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Decorating your Home with your Baby in Mind

September 12, 2015

Having a baby? Congratulations! As a parent, I believe that nothing compares to the joy of having a new addition to your life. True, your life is going to change in ways more than one. You will find it harder to squeeze in your schedule your hangout with friends. You cannot just pack your bag and travel anytime that you like. You will suffer from sleepless nights and the deafening cry of your baby. All of these, however, will be worth it once you see the smile on your baby’s face.

If you are expecting a baby soon, keep on reading and learn from the suggestions that are noted below when it comes to essential design considerations. Whether it is for the nursery or the living room, you should give careful thought on the whole design process to make sure that the entire household will be baby-friendly. You should strive hard to find the perfect balance between form and functionality.

Start with the Nursery

This is where it all begins. This is perhaps the most important part of the house and where your baby will be most of the time. Whether they are playing or sleeping, the nursery is going to be a well-utilized space, which makes it important to put an emphasis on how it is going to be designed. Some parents even hire the services of experts to determine what they can do to have a good-looking, functional, and safe nursery. From your choice of best pack and play 2015 to nightlight, it is critical to choose wisely. The following are some of the nursery decorating tips that can prove to be helpful:

Utilize natural lighting to promote energy efficiency.
Have a window shade to easily make the room darker during daytime and to make the baby sleep faster
Put a rocking chair, which is convenient for parents when putting babies into sleep
Have sufficient storage to be organized and to avoid clutter
Be flexible, making it easy to adjust the room based on the changing needs of the baby

Go Beyond the Nursery

Yes, the nursery is perhaps the most important room in the house when you are expecting a baby. Nonetheless, this does not mean that all your budget and efforts will be dedicated only in such portion of the house. Your goal is to have a house that is beautiful and safe for the baby, so pay attention to other areas as well, such as the living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. In at least every room or part of the house, try to create a corner that is dedicated for babies, a space where they can play and have fun.

Have Open Spaces

Babies tend to be full of energy. Even if they do not yet know how to walk, they can crawl all over the place. Once they already know how to stand and walk, they become even fuller of energy, running from one place to another. With this, another thing that can help in decorating the house is to create lots of open spaces. If there are lots of cabinets and decorative accents that are no longer useful, remove it for additional space. This might compensate some decorative elements, but it is all going to be worth it because it makes the house safer for babies.

Be Flexible

While it is important to keep in mind the welfare and the needs of your baby when designing the house, keep in mind the need of others as well, especially if you have older children. Design the house in such a way that you will be able to demonstrate flexibility. Instead of being married to a specific design element, settle with those that can be easily modified when the needs change. Think about your needs as well. By being flexible in the design of the home, this does not only increase functionality, but also makes the cost more efficient.

Safety Above All

When designing for your baby, while it is undeniable that aesthetics is a major concern, a more important factor that deserves to be given emphasis is safety. For instance, it is important to make sure that stairways are covered. All windows must be also locked. The floor should be made from materials that are not slippery. If you are going to paint the room of the baby, make sure to use non-toxic paint. If you have a pool, it is also important to put a fence to avoid drowning. All electric sockets should be covered. The house should be always kept clean and all small items should be kept hidden as this can lead into choking. Avoid using glass as decorative pieces as they can injure babies in case of breakage.

Color Speaks Volumes

One of the first things that should be given careful thought is the choice of color. This can depend on a variety of factors. For most people, this would depend on the gender of the baby – blue for a boy, pink for a girl. Of course, you can always go the unconventional route and choose more radical colors. It is better to settle with lighter colors as they can make the house look warm and spacious, which is the perfect ambiance for a baby. Some people, however, overdo color palette. They try very hard to match the color of everything in the house, from the paint to the crib, and even to the clothes of the baby. This may not look nice at all. It is good if you can create a contrast. Meaning, if the walls are painted light, you can use furniture pieces that are darker, such as those that are made from solid wood.

Welcoming a new baby can be more complete if you make sure that the house is designed to welcome the newest member of the family. This could mean an additional expense for most budget-conscious parents. Nonetheless, when it comes to your baby, there is no reason to be hesitant.

Designing the Kitchen: Maximizing Space

By hamsayeh -

September 8, 2015

Food, without a doubt, has an important role at home. Whether it is for the family or for friends you are hosting for dinner, food can excite the senses, much like conversations can do. With this, it is easy to understand why there are many who invest heavily in their kitchen. It is considered the heart of every home, which makes it critical to ensure not only its aesthetics, but also its functionality. For many, this would involve having state-of-the-art kitchen equipment. Consequently, this should be also all about having enough space. The kitchen layout should be well-thought, putting an emphasis on having sufficient amount of space for you to move easily when cooking or preparing meals.

