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Which Seinfeld Character Are You?

November 12, 2014 By

One of the most popular TV sitcoms of all time may soon be coming to the most popular on demand streaming service in the world!  We can’t wait to be “Masters of our domain,” when we binge watch old Seinfeld episodes on Netflix.

Ever wonder what Seinfeld character you would be? Take the quiz below, and keep track of the numbered answer you choose. (The numbers will determine your score!)

Which style home would you prefer to live in?


1.        A clean and tidy bachelor pad in the city.
2.        The same house that I grew up in.
3.        A beautiful one-bedroom apartment.
4.        A chaotic state of disarray.

 

Do you like to entertain guests?

1.        Yes, all the time.
2.        No, because I live with my parents.
3.        Yes, but only people I am dating.
4.        No, no one would want to come over.

 

We’re would you park your car?
1.        Only in a garage.
2.        On the street, but I wait for the perfect spot.
3.        Car? What car?
4.        I’d rather you just drive.

 

What kind of neighbors do you have?
1.        Nosey. They are always getting into my personal space.
2.        I’ve never cared to meet them.
3.        I’ve developed a bad reputation with them.
4.        Fun to be around. The life of the party.

 

Where is the perfect weekend getaway?
1.        A bed and breakfast in the suburbs.
2.        Del Boca Vista, Florida.
3.        The Hamptons, of course.
4.        New York Yankees Fantasy Camp.

 

What afternoon snack would you prefer?
1.        A big bowl of cereal.
2.        Pastrami on rye.
3.        A big salad.
4.        A Mackinaw peach.

 

How would you describe your job?
1.        It’s fun, but I’m usually working nights.
2.        I basically sleep under my desk at work.
3.        I have an office job, with a crazy boss.
4.        Job? I get by just fine.

 

Answer Key

 

If you score between:

7-12: You’re Jerry!

“Not that there’s anything wrong with that!”

 

13-18: You’re George!

“I invented ‘It’s not you, it’s me’! No one tells me it’s them. If it’s anyone, it’s me!”


19-24: You’re Elaine!

“Yada, yada, yada.”

 

25+: You’re Kramer!

“These pretzels are making me thirsty!”

 

Recommended Reading:

-If Houses Had #Hashtags

-7 Reasons That You’re Secretly Jealous of YOur DollHouse Family

-90′s Nostalgia: Doppelgängers to our Favorite ’90s Television Homes

 

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6 Natural Home Decor Ideas

November 11, 2014 By

Contribution by Andrea Davis, HomeAdvisor

Can’t get enough of the outdoors? If you want more of it in your home without maintaining a jungle, then consider alternatives. Here are some top ideas for homeowners wanting that extra touch:

1. Add natural elements: One of the easiest ways to incorporate the outdoors indoors is literally to add it to your home decor. It might be pebbles, wood, straw, leaves and other pieces in smaller amounts throughout your home. You could also add photographs, paintings and framed pieces of wood or leaves to the walls of your home.

2. Assemble flowers and plants in pots: If you are willing to do the maintenance and manage the upkeep, you can add potted plants to your home. This adds elements of color and natural fragrance to your home. You might avoid real plants if you have severe allergies and do plastic versions to be safe. You should also be aware of any plant varieties that are poisonous to your pets.

3. Install natural flooring: If you have tile, laminate or vinyl floors, you can have a flooring installer replace them with hardwood, cork, bamboo or other natural flooring materials. They feel warmer underneath your feet, and they are organic and biodegradable compared to what might have been in your home before.

4. Make the most of your windows: Your windows are for more than a beautiful view. You can let in natural light by opening them or replacing heavy curtains with light, see-through drapes. You can also let in fresh air and the scents of the outdoors. If you’re worried about pests or debris, install new screens.

5. Use outdoorsy colors: Another option is painting parts of your home with naturally-inspired colors. Some color options include green, blue, yellow and brown. There are also neutral tones like white, tan and beige to evoke cleanliness. Whether you paint an entire room or just a wall, you can complement the room with elements like plants to make it seem more outdoorsy.

6. Consider stenciling: You can also stencil outdoor-related images onto your walls. Maybe it’s trees, leaves, the sun, moon, stars or an entire landscape. You can do random stenciling or theme it by room. The end result will be a design that attracts visitors and complements the outdoor landscape.

