The kitchen countertop has to be able to take a lot of abuse including the heat of pots, cutting and knives and abrasive cleansers. The ideal countertop should be able to stand up to heat and the sharp edge of a knife.

Let us take a look at 7 of the most popular kitchen countertop materials being used today:

Granite
A natural stone, granite is a popular choice for it’s classic beauty and durability. Granite is the hardest and densest of the natural stones. It can create a kitchen countertop that is extremely scratch resistant and can keep its luster longer than most materials. granite slabs are the most expensive of all kitchen countertop surfaces, although it is still considered a very practical material in that it is virtually indestructible.

Marble
Another natural stone, marble is considered to be the height of elegance and will last longer than most kitchens. It is however, is very expensive and requires some care: acidic foods such as orange juice will etch the finished surface of a marble kitchen countertop.

Slate
Because of it richness and beauty slate is usually used in interior applications such as kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks or fireplace surrounds. It can be used in either modern or traditional kitchens as well as in combination with marble. Slate is durable, strong, and can withstand hard use. It is less expensive than marble.

Concrete
This is one of the biggest trends in kitchen countertops today. It is a good look for clean, industrial and contemporary kitchen designs. Available in pre formed sections or poured and formed on-site. Concrete is a good material for unusually shaped counters. Concrete kitchen countertops are expensive, require a sealant and must be treated with care. The countertop can crack if the concrete should contract. Concrete can be stained any color. The most popular color is a natural gray tone. The top layer can be finished as desired.

Corian
A solid surface material that first became popular in the 1990’s It is highly recommended by kitchen countertop experts. It is a totally manmade product and is not porous. As a solid surface it can easily be repaired if scratched or burned.

Stainless Steel
Advantages include very hygienic, easy to clean, has ability to stand up to exteme wear and heat. Stainless steel can provide a great look for an ultra modern kitchen. Some disadvantages with stainless is that it can be noisy and that scratches can develop.

Tile
Tile surfaces can be tough, hard-wearing, takes hot pans, heat and stain resistant as well as beautiful. There are many types of tiles including ceramic, porcelain, quarry, glass, natural stone and mosiac. Available in many colors, sizes and textures. It has good design flexibility. Tile can often be used for trim or backsplashes. The downside of tile is that the grouts can be easily stained. Also the tiles can become chipped or cracked.

The bathroom can be one of the most clutter filled areas of any home.  Get organized now with these simple steps.

The Medicine Cabinet

Start by taking everything out of  the entire medicine cabinet. Then give the inside a thorough cleaning.  Next, look at every item you have removed. Throw away empty containers, dried up tubes, and expired medicines.  Then, before you put it all back reorganize everything to be put back on each shelf.  For example, the dental items should go on one shelf. Makeup on another, etc.  If things are too large, store them in a smaller container or under the sink.

Shower and Baths

These areas can be more difficult to organize than the medicine cabinet. Put aside all your bathing and hair care products. Store them in a wire or plastic container that will easily fit in your bathtub or shower. If you are someone who uses a loofah or washcloth, pick a container where you can hang these products from.  Also, if you use soap, pick  unit that has a soap holder to avoid getting residue on your other products.  It’s highly recommended that you buy something that has suction cups so you can attach it directly to any area of your tub or shower.  If you have a child and toys are cluttering the tub, pick up an organizer that’s large enough to store all these items.  The container should have holes in in to allow the toys to dry out safely.  Store the bin on a mat until the toys have drained or dried out then put it away under the sink.  If you are okay with another item hanging in the tub, you can also buy a mesh toy bag with suction cups to hang from the wall.  These are great because you can throw all the toys in them at once and rinse them out, then just hang them on the wall to dry.

The Scottsdale real-estate agency Gary May Group has lots of de-cluttering ideas for all your household rooms.  Stay tuned for more!

Refurbishing your Kitchen and Bathroom to Add Value to Your Home

The way current market conditions are today, it’s a good idea to think about adding value to your home in order to get the best price possible.  Two of the major selling points to a home are the kitchen and the bathrooms.  These would be the best place to add value and make your home shine, and maximize your potential sales price of your home.

Many people feel that they need to replace their cabinetry entirely in order to make a kitchen look new.  This is not the case at all.  All you need is a little paint, and some imagination.  The first step is to decide the color palette for your kitchen.  You can create a three-dimensional effect on your plain cabinet doors by taping off a 2 or 3 inch border and painting primary color on the inside and secondary color on the outside.  Always use the lighter color to paint the inside of the cabinets.  Next, change the hardware.  Choose something modern and shiny. Knobs are an inexpensive addition and can really change the entire décor of your cabinets.  After you’ve completed your cabinetry, move on to the kitchen table and window treatments.  Find fabric that matches the color palette you’ve chosen for your cabinets.  A simple table cloth and a few curtains are sure to add an updated look to your kitchen.  Finally, the walls will need some painting.  Stick with the same color palette, using the lighter color to accent the walls.  Don’t worry about your kitchen counters.  Less attention will be spent on the counters if you add color to your walls, cabinets, and windows.  Just be sure your counters are clean.

