DIY Landscape Ideas

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We all know the saying April showers bring May flowers. So, let’s start thinking about DIY landscaping for our home or office. There are so many variables in do-it-yourself landscaping, such as budget, skills, the climate in the Chicago region, and your personal design taste, but there are certain steps you can take to make your yard look fabulous. Good landscape designs are anchored by focal points. One of the hottest trends is to use water features as a focal point. Water features are not only visually appealing but add soothing sounds. Using pre-formed rigid plastic liners, durable pumps, flexible tubing, and cheap fountains, they're also a lot easier to install than you think.   Plants for all Seasons Make sure you're planting something of interest in each of the…
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Getting your Workplace Ready for COVID-19

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With all the talk about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we put together a list of strategies to help keep your office and employees safe.   Recommended COVID-19 strategies for employers: Keep workplaces clean and hygienic: • Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. • Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use. Promote regular and thorough handwashing: • Place posters that encourage hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, and staying home when sick, at the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to…
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Workplace Winter Safety Tips

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Slips and falls happen year-round, but winter ice and snow create a more hazardous environment that increases the risk of injuries for your employees. We put together a list of workplace winter safety tips for employers and employees. A proactive safety plan that addresses slips and falls not only enhances worker safety but also minimizes potential costs from workers’ compensation and fines.   Employer Winter Safety Tips Walkways An active effort needs to be made to prevent ice build-up on walkways, de-icing walkways, and clearing walkways. Make sure all walkways and passageways are clearly marked and well lit. Remove Hazards Keep all walkways, stairways and other work areas cleared of ice and snow. Before you shovel the snow at your workplace, do some stretching exercises first. When your muscles are…
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Holiday Party Planning for Your Business

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Holiday parties can be a memorable celebration for most companies. You create an experience that not only boosts company morale but also increases employee satisfaction. There are several things to consider when planning your party, and the price is always a factor. Companies with a small staff and a small budget can still host a memorable holiday party that packs big fun. Start with the Basics for Your Holiday Party When planning your holiday party, start with the basics. You need to create a plan with details for the employee holiday party. Theme, venue, time, date, guest count, food and beverages, decor, and agenda must all be considered before you begin to plan your event. • Do you want a theme for your holiday party? • Should we decorate the…
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Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers and Drink Recipes

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If you are preparing a Thanksgiving meal for your family and friends and need a few last-minute appetizers and drink ideas, we put a few together for you. For starters, there are cranberry brie bites, a turkey veggie tray, or a turkey cheese ball, all easy to make. Your guests will love the Thanksgiving-themed drinks. Start with an apple pie martini or Thanksgiving punch, and end the evening with a glass of spiked mulled cider. Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes   Cranberry Brie Bites Ingredients: 1 large egg 1 8-oz wheel Brie 1 17.25-oz package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed All-purpose flour, for dusting ⅓ cup whole-berry cranberry sauce ¼ cup walnuts, finely chopped 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF and line 2 baking sheets…
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Energy Efficiency Tips to Save You Money

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By making a few upgrades to your home or office, you can save money on your utility bills and improve energy efficiency. As a business owner or homeowner, it is important to keep your office or home running efficiently. Energy efficiency will help you save money on your utility bills and help the environment thrive. Earlier this month was Energy Efficiency Day, a time to think about making some key upgrades that will improve the efficiency of your home or office. According to Wallet Hub, “In the United States, energy costs eat between 5 and 22 percent of families’ total after-tax income.” Money Management states, “If you’re working with a budget, and trust me, you should be, your utility costs should be no more than 8-10 percent of your monthly…
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Home Renovations and Remodeling Trends

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Are you looking for a home renovations and remodeling company? Any renovation project regardless of the size can be overwhelming. Whether it is a kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, or a laundry room remodeling project. Albrite Building can assure you that your job will be done precisely, efficiently, and exactly how you envisioned it.   Kitchen Renovations Kitchen Cabinets Did you know that more than 40 percent of homeowners choose white cabinets when renovating their kitchen? While white is still the top choice for cabinet color, no two whites are created equal. Many paint companies offer over 100 shades of white paints. Some homeowners are moving away from the bright whites and selecting an off-white. Creamy, off-white cabinets with other warm finishes like wood and a blue-gray tile create a calm…
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Fruits and Vegetables Container Gardening

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If you live in a townhome or condo you can still grow fruits and vegetables, not in a garden but in containers. Container gardening is ideal for those with little or no garden space. In addition to growing flowers, gardeners limited to a balcony, small yard, or only a patch of sun on their driveway can produce a wide variety of vegetable crops in containers. Basil, chives, thyme, and other herbs also are quite happy growing in pots, which can be set in a convenient spot right outside the kitchen door. Container gardening also adds versatility to gardens large and small. It's easy to grow vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, squash, strawberries and more in containers. Just be mindful of the size of your pots as well as your plants. Container…
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3 Tips for Commercial Remodeling

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Remodeling your business can be an exhausting and expensive process. This is why the remodeling experts from Albrite Building in Westmont, Illinois are committed to providing our clients with the best remodeling solutions at the most affordable prices. Whether you’re renovating your entire office, updating your warehouse or just need to update the employee break room, we have compiled some remodeling tips to help make your job a little easier. Remodeling Permits When you remodel anything, whether it’s a small office or a large warehouse, you may need to get a permit from your city or village. Obtaining the proper permits may depend upon a variety of factors, such as if you’re renovating an area that is indoors or outdoors or the type of renovations. Albrite Building can help you…
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How to Make Your Office Design More Efficient

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Did you know that an efficient office design or remodeling can increase productivity? Every day businesses are encouraging their employees to be more productive. But, if your office is not efficiently designed, how can your employees be more productive? Workplace productivity is about getting the job done in the most efficient way. In the process of designing an office, there is an impact on an employee's workspace. It is often overlooked when it comes to productivity. Whether it's the lightning or efficient desk setup. We gathered a few tips that will help design your office to be more efficient for your staff. Efficient Office Design An office reflects not only how you work but also the energy of the space. Your office design is more than just separating departments into…
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