House Help Desk

Its cold and grey outside so stay in and shop for bargains online. This is a great time of year to snap up a January sale bargain, with some fantastic deals around at the moment on many websites.

Take a look around at some designer home interiors websites, like Beverley Hills Home, where you can choose from a selection of luxurious items at reduced prices, whether it’s designer rugs from Jacaranda to cosy up your living room, in luxurious wool and a range of fabulous neutral shades, or a gorgeous scented True Grace candle, in Hyacinth to bring the aroma of Spring into your home, plus other fragrances like Amber or Moroccan Rose?

Sale time is frequently just an opportunity for retailers to clear the decks for new ranges, so there really are some lovely items available at reduced prices – For example, Sheila Sheep or Richard Ram are quirky items that would make a great presents, especially if you have hard to please friends and family, or for the keen host or hostess in your life, how about a shiny, silver champagne bottle stopper, or a smart new knotted handle cheese knife?

Why not be ultra organised early on, and even get a head start on next years Christmas shopping, or stock up on some gifts for upcoming birthdays and events, meaning you will save yourself time and money and be able to treat yourself or your home when all the Spring stock starts to arrive very shortly?

For quite some time organic baby clothes have been doing very well based on the fact that many parents are trying as much as they can to protect their babies. Not only are organic baby clothes  protective, they are also synthetic and now most parents are more cautious and  starting to realize that there are more potential dangers out there than meet the eye. Parents are keen in looking for the most appropriate organic clothing in order to meet the welfare of their babies as this organic clothing are more gentle on babies skin since their skins are easily irritated. Comparing the skin of an adult and the baby, the skin of a baby is more porous, which means that, their skins are spongier; thereby being able to absorb things more easily. Thus, there is potential harm depending on the type of cloths you let your baby wear.

In most cases, organic baby clothes may be to the extent of 95% free of insecticides, chemicals, pesticides and herbicides. Each family has their own personal reasons for deciding to go green. This is so beneficial to the environment in providing a better future for their children or just embracing nature glory. Usually, some clothes, during the time of processing or manufacturing have traces of synthetic toxic, fertilizers and pesticide. All this components are so harmful to the skin to some extent. With organic baby clothes, you are surely free from such risks. They are always 100% free from all chemicals including chemical bleaches and harsh dyes. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s not a new concept to cover our floors with carpets.  For centuries rugs have adorned our interiors adding colour and texture to a room.

Rugs have offered a complete luxury finish to a room.  Historically the halls in the great houses of this country had little furnishings.  Floor treatment for practicality, you can imagine, would be hard floors swept by the general traffic of daily life.  As they were  often frequented by horses and livestock passing through, it is little wonder that the furnishings were kept for the wealthy and general court life.  Rugs were made and hung as wallhangings, being too decorative for the floor.

Today our perspective has completely changed.  Through the ages the world has opened up and the influences from abroad bring back the trappings of other cultures and with that our creativity has  taken us into fascinating interiors to match our lifestyle choices.  The beauty of a rug is that it is transportable and so the possibility of introducing the styles of other cultures permeates our little island.

We don’t use rugs just on hard flooring but add rugs into a well furnished room and invariably over fully fitted carpets.  The colours dictating interesting perspectives.  As a designer I love using a rug as a focal point within a room to base and pick up on accent colours.  Teamed with a well chosen colour scheme this will certainly attract the eye.

Many companies have introduced  designer rugs into their choices inviting designers from both the fashion and interior worlds to design a rug for their collection.  This benefits the end user by creating an instant designer feel without trying too hard.  The colours, design and texture are guaranteed to be in vogue.

Is this what has been missing from your interiors?  Why not try it and see!

You have probably spent a long time getting the colours and furnishings perfectly coordinated in your home, but often the lighting is overlooked, and it is, in some ways, the most important aspect of any room scheme and a vital finishing touch.
A simple way to ring the changes to the way any room looks in the evening is to use candlelight, whether through Hurricane Lamps, candelabras, tea light or simply traditional tapered candles.

So why not stand back and consider the rooms inside your home,  as well as your outdoor living areas. Write down the areas that would possibly be improved by adding in soft candlelight. Also, describe your colour scheme and the feel of the overall design you’ve chosen; which could be, for example: country, loft style, traditional, contemporary etc.

