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  • Aussie Laurel Trees – helping you bring out swashbuckling landscaping beauty    

    Aussie Laurel Trees – helping you bring out swashbuckling landscaping beauty    

    Aussie Laurel Trees can deliver your premises a park like an appearance. Their size, shape, and structure make them the right fit to be placed in the middle of the landscapes. They are the best to be placed on either side of the pathways, and they will steal the show when they are placed indoors. The medium sized fresh green leaves, the slender, thin and natural looking stems and the beautiful orientation makes them the most favorable recommendations among faux trees.

    Set them up in the least time

    When you want to set up your garden in minimal time or when you want to make you outdoors look like a park, just place some Aussie Laurel Trees in the landscape and see the difference. The presence of Aussie Laurel Trees will give the premises a dense green look, and that will imply a fresh feel to the spaces. Despite the climate, the lush green Aussie Laurel Trees can make your spaces look extra fresh and welcoming. Their size makes them the best fit to be used with modern landscape designs.

    Garden settings and park setup are now handy

    Outdoor Garden

    If you want to give a facelift to your garden, place Aussie Laurel Trees on your courtyard. The presence of medium sized fresh looking Aussie Laurel Trees will give the garden a modern look without affecting the bushy looks. When you want to make the pathway to the corporate office beautiful, you can place Aussie Laurel Trees on either side of the pathway to the office to make the office space look shadier. When you feel that your interiors need a green touch, you can place an Aussie Laurel Tree in the corner of the stairs or in the hall to get the green look.

    Place them indoors! Place them outdoors!

    indoor garden

    Aussie Laurel Trees are highly compatible and can be placed both indoors and outdoors. Being resistant to water, chemicals, and light, they can cherish your ambiance for a long time. They will retrieve the natural green and fresh looks in any circumstances. Despite the location which they are placed, they can spread a beautiful feel across space. That green looks will not be affected by sun or rain. Even on high luminous lights, they will stand like the king

    Install them and cherish the view

    Fontain Garden

    When you want to setup a lush green landscape at the instant, Aussie Laurel Trees would be the best fit to assist you. Without having any hassles of planting and watering, they will make your spaces look majestic. Available in beautiful pots, they can be ported and placed in any spots that you would love. Unlike real Aussie Laurel Trees, they can be easily ported, replaced or can even be shifted to indoors. While arranging an indoor birthday celebration, you can place the Aussie Laurel Trees inside and can decorate them with small lights. The same Aussie Laurel Trees can be placed outdoors for the next campfire, and then the premises will be converted to the real night party mood.

    Realistic beauty of a tree is here

    The hyper-realism in the crafting of Aussie Laurel Trees is a very attractive property. Intelligently imitating all the features of a live tree, Aussie Laurel Trees stands out with the ultra-real leaves structure, real wood like stem and the small projections on the wood. The look of the Aussie Laurel Trees is sure to outsmart the real trees, and the leaves will create an impression in your visitor’s eyes. Yes, they are not less than real, and the looks of the green shades of the leaves are amazingly wonderful.

    Size matters at times

    landscape outdoor

    Aussie Laurel Trees have the optimal size to be installed outdoors and indoors. Rather than a small or big structure, the trees are of medium sizes, and that is an impressive feature. With the thickly packed leaves and thin stem, they can match up with the white walls and dimly lit rooms. They go well with wide landscape designs, and they will look amazing in lightly shaded rooms. They are one of the best to be kept on the doorsteps, and they will just blow you off if they are arranged on the doorsteps.

    A reliable choice for you

    When you want the Aussie Laurel Trees to be installed outdoors, you need not worry about the rain, dust or dew. Artificial Trees can withstand the external agents and can keep up their charm. Despite the climate, they will spread their branches in your indoors and will decorate your house with grace. They will look elegant when cleaned with a soft cloth. They can be installed where there is intense light and can be installed where there are continues temperature changes.

    Easiest maintenance

    Aussie Laurel Trees never needs an after installation care. They need not be wiped or washed. Detergent washing is never needed, and they do not need realignment periodically. All that they need is a periodic dusting that retains their natural color and luster. There is no need of protecting them from light or water. They also don’t demand special care or notice to enlighten your space.

