(ARA) – You’ve stopped buying bottled water, opting instead for a reusable bottle you carry everywhere you go. When you go shopping, your list leans toward the organic and recycled. But when you get home, going “green” seems a lot more daunting.

You hear stories about your ultra-conscientious neighbors trading their old energy-devouring water heaters and HVAC units for the new energy-efficient models, putting up solar panels and installing the dual flush toilets. Suddenly your effort to cycle out incandescent light bulbs starts to feel trivial.

And you start to wonder, if you are more confined by budget than your earth-friendly neighbors and pals, is going green worth it?

The trick is figuring out what works for you and your lifestyle, according to Mark Lewison, academic director of the Interior Design Department at The Art Institute of California – Hollywood. “Find an improvement that makes sense for your bottom line and then look for green options in that area of improvement.”

Reducing energy costs and decreasing wear on the planet over the long term is as easy as turning the lights down low. “That’s where you get the most bang for your buck,” says Joan Jackson, associate professor of interior design at The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago. “Dimmers are cheap and extend the life of the bulb five to 10 times.”

Interior design associate professor Eve Fineman adds that a simple and inexpensive switch in the type of bulb you use makes an impact. “An LED light has a really long lamp life and draws much less energy.”

Jackson also suggests insulating your windows as a simple way to keep down costs and keep your home comfortable in both the cold and heat. And what’s the easiest way to conserve energy? According to Jackson it’s as simple as unplugging items when you’re not using them. “Most people don’t realize that your appliances are using energy when they’re plugged in, even when they’re off,” she says.

Going green is not just about saving energy and the outside environment. Your indoor air quality counts too. Fineman says the paint most of us used in the past was actually filled with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are bad for you to breathe in. That new paint smell was actually toxic. Luckily, most paint sold today has low or no VOCs.

If you do decide on more costly upgrades like energy-efficient appliances or sustainable and rapidly renewable materials like bamboo flooring, you can still see long-term savings, says Fineman. “Now there are ways to assess and compare your cost up-front versus how much the cost savings over a 10-year period will be,” she says. “Most of the time consumers see that it’s definitely worth the investment, because they’ll save a lot over the long term.”

“Any green or sustainable improvements that can be made to a home should increase a home’s value as a whole in addition to helping the owners save money,” Lewison adds.

All three experts agree, whether you’re trying to help your bottom line or the environment, the way to go is green.

To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Whether you’re selling your home and want the best price, or you just want to be the envy of the neighborhood, creating “curb appeal” can be very rewarding. And you’re confident you know what constitutes great curb appeal – siding, windows, doors and a lawn that are all in good shape. But is that all you have to think about when it comes to curb appeal?

Not so, says Gordon Blickle of Gardner-Gibson, a manufacturer of driveway, brick and patio sealers. “Driveways and sidewalks are the entryways to the home,” he notes. “If they’re in great shape, you’ve got a strong first impression. If not — you’ve said a lot about the quality of the home.”

Unfortunately, driveways are often overlooked, spoiling an otherwise manicured landscape. Unless the drive is severely cracked, crumbling or poses a safety hazard, there’s no need to spend thousands on removing and replacing it. There are easier ways to makeover a tired driveway and boost the curb appeal of a home.

Beautify your blacktop
Don’t let problems go unaddressed until it’s too late. Old pavement left untreated will crack and crumble, becoming an expensive replacement. But a new coat of driveway sealer can restore it to like-new beauty. Refresh old, worn blacktop driveways and fill small cracks with fast-drying Black Jack Ultra-Maxx 1000, a flexible, long-lasting filler and sealer with a 10-year guarantee.

Showcase your home at night
Low-voltage or solar landscape lighting can create a softly lit path to border the driveway. In addition to creating a pretty landscaping effect, the lighting can improve visibility and decrease the chances someone will accidentally drive onto the lawn.

Make walkways more welcome
Stains on sidewalks and entries from dirt, mold, tree sap, and other outdoor invaders create an unattractive first impression. Clean the walk with an outdoor cleaner like Driveway Kleen, a garden-safe spray solution that attaches to a garden hose. To protect stains from coming back, coat the sidewalk and adjacent pavers or edgers with Krystal Brilliance, a waterbased clear acrylic sealer.

