A Million Lives

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Tips for Stylish and Practical Interior Lighting

When it comes to building a new home or redecorating an existing one, there are lots of important aspects to consider. One of these is lighting. Each room should have the appropriate type of lighting as this will affect the appearance of the colour of the paint on the wall. Here are some things that you should keep in mind when you are picking interior lighting for your home.

What type of lighting do you need?

The first thing that you should consider are all the tasks that you carry out in that room such as reading, studying, or painting. These are all tasks which require good lighting as you need to be able to see properly, without tiring your eyes. For example, in the kitchen, you should have overhead lighting on the countertops. This will make it easier to cook and to read cookbooks at the same time. In the bedroom, you should focus more on ambient lighting that creates a comfortable environment. If you are the type of person that reads in bed, then you should also have lamps located on either side of the bed. Dimmers are also a great thing to have as they allow you to change the intensity of the light according to your requirements. For example, you can dim the lights for movie night but increase light for studying.

What size and colours to pick?

There are very many different types of lamps out there. You should consider the overall design of the room when picking the colour and size of the lamp. For example, if you have low ceilings then you shouldn’t get a lamp or lamp shade that hangs low, or is very big as tall people will constantly be bumping their head against it. When deciding on the colour, you should consider the overall colour scheme in the room and try to make it match. Also, consider the style in the room, is it retro or modern? The lamp that you pick will look most effective if it matches the overall style of the room; otherwise, it may look out of place.

Where to buy lamps and their fixtures?

There are lots of places to buy lamps, fixtures, and lamp holders. Spares2You is a great place to buy everything that you need for installing lamps. Sometimes when you buy a lamp shade, it doesn’t come with the lamp holders or cables that you need. To avoid going home and finding out you don’t have all the parts you need, you should read the information on the box or consult with a store employee before making the purchase. If you are installing the lighting yourself, then make sure you consider all the safety precautions and don’t put yourself in harm. Electricity is dangerous and when in doubt you should consult a specialist.

When picking the interior design features in the room consider the purpose of the light and the overall design of the room. This way you will surely pick lighting that is practical and compliments the overall design of the place.

overall design of the room. This way you will surely pick lighting that is practical overall the room.

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Making Your House Feel Like Home

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Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to get your home to feel like it really is your own. This takes getting used to what you bought and accepting the thing that were built into the home. Lots of time this is difficult because there are things you just don’t like or are simply uncomfortable with.

In that case, the only real option is to call in a professional and do some remodeling. With this strategy you can make your home have the exact look and feel you like and you will truly begin to feel at home.

Here are a few things you can do to make your house feel like home:

New Paint

Picking the color of your home gives you the chance to put your stamp on it. Choose to start with the exterior and pick a color you will be ecstatic to see when you come down the street. Many older homes have bland or dull colors while newer homes have a variety of browns, blues and even pastels. Pick from a palate you love and make a not so obvious choice. You may find something you never thought of and have your spirits lifted. Use a professional painter and call in a contractor to put in outdoor lighting that can enhance the color at night. A few sconces in the right places will work wonders.

In the interior, you can make each room its own special place with paint and wall treatments. See which works best and do not be afraid to be bold. One room might be begging for wall paper while another might need a just off white paint to compliment the art work you have. Or, you might want a similar color scheme throughout the house. Remember here also to put in the right lighting fixtures. So call your contractor and have him place lighting where ti works best in the room.

Replace Windows

Older windows can do so much to darken a room. Older and smaller homes tend to have small windows limiting the amount of natural light and air flow into the room. Having the right windows makes everything better and brightens your mood. So bring in a contractor and go shopping at Community Builders Tulsa to take a look at which windows throughout the house need to be replaced for maximum effect. Also put some focus on upgrading window treatments. You can opt for full-height shutters so you have more control over the light and warmth that enters your home and additional privacy, or just change curtains and drapes. Either way, you will make a big difference. 

Change the kitchen

The kitchen is becoming the hangout place in most home but unfortunately many of them simply are not built for it. These means people are constantly running into each other there. Look at expanding the size and functions of your kitchen to make it the most comfortable. Knock down an unnecessary wall and put in an island to make it gorgeous and change cabinets and appliances to make it more functional. You can make major changes at various price points and it all starts with your desire. 

New Flooring

Dingy carpets can really dull down a living spaces. Today people love wood so put in a hardwood floor for a sleek and contemporary appearance. These days flooring has come way down in price and gone way up in options. Choose a light floor color to brighten a room or a darker color to make it look more elegant.

Finally, place your things around the house. Adding personal items like pictures, pillows and rugs gives you a sense that your house is your home.