Your interior can get closer to the outdoors depending on how much money or time you want to spend bringing the elements indoors. The end result will be a natural, seamless transition from the beautiful landscape outside to the same relaxing feel inside.

 

Photos courtesy of DesignMine

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Dodge the 7 Most Common DIY Mistakes

November 11, 2014 By

Armed with a library of how-to books, you’re confident that you can tackle your home’s repairs and remodeling yourself – and pocket the money you’d have spent on professional labor. Hold up. David Dorman of CENTURY 21 Professional Group in Orlando, Florida, says many DIYers make critical mistakes that can decrease their homes’ salability.

Avoid these seven common mistakes:

1. Overestimating your skills: “Some people are handy, and some think they’re handy,” Dorman says. Be honest about your abilities. “Buyers can tell when things aren’t in the proper position, when light sockets aren’t vertical, and laminate flooring is bowed,” he says. “It comes down to quality of work.” If you can’t do it right, you’ll have to pay to have it fixed.

2. Underestimating the value of your time: You may, in theory, be capable of laying new bathroom tile. But between your job demands and the kids’ soccer games, can you really finish the project in a few weeks, or will it stretch over months? Your time may be worth the cost of a pro.

3. Equating dollars spent with value: Good design is critical, especially in kitchen and bath remodels. A $60K kitchen designed by a pro to mesh well with a house will bring a better return than a $60K kitchen that bungles traffic flow and clashes with the style of adjoining areas. “When you’re going down to the studs, get an architect or interior designer involved,” Dorman advises.

4. Neglecting details: “The biggest complaints I hear when I’m showing a remodel come when homeowners have left things half done,” Dorman says. “It doesn’t just fail to add value, it actually subtracts value.”

5. Overlooking permits: Dorman had a seller who fixed her own septic system. When the home inspection revealed that she didn’t have the proper permits, the deal was ruined. A qualified pro will know what is legally required.

6. Missing guarantees: Pros will back their work. That can be essential on big projects like roof repairs. When you DIY, you’re the only one accountable for missteps.

7. Thinking DIY means do it all yourself: Consider hiring professionals to back up your know-how. Tap into the free kitchen and bath design services at home-improvement stores. Many paint stores have color consultants you can use for a small fee. Or hire a plumber on an hourly basis to install new toilets and sinks after you’ve done the demo work— you’ll rest easier knowing the water will flow safely.

Ultimately, the key to success with any project is asking the right questions. Your real estate agent is a great resource. “I have a list of vendors a mile long,” Dorman says. “They don’t get on this list unless I trust them.”

Captions:

Dollar-wise DIY. Changing a “before,” top, to an “after,” left, can bring a great return at resale, but only if it’s quality work. Homeowners with masonry skills could affect the change shown here, but many find it’s cost effective to hire professionals.

Our Featured Expert:

David Dorman CENTURY 21 Professional Group, Inc. Orlando, Florida

PERSONAL PASSION: When closing deals, he’s often humming. A classically trained singer, he sings top 40 and a cappella doo-wop in his spare time.

BEST ADVICE: “Even the worst house will sell—if you price it right. Sometimes sellers just see dollar signs, but they have to realize that the value of proper pricing is golden.”

 

Recommended Reading:

-5 DIY Projects You Can Do With Wallpaper

-Just DIY It: 5 Natural Cleaning Products

-Done in One Hour: How to Install a Faucet

-Double Agents: New Uses for Everyday Things

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Let’s Clear the Air: DIY All-Natural Air Fresheners

November 5, 2014 By

A good-smelling room has more of an impact than you might t. hinkSmell is a catalyst for emotions. According to Rachel Hertz, “The reason why scent is so good at inducing mood is because olfaction has a more direct and immediate connection to the area of the brain that processes emotion than any other sense does.” Additionally, “the effects of aromas are due to our own personal past history with the scents in question, they can be idiosyncratic.” If you have positive memories associated with the smell of cookies or lavender you will feel positive memories when you smell the scent again. Choose some of you favorite scents and use these recipes to make your home smell incredible.

