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:

One of the best ways to add some interest to a room is with custom framed art. You can express your taste with your choice in artwork, and it’s also a great way to add color and visual interest to walls. There are many online stores that offer thousands of art reproductions, from classic to abstract. Framed photographs are another choice, and you can also frame your own original art pieces and share them with your family and friends. Your rooms will be more inviting with beautiful framed custom art pieces on the wall.

The Modern style in home decorating dominated in the middle part of the 20th century. Many decorative features of earlier times fell out of favor, including the use of architectural trim like crown molding. Beginning about 30 years ago, the Traditional style in decorating came back into favor, and crown molding once again became popular. Today you can find molding in many styles and sizes. Most homeowners consider the installation of molding to be a good way to add value to their home.

Installation of crown molding is a good do-it-yourself project, providing you understand how to measure and cut the molding. This helpful YouTube video explains How to Cut Crown Molding:

An inground swimming pool is a great feature for any home.  One way to get the most out of your swimming pool and to add value to your home is by adding a pool deck.  A well-designed pool deck complements the home and yard.   Choosing the material is the first step in pool deck design.  There many types of materials available, including:

When deciding on the shape and size of your pool deck, take into account existing landscape in your yard and the path of the sun.   Then think about how you’ll be using the deck.  If you plan on doing a lot of entertaining, make a space for deck furniture and a grill.  Once you’ve made some basic decisions about your deck, it’s time to find a professional pool designer to create a final design.

Keep in mind these important pool safety tips when using your pool.