Category Archives: fashion

How to Bring Your Dream Fitted Bedroom to Life

Redesigning your bedroom can be a daunting prospect. Perhaps you’ve always dreamt of having a beautiful, functional haven to escape to at the end of a busy day? Unlike other rooms in the house, your bedroom is all about you, so it’s important to build a space in which you feel completely at home.

Many of us don’t have the time or inclination to design a room from scratch, but we long for our nesting place to be more in tune with who we are. We all know what we like, but our desired look can be hard to achieve without help from the right people. If you know what you want, but have no idea where to start, a fitted bedroom may be the answer you’re looking for.

A good fitted bedroom design company will do the hard work for you.All you’ll need to do is decide which design is right for you. It’s worth taking some time over this to make sure you and your bedroom designer have the same end result in mind.

Perhaps you’re looking for your fitted bedroom to be clean and minimal? Or maybe your ideal space is something more cosy and textured? The best place to start is by jotting down some ideas to work from. It’s a good idea to collect various home magazines and design brochures so that you can get an idea of what sort of look you want to achieve – often deciding this is half the battle.

Be sure to consider every detail of your fitted bedroom, as it’s often the smallest elements of a room that create the biggest impact. For example, would you like carpets or wooden flooring? Do you prefer in-built cupboards or sliding wardrobes? What about the light fittings and doorknobs for your fitted bedroom? Don’t leave any stone unturned, and be open to suggestions from your designer.

Once you’ve collected some images and ideas about your dream bedroom, make a quick collage so you can clearly see what you’ve come up with. You can discuss them with your fitted bedroom designer, who will offer expert advice and a more detailed comprehension of the task at hand.

If you’re longing for a fitted bedroom, but are anxious about leaving your special space in the hands of someone else, don’t panic. Designers will always work alongside you, taking the time to find out what really makes you tick, and will design the room exactly to your specifications. Remember, what you want is also what they want, too.

Besides, with the vast amount of technology fingertips these days, it’s possible to view a complete 3D image of your fitted bedroom before the work has even begun! So you can always change your mind along the way.

Try and find a company who specialise in bedroom storage space, as this can often be half the battle, especially with a small space. It’s no good having your dream bedroom if it’s constantly littered with clothes because there’s nowhere to hang them. Fitted wardrobes and cupboards will give you the space you desire, without taking up all of your room and leaving you with no floor space.

These fitted bedroom storage space can be as slick and stylish as you like, with a huge range of finishes and doorknobs available. Have a look online to see what options are out there in terms of experts to help you with this.

Tips To Maintain Outdoor Furniture

When you purchase furniture for your outdoor then it is necessary to maintain its quality when they are placed in the outdoor. This is because this piece of furniture is going to be exposed to the rough and tough weather outside.

Several products are there that are manufactured with the best of the materials like wrought iron, teak, etc. They offer much durability to the things. If you are buying one of those things you need to know how to maintain the things. In this article, we have provided certain tips that can help you to maintain the pieces of furniture for a long time.

• Most of the manufacturer recommends that a simple wash with soap and water works wonders for the furniture. They strictly forbid using any kind of chemicals for cleaning the furnishings. This is because they think that it can make it break down by disturbing its composition.

• If your furniture is made up of cast aluminum, wrought iron, or aluminum then it is advised that you should use a mild soap like the car washing ones for cleaning purposes. If it gets scratched to the base metal then one can sand it down using sanding paper. This will prevent rust oxidation from occurring. You can then paint it with a matching color.

• If at all the furniture is made of natural teak then after a certain period of time it will give rise to silvery gray patina. This is a common feature of teak wood. A good thing that you can do to maintain your teak wood furniture is that you can clean it thoroughly once a year. This can be done by dissolving the household bleaching powder in warm water. The cleaning will remove out the pollution particles, algae, etc. you can also apply a coat of teak sealers so that its quality remains the same for years.

• You can use frame covers so that the cushions clean. It is recommended that you should use breathable furniture covers. Never wash the products with pressure washers as it might destroy the quality of the cushion covers.

• If you are keeping the outdoor furniture beside your pool then you should be a bit more careful about the materials that you are installing there. Because of the humid environment the materials used can succumb to corrosion and decay if they are not looked after in a proper way.

It will be especially helpful to keep your outdoors clean especially in the summer seasons so that if you want to prepare for a party you can do it. Your guests would be impressed if they find a well-organized outdoor with beautiful outdoor furniture.

