Home Decor & Garden

3 Steps to Finding the Perfect Couch for Your Living Room

January 9, 2019 — by Valeriya Vimon

Buying a couch is not much different than buying a car. Both are major investments that involve months of real-life and online window shopping, second-guessing, and more window shopping. Not to mention that you’ll have to live for quite some time with the choice you’ve picked. So, obviously, you want to avoid making the wrong decision. With that being said, the following steps can help you find a couch that perfectly fits your home and lifestyle.

Choose a Design that Complements Your Interior Style

Often being the centrepiece in the living room, the couch can influence the tone and feel of your space. With that being said, a big factor that should influence your decision is the design of the couch. In general, minimalist, clean-lined homes are best complemented by modern couches with a streamlined, simple silhouette. If this is you, try to focus your search on Scandinavian or mid-century modern couches. Contemporary living rooms, on the other hand, benefit the most from modular sofas which can be arranged in a variety of ways. And finally, if your room is styled in a traditional way or has a vintage flair, you may want to consider designs like the tuxedo or Chesterfield sofa.

Consider Your Comfort Needs

While we may focus on aesthetic first, don’t forget that comfort is equally important. After all, even the most attractive couch is useless unless it can provide you with the comfort you crave after a long day at work. With that being said, be on the lookout for options that have armrests and deeper seats which makes them perfect for lounging. Additionally, selecting the right material is also important for your comfort.

For instance, although leather looks expensive and is easy to clean, it can make you feel sweaty in the summer. If you really want the look of leather, try finding a matching cover that can keep you cool. On the other hand, microfibre upholstery is a great option for a couch as it’s durable and feels more comfortable than leather. However, keep in mind that it will need to be more frequently cleaned, especially if going for a lighter colour.

Pick a Shape and Size that Fits Your Space & Needs

Once you know the exact spot you want your couch to be in, it’s time to pick the shape and size. If you want to take advantage of a corner, consider a sectional couch. On the other hand, if you want to place your couch against the wall or in the middle of the room, the standard option works best. Either way, make sure that the couch is the appropriate size for your space while also offering enough space to fit the whole family. But if your family is particularly large, and you don’t have the space for a large couch, consider getting matching armchairs or ottomans.

Home Decor & Garden

The Steps to Make the Most of Bamboo at Home

December 27, 2018 — by Valeriya Vimon

It’s no secret bamboo has made it into a huge trend. Bamboo this, bamboo that, we see everything about bamboo when it comes to sustainable housing. Though it seems like too good to be true, it’s not, because bamboo as a plant is sustainable itself. It grows quickly, and it doesn’t require any chemicals to enable its growth or protect it from illnesses and pests.

Anyone can benefit from bamboo at home, not just people adopting the minimalist lifestyles. In the long run, you’ll see how money-saving of an option it can be. So here are some steps on how to make the most of it in your life, starting from tossing out the synthetics and piling up on organic bamboo bed sheets.

Home Decor & Garden

Elm Tree Beetle Treatment: Take the Right Steps to Keep Pests at Bay

December 4, 2018 — by Richard Dawson

When it comes to outdoor spaces, nothing can beat the beauty of greenery. Trees are an inevitable part of it, and except for watering them on a regular basis, taking overall proper care is another important thing you should have in mind. This can be achieved by relying on the services of a professional tree company as experts know what is best for your tree/s and how to treat them especially in case of a pest disease. When speaking about pests, if you have elm trees in your garden, you need to know about their greatest archenemies – beetles.

Home Decor & Garden

Liriope Muscari: 3 Steps to Growing This Glossy Groundcover Plant

December 3, 2018 — by Valeriya Vimon

One of the most recognizable groundcover plants that meet all the requirements is the lilyturf. Other names that this plant goes by is border grass, monkey grass, spider grass and liriope muscari (which is, in fact, the real name of the species). It is a perennial plant that is able to withstand a wide range of moisture levels, soil conditions, light intensity and other growth factors and because of that, it is a popular choice among the cultivars.

