2017 Fall Home Maintenance Guide

Another summer has come and gone now that fall has officially begun. The start of the new season brings with it cooler temperatures, a new school year, the return of football, and hopefully some beautiful fall foliage to admire. It also marks a good time to tackle some home maintenance projects. Keep reading for some ideas on what tasks you should add to your to do list.

 

Set up a Homework Station

School is back in session. To make life easier on both the school-goers and yourself set up a space that can be a designated homework station. Find an area with a large work surface and keep it stocked with the necessary supplies, such as pencils, paper, calculators, arts and crafts supplies, or anything else your students often find themselves needing. This could also be a good spot to corral backpacks and other school items to help prevent those frantic early morning searches or forgotten items.

 

 

Add Attic Insulation

A common concern most homeowners have when approaching a home renovation project is how much return on investment they will receive. Achieving a high level of return can be a challenge, but there is one project that consistently has a close to or greater than 100% return rate: attic insulation. While not the most visually appealing of projects, the effects of new or added attic insulation are well worth it. Not only is there a high return on investment but there should also be a quick effect on your heating and cooling bill. Get the new insulation done in the fall and it should hopefully require less heat to keep your home warm come winter.

 

Freshen Up Guest Rooms

The holiday season will soon be here. If you’re planning on hosting overnight guests in the near future then spend some time freshening up the guest rooms. Even if you’re not planning to host guests it wouldn’t hurt to give some extra care to these rooms that likely don’t see much attention. Open windows for a few hours to let some fresh air in. Wash all the bedding and towels or consider replacing them depending on their condition and age. Changing out the décor or moving furniture around can also help add new life into the room.

General Fall Maintenance Items

There are a few general maintenance tasks to perform in the fall. First, clean out your gutters. Proper exterior drainage around the home is essential to help avoid other more damaging problems. Plus, with leaves about to start falling you’ll want your gutters prepared to handle the additional load. While you’re outside make sure your exterior lighting is up to par. The days are getting shorter and you don’t want to come home to a dark house. Also, consider beginning the process of storing any exposed outdoor furniture. Inside the home make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Finally, give your heater a test run to make sure it works and to clear out all the dust.

Deep Clean Bathrooms

Cleaning bathrooms is a necessary evil. We’re pretty sure most, if not all, do not enjoy this task. But that’s no excuse to ignore it. Given the mess that can build up in the bathroom, an occasional intensive deep clean is a good thing to do. Break out the rubber gloves, sponges, and bleach and get to scrubbing. Wash or replace the shower curtain and liner if you have them, wipe down the walls and baseboards, and mop the floors. Finish it off with some air freshener, a candle, or a few hours of fresh air by opening a window if possible. Or just hire a professional cleaning service instead.

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Update Older Furniture

Chances are as the temperature drops you’ll be spending more time indoors. If you have old or uncomfortable furniture you may not be looking forward to that idea. Furniture is an investment, so if you need to replace any try to do just a few pieces at a time. Don’t rush the process. Find pieces that you like and are comfortable. For the pricier pieces that you plan to keep for many years pick a neutral color or style. Change out less expensive things like pillows, bedding, or décor when styles change instead. And even if you’re not replacing any furniture pieces you could still consider swapping out a few of these accessory items to keep things fresh.

 

Open Windows

One of the nice things about fall is the e pleasant temperatures. Hopefully you’ll get some in between time when you won’t have to run either your AC or heater. Try to find some time during one of these days to open windows and let some fresh air in. The fresh air will help refresh your house and chase away any lingering stuffiness. Bonus points if you can also do this at the same time you test run the heater. The house still may not smell quite as pleasant afterwards but it will be not quite as bad than if you weren’t able to open any windows during the test run.

 

 

 

Prepare for Cold and Flu Season

One of the not quite so pleasant parts about fall is the prevalence of illnesses, namely colds and flu. Prepare early by stocking your home with plenty of soap for hand washing, disinfecting cleaning supplies, tissues, and any other supplies that will aid in your quest to stay healthy. You might also want to stock up on food items like canned soup or crackers that have a longer shelf life so that you’re ready should illness strike.

