Monday, March 30, 2015
If your home is your safehaven, then your Master bedroom is your command center. It's the place where you can recharge and refresh from the busy-ness of our everyday lives. It's essential to create an atmosphere for yourself that is warm and inviting and comforting. Here's some Master bedroom ideas to transform your bedroom into a serene oasis.
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Start your transformation with color. Whether you decide to paint your Master retreat, or incorporate new bedding, soothing colors like greens, soft creams, or purples create a feeling of rest and relaxation.
You spend a third of your life sleeping, so it’s important to choose a mattress, pillows and bedding that are the most comfortable for you. Bedding is also important. You have a variety of fabrics and finishes to choose from. Whatever you choose, make sure you feel most comfortable with it.
Maximize functionality by incorporating a space in your master bedroom for an elegant chaise lounge or a pair of overstuffed armchairs. Having any form of additional seating in your master creates a more dynamic sense of space where you can enjoy alone time away from the main social areas in your home and instantly creates a peaceful spot to unwind at the end of the day.
Lastly, incorporate personal touches, like family photos or keepsakes on nightstands or bookshelves. Try not to over-accessorize, but just include items that are important or sentimental to you. Banish electronics, like TVs, laptops, or cellphones to another room or hallway to keep your Master retreat a serene spot, without distractions.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The entryway or foyer is your home's first impression on visitors. Make sure it's a good one. If you're looking for ways to add some life to your vestibule, here are a few suggestions to get you started.
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Floors
Your entryway floors take a beating from all the traffic and weather. Make sure your flooring can take the beating by choosing the correct flooring for your home. Consider adding an area rug or runner down to combat some of the foot traffic. Keep your rugs clear of the furniture so the space has a feeling of openness. And don’t let it extend the entire length of the hallway: You want to be sure that the front door can open freely.
Walls
The easiest way to liven up your foyer is to paint the walls. Choose a color that is in the same palette as the other rooms close to it for continuity. If painting isn't in the budget, pieces of art can work wonders. Hanging artwork, mirrors or other decorations engage your visitors eyes immediately and gives your foyer the lift it was missing. Art doesn't have to be expensive either. You can use swatches of wallpaper in clean frames to create an eclectic grouping, or try ornamental mirrors as well.
Furniture
Your entryway should not only be appealing to the eye, but it should also be functional. Consider adding a few pieces of furniture, like a small dresser and chair to give your foyer a cozy feeling. Put a basket or bowl there to be a catch-all for keys or mial, but make sure it doesn't become too cluttered. A drop-zone is another great piece to add to your entryway to corrall all of the coats and shoes.
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Monday, July 28, 2014
Can you believe that the start of school is just around the corner for kids in Kentucky and Tennessee? Pretty soon, you'll be seeing kids with their backpacks getting on those big yellow buses in the mornings.
Here's a list of the first day of school for counties in Central Kentucky, Louisville and Knoxville.
Fayette County: Wednesday, August 13th
Madison County: Wednesday, August 13th
Scott County: Wednesday, August 6th
Woodford County: Wednesday, August 13th
Jefferson County: Wednesday, August 13th
Oldham County: Tuesday, August 19th
Knox County: Monday, August 11th
Loudon County: Wednesday, August 6th
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Summer is in full swing! We've had some pretty toasty days in our area over the past few weeks and as the dog days of summer approach, it's only going to get hotter and humid. As the temperatures rise, so does the need to keep your lawn well watered. But, instead of just sticking a sprinkler in the middle of your yard and hoping for the best, here's some tips on the right way to water your lawn.
1. Water Your Grass Only When It Needs It
If you don't water your lawn correctly, you could run the risk of under or overwatering your lawn, which could contribute to the development of fungus and disease. Some types of grass require more water than others, and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind can dramatically affect how frequently you need to water your lawn. Fortunately, the most accurate way to determine whether your lawn needs water is also the easiest: just look at the grass:
·When grass needs water, it will begin to take on a blue-gray tint, and the older leaf blades on the plant will begin to curl up or wilt.
·Footprints will remain on the grass for longer than usual, as the grass won't "bounce back."
When 30 to 50% of your lawn shows these symptoms, it's time to water.
2. Know When To Water
The time of day that you water is just as important as how much you water. Early in the morning is the ideal time to water for most lawns. There's less wind, less hot sun, and your lawn has a full day to dry. Watering at night invites mildew and fungus. In the hot afternoon, much of your water can be lost to wind and evaporation.
3. Water Evenly
Sprinklers are finicky. They don't always put water down equally. To make sure water is going where it's supposed to, place a few empty soup cans around your lawn, and run your sprinkler for about 20 minutes. If water collects evenly in the cans, you know your sprinkler is doing its job.
4. How Long Is Long Enough?
Your lawn needs about 1-2 inches of water per week. Each time you water, you should aim for the water to absorb about 6 inches into the dirt to make sure that the roots of the grass are well hydrated. How long that will take depends on the slope of your yard, weather conditions, and various other factors. The best way to tell is to water your lawn for about 20-30 minutes. After that time, turn off the water and stick an 8-inch screwdriver into the ground. If it goes in easily, you're done. If not, you need to water some more.
5. Know When to Stop Watering
You can water carefully and properly, but if the water isn't absorbed, your efforts are wasted. Watch out for water running off the grass and into your driveway or street. If that happens, turn off the sprinklers and let your lawn absorb the water for about 20-30 minutes before turning back on again. And this goes without saying, but aim your sprinklers to water just the lawn. That's the part that needs the moisture—not the sidewalk or street! Slight adjustments to your sprinklers can save a lot of water. Ideally, you shouldn't water your sidewalk, patio, street, or driveway at all.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
You've just moved into your new Ball Home--congratulations! Now's the time to show it off to your friends and family by throwing a fantastic housewarming party. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your event is enjoyable for both you and your guests.
Come One, Come All
If you're having a party, you've got to make sure people know about it. You can find unique invitiations on Pinterest or Etsy. If you're the creative type, try your hand at making your own.
Let Them Eat Cake
No party is complete without refreshments. Make sure you have enough food and drinks at your soiree. To keep costs down, consider grilling out hotdogs, kabobs, or chicken, and make side dishes for people to graze on during the party.
Take a Tour
The whole point of having a housewarming party is to show off your new digs! Give your guests a tour of your new abode. Try to split up the tours between you and your spouse or significant other, that way, you'll both be able to enjoy the party, and keep people from wandering around by themselves.
Dress It Up
If you're having people at your house, dress up the outside with planters on your front porch, or string lights across your patio. Another thing to keep in mind is annoying backyard pests, like mosquitos. If they're a problem in your backyard, keep citronella candles burning, or consider having bug spray handy for your guests.
Be A Good Neighbor
If you're brand new to your subdivision, this party might be one of your first introductions to your neighbors. Start your relationship off on the right foot by letting your neighbors know you're having a party. You may even consider extending a neighborly invitation and invite them to your party to get to know them better. If you aren't considerate, you run the risk of initiating bad feelings between you and your neighbors.
Do you have any other tips for the perfect party? Let us know on our Facebook page!