Guest post- Top 5 pool and landscape designs!

This article is provided by Lacey Chic.

Swimming in your swimming pool can be one of the most
relaxing and joyful parts of the summer. 
And when you are entertaining guests at home, your pool and landscape
are sure to be the center of attention. 
A pool is a great place to lay around and socialize into the night, and
a nice waterscape can make the party that much better.  But spending the time to transform your
waterscape into a beautiful haven can seem like an arduous task, and there are
so many different ways to approach the project. 
Here are a few design ideas to help you determine what kind of landscape
you want to design around your pool to make it more inviting and peaceful.

1)  Shade

The first thing to decide on when landscaping your pool is
how to create shade throughout the area. 
The most common way to shade a pool and enhance your poolscape is by
planting trees around the pool. When choosing a tree though, make sure it is
something that does not shed leaves such as an evergreen or tropical
trees.  Another popular way to create
shade is to install a gazebo either over part of the pool or even in the patio
area.  Shade is a very important part
around a pool, and can be fun to experiment with.

2) Height

If you are designing a new pool, make sure to add height
around the pool.  Height can have a big
effect surrounding a pool as it adds depth of perception due to the pool being
perfectly horizontal.  Ways to enhance
height around a pool can include building waterfalls or adding higher walls to
different parts of the pool.  A great
poolscape will normally have a raised bed next to the pool which you can plant
various flowers and trees in.

3)  Pergolas and trellises

The pergolas can be categorized as a shade item, but what
pergolas and trellises have in common is that it is possible to grow ivy and
vines from them, which creates more vertical and natural appeal.

4)  Fire area

Fire pits and fireplaces make for a great place for
entertaining, and there’s no better place to have a fire pit than by the
pool.  Fire pits are great because they
offer you enjoyment of your pool, even when it is too cold to go swimming. 

5)  Choose the right plants

It is important to have lots of plants around your pool to
create a comfortable and relaxing poolscape. 
You must choose wisely though.  It
is ideal to pick up plants that do not have large leaves, thorns, or large
roots which can all be detrimental to a pool. 

Author Bio: After
your pool scape is all finished up, it should be furnished with one of the fine
outdoor
patio furniture sets from All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings.  A beautiful and reliable outdoor furniture
set makes for optimum relaxation around the pool.

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Guest post- Choosing Close to Ceiling Lights- Right Size and Right Style

This article is provided by Decorausa.com.



Lighting fixtures have metamorphosed
into key décor pieces from just being sources of light. The ever- changing
lighting trends and the plethora of designs available in the market might just
leave you confused. Choosing and picking lighting options for large spaces is
not very difficult.

But
what do you do when you do not have the luxury of space and high ceilings?

Well, close to ceiling
lights come to your rescue. Perfect for small rooms, they don’t require you to
loosen those purse strings too much. One reason why we really loved them is
because they seem to convey a more casual setting than fancy chandeliers. 

Sift through the variety of close to
ceiling lights on DecoraUSA and take your pick from flush
mounts and semi-flush mounts. Here are some simple tips on what you need to
look out for while choosing the best close to ceiling lights for your home.

The
first question pops up-Which close to ceiling light do I choose-a flush mount
or a semi-flush mount?

Let your ceiling height do
the talking. For ceiling heights below 8’, you can install
flush mounts. These lights are attached directly to the
ceiling leaving absolutely no gap between the ceiling and the fixture, giving
you more space to walk underneath. Consider semi-flush mounts for ceiling
heights between 9’ to 10’. They hang down from the ceiling, but not very low,
so again you get adequate space below.

Depending on your
requirement, you can use these mounts in compact spaces like the dining room,
entry-way, bed room, bathrooms, kitchens, and closets. With antique brass,
polished chrome, gold, pewter and more finishes, you get a wide selection of
lights. 

In the closets, lights
fulfill a practical need so make sure that they do not make a loud statement
themselves. You can even get in dimmers next to the bed in the bathrooms to
create a subtle light effect. We loved the modern flush mounts too. They look
fabulous with their clean, contemporary lines and blend easily with any
interior (Always try to match your lighting fixtures with the central decor
pieces of the room for a neat presentation). Crystal and glass flush mounts
definitely add more zing to the surroundings.

Despite the fact that you
get limited bulb options with close to ceiling lights, the light effect is
lovely. Decorating with close to ceiling lights can be even more fun because
they call for easy installation (a DIY many times!) and hassle-free
maintenance.

