Waterfront Views

Waterfront Views

Nothing is more important in a seaside home than your view of the sparkling sea.

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Kitchen & Dining

Kitchen & Dining

A nice space to entertaining friends and family is essential to a wonderful home.

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Master Bedrooms

Master Bedrooms

You have to treat yourself too! Make the most of the place you and your spouse call home.

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How to Profit from Owning a Beach House

Seaside Views, ,

When most people think of beach houses, they think of a place to relax and escape the everyday. But what if your beach house could do more than just provide you with a place to rest and recuperate? What if it could be a source of income for you? In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to profit from owning a beach house. Whether you want to use it as a vacation rental or simply rent it out during peak season, there are plenty of ways to make money off your coastal property!

First, it is important to understand the different types of beach houses and what might work best for you. There are three main types: oceanfront, bayfront, and canal homes. Oceanfront properties are those that sit directly on the beach facing the water. Bayfront homes are located in a cove or bay, with water on either side. Canal homes are located on a canal that leads out to the ocean.

The next step is to determine what type of renter you would like to attract. Families with children are likely to prefer an oceanfront or bayfront home, as they can enjoy swimming and fishing right from their property. If your goal is to attract more adult renters, then you may want to consider buying a canal house.

When it comes time for vacationers, they have many options when choosing where they would like to stay. One of the most popular choices is a beach house that can be rented on an overnight or weekly basis. If your goal is more about making money than providing accommodations, this might be the best route for you. You can typically charge more for a beach house than a hotel room, so there is potential to make a good return on your investment.

Another option is to rent out your home during peak season only. This can be a great way to make money while still being able to use the property yourself during other times of the year. It is important to remember that if you plan on renting out your home during peak season, make sure you have enough insurance coverage in case anything happens while it’s not being used.

As a final tip, consider purchasing an oceanfront or bayfront property if possible. These types of homes are generally more desirable and can fetch a higher price. If you are not able to purchase one of these properties, remember that it is still possible to make money off your beach house by following the tips we have outlined in this article!

Should You Install A Fire Pit At Your Beach House?

Design, Family, ,

Do you have an exotic beach house? Are you wondering whether or not you should install a fire pit at your beach house? But, are you still in a dilemma whether it will be a worthy and meaningful decision if you install a propane fire table?

Well, do not worry anymore! Please keep reading the sections below and reveal the benefits of installing a fire pit at your beach house.

IT’S A SPECIAL ADDITION TO YOUR BEACH HOUSE

Needless to say, the fire pit is one of the very special and fascinating places of any home. Not only does it offer sheer comfort and warmth on a cold and chilly night, but also it creates a unique ambiance that is ideal for outdoor fun and gatherings.

Well, consider a situation when you have visited the beach house with your family or friends. Of course, you must be looking for a perfect place for a casual gathering and chit-chat. In such cases, the fire pit and its adjacent area will definitely suffice your needs. It will act as a natural catalyst for cozy, comfortable, pleasant, and enjoyable conversations/timeouts with your near and dear ones. In addition to it, a fire pit of your beach house will create a one-of-a-kind ambiance for outdoor parties and barbeques.

IT INCREASES YOUR PROPERTY VALUE

In the previous sections, you have already revealed how a fire pit can create a unique ambiance in your beach house for gatherings, cool conversations, barbeques, and more. In addition to it, it will definitely increase your property value. Rest assured that fire pits will enhance the aesthetic value of your beach house property in many folds. Thus, your decision of installing a fire pit at your beach house will never be a wasteful decision. Rather, it’s a great way to retain and even increase the market value and demand of your property in the long run.

WARMTH AND COMFORTS

This is indeed the fundamental or foundational benefit of installing a fire pit. After the sunset, when the temperature drops and the weather becomes extremely cool and chilly, you can sit around the fire table and enjoy the natural warmth and comfort.

Considering the above benefits, are you now interested in installing a fire pit and searching for the right option? Well, the market may have a wide list of choice options for you. But, do not get puzzled.

