Interior Home Improvement Solutions
May, 2008 - Issue #43 
Paint & Finish
Problem #1: You’re Worried that “Wow” and Kids can’t Coexist
Solution: by Michael Overton of Executive Painting and Texture Inc. 816-7455
Think color, but be careful; too dark a color in a small space will make you feel like you are in a cave. However, if you have vaulted ceilings with light pouring in, dark color can make a classy statement. If sticky fingers are a problem, consider a low-sheen paint. Also, a multi-color faux finish can hide the occasional smudging until you get around to cleaning.
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Big Interior Change for Little Cash
May, 2008 - Issue #43
One of the biggest bangs for your home décor dollar lies in replacing fabric. Tired of the dusty plaid couch you bought a decade ago? Replace the fabric around it, and you’ve got a new couch for a fraction of the cost.
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Home Improvement Equals Sales
May, 2008 - Issue #43
Homeowners are hungry for an advantage - something that can give their home an edge over the competition. According to Joshua “Dr.” Suess of Remax of Valencia, such advantages fall into one of two categories: price and condition. But for a great deal of homeowners, prices are already low enough… that leaves option two.
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Entertaining at Home: Easter
April, 2008 - Issue #42
Yes, we know that you planned on making your son a rabbit costume this year. And yes, we’re aware that you’ve always wanted to glaze your own ham. Next year, Dear. With Easter less than 10 days away, you need to send your streamlined inner-Energizer Bunny off to greener pastures. This spring, go easy on yourself. With this simple menu and uber-easy recipes, no one will know the difference.
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Love Is In The Details
April, 2008 - Issue #42
This three-bedroom, two-bath home is just what you’re looking for: in fabulous condition, move-in ready and a decorator’s dream. Take a moment now to tour this gorgeous home offered at $490,000. If you like what you see, call RE/MAX Real Estate Agent Pam Ingram at 291-1726 for a personal showing.
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10 Exterior Home Improvement Solutions
April, 2008 - Issue #42
Problem #1: You Need More Space but don’t want to Move
Solution: by Greg Aliano of Top Construction 775-9945
When deciding between entering a struggling housing market or upgrading their existing home to work better for their family, many homeowners are selecting the second option. In these cases, “add ons” often are the solution.
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Entertaining at Home
March, 2008 - Issue #41
From co-ed to themes, traditional baby showers aren't what they used to be. Read on to get some fresh ideas from the experts... including a feature where Santa Clarita’s favorite gift retailers share their top baby shower picks!
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The Valentine’s Gift HE REALLY WANTS
February, 2008 - Issue #40
The good news: Men don’t need beautiful centerpieces to think a party is successful. The bad news: You don’t know a first-down from a Lombardi trophy. Don’t worry. Hosting a Superbowl party is more about the shopping list than the décor. Here’s what you need:
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Entertaining At Home
February, 2008 - Issue #40
Hundreds of couples became engaged over the holidays and now it’s time to share the good news with the rest of the world. What could be more romantic than a Valentine-themed engagement party?
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The Garden Gives Back
December, 2007 - Issue #38
Few people can muster much excitement about the process of home improvement. Images of plans, contractors, dust, hundreds of fabric swatches and new furniture dizzily circle through our heads when confronted with the potential task of revitalizing our space. Combine that potential stress with work, kids and “life” and it’s no wonder why so many put off the task all together.
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Entertaining at Home
December, 2007 - Issue #38
Whether you host an open house, or just earn title of “best guest,” one thing holds true: The holidays are nearly here! Get a head start with these great ideas compiled from Santa Clarita’s finest caterers and party planners.
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Wildfire Gardening
December, 2007 - Issue #38
We live in an area where wildfires are simply a seasonal fact of life. Every year we hear about how we should do something to keep our homes safe, but it’s so easy to let it slip down on the list of priorities. This year there was no avoiding the impact of those fires. Admittedly these extraordinary wind-driven fires overrode even some well-cleared areas. Sometimes, even the best preparation is not enough. But the fire department confirms that your chances of safely surviving a fire season by simply clearing brush and keeping to wise, fire-resistant planting can, indeed, tip the odds hugely in your favor. And there’s another factor to consider: you can actually create a fire-resistant garden in any style that is just as beautiful as a non-resistant garden!
