Georgia’s 2012 Southern Living Idea House

Southern Living magazine has chosen Senoia, Georgia as the site of its 2012 Idea House. This is the second time the small Georgia town, located 32 miles south of Atlanta, has been the Idea House location. Senoia was the site of the 2010 Southern Living Idea House. The 2012 home is within the town’s historic district.

Southern Living’s newest Idea House is unusual in that it is not a new construction, but a restoration of an 1830s farmhouse. This is the first time the magazine has renovated an historic home as its Idea House. The home is one of the oldest in Senoia, and has seen a number of additions and renovations over the years. Southern Living worked with architects from Historical Concepts, an Atlanta based firm, to rescue the house and redesign it for modern living. The architects were careful to stay true to the home’s original details. The structure was moved forward on the lot, gutted, and completely reconfigured inside. Old windows were replaced with new energy efficient windows. The house was clad in low maintenance exterior siding by James Hardie. A new dining room, keeping room, and a two story garage addition provide additional square footage. A wraparound front porch welcomes visitors and adds inviting outdoor space.

The interior spaces were designed by Tracery Interiors, with studios in Mountain Brook, Alabama and Rosemary Beach, Florida. The new floor plan of the farmhouse is a more open layout and lets in lots of natural light. Original materials were salvaged and reused when possible. The interiors are light, comfortable, and functional for today’s families. Fabrics and other fixtures are durable. Many of the decorating ideas can be used with any style of home. The designers have mixed old and new elements to maintain the home’s historic charm. A thoughtful landscape design adds curb appeal, and backyard living spaces provide private entertainment areas for a modern family to enjoy.

The 2012 Southern Living Idea House is open to tour through December 23, 2012. It is located at 57 Morgan Street in Senoia. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday from 11am-5pm and Sundays from 1-5pm. The house is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are $12 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit charitable partner Camp Southern Ground, a camp for special needs children. Beginning in October, the Idea House will be decorated for Christmas. It will be included on Senoia’s Candlelight Tour of Homes on December 9.

Fast Service for Faster Solution: Fast Unsecured Loans

Suddenly you need cash, you cannot borrow it from your friends as the amount is bit higher, you do not have any property against which you can avail a fast secured loan. Then... is there any other option that you can opt for? Big question... isn't it? Do remember that every problem has a solution, same as to solve your immediate cash crunch, the ultimate solution is fast unsecured loans.

Fast unsecured loans- from the name, it is easily understandable that these loans are obtainable without pledging any property as security. Thus all sorts of borrowers, homeowners or tenants, bad credit scorers or good credit scorers all can apply for these loans easily.

As the name refers, fast unsecured loans are approved quickly. Thus, fast service for faster solution is possible with these loans. Since these loans are provided without any security, thus formalities like, valuation of property, execution lots of paper works are absent. So no doubt, it saves times and gives extra pace to get the loan approved.

However, some common features of fast unsecured loans have mentioned below:

oFast unsecured loans provide fast cash to solve problem faster.

oThese loans can be used for any purposes including debt consolidation, investing is real estate sector, buying new car etc.

oWith this option one can borrow the amount ranged from ₤1,000 to £25,000 along with a repayment period of 3-25 years.

oThe interest rate of these loans is relatively high as these loans are offered without any property. Normally the interest rate varies between 7% and 30%.

oPayment protection plan is the also an added benefit of fast unsecured loans.

In order to get unsecured loan fast, choice of lenders also does matter a lot. There are many lenders who are well-known for their swift service. If one opts for such kind of lenders, then getting fast unsecured loans will be truly possible. But one may not be aware of those lenders. In such cases, lending brokers can assist a borrower to get the fast unsecured loans. Generally, these brokers have adequate knowledge of different lenders in the loan market. So they can guide a borrower from where they can avail unsecured loans within a minimum time according to his own personal circumstance. One may also opt for online option as well.

Fast unsecured loans, a profitable loan program assures borrowers to get the loan fast. With this loan option, borrower can avail fast cash and meet their needs faster. And moreover, for that they do not need to pledge any property as security. So these loans are meant for all- home owners, non homeowners, all can access these loans without any hassle.