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How to Save Money When Decorating Your Home

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Having moved anatomy new home around 2 years ago I knew that given the outlay I had made on the home itself, any decorating would have to wait. The house however felt really old and tired and kind of made me a bit depressed when I got home from work each night. I sucked it up for around 6-8 months before deciding that I had to take action.

Now I knew that I would not be able to create something that Restoration Hardware’s Gary Friedman may be proud of but nonetheless I did my best, and it all worked out pretty well. If you are looking to give your home a makeover on a budget, here are some tips for you to make it work.

D.I.Y.

The first thing to mention about redecorating your home on a budget is that you can forget about hiring professionals to do anything, unless you have to fix gas pipes or electrical wiring. The cost that you would have to pay for a painter and decorator to come in could well be used on a new item of furniture, some paint or even a new carpet. In truth, this was the first  time that I have ever done any decorating and other than time, it cost me nothing, if you are going budget-style, DIY is the way forward.

Piece by Piece

Don’t expect to be able to radically makeover your home in the space of a few short months and in order to do the best job on a budget, you should do it little by little. Start off with the most commonly used rooms in the house such as the living area and the kitchens, then take your paintbrush into lesser used rooms like spare bedrooms and bathrooms.

Pre-Planned

Although decorating little by little is a good idea, it also makes a lot of sense for you to have an idea of what the other rooms in the home are going to look like before you get started. The reason for this is so that you can pick up pieces for the room ahead of time. For example I knew that I wanted a marine look of my bathroom, even though I wouldn’t be decorating it for some months. I was in a  flea market on vacation and I saw all of these cheap maritime antiques so I was able to pick them up and they look great in my bathroom. Plan ahead, pick up bargains.

Hacks

If you have a look across social media channels such as Pinterest, or even do a quick Google search for interior design hacks, you will find huge amount of creative and smart ideas to give your home a beautiful look, without spending crazy money. From up-cycling tips to how to make your own furniture, you can find loads of great ideas which will save you plenty of money on your design project.

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How to create a modern kitchen

For most homeowners, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook and prepare food. In the right circumstances, a kitchen can be a hub of conversation, a place to bond with place and family, and a space that is perfect for personal creativity.

Of course, if you want to make the most out of your kitchen, then you’ll need to make sure that it’s properly styled, and protected. Just as it’s important to consider the matrix of what’s covered in home warranty plans to ensure your home is protected in the future, it’s also crucial to make sure that you have a kitchen design in place that’s capable of standing the test of time.


  1. Start by looking at colors

Perhaps the first, and simplest thing any homeowner should think about before they start creating a stunning modern kitchen, is what kind of colors they want to use to demonstrate their unique personality and sense of style. The power of color can transform your kitchen more quickly and easily than you might think. For instance, a drab white kitchen can be completely transformed with just some stylish patterned tiles on the backsplash, and a fresh lick of paint on the cabinets.

For a bold experience, try using contrasting colors like green and purple, or blue and orange. On the other hand, if you want a more subtle and homely effect, pastel shades are always a good bet.


  1. Choose practical accessories

While you want your new modern kitchen to look incredible, it’s important to remember that there’s more to a great home space than just aesthetics. Ideally, you’ll want to pack your kitchen full of tools and accessories that make it easier for you to get the most out of your space. For instance, hidden cabinets can give you extra room for storage, while ensuring that you don’t ruin the overall look of your kitchen.

Remember, when choosing accessories for your kitchen cabinets, it’s a good idea to pick colors and styles that fit seamlessly with the design you’re trying to achieve.


  1. Don’t forget the flooring

It’s easy to overlook the power of a beautiful floor when you’re creating a modern kitchen from scratch. However, a boring or dirty floor can easily draw attention from the designs you’ve spent so long perfecting.

Try to strike a balance between choosing a floor that looks incredible with your chosen color scheme, and something that you’re going to have an easy time of cleaning and maintaining. After all, the last thing you want is to end up spending all of your weekends scrubbing your kitchen jut so that it can continue to look it’s best.


  1. Get plenty of light

Light is an important feature in any kitchen and something that shouldn’t be overlooked at any cost. Not only does light ensure that you can be safe and confident in the kitchen when you’re cooking and preparing food, but it also helps to draw attention to all the modern design elements that you’ve implemented into the room.

Try and get a good blend of both natural and artificial lighting. That means investing in plenty of spotlights and LEDs, as well as ensuring you have a large open window space available too.


  1. Choose the perfect countertops

Finally, while everything from the paint on your walls, to the color of your cabinets can have an impact on the way your kitchen looks and feels, it’s important to remember that few things are more appealing in a kitchen than the perfect countertops.

