I have noticed so many of my neighbors and social media “friends” decorating the most beautiful front doors. From cabbage leaves to multi-colored pumpkins, they have it covered. I really do not know how I want to decorate for fall this year. I don’t love mums even though they are a fall staple. They do not last long at all and they are so sad looking when they start to die. My favorite tip is to spray your pumpkins with a clear high gloss spray. This keeps the squirrels away and keeps them looking nice for the entire season. Here are my inspiration pix for my fall outdoors…
Renovating your home can be exciting, especially at the thought of upgrading your home with fresh new rooms and furnishings. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. It requires a lot of hard work, and just like any construction site, you might be at risk of putting yourself in danger. About 13 million Americans report getting injured while working on home repairs and restoration. Sounds quite daunting, right?
Well, the truth is, you cannot wholly avoid accidents. They are, after all, unexpected occurrences. What you can do, on the other hand, is to minimize your risk of injury. Your home may be looking spotless at first glance, but you don’t know what could be going on inside those walls or pipes. Here’s what you need to prepare for yourself for those dangerous surprises.
- Safety hazards
A hazard is an item or situation that could harm people, and construction sites typically use guidelines to reduce the risk of sustaining injuries. Therefore, constructors are more familiar with these safety measures. That might not be the same for you, especially if you are not a constructor or working with one. If you’re not familiar with these safety rules and regulations, your chances of getting injured are much higher. For example, if you’re working on wiring, you might expose yourself to possible electrocution, or leaving exposed wires and putting other people at risk. What you can do is to hire an experienced constructor for high-risk tasks.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
VOCs are gases that emit chemicals and can be found in many home restoration materials such as paints, upholstery, and carpets. It’s most likely responsible for that weird smell, which lingers in your rooms after you paint or install a new carpet. Many of these gases are known carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer in the long term. They can also trigger headaches or asthma attacks. When working with VOC materials, you must wear a mask to stop you from inhaling its fumes.
- Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and pollutant that causes very deadly diseases through inhalation, and about 90 thousand people die globally each year from asbestos. The mineral in itself is not harmful but is only so when it becomes friable (easy to crumble). The older your home, the more likely your house might have asbestos. Usually, your home seller must inform you of potential asbestos risk. But suppose they don’t and you do discover this element in your home. In that case, you may be able to sue the previous owner based on negligence with the backing of a firm offering quality legal representation. Ensure that you and your household wear masks while renovating your home to protect yourselves from the risk of getting lung cancer or asbestosis.
- Creatures
You might have some unwelcome visitors living in your home, depending on where you live. In more dry and arid areas, you are more likely to find scorpions or snakes sharing your home with you rent-free. You might also find a wasp’s home or a beehive secretly lodged inside your walls. Some of these animals can be potentially dangerous, especially when they attack. You can protect yourself by wearing full clothing and not exposing your face, arms, or legs. Ideally, you should contact professional exterminators to help you get rid of them.
Hopefully, these tips will help prepare for the unexpected when you start renovating your home. Ideally, it would be best for you to hire professional services. However, if you are on a tight budget, try a more DIY approach.
Time to say Bon Voyage to the summer and start looking forward to Fall Activities!!! I don’t think I am really ready yet to turn my back on the warm weather and summer actives. But, I am ready for one last celebration….A Labor Day Lobster Dinner….
It’s not too late to host your own Clam Bake. I love to use wooden mallots for the claws. Mine are collected over the years from Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami but I found a great set for you!! Also it soo great to put lemon squeezers on the table. All of my other decorative items are vintage collected over the years….Etsy is a great place to look...
I have had it on my list to write the post on one of my favorite local stores, The Navy Lobster in Greenwich, Ct for so long. This little gem is right off the Post Rd and it is filled to the brim with treasures. Mary Beth, the owner, curates her charming space with unique finds from all over the globe. From soaps and candles from Positano to southern embroidered cocktail napkins. If you are searching for the perfect hostess or birthday gift, Mary Beth has you covered. After just one visit you will quickly see why it is a go-to in Greenwich and the surrounding areas.
Here is Mary Beth’s version of the back to school bag. Her pouches are fabulous for cosmetics, pencil and pens, and even masks. The block print masks are soo great too and made of the softest, thinnest breathable cotton!!!
I am such a fan of blue and white accessories. I love that monkey candleholder and those vases…….
Here is the place to go for a book bag….one is prettier than the other…
All of the french soaps are sooo amazing….
These “Art Of” book make great gifts and I love that tissue box holder, so cute in a college dorm room!!!!
Navy Lobster has a never ending selection of cute note pads and cards…
The Bill Cunningham book is high on my list and I love these petit appetizer dishes..so chic!!!
