Fuzzi Day – Health | Home | Living

Home design is a reflection of one’s personality.  While creating a functional, fabulous flat can be accomplished over time, basic design fundamentals like scale, proportion, balance, harmony, light and rhythm are the elements that reflect our design personality.  A home is where you go to relax, be inspired and find comfort.  Incorporating these design elements into your space can be done subconsciously and are as easy as bringing home that coffee table you fell in love with from the local charity shop.

 

Cosy Comfort

One’s home interior must be as comfortable as it is visually appealing.  Creating comfort is based very much on functionality.  If there are elements in your space that allow you to use the space effortlessly, you will be comfortable spending time there.  Accessorizing an already functional space is the icing on the sandwich-cake.  Layering and adding heavier textiles in the colder months and alternatively, using lighter colours and featuring fresh, contemporary elements when it is warmer out is the best approach. Knowing your style preference will allow you to easily use timeless furniture pieces and then blend in season-appropriate accessories throughout your home.

 

Functionally Fabulous

Whether you prefer cosy-casual, favouring warmth and comfort from traditional-styled rooms or are more modern-graphic and into colour, a functionally fabulous flat can be equally eclectic and contemporary at the same time.  Humans require and thrive in both large and small spaces and the most important design element of function in any room is lighting.  Light creates shadows, showcases colour and changes the mood of a room while also illuminating and adding length and visual dimension to our living spaces. Rhythm is what makes your space flow and is accomplished through functional furniture placement.

Ten additional design tips

1. Rearrange your furniture often.  This keeps your space interesting and allows you to incorporate seasonal accessories and display artwork throughout the year.
2. Decorate your home with items you love.  Home design should be dynamic and reflect the current happenings in your life.
3. If you enjoy seasonal activities and celebrate holidays, incorporate these touches into your home.
4. Knowing how you live.  If you are a morning person and enjoy being awake in the early morning hours design your space with dim-able light and area rugs that will protect you from the cold morning floors.
5. Look through magazines and create a sample board of fabric scraps, paint chips and even flooring samples that appeal to you.
6. Use decorative dishes and cushions to express your style.
7. Always create a feeling of unity in your living space and promote harmony by coordinating textiles and tchotchkes.
8. Definitely include photographs from special occasions, or paintings that you like.
9. Use symmetry in your rooms to promote balance. Mirrors are an excellent tool for creating balance in your living space.
10. Lastly, maintain access to all utility closets and your boiler just in case power flushing or other essential maintenance is necessary.

 

Turning a house into a home is done by allowing style to come together on its own.  Spending time in your cosy home and sharing it with the ones you love will fill your home with fond memories and many happy times.  Finally, creating a living space that is as stylish as it is practical, can give you a continuous sense of rejuvenation and promote a positive outlook on life.

Every April, most Americans have to pull out their wallets and pay Uncle Sam. Likewise, countries across the world demand that their citizens pay up through different forms of taxation.

As frustrating as they may be, the taxes we know and don’t love are actually pretty reasonable compared to a handful of the absolutely absurd taxes that have been levied throughout history. From bricks to bagels, lawmakers have thought of some pretty crazy things to tax.

From 1746-1845, England taxed its people for glass. The glass tax hurt the economy as few could afford glass in their homes. This tax, along with the window tax, was blamed for unhealthy, dark living conditions throughout England.

Although not actually a tax, but a tax exemption, this one made our list because it’s so unique and humorous. In New Mexico, if you’re 100 years old or older you are tax exempt. That is, assuming you aren’t a dependent. This law, enacted in 2002, is still in effect today.

Check out the graphic below to learn more about the world’s most unbelievable taxes.

