Memos from MOSAIC

Soil Requirements for Shade-Loving Plants

2013-06-18T15:09:00.000-04:00

By Mary Kay Woodworth, executive director, Georgia Urban Ag Council, www.georgialandscapepro.com

Just as in a woodland forest, the best soil for shade-loving plants is a humus-rich, good-draining soil. In the woods, this is achieved naturally over years by decomposing plants, leaves and microorganisms helping the process along.

A shady, uncultivated corner of your yard may miraculously have great soil, but for most homeowners, regular old Georgia dirt needs a little help. No matter how poor the condition of your soil to begin with, your goal is to transform what’s already there into good, nutrient rich soil. More precisely, fertile soil that will maintain a good moisture level, but permit excess water to drain away quickly.

Soil Sample

Take a soil sample to your local extension service and have it tested, specifying the types of plants that you intend to grow in the area. The test will reveal the pH of the soil, as well as amendments needed for good plant nutrition. While most plants will be happy in soil with a neutral pH level (7.0), acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias will perform much better with soil amended to a lower pH level. This can be achieved by adding soil conditioners such as sphagnum peat moss and composted oak leaves to the existing soil.

Soil Amendments

If you’ve got exposed tree roots in the planting area, be very careful when amending the soil. Unlike a generous planting bed where the topsoil, compost and granite sand can easily be mixed in with a rototiller, you’ll need to gently incorporate these additions into the soil. Adding a two- or three-inch layer (called topdressing) of compost to the garden a couple of times a year will also help condition the soil. Layer no more than three or four inches of soil over exposed tree roots, so that you won’t damage the trees. Watch out for roots and dig carefully when planting in these areas.

Bring Sunlight Into Your Home

2013-06-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

Daylighting is the use of windows and skylights to bring sunlight into your home.

Today's highly energy-efficient windows, as well as advances in lighting design, reduce the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours without causing heating or cooling problems.

The best way to incorporate daylighting in your home depends on your climate and home's design. The sizes and locations of windows should be based on the cardinal directions rather than their effect on the street-side appearance of the house. For example:

South-facing windows allow most winter sunlight into the home but little direct sun during the summer, especially when properly shaded

North-facing windows admit relatively even, natural light, producing little glare and almost no unwanted summer heat gain.

East- and west-facing windows provide good daylight penetration in the morning and evening, respectively, but may cause glare, admit a lot of heat during the summer when it is usually not wanted, and contribute little to solar heating during the winter.

If you're constructing a new house, consider daylighting as part of your whole-house design -- an approach for building an energy-efficient home. You may also want to incorporate passive solar home design techniques to take advantage of the sun's rays.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Three Ideas for Making the Most of Your Home

2013-05-28T12:18:00.000-04:00

The difference between a house and a home is the amount of TLC and effort that has gone into it. For this reason, many homeowners are reluctant to sell their residence and would much rather improve it to more exactly fit their changing lifestyle. Here are some great remodeling ideas for making the most of your home:

Expand the Kitchen: The kitchen is as much the heart of the home now as it was in olden times. Still, the current demand for more living and entertainment space in the kitchen means that an expanding space is a great remodeling idea both personally and financially.

Add another Bathroom: Again, an additional bathroom is a much demanded item by home buyers and improves the livability of any home no matter how many people live there.

Create a View: Traditional homes were built with functionality in mind. Modern homes opt for more aesthetics. Take advantage of nearby views or the outdoors. A sunroom or screened in patio could be the perfect choice to get the most of the warm Georgia nights.

Source: Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry

Make Your Paint Job Last Longer

2013-05-24T09:28:00.000-04:00

One of the most important steps in painting is surface preparation and priming. Unfortunately it's also the step that people often leave out or don't do properly.

Proper surface preparation makes the finished job look better and last longer.

Interior Surfaces

There is a very strong chance there could be lead-based paint on your walls if you repaint a house that was built in the late 1950s or earlier. Don't attempt to scrape or remove the paint.

If you suspect lead-based paint, call the Environmental Protection Agency hotline for information: 1-800-424-LEAD. You also can visit http://www.epa.gov/lead/.

Kill any mold or mildew with a mold/mildew remover that can be found at a paint or hardware store. Carefully follow the label directions.

Prime any bare wood or new sheetrock before proceeding to the finish coat. A latex primer works well on sheetrock. For wood or trim, use an oil-based or alcohol-based primer. Any water spots should be addressed using a stain-blocking primer.

There are two options for painting wallpaper. You can strip the wallpaper and glue-backing before priming the wall and finishing it with a top coat. If the wallpaper is adhered to the wall really well, just prime and paint it. If you choose to go this route, you may see some texture in your final coat, depending on the texture of the wallpaper.

