Tag Archives: ~Home

Top Interior Trends for 2017 By Diana Smith

Posted on by
1

Since 2017 is coming, it is the perfect time to redecorate your home and start the new year with a change. A new year means a new beginning, so why not give your living areas a fresh start as well. If you like keeping up with trends, here are some you might want to incorporate into your home décor.

Colours

When it comes to colours, 2017 will be dressed in playful, vivid and vibrant colours. The most popular are the different shades of pink, especially flesh, red and peach. Navy blue, deep blue and green are popular colours for furniture items and accessories.  Dark purple and black with glossy surfaces are a match made in designer heaven. A matte finish will be popular in 2017, adding to the elegance of your home. This will put focus on the form, rather than the surface.

image-11Furniture

As experts point out, the main characteristics of furniture in 2017 will be:

  • Roundedness – Round furniture is the thing of the future. Hard materials, such as marble, with curved edges will give the impression of softness and provide a tactile experience.
  • Custom-made furniture – The ongoing trend that will continue into 2017 is creating your own furniture. Many companies encourage their clients to provide their own ideas and thus contribute to the process of making their own furniture. Not only are the customers allowed to customise colour and finishes, but they can also determine the shape and the size.
  • Functionality – No useless items will be present in the house. Each item should be functional and useful.  Multi-purpose furniture for several purposes will contribute to the stylishness and the spaciousness of your living area.image-21

Kitchens

Kitchen designs in 2017 will include many special features that will make your kitchen stand out. For example, you can include a dining table with casters that will allow you to alter seating arrangement depending on the occasion. However, some classic features, such as open shelves and raw materials, are here to stay.  Since minimalism will continue to be big in 2017, many hidden cabinets or pop-out kitchen items will enable a practical use of space.

image-31

Bathrooms

Bathrooms should no longer resemble cold, sterile areas. Instead, they should have the feel of warm living spaces. By using different ornaments, graphic wallpaper, and even some furniture items that you wouldn’t usually opt for, you can create a unique bathroom in line with the 2017 trends. Another possible look to go for is the one typical of spas, which will transform your bathroom into an area for fit for relaxing. Include some plants, bring in a music player and light up some candles, and you’ll have a spa experince of your own in no time.

image-4

Living Rooms

The experts suggest that a more eclectic interior design is a way to go, which means that you can include a variety of different styles that are to your liking. You can decorate the living room in a way that will reflect your own personality and interests, and emphasise different details. With the technological advances, you can now incorporate a fireplace into your home without having to worry about the smell and indoor air pollution. In 2017, fireplaces will be the centre of the room, replacing the TVs. If you don’t have any spare room, you can use a corner next to the windows of your living room to create an area drenched in sunlight, since sunrooms are all the rage 2017.image-5

Bedrooms

Individuality and uniqueness should prevail in your bedroom, as well. Find a style that works for you the most, whether it’s an elegant matte décor, or a room filled with antique furniture. Patterns are rising in popularity, so if they are to your taste, they’ll be a great choice for 2017. If you are ready, you can try out some bold ideas, such as a contemporary room wrapped in wooden walls and ceiling.

image-6

Materials

As regards the materials that 2017 is bringing, make room for black metal. This simple, but elegant material will be used in combination with wood, or glass. Some designers even offer entire furniture items made of matte black metal. Natural materials typically used outside will find their way in, so don’t hesitate to use decorative concrete to create an interesting, unique and functional living area.

Waiting for the new year is exciting, and we all like entering it with a change. Instead of buying a new phone that will be outdated in only a couple of months, why not redecorate your home and enjoy it for a longer than that.

Things You Should Do Before Moving Into A New House By Diana Smith

Posted on by
2

image-2Buying a house is one of the biggest and most important steps in life. You’ll finally live in a home you’ve always dreamed about, and decorate it the way you like. However, you must take care of a few things before you can start arranging furniture and creating the perfect home for your family. This is what the pre-moving activities should look like.

Checking the Leaks

The home inspector should notify you if there are any plumbing damages in the house before you decide to buy the place. However, inspectors may overlook these things sometime, which will leave you in quite a predicament. A broken pipe or a damaged faucet could cause major problems, like flood, so it would be perfect to double-check all the plumbing before you move in. Additionally, check the fuse box for potential electricity malfunction as well.

