Februari 2015 - house design

How to turn your house into a home

If you’re struggling to put your stamp on a new property, you can rest assured you’re not alone. Moving to a different place can be exciting, but it’s not without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles many house movers face is making their new digs feel like home. Luckily, help is at hand. By following these simple suggestions, you should be able to transform your new pad into a welcoming, homely space in no time.

Select window dressings with a difference

A great place to start is with your window dressings. All too often, people see curtains and blinds as a mere afterthought when they’re revamping their rooms. This is a big mistake. These products can have a massive impact on the overall look and feel of properties. So, rather than selecting bog-standard products off the shelf or making do with the versions left by the previous property owners, it pays off to invest in custom curtains or blinds.

This way, you’ll be able to ensure your window dressings have that all-important wow factor. You can take your pick from a range of products and styles. Perhaps you’ll opt for cosy blockout curtains, or maybe an elegant combination of blinds and sheer curtains would suit your home better. You also have the option of accessorising with headings and pelmets.

Put your favourite photos in pride of place

Another way to add instant personality to your pad is to position some of your favourite photos in areas like your lounge, bedroom and kitchen. These images can also look great in hallways and on landings. For added interest, you could print some of the snaps onto canvases or large posters, turning them into works of art.

Putting up pictures of your family and friends will give you an instant sense of connection with your new house. You might also want to include some of your best landscape snaps.

Don’t be afraid to showcase your style

Interior designers are always at pains to dictate which colours should and shouldn’t be used around the home, and all too often this results in people covering their walls in drab hues. If you’re trying to give your property some added pizzazz, don’t be

Afraid to experiment with different colour combinations. The fact is, it’s your house and you should feel free to showcase your individual style.

Also, when used with care, even the brightest and boldest hues can look fantastic around the home. One top tip is to introduce accent walls and echo these colours in your choice of furnishings and appliances.

Add little touches of luxury

Last but by no means least on this short list, set aside a little cash to buy some touches of luxury for your new home. Perhaps a plush rug would make the ideal addition to your lounge, and a scattering of sumptuous cushions on your couches could also boost the comfort factor. Meanwhile, maybe some stylish and soft new bedding would work perfectly in your boudoir. As long as you follow simple tips like these, you won’t struggle to transform your house into a home.

5 irresistible home interior features

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If you’re revamping your home, you certainly won’t be stuck for inspirational features and furnishings. There’s now a head-spinning selection of interior design options on offer. If you’re anything like us, you’re sure to find the following pieces irresistible:

1) Solid wood kitchen units

Solid wood has long been the material of choice for the discerning interior designer, and it’s particularly at home in the kitchen. Timber units make the ideal addition to this room. As well as being practical and durable, they have a natural elegance and charm that can work perfectly in everything from the most traditional kitchens to ultra modern cooking areas. Firms like Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets offer a selection of units in different sizes and styles, so if you’re looking for good-looking grains and finishes for your property, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

2) Roll top baths

Nothing says indulgence like a roll top bath. There’s something very enchanting about these elegant designs. They can add instant spa luxury to homes and they bring a real sense of occasion to bath time. You can’t fail to relax once you sink into these deep, curvaceous tubs for a soak.

3) Open fires

OK, so homeowners now have access to a range of sophisticated heating systems, but nothing can surpass the feeling of satisfaction that people get from open fires. Not all homes can have them either, and this just adds to their appeal. There is something primal about building and lighting a fire, and it brings character and cosiness to rooms. Whether you’re hunkering down on a chilly day or just enjoying a romantic night in, real fires make the perfect backdrop.

4) Underfloor heating

Staying on the theme of warmth, underfloor heating is another top design feature. It’s thought that these systems were first used by the Romans, although the technology has moved on a little since then! Stepping onto a warm floor on a cold winter’s day is a great feeling. Also, these systems can remove the need for potentially bulky radiators, opening up more space in rooms and creating a cleaner, more chic look.

5) A feature bed

According to figures from the Sleep Council, we get more than 2,300 hours of sleep on average each year. This surely makes beds one of the most important items of furniture in homes. If you’re going to spend that much time lying on the things, it’s important that they’re up-to-scratch. Feature beds are a must-have for many homeowners. They add opulence and style to the boudoir, and they can be a delight to sleep in too. You can take your pick from versions including modern platforms, classic sleighs, impressive four-posters and sophisticated French-style beds.

Get Cracking On Foundation Repair

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You notice that tiny crack in the wall of the basement of your home. You assume that it is no big deal, yet over the years, that small fissure grows larger and larger until it does become a big deal. This is just one example of the cracks that you may see in your house. Besides those, there is other damage that you may not see, such as cracks in your property's foundation. In fact, a crack in your home's wall is usually an indication that there are more cracks in the house's foundation. Fortunately, there are qualified experts who specialize in such fissures, and they are readily available to help you with crack repair in Ottawa.

