Tag: interiors

Families, Family Life, Gardens, homes, interiors, Large Families, money, Money Saving Tips

Top Five Ways To Improve Your Home

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[AD] Wether you are planning on renovations to improve your forever home or looking to make improvements to sell your property it can be tricky to know where to start and where the best places to spend your money are. We are always looking at ways to improve our home and here are my top five areas that I think you gain most from when it comes to making change:

Kitchen And Bathroom – These are undoubtedly the most used rooms in the home and unfortunately the places that date the most. They are rooms that can have a hefy price tag, but it is definitely worth spending money in these areas. To keep the budget down choose a simple, timeless designs that can be changed easily with a splash of colour to the walls or adding accessories so it can be changed over the years to move with the times without having to replace large pieces such as the bath and tiles.

Make More Room – More space is something I dont think anyone would say no to. An extra bedroom to give the chidren more freedom, an office so you have somewhere to work independently from your living space, an extention to the kitchen which allows room for entertainment – the list could go on. I know with having a large family having enough room to have our own space is very important to us all…especially the teens! Adding an extra room on your home not only adds space to live in, but also money to your home.

New Windows – Windows are one of the most important features to any home. They keep your house warm and keep the noise out. Replacement aluminium windows will give you a house free from draughts which will save a fortune in lost energy over the years, making them one of the best investments you could make.

Eco Friendly – I think the majority of us are trying to move to a more eco friendly way of life with things like reducing the use of single use plastic, using refillable bottles and recycling more. These changes can be made in the home in lots of different ways too. Smart thermostats and energy efficient appliances are simple changes that can make a huge difference.

Get Green Fingered – Making the outside of your home an extention of the inside with a well planned out garden that can be used throught the year and not just the summer is a great way to make the most of every aspect of your home. Covered sections and dining areas mean that your garden really can be an extension of your home. Making the most of the front garden will also make for a welcoming entrance…this is definitely something I need to do some work on.

homes, interiors

Getting To Know Parquet Flooring

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Parquet prevails when it comes to decorative flooring. Parquet flooring, which is made up of small pieces of hardwood placed together in geometric patterns, gives a dramatic design element to any room. Parquet flooring has recently made a comeback, thanks to improved manufacturing techniques that allow consumers to choose from a greater selection of wood species and themes. Continue reading to learn more about parquet flooring and whether or not its striking statement underfoot is suited for you.

What is parquet flooring, and how does it differ from other types of flooring?

It is formed of woodblocks attached to a sub floor to produce geometric designs and is available in both solid and engineered boards. It was first employed in France in the 17th century. A solid floor has the advantage of being able to be rejuvenated by sanding it down and re-oiling or lacquering it. Engineered flooring is more solid and pre-finished, making it ideal for installing underfloor heating. Professional installation is required since parquet requires a flat subfloor (to ensure blocks sit flush).

What kinds of parquet flooring patterns are available?

Traditional herringbone, chevron (frequently seen in Parisian residences), and the more sophisticated Parquet de Versailles and Mansion Weave patterns are all popular. Herringbone and chevron patterns, which are placed using bigger boards and create a bold, modern style that works well in open-plan rooms, are also popular.

Is parquet flooring simple to keep clean?

Yes. Sweep and mop it softly, just like you would a regular wooden floor. To protect it, seal it with strong wax oil or lacquer for a better gloss. Beeswax imparts a rich, mid-gloss sheen. Individual blocks of parquet can be simply removed and replaced if it becomes broken.

What kind of wood should I use for my parquet floors?

Oak is the most common, with colors ranging from golden brown to silvery grey. It can be colored by applying wax or colored lacquer to it. Alternatively, the boards can be fumed with ammonia to give them a smoky base – ‘many floors are treated in this way to give them a smoky base.’ Wenge and walnut are dark woods that lend drama, while pale maple offers a Scandinavian flair. You can also use a variety of woods and add tiles.

What about parquet flooring made from salvaged wood?

Although reclaimed flooring can be less expensive, the cost of cleaning, sanding, and sealing it often outweighs any savings. Original mahogany, sapele, and merbau parquet — no longer milled for environmental reasons – should be sought out.