Here's a time-saving tip about primers. Most primers are white or off-white. Ask your paint store to tint the primer ½ formula of your top coat. This will help the top coat hide better. By using a 1/2 formula, you'll see a slight difference in the color and be better able to keep up with your painting progress.

Source: Tim Small, a retired paint and coatings salesman and consultant with Sylvia Small Communications & Marketing

Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

2013-04-12T14:32:00.000-04:00

Safety Tips

Have your home heating systems (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually by a trained service technician.
Never use portable generators inside homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open. Use generators outside only, far away from the home.
Never bring a charcoal grill into the house for heating or cooking. Don't barbeque in the garage.
Never use a gas range or oven for heating.
Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. An open damper may help prevent build-up of poisonous gases inside the home.
Install battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup in your home outside separate sleeping areas.

Know the Symptoms of CO Poisoning

Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:

Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Dizziness

High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:

Mental confusion
Vomiting
Loss of muscular coordination
Loss of consciousness
Ultimately death

Symptom severity is related to both the CO level and the duration of exposure. For slowly developing residential CO problems, occupants and/or physicians can mistake mild to moderate CO poisoning symptoms for the flu, which sometimes results in tragic deaths. For rapidly developing, high level CO exposures (e.g., associated with use of generators in residential spaces), victims can rapidly become mentally confused, and can lose muscle control without having first experienced milder symptoms; they will likely die if not rescued.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Should You Turn off a Light Before Leaving a Room?

2013-04-03T14:07:00.000-04:00

The cost effectiveness of when to turn off lights depends on the type of bulb and the cost of electricity. The type of lightbulb you use is important for several reasons. All lightbulbs have a nominal or rated operating life, which is affected by how many times they are turned on and off. The more often they are switched on and off, the lower their operating life.

Incandescent Lighting

Incandescent lights should be turned off whenever they are not needed, because they are the least efficient type of lighting. Ninty percent of the energy they use is given off as heat, and only about 10 percent results in light. Turning lights off will also keep a room cooler, an extra benefit in the summer.

Halogen Lighting

While halogens are more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, they use the same technology and are far less efficient than CFLs and LEDs. Therefore, it is best to turn these lights off whenever they are not needed.

CFL Lighting

Since they are already very efficient, the cost effectiveness of turning CFLs off to conserve energy is a bit more complicated. A general rule-of-thumb is this:

If you will be out of a room for 15 minutes or less, leave it on.
If you will be out of a room for more than 15 minutes, turn it off.

The operating life of CFLs is more affected by the number of times they are switched on and off. You can generally extend the life of a CFL bulb more by switching it on and off less frequently than if you simply use it less.

It is a popularly held belief that CFLs use a lot of energy to get started and it is better not to turn them off for short periods. The amount of energy varies between manufacturers and models—however, ENERGY STAR© rated bulbs are required to endure rapid cycling for five-minute intervals to ensure that they can hold up to frequent switching.

In any case, the relatively higher "inrush" current required lasts for half a cycle, or 1/120th of a second. The amount of electricity consumed to supply the inrush current is equal to a few seconds or less of normal light operation. Turning off fluorescent lights for more than five seconds will save more energy than will be consumed in turning them back on again. Therefore, the real issue is the value of the electricity saved by turning the light off relative to the cost of changing a lightbulb. This in turn determines the shortest cost-effective period for turning off a fluorescent light.

The value of the energy saved by turning a CFL off depends on several factors:

The price an electric utility charges its customers depends on the customer "classes," which are typically residential, commercial, and industrial. There can be different rate schedules within each class.

Some utilities may charge different rates for electricity consumption during different times of the day. It generally costs more for utilities to generate power during certain periods of high demand or consumption, called peaks.

Some utilities can charge commercial and industrial customers more per kilowatt-hour (kWh) during peak periods than for consumption off-peak.

Some utilities may also charge a base rate for a certain level of consumption and higher rates for increasing blocks of consumption.

Often a utility adds miscellaneous service charges, a base charge, and/or taxes per billing period that could be averaged per kWh consumed, if these are not already factored into the rate.

LED Lighting

The operating life of a light emitting diode (LED) is unaffected by turning it on and off. While lifetime is reduced for fluorescent lamps the more often they are switched on and off, there is no negative effect on LED lifetime. This characteristic gives LEDs several distinct advantages when it comes to operations. For example, LEDs have an advantage when used in conjunction with occupancy sensors or daylight sensors that rely on on-off operation. Also, in contrast to traditional technologies, LEDs turn on at full brightness almost instantly, with no delay. LEDs are also largely unaffected by vibration because they do not have filaments or glass enclosures.

