8 Cleaning Mistakes You’re Probably Making by Real Simple
1. Placing all utensils in the dishwasher facing the same direction.
It’s fine for all the forks to point up. (This prevents the tines from bending.) But when spoons sit in one direction in a standard dishwasher basket, they end up, well, spooning, which prevents a complete clean. Place some up and some down for a more thorough, even wash, and do the same with knives
2. Washing windows on a sunny day.
Glass cleaner dries up much more quickly in direct sunlight, resulting in streaks on window panes. That’s why, in any season, the ideal time to clean windows is late afternoon or evening, or when the skies are overcast (and the temperature is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit). For quicker drying, swap your microfiber cloth for a window squeegee, which covers more surface area with each swipe.
3. Spraying cleaner directly on a surface.
This method is OK once in a while but should be reserved for extremely dirty surfaces that need extra solution. This shouldn’t be an everyday practice, because it will probably leave residue behind (for example, a gummy buildup on wood furniture and drip marks on walls). Instead, spray the formula onto a microfiber cloth. Wipe-downs done this way require less solution, which cuts down on buildup. (Your bottles of cleaner will last longer, too.)
4. Cleaning bare-handed (even for a quickie sink scrub-down).
Your skin is super-absorbent and will soak up almost any substance that touches its surface. Even natural products can dry out hands lickety-split. Avoid chalky rubber or latex gloves. Instead, choose gloves with a lined cotton interior (try these). They offer more of a protective barrier and are so comfortable, you’ll be motivated to put them on.
5. Treating liquid stains on a carpet superficially.
Scrubbing stains like pet urine, red wine, and coffee isn’t effective in the long term. Unless you remove fresh carpet spills at the deepest level, in time they may resurface. Try this method: As soon as you notice the spill, use a dry towel to sop up as much liquid as possible. Next, douse the spot with club soda or ice water and blot again with another dry towel. Step on the towel to absorb the liquid. Repeat the blotting until no more color is transferred to the towel. If the stain persists, apply a stain remover and repeat the process.
6. Putting a rinsed toilet brush right back in the holder.
Moisture breeds bacteria, so it’s important to let the brush dry completely before stashing it. Sandwich the handle between the toilet seat and the base, with the business end suspended over the bowl, or drip-dry. Leave it for at least 10 minutes or until fully dry, then return it to the holder.
Spectacular mid-century modern ranch is renovated perfection!
in Blog /by Social Hall & Hunter7201 Bingham Road | Bloomfield
Spectacular mid-century modern walk out ranch with over 4,800 square ft of living space renovated to perfection. Spacious rooms w walls of glass boasting vaulted ceilings, 3 fireplaces, 5 new bathrooms and hardwood floors throughout. Great room opens to all new kitchen featuring quartz counters, glass backsplash, stainless steal appliances, snack bar and door wall to new 1300 square ft deck overlooking private wooded yard. Open floorplan continues to dining room with fireplace and bright library. Bedroom wing includes master suite with 2 walk-in-closet, coffee bar and private bath w double vanities. Walk out lower level complete w 28×20 family room w fireplace, kitchenette, theatre room w 150 inch screen, 4th bedroom w private bath, 30×15 home office exercise room, 2-doorwalls to yard and second laundry. 1st floor laundry mudroom w lockers, new windows, exterior doors, paver patio and fire pit. Great location to all freeways, Bham, local markets and restaurants, easy to get anywhere from here! Conant Elem, BHMS, BHHS
Price drop on beautiful Quarton Lake Estates home
in Blog /by Social Hall & HunterCustom French country home hits the market!
in Blog, Uncategorized /by Social Hall & HunterWelcome to 3185 Saint James Court in Oakland Twp.
Superbly appointed French country custom home built by Moceri & designed by Tringali (Alexis floor plan) on premium wooded cul de sac lot (.64 acres) backing to conservation area for privacy. Elegant interior finishes such as oversize crown moldings, casings & trim, coffered ceilings, solid wood doors, Weathershield windows, beautiful French doors w phantom screens off Great Rm onto porch & patio allowing interior exterior entertaining, premium lighting, plumbing fixtures & cabinetry t o, high end appliances, hardwood & slate on 1st floor. Huge phenomenal chef’s kitchen w abundant storage. Luxurious Master Suite w sitting room, 2 entrances to covered porch, dressing room, oversize walk in California closet & stunning marble bath. Finished daylight LL w bar, family rm w FP, billiard room, office (could be 5th bedroom) & unfinished storage space. French influenced landscaping includes perennial gardens, pathways, pergola, elevated pond, paver patios & covered porch on 1st & 2nd floors.
