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  • How to Keep Up With Interior Trends Without Spending a Fortune  

    How to Keep Up With Interior Trends Without Spending a Fortune  

    Do you constantly look through interior design magazines or around friends’ houses, wishing you could keep your home looking so on trend as well?

    Well, thankfully, this doesn’t have to mean changing your room as often as the seasons. Rather, all it takes is some careful consideration of the basic design of your room and the accessories you bring it to life with.

    Here’s how you can make sure your home’s always one step ahead of the trend:

    Having a Blank Canvas

    Firstly, the best way to make sure your rooms are adaptable to the ever-changing interior design world is to have a neutral blank canvas. Neutral colour schemes are timeless, which means they’ll never grow old – but they will allow you to go crazy with colour elsewhere.

    From your sofa to your walls and carpets, try to keep these understated and neutral so you can enhance them in other ways. Your sofa and other bits of furniture are the most costly to replace, so you need to make sure they’re going to stand the test of time without limiting your future decorating projects. So creams, whites, beiges and every colour in between are perfect for creating your blank canvas.

    Getting Creative with Window Hangings

    To instantly inject another layer and colour to your room, use your curtains or blinds to do this. These are constantly available in new designs and offer an affordable way for you to transform the room.

    For example, roman blinds are the perfect way to introduce new patterns to your window, while creating a stylish feature. And they can even work with your existing curtains – which are neutral, of course!

    Going All Out with Your Accessories

     

    From bed linen to rugs and candles to picture frames, these finishing touches are how you transform your room from drab to fab. Use them to introduce on-trend colours to the space and create new textures and layers that finish the room off in style.

    Throws and cushions are the perfect way to transform that neutral sofa, while rugs help add a focal point to the plain carpet or floorboards you originally installed.

    Creating a Feature Wall

    If the idea of having plain walls doesn’t interest you in the slightest, you can save money by having one feature wall. This wall, whether it’s the one where your bed or sofa is, changes with the times and brings together all of the new colours you’re introducing. And because there’s only one wall it saves you decorating the entire room, which, in turn, saves you lots of money.

    As you can see, designer looks need not cost designer prices. Instead, all it takes is some clever planning and strategic accessories and your home will be able to change with the times – no matter how frequent these changes may be.

     

  • Top Tips to Maintain Your Stone Countertops

    Top Tips to Maintain Your Stone Countertops

    There’s no doubt that countertops are a crucial part of the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. Together with features such as cabinets, flooring, and even appliances, the countertops help create the overall vibe of the space. Along those same lines, choosing stone for your countertop material offers some of the best ROI of any product.

    While the thought of a stone countertop might have you thinking that the feature is “indestructible”, the truth is that granite, marble, slate, onyx, etc. all still require regular maintenance. There are two main reasons you want to follow proper recommended care for your stone countertops:

    1. The kitchen is considered the most important room in the home and you want to maintain resale value for when the time comes to list your property.
    2. New countertops and kitchen remodels in general represent a pretty significant investment. You want to keep the products in the best shape possible for as long of a life span as you can.

    Don’t worry, maintaining your countertops isn’t as thorough a project as say, pressure washing and restaining a deck. That being said, you still want to follow all the proper tips for cleaning, sealing, and general upkeep. If you don’t, you could actually be proactively causing harm to the countertops.

    Cleaning Stone Countertops

    Stone countertops providers will tell you that regular cleaning is a very important part of maintaining the integrity of these features. Depending on the type of stone, these countertops can be porous which means that red wine spills (and similar mishaps) can actually cause staining. In fact, anything high in acidity (vinegar, orange juice, salad dressing, for example) can cause visible damage to the countertop surface.

    How to clean stone countertops depends largely on what type of actual rock it is made of. Here are some basics for the most popular types of materials used in kitchen countertops:

    • Concrete – Like many stone countertops, concrete is sensitive to acidity. Therefore a mixture of 1 teaspoon dish detergent and 4 cups of water should be kept readily available in a spray bottle. You shouldn’t use vinegar or other abrasive chemicals to clean concrete. Also, get your water tested to see if you need water softener because mineral deposits in hard water can cause damage to concrete countertops over time.
    • Granite – Traditionally one of the most popular materials for stone countertops that continues to be very appealing to future home buyers. One of the biggest      appealing factors for granite is its shiny finish. To maintain this, use the same formula of dish detergent and water. You should use a microfiber cloth to wipe up and let the countertop air dry.

    • Limestone – Homeowners are opting for limestone countertops because they give the look of marble, even though marble itself isn’t really a viable option for a kitchen because of the heavy use. Obviously the lighter color of limestone is going to require a lot of care. There is actually a special limestone cleaner that should be used if you’ve had this type of stone countertop installed. Another thing is that the lighter color of limestone allows scratches to show easier so avoid scrubbers, sponges, and similar abrasive cleaning utensils.
    • Quartz – These type of countertops are actually engineered with a quartz/resin compound which gives them the durability of being A glass cleaner will actually work for daily cleaning of quartz countertops.

     

    • Other Stone Countertops – You should always check the specific manufacturer’s cleaning instructions but for the most part dish detergent and water should be safe. Avoid abrasive scrubbers and harsh chemicals to maintain  the look and style of your countertops for years to come.

    Sealing Stone Countertops

    If your stone countertops are non-porous, they will not need to be sealed. This includes quartz and soapstone and also engineered products that aren’t 100% stone. For types of stone that does need resealing, many stone countertops providers will recommend that you repeat the process bi-annually. One way to find out if your tops do need sealing is to splash a little bit of water on the surface. If the water beads up, it means the seal is intact for now. If the water spreads and seeps into the surface then it’s time to re-apply the sealer.

    To seal your countertops, simply spray an approved sealant onto the surface and let it set for 15 minutes to absorb into the stone. Before the sealant dries completely, wipe it off with a paper towel or dry cloth. The process really is that easy.

    Caring For and Maintaining Stone Countertops

    In order to get the most life out of your countertops, proper care should be learned and executed. There’s the obvious trying to avoid spills of red wine and other acidic, staining liquids. If accidents do happen, wipe up these spills as soon as possible. Beyond that, never put hot pans directly onto the countertop surface and always use a cutting board to avoid knife scratches.

    If your countertops do get stained, contact your local stone countertops providers for care. There are poultice formulas that can remove the stain depending on what the countertop material is and what the stain was caused by. Beyond that though, with regular cleaning, sealing, and maintenance you should be able to enjoy your countertops now – and also get some resale value down the line.

  • Tips for a Relaxing and Restful Environment At Home

    Tips for a Relaxing and Restful Environment At Home

    There are a number of things that can help us create a relaxing environment in our home. Here we break the daily stress, we rebuild the energy and we live the most beautiful moments of our lives, with family, friends and loved ones, and here we have to find the highest level of comfort daily.

    The need to create a warm and calm environment must become a priority. To stay healthy, a relaxing atmosphere in the house can help a lot.

    Small changes in the house can create a relaxing corner such as reordering the furniture, choosing the colors that soothe and relax, closing the unnecessary lights or put a vase with fresh and colorful flowers. The house must be clean, neat and provide a sense of well-being.

    One of the important aspects of our lives is the sleep hygiene and the sleep environment needs also attention from us.

    We sleep one-third of our lives and sleep is necessary just like food, air, and water.  If we have a good sleep we are cheerful, full of vitality, with a bright and relaxed face, a clear and creative mind.

    The sleep hygiene like keeping a bedtime routine, exercising regularly, relaxing before bedtime, eating sleep-friendly foods can positively impact our daily lives.

    Plants and flowers in the house

    Plants and fresh flowers in the room help us relax and breathe fresh air. When choosing plants and flowers, opt for those that have a pleasant smell and flood all the rooms. In addition, plants that attract toxins and negative energies in the house are recommended.

    Keep the House Clean and Cool

    Our environment must be clean and bedding should be changed regularly. Also, maintaining a moderate to cool temperature is important to a restful sleep. Keeping in the room a temperature between 60-67 degrees can increase the chances for a comfortably and soundly sleep.