Propane fire tables are nowadays considered to be the most convenient fire pit available. Comparing the traditional wood-burning versions, these versions require very little or no maintenance. Because there will never be messy ashes to clean up. Similarly, compared to the gel fuel-based fire pit models, propane-based fire tables require relatively fewer refills. Plus, these fire tables do not cause any smoke problems.

Propane fire tables are convenient to use, and they are quite affordable too. Even more, some of the modern versions of the propane-based fire table offer you the flexibility to move it around or simply re-arrange its position.

So, what are you waiting for now? You must have already got your answer! Hence, please feel free to install a fire pit at your beach house today.

Choosing the Right Snowblower For Your Beach House

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It’s not a problem for those of us in the southern part of the country, but as you move north you can certainly run into some snow. Even as far down in the Outer Banks it happens from time to time. It’s important to be prepared for the inclimate weather, particularly because we won’t always be there to take care of it and we’ll clean the snow quickly when we do find the time. Snow left unremoved can cause problems as it freezes and thaws over the course of the summer, potentially causing all sorts of problems that it would be better to just avoid in the first place.

Aside from basic shovels, boots, hats, and other cold weather gear, a snow blower is central to your winter cleanup arsenal. How do you pick the right one for your house though? It’s not quite the same as what you will need for your primary residence for a number of fairly obvious reasons. You might not need as much power, or you might need more. Don’t worry, we’ll take the time to guide you in the right direction for this article.

The Big Question: How Much Snow?

The most obvious question and certainly the most pertinent to choosing the right snow blower is how much snow you expect to get on your waterfront property. If you’re fairly southern and only get snow from time to time, and it’s often not that heavy, then your requirements are going to be far different than someone who has a property up on the coast of northern Maine.

For regions down south where the snowfall is less common and usually not too bad, you’re probably best off with a lighter-duty snow blower as it’s more than sufficient to get the job done. The good news is that you’ll save some money compared to your northern snowed-in counterparts. You’ll want to consider mainly single-stage snow blowers, though you can also look at two-stage models if you want a little help pushing the machine along.

In this size range you can also take a look into some electric snow blower options, which are particularly convenient for vacation homes as they will work without keeping gas on site. The last thing you’ll want to do is make a trip to the gas station when you’re already on a time crunch to get your vacation home squared away.

For those of us up north where snowfall can be heavy, a two-stage snow blower is a must at the bare minimum. Look for two-stage snow blowers from trusted brands like Ariens, Honda, Husqvarna, and Troy-Bilt. As long as you stick to the veterans, you really can’t go wrong with a two-stage. However, if you’re farther north than most and you often end up in the thick of it, you may want to consider springing for the even larger, more powerful, and more effective three-stage snow blowers. This feature is essentially an extra auger that spins more quickly to help break up the snow so that it can be thrown more effectively by the main auger.

Hopefully you don’t need to use a snow blower that often at your beach house, and you can spend more of your time enjoying it. However, things happen and we have to take care of them so it’s important to be ready. If you need any additional guidance on picking your snow blower get in touch, we’ll be happy to try to help you out.

How A Dog Crate Can Help You Potty Train Your Dog

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Toilet training a dog is an important matter for both the dog and those he lives under. For the household it is a matter of hygiene; by depositing its wast around a house the canine may be marking its territory but is also creating areas that must be cleaned up or encourage the spread of disease. For the dog it can create its own health issues, especially if it is forced to bed down in a limited area. By properly potty training the dog in question it is possible to not only ameliorate the hygiene issues but also make sure that the canine has a clean area when it sleeps. As such it is necessary to potty train the dog, and using a dog crate can only help. 

