Showing posts with label refurbishment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label refurbishment. Show all posts
Monday, December 4, 2017
Undoubtedly the home is the place where we can express ourselves and create without limitations!
Everyone wants to feel cozy at home. It takes only a little imagination to give your home a unique character at no extra cost! Just look around. You certainly keep in the closet a dozen old things you think are useless, but you have not yet get rifd of.
Before you do, here are some ideas on how to use them with a new purpose:
Suitcase Chair / Table
Old suitcases can serve not only for decoration but also to be converted into unique chairs, stools or tables! For this purpose, you only need to select and attach appropriate legs (you can use legs from other old furniture).
Trick for a stable chair: put a piece of plywood at the bottom of the suitcase, then attach the footrests and screw them. Apply glue in both sides of the suitcase and tuck in pillows. Now you have a comfortable and unique looking chair.
Ladder Bookshelf
The old wooden ladder can be your new bookshelf.
You choose how to place it on the wall - horizontally or vertically, depending on the space you want to fill or your preferences.
Bicycle Rim Clock
Do you have an old bicycle left over from your childhood?
Make a unique wall clock from one of its rims. You can also use a music plate for this purpose. All you have to do is taking a working mechanism from an old or broken electronic clock and insert it into the hole in the middle of the plate / rim and secure it on the other side with a nut. Then simply put the arrows. If they are black, you can paint them in another color to stand out.
Old Door Coffee table
The old wooden door frame can be turn into a great coffee table. Just add legs to it and you will have a gorgeous re-purposed coffee table. It will give your place a unique vintage look if you don't paint it. If you like the industrial style, you can add big wheels instead of furniture legs.
Cool hangers
Turn the beautiful old utensils into hangers. Bend them into the desired shape and attach them to the wall.
Tennis Racket Mirror
If you are a fan of tennis, use the old tennis racket and turn it into mirror for your hallway!
Tray from an old photo frame
Surprise your guests with originality by serving them in your new tray from an old picture frame.
Floating Shelf Made of Old Books
You can make wall shelves from old books using metal brackets to help secure them to the wall. Choose books with beautiful covers and colors that suit the interior of your home.
Using these innovative furniture solutions, you will not only create a unique interior in your home, but you will also breathe new life into the old stuff, most of which (admit it) you keep only because of sentimental reasons.
Author Bio
Dianne Griffen is a part of Junk Bunk Ltd – a rubbish removal company based in London which cares about the environment and supports the RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) idea. You can find information about furniture disposal services on their website.
Guest Post - How to Make Furniture Out of Common Household Items
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Bathroom fireplaces are probably unnecessary, but they look amazing and can work as a cool design feature. We all know that a hot bath is a good way to relax and to forget about day problems. The warm fire, the crackling of burning wood, and the soft glow are perfect to create a relaxing atmosphere. Nowadays installing a fireplace in the bathroom is not too hard. There are a lot of semi-portable electrical solutions and they are almost as good as built-in fireplaces.
Fireplace in the Bathroom
Friday, July 31, 2015
There are plenty of reasons why remodelling your home might be a smart move, but if you don’t have enough money to pay for home improvements you will need to look at other options. But is borrowing money to remodel a property a sensible idea – or are there better ways to finance the project?
Reasons to Remodel
If your home is starting to feel a bit cramped or your kitchen is falling apart, one cupboard at a time, you might be tempted to move to a bigger and better property. But stop and think for a few minutes. Moving house is stressful and there are no guarantees you will be able to find a new home that is affordable and right for you. You will also need to sell your existing home, which is not always easy. And if you have kids, do you really want to uproot them from the neighbourhood?
Remodelling can make perfect sense and if you do the job right, it can also be more cost effective. Improving a property will usually add value to it, so when you do eventually come to sell, you will have made money on the cost of remodelling it.
Different Types of Finance
There are lots of ways to finance a home improvement project:
- Personal loans are useful if you don’t plan on spending too much money.
- Secured loans are more suitable for luxury home improvement projects such as home extensions or new kitchens.
- Re-mortgaging can work if you have equity in the property.
- Credit cards can be used to pay for smaller projects, but the interest rate will be higher.
