Category: Interior Design

The essence of any home is the kitchen. A modern kitchen can be distinguished by its minimalistic aesthetic, structured with clean lines and sharp tailoring which radiates vibrancy and high-fashion. Many people dismiss the idea of incorporating a modern kitchen, perhaps due to the fear of going against the norm or even cost implications. Replacing an entire kitchen is always going to be costly, so if you’re going to do it, why not do it right?

If you have a taste for the exquisite, then this is why fitting a modern kitchen is right for you. You will be able to create a living space that is state-of-the-art, with a sleek design, built with a purpose. No clutter, no mess, just visually satisfying and pleasing to the touch. Authenticity and a sense of the natural are important aspects of modern kitchen architecture.

What comes to mind when you think of what it is to have a modern kitchen? Lustrous handle-free doors with a lustrous, glossy finish or walking into a dark kitchen, clapping twice and Ta-da! the lights have turned on? If that is the type of modern kitchen you want, then that is the modern kitchen you can have. There is a multitude of ways you can go down when designing your modern kitchen, whether you want motion sensor lights or not, if you want crystal cabinets with glossy red handles or if you desired to incorporate dusty blue metal units with an intricately carved and traditional wooden shaker unit, the decision is yours to make. There is no true definition of what it is to be a modern kitchen, it is all centred around innovation and you. The setup of a modern kitchen gains expression and life through an ingenious combination of colours, materials and sophisticated surface feel.

You might think that mass manufacturers such as IKEA can offer modern enough kitchens that come as a whole. That can’t be disputed, however, modern kitchens can be tailored to your specific taste, style and ideas. Choosing from an extravagant range of colours and shades, you can make your modern kitchen showcase your personality and allow a true expression of yourself in small detailing to amount to something truly chic and high-end. By you being in control of every aspect of the kitchen, down to the intricate details, you will be guaranteed a finished kitchen that is perfectly tailored for you.

All it takes is a simple conversation with a Modern Kitchen specialist company and you could be onto creating the kitchen that you have always wanted but struggled to achieve on your own.

Source: StoneHouse Bespoke Kitchens

Not only can a well maintained lush garden enhance the aesthetic value of your home, it is considered by many to be one of the most rewarding hobbies. To watch your creativity and hard work come alive in the truest sense of the word is what gardening means to most of us.

However, there are pests out there which can totally obliterate all your hard work and lay waste to your garden even before it can bloom into fruition. If you see too many of these, it’s time to take drastic measures before they breed further and overwhelm your entire garden.

Aphids

Characterized by their pear-shaped bodies and the two projecting tubes near the end of the abdomen, Aphids are known by many names like plant lice, greenfly, whitefly and blackfly. While only 250 out of the 4,400 or more known species of the insect are considered to be harmful, if the bad ones do come into a garden, they can cause some serious harm.

The primary damage which they cause to the plant is deformity. As they suck the sap out of the plant, the leaves start to fall out and the stem of the plant itself may become deformed over time. Additionally, and more alarmingly, aphids carry over 150 types of viruses that can infect and even kill your garden.

Aphids are prey to many other insects and as a result, you may also start to see other kinds of pests in the garden. Although the insects themselves are not easily visible to the human eye, the telltale sign of aphid infestation is a kind of sticky honeydew deposition which if left unwashed, can cause mold to grow on the leaves and branches of the infected plants.

Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles, or June beetles, are surprisingly not as harmful in their country of origin (Japan) as they are in the US, where they pose a threat to plant life in multiple ways. The bugs devour the sap in the leaves and the leaves themselves. In case of a serious infestation, the plants in your garden can lose all their leaves which could eventually kill the garden, if left untreated.

The bugs themselves are easy to spot, but the grub worms are not. As the Japanese beetle lays its eggs underground, that’s where the white worm-like larvae moves around and feeds. If the soil is infected, there will soon be dead brown patches on the grass lawn. Also, pressing on the lawn will reveal the ground to be soft and squelchy under it. Pulling on the grass may cause the infected portions to simply peel off, often revealing some of the grubs.

However, as a gardener, you should be even more concerned
with figuring out how to get rid of grub worms, than the adult insects. Grub worms are the underground larvae of the June beetle, and they will eat grass roots, potatoes, corn, roses and even the very nutrients in the soil around them. Once the larva matures, the adult beetle will push its way out of the soil and attack the leaves and flowers in the vicinity.

Caterpillars

Even though butterflies and moths as adults are not exactly considered to be garden pests, their larvae can be devastating to vegetation patches. Caterpillars typically have six legs and they are all on the front most segments of their body. Although it may seem like a caterpillar has many more legs on the other segments of its body, they are only fleshy appendages. The head is a separate capsular segment which is harder than the rest of the body.