Calculating Energy Savings

To calculate the exact value of energy savings by turning a lightbulb off, you need to first determine how much energy the bulb consumes when on. Every bulb has a watt rating printed on it. For example, if the rating is 40 watts, and the bulb is on for one hour, it will consume 0.04 kWh, or if it is off for one hour, you will be saving 0.04 kWh. (Note that many fluorescent fixtures have two or more bulbs. Also, one switch may control several fixtures—an "array." Add the savings for each fixture to determine the total energy savings.)

Then you need to find out what you are paying for electricity per kWh (in general and during peak periods). You will need to look over your electricity bills and see what the utility charges per kWh. Multiply the rate per kWh by the amount of electricity saved, and this will give you the value of the savings. Continuing with the example above, let us say that your electric rate is 10 cents per kWh. The value of the energy savings would then be 0.4 cents ($ 0.004). The value of the savings will increase the higher the watt rating of the bulb, the greater the number of bulbs controlled by a single switch, and the higher the rate per kWh.

The most cost-effective length of time that a light (or set of lights) can be turned off before the value of the savings exceeds the cost of having to replace bulbs (due to their shortened operating life) will depend on the type and model of bulb and ballast. The cost of replacing a bulb (or ballast) depends on the cost of the bulb and the cost of labor to do it.

Lighting manufacturers should be able to supply information on the duty cycle of their products. In general, the more energy-efficient a lightbulb is, the longer you can leave it on before it is cost effective to turn it off.

In addition to turning off your lights manually, you may want to consider using sensors, timers, and other automatic lighting controls.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Bathroom Remodel: Contractor or DIY?

2013-03-27T12:38:00.000-04:00

Video: Planning to remodel a bath? Should you hire a contractor or DIY? Rick Goldstein of MOSAIC Group explains the pros and cons for both options. Via About.com

http://video.about.com/homerenovations/Pros-and-Cons-of-Hiring-a-Contractor-to-Remodel-a-Bathroom.htm

Prep Your Landscape for Spring Blooms

2013-03-20T13:57:00.000-04:00

Photo Courtesy: King Landscaping

Spring is in the air and soon our temperatures will be warming and our spring bulbs will start blooming. Since spring brings with it a burst of color after a long drab winter, making the most of the new colors and life can be simple and well worth it.

To set the stage for these beautiful blooms there are a few things you can do:

Fertilize all your perennials, shrubs and bulbs

Cut down any old leaves and prune off dead wood from any trees or shrubs

Work on your lawn, aerating and fertilizing, fill in the dead spots to make sure weeds don’t grow

Apply 2-4 inches of new mulch on your garden beds and trees

Start a watering schedule for your plants, lawn and trees

Start weeding, pull new weeds as they come up and use herbicides to kill off persistent weeds

Use these tips to start preparing your garden and lawns for the upcoming growth season. Then sit back and enjoy your beautiful spring landscaping.

Source: NARI Atlanta

Home Insulation Leads to Reduced Pollution Levels

2013-03-11T11:10:00.000-04:00

Properly insulated homes would significantly reduce the release of these pollutants into the atmosphere: Sulfur Oxide, Nitrous Oxide and Fine Particulate Matter.

In the United States there are at least 45 million homes (65 percent) that lack the proper levels of insulation, according to today’s energy standards.

An additional 1.2 million new single-homes are built each year, but varying energy codes in each region mean that many of these will not be insulated to the internationally accepted minimum standard — International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

With every BTU of energy produced, harmful gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrous Oxide (NOx), and Sulfur Oxide (SOx) are released into the air, causing pollution in our communities.

A well-insulated home, particularly one that is insulated with fiber glass, rock wool or slag wool insulation, reduces the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable living/working environment.

Reducing energy consumption means power plants burn less fossil fuel to produce the energy, and the result is a reduction in polluting gases emitted into our communities.

Source: National Insulation Manufacturers Association

What are the Hot Remodeling Projects in 2013?

2013-02-21T16:47:00.001-05:00

The year is still fresh and it is the perfect time to begin a plan for remodeling your home. If you’re not sure where to start, then you might want to consider some of the more popular remodeling projects that are trending in 2013.

The Outdoor Living Room – Homeowners are beginning to take greater advantage of the outdoor areas of their homes. Outdoor living rooms are becoming more and more comfortable, blurring the lines between indoor spaces and the outside by introducing better and more comfortable seating as well as fireplaces that make it possible to enjoy the area all year round.

The Outdoor Kitchen – Grills are no longer the only form of food preparation you can find outside. Many homeowners are building elaborate cooking stations outside that include countertops, sinks and even refrigerators and ovens.

Handcrafted Design Elements – The arts and crafts style is becoming more popular, and many homeowners are introducing more natural, handcrafted elements to their home to introduce a more comfortable and homey feel.

These are just a few of the more popular remodeling projects that you can plan for your home.

