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Simple Home Improvements That Make a Huge Difference

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Source: Unsplash | Sven Brandsma

Even after living in the same place for years, you can still create the feeling of transformation and renewal in your own home. Not everyone can afford to spend loads of money on redecorating their house with the help of professional interior designers and expensive, high-end furniture.

That doesn’t mean however that only a select few people can enjoy the process of transforming their living space. With a clear vision, a distinct style, and plenty of patience, anyone can turn their home into their own personal paradise. Here are a few simple yet hugely effective home improvement ideas to inspire you.

Walls

Everything about the walls in your home will add to the overall feeling that each room evokes. Texture, color and layout all play a huge part in how you interact with your surroundings, even on a deeply subconscious level. This is why it’s so important to choose the appearance of your walls carefully. If you want to feel cozy and safe, opt for warm tones and more pronounced textures such as exposed red brick or patterned wallpaper. For a bright, fresher and more energizing feel, choose light colors and smooth textures.

Fewer walls throughout the floor plan of your home will create a more open and easy flow, whereas having many rooms will add to the sensation of mystery and coziness. Make sure that if you want to combine two or more rooms that you consult a professional who can advise whether or not the walls are load-bearing.

Floors

Similar to the subconscious effect that different looking walls can have on your overall mood and impression of a room, your choice of flooring will also impact you and your home in subtle yet significant ways. Soft, thick carpet turns your home into a designated relaxation zone, while bare wooden boards create a more rustic, practical effect.

Even the difference between small and large tiles can change the way you perceive a room and its purpose, so take care before deciding what to put on your floors.

Windows

Only once you’ve experienced the oppressive mood that comes with sitting in a windowless room, do you appreciate how valuable good windows are for any home. The right windows can make a room brighter, happier and improve the overall insulation of the house. It might seem overly simplistic, but just by conducting a search for “window companies near me”, you will be able to turn your home into a fresher, more invigorating space.

Furniture

One of the most fun parts of improving your home is the opportunity to treat yourself to new furniture. Small pieces such as end tables and mirrors can make just as much of a difference as larger items, such as sofas and bookshelves. Take this as an opportunity to explore new styles and push your imagination. You can take inspiration from interior designers or design your home around your own unique tastes.

Clutter

A comfortable, lived-in home is bound to have its fair share of clutter. Toys, books and other miscellany aren’t inherently bad, but when it distracts from the purpose and enjoyment of your home, it’s then time to have a clear out. There are many tidying gurus out there with varying techniques on how to declutter your home. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started:

  • Focus on one room at a time so as not to become overwhelmed
  • Donate clothes and items that no longer serve a purpose to you
  • Allocate a cupboard or drawer in your home for unwanted objects and allow guests to choose and keep anything from this area
  • For every new object you purchase, get rid of an old, unwanted one (give to charity)

Nature

Invite the outside in, and welcome nature back into your home with potted plants and flowers. If you feel like taking on an exciting project, try creating your own moss wall or indoor vegetable garden.

Spending more time with nature is proven to improve mental health and, if brought inside, also serves to clean the air in your home. Make sure any greenery you purchase is safe as children and pets can sometimes become sick if they ingest certain plants.

Life

Home improvement doesn’t mean changing your home into something sterile and overly designed. A beautiful home is one that invites you to enjoy it and get comfortable in it. While it’s good to declutter every now and then, don’t remove the life and vibrancy from your home.

Die grinder vs air Dremel: Which should you buy?

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Source: Wikipedia

Die grinders and air Dremels are both rotary tools that are used to do many different tasks at home. If you are an artist and are looking to complete tasks that involve sanding, polishing, grinding, carving and sharpening; both of these tools are going to serve you best.  However, there are still some diffferences and it is important to consider which the best tool amongst the two is. The choice of the right tool depends on both the size and type of projects that you want to complete. For you to decide between die grinder vs air dremel, you need to consider the following.  

