Eco-Friendly Tips With Low Costs and High Savings

Most homeowners have weather-stripped their doors to maximize climate control, and have switched out traditional incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly CFL models. Short of installing double paned windows or making other costly home improvements, what more can you do to make your home “greener” without emptying your wallet?

Change filters often. Change air conditioning filters monthly to keep the system running at peak performance.

Dry bigger loads. Your dryer has more capacity than you think. Dry two or more loads at once so the dryer cools down and heats up less frequently. And clean out the lint filter often.

Check the fridge seal. Feel for cold air around your closed refrigerator door to be sure the seal is in good condition.

Adjust stove top cooking. Avoid wasting heat by matching up your pot/pan size to the correct burner.

Unplug battery chargers. Many chargers continue to draw power even when not connected to a device, so unplug yours after charging.

Use a laptop. They use less energy than your desktop computer, so use them instead when you can.

Reduce hot water consumption. Install low-flow, aerating faucets and shower heads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.

Choose drought-tolerant plants. Any number of plants and ground covers can add greenery to a yard without gulping lots of water – including clover, certain breeds of grass like Bermuda and Zoysia, and edible plants like herbs and strawberries. (Note: you may want to put in some type of wood or brick border to contain groundcovers or plants in the area you want them to stay in.)

Tips on Accessorizing Your Home

When you think about interior design, you most likely think about furniture choices.  Choosing the right color furniture and the right size to fit your rooms as well as the right fabric and the correctly placing it so that it looks aesthetically pleasing.  In reality, interior design also includes a lot of other things like paint and, of course, accessories. There are many ways to complete a design with accessories and many types of accessories that you can use to do something like balance out a space, fill an empty space or bring a pop of color to a room.  What you might not think about is that accessories are also a cost-effective way to design.  They can be used to bring a luxury, finished look to your home while not breaking the bank.

Plants and Artwork

House plants are a great touch to bring life and color into your design.  Whether they are artificial or live, remember that they’re a great accent but don’t over do it.  You want to use them to bring a freshness into this room but not make it look like a jungle.  A little goes a long way when it comes to plants.  Use different heights to give the impression that a space is taller and different breeds for dimension. When it comes to artwork, less is also more.  You want to use artwork for similar reasons as plants, to bring color and dimension to a space and to tie your furniture colors together with paint colors, etc.  But don’t fill every single wall with a painting or mirror.  That will only give your house a cluttered look and take away from what you’re trying to achieve.

Accent Tables and Chachkas

Small tables in various shapes help to finish off your design.  They give your furniture a completed look and, once again, fill spaces.  And you don’t have to spend a fortune on them.  Some of the neatest looking tables can be repurposed from an estate sale or at your local thrift store.  I love a good table refinishing project.  It gives you lots of satisfaction in a weekend project that doesn’t take too long.  And what’s a chachka?  It’s a small inexpensive item that gives you an expensive look.  A vase for example can give you the color and sparkle you need for your design and they come is many different sizes and shapes.  Another example might be a bowl or and urn or a floral center piece. 

Curtains, Pillows, and linens…oh my!

The best way to complete a window is to put some curtains up.  There are so many fabrics to choose from.  Use heavier ones in the winder and lighter weight ones in the warmer months to give your room a seasonal feel that matches the time of year.  My favorite is velvet in the winter and it’s practical, helping to keep the cold air out and insulate the windows.  And don’t forget patterns.  You don’t want to over do it with patterns on your windows but don’t be afraid of it either.  Pillows and linens also make for a great seasonal décor if used in the same way as your curtains.  Change out your pillows and your bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen linens to match your décor or even for a holiday.  Linens in general, soften a room and fill up empty spaces as well.

Littles

I call them littles.  I’m referring to items like old books, photo frames, bowls, vases, and other random finds.  There are tons of choices when it comes to littles.  You can find them at your local home décor store, and you never know what they will be.  Using things in unique ways can bring a splash of interesting to your home.  It can be things like recycled barn wood, old tile or and old wood ladder for hanging throws on.  Just use your imagination or do like I do…check out the internet for ideas.

For more design ideas or to find out how we can help stage your home, click here to learn more about the Priority Group and Sallie Elliott.

Lauritzen Gardens

Lauritzen Gardens is a living museum of unique four-season plant displays, maintained to the highest standards consistent with environmental stewardship. It provides memorable educational and aesthetic experiences for all.

Escape to an urban oasis of beauty and tranquility to experience the glory of the garden. Discover a hidden sanctuary in the heart of the city. Relax while cultivating your mind in this living plant museum, conveniently located in the beautiful riverfront hills.

Lauritzen Gardens has several educational programs and tours as well as a summer camp and you can have a birthday party of wedding there.  Become a member and get special perks.

Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary

The arboretum and Oberman Bird Sanctuary is a four-acre site with seven regional plant communities: prairie, savannah, oak hickory forest, maple linden forest, farmstead windbreak, marsh and flood plain river margin.

