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Commercial Construction Trends That Are Changing the Industry

March 16, 2018
Mike Johnston
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Even though it may seem as something inflexible, the commercial construction industry is affected by various outside factors. We are talking about issues like economic fluctuations, climate changes, new technologies and job markets. This being said, here are a few commercial construction trends that will continue to shape the industry in 2017.

Green practices are the next big thing

While some people still deny the impact human behaviour has on our climate, going green is still one of the most important trends in the construction business. We are talking about the use of power-saving techniques, low-power machinery and even the increased use of eco-friendly materials in the process. Overall, the three greatest trends here are the so-called LEED certification, eco-friendly building materials and, of course, net-zero energy building. Each of these represents a massive leap forward in raising environmental awareness and boosting commercial construction.
commercial building

The labor shortage is a huge problem

One of the greatest problems construction industry is currently facing is the imminent labor shortage. Even with the unstable job market, millennials still remain mostly uninterested in this field. One of the reasons this is so is due to the fact that there is a lack of technical training in schools. The problems are even greater with the skilled labor force, because they are getting more and more valuable by the minute. In the end, all of this mostly results in longer project schedules and heftier payrolls for those who do decide to try their hand in this industry. Unfortunately, with the current state of the economy, this particular problem isn’t likely to go away anytime soon.

The Internet of Things is slowly entering the market

In 2017 almost everyone knows with the Internet of Things is, but what exactly does this entail in the construction business? First of all, it allows for a better landscape survey, aided with drone technology, employee tracking and various other high-tech means of collecting information. One of the greatest boosts this can give to the industry is that of increased safety. You see, not every area of the construction site can be considered a safe zone, which means that various forms of wearables may increase the personal safety of construction workers. Finally, all the information gathered this way might, over time, become invaluable data that will elevate the industry to a whole new level.

VR and AR are ready for their grand entrance

With the help of VR and AR gadgets, architects and designers might get a better insight in their project in its planning stage. Imagine a situation where an architect can ‘walk’ through their building long before its construction starts. This way, many hidden flaws may be discovered in time which can save a fortune. Seeing how the shortage of labor and necessity for using eco-friendly materials may raise the overall cost of construction, this might help level the field.
VR

3D printers

Finally, one of the things everyone keeps talking about these days is the impact of 3D printers on the construction industry. Namely, in a recent experiment, a huge 3D printer was able to build a house in under 24 hours. To make things even more astonishing, it did so at a cost of under $10,000. This being said, it is more than clear that these devices have a huge potential of both completely revolutionizing the commercial construction industry and solving a mortgage crisis. Nonetheless, whether or not it lives up to its full potential in the future remains to be seen.

While each of these trends may be vital to the commercial construction business as we know it, not every one of them is about to play an equal part in its development. At this point, we can only speculate which trends are going to take lead in the next several years.

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Top 5 Interior Design Trends for 2018

February 27, 2018
EmmaJ
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Home interior and personal environment play a huge role when it comes to your well-being, mood and general fulfillment. In that respect, designing and decorating your home the way you personally find appealing is essential for leading a healthy lifestyle. So, if you’re on the lookout for current trends and inspirational ideas when interior design is concerned, check out the top 2018 ones.

1. Colors and metallic finishes

If you’re ready to transform your home from the beginning, it’s important that you choose a color palette before proceeding with any other work. This will allow you to narrow down your choices and help you focus on your ideal environment better. Generally, trends for 2018 still feature neutral colors such as pastels, whites and grays. However, this year the possibilities are definitely bigger. Green and brown have become very popular as well, and really bold colors (bold, not bright!) that are fairly muted can make the home look absolutely stunning. With this kind of color palette, various metallic finishes as well as stone and marble are also at the top of the popularity list. Mix and match them the way you personally find the best. You’ll definitely create a unique interior and still maintain a trendy personal space.

2. Aspirational design

Creating an aspirational space only means that you’re making something special and original for yourself. Essentially, this particular trend allows people to move away from anything usual and ordinary in order to boost their own home’s functionality. Obviously, this is a different aspect for everyone. So, you basically don’t have to follow any of the traditional rules – if you feel like your bathtub would look the best and be most practical as a part of your open floor design, go for it! As mentioned, it’s all about ditching the interior design magazines in order to focus on your own preferences and needs when it comes to the design and décor, but layout as well.