Home Decor & Garden

Steps to Buying a Prefabricated Home

October 16, 2018 — by Richard Dawson

Up until recently, prefabricated homes had a reputation of being inferior to conventional, on-site constructed homes. However, prefab home construction technology has come a long way, and nowadays they’re on the same, if not higher level in terms of quality than on-site constructed homes. Additionally, they’re more affordable and you can rest assured they comply with all the rules and regulations due to the fact that they’re built in a controlled environment. However, the process of buying a modular home is slightly different than the process of buying a traditional one.

Home Decor & Garden

Steps to Choosing the Perfect Side Table for Your Living Room

September 13, 2018 — by Valeriya Vimon

Does your living room have an unfinished vibe to it? Truth is, a well-executed living room design scheme goes beyond picking the perfect sofa and coffee table combination. There are also the cute accent pieces that help make this space not only liveable but loveable as well. With that being said, most of the time that certain “Je ne sais quoi” a living room is missing is a charming side table. Besides being a convenient place to rest a drink or a book, or stash the remote, a side table can serve as your secret decorating weapon. You only need to choose right and this little piece can enhance the look of your space big time. Here are some steps to help you discover your new living room gem.

Choose a Complementing Look

When you’re browsing the wide range of traditional and modern side tables Australia furniture stores offer, you’ll come across a dizzying array of shapes and styles. A simple way to make your mind up is to get inspired by your existing living room style. The coffee table you pick doesn’t necessarily need to match it, but rather complement it in a nice way. For instance, if you have a lot of upholstered pieces, a hardwood table will mirror the warm feel a lot better than a glass one. If your space has an eclectic aesthetic, something chunky and ornate can add additional interest. Again, try to visualise how the side table will fit in your existing space before you reach for your wallet.

Pick the Right Height and Shape

The side table should not only fit in your space style-wise, but also literally. Besides style, height and shape are also important considerations. For greater convenience, a side table should be as high as the arm of the seat next to it. Not only will this create a balanced flow in the space, but it will also make it easier for people to use the table. But in the case of armless chairs of sofas, a shorter side table usually looks better. As for shape, a round side table can soften the edges of the furniture and add variety to a square room. On the other hand, square tables are a natural fit for a corner, or between a sofa and a chair.

Consider Your Storage Needs

Let’s not forget that the side table is there to serve a practical purpose, namely to provide storage space. It’s surface doesn’t necessarily have to be as large as a coffee table’s, but it still needs to be able to fit a few basic things, like a glass or a book. If you feel like you need additional storage space, look for a table with drawers or shelves, or both! And finally, with the many gorgeous modern side tables Australia stores sell, don’t worry that you need to settle for a single one. It’s always a good idea to include two, or three of them provided you have the space. Plus, sofas always look great anchored with a side table at either end. You can get a twin pair, or a mix-and-match combo – either way you can’t go wrong!

Home Decor & Garden

Bring Your Garden to Life – Steps to Choosing the Right Outdoor Lighting

September 6, 2018 — by Richard Dawson

There is nothing better than having a glass of wine while breathing in fresh air in the comfort of your patio, after a long work day. And if you have one, I bet that you have thought about redecorating it at least a couple of times while sitting there, only if you had the money to spare… But what many people fail to realize is that one functional design element can change the entire feel of your outdoor space without breaking your bank. Lighting!

Properly lighting your outdoor area will enable you to enjoy its perks after the sun has set and move around safely. Not to mention how it will help set the perfect ambiance for dining, socializing or relaxing on your own. Regardless of the style of your patio, there is a huge range of outdoor lights that you can choose from to make the most out of it. Here are some great tips to help you get started.

Home Decor & Garden

3 Steps to Choosing the Ideal Spa for Your Home

June 26, 2018 — by Valeriya Vimon

Nobody really needs a home spa, it’s not like your life depends on it. But, I’m sure everyone would agree that life would be a thousand times more enjoyable if it involves soaking in bubbly water anytime you want. Elderly people and people with arthritis and joint pain can find relief in the soothing hydrotherapy a spa provides. For middle aged people it’s a dream come true to be able to unwind in warm water after a stressful day at work. And families love it because a large 4, 5, or 6 seater spa is a great opportunity to spend some quality time together. So, if you already have the space and budget, there really isn’t a reason not to splurge on a spa. But before you make a purchase, here are some things to consider.