Source: NARI Atlanta

Protect Your Home While Remodeling

2013-02-08T16:16:00.000-05:00

For homeowners either considering a home remodel, or in the midst of a remodel, it can be a very overwhelming time. There’s the excitement, along with the stress of having structural changes completed within one’s home that can often lead to lapses in home security.

According to the security team at AlarmSystemReport.com, a site for people looking for an alarm system review of top alarm companies including ADT reviews and FrontPoint reviews, there are precautions homeowners can take during a remodeling project to increase security.

1. Always let the alarm company know a remodel is happening. The construction within the home may affect the functioning of the alarm system, so it’s important the company is aware of what’s going on. This also may be a good time to add extra security, such as surveillance cameras, even if only for the duration of the construction project.
2. Keep all values in a protected place during a remodel. Homeowners may opt to keep items in a safe within the home, or an offsite location such as a neighbor or family member’s home. No matter how much a homeowner may trust the construction company performing the work, it’s still a good idea to protect any and all valuables during this time.
3. Keep the exterior of the home well-lit, particularly areas that may be open to the outside during construction. As with any theft, darkness is the ally of most burglars, so keep all exterior areas well-lit during the remodel. It may be necessary to install inexpensive, temporary outdoor lighting during this time.
4. Keep the area around the home clean and free of clutter and debris throughout the remodel. A messy construction zone creates an opportunity for burglars to steal items such as tools that may be left in easily accessible areas, which may then lead to the burglar’s return to steal other items from within the home. Keeping a clean work area will reduce the risk for burglary and confusion.
5. Do a check of the construction company performing the work prior to beginning a remodeling project. Even if a company is offering an unbeatable deal, it’s important to do a complete check of references before signing a contract.

Source: AlarmSystemReport.com is a site created by security experts to provide consumers with reviews of top alarm system companies and equipment.

Make Your Home More Wheelchair Accessible

2013-01-22T12:43:00.002-05:00

Injuries and the natural aging process can make wheelchairs a necessity. There are a number of low-cost and little-work modifications you can make to your home to make it more wheelchair accessible.

Carpets and Rugs

To make it easier for you to maneuver your wheelchair, remove any loose carpeting or rugs. It doesn’t make a difference if you have a mechanical or an electric-powered wheelchair. It’s easy to get caught on carpeting that isn’t as secure as it once was.

Cordless Phone

With a cordless phone you won’t have to hurry into another room when the phone rings. Keep the phone close by so in case of an emergency you can call for help in a matter of minutes.

Levers

Replace your door knobs with levers. That will make it easier for you to enter and leave your home as well as get in and out of any rooms. Door knobs can be very difficult for a wheelchair-bound person to turn, but a lever can be easily pushed down.

Grab Bars

Install grab bars around the bathtub/shower and the toilet. These bars will stabilize you as you move from your wheelchair to your toilet and from your bathtub to your wheelchair.

Mini-Ramps

You can install mini ramps on high door thresholds. By gluing or sealing down a few tiny wedges of wood or metal, you can install a ramp that will help you get in and out of the house.

Non-Slip Floor

Install a non-slip floor in your bathroom. Bathroom floors get wet, becoming very dangerous especially for you and your wheelchair. This type of floor will greatly reduce the chance of your slipping when you're moving from your chair to the bathtub or shower.

Automatic Sink Fixtures

Motion-detecting sink fixtures can make operating your sink easier. The faucet starts running once you put your hands underneath it and stops when your hands are removed from underneath the faucet. This eliminates your reaching for the sink handles.

Hoses or Nozzles

A hose or nozzle system is a moving head shower head, meaning you wont have to twist and turn when rinsing yourself off. Many of these nozzles have different settings. Some perform massaging functions, which can help sooth body parts that might be aching or sore from sitting in your wheelchair. Those hoses or nozzles are easily installed in most showers.

Source: Alpine Home Medical

Reduce Lighting Energy Consumption

2013-01-07T16:03:00.000-05:00

Lighting typically accounts for about 17 percent of residential electricity use, but there are easy ways you can reduce energy consumption by lighting in your residence without compromising lighting quality or convenience.

1. Turn off the lights when you don't need them.

2. Install (and use) dimming controls where possible.

3. Use photoelectric lighting controls such as motion or occupancy sensors or timers to automatically turn off lighting, especially outdoors.

4. Use the lowest wattage and most efficient bulb that will properly fulfill your lighting needs.

Compact fluorescent bulbs, for instance, provide excellent energy-efficient lighting for laundry rooms, storage rooms, kitchen and baths. LEDs are very efficient light sources for a growing number of applications, such as undercabinet lighting, task lighting and outdoor step lights.

For tasks such as reading, however, incandescent bulbs are often still the best choice because of their brightness. To be as energy-efficient as possible, use halogen incandescent bulbs instead of standard bulbs.

