Taking a vacation should be more exciting when you have your furry friends to keep you company.

To make your vacations more interesting, you could organize fun activities to do with your pets. Besides that, here are more tips to make traveling with your dog a fun and memorable experience.

1.   Consult Your Vet

Going to the vet’s office before a trip sets the tone for the whole experience. Your dog could probably have some underlying health issues that your vet may detect early. Vaccines are vital, especially if you plan on leaving for another state or country.

Besides, this move complies with the laws and regulations that revolve around the health sector. Here are general reasons why it’s essential to see a vet before your vacation:

• Overall wellness of your dog is a requirement for both of you to enjoy your vacation.
• Your vet can help place a microchip on your pet – When going somewhere new, it’s easy to lose your pet out on the streets or even the beach. A microchip will help identify your pet, especially when you want it to take a break from wearing a leash all the time.
• It’s your chance to get more medication for your dog if they are on any – Your dog’s vet will renew their current medicines if the old one is expired.
• Talk to your vet about any means of sedation that they may have – It’s good to be safe, especially when your dog has never been on a plane before. Have some sedatives prescribed by your dog’s vet just in case of anything.

2.   Pack Sufficient Water And Food

Dogs tend to become restless when they become hungry or thirsty. Some of them will even go as far as causing a scene and leaving you feeling embarrassed. Avoid buying from outside since dogs are creatures that love sticking to habit.

They will sense immediately you switch their snacks with some other brand. Worse still, they may decline some water when it’s not from your refrigerator. Set some time aside and do all the packing the night before the trip.

Your dog’s feeding dishes are also essential, as they’ll give it a sense of familiarity even in unfamiliar settings. Pack sufficient food since you’ll probably be unsure how long it’ll take before you get to your destination.

3.   Shop For Dog Crates

Dogs are not guaranteed to stay in the same spot during a journey. For this and other reasons, shop for a dog carrier that will contain them throughout the trip. These features should guide you when shopping for one.

• Spacious – Avoid squeezing your dog inside a tiny carrier and making your dog feel like it’s headed for the dog pound. A spacious dog carrier gives it the freedom to move around and remain in its safety and comfort at the same time.
• Durable – Since you’ll be traveling so often with your dog, you might want to settle for a dog carrier that’s of high quality and durable.
• Easy storage: Find a carrier that will be easier to store when not in use. What’s more, it’ll give you an easy time when you have to pack it among your other belongings.
• Comfortable: Crates are not usually the warmest and comfortable when you first buy them. The good news is that you can spread some blankets, dog clothes and throw in a few pillows for your dog to nap or relax as you travel.

4.   Potty Train Your Dog

Nature has to take its course, and it shouldn’t take you by surprise. Dogs are efficient creatures that don’t take too long before learning something from what you train them.

Potty training should be one of the most fundamental skills that they shouldn’t do without. Begin the training a month or two before your vacation and see how it goes. Monitor its meals and snacks to know how its bathroom schedule will be like if you were to travel.

Take them on road trips first before traveling by plane with them. During these trips, make stops and allow your dog to stretch, walk, and even relieve themselves. Carry everyday items such as toys and other colorful items that will make their training fun and worthwhile.

5.   Learn The Rules Before Traveling By Air

If it’s your first time traveling with your dog by plane, take your time and familiarize yourself with the rules first. To be more specific, read through the rules of the airlines you plan to board.

Some airlines may not even allow passengers to board the plane with pets. Visit the website of your preferred airline and get credible information firsthand. Better yet, call them up and ask a few questions to get things straight.

That’s not all. Get clarification regarding the fees as some airlines charge fees when pets are on board. To be on the safe side, book a cabin for your pet directly to avoid inconvenience.

6.   Check On Accommodation

Before traveling with your dog, check on the logistics. The accommodation should be at the top of your list. Once you get off the train, plane, or even car, you’ll both be so exhausted that you’ll need a warm and comfortable place to sleep.