Then your task is to put together your ideal requirements for candles and Hurricane lamps by room or, in the summer, garden or outdoor area. The list you make should include how many candles you will need, the sizes, the styles, scents and colours, along with the number and style of candle holders, lanterns and Hurricane lamps, whether you already have a selection, or intend to buy additional ones to ring the changes.

Have fun and go shopping, or browse online. Once you have your selection, start by grouping your candles, accents and candle holders in your first room. Then take a step back and look at the space and begin to add your candles and candle holders, hurricane lamps and lanterns one by one; you are trying to achieve a balanced composition. When you are happy with what you have, you can then gradually add any finishing touches. It;s crucial to try and be as objective as you can to ensure that you are continuing your theme and not overdoing the candles. Remember…less is sometimes more. If you should find that you have over done it, simply remove items until a perfect visual balance is achieved. The same method can be used to light your garden or outdoor space too.

Beverley Hills Home has luxury home accessories like Hurricane lamps, sculptures, mirrors, clocks, decanters, wine coolers and bowls, plus unusual items to give your home that finishing touch.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/using-candlelight-and-hurricane-lamps-in-and-around-your-home-5509682.html

When you say “antique”, the first thing that would come into your mind is “old”.  This is, of course, true but not everything that is old is considered an antique.  Usually, antique items are regarded as so because of how old it is and how rare the item is.  Most items made several years back have been discontinued, meaning, the maker or manufacturer no longer makes them.  Antiques can also be items that have been made with a design specific to a certain period of time or probably belonging to someone who was famous.  Regardless as to which of these categories an antique falls under, one thing is for sure: antiques will always be a much sought after item for antique collectors and enthusiasts.

Antiques are great collections; however, most items that are this old would not always look brand new.  The years will ultimately show especially if it was not handled with utmost care.  There would be scratches and stains on the wood, rust on metal parts, and stubborn dirt in corners.  There are people who prefer antiques looking the same way they looked when they were bought while some would like to have it look more polished and presentable.  Fortunately, antique restoration is now available.  This is the process of repairing or fixing a certain item to make it look like it did during its days.  This may go from something as simple as removing dirt or rust to something as complex as rebuilding the item piece by piece.

The process of restoration that an antique item has to go through depends on its current state.  If it still works and the materials used are still in good condition, then a little cleaning and polishing will do.  However, if the wears and tears are highly evident, then a general makeover might be necessary.  This process of restoration might require replacing the damaged parts with newer materials.  The challenge here is if the item consists of materials that are rare and difficult to find.  Most antiques also have that intricacy in design that can be difficult to replicate.  This is why restorers and conservators require enough knowledge and skill to be able to achieve the item’s former beauty and luster.

The most common antiques items being restored are furniture, sculptures, and paintings.  It takes a lot of hard work to turn an old and dirty item into a museum-worthy piece of art.  Having an old item restored makes it easier for the owner to display it in their home or office, as well as to sell the item if they want to.  Old items are becoming such a fad that antique restoration services have increased due to high demand.  It is not a wonder why this is so.  With the fast pace of technology upgrade nowadays, antiques are what connects us to the past.  Reviving old beauty and luster through restoration not only restores the things of the past, it also restores the memory of how things were and how rich the history of the world is.

If you have ever thought about what the most important piece of technology in your home is then there is a fair chance that you came up with the answer that is the television.

If you consider the amount of time most of us spend watching television programmes or films then it is clear this is an essential item which no home can do without. The importance of the television set can be seen in the way that so many of us are happy to pay for big screens, HD capability and even 3D TVs.

However, there is one new development which is likely to make sure that the television retains it title as the king of the home, and this is the introduction of smart LCD TVs.

These aren’t just about bigger screens or a clearer image; a smart TV lets you connect to the internet and means that your television becomes the hub for all of your digital media. What this means of course is that you need to sort out the rest of your living room to make sure that you get the complete experience.

Get a Comfy Chair

If you are going to be spending a lot of time hooked up to the internet or looking at your photos or videos then you certainly don’t want to be uncomfortable while you do it. A good move is to look at an ergonomic chair which you can adjust to suit your needs. If you want to really splash out then what about a leather recliner chair with a massage option? Once your smart TV is on and the chair is doing its stuff you are unlikely to want to get back up again in a hurry.

Add Mood Lighting

To really set the scene for a great night in there is nothing quite like putting on some mood lighting and chilling out. You can now even get the whole property’s lighting controls put on one remote control. This means that there is no risk of bumping into a door in your haste to get back from the kitchen to the screen before the film starts again.

