La Quinta, California

La Quinta, California
Desert Luxury

Desert Luxury Realty

Thank you for visiting my blog. When you choose Mary Williams, as your real estate agent, you are working with a team of seasoned professionals who cater to your every real estate need. Buying or Selling your home does not need to be full of hassels or needless pressure. Take it easy and enjoy the luxury of the desert. I look forward to assisting you with your search or sell of your home. Contact me today!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Installing a Tile Countertop

2011-03-07 08.21.07Updating your kitchen’s countertop is a good way to give your kitchen a face lift and improve your home’s value. If you’re paying a contractor to do it for you, it can get pricey fast. Fortunately, there are a number of DIY options to fit your budget. In this article, you may not get a full step-by-step accounting of the process, but you’ll gain enough information to decide whether you want to tackle the project yourself or hire an expert.

Planning

You’ve probably heard the saying, “measure twice, cut once.” The planning stage is the most important part of a remodeling project. Measure your countertops, sinks and stove area carefully and jot down the numbers. To generate a layout, either sketch it by hand on graph paper, or use a computer program. Then, select a tile that works well with it.

Clearing and Prep Work

You’ll need to remove your stove, sink top and disposal or dishwasher to get started. If you’re overlaying an existing countertop, square off any rounded edges and use a palm or orbital sander with 50-grit paper to scuff the surface. If you’re replacing the entire counter, first lay down 3/4-inch plywood, and then bond a cement board to it with latex-fortified, thin-set mortar. The concrete board is impervious to water and will make your work last longer.

Check the Layout

Before you start slathering mortar onto your prepped surface, take the time to double check your layout. It’s best to work either from the counter edge in front of the sink back towards the back splash, or outward from a corner.

Lay the Tile

Mix small batches of mortar and work in 6- to 8-foot sections. Doing this will prevent your mortar from getting dry. You’ll also be able to evaluate your work as you go and make corrections where necessary. Don’t forget to account for grout lines, as your tiles won’t be directly butted up against each other.

Fit In Edge Pieces

Edge pieces can be heavier and may fall if not supported. You can either clamp 2x2 boards to the edge as a guide, or use tile shims and masking tape to hold them in place until the grout dries.

Tile the Back splash

Now that your countertop is done, it’s time to tile the back splash. Either line up the back splash tiles exactly with your countertop layout, or offset them by half a tile to give the job professional polish.

Finishing Your Work

Give the grout a few hours to set, and then use a chisel to clear up any oozing soft-set grout. It will be harder to remove once it’s fully set, so diligence pays off. If you’re using porous tile, allow the grout to set overnight, and then seal the surface with a sealant designed for your chosen type of tile. You’ll need to wait about an hour before applying grout to the spaces. Mix the grout to the consistency of toothpaste and use a grout float to work it into the spaces between tiles. Again, work in approximately 6-foot sections. Wipe down the surface as you finish each section to avoid the excess grout from hardening on top of your tile. Once you've finished, give your counters about three days to fully cure, and then seal the countertop again before reinstalling the sink and appliances. As you can see, tiling your countertop isn’t extremely difficult, but it is time consuming. But there is an easier way -- call me today and let's what other options available - like having it done professionally and heading to the links instead!!

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**all information provided by wingwire.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Liven Up Your Home Decor with Chevrons

cheveronChevrons are a hot decor trend today, and for good reason. The zigzag stripes give the illusion of movement and make a bold statement. If you’re looking for some design inspiration, check out these great ways to use chevrons in your home.

Flooring

If you’re doing it all by hand, creating a chevron pattern with tile, laminate or wood flooring may require some creative math and precise cuts. For those who are mathematically challenged, there’s good news. Many home improvement stores sell prefab wall and floor tiles that come with the chevron pattern already created. The tiles are backed by a mesh sheet that helps them adhere to the grout and makes measuring easier.

Accent Walls

Unless done subtly, chevrons can quickly overwhelm a decor scheme. That’s where accent walls come in. You can use an accent wall to make a bold statement in your living room or bedroom, as well as tie together the colors you’ve used in the rest of your decor. For best results, use only two to five colors; too many shades can overwhelm the pattern quickly. If you use more than two shades, you may want to vary the stripe width a bit to give your eyes a place to rest and to better highlight the bolder shades you’ve used.

Bold Colors

Chevrons are a great way to highlight bold and bright colors, but they don’t have to be overwhelmingly vibrant. Use soft grays and pearly whites paired with metallic accents to add subtle modern sophistication to a room. Today’s neutrals move away from the classic black, white and khaki to a more naturally inspired palette. Try pairing a brighter shade with gentle, flowing blues or buttery yellows to tone down the more vibrant hue and create a softer look.

Window Treatments

You can buy readymade chevron window treatments, but if you’re looking for customization, you might want to try your hand at a do-it-yourself version. A little sailcloth, some painter’s tape, fabric medium and a can of paint are all you need to create custom drapes that look great and give you plenty of privacy.

Accessories

Chevron covered ottomans and throw pillows abound, but you can also breathe new life into old end tables or desks with a fresh coat of paint. Pick a main color and an accent color. Use the main color all over, but mark off the top with painter’s tape and use your accent shade to create a trendy new surface for your drinks or notebook to rest upon. You could also paint drawer fronts or doors in your accent shade to tie it in with the rest of the piece.

Make It Yours

Bold, beautiful results are possible with a little ingenuity when you incorporate chevrons into your home decor. Create subtle patterns with flooring and soft colors on your walls, or add in striking accents in vibrant colors. Have fun with this energetic and striking home design trend. Check out more Chevron ideas on Pinterest Not sure if you should remodel, refresh or stage your home?  Give me a call and together we can go over your options. A little or a lot, I will be able to walk you through the process. If you’re coming back to the desert this winter, why not start refreshing your Desert home now, so it’s all ready for your arrival!!

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**information provided by wingwire

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

La Quinta Arts Festival ~ March 5 - 8th

 #1 Fine Art & Design Shows!!!

LQ Arts Festival 2013

33rd La Quinta Arts Festival

March 5 to 8th, 2015 

78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, 92253

"THREE PEAT!!  La Quinta Arts Festival has done it again:  Ranked #1Fine Art Festival in the Nation by Art Fair SourceBook, the definitive guide for art and craft fairs in the U.S. This is the third straight year (2013, 2014, 2015) that LQAF's signature event has captured the most coveted title in the world of fine art festivals."  Read All About It. Produced by La Quinta Arts Foundation, in partnership with its Premier Sponsor the City of La Quinta, La Quinta Arts Festival raises funds for the Foundation’s non-profit mission of Promoting & Cultivating the Arts. The 33rd Annual La Quinta Arts Festival returns to the visually stunning setting of La Quinta’s Civic Center Campus (78495 Calle Tampico La Quinta CA) in the greater Palm Springs area – Southern California’s preferred desert resort location. Produced by La Quinta Arts Foundation, in partnership with its Premier Sponsor the City of La Quinta, La Quinta Arts Festival raises funds for the Foundation’s non-profit mission of Promoting & Cultivating the Arts.
Check out La Quinta Arts Foundation Facebook!!