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Clara Benson

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Looking to transform your outdoor space into something special? Outdoor curtains might be exactly what you need! These versatile fabric panels can instantly change the look and feel of your patio, deck, or garden area without major construction or expense. I’ve spent years helping homeowners make their outdoor spaces more beautiful and functional. One question I get all the time is “What’s an easy way to upgrade my outdoor area?” My answer is almost always the same: outdoor curtains. They’re simple. They’re affordable. And wow, can they make a difference! Let’s talk about why outdoor curtains deserve a spot in your outdoor design toolkit and explore ten creative ways to use them that go beyond just hanging them up and calling it a day. Why Use Curtains For Outdoors? Before jumping into specific ideas, let’s chat about why outdoor curtains are worth considering in the first place. Outdoor spaces present…

You know what gets me excited about custom homes? The fact that you can make every single choice yourself. From the floor plan to the ceiling height to how many windows face that perfect view. When my sister built her custom home last year, she kept calling me about every little decision. “Should the kitchen island be four feet or five feet?” “Do you think I need a mudroom?” It might sound exhausting, but that’s exactly what makes a custom home special – it’s built just for you. According to the National Association of Home Builders, only about 20% of new homes built in America are truly custom. That’s because most people go with production homes or semi-custom options. But for those who want absolute control over their living space, nothing beats going fully custom. What Are Custom Homes? A custom home is exactly what it sounds like – a…

Summer heat can turn your cozy home into a sweaty nightmare faster than you can say “popsicle.” Trust me, I’ve been there. Those sticky nights tossing and turning, the electric bill that makes you gasp, and that moment when you walk inside expecting relief only to find it’s almost as hot indoors as out. But here’s the good news – you don’t need to suffer through another summer of discomfort. I’ve spent years testing and tweaking my own home to beat the heat, and I’m going to share everything I’ve learned with you. 10 Ideas To Keep Your Home Cool During Summer Summer cooling isn’t just about cranking up the AC until your electric meter spins like a ceiling fan. Smart homeowners know that keeping cool is about working with nature, not against it. These ideas will help you stay comfortable without watching your money fly out the window. Optimize…

Moving to a new state is like jumping into a cold pool – scary at first, but you get used to it pretty quick. About 8.9 million Americans moved to a different state in 2022 alone, and each one faced a cocktail of emotions: excitement, fear, and everything in between. Maybe you’re chasing a job opportunity, looking for better weather, or just need a fresh start. Whatever your reason, relocating is a big deal that needs careful planning. I’ve moved across state lines three times myself, and let me tell you – there’s a world of difference between visiting somewhere and actually living there. This guide walks through the must-know factors before you pack those boxes and say goodbye to your current zip code. And yes, we’ll even chat about specific markets like houses for sale in Kodak TN – a spot that’s caught many an eye lately. Top Factors…

Choosing engineered hardwood flooring can feel a bit overwhelming or even confusing. Some brands do make claims on durability and elegance but fail to deliver on quality, which then leaves homeowners stuck with floors that scratch, warp, or wear out too soon. It’s quite saddening when you pay a good amount of money expecting some good results but in reality, it leaves you disappointed. Since there are so many options available, it’s easy to fall for clever marketing schemes and overlook their product’s flaws. By identifying which engineered hardwood flooring brands to avoid, you can save yourself from the frustration of dealing with costly mistakes. By doing proper research, going through customer’s feedbacks on review platforms and forums, you can gather insight about brands and how their products actually perform. With better understanding of what signs to look for in poor quality flooring, you can make informed decisions and get…

I’ve been thinking a lot about home value lately as we finish up some projects around our house. So many of you have asked which rooms actually make a difference when selling your home, and I thought I’d share what we’ve learned through our own renovations! Let’s start with a little before and after of our kitchen from last year… Wow, what a change, right? We spent about 6 weeks on this project, working nights and weekends. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Our realtor friend says we’ll get back almost 80% of what we put into it when we sell someday. But more importantly, we use this space every single day, and it makes us happy each morning when we walk in! Top 5 Rooms That Add Value to Your Home When we bought our first home years ago, we had no clue where to put our money. We almost…

You know what’s funny about modern life? We spend so much money on fancy cars and big TVs but often cheap out on the place we spend a third of our lives – our beds. Yeah, I’m talking about sleep! And not just any sleep, but good quality, comfortable sleep that leaves you feeling fresh and ready to take on the day. That’s where adjustable beds are the best modern beds. These nifty sleep gadgets have changed how I think about bedtime. No longer am I stuck with that same flat surface night after night. Now I can kick back like I’m at a resort, every single night! What Are Adjustable Beds? Adjustable beds aren’t just for hospitals anymore. These bad boys are motorized bed bases that let you change positions with the press of a button. You can raise or lower different sections of the bed, usually the head…

In recent weeks, I am sure we all have come across that viral video of the world’s largest, almost unbelievable residential building in China, “Regent International Apartment”. Now what’s unique about this residential building is that it’s a home to 20,000 residents. And, accomodating 20,000 residents in a single ditopian apartment is not a joke. The Regent International Apartment isn’t just a huge residential complex, it’s a mini city in itself with this many people residing in it. This building is capturing attention of many internet users all around the world, not only for its huge size, but for its unique features. Now why is the Regent International Apartment complex more than just a building? It’s actually a self-contained urban ecosystem where you can find lots of amenities like food courts, grocery stores, internet cafes, hair salons, and various other services, all stacked up within this building. But that’s not…

Quiktrip gift cards are a perfect gifting option for those people who are looking for practical and flexible gifts. These quiktrip prepaid gift cards are designed to be used at any quiktrip convenience stores, as a convenient payment method for various products and services. But for people who are wondering about this one question, “Do quiktrip gift cards expire?”. Simply speaking, No, they don’t expire unless they are not used after a certain period of time from the date of their purchase. These cards are different from other gift cards as it doesn’t expire like other cards do. In this article, we are going to cover everything you need to know about quiktrip gift cards and how how quicktrip cards expires. We will also see if QuikTrip sells their own gift cards, where you can find them in stores, if they are available online, and some other tips that will…

For all those food lovers out there, Trader Joe’s gift cards are convenient and thoughtful way to enjoy the high quality groceries, snacks, and unique products from the offline store. They can be given as a gift or purchased for personal use. People can load them with any amount from $5 to $100, there’s no additional fee or anything. But still, there’s one question that people are curious about, “Do Trader Joe’s gift cards expire?” And, the simple answer to that is they don’t have expiration dates or inactivity fees. This means people can use them at any time without worrying about them losing their value or getting charged. But there are still a few important things that you should know like how they work, where they can be used, or if there are any restrictions to using trader joe’s card. By having a proper understanding of Trader Joe’s gift…