<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0">
    <channel>
        <title>Lucy Norton&#039;s Home Blog - Blog</title>
        <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Lucy Norton&#039;s Home Blog - Blog</description>
                    <item>
                <title>Four Easy Home Maintenance Tasks You Can Take Care of Yourself</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1262064/four-easy-home-maintenance-tasks-you-can-take-care-of-yourself</link>
                <pubDate>Thu, 03 Aug 2017 03:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/homemaintenance8.jpg&quot; class=&quot;moze-img-center&quot;&gt;One of the few advantages to renting instead of owning is that when something goes wrong, you’re not on the hook for it. Call up your landlord and let him/her worry about it. When you own a home, there are all sorts of maintenance tasks you have to stay on top of to keep everything running smoothly. One option is to pay someone to do it for you. But it’s a good idea to learn how to do a few basic home maintenance tasks yourself.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Replace your air conditioning filter&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;You need to swap out the air conditioning filter at least every three months. This is one of the easiest jobs on this list so there’s no reason not to do it yourself. Overtime your filter gets clogged with dust making it less efficient and making your home warmer in the summer. Not only that but a clogged filter can lead to dust actually getting into your air conditioner where it can damage it over time.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Pressure wash the exterior&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;An annual pressure wash for your home’s exterior can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal. Dirt and grime accumulates slowly so you don’t notice how sad your home is looking until you start pressure washing and see the dramatic difference between where you’ve washed and where you haven’t. You can rent a pressure washer but you’re probably better off investing in buying one if you’re going to do this maintenance task every year.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Clean out the rain gutters&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If you’re nervous about working from a ladder, then leave this one to a professional gutter cleaning service. Otherwise, save some money and tackle this one yourself. Your rain gutters are an integral part of your roofing system and if you let them stay clogged, water can back up on your roof and seep beneath shingles causing all kinds of roofing problems and potentially, even roof leaks. You should do this at least once every year after all the leaves have fallen for the season but you may need to do it more often depending on the number and type of trees surrounding your home. When doing this job, make sure you’re working from a ladder and not from your roof. It will take longer to climb up and down the ladder, moving it a few feet each time but it’s much safer.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Install baseboard heater covers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If your baseboard heaters are looking old, worn, or rusted, you can instantly transform them into looking new again by installing baseboard heater covers over them. All you’ll need is a tape measure to find out how many feet of covers you’ll need and a drill or screwdriver to remove the old covering. The new cover is simply snapped into place over the heating unit. The whole process takes just a few minutes per baseboard heater.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source:&lt;/b&gt; southeastsun.com/online_features/home_improvement/article_c9150834-5734-5bf1-a9f5-cbb4b07694c4.html&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>DIY Secrets for Interior Decorating</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1255276/diy-secrets-for-interior-decorating</link>
                <pubDate>Tue, 25 Jul 2017 03:49:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/DIYinteriordecorating8.jpg&quot; class=&quot;moze-img-center&quot;&gt;You don’t have to spend a fortune on hiring a professional interior decorator or contractors to get a home you’re proud of. Redecorating and home improvement is something you can do yourself with a limited budget. The following DIY secrets can help you get great results with limited funds.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Shop on Craigslist or at local thrift shops&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;You don’t have to buy new to find something great. In fact, oftentimes the perfect piece you need for a space in your home can’t be found at your nearest mega-retailer. With some keyword research to find the right search terms you can find all kinds of great furniture and accessories on sites like Craigslist. The same goes for local thrift shops. You can often get things at a fraction of what you’d have to pay to buy something new.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Layer old/new&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Good interior decorating is layered. Try to blend different colors, textures, and styles. You can even incorporate pieces from different periods. You might have some very modern looking accessories paired with mid-century modern furnishings. You can pair some of your second-hand finds with brand new items from Ikea. Don’t feel like you always need to shop from a collection to acquire everything you need to decorate a room. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Paint is cheap and changes everything&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Paint is a relatively inexpensive way to transform the look of a space or a piece. If you found a great deal on a used and rather beat up dresser online or at a second-hand shop, a coat of paint or two might be all it needs to make it look new again. Painting a room or even an accent wall a new color can also give a space a whole new look for not a lot of money.