Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Fast and fabulous fixes to banish a boring bath





Luckily, simple updates can breathe new life into this small space. Transform your boring bath by incorporating these fast, fresh updates that don't cost a fortune.



Create a focal point with updated faucets

It's a focal point, one of the most frequently used items in the bath, so it's important that your vanity incorporates a fabulous faucet. If you prefer more traditional styling, the Moen Wetherly bathroom faucet offers a refreshed, old-world design that's guaranteed to add a touch of luxury. Or if you like a more industrial, yet elegant look, Gibson bathroom faucets feature an edgy, square-shaped high-arc spout and sleek lever handles. And to keep your new fixtures looking flawless, both are available at Lowe's in Spot Resist Brushed Nickel finish, which resists fingerprints and water spots, maintaining the brilliance of the faucet.



In addition to the beautiful styling, you'll feel good about your update, since each bathroom faucet has been certified to meet WaterSense criteria, meaning the fixtures meet the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) guidelines as an environmentally responsible and efficient product.





Add beauty with bath hardware



Once you've upgraded your faucet, look to the other metallic accents in the room for a subtle, yet effective way to pull together the design. Coordinating bath hardware, such as towel bars, rings, robe hooks, shelves, knobs and pulls, will instantly add a functional and fashionable impact.



Let there be light

Assess your current lighting to ensure it offers the look and feel you want for your bath. Too dark? Add new decorative fixtures that complement your faucets and hardware. There are many styles that feature multiple lamps for added illumination. Too bright? Add a dimmer switch to your lighting to soften the mood when you're looking to relax.



Set the mood with color



According to Freshome architecture and design blog, room color affects our moods and thoughts - so choose wisely. Add a splash of color to the walls with a fresh coat of high-gloss paint to give the space an instant facelift. Create a zen retreat by enhancing your bath with shades of yellow, which are energizing and uplifting; or soft blues, which are calming, relaxing and serene.



Next, add coordinating textiles; a fabric shower curtain, plush bath towels, rugs and bath mat can add a finishing designer touch.



Shower sanctuary

A quality showerhead can dramatically improve your daily showering experience. Take your shower from lackluster to luxurious with the new Moen Halo rainshower. The pivoting, double-ring design offers up to 60 percent more coverage than standard rainshowers and features three consumer-preferred spray settings - all presented in a clean, modern design to make a style statement in any bath.



Replacing a showerhead can be a quick and inexpensive project, simply unscrew the old showerhead and attach the new one to the shower arm.



Add a finishing touch with furniture



No matter the size of your bathroom, we all want more storage. Look around your home for unused accents, such as a small shelf, chest - or even a cupboard or armoire. The extra drawer space will come in handy to keep your clutter under control - while also adding a bit of style, warmth and pizzazz to your newly updated room.



Don't think that fix-ups have to be long, drawn-out projects. By following these fast updates, you'll be surprised how quickly and easily you can take your bathroom from boring to a spa-like sanctuary.



Tips for extending your home into your patio



(BPT) - In warmer weather, patios transform into the ultimate gathering space for backyard barbecues, reading, relaxing or even exercising. These outdoor rooms become an extension of the house, seamlessly merging the outdoors inside and vice versa.



This summer, many homeowners will tackle revamping the home to expand this transformation between indoors and outdoors, developing a patio space that will be used all season long.



Think about outdoor and indoor living spaces collectively, and choose a design that integrates them into one seamless space. Incorporate elements from the patio into the house and elements from inside into your backyard patio design.



Start with a patio door that will set the stage for your transformation.



"The privacy of a backyard allows you to be adventurous when choosing a patio door. With many design options available, it's easy to find the style that suits your home's needs," says Joseph Ritzert, patio door expert for Pella Windows and Doors.



Choose a sleek sliding patio door to compliment or create a clean look, or if you're short on floor space. An elegant French or hinged patio door is a good option for homes with ample open floor space. Durable, easy-to-care-for doors like Pella 350 Series premium vinyl sliding patio doors are great for families with children and high traffic.



Also, select a patio door with accents to create the look you want, like stylish grilles, or convenient between-the-glass blinds or shades for added privacy, plus a variety of hardware, exterior and interior finishes. Many Pella patio doors offer a retractable Rolscreen that helps keep insects out while letting in fresh air, and rolls out of sight when not in use.



Windows are very important to keep the seamless transformation between the room and patio. But more glass means more exposure to the elements. Low-E options, like Pella's InsulShield Advanced Low-E triple-pane glass with argon, can help protect your furniture from fading in direct sunlight, while enhancing your home's energy efficiency.



"If energy efficiency is your top priority, look for a patio door that is Energy Star-qualified to help maximize potential energy savings and year-round comfort," Ritzert says.



