(ARA) - Why is it that homeowners who wouldn't hesitate to cut a hole in the wall where they want a new window think twice about cutting a hole in the roof for a skylight? For many, the answer is simply "fear of springing a leak."

Yet the same modern technologies that ensure windows keep water out are at work in modern skylights, says Joe Patrick, senior product manager with skylight manufacturer Velux. "The truth is, modern skylights are no more prone to leaks than any well-made, properly installed window in your home," he adds. "The only thing a properly installed modern skylight will allow to pour into your home is healthful natural light and fresh air."

Skylights are a great source of natural light, thermal heat or natural venting of stale indoor air, especially when paired with available blinds and controls. They are particularly useful in close, small areas where a window may not be practical, and are particularly popular for kitchens and baths for this reason. Skylights have been around for about as long as architecture has, but they enjoyed a heyday a few decades ago ... until homeowners began to focus on concerns about leaks.

Whether their fears were well founded or not, many homeowners began to equate skylights with leaks and energy loss. "That was sometimes a valid concern with poorly made or improperly installed skylights," Patrick says.

Modern skylight technology, however, including pre-engineered flashing kits (the metal "shield" that goes around an opening in a wall or roof) designed to work specifically with the roof type - shingles, tile or metal - makes properly installed skylights totally dependable. Modern skylights not only keep water out, they are energy efficient as well, with Energy Star qualified models available from leading manufacturers.

"Matched flashing systems and other improvements have done away with the number one fear of people who are considering cutting a hole in a perfectly good roof," says Roger LeBrun, Velux's product certification engineer. In fact, Velux markets "The No Leak Skylight" that features three layers of water protection. These new deck mounted skylights come with a no-leak product and installation warranty.

After three years of research, development and testing, Velux found that the top concern of homeowners, designers, architects and builders alike was the misconception that all skylights leak. Properly installed skylights shouldn't leak, even if they're not No Leak Skylights, Patrick says.

It's important to choose the right location for your skylight, being sure your roof pitch is matched with the appropriate unit and, once the location is set, to properly install the skylight. Proper flashing is a must so that the skylight can be flashed as dependably, or more so, as anything else that goes on a roof. Some skylights are "fixed," meaning they don't open, while others open to vent inside air.

Skylight technology has advanced to the point where Velux, a major producer and supplier of skylights throughout the country, was confident enough to dub its newest deck mounted product "No Leak." Features include three layers of water protection; advanced LoE3 glass for better energy efficiency and improved daylighting; pre-finished white frames and sashes to eliminate the expense of painting for the homeowner; pre-mounted brackets for quick installation of sunscreen blinds; a lower roof profile with an updated architectural design; and a neutral gray color preferred by consumers and builders for its ability to blend with most roof materials and colors.
           
"It is important to point out that existing Velux skylights, when properly installed, don't leak," Patrick says. "But others, especially older plastic bubble skylights, have, and our research shows that the whole skylight category has been stigmatized and held back because of that problem."  Patrick says that Velux has always warranted its skylights against leaking.

"The image of a skylight as a source of moisture and heat loss is just all wet," adds LeBrun. With the right product and proper installation, a new skylight can fill your home with natural light and thermal warmth, and passively vent stale indoor air, for years to come ... without a single leak.

Among the home-building community, the leak-free message is getting out there. A recent survey showed that nearly 100 percent of architects, builders, remodelers and roofers believe that current skylight technology is better than older technology. And more than two-thirds of all four groups believe that current technology is much better than older technology.

To learn more about skylights and proper installation, visit veluxusa.com, energystar.gov, nfrc.org, or efficientwindows.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - When the weather cools and the bright sun of summer fades into autumn's grayer skies, bare bland walls can feel like an ugly mark on your home's decor. Suddenly, those undecorated walls that you were too busy to notice this past summer cry out for color and pizzazz - especially if you're dealing with economy-induced stress.