- Cash is always a good way to finance home remodelling projects, particularly in the current economic climate where interest rates are low so savings earn very little.
Unsecured and secured loans are a popular way to finance home remodelling. Most lenders are happy to lend to customers with good credit ratings and with interest rates so low right now, it is an excellent time to borrow money. Secured loans are a better option if you need to borrow larger amounts of money because the repayments will be lower.
Reasons Why a Loan Could be a Bad Idea
Taking out loans to pay for home improvements is always a bad idea if you are up to your eyeballs in debt or your financial situation is currently very volatile.
Always make sure you can afford the repayments if you do decide to apply for a loan of any kind. Defaulting on a loan will seriously damage your credit rating and should be avoided at all costs. If you don’t have a good credit rating but are confident you can afford the repayments on a loan, look at products offered by a bad credit loan provider. It won’t be a cheap way of borrowing money, but remodelling your home should add value to it, so in the long run the investment could be a smart move.
Should You Get a Loan to Remodel Your Home?
Friday, May 22, 2015
Most homeowners strive to make their homes a showpiece for friends and family. This is especially important to those who like to do a good bit of entertaining. However, did you ever stop to think about the fact that you could actually save money with certain ‘functional’ features you can incorporate into home décor? Not only can you improve functionality while preserving the aesthetic appeal, but you can look for money-saving benefits as well. Why not take a good long look at where design meets function to get the best of both worlds? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Design and Functionality of WindowsMost people think of windows in terms of function, but on a traditional level. Windows let light in during the day, keep people from seeing in when well covered and allow for natural climate control when opened or shut. But did you ever stop to think how nice it would be if you didn’t ever need to worry about opening or closing them if they could be automated? Well, believe it or not, there are products on the market that can do just that.
With automated window sensors from Teal Products, hi-tech sensors detect when they need to be opened or closed and can be programmed to your desired specifications. This is something you need to check out if you are in the market for upgrading your current window scheme.
Sensor Taps in Bathrooms
It is a known fact that one of the quickest ways to spread germs is with dirty hands. Many people have wondered just how to keep their bathroom faucets free from germs. Yes, you wash your hands to the duration of your lovely rendition of Happy Birthday (20 seconds or longer) but after they are washed, you still need to touch that faucet that you just turned on with germ-ridden hands.
It is a known fact that one of the quickest ways to spread germs is with dirty hands. Many people have wondered just how to keep their bathroom faucets free from germs. Yes, you wash your hands to the duration of your lovely rendition of Happy Birthday (20 seconds or longer) but after they are washed, you still need to touch that faucet that you just turned on with germ-ridden hands.
Take a look at some of today’s sensor taps and you should never have this problem again. They turn on when hands are passed under the sensor and off again after a few seconds with nothing tripping the beam. You’ve seen them for sure as almost every supermarket around the country has gone to sensor taps. There are some lovely taps on the market so this is one really great area where design meets function in a hi-tech way.
Designer Radiators
There are times when there is a chill in the air and you don’t quite want to run up your heating bill by turning on central heating but those space heaters are so expensive to run. Not only are they energy hogs but they are ugly as well. If you want to know where design meets function, why not choose a lovely designer radiator that can even ‘pose’ as a wall hanging or even be disguised as a wall panel. They are functional as well as decorative and no one would even know that’s where the source of heat is coming from. How innovative is that?
There are times when there is a chill in the air and you don’t quite want to run up your heating bill by turning on central heating but those space heaters are so expensive to run. Not only are they energy hogs but they are ugly as well. If you want to know where design meets function, why not choose a lovely designer radiator that can even ‘pose’ as a wall hanging or even be disguised as a wall panel. They are functional as well as decorative and no one would even know that’s where the source of heat is coming from. How innovative is that?
It only takes a little thought and before you know it, all those design features in your home can be functional as well. Save money in the process and you’ll be so happy you made a few little changes. The smart homeowner is one who knows where design meets function and is able to use technology to their advantage. A few improvements go a long way and you’ll be so happy with the results.
Home Décor – Where Design Meets Function
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Lofts are one of the most underused spaces in many houses, often being left empty or used just to store rarely needed items. Homeowners interested in making better use of such areas can add not just useful extra room(s), but consequently increase the value and overall desirability of the property. As an increasingly popular home improvement project, there are now a number of companies who specialize in converting lofts into loveable space and they will be happy to go through each project to ensure that it complies with planning restrictions. This guide will help a homeowner understand the general restrictions on converting their loft and cover the feasibility of undertaking such a project.
If your home is within an area of designated land you are extremely unlikely to be granted permission to make extensions to the roof. Such areas include properties in national parks & The Broads, Conservation Areas, World Heritage Sites and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There are strict restrictions on the amount of space that can be added during a roof conversion project. This must also include any expansion works previously carried out regardless of who owned the property at the time. Limits are 40 cubic meters for terraced properties and 50 cubic meters for detached/semi-detached. Check housing plans and deeds if unsure that a section has previously been extended or not.
Consider highways
People are not allowed to extend a roof beyond the plane of an existing roof slope when facing a main road.
Planning officers typically will insist that similar if not identical materials are used when making the extension, so as to maintain the character not just of the property but also surrounding streets and buildings. It is advisable to check with local authorities should you intend on extending with a different material or intend to make the project distinctive enough that it is likely to stand out.
Height limits
No extension will be allowed to be higher than the existing level of the top of the roof. This is in order again to maintain uniformity and help ensure structural stability.
Balconies & platforms
These will not be considered to be permitted developments when attached to a usual roof extension. Perhaps consult an expert to see if there is any way that such a balcony, veranda etc can be added to a lower section of the property if it's really desired.
Types of window
This is an important point that quite commonly may slip the mind. Any extension built to the ends of the property needs to either be entirely served by non-opening windows, or ensure that the parts that open the window (handles/locks etc.) are at a minimum of 1.7 meters above the loft floor.
Planning consent will not include provision for any new windows to overhang the existing wall of the property and will insist that there is at least 20cm distance between the eaves and window-frame.
Bats
You may be surprised to find bats nesting in the loft, but if their presence is discovered you might find yourself facing a planning headache as they are a protected species. Consent will likely only be given for redevelopment subject to license and provision being made for the creatures.
You may be surprised to find bats nesting in the loft, but if their presence is discovered you might find yourself facing a planning headache as they are a protected species. Consent will likely only be given for redevelopment subject to license and provision being made for the creatures.
As we have seen from these points there are plenty of potential issues to be thought through before committing to a loft extension. Employing the service of an experienced specialist can really make all the difference, check outBespoke Lofts, a London loft conversions company who can provide professional advice for any project.
Do I Need Planning Permission to Convert My Loft?
Thursday, December 5, 2013
If you are refurbishing right now, take advantage of winter's lovely textures and patterns, and wintery pastel tones. This season, we've noticed a trend towards warmer shades of neutrals and some interesting geometric patterns.
See below:
1. Pastels and off whites work well in bathrooms - keeping it minimal is key but minimal doesn't necessarily imply cold. We love the use of the off-white wall colours with the wooden floor finish.
2. An interesting design with a lot of wood and natural materials for warmth. The wooden walls and floor contrast nicely with the simple white kitchen. Wall cladding such as this is not a difficult effect to achieve and it certainly stands out!
3. I absolutely love this bathroom and the angle this photo was taken at. Mosaics are very popular at the moment, especially mosaics that depict geometric patterns in muted colours.
4. Quite a bold, modern design but this kitchen / dining space applies the rules of winter design - the mis-matching of the top and bottom kitchen cabinets with the fantastic, geometric splashback works well and the Dixon lampshade adds drama. Animal hide rug optional.
5. This is probably one of my favourite kitchens I have seen in a while. I love the tall cabinets with the flush fronts - the finish of the cabinet doors is very interesting (they look almost like plywood but smoother). The herringbone floor is fantastic, it adds a lot of interest and drama and the colours and patterns of the kitchen cabinets, floor and gorgeous stone worktop work together very well.