3. Statement details

source: https://freshouz.com

Playing with statement pieces and details for your home interior will be a lot of fun in 2018, especially considering that the minimalist movement is still very strong (and it should be) but the need to add a personal touch to your environment is equally strong as well. In that respect, making the most of the space you already have without necessarily cluttering it with stuff is key to great minimal-personal combo. For instance, functional and sleek furniture these days usually have some interesting patterns and designs to boost the look. You also have the freedom to DIY some of your furniture pieces to make them stand out more. Obviously, playing with paint, wallpaper and tile is always a good option. This year, a statement ceiling is especially popular. There’s also the beauty of textures that effectively add warmth to your home as well as personality. So, don’t ignore the change rugs, curtains, throws and cushions can make in your home.

4. Wall art

Wall art has always been an important part of home interior. And this trend wasn’t ever unpopular. It’s just that this year brings a whole new aspect of using wall art in one’s home. Essentially, if you like this particular look, the point is to create your own personal galleries and cover your entire walls with art pieces you like. You can even choose your favorite photos, thus making a personal museum of sorts. While the rest of your home may still be on the minimal side, and you don’t want too many things lying around, when wall art is concerned it’s either go big, or go home. And, since you’re already home, you may as well unleash all your creative freedom onto your walls.

5. Interesting plants

source: http://www.belgianpearls.be

You’re probably already aware of the numerous health benefits that indoor plants have on you. In recent years, plants were a must-have addition to any home interior, but due to the rising popularity of Scandi style, the accent was on tall and sleek plants, that usually have one unformed vibrant color. However, even though the minimal approach to design is still big, the need to add more personality, as mentioned, has become somewhat of a priority for the majority of people. And one of the best ways to do this is to enrich your home with plants that have colorful, patterned and rich foliage.

What trends are you looking forward to and plan to incorporate into your own home? Is there something truly unusual and creative that you’re especially proud of and want to share with others? In the end, it’s all about expressing yourself without losing the needed functionality of personal environment, so don’t get pressured into a magazine-perfect interior design if that’s not something that clicks with you.

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8 Easy Ways to Decorate Your Rented Apartment

January 23, 2018
Lana Hawkins
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Whether you are moving into a new apartment or have lived in your current place for a while, wanting to add some home design to elevate its appeal may be on your wish list. Wanting to decorate without spending a lot of money is likely right below that decorating wish.

And as a plus, if you can manage to save money on your house decoration, you can afford to treat yourself to these cool must-have gadgets. So, how do you kick your apartment up to the next level without breaking the bank? By following our tips below, that’s how!

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We were taught it in school, and we’re saying it again now; recycling beautiful trash is the way of the future. Not are you saving this stuff from going into the landfills, but you are also adding some personality to your place.

Hold onto items like used (and washed) wine bottles, broken picture frames (where maybe the glass broke or fell out), and pretty strings or ropes to decorate with. And you can even find a use for gift bags that were too pretty to throw away, old out-of-date calendars, and dried flowers from a special occasion.

Wine bottles can be used as they are, or the label may be taken off with warm, soapy water, and then decorated with ropes and other craft items. They make great vases, but also can be used as a way to store bracelets and jewelry around their body, or if they are clear you could fill them with sand and seashells.

Old picture frames can still be used as they are, without the glass, or add a few hooks to them and they will frame your necklaces rather nicely while they hang on the wall. Gift bags can be pinned open to the wall and can be used to store a few papers, flowers, pens, and placed around your desk.

Old calendar pictures can easily be separated from their month and pinned up around your walls; even mount them with some of those old picture frames. Dried flowers can be hung on the walls, put in those empty wine bottles, or anywhere else you see fit.

2. Change Up Your Hardware

Knobs on bathroom or kitchen cabinets can sometimes feel, well, ordinary. Take a trip to your hardware store, or even look up ideas online, Esty for example, and select a few door handles to shake up your space.

And don’t feel that you have to limit these to the doors of your cabinets, you can also add these touches to your wall and use them to hang your hats, scarves, and other accessories on. Nothing says home design more than by these small, personal touches.