"Fall is a great time to redecorate because as the weather cools people start heading indoors again," says Jonathon Fong, a Los Angeles-based interior decorator and author of "Walls that Wow."  "Home is more important again whereas summer was all about the outdoors. We want to make our homes comfortable, cozy and beautiful again. And when we decorate during the fall, we can show off our efforts at the holidays."

So what are the hot trends and easy do-it-yourself decorating upgrades that will be hot this fall? Fong and artist Matthew Lew offer a few tips:

Bright, aggressive color

"The hot colors in home décor this fall will be brighter, happier versions of traditional fall hues - butter yellow, orange, persimmon and all shades of blues," predicts Fong. "These are colors of optimism, and in the current economy, people want to be surrounded by hope. These happy colors put you in a good mood."

"The hottest colors for room redesigns this fall will be aggressive color combos, using colors like scandal red or lobster paired with yolk yellow or custard," says Lew, whose work has been featured on "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," HGTV's "Divine Design" and CBS's "The Early Show."

"People want a splash of color in their homes," Lew adds. "The aggressive color combinations are great because they can make a bold statement very simply without overdoing it. I think people are attracted to that, especially with the economy right now."

Texture that's easy to achieve

Adding texture to a wall is another trend, especially if it's a simple texture - such as stripes - that homeowners feel confident doing themselves, Fong says. Patterns, vinyl lettering or decals, and even wallpaper murals are great ways to add interest to boring walls.

Both designers agree wallpaper murals will continue to be popular, both for their versatility and ease installation by DIY homeowners. Fong has incorporated wallpaper murals from the Web site www.MuralsYourWay.com into his designs, and Lew's artistry is featured on several of the site's made-to-order wallpaper murals.

"Wallpaper murals are one of my favorite design options because they make a huge impact in a room at an affordable price," Fong says. "If you were to have a decorative painter replicate some of the great designs available in wallpaper murals, it would cost thousands of dollars."

If you're intimidated by the idea of a mural, you can start out smaller by adding wallpaper murals elsewhere in your décor, Fong suggests. "Cut the mural into smaller pieces and frame the individual pieces. Put it on a door. Mount it to a piece of wood and make a headboard or a dressing screen out of it," he says.

Finally, when you're ready for your fall design spruce up, Lew and Fong have a few tips for creating a design you can love:

* "Think baby steps," Fong says. Decorate a small wall or section of a large wall first. Give yourself a day to get used to your new wall.

* Consider your favorite colors and how you can use them to make your design "say what you want it to say," Lew suggests.

* Go beyond paint and texture. Try fabric, paper and metal, Fong urges. Get creative, but don't forget simple tricks too. "Sometimes the simplest thing is a mirror," Lew says. "It opens up the entire room and brings in light."

* Keep it real. "Look at your wall's dimensions and be realistic," Lew says. "Sometimes having the entire wall covered is too overpowering and a smaller scale would look better. For example, you might want to use part of the wall as a mural and then paint the other portions a similar color."

* "No matter how it turns out in the end," Fong says, "say you meant it to look that way."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - At one time or another, everyone has found herself racing around the house with an armful of cleaning supplies, scrambling to tidy up for unexpected guests. But the prospect of surprise visitors need not cause a full-scale panic.

Cleaning and organizing expert Donna Smallin offers practical tips for completing a vigorous, efficient cleaning routine when every minute matters.

* First things first. To make a great first impression, start with the entryway and then follow the path your guests will take. Think entryway, living area and bathroom. This is no time to reorganize your sock drawer. If you can, close doors or pronounce the upstairs or other section of the house off limits to guests, and you've cut your cleaning job in half.

* Conquer clutter. An uncluttered entryway is warm and inviting. Do a quick lap around your entryway and living area with a laundry basket and/or trash can, tossing junk mail and collecting out-of-place items to be organized later.

* Speed-dust at eye level. Microfiber picks up dirt like nobody's business. Grab a microfiber cleaner for a quick "dust-busting" of your bookshelves, lamp shades and coffee tables.

