Bathtub or Shower? Which Do You Prefer?

by | Oct 6, 2019 | Around the Home | 0 comments

Hello, Elegant Lovelies!

Do you prefer a good hot bath or a shower?

Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash

I was raised on taking good hot baths and rinsing myself off afterward. For me, it is very relaxing and soothing after a day at work, after a full weekend, or simply for no reason at all. Baths are not work for me and I enjoy taking one. I notice there is a trend to not install bathtubs in new or remodeled homes because many people do not use them anymore.  I disagree! I think there are people out there that take baths and want to have a bathtub in my house.

Here are a few reasons that I have heard from people for not taking a bath
*Too much work
*You still have dirt on you
*It takes too long to temper the water
*I have to think and the water takes too long to fill the bathtub
*A bathtub takes up too much space in my bathroom

Believe it or not, but showers are work for me. I will only take a shower when I am washing my hair.  I am conditioning and detangling my hair. That is something that I cannot do when I take a bath. After I finish my hair, I let the hot water massage my back. It feels good and is relaxing, but it is not the same as soaking in a bath.

Benefits of a bath
* You can relax with Lavendar Eucalyptus Epsom salt for a great muscle soak
* You can sit down while I am exfoliating your face or body
* It is soothing and great for relaxing the muscles. How many times can I say it’s relaxing.
* You can meditate and clear your mind to focus on important tasks in your life.

If you don’t take baths or haven’t taken one in years, maybe it is time to reintroduce yourself to one again. If the water takes too long to get hot, run the water ahead of time so all you have to do is get in. You may see that it’s pretty relaxing and enjoyable. And help wash away the dirt and stress in your life.

7 Different Ways To Add Life To A Blank Wall

by | Sep 6, 2019 | Around the Home | 0 comments

Pixabay (CC0 Licence)

For any passionate home decor fan, a blank wall that is currently without a feature or specific decoration should always be seen as an opportunity. With no pre-set plan in place, you have a blank canvas to be used exactly as you wish, so all you need is a little inspiration and you’ll soon be able to look forward to adding a stunning element to your home. To provide that boost of inspiration, below, we’ve detailed seven different decoration ideas, starting with… 

#1 – Add a large clock
There are a few different ways to add a timepiece to your wall. The simplest solution is to buy a clock and hang it as normal; a straightforward, attractive, and useful choice. Alternatively, you could source the central clock mechanism and hands, and then create your own numbers from wood, or by painting directly onto the wall. Both methods work well, so the choice of which to go for is largely down to the level of customization you would prefer. 

#2 – Create your design with vinyls
If you want to create your own design on the wall, then products should as Cricut vinyl can help you achieve a perfect customized look with ease. You could add stripes if you’re going for a nautical feel; geometric shapes for a more modern look; or any other design you can think of – one of the benefits of this idea is that you’re completely in control. Vinyl is easy to work with and looks fantastic when complete, so the only limit is your imagination. 

#3 – Brighten the space with mirrors
Mirrors have long been beloved by fans of interior design and decor, offering the ability to make the space seem both larger and brighter. A single mirror can, of course, decorate a blank wall by itself – but if you’re looking for something a little more interesting, then multiple mirrors can be the way to go. Choosing mirrors of different shapes and sizes, and preferably in different frames, can create a dynamic, interesting effect while still helping to brighten the entire room. 

#4 – Use picture ledges to display decorative accessories
Picture ledges are one of the most adaptable ways of decorating a wall as, while they may be known as a picture ledge, you can use these thin strips of wood to hold anything that is small enough to fit. Small decorative ornaments and oil reed diffusers will often fit neatly onto picture ledges, or you can go the traditional route and use the rails to host art prints or photographs. You can either use a single ledge to give the wall a focal point, or use multiple ledges for a more eclectic look. 

#5 – Hang feature wallpaper
Once upon a time, wallpaper was flat to the touch, matte, and rather uninspiring to look at; more functional than esthetically-pleasing – but thankfully, times have changed. There are now countless beautiful designs that can both cover a wall and function as a decorative element in their own right; from 3D designs to those that are infused with glitter, feature wallpaper can definitely add an extra ‘something’ to a blank wall. 

#6 – Use shelves to create a wall of plants
If you would like to add a little more greenery to your home, then this option is definitely worth considering. You’ll need to hang at least one standard shelf for this idea, though you can add more if you have the available space – just make sure that each shelf is placed at a height that you can comfortably access, as you’ll need to be able to water your chosen plants. When the shelf, or shelves, are in place, you can add plant pots containing your preferred indoor plants. If you want to take the idea a little further, place a hook in the ceiling above the wall and then hang a small planter from it to create a kind of indoor hanging basket. 

#7 – Project the night sky onto the wall
There are limits to this idea, which is why we have left it until last: using a light projector on a blank wall is not a permanent solution, and will only realistically be viable during the night-time. However, if you’re looking for a simple, non-permanent decorative idea, then a star projector can be a great choice. What’s more, it’s also worth noting that you can use such a projector in addition to any of the ideas we have listed above. 

Which of the above ideas do you think you will choose the next time you have the opportunity to decorate a blank wall in your home?

How to Prolong the Life of your Roof

by | May 27, 2019 | Around the Home | 0 comments

The roof is without a doubt the most important component of your home, and in order to ensure that your roof lasts for many years, you need to set up a preventative maintenance schedule. Like any other exterior structure, the roof takes a lot of punishment from the harsh Australian climate, and bearing this in mind, regular roof inspections are the order of the day.

Preventative Roof Maintenance
The concept of preventative roof maintenance is to monitor things regularly, and when you find a minor issue, repair it before it becomes a major issue. This will reduce the chances of a serious roof repair, and if you don’t fancy doing the inspection, roofing contractors like the Sydney Roofing Company can help with that. It is a good idea to have the roof professionally inspected twice a year, as this will reveal any minor issues, which can be promptly dealt with.

Roof Sealant

Image Source: Pixabay

If you ask your local roofing contractor to power wash your roof, which will remove the dirt and grime and restore the tiles to their original state, they can then apply a silicone-based sealant. This is flexible and moves with the expansion and contraction of the roof, and it can add ten years to the lifespan of your roof. Many homeowners have invested in roof sealant, as this is a very cost-effective way to give your roof a few more years, and this is something that your local roofing contractor can do.

Remove Overhanging Branches
There is always a risk of a tree branch crashing through your roof, and should you have a few overhanging branches, you can ask your local tree surgeon to remove them. This greatly reduces the risk of roof damage, especially in stormy weather, and you also need to check whether tree branches are affecting communication lines. Leaves block the guttering, which is another good reason to remove the branches, and with regular cleaning, your guttering will channel away excess rainwater.

Consider Re-Roofing
If your roof is old and has seen better days, why not have another set of roof tiles installed on top of the existing ones? Re-roofing will certainly add years to your roof, and for many homeowners, re-roofing is a cost-effective alternative to roof restoration, as the internal structure of the roof remains. When considering re-roofing, you need to take the extra weight into consideration, and with a large house, that can be quite substantial.

Slate Roofing
If you are going to add another layer of roof tiles, why not invest in slate? The roofer would issue you with a 15-year warranty, and if a slate roof is professionally installed, there’s little that can go wrong, apart from the odd broken tile. There are a few finishes, and the roofing contractor would have an album full of images of previous projects to help you make the right choice, and with a few different types of slate, you have colour options.

Image Source: Pixabay

If you would like to extend the lifespan of your roof, preventative maintenance will certainly help, and by using a local roofing contractor, your roof can receive some regular TLC.

First Image Source: Pixabay