This home is a Victorian beauty isn’t she? The artist did a wonderful job with the icing work – even allowing the porch edging and edging on top of the peak of the house to dry before installing. Notice how the whole house is moved up with peppermints to give the home a crawlspace? The peppermint sticks used for the porch poles is a great idea. The wreath is made from a lot of the sugar crystal balls that you decorate candy with. The bushes and plants – even a cactus is all done in detail.
From time to time it is advised to change your home’s appeal and redecorate. This may be because it has not been done for a while and it is starting to look dated. It may be due to the fact that your needs and tastes have changed or simply because you want to keep up with the latest trends. Whatever the reason it can quickly become an expensive task. The following seven tips will assist you in transforming your home without breaking the bank:
The right light can make a huge difference to your home. If you have a space which is used for working from home or studying you may wish to ad higher wattage light bulbs. Equally, a space which is used for relaxing, such as a sitting room, can have lower wattage bulbs. This will make them more relaxing or even romantic.
Plants can make a valuable addition to any room. Plants enrich the oxygen content of the room and their presence can make you feel more energized. The room will feel more natural and the plants can even be used to create a focal point. Green foliage will usually last much longer than a pretty flower display. To opt for a more modernistic design try having a single green grass or flower in a vase; it will have an amazing effect.
It can be expensive and very inconvenient to completely change a floor. If this is not possible then you should consider sanding or staining a real wood floor. If you have lino or carpet which is looking dated it can be quickly lifted and relatively easily and cheaply replaced with tiles. If these options are not possible a good rug will draw the eye and remove the attention from the floor.
It doesn’t seem to matter how large or how small your home is, storage is always a problem. The usual solution is to either build up or out. The easiest way to decide this will be based on the available space you have and how you currently use that space. Purchasing or adding to bookcases will make them taller and utilize space which is otherwise wasted. Alternatively there is always space under the bed or possibly the stairs. Choose the items that you do not need regularly and pack them away in storage boxes.
A room can be transformed by simply using some paint and masking tape. Mask straight lines onto the wall and paint them to create striped walls which will make the room look bigger. A simple box shape can be made on the wall with wood or paint to frame a picture or even a piece of furniture. By spending a few additional pennies it is possible to purchase mouldings which can be fitted to your walls to create an illusion of depth.
It often seems easier to throw something broken away and replace it with a new item. However, it can be far cheaper and create a better statement if you repair or restore the item. A faded chair or table can be restored with some spray paint and fabric for the seats or a few tiles for the table top. Leather furniture can be restored by rubbing with olive oil and almonds can be rubbed across scratches in wood to remove them.
The internet is without doubt, the best place to find advice, tips and ideas on how to transform your home cheaply and effectively. There are many auction sites which will allow you to cheaply purchase items for your home. These can be restored or refurbished to create a completely different look to your home. There are also plenty of forums to seek advice in and thousands of pictures of what other people have done; these can be either copied or used for inspiration to complete your own projects.
Bottom line is you don’t need a lot of money to change your home’s allure. Use smart accessories and get inspired from the web; this is everything you need to bring your home back to life.
By Jason Phillips and VanessaArbuthnott.co.uk!
There are many valuables that we would like to keep protected within our homes including important documents, jewelry, and money. Although burglary and theft can’t always be prevented in your home, there are many ways that you can make it more difficult for them to find your things. Here is a list of the top five DIY home security projects to help prevent theft of your valuables.
Hollowed Book
One of the most common, but most successful and popular ways to protect your valuables, is to hollow out a book. It may take you a couple of days depending on how determined you are to finish it, but it’s a pretty simple process. First, you’ll need a hardback book, some glue, a box cutter, and a brush you don’t mind getting glue in. Mix the glue with a little water (making it about 60% glue), hold the pages together and begin gluing the outside of the book. Once it’s dried, you can begin cutting out your pages from the middle leaving about ½ in. around the edges to make it look like the pages are still in the book. Once you reach the back of the book, you can take glue to the inside of the book to make sure that everything stays together. Now, you have a hollowed out book to hide some of your valuables in!
Safe Pillow
Although this way is a little bit trickier, it is a great way to make sure that your valuables stay safe. You’ll need a throw pillow that you’re willing to cut up, some scissors, thread the same color as the pillow, and some scissors. Cut a horizontal line on the back of the throw pillow that matches the length of the zipper. Take out the stuffing and start stitching the zipper into the pillow. Then, you can put the box or valuables you have set aside into the pillow with the stuffing, making sure the valuables are surrounded by the stuffing so you can’t feel them, and zipping up the pillow. Now you have a secret hiding place, in plain sight, that can help you keep your valuables safe and away from prying eyes.
Painted Jar
A great and simple project that you can finish in a day is to paint a food jar, particularly mayonnaise jars, to make them look like they still have food in them when in fact, it is holding your valuables. Find a paint that looks like mayo and gradually paint the inside of the jar with the color, making sure that it doesn’t get on the outside. A good way to prevent this is to use a plastic bag on the outside to prevent drips. Then, once your paint is completely dry on the inside (could take a couple of days depending on the paint and how thick it is), you can hide your valuables that won’t be harmed by cold temperatures and put it in the fridge!
Potted Plant
Although it may seem simple, using a potted plant to hide your valuables or money is a great way to thwart people who would steal from you. All you need is a plant that you want to hide your items in, and an old medicine bottle or small watertight container. Then, put your valuables or money into the bottle or container and dig a hole big enough for the container in your potted plant. You can then try to remember where your valuables are hidden, or you can put down a small rock or plant decoration to remind you where you hid your valuables.
False Bottom Drawers
Hiding things is drawers is not always the best way to protect important documents and valuables, but hiding things ‘underneath’ your drawers is a great way to prevent valuables from getting stolen. All you need is fabric or wood that looks like the bottom of your drawers cut to the size that you need. Then, you can put your valuables in the drawer, put the false bottom over them, and fill up the drawer with things that you normally would such as clothes, office supplies, or less important paperwork. False bottom drawers are a great way to hid paperwork and other important documents that people might want to steal. This way, even if someone rifles through the drawer, they won’t be able to find anything of value.
Items Needed:
Garden stake 4′ tall
5 small Terra Cotta pots
1 large thick plastic dish
Small plants/Flowers
Garden soil
Directions:
Hammer the plant stake into the ground and make sure it is secure because it will need to hold a lot of weight. Place the first pot onto the stake and have it go even onto the ground. Fill with dirt. Next pot goes on but this time let it lean to one side. Fill with dirt. Next pot goes on and tilt o opposite side and then fill with dirt. Do that for the last pot as well except this time you fill with gravel and balance the plastic bowl onto the top and fill with water. Once this is done and the pots are filled it is very very sturdy. Plant small flowers and plants in your pots and appreciate how simple this is to make. It will be a nice addition to your garden. You can paint your pots with vivid colors also to add even more design. If you choose you can “goop” glue your plastic bowl onto the top but the gravel does need to go in first as the weight of this is what keeps the whole thing nice and tight.
Use your old spoons as garden markers: Mod Podge the names/drawings of what plants you have planted. Dip spoon repetitively in polyurethane to weather proof it. If you do not have old spoons, cheap ones (10 for $1.00) are available at discount department stores and used ones can be obtained at thrift/yard sales. This would also make a great gift for someone: A spoon and packet of seeds with variety, some miracle grow, bulbs, rhizomes, and hand garden tools all put into a small basket with a bow.
Country & Victorian Times 