Designing Your Office

An office space sets the mood of work for the employees and also creates an impression to your walk in customers and clients. An efficient design is encouraging for the employees to give high productivity as well as enjoy the work they are involved with. It should be reasonably priced, aesthetically pleasing and highly serviceable. And of course, it should be comfortable and upgradeable.

A workplace expresses your company's personal essence and attracts your targeted customer. If you realize your existing office layout to be ineffective and congested, it may be time to create a plan that streamlines your work stations and takes full selling point of your distinctive spatial functions. You can create an optimal work flow and a heightened morale for the employees.

If your office needs to be redesigned, you don’t have to purchase everything new. You have to be economical in your office layouts by utilizing some old furniture by giving them a new look and while doing so, you can add a few new pieces to bring an added sparkle. Simple improvements such as ergonomic operated chairs, renovated workstations and small attractive pieces tend to make all the difference when it comes to improvement.

In these current times, anything requires creativity in regards to meeting your annual business office budget. Many of your old sections which can be a bit ragged can be fixed up to look practically new. You can save money without sacrificing top quality and style. Hence, set your parameters and work smartly towards making your same office interesting and practically new. 


Detail Home Services 

Add sparkle to your outdoor ceremony with mason jar hanging lanterns

Add sparkle and atmosphere to an outdoor ceremony or just add charming ambiance to your walkways, gardens or patio.

1. Collect mason jars or recycled clear jars from flea markets, garage sales and antique stores.
2. Get a spool of thin copper or steel wire that’s bendable. One piece needs to be measured to make the lantern handle & another piece will make a loop/handle that goes around top of lantern.
3. To measure, wrap the first piece of wire around the mouth of the jar, then add 3-4 inches to the length of the wire and cut the wire. Take one end of the wire, wrap it around a pen or pencil to form a unified loop, then wrap that end of the loop wire around itself to close the loop.
4. Now place the loop on one side of your jar and pull the excess wire half way around the jar so it ends exactly opposite your first loop. Make a reference point (bend the wire) as this is where you need to make your second loop for the handle. Make your second loop like you made the first loop.
5. Place the wire around the glass jar and secure the end of the wire by twisting it around the first loop you made. Cut off any excess wire.
6. To make the handle, cut a piece of wire to desired length and loop each end of the wire through the loops on the jar and twist wire on each end to secure.
7. Next add a small amount of white sand inside the jar to help secure the tea light. Add a tea light or small candle, depending on size of jar, to complete your lantern.

Kenmore Blog 

Bring that English Country Look in Your Home

Put the emphasis on casual elegance with the English country look. The style focuses on a level of comfort and luxury that’s layered and relaxed without being fussy. 


Get the look

Use saturated paint colors on the walls the way the English do. Try a true red, buttery yellow or mossy green. The same is true of wallpaper– the more pattern, the better. Try bold stripes, floral designs and equestrian-themed paper.

Speaking of horses, the English are mad about them. Add the equestrian look with horse-themed placemats, dinnerware and decorative accessories. 

Fill your home with flowers – chintz flowers, that is. Chintz is once again popular. There are many patterns and styles to choose from in every possible color. Or, try black and white chintz for a crisper, more contemporary edge.

Mix antique or reproduction 18th or 19th century furniture with your existing pieces. Strive for an eclectic look.

Use jute or sea-grass rugs in hallways and living rooms as the English do. You’ll instantly turn your living room into a drawing room.

Hang curtains over windows. The English like to close them at night to keep a room cozy and warm. Just make sure never to call curtains “drapes” – the English never would.

Hang pictures in groups of five or six. Curate your own collection and include vintage botanical and hunting prints.

Try a tartan (plaid) blanket at the foot of your bed, or casually hang it over the back of a cozy chair. 

Kenmore Blog 

Spice Up the Colors in Your Bathroom and Kitchen

There’s nothing like waking up to a bright shot of color. It’s your biggest ally when it comes to refreshing a room.

Color in the kitchen

• Add a backsplash of colored tile to instantly change the look of your kitchen.
• Recover your kitchen chairs or stools in a deep color or new pattern.
• Painted floors are beautiful against white cabinets.
• Place a colorful rug under your breakfast table.
• Put bowls of lemons and limes on counters and table.
• Replace a window with stained glass, or suspend a stained-glass panel in front of it.
• Bright knobs and pulls add a pop of color to maple cabinets.
• Display colorful pottery and dishes on open shelves.
• Frame images of colorful fruits and vegetables to brighten a wall.
• Start a windowsill garden; you’ll gain both color and fresh herbs.

Brighten a bath

• Go bold in a guest bath – try a deep wall color or patterned wallpaper.
• Add colored monograms to classic white towels.
• Fill clear jars with colored soaps or beach glass.
• A simple change of towels can have a big effect. Bold stripes, for instance, say “summer.”
• Hang a glass vase on the wall to hold fresh or faux flowers. 

Kenmore Blog

Decorate and Entertaining Outdoors

Let your outdoor space become the perfect designer room. Create it with a specific use in mind: as the ideal outdoor dining room, living room or dreamy reading nook. 

Design the décor

Start with a bold, colorfully graphic outdoor rug that will do two things: “ground” the space and help you map out the furniture placement. Add layers of color and texture with outdoor fabrics on furniture and as drapery. Use both modern and traditional patterns to mix things up and create your own unique style. Mix and match outdoor dinnerware and furniture to create a curated, vintage-style look.

You can easily give existing furniture a face-lift by re-stuffing and re-covering cushions with a bold fabric. Spray paint will instantly change the look of metal outdoor furniture. Try it… and don’t be afraid to use a bright color like green, yellow, or orange! 

