Archives for May 2020

DIY Garage Cabinet Ideas

May 12, 2020 by cdiez Leave a Comment

During our pandemic times, I constantly am reminded to clean out the garage. However, I just don’t want to. I don’t think it is messy plus I can find everything when I need it. Most of the stuff that I need to find is in the garage refrigerator anyway. However, I am pressured to improve the atmosphere of the garage. With some of this time to work on projects, I guess I will do some garage reorganizing.

Dalia Rotrammel has her own set of ideas on how to create your own DIY garage cabinet.

There are plenty of creative ways to build or install cabinets in your garage. The best thing is that you can do it on your own without having to spend too much. Moreover, you can make your garage storage system more space-efficient by installing top-opening lids or sliding doors. This allows you to access items inside a cabinet without having to move your car out of the garage. It helps if you have a few DIY garage cabinet ideas in mind.

In this post, we’ll discuss a few garage cabinet ideas you can do to make the most of your garage storage and give your garage a facelift.

Some Paint Can Go a Long Way

Paint is a low-cost upgrade that can instantly renew and transform any room. This is a great way to revive a garage on a tight budget. Consider using chalkboard paint and a versatile labeling system. Chalkboard paint is cheap to buy. It can be tinted any color, which allows you to use multiple shades or colors for a custom look or brighten up a dark garage with bright paint.

The Hidden Fold-Down Table

There are many reasons to organize a garage, such as maximizing space. A hidden table can help with this. This type of table can provide a gift-wrapping station, workbench, craft table or gardening bench. You can either build one yourself with some pegboard panels and a shelving unit or buy one at a wholesale store. This is a great way to store supplies and incomplete projects while also having a convenient workspace available whenever you need one.

Wall to Wall Cabinets

If you have a crowded or small garage and don’t want cabinet doors that swing outwards, sliding doors can come in quite handy. You can use basic closet sliders that will conceal the items in your storage shelves. This is a great way to store tools in your garage. It keeps the area neat and tidy while also giving the garage a modern look.

Upscale Garage Cabinet

If you’re working on a tight budget but want your garage to have a more contemporary look, consider a wholesale store. They do have plenty of great cabinets at affordable prices. You can even purchase some of them piece by piece and create your own custom cabinets. This is a great way to improve the look of your garage without spending too much or putting in too much effort.

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Cook Up An Outdoor Kitchen That’ll Make You Want To Cook Out Even More

May 7, 2020 by cdiez Leave a Comment

There’s just something special about dining al fresco. When you eat outside, food just tastes better somehow! Whether you’re at a nice restaurant or hosting a cookout, the atmosphere of fresh air and sunshine (or even better – stars at night!) adds a fun element to just about any meal.

Grilling is great, but you can’t eat hot dogs and hamburgers all the time. What if you could cook outside more often? Well, with an outdoor kitchen, you can. If you set yourself up right, you might wind up liking your outdoor kitchen even more than your indoor cookery! Here are some suggestions for a beautiful, functional kitchen, and a list of must-have items that can take you from shabby backyard hibachi to outdoor cooking paradise.

Just be careful – if you build a dream outdoor kitchen like this, you may become the most popular house in the neighborhood…

Guidelines For A Dream Outdoor Kitchen

Make The Most Of Available Space

Not everyone has a sprawling estate with a bountiful backyard area. That’s ok, though, because there are many kitchen styles that are perfect for smaller spaces. Galley style kitchens and L-shaped kitchen layouts can give you all the cookin’ area you need – even if you’re working with a not-so-huge patio area.

Remember The Work Triangle

The work triangle is a design principle that governs the best layout of a kitchen. You might not be able to follow all the guidelines, but you should at least keep them in mind when deciding where to place your fridge, sink, and cooktop or grill. After all, you don’t want to be bumping elbows and tripping over your feet all the time – where’s the fun in that?

Flatter The Exterior Of The Home

Even though your outdoor kitchen will feel like a completely separate piece of paradise, it is still part of your home. Make sure that your new kitchen adds to the overall look of the home. There’s nothing worse than a funky add-on.

Build With The Right Materials

When it comes time to choose the finishes for your outdoor kitchen, you might be tempted to use all-natural materials like marble or slate. Remember, though – this kitchen has to withstand whatever the elements can throw at it, so not all materials are suitable. Look for materials that are durable AND beautiful so your outdoor kitchen will look great for years to come.

For example, if you want a solid surface with the look of a white marble (and none of the staining issues!), check out Silestone’s Calacatta Gold. It has the look and feel you’re going for but it will withstand the weather (and a spilled drink or two) much better.

Build It For Fun!

If you’ve ever designed or built your main kitchen, you probably put a lot of thought into what would be best for resale value. Will future buyers like this backsplash? Is it better to add a farmhouse sink or a traditional two bowl?