These hungry little larvae eat leaves, fruits, flowers and vegetables, when and where they can, until forming a pupa and hatching into a butterfly or a moth. While an infestation of gypsy moth larvae can eat through a medium-sized garden in a matter of days, they are not the most difficult of pests to get rid of at an early stage. In fact, caterpillars are sometimes used to control the population of weeds and other unwanted plant life. You will be able to spot them easily and remove them manually by being vigilant, before the numbers develop into an infestation.

There are various other common garden pests which you should keep an eye out for and they include, armyworms, asparagus beetle, earworms, cabbage worms, blister beetles, cucumber beetles, cutworms, earwigs, stink bugs, squash bugs, spider mites, wireworms, thrips, Mexican bean beetles, potato beetles and many more. It is only natural for a garden to always have some pests in it. An alert and attentive gardener should be able to keep their populations under check without too much of a problem in most cases with a little help from neem oil, insecticidal soaps and bug traps.

There is so much about home design and décor that is mass-produced, not unique, and just not very personal. As you walk through your home, it’s nice to get a sense of who you are, what your own style is, and what makes you feel happy and welcome.

One way to achieve this is through personalized home décor items. These items are able to transform your space and give a sense of you as an individual. By including these pieces, your home will take on that custom-feel that so many people strive for. Here we’ll take a look at some of the top ways you can personalize your home décor as far as items go.

Show Off Your Favorite Colors

Rather than worry about what colors are currently trending, pick colors that you absolutely love. Those who know you well will recognize this special and personal touch. There is no reason you have to stick to one room either, you can use color as a running trend through your home.

Let’s take for example the color green. You can include green in your bedroom through the bedding, in your living room with some simple pillows or a throw, and even in your kitchen with placemats, seat cushions, or window coverings. If you’re going to carry it through your home, just be sure you take the less is more approach. It should be a fun little touch that is added to each room rather than the overall theme.

Invest in Custom-Made Pieces

There is no cooler way to show off your design style and sense than by investing in a custom-made piece. You can work with the artisan, artist, professional to create the design and allow it to speak to you. You really can’t get more personal than that!

You may wish to have a stunning wooden mantle made from reclaimed wood, maybe you want a more modern metal piece that was made using a laser engraving machine, or perhaps you want something delicate like a glass-blown decorative bowl.

With these investment pieces, there is no need to worry about current trends. These are meant to be timeless pieces that will work throughout the years and that you can hold on to for many years to come.

Make Your Own Artwork

Who says that you have to spend hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars on artwork? Why not create your very own artwork and then have it professionally framed? It will be fun to see which of your friends think it’s from a well-known artist! DIY projects in general are a great way to let your creativity shine, personalize your space, and provide you with something you have real pride in.

If you are feeling apprehensive about making your own artwork, you can always sign up for a local art class and get a bit of guidance and experience before attempting it.

Add Color to Your Front Door

All too often, we end up settling for neutrals and boring shades chosen by the builder for our front door to the house. If you want to make your house pop, make it look unique, and really show off your own style, paint it a fun color. Don’t be afraid to pick something unexpected such as yellow, blue, or even coral. Your house will suddenly become the most noticeable one on the street.

Display Personal Collections

Personal collections and mementos offer another great way to personalize your home. For those who like to travel, this is a great opportunity to frame photos of various destinations, put out pieces you’ve acquired along the way, and really give people a look into your life.

Then again maybe you have a collection that you’ve been working on for years, such as a collection of teacups. Look for fun and interesting ways to display your collection throughout your home and show off the many great pieces you have.

Change Picture Frames

If you have a few framed pictures in your home that you have bought it may be worth having them re-framed. Just because you liked the photo/painting, doesn’t mean the frame was a reflection of your taste. This is a great way to make the picture more unique.

Let Your Personality Shine

When it comes to personalizing your home décor, all you need to do is look for ways to let your personality shine. This can be through artwork, textiles, paint, furniture, and so much more. It’s about taking simple everyday pieces and putting your own spin on them.

When it comes to home décor, sadly many of us are afraid of letting our creativity run wild and truly putting our own individual stamp on our homes. This means that we find ourselves settling for uninspiring or run-of-the-mill interior design – and while there is nothing wrong with these everyday ideas, you still can’t stop yourself thinking about that quirky concept you wish you’d been brave enough to try out.