If you’re planning ventilation for a new home or simply taking care of the space you’re in now, proper airflow is something that should be practiced in any space. Without ventilation in a property there are a whole host of potentially dangerous incidents that can occur. Did you know that on average we spend 90% of our time indoors and actually draw in around 12,000 litres of air each day? That’s a lot of space for harmful pollutants and respiratory diseases to spread around!  Make sure that you’re not going to run in to any of these issues and protect your home at the same time by following our simple tips below…

 

The simple and free act of opening a window in your home can not only eliminate odours caused by things like cooking or dirty washing, but also allow for a much fresher quality of air. In an ideal world, your house should be aired out daily, providing ventilation throughout, banishing stale smells, pollens and bacteria. However, if you’re in a household where having a window open all day long just isn’t ideal, (perhaps if you have a curious house cat on an escape mission!) then there are options for you too. Companies like Rocburn Limited have a great selection of both manual and electric window openers that can really help with hard to reach areas or high up skylights. Not only do they offer a bespoke service for your ventilation issues, but they offer both electric and manual options. Whether you’re looking for a plug-in electric system that you set to a timer, allowing proper ventilation throughout the day, or you simply need traditional window openers, Rocburn cater to everyone. Check out the latest technology they offer including rain and wind sensors!

Aside from small things such as cooking foods with the extractor fan on or switching on the bathroom fan when showering, there are a number of other changes you can make in your lifestyle to ensure a properly ventilated living space. If you’re home has an open fire or improperly fitted extractor fan or boiler, you could be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Often referred to as ‘the silent killer’, carbon monoxide is extremely difficult to detect as it has to odour, taste or colour. Make sure all your home appliances are checked regularly and installed correctly. Practice proper ventilation and also get yourself an audible alarm. Carbon monoxide alarms can be purchased from most hardware and DIY stores (make sure they are approved by the latest British or European standards) and will emit a high pitched sound when the gas is detected, great for a prompt and early warning.

 

Every home needs fresh air flowing through each day to remove stale, damp air, not only for the integrity of the building, but for your health too. This guide on proper ventilation for your home, taken from the book ‘Home Improvement for Dummies’ is simple to read and offers some fantastic additional advice, give it a read! Make sure you’re sticking to the tips mentioned above and you’re sure to have a much more pleasant, comfortable living space for you and the family.

 

Making a profit when it comes to buying and selling a property doesn’t have to be a massive job, in fact, there are some simple tips and tricks you can follow which will make a property seem like you’ve spent a lot of money on it when you won’t have spent much at all. Since property prices are currently on an all time high, a little renovation can go a long way, so have a look at the following revamps you can make to a property without breaking your bank.

 

Plan & Budget

When it comes to renovation, the last thing you want to do is walk in and start splashing money around without any kind of plan of action. You need to plan not only what you’re going to do for each section of the property, but you need to work out a budget.

 

You want to be making a profit for each time you spend, which means you need to research similar properties on the market and how much you can realistically sell yours for. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have a better idea of how to budget on each area of the house, and how much profit  you’ll make.

 

Fundamental Features

Some of the fundamental things that people look for in a property can be a deciding point as to whether they want to live there or not. These are the features that you’ll definitely want to consider renovating.

 

Windows

One of these fundamental features are the windows. If a property has single glazing, this can leave a property feeling cold, but it also tends to get wet due to condensation. Installing double glazing, especially on downstairs windows for security reasons, can leave potential buyers feeling a lot happier about a property.

 

Safety

Fire or smoke alarms should be fitted and checked, as not having one near a kitchen can also put people off. Smoke ventilating systems on windows are also a good feature to install, as these air out a room without having to open windows fully, and this can also be a security issue. You can get these fitted professionally by companies such as LJ Pratley.

 

Floorboards

Something else to consider is installing floorboards where carpets may have been laid. Old carpets in a property can look dingy and leave a smell, however simply by fitting some affordable floorboards, you can easily bring a room back to life and make it look as good as new.

 

Cosmetics

Giving a room a touch of paint, a few cheap items to sell with the property and a good clean will make all the difference when it comes to potential buyers looking around. Painting a room a light colour will give it the feeling that it is bigger and lighter than it might actually be.