3. Print Up Some Photos

In all likelihood you have thousands of photos stored on your phone which you share on every social media account you have, but then what? That’s it right? Try printing off some of those fabulous photos and put them up around your place.

A dollar store is a great, and obviously cheap, place to find picture frames, but don’t feel limited in how you display them. Buy some string, some laundry pegs or fancy paper clips and attach the photos to the clips and cover those blank walls of yours, pronto!

4. Change Up The Walls

Nothing says apartment decorating on a budget more than painting a wall. Yup, you’ve probably heard it before, but it really can make a difference; it will update your place and your mood, all with a few strokes of paint. If, however, you are still digging your current color, you can do an accent wall instead.

Find some wallpaper that you like and pick a sidewall that would really benefit from adding a bit of pizazz to it. You can also purchase some small wall decals, or one large one, like an inspirational quote to add some change and home design to your apartment.

5. Update Your Furniture

And while we’re on the idea of painting the walls, don’t forget that old furniture can also be painted. Noticeable chips that may have happened over the years won’t seem like such a big deal now that your kitchen table has been painted over to a beautiful blue.

You can even reupholster your cushions or seat covers with colors to match or accent your walls. Or buy a couch cover, a slip that seamlessly fits over your entire couch to make it seem as though it’s new, even though it isn’t. These small changes really help to give your apartment a much-needed update.

6. Think Outside The Ordinary

Do you have collectibles but then don’t know what to do with them? Finding a way to display your passions can also be a great way to add some unique style to your place. Some people create a picture display of coasters they have picked up from restaurants where they have eaten, others display corks from wine bottles in a glass bowl or vase, or maybe you love to read and collect books, so why not display them proudly?

Shelving units, shadow boxes, or picture frames are relatively inexpensive and are a great way to display, much like art, some of your favorite pieces you have collected over the years. Some, you may even be able to hang from the ceiling, like lights. If you live with a roommate or partner and have some different tastes, designate one room for each passion.

7. Add Some Green

Adding some plant life to your apartment is one of the fastest ways to give your place that home-design look you may be craving. Not only can plants make a place look homier, lived in, and feel warmer, but they are also great at removing toxins from a room.

If you fear that you may not have a green thumb, there are a variety of plants to choose from that are easy to maintain and that can stand a little inattentiveness on your part. Plants can easily be placed on the floor, on a shelf, or in a hanging pot, so they can add a great dimensional look to your apartment.

8. Textiles And Accessories

Need some living room ideas? Take a visit to a flea market or even a store like Ikea and you’re sure to find some tablecloths, throw pillows, and more that can be used to decorate and add some comfort to your place. Fabrics have a great way of adding texture and style to a home.

While you’re out, keep your eyes open for anything else that catches your eye. Sometimes, without even planning it you can come home with a great find, something that sparks your imagination for your apartment.

Author’s Bio: Danielle thrives on researching and writing on all aspects of life. Further to writing for Zumper.com and personal finance, she is an advocate of self-improvement and living a life that is both financially responsible and knowledgeable. When she is not on her computer, she can be found spending time with her husband and two sons.

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How to Keep Your Kitchen Spotless and Functional

November 21, 2017
Emma K Loftus
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Today, kitchens are so much more than just rooms where we prepare food. They’ve transformed into the centre of our home, a place where we spend quality time with our loved ones. That’s why it’s so important to always keep your kitchen clean, tidy, comfy and functional. You don’t need much time or much money to do so, just follow these tips and tricks and your kitchen will always look its best.

Everything starts with a plan

Having a good cleaning and maintaining plan will save you a lot of time and keep your kitchen spotless. There are chores you should do daily, such as dishwashing, wiping counters and stovetops, sweeping floors and changing your kitchen towels. Some chores you can do once a week, such as mopping the floors, reorganising, and disinfecting the counters. Monthly chores include cleaning the appliances and kitchen drains, dusting light fixtures and making sure your cabinets, doors and drawers are properly screwed in. This is a plan you can stick to since it doesn’t require much time and effort, while it will keep your kitchen clean and tidy.

