Category Archives: Home

Kitchen Design Trends for 2019

For many years, kitchen design has tended to work on a “set and forget” basis, which is completely understandable given the nature of kitchens. Over recent years, however, people have become more aware that it’s actually perfectly possible to give kitchens regular updates without changing out major investment pieces such as cabinetry and appliances and hence without breaking the bank.

With that in mind, here are five tips on the top trends for 2019 and some ideas on how you can integrate them into your home.

Concealed storage

Concealed storage is officially back for 2019, although we suspect many homeowners will take the view that it never really went away, especially not in smaller homes where visual clutter can turn a space from cosy to cramped. That’s good news for those who already had closed cabinets installed but those who have open shelving and are wishing they didn’t can get around the problem by investing in attractive containers and using them to hold less attractive items while more attractive ones can be left on view. Alternatively, you could put a spin on the concept of concealed storage by putting attractive items to the front of your shelves and less attractive ones at the back.

Matte metals

Metals and metallics have long been a feature of interior design, especially in fitted kitchens and bathrooms, but up until now the emphasis has been on shiny metals, especially chrome or even silver or gold (albeit generally by means of plating, since the pure form would be impractical as well as expensive). While shiny metals do, obviously, have their place in the world, they do tend to be attention-grabbing and they also tend to scratch, which is particularly unfortunate since these scratches are often very visible due to the contrast they make with the surface metal. Because of this, it’s entirely understandable that interior designers are now increasingly moving towards matte metals, especially pewter and gunmetal, particularly for kitchens.

Leather and wood fittings on cabinets and drawers

Updating the fittings on cabinets and drawers may be the most well-known budget-update trick in the book and there’s a very simple reason for this – it works. It is a beautifully simple and cost-effective way to bring your kitchen in line with current trends so that it has a fresh feel.

For 2019 leather and/or wood fittings are the major trend and if you’re not ready (or willing) to invest in a whole new set of fittings for your kitchen, you can still make a style statement by switching out a few of them, say, on every other cabinet or on a specific drawer unit.

Playing with texture

While hygiene always has to be the top priority in a kitchen, hence the preference for flat surfaces which are easy to clean, you can still have fun playing with texture in other ways. For example, you can add a rug to your floor (make sure it’s laid securely so it stays in place), choose curtains which a pattern which implies texture and/or introduce plants (even faux ones).

Black and blue

The all-white kitchen is now, officially, a thing of the past. While it can still make sense to use white for major pieces such as cabinets and appliances, if you want an “on-trend” kitchen, make sure that there are at least pops of colour and/or black.

Custom Neon Sign

You’ve read that right. Before, you only see them in shops or at events, but custom neon signs are quickly becoming a popular home decor nowadays. These colorful LED signs are eco-friendly and they do not require a lot of energy. It’s also safe for kids. Make your bedroom, living room, or kitchen colorful and stylish with custom-made neon signs!

Tara Neil supply fitted bedrooms and kitchens in Reading from their 4,000 sq ft showroom in Woodley. 

How To Protect Your Home From Intruders

7 steps to better home security

Having your house burgled can be a devastating experience, but there are simple steps you can take to improve your security and deter would-be intruders.

Being the victim of a burglary can be a deeply upsetting experience, leaving you out of pocket and often feeling unsafe in your own home. Luckily there are some simple steps you can take to shore up your home security and deter any would-be burglars.

Appearances matter

One of the easiest ways to improve your home security is to look at your property through a burglar’s eyes. Walk around the outside of your home and look for any potential weaknesses, such as holes in your fencing or a window that could be easily pried open. Burglars love an easy target so make sure any expensive or valuable items are hidden away and not easily visible.

Secure your entrances

Make it difficult for intruders to get access to your home by securing your entrances. Make sure your doors are strong, with protected hinges, and additional features such as deadbolts, smart locks and strike plates. Sliding doors are a particular favourite with burglars, so take steps to protect yours. And don’t forget your windows – shore up your security with high quality locks, window security film, and glass break sensors.

