Category Archives: Crafts ~ DIY ~ Projects

Paint Colors For Fooling The Eye And Making A Small Room Look Bigger

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Home should be a place where you feel safe and free, but it can seem impossible to feel like that when you’re spending your days in a cramped space that causes claustrophobia rather than happiness. Believe it or not, moving into a bigger apartment is not your only option. You can make a room appear larger with nothing but a fresh coat of paint. Even though to appear larger is not the same as to be larger, the illusion of spaciousness can make your room more functional and easier to be in. Here are some suggestions that will prove our point.

WhiteAll-White

Painting a small dark room white is the most frequently used designer trick in order to create an illusion of spaciousness. Dark colors have the tendency of absorbing the light and making a room feel smaller. White does exactly the opposite- it makes the room feel open and airy and maximizes the effect of natural light. However, white calls for caution, since it can appear dull and sterile. For optimal effect, choose off-white tones, such as Benjamin Moor’s China White or Honeymilk Valspar.

Grey Is the New White

For too long white has been considered as the only option for increasing the amount of light in a room, when grey is just as efficient in fulfilling this task. It has been unfairly accused as depressing and drab, but in fact, it is the perfect alternative for the mentioned off-white shades, especially ammonite grey. Cloud grey also does a rather decent job in making a space feel soft and airy, thus creating a clean backdrop often used in Scandinavian décor.

Warm NeutralsWarm Neutrals

Unlike grey, warm neutrals (brown, red, orange and yellow undertones) are often used in small spaces, especially because they can make a room appear larger without compromising the cozy atmosphere characteristic for small spaces. Furthermore, they fit in perfectly in any design style and color palette, so you can introduce them without overhauling your entire home. Some of the best warm neutral shades you can find on the market are Alexandra Beige by Benjamin Moore and Old White by Farrow & Ball.

Pretty Pastels

There’s nothing quite like a small room painted with pastel tones. These shades are feminine by nature, and they can brighten any space and add a few imaginary square inches to it. Mauve, peach, lavender and light pink (e.g. Pantone’s Rose Quartz) are lovely choices, especially if you pair them with subtle neutrals. Just remember to use acetone for brushes if you’re going to paint with two different colors in the same day, if you don’t want your beige to become pink.

CitrusCitrus Shades

Yellow can look amazing in small rooms and enhance the presence of natural light. However, don’t go with too dark or too bright shade, since it can overwhelm the space. Pale, creamy yellow, soft banana and subtle shade of lemon are the best choices. You can combine them with light lime green or sorbet orange to create more visual interest.

Sea Tones

Lighter greens and blues that remind us of coastal scenes create a soothing atmosphere that can at the same time both enlarge and brighten your space. Sea foam green is especially effective, because it’s versatile and works very well with many other shades, like darker greens (e.g. rich forest green), white, pink, blue, etc.

Sea Tones

The fact that all of the mentioned colors are brighter shouldn’t discourage you from using darker bold shades in small space. However, it is important to know how to use them. Dark colors will work best when used on an accent wall, furniture and accessories, or to accentuate an architectural feature such as fireplace or niche.

 

Creating a Perfect Closet

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Everyone dreams of having a big walk-in closet with plenty of storage space for all of their clothes, shoes and accessories. That is possible, we just need to utilize what we have and keep things organized. If you don’t know where to start or how to create your own perfect closet, here are some tips that can help you.

bed-1839184_960_720Utilize the Space

In order to utilize every inch of your closet, you should use its corners, depth and height efficiently. All these areas should be accessible to you and you can easily install pull-down rods or shelves to use everything to the maximum. Corners can be tricky to use, but if you incorporate a carousel or a custom-made corner rod, you will utilize the available space to the fullest and always have enough storage for all of your clothes.

