Home Decor Exchange Blog

Kitchen Cabinet Pictures

We have added some new kitchen cabinet pictures to help inspire you for your next home improvement project!  Enjoy!

To view all of our home decorating pictures, visit our site at:  www.HomeDecorExchange.com

Make Your Lawn An Outdoor Oasis

(ARA) - Economic uncertainty has many families skipping expensive vacations and opting for so-called “staycations” in their own backyards. They’re cooking, camping and enjoying outdoor activities right at home, making their lawns the perfect spot for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Because people are spending more time around their homes, there is a renewed emphasis on the health, maintenance and vitality of grass, trees, flowers, shrubs and other plants and natural areas in the yard. Rising sales at garden centers for items like shrubbery, decorative accessories, fertilizers and pesticides show that consumers are creating inviting, usable lawn and landscape environments.

The benefits of healthy lawns and landscapes are numerous. Trees, shrubbery and plants can create a private and tranquil personal retreat. Well-maintained green spaces have been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension related to stress, and reduce feelings of fear, anger and aggression. Lush lawns act as a soft cushion for play areas, remove dust, dirt and allergens from the air, and can significantly decrease carbon dioxide levels. Lawns also act as a filter to help improve water quality by reducing erosion and absorbing runoff so it doesn’t find its way into the gutter and eventually into public drinking water and other sources.

"When healthy and functioning at their best, lawns and natural areas provide a limitless array of benefits for individuals, communities and the environment," says Allen James, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) -- a national organization representing the manufacturers, formulators and distributors of pesticide and fertilizer products. "To reach their full potential and keep them free from harmful pests, many lawns and landscapes require the judicious and responsible use of fertilizer and pesticide products. Especially as people are spending more time in their yards, using these products as directed to grow healthy plants and protect against potential pest threats is increasingly important."

While this is the time of year when people can enjoy their lawns and other outdoor settings with pets, family and friends, it is also important to remember that encounters with certain common pests are more frequent during warmer weather. Tick activity and the prevalence of Lyme disease, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is especially high during summer months. According to information from the CDC Web site, approximately 75 percent of all reported cases are acquired from ticks picked up during activities in back yards and around home. Lyme disease is an increasingly common problem, now documented in 49 states as well as parts of Canada, Europe and Asia, and the number of positive cases here in the United States is on the rise. In the 15 year span from 1992 to 2007, CDC reports of Lyme disease across the nation have steadily increased from approximately 10,000 cases per year to more than 27,000 cases nationally.

Though Lyme disease and similar pest-related health risks are a problem, paying attention and taking a few simple, preventative steps can help homeowners and their families reduce the risk of these pest dangers that affect millions of Americans each year.

"Human health conditions like Lyme disease, West Nile virus and others are spread and transmitted through the bites of ticks, mosquitoes and other pests we encounter in our backyards almost every day," James says. "Taking the time to eliminate high grass, standing water and other potential pest habitats is a very simple, very effective measure for reducing the prevalence of these unwelcome and unhealthy annoyances.

"Also, insecticide sprays can be applied to turf, plantings and natural areas," he adds. "As for personal protection, applying insect repellents and inspecting ourselves and our children regularly and thoroughly after having been outside are some simple precautions that go a long way toward preventing many of these common, but serious health risks."

By taking the proper precautions and a few easy steps to maintain a healthy, vibrant and pest-free yard, it is easy to create an enjoyable, usable backyard oasis for outdoor fun all year long.

Inspiration Pictures for Children's Rooms

Looking to find a theme or idea for your child's room?  Visit www.DutchBoy.com for some great ideas and inspiration.  I found a beautiful girl's room that I may use for my daughter.  Enjoy!

The Top 3 Miami Beach Home Designs

Miami Beach is situated perfectly on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, on the edges of Miami-Dade County. It has miles of sandy white beaches, elegant restaurants, hip night life, and posh real estate.

The main attraction to Miami Beach is mainly the oceanfront, but that's not its only jewel. The city has colorful art districts, and entertainment facilities, which makes owning property here so coveted.

Miami Beach also has a wonderful climate, including hot summers, and dry winters. The city does encounter cold fronts, but only during the winter months. The average monthly temperature is right around 65°F. The city also gets most of its rain in the summer months, which gives it a very tropical feel.

The only thorn in the side of this beautiful area is hurricane season. These hurricanes normally only occur during the wet season. Consequently many of the homes in the area are designed to withstand hurricane force winds, normally with strong metal roofing, installed by qualified Miami roofing contractors. However, the homes still maintaining their warm Mediterranean design, which goes perfectly with the Miami tropical weather.

