Increase Productivity & Freshness with Plants in Office!

Decorating plants at your place is a good way to spread calmness and happiness, but what about your workplace? Adding plants to your workplace is something which every employee will cherish. The pros, both psychological and physical are subsequently evidenced in the study of science. Therefore, plants are a big YES; to know a bit more of all this, read on: 

•  No Stress:  Keeping plants at your work always reduce stress. Take a look over the percentage:

     Anxiety/Tension: 37%

     Dejection/ Depression: 58%

     Hostility/ Anger: 44%

     Fatigue: 38%

    Office environment appear calm and a nice place when plants and flowers are present. They are colorful, relaxing and interesting. Plants enable us to perceive the surroundings better, thus, making  us more comfortable and less stressful.

• Increase in productivity: Surely productivity is a ladder to improve the environment when plants are present. Concentration, focus, and cognitive tasks are improved within the workplace. According to the science, a few mistakes are made, tasks are perfectly completed faster and workers are motivated like a pro.

• Reduction in absence and sickness: Introducing plants to the workplace has been reported to reduce 50% absenteeism and illness by almost 30%. Reduction in these two agendas not only maintains the productivity but also reduce the cost of absence yearly.

• A happy environment to work: The majority will agree to the note that the presence of plants makes the place nice and happy! So, make sure you are totally comfortable of the reality for keeping the plants. It not only improves the office surroundings but also maintain the positive welcome for the clients.

• Reducing noise: Believe it or not, plants reduce noise by 5 decibels, thus, making your focus on your work.

• Clean air to breathe: Obviously, plants make the air fresh and breathable. There are numerous toxins created by paint, plastics, furniture, and other work things; so to reduce these plants are welcomed.

          Plants best for the workplace:

• Spider plants
• Aloe
• Cactus
• Ivy
• Peace Lily
• Rubber plant
• Succulents

So, what plant are you planning for the workplace? Let us know! 

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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/