Carter Hardware

Carter Hardware is the pre-eminent showroom on the west coast.

Best products and original designs

We have the widest variety of products and services in the western U.S., specializing in the best products and original designs.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Update Your Home With These Home Improvement Tips And Tricks

If your home needs repairing, this can bring unwanted stress. If you do not have the money to hire someone, it can cause distress as well. There is no time to lose when it comes to home repairs, and you might feel handling the work yourself is something you don’t have time for. Thinking this way is a mistake. You can do a lot of the repair and renovation work that your home requires without spending too much time on the process. The following article contains some great tips you can use to help make the improvements needed.


Weather stripping is important to include around your windows for energy efficiency. Weatherstripping is very cheap and easy to do, it will stop cold air from coming in your home and you will save money on energy. You will notice, too, that you can cut down on the drafts that you feel on those chilly nights.


Avoid allowing contractors to work on your house without signing a contract. You should take the contract to your lawyer so he can look over it. You should put in when the work will be finished, any guarantees on work, and what is going to be done.


Don’t forget to cover your floors when you paint. This will be your front line of defense against paint stains. Using old layers of newspaper is an inexpensive and very effective way to protect your flooring. A paint cloth works well too, as you simply need to create a barrier to prevent the paint from hitting the floor.


Do not worry about home improvement projects any longer. It is possible to complete projects very quickly if you take the advice in this article to heart. In this article you’ve discovered ways to make home improvements without spending a lot of money. Best of luck for a successful home improvement journey!



Update Your Home With These Home Improvement Tips And Tricks

Learn About Decorating With These Easy Tips

Many people find home interior design very complicated. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and not even know where to begin. If you are one of them, this article gives you some excellent ideas that can inspire you for your home interior design.


Use versatile furniture in small rooms. In fact, you can use an ottoman as a chair or couch. The ottoman will double as both seating and a table maximizing your small space. Anything that you can find that can be used for more than one thing can make your room worthy of many purposes.


Think about how bright your space is. If a room lacks windows, you should choose a light colored paint in order to prevent a cave-like effect.


Get rid of all of your clutter before executing your interior design plan. Pretty much any home will benefit from a nice de-cluttering. You can sell unneeded items on an auction site, give them to friends, family or a charity who can make good use of them.


A lot of interior design professionals have great tips, see what they have to say. You won’t be able to create a place that you love without trusting your personal judgement and creating something that expresses your personality.


Even the most seemingly minor details can have a major impact on the look and feel of a room. You can obtain a very unique look using minor decor elements or using small items to create color patterns. For example, new cabinet knobs or window dressing may be just as effective at transforming the look of a room as purchasing big-ticket furniture.


With all you have learned, you are now ready to take these ideas on and refresh the look of your home. Things don’t have to be hard. Begin with the information you read about here, and before you know it, you will have the kind of house you have always wanted.



Learn About Decorating With These Easy Tips

Monday, July 21, 2014

Follow This Easy Guide To Home Interior Design

Do you want to change the look of your home? Consider changing things up a bit and making an environment that is uniquely you. Start with the interior design tips below, and you’ll be inspired to create that home look that you’ve always wanted.


Once you have an idea of what you want, check mass retailers for quality equivalents of designer work. High-end decor is very expensive, but it is usually easy to find something that is similar for a lower cost. Only purchase the designer brands when you cannot find a comparable, inexpensive alternative.


You should always hang wall art at eye level, since it will have the best look. Placing art at the wrong height can destroy the effect you were trying to create.


Keep a child’s theme when you are decorating the room for your son or daughter, and put their wishes first. Keep in mind that a child does not see a room in the same way that you see it. Ascertain that they can access everything easily. Think like a child yourself, and remove any design ideas that could be hazardous to a child’s health.


When redesigning the kitchen, be creative with counter tops. Instead of going with the traditional and popular granite, consider using cork, wood or concrete as stylish alternatives. These options can also be cheaper and make your kitchen look unique.


