Archive for the ‘Home’ Category
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
Summer is a time for light and airy home décor. Dispense with the deep colours of winter and pare down to the bare minimum of accessories in each room. For instance, opt for a single rose in a simple vase rather than a full bouquet of flowers or place picture groupings or collections of any sort into storage and choose just one favourite for display.
Change window treatments to match the season. Replace heavy drapes with shades or blinds topped with a valance of lace or other sheer fabric. Wash all windows and replace or repair window screens, if necessary. Keep window treatments uncomplicated to allow for easy opening of the widows during the cool evening hours.
Quickly and inexpensively give upholstered furniture a cool, summer feel by creating a throw-style slipcover with a light coloured sheet, large safety pins and co-ordinating pastel ribbon. Simply drape the sheet evenly over the sofa or chair and tuck the fabric in around the seat and back cushions. Neatly fold or gather the excess fabric at the front and back corners. Secure with pins, as needed, and finish with a length of ribbon wrapped completely around the piece and tied in a bow at one corner. (more…)
Tags: Flower, Interior design
Posted in Home, Interesting | 2 Comments »
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Child’s room is a very important place for the smallest family member – that is his or hers nearly whole world. But not everyone has enough money to create an amazing, fancy children kingdom. We will try to help those families with a quite small budget at their disposal. Check 5 original ways to modify children’s space in your home.
Boxes, cases, chests
Playroom and sleep place for children should remain in order. It’s possible when you use a lot of boxes and cases. Besides organizing the space, they help with keeping it clean. Little boys and girls learn since their first steps that things have special places and should find there after finishing the play time. It’s the end of tiny cars and dolls scattered all over the floor - at least theoretically…
[photo: AndWat]
[photo: suzettesuzette] (more…)
Tags: Child, decorating, Design, Furniture, Home, home decor
Posted in DIY, Home, Interesting | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Add instant beauty to any setting with hanging baskets. Dress up the front of the home for all to enjoy or place them around the back deck or garden. Suspend a hanging basket full of summer blooms in front of the kitchen window and enjoy watching butterflies and humming birds while attending to kitchen chores. Some edibles even grow well in hanging baskets, such as tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, lettuce or herbs. Create a kitchen garden where ground space is limited.
[credit: Lachlan Hardy]
To create a hanging basket, line a wire basket with moss. Fill with potting soil and add Soil Moist granules, if possible, to keep the moisture in the basket. Alternatively, line the moss with plastic. Add the flowers or edibles to the soil and water thoroughly.
Consider placing plants around the outside of the basket as well. Cut holes through the moss prior to filling the basket with soil and then add soil to the level of the holes. Carefully insert the plant roots through the holes and cover with soil. Work up the basket until it is filled. (more…)
Tags: Flower, Plant, WATER
Posted in DIY, Garden, Home, Interesting, WATER | No Comments »
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Summer is a wonderful time in the garden. Green, lush foliage provides a relaxing and cooling respite even during the heat of the day. Have an amazing garden this summer by following these four tips.
Ensure Adequate Water
Provide adequate water based on plant type, soil condition and weather. When dealing with plants with varying moisture needs, supplement general watering with a drip system or individual irrigation rather than over-watering some plants to ensure adequate water for others. Water early in the day to guard against excess moisture loss through evaporation.
[credit: Memotions]
Encourage Optimal Plant Growth
Hoe weeds on a regular basis, thin seedlings, apply liquid manure to crops and pick peas and flowers to encourage new blossoms. Thoroughly check for signs of pests and parasites at least weekly and treat promptly, as needed. Drape netting over all kinds of berries to prevent damage from birds. (more…)
Tags: Flower, Garden, Plant, Soil, WATER
Posted in Cleaning Tips, DIY, Garden, Holidays, Home, Plumbing, WATER | No Comments »
Saturday, June 5th, 2010
Keeping cool at home during the summer months can be a challenge. There are a variety of easy and effective ways to cool down the house, however. Follow these tips to create a refreshing haven from the heat of summer.
Keep Heat Out
Close windows during the day and cover with light coloured shades to reflect heat. Use insulated shades on sunny windows and install awnings, if possible. Invest in solar shades or window film for south or west facing windows that receive the most intense sun. Check for cracks around doors and windows and apply weather-stripping, if needed.