Pest Control

Make sure you call the exterminator a day or two before you decide to move in, so that they can see if there is any pest problem. Setting a couple of bug bombs or having the exterminator simply spray the place would be enough. Do it before you move in, because it will be easier for you to catch rodents or insects in an unfurnished house than with all the sofas and end tables in the way.

image-3

Change the Locks

Changing the locks on the exterior doors is imperative when moving into a new house. You never know if the previous owners gave their spare key to someone they know, but who is a complete stranger to you. Once you move in, start securing the home with security systems. Install an alarm, smoke detectors and have at least two fire extinguishers in the house.

Clean the House

The house that’s supposed to be sold will always look clean, but it’s definitely not clean enough for you to just move in without making it spotless. Start from scratch, get the buckets, brooms, mops, and a vacuum cleaner, and start cleaning from top to bottom. Mop the floors, wash the windows, sanitize the bathroom and the kitchen, and vacuum the entire place.

Paint the Walls

You might like the colour of the walls, but you should still paint all the walls and ceilings in the house. Not only will the house look fresh, but it will actually be fresh and bacteria free. On the other hand, if the walls are damaged and not in a good shape, you might need to call for professional help. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure to get proper workwear Sydney has to offer, and stay safe and clean during the work.

image-4

New Switch Plates

If your new home has been renovated more than once, it’s possible that it has dirty and discoloured cover plates, mismatched outlets and rusted or damaged air vent covers. Therefore, make sure you change them after you have painted the walls. Once all the painting is done, you won’t have to worry about old and dirty spots in the house anymore.

Check for Breakage

The moving service usually delivers everything in one piece, but the damages are sometimes inevitable. Therefore, make sure to double-check all the fragile pieces of furniture that could have been broken or damaged during the move. Glass objects are especially sensitive, so be careful when unpacking. If they’ve cracked or broken, you could seriously hurt yourself.

Every new house needs a couple of fix-ups before the family moves in. Now that you have considered all of these suggestions, get to work and have the house in order. Once you have changed the locks, repainted, cleaned and secured the home, you’ll be able to start decorating and designing the beautiful interior.

 

 

Everyone Deserves A Little Bit Of Nordic Style By Zoe Clark

Posted on by
Reply

1What comes to your mind when you think of Scandinavia? Apart from polar nights, long winters, and a penchant for technology, Europe’s far north is also famous for its stylish interior design. An expression of effortless elegance and inimitable unity of function and aesthetics, Nordic décor does away with superficial ornaments and visual noise, and it is also very simple to achieve. Everyone deserves a little bit of the Scandinavian no-nonsense vibe in their living area – and here are a few ways on how to carry out a budget-friendly home update following in the Nordic footsteps.

No carpets, please!

2

Although winters in Northern Europe are known for biting winds and extremely low temperatures, carpets and rugs never gained widespread popularity among Scandinavian homeowners. To recreate the Nordic feel, pull back the carpeting and expose hardwood floors. Often coated by a matte varnish or painted white, bare floorboards in Scandinavian homes require less maintenance and are much easier to clean than lavish carpeting, so you will be hitting two boons with one simple décor tweak.

White and crisp as snow

3

The dominant colour scheme in Scandinavian homes relies heavily on neutral hues. Although one would think Northerners are sick of seeing white expanses all around them, walls and furnishings in Nordic homes are often executed in white to maximize reflection of natural light during long glum winter days. Pastel tones such as beige, grey, baby blue, and light green can be used as sparing accents to break the décor monotony, but their deployment is usually limited to bed linens, cushions, tableware, or an odd accent wall. If you are looking to add an accent or two, reworking your upholstering can be the easiest and most affordable.

One with Nature

4a

Scandinavians are fond of nature, and they often add potted plants to their living areas as cute reminders that grim winters will eventually end, ceding the throne to verdant spring. Tiny botanical gardens in a vacant corner of the room will increase visual interest of the Nordic home, while cute cacti lined up on bookshelves or desktop, storage baskets made from natural materials, a bunch of flowers on the dining table, or a few succulents on the windowsill will help break the monochromatic look and spruce up the vibe in the room.

