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decorating tips

Kitchen Renovation – Tips for a New Backsplash

May 3, 2018 by Martha Loveless

Kitchen Renovation – Tips for a New Backsplash – Adding Value to Your Home

Martha Loveless of Loveless Real Estate Services
The Best Carmichael Realtor | HomeSmart ICARE Realty 916-.270.7081
Homes for Sale in Carmichael / What’s Your Carmichael Home Worth?

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You’ve been watching HGTV again and you’ve been inspired to do something about that dated backsplash in your kitchen. It’s not exactly a small job, but certainly one an adventurous first time homeowner can do with just a few tools. Installing a backsplash is a pretty straightforward process, with a few caveats. Just make sure you’re really ready before you put mastic to wall.

Choosing Backsplash Materials

Anything you can glue to the wall can be used as a backsplash. How effective it will be, on the other hand, is a point you really need to consider. Sure, that wine cork backsplash you saw on Pinterest is cool, but how well will you be able to clean it the first time you splatter spaghetti sauce on it? Remember that backsplashes are exposed to tough conditions, including:

* High heat.
* Steam.
* Water.
* Food splatter.

Even though you may love the idea of making your kitchen backsplash out of old newspapers, ask yourself how you’re going to address these issues. If, for example, you somehow transfer the images from a newspaper onto a piece of tempered glass, you might be on to something. On the other hand, just taping newspaper to the wall is going to result in a very short-lived mess.

What the backsplash is made of is almost the most important question there is to answer. Many homeowners choose tile because it’s easy to install, universal and, hey, it’s what’s in the bathroom so you know it’s great with moisture. Before you rush out the door to buy supplies, consider the pros and cons of the materials you’ve been imagining as you cook dinner every night.

Prepping the Space

Changing out the backsplash in the kitchen isn’t the hardest job out there, but it can be an incredibly gross one, especially if the old backsplash was tile. You’ll want to move all the appliances out of the way (don’t just dodge around them, people get hurt this way), don’t forget to take the range hood down for access behind it. At the store, you’ll want to pick up some heavy drop cloths, either thick plastic or the reusable canvas ones. Also nab a respirator for each person who will be helping. You really don’t want to breath in the dust you’re about to generate.

Turn the power to the kitchen off, and with a heavy metal putty knife or small claw hammer, lift the first tile off the wall. Just shimmy under it and give it a twist of the wrist. Also have a bucket or something nearby to toss the tile into. Repeat this until all the tiles are gone. You’ll also need to have a plan for leveling the wall afterward — it should look nearly new, in a perfect world.

Depending on what was used to attach the tiles, you may be able to just knock the ridges down with your putty knife and sand the rest out or you might be able to go over the top of old, existing mastic with new mastic and tiles. Ask your home improvement store for specific help on this because the combinations and solutions are nearly limitless.

If you’re dealing with a formica backsplash (the same material as many countertops and a common backsplash choice for homes built and remodeled in the 1970s and 80s), you’ll need a heat gun to melt the glue, but you can essentially just peel it off as the glue is heated. The same applies to any other glued-on materials, short of wallpaper. Don’t heat that with a heat gun unless you like kitchen fires.

Is it Prepped Yet?

You’ll know your kitchen wall is ready for action when there’s no sign of anything behind the new material, including bumps, discoloration and the like. For glass tiles, for example, this might mean you’ll need to go over the drywall with a thin coat of white mastic for consistency, false tin tiles might look better after you’ve completely stripped any evidence of old backsplashes down to the drywall.

If you neglect this very important step your backsplash will look awful. It might even fall off. So prep like crazy. If you spend half the time on your project doing prep work, you still might be better off prepping a little more. Ultimately, the quality of the project is primarily determined by the quality of your preparation.

Image result for tips for a new backsplashTips for Doing a Great Install

The worst feeling in the world is reaching the end of a project only to realize that it looks nothing like you had imagined. Pinterest (and pre-Pinterest) fails are common in home improvement projects, but you can avoid the worst of them with a little pre-planning. Consider these tips before you go back in with your new material.

Ensure your backsplash actually fits. Laugh all you want, but sometimes people are drawn to particular materials or tiles and can’t be swayed otherwise. Measure your space and then measure it again. Not all materials are easy to cut down, keep that in mind as you make the final decisions.

Consider grout color choices as a part of the process. If you’re going with tile, grout is not an afterthought. Grout colors can completely change the way a tile backsplash looks in the space. If you use black grout with a white subway tile, it’s going to pop like mad, but that might not work in a kitchen that’s otherwise pretty calm. The reverse is also a problem, a white grout with those white tiles is going to make a kitchen with a lot of energy feel sterile and lifeless.

