10 Easy Ways to Freshen Your Decor

1. Get Creative with Framing 

Create a collection of framed prints from photos you already have, or take a few snapshots of your kids, pets, or some flowers in your garden. Print them at home or order your prints online. Then have them framed or buy ready-made frames at your favourite crafts store.

 Get creative—buy a random assortment of frames in different shapes and sizes, or all the same frames and mats for a polished look. Don’t be afraid to add a pop of color with your matting.

2. Bring the Outdoors In

One of the easiest things you can do to freshen up your home is to add fresh flowers, branches, and even leaves from your own yard. It’s inexpensive and fun! Budding branches make for great decorative pieces. Or try spray-painting branches and assembling them in glass vases for high impact. You can also frame pressed flowers and leaves for an organic look.

3. Add Life to Boring Shades

Make plain roller shades more interesting and beautiful by stenciling a design on them, such as a monogram. You can find stencils in varying patterns and monograms from Sunny’s Goodtime Paints. Follow our step-by-step guide to creating a stencilled window shade.

4. Be Selective with Paint

Most decorators will say that a fresh coat of paint is the quickest way to make over your home, but painting an entire room can take time and seem a bit daunting. Try painting just the doors or even the moulding for a quick update. Not only does this take less time and money, but it can also add a focal point to the room if you use an eye-catching colour.

 5. Swap out Your Throw Pillows

For instant gratification, switch out your throw pillows. New shapes, sizes, and colours will automatically make your room look different and won’t break the bank like reupholstering your furniture can.

6. Furnishings

A quick switch can dramatically alter the look and feel of a room by changing the flow and the focal point. You don’t have to move everything around, though. Try swapping a chair from the family room with one you have in the bedroom or even a mirror from one room with a piece of art from another. Small changes really can have a big impact.

7. Set Up an Entry Moment

The first and sometimes only part of your home guests see is the front entry. If you want to change the welcoming point of your home, start by adding new potted plants to your porch or buying nice house numbers. Don’t forget the interior. Adding a bench, hooks for coats, or even a basket for mail can make your home seem more inviting.

 

8. Update Your Furniture

This can include anything from switching out the knobs and pulls to repainting an old piece to make it seem brand new. To refinish furniture, start by lightly sanding the piece. For old pieces, sanding will make the surface smooth, and for newer ones, it will get rid of any gloss or finish that may prevent the paint from adhering. Instead of brushing on the paint, you can invest in a paint sprayer, available at most home-improvement stores. Painting this way will help you avoid brushstrokes and achieve a more even coat.

 9. Display Your Collections

Don’t scatter your treasured pieces all around the house. Make them the focus of a room by displaying them together. Vases, frames, china, or silver make great collections. It creates more visual impact, plus it can be a great talking point when company arrives.

 10. Add Seasonal Pieces

Something as simple as a seasonal centrepiece on your dining room table can change the look of your room. For spring, a fresh bouquet of flowers will brighten the space. In the fall, a boxwood-and-apple topiary will add the perfect touch.

Reference: http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/easy-decorating-ideas-for-a-home-makeover#home-makeovers-with-seasonal-decor

7 interior design tips for your office

Do you want to create a nice and productive workplace? Here are some tips for your office design.

1) Lighting

First of all, remember that lights are very important in your workplace. A well lit space is essential to help maintain a good work environment. Natural light makes people happier: so, when you come to design your office, make the most of the sunlight with windows, skylights and glass walls. You will even save on your electric bill!

2) Office furniture

Choose appropriate furniture for your business. There are lots of possible solutions around, so before you contact your interior designer, think about the best way to organised spaces in your office in order to ease the workflow, and consider a possible expansion.

3) Safety

Most employees spend more than 8 hours a day sitting in front of a computer and this can cause various health problems, in particular back pain. It’s important to choose furniture specifically designed for offices, which takes into account ergonomics,

4) Color

Neutral colors are the most popular in offices, but they are not the only choice. Light blue can help concentration, and if you are always in contact with your customers, interior designers also recommend a touch of extra color for your office design. A dash of red or orange gives energy.

5) Meeting room

In addition to offices, you'll need a place in your business dedicated to meetings. The exchange of ideas fosters creativity and ensures the success of your projects. The interior design of this conference room needs to be accurate and smart and it also needs the right furniture.