* Vacuum just the high-traffic areas. When you want to impress guests, nothing freshens up a room like clean carpet and rugs, and an ergonomically designed vacuum can make spontaneous carpet cleaning easier.

"I'm loving the PROlite Multi Cyclonic vacuum from BISSELL, which offers all the power of a full-sized upright unit, but in a sleek, lightweight design that makes it easier to use, lift and move from room to room," Smallin says.

* Speed clean mirrors. In the bath room, lightly wet a microfiber cloth and squeeze it dry to clean mirrors and glass surfaces.

* Give furniture a facelift. Take just two minutes to fluff sofa cushions and pillows to breathe a little freshness into your living room.

* Make countertops sparkle. Spritz kitchen and bathroom counters with a freshly scented all-purpose cleaner and quickly wipe away spots, crumbs and everyday grime.

* Rally the troops. When time is of the essence, divide and conquer. While one family member is vacuuming, a younger one can follow behind, wiping down baseboards. Or while one is taking out the garbage, the other can load the dishwasher. One way to motivate family members for these situations is to instigate a regular power cleaning competition. Make a game of timing how long it takes to tackle key cleaning chores, and you'll have your own family SWAT team ready to go when guests are on their way.

* Prepare for future speed-cleaning sprees. Speed cleaning is even easier when you're prepared, so get your supplies in order now. Keep a caddy of cleaning products ready to go, and you can save precious seconds when guests are en route. You may even want to stash cleaning supplies in spaces around your home so you can tidy up on the fly. Small cleaning supplies can easily be hidden behind the TV, behind books on bookshelves, in drawers, or even under your sofa.

Master this fast and furious cleaning routine and you'll always be ready to take on last-minute houseguests. You may even have time to give yourself a manicure before they arrive.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Whether it's the dog tracking in mud or the kids carrying in dirt and leaves, there are many ways floors can become dirty and unattractive. Unfortunately, for many people the process they use to clean their wood flooring might be doing more harm than good.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about floor care that lead to premature deterioration," says Tom Sullivan, founder of Lumber Liquidators, the largest retailer of specialty hardwood flooring.

Some cleaning techniques to avoid, because they can damage hardwood flooring, are:

* Vacuuming. Contrary to the belief that vacuuming is the best way to rid wood flooring of dust and debris, it's actually harmful. The hard bristles on the rotating brush can scratch the wood, and small amounts of damage to the wood over time will make the surface look worn and uneven.

* Damp mopping. Many people think that damp mopping is a quick way to clean wood flooring, but the water in the mop causes deterioration of both the wood and the floor's finish. This increases the likelihood that the wood will warp or squeak in the future.

* Cleaning with vinegar and water. While many people clean wood flooring with a homemade mixture of vinegar and water, the acidic nature of the solution actually eats away at the wood finish. Corrosion of the wood finish detracts from its healthy appearance and increases vulnerability, making the wood more prone to wear and tear.

* Applying oil soaps. Although oil soaps are a typical way to clean wood flooring, these soaps and detergents can leave a harmful film. Eventually, this film causes the wood finish to yellow, "alligator" or crack, requiring refinishing.

Instead of using one of the above methods to clean hardwood floors, it is recommended that homeowners follow a few simple cleaning guidelines.

* Lightly sweep wood flooring with a soft-bristled broom twice a week. This is a quick and easy way to clear away debris particles so that they do not build up.

* Clean wood flooring once a week with a terry-cloth mop and a cleaner specifically made for wood flooring, like Bellawood's soy-based hardwood floor cleaner. This will get rid of the heavier dirt build-up that can cause a dull appearance.

"Soy-based products clean and shine hardwood flooring without being harsh on the finish and without producing harsh fumes that can irritate your family and pets," says Sullivan. "It doesn't take a lot of effort to give your floors the maintenance they deserve, and in doing so you'll not only improve the look of your home, but extend the lifespan of the flooring."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - When you look out your window, what do you see: the cool gray steel of high-rise buildings ... or vast, open expanses of green land? You don't have to stick to an interior style that mimics your surroundings; especially if it doesn't suit your taste.

