Author: Guy DuVall

As we approach the dog days of summer, we are all looking for ways to keep our homes comfortable. Without air conditioning, it is a task that can prove to be a little challenging, but the good news is that there are some simple solutions to help (aside from adding a fan to every room of the house)!

Here are some of the simple and creative ways we are keeping our homes cool this summer:

Utilize Your Doors

Closing the doors of unused rooms can help control keeping the cool air in the areas of your home that are being used during the day. At night, take advantage of lower temperatures and open the doors to let the air flow through all the rooms of your home.

Close Your Blinds

Though it does not seem like much, keeping your blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day can keep a significant amount of unwanted heat from coming in through the windows. By keeping your blinds open, windows begin to have a greenhouse effect on your living space, by allowing heat to enter and then essentially trapping it inside. Another great alternative is using blackout curtains. Blackout curtains have the opposite effect of acting as a greenhouse, they keep heat out and act as a natural insulator, trapping the cool in.

Switch Up Your Sheets

It is always a good idea to rotate your sheets in the changing seasons to not only maximize a good night’s sleep, but to also make sure your body maintains a comfortable temperature during the night as well. Though materials like fleece and flannel are coziest in the cooler months, cotton is the best fabric for the summer since it breathes more easily and stays cool.

Use the Old “Fan A/C” Trick

This life-hack has been around for decades and still works just as well to stay cool on the hottest days. Take a large mixing bowl and fill it with ice (or ice packs) and place it in front of a large, rotating fan. Instead of blowing and mixing around the warm air, this allows the fan to circulate chilled, misty air around the room!

Reverse Your Ceiling Fan Rotation

Most people do not know that ceiling fans should be adjusted every season. By setting your fan to run at a high-speed counter-clockwise, the airflow from your fan creates an extra-chilled breeze that will quickly cool off any room.

Switch On Your Bathroom Fans

Bathroom fans are designed to lift all of the hot, steamy air from showers and pull them up and out of the house. Kitchen fans are designed to do the same things for our stoves when we cook. Utilizing these fans during the hottest parts of the day can help eliminate some of that extra heat trapped in these areas.

Cook Outdoors

Though it may not seem like it, simply turning on and using the stovetop or oven can add an exceptional amount of heat to your home. Instead of cooking indoors, take advantage of the nice weather and switch over your meals to cook on a grill or prepare some meal ideas that do not require heated cooking at all.

Take Advantage of the Night Air 

As soon as the temperatures start to drop for the evening, crack your windows and strategically set up your fans to allow cross-breezes to let in all of the cool night air. Then, in the morning, make sure to close your windows and blinds to trap that cold air in from the night before and keep the heat of the day out.

With so many more of us staying at home this summer, take advantage of all the creative ways to keep your living space the most comfortable and enjoyable!

We all have that list of things we have always wanted to do when we just “find some time.” One thing that this year has given us is just that, and a lot of it. During this season of staying home, many people are picking up new hobbies and taking this time to learn some new skills. Along with learning how to bake banana bread, starting a home garden has been one of the top pastimes people have begun to take on. 

With the unpredictability of store inventory over the last few months, the weather getting nicer and the monotony of staying inside all day growing with each passing day, the idea of growing produce in the backyard took off overnight.

Here are six easy steps to starting your own backyard garden:

1. Figure out the best location and layout for your garden

Location and layout play a big part in building a garden space that will provide the greatest opportunity for your plants to thrive. Take a moment to ask yourself some of these questions:

• Do I have enough space to plant my garden in the ground or will my plants grow better in pots and planters?
• How big does my garden space or pots/planters need to be to best accommodate the produce I am planting?
• Are the plants I am growing going to need more sunlight or shade?
• What type of soil do my plants require?

2. Prepare your soil

In addition to the right amount of sunlight and water, plants (especially produce) require the right type of soil environment to be successful. Take some time to find out what kind of soil your produce needs to succeed. Also consider:

• What tools do you need?
• What kind of fertilizer does your soil need?
• Are you going to do countertop composting for your garden? If yes, what effect will that have on your garden?