However, stand-out design needn’t necessarily equate to totally wacky or off-the-wall ideas. Sometimes it is the simplest things that can look the most effective. Take design inspiration from the minimalist approach and go for organised, functional décor to keep your home looking clean, tidy and ultra-modern. Of course, there is always a place for individuality and original touches within the home. Your home is an incredibly personal place, and it is only natural that the way you decorate your home should reflect your personality.

If your home is looking a little dull and could do with some TLC, now is probably the ideal time to unleash your imagination and get creative. Accessorise and add a unique twist to your décor ready to breathe a new lease of life into your home. After all, your home is your own personal space, therefore it is essential that it is a place in which you feel happy and comfortable in your surroundings.

In need of interior design inspiration?

Here are a few top tips and pointers to provide you with some ideas for your next home décor project. Whether it is a large-scale change or just a small improvement you have in mind, there are plenty of ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Utilise your Stairs

The stairs are one of the most under-utilised features of any home. If you live in a home with stairs, then the chances are that your under-stairs space is either blocked off completely or taken up by a dusty, cobweb-filled cupboard.

When you have a small home, it can be difficult to find enough space for everything. In this situation, you need to make the most of every last bit of space that you can get your hands on. There are plenty of easy ways to create more storage space simply by tapping into the extra space currently unoccupied under your stairs.

Create custom storage solutions under your stairs by building sliding drawers into your staircase. Keep all of the usual hallway clutter of coats and shoes tucked neatly away out of sight in bespoke drawers, ensuring your home stays clean and tidy.

If your staircase is in your living area rather than the hallway, take advantage of this design feature and build a custom-fit bookcase into your staircase. Not only is it practical, but it’s also super stylish!

Bring the Outdoors Indoors with Artificial Grass

If you are a fan of the great outdoors, get creative and include artificial grass as a unique element of your home décor. Synthetic turf can be used in a myriad of ways within the home. From statement walls to distinctive rugs, a fake lawn can even be used as an alternative method of covering your furniture!

Artificial grass is also really easy to install and look after, making it a quick and simple way to renew the look of your home.

What’s more, fake turf is an incredibly versatile material. There are a number of different types of artificial grass, all of which come with different properties and various benefits. In order to ensure that you choose the right type of synthetic lawn for your project, why not try out some samples to find your perfect match?

Colour is Key

Inject some brightness and positivity into your life by adding an element of colour into your design scheme. For a classy look, pick out an accent colour that complements your existing colour scheme and hunt for accessories in this particular colour. You could also paint one wall of a room in a different colour to create a bold statement wall.

For those who really love colour, a fun alternative is to create a rainbow wall. Colour is the perfect way to add a stand-out, eye-catching boost to your room – it’s fun, interesting and bright.

Fabrics and Patterns

Get creative and add an extra layer to your home décor by experimenting with the use of contrasting fabrics and patterns. Sometimes mismatched styles can actually end up looking great, so experiment until you find a pairing that works for you.

Rugs, soft furnishings, furniture, wall coverings – all offer interesting and unique ways for you to customise the overall look and feel of your home. Choosing a specific style theme can also be beneficial when it comes to updating your room. If you do have a theme in mind, this can make it easier to pinpoint exact styles that you want to include and help you avoid the issue of over-cluttering your room.

The Practical Approach

Practicality is absolutely essential if you have a small home or are trying to find creative ways of updating functional rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom. It is easy to let creativity go when your room has to serve a specific purpose, but there are many ways in which a room can be both stylish and functional.

Think hidden storage solutions or dual-purpose furniture pieces that will save you space and look great at the same time. Keep organisation in mind when picking out items for rooms like the kitchen, and it will be a lot easier to avoid the temptation to buy aesthetically pleasing yet impractical accessories.

As with any design project, the process of completing a successful home redecoration is entirely subjective. One person’s dream home may not suit another at all, so it is definitely well worth taking the time to browse a wide variety of styles and ideas before settling on any one design scheme.

Have fun, get creative, and start planning your dream home today!

Kitchen is the area of your beautiful home where you prepare delicious dishes for the family and enjoy food together.

Do you think your cooking area is too old? If yes, then it is time to give it an awesome look by renovating it.

Some things to consider during upgradation are the right color, shape and type of modern kitchen cabinets design that will go well with the interior decoration of this space. Apart from these, it is extremely important to youre your budget within which you want to complete modern kitchen cabinets design for a sophisticated look.

Reasons to change the look of the kitchen

If all the members in the family do not get proper accommodation in the kitchen, you should think of making the space bigger and spacious. Make sure you know the changes that need to be made for making this area more adjustable for one and all. Read on to know why upgrading the kitchen is essential for every home.

