For so many–myself included–art is a form of expression that allows us to form connections with others. During the unprecedented times in which the COVID-19 pandemic kept us in lockdown, art became one of the best tools to remain in contact with other individuals, without breaking the social distance guidelines put in place. Art presented itself, yet again, as the unbreakable string that keeps our society together through hardship.

When we do art–whether professionally or permitting our creativity to flow–we are portraying our feelings. This energy outlet allows us to let go of any negative or unsettling emotions we were holding on to. In the last few months, everyone has needed, at some point, to put down into art the energy building up inside us.

Virtual Showings

I use art as an expression of my inner thoughts and emotions, just like most artists. In this way, art is what connects me to others. The artwork satisfies our need to establish connections, and the only way to complete the full circle is by sharing our work with others. Every piece we create is meant to be seen by more individuals; to reach its potential, others must enjoy it as well. That is where the connection is formed, when an audience is able to feel what the artist put into the work.

How is it possible for art to connect us when we are not supposed to have gatherings? How are we supposed to share the art viewing experience without being surrounded by others? The magic of the internet has allowed us to share a similar experience through virtual art showings. These–like in-person ones–are meant to connect people through different pieces that will bring their feelings to the surface.

Building a Community

Several art galleries–mine, Unleashed Art Gallery, included–have opted for this form of showing, and many will continue to opt for this option for months to come. These beautiful digital shows have created a strong online community that has bonded over their love and passion for art. Thus, once again, a connection was formed through artwork, giving people the human contact they so desperately craved during quarantine without actually having to come in contact with anyone. Enjoying new pieces, commenting on their favorite details, and purchasing art from different artists.

There is this belief that in order for an art piece to be considered relevant, it has to be seen by a large audience. However, these difficult times have shown us that is not the case. The virtual showing groups that have been created are proof artwork becomes relevant when it allows people to better understand their feelings and emotions. These showings have given them and us (artists) the opportunity to continuously express ourselves in times of difficulty. Those FaceTime and Zoom calls, and live streams have given everyone involved a sense of community and connection that was lost in lockdown.

Connection in Commission

As artists, we aim to create a connection between our art and our audience. The way in which we create has the goal of helping the person on the other side of our artwork feel our emotions and understand what we are portraying. One way in which we are able to do this is by creating pieces through commission, allowing the customer to place a specific order.

Throughout the years, one of the most enjoyable parts of my art has been working for commission. What we do as artists is create a piece with the client front and center in our mind. Every piece is created customized in the size and color specified by the customer. A deep and meaningful conversation is had so I can understand exactly what you are trying to express through my work. After that, the buyer will receive a unique work of art in 30 to 45 days.

Connecting Through Art

Mavericks, 4/24/19, 3:46 PM, 8C, 9000×9152 (0+2179), 150%, Default Settin, 1/25 s, R1.9, G2.2, B28.2

As human beings, we are always in search of deep and meaningful connections. We need to relate to others. For decades, art has allowed us to create those connections by expressing our most intimate feelings and thoughts. During COVID-19, we were all looking for the connections we could not physically have, and once again art gave us that. Through virtual showings and creative online communities, we have been able to continue sharing our art with people who are as passionate as we are. Those connections we were craving in times of quarantine were fulfilled by experiencing art showings in a different way. Every piece of artwork done during lockdown was another string attached to the enormous network that is our society.

This blog post was authored by Christie Smith. Christie is a talented artist, mostly working with resin, and the owner of the Unleashed Gallery, which recently opened up in Laguna Beach. 

Artist Christie Smith

Former LPGA golf professional turned art gallery owner and artist, Christie Smith uses her newfound love of creating art to foster human connection and inspire inner expression. During COVID-19 she has actually found ways to connect even more with her clients through commissioned pieces. She has found a way to leverage her engaged community and is creating now more than ever. Her process is a little different in that she does not charge until the piece is completed and the new owner is completely in love. Each piece is a labor of love and creativity.

Moving in with a significant other is a huge step in any relationship and may cause heightened nervousness, excitement, and stress all at the same time. Of course, you want  to make it a seamless transition so to do so, communication is everything. Discussing the best ways to combine your individual styles into one prior to the big move can make all the difference. To give you some guidance for your communication with your partner, we created a list to break the ice when it comes to more serious topics like finances while designing your future home together.

Design a List

Couple In New Home Putting Together Self Assembly Furniture

Start by making a list to get all of your belongings in order before the big move. Since you’ll be sharing a space with one another, you may need to discard old clothes and forgotten items to prevent duplicates or clutter. Consider having a yard sale, or sell items online for some extra money to put toward new furnishings or upcoming living expenses. You can also donate to your local Goodwill.

Be sure to make a list of your needs and wants as well. This will help you establish a budget when it comes time to hit the stores. Additionally, it gives you both a chance to note pieces you want to add to your new space. Communicate and be open to your partner’s suggestions and avoid creating a list that is too one-sided. Ideally, you want your list to reflect both of your individual styles.

Also, have a date in mind for when you’d like to move in to your new home and be sure to get all your items sorted in time for the move. If the two of you are running low on time and may not be able to handle the move on your own, hire movers to ensure a seamless transition. Then,start decorating your space one room at a time to create an organized home before you’re officially settled in.

Design a Budget

House Plans in Real Estate Agency

Reviewing your finances before the big move is important to understanding your financial health both individually and jointly. Because you’ll most likely be investing in your new home together, you’ll want to know how much each partner can contribute to the rent, down payment, mortgage or other monthly expenses.

It also helps to weigh your buying options and find a loan that works best for you. For example, FHA loans assist those with poor credit history in finding an affordable home with a reasonable down payment. However, if you have built your credit up over the years, other first-time home buyer loan programs may be more fitting. If instead you are renting, mapping out your finances can help to divide the costs evenly and set aside money in advance to ensure you don’t miss a payment. To start, go over your current salaries and how much you make in gross income per month. This can be a difficult topic to discuss, so be sure to approach the subject without judgement and with a budget in mind.

If you don’t already have a budget, design a list of your expenses — both fixed and variable — and factor in your prospective mortgage or rent. This gives you an accurate benchmark for how much you’ll both have in expendable income each month and how much money can be set aside into a savings account for your future.

Design Your Dream Home

Closeup of house plan blueprint

Now that the serious topics of conversation are covered, start creating a plan for your dream home. Sharing a space means combining your two design styles into one home; so making a list of your wants and needs is a great starting point.

Break it down by room and decide on an overall design theme you both like. Then find ways to add your own individual style through color schemes, unique furnishing pieces or decorative items that capture your time spent together. Having an idea of what your dream home needs is also important when preparing for your future as a couple.

If you plan to have kids, consider the amount of space you may need to accommodate them. Or, if one of you plans to work from home, consider a house with plenty of office space. Thinking ahead will allow you to grow into your home and prevent you from having to buy again in the short term.

Design a Routine

Once you’ve settled into your dream space together, design a routine that ensures both parties are pulling their weight when it comes to taking care of the home you have both designed. Make a list of chores from vacuuming to washing the dishes, to even cleaning the bathroom. Then rotate these tasks on a weekly basis.

This ensures each individual is contributing fairly to the upkeep of your new home, and it can also act as an opportunity to learn something new about one another. For example, if your partner has never mowed the lawn before or used the dishwasher, take time to teach one another.

This is a great bonding experience while still keeping things fair when it comes to household responsibilities. For more tips on dividing up chores, check out this article about keeping the peace while maintaining a tidy home with your partner.

Designing a piece of custom furniture adds character to any room. Here are just some of the reasons why you should think about custom ordering your next piece.

When you decide that it is time to update the look of one of the rooms in your home, one of the first things to look at is the furniture. Because it is such a big purchase, you want to make sure that the furniture fits the style and design of your home. For this, it is often best to go with pieces that have been specifically designed and crafted with your unique space in mind. Here are some of the many reasons to consider custom furniture for your next room redecoration.

Customized and Personalized

The number one reason that you want to order custom furniture is for the customization. The nice thing about customizing furniture is that you can control absolutely everything about it. Some of the numerous available options include the type of furniture, color, filler material, and size. All of these options should make it easier to plan the rest of your room, as you can select pieces that fit your lifestyle instead of the décor preferences of the home-store designer. You might also be able to add in extra features like cupholders, cubby holes, and electrical outlets. Even the couch’s material can be crafted to match your individual taste.

Quality of Materials and Product

Speaking of the material, when it comes to customization, there is a huge upgrade over the standard selection. Furniture that comes from a store can wear and break down quickly. With custom-made furniture, you can also choose the materials that make the piece. Being able to choose a more durable or better-looking upholstery based on your lifestyle is a huge perk. You also know that, by ordering custom-made pieces, the crafters will use high-quality products to make whatever you ask for. You also know that more time will be spent putting it together by the actual designers of the piece instead of by a robot in a factory. This not only creates accountability but also creates a sense of pride by the builder. They do not want their piece to be the one that lets down the buyer.

A Great Value

The extra value that comes with custom-built furniture is one of the reasons to consider buying custom furniture. For one, you know that the piece will fit in exactly as planned—this means in both the space you have available and your desired aesthetics. There is also value in the time you save by not having to painstakingly search for furniture. You will know that you found exactly what you are looking for without having to settle. It can also save money long-term because the piece will hold up longer than most store-bought items.

While creating, keep in mind that there are many beautiful sofas and sectionals to choose from that are already built and ready to ship. You should seriously consider if the available buying options will match what you are looking for. In the end, it is about getting the best piece of furniture for your room at the best possible price.

Neutrals are pleasing to the eye and safe, but they can also be uninteresting. Learn how to decorate with neutrals without being boring by using our techniques.

Lately, it seems like versatility and restraint are the dominant forces in all the realms of style. From clothing to home design, more and more people are seeing the benefits of being more modest with their possessions. It is true that there is a certain elegance that emanates from this contemporary aesthetic of pale color palettes and pared-back design. You also gain greater assurance that each element in an ensemble will match with the other elements around it when you adhere to this kind of simplicity. Despite these virtues, though, you may find that a home that has such minimalistic adornments is humble to the point of banality. Gain a better grasp of how to decorate with neutrals without being boring by using these techniques.

Introduce Interesting Shapes

If you’re going to restrict your home to neutral tones, you can add interest to it by playing with the shapes of your furniture and decorations. Rather than solely sticking to the usual quadrilateral and sometimes circular silhouettes that you will find in just about every home, introduce more distinctive items that make the space feel dynamic. For instance, you could replace a plain overhead or wall-mounted light fixture with one that is intentionally bent in odd angles or that combines multiple lightbulbs in an energetic arrangement. You could also find chairs that have conspicuously curved forms to bring a sense of irregularity to an otherwise ordered room.

Include Different Textures

Texture is always a great feature to vary when you’re navigating your way through how to decorate with neutrals without being boring. Though a room may only feature white, taupe, gray, and black, the inclusion of different textures can give it depth. It isn’t difficult to bring in tactility, either. Pillow covers and blankets with thicker threads and looser weaves will instantly stand out when juxtaposed with a flat-surfaced sofa. Plants often feature asymmetrical stems and glossy, jagged, or crinkled leaves, making them additional contributors to the textural facet of your home. With your larger furniture pieces, you can focus on materials to keep them from melting into their surroundings. Use wood with visible grains, stone, and metals for a bit of character. A clean jute rug made of natural fibers or a high-pile rug can cover the floor gracefully and complete the room’s presentation.

Take the Seasons Into Account

Consistency can be reassuring, but it can also amplify the dullness of your home when you use predominantly neutral hues. A nice trick you can employ to keep your home fresh as time passes is to take the seasons into account when decorating. In the warmer months, bring out the linen drapes, sisal rugs, and floral-patterned sheets. When the frigid air begins to creep in, you can swap these for heavier, softer alternatives that will both keep you comfortable and match the weather outside. You don’t need to switch out the mainstays of your home, such as the tables, drawers, or chairs, but the peripheral items shouldn’t pose much of a challenge to manipulate. With this method, you can drastically shift the mood in your home and make it more captivating to your eyes after they’ve grown accustomed to a set arrangement.

Are you dreaming of beautiful, far-off places? Incorporate some of these ideas to create an enjoyable environment in the beauty of your own backyard.

Through the ebb and flow of life, your backyard can be a place of sweet escape for you, your friends, and your family. Not having the current ability to travel far means you may be unable to see many places. But if you’re looking for ways to spend your time, consider this: all those distant places are in someone else’s backyard.

The best backyard ideas for entertainment are about discovering moments of happiness in your own backyard. Forgive the world for its current circumstances, and uncover what is right in front of you. Your home’s outdoor space is its very own heart. Look through the following list for some fresh ideas for using your backyard as an entertaining space.

Ideas To Boost the Mood

One of the most joyous pastimes is getting cozy and comfortable among loved ones. Firepits are pleasant year-round, but as the weather gets considerably cooler, opportunities for use are in abundance. Gathering around a bonfire or on a patio is a wonderful idea for those evenings when the air feels crisp and the sun sets early. Tell spooky ghost stories with friends or share vivid histories and nostalgic memories with the family. Find some blankets, grab some drinks—fresh tea or spiced cider—and bask in the precious comfort you find in the presence of those you hold dear.

Ideas To Spread Creativity

Similar to the rest of your home, your backyard is a canvas for your design and decoration. You can use it to complement your moods and inspire you in your everyday life. Picture this: if there was a photoshoot taking place in your backyard, how would you desire it to look? If you were to place an easel down on the patio, deck, or the grass for a painting session, how would the scene of your yard spark productivity and inspiration? If you were to look out at the outside space right now, what would your yard be saying?

Various leisure activities rouse distinct creativity in your space. Your yard doesn’t have to entertain every individual who enters it, but your outdoor living space should certainly be pleasant for you. For any budget, remodeling your backyard can be a valuable investment for future value, artistry, and fun. Even as the minutes tick by and moments fade away, style is an artful conception meant to last.

Ideas To Turn on Relaxation

One of the best backyard ideas for entertainment isn’t a single scheme—rather, it’s a matter of pure perspective. You can design your outdoor space for a diverse assortment of occasions and people. While you may not have the opportunity to host large events, inception is at your fingertips. You can make an outdoor experience as simple or as elaborate as you desire.

The backyard does not need to be about play and recreation, either. Perhaps the idea of setting up a mini outdoor theatre, a hammock, or relaxing lighting for reading excites you. The objective of backyard entertainment isn’t an extravaganza but rather exactly what you make of it. A backyard should be a haven and a natural oasis by design—a space above the rest and unlike any other living space in your home. The true beauty of a backyard lies in all the potential it has to offer. 

When you’re planning for a baby, one of the most exciting things you’ll get to do is put together their nursery/bedroom. It’s tempting to think about the things you’ll need in your baby’s room immediately, like a changing table, rocking chair, and supplies like diapers and wipes.

On the other hand, you might be more focused on how to decorate your baby’s room with cute designs, characters, or colors.

But, as any parent will tell you, children grow in the blink of an eye. The last thing you’ll want to worry about as you chase a toddler around in a few years is upgrading their room to fit their needs. It’s better to design your baby’s room for longevity now, so you both can enjoy it for years to come.

Let’s take a look at a few tips you can use to have a forward-thinking mindset in terms of your child’s room.

Choose the Right Layout

Scandi style baby room

Your baby might not care about the layout of their bedroom when they’re newborns. But, as they get older the layout, design, and even color choices can actually make a difference in both playtime and sleep time.

You’ll want to choose an overall design that will work with your child for years. Their bedroom should be a place where they can feel comfortable and relaxed, creating a conducive environment for sleeping. With that in mind, consider things like:

• The right type of bed
• How different types of lighting might affect your child
• Wallpaper or murals with busy designs that could distract them

It’s also important to think about the paint color. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a bright, vibrant paint color just because it looks “cute” for a baby. As your child gets older, you will undoubtedly have to paint over it with something more subtle.

