The DNA of a renovation firm
      Have you longed to redo your kitchen or bath? Naturally, everyone would like to have a drop dead gorgeous award winning kitchen and bath. How do you go about finding a designer and construction firm, what are the qualities or makeup that you should look for and what differentiates or makes one firm unique from another?
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New kitchen luxuries make entertaining easy
      (ARA) - Entertaining at home is the perfect way to spend time with your family and friends, as nothing beats relaxing and enjoying the beautiful summer weather with your guests. Unfortunately, hosting the party has always had one down side -- being stuck in the kitchen cleaning and cooking while others enjoy the festivities.
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You can outsmart Mother Nature
      (ARA) - Protecting your home means you're pitted in a constant struggle against the forces of nature. Products and improvements that help you beat the weather are a smart investment. Look for "weather beater" products that are low maintenance or that provide solutions to harsh climates and moisture.
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Affordable outdoor improvements offer great investment return
      (ARA) - With the real estate market yet to rebound from its dramatic plunge and credit still tight, housing figures show that more homeowners are staying put. But that doesn't mean they're sitting idly by.
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Decor can help you wow your mate
      (ARA) - When it comes to impressing your mate, forget about diamonds and designer gifts. You're more likely to snag a date based on your decorating taste than with bling. A majority of men and women - 88 and 85 percent, respectively - would prefer to receive a room makeover over a pricey pair of diamond earrings or watch, according to the KILZ Roller Report .
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Fall still warm enough to grow tomatoes
If fall conditions are agreeable, one could have fresh vine ripened tomatoes in December
BY THERESA FRIDAY Santa Rosa County Extension Agent
      The tomato is one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens. Gulf Coast gardeners revel in the planting of tomato plants in the spring. But unless you have grown hot-set tomatoes or the small fruited cherry and grape varieties, your tomato plants may have stopped setting fruit by mid-summer.
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Some do-it-yourself tips for getting rid of those problem birds
      (ARA) - Homeowners may not have the pest bird problems that plagued Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcock's unforgettable thriller "The Birds," but pest birds can still ruin your day. Pest birds cost homeowners millions of dollars annually. The high concentration of uric acid found in some bird droppings can discolor paint, stain wood, and erode metal.
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