The
Bottomline: While choosing close to ceiling lights, it
is all about striking the right balance between the ceiling height, room
dimensions and the lighting fixture. 

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Guest post- Top design tips for bringing the summer indoors!

This post is brought to you by Laura Wright.



We all love summer. Whether your favorite part of the summer season is the
early sunrises, sunny weather, BBQs, late sunsets or just being outside, it is a
great time of the year.

If you love the summertime, but can not spend the
whole time outdoors, why not bring that summer feeling inside? Here are a few
top design tips to help you bring the summer into your home.

Add a
splash of color

Bring those summer colours into your home by
painting a feature wall for a fresh look – think yellow, orange, lime green,
pink and baby blue. These colors work wonders and will transform your home to
a warm and summery haven.

If you do not want to get the paintbrushes out, you
could choose to use colourful fabrics to magically make the room feel more
summery.

Accessorize with flowers

Your home will look like a new place just by
adding some gorgeous fresh flowers. Whether you have decided to buy your
favorites from the local florist or simply pick a few from your garden, your
interior will suddenly come alive. 

If you have a fireplace that roars during the
winter, update it for the warmer months by replacing those logs or coals with
flowers. It does not always have to be fresh flowers though; you can even bring
the outdoors in by using floral napkins and tablecloths. 

Swap
dark hues for light shades

During the miserable winter days, your home
becomes warm and snugly thanks to dark colours. From your pillows to your
throws and rugs, just about everything is a mix of browns, blues and blacks.

To bring the sunshine inside, store these items
away until next winter and bring out the bright and light colours. Cover your
sofa with a white or cream throw, add bold cushions and cover that dark wooden
flooring with a brightly coloured rug.

Let in
the light

In the cold months it is important to keep the heat
in our homes, so we hang thick and heavy curtains. You could completely
transform your interior into a light and airy summer home by pulling back the
curtains, swapping them for white or pastel drapes and opening those windows.

Do not let your interior design keep you in the
dark - lighten up the place and bring the summer inside. 

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Guest post- Style vs. Function – Achieving The Perfect Balance For Your Kitchen!

It is a never-ending,
all-encompassing dilemma – style or practicality? But when it comes to your
kitchen, who says you can not have both? More and more people in the UK today are
embracing home cooking, so we want our kitchens to be both stylish, enjoyable and functional.



Whether your kitchen is a traditional,
rustic or a modern, contemporary affair, you want to ensure that your
kitchen walks the fine line between style and function. Here are a few things
to consider when planning your kitchen design.

Storage

Your kitchen has to store a lot
of stuff. In order for your kitchen to function, you will need storage for food
supplies, cutlery, crockery, utensils and appliances but if you
have not considered your space and storage thoroughly, you could end up with a cluttered cooking area.

Cupboards are key for storage,
and do not just limit them to ground level. Incorporate wall cupboards, tall
cupboards and overhead cabinets to really make the most of your space and
having them all the way up to the ceiling give you the added bonus of not
having to clean the tops! Try to break up the cupboards with shelves to make
the area look more varied. If you do not have enough wall space, you
could alternatively consider adding free standing open shelving, which ensures
that everything you need is at hand. As a bonus, it can also be used as a room divider if you
have a large kitchen which you wish to split up.

Do not forget your appliances
too – if you always have a kettle, toaster, blender and coffee maker lying
around the place it can end up looking messy and cluttered, and takes up
unnecessary space on the work surface. Try installing covered spaces or boxes which slide
open to store these appliances in, so that you only have them out on the
surface when you need them.



You could even use your storage
as a display area – if you have fine china or ornate crockery that you want to
show off, install some cabinets with glass doors or have some smart open
shelves.



Surfaces



Also crucial when creating a livable kitchen space are surfaces to prepare and cook food on. Even if all
you ever do in the kitchen is prepare yourself packed lunches, you will
probably find that you will be grateful for all the space you can get.



Incorporate a kitchen island or
breakfast bar. They can break up a kitchen's design and add extra preparation
and storage space. They are multifunctional as well because it also serves as a place to have your meals.



When considering what material
to use for your kitchen worktops, functionality should be at the forefront of
your mind. You want a material which is easy to maintain, as this overall will
look better than one which gets grimy and damaged easily over the years. If
you are on a budget, laminate may be your best bet and if you have a bigger budget, invest in quartz worktops, which balance the natural beauty of stone
with durability and easy maintenance. Avoid tiles, as the grout between them
requires a lot of maintenance and steel because it will dent and scratch
easily.



