Image by Cremo via Flickr

When creating a library and living room combination in your home it is essential that the furniture therein is not only smart and state of the art but also comfortable with that lived in feeling.

Is The Kitchen The Priority?

One has always wanted to create a book lover’s heaven within one’s home but confines of space has always meant that the existence of a library or specialist reading room is more of a luxury than a necessity. After all, in most homes, the real boss will dictate that the kitchen gets priority and any free space will be taken up with a larder or a pantry, a store room or the ubiquitous utility room.

Well, that’s as it may be but never one to be denied by a lack of foresight or the limitations of space, an ideal solution would be to incorporate two rooms into one. The lounge would appear to be the ideal area in the home for a library and living room combination. Not only is the lounge one of the most comfortable rooms in the house – and here we are talking comfortable furniture – but it will also without doubt feature a large flat screen television, music deck and other accoutrements to easy living.

To create a perfect book lover’s heaven does not just need books. Those are the least of your concerns. No, what is far more important is the where and the how and those two questions are answered by the state and the comfortableness of the furniture therein.

Stress-Free Reading

There is nothing like a leather couch or sofa in the home on a Sunday morning when one can settle down to a relaxed and stress free reading of either the Sunday papers or the latest tome which you are steadily making your way through. And the best place to find such leather upholstery in both quality and abundance is in the spectacular range of couches at Plush.com.au whose branches are spread throughout the eastern Australian territories of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

While a plush leather armchair like the Westbury is pure class and a throwback to the Winchester of a bygone age, this single-seater approach to a relaxed read is somewhat restricting since it is a more formal concept to the idea of true relaxation as it precludes one from stretching out. No, one has to plump for a two-seater or three-seater sofa or couch in order to achieve true leisure and stress free comfort. And the Plush range of sofas is the ideal choice for the home.

 Image by Dilona via Flickr

The 3-Seater Option

Whether you are looking for the classic appeal of the soft brown leather Oxford which recalls bygone colonial days or the traditional 60’s chic Parlour with its matching leather side cushions, the three-seater option has to be a must in either style to allow full flexibility, especially if one is on the tall side of average. The rounded arms of the Oxford provide an excellent head rest to facilitate the lean into your novel while the side cushions on the Parlour are the ideal pillows if one is seeking a full stretch for your Sunday read.

The casual range of leather sofa furniture for the lounge is also a must see as the modular of the Cooper, the Jaxon and the Dante offer the additional comfort of a leather chaise that not only enhances the quality and style of the furniture in one’s lounge but also provides compatibility with your partner or anyone else joining you on your leather sofa. The idea of lounging around in your book lover’s heaven takes on new meaning in such plush surroundings.

Author Bio: Oliver Milo Davis is an interior designer who loves to design things in his head. He likes being practical in his designs although he splurges every so often. He plays with furniture and appliances just for fun. As an intern, he also would play around with his friends’ apartments and homes. Now, during his free time, he shares his love for interior designing by writing in blogs and design websites.

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Your living room is just that, the room you do most of your living in. So, decorating your living room is an important matter. You need to create a space that you really enjoy with décor that is both appealing and easy to live with. Living rooms are all about having good times with friends and family, so keep that in mind when decorating. Avoid uncomfortable furniture, easily stained upholstery and couches that are too formal and too expensive to sit in!

You can find living room inspiration in all sorts of places. Browse through magazines and look online to find pictures of living rooms that you like. Check out furniture sites like Super Amart to see what is available in living room furnishings. There is a lot to choose from so have a really good look at what is available before you buy. You will have to live with your decisions for some time, so take your time deciding on the look you want.

Neutral is Versatile

Painting your living room walls white or in a neutral tone is often the best choice as it will make your room appear larger and create a nice light atmosphere. Creams and wheats will create a warmer feel while whites will give the living room a fresh look. Carrying neutral tones to furnishings makes a lot of sense too, as you are not locked in to matching a wall colour. Also, you can easily give your living room a whole new look whenever you get bored ; simply change the cushions, rugs and other knick knacks and feature a new colour.

The Basics

It’s a good idea to start with the basics and build your living room décor from there. Buying the right lounge is probably the most important decorating decision. Try before you buy. Look online but also visit furniture shops and sit on the couches you like to make sure they are really comfortable.

Choose a coffee table and add a floor rug to bring colour and texture into your room. A coffee table and rug will help to anchor the room and you can arrange chairs, ottomans and poufs around it.

Splashes of Colour

If you choose neutral colours for your lounge and walls, you can add splashes of colours in cushions, poufs and paintings. You might even like to have a feature wall. Wallpaper is back in a big way, so consider covering a feature wall in daring wallpaper to add a colour burst to your room. The great thing about a wallpaper feature is that it is easy to remove or change when you want a new look.

Conversation Starters

Furniture arrangement is really important in a living room. If conversation is important to you, place the furniture in a way that promotes communication. Face chairs towards each other rather than towards the television screen and make sure there are no visual obstacles between seating.

Your living room is to be enjoyed. Decorate it to your tastes and you will love being in it.

The post The Living Room: What to Think About When Decorating appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

When in possession of a work of art, there is an implied sense of responsibility. There is no passive disposition in this regard – one must be proactive and diligent. Ultimately it is about duty: to yourself, to the artist and to all potential future owners and observers.

Therefore, when it comes to looking after oil paintings, the rules are the same as with any other work executed with other materials, which is to say handle with care and know your stuff.

Oil is, by its nature, one of the most sensitive paints used by artists, and by virtue of this, liable to degrade or damage much more quickly and easily than if a work were composed out of acrylic or watercolour.