1. Quick Fix Home Deodorizer: For a quick scent change, cut up your favorite fruit, place it in a pot of water, and add in spices and herbs. Allow the water to come to a boil then turn down the heat to let it simmer. This changes the scent in your home while also overpowering any other lingering smells. (Clean My Space)

2. Homemade Room Spray: If you don’t want to release chemicals into the air, opt for making your own room spray. Combine 10-20 drops of an essential oil, three parts water, and one part vodka; mix together in a spray bottle and voila, you have your own, healthy air freshener! (DIY Natural)

3. Scented Wood Blocks: This is a unique and fun way to keep your home smelling great. Gather some small wooden blocks, place them in a container, and spray or paint the blocks with the essential oil of your choice. Pour some extra oil on the blocks, let sit overnight, and then your home will smell fresh and clean! (Northstory)

4. Orange Peel Candles: There’s no need to throw away orange peels, you can create a candle with your favorite fruit. Peel out the orange, making sure to not to remove the inside stem; then, fill with your favorite essential oil and let sit for 45 minutes. Afterwards, light the orange with a candle lighter and you have an all natural, beautifully scented candle for your home. (North Story)

5. Gel Air Freshener: Combine gelatin, food coloring, salt, and essential oils in a mason jar to create a unique and safe gel air freshener. It is inexpensive to make, customizable, and the scent will last for four to six weeks. (Instructables)

6. Homemade Potpourri: Potpourri is staple across many homes. Don’t run out to the store to buy overpriced potpourri. Make your own by drying out flowers, adding essential oils, and allowing the flowers to absorb the oil for a few weeks. (POPSUGAR)

 

These air fresheners are all natural, customized based upon your preferences, and less expensive than store-bought air fresheners. These DIY projects make perfect scents!

 

Recommended Reading:

-5 Creative DIY Projects You Can Do With Wallpaper

-3 Things to Do With an Abundance of Autumn Leaves

-Double Agents: New Uses for Everyday Things

 

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Bring on the Patterns: How to Combine Designs with Confidence

October 31, 2014 By

Usually when it comes to options, more is better, but that may not be how you feel when you get to a home decor store. There is an overwhelming number of fabric, color, and style options. Don’t worry. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that even the pros use formulas to create the styled rooms we all love. Use these tips and techniques to create a home you’ll love.

Adopt the Rule of One: One floral, one stripe, one check, and so on. Use this approach to limit your selection to no more than one of each so that you won’t have to worry about similar patterns clashing. Create a cohesive design by selecting similarly colored detail pieces like throw blankets, pillows and vases.

Start Small: If you’re uneasy about decorating with a large-scale or dominant pattern, use it in small doses. Decorative pillows are a great way to introduce patterns into your space without needing to make a big change.

Live Large: The larger the room, the bolder your use of patterns can be. To create a more intimate feeling in a big space, repeat a pattern or two. For example, use the fabric from window treatments on a chair cushion.

Give Texture a Try: Not into big blooms and colorful stripes? Create an alluring room by combining textures like hard wood and rugs and fabric in a variety of textures.

We hope that these tips help you create a beautifully decorated home. We’d love to know your tips for combining patterns and designs. Connect with us on Twitter and share your advice!

 

Recommended Reading:

-5 Ways to Take Your Living Room From Good to Great

-10 Secrets for Making Your Bedroom Appear Larger

-Small Changes, Big Differences: 5 Low Cost Ways to Give Your Home a New Look

 

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How to Turn Your Home Into the Ultimate Haunted House

October 27, 2014 By

Trick-or-treat! Halloween is around the corner and, besides watching horror movies, the best way to get into true spooky spirit is to decorate. Pick pumpkins for a hint of Halloween spirit, or put in a lot of effort so that you have the spookiest house on the block. WARNING: Even the bravest trick-or-treaters may stay away this year.

1. Pick a theme: You may want to pick a unique theme such as a haunted graveyard or a vampire’s den. Staying within a theme will make it easier to find the right decorations and make your house stand out.

2. Eerie atmosphere: Attack the five senses. Create an eerie feeling in your home by hanging dimmed twinkle lights, setting up a smoke machine, and adding sound effects like screams and ominous music. You’ll spook your guests the moment they walk through the door!

3. Creative, scary props: Mix and match with bigger and smaller props. For the bigger ones, choose something that will bring a spookier feel to the house, like (fake) body parts strewn across the room or hologram wall photos that seem to be staring into your soul. Choose smaller props like (fake) spider webs, a (fake) pool of blood, or even (fake) hanging bats.