Install an alarm

Alarm systems can act as an effective deterrent to would-be burglars, with research showing that properties with prominently displayed intruder alarms are much less likely to be targeted – so it’s worth installing one in your home. Security systems can come with many different features including motion detectors and two-way wireless technology, so choose the system that best suits your needs.

Light up your surroundings

Thieves prefer to operate under the cover of darkness, so make it as difficult as possible for them by ensuring that your property and its grounds are well-lit. Place lights in your front and back gardens, along pathways and near your garage and other outbuildings. For a maximum effect, put your outside lights on a timer, or install motion-activated lights which will flood your garden with light at the first sign of activity.

Consider CCTV

Nobody likes to be caught on CCTV, especially when committing a crime, and installing security cameras around your home can help to put-off potential thieves. Many of today’s cameras can be linked with mobile apps so that you can check on your home while you’re out and about. If the worst does happen and your home is burgled, CCTV footage could also help to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Remove potential hiding places

Make life difficult for potential intruders by removing any potential hiding places. Cut back any shrubbery or trees growing close to your home that could provide cover for burglars, and remove any large items from your garden that someone could hide behind. An open, overlooked space with nowhere hide, will be a much less attractive proposition to intruders.

Be social media savvy

These days, most of us share our day to day activities on social media – but your friends may not be the only ones watching your feed. Announcing to the world that you’re going on holiday for a fortnight is like an open invitation to any would-be burglars – particularly if your address can be deduced from your profile or photographs. So, be social media savvy and hold off on posting those beach selfies until you’re safely back at home.

Making your home more secure doesn’t have to be an arduous task – start with your priority areas and carry out additional tasks as and when you can. By taking early action and exercising common sense you can create a safe, secure home that is protected against intruders.

Thoughtful and Beautiful Sympathy Gift Baskets

Choosing a gift to send in memoriam of a deceased love one is never easy, especially if the direction is for no flowers. Even if flowers are accepted, you might want to do something different, something that will perhaps be remembered more readily by those you love and care about.

To help you, we have put together a collection of ideas that should inspire you and point you in the right direction, so let’s have a look at our alternative sympathy gift suggestions, but before we do, an important suggestion:

Check for ‘In Lieu’

Before buying anything check the invitation or notice for a message. If there is a ‘no flowers’ instruction, you may find that there is a suggestion as to what you can do, which may include charitable donations. This does not preclude you buying a present, however, so here’s a few ideas.

Plant a Tree – a young sapling or shrub will grow into a lasting memorial to your friend or loved one, and makes for an excellent choice of gift if you are stuck for ideas. Find a place in your garden, or in a family spot, where you can plant the tree in memory of them, and enjoy watching it grow. You could perhaps choose a favourite of theirs, and there are many possible options.

Gift Baskets – one wonderful idea you can look at is that of sympathy baskets as they are always a welcome gift. Carefully constructed and including a variety of excellent gifts, there are many different baskets to choose from and you can select your own ingredients, and they are not expensive at all. This makes a very nice alternative to the usual, so is worth checking out.

Book of Letters – this very neat and creative idea involves getting as many people as possible to write short letters about or in remembrance of the deceased, and it can be done by young and old alike for great effect. It’s a lovely way of making sure your thoughts, and those of others, are preserved for the future, and makes an excellent gift.

Home Help – one thing you can offer when someone passes on is to help those left behind with anything that may need doing around the home. This is particularly welcome if an elderly partner has been left alone, as they will certainly welcome any help they can get. Consider it carefully, and you will find you are making a very kind gesture.

Photographs – if you have personal photographs that the family perhaps does not, why not dedicate these to the deceased, perhaps having them framed as a gift? It makes a very personal and touching tribute, and is certainly welcome.

The above are just a few ideas that we have found regarding alternative memorial and sympathy gifts, and there are many more you can probably think of. Have another look now, and we hope we have inspired you to do something different and memorable for your late friend or loved one.

How Much Does Aircon Cost Per Year?

If you live in a region where hot weather is the norm you will know how difficult it can be to keep comfortable. The heat is draining on people when it gets to be too much, and can also have an influence on how well we perform at work. In cold weather, it is easy to combat the problem: put some extra clothes on, throw on a blanket, light the fire or put the heating on and you have instant warmth. When it is too hot, there is little you can do unless you have air conditioning.