Even the most seemingly minor details can have a major impact on the look and feel of a room. Small decor elements can have a dramatic impact on a room’s look and feel. You could just change the small things in a room and still give it a whole new look.


Now, you should know how to better the interior design of your home and bring your personality into the way it looks. Show your family and friends your creative side through your interior design ideas.



Follow This Easy Guide To Home Interior Design

Home Improvement 101 - Read This Before Beginning

Home improvement offers a chance for anyone to participate. There is more to home improvements than just improving your home’s look. When done right, home improvements increase your property’s value. The article below contains tips to make your home improvement projects go smoothly.


A certain addition to your home can add style and class to it. Perhaps you want to add in a library or a wine cellar. Not only will you guests be impressed, but if you sell your home in the future, it will entice potential buyers.


Install weather stripping on the doors and windows to make your house more energy efficient. This very inexpensive fix from the hardware store, will seal out the hot or cold air and make your heating and cooling system much more effective. You won’t experience drafts on cool, breezy nights, either.


Put nail holes in your paint can rim. A common problem that occurs with paint cans is that paint spills from the can as the lid is replaced, thanks to a channel in the can. To solve your problem just get a nail and make sure you drive holes around it to fix the channel.


A touch of spackle and a little paint will freshen up walls that look the worse for wear due to lots of nail and hanger holes. Purchase spackle at any home improvement center. If the holes aren’t too large, you will just need a small amount of spackle. You can use a bobby pin to put spackle in the tiniest holes. After your spackle has dried, use some sandpaper or even a credit card to smooth everything out and make the wall look new again. Then you just have to paint. This will make the holes in your wall disappear overnight!


These ideas serve as a small sampling of the many resources about home improvement out there. Keep learning all you can to better your home improvement skills. Well thought out plans and research can be what makes or breaks your home improvement project. Before you start a new project, have a clear idea of what must be done.



Home Improvement 101 - Read This Before Beginning

Monday, July 14, 2014

How To Maximize Your Home Improvement Efforts

No matter what type of project you are undertaking, educating yourself on the task is a great starting point. This is especially true with home improvement projects. Not fully understanding how to properly complete your project can lead to major headaches and added expenses. Before beginning any home improvement project, you should review the tips presented here.


Watch for offers from flooring stores and home improvement stores that will save you money on installation fees. In order to gain customers, they will install carpet for cheap prices. This is a wonderful opportunity to replace your carpeting, and you will save money on installation.


Install solar panels on your home. Though the initial outlay may be high, the longer term savings may be great. This saves you money on energy costs due to the use of stored energy. This is an excellent, green way to power your home.


Use clear totes to organize your garage. Label the boxes and stack them. This will keep vermin out of your things, and will let you have a tidy garage without spending much money.


Try something different rather than a simple pre-made coffee table. Something like an old hope chest or a large stump can work well. You can even dress up a storage bin or shorten the legs of a larger table. The options are endless. Place some books, magazines and other odds and ends on top of the coffee table to give it a unique look. Try a tablecloth to give it color or teacups, for a nice country touch.


The great thing about most home improvements is that they’re relatively easy enough for just about anyone to handle. But, you are going to need some information before you get started. It is likely that you are leaving this article with a better understanding of the need for a little research and planning as you undertake your home improvements. Best of luck to you as you create a more enjoyable place to live!



How To Maximize Your Home Improvement Efforts

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Tired Of Your Decor? Interior Design Tips That Can Help

Many people desire to improve their homes, but aren’t sure how to go about doing it. There are many simple methods that can make drastic changes to your space, and learning them only takes a little research. There are so many places that offer wonderful interior design tips, such as this article below, so continue on and read about some wonderful decorating ideas.


A good tip is to use a variety of patterns and textures in every room. They draw attention to your room’s details and can accent smooth surfaces like glass or wood. If you are designing a room to look more contemporary, patterns and textures are a must.