Use Multi Room Audio

Actually, there is an even better way to avoid that door bumping situation in the last section. You can get a multi room audio system added to your home and be able to listen to the TV whichever room you are in.  This way you can stay up to date on what is happening no matter where you are in the house.

Buy Some More Gadgets

What do you like to do while you are watching the telly or surfing the internet? If you are anything like most of us then having a decent supply of snacks to hand is pretty high on your list of priorities. If you are going to be settled down on your classy chair and watching your smart TV with some mood lighting then you could top off the experience with a snack maker. A popcorn machine sounds great, or maybe you could get a cappuccino machine. The young at heart might go for a candy floss maker but be sure to brush your teeth after the film is over if you choose one of these.

With the number of domestic burglaries on the rise, investing in home security is becoming a priority for more and more British home-owners. Here are five top reasons to invest in a monitored alarm system for your home.

Burglars Avoid Home Security Systems

Anyone who is considering breaking into a house and stealing the owner’s property is likely to take all precautions to ensure that he or she doesn’t get caught. While some criminals “case” a property for several weeks, others may be opportunists, who see the chance and grab it.

Typically, thieves will avoid any property which has visible home security equipment, and homes which are obviously occupied. Additional things you can do to reduce the risk of burglary include being vigilant for odd behaviour from people you don’t recognise as living in the neighbourhood, and keeping doors and windows closed to prevent access to your home.

Some Items Are Irreplaceable

I once heard a sad story about a family who returned after a holiday to find that their house had been broken into, and the thieves had removed not just valuables, but every item in the home, including personal photographs. It is those items which can’t be replaced that cause the most grief and stress to the victims of a burglary. According to police statistics, it is very unlikely that stolen goods will be returned to you, which means those special personal items are lost forever.

By fitting a quality home security system such as a burglar alarm and window locks, you are protecting not only the expensive items like TVs and laptops, which you worked hard to earn the money to pay for, but also ensuring that someone doesn’t make off with your precious memorabilia.

Reduce your house insurance quote

Investing in a home security system does involve initial expenses for installation and equipment, as well as an ongoing subscription fee, however these costs are offset by possible reduction in your house insurance. Whether you will get a discount on your insurance quote for fitting home security will depend on the broker you use. Remember, to get a discount you will need to buy a quality system and follow the advice according to the individual insurance policy. 

Peace of Mind

Having a quality home security system fitted in your home will immediately give you peace of mind. If you have ever gone out on holiday, and found yourself worried about the security of your home, you’ll find having a system like this invaluable.

Police Assistance When Required

Although the number of burglary incidents which take place while someone is in the home are fairly low, this is a concern particularly for women and elderly people who live alone. A quality monitored home security system will include a feature which will assist you to contact the police in case of a breach, as well as a panic button which can be used if an intruder enters the house.

We can’t all live in stylish country mansions but even if your home is as suburban and modest as mine you can still enjoy some country elegance. How? Let’s take a look and see how it can be done with a few simple ideas you might be interested in.

Add a Conservatory

One very popular way to add a touch of timeless style to a house in the suburbs is to add a conservatory. The best Victorian conservatories are very practical but they are also incredibly pretty. If you want to instantly make a rather dull semi detached property look like something a big grander then this is one of the top ways of doing it. Of course, it also gives you a great place to spend some cosy winter days.

Play Some Croquet

Maybe you have never thought about playing croquet at home. In fact, there is a good chance that you have never really thought about playing it anywhere. However, this is actually a fun game which certainly isn’t as boring as you might think. You can buy sets to play at home and since it has been popular since at least the mid 19^th century is seems fair to say that it must have something to recommend it to you.

Choose Heritage Colours

A very simple way to make your property look more distinguished is by choosing the right colours. The big paint brands tend to all offer a range of heritage tones which will give you a classic look. These often strongly feature reds and greens in the range.

Improve the Garden

If your garden is a little sad looking then this could be the perfect moment to add a dash of elegance to it. Even if your outdoor space isn’t all that big you can still make the most of it by planting some classy flowers and organising everything as neatly as possible.

Use Wallpaper and Carpets

You may like having painted walls and trendy wooden floors but it’s all so, well, modern. If you want to get a timeless country feel to the house then you should step back a few decades and get some wallpaper and carpets. The really top quality designs will cost you a lot of money but if you shop around you can get a decent look for a reasonable price.