Get to know whether pets can be accommodated wherever you’re going. If not, make arrangements by looking out for vacant spots close by before you travel. Be financially prepared for the same to avoid sleeping out in the cold with your dog.

7.   No Food Before Travel

Try to limit the amount of food and water you give to your dog as much as possible. Feed it about 2 hours before you hit the road. A heavy meal or snack before traveling could bring about the discomfort that will ruin your trip.

Besides, the food will be properly digested by the time you leave the house, and your dog will most likely take a nap throughout travel.

8.   Know Your Dog In And Out

Knowing your dog’s personality is the best way to wrap up your travel plans with your dog. For instance, if your dog gets anxious when it gets on the plane, try another option such as a train.

Know how your dog’s tummy reacts to meals at certain times of the day. Follow these same rules to avoid getting your dog worked up while on the road.

Final Thoughts

Bringing your dog along when traveling is a wonderful idea. By following these tips to the letter, you’re sure to have a blast throughout your traveling adventure!

This blog post was authored by Rebecca Siggers

Designing a bathroom is an exciting opportunity to take ownership over a space in your home that’s usually reserved for functionality and getting creative in your bathroom can give you a beautiful room that’s practical and elegant. However, designing a bathroom is also a minefield, and it’s easy to slip up when you’re getting carried away with design features. For a foolproof bathroom, you need to avoid the pitfalls of bathroom design. Here are the 7 biggest mistakes you’ll want to avoid.

 1) Neglecting Storage Space

 When you start shopping around for bathroom goods, it’s easy to be attracted to clean lines and simplistic pieces, such as pedestal sinks which offer a slim, silhouetted look. However, design is one thing and function is something else entirely – if you’re not lucky enough to have room for an internal closet or vanity in your bathroom, that under-sink space is going to be vital. Choose a sink with built in storage for stashing away those mundane bathroom items.

2) Thinking That A Toilet Is Just A Toilet

 Technology is now expanding into every room in our houses and the bathroom is no exception. Toilet technology has come a long way and even standard toilets on the market can perform very differently. When purchasing a toilet it’s all about the flush – a WaterSense rated toilet will be exceptionally efficient, providing a clean flush with less than half of the water of its standardized counterpart.

3) Lighting Matters

 “For most people, the bathroom is where they spend a lot of time looking in the mirror,” says Darlene Huff, a designer at 1Day2Write and NextCoursework. “This is where we build our best representation of ourselves, and whether that’s shaving, hairstyling or doing make up, having good lighting in your bathroom can make a huge difference to how you feel about yourself.” Whilst ceiling lighting is important for the overall look of the room, it’s not so flattering – additional lighting above and to the side of your mirror will give you the best look.

4) Slippery Floors

 Bearing in mind that your bathroom floor is inevitably going to be getting wet, if you’re not careful this can quickly turn into a serious hazard. Certain surfaces become especially slick when people climbing out of the bath or stepping out of the shower make a splash. Choosing matte or sand-glazed finishes for your bathroom tiles can give your floor some stick, but if you’re desperate for a smooth tile you can choose smaller tiles broken up by more grouting – this gives the floor some additional texture for those wet feet.

5) Choosing Pricey Materials

The addition of encaustic or cement tiles can add a rustic and traditional feel to any bathroom and many find this an appealing idea. Contemporary bathroom trends are incorporating these materials more than ever, but there’s a reason that porcelain has stood the test of time in bathroom design. Cement and encaustic, as well as carrying a heftier price tag, are also softer materials more susceptible to wear. Porcelain is practically invincible and nowadays manufacturers are imitating other styles of tile effectively.

6) Switching Layouts

 When you’re designing a bathroom it’s natural to want to put a personal stamp on it, but many people take this a step too far, seeking to fundamentally rework the layout. “Before swapping your fixtures around you’ll need to think carefully about where the plumbing is – moving pipes quickly becomes expensive,” says Shane Scapers, a writer at Write My X and Britstudent. “If you’re desperate to switch things around, consult a plumber before making any firm decisions.”

