Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: Ask a Pro

  • Ask A Pro Q&A: Painting A Deck

    Debating whether to paint a deck? It is easy to assume that a few coats of color will transform a space for the better. However, Dream Team member Carson Arthur shows you how to dress up a fresh air space for a look that will last well past summer.

    Question: I have a large deck that is looking a little boring. Should I paint the surface? What can you recommend to help warm up the space and make it more appealing?

    -Ken G.

    Don’t paint the deck! Never paint a deck. The paint will never adhere to the wood for a long period. If you want to add some zing, look for a semi or transparent penetrating wood stain. These can be tinted to any color you choose. Just make sure to properly prepare the wood according to the stain directions first.

    – Carson

  • Ask A Pro Q&A: Adding Color to Your Home

    While neutrals provide a great foundation for any room, color offers personality and drama. Learn how to transform a brown space into a visual delight with a few brightening hues from interior design expert and Dream Team member Jennifer Adams in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

     

    Question: How do I add color to my interior design? I currently have brown floors, couches and a tan rug.

    Kim F.

    Answer: Brown is a wonderful foundation in which to add color. I recommend contrasting completely and boosting interest with white or ivory, especially for walls.

    Add textural fabrics

    Wool, linen or raw silk provide options for increasing visual interest in a room. Baskets, natural treasures, aged wood pieces or large driftwood pieces make for darling accessories. Furry area rugs make great options, particularly ones from Morocco. Consider one with colorful geometric shapes for drama.

    For some color

    Consider warmer tones or navy blue along with off-white colors. Stay away from bright turquoise, forest or mint. If you like green, choose warmer olive or sage. Earthy burgundy tones and dusty rose hues are also stylish alternatives.

    Artwork and area rugs

    Natural tones will give you a starting point to add color. Choose some of the warmer tones for pillows, vases, blankets and small accents.

    Jennifer Adams

  • Ask A Pro Q&A: The Importance of Roof Vents for Your Home

    Air vents improve airflow and circulation for a home. They are essential to removing warm air in the summer and must be placed on opposite sides to be most effective. What is the fix if both vents are on the same side? Outdoor design expert and Dream Team member Carson Arthur helps one reader with this situation.

    Q: I have roof vents installed on both sides of my open gable roof.  We bought our house a few years ago now, and I stumbled upon the banks inspection of our house. They made a note that the roof vents shouldn’t be installed across from each other because it normally doesn’t allow the attic to breathe properly. My question is, can I plug up one side of these vents with something to stop it from ventilating from one side of my roof? It gets very hot in my attic in the summers, to the point of it melting some weaker plastics. I guess I was wondering if plugging up one side of these vents would help fix that issue too.

    – Jared J

    A: I have a really easy answer for you ‘Never plug a vent, it will only cause you issues down the road’. The inspector was identifying that the optimal way to install roofing vents is across from each other to allow for more even airflow and circulation. Having two vents on the same side of your home isn’t perfect, but it is definitely better than having only one. I might consider hiring a reputable contractor to add one more on the other side of the roof to not only increase your airflow, but also to help with your hot attic.

    – Carson Arthur

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Starting an English Cottage Garden

    Garden season is here and we can’t wait to fill our backyards with flowers, sculptures, and so much more! Hope A. in South Carolina is a garden-lover and wants to style her yard after an English cottage garden. We loved the idea so we sent her question to Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur for his best advice, because the more you know, the more you grow!

    Ask a Pro Q&A: Starting an English Cottage Garden - bhgrelife.com

    Q: I would love to have a cottage garden in front of my home here in South Carolina! Unfortunately, my house is built on a slab and the garden area is mostly in the shade. Right now I’m growing dwarf gardenias, hosta, calla lilies, astilbe, Japanese painted ferns princess lily, and colocasia. The current plants are dispersed throughout the space and look sparse even though the space is small. What can I do to bring my garden together and create an English-inspired look? Thanks!

    -Hope A.