Miami Beach Homes - The Top 3 Designs

- The Modern Style: The modern style Miami home is functional, elegant, yet simplistic. Many of these homes have open free flowing floor plans, with verandas on at least one side. The exterior of these homes have roof plates that overhang, and sleek flat surfaces all the way around. The interior typically yields cool colors, slab like flooring, and symmetrical staircases.

- The Bungalow Style: Through the 1930s this style of home really caught on. Bungalows are very popular on the beach fronts of Miami. These homes are very quaint, with gabled roofing, front porches, and large windows. These homes are normally situated a few feet above grade, on walls or piers to save them from any rising tides.

- The Garden Style: The unique twist this style brings, are the walkways, and entryway, are all on the outside of the house. This design opens much of the house up to the warm tropical weather. These homes truly look as though they were plucked right from the shores of the Mediterranean. They convey warm Spanish and Italian themes, yet fit perfectly into the Miami landscape. The exterior of these homes are normally made of stucco walls, capped parapet walls, and Miami roofer installed Cuban tile roofing.

Create a Home Fit For Humans and Four Legged Friends

(ARA) - Americans love their pets and there are certainly lots of them to love. Sixty three percent of U.S. households own a pet and the most popular animals -- dogs and cats -- make up 82 percent of all pets, according to the American Pet Products Association.

With all those furry friends, it’s no surprise that pet-friendly design is one of the fastest growing interior decorating trends. From high-end home items to the basics, decorating is literally going to the dogs ... and cats. Beyond pet-proofing a home for safety, pet-friendly decorating has an increasing number of animal lovers choosing and incorporating pet-friendly fabrics and building materials into their homes’ decor.

A number of cost-effective ways to maintain a fabulous-looking home are also practical and comfortable for both you and your pet. Here are five tricks of the trade:

Common sense color.
It’s one of the simplest interior design tricks -- matching your furniture fabric to your pet’s fur color to help conceal dog and cat hair. For example, if you have a multi-colored pet, opt for a small pattern that closely matches your pet’s coloring. If you have a white poodle or feline, skip the all-black sofa and choose a lighter fabric color. If your heart is still set on black, accessorize with black pillows or a throw blanket. The same holds true if you own a pet with darker fur -- the darker your fabric choices, the easier it will be to hide pet fur.

Skip the slipcover.
Thanks to recent advances made in the manufacturing of furniture fabric, there’s no need to hide your couch under an unsightly slipcover in order to protect it from the wear-and-tear of your pet. Look into purchasing furniture made with Crypton, a synthetic textile that’s easy to clean and highly resistant to stains, water and even bacteria. A less expensive option is ultrasuede microfiber. If either of these choices is still out of your price range, make sure your furniture is protected with Scotchgard. However, if you go this route, know that there are still some fabrics to avoid, such as denim, flannel, corduroy and velvet. Each of them has a tendency to hold pet fur.

Pet-friendly paint.
Keeping your walls clean and free of dirt marks can be a feat if you have a pet. Choosing a high-quality, durable paint really does make a difference. Dutch Boy’s Refresh paint, a new paint formulated with exclusive Arm & Hammer odor-eliminating technology, is ideal for pet owners. It provides a beautiful finish that’s also extremely durable, so cleanup of dirt and marks is easy. Plus, it actually removes odors, including pet smells, from the air. You’ll not only have great-looking walls, but a fresh-smelling home, too.

Fitting floors.
Flooring options for pet owners can be tricky because carpet holds stains and odors, and hardwood scratches easily. If you’re looking at replacing your carpeting, there are choices specifically designed for pet owners. One of them, Pet Agree Carpet, claims that it withstands any damage made by a pet. It’s made from a material that traps liquids, such as pet urine, and stops them from soaking through to the carpet padding and floor below.

If you prefer hardwood floors, but don’t want to deal with scratches that can be made by your four-legged friends, think laminate. Today’s laminate flooring, like the new North American collection from Tarkett Residential, is far more durable, and scratch- and indentation-resistant than softer real wood flooring. These surfaces also install faster, are about half the price and still offer a vast choice in unique wood finishes.

Less is more.
Another smart design tip: keep knickknacks and accent pieces to a minimum. Today’s trend in creating clean, streamlined spaces is not only aesthetically appealing, but is ideal for pet owners. A well-thought-out design means you’ll enjoy the benefits of a clutter-free environment while keeping unnecessary, decorative items out of reach of pets’ sweeping tails and curious jaws.

Ensuring you, Fido and Fluffy live harmoniously doesn’t mean you need to spend a bundle, or sacrifice your sense of style. By doing your research, formulating a decorating plan and choosing your materials carefully, you can easily create a home that’s fit for man and beast.

For more information about Refresh paint, visit www.dutchboy.com/refresh, or call (800) 828-5669.