Posted by creed on February 8, 2011 under Newsletter | 
You’ve been to a couple of those fancy home tours and just salivated. Your wife takes a close look at the trendy kitchen decor, but your attention is focused squarely on what you saw in the basement – what is commonly referred to as the Man Cave!
The Man Cave is the man’s domain (yes, we do understand we claim it as ours, but family members are welcomed)! It’s the place where he can just chill out and unwind, watch some sports, catch a movie, listen to some rockin’ music, play some poker and spend some time with the guys.
As with other parts of the home, the possibilities are vast for creating a Man Cave that reflects your individual personality and tastes. Some men like to indulge with bar areas stocked with top-shelf spirits, while others would rather use their space for a pool table and a couple of high-def televisions.
Two things you should keep in mind when you start thinking about your Man Cave are your budget and the amount of space that you have. Write down on paper everything that you want to do with your Man Cave area. One good way to start the process of designing your man cave is to pick an object that you like — whether an Indianapolis Colts pool table or a jukebox that plays 50s music. This object can set the tone for the overall look and feel of your Man Cave.
Whatever object you choose to start with, your Man Cave should be an expression of your interests. If you’re a football fan, make liberal use of NFL or college memorabilia; if you’re a movie buff, line the walls with posters from classic movies. And then furnish your Man Cave according to the theme you’ve established. If you’re going with the football look, invest in an entertainment center with surround sound and a large, comfy couch where your buddies can sit for the big game.
We love Man Cave projects at Creed Improvements – and we can help you create your Man Cave from start to finish. We’ve got the experience and the knowledge to help you turn your Man Cave dream into a finished product. Call us today to get started!
Posted by creed on January 11, 2011 under Indy Remodeling News, Newsletter |
Another year, another resolution! Before you start sighing, let’s consider some realistic home improvement tasks that can strengthen your resolve.
They don’t have to be complicated, and you can make it fun. Why not gather your family for a brainstorming session? Give prizes to whoever comes up with the best ideas.
Here are a few simple suggestions:
1. Baby proof your house: You know a couple of those plugs are still accessible to your little crawler. Make a list of what you need and make your home a safer place.
2. Declutterize: Get rid of that ugly clutter. Plan a yard sale, if necessary. Just get that extra stuff out of there.
3. Solar system: Install some solar pathway lights that lead up to your porch. Nighttime visitors will thank you when they don’t bump into things.
4. Mean green: Go back to your favorite home improvement store and buy several packages of energy-saving light bulbs.
5. Faucet facelift: Let’s be honest. Those faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms are so ‘80s. Buy some contemporary faucets and either install them yourself or hire your friendly neighborhood handyman. New faucets can give your kitchen and bathrooms a fresh look.
See? Don’t you feel better about that dreaded resolution already? Want some help to keep those home improvement resolutions? Creed Improvements is ready!
Posted by creed on December 7, 2010 under Newsletter |
As your kids dream about Toys R’ Us, you’re dreaming about your home improvement store. The holidays are here and you’re ready to put a dent in your home improvement wish list.
Enjoying Kitchen Time
It’s not just during the holidays that the kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in your home. Remodeling your kitchen just has a way to giving your home a major facelift. Anything from new cabinets or a granite countertop will beautify your kitchen and have it ready for holiday entertainment!
Updating That Bathroom
The bathroom ranks right up there for busy rooms in the home, especially if guests are visiting or staying with you. Some new fixtures and a maybe a nice mirror will add quite a bit at not much cost. Looking for a bit more upgrade? What about new flooring or a granite sink?
Fresh Paint for the Holidays
Want to know one of the simplest ways to bring a clean, fresh look to your home this holiday season? A fresh coat of paint to any room! Venture over to favorite home improvement store and pick out your color, buy a few gallons of paint and some roller brushes, and viola! (Just make sure you give yourself enough ventilation, so you’re not breathing paint fumes for hours on end.)
Make sure you prioritize your projects based on what you can reasonably accomplish. It’s also important to create a realistic budget by determining what you can spend and working your way backwards. That always yields a better result.
Remodeling not only brings about such enjoyment in your home, but it also boosts your home’s value, especially kitchens and bathrooms. Keep in mind that many of your favorite home improvement stores are seeking to become holiday shopping destinations. So you might even be able to check items off your holiday wish list while searching for the painting aisle.
Posted by creed on November 8, 2010 under Newsletter |
As the temperature continues to drop, there are plenty of home improvement projects you can perform to make your home more attractive and winter-ready as you prepare for those inevitable holiday visitors. It’s important as you create your list of wintertime projects to have realistic goals for how much you can accomplish. Failure to adequately plan can lead you to paying contractors for emergency trips and overtime rates.
Flooring
Winter is the perfect time to upgrade your home’s flooring. If you have the skills, it may be something you could do yourself as winter tends to be a great time for saving money on flooring projects. Just make sure you give yourself enough time – or hire a professional to make sure it’s done in a timely manner and before the holiday visits begin.
Windows
An easy and inexpensive way to improve the look of your home this winter is to upgrade your window treatments by shopping around for fashionable blinds, curtains and shades. You should find it easy to replace your older window treatments, and it can make a noticeable difference in a short amount of time.
Lighting
If some of your lights look like they’re from the ‘70s, it’s time for a new look. Shopping around at several home improvement stores should give you dozens of ideas for how to upgrade your lighting with contemporary fixtures that better match your home’s decor.
Garage
Another area of your home that you can upgrade in a hurry is your garage. If your garage is disorganized, spend a few hours cleaning and inventorying what you have. Make the most of your space by buying hooks to hang up items like a stroller, a plastic swimming pool, or gardening tools.
Organizing/thinking ahead
Whether it’s your closets, kitchen or bathrooms, there is some part of your home that could be better organized. Take advantage of all the hours you spend indoors this season to organize those spaces.
Take some time before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to make a home improvement winter to-do list, and let us help you accomplish it all before the holidays.
Posted by creed on October 11, 2010 under Newsletter |
With the recent drop in temperatures (besides this past week-end, of course), it’s a good time to start thinking about winterizing your home for the cold months ahead. Home winterization is often overlooked, but is an important part of maintaining your property. You will also be more comfortable this winter by doing a little prep work now in the fall.
Here are some great tips:
· Check exterior, doors and windows. If you walk by and feel a breeze, you definitely have a problem! Use weather-stripping around doors and caulk around windows. Replace any cracked or broken glass. Caulk any cracks in exterior trim and seal any exposed entry points around pipes.
· Inspect roof, gutters and downspouts. Replace missing shingles and check for roof leaks. Check attic insulation thickness to prevent heat from escaping to the roof. Clear gutters of leaves and flush downspouts to eliminate debris.
· Check furnace and fireplaces. Clean ducts and change furnace filters. Check air duct joints to be sure they are sealed. Install a programmable thermostat. Clean chimney and install screen on top to keep out small animals. Inspect fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.
· Prevent damage outdoors. Drain outdoor garden hoses and store in garage or shed for the winter. Seal driveways, wood decks and brick patios.
· Paint the exterior and trim to protect your home. The surface temperature in fall makes it a great time to paint. Properly scrape the area to relieve it of paint flakes, dirt and grease to provide a smooth, clean surface for the new coat of paint to bond effectively. A good paint job will help protect your home’s exterior from the elements. Don’t forget to caulk any gaps while you are painting.
While some of these items can easily be done yourself, consider hiring a professional before venturing up a ladder. We can check these and other winterization items for you and make sure you stay warm and cozy this winter.
