Home Upgrades Magazine March 2012

See page 6 & 7 for more detailspg 28

pg 18

Beyond Expectations…Beyond Expectations…

March 2012 March 2012 Your Total Source for Home ImprovementYour Total Source for Home Improvement

featuring

springstylespringstyle

Go Green in MarchGo Green in MarchIrish Stew RecipeSt.Patty’s Decorating Ideas

Irish Stew RecipeSt.Patty’s Decorating Ideas

YOUR GUIDE TO

HOME DECÓR IDEAS

2 3Home Upgrades Magazine I MARCH 2012 HomeUpgradesMag.com I To Advertise Call 214-620-2050

Specializing inNew Home Construction

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Home Upgrades is published monthly and distributed by mail to over 100,000 Collin County residents. If you are interested in submitting a Home Upgrade advertisement please contact us at: 214-620-2050 • [email protected] are available at the rate of $25 a year or $2.08 per issue. Subscriptions should be sent to: Home Upgrades Magazine, 6401 Eldorado Pkway, Suite 200, McKinney, TX 75070. For advertising rates, call 214-620-2050 or visit www.homeupgradesmag.com

© 2012 HomeUpgrades Magazine Inc. Reproduction or use, without express written permission from the Publisher, of any portion of the magazine, is prohibited. Advertising copy, contracts and orders are subject to the publishers acceptance. The publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement that does not conform to the editorial or graphic standards of HomeUpgrades magazine. Cancellation or changes are not accepted after deadline. The publisher reserves the right to repeat the last printed ad if a replacement is not received by deadline. HomeUpgrades is not responsible for omissions or information that as been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers assume all liability for advertising content.

The month of March is charged with possibilities. The holidays are over and the chilly weather is waning fast. Clear, sunny days beckon us outdoors and start us dreaming of spring gardens and summer vacations. Birds clamber about the feeder and sprouts shoot up so fast you can almost watch them grow.

We’re excited this month to introduce a new monthly feature, Out and About, which will introduce exciting seasonal finds to enhance your home and lifestyle. We hope you like it as much as we do.

If there’s one color that says Spring like no other it’s GREEN. In this month’s design offering Myssy Thompson proffers ideas for making the inside of your home as green as the outside. Mimi Greenwood Knight examines the air inside that home and looks at ways to improve your indoor air quality for the healthiest home possible.

We have the perfect hearty recipe to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the family! Everyone will love this rich pot of our traditional Irish stew. Mmmmmmm.

Happy Spring!

President & Publisher

March 2012 • HomeUpgradesMag.com

KRISTA CHEATHAM

LETTER FROM THE PUBL ISHER…

Call today for a FREE estimate!

Spring Special! Tired of high utility bills, repair bills and waiting on the repair guy? Want to eliminate those hassles? Find out why Samm’s has a 100% customer referral rate and take advantage of this promo-36 months no interest financing option (equal pay, payment in full during program period) OR Reduced Rate 5.9% APR. pay OR Up to $1,250 Instant Rebate on qualifying Trane systems with Samm’s.

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Spring is just around the corner, March 20th to be exact, in which the days get longer and the cool brisk winds leave the air. Keeping that in mind it’s time to transition your landscape from winter to spring.

AMA Landscape & Design offers professional, knowledgeable staff to help design and create enthusiasm and satisfaction in your landscape. If you have been considering a full overhaul or even a small enhancement we hope you will allow us to make your vision a reality. We will come to your house and meet with you to explore ideas and recommend options. We can then design the most beneficial way to utilize your outdoor living space.

As a team we discuss the most cost effective way to enhance your space for complete enjoyment by offering the following services:

Artificial Turf /Artificial GrassArtificial turf is an ecologically friendly solution to lawns, pathways and pet areas. This type of lawn can save you hundreds of dollars on lawn maintenance and watering costs. Over the years the popularity in artificial turf has grown due to the cost savings. Turf has come a long way in its feel and appearance.