Whether you live in a penthouse or a farmhouse, you can create rooms that make you feel as if you're a city-dweller as soon as you step inside.

Open floor plan

The first step to thinking like an urbanite is coming up with creative ways to make small spaces appear larger. An open floor plan is a great way to achieve this. Take a look at your main living areas to determine where improvements can take place.

Is there a room that is being under-utilized? Consider removing a dividing wall to connect it with the adjoining space. Do you have narrow doorways between rooms? Expand these openings and remove doors, creating wider passageways. Is there untouched wall space? Take a cue from new glass-exterior loft spaces, like Werner Aisslinger's LoftCube, and add more windows on exterior walls, or even create window-like openings between rooms to join spaces and create a sense of community.

"Contemporary urban design is all about connectivity," says Judy Riley, vice president of design at  Moen Incorporated. "In today's modern home, we want to connect with our family, our surroundings and the outside world. To achieve this, we are knocking down walls and breaking the barriers built by earlier generations."

If you don't have the time - or budget - for more construction-intense projects, there are steps you can take to create the illusion of larger rooms. Choose smaller furniture and position it in a way that leaves as much floor space open as possible. Forgo large, heavy curtains and go for more airy fabrics or light-emitting shades to create a sense of illumination and openness. Choose lighter colors in a similar palette for your furniture, walls and floors.

Modern elements

To take your place from dreary and dated to city chic, incorporate contemporary elements into your decor. Start by adding some standout modern pieces in each room, then build your home's look around those unique items.

The kitchen and the bathroom are arguably the two most-used rooms in the house, seen by family members and guests alike. Let fashion and function go hand-in-hand with well-placed modern decor that serves a purpose in your home.

In the kitchen, the sink is the hub of all activity, used for everything from prepping dinner to filling your morning coffee pot or water bottle. To make a statement at your sink, add a faucet with geometric styling, like the 90-degree pullout kitchen faucet from Moen. With clean, contemporary styling, this single-handle faucet features an ergonomically designed pullout wand with multiple spray options, including stream, rinse and pause. The 90-degree pullout kitchen faucet is available in LifeShine Classic Stainless and Chrome finishes, to coordinate with contemporary kitchen fixtures and appliances. Because of its clean, single-handle design, the faucet pairs well with solid surface countertops and undermount sink styles.

In large living spaces, re-think traditional furniture and give it a modern twist. Instead of the everyday lumpy, space-hogging recliner, try a contemporary lounge chair. Rather than massive entertainment centers and bookshelves, try a hanging storage center that adds color and light to your room without taking up precious floor space. Or, try bookshelves that are built into the wall - housed between studs or simply on wall-mounted shelving units that allow for use of the floor space beneath.

Clean spaces

Your average city-dweller doesn't have the time or the space to accumulate home-cluttering extras. "The city is full of noise and disorder," Riley says. "Modern urban home design calls for a separation from the busyness of the outside world."

To mimic this minimalist approach in your own home, consider the number of extra gadgets that clutter your kitchen. For instance, do you really need a handheld blender, a countertop blender, a margarita maker and smoothie maker? When was the last time you used your fondue pot, quesadilla maker, juicer or waffle iron? Could you make do without some of these items, clearing precious countertop and cabinet space? If so, log on to freecycle.org and give the unused items away to someone who may actually use them.

Once you've removed what you don't need, you can create the attention and openness that your modern decor deserves. Treat your home as an art gallery, where the spotlight is on a small number of contemporary statement pieces, not scattered among an over-abundance of objects.

You don't have to pack up and move to the city to evoke an urban feeling in your home decor.  Think open, modern and sleek, and you can create a metropolitan vibe, no matter how far from the city you choose to live. For more information about the 90-degree kitchen collection from Moen, visit moen.com or call (800) BUY-MOEN (800 289-6636).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Function alone isn't enough to sell us on a new piece of technology anymore.  Americans increasingly want their technology to look good - stylish, even - in addition to working well.