Steal Some Ideas

What about taking some time out to go on a trip to a local country mansion? You will want to make sure that it is open to the public of course, as you don’t want to go barging in as the colonel is taking his tea. With so many top quality country homes open to the public you should find one reasonably near you. Once you are there you should see plenty of ideas which you can use, from the style of the conservatory to the colours on the walls and the floors. You can make a day of it and wander round the gardens and you might even find a maze or a boating pond.

I recently read a statistic from Lloyd’s Pharmacy, which stated that around one in six people never clear out old and out-dated medicines from their bathroom cabinets. Add to that the fact that many women don’t realise that make-up and beauty products have expiry dates, and it seems that the typical bathroom cabinet could be teeming with nasties that could have negative health effects.

As I read these articles about the various bacteria that multiply in an open mascara tube, and the loss of effect of certain medications, I thought quite smugly to myself that you wouldn’t find any thing harmful in my bathroom cabinets….although perhaps it would be a good idea to check…

I headed off to the bathroom and opened the doors of my bathroom cabinets. The first thing I noticed was that someone in the family has a terrible habit of not replacing the bottle-tops after they have used a cream or hair gel! Obviously, this means that dust, air and goodness knows what else can make their way into the container, so those all had to be tossed into the rubbish bin. I also got rid of any lotions, potions and products which looked “off” – a good rule to stick to here is that if it has changed in consistency(texture), fragrance or colour, get rid of it!

Next, I focused on medications – we had the usual non prescription items such as paracetamol and aspirin, along with some leftover cream that had been prescribed when one of the kids had a skin infection and some tablets which my husband used to take for a stomach complaint. Now I was starting to realise that my bathroom cabinets had a few secrets to hide – it had been at least a year since the cream was prescribed and the tube was looking worse for the wear. As for the tablets, the expiry date was long passed by. Rather than throwing unused and expired medication into the general rubbish, I bagged it all up to take to my local pharmacy, as they have the means to dispose of these things safely.

Finally, I hit the make-up, and I think most women will agree with me here when I say that throwing cosmetics away is not a habit! Make-up provides a perfect environment for bacteria, while certain ingredients can become unstable as they are exposed to air over a long period of time. I steeled myself to be strict and again, was shocked at what I found. Lipsticks dating back five years (how could I ever have worn that shade!), mascaras that were so dry that they were useless and foundation which had separated – all destined to the garbage. Again the rule to follow here really is, if in doubt – throw it out!

The outcome of all of this – very tidy looking bathroom cabinets, with nothing to harm my family lurking inside – and I’ll certainly be keeping a closer eye on the contents of my cabinets from now on!

For any landlord or tenant damp problems are the most annoying ones and, at the same time, the most common and repeating ones too. Water leaking and condensation are the two major reasons for damp problems in most places. They can occur in all parts of the house, however, the most often attacked places are the basement and roof. However, this doesn’t mean that there are no damp problems in other parts of the house. Ignoring the first signs of dampness is the worst step you could take here as increased and continued dampness can affect your health.

The initial signs of dampness in a building are the wet patches on the walls and mould or puddles on window seals and walls. It is common scene where people ignore removing the dirt on the roof of the building and let dirt accumulate on the gutters and holes that otherwise would have allowed the water to pass. Continued presence of water in these places affect the roof, making the water pass through the bricks creating dampness. The best remedy is of course removing all the dirt from these gutters and paths to let water pass through. Cleaning once in a while is in fact prevention of the dampness and as you know prevention is always better than cure.

Water in the basement is even more dangerous for it can affect the foundation of the house. The reason of the dampness could be again dirt or clog accumulating in the gutters and downspouts of the house. After a heavy rain the water seeps into the basement and refuses to leave as the ways out are covered with dirt. Cleaning the basement and the gutters is the best remedy in this case too.

While treating the dampness in your property, diagnosing the right cause is crucial. Treatment has to be for the core reason of the dampness and not for the obvious dampness seen on the walls. Just like in the case of diseases affecting human being, dampness on the house can also be effectively removed if detected on time. However, if it has gone beyond control it is better that you consult a professional.

The advantage of entrusting professional specialists for removing the dampness is that they would be aware of most damp problems that affect a house and the remedies to remove it with minimal damage to the house. While saving your efforts and time it makes sure that the dampness is removed completely making your shelter damp proof again.

Article Source: http://www.homedesignhelp.com