Take care of your counters

If you often find those pesky coffee and juice stains all over your countertops, you can easily remove them with some hydrogen peroxide, water and a few drops of ammonia. However, if you start seeing some damage on your stone countertops, you can use a buffer and a fine steel wool to remove small scratches and dents. If that doesn’t succeed, you can easily give your kitchen a small remodel and opt for some high-end finishes to make it clean, functional and above all, elegant.
kitchen counter

Keep your tiles spotless

The best and the most natural way to clean your floor tiles and backsplash is to use baking soda. To make this homemade cleaner, you need only half a cup of baking soda. Mix it with five to six litres of water and there you go. Your tiles will look just like new.

Clean your pans

Even though professional chefs swear by them, it’s a fact that cast-iron pans can be tricky to clean. The best and easiest way to clean it is to add warm water to your already heated, greasy pan and scrub it gently. Once you remove the oil and water, add three tablespoons of salt and use a paper towel to scrub. Once you’re satisfied with the look of your pan, apply a coat of vegetable oil. Additionally, you can rely on some non-toxic cleaners, if your pans have been through a lot.
copper pans

Maintain your kitchen utensils

Every now and then you must look at your utensils. Usually, you’ll find some burnt-on stains, rust spots and other little issues that need to be addressed. You can go through your cutlery and pots once a month, remove stains and blemishes and give them a good polish. If you avoid this chore, you might need a lot of money for new chopping knives and eating utensils.

Get organised with smart storage

You can never have too much storage space, especially in the kitchen. However, kitchens often have dead corners and spaces that are hard to reach, so you must look for some clever storage options. For instance, you can fill up the unused space with custom storage or corner cabinets. Another great storage option is a pullout spice rack that’s small and can fit in most spaces, no matter how awkward they are. Go all-in with storage, because even if your storage solution isn’t the best looking one, it’s still much better than clutter.
smart storage

Store small appliances

Rows of small appliances placed on your countertops rarely look good, plus it’s impractical. Consider installing storage cabinets for your appliances, especially those you don’t use every day. This way, your kitchen will be organised much better and you’ll have much more space for food preparation.

Be smart with garbage

Today, people care a lot about recycling and composting, and in order to make it easier and more practical, you should organise your garbage. You can set up a “garbage station” with multiple bins each with a different purpose. This way, you’ll not only have a cleaner kitchen but also help the environment. You can label your bins or use different colours for easier distinguishing.

Take care of leaks and drips

Kitchen leaks and drips might look innocent, but actually, they can waste a lot of water, cause stains, rot and other expensive damage. As soon as you notice you have a sink or faucet leak, it’s best to get to work and fix it. Most of the smaller problems you can take care of yourself, but if you think you have a bigger issue, it’s best to consult with your plumber who will rid your kitchen of all plumbing problems.
plumbing

Let there be light!

Kitchens need good lighting more than almost any other space in the house. No matter how much natural light your kitchen gets, you’ll still need a little help from electricity. One of the most popular kitchen lighting options is an undercabinet light. It gives ample light and eliminates shadows, which makes it perfect for different kitchen tasks.
kitchen lighting

So, if you want your kitchen to be the heart of your household, you should follow these easy cleaning, maintaining and organising tips. That way, your kitchen will always be ready for tasty meal preparations and welcoming your family and friends. However, if you don’t have that much time on your hands constantly, you can even consider house cleaners from time to time.

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Let there be light: how to receive great design with only two windows!

April 24, 2017
Faith McGregor
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If you are planning to renovate the apartment where you live or you’re willing to buy one, for sure you need to have your mind clear about the style you want to adopt.

A Swedish couple wanted to renew their love nest in London so they relied on Pillar, the first crowd sourcing platform of interior design in the world with a community of more than 50 thousand designers and architects. Their request was to remove the cold English style and use the Nordic style of their country.

The apartment had a single flaw on a structural level: it was exposed only on two sides. So the designers needed to project, having to enter the living area, kitchen and dining area and even a small double bed in a space with only two windows.

The couple received 12 projects from different parts of the world, 12 proposals to choose among the winning idea, as always all designers have met the expectations of customers. Anja Nina won the competition. The main color of the Nordic style is white.

Nordic style

This colour is predominant in the entire project, we can see it in the kitchen doors associated with a soft sea water colour, in the furniture that act as a filter between the entrance. Also, all the furniture of the living room and the bedroom are white. She put white in contrast with black in all its shades: in the pattern of the pillows and in the bed linen of the room, in the carpet that covers the floor near the sofa and in the bookstore.

