Check out our December Newsletter!
In life, we can become used to a great-looking kitchen – but as trends and styles evolve, there’s always ways to freshen your kitchen look and make it feel just as cozy as it did the first day you fell in love with it. To do that, these homeowners made the awesome choice of replacing their oak cabinets with a strong duo color design! How Color Contrast Can Make Your Kitchen Sparkle Again
December 2021
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Are You Renovating, Remodeling, Restoring, or Refurbishing? A Homeowner’s Quick Guide on the Differences
A nationwide survey shows that people born between 1965–1980 are more likely to remodel an old home than purchase a new one. You’ve probably had thoughts about buying a fixer-upper as well, whether you’d be a first-time homeowner or looking to expand your real estate assets. But did you know there’s a very specific difference between remodeling an old home versus renovating, restoring, or refurbishing it? Here are a few key differences. ABOUT BUILDING RENOVATIONS When renovating a home, you are typically returning a building to an improved condition without altering the original design very much. This includes replacing and upgrading present components of the property to meet required standards. Renovation projects often are completed to increase the value of buildings and are finished in a shorter period of time with a lower budget than most other projects. Why are renovations cost-effective? When you don’t have to create an entirely different layout for the property, it takes out some of the costs of designing and extra materials for your project. To start planning, pick out the parts of the project you can do yourself and the parts you can’t. Then, hire qualified professionals to complete the necessary aspects. Renovations often include repairs like fixing the light or plumbing fixtures, repairing cracks in the wall, and updating an old ceiling. ABOUT BUILDING REMODELING If you’re remodeling, that means you intend to completely transform the layout and structure
of a building, changing the usage of space. It’s costlier than renovations and may include various services from professionals like architects, plumbers, and electricians. Before you remodel your space, don’t forget to consider your budget, resources, and time — a remodeling project may require much more time than you’d expect, especially when coordinating multiple services. Also, remember that while renovations don’t usually require a permit, remodeling almost always does. ABOUT BUILDING RESTORATION Think of a local historical building — it’s probably undergone a restoration at one point or another. Restorations involve returning a building to its former state rather than being focused on replacing or updating any components. Because restorations aim at achieving authenticity and replication, new utilities such as A/Cs, furnaces, or fire alarms are often installed in a concealed manner. ABOUT BUILDING REFURBISHMENT If you’re planning to improve a home’s sustainability and energy efficiency, you’re likely looking at a building refurbishment project, which includes improving building decor, cleaning, re-equipping, and retrofitting. Like renovation and restoration, refurbishment aims to restore a building to its former state, while improving the building’s overall performance. Thanks for joining us, and we hope these terms help you when you enter your own home construction journey!
BEFORE
They put deep navy on the bottom and a beautiful bright white on top, replacing their cabinet handles with a clean, modern silver look. If strong color contracts ever seem like a scary choice at first, take a look at this attractive remodeling, which could convince anyone to spend extra time in the kitchen. Call us today to see how we can help make your Kitchen Sparkle again!
-Tom Gibson
AFTER
Nothing says Christmas quite like basketball — at least, that’s been the case since 1947. In addition to stockings, eggnog, and general yuletide cheer, each Christmas Day brings about an annual lineup of basketball games featuring the National Basketball Association’s best of the best, and it’s become a time- honored tradition. Merry Hoopsmas! Why Basketball Is a Christmas Staple
But where in the North Pole did this idea come from?
While it’s hard to pinpoint an exact reason, the NBA has hosted Christmas Day games since 1947, when the New York Knicks beat the Providence Steamrollers 89–75. For decades, teams across the league would play their regional rivals on Dec. 25, ensuring the basketball season moved forward and players didn’t have to travel too far from their families. That looks different today. In contrast to the National Football League’s Thanksgiving Day games, where the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys always play, Christmas Day is now reserved for the NBA’s top teams. In many ways, this is a marketing ploy designed to heighten NBA viewership on a day when few other sports host games, and by using their best teams, the NBA can ensure viewers are treated to great games. However, for loyal fans and viewers, the tradition has sparked a few great moments, including the following greatest games, statistics, and achievements — plus a potential record to watch for this year. • Kings of Christmas Day: Since their initial 1947 debut, the New York Knicks have gone on to play the most holiday games of any other NBA team. They have 22 wins and 31 losses, giving them the most losses on Christmas Day. (Until recently, they had the most wins, too, but the Los Angeles Lakers now hold that title.) • Point Pros: This year could be a historic one for the NBA. LeBron James is slated to surpass the late Kobe Bryant for the most points scored on Christmas Day. James just needs 13 points to outpace Bryant when the Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets this year. However, the title for most points scored on a single Christmas Day game goes to Bernard King of the Knicks, who scored 60 points in a 1984 loss to the then-New Jersey Nets. You can catch all five Christmas Day games on ESPN and ABC this Christmas Day!