How to handle

These guidelines can sound rather self-explanatory, but you’d be surprised how often works of art can be mishandled.

The golden rules are never touch the surface of a painting if it is unvarnished – in the art world this is a major travesty. There should be no real reason why such a requirement would arise, however, if, for whatever reason it is necessary, then do so with non-greasy, sweaty and dirty hands.

When moving a work of art, think beyond the canvas – the frame is an extension of the painting, and can often be neglected. If you are transporting a piece yourself, ensure that when it comes to putting down a frame there is suitable padding in place.

The other alternative is for you to hire professionals, who will have the experience and expertise necessary for ensuring works are safely handled. Click here for one such company.

How to display

While you may have in mind a specific place for your work of art, if it is located in a space that is unsuitable. Paintings are naturally sensitive to light and overexposure can be harmful and hasten its decline.

This applies to both natural and artificial lighting – the brighter the light, the deeper the residual impact. Therefore, oil paintings should be displayed in low-light rooms, and certainly in spaces where direct sunlight is minimal. Consult with experts about your particular work.

Also, when it comes to environment, the space has to be as “natural” as possible. You can’t really hang a work of art in a kitchen or bathroom, nor expose it to airborne pollutants. It has to be treated with respect, especially if the price you’ve paid for it is substantial and the work in question is artistically valuable.

How to clean

This might surprise many, but you can take charge in cleaning your oil painting. It is extremely risky though, especially if the piece is old and you lack knowledge about cleaning techniques.

If you are going to take on this duty, the advice is for the painting to be dusted. A clean, soft-bristled brush or a lint-free silk cloth is recommended. The technique is simply a reserved, gentle approach.

Never blow dust away with air from your mouth. This will shower the work with minute particles, which may be unobservable to the naked eye, but nonetheless full of harmful potential.

However, for the most part, cleaning should really be left to experts. This doesn’t have to be often and if the work is framed behind a pane of glass – highly recommended – then there isn’t a direct need for this to happen on a regular basis.

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Summer is only a few months away, soon you will be inviting friends over to enjoy the long summer days in your garden. You will soaking be up some sun, relaxing in your garden, enjoying barbecues and forgetting all about the stresses of work as much as you possibly can.  There’s nothing better than having a great looking garden with fantastic modern patio furniture from Cabana Coast during the summer time, it means that you will maximise the time you spend in the garden because you have taken so much time and care to make it perfect.

With life becoming more and more stressful it is important to relax, there is no better time for this than the summer, so planning how to make your garden exactly how you like it is very important. I am from the UK and know that when the sun is shining I have to take full advantage of it, life somehow feels better when the weather is good. It’s even better if you can enjoy it in comfort. Here are 3 great tips to help you choose the best patio furniture for your garden.

Have a plan

It’s time to get the pen and paper our and start thinking about how you would like to use the safe that you have available in your garden. You need to really think about how you want to use the garden, is it going to be somewhere that you lounge back in some comfortable chairs whilst the kids play or do you want it to be somewhere that is designed for entertaining, a place where you will have family meals and also invite your friends over for dinner/lunch parties. Once you have your list you will get a clear understanding of what type of furniture you need to buy, the bonus is that you won’t ‘shop blind’ and buy items that you are never going to use.

Test before you buy

It’s important to test the furniture before you buy it, so when you are looking at chairs take a seat. You need to make sure that the seat is comfortable for you, yes you want it to look goon but it also needs to have the level of comfort that you are looking for. That’s what I like so much about Cabana Coast’s furniture, it looks amazing and is some of the most luxurious and comfortable garden furniture I have ever tried. If you can find furniture that looks and feels good such as that then do not hesitate, snap it up straight away!

Ease of Care

You do not want to spend the whole summer looking after the furniture, you want to spend most of your time enjoying it. So it is important to choose the right type of furniture, by this I mean furniture that is made from materials that are easy to care for. The best materials for this are teak, cedar metal and of course all weather wicker. This is again one of the best things about Cabana’s furniture, the cast aluminium frames they use are durable and require very little care indeed.

The post Revamping Your Backyard This Summer With Modern Patio Furniture appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

We can’t turn on the television or open up a magazine these days without having the trappings of a lavish lifestyle thrust upon us – we all want to be rich and famous and have the home, cars, clothes and micropets to match.

Here is a quick guide to turning your garden into the kind of place that is usually the habitat of the film star, lottery winner or minor royal.

Swimming pool

It’s all about the swimming pool. This is the showstopper, the jawdropper and the neighbourtopper. If your garden doesn’t have a celebrity-sized pool, you ain’t going to cut it in the galaxy of the rich and famous.

Sylvester Stallone has an Olympic-sized pool in his back garden – headed by a bronze statue of himself in full-on rocky regalia, of course – while Frank Sinatra had a pool that led straight on to his own golf course. Just watch where you’re going in the golf buggy!

If your dream home is by the sea – and if we’re dreaming why wouldn’t it be? – then you may want to opt for the infinity pool. This wonder of modern architecture will make you feel like you have the whole ocean in your garden as your eye gets tricked into believing your pool stretches all the way to distant and undiscovered lands – well, nobody said celebrities were the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Food and relaxation

As much as we’d hate to admit it, you can’t stay in a pool forever, especially if you have a photoshoot in a few days and you need to avoid wrinkles. Your aspirational bolthole is going to need somewhere in which you can enjoy some alfresco dining. Yes you could just have your cook rustle you a no-carb, no-gluten, no-enjoyment salad up in the kitchen, but let’s have some fun.

