Sitting on the open porch is a pleasing pastime on warm summer days
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Moving
Moving is an exciting event, the promise of a new life, at the same time it is a stressful period in people’s life. We can reduce the inconvenience of it if we begin to prepare for it in time.
Many unnecessary things can be piled in one’s home without regular sorting. It’s worth to get rid of them before moving, since not only the number of boxes can be reduced this way, but they haven’t to be treated in the new home also. The task should be started far before moving in steps, even room by room. Prepare three big sacks or boxes and sort the unnecessary objects by groups: for sale, for donation and trash. Announce the sale of furniture, decorating objects etc. in time, even with the term of the real taken time. It has a little chance that everything will be immediately sold, that’s why we have to be prescient. Charity services are happy to get any kind of clothes if they are not sleazy or toys and story-books. The broken, useless objects can be recycled. We can get rid of bigger pieces (furniture, carpet etc.) at the yearly garbage. If this is not relevant presently, these have to be taken away which needs organization and has costs.
Don’t let boxing for the last time also. We always have more stuff than we think. Those which won’t be used until moving (books, decorating objects, winter clothes in summer, Christmas ornaments etc.) can be boxed already. Have time to pack them in a clean condition, because this way they only have to be put on their place in the new home. Boxes always should be labeled! It will be much easier if these will have put in that room where they will be opened and we don’t have to seek what we need first in the new place. Stick the boxes carefully, for not to fall apart during moving and objects in them not to be dusty until it.
Moving company has to be booked as soon as we know the moving date. Commonly they are time-workers. We shall rather pay for one or two hours more than the hurry causes harm to our stuff. Wrapping of furniture and big household appliances is the task of the moving company’s employees, wrapping properly every other things is our responsibility.
Ask for advice your friends or even your interior designer before moving to pay attention to what and what kind of mistakes has to be avoided during this period.
At swimming pool
Stylish relaxation at the swimming pool
In Paris
Romance of Paris roofs
French country
For the lovers of French countryside
Gothic style
Gothic style was born in France at the turn of the 13th-14th century. It was characterized by buildings bursting to the sky and light coming to the fore. Walls became thinner thanks to the herringbone quadripartite and fan-like ribs, this way, bigger windows could be built in. Elements of sacral architecture got into secular architecture, so houses and palaces followed this style also. Comfort became important, but living spaces weren’t separated yet. Board, as building block, which is the base of framed structures, appeared thanks to sawmills. Sizes of furniture rose, first wardrobes were created (chests were used as storages before). Colored glasses were put into the gothic and rose-windows which told the stories of not only saints, but kings and knights also.
The revival of Gothic style appeared in England in the 18th century and reached the top in the 19th century during the era of romanticism. It used gothic features but in an idealized way with glorification of medieval values (fidelity, faith, chivalry, courage etc.). Many castles and houses were built in this style, for example the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge were built in that time also. Decorating elements were adapted too: statues, laced gable, finials and gothic windows with color glasses. Not only the buildings but furniture was made thus. Dark brown wood dominated in the interiors, heavier fabrics were used for upholstering (leather, velvet) and other colors were darker hues also (claret, dark green, dark blue). Niches were re-created by using wallpapers which was a much cheaper solution.
Nowadays Gothic style appears in Goth/gothic form which also uses dark colors (black, deep blue, dark purple) and it is mixed with frightening elements thanks to the popularity of vampire stories, in which films this view dominates. Dark color shame is not obviously kept during transformations of old churches and Gothic revival buildings to homes. Gothic features are perfectly highlighted by light painted walls, comfortably upholstered seats, proper created lighting and separating of spaces and they perfectly harmonize the sight.
Gothic style can be realized in a common home also with considering the scales and proper amounts. Ask for help of an interior designer for this.
Ordered shed
Spring is here soon, it’s the opening season of garden jobs. Starting and keeping the time schedule is much easier if all the needed tools are ordered in their place. The required space for this is defined by the size of the house and the garden, such as the number of persons living there.
The most practical solution is a separate shed with enough space for smaller jobs if it would be rainy. Put a table in it which is tall enough to work comfortable on it standing nearby (plant transplantation, labeling, cuttings etc.). Probably less closed storages are needed, the open shelving is more practical usage of space. Hang hand tools (clippers, scissors, small shovel etc.) to hooks, this way they air better after accurate cleaning and they will be close at hand. Let’s row cords, ropes and thin wires to a kitchen paper towel holder for easier handling. Make custom storage without doors for the bigger machines like lawn mower and garden grill where they can be easily pushed in and pulled out when needed. This way the space above them is free to use because they don’t balk us to reach that wall. Put the bigger tools also on hooks fixed to the wall for the ordered sight and not to bump into them. Choose a shed with window if it is possible but proper lighting has to be ensured anyhow.
If there is no possibility for a separate shed, create the place of garden tools in the garage. Broom, rake, spade etc. can be hung on the side wall. If the building is wide and tall enough, closed cabinets can be built in above head height where pots and other accessories can be stored. Nothing will accidently fall to the car standing there, thanks to the doors.
If there is enough space only in the basement or in the attic for storing garden tools, we can still follow the ideas before, it will be just more tiresome to take down and put up the needed things. Cozy working corners can be also created here with proper lighting. If there is a greenhouse, „workstation” can be organized in one of its corners too. If we have no any other chance, put a cupboard inside the house, near the backdoor leading to the garden, with doors below and open shelves above, this way the most necessary tolls will be at hand going to the garden.
An interior designer can help in creating a functional and decorative place related to the garden also.
London houses
Elegance of London houses
English country
For the lovers of english country life
Using space under stairs
The small area under the stairs is mostly considered only as a storage space. There is always lack of storage space, so this is a very good solution. The usage is perfect with custom made, built-in furniture. However, this is not the only useful way for the owners, there are several further functions fit to this small area also.
Reading our favorite book is the best in a small nook. Let’s built-in a bench under the stairs, put a comfortable cushion on it and surround it with soft pillows, fix a wall scone and the perfect bookworm shelter is ready.
A home office is needed more and more, but there is not always a separated room for it. A smaller desk can be comfortably fit under the stairs, it can be even built around by shelves, providing place for not only the laptop but for the stationery and some documents also.
A guest toilet is desired by most of us. We can cleverly create it under wider stairs. A toilet, a small sink and a towel rail are enough for this. All of them should be wall mounted, this way the space will be felt bigger.
If the stairs are right near the entrance door, let’s take the advantage for creating a comfortable welcoming area. Hooks for coats, shelves for shoes and a cushioned seat can be placed here instead of a separate wardrobe.
These are only some of the several possibilities. Ask for help of an interior designer for utilizing all the possibilities of your home!
