In warmer months, lawn and pool care naturally become priorities for homeowners – but did you know chimney cleaning is also best completed in summer? Scheduling an annual inspection of your chimney during the summer months can save you frustration in the autumn, says the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Traditionally, Labor Day is… Continue Reading
Filling your new custom home with comfortable furniture that reflects your sense of style can be a joy for the new homeowner. But it can be a major headache unless you consider the basics for good furniture arrangement. Home designers at Ethan Allen offer five tips to help get your started: Plan before you buy –… Continue Reading
If you’re looking for a beautiful custom home exterior, include American hardwoods in the mix. New, environmentally friendly treatment methods now make hardwood an excellent and great looking material choice for outdoor living spaces. “American hardwoods in outdoor applications used to be taboo,” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “These days, restrictions and… Continue Reading
According to a recent report, most custom homeowners participate in some kind of energy-saving activity at home, such as unplugging electronics when not in use, changing HVAC air filters and using a programmable thermostat. The report, conducted by HVAC provider Lennox, concludes that with these measures, custom homeowners score a ‘B’ in energy conservation. How… Continue Reading
Featuring hues reminiscent of languid summer days and breezy seaside vacations, this summer’s hottest custom home color trends run the gamut of eye-catching bolds to grounding neutrals, say Ace Design Experts Katie Reynolds, Julie Richard and Nathan Fisch. All three Design Experts recommend implementing this season’s color palette in small ways to avoid an overly-trendy… Continue Reading
Living a greener lifestyle isn’t just about conserving natural resources, it’s also about saving money. When you’re building from the ground up, you can create a home that’s more efficient, cost effective and “green.” Insulate against air In terms of heating and cooling, a well insulated home conserves the most energy by creating an airtight… Continue Reading
The leader of Connecticut based Environment and Human Health, Inc., recently reached out referencing a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warning about potential health hazards related to these popular patio and backyard fixtures. According to the EPA, wood smoke is a complex mixture of gases and microscopic particles, and when these microscopic particles get into… Continue Reading
Solar power is finally entering the custom home real estate mainstream in America after years in the wilderness. The heady growth conjures up images of solar rooftop panels sprouting up as a common sight from West Coast to East Coast and points in between. Futurist Ray Kurzweil, a noted inventor who is director of engineering… Continue Reading
Houston weather is starting to heat up so keep these tips in mind when planning your new custom home and get ready for smart and cost-efficient summers ahead. Control your thermostat via smartphone apps. Now, with the touch of a button, it’s possible to control your AC/heat and lighting from a remote location. Save on your… Continue Reading
Though automobiles have become more environmentally-friendly, their traditional home – the garage – remains a warehouse of pollutants, according to the experts at EGOPowerPlus.com. Whether your garage is attached or detached, you can green your garage in as little as nine steps. Here’s how to get started. 1. If your garage lacks finished walls, lose… Continue Reading