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Personalized DIY Decor Ideas for Your Home
Your home should reflect your personal style, and it should showcase that you are proud of who you are. One of the best ways to display the true you is with monogrammed DIY decor. This type of decor is a wonderful way to show that you are proud of yourself and the people who live with you, and creating DIY monogrammed decor adds an extra element of personalization to the process.
These personalized DIY decor ideas can be incorporated into any room in your home:
Button Monogram Wall Art
If you are searching for a personalized DIY project that is fun, colorful and cute, then the button monogram wall art project is the best option for you. This project can be completed using a piece of sturdy cardstock, glue and a pile of extra buttons in the color that you prefer. Trace the letter that you want to use on the paper and fill in the space with layers of buttons. This wall art would work well in a child’s room or a playroom.
Wooden Letter Sculpture
If you are interested in creating classic and timeless monogrammed art, then a wooden letter sculpture is a great option. Using an extra piece of wood, use your favorite power tools to carve out the letter or letters that you want to display. Some people prefer the first letter of their last name, while others use the first letter of each person’s name in the household. Once you are done carving, you can sand and stain the wood before displaying the new piece on your mantle.
DIY Marquee Letter
For a brighter, more vibrant take on personalized home decor, consider creating your own DIY marquee letter. This project requires you to have a large piece of metal on hand that can be cut into the letter of your preference. Then, you will need to drill holes at even intervals in the letter so that you can install light bulbs onto it. When the project is complete, your letter will glow with pride on your wall.
Personalized Glass Block Decor
You can transform old glass blocks into personalized night lights in a matter of hours. Simply take an empty glass block, drill a hole in it and fill it with a string of multicolored lights. Then, you can cut a design out of vinyl that will be adhered to the outside of the glass block. Many people opt to use a name, nickname, sports team or monogram for this fun project.
Photo Letter Wall Art
Letter wall art is particularly popular but if you are looking for a more unique approach to this design style, you may want to consider the photo letter wall art project. This project allows you to display your personal snapshots on a monogram letter. The materials that you will need are a large cardboard or wooden letter, decoupage glue and small copies of your favorite photographs. Some people choose black and white photographs for this project, but color photographs also would work well. Decoupage the photos onto the letter and when it dries, hang it on the wall to tell the story of your family.
Monogrammed DIY decor is a tasteful way to add a subtle hint of personalization to your home decor. From your entryway to your dining room and into your bedroom, monogrammed decor can allow you to make your own mark on your home in a way that is both elegant and modern.
3 WFH Hacks to Give Your Productivity a Boost
If you’re new to working from home, it can be an enormous adjustment. Schedules, routines and environments are completely different even if you’re in the most familiar place of all. However, even for those with lots of WFH experience it’s easy to feel burned out. If you’re looking to start working from home the best way possible or if you feel like your WFH life needs a tuneup, here are some tips to help.
Get Dressed
For many, the freedom to work in your pajamas is a huge perk of working from home. For those whose workplace demands a specific dress code, this can be especially liberating. However, if you have been rolling out of bed and right to work, you might notice it’s harder to get started or to stay focused. Staying in your sleep clothes or even in a fresh pair of sweatpants can signal your brain that it’s time for relaxation instead of time for work. One of the best things you can do to mitigate this is to get dressed normally before starting your work day. Obviously you don’t have to adhere to every detail, but the act of getting dressed will make you feel more awake and ready to start the day.
For some, it’s as simple as putting on shoes. Others might need a full outfit in order to experience the mental boost. Regardless, try getting dressed for your workday, even if your “office” is right next to your bed.
Schedule Breaks
Working from home can make it more difficult to focus, but it can also have the opposite effect. Without the structure of scheduled break times, you might find you’re working nonstop for hours at a time without as much as having a bathroom break. It’s important to take a few minutes away from work in order to avoid burnout and other issues like muscle soreness and hunger pangs. It can also be very beneficial to take a break entirely away from your workspace. While opening a new tab to browse social media might seem like a break, your body is still in work mode.