    Benefits of Aussie Laurel Trees

    laurel-forest

    • Easier installation is the primary befit of Aussie Laurel Trees.?They can be installed in minutes and can cherish your home for a lifetime
    • The easy to clean feature is another impressive part. There is no need for constant cleaning or washing. All that you need is to dust them
    • After installation care is just a dream for Aussie Laurel Trees. You can install them and leave as they are
    • Aussie Laurel Trees are highly portable and can be used to rearrange or modify your existing landscape design
    • Another impressive feature of Aussie Laurel Trees is that they fit both indoors and outdoors. This helps in easier designing of landscapes
    • Aussie Laurel Trees are highly resistant to water, heat, and chemicals. So they can be used for long-term and can be installed anywhere.

    Garden Trees

    Description

    Aussie Laurel Trees is the magical choice to make your premises impressive. Resistant to natural agents, they have a long life and will cherish your ambiances for long. They look exceptionally natural, and they extend a warm feeling to your premises. They are extremely easy to install and are highly portable. If you are in search of a decor choice that fits all your expectations, then Aussie Laurel Trees is the right fit for you!

     

  • Reasons Behind Growing Popularity Of Latex Mattress

    Reasons Behind Growing Popularity Of Latex Mattress

    Our non-stop hectic schedules make it imperative to secure utmost bliss during those few hours we can squeeze out for ourselves at the end of the day. Resting those tired nerves might occupy the top of the ladder as sleep is of paramount importance in maintaining our productivity and aiding us in functioning properly. If you have been suffering from sleep issues lately, then maybe, it’s time to bid goodbye to your old mattress and bring home a plush new latex one. Read on to know more about the benefits which getting the best latex mattress can usher in:

    Bed latex mattresses

    • The biodegradable latex mattresses have greater longevity when compared to their synthetic peers. Their long running dependability, durability and stability is the biggest reason behind more and more people opting for these mattresses.

    Travel latex mattresses

    • Noticeable pain prevention as well as significant reduction in back pain has been reported by almost 1/3rd of the people using these latex mattresses. Latex being a resilient material can impart necessary support to sleepers without imposing excess pressure on their shoulders and hips, thus contouring just enough for promoting proper alignment. The clever engineering of the latex mattresses support our body’s natural curvature. thus keeping pain at bay.

    Bedroom latex mattresses

    • The all-natural latex mattress models are perfect for those who are sensitive to chemical odours. These mattresses having zero off-gassing are already a hit amongst Millennials who value their limited resting time over everything else.
    • Water beds and spring mattresses have a tendency to transfer motion from one side to the other when one partner rolls over or turns in the bed. Latex mattresses rank above its peers in terms of motion isolation thus making it comfortable for both the partners to sleep through the night with minimal disturbances.

    latex mattresses

    • The latex mattresses can be customizable to reach the desired level of comfort. Customers can even order a mattress having two different firmness levels for accommodating the exclusive requirement of each partner. Certain models come with unglued layers thus, offering customers a chance to replace the upper layers when they get worn out.  
    • The natural open-cell structure of latex allows good air circulation. A series of pinholes are added while processing latex and further increasing this airflow and guaranteeing a cooler night’s sleep. Thus, these latex mattresses can be of great aid in tropical countries such as India having a humid climate. The superb air circulation also imparts to greater hygiene since it does not allow perspiration to linger around for long and make the mattress feel damp.

    bed

    • The metal springs found in spring coil mattresses amplify electromagnetic radiation. This has made the latex ones extremely popular amongst health enthusiasts with their zero-metal content.
    • Latex mattresses are resistant to fire, mildew and dust mite. They come packed with hypoallergenic properties which can keep pesky intruders at bay without sacrificing on the comfort level of customers. Their natural fire resistance capabilities make the latex mattresses a better alternative compared to its peers having added chemicals which might bring along health adversities such as immune-toxicity, cancer and reproductive toxicity.

    hotel bed

    • The raw materials of these eco-friendly mattresses are harvested from plantations in such a method which allows the trees to grow while tapped.

    Latex mattresses have received the top ranking when compared to its contemporaries thus growing into the most sought after bedding item available in the marketplace.

     

  • Practical Home Design Tips for Mixing Antique with Modern Furniture

    Practical Home Design Tips for Mixing Antique with Modern Furniture

    Did you just move into a modern home? This can present a dilemma if you have some existing antique furniture. Worry not, though; there’s no need to store those vintage furnishings in the attic or public storage. While it may seem a bit counterintuitive, antique items, in fact, do mix well with a contemporary home interior.