4. Dress up: Ask family, friends, and neighbors to help scare your guests. Ask them to dress up as spooky creatures that match your theme.

5. Main attraction: Having a big finish at the end of your haunted house can be the icing on the (poisonous) cake. Set up something big that will give your guests goose bumps, like a haunted laboratory with a monster, or a graveyard scene.

Get ready to scare anyone who is brave enough to enter. You may end up having a lot of leftover candy to eat. The scariest thing in your future may be a trip to the dentist.

 

Recommended Reading:

-5 Ways to Make Your Home Cozy for Fall

-5 Zombie-Proof Houses Your Family Won’t Be Caught Dead In

-First Impressions: Door Decor For Fall

 

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What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie? 10 Real Houses Where Your Favorite Scary Movie May Have Occurred

October 23, 2014 By

Do you like scary movies?

Halloween season is in full force and it brings out the Psycho in all of us, doesn’t it? Horror movies instill us with an overwhelming fear that is almost unbearable. Whether people are performing an exorcism, or running away from Michael Myers, one thing thatalmost every scary movie has in common is a haunted house. Here’s where your favorite scary movies could have occurred.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

1. Located on the same street as the famous, haunted Amityville house, this home looks like it jumped right off the movie screen.

2. Would you stay in a hotel that looked like this at night? It doesn’t matter if Norman Bates has a believable face; we know what happens in these places.

3. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Don’t fall asleep in a house like this without expecting to find Freddy Krueger knocking at your door.

4. Would you enter Room 237? This home bears a resemblance to the hotel where someone axed through the bathroom door.

5. It’s Halloween, of course, so you’re entitled to a good scare. Hopefully Michael Myers stays away from this Chicago home.

6. Take a trip and visit Ichabod Crane in the infamous town of Sleepy Hollow.

7. Can you say paranormal? No one wants that kind of activity in their home.

8. Would you feel protected from Damian in this house?

9. What an excellent house for an exorcism. This Boston house would make Linda Blair feel right at home.

10. Always have Caller ID. A stranger may call this Seattle, WA home.


Stay safe and sound inside your non-haunted house! The only visitors you’ll be getting are friends, family, and neighborhood kids looking for candy.

 

Recommended Reading:

-5 Zombie-Proof Houses Your Family Won’t Be Caught Dead In

-The Ultimate Home Personality Quiz

-Modern Homes For Your Modern Family

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Home Safety Tips for the Elderly

October 17, 2014 By

Creating a safe home for the elderly people in your life is crucial. Household places and items that used to pose no problem may now be difficult or, worse, dangerous. These tips will help you ensure that your home is as safe as possible.

1. Fall-proof your home: Falls are the number one cause of injury among the elderly, so preventing falls should be the first priority. Install non-slip strips on floors, steps, and showers or tubs. Arrange your furniture in a way that will open up walkways, and make sure staircases have handrails on both sides.

2. Intercoms and alert systems: Having a medical alert system along and intercoms around the home will ensure a higher degree of safety. Having access to other forms of communication is valuable If there is an emergency and someone can’t get to the phone.

3. Double locked doors: Having doors that lock both from the inside and outside is very smart, especially on bathroom doors. If someone falls while in the bathroom or bedroom, and the door is locked, it can pose a dangerous situation. When you have a door that can be opened from the outside as well other people can come in to help.

4. Well-lit areas: It’s important to keep your home as well-lit as possible. Having light in areas such as staircases, hallways, and on the front porch is essential to safety. Being able to see exactly where you’re walking and what you’re doing can prevent falls and other injuries. Additionally, make sure bedrooms and bathrooms have automatic night lights.

5. Shower chairs: Install shower chairs, bath benches, and grab handles in the bathroom. Unfortunately, bathing increases the risk of slipping and falling but this precaution greatly minimizes the potential for injury.

6. Prevent accidental scalding: People over age 65 are four to five times greater to experience a fatal injury from a burn or scald. Turn back the water heater to 120 degrees F to help ensure that there is no way anyone can get burned.

These small changes can make a big difference in creating a safe and comfortable environment for elders.

