Collaborations

Design Ideas For A Totally Unique Home Decor

08.01.19

Nobody wants a house that looks just like a showroom or every other house that they see on Instagram – right? Well, maybe some do, but many people want to create an entirely unique home decor that is all their own. Here, there are a handful of design ideas that should inspire you to create your very own unique home decor that’s unlike anything else you’ve seen before. Take a look and see what you can do! 

Work With An Interior Designer 

Working with an interior designer could be the first step if you don’t consider yourself someone who can design a unique home without it looking a little mish mashed. An interior designer will be able to take all of your likes and ideas and put them together to create something that looks cohesive yet unique at the same time. It’ll cost a little more, but if you want to avoid getting bored of your interior and you want to enjoy it for years to come, it’s worth spending the money. 

Put Together Your Colour Scheme 

Put together a colour scheme that makes you happy. You can use the colour wheel to see which colours contrast and match the best. Look into the ‘moods’ of colours too. For example, blue is a great colour to use in rooms where you would like to feel tranquil and at peace. 

Mix Up Patterns 

Mixing up patterns can be a lot of fun and make a room look more textured. You could mix dots with florals, for example, or just about any pattern you want. All you have to do is make sure you do this carefully so it doesn’t look too messy. For example, the rule of three is usually a good place to start. Three patterns, your favourite used 60%, second used 30%, and last one used just 10%. 

credit

Use Lots of Texture 

Using lots of texture stops a room from looking dull and cold. If you want to create a cosy feel, texture is the way forward. Incorporate things like suede, leather, wool, bamboo, and other textures you may like. This website might surprise you when you see how concrete style materials can be used to create a unique looking home decor. 

Mix Up Styles That You Like 

Don’t be afraid to mix up decor styles either. For example, if there are two styles you love, such as vintage and eclectic, you can mix up pieces from both styles to create something unique. Don’t mix too many styles, though! 

Go Vintage Shopping 

Vintage shopping will mean picking up some amazing pieces that nobody else has. If you have the money, you might even want to invest in an antique. 

Don’t Forget The Artwork 

No home is complete without artwork. This is your opportunity to show off your tastes and change the feel of your home completely. Artwork speaks to the soul and can be used in so many creative ways! 

You’ll love how your home decor turns out after using this advice!

Collaborations

Finding The Perfect Pad: Easy Ways To Narrow Down Your Options

07.25.19

This is a collaborated post.

Are you buying your first home or attempting to take the next step up the property ladder? If so, you’re probably wondering whether you’ll be able to find the perfect pad. Many of us have a rose-tinted vision of house hunting, but the truth is that buying and selling properties can be incredibly stressful and time-consuming. If you’re on the lookout for your dream home, here are some easy ways to narrow down your options.

Photo by Gustavo Zambelli on Unsplash

Setting a budget

If you have a limitless budget, the world is your oyster when it comes to searching for an ideal home. However, if like most people, you have a budget in mind, this can restrict your options. Before you start envisioning where you’re going to put your sofa or which bedroom you’re going to have in a home that’s way out of your financial league, it’s best to set a realistic budget. Bear in mind that moving isn’t just about stumping up the purchase price. You’ll have to pay fees charged by lawyers, you’ll need to cover the cost of a survey, and there may be renovation or redecoration costs to consider too. Get some fixed mortgage offers on the table, and then you can start your search.

Choosing a location

The next thing to consider once you’ve got a figure in mind is the location of your new home. Some people are adamant that they want to live in a specific area, such as waterfront cottages or inner-city apartments, while others are much more flexible. Your choice of location may depend on many different factors. If you have children, the proximity to good schools and other family members may be your priority. If you commute to work, you may want to find somewhere that doesn’t mean you spend most of the day on a train or sitting in traffic. Consider your preferred location carefully. If you can find something within the search area, that’s brilliant news. If you can’t afford it or there are very few properties available, consider widening your net slightly.

Your priorities

You’ve chosen a location, and you’ve set a maximum budget. Now, it’s time to focus on finding a home that ticks as many boxes as possible. Think carefully about what is most important to you. Do you want a large garden or a spacious family kitchen? Do you need a spare bedroom or would you rather have extra space downstairs? Are you hoping to run a business from home or a garage a must-have? Write a list, and start working you through potential options. If something is essential, this will help you to rule properties that don’t match your requirements out. If you’re willing to compromise on some things, but not others, this should help you to draw up a shortlist.

If you’re hoping to buy a new house, you may be thinking about how you’re going to find that perfect property. Before you begin looking, there are lots of things you can do to rule out unsuitable candidates. Set a budget and choose a location. Once you’ve done this, work out your priorities, and arrange some viewings at properties that seem like they tick most of the boxes. Go back and have a second look if you fall head over heels and look out for the home that gives you that feeling.

Collaborations

When To Repair And When To Buy New

07.25.19

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay 

This is a collaborated post.

It can often be a tricky decision when you have something new, and it breaks, do you fix it or do you replace. Today, we are often considered as a throwaway society; we don’t fix things like they used to, we are a society strongly influenced by consumerism, we over-consume which leads to overconsumption and excessive production of short-lived or disposable items instead of durable goods that can be repaired. It’s not just when it comes to appliance repair either, but its food wastage, toys, clothes, and older generations would even say that we are the same with relationships. Check this website for dryer repair in Ottawa.

There are a number of reasons why you should repair or replace including climate change, money and the environment it doesn’t mean it is all bad though, there are some things that you should replace and some that you should repair and there are pros and cons to both so let’s have a look at the top things:

Appliances

When an appliance breaks under its warranty, fixing it is usually a no-brainer. But if it’s out of warranty, then you need to consider the age of the appliance, the cost of a new device and how long either one is going to last you. You should repair if you think or feel that the appliance has a long life expectancy, but this varies for each different device and really is a judgment call. It’s probably a good idea to replace though if your appliance is out of warranty and nearing the end of its life expectancy. Even if the replacement cost more than the repairs, it’s likely at this stage that something else will go wrong with it, meaning that you will end up spending even more money. 

Cars

A car is one of the most significant purchases that you can make and also one of the most used and needed items in everyday life. When your car breaks down, it’s a huge problem and can impact daily life, not just for you but for your whole family. To keep your vehicle in its best condition, you need to have it regularly maintained to minimize issues. If things do go wrong, then you need to have a look at the current value of your car, which you can do online by entering your car’s make, model year, condition and mileage. You should repair it if you need a car and cannot afford new wheels and there is no decent public transport where you live. Your repair may not come cheap but if you have no other option to get to work or school, then hopefully repairing the problem will be less expensive than buying a new car. If you can afford to replace the vehicle, however, then this might be the thing to do, especially if your mechanic identifies other problem areas with the car.

You can apply these reasons to your decision making of anything else before you think about throwing it out. You should also remember that recycling or selling for scraps, or parts can be more beneficial than just throwing things out to waste.