5. Look for products that carry the ENERGY STAR symbol. These products have had to undergo more rigorous testing to earn the label thus ensuring a higher quality product in terms of efficiency.

Source: American Lighting Association

Remodeling? Insist on a Contract

2012-12-27T09:37:00.000-05:00

Be sure the contract includes the contractor's name, address, phone and license number (if applicable).
Detail what the contractor will and will not do. Your contractor should detail a list of materials for the project in your contract. This includes size, color, model, brand name and product.
The contract should include the approximate start date and substantial completion dates.
Study all required plans carefully. Insist that you approve them and that they are identified in your written contract before any work begins.
Federal law requires a contractor to give you written notice of your right to cancel a contract, without penalty, within three business days of signing it, provided it was solicited at some place (for instance, your home) other than the contractor's place of business or appropriate trade premises or has financing provision.
Make sure financial terms are understood and spelled out in the contract. The total price, payment schedule, and any cancellation penalty should be clear.
A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of one year should be written into the contract. The warranty must be identified as either "full" or "limited." The name and address of the party who will honor the warranty (contractor, distributor or manufacturer) must be identified. Make sure the time period for the warranty is specified.
A binding arbitration clause is also a good inclusion in the event a disagreement occurs. Arbitration may enable you to resolve disputes without costly litigation.
Thoroughly review the entire contract and be certain you understand it before signing it. Consider the scope of the project and make sure all items you've requested are included. If you don't see a specific item in the contract, consider it not included.
Never sign an incomplete contract. Always keep a copy of the final document for your records.

Source: NARI Atlanta

How to Choose the Correct Light Bulb

2012-12-14T16:45:00.000-05:00

Choosing the right light bulb is a balancing act between energy savings, comfort, durability, cost, and compatibility. Each area of a home or office will require different types of light and present different opportunities for savings.

Incandescent Bulbs

Incandescent bulbs provide rich and warm light quality, excellent color rendering, and controllability, but are the least efficient.

Screw-in CFL Bulbs

Screw-in CFL bulbs are energy efficient and have the longest life of all light bulbs. However, they provide less pleasing light, start up slowly, may flicker, and are not disposable because of their mercury content. Most dim poorly, although Lutron offers dimmers for the Philips Energy Saver dimmable CFL.

Halogen Bulbs

Halogen bulbs, an efficient variety of incandescent lighting, are up to 30 percent more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. When dimmed by 30 percent, they offer many benefits of CFL and standard incandescent lights without the drawbacks.

General Rules

Use a halogen bulb with a dimmer where:

Light quality is important.
You want energy savings with ambiance.
You want to control the light with dimmers, timers or sensors.

Use a CFL bulb, possibly with a dimmer, where:

Light quality isn't important.
There is no risk of children or animals breaking the bulb.
You want maximum light with minimum energy consumption.
You don't need sensors or timers.

Source: American Lighting Association

Energy-Saving Tips for Winter

2012-11-26T10:31:00.000-05:00

Here are some energy-saving tips from Georgia Power to help you get ready for winter.

On sunny days,open curtains and shades to let the sun warm your home naturally.
If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed when the fireplace is not in use. This will keep cold air from coming down the chimney into your home and will reduce warm air loss from your home.
Help your heating and cooling system operate more efficiently, keeping air vents clear of obstructions such as furniture, curtains and rugs.
Make sure the caulk and weather stripping around your windows and doors are in good shape.
Seal around wiring and plumbing. Use caulk for small holes and expanding foam for larger areas.
Weather-strip and insulate your attic hatch or add a thermal hood to cut down on conditioned air loss.
Install and preset an Energy Star programmable thermostat to automatically reduce energy usage when you're away or sleeping. Set your manual thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter, and then leave it alone. You can expect a 3 percent to 5 percent increase in energy use for every degree you set the thermostat higher in the winter.

Considering a Fireplace? Here are Some Tips

2012-11-17T13:00:00.000-05:00

By Rick Goldstein, co-owner, MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers]

This week's cool weather reminds us how warm and comforting a fireplace can be. If you've been thinking of adding one to your home--either inside or outside--here are some things to consider.

There are two distinct camps in the fireplace arena. Traditionalists are wood-burners. They love the smell, enjoy listening to the crackling noises, and want a roaring fire that produces heat. The other camp dislikes the mess and prefers a fireplace that can be conveniently turned on with a push of a button.

Because there are a variety of fireplace types and design alternatives, it's easier than ever to select a fireplace for almost any location. A double-sided gas fireplace can provide a fire feature to the inside and the outside of your home. We've also used a vent-less fireplace on porches where installing a chimney was cost prohibitive. A wood-burning fireplace requires a full chimney and, when in close proximity to a structure, must meet stringent building codes.