Another key element of the Scandinavian style is wood: this material gives warm feeling and it has the feature to illuminate all the space that surrounds it, an essential condition for this apartment.

entire area

Other designers used wood in their projects. Annie Yakimova decided to use the oak, which is a almost yellowish that releases even more warmth to the entire apartment. The strategy was to use it as a cover material. Indeed, the living area seems to be covered by an oak line that goes from the side of the kitchen and it continues as a work surface and as shelves. This line turns into a small bar table with two stools.

Stylistic tone

Aleksandar Stosic used the same strategy. He decided to add a stylistic tone to wood. All the elements as shelves, panels, frames or supports are in oak as well as the legs of tables and chairs, the interior of the library and the TV stand.

In short, the designer has made a choice of expression. One of the main characteristics of the Scandinavian style is to use geometric shapes. The bathroom is indeed full of colours and shapes that recall famous paintings of MC Escher. Also, the rugs and frames are with geometric shapes.

View projects here:

http://gopillar.com/contests/open-plan-living-area-with-kitchen-hall-bedroom-and-toilette/submissions/signuparchitects

http://gopillar.com/contests/open-plan-living-area-with-kitchen-hall-bedroom-and-toilette/submissions/annie-yakimova

http://gopillar.com/contests/open-plan-living-area-with-kitchen-hall-bedroom-and-toilette/submissions/aleksandar-stosic

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Summer is Coming, Get Into the Mediterranean State of Mind

April 21, 2017
Emma K Loftus
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What better way to get into the happy summer mood than surrounding yourself with vibrant colors and cozy atmosphere? And what better way to achieve that than decorating your home with Mediterranean style in mind? This lovely and incredibly personal décor trend doesn’t have to take a lot of your time and effort. You can even budget your home redesign effectively. Take a look at the following tips and transform your home into a summery paradise.

Mix of natural and vibrant colors

The first thing you should know when decorating your home Mediterranean style is the strong presence of nature. In that respect, natural wood colors definitely make the dominant part of the color scheme. However, true Mediterranean home always incorporates the mix of these earthy and wooden shades with a burst of vibrant colors. Therefore, don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite color combos in order to bring the Mediterranean spirit into your home as well. There’s no rule that can limit your color selection. Still, try to create a coherent and eye-pleasing color scheme.

Cool patterns

Apart from bold colors, another interesting characteristic of Mediterranean style is the use of patterns. Essentially, you can go for any pattern that you like, but vintage patterns and flowers are definitely the best choice. You can play with self-adhesive wallpaper to make unique accent walls or you can reupholster your furniture and use a patterned fabric that matches your ideal look. If you don’t want to bother yourself with reupholstering, you can get the same effect with patterned cushion covers, curtains, rugs and table cloths.
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Tiles as décor

Mediterranean décor style is famous for the use of colorful and vivid tiles in interior design. Of course, you don’t have to replace the tiles you already have. If you’d like to but don’t want to invest in the project just yet, simply change up a few tiles here and there for others that have interesting patterns and bright colors. On the other hand, you can use the tiles to create wonderful mosaic pieces for your wall décor. Moreover, these can be absolutely amazing when used as mirror/picture frames.

Rustic accessories

When it comes to decorative bits and pieces, rustic is definitely the way to go. In order to accentuate Mediterranean style even more, opt for decorative accessories made of terracotta, wood or ceramic material. Old-fashioned ceramic lamps and bowls, terracotta pots as well as wooden décor with intricately carved details will help you bring the whole look together. The best thing about these kinds of accessories is that you can easily find them at your local thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Think previous centuries

Little knick-knacks are not the only thing that can have a rustic vibe in your Mediterranean home. There are various ways that you can create that rich and nostalgic feeling of the past centuries. Antique-looking furniture pieces, stone details, candles and lanterns as well as royal-like bed and sofa covers can all bring the essence of Mediterranean style into your personal environment. Draw your inspiration from online pictures depicting authentic Mediterranean villas and let your creativity run wild.