 7) Damaging Resale Value

 If you think there’s a chance you might be moving on at some point, you may need to consider a more conservative design in your bathroom. Because bathroom fixtures and tiles are permanent features of a home – you don’t usually take them with you when you move – they’ll have a big impact on the resale value of your home. Stick to neutral colors such as white and grey across your bathroom design and when it comes to selling your home you’ll be flush with cash.

Wrapping Up

 Designing the perfect bathroom is about striking a balance between form and function. Avoid these pitfalls of bathroom design and you’ll have an elegant and practical new space in your home.

Aaron Wolff is a writer at Academic Brits and Dissertation Writing Service with a focus in areas such as home improvement and real estate. He grew up in the construction trade working for the family firm in Memphis, Tennessee before breaking out on his own. He also writes for Research Paper Help.

First impression is vital. Whether you are in a job interview or looking for a new home, the first impression will leave a great impact on you. The first look of a house from the outside is the curb appeal, which is crucial in real estate. If you are looking forward to selling your home and moving to another place, you need to enhance your curb appeal to attract more customers and get a better rate. Even if you have stunning interiors and your outdoor is not so attractive, it will throw your potential buyers an unwanted feel.

Row of traditional suburban homes with lush green front lawns in nice residential neighborhood –

Having an attractive and gorgeous curb appeal makes you stand out from your neighbors and is, most importantly, beneficial to bring more customers. Obviously, you would be getting all set with your interiors, furniture, and walls, but we suggest you have a considerable thought for your exterior too. Next, we will discuss some budget-friendly ideas you can adopt to augment the curb appeal of your residence.

1. Paint your main door

Front Door with laurel wreath

The front door is a welcoming sign for your potential buyers and gives a feel of expecting everything great inside too. The color of the main gate also refreshes your home and creates a pleasant view from a distance. You can choose some tried and tested colors like brown or black, or some bold tones of yellow or red.

2. Repair/replace your roofing

An alluring and neatly arranged roof gives a dynamic and novel appearance to your house. There is a misconception that roof repair or replacement is always an expensive job. You can get a renovation or reparation job done at affordable rates or even a completely new installation from roofers near you. Broken shingles or leaking roof can damage your home’s attraction. Getting it fixed is a great investment for future dealings, along with saving your home from internal damage.

3. Go Green

Colorful fall autumn Chrysanthemums lined up on front porch stoops along a sidewalk

Adding some potted plants and looking after your grass to look fresh and green can put a lively impression on customers and dealers. You can add some flower pots on either side of the walkway that gives your guests appealing and welcoming infatuation.

4. Illuminate your pathway

Cobblestone Brick Path

You can expect customers in the day but also at night. Don’t focus on a single lamp post or garage-mounted floodlight. A direct path to your front door adds comfort and offers security. Rather than ambushing the route runway-style, tuck solar-powered spotlights into garden beds and point them along the walkway.

5. Replace your mailbox

a traditional American mailbox on the side of a village road

When talking about curb appeal, even small objects matter and can portray a negative impression before even entering in. If your mailbox is rusty or is going to topple over, it is time to invest in a new one.

6. An in-depth cleanup

A neat and organized environment doubles the attraction of any area without a penny’s investment. Utilize your energy and give a thorough clean up to the outer area of your house and the front yard. Give a power wash to your exterior, sidewalk, and driveway. It will work wonders for your curb appeal.

Sometimes, our inner travel bug encourages us to make big decisions. Whether this means heading off a solo trip,  or moving country altogether, you have to ensure that you are prepared for whatever lies ahead. With that in mind, here are some questions you should ask yourself before a big move!

1: What am I leaving behind? 

Sometimes, we make a big decision such as moving because we are feeling upset or frustrated about our current situation. Therefore, you mustn’t take the decision lightly. Make sure you are moving for the right decisions and not the wrong ones.

2: Do I have everything I need? 