Tips And Guide To Facts About Advantages Of Using Soft Furnishings To Decorate Your Home

When decorating your home or room, consider applying simple decor and colors to the main pieces such as the couch, chair, tables and wall paint. By keeping these major factors on the mainstream, you can play around with colors, textures and accessories to your heart's delight. Use your accent colors on soft furnishings such as your curtains, rugs, and throw pillows.

You will save on decorating costs by maintaining a neutral look to your main pieces and interiors. Use smaller and cheaper items like throw pillows, curtains and throw rugs to add personality to your home. You may replace or change these small accent pieces every few months if you want to make your room look different. This will be less expensive than repainting your walls of having your couch reupholstered.

Getting your couch reupholstered or your home repainted will come out to be too expensive just to achieve having a new look. You can spruce up your interior design by replacing throw pillow covers, curtains and other small decor pieces. Retain a neutral tone to larger parts of the room and just change smaller pieces that do not cost as much as repainting walls and upholstery work.

You should spice up a plain beige sofa with colourful throw pillows and a blanket. Use the same color on your window dressing to complement your other accent pieces. This will make your whole room blend magnificently. When using this concept to decorate a room, stick to 2 or 3 colors only. Applying more than 3 shades to your theme may create a disorganized and mismatched look.

It is going to be less difficult to replace small cheap items as compared to repainting entire walls or having your living room set reupholstered. If you want to be more creative, get more pillow covers, area rugs, curtains and throw blankets in various colors, patterns and designs. It is that easy to change the entire look of your living room without spending too much for a total renovation.

This can instantly change the way your room looks and even brighten up your mood. Even your guests will notice a pleasant change each time they visit your house. The room will appear like it had just received a make-over when in fact, you had just replaced the rug, curtain or covers of some pillows. It is a great way to create a dramatic effect the cheap way.

You will have the benefit of a completely renovated look without the expense of one. It is practical and so easy to accomplish that you can change your room's appearance as seasons change. You can use current popular colors or use suitable shades to go with the time of the year, whether it is fall, winter or summer. Textures of fabrics can also be change accordingly.

Applying the use of soft furnishings will achieve what a total redecorating project can. The only difference is you can keep changing the appearance of your home as often as you want. Spending on smaller decor pieces is more reasonable than performing a total renovation. Think about this option the next time you are thinking of giving your home a make-over.

Learn How To Accessorise Your Home With Style

Homes are everyone’s castles, no matter how large or small they may be. They reflect the resident’s personality, their individual tastes and their sense of style. The accessories have normally been chosen because they match the décor of the home, or because they hold a special place in the hearts of the residents. A sense of style is always much personalised and people will generally try to stylize their homes according to their own perception of what is considered stylish. Yet, there are a few guidelines which can be followed while purchasing and placing accessories in a home.

Choose a Theme

If the home has furniture that is reflective of days gone by, then the accessories should also have a touch of an earlier era or have a vintage feel to it - accessorise in line with your main furniture items. Other basic style rules for inspiration cane be; in a room where the furniture has straight and simple lines, choose modern lamps. In a room where the furniture is carved or has a heavier look and feel, choose Turkish and Indian carpets.

If you're able, carry a different theme in each room and make sure that none of the accessories clash with the theme or vary too much from other rooms. With the large variety of accessories available in the market, not only is this easy to do, but you can also find a way to create some continuity through the rooms.

Choose the Correct Colours

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is when they choose colours that are not coordinated and which tend to clash with each other. It is important that one chooses colour schemes carefully, and makes sure that it is not a hotchpotch of colours, but a harmonious medley of shades in the room. Bold furniture upholstery goes well with muted walls, a brightly coloured lamp will immediately liven up a quiet simple room. Use accessories to balance the colour schemes in a room, since colour should be distributed equally all around the room, without focusing on any one area.

Choose What You Like

Sometimes what is in fashion may not reflect personal tastes and choices. Always choose accessories that are personally pleasing, since they have to be a part of your own home. If there is a particular piece of art which is much loved, then it should be placed first and everything else should take the lead from its colours and theme. An heirloom carpet can become the focal point of a room, and all other colours and accessories can be derived from it.

