The Glidehouse is a contemporary prefabricated home designed by Michelle Kaufmann, a leader in the green home design community. The design of the Glidehouse centers on simple, green living. Built in a factory using eco-friendly materials, the Glidehouse takes about a year to be built and costs the same or less than traditional homes which are build on site. Renewable and recyclable materials are used in the Glidehouse, and the design includes sustainable features like windows which are positioned to maximize ventilation and a roof which will support solar panels. Find out more about the Glidehouse at the Michelle Kaufmann Designs website.

The concept of home staging is receiving a lot of attention these days on home decorating TV shows and websites. Home staging is the art of dressing a home for sale. It’s the opposite of adding a personal touch to a home and usually involves removing many personal items and giving a house a more general look which will appeal to a wide variety of buyers.

Professional home stagers are often brought in to work with homeowners who want to sell their home. A stager will come in after the home has been cleaned, decluttered and painted. The goal of home staging is to make the home look more inviting. A good stager will make prospective buyers picture themselves living in the home, which is one step away from making an offer on it.

What are some of the secrets of professional home stagers? They know how to pick out interesting pieces of furniture and group them attractively in a room. They use soft luxurious fabrics to create a comfortable and warm look. Fussy or outdated window coverings are removed and replaced with simple elegant draperies. Interesting accessories are place throughout the house.

Some of the items which a professional home stager will bring into a home include mirrors, plants, pillows, throws, and area rugs. If a larger bed is needed in a bedroom, they may bring in an inflatable bed (it will look just like a regular bed covered with a bedspread). For many homes, the expense of hiring a professional stager is more than covered by a quick sale and high selling price.

If your kitchen is looking tired and dated, you may be wishing for a makeover but are worried about the high price tag. Many home improvement shows and magazine articles feature high end kitchen makeovers that cost a small fortune. This type of makeover may not be within your budget, but you can still make some improvements that will bring your kitchen up to date and give it a fresh style.

Focus on cosmetic details. Paint is one of the least expensive ways to really change the look of a room. If your kitchen has wallpaper which dates it, consider replacing it with a fresh coat of paint.

Replace the faucet and sink. Fixtures like faucets are not expensive and will go a long way towards updating the look of a kitchen. Sinks are a little more expensive. Before deciding to replace your sink, see if a really good cleaning will improve its look.

Update cabinets. Kitchen cabinets can be updated with paint or refinishing and new hardware. There’s no need to consider an expensive replacement if your cabinets are still serviceable.

Replace old-fashioned light fixtures. Canned lighting or a small chandelier will give your kitchen a more modern look. Hint: unless you’re an expert on electricity, it’s worth paying a professional electrician to install new fixtures.

If you have young children, a backyard playground can provide hours and hours of outdoor fun. Playgrounds can be found which include swings, slides, forts, monkey bars and much more. You can buy playgrounds made of either metal or wood. For appearance and longevity, a wooden playground is the best option.

Kits are available which include all the parts of a wooden playground except lumber, which can then be ordered locally. Putting together one of these kits is a great project for the entire family. From the planning to the assembly, try to involve your children. They’ll love their playground all the more if they help out with the design and assembly. With a do-it-yourself background playground, you’ll save money and have a better chance of creating the perfect playground for your family’s needs.

There are many online stores which sell wooden backyard playground kits. Detailed Play Systems has been in business for more than ten years and offers a wide a wide variety of designs and equipment. Before you know it, your playground will be put together and your family can start creating some happy memories.

Fountains have become a popular addition for all types of gardens and patios. There are elegant fountain designs to match any size space. You can chose from a wide variety of fountain material, including stone, metal and fiberglass. There’s no denying the appeal of the sound of running water. It can block out ambient noise and provide a sense of peace and tranquility. If want to add a special feature to your yard or patio, consider a fountain.