Thought needs to be given to the furnishings that are being placed into a small room. Instead of a sofa or chair, you may want to go with an ottoman. Now you not only have a place to sit, you can also use it as a place to set items on. Get the most out of items for dual purposes works best in a small space.


When designing a kid’s room, look at it as if you were your kid. You might not realize what they can reach and what works for their size. Put everything within arms reach, as this can increase the practical nature of the room. This will reduce any slips and falls, as your child will feel comfortable.


Take a look at the latest trends when you design your space. You wouldn’t want to appear to be stuck in the 1970′s with outdated decor. Keep an eye out and check out the design choices your friends and family are making.


Now that you possess great ideas on how to go about interior designing, you will want to ask other people what they think about your ideas. Use what you learned here to turn your house into a home you are proud of.



Tired Of Your Decor? Interior Design Tips That Can Help

Monday, July 7, 2014

Get Answers To Your Home Improvement Questions Here

Everyone has something in their house they would like to fix or change, but many people don’t know where to start. However, it can be simple if you know the right information before you start. Use the tips found in this article as you attempt home improvement.


Recycle old shoe boxes and turn them into storage. You can create great designs by adding leftover wallpaper, or even fabric, as a cover to those old shoe boxes. This can be a great way to add some drama to your rooms, as well as a nice storage solution.


An over-the-range microwave is a great way to save space in an already cramped kitchen. These microwave ovens are installed where the range hood normally goes. They offer various features, including convection cooking, and prices range widely. This type of microwave does not have a vent. Instead, it circulates air. If you’re a cook who tends to set things on fire, this is not a good idea.


It is often more manageable to approach home improvement one room or area at a time. Remember, it is not crucial to improve everything at the same time; you can work on one room and then move to the next. If you make your plans in advance, you can incorporate significant bargains into the process. Planning ahead helps you to stay on time and keep within budget.


For an economical approach to floor tiling, consider installing vinyl instead of ceramic or stone. Vinyl is durable, water resistant and strong. It is also easy to install because it contains adhesive on its back. Vinyl flooring can be purchased a set of tiles or as a sheet for covering larger areas at once.


As stated previously by this article, a lot of people desire to improve their own house but they do not know what to do. With the right information and attitude, home improvement does not have to be that hard. If you follow the tips laid out here, it is simple.



Get Answers To Your Home Improvement Questions Here

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Learn About Decorating With These Easy Tips

Redoing a room from top to bottom can be a big undertaking. It’s not always necessary to tackle a room’s design by thinking in a large scale mindset of large bolts of material and boxes of ceramic tiles. You can start smaller than that. This article has some simple ideas to help you get started today.


For an interesting interior design look, try using a variety of patterns and textures to the room you are decorating. These textures help to draw the eye and add interest to otherwise boring items. Contemporary patterns and modern textures add an elegant appeal to any space.


It’s great to listen to what experts say about designing, but don’t copy everything they do. Your home will become that much better once you realize what exactly it is that you are looking to create, and it is always best to rely on your own judgement.


Fix up a child’s room from his point of view. Small children do not view their room in the same manner that you do. Try to make everything very easy to access. You should also be alert to any objects in the room that could present a potential danger to your children.


When redoing the countertops in your kitchen, get creative. Less traditional materials like wood, cork or concrete can really make a statement. These alternative materials can be both inexpensive and add a unique touch to your kitchen.


Even the most seemingly minor details can have a major impact on the look and feel of a room. Small decor elements can have a dramatic impact on a room’s look and feel. You could use cupboard knobs, fixtures and try to have a theme that contributes to a larger picture. It is much cheaper than purchasing new furniture or changing your floors.


Once you figure out what you want to do, the rest is easy. It will not be surprising to find that you are interested in your upcoming task, as well as having a desire to go further. Make sure you do one project at a time; your concentration will soon pay off.



Learn About Decorating With These Easy Tips