"If you're old enough to remember the huge, clunky-looking 'car phones' of the late '80s and early '90s, or if you've seen them in the movies or on old TV shows, you'll have some perspective on how technology has evolved toward being beautiful as well as functional," says Jeanne Benedict, host of DIY Network's "Weekend Entertaining" and regular contributor to Celebrations.com.

Designers agree that a balance of form and function is essential to appealing and useful home decor. With new wafer-thin, high-definition flat-screen TVs, surround-sound systems with wireless speakers and sleek home telephones  that allow you to receive cell phone calls on your landline, modern home technology is trending toward beauty and usefulness.

If you're in the market to upgrade your home technology this holiday season, be sure to look for gadgets that blend style and practicality, including:

* LED high-definition, flat-screen TVs that are almost as thin as a sheet of glass. These TVs are ideal for mounting on the wall as a focal point of virtually any room. The flatter the better, and the new generation of TVs are so thin and light, they make their predecessors look like those '90s chunky car phones. Some manufacturers also offer flat screens in colors to match virtually any home decor - no more settling for just silver or black.

* Sleek new home phones like VTech's LS6245 combine advanced technology that lets you receive both landline and cellular calls on the cordless handset.  Its fashionable profile fits into virtually any home decor. The phone offers touch-sensitive buttons on the handset and base as well as capabilities that allow you to connect up to four wireless devices such as cellular phones or wireless headsets.

With the ability to make and receive cellular calls on the LS6245 handset or take landline calls with a wireless headset, this phone system helps eliminate problems typically associated with using a cell at home - dropped calls, poor call quality and limited range. The practical VTech LS6245 is available at www.vtechphones.com.

* Wireless technology has made it possible to enjoy surround sound and your favorite DVD without the visual distraction of wires running between the components. From wireless speakers that work with your surround sound system and stereo to flat screens and DVD players that can communicate with each other, technology has eliminated the old problem of ugly - and potentially hazardous - wires throughout your home.

"It's no longer necessary to sacrifice stylish design and decor-enhancing beauty to get the latest technology for your home," Benedict says. "Modern product makers are manufacturing better-looking technology that fits with our lifestyles and home decor."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - This holiday season, don't just "decorate" with some evergreen and mistletoe - "techorate" using today's hottest home technology, including your flat-screen TV.

Although the kitchen is the traditional setting for a holiday get-together, this year the party is moving to the family room. Whether it's enjoying a bowl game, holiday parade or a classic holiday movie, many family gatherings will take place around the flat-screen - the hearth of the 21st century home. "Technology is now playing an integral role in holiday entertaining, just as it is in all other aspects of our lives," says Doug Wilson, noted interior designer from TLC's "Trading Spaces" and "Moving Up."

"The concept of 'techorating' merges technology and interior design so that a techorated room works together as one, unified space," says Wilson, who is also the resident Techorator  for LG Electronics. "The TV has really become the new hearth of the home, and having a harmonious hearth and home is never more important than during the holidays."

Wilson offers a few tips for techorating your home this holiday season:

Tip One: Less is more - a lot more

"Technology doesn't have to stick out in an unattractive way," Wilson says. Streamline your technology and declutter to make it blend more easily with your overall holiday decor. For example, use covers painted to match the wall color to hide wires and connections between your flat screen and audio-visual components. Or use wireless technology to eliminate wire clutter altogether.

For another way to create a really sleek look, upgrade your flat screen to a new ultra-thin model like LG's SL90 series. These high-definition TVs are available in 42- and 47-inch sizes and look nearly as thin as the sheet of glass in their single-layer design for stunning sets that blend beautifully into any decor.