    Home Design Furniture

    Photo credit: Design Ultra

    Misconceptions About Antiques in a Modern Homestead

    Before listing home design best practices, there are some confusion surrounding vintage décor and contemporary-style decorating that should be cleared up. One big misconception is that everything has to match or be an even 50/50. Too many homeowners also believe period furniture or décor are incompatible with modern homes and vice versa. Again, this is also false notion. Rid of your mind any ideas that home design needs to be done in a certain way. Even if these notions are decorating rules, well, aren’t rules made to be broken?

    With this in mind, here are a few tidbits of advice for achieving home interior harmony using antique items in a 21st-century home.

    Be Mindful of the 80/20 Rule

    Home Decorating Modern Furniture

    Photo credit: Jobbind

    Who hasn’t heard of the 80/20 rule? It applies across various facets of life and especially in home decorating. In the context of this post, it means you need to choose a primary theme. In this case, it would either be the contemporary element or the antiques used for evoking old-world charm. Whichever you choose as the dominant theme, the other would be the supporting element.

    Unless you have multiple pieces of antique furnishings, it’s generally easier to go for 80% with contemporary and 20% with the old-style antiques. This means the bulk of the room would have a modern design with two or so antiques as an accent piece.

    If you lack antique furniture, then aim for smaller vintage décor. This especially works well for home offices. Smaller vintage items may include leather-bound items, such as desk blotters, leather document cases, etc.

    Leather, by the way, also creates a country-style ambiance. If you wish to create a contemporary/rustic-hybrid room, then incorporate plenty of leather.

    Pair Non-Matching Items with Similarities

    Country Style Modern Furniture

    Photo credit: Home Stratosphere

    While you can certainly match non-compatible items together, it’s recommended that you pair items that at least have one attribute in common. You may, for example, pair a vintage wooden work desk with a contemporary chair if they are similar in some way. This may include having a similar hue, being made from the same material, or having similar grain texture. There is a lot of leeway here especially when coming up with a table/chairs combo for the living room or dining room. Instead of purchasing these furnishings as a set, buy them separately or replace one of the items with an antique or contemporary item of a similar attribute.

    Modern Design Furniture

    This is a great way to add an antique item that otherwise may seem out of place in a modern interior setting.

    Distribute Items Evenly

    Placing all the antiques in a single area can make the whole space feel unbalanced and sectioned off. If you have multiple antiques, place them throughout the room. Let’s say, for example, that you have an antique nightstand in the master bedroom. The other nightstand in the opposite end is a contemporary piece. If you have smaller vintage décor items for the nightstand, place those antiques on the contemporary nightstand. Any modern décor accessories would then go on the antique nightstand. This creates a visually balanced room.

    Modern Room

    The exception to this distribution rule is if you have a few vintage items that you want in one place as the focal and accent area. This means you want eyes to naturally gravitate towards those items. In this instance, consider using a lot of neutrals throughout the rest of the room to help the antiques stand out amid the uniform backdrop.

    Home Room design

    Antiques have their place in any type of home or apartment. Antiques are meant to be shown, so don’t be afraid to proudly display them even if conventional wisdom may tell you that they’re out of place in your modern home interior.

    Hannah Hutchinson is an interior designer based in London, currently blogging for Westland London. She’s always chasing new ideas and likes thinking outside the box when it comes to incorporating fresh ideas to her clients new homes.

  • Turn your Dreams into Reality with Top Notch Landscape Designing Services!

    Turn your Dreams into Reality with Top Notch Landscape Designing Services!

    Which home owner would not want to have a beautiful property? It not only wins you accolades, but also ensures that you come back to a welcoming home and not a dreary one. Remember that the exterior of your home is the first thing that people notice.

    Landscape designers across Sydney, work hard to combine your preferences with their experience and expertise to create a mesmerizing landscape.

    japanese garden

    HOW CAN LANDSCAPING IDEAS ENHANCE YOUR PROPERTY’S LOOK?

