Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
June 20th marks the official first day of summer. Is your home ready for the hot and humid months of July, August, and September? Get started prepping your home for the warm weather by following these to-do's on our Summer Home Maintenance Checklist! Empty Standing WaterThe last thing you want is a swarm of mosquitoes on your property, so make sure to drain any standing water. This can range from larger projects like changing pool water, to the smallest projects, like bird baths. Bring out the Summer NecessitiesPlace bug repellent, beach towels, sunglasses, first aid kit, sunscreen, aloe, and any other summer necessities together in a spot near the front door for easy access for everyone in the home to use. Install Screen DoorsReplace glass doors with screen ones to let the fresh summer air inside. Make sure there aren’t any holes, though! Check Play Equipment for SafetyOutdoor swings and playgrounds could have been damaged by winter, weather, moisture, etc. Make sure to check these items, as well as bikes and sporting equipment for safety hazards before allowing family members to use them. Hang a ClotheslineTo save energy in the summertime, you can dry your clothes naturally on a clothesline, rather than in a dryer. If you have a pool, this is also a great place for family members to hang pool towels and bathing suits up to dry. Organize and Put Away School SuppliesThe kids are about to want nothing to do with anything school-related, so before the year is completely over, begin organizing school supplies and papers. Sort through their work and keep only the best. Throw out older supplies that are no longer useful, such as dried up glue sticks. Put the rest in storage. Check HVAC and Cooling SystemsDon’t wait until the heat is here to schedule maintenance for your HVAC system. If you have window units, make sure they are properly installed. Dust ceiling fans and window sills. Check Irrigation SystemsCheck that your irrigation system and sprinklers are working properly. You don’t want plants to dry from not being watered, or any flooding to occur. Set a schedule for your irrigation system so your yard stays fresh and green all summer long. Update First Aid KitsGreat weather means the kids will be playing outdoors more often. Make sure you have band-aids, alcohol wipes, tweezers, gause, burn cream, and more first aid kit necessities in case of an emergency. Clean GuttersIf you haven’t cleaned your gutters recently, make sure to do so. Leaves and other debris can cause flooding during summer storms when gutters aren’t cleared. Sources Cited: Houzz.com
The Perfect Home for Every Zodiac Sign
Are you house hunting, but undecided about what type of home would suit you best? Glean insights about your perfect home based on your star sign! Astrology can be helpful in your decision making process, to ensure you choose a house that feels like ‘home.’ From Capricorn to Sagittarius, learn what your zodiac has to say about your dream home. Aquarius | Cape Cod Style January 20 - February 18 Aquarius’ are focused on advocating for change, so we recommend a classic cape-cod style home in the suburbs of Washington D.C. or New York. Pisces | Tudor Style February 19 - March 20 Pisces are super focused on being artsy dreamers, so they won’t settle for something that doesn’t satisfy their creative side. A Tudor-style with its out of the ordinary-looking exterior is the perfect spot. Aries | Rancher March 21 - April 19 Stubborn and restless, Aries want to plant their roots but still have freedom to leave whenever they need to. A one story house in the suburbs is the perfect happy medium. Taurus | Mansion April 20 - May 20 Taurus’ tend to have expensive tastes, so a mansion is the clear winner. However they also like their privacy, so make sure to choose an area away from big cities, or a very large plot of land to call your own. Gemini | Victorian May 21 - June 21 Gemini’s are known to be social, outgoing, and thrive on entertainment. A Victorian house is the center of everyone’s attention, and the refurbished inside matches the classic Gemini fatal flaw- one half is way different than the other. Cancer | Cottage June 22 - July 22 Cancer’s are the sweetest sign of the zodiac. They will feel most themselves in a comfy cozy little cottage. Invite friends and family to live a true Cancer dream life. Leo | Castle July 23 - August 22 Naturally, “the royalty of the zodiac” won’t want to settle for less than a castle fit for a king. Maybe settle for an average sized home with some castle-esque features, Leo. Anything that will turn heads. Virgo | Modern August 23 - September 22 Virgo’s are super clean and organized, so a modern home is exactly what they need. Look for something with clean lines, with white and metal interiors, and lots and lots of windows. Libra | Beach House September 23 - October 23 Libra’s are social butterflies, and what’s a better way to meet and entertain people than throwing a party in a beach house? Make use of the sandy backyard, outdoor kitchen, pool, and fire pit to entertain all of your guests. Scorpio | Non-traditional October 24 - November 21 Scorpio’s are driven with passion and coated with mystery, so a cookie-cutter home isn’t going to cut it. If you're a scorpio, feed your unique style by living in a non-traditional home, like a cave-style sanctuary or a tree house. Everyday will feel like an adventure. Sagittarius | Tiny Home November 22 - December 21 Sagittarius' are born travel bugs, so they don’t need a luxury home to satisfy their needs. In fact, a tiny home, preferably one on wheels might be just what the doctor ordered. They will barely spend any time there as it is! Capricorn | City Apartment December 22 - January 19 Capricorns tend to want to get to the top of their careers, so a high-rise, scenic spot with a view of all their underlings will be the perfect thing to come home to everyday. If you’re looking to buy, contact us today to start your search for your astrologically matched dream home! Source