Roll out the barbie - and make it a big one.

When it comes to BBQs, the Weber Genesis is the true A-lister. It has the same sort of firepower that first sent man to the moon and has a similar amount of utensils to the local sushi restaurant.

You’ll find that you have plenty of burners to cook the amount of food that you, your friends and their entourage of make-up artists, stylists, hairdressers and shoe-shiners will need.

A top of the range barbecue like this really is the only way to cook your meals in a priceless property.

Entertainment

Usually when we think of some garden pastimes, we think of swingball, planting or if you’re particularly dull, creosoting. That’s not going to cut it in a dream house, however. No, you’re going to need to crank up the entertainment dial to 11.

Start off with a garden stage as no party is complete without some live music. Light shows and fireworks are optional for impromptu neighbourhood concerts, but you’ll regret it in the morning if you only put on a half-baked show.

If you want to keep your six-pack suitably photogenic, you’re going to need some exercise space. A tennis court, basketball rim and Formula One circuit should fit the bill.

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Nothing complements a kid friendly backyard than your very own tree house. A tree house is the perfect play space for your kids on those sunny afternoons after school or on the weekends. If you’re a little handy around the house, and are thinking of tackling this DIY project yourself, read on. Here are 5 tips for building the perfect tree house for your children and their friends.

1. Find the right location.

It’s vital that you spend some time scoping out your backyard for the perfect tree house location. Choose a tree that’s a suitable distance from your home perimeter for some much needed distance when things get noisy inside. Just be sure the tree isn’t too far from an electrical power point (you’ll need to use some power tools to get this job done). You may also want to keep the tree house away from your neighbor’s house – just so you don’t jeopardize existing neighborly relations.

2. Use the right tools.

When undertaking any DIY project, it’s important you use the right tools. To build a tree house, you’ll need a range of power tools, such as a power saw, cordless drill and sander ( click here for high quality power tools that will serve you well throughout your DIY career). Of course, always be sure you put your (and your children’s) safety first when operating power tools.

3. Find the right tree.

You can build your ultimate tree house around or between trees. Just make sure whatever tree you choose is strong and sturdy enough to take the full load of the tree house and children. In general, trees with a diameter of around 3-4 feet, with large horizontal branches some 8 to 10 feet off the ground, are best.

4. Build a strong platform.

A great tree house depends entirely on a strong platform. Without a solid foundation, your tree house won’t be sturdy, nor last a life time, nor be safe for your children. So make sure your platform is as strong and level as possible. Solid, dense wood like treated timber is best for the base.

5. Make it “kid-sized”.

Sometimes, overzealous dads get carried away with their DIY pursuits. And nowhere is this more common than when building a tree house for their kids. Remember: the tree house is for your kids (and not for you), and thus should be kid-sized. This means making the ceiling short enough to keep most adults out, but high enough to let all kinds of kids inside.

6. Get the kids involved.

Building a tree house together can be a fun way to spend time with the entire family. Not only can your children help you get the job done quicker, but they can also learn heaps along the way too – making the whole process educational.

Building a dream tree house for your children isn’t too hard at all. Just be sure you spend enough time choosing the right location, and building a strong platform. Also, always use high quality tools. Lastly, get the kids involved throughout the building process, and don’t forget to tailor the design for your kids. You can always build your own man cave another weekend if you’re feeling a tad jealous.

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Bird feeding boxes are frequent choices as household gifts, as many people enjoy being able to attract different types of birds to their home, but some of the boxes are distinctly on the wacky side – often featuring a particular novelty theme. Retro Americana is one of the themes that is quite common, with two colorful examples being a Rock and Roll Fifties Diner bird box and a Vintage Gas Station one. Like all of these novelty bird boxes, these appeal because they capture so much color and detail – including things like signs (e.g. the hot dogs and hamburgers ones on the Diner box), making them perfect for people with an interest in such things.

Other types of novelty feeders are equally strong on detail, but are more for those who want something that will go with their home. For example a Country Farmstead Rustic Barnyard or a Thatched Roof Bed and Breakfast bird box will be the ideal complement to homes which are decorated in this kind of down to earth, rustic way. These bird boxes are made entirely from wood and are very high quality, again having superb levels of detail in both the carving and the painting, so they are great gifts for a bird lover living in the countryside.
Of course not all of those who have a passion for birds do live in the country – and there are bird boxes that will capture the hearts of those with urban interests as well. A good example is the Outdoor Casino one offered by JackpotCity – one of the top casino sites on the internet. This is designed to look like a roadhouse casino, and features signs indicating the cashier’s office and VIP Lounge – as well as playing card and dice signs as decoration. Like the other bonkers boxes featured here it can either be hung from a tree or placed on a stand in the garden and this all this makes it quite the quirky gift option for anyone who is keen on both birds and betting.

The post Review of five different wacky bird box designs appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

There are so many reason to get a garden room, they could barely fit into one article – we’ve picked just five to start you off.

Everyone wants different things from their home, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you can think of benefits to a garden room that no one else has noticed yet!

To find out more about the garden rooms we’re talking about in this piece, head to the garden rooms UK website for Green Retreats – just use this link.

Garden rooms – a garden lover’s choice

At this time of year, thoughts sometimes turn to how best to still get benefit from the garden when cold weather makes the space feel less hospitable than during the warmer months.

Some people turn to simply gazing from a window of their house, but often a garden room can be placed, as the name suggests, right there in the garden, giving you a unique view of the space that could potentially be much better than the view from the rest of your home.

Green Retreats’ garden rooms’ designs, with shiplap or cedar on the outside, also look the part for the garden, working brilliantly among nature.