Moving permanently to a new country is much more difficult than heading on a holiday. For example, you’ll probably need to take more than one suitcase along with you. However, you will also need to ensure you have the right to live and work in that country, by obtaining a visa. There are numerous different kinds of visas, from an artist’s visa to a partner visa. Do you research online, or request the help of an immigration lawyer, to find out which visa is best suited to your needs. You should do this in advance of moving, ensuring that you have everything you need on hand. 

3: What opportunities will I have in my new home?

You’ve heard the saying, ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’, millions of times before. However, it does ring true. For example, if you’re bored with where you are currently living, the idea of moving somewhere new may seem overly exciting. However, you need to ensure that you make the right decision on where you move. For example, moving somewhere that promises warm weather because you enjoy sunbathing may seem like a good idea, but upon arrival, you may realize that it isn’t the right place for you, and opportunities are limited. 

As a result, you should thoroughly research your new home before making a decision. Consider the following: 

• Job opportunities 
• Living costs
• Nearby entertainment facilities 
• Local culture
• Lifestyle 

4: Can I afford it? 

Moving home is always going to be expensive, especially if you are moving to a new country, where you also have to consider additional costs for your visa and healthcare. As a result, you need to ensure you have plenty of money on hand to support you, especially as it may take you a short while to find a new job. Save up when you can, and decide upon a budget. Then, do whatever you need to do to stick to this budget. When creating a budget, consider the following factors: 

• Visa/healthcare costs. The exact price of these will vary depending upon where you are moving, but the money can pile up quickly, so make sure they are the first thing you factor into your budget. 
• Moving costs. Not only does this mean how much will it cost you to travel to your new destination, but also the price of transporting your furniture and belongings.
• Rental costs/mortgage payments
• Renovation costs, whether you are remodeling your home or simply redecorating your kitchen, you need to plan for exactly how much you can spend. 

For most people, stairs are meant to be practical, allowing people to go upstairs and come downstairs easily. However, that is not all stairs are for, as they can also be an important aesthetic piece that can make or break how aesthetically pleasing the whole home is. Designing your staircase can be a challenging undertaking, especially considering how many design and material considerations you have to make before you settle on stairs you will love for years to come. To help make things easy, we have put together 5 things you should consider when deciding on your home’s staircase design.

Custom staircase designed by Orlando Custom Homebuilder Jorge Ulibarri, www.cornerstonecustomconstruction.com

Budget

Your budget will vary widely depending on the design, material and contractor you choose. You also need to factor in how long it will take to get the project completed because most contractors will factor this in too. To make the best use of your budget, shop around for contractors who will work within your budget and have the project completed on time.

Local Regulations

Before you start working on the design, it is important to check if there are any local regulations that you need to adhere to as you add the new stairs. Some regulations you need to think about include the depth of the stairs (tread or ‘going’) as well as the height of each step (the rise).

Location and Size

The location of your stairs will largely be dictated by safety and lighting. The stairs should exit at or near the door so that everyone can get out safely in case of a fire. Such a design also allows firefighters to get their equipment upstairs easily if that is where the fire is.

Stairs can lose their appeal if they are not well lit. This is a problem, especially where the stairs are located centrally or around a corner. A simple way of rectifying this is using well-placed LED lights.

The stair’s location will affect their size, so it should be thought about carefully. For example, grand staircases will have a small rise and a large going. However, such a design would not be feasible for most properties so for smaller buildings, stairs with a higher gradient might be installed instead.

Design, Style and Layout

Custom staircase designed by Orlando Custom Homebuilder Jorge Ulibarri, www.cornerstonecustomconstruction.com

For stairs layouts, you get to choose between three main layouts. These include turned spiral and straight layouts. The layout you choose will depend on the overall style of the property as well as the original designer’s tastes. Although straight stairs are the simplest and cheapest to add to a home, they may not be practical in all situations.

For turned layouts, the flight of stairs is split into two sections with the second section turned 90-degrees from the first section. A spiral staircase can be considered an alternative to a turned staircase and comes in handy where space is limited. Although they look spectacular, they make it difficult to take items such as pieces of furniture upstairs and can be costly to have installed.