First off, let us define one term for the ease of conversation: A “dog crate” is simply the container that the puppy uses for sleep. While it can be an actual crate, a movable kennel, or even just a paper box, some of the better crates allow the master to separate areas a needed, such allowing the master to give the puppy an area where it can sleep and where it can eliminate wastes. While this can expedite training, it is not necessary; all that matters is that the puppy has some form of dog crate it can call home and that it can be placed in with little chance of escape. Once that has been established then potty training can be begun in earnest. 

When choosing a dog crate try to choose one that is big enough for the adult dog to turn around but just barely. You want the puppy to be have some room but not too much; you want the puppy to be comfortable but if you give it too much room then it may be able to relieve itself and still have room to sleep (read more on this at https://www.thepamperedpup.com/dog-keeps-peeing-pooping-crate/). You also want to make sure that the crate is well ventilated; this will ensure that the puppy will enjoy the crate and enable you to make sure that the crate is comfortable. You also want to make sure that crate can easily be closed and that the puppy will remain inside; if the puppy can easily escape then it may not work for training, where the puppy must remain in the crate for hours at a time. 

Before you begin training in earnest make the puppy comfortable in the crate. The puppy should love the crate relatively easily as it represents not only a smaller territory for it to have to worry about but will also give it a chance to escape the chaos of living with a family. Anything you can do to make it more like a den, such as adding a lightweight blanket or a chew toy, will add to its security. Keep in mind that you want to do what you can to make a refuge for the puppy; as such, you want to avoid using the crate as a punishment method to avoid negative connotations in the mind of the puppy. 

With all of that done, training can begin. You want to start off leaving the puppy locked in the crate for ten minutes at a time, and expand that time until the puppy is spending hours inside the crate. As soon as you let the puppy out show them immediately to area you want them relieving themselves; this establishes that they need to go there upon release as well as the area where they should be doing so in the future. Reward the puppy every time it goes to the bathroom. Keep in mind that you will need to put up with the dog barking and otherwise complaining about his imprisonment, but that is just part of the training. This should take a couple of weeks. 

During the process, which should only take a couple of weeks, you will be dealing with accidents, but take them in stride; eventually the puppy should be going in the given area. Just remember to be patient and you should persevere, and you will be rewarded with a puppy that is no longer going to the bathroom inside your home by the end of it, making life easier for everyone. 

Building The Right Garage for Salty-Air Climates

Design, Seaside Views, , , ,

The warmness of coastal towns plus the beach is appealing for vacations and relaxing. However, the salty air, high moisture in the atmosphere and heavy winds might prove to be a problem. The salty air is very problematic to garage doors and other metallic elements in the surroundings.

This salty air might also cause the paintwork of your house to get ruined within a short time. Even maintenance of the premises might not help you. One needs to know the desirable kind of materials to use for various areas in your surroundings. The following are some of the points that you should consider when choosing the right garage door for salty-air climates;

1. Corrosivity

The salty air of the climate is corrosive. This means that it will eat away certain materials that you choose to make the garage door and its opener. Although steel is quite strong and also a desirable material it is not suitable because you have to ensure its painted well and not dented.

This is because the salty air will cause the paintwork to flake and as a result, it will rust once it’s exposed. Timber is also a choice; however, it also needs to be treated constantly to stop it from getting spoilt. This might prove to be quite costly and untimely. Therefore, you must choose a substance that will not be easily corroded by the salty air of the coastal climate.

2. Materials

As discussed above some of the most common and desirable materials are easily corroded by the salty air and they will not last long.

Fiberglass is one of the best materials to use for the garage door. The material used to make the fiberglass is glass resin polyester and it is resistant to salty water and air. This is because when it’s exposed to the salty air it’s not easily corroded. Glass Resin Polyester or GRP is the substance contained in the fiberglass. The material is also strong and resilient.

Aluminum is a desirable material to use for a garage door opener in salty air climate. This is because aluminum is a resilient material that doesn’t corrode in salty air climate. In addition to this, the material has a great aesthetic quality. Steel can be fine in this application as well, as long as it’s the right quality.

