Gibson Wood Renewal - February 2022

Gibson Wood Renewal - February 2022

In life, we can become used to a great-looking kitchen, but as trends and styles evolve, there are always ways to freshen your kitchen look and make it feel just as cozy as it did the first day you fell in love with it. To do that, these homeowners made the awesome choice of replacing their oak cabinets with a strong duo color design! How Color Contrast Can Make Your Kitchen Sparkle Again

February 2022

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Jetting Away on a Romantic Vacation?

Do These 5 Things to Protect Your Home

3. Put your lights on timers. Most people know to double-check their locks and avoid posting on social media to keep from alerting burglars but don’t go the extra mile of putting their lights on timers. If lights are turning on and off throughout your house, it will look like you’re home! You can buy a light timer from Home Depot for as little as $13, and installation is often as easy as plugging it in and hitting a few buttons. 4. Invest in appliance thermometers . Installing appliance thermometers in your fridge and/or and freezer won’t prevent a power outage, but it will help you determine whether your food is safe to eat if you come home to one. Food from the freezer is safe at 40 degrees F or below, and food from the fridge is safe at 45 degrees F or lower. To boost your chances of things staying cold, freeze gallon bottles of water and stock your freezer with them. They’ll hold in the chill! 5. Make friends with your neighbors. Sometimes disasters aren’t preventable, and when something truly crazy happens, you need a neighbor to call and tell you about it. Before your trip, make sure someone who lives nearby has your number and can check on your house. The heads-up call to us before you leave town could save you thousands.

Working in the home services industry, I hear a lot of horror stories. They range from floods, fires, and break-ins to squirrel infestations and DIY plumbing mixups. But of all those nightmare scenarios, the saddest are the ones that happen while the homeowner is on vacation. You know what I’m talking about. I bet you’ve had a neighbor come back to a burst pipe, pests, or a fridge full of rotting food after a power outage. The tragic thing about these stories is that they’re preventable. Nine times out of 10, if I’d been there before the homeowner left, I could have given them a simple tip that would save them thousands of dollars. I can’t reach everybody with this insight, but I can help you before you jet off on your Valentine’s vacation or spring break trip. To save yourself from house-induced heartache, do these five things before leaving home. 1. Turn off your main water supply. Turning off your main water supply line (or at least the valves in your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room) is the fastest way to winterize your home. It will save you from a flood if a pipe bursts. If you have a sump pump, make sure it’s functioning by pouring a cup of water into it and watching to see if it’s pumped out successfully. 2. Double-check for leaks and cracks. Don’t leave home without fixing that leaky sink, clogged drain, or crack in your siding. These are invitations to pests! Look over the areas near your window and doors and seal them with tape or weather strips.

BEFORE

They put deep navy on the bottom and a beautiful bright white on top, replacing their cabinet handles with a clean, modern silver look. If strong color contrasts seem like a scary choice at first, take a look at this attractive remodeling, which could convince anyone to spend extra time in the kitchen. Call us today to see how we can help make your kitchen sparkle again!

Happy trails!

-Tom Gibson

AFTER

(304) 760-9500

www.NHance.com/charlestonwv

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Is Sustainable Toilet Paper Necessary?

What to Know Before You Go

When you consider going eco-friendly, the first item that comes to mind might not be toilet paper. However, according to Environment America, the average American uses 140 rolls of toilet paper each year — about twice as much as parts of Europe — and despite just being 4% of the world’s population, Americans are responsible for 20% of the world’s toilet paper consumption. On top of that, production relies on about 37 gallons of water to make one roll of TP. All of that reliance takes its toll on the Earth and begs the question: Is there a better way to go? Turns out, there is! Sustainable toilet paper brands have created products that are not only effective but eco-friendly, too. Some brands rely on non- virgin pulp wood, which means the products used to create the paper are not sourced 100% from trees. It’s instead created from recycled products, like office paper or old newspapers consumers never used. Other brands also rely on bamboo, which has become a sustainability legend. Bamboo is a tree-like grass plant that doesn’t require chemical protection, produces more oxygen, grows easily, and is very strong! Brands like Reel, Who Gives A Crap, Seventh Generation, and TUSHY Bamboo all rely on recycled or sustainable products. Reviewers of these products say the strength of the paper holds up, and each brand offers its own unique perks. For instance, Reel is a subscription-based service, whereas Who Gives A Crap donates 50% of its profits to fighting hygiene- related health issues across the globe. If you’re a champion for eco-friendly causes, you may be asking, “What about bidets?” Bidets use less water and single-use materials compared to toilet paper; however, bidet users need to … uh, dry off after using a bidet, which could require some toilet paper use. You can avoid this by using a washable cloth, but if you do use toilet paper with the bidet, you will use far less than you would without a bidet. When choosing your route for sanitary and eco-friendly bathroom use, be sure to do your research and evaluate what works with your lifestyle. Ultimately, a small change of any kind can make a big difference!

