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February is Protect & Beautify Your Home Month! Feb 2010
With all the recent winter storms many homeowners are faced with protecting their homes from water damage. We provide a few tips for how to do just that. And, for those cases where you have to repair and paint, we introduce Benjamin Moore's Natura paint line, one of the best eco-friendly paints available. We also update you on upcoming design related events and activities designed to help you beautify your home's interior. We hope you find the information both helpful and insightful as you pursue your home improvement endeavors. And, we wish you a very Happy Valentines Day! |
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Safeguard Your Home from Winter Storms
Given that many areas around the nation have experienced record snow falls this winter, many homeowners are faced with the challenge of preventing water damage in their homes. We highlight a few of the dangers below and solutions for preventing them so that you can get back to enjoying the beauty of the "white stuff" without the worry of how it might impact your home.
Ice Dams:  Ice dams can cause significant damage to your home. They are created by heat rising through your roof, regardless of the amount of insulation, which melts the snow from underneath. The melted water flows down the roof and under the snow, then freezes as it reaches your unheated eaves and overhangs. If you see icicles, that is an indication of this melting-refreezing action. As an ice dam is created, the water builds up behind it. If the dam builds high enough, water will find its way inside and either stain the drywall or show up as a leak.
Ceiling Leaks: Ceiling leaks often appear at drywall edges. Using a tool like a screwdriver, punch a small hole in the drywall and collect the water in a bucket. This simple procedure will contain almost all of the damage. Once the snow is gone, the leaks will stop. The dampness should dry out in a week or so.
Frozen Pipes: If you lose power and the temperature in your home dips, there are some steps you can take to potentially prevent damage to your home when pipes freeze. Often frozen water pipes are found on exterior walls and where the pipes enter the home from ground level. The first thing you'll need to do is turn the water main off to your home. Then, open all of the faucets so that all water is drained out of the pipes. After this is complete, turn off the faucets once again. When power is restored and the temperature in your home rises, turn your water main back on, open your faucets and look for signs of leakage. If some of your pipes have already frozen and you have access to running water from another part of your home, you can wrap hot towels around sections of pipes to melt the water inside or potentially prevent them from freezing further. Another method to thaw frozen pipes is to use a hair dryer if you haven't lost power.
If your home does suffer damage this winter season and you don't know who to call, let us help. We regularly work with highly qualified home improvement professionals in servicing the needs of our clients to include general contractors, painters, flooring specialists and a host of others. Contact us and we'll be happy to refer you to a qualified professional. |
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Lower Your Home's Toxicity with Benjamin Moore's Natura Line
Did you know that indoor air quality is often five times more polluted than what we breathe outside? One of the culprits is VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) or harmful gases that are released by many of the materials we  use in our homes, like: paint; varnishes; glues and adhesives found in furniture, cabinets, and hardwood flooring; backing on carpets; bedding; mattresses; upholstery fabrics; and so many more. One way to help reduce the level of VOCs in your home and improve your overall air quality is by using no VOC paint on your next repair or interior design project.
If your home experiences storm damage this winter and you need to patch and repaint or if you are just looking for an alternative to the highly toxic paint lines, look no further. Benjamin Moore has just the solution with its Natura paint line. Natura premium interior waterborne paint is a zero VOC, virtually odorless formula that doesn't compromise on performance. It dries fast, has excellent adhesion and provides a durable finish with an unlimited color selection. Natura features Benjamin Moore's Green Promise designation, so you can breathe easy knowing that you've used the very best for your environmentally sensitive projects. Although the EPA has issued regulations on VOCs to control indoor air quality, Benjamin Moore has gone beyond the requirements to evaluate and address the total volatile compounds that may impact indoor air quality. And, the best part is that you don't have to compromise aesthetics for wellness as the Natura line offers many colors to choose from.
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Design Events & Announcements |
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Beautify Your Home at the Capital Home & Garden Show
 We invite you to visit the Capital Home & Garden Show February 25-28, 2010 at the Dulles Expo Center in Dulles, VA. Get ideas, investigate new products, gather information and meet the professionals to help you make your next remodeling, renovation, or decorating project a breeze! Decor by Denise is part of a designer panel that will be speaking on Friday, February 26th from 12-1pm. Please stop by and check us out.
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Furnish Your Home at the Washington Design Center Sample Sale!
The Washington Design Center's Sample Sale is the annual luxury sample sale for trade professionals and homeowners. Find inspiration shopping showrooms for furniture, rugs, accessories, gifts and more! The trade has exclusive access to the sample sale on Thursday, February 11 and Friday, February 12 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The sale will open to the public on Saturday, February 13 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission.
For more information, visit The Washington Design Center Website. With the exception of the sample sale, the Design Center only sells to the trade. Therefore, if you find something while you are there that isn't part of the sale, contact us at 703-714-7343 or at info@decorbydenise.com and we'll be happy to help you out. |
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Learn How to Solve Your Design Dilemma in The Washington Post
 Every Thursday The Washington Post publishes its Local Living Section which combines home and garden with community and family news. One of the key features each week is House Calls where area designers solve homeowners' design and decorating dilemmas.
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Organize Your Life with ShelfGenie Solutions
 Decor by Denise is proud to announce our newest addition to our design services, ShelfGenie. ShelfGenie custom designs, builds and installs the remarkable Glide-Out Shelving System in any cabinet in your home. Their innovative shelving solution is custom-built to fit into existing cabinets, resulting in shelves that glide in and out with just the touch of your fingers. With the ShelfGenie system, cabinets are organized; storage is accessible, efficient and clutter-free. Beautiful and highly durable, Glide-Out™ Shelving works in almost every cabinet in the house. And, they have three price-points to suit any budget. Starting in late February, Decor by Denise will be offering ShelfGenie design services.
If you are tired of looking for items under your bathroom vanity, constantly removing items under your kitchen island just so you can get at the items stacked in the back or cannot seem to keep your kitchen cabinets organized, ShelfGenie is for you. Contact us today to setup your in-home consultation and learn how easy and affordable it is to organize your life using ShelfGenie solutions! |
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Denise Willard is a professional interior decorator with over a decade of experience working with clients in the DC metro area. Her work has been showcased in Home & Design Magazine, Washington Home & Garden, The Washingtonian, Elan and The Washington Post.
Denise specializes in creating simple, but elegant transitional and contemporary interiors that are reflective of her clients' personalities and lifestyles. Learn more about Denise and check out her online portfolio at www.DecorbyDenise.com or contact her directly at 703-714-7343.
Custom Color Palettes Space Planning Window Treatments
Fabric & Furnishings Remodeling Green Design
Design Seminars Staging & Redesign Bridal & Gift Registry
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If you are a member of the trade and are interested in participating in our collaborative marketing efforts, please contact Denise at dwillard@decorbydenise.com.
We look forward to hearing from you! | |
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