A FEW SECONDS
One downside to living in the SCV: fires. Your house can be put at risk with a quick change of the wind. For early detection of wildfires and wildfire protection of your property, look to
FlameSniffer (818-597-9100). They provide constant wireless communication with authorities, intelligent wildfire route determination, automatic smart multi-sensor operation that protects your property even while you are away, and real-time text, e-mail and web updates.
It takes just seconds to throw luxurious Bella Notte linens on your bed, but the sense of euphoria lasts indefinitely. Available at
Suburban Chateau (775-2980).
ABOUT AN HOUR
Give your home a modern look in just 60 minutes. Stephanie Laney of
Clear Images Home and Interior Design (254-2260) can elevate the look of your tired and outdated furnishings and fixtures during a one-hour consultation. Receive priceless consultation on your re-model, new furniture, fixtures, window coverings and more.
Weeds: pulled. Sprinklers: fixed. Lawn: mowed. You: happy. Call
Landscape Pros (510-8865) for a maintenance package that fits your needs and budget.
A FEW HOURS
Even if you were in diapers the last time you played in the dirt, you can give your house curb appeal.
Green Thumb (259-1072) is staffed with California Certified Nursery Professionals who will guide you through the planting of azaleas, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, gardenias, roses...
Truly Dry Carpet Cleaning (476-7775) uses an eco-friendly Host Dry system that lifts and revitalizes your carpet pile, removing spots forever. There's no drying time, so you can walk on your carpet immediately. If you have 45 minutes to spare, try Truly Dry's low-moisture process for upholstery. They do RVs, too! Log onto www.insidescv.com for three incredible money-saving offers.
photo by Ted Dayton |
ONE DAY
Want to remodel your bathroom or kitchen immediately? Don't waste time driving around town or back-ordering natural stones and tiles. Just stop into one of five
Surfaces USA (200-0080 www.surfacesusa.com) showrooms in Southern California and walk out with your material the same day. They order directly from the quarries and 99 percent of their inventory is in their San Fernando Valley warehouse and available for take-home or delivery the same day! Order now with no sales tax through August. Get your granite, marble, travertine, limestone, glass, pavers, tiles, and more when you want it at this natural stone and tile superstore.
Get your pool looking like new in less than one day.
Pool Tile Saver (510-5778) can remove ugly white buildup to reveal your pool's true beauty. Using no hash acids or chemicals, your pool will be cleaned and ready for you to enjoy in a matter of hours, not days. All types surfaces can be cleaned: tile, brick, real or fake stone and more.
Mint Condition Painting & Moulding's (251-5521) "Mint-N-Quik" service is more than just affordable and convenient (you provide the paint, they provide the professional painter); it's also one of the fastest ways to change the look of your most-used spaces.
A FEW DAYS
Can't stand that cabernet-colored wall any longer? Call
J & B Painting (800-949-2534) and you'll be enjoying a more-you hue the very next day. Free paint samples and a three-year written guarantee against peeling and chipping make this change a no brainer.
Giving your staircase style is quick and very affordable. From bid to contract, in just a few days
FM Stairs (433-6200) can remodel and redesign your metal or out-of-date handrail with current wood and wrought iron pieces that reflect your signature style.
For the "remodeled kitchen look," add new doors and drawer fronts. They can usually be installed in a day or two. Call
David Bryan Woodworks for a free consultation (312-1964).
ONE WEEK
In just seven days, your outdated, cluttered bathroom can be completely remodeled and upgraded by
Cavalier Builders (800-749-5765). Their newest variety of tile - imported from Italy, Spain or locally - and myriad tile layout designs will add beauty while transforming your bath to a stylish, neat retreat that requires minimum cleaning and maintenance. Top it with a shower/tub glass enclosure, new recessed lighting, and fresh, mold resistant paint. Call for details.
photo by Ted Dayton |
WORTH MAKING TIME
Perfection is worth the wait.
Kathy's Kitchen & Bath Design (645-2104) offers full-service design, job coordination and scheduling for jaw-dropping results. Take advantage of Kathy's respected experience guiding clients through the design process and helping them through material selections for cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, stone, tile and more. Then let Kathy's team takes charge of the expert, professional installation of every phase of the remodel.
UPGRADES THAT LAST A LIFETIME
Let
Dannick Design, Inc. (775-7430) replace your old tile countertop with the updated look of quartz. Caesarstone boasts high style with low maintenance; it's resistant to stains, scratches, heat and mildew. Caesarstone is available in a variety of beautiful colors and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Adding shutters to your home is one of the quickest ways to beautify, and add value, to your home. Shutters match any decor and have a timeless quality. They also provide for ease of light control and are energy efficient, cooling in summer and insulating in winter. They last a lifetime and are safe for children (no dangling cords to worry about). Free home estimates are available from
CountryView Shutters (254-2908). The local company will also give you 10 percent off your order of $500 or more through July 31.
Two Reasons to LOVE the Internet
Design Online
Enjoy a one-on-one design experience through phone and e-mail consultations. You send digital photos and measurements to us. We create your personalized digital concept board with images of fabrics, finishes, paint selections and resources. The road map guides you toward interior design solutions that will reflect your personality, design sensibility and budget. You execute the recommended purchases as resources permit. Available from
Tami Smight Interiors (430-0127).