Add a Vanity

Sometimes, shelves and rods are not enough for all the things you wish to keep in the closet. To make things more interesting and provide more storage, you should consider adding a vanity. An elegant vanity will not only look gorgeous in your walk-in closet, but it will provide you with more space to store your things. Use the drawers to nicely fold your shirts, jeans and blouses, while the top of the vanity can be used as a nice display for your makeup, jewelry and perfume bottles. What is more, there are vanities that come with a built-in mirror, which makes a comfy station for putting on makeup before work.

linen-542866_960_720Maximize Vertical Space

If you don’t have enough space to create depth and length in your closet, you will have to go up. Every inch of vertical space should be used smartly in order to be able to have enough storage. Your options are vast; you can install pullout rods at the highest point of your closet and be able to store things very high. Beneath those rods, you can always put up a few shelves and leave space for foldable clothes. Additionally, you can rely on smaller cabinets and short shelves on various levels and always be sure you have enough space for your shirts, pants and jeans. You can even opt for custom-made closets, such as wardrobes in Brisbane where every square inch is used to its fullest potential.

Quality Lighting

Lighting is an essential part of every wardrobe. You will try out outfits in there and you need to see how everything looks. You can go small with adding a few lamps or pendant lights, but there is a far better solution. Add LED lights in hanging rods and it will allow you to clearly see every garment hanging on that rod. Also, an overhead light is a must; so put up a few lighting fixtures next to the mirror or on your vanity. Just make sure the lights are bright enough so you can clearly see what you are doing.

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Provide Seating

For those who are indecisive about their outfits, trying clothes on can become tiring. That is why it is a smart idea to provide some comfy seating. You can introduce a small built-in bench, a fancy chair or even a whole couch, if it can fit. Nevertheless, a place to sit on will save you so much trouble. Firstly, you will have a place where you can try your shoes on. Secondly, you can sit and contemplate about your next outfit. Lastly, if you and your friends like trying out clothes together, you will have a place to have a nice cup of coffee. Additionally, a seat will provide you with some space for the clothes you plan on wearing the next day.

It’s not easy to create a perfect closet, but it is not impossible. These simple tips and a few additions to your closet will put you on the right path of creating your dream wardrobe. Just be patient and organized.

 

 

Renovate Your Home The Eco-Friendly Way

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There is nothing more satisfying than changing the old and dull appearance of our home. Apart from opting to add some modern details to add a touch of freshness to your home, it is important to go green and protect the environment. The best part about opting for an eco-friendly home improvement solution is that it can save you a lot of money on electricity and water bills. In order to help you reduce your carbon footprint and have an amazing time while renovating your home, we have prepared a few easy-to-follow steps for you.

water-1882395_960_720Reduce water waste

One of the easiest ways to save money and go green as well is to reduce the amount of water you waste around the house. Start by installing low-flow showerheads and toilets. Normal-flow showers can account for 17% of the overall household water usage. This way, you will get to save up to 2,900 gallons of water per year. More importantly, make sure that you turn the tap off if you are not going to use it. This applies to moments when you are brushing your teeth or taking a shower – ask yourself: “Do I really need to keep the water running for this long?”, and “Should I turn the water off while I’m shampooing my hair?”

Use paint that doesn’t harm the environment

If you want to paint your home in funky colours and still protect the environment, make sure to invest in non-VOC paint. Volatile organic compounds or VOC, have a high vapour pressure at ordinary room temperature. They are toxic, and inhaling them for a longer period of time can cause serious respiratory problems. Even worse, they can cause skin, eye, and throat irritations. When they get in contact with nitrogen oxides, they can create a form of ground-level ozone or smog, which contributes to climate change. Explore various non-VOC paints, and make your home a safer place for your family.

substantiate-665217_960_720Insulate your home

The more you invest in high quality insulation, the less you will have to pay for electricity, oil or wood needed to heat your home. The effects of great insulation are extremely good, because it traps the heat inside your home during winter, and keeps your home cool during summer.

Renovate your home using recycled materials

The biggest advantage of using recycled materials is that they are eco-friendly and affordable. There are numerous recyclable materials that can be found in common households, from plastic and paper, to steel and organic compounds. Additionally, another great place to start looking for them is around a heritage building centre or a demolition yard. You can find carpets, windows, bathroom fixtures, and many more items made from recycled materials which are cheap, but don’t lack the good looks. This way, you will both get an affordable deal on materials for your home and protect the environment.