Plan your cuts ahead of time. This applies to any material you can cut. When you’re making cuts, you’re changing the pattern just so much and sometimes that little bit matters a lot. For example, if you’re using a piece of heavy acrylic that has fish silk screened onto it, you don’t want to lob a head off or cut a fish in half. Consider where you’re going to place each piece of material, where it’ll be cut and how it’ll all fit together at the end and your backsplash will steal the show.

Number your pieces. Use an oil pencil (or a Sharpie works if you’re using tiles) and label each piece on the back, in order of application. It can get very confusing when you’re in the middle of an install, there are a lot of things to keep on the brain. Labeling everything and drawing out even a crude diagram to show yourself where they go will make your job so much easier.

Remember, it’s not a race. No matter what type of backsplash you’re installing, slow and steady is the way to go. Going too fast ultimately means sloppy work. You don’t have the experience of a pro, you can’t expect to have the speed. Just put one tile, panel, or chunk of glass in front of the other as you move across the kitchen.

You Could Dream Big and Have a Pro Bring it to Life

One of the most important skills any homeowner can develop is realizing when they’re in too deep or when it just makes sense to hire a pro over DIYing a project. Often, you’ll end up saving a lot of time and frustration by using someone who has already been there and done that hundreds or thousands of times.

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What’s my Carmichael Home Worth? Call us today at 916-270-7081 for a free consultation or log on to www.HomeValuesinCarmichael.com to find out.

Martha Loveless
916.270.7081

The Best Carmichael Realtor
www.LoveSacMetroHomes.com

Filed Under: decorating tips, home sales, Real Estate Tagged With: backsplash, deocorating tips, DIY, home decor, Homeowners, real estate

8 Simple Steps to Seal Those Granite Countertops

September 14, 2017 by Martha Loveless Leave a Comment

8 Simple Steps to Seal Those Granite Countertops

Martha Loveless of Loveless Real Estate Services
The Best Carmichael Realtor | Keller Williams Realty 916-.270.7081
Homes for Sale in Carmichael / What’s Your Carmichael Home Worth?

Image result for woman granite countertops

There is a lot of remodeling being done by homeowners in Sacramento and they are opting to replace their countertops with the popular choice, Granite.  Natural stone is a great investment and it makes a beautiful statement. It has been found that homes touting granite countertops can help sell your home faster.

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I know, I’d be excited too! But here is the thing, granite is a porous stone, so liquids and food can penetrate the surface and leave marks on you precious granite countertops. If you want your granite countertops to stay looking good for years to come, you’ll need to develop a maintenance plan so it stays in tip-top shape.  You need to seal your granite to block liquids from getting into the stone.

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Don’t worry sealing granite is not difficult or time-consuming.  In fact, you’ll probably be blown away by just how easy it is.

So how do you know if it’s time to seal?  It is recommended to seal your granite about once a year. But here is a little trick you can do to see if your countertops are in need of some TLC. Simply take some water and pour it onto your granite countertops and let it sit for 30 minutes.  If the water beads up and doesn’t penetrate the stone, the seal on your granite is strong and liquids are not penetrating the surface.  However, if the water gradually seeps into the stone then you definitely want to seal your countertops.

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Here’s how to do just that. You will need:

  • Lint-free rags (grab a few of these)
  • Granite Sealer (found at your local weekend warrior home store)
  • Daily Granite Cleaner

Step 1:  Clear your granite countertops.  You’ll want to remove everything from your counters to have them nice and bare, ready for cleaning.

Step 2:  Now give your countertops a good cleaning using the granite cleaner of your choice.  You’ll want to get any crumbs, spills, and last night’s dinner off of your countertops.

Step 3:  Use a lint-free rag to clean and dry the surfaces.  Your counters must be fully dry before you sealing the granite.  It is  recommended that you clean your countertops at night, let them dry overnight and then move on to Step 4 in the morning.

Step4:  Before you start sealing, you should open a window for air circulation.  The fumes from the sealant are not too overpowering but it still has a pungent smell.  And to prevent an overwhelming scent in your kitchen or bathroom, open a window, door or turn on the fan while you seal.

Step 5:  Choose a granite sealer of your choice. They are designed to resist both water and oil-based stains.  Make sure to check the label so it’s safe on food prep surfaces…which is obviously pretty darn important in the kitchen!