6. I love this design as it shows how a luxurious look can be achieved without a great amount of flamboyant gold colours, bold prints or excessive amounts of crystal accessories. The beige / pastel wall colours and natural linen fabrics keep this design down to earth.
See below:
1. Pastels and off whites work well in bathrooms - keeping it minimal is key but minimal doesn't necessarily imply cold. We love the use of the off-white wall colours with the wooden floor finish.
2. An interesting design with a lot of wood and natural materials for warmth. The wooden walls and floor contrast nicely with the simple white kitchen. Wall cladding such as this is not a difficult effect to achieve and it certainly stands out!
3. I absolutely love this bathroom and the angle this photo was taken at. Mosaics are very popular at the moment, especially mosaics that depict geometric patterns in muted colours.
4. Quite a bold, modern design but this kitchen / dining space applies the rules of winter design - the mis-matching of the top and bottom kitchen cabinets with the fantastic, geometric splashback works well and the Dixon lampshade adds drama. Animal hide rug optional.
5. This is probably one of my favourite kitchens I have seen in a while. I love the tall cabinets with the flush fronts - the finish of the cabinet doors is very interesting (they look almost like plywood but smoother). The herringbone floor is fantastic, it adds a lot of interest and drama and the colours and patterns of the kitchen cabinets, floor and gorgeous stone worktop work together very well.
6. I love this design as it shows how a luxurious look can be achieved without a great amount of flamboyant gold colours, bold prints or excessive amounts of crystal accessories. The beige / pastel wall colours and natural linen fabrics keep this design down to earth.
Pastels and Patterns for Winter
Friday, November 22, 2013
If you're reading this article then you may already have found your interior designer - we would hope! However, our policy with our clients is always clarity so whenever we recommend a client to hire a professional (including a designer), we want to make sure our clients know what to look for.
Of all the people you need to appoint for your project, a designer may seem like the something you only need later on when choosing the 'pretty' things, like bathroom tiles and furniture. Many clients assume they will need an architect, a structural engineer or a surveyor as a first appointment. However, many projects don't even require an architect and a surveyor may not give you all the information you need to submit your plans to Building Regulations approval, or to pass on the project to your builders.
There seems to be a lot of confusion in the industry about the role of an interior designer. DIY-based television programs may be contributing in part to this confusion, as well as a surplus of interior decorators labelling themselves as designers. Without sounding like a snob, there is as big a difference between an interior decorator and an interior designer as there is between an interior designer and an architect.
A good interior designer should not only design but also be able to manage and consult on your project. Therefore, the first person to appoint on your project should be the designer. It's not always easy to know where to start to look for a professional designer with a good reputation.
1. Ask friends and family. A personal recommendation is always a great start.
2. Look on industry websites such as the BIID (British Institute of Interior Designers) or SBID (Society of British Interior Design)
3. Try to find local designers on Google or other search engines. You should look at the work of various designers and find designers with a style that you like. If you can find feedback or reviews from customers (and it's positive), then that's a good sign.
Once you have selected some designers (we would recommend narrowing it down to less than five) - either through recommendation, locally, or through an institution - it's important to meet the designers for a face-to-face meeting to discuss your project requirements. Some designers offer fixed rates but a lot of professionals prefer to meet and understand the project in more detail before talking about fees. A tailor-made package is usually better value for money.
It's very important to remember that your designer should not only be a part of the design process, but should stay with the project until completion. Some clients say they prefer to manage the project themselves but from our years of experience, we strongly advise against this - there are so many factors to keep in mind during a refurbishment that need to be coordinated by an experienced professional - or you may find yourself paying more later to fix costly mistakes. 'Project management' or site coordination is not always included in a designer's standard fees so make sure that you mention this is something you require. Embarking on a refurbishment project without a project coordinator is like a ship leaving out to sea without a captain!
When you have met with your prospective designers and received back some quotes, try to get a like-for-like understanding of what they are offering. Many designers will tell you what they charge per hour so that is a good starting point. However, finding the right designer is not about finding the best price - your designer will be guiding you through the whole process of your refurbishment so there are other factors to consider. Although price is of course a factor in the selection process, you should choose a professional that you feel understands your requirements and style, has a good understanding of the building industry and who you feel you can trust with your project. You should see your designer as an ally and a mentor and it's important that you can be upfront about how much you want to spend - it's the designer's job to work towards whatever budget you have for the project and to advise on the best solutions based on your budget.
