris and should be cleaned at least twice a year”or seasonally, if you can manage.

Clean out the cupboards.At least once a year, take everything out of your kitchen cupboards, wipe them down and re-organize. You might be shocked to discover how many expired or unused items are taking up precious space. You can finally throw the bad items in the trash and donate the good ones.

Tackle the freezer. Because frozen food lasts so long, you might forget whats even stuffed inside your freezer. It could be packed with freezer-burned food or leftovers you never revisited. Remove everything from the freezer, toss out anything you no longer need or want, and wipe the interior down. This should be done at least twice a year.

Beat out the dust. Couch cushions, throw pillows, drapes and rugs collect dust over time. On a sunny day at least once a year, take them outside and give them a good beatdown to remove allergens. Just make sure to turn your head away and avoid breathing in the dust particles.

Published with permission from RISMedia.