When Mediterranean décor style is concerned, always make sure that your home interior is filled with warmth. Even when you mix and match natural and vivid colors, it’s important to remember that the undertone of even the deepest shade of wood has to be warm. There’s no room for coldness in your Mediterranean-inspired dream house. Of course, don’t forget to bring a touch of greenery as well. Luscious plants are a must-have for a true summery Mediterranean home.

 

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Functional Meets Stylish: The Latest Outdoor Furniture Innovations and Trends

December 9, 2016
Chloe Taylor
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If you’re among those individuals who are blessed with a lovely outdoor area, then you should do everything you can to bring its décor to perfection. This is the area where you can truly unwind, soak up the sunshine and retreat from the hustle and bustle of an urban city.

Use Fabrics to Accentuate

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Image 1 source: summerclassics.com

When it comes to the most popular outdoor fabrics, get ready to embrace damask, jacquard and linen. If you want to create an atmosphere of elegance and glamour, then you should opt for jacquard – the intricate patterns in different shades of red will give an impression of royal refinement. Damask is a better option if you’re going for a monochromatic look with elaborate patterns. Another among fabrics that radiate luxury is linen that you should use to create a simple, but elegant ambient in your patio. Regardless of the fabric you choose, you should opt for colours that are calming and relaxing, for example, snorkel blue, fiesta, peach eco and limpet shell. The best thing is that these fabrics contribute to an overall tone and ambient; you can use them as accents by layering, hanging outdoor curtains and placing decorative pillows.

Avoid Cluttering Your Outdoor Haven

Don’t give in to clutter, but make sure to keep your outdoor area clean and organised. This is particularly important if you have a small patio, so you don’t need useless items that will take up a lot of space and make you feel cramped. Instead, try to merge style and functionality – you can obtain a lovely seat that has a storage compartment. This is a perfect place for putting aside your blankets and pillows when you go inside. Another practical solution is opting for a beautiful outdoor coffee table with drawers for storing magazines, or mosquito repellent.

Be Eco-Friendly

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Image 2 source: decoist.com

Having a personal outdoor area is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature. By forming a connection with natural life, our awareness of the importance of preserving our environment increases and we’re a step closer to protecting it. There are small eco-friendly options for your outdoor area that can make significant changes. Instead of buying new furniture, be creative and reuse the old one. You can easily transform an old bench into a new piece by simply reassembling or painting it, but make sure to use UV-proof and solvent-free colours to minimise air pollution. If there’s a harbour in your vicinity, you can easily obtain old ship sails, recycle them and use them for outdoor furniture. Since the fabric is weather-resistant, you don’t have to worry about it when it rains.

Bring Indoors Out

The idea of bringing indoors out will make your outdoor area completely unique and stylish. You can start by opting for comfortable and luxurious indoor furniture that will reflect your interior design. By adding some accent elements, you can really make a décor statement; for example, you can use a beautiful rug as a focal point in your outdoor haven. You can blend indoors and outdoors by using the same fabrics, patterns and colour schemes or opting for the same theme.

Outdoor Furniture Options

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Image 3 source: gardenfurnitureland.com

If outdoor furniture is more to your taste, you’ll be happy to hear that there are many different options that will create a relaxed atmosphere. The classic choice when it comes to material is wood that you can use in combination with iron, resin, teak and stainless steel. You shouldn’t forget to include a lovely wooden dining set, since there’s nothing better than having lunch with your family outside while enjoying a beautiful day. Principles that you should also consider when furnishing your outdoor area are multi-functionality and flexibility – opt for ottomans that can also be used as side tables for the former, and multiple seating options that you can separate or group as you wish for the latter.

The outdoor area deserves as much attention as the indoors, so transform yours by trying out some of these outdoor trends. Just don’t forget to be creative and eco-friendly!

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The Biggest Kitchen Design Trends for 2017

November 8, 2016
Lana Hawkins
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Like everything else in 2017, it is expected that kitchen design trends are about to undergo a proper revolution when it comes to design. While in the past, glamour and aestheticism were all the rage, in the following year the focus is going to be on simplicity and practicality. With this in mind and without further ado, here are a few kitchen trends that are bound to make the biggest splash in 2017.

