Eventually, all home remodeling projects come to an end, and this is (arguably) where the real fun begins, with all the finishing touches showcasing the project. One of the most important touches is interior window shades. America's leading shade manufacturer, Polar Shades, offers a variety of shades that will shed the best light on your remodeling work:

Type of shade: Motorized interior shades

Why you'll like them: In truth, you probably won't like motorized shades; you'll love them, at least if you’ve grown tired of jumping up to open a shade, close it when the sun becomes too bright, open it again later and then close it at night. Motorized shades eliminate all this by allowing you to open and close the shades with a press of a button. If you install a nifty app, you can hit that button from your smartphone. Polar Shades offers motorized shades in a surprising array of widths -- on windows from 28 to 288 inches wide.

Special touches you might like: The seams of Polar Shades' motorized shades are welded, not sewn, and a 4, 4.5, 5 or 7-inch fascia is available. Polar Shades also offers fabric valence options and fabric wrapped fascia.

The long string of 100-degree days is probably causing you to spend more time indoors. But just wait.

Eventually, the heat wave will snap and you'll want to make up for lost time by grilling outdoors. You may find yourself a bit out of step at first, but you should regain your bearings once you recall the six reasons why it's a thrill to grill, especially if you have exterior patio shades to complete the scene:

Outdoor living spaces are an extension of the interior space. You can cook, eat and entertain in both spaces. Many times, they flow together with common doors and openings shared between the two. If you harmonize the styles of both spaces, the flow will be even smoother. Below are a few guidelines to help you blend your indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Blending Your Living Spaces Begins Here

• Blend colors and textures. If your inside palette is dominated by blues and greens, bring the same colors to your outdoor space. Adding the same textures to both spaces will reinforce the flow between the space. You can also use similar fabric patterns to make this visual connection.

In the heat of summer, things slowdown in the desert. The dry heat isn’t conducive to marathon running, outdoor sports, or even general cleaning. When kids are home, it’s even worse. Suddenly, your neat and tidy home is cluttered and dirty. If you’re struggling to keep your home clean over summer break, don’t let the junk pile high. Instead, use these tips to keep your home clean and your sanity intact.  

Use the Pomodoro Technique

Developed by a college student trying to get through finals, the Pomodoro technique is a productivity tool that can help your family focus on cleaning. The premise is simple: set an alarm for 25 minutes and dedicate yourself to cleaning for that amount of time. Then, take a break for 5 minutes or more. Breaking up your cleaning into manageable chunks can help you stay motivated to complete simple cleaning tasks. By keeping the amount of cleaning short, it also helps keep family members engaged.

Moving isn't considered one of the top five stressors in life for nothing.

From the day you start looking for a new place until the day you move out, transitioning to a new home calls for nerves of steel, a sense of humor and an ability to take the long view. There also is something to be said for lightening your load – literally – by deciding what items to pack and take to your new place.

You may not need (or want) one more thing to add to your “to-do” list – namely, holding a garage sale or making several runs to the closest resale shop. But hit “pause” as you scurry down your activity list and ask yourself four crucial questions so you don't get to your new home and wonder what you were thinking:

Between grilling, swimming and fireworks, the Fourth of July can be full of activities.

If you plan on hosting a Fourth of July party at your home, you know you cannot be everywhere at once or see around every corner. This is why it's in your best interest to lay down some “house rules” to keep your guests safe around the grill, pool and with the fireworks they may be tempted to ignite to close out the day. You may even want to post these rules and engage your guests in conversation about them so they stay top-of-mind throughout the party:

Everyone knows some of the most buoyant moments in life can be found in the details. Who could blame you if you want to feel some of that buoyancy in the kitchen, where you spend so much time?

Whether you're finishing a kitchen remodeling project or just want to stir things up so you have something new to look at while you cook dinner, five detail-minded design tips recommended by kitchen designers are sure to inspire double-takes:

You may be the biggest dog lover in your home, but you're also honest about the mess that delightful little fur-ball can stir up on a daily basis.

Your dog has: chew toys, pull toys, squeaky toys and balls of practically every color strewn all over your home. This collection competes for space with a dog bed – or large cushion – leashes and collars, grooming tools and bags of treats.

Just as picking up after small children is “a job that never ends,” keeping a tidy house with a dog requires daily discipline, too. This doesn't mean you have to give up all hope of having a stylish home. You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but you can learn some new techniques for bringing greater order and style to your home with your pet:

It usually looks good in someone else's home. And it always captures your imagination in a home décor magazine or as you peruse a website.

But something takes over you when you begin shopping for a bold color to paint a room in your home: you freeze and lose your nerve.

When you'd rather not apply paint to an entire room, apply some ingenuity to a few spots in your home where bold paint color can make an equally provocative statement:

Most people know every room should contain a focal point – one wall awash with a striking color or a distinctive piece of furniture that anchors a room and defines its character.

Top interior designers know, sometimes subtle touches can commingle with these grand moves to create a room that makes an instant impression – and forges a lasting one, too. These six ideas are as simple as they are clever, and they exude an irresistible aura of lighthearted fun – the pinnacle of masterful design: