Mirrors
Feb 19
This week I’ve been thinking about mirrors, I was wandering around the house as I had something in my eye but could I find one! It was quite a painful experience but I eventually located one on the bathroom. This got me thinking that maybe I should invest in some more mirrors for the house.
Taking a wander around Ikea I was quite surprised to find out just how many different mirrors you can actually get. Not only can you get the traditional square or rectangle mirrors that look great in the living room or hall way you can also have circular ones that look great in hall ways. There are a great variety of mirrors that are available for the bathroom, for something a bit different why not look at mirror tiles to create a mirrored wall.
The bedroom is a great place for mirrors, not only can you have a full length mirror or mirrored wardrobes. You can also get some amazing shapes of mirrors such as tear drops and flowers.
The frames you can get for mirrors are as fantastic as the mirrors themselves. Everything from extravagant bejewelled mirrors to simplistic under rated silver frames, there are some intricately carved wooden frames that are available.
The humble mirror is more than just a talking point in a room, correctly placed it can bring extra light in to any room making it feel more spacious and airy than it actually is. They do this by reflecting the natural light that comes through windows and bouncing it back creating the illusion of a spacious and light room. Mirrors are best placed in small room that maybe don’t get as much light as they need in order to make them habitable. Plus they have the advantage of letting you see if you have anything in your eye!
Clever Storage Solutions
Feb 05So with the snow coming down heavily my winter spring clean is well under way but I’ve come across the main problem all cleaners have. Lack of space to put everything. But there are so amazing storage solutions out there, everything ranging from photo boxes with storage for makeup to futons with storage spaces for throws, cushions and magazines. There are certain rooms that storage solutions are easy to find for, the kitchen is the perfect place for old fashioned storage jars and boxes, the living room has its futons and storage chairs, the bathroom has its cute wicker boxes and mirrored cupboards.
But what about the bedroom? Yes you can get large storage chests and wicker baskets for washing if you are lucky enough to have a big enough room if not there are some amazing beds out there with storage solutions. You can get beds with drawers in the bases and those with mattresses that lift up. you can also get some amazing storage systems for wardrobes, but what do you do with all those clothes that you’ve worn once so don’t want to put back in the wardrobe but also aren’t worn enough to wash? That is my main storage problem with the bedroom, I did contemplate a chair but with two cats in the house you can imagine just where they will end up sleeping! But I have come across an amazing solution and it is so simple and cheap I can’t believe it’s not all over the market.
What is this wonder item? Well it is quite straight forward; it is a coat hanger with hoops linked under it. Simple isn’t it! Sounds quite simple and unimaginative but it is a life saver, not only does it keep my clothes away from the cat fluff but they are also kept crease free! Either hook your tops, scarves or leggings through the hoops or hang up trousers and dresses on coat hangers and pop on the hoops or the links in between. Such a simple solution but it is a fantastic way to store clothes.
Homeware
Dec 05Look around any modern kitchen and you’ll find bits and bobs for every possible occasion “ and then some. We have gadgets and gizmos for everything in our modern lives and the kitchen utensils and cutlery to go with it. But when we think about it do we really need all of these things? After all, early man coped with just a stick and some rocks, but, then again, early man didn’t have to worry about getting his crème brulee just right, did he?The question we ask ourselves as we look around our overflowing kitchen drawers is; do we really need all these pieces? Or are there bits of homeware in our kitchens we can do without? Well, let’s be honest about this; most of us buy distant friends and relatives homeware items for the kitchen as presents, as we never really know what to get them, and these bits of homeware can be easily stored if not used, or passed on to others.
We also buy close friends items of kitchen homeware as we know they will love them; a cake stand or teapot always goes down well in any household. And, of course, homeware items for the kitchen are some of the most traditional wedding presents around, and are given out in their thousands; even though most modern couples live together before marriage and so have all the homeware items for the kitchen they will ever need.
But do we ever use more than 5 or 6 items out of the hundreds we have floating around? As with everything in life, we hoard kitchen items away and as such have drawers full of homeware just waiting to be used. Of course, as soon as you throw away that fish slice or that random object that you think is for slicing eggs, but you aren’t quite sure and can never get it to work anyway, you will need them and have to start a hunt for the item. After that, it will sit in the drawer for years on end, until you throw it away again as you can’t remember why you bought it.
Tips for Landlords (and Landladies!)
Nov 17Whether you’re becoming a landlord for the first time, or you simply have invested in more properties to let, there is always something new to learn and these handy tips and tricks will ensure you don’t end up with any nasty surprises.