Next is your bathroom.  Again, it is truly amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do.  Repaint the bathroom by choosing a color that represents serenity.  Blues, cream colors and yellow’s are always nice additions.  Keep your towels and rugs fresh and new.  Coordinate these items to match your paint.  If you have a window in your bathroom, add a matching curtain.  Choose accessories that freshen up the entire look of the bathroom.  Wicker or metal is always a safe bet.  Also adding a plant or antique picture can liven the bathroom.  Clean any toothbrush holders, cups and soap dishes.  Free them of toothpaste or soap scum; give them a new appearance.

Making just a few changes to your kitchen or bathroom can make all the difference in your home.  When it comes time to sell, your buyer’s will notice and it could quite possibly make all the difference in your price!

Eliminating Coffee Table Clutter

Some of the most lived in rooms of your house are your entertaining rooms.  These areas includes your family and living rooms and they can accumulate clutter quickly, particularly the coffee table.  Here are some quick tips to help keep the coffee table presentable and clean.

A coffee table is an ideal place to store and organize various items throughout the room such as the remote control or magazines.  Utilizing the shelving on most coffee tables will definitely help to keep the things looking less cluttered.  Stacking magazines underneath neatly, so they are slightly visible, yet almost out of sight is a good start.  Next, purchase a small decorative basket to store your remotes inside.  The basket can be kept on top of the table or on a shelf just below the surface.  If all the remotes are kept inside the basket, it also prevents them from being lost.

 If your coffee table has drawers, this is a good place to store games, pens/pencils, CD’s, DVD’s, and various other items that tend to accumulate throughout the room.  It’s even a good idea to keep coasters in the drawers so they are ready available when guests are around and you offer drinks.

 Large, untraditional coffee tables often have larger storage inside, and these are good for storing linens, larger games, blankets, pillows and even photo albums.

 Keep as little as possible on the tops of coffee tables.  A traditional candy bowl or candle is always nicest.  Sometimes even a family photo set on the coffee table  can bring a smile to your room and keep the focus off of clutter.

For more great household tips, contact the Gary May Group.  We have wonderful ideas to keep your home looking neat and presentable without spending hours cleaning

I was at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee last weekend and while I had a blast, I really missed the air conditioner. It was so hot that some people were abandoning their tents to sleep in their air-conditioned cars.

Since the AC was on my mind when I got back to work last week, I was surprised to see a request from the Environmental Protection Agency asking Gov Gab to clear up some confusion about the agency’s new air conditioner manufacturing regulations. It seems that many people think they have to replace their air conditioners now, but that’s not the case.

This year the EPA banned the use of the R-22 refrigerant in the manufacturing of air conditioners. Because R-22 depletes the Earth’s ozone layer, EPA is gradually reducing amounts of that chemical that can be produced. But to preserve the useful life of R-22 equipment people have already purchased, EPA allows R-22 to be used to service existing air conditioners.

If you have an air conditioner that uses R-22 you don’t have to replace it now and you can get it repaired if it has problems. The EPA does recommend that if you need major repairs you think about replacing it with an ENERGY STAR air conditioner or use an alternative coolant that doesn’t harm the ozone layer. As the EPA phases out the R-22 chemical over the next decade, the price will go up, and by 2020 there will be very little R-22 left.

What do you think of the new EPA R-22 regulation?

www.usa.gov

Eco Friendly Advice for Healthy Lawns and Greenscapes

Beautiful lawns are a big part of summer, but the average lawn can eat up your free time and cost a bundle to maintain. Going with eco-friendly methods can actually save you time and money, and help the environment.

A thick, full lawn reduces soil erosion, filters contaminants from rainwater and absorbs airborne pollutants like dust and soot. Grass is also great at converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. The following are tips suggested by the EPA to help homeowners have yards that are not only beautiful and environmentally friendly but easier to maintain.

· To keep your lawn looking its best set your mower height to three inches. Longer grass has more leaf surface which enables the grass to take in more sunlight and develop a deeper root system, making your lawn more drought and insect resistant. It also helps crowd out weeds and prevents new weeds from emerging. Longer grass also helps soil retain moisture and cuts down on the need to water, which gives your water bill a break. Mow often, but never cut more than a third of the length.· According to a 2004 survey by the National Gardening Association, 66 million U.S. households used chemical pesticides and/or fertilizers on their lawns and gardens. But letting grass clippings decompose naturally on your lawn can reduce the need for these products. In addition to saving you money, it also eliminates the need to bag up the grass clippings so you’re done your weekly ritual sooner. Grass clippings are about 90 percent water, will decompose quickly and provide nourishment back to the soil. They save landfill space too. Between 20 and 40 percent of landfill space is taken up by yard waste. · Keeping your yard healthy requires good preventative care, starting with the soil. Lawns grow best in an intermediate soil that is a mix of clay, sand and silt. You can always improve the quality of any type of soil by fertilizing. But instead of chemicals, add organic matter like compost, manure or grass clippings to the soil for nourishment. If your soil is hard, compacted or has a heavy clay presence, you may want to loosen or aerate the soil to allow water and nutrients to reach the grass and plant root systems.