The word arboretum literally means “garden of trees.” In this area, they planted many different species of trees and shrubs appropriate for a Nebraska landscape. They used both native trees and shrubs as well as plants which have the ability to adapt to our harsh environment. It will take many years for this garden area to mature due to the slow growth habit of the plants. The site, however, is a relaxing place to stroll and enjoy the young trees and the beautiful vistas to be seen from this vantage point. This area along the Missouri River corridor is a natural flyway for migratory birds. There are feeders and nest boxes located throughout the sanctuary so the arboretum provides a unique area to observe the birds.

In the spring, keep your eyes and ears peeled for polliwogs, tadpoles and frogs in the marsh area!

“End of Day” Sculpture

The arboretum and bird sanctuary is the perfect setting for this bronze sculpture of sand hill cranes. Artist Dee Clements, a member of the National Sculptors’ Guild, captured the grace of these magnificent native birds. He was commissioned to design this original sculpture for Lauritzen Gardens from his studio in Loveland, Colo.

“Sunflowers, Snowbirds & Lizards” Sculpture

This round bronze sculpture near the arboretum and bird sanctuary entrance beautifully depicts snowbirds as they prepare to dine on the seeds of sunflowers. It was sculpted by Sharles for the city of Palm Desert, Calif. His deep appreciation for birds, fish and reptiles is reflected in his art.

Children's Garden

No other garden better illustrates their educational focus than the children's garden. It is the site of many of the children's activities including school tours, youth organization projects, and garden children’s programs.

Children have the opportunity to engage in hands-on gardening as well as receive a formal tour and presentation by education staff. Children are involved in the planning, planting, maintaining and harvesting of this garden area.

Adults enjoy visiting the garden as well to see bright colors, unique artwork and unusual plants not found elsewhere at Lauritzen Gardens.

“Dina”

Ronald Weise, a welder from Dunlap, Iowa, created this friendly dinosaur, “Dina,” using scrap metal and old farm equipment parts. Dina has an oil-pan head and antique hay rake tine ribs.

English Perennial Border

Opened in 2006, the English perennial border is located between the Victorian garden and Garden in the Glen. The English perennial border is a plantsman’s dream come true. More than 300 different plant species and cultivars are displayed amongst the thousands of individual sun and shade-loving perennials. They all are organized as a traditional English border would be.

English gardens are known for their masses of colorful plants and informal design style. Early English gardeners were plant enthusiasts and collectors. They enjoyed filling their gardens with as many different plants as possible.

For more information on Lauritzen Gardens click here.  For more information about the Priority Group or Sallie Elliott click here.

Outdoor Patio Designs

Summertime is just around the corner and with it comes outdoor fun. Some of us could have any old backyard space but if you’re a designer like me, having the perfect outdoor space is essential. We recently renovated out backyard to make a multi-level patio paradise perfect for entertaining or romantic evenings with just the hubby and me. From pavers to pergolas and, of course, a hot tub, we decided to go big or go home. The home we live in is our downsize home, so the outdoor space is super important to us since it’s essentially and extension of our smaller indoor space. I was shooting for an tranquil, oasis feeling when you walk through the sliding glass doors and onto the deck then down onto the patio and into the yard. There’s an eating space and a drinking wine space as well. There are multiple spaces for seasonal planting and of course we added a tree as our center piece. Since the space is compact, we added the spa to the lower level of the patio for some privacy. We also installed our fence horizontally instead of vertically for a different design rather than the old-fashioned boring stuff.

Indoor Outdoor

Now we all know that when you entertain outdoors you’ve got to, of course, be outdoors. But the way you get there matters. Accordion glass doors are the latest and greatest in creating indoor/outdoor space. They allow you to open up an entire wall so that the indoor living space flows directly to the outdoor space making the two into one. I love this look since it’s expansive and you don’t have to add square footage. You simple open the doors and voila, you have added onto your home. Guests can easily move from inside your home to the outside. The only caveat is bugs. If you live in a place where there are a lot of bugs, you might get a couple in your house. Otherwise, the entertainment space and additional light added are amazing. They also cost a bit more but well worth it.

Pavers, Concrete and Stone

Obviously, what you build the actual patio out of is the most important part of your outdoor space. The awesome thing is there are a lot of materials to choose from. For a more contemporary look there are pavers. They somehow create a cozy and comfortable outside option. They come in beautiful colors and textures but the most common are about twice the size of a normal brick and grey beige in color. Using them to create any shape is easy. Long term maintenance may be a tiny bit more but very little. Concrete is one of the most versatile materials to use. It can be colored, stained and finished in flat or high gloss. Concrete can also be stamped to look like pavers or to create a beautiful symmetrical design for a more modern look. Natural stone is my favorite. With finished or natural edges stone gives your patio a luxury feeling. It’s more expensive, mainly because of the labor but the high end feel it gives the space is well worth it. Especially if you plan to spend time in your yard.

