ABC’s of Fine Design

There are many ways to cool your home where you can save energy and money. One way is to just open the windows. Of course many of us don’t like do this anyway so there are other options. One idea I really like is using window tinting. This can dramatically help to improve your homes energy efficiency and save you money. 

I’m sure you are wondering where you can get this tint for your windows. Well Snap Tint has a great selection of not only Solar window tint, but decorative film and car tint. Most people I think will really like the Symphony Neutral tint that doesn’t look like a tint at all, but still reflects the sun away. This is a wonderful product for anyone who has large windows with a great view.

Stepping away from the solar tint we have decorative window film. This is not an energy saver, but for a feng shui tip, use it in your bedroom if you have closet mirrors facing the bed. This helps to stop the reflection and helps create a good balance in your bedroom.  Decorative film can also be used in a bathroom, kitchen or along any glass surface.

Window tint is easy to install and does not cost much compared to the savings you will get. Warm sunlight though a window can raise the temperature of a home by 10 degrees or more. If you can block that sunlight your energy saves will cover much more then the cost of the window tint.

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Many people right now are trying to find ways to save energy and still keep their homes warm and livable. I have a great new product for you to try called Radiant glass. This glass is made in Colorado by a company called Radiant Glass industries. The product is called Power*e Glass and it is very easy to use and install.

The glass uses a save low voltage current that would be the equivalent of running 2 light bulbs. The current heats the window and allows that heat into your home. Many people who have used it claim that there heaters hardly ever run after adding just a few of these windows. This is a great product for anyone who has a lot of windows in their home. I would recommend having a separate thermostat installed for any interior rooms that have no windows though. These windows will also help keep your home cool in the summer by blocking the heat from outside.

Besides helping with energy cost these windows also will stop condensation and fogging of windows. That way you will always have a clear view outside. This type of window would work well in a bathroom where you may use a shower or tub that could cause fogging and block a view.

Power*e windows can be made any way you would like. They work in most types of frames and can even be tinted. Check out this new unique product and see if if will work for you.

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It is now almost October and that means that it is time to start getting your home ready for winter. There are many different home improvements you can do to help keep your home nice warm and dry this year.

If you have some time and don’t have a fireplace I would suggest that you think about investing in one. I personally like the ones that are both gas and wood burning, that way if your short on cash you can always burn wood. If your the type of person who lives on a lot of land and has some trees you can cut down this will work well for you. Or you can even use the trimmings you are doing this fall.

Another way to keep your home warm this winter is to invest in new windows and doors. This is one of those investments that could really save you a ton of money quickly. If you have very old windows it could actually save you hundreds of dollars a year in heating and cooling cost.

The last thing that you want to do is warm up any cold floors with throw rugs. My aunt does this every winter as all of her floors are wood and it can get cold in her home. Throw rugs help insulate the room and keep everything a little warmer. Of course you can just always walk around in your robe and slippers!

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Until you put something on it. Designing the perfect window treatment is hard, you have so many different things to choose from, curtains, blinds, shades or even nothing, if your brave.

Recently I took my search for window treatments on line and I found a great site called Gauranteedblinds.com they have a great selection of blinds and shades. I love it because I found the perfect shade for my window, a must for any room that you have carefully designed or paid someone to. In my case I carefully designed it!

They don’t sell discount off brand blinds, they have Bella, Riviera and Santorini. They also have a great selection of bamboo shades, I love bamboo it’s great for the environment because it grows quickly and looks wonderful in a home.

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No I’m not cheering for a sports team even though my high school colors were green and white. I am talking about green design. What is green design, you ask? Well it is when you use all natural products and products that reduce energy use in your home.

It is very easy to go green as we in the design industry like to say. One of the easiest ways to start is by replacing your appliances with energy star ones. Yes this can be expensive, but for most people it will not change there habits too much, but it will save you money in the long run and help the environment at the same time.

What else can you do to go green? Well if your thinking about putting in hardwood floors opt for bamboo flooring as bamboo is a strong wood that is great for flooring, but it’s also considered a weed, and grows very quickly, bamboo can be harvested after only 2 years, so it is considered a renewable resource.

Another way to go green and save you money is to replace all of your light bulbs with the new florescent ones. This can save you so much per year that you can get your money back in less then 2 years, and they last up to 7 years, much better then those other light bulbs.

The last thing I am going to talk about is windows, are your windows drafty and let out that warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer? Well if your thinking about replacing them go for the energy star windows, they insulate and keep all the air you want to stay in your home in, and the air you don’t want out. They also will cut down on your heating bill and help the environment at the same time.

There are many other ways to go green, so start with these and find some more, good luck!

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It seems like everyone is in a slump around me, and I feel that I should try to help them, so here are my tips.

One, do some spring cleaning, clean out your closet and donate anything you don’t need, it will make you feel so much better.

Two, move the furniture and clean under it, you will be surprised at what you will find under there.

Three, wash down your walls, if you can. Why? because stuff builds up on there, you really need to do this if you smoke, you will notice a huge change.

Four, wash your windows inside and out, if you have a 2 story home, get a sprayer to hook to your hose, get those clean!

I’m sure you are wondering how this could help you life, well it all has to do with fung shui, if you are surrounded by a clean, good looking environment, you will feel so much better, and happier. You mirror the world around you, if it’s messy and out of control you may be too, clean it up and get some control, and you may start to see some good changes in your life.

I am working on getting more information about the elements, I hope to have it done in a few days, so check back!

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