LIFESTYLE: HERE'S HOW YOU COULD MAKE YOUR HOUSE FEEL LIKE A HOME

Do you not feel as though your property is especially cosy? Maybe you just feel as though you need to liven your space but you just have no idea how to get started. Either way, you can find out everything you want, right here.
Choose the Right Palette
It doesn’t matter what colour your walls are because you need to opt for soft furnishings that reflect your palette. It might be that you need to focus more on beige, grey or even cream. When you do, you can then make your home feel much cosier and bigger too. If you want to take things to that next level, then try and make sure that you incorporate colour with your décor as well. This will help you to bring everything together nicely.
Layers
Not sure how to warm up your home? Think about incorporating layers. This is the best way for you to add character and you would be surprised at what a difference it can make. It’s a good idea for you to try and choose furniture or fabric that is inspired by raw or organic materials. This includes rattan and wood as well. When you do this, you will be able to add a natural touch and this will go a long way when it comes to the overall comfort level of your home.
Artwork
Art can easily add personality to any room. If you are not able to drill into the walls for any reason at all then consider using picture hooks that use glue or another type of bonding material. The good thing about this is that they won’t leave any kind of residue behind, but it can easily support the weight. If you can, it’s also worth using a storage unit so you can change your art from time to time.
Focus on Greenery
If you want to really make your home feel better then it helps to put natural foliage on shelves, ledges or even on windowsills. You can also mix and match various vases so that you can add personality without having to worry about the total cost too much. Little plants such as succulents are also ideal because they are very easy to look after, and they come in a huge range of colours, shapes and sizes so you can make them work seamlessly with your space.
Cosy Glow
Another way for you to make your home feel nice and cosy would be for you to add a comforting glow. One way that you can do this would be for you to light some candles and for you to also invest in some lanterns. These are very cheap to purchase, and you would be surprised at what a difference it could make to your property overall.
So, if you don’t feel as though your property is very homely, then there are a few things that you can do. If you follow these tips, then you’ll soon find that you don’t even have to spend a lot of money either, so do keep that in mind.



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LIFESTYLE : REDUCING YOUR STRESS AS A FIRST TIME HOME-OWNER


Even the most attentive, organized, careful person can experience stress when it comes to dealing with moving into their first property. This is a big step up from rented living, and so it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Not only do you need to manage your home security, but its maintenance. You may have much more room to clean, perhaps you now have the chance to own pets and to consider what that entails, or maybe this move is for you and your partner to bring the most love and security to your newborn.

No matter the reason for jumping into the homeowning space, things can get a little stressful, even after you’ve settled in. Thankfully, this stress is not universal nor is it forever. In fact, you can take care of it with attention and resolve provided you know how. That’s where we come in, as those experienced with all manner of home consideration. Let us offer some worthwhile advice to help you avoid weeks of dismay or worry, to help you focus on the things that really do matter:

Curate The Best Trades Services Contacts

In your rolodex, or cloud contacts list, or address book, it’s important that you have a few numbers jotted down in order to contact when needed. It can be quite stressful trying to select from a range of tradesmen in the midst of an emergency, but having the best electrician already researched for an immediate call? This can help you understand that you’ll get a great service and that the contact link may has already been established. It’s little time-saving conveniences like this that make the most difference.

Secure Your Home Adequately

It’s important to feel comforted, respected, and loved. But it’s also important to feel safe and secure. Adequate locks, ensuring the windows are secure each evening, a home security system such as burglar alarm or one or two CCTV cameras, floodlights, joining a neighborhood watch scheme, and purchasing a large dog are all examples of how to adequately secure your home in manner that allows you to feel safe within your four walls, yet not as if you have to structure this loving abode as a fortress to feel any semblance of safety. From here, you can likely relax.