The Modern Evolution of the Sofa

In choosing the perfect sofa, take inspiration from these master craftsmen whose influence can still be found in living rooms around the globe.

Thomas Chippendale

Thomas Chippendale was a mid-18th-century cabinet-maker and interior designer whose innovations spanned several styles including neoclassical, Gothic, and rococo. He is known for his book of elaborate furniture designs that include complicated arches and ribbons. Chairs and sofas inspired by the Chippendale patterns have exposed bases and legs that curve down to the floor and may be carved. The pieces are typically constructed with dark-stained mahogany or other highly esteemed types of wood. They are upholstered with fine fabrics.

Robert Adams

Robert Adams was a Scottish architect who, along with his brother James, developed neoclassical interior designs in the mid-to-late 18th century. Their focus was elaborate architecture and furniture pieces that were designed together and echoed the same structural and ornamental themes. Adams’ furniture is characterized by light pieces with simplified classical designs like carved columns and medallion embellishments.

John Henry Belter

John Henry Belter was originally a cabinet-maker from Germany who brought his knowledge of wood carving to other furnishings. His unique method of laminating thin layers of wood together and ornately carving them defined a generation of woodworkers in the mid-1800s. His trademark Victorian sofas have curvy, S-shaped backs whose exposed wood features elaborate designs of flowers, curlicues, fruit, and birds.

Gustav Stickley

Gustav Stickley opened his first furniture company in 1883. Within two decades, he became a leader in the American Craftsman movement, which itself took inspiration from the British Arts and Crafts Furniture trend. His simple designs, with straight lines and straight-forward joints, placed an equal emphasis on form and function. Stickley-inspired sofas have plenty of simple, exposed woodwork with clear stains and finishes that let the natural beauty of the wood show through.

George Hepplewhite

Hepplewhite is another mid-18th-century English cabinet-maker with an interior design book to his name. However, unlike the other craftsmen mentioned here, no known pieces of his work still exist today. In fact, there is very little historical evidence to suggest that he ever produced couches and chairs for sale. Still, the design hallmarks of his work, featuring elegant curling arms and backs with contrasting straight legs, are elements that regularly appear on household items today. One of his unique sofa designs features a curving, non-upholstered wooden back featuring inverted arches with narrow rungs between them and delicately-patterned upholstery on the seat.

Knoll Associates

Designs have continued to evolve in the twentieth century and beyond. Hans Knoll originally started the company in 1938, but upon his death, his wife Florence continued to design and manufacture modern furniture. Their sofas feature exposed cast-aluminum legs and monochromatic upholstery, occasionally with tufting. Modern sofa designs may incorporate unembellished wood, well-defined geometric shapes, and even hard polymer elements.

Thanks to the global marketplace, furniture customers have a wider-than-ever range of choices. From antique pieces crafted by the masters to mass-produced couches to customizable sectionals, and finally, customer-designed 3-D printed furniture, the sofa has come a long way in the intervening centuries.

Modern Dining Chairs

Chairs have evolved from a piece of furniture which was used to sit on to a modern collection of furniture and products of special appearance that are available with the advanced technology. Chairs have supported four legs and a back end to support the back. Chairs have been an integral part of the dining room which consists of a table of any shape and table surrounded by chairs on which people sit and intake their food. In the olden day’s simple chairs were made without any designs. In the olden days, any wood that was available was usually converted into furniture when it was required, and everybody constructed their chairs and tables at their homes. Those days are gone when man started to manufacture goods according to his needs. Now these things are meant for “show off.” People are buying chairs from big branded shops where they get free delivery on their doorsteps. The only thing they need to do is decide which design they like and which color. Nowadays everything can be seen online on the website of the seller and then the last step they need to do is order the product. The product is first delivered, and then the payment is made. We have moved ahead a far. With the advancement of technology and science, we are now able to enjoy the most modern facilities and one of which is the modern dining chairs. Dining chairs are now available in a variety of colors and designs, and various materials are used to manufacture them. There is a huge collection of beautiful and extraordinary chairs that you will love to buy.

Modern dining chairs have created a revolution in the furniture industry. The materials that are used to make these products have also changed meanwhile. Many new materials are being used, such as molded plywood, glass, steel, aluminum-tin alloy, copper-tin alloy and many other plastic materials are used for the manufacturing of chairs. The designs of chairs have also marked a tremendous change. From a four leg base, it has now a new concept of three leg base and the upcoming is a two-leg base. Probably expected product in the market is a chair with a single base support. The beautiful collections of trendy chairs are attractive as well as comfortable to sit on. The chairs now cover a large surface area so as to provide a sufficient place to sit comfortably.

