SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
masonry not only provides the best value
for the investment, it also delivers superior
design flexibility and aesthetic appeal to any
landscape idea.
*When planting flowers, go with
annuals. To have a continuous sense of color
throughout your yard, plant annual flowers
alongside your favorite perennials. Research
and lay out creative flower combinations that
make use of both kinds of flowers for year-
round beauty.
*Think year-round. One of the biggest
mistakes one can make is only providing
one or two seasons’ worth of eye-catching
landscaping. Plan for having plentiful trees
and shrubs during the springtime, fall foliage
during autumn months and good, visually
interesting plant life in the winter, such as
holly shrubs or bayberry bushes.
IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR
OWN HOME OFFICE
Are you one of those lucky individuals able
to work from home? The world just seems
like a nicer place when you’re dressed in your
pajamas, doesn’t it? But work is still work. You
need a place that’s organized, designed well,
and in which you feel comfortable. Chances
are, you may also need a degree of privacy to
do your best work.
One of the most overlooked factors
in productivity is lighting. Many studies
demonstrate that natural lighting is best
whenever possible, and results in more
productivity among workers and a more
positive attitude toward the work itself.
Lighting can have a profound effect on your
mood and can even influence your hormones.
A good overview of this subject is provided by
Andrew Jensen, a business growth, efficiency
and marketing consultant, at AndrewJensen.
net.
If placing your home office in an area
with windows is not possible, try the soft
lighting of a lamp instead, and try to avoid
harsh fluorescents. Adding a silk plant or two,
along with a picture of the outdoors, will
help transform a windowless area into a more
inviting space. Warm colors such as reds,
yellows and orange will also help warm up an
otherwise dark office area such as a basement.
Next, you’ll want to design your workspace
with cabinetry where office supplies and files
can be tucked neatly out of sight. Shelving
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that is custom-designed for the way you
work can transform even a tiny space into
an efficient work area. Having cabinets and
shelves that are suited to your exact purpose
will eliminate a great deal of frustration and
overwhelming feelings of disorganization. A
designer and expert carpenter can help you
get the most from your workspace.
Just because you don’t have an entire room
in your house to dedicate to your home office
doesn’t mean you can’t have a dedicated
workspace. Even a closet can be transformed
into a workspace with the right planning, and
the whole office can be put away at day’s end
by simply closing the closet door.
If you have even less space to work with,
try a wall-mounted desk that can be extended
when in use and collapsed flush with the
wall when it’s not. Cubby holes built into the
interior wall area can also provide places for
storage in a tight space. A creative builder
can help you make the most of your available
space.
If your work area is not separated from the
rest of your home and building a wall is not an
option, there are still attractive ways to define
your space. For example, tall wooden shutters
Continued on next page >
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
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“Being a good neighbor is important to me.”
I
f you’re looking for a plumber that can handle any size job - residential or commercial - who’s
dedicated to serving not only customers, but the community as a whole, look no further than
RDN Plumbing.
Started in 1974 by Robert D. Navilliat with one truck, the company has grown through the years.
Our employees are all state and county licensed plumbers, including an excavation division to
handle your gas, water and sewer line repairs.
“Being a good neighbor is important to me,” Navilliat said. “This community has helped me out
and I believe in giving back to it. We are adamant that we spend our money here, whether it’s for
offi ce supplies, truck supplies, gasoline or mechanical work.”
It’s no wonder that RDN is the go-to plumber for
two community school districts. RDN also supports
the functions of the local churches in the community
as well as Auberle Home for Children.
Not only do they do large scale plumbing jobs,
RDN is happy to handle the small jobs as well. They
NASSCO Certifi ed for Sewer Inspection
are offi cial contractors with the three largest home
warranty companies in the nation if you need home warranty work. They also are contractors for the
Penn American Home Protection program and one of the area’s largest residential water authorities.
“From the day I went into business, I put quality work and commitment to my customers fi rst,”
Navilliat said. “That’s what we’re known for and that’s what keeps people coming back time after
time for repairs and maintenance.”
RDN Plumbing is open seven days a week and has 0% fi nancing options to qualifi ed homeowners
for large projects or unforeseen emergencies. They answer their own phone 24/7 so call them at
412.462.1435 or go to www.rdnplumbing.com.
WOODLAND HILLS ❘
SPRING 2019
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