Lately, consider your balustrade’s design. Although a balustrade is often added for safety reasons, that does not mean that it cannot be added for aesthetic reasons. There is an unlimited number of designs you can choose for your balustrade. If you have an idea but do not know how to design it, you can work with a designer to bring the exact design you have in mind to life.

Remember that you will need the balustrade installed correctly for safety reasons. So, talk to a specialist who provides design, manufacture and installation services as a package. Majestic Stairs comes highly recommended if you are in Perth because they are designers, manufacturers and installers of custom-designed balustrades and stairs. Majestic Stairs has decades of experience installing high-quality timber and metal stairs with balustrades in a variety of settings.

Materials

Custom staircase designed by Orlando Custom Homebuilder Jorge Ulibarri, www.cornerstonecustomconstruction.com

The type of material you use will influence your stair’s design as well as its cost. Although each material has its pros and cons, there are no wrong answers here as you should go with what works best for you and your home’s design.

Wood is a flexible option for those looking to keep costs as low as possible. Wood is easy to work with, with the vast availability of different types of timber allowing you to find one that fits your use case.

Metal staircases might be costlier than wooden stairs, but they offer individuality and functionality while being relatively low maintenance. All they need is varnishing, painting and sealing.

Stone and concrete stairs are not common in residential property, but they can be considered for the stairs leading to the house due to their durability. They are quite expensive although property owners can consider stone panels.

Glass and acrylic add a bit of modernism to a property and allow a lot of light to flow into a property. A cheaper alternative is having wooden stairs with acrylic or glass balustrades.

If you are building a new house or overhauling an older one, it is important to think about the stairs that the property will end up with. While there are a lot of factors to consider, doing so should make things easier for you.

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautifully diverse regions in America. From cities to coastlines to natural landmarks, here are the must-see places.

The Pacific Northwest is a region expanding from parts of Idaho to Oregon and into Washington. This area of the U.S. is known for its distinct beauty and diverse offerings. From cool cities and foggy beaches to the woods of the mountains and national parks, there’s bound to be a place that will fill you with awe and wonder. If you’re planning a trip to this region and are wondering where to go, take a look at these must-see places in the Pacific Northwestto get you started.

Washington: Mount St. Helens and Pike Place Market

While the woods of Washington State are gorgeous, many of the unique places to see here revolve around its geological features. The cascade range of Washington has five active volcanos: Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Adams, Mount Rainer, and Mount St. Helens. You’ve probably heard of the last one, which is what makes it a must-see location. This famous volcano erupted in 1980. What Mount St. Helen lacks in height, it makes up for in history. A visit to this mountain will showcase the beauty and devastation that lies in the natural world.

If you’re looking for a different kind of adventure, the largest city in Washington—and the whole Pacific Northwest region, for the matter—is Seattle. Seattle is known for its rainy weather, but it’s truly a vibrant city of culture and art. Seattle also boasts the site of the first Starbucks in the world. Coffeeshop culture exists today because of these roots. You don’t even have to be a coffee aficionado to enjoy a visit to Pike Place Market. After doing some shopping at the market, pick up your favorite café drink, and take it down to the Seattle waterfront to enjoy.

Oregon: Cannon Beach

One of the must-see places in the Pacific Northwest is just northwest of the city of Portland—a place called Cannon Beach. This beach is a treasured and well-known attraction because of the iconic Haystack Rock, an immense and breathtaking natural geographical occurrence. This 235-foot basalt rock, formed many millions of years ago from lava flows, is a recognizable landmark within the state and a great place to take Instagram-worthy photos. When the tides go out, the beach is also a wonderful spot to look at tidepools and other marine life.

Idaho: Shoshone Falls and Hells Canyon

The Snake River is a major river that begins in Wyoming and stretches west into Idaho before heading north along the border between Idaho and Oregon. Among the southern part of the river is the must-see location of Shoshone Falls. Shoshone Falls has been called the Niagara Falls of the west. These falls are a majestic sight to see, as they are even taller than their more-famous counterpart.