So whether you’re looking at the room from the outside, as it stands in your garden, or looking at your garden from inside the room, you’re likely to love the results!

A sense of calm

Some people find their gardens an especially relaxing place to be, so a new room with a great garden view might well create a great, chill-out atmosphere for them.

But wherever a garden room is, it can have a calming atmosphere. This can be achieved partly through the fact that the space is some way away from the rest of the house – and so away from any hustle and bustle that might be happening there.

But also, the fact that whoever is using the room can decorate it however they want from scratch is sure to add to the sense of calm.

It’s easy to turn a garden room into a totally individual space – after all, once it’s built, it’s a blank canvas, ready for you to add whatever pictures, facilities, furniture etc to it that are appropriate, based on practicality and your own tastes.

Privacy

Perhaps especially if you’re working in a garden room, privacy could be important. Again, since this sort of area isn’t going to be part of your main house, it will potentially give you a much greater feeling of being in your own space.

When you’re working hard to meet deadlines, knowing you have quiet and are in an environment where your concentration can flourish is always good!

The talking point

Most of the reasons for getting a garden room are practical – but don’t go thinking that these spaces’ advantages end there. They’re more unusual than your average room in a house, and can give owners a talking point whenever people take a look at their garden. They’re a really modern way to add something new to your home, and they look contemporary, adding a sense that your home is on the cutting edge.

Versatility

Garden rooms are a really versatile type of space – partly because you have some control over how the structure ends up in terms of features like size. So, unlike most rooms in your house, you’re not starting with an already present space – features of which you might end up deciding to ‘just live with’ – but one that you will mould to your needs through the process of picking out the sort of room you want.

The post Five great reasons to get a garden room appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

Are you a garden lover who really wants to reduce the amount of hassle and extra time you have to spend maintaining your garden? Working out in your garden can be totally relaxing and rejuvenating, but not if you’re making tons of extra work for yourself. Spending time in your garden should be a pleasant way to unwind and enjoy the wonderful natural environment. This is a place for rest and appreciating what you’ve created; but it’s difficult to enjoy your garden if it’s taken over by weeds and looking like a total mess. You definitely need to maintain your garden if you’re going to enjoy it to its fullest extent. However, what if you don’t have time to be out weeding every day? Is it possible to maintain a healthy and happy garden without putting in lots of extra time that you don’t have? Absolutely, it is. Just read on for some tips on creating a beautiful garden space without all the extra hassle.

Make weeding more efficient

You really don’t need to be out in your garden every day pulling the weeds. Who wants to spend their free time doing that? If you weed properly once or twice per week, you shouldn’t have to spend any more time doing this chore. Make sure that when you weed, you are pulling the weeds up from their roots; otherwise they will grow back with a vengeance. It’s so important to keep these weeds away because they overpower the plants you want there, and they leech the vitamins from the soil. You can use garden tools to help dig up weeds at their deepest point. Make sure that after you weed, you spread nutrient-rich soil over the bed to help your plants grow healthy and strong. You can use weed killer on the soil as well – it is your choice whether you want to maintain a fully organic garden or not. If you’re planting a fruit or vegetable garden, avoid using pesticides or weed killing chemicals.

Planting

If you want your garden to grow healthfully so you can put in less maintenance work, make sure you understand which plants can grow with each other. It’s not as easy as just going out, buying your plants and putting them wherever! There is a method to gardening, so doing a bit of research to understand this will save you a lot of hassle in the long run. If you plant flowers which are toxic to each other nearby, you’ll end up having to dig them all out and start again. The same goes for a vegetable garden; some plants will grow better near each other while others may take more nutrients from the soil.

Mow your lawn regularly

Mowing your lawn helps keep it healthy and looking neat and sharp. However, if you mow your lawn too short, you can leave it vulnerable to disease. Always mow your lawn on the highest possible setting. You might imagine lawn mowing as a massive chore that you really want to avoid; but you can make this task much more enjoyable by using a sit-down mower. Sit-down mowers are super easy to use and make gardening so much more efficient. Check them out at Psep.biz and you’ll never want to go back to your push mower.

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What’s one design element of your home that can make the biggest impression? You might be tempted to say furniture, wall color or window treatments, but the flooring you choose is one of the most important design elements in a room! It is what brings a room all together and can completely shift the mood or experience of a room. So why not use this chance to show some unique style and try out some unique flooring ideas! Bring in some experts from All Floors Express to help you get the job done. Here are some great ideas for unique floors:

Checkered hardwood

This classy style looks like tile at first, but when you take a closer look you can see that the hardwood squares have been alternated with maple and walnut to create a tiled effect with different colors of wood. It’s a great take on the classic hardwood, with a unique style.

Painted rug

Think this sounds crazy? It can actually be a fun and stylish way to decorate your hardwood floor. If you’ve got some dated hardwood, it’s a great option for an update rather than reinstalling your flooring. Unleash your creative side and paint a fun rug on your hardwood floor to go underneath your kitchen table.

Concrete

Think concrete sounds cold and depressing? Think again. This is a super budget-friendly way to cover your floors and it can look great too. It’s a great material to choose if you’re looking for a trendy, loft-style look for your room and it’s extremely low maintenance as well.

Vintage tile

You can make old look new again by incorporating fun vintage tile into your bathroom floors. Spice up some older honeycomb tile with fun painted accents. You don’t always have to reinstall your flooring to create a fresh new look!