    Whether it is a season change or a change in preferences, homeowners would need to change the look of the outdoors and make it look attractive. The home owners can take on such projects for the simple reason that it enhances both aesthetics and property’s value. These awesome ideas can help you create a lovely landscape around your property:

    home deks

    • Creating an Entrance: Entrance is the gateway to your beautiful home, but that does not mean that you do not pay attention to the look of the entrance. It can create the first impressions about you and your property, so add some greenery or take the help of experienced landscapers who have numerous ideas to implement.
    • Walkways Revival: Walkways are perhaps one of the most ignored parts of the property exteriors during renovations. Maintaining or remodelling the walkways along with the other parts of the home can help improve the overall look of the home. Whether you want concrete pathways or timber ones, take the advice of experts from reputable agencies and they will help create walkways that enhance the look of the overall property.
    • Beautiful Patios: Patio is perhaps a safe haven for many after a hard day at work, where you can unwind and relax. Who would want to be greeted by a dull looking patio? Decorate the patio with lovely decorations of various size and shapes. Landscapers have a good idea about what can enhance the look of your patio and make it look welcoming, while maintaining the elegant look of your property.
    •  Paved Driveways: Driveway is another part of your property that passerby, potential buyers and guests will definitely notice, so you need to make sure that it looks attractive. Many homeowners feel that a simple patch-up job might be okay for the driveway, but the truth remains that for a beautiful property you need an amazing driveway.

    pool lighs

    • Pool Decks: Landscaping companies and agencies also offer services to enhance the look of your pool deck. Whether you are enjoying a dip in the pool or lazing on the poolside with a book and a drink, you would want a wonderfully decorated deck. It will not only win you accolades from guests, but also add to the aesthetics of the property.
    • Retaining Walls: Retaining wall is a concept that has gathered popularity due to its versatility and practicality. On top of that, if used intelligently, it can also enhance the aesthetics of your property significantly.

    natural wall

    • CAN PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPERS AND GARDENERS ACTUALLY HELP BEAUTIFY YOUR PROPERTY?

     Are you considering a DIY project for all of these additions to your outdoor? Some think DIY projects are economical, while others do it for winning accolades, but have you considered the problems you might encounter completing such a project? You could end up making mistakes or worse hurting yourself, which cost much more than calling in professionals.

    Experts, on the other hand, offer their services at affordable rates and have knowledge about the latest trends that can help enhance your property’s outdoor area. There are numerous reputed agencies and companies with experienced professional landscapers and gardeners, who will work to create a property of your dreams.

  • How to Start a Logo Contest at LogoMyWay

    How to Start a Logo Contest at LogoMyWay

    If you are in need of a new logo for your business, starting a logo contest at LogoMyWay is one of the simplest and most effective ways for you to ensure that you receive a top-quality logo that is exactly what you are looking for.

    To better understand why logo contests are so beneficial, we’ll take a look at the advantages of this design format as well as how you can put it to work for you today.

    The Benefits of a Great Logo

    Before we can look at the advantages of starting a logo design contest, it’s important to understand just how beneficial designing a great logo can be for new companies.

    Logos are a statement about your company, a centerpiece for every new ad, webpage, and product that you roll out, and more. Many companies are defined by their logo, and they use it as one of the main tools in their marketing toolbelt.

    With this being the case, it’s not good enough for your logo to feature a meaningless design. Effective logos need to say something about your company and subtly convey to potential customers the value that your company offers. Only then will you have a logo that you can use to its fullest potential.

    Advantages of Starting a Logo Contest on LogoMyWay

    Now that we’ve established the importance of a great logo, what’s the best way to ensure the logo you have designed is the perfect one for your company? While there are several ways to go about this, by far one of the most effective ways to secure an amazing logo is to start a logo contest.

    Starting a logo contest at LogoMyWay comes with a number of benefits. For one, it gives you plenty of options to choose from. Within hours of launching your contest, you’ll start receiving designs from talented designers all over the world. Depending on the option you choose, you’ll end up with anywhere from 40-500+ logo designs to choose from. Instead of having to worry about getting it right on the first go, starting a logo contest allows you to try out dozens of different variations to see which one you like best.

    If you aren’t sure what direction you want to go with your logo, this can be especially beneficial. Having hundreds of different talented designers send you ideas and mockups is no doubt one of the most surefire ways to pin down the direction you want to go with your logo. Once you’ve found a designer and a vision that you would like to move forward with, you can work with that designer to make any edits or changes you’d like to the design they submit.

    Another advantage of a logo contest is the fact the competition breeds excellence. Designers who submit a design to a logo contest know that they have to put their best possible work forward if they want to stand a shot at winning. This type of competition often brings out the very best in our talented designers.

    How to Start Your Logo Contest

    Starting a logo contest at LogoMyWay is simple. Just visit this page, fill out your information, and select your desired options for the contest and you’ll be ready to start receiving designs from talented designers all over the world. In a matter of hours, you’ll start receiving designs that you can review and request changes to.