You may have air conditioning in your workplace. If you are an employer and you want to keep your team happy, it might be worth checking out getting aircon fitted. At home you may also want to look at the idea of having an air conditioning system installed, as it can make life a lot more comfortable, and a lot easier too. Also, it may not be as expensive as you believe.

You may be worried that, once you have a system installed, it will cost  great deal per year to run. In fact, this may also surprise you, for air conditioning is not as expensive to use as you might have been led to believe.

Reliable Service

As with all systems that require constant or very regular use, you will need to have to hand a reliable company to install your air conditioning system, and to be available for any repairs, maintenance or upgrades that you may require when you have it in place. This applies both for domestic and commercial systems. In the Covington and New Orleans areas, and around, the people to talk to are One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating, so called because they will attend to any problems in such quick time – something that is essential with aircon.

They are experts in air conditioning installation and can help with all the advice you need to make sure you get a system that is ideal for your situation. They will also be able to offer you post-installation help with maintenance, servicing and repairs, and will always be on time. With a reputation for excellent service and many satisfied clients in the area, you can rely on them to do the job they promise in a professional and courteous fashion.

Comfortable Living

If you do not have experience of the benefits of air conditioning – whether at home or in the workplace – you will be impressed with the way it can change the comfort levels in your surroundings immediately. It is easy to use and not expensive, and if you keep it serviced will last many years and provide you with excellent results.

For all your air conditioning and heating needs get in touch with One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating. One of the team will be more than happy to talk to you about your requirements and answer any questions you might have, and they will provide you with a free quote for your aircon installation.

Should You Live On or Off Campus?

There are so many decisions to make when you are becoming a student, not least those to do with accommodation. Finding the right place to live can be a problem – especially as you may well be moving to a town or city that you are not familiar with – and the sheer number of factors to consider can be bewildering.

Fortunately, in most college towns there are companies that can help you find the right accommodation for you, in the best place and at a price you can afford. You want something that is well-maintained and in a great spot, after all, as you need to be close to the facilities and amenities that you will use most often.

If you are attending the University of Alabama, and it is a great choice, you will be discovering the wonderful city of Tuscaloosa. There is plenty to recommend both the town and the university, and the choice of available accommodation is impressive. There is one question you should ask: do you want to live on or off campus? Let’s consider the options.

The Benefits of Off-Campus Living

If you want to live on the campus of the University of Alabama it’s not a bad choice, but the simple fact remains there are better places to live in and around Tuscaloosa. After all, you want to enjoy the delights of the city as well as the university, and a property in one of the more enjoyable parts of the city gives you a much easier way of getting to know where you are. Taking time out of campus is always worth doing, and there are many more benefits to off campus living in Tuscaloosa.

One of the main benefits is that you can find accommodation that is close to the best shops, restaurants and bars, and even close to football stadium and other leisure facilities if sport is your thing. If you check out the property portfolio at College Station Properties, a company specialising in student accommodation close to the University of Alabama, you will find a great choice of property at excellent prices, and with easy access to both the campus and the amenities around the town.

Fully Maintained

When you are enjoying student life – and also having to get on with all that hard work – you don’t want to be bogged down with essential maintenance on your living accommodation. College Station Properties offers a range of fully maintained properties, with a team on hand 24-hours a day to help with any problems you may have.

You can choose between a variety of different sized properties in a choice of accommodation complexes, all within walking distance of the college and the local shops and facilities, and with your property you also get access to one of two swimming pools.

If you need to find out more about student accommodation in Tuscaloosa, get in touch with College Station Properties right now and they will be happy to advise you on the best options.

8 Qualities to Look for in a Condo

Are you thinking of buying a condo? You need to look very carefully as there are many on the market and the quality can vary. It pays to do your homework if you want to get the best deal, and that means knowing who you are dealing with as well as knowing what to look for in a condo. We have put together a list of 8 qualities you need to look into when buying a condo, so here we go!