When it comes to proper heart health, there is no shortage of advice. Getting regular exercise, eating fruits and vegetables daily, limiting alcohol intake, and avoiding smoking are just some of the heart-healthy directives doctors give their patients. But what if your home is hindering your cardiovascular health? It’s possible! Consider the following high-risk factors of an unhealthy home. Poor Air Quality We like to think of our home as a safe place to live, work, and play, but the very air you breathe in the home can be dangerous. A 2016 study published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that long-term exposure to toxins in the air can age blood vessels and lead to greater buildup in the heart’s arteries, which increases the chance for heart attack and stroke. To determine if the air in your home needs intervention, simply pay attention to your body’s signals. Signs of poor air quality may include regular headaches, nausea, frequent sneezing or sinus dryness, and coughing or breathing issues. Your house may also have unexplainable hot or cold spots, which could indicate poor air circulation and therefore poor air quality. This creates an environment where mold, mildew, and bacteria can linger and grow. You then breathe in these spores and spread these toxins throughout your body. Low Access to Activity Part of a heart-healthy lifestyle includes movement. Where you live can have a significant impact on this endeavor. For instance, neighborhoods that have poor “walkability” — like limited sidewalk access or dangerous infrastructure — may force residents to stay indoors. Furthermore, small spaces that don’t allow for at-home workouts don’t encourage exercise. You can combat these factors in a number of ways. For starters, contractors and professional organizers can help those with smaller homes install or design their space for better movement. Petitioning your city or neighborhood board to improve walking conditions can benefit the whole neighborhood. You can also search for “exercises for small spaces” on YouTube for more ideas on at-home workouts. To learn more about how you can improve your home to boost your health, speak with an HVAC or home repair expert. Is Your Home Heart Healthy? 2 Signs Your House Is Hurting Your Heart

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www.NHance.com/charlestonwv

(304) 760-9500

You, Me, and the Great Outdoors 3 Outside Date Night Ideas

Watch the sunset.

Did your significant other leave it up to you to come up with a romantic date idea this Valentine’s Day? Luckily for you, there are tons of date activities that are easy and affordable for you to enjoy with Mother Nature. While the possibilities are endless outside, here are three popular outdoor date ideas!

Sunsets are intuitively romantic: The sun paints the sky in calming reds, pinks, and purples, creating a beautiful backdrop. While watching the sunset, you and your partner can have a romantic picnic with the sky in view. Or you can embrace the scenery with your other half and create memories you both will never forget.

Go stargazing.

If you live in the city, stargazing is a good chance to escape for the night and get away from the light pollution in the city. If you already live in a location where you can easily see the stars, take advantage of the peaceful privacy with your loved one. Maybe you’ll spot a shooting star you can wish upon while you’re out there!

Hit up a drive-in movie.

If you’re looking for a way to be extra comfy while still sitting outside, a drive-in movie is the best destination! The best part about a drive-in is that you can view both new and old movies as well as bring your own snacks and drinks. If the weather permits and if you have a truck, you can load the bed with blankets and pillows and have a cozy night while watching a movie. These date night ideas are perfect for Valentine’s Day, but they don’t have to be limited to just the holiday! You can also consider these for any date that you have with your significant other. Nothing brings couples closer like being together with nature.

A Big NYC Attraction Becomes Illegal

Baked Feta Pasta AKA Viral TikTok Pasta!

Inspired by Delish.com

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes • 1 shallot, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 1/2 cup olive oil • Salt, to taste

• Red pepper flakes, to taste • 3 sprigs of fresh thyme • 1 8-oz block of feta cheese • 10 oz pasta of choice • Lemon zest to taste

If you were an immigrant who just arrived to New York City in the 1880s and had at least 10 cents, you could rent a pushcart and become a business owner. For more than 50 years, pushcart markets in New York City offered immigrants immediate access to an $828 million industry (in today’s money) that sold competitively priced goods like groceries, household items, and clothing. However, those who were wealthy and in anti-pushcart movements complained primarily about poor sanitation in these markets. So, in 1938, Mayor La Guardia proclaimed in The New York Times that “peddling on the streets of this city is a thing of the past.” To ease opposition, La Guardia opened indoor markets, which required pushcart sellers to apply for limited spots and pay higher fees. Thousands of pushcart sellers lost their jobs afterward, and some brick-and-mortar stores lost as much as 60% of their business with the decrease in nearby foot traffic.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. In a large pan, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, olive oil, salt, red pepper, and thyme. 3. Place the cheese block in the center of the pan and bake for 40 minutes. 4. Cook pasta according to box instructions. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the noodles. 5. When the tomato and feta cheese mixture is done, add the cooked pasta, pasta water, and lemon zest, stirring until completely combined.

To this day, pushcart selling is still illegal.

(304) 760-9500

www.NHance.com/charlestonwv

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Cabinet Refinishing and Hardwood Floor Refinishing

PO Box 282, Winfield, WV 25213 | (304) 760-9500 | www.NHance.com/charlestonwv

INSIDE

1. 2.

5 Things to Check Before Your Romantic Getaway Your Home May Be Breaking Your Heart (Literally) Does Sustainable Toilet Paper Actually Work?

3.

Include Mother Nature in Your Next Date

Why This NYC Attraction Became Illegal

Make TikTok Pasta for Your Sweetheart!

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3 Hacks to Make Your Tiny Kitchen Appear Larger

Transform Your Tiny Kitchen 3 Ways to Improve Your Cooking Space!

Tiny kitchen owners unite! The kitchen is often considered the heart of your home, so this February, show your tiny cooking space a little love by upgrading without fully remodeling.

Add More Storage

Having more built-in storage means more space on countertops, which creates the illusion of a bigger kitchen. Try adding floating shelves to the end cap of your lower cabinets or hang pots, pans, and glassware under upper cabinetry or above a stove or island.

Get Creative With Lines

Lines can be utilized to trick the eye into thinking a space is larger than it is. HGTV suggests installing floor-to-ceiling subway tile, which will give the illusion of longer and bigger walls. If you need a taller-looking kitchen, try installing the tiles vertically!

Repurpose Your Windows

Who says your window is just for light? Utilize this space to hang pots and pans or install a floating shelf across the window for cook books and coffee mugs! This will let the light in while stylishly utilizing an often-overlooked area for storage.

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www.NHance.com/charlestonwv

(304) 760-9500