3. Insulation

Fiberglass is a poor insulator. This means that it will also not absorb the heavy salty air and absorb the bright sun rays that are common in the seaside. Consequently, the garage door will not heat up and become extremely hot. Such that when you want to open the door it becomes impossible right away and you have to wait for it to cool down before you attempt to touch it. Fiberglass is also available in an insulated version for areas that have extremely cold weather.

4. Painting

Paint prevents rust from getting to any material that you choose for the garage door opener. However, you must consider the frequency that you have to redo the paint job. In wood and steel the paint job will easily flake and allow the salt air to work on the garage door opener then soon it will just rust and fall off.

However, when you paint fiberglass or aluminum then it’s harder for the salt air to get to the garage door. This is because when they are painted particularly with a light colored shade, these materials can sustain them for long. Aluminum can also be anodized in addition to being painted and allowed to have the appearance of grain texture.

How To Choose a Whole House Water Filter For Your Beach Home

Kitchen & Dining, , ,

Filtering your own water is an easy and inexpensive way to get delicious purified water. Concerns over the safety of tap water grow daily which has prompted the introduction of a wide variety of filtration systems on the market. Choosing a Whole House Filter for your Beach Home can be simple and stress-free if you follow some simple guidelines. Clean, safe water is a necessity in any home so it’s important to determine what is in your water and what exactly needs to be filtered out. So which water filtration is the right one? Be sure and take a list of questions with you when you decide to actually go to buy your new water filter.

Follow these steps and learn how to determine exactly what needs to be filtered out as well as how most common filtration systems work. Also, you’ll learn which systems are certified and why that’s important. Home water filtration systems remove contaminants but there are many different kinds that serve different purposes. There are basically two different kinds of systems. The point-of-entry (POE) systems treat all of the water that enters your home at the point where the water comes into your home from the outside. A point-of-use (POU) system treats the water at the point of delivery into your home (faucets, water hoses).

Find Out What’s in Your Water

If you have “city water” or water provided by a municipality, it’s important to determine if they use chloramines or chlorine and also if they add fluoride. This is easy to find information. The EPA requires that your municipality do routine water checks and this information is available as public information on the web. You can also find this out by simply calling your water company. If you are on well water, you should get your water tested at a lab to determine everything that is in it. Most well water has bacteria in it. For guidance on how to have your water tested, you can call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline to find out labs in your area that are certified.

Whole house water filters are generally installed to remove mineral deposits as well as odors and tastes that are unpleasant. Depending on what is in your water, you may still need another type of POE filter as well to make sure that all contaminants are removed. For example, if the chlorine in the water irritates your skin, you may want an additional filter installed at your showerhead.

Find Out How Different Filtration Systems Work

The various water filtration systems work differently. Most undersink filtration systems work by pouring the water through activated carbon which traps contaminants in highly absorbent carbon filters. Some use a process called reverse osmosis which reverses the flow of the water filtering it as it passes through. This method offers the benefit of not wasting water. And some units use distillers which heat water to a boiling point creating steam which separates from the contaminants so they can e easily disposed of.

Make Sure Your Unit is Certified

When you are choosing your filtration system, make sure it is NSF or WQA certified. When you see that seal on the product, it means that the unit has been tested to make sure that it actually removes what it claims to. A simple web search on the NSF site or the WQA site can offer some suggestions for certified systems.

Consider All of the Added Costs

Once you’ve chosen a filtration system, be sure to consider all of the costs for maintenance. Filters have to be routinely replaced and this cost can range anywhere from $20 to $400 depending on the system. When purchasing the system as well as the filters, check to see if there are warranties available for the system and the filter as well.

Ease of installation will depend on the type of system. Most POU systems are easy to install and don’t require the assistance of a professional. POE systems generally require the services of a professional, such as a plumber. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Choosing the right whole house filter for your beach home will insure that your family has contaminant-free delicious water for drinking and for all other uses. Take time to research the condition of your water, what needs to be removed and which filtration system is best to meet your needs.