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homes, interiors

The Best Home Improvements To Increase Value

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For many of us, home improvement is currently top of our agenda. Wether you have moved to a new house and are keen to put a stamp on it, or you home is simply up for modernisation, there is always something on the to-do list.

Most of us however don’t have the time to do everything at once and have to prioritise carefully. Below are a few things to improve your home’s long term value and appeal.

Fix Your Roof – There is nothing more off-putting than a dodgy roof. The idea of paying out for roofing costs is something that puts off many potential house buyers. Additionally a poor maintained roof will lead to problems such as damp, water damage and heat loss. This is why roofing repairs should be top of your list of home improvements. As with any job requiring the professionals, make sure you get plenty of quotes so you can compare prices.

Add Solar Panels – Once you’ve got the roof repaired and the scaffolding is still up, it’s worth looking at installing solar panels. Not only is it environmentally friendly, it will also future proof your home and save you money on your energy bills. adding solar panels may seem like a lot of hassle, but once they have been installed they are surprisingly low maintenance. Do check online to see if there are any grants available before you start.

Install New Windows – Making sure your windows are up to scratch will not only make sure your home is more energy efficient but will increase its value. There are plenty of other reasons to install new windows in your home too. Older style windows often only provide one or two opening panes, whereas good quality modern windows will come with options to slide, swing or tilt and turn. Choose a design that will suit your needs and complement your homes character and age.

Get A New Front Door – You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a home will be frequently judged by its front door. Therefore a new front door is a quick and worthwhile improvement to make. Older homes may benefit from a traditional wood style door, but a good quality composite door with a wood grain effect can work just as well. New build homes will often have a standard white uPVC door. Switching this for something modern and stylish will make your home standout from the rest.

art, Family Life, homes, interiors, Photography, Reviews, Shopping

Filling Those Walls With Poster Store

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[GIFTED] When we moved into our home a few years ago now, one of the things that I fell in love with was the high ceilings. They make each and every room light and airy and create an illusion of lots more space. That being said this also brings with it vast expanses of walls that need filling to make it less clinical and really put our own stamp on it.

Art work as your know can be pricey so I always look for companies that offer good quality, different art at affordable prices; and this is where Poster Store really fits the bill.

Poster Store is an online company that supplies a huge range of Scandinavian inspired posters and frames to compliment your chosen work.

Their prints cover a whole range of interests from photography to modern art, fashion to maps and much more. The variety means that you can find anything to suit any taste or home design.

I was actually really surprised that their collections drew my eye towards black and white prints which is not something I would ordinarily go for…well I did sneak a bit of colour in too!

The coloured print was actually my favourite and it complimented the drinks tray perfectly as there has been a few evenings where I have felt like this after indulging!

My husband always says I don’t consider him when it comes to styling the home and I have to admit it is made up of pretty much all my tastes. So I the dining room I have selected some of his favourite things and made a gorgeous collection of black and white photos.

Lastly was the landing which is still definitely a work in progress. I wanted to keep it more calming as downstairs has a lot going on and anything to help the kids become more restful at bedtime is a bonus.

I absolutely love the simple lines and flowing designs of these pieces and now all I need to add is a few plants for a little bit of colour!

The black frames really make the designs stand out and the quality of them is outstanding.

I always opt for a black frame, but they offer a great range in black, white, silver and gold and also if you like a natural look with a wood finish there are also oak and walnut available. They all come in a range of different sizes to fit the prints perfectly.

The amount of different choices can be a little overwhelming if you don’t have a definite idea in your head, so Poster Store has given lots of hints and tips and inspiration pages that can help you towards picking pieces that are right for you.

So head over and take a look and let me know what you think. If something catches your eye you can save 30% on all posters (excluding Selection posters and frames) until 13th September using code thejoyoffive30

art, interiors, Shopping

Creating The Perfect Gallery Wall With Desenio

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[AD] The past few months have seen us all spending a lot longer indoors than we ordinarily would and making changes to our home have come to the forefront of our mind.

Big renovations are out of the question at this present time, but filling our walls with beautiful things is something I love and instantly adds something different with minimal effort.

