Use Solar Shades to Save Money and Enhance Your Home

(NewsUSA) - Large windows make homes feel airy and open -; but windows also let in sun and allow heat transfer, damaging furniture and raising energy bills.Controlling the way light enters the home can make homes more comfortable and less expensive, not to mention more attractive. The experts at Durasol (www.durasol.com), a 25-year-old business that specializes in retractable awnings, solar screens and stationary awnings, offers these suggestions...

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Insulation Keeps Heat In, Cold Out

(NewsUSA) - Heating accounts for 30 to 50 percent of the energy used in the average American home. Unfortunately, many Americans pay for heat only to send warm air billowing out windows, attics, ceilings, floors, doors and garages.Poorly insulated homes prove more difficult, and more costly, to keep comfortable. But choosing and installing insulation can be a simple, do-it-yourself project that pays for itself.How does insulation work? Heat naturally...

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Happy Holidays - From Our Family To Yours!

The Structures Team all vying to be Santa's newest Rudolph (left to right) RP Newton - Production Manager, Deborah Way - Sales and Marketing Coordinator - Dave Hargis - Project Manager, Kristy Gorsuch - Design Manager, Steve Kendrick - Owner, Amy Jenkinson - Accountant Kristy couldn't contain her excitement to get her very own red nose!R.P. with his sad face when Steve told him he couldn't wear his Rudolph nose all day long. Amy eager to be in a...

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Mix Modern and Rustic Pieces For a Stylish Feel

(NewsUSA) - Good home design feels effortless. When inhabitants style rooms to reflect their personalities, rather than the latest design trends, they create thoughtful, comfortable homes. Rather than design "themed" homes, many homeowners blend modern and rustic elements.But there's an art to eclectic design. Some Americans focus entire rooms on a single, prized possession, while others design more neutral spaces. Either way, mix-and-match types...

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Upgrade Your Lighting With These Simple Tips

(NewsUSA) - When it comes to home decorating, lighting proves just as important as paint color. Quality lighting allows residents to perform tasks without eyestrain and creates a warm, comfortable feel.When lighting a room, remember that you will need more than one type of light. You will need to use general lighting, or overall illumination, and task lighting, which helps you perform tasks like reading or cooking without eyestrain. Many homeowners...

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Welcome Home!

We are so excited to welcome Chris and Tamra as they have relocated to their new home on Daniel Island! Chris and Tamra designed their own home and are looking forward to unpacking and settling in to life in Charleston, SC. Their home is absolutely beautiful and we have really enjoyed working with them and are so glad to welcome them into the Structures fami...

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Designing the Home of Your Dreams, California-Style

(NewsUSA) - Each year, many proud homeowners set out to increase the "dream" appeal of their homes - a task that can be made easier and more exciting with inspiration from the annual HGTV Dream Home. The 2009 home, located in beautiful Sonoma, Calif., is full of ideas that can help you amp up the dream quotient of your existing home. Investing time and love in your home can prove to be a rewarding experience whether you're dreaming of a wine-country...

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Five Common Carpet Myths Debunked

(NewsUSA) - Carpeting has been the most popular floor covering in America for decades for good reason -; carpets feel soft, reduce noise and insulate rooms.But some common misconceptions deter people from buying carpets. Before purchasing flooring, consider the following information from Shaw Floors:Myth 1: Asthma and allergy sufferers should not have carpet in the home.Fact: EPA scientists concluded that carpet fibers, in trapping and immobilizing...

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Save Energy, Save Money, Stay Warm

(NewsUSA) - As temperatures dip lower, families can save money and keep warm by making energy-efficiency improvements to their homes.The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released essential tips for saving energy and money this winter to help Americans best prepare and manage their energy usage in a variety of ways.According to DOE, on average, energy-efficient improvements reduce heating bills by 32 percent, estimating a threefold return on money...

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What are League Tables?

As we have discussed in the past, when interviewing with an investment bank you should be prepared to answer the question: Why this bank?There are several elements to answering this questions effectively. You will definitely want to talk about the "Culture" of the bank. This is when you tell your interviewers what their perspective of the institution is. Speak with analysts at the bank to get an...

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