Now that school has started, and life has returned to some type of routine, we are reminded of the change of seasons ahead. Before you know it, it’s fall. Then winter. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here are some easy things you can do to get ready for the cooler months ahead so be sure to get them on your fall to-do list:
Winterize AC
Winterizing your AC unit depends on what part of the country you live in. But if yours is exposed to leaves, pine needles, nuts and the like, you’ll want to cover it during the fall months. You can make one yourself or buy one at a hardware or home store. You can also weigh it down with plywood to protect it from ice. Just be sure to remove the cover in spring to encourage air circulation and prevent mold growth.
Clean and Inspect Chimney
To avoid a chimney fire from creosote buildup, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends chimneys be cleaned once a year. You could clean your chimney yourself, but it’s best to hire a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. A sweep knows about building codes and can recognize potential problems.
Clean Gutters
If you’re not afraid of heights, cleaning gutters is relatively easy. Depending on where you live and the kind of trees you have, you should do it in spring and fall. Start near the downspout and grab the larger debris first and dispose of it in a bucket. Then flush the gutters with a hose from the opposite end of the downspout.
Plant Fall Bulbs for Spring Flowers
Fall is a great time to plant bulbs for spring flowers because the cooler air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm, which allows roots to grow until the ground freezes. Irises, tulips and daffodils are good options, best in full sun. Just dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb is tall with the pointed end up.
Store Hoses
Turn off all faucets and drain garden hoses. Disconnect them from the outside spigots and store them in a dry place so any residual water doesn’t freeze. Put away your seasonal furniture and outdoor flower pots and lawn and garden decor as well.
Prep Lawn and Equipment
Rake and remove leaves from the yard and apply fertilizer to prevent winter damage. Finally, empty the fuel from your mower. Sharpen the blades and get repairs done now so you don’t have to worry about them in the spring.
Like many homeowners, Jessie wanted to make some changes to her kitchen but she didn’t want to spend a lot of money doing it. She and her family have lived in their home for about 5 years, and a budget kitchen update was needed.
Painting the cabinets was the first order of business. “We have a lot of white and grays in our home and so we wanted a more cohesive look for the rest of the house,” she says. But the newly painted cabinets made the white appliances look “dingy.” Jessie looked for sales and ultimately found some gently used stainless steel appliances on Craigslist to add to the new look. The couple also added concrete countertops.
A few browsing sessions on Pinterest later, Jessie was convinced the kitchen needed a little something extra. “A backsplash can just add so much,” she says. She knew she wanted a white backsplash and chose Aspect Peel & Stick 3×6 metal tiles in white. Although Ben is considered more of the “handier” of the two, and Jessie is more obsessed with the designing and decorating aspect of a project, installation was a breeze.
“For my first backsplash, it was great!” she says. “I drew the lines on the walls to make sure it was going to be level and the peel and stick application was so easy. I think it turned out really nice.”
Jessie is very pleased with how the kitchen looks today. “This project started with us saying we’d just do a little bit and then it turned into a whole remodel,” she says. “We are really happy with how it turned out.”
Like builder-grade homes, builder-grade RVs can lack personality. However, they too can be customized to reflect individual needs and style.
Scottie recently took the time to transform an RV. She points out on Saved By Scottie that RVs require everything on a smaller scale (aesthetically and in terms of weight). Things can get bumpy during travel, so items need to be fastened securely for safety.
Mini Subway is the perfect size for a small space like the kitchen. In addition to the adhesive backing, she used construction adhesive for extra insurance. That project complete, she moved to the bedroom project.
Aspect stone is real stone. We pour a resin onto a large quarried stone and after it cures, we peel the resin back to reveal the natural colors and textures. Then thin slabs of stone are cut and arranged on pressure-sensitive adhesive backers cut to the tile dimensions. It’s thin enough to cut with tin snips.
Once completed, Scottie said, “It makes a stunning statement and is even easier to use than the glass. This space went up super quick since it was just one big rectangle.”
Check out the whole post and let me know what you think of this amazing project in the comments.
Now that school has started, and life has returned to some type of routine, we are reminded of the change of seasons ahead. Before you know it, it’s fall. Then winter. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here are some easy things you can do to get ready for the cooler months ahead so be sure to get them on your fall to-do list:
