Smart Savers

During the first few weeks of homeownership, you'll no doubt be getting to know your local home center very well. Trolling the aisles, considering upgrades that come with built-in savings on your utility and water bills... let's talk about savings.

1. Low-impact laundry
2. Savvy power strip
3. Energy saving lightbulbs
4. Ultra-efficient fridge
5. Water-wise shower-head

One of our favorites is The Duet from Whirlpool. Washes and dries a load in a mere 30-minutes and can save you $100+ a year in energy costs. The front-loading washer uses three-quarters less water and about 80 percent less energy than the average top loader, while the dryer can cut energy usage by 40 percent. About $2,800 for both, and I highly recommend the pedestals.

Stop costly "vampire" energy drains with this power strip. Once the designated main device in the blue outlet, say a TV set, is turned off, the strip automatically shuts power to peripherals (in the white outlets), such as the DVD player or stereo--saving up to 72 percent of wasted energy. Items that shouldn't be turned off regularly like a cable box, plug into the red outlets..

A CFL can save around $30 in electricity costs over the bulb's lifetime. GE's new miniaturized versions fit any incandescent fixture and look more like old-fashioned bulbs (equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent) should last 8,000 hours!!

Using less energy than a 60-watt bulb, the Resource Saver side-by-side refrigerator from Whirlpool (another favorite) exceeds federal energy efficiency standards by 30 percent. AND it doesn't skimp on the extras. A fast cool button can handle hot leftovers, while an ice dispenser and removable bin on the freezer door maximize storage space.

By law, low-flow shower-heads deliver a max of two and a half gallons per minute. But the smart soaker delivers an ultra-conserving but still satisfying one and a half gallons per minute. Four large nozzles deliver a steady, even spray while a plastic chip gizmo borrowed from high-end windshield-washer nozzles "oscillates" the spray to make the drops seem fuller. Score.

What are you watching for? Take advantage of these huge smart money savers!   

Move-In Makeovers

Congratulations on your new place! As you begin getting situated and unpacking those boxes, how about we talk about a dozen or more ways to spruce up the place?

The walls may have been freshened up prior to your move-in, but what about the built-in furniture, window treatments, and fixtures--or lack thereof?

One of the easiest ways to give new wood an aged look is by applying dark glaze or gel stain as instructed on the label. Let dry, then repeat with a lighter, warmer-toned stain. Once dry, top with a clear protective finish.

How about hanging shades with a natural look? Neutral wood or woven grass window coverings easily blend in with the most decor, and they screen out harsh sun, keeping the room cooler.

Highlight the inside of a bookcase or glass-front cupboard by brushing on semigloss paint in a bold hue, like a bright blue or vibrant red to make the shelved collections pop!

Install vintage-looking fixtures, such as a ceiling fan to add more atmosphere and to lover summer cooling costs, and reverse the blades' spin in winter to circulate warmed air.

Upgrade your address! Draw curbside attention with bright, bold house numbers at least three inches high. Metal, ceramic, design, what ever your style or neighborhood allows.

Add carved corbels underneath an island countertop to add bling to your breakfast bar. Check salvage yards for Victorian-era ones with a warm patina.

Add your distinctive touch to your kitchen or the island in your kitchen. To give the island a more custom furniture look, change run-of-mill hardware for something more dazzling; such as colored glass, themed knobs, or other creative handles--leave the existing pulls on the wall cabinets (unless they need to be replaced!) to create a contrast.

Tuck a window seat into an alcove by supporting a 3/4-inch plywood seat on 2x6 hanging strips anchored into walls. Simply glue and nail in place plywood dividers to create cubbies, and face the assembly with 1x4 poplar, and paint.

Turn your sink into a prep space! Measure the length and width of the opening, adding half an inch to each side. Trim cutting board to size, and remove half inch of material around the edges to create an underside lip so that it rests securely on the countertop.

Paint your porch ceiling sky blue! Haven't you been to Vegas? Create a more spacious feeling simply by painting the ceiling blue--you can even sponge paint clouds if you're feeling froggy!

Turn a closet (or pantry) into a home office. Been there, done that. The space's width and depth often offer a perfect fit for stock cabinets and a desk you have on hand. Trim the opening to match the molding in the rest of the room.

Put coasters on a table for dual-purpose dining and food preparation surface in a small kitchen.

Swap in a cross-handle faucet to warm up a bathroom. A compact, centerset design--for basins with holes spaced four inches apart--preserves countertop space and looks beautiful!

Enjoy your new place! I hope you make the house a home in no time:)