But it would be very difficult to relax in a bathroom wherein all the cleaning supplies are cluttered everywhere.  It’s always best to keep them all organized.  Spend several minutes to check on all the shampoo, conditioner and body wash bottles; check if they are empty or expired and put them in the recycling bin.

If your family shares a bathroom, collect all those which are not yours and ask your relatives if they still need them; if they don’t, place them in the recycling bin too.  And if the bottles still have some product left or have residue on them, it would be best to wash them off.

Another big problem which is always ignored is the handful of toothbrushes.  Check with the family members and throw out the unused ones.  The cluttered toothbrushes are a morning eye sore.

Throw out empty rolled up toothpaste tubes and remind the family that the best way to bring out the toothpaste from the tube is to roll it up from the bottom, and not to squish the tube at the middle.

Clean up the soap dishes and either dispose of all the unused small soap bars or group them together and dissolve in a clean bottle with water to use as your liquid hand soap. 

Make sure all the towel racks are screwed on properly, paper towels and tissues are in the right places, rugs are in order, and you’re all good.

And just a side note, it would also do wonders to your bathroom to hang a painting or two on the bathroom wall.  You can also opt for a good photo in a frame, preferably with a soothing and relaxing scenic view.

Image reference:

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One of the reasons could be the doors.  Not just the main door, but all the doors going to each room of your humble abode.  And let us not forget that these are not the only doors around the house.  We should be aware of the different cabinets and drawers around our home.  I am not implying that you change the doors themselves. I am but pertaining to the doors knobs and handles.

The knobs and handles of these doors experience a lot of wear and tear because of the continuous daily use of all the members of the household and even guests.  The paint gets scraped off, the screws and hinges loosen up.

It may seem very little, but changing the knobs and handles can really make your house look better!  And it’s a very easy fix up. It would only take minutes to do.  And if you can’t spare more time, you can just work on it one room at a time!

Just check out all the knobs and handles of the doors in your house.  Make a list of all the knobs and handles which need to be change or whose screws need to be tightened.  You can even take photos of them so that it would be easier to buy replacements when you drop by a local hardware store.  Changing them is an easy step by step process.  And to make it even easier, you can also purchase an electric screwdriver if you don’t have one already. Then voila: a not-so-difficult job, but very rewarding when it comes to the positive aura it gives.

image reference: http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TFH/Projects/Thumbnail285x285/FH00MAY_LOODOO_01.JPG

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Spring is a great excuse to inject some fresh colour and new design trends into your home. If you’re working with limited space, there are still plenty of inspiring ideas to brighten up a small room and make it ready for the new season.

Just a simple addition of a new colourful peacock print cushion or floral wallpaper can create the illusion of bringing nature inside and transform a small space. This is the time to banish heavy drapes and drab colours, and embrace bright shades and light fabrics. Let’s look at some key areas that can help get your small room spruced up for spring.

Colours

The most visible change you can make to a small space is by transforming its colour. Paint a wall in the latest spring colours for 2013 such as emerald green (chosen by Pantone as colour of the year), bright tangerine or ocean blue, and you’ve already introduced a new theme without cluttering up the small space.

With a basic background colour established, you can add more colourful yet space-saving elements such as a vase of fresh flowers or a new piece of framed artwork that can complement the wall colours.

Accessories

A few well chosen accessories can make a bold statement in any room, regardless of its size. When space is at a premium, a simple side table with a vintage finish or a geometric pattern rug from The Range, can be enough to give you the update you’re looking for. The Range provides these home accessories to suit most budgets and room sizes.

The beauty of a good accessory is that it can add an exciting element to the most tired parts of a room. Take your inspiration from the spring trend for tie and dye inspired ikat curtains and liven up that old window frame, or do up an old wall with lush new floral wall paper and create a new feature in a small room.

New materials

Embrace the idea of rejuvenation in spring and don’t be afraid to introduce new materials in your home decor. Many designers are talking about brass this year. And while you may not be able to invest in a spiral staircase with a brass handrail, you can definitely include the popular metal in smaller ways. Why not use a brass vase or bookend to liven up your bookshelf?

Lace is another material that is expected to have a resurgence this spring and throughout the year. This diaphanous fabric doesn’t have to conjure up images of Victorian boudoirs. You can bring lace into the 21st century by choosing some modern twists to the fabric. For example, use cushions embellished with lace or try it as a paint stencil on a wall for a luxurious look.

Furniture

Updating traditional furniture pieces such as a sofa or a dining table is a good way to start the redecoration process. If you enjoy DIY, why not try reupholstering sofas in floral or animal prints – a big trend this spring – or sanding down old wooden chairs and painting them in a primary colour such as bright yellow or red. It’s a practical and fun way to redecorate without adding more pieces to a small space.