Contact Lynn Baker & Deby Gannes for more details.
Transform your small patio into a relaxing retreat
in Blog /by Social Hall & HunterHGTV shares some tips on how to transform a small patio into a relaxing retreat. With the right furniture and accessories, even the smallest patio can become an inviting, private escape. Try these ideas to transform your underused patio into a secluded oasis for lounging and entreating.
1.Create layers of comfort: Dress your patio from top to bottom to make even the smallest space feel like an inviting retreat. Add lushness with layered outdoor rugs, throw pillows, greenery and string lights.
2. Hang curtains: Hanging curtains is an inexpensive and easy way to create a temporary wall — perfect for renters and anyone else whose neighbors are a bit too close for comfort. Flowing, gauzy fabric softens this patio while adding privacy.
3. Make a Statement With Lighting: Good lighting will not only help you enjoy your patio after the sun goes down but will also draw your eye vertically — important in a small space. This rattan pendant light makes a statement and shines a glow on the conversation area. Make sure to use outdoor cords and light bulbs
4. Boost Privacy: Creating a sense of enclosure in your outdoor room will make it feel like a secluded oasis. Use privacy screen to block a bad view or nosey neighbors. Upcycle some old shutters and a few hinges into a folding partition.
5.Wheel out a bar cart: If you don’t have room for an outdoor kitchen, a bar cart can be just as useful. You can easily roll it from indoors to outside, keeping your drinks and appetizers within arm’s reach.
Give your room a relaxing vibe with these paint colors
in Blog /by Social Hall & HunterHouse Beautiful showcases select colors that promise to make you say “Namaste.” Here are our favorite three!
Mauve
Not too gray, not too violet. Its gracefulness and subtlety set the tone for relaxation.
Tan
Like the warm glow of candlelight, this soft shade creates a cozy feel.
Mist Gray
Gives any room a quiet sophistication & elegance
Mauve
Tan
Mist Gray
Just listed in Birmingham
in Blog /by bseibenickWelcome to 680 Westwood Drive | Birmingham
This stately 4 bedroom, 4.2 bathroom Birmingham home welcomes you. Dramatic two story foyer invites you to the living room with hardwood floors that leads to three French doors ushering you out to a private deck and yard. The spacious floor plan is ideal for entertaining and active families. Additional features include 9′ ceilings, hardwood flooring throughout most of the entry level, dual staircase, center Island granite kitchen, 1st floor laundry, stunning wood paneled library, princess porch off master and much more. The master suite includes a magnificent marble master bathroom. The remaining bedrooms have en suite or Jack & Jill bathrooms. The beautifully finished 1,500 square foot lower level has a home theater, full bar, exercise room and play room. Walk to Quarton Elementary School.
For more information, contact The Newville Team.
Jason H. McKevitt Realtor (248) 644-3500
Gary & Ellen Newville Realtors (248) 320-2487
Don’t make these cleaning mistakes
in Blog /by bseibenick8 Cleaning Mistakes You’re Probably Making by Real Simple
1. Placing all utensils in the dishwasher facing the same direction.
It’s fine for all the forks to point up. (This prevents the tines from bending.) But when spoons sit in one direction in a standard dishwasher basket, they end up, well, spooning, which prevents a complete clean. Place some up and some down for a more thorough, even wash, and do the same with knives
2. Washing windows on a sunny day.
Glass cleaner dries up much more quickly in direct sunlight, resulting in streaks on window panes. That’s why, in any season, the ideal time to clean windows is late afternoon or evening, or when the skies are overcast (and the temperature is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit). For quicker drying, swap your microfiber cloth for a window squeegee, which covers more surface area with each swipe.