Lighting



There are so many things you
can do with light to ensure it is both stylish and functional. Try “task
lighting” - using your light to highlight areas which you use during your
cooking tasks, for example installing LEDs under your cabinets to beam down on
the work surface below or fix lights so that they illuminate from behind
shelves light up your equipment. To add a little panache to your kitchen
lighting, hang a fixture over your kitchen island – if you are feeling flush you
could hang a chandelier, but if not a quirky lampshade can work just as well.



Your main aim, however, should
be to incorporate as much natural light as possible, as this is much better for
your eyes than artificial lighting. Your kitchen should have plenty of windows;
if this is not possible, consider a sun roof. Many people even have patio doors
in their kitchen, which really allow the light to flood into the kitchen.



Color



Choosing a color scheme for
your kitchen space is your chance to put your stamp on it. If you do want to
use a bold color  we would recommend mixing it with a more demure shade. For
example, if you go for bright blue walls in your kitchen, keep your cupboards
and surfaces a neutral grey color, to avoid the room looking too garish.



You can use color to highlight
certain areas, and color blocks to break up the space. If you spend a lot of
time in your kitchen, use a warm color such as a red or orange, to create a
welcoming, cozy environment. Glass cooker splashbacks are a great way to add a
spot of color to a dull looking kitchen. You can usually select from a wide
range of colors and they are extremely easy to maintain and can handle the
pressures of everyday cooking.



This guest post was written by Emma Williams, who
recently renovated her kitchen, with the help of K100 Kitchens. K100 Kitchens specialise in creating beautiful, functional kitchens and offer free, no obligation
quotes.

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Guest post- Weird and wonderful ways to use artificial grass!

These days, more and more people are choosing to install
artificial lawns over real lawns because its low-maintenance, eco-friendly,
cost effective and very realistic. Fake grass was unheard of many years ago but
now the trend has taken off all over the world so it is not uncommon to see a
fake grass lawn in your neighbors back garden or the garden across the road
nowadays. But you may be surprised at some of the other places were artificial
lawns are cropping up.

Rooftop
Garden

If you do not have
the luxury of owning a garden then do not fear, create a rooftop garden by
installing a grass surface and decorating with potted plants and garden
accessories. You will never tell the difference.

Balcony
or Terrace

If you live in a
flat or apartment and miss the look and feel of grass, install it onto your
balcony or terrace, that way you can have the best of both worlds.

Private
Putting Areas

Calling all
golfers how would you like to own your very own putting green? Use artificial
grass to create a small private putting green for golf practice, you can do
this in your garden or even indoors if you have the space, it will make a great
place for you and your mates to practice a few drives.

Indoor
Gym

If you are a bit of
a gym buddy but like the outdoors, then artificial grass can create the feel of
an outdoor workout whilst using state of the art equipment indoors.

Animal
Play Area

Pets can have
devastating effects on your lawn and carpet, so why not give your dog its very
own play area. Fake grass is safer for pets and can be and is a lot more
hygienic to clean.

Children’s
Bedroom

If you have a
child in your family who is a football fan then fake grass is great option for a
children’s bedroom or a themed playroom. You can create a football pitch or a
jungle by simply putting animal prints on the walls for boys and flowers and countryside
rainbows for girls.

Chicken
Coop

If you are a
chicken lover but are fed up of them running your lawn then give them a fake grass to run. That way they are happy and the mess can simply be hosed down.

Play
Area

Artificial grass
is perfect for a children’s play area. It is a much safer option to put
underneath climbing frames, slides and swings. You can relax in peace whilst
the children play safely.

Swimming
Pools

Artificial grass
is water permeable and anti-slip so it is a great idea for putting around your
garden pool. It is pretty, slip- free and you will have no more muddy wet patches
on your lawn.

Business
Marketing

When you look at
photo shoots based on a lovely scenic background or on a greener than greener
football pitch? Well it is fake grass. Believe it or not, fake grass is often
used at promotional events, in TV commercial and photo-shoots.

Commercial
Décor

Fake grass is just
fantastic for market stalls and creating themed areas and window displays to
showcase outdoor products such as bikes, BBQ equipment, outdoor play area and
camping equipment.

Thanks to
artificial grass’s low-cost, versatility and eco-friendly attributes,
artificial grass is making a big splash in many unusual places.  Once
thought to just be for sporting venues and the occasional front lawn, the uses
for fake grass are endless!

This post was written by Amy Bennett who has recently
invested in high quality artificial grass from Namgrass. 