Reduce Interior Heat
Keep lights and electronics turned off when not in use. Even the small amount of heat generated by these items adds up over time. Plug all computer equipment and electronics into power strips for easy one-switch control. Limit the use of appliances, large and small. Opt for fresh salads rather that cooked meals. Use a microwave to heat food. Hang clothes to dry. (more…)
Tags: Air conditioning, Temperature, WATER, Window
Posted in Appliances, Home | No Comments »
Monday, May 31st, 2010
Certain home maintenance tasks should be performed on an annual or semi-annual basis. Appropriate tasks for spring or early summer include ensuring that window screens and the cooling system are ready for the impending warmer weather, checking for water damage around the home or garden and performing a seasonal check on home safety equipment such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
[credit: kaiton]
Inspect each window screen and remove for a thorough cleaning, if possible. Repair small problems or completely re-screen, if necessary. Consider switching to finer mesh screening in areas where midges are a nuisance. (more…)
Tags: Cleaning Tips, spring, WATER, Weather
Posted in Appliances, Cleaning Tips, DIY, Holidays, Home, Interesting, Kitchen | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
You have a multiple choices – a number of ideas, creative designs and opportunities is infinite. In this post we want to show you just the most interesting, popular solutions and some of the most original wall decorations.
LED TV
Fireplace
(more…)
Tags: Arts, home improvement, Living room
Posted in DIY, Home, Interesting | 2 Comments »
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Image via Wikipedia
Window cleaning is a chore that is often put off. Rarely a favourite housekeeping task, windows should be washed at least seasonally, however. Seasonal cleaning not only provides enhanced enjoyment of the beauty outside but also presents a regular opportunity to inspect for damage and take prompt corrective action, if necessary.
Cleaning Windows from the Inside
Prior to cleaning, inspect each window for damage. Do not clean windows with cracked glass or other damage until needed repairs have been completed. Be sure to also inspect and clean the weep vents found at the bottom of each window.
To make an effective, inexpensive and non-toxic window cleaning solution, simply mix one part white vinegar with eight parts water and spray on the glass. Wipe with newspaper or lint free cloth. For really dirty windows, add a little liquid dish washing soap to the solution and then rinse with plain water. Dry with a squeegee.
Cleaning windows from the Outside (more…)
Tags: cleaning, WATER
Posted in Appliances, Cleaning Tips, Holidays, Home | No Comments »
Friday, May 14th, 2010
No-see-ums, also known as midges, are small biting insects that are barely detectable to the human eye. Although the bite of a no-see-um is usually harmless, it does hurt and may itch intensely. To effectively deal with this tiny nuisance, follow these tips.
- Determine the time of day when midges are a problem. This will usually be in the morning and evening hours. Try to confine outdoor activities to the hours when no-see-ums are absent. During the morning and evening, keep all windows closed and avoid opening the door, if possible. (more…)
Tags: Insect, Outdoors
Posted in DIY, Garden, Health, Home | No Comments »
Sunday, May 9th, 2010
A pressure washer can be a useful and coveted addition to a homeowner’s collection of tools. Unfortunately, a pressure washer used improperly or in the wrong area can also cause a lot of damage. Understanding how and where to use a pressure washer is essential.
A pressure washer is handy for many outdoor cleaning tasks, such as washing sidewalks, driveways or detached window screens. Care should be taken around rockwork or when special landscaping materials are present, however. Always test the washer in an inconspicuous area and adjust the pressure level or discontinue use, if necessary.
A pressure washer is commonly used to clean siding prior to painting. Exercise extreme caution when spraying exterior walls. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding pressure level and angle of spray. Avoid windows, doorways and eves. Also, to avoid creating leaks, never use a pressure washer to clean the roof.
Do not use a pressure washer to wash the family car. Although invaluable for many chores, the high pressure generated by a quality washer may damage the paint or window seals. When washing a vehicle, confine the use of a pressure washer to the undercarriage. (more…)
Tags: Cleaning Tips, Pressure washer, WATER
Posted in Appliances, Cleaning Tips, Home, WATER | No Comments »
