Right now is a great time to buy a new home with the Housing Stimulus you now can get a lot of money just because you have decided to become a homeowner. It’s a great program and not only do you get a good deal on a new home, but you can help the economy just buy getting that new home you have always wanted.

Another great reason to check out this new program is because you can then use the money you get back to help improve the home to help up the value of the house. Yes, you may not want to sell the home any time soon, but you never know what life will give you. You may have to add on a room, update the kitchen, pull out money for unexpected health problems or maybe to send your child to college. Adding things to the home now when you have that money you will be able to pull out on the equity, though you do need to remember to only do it when you really need it.

Now I want you to think about something, what would you do with a new home and money to fix it up? I know I would go crazy and just update everything I could to match what I want in the home and what will work in the area I’m in. If I bought a home here, where I live now I would update the kitchen, but in a country look. Stainless steal here is not a big thing and that is why when you update, you need to look at what is popular close to you. If you want to know more about this great tax credit check out this video.

Technorati Tags: buying a home, economy, stimulus, tax credit

Right now so many people in the United States believe that new is better then old and we should tear everything down and put up new. This really is not the case and I will tell you why now and continue to tell you why in the future.

One big reason that older homes and buildings can be better then a new home is simple, you can not beat the craftsmanship. People just don’t do the quality of work they use to and there is no way it can be matched. Well, if you build it yourself and put the work into it, maybe. Still most of us can not build a home by ourselves right?

The next reason that older is better is that you waste less. Buying a home and fixing it up means that you are reusing land, materials and are not buying as many new materials as you would have to if you build a home.

The last reason, at least for this post is that an older home can be less work then a new one, yes I said less. Why, well because the home has already settled. So you don’t have to worry about that. Once you do the updating or other work, it’s usually done for a while.

Yes their are downsides to owning a older home, but any home will have to have general maintenance, why not live in a home with charismatic charm, not one that is stark and boring!

Technorati Tags: buying a home, craftsmanship, Historical preservation

Since in school I am currently learning more about commercial design I thought I would share with you something interesting about the difference between commercial and residential design. One thing that is very different is the use of exit signs. There everywhere in a commercial building, but if you put one in your home, people may look at you funny. Of course there probably are some homes that are big enough for you to need an exit sign as people may get lost if there is not one.

Why are exit signs needed in commercial buildings? Well really their main purpose is to guide you if there is an emergency, like a fire or power outage. Self Luminous Exit Signs are very handy when it comes to power outages, they do not require power, really they are glow in the dark signs that can last from 10-12 years.

There are also Photoluminescent Exit Signs that work a little differently Photoluminescents is a process in which a substance absorbs photons (electromagnetic radiation) and then re-radiates photon. Pretty much it’s a sign that will glow on its own for about 90 minutes after exposure to light. It’s really a very interesting product.

Of course their are also your standard LED signs and braille exit signs as most building codes now require these as well. It’s really very interesting that so much thought and work has gone into making sure we can all get out of a building safely and fast. I like the idea.

Technorati Tags: commercial buildings, led signs, photoluminescent exit signs, self luminous exit signs

Now is the time that everyone is out buying that new big screen TV. They want to watch the Superbowl in style and hi definition. But sometimes people get really overexcited about buying their TV and tend to make a few huge mistakes that create more of a hassle then a fun game experience. I have five tips that will help you get the most out of your TV buying experience.

1. Measure everything! This is the most important step. Measure the space you want the TV to go, measure the entry door, ceiling height and any entry ways or interior doors you will have to move this TV though. Most people do not do this step and it cost them time and money

2. Research TV’s on the internet, even if you have to go to the library to do it. You need to know what is out there and what you want. The sales person will always try to make you buy the next thing up.

3. A big TV is great, but if people can’t see it because of a bad furniture arrangement or it’s so big you can’t see the whole screen because your only 5ft from it you may want to look at something smaller. That is why tip number 1 is so important.

4. Decide what type of TV you want, the two most common types today are LCD and Plasma. For both of these I would recommend going to a few stores and looking at them. Make sure there is nothing about the screen, color or picture that bothers you. You really need to stand and watch these TV’s for a while too.

5. Change the display settings when you get home. The bright TV may look great in the store, but you don’t need or want it that bright in your home. It cost way too much money and the picture could actually be worse then a lower setting. Play with the settings to find one that works for you.

Good interior design is not always about style. Sometimes it’s about comfort and being able to enjoy the space you are in.  Finding deals on furniture and on your entertainment needs can make a great combination. Direct TV Deals can give you the entertainment for a good price and Direct TV offers great services along with HGTV, where you can get even more tips for you home, of course you still will have to stop by home style tips to be well rounded.

I love having a large TV in a room that is well styled and in Direct TVor another cable or satellite system and you have a space that is not only beautiful but usable. That is after all the whole point of good interior design. Having a space that can be used, not just looked at. Sometimes I believe that people forget that a room should be designed for the people who are working in, living in or just generally occupying a room. Not designed in a way that it feels like a museum that you can’t do anything in. That is my big pet peeve, walking into a room that I can’t sit in without feeling that I’m making it dirty.

What is your take on interior design, do you think it should be practical and useful or do you believe that good design should be looked at and not used?

Technorati Tags: Furniture, home, home decor, Home decor tips