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Support local artists or create your own art&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Artwork can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be. For inexpensive art, you could go to some mega-retailer and buy something mass-produced or you can scout out local fairs, farmers markets, or storefronts to find locally produced artwork. If you’re an artsy person yourself, or even if you’re not, you can try your hand at creating your own art to display. Sign up for a local ceramics or painting class and you might be surprised at what you can create. Locally produced or homemade art also makes for great conversation when you have guests over.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Quick and simple upgrades&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;There’s no shortage of extremely simple and inexpensive upgrades that can make a big difference in your home. With a screwdriver and about an hour of your time, you can swap out all of the electrical outlet and light switch plates with decorative ones. While you’re at it, you can replace all your cabinet hardware as well. Swapping out incandescent bulbs for more energy efficient and brighter LED bulbs requires a step stool and another hour of your time, at most. Another quick and easy upgrade is to install new baseboard heater covers to update the look of old baseboard heaters in minutes.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source:&lt;/b&gt; austin.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/07-06-17-diy-do-it-yourself-design-tips-new-home-suzanna-santostefano/#slide=0&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Moving In Together? How to Find Common Ground When Decorating</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1246424/moving-in-together-how-to-find-common-ground-when-decorating</link>
                <pubDate>Fri, 14 Jul 2017 02:06:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/interiordecorpartner8.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Taking the big step to move in together comes with many challenges. An important one that many couples overlook is the difficulty of unifying two different living spaces into one. Whether one is moving into the other’s space or the two are moving into a space that’s new to both of them together, their various tastes, color preferences, styles, and histories will have to come together to create a unified space. If you don’t want the relationship to end just as it’s really starting to move forward, consider the following tips.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Communicate honestly&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If you’re ready to move in together you should be at a point in your relationship where you can communicate honestly with each other regarding what you want and don’t want for your new home together. Get everything out on the table. If there’s a piece of furniture your significant other has that you can’t stand, let him/her know. You may find that you’re in agreement about many things and it would be silly to both live with a design decision you both hate for fear of offending the other person.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Start with what you agree on&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;After you’ve sat down and hashed out your likes and dislikes, you can set out taking care of the things you both agree on. Pieces neither of you are wild about can be sold off and the funds set aside for a redecorating budget. An agreed-upon base color can be painted on the walls. Purchases like a new bed or sofa that you both agree need to be made can be completed. By getting a solid start on what you agree on, you’ll have a foundation from which to address the things you may not agree on.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Find ways to unify conflicting pieces&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;There will undoubtedly be some things that clash with each other somewhat and neither of you will be willing to budge. All is not lost. In many cases, these conflicting pieces can be made to go together with some kind of unifying third piece. An area rug might be just the thing to complement two different pieces that otherwise couldn’t have looked good together. New baseboard radiator covers can help an outdated looking baseboard heating system better fit in with more modern home decor.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Don’t get hung up on making everything match perfectly&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;One very important thing to remember that can resolve a lot of disagreements is that not everything in your home has to match perfectly with everything else. In fact, professional decorators unanimously agree that every good interior design requires some contrast to give it that authentic look. So don’t strive for the magazine cover or catalogue look. You don’t want to live in a home that looks like it was staged by a realtor to make it easier to sell. It should like like your home and it should reflect your varied tastes and life experiences. If you work hard together and are both willing to make compromises you can have a space that is both unified and a little eclectic.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;br&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source:&lt;/b&gt; curbed.com/2017/7/5/15904928/decorating-tips-advice-roommates&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>How to Survive a Home Remodel Without Divorcing or Breaking Up with Your Partner</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1234961/how-to-survive-a-home-remodel-without-divorcing-or-breaking-up-with-your-pa</link>
