Guest post- Ten ideas for organising tools in the garage.

This post is brought to you by shelving and storage specialists: www.esedirect.co.uk.

Anyone who does DIY on a regular basis will know the frustration of not being able to find the right tool for the job. Worse still is discovering that the necessary tool is unusable because it is rusty or damaged. Here are ten ideas to keep your tools well-organised and in top condition.

Basics

1. Keep things clean. Your tools should be stored in a clean, dry, dust-free environment, well out of the way of any children. Keep the sharpest and most dangerous ones furthest out of reach. Never put tools away when they are dirty, wet or dusty – clean them off and make sure they are dry and properly greased/oiled if necessary. Do not store petrol-driven tools like lawnmowers or chainsaws with the fuel still in them – it can evaporate and is an explosion risk in a confined space.

2. Prioritise. You will use some tools frequently – typically the simplest ones like hammers, screwdrivers and Stanley knives. Make sure these are most accessible. Others will only be needed occasionally, and can be tucked out of the way (and out of sight) to save space.

3. Storage. Buy or make some decent shelving or racking, or at least a large plastic cabinet with several drawers. Keep tools of the same type (hand tools, power tools, battery-operated tools) on the same shelf. That way you will always know where a certain tool ought to be. If you are going to be out and about, it is worth investing in a good toolbox with a strong handle for transporting your tools and keeping them organised on the move.

4. Large, heavy tools like circular saws, sanders and drills can take up a lot of space. Especially if you only use these occasionally, it is often worth storing them in large, slide-out bins on the floor. That way, you can just roll them under the bottom shelf when you are done, knowing they will stay clean and dry until next time. Alternatively, you can hang them from a set of robust hooks on the ceiling. Make sure you buy large, strong hooks and screw them properly into the centre of the ceiling’s beams (use a joist detector if you are not sure where the beams are).

5. Keep accessories together. A drill is no good without its chuck and bits. If you are not storing them next to the tool itself, keep everything in the same place and close by – ideally in a labelled drawer or box.

Tips and tricks

6. A drilled length of wood, with a series of different-sized holes along it, is a good way of keeping a small number of tools and other useful bits and pieces in the same place but visible and accessible. Find a piece of two-by-three or two-by-four and use ordinary wood bits to make holes for screwdrivers, pencils, Allen keys and so on. You can also screw in hooks to hang pliers, torches and other items from. Fix the wood to the wall or the underside of a shelf.

7. Make a tool wall. This is the same principle, taken to its logical conclusion. Use a sheet of pegboard along with hooks, wire and cable ties to hang all your tools on – except for the very heaviest ones. DIY stores often display whole ranges of tools like this, and the overall effect is great.

8. Hang jars for screws and nails. Find a set of glass jars with plastic or metal lids. You can fix the lid of each jar to the underside of a shelf using a couple of short screws or strong glue. When you need the contents, just unscrew the jar and lift it down.

9. Funnels screwed to a wall make excellent string dispensers. Thread the end of the ball of string through the funnel and it should never get tangled again. Alternatively, you can fix length of dowelling or bamboo in front of a wall using brackets. Slide on balls of string and reels of wire and solder for easy access, as well as using them to hang gloves and other items on.

10. Magnetic strips, similar to a knife rack, are a convenient way to store paintbrushes and other metal tools. Hang paintbrushes with the brush facing downwards, to encourage them to dry properly and prevent dust from lodging in the heads.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Guest post- It is not the room, it is the accessories: Four ways to accessorize your living room!

Every girl knows that an outfit is not complete without the right accessories. This rule does not just apply to your clothing though, and it is not just women that ought to abide by it.

No; in fact, every single room in your house needs to be properly accessorized if it is to make a real statement and there is no room more important when it comes to this than your living room.

This is the room where you are likely to do most of your relaxing. You get home from work and sit down for a night in front of the TV, you invite friends over and chat for hours on the sofa with a bottle of wine.

So, it stands to reason that you will want such an important room to look great.

Try accessorizing your room in the following ways:

1) Choose statement curtain poles

You have hung stunning drapes that match the upholstery on your sofas and chairs perfectly, but did you know that you can also grab peoples’ attention with your choice of curtain poles as well?