Pick a Size

In order to choose the correct size, measure your available space and consider how many people should the spa ideally fit. If you plan to use it privately, for remedial massage or health reasons, a 1 or 2 person model is a great choice. A smaller spa model is also ideal if you have limited space or plan to incorporate it within your bathroom. On the other hand, if you want to be able to enjoy some wholesome family fun or share it with friends, a 5 or 6 seater spa should be more than enough. Of course, there are models that can fit up to 12 or 13 people, but the larger the spa the bigger the heating and maintenance costs are going be. So, choose wisely!

Check the Jets

Different spas have different numbers of jets. Some have only a dozen, while others can have as much as 90. If you want a more relaxing experience, a bigger number of jets will certainly loosen up your muscles better. Also, check the placement of the jets. If you want the hydrotherapy to be focused on your neck, back or feet, the jets should be able to aim at those exact spots. If you want a deep tissue massage for your thighs (a great solution for cellulite) – consider a spa with strong jets at the bottom.

Ease of Maintenance

If you’re like most people, you’re probably looking for something that won’t require a lot of time and effort to keep clean. After all, a spa should make you relaxed and not frustrated because it’s time to clean it again. To ensure the water stays clean longer, consider a model with an ozone generator. The ozone generator reduces the amount of sanitizing chemicals needed, and helps keep the water fresh and clean longer. Also, make sure that your spa has a good filtration system and a reliable pump that will keep the water circulating at all times.

Home Decor & Garden

Steps to Finding the Right Security Door for Your Home

May 29, 2018 — by Richard Dawson

“Prevention is better than cure” is a saying that applies to many many different aspects of life, one of which is the securing of one’s home. This is when security doors come in as the most reliable option for preventing burglars from coming in through the main entrance of your home. However, there is much more to choosing the right security door than meets the eye, so let’s see what you should know in order to make your investment worthwhile.

Home Decor & Garden

The Steps to Have More Art in Your Life is Through Buying Posters and Prints

March 5, 2018 — by Valeriya Vimon

Don’t you just love being part of the internet influenced world of today? Along with the possibility of staying in touch with loved ones all over the globe, and finding out various sources of information within seconds, we also have the chance to do some shopping online without even leaving our homes.

Home Decor & Garden

A Few Baby Steps and One Giant Leap to Lowering Your Electricity Bill

February 5, 2018 — by Valeriya Vimon

In a time when it’s unimaginable to go through the day without some sort of electronic device, or let alone without the internet, it’s needless to say modern households have a great number of devices (read three devices per person in a family on average) and appliances that are used on a daily basis. Sure, we’ve become so attached that we can see all the benefits of the tech world, but at what cost?

If paying for the devices wasn’t enough, we see an increase in the amount we get to pay in the form of electricity bills; that’s also without mentioning the rest of the expenses. So, what’s a way out of this, if there is any? Opting for solar energy by purchasing solar products, of course. Everyone knows Australia is the sunniest country, since there’s more solar coverage (more direct normal irradiance) per square metre than anywhere else on the planet.

It’s important to do your math before you actually carry on with the purchase of solar products (e.g. off grid package – solar panels, inverters, MPPT regulators, batteries) so you’d know how much of coverage it is you require, based on the amount of usage of electricity in your household. This ensures the solar powered system you install provides the sufficient amount of energy. What’s so desired about these systems is the chance to go off grid, and the fact you actually use renewable energy that doesn’t harm the environment.

The next step would be to make a thorough inspection of your home, and see whether the insulation is at a satisfactory level. If you want to count on successful check-up, equip with a laser thermometer and head to the openings such as windows, doors, floors, vents, and light switches, so as soon as you notice a temperature difference, you’d know where there’s leakage.