Fireplace construction materials include stucco, siding, stone and brick. Depending on the fireplace's design and location, there are numerous variations on each type of material. There are also different types and methods to install stone, whether it's stacked, dry laid, chunky or veneered. All create different aesthetics.

MOSAIC Group has designed and constructed fireplaces using traditional surrounds with wood mantels, reclaimed wood mantels, stone mantels, corbelled brick-and-stone mantels and other combinations. One is limited only by his or her creativity. Using an attractive custom screen is another way to infuse some individuality into your fireplace.

Click on this link to see a photo gallery of fireplaces we've designed and constructed for other fireplace enthusiasts. Give us a call at 770.670.6022 to discuss your ideas.

Prepare Your Trees for Winter

2012-11-13T10:41:00.000-05:00

This brief video by Eric King, King Landscaping, provides information on how to get your trees ready for winter. Start by thinking about some of the steps you take to get ready for bed each night. Via About.com

Click on this link: http://video.about.com/treesandshrubs/How-to-Prep-Trees-for-Winter.htm

10 Ways to Relieve Stress

2012-10-29T11:20:00.000-04:00

Stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life for many people. In small doses, it can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best. It also can have a detrimental effect on your health.

Here are 10 ways to relax.

1. Yes, it's no joke. Laughter is one of the best ways to relieve stress.

2. Listen to a compilation of the most relaxing pieces of music you have.

3. Watch a comedy film.

4. Drink a warm cup of herbal tea.

5. Before you go to bed, drink a glass of milk. Milk contains tryptophan, a natural sleep-producing chemical.

6. Escape from daily anxieties by reading a good book.

7. Think of relaxing images, like the beach or a meadow filled with beautiful flowers.

8. Practice deep breathing.

9. Get a massage.

10. Take a warm tub bath.

What are some of the ways you relax?

Hire a Professional to Construct Your New Deck

2012-10-15T10:30:00.000-04:00

By Rick Goldstein, co-owner of MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers]

Here are some reasons why you'll want to hire a professional to construct your new deck.

· The building codes for decks have become much more complicated due to the abundance of deck collapses during the last few years.

· Attachment techniques need to be carefully followed and scrutinized to be sure the deck structure is safe.

· Constructing a new deck requires a building permit.

· There are new products available each and every year. A professional will have experience with these products where the do-it-yourselfer may not.

· A professional will bring years of experience, knowledge and design talents to create a safe, practical and beautiful addition to one's home.

What could go wrong if you take the DIY approach?

· Your deck may not meet current building code safety requirements and could therefore pose a safety hazard.

· If no permit is procured, a building official could require the deck to be removed.

· A homeowner could accidentally build past the regulated zoning building setback lines, opening the potential to have to undo what has been constructed.

· Without proper knowledge, the incorrect fasteners could be used. These fasteners may rust, creating a future safety hazard.

Click here to see photos of decks we've designed and completed.

Rick Goldstein is a registered Architect who has both hands-on experience building decks as well as designing and detailing decks to meet code requirements.

How to Choose the Proper Cutting Board

2012-10-02T12:55:00.000-04:00

Choosing the proper cutting board—sometimes also called a chopping block—is as important as the selection of the proper knife and can extend the life of your kitchen countertops.

Too hard a cutting surface will quickly dull or in some cases actually ruin knives. Too soft a surface will not give sufficient resilience for the correct handling of knives. Good cutting boards are manufactured in three different materials: wood, rubber and polyethylene. The best wood for a cutting board for your kitchen countertop is something hard, such as maple. It’s not so rigid that it will destroy a knife blade and not so firm as to give your wrist the cook's version of tennis elbow. And it won’t add any flavor of its own to the food.

The ultimate cutting boards are made of laminated squares of end grain wood held together by a series of tongue-and-groove arrangements. Through the mid 1950s, this was the common construction for most butcher blocks and virtually every commercial butcher in the United States had one, standing on four thick legs. This type of board can be found in a 2-inch thickness with outside dimensions of 10 by 10, 12 by 12, and 12 by 16 inches. There are sturdy feet on these boards to protect countertops, and they're so attractive, they make excellent serving boards for dry foods (dry foods only because these boards lack a drip groove around the outer edge).

A second style of wood cutting board is made of laminated lengthwise strips of hardwood. In the past, this type of construction was not as strong as end grain grooving. But today, the industrial techniques for curing wood and electronically bonding the strips together with recently developed glues is so advanced that these boards are sufficiently strong and warp-resistant. The better brands have been sanded to a satin-smooth finish and hand-rubbed with protective oil. Grape seed oil is highly recommended.

