Trish — Page 18 — Home and Garden Diva

Ways to Perk Up a Stretch of an Ordinary Asphalt Driveway

An asphalt driveway provides a hardy surface where you can roll down your vehicle with great ease. It also makes for a great path to traverse on the way to your home’s front door. Unfortunately, with daily exposure to wear and tear, it can eventually turn into the least glamorous part of your property’s ground.

But, with a few key changes coupled with a little elbow greasing on your part, it’s possible to revive its appearance without spending a fortune. So if you’re ready, here are some suggestions to bring the life back to your boring asphalt driveway.

Fix and clean it up

A cluttered asphalt driveway is an eyesore that can create a dismal first impression to your guests. So to make sure that you don’t send the wrong message, start fixing and cleaning your driveway. Remove grime, stains, dirt and mold that have settled on its surface and sides by giving it a good scrub and wash. Also remove vegetation that may have grown on cracks or gaps. Once you have cleaned the mess, fill in potholes and cracks and don’t forget to reseal your driveway. These simple weekend tasks will definitely freshen up the appearance of your piece of road.

Doll up its edges

An asphalt driveway always look ragged around the edges. So for an inexpensive quick fix that will give your personal stretch of road a major facelift, add a neat row of concrete pavers, bricks or Belgian block stones to each of its side. These things will definitely combat the cookie-cutter look of your asphalt driveway by giving it a good frame and at the same time will provide you with a clear visual aid while you back out or pull in.

Border it with lights

Make your driveway safer to drive through even after the sun goes down by installing low-voltage lighting along its borders. This addition will make a pretty landscaping effect and will also improve visibility, thereby reducing the possibility of your guests accidentally driving onto your lawn.

Add a touch of life

Improve the look of your driveway the natural way by planting greens and blooms to the sides. Carefully placed plantings will provide interest to the space and will also increase the privacy of your home. This technique is ideal to use if you have a long driveway that lacks design features. Just make sure that you don’t plant too close to utility lines to avoid problems later on.

Integrate an apron

Another great way to transform your dark patch of tarmac is to tear up a section of it a few inches above the curb and fill it with concrete cobbles or decorative bricks. This simple addition is easy to tackle, but it can do a whole lot in adding an old world charm and texture to an otherwise boring asphalt driveway.

This piece of home improvement advice was written by one of the regular contributors of Ace Driveways, a company that specializes in block paving, wall and patio construction and turfing. They are also known as one of the best companies to provide great solutions for driveways Scotland folks can rely on.

Clever Ways to Use Pressed-Tin Panels to Jazz Up the Look of Your Home

by Trish

There’s an old adage that goes “what goes around, comes around” and this rings true in the case of pressed-tin panels. Introduced in the late 1800s, these metal sheets were widely used in both residential and commercial buildings as a practical solution to cover up damaged ceilings. The fact that they are fire-resistant was an added bonus. It didn’t take long when homeowners realized that pressed-tin panels also make for great ceiling décor since they look like ornate plasterwork without the pricey tag attached to them.

Although their use somewhat declined in the subsequent years after their introduction in the market, pressed-tin panels are making a comeback. According to experts, part of the reason why they are popular again is the increased interest in home restoration. Many homeowners find that these panels are perfect elements to bring the life back to traditional home designs and they also fit in well with some contemporary decorating schemes.

More than just as decorative elements overhead, pressed-tin panels can also be used in a variety ways to add interest to homes. And if you’re looking at redecorating your place and you’d like to incorporate such elements to your decor, here are some suggestions how you can creatively use them to give your nest a bold new look.

Feature wall

Pressed-tin panels may seem like a cold choice for a wall surface, but with their ornamental design they are actually an excellent choice to create a focal wall. Once applied, they lend a truly distinctive feel to the space. And with the numerous finish options and the fact that you can paint them, they provide you a lot of room for customization. One caution, though: when using pressed-tin panels as a wall covering, especially if you intend to use them on all four walls, make sure that you incorporate a lot of fabrics into the room. The fabrics will help absorb the reverberating sound that these metal sheets bounce off to the space.

Backsplash

Pressed-tin panels are also great alternatives for conventional backsplash materials like tiles and stones. In fact, a lot of manufacturers today create pressed-tin panels that are especially designed for backsplash use. They made them resistant against spills, stains, rust and mold and mildew growth. Some manufacturers also copy dozens of antique designs and patterns and apply it on their products to befit a range of interior design. So whether you have a cottage-style or contemporary kitchen, you’ll surely find pressed-tin panels that you can use as a backsplash that won’t detract from the look of your space.

Headboard

Tired of the same old look of your bed? Spruce it up a bit by making a headboard out of pressed-tin panels. All you need is to assemble a basic headboard frame and add the pressed sheets onto it. The raised patterns of the panels will definitely give your bed a fresh face. If desired, you can paint the surface with a semigloss enamel paint so that your new headboard won’t reflect light.