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Guest post- Design ideas for compact bedrooms!

This article is provided by Simmone Vickers.

Since we spend around a third of our lives sleeping, it is
understandable that we want our bedrooms to look good. From triple door
wardrobes to beautiful laminate flooring; from elegant vanity tables to handy
beside tables, a bedroom provides plenty of scope for great designs.

But what if you have a bedroom where space is at a premium? Luckily,
there are some clever bedroom furnishings out there that are very effective at
maximising the space in more compact rooms, so read our guide and create a
stylish bedroom, regardless of its size!

Savvy
Storage Solutions

Opt for a select few storage solutions that are as chic as they are
useful. Keep an eye out for the foldable, stackable, roll-able and flexible and
you can transform your room into a trendy space that has more than enough space
for your belongings.

Go for sliding doors on wardrobes to eliminate space issues with doors
that open out. Make the bed the central feature of the room and place bedside
tables either side but be sure to leave space between the tables and bed to
create the illusion of space.

You can also get bookshelves which you attach to the walls to stack
books upwards as opposed to buying a separate unit. These make great stand out
design features and give your bedroom a unique twist.

Beds
with Storage

If space is limited in your room, it is
worth investing in a bed with storage facilities. Multi-functional divan storage beds are perfect for smaller rooms, are available in a
wealth of sizes and shapes and come with a diverse range of storage options.

Usually, divan beds come with storage
drawers at the base of the bed, which are designed to be durable; meaning you
can store heavier items such as shoes and books without a problem. They can
also be used to store spare bed linen and children’s toys, helping you keep your
rooms tidy and minimise clutter.

There is a vast array of divan beds on the
market, so there is plenty of choice available. Top notch divan beds are
crafted with high quality materials, have plenty of pocket springs (look for
four figures for ultimate comfort) and combine practicality with style.

Walls
and Floor

Since there is not much floor space, it is
worth focusing on the walls, which can be decorated to really open up the room.
Choose a bright, fresh colour scheme for the walls so that they make the most
of the natural light – a natural base works well with a cool, light blue for
example and will create a trendy, shabby chic bedroom.

Painting the walls with vertical stripes
creates the illusion of space or you can break up the space by creating a
feature wall using wallpaper, which will fool the eye into thinking the room is
bigger than it actually is.

Using mirrors to create the illusion of
space in a small room is a long-standing trick that really works so be sure to
invest in a decent sized mirror that will immediately get to work, which will
bounce the light around your room, making it feel spacious and airy. Use the
light streaming in through the window to its full advantage by investing in
curtain tiebacks too and let more light in.

Alternatively, try floor to ceiling
curtains to give the illusion of height. For an additional light source, hang
bedside lamps from the ceiling to maximise space or opt for freestanding light
units with thin branches that distribute light throughout the room without
taking up much floor space.

With the right furnishings
and a bit of creative flair, a small bedroom can be both functional and
stylish.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

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Guest post- Wonderful Ways To Add Value To Your Home!

In today's housing market anything you can
do to add value and allure to your home will help you when it comes time to
sell, home improvements can be daunting and take time, effort and yes; money,
but it all pays off in the long term. Improving your home should not be simply
about benefiting the next occupier, it should be about improving your lifestyle
while you are still inhabiting so choose home improvements that you can benefit
from too and make your home everything it can be.

Home additions increase the functional
space of your property so you have more room to relax and enjoy your
surroundings, adding extra rooms through home extensions and investing in a
conversion to space you do not use will give you a great return on investment in
the future and improve the look and feel of your house in the present.

1.     
Convert
Current Space

Defy convention and convert your space;
your attic can be so much more than a space to store old clothes and your
garage need not be the place where broken bicycles and empty paint cans go to
die. Adding an extra bedroom is one of the most effective ways of pushing up
the price of your home when it goes to market and an attic is a beautiful blank
canvas, if the structure of the attic or loft is already sound all you need to
do is add to it. Invest in skylight windows to make the most of the location of
the room and turn it from a dark and musty hide-away to a light, airy master
suite or guest bedroom.

Have a close look at your garage, then
close your eyes and let your imagination soar. Take note of the amount of space
available and you might come to find it is more than the other rooms in your
house (can you fit a car or 2 in your front room?) and then consider what you
could really do with it. If you have no need for a ground floor bedroom you
could turn the space into a sprawling home office, dining room or living room,
before you know it your house will feel twice the size. Your garage is a blank
canvas waiting for you to imprint your style upon it, the first step is to open
it up and let the light shine in with well placed windows. Large windows and bi- fold doors bring natural light flooding into the whole of your new room so
there is no dingy spaces and no one will know it is where you used to park your
car.