A tremendous change in the world has not even spared chairs. All the things are brand new with the most modern feature. The global market is putting new challenges every day with which every manufacturer has to compete, and hence this competition leads to simplicity and betterment of products. Modern dining chairs are examples of one such change. In a furniture shop, you will find a variety of dining chairs named as contemporary or modern and many more names. Anyways the chairs have brought a family for the togetherness of having the meals. A family can now come together around the table sitting on their dining chairs and enjoy each other company.

6 Tips To Buy Your Ideal Coffee Table

A living room is not complete without a good coffee table. They have a lot of uses. They beautify a room and can be used for storage as well. Since there are different types and designs of coffee tables, you should choose one based on tons of factors. Here are 6 tips to help you pick one.

Budget

You can get a cheap or ultra-expensive table based on your budget. Basically, your budget should be set based on a lot of factors, such as lighting, furniture and accessories. Make sure the table will blend well with other items of furniture in the place, such as side tables, sofas and chairs.

Shape

Do you have kids or pets? If you have kids or pets, we suggest that you buy a round or oval-shaped table. A table with curved edges may cause injury to a pet or kid. Moreover, the shape is an important factor to consider if you want the coffee table to look good with other furniture in the room. You don’t want to ruin the beauty of your room with an ugly coffee table.

Size

Make sure the height of the table is enough for your needs. Ideally, it should be a couple of inches lower than the seat of the couch. Moreover, the standard height of a coffee table is around 16 inches, which is ideal for most of the couches found in houses nowadays.

Material

Coffee tables are made of different types of materials like steel, brass or a combination of both for a classic look. They are also made from the wood of maple, oak or walnut, just to name a few. Cherry and walnut give a formal look to the tables.

Style

When buying a coffee table, you can choose from different styles, such as vintage, modern, informal or formal. If you are into a modern look, we suggest that you go for a metal table. If you want a romantic table, you can choose one with wooden legs and round top.

Shopping

Once you have decided on your style, budget, size and functionality, you are ready to buy a table. Where can you buy one? Well, you can head for a big departmental store, the flea markets or the antique dealers. Keep in mind that you should measure your room before you make the purchase. Aside from this, you should measure the height of your sofa or couch. Considering all these factors will help you decide on a table that will match the style and look of your room.

Long story short, looking for the right coffee table will cost you a little time and effort. However, this is not an overwhelming task. With these tips on mind, buying the best table will be a lot easier. In fact, it will be fun to buy one. Lastly, make sure you don’t cross your budget limit when buying one. You don’t want a table that will cost you thousands of dollars. Maybe you have some other needs that are more important.

Why Buying Handcrafted Products Is Best

Products that are handcrafted are green.

Since handcrafted work doesn’t use a mass production assembly line, it aids the health of the environment. Choosing a builder or craftsman that is within the same country also makes a difference, as it saves on shipping.

Handcrafted items are priceless.

Not only do buyers value handcrafted items more, but they are truly worth more. This is because it’s an authentic piece or, in short, a work of art rather than a mass produced item that everyone and anyone can have. It will set one’s home apart from the rest. The value comes from the perception of society, and the enjoyment of the owner.

Handmade items are perfect for the job market.

There’s not much better than supporting small or local businesses, it’s a good feeling. Whether investing in a copper hood vent that may take a couple weeks to complete or something as simple as handmade soaps, shopping local or small business creates jobs. Even by focusing a small percentage of purchased to handmade, craftsman items make hundreds of new jobs.

Not only that, communities benefit from these products. This is because businesses that make them are proven to have a higher revenue that supports their local community than chain stores.

Better Quality

Handcrafted goods are just better, there’s no denying it. Ever had a homemade baked good as opposed to a prepackaged? That is the difference between handmade items and others. Sure, there are consumers willing to settle for machinery made items, but when considering it an investment it’s always better to go with a unique and long lasting product.

Customization

Consumers love that they can customize their goods, and that is another huge benefit to getting handmade items. Things like copper vent hoods can be customized as far as finish, straps and other elements, and of course size and style. These artisans are often willing to build things to the consumer’s specifications and make them even better for their needs and desires.

