You’ve taken your family to the planetarium and your children gaze upward in wonder at the starry firmament beamed across the ceiling. Celestial viewing has been practiced since the dawn of the age, with kingdoms rising and falling as the stars move across the heavens. Look! A comet! The joy of witnessing a shooting star is priceless with meteor showers offering the best opportunity for an active celestial sky show.

Attic Stellar Room

Some people have taken to viewing the stars in their backyards or will make a trip to a nearby park to set up a telescope with full view of the sky. Not every backyard or park is suitable for viewing and, with bugs biting, can make this option undesirable, especially for small children. Fortunately, you can enjoy a celestial sky show without setting foot outdoors, by converting one room in your home to a stellar room, with the attic offering a natural and practical place for your simple home improvement project. Read on and we’ll examine what it takes to put in place an attic stellar room.

You can make your attic stellar room as simple or as complex as you want. The basics here is having stairs that offer solid footing for easy access and floorboards in place that can hold everyone’s weight. Clearly, an unfinished attic can be used, but you’ll need to examine the room for safety and make sure that nails from the roof are not protruding through the ceiling.

Celestial Vantage Point

A large window or skylight is ideal for star-gazing, particularly if it gives you an expansive view of the sky with the North Star in view. Light pollution can be a big problem, therefore avoid any view that obscures the sky. Don’t expect your municipality to comply with your demands to quench a street light, however!

Before you run out and invest in a telescope, use a pair of binoculars to locate the stars. This is an important step as it will help you gauge the amount of light that seeps in and the range of sky within your vantage point. If the amount of sky you see is sufficient and you’re satisfied with the view, then you’re good to go. If not, you may need to talk with a contractor about having a skylight installed in the section of your roof that points away from the obstruction. If things work out your way, you’ll only pay for the cost of a skylight instead of a new roof.

Construction Costs

Skylight costs can vary and include reframing, cutting into rafters and ceiling joists, and installing new drywall where drywall is already present may be required. The size of the skylight, the use of glass or acrylic, and adding new insulation are other factors. A room with few windows, such as an attic, can have a larger skylight, but the U.S. Department of Energy advises that it occupy a size no larger than 15 percent of the total floor space. Prices will start around $2,500 and rise according to your needs.

With the skylight installed, now you’re ready to shop for a telescope. We’re not going to advise you on that, something your capable science store retailer can advise you on. You better hurry up though as the Delta Aquarids show up in late July followed by the Perseids in August, two of the more amazing meteor showers seen each calendar year.

GETTING READY FOR THE SUMMER

Summer means outdoor barbecues and socials. Is your patio or deck equipped with what you need to entertain this summer? View deck ideas – cooking grills – furniture – and more.

Our Sunday Tip:

• view patio-deck gallery for ideas
• shop outdoor grills

With hundreds if not thousands of dollars in income tax refund money on hand, there are a number of projects you can now fund. Improvements to your house will give it a fresh look and can also pay off when you sell your home later on.

1. Replace dated appliances — Large kitchen and washer room appliances consume a lot of energy. If you haven’t bought a new washing machine, dishwasher or refrigerator in the last 10 years, you’ll find that today’s units are much more energy efficient. Check each unit’s Energy Star rating to find the appliance that is right for you. Save money on energy and enjoy new appliances too.

2. Paint your home — Hire a couple of college kids to paint the exterior of your home. Buy and supply the paint, the brushes and rollers, and related equipment, and use the remaining monies to cover labor. Hire students with previous painting experience to do a job you simply have little time to handle yourself.

3. Give your yard a makeover — A damaged lawn should be resided and new shrubbery can help improve your home’s curb appeal. Acquire dirt, stones and plantings from a home store and consider hiring those college students to do the heavy work.

4. Replace bathroom flooring — Few tax refunds will cover the cost of a new bathroom, but if you get the average refund amount, then you’ll have enough money to pay someone to install a new floor. Or, do the job yourself and use the remaining money on new appliances.

5. Replace aged fixtures — Look around your home at the many fixtures you have in place. Some of those may need to be replaced. Make a list of fixtures you want to update, listing the most pressing ones first. Include faucets, shower heads, overhead lights, outdoor lighting, cabinet handles and other “touch points” to cover everything. You can handle much of the work yourself; invest in an electrician to tackle complicated updates.

There are many other jobs you can handle with your tax refund. You can paint your home’s interior, strip a wood floor, refinish your deck, organize your garage or buy a new shed. Treat your refund as “found money” by putting it to good use this year.

