Author: Family Fun

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Even if You Have Award-Winning Drinking Water, Filters are a Good Idea

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Several states have competitions every year to try to determine which city or town has the best drinking water. Last year, in New York, Rochester took the title in the 27th annual New York State Drinking Water Taste Test run by the NYS Department of Health.
“It is essential for all New Yorkers to have access to clean and healthy water,” said State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H. “This friendly competition highlights the efforts of communities and their partners who go above and beyond to deliver safe, great tasting water to the taps of millions of homes and businesses throughout the state.”
Of course, that doesn’t only apply to the Empire State, as people all over the country and world are constantly working to improve drinking water quality. But even in the U.S., including some spots in NY, tap water might not be as clean as you might think. Every city has a variety of contaminants that could be found in water, and consuming them might get you sick. So investing in water filtration systems is always a good idea, even if you have the best tasting water in your state.
The Safe Drinking Water Act only regulated 91 contaminants, but more than 60,000 chemicals are used in the United States. Unfortunately, they can all work their way into drinking water sources. While some microbes can cause problems like nausea, fatigue, fever, and dehydration, contaminants like chlorine, which has been linked to breast cancer, can be much more dangerous. So finding the right water filtration systems is smart for homeowners who want to keep themselves and their families safe.
There are several different types of water filters that can be used to make sure all contaminants are removed. While you might find that a countertop filtered water dispenser meets your needs, other homeowners might want faucet-mounted filters that don’t need to be refilled over and over again. And, since 15% of Americans get water from wells and other sources that are not regulated by the government, water filtration systems for entire homes are also popular.
In most places, Americans are lucky enough to not have to worry about getting sick when they take a drink of water. But since there is always a chance that contaminants can sneak through water treatment facilities and get you sick. To make sure every glass of water you pour is clean, healthy, and refreshing, installing water filters is a smart idea. Read this for more: brondell.com

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Advantages of City Living Apartments for Families

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Not everyone dreams of a secluded little cottage on the outskirts of the city, where the buses don’t run and the night sky is full of stars — some people want to be a little closer to the action. One of the major advantages of city life is the ability to live near all the things you want and need, like stores, restaurants, schools, theaters, and even work. And that means taking advantage of downtown apartments for rent.

And while most people think that’s all well and good for single, young professionals, the question lingers: what about apartments for families with children? Do such things even exist?

They not only exist, but they’re flourishing. Many downtown apartments for rent welcome families with children, offering amenities such as playgrounds and onsite day care. Parents enjoy being within walking distance of libraries and museums, and close to public transportation for more elaborate trips.

On the more practical side, due to noise constraints, downtown apartments are likely to be carpeted, as opposed to many houses these days that advertise their “natural hardwood flooring”. Beautiful as the hardwood may be, a carpeted floor is far more attractive to parents with small children just learning to walk, or children learning to crawl. (It’s also much easier on the knees of parents who like to get down and play with their little ones.)

Ultimately, condominiums, town homes, and apartments for families are, at their core, no different than a little house on the prairie or a mansion in the hills. As the idea of a “typical” family lifestyle continues to evolve, the central theme of living, no matter the style of your four walls, is still the same: Home is where the heart is. Helpful info also found here.

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How Japanese Shoji Screens Can Change Your Home

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One of the benefits of an increasingly globalized world is that it is easier than ever before to mix up your style. No longer are you limited to the same, traditional, repetitive designs you’ve seen time and time again; now, you can easily take inspiration from foreign lands and cultures simply by searching online. However, if you’re looking to incorporate an international feel into your home, an easy way to start is by adding Japanese room screens, otherwise known as Shoji screens room dividers.

Shoji screens room dividers are often considered a key element of Asian architecture: while they are usually associated with Japan, the earliest Shoji panels actually date back to the Han Dynasty in China. Shoji screens and doors eventually spread to the island of Japan, where they became well-known for their simple, clean effect. Today, Japanese screens, as they are often called, are becoming increasingly popular in Western homes due to the unique feel they bring to a room.

Modern Japanese Shoji screens are beneficial for a number of reasons: not only are they an unusual and beautiful decorating choice, but because they feature paper panels, they are a great way to soften harsh lighting in a room because that undesirable light filters through the screens. There are also a variety of ways you can use Japanese folding screens in your home: you can use them as traditional Japanese style sliding doors, as window screens, headboards for beds, or room dividers. Imagine a Shoji closet door in your bedroom, Japanese divider screens separating your bathroom, or Shoji sliding doors leading out to your porch. You can even use hanging Shoji screens as artwork on your walls. The options are truly endless.