A Better Experience

Purchasing an item from a vendor that creates them handmade brings more pleasure to the buyer. They appreciate the backstory, quality and entire experience of buying them. They feel as if their needs are put first and they’re overall more satisfied than they would have been at a big box store, shopping for an item. Artisans also enjoy supplying a product that is fit to the consumer’s needs. It’s a whole different experience than others.

Not to mention, items are unique. Having a product that didn’t come from a large company means that it’s one-of-a-kind. Since there are less of these special items, one can rest assured that no one else will have the same. This means that when choosing a table, light fixture, or the aforementioned copper vent hood it will not only be a centerpiece to any room, but be a work of art.

Easy to find and secure

Handcrafted items are more popular than ever. The industry is full of many marketplaces for these items, and there are also stores that are solely dedicated to various pieces. Items that were once out of reach are now available to people across the globe, and that is just another of the many benefits that come from handcrafted products.

Investing In Utilities For Your House

As a homeowner, you have the task of making sure your house is outfitted with the utilities and fixtures it needs to function well. Even so, you may not have a lot of money to put toward this obligation. When you want to make sure your family has the utilities they need to do laundry, shower, cook, and other basic functions, you might investigate your options for tanks that can be installed immediately outside your home. You could find a model that suits your purposes and also fits your budget when you do your research online.

Checking Out Sizes

The size of the tanks that you consider may reflect the number of people who live in your household. If you have a lot of people living there, you might need a model that can provide gallons each day for tasks like cooking, bathing, and cleaning. Likewise, your yard may only have so much space available for this fixture’s installation.

By shopping on the Internet, you might come across models that are round, oval, and square. You could choose a size that will fit in the yard without it taking up too much space. These fixtures also come in an assortment of colors if that element is critical to your decision.

Along with determining the capacity that yours can hold, you may examine the height and width of your choice of models. Some are longer and wider than others. You might also check local regulations to determine if your own choice will be required to fit into local zoning laws for such outside additions.

Financial Aspects

You may wonder why people in your position shop on the Internet for such fixtures. As you may find when you look at the company’s website, the models for sale are listed at prices that are on par with or below those prices found in local stores. Pricing can be a consideration that convince people to investigate their choices online.

If you are operating on a tight budget for these tanks, you might not have a lot of money to put toward one that must be dug into the dirt and rock. You may lack the money for excavating the property for its installation. This option may fit better within the budget and constraints that you are experiencing for this necessity for your home.

Installation for one of these tanks typically takes less time and money. People who choose one for their homes may be able to get back on with their lives sooner and have more cash in their budgets left over for other necessities. You are invited to explore the models and price listings online before you buy one for your family.

Shopping for an above ground water tank may call for you to consider several different facets. Price, size, and dimensions all are criteria that people typically think about before purchasing one. You can explore your choices and select one that suits your needs and those of your loved ones on the company’s website.

Home Ventilation In An Older House

Home Ventilation For A Renovated House

According to NASA, human related activities such as chemical plants have contributed greatly to the number of greenhouse gases which have in turn caused an alarming warming trend leaving serious side effects in its wake. It’s little wonder then that one of the factors that most people look for when shopping for a house is a properly working ventilation system. But what about if you are moving to an old home that is not fitted with a modern ventilation system? The likely solution would be to install one. If you choose to go the DIY route, you may want to have a few tips in mind.

How Home Ventilation Works

In the same manner in which we need clean air to breathe, so does a house need it to stay fresh. It is important that the air that is expelled by the house’s inhabitants is replaced with fresh air. In some cases, simply opening some windows is enough to let in clean air. However, if you have installed a home heating or cooling system, then allowing in air through the windows or doors may affect its functionality.

A home ventilation system works by expelling used air and introducing clean air from the outside into the house. This works because expelled and used air is lighter and floats to the top, while cold fresh air is denser and flows to the bottom; a ventilation system facilities this flow of air.

Tips On Home Ventilation In An Older House

Below are tips on how you should go about ventilating an older home.

1. Assess how the former owner maintained the home. If the house seems to be in a general state of neglect, you may need to replace the whole system. However, if the previous owner did a fairly good job of maintaining the system, then you may need to replace only a few parts of it.

2. Do not depend on a home inspector to determine the state of your ventilation system. This is because although he/she may be trained to look at a house in general, only a ventilation system specialist will be able to truly determine whether or not a system is good enough to function.

