Infusing natural elements for distinctive design

Natural materials add notes of strength and serenity to a space, while simultaneously revitalizing the overall aesthetic. These elements not only represent the distinct beauty found in nature, but also can serve as unique statement pieces that bring handcrafted modernity into your Keller home. From furnishings to fixtures, designers incorporate natural materials to create a soothing, yet energized aesthetic that creates a sense of intrinsic luxury.

Organic elements

Exploring natural materials can introduce a sense of refined serenity into interior design. From room to room, include elements inspired by nature, such as a concrete fixture or bluegrass wall coverings, for a rich, organic feel. From incorporating custom woodworking in the foyer with detailed pieces carved from exotic wood, or making a statement in the entryway with a lustrous agate console, channel both the simplistic and complex energy found in nature through distinct materials.

Compositional distinction

The addition of natural materials brings inherent compositional variations to a space, from a hand-carved soapstone chair to a side table crafted from driftwood. An infusion of pure charcoal provides a signature hue, while the hand-poured concrete gives each faucet a unique texture, color and style. Juxtapose the faucet with a polished granite sink, or mounted wooden shelving, to accentuate the strength of nature.

Living accents

Channel natural beauty by hanging a chandelier made of iron and rock crystal in the dining room, adding a stunning focal point that reflects and refracts light throughout the space. Accent a window-scape with succulent terrariums to awaken the living space, or select a metal planter with a sculptural bonsai or jasmine vine to incorporate botanic texture and elegance. The thoughtful utilization of lighting and greenery will help create a personal oasis within your Keller home, adding natural art to an existing design.

Natural variations

Create a cohesive environment using classic, yet organic tones, exploring blends of warm taupe, gray-blue and forest green to enhance the overall aesthetic with an innately natural aura. Layer in unique elements inspired by nature, such as textured linen wallpaper or a sleek marble fireplace hearth, to round out a holistic, yet upscale approach to interior design. For a finishing touch, light a lemongrass beeswax candle, infusing the space with energizing aromatherapy.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

Hardwood floor cleaning tips for Keller homeowners

Spring is just around the corner. Time to spruce up your Keller home, clean out those dusty corners and say goodbye to winter. You're not alone in the spring cleaning adventure — according to the American Cleaning Institute, 91 percent of Americans participate in spring cleaning.

As you join your fellow homeowners this year, don't forget to show a little extra love to those hardwood floors. The floor is the largest surface in your house, so caring for and cleaning your floors is important to keeping the home healthy and dust-free. Particularly for hardwood floors, a little care goes a long way in keeping this central feature in your home looking beautiful.

Here are a few easy spring cleaning tips to care for hardwood floors the right way — quickly, efficiently and safely.

1. Clear out the clutter. Spring is a great time to declutter, and clearing out the room not only looks cleaner but will allow fewer places for those dust bunnies to collect. Carefully move large items out of the way, so you can give the room a wall-to-wall, thorough clean. If you have limited space, move a couple of pieces of furniture at a time. Enlist help from family or friends to avoid scratching your floors and to prevent a back injury! This is also a great opportunity to consider a new furniture arrangement, or to clear out little-used or worn-out items to open up your space.

2. Banish the dust. Dust, sweep or gently vacuum hardwood floors first to remove all of the loose dust, accumulated pet hair and fine debris. Even small particles of dirt can create micro scratches in the finish.

3. Get the right tools. Not just any old mop will do. Old-fashioned sponge or string mops tend to just push the dirt around, or they can leave streaks of dirty water on your hardwood floors. For more effective cleaning on any kind of flooring, newer models do the trick. That means covering more floor surface in less time. New mops also have rubberized corners to prevent damaging baseboards or furniture during your enthusiastic cleaning. Use a washable, reusable microfiber pad designed for hardwood floors to ensure dirt is lifted and trapped in the pad rather than just pushed around the room.

4. Use the right solution. Did you know that some floor cleaners can actually damage hardwood floor finish? Standard soap and water, and products containing ammonia or vinegar-and-water solutions can strip the finish and dull your hardwood floors — even when diluted with water — making them look and feel less clean. Oil-based cleaning products can leave a residue, making the surface of your floor dangerously slippery. Instead, look for a residue-free, non-toxic cleaner specially developed to help clean and protect hardwood floors and protect your pets.

5. Protect your floors. After cleaning your hardwood floors, consider using easily washable or vacuumable rugs under furniture to prevent marks or scratches from marring your hardwood floors. Furniture pads are another inexpensive investment to protect the floor finish. Finally, add doormats at key entryways in your home to grab dirt and debris before it ever hits the floor.

The floor is the largest surface in your home, which gets the most wear and tear. A room with a clean floor looks and feels so much better. With the right tools and little effort, you can get your hardwood floors — and your Keller home — looking springtime ready.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

5 landscaping tips for Keller homeowners

A lush lawn and garden boosts your Keller home’s curb appeal, but it also takes a lot of your free time. You want to spend that time enjoying the space, not taking care of it. The solution? A few low-maintenance strategies to keep your yard looking great while maximizing your relaxation time.