Try setting alarms to remind yourself to take a break for a few minutes once every hour. Even something as small as walking around the house or having a drink of water away from your desk can help your productivity and keep you going for the rest of the day.
Shower at Lunch
Another advantage of working from home is that all of your personal amenities are within reach. Unfortunately, this also means it’s easy to get right to work without adhering to our normal hygiene routines. While keeping your same bathing schedule is helpful in maintaining the rhythm of your day, if you choose to hit the snooze a few extra times instead you might find yourself feeling sluggish by midday. If that’s the case, try doing your morning routine—later. Taking a shower or bath in the middle of your day can perk you up for the rest of your work. Just don’t forget to eat!
The most important thing to remember when working, whether at home or in-person, is that you need to take care of your body and your brain. This will mean something different for everybody, but making simple changes can help you work better and healthier no matter where you are.
The Pros and Cons of Terracotta Pots
For plant containers, it doesn’t get more classic than a terracotta pot. This orange-brown clay has been a favorite among plant lovers for ages because of its durability, accessibility and aesthetic. However, because of their widespread popularity and availability some may consider a terracotta pot to be a boring or “basic” choice. While tastes differ from one plant owner to the next, there are actually some benefits to using terracotta pots completely aside from their looks. We’ll go over the benefits and drawbacks.
Terracotta Pot Pros
Indoor & Outdoor Use – Terra cotta is a common choice for outdoor container gardening and keeping indoor plants. This is because of the material’s excellent durability and the wide variety of shapes and sizes of containers available.
Highly Porous – Terracotta pots allow both moisture and air to pass through the walls. This helps wick away excess water from the soil that could cause fungus or root rot. It also makes them an ideal container for succulents, cacti and other plants that prefer drier soil.
Affordable – One of the key reasons for the popularity of terracotta pots is how inexpensive they are. Even in very large sizes you will typically spend far less on a terracotta container than you would on one made of ceramic or other materials. They are also frequently available at second-hand stores for an even lower price point and just as useful as when brand new.
Easy to Customize – Terracotta pots are easy to customize in a variety of ways. You can paint them to change the color and finish and their naturally matte surface makes them easy to write on with a permanent marker for quick labeling. If you are not a fan of the color or if you need to match other decor, it’s easy to paint and repaint terracotta pots to make them unique.
Terracotta Pot Cons
Changes Watering Schedule – The highly porous nature of terra cotta as a material is both a blessing and a curse. Depending on the type of plant inside the pot, the extremely efficient moisture-absorption may not be a benefit. For plants that need regular watering, a terracotta pot will require you to adjust your watering schedule. If you change a plant from one pot into another, you’ll have to change your watering habits accordingly—either water more often for terra cotta or less often for less porous materials.
However, as long as you know your plant’s specific needs and check soil moisture regularly, this shouldn’t cause too much of a problem. As mentioned above, terracotta pots are convenient for succulents and cacti that have greater risk of root rot or other damage caused from over-watering.
Not Cold-Resistant – Another thing to keep in mind about terracotta pots is your climate. If you’re using terra cotta containers outdoors, be very careful in cold weather. Some plants can survive frost and below-freezing temperatures, but the same can’t be said for their pots. Terra cotta can crack in the cold, making them less viable an option in climate zones with harsh winters. To mitigate this, you can always bring your plants indoors for the winter or even just the coldest nights. This will help the plants stay alive and keep the pots in good working condition.
How to Choose a Universal Remote for Home Theaters
Having a home theater filled with tons of equipment, including a TV or projector, sound system, media player, streaming device and other gadgets means you probably have several remote controls to manage. Keeping track of these remotes and making sure you’re using the right one for each device can end up being an enormous challenge. Switching to a universal remote for your home theater can instantly make your setup a lot less complicated and much easier to manage. Keep the following in mind for choosing a universal remote for your home theater.