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Seven Steps to Fabulous
December, 2007 - Issue #38
1. Consider Artificial
You can purchase a live tree every year at your local discount store, but I find that the pre-cut option is usually dead and droopy by Christmas Eve, when most of us host get-togethers with friends and family. Specialty décor stores sell many varieties of pre-lit, pre-hung (meaning the branches are attached) trees in sizes from two feet to 12 feet.
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It’s the Holiday Season
December, 2007 - Issue #38
There are some who start gearing up for the holiday season in July. Of course, that number is pretty low. So if you are like most people, the holidays have snuck up on you and you are getting concerned, running out of ideas, and just a little stressed.
This is the time of year to be jolly and giving. With just a little bit of help, you can start crossing off some of those items on your long list of things to do and get back into the spirit of the holiday.
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Say it with Flowers
December, 2007 - Issue #38
When it comes to the holidays, decorating the house is more than Christmas trees, wreaths and Chanukah bushes. Flowers add beauty, fragrance and a touch of elegance.
Here is what some of the experts say.
Claire’s Flowers: “You have to think ‘What’s the occasion?’ Tell me about the style and décor of your home,” Claire Cullen Middleton said. People who use flowers have a love of their home, Claire said. All white Calla Lilies in a vase filled with crystals is a beautiful choice.
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Entertaining atHome
November, 2007 - Issue #37
Creating a festive mood and preparing a Thanksgiving feast doesn’t have to be a stressful experience if you plan ahead and prepare in steps. This is one party where you can’t leave everything until the last minute. In fact, with careful planning, you’ll be ready to enjoy the holiday yourself when the first guests arrive on your doorstep, instead of stressing out in the kitchen.
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Fall in Love with Your Garage
Garages are the new wave in home improvement, and with attractive cabinet systems and flooring options, homeowners can bring both style and utility to this often neglected part of the house. Innovative organization systems can be installed in the garage to create a workstation, clear a space to park your cars, and increase overall storage capacity by utilizing both wall and ceiling space — two areas that are often overlooked when redesigning the garage for maximum efficiency.
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Make the Most of your Budget
June, 2007 - Issue #32
If, by chance, your IRS return wasn’t big enough to afford a new tile, let alone many of them held together by grout, you aren’t alone. But when the budget gets tight, the tight get creative. Changing the look of your home for the better is just a few bucks (relatively) away, says Santa Clarita’s finest design improvement experts.
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Kids’ Birthday Parties
June, 2007 - Issue #32
You might not remember what you ate for breakfast yesterday, but chances are that you recall at least one or two special birthday parties from your childhood. Help your kids make the same great memories by hosting their next birthday party at home. It’s easier than you think; read on for expert tips on planning for the festive day.
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Neat Boutique
March, 2007 - Issue #29
Santa Clarita’s homeware shops are BRIMMING with style. Your favorite new accessories are only a short jaunt away. Orchid Gift Emporium, La Via Bella, Macc* Designs/The Warehouse and Madalian are all profiled.
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Entertaining at Home
March, 2007 - Issue #29
How long has it been since you lingered over a drink and rich conversation with a close friend? Now multiply that experience by the number of gal pals you’ve been meaning to catch up with "forever." Enough of the guilt. It’s time to take action. Spa parties are all the rage and can be as simplistic or complicated as you desire. The same goes for the cost involved. Some women hire masseuses, manicurists and cosmetologists.
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Six Thoughts on Insurance for your Newly-purchased Home
March, 2007 - Issue #29
Most people get insurance because escrow won’t close without it. Don’t just purchase insurance to close escrow and not thinking about it after that. One of the biggest mistakes people make is insuring their new home for the purchase price. Homeowners’ insurance insures the replacement value of the dwelling, not the market price. Loss of jewelry, guns, furs and some other valuable items are limited when the loss is from theft. The best way to cover these items is by specifically scheduling them on your policy.
