Seven reasons to install a barn door in your home!

If you have noticed, barn doors is one of the hottest design trend in the last couple of years. However, the barn door craze is not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. What used to be part of exterior design has been converted into interior design. What is the appeal and why you should consider installing it in your home? You asked.

Versatility.

Nowadays, barn doors come in a variety of options. You can easily find modern barn doors, traditional barn doors, rustic barn doors, reclaimed barn doors, cottage-style barn doors, steel barn doors, wood barn doors, glass barn doors, etc in the market. They also come in different sizes such as one panel or double panel to fit the space of your home. Additionally, you can select the types of hardware and colors to suit your home's style and decor.

Flexibility.

Not only they can effectively partition open spaces, they also offer partial separation. Additionally, they give you the option to easily close off a room without adding permanence.

Space savers.

Because barn doors run parallel to the wall, they are useful space savers and do not require any hinges. They are especially useful in small spaces that might not allow for swinging doors. 

Visual appeal.

Because of the size of most barn doors, they can instantly make a big design statement in any home. For example, you can paint your barn doors a bright red or a bright green to highlight this powerful design element in an all white home to jazz up your interiors or use a rustic reclaimed wood sliding door to add warmth in a contemporary home. Instead of hanging a large artwork or a group of artwork on your wall, a beautiful barn door with a large, decorative "X" design can do the job as well, thanks to its distinct features.

Add character.

Without a doubt, a barn door adds instant character to any home. Many people adore them for their charm and unique features. It also add visual interest in any setting especially in a neutral room or a minimalist style home.

Easy installation.

Instead of hiring a handyman, you can easily watch a DIY video online, gather a few tools and do the work yourself. All you need are a barn door of your choice and a set of sliding hardware to install your new barn doors.

Add value to your home. 

According to a recent study conducted by website Zillow Digs, it shows that barn doors help to sell as many as 57 days faster and at a higher price point. In the study, it shows that over 2 million homes sold between January 2014 and March 2016 who uses the keyword "barn doors" in their listings brought the highest premium and typically sell with an average of 13% above expected value. This should not come as a surprise because many homeowners like the distinctive, high-end look as well as the doors' beauty and functionality when it comes to closing off spaces.

With all these wonderful qualities, it is easy to see why barn door continue to be one of the most popular design trends in the interior design world. Are you ready to install a barn door in your home too? 

Home Gardening Tips No Matter Where You Live!

This post is provided by Samantha Waites.

Create a perfect home landscape with a garden which feeds your family and beautifies your neighborhood, all while reducing waste.

Twenty years ago, home gardens were relegated to rural plots where your nearest neighbor was 15 miles away and food was expensive. Now, in most urban regions, a processed food supply- better known as a grocery store- is right around the corner and costs less, per capita, than other food options. With so much in chaos and prices rising, people are turning to a home garden to feed their family while providing some stress-free moments puttering around the green.

What gives?

As life becomes more and more complicated in these modern times, more people are returning to nature. And growing your own food is a part of that. The foods which can be grown at home- either in a front yard garden or a tub on the balcony- are varied and can fit any taste or appetite.

How? A home builder of the year awardee suggested these ideas.

Tag your crops

Keep tabs on your garden. Take an old-school notebook, paste in images of each vegetable you plan to grow, and add your plant tags. Then go crazy and make it as detailed as you want. Add information detailing where the plants were bought and where they are in the garden- obviously not a problem if your garden is a steel wash tub on the balcony. Be creative and add your artistic flair with hand drawings of your garden.

Dig easier

Spray your favorite garden tool with silicone or a Teflon-like lubricant. Shoveling and digging will be a snap. A good coating will make any sort of soil slide off a garden tool without leaving a mess.

Lighten the pot

To save your back and take the strain out of lifting large planters, fill the pot one-third full with packing peanuts. Place a piece of landscape fabric on top of the peanuts and then layer in your potting soil. To cut down even more on the weight, use potting mix with lots of peat moss.

Safe transport

Before heading to the plant nursery, line the trunk with a tarp and put a small step ladder on the tarp. The slots between the ladder rungs will serve as compartments to protect the plants and you would not have to worry about spilled dirt or a filthy car.

Rain readout

Add a few drops of food coloring to the bottom of your rain gauge. When the next rainfall comes, the water will blend with the dye and the water level will be easy to read.

Prevent invaders

Plants like gooseneck loosestrife can take over the garden. You can keep that from happening by putting them in a plastic container. Then, cut the bottom off so the roots would not die out, but can grow into the soil.