A Beautiful New Master Bedroom Doesn’t Have To Cost A Fortune

Bedrooms, Design, , , ,

Making changes is not always easy. Whether the change is in yourself, your home, or changing in a $100 bill.. Ok that last one is off-topic but it’s still tough, isn’t it?!

The venture can sometimes be overwhelming, or you just don’t know where to begin. Sometimes, though, changing a room can be thrilling and adventurous. Upgrading your master bedroom can make you feel relaxed and happy. Design isn’t necessarily everyone’s forte, and the options are often hard to imagine in your space. If you can muster the courage to think outside that little shoe box your head is sometimes keen to, you may surprise yourself.

Take color for example. What colors make you feel at ease? Try to stay away from the colors you always gravitate towards, since that color has probably been in each room of your home for decades. This is not about “Oh, that’s easy, my favorite color is purple”, this is about thinking outside that box remember? We are transforming that Master Suite! We need to think gorgeous, darlin!

White is sometimes a bit too clean, perhaps. If you have children, they can find a way to stain anything. But, hey, this is your room! Tell the kids to keep the cheese balls in the kitchen! Or even “My room is off-limits to munchkins!” Whatever you decide, white can give the feel of a luxurious penthouse, without that sinful price tag. Consider a fluffy white down comforter, a couple of throw pillows in an out-of-the-box color for an accent. Drapes can offer a place for a contrasting color, as well. Sheer curtains between the drapes allow light to naturally filter bright sunlight while still brightening the bedroom. If you can, try out a new, luxury bedroom set.

Don’t be afraid, you can do this! If it isn’t budget friendly, there are still options available. You can find lovely pieces at the thrift store, or keep your old set and put the husband to work refinishing. He needed something to do, anyway. You can paint, stain, or sand your current bedroom set and give it a face lift without the large investment of new furnishings. Replacing the drawer-pulls and other hardware can make it look like a different set altogether. If you have a lot of dead space, fill it up! Adding a window seat, a reading nook, or bench seat at the foot of the bed can really improve the visuals. Adding a beautiful area rug can cover problem areas, and bring colors together.

Another job for Mr. Handy Hubby, (You’re welcome) could be new light fixtures that can give the room the lighting you want for your boudoir. Lamps on the nightstand that match the overhead chandelier can also add a touch of class. Once the room is complete with all of the upgrades you implement, take a shopping trip to add smaller elements. A soft throw tossed across the bed, new bedding, pillows, and shams, just naming a few. There are also interior designers that may help you get some ideas. Luxury Master Bedrooms are not the things of fairy tales, anymore ladies. Get to shoppin’! Designing your new suite can make your home uplifting again, enjoying that new room is a whole new level of euphoria! Don’t get too comfortable when your work is complete, you still must function like a real adult…

Bathroom and Kitchen Design: Optimal Comfort Is The Goal

Design, Kitchen & Dining, , ,

People should keep various things in mind during the bathroom and kitchen design processes. They should focus on functionality and convenience, first and foremost. Nothing matters more than maintaining bathrooms and kitchens that are simultaneously comfortable and efficient. Style is yet another major aspect of bathroom and kitchen design.

Update Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures and Hardware

If you’re committed to optimal bathroom and kitchen comfort, then you should make sure that any and all appliances are new and updated. This can boost efficiency and save a lot of time wasting. Brand new faucets can make your daily life easier. You should overhaul kitchen and bathroom hardware to encourage the highest degree of convenience. It doesn’t matter if you invest in new towel bars, fresh towel racks, modern cabinet knobs or anything else. Comparatively subtle kitchen and bathroom changes can do a lot for your comfort levels.