3. Spraying cleaner directly on a surface.
This method is OK once in a while but should be reserved for extremely dirty surfaces that need extra solution. This shouldn’t be an everyday practice, because it will probably leave residue behind (for example, a gummy buildup on wood furniture and drip marks on walls). Instead, spray the formula onto a microfiber cloth. Wipe-downs done this way require less solution, which cuts down on buildup. (Your bottles of cleaner will last longer, too.)
4. Cleaning bare-handed (even for a quickie sink scrub-down).
Your skin is super-absorbent and will soak up almost any substance that touches its surface. Even natural products can dry out hands lickety-split. Avoid chalky rubber or latex gloves. Instead, choose gloves with a lined cotton interior (try these). They offer more of a protective barrier and are so comfortable, you’ll be motivated to put them on.
5. Treating liquid stains on a carpet superficially.
Scrubbing stains like pet urine, red wine, and coffee isn’t effective in the long term. Unless you remove fresh carpet spills at the deepest level, in time they may resurface. Try this method: As soon as you notice the spill, use a dry towel to sop up as much liquid as possible. Next, douse the spot with club soda or ice water and blot again with another dry towel. Step on the towel to absorb the liquid. Repeat the blotting until no more color is transferred to the towel. If the stain persists, apply a stain remover and repeat the process.
6. Putting a rinsed toilet brush right back in the holder.
Moisture breeds bacteria, so it’s important to let the brush dry completely before stashing it. Sandwich the handle between the toilet seat and the base, with the business end suspended over the bowl, or drip-dry. Leave it for at least 10 minutes or until fully dry, then return it to the holder.
How to cook up a professional grade kitchen
in Blog /by bseibenickIn a recent House Beautiful article, a newly-built gem in Michigan is featured due to its scullery-inspired kitchen. This East Grand Rapids home is for the true chef and has no-nonsense accents, like overscale Circa Lighting brass pendants and acres of simple white subway tiles (with charcoal grout to hide grease stains!). The result: a kitchen as good-looking as it is hard-working.
If you are interested in creating your very own professional grade kitchen, here are the 7 ingredients the experts at House Beautiful suggest you really focus on…
Create a place for everything. To improve workflow, position flatware drawers next to the dishwashers, spice drawers beside the range and cutting boards in a divided drawer within the island.
Deploying the luxe material strategically, use a walnut island with a 2 ½ inch-thick slab of Calacatta marble‚ then used heat-resistant, tough-wearing Hastia quartzite for the perimeter counters. A natural stone quarried just like marble, quartzite is “almost immortal.”
Never to match everything because it can get boring. When it came to selecting the kitchen’s sinks, consider a traditional English farmhouse double-bowl style from Rohl and a French-influenced hammered-metal prep sink from Waterworks.
Create a work area that’s scaled for meal prep, without the need to run laps. Bringing everything in closer is not only cozier, it also makes cooking, cleaning and grocery unpacking a lot less aerobic.
To break up what could have quickly become a monotonous wall of solid white cabinets, Zaveloff commissioned a British company to craft wire-mesh door inserts overlaid with a metal diamond pattern. Unlike transparent glass doors that show everything (so shelves have to constantly be neat), the haziness of these custom inserts adds a little mystery to the contents of the cabinets.
The clients went gaga for Waterworks’ utilitarian Watt sconces, which are modeled on telephone-pole insulator covers, but Zaveloff was unsure of where to mount them. Rather than nixing the fixtures, the designer had tiled columns constructed next to each window and installed the sconces there. At night, the family switches them on as a low-light alternative to the brighter overheads.
A built-in stove-side niche puts everyday seasonings within arm’s reach, while a pot rack mounted above the La Cornue range keeps well-used copper cookware where the action is.
Hall & Hunter Realtors ranked top single office residential real estate brokerage
in Blog /by bseibenickStarting off the 2017 with some great news & kudos to our entire Hall & Hunter Realtors team! Hall & Hunter Realtors is featured in the Crain’s Detroit Business Book of Lists 2017 issue.
So proud of our entire team for making the CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS LIST: LARGEST RESIDENTIAL BROKERS–ranked by 2015 gross sales. We are the highest ranking single office.
Congrats to our hard working family!