Even better, Shoji screens are modernizing, becoming more durable and versatile for use in Western and international homes: today’s Shoji screens are available in multiple materials, including water-proof rice paper, wood, and vinyl, further increasing the ways you can use them in your home.

So, are you looking to add a unique feel to your home? Are you interested in incorporating some international inspiration? Try Japanese doors and room divider screens to add a simple, clean, and wholly global look!

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Three Easy Ways to Support Our Troops

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Kids are brightening up soldiers’ days with adorable — and often unintentionally hilarious — letters. “Thank you for fighting for our country. I love the color camo. I am nine. Why did you want to go to the military? Thank you for dieing [sic] for our country. I love American flags. Do you ever stop working?” one such letter begins.

Adults can learn a thing or two from these letters. School children make it perfectly clear: helping military families, active military members, and/or veterans does not necessarily have to entail a large time commitment or over-the-top expenses. Here are some ways to support our troops (in relatively little time and without spending an inordinate amount of money!):

Gift Creative Coupons

For some, asking for help can be awkward and humiliating. Take the burden off military husbands and wives’ shoulders by proactively offering to help. Draw up creative coupons good for “two hours of lawn mowing,” “one night of babysitting,” or “three hours of help with errands,” one military mom suggests. Put the coupons into a gift basket, and give the basket to military spouses on birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions.

Donate Clothes Right From Your Home

If you are really pressed for time and cash, you can still support our troops! There are plenty of charities that will pick up donations directly from your home. Gather clothing donations during spring cleaning, and donate without even leaving home. You can also research communal donation locations, such as churches, office buildings, and schools.

Get Your Neighbors, Friends, and Family In On It

Don’t go it alone! Donating or organizing charity events on your own can easily become overwhelming. Organize group events, and ask as many people as possible — including neighbors, family, and friends — to contribute. Throw together a spring barbecue or a potluck dinner benefiting soldiers or their families, for example.

Giving back to our troops does not have to be costly or time-consuming. Get your friends in on it, volunteer to help military spouses with simple errands, or choose from charities that will pick up donations right from your home.

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Three Interior Design Tips For the Perfect One or Two Bedroom Apartment

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You can beautify your home with affordable online interior design today. Many of the best home ideas are not expensive. You can customize your own furniture without spending as much money as you might assume. Once you’ve ordered and received that customized furniture, you’ll immediately be able to positively change your home.
People will notice a room’s flooring, carpeting, window treatments, lights, and other important features. However, they’ll still usually pay more attention to the room’s furniture. Even if you genuinely keep every other part of the room the same, it will still look different if its furniture has been changed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G07qafXVpE

You may also appreciate the customized furniture even more. Since you had this furniture customized, you already helped contribute to its design and the way it looks. People sometimes purchase furniture very casually because it’s available or on sale. Eventually, they might decide that they don’t like it. You’re less likely to feel that way about the furniture that was customized.
Since you might keep this furniture for a while, getting customized furniture might eventually help you reduce some of your interior decorating expenses. You might not purchase new and potentially expensive replacement furniture. Lots of customized furniture is also durable.

Americans choose relatively modest-sized apartments for all kinds of different reasons. Whether you are renting your first one bedroom apartment or cozily settling into a two to three bedroom abode for retirement, very few people want to — or need to — consider it a downgrade. There are plenty of ways to make the most of limited space, and transform two bedroom apartments into one of your best homes yet. What are some of the best interior design tips for small spaces?

Workaround Restrictions In Your Lease

Rental properties management can often pose some pretty trying restrictions. If you are asked not to paint or re-tile your apartment, don’t throw in the towel. There are still plenty of ways you can liven up rooms — and make the most of what you already have. If you are asked not to paint walls, for example, add that pop of color by painting furniture bold shades instead. “If the bathroom tile is a shade you can’t stand, pick a color you do like to serve as the room’s main hue,” Better Homes and Gardens recommends. If the tile is a distasteful yellow, use bright green accents and decorations to downplay the tile.

Embrace Natural Sunlight

Highlighting natural lighting will make small, cramped spaces appear airy and open. Give one bedroom apartments a breath of fresh air by painting them all-white, or decorate walls with large, oversized mirrors. Choosing clear, transparent, or glass furniture will also visibly open up a room.

Go Curtain Crazy

Sometimes, amenities in apartments are limited. If you find one you like, don’t necessarily give up and start looking for apartments again if one or two details aren’t quite right. Instead of passing up your favorite because it doesn’t contain that large bay window you wanted, consider creating the illusion of a large, open window instead. Hang curtains and curtain rods well above — or beyond — the height and width of the window. This will create the illusion of a taller window and more natural lighting.