                <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jun 2017 03:35:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/couplehomeremodeling5.jpg&quot; class=&quot;moze-img-center&quot;&gt;According to many family therapists, a home remodel is among the most stressful events that a couple can go through together. One divorce attorney claimed to have seen more divorces resulting from home remodels than extramarital affairs. If you and your partner are considering a remodeling project, keep in mind the following tips to make sure you come through it together.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Be on the same team&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;A remodel will entail many important decisions that both will have to live with. It’s important that one person doesn’t completely dominate the decision-making process when it comes to the remodel unless the other really and truly means it when she (or more likely he) claims to be fine with whatever the other person decides. Pretending to be fine with something when you’re not will only lead to hurt feelings. If both people in the relationship are contributing ideas and arriving at agreements during the planning stage, the chances of the relationship surviving the remodel is much higher.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Get the family involved&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If you have children, or if you have nearby relatives who’d be willing to help, find ways to include them in the work that’s DIY friendly. Having family about you while you work helps keep everything in perspective and it should make it less tempting to lash out in anger when under stress. Younger children can help paint a wall and older family members can assist with other DIY projects like replacing light or sink fixtures, installing baseboard heater covers, or some light landscaping work.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Find what works for you&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Some couples need to work in separate rooms when remodeling in order to keep the peace. If you go this route, just make sure the other person is on the same page about what the partner will be working on so there’s no surprises. After dividing up tasks you can divide and conquer and then meet together at lunch or at the end of the day to spend time as a couple. Others will prefer to work side by side on one project at a time. You know what will be best for your partnership.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Choose your battles wisely&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Of course you’ll want to try to compromise whenever possible when each of you want something different but that won’t always be possible. When you both want opposite things then both need to choose battles wisely. Can you live with whatever it is your partner is wanting in a particular instance? If so, then go along with it. If you concede on some things you have more bargaining power when it comes to the disagreements that are even more important to you.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Take time out for your relationship&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Most important of all is to never get so caught up in the busyness of remodeling that you can’t make time for each other. Any relationship, no matter how strong, will suffer if there’s no quality time together outside of remodeling work. So even if it takes a little longer, make sure you’re still going on dates and doing the things you both enjoy doing to foster your relationship.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source:&lt;/b&gt; rd.com/advice/relationships/renovation-stress-marriage&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Kitchen Remodeling Trends</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1227214/kitchen-remodeling-trends</link>
                <pubDate>Tue, 20 Jun 2017 03:17:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/kitchenremodeltrends9.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The kitchen is the most remodeled room in American households. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recently published a study on Kitchen remodeling. The study concluded that more than 10 million kitchens in the US (nearly 10% of all US kitchens) were remodeled to some degree in 2015. The report involved results from a survey of 532 homeowners, 259 builders, 126 remodelers, and 161 general contractors who were involved with kitchen remodeling work that year. Here are some of the trends found by the survey.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;What homeowners want&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The most popular features that homeowners were looking for in a remodeled kitchen were new flooring, custom cabinets, new countertops, stainless steel sinks and faucets, and smart appliances. While new flooring, cabinets, countertops, and sink fixtures have always been staples for kitchen remodels, the sudden interest in smart appliances were a surprise. Smart refrigerators can show homeowners what’s in their fridge while they’re out shopping so they know what they need to buy thanks to a camera inside. Smart ovens can be preheated through the tap of a button on a smartphone so it’s ready to go when the homeowner gets home with that frozen dinner.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;How much homeowners are spending on kitchen remodeling&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The majority of US homeowners weren’t spending a fortune on kitchen remodeling. Approximately 41% of the homeowners surveyed said that their remodel cost $1,500 or less. These projects were simply replacing one or two of the major appliances. Another 22% reported spending between $1,500 and $5,000. About 18% did major remodels costing between $5,000 and $10,000 and the last 19% went all out spending more than $10,000 to remodel their kitchens.