Where possible, try to choose a material that you can trust to stand the test of time. You’ll want something that looks great, but also has the durability to withstand things like hot pans, and other forms of wear and tear throughout the years. Granite and marble are particularly good for these reasons, but there are plenty of options available.

Making your modern kitchen

The right modern kitchen has a lot to offer today’s homeowner. From a place to relax with your friends, to a location where you can enjoy exploring some new hobbies, a kitchen can be a fantastic area packed full of love and creativity. However, just like any space, a great design can help to make your kitchen really inspirational.

With a little care and attention, your modern kitchen could transform your entire home, and give you a focal selling point when it comes to getting on the real estate ladder.

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Why getting a chameleon as a pet is a great idea

The title of this article might tell you that you have to go out and get a chameleon as soon as possible. The fact of the matter is that while it is true that chameleons make excellent pets for some people, they don’t work for everyone. They do need a bit more care compared to other animal species.

Let’s see what makes chameleons so appreciated. First off, one thing that we have to make clear right off the bat is that they are not companion pets such as cats and dogs. They’re interesting to watch, without a doubt, but they won’t respond to stimuli such as you petting them.

Taking care of a chameleon has to involve a little research. What this means is that you should go online and look for forums where chameleon owners have talks about how they maintain the proper temperature inside the tanks they use for their pets, or the type of drippers they’ve bought, and anything else.

Part of the maintenance process you will have to deal with involves getting the best cage for a chameleon. Because these pets have certain living specifics, you cannot keep them on the couch, as you would with a doggy that chooses wherever he or she wants to sleep. Given that reptiles are cold-blooded animals, they need an external source of heat. We recommend UVB fluorescent bulbs as they emit enough heat to keep the pet comfortable. Bear in mind that the amount of heat can be customized with some systems.

You can decorate the terrarium as you wish, but it is important to provide a hiding space for your pet. Several bigger real or artificial branches along with some leaves might be able to do the trick.

Chameleons might not be the perfect alternative if you are looking for a pet for your kids. On the one hand, some kids might not be able to understand or could be just too curious to leave the animal alone, which is why they might want to touch it and try to open the terrarium constantly. We all know how accidents can happen when a kid and an animal are involved. That’s why you should definitely consider investing your money in a good pet insurance that will help your pet stay healthy.

As for whether or not this kind of reptile makes a good pet, we believe it does. However, it is important to note that the owner has to assume the responsibility of taking care of it for at least two to five years. The lifespan of a chameleon depends on the type you’re getting, its size, living conditions, and a variety of other factors that owners might not be able to control. Moreover, something that tends to bother various people is the fact that they have to clean the enclosure on a regular basis. Keep that in mind, too, if you want to make sure that your chameleon lives happily and in a safe environment that poses no risks to its health.

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Nectar Bed Reviews all You Need to Know about Mattresses before You Buy One

A lot of people don’t know just how vital a good mattress is to their sleep. They don’t realize that it is their mattress that ensures their sleep is restful and quiet, ensuring their bodies have the energy they need the next day. Essentially, a good mattress means good overall health. Rest is vital to the overall care of your body and this is why Nectar Bed reviews mattresses to ensure that people are able to choose the one that is most relevant to them.

Nectar Bed Reviews Mattresses to Help People Pick

If you are ready to purchase a new mattress, there are a couple of things you need to know about first. For instance, you have to know the size of your bedframe, so that the mattress can fit in it. You also need to set yourself a budget, as mattresses can range in price tremendously. Do also think about your personal preferences. Think about style, how hard or soft the mattress should be, and whether you have a preference for a certain material.

The question of material is a very important one. You must think not just of comfort in this matter, however, but also of durability. A mattress should last you around 10 years before it will need replacing. However, those 10 years do have to be comfortable ones, which means you may have to pay a little bit more for good quality materials. But at the same time, you have to make sure that you find the material comfortable. For instance, profiled foam mattresses are very comfortable, but not durable. Continuous arc mattresses are incredibly durable, but they are less comfortable at the same time.

Consider whether you sleep alone, or whether you share your bed with someone else. This is a vital consideration, because it will influence the size of your mattress, but mainly of the way weight is distributed on it. It is important that your mattress is able to adapt to the body position of both individuals in the bed, equally distributing the weight, without making the two individuals roll towards each other. Microfiber and foam mattresses tend to be the best for those who share their bed.

Some people sweat a lot when they sleep. This is something to consider as a factor for buying a new mattress. Latex, for instance, removes moisture and gives lots of ventilation. It also makes the mattress more durable and resistant. However, it is very expensive and some people simply don’t like it. Gel layers or cellular materials will stop mattresses from smelling bad if you sweat a lot.