Staring at that vast expanse of plain wall can sometimes be a little daunting though and the kind of look you are thinking of and how you would position your art can be a little overwhelming.

This is where Desenio have come to the rescue – not only are they suppliers of a vast range of prints, posters and frames, they also offer a fantastic service that allows you to create your own gallery wall online before taking that big leap.

Desenio have an ever changing selection of different galley walls on display with a plethora of different styles, colours and materials to suit anybody’s needs and taste.

After browsing all that they have on offer you will hopefully have a clearer idea of the look you are going for in your own home and with the use of their online tool you can build a gallery wall with your own selection of prints.

These can be moved around, swapped in and out for different pictures until you have built your perfect gallery.

My husband and I often disagree on artwork…I usually win the battle; but this has been a great way for us to work together and blend both of our tastes to create something we are both really happy with.

We have a beautiful wall in our living room that we created using the gallery planner a while ago now and are now moving into the dining room so watch this space!

Families, Family Life, Health, interiors, Large Families, Learning, Parents

The Best Home Office Locations

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More than ever at the moment people are having to find ways to work from home – with many finding this could actually be a better and more efficient way to work going forward.

We are currently struggling at the moment as I am ordinarily the one working from home and I’m happy with my workspace in the dining room; but due to my husband having to move his business online and numerous children trying to create workspaces we are all having to move and adapt to cater for everyone.

This has really got me thinking about how we could make room for extra office space at home and below I have listed a few of the things I find of upmost importance when planning your home office:

The Perfect Space – First up of course is where are you going to position your office. Have you got a spare room you could utilise? Could you make room in a guest room? Could you transform an area in your dining room? Could you factor in the cost of a loft conversion?

Home And Work Life Balance – For me it’s crucial to strike up a good home and work life balance, making sure there is a definite divide between your work space and your living space. Sprawling out on the sofa is great for when you’re relaxing but it’s not really conducive to being productive when working.

Good Connections – Good connections to the outside work are vital so when planing your space you need to ensure there are plenty of plug sockets situated around your desk and there is a good internet connection.

Lighting – If you can make sure there is a good amount of natural light which is good for a whole range of things. Getting the right artificial light is also imperative to ensure you don’t strain your eyes whilst trying to concentrate on the screen.

Colour – Colour can evoke a whole range of emotions so when choosing a colour theme for your office you should choose colours they are going to stimulate your imagination and motive you.

Greenery – Plants are known to promote happiness and give you that feel good factor so go ahead and fill your office with plenty of plants.

Tidy House, Tidy Mind – This is a moto I always follow and I think it is just as important when it comes to your workspace. Make sure you have plenty of folders and boxes to store things away so that your desk space doesn’t become cluttered and overwhelming.

What tips would you have for creating a home office?

art, Families, Family Life, Gifts, Kids Style, Large Families, Parents, Photography, Reviews, Reviews, teenagers

Pleasing A Teen With Poster Store

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[GIFTED] Trying to please a teenager is a struggle at the best of times, and as I have recently found out these times are particularly challenging when it comes to decorating their room!

Of course any suggestions that come from me are poopooed and when I ask for her input it turns into a battle ground.

One thing however that was relatively painless was picking out some prints for her walls.

We have very different tastes and I have to admit I find it really hard to let the kids have free reign sometimes. When they hit their teens though it is important even more important to let them express themselves and what better way than through art.

Izzy was lucky enough to be able to choose a selection of prints from Poster Store who offer a huge range of posters of different sizes and genres so there will be something to suit absolutely everyone. They also offer a vast selection of frames so you can have the finished piece all ready to hang as soon as it arrives.

Izzy is a big lover of monochrome and there were an abundance of prints for her to choose from.

Over her chest of draws she went for one statement piece that showed her love for her favourite city.

Above her bed she went for a gallery wall and gained a lot of her inspiration for this from the mood boards on Poster Stores sites.

Her love of fashion shone through with her choices with the statement Chanel piece being her favourite.

Izzy went for an all black theme with the frames that were fantastic quality and set the art work off perfectly.

