Things to keep
Growing tips: ‘Autumn Brilliance’ serviceberry is “tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils but prefers moist, well-drained loams. Root suckers are common, and if not removed will result in a shrubby growth habit for the plant,” Haiman says. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun Mature size: 15 to 25 feet tall and wide
Dust buster. Dust and dust often. It seems strange to think that dust sitting on a flat surface can damage a piece of wood, but the dust can mix with humidity in the air and latch onto the surface. This can ruin the finish on the furniture. Cleaning tip: Dust and dirt can scratch wood once they’re inside a dry cloth. Instead, use a damp cloth that will pick up the dust and hold it inside the fibers so it doesn’t scratch. The rag should be damp, not soaking wet.
Abruzzo Kitchen & Bath Email Save 3 First, clean the surface of the stainless appliance with the distilled white vinegar and water cleaner. Next, spray lightly with coconut oil cooking spray. Yes, the same cooking spray that helps to create a nonstick surface for your pans will give your stainless appliances a beautifully clean and shiny surface. With a clean dish towel or paper towel, rub it into the full surface of the appliance in a circular motion. Buff the appliance with a clean dish towel or paper towel and you will have a clean finish for a week or two. Anytime you catch a fingerprint, take a clean cloth and buff it right off in a circular motion. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of coconut — the smell dissipates quickly.
Use the same alcohol cleaning solution for granite and quartz countertops. Like marble, granite and quartz are susceptible to damage from vinegar, so make sure to label your cleaners. I use a simple label maker to label my bottles with the cleaning recipe for each, which makes refilling quick and easy.
For a stronger cleaning option, fill a 24- to 32-ounce spray bottle with water, leaving some room at the top. Add 4 to 5 ounces of rubbing alcohol, six drops of Castile soap and several drops of your favorite essential oil. Tea tree, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender and lemon essential oils are all excellent cleaning oils with antibacterial properties.
For crystal-clear windows and mirrors, you’ll need only two ingredients: distilled white vinegar and water. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of vinegar and water at a 1:1 ratio and use a microfiber cloth to clean. Keep a separate cloth handy to wipe dry for a streak-free finish. Keep this solution on hand. It’s a terrific multipurpose cleaner.
Try not to rush decisions. Rushing to have everything finished quickly can often lead to hasty purchases you may regret. You could end up spending too much money on an item you later dislike but feel you can’t ditch because of how much it cost. Sometimes it isn’t possible to find the perfect mirror for your hall or the right lamp for your living room, but it is far better to wait until you stumble upon it than to simply buy something to fill the gap.
Match your electrical locations to your furniture layout. If possible, work out where your furniture will go before you plan the placement of your radiator, electrical outlets and lighting. Think carefully about how you are going to use everything. For example, consider where you may need to put lamps and then position outlets nearby. Or plan where your sofa is going to go to avoid the problem of furniture being pushed up against radiators.
Coordinate your finishes. When you are selecting small elements like switch plates, door handles and faucets, it is wise to keep them in the same finish. For example, if you decide to buy chrome switch plates, don’t go for brass door handles. The same goes for wood — try not to mix shades. For instance, if you have an oak floor, it may be a good idea to choose furniture made of oak or a wood with similar tones. Also try to coordinate the floor tiles and countertops in your kitchen; again, they don’t have to match exactly, but the hues should complement one another.
Don’t get hung up on aesthetics. We want our homes to look great, but it is more important to ensure that everything functions. Focus on the less glamorous, practical elements first when you are planning your renovation. Consider those everyday necessities, such as coat and shoe storage, laundry areas, and linen closets for stashing towels and sheets. They sound mundane, but without proper planning for these spaces, your beautifully designed home may soon look quite chaotic.
Measure before you buy. Always check the dimensions of your room before you commit to buying something. It is disappointing when you find that your new furniture is too large or small. Designers will draw each piece of furniture on a layout of the room to make sure everything fits together before ordering. Plan your furniture layout using the 3-foot rule, allowing at least 3 feet of space between pieces, for an easy flow.
January Clear clutter from your home this month, starting with the living room. Use a timer to stay focused, and clear clutter in short bursts. Set a resolution to let go of two things for every new item you bring into your home. Consolidate appointments, birthdays and to-dos on one master calendar (either paper or electronic), and toss the scraps. Find out the location and hours of a local organization that accepts household donations, an e-waste drop-off site and a hazardous materials (e.g., leftover paint and motor oil) collection point, and store the information in your phone. Check Earth911.com to find recycling facilities in your area.
February Give your bedroom a thorough cleaning and decluttering to create the ultimate sleep cave. Look at your schedule and let go of commitments that are not necessary and are no longer bringing you joy. Carve out several islands of unplugged time each day to be in nature, chat with a friend or simply sit down and savor a cup of hot tea.
Look at the base board. I think I like the way it is made.
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