These are the most important tips that you have to remember if you are out to choose a new mattress> make sure that you take as much time as you need when choosing your mattress. Pick right, and it will stay with you for at least a decade, after all. Imagine picking wrong, and being uncomfortable for that long!

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Hacks To Keep Your Wood Floor Looking Brand New!

If you’re lucky enough to have wood flooring in your home then you’ll know what a wonderful addition it can be. But what about when life starts to take its toll and those stunning boards of timber start looking worn and scuffed. Not to mention the hammer they take if you run a busy family home, which is why we’ve researched some of the best hacks to keep your wood floors looking super-sleek and as fresh as the day they were installed.

These methods are super easy and best of all, they cost very little, if anything at all! From things that are really simple to concoctions that you wish you’d have thought of, here’s our favourite home remedies for wood floors:

Lets start with a common problem in wood flooring, dents. Although they don’t pose a major threat to your decor they can be quite irritating, so just how do you combat this? Well, your trusty household iron is the key to this one. That’s right, the cure for all things creased can now help to remedy against dents in your wood floor, mental eh?! Now, this technique is advised for floors without a finish but it can be applied to some finished woods, it just depends on the type. Of course if it does effect the finish but gets rid of the dent then the area can always be sanded and refinished. This is a really easy process to complete and can be done by even the most amateur DIY fans. All you have to do is wet a piece of kitchen roll or a cloth, then set your iron to a medium-high setting, place the cloth on top of the dent then put the iron on top. Hold the iron on top of the wet cloth and make small movement in an up and down motion, this should allow the wood to absorb the water and result in the fibres in the wood to expand to where they originally were. Try to do this for a minute, or until the cloth is dry and check the wood at the end, hopefully it should return to its original state.

As mentioned earlier, kids can pose a bit of a problem when we have nice things. This next tip goes out to all the parents who have had to suffer at the hands of a permanent marker. In fact it is every parents nightmare, looking down at your lovely wood floor and see a giant squiggle of permanent marker.. for some it may feel like all hope is lost, but fear not! The solution is closer than you may think, in the form of your good friend; toothpaste. The toothpaste should be regular white paste, not the gel stuff that’s super expensive, simply apply the paste directly onto the mark and then rub using a damp cloth. We would advise rubbing the area for a good few minutes or until you feel that the cloth can easily slide along the wood, then rinse the cloth that you have been using with water and wipe the surface until the toothpaste is no longer visible. The marker stain should now have disappeared, if it hasn’t then repeat the steps until it does.

The next home-remedy cleaning method comes in the form of a favourite British drink; tea. You may think this is a bit of a strange one, and we did too when we first encountered it. But using tea as a DIY cleaner for your wood makes a lot more sense than using something acidic such as vinegar, which is what tends to get recommended by most cleaning and life hack blogs. So just how do you use tea bags to clean your wood floor? Well, lets start by boiling 2 to 4 tea bags in just over a litre of water, the longer that you leave the tea to brew, the darker and more effective the cleaner will be. This probably goes without saying but if you have a lighter coloured wood then you may not want to let the tea brew for as long, in contrast to this if you have a really dark wood then let the tea brew for longer. Once the tea is boiled transfer the liquid into a small bucket or even washing up bowl, then soak a soft cloth in the liquid before removing it and wringing it. Please note that the cloth should be damp as oppose to wet, this just speeds up the drying process. Once damp, wipe the floor in the direction of the grain on the wood, then sit back and wait for the results!

Last but not least there are also some measures that you can put in place to prevent your floors from any further damage. Aside from the regular “place a rug” or “ensure shoes are removed” advice, we also have a few little tricks to help protect your floor from everyday scuffs and scratches. If you have any furniture on your floor, lets say a dining table and chairs for example, then why not consider putting socks on the legs if you’re entertaining for the evening. That way when the furniture is being pulled and moved around it shouldn’t scratch the floor, plus it will make for a great talking point. If you would like something a little more subtle there are other measures you can take. One of them being wine corks, which you may throw away instantly.. but you shouldn’t! You can cut the old corks down and place them on the end of your chair and table legs, which not only protects the floor but also stabilises any wobbliness too!

So there you have it, just a few easy and cheap ideas to help you protect your wood floor.

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How To Prep Your House Before Leaving For Vacation

When you leave the home for a vacation, there is plenty for you to prepare in order to ensure that your home is going to be in good shape in your absence. There are all kinds of threats to the home when there is nobody there for a long period of time. Aside from the obvious security threats, the homes operates in a different way when nobody is inside it and all manner of maintenance problems could occur. There are further issues which could present themselves and for these reasons it is important that you know what to check before you go off on vacation.