The color of your child’s room as they age can also affect how they feel (and how they sleep). The best color to promote a restful environment is blue, or different shades of it. But, silvers and grays, purples, and neutrals are also great options.

Speaking of paint options, if your child’s room will double as a playroom, stain-resistant paint is your friend and will make your life much easier when it comes to cleaning up. Somehow, toddler fingerprints can end up just about everywhere, especially on walls. Stain-resistant paint will make it easy to wipe down the walls whenever you see a smudge.

Keep Things Organized

Classic interior of baby room with chest of drawers and teddy bear

Organization is every parent’s best friend. Unfortunately, even if you have the best of intentions before your baby is born, it’s very easy for things to get cluttered and put in the wrong places when you’re taking care of a child. So, make a plan for organization. Use items in the room that actually serve a functional purpose. If you’re not sure how to stay organized every day, consider these tips:

• Tidy up small things each day
• Use furniture with storage options
• Use tall bookshelves that babies/toddlers can’t reach
• Utilize every inch of the closet
• Keep everything in containers

Staying organized will help to reduce stress, which is incredibly important as a new parent. Stress can cause fatigue, headaches, and aches and pains. Taking care of yourself makes it easier to take care of your baby.

Keeping things organized in their room will also make it easier to update things as they get older.

A Room that Grows

Stylish baby room

While designing a cute nursery is tempting, you’ll be happier as your child gets older to have a more functional room for them. Once they are old enough, they can even help you with the design and decoration process. But, while everything is still in your control, make sure you design your baby’s room in a way that will make life easier for you and more enjoyable for them as they grow.

Hopefully, these quick tips give you a clear start on how you can design your baby’s room for longevity. Keep them in mind now, so you don’t have to make major changes later.

This post was authored by Sam Bowman

Moving house is one of the most stressful endeavors you can engage in at a personal level. It’s a pursuit that eats up a lot of your time and energy, and a known guzzler of resources. But it’s just one of those things we need to do for one reason or the other.

Everywhere across the world people move frequently. Some execute the whole move DIY, others seek the help of friends, while there are those who opt to hire movers to simplify the job and minimize the headache that comes with it.

But why do people move exactly?

The reasons are plenty. Depends on individual circumstances, but four reasons stand out:

•         Financial reasons
•         Convenience
•         The pursuit of dreams and desires
•         Changes in lifestyle

Financial reasons

Professional couriers delivering package to smiling woman signin

Financial reasons come in many forms and are a key motivator for people to move. Some move to save on rent while others are probably experiencing a dip in disposable incomes.

Downsizing is another common financial-motivated reason why people move.

A good deal of people feel the need to relocate as a result of children leaving the nest as the current home suddenly starts to feel too big and empty. Plus, moving to a smaller home is a way to cut down on costs.

It could also be the other way round. Plenty of people move to bigger houses motivated by larger incomes or a growing family.

Another key motivator is the need to own a home, rather than rent one. 

Convenience

Furniture delivery service concept

The need for convenience like better infrastructure, amenities, quality Medicare, better schools, entertainment centers and recreational facilities are another reason why people relocate.

This is especially true for people living in neighborhoods where these amenities are lacking.

There is also the neighbor factor.

Some people could be driven out of their current homes when old neighbors with whom they shared a good relationship relocate. Others may have a not-so-rosy relationship with existing neighbors.

Pursuit of dreams and desires

Satisfied client signing delivery document after uploading

Human beings have an innate desire to better their lives. These desires manifest in several ways such as, for instance, the quest for better education, need for a fresh start, self-discovery, the pursuit of love etc.

Some cities have better educational institutions than others which could drive some people to move for educational reasons. A case in point would be moving to a university town from an industrial town.

Love and relationships also play a big part. There are people who move to a new city to be closer to their partners and start a new life, while others are driven by separation and divorce.

People also move in their journeys of self-discovery in an effort to expand their horizons, sample new cultures and beliefs, and to generally gain an outlook on life from an entirely different perspective.

Changes in lifestyle

Movers carrying sofa in house

This takes many forms. Of pertinent importance here is a change in the circumstances of a family. About 30% of people who move do so as a result of family-related reasons.

People move in together after tying the knot, for example. Others do so when welcoming a child (or more) as they swap a smaller space for a bigger one that is also child-friendly.

There are those forced by divorce to move, while others relocate to be closer to their elderly parents or sick family members.

Changes in income levels and employment status also contribute to relocation. This could either be positive or negative driven.

A move necessitated by a job promotion, for instance, is a positive one. Loss of a job, on the other hand, is a negative reason and a common one at that, especially during the Covid-19 period.

While they may not be major factors, medical and climatic conditions may also necessitate a move.

For instance, it’s not uncommon for people to move to locations that promise better weather when they retire. Could be a city, or to a state like Florida, or even one of the many Caribbean islands.

Conclusion

Life is dynamic, and there are all kinds of different reasons and factors that prompt many an individual to move.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it serves as a good starting point to understand why people move.

Without a vaccine, the Coronavirus pandemic seems to be going nowhere, and the world must adjust to the new normal. The daily routines of many people worldwide have been affected by the pandemic. Global economies have had to recover from the bad hit the advent of the pandemic has caused. However, another sector that is about to be significantly affected is that of traveling. In 2019, Americans had embarked on 2.29 billion domestic trips alone. With so many travel plans for this year, what does the future of traveling look like? It may be easy to know what to pack but what special precautions should you be taking ahead of your journey and during your trip? Here are some changes to expect.

1 An increase in road trips

Road in autumn foggy forest at sunset in rainy day

Taking road trips may seem to be the better alternative for traveling in this period. Medical experts say people tend to be more comfortable in their vehicles because of the assurance of safety, security, and familiarity. Many view it as a safer, cleaner, and more feasible option than flying on airplanes or taking a cruise ship trip. This is especially crucial for germaphobes who prefer to be exposed to their pathogens rather than from others. It also cuts down the risk of meeting up or being in close contact with strangers who may carry the virus. Choosing to take road trips lends credence to the WHO safety protocols on limiting exposure to other people outside your household. 

2. An over-reliance on travel advisors

Man working with a computer, search flights on the screen, office business background.

The world continues to hope for a viable vaccine to combat COVID-19, but it still would not change the new status of travel advisors. Once traveling commences, people will turn to the priceless knowledge and business connections of travel advisors to book travels in advance. Unlike travel agents, travel advisors possess an in-depth familiarity with destinations, hotels, and other costs related to your trip. Furthermore, travel advisors have realized their utmost relevance in the pandemic season, which has sparked several office conversions. Spaces previously used as ticketing offices have converted into travel advisors to remain functional. 

With their skills and expertise, you would receive clear guidance on what to expect during your travels and safety precautions to take. During this period, not all international borders are open, and some are only open to specific groups of people. A travel advisor would ensure you are aware of this and any other relevant information concerning your trips.  

3. Fewer crowds at popular travel destinations

As the world recovers from the pandemic, places that usually recorded higher numbers of customers and tourists will reduce drastically. Before the Coronavirus disease, museums, theme parks, and other landmark facilities that attracted crowds will no longer do so. As a controlled measure, authorities will reopen to fewer numbers to reduce the risk of a COVID-19 infection among the visitors. Renowned park operators such as Disneyland have instituted control measures as a pro-COVID reopening strategy. There are now compulsory body temperature checks, park staff, and visitors mandated to wear masks, enforced hand sanitizations, spaced out queues, and seating on all facilities in several nations. Social distancing is also a serious element to comply with under WHO safety protocols. In Florida, Walt Disney Stormtroopers observe visitors from a balcony and give reminders to wear masks and stay distanced.

4. A balance in airline safety and profits

Flight attendant talking to businessman on airport, wearing face mask

Even though some major airline companies laid-off workers due to the pandemic’s economic impact, the truth is they all will have to strike a balance between profits and safety. For example, all airlines have had to remove or block some seats on their airplanes due to social distancing protocols. It has resulted in limited passengers, tickets, and reduced revenue streams. As we advance, Airlines will refuse boarding to a passenger who fails to wear a mask or does not meet the average body temperature. However, operating at a reduced capacity does not help any business. That notwithstanding, business logic demands that remaining operational is better than a total collapse. Currently, these are short-term fixes until a vaccine reaches the world’s populace. Also, because most airlines operate with a break-even system, running at an altered capacity may not be sustainable.

5 Government-run checks for all travelers

Airlines, bus terminals, and subway travels have all inculcated drastic measures in the fight against the COVID-19. Some require filling out health questionnaire forms, checking body temperature, and washing of hands. These are considerable costs to be taken alone by the sectors and are therefore appealing to the federal government to run these checks as a new national policy. Airlines have been pressured to limit the passenger’s access to the washrooms on the planes! In addition to that, they are also under a lot of pressure to make passengers carry sizable luggage capable of fitting under seats. By doing this, every passenger is responsible for their baggage, and that limits exposure of airline staff to a possible COVID-19 infection.

6. Biometric payments

Person Holding Phone Showing Mobile Wallet App With Fingerprint Icon

The pandemic has introduced a more advanced technological payment plan. With the world making a move towards more sterile payment options, one of the newly introduced methods is biometric screening payments. Although America is more than 60% a cashless society, it was seen that more needed to be done in this regard. The biometric payment cuts out the method of using real money payments. This futuristic mode of payment is something out of a movie, where payments would be made through biometric elements.  

7. More cautious travelers will stay home

Behavioral scientists believe that wearier travelers will want to stay home and, instead, cancel all their travel plans or wait for a safer time to travel. Those who used to take advantage of exotic destination vacations will begin to find places closer to home to enjoy their time off. In America, domestic travel accounted for forty-eight percent of all summer trips in 2019. The figure further reduced to fifteen percent in August 2020. This year alone, most hotel bookings have been recorded within a hundred miles of the traveler’s original residence. Your time at home could be used to do other activities you enjoy, such as reading, binge-watching your favorite show, or catching up on some sleep. You could also take advantage of the discount sales in online stores, or perhaps browse through Eyeglasses.com for those new shades.

8. More expensive trips abroad

In simpler terms, point eight throws more light on the concept of fewer travelers translating into more expensive trips abroad. As airlines operate at a reduced capacity, they may inadvertently push the cost of operations to vacationers taking a trip outside their home country. Unfortunately, this measure may result in only wealthy people embarking on international trips. Perhaps, it may become a vast market for airliners to venture in the short term. But some worry that the pandemic’s impact on airlines may mean that fewer travelers would want to travel out of the country, and as a result, will make other parts of international travel more expensive.

9  An increase in private travels

There is a growing demand for private experiences devoid of crowds. Perhaps, until a vaccine is discovered, the trend will continue unabated. However, on the brighter side, it has resulted in a skyrocketing of RV sales and is fuelling this new voyage style. A recent report by the US Travel Association believes this will reignite the American’s love for the great outdoors and fun self-discovery activities. The report also stated that private travels would help families focus on themselves and re-establish the essence of spending a lot more time together.

10. A spike in travel insurance

Before COVID-19, travelers relied heavily on their premium credit cards and other trip protections. There was more than enough security to provide some defense against worst-case scenarios adequately. Unfortunately, after COVID hit, things will never be the same again. Fortunately, many people have realized that most travel insurance policies do not cover pandemics and epidemics. Those who had independent travel policies also realized their packages were not helpful in a pandemic or a foreign country with an outbreak. When the pandemic struck, hotel reservations were canceled, as well as airline bookings without further notice and refunded. However, on the brighter side of things, people who sell travel insurance will begin to notice a spike in such purchases.

As proof of this, purchased travel insurance policies hit a record high of 200% by July 2020. It is also the highest increase in twenty years, a good indication that travelers are making such investments a priority. Your safety and that of your family must be paramount.

Everybody is talking about the new normal due to the revised ways the world has to live after the pandemic. It is not all bad news anyway as sanitation and attention to personal health have increased. Typical family vacations are now given a second look before getting on that plane or buying that RV. If you are at the end of this article, you may have learned new things about post-pandemic travel and what you should expect. Perhaps, it will help you know what to pack on your next vacation. 

Whether your home is already tucked away in your favorite corner of the South or you’re rooted somewhere else entirely, you can still find inspiration in the Southern classics that people have called home for generations. The South is a wide, vast stretch of the country with plenty of variations, all with their own details and personalities. The homes you find in Virginia will differ from the ranches down in Texas, but they all have lovely elements you can use as inspiration in your own home.

While designing your home is all about leaning into your personal style, there are a few staples to the classic Southern look you can explore if you’re looking to go for that charming flair.

1. Porches, Decks and Outdoor Living

Front porch living!

There’s hardly an image more Southern than sipping iced tea out on the front porch on a hot summer afternoon. If that sounds delightful to you, adding an outdoor space is an absolute staple. Not only do patios and decks offer classy curb appeal, but they also sweep you off your feet with comfort.

Make sure you dress yours up with fun furnishings and homey details to truly put on the finishing touches.

2. Dark and Dignified

Rocking chairs on a porch in front of a fire at a cabin.

Whether you’re looking at an office space, a dining room or a bedroom, there’s nothing that says Southern charm more than a lush, dignified and dark splash of color. Go for navy, earthy green or even brown for a tasteful, sophisticated look wherever your house needs an extra dash of something. Not only do dark colors stand out, but they’re long-lasting both in quality and style.

3. Go Vintage

Vintage wooden cabinet

One of the sweetest and most fun Southern traditions is bringing a personalized touch into your home. Find vintage details, family heirlooms and old furniture from years ago — like a statement chair or brass candlestick — for a unique spin. Whether you’re thinking of adding your grandmother’s couch, family portraits or historic knick-knacks, you can incorporate a few old touches of charm.

If vintage detailing isn’t your style, you can always mix the old with the new and give your home an antique twist along with the modern staples you love dearly.

4. Symmetry Everywhere

The South loves symmetry. From pillars to grand staircases to fireplaces, creating clean, simple patterns can make any home look sophisticated and charming. Even if your home doesn’t include a lot of natural symmetry in its design, you can make it yourself. Try placing your bed in the center of the bedroom, going for a centralized dining room table or even using matching wall decor. There are so many ways to create this classic Southern look, even if porches and pillars aren’t exactly your thing.

5. Patterns and Textures

Material As Background Texture

Southern design is no stranger to bold colors and pattern mixing. Florals, intricate patterns and natural textures are great ways to layer a room and make it look a bit more like home. Find some lush curtains or a fun wallpaper that really makes your space come alive. You can even mix and match to create an even more homey environment.

Get Southern With Your Home Design

Southern classic style is a great source of inspiration to draw from when you’re looking to make your home a beautiful place to settle down. From the personal touches to the cozy outdoor living spaces ready for you to kick back and enjoy the sun, adding a few touches of charm can make your house into the home of your Dixie dreams. Whatever you do, don’t forget to brew up a pitcher of sweet tea to sip on the porch.

This post was authored by Holly Welles, Writer, Real Estate & Construction for more of her work check out: theestateupdate.com

Creativity is something most of us find increasingly difficult to activate in modern life. Full time work, packed schedules and multiple responsibilities means that creative flair and ideas are often suppressed due to mental fatigue.

But in the way that many people will use relaxation techniques to minimize the symptoms of burn-out, self-hypnosis can be used to help stir the creative juices and ensure everything is working to its full potential again.

pendulum balls

Hypnosis may sound like an unorthodox practice, popularized by lots of unhelpful myths seen in movies, but many people will have already experienced this without even realizing. Have you ever finished a car journey and had no idea how you made it from A to B? That is an example of a person entering a state of hypnosis.

