Blog — Page 13 — Home and Garden Diva

Knockout Interior Designs That Your Apartment Will Love You For

If you have just moved into an apartment and feel that you need to stamp your own identity on it, this article can help you to decide on how to proceed. Apartments are often less spacious than conventional houses and can be limited when it comes to personalizing the space to your tastes. But this need not be the case and here we discuss some clever touches that can create a tasteful bespoke design feel for your apartment.

The Idea Of Interior Design

Modern design ideas tend to follow the trend of a minimalist spacious area instead of lots of clutter and excess furniture. This may not tie in with your own ideas but it is an easy route to follow and you can always add at a later stage. Using neutral colors and plain walls adds up to a stylish and elegant theme for your apartment or house.

Shades And Colors

It is better to shy away from too many colors and perhaps pick a couple of tones for your entire interior. The colors should not take over the feeling of your apartment’s mood but rather try to emphasize the overall ambiance of the home. Pick a powerful color for your accent wall and use a neutral shade for the other walls. Think about the color of the floors and any large furniture before deciding on your ideal combination.

Furniture

You really need to continue the theme you have kicked off with your color choices for the walls. The furniture should be presented in a less bold tone and again a neutral shade would work well with the accent wall’s theme. Think about low and long shapes when considering your seating arrangements. Metal and glass are always welcome in a modern designed interior and seem to never go out of date. With your bedroom you can afford to throw caution to the wind and opt for a huge leather style divan plus a bodacious headboard.

Lights

Think about a low key fixture but with plenty of power and control options. You can really set the mood with a versatile dimmer switch style option. The lighting should be spaced evenly through your home with options for combination illumination choices. A few lamps can add to the room, especially if their colors are complimented by the walls and furniture.

Decoration

A few simple photo frames featuring your family are always a good conversation piece, but do not get too carried away with this theme. Less is definitely more when it comes to adorning your walls with fixtures. Why not invest in some large plants for your hallway and perhaps one in the bathroom area? They will give your home a natural and exotic edge that can be hard to achieve with an apartment’s lack of garden area.

Wood And Metal

Think about some classy home appliances for your kitchen and splash out on a steel fridge and matching oven and hob sets. They are easy to clean and always lend a classy quality to any home.

Today’s guest post is submitted by Patrick Armstrong. He is a successful real estate agent who loves writing. He is really excited about the new apartments in Prahran.

The Risks Of Going Without Home Insurance

by Trish

While home insurance is not always required, this does not mean it is not something you should look into. You work extremely hard for the things you have and in the blink of an eye, all of those things could be gone. Without home insurance, you would literally be left with nothing. We don’t want to scare you but it seems as though many individuals simply don’t understand just how risky it is to keep their homes uninsured. Here are some of the things that being covered will protect you from.

Fire Damages

While a fire may not have ever happened to your home in the past, this does not guarantee that it won’t happen in the future. Some of the most common causes of fires are from appliances such as stoves and fridges. Even seemingly harmless items, such as electric blankets can spark and cause a fire. Make sure your home is up to safety codes and that you always pay for proper inspections so you do not end up having no choice but paying for such damages out of the money you have been working hard to keep in your savings account.

Natural Disasters

Mother Nature isn’t always something we can predict. Forest fires, hurricanes and floods are only a few of the disasters that can affect any homeowner, even those that do not have home insurance. The difference between those who have coverage for such events and those that do not? The individuals who do not have a home insurance policy are going to end up losing much (if not everything) they have accumulated over the years. This may mean they literally have to start from scratch, with just the clothes on their back and no home to shelter them. Starting over is tough and scrambling to stretch your budget now may be the best option for you and your family.

Injuries on Your Property

While it’s not exactly fun to think of the worst case scenarios, sometimes it’s important to think outside of our comfort zone and into the world of ‘what ifs’. Accidents, such as trips, slips and falls can occur and when/if this happens, there is a chance you could be sued. What many people don’t realize is a simple injury can mean millions of dollars of debt without the proper liability coverage.

The Good News: Getting Better Prices

There are many factors that companies take into consideration when setting up a new home insurance policy. Homes that have fire alarms or are close to fire or police stations are less expensive to insure. Having a security system installed can also lower your rates. Again, these types of things are going to greatly impact your future. What may not seem like that big of a deal today, could end up really hindering your ability to get the things you want, accomplish the things you’d like to and give your family what you feel they deserve.

This article is submitted by George Smith-Davies. He is a freelance journalist who loves writing about different investment and insurance scams. You can read all about the different insurance policies available here http://www.contentsinsurance.org. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Areas Of A Home Most People Overlook When Decorating

by Trish

If you’ve been a homeowner for quite some time, then you can probably relate to just how much a room can change with the help of a few minor tweaks. Those new blinds and freshly painted walls can take a room from feeling outdated, to exciting and new. However, there are some areas of your home that you may be neglecting without even realizing it. While you may feel you’ve thought of everything possible to make your home look exactly the way you’d like it, at least one of the items we mention today has probably slipped your mind.

Putting Focus on the Not-So-Minor Details

While most home-improvement gurus are going to tell you about the importance of color, wall and yard decor, what many of them fail to mention are the upgrades that make a home look more aesthetically appealing. Sure, that perfectly themed bedroom may be stunning on the eyes, but can you imagine how much nicer the room would be if the doorknob matched as well? What about those towel holders in your bathroom? They’ve been there for quite some time and stick out like a sore thumb. These days, there is what seems like an endless number of possibilities because not only is shopping around easier than ever but so is having items custom-made.

Simplifying the Day

The smallest changes can make the world of a difference. Not only that but they can make your life easier. Not have a place to hang your jackets near the front door? Why not install a barely-noticeable rack on the wall? You can choose to have it match the picture frames located on the same wall so even when they aren’t in use, they still blend nicely with the scenery. What about those books that always seem to fall over underneath your coffee table? A few matching bookends can not only give your guests another object to enjoy, but you won’t have to worry about falling books day in and day out.

Safety and Beauty Can Go Hand in Hand

When many adults think about safety, the last thing on their minds is design. A safe home means less time worrying about the children, the pets or any guests you may have staying the night. While you’re making upgrades to improve the security of your residence, why not do a bit of research and figure out if you can’t locate options that are not just going to offer the functionality you’re looking for but also the visual appeal that you’ve worked so hard to create throughout your home?

You Don’t Have to Go with the Majority

A perfect example of this would be household locks. It can be so easy to grab the first solution you come across, install it and go about your day – as most homeowners do. However, there are a wide range of good-looking solutions. Instead of sticking with the medal door handles you currently have and the mismatched deadbolt, why not spend a few extra bucks and get a completely new set? A lever may be more up your alley than a standard knob. While silver and gold are two of the most common colors, don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Choose a style that will compliment the rest of your home. The same goes for your deadbolt. Have you considered one that allows you to peak outside before completely unlocking your door? These are great when trying to keep little ones inside, while still being able to speak with the mail man or see if company has arrived.

Let Your Imagination Run Wild

Once you begin noticing the items you typically didn’t offer a second glance, ideas are going to begin forming. Even something as simple as adding new hinges on your doors can mean a much better overall design. Walk through your home and take note of what objects you use but maybe haven’t truly ‘looked’ at in a while. Install a new towel holder or change the style of your blinds so they better match the rest of the home. Try not to reach for popular brands or companies because these are often going to offer the most expensive prices. Locate discount shops and ask local home improvement stores if they know where you can find different solutions. Much of the time, they are more than happy to work with you and potentially even offer you discounts in order to have your purchase with them, instead of the competition. Ask them if they would be willing to sit down with you and draw out room plans while you’re at it.

Attached Images:

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

Ron Gatting is a Interior dseigner by profession and also the author of today’s guest post. A fun loving guy, he likes to reinvent himself through his work by trying out new design ideas. He believes in compactness and effciency and trusts none other than adh.com.au for providing building materials. He has written several articles upto now on various topics and this is his latest one on home decor.

3 Ultimate Chill-Out Zone Ideas For Your Home

by Trish

Ah, the woes of modern life! We all seem to be caught up in an endless sequence that involves juggling work pressure, dealing with financial issues, family, and other social obligations, all at the same time. All these factors cause a lot of physical stress and mental strain, majorly due to lack of adequate sleep and poor eating habits – basically, a rather unhealthy lifestyle. In such situations it is imperative to take some time out to relax, unwind and refresh yourself. But once again, by the time your weekend off approaches, you’re hardly left with any energy to go for an outing, isn’t it? You’d rather stay indoors and laze around. Not a problem. If you don’t have the energy to step outdoors to loosen up a bit and indulge in some fun and recreation, why not bring the fun and recreation home to you instead? Yes, it is possible. Have a look at the following few home recreation ideas to build your very own chill-out zone at home!

A bar in the basement

Have you got a basement at your property? Has it been lying neglected and abandoned for as long as you can remember? Why not give it a brilliant makeover and turn it into an amazing bar! Imagine chilling in your basement with your mates over the weekend, enjoying a few pints and watching your favorite sport on television. You could utilize your personal bar to host small parties and gatherings to socialize with family members or close friends. Or maybe on a weekday, after a tiring day at work, you could just unwind in the bar with a soothing glass of wine. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?

Swimming pool in the yard

If you have a large backyard or even if you have an extended terrace, you could consider getting a swimming pool constructed. Depending upon the amount of space available there are plenty of interesting swimming pool designs you could choose from. Whether you want to relax in the pool on a hot Sunday afternoon, have a pool side barbecue party with your friends in the evening, or just have a fun session in the pool with your kids and wife, getting a swimming pool constructed at your property is one decision you will never regret. Moreover, it will also go on to add to the aesthetic value of your home.

A gaming room – up in the attic or out in the garage

When it comes to relaxing and unwinding, nothing comes close to the ultimate chill-out zone – a gaming room! How about cleaning up your attic and turning it into a fantastic gaming room? Or maybe you could take up the same project in your garage instead, if that’s more convenient. Having a personal gaming zone at home can be epic – an ideal way to escape from daily stress, office tensions and pesky partners! The main things that could go into your game room would be a pool table, darts, a television set for gaming and movies, a couple of cozy sofas, a mini fridge to store soft drinks, milkshakes or beers, and a few table games like Checkers, Uno, Jenga and Monopoly.

So say goodbye to stress and anxiety by investing in these incredible home relaxation and recreation ideas – a permanent solution to all your modern life woes.

Attached Images:

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

Jennifer Atkinson is a house wife and loves to keep her home neat and tidy. Along with the usual activities that she undertakes to keep her house clean she also has a chill out zone i.e a swimming pool in her house where she unwinds after the days work. She suggests using the services of Sunbreaker pools if you want to construct a swimming pool at your place. She also likes to blog about various household issues.

Quality Gift Ideas To Buy For Your Friends

by Trish

Your best friends seem to always be there for you when you need them the most. They have seen you at your best of times and they have refused to leave your side through the worst of times.

Therefore, it is truly not surprising, then, why so many people around the globe vigorously search each year for something to give their best friends as a gift and overall token of their appreciation and gratitude. The main problem enters into the equation when the potential gift giver has no idea what gift to give to the recipient.

Here are some quality gifts that your friends will more than likely enjoy coming from you as their friend.

A Gift Card to Their Favorite Store

There many people that may disagree with offering a gift card as a gift, claiming that it is a tacky idea.

However, this dynamic completely shifts in the opposite direction if the gift card is chosen wisely. How is that even possible? Buying a random gift card from the first store that pops up into your head as the closest store available is tacky.

However, buying a gift card from the store that you know your friend shops at all of the time is pure genius and truly is a great gift idea.

A Day for Spa Treatment and Massages

Another great gift idea for your friends is to treat them to the relaxing and peaceful experience of having a trip to a high quality day spa that also specializes in giving body massages to their clients. Your friend more than likely works hard day in and day out to make sure that their family is provided for and that they are there for their friends, such as you.

However, many people feel neglected and overlooked in this regard because they never get a chance to relax on their own. By inviting them to a day spa and massage therapy, you will be able to give them the gift of relaxation that they probably have been craving for months and even years.

There’s Always Jewelry

You can never go wrong with choosing to get your friend a beautiful, quality jewelry item. When it comes to women, diamonds are a girl’s best friend but women do seem to be more flexible in this regard. Do not think that women are the only ones that appreciate receiving jewelry items as gifts, because there are many different quality providers at the mall that can further assist you.

If you want a great deal on a great ring for a man, many customers and critics alike have highly recommended Mens Tungsten Online.

Mens Tungsten Online has a wide variety of rings and ring designs to choose from in order to maintain your masculinity while wearing the wrong but still adding a touch of class and style to your wardrobe ensemble.

There are just so many different gift ideas that you can use in order to come up with some great gifts for your friends as well as lovers. You just need to match what you can afford with what you know your friend will greatly appreciate.

Adam is a content writer that writes articles, blogs, reports and eBooks for such topics as entertainment, relationships, finance and fashion. He is an expert when it comes to providing helpful tips in regards to quality gift ideas and recommends Mens Tungsten Online for most jewelry purchases for men.

Attached Images:

Attached Images:

A Gift Card to Their Favorite Store

A Day for Spa Treatment and Massages

There’s Always Jewelry

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