Get a distressed look Hand-scraped American Hardwood flooring is popular now. It gives a distressed old-world look with timeless appeal, most popular in wide planks. When a homeowner is ready for a change, the hand-scraped look can be sanded away and refinished.

Keep it light Lighter shades of painted hardwood are hot right now – especially soft neutrals like pale grays, whites and nudes. This look is becoming increasingly popular on furniture such as dressers, nightstands and tables.

Consider cherry Although neutral, pale shades are trending, rich cherry hues, on the contrary, are prevalent as well. Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.’s (AHMI) 2011 Furniture Styles and Material Use Survey, conducted at the High Point Market home furnishings show, reports that American cherry is widely seen in bedrooms, dining rooms and home offices.

Create contrast When it comes to hardwood design, think contrast. Industry experts suggest choosing American Hardwood flooring that is slightly lighter than the lightest color of the grain in the kitchen cabinets – this combination can really make a room pop.

Outdoor inspiration Outdoor-inspired interior furniture, made with hardwoods, that looks like park benches or lawn chairs is a noteworthy design element highlighted at the recent High Point Market. Homeowners can get the look by selecting interior furniture with unique curves, or pieces that highlight the natural whorls, knots and texture of the wood.

Give your fireplace a facelift A fireplace often acts as a focal point of the room, so consider hardwood mouldings to liven it up! Use decorative American Hardwood medallions and other ornamental period-style mouldings to add visual interest to a plain mantel face, or if spacing permits, add side-shelving to the mantel for displaying valuables.

Creative cabinetry Thinking of a kitchen redesign? Think about varied cabinet height to accommodate both children and adults in the family. Also consider sliding drawers, rollout shelves and Lazy Susans that make items easier to reach. For assured durability, choose cabinets made of solid American Hardwoods such as maple, cherry, oak or alder.

Go traditional or contemporary AHMI’s 2011 Furniture Styles and Material Use Survey found that traditional American Hardwood looks are currently trending over contemporary styles. Whichever your preference, American Hardwoods are a versatile material, allowing homeowners to achieve either look.

Add warmth with wainscoting Wainscoting is a type of wood paneling most often used to decorate the lower three feet of a wall. It wards off damage – scratches, dings and the like –while adding character and great architectural interest to any room.

Charming chair rail Chair rail is functional as well as decorative; it helps protect areas where chair backs might damage the wall. Styles include a single piece of wood, called a moulding profile, or two or more different mouldings can be combined to create a built-up profile. They are often used alone, but are also used to top wainscoting to give it a clean edge.

Mix and match Combining different wood textures and colors in a room can really make it pop! For example, in the kitchen try a light wood island and contrast it with deeper hued cabinets.

Add flair with finishes The type of finish applied to American Hardwood floors can vary the look, so there’s no need to replace your hardwood flooring, just revitalize and refresh. Dyes, toners and stains can add rich color while glazes can help even out a light or dark area of the floor. These finishes can easily complement a home’s style, but should only be applied by professionals.

Ah, spring. The flowers come up. The leaves come out. And, the sun shines brightly into your home – highlighting the fact that it’s time for some spring cleaning. While you’re ridding the house of winter’s dust and grime, it’s also a good time to take a fresh look at something else your home may be in need of – a thorough Safety Checkup.

Why checkup on your home’s safety? If you are like most Americans, your home is where you already feel the safest. However, every year unintentional home injuries occur, sending millions of people to the hospital. In fact, approximately 10 million home injuries were seen in U.S. emergency rooms annually between 1993 and 2000*. Checking your home for safety hazards now is the best way to ensure you and your family will remain out of harm’s way throughout the year.

Fires/Burns

Smoke detectors should be located on every level of your home, and in or near all bedrooms. First, test all batteries in the alarms and make sure that they are in working order. Next, if you don’t already have a fire drill plan in place, create one and be sure to practice it at least twice a year. The plan should identify at least two exits out of every room and a designated area for family members to meet outside. Finally, if you have small children, use safety covers on all electrical outlets, keep your water heater setting at 120°F or less, and consider installing anti-scald devices in faucets to avoid potential burn zones.