Just adding a simple mirror to a living room can also make it ready for spring by increasing the light in a small room. If you’re looking to acquire a few statement items, make one of them an antique piece of furniture. The antiques trend is definitely on the rise and mixing a few period pieces such as a vintage chest of drawers with more modern designs will give your room a sophisticated style.

Lighting

Lighting trends for spring are incredibly varied this year; and there’s a host of styles to choose from, including pendant lights inspired by modern industrial design, vintage style lights with exposed filament bulbs and even flamboyant, extra large frames that are replacing conventional pendants. Installing just a single show-stopping ceiling light can give a much needed lift to a small room.

Another important aspect of the barn is that it is very nature friendly. All these important elements; minimalist concept, practicality added with a modern twist combining style and comfort was the exact formula architect Rita Huys used for her modern barn house project.

A reclaimed Belgian barn house by itself is already a recycled structure. However, the architect made it even more eco-friendly by using recycled shutter structure for the exterior surface of the entire house. From a distance the structure will give the barn structure however, the prim landscaping glass doors will surely make you think twice as to what the structure really is.

The interiors are very modern and open just like a traditional barn, however the fixtures and furnishings are very modern. The color palette chosen was also very monochrome all through out the house which makes it all come together and look chic. It’s effect for me would be a more futuristic, design-forward look which balances the idea of using a traditional barn as the foundation of the house.

The outer spaces are also very inviting and functional. Families who like to spend time outside for barbeques or simply backyard fun will surely appreciate how the architect has designed certain areas of the house to open towards the outer areas of the house.

Barn houses such as this one surely reminds us that our ideas today is simply a compilation of ideas that have come before us we simply have to add a bit of modern creativity to make them work and this house has definitely changed the old concept of a rustic barn. Now people will surely expect to see more from barns other than hay.

The beauty if the beach is unlike any other. From sunrise to sunset, to the birds and the boats the ocean’s horizon never runs out of snapshots of natural beauty. This must have been the reason behind this modern coastal home by Yamamori Architect & Associates. The home takes on a Japanese inspired theme and the focal point is of course the sea itself.

I would definitely agree that Japanese house architecture would fit perfectly for coastal homes. Because the Japanese theme really is about being very minimal and more importantly, one with nature the house feels more like it was built to fit into the shores rather than have the shores fit into the home.

The interiors portray nothing but the basic fixtures for basic functions. No more fancy furnishings. Sitting areas on the extended outdoor space sit on the beach front face of the house. As a result, the home feels very modern to a point of looking futuristic, but at the same time very functional.

On the contrary, the exterior structure of the home is something that didn’t really go very traditional. From the outside the house appears to float. The irregular shape of the structure itself kind of contributes to the natural attraction of the environment. The facade kept the natural color of the concrete.

From the way this coastal home was built I could say that the Japanese architects were saying to themselves “it’s difficult to fill a cup (well, in this case a house) that is already full”. Because the house is somewhat empty, it allowed the beauty of the sea to fill it. Now that’s something you definitely can’t buy.

Naturehumaine Architects of Canada knew exactly how to get limited space to work well enough for them. Working only with a 800 sq. ft., these architects came up with a compact home and not only that, they came up with one whose design turned out to be really stylish, some people might even trade their spacious homes for a house like this.

Because floor space was limited, architects turned to a different element and this was working with different levels. Certain areas of the house such as the dining area and the kitchen were elevated while the sitting area which also functioned as a living room was lower than the two.

This was really a creative way to separate areas in one room without getting the feeling of “crowding”. Although the entire floor was limited in space, by giving a distinct area for these different functions, everything actually ended up looking spacious. What the architects did was they made the house look like it could accommodate all the basic areas of the house without making it feel like they were forcing it to look that way.

In my opinion however, I think that what really opened up the house is the interior design incorporated into it. The theme is very rugged, earthy and rustic–but neat. White walls play the role of canvass against the raw materials left exposed in the different areas of the house.

The varnished wooden floor just oozes with an earthy warmth while the exposed beams on the ceiling completes the rugged modern look. Pieces of artwork on the walls breaks the monochromatic flow of the white walls at the same time highlighting certain spaces, like the dining area for example.

It is important to use only what is needed to get what the homeowners want. Like this house project, getting what the customers want means using only the materials needed. Once function is in place style will easily follow. Surely, homeowners won’t even remember that their home was built within a limited space.

Your first step is to decide on your decorating style – for example, traditional, country cottage, contemporary or ultra-modern – and your color scheme, as both these elements will help narrow down your options.

Why super king mattresses are worth the investment

One of your first decisions will be whether to buy a complete bed frame or a headboard. A headboard will fit on to your current divan base but a complete bed frame, while more expensive, can provide a striking focal point for your bedroom.

