We can't be too careful when installing a dryer vent. We already know to clean the dryer lint trap after each use and to clean the hose and outside vent when needed. But I came across an feature that I found very helpful and specific to make sure your installation is done according to code. Check out this article. Remember that Dreamland Interiors, Inc. can help you with your appliance needs. We attend seminars on the newest appliances learning about their features and specifications. We can even direct you to savings when tackling these big purchases. #dreamlandinteriors #washersanddryers #appliances #laundry #laundryroom
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Our home is our retreat. We count on our home to be the place we can find comfort and relaxation. But wonder if the refrigerator, the heat or AC, the plumbing, or the hot water tank go on the fritz? The household would go into chaos control mode if any one of these systems failed. Some preventative maintenance and annual inspections could lengthen the life of these systems and ward off any catastrophes. A hot water tank, depending on the model, can last from 10-15 years. To eliminate the chance of you finding a leaking unit or burnt out element before its time, annually inspect, drain, and flush your unit to optimize its lifespan. 120 degrees F is the recommended temperature setting for home use. There are also tankless hot water heaters. Contact Dreamland Interiors, Inc. for your appliance needs. To insure comfort indoors, you need a properly running HVAC unit. It is well worth the annual expense of having an inspection of your unit(s) and to replace filters regularly in the home. Also remember to wrap the pipes that are exposed to the outdoor elements. We often take our refrigerator for granted, but would be crippled without it, not to mention the expense and mess of dealing with spoiled food. Check door seals by conducting the dollar bill test. Close a dollar bill in the door with half of it extending out. Pull on the bill. If it comes out too easily, you may have to call a pro to repair the seals. As needed, clean the seals with a mixture of baking soda and water. A safe refrigerator temperature is 37 to 40 degrees F and a freezer should be 0 degrees F. Refrigerators maintain a low temperature best if they are on the full side. You may have to add drinks or jars to up the volume of contents if you mostly use your refrigerator for take out food or leftovers. If your power goes out, don't open your refrigerator or freezer. The food in the freezer should remain frozen for up to 48 hours if the freezer is full and 24 hours if it is half full. The last system to be checking for the fear of a problem is the plumbing. Pipes, sinks, showers, garbage disposals, and toilets need to be inspected frequently for leaks. Clogged drains are the most common plumbing problem. You have to be careful of drain cleaners not eating away at your pipes. A household product fix for clogged drains is to pour 1/2 cup of salt down the drain followed by boiling water. Flush with hot water until clog is cleared. Sometimes it is better to buy a snake yourself at the hardware store for around $20 or hire a plumber for $75-$150 to remove the clog. Too much water pressure can weaken the pipe joints. A normal pressure is 40 to 85 psi. You can purchase a hose bib gauge at a hardware store for around $10. If you have to hire a plumber to install a pressure reducer, the cost will be about $400. Hard water usually containing a high content of magnesium and calcium can build up in pipes and restrict pressure. A hard water measurement of over 140 parts per million is considered hard water. The only way to deal with hard water is to install a softener system. It will cost from $500-$l000 for a plumber to install a traditional sodium-based softener. A whole-house pre-filtered unit would be the ideal, but will cost approximately $100 more. They also have electronic units for $200 or less that you can install yourself but you need an outlet nearby. If you have a septic system, you should have the tank pumped every three to five years at a cost of $150 to $500. Make sure the family knows where the main water shut-off valve is so that the water can quickly be turned off to the entire house for any type of water leak. Insulate the water pipes outdoors for the winter. I found a good article with plumbing recommendations that you may want to read over. #dreamlandinteriors #plumbing #refrigerators #HVAC #waterheaters #remodeling There is no end to the new products for a smart home. Now Viio makes a LED smart mirror that has Bluetooth capability for hands free calls and quality audio performance. Visit www.viomirrors.com to view styles and features. You may need to hire an electrician to install the device. Dreamland Interiors, Inc. can assist you with your
selection of technicians. #dreamlandinteriors #mirrors #smarthomes When shopping with a client, she was surprised to find the many sources of antique and modern glass/crystal door knobs that were available. Some knobs even come with decorative keyhole plates. This ornamental accent can make a dramatic statement. Glass drawer pulls have been popular for some time. These glass knobs and drawer pulls come in a wide variety of colors. Some sources for these baubles are Lowe's, Amazon, ebay, Pottery Barn, Nostalgic Warehouse, and the store with the biggest selection is House of Antique Hardware. I also like the idea of using a glass door knob as a curtain tieback. Check out these two pinterest sites for ideas.