Add greenery to your scenery
Instead of having to keep the edge of the lawn trimmed against the driveway, create a “buffer” strip with a decorative rock garden or plant flowers along the path to create an inviting drive up to the home. If the driveway is shared with a neighbor, plant shrubs and flowers between them to create a small privacy wall.

Border on amazing
Edge the driveway with pavers in colors complementary to the home and pavement. Use pavers in different shapes and sizes to create an interesting focal point and frame the driveway.

“Consider your front yard the ‘arms’ that welcome visitors into a home,” says Blickle. “Without a warm welcome, guests and potential buyers may just keep walking.”

For more information and ideas on how to protect driveways from the elements, visit www.gardner-gibson.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Are you ready to host all of those summer barbecues and impromptu get-togethers that summer brings? And the bigger question – is your house ready? The season’s beautiful weather ushers in a slew of home repairs that are needed to get ready for hosting guests. Whether it’s a broken bird bath, a loose stone on a walkway, or a broken patio chair, there are some things you need to take care of before you welcome your friends and family.

The best way to prepare for these upcoming household fixes is to assemble a first-aid kit for your house. Keeping some quick repair tools together makes you that much more efficient. Below is a list of items that are invaluable for household repairs:

1. Gorilla Glue – This product is 100 percent waterproof and perfect for fixing anything from a broken chair leg to a broken flower pot. You could even use a strong glue like this to fix a loose stone on a walkway. If you’ve never used a polyurethane glue before, be careful, because they expand as they cure – you will only need a very small amount for an indestructible bond. Visit www.gorillatough.com for more information.

2. Gorilla Tape – Made by the same company that makes Gorilla Glue, Gorilla Tape is the toughest duct tape that you will ever meet. It has a strong fabric backing and three times the adhesive of other duct tapes and will even stick to impossible surfaces like brick and stucco. Visit www.gorillatough.com for more information.

3. Simple tools – Why is it that you can never find a hammer, screwdriver, utility knife, tape measure and pencil when you need one? Keep duplicates of these tools in your first-aid kit, and you won’t have to run around your house or shop looking for them.

4. Sandpaper and a two-part, epoxy-based wood filler – For outdoor wood repair needs, this is really the way to go. All exterior door and window trim work should be checked every spring because gaps and cracks not only reduce your home’s efficiency, but can also provide an entry location for unwanted insects and rodents. Most of these repairs can easily be taken care of this time of year before the summer rains damage the integrity of the wood.

5. Cordless drill and variety of high quality screws – With the diverse weather changes in the winter, screws will loosen over the winter. Tighten up exposed screws on things like your deck, wood railings, etc. before they become a safety hazard.

6. Touch-up paint and foam applicators – Avoid having to search the garage for a can of paint by putting a small amount of paint in a disposable airtight container and add it to your kit. As you make your outdoor repairs, you will have the paint on hand for a quick fix. Foam applicators, which you can get very inexpensively from any craft and hobby store, are great for quick touch-ups, and are easy and disposable.

With your first-aid kit assembled, you are ready to tackle all of your outdoor fixes.

(ARA) – Americans have a love affair with that classic campfire treat, S’mores. The good news – S’mores are no longer reserved just for campfire cooking. Did you know you can enjoy the chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker goodness every day, inside and out?

S’mores have been helping families create memories since the delicious campfire recipe was first published in the Girl Scouts handbook in 1927. According to recent research, 79 percent of consumers polled believe S’mores are as much fun to make as they are to eat.

To help families make everyday S’mores moments this summer, Hershey’s and Kraft Foods offer the following S’mores “snacktivity” ideas.

* S’mores time, any time – S’mores are the perfect summer campfire companion, and they offer a great “snacktivity” for after school, a ball game or family dinner. Incorporating S’mores into your regular summer activities allows you to create a memorable Monday or tasty Tuesday that the family will all enjoy.

* Turn your backyard into a fun get-together – Get the family, friends or neighbors together for an impromptu backyard party at the fire pit. Tell them all they need to bring is their appetite – you’ll be serving S’mores.

* Grilling up sweet treats – Sweeten your next backyard barbecue by adding S’mores to the menu. As an alternative to toasting a marshmallow on a skewer, simply preheat the grill to medium-hot. Build the S’mores to your liking and wrap in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped S’mores on the grill and cook one to two minutes on each side or until the marshmallow is gooey and the chocolate is slightly melted between the graham crackers. In other words, build it, wrap it and grill it. Grilled S’mores are also always a win at tailgate parties.