Continue your transformation with landscaping both inside and out to combine the areas. If your patio connects to the kitchen, potted herb plants indoors blend beautifully with potted flowers on the patio. In settings where a patio connects to a living room, potted small trees inside connect well with planted trees framing your patio.



Complete your indoor/outdoor gathering space by using similar materials between the two spaces. If you have decorative woodwork inside, bring it out on the deck with furniture, wooden boxes for your potted plants, in the railings (if needed) or even the trim on the house. Or if you have a lot of fabric inside, carry that over to your patio with weather-tolerant fabrics on your patio furniture.



With these transformations, your beautiful patio space will quickly become the top destination in your home - the gathering spot for all family members when they come home from work or their daily activities.



Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Replace or repair? That's the home improvement question



Maintenance and improvement are both essential realities of home ownership. From windows and skylights to gas ranges and front doors, everything in your home will eventually need some work. But how do you know when something simply needs repair, or merits being replaced?



Of course, each situation will be as unique as the home in which it occurs - and as individual as the homeowners themselves. A few good rules of thumb, however, do apply in most cases. When you're considering repair or replacement, ask yourself these questions:



* How old is the malfunctioning item?

* How extensive/pervasive is the problem?

* Will the cost of repair approach the cost of replacement?

* Which course - repair or replace - will yield the maximum energy efficiency?

* How does the cost of repair measure up to the value it will provide? How does replacement stack up using the same measure?



To help you get an idea of how these rules apply, here's what some experts have to say about home elements that frequently raise the repair/replace question:



Skylights



Since many modern skylights are energy-efficient, qualify to use the Energy Star mark and are leak-free, if you have an older, plastic model it's probably a good idea to replace it. Not only are these older plastic bubble-type skylights often faded and unsightly, reducing visibility, they are not UV resistant, are not energy efficient, and are much more likely to leak.



"There are millions of those unattractive, cracked and yellowed plastic skylights still out there," says Ross Vandermark, national product manager of VELUX America, which markets the warranted "No-Leak Skylight." "Replacing them with new energy-efficient, double-pane (insulating) glass models is quick and easy. They don't leak, they look better, they reduce UV rays and provide substantial energy savings."



In fact, based on an estimate of 15 cents per kwh/hr, replacing an old plastic skylight with an Energy Star-qualified skylight can save a 2,000-square-foot home about $194 a year on cooling costs, a company study shows. Add skylight blinds - which are available in a variety of styles that can be remote-controlled, including blackout to block light, light filtering to diffuse light, or Venetian to adjust light - and the energy savings can be enhanced even more. And blinds in colors and patterns can add a fresh look to your room decor. What's more, depending on the age and condition of even older glass skylights, it's not a bad idea to consider a modern, more energy efficient model.



Windows



Recent research shows that skylights and vertical windows can work well together to effectively daylight a home while contributing to heating and cooling energy savings.



Like skylights, windows have vastly improved in energy efficiency over the past few decades. Leaky, inefficient windows can be a major source of heat loss in a home, boosting energy bills and decreasing the comfort level indoors. Window manufacturer Pella points to these signs that old windows need to be replaced:



* They're difficult to open or close.

* You can feel air leaking in or out around them.

* Condensation or fogging occurs on or between glass panes.

* You can see chipping, deterioration or water stains on the window or the wall around it.

* Cleaning is a major chore and you avoid it because of the difficulty.

* It's difficult or impossible to find replacement parts for the old windows.



The Efficient Windows Collaborative (www.efficientwindows.org) site also provides extensive information on selecting both windows and skylights, including fact sheets and computer simulations for typical houses using a variety of windows in a number of U.S. cities.



Heating, ventilation and air cooling



Furnaces and air conditioning units are among the most important parts of your home's infrastructure; they're directly responsible for the comfort level and air quality inside your home. They're also among the more costly items to repair or replace.



So how do you know when it's time to replace part of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system? EnergyStar.gov offers these guidelines:



* If your heat pump or air conditioner is older than 10 years.

* Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.

* Your energy bills are spiking.

* Equipment needs frequent repair.

* Some rooms are too hot while others are too cold.

* The HVAC system is very noisy.

* Your home is very dusty.



Replacing older HVAC systems with newer, Energy Star-qualified ones can significantly impact your heating and cooling costs, according to EnergyStar.gov. An Energy Star-qualified heat pump or AC unit can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs, the website says. You can learn more at www.energystar.gov.



Six simple steps to financial success





1. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, use it. For a variety of reasons, it is often going to be your most attractive investment opportunity. Most employers will match a portion of your contributions, making your effective returns higher. If you contribute $1,000 to your plan, for example, and your employer matches that at 50 cents on the dollar, your contribution is actually worth $1,500. A 401(k) also offers tax advantages on contributions and investment gains. Finally, it puts your contributions on autopilot via systematic payroll deductions. That makes it less likely you'll skip contributions, and also lets you take advantage of the powerful benefits of dollar-cost averaging. (Dollar cost averaging does not ensure a profit, nor does it protect against losses in a declining market. Because dollar cost averaging involves continuous investing, investors should consider their long-term ability to continue to make purchases through periods of low price levels.)



