Design Home Art

You may think that getting ready for winter involves nothing more than stashing the swimsuits and pulling out the heavy coats. Yet, one of your biggest investments, your home, needs a bit of prep to get ready for the cold season as well. Winter weather can be tough on a home's systems, and there are several reasons to winterize your home. A well-prepped home can save a lot of money on energy bills. Also, properly preparing a home can prevent costly damage down the road. Here are just five things that you can do to prep your home for the coming cold snap. 1. Clean Out the Gutters The gutters on your home should be inspected and cleaned twice per year - in the fall and the spring. Leaf and debris build-up in your gutters can block them from performing their intended function which is to move water away from your home through the downspout. If they are blocked or damaged, water could leak into your home or damage your roof , causing costly damage. 2. Check the Heating System Whe...

A lot of DIY is done and dusted (or not, according to many wives…) in a day or three. A remodelling project, however, could take weeks or even months. While you’re bearing the brunt of the noise, mess and inconvenience, it’s your decision, so you need to think about your neighbors, who have had no say at all. Construction work can cause stress on both sides of the fence, so start off on the right foot and show some consideration and empathy, as well as respect, and you’ll probably come through unscathed. Here are some tips to help you keep everyone happy during the period of work: Let your neighbors know well in advance At least two weeks before work is due to start, let everyone know – knock on doors, post notes through letterboxes and fix flyers to communal noticeboards if possible. You should tell people the start and projected end-date of the project, where the construction team will be parking, their days and hours of work and whether there will be some periods that parking or acc...

Better weather and warmer temperatures encourage everyone to spend more time outdoors as people like to host barbecues and generally just enjoy the alfresco lifestyle. However, as the summer months draw to a close, your garden will have been used more now than any other time all year and hence, unluckily for you this may have had a detrimental effect on its appearance! The hot weather can make your plant life grow faster than ever and it can be very hard to keep on top of. Therefore, now is the time to whip your garden into ship shape before the colder weather of the autumn months claims your garden and leaves it a dying mess. There are a few areas of the garden that you should organise first; for example, if you have been adventurous and splurged on some garden furniture during the summer, make sure that you tend to these first and either find suitable covers or somewhere to store them so that they will be protected from the expected harsher weather. For example, garden sheds are a gr...

If you are feeling adventurous and want to try your hand at growing your flowers and vegetables from seeds, this is the perfect beginners guide. We must first cover the benefits of growing plants from seeds; one of them being that you can start gardening earlier in the season. If you have the right lighting and environmental control you will be able to see your plants flourish from seed to harvest. However, here are a few top tips to get you started; 1. Don’t stretch yourself For any experienced gardener it can be very easy for elements in the growing process to go wrong. So, therefore it is best to try and keep the first batch of seedlings you grow nice and simple, by growing just a small variety. For example, some seeds like tomatoes are easiest to grow indoors so as a beginner it is best if you grow these first. Other good choices for beginners are basil, sweet pea and marigold. 2. Sunlight Whether you are growing seeds indoors or outside in the garden, you will only have the best s...

Are you tired of staring at the same walls every day? Do you dream of refreshing and rejuvenating your home decor? Here are just a few ways to brighten up your living spaces through the use of fun, creative wall designs. 1. Paint First things first: When's the last time you painted your walls? A simple change of color can be all that it takes to make your home feel like new again. Don't be afraid to step away from the boring world of whites, browns and beiges, either; eye-popping colors can really transform a room. Think about yellows for warmth, blues for homeliness and crimsons for dramatic effect. 2. Wallpaper If you aren't in the mood to paint, decorative wallpaper can be used to liven up your home without fuss or mess. You won't have to worry about things like spills on your carpet and cracks in your foundation. Best of all, wallpaper can be ordered in literally any color, shape, pattern or design of your choosing, so have fun! Go wild! Wallpaper is an easy wa...

A pressure washer can be incredibly beneficial and will give you the ability to make difficult, tedious tasks quick and simple. Whether you’re utilizing an electric or gas model, the machine will help you clean almost anything outside of your home. And, using a pressure washer can be fun! Before getting started, it is essential to learn how to use the machine safely. Be sure to use the guide below to ensure safe, effective use. Starting It Up If you happen to be using a gas pressure washer, you’ll need to take a few precautions, before switching it on. The process is fairly similar to powering up a lawnmower. Make sure the filter is clean and all accessories are attached to the machine. Be sure to allow water to run through the system for a minute or two, before turning it on. This will prime the system, while also removing air. Squeeze the hand, until all of the hair and pressure has been removed. Now, grab the starter cord and give it a yank. It will take quite a bit of force, but yo...

When you are ready to choose the right flooring for every room in your home, you should check out all of your options. While hardwood flooring is hugely popular, it also comes with its own drawbacks, and the same holds true for tiles. In fact, many families are now opting to have carpeting installed in many rooms throughout their homes with the help of a local carpet fitter that can direct them to the best carpet types and colours for their needs. Keep reading to learn why you should choose carpet over wood or tiles. You Won’t Need to Maintain Carpeting Unlike wood flooring that has to be refinished on a regular basis in order to maintain its quality and its attractive appearance, all you have to do to maintain the look of your carpets is vacuum them regularly. And for deep cleaning, you can simply use a carpet shampoo and a carpet cleaning machine that you can purchase in stores, or you can hire professionals to do the job for you. Carpeting Is More Comfortable, Warmer, and Quieter S...

Wattage, lumens and lux ... what the heck do these terms mean? These terms are commonly found on lighting labels and packages. But the average homeowner has little to no understanding of what they actually mean. If you're one of these homeowners, here is an explanation that might help. And for even more terms, read this article featured on AngiesList.com . Wattage Wattage is simply the measurement of electrical power, in watts. Watts are calculated by multiplying the amperage, which is the strength of an electric current, by the voltage. On your energy bills you may have noticed the phrase “total wattage consumption." This is what you are billed by. Incandescent bulbs run about 60 watts, LED bulbs 12 and CFLS 15. Remember, the lower the wattage, the lower your electric bill will be. The wattage of a bulb is not the measurement of the bulb's intensity. It’s simply the amount of power necessary to produce its light or intensity. Lumens The actual definition of a lumen is .....

Whilst the property market is fairly buoyant right now, there is no guarantee it will stay that way. Besides, you may not be thinking of moving home for another couple of years anyway, so when the time comes, you need to know you can sell it no matter what the prevailing market is like. Here are some tips from Property Cash Buyers to help you achieve a quick sale for the right price, even in a depressed property market. Boost the Curb Appeal First Impressions count. Imagine going on a first date and the person has made zero effort to look nice. No matter how engaging their personality, your opinion of them will be irrevocably damaged. Selling a home is no different. An unkempt home with ten-foot high weeds and peeling paint will not draw potential buyers in. Most people want a home they can just move into, so take a good, hard look at your property and try to see it through the eyes of a buyer. Tidy up the front yard, plant some flowers, and tackle all the DIY jobs on your list sooner...