In many cases, you may want to invest in a new divan or mattress at the same time. Super king mattresses are the best option for couples as they offer a substantially larger sleeping area than a standard double bed, improving your quality of sleep.

Wooden bed frames

Traditionally the most popular choice, wooden bed frames now come in a huge variety of styles. A good-quality wooden bed will be resilient, hard wearing and long lasting and can either be painted or varnished to show the natural beauty of the grain.

With sustainability a key consideration, today’s buyer will want to know that their new wooden bed frame comes from certified wood from responsibly managed forests.

The most basic wooden bed is a simple pine frame with a slatted base. These are good value for money and easy to assemble, but are best used with a good-quality mattress as they don’t always offer the additional support provided by a pocket-sprung divan base.

A more upmarket option is a solid oak bed frame. Choose from slatted wood headboards, modern panelled designs or elegantly curved sleigh frames.

Metal bed frames

Metal headboards and bed frames have seen a resurgence in popularity and range from traditional designs of metal poles topped with bedknobs to sleek contemporary brushed chrome. As with wooden beds, metal bed frames can be finished with gloss paint.

Fabric bed frames

Fabric bed frames and headboards are not a new idea, but there are some fabulous contemporary styles on the market. Made from a variety of materials including cotton, linen, velvet and faux suede, these may come in plain neutral colors such as beige, pale grey or mushroom, or in bolder hues such as purple, red or black.

Leather bed frames

Sleek, stylish and hardwearing, leather bed frames are also very well suited to contemporary homes. Designs may range from simple bed frames to sleigh beds and Chesterfield-style headboards, or for the ultimate in luxury, white or black leather TV beds.

In all cases, if you order your bed frame and mattress online, make sure you choose a reputable supplier offering free delivery and easy-to-assemble options.

Fashion matters and home furnishings are no exception. Kitchen stools leave a subtle yet strong impression, often supplying the finishing touch that distinguishes the extraordinary from the ordinary. Effective without being outlandish, bar stools shine during social events in addition to proving stunningly functional. Indeed, these chameleonesque products are endlessly evolving, adopting increasingly chic guises with each passing season.

The breakfast bar is big news, signalling the demise of the kitchen table and the emergence of new trends in the home furnishings industry. Boasting a standard height of 90cm, the breakfast bar is taller and more imposing than traditional structures, calling for increasingly lithe and lavish furniture. Indeed, part of the appeal of the breakfast bar lies in the scope for adding various embellishments and accessories. Current trends are divided between the stunningly modern and the resolutely traditional, fulfilling the dreams of fashionistas everywhere.

Traditional looks are undergoing a revival with wooden items taking the forefront. Four-legged structures offer literal and symbolic stability in an increasingly busy world, making them an appealing prospect for many customers. Oak is an enduring favorite for reasons that transcend the obvious. Graceful yet robust, oak furniture infuses every setting with gentle elegance. Walnut enriches environments more dramatically. Deliciously decadent, this full-bodied finish adds untold opulence to the most austere of abodes. Both finishes denote serious glamour.

Bentwood fuses old and new by taking the rustic charm of wood and turning it into something slickly innovative and exciting. The distinctive curve of bentwood produces more ergonomic furnishings. Contoured for optimum comfort, bentwood kitchen stools offer an immaculate blend of style and substance.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, ultramodern furniture is also fashionable and emphasizes the exotica of many state-of-the-art homes. What could better complement a curved cabinet or enchanting breakfast island than a set of voguish Kitchen stools? Bold shapes, carefully contoured seats and avant-garde colors combine to produce phenomenally distinctive items which vary from the minimal to the utterly magnificent.

Acrylic Perspex is one material that has gained astonishing prominence in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Offering a genuinely distinctive aesthetic, this formidable alternative to glass mystically channels light, producing an alternately warm or frosty glow. The very embodiments of subtle sophistication, Acrylic Perspex bar stools are at once understated and overwhelming; subdued and psychedelic.

Breakfast bar stools enable you your home and tastes. Operating these covetable items will mark if you’ve a passion for fashion to make a unique statement about as functional fashion statements, your home out as the place to be. So and you yearn for great furniture, then there truly is no greater way to than to indulge your desires than by delving into the world of bar stools.

Photo Credits: PhotoXpress

Designing girls bedrooms is half the fun of owning one

When my sister and I had our own rooms for the first time during our teenage years, we both knew that we were getting older, and we were quite happy about it. For one thing, we had more privacy – thank god our parents were so supportive. Another thing that made us happy about the move is the fact that we can actually design our rooms so that they’d express our individuality and at the same time be molded into living spaces we can actually move around in.

