Working on — The House Exterior

Making Your Home Beautiful

As there are several different styles to consider, having some knowledge about the various designs and what it entails would be a good place to start.

The following are some simple outlines on the more popular designs used:

• Farmhouse — here the main facade feature would be the covered porch that usually stretches along the front and goes around the sides of the unit. One may also consider the steep gable roof, shutters and horizontal siding that make up the style of the farmhouse.
• Georgian — the symmetrical design evident here comes from the stately brick facade that amplifies the Georgian style. The decorative keystones over the shuttered windows, the columned entryway and the gabled dormers all add to the distinct characteristic of this style.
• Cape Cod — the simple lines used here contribute to the symmetrical design, where the dormers and the dominant roofline dictate its distinctness. The roofline, which typically extends down to the first floor, is what makes this design mirror the early styles.
• Victorian — Victorian style architecture has a very distinctive style that is recognizable in the home corner turret, its wraparound porch and the ornate detailing work. This is also another style that is considered dated, yet still charmingly drawing the interest of a lot of home owners.
• Mediterranean — the arched windows and stucco exterior are all part of this particular style. Adding to this, the low pitched tiled roof is an excellent example of the Mediterranean style.
• Contemporary — then there is the ever popular more suburban look which is displayed through its asymmetrical design of varied rooflines, stark facade and hold windows. In some designs, there is the add-on of a circular tower with a domed skylight.

Always Have A First Aid Kit

Be Safe

A well-stocked first aid kit is sometime the only recourse an individual has to the first line of defense when accidents occur at home, at work or outdoors. In most cases, it is a very good source to turn to when there is a medical emergency and actual medical assistance is not available or close at hand. However, a first aid kit should be well equipped at all times and updated periodically as most of the contents have an expiration date. An ill equipped first aid kit will be of no use to anyone.

The following are some of the items that should ideally be part of a complete first aid kit — first aid manual, sterile gauze pads of different sizes, adhesive tape, adhesive bandages in several sizes, elastic bandages, a splint, antiseptic wipes, soap, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solutions, hydrocortisone cream, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, extra prescription medications that can be used without a doctor’s prescription, tweezers, sharp scissors, safety pins, disposable instant cold packs, calamine lotion, alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol, a thermometer, a couple of pairs of plastic non latex gloves, a flash light and extra batteries and maybe a blanket.

Although some of the items listed may seem a little extreme, it would still be prudent to include them as being prepared is better than being caught off guard when it comes to being faced with having to handle an emergency situation. Storing the first aid kits in places that are out of the reach of children is another important consideration.