What’s Popular in Patio Accoutrement

There’s nothing like the wonderful sound of a trickling water feature. Adding one in the right spot give that spot a spa feeling. Water is relaxing and soothing. From fountains to ponds with and without fish, a water feature really adds esthetic value to an outdoor space. Now add some fire and you have something that pops. Fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and the latest and greatest…fire pots. Those are modern pot shaped fire bowls if you can envision. Add a fountain to one of those bowls and you have the perfect Zen combination of fire and water. And you have the perfect conversation pieces to talk about. Fire bowls are popular for from things such as around a pool or hot tub or even around a pond or a large pond.

Covered or Not Covered

Covered or partially covered patios are extremely popular. Typically, the roof line is extended from the house to cover a deck or patio that is attached to the home. It creates a covered space so that you can enjoy the outdoors without being out in the rain and gives you some shade on a hot day. Pergolas are also popular. Mainly for adding shade they are also a beautiful design feature and add dimension where you have a lot of flat ground. Speaking of protection. Adding some privacy to your back yard doesn’t have to mean utilitarian materials or designs. Fencing materials such as aluminum gates can be ornate or modern in style but they do come in different styles as well as colors. You don’t have to compromise on style just because you need to fence your property. They also provide security. Half walls and privacy walls can also be super stylish. People often think of stone walls but there are wood walls that look very pleasing. Depending on the way they are installed. Separating your back yard with a half wall is a stylish way to break it up. Especially if it’s a large area. Creating an eating versus entertaining or sitting area is as important to the function or your yard as the design.

Check out some of the gorgeous outdoor spaces we’ve created with Nathan Homes or contact me for ideas about your spaces at www.omahaprioritygroup.com And don’t forget your sunscreen!

Pool Talk Featuring Bell Pool & Spa

If you’re fortunate enough to have a pool, then you will love today’s pool talk. If you’re in the market for a pool, then Bell Pool & Spa is the place to go. Summertime is just around the corner and we all know that Nebraska can get pretty darn toasty some days. What better way to enjoy the hot weather than to cool down in a brand-new pool? And after last year, more people are staying at home and entertaining the family in their own pool. But demand is up…if you think you’re going to get a pool installed this year, think again. You’ll likely have to wait until next season and possible the season after that. This is how in demand pools are right now. So, if you’re ready, make a call and get started making plans for your very own pool.

Pool Shapes & Features

Rectangle shapes are the best if you’re looking to maximize space inside of the pool or if you’re a person who like to exercise by swimming laps since you can divide the pool up into lanes and swim a straight line. Kidney shaped pools don’t seem to be all that popular anymore, but I see a few here and there. Mostly in smaller backyards where space is a little more limited. Pools come in many shapes and sizes, some with grottos and some with waterfalls. Some with slides and some with diving boards. If you’re really lucky, you can get a walk-in pool that starts off very shallow at one end and gets deeper as you go toward the other side. No steps or ladders needed to enter the pool and smaller children can use the shallow end as a kind of wading area without having to be courageous enough to get in deeper.

Spas & Hot Tubs

These are my absolute favorite. In fact, I opted for a hot tub in my backyard instead of a pool. Not only is the hot water very therapeutic but I don’t have the maintenance of a large pool and my smaller backyard accommodates a hot tub much better. The babies come in all shapes and sizes. From swim spas that have their own jets/current to help you swim in place, to soaking spas with tons of jets to soothe the savage beast. That’s me after I exercise. You can get a small four-person hot tub and you can get them much larger for several people. They come contoured so that you can sit up and recline and some even have what they call foot volcanos. That is a large jet at the bottom of the tub that massages your feet. Heavenly! Don’t want to take care of one. Their very easy to maintain however you can hire a service to do it for you. Depends how involved you want to get. My favorite thing to do is get a cup of coffee and go soak early in the morning.

Saunas

Not a lot of homes have their own sauna, but they can also be very therapeutic. They’re especially nice for warming up before a workout. Sit in one for about ten minutes then start up some yoga or even cardio and it steps up the exercise a notch. They come in infrared now, so the heat is more even and not necessarily coming from one place inside the sauna. Or you can get a more traditional one with a hot box and lava rocks. I like the infrared because it feels cleaner to me but that’s just my opinion. I don’t necessarily have any proof to back that statement up. Whether you install one in your basement bathroom or put one in your workout area, they are pretty plan looking and won’t take away from the aesthetics of the room. If you’re considering one, I highly recommend it.

Pool Service & Repair

Bell Pool & Spa offer service and repair as well. If you’re buying a previously owned home with a pool that needs a little TLC or just needs to be caught up on its maintenance, it’s certainly nice to go to a reputable place for those things. I work with many clients who need pools repaired and in the new home market where homeowners want to install a pool when they build a home. Bell Pool is great for both types of work. And again, it’s best to work with a reputable place just like this one. For more information, go to https://www.bellpool.com/

And for more of my blogs or to find out more about the Priority Group go to www.omahaprioritygroup.com