Invest in energy efficient ventilation

More and more households are investing in wind ventilation systems. The benefit of using them is that they can cool the room. Additionally, it is a system exclusively powered by wind, which means that it doesn’t require any additional investments in order to function properly. The best thing about them is that they can be installed in every room. In order to get the best that wind ventilation systems have to offer, we recommend opting for a whirlybird because of its excellent performance and affordability.

wood-482288_960_720Use barn wood

Using reclaimed wood is an ideal “green” alternative for home improvement. It is basically reused material made from barns, factories and warehouses, hence the name “barn wood”. You can apply your DIY skills and use it for designing your very own custom chairs, floors, decking, and countertops for the kitchen. If you want to add a touch of antiquity to your home, don’t forget to use barn wood for your next DIY project.

As we can see, it doesn’t take much effort to renovate your home the eco-friendly way. All it takes is patience and ingenuity.

 

Star Wars Easter Eggs – All With A Sharpie

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1463161_1161070777257067_6604932811029950786_nJust use a grey and black Sharpie to create the pattern shown in the photo above. These are pretty neat and the Star Wars fan wil love to help you create these.

Make Your Bathroom Safe for Kids

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The fact is: children cannot look after themselves. Think back to your very own childhood – without a doubt, you can recall more than a couple of instances when you ended up hurt on account of your parents’ or guardians’ momentary lapse of attention. Of course, child injuries are impossible to completely avoid, but steps can be taken to keep them at bay. Now, bathroom is a part of any home that has a reputation for being dangerous for children, which is why you need to pay special attention here. We hope that this guide will help you in making your bathroom as safe as possible for the little ones.

bath-1677843_960_720Sharp Objects

Okay, so the bathroom may not contain as much sharp things as the kitchen does, but these items are still a threat here. We’re talking razors, scissors, clippers, tweezers, you name it! Well, although simply keeping these items out of children’s reach goes without saying, kids have a way of being hell-bent on reaching what they want at the moment. This is why keeping sharp objects locked away inside a cabinet is just as important as having this cabinet placed beyond their reach. Additionally, pay attention to water glasses, mirrors and other items made from glass. Forget about glasses, get plastic cups instead, and, when it comes to mirrors, well, keep them safely locked away with sharp items.

Electricity

The concept of the invisible is extremely foreign to children (unless we’re talking imaginary friends) and electricity is among the top high-risk factors. Of course, you have been taught all about keeping your blow-drier away from the bathtub, but it’s important that you note that hair irons are equally dangerous near water. When it comes to the power outlets in the vicinity of your tub or sink, make sure that these are protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter and teach your children thoroughly about the rules of electricity.

The Toilet Lid Should Always Be Down

If there are toddlers in your home, the toilet lid should always be closed. Stumbling upon your kid casually sipping water from the toilet unfortunately isn’t the worst-case scenario here. Curious as they are uncoordinated, toddlers can easily lose their balance and dive into the toilet bowl. This scenario is even more worrying if you have plumbing issues, so make sure that you have your emergency plumber check for blocked drains whenever they make a visit! Finally, installing toilet locks is recommended.

baby_in_bubble_bathBoiler

The fact that your boiler can electrocute you while in shower may or may not be a myth, but it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to kids. Unfortunately, this isn’t the worst of it – your kid may turn the wrong faucet a tad too much while you’re not looking and they may end up with severe burns. The majority of boilers offer an option to set the heat to your preference, so you should aim at the ballpark of around 120 degrees max, just to be safe. Serious burns can occur in no more than three seconds after being exposed to hot water.

Never Leave the Kid Alone

Okay, so this might be applicable to the majority of scenarios that include children, but it is doubly true for the bathroom. You may want to go answer the phone or the door, thinking that your kid is safe and cozy, but bear in mind everything that was mentioned here – things can easily go awry!

Not thinking about all the bad things that can happen to your kid inside a bathroom is easier, but this is never the smart way to go – every parent knows this. Keep yourself informed and keep an eye on the little ones, they are very slippery!