Number of Devices
When you’re trying to decide which universal remote to buy, consider how many devices you need to control. Some universal remotes can control over a dozen devices, while others have a more limited function. If you only need to control a few devices, you can go with a universal remote that controls a lower number of devices overall. However, choose one that controls a higher number if you plan on adding devices in the coming years. If you need to manage multiple devices in your home theater, make sure you choose a universal remote that can control at least 10 or more devices.
Budget
Your budget can also determine which universal remote you should get. Some of these remotes can cost a few hundred dollars, but they also have advanced features, such as a built-in touchscreen or the ability to control 15 devices. You can find universal remotes that cost much lower if you don’t want to spend a lot. Just make sure you check the features to make sure a lower-priced universal remote can handle your home theater needs.
Ease of Setup
When you get a universal remote, you can put away all the individual remote controls you have lying around. Keep in mind that some universal remotes are easier to set up than others. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time figuring out how to set up your remote, you can look for one that’s more user-friendly. If you don’t mind a more complex setup, you can go with a universal remote that offers more features or advanced technology.
App Pairing
Some universal remotes allow you to use an app on your smartphone or tablet to control your devices. All you have to do is download the app to your phone or tablet, and you’ll be able to use it instead of the actual remote. This might be a good option if you have your phone or tablet with you in your home theater. If you don’t want to use an app, you can look for standalone universal remotes. These remotes do not use tablets or phones through apps.
Other Considerations
Some universal remote controls are designed for smart homes. If your home theater includes a lot of smart features, such as smart lighting and window blinds or shades, keep this in mind when choosing a universal remote. You can look for one that makes it easy to control these smart features, as well as your home theater devices.
Another Property Sold – 3 Cross Street 302C, Suffern, NY 10901
Welcome to the Meridian! This beautiful 2 bed, 2 bath condo in the heart of historic Suffern is not to be missed. This unit includes hardwood floors throughout, amazing kitchen with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and cherry and maple cabinetry. The crown molding throughout this home adds sophistication and charm. And don’t forget the central a/c, WIC, private balcony and laundry inside the unit. This safe and secure building also includes so many amenities- Fitness center, outdoor pool with hot tub, two elevators, indoor heated garage, and rec room. Stroll down to the locally owned shops and restaurants on Lafayette ave and enjoy a delicious meal or world class coffee. This location has everything you need- hardware store, wine store, restaurants, pharmacy, banks, places of worship and much, much more. Just a quick 3 minute drive to larger shops and grocery stores and hospital, hotels, college. Close to highways + public transportation makes this an easy commute to NYC.
Best Practices for Waterproofing Your Home
Photo by Martinelle via Pixabay
One of the things that people may not think about when buying a house is waterproofing the crawlspace or basement. However, this is one of the biggest home maintenance items to address. You may not think of it because waterproofing is usually done when the house is built. However, it is important to note that the materials used to waterproof a house do wear out after several years, and they could be costly to update.
Checking for Waterproofing
If a basement or crawlspace is not properly waterproofed, the home will likely have a lot of humidity, which then leads to mold and mildew. Check basements and crawlspaces for dampness. If you are buying a house, look at it more than one time — the first time, when it’s nice out so that you can take your time. The second viewing, if possible, check the house after a hard rain so you can see where water puddles and if water seeps into the basement or crawlspace.
Ways to Waterproof Your House
You will need to hire a professional to waterproof your home. Depending on the basement, you might have to waterproof it from the inside. Or, you could put a moisture barrier under the floor joists. If a lot of water seeps into the basement or crawlspace, you might have to add drainage. A common way to get rid of excess water is to install a French drain along the basement walls to divert the water away from the walls.
If the house is at the bottom of a slope, you could divert the water before it reaches the house, either partially down the slope, or if the house is far enough away, at the bottom of the slope.
Dealing with Excess Moisture
Inside, you can combat excess moisture by introducing a dehumidifier. Placing one in the basement and one upstairs is helpful especially in more extreme cases. Depending on the size of the unit and the amount of humidity you’re trying to remove, you may have to empty the dehumidifier more than once each day. For a more long term solution, adding a moisture barrier under the floor helps keep the excess moisture out your living area.
