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I worked for an architecture firm that specialized in custom fireplaces and imported Swedish kakeloven, very efficient, clean burning  and beautiful fireplaces. One of company’s taglines was “The Other Way Swedes Stay Warm In the Winter”, a cheeky nod to the naughtiness of my Scandinavian brethren. Being half Swedish myself who am I to complain?

Short of spending thousands of dollars on a custom fireplace or getting your kit off for the hypothermia treatment, here are some practical ways to make your home feel warm and welcoming for you and your loved ones this winter.

1. Let Nature Sing—Add natural branches, berries and leaves from your, or your neighbors yard. Gather fallen branches after a winter storm. They not only make great decorative swags, wreaths, etc. but you will be doing the neighborhood a favor!

2. Shine Your Light—Candles are wonderful during the winter season where their light adds softness, intimacy and certain grace to our days and evenings. They are also great to have on hand during power outages.

3. Come on Baby, Light My Fire—Light that fire that’s been dormant. Whether a traditional fireplace, gas or electric flame, the light of a fire is always enticing. Make sure to clean the firebox often if you have a traditional wood burning fireplace.

4. Warm & Fuzzy Throws—Luxurious blankets do not need to be expensive. There are many wonderful materials out there that mimic cashmere, wool and even fur.

5. Add some spice! No, not THAT kind of spice. Simply light some candles, simmering on the stove or in hot winter drinks, including some fragrant  cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and even cayenne and chile peppers can really spice things up in the home, really imparting a wonderful, warm fragrance in your spaces.

Whatever your favorite ways to stay cozy, I hope you make the most of the Winter Season. Happy Holidays!

photo citified.blogspot.com

8 Fabulous Weather Proofing Tips. Baby If I can do it, so can you! And if you can’t or don’t want to, pour a glass of wine and watch someone else do it.

Winter is upon us including gale force winds, snow and monsoon rains. How many of you lie awake worried about the gas/electric bills? Or worry that your basement will flood? Or that frozen pipes will burst? Understandable as weather’s shenanigans can mean high energy and home repair bills.

Since we recently needed to replace our roof and add insulation it motivated me to ensure the rest of the house was good and weatherproof. No small feat in a house built in 1907 with original windows and old storm windows over them.

Maybe it’s just me getting older (don’t push it) or the extra challenging economy, but I take home improvement far more seriously now more than ever. So stick with me on my love/hate journey with the good and the bad of making my home ship shape for winter. Hopefully my work can inspire you to the same

1. 1. Don’t Touch That Dial. Replaced Thermostat. Est. Time: 1 hr., 10 min.

I proudly replaced our old dial thermostat with a new fangled programmable one.  This project was on my ‘To-Do’ list for hmmm, about 7 years. See attached picture. It took me much longer then the 15 minutes the mfg. said it would take. This was mostly because the power has to be turned off to install it, which meant no overhead light. Surprise! It’s in and working properly. Make sure you have touch up paint if you do the same. I had just taken our old paint cans to the dump. As you can see, the Pepto Bismol® pink is shining through. It’s time for a new paint job.

Heat Me Up. Put on heat duct covers. Est. Time: 10 min.

This diverts heat out into room instead of up to windows. These are easy and cheap. Don’t walk, run to the hardware store to get them.

1. 3. Strip Baby! Weather stripped all external doors and internal doors to anterooms. Est. Time: 15 min. per door.

My first attempt at weather stripping the strip was too thick, making it difficult to shut the door properly except with an old ’40s lock that we don’t have a key for. Great for weatherproofing, bad for using the door. Round two with thinner weather stripping did the trick.

1. No More Pig Pen. Place pre-cut filters in all the heating vents. Est. Time: 5 mins. per vent.

This prevents dust from entering rooms. This works great if you have allergies and/or asthma which we both do. Even if you live like Martha S. you will be grossed out by the amount of dirt and dust that these collect.

1. 5. Double Eeewww. Replaced furnace filter.  Est. Time: 45 minutes.

Our furnace has survived the 60’s Love Ins, 70’s Oil Crisis and the Cold War. It is going to outlive us. So, there’s no easy way to replace the filter except ‘just do it’. My man of honor won’t even touch the thing. So, since it’s up to me I don gloves and a mask (since the filter is fiberglass) and go to work. The filter has to be hand cut to fit, so it’s always a little misshapen. But it works.

1. Stick em’ up. Calk storm windows and gaps in floor boards. Est. Time: 10 min per.

This can be done with traditional type caulk and caulking gun or you can use the caulking ‘tape’, which is like Play-doh® for grownups. Just peel, shape and stick. It’s pretty groovy stuff.  The type you use depends on the surface.

1. 7. “Get Your Hands Off My …” Put the foam ‘boobs’ over all external faucets. Est. Time: 2 min. per faucet.

This is inexpensive and fast to do. This prevents your pipes from freezing and bursting.

1. Pour some Hot Cocoa and Trim the Trees. This is on my ‘still to do’ list. Keeping trees and shrubs trimmed around the house prevents such nastiness as clogged gutters and flooding.

Doing the above chores, I mean blessed activities, has already made a serious difference. We can turn down the thermostat about 7-10 degrees and the house heats quickly and stays cozy. I’m looking forward to see if there’s any noticeable change on ye old gas bill.

I’ve also read it’s good to cover foundation vents, only during the winter then uncover them in spring. Any other suggestions you’ve tried that have made a difference in your homes?

Happy Home Improvement!