Author Archives: smithdiana

Unknown's avatar

About smithdiana

Diana Smith is a full time mom and a part time writer interested in environment and ecology. She enjoys seeing her readers getting useful information from her articles.

The Trendiest Swimming Pool Design Ideas For 2017

Posted on by
Reply

Let’s face it, there are few things in life that can beat a refreshing morning swim, cooling off on a scorching summer’s day or a wild weekend pool party with friends and family. However, swimming pools have come a long way from simple holes in the ground. So much so, that nowadays swimming pool fads change every year. Still, some of them stick and can last for decades. If you’re considering starting 2017 with a splash, then allow one of these trendy swimming pool designs to inspire your choice.

image-2Natural Pools

Chlorine and other chemicals associated with pools have a damaging effect on the environment. Luckily, 2016 has seen natural pools enter the market, which is set to become this year’s biggest trend. Instead of chemicals, natural pools use an ecosystem of aquatic plants to help clean the water, making them as eco-friendly and green as it gets. Best of all, they can take any shape and size, and with less maintenance costs they are cheaper than any traditional pool available.

Infinity Edge Pools

If you are looking to splash around with style and make a statement, you should consider a swimming pool with an infinity edge. Usually found in luxury resorts, vanishing edge or negative edge pools, as they are also known, are now available for private use, as well. Still, an infinity edge remains an expensive setup, and is really ineffective unless you have a view worth exploiting. However, if you meet the criteria, you simply can’t beat this swimming pool design with any other alternative.

image-4Spools

Spools might have entered the arena last year, but now they are becoming cheaper to install and maintain. Essentially, spools combine all the benefits of a swimming pool with the relaxing features of a spa hot tub. Their biggest draw is their compact size, which is ideal for smaller gardens and yards. Spools might not be a swimmers dream, but they are ideal for a mom and dad looking to play with their kids, or a romantic ending to a date.

Plunge Pools

Typically used as a refreshing end to a sauna, the latest plunge pool designs are now deeper and better than ever before. These deep swimming pools can generally take any shape or size, making them ideal for backyards. The only issue might be how deep you are willing to make your plunge pool, as that is mostly determined by the underground soil and pipes. Still, if you’re fond of diving, you can increase the basic depth of your plunge pool by extending its edge above ground level.

Beach Entry Pools

In case you want to have a beach side experience every day of the week, without traveling to distant tropical destinations, consider a beach entry swimming pool. The zero depth entry is especially great for families with small children, yet to learn how to swim. The shallow entry point allows for a smooth transition into the deeper area of the pool, and can even be lined with sand or pebbles, ideal for relaxing after a swim.

image-3

Baja Shelves

Another innovation in pool design which is going to hit boiling point in swimming pool design this year are the Baja shelves. Also known as tanning ledges, Baja shelves allows you to soak up the sun without getting fully submerged in the water, with the help of the built-in sunbeds. It also separates the pool into two halves – a deep end, and a shallow area, making it both trendy and stylish, but also family-friendly.

These are just some of the hottest pool design trends for 2017, but the list goes on and on. Keep in mind, there have never been so many options to choose from than right now. Make you choice, and enjoy a year-long pool party right from the comfort of your own backyard.

 

 

How To Prep Your Garden For Cold Winter Months

Posted on by
Reply

Having a nice and healthy garden requires certain effort on your part, especially when colder months are as good as here. Of course, your outdoor garden has to get proper sleep so that it can flourish during the spring season. With some changes and a little bit of work, you’ll give your lovely garden perfect conditions for quality winter sleep. So, if you’re unsure about the basic needs of your plants and trees during this cold period, keep on reading.

image-5Some cutting is necessary

Take a good look at your plants and bushes. There will undoubtedly be some dry foliage and stems. It’s very important to cut those back so that you can avoid further decomposition. Also, make sure to collect all the seeds that plants have to offer for the following season.

Remove the weeds

Any type of weed and debris should be removed from the plants’ surroundings before the ground gets too hard. This will allow them to get enough nutrients even during the winter months so that they can look healthy in spring. Also, weeds and debris can attract different pests, so your garden will definitely benefit with them gone.

Add organic compost

With dead plant debris, leaves and other organic waste you can make your own effective and protective compost soil that will keep the plants warm and provide them with nutrients. Make sure to add an extra layer of protective soil once the ground hardens completely. Snow will act as a good protective layer from the cold, but you also need this alternative since you cannot count on snow throughout the whole winter.

image-2Protect the trees

Trees also need adequate protection during winter months. Make sure to add tree-guard products. You can make these yourself or purchase the premade ones. This will significantly reduce the possibility of hungry critters munching on the bark. Also, don’t forget to prune the trees properly. Even though snow will act as a protective layer, drier branches can break under its weight which can be very dangerous.

What about Christmas tree?