1. Install an automatic irrigation system

With an automatic irrigation system, you don’t even need to be home to water your lawn and garden. You can spend all that extra time kicked back on your front porch enjoying the view of a luscious green lawn. Automatic irrigation systems are also cost-effective — providing water to your lawn exactly where and when it’s needed. Random dry patches or wet sidewalks and driveways will be a thing of the past.

2. Use high-quality equipment

When purchasing your next riding or walk-behind lawn mower, take time to make an informed decision. The engine is the most important part of the mower. Keep in mind, well-made engines are built to last, with many models having commercial-grade components. Additional features will help your mower to maintain engine speed in tough conditions and eliminate the need to prime or choke the engine so you can just turn the key and go.

3. Choose perennials

Flower beds are the perfect complement to a lush, green lawn. Plants like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and Russian sage come back year after year and don’t need to be replanted.

4. Strategically placed mulch

Mulch is one of the best investments you can make in your yard. When it breaks down over time, mulch fertilizes your plants and can prevent weeds. It adds a pleasant aroma to your outdoor spaces and doesn’t require watering.

5. Follow lawn care best practices

Save yourself the extra hassle by following basic lawn care best practices. For example, keep your grass-cutting blades sharp, avoid cutting the grass too short and mow when the grass is dry. Additionally, grasscycling — leaving grass clippings on the lawn after cutting — helps fertilize the lawn and creates less work for you.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

5 ways to customize your Keller home's bathroom space

Bathrooms are one of the most frequented rooms in your Keller home. It's where you start and end your day, and can be a room to relax and recharge in. This special space should reflect your personality and unique preferences. If you don't feel it adequately does, there are a few simple ways to refresh this room so it feels one of a kind.

If you want to update your bathroom with customized features that suit your personality, consider the following five ideas:

Lighting: Bathroom lighting should be functional and fashionable, enabling you to get ready for the day while also allowing you to relax in the evening, for example, while taking a calming bath. General lighting provides the bulk of illumination in the bathroom space, but consider adding accent and task lighting for more flexibility. For example, wall sconces can provide extra light for personal grooming tasks while a strategically placed pendant light provides an adjustable accent glow by the tub.

Faucets: Both the sink and bath faucet can add style and functionality to the bathroom. Interchangeable spouts and handles, as well as bathroom accessories, provide a wide range of timeless, modern options that allow you to create a personalized faucet configuration tailor-made for any environment and decor. Choose your spout, then handle and finally finish — in a variety of offerings — for an ideal update that suits your design ideals.

Hardware: Vanities serve a utilitarian purpose in the bathroom, offering storage necessary for bathing, grooming and more. The vanity also is a focal point of the room, becoming a key part of the overall aesthetic. If your vanity is dated, consider updating before replacing. Hardware is one affordable option for an instant refresh. Remove old, dingy knobs and handles and replace with modern ones found at your local home improvement store for a fast, notable makeover.

Flooring: You probably don't put much thought into your bathroom floor, but it offers a wonderful opportunity for a refresh. Dated linoleum or tile can easily be replaced with modern options that are sure to impress. Tile is always a good choice for the bathroom. Ceramic and marble tiles come in every color imaginable, and can be laid in various patterns to add visual interest to the space. What's more, consider adding heated elements under the tile for a luxurious touch that keeps toes toasty.

Mirror: Front and center on the main bathroom wall is a large mirror that helps you get ready for the day or prepare for bedtime. This mirror also creates a visual illusion of a larger space, reflecting the light and tricking the eye into thinking the wall is larger and more open than it is. Analyze your current mirror and consider updating it to a modern style. Size is another consideration. Is your bathroom mirror too small? A good general rule is that it should measure several inches smaller than the vanity.

These five simple updates will have a dramatic impact on the look and feel of your Keller home's bathroom. They will help you create a personalized space so you feel comfortable and at home every time you use it.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

Spring lawn guide for Keller homeowners

The rich green color, the soft feel beneath your feet and the iconic fresh-cut smell — thriving grass enhances your property in countless ways. Spring is the ideal time to focus on your lawn, so by taking steps now, you can enjoy lush, green grass in your Keller home's yard for many months to come.

These four areas will help you focus your efforts where they will make the biggest impact.

Equipment prep

The first step to a successful spring lawn-care routine is to properly prepare equipment. After sitting in storage during the cool months, equipment may need a tuneup or replacement.

The lawn mower is your go-to piece of equipment. If it's gas-powered, make sure fuel hasn't gone bad by starting it up and letting it run for a while. Add fresh fuel as needed. Additionally, consider bringing your mower in for a tuneup. For a modest fee, a trained mechanic will go over all the mower components and make sure everything is in tip-top shape, including blade sharpening so your mower can cut efficiently.