Self-hypnosis refers to a situation where someone enters a hypnotic state without guidance but can also refer to sessions with the help of a hypnotherapist. By activating a natural state of relaxation, there are numerous benefits which will people to train allow their minds and unlock their creative potential.

Increased focus

Doing yoga exercises outdoors

It’s not uncommon for creatives like artists and performers to be so immersed in practice that nothing external exists in that moment – something often referred to as the “zone” or “flow” by athletes. Writers and painters can work for hours without even realizing how much time has passed once they tap into the right mental state. Focus is essential for tasks which require your brain to operate at such a heightened state and is one of the primary benefits of self-hypnosis.

Motivation

When it comes to creativity, motivation can often be one of the missing ingredients. You may find that you have grown comfortable with a way of doing things. Or you may be missing the spark that motivates you to break away from the norm and do something different, perhaps requiring you to dip into your personal time. But despite popular belief, lack of motivation can be attributed to things other than laziness or lack of discipline. Perfectionism for example, can affect people’s desires to invest time and energy into something, wanting to complete the task perfectly or not at all. Hypnotherapy can tap into something deeper to target the real causes and find that spark again.

Anxiety

In a similar way, anxiety can trigger a multitude of adverse effects that may disrupt creativity. Whether it is indecisiveness or lack of concentration, creativity will suffer in the wrong conditions. Hypnosis can help target unhelpful habits and beliefs exacerbated by anxiety. A healthy mind will not only allow your creative instincts to thrive but to also last in the long-term.

Self-limitations

Perhaps most importantly, hypnosis can also help you see beyond the limits that you impose on yourself. Whether it is fear of failure, self-esteem issues or negative self-talk, without knowing it you may be blocking your own creative potential. We are all guilty of being our worst critic, but by using self-hypnosis you can create a healthier mental environment to allow maximum creativity.

Author Bio

Christine Deschemin is a certified clinical hypnotherapist based in Hong Kong

 Christine Deschemin is a certified clinical hypnotherapist based in Hong Kong. She founded the Renewed Edge Hypnotherapy Centre and the creator of the self-hypnosis UpNow. She is passionate about helping other people enhance their lives. Her quest for effective and proven methods for performance enhancement led her to the discovery of hypnosis. With a strong interest in peak performance, she has helped athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, and individuals overcome emotional and behavioral challenges and achieve success. As a former banker, she has experienced first-hand the stress and tension of everyday life. In addition, she holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

She is certified by the NGH (The National Guild of Hypnotists, Inc) in the U.S. and has received a diploma as a clinical hypnotherapist in France.

You’ve added the furniture—so why does your room still feel so bland? These tips for decorating your walls will help you spruce up your empty-looking space.

You’ve decorated your floors—added some rugs, arranged the furniture, and added other décor items. So why does the space still feel so bland? Bare, drab walls can make a room feel empty, even if it’s filled corner-to-corner with fashionable, stylized décor.

These tips for decorating your walls will help you find the perfect kind of wall décor to complement the rest of your space.

Create a Gallery Wall

A gallery wall is a perfect way to showcase all your favorite pieces. Hang framed art, photographs, or even posters, and arrange them in a fun, interesting design. Incorporating different colors and styles of art will help brighten up the room and give it a modern, abstract look.

Use Wall Decals

Child bedroom with wall decal

Wall decals are lightweight, easy to apply, and come in a vast range of sizes and designs. Are you looking to hang a classy, inspirational quote on the wall? That works! Need a simple, black-and-white coffee decal to display in your kitchen? Awesome! Feel like having a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex above your bed? Sure, why not? When it comes to wall decals, the sky—or rather, your imagination—is the limit.

Make a Plant Garden

Succulent wall garden

Another tip for decorating your walls is to make a plant garden. Hanging and wall-mounted planters will add a hint of the outdoors to your wall space and free up floor space you’d typically use for potted plants. Plant some succulents, leafy plants, or gorgeous flowers. If you’re not too big into maintenance, try filling the pots with colorful rocks or fake flora.

Add Some Fabrics

Integrating weavings and fabrics is a fantastic way to add color, texture, and pattern to your walls. They’re a breeze to hang up and remove.

Large tapestries and blankets can cover most of a wall, if not its entire length, giving them an appearance similar to wallpaper. Smaller weavings and macrame offer a natural, rustic look, and unlike tapestries, don’t take up too much space.

Hang a Chalkboard or Letterboard

Living room with chalkboard wall

Chalkboards and letterboards are both stylish and highly customizable. Moreover, they’re versatile. You can use them to plan your grocery list, write down a recipe, or display your favorite quotes.

Chalkboards are easy to erase, and letterboards have removable letters, so you can switch up their contents whenever you feel like it.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

3d rendering classic luxury bedroom with pouf and mirror and brick wall

Mirrors are a great way to spruce up your wall space. As a bonus, they’re functional. They make a great addition to mudrooms, front entryways, or anywhere else you might need to get a quick glimpse of yourself. Since mirrors reflect light, they can also make a space seem brighter and bigger.

Install Shelving

Shelving is a great addition to any room because, above all else, it’s practical. Set some picture frames, vases, or other small figurines on them for some added flair. If you’re going for a more natural look, stock them with plenty of plants.

Adding hooks and pegs beneath your shelf will give you space to flaunt your favorite hats and coats.

Incorporate the spirit of travel adventures with these decorating tips for creating a focal point. Use souvenirs and inspiration from other cultures.

You’d probably prefer to be traveling all the time, absorbing inspiration from all parts of the globe. But when you’re home, you can add that spirit of adventure to your décor. Try these decorating tips for creating a focal point in any room, using influences from other cultures and even the souvenirs you’ve picked up along the way.

Variety of African souvenirs exposed for sale in local market

Every room needs a focal point to serve as an anchor for the elements within. If you’re a world traveler, those elements might be very eclectic. Creating a focal point can unify, set a tone, and create a beautiful flow. This should be the first step when you’re decorating a room, and it affects your other design choices. You should arrange all your living room furniture and accents to enhance the focal point. The best part is that your focal point can be anything you love.

Fireplace

If you have a fireplace, you’ve got a built-in focal point. A mantel is a beautiful way to display souvenirs. You can also customize any fireplace with tiles you’ve collected in your travels to add a foreign flavor. You can get very different effects with blue-and-white Chinese porcelain, Turkish mosaics, or intricate, colorful Moroccan designs.

Maps

A map doesn’t have to be historic or antique to earn a prominent place in your room. A large map in an ornate frame can remind you of a favorite place. And there’s no shame in choosing a map just because it’s pretty or because it fits in with your color scheme.

Fabric

Amazing colorful Balinese sarongs for sale in Ubud, Bali, Indone

Souvenir fabrics pack well and tend to arrive home without damage. You may have intended to wear them, add them to your bed linens, or even upholster furniture with them, but they’re often so beautiful that you can also display them on a wall. Draw attention with any textile: a tapestry, an Indian sari, a Japanese kimono, or even a rug from Nepal.

Shelving

Height can be a powerful way to attract attention, and a beautiful shelving unit with distinctive details will have even more personality when you display souvenirs. These can be anything from vases and sculptures to coffee table books about places that have meaning for you.

Gallery Wall

Traditional souvenir in Granada, Spain. Alhambra decoration and mosaic. Old muslim style

If you prefer to avoid lugging around large mementos on your travels, you can arrange smaller souvenirs together for greater effect. Vary sizes and shapes of street paintings, landscapes, postcards, or blown-up photos of architectural details. You can maximize the visual effect with a common color theme.

Indigenous People Crafting Souvenirs For Sale

One of the most useful decorating tips for creating a focal point is to remember you can showcase anything you want to: a large mirror, African masks, a distinctive piece of furniture, or a creatively presented collection of wine bottles. There are no limits, so transform your home with wonders from around the world.

There are many reasons why people travel, ranging from a desire to get away from the stresses and concerns of normal everyday life, to a desire to spend time in the sun, take some good photos, and try some delicious food. For a very large proportion of all travelers, however, one of the most significant desires is to experience something new and to have a sense of connecting on a deeper level with a fascinating destination. If you find that your travel experiences haven’t exactly been giving you the sense of deep connection that you’ve been looking for, here are a few ways to connect more deeply with a travel destination.

Try your hand at participating directly in aspects of the local culture

Young travelling people having fun in city

One of the best ways of connecting more deeply with the local environment and culture of your travel destination, is to actively envelop yourself in it to the best of your ability – and an excellent way of doing that is to try your hand at things like cooking the local cuisine.

Even before heading away on your journey, you can look up cookware reviews, get a recipe book focused on the area you are planning to visit, and can then set about whipping up and eating the local dishes in order to connect yourself more viscerally and directly with some of the cultural traditions of the place. You can also listen to local music, watch films from the area, and more. In many ways, the culture of a country or region represents the “spirit” of that place – and so participating in that culture, even as an outsider, can help to connect you with it on a much deeper level.

If possible, arrange for a longer stay and immerse yourself in the culture and language

Traveling europe

Many – if not most – vacations will tend to involve stays of just a few days – often ranging from something like a weekend getaway, to a couple of weeks spent in a particular locale. While these trips can be great, and have many of their own particular benefits, they typically don’t allow for a deeper immersion in the local environment, and a deeper sense of connection to it.

If you have the opportunity at some point in your life, it can be a very eye-opening experience to arrange for a longer stay in an area and to immerse yourself in the culture and language of the place. The famous entrepreneur Tim Ferriss, for example, has previously written about his habit of spending months in different locations while studying the local language.

If you know someone from the area, try to immerse yourself in the places where locals hang out, rather than the tourist centers.

People traveling

One of the best ways of getting a “behind-the-scenes peek” into a travel destination, is to immerse yourself in the places where the locals hang out, rather than sticking exclusively to the tourist centers. Of course, this isn’t always possible – or necessarily advisable.  If you have a trusted friend or relative who is from the area, though, getting them to show you around in this more intimate way can really deepen your sense of connection to the place.

Are you in search of affordable wall art to decorate your home? Art décor does not always have to cost an arm and leg, the answer lies in canvas wall art that is a good and affordable hack for decorating your personal space. Before moving onto to discuss canvas wall art, let’s see why any wall décor is important in the first place.

Setting the mood

It is no mystery that many artists have established the impact of various colors on the personal wellbeing and mood of the individual. Plain white walls are not only mundane and boring but can also be depressing. Art is found to be therapeutic and having a color wall décor can be uplifting to the mood. Certain colors and scenes can inject positive energy into your home. Mostly, pastel colors like blue and green have a calming effect, while natural elements can vastly improve the space. While general colors and their impact on mood are important, however, one should take into account personal preferences as well. What may give a positive and happy vibe for someone may be triggering to another, hence know what is right for you, when it comes to home décor.

Canvas wall art

Canvas wall art by Canvas Conquest

Now that we know the importance of having wall art, we have to see how we can achieve this. One affordable solution to your wall décor needs is canvas wall art. There is a difference between canvas paintings and canvas wall art.  Canvas wall art is when an image is printed onto a canvas using an inkjet printer. After the image is printed it is stretched onto a frame. Canvas wall art can add the versatility that your wall needs and may set it apart from framed prints, which may seem rather typical. Canvas wall art is available in all shapes including square, rectangle, and even hexagonal as well as all sizes ranging from mini to oversized canvases.

At Canvas Conquest

If you’re looking for a cool piece of multi panel wall art, then we’ve got you covered! We have all kinds of canvas art prints available for the décor of your walls, which will bring them to life. Some of the categories that we have to offer include, world maps, national parks and reserves, animals, flags, and skylines. Each category has further classifications, which means you can choose from thousands of prints to fulfill all your canvas art needs. For more information or to check out the variety we have, visit our website.

Canvas print art – an affordable option for home décor

Canvas wall art by Canvas Conquest

When it comes to art, there are many mediums and types available, however, choosing an affordable one is key. Canvas paintings can be rather expensive and can start from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, while you can find beautiful and exquisite canvas prints for under a hundred Euro. Other expensive wall décor options include Resin art and wooden wall décor. In comparison to available options, canvas print art is the cheapest.

This blog post is from our content partner CanvasConquest, a canvas wall art company producing handmade canvas wall art in house. The company specializes in push pin travel maps and skyline wall art.

When people look into designing their homes, they want a look that will be timeless and long-lasting. A few of the furniture pieces we see nowadays are fast design and will not pass the test of time. Items can be too modern or too abstract to uphold the same meaning years from now. But that is when European design comes into play. Their style is timeless, and their quality is long-lasting. However, this type of design is hard to come by stateside.

As an interior designer at heart, I have always had a passion for different design styles. When I enter a room, I see the style, character, personality, and individuality each space possesses. Throughout my life and in working closely with a beloved interior designer friend, I have designed and redesigned multiple environments, which led me to fall in love with European design as I saw it transform each room into a masterpiece. French Italian design–in particular–will help bring a timeless and long-lasting look to anyone’s home.

The furniture, lighting, accessories, and colors you use to decorate every room need to make you feel at home. Our moods can be impacted tremendously by these, and the goal should always be to promote peace and serenity. That is why people fall in love with one design style and utilize it to create a warm and cozy environment, a place where they belong. Today’s fast design pivots away from the homey feeling authentic European design has been creating for centuries.

European design has many forms of representation yet all of them will remain relevant as time goes by. A great example of this is the French Italian concept. Their modern and contemporary furniture melded with the traditional, old-world theme in French and Italian designs is remarkably similar to one another. The work this style has done throughout the years has been extremely unique, and the greatest quality it has is how to combine contemporary designs with more traditional ones.

Swedish design is rich with color, luxurious, and elegant. While Portuguese designers have a style everyone will want in their home. This design has a unique combination of French and Italian inspiration. While–as mentioned before–French Italian designs continue to incorporate details from the old world into contemporary creations. By bringing European designs into an American home, you are giving it a sense of elegance and simplicity. Nevertheless, not many interior designers are offering this style when decorating or creating spaces. French Italian, and even Portuguese or Swedish, design is hard to come by stateside. With this in mind, I have created a brand called French Italian Home Furnishings that will allow customers to have a white glove virtual shopping experience just as you would experience in the finest home furnishings boutiques in Europe. These collections are going to be specific and unique in modern and contemporary, in traditional, and old-world as well.

Designing your home is one of the most exciting tasks you can face. It gives you the opportunity to give every room a sense of belonging, and it allows you to let your creativity flow. Nowadays, most people want a look they will not be tired of. A look they will appreciate years from now. For that reason, many individuals choose European designs. This style will help bring a timeless and long-lasting look into your home.

Need a vacation? Want to bring your best friends along? Take a look at some of these trip ideas for a weekend getaway with the girls—fun awaits!

We know; it’s been a while since you’ve gotten to spend time with your girls. We’ve all been staying inside, doing our best to keep ourselves distanced and practicing safe regulations. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get ahead on your planning for life post-COVID-19 (finger crossed that it comes around sooner rather than later). Gather your friends for a quick video chat, and talk through some of these trip ideas for a weekend getaway with the girls. Besides, it’s time you all had an adventure together!

Wine Weekends

Wine country.

If you and your girls love wine, then maybe it’s time for you all to plan a trip catered around vino. You don’t have to head to the most popular wine destinations. In fact, we’d suggest heading to some coastal towns for your wine trip so that you can get even more bang for your buck—great views, lower prices, and way more to explore.

Either way, no matter which place you choose, just make sure at least one event a day centers around wine. Otherwise, it’s just a regular, relaxing vacation—with just a bit more wine!