You don’t have to worry about that with your outdoor kitchen. This kitchen is a happy extra – not a necessity – so you can have fun with your choices and throw in little extras. Build it for you and your family so you can enjoy every minute spent in your own backyard.

Must-Haves For Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen (and a few nice-to-haves, too)

Grill

There’s no outdoor kitchen without a way to cook, right? You definitely need a built-in gas grill as the focal point of your new outdoor kitchen. These bad boys range in price greatly so you can easily find one that suits your wants and your needs.

Sink

There’s nothing worse than trying to open the door with sticky hands, so you’ll want to have a sink outside, too. You can go with a traditional stainless steel sink, or spring for something a little nicer like the Blanco Silgranit sinks. They’re heat resistant and scratch resistant and best of all, you couldn’t stain one of them if you tried.

TV

Whether you’ve got friends or family around you, or you’re the lone chef at the grill, it’s fun to watch the game, HGTV, or whatever you’re currently binge-watching while you cook, right? Slap a TV in a covered area and you’ll have entertainment through even the longest BBQ-smoking session.

Speakers

Ok, ok, if you’re not into watching TV, that’s cool, but you’ve gotta have tunes! Install speakers outside or get a portable Bluetooth speaker like this one. With the right app, you can be an outdoor chef AND an instant DJ at the same time.

Bottle Opener

Summer days spent outside aren’t the same without a bubbly beverage. Keep yourself hydrated with your favorite brew, soft drink, or sparkling water – you can open them quickly and easily with a built-in bottle opener, rather than fumble around one that always seems to disappear.

Firepit

Sunny days turn into cooler nights, and you still won’t want to go inside and leave the fun of your dream outdoor kitchen. Add a firepit and you’ll have a great place to sit and chat AND best of all, you can make smores over your open fire, too.

Seating

While we’re on the topic, you need several comfy places to sit. Build in a bartop to your outdoor kitchen and add a row of barstools so you can make conversation while you cook. Put some Adirondack chairs around your new firepit, and of course, dot some lounge chairs nearby, too. Your guests may want to take an after-meal nap after they’ve had your outdoor cuisine, so make it easy for them to get comfortable. You can put your feet up and relax there, too.

Shade

A source of shade is crucial to the success or failure of your outdoor kitchen. Protect yourself from the beating sun or an unexpected bout of rain with a built-in patio cover, or just add a bit of shade with a pergola or heavy-duty sunshade. Since this is your dream outdoor kitchen we’re talking about here, you could even go tropical and add a palapa style roof. Whichever route you choose, just make sure you can keep cool out there. Outdoor living is no fun without a little protection.

Counter or Table Tops

Once you’ve got some chairs and a nice shady place, you need a place to set your wine glass or plate of ‘cue. Get one big picnic table and add some smaller tabletops. One idea that works really well is ceramic garden stools – they function as tables or chairs depending on your needs, and they’re totally weather resistant, too. (They come in many colors, too, so they’ll look great in just about any environment.)

Trash Can

You don’t want people traipsing in and out of the house with food scraps and half-empty cans, so make life easy for them and you. Place a trash can and a recycling bin outside. Sure, there’s one more bag to empty, but you’ll get a lot fewer flies in the house this way, and a lot less mess, too.

Small Fridge

When you’re chillin’ in your new outdoor kitchen, and you need a fresh drink, you’ve got two options. One, send a kid or well-trained pet to get you another drink, or two – reach into the nearby fridge and grab one yourself. It’s just easier and more dependable to get yourself a fridge…

Drinks Cooler Insert

Ok, it’s party time and you want to look like the world’s greatest host in your new outdoor kitchen. VOILA – this one little add-on will make a huge impact on all your guests. The best part? It won’t even cost a fortune. Get a cooler insert cut into your countertop during the planning phase, and come party time, you just have to fill it with ice and nestle all the drinks people could want into it. It looks WAY nicer than that blue Igloo you’ve been rolling outside, and it works just as well.

Outlets

There are many things you might want an outlet for…a margarita machine perhaps?! When you’re building your dream kitchen, get a few outlets at counter height. You (and your guests) will be happy not having to go in and out of the house every time you want another margarita.

Porch Swing

There’s something about being outside and lazing about that makes people want to move back and forth. Add some rocking chairs or a porch swing and keep the party moving – literally.

Smoker or Wood Fired Oven

A grill is great for so many things, but if you’re seriously into barbecue, you need a smoker. Period. Leave a spot for a Big Green Egg or go for the gold with a full-sized offset smoker. Not into the brisket and sausage thing? Install a wood-fired pizza oven instead. Is there anything in life that’s better than fresh pizza? Yup…fresh pizza made in your outdoor kitchen!

Lighting and Mood Lighting

When the sun is setting and you don’t want the party to end, you need lighting. Get practical and install outdoor ceiling fans with light kits, or make the whole place look magical with loads and loads of string lights. For the ultimate outdoor kitchen, do both.