    Make the Bed Comfortable

    A relaxed mind allows us to deal with the high volume of work every day. But to have a restful sleep, we need a Rest Right Mattress, soft pillows, and fine linens. Thus, we avoid waking up with sore throats , feeling stiff, numb, or tired.  As we may see, sleeping on a confortable bed is very important. Sleeping or just relaxing is required after a hard working day, the Leggett and Platt Prodigy 2.0 has the best solution for confort.

    Use Aromatherapy and Scented Candles

    What can be more enjoyable than entering a house surrounded by a relaxing fragrance that will make us forget about the accumulated stress of the day?

    Using Aromatherapy creates a relaxing and calming atmosphere, which can help wind down to sleep. Among the Using Aromatherapy creates a relaxing and calming atmosphere, which can help wind down to sleep. You can use scented candles for that ambient effect. But you can also get electric diffusers. They are widely available in online shops like Kumi. They have an available diffuser and essential oils set that you can quickly purchase online.

    Paint the Bedroom

    Experts in interior design and color psychology think that the chromatic shades in which we paint our house say something about our personality and influence us at the same time more than we think.

    There are also studies that show that the color of our bedroom can impact the amount of sleep we get. The colors blue, green and yellow are often associated with calmness and relaxation and can help put our mind at ease as we rest.

  • How to Maximize The Space of Your Small Bathroom

    How to Maximize The Space of Your Small Bathroom

    When building your own home, you get to have the luxury of deciding what size of bathroom you want, but if you’re buying, it’s a whole different story. While small bathrooms may be a deal-breaker for some, are you going to turn down every good quality home you find just because the bathroom is on the smaller side? Of course not! Instead, you can use this to negotiate a lower buying price then pour yourself into a remodel that will leave you with a functional yet luxurious bathroom space. Below are ideas on how to work with what you have to get what you want.

    1. Hung toilets with in-wall cisterns

    Instead of your traditional floor-standing toilet and cistern which takes a little more space, you can have a wall-hung loo with the cistern installed inside the wall. This is not only remarkably edgy; it frees valuable space in a small bathroom. You can also choose to have corner toilets within your bathroom that occupies small space.

    2. Bathtubs

    If you really want to have a bathtub in a small shower, shop around to find out what options there are apart from the standard five-foot tub length. You can order one to fit your own measurements, but remember that this will take more time so start searching early. A frameless glass panel can help to keep splashes away, and because it’s completely transparent, does so without taking valuable visual space.

    3. Mirrors

    The magic of mirrors in small spaces has been long known and applied to many rooms of the house. Consider installing medicine cabinets similar in length to your vanity/counter, with mirrors installed on all the doors. Having mirrors along that length can make the room seem larger, and help you deal with the feeling of cramped-ness in the space.

    If you don’t have cabinets, using mirrored walls will give the same effect, as well as enhance the charm of the space. Do not install mirrors too close to the shower area to avoid unsightly splashes – or the work that comes with removing them.

    4. Smaller showers

     

    Shower doors are a complete faux-pas if you have small bathrooms. Slightly bigger showers can still have the glass shower screen fitted with sliding doors that occupy less space. However, if you space if extra-small, do away with the screen completely in favour of a curtain rod and attractive shower curtain or a frameless glass panel. The effect is mostly visual: making a cordoned-off shower area disappear allows the eye to see the room as being much larger. The curtain/panel will still protect the area from shower splashes.

    5. In-wall storage

    If you have only enough room for a pedestal sink (no vanity), you have to get creative with storage. Consider getting in-wall shelves which are not only beautiful but can also provide the storage you need without eating into your bathroom space. These can be done in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on what you want. You can have sliding glass doors to protect whatever you store on the inside, if you want. Tile them to make them more attractive and easier to clean.

    Bathrooms are usually small rooms in most houses. Good thing about it is that it is mostly used by one person at a time and you can always maximize the space by proper arrangement. If the rest of the house is spacious enough, you can go for it and work on your bathroom.

