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6. Get Comfortable With Delegation
“As leader, your primary role is to set the vision and strategy for the team — steering the ship toward its goals,” Hains says. “By delegating tasks and responsibilities, you not only free up your time to focus on higher-level priorities but also empower your team members to develop their skills, take ownership of their work and contribute to the team’s success. Effective delegation builds trust within the team.”
“No one person can do it all,” says Jeff True, vice president of operations at Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors in Bolingbrook, Illinois. “If you want to keep people for their entire career, they have to feel they are growing. Growth comes from delegation. It allows a more timely response to clients and lets people be specialists in their area of expertise. A high-performing team that is both efficient and results-oriented is rooted in delegation.”
“When delegating, I focus on the bigger picture and hand off tasks like project management, client communication and execution to my incredible team,” Crosby says. “At first it was hard — especially because I’m a bit of a perfectionist. But once I saw the results of trusting my team, it became easier.”
6 Pros Share Strategies for Leading Under Pressure
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5. Build a Storage Wall
If you’re planning a full kitchen renovation, take inspiration from this thoughtful kitchen design by Studio Fabbri. Designer Gemma Fabbri had a run of floor-to-ceiling cabinets designed to hide appliances, food supplies, the boiler and everyday clutter that might otherwise drift onto work surfaces.
“I wanted to get things off the [countertop] as it’s mostly on the island and I didn’t want much on there,” Fabbri says.
The wall of cabinets has two standard Ikea cabinets on the left, one of which contains the refrigerator, two wider, 32-inch ones, which were custom made. One is a double-door pantry cabinet containing a coffee machine and toaster.
Every member of the family has been considered too. When Fabbri was left with a slim space next to the boiler cupboard, she decided to make a cat tunnel. “The panel pops off so you can get in there to clean it, and there’s a piece of carpet in there so their feet dry a little,” she says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
5. Build a Storage Wall
If you’re planning a full kitchen renovation, take inspiration from this thoughtful kitchen design by Studio Fabbri. Designer Gemma Fabbri had a run of floor-to-ceiling cabinets designed to hide appliances, food supplies, the boiler and everyday clutter that might otherwise drift onto work surfaces.
“I wanted to get things off the [countertop] as it’s mostly on the island and I didn’t want much on there,” Fabbri says.
The wall of cabinets has two standard Ikea cabinets on the left, one of which contains the refrigerator, two wider, 32-inch ones, which were custom made. One is a double-door pantry cabinet containing a coffee machine and toaster.
Every member of the family has been considered too. When Fabbri was left with a slim space next to the boiler cupboard, she decided to make a cat tunnel. “The panel pops off so you can get in there to clean it, and there’s a piece of carpet in there so their feet dry a little,” she says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
7. Turn to Technology
Automate as many maintenance chores as you can. A good place to start is with your irrigation systems. You can add timers to in-ground systems, drip systems and soaker hoses. These systems allow for watering all parts of a garden without having to drag a hose from place to place. In-ground systems with a timer also reduce the possibility of tripping over a garden hose. You can set the timers for the times that are best for both you and your garden, such as during the night.
Take it a step further by adding other automated features, such as motion-activated lights that come on when you step out at night or lights that turn on and off on a regular schedule.
New smart and automated garden products and features are rapidly coming on the market as well. Look through gardening magazines and websites, and talk to the staff at nurseries and hardware stores about what automated features they would recommend.
Bonus: An automated watering system, particularly one with smart features, ensures that your garden will get the water it needs when it needs it, and often results in using less water.
Plus, automating both your irrigation and your lighting will allow you to go on vacation without scouring the neighborhood for someone to tend to your plants or, if it’s in a front yard, worrying that your home will look empty.
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Carve Out Space for a Pantry
Pantries are the best way to store canned goods, jars and bottles, as they keep everything in one organized space, says Simon Lennox of Adornas Kitchens & Interiors.
Of course, not all of us have the luxury of being able to incorporate a huge pantry, but even a small one can be a real bonus. “A well-organized larder cupboard will add a lot of storage space to a kitchen without necessarily taking up [too much] space, as they can be made to any shape and size,” Odile Kipling of SoKipling says
Kipling has some advice on how to get the most out of your pantry. “Do an inventory of what you want to store … and measure the tallest, widest, smallest and heaviest items to make sure everything has a place and is easily accessible,” she says.
“Pullout shelves or shallow drawers are ideal at the lower levels, especially if the cupboard is deep, so you don’t have to kneel down and reach for the items at the back,” Kipling says.
She suggests that pantry pullouts above the countertop are less practical because you may not be able to see inside them. Here she recommends shallower shelves and a rack on the back of the door for condiments, spices or — if you have enough cupboard depth — larger items such as pasta boxes.
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Dirty Tricks
Knowledge is power. Knowing what kind of stain you are dealing with will determine the best course of action. Here’s how to attack some of the most common rug and carpet stains.
Coffee, tea, cola. One of the CRI’s most recommended methods for cleaning a variety of stains begins with a combination of one-quarter teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of lukewarm water. According to the experts, although you may be tempted to add more dish soap, don’t do it. The less soapy residue you have to rinse out at the end, the better.