Tip Two: Create a focal point

"Nothing brings the family together better than a good holiday movie so it makes sense to use the television as the focal point for your living room decor," Wilson says. "Wall-mounting your flat screen will improve its visibility from all angles, making it easier to enjoy watching holiday classics with your family."

Flat screens afford you more design flexibility than older TVs, and companies like LG offer a variety of options that combine simple, sleek designs with the latest in high-definition technology to meet your entertainment and decorating needs, Wilson explains.

"Don't be afraid to put the TV above the mantle," he adds. "But do keep in mind that competing design elements like fireplaces, large mirrors and picture windows can make the space look too cluttered."

Tip Three: It's OK to rearrange.

Plenty of people rearrange furniture before the holidays to accommodate the Christmas tree or the gathering of family and friends. If you're planning a holiday gathering based around your favorite bowl game think about rearranging furniture to provide maximum seating and the best possible view of the TV.

The size of your TV screen will help determine where you place your furniture. To locate the perfect spot for your sofa or seating, multiply the size of your screen in inches by 1.5. The result should be the optimal distance (in inches) that you allow for between the TV and sofa.

"These tips will help you 'tech the halls' this holiday season and ensure your technology enhances the holidays for everyone who visits your home," Wilson says. For more techorating tips, visit www.lgusa.com/techorate. of ARAcontent

Courtesy

(ARA) - This holiday season, don't just "decorate" with some evergreen and mistletoe - "techorate" using today's hottest home technology, including your flat-screen TV.

Although the kitchen is the traditional setting for a holiday get-together, this year the party is moving to the family room. Whether it's enjoying a bowl game, holiday parade or a classic holiday movie, many family gatherings will take place around the flat-screen - the hearth of the 21st century home. "Technology is now playing an integral role in holiday entertaining, just as it is in all other aspects of our lives," says Doug Wilson, noted interior designer from TLC's "Trading Spaces" and "Moving Up."

"The concept of 'techorating' merges technology and interior design so that a techorated room works together as one, unified space," says Wilson, who is also the resident Techorator  for LG Electronics. "The TV has really become the new hearth of the home, and having a harmonious hearth and home is never more important than during the holidays."

Wilson offers a few tips for techorating your home this holiday season:

Tip One: Less is more - a lot more

"Technology doesn't have to stick out in an unattractive way," Wilson says. Streamline your technology and declutter to make it blend more easily with your overall holiday decor. For example, use covers painted to match the wall color to hide wires and connections between your flat screen and audio-visual components. Or use wireless technology to eliminate wire clutter altogether.

For another way to create a really sleek look, upgrade your flat screen to a new ultra-thin model like LG's SL90 series. These high-definition TVs are available in 42- and 47-inch sizes and look nearly as thin as the sheet of glass in their single-layer design for stunning sets that blend beautifully into any decor.

Tip Two: Create a focal point

"Nothing brings the family together better than a good holiday movie so it makes sense to use the television as the focal point for your living room decor," Wilson says. "Wall-mounting your flat screen will improve its visibility from all angles, making it easier to enjoy watching holiday classics with your family."

Flat screens afford you more design flexibility than older TVs, and companies like LG offer a variety of options that combine simple, sleek designs with the latest in high-definition technology to meet your entertainment and decorating needs, Wilson explains.

"Don't be afraid to put the TV above the mantle," he adds. "But do keep in mind that competing design elements like fireplaces, large mirrors and picture windows can make the space look too cluttered."

Tip Three: It's OK to rearrange.

Plenty of people rearrange furniture before the holidays to accommodate the Christmas tree or the gathering of family and friends. If you're planning a holiday gathering based around your favorite bowl game think about rearranging furniture to provide maximum seating and the best possible view of the TV.

The size of your TV screen will help determine where you place your furniture. To locate the perfect spot for your sofa or seating, multiply the size of your screen in inches by 1.5. The result should be the optimal distance (in inches) that you allow for between the TV and sofa.