Benefits of Artificial turf are the following:• No Insects • No Fading • No Weeds • No mowing, watering or fertilization • No Mud • Very little maintenance

Shade Arbor, Pergola, Gazebo, FencesPergolas and arbors are a great way to transform your home, create visual appeal, and expand the usable space of your yard or outdoor area. These decorative structures are a wonderful way to give the feel of an extra room without the additional expense of a costly home renovation.

Outdoor LivingAMA’s outdoor kitchens are hand crafted by our master stone masons. As we discuss with our clients what they would like to see our masons can build it. With the variety of stone colors and various materials available we can create a piece of art. If you’re a master griller or just like to grill casually, AMA offers an assortment of BBQ grills and kitchen appliances.

AMA offers a variety of outdoor products. Fire pits, Arbors, Gazebos, Play Sets, Basketball Courts the list is endless. If you want it in your back yard we can provide it.

Water FeaturesWater features transform an outdoor living space into a beautiful paradise where you can relax, unwind, and enjoy quality time with family and friends. Water features become the focal point of any garden. Whether you tuck a decorative fountain near the entrance of your home or create a backyard habitat with an ecosystem pond and waterfall, you’ll find each day enhanced when you waterscape your landscape. Whether you have an expansive lawn or a small balcony, you’ll find a water feature to suit your lifestyle and budget.

Rain ExchangeThe RainXchange System is Revolutionary it’s a design that combines a recirculating decorative water feature with a sub-surface rainwater harvesting collection system.

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For further information please contact AMA for a brochure or appointment.

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AMA Landscape & Design is a sister company of AMA Construction Services which also provides the following services:• Lot and acreage mowing• Erosion and sediment control and street sweeping• Power washing• Ranch and large property clean-up and maintenance• Fence repairs and installation• Snow Removal• Cement Work

Eric & Stacey Anderson – Owners

Ofelia HarringtonGeneral Manager/New Business DevelopmentAMA Construction Services, LLCAMA Landscape and DesignClassic Holiday Lighting (formerly Affordable Christmas Lighting)

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We are always happy to give you a free, no obligation estimate. Call today to schedule your appointment.

Beyond Expectations…Get Ready For Spring!


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10 Home Upgrades Magazine I MARCH 2012

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Steve & Debby Barron - OwnersPhoto courtesy: Jay Gunn

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t is easy to understand the product implied in the name Designer Door & Window, but this company is so much more than a product. It seems Designer

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Referring to their logo, both owners vigorously explained the design. “The “D” holds a place of prominence in the words we have chosen to represent our values to our customers. Included in the ability to design custom doors and windows, we have provided every opportunity to exhibit the uniqueness of our sales and installation process. We

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Steve and Debby Barron carefully chose simple, yet meaningful words to illustrate their business philosophy. “Decidedly Different, Definitely Affordable is not just a catch phrase to us,” remarked Steve. “It reflects a business philosophy borne of our own experiences as consumers which we feel sets our company apart from our competitors.” It is clear this is one company that places a high value on quality product and excellent customer relationships – a business philosophy that clearly fuels their enthusiasm about the future of their business.

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HOME UPGRADES MAGAZINE RECIPE

Ingredients:1 tablespoon olive oil2 pounds of lamb, cut into 1 1/2 inch piecesAdd beef (optional)1 medium onion halved and sliced3 medium yukon gold potatoes peeled and sliced3 carrots peeled and sliced1 large celery stalk sliced1 1/2 tsp of fresh thyme1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary4 cups beef stock (lamb if available)salt and pepper to taste1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Heat oil over medium heat in a large dutch oven. Add lamb, season with salt andpepper and cook until evenly browned.

Add onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add celery, carrots and potatoes along with thymeand rosemary, gently stir in stock. Cover and put in oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until vegetables and meat are very tender. Serve hot and garnish with parsley.

Photo by Aimee Louise Photography

Irish Stew is a celebrated dish however no one can really agree on the ingredients. Traditionally the only acceptable ingredients were lamb or mutton as well as potatoes, carrots, onions and parsley. Here is a simple spin on a classic dish that will warm you on a cold day!