Simply put, your regular, fixed-dollar contributions buy more shares when prices are low, and fewer when they're high.



2. Understand your investment horizon. Many people underestimate how long their retirement savings will need to last, which can lead to a host of mistakes. Some invest too conservatively, making it hard for their portfolios to keep pace with inflation. Others draw down their assets too quickly in retirement, boosting the odds that they'll run out of money in old age. The average 65-year-old in good health can expect to live about 20 more years. Your investment strategy should reflect the possibility that you will not only meet, but perhaps exceed, the life expectancy averages.



3. Don't underestimate the corrosive effects of inflation - even at low levels. At a rate of just 2 percent, inflation cuts the buying power of a dollar by a third in about 20 years. At 3 percent, it does the job in 14 years. Make sure your portfolio includes some assets, like stocks, that historically have outperformed inflation over long periods of time.



4. Diversify your investment portfolio, but understand that you will need to do more to mitigate longevity risk. Diversification is the simplest and most effective approach to managing investment risk, but is ineffective at managing many other threats to your financial security. Longevity risk, for example - the risk of outliving your savings - is best managed by pooling your risk with other investors. One way to do that is with an annuity contract issued by an insurance company. Certain annuity contracts work like old-fashioned pension plans, paying a fixed income for life. (Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.) Some include escalation clauses that increase your payout over time to keep pace with inflation. Knowing that you have provided for your basic living expenses with an annuity can provide the reassurance you need to take a long-term perspective on stocks and other growth-oriented investments - the ones your portfolio needs to keep pace with inflation.



5. When investing in stocks, don't confuse where a company is headquartered with where it earns its money. Many people are looking to capitalize on investments in the fast-growing emerging economies of Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Often, though, emerging-market companies are not fueled by growth in their own economies. Many are mining or other natural resources firms whose results are driven by global commodity prices. Rather than investing directly in emerging markets, a better alternative for many people is to invest in U.S. companies that do business globally. Many of these companies have brands that are household names in emerging markets, and some even earn more overseas than they do in the U.S. In fact, a large share of the profits of the companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index is generated outside the U.S. Bottom line, you already enjoy substantial global diversification with U.S. stocks.



6. Don't be afraid to ask for help. The ever-expanding array of alternative investments can seem overwhelmingly complex, and may require frequent and ongoing attention. Rather than trying to do it yourself, consider working with a financial professional. Getting their advice on matters critical to your financial well-being will usually make good fiscal sense.



Editor's Note:

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, 800-847-4836, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.



Deposit and lending services are offered by Thrivent Federal Credit Union, a member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative that is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and doing business in accordance with the Federal Fair Lending Laws. Insurance, securities, investment advisory and trust and investment management accounts and services offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans or its affiliates are not deposits or obligations of Thrivent Federal Credit Union, are not guaranteed by Thrivent Federal Credit Union or any bank, are not insured by the NCUA, FDIC or any other federal government agency, and involve investment risk, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

For additional important disclosure information, please visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

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Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Six tips to liven up your laundry room





Check out these tips from Jenny, The Home Depot, Tide and Maytag for the Brilliant HE Clean campaign on how to create more efficient and enjoyable laundry rooms:



*Dealing with a dark, cave-like laundry room is a chore in and of itself. By taking off the doors on a few of your upper cabinets, you'll open up the space and create a place to store baskets. Assign baskets for every member of the house, which makes sorting a breeze.



*Why not decoupage or paint the insides of your cabinets for a fun pop of color? It's a guaranteed smile each and every time you reach for your detergent. Also don't ignore the door. Adhere some cork panels on the inside of the cabinet doors and create a space to pin all those stain removal tips.



*Don't like the cabinets, floors and countertops in your laundry room? Every surface can be painted or resurfaced. Update your laundry room with paint and a concrete overlay for less than $30 in materials. Say goodbye to the outdated linoleum, brick pavers and old, dark cabinets.



*A rolling laundry butler can be your best friend, doing triple duty with a hanging bar, a rolling basket and a drying rack. It's the perfect choice for smaller laundry rooms that haven't been updated in a few decades.



*Don't neglect your laundry room walls. Hanging interesting art and mirrors will elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and a little homier. Suddenly those 400 loads of laundry most of us will do this year might actually be enjoyable.



*A folding station makes all the difference. Use a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted medium-density fiberboard (MDF) on top of washer/dryer units to create a folding station that also prevent socks from slipping in between the appliances.



Learn more about the campaign and enter to win a $5,000 laundry room redesign from Jenny and a Maytag Washer and Dryer by visiting www.tideandmaytag.com.