Gaps can easily be fixed with insulation foam. Speaking of insulation, it’s also advisable to insulate your water heater, and make sure the fridge gets regular check-up and maintenance – the two are huge wasters of energy in your home.

Another aspect you should pay attention to is the lighting. Sure, we all need lighting, there’s no way around it, but you can at least install dimmer light switches so you’d use the appropriate amount of energy at the appropriate part of the day, and get to create a soothing atmosphere at that. Don’t forget, prudent baby step choices lower the bill, and help save the planet in the long run.

Furniture Home Decor & Garden

The Art of Accessorising: 3 Steps to Decorate Your Home

September 27, 2017 — by Valeriya Vimon

Changing our whereabouts is something we both enjoy and fear at the same time. The prospect of starting anew with a blank canvas that you yourself have the power to paint on is surely motivating. But on the other hand, having so much responsibility can be a tricky thing. What if you end up not liking what you’ve created? Or what if you’re like most of us, on a tight budget and don’t know what are the home décor accessories to invest in? To help you get started, here are a few steps you can take to tastefully decorate your place without having to spend a fortune.

Resist the Urge to Overcrowd

Excited to be moving in a new place, people will often completely accessorise it with one exhilarating shopping trip. However, it’s much better to live with your home a bit in order to better understand the space and get inspired from it. Shop for all the staple furniture first, and only than start to gradually decorate it. This will give you the chance to discover an interior theme. Even if you already have in mind the style you’d like to capture consider this – Every theme is beautiful on its own as long as it’s in the appropriate amounts. Recently, the Cape Cod theme is one very popular request. I bet you’ve already seen it least a couple of times so you know the basics. The usual blue and white nautical palette in small amounts captured on your pillows, artwork with sailor motifs and materials that capture the coastal vibe such as rattan will capture the effect without the room becoming a cliché.

Know Where to Save and Where to Spend

Consider the wear and tear aspect and don’t blow your money on toss pillows or décor that you will have to replace after a season or two. However, feel free to splurge on bigger-ticket home décor accessories such as a large area rug, or an original art piece. Investment pieces like that can be the little black dress of your interior design look, the foundation you will use to built on. Later, you can use affordable and replaceable items such as a throw blanket for your sofa, some candles as coffee table décor, and other charming home décor accessories to pull the look together.

Anchor the Room’s Design with a Focal Point

In every story, there are leading characters and supporting roles. And the same holds for your interior design story. Choose a few home decor accessories that will be impressive enough to capture the spotlight, while the rest of the décor should be toned down as to not overwhelm the space. For instance, a good dramatic point can be a bold art piece above the mantel in the living room, a large wall clock, an impressive antique vase, or perhaps a luscious Persian rug. Whatever piece you choose, note that it should be according to the tone of the room. A relaxed Hamptons style room can be reaffirmed by a décor piece such as an anchor or a frame made out of sea shells and rope, whereas a painting of a lavender field will look lovely in a charming French cottage style living room.

Home Decor & Garden

Taking Gaming to the Next Step With a Surround Sound System

September 13, 2017 — by Richard Dawson

From the impending sound of machine gun fire flying by, to an enemy ship passing overhead, to the easily distinguishable clatter of the floor boards as you disable your enemies electronics with an EMP – adding a high performance surround sound system to your video game console will provide you a brand new and exciting gaming experience.

With today’s games being made like blockbuster movies, where developers pay a lot of attention to ambient noises, soundtracks, dialogue and heavily rely on the element of sonic surprise more than ever before, the bar keeps rising and rising. If you’re an avid gamer looking to get the best possible gaming experience, whether solo or multi-person gaming sessions, having a surround sound installation or an entire home theatre system to play on can be an incredibly valuable level-up.

As Steven Spielberg put it: “Sound and music make up for more than half the communication in the story, greater even than what you’re seeing.”- and the same can be applied to video games. So as you sit down to play the newest FPS like Call of Duty, or Battlefield 1, you’ll find yourself lost in the directional audio prompts which are designed to provide a more detailed picture of what’s happening around you.

