Giving the walls of a room a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to freshen the look of a room.  In order to get the best possible results, it’s important to do the correct prep work ahead of time. 

For a step-by-step painting demonstration, see this YouTube video.

There’s still time this year to complete home improvements that will make your home more energy efficient and qualify for a 2009 tax credit. U.S. homeowners can receive 30% or up to $1500 in federal tax credits for qualifying improvements. Installing an Energy Star Appliance is an example of the type of improvement that qualifies for the credit. Total credits of up to $10,000 can be earned if multiple improvements are completed.

Examples of qualifying improvements include new windows, doors, non-solar water heaters, insulation, and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). The biggest credits are for sustainable energy equipment, including small wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps and solar energy systems. For these improvements, there is no cap on the 30% credit for costs. The sustainable energy credit applies to new and existing homes and to new home construction, and will be in effect until 2016. To find out more about solar energy for the home, see this earlier post.

Many state and local areas offer additional tax credits. To find out what’s available in your area, check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

 
Now that summer has passed and the weather is turning cold, it’s time to think about patio heaters.  Many parts of the country stay warm enough in the fall and winter to allow patio use, and a patio heater can take the chill off.  Patio heaters have become an important patio accessory and there are a variety of styles and price ranges available. 

These are some of the most popular type of patio heaters:

Check out this YouTube video about Outdoor Propane Patio Heaters.

As the prices of homes continue to drop, even the ultra-rich are feeling the pinch. According to Forbes.com, the prices of some of the most expensive home properties in the world are also being reduced. For example a 22,000-square foot Connecticut home that was the second highest priced home for sale in the world last year at $125 million now has a $60 million price tag.

The current top-priced home is Candy Spelling’s mansion in Los Angeles, which is priced at $150 million. The 45,000 square foot house has 100 rooms and is modeled after the palace at Versailles. Candy Spelling, widow of famed television producer Aaron Spelling, plans to keep the house on the market at that price and has no plans to cut the price. It remains to be seen whether she’ll get the price she wants for the property.  Read complete details and see a slideshow of the world’s most expensive houses at Forbes.com.

The home building industry is still experiencing a slow down as a result of the current recessionary climate. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, construction of new homes in October dropped to its lowest point since April. Contributing to the slowdown in new home construction is an abundance of unsold new homes already on the market and the record-high number of recent home foreclosures. A contributing factor in the lack of new home starts is uncertainty about the extension of tax credits for homebuyers. The low construction level in turn contributes to the high level of unemployment currently being experienced in the construction industry.

In an interview with Fox News, President Barack Obama said the government is considering tax breaks to encourage job growth, but added that continued deficit spending through tax cuts and stimulus funding could in turn diminish people’s confidence in the economy and “lead to a double-dip recession.”

An “arboreal architect” named Dustin Feider is designing upscale tree houses for the rich and famous in Los Angeles. Many of the tree houses are based on the geodesic dome which was first made famous by the futurist Buckminster Fuller. The average cost for one of Feider’s tree houses is $20,000. Because of the structure of the domes, they are relatively light and are hung from the tree’s branches with cables. The tree house materials are also fully sustainable. For more information, see Dustin Feider’s O2 Treehouse website and this YouTube video on the construction of one of these tree houses:

Nothing says Fall like pumpkins.  In addition to cooking with pumpkins, you can use them for unique table centerpieces.  Try these ideas for bringing the natural beauty of pumpkins to your table:

Who says a pumpkin has to be carved to be interesting?  For more ways to decorate with pumpkins, see this article in Sunset Magazine.

If you own a home that has a roof or yard space that gets several hours of sun exposure most days, then it could be time to go solar. By installing solar panels, you can cut back on the amount of power you need to purchase from your power utility company. A solar installation professional will be able to help you evaluate your power needs and decide how many solar panels will be appropriate for your home. You don’t need to depend completely on your solar power system, but can use it to replace some of the power you currently purchase from the energy grid.

Many areas provide tax breaks, rebates and other financial incentives for homeowners who install solar power systems. You can research the incentives online and also find recommendations for qualified solar installation professionals. Your solar power system installer should be able to advise you on local permits and connecting to the utility grid. Solar panels only take a few days to install. Before you know it, you’ll be helping your wallet and doing your part for the environment.

HGTV

If you’re looking for a way to add interest to a room without spending a lot of money, fabric wall art may be just the thing. In this YouTube video, HGTV designer Taniya Nayak shows how to create stretched fabric panels for hardly any money. Use your own creativity to choose fabrics that complement your wall cover and décor.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Maybe you never considered making your bedroom more eco-friendly.  There are several benefits to designing your bedroom using green principles.  The environment in your room will be healthier and you just may get a better night’s sleep.

Here are some suggestions for eco-friendly products for the bed from Sunset magazine: