How To Achieve a Farmhouse Look with Your Decor!

One of the hottest trends in home design and decorating is farmhouse style. Made popular by home designer Joanna Gaines, her show Fixer Upper has inspired homeowners with innovative ways to turn their home into a comfortable and cozy space. Farmhouse design is easy to achieve. Even you can easily transform your outdated furniture and walls into something that is eye-catching and welcoming. Here are a few tips on how to achieve the look.

Farmhouse Must-Haves

White and light colors are the main thing everyone knows to adhere to when transitioning to farmhouse design. But what are some of the must-haves you need to make your home stand out from others that you are leaning to a farmhouse look? Here are some examples:

*Wraparound porch and white, wood fence highlighting the exterior.
*Highlight your entryway with white shiplap walls and black iron coat racks.
*Showcase light-colored antiques and vintage treasures such as old books, ironstone, and wood decor accents.
*Show off vintage mixers, dishes and metal baskets in the kitchen.
*Lighten barn wood doors and reclaimed wood whenever possible.
*Keep wood plank floors stained dark.
*Use big, white overstuffed furniture in living areas and bedrooms.
*Display farm animal print wall art.

Visiting your local antique market for one-of-a-kind home pieces is the best place to get started with the farmhouse look. Do not forget to look for architectural salvage accents like old chicken feeders, scales, and large spools to turn into clocks and wall accent items. Add plaid material sparingly for a splash of color if needed.

Focus On Wall Color

Some of the main color hues that are the main focus of Farmhouse decor are lighter colors, such as beige, whites and light grays. Stark white with red or black highlights can also work, as long as colors flow seamlessly. Some farmhouse kitchens, mudrooms, and living rooms have white walls and white cabinets, highlighted with pastel or jute rugs. 

A popular farmhouse highlight is shiplap. Similar to a paneled look, shiplap is actually wooden wall board that is often used as an exterior surface for many building projects. Many farmhouse lovers desire the look of shiplap and prefer to paint it white and use it as a main focal point in a room. Keeping your wall color light gives you a good starting point for bringing your overall farmhouse look together.

Keep Things Minimal

The key to farmhouse decor is to keep it simple- just like how things used to be on your grandmother’s farm. Dairy fresh, checkered curtains and galvanized metal accents can create contrast in a room and give off a homey vibe. Do not forget about outdoor decor. Salvage old gates as well as sinks to serve as new tables and planters. Show off your veggie gardens and line small areas with white picket fences. Plant large old-fashioned farmhouse flowers such as hollyhocks, foxgloves, and cosmos, to give your outdoor area a bright, warm farmhouse welcome.  

Spruce Up Dark Furniture

Getting rid of dark colored furniture, including dark leather and dark-stained tables and cabinets is essential to complete the farmhouse look. Ditch your outdated oak table and trade it in for a large, white or gray farmhouse table to seat 10 to 12 people or more. Get rid of dark stained buffet tables and hutches and lighten them up with white chalk paint. Put photographs away, as well as dark-themed home accents. Replace with minimal antique items that are light colored and not overbearing. 

If you have a collection, such as milk glass or vintage Pyrex- bring them out and use them as decorative accents. Use textiles on your furniture- such as cotton, canvas, and chenille, whenever possible. Wood that is scratched or nicked does not have to be thrown out. Use well-worn furniture and home accents in place of new, contemporary items. You can also keep things simple by implementing natural stone, wicker, rattan, sisal and other organic materials into both indoor and outdoor decor. The key is to keep things simple, reduce clutter, and not overdo it with home accents and knick-knacks.

Getting that comfy, easy-living feeling the second you walk into your home, is what farmhouse design is all about. Pulling the charm out of your home and showcasing corners and empty spaces with classic decor will get your guests talking and give you a space you will love to relax in.

Top 5 kitchen countertops design ideas for a small budget!

This post is provided by Glen Star.

One of the most exciting parts about designing your kitchen is when you get to your kitchen countertops. What will they be? Are you going to go for some quartz countertops? Or maybe you fancy the kind of style granite countertops bring into the room. Either way, it might just be too expensive for what you can afford, meaning that you have to sacrifice the beauty and efficiency of your countertops in favor of something cheaper, right? Wrong! You can in fact get amazing looking countertops that blend in with your kitchen design perfectly, even on a low budget. Here are some awesome alternatives for the most common countertop solutions.

Soapstone Sequoia Laminate

This is a great alternative for soapstone. It is very similar in appearance and while you will be able to tell the difference between this and the real deal, it will still look beautiful, which is in fact, the whole point. The best thing about it is that it comes much cheaper than soapstone slabs, so you will be able to save quite a bit of money without having to sacrifice your soapstone vision for the kitchen design.

Butcher Block Countertops

For those of you out there that have a soft spot for reclaimed wood countertops, know that there is a cheaper solution that might just do it for you. Consider using butcher block countertops. It is great because it requires a low level of maintenance and the warm surface will do a great job of filling the space left open by that reclaimed wood countertop you have always wanted.

Chrome Countertops

Have you ever considered using glass countertops? It is a really interesting idea, and chrome countertops can help you achieve a special look for your kitchen countertops. It’s a very elegant material as the glazed and tempered glass manages to use the light in the room to its advantage, creating a marvelous effect.

Granite Tile Countertops

That awesome granite countertop design is out of your price range, huh? Well, how about granite tiles? This is the cheaper alternative that allows you to sport the classic granite look for your countertops, for only a fraction of the price. The installation might seem a little more difficult, but in reality it should not take more than any other surface to install. Especially if you get an expert on the job, you should be looking at a really cool granite tile countertop in no time.

Paperstone Countertops

Paperstone is an interesting choice for a countertop, as it is made of recycled paper and resins. However, if you are dying for that lavastone look, this can get you pretty close to it without having to destroy your savings fund. Lavastone can be amazingly expensive, but this alternative might just be enough for what you want to accomplish with your kitchen design.

Backyard Games The Whole Family Can Play!

This post is provided by Jordan.

Kids and the great outdoors go together like milk and cookies. Or at least they should. However, numerous studies show that today’s youngsters are spending way too much time in front of screens and not enough outside, getting the physical activity their growing bodies need.

Or the adventures that will power their minds and imaginations.

The secret is to make it fun, not work or exercise. Tempt your kids with activities they will want to be a part of. Here are several backyard games that will appeal to your young ones and let them (and you) get the fresh air and fitness time needed.

Tug Of War

A good thick rope is about all you need in the way of equipment. This is the perfect activity for when you have a bunch of people over, such as during a family reunion, a birthday party or block party.

Simply stake an area between the two starting points that is the “lake of fire” or “endless pit” or other forbidden zone each team is going to try to pull the other into. Avoid frustration by making sure the two teams are as evenly matched as possible in size and strength. The kids will work up a good sweat and burn off whatever sugar highs they might be on while enjoying the competition.

Croquet

This yard game is classic. The equipment is not very expensive and it can inspire hours of competitive fun. You can lay out the playing field any way you would like. No matter the size, shape or topography of your backyard, you can make this game work.

Cornhole

Here is another beloved backyard game for “kids” of all ages. Bean bags and an official cornhole board are all you need for fun even in a relatively small playing space. Since the game accommodates just about all ages and physical abilities, you will find a spirited game of cornhole to offer a marvelous bonding opportunity for generations of family and friends.

Hide And Seek

If you want to see running, jumping, crawling and squeezing into tight spaces - all good exercises - instigate a game of hide and seek. Kick the can is a variation of this outdoor sport that kicks the physical activity up another notch and gets young hearts racing even faster. And it is always fun watching dad trying to stuff his body behind a small tree stump.

Backyard Campout

This activity might not burn off a whole lot of calories, but it is a great way to hang out together and inspire your kids’ love of the great outdoors. Burn a fire for warmth, roast marshmallows, listen to the slightly scary outdoor sounds and study the awesome constellation display spread out before you in the night sky. 

Someone is sure to tell a ghost story or two during an escapade your children will treasure forever.

How is that for idea starters? Add a few of your own, then get out there! Let the backyard family fun begin.

How to handle a damaged home!

This post is provided by John May.

Securing a damaged home will be overall the most important step moving forward with your claim. Here is some helpful advice to guide you moving forward with your damaged home.

Most insurance companies will require you to take care of the damage to your home. You must secure your property to prevent any further damage. If something is a total loss, this shall be unnecessary and will be dealt with by the insurance company. However, if only one section of your home was damaged, be proactive and swift in securing the damaged location to prevent any further damage this is known as "mitigating damage," which is just a term for preventing further damage to the property.

This will include, covering holes in walls, protecting your roof from the elements, boarding up any damaged windows, building a fence to prevent any looters/robbers. Moving your property inside the home that may cause further damage is not advised. For example, moving a television that was underneath a hole in a ceiling. 

Your insurance policy should include a clause called "loss of use," this means the insurance company will reimburse you for cost of living, any expenses needed while displaced from your home. However, you are not entitled to the difference between the cost while your displaced and what it has been costing you in your home. For example, your monthly living expenses are $5,000 per month, where you are now having to add hotel cost, restaurant meals, laundry expense, extra gas for your car, totaling an additional $2,000, your insurance company will only reimburse the extra $2,000 per month. You can always find help from a local public adjuster. 

Many homeowner insurance policy holders choose to stay with family members and friends. In most cases, your insurance company will reimburse your host for any additional costs of your stay at the time. Speak with your host to itemize the expenses of your stay. Be cautious and frivolous and be patient with your insurance company if they choose to negotiate this cost with you. Be polite in explaining to your insurance company that you are saving the company valuable time and money by choosing to stay with a family or friend in a hotel stay, and restaurant expenses. 

Filing an insurance claim enables you to rebuild or repair your damaged home. "Actual cash value" policyholders are entitled the amount it would take to return the home, including the contents of the home.

"Replacement" policyholders are entitled to the amount it would cost to replace the home and contents within, regardless of the market value of what was lost. "Replacement" coverage does not require you to rebuild your home in the same lot. You have a choice in where you would want to rebuild your home, if it is the same value of the previous lot. If you choose to move your home to a more expensive lot, you will have to cover the difference. If you choose to not rebuild, but to invest the money in something unrelated like a personal business or college fund, the "replacement" policy will become "actual cash value" policy which will in term yield about 15% less.

12 Exterior Home Projects That Increase Home Safety And Look Great!

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

There are many home renovation projects that can easily keep home owners busy for every single weekend of the entire year. When you think about everything you could do or everything you should do, it quickly becomes overwhelming. But, when you combine home safety and aesthetics, the possibilities dwindle. We have compiled a list of the twelve most interesting exterior projects that will increase your home safety and look great.

1. Fence: Installing a new fence on the periphery of your property enhances the look, gives it style and provides privacy; especially if your house is located in an urban area.

2. Front gate: Your estate might be big enough to justify installing a gate at the end of the laneway. Elegant and safe, you can make this item a decorative theme for your curb appeal. This feature also allows you to restrict access to your property to only your guests.

3. Driveway: If your driveway is older, chances are it is cracked or uneven. Both conditions may lead to trips and falls that would be avoided with a new driveway finish. 

4. Lighting: Aside from providing a beautiful look to your sidewalk or soffits, lighting the way to your front door ensures that your guests see where they walk, especially if there have to climb steps to reach your front door.

5. Dog house: even if you do not own a dog, building a dog house on your lawn provides a beautiful ornament that also serves as a deterrent to future thieves. They will think twice before breaking into your house if they believe a large dog lives on the premises. Designing the dog house in the style of your home makes the final product fit in and be a charming addition to the lawn.

6. Front door: A new front door offers a cachet to the façade. It also saves energy in heating and cooling. Did you know that different color front doors mean different things? A red door indicates that the house is paid for. A brown door tells visitors that the owners are welcoming people. 

7. Windows: new windows are magnificent and prevent heat loss during winter. 

8. Gutters: new gutters are charming and help divert water from the roof to the ground safely.

9. Stairs and railings: whether it is at the front steps or on the back deck, ensuring that stairs and railings are up to code and secured properly will ensure your house inhabitants’ safety.

10. New paint: deck and stairs need new paint from time to time. Do not wait until you get splinters before you give a fresh coat of paint to your patio. 

11. BBQ: If you have not changed your BBQ in a decade, you might want to do so. Aside from looking stunning, the new BBQ will also be safer to operate. 

12. Building envelope: when making changes to the façade of your house, whether you are adding an accessibility ramp or solar panels, consult the expert who will help you make the most out of your investment.

Hopefully we found enough activities to keep you busy for a few weeks.     

The Right Design For A Bathroom!

Just like the most famous and the best restaurants tend to leave a bad impression with unmaintained bathrooms, you could have a good or bad experience in your home’s bathroom as well. However, you could make those private moments pleasant with the right design and pieces. The best design starts with a goal, and for a bathroom, the first goal for you is to keep it spacious. The second goal is to have enough cabinets and drawers that you can store all the necessary items in them. For a contemporary bathroom, it is better to go to with a spa-like feel which could be created with silvery and aqua-like colors.

Most bathrooms are adorned with natural and soothing colors, but you can always create a contrast with bold colored cabinets. Dark wood cabinets go perfectly with light bathroom tiles. Large mirror over the faucet is in fashion these days. To give a more modern look to the bathroom, try the uniquely designed sink bowls that could be placed on counters like a big bowl. Another new way of making the bathroom modern is by having a flat tub in the ground that looks like a mini-sized swimming pool. Natural or white light is the best for bathrooms.

Another style you should consider is designing your bathroom using a spa theme. The first thing that you need to do is paint the walls with very soothing colors, and no colors could be more soothing than bluish whites, light blues, and greens. Do not spend too much on expensive tiles.

Now you need to create the right effects in the bathroom, and these effects are acquired with the right lighting. Use pillar candles to accentuate the corners or floating ones if you have a bathtub in the bathroom. If you do not like the idea of having candles in the bathroom, go for recessed lighting. Place a rug on the floor and buy one that is thick and soft. Use plush towels and if color choice bothers you, simply go for the white ones. A little greenery would be great and for the best looks, go for a wooden bathtub.

However, you could make your bathroom an outright luxurious and modern one with the new wooden bathroom tubs. Though you can find ones with the old and traditional styles, there are some amazing modern looking wooden bathtubs on the market too. Imagine any style and design and you will find that in the market. 

The great thing about these wooden tubs is their size. You can find them in almost any size and with any desired depth. There are ones with enough depth to let you soak into the water to your chin level. Combining these wooden bathroom bathtubs with the modern faucets is one of the best ways of isolating your bathroom from all that you would have seen anywhere. 

About the Author: Carol James is an EssayLab psychology department writer and senior editor. She has MA degree in social sciences and is an excellent specialist in this field. Carol worked with numerous materials on the subject and is eager to share her knowledge with our readers.

How Home Design Can Create Danger!

This post is provided by Katherine Smith.

When we build or renovate a home, one of the highest priorities is often to make it uniquely ours. We want to include features that make it stand apart from every other house on the street. And thanks to greater availability of tools, training, and materials to the DIY renovator, it is easier than ever to take on the work yourself.

Unfortunately, that is where problems can emerge. It is not a big deal to paint or to change floor coverings, but the minute you start penetrating walls and floors, you are on some very risky ground that can quickly lead to expensive and dangerous structural mistakes.

Interfering With Utilities

We think of walls as hollow structures that do nothing but divide spaces. But that is certainly not true. It is very easy to cut into sheetrock or paneling and to get into electrical, water, gas, or sewer lines. Sometimes the problem is immediate, such as a tripped breaker that reveals a mistake. Other times, damage like a pinhole leak in a water line may go unnoticed until years of accumulated hidden damage comes into the open.

Even just adding demand to your utilities can cause trouble. Your home has a finite ability to supply energy and water. High water requirements will lower pressure and decrease functionality. Excessive demand for electricity can trip breakers and damage equipment. Situations like this are a big part of the business for Electrical Safety services, which performs inspections and upgrades to residential electrical systems.

Weakening The Structure

Again with those pesky walls. Sometimes we assume they are randomly placed inside a self-supporting shell, but the reality is that they are not. Some walls, known as partition walls, have no role in holding the house up. But load-bearing or structural walls certainly do, and any changes made to them can cause the house to begin settling, creating cracks in walls, leaks in ceilings, and countless other problems that may not show up for years.

While there are some rules of thumb for determining which type of wall is which, the best guideline is to leave wall changes to a professional or, at the very least, to assume all walls are structural and to treat them accordingly.

