May 11,2021

Creating Unity in Your Home: 9 Tips

Creating unity in a household can sometimes be difficult, especially when you like many different styles and colors. Yet, it is often more peaceful and enjoyable when the parts of your home are in harmony with each other. You can achieve this unity in different ways. Do you live in a house where the spaces are not separated from each other? Then creating unity is even more important. Here are some tips to help you out!

1) Choose a Colour Palette

Choose an appropriate color palette and use it throughout your home. You can vary it by using different shades of the same color. A subtle color palette can largely determine the atmosphere of your home.

2) Repeat Colours Throughout the House

Do you use specific colors for your furniture, decorations, or plants? Then make sure that this color is reflected in different places in the house to ensure a subtle harmony. Do you have beautiful green plants? Let that green color come back in the carpets, cushions, or chairs in the dining room.

3) Repeat Textures In the House

The same goes for textures in your home. Do you have a superb leather sofa? Then, it’s nice if that leather texture is reflected in other parts of your house. Think cushions or a cool leather chair in the bedroom.

4) Mix Different Tones of Wood

Mixing different tones of wood in your interior is fun. It will give your space a playful and lively feel. Create more unity in your home by letting each wood style come back in a different piece of furniture or object. This will ensure a good balance between calm and playfulness.

5) Match the Fabrics

Also a good idea: match fabrics with each other. Do you have a braided rug in your living room? Use the same type of rug in the bedroom. White satin curtains? Choose a similar white duvet cover with a soft fabric to match it nicely.

6) Use the Same Metallic Colours

Creating unity in the home is also easy by using the same metallic colors. Think armchairs, lamps, coat hangers and hooks of the same color. That single copper lamp in your living room looks a little sad if it doesn’t tie in with the rest of your house.

7) Create Unity By Matching (Different) Types of Furniture

Choose one style or mix different styles well. Avoid having all of one style in one room and a completely different style in another; this causes uneasiness. Also, consider the amount of furniture you have. Do you need that cabinet in the corner? Or that shelf in the corner? If not, get rid of it!

8) Make Sure You Have Defined Spaces

Make sure that space is demarcated without actually enclosing it. For example, you can demarcate by using a rug in the seating area or by using paint on a wall. You can even literally divide the wall to enhance the features. Make sure that space ties in nicely and that no wardrobe or sofa ‘blocks’ it. When the space connects, you’ll experience more peace. You can also use plants to define it. By placing a lovely big plant or several small plants together, you also create a separation/definition.

9) Oh, and Clean Up!

Make sure you have plenty of storage space and clean up. If you don’t have enough storage space or don’t have the right ones, you can’t clean properly, and all your stuff ends up everywhere. Of course, this doesn’t mean that “something” can never be found somewhere but clean regularly. You’ll notice that a tidy house provides a lot of peace and unity.

Let us know if these few tips have helped you in the comments below!

by Maryline D

Home Tips May 7,2021

Interior Decoration in the Asian Style (Part 2)

If you want to create an Asian interior, the first step is to familiarise yourself with the culture of the world’s largest continent. The concept of the Asian style is mainly based on influences from the Far East, Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. All these countries and their cultures are very exotic and fascinating. Western designers are strongly influenced by oriental interior design, particularly in Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. If you want to soak up the Asian interior design styles, check out this article! We’ve compiled the best from each region so you can create different settings that will transport you to these exclusive destinations. If you haven’t read the first part of this blog, check it out now!

Living Room

Here we note the first significant differences between the three Asian cultures; despite their apparent similarities. The first thing you should know is that the rooms in Chinese decoration tend to be really spacious. They include sofas, a small table for tea, meetings, ceremonies, or other activities they require sitting on the floor. Still, despite everything, in China, it is customary to see a dining table. The same thing happens in Korean decoration. Although this trend is gaining strength in Japan, it is actually more of an assimilation of Western environments. The Chinese dining room decoration is very different from what we are used to seeing in Europe or America, and those details must be respected.