  • Here’s What You Need to Know about Mold in Your Home

    Here’s What You Need to Know about Mold in Your Home

    Mold is one of those words homeowners detest. For some, it’s a visual nuisance they cannot seem to get rid of. Sure, its appalling appearance and the odor it produces make mold an unwelcome guest. But this pesky intruder can cause lots of trouble for homeowners, including chronic health problems.

    Before you decide whether you need to call in an expert like Emergency Home Solutions or tackle the mold problem yourself, you need to know what you’re dealing with first. While you can spot some types of mold instantly, lurking in the dark, damp corners of your homes, other strains are far more devious and lurk in places you don’t even suspect, like under your wallpaper, in the HVAC ducts and other out-of-reach areas.

    The best way to recognize you have a mold problem even if the mold is not visible are:

    • Musty smell
    • Dampness
    • Stains on wallpapers, walls, and floors
    • Sudden respiratory issues

    If you notice any of these issues, don’t put off taking care of the mold problem for later. The more you let it go, the harder it will be to get rid of it. If things get out of hand you may need to tear down walls and invest in extensive remodels later.

    How Does Mold Affect Health?

    The spores mold produces can cause an onset of symptoms, especially in kids, seniors and people with a weak immune system. But even healthy individuals are at risk from developing mold-related health issues. Mold can cause an array of different health issues, some of which include:

    Upper Respiratory Issues

    Exposure to mold can cause lots of nasal discharge, runny nose, congestion, irritated throat and excessive sneezing.

    Lower Respiratory Issues

    Mold can also affect your lower respiratory system and cause a variety of issues including constant coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing.

    Allergic Reactions

    Mold can also trigger allergies. People already suffering from allergies might fight fighting off mold extremely difficult.

    These are just some of the issues mold can cause so you can understand how important taking care of a mold problem is early.

    How to Properly Treat Mold?

    Now that you’ve read about the dangers of mold, you are probably wondering how to remove mold from your home. A lot of homeowners decide to do this on their own, but in many cases, this only makes matters worse, as doing this the wrong way can only help spread the mold spores across your home.

    Therefore, it’s important to leave mold removal to experts who have the right skills and tools to take care of your mold problem once and for all.

    It’s important to get a hold of a reputable mold removal company, which is why you’ll need to interview a few before you find the right price and the type of service provided.

    You’ll also want to ask whether the company uses toxic products to remove mold since this can only make matters worse. The company you choose has to use EPA-certified mold removal products with plant-based formulas that are safe for your family.

    Finally, you must remember that the battle does not stop even after the mold has been removed. You will need to pay attention to the infected spots to make sure the mold does not come back.

  • Some Play to Make It Work: How Millennials Impact Office Design Today

    Some Play to Make It Work: How Millennials Impact Office Design Today

    Office designs are not only made to look good: they are influenced by the office culture a company wants to cultivate, the furniture, architecture and designs put forward; and the generation of workers that encompass the space. Millennials entering the workforce over the past decade means the way offices look and operate are a result of how Millennials made offices a place of their own.

    Image Source: https://www.globalfurnituregroup.com/us/insight/beanbags-in-the-office

    Despite what the rumors say about Millennials seeking whimsy, joy and play in their lives and work, the stats don’t lie. According to Millennial Branding report, 45% of millennials will choose workplace flexibility over pay, meaning a top salary can be trumped by the ability to get out, socialize—or even just get to an appointment when they need to go. This also means workspaces have adopted a more relaxed look and feel to retain Millennial talent, with the same report noting 71% of surveyed companies felt “increased workload and stress” when Millennial talent left.

    The Millennial Look

    Aesthetics heavily influence a Millennial’s impression of a company, with 76% of Millennials being influenced by office design. WeWork is an example of a leading co-working company and startup that has perfectly captured the Millennial id. Whether it’s Beijing, Brazil, Chile, Spain, WeWork’s open concept, common working areas for teamwork and collaboration, comfy couches, and coffee shop design themes seem to pull at the collective heartstring of a stereotypical urban Millennial.