Then it's time to appoint your designer.
Once you have appointed your designer of choice, unless you have already done so, you should meet on site at your property. Once the designer gets a feel of what is required for the project from a building and design perspective, they can advise you on any additional specialists you might need to appoint, such as a surveyor or structural engineer. They can run you through the process of submitting a Planning or Building Regulations application, what other approvals are needed (are you a freeholder or a leaseholder, for instance). They can also get an idea of the types of Contractors to tender out to as most designers will have worked with a fair few building companies and should be able to recommend a few.
It will probably only be when the essential pre-works details are organised before your designer does any real 'designing' for you.
Of all the people you need to appoint for your project, a designer may seem like the something you only need later on when choosing the 'pretty' things, like bathroom tiles and furniture. Many clients assume they will need an architect, a structural engineer or a surveyor as a first appointment. However, many projects don't even require an architect and a surveyor may not give you all the information you need to submit your plans to Building Regulations approval, or to pass on the project to your builders.
There seems to be a lot of confusion in the industry about the role of an interior designer. DIY-based television programs may be contributing in part to this confusion, as well as a surplus of interior decorators labelling themselves as designers. Without sounding like a snob, there is as big a difference between an interior decorator and an interior designer as there is between an interior designer and an architect.
A good interior designer should not only design but also be able to manage and consult on your project. Therefore, the first person to appoint on your project should be the designer. It's not always easy to know where to start to look for a professional designer with a good reputation.
1. Ask friends and family. A personal recommendation is always a great start.
2. Look on industry websites such as the BIID (British Institute of Interior Designers) or SBID (Society of British Interior Design)
3. Try to find local designers on Google or other search engines. You should look at the work of various designers and find designers with a style that you like. If you can find feedback or reviews from customers (and it's positive), then that's a good sign.
Once you have selected some designers (we would recommend narrowing it down to less than five) - either through recommendation, locally, or through an institution - it's important to meet the designers for a face-to-face meeting to discuss your project requirements. Some designers offer fixed rates but a lot of professionals prefer to meet and understand the project in more detail before talking about fees. A tailor-made package is usually better value for money.
It's very important to remember that your designer should not only be a part of the design process, but should stay with the project until completion. Some clients say they prefer to manage the project themselves but from our years of experience, we strongly advise against this - there are so many factors to keep in mind during a refurbishment that need to be coordinated by an experienced professional - or you may find yourself paying more later to fix costly mistakes. 'Project management' or site coordination is not always included in a designer's standard fees so make sure that you mention this is something you require. Embarking on a refurbishment project without a project coordinator is like a ship leaving out to sea without a captain!
When you have met with your prospective designers and received back some quotes, try to get a like-for-like understanding of what they are offering. Many designers will tell you what they charge per hour so that is a good starting point. However, finding the right designer is not about finding the best price - your designer will be guiding you through the whole process of your refurbishment so there are other factors to consider. Although price is of course a factor in the selection process, you should choose a professional that you feel understands your requirements and style, has a good understanding of the building industry and who you feel you can trust with your project. You should see your designer as an ally and a mentor and it's important that you can be upfront about how much you want to spend - it's the designer's job to work towards whatever budget you have for the project and to advise on the best solutions based on your budget.
Then it's time to appoint your designer.
Once you have appointed your designer of choice, unless you have already done so, you should meet on site at your property. Once the designer gets a feel of what is required for the project from a building and design perspective, they can advise you on any additional specialists you might need to appoint, such as a surveyor or structural engineer. They can run you through the process of submitting a Planning or Building Regulations application, what other approvals are needed (are you a freeholder or a leaseholder, for instance). They can also get an idea of the types of Contractors to tender out to as most designers will have worked with a fair few building companies and should be able to recommend a few.
It will probably only be when the essential pre-works details are organised before your designer does any real 'designing' for you.
Ardesia Design is a design practice member of the BIID
Finding Your Interior Designer
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