Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Handyman Matters Kingwood / N. Houston (1)

Handyman Matters Kingwood / N. Houston (1)

Handyman Matters Kingwood / N. Houston Here is one of our videos on how to install Kitchen cabinets - Hope you enjoy it!

Installing kitchen cabinets -- Andy Bell of Handyman Matters shows us how to install base and upper kitchen cabinets. Using standard 30inch base cabinets, he first makes sure the floor is level, and then puts the base cabinets in place. Next he connects the base frames so they look clean and profess

Five savvy bathroom updates for added safety and style

What's old is new again . . . and this is especially true with today's design trends. While everyone loves to have a new look to refresh their homes, design experts report that traditional styling remains the most popular home decor choice in the U.S. -- often featuring detailed, Old World accents and deep, rich colors and finishes.

However, in today's challenging economy, most homeowners don't have the necessary funds to completely renovate their homes. Instead, they are looking to "remodel lite" by adding simple and inexpensive updates to refresh the most frequently used rooms, like the bathroom.

Luckily, you can easily create a new look for your bath with Old World charm and on a budget. With just a few new items - and a bit of elbow grease - your bathroom will be more stylish (and safer) in no time.

Subtle safety. One of the most important (but least thought of) updates you can make in your bathroom is to add bathroom safety accessories. Luckily, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style. In fact, many brands now offer a variety of products, such as grab bars and hand grips in attractive designs and popular finishes, such as Old World Bronze and Brushed Nickel, to coordinate with the rest of your bathroom. And, to help with installation, most allow you to install the decorative bars anywhere on the wall - no stud needed - so they can be placed in the most ideal and aesthetically pleasing locations.  Your local Handyman Matters office can also provide the assistance and expertise needed to renovate and install these items with a minimum of fuss and inconvenience.

Fast fix with fixtures. To get the most enjoyment out of your bathroom, update the parts you touch every day - like your faucets. Retailers offer a wealth of reasonably priced, high-quality and attractive faucets in deep, Old World-inspired finishes, like Oil Rubbed Bronze, to coordinate with the rest of your newly updated bath. Look for water-conserving faucets, so your bath will not only be fashionable - but you’ll be going green, too!.

Sensational showers. Nothing starts or ends your day better than an enjoyable shower, and it's easy to make your experience stellar. Start with a curved shower rod to add additional elbow room and swap your current showerhead for one with a more powerful and enjoyable stream. Be sure to coordinate the finish of both to ensure you keep with the rest of your bath styling. And, for added elements of safety, add tread strips for more secure footing or a quality shower chair.

Storage and space savers. In addition to creating a style statement for your Old Worldbath, bathroom accessories are ideal for creating storage and organization and adding useful space to your bathroom. To pull all your finishes together, add towel bars, towel rings, decorative shelves and robe hooks in an oil rubbed bronze finish to create an easy place to keep towels and robes. And, for a unique new accessory, add towel bar hooks or shower rod hooks. These fixtures help keep everyday items close at hand - yet off the vanity or floor.

Amazing accents. Finally, once you've updated the many "hard" surfaces of your bath, it's time to add the soft elements. Soft, fluffy towels and rugs, along with a beautiful fabric shower curtain create a warm and inviting atmosphere. And, for an added tranquil feel, try placing live - or artificial - plants and flowers throughout the room. Remember, when choosing colors for these accents, feature a mix of both deep shades and neutrals for the perfect balance.

Soon, with minimal budget and effort, your bathroom will be safer and more enjoyable, featuring a new look with beautiful Old World-style your guests will envy. If you are in the Houston area and would like to speak to our Customer Service group, call (281) 358-6666. or to find a Handyman Matters location near you click here - no job is too small for our professional craftsmen!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Friday, January 14, 2011