Wether you are decorating a teens room like me or have a completely different project underway then Poster Store is definitely worth perusing.

Families, Family Life, interiors, Large Families, Uncategorized

Glass Partitioning In The Home

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[AD] For a long time now open plan living has been a big thing. The elimination of doors and walls creates an light and airy feel by making all living areas as one.

I love the look of this kind of design but for me the need to escape to a room on my own is far to great, and this is where something such as glass partitioning would make for a happy medium.

Glass partitioning in the past has been something used more readily in shops and office spaces, but it is making its way into the home and I for one am loving what it has to offer. Here are some of the reasons I am so taken with it.

Creates Privacy – One of the problems with open plan living is that there is nowhere to escape to get five minutes to yourself. By using glass partitioning you can section off areas of the house to get that privacy whilst still keeping the light and airy feel.

Making A Statement – I find glass a beautiful feature and when combined with stunning framing it can be a real piece of art and make a big statement in the home.

Letting In The Light – The ability to let in light is probably what I love most about glass partitioning. Doors and wall obviously create this barrier whilst glass allows light to flood through.

Reduces Noise – Having a large family equates to a lot of noise which sometimes is nice to get away from. With glass partitioning you can have these separate areas that allow you to shut out the hustle of bustle without feeling like you are penned in.

Controls Odour – We all know the feeling of going out after you have just cooked and having the small lingering around on your clothes. Well with open plan living this is heightened as there is no way to stop the odours from your food travelling around the whole house. With the glass partitioning this can act as a brilliant barrier to keep all the smells just in the kitchen.

art, Art Galleries, Families, Family Life, interiors, Photography, Reviews, Reviews

The Perfect Way To Show Off Your Art With eFrame

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[AD] Since moving I have found a new passion for art and filling my walls with colour has become something I absolutely love.

Our dining room was very bare and I wanted two large prints that would make a real statement rather than the gallery wall style I using opt for.

The prints arrived and I feel in love with them but I hadn’t taken into consideration the size and soon realised that after exhausting all usual places for frames I wasn’t going to get something off the shelf and needed something customised.

This however came with a pretty hefty price tag until I came across eFrame. They offer a fantastic customised service at brilliant prices and I can honestly tell you I wouldn’t go anywhere else for frames now with frames starting as little as £9 and mounts for a mere 40p!

eFrames allow you to get the exact frame to suit your artwork/pictures in just a few simple clicks and even have a section for you to browse to get some inspiration if you are not sure what look to go for.

You can chose from a variety of different materials and colours and can opt for it to be mounted too if needed.

With my prints being pretty bright I wanted a dark frame to show this off and to give a good contrast against the white walls.

The frames arrived within a matter of days and were super easy to use. The frames were off a super high quality.

eFrame off an all round fantastic service and I couldn’t recommend them enough, I particularly intrigued about there new service where you can upload a photo to their site and it comes printed, mounted and frames for you so I think I will be trying this out very soon!

Families, Family Life, Giveaways, interiors, Outdoor Play, Reviews, Reviews

Oria Armchair:Review And Giveaway

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[AD] Lots of people in this house means lots of bums that need lots of chairs! This can be a bit of a problem sometimes and people end up sitting on the arm of chairs or the floor which isn’t comfortable for anyone.

So when Bean Bag Bazaar got in touch to try out one of there Oria Armchairs I had high hopes this was going to be a great solution to our problem.

When the bean bag arrived I was immediately impressed with the thick, water resistant fabric that the chair was made from and the grey colour was perfect to fit around pretty much any colour scheme.

The fabric in fact uses free flow technology so the beans inside can move around with ease and mould to the shape of your body.

Unlike most bean bags the Oria has a high back to lean your head against and arm rests which make it super comfortable.

We have used it outside a fair few times and due to the unpredictable wether on the UK the fact it is water resistant is a great addition if you get caught out in a shower…or when clumsy hands spill a drink!

It is super lightweight so moving it around the house isn’t a problem at all and it even has a little handle at the top of the headrest to make it even easier.

If you like what you have seen then I have a great competition running over on Instagram where you have the chance to win one of your very own! So click ‘HERE‘ to enter and good luck!