Lawn trimmers are another popular tool for maintaining a yard. Again, start this piece of equipment up and see how well it runs. Add fresh line to the trimmer head so you get a clean cut. Finally, gather all other lawn-care tools and designate a convenient spot in the garage or shed to store them for easy access.

Mowing advice

A great-looking, weed-free lawn requires proper mowing. Experts agree you should mow as soon as the grass starts to grow to remove any brown tips and encourage healthy growth.

Keep the grass mowed to 3-4 inches tall. At that height, grass shades out weeds, develops deeper roots and cools the soil. Some grasses — such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescues and perennial rye grass — grow faster in cool weather. That means you mow more frequently in spring and early summer to keep it in the 3-4 inch range, and less frequently in mid to late summer and into fall.

Want an insider tip to a great lawn? Leave clippings on the grass. As they break down, they return important trace nutrients to the soil. If the grass is tall when mowed, spread out any large, heavy clumps so the clippings don’t smother the lawn.

Essential treatments

Seek out combination lawn-care products to get better results with less work. For example, just one application of Preen One Lawncare provides three treatments, so you save time while laying the foundation for a thick, green, weed-free lawn.

First, the application prevents crabgrass seeds from sprouting and — unlike traditional weed and feed products — also kills crabgrass seedlings up to 4 weeks after germination. Second, it kills dandelions plus 250 types of tough broadleaf lawn weeds on contact, down to the roots. Finally, it feeds the lawn continuously with a slow-release 20-0-6 formula that promotes even greening and strong roots for maximum heat and drought resistance.

Watering guidelines

Once your lawn starts growing, water becomes an essential component for it to thrive. A healthy lawn needs about an inch of water per week to stay strong. This can be a combination of rainwater and water you apply yourself. To reach the entire root structure, water should soak the soil 6 to 8 inches deep.

The morning is the best time to water grass. Temperatures and winds are typically lower in the morning, which means less evaporation. Strive to water grass before 10 a.m., but if you must do so later, wait until after 4 p.m., when the sun is less intense.

How do you know the amount of water your lawn is getting? Invest in a rain gauge to monitor precipitation. When using a sprinkler, set out a few empty tin cans in different places to measure water application. Unsure if you need to water? Try the footprinting test. Walk across your lawn and if your footprints are still visible after 30 seconds, it's time to water. Healthy, well-watered grass will stand back up quickly after you walk on it.

Set the stage for great grass this spring with these four easy tasks. A little effort now will ensure a lush lawn for your Keller home through summer and beyond.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

Keller homeowners can rest easy with these 5 home fixes

Ongoing, routine upkeep is important to ensure the house stays running. While it may seem easier to put off tasks for a later date, checking off some smaller chores now can help avoid incidents or costly repairs later.

Home maintenance can be simple to forget when during our daily lives, but it is critical to make time for safety-related tasks. Simple tasks like installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms only take minutes, and are crucial to keep residents safe from harm.

Amp up your Keller home's safety with the following quick tips:

1. Invest in light timers. Installing light timers for lights inside and outside your house can give the appearance of being home, whether you're away on vacation or you've stepped out for the night. Timers only take minutes to install and can make a world of difference when viewed from the street. By using a light timer instead of leaving a light or two on when away, you can save energy and money while still deterring any potential thieves.

2. Clean the gutters. With the end of winter storms come outside chores, and clearing out your gutters is important to keep your home safe. If the gutters are too full, your home can suffer from water damage to the roof and water can pour over the gutters, putting other parts of your home at risk. While you are checking the gutters, inspect your shingles to make sure they are still in good shape. This can help prevent future leakage during a spring shower.

3. Install carbon monoxide alarms. Known as "the silent killer," carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas, making it impossible to detect without a CO alarm. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates there are more than 80,000 incidents per year. The most important step is to have CO alarms in your home - and enough of them. CO alarms should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, and in all bedrooms or sleeping areas. CO alarms should be battery-powered or hardwired with battery back-up. First Alert offers a variety of alarms to help ensure your family is protected, including a tabletop alarm with a 10-year sealed battery and digital display to see detected levels in parts per million.

4. Store valuables. Having a safe at home can prove a wise investment when it comes to natural disasters. Through fire or flood, a safe can help protect important documents, family photos and keepsakes, as well as jewelry and other valuables. For the ultimate protection, look for a safe that is both fire resistant and waterproof (not just water "resistant"). Be sure to stow the combination in a secure place and share it only with trusted family members and friends.

5. Establish a family emergency plan. Knowing - and practicing - what to do in the event of an emergency is important. Ensuring loved ones are prepared for a fire, and know to call 911 and where to meet outside the home, is crucial. Other incidents may occur as well when you need to be prepared to stay in the home, such as a natural disaster or power outage. Having a plan in place for what to do if such an event occurs, and knowing where in your Keller home is the safest location, can be critical if an incident occurs.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.