Some Tips Concerning the Hiring of a Handyman Service

Throughout the current global economic crisis, many home owners have chosen to stay in their existing homes. This really is instead of moving, and upgrading to a larger one. The decrease in the amount of individuals moving, has led to an increase in the amount of renovation, and remodeling being completed on existing homes. Obviously not everyone has got the skill, or the expertise to deal with the job themselves. The employment of somebody who carries out handyman maintenance work is therefore often needed. This is one area which has boomed somewhat over recent years.
As a home owner, there are many jobs to do. It may be a seasonal job like cleaning out the guttering. It might be an old door, or some window frames that require repainting. Regardless of the job, they’re necessary for you to keep your house looking the best. Not every project can be carried out by the average homeowner though. There are any number of jobs around the home that require skills and tools the average homeowner does not posses. Anything that involves plumbing, or electrical work, it is essential to bring in licensed professionals. Check with your local BBB and check references for these professionals.
There are hundreds of handyman repair companies in your town. A number of them will be one man operations, who seldom carry any insurance to protect you, the homeowner, in case of accidents. Often, they will have a criminal background, which is why they work for themselves. These "Chuck-in-a-truck's" will work out of their vehicle, have no office staff and will probably not answer your call because they are working on a project. You may actually find one through a personal reference that is honest, does good work and is reasonable in cost.
Handyman maintenance companies can be the perfect answer if you are an active businessman or woman. If you simply do not have time to carry out urgent work that should be done on your home. Call your local handyman repair business, and also have them complete the job for you personally. The truth that you will find such are many this type of business around today, creates good competition. Competition lowers prices, and increases the quality of the work too. This allows you to leave for work with the satisfaction that whatever work they’re carrying out is being done to a high level. These useful firms will literally undertake any job, small or large. You will often find that after you have used them once, you will employ them again, and again. Most of them may even offer return customer discount should you continue to use their services.
When searching for the best local handyman maintenance company, there are a number of ways to do this. If you have a recommended one fantastic, if you do not, then the easiest way is to use the internet. This gives you ultimate access to all of the companies in your local area. If you don’t have an web connection, then the local directory is the way to go.
If you want to avoid all the hassle of trying to weed through the  hundreds of options, you can always go here to find a highly qualified, ethical, Handyman Matters office nearest you. Or call us at (281) 358-6666 locally to schedule an appointment.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Top 10 home decor trends for 2011


Something old, something new. Something borrowed, something blue. While typically the refrain for most brides, this adage holds equally true for the top home decorating trends for the coming year. Here are the top 10 decor trends for your home from Handyman Matters.

What's old is new again
Whether they're genuine period pieces being repurposed or home furnishings reproduced from popular items from the '50s, '60s or '70s, forecasters as saying that vintage will be hot next year. Examples include chair frames redone in new upholstery, traditional lighting fixtures in newer brass or pewter finishes, or products imported from Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic such as chairs done in old grain sacks, or old carts from factories used for end tables or coffee tables.

A spectrum of colors
Color trends will carry over from 2010 to 2011 with the soothing aqua and green hues that draw their inspiration from the verdigris deposits found on weathered copper statues, design experts predict.  For outdoor furniture and accessories, sassy colors like lime green, bold orange and Caribbean blue will dominate, along with more subdued hues such as sage green, barn red and mocha brown.

The mad, mad world of furniture
Taking a nod from the award-winning AMC series "Mad Men," we will see furniture styles returning to the '50s and '60s with round tapered legs on angles, geometric accents and seating with curved backs. Classic wood pieces made from sentimental stock like fallen trees or scrap wood from ancestral or historic structures will become heirlooms to pass from one generation to the next.

A trend that will stick around
A small change in a room can make a huge difference - and wall coverings make a dramatic, yet cost-effective statement. Repositioned wall murals and paintings make it easy for homeowners, renters and even college students to add a fresh new look to indoor and outdoor walls, floors, doors and windows.  This is a perfect temporary - or long-term - decorating solution for consumers. 

Illuminating insights
As living green becomes more ingrained in our lives, LED lighting will continue to light the way.  For a casual, contemporary twist, hang chandeliers in new areas such as bathrooms, bedrooms and closets, and embrace today's art glass applications, which are much more chic and casual than the Tiffany lamps of the past.

You've gotta have heart
It comes as no surprise that the kitchen remains the heart of the home.  Consumers interested in remodeling their kitchens should consider a well-designed, open, airy layout that integrates the kitchen into the rest of their homes. The trend is toward new countertop materials in lieu of granite, such as quartz stone or binding crushed recyclable glass underneath a solid, smooth surface for those seeking green alternatives.

Underfoot, but not underrated
Designers are now envisioning rich-looking herringbone-patterned hardwood floors in an ebony oak finish, paying attention to board thickness and giving special consideration to products that meet industry LEED requirements. For a green touch, hardwood flooring from reclaimed wood or sustainably grown and harvested sources is a great alternative. To add warmth, add a round rug or two - the bigger, the better.

Things are definitely looking up
Ceilings are now being embellished and noticed more as the "fifth wall," painted or architecturally enhanced to play more of a focal point in a space. Homeowners might also consider a painted metallic ceiling with a large, eye-catching chandelier.

Green continues to be keen
Products and materials such as bronze, copper, clay, cotton, linen and hemp, which are environmentally friendly, contribute to healthy indoor air quality, and can be repurposed or recycled at the end of their lifespan. Using such natural textures as hemp, jute, organic cotton, recycled polyester, bamboo fiber, organic wool and linen, and soy silk will help keep things simple, yet still green.

If you're looking to spruce up your home for the new year, Handyman Matters professionals can help with any project around your home. From painting trip to bathroom remodels, we can fix just about anything in your home. Click here to find a location near you, or call us locally at (281) 358-6666. 


Courtesy of ARAcontent