3. Invest in starter plants

As more people begin their at-home gardening journeys, seeds are starting to become harder to come by in stores. The best tip nowadays, unless you are an experienced gardener, is to invest in starter plants! Especially with herbs, starter plants make it easy to get your garden started and growing fast. 

4. Set up a schedule

Once your garden is in the ground and ready to grow, set up a schedule for watering. Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining a successful garden. Be sure to match and measure your watering schedule around the weather in order to know whether you will need to water more or less than usual.

5. Maintain pest control

Along with watering, maintaining pests that love to snack on your newly planted produce is also a regular action needed to make sure your plants are thriving. Helpful tip: plant some marigolds! In addition to the pop of color and beauty they will give your garden, marigolds act as a natural pest control, attracting insects like ladybugs that prey on harmful garden pests. 

6. Harvest your produce

When your plants begin to produce, make sure you keep harvesting often. Harvesting at the right time allows your produce to begin preparation to start new growths. This will keep your garden happy, healthy and thriving!

Good luck and happy gardening!

We are living in some strange times right now with the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Having to self-quarantine isn’t what we thought we would be doing during this spring season, but it’s key to resolving the issue. If you’re like me, you’re probably trying to figure out what to do with yourself for the next 6 weeks, if not longer!

Here are some great activities to do while following the recommended act of social distancing. These are fun for all ages!

Get outside! Just because we have to social distance, doesn’t mean we can’t get out and enjoy the outdoors. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, go for a local hike, garden in your yard, anything to get you outdoors and enjoying the fresh air.

Do an art project! Pinterest is full of great craft and art ideas. Start searching and pick one that sounds fun. It can be something that takes a little bit of time to complete, you have the time!

Complete that project! Do you have a house project that has been sitting on your To-Do list for a while? Now is the perfect time to get that done!

Play a game! Any game you like, cards, dominos or a board game is a fun activity for all.

Stream! Catch up on that show you started a while back. Or better yet, start a new series you’ve always wanted to watch. Don’t currently use a streaming system? Most of them offer a free trial period between 1 week and a full month. Now is the perfect time to try it out!

Movie night! Or day, you pick. Pop some popcorn, make yourself a drink and snuggle up with your favorite blanket.

Puzzle! Dust off that old puzzle you haven’t done in a while, make some tea and puzzle.

Spoil yourself! Light some candles, pour yourself a drink and soak in a hot bath. Relax. When was the last time you’ve done that?

At home spa day! Put on a face mask, give yourself a pedicure and manicure. Honey and cinnamon are a great, natural exfoliant for your skin. Mix 1 teaspoon of each together, microwave it for 30 seconds (make sure it’s not too hot for your skin), rub it on your face and let it sit for 10 min. Rinse and feel how smooth your face feels after!

Spring clean! Now is the perfect time to spring clean! Open the blinds and curtains, let that natural light in, turn on your favorite tunes and get to purging and cleaning!

Organize! You know that closet you hate to open because something falls out every time? Or how about that drawer you can’t ever find anything in? Time to clean and organize it. It’ll feel so good when it’s all done!

Social distancing isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be boring. I hope you found some of these ideas to be beneficial to your next several weeks at home. Stay safe and don’t forget to take a deep breath whenever you’re starting to feel overwhelmed or anxious in any way.

And of course, if you’re looking at homes, I am still able to assist you with all of your Puget Sound real estate needs! Let’s connect.

We all know that winter is a season of darkness, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. Gloomy, rainy days can bring us all down and even make it so we don’t want to leave our home. So why not brighten our homes to boost our mood and give us more motivation for that beautiful, crisp spring weather that’s just around the corner? Here are some easy, inexpensive ways to brighten your home and your mood.