Reference Your Tenants
This might sound like a no-brainer but you would be surprised how many new landlords fail to take this vital step. Sure, that young professional-looking person may come across as mature and sensible but what if they got kicked out of their last flat for loud music or fighting? Do you want to take that risk?
Contracts
Always get a contract in writing. It keeps both you and your tenant right.
Inventory
This is a listing of everything in the property when your tenant moved in, along with its condition. It may prove invaluable when your tenant moves out and insists that wall had a hole in it when they moved in.
Don’t Get Too Friendly
At the end of the day, you’re effectively running a business. Keep it professional as getting too familiar can be a nightmare when it comes to making a tough decision.
Inspections
It’s your right to inspect the property regularly, but do be fair. Give at least 24 hours notice and ensure it’s clearly in your tenancy agreement.
Communicate By Letter
Not a note slipped through the door, make sure it’s formal and if you’re in doubt, send it recorded delivery. All decisions and agreements should be by letter and keep a copy for your own records – just in case.
Don’t Hand Over Keys
That is, until you have checked references, contracts are signed, you have received the deposit and first month’s rent (where applicable). Once a tenant is in your property, they have rights that can keep them there.
Get Insurance
There are lots of providers online who offer great deals and a wealth of information on becoming a landlord. See http://www.endsleigh.co.uk for further details.
Tips for making your home secure over the holiday season
Oct 20If you have a holiday home that is due to be left unattended or if you plan to leave your primary residence vacant for some weeks during the holiday season it is important to protect yourself from the financial damage inflicted by theft. Other than taking out a good insurance policy at http://www.endsleigh.co.uk, you can take measures to secure your house and make life harder for potential thieves.
Simple things like not talking on Facebook about your imminent holiday are recommended. Idle chatter on a public networking site can fall into the wrong hands. Mow the lawn, remember to cancel the newspapers and get someone to collect the post to give the appearance of habitation. Inform a trusted neighbour that you are due to be away so they can remain vigilant regarding the state of your home.
Effective lighting is a great deterrent. Install lights in all the positions where your house is most vulnerable and also any points of entry. Internally you can now buy light timers which will turn different lamps on and off throughout the house to give the appearance of occupancy.
An effective psychological deterrent is a gravel drive. Many burglars will be deterred by the noise the gravel makes underfoot and may either panic more or choose not to enter at all. Prickly bushes can be an effective measure in hampering a burglar’s progress – home security can be as much about damage limitation as complete barrier to entry.
Security measures are not always pre-emptory – a comprehensive insurance policy will help in the aftermath of a robbery. Insurance won’t assuage the sense of violation suffered by the victim but it will mean that they don’t end up out of pocket. Visit http://www.endsleigh.co.uk who offers specialist holiday home insurance through Woodstock Insurance Brokers. The cover can apply to homes throughout the EU as well as the UK. Contents insurance is also vital in the event of burglary.
Laptops, TV’s, stereos and phones have a great combined worth in our technological age. Through vigilance and good insurance from http://www.endsleigh.co.uk we must protect our ever more expensive wares.
Homemade goods for a cosy home
Oct 12I think I’ve turned a corner in my life towards adulthood; I’ve got a hobby! I’ve decided to take up crocheting, this and knitting are something I’ve always fancied taking up and give me something interesting to say when I meet people and they ask that dreaded question – what do you do in your spare time? But you know, now I’ve started I cannot put it down! I’ve only had one lesson and can only do the very simple things, cushion covers and random squares, but I really am hooked on it.
I’ve borrowed a few books of patterns from the lady who is teaching me and it really is amazing what you can make. Of course you have the cushion covers and throws you would expect, but what I didn’t realise is just how beautiful and intricate they can be. Looking at some of them I can really see why people take this up, not only is crocheting therapeutic but at the end of it you can have an item to brighten up your room. If you really get into it, crocheted blankets and throws can make excellent gifts for those first time buyers who are moving into their first home or you can whip up some really soft, cute baby blankets for friends who are expecting.
You can also make some amazing looking clothes, not those strange clearly home made items you see sometimes, but things I would actually go out and buy. Of course dreams of being self sustaining spring to mind at this moment in time, but on this I think I need to be grounded and stick to my cushion cover in order to get the double stitch right before I move on to anything else! If you’re looking to brighten up your home, I’d highly recommend finding your nearest craft shop and investigating further.
I’ve included a video to show you how simple it is to learn! Learn to Crochet Video