Good Girls Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Teenage girls have a more refined taste compared to younger girls

Teenage girls are of a different breed. Unlike younger children who like flair and glitter, teenage girls are on the threshold of adulthood, so their interests are beginning to align with that of normal adults, although on a pace that most mothers would most likely want to control. With regard to room design, teenage girls would prefer simpler designs and set ups that actually function to serve the bedroom as it is. Teenage girls are more practical, and this is saying a lot if you handled them in their younger years.

Mothers shouldn’t assume, though, that their daughters would want what they choose straight off the bat. When trying to decide for good decorating ideas for your little girl’s bedroom, try having a specific thing in mind but keep a loose leash. From there, gauge your little girl’s reaction and proceed so that you both discover what she wants. Pro tip: remember that you’re designing her room, not yours, so you should give her a little leeway despite her tastes being a bit crazy for your standards. In the end, when she realizes how off her choice is, she’d love you more for tolerating her nonetheless.

Basics of Girls Bedroom Decorating Ideas

An active and open conversation would promote creativity and an ultimately awesome design

Once you’ve opened the lines of communications, the brainstorming of ideas shouldn’t be too hard after that. What you should remember, though, is the important fact that each bedroom, regardless of whether they’re for girls or old people, should have the basics so that they’ll serve the inhabitants well and look presentable in case guests decide to show up. An area rug would do wonders for your girl’s bedroom, for example, because it would create that soft and princess-y feel, especially if the design and color was something like pink and white with stars or rainbows. That may not always be the case, though, since some girls like neutral colors like light orange or dark green.

Another thing you should put in your girl’s room is a good set of window shades. As an interior designer, I recommend solar shades because they do not let stifle the good view from outside the window but reduce the glare significantly, making mornings not as harsh. Good window treatment is also important because you’d want your growing girl to have privacy from onlookers or neighborhood boys with telescopes, if you know what I mean.

So there you have it, a little bit of everything about designing bedrooms for your little girl. You can find more beds online at the bedstar store. With their huge range, you should be able to find a perfectly suited bed for the room you’re trying to create. Alternatively, you may consider other options such as sleepeezee beds. You need to think of comfort as much the design. If you have other ideas or stories you want to share, leave a comment on the space provided below. Ciao!

Having a small bedroom space should not deter your big imagination

How often have you looked at lifestyle magazines featuring interior design displays and sigh aloud, wondering ‘when will I have a set-up like that?’ It’s not bad to want a better version of yourself, and everyone has the right to try and achieve that improvement. Your progress shouldn’t be impeded by financial status or even size of the room you want to improve. Take it from me, an interior designer by profession, anything is possible.

Thinking Up of Good Decorating Ideas for a Small Bedroom

Put your personality into your design brainstorm so you'd come up with a unique set-up

All types of improvement require a good idea, and we all know that good ideas do not grow on trees. This is to say that the idea you have is manageable of execution in the first place, or would even work in your own set up. An integral part of a having good ideas, whether they be small bedroom decorating ideas or schemas to eliminate world hunger, is the ability to execute and implement what you have in your head in real life. To get good small bedroom decorating ideas for your own bedroom, you have to look at your space and weigh it with what you need to change.

Knowing yourself fully will lead you to discover additional things, apart from those you know already, which would help you refurbish the shortcomings of your current living space. It would be useful to note that getting outside help would be useful in making a cramped and tired mind from overthinking. Try getting fresh concepts from websites and lifestyle magazines about interior design. If you can, join forums or even chat rooms so you can interact with people who share your interior design conundrums and find mutual ways to solve your problems.

Essentials for Small Bedroom Decorating Ideas 

Of course, there are some things that bedrooms can’t do without for that luxurious feel, regardless of what size their area actually is. Every place needs floor and window treatment, and it doesn’t always have to be expensive. For your floor, for example, instead of going for those expensive Persian rugs that they sell at ridiculous and expensive rates, try utilizing fuzzy area rugs available at your local department store or mall.

Ground your plan with basics such as an area rug and beautiful window treatment

Solar shades are the best type of window treatment because they reduce the glare that enters the room but not the view from the outside. You would know, however, that not all types of rooms would have solar shades work well, most especially small bedrooms with limited window spaces. As such, a good alternative would be to apply window tinting. Like the tint we find in sports cars and other automobiles, window tint allows for a reduced glare entry but allows a view of the outside. Accordingly, the tint transforms the window into a one way mirror, making the inside of your home invisible from outside passerby.

The pursuit of happiness is a right that all people should be free to exercise, and it shouldn’t be constrained by money or other constraints. If there’s a will, there’s a way and as an interior designer, I’m telling you that you can have what you want for your living space, regardless of your funds or space size.