Relax & Remodel

Summer Perfect Time to Take A Load Off or Take One On

When most people think of R&R they associate the term with Rest & Relaxation. But as summertime approaches there is more to do in the warmer weather than taking it easy. This is a great time of year to begin working on all of those projects you’ve put off – whether it’s replacing your kitchen counters or finally taking a much-needed vacation – and take the time to Relax & Remodel!

We asked some of the businessmen and women around the Zachary community to give us advice on different ways to relax and remodel.

Here is what they told us:

A good night’s sleep

Mike Graham
All-American Sleep & Mattress

What better way to relax than to get a good night’s sleep? But how can you do that if you have a bad mattress?

First off, you should know what might be growing in your mattress:

• The average person sheds about 40,000 skin cells per minute.
• The average person looses an average of 100 hairs daily.
• The average person sweats about 1 cup to 1.5 cup per night.
• Dust mites live all around us, especially in your mattress. Their main food source is decaying skin cells and follicles.
• Your mattress will actually double in weight every 10 years.
• Your mattress is the second dirtiest place in the home. The kitchen sink is No. 1.
• 90 percent of all morning back pain is due to your mattress.
• According to “Good Housekeeping,” your mattress should be changed every 6-10 years.
• The mattress is the only piece of furniture that you could change that can have a direct impact on your life.

When looking to purchase a new mattress, the following should be considered:

• Comfort ability (long term comfort)
• Do you feel relief and support when lying on the mattress? Look for individually pocketed coils or an all-foam mattress.
• Motion separation (motion not felt when sleeping with your partner).

Most people don’t think about replacing a mattress, but a great way to relax is to know you aren’t getting sick from what’s crawling around inside or not worry about when the springs will poke out and wake you up in the morning.

Freshen Up with a Facial

Betty Yoes
Merle Norman

In our busy lives we rarely take time for ourselves. There never seems to be enough hours in the day. However, our bodies really need some R&R. It’s important to take time to relax and revitalize our bodies so that we can recharge. Even if you can’t take a vacation, take an hour to do something just for you.

One way to feel rejuvenated is to take care of our skin. We are so busy that we rarely take the time to give our skin the care it needs. Set aside an hour for your own personal getaway and get a steam facial. This is a great way to deeply cleanse and hydrate your face. Getting rid of all the everyday dirt and oils on your face will make you feel refreshed and is an enjoyable way to wind down.

If you’re really busy and can’t schedule time for a facial, there are lots of great products that will help you exfoliate and cleanse your skin for a small pick-me-up after a long day at work. Taking a moment every day to take it easy lets us recharge.

Another great way to let yourself relax is to change your look. Buy a new eye shadow or lipstick in a new, cool summery shade. Even more relaxing is to let someone pick the colors for you. Getting a small makeover can give you a little confidence boost. When you look better, you feel better, and knowing you look good is always relaxing!

Motor Coach Vacations are FUN!

Alberta Holmes
Dove’s Charter

For an affordable yet fun vacation, take a group of your friends to travel by bus to just about anywhere in the good old U.S. of A.

One five-minute phone call to a travel consulting and reservation service and you’ll be on your way before you know it. As the price of gasoline increases, along with the extreme hassle of driving several hundred miles each way, a bus tour is a less expensive and stressful option.

Plus, there is security in numbers. What could be more fun than rolling down the highway in a modern, comfortable, air conditioned motor coach with friends talking, singing and looking at the sights? Meal stops will be carefully planned in advance so you won’t have to exist on Happy Meals and Slim Jims traveling to and from your destination.

Most importantly, a professional trip planner will organize everything to be sure you get the most for your money. A professional who books a hundred trips a year knows about all the things to see, opportunities and special discounts available to your group.

So this summer consider taking the bus and leaving the driving and planning to a professional. You’ll save money and have a lot more fun no matter where you go. Pick up the phone and call a professional travel consultant and let the fun begin!

Kids & Family Time

By Renee Jones
BREC

Summer is almost here and there is no better time than now to start planning your summer activities. Spending time with your family allows you to slow down and take it easy.

There are many quality activities you can do within diverse camp structures. Children experience games, field trips, sports, friendships and fun while the summer months fly by. Thousands of children have enjoyed these camps in the last 40 years. From recreation and theatre to animals and science, there is a camp for children of all ages and interests.

If your version of relaxing is doing something more physical, there are numerous leisure classes offered throughout the parish at BREC. Sign up for an aerobics class to work your muscles or join a sports team and play your favorite sport or try a new one. You can also pick up a new hobby by taking piano or ceramics classes.

For a complete list of summer classes offered through BREC, visit www.brec.org/summerclasses.

Tiki Tubing

Even if you can only get away for a day, give yourself a change of scenery by going tubing. Lots of families pack up the ice chest and lather on the sunscreen to spend an afternoon floating down the river taking in the sun and scenery.

The closest place to go tubing is at Tiki Tubing in Denham Springs where you can float at your own pace down the Amite River. There are plenty of small riverbanks that are perfect for taking a pit stop to eat lunch or just to rest for a minute. All you need to bring is sunscreen, an ice chest for food and drink and $15 to rent a tube.

The best part about tubing is going at your own pace to enjoy the sunny, summer weather. Take a break to go outdoors and spend time with your family by taking a leisurely river ride.

Remodel New Life with New Floors

By Dana LeJeune
New Life Flooring

If you’re looking to add new life to your house, replacing your floors can really brighten up your home. Your house can be old and dated, but you can update it without changing everything. New floors can make a world of difference in updating the look of your house. Changing your floors is especially important if you are looking to sell your house because appearance is everything.