Mosaics

If you or someone you know is artistically talented, you can create a completely unique look by installing mosaic tiles into a part of your floor (or the whole thing, if you’re truly committed with lots of time on your hands!) Cut up ceramic tiles in the shapes you want to create designs and patterns in your floor. It’s a great way to express your unique style and enjoy a fun home project.

The post Unique Flooring Ideas for Your Home appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

When it comes to designing the perfect website, it is important to remember that there is no “quick-fix” available that will guarantee people will visit your site, actually appreciate it, and decide to return back later. Rather, the process of designing a great website is one that requires a great deal of research and work, making it possible for it to reach its full potential. It is important that your research allows you to understand exactly what the viewers are searching for, knowing which keywords they use most, allowing for your content to reach as many people as possible. It is also important that your design follows the norms that the masses expect, making sure that your website will be attractive to the public. When it comes to turning a good website into a great one, there are a large number of different hints and tips spread across the glorious internet, although, in order to make everyone’s lives easier, we spoke to the people behind PokiesPalace, one of the most popular online gambling websites around today, in order to discover which aspects they believe are most important.

The first thing that you should focus on is designing the perfect homepage. This is, after all, the first introduction that most people will receive to your specific website. It is therefore important that the homepage makes it completely clear what the main focus of the site is, as well as showing off some of the best content that is offered. Statistically speaking, most people tend to spend about 10-20 seconds on a website before deciding whether to remain or move on. With this in mind, it is important that your website does as much as possible to stand out amongst the rest. This is where catchy colour schemes or interesting logos come in, making it possible for the user to remember your site more easily. The homepage is also where the user will begin navigating their way around the site. It is important that your navigation panel follows the norms that one has come to expect, making it possible for the user to easily move about, finding the necessary information, without feeling lost along the way.

Another extremely important aspect of a great website is the content. A large number of people tend to believe that quantity is more important than quality, which is only partially the case. It is extremely important that your content is updated on a regular basis, although if you are writing content that does not appeal to your viewers, simply for the sake of having content, then you may be doing your website more harm than good.

By Jason Swindon

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Looking for a good and logical reason to invest in a hot tub for your home? Well, we have more than one practical reason why this piece of equipment can be a great addition to your property. From its therapeutic properties and ability to improve your lifestyle, owning a hot tub is indeed a great investment that can benefit you in a lot of ways. In fact, it gives you a slice of paradise right at the comforts of your own home.

A soothing respite after a stressful day at work  

One of the biggest and most obvious benefits of owning a hot tub is that it allows you to unwind and relax after a long and stressful day at work. As you immerse yourself into the hot tub’s warm water, you get to sooth your jaded joints and relax your tired muscles, which would release stress in a natural way. As a result, you will be able to start your day on the right note, and work in a better and more efficient fashion.

To make your bath even more relaxing, surround your hot tub with a few scented candles, and sip on a delightful glass of wine.

A ton of health benefits

Not only is it a great stress reliever, but a hot tub offers a plethora of health benefits as well. Sitting on warm water alleviates tension and increases blood flow, allowing your body to cure a variety of maladies, including arthritis, insomnia, muscle pain and other medical conditions. Furthermore, it helps release your body’s endorphin, your natural mood enhancers. To top it all, soaking in a hot tub prevents insomnia and other types of sleeping disorders, as it can make you feel sleepy naturally.

Quality time with the family

Having marital problems? Couples who spend some time together in a hot tub often improved communication, according to recent studies. There is something about bubbling and relaxing hot water that can make it easier for people to listen and speak from the heart. Plus, children love dipping in bubbling hot water.

A nice hang out venue for social gatherings

If you love throwing barbecue parties and backyard gatherings, having a hot tub to hang out can make your parities a big hit to your guests. With a hot tub, you and your guests get to hang out, and chill on its warm waters, while sipping on your favorite cocktails and beers. Not to mention, some of today’s hot tubs are fitted with cutting-edge stereo systems and LED lights, making your gatherings more fun and entertaining.

Economical

Owning a soothing and spacious hot tub used to be a pipe dream for most regular homeowners. A couple of decades ago, a hot tub was mostly considered a luxurious commodity that only wealthy people and socialites could afford. But fortunately, prices for these therapeutic pieces of equipment have dropped down significantly, making them an attractive investment for people who are looking ways to unwind and relax after work.  Today, you can own a good and functional hot that isn’t worth a fortune and is also eco friendly like these. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to break the bank or get a small loan in order to buy one.

Buying a hot tub can also help you save more money in the long run. As a hot tub owner, you will no longer have to drive to the nearest spa complex to get relaxing yet costly luxurious spa treatments. What’s more, it reduces your expenses for pain relievers and medications, thanks to its compelling curative properties.

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Having a gorgeous and well-decorated home is truly very essential for everyone nowadays. Not only will it increase the property’s market today, but it also creates a serene haven for your family. Of course, having an organized and spruced up home helps improve your spiritual and mental health. Not to mention, a beautiful home inspires creativity and elevates everybody’s mood.   Yet, for all the perks that can be offered by having a well-decorated home, a lot of homeowners wouldn’t bother embellishing their space with decorations. For the most part, these people think that home decorations would cost them a fortune.

The truth is you don’t need to break the break to beautify your home, and fill it with decorations. There are tons of inexpensive, easy and quick things you can do to your property that will make it look fresh and bright. With a little cash and imagination, you may upgrade the aura and appearance of any space in your property.

Try some of these practical and punchy ideas, and brighten your home in no time.