Clean lines and soft edges

5

Even tableware in Scandinavian homes is pared down and subordinated to function rather than visual extravaganza. Nordic-inspired plates, trays, and mugs embody the straightforward, simplistic attitude of Scandinavia: no needless distractions, use of natural materials, and accent on purpose and longevity supplement the classical feel in a Scandi home. Often crafted from clay, wood, or brass, kitchen utensils and containers mimic the austerity of nature in the Nordic regions while still conveying a powerful message about simplicity and everlasting minimal style.

Let there be light

6

Since Europe’s far north suffers from dire lack of natural light during winters, Nordic designers love to experiment with shapes and sizes in lamp designs. In this way, function marries form in often fascinating pieces of light art: contemporary and sophisticated, lighting fixtures in Scandinavian homes have aesthetic value and often add a note of playfulness and creativity without compromising the Nordic emphasis on purpose, colour balance, and plain décor.

A Scandinavian garden tale

7

The Nordic look can be transplanted into the backyard to a highly pleasing effect. White garden furnishings, wooden benches, simplistic yard art, minimalist statues, and tables topped by large beeswax candles will help recreate the feel of a Scandinavian fairytale al fresco. You can also adorn the garden table with weatherproof fabrics in neutral hues for a Nordic-inspired outdoor makeover, and display foliage in horn-like pots, vases, and plant hangers like a true Viking.

Charming, simple, and easy to replicate, Nordic décor revolves around practicality, unity with nature, and minimalist elegance. A return to the basics and evergreen design, Scandinavian look is true eye-candy, and if executed with care, it will make you fall in love with your space like no other décor out there.

Images via Stadshem

 

 

 

Caribbean Appeal: Make Your Home an Exotic Haven By Lana Hawkins

Posted on by
Reply

Caribbean Appeal: Make Your Home an Exotic Haven

Embrace the exotic appeal of the Caribbean, let your household be imbedded by colorful designs, natural fabrics and the complete bohemian rhapsody of the Costa Rican appeal. Dive into the alluring tropical vibe of this sensual design and create a true lush getaway, right there in the serenity of your home. Let these ideas inspire you to redesign your home in an enthralling manner:

1

Lots of Color

One of the most distinctive features of the tropical design is definitely its use of color. The areas such as Costa Rica are used to colorful motifs and an extensive use of bright and vivid tones in their home design. The more the merrier they say so do not be afraid to give your household a fresh splash of color. Earthy and natural tones such as light orange, beige, turquoise, white and brown are greatly appreciated as background colors or mere foundation, as it is expected to enliven the space by adding various colorful details.
2

Add Some Texture

Another thing that can help you keep things interesting is introducing certain textures and patterns in your home design. Animal prints, foliage patterns and leather wall tiles can help give your home the tropical flair it desperately needs. Using natural objects such as feathers, horns, shells and stones as decorative pieces can also play a huge role in adding texture to the space. It is also a good idea to implement different kinds of lighting, as illumination can interact with certain objects and create wonderful illusions of texture.
3

Go Natural

In order to achieve that true tropical appeal, it will be necessary to rely on natural fabrics and materials. You will surely notice that wood is one of the materials that prevails in these tropical home designs, while the use of wicker, rattan and teak furniture is also quite praised. The use of these materials has the ability to capture the true coastal vibe of seaside countries and create a sense of tranquility in the space. Handmade quilts from natural wool, fur covers, grass roofs and handicrafts made from straw are some of the most praised characteristics of this lush appeal and are known to bring that distinctive rustic vibe to the whole setting.
4

Let It Thrive

Costa Rica is widely recognized as one of the countries with an enthralling biodiversity, where you can find a high amount of endemic plant and animal species. It is not surprising to realize that their homes are usually embellished with countless of tropical plants, native for this area. These tropical beauties create a majestic blend of colors and captivating scents that form a lush rainforest in your household. Native ivy can be used in various forms in home design, while nothing can beat the oversized, luscious foliage of the cheese plants. Begonias, lilies and dieffenbachia plants are also native to Central America and will surely transform your home into a tropical getaway.
5

