Bedroom Doors - How To Pick Them and What To Look For

Bedroom Doors – How to Pick Them and What to Look For

Doors are an integral part of every house design. Whether you are building a new house, renovating a couple of rooms, or completely redesigning your home, you should consider replacing your doors. Doors are not only prone to wearing out, but they can also go out of style. Some types of interior doors that were popular a decade ago look quite ridiculous in the modern setting.

That is why we have decided to sort of put together a list of the biggest trends when it comes to interior doors and bedroom doors in particular. We want to show you the best bedroom door designs and teach you all the ins and outs of picking one.

Types of materials

First, let’s talk about materials. First material that comes to your mind when you see a door is probably wood. There is nothing surprising about this, in fact, the majority of good-quality doors are made from wood. But that doesn’t mean that other materials are bad or not suitable. Let us show you what the most popular materials for bedroom doors are.

First of are solid wood doors. These doors are completely made from wood. They are the sturdiest ones, offer the best insulation, and create a natural sound barrier. They have an everlasting look and can easily fit in any design. Solid wood doors are perfect for the entrance to your bedroom.

Next up are solid-core doors. They are pretty similar to the above-mentioned solid wood doors, but the biggest difference is the price. These doors are made from plywood, making them a lot cheaper. If you don’t have a budget for a solid wood door, solid-core ones are a great substitute for a bedroom entrance door.

The third option is a hollow-core door. They are the cheapest option by far and because of that offer the worst insulation and quality. We don’t recommend using this type of door at the entrance to your bedroom, their sound insulation is pretty terrible. But you can put them at your bedroom closet or bathroom entrance.

Lastly, we would like to mention steel frame doors, glass doors, and aluminium doors. They are not that commonly used as the bedroom entrance door, but they are perfect if your bedroom has a balcony. These materials handle elements better than the wood does and if you install a flyscreen door, you will get a lot of natural light in your bedroom.

Styles

After you’ve settled on the material of your bedroom door, we can talk about the different styles that are available on the market. Styles are not universal and they are intended to serve a specific purpose. For example, you can place a bulky front entrance door in your bedroom. That is just impractical and doesn’t make any sense.

But what you can do is place a panel or a flush door at the entrance to your bedroom, use a flyscreen door for your balcony, and install a bifold door in your bedroom closet. These styles are all perfect for their specific roles. Flyscreen doors let the sunlight enter your bedroom from the balcony. Bifold doors take less space than the regular doors, making them perfect for small places like bedroom closets. And panel or flush doors have just a great overall design for entrances. Pair these styles with solid wood and you’ll get a timeless design and long, long lasting doors.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

Fun and Creative Front Door Decoration Ideas

Fun and Creative Front Door Decoration Ideas

If there’s a part of your home that is easy to decorate, then it’s definitely your front door. Even though they are so important and visible, many people, unfortunately, forget to decorate them. Those who decide to give them some attention usually put up a wreath, but why not go beyond that and do something more creative. Here are some fun and creative front door decoration ideas you can try instead of a simple wreath. Take a look!

Boots and umbrellas for spring and autumn

These spring or autumn themed decoration ideas are not only super cute, but they are quite easy to make. Simply get your children’s old rain boots, old or broken umbrellas and other objects that remind you of those seasons, match them with some flowers and ribbons and voila! You have a beautiful and fun front door decoration!

Letter monograms

This is a great idea of showing how much you’re proud of your family. These have been popular for a couple of years now and it seems like they aren’t going anywhere. You can be very flexible with them. You can make them in different sizes, colors, fonts and styles, and you can decorate them so they fit your door perfectly. You can actually find letters in some stores, but it’s more fun to make them yourself. You can use some thick cardboard or hardboard and start cutting. You can decorate them according to the season, holiday or simply find something that depicts your family well. You can turn this into a fun family project, so everyone can make their initials.

Chalkboard signs

This is one very creative décor idea. You can buy some blackboards in the store, or you can simply paint a picture frame or even a kitchen tray with chalkboard paint and hang it up. It’s fun because you can write all sorts of different things on it, and you’ll find it more than useful. You can write notes such as “Be right back!” or “I’m in the backyard”; you can let your kids draw and write on it; or you can write some funny jokes and brighten your visitors’ days. Possibilities are truly endless.

Creative artworks

This one is a great Christmas décor idea. You can wrap up some boxes, stack them and turn them into a unique artwork. You can also throw some wrapped boxes all over your porch or liven up your garlands and wreaths with little gift boxes.

Think local

If you got bored of all those pine, fir and spruce garlands you see everywhere, you can start thinking local and make one out of the greenery that grows in your neighbourhood and is native to Australia. You can also pick some wild flowers and incorporate them in your design. If you want to do something extra special, get some white bulbs to mimic the look of blooming flowers.

Locks, mats and colors

Locks, mats and door colors can all make your front door look more inviting and fun, so use them to your advantage. Paint your door in a bold and vivid color, but make sure it fits well with your house exterior. You can choose a fun doormat, hang up some creative street number and spice things up with some unique door knobs and locks. If you’re not that handy with tools, you can always call an expert locksmith from Parramatta who will install some new locks for you. You can also find a creative way to light up your entrance with outdoor pendants and other interesting fixtures.

