Spring Cleaning!

Say hello to the first day of Spring with a breath of fresh air! Whether you are an allergy sufferer or just want to improve the indoor air quality in your home, here are five natural air purifying ideas to turn your living space into a spa like oasis. 

1. Himalayan Salt Lamps emit negative ions which help to remove smoke, pollen, pet dander, and mildew from the air while increasing the oxygen levels in the room. They have also been shown to help improve sleep patterns by getting rid of positive ions caused from electronic magnetic exposure (computers, television, cell phones, tablets, appliances, etc).  

2. Essential Oil Diffusers help release aromatic oils into the air. Essential oils are powerful antimicrobials when released in vapor form and many provide air cleansing benefits as well. Use these air purifying oils alone, or mix some together to find your perfect potion: Eucalyptus, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Sweet Orange, Oregano, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Tea Tree, Thyme, Wintergreen

3. Houseplants aren't just for show as many varieties provide air purifying benefits. Aloe Vera plant rids the home of chemicals found in household cleaners and paint. English Ivy is ranked the number one houseplant for cleaning the air by NASA. The Spider Plant and Snake Plant absorb carbon monoxide. 

4. Moso Natural air purifying bags are made of bamboo charcoal, which absorbs unpleasant odors and dehumidifies the air. These are great for bathrooms and closets. The porous charcoal removes bacteria, allergens, pollutants, and moisture, preventing and trapping mold and mildew. These bags last for two years and are rejuvenated by being placed in the sunlight. 

5. Beeswax candles are not only beautiful to look at, they burn clean and ionize the air, neutralizing toxins. Beeswax candles are also effective at removing dust and dander from the air, unlike regular paraffin candles which release benzene, toluene, and other chemicals into the air. 

How does your garden grow?

If you're a homeowner in the Los Angeles area, you may have recently become inspired due to increasing water restrictions to modify your front and back outdoor space to include more drought tolerant landscaping. Here are some beautiful and fun drought tolerant landscaping ideas to start incorporating right in time for summer.

1. Succulent Ground Cover. As seen here at the Huntington Gardens, cacti is a great way to still get the 'green effect' without using grass. Mix it up by using red, yellow, and orange succulents. 

2. Pave the way. This works especially well for front yard space because, when's the last time you rolled around in your front yard? Rock and pebble landscape and flagstone paths all come together to create a unique design that still adds curb appeal and keeps the dollars in your wallet. 

3. Pop of Color. I don't know about you, but purple is my favorite color and lavender one of my favorite natural scents. Spanish Lavender requires only moderate watering. Amongst your rocks and cacti, it's always nice to search for colorful plants that don't require a lot of water to stay healthy. 

West Hills Wonder

The house that keeps on giving... just when you think 3 bedrooms including a separate entrance downstairs suite is enough, travel upstairs to find a luxurious master ensemble equipped with a fireplace, step-in bath tub, and walk-in closet to rival any multi million dollar manse. White picket fence, corner lot, pool and spa... whats not to love about 23000 Windsor Street. 4 bed/3 bath 3009 sq. ft.  $865,000 Listed by Simon Asef DMC Real Estate Co.