There you have it – all the goods you need for a dream outdoor kitchen. Start planning your kitchen now so you’ll have everything in place for next season. But, before you do, you may want to consider asking your local real estate agent to help you figure out if it what you plan to do will bring you a good return on investment, or whether it may make sense to modify your plans, or even find a house that already has an outdoor kitchen for you to simply move in and enjoy!

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo From Home

May 5, 2020 by cdiez Leave a Comment

Happy Cinco De Mayo! If you want to enjoy some authentic Mexican cuisine from home today and support local restaurants, check out some of the best dishes (and deals) in town!

Zocalo in midtown, which dubbed Tuesday “Cinco de Quarantino”, offers both pickup and delivery, and continues to serve up its taco Tuesday special, which includes a margarita, taco bar, chips and salsa, serving two for $25.

Rey Azteca in Carmichael, which was voted KCRA’s “Best Mexican Food” in 2014 and 2016, also offers both pickup and delivery. They have some great deals going on this week including an “Emergency Family Meal” that feeds a family of five and includes 1 pound of Carnitas, 1 pound of Carne Asada, 1 pound of Marinated Chicken, Beans, Rice, Salsas, Chips, and most importantly, 1 roll of toilet paper! Talk about a deal… Check out their full online menu here.

Mayahuel, downtown on K Street, is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily, offering a variety of meals as well as delicious cocktails to-go. Click here to browse their online menu. After placing your order, you can give them a call at 916.441.7200 when you are parked outside and they will bring out your food.

Chando’s Tacos is also open at its locations on Arden Way, Power Inn Road, as well as in Roseville and West Sacramento. They are serving up family-style taco kits and survival kits in varying sizes. Click here for Cinco De Mayo deals and to place your online order.

Yard House: Thirsty? Yard House is offering two types of margaritas available to-go for $6 each this Cinco de Mayo. It’s also offering 15% off all takeout orders for pickup through May 17. Click here to see their full drink and food menu.

La Terraza in Old Sac has a great deal going on for party trays today. Choose from Carnitas, Chicken, or Steak Fajitas that are all paired with beans, rice, tortillas, sour cream, pico de gallo, and chips and salsa.

Do you have a favorite local spot that is serving up some delicious Cinco De Mayo dishes? Let me know in the comments section below!

6 Best Tutorials to Make DIY Upgrades to Your Home During the Quarantine

May 4, 2020 by cdiez Leave a Comment

Quarantine has certainly added a lot of family time together during these last few months. I am not Mr. DIY but we have been working on backyard projects and doing some painting on the inside. Jaymi Naciri has recommended six tutorials to make some upgrades while we are sheltering at home.

We never have enough time to work on our home. Scratch that—we never HAD time to work on our home. Now that most of us can’t leave our abode, we have nothing but time!

Turn that time into action by tackling some of those home improvement projects you’ve been thinking about. You might not have expert-level renovation skills now, but you’d be amazed at what you can learn from the comfort of your couch. We’ve rounded up some great tutorials to help turn you into a DIY master.

Install a Ring Doorbell

It’s a good time to focus on tech and security for your home. If you’re afraid of launching into this type of project, you don’t need to be. Installing a Ring doorbell is a relatively easy DIY undertaking. This tutorial from SafeWise is a good introduction to the world of modern technology upgrades, and the finished product can be up and running in less an hour.

Lay down luxury vinyl tile

Luxury vinyl style is a great alternative to pricier floor options like hardwood and can mimic the look at a lower cost and with greater durability. The floors are nearly indestructible and great for kids and pets. It’s also super easy to install, and, because it’s a floating floor, it can go right over other flooring, so you don’t need to do any demo. This is a great tutorial for beginners and this is another great site for some tips that will help make the process go smoothly.

Make a concrete countertop—in less than an hour!

If you’ve watched Fixer Upper and, like us, drooled at the custom concrete countertops Chip and Joanna love to put in clients’ homes, you’re not alone. But this is typically a tricky and time-consuming project. This tutorial can show you how to create a concrete countertop in less than an hour. It might not be gourmet kitchen-worthy, but it could be the answer to your outdoor kitchen needs! There have already been more than 3.6 million views of this video!

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Just Keep Swimming…Your May Newsletter is Here!

May 1, 2020 by cdiez Leave a Comment

As we continue to self-quarantine at home, many of us might be feeling disconnected, lonely, and stir-crazy—all of which are perfectly normal feelings to have at this time. However, it’s important to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Coronavirus numbers are beginning to stabilize as a result of social distancing, and California is just weeks away from modifying its stay-at-home orders.

So while it may be difficult, just know that we are all in this together. In the words of Dory from Finding Nemo, when life gets us down we must, “Just Keep Swimming…” until we cross the finish line together.