Chinese dining is truly a place that stands out for its character, from the finishing of the furniture to the lamps’ colors and the dishes’ ornamentation. And it is that sitting down to eat with the family is highly respected in China, the same as when sharing in the living room. All this is obviously very different in Japanese culture, being that in the Japanese style, the coffee table in the living room is also the dining room; they can even have a stove to heat tea or cook on site. While Chinese decoration can implement a low stone table, the Japanese always use dark wood, so it depends on what style you want to adopt, with Korean being the one that stands out the least in this part.

Kitchen

Minimalism and simplification stand out in Asian kitchens, and you will likely suffer a tremendous culture shock when you want to adapt your kitchen. In most Asian kitchens, there is no island. The workspace is tiny (and the furniture is small since Asians are usually very tall). Although everything is arranged to be functional, if you are in love with your large kitchen, the best thing is to give up the idea of “copying” the culture and simply adding decorative elements, thus achieving a fusion of both concepts in decoration. In any case, you can add a more tangible experience the moment you start adding spices and Asian foods; that the aroma of your kitchen is the definitive decoration but does not reduce space.

Bathroom

The bathroom is a very intimate, functional space full of technology in Asian culture. Nowadays, it is strange not to have a toilet with more than one built-in function (if you live in Asia).

Depending on the type of bathroom you want to decorate, a large or a small one; you will have to vary things a bit:

If it is a tiny bathroom (in china), you can choose to add a shower without a partition between the sink and the toilet. It is customary in Asia that the shower is irrigation but obtained from the same tap as the sink.
It is also common that, in small bathrooms (in Korea), both the sink and the toilet are together in one piece. But in addition to this sink, there must be another totally isolated; Well, there must always be a separation between where you clean your teeth and where you do your physiological needs.
Finally, the bathroom in Japan is the most exquisite, and it is that they have a great culture towards the water as a source of life. So there is not only the separation between the shower and the rest of the elements. There is also a dedicated faucet for foot hygiene and usually enough space and a seat to take a steamy shower.

Other Great Similarities

Meetings on the floor are traditional in Asian culture, but their knees are not made of steel; And although they are used to assuming the seiza position, the flooring in Korean and Japanese houses is usually not concrete or wood, but instead ceramic. The ideal is to have a tatami, a very soft and noble laminate floor where the knees do not hurt. Furthermore, as wood is an excellent conductor of heat, heating in Asian countries is usually below the ground. So during the winter months, your feet will feel warm if you decide to apply this concept in your decoration and design.

Another important factor that you should consider is: forget about the keys. Electronic locks exist in practically every house in Asia. The buildings have an electronic card security system, and all doors use 6-digit code locks. And, to truly embrace the Asian style, many technologies must be given a chance. For example, Japanese and Chinese are used to having switched on the walls; lamps were turned directly from the bulb by pulling a string. That trend of having “clean” walls has now become a master control on the wall from where you can control everything in the house, and the lights are usually turned on with voice commands or by weight sensors on the floor. Of course, the current outlets are still and; switches are not that they are forbidden, but actually, they are hardly used anymore. The same is true for the Japanese bedroom; Seeking greater use of space, the Japanese choose to save their “bed” during the day, thus gaining several square meters. Obviously, this is achieved by dispensing with the bed concept we are used to; they use a “futon.”

So, do you feel ready to take that decorative leap? If so, and you’re doing remodeling, we’d like to see photos of your new home! Drop them down in the comment section below!

by Maryline D

May 4,2021

Mistakes to Avoid in the Placement of Refrigerators

You probably already know that you can save many euros if you buy a fridge or freezer with a low energy rating. But have you thought about where to put this technological wonder? The wrong location for your fridge or freezer can significantly increase your energy bills. Let’s get into it together!

Too Hot or Too Cold

Temperatures that are too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter can prevent your appliance from working correctly and even damage it. Avoid balconies, verandas, and terraces. Also, make sure that the device is not too close to heat sources such as stoves, cookers, radiators, and heaters.