* Tasty play for a rainy day – When bad weather strikes, keep the fun going by making S’mores in the microwave. Top each of four graham squares with one chocolate piece and one marshmallow. Place on microwaveable plate. Microwave on high 15 to 20 seconds or until marshmallows puff and chocolate begins to melt. Carefully remove plate from the microwave and then cover each S’mores with a remaining graham cracker square. Microwaved S’mores are also perfect for family game nights, sleepovers and afterschool treats.

You can visit www.smoressmiles.com to create more S’mores and more smiles and for a chance to win one of more than 1,000 family fun prizes including fire pits, indoor S’mores kits, backyard game sets and much more. No purchase necessary, game ends Sept. 7. See the website for official rules.

Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom or adding a bedroom, one of the most important decorating steps is choosing windows to match the architectural style of your home.

For example, you wouldn’t use a zebra print shower curtain to complement a nautically themed bathroom. Likewise, a contemporary casement window may not harmonize with the decor in your vintage-themed kitchen. The wrong window option can detract from your home’s style.

“Window styles can dramatically change the way you interact and feel in a room,” says Elaine Sagers, Pella Corporation’s vice president for marketing and customer support. “For instance, installing a wall of fixed windows that showcases a beautiful garden or scenic landscape can instill feelings of tranquility and peace. The right window style can enhance the mood in a room and the overall appearance of your home.”

Pella Windows and Doors make it easy to determine what window style suits your remodeling or replacement project. The company’s website offers step-by-step instructions on how to choose a window based on your style, energy performance needs and budget.

Style matters
First, consider the style of your home. For 2010, traditional is the most popular kitchen and bath design style, followed closely by contemporary, according to a National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) survey.

Windows don’t have to be boring. “Think outside the box and choose something that shows off your style and personality,” Sagers says. “Pay attention to functionality as well. Plus, when you choose qualifying energy-efficient replacement windows and doors, you can earn a 2010 energy tax credit and help save on your utilities in the long-term.”

Window types
Casement windows – Often called crank-out windows, these open and close outward with the turn of a handle. The single sash creates a clear view to the outdoors, popular in contemporary homes and hard-to-reach places, like over a bathtub or kitchen sink.

Awning windows – Hinged at the top, these windows open out like an awning, ideal for rainy climates to enjoy fresh air during a gentle rain. They’re often used above or below other windows and doors, in bedrooms and in hard-to-reach places.

Double-hung windows – These windows offer flexibility to raise or lower each sash for ventilation, traditional style.

Single-hung windows – A traditional style opened by raising the bottom sash, use in easy-to-reach places like bedrooms.

Sliding windows – A contemporary-style sliding sash moves horizontally to help reduce reaching when opening or closing this window.

Bay and bow windows – When wall space is limited or additional accent is desired, a traditional-style bay or bow window features more windows to capture a beautiful view outside.

Fixed windows – Since they do not open, energy-efficient fixed windows let in light and provide a focal point.

Special shape windows – Achieve architectural interest with styles ranging from circles and half-circles to trapezoids, pentagons and more.

Color adds punch
Next, determine your room’s color palette. Match your window trim to the woodwork for a contemporary, finished look, or experiment with a complementing woodwork or finish color for a fun, less formal style.

Many windows offer hardware options. Color-matched hardware for sash locks or cranks provides a seamless look, while metal finishes, like oil rubbed bronze or satin nickel, make a bold, artistic statement. NKBA named brushed nickel, polished chrome, satin nickel, bronze and stainless steel as the most popular finishes for 2010.

Finish with a window fashion
Window fashions are functional – blocking bright sunlight and providing privacy – and they also provide pizzazz. Pella’s Designer Series windows offer custom-made built-in window fashions (blinds, fabric shades, decorative panels and grilles) that are tucked between panes of glass so they’re protected from dust, damage and little hands.

The textured, colored interlayers of between-the-glass decorative panels create a one-of-a-kind design accent that allows light to shine through the window but obscures the view – great for creating privacy.

