Archive | October 2017

Rented flat

Tenants are frequently encounter the situation that it’s not allowed to change anything to their style. Usually wall painting, changing furniture, drilling, replacing the floor or other final changes are prohibited, because the property is owned by someone else. What are the available possibilities for the tenant (except an accurate cleaning) if he/she doesn’t want to spend a fortune for a temporary home, while the contract is considered, but wants to live in a nice place?
The bathroom is the most critical point, because we deeply expect hygiene and cleanness here. Let’s change the shower curtain if there is one. It’s quite cheap and we can choose one fitted for our taste. We can store the old one if we feel it safe for keeping good relationship with the owner. The floor can be popped up with a click barred outdoor covering. Bathrooms are usually small, so only a small amount is needed. It’s nice to walk on it and looks great. Inappropriate lighting can be better by changing the bulbs if we cannot change the lamp itself. The hidden LED ribbon could be a good solution as well, it can be removed easily if we stick it that way. The accessories are ours, so colors and patterns are variable.
We can create a comfy mood in the kitchen by laying an easy-clean runner and changing the curtain. Changing the handles of the cabinets results a bigger amount to pay (keep the old ones because they are parts of the property). Accessories (our tea towels, potted herbs, decorative coffee machine etc.) mean a lot for the view.
The unfurnished lodgings mean that at least the rooms are empty, we can bring our own furniture there. But if it is furnished, the objects in the rooms can be also a problem. The ready-made curtains fitting for the height of the room are cheap. Color and pattern assortment are quite wide. Fold the old curtains and keep them until we move out. We might also buy furniture if there is not enough storage space. Using the Internet, used furniture in perfect condition can be purchased in sell-and-buy groups at much lower price than in shops. We can resell them if we move out. A bedside rug or a carpet under the sofa can be bought this way too. Even the worst interior can be made more livable with plants, cushions, blankets.
Cheap rush mats fixed to the balustrade of the balcony (using e.g. fishing line) hide the not so aesthetic rail. An inexpensive artificial turf is a good choice for a short time. Potted flowers can be put in piled crates this way we don’t have to drill for hanging them.
Ask for help of an interior designer creating cozier lodgings.

Halloween decor

Oct27

DIY decoration ideas for Halloween

Pictures elsewhere

Oct25

Framed pictures can be displayed not just hanging on the wall

Door wreaths 7.

Oct20

Halloween door decors – even DIY

Special windows

Oct18

Especial kitchen windows – not for kitchens only

Dining area wall

Oct16

If the dining area is in the kitchen or in the living room, it is a common solution to push the shorter side of the dining table to the wall and the family sitting around it this way. Its disadvantage is that the wall can get dirty easily. Not only because of spots caused by the spilled food, but by the hands of little children.
Using a washable wallpaper does not only make it easier keeping clean, but the room will get color and a focal point. We can choose among several washable wallpapers in shops, commonly these products are made for wet rooms. This way the dining area will be the integral part of the room and the table’s placement won’t be look as an emergency arrangement.
Using chalkboard paint gives an easily cleanable surface also, but the black color much more highlights the area. It provides great fun for kids. If we combine it with magnetic primer then we can have a mini family gallery on this surface.
Wall panel is a really elegant solution for the problem. It can be bought ready-made, but a carpenter also makes it uniquely for us. Its surface will be washable if treated with wood-paint and/or lacquer. Paneling the whole-room results a perfect classic mood.
The natural stone coverage will be water- and dirt-resistant after impregnation. There is an ultra thin stone-veneer plate which can transmit the light. Stone wallpaper could be also a good solution. All of them can be fixed with sticking. The latter two are flexible, so they can be applied even on curved surface.
A sandblasted, patterned glass plate looks good on a plain, painted wall, the color of the wall will highlight the pattern. Of course, it’s a bit harder to fix it but the manufacturing companies can do this too. We can hang a big framed mirror for this purpose also.
Ask for help of an interior designer for further ideas and solving similar problems.

Fall candle holders

Oct13

Cosy candle holders made of fall fruits

TV2 interview

Oct11

My interview by interior design series “Szépítők” of TV2 can be seen on this link. It starts right after the short introduction.
https://tv2.hu/musoraink/szepitok/245440_csokkentheto-a-lakashitel-osszege.html

Carpets elseways

Oct9

When we inherit interior design objects, there might be some which we don’t want to get rid of, however we can’t integrate them in our home in its original condition. It’s quite easy to transform, repaint or give another function to furniture. However, it’s harder in the case of carpets. If it is nice, but the size doesn’t match, or it is having a slightly worn condition, or a relative made it by hand, there are some methods to save them.
Put it on the wall instead of the floor. Tapestries and wall carpets were used already hundreds of years ago. Beauty was also important beside their covering and draught-protecting functions. Let’s follow this tradition. The big surface in the living room or the wall behind the bed is a perfect place for the carpet. It will be a great focal point in the room. Use a wooden frame to fasten it to the wall so that it cannot stretch. If it is a longer runner, it could be even a half canopy above the bed.
The woven, softer rugs can be used as bedspreads or laying at the end of the bed as decorating elements. Our favorite reading armchair or the sofa can be „padded” with it, making it cozier and protecting the original upholstery.
Carpet is superb for upholstering also. A pouf, an armchair or an ottoman can be renewed with it. It will be sturdy and the heritage gets a new life also. This way it is easy to bring color to the interior.
Shabbier carpets can be used for making cushions or pillows. The fabric is thick, so it’s worth to leave it to a professional seamstress, who has a proper machine for this. The carpet will be cut to measure with skipping the worn-out parts and the cushion will be made this way. Fringes and beads decors fit well for classic carpets.
Who wants to do a makeover but has no inherited pieces, there are proper beautiful and old rugs in many antiquities. Ask for help of an interior designer for selecting and further usage ideas.