Adventure Trips

Are you and your friends the adventurous types? Home in on that, and cater your weekend getaway to adventure and excitement. Head to a place that’s warm for some hiking, or if you’re planning your trip for the winter seasons, gear up for some skiing and snowboarding. Whichever you decide, embrace the beauty of nature and its calming abilities.

Some of the best trips with friends, and some of the best memories, come from those we spend in nature. Make a pact to put your phones away while you’re out in the sun, and start making memories that will last forever.

Yoga Excursions

Yoga

Need some relaxation? Rather than the typical beach day (though you can surely plan for a bit of that on the trip), find relaxation in ways that will help your mental health as much as your physical wellbeing. You could even plan to mesh wine with yoga by heading out on a wine yoga vacation—there are plenty of resorts and spas that incorporate the use of wine with your flow.

No matter what, make sure you leave time for actual relaxation and rejuvenation. Packed vacations are fun, but they can lead to more stress and exhaustion when you’re back at home, so plan accordingly.

Food Tour Weekends

Top view closeup of unrecognizable tourists clinking wine glasses during vineyard tour, copy space

Our last trip idea for a weekend getaway with the girls is for those who love to dig into a big plate of cuisine. Head to a city that you’re all dying to visit, and then base your daily travels around the places you’ll like to eat. Head to Seattle for seafood, New Orleans for Cajun food, or Texas for barbeque—whatever you’re feeling, there are plenty of resources to help you find some scrumptious meals.

Let yourself dig into some meals with your favorite friends, and enjoy the stories and memories that arise from sharing good food and good times. Really, no matter what you choose to do, when you have the right group of gals, you’re sure to have a good time.

It’s often a good idea to think about a new kitchen and begin planning for it before you do anything else.

Just like with creating a business plan before launching a new company, creating a plan for a new kitchen helps to guide your decision-making, adjust your expectations to be more realistic, and budget properly.

Here are 7 steps to take when planning a new kitchen for your current or future home.

1.     What Are Your Basic Needs?

Architect man sketching a kitchen in his office

If you have an existing home and a bustling, overstuffed kitchen that’s inadequate for your current needs, then it’s difficult to get perspective. But perspective is what you must find to figure out what your future needs are. Otherwise, you’ll likely order up a kitchen that doesn’t properly address them, which would be a disaster.

Consider how much storage you require. Look at what you have at the moment, including the dimensions, total volume, and accessibility.

Do you have a particular colour preference or are you after a complete change from what you have today?

How bright is the kitchen during the daytime and in the evening? Is it always bright enough or is that an area that needs improvement? Modern LED lights under the upper cabinetry to illuminate the countertops and overhead spotlights do much to fix these types of issues.

2.     Should Your Kitchen Room Get Extended?

If the kitchen has always felt too small, then it may be something that a new kitchen cannot fix. For sure, one can be designed to prioritise the areas of importance, such as a larger prep area, greater storage, or other priorities, but it won’t fix a cramped kitchen area if that’s the real issue.

Once you acknowledge that the kitchen room itself is too small, then you have a decision to make. One option is to look at the total size of the home to determine if it’s just too small for your requirements now.

Is it possible to get planning permission to add an extension on the back of your home to extend the kitchen?

Or, could you knock through an adjacent wall to increase the size of the kitchen while sacrificing the dining room that gets seldom used?

3.     Plumbing and Water Heating Requirements

Well-lighted space of open plan kitchen area with kitchen island and with the view of dining room

Any new kitchen will need consideration for the plumbing and heating required.

Plumbing and Water Flow

It may be that the water flow in the kitchen has always been problematic and needs to be resolved for a new kitchen. Putting in a continuous flow garbage disposal may be desirable for a family with a kitchen that’s always positively humming with activity.

Also, is there a whole house water filtration system that you’d like to get installed soon? In which case, this will need to feed through to the kitchen to support the sink and installed appliances.

If moving up from a single sink to a double, then the plumbing might need adjusting to support two faucets with sufficient water flow too.

Heating Requirements

If the kitchen has always had a bit of a draft, then a new one probably will be much the same.

Therefore, improving the heating in the kitchen area will be required to complete a new kitchen install and be happy with the outcome of it. The last thing you need is to feel negative because of things that seemed separate to the kitchen fit-out, but materially impact your happiness with the final result. Heating certainly falls neatly into this category, especially during the occasion of colder months.

For example, underfloor heating is unobtrusive and doesn’t take up vital floor space. When replacing the entire kitchen, then it’s more practical to install it at the same time.

4.     Kitchen Design and Inspiration

Home kitchen cabin life tonythetigersson, Tony Andrews Photography

With kitchen renovations, the design is extremely important. Most times, it’s the primary reason for getting it done in the first place.

There are many different approaches to take with design and overall aesthetic. Sometimes, intentionally matching the current décor and style in the rest of the home is preferred. Doing this reduces the number of design options available but will often look the best.

Another approach to kitchen renovations is to let the kitchen designers come up with their ideas as to the best use of the space while not ignoring your prepared list of needs and priorities for your new kitchen. Kitchen Capital in Perth has many years of collective experience in helping homeowners arrive at new kitchen design. They work with scores of designers with creative ideas for kitchens of all sizes and configurations.

5.     Lighting

interior view of a modern kitchen with stool

For a new kitchen to stand out, it needs to be bright and cheerful. While this might seem like a bit much first thing in the morning when you’re still trying to wake up, overall, it’s still the best idea.

Natural light and plenty of it is the ideal solution. However, that depends on the direction that any windows are facing to help bring in light from outside. The window treatments also shouldn’t aim to block out the light too much.

Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that exterior light from the sun will provide sufficient illumination on its own. Bright lights such as LED or similar ones deliver high brightness at a lower operating cost compared to older types of light bulbs. Also, they can be distributed better with a new kitchen to eliminate any darker spots for good.

6.     Appliances

Interior kitchen design details – modern cabinets and wooden furniture

It’s kind of a shame to try to clean up and refit old appliances into a new kitchen. Unless the kitchen stove is an antique with unique qualities, you’ll always be happier with new appliances to match the rest of the kitchen décor. 

Appliances can add up quickly, so it’s important to consider which ones you need in the kitchen and the options within each type.

For instance, do you want a four-hob gas cooker or something electrical instead? Is a double oven required or will a single oven be plenty? Do consider how large a family you may have (or gain over time) or if you’re increasingly entertaining guests or extended family members at home. In which case, maybe a large cooker is best to increase how much can be cooked at one time.

Similarly, will you need a dishwasher, washing machine, or other appliances? These will require a dedicated space. Will there be enough countertop space to install all the smaller appliances too? All good things to think about.

7.     What’s Your Budget?

When it comes to your budget, it’s a little bit of a chicken and egg scenario.

Whilst below a certain figure, it just won’t be possible to offer a new kitchen. Beyond that, it’s all a matter of personal choices, including must-haves versus would be nice.

There will always be trade-offs like a less expensive cooker to afford the exact kitchen design that you want (the cooker can always be upgraded again later when money is less constrained).

It’s also okay to decide that you need more money before going ahead. If what you want doesn’t match your savings set aside for a new kitchen, then either borrow the difference or wait until you can get it. That’s unless you’re not willing to wait and, therefore, compromises will need to be made to get the new kitchen concept down to your budget level. And that’s fine too.

Once you’ve run through the steps above, it’s a good time to consult with a professional kitchen design team. You’ll be poised with the answers to most of their questions and have a good idea about your budget. That’s a great start.

This blog post was authored by Emily Roberts

Choosing the right home design is a big decision. When looking through blueprints and plans, it’s nearly impossible to change your mind once you get started. That’s why choosing the right design is paramount.

If you’re planning to build your next home, keep these six helpful tips in mind for choosing the right home design.

Consider the Lot Size and Shape

Builder looking on teh drawings of wooden house structures on the construction site. Concept of building and designing wooden frame house

Before you start looking at home layouts, consider the size and shape of your lot. This information will impact your decision, as some home styles will fit the space better than others. You don’t want to find out that the ranch-style home you’ve chosen ends up extending to your property lines after you start building.

One way to circumvent this issue is to purchase house and land packages that narrow down your options based on the lot size. Otherwise, be sure to do a thorough walk-through and measurement of your lot before choosing your plan.

Identify Styles you Like

Take a look at the styles you like and note what features attract you. There are endless home design styles, from Cape Cod to Colonial to Craftsman.

When looking at designs you enjoy, remember to look beyond the exterior and how the home is set up inside. Certain styles have limited wiggle room with the interior floorplan based on the size and shape. Make a shortlist of styles you like to narrow down your options.

Prioritize Your Needs

Closeup of house plan blueprint

Set your priorities when considering what features your house needs. Break your list into things you must have, things you want to have, and things that would be nice if possible. A high priority need, for example, might be your bedroom count. Wants might include a guest room or an extra half bath in the laundry. Possibilities should be things you can live without but want to have if the design and budget allow.

It’s essential to be realistic when setting priorities and choose which features can be sacrificed for must-haves.

Consider Your Life Stage

The stage of your life will influence your home plan. For example, a young couple starting a family might want bedrooms to be together. An older couple looking at their retirement home might want a laundry room on the main floor.

Consider your current life stage and how you expect it to change over the next five to ten years.

Remember Your Budget

Architects write home designs on the desk.

Designing and building a home tends to be more expensive than purchasing an existing home. Take time to outline your budget and stick to it. Remember to incorporate padding in your budget for the many inevitable surprises that arise when building a home.

The costs will vary depending on your location, connections, and building from scratch or using a service. Research your local area and ask for quotes from various contractors and home design services before you get started.

Choose the Right Flow

Close-up image of businessman examining house plan on laptop screen

Finally, square footage isn’t everything. There are plenty of large homes that are set up poorly, resulting in lots of wasted space, a lack of storage, and temperature control nightmares.

Consider the flow of the home plans you want. For example, if you’re someone who likes entertaining, you might enjoy an open floorplan with no walls between the kitchen, dining room, and living room. If you’re someone who works from home, you might want an office tucked away in a quiet part of the house rather than near the rec room. In many cases, choosing the right flow and design scheme is more important than the size of the house.

Use these tips to pick the right design for your home to live happily and comfortably.

The apparel industry is one of the most competitive industries in the world. It is also a fast-growing industry, with trends that are always changing and evolving. In order to maintain and run a successful apparel business, you need to be at the top of happenings in the fashion world. That means following the latest trends, visiting fashion shows, analyzing sales and customer needs, among other things. If you want to enhance and improve your business, keep on reading about some easy steps to improve your fashion retail business.

1.  Assemble the right team

When speaking about how to be successful in the clothing industry, the first thing we need to start with is the human factor – the staff. The staff you employ is the voice of your business, that is exactly why you should be really careful when choosing your employees. As they are in direct contact with the customers and potential buyers, they should reflect your business’s policy. The staff should be polite, friendly, helpful and honest – people appreciate that. They should be always at the service of customers, ready to provide help and suggestions; they should always be prepared to handle appropriately some awkward moments as well as complaints that are sure to happen sometimes. Accordingly, good employees should be well-paid and rewarded in order to keep them satisfied and working for you.

2.  Sell quality items

You can’t have a successful business if you sell items that lack any kind of quality. That simply doesn’t work, and why should it? People are willing to pay good money for quality clothes, so you should be mindful of maintaining certain quality standards and always work on improving it. Quality means many things – quality materials, perfect craftsmanship, great sewing skills, and lasting colors. When people buy something for the first time in your store and they are satisfied with the quality of items, they are sure to return for more. This is the best ad for you – a personal recommendation. Reviews such as these spread fast in today’s well-connected cyber world.

3.  Find reliable suppliers

Another factor that affects the success of your business is the suppliers you’re working with. You need to find reliable suppliers who offer a wide range of fashion items of high quality that you want to offer to your customers. Besides being quality, the items should also be fashionable, trendy and up to date. They should provide fast delivery to your store and offer some discounts for buying wholesale. They should be helpful and supportive with all your inquires. For example, suppliers such as Style State, among others, fit in well with all the aforementioned aspects.

4.  Advertise your business

This is something you should do regardless of whether you just started a business or you have been running it for some time. Hire people who will come up with an appropriate and effective marketing strategy. After all, pros are pros. You can advertise in so many ways. The most popular ones include advertising on social networks, blogging, organizing some promotion events, and maybe giving out some free stuff. However, besides the paid promotion, there are some things you can do to promote your business for free. Do your research and find out what these things are based on the types of products you’re selling.

5.  Get feedback from your customers

If your goal is to enhance your business, you must be aware of the things you can change and make better. And the best way to find out how to do this is to have your customers leave feedback concerning the shopping experience they had with you. Provide your customers with some ways of giving feedback – it strengthens the bond between a seller and a buyer as well as builds trust by showing interest in customers’ opinions. You can do this in a few ways. For example, you can provide your customers with a link where they can share and/or rate their shopping experience. Make sure you read all the feedback carefully and take it into serious consideration.

6.  Reward loyalty

In order to gain an edge in this highly competitive industry, rewarding loyal customers is one way to go. You can provide them with some discounts, coupons – anything that will say ‘you matter and we appreciate that you have been our customer for so long; we are here for you.’ This strategy will surely make your customers stick with you and your products.

7.  Display the items for easy overview

When trying to sell something, you must make it look appealing. Arrange the items in your store in the way people will be able to see them easily and showcase how they can be worn, mixed and matched. People give up on shopping when the display is confusing, unsightly and all over the place.

8.  Expand your business according to your customers’ needs

There’s no rest in the apparel and fashion industry – as new trends are growing daily. You must always be active in monitoring what your customers are buying and perhaps requesting, and you should expand your business accordingly if you want to progress. Innovation and creativity are key.

It’s not enough to just have a good idea for a business to be successful – you need to invest a lot of time, effort, will, consideration, and money as well. You also need to plan everything, come up with strategies, and make decisions. Only by doing so constantly with the aim of improving your business, you’ll be able to be a proud owner of a successful business.

This post was authored by Patrick Adams, Freelance writer and blogger https://www.clippings.me/patrickadams

Air filters are important components of the HVAC system. They trap dust and other particles to keep the home clean. This is one of the most important benefits of the air filters and the reason why they should be changed often. Other than filtering particles and keeping your home clean, changing your air filters more regularly can also be beneficial in the following ways.

Extend the Lifespan of Your System

The air filter affects how your HVAC system works. When the filter is clogged with dirt and other particles, it causes the system to work harder and even burn out. This means that your unit will require servicing more frequently. The risks of breakdown also increase. However, when you change the air filters more often, your system will perform better for longer periods of time. Its also far more likely to serve you beyond its expected lifespan with proper maintenance. Comparing the cost of a new HVAC system and the cost of an air filter, you will realize that it is more cost-effective to replace air filters often than to buy a new HVAC. You can order quality and affordable air filters from the comfort of your own home by placing your order online with air filters suppliers such as Filterbuy. Filterbuy specializes in U.S. manufactured products with an air filter subscription option to ensure you are never late in replacing your filters. Working with a supplier who offers subscription packages is beneficial because you will get your packages without having to place an order every time you need a replacement. You can also get great discounts with subscription packages. The other option would be to buy a couple of air filters and have them at home to avoid delayed replacements.

Energy Efficiency

When your system is working harder due to dirt build up, your energy bills are most likely to go up. The increase in your power bill could actually be higher than the amount you could have spent on buying a new air filter. Hence, it’s more cost-effective to change your filters on time. This can save you a few dollars every month on energy bills.

Other than the money-saving benefit, by lowering your energy bills, you will be conserving the environment. You can preserve resources and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. When the concentration of these gases in the environment increases, the result is global warming. And some of the effects of this could be desertification of fertile areas, floods, drought and livestock migration among many others. Thus, by changing your filters more, you could be playing an important role in conserving the environment and making the world a better place to live.