Key Residential Has Gone to the Dogs

Over the years we’ve had the pleasure of working on projects that are home to some rather adorable dogs. And while we wouldn’t recommend planning any remodels solely around the needs of a pet it’s hard to not consider their needs and what might make their lives a bit easier. Take a look at a few of the projects we’ve done and find out about some of the features that the dogs that call those projects home like best.

This long and lanky dog seems to really enjoy stretching out and relaxing on the floor. We’ll bet it has something to do with the pleasant coolness of the stained concrete flooring and the relief it can provide in the hot Texas weather. The minimalist and open design of this modern house makes it an easy place for this dog to roam around. Plus, the plethora of windows means plenty of opportunities to keep an eye on what’s going on outside.

The owners of this Dallas home wanted to create a house that was reminiscent of a French country home. Their dog looks like he would fit right in with that French countryside image. He has his own little dog room that has quick access to the backyard and a half door for access to the main home so that he can feel part of the family even when he is confined to his room. We'd also like to think he enjoys the very detailed style of the home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two fluffy balls of fur who call this 1929 Tudor style house their home look as comfortable as can be in their newly remodeled living room. While some of the new features, such as the custom designed built in bookcases or many high end art pieces, are likely not of much use to the dogs there are definitely other features of the remodel that they can enjoy. The new larger windows give them easier access to survey and guard their property. They even have a custom designed pocket doggy door so that they can be corralled in style.

This golden retriever looks like the perfect family pet and seems a good fit for the traditional design of this remodeled home. The hardwood and tiled floors throughout the home likely help keep him cool beneath all the fur. The remodeled office of this house is also home to some comfortable furniture which will make it even easier for this dog to keep its owners company while they are busy working.

While this blog post is mainly devoted to the dogs we’ve had the chance to get to know through our remodels it would seem a shame to not include the other four legged and furry creature that is a popular pet. So here’s a bonus feature on one of the cats we’ve had the chance to work with. This cat’s home is one of Key Residential’s custom home builds. There are plenty of comfy beds throughout the house for it to rest on, as well as built in window seats in the breakfast room and master bedroom. An open stairway to the second floor and tall ceilings give the cat plenty of places to survey its territory.

Project Spotlight: New Addition, Porch, and Pool Adds A Closer Connection Between Indoor and Outdoor Living in Dallas

If you’ve been keeping up with our blog then you’ve had the chance to watch this Dallas addition and outdoor living remodel come together piece by piece. If you haven’t then we recommend going back to read more about the step by step construction process of this project, or at the very least take a few minutes to look at some of the photos to see all the changes. We’re excited to finally unveil the finished project, complete with stunning after photos from LAIR Architectural + Interior Photography. Read on to learn some more about all the features of this project and how it came together. And, of course, enjoy some of the fabulous photos.

 

In approaching the project, the homeowner’s desired two things: more general living space in their small cottage style house and a backyard that provided more entertainment options and promoted an easy transition between the indoors and outdoors. Their solution was adding a family room addition that would connect to a new adjacent backyard patio and pool. However, the existing backyard was not very large. The smaller amount of available space in the backyard required smart planning to fully maximize every square inch of space and led to some unique and fun design decisions.

Originally a door in the open floor plan kitchen and living area served as entrance to the home’s backyard and was directly across from a carport located at the rear of the backyard. Adding the addition to this area made the most sense and required the least amount of reworking to the existing home to accommodate and access the new room. Plus, it would allow the carport in the backyard to be accessible without having to go outside, a benefit the homeowners will certainly enjoy on days when Texas is experiencing some of its more temperamental weather.

The backdoor doorway was expanded to create a large door frame that will allow an open flow between the existing house and the new family room. The existing house is on a raised foundation while the new family room would be at ground level to better connect with the outdoor patio and pool. Floating stairs with under step LED lights allow for the height transition between the two areas. A large built in bookcase shares the back wall with the floating stairs. The deep blue walls at the back of the bookcase match the blue cabinets in the kitchen. Undershelf LED lights illuminate the bookcase and make it a standout feature of the room, especially at night.