The Latest and Greatest Treatments

Specialists with a home renovations company are fully knowledgeable about all things related to repairing cracks in walls, floors, and foundations. They use only the latest technology and trusted practices to bring the best quality repair and maintenance to your home. With customer service as their top priority, these workers opt for the best in efficiency and reliability. They have your safety and protection as their main concern, and they work diligently to provide service that is not only safe, but easy on your budget as well.

The Importance Of Crack Repair

As professionals in home improvement and crack repair, these workers understand how important it is to fix such a problem. Particularly when heavy rains and snowfall threaten the structural stability of your property's foundation, these experts seek to protect both your home and your family. Moreover, leaving cracks unattended can eventually lead to very leaky walls, roofs, and floors, which is another issue to address. Rather than deal with yet another problem, bypass the stress and expense, and hire a contractor to repair those pesky cracks so you can get back to your life and enjoy your secure and dry home.

Tried And True Treatment

You have no need to worry, for when you contact a professional home renovation business, highly trained and skilled employees will arrive to your home to perform a full inspection of your property and its foundation. Cracks and other fissures are assessed, and then workers get to the job of fixing the damage and securing the protection of your property for the future. Using a cutting-edge injection method, professionals insert protective materials into the foundation through low-pressure equipment. The materials injected into the foundation are tried and true, and proven to provide the utmost in protection and stability.

The winter weather will not last forever, yet structural stability can last for years and years if you choose to have experienced professionals arm your foundation with the protection and stabilizing materials it needs. Why wait another day when a safe and secure home is just a phone call away?

Port-A-Bach Shipping Container Home

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Atelierworkshop designed the Port-a-Bach prototype shipping container home which is portable, environmentally-friendly, inexpensive, and can comfortably sleep two adults and two children.

The tiny home features exterior steel shell that can be folded up to enclose the entire structure.

There are large internal storage cupboards and shelves, a stainless steel kitchen, bathroom with open shower, sink and composting toilet. An interior fabric screen system allows you to create rooms within the open space.

Fittings allow the use of the container connections to attach to solar and wind equipment.

Via: Atelierworkshop

What to look for when choosing a new bed

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You no doubt make an array of purchasing decisions every day. From where to get your petrol to which sandwich you'll choose for lunch, you probably buy a lot of things without much thought. However, when it comes to selecting a new bed, it's worth putting some time and effort into the decision making process. Bear in mind that this item will form the focal point of your bedroom. Perhaps even more importantly, you're likely to spend over 20,000 hours on your bed over the next seven years alone. To help ensure you end up with the perfect product, take a look at the following advice.

Select a suitable style

Of course, your bed must meet all your practical needs, but this doesn't mean you have to compromise when it comes to style. There is now a tantalising variety of bedroom furniture on the market and you should be able to find something to sleep on that ticks all of your boxes. For something a little out of the ordinary that will lend your boudoir luxury and class, head to bedroom furniture specialists such as And So To Bed.

You can take your pick from playful sleigh beds, imposing four posters and a host of other designs. Whether you're after ornate, classical creations imbued with a deep sense of history or you'd prefer chic, contemporary pieces to complement modern interior design schemes, you won't be stuck for options.

As well as the shape and style of the bed, think carefully about its colour and finish. By paying attention to every last detail, you can rest assured you'll be 100% happy with your purchase.

Comfort counts

No bed is worth its price tag if it can't provide you with a good night's rest. This is why it pays off to invest in quality pieces that have been designed with total comfort in mind. As well as a sturdy and well made frame, it's vital that your bed benefits from a good mattress. Skimping on this essential can be a big mistake and it may result in many a sleepless night.

Measure up

The dimensions of your bed are crucial too. Before you start your search for a new place to sleep, measure your bedroom and decide how big you want the item to be. If you have a large bedroom, consider getting a big bed. Bear in mind that being disturbed by a partner is one of the most common causes of sleep problems. The more space you have, the less likely it is that you'll experience this issue.

However, don't be tempted get a bed that's too big for the dimensions of your room. Bear in mind that you'll need enough room to manoeuvre around the object and to accommodate your other items of furniture. Also, when beds are too sizeable for their surroundings, their aesthetic appeal can be lost. As long as you take tips like these into account when you're searching for a new bed, you should end up with the ideal version for you.

King’s Joy Restaurant Beijing

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King’s Joy Vegetarian Restaurant in Beijing, China offers a pleasant contemporary environment with atmosphere of courtyard houses.

Design firm Atelier FCJZ created two focal areas for the restaurant, an indoor courtyard and an outdoor courtyard with a bamboo garden.

A transparent octahedral screen enclosure provides intimacy for the indoor dinning area.