#dreamlandinteriors #doorknobs #drawerpulls #glasshardware #crystaldoorknobs It is much easier to paint in interior room than to paint a structure outdoors. Painting a room is the easiest way to improve and change the atmosphere in a room. Choose a color based on your intention for painting. Are you looking for the dramatic effect, to brighten the space, or to set a relaxing tone? Armed with this information Dreamland Interiors, Inc. will help you choose the perfect color combination. First gather your supplies: screwdriver, drop clothes, sponge and clean rags, paint brushes angled and straight, paint roller, ladder, sandpaper, spackle, dust mask, plastic wrap and rubber band to cover brushes or rollers if job is interrupted, putty knife, painter's tape, primer, paint, paint buckets, solvent if oil based paint, jars for soaking brushes. Or you could just have us schedule the painters to complete the project. Remove or cover furniture, remove items from walls, cover floor, wrap plastic wrap around fans or light fixtures, cover door knobs. Paint will adhere to the walls better if they are clean. Use water and mild dish detergent and sponge to wipe down walls. Fill cracks with spackle or compound and sand smooth. Always check the product instructions before beginning. Apply the primer. Professional painters even tint the primer to make the actual application of the main color easier to apply. Apply painter’s tape to cover areas not to be painted, pressing the edges as you go with a putty knife. As you paint each surface, carefully remove the tape before the paint dries. Dampen brush and rollers before painting. Start with the ceiling. You may want to use an extension on your roller. For brushwork use a small bucket. They make them with handles for added convenience. For rollers, partially fill a tray. Cut in about 3 to 4 inches around the ceiling where it meets the wall, starting in a corner. Apply the remainder of the paint on the ceiling with a roller. Let the ceiling dry before painting the walls. Latex paint usually takes 2 hours to dry. Oil based paint needs 24 hours to dry. You can be taping the door frames and windows, etc. while you are waiting for the ceiling to dry. Use the cutting-in technique to paint a strip along the edges at the ceiling, baseboards, doors and windows on the first wall. Paint the wall with a roller. Repeat steps with the remaining walls. Be checking often for runs or missed spots before the area dries. After the walls are painted and completely dry, use painter's tape around the trim and windows. Use a smaller brush about 2 inches wide for the baseboard and the trim around doors and windows and paint with long, even strokes. It is standard to apply two coats of paint, but it may not be necessary in all cases especially if you use one of the new paints with primer in the paint.. When finished, clean your brushes, rollers and other tools with soap and water or paint solvent according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pour any remaining paint back into cans and reseal the cans. I use a marker and label the cans for easy future reference. I also make a small jar of touch-up paint which I also label and keep in handy spot. #dreamlandinteriors #paint #interiordesign #interiordesigner #decor #homedecor #interiorstyling #homestyling #interiors #designblog #homestyle #homesweethome #redesign #remodel #interiordecor #homedesign #decorate #furniture #kitchen #livingroom #bedroom #bathroom #diy #construction #realestate #interiordesigners #decorator #styling #homedecor #creative #home
Outdoor speakers are now being designed to be more decorative. I came across a website that compares speakers based on their features. Check out Rockustics new outdoor designs. Hope this helps you with your selections. #dreamlandinteriors #rockustics #speakers #outdoor living #interiordesign #interiordesigner #decor #homedecor #interiorstyling #homestyling #interiors #designblog #homestyle #homesweethome #redesign #remodel #interiordecor #homedesign #decorate #furniture #kitchen #livingroom #bedroom #bathroom #diy #construction #realestate #interiordesigners #decorator #styling #homedecor #creative #home Here is a neat table that also provides storage. It is sold at IKEA for about $70 and also comes in white. #dreamlandinteriors #storage table #IKEA#interiordesign #interiordesigner #decor #homedecor #interiorstyling #homestyling #interiors #designblog #homestyle #homesweethome #redesign #remodel #interiordecor #homedesign #decorate #furniture #kitchen #livingroom #bedroom #bathroom #diy #construction #realestate #interiordesigners #decorator #styling #homedecor #creative #home Window coverings are not only necessary for privacy and to control temperature, but they also enhance the atmosphere of a room. I have gotten some good ideas from various hotels and timeshare units where I have stayed. But, my best source of inspiration is interviewing my clients to determine their tastes and needs and seeing the rooms where the window treatments will be installed. Vertical blinds are out. Shutters and Roman shades are in. Solar shades, Roman shades, roller shades, woven wood shades, wood blinds are all good options. Curtains and drapes have never gone out of style. There are many things to consider when choosing a curtain or drape. Heading options include tab tops, pleated, gathered, multi-layered, cornice, scalloped, etc. The style you prefer has to be decided, the window size and the room size has to be measured. You also have to consider the finish of the curtain rod or track. Some finish possibilities are wood, steel, antique brass, brushed nickel, painted, etc. You may want to dress up the rod with a special finial on either end. Another decision you will have to make is the length of the drape/curtain--window length, wall length, ceiling hung, etc. Looks may be combined such as a pleated curtain with a Roman shade. Bigger windows will require extra fullness. Pleated headers are usually associated with the traditional look, while gathered headings are more casual. It is best to line drapes/curtains for longer wear. If the room has a busy look to it, you would be wise to chose a plain fabric. You can easily dress up a drape/curtain by adding a contrasting color border, use tie backs, scallop the hem, add beading, add eyelets, etc. The possibilities are endless. Dreamland Interiors has extensive experience measuring and installing shutters which come in a variety of styles and finishes. Dreamland Interiors also assists clients with their custom drapery and blind needs. A technician and designer would set up an appointment to assist you with your window treatment project at your convenience. #dreamlandinteriors #draperies #curtains #shutters #Roman shades #window coverings #interiordesign #interiordesigner #decor #homedecor #interiorstyling #homestyling #interiors #designblog #homestyle #homesweethome #redesign #remodel #interiordecor #homedesign #decorate #furniture #kitchen #livingroom #bedroom #bathroom #diy #construction #realestate #interiordesigners #decorator #styling #homedecor #creative #home
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Natalie A. GauciLicensed Interior Designer working in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Archives
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