Inspiring home designs

So when you redesign your home, what exactly should you do to it? If you’re short on inspiration, here are a few ideas to get you started.

The place where many people like to really go to town with their design ideas is in babies’ and children’s rooms – you can paint them bright colours, do imaginative pictures of fantasy environments, draw pictures of the child’s favourite characters from books and TV, and so much more besides. If you do this, why not let the child join in with the painting and show you what they want, with you just being there to help make their decoration dreams come true. However, one thing to be careful of is to keep redecorating their room as they get older – you don’t want them to be embarrassed to bring around friends when they’re a teenager because of their babyishly coloured room.

Another idea could be to make an ‘outdoors’ house, taking inspiration from your garden in how to design your home. This means lots of greens and blues, lots of plants, outdoor fragrances, lots of windows – a real outdoor feel indoors.

Indeed, the best way to design a home yourself is often to just pick a theme and take it as far as it will go. I know a couple with a ‘space house’, complete with portraits of rockets and black ceilings with painted stars – it sounds silly, but it’s really interesting to look at. Whatever you’re passionate about, make your house show it.

Don’t forget, though, that redecorating doesn’t have to be all about tearing things down and buying new stuff. You can get a long way with a few posters, ornaments, or just reorganising or repainting your furniture. You really don’t need to break the bank and hire a handyman to get your ideal home, as a little work can go a long way.

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Interior Design Made Easy

When you are designing you house you need to take into account many factors. A great looking house needs to have many aspects covered. Everyone wants to have a great looking home, but not all of us know what actually works, read on to discover what important principles you need to take into account when you are designing your house.

Balance is very important when designing the inside of your house. A lack of balance can show excitement and spontaneity in a room, you need to take into account colour, texture, layout, patterns and many more aspects. Formal balance creastes a mirror image effect and it is also called symmetrical balance. Informal balance uses different objects to create equilibrium in a room. This is much more subtle yet spontaneous and gives a much more casual feeling to the room.

The focus of the room is another important aspect to consider. It is the focal point of the room. Whatever should be the feature of the room needs to have enough emphasis on it so that is does become the focal point of the room. As you walk into the room what you initially take in is the focus. People's eyes shift to the focus immediately and it is the first thing they take in. The focus is generally affected by proximity, colour and the layout of the area.

Subtlety must also be taken into account, how restrained you are has a large effect on the design. Rhythm is another principle that is often looked over, the continuity of the design affects the rhythm. It controls how the eye will move over a room. Repetition is governed by line, colour, texture or form. Progressive rhythm is when the elements gradually increase or decrease in size.

Proportion is another important principle. This includes size, weight and colour. This has a direct affect on the balance of the design as well. Similarly scale is very important. You must effectively measure dimensions of the room and the pieces. The size relationships in a room are defined by these two principles.

You need to consider the harmony of the room. Though closely related to balance harmony is also important. It is essentially how each element of the room works together to be pleasing visually. Harmony encompasses all the other principles and is essentially created or destroyed by successfully juggling all the other elements and getting the right mix.

So if you are looking to design you own house, you must be careful to consider all these principles of interior design. If you are not confident you can always hire an interior designer to help you out, you know you will get professional quality then! However, this can get expensive, and if you want to tackle it yourself, then you now have the right tools! Good luck!

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Saving Energy in the Kitchen

The kitchen, with all its appliances, gadgets and heat, is a real hotspot for potential energy saving. As the oven uses the most energy and creates a vast amount of heat while cooking foods, it is a good place to start.

For instance, when baking cookies use two trays. While one is in the oven baking, the other one is prepped with raw cookies – ready to replace the tray in the oven with no wasted heat and some time saved. When we bake bread we also fill the oven with foil wrapped potatoes. The potatoes can be stored in the fridge without the foil and used throughout the week in a myriad of recipes, or as a side dish. This method can be applied to a menu plan in that if you are baking one dish, try to include a side dish that is baked as well.