War planes passing by and being heard as if they were truly flying over your head. The distant sniper can be heard and it’s easier to pin-point their location. You’ll be able to correctly locate the ticking of bombs and mines about to blow up, and you’ll feel explosions and the sound your RPG makes against your shoulder as you take down an enemy tank.

On the other hand, there are games that have spectacular audio elements and soundtracks. Guitar Hero Live, for instance, can become a great bonding activity for the entire family on Sunday nights, as you’ll all feel the kick of the bass drum and groove it with your loved ones.

There are just so many great things about having a surround sound installation in your home, even if you aren’t an avid gamer. You can still watch the newest movies and feel like the action that’s in front of you on the screen is happening all around you. And while it isn’t the cheapest thing ever, a home theatre system and a surround sound system can be a very worthwhile investment if you’re an introvert and likes spending most of their free time at home, watching movies or playing video games.

Home Decor & Garden

Steps to Adding Privacy to Your Outdoor Area

August 22, 2017 — by Valeriya Vimon

When you have an outdoor area, it’s always a good time to get a bit of sunbathing, read a book in fresh air, or just unwind listening to the songs of birds, idly marvelling at the surrounding sights of nature, spending time enjoying your own company. But question is: Are you really alone?

If you live in a densely populated area, it’s needless to say you might not always go unspotted by some nosy passer-by. If this is your case, then read through the article as it’s meant to provide you with steps to enhance privacy in your home outdoors.

One of the most enjoyable solutions, as it both provides you with some liveliness and lush greenery, as well as helps keeping prying eyes away, is adding one of the many lilly pilly trees Australia round nurseries have in store. Lilly pillies have become known as Australian cherries due to their reddish pinkish fruit, but one of the reasons many Australians are including them in their yards is they grow quickly, as up to 30 metres, and are evergreen.

Of the many varieties of lilly pilly trees Australia wide nurseries provide, you can expect to find dwarfish varieties as well, if you’re up for smaller growth (50cm-3m) – all of which have the same resilient properties, able to tolerate drought, growing in full sun or semi-shade spots. As long as you tend to their needs correctly, you wouldn’t have to worry about pest problems since keeping them well fed and watered would ensure they’d grow to be resilient.

Wanting to keep noise pollution out of the way, along with the prying eyes, you can resort to the many fencing solutions, in the likes of stone walls, or wooden boards. You can further amp up their level of privacy by planting a few thick shrubs right beside them. If you’re up for more natural options, you can consider building up a wall of vertical garden, with plenty of plants and pots shielding you, or try the raw beauty of a wattle fence – a fence you can decorate with numerous branches.

Curtains and shutters are obvious privacy screen options, if you’re up for spicing up the area with a bit of colour and texture. And, of course, we can’t omit the power of pergolas, trellis, and canopies. The great thing about them is, apart from providing you with the privacy you require, they also serve as the decorating canvas for lighting fixtures for instance.

You can make the most out of this addition by engaging in a DIY project, and incorporating ideas of your own; Adding privacy equals customising your outdoor area.

Electronics Home Decor & Garden

Steps to Turning Your Home Into Your Sanctuary

August 18, 2017 — by Valeriya Vimon

Every person on this planet has certain problems, we all have situations that are difficult to deal with, every once in a while most of us wish we could just fly off to a different place and just forget everything, never come back home. If you turn your home into your sanctuary, like I did, you won’t get this urge often as you’d get reenergised at home, so much so in fact, you’d even forget about holidays for some time.

Occasionally, I enjoy the rest and relaxation of spas, also taking the overall well-being benefits into account, so I figured why not turn my home into the resting and relaxing place a spa is instead, save up on money and time along the way by giving up going to local spas. So, I started working on this idea.

Though I expected it to be somewhat difficult, it got easier than I thought, and I owe it to the ingenuity of the far infrared heating pad. You get all the muscle relaxation in a matter of minutes, with no fuss, and you reap all the benefits of the infrared rays that penetrate through your skin without even sweating.