Efficiency in Maintaining Home Temperature

Dirty air filters can affect the temperatures in your home. Without proper circulation, it can be hard for your house to stay warm or cool enough. This can reduce the comfort of your home. You can save yourself and your family this agony by simply getting a new filter every month or after a couple of months, and your home will always be the comfort zone it should be.

Good Health

The bacteria, pet dander, dirt, mold, dust and dirt that build up on air filters can be a cause of health issues or they can worsen existing health conditions for people in your household. This is mostly in cases of asthma and allergies. Thus, by changing your filters often, you will be looking out for the wellbeing of your family members. With proper measures, some patients can even reduce the amount of medications they use to manage their conditions, since living in a clean environment can lessen their symptoms. However, before you adjust your medications, even when you feel fine, it’s always good to consult with your doctor. Don’t overlook this benefit as good health is more important than money.

In addition to changing your filters often, you can achieve maximum benefit from your HVAC system by scheduling regular maintenance with an HVAC contractor. And when changing your HVAC system, make sure you go for one that is effective and efficient.

This post was authored by Emily Roberts

Boy, does time fly so fast! Only three months to go and it’ll already be 2021. We’ve gone through a lot these year and despite being quartered indoors for most of the year, home trends continue to evolve to accommodate our current living situations. Here is what we can expect to see more in interior design this 2021.

1. Natural elements

Modern studio apartment interior decorated with plants and rattan accessories

Living in a modern world can easily make you feel desensitized from everything. To remedy this, homeowners are bringing in natural elements into their home whether it’s a rattan storage basket, rugs made of hemp, or an indoor plant. There are simply many ways to incorporate these nature-inspired textures into the home to give it a more down-to-earth look. 

2. Sustainable modern design

Spacious modern kitchen in luxury stylish house

As we become more conscious of the environment, there has been a shift in the way consumers shop for furniture. It’s not enough that a certain item looks good. It has to be ethically sourced and made of high-quality materials. It’s easy to distinguish sustainable made furniture from ones that are mass-produced. The latter often looks cheap and off poor quality. 

Take for example your bedding. You should look at all the materials in your mattress as the average ones are often made with polyurethane foam. These are the cheapest and are often the poorest in quality. Consider investing in quality materials for your furniture to avoid having to replace it every few years. 

3. Multifunctional furniture

In the last few years, people have made the move towards living in smaller spaces. Aside from the rising real estate prices, this is also due to the fact that we prefer to live more minimalist lifestyles. As a result, multifunctional furniture has gained in popularity and will continue to do so in 2021. 

In home decor stores, you might find a table that functions both as a dining space and work area at the same time. Or maybe a sectional sofa that can easily convert into a bed to accommodate overnight guests. Watch out for these innovations if you’re looking to save more space in your home. 

4. Non-porous materials

The current pandemic has caused homeowners to be more conscious of the germs they bring into their homes. As a result, there will be a rise in demand for non-porous materials such as cement, metal, and laminate which prevent germs and bacteria from sticking. We will see the application of this in areas like the kitchen where we are likely to deposit items from the outside such as shopping bags and groceries. 

5. Touches of color

Color and imagination in spacious teenager room interior

Pops of color are not new in the interior design trend but for the least daring, they have yet to adapt this style into their homes. Thankfully, that’ll be gone by 2021 as we are going to see more touches of color in homes. No need to go all in on this trend. Instead, homeowners are encouraged to opt for a bold color, even on just one part of the room whether it’s the sofa, rug, lamp, or cabinet. It’s a step away from minimalism to add some liveliness to a room. 

6. Everyday luxury

Closeup of burning candles spreading aroma on table in a spa room. Beautiful composition with grey and white candles for spa treatment. Zen and relax concept.

This year hasn’t been easy for everyone. We’ve had to give up many things to make sure that our loved ones and the general public is safe. Because of this, homeowners had to adapt creative ways to care for themselves right in their own homes. It may be something as simple as a plush bathrobe, a luxurious rug by the bed, or a scented candle. These are just little touches of luxury you can add to your home so you don’t feel like missing out. And you can expect that more people will continue to do the same in the coming year too!

Which of these trends are you most excited to try out in your home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

This blog post was authored by:

Kitchen aesthetics are a constant work in progress. No matter how much we add or take away, it always seems like there’s something missing. Instead of wrapping your brain around the endless items you can add to the kitchen, why not get creative with plants? Plants can easily offer life, color,  and vibrancy to any kitchen. 

Potted plants are a great start. Unfortunately, they consume ample kitchen counter space and can quickly take over. To offer you some other creative options, we’ve listed our five favorite strategies to adding plants to the kitchen without taking up your precious kitchen real estate. 

Hanging Plants

Hanging plants are the perfect alternative to those bulky, space-consuming potted plants.The more you start using your kitchen, the more you realize how precious kitchen counter space really is. 

Hanging plants also fill the eye-level void that exists in most kitchens. Many people don’t notice this void until they start filling it! Don’t be intimidated by the work involved with hanging plants. A few common household tools, a trip to your local hardware store, and a youtube tutorial or two should do the trick. 

Here’s a video to help you along the way.

Propagation Stations

owner of the photography for the propagation station is Jacque of Plant Goddesses.

Most of us have ample experience of crowding too many plants in the same space. It’s easy to overdo it, and once it happens, it’s hard to backtrack. Propagation stations allow you to get a little plant-crazy without taking up too much space. Explore with different colors, shapes, and sizes, and I assure you this will become your favorite part of the kitchen!

In the picture above, we used test tubes to host our different plants. We encourage you to get creative here. Etsy has some awesome variations to spark ideas. You can make as little as 3 stations, or as many as 20. It’s totally up to you. Just remember that each plant will require its own maintenance. 

Windowsill Herb Gardens

Stimulating the kitchen with nice things to look at is definitely a must. But the best kitchen visuals are those that fulfill multiple roles. Herb gardens inspire incredible color, fragrant aromas, and best of all, useful fresh cooking flavors. If you’re looking for new ways to spice up the kitchen (pun intended) herb gardens are the most attractive and useful tools you can incorporate.  

Basil, parsley and chives are some great herbs to start with. If you want to take it a step further, you can get some rosemary and thyme. These make awesome additions to everyday staples like meat, fish and potatoes. 

Floating Shelves

Yes, I know the labor sounds overwhelming. But let me be the first novice handyman to tell you, floating shelves are a cakewalk. If you find your kitchen walls to be a little empty, what better way to fill them than with a storage shelf? Yes, place some plants on the shelf, but also use it to store your favorite wine glasses, tableware or cooking utensils.

The cool thing about floating shelves is that you can always exchange the old for the new. Replace the plants or items as often as you want to change up the vibe (we recommend seasonally). 

Climbing Plants

Climbing plants are our favorite type of kitchen plant because they are a constantly-growing work in progress. You get to watch your plant grow and guide it wherever your heart desires. If it gets out of hand, trim it back. If you don’t like the direction it’s going, redirect it. If you want it in a completely different side of the kitchen, transplant it. 

Climbing plants are versatile and can fit where you want them. Spider plants and swedish ivy are good places to start. Because we aren’t plant professionals, we recommend you look into Gardening Know How’s full  guide to indoor climbing plants.

Conclusion

Potted plants are definitely not the only option for your kitchen. Take the time to find a plant design that works to your taste. We strive to create kitchen designs that are lively, unique and practical. Experimenting with different plant types and designs will allow you to find something that fits your kitchen seamlessly. Cheers!

This blog post was authored by Michael, Founder of Robust Kitchen

Your living room, true to its name, is where a lot of your at-home life happens. To make it stand out, consider incorporating these elements.

When it comes to interior design, it’s easy to let things be as they are. You never get rid of furniture that doesn’t really match, push off DIY projects for years, and adapt to your home rather than making it work for you. You live in the uncomfortable space between dissatisfaction and the status quo.

Let’s look specifically at your living room. There’s a way forward, a path to making that space unmistakably yours. You just need to find your first step. For guidance on how to make your living room stand out from the boring norm, read on.

Pick a Theme

Light flat with metal bookcase, and white dresser

First, picking a theme directs your future stylistic choices so that your space has unity. Conceptualize a theme however you like—choosing a stylistic theme, for instance, enables you to incorporate materials and shapes that come from an established design tradition. Otherwise, a theme can pertain to your interests. Though it may feel childish to do this, you can keep it understated. For example, built-in bookcase can speak to your love for literature and spark conversation with visitors. Peppering the space with all kinds of plants greens up the space while bringing your green thumb indoors. And a piano in one corner with complementary sleek black tones elsewhere centers things on a love of music. You have so many options to bring your living room together.

Hang Vibrant, Well-Placed Art

Bed and wall art in modern bedroom

Seeing a colorful art series that perfectly aligns is so satisfying. Our brains crave this vibrancy and pattern-making. But hanging art well is just as vital as what you put up. Don’t make the fatal mistake of placing art pieces too high up. Doing so brings them away from eye level, which means you enjoy them less. Plus, art that’s near the ceiling tricks your brain into thinking the entire living room is smaller. Instead, keep it at the average eye level of everyone in the house (kids excepted). Centering it above a sofa at this height does wonders for the room’s look.

When you have a large number of pieces, play with spacing in creative ways. Jamming art pieces together seems logical and commonplace, but leaving some negative space can make a wall look more impressive. You get bonus points if your pieces are all the same size and shape.

Paint or Install a Daring Accent Wall

Real photo of golden accents, clock, paintings, plants and double bed in a dark bedroom interior

Another way to make your living room stand out is to go for an accent wall. To begin, you need to pick the right wall. Luckily, your best guess has a good chance of being right—the wall that already has a point of emphasis will be the one you should double down on bringing to the forefront. Walls with fireplaces, bookcases, and any other focal piece are appropriate.

Next, you want the contrast to be clear. When painting, don’t shy away from the bold color you want. Let it guide the rest of your designing, including the décor you buy, so that the wall serves its accent function.

If you prefer wood paneling, study up on the different types—flat-planked, shiplap, and board and batten afford you slightly different looks but the same rich, warm wood feel.

Hopefully, these three tips can free you from inaction and propel you to a living room in which you love spending time.

More Weddings, Less Venues, How a Tsunami of Couples is Rushing Towards an Unprepared Wedding Industry (and what you can do about it)!

Earlier this week, I got off the phone with a friend who was panicking because she couldn’t find a wedding venue for next spring in her hometown. While her fiance was Googling parks and Masonic lodges, and her mom was pitching local churches, time was running out. For most couples, securing a venue that aligns with their vision is a critical early step in the wedding planning process. Venue size and layout are what dictate how many guests can attend, how the ceremony transpires, planner requirements, caterers, budget, decorations, and even attire.

wedding rings with a wedding decor

Without a venue, my friend worried, her wedding would be a disaster.

Her predicament made me realize that to save hundreds-of-thousands of similar weddings, we need to reimagine wedding ceremonies. If there’s anything we’ve learned from the last six months, it’s that we must reach out to friends, family, and our community in ways that we never have before.

But before I get into how that’s possible, let’s take a step back and look at what’s happened to the wedding industry over the last year, as well as how couples in various stages of the planning process have adapted to the shutdown. I’ll try not to get bogged down in theory, but there’s a simple economics rule at play: supply and demand. It’s basic economics.

Wedding couple exchanging wedding rings during holy matrimony in church. Bride and groom putting golden rings on finger, close up. Spiritual moment

Every year, more than 2 million couples tie the knot in the US, meaning that over course of the shutdown and through 2021, close to 4 million couples will have their wedding plans disrupted on some level. Many of these couples will adapt by postponing their weddings into 2021 and 2022. Now add into the mix the million-plus couples that will pop the question over the next half year, and you’ve got a tsunami of weddings happening in 2021 and possibly even 2022!

Here is where it gets even crazier. These millions of couples will be competing for the services of a severely-diminished wedding industry, where thousands of venues and service providers will have left the market due to the financial hardship of the COVID-19 shutdown. Every day, we hear about another venue shutting its doors for good, or a florist that’s gone out of business.

With more couples competing for fewer available services, there’s no way supply can possibly meet demand. Too many couples, not enough venues and caterers. As a result, we can expect profound disruption in the wedding industry. But you can still move forward with a wedding celebration that’s memorable and meaningful, even if you can’t find a conventional venue!

Wedding

The key is to start with the ceremony, and build your wedding experience around it. Since many conventional options might be off the table, your ceremony needs to become a foundation on top of which you can build traditions like handfasting, readings that speak to your values and include family and friends, and most importantly, vows that you write yourself with the help of your wedding officiant.

To understand how couples adapted, American Marriage Ministries surveyed our nationwide network of officiants to see how ceremonies had evolved in response to the coronavirus. What we found was that ultimately, the shutdown has liberated many couples from the social pressures associated with weddings and planning. One officiant explained that couples have used this as an opportunity to revise their plans and incorporate more personal, unique ceremony elements, since they aren’t feeling the need to accommodate the expectations of any guests.

wedding bouquet, bridal bouquet, beautiful bouquet of different colors

It might sound crazy, but if you focus on these less-tangible elements, and follow your inspiration, you will find components that complement the experience in ways you might not have considered.

Remember when rustic barn weddings were considered avant garde? Our officiants have performed amazing ceremonies in warehouses, nightclubs, libraries, mountaintops, and thousands of other unconventional venues. Over the years, couples have always pushed the envelope because embracing novelty is a critical step towards creating memorable moments. Now, we’ve got a carte blanche to try new and exciting ideas.

So rather than focusing on a lack of conventional options, embrace the paradigm shift that we are experiencing, where you can celebrate in whatever fashion, and in whichever space you want!

At American Marriage Ministries, we empower you to realize your wedding ceremony ambitions by helping you find a wedding officiant that can work with you to create the perfect ceremony. Chances are that you already know someone that is perfect for the role, and with our free online ordination, they can gain the legal title of Minister in a matter of minutes. Now is the time to reach out to your college roommate, your friend from church, your cousin down the street and ask them to get ordained and officiate your wedding. It’s going to be amazing, we promise!

This post was authored by Lewis King, Executive Director of American Marriage Ministries, https://theamm.org/

If you’ve started spotting areas of the walls and ceilings that look damp, or you’ve even noticed a few black dots appearing in concerning clusters, then you are right to be worried. Mold can damage the structures of the home, weakening them to the point of replacement. It can also be a serious health concern, especially for those who might already be susceptible to respiratory issues. Here, we’re going to look at some of the most common sources of mold in the home and what you can do about it.

Leaking pipes

By far one of the most common plumbing issues, and a DIY problem you should never try to deal with alone. If you see a sudden and growing case of mold, or even leaking water, then it’s very likely to be that a pipe behind the drywall or ceiling is leaking and needs to be repaired as soon as possible.

A leaking roof

A roof made up of tiles old and worn, with natural vegetation, which needs restructuring.

Since it’s up above our head, we tend not to think about roof before it’s too late. However, chipped, cracked, and missing tiles can give rainwater free entry into the home. It’s worth having a professional roofer check there for signs of wear and tear at least once a year. If you spot mold in the ceiling, then check-up in the loft for signs of a leak. You might only need a replacement tile or two.

High levels of humidity

Some people live in areas that are simply a lot more humid than others. If there is naturally more moisture in the air, this moisture is going to find surfaces to rest on, leading to the a chance of mold. Improving the ventilation in the home, investing in dehumidifiers, and trying to avoid clutter where moisture can more easily build will all help to tackle this problem. However, this problem is caused by elements outside of your control so you should be prepared to have to deal with it regularly.

Building condensation

When the outdoor and indoor temperatures and humidities are different, especially during winter, it can lead to a buildup of condensation. This moisture on your cold surfaces, especially your windows, can lead to mold. The buildup of dirt and dust can speed it up, even more, so regularly window cleaning services can be pretty essential. Dehumidifiers can help reduce the buildup of condensation as well.