6) Recreational space

Create some space where employees can relax for a few minutes on their coffee break. In this case, your interior design should recreate a natural environment; add a little green with some plants or flowers.

7) Branding

Your office should talk about you. Even your interior design is a very effective way to communicate your values ​​to employees, customers and visitors. Don’t forget to brand it!

Reference: http://www.colombinicasa.com/en/gusto-italiano/interiors/7-interior-design-tips-your-office

5 Tips to Perfect Outdoor Lighting

Gardens look beautiful in bright sunshine but at night, a garden needs lighting to look its best. Like indoor lighting garden lighting is a combination of ambient and task lighting. Ambient lighting sets the overall mood of the garden by maintaining the overall light levels. While task lights do contribute to ambient lighting they also light up specific areas. Pendant lights over the outdoor grill or lights along a pathway are common examples of task lighting. Like indoor lighting outdoor lighting also follows a few rules.

Identify Lighting Requirements

Lighting up a landscaped garden isn’t as simple as placing a lot of lights around the garden. Lighting is needed to not only make a garden look better but also to keep it safe. Identify the areas that need to be lit up and elements that can create shadows. Make a note of areas you frequent to make sure they are well lit and dark areas that can by safety issues. Lighting can also be used to enhance architectural features of the garden like trellises, gazebos and steps.

Choose Materials Wisely

When choosing light features for outdoor lighting, materials play an important role. Choose long lasting materials that can withstand natural elements like rust and water. Avoid using lamp fixtures made from materials like iron and instead choose fixtures made of non corrosive weather resistant materials. Copper, stainless steel and brass are the most preferred materials when it comes to outdoor lighting. Though these materials will last a lifetime, be prepared for the gradual patina that will develop over them with time.

Avoid Creating Glares

Lights that create a glare keep visitors from appreciating the beauty of a garden and are safety risks as well. To avoid creating a glare, choose fixtures that shield the light source. It is always better to see the effect of the light without seeing the light source. Place pathway lights below eye level. Also ensure that none of the outdoor lights are shining into a window or glass surface.

Control The Lights

There are two aspects to controlling outdoor lighting. Firstly, lighting must be controlled in terms of when they are switched on and off to make the garden eco friendly. Lighting can be controlled in a number of ways including dimmers, motion sensors and energy saving timers. The second aspect of controlled lighting is to control the direction of the light. When planning the outdoor lighting scheme, consider the next door garden as well and do not let your light overflow into the neighboring space.

Hide The Wires

Solar lights are the easiest to install in a garden since they do not have any wiring requirements. For other lights bury the wiring at least 18 inches below the soil. For wall mounted lights that have wiring that cannot be concealed pin all wires tightly to the wall in straight lines.

Lastly match the style of outdoor light fixtures with your interior design style. For example, Lanterns and acorn style lamps are ideally paired to classic themed interiors while globe lights are better suited to contemporary styled homes.

Reference: https://nestopia.com/blog/5-tips-to-perfect-outdoor-lighting/

11 Tips for Cleaning Vinyl Floors

1. Keep out dirt and chemicals with a doormat. A doormat helps keep out your vinyl floor’s two greatest enemies: dirt and chemicals. Tracked-in dirt means extra broom time. Grit acts like sandpaper, removing the finish from your floor. And even though you can’t see them, chemicals from asphalt can stick first to your shoes and then to the floor, causing it to yellow.

2. Keep your floors clean. The key to keeping any floor in good shape is to keep it clean, and sheet vinyl is no exception. Get the dirt off before it gets ground in, and your vinyl will last longer. Sweep frequently. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of quickly running a soft broom across the kitchen floor every evening after you put the dishes in the dishwasher.

3. Shampoo away hair spray. If you have hairspray buildup on your vinyl floor, just shampoo it away. It works on your hair, doesn’t it? Mix a squirt of shampoo with a gallon of warm water. Mop, then rinse with a damp mop.

4. Learn low-impact cleaning techniques. Resist the temptation to blast away dirt with heavy-duty cleaners. Instead, clean your vinyl floor using the mildest possible method. Sweep or vacuum it every evening, and wipe up spills right away. To clean dirt that the broom or vacuum can’t get, use a mop dampened with warm—not hot—water. If all else fails, use soap, but make sure the soap is designed for your flooring.