Make your small apartment even grander with the right finishing touches. Complement one bedroom apartments with white paint, mirrored decorations, and high-hanging curtains. Get more info here: www.clairmontatbriercreek.com

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How to Find a Wedding Planner

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From the engagement to the honeymoon, getting married is an exciting and stressful process: while it will eventually be worth all of the choices, you have to decide on everything from a wedding reception venue to seating arrangements. But if you’re having trouble seeing through your stress to your big day ahead, it is a natural step to find some help. When you’re planning a wedding, wedding planners and wedding packages can make the countdown to your ceremony easier and more enjoyable.

Weddings in the United States tend to fall into certain patterns: for example, 70% of Americans believe that a bride should take her husband’s last name, one in five weddings include purple in their color schemes, and an estimated 15% of ceremonies have outdoor wedding venues. But whether you’re looking for unusual wedding venues and plans or something more traditional, wedding planners and wedding packages can help bring your ideas to life, making wedding planner prices well worth paying.

The average age of a bride in the United States is 25 years old, meaning that most women in the process of planning a wedding will have some ideas about what they want, but may not have a lot of experience with event planning. For example, the average bride not be aware that a banquet hall will often allow event planners to establish set times for their events, with specific cut off times. A wedding planner will, however, be aware of these and other facts, saving you both time and money.

So, no matter what you’re looking for, whether it be an outdoor wedding places, beach wedding places, banquet halls, or even destination wedding places, a wedding planner can help you plan the perfect day for your wedding. If you’re interested in hiring a wedding planner to organize your shower, ceremony, or reception, research wedding planner prices in your area to see if you can find all inclusive event packages perfect for you and this exciting new moment in your life.

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Three Easy Steps to Setting Up Killer Wedding Photos

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The modern camera was developed to make photography as easy as possible. Most of the time, taking a photo can be as simple as making sure the lens cap is taken off, pointing it at the subject right side up, and pressing the correct button. The criteria for photographing weddings are a little more difficult to fulfill than that. A modern wedding photographer has a lot of different elements they have to keep in mind while they are working, but what is perhaps more important than the hard work that even the best wedding photographers put into taking the photographs is how their subjects present themselves. There are a lot of things that those who are being married must arrange before the modern wedding photographer should even take off his lens cap. Here are three of the most important things a would-be married couple must decide on before the big day:

1. Location, Location, Location!

The first decision to make for any professional wedding photos is the place where the photos are taken. Do you want outdoor photos or indoor photos? Outdoor wedding photos connote nature and life more than indoor photos do. Does an outdoor location like the beach appeal, or does a more tame park sound more to your speed? Then again, indoor locations can hold personal meaning just as well as outdoor locations can. Do you want your wedding photos to be taken inside the church, or in your own home? This is a critical decision to make; what tone do you want to set?

2. Ask Yourself for the Time of Day

Once you’ve chosen a location, the next thing to decide is when the photos should be taken. The effect on the outdoors is clear enough; sunny blue skies have a very different connotation than a sunset, or a sunrise, or even a black sky specked with stars. Even indoor photos are affected by the time of day, however. The building could be a hub of warmth and light in a dark world, or sunlight could be streaming in through the windows. It is important to consider what you want to convey with the time of day, but also do so within reason: nighttime photos are great, but few guests will want to take them at four in the morning!

3. Theme

Finally, the subjects for a modern wedding photographer should be dressed according to a theme. The theme could be as simple as “formal” or as complex as you like. Whatever theme you decide, whether it holds personal meaning or is just meant to look good, make sure it is compatible with the location and time of day. If all these factors work together properly, the modern wedding photographer should have his work cut out for him! What are you planning for your photographs? For more information, read this website.

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The Best Blinds and Shutters Offer More Than a Great New Look

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When you have windows that you want to be able to control better, getting shutters is a great way to do it. With affordable interior shutters, you can easily control the light from the window with one quick movement. You also get more privacy from the window. If you are considering affordable wood shutters, these are a great way to dress up your window while maintaining that control over light and privacy. There are also aluminum shutter manufacturers that make aluminum window shutters for sale, but these are usually for the exterior of the window.

Getting affordable interior shutters should be done so that the shutter goes with the rest of the room. The shutters shouldn’t stand out or be the focal point of the room. Instead, they should blend in and help to create the harmonious look of the room itself. Getting good shutters can add value to your home and make it look a little more upscale for many homes. Good wooden shutters are a classic look, and they never go out of style. When you have shutters in place, you have an effective way to manage light as well as a great-looking amenity in the room to look at.

