Article: Do some research to get a clear vision of what you want each room to look like. Spend some time browsing design magazines and websites. Tear out pictures of ideas that you like, or digitally save images that appeal to you. Try to figure out a theme early on and stick to it. For example, think about whether you want your kitchen to be modern, traditional, or eclectic. If you admire a friend's home, ask them if they'd mind telling you where they shopped or found inspiration. Home renovations can get very expensive quickly. To avoid the stress of overspending, create a detailed budget and stick to it as closely as possible. You can contact your bank about securing a home equity loan to cover the costs. Contact professionals and visit stores to get an idea of prices. You'll want to estimate costs for items like: Appliances Flooring Lighting Plumbing Electrical work Installation costs Furniture Accessories Payment to any professionals you hire If your renovations are simple, you might be able to handle them yourself. But if you plan on knocking down walls, adding plumbing, creating new windows, or moving a staircase, to name a few changes, you'll definitely want to work with an architect. Contact several architects to find one that you want to work with. Before you hire an architect, make sure to ask to look at their portfolio. You want to make sure that they have experience handling projects similar to yours. You should also ask for a quote about how much their work will cost. An interior designer can really bring your ideas to life. Hiring a designer is a great idea if you want someone else to shop for things like furniture and accessories. Meet with a few designers to find one that you feel comfortable with. Take some time to look through each designer's portfolio. Choose one who has created rooms that you really like. Make sure to get a quote for how much each designer's services will cost. if you would like someone to manage the project. Look for a general contractor if you have a large or complex project. They will supervise all workers, get the necessary building permits, and oversee all elements of the remodel. If your project is smaller, consider a specialty contractor who works on installing items like counter tops and bathroom fixtures. Whichever type of contractor you need, meet with a few candidates before hiring anyone. You should also ask for a projected budget and timeline. Ask family and friends for recommendations. You can also read online reviews to see if other customers had a positive experience. Once you start pricing the services of professionals, you might be tempted to go the DIY route. Before you make that choice, consider several factors. For example, if you don't have the necessary skills, you might end up doing costly damage. Also consider your timeline. It will likely take you much longer to do the job than a professional. Decide if that is a major factor in your decision. If you decide that you want to do the work yourself, make sure that you do so safely. Do not attempt to rewire your house, for instance, if you don't have that sort of experience. However, you can paint the walls in your living room yourself without any prior experience. Don't be afraid to hire a professional only for the things you really need. For example, you might hire someone to install your appliances, but choose to decorate on your own. Figure out a reasonable timeline. For example, it is unreasonable to expect a full kitchen renovation in a day. It's much more likely to take at least 2 weeks. Pick a target date, but be prepared for setbacks. For example, sometimes items you purchase might be on back order. If you hire professionals, check in with them at least once a week to check on their progress. If you are doing the work yourself, resist the urge to multitask. If you start on the bedroom before the bathroom is done, you'll end up with 2 projects, which is harder to manage than just 1 at a time.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Look at magazines and websites to find inspiration. Figure out your budget. Hire an architect if you are doing major structural changes. Work with an interior designer if you want help decorating. Find a contractor Weigh the pros and cons of a DIY renovation. Make a timeline and plan to stay organized.
Article: If you are worried that your parent may be considering suicide, look for these outward signs and risk factors so that you can catch the problem before it's too late: Past suicidal attempts. This is one of the biggest risk factors for actual suicide. Outbursts of rage. Although this can signal other things as well, it's a common indication of suicidal intent. Increased risk-taking behavior, such as drinking and driving. A parent who feels suicidal may start to care less about personal safety. Behavior isn't the only indication of being suicidal; you can read the signs in what he talks about as well. Talk of suicidal intent. Your parent may explicitly state how he feels. Self-hatred. This is a strong ingredient of suicidal thinking. Being a burden. As many suicidal parents feel guilty, it's likely they will feel like they are burdening those in close proximity, including you. Despite what some people may think, suicide is not as much of a choice as it is a combination of natural forces and factors. Some of these forces are: Mental illness. 90% or more of people who commit suicide had a mental illness at the time of their death. The most common illnesses are depression and other mood disorders, substance abuse disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders such as bi-polar and borderline. Serious medical issues. Cancer, HIV, and other illnesses can cause people to experience hopelessness and other desperate emotions which sometimes result in suicide. Biological factors. Research shows that people who commit suicide often have differences in brain structure, especially the areas of the brain related to mood, thinking, and stress response. Environmental stress. Things like prolonged bullying have been linked to an increased risk for suicide. Suicide is often thought of as a solution to a problem. A suicidal parent is trying to escape from a variety of problems and painful realities. Believing that the people in their life are better off without them. Failure to live up to personal standards. Many people who want to commit suicide are wrestling with unrealistically high standards for themselves and their lives. Self-blame. These people blame themselves for not measuring up to the tasks of life, unrealistic or not. High awareness of failure, so that they are constantly and painfully aware of how much they're failing to match their ideal self. Anxiety and pain result from these issues. The state of mind that sometimes ends in suicide is extremely painful and hard to bear. "Cognitive deconstruction," which refers to how people think about their lives as a simple, unchanging experience of sadness and pain. Finally, disinhibition, or the final step that comes about when a person thinks that a drastic measure such as suicide is necessary to overcome their current predicament.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Watch for signs of suicidal behavior. Listen for suicidal thoughts and ideas. Learn about suicide's causes. Understand the suicidal state of mind.