Power types

Both Dremel and die grinders use different sources of power. However, it is important to note that the die grinder is more powerful than the Dremel. Therefore, if you are having heavy projects, you are good to go with the die grinder but if you have small projects, you can just do with the Dremel. In the beginning, Dremels were considered as rotary tools but die grinders as other types of tools. However, this came to change as both tools are now rotary tools. 

Size differences

Both air Dremels and die grinders come in different sizes. However, it is imperative to note that die grinders are much larger than air Dremels. Therefore, if you are looking to operate in tight corners, you should opt for air Dremels as they take a more compact size and design. This means that they can fit in small spaces such as shelves, ceiling, cupboards and the area behind the sink. On the other hand, if you will be handling tasks that do not involve tight spaces, you are free to go with a die grinder.   

The different speeds

Another difference between the two tools is the speed of the motor. The Dremel is considered as the faster tool among the two as it comes with a speed that tops 35000 rpm. This provides a broad range that can enable you to work on different types of materials and projects. On the other hand, die grinders have a maximum speed of 25000 rpm. If you are looking for a broad range, you should choose the Dremel. 

How they dissipate heat

Heat is a major challenge when it comes to rotary tools. If it accumulates, it can cause the motor to go bad. Therefore, the best rotary tool should be able to dissipate heat with ease. When considering the best tool between the Dremel and the die grinder, it is important to consider this feature. This is especially when you will be using the product for a long time. Therefore, for long and heavy projects, the die grinder is the best option as it has better heat removal methods.  

Conclusion:

From the above review, we have seen that both the die grinder and Dremel have many differences. But generally, die grinders are seen as perfect for big projects while Dremels are fine for smaller jobs.

How to Make Your Home more Environmentally Friendly

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Being more energy-efficient is a fabulous thing, and knowing that you’re reducing your carbon footprint is even better. Mother Nature is a beautiful force, and if you can make any change – no matter how small – to preserve her, then you should probably do it.

It doesn’t just have to mean spending money on new fixes; sometimes, it can just be small changes. Here are just a few ways you can help make your home greener.

Install Solar Panels

Solar power is one of the best sources of clean and renewable energy and is also one of the most reliable. Having solar panels on your roof means you are not only helping the environment, but you’re creating a more consistent energy bill for yourself and even helping to create jobs in the solar panel industry.

It’s also possible to save a whole load of money by switching to solar power. Depending on the state you live in, there are varying tax incentives and cost savings to be had by having home solar systems installed. Companies like goingsolar.com explain exactly what you need to know in terms of where you live, along with an estimator to give you an idea of exactly how much you can save by switching.

Use Your Water Sparingly

Being eco-friendly doesn’t just mean your energy consumption and how you approach it. Water is also a valuable asset, and you can make simple changes to help the planet. Try not to leave your tap running when you are brushing your teeth or shaving. If you don’t need the water during that time, why waste it?

Try to spend a shorter time in the shower if you’re prone to spending half of the time in there singing into the shower head. If you can be in and out in less time, try to do so. You can also even consider installing a lower-flow shower head if you have a large family who spends a lot of time in the bathroom.

Install Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

You don’t want to get to the point where you’re worrying about switching on lights in case it harms the environment – it’s unrealistic to think you can get away with never using electricity or turning on the main lights.

If you elect to switch to energy saving bulbs instead of regular bulbs, you’re not only using less electricity, but you’re prolonging the life of the bulb (energy efficient ones last longer) meaning you’ll save money having to replace them all the time.

Use a Smart Meter for Your Heating

You’ve probably already fallen victim to the trap of leaving your heating on longer than necessary in the colder months, maybe even when you’re out of the house to ensure it’s all warmed up ready for you when you get home. If you use a smart meter programmed to come on and turn off exactly when you need it to, you’ll save money on energy bills and help to reduce your carbon footprint.

Upgrade the Appeal of Any Room with the Artichoke Lamp

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Lighting is both an art and a science, and the Artichoke Lamp pays tribute to both categories with its unique structural design. Sometimes appreciating the handsomeness of this product is easier than deciding how and where to place it. To assist your designing venture we’ve compiled a few suggestions and ideas that make use of a wide array of themes, colors, rooms, and options to satisfy all kinds of preferences.