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4. It’s easy to forget that the air quality in our home isn’t just magically clean! Dust, contaminants, and allergens can easily circulate in your home. Luckily, your furnace filter is your first line of defense — but it won’t clean your home’s air if you don’t replace it often. A dirty filter can even cause expensive utility bills and damage your HVAC equipment. UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH ABOUT FURNACE FILTERS. Furnace filters are designed to trap airborne contaminants to prevent them from entering your heating and cooling system! So, when you forget to change your filter, the delicate components of your heating and cooling equipment suffer. For example, imagine your filter is dirty and clogged. Your HVAC system might continue to run, but air won’t circulate properly. Your system has to expend more energy to operate, and you’ll probably turn up the heat because it’s not working as efficiently. Your equipment is working twice as hard for half the result. Many other problems can occur when furnace filters aren’t changed, including “short-cycling” your HVAC equipment. Dust-heavy filters can cause your equipment to run at a higher temperature, and it might overheat and shut off. Even though it might cool down and start up again, the cycle will continue in the same short bursts, thus “short-cycling.” CHANGE THE FILTER REGULARLY. This varies from home to home. With more people living in the house, especially those with allergies, and a few furry friends, you may want to consider replacing your filter more often. However, a great way to determine how often to change it is to look at what type of filter you have, categorized by thickness: Wait, Why Do I Need to Replace My Furnace Filter? Read This, and You Won’t Forget
For 1–2-inch filters, replace them every 1–3 months.
For 3–4-inch filters, replace them every 6–9 months.
For 5–6-inch filters, replace them every 9–12 months.
If you need more help, try calling your local HVAC professional and get their opinion! They may even give you further information and insights about keeping your home’s air quality healthy.
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www.NHance.com/charlestonwv
(304) 760-9500
5 Easy DIY Tips for a Lovely Holiday Table It’s been a crazy year, so if you’re hosting, you might feel tempted to go all out and make your home as beautiful and cozy as possible. But there’s no need to make your decoration receipts any longer — make your holiday table setting even fancier without spending a ton of money.
NO. 1: PAINTED ORNAMENTS AS SEATING LABELS Who needs boring cardstock seating labels when you can make them out of festive decorations? These days, you can find affordable ornaments anywhere. Use some paint to decorate your ornaments with an elegant white or pearl background, then green and red tinsel and leaves beside your guest’s name or initials. It’ll be a perfect, elegant touch and one they’ll take home to hang on their tree! NO. 2: NAPKINS WITH MINI BELLS You don’t have to be an expert seamstress to buy a packet of small mini bells and attach them to the ends of a colorful cloth napkin! It’ll add a magical, musical touch to any meal. NO. 2: FRESH CRANBERRIES FOR A UNIQUE CENTERPIECE If you found fresh cranberries at the farmers market, why not spend a few dollars extra for another bag or two, rather than an $80 flower arrangement? Fresh cranberries have beautiful greenery that can be easily arranged using mason jars, Epsom salts, and tea lights! Best of all, you can eat or cook with them after the party’s over. NO. 4: SNOWY SALT SHAKERS Alongside your table salt and pepper, get another clear salt shaker (or a couple) and put a mini plastic, snowy evergreen tree into it, and bam! You have an adorable, festive touch to any holiday table. It’s so simple and creative, it’ll be a surefire conversation starter. Celtic Yule Cupcakes Inspired by RecipesForAPaganSoul.weebly.com
NO. 5: A MISTLETOE-TOPPED PARTY FAVOR Creating small wrapped party favors? Instead of a bow, tie a sprig of mistletoe to the gift! It’s a fun holiday touch and easy to find around the holidays at big box and home improvement stores. You can also visit a local tree farm for cuttings! These ideas are super easy, but we know it might not always feel easy to pull off a beautiful holiday party on a dime. However, it’s definitely worth it and can be a lot of fun! We hope you enjoy giving these ideas a try.
TAKE A BREAK
INGREDIENTS
• 2 eggs • 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 tsp baking powder • 1 tbsp milk • 1 1/3 cups raisins • 2 tbsp hot water • 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • Orange zest, to taste
• 2/3 cup sugar • 1 1/4 cups flour
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, butter, vanilla, orange zest, and sugar. 3. Add the flour and baking powder, then fold in the milk and raisins. 4. Grease a cupcake tin before pouring the batter into it.
5. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool. 6. In a small bowl, blend the hot
water and powdered sugar to create the icing.
7. Ice your cupcakes and serve!
(304) 760-9500
www.NHance.com/charlestonwv
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PO Box 282, Winfield, WV 25213 | (304) 760-9500 | www.NHance.com/charlestonwv
INSIDE
1.
Read This Guide Before Buying a Fixer-Upper
2.
Why You Need to Replace Your Furnace Filter Why Basketball Is a Christmas Day Tradition
Is Your Bathroom Ready for the Holidays? 4. A Festive DIY Table Setting 3.
Bring New Life to Your Bathroom for the Holidays Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner! That means company — which means a lot of people will be using your bathroom. Here are some low-budget ideas to freshen it up after a year of lockdown.
BE BOLD
Everyone loves a clean white bathroom, but don’t be afraid to liven things up with a splash of color. An accent wall or a handful of vibrant accessories will make your bathroom stand out.
BRIGHTEN UP
Statement lighting is in. To wow your whole family, select a chandelier that will stand out and draw eyes upward. This is one small change that will see big returns.
GO WILD
Bring life to your bathroom — literally! — with a bit of vegetation. Select plants that both fit your space and bring playfulness and dimension. If you don’t have a green thumb, then try picking colorful, low- maintenance succulents.
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www.NHance.com/charlestonwv
(304) 760-9500
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