Insufficient Ventilation

Make sure that heat released from the back of the fridge or freezer can easily escape. Never place a freestanding appliance flat against a wall; leave 8-10 cm of space average cost to cancel timeshare. This will result in better cooling performance and consequently lower energy costs.

Many fridges are equipped with a ‘spacer’. These ‘spacers’ act as a stopping point when placing the refrigerator. You can set the refrigerator against the wall so that the spacers touch the wall. In this way, there is still plenty of space at the back of the fridge.

Too Far Away From the Drawer

Make sure your appliance is close enough to a grounded outlet for a direct connection. Never use extension cords or a power strip. This is because many of them can’t handle continuous high currents, which can cause them to heat up and even catch fire.

Too Wet

Excessive humidity can cause electrical shocks and power outages. For this reason, place your fridge or freezer away from taps and not in damp areas. Avoid placing two appliances close together, as this dramatically increases the risk of condensation.

Too Unstable

Make sure that the appliance is on a flat surface and in a level position. If possible, you can even adjust the footrests so that the machine tilts slightly backward. This will ensure that the door closes properly and avoid wasting energy.

Never Refrigerate Freshly Cooked Food

If you have just cooked food, be it soup, stew, etc., leave it at room temperature until it cools down and only puts it in the fridge or freezer. The reason is that if it is too hot, it heats the inside of the fridge, reducing efficiency, which according to some calculations, can affect up to 50% of the appliance’s consumption until the food reaches the ideal temperature.

Protect the Fridge From Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight, especially in summer, can negatively affect the consumption of this appliance. Even though its walls are designed to act as excellent thermal insulation, they force the device to work harder when overheated, affecting its energy efficiency. This means that the refrigerator’s consumption will increase by 15% due to incorrect positioning.

In addition, when the sun repeatedly hits the rubber doors, it dries them out, and they lose their elasticity until they crack, letting the cold out and moisture in, causing ice to form in the freezer. If you have no choice but to keep the fridge in the sun, at least cover the open part with a towel.

Prevent Frost From Building Up In the Freezer

If you have a fridge that’s No Frost – which prevents ice from forming – then you shouldn’t worry about this point, but if not, you should always try to avoid ice build-up in the freezer that’s more than five millimeters thick. This is because the ice acts as a heat insulator, bringing the freezer temperature closer to the freezing point, which means it absorbs the cold and warms the environment. The increase in consumption due to ice formation can be 30% of the appliance’s consumption.

If you need repair and maintenance service for your refrigerator, the team at ICE ON THE ROAD has the necessary knowledge and skills to cater to your refrigerator service and maintenance needs. Your system will be back and operate efficiently in no time!

by Maryline D

Apr 27,2021

Elegant Mirrors For Your Bathroom

Are you thinking of replacing the mirror in your bathroom? Round, square, rectangular? Not sure which is best for your bathroom design? Are you unsure of the benefits of a mirror in your home bathroom? Check out the different alternatives and options!

Round Mirrors

A trend that can’t be ignored at the moment is the round mirror. Elegant, playful and incredibly versatile. In terms of the frame, you can go in all directions. For example, you can opt for a solid black edge, a sleek brass edge, or a minimalist one with no edge at all.

What’s more, you also have a lot of leeway when it comes to mirror size. There are mirrors up to 1 metre in diameter, but of course, you can also choose two smaller round mirrors side by side. Just the one you like and the one you find beautiful!

Rectangular Mirrors

A slightly newer development is rectangular mirrors with rounded corners. This model has a somewhat retro feel to it and is super friendly in a bathroom with other vintage touches. Besides, this mirror model works well with a wide range of interior styles, from boho to industrial to classic.

Illuminated Mirrors

Whatever shape of mirror you choose, a bathroom mirror with lighting is highly recommended. Not only does it look fabulous, but it’s also convenient for shaving, epilation and make-up. In most cases, the lighting can also be dimmed, so it’s great for everyone. Finally, many illuminated mirrors also have a built-in heating function. Of course, it’s not designed to heat your bathroom but heats the glass to prevent condensation. Very practical!