On the opposite wall is an unvented gas fireplace. Round blue mosaic tiles surround the fireplace. White grout was originally used but did not compliment the tile. The grout was then hand stained to give it a blue tint, a small but effective change that helps to blend the tile. The hearth and mantle feature a quartz surround and extend to the side in front of the dummy door that matches the door on the opposite side of the fireplace that opens to the carport. The doors feature a large panel of glass to better allow natural light into the room. Long narrow windows on the side wall further contribute to adding natural light to the room. The size and location of the windows high on the wall was strategically planned so that there would not be a view of the property line fence outside the room.

The room capitalizes on the homeowners’ unique design style that blends rustic country with modern contemporary elements. The built in features, such as the bookcase and fireplace, feature clean, sharp lines that are common with contemporary design. The architectural chandelier also brings a modern feel to the room. However, the brass finishes throughout bring a more rustic vibe to the room. Further, the pendant style lights that overhang the carport door and matching dummy door feature a design common to rustic country design.

Sliding panel doors open to the new patio addition. The large glass panes and six foot opening provided by the doors gives greater connection between the inside and outside. Matching doors were also installed on the other side of the patio in the master bedroom for additional access. A small elevated Trex deck with built in stairs and bench transitions the height difference between the master bedroom and lower patio. The patio features large set tile flooring that matches the flooring in the adjacent family room addition, further promoting the easy transition between the indoors and outdoors. A small firepit was built into the patio in place of one piece of the tile. When not in use the firepit can be covered with an extra piece of the tile.

The pool was designed by Randy Angell with Pool Environments. While small, it does not skimp on amenities or style. It features an extended wet deck area and an offset submerged seating area. Concrete pavers provide separation between the seating area and the rest of the pool. A sharp green architectural wall feature and plant bed frame the back wall of the pool and provide a more visibly pleasing backdrop than the new fence.

 

Scroll through a few more photos from this project below.

What is Your Bathroom Style?

While the bathroom might not be the most glamorous of topics to discuss, it certainly does not lack an ability to be glamourous in its style. And when it comes to style options for the bathroom, there are a wide range of options depending on how your tastes run. In fact, the bathroom is one of the rooms that allows for the most options with design and style. From selecting cabinets, countertops, flooring, and plumbing fixtures, there are a plethora of decisions to be made that can influence the style of your bathroom. Check out a few of the more popular styles below and see how we at Key Residential have incorporated some of those styles into our own projects.

For many years traditional style has been the go-to favorite for bathrooms. While recent years has seen popular opinion slowly shifting away from traditional style, it remains a classic and polished look for the bathroom. The traditional styled bath will likely not incorporate many new-age styled design options. Instead it basks in the comfort of the tried and true staples that give the room an established and comforting feel. They will likely feature vanities with shaker style cabinets either in a wood stain or neutral paint color that still shows the grain of the wood. Stone countertops, such as granite or marble, are strong staples in a traditional styled bath. Plumbing fixtures will likely be the classic white and hardware will be a metallic material.

On the opposite side of the spectrum from traditional is modern. Modern style can be hard to define in specifics because it encompasses such a wide range of eclectic options. Overall, modern style incorporates a look of minimalism through the use of clean, sleek lines and glossy finishes. Typically with modern design there will be a specific stand out element. This could range from an architectural feature to tile color or unique shape or to a stand out tub or vanity. Modern style is not afraid of the new, and so things like floating vanities, trough sinks, and integrating technology are often embraced.

 

Contemporary style can sometimes be seen as a medium between traditional and modern style. It tends to rely on the clean and simple lines often seen in modern style but in turn it incorporates some of the more comforting features of traditional style like wood finishes. Contemporary style isn’t afraid to play around a little with unique features, such as with colors or plumbing fixtures. But it grounds those special touches by surrounding them with more common staples. Things you might see in a contemporary bath are flat paneled wood vanities with a vessel sink or perhaps a shower with a unique tile pattern design.

