When you think of sailors on Staten Island, your immediate thought is most likely to be of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, on Staten Island’s North Shore—and rightly so.  For those unaware, this recreational facility was built in the early 1830s as a home for retired sailors.  While it did, in fact, attract many sailors to our borough, sailors had been coming to Staten Island’s shores for years prior to the opening of the institution—or so we have been led to think.  The North Shore of Staten Island seemed to be a prime location for sailors and those who were retired from the service.

The Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden sits in an area often referred to as Randall Manor.  It sits right on the shore, with an…

1590 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Artificial scents can be unpleasing and the harmful chemicals can be bad, especially for people with asthma and allergies. Try homemade scents instead! These scents will make your home have a nice warm greeting for any occasional: small gathers, parties, or even an open house!  

The good thing about this project is it is cheap and the materials are easy to gather. All you will need is mason jars, water, spices or herbs, fruit, and essential oils. Below are some popular combinations you can use. However, it is not limited to these five; you can mix together about any combination you prefer.

  • Lemon, rosemary, and lavender oil
  • Orange, cinnamon sticks, and cloves
  • Mint, vanilla, and lime
  • Lime, coconut oil, and vanilla
  • Cinnamon sticks…

1929 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Chores are not always fun, but having a clean house is always delightful. Ditch the old one day dedicated to cleaning and break up the task daily. To make it even easier, we have already broken up the various necessary chores into daily sessions that can be accomplish as short as 20 minutes a day!  This schedule will keep you home always neat and tidy and even allows you to relax on Sundays! 

Monday's - Dust: Start the week off with an easy take. Simply dusk off the furniture, shelves, tabletops, and television. 

Tuesday's - Clean Floors: Sweep your wood and tiled floors. Choose to vacuum instead if you have the spare time, or especially if you have carpeted floors. Mop any room that needs the extra scrub. 

Wednesday's - Clean the Bathrooms:…

2092 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Snow and ice wreak havoc on more than just your commute to work. After stocking up in the supermarket, find out how to keep your home safe from a terrible mess when it snows. 

Pre-Winter and Snow Prep Around your Home: 

  • Prevent ice dams on your roof and gutters: An ice dam occurs when snow gathers on your roof. Due to heating happening within your home, the snow will begin to melt at the top of your roof. This leads the snow to slide down your roof the refreeze. This creates a barrier of ice that traps water on the top of your roof. To prevent ice dams, you should make sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated.
  • Get your pipes ready for the winter: Wrap your pipes to prevent them from freezing, especially in unused areas like…

2001 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

A kitchen backsplash covers the portion of the wall between the counter and the cabinets. Its main purposes is to protect the wall from food and splattering oil in areas were cooking will take place. Kitchen backsplashes has been a modern design added into renovating kitchens, or even a lovely addition in newly constructed homes. Compared to a painted wall or wallpaper, backsplashes are easy to clean. 

Not only does the backsplash protect your walls, it looks more attractive! Adding a backsplash can give your kitchen an up to date look without having to renovate the whole kitchen! It is a great way to add more color to your kitchen. There is no need to worry about the cost since there are many different choices and designs to choose from. Here are…

1860 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

As always, we here at RealEstateSINY.com want you to have a safe and happy celebration. Here are some tips homeowners for you to have a smooth day:

  • Fire Alarms: Be sure your fire alarm is working perfectly. Change the batteries if you have not done so recently. Even cleaning your alarms by vacuuming dust out of them can be helpful as well.
  • Candle safety: Candles are a nice touch to the holiday atmosphere, be sure you keep these caution tips in mind; make sure they are secure in a proper holder and will not tip over. That they are not located by flammable decorations, or in any reach of pets and children. Most importantly, make sure to not have lit candles on or by the Christmas tree.
  • Fireplaces and Mantels: Do not leave a lit fireplace…

1485 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

With the holiday's coming up, it is necessary to get your home ready for the festivities. The living room, or even dens and family rooms, is a room that gains a lot of attention during this time, and all year long. There is no need to have to renovate in order to feel brand new. This can simply be accomplished with minor changes. Here is how you can arrange your living room in the most perfect way.

  1. Arrange the seating for face-to-face conversation. With the seat pieces facing each other, with a coffee table in-between, it will make conversations flow easily while keeping drinks in arms length.
  2. Have a combination room? Divide the rooms with a piece of furniture. Divide the living room-dining room area into different zone with furniture…

1599 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

With the holidays coming up, you are going to be rushing to finish tasks: gift shopping, decorating, and cleaning! Just stop and think when was the last time you gave your bathroom a little TLC? Set aside a little extra time on the bathroom this holiday season! It is the one room in your entire house that your guests are going to use at least once. Here are a few inexpensive changes that will make a huge difference!

By updating your bathroom’s paint, lighting, and accessories, it can make the room look like a brand new installed bathroom. Top bathroom colors are white, grey, and tranquil/sea foam green. They are a refreshing change and will give the bathroom a spa-like feel. If your bathroom has a hanging light fixture, consider adding an…

1443 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

While closet and storage space is beneficial in a home, the plain and unoriginal doors can be boring. Remedy this situation by turning a door into a hidden passage way! You may think of Narnia or Harry Potter, but this is no longer just a fictional idea! A door can easily be turned into a bookshelf to give you more storage! Here are some ways you can go about installing one:

  • Install a wall-to-wall bookcase. The middle section of the bookcase can be hinged into a doorway that leads you to the part of the room the bookcases blocks off. This can give you room for extra storage; not just the bookshelves themselves, but the space behind the bookcase can be used for storing holiday decorations, old stuff, home files, and other items you prefer to not…

2208 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Congratulations! You are expecting a little bundle of joy! While this news is amazing, there is so much that needs to be done: doctor appointments, change of dietary needs, new clothes, and, of course, a nursery room! Whether you are expecting a boy or girl, we are here to help you decorate the nursery room in the best possible way before the little on arrives!

Keep in mind that the baby was a joint effort. This means you should decorate the room to not only highlight the newborn, but also you and your spouse. Have it combine your personal style with traditional flairs. For instance, if your husband loves fishing,  consider giving the room a coastal anchor theme. Is he more of a golfer? Paint the room a shade of green and try accessorizing with a…

1725 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post