Tag Archives: Home Design

May 18 2017

The best time of year to update your heating

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Many of us like to think that our homes are much more efficient than they are. There is some excellent advice available on goodhousekeeping.co.uk that might help you maintain an energy efficient home and save yourself some money. But if you’re planning a bigger project, installing a new heating system including the boiler and new radiators can make a surprising difference to your heating costs and go a long way to increasing the efficiency of your home. Replacing the entire heating system is no small job, so you will have to choose the best time of year to carry out the work, which will usually be the summer when you need the system the least.

PicMonkey Collage

No need for radiators in the summer

Depending on how big your house is, you could find that installing a new heating system in your home could take some time. If you are living in the house while the work is being carried out, during the winter months, this could prove to be extremely uncomfortable. A prolonged icy spell at the same time and you could end up having to move out of your home until the work is complete. Although you may need hot water for showering and baths during the summer, you can make do without the heating, which makes it the best time of year to update your home’s boiler and radiators.

Positioning radiators

Style

While you are going to the trouble of installing new radiators throughout your home, you have the opportunity to be able to choose the best location for each one, to gain the maximum effect of heating your home and making it comfortable. For odd shaped rooms or bay windows, many retailers offer curved radiators in the UK, or ones of other shapes and sizes. With the variety that is available, you can choose a stylish looking radiator and position it where you will get the most benefit.

Demand is low

You tend to find that during the summer months there is less demand for heating installation engineers, as well as radiators and boilers. This might mean you will find a wider variety of stock available, often discounted during the warmer months, and heating engineers with lots of time on their hands. You will be able to get what you want at a competitive price and have it installed when it is convenient for you. There will be no need to sit around in a cold house with no heating while you wait for the installation to be completed. If you are lucky and get the sun, you can sit out in the back garden and relax while the engineers finish their job.

So by installing radiators and boilers during the summer months, you can save yourself from freezing in the cold weather, save money on the cost of the radiators and boiler, potentially save money on the cost of installation, and have it installed when it suits you best. Without a doubt, if you need to upgrade your system, plan ahead and do it during the summer months.

 

Mar 5 2016

Nursery Design Ideas

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Perhaps you have already had your first child and need a refresher on the do’s and don’ts of putting together the newborn’s room, or it is your first one and you could are anxious to know how to combine taste, budget and longevity all in one. It is an exhilarating experience and one that you want to enjoy but it can be daunting especially when you hit the shops. These tips might help you create the perfect nursery that will grow with your child.

Style or Theme

It will help immeasurably if you can focus on one theme/concept because it will then put you in the mood to choose the necessary palette of colours and fabrics to complement your space, and to develop a cohesive design.

Paint

Focal point

Within the room there needs to be a focal point where perhaps there is a signature element. This could be the crib (this is the most common) or perhaps the alcove, large bay window or even a special piece of furniture such as a hand-crafted chest of drawers or a giraffe!

Textiles/fabric

Before you choose the paint or even pick up a brush, look and choose the fabric for the curtains - if you have bought paint on sale and it does not match, it’s a loss on every level (as well as time consuming!). Plus it is far easier to select colour with the technology of cross-matching than trying to do the same with fabric.

Paint

When you are about to choose your paint, bear in mind that it must be odourless (or at least low in odour), and in order to prevent the baby-to-be from being exposed to dangerous fumes, use a VOC-free brand.

As babies spend a great deal of time on their backs, it might be an idea to decorate the ceiling with either a soothing colour, pattern or even a mural.

Growing space

Like anywhere in the house, it takes time to really understand a space. This particular room will belong to baby for many years and it is a good idea to imagine how it will withstand all the stages of development. Will there be room for the toddler’s bed, room to stand while changing nappies beside the changing table? Making the most of the potential room space will serve you well.

Nursery

Feeding/Changing area

Newborns need feeding at various times of day and night. Look around for a comfortable chair or create a corner that will accommodate this routine. Padded armrests that are wide are handy plus an easy-clean surface.

Install a dimmer light system to maintain a soothing atmosphere at nights. This Axo collection Axo Light from Lampcommerce might just be the ticket! You can also use projected soft lights to add special effects onto the walls at night to induce baby to feed, sleep or relax. Otherwise keep a nightlight for when you need to feed late as this provides comfort.

You will also need an accessible changing and storage station for all the various cleaning paraphernalia (from nappies to lotions) so that you are not going to disturb your little one. Stock up while you can!