Every Accessory should Serve a Purpose

Often accessories are purchased because they look good in a store, but at home they do not coordinate well with the rest of the items in the room. Each accessory should be there only if it has a specific purpose. It could have a sentimental or nostalgic value, it could be a part of a coordinated theme, or it could even be there to add colour to the room. Do not over accessorise, if an accessory does not fit, then it is better that it is removed from the room.

Correct Placing

A symmetrical arrangement of furniture is generally done for a formal room, and an asymmetrical one is done for informal lounges and bedrooms. Placing the furniture and accessories correctly is very important while attempting to achieve a stylish neatly decked room. Place the largest pieces first, and then coordinate the other accessories around them. Mirrors should either reflect light or beautiful art pieces. Lamps should give light and also adorn table tops and dressers. Paintings or photographs can be grouped together to achieve a focal point in the room without spending too much money.

Trust your Instincts

Trust your own sense of style to prepare a room where you would be happy to spend time in. Follow the guidelines given above, but also follow what your heart says. Every room should be a reflection of your taste and your personal choices, and if these differ from the latest fashions, it really does not matter at all. Fashions are constantly changing, but style and good taste is perennial. Accessories are chosen to last for a longer time period, and you are the one who is going to be living with them the longest. Spend some time making a plan, and then follow it through using your personal preferences and tastes as the benchmark.

5 Great Home Improvement Projects That Will Save You Money Without Sacrificing Quality

Home improvement projects are a given when you own your own property. No matter the size, age or location of your home, at one point or another you're going to run into an issue that needs to be addressed. Some of these repairs and replacements are a necessity to have your home continue to run at it's best, while others are simply design and style desires.

Home improvement projects are a given when you own your own property. No matter the size, age or location of your home, at one point or another you're going to run into an issue that needs to be addressed. Some of these repairs and replacements are a necessity to have your home continue to run at it's best, while others are simply design and style desires.

Saving money is always a good thing, but you also want to think about the old saying, "you get what you pay for". Cutting costs can work for you, if done right. That's why it's always important to figure out all the details of your upcoming home improvement project to decide on exactly what you can do without. Also take into account a few different contractors. Don't go with one company just because their price is lower; balance cost and quality to have the best result.

• Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular home improvement projects across the nation. Many homeowners grow tired of their outdated cooking space, and look for something brand new in their kitchen. While a full kitchen remodeling project is the best way to get the custom kitchen you've always wanted, they come with a pretty hefty price tag. Cabinet refacing is a great way to give your kitchen a beautiful new look without emptying your entire savings account. Since your kitchen cabinets take up a good amount of the visual space in your cooking area, when you change them, you change the whole room. A skilled kitchen cabinet refacing contractor will be able to give your cabinets a great new feel in the color and style that matches exactly what you have in mind. Combined with brand new hardware, you have a fresh new kitchen at a small fraction of the price!

• Paint Your Home's Trim

Getting tired of what you see every time you pull into your driveway. Many homeowners get tired of the same old look of the exterior of their home. While painting the entire outside of your home will most certainly change that, it's not always the best option. You may have vinyl or aluminum siding which can be a pain to paint, and not to mention quite costly, or maybe you can't justify spending the money simply because you want a new look. Well, trim painting is a great solution. You're looking at spending less than $1,000 for just about any home, which most can stomach. When you change the color of your trim you can really give your entire home an amazing new look, by simply introducing a new accent color. Many professional painting contractors will be able to show you computer generated images of your home with just about any color trim you're looking for. This means you can see exactly what you're going to get before a single brush stroke is laid down. You can change your home's exterior quickly and cheaply with a new coat of paint on your trim.

• Create A Good Relationship With a Local Handyman

These days who really has the time to be spending working around the house every weekend? Many homeowners are busy with children's activities, work, chores or simply relaxing, that they don't get to a majority of their minor home repair projects in a timely fashion. A skilled local handyman contractor will be able to complete all of your small repair, replacement and installation projects in a fraction of the time it would take your average do-it-yourselfer. Find a reliable and experienced handyman to work with and establish a great relationship. If a handyman contractor knows they have your business in the future they will be much more likely to give you discounts and better pricing on all of your home improvement needs. They will also be quite familiar with all of your home's inner workings, saving them time on projects that would normally take longer on a new home. This means on top of any repeat business discount you get, you will also save on the labor time charge.

