The Power of Paint from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives … Read more... “The Power of Paint” The post The Power of Paint appeared first on Living Magazine ..read more

Enhanced Environment from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives By Audrey Sellers Do you have a spare room at your house that you’re tired of using as a dumping ground for odds and ends? Maybe your teen has flown the nest, or you’ve moved into a bigger home with more living space. Whatever your situation, if you have an unused room, you can make it functional and beautiful for your family. Read on for some ideas to make the most of your space and enhance your home’s environment. Make a Guest Bedroom Wouldn’t it be nice to have a designated room ready to go for overn ..read more

A Happy HVAC from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives By Pete Alfano One of the more reassuring sounds any homeowner can hear is the furnace heating up to provide warmth for those frigid winter nights and the air conditioning units humming along to keep us cool during those triple-digit summer days. But as important as the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system — better known as HVAC — is to our comfort and well-being, too often it is not given enough attention when buying or maintaining a house. Most HVAC heating and cooling systems are in an attic, and ..read more

Tool Tips from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives Courtesy of Family Features Whether you’re a new homeowner ready to tackle the landscaping for the first time or a seasoned gardener looking to do some updating, when it comes to gardening, you simply need the right tools to do the job well. Consider these tips when purchasing essentials for your tool shed. Shovel: A shovel with a pointed blade is a good all-around choice for digging, mixing, and moving soil. Conversely, a flat-bladed shovel should be used for “cutting” tasks such as straight-side trenches and edg ..read more

Flooring Faves from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives As we enter a new season, it’s time to explore popular flooring options that promise to elevate your spaces with charm and refinement. From timeless classics to innovative newcomers, these flooring choices are making waves in the realms of style and comfort. Luxurious Hardwood Nothing exudes eternal elegance quite like hardwood flooring. A perennial favorite, hardwood floors are the epitome of sophistication and add a touch of warmth to any room. Whether you opt for the rich tones of oak, the classic beauty of ..read more

Renovation Ready from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives By Cheryl Alexander Before taking on your next home remodeling project, it’s a good idea to get your ducks in a row by doing some essential preliminary work. First, determine whether you’ll need a professional or not. If you do, then research the professionals you’ll want to hire. Then consider that not all renovations are equal. Many projects make for a better return on investment (ROI) when it’s time to sell. Lean on the side of neutrality so that house hunters will clearly visualize their own personaliti ..read more

Pondering A New Fence? from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives By Cheryl Alexander Fences have always been the best way to ensure privacy and deter unwanted visitors. Whether you’re making sure pets stay in the yard or keeping the neighborhood children out of your flowerbeds, there’s a fence for you. First, check with your local zoning office and homeowner’s association to take the correct preliminary steps. Once you’ve received approvals, the next step is selecting the right fence material. Hire a professional to install your new fence for the best results. Wood ..read more

A Roof Over Your Head from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives By Pete Alfano Homeowners in Texas know what the long, hot, and dry summers can do to their houses’ foundations. Cracks and shifts can result in thousands of dollars in repairs. But how often do homeowners look up and consider the condition of that other essential structure — the roof? A damaged, neglected, and aging roof can also put a serious dent in your finances. A new roof can last 20 years or more, but it is not maintenance-free. The blistering hot summers in Texas can cause shingles to shrink or ..read more

Elevate Your Garden from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives By Adam Russell Spring planting is right around the corner, and now is an ideal time to start planning a vegetable garden. Growing vegetables and fruits is healthy, fun, and an innately gratifying way to help you connect with nature. Plus, research suggests that gardening routines like watering, weeding, and harvesting help ease stress, promote relaxation, and can positively impact depression and anxiety. Easy Raised Planter Box Gardening There’s nothing quite like using your very own just-picked pro ..read more

How To Plant Fruit Trees from Living Magazine - inspiring communities to live their best lives By Adam Russell Establishing fruit trees in Texas takes effort, but these time-tested tips from a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert can guide the way. Larry Stein, Ph.D., professor and Regents Fellow in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences and AgriLife Extension fruit specialist, Uvalde, says planning now will help homeowners choose the right tree and take the correct steps to establish and care for it through the first critical years of its life. Timing is Everything ..read more