Buy fabric separately, and then get someone to put it on sofas

Buy fabric directly from a fabric supplier, and hire a creative professional who would fit it to your sofas.  That way, you get to reduce your overall costs from your sofa covers. It is a far more affordable option than buying a finished sofa cover on a local store or mall. Plus, it allows you to choose your ideal combination of fabric textures, styles and patterns.

Buy unique and chic pieces at surplus sales and flea markets

There are tons of chic, unique and vintage items that are sold at discounted rates in surplus sales, tag sales and flea markets. As a matter of fact, some of these markets even sell classy furniture pieces and timeless wall decorations like clocks at very affordable prices. Whether you are looking for a cool cabinet or rustic table, these markets offer a dazzling array of cheap yet high-quality decorative stuff that will fit perfectly to your home.

Never been to a flea market? A word of advice, make sure to come early in these markets, as the best pieces are oftentimes gone even before the official start of the sale. Also, don’t forget to bring a measuring tape, so you won’t have to pass on a good deal, just because you were not sure if the furniture or decoration will fit in a specific space inside your home.

Use recycled ribbon

One of the best, simplest and most affordable ways to decorate your home is to take advantage of the used ribbons sitting on your cartons wooden crates. From glass vases to wall decorations, these salvaged items can be used as complementary adornments to a wide variety of DIY crafts and art pieces at home. To use recycled ribbons like this as decorations in your property, you just have to let your creative juices flow, and think out of the box.

Wall decorations

No matter how artfully your home’s walls are painted, they will still look dull and unattractive if there are no decorations hanging on it. A piece of art on your mall will speak volumes about your sense of style and taste. What’s more, it adds more elegance and style to your interior.

To save money from your wall decorations, cut out the breathtaking landscape pictures from your old calendars, frame them up, and hang them on your walls.

The post Decorate Your Home For Cheap With These Tips appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

Thanks to Darren for the image.

When it comes to selling your property, you’ll want to squeeze every last penny out of the price. That extra little money can help you buy your next dream house. It might just help cover the costs of the admin or fund a new sofa for your new home. Whatever, the goal, everyone can add a couple of thousand onto their asking price with a few tricks. You don’t have to spend a fortune and you’ll see a big return.

 Of course, if you’re looking for serious added value, you could consider structural changes. For example, undertaking an attic conversion or basement renovation. However, these tricks are aimed at those just looking at squeezing an extra little from the top. These tips are great because they will also help your house sell faster. The longer you hold onto your home, the more it costs in fees and the more stressed you become.

 Clean and tidy

 You would think this goes without saying. However, you’d be surprised at the number of times an estate agent walks into a dirty, messy house. First of all, remove all the clutter from your home. Move it all up to the attic for convenience. A clutter free house looks much bigger and more open. Prospective buyers want to envision their life here when they walk in. Cleanliness is imperative. Do a deep, thorough clean of the property and eliminate any odours.

 Paint

 You may have put your own stamp on the place with bright colours and fancy wallpaper. However, new buyers will want a fresh perspective. They want to imagine their own lives here. They want to to imagine where their favourite pictures will hang and how they’ll decorate the space. It’s a good idea to go with neutral colours throughout the house. It will also lighten up the home and give it a spacious feel.

 The Garden

 A good garden is near the top of any new buyer’s wish list. Particularly in large homes near the city where buyers are looking for a space for their children. Mow lawns and buy a little garden furniture before you sell. Buyers are looking for a space to sit out on an evening and let children run around. Let them see the potential for this without having to work for it. Large glass doors onto the garden is proven to add significant value. It gives the illusion of an extra room and lightens the house.

 First Impressions

 When visiting a prospective house, buyers are looking for that immediate gut feeling. They know if it’s right or wrong as soon as they step in the house. Make sure the front of your house is presentable. Put up hanging baskets and replace rusty old door fittings. Line your hallway with mirrors, good lighting and flowers. As soon as they walk in, your house should feel spacious and welcoming. Buyers need to feel at home.

These are all very minor changes that can be made on a budget. All it takes is a little elbow grease and some creative thinking. Follow these tips and you’ll add value to your property and sell it fast.

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If you have a guest coming over for dinner – maybe it’s a date, a family member or even a colleague – you want to be able to impress them with your culinary skills.

In a lot of cases, it can be good to offer up a three-course meal, which can be tricky to put into practice if you want to make it dairy free. However, this may be preferable if one of your guests is lactose intolerant or vegan, for example.

Therefore, if you want to present your guests with a fantastic, dairy-free three-course meal then this could be the one for you.

Starter: Garden Soup

When it comes to serving a starter that most people enjoy and that won’t make people too full for the main course, you can’t go far wrong with soup.

A garden soup comprises of a tasty mix of vegetables, so if you have any in your fridge that are waiting to be used then now is a good time.

What you need is an onion, celery, leek, garlic, olive oil, potatoes, courgettes, sea salt, a vegetable stock cube, black pepper and spinach.

Chop up the onion, celery, leek and garlic and put them into a large pot on medium heat, cooking them in two tablespoons of olive oil.

Then turn the heat low and peel and chop the potatoes while this is simmering. Next, chop up the courgettes and place them in a bowl with the potatoes.

Once the veg is cooked, add the potatoes, courgettes, salt and pepper and a crumbled stock cube with boiling water.

After everything is heated through, put it in a blender and then serve it up!

Main Course: Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

For this dish, you need potatoes, salt, pepper, herbs, olive oil, tinned tomatoes, stock, lentils, chickpeas, mushrooms and a few vegetables of your choice – onion, carrot, mushrooms, and celery are a good bet.

Chop up the potatoes and allow to boil for ten or fifteen minutes. While this is happening, chop up your vegetables and put them into a pan with olive oil for about ten minutes. Add the herbs in during this time.