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Popular appliances&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Almost 80% of homeowners who remodeled their kitchens choose to get at least one new appliance as part of the project. The most popular appliance to be replaced was the refrigerator at 85%. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of homeowners choose to replace their range oven and 69% chose to replace their dishwasher.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Favorite countertop&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Granite was America’s favorite countertop material probably because of its balance of nice appearance and durability. Quartz and marble are prettier materials but they’re also more porous and are more likely to stain or show score marks from knives. After granite, laminate was the second-most popular at 23% and marble finished off the top three at 19%.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Favorite flooring&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Though wood flooring was by far the most popular look when it came to flooring, hardwood wasn’t the most popular material. It’s apparent that while homeowners like the look of wood flooring, they don’t like it’s susceptibility to dents and water damage. The two most popular flooring option for those surveyed was laminate (32%) and ceramic and stone tiles (31%) and both were designed to simulate the look of hardwood more often than not. Actual wood flooring came in at third place with 18%. Tile is the most durable of the three but laminate is a good middle ground since it’s more durable than actual wood and a lot less expensive that real wood and tile.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Other good ideas&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Though not as popular projects according to the survey, new LED or OLED bulbs for the kitchen would be a fabulous upgrade since they’re more energy efficient and they’re a softer light than traditional bulbs. They’re also dimmable so they can be adjusted to suit any mood. Baseboard radiator covers are another great upgrade because they are inexpensive and easy to install and they can update the look of old baseboard heaters which most homeowners think they’re just stuck with.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source: &lt;/b&gt;realtor.com/news/trends/kitchen-remodel/&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>How to Capture that Vintage Look with Your Kitchen Remodel</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1212698/how-to-capture-that-vintage-look-with-your-kitchen-remodel</link>
                <pubDate>Mon, 05 Jun 2017 03:36:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p class=&quot;moze-left&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/medium/vintagekitchenremodel8.jpg&quot; style=&quot;width: 471px;&quot; class=&quot;moze-img-center&quot;&gt;Typically, when people remodel their homes, it’s to replace the old with the new, to modernize an older home, or bring an outdated home up to the standard set by newer homes. But occasionally, homeowners choose to remodel in order to recreate the past. For example, 50s era kitchens are still around today and many are remodeling to try and create that vintage feel in their kitchen. Whether you want to go all-out 50s kitchen or just incorporate a few vintage elements, the following tips may help.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Start with cabinets&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Mid-20th century kitchens were known for their interesting cabinetry with exaggerated angles and curves and sleek understated styles. Unfortunately, they’re also known for having limited cupboard space. Since a modern kitchen needs more cupboard space, try to emulate the shape and style of the era rather than the quantity.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Appliances as focal points&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Another defining characteristic of 50s and 60s kitchens were the colorful and strangely shaped appliances. Believe it or not this is one of the easier aspects of a vintage kitchen to recreate since there’s still quite a market for vintage appliances. Select these carefully since the major appliances tend to be the focal points in any kitchen and they’ll be key to creating that vintage look.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lots of color&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The kitchens in generations past weren’t known for the subtly, bright colors were used quite liberally. In addition to major appliances, you can incorporate bright colors with many of the accessories in the kitchen as well from smaller kitchen appliances like blenders, toasters, and food processors to the cabinets themselves.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;The little things&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;While the big things like major appliances are crucial for creating that vintage look, it’s the small details that will tie it all together. A few vintage cookbooks and some kitchen tools from the time period are nice finishing touches that will really complete the look and make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make the old new&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The kitchen is a tricky room to remodel in a vintage style because kitchen designs have changed so much in the last few decades compared to other rooms in the home and the remodeled kitchen will still need to be functional and meet the family’s needs. When remodeling to create that vintage look, you’ll have to be creative to take the best of both worlds—the vintage elements from earlier decades and the functionality of a modern kitchen. Your vintage kitchen will obviously include a number of appliances and tools that didn’t exist when your grandmother was preparing meals. Likewise, features like baseboard radiators don’t have to look outdated; you can install baseboard radiator covers to give them a more modern appearance.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source: &lt;/b&gt;postbulletin.com/magazines/at_home/tips-for-a-vintage-kitchen-remodel/article_9f385150-31b2-11e7-93f8-c3687ecd25bd.html&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>How to Decorate Your Home on a Tight Budget</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1197992/how-to-decorate-your-home-on-a-tight-budget</link>