Dangerous Features

Form follows function, and if we neglect the latter, we can get in real trouble. Many of the things we like to include in our homes can be beautiful but dangerous as well. The danger is increased when we do things ourselves, because not only do we not know safety codes as thoroughly as professionals, we also may not have their skill level in construction and installation.

Staircases are a perfect example. They are parts of the home that perform a function, but that we also want to make into a showpiece for the home. We think of great cinematic entrances on staircases and want to make the same experience possible in our own homes, but a fabulous staircase is not all it is cracked up to be. Incorrectly-spaced balusters, slick walking surfaces, and unreliable mounting can make a beautiful staircase dangerous. 

As a rule, any deviation from the original design and use of a home represents an opportunity for something dangerous to happen. We must let our heads have an equal vote with our hearts in choosing what to do in our homes as well as who we allow to do it. 

The money saved by doing work ourselves can very quickly be lost when our lack of skill causes us to do something dangerous, unreliable, or nonfunctional, so we should always think of these criteria when considering whether to hire a professional or to carry out the work ourselves.

Three Important Factors For Kitchen Renovations!

This post is provided by Katherine Smith.

One of the best ways to improve your home’s value is by remodeling your kitchen. A minor kitchen renovation in 2017 can return roughly 80.2%  percent on your initial investment on a national average. Remember, however, that before you move one appliance, you need to have an end vision in mind. Whether you go with a simple sketch to remind yourself of your overall vision or a professional redesign, such as you might get from this kitchen remodeling & design company located in San Francisco, knowing what your end result will be will help prevent costly mistakes. When designing your new cookery there are some things to keep in mind to help you get the most out of it.

Trends And Classics

When you are looking at design options for your new kitchen, it is easy to get caught up in the hype of this year’s trends. That new off-pink and canary yellow combination may be all the rage this season, but what do you think of avocado green now that the 70s have come and gone? It is better to pick something classic that you know you will love now and that you will still love in five years. Additionally, if you are doing a renovation to increase your home’s resale value, a trendy look may count against you.

On the other hand, you are the one who will be spending the most time there, so you should really go with what you love. Just be careful, because, with the money that you will be putting into your kitchen, it would be disastrous if it turns out to be something you do not like at all.

The Golden Triangle

If you are going for a complete remodel and rearranging where your appliances go, remember the golden triangle for kitchens. This is a standard where your refrigerator, your sink, and your stove are all located at the tips of a triangle. The thought is that those three places are where you are going to spend the most time, so making it easy to move between them is important. As a rule of thumb, these three appliances should all be spaced between 4-feet and 9-feet away from each other. The total distance should be between 13-feet and 26-feet. There also should not be anything that blocks the path between the three points, like an island or tall cabinet.

Small Touches Equal Big Results

Do not forget that you do not have to go big on the renovations. Simple things like changing the finish on the cabinets will go a long way toward making your kitchen feel fresh again. A change of wall covering and the cabinets will make the room shine, especially when paired with new drawer pulls and other hardware.

Another area that often gets overlooked is lighting. You do not have to rip out the old lights, but installing new directional lighting above the sink is a great way to add some pop. There is also a great opportunity to install track LED lights underneath hanging cabinets to illuminate counters. LEDs give you bright lighting without heat generation, so you do not have to worry about your hands getting overheated while working or that your produce will wilt.

From a new coat of paint on the walls, all the way to taking the room down to the studs, a kitchen update creates a fresh environment for your culinary endeavors. It may not make you a Gordon Ramsey, but it might inspire you to try.

Book review- Life At The Top: New York's Most Exceptional Apartment Buildings!

Today, I am sharing another exciting new publication from Vendome Press with you. Thanks to Meghan Philips for sending me Life At The Top: New York's Most Exceptional Apartment Buildings, another beautiful design book. In this volume, authors Kirk Henckels and Anne Walker, real estate and architectural insiders, chronicle the fortunes and features of fifteen outstanding New York apartment houses, bringing them to life with evocative vintage photos of exterior and interior architectural details.

Without further ado, let's check out some of the stunning images you will find inside this fabulous book!