• Use Composite Flooring

Has the time come to replace your home's flooring? Whether it's a small section or your entire home, flooring projects can become expensive if you don't consider all of your options. Sure hardwood and tile floors are very aesthetically pleasing, but at a steep price. The same look can be had with composite flooring. With a feel and design which can mimic just about any material from stone to wood; composite flooring gives you the beauty you're looking for but at a price you can afford. A local flooring company or contractor should be able to provide you with samples of every type of composite flooring material. This means you'll be able to see exactly what goes with every room, giving you the peace of mind you deserve on your flooring project.

• Have Your Gutters Cleaned Regularly

Sure your gutters are just little aluminum troughs attached to the top of your home, but they actually play a very important roll in protecting the rest of your home from the harmful effects of Mother Nature. Your gutter system safely routes water from your roof away from your home's vulnerable interior systems and foundation. When gutters fail you're sure to see roofing damage, wood rot and basement flooding. All of which aren't fun or cheap. The thing is many gutter problems are simply clogs. Leaves and debris collect in the gutters or downspout and prevent water from traveling their desired course. An experienced gutter cleaning contractor will be able to quickly un-clog any bad spots in your gutter system. This gets your gutters working like new and saves you the cost and headaches of major repair and replacement projects. Gutter systems also last much longer when they are cleaned on a regular basis.

These are just a few of the many ways to save on your home improvement projects without sacrificing on the quality of the job. When you take into account all of your options you will certainly find a solution which fits your budget and schedule. Just remember to compare a few quotes from local, reliable and trustworthy contractors before committing to a certain expert. You can use an online contractor referral site to find pre-screened contractors in your area, who provide absolutely free estimates on all of their services. Get started on your next project and use these cost saving tips to find a result you can afford.

This article was written by Aaron Klimchuk, the content manager for online home improvement resource BizziBid. This website provides it's visitors with information and tips on just about any residential or commercial home improvement project. They also match users with the most qualified home improvement contractors in their area.

Black Homeowners Guide to Avoiding the Latest Rip-offs and Scams

African American continue to experience the largest percentage of victims when it comes to scams, fraud and rip-offs. The scams cover everything from home repair, home mortgage, home improvement, auto repair and a host of other consumer issues. As the economy continues to tighten many predict this trend will grow as more companies and individuals grow more desperate to maintain company profits.

Most service and customer minded companies and individuals (including me) won't mind you checking them out. But the companies, contractors and agents who have spotty records, no license or have a shady pass will get nervous having someone check their background.

A recent government study also found African Americans not only the most victimized but also the least likely to research or check out a companies record before hiring them. Many companies and individuals take advantage of this little known fact and target African Americans. These shady companies and individuals tempt their victims with low prices, easy credit , or exaggerated promises to get their business. To avoid background checks they stress acting now or risk losing the low price, easy credit or other bonus or free offer promise.

One of the main reasons most people don't take the time to check out a company or individuals background come down to two reasons, based on research. Those two reasons is knowledge and convenience. Most people have only a vague idea of who to contact. Those knowing who to contact found it time consuming to write or call the right consumer protection agency.

With today's computer technology, the days of waiting on hold for your entire lunch break or worse is over. Many companies who make it their business to protect consumers continue to work feverishly to make it easy for consumers to check out companies, individuals and to lodge complaints.

Here's two organizations to contact to quickly check a business before you give them your money. Simply Google the organization to get their web address.

1. The Better Business Bureau

The BBB works as an arbitrator between consumer and companies

The BBB doesn't hold legal authority over companies (I'll discuss those later) it keeps complaint records on companies and charities, and issues fraud alerts.

The BBB also handles complaints on internet companies as well.

2. Your State Department of Consumer Affairs

State Department of Consumer Affairs covers consumer related businesses in your state. They offer the most popular scams currently in your state as well as scam protection tips. They offer quick and convenient online complaint forms and more.