Modern Kitchen Decor

Niche Appliances

As we already mentioned, one of the greatest focus shifts is going to concern practicality. One of the ways to achieve this is by placing your kitchen appliances in niches. In this way, they will still be easy to access while leaving your kitchen with more free space. This means that you will have enough room to add a dining table in the kitchen and make a crossover between the kitchen and the dining area. It simply doesn’t get any more practical than that.

Equipment is What Matters

Unlike living room or the hallway, kitchen has one practical function that overshadows all else. It is a place where you prepare food for you and your family. Therefore, anything that adds to its functionality is a welcome addition. This means that you should be more concerned with the specific characteristics of each appliance than its appearance. It also means that you should heavily invest in multi-purpose devices like toaster ovens. In order to find out which fits your needs the best, you might want to check out some blender reviews, toaster oven reviews as well as microwave reviews prior to making a purchase.
Grey Kitchen Elements

Shades of Kitchen Gray

For as long as anyone can remember, white was the favorite color of kitchen decorators all over the world. Because of this, it comes as no surprise that most kitchen appliances come in white by default. Frankly speaking, white does look impressive while everything is clean, but in the kitchen things get messy in no time. This is why, it might be a better idea to go with grey instead. In this way, you make your kitchen much easier to maintain without sacrificing its elegance. One of the rare win-win scenarios there are. Grey kitchen ideas are quite numerous, which means that you can find plenty of inspiration online.
Modern Kitchen

Maximizing Storage

Finally, you may want to maximize your kitchen storage capacities and therefore clear up the countertops. Believe it or not, no matter how much clear space you have in your home, the neatness of your countertop is something that makes the strongest impression on anyone who steps into your kitchen. There are several ways to solve this and one of them is going with multi-tiered drawers. If these drawers seem too big, you may want to add few drawer dividers to the mix and adjust them to your needs.

Conclusion

As you can see, while none of these ideas are 100 percent new, they all represent an important step towards increased functionality of your kitchen. In other words, when decorating your kitchen, all you need to do is ask in what way is this innovation going to improve my kitchen-experience or make my job in the kitchen easier. It really is that simple.

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Awesome Home Organization Hacks That Will Make Your Life Super Easy

July 6, 2016
Lana Hawkins
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The clutter is a menace that does not just get in our way, for its negative effects spill over in our mind as well. Once it piles up, it impedes our ability to concentrate and think clearly. Luckily, we are not short on ways of summoning tidiness out of this pitfall, and equipping ourselves with creative ideas and low-cost tools. So, take advantage of smart organization hacks in order to transform your abode into the sanctuary of order. Make every inch of space count, and do away with hoarding habits.

toys on the floor

Fit it together

The magnitude of the problem may seem intimidating at first, but let us go step by step, and use the good old divide and conquer tactics. Apart from the willingness to face the mess and chaos, you also need a strategy to defeat them. You should be able to utilize various household items for the task, or create some DIY storage. Think outside the box: Place things not where they are expected to be, but where they fit.

So, why not put some kitchen supplies in a magazine holder, stack hair products in wine rack, and pile up vintage suitcases to form a DIY side table. Also, remember that there is no need to purchase expensive organizers when kitchenware, cookie jars, and bags can be employed as efficient home organisation tools. Versatile furniture is a true blessing, especially if you get your creative juices flowing.

vintage suitcases turned into a DY table

Image credit: Popsugar.com.au

For example, I have seen some amazing work spaces assembled by cobbling together IKEA shelves and installing a tabletop on top of them. Just find a matching chair, and you got yourself a nice table with plenty of storage space. Moreover, one should make an effort to maximize hidden storage. The visible one, when jam-packed with frippery, can still induce a sense of frustration. An awesome trick for maximizing your space is also playing with lighting. It will definitely make your space management more effective and give the spotlight to your shelves.

Gain the breathing space

Walls are potent instruments for combating clutter, and it is high time to mount some cool storage solutions on them. Hang the metallic equipment such as bobby pins on the magnetic strip, which you can hide on the backing of the medicine cabinet. If you have some spare PVC pipes, turn them into wall holders for hair dryers and other beauty tools. At last, keep the shopping bags and hang them in order to store items you need on a daily basis.

