Fireplaces

Oct5

The fireplace is the heart of the home, it symbolizes the stove. Maybe that’s why we are attracted so much to it. Warm coziness can be created in every flat or house by it, just the proper type has to be chosen.
Nothing is more pleasurable than the sound and sight of the flaming and crisp logs. The most important requirement of using a wood-burning fireplace is a properly ventilated chimney. The license even won’t be given without this. If our house has the required features, let’s select among the most beautiful fireplaces. However, regular revision and maintenance by a specialist is important for avoiding accidents. Disadvantages of wood-burning type: ash with dust and soot, and continuous filling of the log pile. It gives warmth in a couple of meters.
Installing gas heated fireplaces is a subject to authorization also. There are strict rules for piping and building the chimney. The flame is real but in a more regulated way. Handling it is much easier, since only a switch has to be turned for burning. There is no dusty afterwork. It warms really only in one or two meters far.
Bioethanol fireplaces can be put anywhere in any sizes. No license is needed for them because no harmful materials are produced during burning. No pipes and no chimney are needed. It has real flames which is easily controllable and can be turned off. But take care for keeping the combustion chamber clean because the coated dust could smell bad when lit. It gives minimal warmth.
Electric fireplaces are the cleanest types. They can be turned on and off with just pushing a button. It can be placed anywhere where a proper fuse-board and a meter are set. But its flame is not real and gives no warmth.
Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the fireplace in proper type and style for your home.

House preparation for autumn

Sep7

Autumn is here. Cold, rainy and foggy days are coming. It’s worth already to prepare the family house to this season. Many outdoor tasks are waiting for the owners.
Check more frequently the rain pipes. Continuously falling color leaves can plug them easily when they are watered into it from the roof also.
Not all types of fallen leaves are good for the soil, grass and flowers. Leaf-litter should always be raked on dry days that won’t cause problems after rain. It can be gathered in compost, if there is any, but put it out in a special sack, garbage collectors take it away too.
The last nice, sunny days should be used for tiding the flower beds. Cut the old flower heads, weed it and mow the lawn. Let’s walk down the garden pathway and check if any of the tiles is broken. These should be replaced before the frosts because cold and moisture will worsen their condition. Pull out weeds grown between the tiles. Pebbly or gravel path should be filled up if necessary.
In the case of a garden lake or a fountain, the falling leaves can cause more tasks. Water should be continuously cleaned, even if there is no fish in it avoiding staling. Fountain must be dewatered before the first frost. It’s practical to cover them with foil in winter.
Animal keepers have to pay attention to their pets and domestic animals. Hutches and stables should be filled with warm litter. Haphazard cracks on the walls should be repaired to keep the cold outside. A thick, old blanket or carpet can be put in the dog house. Let’s buy feeders for birds or renew the old ones.
Mat at the front door can be complemented with a mud-scraper which helps keeping the hall clean in wet weather also. If there is a stair leading from the garden and/or the street to the door, let’s ascertain that it is non-skidding in rainy weather also. If the old jagged slabs are too dingy, they should be replaced for safety.
Let’s enjoy the warm colors of autumn and the decoration opportunities offered by berried branches after outdoor tasks.

Outdoor pool

Jul15

Elegant outdoor swimming pool for the summer refreshment

Garden shade

Jul1

Choose garden shade made of breathable fabrics

Bay window

Jun22

When building a new house, there are several opportunities to plan some special features that make our property unique and special. A real classic style marker is the so called „bay window”, which is a protruding, usually curved window niche. It provides not only a spectacular look, but also useful space.
Depending to the size, it can have different functionality. A small breakfast table with two or three chairs can be placed here. At the window side, chairs can be replaced by a bench. A larger bay window can function as a dining room with six-eight chairs.
In case of bedroom or living room, a “conversation corner” can be implemented in a bay window placing two armchairs and a small table. If the size of the couch allows, it also can be placed, thus emphasizing the area.
With a tailor made bench with foam seat and a lot of cushions, a comfortable, quiet and relaxing reading corner can be created. At the bottom, additional storing capacity is provided, and a little table with a lamp is also offered to be able to use the bay window in the evenings.
Bay windows are perfect home offices. An antique style desk looks great there, but such as the bench, a tailor made and built in desk is also a great solution.
Our relatives playing musical instruments will be glad to a practicing place or a stage for home concerts. Piano, harp or also a drum set can be placed in a bay window in harmony with the classic style of the house.
Shading is not a problem, although the unusual shape frightens some people. With curtains, shutters or Roman blinds the outer light can be easily controlled.
If you would like to give character to your new home, consult with your architect at the planning phase to implement a well sized bay window. For optimal use of space, ask an interior designer.

Doll house anno

Apr17

Antique doll houses: miniature lifelike copies of homes in and out

Post boxes

Mar27

Postbox is given in an apartment house. Any other cases give ground our sense of style.

Colorful houses

Feb13

Dream colorful houses

Photos for selling our home

Feb11

When selling a property, the most important part of the advertisement – beyond floor map – are the pictures taken of it. According to the experience, it’s not quite obvious how to take some such quality photos, which will “sell” the property for us.
Before we start, let’s clean up! It’s a great mistake if we think, that the several weeks old mist or the lack of mopping will not be noticed on the pictures. Another essential task is tidying up. Everything should be put to its place and let’s check, how could be the space even more spectacular. Let’s look at a few interior design magazines and get some ideas from the photos in them: there is no mess, color- and style cavalcade or too many decorations. It’s advised to move from room to room and always prepare the given room for the perfect photo. This can be quite difficult task when the property is inhabited, since the amount of personal objects and furniture should be decreased to a level acceptable by an outsider. If necessary, move the excess chair or commode to another room during taking pictures. Most of the decorations should be placed behind closed doors and the remaining should be arranged nicely. Let’s turn on all the lights even in daylight! Use wide angle lens to catch the most of the room in one frame. Emphasize the good features, such as large window, cozy alcove or the beautiful hardwood flooring. At bathroom and kitchen, the feeling of hygiene is the most important. Here the metal surfaces should be shiny, glass doors and mirrors should be freshly cleaned to show the glamour. If possible, let’s provide a picture of all the rooms to the advertisement.
Some disincentive examples that are regularly appear among property advertising: drying underwear in the bathroom, full trash bin in the kitchen, unmade bed in the bedroom, or dirty clothes on the floor. Although the prospective buyer will purchase the property not our personal objects, yet all this counts a lot with him when deciding, whether he comes to see the apartment or house, or not. In case of a house, choose a shiny day for taking outdoor pictures for the sake of real bright colors. The principle of order still should be valid: tidy up the garden, trim the grass, even stairs and paved parts should be washed up. Take several photos of both the house and garden from different angles.
If you would like to distinguish your advertisement among the lots of others, ask home staging advices from an interior designer for the preparation.