Improve Your Privacy To A Comfortable Point

Improving your privacy can sometimes help you feel much more connected to your household, because you needn’t worry about others seeing you in your natural habitat. Planting a few trees in the garden can help add a natural wall against onlookers, while worthwhile blinds can allow for bathrooms on the bottom and top floors of your household to be well-lit yet protected from a visual standpoint. A garden fence can also prevent people from easily getting onto your property, even if just to turn their vehicle around in your driveway. This way, you can feel the privacy you deserve.

With this advice, we hope you can thoroughly reduce your stress as a first-time homeowner.
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LIFESTYLE: HEAD TO TOE SPRING WEDDING PLANNING


If you find yourself planning a wedding in the spring, you know there are so many details to take into account. Spring is just around the corner, and it can be easy to get lost in all the details and feel like you're forgetting something. Here is a head to toe guide to planning your perfect spring wedding to help ease some of that stress and let you enjoy your wedding day and have you looking your best. 
Head
Starting at the top, you will need to take care of your hair and pick the perfect wedding hairstyle. Will you be styling it yourself or having a professional handle it? Either way, you will need to do your research and know what you want. Take into consideration your hair length, thickness, and texture when picking a hairstyle. You will also want to think about hair accessories that you want to work into the styling. 
Shoulders
Choosing the neckline for your dress is a significant influence on how you will wear your hair and what accessories you will wear. More intricate necklines should be showcased with hair pulled up and minimal accessories. If you have a more simple neckline, then you should add a more prominent necklace or wear your hair down. Think about how you want to look overall when deciding on the neckline and necklace choice for your dress. 
Waist
Right around your waist, you will be holding your bouquet. What colors are you choosing to use in your wedding? Do they compliment your skin tone and coloring? Do they match your personality and the way you want your wedding to feel? Sage green, light blue, and dusty pink are all great colors to use in the spring. The bouquet will also showcase your hands. Make sure you take care of your cuticles and have your nails done to show off that ring! If you want more details around the waist, you can add detailing or belts to your wedding dress for some extra sparkle. 
Knees
The length of your dress is also essential. Most traditional dresses drop down to the floor with a train behind, but more trendy bridal dresses are playing with the length of the dress. If this is something you want to experiment, then try on different styles when you go to your dress appointment. Knee-length or tea-length are both excellent choices for a bride who wants to break from the mold. 
Toes
If you do decide to use a shorter hemline on your dress, then you have to dress up the shoes! Showing off your unique style with the shoes you pick is a great way to add some of your personality into the wedding. From glamorous heels, modest flats, or unique tennis shoes or cowboy boots, you can make a statement. Even if you go with a traditional hemline for your dress, you still need to think about the shoes you will wear. You will, of course, consider how the shoe looks, but you should think about comfort when choosing a shoe.

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[AD] LIFESTYLE: INTERIORS TRENDS FOR 2020

all images from Pinterest 

I thought i'd put a post together sharing some of my favourite interior trends of 2020! I can see some trends from 2019 are sticking around but there's also some new trends for this year! Here are my faves!


Blue is everywhere, it's the new Grey. Being the Pantone colour of the year it's not surprising that Blue is very on trend this year. I think towards the end of 2019 Navy sofa's and feature walls were very popular. This seems to have followed us into the new year and I don't see blue going anywhere just yet! Navy and classic blue just seem to work and creates a modern but homely atmosphere. It works all over the home too, kitchen cupboards, bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms. Blue just looks great! I think the metallic trend works really well with blue too, Golds, Rose Golds and Bronzes look fabulous along side Blue!

Whilst scanning Pinterest for 2020 trends it's clear that white is still very popular along side the darker feature walls and furniture. However softer shades of pink, concrete, greens and browns also seem to be very well-liked. Again these soft hues work really well with Navy and darkers shades of blue/green.

Herringbone floors don't seem to be going anywhere and are just beautiful and a wonderful addition to any home. I think that the Herringbone pattern works really well with modern and more traditional homes making it a real investment.

Glass walls, windows, flooring is such a huge trend! I'm loving the Crittall style doors and windows that are trending on Pinterest! They add an element of industry into the home but also add loads of light and are a great way to divide up rooms. Tuffxglass.co.uk are manufacturers of toughened glass and other high quality glass products and technology so check them out if your planning on adding glass products to your interiors.

