Displaying items by tag: licensed

The basement at my mamaw's house in Virginia has that smell. Immediately after cracking open the door, you’re hit with a whiff of pure, unadulterated basement. It’s a specific scent a lot of basements seem to share, along with (in my mind, at least) scenes of cement, plywood, and exposed pipes. This aesthetic many of us associate with basements isn’t exactly flattering, but the potential is beautiful!

Our experts have curated a tone of basement images over the years. Here, we gaze upon the sort of things that give me flashbacks to my mamaw's basement: electric meters, bricks, cement, various cylinders and machines I can’t identify. Ahead, our designers share 4 reasons to love the subterranean house feature, musty stench and all!

When it comes to winter roof leaks, sometimes it isn't what you think!

We are 100% guilty of finding ourselves drowning in so many kitchen gadgets that we think we may use someday - but only a fraction of them actually get used. From the surplus of baking dishes for every kind of treat you can imagine to odd appliances and just way too many things taking up space....UHG!

In the name of a fresh year, we are decluttering! We made a list of all the things we got rid of in hopes it may help you ditch some of the clutter as well!

From working out paint colors for various rooms and lighting options to where to place furniture – there are so many design elements to consider when customizing your home's look. That’s where our interior designer’s tips become invaluable.

Whether you’re renovating an entire house or just sprucing up a space, these helpful pointers are not to be missed. Our designers share tips and secrets for transforming homes like a professional.

With all the beautiful interiors seen on TV shows, featured in home design magazines and posted across Pinterest, it’s no wonder home remodeling is such a hot topic among today’s homeowners. Honestly, who wouldn’t want their house to look like Chip and Joanna’s?!


Odds are, if you’re really committed to the idea of remodeling your home, you’ve probably already looked into the process and maybe have even met with a few contractors for estimates. While it can be tempting to go all-in with the first contractor that offers you an affordable quote, the old cliché “you get what you pay for” is important to keep in mind. It’s a sad reality that many clients come to us after being ripped-off or left high-and-dry by another contractor who made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Prices might vary somewhat between remodeling contractors, but if someone quotes you a price that is thousands of dollars less than the others, it’s likely too good to be true! 

Here are the red flags to be aware of when it comes to “affordable” remodeling...

Looks can be deceiving. For instance, there are few things as lovely as icicles hanging from roof eaves and gutters. In some regions, they dangle for months, like crystal jewels, sparkling in the sunshine. And yet, in many cases, they signal that the roof may have a problem with ice dams that needs attention before water seeps into the house.

Ice dams — literal dams made of ice — usually form at eaves and gutters and prevent snow- and ice-melt from leaving the roof. They’re often caused by a temperature imbalance in the attic. As heat rises in the house and makes its way into the attic, the upper portion of the roof may warm faster than the lower portion at the eaves. If the upper portion becomes warm enough to melt snow (above 32°F) while the lower portion remains below 32°F, snow will melt, flow down the roof, and refreeze before it can flow off the edge. This can also be compounded by naturally rising ambient temperatures during the day and falling temperatures at night. What results is a dam, which will hold the remaining water, snow, and ice on the roof.

Country chic living’s come a long way since Eva Gabor landed on Green Acres from life in a glamorous city. In fact, we bet you’ve seen elements of modern farmhouse interior design popping up on inspiration feeds and in local restaurants and pubs as the movements blend of rustic and sleek looks so right for today.

If you’re looking to add a sense of warmth, personality, and character with a hint of minimalism, here are great, tried-and-true interior design practices to add even just a touch of farmhouse interior design with a modern approach throughout your home.  

Have you ever found yourself on Pinterest or watching home decor and fixer-upper shows and suddenly felt inspired to update your own home? The reality sets in that you’ve got a modest budget to work with and need home decorating ideas that you can manage with your budget.

Sure, it’s easy to find yourself drooling over the beautiful scenes of redecorated homes or inspiring home makeover shows. Not just that, you then discover that the decorative items used might not be the best for any cheap decorating ideas, because they look like they are worth thousands of dollars, and far above your typical budget for a home makeover. Fortunately, it’s possible to give your home the look it needs to look and feel luxurious even with little budget to work with.

With a little bit of guidance from our designers, we hope this guide will be sure to address all that.

Read on to discover the best tips and tricks that are certain to help you transform your space with inspiring home decorating ideas. 

Water damage or water disasters can be devastating. Property owners whose homes have been impacted by a disaster like this, whether due to flooding, water leaks, plumbing problems, or others, need to take a proactive step as soon as the problem is noticed.

Surely, water damage is a disruptor, however, many property owners are interested in knowing when they can reoccupy their homes or businesses.

To answer the question of how long a water damage restoration process takes, one has to first understand what water damage restoration is.

Often overlooked as a major architectural feature, the style of roof types and materials you add to your home can make all the difference, both visually and structurally, and roof styles can also have a dramatic impact on property value to boot. Whether you’re looking for new construction inspiration or are on the market to update your existing roof, we’re looking at the best roof types that will add value to your home while helping you to better communicate your home’s look and feel. And while roof preparation and construction are always important, the roof style and material you choose can help upgrade the exterior of your property in game-changing style.

To make the selection process easier for you, our designers weigh in on the best roof styles that are sure to never feel outdated. From a hip roof to a gable roof, here are all of the essential options broken down by style, including affordable roofing ideas for you to consider. There is a broad range of roof types when it comes to considering the right roof for your home and that not every roof style is ideal for our Indiana climate or how your home sits on your property in terms of sunlight and wind.