Slips/Falls

In recent years, falls in or near the home accounted for nearly 16,000 deaths. All age groups are vulnerable, but older adults are most at risk. In fact, 80 percent of those fatally injured are over age 65.**

Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council, offers the following suggestions, “In order to help prevent slips and falls in the home, make sure living areas are well lit. Keep floors clear by reducing clutter and safely tucking telephone and electrical cords out of walkways. Also, don’t wax floors and use non-skid throw rugs to reduce chances of slipping on slick vinyl or hardwood surfaces. Finally, installing handrails in stairways, as well as grab bars in the bathroom, are wise ideas.”

More than 400 people a day go to hospital emergency rooms because of falls in the bathtub alone. To reduce the risk of slipping, add tread strips to your tub or shower floor. Also consider investing in a tub grip or grab bar for support. Tub grips can provide added balance when entering or exiting the tub. In addition, the new SecureMount™ Grab Bars from Moen® Home Care® can be installed securely into the wall at any angle. Plus, several of the designer-styled models have new grip features for added safety in finishes such as Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze to ensure a look that’s decorative, not institutional.

Poisonings

While medicine cabinets contain many items to make you feel better, their contents can be equally dangerous. Start your spring cleaning by discarding any drugs that are expired and then be sure the organized space is inaccessible to children. If it is in reach, consider installing a lock to avoid tempting a child’s curiosity. Also be sure to post the number to your poison control center near every phone.

Prepare yourself for the invisible sources of poisoning as well, by investing in a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. CO is produced whenever fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. The amount of CO produced while using fuel-burning appliances is usually not harmful, but it can become hazardous when appliances are used improperly or are not functioning adequately.

Outdoor Injuries

“Home injuries are a year-round problem, but spring and summer activities can put families at even greater risk outdoors,” says Appy. “By making some easy adjustments to outside areas before the warm weather arrives, many accidents can be avoided.”

For example, many people don’t think that practicing poison and safety precautions outside is as important as inside. Place pesticides and herbicides in original containers on high shelves or inside locked cabinets in the garage. Garden tools, particularly those with sharp points should also be kept out of the reach of children.

In the yard, clear away possible tripping hazards, such as rocks and roots. If you have a pool or pond, consider installing four-sided fencing with self-locking and self-closing gates. This will help prevent a gate from accidentally being left open. Also make sure any fencing around a pool or pond area is at least five-feet high.

While adding yet another item to your list of things to do this spring may seem overwhelming, it is simple to start with one room/area and work from there. By following these recommendations, you’ll take comfort in knowing that you have a safe, clean and organized home that everyone can enjoy throughout the year.

With homeowners become increasingly attracted to versatility in the equipment dollars, it’s no surprise that mainstays, like ladders become more multifuntional. One good multipurpose ladder, that does the job of several, saves time, storage space, and energy—as well as the extra cost of purchasing multiple ladders for different jobs.

Why not take a clue from the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor of ladders, climbing equipment, and ladder accessories? If you could have one ladder that quickly converts to do the work of four ladders, your problems would be solved. Werner Ladder’s MT Series Telescoping Multiladder was made to order for jobs like painting a stairway or washing inside and outside windows as a team.

The MT Series ladders are available in a range from 13′ to 26′ in height, with different working heights and positions:

a stepladder for varying heights
a stepladder for two people
a stairway stepladder with adjustable front and rear heights
an extension ladder
separates to create two scaffold bases for an extended work platform

Werner Ladder’s MT Series Telescoping Multiladder

With a simple push of the soft-touch push knobs the ladder becomes what the homeowner needs at that moment, and a spring loaded lock is the mechanism used to adjust height quickly and easily providing an audible to indicate security.

According to Werner’s Stacy Gardellai, there are a number of fundamental features to look for that will make your homeowner challenges a lot less challenging. The list includes double riveted steps for long lasting durability; extra wide flared base for firm support and stability; and a full complement of MT accessories; including a convenient paint tray, and steel platform that kicks of out the way for climbing and provides a slip-resistant comfortable standing surface.