Block colours seem to be fashionable however patterned tiles for flooring and walls are also very popular. Statement wallpapers are also on trend right now however I'm not personally a fan and much prefer adding pattern with a tile or soft furnishings that can be changed easily. Adding a retro geometric rug can really add something to a room without being as dramatic as wallpaper or furniture. However if a jazzy pattern is totally your thing then 70's patterns are favoured this year.
I'm still loving the monochrome patterned tiles for walls and flooring, especially in bathrooms and hallways!

Scandi, boho and sustainability are still very on trend. Recycled furniture, lots of wicker and textures are still proving to be stylish. With people becoming more eco-friendly the fashion has become more wooden, reuable rather than plastic and throw-away. Why not check out a local charity shop or ebay for those hidden gems. An old antique side board or dining table can make such a beautiful statement to a home without costing an arm and a leg and also do your bit for the environment.

What are your top interior trends for 2020?  Will you be adding any of these trends to your home this year?









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LIFESTYLE: TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR FLOORING CLEAN

Everyday living means that sadly, your brand new flooring will not stay clean for long, particularly if you live in a busy household, perhaps with kids or pets traipsing dirt in and out all day long. Since you will have spent some of your hard-earned money on having a new floor put in and making your house look nice, you will want to keep it looking as good as possible for as long as possible. 
Image credit: Pexels CC0 License
However, there are things that you can do to keep your flooring from flooring.uk.com looking good, and that is what we are going to look at here:
Sweep it regularly
Sweeping your floor regularly, as dull as it seems, is the most obvious and one of the easiest ways of keeping it free of dust and debris while preventing it from getting too scratched. If tiny bits of debris and dirt, no matter how small they may seem, are left and continually trodden in, they will damage and scratch your floor. This is particularly an issue with real wood floors.
It is important, however, to be mindful of the type of broom or brush that you use. Depending on the type of flooring that you have, some brushes might scratch it. You want one that is stiff enough actually to move the debris, but soft enough not to ruin it - horse hairs and rubber bristled brooms are usually the best bet.
Mop and vacuum
Sweeping is quick and easy, but if you have the time, running a vacuum around can collect any of the bits that you might have missed, particularly those random bits of fluff that seem always to escape the broom!
Take care with which attachment you are using, because, like the brooms, the wrong one can cause even greater damage to your floor. Most modern vacuums now come with a variety of attachments for different types of flooring, so make sure you use the correct one.
You will also want to mop your floor, but be careful - doing it too often can be problematic. It is always best to mop it dry and use warm soapy water, or cleaners that are designed to be used with your floor type. If you have real wood flooring, do not use the steam mops that have become popular in recent years. These can cause the wood to shrink and warp over time, which is the last thing anyone wants!
Don’t wear outdoor shoes indoors
This not only keeps your floor clean and stops everything from the outside being walked in, but it also protects your flooring. The soles are harsher on the floor, and tiny bits of stones can be brought in the grooves and trodden continuously into the floor. Get into the habit of taking your shoes off at the door and wearing slippers or socks in the house. For areas of high traffic, place some rugs to protect the floor from the inevitable wear and tear, and buy protectors for the feet of furniture.
These steps are all very easy to follow and worth bearing in mind when you purchase your new flooring. By using these tips, your flooring will not only remain spotlessly clean but look brand new for much longer. 

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LIFESTYLE: Which Parts Of The Home Deserve More Love In 2020?