Photo credit: Michel Arnaud

Such a gorgeous book! In this publication, you will be mesmerized by an abundance of swoon-worthy interiors, thanks to the work of some of the best talents in the design industry such as Bunny Williams, Delphine Krakoff, Katie Ridder, Tom Scheere, Robert Couturier, Michael S. Smith, Piet Boon, Henri Samuel and others. I love a variety of interiors featured in this book ranging from the traditionally layered to the modern minimalist.

A giant volume illustrated with hundreds of high quality photos of incredibly chic, layered and breathtaking interiors, these elegant and luxurious spaces are beyond inspirational. Engaging and fascinating, this delightful book shouldn't be missed especially if you are a fan of interior design! 

I am so thrilled to add this fabulous design book to my collection, I know you will too! Truly a gem and highly recommended! 

Get your own copy here!

*I received  this book to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Secret To A Clean And Organized Home!

Nothing feels more calming and relaxing than finding refuge to a clean home after a long day. Not only is clutter an eyesore, but we know very well that living in filth is never good for anyone, especially children. 

Keeping your house clean will promote good health and sanitation while extending the life of your home’s materials, preventing pest infestations, and making your abode aesthetically more pleasing for family members and guests.

However, with so many things to deal with-from making breakfast to getting the kids’ homework done-it is easy to just go about your day and think about doing the cleaning the next day, which becomes a vicious cycle of procrastination and aimless planning every day. 

Not to worry, you do not have to spend long hours on polishing your home, you just need to be smarter in maintaining it! Here, we reveal the ultimate secrets to keeping your house so clean and organized you would want to host more dinner parties on weeknights.

Make the bed every morning.

The first step to a tidy home is to wake up practicing a good habit of making the bed every morning. Encourage all the family members to lay the blanket, tuck the sheets, and arrange the pillows before they hit the shower. It would not be so hard once you get used to it.

Change and wash the beddings regularly.

Bed sheets can rack up dead skin and all types of body fluids like sweat, oil, and saliva. Pillows can be breeding ground for bugs and mites! To avoid infection, make sure to change your bed sheet weekly, wash your pillows every three months, and steam your mattresses every six months.

Clean the floor.

Keep your floor’s luster by cleaning it regularly and correctly. For ceramic-tile floor, sweep and vacuum to remove loose soil or grit and then clean with warm water. Wooden floors may need more TLC so be sure you get the right mop for wood floors. The cleanliness of the floor will radiate in the entire house.

Clean the kitchen every day.

Do not wait for dirty plates and pots to pile up! The kitchen is one of the places that is regularly used and can therefore easily accumulate dirt and disorder. Wash your dishes every after meal. If you can only take care of the dishes at night, you can load and run the dishwasher. Just make sure you also empty it at once. 

Familiarize yourself with what microfiber is as you will need this type of cloth when cleaning the counter to make sure you effectively remove crumbs, prints, and water rings. Also, take out the trash every night. Do not give bacteria a chance to sit overnight in your home.

Assign designated places of objects in the house.

This is hard to oblige when everyone is rushing. But always remind everyone to never leave anything on the floor, pick up any mess, and put everything in its rightful place. This will not only make your house more organized but it will truly prevent losing important things like keys, umbrellas, and even school books. You do not want to lose precious time looking for missing items!

Lacquered vs Oiled Wood Flooring!

This post is provided by Ben Duke.

Lacquered vs Oiled is one of the biggest debates and wars that goes on in the flooring world. First we will start with a bit of information, and to answer what I imagine is a question going through your heads right now, what exactly are lacquered and oiled finishes?

Lacquered comes with a high gloss and matt finish, and the lacquer that is applied is a type of varnish used as a protection. Oiled comes with more of a vintage finish, and is far more old fashioned, and finished with a hardwax. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages which we will break down for you now.

Lacquered

Pros

Lacquered is incredibly water resistant, so spillages can be very easily cleaned up before permanent damage is caused. Excessive exposure to moisture can cause your floor to curl so you have got to be cautious of the amount of water spilled, but generally it is far more water resistant than oiled. 

It is also good for rooms with heavy footfall, and has good resistance to high levels of traffic and is probably the toughest finish around.

Cons

It can be very easily scuffed or scratched, so if you are worried about the appearance of scratches then this may not be the best finish for you. So if used in hallways it is advised to invest in a door mat!

Resanding can be an issue, if small scratches are an issue the whole floor will need resanding and refinishing!