What Your Fav Paint Color Says About You
“Paint color is an expression of your personality,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. People tend to be drawn to 1-2 colors and rarely branch away from them. Depending on if you surround yourself in warm shades, cool hues, jewel tones, or neutrals, it could indicate that you seek closeness in your space, that you're practical, or that you're the life of the party. Keep reading to learn more about what your favorite paint color says about your personality, as well as some style tips to elevate your paint choices! Warm Shades Do you find yourself gravitating towards colors such as yellow, peach, pink, and orange? Then you probably always have company! People who love living in these colors tend to be friendly and nurturing. There’s a warm fuzzy feeling about these colors that draws you in, the same as you feel when you meet new people or socialize with friends and family. These colors tend to stimulate not only conversation, but also appetite. Hence why you might enjoy throwing dinner parties, or any themed party as an excuse to invite people over and indulge in some delicious food. Warm shade people tend to be the life of the party. *Style tip! Use cool colored decor to bring down the temperature. Try pops of green to go with yellow, and blue to go with orange. Neutrals also compliment the boldness of warm colors well. Try gray or white to help bring down the saturation of your space. These color accents can be added in the form of throw pillows, vases, plants, and more! Cool Hues Those who opt for shades of blue and green in their homes are usually introverted. People who like living with these colors prefer their home to be quiet and calm. They view their home as an oasis and want being at home to be a soothing experience compared to the hustle and bustle of daily life. Cool hue lovers seek closeness in their space. They also tend to gravitate towards nature. Those who prefer to decorate with shades of blue and lighter greens may be big time beach goers. Those who prefer darker greens may be really into hiking, camping, and exploring. These colors help bring the outdoors inside. *Style tip! Cool colors can very easily make a space actually feel cold. To avoid this, try bringing up the temperature by mixing in just a handful of warmer colors. If yellows and oranges are just too bright for your taste, then try shades of brown, like taupe and cream. It just might make all the difference. Another way to ensure the space isn’t chilly, is by using pastel or lighter versions of the colors. The darker the shade, the colder the space. Seafoam green and baby blue are great options. Jewel Tones Colors that seem plucked from the red carpet on Oscars night (ruby, emerald, sapphire, amethyst, and topaz) lend instant va-va-voom. If any of those are your top choice for paint color, then you’re most likely creative, outgoing, and confident. You want your space to feel glamorous, anything ordinary just won’t cut it- and you probably live much of your life by the same mantra. Jewel tone people value uniqueness and the finer things in life. Even small spaces, such as bathrooms and book nooks have to be elevated somehow. These colors level up the intimacy and coziness of any space in your home. You’re also probably competitive at heart. Your paint color isn’t just chosen because you think it’s pretty, you want others to remember your home. Style tip: To keep things cozy and not chaotic, pair jewel tones with neutrals. These colors shine the most in places that are usually not show stoppers. Hallways, bathrooms, and dining rooms or anywhere you don’t spend a ton of time are great for these colors. Neutrals Gray, brown, beige, and ivory have a feeling of permanence and a crisp, classic look. If this appeals to you, you are probably a practical person, and not interested in repainting every few years. People who like neutral colors value simplicity and relaxation. They tend to draw inspiration from nature. However, they also value the opposite. Surprisingly, neutral decorators may actually be very fond of color. Sometimes the best interior choices are made with accessories, so paint color should remain neutral to allow for pops of color. Bright objects will shine against the clean backdrop. Neutral color enthusiasts are all about balance in both their life and their interior decorating choices. Style tip: Remaining all neutral can sometimes be boring. Try layering different shades of neutrals to add some depth. Play with the contrast by using both dark and light tones. Otherwise you risk your space giving off the same vibe as being in a doctors office. A big no-no. Source
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