Asymmetric Mirrors

The most recent development is the asymmetric mirror, whose shape usually looks somewhat organic. It gives a playful effect, so this mirror shape is best suited to bathrooms that don’t necessarily need to look minimalist or stylishly modern.

Black Accents

Subtle black elements, such as black frames, make a big difference. Black furnishings are also perfect for contrast, as white dominates most bathrooms.

Want more than just black accents? Then you’ll undoubtedly fall for a beautiful warm wood, such as a black oak bathroom cabinet.

Gold Mirrors

Emphasize the silver sheen of the mirror surface with a gold frame. Gold will also add a bit of warmth and elegance to both casual and vintage bathrooms. Fortunately, you can find an infinity of models within this typology.

When choosing your gold mirror, make sure to consider both the decorative line of your bathroom and its size. For small bathrooms with lots of gold, a thick gold frame can be intimidating and too much of an eye-catcher.

However, gold mirrors are perfect for soft and simple bathrooms. Combined with solid colours and clean, straight lines, they create a remarkable effect. To complement the integration of this mirror, you can add small details in gold, such as a towel rack or the knobs of the dresser.

Double Sets

If you have a huge vanity or sink, double mirrors are the perfect choice for you. This type of installation adds a significant visual impact to the wall. One way to add depth to the design is to place lighting fixtures, such as a wall lamp, in the space between the two mirrors.

This option works incredibly well for a double sink countertop, where you can place a mirror above each sink. You can also hang them above a single sink. The goal is to highlight the wall without completely covering it with mirrors. You need to make sure that the second one is parallel to the first one.

So, do you want to add a trendy element to your bathroom? Then be sure to choose one of these mirror shapes. A bathroom mirror is a relatively easy way to do this, as you can swap it out if you’re just bored of it. Which shape would look best in your bathroom?

by Maryline D

Apr 20,2021

Tips To Help You Choose the Right Bed

On average, we spend a third of our lives sleeping in bed. Hence, a comfortable place to sleep is not an unnecessary luxury. However, there are many aspects that you have to take into account, and everyone is different, so the choice is not always easy. Before purchasing any bed, it is always better to research which one is right for you. This should certainly work with the following tips!

Which Bed Is Right for You?

Choosing a new bed starts with the type of bed. These days, it doesn’t have to consist of a bed frame and a loose mattress. Box springs are often chosen as a slightly more luxurious alternative, but you can, of course, also opt for a waterbed. This first choice is very personal. If you want to feel for the differences, try a bed in a shop that offers all the options.

How Big Should the Bed Be?

Since there’s nothing more annoying than having your legs sticking out of the way, a long bed is excellent. Many manufacturers offer beds up to 2.20 meters. Be sure to choose this, especially if you are over 1.85 meters. Those extra centimeters will give you much more comfort!

Which Mattress Do You Choose?

Once you have chosen the bed base, the mattress is the next and also a crucial step. Which mattress suits you depends not only on your height or weight but also on your sleeping position, neck or back problems, and whether you feel too hot or too cold quickly.

Each type of mattress is slightly different. A cold foam mattress offers a high degree of flexibility and therefore provides good support for your body. It also absorbs moisture well. You can also choose a pocket-sprung mattress, where the springs move in a reciprocating motion to provide good support everywhere. This mattress is therefore suitable for any bodyweight. Or you might prefer a latex mattress, which is very durable but doesn’t provide much ventilation.

What Is the Bed For?

This may seem like a silly question because a bed is, of course, for sleeping. However, whether you sleep in it daily or sporadically can affect your choice of a new bed. Of course, you don’t need to invest a tremendous amount of money in a super luxurious bed that will last you a few nights a year. Alternatively, you could rent a bed.

Space in the Room

When choosing a bed, you should, of course, consider the bedroom. Is it on the small side? Then it’s better to ignore beds with rather garish, oversized headboards or attached bedside tables. Measure the room and check where the power sockets are and how the doors open. Are you blessed with a large bedroom that fits your budget? Then it’s better to choose an extra-large bed that offers enough space and comfort.