5. Use the right cleanser. If your no-wax vinyl needs cleaning, wash it with a cleaner made specifically for no-wax floors, following the directions on the container. If you have older vinyl that requires waxing, clean it with warm water and detergent. Dampen a mop or sponge with the mixture, and rub the floor just enough to loosen the dirt. Try not to rub off the wax because you’ll just have to reapply it. Rinse with clean, cool water—no matter what the soap label says about not needing rinsing— otherwise you’ll leave a residue on the floor.

6. Don’t drench your vinyl. Water from an overly wet mop will work its way into the cracks, seams, and edges. Once there, it can destroy the glue bond that holds down the vinyl, causing it to come loose or corners to curl.

7. Rinse well to remove all soap. Soap may get your floor clean, but soap scum leaves a film that actually collects dirt. Until your floor needs a serious cleaning, stick to damp mopping with just water. When you do need to wash the floor, use two mops—one for washing and a second one just for rinsing.

8. Preserve the sheen. “No wax” really means “Don’t wax.” No-wax vinyl has a clear polyurethane coating that makes it shine. Wax won’t adhere well to the coating and will leave behind a mess that you’ll have to strip off. (Don’t use mop-and-wax products, either.) If your no-wax floor loses its shine, restore it with a polish or sealant made for no-wax flooring. Make sure the floor is thoroughly clean and apply one or two thin layers as directed. It should keep your floor shining for at least a year with only routine damp mopping. If you have an older floor that requires waxing, wax when it loses its sheen, but use only the amount called for on the container label.

9. Outfit your furniture and large appliances with protective “feet.” The weight of heavy items (such as tables and refrigerators) that occupy permanent places in your kitchen can dent vinyl flooring. Prevent these dents by fitting your furniture with floor protectors, which you can find at hardware stores and home-improvement centers.

10. Forgo rolling casters. These, too, can damage the surface of your tile. Instead, consider fitting chairs with felt tips, which won’t harm your vinyl.

11. Before big moves, put appliances and other heavy items on a plywood path. More often than not, when we replace or move appliances, we drag or push them across the floor rather than lift them—but dragging them will only scratch and scuff your vinyl flooring. To keep your vinyl in tiptop condition, lay a piece of plywood sheeting along the route that you are going to take out of the room, and push or “walk” the appliances out along the plywood path.

Reference: http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/11-tips-for-cleaning-vinyl-floors/

5 MAJOR TYPES OF PAINT AND HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE

Confused about which paint is best for your project? Don't skip the research. The type of paint you choose is just as important as the color, and can have a major effect on the character of your room. Read on to learn more about each type of paint — and potentially prevent a time- and money-consuming mistake.

WATER-BASED PAINTS

The majority of wall paint sold today is water-based, but oil-based paint remains popular for glossy woodwork, doors, and furniture, as well as demanding surfaces such as floors.

Be cautious when switching to a water-based paint if the surface has previously been coated with an oil-based product, as the new paint may not stick. In this situation, Sherwin-Williams recommends washing the surface and then roughening it all over with a medium to smooth grit sandpaper—making it clean, dry, and dull in order to prevent peeling of the new coat.

Advantages of water-based paints

·         low VOCs (low levels of toxic emissions)

·         easy cleanup with water

·         quick drying

·         an elastic, flexible finish resistant to cracking

·         stable color over time, without yellowing

OIL-BASED PAINTS

For those instances when an oil-based paint would traditionally be preferable, but you desire a water-based product, a number of companies have introduced "waterborne enamels" or "waterborne alkyds." These paints look and behave much like oil-based options because they have good leveling qualities for a smooth finish.

Advantages of oil-based paints

·         attractive gloss

·         good "leveling" (brush strokes fill themselves in to create a smooth finish)

·         hard, durable finish

PAINT FINISHES

Sheen options vary by manufacturer, but share some common characteristics.

As durability improves across all sheen levels with newer paints, many people are finding creative ways to mix and match them. "We've noticed that customers are becoming more experimental in their use of paint finish, to create real impact and texture within a scheme," says Farrow & Ball director Sarah Cole. "Try painting a stripe of full gloss on a matte wall in the same color to create a striking, textured look," she suggests.