    Through our logo contest, we’ve streamlined the process of creating a great logo and have given businesses near immediate access to hundreds of designs to choose from. If you are ready to get started designing a logo that will set your business apart from the competition, we invite you to start your own logo contest today!

  • How to hide cable cords in your house

    How to hide cable cords in your house

    Many people have a big problem with cable cords in their houses and no one knows how to solve this problem. But the resolution is really simple and you need just a bit of imagination to hide the excess cables of your devices.

    The first and simplest recommendation: remove all unnecessary devices  

    Of course the fewer devices you will place, the fewer of wires will be in your room. That’s why first of all you’ve got to ask yourself: do I need this device? If no, don’t hesitate to remove it or to sell it. Moreover, if one device can replace all functions of other. For example, you can use your laptop instead of DVD or monitor in place of TV.

    Use Wi-Fi routers and other wireless devices for reduce the number of cables

    Today we are already living in era of wireless devices. It is becoming more and more numerous and perfect, so, you don’t have to resist this evolution. Install Wi-Fi routers instead of wired connection and use wireless HDMI. If you are interested, you can read this review about different types of wireless HDMI systems and be aware of all its strengths and weaknesses.

    But some people think that wireless devices can be dangerous for the health because of their waves. At this moment these issues have not yet been well investigated, so, now it is impossible to do a clear conclusion of this question. Anyway, you can combine different types of connection in your house.

    Hide residuary cables

    It is not very difficult if you apply a few tricks. For example, you can use cable covers. Hollow or flexible covers are ideal for hiding cables, and are fitted onto a carrier strip mounted on the wall. Very simple idea which does not require a lot of expenses.

    If you won’t buy a new cable cover, you can mask your cables using different designer techniques. Make a decorative fence along the wall instead of cable covers. But ok, it is not always easy to make this construction. If the parameters of your room do not allow to make a decorative fence, you can attach the cable to the wall and decorate it with beautiful clips, like this:

    Or with wooden clips along the wall for the long cables:

     

    Replace your landline phone by mobile phone

    Well, oddly enough, there are still people who use landline phones in their houses. Maybe someone consider it comfortably, but really it makes more harm than good. It will be better, if you use mobile or cordless telephones.

  • Property disputes with neighbours – what you should do

    Property disputes with neighbours – what you should do

    It’s never good when you have issues with your neighbour. Living next door to someone that you are not getting along with can be a nightmare. This is why it’s a good idea to try and prevent problems from occurring in the first place. If you are intending to have a late night party, tell your neighbours about it beforehand; if you want to change the fence between your properties, have a discussion about it.

    A common problem between neighbours is a dispute over property. This can happen if you feel that your neighbour has built a structure that encroaches onto your property. So, what should you do if this happens, and how can you prevent such disputes before they happen?

     

    • The importance of defining a property boundary

     

    It’s usually a good idea to define the boundary between your property and that of your neighbour, when you first move in. First check if the boundary is already legally defined. It’s not good enough to just assume that the boundary is where the fence is currently positioned as this may not be the case. If the boundary has not been defined, then you should hire a construction surveyor to map out the boundary. Once this is done, it’s illegal for anyone to build across that boundary.

     

    • What you should do if a dispute happens

     

    If you think that your neighbour has built across the boundary between your property and their property, it may be a good idea to discuss the issue with them in the first place. You should do this as soon as you can see that there may be a problem, and not leave the discussion until the structure is completed.

    If you are not happy with the outcome of the discussion, you will need to take action. You first need to check whether the boundary has been legally defined. If this has not happened, you can request that your neighbour has this work carried out. If the structure which has been erected does encroach on your property, you can then take the matter to court. The judge may ask for the structure to be removed, they may award you compensation, or they may order that the boundary line is moved. Once this decision has been made, it must then be applied, according to the law.

    You can see that it can be a lengthy process, if you want to resolve a property dispute with a neighbour. This is why defining the property boundary in the first place is a good idea. Doing so does not just protect you from your neighbour potentially building on your property, it also means that if you decide to build an extension to your property, you know that you are doing so legally. After all, the last thing you want is to be the cause of a dispute with your neighbour, because you commenced a building project before doing all of the necessary research.

  • A Guide To Smart Home Automation In 2018

    A Guide To Smart Home Automation In 2018

    As 2018 gets into gear, many are predicting that this year the smart home revolution will enter the stratosphere.

    Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

    Domestic automation has never been more advanced or more affordable, so what are some of the devices and systems that are set to define the next 12 months?

    The Hubs To Watch

    Fashion Swatch
    Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay

    Back when Apple first introduced Siri with the iPhone 4S in 2011, the idea of talking aloud to a voice-controlled virtual assistant seemed faintly preposterous. Cut to seven years later and people are much more at home with the concept, not least because the rise of smart speakers and hubs has helped to eliminate a lot of these inhibitions.

    By far the most prominent product range in this niche at the moment is offered by online shopping stalwart Amazon. The Echo family of smart speakers, including the full sized model, the more compact Echo Dot and the touchscreen-toting Echo Show, have brought Alexa into millions of homes worldwide. And in doing so, expectations about what smart home hubs should offer have skyrocketed.

    From allowing users to order their groceries and play tracks from Spotify to integrating controls with home cinema systems and a slew of other connected tech, Echo in combination with Alexa is giving the masses a glimpse of a smarter future. Amazon’s solution is by no means perfect, but it has the benefit of a huge public profile that could help it to steamroll the competition.

    Discerning fans of home automation who are looking for a hub that goes a little deeper and leans towards the premium end of the price scale will probably turn to the Wink Hub 2 in their droves this year. It lacks the brand recognition of the Echo range, but packs a huge list of features and impressive compatibility capabilities, allowing it to work with everything from the smart light bulbs sold by Philips to the voice-controlled Home speaker championed by search giant Google.

    Critics have raved not only about the Wink Hub 2’s excellence when it comes to interoperability with other devices, but also its consistency. While some hubs might suffer glitches and ticks, this is solid as a rock and the gold standard for unobtrusive operation. Furthermore its sleek looks lend themselves to being displayed in contemporary living spaces.

    The Cameras to Consider

    Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

    A big part of the growing interest in smart automation has been driven by the superior security and surveillance capabilities that homeowners can access without having to splash out vast sums on complex, wired CCTV setups. Being able to monitor a property remotely via a smartphone is another asset offered by modern devices. But the upcoming crop of cameras kicks things up a notch.

    Netgear is arguably ahead of the pack with its Arlo range, encompassing outdoor cameras that are built with smart home functionality in mind. The Arlo Pro 2 is the current flagship, and this is reflected in its fairly steep price point. But with a beautiful design ethos, 1080p video capture, cloud storage and compatibility with Amazon’s Alexa for streamlined voice control, it goes a long way to justifying this.

    The less wallet-punishing options around today include the Secure Lynx Indoor from Tend Insights. The brand name may not carry much weight, but it more than makes up for it with its wealth of baked-in features. Impressive after-dark performance means that it is great for overnight in-home surveillance, while its extremely compact form factor makes it easy to install almost anywhere without being intrusive or unsightly.

    For those who have already started out on their smart home journey by committing to the systems offered by Nest, the firm’s latest Cam IQ Outdoor may be at the top of the wish list this year. It can record video at full 4K resolutions and goes above and beyond the call of duty in terms of both security and convenience by having the ability to distinguish between humans and wildlife. This means that it is less likely to alert owners unnecessarily if the only thing intruding on their property is next door’s tabby cat.

    The Quirky Outliers

    Amazon Alexa
    Image by HeikoAL from Pixabay

    Smart home tech makes sense to most people when it comes to things like controlling the heating, providing access to entertainment and delivering remotely accessible surveillance. But as the Internet of Things continues to expand, there are some new devices on the horizon which you might not expect will be joining its ranks.

    The Precision Cooker from Avona is amongst the most intriguing of these outliers, with its latest iteration offering built-in Wi-Fi connectivity so that it can be monitored and managed wherever you happen to be. Whether you are in the other room or on the other side of town, this immersion circulator lets you rustle up some succulent grub using your smartphone to check on its progress. Its boil-in-the-bag approach might not be for everyone, but its futuristic design is hard to ignore.

    Even fitness is finding its way into the smart home scene, with the new QardioBase 2 connected scale system able to collect a vast amount of data on a user’s body, letting them keep tabs on their progress through a mobile app.

    More than anything the QardioBase 2 manages to get its aesthetics right. It is slim, circular and subtle, seeming to float above the floor and almost begging to be left on display to be used daily, rather than tossed in a cupboard and neglected. It is just another example of how home automation is making life easier while keeping us safer and healthier in one fell swoop.