List Birmingham - September 2020

Cooking in a beautiful, open kitchen is the dream of homeowners everywhere. Luckily, in 2020, many quarantined kitchen lovers have turned that dream into a reality. There have been a ton of kitchen projects trending on Twitter and Instagram, and if you want that natural and open aesthetic for yourself, try implementing the renovations below. A popular project has been to install more open shelving , and it’s not just because people want organizational space! By using open shelves instead of cabinets, you can make your kitchen feel larger while showing off those beautiful plates and cups! Whether you install a sleek slab of reclaimed wood or an industrial wood and pipe shelf, there are a lot of natural pieces you can use to make your kitchen look like it stepped out of a modernized village home. Pantry remodeling is another popular trend that’s improving the kitchen and adding space. Why does the door to the pantry have to be solid wood? If you want something more lightweight, try using a porch door. The see-through features can make the space more inviting, especially when painted a beautiful, bright color like emerald green or baby blue. Then, upgrade your pantry’s organization with wooden boxes, tall glass jars, and natural-colored containers. Thinking of a bigger project? We’ve got your back. One way to make the soft light in your kitchen stand out is to install dark flooring . Not only can it contrast lighter furnishings and cabinets, but it’ll also flatter your lighting even more! To keep up with the bright, easy-going appearances, try using light reclaimed wood for cabinets. It’s visually textured and healthy for the environment! Furthermore, Carrara marble countertops can add sleekness to your kitchen without drawing attention away from the other beautiful accent pieces in your kitchen. Still looking for more inspiration? Check out the #interiordesign hashtag on your favorite social media site and find your dreamy, movie-perfect kitchen. Looking for Your Next Home Project? THE HOTTEST QUARANTINE KITCHEN REMODELS

5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME’S AIR QUALITY And Protect the Health of Your Family

Many people have been spending more time at home in the past several months, and it’s felt more important than ever to have good indoor air quality. Air pollution isn’t limited to smog visibly affecting the air around us. More often than not, indoor air can be just as polluted, or even more polluted, than outdoor air. Microscopic dust mites, chemicals, and allergens can aggravate your family members’ allergies or asthma. Here’s are some easy ways to improve your home’s air quality and better protect your family today. First, vacuum and mop regularly. We recommend vacuuming twice a week or more. Letting dust accumulate will increase how much dust you breathe in. A vacuum that has both strong suction and a HEPA filter can ensure that dust and dirt won’t be blown back out. Floor mats outside your front and back doors can also really help keep contaminants out! Second, keep the humidity moderate. Too much humidity attracts dust mites and mold. Keeping the humidity in your home around 30%–50% can help keep dust mites and mold under control. Third, test your home for radon. No matter how new your home may be, it’s important to test for this colorless, odorless, and radioactive gas. Radon is one of the top indoor air pollutants, and it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. It occurs from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils and tends to move up through the ground and into the cracks of a home’s foundation. Fourth, pick laundry products and air fresheners that don’t list ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient. The composition of synthetic “fragrances” is considered a trade secret, but most scents are derived from petroleum products. There hasn’t been enough testing done to know how inhaling synthetic fragrances affects us because most current testing focuses on skin irritation. Still, scented products may induce allergy symptoms, so if you have a sensitive family member, stick to unscented products. Fifth, replace your home’s air filters regularly. Talk to an expert about how frequently you should be replacing your filters. This can depend on several factors, such as the number of pets in the household, the size and location of your home, what allergies you may be prone to, and seasonal changes.

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