    With places like WeWork, the Millennial office is no longer changing based on global location, but constant no matter your culture or geography. WeWork offices around the world—from Milan to Israel—don’t vary. This comes with Millennials, once known as the “young” generation, finding themselves in positions of clout, such as junior or senior management. Also, many Millennials have entered the world of architecture and design, fuelling the Millennial design theory even further.

    A WeWork office common area in Belo Horizonte, Brazil puts an emphasis on collaborative workspaces rather than individual offices. IMAGE Source: https://www.wework.com/buildings/eloy-gonzalo-27–madrid

    This design theory isn’t just for coworking spaces. Offices around the world are falling in line to Millennial design; adding couches, bean bag chairs or “rec rooms” that could look just as good in living rooms across the country. Workstations without walls or barriers, and barista bars that make getting an Americano between meetings très easy are also hallmarks of this design.

    In Fact, in LinkedIn’ San Francisco offices, all three of these characteristics meet into one office space. With a casual meeting room containing a turquoise couch and purple accents, an equipped kitchen area with a state-of-the-art espresso machine, and plenty of coworking spaces, LinkedIn’s offices take Millennial design theory to the far end of the spectrum.

    IMAGE Source: https://officesnapshots.com/2018/05/07/linkedin-offices-san-francisco/

    Mosaic, a fast-growing marketing agency in North America, is also an example that shows the same attributes, if not taking a more subdued approach in their Dallas, Texas location.

    With murals, graffiti art and a large neon sign that reads #DownForWhatever, this agency still keeps the color theme in blacks, woods and charcoal greys for a more sophisticated edge; with a common bar area to entertain clients, or an employee happy hour.

    IMAGE Source: https://www.globalfurnituregroup.com/us/workplace/resources/projects#project-100

    Keeping in mind the middle-ground of professional-meets-colorful, Bank of New York’s offices in Manchester, London does just that. While the coffee shop office—or coffice—isn’t mimicked exactly here, coworking space is aplenty. Plus, with an invigorating and perky color theory of blues, yellows and whites, the space is injected with vitality; even having many boardrooms meet as half living-room, half conference room.

    IMAGE Source: https://officesnapshots.com/2018/05/07/bank-of-new-york-mellon-offices-manchester/

    Workspaces of the Future

    While workspaces that put collaboration at the forefront appear as the hallmark of Millennials, this doesn’t mean we can expect all future offices to look, or stay this way. In fact, we can expect more companies to take a step back from typical trends and adopt workplace designs that are tailored to their corporate culture and values. Plus, as we expect Generation Z to enter the workforce—a generation that values independent work over coworking or spaces designed with collaboration in mind—a shift in design is only expected to happen again.

    To accomodate all generations and working styles, this might involve having different kinds of office furniture or a unique floor plan, depending on the organization’s needs. Workplace designs are not only made to look good, but serve a functional purpose. Whatever happens, we can only hope the hallmarks or amenities of barista bars and comfy couches stay a little longer. No matter how we work, or the generation we come from, we can all use a little coffee break.

  • Woodworking: 5 Tricky Hinges

    Woodworking: 5 Tricky Hinges

    A hinge is an essential part of almost every item of furniture. It is often underrated despite being a fundamental part. What you may be surprised about is the sheer number of hinges available on the market!

    This article takes a look at 5 of the more difficult hinges to install and how you can do it successfully. Of course it is advisable to have the right tools to hand before you start creating any item. Perhaps the most important tools are a good quality table saw, drill, chisels and screwdriver.

    If you haven’t already got a table saw take a look at these price comparison on table saws and select the right one for your needs.

    • 95° Stop Hinge

    As the name suggests this allows a lid or door to open 95° and no more, that’s enough for a chest to open and stay open without a stay.

    The best approach with a 95° hinge is to align the back of the chest with the lid.

    You’ll then need to mortise the lid and the chest to accommodate the hinge. Recessing the hinge like this will ensure that the lid fits snugly and is as strong as possible.