Matte paint:

·         is the least reflective sheen available

·         has a velvety texture

·         helps hides imperfections in walls and ceilings

·         offers great depth of color

·         is generally considered the standard sheen for walls

·         can sometimes be difficult to clean

Eggshell and satin paint (satin is slightly glossier than eggshell):

·         have some reflectivity

·         offer improved durability

·         are frequently used in demanding environments, like kitchens and bathrooms, where easy cleanup without a highly glossy finish is desired

Semi-gloss and gloss paint:

·         are the most reflective sheens

·         are highly durable and stand up to multiple cleanings

·         are traditionally used on baseboards, moldings, and doors

·         can make a statement, but also highlight imperfections

Sue Kim, color trend and forecast specialist at Valspar, recommends trying an accent wall with a gloss sheen, while painting the rest of a room matte. But at the end of the day, "It's all about how you want to set the atmosphere of your home," she says. "A matte sheen gives you a calm and serene feeling, because of that textural element." On the other end of the spectrum, gloss adds energy and excitement.

As for eggshell and satin, Kim likes to use them in smaller spaces with little natural light. "I always say that a satin finish is great in a powder room," she says. "It reflects the light to bring out the color."

Reference: http://www.elledecor.com/homeremodelingrenovating/homerenovation/advice/a2777/different-types-paint-finishes/

Here are some of the properties, usage & application of “OAK WOOD”

Oak is commonly used to describe the two most common Northern European botanical variants: holm and pedunculate oak. Their properties are however so similar that their wood is simply known as oak wood. Oak grows commonly throughout Europe and Asia Minor, with the exception of the very northern and southern areas. Oak is particularly widespread in France. It is one of the most important European trees altogether.

Oaks can often be several hundred years old and can reach a height of up to 50 metres, though 20m to 40m is more common. Oak grows rapidly in height but its body is not as extensive as other kinds of trees.

Oak wood can be differentiated between sapwood and heartwood: the thin sapwood is grey-white in colour, the heartwood is coloured yellow-brown to mid-brown and darkens considerably with time. The springwood can easily be identified by its larger pore structure. When cut longitudinally the vertical pores have a grooved structure.

Density

0.69 g/cm3

Properties

Oak wood is hard and heavy, but nonetheless elastic. The heartwood is very resilient, and durable even under water.

Usage

Oak wood dries slowly. This means that artificial drying should be undertaken with care to avoid cracking and warping. Oak shrinkage is negligible and stability is good.

It can be worked easily with most tools and machinery, it can be split easily and is well suited for use as a veneer. Nails and screw-fixings are straightforward. Surface finishing is generally not a problem. Its high tannic acid content can lead to coloration when in contact with iron due to chemical reactions.

Dimensions

Oak is available as round or sawn timber, or as a veneer.

Applications

- Construction

- Furniture and interior furnishing

- Barrels and tubs

- Floor boarding and parquet

- Hydraulic engineering, Bridge building

Reference: http://www.musterkiste.com/en/holz/pro/1001_Oak.html

Teak Wood Furniture - Advantages and Disadvantages

Whether it be for furniture or flooring, teak wood has been a preferred solid wood material since many long years. In this article we take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of teak wood.

 

 

Benefits of using Teak Wood:

1. Aesthetic appeal

Teak wood has a very attractive looking straight grain pattern coupled with a rich golden-brown colour. In addition to this teak wood furniture also feels great to the touch, when compared with the newer engineered wood alternatives such as Particle boards, MDF and even plywood.

There are other hardwoods which are nearly as strong as teak, but it's mainly because of its beauty that teak wood is so popular all over the world.

2. Very Strong

Teak wood is a hardwood obtained from broad leaved deciduous trees, and it is exceptionally strong, not only when compared to softwoods such as Mango wood or Pine wood, but also when compared with most of the other hardwood species of trees.

3. Very Durable

With proper care, teak wood furniture lasts for many long years (in many cases over 100 years). This is the reason why we still find antique teak pieces around. If you wish to buy furniture that will serve you, your children and then your grandchildren, then the best option is to go for teak wood furniture. Compare this longevity with particle board furniture which lasts only 2 to 3 years. This is because particle boards are not as strong and often get damaged while relocating or because of water. Durability can be counted as one of most significant advantage that teak wood offers.