Go for wooden curtain poles that will nicely complement your furnishings or metallic ones that will instantly update your room. You can also get curtain rods with interesting pole ends, which will really draw the eye.

2) Lay feature rugs

Placing a rug in the center of your room can help to give it some direction and also tie in other elements of your interior design.

You could use a rug to add another texture to the room, which will help to create a homely atmosphere, or you could use it to effectively round up all of the colours featured in the room perfectly.

3) Hang eye-catching artworks

No matter where your interests lie, you are sure to be able to find artworks that you can hang on your living room walls to give the room a bit more character.

Whether you choose to frame posters to make them a little more sophisticated, or purchase a large oil painting from a gallery, you can make your artwork a talking point at your next dinner party.

4) Play with lighting

The lighting of your living room can often make or break it; too dark and it will seem oppressive, too bright and it will seem clinical.

So consider fitting an overhead light with a dimmer switch, and place a few table lamps throughout the room, depending on its size. Make sure you choose lampshades that are in-keeping with the overall design.

How will you accessorize your living room?

This guest article was contributed by Aurora Johnson on behalf of The Poles Company, an online business specializing in wooden and metal curtain poles, curtain tracks and curtain accessories. Aurora is a writer with much experience in the interior design sector.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

A product review- Uncommon Goods!

Today, I am happy to share another product review from Uncommon Goods. You can check out my previous review here and here.

Uncommon Goods is an online marketplace offering creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. Uncommon Goods provides shoppers thousands of fun, one-of-a-kind products ranging from home and garden products to jewelries and accessories. 

Below are some of my favorite products from their website.

Reclaimed Wood Cookbook Stand

Row Boat Salad Bowl With Wood Serving Utensils

His And Hers Key Holders

Going To See My Baby Blue Strawberryluna

Pantone Folding Chairs

iphone Charger Sticker Faces Set

Aren't these fabulous? You can check out other wonderful products and unique home decor here.

For this review, I have selected one of their gorgeous, award-winning Paper Pots. In case you are unfamiliar with this item, Paper Pot is a modern tissue holder. It can be used as a toilet paper dispenser as well.

They come in several bright and beautiful colors so you can pick the one that complements your home decor.

Not sure how they work? You can check out these simple step-by-step pictures on how to place your tissue paper or toilet paper into the paper pot.

Easy as pie, isn't it? 

I decided to use mine as a tissue paper dispenser and put it on my desk. Here it is!

I decided to pick the white paper pot for its versatility. I really love my paper pot for its sculptural quality and its stylish good looks. It is thick, sturdy, well-made and comes in a pretty, glossy finish. For review purposes, I have tried using  the paper pot as a tissue paper holder and a toilet paper dispenser and I find that both very easy to use.

Overall, I am very pleased with this fantastic product for its attractive design and functionality. Highly recommended! 

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

Are you a fan of the paper pot as well? Which color is your favorite? You can get yours here.

Don't forget to check out Uncommon Goods when you get a chance for unique birthdays gifts and gifts for special occasions. Happy shopping!

Guest post- Vanities make a house a home!

This article is provided by Stephanie Fehrmann.

Is it just me or do bathroom vanities not get the respect they deserve? The word “vanity” in itself means frivolous and self-satisfied; so why do we use the term for one of the most important household fixtures? It is one of the first stops we make each day, and the place we go when we need to freshen up after a long day at the office or before an exciting date. 

For some, more time is spent in front of a vanity than anywhere else in a house (besides bed). Not only must vanities look attractive and clean but they need to have plenty of storage space and hold up against soap scum, splattered toothpaste, makeup residue, and both humidity and heat. What other fixture in your house is this versatile?

Today’s contemporary bath vanities for modern bathrooms serve up more styles and options than they ever have in the past. If you are sick of sharing space with your messy younger sister or prefer to keep your beauty and bath products separated from your husband’s, you may consider browsing a line of double bathroom vanities. For single gals, a single bath vanity may be more your cup of tea. With bathroom vanities, the options are limitless. Vanities with deep storage space can clear up clutter, while those that take a shallower approach can clear up valuable floor space.