Avoid cutting boards that are made from a single piece of flat wood. They tend to split. Also, avoid the round cutting boards imported from the Orient. Most of them are made of woods that are too absorbent. The round form is dictated by the tree trunk from which they were sliced, but this circular shape is impractical, as food is constantly sliding off the edge.

The best way to clean a wooden cutting board is to scrape off all food residues with a steel scraper or spatula. Then sprinkle the board with coarse salt and lemon juice, and use a clean cloth to scrub the surface. The salt and the lemon interact to form a mild acid which cleans the wood. Rinse the surface with cold water after any stains have been removed.

If the board is in particularly bad shape, you can sometimes remove stains by sponging the surface with ordinary household bleach. Be careful to limit the time that the bleach is in contact with the board, though. Wood is porous and may absorb the bleach. Sponge it quickly and then run cold water over the surface. Never use soap or detergents, which will weaken the wood fibers.

Other Cutting Board Materials

A number of years ago, the federal government introduced a regulation that prohibited the use of wooden work surfaces in industrial food processing areas. The agency felt that wood was too porous, that it accepts grease too easily, that the grease is difficult— if not impossible—to remove, and that there’s a tendency to breed bacteria. This desire for a germ-free environment has led to the development of hard rubber cutting boards. They are available from restaurant supply houses in 1-inch thicknesses at sizes from 18 by 12 inches to 24 by 18 inches. Most of these boards have a distinct odor during the first weeks of use, which is highly reminiscent of spoiled milk. Eventually the smell will die out, and the board itself is excellent.

Another type of board for kitchen countertops available today is made of opaque white polyethylene. It is easier to keep clean than any wooden board because it’s non-absorbent and it will not discolor. Smells, stains and grease wash away with scouring powder or bleach. You may safely put these cutting boards in your dishwasher. As with any plastic-based material, be sure to avoid contact between the board and any extremely hot objects that might cause melting or scorching. These boards are available from almost any store with a section for kitchen supplies. Select a board with a hole at one end. It makes the board extremely convenient to hang.

Glass cutting boards are less than ideal because the hard surface dulls knives quickly. Perhaps more importantly, glass boards don’t provide much friction, and as a result, the knife can easily slip across its surface, posing a safety hazard. While stone cutting boards offer more friction, they suffer the same problem of dulling knives quickly.

One final tip in choosing a cutting board is to buy two of them: one for cutting raw meat and the other for foods like fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, and bread. By using the same board for meat and other food items, you can potentially contaminate these uncooked foods with bacteria from uncooked chicken, beef, and other meats.

Source: National Kitchen & Bath Association

Fall Landscaping Helpful Tips

2012-09-18T13:31:00.000-04:00

MOSAIC Guest Blogger: Mary Kay Woodworth, executive director, Georgia Urban Ag Council, www.urbanagcouncil.com

It’s great to live in Georgia, where the climate is conducive to enjoying the outdoors 12 months a year. But if you're like me, I’m ready for cool nights and not-so-hot and humid daytime temperatures! As both an avid gardener and someone who professionally spends a lot of time with landscape pros, I can attest that once September arrives, we all breathe a collective sigh of relief when we step outside in the morning and can “feel” fall in the air! The forecast for the next few weeks confirms that we’re almost there, so here are some suggestions for your fall landscape endeavors.

Flowers: Cut back annuals and fall-blooming perennials now for continued blooms, but wait until mid-October to plant winter annuals (violas, pansies, snapdragons, ornamental kale, etc.). Fall’s a great time to plant, move and divide perennials, and take care not to plant them deeper than they originally grew. Mulch and don’t forget to water them in. If you're the patient type, purchase fall bulbs now for planting in November. These bulbs will yield bright colors in the spring: anemone, daffodil, dahlia, gladiolus, hyacinth, narcissus, ranunculus and tulips. Use a bulb-booster fertilizer when planting.

Turf: If you’ve got fescue that needs reseeding – or want to plant fescue - don’t wait until spring. Fescue seed can be planted from mid-September through mid-October; if you’ve got weeds, kill them with a non-selective herbicide (such as Round-Up or Finale) and plant in 7-10 days. Don’t forget to fertilize – apply a starter fertilizer if you have just planted seed, otherwise use a fertilizer recommended for established fescue lawns. Bermuda turf can be fertilized in late September with a winterizer fertilizer, but wait until next spring for all other warm season grasses.

Winter Weeds in Turf: To prevent winter weeds (such as chickweed and henbit) in established lawns, apply a pre-emergent weed preventer between Sept. 15 and Oct. 1. If you're reseeding or planting fescue, do not apply a pre-emergent weed killer.