Why The Right Design Matters

So, what’s the fuss about design? Basically, design is not just all about making the kitchen more attractive. While you can add decors and equipment that will make the kitchen a more functional space in the house, the right layout is still perhaps the most important. It should be easy for you to move from one point to another, making kitchen tasks not too demanding and exhausting. The following are some of the reasons why design is an important element when planning the kitchen.

Proper Flow: If a kitchen is too packed and filled with unnecessary stuff, you will find it difficult to be moving around. This can be a big problem, especially for busy kitchens, such as in the case of a restaurant or a home of a big family.
Energy Savings: Design is also related to efficiency of energy consumption. If it is too big, for instance, it will require the use of more light, which may be unnecessary if you really do not need that much space.
Effective Space: This is perhaps the most significant reason why you should pay attention in the right design of the kitchen. Need tips on how to design the kitchen in such a way that space is going to be maximized? Keep on reading and you will know how it can be done.

Use the Ceiling

Look up and you will see that you have plenty of available space above your head. Why not make use of it? If you do not have any lighting fixture, you can consider hanging a rack for your pots. This does not only maximize available space, but will also make it easy to reach for pots and pans when they are needed. You no longer have to bend!

Use Magnets for Knives

Especially for aspiring chefs, the kitchen can contain several kinds of knives, each with a specific application. Putting a knife block may help you to be organized, but it can be demanding in terms of space when the knives are just too many. A magnetic block will help to solve the problem. It is also a good way to show off your knife collection.

Think of Lighting

Just like in any other space in the house, lighting plays a major role when it comes to creating more space, or at least, an illusion that it is spacious. Make sure to put adequate light and utilize natural lighting, whenever necessary. The darker the kitchen is, the more cramp it would look. When it comes to lights, however, avoid chandeliers or pendant lights as they can also consume more space. Pin lights can be excellent.

Utilize your Walls

Sure, your tiles may look nice and can add up to the ambiance of the kitchen. However, if you are limited in terms of space, you can make wiser use of your walls. Install shelving units to have an additional storage space. With the proper arrangement of glass, plates, and other items in these shelves, it can look beautiful and can complement your kitchen’s theme.

Get Rid of the Unnecessary

Do you really need to have a dozen of plates and glasses in the kitchen? Are you using that huge blender on the countertop? In order to maximize available space in the kitchen, take out anything that is not functional as they can only cause clutter. Try to achieve a minimal look for the kitchen to make it look airy and spacious.

The Essentials of a Modern Kitchen

By hamsayeh -

September 8, 2015

Home is sanctuary for many of us. After a long day at work, this is where we find refuge. Whether we are living on our own or with a family, there is always one thing that we look forward to at the end of the day – going home. With this, it only makes sense to spend time, effort, and even money in designing the different parts of the home and coming up with the space that you have always wanted. In this case, one that needs your attention is the kitchen. A good kitchen design will have a huge influence on how you live. Especially if you love cooking, your kitchen should have a well-thought design.

When it comes to kitchen design, many people would most probably be focused on aesthetics. While physical appearance is indeed important, one that deserves more attention is its functionality. It should provide you with a space where you can work and move with ease. In line with having a more functional kitchen, technology should be present. It is important to invest in state-of-the-art kitchen equipment and accessories to make it one of the defining features of your home.

Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are not only storage spaces, but they can also do a lot to influence the overall aesthetics. If you are planning to build a modern kitchen, make sure that the design of the cabinet will complement such goal. If you are thinking of the best cabinet material for a modern kitchen, the following are some of the possibilities:

Veneer Wood: This is a trend that is reflective of the marriage of natural and modern. The warmth of veneer wood can add a lot of character in the kitchen as it makes it look more contemporary.
Stainless Steel: When you speak of a modern kitchen, an industrial design is one of the first things that come into mind, which explains the popularity of stainless steel kitchen cabinets.
Stained Wood: A tint on wood gives it a more unique appeal and a deeper personality. The specific choice of stain will depend on the ambiance that you would like to achieve or other kitchen decors.

Countertops

One of the first things that will be noticed in the kitchen is the countertop. It can be highly instrumental towards being able to achieve the look that you want. Choosing countertop material should not be only based on how they look, but also based on their durability and maintenance, among others. If you do not know which one is best for a modern kitchen, the following are some of the options that can be taken into consideration:

Granite: Beautiful and strong are perhaps two of the things that make granite an unrivalled choice for kitchen countertops.
Stainless Steel: As being modern is always equated with an industrial appeal, there is no wonder why stainless steel countertops are popular.
Glass: If you want an ultra-modern and visually-stunning kitchen, glass should be your material of choice for countertops.

Lighting

The best choice of lighting for modern kitchen is natural. Contemporary kitchen designs utilize the use of natural lighting because of its environmental friendliness. More so, if you have to choose lighting fixtures, pick one that has unique designs. A kitchen island light will surely look good. A pendant light or a small chandelier that fits kitchen interior will also look beautiful. It is also a good idea to use lighting fixtures that have different designs but will perfectly complement each other when seen collectively.