Wash Windows

Take a good look at those windows of yours, are they cloudy? Maybe they have water spots and possibly some streaks from the winter season. When was the last time you washed your windows, if ever? Taking some soapy water or window cleaner to your window will instantly brighten the light that enters your home.

Unblock Windows

Having furniture in front of your windows not only can block the light from entering your home, but it can make your space feel bigger. Which can also brighten and lighten the room. So rearrange that room and unblock those newly cleaned windows!

Paint

Painting your walls a light, neutral color can brighten your space and even make it feel lighter. Do you already have a light color on your walls? Paint the same color to refresh the paint if it’s been a while.

Curtains

What kind of curtains do you have in your home? The color of the curtains matters too. Are they dark and heavy? Change it up by using a lighter fabric, such as linen or a sheer fabric. If you need room darkening curtains, you can still opt for a lighter color! Don’t have curtains? Open those blinds daily!

Clean

A dirty home is full of dust, grime, even if your eyes can’t see it, and clutter. Putting everything that’s out of place back where it belongs, dusting, mopping and deep cleaning can brighten your day and your home. Turn on some tunes, pick up that duster and get to work! Imagine how good it will feel to kick back and relax in a dust free home.

Lightbulbs

Replace your lightbulbs to a white LED instead of one with a yellow tint. There are so many options for lightbulbs now and it’s a great way to make your home brighter, even when it’s dark out.

Mirrors

Mirrors reflect light and make your room feel larger. Both brighten any room. Not only will you add a cute piece of décor to your room, but you’ll brighten it as well!

Add Plants

Plants add life to any space. Here is a list of plants that boost the oxygen levels and your mood.

Does your home need to be brighter? I hope these tips come in handy to help you begin the process!

Do you ever make New Years resolutions and find yourself not sticking to them? Or maybe you do, but for only a few months or even weeks? No need to set unrealistic goals for yourself. The new year is a great time for a fresh start with more than just yourself. Why not incorporate your home as well.

Here are some great ways to start fresh for the new year, for you AND your home.

Declutter and Organize

Don’t wait for the spring to come before you purge and declutter. This tends to be a bigger task than we realized and if we start at the beginning of the year and continue through each season, it won’t be as daunting. Limiting decluttering your home and life to one season is almost asking for you to become overwhelmed. Start by creating a list of each room in your house. Under each room, add spaces to go through. Prioritize the list from easiest to hardest, or most daunting, and work your way down. You’ll be finished and in a minimalist space in no time.

No Screen Time Days

We live in a society where we are constantly in front of our phones, the TV and computers. Pick a day, maybe two or three, a week that you don’t turn on the TV, you stay off the computer and you put your phone down. Read a book, do a puzzle, knit, get outside and explore, do more that makes you happy. Whether it’s inside or outside, you’ll notice a happier, healthier you.

Home Project Checkoff

Do you have that one home project you’ve been putting off? It’s time to tackle it! Look at your calendar, set a date and don’t change it. If it’s finances that are holding you back, set your date further out and a monthly savings goal to help you accomplish your task. Even if it’s $25-50/month set aside, you’ll be able to reach it in no time. Make a list of items you’ll need, cost and a plan of action. Post it for you to see daily and get to work! 

Drink More Water

Most of us don’t consume enough water throughout the day. When you’re dehydrated, your health is affected. It helps to find a cup or water bottle you enjoy drinking from. Find something you’re drawn to and use that as your daily water cup. Here are some benefits to drinking more water:

• Healthier skin and hair
• Helps your digestive system, which ever way it needs to go
• Helps with kidney function
• Promotes energy and brain function
• Boosts performance and promotes weight loss

Find out how much water you should be drinking here. Use a water drinking app to help you keep track!

Create a Calm Space

Create a space, whether it’s a room or just a space within your home, where you can go to relax and feel calm. Use this space for meditation, reading, reflecting or whatever it is you need. Everyone should have a go to spot. Fill it with items and colors that make you happy. You work hard and deserve it after a long day!

New year, new you, new home. Welcome 2020, let’s do this!