Focus on Top-Quality Lighting

Dim bathroom and kitchen lights are hardly comfortable and dependable. They’re hardly inspiring as far as aesthetics go, too. If you’re interested in enhancing efficiency, organization and convenience in your bathroom and kitchen, you should make top-quality lighting a big priority. Think about investing in vanity lights for your bathroom. This can better functionality and visual appeal at the same time. Consider combining decorative, accent, ambient and task lights in your kitchen. Doing so can promote convenience, comfort and visual appeal. That’s certainly no small feat.

Install Brand New Flooring

Fresh new flooring can seriously strengthen comfort levels in any bathroom or kitchen. New floors can also be easy on the eyes. If you want to make your life a lot easier, it can help to consider flooring types that are particularly low-maintenance. Keeping vinyl flooring clean and neat tends to be a piece of cake. People who want bathroom flooring that’s remarkably resilient and strong can go for tile floor installation as well. If you don’t want to have to waste your time thinking about bathroom flooring that’s prone to deterioration, tile may be the answer. Try to find flooring that’s invulnerable to staining and water damage.

Install Attractive and Modern New Cabinets

Outdated bathroom and kitchen cabinets can look less than welcoming. Using them can be a pain as well. If you want to increase comfort in your bathroom and kitchen, you should put your time into new cabinet installation. Don’t panic if you don’t want to spend a fortune on new cabinets, either. You can reduce your costs dramatically by going for cabinet resurfacing service. Refacing the cabinets in your kitchen can make them look as good as new. It’s a process that costs significantly less money. It’s also a much speedier one. People who wish to avoid the hassles of time-consuming and cumbersome home update projects can always go for refacing work.

Get a Kitchen Island

If you constantly dream about a kitchen that’s the portrait of ease, serenity and relaxation, then you should think about island installation. The addition of a kitchen island can be excellent for all of your food preparation requirements. It can even help you with many kitchen storage needs. People who want kitchens that exude contemporary convenience often cannot resist islands and all of their potential perks. They’re extremely popular these days.

Designing Your Seaside House To Maximize Ocean View

Design, Seaside Views, ,

Purchasing seaside property is the goal of many in the world. It can be a goal for retirement, a vacation home, or a peaceful cottage on a remote beach. Your house should reflect the environment and maximize the view of the water as much as possible. Not only will you enjoy your location more, but your resale value will raise with more of a view.

Entertain on the Top Floor

When designing your seaside house, think about when you would most like to see the views and what kind of privacy you need. A roof-top space to entertain is a great way to see all of the views from your house, and you are elevated from the people walking along the beach. A nice outdoor bar, fireplace, and seating is lovely in the evenings. Lighting is easy and inexpensive for rooftop entertaining. This is also a good place for viewing parties with your telescope.

Change the Standard Floor Plan

Put your living areas on the top floor. Doing this will allow you to get views that are less obstructed and farther out. Your best views should be for the rooms that you spend the most time in. If you spend the most time in your office but love to entertain, try building a small detached office closer to the beach for the serenity.

Bedrooms on the second floor can still have a view but they won’t be the best views, put the bedrooms used the least closer to the back of your floor plan.

Windows and Privacy

The standard for seaside houses is massive walls of windows. If you want the windows and value your privacy, consider using the natural environment to keep some privacy from your neighbors or people on the beach. If this isn’t possible, having motorized blinds installed in the bedrooms will help keep the privacy.

Your Deck

A nice deck looks great on a seaside home. Visualize what you want to see on your deck from the inside of your home. Will your grill, table, and chairs be in the way of your view?

A Place for Sand

A seaside home has the potential to get dirty with sand, so planning for a room or outdoor shower and clean up area is a great way to keep the rest of your house cleaner.

A Sanctuary

Planning on a space that is the sanctuary of the home, a perfect room, is a great way to have something special when your home is finished. This may be a library, Master bedroom, bathroom, or your kitchen. Plan on one room that you know you will feel at peace in and be glad you made it your own.

Designing a seaside house is a fun job but there are a lot of things to consider. Think about your life inside your home and exactly how your day to day life will go. This process will help you decide where your rooms should go and what you want out of living by the ocean.