I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our real “lifebuoys” out there. Thank you to our healthcare workers, first responders, police officers, firefighters, grocery store workers, and all of the brave heroes on the frontline for serving and loving your communities during this critical time.

This month’s newsletter is dedicated to answering some common questions and concerns that sellers and buyers might have during this time. I am also sharing a fun DIY home project to keep you and your loved ones busy and entertained!

The coronavirus pandemic has brought much of the country to a screeching halt. But just because people are stuck at home, it doesn’t mean your home sale has to come to a screeching halt too. You can sell your home in the midst of this challenging time—as long as you’re safe.

Here are some precautions homeowners should take in order to sell their home safely during the COVID-19 crisis:

Embrace virtual showings: You don’t need a swarm of potential buyers walking in and out of your house; it’s not safe for you or them. Instead, have your real estate agent vet buyers and give them virtual tours of your home.

A recent survey from realtor.com found that, if given access to the right information and technology features, nearly ¼ of respondents (24 percent) would be willing to buy a home without seeing it in person. The number is even higher for younger homebuyers, at 29 percent.

But what information and tech features do buyers need to make a purchase? According to the survey, the features most important to would-be buyers when making a decision about buying a property remotely include:

A virtual tour of the home (61 percent)
Accurate, detailed listing information (58 percent)
Accurate, detailed neighborhood information (53 percent)
High-quality listing photos (51 percent)
A video walk-through with their real estate agent (39 percent)

Give me a call today to learn more about our virtual tours, professional photography, and 3D Matterport technology.

Practice safety measures for in-person showings: If you have a buyer who has already been vetted and is extremely interested in the property, they may want to see your home in person before writing an offer. Prior to allowing anyone into your home, make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces to protect potential buyers—and then make sure to do the same after the in-person tour to protect yourself and your family.
The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way people buy and sell homes. But with the right safety measures, there’s no reason it has to derail your home sale.

With social distancing in full swing, searching for a home in the traditional sense—including going to tour homes in person—is getting put on the back burner. But just because you can’t see as many homes in person, it doesn’t mean your home search has to suffer!

A recent article from realtor.com outlined tips for conducting a virtual house hunt that’s just as good as the real thing:

Learn how to read an online listing and what’s hiding: You don’t want to waste your time virtually touring homes that aren’t going to be the right fit. When going through a listing, look for red flags that might indicate that a listing isn’t what it seems—and isn’t worth your time (for example, a complete lack of photos of the home’s interior or photos that appear to be stretched out to make a room appear bigger). It’s also important to stick to your original home search criteria whether that applies to living in a particular neighborhood and location or requiring a certain bed/bath count—it can be easy to venture off course to other neighborhoods and homes with just a click of a button, but sticking to your criteria is key.

Ask your real estate agent to go into detail during virtual tours: Thanks to technology like Zoom or FaceTime, your agent can take you on a virtual tour of potential properties. But video doesn’t catch all the small details you would catch if you were physically in the space (like the finishes on cabinets, or crown molding on the ceiling)—so make sure to ask your agent to talk you through those details.

Check out the neighborhood: There are a ton of interactive map tools and neighborhood guides on the internet that will give you insight into a potential home’s neighborhood. Ask your agent to send detailed neighborhood reports and information.

Bottom line? With a little creativity, technology, and patience, there’s no reason your virtual home search can’t be just as effective as a traditional search!

The kitchen has (not surprisingly) become one of the most popular areas in our homes these days…So much so that our fridge may see us more times a day than the outside world…All jokes aside, you might consider using this extra time at home as an opportunity to add that extra “wow” factor to your kitchen. The best part? These DIY home renovation ideas don’t require a lot of time or money:

Build a custom copper rack for your pots and pans: Easy and inexpensive, a custom copper rack for your pots and pans is a great way to add a stylish edge to your kitchen. Just hang a copper pipe from your wall or ceiling, hang your pots and pans with inexpensive hooks, and you have a unique focal feature that instantly elevates your kitchen design. Click here for DIY inspiration. If you’d rather leave it to the pros, there are lots of affordable, ready to assemble options like this elegant Copper Rack from Home Depot.

Add a new light fixture above your kitchen table: If you have a kitchen table, switching out the light fixture above the table can instantly breathe new life into the space, making your kitchen feel more modern and on-trend. Pinterest has light fixture ideas for just about any style of kitchen. Click here to find one that matches the design and look of your kitchen.

Add crown molding to cabinets: Adding crown molding to the tops of your cabinets accomplishes a few different goals. It adds visual interest, makes the cabinets look more expensive, and also draws the eye upward, making cabinets look taller. Check out this DIY tutorial here.

Small changes to your kitchen can make a big impact on your home—and with a little time and effort, you can easily make those changes in a single weekend.