Not only can bath vanities be ordered with single or double sinks but they can be ordered to perfectly blend in with the theme of your house. For those living in rustic cabins or homes furnished with plenty of antique furniture, an antique bathroom vanity will be the perfect addition. For those living in a more contemporary abode, glass bath vanities may be a better option. Regardless of what kind of house you live in, no home would be complete without a chic and useful bath vanity.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Guest post- Does Your Kitchen Know It Is Spring?

The sun is shining, we have hidden our coats and gloves at the back of our wardrobes and bright blue skies have replaced the somber grey days. We are fully aware that spring has made its long-awaited arrival, but can the same be said of your home?

As a room that is used multiple times on a daily basis, where better place to start with a spring makeover than your kitchen?

Innovative ways to spring clean your kitchen

Ensure your kitchen emulates this light and bright season by cleaning everything until it sparkles. Start with the big things that are used on an everyday basis such as washing machines to enjoy the impact almost immediately. From big appliances to wall tiles; from the ceilings to the floors, give everything a thorough scrub down.

If you are on a bit of a budget there are some creative ways to get your kitchen sparkling using the very basics, for example:

To de-scale a kettle, cut a lemon into large chunks and place inside, then fill the kettle with water, leave to boil, and leave the resulting mixture to stand overnight. Discard the next day and rinse thoroughly – then treat yourself to a nice cup of tea.

For a gleaming glass oven door, create a thick paste using bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of water. Dig out some rubber gloves, use a cloth to rub the paste on the inside of the door, leave for 15 minutes then clean off grime with ease!

Bright and beautiful kitchen appliances

Spring cleaning your kitchen is a great start when revamping it in time for the warmer months. Sparkling white surfaces and twinkling chrome appliances not only make for a smart, hygienic kitchen but also have a welcoming aesthetic effect. Clean surfaces will do a far better job at bouncing all that extra daylight around the room, giving it a lift and making it feel more airy and spacious.

Sometimes even the most thorough of cleaning jobs would not restore an item to its former glory, and it is times like these when looking for appliances online is the only option. Take your laptop into the garden, settle down in the sun and immerse yourself in the lively world of kitchen décor. From colorful kettles to bright blenders, there are plenty of ways to add a summery splash of color to your kitchen.

This is an article provided by Homebase. As a leading provider of home and garden furniture, our extensive product range will work perfectly with these inspirational ideas on how to create a seamless indoor/outdoor living divide.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

A product review- OMG Fashion!

Recently, I was contacted by OMG Fashion to do a review for some of their products. 

In case you are unfamiliar with the brand, OMG Fashion is a modern and stylish clothing retailer that provides current and affordable fashion for women internationally.

OMG Fashion offers a lot of fun and stylish clothing ranging from edgy outfits to sexy dresses. Below are some of my favorites!

1. Sweetheart Boobtube Dress

2. Lace Belted Dress

3. Bandage Dress

4. Navy Hoodie

5. Hightop Trainers

6. Fisherman Jumper & Spiked Beanie Hat

For this product review, I was asked to pick two items. In the end, I chose two knitted cardigans for practicality reasons because we have more cold months in the area I am living.

Cross Cardigan

Here I am in my new cardigan!

I like my new cardigan! The contrasting cross detail makes it very unique and stylish. It fits me like a glove as well. Material wise, it does get warmer and warmer after wearing it for a while but it would be perfect for those colder days leading to the winter months.

For the second product review, I actually picked this bright turquoise cardigan. 

Grandad Cardigan

However, they do not have the turquoise cardigan anymore so I was sent a gray one instead. Here I am, trying my best to rock my new cardigan.

The best thing about this cardigan is its versatility. Its color is neutral enough so you can pair them with anything. I also like that it comes with buttons. I love having the flexibility of having them fully buttoned or leaving them unbuttoned, depending on the weather. The two front pockets is an added bonus! I am sure they would be perfect for keeping my hands warm during the chilly weather.

*I received both products to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are my own.

Don't forget to check out OMG Fashion for fun and affordable fashion when you get a chance!

Guest post- Useful tips on how to get started on your interior decorating project!