A gentle “ding-dong” signals that someone is at your front door. The sound is one that you’re familiar with, but you may be ready for a change. Change is particularly welcome if you have chimes for two or more doors and those chimes are hard to tell apart. Most homes are outfitted with electromagnet door chimes, making it easy for you to have one bell ring “ding-dong” and the other emit a simple ding. In any case when your traditional door bell fails, you may encounter a hefty repair bill.

Wireless Door Chimes

Given that electromagnet doorbells are being replaced by wireless door chimes, we’ll share with you an example of a GE one-button system, one that makes changing a door chime a snap.

Your doorbell has failed or it simply fails to chime as needed. Many homeowners have given up replacing their old, electromagnet systems and have switched to a wireless door chime that can be installed within minutes.

Low-Cost Option

GE, for example, offers a door chime that comes with one button. You’ll need to buy a second and subsequent set for each additional door of find a chime system that comes with two buttons. Given that these sets run for about $20, you’ll still pay much less for a new battery-operated chime system than having an electrician fix your old system. You can do it yourself if you’re handy with electrical matters.

Battery-operated door chime systems provide an operational range of up to 150 feet. You’ll need to install a 12-volt battery and check it from time to time for wear. The chime itself plugs into any electrical outlet and has settings to allow you to choose different chimes. Simply select the desired chime for your front door and do the same with the chimes for your other doors. The GE system, by the way, offers seven unique sounds. That’s several more than the number of doors you have to your home.

Digital Signal

Wireless or electronic doorbells send out a digital signal via an integrated circuit to trigger a sound. Such systems dispense with solenoids, tone bars and wiring, providing a modern way to tell you that someone is standing at your door.

Related Articles

• ‘Star Trek’ door chime sounds like the future (news.cnet.com)
• A Sleek, Stylish, and Portable Wireless Door Chime (smarthome.com)
• Star Trek Electronic Door Chime Marks Futuristic Doorway Bell (gadizmo.com)

The kitchen is the center of many homes, and is the most popular room in the house offers Families.com. Today’s kitchens are larger, updated and multi-functional, with some serving as food preparation, family meeting area and even an office wrapped up in one.

If your kitchen’s colors are growing tired, you can apply a fresh coat of paint as well as update select surfaces to make this room shine. Read on for some tips to add some sparkle and zest to this family-friendly room.

Wall Paint — Antiseptic colors are no longer in vogue including in the kitchen where people are opting for more vibrant colors. A retro look or one that mixes vintage with modern can help your kitchen stand out. Use subdued colors such as robin’s egg blue or contrast a neutral color with one wall painted in merlot red or a similar vibrant color advises House Beautiful.

Major Appliances — Hands down, the trend toward stainless steel is favored by many. Designers are obliging, creating every appliance imaginable with a stainless steel face. Not just refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers, but microwaves, washers and dryers. For small appliances, use a neutral color scheme for your coffee maker, toaster and electric can opener.

Hardware and Metals — Old cabinets can get a new look simply by replacing its hardware. Brushed chrome and bronze provide a look that is both elegant and time-tested. Your kitchen faucet can be modern, but still offer a timeless design.

Cabinetry — Speaking about cabinets, if you’re in the market for new ones, then choose mahogany or dark wood for a more natural look. Apart from a new purchase, you can paint or glaze your current cabinets for a like-new appearance.

Flooring — Tile is definitely out in today’s kitchens, with homeowners preferring wood. Lighter, grey-toned woods are popular and offer an attractive, visual contrast to stainless steel and your wall paint. Reclaimed and bleached ash floor is both a design and an environmental statement, offering character to your kitchen according to Canadian House & Home.

Considerations

If you’re not sure what will work in your kitchen, bring along a friend to the hardware store as you review colors. Keep in mind the impact of both natural and artificial light as you choose colors for the most popular room in your house.

Reference

Families.com: The Most Popular Room in the House

MAKING YOUR HOME ENTRY WAY BEAUTIFUL

Your home entry way makes the statement you need to make your home inviting. You might be looking for a new door, a new window, or just some fixing up. Get some ideas how you might decorate your home entry way.

Our Sunday Tip:

• view exterior home driveways for information
• shop garden urns for the front area

Homeowners seeking to brighten up their homes may want to undertake full-scale renovation, but their finances may not support this option. You may be able to borrow the money, but your financial picture isn’t strong enough to support loan payments.

With a fresh coat of paint, you can give your home a fresh look, bringing a sparkle to your cabinets, furniture and walls in a matter of hours. Read on for some tips on how to give your home a thrifty renovation.