Flooring

The attention of your guests will also be captivated if you have an attractive floor. Tiles or wood laminate are some of the most common choices for flooring materials. Regardless of the choice that is made, the important thing is to ensure its functionality and safety. Remember, kitchen is a place where you often move around. It could get slippery and messy. Make sure that the floor can withstand these conditions and that it can make sure that you stay safe even if you are always moving. The choice of material for flooring should also be made on the basis of what can complement the other materials in the kitchen.

Kitchen Equipment

Nothing defines a modern kitchen more than the appliances that are found in it. Many of these appliances may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but they will prove to be worthy investments because they can make your life in the kitchen a lot easier. Modern kitchen equipment should not be only chosen on the basis of aesthetics, but more importantly, based on their functionality and safety. Make sure to buy only from trusted suppliers to avoid potential harm that faulty appliances may cause. The following are some of the modern kitchen equipment you might consider having:

Microwave
Food Processors
Induction Cooktops
Chimneys
Built-in Refrigeration
Dishwasher
Ventilation

Home Gardening Rules to Live By

By hamsayeh -

September 6, 2015

No one is born a gardener. Like other skills in life, it is one thing that you can learn. With willingness to be the best, you can have a green thumb and grow plants in your own garden. Do you need help on how to be a gardener? Keep on reading the rest of this post and I will provide you with insights on some of the rules that should also serve as your guiding principles. I have personally experienced having dying plants at my garden. But this did not give me the reason to give up. I kept on trying and eventually, I mastered gardening. Now, with confidence, I can say that I am a good gardener and I will share with you some things that can help you be the gardener you have always wanted to be.

Plan your Garden

One of the most important rules in gardening is to make sure that you plan in advance. If you proceed without a plan, you will end up with a garden that looks confusing. In this case, some of the things that should be taken into consideration when planning a garden include the following:

Choose the specific space that will be used as a garden. An outdoor space is always a good choice. However, if you do not have the luxury of space, you can consider an indoor or vertical garden as an alternative.
Plan the bigger plantings that should be used. One of the first things that you should do is to plan the foundation plantings that should be used, such as the shrubs and the trees. This is going to set the tone of the garden you will build.
Consider your wants and needs. Do you need a garden with edible plants, such as fruits and vegetables? Do you want a garden with beautiful flowers, shrubs, and vines? Consider these things before you get started with the actual plan of the garden.

Continue

Choosing Carpet for the Living Room

By hamsayeh -

September 6, 2015

The living room is one of the most important spaces inside the house, especially if you are the kind of people who always invite people over for dinner or drinks. If you want to create a positive impression amongst your guests, you should consider your living room as an investment. From choosing the right sofa to complementing it with the right decors, you need to come up with a well-thought design and layout. Among others, one of the most important design elements in the living room is your carpet. Keep on reading and you will know more about some of the things that should be taken into consideration to make sure that the right carpet will be chosen.

Type of Carpet

There is no definite answer when it comes to the best type of carpet for your living room. There are certain variables that should be taken into account such as whether the carpet is intended to be more of a decorative or a functional piece. Generally speaking, however, the following are some of the most common types of carpet that can be considered:

Plush Textured Carpet: This is a stiff carpet and is chosen by many because it can easily resist marks from foot traffic or vacuum cleaning. It is weaved tightly, which makes it less prone to loosening of fabric.
Plush Saxony Carpet: Aside from an attractive shine, one of the most common characteristics of this carpet is that it is very soft. It is one of those carpets where you can lay your head comfortably.
Berber Carpet: Made from looped fibers, it may be durable, but it may fail to deliver the highest level of comfort as it is not as soft as plush Saxony.
Frieze Carpet: Also known as the shag carpet, this is perfect for the living room if you are trying to achieve a 70s vibe. This has the loosest type of fiber compared to all other carpets that are mentioned.

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Best Plants To Have In Your Garden

By hamsayeh -

September 5, 2015

Whether it is in a small space or an elaborate backyard, having a garden at home is always a good thing. It makes your home more environmentally-friendly and it delivers a wide array of therapeutic benefits. Of course, the plants are good in terms of making your house look better, reminiscent of the beauty of spring. Even if you do not have a green thumb, it is still possible to succeed in gardening. It is critical to choose the right plants and follow instructions of care in order to make sure that they will thrive.

Lavender: Although they are delicate and requiring more care than most other garden plants, having one is sure to be worth it. More than their appearance, they are also known for their fragrance. Even when they are dried, they retain their unique scent, which can even be used for potpourri.

Verbena: Although there are more than 250 species of verbena, only half a dozen of them are commonly cultivated. It is a
common choice for gardening because they are easy to grow, and more importantly, they can resist heat and drought. This makes them the perfect choice for summer months.