 

Recommended Reading:

-What’s the Difference

-Small Changes, Big Differences: 5 Low-Cost Ways to Give Your Home a New Look

-How to Make a House a Home: Creating Memories

 

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5 Ways to Make Your Home Cozy for Fall

September 29, 2014 By

It’s officially fall! Break out your sweaters, boots, hot apple cider, and other fall essentials. Make your home cozy and comfortable so you can enjoy family game nights, carving pumpkins, and curling up with a good book.

Use these tips to make your home snug and homey.

1. Candles: Lighting a candle, especially one that gives off a fall scent, such as pumpkin or apple spice, will help you relax after a long day. Scented candles fill a room with a sweet or spicy aroma, give an extra bit of light, and add a calming effect to your house. They instantly make any fall night cozier. (For safety never leave burning candles unattended).

2. Plush throw blankets: Placing a fleece or knitted blanket on your couch will instantly add a warm feeling to your home. Curling up under a blanket on a cool night, while your scented candles are lit, makes all the difference. As an added bonus, this is a great way to add color and decoration to your furniture.

3. Switch your curtains: During the summer months, you keep your window treatments as light as possible to cool off your home. Now with a cold breeze in the air, warm up with a heavier material. This adds natural warmth and coziness to the room. Go the extra mile and make the curtains a deep, warm color like chocolate brown to really bring the season into your home.

4. Add a fabric table runner: Sitting down at your dining room table can sometimes feel too formal and bare tables don’t add anything extra to the room. Change the dynamic by adding a seasonal table runner. This brings a homely feel and makes any family dinner feel more festive.

5. Layer your area rugs: Putting more than one area rug in a room will give an added cushion, perfect for lounging on the floor and watching television on a chilly night. More than one rug also means more warmth so the chill that wooden floors bring won’t be an issue this season. Opt for a color like orange or brick red to tie the look together.

Incorporating these fun, cozy fall ideas into your home is a great way to change up your decor, while also creating the perfect atmosphere for you and your family. Now pour some hot chocolate or hot apple cider and gather around for game night.

 

Recommended Reading:

-Fall into Fall: 5 Ways to Make your Home Fall Ready

-How to Make your Home Summer Ready

-5 Ways to Take Your Living Room from Good to Great

 

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Ask Our Expert: First Things First

September 27, 2014 By

Michael Beal of CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc., College Station, Texas, asks:

Many customers feel overwhelmed when they move into a new house. Is there an easy way to tackle it— and make a house feel like home?

So you’ve just moved into your new home. It’s a clean slate full of exciting possibilities. But for many people this euphoria can often dissolve into emotional overwhelm. Knowing where to start can help you move forward with more confidence.

Here’s what I advise my clients:

Start with the kitchen: Most of us have to eat at least three times a day. But really think about how your food prep might change from one house to the next. How much do you REALLY entertain? Did you buy the fish poacher or the meal sealer 10 years ago and only use it once? If so, don’t let it take up valuable space. Rule of thumb? You should work the hardest to reach things you only use once in a while, reserving closed storage areas at arms’ length for things you use every day.

Color your world: Before you go any further, think about paint color. It’s the cheapest and easiest way to completely customize your home to your new style. While things are still in boxes, and before you buy new furniture, let paint do all the heavy-decor-lifting first. It will also help crystallize your new design theme before you go shopping for your new pieces.

Next tackle your bedrooms: Because these are the vital spaces to our well-being and where we begin and end every day, don’t save them for last. Often simply out of ego we tend to get the entertaining spaces done first. They then sit there hardly used while the bedrooms remain in an upheaval.

Consider the closets: If you were fortunate enough to have a walk-in closet in your last house, but were still challenged with it filling up too fast, think about getting an armoire for the bedroom. It’s a great place for men to put their suits and business attire, leaving more space for “her” in the walk-in closet. No sense in you bumping into each other every morning, fighting to get dressed.

CHRISTOP HER LOWELL, an Emmy Award winning interior designer and TV host, is known for doable design advice and simple ideas that net stunning results. Log on to Christopherlowell.com to learn more.

 

Recommended Reading:

-Dressed for Success: Outdoor Improvements

-Ask Our Expert: Budget Friendly Bathroom Update

-Small Changes, Big Difference: 5 Low Cost Ways to Give Your Home a New Look

 

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