 

Painted

Giving a room a touch of paint may seem like a simple task that will not make a big difference when it comes to selling a place, but a lot of potential buyers will not look past the aesthetics of the property, meaning many will choose a well presented property over one that just needs a little bit of love and care. Paint the rooms a light colour, making them appear lighter, more spacious and cleaner.

 

Furnished

Purchase some affordable furniture sets so that you can offer to sell the property furnished. By putting in new furniture pieces, this also gives potential buyers coming to look around the opportunity to give them an idea of what it would look like if they move in. This also means choosing furniture that doesn’t cramp a room but compliments its size and colour.

 

Cleaned

After all the work and effort that has gone into the property, there is likely to be some dust and dirt lying around. Before showing around interested customers, the place should look as presentable as possible. In order to get the best results, you could hire a cleaning service such as OCD Cleaning to do the hard work for you and make your property as perfect as it can be. This means having a good clean and polish of a place to make sure it looks the best it can, to give you the best chance of making a profit out of your simple renovation.

 

 

Whether you’re a regular DIY enthusiast or a complete beginner, it’s important to be aware of the basic maintenance and safety requirements for power tools. If you’re keen to complete simple repairs, fixes and decorating tasks around your home, you will need to use power tools at some point in the near future. In order to correctly maintain your tools, contact your nearest tool shop or a specialist retailer like the Anglia Tool Centre, and always keep the owner’s manual handy.

Storage and Transport of Power Tools

Make sure that you keep your power tools dry at all times. A great deal of wear and tear can occur when they are being transported or stored, if this is done incorrectly. When you’ve finished using a power tool, store it in a cool, dry space away from excessive temperature and sources of ignition. Remember that even a small amount of moisture can damage metal parts and electrical components, and if your drill or sander was supplied with a case, make sure that you use it. Cases are great for protecting your tools against scratches, bumps and water damage.

Regular Cleaning

All power tools require regular cleaning to ensure that they remain in good working order. Dust, grease and grime can degrade the performance of your tools by slowing down the inner workings. To prevent this from occurring, wipe your tools before you put them away. Wood particles and metal shavings are also bad for your power tools as they can clog up the motor. Use canned air to blow out vents, openings and exposed moving parts that can collect shavings and dust when you’ve finished using a particular tool. Controlling the build-up of dust, shavings and dirt will prolong the life of your power tools and prevent costly replacements.

Oiling and Sharpening Tools

If you have air tools, the moving mechanisms need to lubricated to work correctly. It’s important to look at the instructions or owner manual for individual tools, but a drop of oil usually lasts for thousands of movements. Too much oil may cause a sticky build-up, so don’t overdo it. It’s very important to maintain a sharp blade on power tools that are used for cutting. Dull blades on saws are more likely to slip and scratch your work, or even injure you. The tool’s motor will need to work harder to cut, and it will take longer for you to accomplish simple tasks.

 

 The Internet is full of pages offering innovative home design advice, for every single room from the kitchen and bathroom to your living area. The only issue with these pages is that they tend to promote the use of generic or mass-produced furniture, which can cause homes to look stale and become far-removed from the unique characteristics of their owners. With this in mind, anyone who aspires to remodel their property may be wise to conduct more thorough research and seek out more innovative design trends.

 

The Benefits of Using Reclaimed Furniture: How can It Add Style and Substance to your Home

One of the best ways to revitalise your home and add style to your living space is through the creative application reclaimed furniture. Consider the following benefits of this and how they can be applied to your home: –

 

1 – Reclaimed Wood has an Innovative and Unique Narrative
Reclaimed wood furnishings are essentially made from recycled materials, which affords them two key benefits for thoughtful and reflective home-owners. The first is that they tend to be one-of-a-kind items and entirely unique, meaning that they add genuine value to your home and remain far-removed from the mass produced furniture sold nationwide. Secondly, these products will also have an interesting narrative, which may provide a talking point for guests and enable you to create a wow factor within your home.