Now that you see how easy and fun it is to decorate your front door, you’ll never neglect it again. Let your imagination run wild and do something special for your entrance. Soon, the whole neighborhood will be trying to copy your décor.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

5 Dining Room Designs For Small Spaces

5 Dining Room Designs for Small Spaces

A dining room is a place devoted to hosting and feasting. So, it must be interesting and entertaining. Whether you’ve a tiny dining room or just stealing a corner from another space in the house for dining, we’ve got some unique designs and ideas to make the most of your dining space.

Try A Round Table

For smaller dining spaces, a round table is the best choice because it can easily fit into the tight spaces and offer more seating space. A round table with armless chairs are the best space saving options for tiny areas. If your living room adjoins the dining area, consider decorating it with the same palette and color scheme to keep things coordinated in the zones. You can also place a rug to demarcate the living room area or you can hang a pendant over the table to add a big style in the small space.

Pair A Round Table Along with Banquette

For the tightest dining corner, banquette paired with round table is a great choice. The built-in bench seating maximizes the space and offers more flexibility. Include storage under the benches to use efficiently all the space. For decoration, consider placing colorful cushions over the seats and hanging beautiful art pieces. To add more character, choose shattered glass table tops.

Add Folding Dining Table

Folding dining table is a smart solution for small space. For the tightest spaces and apartment living, folding tables are the preferred choice of people. Consider installing a sleek table that folds out at mealtime and folds flat against the wall when you require more space. A folding table can be used as a small corner table. You can also mount a shattered glass table top to add a wow factor in your home.

Small Dining Room with Slimline Table

Another best design and space saving solution is to add a slimline table in your dining zone. A slimline table can easily fit into the narrow space areas. A Slimline table having storage drawer can be paired with colorful chairs to add more interest. You can also pair it with banquette or both at the same time. Choose the same upholstery fabric to tie up the mixed seating. Choose ultra slimline table and paint the wall white to create a larger and brighter dining area.

Choose an Expandable Table

The extendable dining tables are the best space saving options for small dining rooms. It offers more flexibility and comfortable seating without adding any extension. A small extendable dining table is perfect because it can be extended to serve more people and then it can again transform into the smaller one to maximize the available space. It is a great choice for small dining rooms, studio apartments and for kitchen dining area. These tables can be made up of glass, wood or metal. Available in different styles and designs, choose the best one that perfectly suit space and requirements.

Guest Contributor, Dan Lyke

Memorial Day 2016

On this day we honor the fallen heroes who gave us the freedom that we have. The men and women who gave their lives and left behind a family, so we could be with ours. We don’t say it enough; Thank You. Thank you for letting my family and I enjoy our days without worries, while you are away from yours. Thank you for letting me put my son to sleep every night, while you are away from yours. Thank you for letting me wake up every morning at home, while you are away from yours. You are MY HERO. Don’t worry, I will raise my son to know who the real heroes are.

You, sir and ma’am, are the reason this country is free. God Bless you and may you come home safe to your family, so we could shake your hand and thank you in person. 

Plumber Kevin Szabo Shows How To Rebuild A RPZ Valve

11 Surprising Ways To Getting A Good Night's Sleep

The Importance of Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

If I don’t get a good night’s sleep tonight, I’ll get a good night’s sleep tomorrow! Have you ever said that?

Work projects are due, children need to be driven to practice, work errands need to be ran, dinner needs to get made, school projects need to be done, laundry needs to be washed, and the list goes on and on. Those are the things that go through the average person’s head. Stressing out about your day's To Do List is not going to get anything done quicker, or on time. The way you get everything done in a timely manner is by getting a Good Night’s Sleep. When we sleep enough hours in a night, our bodies are rested. When we are well rested, we perform better. The important question is; how do we get a good night’s sleep?

1.      Avoid caffeine late in the day.

2.      Don’t eat late at night.

3.      Don’t have stressful conversations late at night.

4.      Keep electronics/gadgets out of the bedroom.

5.      Read before bed.

6.      Have a Zen like environment in the bedroom.

7.      Don’t eat in bed.

8.      Eat healthier- avoid Carbs, sugars, heavy drinking. Eat vegetables, fruit, and protein. If you are not a big fan of fruits & veggies, try having a smoothie(they are delicious).

9.      Work out- go to the gym, go for a walk around your neighborhood, invest in a bicycle, go hiking at the Forest Preserve.

10.  Avoid taking a pill for everything. If certain medication is not REALLY necessary, don’t take it. Studies have shown that taking too many pills can cause insomnia.

11.  Drink WATER.

Sleep is important. Good sleep is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

As a plumber and business owner, I need my sleep. Could you imagine me being at a customer’s house: at an emergency call, or a commercial job, on NO SLEEP?? No, I won’t perform up to par.

Sleepless nights will make you depressed, forgetful, ages you, will make you gain weight, and will impair your judgement. If that’s not enough of a crappy list to try to help you improve your sleep, I don’t know what will.