More number of members – One of the main reasons why certain alterations are needed in the kitchen is the addition of new members in the family. Earlier, you might be having fewer members and there wasnt any problem enjoying the food in a small area. But, with new members in your family, you need to make the space bigger to make accommodation comfortable for everyone. There should be proper arrangements for seating and relaxation and addition of other things for a new makeover. This way, your property will be more valuable than before.

Say good bye to old-fashioned kitchen No one likes to use an old and outdated kitchen without minimum facilities available. As such, by renovating the kitchen, you will install new countertops, choose modern kitchen cabinets design and other facilities in the cooking space. This will make the area look more attractive and stylish. Thus, change your dilapidated kitchen and upgrade it by using some latest technologies.

Upgrade the countertops and cabinets – If you want to install cabinets, then choose the ones that are painted as they are attractive and budget-friendly. Some countertops used in modern kitchen include marble and granite. Every homeowner wishes to install the latest cabinets and countertops because they add more worth to your house ultimately, enabling you to make good profit in future.

Enhance the value of cooking area – Home upgradation is extremely important and should be done from time to time. If you are planning to renovate the kitchen, add necessary items to make cooking easy and convenient. This will make cooking a fun and enjoyable experience and you will love to prepare mouth-watering dishes at any time in this area.

Thus, the above-discussed reasons will help you to make the kitchen look more sophisticated and exclusive. It will also enable to increase your propertys value over time. By considering these modern kitchen island design and ideas, you can add stunning beauty to this area and enjoy sumptuous dishes together with your loved ones.

A lot of us don’t clean our ovens as often as we should, leaving a large amount of baked on grease and grime. To keep ovens operating at their best, and to ensure that we’re not exposing fresh food to harmful germs, it’s best to clean your oven every couple of weeks.

But what if your oven is in terrible shape? What if there is an extensive amount of dirt baked onto your appliance? We’ve shared some useful tips on how to get your oven sparkling clean.

Preparation

It’s really important to ensure you’re wearing old clothes and protective gloves as oven cleaning can be a very messy job. You might also want to lay down some newspaper to protect your floor from grime.

Then you’ll want to remove the shelves from your oven, and leave them to soak in hot water and washing up liquid, or bi-carbonate of soda mixed with water. A handy tip is to soak the racks in your bathtub, as this will give you a lot more space (and will also give you a sparkling bathtub!).

Cleaning

While it’s crucial to make sure your oven is switched off when cleaning, it can be useful to start cleaning while the oven is still slightly warm, as this will help remove the stubborn grease.

Depending on your preference, you can use specific oven cleaning products, or you can use natural products. We’re going to focus on using bi-carbonate of soda and vinegar in this section.

1. Mix together a cup of bi-carbonate of soda with enough water to create a thin paste.
2. Apply the paste thinly to the walls of your oven, making sure to reach all the corners and apply extra if needed on areas with thick grime.
3. Using a spray bottle, spray vinegar all over your oven, forcing the bicarbonate of soda to react and strip your walls.
4. Let the mixture sit on your oven for as long as possible, minimum of an hour, to ensure all the grease is removed.
5. Take a damp cloth and wipe down the entire inside of your oven. You may need to rinse your cloth repeatedly to ensure all the dirt is removed.
6. Wipe and rinse your oven racks then let them dry before reinserting them into your oven.

Common oven issues

There are a few things that could be causing your oven to retain grease, so here are a few of the most common problems and how to solve them:

My oven keeps smoking

If you’re experiencing a lot of smoke from your oven, it could be a sign of burnt-on food. This is very unhygienic and can be potentially dangerous to your health. The best way to tackle this problem is to take a spatula and scrape off the food as soon as possible. If you’ve left the food to bake onto your oven, try sprinkling some baking soda around your oven and leave it overnight. This will help soften the charcoal and make it easier for you to tackle the next day.

My trays are covered in baked-on grease

When food spills onto baking trays, it can be difficult to remove. Try soaking any dirty baking trays in boiling water and washing up liquid. The longer you leave the tray soaking, the easier it will be to remove the dirt.

You can also use boiling water and washing up liquid to clean your hobs.

My oven door is dirty

To add the sparkle back to your glass oven door, you can use the same paste you used on your oven before. Spread the bi-carbonate mix thinly on your door and leave for 5-10 minutes. Spray on the vinegar and gently wipe your door. You should definitely lay down newspapers when cleaning your oven glass to avoid ruining your floor.

So, those are the steps you should take to clean your oven efficiently. Once it’s clean, remember to check that your appliance is in full working order, that it cooks your food properly and doesn’t let any heat out. If your oven is broken and needs to be fixed, contact Glotechrepairs.co.uk today.

