home improvement loan Archives - Page 4 of 6

How to compare contractors’ bids

Here’s how to compare bids. (Metro Creative Graphics)

Mon, Mar 27th 2023 10:45 am

Metro Creative Graphics

Home renovation projects are significant undertakings. It is common for homeowners who may not have the time nor the expertise to do the work themselves to call in professionals to tackle these jobs.

According to the home improvement resource HomeGuide.com, for a bathroom remodel, which is one of the more popular improvement projects, installation and labor accounts for 10% to 25% of the total project cost. In general, many contractors pay themselves $300 to $500 for an hourly rate, while helpers may make

…

French Cottage Attic Inspiration & Ideas

Attic Ideas

Our attic is a room full of vintage charm and lots of fairytale romantic touches. From floral covered beds to well-loved rugs, pine plank floors and wood plank walls and ceiling. It is a quirky little space that has low ceilings on the sides and a high pitch in the center of the room. The charm starts with the steep and narrow staircase that leads up to it- and it just continues from there.

Admittedly, currently, the attic is looking a bit like a storage space. We have some boxes and extra things being stored in the half

…

Pain au chocolat: A scrumptious French staple

One of the things I discovered when I first moved to France several decades ago, was the fact that although the French love their food, and although it is normal to sit down to eat long meals together, the French rarely snack. Snacking is widely recognized as being the best way to put on those unwanted pounds, and until recently it simply isn’t in the culture.

There is however a moment in the day, when it is totally acceptable to eat between meals, and that is the ‘sortie de classes’, or the end of the school day. In all the

…

Spring Porch Decor – French Country Cottage

Something inspired by lavender and lovely today. And the best part is- this new look on your porch for spring can be put together in just a few minutes.

First up- Thank you for all your lovely comments and thoughts on my post about ideas for adding a sun porch/room. You are definitely my kind of folks! 😊 I will share your notes with my husband as we chat about the possibilities and will keep you posted if that is the direction we go in.

Spring Door Decor

I’m all about simple and easy when it comes to decorating right

…

The Cheapest Alternatives to Expensive Home Improvements

Home improvements are alluring, as they can add convenience as well as value to your home—but they can also be expensive. While certain repairs such as roofs and siding are often necessary to prevent damage, others can wait if you’re on a budget. Here’s a few of the most expensive projects, and some lower cost updates you can do in the meantime to freshen up a tired room.

Kitchen remodel options on a budget

It might not surprise you that kitchen renovations are the most expensive improvements to make on average. With the cost of appliances, countertops, and cabinets,

…

NJ a step closer to requiring licenses for home improvement contractors to weed out bad actors

A proposed law that would require new contractors to complete training and pass an exam before they could get a license to do home improvement or home elevation work in New Jersey is a step closer to landing on Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk.

The bill (A2138) was recently passed by the state Assembly after obtaining the approval of two Assembly committees.

Companion legislation in the state Senate (S1890) has not yet been scheduled for a hearing in the chamber’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, where it needs approval before a full Senate vote. It was already passed by the Senate Commerce

…

Collecting: Vintage Floral Dishes – French Country Cottage

Anyone else in the vintage dish collecting club? You know the one where you can’t walk by a pretty vintage dish without picking it up, contemplating bringing it home, setting it down and trying to walk away and then turning around to grab it before anyone else does? Yeah. I am right there with you in that club and did you know that I was once asked if I would trade several pieces of antique children’s furniture for 2 sets of antique china? You know I did.

So, I might even be in the running for being the presidents of

…

Planting the Garden for bouquets

Planting the Garden

With winter weather outside right now and the greenhouse garden covered up- I am dreaming about warm spring days and pretty little blooms on the plants. And we are planning on replanting a lot of the plants this season, it also offers an opportunity to add more areas of those beauties that are perfect for clipping and enjoying in seasonal bouquets.

We do have a lot of the English cottage style garden favorites planted already. Garden & iceberg roses, foxgloves, hollyhocks, lambs ear, lilacs and more. With the unusual winter this year, we may be adding more

…