Blinds on the net

The improvements in the real estate market have, perhaps not surprisingly, lead to an increase in demand for interior designers as more homeowners are looking to renovate. From 2008 to 2010, according to statistics from a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the number of designers plummeted nearly 25%. But early signs in 2012 and since then were positive and the industry as a whole has improved with support from increased volumes of renovating and remodeling projects. But no matter how many interior designers are keeping themselves busy with new clients — and building a nice career doing that — there are always going to be homeowners who can and will do that work on their own.
One of the reasons that homeowners hire interior designers is the fact that they have trouble not only knowing what looks good in their home, but choosing between multiple options that could work. This is particularly true when it comes to finding blinds and shutters. There are dozens of styles and options to choose from, and each particular window treatment will have its own customizeable features. As a result, finding the best window blinds or shutters for your home can be a cumbersome and even stressful process.
When on the hunt for the best window blinds, there are a few things you should keep in mind. For the most part, you’ll likely be looking for window treatments that have a particular aesthetic and fit the overall design scheme that you had in mind. Some, like venetian blinds are perfect for a contemporary look while others, like wooden plantation shutters give a nice classic feel. The image and aura you are going for will likely be a major factor in finding the right blinds or shutters.
However, you should also think about functionality. Even the best designs could be ruined, or at least not appreciated, by rooms that simply don’t work well. Because of that, you’ll need to also think about light control, durability, and even how difficult certain products are to clean. Depending on your preferences, those things might not be nearly as important as giving your living room or kitchen a unique look, but they can make a big difference.
The number of homeowners looking to hire interior designers to get help finding the best window blinds and other products for their home is growing, but so too is the population of people who are willing to do that work on their own. Regardless of which category you fall into, make sure you take your time and find the items that are the right fit for your home.

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Change Your Look Try a Decorative Flag

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The weather is getting warmer, and you are going to be spending more time outside. If you want to show off your house and make it stand out considering hanging decorative flags. Whether you are hanging America flag or your grandkids Hello Kitty Flag, decorative flags are an interesting design element for any home.

The flag has a long and significant history throughout a variety of societies. The idea of fastening a flag to a pole was first thought of by the Ancient Romans. The use of flags as communication was derived from the need to communicate on ancient battlefields. As flags became more of a part of every day life, they took on different meanings. The color yellow on a flag is often known as a symbol of generosity. The Canton of a flag is found in the upper left corner. On the American flag the upper left corner is home to the stars and stripes.

Today, many people hang the American flag in their front yard every day. Seasonal flags, particularly ones celebrating the start of spring, are quite popular among consumers. Flags exist for every holiday including Valentines Day and and St. Patricks Day. Sports fans have gotten into the act of hanging flags before their teams play a big game. You can even take sports flags on the road with you in the form of car flags.

The number of American households with self-maintained gardens in 2012 increased by 2 million. Decorative garden flags can be the perfect way to make your landscaping standout. Spring is the perfect time of year to add decorative flags to your garden. You can buy decorative flags that celebrate the arrival of spring, Easter or Mothers Day. Garden flag charms can be hung in your yard in honor of your favorite furry creature, often relaxing in a hammock.

Decorative flags can make your yard stand out when it gets warm outside. In order to keep up with the Joneses, or in this case pass them, hang decorative flags in your yard. You will be the envy of your neighbors. Find out more about this topic here.

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Four Things You Might Not Know about Custom Built Homes

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Today’s real estate market is currently a buyer’s market — sellers and real estate agents are desperate to sell their houses, sometimes even resorting to clearance prices.

This means that you have access to deals on new, already-built custom built homes for sale that might normally be out of your price range. No matter your income level, there are a variety of reasons to consider the advantages of custom built homes when embarking on your real estate search.

Here are four facts you might not have known about custom built homes:

1. Luxury at a great price: Because today’s real estate market is, as previously mentioned, a buyer’s market, many sellers will offer to include luxury amenities and features in your new home for free or reduced prices, such as a finished basement or a patio.

2. Great locations: Most developments and neighborhoods that house new custom homes are located in the nicest areas of a town or city, with close access to the best schools and commercial developments.

3. Energy-efficiency: Custom built homes are far more energy efficient than the majority of older homes. Because these custom built homes are built with more modern insulation, features and appliances, you’ll save hundreds on your monthly utility bills.

4. A house to call your own: For some people, there’s nothing quite like that “new home smell” or the knowledge that you are the first person to live in this house. If you’re one of these people, custom built homes are the perfect fit for you. In addition, buying new custom homes that are already built means you don’t have to endure months of waiting on construction to finish.

Custom design homes are a great way for you to live in the house of your dreams. To get started on your search for new custom homes, check out the real estate listings in your area today! Read more articles like this.