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.

Clear out clutter and bring the beauty of the out-of-doors inside with fresh flowers or plants. Pare down to essentials throughout the home and highlight a single item in each room. Strive for simplicity to create a relaxing, pleasant environment to be enjoyed by family and guests.

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]

Murals, stencils and wall decorations

You only need a small brush, some acrylic or latex paint in different colours and a day off to give your child room straight from a dream. The only limitation is your imagination and available patterns or your talent. There are many tutorials and DIY receipts on the web, but we have chosen just one, in our opinion most clear and easy to understand. Check it here.

[photo: Merelymel13]

[photo by: accent on eclectic]

Promotions, sales and special offers

Simplest way to save money during child’s room improvements is sales hunting. When you go shopping, you should choose shops with special deals, promotions and bonuses for a great purchase. Thanks to that you can have what you want, but some money stay in your pocket.

One theme

Monothematic child’s room is the best idea when the little one has one big passion – it doesn’t matter if it’s fairy tales about princesses, travels, art or airplanes. Each hobby has special items and a general association which parents can use while decorating. You can create something simple and practical to decorate the room together with your child. It’s guaranteed that this would make him or her extremely proud of him/herself. To save some money, you can look for the theme related items on sales. Sometimes you can even exchange items with other parents to get what you want.

[photo: warrenski]

[photo: Keith Williamson]

Mobility

You have no idea, what can you do with a child room and any of above methods you won’t like? We have just one more concept. It’s unique, cheap, easy to do and is a lot of fun… Buy and attach casters to all furniture in the child’s room. Now you can change the room design daily without any more costs – simply push a bed or a closet to a different location and you have a brand new room, completely different than the day before!

Keep your lawn green and healthy with adequate water delivered on a regular schedule. As the amount of water needed varies based on climate, type of grass, soil composition, and rainfall, research online or ask the local garden centre for quantity and frequency recommendations for your area.

Measure the amount of water delivered to the lawn by placing several open containers four to six inches in diameter within range of the sprinkler. Time how long it takes the containers to fill to the level of water required in your area.

[credit: Matt McGee]

As it is common for sprinklers to deliver water unevenly, note variations in the amount of water in the cans and adjust the watering schedule accordingly. To ensure a green lawn, calculate the watering time based on the slowest filling container. If the cans are placed within the sprinkler area but off the grass, leave them in place to measure rainfall, as well. Check the amount received after each rain and provide supplemental water to the lawn, as needed.

Generally, a healthy watering schedule consists of watering to the optimal depth twice each week. Water the lawn in the early morning hours, if possible, to reduce the amount of moisture lost to evaporation. An early morning watering schedule allows the moisture to seep deep into the soil, which encourages vigorous root growth and is a much more efficient use of water. Avoid watering during the evening hours to discourage fungus growth and root rot. Also, apply a lawn-specific fertiliser according to the manufacturer’s instructions to keep the lawn in top condition.

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.

Hanging baskets are heavy, especially when wet. Be sure to hang the baskets from a sturdy structure such as a post or beam. Use a stout hook or bracket and heavy chain or rope. Check the hanging baskets frequently and water when the top of the soil feels dry. Mist the outside of the basket to keep the moss fresh and provide extra moisture to the plants. Add a drip system to make watering easier, if possible.

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.

Simplify the Garden Environment
Look around the garden for ways to reduce gardening chores. Use companion planting to reduce pest infestations. Group plants with similar watering and care needs in specific locations. Use raised beds or containers for easier access and to reduce weeding. Allow ample room around plants for easy movement based on the size the plant will be once mature.

Enjoy the Garden
Most importantly, really enjoy the garden. Spend ample time outside. View gardening as a form of meditation. Place a small table and a couple of chairs in close proximity to the garden for evening dining. String a hammock between two trees or get a free-standing hammock for lazy afternoon reading.

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.

Cool the Inside
Each evening, remove hot air from the home with box fans placed in windows facing out. Once the hot air has dissipated, turn the fans around to blow cool air into the room. Use ceiling fans to circulate the air, as well. Have attic vents checked to ensure the free flow of air and repair or replace, if necessary.

Personal Cooling
Most importantly, keep well hydrated during hot weather and wear cool clothing. During extreme heat, mist the skin periodically with a spray bottle of water or take a cool shower to lower body temperature.

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.

Check the garden and around the exterior of the home for water damage or other weather related issues that may have arisen during the winter months. Inspect the roof and siding for damage. Look for rotting wood along the eves. Clean the gutters and downspouts. Check the attic, especially around the chimney, for signs of water leaks or seepage. Also, ensure that water drains away from the home. Dig a small ditch or install a French drain, if warranted.

Although the danger of a house fire decreases during the summer months, it is wise to check all smoke detectors to ensure proper function. Remember to check carbon monoxide detectors as well and change the batteries, if necessary.

For homes with some type of cooling appliance or system, now is the time for a test run. Ensure that the unit is functioning properly before it is needed. Also, retrieve portable fans from storage and test each. Clean or replace, as appropriate.

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

Photos on the wall

Wallpapers

Posters

Reliefs

Bookcase

Colours

Unique and bizzare solutions

[credits: LGEPR , Lars Plougmann , stevecadman , Jeremy Levine Design, Orin Zebest , Marco Gomes , alexbrn , Orin Zebest , jarredderraj_ Lasdary , mike.wilson , firepile , jdeeringdavis , Jolante , Wonderlane , BinaryApe , Bert Heymans , saebaryo , Jamiecat * , @boetter, Clockworkplum]

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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
Exterior window washing often presents a variety of challenges. While the interior side of a window is usually easy to access, the exterior may be inaccessible without the use of at least a ladder. Always put safety first. Do not attempt to clean windows that are difficult to reach; call a professional instead.

For windows that may be accessed safely, follow the same procedure as for the interior. First inspect for damage to the glass, frame or adjacent areas and perform or arrange any needed repairs. Use a long-handled window-cleaning brush or sponge and squeegee to more easily reach windows from the ground.

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.

• Midges are attracted to light. If windows are left open, even those equipped with standard screening, keep all the lights turned off. While this will not completely eliminate the no-see-ums, it will reduce the number present.

• As an alternative to keeping the windows closed and the lights turned off, consider re-screening all windows with a special fine mesh screen designed to keep out even tiny midges. While the finer screen may slightly inhibit the free flow of air, it is a small price to pay for keeping the no-see-ums at bay.

• There are a variety of insect repellent products that may be tried when dealing with no-see-ums. Many contain DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide) which is a chemical that was developed in the United States. Organic products are also widely available. In soap, spray and lotion form, many of these repellents are even safe for use on children. Use caution when choosing a repellent product. Read the warning label and use only as instructed.

[credit: mrspiderjoe]