It is not easy decorating a house but it can be a lot of fun. If you do not have the budget for a professional interior decorator, maybe you should roll up your sleeves and decide to give home designing a shot yourself. All too often our homes are just living spaces arbitrarily put together; we do not even notice how they ended up being that way! But it need not be so. If you have made up your mind to redesign your home and give it that X factor, here are a few ways to help you go at it alone. You will have to brainstorm for ideas and do proper research, but in the end the effort will be worth it. Involve your family and have fun all the way!

Draw inspiration from everything, not just homes

Creativity knows no bounds: artists get inspired from the nature, from other structures, from other kinds of art, from the places they go to, from random bits of conversation they would pick up, and even from other objects. As a DIY interior decorator and homeowner, you are an artist already. Draw your inspiration from anything that catches your fancy or from anything that inspires you. What ideas can you glean from the world around you?

Use Pinterest to your advantage

Wondering what Pinterest can do to help you design your home better? It has visuals and they are the delivered to you on a platter. Go to Pinterest, do a search for home decor ideas and you will have a continuous stream of visuals and images that can give you ideas on how to design your home better. You would have the world’s best designs, ideas, and concepts presented to you. Go on and get inspired. Did we mention that it is completely free and a visually rich experience?

Ask for ideas or seed your ideas in the shower

They say that some of the best ideas come about when you do not expect them to surface. Also, water seems to actuate the “idea center” in your brain. When you take a shower, think about how to make your home look better. Are there window treatments and blinds – the specific type you had in mind – a window or a set of windows can benefit from? Would a chandelier in the living room add more aesthetic value? When you run out of ideas, just ask friends and visitors for their inputs. It is brain storming at its best.

Little things add to big impact

Sometimes you do not need elaborate ceiling motifs, false ceilings, expensive lighting, and anything fancy at all. You would just need creativity, practicality and an eye for detail. Little things sometimes contribute a lot to how you decorate your home. While specific objects are best suited for particular rooms in your home, find out how you would spice up rooms with little inanimate objects. You would get these objects at thrift stores, handicraft stores, and even regular malls. Think about these little additions.

What triggers your ideas for home decor? What kind of little steps did you take to bring about a tremendous change to the way your home looks? Please share your home decor ideas with us and we will share it with the whole world.

Author Bio:

Passionate about interior design, Chris Savage researches about high quality blinds and shades for windows. In his spare time he likes to design and develop WordPress websites, play golf, and hang out with his wife.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Guest post- The Swinging Sixties!

The swinging sixties - if you can't remember them, you were not there. There is always been something special about the decade. Many of the icons of the period remain household names today, such as Audrey Hepburn and John Lennon.

Sixties homes were colorful and fun. In keeping with the overall party spirit, there were places to chill out with friends and family. The sixties was a time when houses started to shrink and open plan living was adopted to make the most of these smaller spaces. 

Wood was taken off the floors and on to the walls and ceiling. Floors were the place for thick, shag pile carpets, which were warm and comfortable to lounge on. They were also the place for bean bags and scatter cushions, which were ideal for lounging or as extra seating for unexpected guests. 

In terms of furniture, plastic was the material of the decade. Vernon Panton's iconic S chair was a sensation when it was released in 1960 as was the Eames Lounge chair in 1961. They were followed by the egg chair and its close relative the hanging pod chair. While these chairs were popular for general seating, dining chairs tended to be more compact and usually had one central leg on top of a wide base for support. This was also a common feature of dining tables. Other types of furniture were influenced by the new “flat-pack” trend. 

Many a sixties husband found himself assembling another piece of 1960s culture (which remains popular), the hostess trolley. After his efforts, he might well have felt himself in need of a rest on his water bed. Although the sixties is often remembered as an ultra-modern period, it actually took a lot of inspiration from the past, in particular art nouveau. 

The key to sixties style was the playful way these influences became reinterpreted. Hence the stylized forms of art nouveau met with the rebelliousness of Dadaism to become the pop art of Warhol and Hockney. At the same time the scientific progress made in the area of optics in the 1950s and 1960s along with the sixties' fashion for Psychedelia combined to form the pop art of Riley. 

