Use "the sock trick" to clean blinds.
For those hard-to-dust mini-blinds, slide your hand into a sock and dip it into a solution that is 50 percent water, 50 percent vinegar. With your hand still in the sock, make a "puppet mouth" and then "bite" the blinds between your fingers and thumb, sliding your hand from one side to the other.

#dreamlandinteriors  #miniblinds  #cleaningtips

Fine Art can be the finishing touch to a spectacular room.  Art is a worthy investment, but it can be difficult to make a selection.  Visiting galleries or museums to determine what style you are drawn to is a good starting place.  In today's electronic age, you can take virtual art tours online.  Artsy.net is an online database of over 70,000 artists.  Saatchi Art offers a wide selection of art covering a wide range of prices.

Butterflies in Crimson From Saatchi Art Site

When remodeling a room, certain items can be purchased more inexpensively such as rugs, throw pillows, bar stools, accent tables, and decorative pieces.  One item that is worth spending money on, is the sofa.  Comfort should not be compromised.  Also lighting fixtures should be of high quality since a good choice can be utilized for a long time.  Cheap lighting is easy to detect and ruins the effect you may be trying to achieve.

I would recommend RugsUSA and Overstock.com for rugs, pillows, stools, lamps, accent tables, and accent pieces.   The H&H Home site is a good source for inexpensive pillows.  When purchasing bar stools, carefully measure the height of your counter before ordering.

#dreamlandinteriors  #remodel  #H&HHome   #USARugs  #Overstock

A young girl would love this soft millennial pink colored sofa/sectional.  I especially like the way the pictures are displayed on the wall.  Great use of space and color.  Source:  Glamour.

#dreamlandinteriors  #sofa  #wallart  #millennialpink

To prevent damage to your home, from faulty plumbing and water leaks, adhere to the following guidelines.

Locate the Main Water Valve
​It is of the utmost importance that you know where and how to turn off the main water valve in your home in the case of a leak, broken pipe, or plumbing problem.  Educate the other members in the home so that everyone knows how to turn off the water to minimize any damage.

Check for Leaks Often
​Frequently inspect your plumbing for stains, puddles, leaks, etc. under sinks.  To check for toilet leaks, every few months place a few drops of food coloring in the back of the toilet tank before going to bed.  Check the water in the bowl when you get up in the morning.  If it's colored, there's a leak in the toilet.

Purchase a Home Warranty
Plumbing systems and plumbing stoppages are included in Home Warranty Plans.  Even additional coverage can be purchased for sump pumps, well pumps, and septic systems.

Prevent Major Clogs
​Use drain screens in the bathroom tub and shower.  Use empty jars to dispose of used cooking grease.  Once a month, sprinkle half a cup of baking soda in the drain and follow with a cup of vinegar to clear buildups.

Clean Aerators Regularly
​Remove aerator from your faucet and scrub it clean and/or soak it in vinegar.  Hard water scale and debris can interrupt the water stream.

Insulate Your Pipes
​If you live in an area with freezing temperatures in the winter, pipes need to be insulated to prevent them from bursting.  They make slip-on foam insulation that is easy to install on exposed pipes, spigots.  In freezing weather, it is wise to leave the water dripping and leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air to get to the pipes.

Washing Machine Issues
​Install a hose screen over the hot and cold water hoses leading to your washing machine to stop sediment from getting to the pumps and valves.  Inspect the water hoses for your washer often.  New steel model hoses are more durable and worth using in place of the older rubber hose types.​

#dreamlandinteriors  #plumbing  #homewarranty  #plumbingrepair

The AC in your home not only works to keep you comfortable but it also dehumidifies your home.  A hot, humid home creates a breeding ground for mildew, mold, and bacteria.  To keep your air conditioner in top condition follow these DIY tips.

​Are There Any Tripped Breakers?
If your AC isn't running, check your breaker box to see if a breaker has tripped.  Resetting the breaker may be any easy fix.  If your air conditioner repeatedly trips the breaker, you are in need of a professional.

Check the Air Filter
The AC filter should be changed at least every three months.  A clogged filter will cause your unit to struggle cooling your home.

Inspect Your Thermostat Placement
​If your thermostat is not maintaining the temperature setting you desire, it could be that the thermostat is not reading the home temperature properly.  Televisions, electronic equipment, air flow, window placement, furniture placement can effect the reading.  The thermostat should not be positioned in a dark, cool, hot, drafty corner of your home.

Check the Thermostat Settings
​If there is a problem, check the thermostat setting.  A child could go by and turn the AC from "auto" to "off" without you knowing.  Or someone could have changed the setting from "AC" to "fan."  With only the fan running, it appears that the AC unit is running, but only warm air is being circulated.

Examine the Outdoor Condenser Unit
​Make sure your unit outside is clear of obstructions within a 2 to 3 feet area around the unit.  You don't want any blockage of airflow near your unit.  It is advised that you do a yearly cleaning.  Turn off the unit at the breaker.  Use the garden hose to spray upward into the condenser unit to get rid of dust buildup on the condenser coils.  Complete the cleaning by spraying downward to flush away dust, dirt, and other debris.

​If your unit is still not working properly, contact a professional HVAC technician.  If you have a home warranty that covers the AC, contact the company.  An AC home warranty usually covers two free cleanings a year and other repair issues.