"These tips will help you 'tech the halls' this holiday season and ensure your technology enhances the holidays for everyone who visits your home," Wilson says. For more techorating tips, visit www.lgusa.com/techorate. of ARAcontent

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(ARA) - (ARA) - You drained the gas from the lawn mower and stored the string trimmer - fall is officially here. Can winter be far behind? You may think your yard work is done for another year, but don't turn your back on your lawn just yet.

Take care of some essential lawn chores this fall and you'll reap the rewards next spring - in the form of a lush, healthy, beautiful lawn. In fall, lawn grasses need to become especially strong as the weather cools. Give them some TLC now, and your lawn will reap the benefits over the winter and into next spring.  During the fall, your lawn is getting ready to go dormant for the winter. Your grass will rely on its roots throughout the winter season to obtain nutrients until spring.

Following these five (surprisingly fast) simple steps will ensure a sensational start to lush lawns next spring.

1. Start with the soil and aerate
 
The healthier your soil is the healthier your grass will be. Good, aerated soil will make room for water, nutrients, air and roots to move with ease. Aerated, healthy soil will hold water like a sponge, but at the same time promote drainage. Aerating also creates a good environment for the micro-organisms, worms and other life forms necessary for healthy turf. Without good soil you will find yourself doing lots of weed control and over-fertilizing.

2. Don't delay dethatching  

Thatch is the layer of dead grass that settles in between the soil surface and the green foliage of the grass. Too much thatch interferes with nutrient and water absorption. To gauge thatch's thickness, take a 6-inch-deep plug of sod and soil from the lawn and measure the thickness of the packed thatch. If your thatch layer is more than 1/2 inch thick, your grass will struggle to grow.

3. Supply soil conditioners

Also called soil amendments, soil conditioners added to soil improve plant growth and overall health. Soil conditioners are not fertilizers, but they do improve soil's drainage and some will also increase the water holding capacity of your soil.

4. Sow your seeds

Sowing grass seed will increase turf density and improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn. Seeding in the fall helps the lawn recover from heavy summer traffic and it influences the lawn's look for the following spring. A dense lawn is also the best natural defense against weed and insect damage. For a wide variety of grass seed choices specifically formulated for your geographic region visit www.outsidepride.com. increasingly popular addition to backyard beauty is planting wildflowers instead of grass in hard to maintain, problem spots, like slopes and banks. Outsidepride.com offers  a wide variety of blends for nine areas of the country, from the rainy Northeast to the dry Southwest. Adding wildflower seed this fall to your backyard will add beauty and diversity to your landscape next spring.

An

5. The easy way is the better way

When it comes to labor intensive fall lawn chores like aerating, dethatching, and soil conditioning, brute force isn't necessarily the best, most efficient way to get the job done. You could rent a core aerator to pull up finger-sized cores of soil, but it takes a strong back and plenty of time to manage the heavy equipment. If your lawn is small enough, you can do the dethatching job using a thick-bladed thatching rake. But bigger lawns call for a power thatching mower. Soil conditioning is easier, yet still time-consuming.

Try a labor-free, easy, all-natural option that's a liquid product, like LazyMan Liquid Gold. You can tackle the tasks of aerating, dethatching and soil conditioning with a hose-end sprayer in a matter of minutes.

Non-toxic and all natural, LazyMan Liquid Gold's polymers penetrate hard soil and alternately attract or repel water molecules, opening pathways to allow free passage of moisture and nutrients. A brew of microbes feeds on dead plant tissue in the thatch layer, reducing thatch by half with just three applications at four-week intervals. Finally, humic acids and soil fungi promote soil fertility and plant growth.

After one-step spraying of LazyMan Liquid Gold, you've already accomplished three essential fall lawn care tasks. Now, all that's left to do is seed and feed.

By following these simple lawn care practices in the fall, you can put your lawn to bed and sleep easily knowing that when your lawn awakens from winter it will be healthy and super-charged for spring. To learn more about lawn care, visit www.outsidepride.com. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - "There probably isn't a room in the house where we don't store something," writes Mervyn Kaufman in his new book, "Store It!" from Filipacchi Publishing. "Lack of space is certainly a challenge, but it is superseded in every instance by how best to use that space."