DIY PVC pipes turned into holders

Image credits: Etsy.com & Bobvila.com

Furthermore, the entangling wire disarray is a nuisance which clutters the area which we require for work or entertainment. Fortunately, you may use labelled bred tags to mark the cables for different devices, and tell them apart in an instant. A cord organizer can also come in the form of toilet roll: Feel free to decorate it with a washi tape and be stylish about organizing.

Finally, bear in mind that it is often those little knick-knacks that put us at our wit’s end. Well, rise up to the challenge with a DIY approach, and create Jewellery Stand: Cut the bottoms of plastic bottles and thread them together. Another option is to find an unutilized frame and put some wire mesh, fabric or burlap in it. This frame organizer will also serve as a unique piece of wall art, adding life to dull surfaces. Little by little, your home undergoes a positive transformation, and with it your domestic life.

DIY make a frame for organizing accessories

Image credit: Themakeyourownzone.com

Falling into formation

It may seem like a mountain to climb, but with smart organization hacks it is possible to get your living environment orderly in no time. Conceal your unsightliness and tone down on the clutter. The art of planning and marshalling your army of household objects is the best strategy to infuse your home with comfort, gain extra space and add some visual appeal. Your life will suddenly become easier, and the time it costs to get organized is nothing compared to accumulated stress and waste of space.

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How to Decorate with Antiques

May 23, 2016
Chloe Taylor
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Although vintage is getting more and more popular by the hour, some people are not that fond of introducing it in their homes. Their main argumentation is that they don’t want for their home to look like it is trapped in time. This doesn’t mean that they dislike the antique look in general. From time to time, you are bound to encounter an antique piece of furniture. At that moment, you will think it’s just perfect and when this happens you will need to know how to combine it with the rest of your home. Because of that, here are some tips and tricks on how to decorate with antiques.

Identifying Antiques

First thing you will need to know is a true antique. As we already mentioned, vintage as a style is extremely popular which means that antique looking furniture is everywhere. However, you are not interested in antique-looking but antique.

Decorating with antiques

Image credits

What you need here is usually a closer inspection and the texture of the wood cannot lie. First of all, the traces of aging should be all over the surface (even if they are covered up). Furthermore, these replicas are usually not handmade. On a true antique, you will be able to recognize a work of a true carpenter by the asymmetrical carving marks. Finally, the quality and diversity of wood you can find in true antiques will always be greater than that of even the best replica.

Epoch Is Not the Only Theme

One of the most important rules that you need to remember is that when it comes to decorating with antiques age is not the only theme out there. Even if you don’t sort your furniture pieces by the epoch they belong, this doesn’t mean that they must look out of place. You can also group these items by the same color, lookalike ornaments or some other physical similarity. A white vintage lamp is always going to look good, next to your contemporary blue sofa. Even though they are made almost half century apart.

Old and New Combo

A modern living room with vintage elements

Image credits

Next thing you can do is try and find a way not only for your old and new items to live together but to achieve a symbiosis. For example, there is no reason whatsoever why your brand new LCD TV wouldn’t look good on your antique stand.  The same is pretty much applicable to any other piece of technology as well. In fact, you can take this even one step further and get your home a decorative piece of vintage technology . This way, by pairing them up with the tech you currently use, you can reach a strong yet unique visual impression.

Room by Room

Although some people are in love with vintage, they simply hate the idea of their home looking like a museum. There is really no need for you to transform your entire house. You can make this transformation happen in a single room. The choice here is great since there are some great inspirations for both vintage kitchens and. This way, you can still enjoy all the benefits of having a contemporary home. Of course, with the addition of installing antique nightstand, vanity and shower-head in your bathroom. Some would call this getting the best of both worlds.

A vintage living room full of antique furniture pieces
Image credits

As you can see, decorating with antiques is not that difficult and it gives you a plethora of options you can decide to go with. Furthermore, seeing how there are no strict rules here but only guidelines (after all, it is interior design we are talking about) you will have a no small amount of customization in front of you. Because of all this, decorating with antiques can be both aesthetically rewarding and fun at the same time.

Feature image source: Newknowledgebase.com

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Smooth Decorator is a website dedicated to our little sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle of the outside world – to our homes, sweet homes. We believe that the foundation of a quality life needs to be set right there, in the place where we first dream things up, and that only when we organized our homes can we hope to organize the rest of our everyday existence.

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