5 fast fixes that add value to your home
By Olga Adler – an award-winning interior designer and creative director of Olga Adler Interiors - www.olgaadlerinteriors.com. With the real estate market warming up (according to all the sources), now may be the time to look at your home with a critical eye and see how you can take advantage of home improvement magic while...
Is your grill ready for your culinary imagination?
Recent improvements in the design and engineering of gas grills have transformed the art of grilling. From searing and rotisserie cooking to planking and smoking, gas grills now provide chefs with several different grilling techniques to develop flavors, textures and aromas. With a quality gas grill, the right set of features and these grilling methods,...
Can pools and lawns cohabitate peacefully?
The backyard has become a go-to destination for warm weather recreation. As the “staycation” has grown in popularity, more effort has been put forth in making the backyard a place where all members of the household can enjoy themselves. That means merging interests into one space. A pool may be competing for acreage along with...
Well water should be tested for arsenic, uranium
Darien residents who use well water are being advised by the state Department of Public Health to test their well for arsenic and uranium. These metals are found in groundwater in sporadic locations across the state and can lead to adverse health effects, the department said. “Recent well testing in various towns around Connecticut has...
Keeping the heat in
We know that warm air rises. Consequently, during the cold months it’s important to stop the flow of heat through the roof or, alternatively, the attic floor. To accomplish this, the same solutions that I described for walls in my previous columns will work. First, we want a high level of insulation. Second, we want...
Weathering storms with a generator
Irene. Alfred. Sandy… shorthand names of storms that had devastating effects, including massive and long-lasting power outages, on Fairfield County and beyond in a span of 14 months. After experiencing the inconveniences of power outages of these and several lesser storms during the same period, and fearing such storms may become more frequent, many...
Prepare a deck or patio for entertaining
Few things are better than having a functional and beautiful outdoor space to entertain guests. Having a great outdoor space enables a person to host parties or intimate gatherings all year long. Establishing an entertaining space and maintaining that space are essential when planning another year of fun in the sun. There are many...
Cost-effective and eco-friendly home improvements
Homeowners take on projects to improve their homes for a variety of reasons. Some may do so to make a home more functional, while others may do so to improve their home’s resale value. Some homeowners take on a home improvement project to make their homes more eco-friendly. Such projects are often mistakenly assumed to...
Propane safety tips
This week, temperatures will be warming up and then dropping again – which means snow will be melting and then freezing again, forming ice all around our homes and businesses. The Propane Gas Association of New England (PGANE) offers these safety tips: Clear snow and ice from around your propane tank, chimneys, flue pipes and...
Shock Value: How to safely move light fixtures
Some people are natural do it yourselfers and they are just the kind of people who might want to attempt changing a light fixture or moving a light fixture in their homes. With today’s technology and new products, doing this type of work is easier than ever. However, if you don’t know anything about electrical...
Match the flooring to the lifestyle
What kitchen flooring products and/or services do you offer? Joe Najmy (JN), NuKitchens, LLC, South Norwalk, (203) 831-9000; www.nukitchens.com: “We have wood flooring in oak, cherry, maple walnut, teak installed and custom stained to suit. Floor tiles in marble, limestone and porcelain. Cork, concrete and bamboo flooring are also available.” Chris Mahoney (CM), Owner, Christopher...
