http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/categoryname_diy/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ When was the last time you cleaned the following items in your home?  If you can't remember, it is definitely time!1. PillowAccording to the NY Post,, your pillow is as germy as a toilet seat! If that doesn't make you want to throw it in the washing machine, what about these facts: dust mites, pet hair, and dead skin ABOUND on your pillow.  You should be washing your pillow cover every three weeks and the pillow itself every three months. 2. Drying RackAs your dishes drip dry in the rack, a pile of water is standing there to accumulate a lot of slimy mess.  Be sure that you scrub the drying rack every few days to get rid of anything growing up in there.3. Kitchen SpongeActually, just throw it out.  There are 10 million bacteria per square inch on a kitchen sponge and that is what you are using to CLEAN your dishes!  A kitchen sponge is actually 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat.  If you can't remember when you opened a new one (or it was over a month ago), just go ahead and throw this one out. 4. Washing MachineAlthough these are fairly clean since you are usually using hot water, they still need to be cleaned at least once a month.  Simply run an empty load with hot water and bleach!5. SofaClean your sofa with a vacuum every 2 weeks and deep clean it once a year to keep it nice and germ free!  6. Toilet Bowl HandleObviously this is full of germs (just think about it for a second), so just wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe every few days to keep the germs from spreading around your household!7. Light SwitchesThese are getting touched multiple times a day, so they should be cleaned weekly (according to Karen Gibbs of TODAY). 8. Make Up BrushesAs you are applying your blush, think about the bacteria you are brushing on to your face first thing in the morning... Clean all your brushes once a month to keep the bacteria low and the pimples to a minimum!Anything you would add? http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/5858/top-8-home-items-to-clean-tonight!/ Wed, 30 May 2018 12:00:00 -0700 Summer is just around the corner which means barbecues and bonfires in the backyard!  Here are some stunning ideas for the drink station (because we all know that is where most of your party guests will spend their time!)Personalized concoctionsWho doesn’t love mixing liquids to make the ULTIMATE lemonade?! Whether you are having a morning party (can anyone say mimosa bar) or a dinner party, offer different types of juices and sodas to allow for some creativity!Use glass bottlesTo step your visuals up a notch, use glass bottles and fun paper straws!  Everyone will be oooing and awwwing! Add some fun!Sugar rims look gorgeous and it isn’t too difficult! Pre-sugar the rims by using a lemon or water and then dipping the top in sugar! Don’t forget the garnishesLeave out some lemons, limes, and basil leaves for people to put on the rim of the glass or squeeze in to add a burst of flavor and a delightful appearance!   http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/5816/creating-a-beautiful-backyard-summer-party/ Tue, 15 May 2018 12:00:00 -0700 Thinking about replacing or installing new carpet?  New carpet can give your home such a fresh feel. Carpets last in your house for a long time, so it’s worth researching your best options before investing in new flooring. Before you head out to the store, read over these helpful hints.Make a plan:  Carpet shopping can be an overwhelming experience.  Search for stores you want to visit, making sure to include local shops in your list, and set aside a day to check out those store’s carpet selections.  Realize that carpet shopping could take a few visits, so bring a pad of paper with you to write down the carpets you initially like so you can swing by a week later.  Check for quality: When presented with a sample of carpet, use your hands to feel the carpet.  If you bend the carpet backwards and the backing is easily visible, then you’re looking at low quality carpet.  This type of carpet will wear out significantly faster than higher qualities. Know your fibers: Nowadays there are so many different material options to choose from.  Nylon is the sturdiest option and will last years despite a high volume of child or pet activity.  Partially made from corn sugar, Triexta is a great, stain-resistant carpet.  Consider using polyester if you’re looking for soft, colorful patterns in low-traffic rooms.  Choose a sisal variety if you’re looking to install a durable, natural fiber in your home. Take Care of the Prep Work: You’re going to want to make sure you carpet is stretched and installed by professionals, but there’s no reason you should have to pay for prep work, like moving the furniture and removing the carpet.  You can do both of these things with just a little bit of elbow grease and your wallet will be happy you did. Like every home project, make sure you do your research before installing new carpet.  Never rush into a sale before you’ve checked out multiple places and have spent a few days dwelling on your selection.  Remember, this carpet is a big investment that will adorn your house for years to come. http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/5799/replacing-your-carpet?-read-this-first/ Thu, 10 May 2018 12:00:00 -0700 What are your design preferences? Building a home can be overwhelming, but if you think of it as this or that your decisions may be easier! Here are some common rooms and design trends that are going on in 2018!KITCHEN  Do you prefer the modern, simple look of the kitchen on the left or the farmhouse, rustic look of the one on the right?BATHROOM   White in homes is trending BIG TIME, but does the bathroom on the left have a little too much white or do you like the clean look?  People are painting their bathroom tiles left and right!  It is a lot of work but if you do it yourself it can be inexpensive and beautiful.  Do you like this antique look or not so much?LIVING ROOM   What your thoughts of the living room on the left? They are calling this "modern Scandinavian design". It is geometric and "urban" with a minimalist color scheme.  Those brown leather couches and deep living chairs are coming back in!  The living room on the right screams wild west while still maintaining some modern charm. http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/5770/this-or-that?/ Thu, 03 May 2018 12:00:00 -0700 Now is the time to sow the seeds and watch as sprouts transform your home into a vibrant summer living space!  Plants bring countless benefits to a home. Whether you live on vast acres of land, a small plot in a city, or even in the midst of a concrete jungle, consider these different gardening strategies to bring some plants into your home.Traditional garden beds: Plenty of land allows you to dig your own traditional garden beds.  Think beautiful displays around tree trunks, edging along the front porch, and flower companions for your mailbox.  To make sure your plants thrive in traditional beds, pick an area where plants already thrive, indicating good soil quality and water supply.  Till the earth about a foot down and apply a layer of organic material on top of the bed. Complete the garden bed with a decorative edging. Add a mix of filler plants, such as yarrow or creeping jenny varieties, and few flowering annuals to make your garden look full and vibrant.Raised garden beds:  If you’ve got a small plot of land, raised garden beds will provide you the most bang for your buck.  Raised beds warm faster, allowing your to plant earlier in the season, and drain more readily, helping you avoid water-logging your beautiful garden.  Available in all sorts and sizes, raised beds can add an additional bit of decorative flare to your garden. As the name implies, beds are at a higher starting point which is ideal for any gardener experiences back issues associated with crouching over the earth.  Herbs and vegetables do particularly well in raised beds. Some of my favourites are chives, any type of mint plant, beans, and pickling cucumbers.Container gardening: When land is not an option, bring the benefits of plants into your house with container gardening.  Container gardens provide ample opportunities to showcase the designer in you. Literally anything, from old tea kettles to cowboy boots, can serve as a container.  If the item you are using does not have anyway for the water to drain from the soil, buy a plastic pot that will fit inside your container. Even the most careful gardener will run into root rot when water cannot drain.  Find areas in your home with the best natural light to ensure that your plants will add the most pop to your home. Some plants that do particularly well inside are prayer plants, snake plant, African violets, and spider plants.   http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/5692/plants-for-all-housing-types/ Tue, 10 Apr 2018 12:00:00 -0700