Kitchens are also often one of the main culprits of high energy usage, with expensive but essential appliances contributing to soaring bills. If you are trying to cut energy bills this winter, then reducing your reliance on heating could be a smart way to improve the energy efficiency of the heart of your home. These simple home tips can help to make even the chilliest kitchens feel warmer for less....
These small critters get a positive wrap after their appearance in multiple Disney films, however, they are one of the destructive houseplant pests, easily ruining garden ideas as they chew on plants and even destroying your home furnishings as they snack on wood, paper, and some fabrics. What’s more, they are known to carry disease, making them a worrying addition to a house – especially ones with young children or elderly relatives....
A popular addition to wildlife garden ideas, these bug hotels can be found ready made online, in supermarkets and garden centres. However, they are great to make at home too. How to make a bug house: step by step guide How to make a bug house: easy If you have the space at the back of your garden, then you can learn how to make a bug house that is easier that the hotel-style design....
Though small rooms can present many interior design challenges, there are several benefits to compact living. A well-designed bijou space can feel just as comfortable as a larger space, with all the warmth and snugness you crave. Increasing the sense of space in rooms that are small in stature is a design issue everyone wants to solve. We spoke to a few of our favorite interior designs, architects and decorators to find out their solutions....
Knowing how to touch up paint on walls is a skill worth mastering for all the high-traffic areas of a home that are prone to marking. And to make your efforts in painting a room last, we’ve asked the experts for their advice on matching paint already on a wall for a flawless touch-up. How to match paint already on a wall Matching paint colors can be a tricky task for a number of reasons, but there are three methods you can use to try to get as accurate results as possible, and these are the best ways to match paint already on a wall....
But small kitchen layout ideas don’t have to be compromised when square footage is limited, and it is possible to plan a layout that includes all the essential elements, accommodates those who need to spend time in the room, and looks elegant. Our guide will lead you through the process of planning a layout for a small kitchen with advice from the professionals who specialize in solving the problems of limited kitchen space without sacrificing either utility or style....
If you already know how to grow a Christmas cactus it will come as no surprise that these unique plants make great gifts, and learning how to grow your own from a humble cutting adds a wonderfully thoughtful homegrown touch to these living presents. Whether you are looking to give a growing gift this season, or simply want to expand your plant collection, this expert guide to perfect propagation will make sure that your favorite cacti take root in time for the festive period....
There are plenty of tricks you can do to make this task easier and it’s a project that any confident DIY-er can take on over a weekend. ‘When tiling stairs, it’s best to work your way from bottom to top in order to get things lined up just right on the risers,’ explains Todd Saunders, CEO of Flooring Stores (opens in new tab), a resource for finding the right type of flooring and contractor for any project....
While knowing how to clean a couch is widespread knowledge, there is less of a focus on the power of microfiber – and how you can use these covers to protect your favorite statement sofa. Your microfiber couch cover is there to take the dust, dirt, and spills that would otherwise mark your furnishing, so it’s only inevitable that you will need to give it a refresh after some time....
‘I did hire an architect but I had already designed the house because I had a specific idea of what I wanted,’ she says. Her other two properties – in Harlem, New York City, and Reykjavik – are period homes while here Sheila began from the ground up. ‘I had already been in the area for many years but I wanted to downsize. My previous home was a farm where I kept horses, sheep and goats and had a lot of land but I wanted a simpler life....
Living room paneling can add depth and luxurious texture, as well as being a practical addition to your walls for added durability, insulation and protection. Paneling ideas for walls are a perfect addition to living room decor, as the room needs to reflect your personal style as well be durable and timeless, with paneling effortlessly being able to provide all. From modern paneling paint ideas on panels of all shapes and sizes, to traditional Shaker paneling designs, you can be both subtle and bold with your living room paneling ideas....
We asked the experts to weigh in on the recent revival of maximalist decor by sharing their favorite interior design tips and advice. Maximalist decor trend The key to this interior design trend is decorating with vivid hues, luxurious pieces and exuberant patterns. Invest in lavish looks that wouldn’t look out of place in the grandest of palaces. 1. Add maximalist decor to your living room To make the most of a modest space, the rule of thumb has traditionally been subtle decor....
The simple tip involves placing a large bedsheet over the top of the airer and putting it near one of the best dehumidifiers to help speed up the drying process. The setup is easily one of the best changes I have made to my laundry room ideas yet. Here, I go through why this tip works, and why I now prefer this setup over my tumble dryer. The bedsheet tip I had heard of the regular bed sheet trick to dry clothes without a dryer or heated airer before, but I never thought to use it for my heated airer....
Whether shoe collections are part of organizing an entryway, or they’re kept in a closet, or even under a bed, solutions for keeping them neat – and easy to find – are essential. Here, we’ve put together our favorite shoe organization advice to keep walkways clear, closets well arranged, and bedrooms tidy. Organize shoes – ideas for around the home In many homes, shoes storage ideas are found in a variety of locations, and consistency about which pairs go where is important....
From the palest of confetti through setting plaster and deeper terracotta tones, pink can form a reliable background color that channels anything from a contemporary to a classical country-house spirit. What’s more, it has been named the most beautiful color for a room. When decorating with pink, you must consider the light conditions of the space. ‘Pink is perfect for warming up north-facing rooms where soft, pale shades with just a hint of apricot look amazing, but cooler blush pinks can look a bit chilly,’ says Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux (opens in new tab)....
See our Movers & Shakers section for more makers I started of stripping pine doors and Georgian cast-iron fireplace inserts that I’d bought from a builder. I discovered I could sell them for quite a bit of money, and thought it wasn’t a bad living. Itwas 1992, and such a simple set-up –a rented lock-up with a caustic soda dipping tank. I fell in love with the whole restoration process and things quickly took off, so I upgraded to a shop on Essex Road in Islington....
The kitchen faucet and hardware, such as handles and joints, might seem like a purely practical addition, the main purpose is its functionality, but there is a lot to be said for matching materials. ‘Think of your cabinet hardware and kitchen faucet like jewelry,’ says Xander Shreenan of Dowsing & Reynolds. ‘One should complement the other; creating a beautiful and decorative kitchen that has been tailored to perfection.’ However, bear in mind that anything too matchy-matchy can look contrived....
Choosing backyard landscaping ideas can be a Herculean task. From finding the right contractor to budget breakdowns, there are so many items to consider to help make your outdoor space a great asset. But what happens if you have limited space? For many Americans in major metropolitan areas – from San Francisco to New York City – a small yard is often the only option you have. With a mere 200 to 300 square feet to work with, how can you inject your personality and joy into the space, without feeling like you’ve jammed too many small backyard ideas in?...
As founder and director Charu Gandhi explains, ‘We always start a project by asking our clients about their favorite places, but this is not so that we can replicate those interiors. It’s more about recreating how a special space makes a person feel.’ In this case, the clients, a couple with young children, fondly recalled the sense of relaxation that came with their visits to Hotel George V in Paris....
And the truly unique decorative finishes make this one of the world’s best homes, full of inspirational touches we’d all love to see in our own homes. Here are the highlights. Entrance hall – a place to linger The spacious entrance hall is a place to linger, with a characterful inglenook fireplace and an inviting mid-century style armchair. The smart geometric print upholstery fabric and rug bring the look right into this century....