AC woes

portrait of mid-adult male technician repairing air conditioner

If you have an air conditioner in your home for the summer, then it might be worth looking more closely at it. For one, if it’s not working, then humidity and condensation are more likely to be problems. However, air conditioner leaks can be particularly dangerous. You can spot these by checking around the AC unit, itself. This mold tends not to be the dark spots we all easily recognize but might look white and patchy, instead.

Mold can grow anywhere, so be sure to keep a lookout through the entire home. The above cases might be some of the most frequent, but they are far from the only ones.

Many cities are justifiably famous for their piazzas and parks. The elements of a great public space combine to offer recreation, relaxation and socializing.

Rome has the Piazza Navona. Chicago has Millennium Park with the Bean and Daley Plaza with its Picasso. Cities all over the world have public spaces that succeed or fail based on several grounding principles. The elements of a great public space include accessibility, activities, sociability, and comfort. In your travels, you’ll notice that public places that lure you and cause locals to linger tend to share these attributes.

Scenic urban park in a business district

Comfort

Comfort goes well beyond having a place to sit, although that is certainly important. Safety is critical for comfort—people won’t gather in a place that’s dark, dingy, or deserted. If seating choices are limited to hard benches under a blazing sun, the space is not likely to be viewed as comfortable.

Many great public spaces feature works of art, fountains, or recurring festivals. These require extra maintenance and clean up. Unless you’re visiting Venice, you’ll notice subtle but effective drainage around fountains, splash pads, and parking lots to keep them from harboring stagnant puddles that attract pests.

Public park beautiful landscape with smooth surface of pond and reflections of plants on a background of old green big trees in a spring day.

Accessibility

Successful public squares, parks, and plazas are easy to see, easy to get to, and useful for people of all abilities. They link to their surroundings by maintaining a human scale, flowing seamlessly from storefronts to sidewalks to open and green spaces. People can get there by walking, cycling, driving, or taking public transportation. The space is organized so that transportation delivers visitors but doesn’t interfere with them once they arrive. From these spaces, people can get to other places they want to visit, like shops, museums, and theaters.

Morning in spring public park . Man playing with his dog (labrador retriever) between blooming trees. Prague, Czech Republic

Activities

There are a lot of things to do in or near a successful public space. These give people a reason to visit and a reason to stay. There will be choices for people of all ages and abilities, from chess to baseball and from picnicking to reading. People can do things in groups or on their own. Kids can play basketball or climb around on playground equipment. Lovers can hold hands and find a quiet place to sit together, away from boisterous children. Seniors can admire a garden, rest, and enjoy people watching.

Sociability

When you visit a public space alone, something about it should make it easy to strike up a conversation with a stranger. It’s a place you’d designate for a meetup with friends or family. It’s diverse, and the people who visit the space care about it enough to clean up after themselves (and waste receptacles aren’t overflowing but instead are emptied regularly). These places make you smile just because you’re there.

Public spaces that are over-scaled, lack comfortable seating, or that are too removed from their surroundings tend to be empty and forbidding.  They fail the tests of accessibility, comfort, activities, and sociability.

When post-pandemic travel resumes, make a list of public places you visit based on the elements of great public spaces described above. Then, you can make informed recommendations to your friends and family about places to visit and those to avoid.

Adjusting your home’s color palette can make selling your home easier without having to spend on a costly renovation project. Here are the best colors to use.

Selling your home often requires much more effort than it may seem. Renovations and smaller upkeep projects, like painting your house, can make a big impact on your ability to sell your home. When new buyers are looking to purchase a home, they must be able to imagine themselves in the home they are viewing. For this reason, neutral colors are the best paint colors to sell your home because they allow potential buyers to see your house as a blank canvas. Dark colors and colors that appeal to specific tastes can make it difficult for homebuyers to see their own lives and potential personal touches, making your home less desirable.   

Grey  

Fireplace next to a grey corner sofa and table with tulips against white wall with painting in apartment interior

Grey paints are a great option for interior painting when looking to sell your home. Greys are neutral tones that add a cooler look to your interior rooms. Because grey tones make rooms look cooler, they also help brighten rooms, which can give small spaces a more open look. There has also been a trend over the last few years in interior painting to use more grey tones. By painting your interior this shade, you not only create a blank canvas for your homebuyers, but you also show that your home is updated with the latest trends on the market. Grey colors are great additions to any room, but they work especially well in kitchens and bedrooms.   

Taupe  

Pastel abstract painting on beige wall behind velvet pink settee in simple living room

For a hint of color that won’t overwhelm home buyers, use a shade of taupe. Taupe is a great shade for living rooms to keep them neutral and sophisticated. Undertones such as grey, brown, or even lavender allow you to brighten or neutralize a living room based on the undertone chosen. These options give just enough personality to the room without distracting home buyers.  

White  

Abstract paste blue and white painting on empty white wall behind beige couch with pillows

White is a classic choice for painting your home during the resale process. White is extremely common, but not all white shades are the same. A bright, stark white can be unappealing to new home buyers as it may come off as too cookie-cutter or office-like. White tones also heavily depend on the lighting in the space. Off-whites are the best white option for interior painting as they are softer than traditional white, but yellow hues can make the room look old and outdated. Cream undertones can often make rooms look too dark or shaded as well. Blue and grey undertones offer a great balance to keep rooms looking bright and updated without the white color looking too clinical and bland. Look to use whites in smaller rooms such as bathrooms and offices when staging your home.   

Your home’s interior painting can make a big impact on reselling your home. Too dark or too vibrant of colors can detract buyers by fitting too specific of a buyer persona. To allow eager buyers to see the full potential of your home, prioritize grey, taupe, and white shades to make your home a blank canvas that newcomers can make their own. Finding the best paint colors to sell your home will make a big difference in your home’s overall appeal. 

Home extensions add considerable value to your home. Luxury options such as a patio or winter garden can also help to enhance the look of your backyard. They create a connection between your home and outside space and are also perfect for entertaining guests. Stand-alone conversions such as repurposed sheds or glass box extensions are also a fabulous addition. Here are five luxury extensions to enhance your backyard.

Patio extension

A patio extension is a perfect way to enjoy the view of your yard from a more luxurious space. It’s also a lovely place to entertain or spend time with your family. You can choose between luxury concrete or wooden decking, and select stylish furniture to complete the project. Get in touch with a patio contractor, to find out what upgrades would be best for your patio.

Shed conversion

Shed conversions are trending right now and probably the cheapest possible space to renovate in your house. You could transform it into a playhouse for your children, or a game room. It could even be turned into a tiny hideaway or micro-living space. Here are some ideas for upgrading your shed this summer.  

A new shed could even add more value to your home. Consider it an investment for the future, if you’re considering selling one day. Install heating and security features for much less than you would need to on your house, and use it as an extra bedroom or even a home office.

Winter garden

A winter garden is a nice addition because it’s somewhere between outside and inside. The glass walls will give you a lot of natural light, which makes it a lovely place to sit on sunny days. Many people use it as a function room to entertain guests. You’ll have a great view of the yard as well, but still, be protected from the elements. You can check out some examples online, but it will definitely enhance your backyard. 

Adjoining land

Instead of extending the building into the house why not extend your yard itself? If you have the option you could buy some adjoining land and use stylish landscaping ideas to maximize the space. A larger backyard will add significant value to your home, and if you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ll get plenty of use out of it. With more space, you could even consider other luxury additions such as a hot tub or a pool.

Glass box extension

Consider a glass box extension to really add style and a modern flair to your backyard. Extension projects made entirely out of glass are an ideal way to add space and light. Technological advances in the glass and windows industry now mean that you can create a box extension completely out of energy-efficient glass, that won’t feel like a greenhouse.

Whichever you decide for your property, a rear extension can enhance the flow of the house into the garden. Luxury additions such as these will add significant style and value to your home.

It’s often hard to apply and arrange traditional landscape designs. Most homeowners don’t even have time to make drastic changes in their backyard but still want the space around the house to look decent and easy to maintain. Luckily, there are numerous DIY gardening projects you can finish in a few days. You don’t have to spend hours arranging and continually adding new plants to form a beautiful landscape when you can achieve a similar effect by creating small changes.

1. A potted garden

Every gardener knows that it takes a lot of determination to maintain a healthy garden. If growing a garden is overwhelming to you, but you still want your yard to look pretty, you should start cultivating your plants in flowerpots. A potted garden does not require strict maintenance of the soil, and you only need to learn when to water specific flowers or herbs.

Another perk is that you can arrange them however you want. Place them near the house or somewhere on the front porch, and the area around your home will look colourful during the season. If your plants are not very fond of rain, you can always put them inside until the storm is over. That way, all flowers will stay in the pot, and there will be no visible signs of damage on them.

2. Fake grass

Many people struggle to find time to mow their lawn. You can avoid cutting grass every other weekend, but only if you’re ready to risk and invest in something new. Find a trustworthy fake grass manufacturer and enjoy spending your weekends without having to worry about the cutting season.

This type of decoration requires little to no maintenance and is ideal for both small and large areas. It offers excellent drainage, and will always stay green.

3. Rocks and pebbles

You don’t need new decorations to make your yard look modern and inviting. Think about what you already have in the yard and try to combine those colours and textures to create something new and beautiful. If you have a pile of rocks and an unused space, use those resources to create a rock garden with colourful flowers planted between the stones.

Something as simple as rocks will look great in combination with vibrant flowers. It’s advisable to find two to three types of flowers that can grow next to each other and plant them together, preferably at the same time.

4. A small oasis

Some homeowners can’t turn their yard into a beautiful garden, mostly because the pavement covers most of the yard, and removing concrete is often not an option. However, there must be one small patch of land that you can turn into a beautiful oasis where you can rest and enjoy your summer.

If the location of the fertile soil is near the main gate or next to the fence, get a posthole digger for planting trees and place a few there. If you already have trees in your yard, cultivate the land around them and build a raised beds garden. Growing plants in raised beds is not much different from traditional gardening.

However, you will need to invest in equipment that will facilitate the process of maintenance. You will need hose reels to be able to water your plants every day without putting a lot of effort. You should also invest in gardening tools such as digging knife, a shovel and a weeder. If you don’t know how to turn a small patch of land into a beautiful landscape, it’s advisable to contact a gardener to teach you what flowers and plants will effortlessly grow in your garden.

5. Outdoor living room

Big yards give you extra space that you can turn into whatever you want. If you’re someone who likes to rest in a cozy area or spend a lot of time with your friends, think about creating a corner in your yard reserved for those activities. People who live in places where the tropical climate is dominant can use their yards as an extension of their living space.

Set up a large table for family gatherings and buy a new sofa or install hammocks or a coffee table with tabourets. There are endless ways to set up and decorate your yard. The most suitable option won’t cost you much, and you’ll still make drastic changes for a low price.

Conclusion

You can make the most out of your yard of you invest enough time to learn how to plant and arrange the space. Not all plants are suitable for the soil in your yard, so you should be careful about what you choose to cultivate. On the other hand, you can turn your backyard into a private space for rest, without having to worry about growing and maintaining a garden. Think about what changes you want to see and design and arrange your backyard accordingly. With a little bit of effort, you witness the transformation on less than a week.

This blog post was authored by  Patrick Adams, Freelance writer and blogger

https://www.clippings.me/patrickadams

Life goes by quickly; one minute your parents and grandparents are running around with you as a child, the next minute, you’re a grown adult, and your loved ones are getting older. Before they’re gone, you want to preserve all the memories from your past with them. 

In our lifetime, technology has changed a lot. We’ve gone from film cameras to digital and VHS tapes to DVDs and BluRay. Our childhood and the lives of our elders are documented with outdated devices. 

Luckily, your memories aren’t lost. We’re going to go over how to organize your family’s photos, videos, and heirlooms. 

Photos 

Converting film photos to digital ones is a straightforward process. Even if you have negatives from your great grandma’s childhoods passed down the generations, it’s possible. 

You can use EverPresent services or another similar option, which will professionally change any film to a digital copy. This is vital because if the negative or slide is damaged by water, the air, or other causes, the image is destroyed forever. 

With digital images, you can save them on your computer and know they’re safe. As an added safety measure, you should then take the digital copies and save them to an external hard drive or upload them on the internet. 

That way, if your computer breaks or gets stolen, you’re not missing these photos. Once they’re protected, you can organize the images in folders. This makes finding pictures quicker and viewing them more coherent. 

Videos 

It was only in the last 20 or so years that we changed from film to digital cameras, including videos. Many of our parents have home videos of us as children that are recorded on a VHS. It’s difficult to watch these memories because companies don’t make VCRs anymore. 

However, you’re in luck. There are VHS to DVD converters you can buy to save your videos, and it’s easy. Once you have it on a DVD, you can upload it to your computer as well. 

Similar to the photos, you should back up these videos to a second source and organize them. It’s going to be time-consuming at first, but by the end, you’ll have a beautiful collection of videos of your family just a few clicks away. 

Heirlooms 

Male hand opening very old book

Perhaps when an older family member passed away, you inherited a couple of boxes of their things. These could be your grandma’s wedding ring, your grandpa’s old tool kit, or other trinkets. It’s easy to leave them in the boxes, but you should organize them in a different way. 

First, you can take these items to a professional to clean them or do it yourself. The fresh look of these classic heirlooms will make them come to life again. Then, find an area in your home to display these items. You can buy a special glass case, more shelving, or a table for the pieces. 

This creates a conversation starter because of the age and stories that are hidden with these items. It’s also a great way to remember your elders and the heritage that shaped who you are today. 

The Bottom Line

It’s true that we hold memories within photos, videos, and material items. When people pass away, these things become even more important to us, so we should treat them with respect. 

Getting these sentimental items organized is the best way to remember our family memories. You should convert film photos to digital ones, VHS tapes to DVD, and display your heirlooms. Once you do this, viewing these things will be easy and enjoyable for you and the generations to come. 

Home is where the heart is, and you definitely pour your heart out when you decorate your new home. Whether it’s your first time living on your own or maybe you are moving in with your significant other or perhaps your family moved to a new house, grab the opportunity to decorate a space that you will love coming home to.

Home decorating can be both exciting and overwhelming at first, so remember that it’s a process that you can enjoy as you go along.

To get you started, here are five expert tips for decorating your new home:

Colorful painting on grey bedhead of bed with cushions in bedroom interior with cabinet. Real photo

Pick a theme and color palette

An overarching theme can serve as an excellent guide for your decorating decisions. Do you prefer a modern or vintage style? Minimalist or natural? There are many design themes to choose from. Once you select a design theme, you will be able to incorporate the right thematic decor in your rooms and at the same time, get a better idea of the color palette that you can use to give your rooms a unified look.

A good rule to observe when choosing colors is the 50/150 rule where you mix one batch of paint 50% lighter than the base and another batch 150% darker. This gives you a selection of colors that match naturally with each other.

Keep in mind also the colors you enjoy and the purpose of each room when you begin to assign colors. Relaxing colors such as blues and greys go well for bedrooms while warmer colors such as oranges and reds are more suitable for the living room and kitchen. When talking about colors, it’s not just about the color of your wall. Bursts of color can also come from your rugs, curtains, accent pillows, wall art and other things in your rooms.

Arrange your furniture according to your space

To ensure that your furniture fits your space efficiently, consider the purpose of your rooms in advance and plan your space accordingly. Your furniture arrangement should have a balance between functionality and design.

In terms of the kind of furniture you should have, it should go well with your design theme. You should also be practical and think about storage. If you can find pieces that have multiple functions like beds with built-in storage or tables with a cavity inside, you will be able to maintain a clean and seamless appearance in your home. Your future self will thank you for being prepared as well.