2.    
Open
Space Up With A Conservatory & Bi-fold Doors

Conservatories
marry your home and your garden beautifully; they give you a stunning space
where you can sit and enjoy the serene tranquillity of your garden in the
peace, quiet and warm they are a versatile addition that can be used for
whatever you wish. You can choose a style of conservatory that compliments the
style, era and ambience of your house, go classic with Victorian inspired
designs or be modern and chic with a Garden Room, they can be adorned
however you wish and the only decoration you need is taken care of with the
beauty of your landscaping.

One of the great
benefits of a conservatory is you do not require planning permission to build
them and experts suggest they can add up to 15% to the value of your home! By
making sure they suit the building type and making sure they have the same
flooring as the rest of your property you can ensure they fit seamlessly into
your home design and do not feel like bolted on space.

If you are worried
a conservatory will take up too much space then bi-folding doors have the same
aesthetic impact of opening up your home to your garden. Bi-fold doors are a
space saving innovation that is still relatively rare in UK homes, they give
your room the feel of a Mediterranean getaway where your home rolls
gorgeously into your garden.

3.   Revamp
Your Bathrooms

How far you
choose to go with your bathrooms is entirely dependent on your budget, if you
want to save money on a re-design, simply investing in modern fixtures and
fittings and a lick of paint can give your bathroom a whole new look without
breaking your bank. If you have a bigger budget, you can completely
remodel your bathroom to bring it soaring into the 21st Century in style,
potential customers would not make the change from a contemporary bathroom with all
the mod cons to a throwback to the 1960's so if you want the best price
possible make sure it is modernised.

If you have the
space and the time, adding a second bathroom or an en-suite gives your home an
extra touch of luxury and an extra injection of space.

It takes time,
effort and patience to make affective adjustments to your home but when the end
result is outstanding you will wish you had made them sooner. Stay ahead in the
housing market and take pleasure and pride in your new and improved space.

This post was
written by Emma Smith on behalf of Abbey Windows, the experts in
revolutionary windows and creative, classy conservatories.

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Guest post- Eco friendly doors!

This article is provided by Lucy Kempton.

Eco friendly doors are one of the latest
editions to eco friendly buildings. New regulations mean that we will all be
seeing a lot more of this type of environmentally friendly solution within new
and existing homes. So what makes a door eco friendly? There are in fact
different ways in which a door can be considered kind to the environment, the
most obvious of which is keeping the warm in and the cold out.



The pressure on all sectors to become more environmentally friendly has been
steadily mounting over the last decade or so, not least in the building and
construction arena. This pressure, whether it is coming from customers or the
government, is palpable. The latest building regulations mean that doors must
be as energy efficient as windows. The U-value of an eco friendly door should
reach 1.8W/m2K, this value coming in line with windows makes a great deal of
sense. 

For instance, double glazed sash windows will make a big difference to
energy consumption, but cold air will always find a way out if there is one to
be found. The cost of an eco friendly door, even if slightly more than a less
air tight option, will pay back handsomely over the years thanks to marked
reduction in heating bills.



A second way in which a door can be counted as eco friendly involves the
chemicals used in its construction. Some companies are now using calcium zinc
based compounds in the extrusion of the door frame. This replaces lead based
additives which in the wrong place, can be an environmental and health hazard.
Lead itself is a neurotoxin and the less we use of it the better for everyone.



Another way in which doors can be considered eco friendly is the use of
recycled off cuts of PVC and/or making sure that the constituents can be
recycled at the end of the door's life. Many are concerned that old doors and
windows will end up in land fill, or even worse being incinerated. Thankfully,
there are now numerous companies that can and will recycle and recreate new
windows from old. The process is fairly labour intensive due the multiple
components that make up a door. Firstly, the windows or doors are stripped down
into their constituent parts. The chopped down PVC can then be turned into chip
granulate, micronized powder or compounded pellets which are then used in all
manner of places, from coating swimming pools to making the soles of shoes.



So whether you are refitting your old doors and windows or getting your sash windows double glazed, it is well worth considering the energy you
could save with an eco friendly door. It is also well worth considering which
chemicals have been used to produce it and how it can be reused once you have
finished with it. Green attitudes are growing and flourishing in business and
at home, and that can only be seen as positive for your pockets and the good of
the earth we are sitting on.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

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