If you plan on having a live Christmas tree, make sure to tend to it properly beforehand. This includes digging the hole in the ground for the tree before it gets too hard. Also, make sure to keep the soil somewhere safe in order to prevent freezing. Your garage can serve this purpose perfectly.

image-4Turn off all water sources

Removing water from your garden will actually prevent the soil, plants as well as garden props from freezing. Therefore, make sure to turn off your garden pipe and store the hose in the garage. If you have garden sprinkles, don’t forget to turn these off, too. Moreover, drain the fuel from any of your garden machinery such as lawn mowers.

Rake the leaves

Don’t leave the fallen leaves scattered around your garden. Instead, make sure to rake them and gather them on your pile for organic compost. Still, there will always be organic material that’s too decomposed for this purpose. Don’t try to make it work, but get the organic waste removed in JNS skip bins and similar services.

image-1

Some plants will require more specific work compared to others when it comes to prepping for the winter season. In that respect, make sure to do a thorough research so that you know how to deal with every type of plant, herb, vegetable or shrub in your garden. The above-mentioned steps are the ultimate basics for effective winter garden prep, but you still need to pay special attention to tenderer flora that you want to take care of.

7 Landscaping Tips to Increase Your Property’s Market Value

Posted on by
2

Home sellers often forget they are not selling only a house’s interior, so they put all of their money, and all of their efforts into upgrading the bathroom or the kitchen. This kind of thinking has one major flaw – before buyers even decide to take a look at the house’s interior, they will see how the yard looks like and that impression will affect their further judgement. According to a study by RealEstate.com, landscaping can deliver a pretty impressive return of investment of as high as 150%. Let’s see how you can use these facts to your advantage.

image-6Make the Lawn Edges Look Neat

Some people prefer their gardens lush and untamed. However, the majority prefers a neater and well-maintained look and you should play to their tastes. Use a spade to separate the lawn from the path, garden bed or fence, give it a proper mowing and you will instantly create a neater look. If you want to make the impression even stronger, try finding the pieces of stone or brick and line the lawn.

Tame the Plants

Too many different plants will make your garden look less harmonious. You don’t have to be overly conservative when deciding on the number of plants that will have to leave the garden – plants are good for biodiversity and local ecology. Just try to give your garden an orderly and more uniform look.

image-4Use Mulch

This way, you’ll enhance the well-maintained and cared-for look that will spark the customers’ interest. Since you are trying to achieve a short-term effect, you don’t have to invest too much or leave the mulch sit throughout the winter as you are supposed to. For this occasion, you can use ordinary utility mulch you can buy in any specialized shop. Just keep in mind this – mulches that are too visually distracting can put off the potential buyers.

Plant a Few Trees

Threes have a very broad appeal. They provide shade, they look stunning and they can be used to give your backyard some privacy. What’s the most important, you don’t have to wait forever for them to grow – you can buy semi-grown specimens. If you don’t want to make such an investment, even small potted trees placed in front of your house will make a very strong visual impression.

Divide the Yard into Several Distinct Areas

By organizing the yard this way, you will vastly improve its look and functionality. The zones can be carved out in a number of ways. If your yard is not that big, you should strive for a more open look and solve this problem with pavers and planters. On the other hand, if the yard is more spacious, the new owners would probably appreciate some secluded place where they can relax. In this case, carve the distinct yard areas with fences and garden walls.

image-3Create a Patio

When buying a house, people often look for the ones that have a patio or terrace where they’ll be able to spend some pleasant time with their friends and family. Meeting those desires can have a great influence on your house’s market value. Traditionally, a patio should feature enough hard surface to host a table and six to eight chairs. To add even more value, you can cover the patio or terrace, install lighting and heating, and make it more comfortable.

Take Care of the Hedges

Hedges have a great influence on the look of a yard. If they are properly maintained, they will elevate its appearance, so be sure to give them a facelift. Companies that provide professional landscaping service can help you trim hedges in unique shapes, which will leave much stronger impression on the potential buyers. If you don’t already own hedges, consider planting them – they will allow the yard some privacy, and they can be a very effective tool for splitting the yard into different areas as we mentioned above.

image-5

The current real estate market is very competitive and buyers are growing increasingly choosy with each passing day. In such circumstances, neglecting your house’s exterior and yard can be a devastating blow to its market value. Don’t make such a mistake and use every possible landscaping mean to rise above the competition.

 

 

Summer Party Décor Inspiration

Posted on by
Reply

We all know what summer is actually about: countless of hours spent in the pleasant ambience of our backyards with a few of our favourite friends and family members. Yes, the moment that sun decides to honour us with its sizzling presence, we’ll be prepared to throw some of the most spectacular summer parties. Okay, so you’ve spruced up your yard, compiled the guest list, decided on the foods and drinks you’re going to serve…all you have left now is to decide on the theme of the party. How you’re going to decorate the whole setting is one of the most important things, as you’ll want to create a superb atmosphere for your guests. If you’re lacking inspiration, perhaps some of these ideas might help you create an exquisite summer party setting.

hotel_bel_air_oprah_winfreys_50th_birthday_party_january_2004That ‘70s Show

Summer simply screams bright colours, bold patterns and heavy prints. Why not consolidate this into one perfect retro party theme from the ‘70s? Colourful paper flowers, peace signs and smiley faces should permeate the whole setting, while you can always put up some old music records to contribute to the whole ‘70s glam. As for the lighting goes, a shiny disco ball is an essential part of the ‘70s décors, but a few lava lamps and glowing sticks will also do the trick. You can always set up a dress code where afro hairstyles, flares and fringes are going to be an obligatory part of the costume. Blast some disco music on the player and you can rest easily knowing that your summer party is a major success.