First and Most Important

Clean gutters and downspouts. A clogged gutter or downspout can freeze and wreak havoc on your home. Make a point of checking your gutters and downspouts well before daytime temperatures dip below 32º F.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors using the testing feature on each device. Replace batteries and inoperable units as needed.

Recharge or replace fire extinguishers. Check the gauge on every fire extinguisher to make sure it’s fully charged (arrow pointing to the green area of the gauge). Remove each extinguisher from its mounting bracket and turn upside down to help prevent the dry chemicals inside from caking on the bottom over time. If your fire extinguishers are more than one year old, consider having them inspected by a professional.

Check furnace vents. If your home has a forced air furnace, check to make sure that vents in primary living areas are open and unobstructed. You can partially close vents located in less frequently used rooms, but don’t close them all the way unless you’re sure there is no chance of water pipes freezing as a result. Keep in mind that temperatures inside the walls of your home will be lower than adjacent living areas.

Stock up on furnace filters. Dirty furnace filters waste energy. They also force your furnace to work harder to heat your home. Your owner’s manual should explain what types of filters are best for your furnace, and how often they need to be changed. Keep in mind that a high-efficiency air filter will trap more dirt than a conventional filter and may need to be replaced more frequently to keep your furnace from overheating.

Schedule checkups for all home heating systems. Regular maintenance can helps keep furnaces, wood stoves, chimneys and other home heating components in top working order. Experts recommend that you schedule an annual inspection by a qualified professional for each system, but service intervals may vary from one system or manufacturer to another, so play it safe and check your owner’s manual or contact heating system manufacturer for guidance.

Replacing worn out weather stripping around windows and doors can dramatically decrease your home heating costs. Weather strips are easy to replace, and should pay for themselves in a very short time.

Inspect the insulation in attics and crawl spaces. Over time, fiberglass insulation panels sagging away from rafters, joists and wall cavities, allows cold air to penetrate your home. Duct tape can be used to reseat a small problem area, but extensive sagging may indicate a moisture problem. Try to determine the source of this problem before you replace large areas of insulation. And, if you decide to replace the insulation yourself, make sure you follow manufacturer guidelines for personal protective equipment.

Protect exterior water valves. Hose bibs located in an unheated garage or on the outside of your home may need to be covered to prevent freezing damage. Inexpensive insulating covers work well, but it’s still a good idea to shut off and drain the water supply.

Stock up on ice melt products to keep walks and driveways clear. Supplies often become depleted during snowstorms.

New flashlight batteries, a battery operated weather radio, and a portable heat source are a good idea.

Finally, don’t overlook the need for water during extreme weather related emergencies. One five gallon jug of water could mean the difference between relative comfort and “hazardous” living conditions.

Debbie Zimmer, of the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, offers suggestions on how to create a festive atmosphere to each room of your home.

Add a glossy frame. With busy holiday schedules, a homeowner’s time may be limited. A quick room update can be accomplished by adding color and shine to trim work and doors. Highlight these areas with semi-gloss or gloss paint in a complementary hue to the wall color. Glossy finishes add sparkle and interest and assist in differentiating one space from another. They also provide the added benefit of durability and long-lasting wear especially in busy family gathering spaces.

Artwork is always improved with the addition of a beautiful frame and your wall space is no different. Allow baseboards, crown moldings and other trim work to provide the “frame” around your room.

Take a color cue from holiday gift bags. Incorporating several colors into a space is often a stumbling block for many do-it-yourselfers. By simply perusing the gift bag aisle, you’ll find exciting and unusual combinations that are often easily transferable to your space. This tip works especially well when contemplating hues for tweens and teens.

Look up and celebrate your ceilings. This holiday season let your ceilings and chandeliers sparkle. Add shine and sophistication to dining spaces by painting these often bland areas with a high sheen product. If you are not quite ready to change your entire ceiling add a stencil pattern in a glossy hue for a touch of high style.

Texture, texture, texture. Take a cue from this season’s fashion runway and integrate texture into your space for added interest and appeal. “When working with a monochromatic or single color scheme, wall texture will provide depth and warmth”, states Zimmer. The addition of bead board, paintable wall coverings or glazing over an already painted surface will provide subtle interest and a three dimensional appearance.