    A: Everyone always assumes that an English cottage garden is all about the cute plants. The truth is, this style of garden started in part because of the terrible rocky soil that they were grown on. It sounds like you have lots of plants, but now it’s time to start adding the rocks! You can create extra depth in the garden using large and small stones. Consider building tiers using the stones as well. Just make sure to go with moss-covered rocks or rocks that are clearly aged. There are two crucial things to remember when adding rocks to the landscaping. First, the bottoms of the rocks should be under the level of the soil so that they look like they have always been there. Next, plant in the pockets of the stones… just like you would see in nature! Happy gardening!

    -Carson A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Building an Outdoor Kitchen

    Warmer weather is on the way and we can’t wait to spend time in the backyard! We know our readers feel the same way, especially Faye T. and her family. They’re planning to build an incredible outdoor kitchen, complete with a combustion stove. But how can they ensure a safe, family-friendly space? Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur has the recipe for building their backyard oasis!

    Ask a Pro Q&A: Building an Outdoor Kitchen - bhgrelife.com

    Q: We’ve made 2016 the year of creating our dream home! We’ve been working on a few updates inside, but we can’t wait to start building an outdoor kitchen. We would love to include a combustion stove but, of course, we want to be careful and not run into any issues down the road. How can we proceed?

    -Faye T. 

    A: The trick with combustion stoves is to give them adequate space away from anything flammable or heat-retaining. It makes for a tricky design in an outdoor kitchen. You might want to consider going with a style almost like a galley kitchen with an outdoor island. That way you can have the workspace without the threat of catching it on fire from the heat.

    -Carson A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: The Great Grout Mistake

    A simple design mistake has halted one reader’s remodeling project! What can you do when you don’t like the tile your contractor has already installed? Never fear, Dream Team member and interior design expert Jennifer Adams reveals the stylish solution!

    Ask a Pro Q&A: The Great Grout Mistake - bhgrelife.com

    Q: We made a mistake when we installed “12×12” white tile in our home.  The contractor used gray grouting that wasn’t sealed very well.  I would like to get rid of it but I discovered it’s glued to the flooring underneath. Now I’m wondering if I can paint the tile, and if so what products to use. Thank you very much for your help!

    -Carol V.

    A: Ohh… this is truly a tough situation! I’m sorry you have to deal with it. While white tile isn’t a mistake all by itself, any tile incorrectly installed is going to be a problem at some point.

    Do you know if there is damage underneath the tile as a result of the poorly sealed grout? If this isn’t the case and you like the look of the white tile, chances are good that your floor can simply be cleaned or re-grouted and sealed properly. Contact a professional tile installer to take a look and answer more specific questions and for an estimate, and follow their instructions about cleaning. Harsh chemicals and acidic cleansers will quickly deteriorate sealers and the grout itself.

    To answer your question about painting tile directly, well yes, technically, tile can be painted if it’s cleaned, prepped and primed properly. This includes sanding, cleaning again and using a special bonding primer. If you’re thinking about handling this project yourself, the staff at your favorite paint store should help you choose the right products.

    However, I wouldn’t recommend painting any tile if it’s on the floor or in wet areas such as bathrooms or kitchens! The paint is not likely to hold up to the wear or the moisture, and won’t look good for very long.

    If you’re thinking about changing the look of your floor, I recommend having your old tiles removed and new tile or other flooring installed. Talk with a licensed contractor for options!

    Good luck and let me know how it goes!

    -Jennifer A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Storing Winter Clothes During the Summer

    Summer is in full swing, which means we can officially pack up those big winter coats, sweaters, and boots! But how do you keep your winter necessities and everyday clothes ready to use at the first snowflake? This week on Ask a Pro, Dream Team member and lifestyle pro Carolina Buia shares her advice for keeping winter clothes damage free during the summer.

    Ask a Pro Q&A: Storing Winter Clothes During the Summer - bhgrelife.com

    Q: What’s the best way to pack up my winter clothes for the summer?

    – Kathleen F.