                <pubDate>Mon, 22 May 2017 03:58:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p class=&quot;moze-center&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/cheaphomedecorating8.jpg&quot; class=&quot;moze-img-center&quot;&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;moze-left&quot;&gt;Interior decorating can be quite expensive, but it doesn’t need to be. If you’re pretty crafty or even if you’re just patient enough to wait for the right deals, you can save a lot of money and stick to a very tight budget when interior decorating. Here are a few tips that can help you do that.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Buy vs. DIY&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;There are a few obvious furnishings you’re not going to be make yourself such as a sofa or arm chair. But there are many things that you can build yourself to save a lot of money. Research some ideas online. For the cost of some raw materials like wood, copper pipes, concrete, etc… you can build your own storage solutions such as a blanket ladder or clothing racks.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Buy textiles abroad&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Good design incorporates a variety of textures and colors. One of the easiest and cost effective ways to do this is through textiles like rugs, curtains, throws, sofa covers, and table linens. Often these are either cheaply made or finely made and imported and therefore costly. Your best bet for getting high quality textiles is to buy them while abroad. Of course, you won’t be saving money on textiles if you travel all the way to South America just to purchase them but if you’re already there, might as well do some shopping while you’re there. You can support local tradespeople and you know that what you’re buying is authentic.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make trades&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Take advantage of social media groups where people buy and sell used home décor items. Often times you can arrange to trade straight across. This is a great way to get rid of things you don’t want and get things you do in return without having to host a yard sale.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Go big&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Instead of filling that large wall in your front room with an assortment of smaller framed photographs or paintings, get one really big one. Overall, it’s usually a lot cheaper and a large piece of artwork can function as a focal point for the space much better than a gallery wall can.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bargain shop&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;When you can’t negotiate a trade or build something yourself, you can scout out all the local thrift shops and antique stores. A lot of the stuff you find will be poor quality but you’d be surprised at how often you make really good finds. Also be on the lookout for things that you can re-purpose or touch up to make it like new again. Perhaps you find a nice set of chairs but the upholstery is ruined. Don’t let that be a deal breaker. It’s probably cheaper to reupholster them than to buy a new set.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Paint everything&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Okay, don’t paint everything but paint a lot of things. Paint is one of the cheapest ways to give things a new look. Returning to the previous tip, don’t worry about the color of items you find as you shop since it’s easy and cheap to change the color yourself. Don’t like your kitchen cupboards? Don’t tear them out and install new ones; give them a fresh coat of paint and maybe install some new cabinet hardware and they’ll be like new. Don’t replace your front door, just paint it a new color.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Work with what you have&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Finally, find ways to work with what you have. Instead of tearing down that wall for a more open floor plan or ripping out baseboard heaters since you also have central heating, you can find creative solutions that are cheaper. For instance, baseboard heater covers are inexpensive and easy to install and will give your home a more updated look.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source:&lt;/b&gt; columbiatribune.com/entertainmentlife/20170514/high-standards-low-budget-tips-and-tricks-to-decorating-your-home-on-cheap&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Five Interior Design Hang-Ups and How To Get Over Them</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1186503/five-interior-design-hang-ups-and-how-to-get-over-them</link>