I get the same benefits as I do from a sauna, and I still get to save up on space at home that a sauna would require. I can place the far infrared heating pad just about anywhere at home, wherever there’s a flat surface and it doesn’t have to be the floor, it can be a bed, or couch, all that’s required is an electrical socket, I plug it in, set the temperature, and I get my own personalised spa in an instant.

I feel so relaxed afterwards, that I feel as though I’d been on a long deserved holiday, with no sight of stress or anxiety, knowing my body got the therapy required to detoxify – when I think about it, I find it as relaxing as yoga too!

Then again, when it comes to a sanctuary, it all starts and ends with sleep. If you haven’t known by now, sleep deprivation can make you grumpy and shake up your relationships, but that’s not the least damage it can do when it comes to your health and ability to deal with and solve problems.

I used to be the typical modern day person, surrounded by electronics even in my bedroom, then wondered why I wasn’t getting the quality sleep and started having insomnia every once in a while. With a bit of research, and diet changes (I don’t eat midnight snacks anymore…), I also said bye to all the electronics in my bedroom.

Everything counts in this transformation project, so if you have an outdoor area, don’t forget to include it. You can immediately turn your patio, deck, or yard into a stress-free zone by adding a hammock. Afternoon nap in fresh air? Check. Relaxing reading time while sunbathing? Check. Stargazing at night with your favourite night-cap? Check.

That’s the point of this project, to get everything in your home that would reflect relaxation, instead of something that stresses you out. Speaking of which, this would be the perfect time to also get rid of all the clutter you might be having around. These are the steps I’ve taken, and I have to admit, they all work wonders for me. Are there other steps you could take to turn your home into a sanctuary? I’m up for more ideas!

Home Decor & Garden

Stationary Motor The Right Ally When Power Defines the Hour

July 24, 2017 — by Valeriya Vimon

The powering of large outdoor machines and industrial equipment depends on the potency of stationary engines. These motors are called stationary because they consist of no running parts. The immobile framework and lack of running parts that can break down make stationary engines reliable and potent enough to generate power for all kinds of heavy duty outdoor equipment such as water pumps or generators, factory machines, mills and other immobile equipment.

Stationary engines enjoyed large popularity in the time when every factory or mill produced its own power. Now that more and more factories begin to draw their electricity from the electrical grid, the applications for the stationary motors have declined. However, outdoor jobs on construction sites, roads or farms that have no connection to the power grid have to rely on a stationary motor to make sure they are always on task.

You are probably wondering how can a stationary motor be moved to different place for outdoor jobs when it’s immobile. As a matter of fact, there are engines that operate in one place, but can be transported to another spot for later operation. Although the inside design of these motors is stationary, they received the name portable engines in order to set them apart form the ones that are permanently immobile. Therefore, a permanently stationary motor will be suitable only for the running of a factory or a mill, while a stationary one is convenient for outdoor work.

Another major consideration you will have to take when choosing the engine most suited for your job is size. A small sized stationary engine can only deliver electricity less than 188 KW. This means that small engines can power only small outdoor applications. But if you need large amounts of torque for commercial applications, medium sized engines are a great choice. Larger engines are used in large transportation vessels such as ships, submarines, and even airplanes.

Today there are a dozens of brands of stationary motors to choose from. You have some regular names in the motor industry like Yamaha or Hyundai, and then there are trusted Australian brands like Thornado that provide A-class stationary engines with prices suitable for both large factories and the average Australian farmer. Most of them use diesel as fuel, but there are models that run on petrol as well, if that’s your preferred option.

Finally, if you have a rusty stationary engine handed down from a great great grandpa, don’t toss it out just yet – vintage stationary engines from the 19th century are regarded today as important period pieces and are popular collector’s items. The UK especially has a fascination with them and has dedicated a few museums where visitors can see stationary engines in operation. Internal combustion stationary engines are the centrepieces of many steam rallies which include a special exhibit section dedicated to them. All of these engines are exhibited in operation powering water pumps, hand tools and the like, thanks to private individuals who worked to restore them.

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