Irish Stew

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Caulk all windows, vents and other openings into your home, inside and out.

Use High Efficiency A/C Filters– The American Lung Association recommends filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 10 or higher

to eliminate pet dander, dust, smoke, mold and other small particles and allergens from your air.

Purge old containers of paint, solvents, pesticides or other household chemicals which can give off harmful gases that pollute the air and cause health problems.

Tighten Lids on Cleaning Products which can also pollute the air and cause potential health problems.

No Smoking – Zero Tolerance – Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, 200 of which are known poisons, and more than 69 known cancer-causing agents.

Invest in a House Air Filtration System – A system such as the Trane Clean Effects can clean and filter 99.98% of airborne allergens from your home.

Keep Pets Outdoors if family members have pet allergies, or at least keep them away from the bedrooms

of anyone with asthma or allergies. Bathe and groom pets often to reduce pet dander, a common allergies and asthma trigger.

Keep Humidity Levels in your home below 50%, which will also increase the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner.

Change AC/ heating filters every two to three months. Have units inspected annually by a licensed professional.

Consider installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

Vacuum Regularly with a sealed HEPA filtration system vacuum concentrating in bedrooms where dust mites accumulate and under furniture where dust and pet dander gather.

Vent Your Dryer directly to the outside and inspect the vent duct regularly making sure it’s attached securely to the dryer, is clear of obstructions (i.e. lint) and free of holes. Replace damaged vents.

Choose Houseplants that Filtrate Air– Some of these are Rubber Plant, Boston Fern, English Ivy, Peace Lily, Weeping Fig, Australian Sword Fern, Areca Palm, Reed Palm, Dwarf Date Palm and Janet Craig Dracaena. A good rule of thumb is one plant per ten square yards of floor space.

If you’re a parent, you likely worry about the food your child eats and the water he drinks. But have you thought about the air he breathes – INSIDE your house? According to recent research by The Environmental Protection Agency, levels of air pollution inside U.S. homes are often three to five times higher than outside. Here are some changes you can institute to improve the air quality in your home, according to the American Lung Association.

by mimi greenwood knight

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IRISHEYESARE

SMILING

March, the month of change. In the weather we have those sometimes lingering cold winter days, but we also start to feel the change of season upon us. I feel so ready to just get outside and enjoy those beautiful days of early spring. We also have some great opportunities to celebrate together in March.

For as long as I can remember we always treasured and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in our house. My mom always had a felt green shamrock laid out so we could pin it to our school uniforms to avoid the dreadful pinch from our school mates and friends. But when we got home there were touches of the Irish everywhere we looked. We loved it every bit of her effort all the way down to the green cool-aid we drank at dinner.

Since March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day)falls on a Saturday this year I figured I would give some inspiration this month to those of you who want to host a St. Patty’s Day Party with a beautiful centerpiece idea. The good thing about this look is that you can keep it up and out for the rest of spring and embellish it with just a few accents to change Holidays. Green can take you from January to December, so it’s a great natural neutral!

Since the color Green has such a strong influence for this Holiday and celebration I wanted to go with a natural looking idea. When I saw this grapevine basket with the green moss I knew it would be perfect. I added a wooden tray with a distressed green bowl filled with more of the green balls and a bell Jar filled with rocks and moss. Then I tucked in a branch and

added a seasonal pick. As is this is a centerpiece perfect for Spring, but just adding a few holiday accents can make look come to life…

Other ideas: St. Patrick’s Day; Fill the Bell jar with gold coins sprinkle some coins around to add that more festive look, or even add a leprachan hat in the basket. For an Easter twist add a table top cross or fill the basket with festive looking eggs.

Cheers…Until next month.

Mag7girl.com

Photos by Aimee Louise Photography

Myssy Thompson

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32 Home Upgrades Magazine I MARCH 2012

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Home Upgrades Magazine March 2012

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