Root bound

Buying potting plans can be a pain as the plant grows in the pot. The roots do not have room to grow and begin to form tight knots inside the pot. The problem? Tightly curled roots can prevent water and nutrients from traveling to the leaves. Guide the roots outward and carefully make vertical cuts in the root ball.

Protect the bulbs

Tired of furry freeloaders snacking on your flower bulbs? Keep them out with netting staked over the flower bed. When it is springtime, remove the netting or cut holes so the plants can grow through.

Portable pots

Fit a piece of plywood to the back  with wood cleats. The wood creates a flat surface perfect for potting. Now the soil and plants can be wheeled to the garden in one trip.

Selecting the right HVAC system for your home!

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

At some point you will need to replace or add a HVAC system into your home. It does not matter where you live in the country you will appreciate the benefits of a good Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning unit.

But when you come to start looking you will realize that this is a huge decision and one that you want to get right. After all, the system should be in your home for many years to come.

Just follow these steps and you will be sure to get the right system.

Manufacture

Choose a well known and respected manufacturer such as Axiflow. This will ensure you are purchasing a quality product which comes with guarantees and should last you for years.

If you are unsure regarding a manufacturer you can easily check their reputation online, specifically on their website and social media sites.

Know The Ratings

There are 3 main ratings when dealing with HVAC systems:

Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency

This rating shows how efficient the system is. For example, if it has a rating of 70% then the HVAC system is capable of converting 70% of the fuel used into heat or cooling for your home.

The higher the rating the better the system.  The best systems are rated at 98%; it is recommended that you choose one that is offering at least 80%.

Heating Seasonal Performance Factor

Instead of assessing the efficiency of the system this rating relates to the energy efficiency of the heat pups within the system. 

Again the higher the rating the better. A high rating means the pump is very efficient and uses very little energy to power it. You should aim for at least 8. But the best are in the region of 13.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

Again the higher the rating the less energy that is used, this makes it more efficient and more desirable.

You should aim for a HVAC system with at least 14 although the best are 30+!

Your Budget

Of course you need to decide what you can comfortably afford before you commit to a HVAC system. There are two elements to affordability.

The first is the cost of the system to buy and install.

It is worth noting that installation is more complex and costly if you are not replacing an existing system. This is because you will definitely need ducts installed round your home. If you are replacing an existing system it may be possible to use the ducting already in place.

The second is the cost of running the system. Generally the higher the purchase cost the lower the running costs!

The Capacity

You need to know the HVAC system will be effective at heating your home. To do this, you will want to measure the area inside your home and find a system that can comfortably meet this requirement.

It is worth getting a system that does a slightly larger area than your home, this will help to extend its life as it would not be working at full capacity all the time.

Top tips when renovating your living room!

This post is provided by Thomas.

Redecorating or renovating your living room does not have to be a stressful or costly project. In fact, there are many ways to make it enjoyable, and ensure the desired outcome in the space. Consider a few of these tips when you are ready to redecorate, to keep things easy, and achieve the desired look. 

Start bigger. When redecorating, go with the bigger pieces. Choose new furniture, drapes, and other larger-items, before you go ahead and settle on smaller things. Do not pick out your couch based on the wall colors; you want to do the opposite, so you can create an engaging and welcoming space for your guests into your home. 

Understand the room. Is it very bright and sunny? You might want to invest in UV shades or blinds. Do you get lots of traffic in the room? Maybe the costliest hardwoods are not the right choice; instead, maybe a linoleum or even some type of granite or tile is a better option. You have to think things through before making final decisions in order to create a space which works. 

Put your own touches into it. Paintings, adding wall bordering, or even doing the painting yourself, rather than hiring a contractor, are some options to make the space your own and truly unique. You have to find something that looks good, but also something which you can appreciate. Make sure you are incorporating your own personal touches and style throughout, if you want to create a space you will truly love. 

Your living room is a room you spend plenty of time in, for this reason, you have to make sure you choose the right approach when you are ready to decorate it. If you would like some help when redecorating your living room, you could always get in touch with painter and decorator to do some of the work for you. These are a few ways to ensure the project goes smoothly, and to know you are going to love the outcome once you are finished redecorating that room of the home. 

How to care for your solid wood furniture!

This post is provided by Boris Goncearenco.

The furniture, made of natural wood, is distinguished by its high aesthetics, beauty and being environmentally friendly. Such furniture will always be in fashion and is sold by a big number of online furniture retailers like NY Furniture Outlets, Wayfair, etc. And although modern furniture made of wood is covered with all sorts of high-quality lacquers, you still need to know how to clean the furniture so that it will please your glance for a long time with its flawless appearance.