Love the throws too…..
The selection of cocktail napkins and guest towels is also huge…
Not to get too political!!!!!
Love these napkins and hand towels!
As we get closer to the fall months the selection at Home Goods becomes OFF THE CHARTS…I ran in yesterday to the Port Chester location to grab some decorative storage bins for my daughter’s bathroom (long story…right before the COVID hit, her tile floor buckled…..GREAT!!!)…So they are finally getting around to replacing it…I thought I would get her some new accessories as well…just to refresh the entire space…However, much to my delight the overall assortment of merchandise was incredible…
My rattan love continues…I was drooling over this bar cart…..how awesome for a cabana or a pool house!!!
This artwork has all the Ashley Longshore Art vibes..I should have bought it for my Daisy’s room. Maybe I will go back…
This clover shaped ottoman was perfection..it would look so great in a living room…
I thought these rattan stools were really unique.
You really cannot see the detail of these bamboo shelves…I almost brought them home with me..
I am obsessed with these baskets..The shape is really wonderful. I bought a few from Ikea last year and I use them for everything..this one was on sale too!!!
I fell in love with this rattan tray….I loved the detail on the side…
These candle holders are soooo pretty..I LOVE the grey color.
I thought these green orbs were really interesting..,.the gold accents are really nice too!!
I usually pass right by the rugs but this blue and white one was soo dynamic looking and it was a really nice large size..
This blush color is so on trend right now…
Recently I started collecting Asian blue and white pieces…I am obsessed with this garden stool and how great does it look with those vases?..instant collection right there!!!!!
This urn was HUGE>>>>>I have never seen one like this in Home Goods before!!
And if blue and white are not your colors…How gorgeous are these????
The kitchen, beyond being the epicenter of delicious dishes and recipies, can also unleash a whole series of problems, especially concerning the sink. Because of this, you need to get into the practice of responding to incidents that may arise before they become a larger problem.
Replacing the kitchen faucet does not have to become a headache, but rather a practical situation when you have the right information. It does not take long, but just a few specific tips for action.
Discover the details of replacing the kitchen faucet
Changing the kitchen tap is something simple. Within all the jobs that make up the kitchen plumbing, this can be one of the most prominent that one can undertake to get out of a jam, instead of letting the situation become much worse and causing you colossal chaos.
By following the steps one by one you can lessen this big potential problem. There are also different recommendations to ensure perfect results while saving money and time. However, sometimes it is really not possible for you to move forward on your own and, it is better to go to an expert. So as for any home repair job, first access the current situation, if it appears to be out of your control, definitely call in a professional service. It will save you money in the long run.
If you do decide to proceed on your own it will take you about an hour to replace this part of your kitchen. So for such a small time commitment, you can get rid of a problem that majorly restricts the kitchen’s daily activities. Overall, this kind of installation is relatively easy.
It is common to have problems with your sink faucet, as it is a tool that is used every day and therefore has flaws. Wear and tear is a big issue that leads to the decay of the faucet.
Take on this simple task of replacing the kitchen faucet
Replacing the kitchen faucet on your own can be carried out with a specific step-by-step procedure that shortens the impediments. And with little plumbing knowledge needed, just having the necessary tools and the ability to follow each piece of information will get the job done quickly and easily.
First, it must be made clear that each tap has a different type of operation or structure, so you must know what kind that you have prior to starting the repairs. We will look at the single-lever tap model This is one of the common ones and the fix is as follows.
You will need a pipe wrench, a spanner, a screwdriver, and the new tap that you want to install.
Make sure to have a bucket nearby to catch any drips, a mop to clean up and to cover any lighting near by that might get wet in the process.
The reduced space of your sink area is what can make this job difficult. So you must be extra careful when working on this and do not forget to turn off your water source before you began, as to prevent any waste of this resource.
The Straight forward process of replacing the kitchen faucet
Replacing the kitchen faucet requires the closing of each stopcock, and then focusing on working on the hoses. Start by unscrewing the hoses. This is done by employing the wrench.
When loosening the hoses, as you turn them, free the tap entirely, and extract it completely. Then continue to install the new faucet. It is necessary to adjust and press each hose so that it establishes a connection. Make sure that it connects completely so that there are no leaks evident.
A good idea is to attach Teflon tape to the hose before connecting it. The connection should be fastened with the fastening screw turned clockwise until well fastened. And lastly place a rubber gasket in the hose to prevent future leaks.
Each home improvement no matter how large or small presents its own difficulties. But if you always follow repair instructions carefully you are able to make any repair successfully and quickly.