One of the keys to protecting yourself and your wallet from scam artist or non-caring company is to get in the habit of quickly checking out companies or individuals you do business with. Remember the quality companies or individuals don't mind this. At the very least Google the company or person. You'll find the more you do it the easier it will be, like breathing.

In fact, you'll feel uncomfortable not checking out new companies you do business with. That's a good thing, because you're risk of victimization drops drastically.

5 Ways To Upgrade Your Home Garage

1) Automatic Garage Door Closer

If you have an automatic garage door opener, then why not an automatic garage door closer to go with it? I've had mine for several years now, and it continues to work flawlessly. The peace of mind alone is worth every single penny I spent. It's no secret that a garage door left open overnight, or while you're away during the day, is an open invitation to thieves of all sorts. With an automatic closer, you'll rest assured knowing your garage is secure. They're very easy to install with an existing opener, and typically, they can be programmed to close anywhere from two minutes to an hour after the door was opened. Additionally, they have a separate override button in case you want your garage door open for an extended period of time. Adding an automatic closer is one of the best things you can do for your garage.

2) Parking Guide

It's not uncommon to find an assortment of parking scratches and bruises in residential garages. One of the most popular remedies is the old tennis ball on a string hanging from the ceiling trick. This is a time tested remedy that works, but there are also modern solutions as well. Enter laser and proximity parking guides. Laser guides typically attach to the ceiling on or near the garage door opener. When the door is opened, the laser is activated and lights up a beam. All you have to do is line up the beam to a particular spot on your dashboard when your vehicle is already parked. Then, each time you pull in, let the preset beam show you where to stop. You can get just a single laser or a dual-laser depending on the needs of your garage. Proximity sensors, unlike lasers, mount on the wall you approach when you park in your garage. With these, you simply preset the distance between your bumper and the sensor. Then, as you approach, the sensor will tell you when to stop. Some models even act like a stoplight, with a yellow caution lamp, followed by a red stop lamp.

3) Floor Covering

Garage floor coverings are not only practical, but they really make a difference in the overall appearance of your garage. When talking about coverings, there are many different types including garage floor paint, epoxy, tiles, and mats. Paint is certainly the least expensive method, but also the highest maintenance method. Paint will protect and make your garage look much better, but you will have to add a new coat probably once a year. Epoxy is similar to paint, but it's thicker, and much more durable. It'll give your garage floor that showroom look you find in many dealerships. Epoxy will cost you more than paint, and you'll also have to do more preparation work, but the result will be worth the extra cost and effort. You can also opt for professional installation as most retailers offer the service. Garage floor tiles and mats are also options to consider. Tiles are typically 16 by 16 inches, and you can get them in a variety of colors. They interlock with each other to hold everything together, and they'll make your floor look absolutely incredible. Mats come in many different shapes and sizes to fit your needs. They're basically designed to contain automotive fluids, and all the muck your vehicle drags in with it.

4) Pegboard

Pegboard is nothing new to home garages. However, there are plenty of modern innovative shelves, hooks, bins, and containers that fit into pegboard. You can find these items at any home improvement center. You can use them for lawn and garden tools, household hardware, winter clothing, hand tools, etc. Pegboard is the most versatile type of organizer you can use. Basic pegboard is a little flimsy, but you can make it stronger by adding more supports when you mount it. You can also paint it to fit the theme of your garage. There are also other types of pegboard such as plastic and metal, which are available in different colors. Of course, they're a little more expensive, but they're also stronger, so you can use them to hold heavier items. No matter which type of pegboard you use, it'll help you control clutter which is one of the most common problems in residential garages.

5) Light Switch

Another way to modernize your garage is to upgrade the light switch with one that's illuminated when the lights are off. This eliminates fumbling around looking for the switch while leaning over, and holding the entry door open for enough light to find the switch. Even better, it's inexpensive and easy to do yourself. With basic knowledge of electricity, all you have to do is turn off the breaker that feeds the switch and wire up the new switch the same way. There are no additional wires to worry about. The end result is a mild orange glow that's easy to find in the dark. Another option is to add motion sensors to your garage lights so they come on as soon as you open the door. You can even get motion bases that screw into standard sockets. Once installed, all you have to do is screw in the light bulb as usual. This is a clever way to have motion activated lighting without having to do any wiring.