No matter what your style or needs, choosing the right window for your remodeling or replacement project will be a decision that you’re happy to live with for years. To learn more about Pella’s window styles or to contact a sales representative, visit www.pella.com or call (888) 847-3552. Follow Pella on Twitter.com@Pella_News.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Weather extremes are brutal on exterior landscaping. Rain, snow, wind and temperature variances all take a toll, especially on residential fencing.

Rain hastens rust and wood-rot, and ground freezing and thawing or high winds can affect gate alignment. Gate misalignment – as well as rusty metal hinges and latches – can lead to gates that no longer close securely. These conditions can be dangerous or even deadly if ignored. Weakened or damaged fencing can open up your property to unwanted intruders.

Now’s the time to inspect fencing, gates and gate hardware around your property to ensure all are in good working condition.

Selecting the right gate hardware can easily solve most of these problems. Innovative gate hinges and latches by D&D Technologies are made of super strong engineering polymers that will not rust, are adjustable, self-lubricating and include high-grade stainless steel mounting hardware. They require little or no maintenance over the years and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Updating your gates so that they are self-closing and self-latching, improving their security and overall look, can be done in just a few minutes with these unique products. D&D latches feature built-in key locks, which eliminate the hassles and extra cost of a separate padlock or pull-string. The company’s hinges have a built-in self-closing spring that is tension adjustable for different gate weights with a twist of a screwdriver and eliminates those dangerous and unsightly external springs. These products are simple to install, and include easy vertical and horizontal adjustments, which help keep gates properly aligned for secure closing years after the products are installed.

Fences protect children and pets from danger – whether they’re designed to keep toddlers out of swimming pools or to keep children and pets in the yard, away from busy traffic. Properly working gates can also reduce homeowners’ liability.

Even if your fence has been erected primarily to define your property line, it’s ineffective if access gates don’t close or latch properly after opening. When was the last time you checked each gate around your property?

“In our research, we found that when homeowners consider their fencing needs, rusty metal gate hardware that no longer functions properly was their No. 1 concern,” says D&D Technologies’ Senior Vice President Jim Paterson. “Most homeowners are not aware that rust-free and adjustable gate hardware is available.”

If you have a pool or spa, or want to prevent children from opening any gate, D&D’s MagnaLatch is specifically designed for these situations. It meets pool barrier codes and is endorsed by many safety experts.

“Now is a great time to ensure that your fences and gates are functioning properly and are protected from rust, a destructive force that can render gate hardware useless,” says Paterson. “Common gravity latches are inexpensive and function fine when new. However, as soon as rust sets in, these latches no longer close without manual assistance.”

He notes that D&D’s rust-free gate hardware has been sold primarily through the professional fencing industry, but is now available direct to consumers under the Stanley or National Hardware brand through Lowe’s and other hardware retailers.

“For the fencing itself, rust can present greater challenges,” Paterson says. “Steel fences and gates, if not protected with an effective sealant such as powder coating, must be periodically repainted with rust-resistant paint to prevent weather-related damage. Be sure to remove existing rust before painting, and use a rust-preventive primer. For wood fences, use paint specifically designed for fencing.

“Aluminum, vinyl or wood fencing can protect against rust on the fence itself,” Paterson continues, “but the hardware must still be rust-free and adjustable to ensure the gate will be in working order. A quick inspection – and if needed – the minutes spent installing new gate hardware, can help protect your family and property, increasing security and decreasing liability.” For more information, visit www.ddtechglobal.com, e-mail info@ddtechusa.com or call (800) 716-0888, ext. 292.

(ARA) – Do images of flowering trellises laden with yellow, pink, green and purple blooms dance through your dreams? You may be ready for some warm spring-like temperatures, but the weather outside is still a little frightful. Ignore the weather and bring spring inside with some indoor gardening.

Not only does bringing spring inside help brighten your home, but houseplants can also improve the quality of the air you’re breathing. A NASA study found that houseplants remove up to 87 percent of toxic indoor air inside a sealed chamber within 24 hours.

By planting now, while winter is still in the air, you will have vegetables, herbs and flowers primed for transplanting when warmer weather finally arrives. And since they’re inside, you can watch the plants as they shoot their little green stems out of the fresh dirt, monitoring them as they grow.

* Use loose potting soil to promote root growth. Outside, worms and insects tunnel through the dirt, naturally breaking it up to help plants spread their roots. To mimic their effect indoors, use potting soil mixed with peat moss, vermiculite and perlite to create a light texture that won’t compact after a couple of waterings.