​                                                #dreamlandinteriors  #HVAC  #homewarranty

2018 Color of the YearA collision of rich blue with jewel-toned green, a color that is both accessible and elusive, Oceanside SW 6496, is our 2018 Color of the Year. A complex, deep color that offers a sense of the familiar with a hint of the unknown, Oceanside, bridges together a harmonious balance of blues and greens that can be found in what's old and new.
The color blue evokes a multitude of moods and associations depending on hue, shade and application. Despite this variety, blues are universally perceived as intelligent, honest and interesting—making blue the most beloved color worldwide.
Oceanside's multi-dimensional, marine-inspired look can create a welcoming statement as a lively color for a front door. Its green-meets-blue tone can also boost creative thinking and clarity of thought in a home office, or invite meditation and introspection into a bedroom or reading nook.
Oceanside is universal when it comes to design style from mid-century modern to Mediterranean-inspired, traditional to contemporary.

Using the Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap® Visualizer, you can explore the Color of the Year and with the swipe of a finger see it on any wall.

From:  Sherwin-Williams  
  

Make these 10 rideshare safety tips part of your routine, whether you’re traveling around your hometown or in a new and unfamiliar destination.

1) Share Your Trip When traveling alone, especially at night, always share your trip with others. I always make sure to do this. It’s the easiest and quickest way to let someone track your ride and know your whereabouts in case something happens during your ride. The person you share your trip with will get a notification to his or her phone and will be able to follow along via GPS. To do so, hit the “Share My ETA” option with Uber and “Send ETA” with Lyft.

2) Give Feedback This is an often overlooked part of rideshare safety, but an important step to take once your ride is complete. Post-trip, make sure to rate your driver and leave helpful feedback so you can keep good drivers on the road, and bad ones off.

3) Keep Your Personal Info Confidential There’s no harm in exchanging pleasantries with your driver, but avoid giving him or her any personal information, like how long you’re traveling for, where you live, or your phone number or any other contact information.

4) Request Your Ride While Inside If you can, request your ride while indoors to avoid lingering outside too long with your phone out, which may attract thieves or pickpockets.

5) Confirm Your Driver and Car Before Getting In There are some reported cases of scammers posing as rideshare drivers, so always confirm the license plate and name of your driver before getting in. Both of these pieces of information are clearly presented in the app. And, if you’re getting picked up in a popular area, like an airport, this will also avoid accidentally taking someone else’s ride. 
Pro Tip: Always ask a driver for the name of the passenger before you get in the car instead of saying your name first. This way, you can be 100 percent sure that person is your driver.

6) Wear Your Seatbelt Just because you’re in someone else’s car or riding in the back seat doesn’t mean you’re at less of a risk of being in an accident. Always buckle up—drivers appreciate it. Under Uber’s description of “Your Rating” you’ll find that wearing your seatbelt is listed as an item that helps your passenger rating. 

7) Sit in the Back Seat If you’re traveling alone, always choose the back seat. According to Dave Sutton, spokesperson for Who’s Driving You?, a public safety campaign from the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association that promotes for-hire vehicle safety, “Many of the incidents that we’ve seen … have happened to passengers riding up front.”

8) Check Your Driver’s Rating While both Uber and Lyft monitor a driver’s rating, always double-check that your driver has prior experience and a rating over 4.5. If it’s anything below that, drivers can get fired or deactivated from Uber.

9) Never Pay Cash A driver should never ask you to pay cash for your ride. Now both Uber and Lyft give you an option to tip after your trip, so there’s no need to have your wallet out during a rideshare.

10) Know Your Surroundings If you’re in an unfamiliar city or area, make sure to track your route on your own maps app to ensure the driver is following the correct route. And, if you’re getting picked up from the airport, always be sure to follow the prompted instructions when you open the rideshare app.
This also goes for the neighborhood and time of day you’re requesting a ride. Be smart and aware of open businesses around you and avoid calling rideshares alone late at night. If you’re getting picked up from a bar or restaurant, pay extra attention to these tips.

​From SmarterTravel, written by Ashley Rossi

#dreamlandinteriors  #Uber  #Lyft  #Travel

Internet News-- Use Honey to save money on Amazon purchases.   This popular browser extension has a new trick up its sleeve, and it's all about Amazon.

• by Rick Broida

June 22, 2016 2:35 PM If you're anything like me, you consider saving money a sport. Of course, to get good at the game, you need the right gear.

Or, in this case, the right browser extension. Honey is a popular tool that can automatically dig up and apply coupon codes for thousands of online stores. But now it offers another feature, one that has the potential to save Amazon shoppers big bucks.

See, it's not uncommon to think that Amazon proper always has the lower price. And when you see that little "Prime" badge next to the price, you know you're getting free two-day shipping to boot. But consider this: any given product might be available from other vendors that sell through Amazon and might actually offer a lower price.

That's where Honey comes in. Once installed, it displays another little badge alongside the price, this one indicating whether or not you're seeing the best price. They call this Cart Protection, but the idea is to catch you before you add a product to your cart and present you with a cheaper alternative.

More ways to save money online

• Do cashback services really work?
• Shopping for an Apple product? Choose refurbished every time.
• Amazon Prime: Still a good deal at $99?

I looked at a lot of products and found very few instances where Honey was able to find a better deal. Granted, Amazon very often does have the lowest price, so it's not like Honey will save me money on every single thing I buy.

However, I did notice something interesting. I was looking at the Pebble Time Steel, the silver version of which was listed at $230.46 -- plus $13.83 in sales tax. But Honey found it for the same price without tax, ostensibly from a vendor that doesn't charge it. It would still be fulfilled by Amazon and even eligible for Prime shipping. But no tax.  Even if Honey just saves you sales tax, it's worth using.
​
Honey is available for all major browsers (except Edge and Internet Explorer), and there's no charge to use it. Even if it saves you only a few bucks here and there, it does so quickly and easily. Seems like a no-brainer add-on to me!

#dreamlandinteriors  #Amazon  #AmazonPrime  #HoneyApp

This is a DIY project that is top notch.

​#dreamlandinteriors  #crafts