To create the solution, use a mild dish soap, never a laundry detergent or an automatic dishwashing detergent, since those often contain optical brighteners or bleaching agents, which can harm carpet dyes and fibers.
If the stain is stubborn, follow the dish soap solution with a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar per 2 cups of water. The CRI says that since white vinegar is a 5 percent acetic acid solution, it acts as a solvent that will work on both the stain and the dish soap residue.
Finally, when it’s time to rinse the area, the institute advises using lukewarm tap water in a spray bottle.This precaution is aimed at avoiding oversaturating the carpet and harming the layers beneath. Blot with paper towels and pat dry after each rinse. Several rinses may be necessary to thoroughly eliminate the residue.
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1. Start With Location and Size
Where would you like your shower to stand? A corner is the most common spot, but the center of a room or a separate enclosed area like a water closet might be best for your layout or lifestyle.
Keep in mind that moving or adding plumbing costs money, sometimes a lot of money. So if that’s not in your budget, try to keep your updated shower in the same location as your previous one.
If you’re wondering how much space you’ll need, consider that the most popular shower widths are 32, 36 and 60 inches. (Lengths will vary.) Shower dimensions can be as small as 32 by 32 inches, but most people prefer a shower that’s at least 36 by 48 inches. Shower ceiling heights typically fall between 84 and 120 inches, depending on the space and the design.
You’ll also want to consider the dimensions of other elements in your bathroom before deciding on your shower size. For example, the size of your planned vanity might require a reduced shower space, so you might want to consider going for a smaller vanity to get a larger shower.
Another thing to consider is increasing the size of your bathroom to get the shower size you want. Talk with your design pro about opportunities to steal space from an adjacent closet or bedroom or even whether relocating the bathroom to another room in the house is the best move.
Find a bathroom designer near you
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1. Clean Up Your In-Box
Keeping your email accounts as clutter-free as possible may improve your productivity and efficiency. Also, a continuous stream of unwanted emails can camouflage and push down important emails that are actually relevant and need your attention.
Take steps to stop the sources of spam and junk emails rather than merely deleting them. You can start by unsubscribing from legitimate company emails that you didn’t sign up for or no longer want. If you’re unsure of a sender’s legitimacy, opt to mark the email as spam and block the sender to prevent future communication.
You may also receive excess emails from senders you like or need, such as retail email marketing, magazine or news subscriptions or shipping confirmations. You won’t want to unsubscribe from these emails but you may want to delete outdated ones.
To streamline the process, focus on one sender at a time. For example, search for the newsletter you subscribe to. If you have accrued many in your inbox, you may be able to select them all, perhaps with the exception of the latest edition, and delete them en masse. Deleting by sender may save you time by not having to sort through various unrelated emails and deciding one by one.
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2. Curve Control
Designer: Maritza Capiro
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Size: 189 square feet (18 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted a functional yet stylish home office that could seamlessly blend into the overall design aesthetic of their home,” designer Maritza Capiro says. “The previous space lacked warmth, cohesion and efficient storage, which made it feel more utilitarian than inviting. They wanted a workspace that felt luxurious, inspiring and uncluttered — a place where they could focus while also enjoying the beauty of their surroundings. To address these needs, we focused on creating a layout that balanced functionality with visual interest. By adding custom built-ins, intentional lighting and an eye-catching desk, we transformed the space into a statement-making office that supports productivity and relaxation.”
Special features. “The sculptural, curved desk serves as a centerpiece, combining artistry with practicality,” Capiro says. “Its soft, neutral finish complements the room’s light, airy palette while standing out as a design focal point. The black built-in shelves provide ample storage for books and decorative objects, while the arched detail adds architectural interest. The matte black finish contrasts beautifully with the lighter elements in the room. The statement chandelier adds texture and sophistication to the space, while a picture light over the shelves enhances the display. The light wood flooring grounds the space and adds warmth, while layered textures such as the area rug, upholstered chair and patterned accent chair create a welcoming and polished look. The walls are painted in a soft, neutral tone (Extra White by Sherwin-Williams) that enhances the natural light and makes the room feel spacious.”
Cord and document control. “To keep the space visually clean and organized, we included hidden storage within the built-ins and desk,” Capiro says. “Cords are discreetly routed behind the furniture, while the desk drawers store necessary office supplies and documents. This strategy keeps everything functional but out of sight, maintaining the overall polished look.”
Designer tip. “Invest in a statement desk that doubles as both a functional piece and a design focal point,” Capiro says. “Pair it with custom built-ins to ensure all storage needs are met without cluttering the room. Additionally, layering textures through rugs, upholstery and accents can make any space feel more inviting and cohesive.”
Shop for home office furniture
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Fed up with feeling tired but wired at night? If you want to properly unwind before bed, it’s worth keeping devices away from the bedroom or stop using them an hour or two before bed. Too much exposure to the blue light that many screens emit can interfere with the production of melatonin, which can lead to that feeling of your mind being awake when your body needs to rest.
Try leaving your phone outside the bedroom at night or, if that’s too big a step, limit usage before bedtime and switch it to night mode, which dials down the blue in favor of warmer tones.