Lastly but not least Congratulations!

Feb 28 2016

Kitchen trends for 2016

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We’ve been in this house now since September. It’s been a godsend in terms of the school run, but Craig isn’t happy here. For all of Craig’s qualities (of which there are many), perhaps my favourite, is his love of cooking. We’ve been together for almost 5 years, and I can count the number of times I’ve cooked dinner on one hand. Just as well, as my track record isn’t great; I’ve set fire to a communal kitchen at university, and once infamously hospitalised several friends when I unsuccessfully followed one of Jamie’s 15 minute recipes.

The thing is, Craig is pretty unhappy with the new galley kitchen. We struggle to both fit in there at the same time, and he’s been feeling increasingly isolated whilst cooking. Now, rather than finding it a great way to de-stress after work, we’re eating food with minimal prep time and I know this is because he’s falling out of love with the whole thing.

Spontex-Baby1The only person who fits comfortably in our kitchen, is Heidi

So… rather than move again (I think 6 times in 5 years is a bit much) - we’re extending the kitchen into the dining room. Having lived in a similar house before, we know this is a much better use of space. It’s a really exciting project, but one we need to get right. We need something that works for the entire family, is easy to keep clean and bright and functional to double as a workspace for the kids when they start bringing back homework.

Handily I tumbled on an article by kitchen worktop specialists Mayfair Granite who have compiled some of their kitchen trend predictions for 2016. It seems 2016 is going to be the biggest year for the kitchen since the reemergence of the Shaker style in the late 90s. Just as well as I fancy going bold with our kitchen interior, I’m bored of sterile-looking kitchens and want to flood this room with light and texture.

Here’s some of my top picks from their list:

Large-format tiles

Tiles have always been a popular choice for kitchen floors as they are hard wearing, easy to clean and available in a wide range of colours. I think Craig and I are pretty much set on tiles and I love the idea of less grout lines and a cleaner look through using bigger tiles. This really appeals to us as our kitchen will open straight onto the garden through french doors - keeping the floor clean with two preschoolers is therefore a major challenge.

Colourful Cabinets

Contrasting cabinets are also set to to be big this year. Combining different colours, textures and materials into one room will give the overall design depth and produce an eye-catching and exciting space.

By the same token, open shelving is also predicted to be big this year, and this looks stunning if done correctly. A major departure from the bland soul less kitchens of late, this means you can make a feature of dishes, glassware and cookware by storing in open view. Not only does this maximise space, it also encourages you to cull unattractive bits and live minimally. As in the example below, it’ll also increase the amount of light in the room and therefore give the illusion of more space.

Luxurious Worktops

Granite and Quartz worktops have always been a popular choice for the kitchen due to their durability. With a variety of grades, effects and colours available, they also contrast well against block-coloured cabinets. Fortunately advances in production and cutting techniques now mean that granite and quartz worktops are more affordable and be cut to size for even the trickiest project. Dark greys and blacks are trending right now, perfect for creating a luxurious look, although I’m more inclined to pick a lighter style to better reflect the light.

Colourful Sinks

Much like kitchen cabinets, sinks are trending away from basic white and stainless steel. The bright and vibrant colours now coming onto the market are a great way of adding a splash of colour and creating an eye-catching focal point. Of course, similarly, coordinating this with cabinets and appliances also creates a more cohesive look.

Pendant lighting and LED strips

Lighting is key to balancing ambiance and function. Thankfully harsh strip lights and recessed lighting are on their way out this year and 2016 will see trendsetters opting for pendant lighting and under cabinet lighting instead. In fact, LEDs are the only change we’ve made in our kitchen since moving in and they’ve been great for quick tasks in the evening when you don’t need Blackpool illuminations to see what you’re doing.

dd

I’m also loving the trend for pendant lighting this year - especially in industrial materials such a copper and steel. Popping these over a dining table casts brilliant pools of light for eating and working, and if hung at slightly different levels they make a dynamic feature in their own right.

Bold Appliances

hh

People rarely move beyond standard coloured kitchen appliances, tending to go safe with either white black or stainless steel. I’m all for colour though and just love this bold and brash SMEG fridge. In fact SMEG are soon to get a real run for their money as there’s murmurings about some budget brands bringing out colourful retro ranges too - making this trend available to the masses.

What do you think? Are any of these kitchen trends for 2016 jumping out at you?

 

 

 

 

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