Basic care rules

Natural wood is one of those materials that require constant care. Wipe the wooden furniture with a damp and dry cloth at least one a week. The ideal option is a soft fabric or suede. Sometimes you can clean furniture with special tools, but these should not contain ammonia, abrasives or solvents. It will be also good to treat the surface with wax, vinegar or burdock oil.

Right climate for your furniture

For wooden furniture, the room temperature should not drop below 60ºF. However, too high temperatures also may have negative effect on furniture. For example, placing heating devices near furniture covered with wood veneers or made of solid wood can lead to deformation of the finish layer, appearance of blisters and bubbles. Relative humidity in the room with wooden furniture should not exceed 65%. It is advisable to avoid direct exposure to direct sunlight.

Cleaners and polishers

Hundreds of manufacturers of household chemicals offer a variety of means to care for furniture- cleansers, sprays, polishes, waxes, wet wipes, etc. When making your purchase, you should exclude products that contain acetone and silicone compounds. Preference should be given to polishes based on natural ingredients- beeswax, olive and linseed oil.

Avoid direct sunlight

On bright sunny days, especially if the room in which the furniture is located is on the sunny side, it is recommended to darken the windows with translucent curtains or blinds so that they scatter light and prevent direct sunlight from reaching the surface of wooden furniture.

Solid wood furniture care

There are also special features of care for the solid wood furniture:

1. When cleaning the facades, the wood must be wiped in the direction of the pattern, thus removing dirt from the pores of the wood.

2. Steam cleaning is not suitable for cleaning furniture from solid wood.

3. Dry cleaning of straight panels made of natural wood can be carried out with a vacuum cleaner and soft brush nozzle.

4. Water may not harm the surfaces of the facades, but it can adversely affect the base material. It is always necessary to immediately wipe the water that has fallen on the surface of the furniture so that moisture does not penetrate into its base, for example, through the seams or pores.

Most important thing to keep in mind

Monthly maintenance of solid wood and veneered furniture should contain:

-dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner with a soft nozzle

-wiping the surface with a soft cloth (flannel, suede or velvet) in the direction of the wood pattern so that the dust does not remain in the pores

-in case of scratches and other minor defects, it is better to wipe them with a special mastic of the appropriate color, applying it to a clean, dry surface

Cottage & Bungalow decorative pillow and table lamp!

Recently, I was contacted by Cottage & Bungalow to review their beautiful products. After checking out their website, I immediately agree!

Cottage & Bungalow is a wonderful company offering distinguished coastal furniture, beach decor and accessories that are handpicked for their design and quality. On their website, you will also find custom handcrafted furniture of highest quality crafted by artisans. With endless selections from laid-back pieces to elegant and luxurious furnishings, you will find something you love at Cottage & Bungalow!

Here are some of my favorite items from Cottage & Bungalow!

Double Arches Navy/ Sky Embroidered Pillow

Dahlia Arm Chair in Three Colors

Tilda 5-Light Chandelier

Bennett Three Drawer Nightstand

Sona 48" Rattan Dining Table Base in Clover or Nutmeg

Ponte Vedra Double Bench

Cumberland Cabinet

Moderne Maru Daybed

Regeant Rattan Daybed in Clove or Nutmeg

Summerland Key Bed

Such beautiful pieces! I love how effortlessly chic and casual they look! For today's review, I have chosen a pretty decorative pillow and a table lamp to spruce up my guest bedroom. Here they are!

Jala Macrame Decorative Pillow

Ribbon Coral Mini Lamp

Check out my guest bedroom mini makeover!

I really love the new additions in my guest bedroom!

Measuring at 12"x16", this small pillow creates a big impact in the room, thanks to its beautiful intricate patterns. It really gives the room an added visual interest and a dose of boho flair, don't you think? It comes with an insert and is removable for the occasional cleaning.

With a warm, neutral tone, it can be easily incorporated into any room and in many color schemes. Talk about versatility! At the moment, this pillow is on sale with a 20% off discount given at checkout.

This table lamp is absolutely stunning and brings me so much joy! Thanks to its coral design, this lamp exudes an effortlessly casual, coastal feel. The beautiful glass base adds a touch of style and elegance to the overall design. 

Both products are truly gorgeous and well-made. I couldn't be happier with both my choices. Highly recommended!

On a side note, the first coral table lamp I received was broken during transit. However, I was sent a new lamp promptly. Needless to say, I am pleased with their amazing customer service!