Build Quality – this is a primary consideration, as you don’t want to be spending good money on poor quality property. Look for a development in which the developer and the builder are either the same or are linked; this way you will get a better level of quality and attention to detail than if your developer has simply farmed out the work.

Green Certification – all-important in this day and age, and especially if you want to resell at a later date, is a building that is as ecologically friendly as possible. Check all the certifications and make sure that you have as many boxes ticked as possible.

Amenities – what’s on offer besides the living space? Is there a pool or party room, or does the condo have access to a gym? Also, what are the specifics of the amenities on offer, and how do they compare with others? Realtors such as Jason Gray can help you get the best deal, as they know the best developments.

Design – are you looking for super-modern or traditional? If it’s the latter, there’s a great deal of choice, and if the latter you want to make sure it’s practical as well as stylish. Sometimes you may find a superb looking building is not great to live in, so you really need to check it out first before you commit.

Finish – make sure you know what you’re getting when you go through the details; if you want granite worktops, bespoke fittings and so on, you need to be certain they are included in the finished property, as it’s all too easy to assume and be disappointed by misleading copy.

Reputation – who is building your condo? Who is the developer? Do they have a history of quality developments, and are they aware of social responsibility in building and planning? Also, have they won any industry awards? Get to know your builder and developer by checking them out – it’s easy with access to the web.

Price – it’s not one that everyone wants to think about, but are you getting value for money? Check competitors for their prices, and see if the specification of your desired property matches up.

Location – finally, and for many the clincher, where is it? What is your condo close to? What does it overlook and do you have a decent view? You want to be in the right area, with the right scenes outside your window!

That’s by no means a comprehensive list but it should help you get the best out of your search for a condo!

Is Vinyl Better for Your Home?

 

Our floors are like the pillars of our homes – they make and break how our homes look overall. The type of flooring you’re using dictates the atmosphere and ambiance of the space you are in. Many people look into the fact that luxury vinyl wood flooring is “THE” inexpensive and efficient way to make their homes look good and make them safer at the same time. No breaking, no cracking – but is that really the case?

We will be comparing Vinyl vs. Laminated flooring and we’ll let you decide which is the best option for your home in terms of flooring.

What is vinyl flooring and what is laminated flooring?

Vinyl Floors: At the core, vinyl means total plastic – complete resistance to moisture which can be safe especially if you have kids around. It’s made to enhance a space’s design and to prevent clicking sounds when walking.

Laminated Floors: They’re 99% wood material and they’re the alternative for hardwood flooring. This means that they won’t be water resistant in the event of overflow, flooding, etc. The good thing about laminated flooring is that it’s easy-to-install. As a matter of fact, homeowners could install it themselves.

The cost

Basically, they’re in the same range of pricing. There are low-end and high-end versions in both vinyl and laminated flooring. The price of both will depend on the design and features you want for your floors. Unlike installing natural wood and tiles, the cost of having vinyl or laminated flooring is substantially cheaper.

Thickness of the floors

Unlike their values, their thickness is quite different. Although the reason for this is their use, both of them are designed to be different from the other one. Vinyl flooring is thinner, with 1.5 mm to 5 mm, than laminate’s 6mm to 12 mm. Laminated flooring is thicker due to its wooden core and since vinyl is just plastic, it is significantly thinner.

Comfort value

Since vinyl flooring is just plastic, installing it directly on concrete would make it hard and cold because the concrete’s temperature rises through the vinyl. Laminated flooring, however, provides more warmth because of the fact that it’s thicker and that it’s made of wood.

Energy efficient

Manufacturers of vinyl flooring are continuously improving. Vinyl manufacturers are actually producing flooring that promises LEED credit of EQ4.3 for its capability of not emitting too much waste material. Laminated flooring, however, uses wood content. Manufacturers produce laminated flooring which holds an astounding LEED MR4, meaning that most of it is recycled.

Are you planning a complete makeover for your home? Are you having a hard time selecting which flooring to go with? Vinyl wood flooring and laminated wood flooring are two of the most used flooring styles now. Both of them provide comfort. They’re both less costly, and they both have style.