Summer Beach Vibe

If you have a difficult time deciding whether it’s better to throw a party at your own house or drop everything and head to the beach, perhaps it’s a good idea to try and combine those two things into one. Bringing the beach in your backyard can make a refreshing theme for a summer party and the best thing is that it doesn’t require too much effort. A few beach chairs besides the pool, a couple of sun umbrellas for the shade and some nice cold cocktails will easily do the trick. Embellish the backyard with some shell-inspired décor, put a few starfish around the tables, set the dress code to swimwear and you’re all set.

downloadKeep It Classy

If you aren’t really a fan of themed settings and simply wish to enjoy a nice summer day with your friends in a comfortable atmosphere, you can always decide for a simple and elegant lunch or dinner date. Decide on a monochromatic colour scheme, place a few candles in mason jars on the table and serve some good wine to your guests. If you wish to contribute to the whole classy setting, you can always opt for a dinner under a pergola or gazebo, light up the pathway with a few candles and serve dinner in your best china.

Movie Night

Instead of throwing an extravagant party with tons of people, you can always opt for a small, intimate get-together with a couple of your friends. A movie night outdoors on a pleasant summer night seems like a grand idea and all you need is to find a projector and a big canvas to place in the yard, create a comfy seating arrangement and of course – decide on a movie you all want to watch. Make sure to provide your friends with some cosy blankets, some tasty snacks and finger foods, and opt for a cool room rental, so you’d have cold drinks all night on the touch of your fingertips.

Everybody loves a good get-together, especially in summer when the days are scorching hot and nights are pleasant and breezy. If you have the available space and will, surprise your friends with a good summer party every now and then, and your summer will be filled with joy and laughter.

 

 

 

Increase Your Home’s Safety

Posted on by
Reply

 

Owning a home brings along a ton of worries into one’s life, but perhaps the largest of them all revolves around security problems. It is important that you note that regardless of how many safety precautions you’ve taken and no matter how adamant you were about protecting your property, burglaries still might occur. This, however, shouldn’t discourage you; on the contrary, if even the safest of properties are susceptible to break-ins, think about how much you have to do in order to keep things as secure as possible.

image-5The ‘Empty House’ Appearance is a Bad Idea

Let’s start off with an obvious mistake many homeowners make. Making a house appear empty might save you some money on your electricity bill and does seem like an environmentally conscious thing to do, but this also attracts the burglars. The thing is, when robbers are targeting a house, they tend to observe it for some time – they will probably get to know your work schedule and all of your habits. Another way to make sure that the burglars are unsure of whether or not there’s someone at home is getting quality window shades. Keep in mind that you should occasionally use these shades when you’re at home, too.

Remote Controlled House Alarm

Remote control lock to a home.

Signs

Of course, having a certified sign from a security agency on your premises is usually enough for the burglars to give up from targeting your house. However, the robbers don’t need to know that you don’t own an alarm, either. Who’s to say that there really isn’t an advanced security technology installed on your premises? Additionally, owning a guard dog is an excellent idea, but even if you aren’t really into pets, you can rest assured that the burglars like them even less; food for thought.

Locks and Safes

Homes without proper anti-burglary systems and measures are thrice more likely to be broken into and this is a fact! We get it, no one is really keen on bothering with complicated locks, but it’s these complicated locks that are an average burglar’s worst nightmare. This is especially true if you own a huge house without any security personnel roaming your premises. Even locksmith experts are sometimes having a hard time getting into a properly secured house, let alone amateurs that take up a large part of the thief/robber/burglar community. Additionally, apply this advice to securing your personal things within quality safes.

image-4Alarms

Installing a burglar alarm is the first step towards achieving safety – triggered alarms are usually more than enough to scare the intruders away. A burglar alarm is a smart investment into making sure that you don’t experience monetary and sentimental loss. Proper alarm monitoring can go a long way in making sure that your stuff is safe.

Lights and Cameras

What do the burglars hate the most? Large amounts of light! In fact, even if a burglar is confident that there is no one around for miles in any direction, a lot of light will make any robber reluctant about their carefully devised master plan. There is more to LED lights than simply being environmentally friendlier and cheaper (in the long run, though) than the regular bulbs. These tend to shine really bright – in fact, it’s as close to the natural light as lighting fixtures go. Installing security lights is an extremely smart way to go!

image-8

Alarms, quality locks, safes, security lights all serve towards the goal of keeping your home burglar-proof. Hiring a security team is always recommendable, especially if you own a manor, but the mentioned basics (and they truly are basics) will probably do the trick. Keep your loved ones and your valuables safe!