Oiled

Pros

One of the main advantages of oiled is its durability. The protection is not just on the surface, it runs deep to the core. It is more sustainable than lacquered, and is far easier to resand and refinish. It is also anti static meaning that dust and dirt would not attach itself, and is easy to clean up. 

Due to the nature of the finish, the wood is allowed to breath, and it is perfect for areas of high traffic and heavy footfall.

Cons

Although the protection is one of its benefits, it does take a lot of maintenance. It has very little, if any water resistance, so spillages will need to be cleaned up quickly to avoid damage to the flooring. The anti static nature of the flooring can be problematic for pet owners, as it can see your pets sliding all over the floor! 

There is no right or wrong answer with this debate, as both have pros and cons. We hope our guide has helped you to make your final decision!

Book review- Outside In: The Gardens and Houses of Tichenor & Thorp!

I have another lovely design book, Outside In: The Gardens and Houses of Tichenor & Thorp from Vendome Press that I wanted to share with you today. Thanks Meghan! In this book authored by architects M. Brian Tichenor and Raun Thorp, you will find exceptional properties that integrate large-scale residences and luxurious gardens and landscapes into a singular, unified vision designed by this Los Angeles-based husband-and-wife team. 

Without further ado, let's get a glimpse of this stunning book, shall we?

Photo credit: Roger Davies 

There is so much to love about this gorgeous book and its abundance of awe-inspiring images. Among those featured in this book are a Spanish-inflected courtyard house and garden in Las Palmas; a Bel Air estate tinged with English and French influences; a Newport Beach hilltop hideaway that evokes a Portuguese quinta; a Pasadena retreat inflected with John Soane-inspired details; two luxe Manhattan apartments; and a mountain getaway in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

Most photographs are accompanied by essays, captions, drawings, plans and masterly watercolors to give the reader a deeper understanding of how the firm takes each of these elements into account and incorporates them into their projects. 

With 272 pages of breathtaking homes, beautiful interiors, amazing gardens and spectacular landscaping, this inspiring book is ideal for any design, garden or landscaping fans! Trust me, you will be swept away by this visually delightful and engaging book! Highly recommended and shouldn't be missed!

Get your copy here!

*I received  this book to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Letting light into your bathroom without losing your privacy!

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

Most of us spend a fair amount of time in the bathroom, whether it is taking a refreshing shower in the morning, or relaxing in the tub in the evening. The thing with bathrooms is that they can be dull, and unpleasant to be in, if you do not let in enough light. Obviously, windows are the best way of letting light into a room. 

The problem you have, when you have windows in your bathroom, is how to protect your privacy. After all, you do not want the neighbors to see you drying yourself off when you get out of the shower. Here are three ways that you can have light giving windows in your bathroom, without compromising your privacy. 

Have glass block windows fitted 

This type of window is an ideal choice for a bathroom. You can let in all the light that you need, but the windows also provide you with the privacy you require. If you are thinking of having glass block windows fitted in your home, you should hire an expert in residential and commercial joinery to do the work. This is not a job that you should attempt to do yourself. 

Having a skylight fitted

If you want to fill your bathroom with light, having a skylight fitted can be an excellent choice. Of course, your bathroom has to be in a position which makes this a practical choice. A skylight gives you access to all the sunlight that is available, but does not enable other people to look into your bathroom, and invade your privacy. 

Using window film

One of the simplest ways to protect your privacy, while you are in the bathroom, is to use window film on the windows. Doing so means that you can use plain glass in the windows. The window film obstructs the view of anyone looking in from outside, but does not stop light from getting into the room. 

The good news about window film is that it is available in different colors and patterns. This means that you can choose the film which best fits with your overall bathroom décor. Window film is also easy to fit, so you should be able to complete the job yourself with no problems. This makes the solution even more affordable as you do not need to pay out for professional help. 

Making sure your bathroom is a light and pleasant place to be is important; after all, no-one really enjoys chilling out in the tub, with just artificial light in use. Having sunlight pouring in is far more pleasant, and can also add a feeling of space to the room. 

Hopefully, we have shown you how you can get the light you need, without having to compromise the privacy which is so important. The really good news is that you do not have to spend a lot of money, depending on which option you feel is best for you.