                <pubDate>Fri, 12 May 2017 03:36:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/interiordesigner7.jpg&quot; style=&quot;width: 623px;&quot;&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Some people are looking for excuses to redecorate a space. The interior decorating is never finished for these people. Others are paralyzed with fear at the thought of interior decorating. They want to get it over with but they’re afraid to take the first step. Here are five common hang-ups that keep people from starting and how to get over them.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can’t agree on a style&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Sometimes it’s an external conflict between partners, other times it’s an internal conflict—a person torn between two or three different decorating styles. Either way it can really drag out an interior decorating project. The best way to get over this is to realize that you don’t have to pick and stick with a single style. In fact, the best interior design often borrows elements from different time periods and styles. Instead of worrying about a theme for a space, just pick pieces you like and that go well together.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sticker shock&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;When many people actually go out to look at items and get an estimate on prices, they’re dismayed at how much it’s all going to cost. This is especially the case when trying to decorate a new home and there are lots of major pieces to buy. There are a few ways to get over this hang-up. First of all, free yourself from the notion that you have to buy everything all at once. If you have to decorate an entire home, prioritize each space by order of importance. It’s not the end of the world if you’re using a card table covered with a nice tablecloth to eat your meals for the first few months. Second, don’t assume that every piece has to be brand new. Somewhere in your city there’s a second-hand store that has a piece of furniture or two that is just right for your home. Second-hand doesn’t always mean inferior quality either. You can also re-upholster, repaint, or re-stain to make old things like-new again. Finally, there are inexpensive ways to redecorate that won’t require any major purchases. You can install new handles or pulls for your kitchen cabinets and drawers or you can install baseboard radiator covers.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Can’t visualize the end result&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This is a particularly common hang-up since it takes lots of practice to be able to see the potential of a space. Even professional decorators have to really work at this. The best way to get over this is to look to the internet for inspiration. Looking at actual finished products to find out what kinds of things you like can give you confidence to move forward. There are even apps that will render a 3D model of your space and let you experiment moving things around digitally before you actually commit to it in real life.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Afraid to buy the wrong thing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Anyone who’s ever experience buyer’s remorse is likely to have a hard time committing to a major purchase. If you’re too afraid to take the leap because you’re not completely sure, trust your gut. If you don’t absolutely love it, if you have doubts, chances are you will look back and regret buying it. Returning to earlier advice, don’t be in a hurry to decorate your home. By giving yourself plenty of time to purchase things, you can get over this particular hang-up.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Afraid you won’t like the end result&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Similar to the fear of not being able to visualize the end result is the fear of not liking it. If it’s your first home or apartment and you’re new to decorating, a good way to get over this is to keep in mind that good interior design evolves over years and even decades. You’ll never be completely satisfied with the end result but it won’t be as terrible as you imagine either. Just keep acquiring new pieces through the years and you’ll eventually have the home you’ve always dreamed of.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source:&lt;/b&gt; realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/paralyzed-by-home-decor-decisions/&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Making the Most of a DIY Remodel</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1175975/making-the-most-of-a-diy-remodel</link>
                <pubDate>Tue, 02 May 2017 05:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/DIYhomeproject6.jpg&quot; style=&quot;width: 615px;&quot;&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Americans are obsessed with DIY home improvement. The success of television like DIY or HGTV reflect that obsession. But not every American is thrilled at the thought of a home improvement project and would just pay someone else to do it for them if they could. For the Americans out there who aren’t obsessed with DIY but cannot pay a professional due to circumstances, here are a few tips to help you make the most of an experience you may not be too excited about.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Don’t bite off more than you can chew&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Selecting a project well outside your abilities is a recipe for hating the entire process. The longer the project takes, the more it goes over-budget, and the more bumps along the way, the harder it is to have fun. That’s not to say that homeowners shouldn’t occasionally undertake projects that are a little outside their comfort zone and that require the development of new skills, but if a little bit of YouTube research won’t be sufficient for the homeowner to learn to do it alone, then it’s probably not the best project. When considering a project, it’s important to be realistic about what it will entail and what skills or special tools might be necessary. You may have to settle for simpler options in some cases. For instance, repaint the kitchen cabinets instead of installing new ones or install baseboard heater covers instead of tearing them out.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Have a clear vision&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Having a clear goal in mind and being able to keep that goal firmly in your mind as you work makes it easier. Even when it gets hard you can remind yourself why you’re doing it and how the finished product will benefit your life.