Home Improvement

Improve your Countertops

Searching for a stylish but affordable material for your kitchen countertop? Don’t snub your nose at inexpensive kitchen countertop surfaces like laminate

Wood

Consider that between the brands Formica and Wilsonart, more than 325 colors and patterns are available. This makes it nearly impossible to not find the style that works for you.

Contact Paper

And if that’s not great news, consider the price: at $12 to $40 per square foot installed, you’ll save a small fortune in comparison to more expensive stone surfaces like granite and marble.

Concrete and glass

Beyond laminate, other inexpensive, easy-to-maintain surfaces include solid wood and butcher block countertops as well as ceramic tile countertops. In addition, solid-surface countertops like Corian shouldn’t be overlooked. Corian, in fact, once enjoyed the status granite does today and was known for its seamless installation and the ability to easily integrate sinks and backsplashes.

Glass

Unexpected materials like concrete or glass are more recently trending countertop materials, as they not only make a statement but also offer plenty of personalization options, from stains and dyes (concrete) to LED illumination (glass).

Home Maintenance

Home Technology (Ring)

With the growing interest in smart home technology is the question most homeowners have before they purchase these products is whether the investment is worth the price in the long run? Will investing in a smart thermostat, a smart wall plugin, a doorbell camera, or a smart light bulb really save money on energy bills over time? Are these products truly safer for your family and your home? Are there any other incentives for purchasing smart home products?

The pros include convenience, remote monitoring, and in some cases, insurance incentives. The cons include some programming and setup, including different models of smart devices may not be compatible with each other.

The Ring Doorbell with Smart Camera

One device making headway is the “Ring” devices like the doorbell with camera which allows you to see and talk to anyone at your door from anywhere. There are addons including security lights, motions detectors and window security features. Many of the device are easy to setup on your own. The app on your phone may be the most daunting, just find some under 21 years old to help.

Container gardening, Herbs

Grow an Indoor Herb Garden this Winter

An indoor herb garden makes fresh flavor convenient throughout the winter.

Deep in January and February, between the snow, ice, cold temperatures and grey days, it can feel like spring will never come. To help brighten the long days, there is nothing better than the fresh scent (and flavor) of herbs grown right in your home. 

Herbs, like most other plants, need ample sunlight. Find a place in your home that receives at least six hours of sunlight daily. A south or southwest facing window often works best for an indoor herb garden, but be sure that the herbs do not touch the window pane a sit can easily retain the cool temperatures from outside.   

If an east facing window gets adequate sunlight feel free to use it. And, if all else fails, artificial lighting can work as well, so long as it is placed very close to the plant.

To grow well, your indoor herb garden needs light,well-draining soil. Potting soil is better than dirt from the garden; you don’t want to bring soil-borne pests and disease indoors.

I like to use clay pots with a drainage hole and saucer,most herbs do not like to be wet since most herbs do not like too much water because it can cause the roots to rot, but at the same time,herbs need water to survive. Use your fingers to test the dampness of the soil.It should be damp but not soaked. 

Many pots have holes in the bottom to help drain water. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to make some. Try painting the pots for kitchen décor.

Also, be aware that most herbs will be fine at the temperature in your home during the winter with warmer days and cooler nights but having the heat on can make the soil dry out quickly. I actually bring my herb containers indoors in the fall and place in the cooler porch. I use the leaves during the winter then cut them back before going outside again in the spring.

Herbs that do well indoors in containers are things like basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage, mint, dill, and chives. Know that basil,dill, and chives will go to seed in a few months as they are annuals and will need to be replanted.

  • Alpine Strawberry
  • Potted fresh basil plant. 
  • Bay plant
  • Chamomile
  • Plant light for herbs
  • Oregano
  • Fresh green parsley 
  • Rosemary
  • Basil