Next, cut up the mushrooms and add them and the tinned tomatoes before putting in the stock, lentils and chickpeas.

Once the veg is cooked, put it into a casserole dish and put the potatoes, mashed up, over the top before putting it all in the oven. After it has been in the oven for some time, it is ready to serve.

Dessert: Vegan Brownies

Who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate? Even without dairy, it still makes a good meal.

You will need chocolate, flour, cocoa powder, sea salt, caster sugar, vanilla, soy milk and pecans.

Melt some of the chocolate in a pan or heatproof bowl and, in the meantime, mix the flour, sugar and cocoa powder together before adding the vanilla, soy milk and melted chocolate. Next, break up the rest of the chocolate and add it in alongside the pecans.

Add the whole mixture to a tin and spread evenly. Leave it in the oven for about 20 minutes then take it out, let it cool, cut up the brownie pieces and serve it up!

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A wheelbarrow is one of the most practical gardening tools out there, it can be used for so many things; carrying supplies, gravel, dirt, gravel and any other material that you need to carry around your garden or worksite. The way that the shape of a wheelbarrow has been designed allows you to tip it forward while it remains balanced, this is why it is the perfect tool to use for loading and unloading heavy loads. There are so many wheelbarrows out there, but choosing the right one can de difficult. The most important thing to do is buy a wheelbarrow that is easy for you to use. So whether it is a twin wheeled wheelbarrow or another type you think you need, just follow these simple steps to find the right one for you.

1. Understand your needs

Wheelbarrows are available for both homeowners and professionals (builders and contractors). Most of the gardening you do at home can be done with a homeowner’s wheelbarrow. The professional type are a lot bigger and will of course allow you to carry much larger loads. You need to decide if you want a sturdy metal tray or plastic one, find the wheelbarrow that holds the right capacity you need, decide if you need one or a two wheel model – a one wheel will give you an easier time turning, a two wheel is sturdier.

2. Choose a user friendly barrow that is also good for your back

It is important to look at the weight distribution of the wheelbarrow. You need to make sure that the wheelbarrow will only make you bear 15 – 30 percent of the weight of the load. Anymore and you may seriously hurt your back. Check that the wheels are sturdy and are not likely to wobble or make the wheelbarrow tip over at any point.

3. Look at the pivot distance

If you are going to be working in a small area where there isn’t a lot of room to move, you must ensure that the wheelbarrow is able to turn easily in small spaces.

4. Look online for an idea of what is on offer

If you can look online it is a great idea to do so before making any purchase. You will also be able to look at the dimensions clearly, another great thing is that you can read reviews and ratings from other shoppers.

5. Check the warranty and return policy

 This is important, you will be using the wheelbarrow to do some heavy work. So make sure you understand all about the return policy. If you talk to a customer service assistant, they will be able to tell you under what conditions you can return the wheelbarrow and also the length it takes to get the wheelbarrow repaired.

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Anyone who wants to perform some renovation work on their property this spring would do well to consider all the essentials before starting work. Depending on the age and location of your house, there may be serious issues that need to be dealt with first. At the end of the day, you don’t want to spends thousands on a renovation project if you’ll have to rip your home apart in the near future. With that in mind, you should perform as much research as possible before making changes to your interior. Overlooking any of the points listed below could result in you spending more and wasting a lot of time.

Check for structural issues

Many homes have dangerous structural issues that need to be sorted quickly. A problem left untreated could turn into something more serious, and more substantial work may have to be carried out. That could cost you a lot of money, so it’s a good idea to perform some basic structural checks before starting any renovation work. If you notice there is something wrong, you’ll have to seek a professional opinion. Luckily, there are plenty of firms that deal with foundation repair in Tulsa and all over the US. You just need to search online and read reviews to find the most suitable experts.

Assess the condition of your windows

If the same windows have been on your property for the last ten years or more, it might be time to look for some replacements. Not only will they look tired and worn out, but they won’t do much for heat retention. That means you will spend more than is required for gas and electric to warm your home. It’s always a good idea to have any new windows fitted before you start your decoration job. That way, you won’t risk your paint or wallpaper getting dirty while the work is carried out. When purchasing new windows, it’s wise to spend a little more and opt for triple glazing. That will almost certainly mean your home stays warm and toasty without having the heating on all day long.

Consider the design and layout of your space

It’s important that everyone tried to make the most of the space in their home. With that in mind, you could discover that knocking some walls down will present you with lots of benefits. Of course, you need to be very careful when doing things like that inside your property. We would usually advise that you employ the services of an expert. However, some of you will no doubt want to handle the task on your own. In that case, just make sure you don’t mess with any supporting walls. Nobody wants to see your bathtub come crashing through the ceiling.

So long as you spend at least some time thinking about those three points, we’re confident you will have no trouble getting down to business and renovating your property. If you need more advice, there are some fantastic posts on this blog. Lots of them contain design tips that could help you to get started.

nickytheblade

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For many of us, the changing seasons are often an opportunity to spruce up the decor of our homes, or change the finishing touches to reflect the season. Most of us like to keep the look of our house refreshed and in style. Sometimes you may run out of inspiration and turn to internet for some great ideas on how to make subtle changes that could transform the look of a room. If you are looking for some of that inspiration now, we give you the top ten ways to make a little change for a big effect this year:

1. Feature wall – Pick one wall and choose an elaborate wallpaper, or a strong and vibrant paint color to cover it. This wall will make a statement and act as your accent color. You can complement the color with soft furnishings or strong color wall art or photos.
2. Photos – Refresh your photos. You can even renew the frames. Sometimes just placing them in a different order is enough to lift the feel of the room.
3. Soft furnishings – To make your room very fashionable this season, think about changing your soft furnishings. You can even add a great cashmere throw to your sofa or settee from somewhere like Rooi. These can be changed in color and texture every season to refresh the look of the room.