Let SelectAFloor do the Work for You
SelectAFloor is the perfect tool to navigate through the many flooring products, warranties and colors to find what ultimately fits your needs and lifestyle. If your hectic schedule won't let you visit a store, you can purchase a beautiful new floor online using the easy navigation. Request samples to see how they look in your room, have your rooms professionally measured for free and have a certified installer come to your home to have your new floor installed. Available from
Brent's Carpet One (255-3337 www.brentscarpetone.com).
More Home Fixes
Brighten and update your entryway or dining room by changing out the light fixture. A new chandelier can instantly give new life to a tired, dark space.
Add a new area rug. Instantly soften a room while adding color and personality to its largest surface.
For a big change, start with an upholstered piece of furniture that sets the color palette for your new look. A "lead fabric" with more than three colors can set the tone for a whole new room. Work with onsite, seasoned design professionals to select fabrics and trimmings for a new sofa or some upholstered chairs that reflect your personality and family's lifestyle.
Take advantage of expert advice. Work closely with
Douglas Furniture's (255-8366) interior design staff for professional assistance with room makeovers, color direction, finishing touches, seasonal room refreshers or even grand plans. They can work within your budget and will meet with you in your home or office to define your personal style and create a timeline to suit your immediate needs and long-term plans.
photo by Ted Dayton |
SAVE THIS
Save Time:
Here's a quick improvement that's guaranteed to bring fantastic results. Cleaning and softening your water will save hours you used to waste scrubbing hard water scale and soap film. Plus, you'll save 75 percent on all your soap and cleaning supplies. Act now:
Guaranteed Water Systems' (259-4343) is offering a summer special. Get one free month service on a six-month trial.
Save Sweat:
Stop mowing, watering, fertilizing and stressing over water bills. Maintenance-free synthetic turf from
Custom Turf Scapes (510-5778) is natural-looking, pet-friendly and more affordable than ever; financing is available.
Save Energy:
Our trusted home and office cleaning gurus at
Clean and Bright (433-4035) are the reason we had time to read a magazine, cook a "real" dinner and take a bike ride with the kids this week.
Save Money:
Upgrading your old thermostat with a new digital programmable type can help you save up to $180 a year. Call
Ricardo's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. (299-5898) and make the quick switch.
Save Taxes:
GW Richardson Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. (295-0115) branched into the solar energy field to help customers lock in their future energy cost and help improve the environment. Solar electricity systems have come a long way in the last decade, reducing system costs. And solar is more affordable than ever: Utility companies offer cash incentives and you could qualify for a 30-percent federal tax credit, too.
Save Sanity:
Stop nagging the kids to pick up their pool towels. Outdoor furniture designers like Hanamint and OW Lee carry towel racks that can add elegance to your yard and will clean up the clutter. This, and other sanity-saving options like stylish outdoor storage bins, are available at
Oasis Garden & Patio (255-9909).
Save Hassle:
What's worse than researching and interviewing home improvement contractors? Save time, hassle and stress by working with companies that are members of a group or association for a second tier of scrutiny and convenience. Groups serve as an open endorsement for a company, so the smaller it is, the more likely a member has gone through a tighter acceptance process. Fellow professionals know their business and know whether a company meets the high standards that they want their own business to be associated with.
Just SCV's Best is a very exclusive group of home improvement professionals that limit their membership to one company in each field of home improvement. For more information visit
www.justscvsbest.com and learn more about their highly-qualified members.
Save "For Sale" Signs:
With 31 years of knowledge and experience in real estate,
Lissa Brassfield - a broker with Realty Executives (964-1677) - is an expert in turning over "For Sale" signs fast. Call her for a no-pressure consultation on how to achieve the best price in this market.
Save Frustration:
Choosing the perfect flooring to fit your lifestyle and budget can drive most people insane. Thankfully, The experts at
Wicall's (259-6040), Santa Clarita's Abbey Carpet & Floor showroom, have years of experience in helping customers select the right flooring - like carpet, hardwood, laminate and area rugs - that will last for years to come.
Would you love new carpeting but don't want to incur the expense?
Try
Truly Dry Carpet Cleaning. Their HOST DRY system lifts and revitalizes your carpet pile and removes spots that will not reappear. There is no drying time, so you can walk on your carpet immediately. Plus, products are eco friendly. Research has show that one cleaning with the HOST System reduces dust mites by 78 percent, dust mite allergens by 75 percent, mold spores by 85 percent and cat allergens by 85 percent.
1. Schedule a free estimate/appointment by July 31, 2010 and get a free bottle of spotter with mention of this
Inside SCV Magazine Quick Improvement.
2. Schedule by July 31, 2010 you can have a sofa and love seat cleaned for $110 for up to 15 feet (loose back pillows extra), and recliners for $45, if scheduled with any other service. Mention
Inside SCV Magazine Quick Improvement for discount.
3. Truly Dry Carpet Cleaning is offering a flat rate of $100 for any RV Carpet Cleaning, or for $185 they will clean the upholstery - limited to one couch, the table seats, and your carpet. You can have it cleaned in the morning and your RV will be ready to go before lunch. Mention
Inside SCV Magazine Quick Improvement for discount. Expires July 31, 2010.
All offers available from Truly Dry Carpet Cleaning; 476-7775 www.trulydry.com