Put a little effort into getting a good night’s sleep.

Tonight try this:

1. Eat dinner early.

2. Put your kids to bed at a decent time.

3. Turn that TV off.

4. Put your phone away, in a different room.

5. Read a book and go to bed early.

Tomorrow: Go conquer the world!!! 

Best Restaurants in the Southwest Suburbs for Mother's Day 2016

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day only comes once a year. We should show them we love them and appreciate them every day, but on this day we should do a little more. In last week’s blog post about Mother’s Day we told you that the gift of doing things around the house should be the number one gift idea. For those of you who have kids, and work all the time, it’s hard to manage our time. If you only have a few hours to give to your Mother, take her somewhere for brunch and make sure you have absolutely gorgeous fresh flowers ready to hand to her. Below is a list of restaurants that make our Best of List.

Best Restaurants for Mother’s Day in the Chicago South Suburbs 2016

Dancing Marlin 20590 S. La Grange Rd Frankfort, IL for Reservations call 815-464-6646

Osteria Ottimo 16111 S. La Grange Rd Orland Park, IL 60467 for Reservations call 708-403-3366

Rocco’s Little Italy 7907 W. 159th St. Tinley Park, IL 60477 for Reservations call 708-444-8259

Francesca’s Vicinato 12952 S. La Grange Rd Palos Park, IL 60464 for Reservations call 708-671-1600

Q Restaurant 11379 W. 159th St. Orland Park, IL 60467 for Reservations call 708-966-2179

The Cottage On Dixie 18849 Dixie Hwy Homewood, IL 60430 for Reservations call 708-798-8263

Isabella Café 17211 Oak Park Ave Tinley Park, IL 60477 for Reservations call 708-444-8555

Fat Rosie’s 28 Kansas Street Frankfort, IL 60423 for Reservations call 815-534-1640

Café Gaston 14438 John Humphry Dr Orland Park, IL 60462 for Reservations call 708-403-3663

Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery 1035 Sterling Ave Flossmoor, IL 60422 for Reservations call 708-957-2739

Le Crepe Bistro 13957 S. Bell Rd Homer Glen, IL 60491 for Reservations call 708-966-4866

If you need help making Reservations, visit OpenTable.com

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Mother's Day Pear Mimosa

Mother’s Day Pear Mimosa Recipe

·       ¾ c. pear nectar

·       1 bottle of champagne

·       Pear slices, for garnish

I hope all your Mother's Day plans turn out great. To all the Mothers: Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing wishes you a very Happy Mother's Day. 

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Red Pepper and Baked Egg Galettes

If you are unable to go out for brunch, here is a delicious recipe that will be a hit with Mom.

Red Pepper and Baked Egg Galettes

Yield: serves 4

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

·       2 large or 4 small red bell peppers, cut into 1/2 inch strips

·       2 small onions, (red or white) halved and cut into 1/2 inch wedges

·       fresh sprigs of thyme, leaves removed

·       1 tsp cumin

·       1 tsp coriander

·       6 Tbsp olive oil

·       handful fresh parsley, chopped

·       handful cilantro, chopped

·       1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

·       1 egg, beaten, for brushing the pastry

·       12 tsp sour cream

·       4 large fresh eggs

·       salt and fresh cracked pepper

 Follow the Link for INSTRUCTIONS

Source: http://theviewfromgreatisland.com/red-pepper-and-baked-egg-galettes-from-jerusalem-the-book/

The Three Stooges: A Plumbing We Will Go

Who doesn't love The Three Stooges!!! Here is a great example of Cowboy Plumbers. Enjoy an episode of The Three Stooges  pretending to be Plumbers. 

Increase The Value Of Your Home By Upgrading Your Backyard!

Summer is here, everyone loves having a gorgeous outdoor area to host their friends and family. If you would like to add value to your home, upgrade your outdoor living area. Click on the link to get 25 Backyard Ideas To Increase Value & Lots Of Family Fun

Is It Dangerous To Take A Shower During A Storm?

When I was a young kid I always heard it was dangerous to take a shower during a storm. I always thought it was a joke. How could someone get electrocuted taking a shower? As I got older I realized it's true. We have several pipes running to our homes under ground and we have live wires attached to our homes. Here is what happened when Myth Busters tested the myth:

Explanation: Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to ... shower in? The National Weather Service urges the public to avoid hopping in the shower during a lightning storm in the event that a bolt strikes one of your home's water pipes and electrifies your bathroom.

MythBusters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage took that weather alert to task and constructed a makeshift house, complete with grounded plumbing. Then, they doused it with simulated lightning in an electricity testing facility to find out whether the voltage really could leap from the sky to the shower.

Since the MythBusters were shy about showering on camera, they hired a stand-in: a ballistics gel dummy that had roughly the same electrical conductivity as the human body. To screen for a fatal lightning strike, the dummy wore a heart monitor. The 700,000 volts of fake lightning indeed arced onto the water pipes and jumped to the shower, causing a fire.

source: http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/shower-in-thunderstorm/

Lightning Safety Tips

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/lightning/resources/lightning-safety.pdf