Thanks to Flickr for providing this photo

1. Rugs – Rugs can be rotated depending on your color theme, accent color, or even the season. Choose different colors or textures. You can even place them at different angles for a different look.
2. Radiators – You can buy great covers for the radiators to make them safer. The best bit is they are paintable so you can decorate them in any way you choose.
3. Lighting – Choose from color changing bulbs to a whole new lamp shade to change the mood of your room. Shades in different colors to complement your palette can be interchanged seasonally. The quality of light can be changed from warm to white with LED bulbs as well.
4. Door handle – A quick and easy way to change the look of your room is to change the door handle. Choose something classical or stylish and contemporary. You can do the same with your entertainment center and the knobs on your sideboard.
5. Flowers – Faux flowers in silk are a very classy and chic way to decorate your room without needing to lift a paint brush. Choose plain vases or elaborate porcelain sets to really show off your taste and color scheme.
6. Coffee table – A coffee table can be the centerpiece of the entire living room. They are reasonably cheap to replace, but you could try a shabby chic look by restoring or changing an old one. Add a cloth or different coasters to simply and quickly change its appearance.
7. Ornaments – The ornaments or books you choose to display in a room are a reflection of your personality and tastes. These can be moved, or interchanged to refresh the feel of the room. It may only be you who notices but sometimes, we are the only ones who feel like a change!

The post Top 10 Seasonal Changes You Can Make To Refresh Your Living Room appeared first on Decorating Insanity.

Each year there comes a time in the life of any homeowner where you feel like you need to make some changes. Sometimes this might be big changes like building an extension or installing a pool. But sometimes the changes are more subtle changes inside the home, but ones that will have a major impact on the property. Decorating your home is always a good idea, and you can do this pretty cheaply.

But there are so many options available to you. If you follow these four ideas, you can spruce up your home without having to make major changes. You’ll also find you won’t need to spend too much money if any.

1. Get New Furniture

Sure, you’d like your furniture to last as long as possible, several years minimum. But it might depend on the type of furniture you have. Some pieces of furniture don’t date too well, and they can come across as old-fashioned. This threatens to bring down the whole aesthetic of the home. You might also have pets or young children who might cause havoc with the existing furniture. Think about replacing your furniture. And try to replace it with pieces of furniture that never age, like a leather sofa.

2. Replace Your Linen

Another great thing you could do is replace all the linen around the home. This includes bed linen, table linen and bath linen. You’ll be surprised at the impact this can have on your home. You can choose different designs, fabrics and colours in order to complement the rest of the home. A visit to http://www.richardhaworth.co.uk will provide you with a large selection of linens. Make sure you pick the right type to improve your home. You can change all the bedding and table cloths and have fresh towels in the bathroom. This will add a new dimension to the home and people are going to take note.

Image Source

3. Repaint

One of the best and easiest ways to spruce up your home is to repaint each room. A new lick of paint can resurrect a tired and boring looking room. It can transform it into a bright, vibrant and spacious place. If you choose bright colours, in particular, you make the room appear larger and more inviting. Don’t underestimate the importance and impact of a fresh coat of paint. And the great thing is this is something you can do yourself. Get yourself down to the local hardware store and stock up on paint. Make sure when you’re painting you put down sheets to protect anything in the room that you don’t want to get paint on.

4. Have a Clear Out

A free way to make your home look more awesome is to have a clearout. This is no doubt something you’re going to want to do at some point anyway. So now is the best time to do so. Get rid of all the clutter that’s taking up space in your home. Anything that’s a duplicate or that you don’t need or never use needs to go. You can either throw it, sell it or give it away. But just get it out of the home. You’ll create more space, and your home will look more attractive, as a result.

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Construction, building and architecture is as old as civilisation itself. From the first mud huts built by primitive people to ancient monuments like the pyramids in Egypt and the genius of the modern sky scrapers, which are now dotted across the skylines of many major cities around the world. However all these structures have one thing in common, they all needed to be designed and built.

Whether you’re building an extra room on your house or constructing a complex building it all starts with a designer or an architect. Although they all work together as a team the roles of the architect and the builder differ in many ways. However, in the end the goal is the same to design and construct a building.

Although there are many phases to designing and constructing a building the three main categories are always the same according to OSC who specialise in large-scale construction and design.

To understand the process a little more let’s takes a look at each one a little more closely.

Building

Typically a building is a manmade structure with roofs and walls such as a house, factory or office block, which more or less has a permanent fixture. Buildings can appear in many shapes and sizes but the principle and function remain the same, to serve the needs of society by creating shelter, living space, security and privacy whether this is at home or work.

Architecture

Architecture or an architect is a person whose main concern is the planning, designing and the overall construction of a building from start to finish. Not only does the architect have to have sound technical knowledge in the construction of buildings, but also in structural engineering, public safety, business management and design concept. The architect also works closely with the client making sure that every stage of the build goes smoothly and to spec.

Construction

Once all the designs are completed construction can begin, construction is the process of creating the infrastructure of a building, although the architect is the main man and overall manager he will closely work with a project manager. The project manager’s job is to organise builders, set the schedules and make sure all the materials used for the build are on site ready for construction to begin.

Tim Aldiss writes for OSC.

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