Step 6:  When using a granite sealing product, you’ll want to work in small areas at a time, about 3-by-3 feet.  Spray on a generous amount of the sealer and then quickly wipe it into the surface.

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ROOKIE TIP:  You may want to test the product on a small inconspicuous area of your counter to make sure it doesn’t damage your particular stone.

Step 7:  Work your way around your kitchen or bathroom, until you have applied the product to every granite surface.  You do not want to let the sealer dry on your countertops, or else it will leave a haze.  So be sure to wipe it up as you go.

Step 8: Now it’s time for a little arm workout:  Take the lint-free rag and buff the counters in a circular motion.  Make your way around all countertops, until everything is buffed and shiny!

It will take about 24 hours for the sealer to properly cure, so try to avoid using the kitchen during that time.  (Hey, it’s a great excuse to forgo cooking for the night and order takeout!)

And seriously…that is it!

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Just a little bit of spraying and wiping and you’re on your way to protected granite countertops.  Now bring on the red wine, the greasy pizza boxes, makeup and toothpaste because those sealed countertops can handle it!


Martha Loveless
916.270.7081

The Best Carmichael Realtor
www.LoveSacMetroHomes.com

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Filed Under: decorating tips, granite countertops, home sales, Real Estate Tagged With: deocorating tips, home decor, home sales, real estate

Bring Fall into Your Home…Starting with the Front Porch!

October 26, 2016 by Martha Loveless Leave a Comment

Bring Fall into Your Home…Starting with the Front Porch!

Top Carmichael Realtor Martha Loveless
of Loveless Real Estate Services at Keller Williams Realty
916-.270.7081 / Home Search / What’s Your Carmichael Home Worth?

 

The best fall looks are all about warm hues, natural materials, and soft, golden light. Haystacks, pumpkins, and scarecrows are classic front porch pieces but too much of any of these can easily turn your seasonal decorating plan into a busy, kitschy mess. Follow these tips to recreate the simple allure of a cool autumn day, starting with your front porch!

shutterstock_114516766Even if you don’t have room for rocking chairs and antique wagons, you can transform your front porch into an autumn wonderland with a few simple pieces. Let the colors and textures of fall inspire you. Flowers in warm oranges, bright yellows, and deep reds evoke the natural beauty of the season. Choose plants that do well in cooler weather like mums, pansies, and coneflowers, which will look beautiful planted together. Terracotta pots or rustic wooden baskets are the perfect choice for colorful, seasonal container gardens.

Pumpkins are probably the most popular choice for fall décor, but hard-shell and ornamental gourds can also be used to add color and texture. Place in clusters leading up your steps or beside your welcome mat. More narrow entrances will look better with fewer pieces—one small pumpkin on each step will do the trick.

shutterstock_108095741To achieve a traditional, Americana look, use natural materials that allude to our nation’s rich agricultural history. Capture the simple essence of the harvest season with scarecrows, hay, and dried ears of corn, but remember: less is more. Plaid flannel accents—whether on a scarecrow’s shirt, a lightly frayed table cloth, or a wreath’s ribbon—are a nice touch.

If you can find them, antique farm crates or wooden wagons make gorgeous statement pieces. They can also be used as planters, accented with gourds, or even stacked with hay to create rough, stylish side tables.

Bring the whole look together with a simple autumn wreath. You can purchase beautiful wreaths at home decorating stores or make your own! Wreaths make great do-it-yourself projects and are easy enough for beginners; you can even get your kids involved. To create a classic fall display for your front door, simply add faux leaves to a grapevine or rattan wreath and affix small decorative gourds to complete the look. You can even add the first letter of your surname to give it a more personal touch.

Perhaps you’re looking for a twist on classic fall styles. Don’t be afraid to stray from traditional autumn colors. For a modern alternative, paint several different types of decorative gourds and pumpkins in the same shade of soft white. You can even use painted leaves, pine cones, and twigs to add more texture and variety.

Autumn is truly the time of year for pared-down, natural design. Avoid overdoing your décor by keeping it as simple as possible. The beauty of the season is that fall displays can work from the first sign of changing leaves on through early winter. Add a jack-o’-lantern at Halloween or a cornucopia for Thanksgiving and you’re all set!

Filed Under: decorating tips, home sales, Real Estate Tagged With: curb appeal, deocorating tips, fall decorating, home decor, home sales, Homeowners, real estate

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Martha Loveless

P: 916 270-7081
E: martha@lovesacmetrohomes.com

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