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Entertaining at Home
February, 2007 - Issue #28
"My most memorable Valentine's Day involved a local sheriff," recalls Gail McCroskey, owner of An Affaire Extraordinaire. "He snuck us into his backyard, where we created a formal dinner for him and his girlfriend in his gazebo on top of a hill. We created a space full of lights, flowing fabric - the works - and it started to rain." McCroskey's staff trudged through mud while the happy couple dined comfortably out of the elements.
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Natural Wellness at Home
February, 2007 - Issue #28
Daily living with the stress of two income families, an over-full schedule and environmental toxins can wear on a person both physically and mentally. If our homes are supposed to be our sanctuary, shouldn't we put a little energy into making that space better for our bodies and our spirits? As moms, we are always searching for ways to bring more calm into our crazy lives and reduce our worries about our family's health. Recently we had a chance to talk to Gail White, owner of Saje Natural Wellness, about how to incorporate natural remedies into our regular home life (We're fans of that "ounce of prevention better than a pound of cure" adage our grandmothers touted.)
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Untraditional Neoclassical Combination
January, 2007 - Issue #27
Caution: This story and the accompanying photographs may inspire intense envy. This 3,100-square-foot home in Bridgeport, occupied by the Melin family, is one worthy of more positive adjectives than the average computer thesaurus contains. But what might be the proverbial frosting on designer Annette Melin's already delicious cake can be summarized in her own words: "This is very nice, but you should have seen the other house. It was to die for."
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Entertaining at Home
January, 2007 - Issue #27
Whether you've opted to host an evening soiree complete with classic noise makers and midnight kisses or you prefer to create a more casual daytime celebration for the New Year, one thing will remain the same: Champagne is a must. It has been sipped out of shoes in popular commercials. Marilyn Monroe loved it so much she literally bathed in it. But the most festive of beverages, bubbly as it may be, can become a bit stale two months into the holiday season.
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Time to De-holiday your Home
January, 2007 - Issue #27
The torn wrapping paper has been cleaned up and recycled. The dishes are washed and back in the cabinets and most importantly, the relatives have all returned home. Now the Christmas tree is starting to dry out, the electric bill has been maxed, and the holiday colors are clashing with your décor. It took days to put up - untangling lights, wrapping garland over mantels and up staircases, and attaching icicles to the roof line. With a little planning, some extra room in the attic and careful handling, it just may be a lot easier to decorate your home for the holidays in 2007.
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Welcome Home
December, 2006 - Issue #26
Some would think that creating an intimate area would be a difficult task in a home that has 4,100 square feet of space to fill. After all, "cozy" and "super-sized" aren't adjectives that traditionally are associated together. Surprisingly enough, however, the Chegwin home in Westridge seems to have conquered what otherwise would have been an antonym for others. Rose and Steve Chegwin, along with their sons, Chris, 21, and Brandon, 15, are comfortably surrounded by dozens of highly soft (both literally and visually) furniture pieces, accessories and more that make the space incredibly livable and effectively fill five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a game room, gourmet kitchen, formal dining room and more.
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It’s Time to Celebrate!
December, 2006 - Issue #26
It’s that time of year again. Instead of feeling a moral obligation to host holiday festivities, wouldn’t it be better to feel energized by the prospect? All you need is a little party revamping to capture the excitement of the season. Some of Santa Clarita’s most popular party planners have chimed in on how they make a get-together shine. Borrow a few tips and pass them off as your own for parties that are marked with laughter and good cheer.
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Entertaining the Question
December, 2006 - Issue #26
Fun! That's what holiday parties are supposed to be. Think of something new to do. One of my favorite things to do for a holiday party is to pick one food item and create the entire menu around it. This works really well when guests are bringing a dish. Think lemons, cranberries, apples... From signature beverages and appetizers to desserts, include the item as an ingredient. How about selecting a region as a theme in preparing holiday food? New Orleans, Santa Fe, Caribbean, Hawaii... Why not say "aloha" this Christmas? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to hosting your own holiday party.
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