Saving energy

Lighting
More than 90 percent of the energy produced by incandescent lights is heat, not light, so replace fixtures with more efficient bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs fit into an incandescent socket and operate on a quarter of the energy used by incandescents, lasting ten times longer.

From: Home Owner Tips Newsletter

House framing

This is one of my favorite photos from the house building process.  I love the sun and shadows.  (It's one of the photos in my house book.)

Before you sell your home

1. Make the Front Entrance Inviting
2. Clear Away Clutter
3. Clean the House Thoroughly
4. Freshen the Appearance of Rooms
5. Arrange Furniture for Spaciousness

6. Eliminate Odors
7. Take Care of Small Repairs
8. Replace Outdated Light Fixtures
9. Clean the Carpet
10. Don't Forget the Garage and Basement

From HGTV ideas (e-mail newsletter)

Hints for accessible homes (link)

Universal Design

From HGTVPro.com

New roof options (link)

Shopping for a new roof? You have a wide range of options when choosing a new roof. We’ll review the major ones here: HouseMaster eNewsletter

Storm updates

Franklin went east, and Gert went west, but we're supposed to get the remnants of a Saharan sandstorm, which will give us brighter sunsets. 

Helpful house book

This book helps you plan your new home and shows you how to save money.  You can buy it from amazon.com:  Amazon.com: Books: Building a Cool House for Hot Times Without Scorching the Pocketbook or Barnes & Noble: Barnes & Noble.com - Building a Cool House for Hot Times Without Scorching the Pocketbook

Tropical Storm Franklin

It looks like Franklin may meander and make a loop as Jeanne did.

Great American Backyard Campout!

Discover a wild new world in your own backyard!

Gather family, friends and neighbors-- the first ever Great American Backyard Campout is coming! On August 20th, folks all across America will come together in backyards, parks, and camps to enjoy a night of star-gazing, listening for nocturnal wildlife, and exploring a whole other world right in your backyard.

Be part of this nation-wide event! Add your campsite today and we’ll help you make the most of your event with packing lists, recipes, nocturnal wildlife guides, exploration activities, a night sky-guide, local weather and more.

The Great American Backyard Campout is brought to you by the National Wildlife Federation® (NWF).

See: Great American Backyard Campout

What the Best-Dressed Walls are Wearing

What do chocolate brown, bright blue, and melon all have in common? Each is a color that will be gaining in popularity during 2005. As part of its annual color forecast, the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute shared paint palette trends that will enliven living spaces inside and out.  Incorporating these colors certainly will keep your homes and projects on the cutting edge of design and color options:

Caribbean Brights. Color rich with a tropical flair will increase in use.

The New Whites. ... , soft whites will allow for restful and serene contemplation.

Deeptone Hues.This hearty palette began to develop a following in 2004. 

Brushed metallic surfaces. Replacing those shiny brass finishes used in the past. soft pewter, mellow copper and brushed nickel are the perfect complements...

From: HGTVPro.com: Design Trends

Writer interview links

Lyn McConchie (writer) interview: Expressions 61

Owl Goingback (horror writer): The Eternal Night Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Web Site

Ken Rand (writer): Interview with Ken Rand by Joy V. Smith

The greenest home in Florida

Casa Verde, a contemporary home in the Venetian Golf & Country Club, a gated community just outside Venice, currently ranks as the Greenest Home in Florida, according to the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC).  It's a display model in a community near lots of green space.  There's an interesting article on it in the spring issue of Florida Travel & Life.

House upgrades

Discussion link: Do upgrades help you sell? - Topic Powered by Infopop

From HGTVpro.com

 

Tropical Storm Emily

Emily is scheduled to become a hurricane today; it isn't expected to come near Florida.

Choose your colors now!

It's never too early to start looking at colors for your new home.

Wildlife quiz link

Ten questions on dealing sensibly with wildlife:  What Would You Do?

Before and after photos

Documenting your projects: Document Your Home Decorating & Improvements

Hurricane Dennis update

Hurricane Dennis gave us 3.60" of rain and some strong wind gusts as it went by.  The pond and the swamps around us are way up; the driveway and yard is under water in some places, and we lost a few branches, but we were very fortunate; and I'm glad to see that it wasn't as strong as Ivan when it hit the Panhandle.  (I haven't heard from my relatives there yet...) 

Hurricane Dennis update

We've gotten two inches of rain already, along with lightning and thunder that seemed to go on and on.  We're in a window at the moment, but I see lightning to the south.  That's probably the next band of rain.

Hurricane Dennis

Hurricane Dennis is headed in our general direction.  In a couple days we'll decide if we fill the bathtub, utility sink, washing machine, buckets, etc. 

Tropical Storm Dennis

Bret missed us; Cindy should miss us, but "Meanwhile, Dennis, the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, was centered about 355 miles south of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moving west-northwest at about 18 mph. It had top sustained wind of 40 mph.

It was on track to reach Haiti on Wednesday and South Florida on Friday, said hurricane center meteorologist Trisha Wallace."

 

Kitchen and bath website

I came across the National Kitchen & Bath Association in the August Country Living.  The website has interesting links, and you can get a free workbook.  (I just sent for one; there's a short survey.)  Link: National Kitchen & Bath Association: Turn Your Dreams Into Reality