1. The perfect chic living room retreat:

Minhacasaminhacara

If you’re looking to cast a halo of inviting glow then the Artichoke Lamp is the choice for you. Available in silver, copper, and white, this signature piece will instantly elevate your living rooms outlook. The entire arrangement featured here is attempting to capture a bright, airy and cheerful room where you can host brunches, tea parties or laze around with family. By surrounding the light with a variety of articles ranging from patterned cushions to pure white couches, dark-colored seating arrangements on and around wooden elements and a wide open bay window, you create a wholly eclectic aura that appeals to modern sensibilities. Placing a large mirror parallel to the lamp and alongside natural lighting plays off well as it systematically enhances the amount of light and open feelings in the room.

2. A glorious dining room:

Ylighting

A transitional hanging fixture like the Artichoke Lamp emphasizes the seating area in the center of the room, granting you the ability to frame a sophisticated communal area. As you can see in the image above, most of the furnishings are following a theme of classic elegance, from the large vintage portraits to the enormous fireplace and exquisite candle ornaments. However, the inclusion of bright carpeting and neon wall colors against the light create an intriguing combination. Furthermore, the chandelier-like appearance of this lamp earns it the title of a regal, state-of-the-art, contemporary lighting tool that adds a dimension of the aristocracy to the layout.

3. A chic and cozy arrangement:

Flickr

The symmetrical grace of the Artichoke Lamp makes it a charming decor piece to add to any residential zone. One might consider it redundant as there are already lamps and natural light from the large European style windows. However, the Artichoke Lamp is an accompanying lighting layer that’ll prevent the formation of unflattering shadows. It is imbued with vibrant properties that bring dynamic energy into the place.

4. Showcase your personality:

Ylighting

Accessories are considered the finishing touches that complete any room and complement the designing scheme of the very same room. The trim design, handcrafted contours and sharp geometrical characteristics of the Artichoke Lamp allow you the chance to experiment. You can fluctuate between vintage, antique, conventional, contemporary or as shown in the illustration above. You can lay down the framework to a creative and unorthodox layout that represents the workings of your inner mind. Its eccentric nature works well in rooms that are host to neutral ceiling and flooring schemes but are littered with quirky and unconventional ornaments. It is a hybrid of a trendy, individualistic and fun gizmo. The only limit to the creative aspect of the layout is your imagination. So you’ll have to think outside of the box when dealing with this unorthodox yet good-looking fixture.

5. Add interest to simpler interior schemes:

Pinterest

Portrayed above is a mundane representation of a decidedly contemporary interior of the living room. It offers an uninterrupted theme of light-colored, wooden furniture articles. The Artichoke Lamp is a mid-century classic that offers an oasis of unfettered tranquility. The effect is enhanced when it is placed amidst similar pastel colored environments. You can create a wonderfully humble setup with warm and inviting tones. You’ll get a charming aura that is almost akin to rustic elements. Because of the embellished natures of the lamp itself, it’s best to minimize the presence of excessive decorations, artwork and additional decor item/ They’ll make the space too claustrophobic.

There are of course an infinite number of layout designs out in the sea of interior designing. But regardless, this detailed guide should be your go-to. It assists experts and novice designers and homemakers alike.

15 Fresh and Fun Scrapbooking Ideas for Your Next Project

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Before your memories fade, consider gathering your pictures into a unique book where they will last for generations. Not only will they last, but they will also tell a creative story in more than photos.

Scrapbooking relays the story of your life in pictures, but there are also great ways to embellish the photos with art and scrapbooking supplies to help the pictures pop off the page.

Here are 15 Fresh and Fun Scrapbooking Ideas for Your Next Project:

  1. Stamps

Invest in a good quality stamp kit. Choose one that has stamps for every holiday and season. You will want to purchase ink pads separately, so you get the colors you really like.