3. If the house you are living in is approaching the 10 year benchmark, then you may want to set aside money in order to have your ventilation system replaced.

Advantages Of Having A Well Ventilated System

Once you repair an old or buy a new ventilation system, there are a number of advantages you will enjoy.

1. Regulate your air. A good ventilation system will know when to bring in fresh air, as opposed to bringing in fresh air all the time which can lead to high energy bills.

2. Without proper air circulation bacteria, damp air, pollutants and allergens will buildup which in turn will cause the air inside your home to become more polluted than the air outside.

Investing in Quality Furnishings for Your Bathrooms and Kitchens

It is important to consider good quality fixtures and fittings when designing and constructing your bathrooms and kitchens. This may sound as a cliché, but you really get what you pay for. Getting the right type of tile or faucet for these areas should be chosen with several factors in consideration beside cost alone. Remember, not all fixtures are created equally and not all are made to last.

Here are a few standard items you should consider spending a little bit more when it comes to constructing your bathrooms and kitchen.

Plumbing fixtures

Getting standard with plumbing fixtures that are not only safe but durable at the same time is essential to prevent early damages and potential contamination in the water supply that you have at home. Water is very essential in the bathroom and kitchen area, thus having the right fixtures, lasting fixtures in these areas should be considered. Style on the other hand can be achieved through the different styles available for faucets, showers and the like for your water supply needs. Always go for the quality and durability of these fixtures and consider aesthetics as a least important factor that will influence your decision in purchasing accessories for your plumbing and water supply system.

HVAC System

It is also very important to get a professional contractor for your HVAC systems at home. This ensures that your air, gas and exhaust ducts are of the right size and material that will help them function efficiently and correctly all year round. Doing so ensures that clean air is always available inside your homes. Taking extra care of your gas lines and exhaust lines at home protects you from possible leaks you may encounter in the future. Proper and timely maintenance is also required for these areas in your home.

Windows

Your windows also play a big role even in your kitchen and bathroom areas. Make sure that your windows are covered with the appropriate treatments to function efficiently in these areas. It would be better to have tinted windows for your bathrooms to keep them private. However, these windows should be versatile enough and can be opened wide in times of cleaning or to simply allow fresh air to enter your bathrooms. Windows on the kitchen area should be big enough to provide a bright and relaxing ambiance to your kitchen areas.

You can get modern, classy and durable bathroom and kitchen fixtures for your home. With products incorporated with the latest technology and innovation, making smart choices and investment for your homes becomes easier.

Advance Your Home and Your Mood With It

Your home reflects who you are. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your home, then you will also experience dissatisfaction with your life. Think about the things you can change in your home to get the best from it. The following are some wonderful ideas that will assist you in the way you perceive your dwelling.

Aim to make your living space a comfortable area that you are happy to spend time in. Try to fix any minor flaws that can cause irritation. Putting off simple home improvements can make your home an unpleasant place to be. Your comfort is a gift you give yourself, so take it seriously. Small things like replacing an uncomfortable office chair, or lowering a too-high shelf that you constantly have to strain to reach, can make all the difference in the comfort level of your home.

Sometimes, reorganizing your belongings will not create as much space as you need. In the end, the amount of space you have available in a certain room never changes without adding organizers or expanding the size of the room. In times like these, you should weigh the options of adding to the space that you do have. Any extra room you are able to get will be worth it.

If you want your home to be more fun, you should try adding a pool or hot tub to it. While some of these additions don’t necessarily please everyone, some potential buyers see them as a real selling point. You could also consider creating a fitness room or making a minor addition, such as a basketball hoop. These additions can increase the value of your home.

Your lighting scheme sets the tone for your entire room. Lighting is helpful for a room’s appearance and brightness. Some considerations you may want to make are updating your existing fixtures to make them more modern or adding new lights to liven up a dark corner. Since adding and changing light fixtures is a very easy task, this makes it a very good DIY project.

Try planting some beautiful greenery. Turn a corner or the whole of your yard into a beautiful, lush garden to give yourself one more great reason to stay at home. Whether you do the work or hire a professional landscaper to care for your plants, you can still enjoy the stress-relieving properties of the lush paradise surrounding your home. If you make the right choices, you can enjoy many benefits of having a garden.

An exterior remodel is a great investment in your home. Whether it is a new coat of paint, a new roof, or updated windows, putting in some effort can greatly improve the appearance of your home. A home that is attractive and fresh-looking will help you feel more comfortable every time you walk through the door.