2 – Access Genuine Value for Money
While there is nothing necessarily wrong with purchasing mass-produced furniture manufactured from standard materials, these items do not always represent the best value for money. The same cannot be said about reclaimed furniture, however, as materials such as oak tend to be strong, stable and exceptionally durable for long-term use. Oak furniture also has a unique and extremely appealing visual style, meaning that it combines form and function within a single, cost-effective package. Suppliers such as the Trading Furniture Company sell a wide range of these furnishings, so they are easily accessible to consumers throughout the UK.
3 – Create a Rustic and Easy to Maintain Look
One of the most prominent design trends in 2014 has revolved around creating a rustic home, as this replicates the very best of Parisian style and also provides an easy to maintain interior for home-owners. The procurement and application of reclaimed furniture can play a significant role in such a drive, as it is usually simplistic and traditional in its appearance and lends itself to a rustic and rural design ethos. Whether you buy furniture that has been made from reclaimed oak or a similarly robust natural wood, you will have the opportunity to create a quaint and rustic home that serves a sanctuary from the demands of modern life.

For some, just the sheer mention of the term DIY sends shivers down their spine. The thought of all that drilling, cutting and measuring is just too much and, to be honest, it’s easy to see why. The DIY world is fraught with areas for potential error and, particularly if you’re undertaking a big task, the thought of doing it can be relatively daunting. Because of this, you need confidence when it comes to DIY. Commonly, we all have the skills, and most jobs where we pay for an engineer or a fitter could have actually been done at home, saving costs. Here are some great examples of how you can boost your DIY confidence, completing chores that need to be done in time for summer in the process.

Cleaning Out the Gutters

It may be a smelly and rather time-consuming task, but cleaning out the gutters is absolutely essential if you want to avoid larger structural problems at a later date. What’s more, it couldn’t be simpler – all you’ll need is a leaf blower, a pair of gloves, a ladder and a bin bag. It may be tempting to ring for someone to do it, but there really is no excuse not to (unless you’re scared of heights, of course).

Woodwork Rejuvenation Projects

No matter whether you’re sanding, sawing or cutting, woodwork is a laborious task, and there’s simply no way around it. However, in spite of this, sanding can actually be largely therapeutic, and it’s also a great workout. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to ruin your piece of wood by sanding it, so it’s a great way to build you DIY confidence, and no matter whether you’re sanding or staining, you’ll need relatively few tools – a sheet, some sandpaper and some varnish should suffice.

Re-grouting a Bathroom

Simple, quick and easy, re-grouting is a task that can be completed in a matter of minutes, making a world of difference to your bathroom in the process. The curing of the grout takes time, but other than that, the process is simple, and you’ll only require a couple of easy to use tools. This will make your bathroom look fresh and vibrant while most importantly keeping it leak free.

Changing a Door Handle 

Once you’ve got a bit of DIY confidence (and you’re certain that you’re not going to ruin the house), you can upscale your tasks to dealing with problems like dodgy door handles. Invest in an electric drill (like the ones from Elcocks) and set about changing it. As long as you’ve got the right screws and fittings, you’ll have no problems – you’ll be changing the whole door next!

So there we have it, 4 DIY jobs you can do at home to boost your confidence. Of course, these are only a select few of the tasks that you can undertake, and we haven’t even begun to discuss things like building flat pack furniture and putting up shelving. These types of task are far easier than you’d think, so go on, give it a try – you might find it easier than you’d think.

Creative play time is essential for children of any age. Allowing time and space for your children to create helps them grow and learn on their own while having fun. Creating will stimulate them and help them to learn problem solving methods on their own.

It is sometimes hard, in today’s world of technology especially, to get your kids to sit down and work on a creative project without getting bored. It is helpful to have a separate space in your home where they can focus on their project without distractions and be encouraged to continue. If you want to incorporate more creative time into your children’s days, here are some ideas you can use to create a space for your kids to grow in.

Make an open space

Have some open space for your kids to move around in. Maybe your child wants to build a giant tower or a replica of him or herself. Allowing them the space to do these kinds of things will allow them to use their imagination more and create whatever they deem possible.

