Indoor & Outdoor Style

Date archive for August, 2008

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  It’s Time to Clean House With an Air Purifier

  Climate Control, Family Rooms

  According to the American Lung Association’s 2005 State of the Air report, more than 152 million Americans, or 52 percent of the population, breathe dirty air.

  Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency ranks poor indoor air quality as a top five environmental risk to public well-being? Less than 20 percent of Americans believe that indoor air can be as polluted as outdoor air. Yet a home’s indoor air quality can be five times worse.

• Tips for a Cleaner, Healthier Home

  Climate Control, Family Rooms, Indoor Decor

  “Homeowners often complain about poor indoor air quality leading to headaches, dry eyes and fatigue, as well as asthma and allergy attacks,” said home improvement expert Lou Manfredini.













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  Build Your Own Mid-Century Birdhouse

  Backyards, D.I.Y., Outdoor Decor, Outdoor Decor

  Here’s an interesting and easy little do-it-yourself birdhouse project to help our fine-feathered friends dwell in style in their own handsome, mid-century home.

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  A Tween-age Bedroom

  Bedrooms, Childrens Rooms, D.I.Y., Interior Design

  Watch this HGTV video to learn how to strike a perfect balance of fun and function to please mother and daughter in this teenager’s bedroom.

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  Morning Bars Add Luxury to the Bedroom

  Bedrooms, Interior Design

  Imagine waking up to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee, just feet away from your bed, or grabbing an ice-cold beverage and a late-night snack without ever leaving the comfort of your bedroom.

  Forget the walk-in closet and the master bath; the morning bar is one of the hottest new home amenities. The typical morning bar includes a sink and faucet, small refrigerator, drawer dishwasher and small counter to hold appliances such as a coffee maker, espresso machine or even a microwave oven.

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  Could Your Home Withstand a Fire?

  Safety & Home Security

  In December 2004, a fire destroyed three townhouses and damaged a fourth in Lorton, Va., just south of the nation’s capital. Investigators later determined that faulty wiring had sparked the blaze.

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  Treating Your Windows Can Save You Money This Winter

  Climate Control, Home Improvement, Windows

  When it comes to saving energy, it pays to conserve. American consumers pay about $25 billion annually to heat and cool air that eventually leaks to the outdoors. The collective cost for this wasted energy is enormous, an amount equivalent to the value of the oil produced by the Alaska Pipeline.

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  Build a Redwood Fence In Five Easy Steps

  Backyards, D.I.Y., Fences, Home Improvement, Landscaping, Outdoor Decor

  Fences are built for many reasons. Fences keep children or animals in the yard and define property lines. Fences also provide security and privacy, and complement other backyard amenities, like pools, spas and decks.