Not only the size of the room is essential, but also the orientation. In some cases, it’s immediately apparent where the bed fits, but in larger rooms, there are often different options. Instinctively, we choose to put the bed against the wall because we like to lean against something when we want to read or watch TV, for example.

Think outside the box. A bed with a high headboard in the middle of the room works well in a spacious bedroom. To give the headboard support, you can place a few pillows against the headboard and divide the room into different sections thanks to the position.

TIP: Be sure to check that your new bed can easily fit over a staircase or window.

Do you have any other tips to share with us when it comes to choosing the ideal bed? Leave it down in the comments below!

by Maryline D

Apr 19,2021

Marble Countertops or Not? Five Advantages at a Glance!

Who doesn’t love the beautiful look of natural marble? Yet, many people are dubious about the care and maintenance that comes with marble countertops. Understandable, but not justified. Here are five compelling reasons why an authentic marble countertop is a perfect idea!

1) Impregnated Marble Outsmarts Stains

The biggest concern for buyers when choosing marble as a kitchen countertop is the potential for stains. Although marble may be more susceptible to stains from acidic foods and drinks (such as red wine, lemon or tomato sauce), good precautions can be taken. For example, impregnating the stone surface with a stain-resistant sealant fills the pores beneath the stone surface and slows the absorption of liquids. This means more time is available to remove spills on time, and acids are much less likely to leave mat stains. Impregnation does not prevent the attack of acids, but it slows it down and protects the natural stone from oil and other stains.

Your maintenance product supplier will provide you with the right advice and the right product to protect your marble from stains without changing the appearance of the stone. They will also be able to tell you whether this product will provide lifetime protection or whether the stone needs to be treated regularly to ensure a long-lasting beautiful result.

2) Each Slab is Unique

Some people prefer quartz countertops that look similar to marble, as they believe they will be easier to maintain. While a composite material may require less maintenance than marble, it will never have the depth, unique patterns or extensive colour palette of real marble. Besides, authentic natural stone gives you the option to choose your own 100% custom slab so that no other kitchen will be like yours.

3) Natural Stone Adds Value to Your Home

Natural stone countertops increase the value of your home and are attractive to potential buyers. Not only is natural stone aesthetically pleasing, but it also shows that you have invested in quality and care into your home.

4) Polished Marble Is Just as Beautiful As Honed Marble, But Acid Stains Are Less Noticeable

Polished marble has a matte-gloss appearance due to the satin finish, while honed marble has more of a mirror effect. This means that a slice of lemon left on a marble surface for too long will be less noticeable on a honed surface than on a polished surface. The soft satin finish also often looks more modern than the glossy version, so it is a favourite for many.

5) Marble Is Naturally Heat Resistant

Marble naturally resists very high temperatures and is also more heat resistant than similar materials such as resin-bonded quartz countertops. This property makes marble an even better choice for places surrounded by fireplaces, ovens or cooking fires, such as cooking islands.

Not entirely convinced yet? Then ask your natural stone or kitchen supplier for a sample in your desired colour and put it through a few trials. Pour some lemonade on it, leave a coffee cup on it, throw a slice of tomato on it, test the sample (preferably impregnated) to see how it reacts. Better still, try a sample of both polished and honed marble to see the difference in performance.

Always choose a natural stone depending on the environment or living space, lifestyle and personal taste or style. A good natural stone supplier will know all the stone types and recommend the suitable stone for the right environment. If you live around Oakleigh, Brighton and Bentleigh, you can have an extensive range of magnificent marble and granite slabs at Xinda Stone. Their team can help you achieve the product you want, be it for your home or commercial projects. Do not hesitate to contact them!

by Maryline D

Apr 10,2021

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Kitchen Design

A kitchen is not only a significant investment but also the heart of a house. Which is why mistakes in kitchen design can prove to be very costly. So, if you want to avoid these mistakes, this article will be very useful to you.

#1. Choosing an All-White Kitchen

It might be true that all-white kitchens are timeless. However, that doesn’t mean that all homeowners should settle for a basic and predictable white kitchen. You can also bring a medley of different materials and colors to your kitchen to create dynamic and vibrant spaces.