There are plenty of paintings to buy online for those who would like a piece of sixties style at a more affordable price. Some of them are also good investments for the future. Buying a piece of art can either enhance an overall sixties look or else provide a sixties reference to another interior scheme.

Lighting is another way to channel the sixties look. The mesmerizing lava lamp is a sixties icon which has managed to stand the test of time. As well as still being made, there are plenty of good quality restored lamps available. 

Neon fiber optic lamps which change color are another sixties classic. An alternative approach is to look for lights and light fittings which reference the exotic destinations of the period, particularly India and Morocco. 

There is plenty of inspiration online for those looking for ways to create a sixties look and the period is often effectively portrayed in films and on TV, for example on the current hit program Mad Men.

A product review- Uncommon Goods!

I am thrilled to collaborate with Uncommon Goods again for another product review. You can check out my previous review here.

Uncommon Goods is an online marketplace offering creatively designed, high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. Uncommon Goods provides shoppers thousands of fun, quirky, cool and one-of-a-kind products such as home and garden products, women's jewelries and accessories, home office items, children's toys, puzzles and more. 

Below are some of my favorite products from their website.

Fox Pillow

Flat Life Lamp

Flat Life Clock

Love Carries All- Zlatka Paneva

Agate Coasters- Set Of 4

Fire Escape Shelf

Aren't these products fantastic? You can check out other unique home decor and garden products here.

Honestly, I had a hard time picking out an item for this review because I have so many favorites. In the end, I picked the reclaimed teak wood rain ducks because they brought a smile to my face.

Reclaimed Teak Wood Rain Ducks

I decided to put these adorable ducks on my dresser.

Before:

After:

Aren't these the cutest thing you have ever seen? I am absolutely in love with my adorable wooden ducks! These whimsical duckies instantly freshen up my dark dresser with its bright, happy colors. These delightful wooden ducks are in great quality. They are beautifully hand-carved from recycled bamboo and reclaimed teak wood. The fun and well-made yellow rain gear is an added bonus. They are also completely removable so you can switch things up once in a while. I couldn't be more pleased with this product! 

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

Do you like them as well? Have you added something whimsical in your home recently?

Don't forget to check out Uncommon Goods when you get a chance for unique birthdays gifts and gifts for special occasions. You are bound to find something fun and special for anyone in any age group. 

By the way, Father's Day is around the corner. If you need some cool gift ideas for dad, go here. Happy shopping!

Guest post- Contemporary Fireplaces Bring Style And Warmth To Any Modern Home!

This article is provided by Matt Donald.

Once considered a traditional way of heating the home and somewhat disregarded because of the growth of electrical heaters, fireplaces have been revived to offer a number of modern creature comforts for the new age home. These days’ contemporary fireplaces do not have to mean loads of smoke, piles of wood in your garage and potential health hazards. They are sleek, simple in their technology and beautiful in the most modern home.

Just the look of a fireplace is comforting and warming and the soft glow of natural embers make a room so much more inviting in the colder months. Even if you have gone for a minimalist décor look in your home you can reap the rewards of both style and warmth by investing in contemporary fireplaces for your home.

Christopher Middleton from the Telegraph illustrates how fireplaces have risen from the ashes adding romance, grandeur or a modern edge to a room with a beautiful example of an oval-shaped fireplace in Hyde Park, London which is a counterpoint to the black and white interior of the room.

Portable units, glassed-in fires and the ‘hole in the wall’ look can bring coziness and warmth to home homes that are minimalist in design and run the risk of looking stark and cold. They can be as sleek and simple as you wish or created with more ornate details. A closed combustion system means optimal heat and safety features are at your fingertips and the option of a remote control makes them an even more convenient past time. Modern fireplaces mean no masonry or chimneys and no mess with ash and burnt wood.

If you want to be more eco-friendly, consider burning natural gas instead of propane, and you will give off less toxic emission into the atmosphere. They are also ideal for people who suffer from asthma and different kinds of allergies. If you have an unusual architecture or want a certain area of the room to stand out then you can get something bespoke that fits perfectly into the room you are warming up, creating a custom look for a custom interior. Take a look at the range of contemporary fireplaces at www.marblehill.co.uk for a fresh take on how these fireplaces can bring style and warmth to your home.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.