Since you can’t change your furniture all the time, make sure to choose quality pieces that you can live with for a long time.

Mix It Up

When it comes to your home’s interior design, the phrase, “Mix it up” can refer to many things. It can refer to mixing up high and low-priced furniture, or it can also mean mixing up textures and materials to create depth and contrast.

As long as it fits your needs, your furniture, accessories, gadgets and other design elements can all go together regardless if they’re expensive or not.

When shopping for cabinets, doors, lights, etc., you can choose different finishes of woods or metals. An example of mixing materials could be using wood against the metallic finish.

Cozy living room with brick wall and light furniture, dresser, bookshelf, floor lamp, coffee table, comfortable sofa and armchair placed in room

Light Up Your Home:

People sometimes overlook lighting and just rely on standard built-in lights but having the right lighting can make your home feel more inviting and comfortable. Add in different types of lamps or try to include some mood lighting to set a cozy ambiance in your home.

Blurred flowers in the foreground of bedroom interior with chic, white armchair and bed with pink bedsheets

Show off your personality

Your home is a reflection of who you are, so make sure to show off your personality through your interior design.

You can show off your personal style by adding focal features in your rooms such as an accent wall with a bold color or an eye-catching showpiece. Be bold and have fun while adding these elements of surprise to your home.

Another way to show your personality is by going the opposite of bold statement designs and going for simple design details instead. Include small but noticeable decor that shows a bit of your personality. Display your favorite artwork or install a stylish photo gallery. If you want to have something else besides framed photographs, you can also commission customized digital illustrations that you can put in pretty poster frames. These personal details are just the right finishing touches to decorate your dream home.

This post was authored by Holly Clark | Freelance Lifestyle Writer

With more people working remotely or having their hours cut, many have ventured into different businesses by creating a side hustle. They have turned their passion or interests into an income. What they may not realize is, this new side hustle could have deductions when filing taxes. I want to share 10 deductions your side hustle might be missing I learned from my professional experience:

Start-up Costs: include every penny you spent while starting your new business. Incorporation costs, licensing fees, and computer and software expenses, among others, are deductible.

Cost of sold goods: everything you buy to make money will be deductible. Purchases made to resell, costs of parts, and raw materials used for inventory are deductible.

Basis: if you contribute an asset, the value of the asset will be transferred to the business, tax free, and serve as a base when selling or disposing of the asset.

Defocused silhouettes of business people traveling on airport; waiting at the plane boarding gates.

Car and travel: any miles or travel expenses are deductible if used for your side hustle. Business miles used for business purposes, or actual car expenses, such as gas, maintenance, and depreciation are deductible. Tolls and parking costs are deductible. Actual travel costs incurred for business purposes are deductible.

Home office interior

Home office: if there is a room in your house you turned into your home office, that portion of your house can be deducted as a non-cash expense, because you already pay to be there. Portions of rent, mortgage interests, utilities, home improvements, and depreciation can be deducted.

1. 

   Unrecognizable person hold cell phone. View from behind, mockup with white phone display. White screen of mobile phone. Copy space, template

   Cell phone, phone, or fax line: the usage you give your cell phone, phone, or fax line is deductible. If the line is only used for your business, it is deductible in full. A portion of your cell phone can be allocated to your business. A dedicated phone or fax line is fully deductible.

    

   

   Group Enjoying Business Lunch At Delicatessen Counter

   Meals: with clients, or potential clients, meals are 50-percent deductible for tax purposes.   

   Advertising Fees: include all those expenses you make in order to promote your product, and they are 100-percent deductible. Facebook and Instagram ads are deductible. Business cards are deductible. Event expenses, such as location, catering, and souvenirs, are deductible.

   

   Crop woman sitting at table with carton boxes and signing for delivery of parcel

   Postage and other supplies: this mostly applies to people doing online business and require shipping. Those who use eBay, for example, need to pay close attention to this deduction. Packing tape, boxes, and postage used on sending products are deductible. Paper, pens, pencils, and clips, among others, are deductible. 

   Qualified Business Income Deduction: after the 2018 reform, small businesses qualify for a business income deduction. Certain businesses qualify for a deduction of up to 20-percent of their qualified business income.

These are 10 of the deductions you can take advantage of when working on your side hustle. As most of us are working from home, these are important to keep in mind when filing taxes. You should also keep in mind, there will come a time when your side hustle is ready to become an established business. When this time comes, I recommend starting as a Limited Liability Company and move on to an S-Corporation when it becomes profitable. Until then, take advantage of these deductions your side hustle might be missing.

This post was contributed by: Mirel Barcelo, the founder and owner of Corp 1 Financial Services, LLC, where she offers her comprehensive services as a CPA in Florida.

Activism starts at home. Get your house in order and prepare to join the green initiative with these sustainable alternatives to common building materials.

Environmental consciousness has become an increasingly important concern in recent years, and with good reason. Many people have made big and little lifestyle changes in an effort to live more sustainable and eco-friendly lives. Because activism often starts at home, one of the most common changes people adopt when seeking greener lives is renovating their houses to become eco-friendlier and more energy-efficient. Many different home renovations can make your home environmentally friendlier, from major remodels to minor product swaps. You can replace even the most basic building blocks in your house to feature eco-friendlier materials. Explore several sustainable alternatives to common building materials with this brief guide.

Metal roofing

Eco-friendly building materials are often much easier to come by than many people realize, and they can make the interior and the exterior of your home far more energy-efficient and sustainable. Metal roofing is one such material that has become increasingly popular in many residential homes. Metal roofing offers many eco-friendly benefits that can help you live a more sustainable life. Metal roofs last far longer than other roofing materials, including wood, tile, or asphalt shingles, and they’re completely recyclable at the end of their long lives. This significantly reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfills each year. Metal roofing also lowers your home’s energy consumption, thereby reducing your carbon footprint and impact on the environment.

Reclaimed wood, metal, and plastic

Reclaimed recycled cut slabs of wood in a woodowrking factory.

One of the most sustainable alternatives to common building materials is recycled goods. Recycled building materials are available in a variety of forms, including reclaimed wood, metal, and recycled plastic. You can use these items in many different ways throughout your home. You can use reclaimed wood as an alternative to traditional flooring options or to craft one-of-a-kind furniture. You can also use reclaimed metal in flooring or countertops to add a lovely touch in homes with industrial design styles. Recycled plastic can even be used to create lush carpeting and other textiles throughout your home.

Bamboo

Sleeping dog on bamboo hardwood floors next to fireplace inside home. RLTheis

Bamboo is an extremely popular alternative to traditional hardwood floors for several reasons. Contrary to popular belief, bamboo is not technically wood—it’s actually part of the grass family. As such, it grows far faster than most wood, and it’s much more sustainable. Some bamboo species can even grow up to three feet in 24 hours. Bamboo is also extremely lightweight. This means that not as much energy is needed to manufacture, transport, or install bamboo. Excessive energy consumption is a major contributing factor to climate change, but using bamboo as an alternate building material limits this consumption. You can use bamboo as an alternate flooring option or in cabinetry and furniture.

Precast concrete

You can even swap out the most basic building blocks of your home for more sustainable options. Precast concrete slabs offer a much more sustainable and energy-efficient option than concrete that’s poured on-site. This form of concrete is formed at an offsite manufacturing site and then shipped to the construction site, where it can be cut to size and placed accordingly. Concrete is still rather heavy, but the energy needed to process and create this material is relatively low. The process used to create these concrete slabs is also less likely to produce cracked or damaged concrete, which therefore reduces the chances that the concrete will need to be demolished and recast.

A stale home is an unhappy home. Here are some simple changes you can make to add some “pop” to your sanctuary and make it a place you can be proud to show off.

Your home is your sanctuary, but if it doesn’t change with you, then it might get stale after a while. If you’re suffering from a need for change in your house’s atmosphere, worry not! There are some simple ways to refresh your home’s design and improve your mood while you relax at home.

Update Your Wall Colors

House renovation wall coloring

Is there a room in your house that’s in desperate need of a little visual oomph, but you’re not sure what to change about it? Maybe you need to repaint it! This is your opportunity to fix up any painting mistakes or cover up damage from the little occurrences that happen when you live in a house. If you’re a new homeowner, this is your chance to put your stamp on the property. Paint the room a color that matches how you want to feel while you’re in it. Carefully consider how a color will affect the room before committing to a color, and remember that you can always try different paint colors on the wall before you paint. If you don’t want to risk blemishes, try comparing different paint swatches on the wall before committing to a color.

Liven Up Some Furniture

Modern room with wooden furniture and plants

If you have furniture that’s seen better days, it’s probably time to update it. Fixing it up yourself can be a fun project! It could be as simple as refinishing it, or you could go all out to paint and reupholster it. Painting furniture can shake up any typical store-bought furniture or liven up hand-me-downs. Furniture painting is a much smaller project than painting a whole room, and it’s something that even a beginner can do. It’s a subtle project, but depending on your decisions, zesting up your household furniture can add the pop you need.

Change Out the Window Coverings

Whether you use curtains or blinds, changing out your window coverings every so often can change the mood in any room. Searching for new curtain patterns or colors can be fun if you need a bit of excitement from your windows. There are also many varieties of blinds you can choose from, whether it’s plastic or fabric. Try out new things! Maybe even try out bold new draperies to go over your curtains or blinds.

Swap Out Some Odds and Ends

Different seasons call for different decorations. Do you have a vase on your mantle? Put some autumn-colored artificial flowers in it during the fall season. If you have a centerpiece on your dining room table, try making a new DIY centerpiece project for a good talking point with any guests. Many collections are also worth showing off if you have a meaningful way to display them. These little decorations can have a big impact and give guests something to talk about. Plus, if they make you happy, then you should put them out regardless. Remember that finding ways to refresh your house’s design is about keeping your happiness in check, which will have different meanings for different people.

Our gardens are becoming more and more important for wildlife as natural habitats shrink. No matter how small or large your outdoor space is, there are many ways that you can make it welcoming and safe for wildlife. Have a look at some of our tips to help your garden become wildlife-friendly:

Create A Bug Hotel 

You can create a lovely home for insects by creating a bug hotel. It doesn’t need to be elaborate, just something as simple as a few hollow wooden canes will do. Hang it in a secure place like against a tree trunk or tuck it away in a quiet corner. Even a small pie of dead-wood is a great place for all kinds of animals. 

Be Mindful When Using Gardening Tools 

Garden tools

When you are using equipment like lawnmowers and trimmers try to keep your eye out for small creatures that haven’t had time to move. You should also be careful when using the netting as some animals can become tangled in it. 

Create A Place For Hedgehogs

Close up small cute northern white-breasted hedgehog or Erinaceus roumanicus on green grass

Hedgehogs sometimes need a helping hand, so lend yours by building a small hole in your fence for them to pass from garden to garden. Hedgehog numbers have dramatically declined, giving them the opportunity to forage freely will help them when it comes to finding a mate. If you know that you’re garden isn’t safe fr animal like this it might be worth looking for a wildlife removal company. 

Provide Food And Water For Birds 

Little eurasian nuthatch, sitta europaea, sitting on wood in pond in autumn. Colorful songbird with black stripe on head looking above on stump. Small animal with feather watching from side.

As well as seed heads from plants in your garden and fruit, supplementary can be seen as a lifeline for birds, especially in the cooler months. Make sure you buy foods that are from quality and reputable manufacturers, create them yourself with research, and store them properly in a clean and dry environment. 

Make sure you clean feeders regularly with disinfectant and hot water in order to stop the infections from spreading. The positioning of the feeders is also very important. Put them in locations where they are less likely to be contaminated by droppings, move them around your garden to stop a build-up of dropping or waste in just one area of your garden. Remember to keep them away from cats if possible. 

Build A Pond 

A frog sitting among lily pads in a garden pond

Gardeners have successfully created an additional two to three million new ponds. Garden ponds are a little haven for a variety of wildlife like newts, frogs, water beetles, dragonflies, and pond skaters. They also provide a great source of water for mammals and birds. Always remember to include a shallow end with a slope so if any mammals like hedgehogs do slip in they are able to get themselves out. 

Don’t Forget To Relax 

Do nothing and relax. Set aside a small area in your garden and allow the grass to grow, nettles to grow, and turn into shelter and food for insects and mammals. 

These five things should help you create a warm and welcoming environment for natural wildlife in your garden. Is there anything that you are doing to help this? Please share some of them in the comments below. 

The demands of design can take their toll on even the most inventive minds. Generating creative designs day after day can be tiring, and let’s be honest: some days you just don’t feel it. And scanning others’ design portfolios for inspiration can be as demoralizing as it can be revitalizing as the same motifs repeat themselves. When you’re looking for inspiration often the same old sources become quickly tired.

Fortunately, inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places. Recharge your creative batteries by delving into the following list of uncommon sources for creative inspiration.

Architecture

 The vast world of interior design and architecture holds untapped potential for inspiration on every project. The world of architecture has moved through so many trends from Gothic to Art Deco that no matter whose taste you’re catering for, you’re bound to stumble on something that suits.

“Architects such as Gaudi are world-renowned for their design,” says Sandra Panos, freelance writer at Draftbeyond and Last Minute Writing. “Barcelona is dotted with buildings swirling to the heavens in surreal and surprising ways that toy with your expectations and perspective.” The best thing about seeking architecture to be inspired by is that it encourages you to get away from the desk for a bit – just by taking a stroll around your own city you are guaranteed to be bombarded by inspiration from different architectural eras. Turn your gaze up from the shopfronts to the building facades above and inspiration is sure to strike.

Product Packaging

 Packaging design has crossed over into the art world on a number of occasions. Andy Warhol was famously a fan, and his Campbell’s Soup cans have been displayed in countless exhibitions since he developed them in the 1960s. Commercialism and design combined in Warhol’s pop-art world, but in the 21st-century web designs and product packaging are far enough removed that you can often find inspiration on your shelves without feeling like you’re stretching to stealing ideas.

Maybe the ramen packet you’re whipping up for lunch contains the perfect motif for your website header, or take a stroll down the cereal aisle at the local market to discover an array of designs aimed at children and adults. Marketing budgets have been plowed into these designs, so there’s usually something to learn from them.

Take A Trip

 Sometimes a lack of inspiration can be caused by spending too long in one environment, and all you need to do to kick off the inspirational gland is to take a trip. Travel is one of the most reliable methods of discovering inspiration when you least expect it, often by virtue of taking the mind off the project and letting it wander as you sate your wanderlust.

Try visiting somewhere you’ve never been before to get the most out of your trip. And remember, it’s about the journey, not the destination. Connie Garcia, blogger at Writinity and Researchpapersuk recommends “that if you can avoid flying, taking a bus or a train ride affords valuable time to think as a new landscape flashes past just outside the window. Keep your eyes peeled, as often these fleeting glimpses of unknown environments can be a surprising source of inspiration.”

The Evening Meal

 When we think about food, we’re usually prioritizing one sense over the others and that’s taste. But creativity is all about connecting the senses, so it makes sense to seek inspiration in food if you’re stuck on a project. Going out to your favorite restaurant, or better yet the hot new place on the block, you’re likely to be entering into a sensual smorgasbord where smell, taste and the look of the place, from the cutlery to the wallpaper, are served up as a source of inspiration.

Better yet, indulge in cooking a meal mindfully – think about the ingredients you have and pay attention as they combine in color and texture. Try cooking with foods such as chili or beetroot that have vibrant colors as well as flavors. Cooking can be a satisfying distraction from the stress of a tough project, and provide the breakthrough in design you’re looking for.

