Summer brings us out from inside to embark on a wide spectrum of projects, from those as simple as trimming the hedges to the more ambitious like replacing the roof. No matter what your plans are for home improvement over the next few months, be sure to take the neighbors into consideration and follow proper safety and etiquette practices, including the following: Provide advance notice. Neighbors...
Better Living
You may be looking around your yard or patio with lots of big ideas to spruce things up, but not enough time or dollars to make it all happen. But don’t get discouraged. Sometimes, one significant change can impact the entire look and feel of your entire outdoor space. At DFW Properties, we suggest these five one-off wonders to try: String lights. Buy several sets, get a ladder, enlist a partner,...
With warmer weather, people often spend more time on summer trips with family. These trips can be more enjoyable when your four-legged friends tag along, but it can be less of a vacation if your pets are uncomfortable on the road. "Taking pets out of their homes can induce stress on both the pets and the owners, so it's important to keep them comfortable and safe while traveling," says Jessa Paschke,...
Summer sun does more than merely burn your skin. Heat, humidity and intense sun rays can damage your home's features. Here at DFW Properties, we’d like to present some ways to protect them. Paint: To make sure you get the most out of your exterior paint, choose a top quality brand that will better withstand fading over time. Depending on how much sun you want on your home, you can also plant a...
Busy parents know how frustrating it can be to keep the house tidy, with kids seeming to dismantle the area you just tidied, and the end of the week often unveiling a domestic disaster area. However, we at DFW Properties believe that by creating a system where your kids help with chores, you can prevent a bit of that clutter. That's where Cynthia Ewer comes in. She is the author of "Cut the Clutter: A...
Looking for a lush, gorgeous yard, but not happy about guzzling tons of water? The following tips from DFW Properties can help you keep your yard stunning and your water consumption low. Don't drown. The greatest waste of water comes from applying too much, too often; much of the water is never absorbed. Instead of watering for one long session, water a few times for shorter periods and take...
Have an abundance of colorful throw pillows? Don't pile them all on the couch. We at DFW Properties wanted to present five tips for decorating with floor pillows. 1. Stuff the fireplace. If you have a non-working, clean fireplace, turn it into a reading nook! Simply by paint the interior, pile in your throw pillows, and voila: a nook for reading, napping, or catching up on Netflix. 2. Surround...
Over time, the appearance and function of any outdoor space can dull due to combinations of heat, precipitation and use. With some careful attention, we at DFW Properties believe you can quickly spruce up your outdoor living areas and get them back in great working order for patio season. Take Care of Textiles. Outdoor textiles often take a beating from the elements. Freshen up often-overlooked...
More efficient, tightly built homes than those constructed in previous generations are generally well-regarded, for the most part with good reason. However, when you consider people spend 90 percent of their time indoors on average, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), such airtight environments raise some concerns. All that efficiency cuts down on airflow, effectively trapping...
When knocking down walls to create more space isn't an option, there are still plenty of ways you can maximize a small bathroom space to make it look and feel larger than it really is. Here at DFW Properties, we wanted to present the following suggestions: Opt for monochromatic cabinetry. Whether you buy new or paint existing cabinets, make them blend in monochromatically in the lightest shade...