    A: When it comes to packing away your winter clothes, you’re going to need two mindsets: VIP and quotidian. First, decide which pieces will get VIP treatment. Nicer cashmere and wool sweaters, pants and skirts should be cleaned (at home or professionally – ­­read the label) before put to rest for the summer months. Wrap them in acid-free paper, expertly fold them and store in plastic containers, ­­adding a layer of paper between each piece. Keep them in a cool place, such as a basement. As for other VIP items like coats, you can cover them in a breathable garment bag or an air tight contractor bag (the inexpensive, DIY option). Forget about those plastic covers you get at the dry cleaners, as they trap moisture and may lead to mildew staining. Get your clothes out of those as quickly as possible.

    As for the everyday, long-­sleeve cottons and heavier slacks and skirts: You can clean and gently fold them into clear containers without worrying about the acid-free paper, ­­except for at the top. As for your heavy, winter boots, add some paper (you can even use magazine tear sheets) to the tips, so that they keep their shape come next winter. If you still have your original shoe boxes, great. Now is a smart time to quickly polish your winter shoes, so they are ready for the next blizzard. You don’t have to get too crazy with specific shoe polish colors, just buy a jar of clear and in half an hour you can do a modest polish on your favorite boots. Finally, don’t forget to keep some cozy pieces on hand. There are the occasional cool summer nights or unexpected trips up north, where you will want your favorite cerulean sweater and you won’t want to be digging through boxes. Enjoy the summer!

    – Carolina B.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: Are Lobelia Plants Poisonous?

    The blue flowering plant looks beautiful, but could it be poisonous? On this week’s installment of Ask a Pro, Dream Team member and Outdoor Design expert Carson Arthur talks about the controversial Lobelia plant and if it’s safe to have in your home.

    Ask a Pro Q&A: Are Lobelia Plants Poisonous? - bhgrelife.com

    Q: I bought some plants at the store today. I later found out it is a Lobelia flowering plant. It’s a beautiful blue color and I am excited to have it, but is it a poisonous plant?

    -Carlene T.

    A: Lobelia is one of those plants that has the experts split. It seems that some varieties are toxic to cats and dogs vs. other ones which have no issues at all. To be safe, plant them only out of reach of pets.

    -Carson A.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: How to Find a Rent-to-Own Home

    Some people are renters, some people are buyers, and some fall right in between! On this week’s installment of Ask A Pro, our Real Estate pro Karlton Utter, Senior Director of Learning Technologies and Solutions at Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, explains how to begin the process of finding a rent-to-own home!

    Ask a Pro Q&A: How to Find a Rent-to-Own Home - bhgrelife.com

     

    Q: My husband and I are looking for a rent to own home. How do we get started with the process?

    -Nija H.

    A: Great question Nija.  Your first step should be to contact a local real estate professional in the area that can help guide you to locally listed rent to own opportunities.  There are typically not a lot of them available since most investors would like to hold their investment and most folks looking to sell want to cash out and move on. You will also want to contact a financial representative to provide a credit check and walk you through the pre­qualification and mortgage process for this type of purchase.  Each rent to own situation is different.  Before renting a rent to own property, you will definitely want to know what percentage, if any, of the rent is going towards the purchase price.

    -Karlton U.

  • Ask a Pro Q&A: How To Landscape a Round, Fiberglass Home

    This week on Ask a Pro, Dream Team member and Outdoor Design expert Carson Arthur shares the landscaping possibilities for a round lake home!

    Ask a Pro Q&A: How To Landscape a Round, Fiberglass Home - bhgrelife.com

    Q: I’m in the process of purchasing a round, fiberglass lake home that was built in 1974. I have some safety concerns about the fiberglass. Also, some landscaping ideas would be welcome. There are double doors in front with a circular driveway. Thanks for the help!

    -Carol D.

    A: The Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate team has researched their archives.  While they couldn’t find anything specifically about fiberglass homes, they did find information about using fiberglass materials. Fiberglass is durable and flexible enough to be installed in any climate and is known to be a fantastic insulator. It will not warp or rot and never needs to be painted. It is a low­ maintenance material.

    Round homes are a great inspiration for any outdoor space. I always try to pull form and shape from the house when planning my gardens. As you are at the beginning stages, I’d start doing my research incorporating round forms into design. My personal favorite spot to start is Houzz.com.

    -Carson A.