Keep in mind that once you start to see mold and mildew, it’s probably already inside the walls of the house. Breathing it in is not good for your health — it could cause asthma and other breathing problems.
If you suspect a house has excess moisture problems, you may opt not to purchase that property. However, if you really love the house, be sure to have it professionally inspected to gain a full understanding of the existing issues. Request estimates for curing the moisture problem as well as mold remediation. When you make an offer on the house, you can choose to pay the asking price or work with your real estate agent to negotiate for mold remediation, cleanup and waterproofing.
State Rte. 55, Liberty, NY 12754 is now new to the market!
LAND For Sale $165,000
18.54 Acres | 807,602Sq Ft
A RARE OPPORTUNITY Fantastic 18.54 acres with 858 feet of frontage just outside of the village of Liberty and just a minute from the Route 17 exit. This prior farm with a rolling landscape offers spectacular views and multiple potential uses. Close to all amenities and attractions (Resorts World Casino Resort 18 min) (Bethel Woods 25 min) (Multiple nearby lakes), (Skiing nearby) and much more. HOMEOWNERS – Create your dream home, relax and enjoy the views HUNTERS – a paradise for deer hunters as the property is littered with crabapple trees, BUILDERS – possible cul-de-sac opportunity to construct multiple homes, INVESTORS – Catskill Resorts are starting to make their way back
Benefits of Using Virtual Interior Design
Interior design changes allow you to give your entire home or certain parts of your home a makeover. However, knowing which kinds of changes to make or which styles to use can seem overwhelming. You might also have a hard time picturing how distinct design elements would look in your home. Virtual interior design tools can make it much easier for you to figure out what changes you want to make to your home. Consider the following advantages to using virtual interior design for your home.
Save Time and Trouble
When you’re browsing through furniture options and other items, it’s not always easy to tell how they’ll actually look in your home. You might order a sofa or love seat that doesn’t match the rest of your decor or just doesn’t look right in your home, for example. With virtual interior design tools, you can see how certain items look in your house before purchasing them. This can help you avoid having to take the time to return items that don’t fit your interior design style.
Try Different Styles
If you don’t have style preferences, you might not know what you should go with. Using virtual design tools allows you play around with a variety of different interior design styles. This can help you discover which style or styles you prefer. If you’re having trouble choosing between a couple of different styles you like, virtual interior design tools can let you experiment with them to determine which one suits your home better. Once you know which style you prefer, you can get started on choosing paint colors, furniture and other items to make your interior design changes.
Work with What You Have
Some virtual interior design tools let you see how unique design elements might look in your home alongside your current furniture or other items. You might be able to upload photos and add design elements to them to see how they would look together. This can make it a lot easier to accurately visualize the interior design changes you’re thinking about doing. Without these virtual tools, you might have to take a chance on bringing new items into your home or painting rooms certain colors without knowing exactly how these design elements will end up looking.
Design Your Home Conveniently
Meeting with interior designers for consultations can take up valuable time. When you use virtual interior design tools, you can figure out the changes you want to make to your home at your own convenience. These tools allow you to work on interior design when it’s convenient for you and from the comfort of your own home. This means you won’t feel pressured to decide on interior design elements due to time constraints or have to arrange consultations that fit your schedule.
Save Money
Using virtual interior design tools could help you save on the cost of redesigning or redecorating your home. Professional designers might charge by the hour, which can add up if you’re unsure about the changes you want or if you’re changing your entire home. Virtual interior design tools let you experiment with different changes on your own, so you can redecorate without these added costs.
3 Reasons a New Construction Home Could Best Suit Your Life
A few short decades ago, the home was merely a space where people resided. They would gather at the end of a long day of work or school, have an evening meal and go to bed. Most daily activities took place away from the home, so therefore, houses did not need to have luxurious amenities or innovative features.
