Top tips for indoor plants

Houseplants can do wonders for your home. They can add life, color, and a calming atmosphere to otherwise drab spaces. Check out Houzz's top tips for growing your greenery indoors.

via Pinterest

1. Fill dead space with plants.

If you have awkward space or empty corners in your home, consider filling them in with a plant. They'll add a splash of color to an otherwise boring or unsightly area.

via Pinterest

2. Use plants to personalize your kitchen.

No paint? No problem. Use colorful flowers and interesting plants to help spice up your kitchen

via Pinterest

3. Put them somewhere unexpected

Here's an unexpected tip. Put houseplants in your bathroom. They'll love the moist air and routine steaming they get from the shower.

via Pinterest

4. Fill sunny areas with plants.

Fill porches, sunrooms, patios or windowsills until they're positively bursting with greenery.

  Via Pinterest

5. Cluster your plants together

Clustering is good for the plants, as you'll remember to water them all at once and they'll be able to create their own micro-climate. And it's good for your home, as clustered plants are pleasing to the eye.

via Pinterest

6. Make every meal feel alfresco

Decorate your table with a beautiful floral arrangement or surround your dining table with greenery. It'll make you feel as if you're dining in a garden every night.

Via Pinterest

7. Don't sweat it

Most importantly- don't stress. Plants bring a calming and refreshing vibe to your home, so don't override that feeling with stress if you accidentally kill one. As Houzz suggests:“Forgive yourself, and move on.”

Dublin City Schools experience record-setting growth for 2015-2016 school year

Dublin City Schools are growing faster than the district had originally anticipated. According to ThisWeek reports, the districtwide enrollment from last school year was 15,165 students. The projected enrollment numbers for this school year are 15,446. However, enrollment numbers are already exceeding projections as the projected enrollment for elementary school was 6,855 students, but currently 6,997 students have registered. Registration will continue throughout the summer, and staff expect August to be their busiest month.

Across the district, many grades and classes have been “capped” as there is simply no room for more students. Students who are unable to register at their closest school, due to lack of space, will be bussed to other nearby schools with available space.

 

District staff say the improving housing market may be the reason they've seen so much growth lately. According to ThisWeek, the current trend represents a record-setting pace for enrollments for the district.

Bridge Park developers eager to begin construction, have high hopes for housing

Hoping for an update on the new Bridge Park area in Dublin? You're in luck. ThisWeek reports that construction may begin as soon as this month.

Crawford Hoying, the area's developers are anxious to begin construction on the area, as soon as possible. As Dublin residents may have noticed, the building demolition and land moving stages have already begun on the site.

Bridge Park is expected to host condos, offices, shops, and restaurants. Crawford Hoying predicts that their Bridge Park housing will be specifically attractive to “renters by choice,” or in other words, those individuals looking to downsize or who aren't quite ready to buy their own homes yet. The developers expect both empty nesters and young professionals to have interest in the apartments.

Company representatives also believe that their new apartments will benefit the city, as they will provide housing for those who would have otherwise left Dublin due to its lack of rental properties. They also noted that these apartments will solidify the “live, work, play” atmosphere of the Bridge Park development.

The apartments will range in size from studios, to one and two bedroom apartments. Amenities include granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

The building of these apartments is projected to support the new Bridge Park area's reputation as a true destination location.

Via ThisWeek

This easy fix can increase your home's value overnight

 

Believe it or not, the condition of your front door actually plays a big role in your home's overall value. Although it may not seem like much, replacing your front door can add value to your home, as well as cut your utility bills by 10%. According to a recent article by Houselogic, the project could cost you as much as $1,230, but will return 101.8% of the cost in the increase in home value it provides.

Before you actually take the plunge and replace your front door, it's important to determine what kind of door is right for your home. Houselogic breaks down the pros and cons for each of the three materials typically used in front doors.

 

Steel

As the cheapest option on the list, a steel door can be a good choice for those homeowners looking to increase their home's value for as little money as possible. Houselogic points out that if you can do the installation yourself, you could replace your current front door with a new, steel one for as low as $150.

Although the price is low, so is steel's lifespan. If you live in a place where your front door is exposed to salty air or heavy rains, your steel door may only last five to seven years, according to Houselogic's findings.

Fiberglass

A fiberglass door may be right for you if you want a low maintenance option that looks like you sprung for real wood. It's also durable. If not exposed to extreme conditions, Houselogic reports that a fiberglass door can last for 15 to 20 years. Furthermore, fiberglass can provide excellent insulation due to its foam core.

A fiberglass door will be a bit more expensive to purchase and install than a steel door, however. The door itself may range in price from $150 to $600. Houslogic sources estimate that the entire project could set you back almost $3,000.

Wood
If curb appeal is your main concern, look no further than a wooden door. A front door made of wood can lend a luxurious touch to your home's entryway, but this luxury comes at a cost. Wood is the most expensive of the three materials. Houselogic estimates that a wood door may cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000. It's also one of the more high maintenance options, as wood doors require repainting every 1-2 years.

2015 Parade of Homes to be held in fall

The Building Industry Association (BIA) is making some big changes to their annual Parade of Homes event. For the first time, this year's Parade of Homes will be held in the fall. Typically a summer event, the 2015 Parade of Homes has been scheduled for September 19^th through October 4^th. According to the Parade of Homes Facebook page, this change allows the builders more time to complete the houses after recovering from a long winter.

The change of season also brings about changes in theme. BIA promises fun, fall activities and beautiful autumn scenery in this year's Parade of Homes location, a new golf course community near Polaris. Northstar Community, a 1700-acre development from Nationwide Realty Investors, will be divided into residential and commercial areas, and will also provide locations for elementary and middle schools.

The homes in this year's Parade will range in price from $500,000 to $800,00 and will include the following builders:

• Fischer Homes
• Coppertree Homes
• M/I Homes
• P & D Builders
• Rockford Homes
• Weaver Custom Homes

Tickets for the 2015 Parade of Homes are $15 (children 12 and under are free) and can be purchased online or at the door. BIA is also offering a preview party on September 17^th in which attendees can get a sneak peak of this year's homes, while enjoying a progressive menu from Cameron Mitchell.

For more information on the 2015 Parade of Homes, visit biaparade.com