Maintenance: As temperatures drop, your landscape needs less water, so watch the forecast and adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall. Make sure that newly seeded lawns receive enough water so that the soil remains damp, and be sure to remove fallen leaves from the newly seeded lawn. Lightly rake them off or use a leaf-blower to gently push them off the grass. Now’s not the time for heavy pruning – wait until cooler weather arrives. You can remove dead limbs from trees and woody ornamentals, and make sure to rake out fallen leaves and other garden debris to prevent pest and insect problems.

Mulch: Mulch is the little-noticed workhorse of many a smart gardener's landscape. Mulch is a protective covering—organic or inorganic—place in a wide circle around plants to prevent moisture evaporation, root freezing and weed growth. Whether it’s pinestraw, pine bark, cypress mulch or other organic material, applying mulch can reduce evaporation by as much as 30 percent.

Planting: Fall is the best time for planting many ornamental plants in Georgia. When planted in fall, the plant becomes happily dormant above ground soon after planting, but the roots continue to grow and have several months to become comfortable and strong in its new home. When spring does arrive, the plant is established and ready to put out strong leaves, new top growth, and lots of flowers. Wait until spring to plant, and the shrub or tree must acclimate itself to its new home and begin growing immediately. At the same time, it has to produce leaves, flowers, and then endure the rapidly arriving summer heat. So the difference is obvious: fall planting gives your plants roots a wonderful “head start” over spring planting.

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong if you consult the Georgia Gold Medal plant list. Each year, the Georgia Gold Medal Plant Committee selects flowers, shrubs, trees, groundcovers and vines that are well-adapted throughout most of Georgia, readily available and provide seasonal interest. An added bonus is that all are low maintenance once established!

2012 Georgia Gold Medal Winners:

Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum (ashei)) - Not only do you get tasty fruit with blueberries, but spring blooms and fall color.
Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’) - This small, finely-textured landscape tree is useful in a woodland edge, as a specimen tree or in a shrub border and is known for its red branches.
Athens Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus ‘Athens’) - A native shrub that works well for screening, plus adds a fruit-scented fragrance in April.

Georgia Gold Medal plants are proven performers for Georgia gardens. There are now close to 100 Georgia Gold Medal winners, creating a large palette of plants for homeowners to feel comfortable using in their home landscape.

Find out more about Georgia Gold Medal plants at www.georgiagoldmedalplants.com. Enjoy fall!

Use Paint to Create Warmth

2012-09-06T09:37:00.000-04:00

In this video from About.com, Linda Castle of Decorated Designs uses paint to create warmth in a bathroom. Warm, formal paint colors for bathrooms range from the sea foams to the terra cottas.

http://video.about.com/homerenovations/Warm--Formal-Bathroom-Paint-Job.htm

How to Choose Sod for Your Lawn

2012-08-20T15:34:00.000-04:00

In this brief video, Eric King, ASLA, King Landscaping, talks about how to choose sod for your lawn. The video covers usage, soil preparation, and watering.

http://video.about.com/landscaping/How-to-Choose-Sod-for-Your-Lawn.htm

Surviving Home Remodeling with Allergies

2012-07-31T16:06:00.000-04:00

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry is providing tips to homeowners on how to prevent a remodeling project from becoming an allergenic nightmare, since it is estimated that 36 million Americans have allergies.

Dust and mites are stirred up in the air, and are the two main causes of allergic reactions during a remodeling project. Aside from allergens, there are also some extremely dangerous materials such as asbestos and lead paint that can be harmful to anyone who comes in contact with them. In such cases, NARI highly recommends having a professional remove potentially harmful materials.

Following these tips from NARI can reduce the chances of an allergic family member with allergies falling victim to allergens during a home remodeling project. Preparations can be made in the home that will cut allergic reactions to a minimum, including:

Inform your remodeling contractor during your first meeting about any allergies.
Seal off the area to be remodeled with plastic sheets; leave plastic sheeting up until cleanup from the job is complete. When sheeting is removed and discarded, avoid carrying it through the home.
Close all vents in the room being remodeled so that dust won’t travel though the air ducts.
Open windows in the room being remodeled at least a crack and set up a fan to exhaust air toward the outside.
Keep family pets out of the work area. They can track dust and mites all over the house.
Vacuum and sweep daily to prevent dust from spreading.
Change your furnace filter often since it will pick up more particles than usual.
Plan for removing debris. Using a chute out the window is ideal since it will eliminate the possibility of tracking materials through the house.
If you're having a new floor put in, consider using a hard floor such as wood, ceramic or slate instead of carpeting. Carpeting is an ideal home for dust mites, which is a leading cause of allergies in the home. Before making a decision, talk to your remodeling contractor for recommendations. If you choose hardwood floors, be sure to discuss the effects of fumes that may be emitted when finishing a new hard floor. Consider staying out of the home for a couple days to let it properly air out after installing a floor.

NARI is a professional association whose member companies, like MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers], voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics.