Summer Home Improvements

Summer is finally here! That means it is time to gear up for the heat and for some of us it means getting the ball rolling  on home improvement projects! As with any topic, everyone has their own opinion about the most important home improvement project you can do to your home.

1. Paint! Painting the inside/outside of your home makes it look cleaner and brighter!

2. Get in the Dirt! Landscaping is a fun and easy way to bring color and life to your home while adding to the value!

3. Replace Old with the New! The kitchen and the bathroom are considered the 2 most important rooms in the house. Replacing the flooring, cabinets, wall/ceiling fixtures, or paint can make a great difference!

4. Have a garage sale! Cleanse your house of unwanted/unused items! You will gain space and hopefully some extra cash!

5. Get with the Green! Energy Star appliances save money! If you are not looking to replace any major appliances it is easy to make sure the doors and windows in your home are sealed properly so the cool air stays in and the hot air stays out!

Whatever you decide to do this summer, enjoy it while you can!

1800 Larimer: Denver’s Greenest Building

The president and chief executive of development firm Westfield Co, Rich McClintock, had a vision of creating a space that could “enhance the employee experience and improve worker productivity.” His end product: 1800 Larimer. The Greenest building in Denver.

Are you wondering how one would go about making employees more productive? Rich McClintock has that covered in more than 1 way.

First,  each employee can control the temperature of their own work space by utilizing a diffuser that is connected to an “under-floor air system that provides a constant flow of fresh air” – while saving as much as 50 percent savings in energy costs.

With floor to ceiling windows allowing natural light to flood in, the “spacious fitness center overlooking the 17,000-square-foot garden terrace,” and the use of sustainable materials like bamboo cabinets and cork flooring, it is evident that McClintock did not side step over any detail.

Some of the new inhabitants include Xcel Energy, Frederick Ross Co., and Citywide Banks. “The top four floors, which boast panoramic views from their floor-to-ceiling windows, are still available for lease!” (read more).

Green Spring!

Spring time is coming and that can mean spring cleaning is right around the corner. However, most of the chemicals in  cleaning products are far from being earth friendly. There are 5 natural household products that get the job done and get your house clean! Can you guess what they are? (read more)

Going Green… As an Investment

RECYCLE, Turn off/ Unplug items that are not in use, Use Re-use-able bags, Carpool…  We are continually reminded about the benefits of going green that we could recite them in our sleep.  Would you ever think that an environmentally friendly or “green” building would have the same effects?

Chris Palmeri reviews a study done at San Diego State University where research found “tenants in green buildings experience increased productivity and fewer sick days” and “that green buildings have lower vacancy rates and higher rents than non-green counterparts” (read more).