Don't forget to check out Cottage & Bungalow when you have a moment. Currently, they are running a sale with a 20% on selected rugs, bedding and pillows with sales ending tonight!

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

Tree management, removal and safety!

This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

Trees live for a very long time but at some point they are likely to need to be removed, or at the very least pruned. When they are small this is not likely to be an issue but as they grow you are likely to need professional help.

This is particularly true if you are looking to use a tree removal service in Sydney. No matter how long your tree has been alive, regular maintenance will help it to stay healthy and extend its life. 

While it may be tempting to do the work yourself, there are several good reasons why the management, removal and safety of your trees should be entrusted to a professional:

Regulations

In Australia, you cannot remove or even prune certain trees without getting permission from the local authority. Even if the tree is diseased or a danger; it needs to be verified by a professional.

Alongside this if you prune a tree that you do not think is on the list and you turn out to be wrong you can face a hefty fine.

The prudent and recommended approach is to get a professional in to verify the type of tree you are dealing with. They can confirm this is writing, allowing you to prune your tree or use their services.

Safety

Have you ever seen a tree fall? You may be surprised to discover just how far it can go and how much damage it can do in the process. 

Of course, you would be attempting to make it fall in a certain place, but unless you are a professional this is harder than it appears.

A professional tree removal specialist will have the right equipment to bring your tree down without causing harm to other properties or people nearby. You will be grateful you used them.

Insurance

A good tree management company will have all the relevant insurances to cover you and themselves should anything go wrong with the felling or pruning.

Trees are surprisingly heavy, even a large branch can squash a car. It pays to have the right insurance to ensure there are no issues after the event.

Knowledge

Knowledge is often underrated but it is essential. You may think that your favorite tree is dead and needs to be removed, a specialist will know if it is or if it can be saved. They have the knowledge to help you make the right decision for the tree and your surroundings.

The opposite is also true; sometimes a healthy tree needs to be removed simply because its roots are starting to cause an issue for your foundations or the road nearby.

You may not spot the issue but a tree specialist will. This is why it is so important to create a schedule for your tree maintenance and to find a professional firm that will handle all your needs.

Their assistance will ensure you are complying with all the relevant regulations and your trees are removed and managed in a professional and environmentally friendly way.

Five Tips For Decorating Your Home On A Budget!

This post is provided by Boris Dzingarov.

Home décor projects do not always have to be expensive. There are tons of simple ideas that you can implement without investing much money or hiring an expert. By investing in the beauty of your home, you will boost the serenity and value. Below are some simple tips you can apply to get the beauty you want without breaking the bank. 

Make A Budget

If you will be buying anything, make a budget and identify how much you can comfortably spend. Without a budget, you may be tempted to spend more than you can afford because home décor items are very attractive. 

Highlight Your Plan

What do you want to achieve at the end of the project? Which rooms do you want to transform? Which ones should be given a priority? These are some of the factors you should consider when planning for an interior decor project. You can have as many items on your list as possible. However, when it comes to implementing, tackle one project at a time. This will allow you to focus and get the best output. 

Use What You Have

If you are not ready to invest any money, start with what you have at home. Use the beautiful fabric you have to sew new covers for your throw pillows. Rearrange the shelves and paint some of your walls with a new colorful paint. Be careful with the paint to avoid damaging your furniture and floors. The empty bottles can also be transformed to colorful flower vases with a little spray paint. There is so much you can do with what you already have at home. 

Check out some DIY ideas on the internet and use your creativity too. You will be surprised by how much DIY can help in transforming your home into a beautiful space. 

Hire An Expert 

You can hire an expert even when on a tight budget. You only have to list a number of suitable interior decorators and compare their rates to choose the most affordable one. Alternatively, you can hire a consultant to create a design for you and then you handle the rest of the work by yourself.

Shop Wisely 

When you go shopping, take your time and compare different options. Look for the most affordable option that suits your needs. For instance, ePlanters has a variety of indoor planters, each with a varying price. While all of them are beautiful, not each of them will be suitable for your project. Do not forget to look for offers and discounts as these can help you in saving money. 

Another shopping tip is to shop for second-hand items. Take advantage of your neighbors’ garage sales and look for online deals too. You can get some very good deals when you shop for used products. Many people associate second-hand products with poor quality and damage, but this is not the case. Most of the second-hand items are normally as good as new.

By making use of what you have, doing it by yourself, shopping wisely, and seeking affordable interior decor services, you will be able to decorate on a budget.  

Four Ways To Greenify Your Bedroom Design!

This post is provided by Boris Dzhingarov.