If you head north along the river, you’ll eventually find Hells Canyon. Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in the country—even deeper than the Grand Canyon. Outdoor activities are bountiful here for adventure seekers. Whether you choose to explore, hike, fish, or take a boat tour to look at the scenery, the reasons to visit Hells Canyon are clear. It’s easy to fall in love with such a charming and diverse natural place in the Pacific Northwest.

Do you ever think about the value of your home? You should. While a house is most certainly a home, it’s also an investment. Indeed, it’s also one of the most important investments that you’ll likely ever make in your life. So, you do need to think about the best ways to preserve and even increase the value of the property. There are a few issues with your home that will absolutely obliterate your home value. Let’s explore some of these issues. 

Roof Damage

A lot of home sellers often underestimate the importance of the condition of the roof and that’s understandable. However, if you watch a buyer, you will notice that their gaze does turn up towards the roof before they step through your front door. They know the issues that can occur if the roof isn’t in good shape. So, how can you fix a problem like this? Well, you should speak to a roof repair company to determine the extent of the issue. They can then provide you with the best advice and hopefully offer you the right solution. 

Out Of Date

Another common misconception about homebuyers is that they are only interested in the four walls. In other words, they don’t care about the style or design of the home interior. Again, this isn’t the case. While the style doesn’t impact the actual value of the property and the land, it can cause issues with the perceived value. The more buyers that notice a problem here, the more likely it is that this begins to impact the real value. There are numerous ways to correct a problem here. Ideally, you should be making small changes to the property over time. Little by little you can modernise the property and ensure that it’s exactly what new buyers are searching for. 

Trouble With Cleanliness

Similarly, you need to make sure that you are keeping the home clean and well maintained. Even if buyers are investing in a second-hand home, they definitely don’t want a property that has been through a massive level of wear and tear. That’s why before you put your property on the market, you should make sure that you are giving it a deep clean. While this is always going to add to the costs of selling your property, it will definitely be worth it in the end. You can make your home feel and look brand new to a buyer which is exactly what they want to see. 

You can hire a professional cleaner to fix your home. Or, you can complete the work yourself, it’s entirely your choice. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key issues that are going to seriously damage your property value and impact what you can sell your home for on the market. The good news is that it’s not too late to fix these problems. If you do, you will be able to claim the profits that you want and that you deserve when it’s time to sell your home. 

Buying a beautiful piece of art will make great wall decor, but there are many other ways to bring your home to life in unique, personal, and stunning ways.

Finding beautiful wall décor for your humble abode isn’t a difficult task, whether it’s a piece of artwork you buy online, photos you take with the family, or even a stunning mirror. That said, it can be hard to find décor that’s truly unique and personal enough to wow guests. These three unique wall décor ideas for your home will help you transform any wall into a must-see attraction.

Break out the plates

It’s common practice for homeowners to obtain some fine china and place it away in a cabinet, only taking it out during special occasions. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, those plates can transform a blank wall into a thing of beauty. Just like a creative piece of artwork can boast a colorful floral pattern or a specific image of a beautiful place or animal, so can a plate. It might sound odd that a plate can be so visually interesting, but if you shop around to some specialty providers, you’ll find an eclectic sea of entrancing tableware.

There are multiple ways to go about hanging plates on the wall. There are plate hangers on the market that you can sit the dish inside with ease and stability. On the other hand, you can try some adhesive hangers that ensure the only things you and your guests will see are the plates and not the material you’re using to keep them on the wall.

Put up some Juju hats

When you hear the term “Juju hats,” it might sound like a type of attire, and they are, but they can also make great pieces of wall décor. You’ll also hear this item commonly referred to as “Cameroonian Juju hats” or “Tyn.” Thanks to both their stylish appearance and their cultural significance, there are a variety of ways homeowners can use Juju hats to bring a wall to life.