Kitchen cabinets — Replacing kitchen cabinet faces can set you back by several thousands of dollars. To give your kitchen a new look, a coat of paint and some paint brushes can give your cabinets a good makeover.

This job is best managed by removing the cabinet faces from the hinges and painting each one individually as this will enable you to paint trim and, if desired, the insides easier. Fix cracks and dents, and use a primer. Choose a color that gives your kitchen a lift and apply. Replace old hardware with new knobs and handles to give your cabinets a more contemporary look.

Your refreshened cabinets will instantaneously update your kitchen, allowing you to buy some time to plan and undertake a more extensive renovation.

Old furniture — Living room and dining room furniture shouldn’t be painted, but a fresh coat of varnish can help breath new life into your buffet, dining room table, chairs and other wood objects. Beyond painting, you can put new coverings on cloth surfaces, giving your living room a new look.

Bedroom furniture is the easiest to paint, with shelves, dressers, tables and chairs well suited for a makeover. You can easily remove these items from your home and place them on the lawn and spray or brush paint. Use a tarp or newspapers for a foundation and paint away. Apply two coats for a fresh look. Replace knobs and handles if desired.

Walls — Neutral colors are safe, but why play it safe? Paint over those drab white walls and add in some color.

Consider painting one wall in a room a different color, to offer a contrast. For example, three walls might be beige and the last wall bright red. That “stand out” wall might also serve as the back drop for some artwork or a simple visual design statement.

For a fresh look throughout the house, consider painting each room a different color. You may need to move or redo some furniture to come up with the right mix or match, but you can have fun doing so.

Final Thoughts

Your related costs for this project will include gallons of primer, paint, sand paper, varnish, knobs and anything else that might give your home a makeover. Your greatest cost is what you buy — you’ll supply the labor or perhaps be joined by family members and friends willing to help you out.

See Also — How to Choose the Right Home Siding

So, what can you add to your home to protect it and increase its value?

Fences – Attractive fences are an excellent home security measure which can increase your home’s value. By adding a secure, attractive fence, you are adding an extra obstacle that burglars need to break through before they get to your home. Fences are often a sign that the homeowners have dogs, which burglars also hate. Most thieves find it easier to just move on to the next house. If you are looking to see a home with a fence, you’ll attract interested dog lovers who want the added protection.

Lighting – Security lighting doesn’t have to be big and ugly. There are thousands of different types of lighting fixtures for outdoors, and all of them will help deter crime. Burglars hate light, because it is more difficult for them to break in and remain undetected. Outdoor lighting trends such as all-weather chandeliers, torch lights, and sconces can add a lot to your home. You can also use energy-saving CFL bulbs in all outdoor light fixtures, which will save you money too.

Alarm Systems – An alarm system doesn’t have to be big bulky keypad next to your door with wires all over the windows. Various security systems are wireless (the new high-tech trend), and the best part is that they don’t cost more than traditional wired systems. You can also hide the keypad in a bedroom, leave it on a kitchen counter, and use smartphone apps or keychain remotes to disarm and arm the system every time you leave.

Window Treatments – The right curtains, shutters and shades add beauty and style to your home. When you select the right window treatments, they look as though they were designed with the house. Of course there is an added security benefit as well – by blocking the view inside your home, burglars can’t see your valuables and can’t tell if anyone is at home. Good quality window treatments will last for many years, and be an asset to your house.

Landscaping Design –  No matter what your house looks like on the inside, when it looks well-maintained on the outside, it is worth much more. Well-kept lawns can increase property values across the entire neighborhood. When your shrubs and trees are planted in the right locations and trimmed, they will also provide your doors and windows with a clear view to the street. Burglars love homes where the windows are hidden by overgrown bushes because it allows them to break in undetected. Spend some money and time on proper landscape planting and maintenance now, and you’ll enjoy the beauty, value, and home security benefits for years to come.

Home security can beautify your home when you do it right. Do your research and you’ll come up with interesting ways to add security while making your house worth more at the end of the day. It doesn’t need to cost a lot, it just needs to be well thought-out and properly executed.

About the author: Ellen Dorris is a LifeShield.com home security advisor. She has a passion for staying on top of crime trends and helping the good guys outsmart the criminals. She often writes about safety tips, crime news, new security system technology and stupid crime stories.

Telemarketer pitches can be handled by asking marketers to put you on their “do not call” list. Once that has been done, you may want to review your security needs to find a home alarm system that meets your needs.

