Finding Color that Works for YOU

Adding color to you home can feel like such a commitment! What if a year down the line you’re sick of it? Or perhaps you change your mind right as the paint has dried and all the furniture has been moved back into place… Here are some interesting ways to add some color to your home and your life!

Be Subtle

If you have clear kitchen cabinets why not paint the wall that peeks out through your glassware and plates! Pick something subtle that matches with other colors you enjoy, that way you won’t tire of your color choice.

Ombre

Spruce up a small spaces with by putting an ombre twist on your paint. Depending on your taste and style experiment with warm and cool colors to see which fits more naturally in your space.

Refresh and Re-do

Try re-purposing an old piece of furniture and painting it a fun color. For instance, a vibrant colored bedside table combined with a stunning bouquet of flowers on top adds a playful calmness to any room with traditional elements and fixtures.

Bright Ceilings

Minimalist spaces can be nice, or can produce a sterile feel which needs some warming up. Try painting the ceiling of small spaces with warm colors like orange. It is surprising how much skipping the walls and only focusing on the ceiling makes any room feel more cozy and closed in and is perfect for the color weary.

 

With the anticipation of tax returns rolling into their pockets, many people find themselves turning to home improvements during the beginning of the New Year. Appliance replacement is just one of the ways that you can increase the value and comfort of your home. As technology becomes more advanced with each year, we are increasingly seeing it integrated into home goods. The following list features the top three side-by-side refrigerators for the following year:

1.  Samsung RSG309AARS

Summary:  Samsung has combined both wi-fi technologies and an LCD touch screen in this model, skyrocketing it to the top of the market with its modern simplicity. The refrigerator also provides energy saving technologies and a massive amount of internal storage with five shelves, compared to the industry average of 3.55 shelves. The touch screen contains an extensive amount of apps, which may take some users time to adjust to.

2.  Kenmore Elite 4100

Summary:  Kenmore’s Elite 4100 features an LCD touchscreen like the rival Samsung RSG309AARS, where users can leave digital reminders and control the internal temperature of the unit. This model has one of the smallest storage spaces when compared to other units, with only three shelves compared to the RSG309AARS’s five. This does not stop the model from being superior to others in its class with its technological and user friendly benefits.

3.  LG LSC27935ST

Summary: LG’s LSC27935ST has an amount of space that is considerably close to other top competitors. The company also provides a manual that is specific to the model, which provides users with all the information they need without having to read through attributes that aren’t included. Like the Kenmore model, LG’s refrigerator offers buyers three shelves. They have also relocated the control panel from the top of the water dispenser to the side.

 

 

 

Winter in Washington never fails to leave it’s inhabitants damp and cold, and the weather can be even rougher to our homes. Mold is public enemy #1 in many Winter households, causing costly damage and health problems for home owners. Since mold grows on organic material in a damp environment, places such as wood, drywall, and carpet are prime areas for it to thrive.

There are several steps that can be taken to prevent the growth of mold in your home:

Close the windows when it is raining outside.

The less moisture inside the house, the more mold doesn’t want to be there. The heat from the house will attract the mold, since it is too cold outside for it to sustain growth.

Fix any leaks in the roof, walls, or windows.

These are just more ways for moisture and mold to become residence in your home. Even leaking pipes or taps can become an issue.

Keep rooms warm to avoid condensation

Condensation is another hot spot for molds, and is common on water tanks, windows, and pipes.

Buy a dehumidifier

Humidity only has to be above 55% for some molds to start growing. A dehumidifier will do the trick, but keeping windows open during the day (provided it isn’t damp and raining) can also help. Keep an eye on the kitchen and bathrooms of your home, since steam is common in both areas.

Clean and dust often to minimize mold spores

Mold spores float through the air and are impossible to avoid completely. Keeping your house clean and tidy reduces the chance that these little guys will began to grow.

The EPA suggests that absorbent materials like carpet may need to be replaced in some cases. If you think you have severe mold and are not sure whether you need to replace such materials, contact Renewal Remodels & Additions today for a free consultation.

Here in the pacific northwest we usually don’t have to worry about rain shortages but why not harvest some rain water during the wettest season of the year? Though it takes a couple extra steps to make rain water into drinking water, it is perfect to use for your garden and can help lower your water bill.

How to Collect Rain Water

The easiest way to collect rain water is to catch the water that falls on the roof and direct it into a rain barrel or cistern for later use. Place the rain barrel below a gutter and let the rain do the rest! A hose or a spout can easily be attached for when you’re ready to use the collected water. Sans minerals and chemicals rain water is extremely beneficial for your garden.

Health & Safety Concerns

Collecting rain water is breeze but it is important to make sure that your roof is not contaminated before partaking in this activity. Stainless steel and galvanized steel with a baked-on enamel, lead-free finish are the best because they are easy to clean, provide an efficient stream of water, and do not absorb water. Other roofing types are more susceptible to mold and algae and some roof treatments can contaminate the water.

Before you collect rain water from your roof and gutters make sure that your roof is in a good clean condition that will not contaminate your garden when you choose to use it.

New Years Eve is upon us and it’s time to welcome in 2013! Here are some New Years Eve champagne cocktail ideas for your party found on MarthStewart.com.

1. Lemon Drop Champagne Punch

Ingredients:

• 3 lemons, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 bottle (750 milliliters) Champagne, chilled
• 3/4 cup best-quality vodka, chilled
• 4 ounces candied lemon peels

Directions:

1. With a vegetable peeler, remove zest from each lemon in a long, continuous spiral. Juice lemons, and strain pulp (you should have 3/4 cup juice). Set aside.
2. Heat sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add zest. Let syrup cool completely, about 2 hours.
3. Pour Champagne, vodka, lemon juice, and syrup into a punch bowl; stir. Serve glasses of punch with candied peels.

2. Lavender Champagne

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender
• 4 bottles (750 mL) dry Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled
• Fresh lavender sprigs, for garnish

Directions:

1. Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Stir in dried lavender. Remove from heat. Let cool completely. Strain out lavender. Refrigerate syrup until ready to serve (up to 1 month).
2. Pour about 6 ounces Champagne and 1 1/2 teaspoons syrup into each flute. Garnish each with a lavender sprig.

3. Kir Royales

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) creme de cassis
• 1 bottle Champagne or other sparkling white wine
• 6 strips tangerine or orange zest, for garnish

Directions:

1. Just before serving, pour 1 tablespoon creme de cassis into each glass. Fill with Champagne, and garnish with zest.

Cocktail Recipes found on MarthaStewart.com

When planning your kitchen remodel it is important to keep the kitchen work triangle in mind when deciding on a layout. What is the kitchen work triangle you ask? Well it is simple, think about the 3 appliances you use most in your kitchen: the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator. The imaginary line that connects these three are what make up the kitchen work triangle. Having these elements close but not too close is a delicate balance that we here at Renewal Remodels & Additions have come to perfect.

How it Works

As a general rule, no leg of the triangle should be less than 4 feet or greater than 9 feet. The perimeter of the triangle should be between 13 feet and 26feet to achieve ideal efficiency and if possible, no major traffic should flow through the triangle. The system was developed in the 1940’s so naturally a few modifications are necessary such as the placement of the microwave, dishwasher, and other small appliances. Some believe more in the use of kitchen zones: food preparation, baking, cooking, and cleaning. A blend of the two usually yields the best, most efficient kitchen layouts.

Exceptions

In smaller work spaces such as single wall kitchens, achieving this geometric triangle is impossible but efficiency is still possible through the configuration of the sink, stove & refrigerator.