Start by deciding what room you want new floors in. Since kitchen and bathrooms are smaller spaces, most people choose vinyl or ceramic tile because they are light and airy and easy to clean. In living rooms and bedrooms, most people are sick of carpet because of the dirt it attracts. Therefore, they’re switching to wood because of the easy maintenance and also because of the warmer look.

Window blinds can also make a big difference without making a big change. Most people don’t replace their blinds unless they are broken, but replacing discolored or damaged blinds can brighten up a room. Many new homes have thicker two inch blinds because they are much easier to clean.

Since all floors are not created equal, selecting the right floor for your home or business shouldn’t be made without talking to an experienced professional. They will take the time to understand how you’re flooring will be used and what look you’re trying to achieve.

Counters First Place to Add Value

By Michael Vincent Liuzza
First In Counters

Spring months offer fair weather weekends, which is the time for cleaning, remodeling and starting anew for a great year ahead of us. And, of course, we are always looking for great tips to add value to our homes.

According to www.realestate.com, the kitchen and bathrooms are the first areas where homeowners can increase maximum value to a home for minimum expense. This is a very important topic when considering putting a home on the market. It’s a wonderful way to bring life back into a home.

When replacing your counters, first make sure you know what options are available to you. The best way to do this is by talking to a professional who can give you advice on the look you want. Be sure to ask for samples of different colors, styles and stone so you can narrow down what you’re looking for. First In Counters has a warehouse where customers can actually see and feel the different types of stone we have such as granite or marble so they know what they are purchasing.

Points to ponder should be regarding the uniqueness of each product used for your kitchen and bath countertops. By judging each product with its special traits, you can determine the balance it offers to your lifestyle. Granite, with its spontaneous display of nature world may be an excellent selection. To receive unbiased pros and cons, pertaining to each of the products, call or email our office today.

Pools Take Care of Themselves

By Cindy McMills
Fun Time Pools, Inc.

Purchasing and installing a pool is a big project, so it’s important to know what type of pool you want. Prices usually start around $20,000 for in-ground pools. Vinyl-lined pools are the most affordable, and they also carry a lifetime warranty and will not rust or rot, as steel and wood panels will.

Consider the maintenance involved with the type of pool you’re getting. The average price for cleaners is $400 - $1,200, but they aid tremendously in keeping the pool clean. Automatic timers ensure a daily cycle of pump operation without having to manually turn your equipment on every day.

One of the latest trends in pool chemical maintenance is salt-water pools. A small electronic cell converts the salt in the water to chlorine. As the chlorine is used salt is returned as a byproduct to repeat the cycle. This method greatly reduces the costs of chemicals used and maintenance time.

If you already own a pool, consider remodeling and updating it. Change the depth and add a diving board or change the shape of the pool for a new look. Before listing your home for sale change the lining, or re-paint or re-plaster to give the pool a fresh new look. You can also add new features such as slides, lights, fiber-optic lighting, walk-in steps and water features such as deck jets, sprays and waterfalls.

Remodel Your Car, Too

By Bryan Villavoso
Bryan’s Place

Remodeling your home is comparable to doing major repairs to your vehicle. Vehicle maintenance, of course (such as oil changes, transmission flushes, coolant flushes and brake fluid flushes) is the best way to prevent major repairs.

However, periodically your vehicle, like your home, will probably need major repairs. When this occurs, you could benefit financially when you allow professional technicians to return your vehicle to peak performance. Doing those repairs and keeping your vehicle (which is a few years old or older) is usually worth the expense. The repairs stop you from being tied down with long term monthly auto payments, which save you money in the long run.

Doing business with a professional auto repair facility can be your best approach to these major issues. Find mechanics with the knowledge and experience to help you make intelligent decisions about maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. Your vehicle is part of your life, and making wise decisions about its upkeep will ultimately benefit you financially.

Keeping up with maintenance on your vehicle could be as wise a financial decision as remodeling your home.

The Dirt on Dirt

By Tony Riles
Zachary Dirt Pit

Dirt is a part of everyone’s life, and everyone needs dirt for one thing or another.

There are different types of dirt and uses for the dirt you need:

• Topsoil: a material used for flower beds; as a fill in low areas of the yard
• River silt: a material used for fill inside a form for new construction
• Clay: a material used to make a hard surface for pouring concrete; also used for new construction
• Mulch: used to top flower beds

It’s not always as simple as buying the dirt you need from the store. By purchasing from someone who specializes in dealing with dirt, you can have it delivered to your home and poured correctly in the way you need it.

Remodel & Redecorate

By Erin DeBossier
Red Door Interiors

Don’t be afraid to be different! Although there are guidelines to decorating, there are no “rules” to break. If you like it, even if it’s not what your friends and neighbors have, do it!

Color is in! Try white (yes, it’s a color!), turquoise, chocolate or orange. If those colors intimidate you, then go for a softer palette in colors such as ice blue and taupe, or coral and cream. You can also use brighter colors sparingly; a couple of orange pillows on a sofa could be all the color you need.

Hot accessories include anything coral (life-like coral reef clusters, coral-printed dinnerware, beaded coral shapes on pillows or linens), pure white decorative accents (they lighten up any room), and mirrored furniture and accessories (reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour).

Metallics such as gold and silver can create a shimmering accent on anything! They look especially great when they are antiqued; they give the feel of an old Italian patina. Pair a metallic accent piece with an antique wood table for a great looking contrast!

Combine traditional with contemporary by taking a clean-lined contemporary piece – whether it is a chrome and glass coffee table or a shiny silver vase – with your traditional d_cor and see how many compliments you get!

Simple “life-like” floral is the look! Cut a few large philodendron leaves from your yard and place in a clear glass cylinder with some water as a centerpiece for a fresh “cutting-edge” look. When you decide that you don’t want to keep hedging your garden, try some good-looking artificial leaves and fake water to keep “fresh” all year.