Not only do they look beautiful, but they also give you the chance to explain the cultural significance to guests when they stop by, making it more than just a simple wall decoration. Whether you want a Juju hat that sports a shade of solid cream, vibrant pink, or a bevy of colors and patterns, you can find one that’ll truly make your wall pop.

Decorate the wall with your own art

Out of all three unique wall décor ideas for your home, this one might be the most personal, simply because you get to design it yourself. If you’re an artist, why not forgo a normal canvas or frame and transform a wall, or multiple walls in the house, into a unique piece of artwork? This can be an extravagant piece of abstract art, an incredible interpretation of your favorite vacation spot, a moving illustration of a childhood memory, or anything else your heart desires.

If you’re not an artist, that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with this idea. In fact, if you live with your whole family, gather everyone together, and transform the wall using a group of illustrations that stem from everyone’s imagination. It might not win any art awards, but it’ll be a fun display of your family’s creativity.

Ensuring features in your home are unified brings order, but to make its style more interesting, you should introduce some contrast with these techniques.

Having solidarity between the various individual components of your home’s style is necessary to prevent it from looking like a jumbled mess. However, utilizing contrasting elements can make your living spaces more interesting when applied with measured consideration. But how can you tame disparities enough to use them fruitfully without losing what makes them captivating in the first place? With the high-contrast decorating techniques we expound upon here, you’ll be able to find out.

Juxtapose Light and Dark Colors

A good place to start is with color. Since color is such a prominent feature of furniture and other home décor pieces, it’s not too difficult to incorporate contrast with it. Black and white make a reliable pairing to fall back on if you’re not sure what colors to use. Their opposing natures can make items, or the features within items, pop. You can, for instance, set a black chair next to a white table or a black bedcover over a white bedsheet. In both instances, each piece will stand out in stark relief because of the other. Beyond this, though, you could create contrast with light and dark wood, navy and cream colors, or even a dark shade and light tint of the same hue. Just stay within an established color scheme as you decide what to include.

Blend Opposingly Textured Materials

Blending opposingly textured materials is another high-contrast decorating technique you can use. This is somewhat more subtle than contrasting color, but can still produce a highly pleasing effect. Your aim here is to position soft and hard objects and/or smooth and textured objects next to one another. By doing so, the pieces will come together to make a stimulating, cohesive whole. An easy way to do this would be to place a smooth leather or fabric sofa on a downy high-pile rug. Setting down potted plants on tables with minimal features could also introduce organic texture to their artificially made, simple surfaces. Likewise, a roughly hewn stone fireplace can work well with shiny metallic fixtures nearby.

Combine Simplicity and Complexity

Simplicity and complexity can encompass a broad range of features, but when it comes to décor, they mostly relate to patterns and other details such as images and carvings. You can create a contrast between simple, plain pieces and more elaborate ones. In fact, this is often necessary to prevent patterns from making a room look overly chaotic. An easy application of these techniques to it put patterned throw pillows on a sofa that has only one color. You might alternatively use traditionally intricate chairs with floral upholstery and curved forms to bring another dimension to an overall minimalistic and austere space. Additionally, painting or using wallpaper on a singular accent wall can pleasantly distinguish it from the others nearby. When thinking about how you combine simplicity and complexity, have the barer elements make up the majority of the space. This will ensure those bolder items you’ve included will stand out all the more, highlighted by the plainness surrounding them.

Going away on a trip can be a very exciting occasion, but if you don’t feel prepared, you’re probably going to panic. You don’t want to have to fill up your limited bag space with grooming products, do you? You surely don’t want to spend a portion of your trip holed up in the bathroom shaving, applying makeup, or doing other things you feel you need to do to feel good about yourself? 

