Highlight Homes gets a great deal of our inspiration from the homeowners with whom we are honored to work from one project to the next. To keep our stores of creativity overflowing, we often look at the world around us – both within our industry and slightly outside of that box. Most recently inspired by the commemoration of Earth Day, the tragic Boston Marathon Bombing, and the undeniable arrival of Spring in the Southeast, we have compiled the following list of people, places, products, and companies that motivate us to do what we do every day:
Composting: At Highlight Homes, we pride ourselves on being a Green Builder. We are big believers in the mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” and often incorporate those practices in our custom construction and remodeling projects. Composting is an easy way to reduce landfill waste, recycle biodegradable materials to make nutrient rich humus, and reuse that compost to fertilize the soil in your garden – eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. Getting started is easy! Purchase a compost bin to collect kitchen waste in the home and begin a compost pile in your back yard on a patch of bare earth lined with straw and twigs to aerate the lawn clippings, yard waste and contents of your home’s compost bin. For more information on how to start composting and what should be included in your compost pile, read this helpful article from EarthEasy.com.
Grow Your Own Herb Garden: Another major theme of the Green Movement is sustainability. Once you’ve begun your compost pile, you have the perfect fertilizer to establish an herb garden. These are terrific for fenced-in backyards (to help deter wildlife) and container gardens on decks. Fresh herbs are a wonderful addition to a wide variety of recipes, so this is an ideal project for the eco-friendly gardener who loves to cook. The easiest herbs to grow are basil, dill, fennel, mint, oregano, and rosemary, among others. For tips on how to grow herbs and great recipes to use them in once they’ve grown, check out this slideshow from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, titled “Easy-to-Grow Herbs.”
Security Cameras: It is unlikely that we Americans will ever forget the eerie images captured of the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects before the tragic events of April 15, 2013. We live in a world where security cameras are placed on nearly every street corner in every major city. They are a modern measure that has not only brought the guilty to justice, but can also serve as a deterrent to crime. In order to keep watch over the ones you love, you may want to consider having security cameras placed near points of entry at your family’s home. Marietta-based Georgia CCTV provides video surveillance systems for homes and businesses throughout Metro Atlanta.
Sunrooms: With the wonderful arrival of Spring each April, so follows the onset of pollen season. That yellow stuff that dusts the windshields of our cars and leaves its mark on the patio furniture in the backyard makes it nearly impossible for many Georgians to breathe deeply without sneezing and wheezing. Still, the grass is greening up, leaves are reappearing on the trees, and flowers are filling the gardens. It seems a shame not to be able to enjoy Mother Nature’s splendor this beautiful time of year just because of a fine yellow powder. Pollen poses an excellent argument for the incorporation of a sunroom filled with windows for the four-season enjoyment of the Great Outdoors. It just so happens that sunrooms are one (among MANY) of our specialties here at Highlight Homes. To schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss the incorporation of a sunroom addition at your home, call our talented design-build team at 678-873-8234 TODAY!
Photo Credit: Chopped Herbs by Brian/Stockvault.net