 

Rustic is one of those styles where you can either fully commit by using it throughout your entire bathroom or you can pick and choose a few pieces that really exude country charm and pair them with elements of another less distinctive style. These bathrooms often feature a lot of wood details and have an aged or well lived in appearance. Clawfoot tubs are a popular feature of country/rustic bathrooms. Vanities often have the design of a furniture piece if they were not repurposed from an old piece of furniture already. Antiques make for great decorations in these bathrooms.

Top Trends in Outdoor Living

The popularity of outdoor living has been on the rise in recent years. As more people are looking for ways to spend increasing time outside without having to leave the comfort of their own homes. And can we really blame them? Now that we’re in the heart of summer coming home to a shaded patio, refreshing pool, or a home cooked barbeque seems like the perfect way to end the long work day or to enjoy a relaxing weekend. Regardless of whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small confined space, there are plenty of ways to upgrade your home so that you can have an easy excuse to spend more time in the refreshing outdoors. Need some ideas? Check out a few of these current popular trends.

 

Easy Transition from Indoor to Outdoor

With how much people love getting outdoors these days, it shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the current top trends is to make the indoor to outdoor transition as easy as possible. Luckily innovations in the door industry has made this a manageable goal. Look for doors that either provide a large opening, have a lot of window space, or even accomplish both. French style doors have long been popular, but some newer options that are gaining traction are things like sliding doors or stackable doors. These doors can be opened to allow for large openings between the outside and inside.

Maximize Space

A large backyard is not required to be able to enjoy outdoor living. Smart planning and use of space can help turn even the smallest of backyards into a personal oasis. Available space will play a factor in what elements of outdoor living can be included (unfortunately things like pools do need a certain amount of space). But patios or outdoor kitchens can more easily be adapted depending on available space. And smaller spaces often mean more money can be invested per square foot.

 

Seamless Integration

Ensuring that outdoor living spaces feel like a natural part of the home is another top trend. Outdoor living spaces are being designed to fit in or complement the existing home and not stand out as a strange eyesore that doesn’t belong. A modern or contemporary design will feel strange when paired with a traditional or country rustic designed home. Using similar if not identical materials to the home itself is another key to achieving this seamlessness. Exterior brick and siding can easily be transitioned for use on outdoor built ins and there are some materials, such as tile, stone, and some woods, that are able to be used both inside and outside.

Fully Equipped Outdoor Kitchens

Grills and smokers are nice, but a fully equipped outdoor kitchen is the way to go if you’re looking to spend a quality amount of time outdoors. Plus it can help cut down on mess and too much back and forth between the inside and out. The less transfer required between your indoor kitchen and outdoor kitchen the better. Some things to consider beyond the standard cooking appliances are a cleanup station, cabinets with plenty of countertop space, and even perhaps a refrigerator or smaller beverage fridge. Unique cooking appliances, such as pizza ovens or deep fryers, are also becoming quite popular.

Protection from the Elements


Summer is likely the first season that comes to mind when thinking of times when an outdoor living area will see the most use. But with the right planning outdoor living could be used year-round. One way to achieve that is to include protection from the elements. Outdoor heaters, fireplaces, or fire pits can make outdoor living spaces more habitable in the winter. Screens or mosquito sprayers can help combat unwanted pests from getting in. And even in the summer, things like outdoor fans or built in shade can help make an outdoor space more habitable.

 

 

 

Minimal Maintenance Materials

Perhaps you have avoided adding an outdoor living space because you just see it as more space to care for. Completely neglecting the care of your outdoor living space is inadvisable, but there are materials that require less care than others, and that is probably one of the key reasons why they are currently so popular. For flooring consider using concrete or stone versus wood. Landscaping that requires less upkeep would be good to consider and you could always add in more hardscaping to cut down on how much greenery you will need to care for.

 

Clever Lighting

Don’t let the lack of natural light force you to retreat inside. Outdoor lighting can help to extend the amount of time you spend outdoors. It is also a clever way to decorate and add some design to your outdoor space. Cafe string lights are a popular choice. Lighting can also be used to either highlight certain architectural features or be a feature all on its own. Color changing pool lights can also be a fun way to liven things up.