By turning off the oven a minute or two before the dish is done, the residual heat will finish the cooking. When done with the oven, open the door to allow any leftover heat to warm the home.

Pasta cooking water can be left out until it has completely cooled – so that the heat and moisture are released back into the air. Before pulling the plug, consider leaving hot dishwater (and bath water) until it cools. Why pay to heat up your sewer pipes? When cooking vegetables, consider steaming instead of boiling. When steamed, more nutrients are retained in the food, and because it requires less water to heat - there is less energy used.

In summer, consider cooking on the barbecue to help keep the house cool. Most barbecues now include side burners that make outdoor cooking all that much easier.
All these methods are relatively easy to adopt and when added up, the savings in energy and time really do make a difference.

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Window and Portable Air Conditioners for your home

Perhaps the most widely used air conditioners are the window air conditioners. They are quite popular for heating and cooling in both domestic and commercial premises. The basic advantage of a window air conditioner is that unlike the central air conditioners and the split air conditioners, it fits well in the window giving a good look and it does not occupy any space of the room at all.

Moreover, window air conditioners do not need to be shifted every now and then from one place to the other. However, like any other air conditioning equipment, it produces noise, the intensity of which differs with the type and size of the window air conditioners. Constant noise can indeed be very disturbing and distressing to the home and surrounding residents.

It is, therefore, advisable for the consumer to compare window air conditioners by checking the sound power level labels on the unit or in the literature specifications. The noise levels are often given in decibel ratings and the higher the decibel level, the louder the unit will be. The sound pressure increases by a factor of ten for every 10-decibel increase. For example, 60 Decibels is 10 times louder than 50 Decibels and 100 times louder than 40 Decibels.

The compressor and the fan are combined in a single unit and mounted in the window air conditioners and this is the source of all the noise in the air conditioner. The other causes of noise could be worn bearings, cabinet rattles, dirty or rusty fan blades, worn rubber mountings and compressor wear. Regular maintenance can reduce the noise to some extent but with the passing of time, there is bound to be an increase in the level of the noise.

You should check whether your window air conditioner is vibrating or producing a rattling noise and if so, then it is not a normal situation. The reason for this can be improper installation or loose side panels. If, however, you hear a scraping noise, you should either take the help of an authorized service provider or you can also try to find out the cause and repair it yourself.

The following steps can help you in tracking the fault and repairing it:

You should tighten the screws holding the front panel onto the unit.
You should check carefully the window all round the unit. You should then turn the window air conditioner on and press your hand against the sash. If you find that as you press your hand against the sash, the sound changes in pitch, then you should put some wooden shims in the gap between the window air conditioners frame and the sash. If, however, the pitch of the noise changes when you press your hand on the glass, you should use some insulating cellophane tape between the glass and the frame. You might have to use putty if that does not reduce the noise.

If you feel that the sound is originating from within the unit, you should take the unit out of the window and check to see if the fan blades are bent. If so, just bend them back so that they match the others.

Portable Air Conditioners Ensure Economy And Convenience

With the onset of the damp weather, it becomes difficult to survive without constant central air conditioning but that can prove to be quite expensive. The answer to this problem is a portable air conditioner as it has many advantages. It is easy to shift from one place in the home to another and that makes a portable air conditioner the ideal cooling system solution for your home, office or industrial site.

The portable air conditioners are easy and quick to install, as they do not involve any lifting or tearing up of windowsills. Moreover it can be shifted very easily from one place in the home to the other. For taking care of the hot spots in the central air conditioning, the portable air conditioners are far more convenient than window air conditioners. It is also ideal for window shapes, which present problems for installation. There is nothing like portable air conditioners for use as a spot cooler in the home.

A portable air conditioner is an excellent choice for saving money as just one unit needs to be purchased and it can be shifted easily to where you need it as it is mounted on castors and some can weigh only about 36 pounds. Moreover, as only one room is cooled at a time instead of the whole house, the total energy consumption is very low as compared to other air conditioning systems.