But before adding or rearranging storage in any room, Kaufman suggests you examine and evaluate. Keep what's needed. Then, begin your space-saving journey. The American Hardwood Information Center, www.HardwoodInfo.com, recommends you consider the following creative tips for practical, yet beautiful, ways to increase storage potential throughout your home.

First impressions are lasting ones, so if totes and umbrellas, shoes and boots are cluttering the entrance of your home, make them disappear without becoming inaccessible. Consider a bench with added storage space under a lift-up seat as a convenient clutter catcher, complete with niches for stashing caps, gloves and scarves yet a handy spot for shoe-boot exchanges. Splurge on a wall-mounted hardwood cabinet or a handsome hardwood storage piece to hide keys, garage door openers, newspapers and mail, keeping them out of sight yet close at hand as needed.

Don't let the idea of a formal living room dissuade you from making it a storage workhorse. A coffee table with an open shelf or shallow drawers can be more than an elegant surface for coffee service or a floral arrangement. Corners and wall space between and around windows cry out for hardwood chests and unique built-ins to display collectibles or stash coasters, cocktail napkins and other entertaining essentials. And the warm colors and unique grain patterns of hardwoods are guaranteed to enhance your room decor.

Add greater functionality to your kitchen by incorporating hardwood cabinets with accessories that remove clutter and make neatness second nature - wooden dividers to organize drawers, carousel shelving so nothing gets buried in corner cabinets, deep cabinet drawers to store cookware or stacked dinnerware. And be creative. Fill unused space between base cabinets with retractable kitchen-towel bars or narrow pull-out spice drawers. Even install a shallow tilt-out drawer in front of your sink for sponges or small-scale cleaning tools.

Today's dining rooms double as libraries, music rooms or places to do homework or crafts. If cramped for storage, look for a dining table - new or heirloom - with drawers beneath its top surface. Beautiful hardwood storage - a hutch, sideboard or breakfront - lends practicality; warmth and style as long as it complements the look of your dining table and chairs. A wall of books, whether in fine hardwood furniture or built-in shelving, exploits wall space and adds character.

Hardwood cabinet options abound as you look to increase the functionality of your family room. Near the TV, stereo or beside the kids' play area, consider freestanding hardwood storage - a hutch, entertainment center, a clutch of bookcases. And utilize overlooked spaces by adding a low cupboard under a window - ideal for spare pillows and throws; building a window seat - either with drawers or a hinged top;  placing a low bookcase against the back of a sofa. Simply organize and store essentials according to where you'll use them.

Why not establish a unique "floating" home office? It doesn't matter where you place it. What'll make it work is where you "float" it and how you store what you want to keep there. Find and refinish a hardwood secretary, then give it wheels and let it "float." It'll be handy for bill-paying when the desk folds down and a decorative accent piece when not in use. Or mobilize a stylish hardwood desk or table with detachable storage shelves; then get to work. As room requirements change, "float" the workstation to its new home - a kitchen corner or family room niche - whatever the situation will allow.

And finally, end those bedroom blahs by eliminating clutter. Hardwood dressers with deep drawers increase storage efficiency. Nightstands with niches or shallow drawers are great for glasses, remote controls and reading material. Open shelving with pull-out baskets can store socks, hose, scarves and undergarments. And consider adding a window seat to store extra quilts and linens. True, only you may see the room, but an uncluttered bedroom - yours or your kids' - is the most livable one.

As author Kaufman suggests, "Even the most practical storage solutions can be attractive and appealing." Beautifully thought-out cabinetry made of U.S. hardwoods will enhance every room in your home while providing stunning storage space for all the important 'things' in your life.

For more information on including U.S. hardwoods in your home or office, visit the American Hardwood Information Center at www.HardwoodInfo.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent