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Easy Tips for Eco-Friendly Interior Design

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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?

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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:

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

How to Fill a Gender Neutral Gift Basket

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Filling a gender neutral Christmas hamper can be a daunting task. It can be difficult to know exactly what to put in a gift basket which could go to a girl or a boy. Finding presents for a girl or a boy is easy but finding a present which would suit both can be a challenge. Finding enough presents to fill a basket can seem impossible. However you don’t have to worry there are plenty of things you can put in a Christmas hamper which will delight both boys and girls. These days’ toys are not as gender specific as you may think.

 One great idea for gender neutral Christmas hampers is stationary. Both boys and girls need pencils, pens, markers and paper and both boys and girls enjoy drawing and colouring in. Plus you will also make their parents happy because it saves them a trip to the shops before the school term starts again. If possible it is always a good idea to try and make your gifts practical as well as enjoyable.

Depending on the age of the children that your basket will go to, stuffed toys and teddy bears can also be a great gender neutral gift. Children under the age of eight generally enjoyed playing with stuffed toys no matter what their gender. Just make sure you avoid overly girly colours like pink and purple and you’ll be fine.

Books are a great present which can be given a child of any gender. Books like the Narnia Chronicles, Harry Potter and the Hobbit can be given to children of any age even if they can’t read. These books are not gender specific and will delight both boys and girls. The parents will also be delighted because your gift will encourage their children to read.

DVDs and music can also be great non-gender specific gifts. There are many mix CDs available which feature a wide variety of songs which will appeal to just about any child or teenager so you don’t need to worry about the music not matching their tastes. There are also a wide variety of gender neutral movies released each year which can be enjoyed by both males and females. Including one of these DVDs in your hamper is a great idea.

Vouchers are another great thing you can put into a gender neutral Christmas hampers. This way no matter whom your Christmas basket is given to, they can go and buy what they really want. However consider being more specific with your voucher as opposed to just giving them a generic shopping mall gift card. Movie tickets are a great gift for anyone especially children because it allows them to go and see whichever movie they really want to. Vouchers for music and games for a child’s phone is also a great thing to include because it allows them to customise their phone in whatever way they want.

Finally one great thing a friend of mine suggested when I was assembling a gender neutral Christmas hamper was blowing bubbles. These provide hours of fun for young children and are suitable for both boys and girls. Silly toys like these which are simple but that children get great enjoyment out of are a great thing to include in a gender neutral Christmas hamper.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=gift%20basket&ex=2

About Author

Sam has written this article on behalf of Gift Basket Company,Australia’s premier Gift Basket and Christmas Hampers network with distributors across Australia.

Amazing Technologies for Home

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These days there are things in our homes that we would have never thought possible. It’s as though our dreams are literally coming true. If you feel as though your home needs something new to spice things up then you are going to be glad you found us. Today we are going to focus on just a few of the most popular and really impressive things that can make your home simpler and much more exciting. Your guests are going to definitely enjoy hanging out.

Video Games To Get Lost In

If you and your family enjoy video games but haven’t bought a new consol or upgrade in quite some time then a lot of things have changed. These days, video games are much more interactive than ever. For example, with the Kinect by Xbox not only can you use a controller to play games but your body can actually be the controller as well. On top of that, the system can detect who is who based on your body type so you don’t have to ever log in. This is going to make dance offs and other games much easier than ever. No wonder so many people choose to play Kinect instead of work out. It’s fun so you don’t feel like it’s work.

A Whole New Movie Experience

These days, there are so many fantastic features when it comes time to watch your favorite movies and shows. If you are still using standard definition, you may want to consider upgrading to a minimum of HD. This is going to give you a clear picture that you have to see to believe. You will literally be able to see every blade of grass and every wrinkle on someone’s face. Plus, fast-paced programs look much better on an HD screen.

Now, if you really want to be blown away, then you should invest in a 3D television. This is a great way to really get lost in the moment. Scary movies are going to become so much more terrifying; trust us, it was hard to sleep those first few nights!

Smarter Televisions Than Ever

These days, electronics are smarter than ever. They are able to do things for you to make your life easier. For one thing, many sets these days can detect when everyone has left the room so they can turn off on their own. Some are also able to brighten or dim depending on the current lighting of the room so you never have to strain your eyes again.

Better Than Ever Security Systems

Security systems these days are pretty intense. You can literally lock your doors from anywhere simply by logging into your account via your phone, computer or other device. If you have videos installed, you can literally see those areas of your home as well. This is great for those of you who have recently purchased your first home or have a new pet that you want to check in on.

Attached Images:

Kelly Smith is an interior designer by profession. She has been associated with Grant Elevators for the past few years.

How To Protect Your Garden From Frost Damage

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It is frustrating to nurture plants all year round only to have them destroyed by frost. However, the arrival of frost shouldn’t throw you into a panic as there are measures to protect them from frostbite. This can easily be done using readily available materials so you don’t have to spend money while you cushion your garden from the effects of frost. Before you can employ any protection techniques, you need to know exactly what frost does to plants. The soil upon which the plant is dependent for growth, is frozen making it impossible for water to reach the roots. Plant cells are also ruptured by the freezing cold resulting in a slow death. However, plants are affected differently so you should take time to find out which plants are weak and prone to weather damage.


Having understood the effect of frost, you can start preparing for its arrival by staying alert for weather warnings. This way you can water your plants before frost strikes to help it get enough moisture. Watering needs to be done lightly if you want to avoid the formation of frost.

Wet soil encourages absorption of crucial nutrients by the roots. Covering plants is a simple way to protect them and if done right, your garden will emerge bright and healthy after the danger is gone. Use burlap sacks, sheets or blankets to cover the plants. This helps to lock in the moisture by preventing entry of cold air in the garden. It should be done with extra caution because; heavy covers like blankets can crush plants if draped over without a support. Remember to use stones or wood to block spaces near the ground. You should always remove the covering at daybreak lest all your plants die of suffocation. The way you prepare the garden could also make the difference for your plants at the onset of frost season.

The secret to healthy plants after an episode of frost is the levels of humidity. The lack of moisture in the air during cold days leads to slow death of plants. This is why experts advocate for measures to protect plants form such damage. Moisture is easily preserved through mulching. This is an ancient agricultural practice that employed the use of leaves, bark, straw and grass placed on the soil to prevent moisture form leaving the soil. If there are plants that can be moved, relocate them to a safer spot from the direct touch of frost. Place potted plants in a warm place away from the decapitating cold. Plants with soft leaves are more prone to frost so the gardener should give them first priority and take extra care when handling them. Sturdier plants don’t suffer much but they should not be ignored because excess exposure will leave them vulnerable. Don’t worry if some plants appear dormant when it’s cold because it is only an adaptation method to avoid damage.

Jessica is really passionate about gardening and loves to share her passion with others too. You can have a look at her site on Wall Fountains at Water Fountain Pros if you want to get more information on Logo wall fountains.

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