Before you dial a plumber, it’s worth trying a few reasonably simple techniques to see if the fault is easier to remedy than you might imagine. Fortunately, the issue will generally be at the cistern end of things, so there’s no need to face the grim prospect of getting up close and personal with the pan. However, if the water levels in the pan are rising, you may also need to consider how to unclog a toilet without a plunger....
Try not to despair, though, because although the bites can be irritating and unsightly, bed bugs are generally harmless and not thought to transmit disease. The downside is that it’s not as easy as getting rid of fruit flies or getting rid of gnats and it might just take some time, effort and patience to rid your home of these creepy-crawlies completely. Here, we’ve put together all you need to know about identifying these pests and, most importantly, how to get rid of bed bugs from your home with advice from the professionals....
Whatever, getting rid of foxes in your yard might be a job you need to tackle as par for the course, just as you might have to get rid of mice or other pests that frequent yards and homes in the hope of food and shelter, especially as the weather becomes more inhospitable. ‘As fall gets underway, it’s time to think about protecting your yard during the winter months, and this may include keeping foxes away....
Growing tomatoes is simple once you have the plants, so when it comes to picking season, it is important to know how to harvest tomatoes correctly to help preserve your plant and get the best-flavored tomatoes. With tomato plants making the perfect versatile addition to your kitchen garden ideas, along with the large variety of tomato companion plants, there is really no excuse to not grow your own. Here, we explain how to harvest tomatoes for the perfect summer pickings....
Furthermore, if you increase the natural light in a room, you’ll find that colors look more vibrant and the decor looks brighter and more eye-catching. And, it’s proven that light, bright houses are more appealing to homebuyers that dark ones. So, it’s no surprise when it comes to house design that we are always seeking ways to boost natural light. Need ideas for a remodel – or even a new build?...
‘The recipe makes enough washing powder to fill a 750ml glass storage jar,’ says author Jen Chillingsworth, who has provided this recipe. ‘This amount of powder makes approximately 38 washes, using just over 1 tablespoon of powder per laundry load.’ How to make laundry detergent This simple recipe for making laundry detergent can be personalized with fragrance. ‘If you prefer laundry with a fragrance, you can simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the mix....
When to prune pumpkin vines When you first start gardening, it’s usual to think of pruning as a fall or winter job. However, with pumpkins, it’s far better to get started now, and knowing when to plant pumpkins and when to pick pumpkins off the vine will ensure your harvest is at its best. While major work (removing big vines and so on) is still best left until winter, you’ll find that late summer pruning is a clever way of getting more crop the following year without encouraging too much regrowth....
While the best cast iron skillets must be seasoned regularly to ensure even cooking and a long lifespan, the process is not as difficult as you may think, however. In fact, experts have honed the craft so that it takes very little effort. Here, we break down experts’ tips for seasoning a cast iron pan into simple steps. How to season a cast iron pan There are plenty of ways to maintain an iron cast pan or skillet, but seasoning regularly and properly is at the top of the list....
When you start researching greenhouse ideas your thoughts will be of summer abundance and autumn bounties, and it is unlikely that you will give a second thought to the colder winter months. However, learning how to winterize a greenhouse is a must – after all, the space between growing seasons is essential to regroup and get ahead for the following year. How to winterize a greenhouse When planning a greenhouse be sure to give a thought to how it will operate in winter....
‘Ice cream has long been a favorite of mine; I blame my mother, who used to pretend to work for the International Ice Cream Inspectorate whenever she visited an ice-cream parlor. She was so convincing that the staff would invariably start doling out tasters before the veneer cracked and the giggles gave her away. ‘At about the same time, I inherited a fabulous ice-cream maker, sadly long-since deceased, that would churn the perfect dessert in around 20 minutes....
See: World’s best homes – tour the globes most beautiful houses Elnaz was initially drawn to this property for its lofty proportions and view of the lush gardens at the rear. She could see that the well-worn one-bed interior had the scope to be transformed into a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home. ‘It was a question of tweaking the layout,’ she says, ‘though those tweaks involved significant restructuring.’ See: Design house: A classic Italianate residence, a landmark in Capitol Hill’s Harvard-Belmont Historical District After turning to business partner Hugo van Bilderbeek to check that her plans were feasible (‘I always like his nod of approval on projects like this’), Elnaz embarked on a detailed six-month renovation....
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, and this statement is at its most true at Christmas time. This central hub is not only where meals are prepared and eaten, but also where the family gathers to partake in traditions, where guests mingle during a party, or where you steal a second to enjoy a coffee and a mince pie. With the kitchen playing such a vital role in the celebrations, it is important that you don’t forget to incorporate Christmas decor into your kitchen ideas....
The symbols don’t just apply to washing items in a home appliance. They also apply to bleaching, if you need to carry this out, along with drying, and ironing, so every stage of the laundry process can be carried out with optimum fabric care in mind. Great laundry room ideas will give you a stylish as well as functional space, and to be sure of looking after garments and linens correctly use our guide, along with the advice of the experts....
The first room you step into as you arrive into the home, your entryway should make a warming and inviting first impression, as well as give you and your guests a taste of what is to come for the design in the rest of your home. When planning modern entryway ideas, incorporating a table for your entryway furniture ideas can be both a beautiful and practical design choice. A table can store and display everyday household items as well as unique decorative objects, perfect for adding both character and functionality to a busy transitional space....
Newer kitchen ideas focus on creating mood and recognize the time we spend in the space – so versatility, comfort, lighting and entertainment have become super important. The old cliché of ‘hub of the home’ is truer than ever – all life happens here, so even dedicated work stations are finding their way into modern kitchen layouts. Appliances are quieter, while new technology is super-connected so dinner can almost take care of itself....
Getting the lighting right is a key place to start when considering the interior design within your home. Often, many people begin thinking about the overhead lighting and how it will serve the space, however, it’s the freestanding lighting that plays the most pivotal role in getting it ‘just right’. This season, we have seen an increase in the use of rattan within lighting designs, most notably for the humble table light, which has been appearing in various rattan guises....
We’ve asked real estate professionals to give their views on what colors to avoid when selling. While many of their answers will come as no surprise to savvy homeowners, there are a couple of popular room color ideas to watch out for. Here they are, room by room. 1. Living rooms: avoid dark red at all costs Depending on the aspect and size of your living room, you can really experiment with living room color ideas....
With his own house renovation currently underway, Sebastian Cox has been on a quest to make the right interior design decisions for his home and young family. Exploring the new – and often old – ways to approach restoration and improvements along the way. Next up is sustainable fabrics - everything you need to know when considering eco-conscious curtain ideas Drapes aren’t the only area where you might consider investing in sustainable fabrics....
In selecting kitchen flooring ideas the qualities of the various choices on offer in terms of their durability and slip-resistance are important but also crucial to the overall aesthetic is its color, including how this complements kitchen cabinet ideas. So should a kitchen floor be lighter or darker than cabinets? We asked designers to share their expertise on how to approach this question. Should a kitchen floor be lighter or darker than cabinets?...
There are a number of factors you should take into account so you can make the best decision for your circumstances if you have the time to think about when to sell rather than being required to relocate or downsize immediately. Where you live, interest rates, and the time of year are among the elements that you need to consider. To help guide your decision, we’ve put together the details on what to think about when selling a house fast, or slowly, and drawn on the expertise of real estate specialists....