Please read on for information on shopping for a security alarm system for your home:

1. Assess your needs — Your personal needs for an alarm system can vary from that of your neighbor. If someone is always at home during the day, then you may not need a system. However, if crime has been reported in your neighborhood you may want to install a system as a deterrent. Even if someone is home all day, you may be vulnerable to a break in if you spend time in your backyard.

2. Type of alarm system — What type of alarm system do you need? Essentially, there are two types according to State Farm: monitored and unmonitored. Monitored alarm systems are those where a private company watches your property around the clock. Such companies will contact your local police department if they detect that something is wrong and you cannot be reached. Unmonitored systems rely on lights flashing and sirens wailing to draw the attention of your neighbors when you are not home. That means you’re relying on others to call the police when there is a break-in. You’ll pay more for a monitored system because of the expanded services you’ll receive.

3. Alarm system components –Alarm systems vary from the basic to the complex, but all systems come with a central control unit or pad to control the alarm. Most systems include extensive wiring with windows, doors and other points of entry wired to trip an alarm. Touchpads, key fobs, sirens, sensors, detectors, video screens and panic buttons may also be part of a system.

4. Choose an electronic security alarm company — Once you identify the type of system you want, you’re ready to choose a provider. Check with your neighbors, family members and friends, or your insurance agent for referrals. Determine if the company is a member of the Electronic Security Association and confirm if its employees are ESA trained and certified. Verify business licensing, get referrals and check same. Review contracts and only sign with a company once you are satisfied with its quote and package.

Final Thoughts

You’ll want to avoid high pressure sales tactics and plans that offer you more than what you need. Many companies offer free installation, but it can come at a price — a long-term contract that may be difficult or costly to break if you aren’t satisfied with the provider’s service. Finally, be aware that your car may come equipped with HomeLink, type of universal home remote control unit that can operate your garage door and other radio-controlled systems such as your security system. With this arrangement you can manage your system from your car. Ask about remote access from your PC or handheld device too, enabling you to alarm your home from most anywhere in the world.

Having enough food on hand is important for many families. Not just what you need for the next few days or weeks, but food you can keep months, even years. Buying food in bulk can be good decision as you’ll pay less and have a hedge against possible shortages. Those shortages can occur whenever a natural disaster strikes or in a war. Read on for some tips on a how to store food properly and rotate your stock correctly.

Your needs — Firstly, you’ll need to estimate how much food you want to store and for how long. For example, if you have a family of six and would like to have a six month supply of food on hand, then you’re going to need a large storage area, one that goes well beyond what your kitchen, pantry and stock room can supply. Most of your long-term food items will be dry goods, items that you may be able to store in dry basement, in a room converted to house these goods or elsewhere. Set aside your storage area, build shelves and buy bins to handle the project.

Storage ideas — Accessible food storage means putting your food where it can easily be retrieved and used. Your areas need to be well lit and sealed from outside access, particularly from vermin and insects. An assortment of storage bins and containers can be used to house dry goods. Label each container, but also label each bag or box that goes in the container. Describe its contents and the date it was put into storage. For example: Wheat Crackers, 05/01/2012.

Rotation and placement — Your food storage area should be well-marked and easily understood. If you cannot keep all of your food storage in one place, then assign different areas for various products. For example, legumes, whole grains an dehydrated foods have the longest shelf life and can last for many years if properly stored. Compressed food can be stored furthest away, perhaps in that back closet you have set aside for long-term use. For the rest of your foods, you’ll want to ensure that items that will perish sooner are up front and items that are newer are placed in the back — just as you do in the refrigerator.

Organize and systemize — You can track everything on a spreadsheet and reference that, but ask yourself an important question: will you be able to access your computer if the power goes out? Consider a dual system — one that allows you to keep soft copies of your information on your computer with hard copies kept in a loose-leaf binder or on a clip board. Create the tracking system that works best for you, but is also one that everyone in the family involved can easily follow.

Extend your plan — If interior space is limited or if you want access to more food, you can also purchase cans of seeds from suppliers. Unlike most store bought seeds that have to be used within a year if not months of purchase, seeds stored in airtight cans can last for three or more years. Those seeds can be planted in your garden, to provide fresh fruits and vegetables that can be eaten or canned. With canning, you’ll need to create a storage system and include these goods with your other foods.

A food storage plan should also encompass other items including ample amounts of bottled water, chocolate drinks, sterno cooking heat cans or a propane cooking stove, and even backup radios, batteries and weather alert stations. However you store, you’ll need to track it.

Reference: Managing Your Food Storage Space Wisely