Painting, Renovation, Paint, Paint Brush
If you’re planning to update and upgrade your home in 2020, it’s important to accept that you can’t do everything at once. As such, you will need to build a prioritised list to ensure that the right areas receive the TLC they require. 
No two homes or families are the same, which is why you must consider your needs as well as the condition of each space. Nonetheless, these are the most common areas that require attention in 2020. Focus on these spaces, and you will see the biggest improvements. 
The Structure 
Your biggest priorities should lie with the building itself. Roof damage, foundation faults, and household leaks require instant fixes. Only a professional should be trusted with the job as your inexperience could cause further problems. Correcting problems caused by adverse weather conditions and general ageing is the start. But you should also consider the security. From better locks on doors and windows to CCTV, those additions will impact your feelings towards the property. 
The Bedroom 
The average person spends one-third of their life sleeping. Therefore, it’s imperative that you give your body the very best chance of rest and recuperation. Investing in a better mattress, blackout curtains, and comfy surroundings is key. When your body is well rested, everything from your mood to skin health will see big rewards. In truth, if the bedroom remains in a bad way, the improvements made in other parts of the home will seem futile. Now is the time to take control. 
The Bathroom 
Bathrooms are one of the unsung heroes of the family home. They are used for several activities every single day, and are where you go to make yourself look and feel human. Upgrading the bathroom doesn’t always require major work. New towel rails, shower doors, taps, and cabinet doors will often do the trick. This can be supported by accessories like new towels, candles, a waterproof speaker, and a fake plant. Create a calm space, and your daily life will improve. 
The Kitchen 
The kitchen is used more than any other room. From food prep to cleaning, everyone uses it every day. Many families use it for laundry purposes too. Aside from aesthetic pleasure, it should be practical and include ample storage. In today’s climate, energy efficiency is another key feature. Custom kitchen renovation projects make it happen. When your kitchen is redesigned with the next few years in mind, the value it can add to your life as well as the property cannot be ignored. 
The Garden 

Your home doesn’t start and end with what’s inside the four walls. As such, paying attention to outside spaces is vital. Budget-friendly garden upgrades are particularly useful. Not least because they encourage you to spend more time outside. This can turn your home into the envy of your neighbours while also creating the perfect place to host friends and family. For even better results, you may wish to consider the prospect of using sliding doors to combine it with living spaces.

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LIFESTYLE HOBBIES YOU CAN CONSIDER AT ANY AGE

Whether you are young and fresh-faced, or just heading into retirement, one of the best things you can do for your wellbeing is to find yourself a hobby. Having a hobby is one of the best ways to keep the brain active and keep you happy.
We are going to take a look at a few hobbies that will keep you on your toes at any age and hopefully if there is nothing here that takes your fancy, you will find a little inspiration within that will set you off on your journey into finding a hobby that’s great for you.


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Why You Need To Keep Active
The trouble with life is that often it can be quite testing from time to time. Whether it’s work or just a little stress at home, we all need to find something that helps us escape from it, and that gives us a release.
Having a hobby will more often than not give us something that will either stimulate our mind or body and sometimes both. When it comes to hobbies, the only difficulty that generally presents itself is being able to find one that we will enjoy.
Hobbies For Your Body
The first few hobbies we are going to look at are going to help keep both your mind and body sharp. We should begin by saying for these hobbies you shouldn’t be too quick to jump in and claim that you are too old for physical activity, no matter what your age, there will be something that you will be able to manage physically.
A few considerations you should think about when looking for a hobby that will challenge your body rather than just your feet are yoga, street dance classes and even rock climbing. Of course, if you are a beginner to anything physical, then nothing beats a little hiking, and it can often be one of the most rewarding hobbies you can have.
Hobbies For Your Mind
When it comes to choosing a hobby that will stimulate your mind, you should be looking at things that have always interested you. If you, like millions of people, require mental stimulation to help you through the day, then why not learn something brand new that really interested you.
Some things you can consider are electronics, computer programming and robotics. There are, of course, quite literally thousands of things you could challenge yourself with, and no matter what you choose, you should do so carefully.
Conclusion
While this post has only pointed out a few of the possibilities, the main purpose of the post was to help you realise that there is no harm in searching for other things to keep you active and happy.
Whatever hobby you eventually find for yourself, you can be sure that it will be yours and something you will find an added passion for. Having a passion like this will often last a lifetime. 

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