Kitchens are now multifunctional areas – often serving as a dining room, lounge, office or family room. This means that your lighting should be carefully planned to suit each different activity, so that you have a well-lit area to prepare food, as well as more ambient setting to chill out in.

It is all well and good having beautiful worktops, an eye-catching island and high quality floor tiles, but without well placed lighting, you won’t be able to draw attention to these features!

Read our guide to discover how best to use LED lighting in your kitchen to make the best of your space and get light to where it’s needed most:

Why use LED lighting?

LED lighting is a great choice for your kitchen as it gives a natural glow rather than a harsh, fluorescent light. It instantly lights up, is eco-friendly, energy-efficient and gives longer lasting light.

Copyright: Dimitrios Stefanidis

Under-cabinet lighting

One of the most popular ways to use LED lighting in kitchens is under cabinets.

Under-cabinet lighting can be used to make everyday kitchen tasks easier to complete. By placing under-cabinet lighting over counters, or above the sink, it provides you with a well-lit surface in which to safely prepare food and wash dishes, without any shadows getting in the way.

This style of lighting is a great choice for the kitchen as it can transform a dingy workspace, providing a practical and stylish solution. It also be used to create an ambient mood using different coloured bulbs.

And don’t panic – you won’t be cooking up a sweat while you make your dinner as LED bulbs don’t give off much heat!

LED strip lighting

Kitchen led strip lights can be installed anywhere as it is thin and flexible. The LED lights come in different shapes and sizes and can be mounted in a row, giving a smooth effect when shining on a surface.

Using LED tape for your kitchen LED lights gives a user many benefits – from low running costs and compact size through to flexibility and long life.

Kitchen strip lighting can also be linked to dimmers and controllers to give you complete control, however LED lights do require a special transformer to power them.

LED spotlights

These lights are a wonderful choice for the kitchen, as they can be installed wherever you like, with each spot illuminating a specific object, surface or area, for example, the sink or breakfast bar.

Make your kitchen look much bigger by angling spotlights towards cupboards or walls, giving the illusion of vast space.

To use LED spotlights you will need to install an LED dimmer switch, as you cannot use LEDs with traditional dimmer switches.

As you can see, there are many great ways to install LED lighting around your kitchen. Lighting can be an essential part of your kitchen redecoration, not just for its functionality, but it can make a room look bigger and brighter.

Often, the type of vanity you choose determines the overall look of your bathroom. So whether you’re planning a complete overhaul of the bathroom or you just want to spruce up the space, the right vanity can help you achieve your desired look with ease. Bathroom vanities are available in a number of styles and dimensions, so in order to choose the right bathroom vanity you need to consider a number of factors. Let’s discuss these factors one by one.

Assess the Available Space

It is essential that you know how much space is available inside the bathroom and what kind of storage you are looking for. Identify the space where you want the vanity to be placed and take the exact measurements. You can take help from the professionals as well. A lavish bathroom can accommodate a readymade vanity like this selection of bathroom vanities but if you have a compact bathroom, it is best to get one tailor-made.

Choose the Right Place

The type of vanity you need for your bathroom depends on where you need to install it. Choose a spot that won’t interfere with the bathroom traffic or block the bathroom door. Make sure you have enough space for cleaning and opening the vanity doors. Experts recommend taking other architectural aspects into consideration when choosing the spot for the vanity, since it contributes to the overall functionality of the bathroom.

Plumbing Considerations

Another important factor to consider is the plumbing. If you need to change the plumbing system to accommodate the new vanity, be prepared to shell out a good amount of money. Changing the style of the vanity might also require rerouting of the pipes, so choose carefully. Ideally three types of vanities are available and they are – free standing, wall mounted and corner mounted.

The Right Material  

Bathroom vanities have to withstand moisture and humidity, so it is important that you make the right choice when choosing the material. Wooden vanities look elegant but are prone to damaging when exposed to moisture and water. Wood needs to be sealed properly and lacquered to prevent it from damage. Wood can also be quite expensive; so look for other materials such as wood veneers, laminates or thermofoil which are not vulnerable to moisture. Another factor to consider is maintenance — wooden vanities demand higher maintenance, whereas wood veneers or laminates would be easier to maintain.

Storage Amount

Vanities provide the much needed storage space within the bathroom. So take into account the things that you need to store inside the vanity; this will help you determine what size of vanity would be suitable for you. Make sure you have some extra space, just in case you plan to add some more personal hygiene or beauty care products along with the existing items.

A bespoke bathroom vanity would be the best choice, since you can customise the design and size to suit your specific needs. So if you are planning to give your bathroom a renewed look, consider the above factors when choosing the vanity.