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Christmas Party(s)
By: Wayne Coolidge
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A few years back we were working in Rye renovating a carriage house into an office and an apartment. Our anticipated completion date was the first Friday in December. To show her appreciation, the owner wanted to throw us a Christmas party. She went all out. She hung decorations, put on holiday music, had hors d’oeuvres, served a sit down meal, had freshly baked desserts, and even handed out gifts. It was incredible and very touching.
As sometime happens, the project ran a little behind schedule, and we were back the following week to finish up. Knowing this would be our last Friday on the job, the owner threw us another Christmas party – just as extravagant as the first. We were definitely being spoiled.
Having lost two days of work for parties though, and still needing to complete the punchlist, we were back the following week. We probably could have finished all the work before the week was out, but I think the guys were catching on. If they took their time then maybe we would get another Christmas party. And when Friday rolled along – that is exactly what happened!
Three straight Fridays in December, three straight wonderful Christmas parties. The thing that really amazes me is that our host is Jewish, and doesn’t even celebrate Christmas. That didn’t stop her from celebrating and making it the most memorable Christmas month ever!
I would like to take this time to wish all my clients, friends, and family: Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanza, and a very Merry Christmas! May you all enjoy the holiday with family, be happy, and be safe! Feliz Navidad!
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Reverse your Energy Bill
It is recommended each year when you turn your heat on, to reverse the switch on your ceiling fan so that the blades are turning in a clockwise direction. This movement creates an updraft, which will in turn, push the hot air that rises back down into the room. This is especially beneficial in rooms with high ceilings. And it can save you money on your energy bill too- changing the direction of your ceiling fan in winter can cut your energy costs by 10%!
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Adding a Window Seat to your Home
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With natural light proven to be mood lifting, it is beneficial to add a window seat to your home. This can be especially helpful during the cold winter days when you can’t make it outside. Wondering where you could add a window seat to your home? Here are just some of the options: bedroom, bathroom, home office, living room, mudroom/entryway, kitchen, stair landing, breakfast nook, or any other awkward or unused space. Window seats are great because you can add extra seating and storage without obstructing a view.
Once you choose where you want your window seat, the most important question becomes what size should it be? Typically, window seats start at 36” in length (side to side) with a minimum of 22” depth (front to back). For the height, it makes the most sense to have it the same as a chair, which is 18” tall. Keep in mind the cushion will probably be around 3”, so you will want to frame the height around 15”.
Lastly, what style seat will you have? The four most common styles are: bench, cabinetry, box, and bed. A bench seat has a top that lifts up for storage underneath. If you have young children, it is a good idea to install safety latches to prevent the top from slamming shut. Cabinetry seats have cabinets or drawers underneath for extra storage. Box seats are closed completely underneath, open completely underneath, or have open shelving. Bed seats are larger window seats that can be converted to a bed for overnight guests (or great for a nap!). If you choose a bed seat, an option would be to use a mattress as the top cushion.
So now that you are an expert on window seats, which would suit your home?
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Chimney Maintainence
With the wood burning season upon us, it is important to make sure your chimney is clean and ready for use! When you use your wood stove or fireplace, creosote builds up on the inside of the chimney. If your chimney is not cleaned properly, your fire will not burn efficiently and it could also pose a threat of a chimney fire. It is recommended to only burn dry, cured wood that has been split for 8-12 months before burning, therefore producing less creosote. Do not put construction scraps or painted wood in your fire- these can release harmful chemicals into your air. You will also want to add a chimney cap to the top of your chimney to prevent leaves, snow, and downdrafts from going in your chimney.
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Fun Suggestion
New Year's Countdown Activity!
Make your New Year's Eve more entertaining this year with a different activity each hour. Put together a list of activities with your family (either together or secretly) and cut them up. Put one activity in each balloon or a paper bag. On the outside of each, write an hour (ex: 10 p.m.). When that hour comes, pop the balloon or open the bag, and do what the activity says. And remember to have fun!
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2015 Coolidge Calendar
For the first time, we have created our company calendar using pictures from our own projects. Email melissa@coolidgecompany.com to make sure you are on the mailing list!
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