Another advantage of portable air conditioners is the energy efficiency that they provide. The average efficiency is in the 8 to 10 range although some are as high as 15, which is 50 percent better than most older central air conditioners. The small size of the portable air conditioners is very advantageous and as such it can fit in a corner or against a wall. It functions like an effective dehumidifier if you do not vent the warm exhaust air out through a window and its size is also the same as that of a room dehumidifier.

In order to reduce humidity and allergies, even the small ones remove 35 pints of moisture per day from the room air. The portable air conditioners also use the heat-exchange principle as the other air conditioners to cool and dehumidify the air. The operating principle is also similar to a window air conditioner as the room air circulates over cold evaporator coils to cool and dehumidify it inside the unit. The room air is exhausted outdoor after flowing over the hot condenser. There is no chance of already-cooled indoor air escaping outside as two ducts are now used.

Nowadays, you have electronic controls in most models and you can set the desired room temperature, blower speed, start and stop timer, and operation mode (cool, dehumidify, heat). The portable air conditioners also have hand-held remote control with which you can conveniently change all the settings as per your need.

The other features of portable air conditioners include a built-in air cleaner with an optional charcoal filter and oscillating louvers to distribute the cool air throughout the room. You can also switch off the louvers to direct the flow of air towards yourself, if you so desire.

SPT Portable Air Conditioner, 9000 BTUs, WA-9000E

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Your Home Is Your Sanctuary

Home is sanctuary. It is a place that conjures the powerful feeling of belongingness where rest and renewal happens. Here we expect tranquility and peace. We expect protection from the outside world we participate in. Thus, we invest our life-savings, our talents, ourselves to make it as relaxing, soothing and calming as possible.

For others, home serves as a showcase of stature and success. It is where we entertain friends. It is an extension of one’s identity and an avenue to display one’s taste in design and art.

Whatever the motivation is in investing or choosing a home to live in, we must be ready to face details upon details of considerations before making decisions that would usually cost us an arm and a leg. A small detail left out could mean huge, hard-earned money easily out the window. Fulfilling though it may be to set up our own home, we need guidance and lots of advice in the one thousand and one aspects we have to look into.

The first consideration is, of course, actually getting a home. Shall you rent or buy? If you rent, what should you do first? How do you go about it? Who do you talk to? What do you talk about? What are the legalities?

If you buy, how do you get the best deal? What is it you should know? Is there a tried and proven method of going about buying a home? What are the recommendations in buying a home in the U.K., or overseas?

The next consideration is the aesthetics that make the home pleasant to be in. What kind of furniture would suit your lifestyle? What are the choices? What are the pros and cons? What is the in thing, the trends? What could make your home attractive? There are a lot of choices from gardens to awnings, to setting up water features like a small, attractive fountain or waterfall or even just an indoor or outdoor pond for that relaxing Zen effect.

Undeniably, in the 21st century, another consideration is the advent of the internet and the personal computer (PC) as a permanent fixture in almost every home. The cocooning trend of working at home makes the choice of computer furnishings and lay-out a major factor. What are the choices and how do you go about it? Here, the issues are no longer limited to just the aesthetic. More important to consider are the issues on health and ergonomics.

Of course, who would not agree that the use of space is another primary consideration? A special portion is devoted on possible uses of the loft to increase precious space in this shrinking world. Presented is a treasure of creative ideas considering both functionality and aesthetics.

Equally important are the unseen aspects of home that if left unattended can cause much discomfort and a big hole in the pocket. These are the hidden details of plumbing, the sewage system as well as the new trend of underfloor heating. Moreover, the kitchen and bathroom considerations can very well determine not only one’s functionality but also your home’s resale value.

We understand that setting up a home can be a daunting task. We have organized these details in a simple fashion so that they are less intimidating and somehow more manageable. We present to you tried and proven techniques as well as steps that are easy to follow.