Light the way

Lighting has the biggest impact on how your outdoor space looks and feels. Add outdoor lighting to accent beautiful stone walkways, trees and driveways. Solar powered or LED walkway lights not only showcase the hardscaping, they are also economical and energy-efficient.

For a dramatic look, try solar-powered spotlights to up-light mossy oaks, maples or your favorite fruit tree. Check out the Sears collection of outdoor lighting, oversized lanterns and decorative glass hurricanes — they can be used in so many ways. Try flanking your front door with two oversized lanterns, one on each side of the door, or place a few along your walkway. It’s the perfect solution for adding light and making your entry more inviting. I like to use glass hurricane vases on my outdoor dining, coffee, or end tables to add ambient light for entertaining. I also use lighting to break up the different areas of my outdoor spaces, to create “rooms” for easy entertaining. Walking paths denoted by hanging lanterns will lead guests around your outdoor space. 

Fire it up

Test your culinary skills with Kenmore’s 5-burner gas grill. It makes outdoor entertaining so easy. The colossal grill lets you rotisserie, barbeque, steam and stove-cook all at the same time. Impressive! It’s everything you need to create the perfect feast.

Kenmore Blog

Make Your Stainless Steel Smudge Free

Here are 3 easy ways to keep your stainless steel appliances smudge free:

1) Clean the natural way with water and a cloth or a mild, natural detergent. Towel dry to prevent water spots.

2) Use glass cleaner or household ammonia to vanish fingerprints. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry.

3) Polish your stainless steel to a brilliant shine with a designated stainless steel cleaner. It can also help minimize scratching and remove stains. Be sure to follow directions carefully.

Source: Kenmore 

Tips on Spring Cleaning Your Refrigerator

Spring Cleaning Your Refrigerator
It is that time of year again where our thoughts turn to freshening up our homes and restoring order in our cluttered spaces. Of course, our homes might not be the only thing that is being neglected. Our appliances in our home can often get overlooked, but maintaining them is essential for your home to run smoothly and to save your family money.

Your refrigerator might be one of those appliances that may get overlooked, but it is one of the most important appliances in a home. Simple maintenance and cleaning procedures though can greatly extend the life & efficiency of your refrigerator.

Today I wanted to share with you some tips for spring cleaning your refrigerator and keeping it running smoothly for your family.

Vacuum Your Condenser Coils
When was the last time you vacuumed the condenser coils on your refrigerator? This is the perfect time of year to tackle this to help your fridge run smoothly through those looming hot summer days. To maintain your refrigerator, this simple task should be done once every three to six months.

Begin by unplugging your refrigerator and locate the condenser coils on your refrigerator. Older refrigerators have the coil (a grid-like structure) mounted on the rear of the refrigerator. Newer refrigerators usually have the condenser coil placed at the bottom of the fridge. You can use a flashlight to assist locating the coil and fan if needed.

With a plastic crevice or brush attachment, carefully vacuum dirt and dust wherever it is seen. Be very careful to not damage the fins or coil. If the fan is visible and accessible, cleaning it will help it move air across the condenser coil as designed. Dirt and dust, if allowed to accumulate on the fan blades, decreases airflow, which can affect balance and can contribute to early failure of the compressor.

Deep Clean the Interior
The interior of your refrigerator can benefit from a periodic deep cleaning. I recommend tackling this task the day before you go to restock your refrigerator to cut down on items that need to be moved around, as well as to help establish inventory of items needed.

You will need two dishwashing tubs and a cookie sheet to clean the interior of your refrigerator. Begin by filling one of these tubs with two tablespoons of baking soda and one quart of warm water for wiping down the interior of your refrigerator. Then use your cookie sheet and other dishwashing tub to put all of the condiments on and empty your drawers into for removing items quickly and easily so you can wipe down the interior without a hassle.

Before cleaning the interior of the fridge, fill each drawer with the same amount of baking soda solution in each one and let the baking soda solution do the dirty work of cleaning them while you are wiping out the inside of the fridge.

Using a rag or microfiber cloth, dampen the cloth with the baking soda solution. Gently wipe the interior of the refrigerator and all of the surfaces. If the washing solution begins to look murky, be sure to dump it and get another tub full for cleaning. For any stuck interior stains, you can sprinkle a little baking soda directly on the spot and add just a little water to it to make a paste. Allow the paste to work on the setin stain and then scrub gently to remove the gunk.

Go back to your drawers and empty them and wipe the interiors of these. Now place these back into the fridge and then take your dishwashing tub of solution and empty it into the sink.

Refill the tub with just warm water and add a dash of lemon juice to the water. Use your rag to do a final swipe using just this water & lemon juice solution. This will remove any grit that might be left in the fridge and the lemon juice will give it a nice fresh scent throughout. Dry thoroughly with a terry towel.
Take your cookie sheet of condiments and make sure to give each of these a quick swipe with the rag before returning them. Half the battle is not having clean items in your fridge and this is a good way to start fresh. Return all of the items in the other tub to their proper homes.

Clean the Exterior
The exterior of your fridge can often be overlooked, but it needs attention too. As a mother of two little ones, fingerprints and smudges are all over my fridge on any given day. To remove these, I use an all-purpose cleaner on my fridge.

You can use a microfiber cloth to clean the outside of your refrigerator, as it is gentle but also abrasive enough to remove any marks. Any scuffs still left? Break out your Mr. Clean Eraser (a mom’s best friend!) You can find a generic equivalent of one of these at your local dollar store.

If you have a stainless steel appliance, dip your microfiber cloth into a little vinegar and give the outside of the fridge a good swiping with the vinegar. Then give the appliance another swipe with just plain water and dry thoroughly with a terry towel.

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