So, you have decided you want to be more eco-conscious in your home, and now it is time to renovate your bedroom with a greener approach. Figuring out where to start when you have never done anything like this before can be difficult, but with a bit of research you should have no problem coming up with new additions that are in line with your goals and principles. With that said, here are four things you can do to add flair and cleanliness to any bedroom.

Organic Bedding

The bedding is often overlooked during bedroom design, but if you are wanting to go full green it would be best to opt for organic bed sheets, blankets, and pillow cases. Conventional bedding is typically made in a factory using all sorts of potentially harmful chemicals that are not only bad for the environment but are also not ideal for skin contact on a regular basis. Furthermore, when you shake up the bedding, all of those fibers and chemicals are released into the air, creating allergens and airborne toxins that are not present in organic bedding sets. Fortunately, popular brands like SOL Organics have extensive catalogs of all kinds of bedding made from fully organic and eco-friendly materials.

House Plants

What better way to go green than to add some actual greenery to your surroundings? Plants not only give your bedroom a more natural appearance, they also provide the benefit of releasing fresh oxygen and aromas into the air, which can make a for a more airy and fresh feeling overall. Of course, they also add an extra artistic touch that simply can not be matched by plastic plants or paintings.  

Motion Sensor Lighting

A great way to save on your energy bill and reduce your bedroom's carbon footprint is to install motion sensor activated lighting that only turns on when someone enters the room and turns off automatically when you leave. Likewise, you may want to opt for dimmable lighting fixtures to avoid using the full blub wattage during evening times when stronger lighting is not needed.

More Sunlight

In addition to using motion sensors and dimmable lighting, another way to reduce your dependency on artificial lighting is to let more natural sunlight into your bedroom through the addition or expansion of windows or sky lights. Using partially translucent curtains- those that let light in but do not let light out- is a good way to boost natural room lighting without compromising privacy.

It All Adds Up To Eco-Friendly Style And Comfort!

Many people associate environmental consciousness with hippies and rustic living spaces, but in reality, there are many modern home designers who have begun to specialize in organic and clean interior design. As a result, it is now easier than ever to find wholesome components and additions regardless of the theme or style you are going for. Ultimately, all of the above improvements can be done in the course of a weekend and once you have finished you will be glad that your bedroom is clean, energy efficient, and tailored to your ethics and preferences.

Four Signs You Need A New Air Conditioning System!

This post is provided by Zoe Price.

Sometimes it is hard to know whether you need to repair or replace a major appliance. The issue gets more complicated when the items are a constant source of maintenance and repair. Here are 4 signs you need a new air conditioning system.

It Is More Than Ten Years Old.

There are several reasons you want to replace an AC as it ages. The first is that it is wearing out, and every day that goes by, the odds of a catastrophic failure go up. The second is the fact that technology is getting better every year. The newer air conditioners are more efficient than your existing unit, just as new refrigerators use a third or less of the power your twenty-year-old fridge uses. If the air conditioner is more than ten years old, you will probably want to replace it with something more reliable and energy efficient. 

The Cost To Repair Is Half Or More The Cost To Replace.

Depending on who you ask, it is time to replace something when the cost of a repair is one third to one half the cost of a new unit. This rule of thumb comes from the known trend that once you have a big costly repair, you are due for another one, and two repairs worth the cost of a new unit are not worth it. In that case, it would have been better to just replace the unit. Two repairs that are both a third of the cost of a new unit mean it is on its way downhill, and you would save yourself a lot of aggravation if you just put a new unit in.

You can get quotes from contractors for the cost of the repairs. To get the cost of replacing the unit, use Porch's air conditioning installation calculator.

It Just Does Not Do The Job.

It is possible that the air conditioner is undersized for your home. If you bought a right-sized unit, you could keep your house comfortable and do so without as high of an electric bill.

Another issue is if you keep finding the unit failing to keep its cool. Maybe the unit keeps leaking refrigerant. Perhaps your system is generating fumes and debris that keep clogging the filters. In either case, its deterioration is preventing it from working properly. You could continue with all the little fixes and recharges, or you could simply get a new unit that works well.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

If you are constantly changing your air filters and can not get rid of that smell or aggravating fine particulate in the air, you may need to replace your air conditioner. There are times when the issue is a blocked drain or filters that need to be replaced, but if maintenance to clear those common causes just does not cut it, you may need to replace the air conditioner instead. This is especially true if the unit is generating a chemical or burning smell before spreading it through the house.

If the unit is getting old or expensive to maintain, replace it. And if you think it is the cause of your poor indoor air quality, it needs to be checked out at a minimum, if not replaced.