For example, as I am a huge fan of dark colors, I chose a contemporary kitchen with a fine combination of black and white. These are classic colors that when combined, represent elegance and luxury.

Furthermore, similar to the kitchen in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, you can also opt for dark-colored countertops and appliances which can not only create a glamorous space, but also bring a sexy vibe.

#2. Lack of Functional Lighting

“Lighting mistakes in the kitchen can make a big impact on the space as a whole. Without a proper lighting plan, the kitchen can actually feel harsh and oversaturated.”

-Stefani Stein

We can often see tiny pendant lights in a kitchen. It is true that lighting can be considered as a decorative element. However, let me tell you that too dim kitchens can be inconvenient and can lead to certain kitchen hazards. So, instead of thinking about the aesthetics of the kitchen, it is better to provide your kitchen with the amount of illumination that it truly needs. For example, kitchen jobs such as chopping vegetables and tending to hot pans on the stove require ample lighting.

But, of course, you can plan your lighting systems based on where ingredients will be prepared, where will the cooking take place and where food will be served as these are the areas that require sufficient lighting.

Besides, you can also install multiple light sources like a combination of hanging pendant lights, recessed lighting and under-cabinet lighting.

#3. Poor Ventilation

The last time I cooked fish and walked into the kitchen the next morning, that fishy smell was still lingering in the air. This is just to tell you that good ventilation is essential as even the most outstanding kitchen designs can fade in the presence of stinky cooking odors.

Unless you prefer to have a dirty and stale air circulate in your kitchen, I recommend a good ventilation system (and I am not talking about those inexpensive but low-quality range hoods) that can improve your indoor air quality. It will also help to keep your kitchen clean and has the possibility to extend the life of your appliances.

#4. Not Enough Counter Space

One of the biggest problems faced by many homeowners is the lack of counter space. If you consider all the kitchen activities that need a countertop and also appliances that are located there, you will undoubtedly need a much more open horizontal surface area and one way that you can easily do this is by adding an island or breakfast bar.

#5. Wasted Storage Space

Typically, kitchens contain a lot of stuff and certain items like food processors or stand mixers require extra space. However, one big kitchen design mistake that is often committed by homeowners is not including enough storage. But this can be avoided with smart kitchen planning. For instance, even for small kitchens, you can consider installing extra-long upper cabinets for additional storage space.

#6. Going Too Trendy

This is not necessarily a mistake, but opting for the latest kitchen trends and high-tech equipment might not always be the right choice. For example, trendy kitchen colors and designs may come to back to bite you when the fashion changes.

What is your opinion about these common kitchen design mistakes? Please share your comments!

by Maryline D

Apr 2,2021

Tips for Improving the Air Quality Inside Your Home

The indoor climate in your home can determine how you feel. You may suffer from headaches, concentration problems, and fatigue if the indoor environment is not optimal, especially if you spend a lot of time indoors, for example, because you work there. Aspects such as ventilation, light, and temperature also influence this. Here are some tips to help you improve the air quality inside your home in no time!

1) Air Exchange Through Good Ventilation

To feel energetic and be productive, the supply of fresh air is essential. That is why it is crucial to ventilate with a mechanical ventilation system or balanced ventilation. Ventilation systems ensure that polluted air is removed and fresh air is brought into the house with sufficient oxygen. This freshening of the indoor air contributes to a healthier indoor climate. It helps avoid discomforts such as headaches and at the same time prevents unpleasant odors and mold. Good ventilation is therefore not only pleasant but also enhances the enjoyment of life.

2) Providing the Right Temperature

Tastes differ, but many people prefer a temperature between 19 and 21 degrees for living spaces. One disadvantage of a ventilation system can be cold air flows in a room. The supply of healthy, but often cold, outside air means that the furnace has to work harder to maintain the indoor temperature. Balanced ventilation with heat recovery offers the solution to this. With this form of ventilation, the extracted indoor air is used to heat the cool, fresh air. This saves energy and prevents temperature fluctuations. Balanced ventilation thus contributes to maintaining a stable indoor climate. In this way, it will never be too hot or too cold in the house.