· Consider reducing the size of your lawn by greenscaping. Greenscaping makes use of native plant species as ground cover and provides a landscape that is more similar to natural habitats. Going natural can also reduce the need for chemicals, cut maintenance time and costs while still providing a beautiful yard and positive benefits for the environment.

· Planning your greenscape can be creative and fun. For example, consider planting a wildflower meadow or use native perennials to provide color and ground cover near trees, patios and fences. Consider allowing part of your lawn to revert to woods (occasional management to control invasive exotic plants might be necessary until the woodland matures).

· Choose plants that are native to your region of the country. Your local nursery or county agricultural extension office can help you identify plants that will flourish in your area. Native plants require far less fertilization and are more resistant to insects, reducing the need for pesticides.

www.usa.gov

Barbecue Food Safety

You know summertime is approaching when your local grocery store begins stocking an aisle with bags of charcoal briquettes, lighter fluid, barbecuing utensils and other grilling paraphernalia. Summer barbecuing is a favorite tradition with most Americans. I personally like barbecuing season, because I know that I will get a little break from cooking when my husband takes over as chief preparer of all things meat.

Over the years, my husband has become quite skillful with the grill. He uses dry rubs, marinades, and will occasionally smoke meat and poultry. He makes wonderful steaks, pork chops, barbecued ribs and chicken, but my favorite has got to be his smoked salmon. I have taken his salmon to parties and it is always the first thing to disappear from the table.

With any kind of food preparation, there are some basic guidelines for handling food safely, but this is particularly important during the summer. Did you know foodborne illness peaks in the summer? Bacteria that can contaminate food grow faster in warmer temperatures. In addition, during summer people are doing more things like barbecuing, picnics, and camping where refrigeration and washing facilities may not be available.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has put together these fact sheets on Barbecue and Food Safety and Handling Food Safely on the Road. Foodborne illness isn’t the only danger that needs to be considered when it comes to preparing food on a grill. When cooking with open flame, fire safety needs to be considered. Here are some safety tips for barbecuing.

While you are enjoying your own grilling efforts, you should consider checking out some of the cook off and barbecue competitions in your area. Go to your preferred search engine and search on “barbecue cook off” or “barbecue competition” and type your state name. Here in Texas, as you can imagine, we have quite a few barbecuing contests.

Have a good time with your grills and if you have any great recipes, feel free to drop me a line.

www.USA.gov

The Most Important Room in the House-Tips for Selling

The most important room in your home is by far the kitchen.  This is a major selling point in most real estate transactions.  Here are some things you can do to prepare your kitchen appropriately before the prospective buyer steps foot in the house.

*Take everything off the counters.  Too much clutter makes a counter look small and disorganized.  Put things in drawers or cabinets.  If you don’t have room, store them in a box separately, out of sight.

* Don’t overload your cabinets and drawers. Organize them neatly.  Buyers will look through your cabinets and drawers to see what kind of space is available. Try to create as much empty space as possible so it looks like there is more places for storage.

* Get rid of the junk drawer.  It’s an eye sore and no one needs to see your scattered items thrown into one messy spot.

*Clean out the refrigerator.  Wipe down dreadful looking stains from shelves, put vegetables and fruit in storage bins of the fridge, and stack things neatly throughout both the freezer and the refrigerator.

*Clean out the pantry as well.  Cans with cans, boxed items with boxed items, create organization, and make it look roomy.  Wipe crumbs off shelves and sweep the pantry floor also.

*Beneath your sink is very important. Keep cleaning supplies to a minimum and scrub anything off shelf that looks sticky, wet or just plain ugly. 

*If you have time, add some fresh flowers or candles to your kitchen table or counter.  It makes the room look brighter and cheerier, and creates a positive atmosphere for your potential buyers.

The Gary May Group can walk you through the staging process.  Contact us today for more information.

Pool and Spa Safety

When I was a little kid I can remember my mom warning me not to swim too close to the drains in pools and not to put my head under the water in hot tubs. She was concerned that my ponytail would get caught and I would drown.

I always thought that was a little morbid. I was just a kid and wanted to have fun.

But my mom had reason to be concerned. The Consumer Product Safety Commission launched the Pool Safely campaign earlier this week in response to the number of injuries and deaths from submersions and entrapments in pools and spas.

The commission released some scary statistics:

From 2005-2007, for children younger than 15, there was an average of 385 drownings in pools and spas each year.

74 percent of those fatalities happened at a home and not in a public pool.

The new campaign will help educate people about the simple steps they can take to make sure their kids stay safe around the water.

Tips include:

• Make sure drain covers meet compliance standards
• Install fences with self-latching gates around pools to keep children from falling in
• Don’t let kids swim unsupervised.
• Learn CPR to be prepared

www.USA.gov