    • Barrel Hinge

    This hinge actually looks like a barrel and is very effective for gates, cupboard doors and anything which does not have a high load on it.

    You’ll need to drill a hole in the door and the mount. This hole must be the same diameter as the barrel hinge and same depth. You can then slot the hinge in and screw it into position.

    At the same time it is essential to keep the hinge close enough to the edge of your material to ensure it can reach the mount side and work correctly.

    This hinge is not that difficult to install; the trick is in getting the positioning right.

    • The Piano Hinge

    These are exceptionally long hinges names after the piano as they run along the whole length of the lid. This allows the lid to be opened and the keys exposed.

    It’s a great hinge to use when creating a toolbox, folding walls or doors and even for shower cubicles.

    However, when installing it is imperative that you get the hinge situated correctly before you start putting the screws in. The tiniest of errors at one end can result in a big gap at the other!

    • Butterfly Hinges

    These are generally used as a feature as they add a nice touch to any item. The hinge should still be functional though!

    It is possible to mortise these hinges but it is difficult and time consuming to remove just enough wood to allow the butterfly to fit. This is why most people simply add them to the outside of the item.

    However, taking your time to draw round the hinge and remove the necessary wood is worthwhile; the effect is much more dramatic.

    • Pivot Hinges

    You’ll need these if you want a door to open in both directions. They must be mounted on the bottom of the door and the top.

    It will need to be mortised into the door and into the wall; creating a concealed hinge and a door which opens in both directions.

    The most difficult part of this is getting the height right when positioning the hinges. Careful measurement is essential.

  • Garage Repairs and Home Improvements To Boost Resale Value of your Home

    Garage Repairs and Home Improvements To Boost Resale Value of your Home

    Do a clean-up in your yard

    You can always increase your home value by doing a clean-up in your yard. It doesn’t have to be done in one day; you can spend some hours in there weekly to get the work done. Many people choose to ignore this, but if your yard looks negligent, this could lead to a wrong first impression. If you’re doing some work and then be proud of your house, you will definitely increase the home value.

    So make some time to rake the leaves and to remove the clutter. Boats and old cars are no-go. Let’s not even start on trash or old building materials. Also, be careful at the dirt from the outdoor furniture. Maybe even add some new cushions. If your yard looks clean, you will increase the chances of potential buyers, too.

    Get a new garage door

    The garage door is probably the most crucial aspect of your house overall. It can give it a fresh look, so you might want to think about replacing your old garage door. Many people think of it as just a detail, but they’re wrong because it’s the first thing the people see when they look at your house – it occupies a big visual space. The general cost is under $1000, and it will definitely give your home a modern style. Before buying a new garage door, don’t forget to think about the factors, from which 2 of them are the aesthetic look and safety features. Whether you’re looking for a Professional Garage Door Repair in Alpharetta Ga or any other services, it’s important to think about safety.

    Maybe finding a garage door contractor is not such a bad idea – he will also help you in installing the garage door. Or maybe look for a garage door repair service and tune-ups. This way, you’ll increase your home value more than you expect.

    Given this, you’ll also have to think about how you organize the things in that garage. Think of it as a Garage Storage – everything should be in order.

    Make some roof improvements

    Everyone knows that the roof will increase (or decrease, worst case scenario) your home value. It all depends on the condition. You cannot expect to attract buyers if your roof is cracked or even missing. They are looking for a new home, not for a home to repair themselves. You can always find a professional roofer to take care of your roof. By replacing the shingles with new ones, you’ll give a new look to your house, and there are lots of styles to choose from. When thinking about the roof, you also have to think about safety, so try to make it the best, even if the costs are high. Either way, you can expect to recoup about 63% of the price if you decide to change it all.

    Build a wooden deck

    Your house must have style, and by choosing a wooden deck, you definitely choose style. It will also increase your home’s value. Many people like a wooden deck and home buyers are crazy about them nowadays. By having one, you’re distinguishing yourself from the competition. If you choose to add a deck, you can get up to 81% cost recoup.