Stamps on the pages of your scrapbook are easy and add a fun dimension to what is in the picture. Fishing trips, the first day of school, home from the hospital, each of these deserve their own page in a scrapbook, and having the perfect stamp to go on the page is priceless.

  1. Watercolors

Even if you don’t paint, using watercolors to highlight a photo or paint a few stripes, zigzags, and/or spots on the side of the page, will help to make the photo come alive.

  1. Ribbons

Look in your sewing stash for different colors, textures, and lengths of ribbon. You can create a background of different ribbons, you can braid them or overlap the ribbon for a variety of effects.

Create flowers out of ribbon, although they should be small to be able to close the book or you can decorate the outside of the scrapbook with small clusters of ribbon flowers.

  1. Patterns

Look around your home for things with patterns. The kitchen probably has several different items that contain repeating patterns that can be duplicated on the page. Take a strainer and enlarge the pattern of holes so you can place several different pictures in them.

Some patterns make sense, while others seem to have no rhythm or reason. These are the best kind to put photos in.

  1. Glue

Use different colors of glue in your glue gun or bottle. There are many colors available in glue and they don’t have to be regulated to the back of a photo. Create swirls and other designs with glitter and colorful glues.

  1. Shapes

Again, look around your home for different shapes you can outline on the paper and then put a photo inside. Use the standard circle, square, triangle, but find a Hexagon, Trapezoid, a Rhombus (a diamond) and anything that would highlight a picture well on the page.

  1. Backgrounds

No need to spend lots of money on fancy paper. Use the fancy paper for the fancy photos, but use everyday household items for your backgrounds.

Use a bunch of recipe cards from a family book to make a background for a photo of the kids making cookies. Use a newspaper as the background for the day someone was born or passed away. Use an old map as your travel pages and outline in a bright color the path you took to get to your destination.

Old takeout menus are another great background for travel pages or cooking pages.

  1. Fabric

You probably have a drawer full of small scraps of different fabric. Take them out and match them to different photos. The fabric doesn’t have to match the picture, and it doesn’t have to be big or smooth. The fabric will give your page texture.

  1. Use Black and White

Have a page or two of black and white photos and designs. Use a black and white checkered pattern behind a photo of your dog in a field or kids playing board games. There are so many options when it comes to black and white, where less is always more.

  1. Envelopes or Pockets

Use pockets or envelopes to keep small mementoes inside. Baby’s first missing tooth or haircut. These are things that are important and shouldn’t be lost in a drawer. Use clear plastic to create the envelope so the item becomes part of the page.

  1. Pressed Flowers

When someone takes the time to pick or send you flowers, you want to save one or two as a lasting memory. Press flowers in larger books for a few days before adding them to scrapbook pages. You could also place a flower inside a clear pocket so it will not get damaged.

  1. Thread

Sew directly on the paper. You may have to purchase a thicker card stock paper but treat it like an embroidery project and outline whatever design you can come up with. Use thread, yard or funky shoelaces.

Use an old coloring book with different animals or items as a template for sewing on the page.

  1. Old Books

Use old books and puzzle books to create a unique background for different pictures.

  1. Trace Puzzle Pieces

Break out an old puzzle or pick one up at the thrift store. There are bound to be so many different shapes that can be traced on the paper and then cut small photos to put in them.

You can also glue pictures directly to several connected puzzle pieces, then slice them apart and glue them into the book, either as one piece or with some distance between the pieces.

  1. Paw Prints

When creating a page about your dog or cat, take a non-toxic ink pad and press their paw on it. Immediately place the paw on the paper for a lasting memory next to a photo of the animal having fun.

The same can be done with hand and foot prints of babies and children. Be sure to use non-toxic ink and paints.

Many websites, like Pinterest, will give you more idea on what to use when creating a beautiful and unique scrapbook. Memories in a scrapbook are great gifts for your entire family. They also make wonderful wedding presents as you can chronicle the evolution of the happy couple’s journey to each other at the end of the isle.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!