3) Create Pleasant Light

Temperature and ventilation are important for a pleasant and healthy indoor climate, but light also influences the indoor climate in living spaces. It’s not just about the natural light coming in but also about the lighting in your home. Sometimes the lighting can be too bright. It is also possible that there is too little light. Besides, the light must fit the space and the function of the area. If the light is not correct, it can cause, among other things, eye discomfort and headaches. Therefore, it never hurts to pay a little extra attention to the proper illumination of a room. It is not for nothing that the biological clock of human beings is in tune with the number of sunlight hours in a day.

4) Try To Avoid Polluting Products

Try to avoid polluting products as much as possible. Products such as hair spray, perfume, deodorant, or air fresheners, for example, have a significant impact on the deterioration of the indoor climate.

Cleaning products can also harm the indoor climate. Fortunately, there are more and more alternatives on the market, such as probiotic cleaning products, which hardly affect the air quality.

5) Insulate Your Walls

Moisture and mold problems drastically deteriorate the air quality in your home. It is essential to look for the cause of these problems. A poorly insulated wall, ceiling, or basement can be the main culprit.

6) Fill Your Home With Houseplants

Can’t afford those expensive air filters? Fill your space with houseplants. Some plants can help remove toxins from the air and are considered a promising and inexpensive solution to indoor pollution. Some of the most popular houseplants include areca palm, pothos, aspidistra, bamboo, ferns, and palm trees. No matter which plant you choose, what you need to keep in mind is for houseplants to work as natural air purifiers; they must be kept healthy. Otherwise, they can release biological pollutants into the air.

Do you have any other tips? Share it with us in the comments below!

by Maryline D

Apr 1,2021

How To Decorate A Small Living Room With Wooden Furniture?

Decorating our homes is an exciting task. Sometimes it can be stressful, but most of them will be pretty fun and especially pleasant and satisfying once we see it completed. To choose the furniture for the living room, we must consider various factors, such as the room’s space, the style, the size of the furniture, and of course, its quality, and without a doubt, a material that is resistant, durable. And beautiful is the wood. If you want to know how to choose the perfect wooden furniture for your living room, we will leave some ideas that will serve as inspiration.

A Complete Piece of Furniture for The Living Room

When it comes to decorating and furnishing small rooms, we must be very cautious when choosing the furniture, we want to place because they can take up a lot of space or be very little useful. The good idea is to get a piece of furniture that meets everything you need, that is, like this one we see in the example image, it serves as a support for the TV. Still, at the same time, it works as a closet and shelf, with plenty of storage space. In this, you can store everything from books to accessories and objects that you have to decorate the room. Although it may seem that this furniture takes up a lot of space, it can be adapted to the measurements of one of your room walls, and with it, you will not have to include anything else.

A Dining Set That Goes with Everything

A dining table is always essential; generally, when the house is small, the living room and dining room come to life in the same space. Therefore, the table should have no more than four seats so that there is room for the rest of the furniture and that it is not all crammed. As this article’s subject is wooden furniture, this dining room could not be made of another material. This is a modern design made with solid wood, making it a much more resistant and durable piece of furniture. It will be one of the best purchases because it will remain intact over the years. Another advantage of wood is that it actually combines with absolutely everything. A wooden dining room can adapt to the style you want. For example, you can add textures, colors, and patterns that make it look minimalist, colorful, modern, or traditional. The good thing is that it will never go out of style because, with a few minor changes and accessories, it can look completely different.

The TV Cabinet

Having the television in the living room is the best option to enjoy movie nights and share some soccer time with friends, among many other alternatives. You can place this electronic device in a cabinet in front of the sofa in your living room. For that, you have many options, like this one that we see in the image, and it is about making a piece of furniture to embed this area. It does not necessarily have to be resting on something; you can also install it on the wall and place the furniture around it to add its accessories, such as cable television equipment, the video game console, among others. You can also add TV accessories and other accessories to decorate or items that you have nowhere to store; you can also copy this idea and have a minibar in a corner.