Take A Break

 One thing you’ll notice is that all these suggestions involve time away from the screen. To rediscover your creative passion, take a break, explore the world, and trust that inspiration is just around the corner.

Ashley Halsey is a professional writer at Assignment Help and Gumessays.com. She has been writing for over two decades and has encountered a fair amount of writer’s block. For inspiration, she usually heads to the hills to hike and explore nature.

Plants are the perfect roommates. They are quiet, pretty to look at, absorb sound and provide us with fresh, clean air. You probably learned in school that plants turn carbon dioxide into oxygen but did you know that they are also capable of filtering harmful pollutants out of the air? In fact, a NASA study proved that pot mums can filter up to 41% of the cancer causing gas Trichloroethylene from the air. The pot mum is not alone, other houseplants also proved to be excellent natural air purifiers!

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds are harmful gases that are emitted into the air by toxins and chemicals. While most VOCs are naturally produced in small amounts by humans and animals, overexposure can be detrimental to your health. The following VOCs are among the most common ones that we are exposed to in our daily lives:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE) can be found in: cleaners, paint removers and adhesives
• Formaldehyde can be found in: manufactured wood, cosmetics, cigarette smoke and permanent press fabric (drapes and curtains)
• Ammonia can be found in: fertilizers, window and industrial cleaners
• Xylene can be found in: cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, paint and varnish
• Benzene can be found in: gasoline, glues, detergents and furniture wax

The good news is that it’s fairly easy to reduce the amount of VOCs in your home. Opening your windows once or twice a day, switching to VOC free cleaners (or cleaners with the label “low VOC”) and vacuuming as well as dusting on a regular basis can already make a big difference. The easiest and probably most rewarding way to improve the air quality in your home is to add indoor plants!

How To Give Your Home A Makeover With Plants

Spending more time inside is the perfect opportunity to bring life into our homes. By adding indoor plants, whether they’re big or small, you can spruce up any living area and turn it into a happier space. In fact, being a compassionate plant parent can reduce your stress level so the next time you prune or water your green friends, give them a little pep talk! It may seem silly but you’ll both benefit from it — plus, who’s going to judge you? Snake plants or weeping figs are the perfect indoor plants to add to a living room and spruce up an empty corner but you can also place a couple of spider plants on a book shelf to liven up the design.

A study revealed that employers don’t just prefer buildings with larger windows but also felt better in an office environment with indoor plants. While you’re working from home, make sure to apply this to your home office space. If available to you, choose a room with plenty of natural lighting and place your desk near a window. Incorporate at least two indoor plants to boost your productivity and reap the full benefits of your plants ability to provide you with fresh, clean air. Place a large areca palm near your desk to feel more connected to nature or get a ZZ plant that fits near your workstation to add a touch of green.

And finally, did you know that decorating your bedroom with indoor plants won’t just allow you to rest in a space with fresh air but since being surrounded by greenery eases your anxiety, they will also improve your night’s rest. You can decorate your bedroom with air plants hanging from the ceiling in cute macrame hangers or add a few succulents to the window sill. These plants are easy to maintain and will give you all the tranquility you seek when turning in at night.

If you want to improve the air quality in your home by adding (more) air purifying plants, check out this cute flowchart FTD created. It helps you decide which houseplant fits your lifestyle and level of green thumb best so your plant parent journey is a success from the very start.

When it comes to designing a perfect bathroom, one of the most important questions is one of your bathtubs. There are so many options, major two being freestanding bath and a built-in tub. As if this weren’t difficult enough, there are a lot of people who can’t make up their mind between a tub and a shower, to begin with. Now, with the existence of a bath-within-a-shower concept, this whole dilemma has gained yet another dimension. With that in mind and without further ado, here’s a long list of all the perks and benefits of a freestanding bathroom, both compared to shower and built-in tub. Here’s why a freestanding bath is a perfect addition to your bathroom.

1.    The ultimate mean of rest and relaxation

When it comes to pragmatism, there’s no question about it that a shower is a far superior solution. Still, a tub can always serve the function of the tub. Just install an additional shower holder and hang a curtain around the tub and there you have it. Nevertheless, while it is clear that the tub can serve the purpose of a shower, the opposite doesn’t hold true.

The ability to rest and relax in your tub with a glass of wine, some scented candles and a soundtrack of your choosing is beyond anything that a shower can offer. At the very least, the running water of the shower would ruin the music-playing experience, thus diminishing one important aspect of the scenario we’ve described in the previous sentence.

2.    It’s more romantic

Amongst the biggest pro-freestanding-tub arguments is the fact that it’s simply much more romantic than its counterpart. Sure, a scenario where your partner joins you under the shower may seem quite fun, adventurous and passionate but when we speak about spending some quality time together in a romantic setting, a freestanding tub is second to none.

Add to this the idea that you can light some scented candles around the tub, play some romantic tunes and make time spent together in the bathroom into an ultimate coupling experience. You really cannot ask for more.

3.    It comes in many styles

The next thing worth mentioning about freestanding baths is that they can perfectly complement the rest of your bathroom both in theme and style. For instance, the choice of material is crucial for its maintenance and durability, as well as its eco-friendliness. The colour will determine how well it synergizes with the rest of your bathroom.

Still, the bath itself is not the only element that makes this kind of a difference. The choice of a faucet may decide the tone of the bathtub (vintage, contemporary, futuristic, etc.). The bath itself can be chosen to fit the shape and layout of your bathroom. For instance, Acqua Bathrooms tubs offer a wide variety of round, square and even meridian round back to wall freestanding tubs.

4.    Maintenance is quite simple

When it comes to cleaning a floor, a lot of people find this to weigh heavily in favour of a freestanding tub. Why? Well, because mopping the floor around it is such a simple thing. If the bath is a claw-foot, it becomes easy to clean even under the tub, which would be impossible otherwise.

Technically, some may say that this way you get more to clean, however, it’s not like the moisture and dirt won’t find a way around and under your tub either way. This way, at the very least, it becomes easier for you to clean it all up. Also, when it comes to the total cleanliness of the bathroom, this is a major advantage.

5.    A tub within a shower

For people who can’t figure out whether they want a tub or a shower, a tub within a shower may become an amazing compromise. It is a way for you to start thinking outside of the box and find a solution that is by no means a standard one. Sure, this particular method is quite luxurious and may make the maintenance somewhat more difficult, yet, the majority of homeowners with such bathrooms find the idea to be more than well worth it. Even this issue has an alternative. For people with particularly large bathrooms, there’s always an option of having both a bath and a shower.

6.    You have a big bathroom

One of the most common myths about tubs is that they take an incredibly large amount of space in a bathroom that is already the smallest room within your home. However, this is not nearly as big of an inconvenience as some people make it out to be. A tub can always have one of its sides next to the wall in order to minimize the amount of space it occupies.

Nonetheless, what about people who have huge bathrooms (either by their own choice or that of their previous contractor). In this situation, a freestanding tub would be the only way to make the place look less empty.

7.    Simpler installation and repair process

The next thing worth considering is the installation and repair process of the tub. Here, a clear advantage goes to the freestanding tub. Sure, the drainage problems are more common with freestanding tubs but if anything else goes wrong, it’s far easier for a plumber or a repairman to dismantle a freestanding tub and conduct a thorough inspection (and repair) on the item.

The question of whether the tub is floor-level or not is also quite important, as well as something that you need to research before making a financial commitment.

8.    You can always change your mind

One of the biggest fears that people going for a tub are worried about is the finality of their decision. With that in mind, it’s important to mention that every tub has the same basic plumbing. This means that, with enough work, a freestanding tub can be replaced with a built-in and vice versa.

The reason why this is so important for you is due to the fact that it alleviates some pressure while trying to make a decision. Why? Well, because if you’re not content with the result, you can always change your mind. The problem, however, lies in the fact that this is somewhat expensive.

9.    The resale value of the place

The last thing you need to understand is the fact that a freestanding tub increases the resale value of your home more than any of its alternatives. Sure, this might not be your primary motivation or field of interest while remodelling the bathroom but it’s still a welcome advantage. It is also one of the best ways to make your bathroom look more luxurious and unique.

Both of these traits would be motivation enough for you to commit to this particular style of bathroom fixture. The specific effect on the resale value of the place, nonetheless, depends on the broader context (the type of tub, the rest of the bathroom, etc.).

In conclusion

At the end of the day, you need to understand that even with all your good intentions and determination, there are several considerations to take before taking this step. First of all, these tubs can be incredibly heavy, which is why weighing them up needs to be mandatory. You also need to measure everything in order to ensure that there’s enough space in your bathroom (after you add all the other planned elements). Once you do your research and your planning, you will be well on your way to ensure that your freestanding bath provides maximum value (both aesthetic and pragmatic) to your bathroom.

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Bio: Patrick Adams is a freelance writer and rock-blues fan. When he is not writing about home improvement, he loves to play chess, watch basketball, and play his guitar. More than anything, he loves to spend his time in his garage, repairing appliances and creating stuff from wood.

Are you planning to sell your home? If so, the good news is that there’s plenty you can do to hurry a sale along. Instead of sitting back and waiting for some bites, try out these seven home staging design tips.

1. Do a Deep Clean

Top view closeup of unrecognizable woman washing white table during Spring cleaning, focus on female hands wearing pink gloves, copy space

Before your house hits the market, be sure to go over every square inch and ensure it’s pristine. Look at the spots you tend to ignore, like baseboards, molding, light switches, ceiling fixtures and everywhere in between.

Start high, then work your way down, as you don’t want to vacuum the floors before you dislodge all the dust. Wipe down your windows — both inside and out — with a squeegee and fix all streaks. When you get to the floors, be sure to break out your vacuum’s attachments to get into crevices and corners.

2. Declutter Every Room

The goal of staging is to make your home look its best. To do this, you’ll need to go through each room and declutter. Use bins to designate items you want to keep, donate and throw away. Make sure closets and shelves aren’t overflowing. Keep trash cans empty and counter spaces clear.

Pack up all your personal items, such as framed photos, knick-knacks and sports memorabilia, and stash them away in a storage unit. People like to imagine themselves living in a new space, which can be hard to do if they see your stuff everywhere. Plus, these items can distract potential buyers from what your home has to offer.

3. Decorate With Neutrals

Beige couch with pillows in white modern interior, copy space on window background. Contemporary apartment design

Neutral colors make your home a blank canvas, allowing buyers to imagine the space however they please. Hang white towels in the bathroom for a hint of simple elegance. Use white bedding, which will look excellent in photographs.

Now that you took down all your personal belongings, your walls and shelves may seem a little bare. Hang art with subjects that will appeal to everyone, such as landscapes or flowers. Add neutral accents, like throw pillows, rugs and vases.

4. Group Your Furniture

In the living room, reposition your couches and chairs away from the walls and into intimate conversational groups, a tactic that will make your space look more inviting and spacious. According to one survey of buyers’ agents, 83% said staging makes it easier for people to visualize the property as a future home.

In the dining room, set the table as if preparing for a meal. Get out the dishes, including plates, bowls and glassware. Avoid using tablecloths, as they make it look like you’re hiding something. You should also use a seasonal centerpiece, such as a vase of flowers, that’s scaled to your table’s size.

5. Hang up Mirrors

Interior of mansard badroom with round mirror 3D rendering

If your home has small rooms or tight hallways without much natural light, add some wall mirrors. These fixtures bounce light around dark areas and make spaces appear larger. 

Avoid triangles or starbursts, as not everyone will like them. Instead, opt for a traditional look with square, rectangular, circular or oval options. Choose something with a wooden or metal frame for a sleek, simple look.

6. Finish Forgotten Projects

We’ve all been there — you wanted to spruce up your home with a new project, but life got in the way, and your goal fell by the wayside. Unfortunately, those unfinished projects, like retiling your kitchen backsplash or switching out cabinet hardware, can scare off potential buyers or lead to issues with your home inspection. The best way to sell your home is to tie up loose ends.

Before you host an open house or walkthrough, tackle those tasks you’ve meant to complete. Add the remaining trim to your windows, hammer the last nail into your built-in bookcases and put on your bathroom cabinet’s final coat of paint.

7. Upgrade Your Landscaping

Perfect American Suburban White Picket Fence Home With Veranda And Flag

Don’t forget about your home’s exterior. The outside of your property is the first thing a potential buyer sees when they pull in the driveway. To enhance your curb appeal, give your landscaping some TLC.

Start by mowing the lawn, raking up leaves and trimming the hedges. Cut down overgrown tree branches and clear all walkways. Don’t forget to plant some gorgeous greenery, too. If your yard is particularly shady, go with hardy options like astilbe, foxglove, primrose and coral bells.

Stage Your Home and Score a Sale

Staging your home comes with lots of benefits — it will spend 86% less time on the market, sell for more money and have fewer concessions requested when you finally find a seller. Plus, with the tips above, it’s easy to do. What are you waiting for? Start setting the stage for a quick sale.

This post was authored by Holly Welles, Writer, Real Estate & Construction for more of her work check out: theestateupdate.com

The kitchen is an integral part of your home and you can hire the best kitchen renovator to make your kitchen stylish. With their exceptional touch, they can transform the laundries, bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces and everything else into heaven. They have some stylish kitchen designs and you can customize a design according to your needs.

Using the comprehensive knowledge and quality craftsmanship, they can turn the small kitchen spaces into stunningly beautiful kitchens. They make use of the high-end design approach with the quality materials and hand finish method. If you have a small space in your kitchen then you can choose some wall mounted cabinets. In this case, you can discuss your requirements with the contractor or designers, and they will include a space-saving layout in your kitchen.

Elements Of A Stylish Kitchen 

 Now you will get the availability of the kitchen that will fulfill all your aspirations. They are custom made, perfectly installed, and exclusively designed.  Apart from storage, they can also install an island in your kitchen, and they can use some splashbacks, durable tiles, proper lighting systems, and flooring in your kitchen.

• The use of quality hardware and tools and ensure maximum quality in the kitchen spaces.
• You can get the availability of the vanities that will let you unleash the imagination for the exploration of the possibilities related to your dream kitchen.
• Many kitchen specialists will give you a stylish kitchen joinery with elegant designs. They can save your space by such joinery works.
• The stylish kitchen experts will also guide you in finding the right quality kitchen faucets that you can install. They can also install a double sink in your kitchen to save your space.
• The designs set by interior designers will be the top-notch ones to serve you for the longest span. You will get excellent storage solutions for the stylish kitchen as well.
• The team of experts will give you proper guidance related to the stylish and innovative storage solutions that will fit into the intelligent design of your smart kitchen.

Benefits Of A Stylish Kitchen 

• The stylish kitchen gives complete control over the positioning, configuration, color, shape, and size of the components. You can choose according to your preferences for setting the design aesthetics. You can select the template for your kitchen.
• You will get more for the investment that you make when you opt for a stylish kitchen. You will invest in something that will last for a longer span.
• The stylish kitchens make use of high-quality designs and durable materials that will last for a longer span than the conventional kitchens. So, you do not need to renovate your kitchen every year and you can save your maintenance cost.
• With the cost-effective approach of a stylish kitchen, you will get the custom quality cabinetry, and counterparts. These are some of the most prominent features to make them look appealing.
• They are imperative for giving you better functionality and navigation. When you choose the stylish kitchen, you will find the use of the standard design and approach for making it look spacious yet loaded with features.

By now you have got a concise idea about how the stylish kitchens will be a good set up for your home. Regardless of the size of the apartment or home you are staying in, these stylish kitchen ideas will perfectly fit well. They are spacious yet have everything that will never add up to the additional hassles.

Now you can search such designers or contractors online and choose the best one for your kitchen renovation. Make sure, you must check their license, portfolio, experience level and customer reviews before you hire.

This blog post was written by Guest Blogger Jack Louis