We acknowledge that the decisions you make in setting up your home are very crucial. They impact on costs, time, effort and quality of life. Your home could either be a great investment or a heavy burden. The information we offer could spell the big difference.

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10 Neat Ideas To Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom

Out of all the home improvement projects, few can provide the benefits of a bathroom remodeling project. Remodeling the bathroom is a great way to add real value to your home. On the plus side of that, it will increase the enjoyment level of yourself and your family.

There are a number of things to consider before undertaking such a major project. They are:

1. Keep your eye on the ball. It is important to see the bathroom remodeling project as a whole project. Even though there are many small hurdles to tackle, it is important to see the project as a whole.

2. No remodeling project can be successful without a realistic budget. Take the time to draw up an honest budget, and try your best to stick to it.

3. Get a reliable contractor. For most people, remodeling the bathroom is not a do it yourself project. It is important to find a contractor who has experience with plumbing and remodeling bathrooms.

4. Get a detailed inspection of your bathroom done before you start. A good idea would be to have a plumber inspect your bathroom for leaks and other problems before you start.

5. Now is your chance to be more energy efficient. Chances are you will be able to save money in the long run by installing low flow toilets, water saving showerheads and other energy efficient fixtures.

6. Stay organized. Proper organization is essential to a successful bathroom remodeling project. Use a calendar to keep track of important deadlines, and remain organized as you go forward.

7. Draw your proposed bathroom design. If you want a larger bathtub, or even a jettub, be sure to draw it out and make sure you have enough space. There is also software where you can input your design including fixtures, furniture, flooring and more. Either way works great.

8. Storage space is at a premium in many modern bathrooms. See if you can remodel to gain more cabinet and storage space.

9. Be sure to shop around for what you need in order to get the best price. The prices on the same fixtures can vary quite a bit between stores.

10. A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference when remodeling the bathroom, but many people fail to take this important and inexpensive step.

I also suggest that you go out and have fun looking at the bathrooms in show homes. They have all of the latest trends in the marketplace and will save you much time and effort in trying to come up with ideas yourself. This would be a great aid in the placement of fixtures and you can see, for example how important cupboards and storage are. The main thing to remember is have fun and enjoy the project and your new bathroom!

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Non-Chaluxe" Defines Glamour Without Glitz

When it comes to glamour-whether you're talking about a room interior or a fashion statement-it's not about the flash.

The juxtaposition of simple and elaborate, mingled with an unexpected touch of extravagance, is finding its way into Manhattan lofts and Malibu Bauhaus beach houses.

The note of glamour is added with one statement piece, and whether it's a gilded Venetian mirror or a spectacular leather turquoise chaise in the center of an all-white living room, that one piece adds a little luxury to an otherwise casual room setting.

The name of this simple and elegant glamour trend is "non-chaluxe."

It is best personified by the new Hollywood-20-something stars and starlets who mix $20 T-shirts with $350 designer shoes and wander the streets of Soho with little kids in tow. It's like wearing "the little black dress" with one amazing piece of jewelry.

"Glamour doesn't have to be over the top. One fantastic chair or sofa placed in the midst of a quiet retreat is a wonderful way to celebrate life. Our take on turquoise is our interpretation of an amazing piece of jewelry on our favorite simple dress," said Pasquale Natuzzi, CEO and chief designer of Natuzzi, manufacturer of sofas, sectionals and chairs.

The chaise is covered in rich, luscious turquoise leather so it can be paired with the matching occasional chair or complemented by the company's sectional sofa in turquoise Tirelli fabric.

Both the chair and sectional are anchored in stunning, slender, brushed metal legs for a lean Grace Kelly-esque glamorous appeal-simplicity with an elegant, fashionable twist.

You can place all these pieces together or mix and match them with tag sale items, or sparse, starkly contrasting furnishings. Whether choosing one elegant piece-or a set-look for cutting-edge design and superior Italian craftsmanship, says Natuzzi, who has been designing and manufacturing residential furniture since 1959 and has grown into a global leader in the leather upholstery business.

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