The Most Comfortable Sofas

We cannot stop talking about furniture for the living room without mentioning one of the most important, the sofas. There are millions of different designs and models of wooden sofas; you can choose between each one to suit your space style and size. Wooden furniture can last and remain intact for years. Among its many advantages is that if necessary, you can touch up the paint, change the tonality, the cushions’ pattern, and you will have completely new sofas. For this example, we see a set of furniture that works for both the house’s interior and exterior. They can adapt to the design and space; in a small room, it may be very excessive to have three sofas, but you could just place one of three seats and accompany it with two individual armchairs, chairs, or puff to add contrast.

A Custom Library

To finish with the perfect wooden furniture for the living room, we will close with a beautiful personalized library; that is, you can make it to your liking and measure the space you have available. You can get some open shelf accounts like these that we can see in the example and place in them all the books you want and all the accessories you need. The advantage of these open wooden shelves is that you can make them yourself because their structure is simple and few materials are required.

Are you looking for custom-designed furniture made with elegant raw wood? Contact WOOLSTORE FURNITURE in Melbourne. They use superior Australian timber to design and create your furniture.

by Maryline D

Mar 25,2021

6 Benefits of Installing Cast Floors

Does your current flooring need to be replaced, or are you tired of it and would like something new? There are many different options for beautiful floors. In recent years, cast floors have become increasingly popular. This is because it is available in different colors and designs, and many additional options are possible. Let’s see some of the other benefits this type of floor has to offer!

1) Underfloor Heating

With a cast floor, you will never have cold feet again. A cast floor is itself a warm floor. Would you like more warmth? Then install underfloor heating on the floor. A cast floor is relatively thin, so it absorbs heat quickly. The material is insensitive to temperature fluctuations, and there are even particular cast floors to which stones have been added to retain the heat. Besides, cast floors can be installed seamlessly from room to room, making it easier to include underfloor heating throughout the house.

2) Less Expensive Than You Think

Cast flooring is not a cheap floor, but the prices can be relatively low. Costs for self-leveling floors are calculated per square meter. This price can vary significantly since it depends on several factors—the larger the cast floor, the lower the cost per square meter. The price will also depend on the type of cast floor you want and the floor type on which it is installed. Incorporating additional options such as underfloor heating or patterns will also increase the price.

3) A Cast Floor Is Hygienic and Hypoallergenic

Since cast floors are applied in liquid form until they cover the entire floor, they do not contain any seams. This makes them hygienic. There are no places where dirt or moisture can remain, and, as the material is moisture repellent, nothing can penetrate the floor. For these reasons, cast flooring is often found in hospitals. Cast flooring is also ideal for allergy sufferers. Hair, dust, dust mites, and other particles cannot settle and can be swept up with a broom or vacuum cleaner.

4) Cast Floors Last for a Long Time

If you have a cast floor installed, you will have to deal with the discomfort for a few days. You have to empty the spaces and lay the floor in several layers. Each layer has a purpose and must dry before the next one can be applied. Laying a cast floor usually takes up to a week, but after that, you will have a durable floor that can last up to 50 years. If you take good care of it, it will last for even a more extended period. Bear with the installation, and after that, you may never have to replace your floor again!

5) An Unmatched Look

Cast floors are available in many versions. First of all, you can choose from all colors or a combination of them. You can add motifs, incorporate images into your floor and give it a matte or glossy finish. There are also cast floors with a concrete look or a sand color for a natural, warm look. Overall, the look is elegant, uninterrupted, and smooth.

6) Low Maintenance

For easy maintenance, a cast floor is the best choice. This flooring is effortless to maintain and barely requires anything to hold up well. Vacuuming and mopping alone are sufficient to keep it in top condition. There’s no need to buy unique cleaning products or other expensive products. This makes it an ideal floor for busy families.

If you’re planning to install cast floors, get the necessary information from a quality shop. In this way, you will be sure whether this type of flooring can be combined with your interior or not.

by Maryline D

Category Home Tips