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Involve family or friends&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Depending on the project, you may be able to enlist the help of your children. If you have a sibling, parents, or good friends in your area, you may be able to enlist them as well. Having people you love around you as you work always makes the process more enjoyable. Not only that but they’re the only people you can pay with a meal.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Make a playlist&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Music makes everything better. Load up your smartphone or MP3 player with a playlist of your favorite songs and rock out while you work. The time will go by a lot faster and it will keep you in a better mood even when there are hang ups in the project.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Document and share the process&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;You can make the DIY remodeling process memorable by documenting and sharing it. Take some high-quality before pictures and stop to take some pictures at various stages of the project. Not only does this provide the occasion for breaks but it gives you something you can show with your friends and family to show how your home is transforming. If you have social media accounts or a personal blog you can write about the process and share your pictures.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source:&lt;/b&gt; queenstribune.com/tips-affordable-home-diy-project/&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
            </item>
                    <item>
                <title>Seven Spring Cleaning Ideas To Try</title>
                <link>http://lucy-nortons-home-blog.mozello.com/blog/params/post/1168624/</link>
                <pubDate>Mon, 24 Apr 2017 06:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <description>&lt;p class=&quot;moze-center&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;//site-352390.mozfiles.com/files/352390/springcleaning9.jpg?1493013637&quot;&gt;&lt;/p&gt;No one knows how spring became the universally decided upon time to freshen up the home, but it is and now that Spring is here, you really should spend a little time giving your home a refresh. So carve out a couple of weekends and try the following spring cleaning ideas.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Declutter&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;When you’ve got a major job in front of you, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and not know where to start. But when it comes to spring cleaning, always start by decluttering. Simply getting rid of all the junk you no longer need or want is a great first step because it frees up space and helps reduce anxiety about the whole process. There’s something therapeutic about getting rid of junk so get out the garbage bags and donation boxes and go through your home one room at a time.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Deep clean&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This is a type to do all the chores that don’t really need to be done weekly, but should be done annually at the very least. Pull out all the furniture and vacuum/sweep behind them. Dust the out-of-sight places that get ignored the rest of the year. Empty out cupboards and drawers and give them a wipe down, etc…&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Open the windows and swap out the curtains&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;When the weather is just right, leave the windows open. Not only does it reduce energy bills but it lets in fresh air and natural light. To take even more advantage of this, replace thicker curtains with light, airy ones.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Repaint the trim&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Inside your home you can repaint your crown molding, baseboards, wainscoting, and window sills. Outside, you can repaint your home’s trim and perhaps even your front door. If you’re ready for a change, go with a new color. When painting indoors, do it on a day where you can have all the windows open so there’s plenty of ventilation.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Swap out accessories&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;You don’t have to spend a lot of money replacing furniture and major appliances if they’re still functional. You can swap out throws pillows, artwork, photographs, and other home décor items. Another way to change things up is to rearrange your furniture. Move things around until you find an arrangement you like.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Ditch the plastic plants&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Permanent botanicals is just a fancy name for fake plants and no matter how realistic they look, they’re still plastic dust collectors. Toss them out and get some real plant life. If tending to plant life isn’t a passion of yours, select varieties that are resilient so you can enjoy the benefits of real plants without creating too much extra work for yourself. Daily watering is much better than dusting off the “permanent botanicals” one leaf at a time every month or so.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Baseboard radiator covers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Install snap-on baseboard radiator covers to give your home a fresh new look with minimal work and minimal cost.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Interior Decorating and Remodeling News&lt;/b&gt; Brought to You by &lt;b&gt;ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Source:&lt;/b&gt; news-press.com/story/life/home-garden/2017/03/31/spring-refresh-your-home-and-spirit/99878336/&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description>
            </item>
            </channel>
</rss>