If you can’t have an entire room, create a separate space in a room on your home. Use a room divider to block the creativity space from other parts of the room, like to block the TV if your space in the living room. Clear extra floor space in a big foyer using a spiral staircase kit. Any structured space will make a huge difference for your kids.

Keep them away from all screens

Avoiding any and all technology in your creativity space will greatly help your kids. Everyone needs a break from screen time, and having less technology in your children’s creativity space will encourage them to use their imagination and create something with their hands.

Have a desk for them to work on

Especially for younger kids, creativity time often involves crafts and drawing. Have a hard surface for your kids to work on. This can be as simple as clearing off the dining room table or building a desk in your children’s bedrooms.

Try to keep the desk clear and organized after each time your kids use it. Give them designated areas to put away supplies and encourage them to clean up. You may also have to reorganize and restock supplies, so you kids can keep creating.

Give them the props they need

Whatever your children’s passions are, feed them. If your children like to draw, have plenty of coloring supplies, like paper, crayons and colored pencils. If your children are young and you are still unsure of what will most interest them, have a few different options set up so they can pick and choose what suits them best.

Display their creations proudly

To encourage future creative time, display whatever your children create proudly in the creativity space. Support your children’s creative passions and help them find value in what they are creating. This is good advice to follow no matter what your children do in life, as long as they are ethically following their dreams, you should be behind them with support and encouragement.

 

Author Bio:

Tina Hamilton is a journalist, blogger and social media guru. You can usually find her online or walking along one of Southern California’s beaches with her dog, Joey. You can find her on Twitter.

 

 

With new advancement in technology, working from home has become a more popular option for everyone. Many jobs can be done with only a computer and an Internet connection, so the need to go into a physical office building is no longer there.

Many people also prefer to work from home for a number of other reasons, such as less commute time, more time with family, can work in your pajamas, etc. However, working from home can pose some issues for many people. A home office can house many distractions and inconveniences that a traditional office doesn’t have. You can avoid and prevent many of these issues with a properly constructed home office. Here are a few ways that you can create a better home office in your home simply and inexpensively.

Clear some space

Many home offices get crammed into the small, unused storage spaces of our homes. Although this might seem like a good use of the space, making yourself work in a small space will only distract and limit you.

Try to find an open space for you to spread out and not feel restricted. A great way to add extra space in your home is to replace a traditional staircase with Salter Spiral Stairs to create more open floor space. Find the place in your home that allows you to expand as much as you need to and begin your home office set up.

Find the appropriate seating option

One of the biggest complaints that people have during their work hours is back pain from sitting for long periods of time, no matter where their office is. When you work from home, it may be tempting to lie in bed or sit on your comfortable couch while you work. Although this may sound idea, it can make you more tired, less productive, and actually lead to more back pain.

Avoid this issue by investing in a good office chair. Having a chair that properly supports your back while keeping you upright and alert will greatly reduce your back pain and increase your productivity daily. Add in regular stretching and movement to keep you focused and pain free.

Keep the area well lit

Another crucial element to keep you alert and focused in your home office is having enough light to work in. Finding a great desk lamp is a must, but you can also keep your home office brighter by using more natural light. Set up your desk underneath a window and keep sheer curtains over windows surrounding your desk. This will brighten the whole room and keep you awake without needing that second cup of coffee.

Separate the area from the rest of your home

When you work in a home office, it can be very difficult to separate your home life from your job. If you have to work around all the distractions of your personal life, you will never be able to focus on your work tasks.

Try to separate your home office from the rest of your home. Face your desk away from other parts of the room or home and keep all personal tasks and lists in a separate location. This can be really difficult for a lot of people, but once you find the way to keep everything in its designated place, you will be a lot better off in work and home life.

 

Author Bio:

Tina Hamilton is a journalist, blogger and social media guru. You can usually find her online or walking along one of Southern California’s beaches with her dog, Joey. You can find her on Twitter.