* Make sure the natural light is adequate. Some plants like direct sunlight and must be located near a south-facing window, while others prefer a few hours of indirect light. But to really keep your herbs and flowers looking strong all season long, consider using artificial light like the Grow Light Pro White from Wards.com, which can also help you get your spring garden started early with seedlings. The Grow Light has four lights that can be turned on as a unit or individually, and it has an adjustable bottom shelf so you can alter the light level as your plants grow.

When plants don’t get the light they need, they start to appear thin and frail. As your plants begin to grow, make sure to rotate the pots so the stems grow straight, rather than bending unnaturally toward the source of light.

* Keep the humidity level above 50 percent with a humidifier. Not only will your plants appreciate the extra moisture, but so will you. When the humidity drops below 50 percent, most plants suffer from water loss through their leaves, and it’s difficult to regain that water balance, even with frequent watering.

* Really bring spring inside your home with beautiful pots and decorating accents. Visit Wards.com to find beautiful and creative birdhouses that not only are functional, but stylish enough to hang inside. Consider hanging a wire birdhouse in the shape of an acorn in the kitchen window, or using a set of two birdhouses as a unique decoration for your entryway.

* Mix art and fun together with some ivy. Ivy topiaries are very easy to grow, and there are many creative planters and forms you can use to support the ivy as it winds its way toward the sun. Are you a music fan? A guitar and music stand with little pots incorporated into the design can help brighten up your living room. Or maybe you prefer a vintage look created by placing a Madeline Dress Form over your vines, allowing them to grow and construct the skirt. Both styles are available at Wards.com.

(ARA) – A disorganized home wastes time, and time is money. It can be frustrating if you’re constantly misplacing items, throwing out spoiled food that went missing in the kitchen and paying surcharges for unpaid bills that got lost in the shuffle. But it’s easy to put a little happiness back into your life if you just get organized. Here are some tips for getting your home – and your life – back in order.

Get organized
Tackle one room at a time to get a sense of accomplishment right away. The kitchen is a logical place to start since it’s typically the landing place for all things that get dropped while passing through, from cell phones to car keys to school notes. Get rid of visible countertop clutter. Throw out what you don’t need and corral small items in great-looking woven baskets or pottery bowls.

Next, de-clutter behind the scenes in the drawers and cupboards. A few well-chosen cabinet accessories can help you here. A wood cutlery divider added to a crowded utensil drawer will keep your flatware in place, and give you a fighting chance at locating the pie server or pizza cutter. One option is Diamond Cabinet’s easy-access, Wood Tiered Cutlery Divider, which has a top tier that slides back so you can organize more items. And, if you can’t open a lower cabinet without a pile of pots and pans clattering to the floor, find your headache prevention in the Utility Storage Cabinet With Pot & Pan Pull-Out, featuring both a pot and pan rack and pantry pull-out within one cabinet.

Save money
Designate a “home office central” so you can keep track of money matters and never miss a bill again. Carve out desk space in the kitchen or family room to sort mail and pay bills as they arrive, or to keep it all in one place until payday arrives. Everyday items can pull double duty to help you organize. Turn an attractive rectangular serving dish into an “inbox” for bills, and let a colorful coffee mug serve as a pen and pencil holder. While you’re at it, why not use a wine rack to organize bills? A wine cabinet with an open, X-shaped interior can provide fashionable storage for your reds, whites and zinfandels, but it will also work perfectly fine for sorting and organizing bank statements, tax information and charitable contribution receipts. It can serve to sort a variety of other items, from mittens to small toys – just let your imagination be your guide.

Be happy
As long as you’re making a few changes around the house, kick up your mood with color. Be on the lookout as you organize drawers, cabinets and closets for items that can be used as accessories to brighten up your home – dig out that collection of baseball caps in team colors and display it on pegs in the mudroom; turn a red metal toy truck into a conversation piece for the mantel; re-cover old pillows in fun new colors and throw them on the couch. Cheer up cabinets with fashionable finishes in inspiring colors that make you feel good, such as buttery Honeysuckle, warm Cider, spicy Sangria or the soothing blue-grey tones of Tidal Mist, all from Diamond Cabinets. Visualize the possibilities at www.diamondcabinets.com. With these simple changes, you’ll not only get organized, but you’ll save money and feel happier about it, too.