Today, however, the home is the epicenter of our lives. If you are trying to decide between purchasing an existing residential home or building a new construction property, then you may want to think about your personal needs and lifestyle. New residential construction offers you many more opportunities to personalize your living space.
These are just a few reasons why a new construction home will best suit your lifestyle:
You Can Include Features That Align With Your Passions and Interests
It can be exhausting to look for an existing home that has everything you need and want for your personal lifestyle. When you decide to build a new home, you can work with the builder to select the features that you need and opt out of the ones that would be superfluous. For example, if you are interested in having a smart, cohesive home, then your builder can provide you with information about the smart technology features that can be incorporated into the home as it is built.
You Can Create a Functional Space for Your Family
Every family is unique, and each family requires a different kind of space in order to work, play and live together. By investing in a new construction home, you can create the exact type of space that your family needs in order to thrive. For instance, you could add a home office that would allow you to work remotely in peace and privacy. Or, you may consider adding a bonus room upstairs so that your kids can practice their instruments without disturbing the rest of the household. The opportunities are endless with new construction, and you can design the home to fit your family rather than trying to force your family to fit into an existing property.
You Can Ensure That Your Home is a Place That You Want to Be
Far too often, people look for every excuse in the book in order to escape their homes. But your home shouldn’t be a place that you want to leave. It should be a haven from the rest of the world, and it should be your most favorite spot. When you build a new construction house, you can create a home that will be inviting, useful and cohesive. Ultimately, you will begin to enjoy every moment that you spend within the walls of your home.
In order to make the most out of your new construction home, you will want to search for a builder who understands the need for flexibility. A qualified, experienced and understanding builder will ensure that you get the home that you have been dreaming about.
Is a Prefabricated Home Right For You?
Prefabricated homes can be an excellent option for homeowners wanting new construction without the traditional timeline. There are many advantages to going prefab including sustainability, lower costs and simple construction logistics, but there are some downsides to consider as well. If the idea of a prefab home seems too good to be true, make sure you factor the following points into your decision.
Land Cost
It might seem obvious, but you must have a place to build your new home. If you don’t already have an empty lot to use, you will need to find and purchase one, which can sometimes be just as difficult as buying an existing home. Even if you get lucky and the process is virtually painless this adds a line item to your budget. Prefab homes are significantly less expensive than existing homes and traditional new construction homes, but those costs typically factor in the land as well.
Not only do you have to own the land, you must ensure make sure it’s safe and suitable to build on. You may have to hire professionals to survey and prepare the land for a foundation. You also need to confirm you have the proper permission to build a prefab home on your lot. Some zoning codes prohibit construction of any kind and others may have specific restrictions against modular housing. Obtaining and paying for the correct permits can add to your overall cost before you even break ground.
Utilities
While some prefab home builders assist with utilities, prepare for the likelihood that you will have to hook them up yourself. In setting up the foundation you will need to factor in sewage and electrical connections and in-ground cable depending on your area. If you aren’t able to connect to the main sewer line, look into the logistics and cost of setting up a septic tank. All the above means additional cost of labor, materials and your own time to figure out. Unless you can find a prefab builder who can take care of these details for you, this can be a major disadvantage.
Lack of Customization
The key advantage to prefabricated homes is that the pieces are built to a precise standard. You have customization options for certain materials and finishing touches like flooring and countertops, but you will ultimately find yourself limited by the design and construction of the prefab pieces. Any size or structural choices are typically in the builder’s hands because they build the same design multiple times. Depending on the builder’s catalog of options, you might have a plethora of cosmetic options. However, things like extra bedrooms or removal of interior walls are probably not going to be on their list.
If your dream layout is a top priority, consult a traditional home builder instead. Even builders who stick to the same style or type of house have the resources and flexibility to act upon your special requests—as long as you pay for them, too. While prefab homes can be inexpensive to build and good for your energy bills, the cost of buying and setting up the land and utilities might outweigh those perks. If you are considering a prefab home, make sure you consider these points and budget accordingly to make the best choice.