If you want to look and feel good on your next trip but absolutely don’t want to squander a good portion of the tip in the bathroom, this guide can help you. Take a look and you’ll get an idea of what to do for your next trip:

Avoid False Tan

Applying false tan can be a great idea if you’re going somewhere cool where you won’t be hopping into the sea or pool. However, tan will come off when it comes into contact with chlorine. Not in a nice and neat way either, but all over your body in scaly patches. This, paired with the fact that you’re going to be sweating in a hot country, is a disaster for false tan. A gradual tan can be slightly more forgiving, and if you take it with you then you may be able to apply it again in the evening after a shower. If you get a very subtle one that includes moisturizer, you should manage a nice glow without going OTT. Of course, if you tan easily it could be a good idea to take your SPF and just try to build a natural tan. You may be pale for the first few days, but as long as you take your SPF to protect your skin, you’ll be able to build a safe, glowing tan. 

Forget About Shaving

Having to shave every day or every other day while you’re away is no fun. Forget about shaving and look into affordable laser hair removal instead. You will need to do this with plenty of time to spare before you fly, as multiple sessions are required. However, once the hair is gone you will need infrequent maintenance treatments and love your smooth skin. It’ll save you a lot of time and potentially money in the long run. 

Practice Your Hair

It’s nice to have a big, bouncy blow-dry – but if you’re traveling to a hot place, it’s going to go frizzy and flat the second you step off the plane. Practice various hairstyles that can withstand the heat, such as french plaits, high ponytails, and messy buns. These are far better styles to have when you want to enjoy yourself without worrying about how you look. 

Get Gel Polish

Head to a nail tech, and rather than asking for false nails or a simple manicure, see if you can have gel polish. Gel polish enhances your natural nails, looks like normal polish, but lasts 2-3 weeks on average. This can depend on how good the person is who applies it, but it’s a revelation and just perfect for the holidays!

Bedrooms need a touch of style just like any other room in the house. Discover these five signs your bedroom needs a makeover and their importance to the space.

It’s no secret that a room’s design and overall style influences how we experience that space in certain ways. After all, it’s these traits that generate the proper atmosphere and convey a charm that’s unique to your home. However, these effects aren’t only important to the public areas of the house. In fact, your bedroom’s design is just as crucial to helping you escape daily stressors and promote relaxation. If something isn’t working with your bedroom’s current design, you may not be getting all the benefits out of the space. These are some telltale signs your bedroom needs a makeover and how they can affect your experience within the room.

Not Enough (Or Too Little) Lighting

Bedroom in navy colors.

One of the most common indicators that a bedroom is poorly designed is the amount of light it has. Lighting is a key component in determining the functionality and mood of a space. When a room has too much light, it becomes difficult to create a restful atmosphere. But if it’s too dim, you won’t be able to perform certain bedtime tasks like reading or washing up. It’s important to take some time to find a balance for the space to be effective.

The Space Feels Cramped

Empty Interior Of Young Boys Bedroom With Table And Storage

If you often feel like your room is too small to spend extended amounts of time in, this is also a sign your bedroom needs a makeover. Part of being comfortable is feeling like we have enough space to breathe and move around as we wish. Therefore, if we’re being confined by clutter, it’s impossible to fully obtain that restful mindset. Because of this, part of your redesigning process might be to remove some of these items blocking your way, or to rearrange furniture in a way that maximizes space.

You Aren’t Getting Quality Sleep

Another vital indicator that your bedroom could use a better design is poor sleep quality. Believe it or not, certain aesthetics, textures, and even colors can all have an impact on how well you fall and stay asleep. For this reason, you may be experiencing restful nights or find that you wake up just as tired as you were when you went to bed. To fix this, try familiarizing yourself with designs and colors that are best for sleep and incorporate them into a new design.

The Walls Look Bare

Interior design: Big modern Bedroom

Many of us find blank walls to be aesthetically unappealing due to the possibilities they represent. It can overwhelm the mind and make it harder for us to identify the room as ours. As such, when it comes to making this space over, all you need are a few pieces of artwork to tie the rest of the room together. This will make your bedroom feel more unified and personalized.

You Want a Change

Modern bedroom with comfortable double bed and stylish white brick wall

You might just want to redesign your bedroom just because you feel like it. Go for it! There is no good or bad time to take on a project like this. So, if you’ve grown tired of your older design and simply want a change, there’s no better time to begin a makeover.

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.