4. Natural resistance to termites and insects.

Teak wood has a natural oil content that resists termites (white ants), fungal stains, and also repels other insects that can destroy wood. Anyone who has ever had termites climbing on walls all over the house, and eating all the expensive wooden furniture before, will readily vouch for how important this benefit is. This termite and insect resisting quality in turn increases the life span of wood, and is the reason why teak wood is superior compared to many other wood species.

5. Heat moderation

Teak wood like all other solid wooden furniture moderates heat. What this means is that it does not become too hot or too cold in the hot summers or the cold winters even when exposed to the elements. Though most people do not explicitly notice this particular quality of wood, it is one of the reasons why people instinctively like the touch and feel of natural wood furniture compared to its plastic or metal counterparts.

6. Resists rot and decay

Teak wood has a very high density, and does not rot or decay easily. This is the reason why it is so durable. Teak wood also has a natural resistance to several alkaline and acidic substances. Hence it does not get spoiled or stained easily.

7. High dimensional stability

Properly seasoned teak wood furniture does not warp or shrink too much. It retains its dimensions and is a stable material. Seasoning of wood involves drying the timber logs obtained from trees, so as to reduce its moisture content. Well-dried wood is not easily affected by climate changes.

8. Moisture-resistant

Another important advantage of teak wood is that it has a good resistance to moisture and water. Other than its beauty, this is the reason why it is the preferred wood material used in ship-building for making the wooden flooring and decks. Because of its moisture resistance, teak wood is well suited for making indoor furniture as well as high quality garden furniture.

9. Can be hand-carved.

From a carpenter's or artisan's point of view, teak is a fantastic material to work with, because unlike engineered wood products such as Particle boards, MDF or plywood, it can be hand-carved to increase its beauty. Most of the antique teak wood furniture often has interesting design patterns or shapes carved into the wood surface. Teak wood can be also be easily sawn and cut to desired sizes to make customized pieces of teak wood furniture as per client's requirements.

10. Goes well with iron and other metals.

Wood and metal are used a lot in combination. e.g. consider the table-mounted sewing machines of olden days, or the nails that are used in woodworking. Its important that the metals should not corrode or rust because of the wood. Though we cannot see it, woods are constantly reacting to the environmental changes, and balancing their moisture content with the ambient moisture. What this means is that if the atmosphere is dry, the wood gives out moisture. And when such moisture comes in contact with metals it can be the cause of corrosion. Teak wood does not have this disadvantage, and has a good compatibility with iron and other metals.

11. It's heavy.

Teak wood is a very dense wood and has a high weight to volume ratio. This can be considered a beneficial trait, because a very basic rule in woodworking is that the denser and heavier a wood is, the stronger it will be. In addition to this most people have a distinct preference towards heavy and sturdy pieces of furniture, when it comes to buying solid wood furniture.

Of course, one of the downsides of being heavy is that teak wood furniture is quite difficult to move from one place to another.

Disadvantages of Teak wood:

1. Very Expensive

This is the only major drawback of teak wood is that its very costly. The reason for this is the declining natural resources over the years. The demand is as high as ever, but supply has reduced. Other than the natural old-growth teak wood in forests, teak plantations (farms) have also flourished over the past years to try and meet this high demand.

The price of teak wood logs is indicated as a per cubic feet price, and its much higher compared to buying plywood. Add to this the payments required to be made to artisans for making a customized piece, or the commissions that dealers earn in the case of buying ready made teak wood furniture. It all adds up to the costs.

2. Hard to find high-quality wood

High quality and genuine teak wood is hard to identify for customers since it requires some knowledge and experience about woods. Perhaps the easiest way to fix this issue is to get suggestions and help from a trusted and reliable source.

3. Woodworking Tools get blunted.

Teak is a hard material. From a carpenters point of view it presents a minor problem since the woodworking tools become blunt and need to be sharpened while working on the wood.

4. Needs care (needs to be polished once in every couple of years)

Compared to decorative laminates over plywood, solid teak wood furniture requires more care and maintainence. It needs to be polished every couple of years to maintain its beauty. My carpenter recommend sanding it with a 180 sand paper, followed by polish. There are different kinds of polish available called lacquer, but the easiest way is perhaps to use Touch Wood polish from Asian Paints thats specifically made for giving shine to wooden surfaces.

Reference: http://blog.positiveindians.in/furniture/advantages-disadvantages-teak-wood-furniture.html