Make It Looked Lived In

A home that clearly isn’t lived in is a prime target for any smart thief and you ought to take measures to give the impression that there are people home. Don’t park your car outside for instance, staying in the same spot could indicate an absence, instead park in the garage. Set timers for your lights inside the house to switch on and off at certain times. If you are heading away for a fortnight or more, consider paying someone to cut your lawn after the first week, it is these small touches that can give the impression that someone is home.

Pipes and Wires

Make sure that your water and your electricity are turned off before you leave the house. Most water heaters have a vacation mode which you can set for the duration of your tie away and the you should try to disconnect all appliances using water such as dishwashers and washing machines. Switching all of these supplies off will greatly minimize any risk of something going wrong with them in your absence.

Pet Care

If you own  a pet then you will need to make the necessary arrangements for your pet to be cared for. If you have friends or family who are willing to do so then ensure that you have spoken to them in advance so that they have time to prepare. If you have nobody to look after your pet then you can search for pet hotels or veteran associations who offer a care service.

Clean

A clean home is a wonderful thing to return to after a vacation but aside from this, a clean home will keep away insects and pests. If you leave food lying around or dirty areas of the home, you are sure to attract animals into your home. If you can, try to pencil in the day before you go on vacation to really give the house a good tidy.

Subscriptions

Finally, ensure that you have canceled any subscriptions which you may have such as a daily newspaper or a weekly magazine. A simple phone call is all that it will take to notify that you are going to be on vacation.

And there you have it, a preparation checklist in order to make sure that your home is going to be safe and sound whilst you are enjoying yourself.

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6 Things To Keep in Mind Before Buying Your First Home

Purchasing your first home is the biggest, and the most expensive purchase you will ever make. Hands down. That’s why there are a few important things to consider before taking that first step onto the property ladder. The first step, as with anything, is always the hardest so I’ve put together a handful of what I would deem the more important aspects to consider.

Don’t always follow your heart.

Throughout your adult life we are told that we should follow our hearts. In this instance I’m going to go against the grain and suggest that when buying a property, you cannot let your heart rule your head. Yes, you may have fallen head over heels for the picturesque cottage-like exterior, and those rose-tinted glasses are firmly on, but are you maybe overlooking a more important issue such as damp for example? Look beyond the appearance, double glazing, heating, electrics…

Look at the bigger picture.

Zoom out. This one ties in with my tip above. Don’t simply focus on the property itself. What is the surrounding area like? I’m talking crime stats, transportation, schools, is there a decent Chinese take away? These are of equal importance and you may have your own to add into the equation too.

Don’t be shy.

Ask questions when being shown around somewhere. Enquire about the neighbours, ask how much the current owners pay on bills, offer less than the asking price. What’s the worst that could happen? They say no? Then you come back with a slightly higher one. Asking prices are up for negotiation, so don’t be afraid to push the boundaries slightly.

It is yours.

No more living with the parents, or friends, and no more rent. Mortgage payments are considerably less than rent, which is, of course a huge bonus. This time you are the owner. Those four walls belong to you. This obviously means that you can, within reason, do whatever you like to the place. Decorate, furnish, knock down walls, build walls up, have friends over, clean or don’t clean. But, owning your own also means that if anything breaks, it’s on you. It is your responsibility to fix, replace and insure things so having some money set aside for these occurrences can take the sting out a bit.

Look into the future.

Now, I don’t mean you need to book yourself a meeting with the local clairvoyant, I simply mean think ahead. If having children in the not-so-distant-future is part of your plan, (and I know we can’t always plan these things), then looking at one bedroomed properties is simply a waste of time. Moving house is one of the most stressful things a person can go through in their lives, the less this is experienced the better! If you’re happy and content with your job then looking at areas within an easy commute of it is a good idea, however, if you’ve been contemplating a change then take this into consideration as well.

Shop around.

For an estate agent, a mortgage advisor and a mortgage itself. There are many different ones out there with different areas or expertise and experience. You don’t have to go with the first one you meet 😉

This being said; enjoy the experience. Enjoy the excitement of scouring the internet, putting in your ‘must-haves’, thinking about your ‘definitely-nots’ and having a nosey around other people’s houses!

A Million Lives

Travelling in all its glory is fun and exhilarating but sometimes you might want to find some information on where to go, what to see and how to go about it from someone other than the go-to websites, especially when it comes to travel hacking and the coolest, most useful ways to get the most out of your next adventure.

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