It’s All About Art

Art is quite a significant part of the Costa Rican culture and as such has found a place in home design. Most of their artwork is focused on native motifs such as the ocean, local people and endemic animal and plant species. This is why it is not uncommon to embellish their homes with colorful paintings or even handmade sculptures and statues. Stained glass is another art form quite popular in Costa Rica and is defined by earthy tones and sensuous lines.
6

Get Inspired

Inspiration comes in many different forms, but if you are willing to embrace the majestic appeal of Costa Rica in your home, it is a good idea to seek ideas from various sources. Internet has plenty of blogs and websites where you can draw inspiration from, especially if you search for images of local properties and homes in this Central American country. There are all kinds of properties and houses you can actually buy in Costa Rica, if the opportunity arises for you to visit this rugged country.

Aren’t you tired of the same old sterility and minimalism of today’s home design? Neutral colors, clean lines, geometrical shapes and a completely depersonalized space. It is time to give your home a refreshing makeover that will turn it from a minimalistic manor in a true tropical sanctuary.

 

Author’s Bio: Lana Hawkins is a student of architecture from Sydney. She enjoys writing about inspiring home décor and landscaping ideas. Lana loves cooking for friends, and spending her time outdoors.

 

 

 

How To Craft The Perfect Home Office By Diana Smith

Posted on by
Reply

1

Having a full time stay-at-home job or simply telecommuting seems like truly great idea. Working in a friendly environment while your loved ones are just few steps away, taking a break whenever you want – this particular kind of job arrangement does offer tons of advantages. But what about disadvantages? Well, it should be mentioned that, while pleasant, your home is not really the environment that allows you to unleash tons of productivity. No problem here. All you need to make it work is an isolated home office. Let’s see how to set one up.

2

Find a Proper Space

Ideally, your home office should inhabit the space of some abandoned room or a basement with the door that will physically separate you from all the other household activities and cut the noise to the minimum. If you don’t own such space, you can separate a part of another room with a folding door or simply set up your office in the corner of some of the less populated areas of your home. Alternatively, you can solve this problem by buying a shipping container and using it as a backyard office.

3

Take Care of the Essentials

And by the essentials, we mean chair, desk, and any other thing you can’t finish your job without. As for the desk, its only requirement should be to provide you enough space to get the job done. If you are short on space, you can get away even with a wall mounted table. The chair, on the other hand, is a whole another story. You will spend a lot of time sitting there, so find the one that is comfortable, adjustable, and offers great lumbar support. Other home office essentials may include PC, printer, scanner or a separate phone line.

4

Make the Office Pleasant and Inviting

The more appealing and inviting your home office is, the more time you will want to spend there, and rest assured – that time will translate to increased productivity. That is why you should ditch the utilitarian mantra and make your home office as relaxed and cozy as possible. Hang the pictures of the places you would like the visit, fulfill your childhood decorating dreams or do whatever you want to make the office your little piece of Heaven. It would also be a good idea to use full-spectrum lighting if your office does not receive too much natural light.

5

Storage, Storage, Storage

Clutter is poison to productivity. The best way to put an early end to it is to pack your office with enough storage space. Fortunately, various shelving solutions can fit into virtually any space, so you don’t have any excuse for keeping the papers scattered around the office. What you should do instead is to organize storage into distinct sections, mark them with different colors or signs and keep the empty walk and document scavenging on the bare minimum.

6

Lose Distractions

We already mentioned that your office should be inviting and pleasant. However, if you go overboard you may hurt your productivity. The first thing you should do to prevent this from happening is to clean your office of all the media you like to consume (If music gets you going, you can make yourself a playlist on the PC, though). Second, lose the unnecessary furniture. Your chair may be comfortable but the sofa will always look more inviting. Third, if you have chosen some gimmick (e.g. music, cottage, industrial) stick to it. Odd elements will constantly distract you.

7

If you follow these few tips, your home office will become a neat and well-organized piece of space that will strike the perfect balance between pleasant and productive. You will finally be able to use all the advantages of stay-at-home jobs without worrying that the household will consume you. Enjoy, and have a pleasant day at work.

8