Framed artwork

If you’re not ready to commit using pressed-tin panels on a large scale, you can just use them as accessories such as framed artwork. Simply cut the panels so that they fit in frames. Then paint each piece with your desired colors. Once dry, place them in the frames and group them together on a bare wall.

This home improvement advice was penned by one of the regular contributors of McIntyre Masonry, a family-run business in central Scotland that provides a wide range of stonework solutions. All their services are carried out by professional Stonemasons, thereby ensuring premier quality craftsmanship.

Ways to Decorate Your Staircase for Christmas

by Trish

Your staircase can easily be the centerpiece of your holiday décor. After all, few things are more traditional than the well-decorated holiday staircase. If you’re a bit lost when it comes to the right ideas, though, these tips can help.

Start with Evergreen Swag

The traditional holiday staircase starts with a beautiful evergreen garland, and in some cases, it stops right there. Whether you go with a fresh garland or you choose one that will look great year after year, this is the most basic way to make your staircase look simply amazing. Most garlands are sold in 9 foot lengths, and those that come with lights have end-to-end lights that will allow you to connect one strand to another. If you need something longer, you’ll want to move ahead with garlands that fall into the commercial category.

Add the Unexpected

While pine cones on the bannisters are fairly traditional, there are many other things you could do to spice up those garlands. Poinsettias, in red or white, make a beautiful touch. Just put the stems in some water to make them last through the season. Ribbon is also a fairly traditional accent. Just make sure it complements the other items you add into the garland. You can either work it in throughout the garland or simply make it into beautiful bows to hang at the top, middle, and bottom. Citrus is becoming more and more popular. Go with orange, pineapple, or another color that works well with your home’s current décor. Christmas ornaments you love are a great touch, too. Glittery snowflakes look pretty, as does white branches tied in. Throw in a pair of antique ice skates around the bottom bannister for a gorgeous, classic touch to the stairs. Stockings, whether they’re your primary stockings or not, are another great choice to lead people up your stairs. Just make certain the colors work with your garland. One final option you may want to think about is adding wreaths to your stairway. You can go with a traditional green, but thanks to the background color in the garland, you may want to go with something bolder like red.

Other Options

Not sure you like the idea of starting with evergreen garland? There are several other great options, too. A bay leaf garland also makes a wonderful touch, and it makes your home smell wonderful as well. Pine garlands will give your staircase a primitive touch. Ribbons or beaded garlands are an additional good touch you may want to consider. Another great choice is to attach greenery bunches to the posts of railing. You could use birch branches as the backbone, then tie in other branches with a bit of greenery or berries. Tied together with some bright ribbon, you have a package that will look enjoyable throughout the season.

Don’t Forget the Stairs

Whether you go with garland or not, don’t forget that you can decorate the actual stairs as well. Place small, beautifully wrapped gifts on the stairs, or potted plants. You could even add a bucket of ornamental greens.

Attached Images:

License: Creative Commons image source

Pinkchic18 is a writer who loves to focus on events and holidays. She regularly contributes to the Holiday Gifts & Baskets Blog, where you can find fun holiday gift baskets for all ages.

Easy Tips for Eco-Friendly Interior Design

by Trish

Over the past years, interior design has become an important aspect of putting together the entire appeal of the house. Additionally, it has become an important method of self-expression. The design of the home as well as the furniture and accessories chosen by the homeowner can tell other people a lot about his/her personality and style. Naturally, homeowners want to ensure that their homes reflect their own taste as well as their values.

Interior designing is not merely about improving the aesthetic appeal of a room but it also includes proper usage and selection of furniture, accessories, and materials used to ensure that they are healthy for the residents. For this reason, a lot of homeowners are now aiming for an eco-friendly interior design. If you are thinking of going green, you will be able to achieve a stylish atmosphere in your home, and you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get the design you want.

Eco-Friendly Interior Design Ideas

Today, more and more people are turning towards sustainable and environmentally friendly products and design. For this reason, the interior design field is supporting wonderful measures to achieve eco-friendly design in homes using sustainable resources. Here are some easy tips to help you obtain a green, healthy, and safe living space.

Re-Use And Recycle

If you want to achieve an eco-friendly interior design, you have to be creative and think outside the box. You have to think about recycling, reducing, and re-using the things you already have. Whether you want to slightly redecorate a room, or remodel the entire house, you must first think about the items that you can put back into the space. Are there any items which you can re-use?

For instance, if you have an armoire that still looks good and can still serve its purpose, there is no need to rip it apart. You can consider refurnishing them by coating it with new paint that will compliment your new interior design theme. Reusing items mean that you have to be creative because you usually need to re-purpose the items for other uses.

Use Natural Light If Possible

Another tip to achieve an environmentally friendly design is to let as much sunlight in as possible, and to maximize daylight. To do so, you can consider using skylights or open shades. You can also design your house so that the windows are facing south as this will allow enough sunlight to get inside your house. In doing so, you will not only save on electrical bills, but you are also preventing pollutants from being emitted inside your house. Additionally, you can also change the light bulbs used in your house, and use compact florescent lights (CFLs) or LED lights instead, since this alternative lighting can help you save on energy costs in the long run. When you look for proper lighting, you have to consider the label and choose those with energy efficient rating.

Non-Toxic Paints

There are some paints that have harmful chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). These compounds release toxic chemicals into the air in your home which will negatively affect your air quality. Additionally, these compounds are harmful for your health and for all the people living in your home. For this reason, you have to choose paint with low-VOC or no-VOC, especially when you are painting a child’s room. You must also avoid using wallpaper since the adhesive used to attach them can contain VOCs as well.

Eco-Friendly Flooring

Natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly flooring can make a huge difference in a green home. Most standard flooring options are far from eco-friendly and sustainable, and they also contain harmful chemicals. If you want to have stylish but safe flooring, you can consider using bamboo flooring as a long-lasting option. Bamboo contains a higher fiber rating than most tropical hardwoods, and they feel great under one’s foot. Additionally, it can be recycled once it has reached the end of its life. You can also use eco floor tiles for your kitchen and bathroom. Not only are these tiles sustainable, but they have the additional advantage of providing thermal insulation.

Featured images:

License: Creative Commons – Jeremy Levine Design.”Living Room”. April 29, 2009. Online Image. Flickr. Dec 15, 2012 image source

Kris Lim is an environmentalist who wants to promote green living by encouraging people to use eco-friendly, sustainable, and safe materials. For this reason, she offers tips and advice on how to achieve an environmentally friendly interior design in your home. She also regularly contributes to interior design websites, such as susan-hopkins.com.

What Type of Gutter Should You Get?

by Trish

Having the right type of guttering installed on your home is an important consideration, particularly if you live in a place that goes through all four seasons. If you’re having new guttering put in, there are several things to consider, including the material it’s made of, the features it includes, and various other, more aesthetic considerations.

What Material Should it Be?

Aluminium is one of the most popular choices for guttering, as it is a very light material that doesn’t rust at all, and is available in different colours and finishes. It’s quite a durable material, as long as it doesn’t suffer any hard knocks which can cause it to become damaged – this is something to think about if you live in a windy area with many big trees around. Aluminium guttering is available in various thicknesses, and it’s best to opt for a thicker type if you live in a place that gets very cold in the winter, as thin aluminium can warp if it gets filled with heavy snow and ice.

Steel is a much heavier material than aluminium, but it’s also a lot more resistant to harsh weather, such as storms and wind, although it is possible for it to rust if it’s not finished correctly. Steel is also cheaper than aluminium and available in more colours, but you must be careful to get it rust-proofed if you live in a particularly wet area.

Vinyl is similar to aluminium in its functionality, although it’s quicker and easier to install, and easier to cut to shape. It’s also more resistant to denting, and is just as rust resistant, although it can warp in extremely high temperatures.

Copper is quite a rare choice for guttering, although it is often considered the most attractive, it is also the most expensive. Copper guttering is rust and rot resistant, and incredibly durable, although it can oxidise and so turn green if not finished correctly.

What Features Should it Have?

A Leaf Screen or Mesh is placed over the top of guttering to prevent it from becoming clogged up with leaves. However, it needs cleaning out quite often, especially in the autumn and winter, as leaves can build up quickly and prevent any water from entering the gutter.

Gutter Slots

Slots in guttering work similarly to leaf screens and mesh, but are much less likely to get clogged up. They work by having a solid, angular “roof” surface, with small slots cut into it, which allows water to enter, but causes leaves and other debris to slide off instead of getting stuck, thus making it easier to clean.

Gutter Guards

Gutter guards also prevent guttering from becoming clogged, but once again they feature a different design; A completely solid roof covers the gutter, but with a lip that curves underneath, allowing water to filter into the gutter, while debris falls away.

What Else is There to Consider?

Range of colours, shapes and styles, price, and the climate of the area you live in are all important considerations when having new guttering installed.

Attached Images:

License: Creative Commons image source
License: Creative Commons image source
License: Creative Commons image source

Patricia Thompson is a home improvement expert. She says that Gutters Sunshine are really good in performance and are not too expensive even.

Ways to Perk Up a Stretch of an Ordinary Asphalt Driveway

Clever Ways to Use Pressed-Tin Panels to Jazz Up the Look of Your Home